Abstract: A reverse vending machine provides for the separation, counting and crushing of beverage containers of a predetermined size range and composition. The machine includes an in-feed station for receiving multiple, disarrayed containers, an on-load station, and an in-feed conveyor operable to transport multiple, disarrayed containers from the in-feed station to the on-load station. A separator/conveyor is provided for separating, singularly, a container from the disarrayed containers, and for transporting a container so separated from the on-load station to the off-load station. Mechanisms are provided to reject unacceptable containers between the on-load station and the off-load station. A counter is provided for counting the number of acceptable containers. The containers pass into a crusher which reduces the volume of the containers. A receipt printer is provided to print a receipt indicating the number of acceptable containers processed by the machine. A microprocessor coordinates machine operating cycles.

Abstract: An additional container (29) for receiving further components is arranged in the container (21) for discharging preferably polyurethane foam. The additional container (29) receives a rod (37) cooperating with an inner cover (45) sealed in said container (29). The rod is led to the outside through a packing (31) in an additional container connection connected to the bottom (20) of container (21) and is movable into container (21) for blowing off cover (45). A disk (24) inserted in a recess of container bottom (20) and fixed by its beaded edge secures a sleeve (31) penetrated by the rod (37) constructed as an axially movable plunger. The outer and inner edges (39, 40) of sleeve (31) bring about a sealing action on in each case one radial collar (38, 39) of the plunger when rod (37) is inserted, and resiliently gives way during the axial movement of the plunger.

Abstract: A hazardous material handling apparatus capable of being remotely controlled so as to allow the operator to safely handle hazardous materials. The apparatus utilizes electric motors in order to provide for three-dimensional movement of the gripper. A television camera and remotely located television monitor may be utilized in order to facilitate remote control of the apparatus. A manually operated gripper is provided to allow for simple and inexpensive construction.

Abstract: There is provided a sealed barrier container for containing a supply of product in bulk form and providing limited access thereto for a user to meteringly dispense a portion thereof into a product receptacle, formed by an enclosed container including a product hopper for containing a supply of product, the hopper having an access panel movable between an access position and a closed position, a dispensing portion positioned in operative relation with respect to the hopper, the dispensing portion including a product ramp contained therein and in open communication with the hopper at one end, and in open communication with an exit chute at the opposed end, metering dispensing means positioned in operative relationship with respect to the product ramp and being rotatably mounted thereby to dispense metered amounts of bulk product from the hopper to the ramp, scoop means in operative relationship with respect to the ramp being reciprocable with respect to the exit chute, the scoop means including external control

Abstract: A dispenser for closures ejects an end-most closure contained in a pivotably mounted housing for closing a bag. The closures are formed with a hole and a cut leading from one side to the hole. In one embodiment, the dispenser is wall mounted such that a weight may be used for feeding closures to a dispensing position. A second embodiment uses a spring feed for urging the closures to the feeding position. The housing is formed with facings slots at the front end thereof, a pusher being mounted on a base member. When the housing is pivoted toward the base member, the pusher extends through one slot to displace the end-most closure through the other slot. The dispenser may include cams on either side of the dispensing slot for spreading the portions of the closure on each side of the cut, thereby faciliating application of the closure element to the neck of a bag.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in a container for measuring discrete quantities of poured-out liquid, which comprises a primary storage container, a measuring head, and a modified pour-spout, formed as a unitary body. The improvements include a first embodiment having a single pour-out mouth, also serving as a filler opening, wherein a removable insert plug formed integrally with the modified pour-spout is interposed into the neck between the measuring head and the primary container. In a second embodiment including a single pour-out opening, and a removable plug between the measuring head and the primary storage container, the modified pour-spout is formed integrally at the back of the measuring head by a compression-molding process. In another embodiment, having a single pour-out opening, an annular bulge interposed in the neck between the measuring head and the primary storage container provides an orifice for filling, and is collapsed to provide closure.

Abstract: An uncontrolled angular displacement compensating device for compensating an uncontrolled angular displacement of a robot hand mounted on a robot hand mounting link of a robot hand shifting linkage of an industrial robot, resulting from the expansion or contraction of the robot hand shifting linkage. The uncontrolled angular displacement compensating device comprises a pair of identical sprockets fixed to a first shaft supported on the free end of the robot hand mounting link and on a second shaft rotatably supported on the basal end of the same link, respectively, a driving bevel gear fixed to the first shaft, a driven bevel gear rotatably mounted on a robot hand mounting member pivotally joined to the free end of the same link and engaging the driving bevel gear, and an endless chain extended between the sprockets.

Abstract: An improved vehicle for working in a forest, of the type comprising a pusher blade movable up and down. This vehicle is improved in that it further comprises a tree gripping unit mounted laterally of the blade at one end thereof, in a position to pick up a tree lying on the ground. An actuator is provided for actuating the tree gripping unit from the cabin of the vehicle.

Abstract: A press-out piston is movably displaceable through an axially extending container holding a flowable plastic substance for dispensing the substance as the piston is forced through the container. The radially outer circumference of the piston has an annular groove in which an elastically deformable sealing ring is positioned. The base of the groove is conically shaped about the axis of the container and diverges outwardly toward the rear end of the container. When the piston is pressed toward the front end of the container for dispensing the substance, the sealing ring is moved axially relative to the piston and is pressed radially outwardly against the inside surface of the container. As a result, the seal for the piston is dependent on the pressure directed against the substance for dispensing it out of the container.

Abstract: A gas can has first and second removable fuel outlets or dispensing tubes, one of which is nestable within the other during storage. One of the dispensing tubes consistutes a pour spout, while the other dispensing tube constitutes a fuel line coupling member. The can is configured with an ergometric handle for safety and with an internal baffle providing a reserve fuel tank.

Abstract: A dispenser for a product is described which incorporates a follower piston slidably mounted therewithin. The dispenser comprises an axially extending bore of a tubular container body for housing a product to be dispensed and having an upper end from which the product is dispensed and an open lower end. The follower piston is slidably mounted within the lower end of the bore of the container body to support the product thereabove. The piston is constructed of resilient material and comprises a face portion adapted to contact the product and a peripherally attached sidewall. The sidewall further comprises at least one integral peripheral contact band conforming to the shape of the cross section of the bore, and is adapted to virtually resiliently extend or contract in response to axial forces exerted on the face portion with such change in length resulting in an inversely proportional virtual change in lateral dimension of the peripheral contact band.

Abstract: A coin counting device for simultaneously counting a number of coins, all of which are of a selected denomination. The device includes a hopper, an inclined planar member to receive coins from the hopper, members mounted to prevent coins from rolling down the planar member and to prevent coins from sliding down the planar member atop one another. The device also includes an array of pin members to disperse the coins transversely across the surface of the planar member. Gate means are mounted at the bottom edge of the inclined planar member to count coins as they slide passed.

Abstract: A system for scanning and dispensing postage stamps from a roll of stamps, including a scanning circuit for optically scanning each individual stamp on a stamp roll as the stamp passes thereby in order to detect the degree of opacity of such stamp and to produce a scanning output signal representative of the degree of opacity, an examination circuit including a first circuit portion operable to determine if an individual stamp boundary has been encountered and to produce a boundary detection signal in such event, and a second circuit portion responsive to such scanning output signal to determine if the degree of opacity detected identifies a non-blank stamp and to produce a non-blank status detection signal in such event, and a dispensing control circuit responsive to an externally generated dispense request signal and to the production of one or more boundary detection signals and non-blank status detection signals to control the operation of stamp movement and detaching devices.

Abstract: The automatic coin depositing and paying machine has a function of depositing coins and another function of paying out a portion of the deposited coins. The deposited coins are discriminated by one discriminator into acceptable ones and unacceptable ones. The accepted coins are stored in coin storing tubes in accordance with their kinds which are discriminated by another discriminator. Some of coins stored in coin storing tubes are used as paying money. The unaccepted coins are returned to the customer through the exit. The recovery hole is provided to be opened and closed by a recovery cover for providing communication between the safe and the exit.

Abstract: An apparatus for precisely dispensing free flowing particulate solids with a controllable variable flow rate is disclosed. The invention includes a container for holding a free flowing solid to be dispensed which is pivotable through an angular range of inclination, a transporting mechanism connected to the container, which includes two segments intersecting to define an angle, for transporting particles from the container to a discharge end. The angle causes the particles disposed within the conduit to form a bridge for stopping the flow of particles when the container is inclined at an angle less than the angle at which gravity causes free flow of the powder through the conduit. A vibrator selectively applies vibrations to the particles with an energy level sufficient to cause the bridge to break apart to cause the particles to be free flowing from the container through the transporting mechanism in response to the application of the vibrations.

Abstract: A pump suction tube support is mounted at the bottom of a fluid vessel such as a barrel for supporting the tube and providing stability to the pump which is mounted on the top of the barrel. The support includes a hollow cylindrical support member for receiving the suction tube and an enlarged base secured to the bottom wall of the vessel. The lower end of the support member has a series of spaced apart feet secured to the base member and the spaces between the feet provide communication for the fluid to flow into the bottom of the support member. The support member may include a diametrically extending slot for receiving a pin in the tube to prevent rotation of the tube.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device for an automatic chemical analyzer or for other chemical apparatus. A dispensing tank is located inside a filling bulb. The dispensing tank has an inlet opening and becomes narrower above the inlet opening to form a vent. The dispensing tank is filled with the dosed liquid by an overpressure from a reservoir which is placed beneath the dispensing tank. The dosed liquid is pushed out from the dispensing tank through a dispensing pipe by regulated overpressure. A regulation tank, a filling bulb, and an isolation pipe isolate the liquid dispensing device from the reservoir and enable the dosing of liquid from a flow channel; or from a large tank, or from a pipe under pressure. A new construction of an air distributor with one nozzle controls the air flow in the liquid dispensing device. The air distributor may control one or more dosing devices.

Abstract: The depressible actuator of the pump has a closure plug hingedly and integrally attached thereto in association with an integral toggle so that the plug may be snapped between a pair of opposite over-center positions about the hinge point. In one of the positions, the plug may be inserted snuggly into the otherwise open end of the dispensing spout of the pump so as to close and seal the latter, while in the other over-center position the plug is snapped back into a fully clearing relationship with the spout to not only open the latter but also remain out of the path of discharging travel of product emanating from the spout. When the plug is securely received within the spout, it cannot be pulled out merely by depressing the actuator, and thus the actuator becomes effectively locked against depression at that time.

Abstract: A coin sorting device is designed to inhibit tampering with a coin operated machine by means of a wire, metal tape or the like, and to further prevent non-acceptable coins from being accepted by the coin-operated machine.

Abstract: A venting type container to relieve pressurized carbonated liquids and the like without discharging the liquid therefrom while equalizing the interior container pressure with atmospheric pressure including in combination a flexible wall container for receiving the liquid and adapted to operatively receive a removable dispensing cap assembly which when brought into full threaded engagement with said dispensing cap assembly redefines the opening to said container; and a depressurization sealing unit which is operatively received on the dispensing cap assembly in sealing engagement to seal and contain the liquid within the container and define an interior cavity oriented between the dispensing cap assembly and the depressurization sealing unit.