Abstract: The invention discloses a vertical storage and distribution device. The vertical storage and distribution device comprises a vertical storage channel used for storing articles, wherein the vertical storage channel is provided with a vertical storage trough composed of at least two side plates; the articles can be sequentially stacked in the vertical storage trough from bottom to top; an outlet is formed in the bottom end of the vertical storage trough, and the articles which are sequentially stacked in the vertical storage trough can be sequentially distributed from the outlet from bottom to top.

Abstract: An automatic filter changer that automatically inserts and removes a filter from a fluidic path. Filters are introduced into the automatic filter changer in stacks. The lead filter and each stack is removed from its respective stack one by one by a filter separator. The separated filters are deposited onto a shuttle plate which moves the filters into their respective fluidic paths. Fluid couplers connect to each filter to complete their respective fluidic paths and allow fluids to be filtered before sampling. Once collection of the samples is complete, the filters are removed from the fluidic path and discarded or saved for reuse. The shuttle path is returned to its original position to receive new filters to repeat the process again. A graphic user interface is provided to allow the user to program a specific set of instructions to automate the entire process.

Abstract: A ball feeding device includes a mounting seat with a driving device. The driving device includes a driving shaft defining an axis of rotation. A discharge hole is provided in a top plate of the mounting seat. An annular guiding wall is formed on the top plate and surrounds the axis of rotation. A rotary unit is rotatably mounted on the top plate and includes tubes for containing balls. A blocking member is mounted in each tube. When the rotary unit is rotated, lower ends of the tubes are aligned with the discharge hole in sequence such that the balls in the tubes are fed into a pitching machine one by one. The blocking members hold or release the balls in the tubes under the action of the guiding wall such that the balls to be fed cannot contact with the top plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vending machine that converts a force applied from a manual operation means into an electric power, and operates by utilizing the electric power as a source of power. A drive force generation/transmission mechanism includes a generator (45) that generates the electric power by utilizing the force applied from the manual operation means (9) and motors (49-55) driven by the electric power generated by the generator (45). Article moving mechanisms (63-69) are constructed to operate by utilizing the output of the motors (49-55) as the operation source.

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 delivery device (5) for cassettes and/or specimen slides for histological preparations in a printing system (11) is described. The cassettes and/or specimen slides are in each case arranged one above another in stack magazines (6), a control device (1) being provided for removal of a cassette and/or specimen slide from the stack magazines (6). The improvement comprises a drive shaft (12) having a motor (13) for at least two stack magazines (6), and the motor (13) is connected to the control device (1).

Abstract: An automated cabinet for feed products comprises a closable cabinet having two compartments, wherein one expansive compartment contains a plurality of animal feed supporting shelves which pivot downward sequentially from one hinged end at timed intervals by retraction of a lever system activated by an upwardly rotating trip mechanism (in another compartment) on a vertical jackscrew rotated by an electric motor operated by a programmed timer. A partition separates the compartments, and supports the lever system for every shelf, and a cutoff switch system for the uppermost shelf.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for picking the top or the bottom sheet, as desired from a stack of sheets of documents to be scanned using opposed rollers or other members which apply differing amounts of frictional force to opposite faces of the sheet to be picked. The opposed rollers each have substantially the same coefficient of friction and are selectively rotated each in the same direction of rotation but with different torques to apply differential frictional forces to pick the desired sheet from the top or the bottom of the stack.

Abstract: A product display dispenser in which products are loaded in a tray and brought forward by a spring pusher to the dispensing position one-by-one as the forwardmost product is lifted from the dispenser. A canopy overlies the products and prevents the upward movement of the product. A retaining lip is disposed on the underside of the canopy to prevent any rearward movement of the product when the first product is removed from the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method for vending machines includes in one embodiment vertical vending from one or more columns. Each column is defined by two walls. A triggering mechanism at the bottom of the column is actuated by the rotation of a rod from the top of the column. The triggering mechanism blocks items placed along the column from being dropped out the bottom of the column to a delivery area but also controls when such dispensation occurs. The configuration allows items of different sizes, shapes, and types to be loaded into the column and therefore allows the column to be easily adapted to dispense a wide variety of items.

Abstract: A vending machine (10) is comprised of a platform assembly (110) encased by a transparent envelope (150) and supported by a anti-pilfering base (80) received within a housing (20). The platform assembly (110) includes a plurality of platforms (142) disposed about a helical path (260), and upon which articles to be vended are placed. A linkage assembly (170) includes a trigger means (210) and is operatively coupled between a latching mechanism (66) located within the housing (20) and at least one platform (142) to move the platform from a substantially horizontal plane to a substantially vertical downward position to discharge the article to be vended.

Abstract: A pair of superposed inclined feed tracks have slots along their upper and lower walls respectively. Elongate gates with inturned tips are disposed along the tracks and pivoted intermediate their ends on pins. A yoke having an axis intermediate the two pins has outward parallel fingers which are disposed outward of the pins, and as the yoke is turned by a rotary solenoid, first in one direction and then the other, the fingers engage the gates on opposite sides of their pivot pins oppositely and alternately to alternately open and close the respective tracks. A reciprocating pusher pushes the parts into the working ends of the upper and lower dies and a settable counter counts the strokes of the pusher. A circuit causes activation of the solenoid to shift the gates to switch the feed from one feed track to the other track when the counter registers up to the set number of strokes.

Abstract: This vending machine includes a housing frame (12) subdivided into vertical columns (1-8) adapted to receive cylindrical articles (C). Elongate, rotatable support members (60) are provided below each column for supporting the column of articles, which tend to rotate under the weight of the articles. A ratchet wheel (70) and pawl member (80) assembly provided at one end of each support member provided a release mechanism controlling rotation of the support member incident to dispensing an article. The release mechanism associated with a selected column is actuated by one of a set of angularly related indexing members (101-108) carried by a drive shaft (100), each indexing member being disposed adjacent an associated pawl member. The drive shaft is driven by an electric motor (M) and the indexing members are rotated so that one of them is positioned to move an associated pawl member into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel to dispense an article in response to customer selection.

Abstract: A device for dispensing conical objects to form a stream of generally horizontal side-by-side conical objects with alternate conical objects having one orientation and intervening conical objects having the reversed orientation. The stacks having a first orientation have release cams driven from a common cam shaft while the intervening stacks have release cams driven from a common cam shaft, the timing of the two cam shafts being such that the conical objects are released successively starting from stack and ending at stack.

Abstract: An assembly machine is disclosed in which a slug of one metal is inserted and staked in a cup formed of another metal. During the staking operation, the shape of the slug and the cup is altered by forming loads thereon. Cups are fed to an assembly position through a plurality of feed chutes which supply the cups to a shuttle. The shuttle operates to alternately receive cups from one feed chute and then the other and to position such cups at an assembly position. A cutter cuts slugs from wire stock and delivers the slugs to the assembly position, where the slugs are inserted in the cups and staked in place. The shuttle operates at a cyclic speed equal to one-half the cyclic speed of the cutter so that the total output of the apparatus is substantially higher than the cyclic operating speed of the shuttle. A combined stock gauge and staking tool is carried by the cutter and the cutter forcibly removes the assembled cup and slug from the assembly position.

Abstract: A vending apparatus is disclosed which is adjustable for delivering products of different sizes and shapes and which is particularly suited for easy field conversion or changeover for a desired product delivery. The vending apparatus includes a plurality of identical rotary dispensing shafts each having a helical scroll with the dispensing shafts vertically disposed in an aligned array. To establish a preselected drop-off for a given product, the dispensing shafts are each angularly adjustable relative to one another. A power operated, rotary actuator shaft is provided with a plurality of gears fixed on the actuator shaft. The actuator shaft gears are meshingly engageable respectively with a corresponding gear on each dispensing shaft.

Abstract: A helical carrier mechanism for dispensing bottles and cans from a vending machine has adjustable and removable carriers, to permit facile conversion, preferably between two- and three-deep alternative modes of operation. The mechanism may employ cam members, used to control the energizing circuit of the operating motor, which are reversible so as to present different numbers of lobes, and the frame in which the carriers are mounted may have spring-loaded members, both to further facilitate conversions.

Abstract: A helical carrier mechanism for dispensing bottles and cans from a vending machine has at least one carrier which can be rendered inoperative and non-interfering, such as by removal, to permit facile conversion between two- and three-deep alternative modes of operation. The mechanism may include a cover that is configured to cooperate with the internal walls and hopper of the machine, to afford smooth, gentle and dependable dispensing of the product.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles such as cans from adjacent staggered stacks thereof in a bin with the adjacent stacks having two corresponding columns of cans, a releasable support member for each column movable from an article support to an article release position, a linkage for dictating movement of both support members, a pivotally mounted latch plate for controlling movement of both support members and adapted to be disposed from a rest position to either a first position wherein the first support member is maintained in its article support position while the second support member is directed via the linkage to its article release position or a second position wherein the second support member is maintained in its article support position while the first support member is directed via the linkage to its article release position, an escrow bar rigidly secured to the latch plate and movable therewith whereby with the latch plate disposed in either its first or second position and the corresponding sup

Abstract: A product dispensing machine of the type having conveyor means for moving successive product carriers, each divided into a plurality of separate product carrying compartments, into registry with a product dispensing zone, including separately shiftable access doors or closures for the paths to the various compartments, is provided and employs reliable, predominantly mechanical, control means for normally maintaining the access closures in closed and locked condition denying access to the products, for automatically both unlocking and opening the access closures in a predetermined sequence in response to successive actuation of a dispense cycle actuating means (such as a coinage deposit unit) permitting removal of the product from each of the compartments of the registered carrier in turn, and for automatically moving the next product carrier into registry with the dispensing zone, after all of the products have been sequentially dispensed from the preceding carrier, permitting the sequential dispensing of all