Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles such as tickets, cards and the like includes a base, a frame mounted on the base for enclosing in a stack a plurality of articles to be dispensed, a gate and a transport mechanism. The transport mechanism includes a rotably mounted drum, a pair of toothed wheels fixedly mounted on the drum, a pair of rotably mounted exit rollers, a motor for driving the drum and one of the exit rollers and an arrangement of gears for coupling the motor to the drum and the drum to one of the exit rollers. In the operation of the apparatus, the toothed wheels transport articles from the stack into the gate and the exit rollers discharge articles from the gate, the gate allowing only one article at a time to pass through.

Abstract: A combination telephone disinfecting towelette and dispenser for dispensing individual telephone disinfecting towelettes. The combination includes a plurality of telephone disinfecting towelettes each being treated with a disinfectant and in a layered interlocking position with an adjacent one of the plurality of telephone disinfecting towelettes. The plurality of telephone disinfecting towelettes are positioned within the dispenser. The dispenser includes a cylindrical shell including a sealed bottom side and a top side including a recess therein and a device for releasably sealing the recess. The dispenser further includes a device for dividing the dispenser into first and second sections, hermetically sealing the plurality of telephone disinfecting towelettes within the second section whereby a top one of the plurality of telephone disinfecting towelettes extends through the dividing device and into the first section where it may be removed from the dispenser through the recess.

Abstract: A coin roll dispenser has a number of coin magazines each filled with rolls of coins of a given denomination and removably seated within a housing. Each magazine has a motorized conveyor adapted to receive and sequentially dispense individual coin rolls through a discharge aperture into a discharge passage which transports the coin rolls dispensed from the magazines to a receptacle from which they may be removed by a purchaser. Dispensing is controlled by activating the conveyor in selected magazines. A first sensor detects the coin rolls as they are dispensed from the magazines and a sensor in advance of the receptacle produces a total count which is compared with the total ordered and the total from the first sensor.

Abstract: A card stacking and conveyance structure adapted for use in automatic card vending machines such as telephone card vending machines, including a securing seat, a conveyance device, and a press plate. Cards are disposed in a receiving space of the securing seat. The cards will actuate a switch to connect the relevant circuit elements. When a control circuit board receives a card discharge signal, it will actuate a motor which rotates a gear set to bring a roller set into operation. A card will then slide forwardly and gradually pass through a clearance between a front cover plate and a bottom cover plate due to the action of a first roller and a second roller, and then pass through a seam between a third roller and a fourth roller to a card slot of the vending machine.

Abstract: A device utilized in conjunction with an automatic nail gun for dispensing preformed tabs from a roll to a location adjacent where nailing is to take place, this device comprising a housing having an upper portion, front and back portions, and a lower member. The lower member is adapted to be brought into close proximity with a surface upon which nailing is to take place. The housing also has components for removably securing the housing in an operative relationship adjacent the automatic nail gun. An inner chamber is defined in a mid portion of the housing, in which chamber a roll of preformed tabs is contained, with an opening being provided through which the end of the roll of tabs is to move under the portion of the adjacent nail gun at which nailing is to take place. An actuating lever is rotatably mounted on the housing and is operably connected with a tab advancement device.

Abstract: A tote conveyor system for transporting totes from an end-of-use point to the point-of-use. The conveyor system comprising a combination of conveyors including a vertical conveyor and a substantial horizontal conveyor with a means to transferring totes between the two different systems.

Abstract: A rail survey unit (130) measures the relative profile of an elevator guide rail (132) at a series of equally spaced points (a.sub.o -a.sub.n) along the rail (132).

Abstract: A cover for a channel, such as the channel which runs along the top of a section of conveyor track, is disclosed for excluding foreign matter from the interior of the track while allowing a pedestal extending from the interior of the track to traverse the channel. The cover is formed from two cover halves extending inwardly over the channel from supports running alongside of the channel, and the cover halves include resilient outer portions and hard yet flexible inner portions. The inner portions contact the passing pedestal and flex out of the way as the pedestal passes between them. The outer portions provide an inward biasing force against the inner portions for holding them against the passing pedestal and returning them to a closed position after a pedestal has passed.

Abstract: A dispenser for individually dispensing paper towels from a stack of interfolded paper towels. The paper towels are received in a housing and dispensed by their ends through a slot in a smooth and generally uninterrupted manner. The slot is formed with a narrow medial portion and enlarged end portions to release only one paper towel at a time. Moreover, the dispenser effectively resists a user pulling a bunch of paper towels from the dispenser.

Abstract: A semiconductor accommodating device using an embossed tape and a method for inserting and taking out semiconductor devices, without using a top cover tape that had hitherto been used. The semiconductor accommodating device comprises a reel and an embossed tape wound on the reel. The embossed tape has a bottom wall for placing a semiconductor device thereon, two side walls upwardly extending from both side edges of the boom wall, and top walls having an opening. The side walls are formed such that the semiconductor device inserted through the opening is held by the side walls with the semiconductor device placed on the bottom wall.

Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaning device provides a belt scraper blade and a roller juxtaposed to the blade on its downstream side, relative to the direction of conveyor belt travel. Frictional contact between the moving conveyor belt and roller drives the roller. The scraper blade scrapes stringy materials from the belt and the roller pinches trailing stringy materials between the belt and the roller, pulling such materials from the blade.

Abstract: A chain drum arrangement for a central or double central scraper chain conveyor which includes a divided chain wheel and shell-type chain wheel segments which are attached and locked in rotation to or detachably from the shaft. The chain wheel is secured in its installed position on the shaft by ring parts disposed on both sides of the chain wheel, and at least one of these ring parts has a divided locking ring which can be taken off radially from the shaft in order to take off the divided chain wheel from the shaft.

Abstract: A tablet feeder can smoothly and continuously discharge all tablets in a case to the last one. The tablet feeder includes a tablet storage case and a support member. A rotor is rotatably mounted in the case on an inner bottom thereof. A plurality of pockets are formed in the outer periphery of the rotor at predetermined intervals. The rotor is rotated by a motor through a gear. A high-friction member is provided on the inner bottom of the case to prevent tablets from remaining on a boundary between the rotor and the inner bottom while bridging the rotor and the inner bottom.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for dispensing articles. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises a cabinet defining an enclosure and at least one drawer is attached to the cabinet. The drawer slides in and out of the cabinet and contains an array of compartments. At least one lid is provided and is configured to slide back and forth with respect to the drawer. Each drawer further includes a distance sensor for detecting the distance traveled by the lid relative to the drawer. A controller is placed in communication with both the locking mechanism and the distance sensor. The controller sends a signal to actuate the locking mechanism after the lid has been moved to expose a desired compartment. In this manner, the lid can be moved to allow access to a compartment containing a desired article or medical supply. The locking mechanism prevents further movement of the lid, thereby preventing access to any additional compartments.

Abstract: A ticket identification system is for a group of tickets of the type which includes a front sheet and a rear sheet and means for bonding the front sheet and the rear sheet together. The tickets are of a group of tickets having different classifications with some having a particular classification to establish an associated value thereof. The ticket identification system includes a normally closed bar code window in the front sheet. There are bar code markings for each ticket on the inward side of the rear sheet under the bar code window. The bar code markings include classification information to indicate the particular classification of each ticket. A ticket identification machine includes a housing and a ticket passageway through which a ticket can be inserted and advanced. A bar code window opening device is in the passageway to open the bar code window and reveal the bar code markings.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus comprises a try-like housing having recesses in an upper surface each for accommodating an item to be dispense. A non-return mechanism is located in the housing adjacent to each recess and has a member movable between a first position wherein the member is retracted to a position substantially flush with the recess sidewall and a second position (as seen in the figure) wherein the member projects into the recess to prevent re-insertion of an item. The movable member is retained in the first position by an item accommodated in the recess and is spring-biased to assume the second position when the item is removed. A microswitch is responsive to the movement of the member to signal when the member moves from the first to the second position and thus when an item is removed from the recess.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the mobile lift system includes a 3 ft..times.3 ft. rack and pinion platform lift providing a cage able to lift at least one man and gear up a pole of a billboard sign or any advertising sign and to detach the platform from the rack so access can be achieved at many different pole/rack sites with a single platform lift. The mobile hoist or lift is practical because it eliminates ladders from tall poles and provides safer route access. This will save time for the worker because his harness has been eliminated and the hardship of climbing the ladders has also been eliminated. Another point of interest will be the saved money and reduced liability because the ladders have been removed so that unauthorized individuals cannot climb up the poles. Mobilizing the lift saves money in material cost and maintenance because there may be one platform for 150 racks (poles) or more.

Abstract: A safety system for detecting small objects that approach closing doors comprising a transmitter stack, a detector stack, and a controller including instructions to detect small objects as the doors are closing. A transmitter or a group of transmitters from the transmitter stack are powered sequentially resulting in an output from the detector stack. The controller compares each output from the detector stack with an average of all the outputs plus a threshold value. The outputs that exceed the average plus threshold value trigger the safety system to reverse closing operation of the doors.

Abstract: An elevator system provides service between a ground level and each of three upper levels through a single elevator shuttle hoistway system. Three elevator cabs 34-36, B, D, F are moved in a triple deck elevator car frame 35, or a four deck elevator car frame 75 in a low hoistway 26, 76; two cabs are moved in a double deck elevator car frame 30 or four deck car frame 76 in a mid hoistway 27, 52; and one cab is moved in a single deck car frame 31 or triple deck car frame 77 in a high hoistway 28, 53. Other embodiments have other car frame arrangements.

Abstract: A passenger conveyor system, such as an elevator or shuttle system, includes a drive system formed from a plurality of sequentially connected belts driven by a machine. Each of the belts is engageable with a car to move the car along a portion of the path, and adjacent belts are interconnected by a transmission. In a particular embodiment, the passenger conveyor system includes a counterweight that is also engaged with the plurality of belts. In another particular embodiment, the passenger conveyor system includes a first portion in which the belt driven car moves vertically and a second portion in which the belt driven car moves horizontally.