Abstract: A product storage column for a dispensing machine includes a first member having a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The first member includes a first side wall opposing a second side wall, and both side walls extend from a back wall toward a front plane opposite the back wall. The side walls, the back wall, and the front plane cooperate to define a product space therewithin. The product storage column also includes a second member rotatably coupled to the first side wall and selectively positionable relative to the first member between an opened position and a closed position. The first member is sized to receive a product through the front plane into the product space when the second member is in the opened position, and the second member is sized to prevent movement of the product through the front plane when the second member is in the closed position.

Abstract: A system for a check and exception center may include a holding area, a manual section, a distribution section. The manual section may include a plurality of handling areas each enabled for pill counting, pharmacist verification, exception handling, or combinations thereof. The distribution section may be disposed proximate the manual section, and may include a robot and a scanner. The robot may be adapted to pick a container from the holding area and to move the container to the scanner for scanning. The robot may also be further adapted to direct the container to a first handling area of the plurality of handling areas.

Abstract: A display cradle for storing and dispensing containers such as beverage cans and bottles. Containers are loaded from the rear of the display cradle onto shelves sloping downward from the back of the display cradle to the front of the display cradle. The bottom shelf of the display cradle includes an exit port at the front of the assembly, allowing containers to be removed from the display cradle. The display cradle includes an exit channel between a front wall and the front end of the shelves where the containers from each shelf drop through towards the exit port. A gate at the front end of each shelf pivots under the weight of the containers, allowing the front-most container on each shelf to enter the exit channel while preventing subsequent containers from entering the exit channel. When the containers have exited the exit channel, the biased gate tilts back allowing the next container on each shelf to repeat the sequence. The biased gates on each shelf may operate in unison with each other.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a value output device. The value output device includes a frame, a hopper mounted to the frame having a hopper opening, an outlet spaced from the hopper opening, a first plate moveable relative to the hopper opening between a first position wherein the plate blocks the hopper opening and a second position wherein the plate is spaced from the hopper opening, and a carrier moveable between the outlet and the hopper opening.

Abstract: A pill dispensing system includes a shelving unit in array form that holds a number of bulk containers, each holding a bulk amount of a pill to be dispensed. A computer controlled robot removes a selected bulk container and places it on a counter that also dispenses pills. The robot has an arm with a free end portion that can grip a bulk container or a single pill bottle to be filled. The robot is computer controlled to retrieve an empty pill bottle, place it on a label printing and applying unit, then place it next to the counter/dispenser to receive the selected number of selected prescription pills, then place the filled, labeled bottle on a conveyor. In an alternate embodiment, pill bottles are dispensed from a dispenser that holds bottles on inclined plates and feeds them to a vertical dispensing channel. Gates prevent the flow of bottles from an inclined position until the plate above has been emptied.

Abstract: A container for holding and dispensing articles such as beverage cans and bottles wherein a first set of said articles are laid horizontally in a row over a slanted floor, and are retained therein by a vertically movable plate resting upon said row. A barrier projects downwardly from the front edge of the plate against the lowermost article in the first set and prevents the entire set from rolling toward an opening at the base of the slanted floor. A second set of articles is similarly positioned upon the plate. The weight of the second set prevents the plate and barrier from moving upward and freeing the first set until all the articles in the first set have rolled toward the opening. Additional plates and sets of articles can be superimposed above the first and second sets. A control gate is provided to allow the articles to be dispensed one by one through the opening.

Abstract: A delivery system that delivers rounded prize capsules in an arcade-type skill game. Several slanted channels store capsules that line up naturally within a vertical agitator column. An electrically-activated capsule transport located beneath the agitator column moves over a hole through which a capsule transported in the transport falls for delivery to the game patron. The capsule transport's movement causes the delivery chute to move vertically upward and allow the next-in-line, topmost capsule in the channels to fall into the agitator column. The capsule transport then moves back to its original position, causing the agitator column to lower and allow the lowermost capsule in the agitator column to fall into the capsule transport in preparation for the next delivery. Preferably, the delivery system is embodied within a skill game in which a player rocks a ball back and forth up a ridged hill and into a hole at the top.

Abstract: A dispensing machine is used to dispense rectangularly shaped containers including milk cartons and the like, preferably of a size ranging from approximately one-half liter to approximately two liters or even larger. The machine can be used to dispense various products including juices, soft drinks, milk, candy and virtually any product that can be suitably contained in a square rectangular container. The machine has a vertical channel containing paddles where each paddle supports only some of the containers in the channel when the channel is filled with containers. Since the containers have flexible side walls, the paddles move simultaneously to gently lower the containers one space at a time when the machine is activated. Also, when the containers are in the vertical channel, the lowermost container is not subjected to the weight of all of the containers above it when the channel is filled with containers.

Abstract: A pill dispensing system includes a shelving unit in array form that holds a number of bulk containers, each holding a bulk amount of a pill to be dispensed. A computer controlled robot removes a selected bulk container and places it on a counter that also dispenses pills. The robot has an arm with a free end portion that can grip a bulk container or a single pill bottle to be filled. The robot is computer controlled to retrieve an empty pill bottle, place it on a label printing and applying unit, then place it next to the counter/dispenser to receive the selected number of selected prescription pills, then place the filled, labeled bottle on a conveyor. In an alternate embodiment, pill bottles are dispensed from a dispenser that holds bottles on inclined plates and feeds them to a vertical dispensing channel. Gates prevent the flow of bottles from an inclined position until the plate above has been emptied.

Abstract: A dispensing machine is used to disperse plastic water bottles and the like, preferably of a size ranging from approximately one liter to approximately two liters or even larger. The machine can be used to dispense other products in containers as long as the containers are shaped to roll along a shelf. The machine has a vertical channel containing paddles where each paddle supports only some of the containers in the channel when the channel is filled with containers. The paddles move simultaneously to gently lower the containers one space at a time when the machine is activated.

Abstract: A staple feed system utilizing an inclined staple feed ramp for axial loading of staples into a staple gun under the influence of gravity. The inclined feed ramp includes an inclined upper linear portion, an upwardly curving arcuate central portion, and a horizontal lower portion permitting the continuous feed of staples beneath the actuation mechanism of the staple gun while the staple gun is disposed in a generally horizontal position. The angulated feed system may be utilized with staple racks comprising multiple staples adhered one to the other. The arcuate ramp is sized to permit the smooth movement of staples thereon, allowing the transfer of gravitational force to the staples contiguous the actuation mechanism for the uninterrupted feeding of staples thereto.

Abstract: A multi-station article dispensing apparatus for use in a "merchandiser" game of skill or chance has a plurality of delivery/display stations juxtaposed along an axle. Each station includes a cradle wheel rotating freely about the axle and loaded from a gravity-fed magazine. Each cradle wheel includes a plurality of drive pins parallel to the axle. The cradle wheel is rotated by a drive rod that nutates along its axis to engage a drive pin. Each drive rod has a solenoid rotatably connected to it and engages its respective drive pin whenever that solenoid is actuated. When the solenoid associated with a given drive rod is not actuated, a bias spring moves the drive rod to a position in which it does not engage a drive pin. Thus, although a single motor and drive train drives all the drive rods in unison, only a selected cradle wheel is rotated.

Abstract: A package merchandiser providing for front and rear stacks of packages resting on a common sloping surface, with a rotating gate positioned between the two stacks to prevent the rear stack to slide to the position of the front stack while packages remain in the front stack. The rotating gate releases when no packages remain in the front stack, allowing the packages in the rear stack to move forward. A control cam associated with the rotating gate to additionally control motion of the rotating gate.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing uniformly sized packages is disclosed. The apparatus includes a storage portion having consecutive slots for storing uniformly sized packages vertically within each slot. The packages fall from the slots into a dispensing portion and they come to rest on a bottom support wall. A puller assembly slides along this bottom support wall to move the lowermost packages to the front of the apparatus where they may be selected individually by a user of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is a resealable package comprising a liquid and gas impermeable container with a resealable opening and a stack of wetted fibrous absorbent materials and particularly wet fibrous sheet material having interposed between the sheets of wetted absorbent materials at pre-determined intervals a liquid barrier layer. The liquid barrier layer is generally a thin flexible polymeric material which is impervious to the liquid used to wet the absorbent sheet material and is not reactable with the liquid or the absorbent sheet material.

Abstract: A dual pawl, feed mechanism for feeding a strip of fasteners into an installation apparatus. The mechanism includes first and second pawls which are connected together and reciprocate in horizontal synchronism. The dual pawls enable a second strip of fasteners to be loaded into a chute before the first strip of fasteners is exhausted. This permits uninterrupted operation of the fastener installation apparatus irrespective of the transition between strips of fasteners. The dual feed pawl mechanism also prevents a partial feed condition from taking place.

Abstract: A slant-shelf magazine for an automatic, coin controlled, vending machine adapted to dispense cylindrical articles, such as canned or bottled beverages, which are stored and gravitationally fed from plural, parallel, horizontally inclined superposed storage racks into a vertical drop chute located opposite the lower ends of such racks. The drop chute communicates with a horizontally inclined delivery chute having a vend mechanism at its lowermost end for releasing articles one-by-one to a discharge hopper upon customer selection. The delivery chute is oppositely inclined from the storage racks and is joined to the drop chute by an intervening curvilinear guideway formed to reverse the gravitational movement direction of the articles prior to entry into the delivery chute for purposes of reducing article load forces on the vend mechanism.

Abstract: A magazine is disclosed for dispensing generally cylindrical and elongated articles in a pre-determined order. The magazine comprises a series of shelves with a reciprocating ratcheting plate arranged perpendicular to the shelves. The ratching plate has surface configurations which allow the articles to be advanced in one direction of movement, and remain stationary relative to the shelves in a second opposite direction. The magazine is removable and may be pre-loaded to dispense in a pre-determined order. The magazine finds particular application in the dispensing of samples to an automated analyzer.

Abstract: A firewood log storing and dispensing apparatus including a furniture-type cabinet housing having an upright log storage compartment in which logs are vertically stacked, a log delivery opening at the lower end of the compartment of a predetermined size adapted for passage therethrough of one log, and a closure mechanism mounted in the housing to extend across the delivery opening for selectively obstructing and opening the delivery opening to permit gravitational dispensing of logs from the compartment. A log cradle is movably arranged below the delivery opening to be vertically moved between a raised log receiving position at the delivery opening and a lowered log dispensing position spaced therebelow. An opening is provided in the cabinet for access to the cradle at its dispensing position for log removal therefrom.

Abstract: A single copy newspaper vending machine which dispenses one newspaper copy each time proper coins are deposited. Newspapers are stacked on a tray which is urged upwardly toward a ski device that rides on the newspaper stack. The ski device can be pulled forwardly to dispense a single newspaper by depositing proper coins and pulling on the handle of a slide arm. The slide arm is normally locked in a retracted position but is released when the coins are accepted. The ski device includes pointed prongs which penetrate the upper surface of the top newspaper in the stack. The back folded edge of the top newspaper is engaged by cleats projecting from a cleat plate carried on the ski device. A pivotal dog member assures that the slide arm is moved through a single complete stroke each time it is released. After the stack of newspapers on the tray has been exhausted, the next stroke of the slide arm causes the dispensing of a display copy carried in a display case on the front of the machine.

Abstract: The invention concerns a vending machine, e.g. of the coin-freed type, having a package-dispensing drawer (11) reciprocatable between a locked, retracted position and an open, extended dispensing position. The drawer length and the machine casing or frame are of sufficient depth to accommodate two vertical banks of packages one behind the other. The rear of the drawer (11) passes through and beyond an opening (14) in the rear wall (13) of the frame. Two upstanding slightly spaced-apart blocks (130,132) are secured to the drawer (11). The front block (130) supports the rear bank of packages and is of a height slightly less than that of the package. The two banks are separated by dividers the bottom edge of which is at a height less than twice the height of a package but more than the height of one package. The top surface (152) of the rear block (132) has projecting, freely rotatable rollers (150) to assist transfer of packages from the rear block to the front block (130).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for directly linking one or more cigarette making machines to one or more cigarette packing machines. A provision is made for one or more variable volume storage units for compensating production imbalances between the machines.The storage units extend along constant curvature paths and support and convey the cigarettes, utilizing continuous belts mounted endlessly around extremity rollers of truncated cone shape.Turnbuckles that exert a radial force with respect to the arc described by each storage unit, restrain and guide the belts.