Abstract: A mail processing machine comprises a first holding location that is adapted to hold a stack of first pages. A card is coupled to each of the first pages, and each first page includes an identifier. A second holding location is adapted to hold a stack of second pages that each have an identifier. A first advancing mechanism is adapted to separately advance each first page from the stack, and a second advancing mechanism is adapted to separately advance each second page from the stack. First and second scanning devices read the identifiers on the first and second pages upon their advancement. A controller is configured to control the first and second advancing mechanism to permit the first and second pages to be scanned by the first and second scanners and to match the first pages with the second pages if the identifier on one of the advanced first pages corresponds with the identifier on one of the advanced second pages.

Abstract: A paper currency storage cabinet mounting arrangement is constructed to include a paper currency receiving and verification unit and a paper currency storage cabinet, the paper currency receiving and verification unit having retaining holes and a hook hole, the paper currency storage cabinet having retaining rods disposed at two sides and a spring-supported lock means disposed at one end, the spring-supported lock means being automatically forced into the hook hole to lock the paper currency receiving and verification unit and the paper currency storage cabinet when the respective retaining rods respectively engaged into the respective retaining holes.

Abstract: A dispenser structure for chaff countermeasures includes at least one chaff dispenser having a dispenser tube with a tube sidewall, a dispensing opening, and a female thread structure in an inner surface of the tube sidewall, and a male worm gear engaged to the female thread structure of the dispenser tube. A drive structure has a motor mount upon which the worm gear is rotatably supported, with the motor mount being mechanically reacted to prevent the motor mount from turning, and a drive motor affixed to the motor mount and having a motor output connected to the worm gear to controllably turn the worm gear. Chaff countermeasures are disposed within the dispenser tube between the worm gear and the dispensing opening, so that they may be pushed out the dispensing opening as the motor turns the worm gear.

Abstract: A device for separating and dispensing strips of self-adhesive articles, such as postage stamps, labels and other materials formed in strips. Elongated strips of these self-adhesive articles are wound into rolls and supported upon a waxy backing layer and require separation for use. The separating dispenser may be a two-part assembly having a housing and a closure for the housing, with a slot therethrough, which the elongated strips of self-adhesive articles are dispensed and advanced through complementary guide pins that frictionally hold the dispensed material. The device can separate a backing layer from stripped material when the backing layer and the stripped material are directed along different paths and only the backing layer is advanced through the guide pins. The mechanism of the present invention advantageously permits efficient production and operation. In addition to being economical and easy to use, this invention has obvious reliability advantages.

Abstract: A product dispenser of the type adapted to release articles from vertical stacks is disclosed, which is configured to dispense a variety of articles whether in bulk or singularly. The present vending apparatus provides a main housing that is configured to receive interchangeable release mechanisms, with each mechanism dependent upon whether the dispensed article(s) is generally flat or of the small round type distributed by bulk similar to candies. The bottom surface of the product compartment defined on the top of main housing is configured to allow variability in the type of products released from the vertically mounted product cartridge.

Abstract: A bandage or other injury dressing dispenser is disclosed. The dispenser includes a plurality of differently-sized compartments, one for each injury dressing size. The dispenser includes bottom, front, rear and top surfaces and further includes a tension member in each compartment, for providing a biasing force between the compartment rear surface and a backing plate in each compartment. The injury dressings are disposed vertically between the backing plate and the front compartment surface, such that the tension member urges the injury dressings forwardly against the interior side of the front surface. The injury dressings are dispensed from a slot in the bottom surface of each compartment by the application of a downwardly directed force against the injury dressing through an arcuate opening in the front surface of each compartment.

Abstract: The storage system includes a storage platform cantilevered above a surface mount placement machine. The storage platform is attached to a vertical support member positioned adjacent to the surface mount placement machine. A storage tray is located on the storage platform and extends above the surface mount placement machine.

Abstract: A dispenser for a lid from a plurality of nested lids can include at least one member for isolating at least one adjacent to an endmost lid whereby the endmost lid can separate from the adjacent lid and be dispensed.

Abstract: A tool for separating coals from ash, includes and elongated body having a handle at one end and a plurality of substantially parallel spaced-apart first fingers longitudinally disposed along the body at an opposite second end. The first fingers form a curved shovel-like structure which outwardly projects substantially perpendicular to the body. The distal ends of the first fingers are connected by a cross member. A plurality of substantially parallel spaced-apart second fingers are longitudinally disposed along the body on the opposite side from the first fingers. The second fingers form a tapered rake configuration. The tool is used to (1) push a coal/ash mixture to one area of a fire box, (2) sift the coals from the ash, (3) flip the separated coals to a second area of the fire box, (4) rake coals from the coal/ash pile, and (5) drag coals from the top surface of the coal/ash pile.

Abstract: A high capacity cassette for an object counting and dispensing system includes a substantially horizontal base including an exit hole, a peripheral wall about the base and having an internal periphery, the base and the peripheral wall defining a reservoir adapted to store a plurality of the discrete objects, and a structure about the internal periphery which feeds the discrete objects single file toward said exit hole.

Abstract: A pre-formed bags dispenser comprises a container (1) having an access aperture (8), a stack (9) of pre-formed bags (10) located in the container and having a first portion (12) deviated, preferably folded, at a transverse bend (11) from a second portion (13) containing mouth ends (18) of the bags, and attachment means (20) in the container separably attached to the mouth ends (18) at lines of weakening (22), e.g. perforations. Front walls (15) of the bags at the second portion (13), tensioned by the bending of the stack, are presented towards the access aperture (8). The bag nearest to the access aperture can be drawn out through the aperture by pulling its front wall, with one hand, relative to the attachment means. As the bag is so pulled its mouth is opened and the separable attachment to the attachment means is released. The attachment means, in one form, comprises a bar block separably joined to the mouths and/or handles of the bags.

Abstract: An improved emergency code cart (100) is provided. The cart contains a number of drawers (130), each containing medications (305, 310) and instruments (315) required for a particular code algorithm. The contents of each drawer are organized according to ACLS (American Cardiac Life Support) or other guidelines. The cart also contains a computer (175) which is programmed with ACLS algorithms or other guidelines which are the current standard of emergency patient care. The cart's computer monitors the patient's EKG, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and other indicators, providing diagnostic information to the medical personnel in the code team. Upon select of a code algorithm, the computer provides prompts according to the algorithm, issues alarms when the algorithm is not followed, provides automatic synchronized cardioversion, prints an EKG rhythm strip, and documents all activities occurring in a code, including withdrawal, replacement, and use of medication and instruments.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing pills comprises at least one ring-shaped blister pack, in which cavities containing pills are distributed, such that the openings of the cavities therein are directed outwardly, as well as a flat pocket dispenser. It has a first part for receiving the pack in a ring shape, and a second part fitting onto the first part and encasing the blister pack together with the first part. The first part and/or the second part comprises at least one passage opening with which a pill to be dispensed can be aligned. A push-out means can be positioned in line with the respective pills of the blister pack and with the passage opening and be operated for pushing out the pill to be dispensed through the passage opening. There are provided means for rotatably positioning the blister pack stepwise relative to the part of the apparatus including the push-out means. The blister pack itself and the part containing the push-out means comprise the means for the stepwise positioning of the blister pack.

Abstract: A method and a dispersing machine for hot dispersing a highly consistent fibrous stock. The machine includes at least one stationary stator that includes a plurality of annular concentric rows of stator teeth. At least one rotating rotor is provided that includes a plurality of annular concentric rows of rotor teeth. An annular dispersing zone is formed by the stator teeth and the rotor teeth whereby the rotor teeth are adapted to rotate adjacent the stator teeth such that a distance is maintained between the stator teeth and the rotor teeth in the annular dispersion zone. An inlet is provided that allows the fibrous stock to enter the dispersion machine. A milling element is centrally arranged on the rotor. The milling element is arranged near the inlet and defines a milling zone. An annular chamber is arranged between the dispersion zone and the milling zone. At least one conduit allows a heating medium to enter the annular chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deploying traffic warning devices, includes loading a plurality of traffic warning devices into a container through a loading port. The traffic warning devices remain stored in the container until they are needed to warn approaching vehicular or pedestrian traffic of an obstruction in a road, such as an accident. At that time, an officer causes the traffic warning devices to be dispensed from the container's deployment port and deposited upon the surface of the road. In a preferred embodiment, the container is modular and includes a top section, at least one middle section, and a bottom section. The holding capacity of the container may be increased by adding additional middle sections.

Abstract: A tape strip dispenser defining a retention chamber and having an opening through which the tape strips are dispensed from a W-stacked pad of tape strips retained within the retention chamber. The opening is longitudinally bounded along a first end by a first linear edge, and longitudinally bounded along a second end by a second liner edge, with (i); the first and second linear edges laterally angled relative to a central lateral axis of the retention chamber, and/or (ii) the first and second linear edges independently pivotable about a first and a second lateral axis, respectively.

Abstract: A stacked assembly of disposable rain protection devices having a reinforced holder for displaying and dispensing the disposable rain protection devices from a bracket member of a display stand. The display holder is formed from a piece of cardboard folded upward along an upward fold and downward along a pair of downward folds to thereby form a pair of opposing display holder flaps and an integral reinforcement member comprising a pair of opposing reinforcement member flaps. The reinforcement member flaps are fixedly attached to one another and are sandwiched between the display holder flaps and depend downward from an upper portion of the opposing display holder flaps. The disposable rain protection devices are stacked together, and are sandwiched between the opposing display holder flaps such that a disposable rain protection device can be detached from the holder by pulling the rain protection device in order to break a frangible perforation.

Abstract: A reversible cartridge holding a plurality of paper products and for dispensing a controlled amount of the same from a dispenser housing. The cartridge includes a cartridge body having cartridge walls, the cartridge being insertable into an interior area of a dispenser housing. The cartridge may further include removable sections defined in the cartridge body, removal of at least a portion of the removable portions creating openings in the cartridge. The exterior walls define an interior surface and an interior area within the interior surface for receiving a cartridge holding a plurality of paper products. The cartridge further includes two dispensing throats, a first dispensing throat for dispensing multiple paper products, and the second dispensing throat for dispensing single paper products one at a time. Additional openings could be provided for controlling the dispensing and alignment of the paper products within the cartridge.

Abstract: A continuous strip of individual napkin ring blanks that can be separated to form a plurality of napkin rings. Each individual ring blank extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge and includes a first adhesive area and a second adhesive area. A line of perforation is formed between the leading edge of one ring blank and the trailing edge of the preceding ring blank such that the ring blanks can be separated from each other. Each of the ring blanks includes a pair of angled locating surfaces formed near its leading edge and a pair of angled locating surfaces formed near its trailing edge to provide a visual indication of the line of perforation between the ring blanks.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a device for the convenient storage and controlled dispensing of objects, and includes at least the following components. A shell with a generally hollow interior cavity, an advancement slot, and at least one dispenser opening. A cartridge for location within the hollow interior cavity of the shell, such that the cartridge can be removed and contained within the shell. The cartridge optionally includes a cartridge bell disposed about the cartridge plate, wherein the cartridge belt is capable of receiving the objects for storage and dispensing. Captured within the advancement slot of the shell is an advancement arm comprising a first end for selective advancement of the objects and a second end to allow for control over the advancement arm in advancing the objects towards the dispensing opening of the shell, and for control of the advancement arm in retracting the advancement arm after dispensing.