Abstract: A voltage measurement circuit is connected between an electrode and a workpiece by a parallel cable through a resistor to measure a machining gap voltage. The parallel cable, like a television antenna feeder line, is formed such that two conductive wires are parallel fixed by an insulating and flexible material such as rubber or resin with a predetermined distance. The interline distance of the parallel cable is increased to decrease a stray capacitance of the cable, so that a high-frequency voltage in finish machining can be measured by the voltage measurement circuit without being attenuated. The resistor is connected to suppress oscillation of a voltage input to the voltage measurement circuit.

Abstract: A method for detecting and compensating electrode wear of electric discharge machining (EDM) is disclosed, which comprises the steps of: defining a calibration node; calculating a wear length of a tool electrode by an edge-finding algorithm; using the calculated wear length of the tool electrode as a cut compensation for compensating a machining depth of next new tool electrode replacing the previously machined tool electrode; whereas the machining depth is obtained according to the following formula: the machining depth=designed depth of cut+predicted wear of the tool electrode for machining to desire depth?calculated wear length of the previously machined tool electrode+a through hole offset. With the aforesaid method, the wear of an used tool electrode can be detected automatically for compensating the machining depth of an unused tool electrode without ant additional equipment while achieving accurate machining.

Abstract: A resistance welding gun is provided that includes an arm assembly having spaced apart plates. First and second spaced apart blocks interconnect the plates and extend between the plates in a first direction. The first and second blocks are machined to provide a desired spacing between the plates. An electrode arm is arranged between the plates and blocks and supports an electrode end having a replaceable cap in one example. A clamping device applies a clamping load in a second direction transverse to the first direction to secure the electrode arm between the blocks. Lateral alignment between opposing electrode ends is achieved by a movable adjustment assembly on one of the arm assemblies. A pivot pin interconnects the block and electrode arm for permitting rotation of the electrode arm relative to the block. In one example, the adjustment assembly includes an adjustment member that is rotated to laterally move the electrode arm about the pivot pin in a desired position.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for processing a substrate having an upper surface that includes a central region, a peripheral region, and an edge adjacent to the peripheral region. An image having an intensity sufficient to effect thermal processing of the substrate is scanned across the upper surface of the substrate. The image scanning geometry allows processing the central region of the substrate at a substantially uniform temperature without damaging the outer edge. In some instances, the image may be formed from a beam traveling over at least a portion of the central region so that no portion thereof directly illuminates any portion of the edge when the image is scanned across the periphery region. The substrate may be rotated 180° or the beam direction may be switched after part of the scanning operation has been completed.

Abstract: An atomic oxygen generator/sprayer is invented. An array of three magnetized torches running at 60 Hz is used to generate non-thermal plasma; thus, the plasma effluent has relatively low temperature (touchable) and yet contains high energy electrons (>5 eV) capable to dissociate oxygen molecules to atomic oxygen. The emission spectroscopy of the torch indicates that the plasma effluent carries an abundance of reactive atomic oxygen (RAO), which can effectively kill all kind microbes. A cap holding three pairs of rectangular permanent magnets is used to spread torches laterally into fan shape, which extends to a width exceeding 100 mm. The flux of RAO exceeds 2×106 cm?2 sec?1; its flow speed exceeds 20 m/s and it reaches out more than 20 mm. This invention is suitable for applications such as sterilizing carpets, clothes, and bed sheets.

Abstract: A component for a plasma arc torch includes a body portion, a tapered surface on the body portion, the tapered surface including a compressible member that provides a disengagement force relative to the body portion, and an axially disposed surface on the body portion for coupling a mating surface on an adjacent structure of the torch. The component can be a nozzle and/or an electrode.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a machine and method for performing the laser sealing and laser cutting of flexible material into segments, such as a polymeric web in which the segments will ultimately be individual bags. The machine includes a generally cylindrical drum having openings on an exterior surface. A laser produces a laser beam that contacts the flexible material while the flexible material is being held on the drum. The drum is preferably comprised of drum sections that can be independently moved in the radial direction. The machine includes a cam system causing the drum sections to be sequentially moved in the radial direction. Typically, this radial movement is for the purpose of releasing the individual segments of the flexible material that have been cut by the laser.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method by which the three-dimensional form or configuration of a distorted workpiece, such as a turbine component, is reverse engineered, and then this reverse engineering capability is combined with welding equipment, preferably a laser powder fusion welder, all integrally carried within a single machine, whereby a tool path unique to each workpiece is created and the welding machine accurately replaces lost material on the workpiece. The present invention consists of a series of operations or steps, preferably carried out by a single machine.

Abstract: A welding head for a welding device is operable to weld a component which is not rotationally symmetrical onto a workpiece. A head attachment includes a holding device for holding the component and to carry a welding current to the component. A mouthpiece is arranged around the holding device and the component during a welding operation. The holding device and the mouthpiece move in relation to each other along a welding axis. The mouthpiece contacts the workpiece and provides a protective gas tangentially about the welding component. An interface device supplies the welding current to the holding device. A connecting device mechanically connects the holding device to the interface device. The connecting device is subdivided into a first connection piece connected to the holding device and a second connection piece electrically insulated from the first connection piece.

Abstract: A capacitive discharge (CD) welder includes a charging circuit, a capacitor bank, an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), a pulse transformer and a secondary circuit. The charging circuit takes incoming electricity and charges a capacitor bank. The capacitor bank stores energy. The IGBT electrically connects and disconnects the capacitor bank to the pulse transformer. The pulse transformer reduces voltage from that stored in the capacitor bank to the desired welding voltage. The secondary circuit electrically connected to the pulse transformer provides a welding current corresponding to the output to the material being welded.

Abstract: A pet pad that can be configured to fit in a variety of different vehicle cargo spaces. The pet pad has a main portion and a plurality of extending portions coupled to the main portion. The extending portions have a first position in which they are drawn into the main portion and a second position in which the extending portions increase a surface area of the pet pad. The pet pad can include a heating and/or cooling device.

Abstract: The invention refers to a motor vehicle heating system comprising several heating elements, several voltage connectors for connecting the heating elements to a supply voltage, and a plug-on connector receptacle in which the voltage connectors are arranged as contact reeds. According to the invention the plug-in connector receptacle is provided with a ground pin for connecting of the motor vehicle heating system to ground.

Abstract: A blanket for warming patients during surgery and other medical procedures. The blanket includes one or more temperature sensors and a shut-off timer to prevent prolonged exposure of excessive heat to a patient. Embodiments of the present invention provide a safety feature that cuts power to a heating blanket after a certain period of time has elapsed, irrespective of the feedback provided by a temperature sensor concerning the blanket temperature. That period of time is longer than it takes for the blanket to reach its threshold temperature but shorter than it takes to cause thermal burn injury.

Abstract: The heating plate for hair straightening iron and its manufacturing process consists of a case comprising two laminates made of insulating ceramic material; one of them holds a band made of electrical conductor material with outer connections, while one of the laminates has a surface coated with a polished layer of material; the case of the heating plate has features to adapt to the base structure of the iron.

Abstract: An electronically controlled warmer drawer that supports a plurality of products, e.g., towels, in a drawer that is attached to a housing is disclosed. The housing includes a plurality of flow paths constructed to facilitate the passage of a heated gas flow through the cavity defined by the drawer. The drawer further includes a plurality of brackets constructed to support the articles to be heated along with a user interface, vents, blower fan, electrical heating element and two internal chambers. The system is controlled by way of the user interface on the front of the housing that interacts with an electronic control system to operate the heating element and fan. A sensor sends signals to the electronic control system to regulate the heating element and fan.

Abstract: A pan sensor capable of stably detecting the mounting of a cooking pan without error, a heat generation unit having the pan sensor, a cooking range having the heat generation unit and a control method thereof are disclosed. The cooking range includes a top plate for mounting a cooking pan thereon, one or more radiant heaters installed in the top plate for supplying heat to the cooking pan, one or more pan sensors, respectively installed in the radiant heaters, for sensing the presence of the cooking pan, each pan sensor having a sensor ring for detecting variation in electrostatic capacitance depending on whether the cooking pan is present, and a controller for controlling each radiant heater based on a sensor output value of each pan sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micro-control unit a RC oscillator for generating a reference clock, a plurality of touch switches for generating a transition signal indicating one of the touch switches being touched by human beings, a plurality of analog switches coupled to the touch switches for controlling transmission of the transition signal and a plurality of counters for counting time, all of the counters stop counting when one of the counters overflows and content of all counters being read, wherein ON/OFF of the analog switches controlled by a software.

Abstract: A cooktop has a metal support plate upon which heating equipment can be mounted and a control casing for housing or attaching a control unit or electronics. Fasteners allow for detachable connection of the metal support plate and the control casing to each other, and comprise fastenings formed on the metal support plate and corresponding slots on the control casing, whereby the fastenings are designed for attachment into the slots in an attachment orientation whereby movement of the two parts relative to each other results in the final assembled state. There is a moveable protrusion on the control casing and a recess or catch on the metal support plate that mates with the protrusion. During movement of the support plate and control casing into the final assembled position, the protrusion interacts with the catch or recess to lock the metal support plate relative to the control casing.

Abstract: A redundant control circuit comprises a pair of heater circuits for heating a hot melt adhesive hose assembly to a predetermined temperature level, and a pair of temperature sensors which are used to sense the temperature of the hot melt adhesive hose assembly and to control energization of the heater circuits in order to maintain the desired temperature level. A first one of the heater circuits would initially be electrically connected to the hot melt adhesive hose assembly electrical circuitry, and in a similar manner, a first one of the temperature sensors would likewise be electrically connected to the hot melt adhesive hose assembly electrical circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus, arrangement and method for supporting a helical wire coil heating element is provided. The apparatus includes a generally circular support frame having an open center portion and a plurality of supporting arms extending radially inward into the open center portion. Insulating standoffs are supported on the supporting arms such that the standoffs extend into the open center portion of the frame. A helical wire coil heating element is attached to each end of the standoff. An arrangement for supporting a helical wire coil heating element includes a substantially closed elongated tubular wrapper having an open interior. One or more generally circular support frames are arranged in the open interior of the wrapper and support insulating standoffs. A method for assembling an arrangement for a supporting a helical wire coil heating element is further provided.

Abstract: An insulated waterproof-type heater includes: a heat-generating body unit including, an heat-generating element, an electrode member superposed in contact with the heat-generating element, an insulating sheet enveloping the heat-generating element and the electrode member, and a tubular body containing internally the heat-generating element and the electrode member that are enveloped in the insulating sheet; a heat-releasing body unit stacked on the heat-generating body unit; a cap mounted at an end of the heat-generating body unit; and a sealing material having an electrically insulating property and a waterproof property, and being filled inside the cap to seal both ends of the tubular body.

Abstract: A graphite heater and method of forming a graphite heater comprising a graphite body configured to form an electrical heating circuit for at least one heating zone through the graphite encapsulated in a continuous overcoat layer comprising at least one of a nitride, carbide, carbonitride or oxynitride of elements selected from a group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ga, refractory hard metals, transition metals, and rare earth metals, or complexes and/or combinations thereof, wherein prior to being configured to form the electrical heating circuit path, the graphite body is coated with a layer comprising at least one of a nitride, carbide, carbonitride or oxynitride of elements selected from a group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ga, refractory hard metals, transition metals, and rare earth metals, or complexes and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Plastic container for food includes a base body. The material from which said base body is manufactured includes a plastic or plastic into which electrically conductive particles are embedded for obtaining electrical conductivity of the material for induction heating of food received in the container, in use.

Abstract: Heating apparatus, particularly for heating materials contained within drums or similar containers, has a metal base plate 12 with an induction heating coil 16 beneath the plate. The container 24 to be heated is placed on the base, and may be surrounded by a cylindrical jacket 28 with a further induction coil 34 in the jacket wall. On energising the coils, induction currents flow in the metal base plate (and in the jacket wall) to produce heat which is transmitted to the container and its contents. In another embodiment, the base plate may just receive heat energy from a jacket coil.

Abstract: A microwave plasma apparatus for processing a material includes a plasma chamber, a microwave radiation source, and a waveguide guiding microwave radiation from the microwave radiation source to the plasma chamber. A process gas flows through the plasma chamber and the microwave radiation couples to the process gas to produce a plasma jet. A process material is introduced to the plasma chamber, becomes entrained in the plasma jet, and is thereby transformed to a stream of product material droplets or particles. The product material droplets or particles are substantially more uniform in size, velocity, temperature, and melt state than are droplets or particles produced by prior devices.

Abstract: A push-button assembly has a button retainer having a first side wall connected to a second side wall, with an included angle between the first and second side wall being in the range of about 100 degrees to about 170 degrees. Additional side walls connect the second side wall back to the first side wall, forming a hollow portion within the button retainer. The button retainer can be mated within the channel of a corresponding bezel structure. The bezel structure can be tuned to fit the button retainer along a single axis of the bezel structure. A tune-to-fit process includes forming the bezel structure from a mold and measuring the fit of the button retainer within the bezel structure along an x-axis. The bezel mold is either re-cut or material is added to the bezel mold along the x-axis, without re-cutting or adding material along any other axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thread storage and dispensing systems which allow thread to be stored and used while positioned in the same location. A thread caddy of the present invention includes one or more drawers that can be opened and closed, and can move from a retracted storage position to an expanded usage position. The drawers can include a thread tray that has locations for positioning multiple spools of thread. A positioning system may also be included to reorient the thread tray between multiple orientations. In a first orientation, the tray may be retracted so that a drawer can be moved to its closed position. In a second orientation, the drawer may be expanded so that the drawer cannot be closed. The positioning system may also be retractable within the drawer. A retractable feed guide can also be included which can feed multiple threads simultaneously.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed compressor including a pressure release device. In one exemplary embodiment, the pressure release device includes a flange portion and a rupture portion. The flange portion is positioned against and secured to the inner surface of the housing of a hermetically sealed compressor. In this embodiment, the rupture portion extends at least partially within a vent aperture extending through the compressor housing. When the interior pressure of the housing exceeds a predetermined limit, the rupture portion of the pressure release device opens allowing the fluid within the compressor housing to escape. In another exemplary embodiment, the pressure release device further includes a connecting portion positioned between the flange portion and the rupture portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the connecting portion forms an S-curve.

Abstract: The ergonomic handle for a fuel cap pivotably engages to a top surface of the cap and is movable between a stowage position lying against part of the top surface of the cap and engaging against and activating a locking mechanism of the cap upon pivoting into such stowage position, and an upright functional position where the handle is pivoted to a position perpendicular to the cap. The handle comprises a planar, substantially A-shaped base section having a cutout therein overlying a lock of the locking mechanism of the cap and a horizontally disposed top rounded graspable grip section including indentations on an underside thereof for fingers and extended terminal end thumb tabs to aid in applying torque to the cap.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement of pull-tab for pull-top cans used for beverages, beer and food for a long period of storage. The pull-tab's terminal area will let the finger enter the tab to open the can. The tab will be improved from planed shape touch on lid to an inclined angle facing upward. The up angle area may be planed or bending curved up allowing finger to enter the space supplied. Then the operator can quickly lift the pull-tab to open the can.

Abstract: Simplified cap for oil bottles that allows reduction of cap size, with the subsequent advantages in terms of lower weight and savings on raw material, being comprised of a body that includes a tilting cap and lower flap fixed to the bottle neck, in addition to a pouring spout body disposed between the cap body and bottle neck, where said pouring spout body adopts a flat bottom with radial slots emerging from a flat central area, while a circumferential rib that defines an annular area ending in a second circumferential rib for anchoring the end of the bottle neck emerges from the central outer area of the pouring spout wall.

Abstract: A trash receptacle having a bag retaining system is disclosed which includes a housing having a body and a cover configured to removably engage the body, a liner having an upper rim and configured to reside within the housing, and a plurality of clips, each having a resilient arm portion and each secured to the cover such that the resilient arm portion of each biases against the upper rim of the liner, thereby retaining a disposable bag in place within the liner, when the cover engages the body. The number of clips is preferably within the range of from 2 to 10, and most preferable within the range of from 2 to 5. The plurality of clips may be removable to allow replacement of clips or adaptation to different system configurations. Alternatively, the clips may be permanently affixed to the cover of the housing. The resilient arm portion of each clip preferably biases against either an outer surface of the liner upper rim or against an inner surface of the liner upper rim.

Abstract: A tray for vibratory conveying of food articles from a hopper is provided. The tray includes a tray body, food inlet portion, and a food outlet portion. An upwardly extending dividing member divides the tray into at least two food inlet conveyor passageways, the inlet conveyor passageways merging into a single food passageway that extends to the food outlet portion. The single food passageway may have an initially wide portion and subsequently narrow to a narrow portion as it approaches a discharge end. This arrangement helps to declump food items, preferably causing food items the size of chicken nuggets to be conveyed in a single-file arrangement along the single food passageway. The single food passageway is preferably non-linear, and may, for example, have a zigzag or serpentine configuration to promote accurate dispensing of food items.

Abstract: A food storage system including a secondary bowl that is adapted to be positioned at least partially on and/or in a main lid. The secondary bowl is adapted to be detachable from the main lid.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of gas-containing storage vessels, and more specifically to the provision for antimicrobial surfaces within such vessels and in the connecting hardware associated with various applications of such vessels, so that microbial colonization of the interior of such vessels may be eliminated or retarded. This antimicrobial feature may result in improved safety in the use of such vessels, with reduced risk of the transmission of infection to a user. The invention further includes methods to provide gas-containing storage vessels with antimicrobial surfaces, so that microbial colonization of the interior of such vessels may be eliminated or retarded.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a heat-resisting disposable drinking cup comprising: a cup body made by a plastic injection molding and having a cup opening disposed at the top of the cup body and folded outward to form a cup lip; several tens of radial ribs integrally formed at the bottom of the cup lip of the cup opening, and the radial rib is extended more than 1.5 mm from the surface of the cup body but remained within the external periphery of the cup lip of the cup opening, and the interval between two adjacent radial ribs falls within a range of 3˜5 mm, and the height of each radial rib is less than 10 mm measured downward from the cup lip of the cup opening; such that radiating fins can be formed around the external periphery of the cup opening.

Abstract: A container having sides with contours that permit ready and essentially automatic orienting of the container upon grasping the container at the contoured areas. The container may have distinct, discontinuous contours on opposite sides, thus defining grasping sides of the container. If a dispensing portion is offset from the container's central axis, then upon grasping the container at the distinct contoured grasping sides, the dispensing orifice is automatically positioned at a predetermined orientation with respect to the user's grasping hand. Such contours thus provide a tactile indicator of the orientation of the container, permitting orienting of the container in a user's hand without the need for visual assessment or inspection of the container. The closure of the container may further be shaped and configured to provide another tactile indicator of the orientation of the container. For instance, an asymmetrical closure may be provided.

Abstract: An improved no-spill cup construction and valve assembly which provides an extremely secure seal against accidental liquid flow from the cup spout. An initially blocked opening in a flexible material moves up along a protruding member until the opening is unblocked, so as to allow fluid flow.

Abstract: A removable plastic handle assembly for use with containers such as tins or cans, wherein the handle assembly is constituted by a hoop which connects to the mouth of the container and a handle formed integrally with the hoop; the hoop has an internal slot which serves as a housing for the seam of the mouth and also has one or more gripping collets arranged, for preference, in a form equidistant around the hoop; the handle is found on the same plane as the hoop and is joined to it by two thick opposed points of attachment, corresponding to the ends of the handle, and also they are joined by one or more thinner points of attachment which keep the handle on the plane of the hoop before its use, guaranteeing its permanence in the plane and it's appropriate stacking but at the moment the handle is used, the thin points of attachment break to turn the handle during transport; the hoop moreover has projections which function as guides during the stacking.

Abstract: A metallic lid for a can of the type which presents an opening defining a seating, said lid comprising, in a single piece, a bottom wall which incorporates, superiorly and peripherally, a side wall provided with a free upper edge and designed to be frictionally seated and axially retained in the interior of the seat. According to the invention, the bottom wall comprises a peripheral annular portion adjacent to the side wall, a median portion and an annular rib portion having the cross section in the approximate form of an inverted ‘U’, with the free edges of is lateral legs being respectively incorporated to the adjacent edges of the peripheral annular portion and median portion of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular/powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket (330) to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates sealing features, and a geometry for container wall junctions (50) that can have curvilinear and angled or rectilinear profiles. A scoop 32 is releasably carried in the lid (L, D) and can include a rim portion (36,a,b,c) that can be formed and or flexed to be congruent to the profiles.

Abstract: A device provides for safely and hygienically removing and temporarily storing dirty shoe covers, and includes a container which has first and second sides, a top, and a bottom. A handle is provided as a help for a user to balance themselves while using the container. At least one opening is provided in one of the sides, to accept a foot of a user having a shoe and shoe cover. A lower end of the opening includes an internally facing protruding member or peg which is inclined inwardly and downwardly, and is used to pry off a dirty shoe cover which, when removed, then drops down into a trash bag located in the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A magnetic label stock tape that is less prone to damage in handling in labeling machines comprising: a) a translucent tape having a longitudinal direction and a traverse direction and a dimension in the transverse direction, and at least one major release surface; and b) a plurality of magnetic labels, each of the magnetic labels having at least one major surface at least partially covered with a pressure sensitive adhesive, the magnetic labels being fixed on the release surface by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive; wherein the labels are spaced in the longitudinal direction by a distance sufficient to permit transmission of an optical signal through the tape between the magnetic label, and wherein at least some of the magnetic labels have a dimension in the transverse direction substantially equal to or extending beyond the transverse dimension of the translucent tape.

Abstract: A device (10) for storing and dispensing endless machining belts for a robotic installation, comprising a support (16) rotating about a vertical axis (14) and having radial arms (12), each equipped with means for locating a machining belt, and means for the stepwise rotation of the rotating support, in order to bring each arm in turn to a station where the belt may be fitted onto a robot arm (40).

Abstract: The toilet paper dispenser as claimed for the invention including a housing in which is housed a roll of a paper strip, which has perforations transverse to strip defining rectangular paper sheets whose width is transverse and whose length is longitudinal. Housing features a nozzle with a dispensing orifice, by means of which the paper strip is unwound. The dispenser is characterized in that the nozzle and the paper roll are disposed in such a way that the paper sheets unwind one by one and emerge with a reduced crumpling as they exit the nozzle, the width of a sheet is between 125 mm and 180 mm, and the ratio of the width of a sheet to its length is between 0.45 and 1, preferably between 0.5 and 0.65, the paper being consumed optimally and in a pleasant manner.

Abstract: A pet waste bags dispenser provided for dispensing animal waste bags, having a collapsible container, a dispenser cavity cover and a dispensing means, wherein the dispensing means allows waste bags placed within the waste bags dispenser to be dispensed to a user easily and conveniently. The collapsible waste bags dispenser is made of a collapsible material, such that the dispenser is easy to store, light in weight, simple to manufacture, and has the flexibility to contain different amounts of waste bags within the collapsible container, wherein rolls of or individually wrapped waste bags are allowed to be dispensed. The collapsible waste bags dispenser further has external connecting means for connecting the waste bags dispenser to a foreign object, so as to facilitate the user to easily obtain a waste bag from the dispenser.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing disk-shaped objects (such as caps for pharmaceutical vials) of two different sizes comprises: first and second dispensers, the first dispenser containing objects of a first size, and the second dispenser containing objects of a second size, each of the dispensers configured to dispense the objects one at a time through an outlet in a predetermined orientation; a first outlet channel having an inlet disposed adjacent the outlet of the first dispenser; a second outlet channel having an inlet disposed adjacent the outlet of the second dispenser; and a common chute fed by the first and second outlet channels. In this configuration, the apparatus can provide objects of two different sizes to a common location (such as a closure securing station).

Abstract: Disclosed is a semi-automatic medicine packaging machine with cassette lock unit that improves packaging efficiency and speed by supplying an automatic supply unit and prevents an unauthorized person from supplement and outflow of tablets by fixing tablet cassettes arrayed in the automatic supply unit as a whole. The semi-automatic medicine packaging machine including a medication feed outlet that feeds and discharges medications into a hopper, a sealing unit that seals medications in the hopper by medication envelope(s), a printing unit that prints data on medication envelope(s), a controller that controls the overall apparatus, and a button operation unit that inputs a user's operation into the controller includes an upper shelf; cassette stands; an automatic supply unit including a plurality of tablet cassettes established on the upper part of the cassette stands; and a cassette lock unit that prevents separation of the tablet cassettes from the cassette stands.

Abstract: A printed card dispensing assembly is provided wherein the dispensing mechanism is a self-contained lower unit and the printed cards are self-contained in an upper unit. The dispensing mechanism is a battery operated motor, gear train and friction wheel drive wherein the rotation of friction wheel is controlled by an optical sensor with a time delay that reads the reflection off a printed strip on the underside of the printed card. The entire apparatus is housed in a printed carton that incorporates a graphic identification and/or trademark.

Abstract: A pill bottle that includes a first annular wall disposed within an interior portion of the bottle has an outer surface with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, vertically oriented ribs that project outwardly from that surface. A second annular wall is disposed within the interior portion of the bottle in enclosing relation to the first annular wall. The outer and inner surface of the second annular wall undulate so as to define series of troughs and ridges. An adjacent pair of the ribs is located in spaced confronting relation to each of the troughs so as to define a plurality of pill wells. Each pill is arranged and oriented so as to be “on-end” within the bottle. A method is provided for dispensing pills from a bottle.