Abstract: An apparatus (10) for producing a singulated flow of correctly oriented flats (100 or 160) includes an input conveyor (12), a plurality of singulating conveyors (14, 16, and 18), and a skew correction station (20). A stack of flats (100 or 160) is deposited onto an inclined surface (42) of the input conveyor (12). The input conveyor (12) produced a running shingle of flats by frictionally engaging and pulling the bottom most flat in the stack. The plurality of singulating conveyors (14, 16, and 18) convert the running shingle into a singulated flow using frictional, inertial, and gravitational forces. By advancing conveyor (16) while halting conveyor (14), a flat (102) is pulled from underneath flat (108) with flat (108) remaining stationary. By operating conveyor (16) in a pulsed acceleration mode, passenger flat (122) is separated from underlying flat (120). By angling the conveyors (14, 16, and 18) in an upward direction, rearward gravitational force passenger flats (134 and 136) down conveyor (14).

Abstract: In a sheet feeding device adapted to be positioned in a main unit such as a copying machine, a printer and the like, having a case member for holding a plurality of cut-form sheets in a stacked state and a pair of feeding rollers for feeding the sheet one by one, an indicator for indicating a size of the stacked sheet and an interval change mechanism for automatically changing an interval between the pair of feeding rollers in accordance with the size indicated by the indicator when the sheet feeding device is positioned in the main unit, are provided. Thus, according to the size of the stacked sheet, the pair of sheet feeding rollers are respectively placed at the most suitable positions for a sheet feeding operation.

Abstract: A dispensing device utilizing a gas pocket assembly. The gas pocket assembly includes an inflatable gas pocket and a cylindrical mounting seat. The dispensing device has a gas introduction mechanism for introducing high-pressure gas to the gas pocket assembly, a pressurized cylinder for containing liquid, and a dispensing head mechanism for dispensing the liquid. the gas pocket assembly is secured to a bottom wall of the pressurized cylinder. The dispensing of the liquid, which creates a gradual dropping of pressure, causes the inflatable gas pocket to swell or inflate gradually until the interior of the pressurized cylinder is entirely occupied by the gas pocket.

Abstract: A ramp apparatus for causing a plurality of containers disposed in a staggered stack column to converge into a single stack column for subsequent dispensing by a single column dispensing mechanism, the ramp apparatus having an upper edge of a configuration such as not to contact a substantial portion of a container passing thereover at any one time and a supporting surface operable to cause the containers to converge to form the single stack column in a minimum of vertical distance while simultaneously inhibiting the containers from bridging with adjoining containers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing an individual beverage serving are disclosed wherein a rupturable packet containing a flavoring constituent is ruptured by a mechanically actuated platen. Platen movement during the dispensing cycle is controlled by a specially configured cam and dependent upon predetermined volumes of flavoring constituent and gas within the packet. A nozzle assembly is employed for mixing the flavoring constituent with a base liquid and includes a deflector for insuring substantially uniform mixing and elimination of undesired foaming in the beverage. A specially configured rupturable packet is employed in which the side seals and the seal forming the packet spout are stronger than the peel seal of the packet, but weaker than the top closure seal. Another packet design employed with the apparatus has a spout which is angled to one side.