Abstract: A compact vending machine for dispensing food products is disclosed. The compact vending machine includes a lightweight housing which may be mounted on a wall and a payment system that is configured to accept non-cash payments. A power source of the compact vending machine may be an external powers source, such as a power outlet, or an internal battery. An embodiment of the compact vending machine includes a controller and a communication system that are configured to transmit status information about the compact vending machine to a network.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a stocking system and collection device consisting of a linear conveyor system and a second linear conveyor system parallel to the first and placed in alignment with it so that an object placed on the first conveyor system may be transferred to the second conveyor system. In accordance with the invention, the means are anticipated to move the second conveyor system perpendicularly to the direction of the conveyance so that the second conveyor system can be move from a position situated in alignment with the first conveyor system to a position for distribution. It is preferable that the first conveyor system (100) consist of three parallel belts (110, 120, 130) placed side by side; the first (110) and the third (130) belts extend farther in advance in the direction of the second conveyor system (200) at a distance (d) than the second belt (120).

Abstract: An integrated tissue dispensing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a hollow dispensing container configured to hold at least one tissue, the hollow dispensing container comprising a front face, a top face, a back face positioned opposite to the front face, a left side face, a bottom face, and a right side face positioned opposite to the left side face, and a foldable trash disposal receptacle formed with and fixedly adjoined to the hollow dispensing container and comprising a receptacle bottom wall connected to the back face of the dispensing container. The foldable trash receptacle is configured to fold between a closed position and an open position relative to the dispensing container. Also provided are embodiments including a multi-panel single semi-rigid foldable piece that when assembled forms a dispensing container and trash disposal receptacle. The device may be constructed of cardboard, for example.

Abstract: Described is a needle assembly magazine comprising of a housing adapted to contain a plurality of needle assemblies and a slider movably disposed within the housing. The housing has a first opening providing access to an unused needle assembly and a second opening for receiving into the housing a used needle assembly. The slider separates the housing into a first region for unused needle assemblies and a second region for used needle assemblies. Movement of the slider advances the unused needle assemblies within the housing toward the first opening.

Abstract: A medical implement dispensing and disposal system. The medical implement dispensing and disposal system comprises a container having an open end with a dispensing chamber and a disposal chamber defined within the container. A cover is configured to substantially close the open end of the container. The cover defines a disposal opening in communication with the disposal chamber. A dispensing opening is defined in either the container or cover and in communication with the dispensing chamber. A biasing assembly is positioned in the dispensing chamber and configured to provide a biasing force toward the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A compact biosensor cartridge in which biosensors can be so set with simple operation that they can be tested one by one and which protects the biosensors from moisture until they are set. A biosensor dispensing device is also disclosed. A biosensor cartridge (6) to be installed in a biosensor dispensing device (1) has therein a pushing member (31) and a pushing rotating member (34) both used as sensor send-out means for sending out the biosensors (10) stacked in a case one by one and ejecting the sensor (10) through a sensor ejecting port (26) opened at the case. With this, the biosensors (10) are discharged to outside the case when the sensor sending out means is driven by a sensor sending out mechanism outside the biosensor cartridge (6). The biosensor cartridge (6) is made small and thinner.

Abstract: A dispenser for the storage and distribution of roll material such as toilet paper is provided. The dispenser includes one or more mounting arms that are fixedly attached to a mounting surface. Rotatably attached to the mounting arms is a roll spindle that receives roll material for its distribution to a user. Positioned near the roll spindle is an access door that when opened reveals the interior of a chute that houses stored roll material such that a user is readily able to access this stored roll material to replace a previously finished roll.

Abstract: The present invention is a pill dispenser and organizer to provide easy access and clear organization of various pills to be consumed daily. The dispenser can hold pills in 12 compartments (4 rows of 3 columns each) or 28 compartments (4 rows of 7 columns each). In operation, a user drops pills from the top of the dispenser into the columns of the topmost row. Various embodiments of a mechanism on the side of each row (except the bottommost row) allows the user to transfer the pills from a column in a higher row to a column in a lower row. A set of mechanisms allow the user to remove the pills from the bottommost row, one column at a time. The present invention can be rectangular (the compartments lined in rows and columns) or circular in shape (the compartments extending radially from the center).

Abstract: A multifunctional box for facilitating the safe transport of the box and a plurality of unused syringes therein. The box further facilitates the safe sequential dispensing of unused syringes from the box, with concurrent facilitation of the safe sequential feeding of used syringes into the box for safe storage therein. The box includes a container having an open top and an exit opening near the bottom sized to permit sequential withdrawal therethrough of either unused syringes and/or packets of syringes. A dividing tray is provided within the container which is used to collect used syringes while simultaneously to provide a blockage between the used syringes and the exit opening. A cover is attached to open top of the container and supports a used syringe feed means which has a first preselected position for receiving a used syringe, which then is moveable to a second preselected position for feeding used syringes into the tray for safe storage.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for supplying articles such as snacks is disclosed. Articles to be dispensed from the apparatus travel horizontally in a direction parallel with the front surface of the apparatus to a position from which the articles drop through a vertical shaft at the side of the apparatus to a delivery area. The apparatus is compact in size and is capable of holding a large inventory of different snack articles. The apparatus has a low profile and may be mounted to a wall by means of a mounting bracket.

Abstract: An elevating dispenser for flexible sheet materials and more particularly for interleafed cosmetology end papers. The flexible sheets are contained in a carton with a dispensing aperture in the top wall. The dispensing aperture has flaps to retain the end of successively drawn sheets above the aperture for ease of withdrawal. The stack of sheets rests within the carton on an elevating platform which is flexibly attached on two opposing sides to the base of the adjacent side walls of the carton by flexibly folded extension panels which allow upward urging of the elevating platform. This facilitates the removal of sheets from a stack of diminishing thickness as the sheets are removed, one at a time. The elevating platform is retained in progressively upward positions by friction between its edges and the inside surfaces of the carton walls and by tabs in the end walls which are pressed into the chamber of the carton beneath the elevating platform.

Abstract: Device for reheating and dispensing cooked meals arranged on a meal tray and stored on stand-by in a refrigerated enclosure. Each tray may contain different foodstuffs, and can therefore be selected by the consumer. Reheating is carried out by a sliding oven on an endless ballscrew, assisted by two slide rails. The oven moves in front of the selected tray. In the refrigerated enclosure, trays are stacked on shelves with slide rails, and an endless screw slides a camshaft provided with snugs so that it triggers the tray-moving mechanism, and a detector determines which snug corresponds to the selected tray. Once the snug is engaged in the mechanism the camshaft rotates from left to right and vice-versa to activate the mechanism's rocker bars which slide the tray into or out of the oven.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a vending machine comprises a refrigerated storage chamber mounted over a microwave oven which contains a conveyor. The arrangement is such that containers of food released through apertures in the floor of the storage chamber may fall vertically into the oven and may be discharged laterally by the conveyor once heating is complete.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser for hot and cold food products comprises an isothermal cabinet in which a plurality of horizontal conveyor belts arranged one above another comprises a plurality of conveyor belts on which the food products are stored and a single delivery conveyor belt leading to a delivery opening in the cabinet. A microwave oven disposed in the cabinet above the horizontal conveyor belts has a door and a small conveyor belt inside. A lift comprising a small conveyor belt on vertically movable frame is provided adjacent vertically aligned ends of the horizontal conveyor belts and oven conveyor belt. The conveyor belts, oven and lift are controlled by a computerized control system in the manner that if a customer selects a product to be eaten hot, the product is transported to the oven, heated and transported to the delivery opening. If a customer selects a product to be eaten cold, the product is transported to the delivery opening without going to the oven.

Abstract: This device is a container for dispensing new industrial razor blades and for receiving used razor blades for later disposal. It consists principally of a vertical blade compartment. A large stack of new blades may be inserted therein, which has a floating divider for the new blades, used blades being inserted through a slot adjacent the top and adding their weight to the floating divider, thus insuring that the bottom new blade of the stack will be in alignment with a blade dispensing slot in a side wall. A blade ejector is located in a lower sub-compartment and has a blade ejecting finger extending up through a slot in the bottom of the blade compartment in a position to be manually operated against the bottom new blade to eject it. At the top, there is a removable roof super compartment having a slit in its top for inserting the corner of a dulled used blade, so it can be manually broken off to provide a new sharp cutting edge.

Abstract: A divider assembly for dividing adjacent stacks of sheets during stacking in a stacker mechanism including a tray, mechanism for moving the tray from a sheet receiving position to a sheet discharging position, and a pusher for discharging sheets from the tray in its sheet discharging position. The divider itself is positionable on the tray to separte sheets into separate adjacent stacks, and includes a relatively thin central core, with a plurality of flexible feet secured to the core and having free ends extending below the lower edge of the core. The divider also includes a hinge interconnecting the pair of flexible feet so that the feet with the hinge may be collapsed inwardly when the divider is withdrawn from between the adjacent stacks, thereby permitting easy withdrawal of the divider from between the stacks.