Abstract: A product dispenser comprising a cover, a slidable push element, a base and a landing is provided. The cover and the base are rotatable with respect to each other about a common axis. The cover comprises a roof opening in which the push element slides in opposing directions, advancing product from the interior of the cover onto the landing. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser houses miniature zinc air batteries, secured to the base using an adhesive platform. When a cell is advanced from the interior of the cover onto the landing, the cell is separated from the adhesive platform, allowing air to pass into the cell and the cell to be activated. The landing preferably comprises a magnet for releasably securing product. The dispenser is then used as an inserter for orienting and placing the product in position in a device. The product is not directly handled during its removal from the dispenser or during its insertion into a device.

Abstract: An automated drug dispensing system includes a cabinet adapted to store a variety of prepackaged pharmaceuticals in a plurality of bins for filling patient prescriptions. Each bin stores a particular variety of packaged multiple-dose pharmaceutical. Each variety of pharmaceutical is associated with a particular code. A controller receives request signals and in response generates dispense signals. Each bin includes a dispenser coupled to the controller for dispensing the packaged pharmaceuticals therefrom in response to a dispense signal sent from the controller. After a package is dispensed, a code reader determines the code of the dispensed package and verifies whether the code on the dispensed package matches the code of the requested package.

Abstract: A carton with an improved dispenser at one of the carton which preserves the integrity of the carton when the carton is opened by permitting a bottom end flap attached to the bottom panel to remain in place and also a portion of each side end flap that is adjacent to the bottom end flap. This dispenser may also provide a safety net for the first container that is automatically dispensed when the carton is opened.

Abstract: A vial gripping mechanism (10) includes a pivotally mounted swing arm (26). A sensor receiving array (44) is mounted to a sensor end (34) on an inward edge (46) of the arm (26). A channel (38) protecting a cable (64) follows an outside edge (42) from the receiving array (44) to a cam end (36). A torsion spring (28) forces the cam end (36) against a cam (30) which is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) adjacent the arm (26). By action of the mechanism (10), the arm (26) is moved relative to the cam (30) such that in a sensing position, the receiving array (44) is directly opposite a sensor transmitting array (74), and in a shielded position, the receiving array (44) is housed within a shield (32). The shield (32) is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) and protects the receiving array (44) while in transit.

Abstract: A chewing gum stick dispenser includes a generally box-shaped container having a slot therein for dispensing a single stick of gum. A scissoring pair of swing arms utilizes tensioning means for urging the contained sticks of gum toward an operator wall. The operator wall retains a slidable operator having a seat adapted to engage a single stick of gum and push it partially through the dispensing slot. The container further includes a pivoted cap which can be opened to provide easy refilling of the container.

Abstract: A cassette for an object counting and dispensing system includes a base and a stepped side wall which together define a central open reservoir portion and at least one peripheral covered tray portion having an exit. Each cassette is adapted to feed and guide a range of sizes and shapes of tablets toward the exit. Only a few standard sizes of cassettes are needed to accommodate all discrete objects, e.g., tablets and capsules.

Abstract: A disposable glove suitable for the foodservice industry has front and back layers of plastic sealed along a periphery thereof, forming finger and a thumb portion in a closed end and an open end. A mounting section extends rearwardly from the back layer and includes mounting holes suitable to receive wickets therethrough. The mounting holes are also suitable for attaching the gloves to a portable planar support to form a portable and compact disposable glove cartridge which, when depleted, is easily replaced with a fresh cartridge. The disposable glove of the present invention is quickly and easily donned and removed from a dispenser (e.g., a glove rack) with a single motion of only a single hand, without assistance from the other hand.

Abstract: A folded paper product dispenser for storing and dispensing a stack of folded paper products such as napkins or towels includes an outer housing defining an interior space to accommodate the stack of folded paper products. A dispensing face is defined by the housing adjacent a bottom of the interior space. A dispensing throat is defined in the dispensing face and extends longitudinally along the face. The dispensing throat has a forwardmost generally concave edge and a finger access portion at the widest width of the throat. A plurality of ribs are disposed in the interior of the housing and extend from a front wall of the housing towards a concave edge of the dispensing throat. The ribs include a central rib having a generally flat vertical end set back from the concave edge of the dispensing throat a first setback distance. Intermediate ribs are provided on each side of the central rib and have a generally curved end-that is set back from the concave edge of the dispensing throat a second distance.

Abstract: A communication device for an automatic vending machine includes, a main control unit that initializes each unit in accordance with a result of decoding an initialization order from ROM, and transmits first to third control data in the form of telegraphic message through a data input/output line to a plurality of button control units one by one. The plural button control units are set to have or not to have a transmission right to the main control unit in accordance with a latch result of the first to third control data. The transmission right of the terminal control units can be set by the main control unit as the automatic vending machine carries a communication between the main control unit and the terminal control unit by contention type protocol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for dispensing flat forms, such as labels, stickers, transdermal therapeutic systems, flat medicaments for oral application, etc, in a controlled manner. According to said method, the outer contour of the flat form (103) is punched out from a strip-shaped starting material and connecting bridges (105) hold the flat form (103) and the edge of the punched layer together. These connecting bridges (105) break when the flat forms are dispensed via a deflector edge (106). The inventive method can be advantageously used for packing individual flat forms in primary packaging. The invention also relates to a specialised punching device used in the method.

Abstract: A quick-change roll-fed labeling machine system includes a conveyor for moving articles to be labeled, an infeed screw assembly for spacing and stabilizing the articles, a rotatable starwheel assembly having a plurality of spaced pockets for receiving individual ones of the articles therein, a rotatable vacuum drum assembly, and a supply of roll fed labels, wherein the labels are dispensed singly onto a label receiving face of the rotatable vacuum drum assembly. Both the starwheel assembly and the vacuum drum assembly comprise a plurality of segments for convenient change-out when necessary.

Abstract: A dispenser for folded interconnected disposable wipes includes at least one dispensing container having side and end walls, and a dispensing wall adjacent to the side and end walls. The dispensing wall has a center dispensing aperture located generally in the center thereof. The dispensing wall may also have an additional dispensing aperture, for example an off-center aperture or a corner dispensing aperture located near one corner of the dispensing wall adjacent to one of the end walls and one of the side walls. Disposable wipes can be withdrawn from either the corner and/or off-center dispensing aperture or the center dispensing aperture.

Abstract: A tool is designed to arrange a plurality of rolling columns and is formed of a housing, a pushing member, and a bottom board. The housing is provided with an interior for housing a plurality of rolling columns, and in the bottom thereof with a plurality of outlets for dropping the rolling columns. The outlets are so arranged as to be corresponding in angle and position to the rolling columns. The pushing member is movably disposed in the bottom of the housing such that the pushing member is capable of moving back and forth between a first position and a second position. The pushing member has a plurality of pushing ports corresponding in location to the outlets at the time when the pushing member is located at the first position. The bottom board is located under the pushing member and is provided with a plurality of through holes corresponding in location to the pushing ports at the time when the pushing member is located at the second position.

Abstract: A storage and loading system for at least one bag utilizing a container having a wall portion which forms a chamber. At least one bag is stored in the chamber and is accessible through an aperture. A flange is rotatable held to the container at the aperture and rotates from a first nested position, relative to the container, to a second extended position. Location again downwardly from the extended position to the first position serves to support the bag through contact.

Abstract: A coin dispenser includes coin storage tubes (4) each with a dispensing mechanism (10) located directly below each tubes (4). The dispensing mechanism (10) includes a motor (14), a planetary, planocentric or other compact reduction gear and a dispensing link arm (30) pivoted towards one side of the tube (4) and reciprocated by a drive pin (28) located in a slot (33). This arrangement allows a high packing density of tubes (4) and flexibility in their positioning. The tubes are arranged in an arc around a dispensing aperture (5). Multiple such dispensers may be stacked so that coins from an upper dispenser fall through the dispensing aperture in the lower dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dispenser box allowing for the removal of individual coupons without the chance of another coupon being removed at the same time. The dispenser comprises walls defining a cavity adapted to receive the stack of sheets, an opening through which the sheets may be individually dispensed, a flat bottom wall fitting within the dimensions of the four walls, and a resilient member to push the stack of sheets to the opening in the top wall of the dispenser.

Abstract: A tissue container having a plurality of walls and a lower surface is capable of dispensing tissues to users. The container may resist unwanted movement when placed upon a flat surface due in part to a non-skid friction enhancement device that is affixed to the lower surface of the container. The tissue container also may be removably affixed to an object or surface by way of adhesive, such that the container resists movement when a tissue is pulled from the container. The container may have an adhesive on its lower surface, such that the adhesive is exposed by removing a protective covering or layer from the adhesive.

Abstract: A vacuum driven pill counter includes a counter housing with a pill discharge aperture formed therein. An integrally formed vacuum drum is rotatably positioned in the housing and the vacuum drum includes a front wall, a rear wall, and a perimeter wall. The front wall of the vacuum drum has a plurality of pill apertures formed therein. A vacuum source communicates with the housing such that the vacuum sources is capable of drawing a vacuum through the pill apertures formed in the vacuum drum and a torque source is operatively connected to the vacuum drum in order to rotate the vacuum drum. A pill shelf is positioned adjacent to the front wall of the vacuum drum and a pill separator removes pills retained on the pill apertures while a pill sensor detects pills which are removed by the pill separator and exit the discharge aperture. Additionally, the pill counter may include a pill feeder.

Abstract: A dispensing container is provided having a side discharging dispensing cap which is smaller than the end of the container and hinged to the container at a position slightly beyond the opening of the container and includes a position control arrangement for the cap to releasably position it in closed and dispensing positions including a protrusion from the inside of one side wall near the top and two spaced depressions in the structure of the dispenser cap.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arrangement of fastening elements for holding bundles retained by cable ties, and a method therefor. The arrangement of elements includes a pair of strips removably attached to a sequence of fastening elements, whereby the pair of strips facilitate the transport, readying, and positioning of each fastening element prior to interaction with the cable tie. Also provided is a method for molding the arrangement of cable ties in which the cable ties are advantageously used for retaining bundles of cables, pipes, and similarly elongated items.