Abstract: A medication dispensing device comprises a cartridge unit and a control unit. The cartridge unit comprises a cartridge housing defining a dispensing channel to allow passage of the dosage from the cartridge to the patient. A cartridge holds dosages, with a driven member engaging the cartridge. The driven member drives the cartridge to dispense a dosage. The control unit comprises a main housing for coupling to the cartridge housing. A driver member engages the driven member to actuate the driven member. A motor driven locking mechanism is moveable between locked and unlocked positions. When in the locked position the cartridge unit is secured to the control unit. When in the unlocked position the cartridge unit is separable from the control unit thereby providing access to the cartridge. A mobile computing device stores dosage availability and receives an authorized patient identification input before dispensing a dosage.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to golf gaming systems and methods for evaluating a golfer's performance and facilitating golf gaming and competition. Specifically, The present invention provides methods, locations, installations, devices and systems adapted and arranged for observing, processing, analyzing and communicating data and images of individual or group golf gaming performance with respect to golf balls in play in three-dimensional environments.

Abstract: A preformed liner that expands when filled is provided. In one embodiment, the preformed liner includes a central section having a plurality of flutes that allow the liner to expand. In other embodiments, the preformed liner includes at least a central section that is made of an expandable or stretchable elastomeric material. In still other embodiments, the preformed liner includes a central section having a plurality of flutes and is made of an expandable or stretchable elastomeric material.

Abstract: The Novel Modular Vending Machine for Packaged Goods allows consumers to purchase packaged goods without an attendant present. The invention uses two or more conveyor assemblies to store and transfer packaged goods and primarily uses gravity to transfer the packaged goods from the storage location to the customer. When a vend is initiated, a dispensing drum rotates and places a packaged item on a delivery system for transportation to the customer. The remaining packaged goods move into position for the next vend. When the lower conveyor assembly is empty, an upper conveyor assembly is lowered into position to transfer the remaining packaged goods to the dispensing drum. The apparatus may be configured in a system comprised of multiple modular units controlled by a single user interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a golf ball dispenser having an upper container which houses the golf balls and a flange which receives the balls from the container and which supplies the balls individually to a dispensing arm. The dispensing arm, which is disposed such that it is essentially vertical in the rest position, includes structure for pivoting around a horizontal axis when a golf ball is being dispensed, the pivot structure is disposed in the upper part thereof close to the above-mentioned flange.

Abstract: A product delivery system for a vending machine includes first and second guide rails and a carriage rail. The guide rails are fixedly mounted in the vending machine spaced from and parallel to each other and extend along respective first and second axes. The carriage rail extends along a third axis and includes first and second ends that are slidably connected to the respective ones of the first and second guide rails. A carrier member is slidably mounted to the carriage rail for movement along the third axis. A first drive belt is coupled to the carriage rail and a first drive motor to selectively shift the carrier member along the third axis. A second drive belt, extending in multiple axes, is connected to each of the first and second ends of the carriage rail and a second drive motor. The second drive motor selectively shifts the carriage rail along the first and second axes upon driving the second drive belt.

Abstract: Capsule-dispensing cabinet intended for supplying machines with the aim of preparing drinks or other food preparations, comprising: a body, a plurality of buffer storage housings (3, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35) forming a capsule buffer store, intended to be supplied by a plurality of removable tubes (2) containing stacked capsules, each tube and buffer storage housing (3) being arranged relative to one another so as to form an aligned stack of capsules. Each buffer storage housing (3, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35) comprises individual selection means (5) enabling a capsule contained in the stack to be released and collection means (6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65) enabling the capsule thus released to be collected.

Abstract: A medication access control device having a high-strength, high-impact cover and base that allows manual advancing and actuated dispensing of tablets, capsules, or pills of virtually all sizes from a medication cartridge, having penetrable seals, through a dispensing hole located at the base of the device housing. The medication cartridge rests on a cartridge driver rotatably connected to the bottom half of the device housing. A battery powers a timing device and solenoid to draw a locking lug from steps on the cartridge driver. A spring advances a lug lock to hold the locking lug open until the medication cartridge is rotated. As the medication cartridge is rotated a cartridge device tooth advances a trigger, which releases the locking lug and locks the cartridge driver from rotating. A rewind protection lock prevents the cartridge driver from rotating backwards. A switch resets the timer as the cartridge driver is rotated.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying and transferring blanks, in particular revenue stamps, to (cigarette) packs a supply of blanks being stored in at least one upright magazine shaft from which the blanks are removed individually on the underside. In order to increase the capacity, a loading station with a supply unit for blanks is arranged at a distance from a transfer station assigned to the packs, to be precise in a disruption-free, easily reachable region of the packaging machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically creating a simulated mosaic controllably discharges tile pieces onto plate material and secures the tile pieces in place such that the plates with the tile pieces am freestanding permitting the plates themselves to be an ordered arrangement of sections of the mosaic once cemented to the substrate. Many different forms may be had for the plate material, including ones that are pressure or heat activatable to bond with the tile pieces or ones that are mechanically connectable.

Abstract: A parts feeding apparatus includes a plurality of cassettes respectively holding therein rows of parts of different types and removably attached to a plurality of parts supply openings arranged at predetermined angular intervals along the peripheral edge of a rotating circular plate. The circular plate is intermittently rotatable so that a selected one of the parts supply openings and the cassette attached thereto are positioned relative to the inlet opening of a parts delivery chute. An open lower end of the cassette is opened and closed at predetermined time intervals by a reciprocating slide plate member disposed in a parts supply unit. The parts feeding apparatus thus constructed is compact in size and simple in construction. Since the cassettes are arranged on the same circumference on the circular plate, the parts to be fed can be automatically and smoothly changed or switched from one type to another.

Abstract: A system for dependably supplying stacks of labels to a high speed labeling machine. The system includes four primary parts. A plurality of cartridges for carrying stacks of labels, each of the cartridges has a release mechanism at the lower end of the cartridge. A carousel for carrying the cartridges in a vertical orientation with release mechanism of the cartridges directed downward. An arcuate chute having a centerpoint of the arcuate pathway defined by the chute. The upper port of the chute is situated in the system to receive the release mechanism of the cartridges carried on the carousel. A retractable paddle carried on a first end of a lever arm, the lever arm having a pivot mount in common with the centerpoint of the arcuate chute, and a counterweight at a second end of the lever arm. The carousel includes a vertical movement to sequentially lower each of the cartridges into contact with the upper port of the chute and release any stack of labels therein onto the retractable paddle.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a refrigeration compartment, an oven compartment, structure for transferring a food product from the refrigeration compartment to the oven compartment, and structure for transferring the food product from the oven compartment to a user of the vending machine. The vending machine provides automated handling and cooking of packaged food products that enables a hot cooked food to be delivered to a customer in a cool package sleeve. The vending machine also includes a system for inventory control that enables vertical storage of packaged food products while minimizing crushing of packaged food products at the bottom of a stack. A magazine empty indicator automatically indicates when an inventory magazine is empty. An oven door latch mechanism eliminates the possibility that the oven can be operated while the oven door is open.

Abstract: A turret magazine assembly which provides a constant supply of articles in a packaging operation. The turret magazine assembly has a rotatable feeding assembly having a plurality of tube receiving structures. A plurality of removable tubes are provided to receive and dispense a supply of articles. Each removable tube has a gate mechanism mounted at its dispensing end. A fixed feeding tube is provided having an inlet end and an outlet end. The turret magazine assembly has a control mechanism including an article flow detector to determine article flow. An indexing structure is provided which is operative on the rotatable feeding assembly and which is activated by the control mechanism. The indexing structure is constructed and arranged to successively align the dispensing ends of the respective removable tubes with the inlet end of the fixed feeding tube.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus which comprises a frame having a protective housing mounted thereon and a rotatable turret having a plurality of vertical channels circumferentially arranged about the axis of the turret, each channel holding a stack of articles. A hand-operated handle is mounted on the frame, and means operated by the handle rotates the turret a partial turn to bring a channel into register with an outlet for discharging the article. A reciprocating ram means is operable by the handle to push the bottom article from the channel into the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading devices into a semiconductor tester is disclosed. The tester has an input track for accepting devices. The apparatus includes a number of elongated tracks for holding a plurality of semiconductor devices. Each elongated track has at its input end a stop hinge for connection to a tube for holding the semiconductor devices. Each elongated track has at its output end a gate for controlling the release of devices onto the input track of the tester from the elongated track. A control circuit controls the operation of the gates so that the devices can be loaded from the elongated tracks onto the input track of the tester sequentially.

Abstract: A cup dispenser for dispensing cups from a stack of nested cups each of which has a rim wherein the stack being dispensed is held up in dispensing position in a dispensing opening, the lowermost cup of the stack being released to drop down and the next cup being held up to hold up the remainder of the stack, first and second reverse stacks being held adjacent the opening, one or the other of these reserve stacks being moved into dispensing position in the dispensing opening in response to depletion of the stack in dispensing position.

Abstract: A lid loading and conveying assembly includes a carousel having an indexing plate with a plurality of pairs of tubes connected therearound for holding a plurality of stacks of lids therein; a rotatable support for rotationally supporting the carousel plate so that the stacks of lids can be sequentially indexed to a removal position; a plurality of spin rods for holding at least one stack of lids removed from the carousel tubes; an optical sensor which senses when the amount of lids on the spin rods is below a predetermined level; and a pusher assembly for conveying a stack of lids from the tubes at the removal position to the spin rods in response to the optical sesnor, the pusher assembly including a constrainment assembly at opposite ends of each stack of lids at the removal position for holding the stack of lids together as a unit in a slightly compressed form during the pushing operation from the carousel tubes to the spin rods, the constrainment assembly including an actuable gate at the lower end of the

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cup dispenser having an auxiliary cup loading rack for an automatic vending machine. A control circuit enables selective feeding of different drink cup types from said auxiliary loading rack. The disclosed invention is capable of feeding more hot or cold drink cups according to seasonal demands, for example, thereby avoiding lost sales due to a shortage of a more frequently used cup type.

Abstract: An automatic carton feeding device for a liquid filling machine according to the present invention comprises a carton supply basket assembly divided into an upper and lower basket. The upper basket, which follows the lower basket connected to the liquid filling machine, is installed so as to take an upright and a tumbled position. The lower basket is provided with a receiving plate to receive cartons descending to the lower basket in an upright position of the upper basket. The receiving plate is supported so as to make a vertical motion and lateral retraction using an elevating mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying rows of stacked frusto-conical cups to a feeding assembly of a cup printing apparatus includes a rotatable, hollow, crossed turret comprised of an outer turret section formed by four radially and equiangularly oriented connected tubes, and a central tubular section positioned centrally within the outer turret section, the crossed turret supplying a first row of stacked cups to the feeding assembly and automatically supplying a subsequent row of stacked cups in stacked relation on the first row after a level of the first row has decreased to a lower predetermined level and before a last cup of the first row has been supplied on a respective mandrel assembly of the cup printing apparatus; a rotary actuator which rotates the central tubular section; a motor driven assembly which rotates the outer turret section; a first sensor which senses when the level of the first row has decreased to the lower predetermined level to actuate the motor driven assembly to cause the outer turret section a

Abstract: E-Z-T Golf Ball Dispenser is a device used by an individual on a practice tee or similar surface for the convenient placement of golf balls on a practice tee and the retrieval or pick-up of balls on and around a practice tee. The device allows for ease in carrying and is free-standing. The device allows for the storage of multiple golf balls due to the utilization of three (3) metal tubes in which golf balls are placed. By pressing a lever, a golf ball is released from storage to the lower horizontal portion of the device which is rounded and cut out in front to allow for the placement of the ball on a tee from above and the removal of the device from the tee by lowering the device thereby placing the ball on the tee and sliding the device away from the tee. Conversely, this device can also be used for the pick up of a single ball and placement on a tee thereby reducing the necessity of a golfer to bend over and pick up a ball.

Abstract: A vending machine dispensing cups containing freshly made beverages comprises inter alia a cup dispenser delivering the cups one by one to a filling device. The cup dispenser includes a magazine for several succeeding rows of stacks of cups situated on a bottom. This bottom is shaped with a delivery opening allowing the front stack of cups to fall downwards by gravity upon an advancing in the magazine so as to position on a delivery mechanism present below the delivery opening. At activation this delivery mechanism is adapted to remove the lowermost cup in the stack and to deliver the cup to the filling device. The cup dispenser comprises furthermore a sensor detecting that the uppermost cup in the stack present in the delivery opening is positioned below the bottom of the magazine, the sensor furthermore activating a driving means to advance the row of stacks in the magazine. Furthermore the sensor allows the following stack to fall through the delivery opening.

Abstract: In a labelling machine including label pickup means, for delivering to the machine articles to be labelled and for removing from the machine labelled articles, at least two boxes for labels disposed alongside one another, one of said boxes being in active position, means permitting retracting and advancing in label stacking direction of that label box which is in active position, and guide means for the boxes to permit them to move transversely to the direction in which labels are stacked in the boxes so as to take said one box out of active position and to put another box in active position, the improvement wherein said guide means comprises a common support for said boxes, and means mounting said support for rotation about an axis so that said support can be rotated to place any of said boxes or none of said boxes into active labelling position. The support preferably comprises a circular disk rotatable about its center, the label boxes being arranged radially thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for working glass tubes, with several chucks circulating on a common axis and sweeping past several processing stations, there being mounted above each chuck a stepwise rotating magazine storing several glass tubes, each tube resting by its lower end on a non-rotating supporting plate which has a hole for the glass tubes to fall through for engagement by the chuck therebelow, the machine having a switch which causes the magazine to rotate, one step at a time, each step corresponding to the distance between two neighbouring tubes, in order to bring the next glass tube to the hole, and wherein between the hole of the supporting plate and the chuck therebelow there is a mobile arrestor blade which allows the magazine to rotate stepwise without a tube falling through the hole, until the chuck is empty, whereupon the blade can disengage so that it no longer blocks the hole.

Abstract: A primer container for automatically feeding primer caps into a hand operated tool for reloading spent shells and cartridges. The container comprises a substantially cylindrical body having a first cap fixedly attached to one end thereof and a second cap rotatably mounted to the other end thereof. A storage magazine member disposed within the container includes a plurality of mutually parallel, elongated, cylindrical receptacles spaced radially equidistantly from the central axis of the body. Each receptacle includes cylindrical side walls adapted to receive and retain therein a plurality of primer caps stacked in an end-to-end fashion. The second closure cap includes a centrally apertured dispensing spout for selected rotational registry with the storage member receptacles and is adapted for gravitationally transmitting the primer caps from the container to a work station of the shell reloading device.

Abstract: Device for feeding lengths of wire to a processing machine, particularly a lattice welding machine, by separating a bundle of wire into smaller portions, aligning the smaller portions, and removing individual wire lengths from the smaller portions for conveyance to the processing machine.