Abstract: An article or product dispensing system to selectively dispense products having a dispensing module including a carousel to store the plurality of products rotatable by a carousel positioning device between a dispensing station and a rejecting station to selectively position the carousel relative thereto. A product ejector selectively ejects product at the dispensing station and a product rejector selectively ejects product at the rejecting station. A product detector verifies the product at the dispensing station is the selected product. A control system including a product input to select the product to be dispensed is operatively coupled to the carousel positioning device, the product ejector and the product rejector, such that the carousel positioning device rotates the carousel to position the selected product at the dispensing station and the product ejector ejects the selected product when the product is detected.

Abstract: A mobile vending machine for transporting and vending a number of products. The mobile vending machine includes a storage compartment for storing the products, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the products, and a drive mechanism. The storage compartment is positioned about the drive mechanism for movement therewith.

Abstract: An installation for the packaging of a product in containers closed with a stopper, including in particular a filling machine (1), a stopping machine (3) and, upstream of this, a device (6) for the dynamic storage of stoppers suitable to drive the stoppers continuously and with a pre-specified pitch, the number of stoppers present simultaneously in the device (6) being at least equal to that of the containers present in a pre-specified part (7) of the installation, means (8) for the control of the supply of stoppers being provided upstream of the device (6) to control a device (10) for supplying containers located upstream of the pre-specified part (7); thus, for every container engaged in the pre-specified part (7) corresponds a stopper present in the device (6) supplying the stopping machine (3) and, in the event of an incident in the supply of stoppers upstream of the device (6), the supply of containers from the pre-specified part (7) is controlled (9, 10) while maintaining the operation of the terminal p

Abstract: A feed device (10) for feeding blocks (40) of adhesive into a glue melt tank (6), comprising a magazine (12) divided into a plurality of segments (14), each segment (14) adapted to contain a block (40) of hot-melt adhesive; a plate (16) below the magazine (12) having an aperture (18) substantially the size of a segment (14); an side wall (24) surrounding the magazine (12); drive means (37) for moving either the magazine (12) of the plate (16); and indexing means (36) to control the drive means (37) so that each segment (14) is brought in turn into alignment with the aperture (18) in the plate (16).

Abstract: The present invention is an automatic medication dispenser that is capable of distributing medication according to at least one prescribed time schedule, such as daily or weekly. The dispenser is capable of signaling to the patient the appropriate time for taking the next dosage of medicine by the activation of appropriate alarms. The dispenser has a housing with a removable cap, the housing adapted to receive at least one circularly shaped medication cassette, the at least one medication cassette being rotatable within the housing; a medication exit slot in the housing which allows medication contained by the at least one medication cassette to be distributed from the at least one medication cassette; a drive system contained by the housing which rotates the at least one medication cassette within the housing and a medication detector which is contained by the housing and detects the distribution of the medication, in combination with at least one removable circularly shaped medication cassette.

Abstract: A vending machine for increasing consumer interest in the vending process and vended product includes an internal elevator. This elevator has a conveyor or tiltable bed mounted thereon whereby a vended article is both horizontally and vertically moveable within the machine. A transparent window is provided on the face of the vending machine whereby the dispensing operations can be viewed by a consumer. An alignment device can be provided on the elevator in order to prevent tipping of the articles to be dispensed.

Abstract: A vending machine comprising a base (10) and a transparent lid (20) housing one or more wheel assemblies (30a-g). The lid (20) is provided with an access door (21) at a convenient height for a user and the wheels (30a-g) are independently rotatable in a user selection process to view products such as food displayed thereon. The access door (21) is releasable in response to a payment mechanism (13). Conveniently, many food products can be viewed independently, and multiple users can each independently control one of the plurality of display wheels (30a-g) giving improved user satisfaction and throughput.

Abstract: Device to distribute photographic material, such as photographs, films, negatives, slides, etc.

Abstract: A leaflet dispensing apparatus having a main structural body on which is mounted a carousel including a plurality of magazine for storing leaflets and an intermediate chute for transferring the leaflets from the carousel to a dispensing wheel. The dispensing wheel is adapted to remove a leaflet from the intermediate chute and to transport the leaflet to a dispensing area where a dispensing blade pushes the leaflet onto or into a container being transported by a conveyor located adjacent to the leaflet dispensing apparatus. The magazines for storing leaflets are the vehicle for reloading the carousel. The magazines may be discarded after use or may be re-used.

Abstract: A rolled coin dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotatable dispensing wheel that holds coin rolls, a rotary drive mechanism for rotating the dispensing wheel to a dispense position, and an ejecting mechanism for ejecting a predetermined number of coin rolls from the dispensing wheel. The dispensing wheel has outer and inner wheel structures that support divider members which receive rolled coin cassettes therebetween. The ejecting mechanism includes pusher arms arranged exteriorly of each dispensing wheel and ejector bars, fixed to each arm, that are located interiorly of the outer wheel structure to be pushed into a cassette disposed at the dispense position to obtain coin rolls therefrom. The ejector bars and cassette located at the dispense position are arranged nonradially with respect to the axial center of their cassette wheel.

Abstract: A single, traveling actuator services multiple medication dispensing carousels to selectively dispense medication. The traveling actuator carries a tray that receives the dispensed medication. The tray flips to discharge the medication for patient use. The single actuator simplifies operation and reduces drop distance, thereby leading to a compact, low profile assembly.

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: An apparatus and method for maximizing the amount and selection of vendable items from a bucket-type vending machine includes a main access door over an access opening to buckets of the machine. One or more shields are positioned below the access opening but can be selectibly interlocked with the door so that when the access door uncovers the access opening, any of the shields can be raised to cover any or all of the access opening. This arrangement allows each bucket to be subdivided into separate buckets. The selectable shields therefore can close off from access any of the sections of the bucket which are not selected by a customer thereby allowing use of one main access door to facilitate the increased amount and number of selections available from each bucket of the bucket-type vending machine.

Abstract: A variable doorstop selectively determines the opening distance of an access door of a merchandising machine, the access door being mounted in channels of the merchandising machine to be slidable between an open position wherein the access door permits access to a compartment aligned therewith and a closed position wherein access to the compartment is restricted. The doorstop comprises a hinge assembly including at least one hinge. Each hinge has a backing plate for mounting the hinge on the merchandising machine and at least one abutment plate. The at least one abutment plate is rotatable about a pin of the hinge to selectively pivot the abutment plate from a non-engagement position in which the abutment plate is positioned away from the path of the access door to an engagement position in which the abutment plate is in the path of the access door.

Abstract: A lollipop dispenser apparatus having a main support housing assembly with a dispenser housing assembly mounted thereon, both constructed of a transparent material for customer appeal. A product support and dispensing assembly has a product support and display assembly within the dispenser housing assembly and a product dispensing assembly within the main support housing assembly and interconnected to each other. The product support and display assembly has a plurality of product support and anchor assemblies operable to have various vertically spaced dispensing levels, each having a plurality of lollipop members supported by an outer end of respective lollipop support sticks and presented in a radial wheel fashion. The product dispensing assembly includes a plurality of spaced motor drive assemblies, each connected to a respective gear drive assembly to selectively rotate the product support and anchor assembly to dispense a lollipop member therefrom under the force of gravity.

Abstract: A swivelling unit 18 is swivellably supported on the machine body of the plotter between the two predetermined positions. A loader shaft 38 is journalled on the swivelling unit 18 which is interlocked with a rotary drive device. When the swivelling unit 18 moves to the predetermined lead supplying position, a lead tank stocker 44, having a number of lead tanks on its circumference and connected to the loader shaft 38, moves interlockingly with the swivelling unit 18 in the condition of holding the predetermined rotary angle. The lead tank 48 moves immediately above the pencil holder 10 of the writing instruments stocker 8 by this movement. When the opener 76 is driven to this position and the shutter mechanism of the lead tank 48 opens, a piece of the writing lead drops from the lead tank 48 and the writing lead is supplied to the empty pencil holder 12 which is retained by the writing instruments stocker 8.

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 multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into allignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing, dispensing and keeping track of articles, such as keys, has a plurality of compartments for the articles arranged in a cylindrical array, with openings, one for each compartment, being arranged on the surface of the cylinder. The apparatus is in a protective cabinet or housing. An access port arrangement is moveable in a slot in the cabinet parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and means are provided for rotating the cylinder and for moving the access port mechanism so that the access port can align with a selected one compartment to permit access to that compartment only at any one time. Control means, such as a computer, controls the rotating and the access port moving means so that, by identifying each article by a unique value, and dedicating an individual compartment to each separate article, the compartment specific to that article is accessed as required. A hierarchical access system for persons using the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: An automatic pill dispensing apparatus is provided having a plurality of cartridges mounted on a common rotatable shaft within a housing. Each cartridge has a plurality of compartments disposed about its periphery for containing medication to be dispensed at proper intervals. An alarm is sounded for the user when the cartridges are in position for dispensing medication. A dispense bar is manually actuated by the user to eject medication into a tray for user access. The plurality of cartridges enable filling by a pharmacist of independent multiple prescriptions. The use of a manually automated dispensing bar eliminates the possibility of overdosage by taking accumulated, unused medication. A dislodging wire sweeps through each compartment as the dispense bar is depressed, thereby dislodging the medication from the compartment for user access.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartment on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A vending machine has a carousel containing several rotatable trays stacked one above another. The trays carry and present for vending selected items, such as food and merchandise. The carousel is contained in a housing or canister and is part of an integrated assembly with a coin container. The carousel is filled at a central depot rather than at the site where the machine is installed for use by customers. The customer locations have the cabinet of the machine. Fixed in the cabinet is a drive mechanism for the carousel and locating and guide members which enable integrated assemblies to be removed from the cabinet and fresh assemblies, with the carousel trays loaded at the central depot, to be installed in place of the removed assemblies. The coin box when empty is equipped with a mechanism which is set to enable coins to drop into the container and is automatically reset so as to close the opening when the assembly is removed from the cabinet.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandizing machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing areas of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: An electronic parts processing machine for continuously performing processed like writing information to electronic parts concludes a carrying portion for transferring the electronic parts to be processed, a supplying portion which is disposed upstream to the carrying portion and connects a tray containing many electronic parts in line to the carrying portion and supports the tray, a processing portion which is disposed in the carrying portion and perform predetermined information processing for the electronic parts supplied from the tray, an indicating portion for making a predetermined indication for the electronic parts located downstream or upstream to the processing portion, a collecting portion which is disposed downstream to the carrying portion and connects a tray to the carrying portion and supports the tray to receive processed electronic parts.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currency in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing objects has a plurality of superposed annular magazines constituting a fixed cylindrical structure. An object extraction control member rotatable about an axis by a stepper motor or the like is disposed at each level inside said cylindrical structure and cooperates with elements situated within the object-containing housings. The annular magazines being fixed have the object extraction control members rotatable relative thereto.

Abstract: An automated delivery system includes a unitary wheel assembly having a plurality of horizontally disposed tiers each supporting a plurality of radially extending product bins. Electronic control components including customer interfacing devices, regulate the operation of a motor to rotate the wheel assembly to position a specific bin juxtaposed a single, fixed delivery chute, at which point one stationary discharge assistant as provided for each tier is actuated to manipulate a gate assembly associated with each bin to cause the discharge of its product, by gravity, into the chute. Input keyboard, monitor, credit card and currency processing devices connected to the control components permit varied types of transactions by customers of the system.

Abstract: An automatic fastener selection apparatus for segregating a single fastener from a particular contained pile of fasteners and for depositing the segregated fastener into the intake device of a fastening machine is disclosed. The apparatus is capable of segregating headed or nonheaded fasteners within a wide range of sizes. The apparatus includes a scoop (20) that is connected to the forward end of a shaft (22). The scoop is mounted for movement into and out of a bin (24). The bin contains a pile of randomly oriented fasteners (26). When moved into the bin (24) the blade (28) of the scoop is thrust beneath at least some of the fasteners. The scoop is then tipped upwardly so that a number of fasteners remain on the upper surface of the scoop and slide inwardly to the corner (30) of the scoop. The scoop includes a vacuum port (34) and associated mechanisms for capturing a single fastener as the scoop is rotated into an inverted position within the bin, after the shaft is tilted to remove the scoop from the pile.

Abstract: A countertop snack vendor in which a drum having a plurality of groups of circumferentially spaced article-receiving compartments is mounted within a cabinet for rotary movement around a generally horizontal axis with the groups disposed respectively behind normally locked elongated transparent doors, each of which spans a plurality of compartments of its associated group to afford a potential customer a view of a large number of articles. Each door is freed upon the deposit of money in the vendor for limited movement from a normally closed position to an open position at which a single compartment of the associated group is accessible.

Abstract: A vending machine comprising at least one drum pivotably mounted about a vertical shaft comprises a front pane permitting the customer to view the articles contained in the drum. In order to increase the utilization of the compartments of the drum and the use of compartments of many different sizes, the front pane comprises an outer pane and an inner pane. The inner pane is pivotably mounted about the same axis as the drum. The outer pane covers the entire stack of drums, whereas each drum is associated with one inner pane. Each inner pane comprises a first pawl engaging a pin which is associated with each partition. This pawl may be made to disengage the pin by means of a releasing mechanism which is activated when the drum in question is activated by a switch. At the same time the outer pane is caused to rotate clockwise about the axis, which movement the inner pane is caused to follow as a consequence of a first dog engaging the outer pane.

Abstract: A key blank selector-dispenser comprises a drum having a central axis aperture and several series of radial cells for receiving magazines of key blanks and contained in respective radial planes of the cylinder. The drum is rotatable by an electric motor having an electromagnetic brake. Key blank ejectors for each said series are provided in said aperture and are located in the same diametral plane of the drum.A control panel has a number of slots for insertion of specimen keys equal to the number of said cells. Means actuatable by insertion of a specimen key closes the motor circuit to start the motor. A cam on each series of cells operates a limit contact when a cell having a desired blank comes into the plane of the ejectors to effect stopping of the motor and actuation of the ejector corresponding to the series selected.

Abstract: A vending or dispensing type machine featuring a turntable with a tiered superstructure embodying receptacles for articles to be dispensed. The superstructure is formed in segments which can be quickly and readily assembled per se and then easily joined, concentric to and in connection with a vertically oriented drive shaft.The machine also features simplified controls providing that each of the respective tiers of receptacles are automatically provided with a dispensing station at its own level as the receptacles of the other tiers are sealed from access.