Abstract: A flat, quadrilateral, resilient spreader member, symmetrical about its longitudinal axis and having mutually convergent, longitudinal edges, has handle members removably attachable along its longitudinal edges for bending the spreader member while being used in the application and shaping of moldable material to a work-piece.

Abstract: An adjustable, self-leveling dispenser for stacked plates or platters has a pressure head within a plate well or tank and a plurality of tension springs peripherally arranged about the outer periphery of the tank and connected between first arcuate support members movable along the outside of the tank and second arcuate support members fixed with respect to the tank, the first arcuate support members being secured to radial support members projecting through longitudinally-extending slots in the tank for yieldingly supporting the pressure head from underneath. A plurality of guide rod members vertically disposed in spaced relation within the tank and stepwisely adjustable along a range of distances outwardly of the center of the pressure head serve as abutment slide means for guiding peripheral edge portions of any selected size of a wide range of sizes of stacked plates to be dispensed.

Abstract: A cylindrical, vertically extending container having an interior, spring-ssed pressure head is adapted resiliently to constrain inverted stacks of paper cups upwardly against a plurality of radially-inwardly-extending, downwardly-directed, arcuate leaf springs, the upper ends of which springs are secured against upper end portions of the container in peripherally-spaced relation, and the lower ends of which springs extend through side openings in the container and are attached to an adjusting collar slidably disposed with respect to the outside of the container. A screwdriver adjustment mechanism serves to positionally adjust the adjusting collar with respect to the container to provide for various degrees of inward flexure of the springs for accommodating a wide variety of sizes, selectively, of paper cups to be dispensed.

Abstract: A cylindrical, vertically-extending container having an interior, spring-pressed pressure head is adapted resiliently to constrain inverted stacks of paper cups upwardly against a plurality of radially-inwardly-extending, downwardly-directed, arcuate leaf springs, the upper ends of which springs are secured against upper end portions of the container in peripherally-spaced relation, and the lower ends of which springs extend through side openings in the container for free movement therethrough upon flexure thereof, thereby permitting manual withdrawal, one at a time, of stacked cups.

Abstract: A rectangular, vertically-extending tank having an upwardly-extending, spring-pressed pressure head automatically feeds sliced bread against the underside of a cover plate supported for horizontally reciprocative, forth-and-back movement over the upper end of the tank. The cover plate has a transverse sidewall portion centrally disposed along its length and operative to push uppermost slices of bread, one at a time, forwardly to slide off the upper end of the pressure plate for deposit on a receiving tray each time the cover plate is moved manually through a forth-and-back cycle of operation. Ratchet and pawl mechanism operative between the cover plate and its guide means prevents retrograde movement prior to completion of the sliding movement in one direction or the other.

Abstract: An improved elevating mechanism for combinative use with a vertically rotating auger for elevating crushed or cube ice in automatic ice dispensing equipment, comprising a bent-metal abutment slide member partially surrounding the auger and operative to constrain ice being elevated thereby to movement in the upward direction to a dispensing chute, and having an outwardly-extending wing portion serving as a guide at an open side of the slide member for moving ice being directed into the mouth by a rotating ice feeder disc at the lower end of the auger into lower end portions thereof for continuous supply thereto as ice is being displaced toward the upper end of the auger.

Abstract: An adjustable self-leveling dispenser for dispensing various peripheral sizes, selectively, of stacked plates, dishes or platters supported upon a resilient pressure head within a plate well or tank. A rectangular tank within which the stacked plates or platters are received for dispensing is provided, in each corner, with vertically disposed guide rod members step-wisely adjustable along a range of distances outwardly of the center of the pressure head to serve as abutment slide means for guiding peripheral edge portions of any selected size of a wide range of sizes of stacked plates, dishes or platters to be dispensed.