Relative To Common Outlet Patents (Class 221/121)
  • Patent number: 11950725
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portion dispenser (2) for dispensing beverage items (8) from an exchangeable cartridge (3) comprising: a frame (4) with a receiving portion (5) for receiving the exchangeable cartridge, a discharge opening (6) next to the receiving portion (5) and sized for allowing a beverage item to be individually discharged by gravity from the 5 exchangeable cartridge, a moving means assembly (16) comprising a moving means (19) and a moving means housing (20) in which the moving means are arranged for moving therein, wherein the moving means (19) are arranged for providing a discharge chamber (23) for discharge of at least one beverage item therein and for transporting to a dispensing area (17) and wherein the moving means assembly (16) is arranged for sealingly 10 connecting with the exchangeable cartridge (3) and comprises means for opening the exchangeable cartridge to allow the discharge of the beverage item in the discharge chamber and for re-closing the exchangeable cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Damien Romand, Etienne Crozier, Marco Magatti
  • Patent number: 11905668
    Abstract: An RPM installer for automatically aligning an RPM dispenser assembly and an adhesive dispenser over a marker location on a roadway and installing an RPM marker at the marker location. The RPM installer comprises a mounting assembly, a sliding assembly, the RPM dispenser assembly and the adhesive dispenser. The mounting assembly is configured to attach to a vehicle. The RPM installer comprises a forward movement direction aligned with a forward moving direction of the vehicle. The RPM installer comprises a front side associated with the forward movement direction, a rear side, an interior side adjacent with the vehicle, and an exterior side. The sliding assembly is configured attach to and selectively slide relative to the mounting assembly in directions substantially aligned with the forward movement direction. The RPM dispenser assembly and the adhesive dispenser are mounted to a portion of the sliding assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: EcoPath Striping LLC
    Inventor: Dustin Whitaker
  • Patent number: 11628578
    Abstract: Provided is an alimentary-product assembling and dispensing device comprising: a plurality of alimentary-ingredient dispensers positioned to dispense respective ingredients in a plurality of different locations of a robotic work environment; a robot configured to receive an open-top vessel from an open-top-vessel dispenser and move the open-top vessel to the different locations to receive different ingredients from the plurality of alimentary-ingredient dispensers, wherein the robot comprises four or fewer degrees of freedom; and a vending aperture through which consumers retrieve vended alimentary products assembled by the robot from ingredients dispensed from the plurality of alimentary-ingredient dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Truebird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hazen Knuepfel, Andrew William Lynch, Darian Montague Ahler, Jordan Ross Adelson
  • Patent number: 10555874
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for a healthcare management service are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Pillo, Inc.
    Inventors: Aiden Y. Feng, Emanuele Musini, James Malcolm Andrew Wyman, Emanuele Baglini, Antonello Scalmato, Paolo Vernazza, Simone Denei, Andrea Dulach, Alfonso Desiderio, Luca Petacchi
  • Patent number: 10494165
    Abstract: A medication and event monitoring system operates through the internet, interconnecting and accommodating the transfer of information and data between a patient center, a caregiver/researcher center, and a pharmacist. A control center is provided in intercommunication with the patient, caregiver and pharmacist for accommodating the exchange of information and data regarding medication usage between and among the persons of interest. The patient center also includes physical sensing devices, such as for blood pressure, temperature, and the like for obtaining and transmitting information. The patient communicates through a smartphone, and further communicates through pill dispensing devices housed in a docking system that is in intercommunication with the various centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignees: KENT STATE UNIVERSITY, IRXREMINDER, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Sterns, Joel Hughes, Nick Mastandrea, Joshua Smith
  • Patent number: 10071022
    Abstract: Devices dispense medicine and dietary supplements in solid dosage form. The dimensions of the selection slots for the solid dosage forms in a device can be customized in depth by adding or subtracting spacers, and in width by adding or subtracting thickness inserts, or otherwise by employing components of suitable dimensions. Also, structures and methods for resolving jams of solid dosage forms are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: PharmRight Corporation
    Inventor: William C Park, IV
  • Patent number: 9949590
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine for producing a beverage from a capsule containing a product, includes an injecting arrangement arranged for piercing a covering element of the capsule and injecting into the latter a liquid interacting with the product to make a beverage, a housing element provided with a seat into which the capsule is insertable, a dispensing unit for dispensing said liquid into the capsule, said housing element rests on elastic elements and is slidable inside a chamber obtained in a box element that is insertable into a space of the dispensing unit, the chamber being provided with a fixed support intended for constituting a rest for a bottom of the capsule when the latter is inserted into the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SARONG SOCIETA' PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Andrea Bartoli, Davide Capitini, Alessandro Grillenzoni
  • Patent number: 9888721
    Abstract: An e-cigarette provides enables selective disbursement of multiple liquid solutions having different flavors into an atomizing chamber for vaporization with a single atomizer. A cartridge containing the liquid solutions segregates the various flavored liquid solutions into multiple compartments through a rotatable barrier. Each compartment is in communication with a cartridge opening and a chamber opening. A rotatable plate attaches to the rotatable barrier. The rotatable plate includes a plate opening and a plate plug. The plate plug intervenes between the cartridge opening and the chamber opening of a first compartment to restrict passage of a liquid solution from the first compartment. Simultaneously, the plate opening enables passage of a different liquid solution through the cartridge opening and the chamber opening from a second compartment. Thus, the rotatable plate regulates passage of the desired liquid solution from a compartment to an atomizer for vaporizing the desired flavor of liquid solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Erik Chan
  • Patent number: 9795234
    Abstract: Shaft-mounted cup holders, hole-mounted cup holders, freestanding cup holders, and tabletop cup holders and methods of assembling and using the same. Shaft-mounted cup holders, hole-mounted cup holders, freestanding cup holders, and tabletop cup holders are based on a cup holder assembly that includes, for example, a 2-cup plate or a 4-cup plate in relation to a center fastener, wherein the 2-cup plate, the 4-cup plate, and the center fastener are designed to be slidably or permanently affixed to a shaft or pole, such as the shaft or pole of a table umbrella or beach umbrella or a stand-alone shaft or pole configured for use with the cup holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: GLV CONSULTING, DESIGNING & FABRICATING, LLC
    Inventor: Vincent Higgins
  • Patent number: 9770391
    Abstract: Devices dispense medicine and dietary supplements in solid dosage form. The dimensions of the selection slots for the solid dosage forms in a device can be customized in depth by adding or subtracting spacers, and in width by adding or subtracting thickness inserts, or otherwise by employing components of suitable dimensions. Also, structures and methods for resolving jams of solid dosage forms are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: PharmRight Corporation
    Inventor: William C Park, IV
  • Patent number: 9582954
    Abstract: An article dispensing machine, system and method for authenticating an article returned to the article dispensing machine and an article for use in such a machine and system are disclosed herein. The returned article comprises an authentication code disposed on the surface of the returned article and a layer that is substantially opaque in visible light and at least partially overlays the authentication code. The article dispensing machine comprises a light source for illuminating the surface of the returned article so that the authentication code is visible through the layer, an image capture device for capturing an image of the authentication code when the surface is illuminated, and a processor for comparing the captured image to a master authentication code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: REDBOX AUTOMATED RETAIL, LLC
    Inventors: Franz Kuehnrich, Jonathan Palmer
  • Patent number: 9283150
    Abstract: A pill dispenser comprising a container operatively arranged to hold at least one pill, a cap/timer assembly rotatably secured to the container, the cap/timer assembly arranged to be set to a time interval for dispensing the at least one pill, means for alerting a user when the timer has been set to the time interval, and a dispenser housed within the container and the cap, the dispenser operatively arranged to dispense only one pill at the beginning of the time interval, and to prevent dispensing until the time interval has elapsed. The dispenser also includes an audible alert to indicate that a pill has been dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: HB Clouds LLC
    Inventors: Joseph B. Bujalski, James Klino, Jeffery Heitzenrater, Christopher Sean Wronski
  • Patent number: 8978885
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system that allows an easy and quick exchange of small batteries of hearing devices as well as a method for exchanging a battery of a hearing device that combines the installation of a new battery into the hearing device with the deinstallation of the battery to be replaced from the hearing device in a single action using a single mechanism. The inventive battery exchange system comprises a carrier module 1, which features a hearing device receiving means shaped to receive a part of a hearing device 4 and a battery passage that traverses the carrier module 1, a battery dispensing module 2 adapted to accommodate at least one battery 7 and a battery ejection means 3 adapted to eject a battery 7 from the battery dispensing module 2 into the battery passage of the carrier module 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventor: Bruno Gabathuler
  • Publication number: 20150069080
    Abstract: A device and a method for dispensing pharmacy/clinic loaded medications are described herein. The device may include multiple chambers, each chamber having stored therein one type of medication. Each chamber may have a cavity located along a rotating drum. Rotation of the drum causes the chamber to dispense the medications according to a defined schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher J. DiMartino, Richard W. Graham
  • Publication number: 20140332551
    Abstract: Vending machines designed specifically for the sale and provision of large and potentially unusually shaped items, such as sporting goods, including an electronic system for the selection and sale of the vended items. In some examples, the vending machine includes multiple product storage areas designed for holding and vending varied goods such as hockey sticks, hockey stick blades, and related accessories, with each area separate and made accessible by the electronic system as appropriate based upon the purchased products selected by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Broderick Zorick
  • Patent number: 8863480
    Abstract: A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters and a control for releasing a desired quantity of pills from a selected pill canister at a target location. Several platens are provided; each of the platens has a platen identifier. A frame is situated beneath the target location. The frame is controlled to move in both an X axis and/or a Y axis and the frame holds a selected platen of a set of platens. The selected platen holds and supports a target container into which the desired quantity of pills is deposited. The platen identifier is read by the device for dispensing pills to determine which of the plurality of platens is in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: QEM, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman D. Knoth
  • Patent number: 8727178
    Abstract: A condiment packet dispenser that includes a cylindrical shaped housing containing an open top with a plurality of radially partitioned chambers. Each chamber contains a cylindrical shaped container that stores individual condiment packets in a radial manner. The dispenser is operated by pushing a button which sends a signal to a motor control board. The motor control board powers a motor having a spur gear which turns the selected condiment container until the condiment packet is aligned with a drop chute. The packet then falls thru the drop chute and is available for picking up by the customer. There is also a cylindrical shaped top lid which is removable when new condiments need to be loaded to replenish the dispenser. The condiment dispenser sits on top of a base stand that may either be rigidly mounted or may be rotated to choose a condiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventors: Irene Carter, Roger Henry Gagnon
  • Patent number: 8720742
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a sales kiosk, a kiosk system and a process for dispensing or ordering one or more target products or samples of the target products. This disclosure is further directed to a kiosk system having a plurality of the sales kiosks connected via wired or wireless connections. The sales kiosks can be particularly useful for dispensing samples of sales products, such as furniture, typically not suitable to dispense at the sales location; or customized products that need to be customized. The sales kiosk can further be useful for ordering sales products. The sale kiosks can provide advantages for seeing and experiencing the sales products even the sale products cannot be directly displayed or dispensed. The kiosk can be modular and can comprise one or more modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Junfang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8528780
    Abstract: A dispenser comprises a housing defining a chamber to receive a charge of smoking articles coupled by a belt and such that the longitudinal axis of each smoking article extends between first and second ends of die housing. The dispenser includes a mechanism to advance the belt in a lateral direction so as to move a smoking article of the belt into alignment with an aperture in said first end of the housing. The mechanism is also operable to push said aligned smoking article from the belt and eject it in a longitudinal direction from the housing through said aperture. A belt for use in such a dispense!, and a method of filling such a dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventors: Chris Houghton, Ian Mckinnon
  • Patent number: 8469228
    Abstract: A dispenser of containers. A carousel is rotatably mounted to a main frame about a vertical axis of rotation and has a plurality of container compartments arranged around the axis and along the length of the axis. A driver mounted to the main frame rotates the carousel around the axis in a single direction and a lock limits rotation of the carousel in any direction when engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: SLEEGERS Engineered Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Adams
  • Patent number: 8442676
    Abstract: A medication storage for storing medications while cooling down them is constituted so as to allow a medication based on prescription data to be certainly taken out. The medication storage cools down inside a storeroom for storing the medications to a predetermined temperature by a cooling unit. The medication storage, includes: a plurality of shelves rotatably provided in the storeroom; a plurality of storage partitions which are respectively constituted on each shelf and store the medications; a motor for rotating the shelves; a plurality of openings provided respectively for being arranged to correspond to each of the shelves thereby allowing only medication in any one of the storage partitions to be taken out; a plurality of doors for openably closing each opening, respectively; a plurality of lock solenoids for locking each door, respectively; and a control unit for controlling the motor and the lock solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Kobayashi, Manabu Haraguchi, Akinori Hatsuno
  • Patent number: 8428775
    Abstract: Products are dispensed from a dispensing apparatus in which products marked with transaction information are received in a two-dimensional array of moveable bins. In response to control information synthesized from transaction information on the products in the bins and a dispense request, the array is operated to place a bin at a dispensing station on the dispensing apparatus. At the dispensing station, a mechanism is operated in response to the control information to provide access to the bin. A product in the bin may then be retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Baker, Daniel C. Finn, Thomas F. Gaasch, William K. Holmes
  • Patent number: 8068934
    Abstract: A medication dispensing system uses a series of medication rings grouped as a rotary drum and controlled for dispensing medication on a daily basis into a divided pill box. Each medication ring includes an associated medication collar that cooperates with the medication ring to reduce the possibility of abrasion of the medication dosages held in the medication rings. The pill box is moved and rotated within the dispensing system by a carriage to dispense medication into appropriate cells of the pill box. A computer control module controls the movement of the various components and is programmable for loading and dispensing different medication regimes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Leon Saltsov
  • Patent number: 8061555
    Abstract: An automatic product vending machine is provided where the user can withdraw the selected product directly from the machine, the storage area for the products is a rack and the dispensing device of the single product is a frame on which a pusher is mounted which causes the selected product to fall into a tray, which positions the product at an opening which permits its withdrawal by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Daint S.R.L.
    Inventors: Roberto Guglielmi, Antonio Scapin
  • Patent number: 8025180
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus for dispensing capsules, preferably single-use, disposable capsules for the production of beverages, brews and the like, intended for use in connection with automatic food-product vending machines. The inventive capsule dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of receptacles adapted to accommodate capsules in a stacked arrangement, at least a rotary pick-up device provided with two or more compartments distributed about the axis of rotation thereof for removing the capsules from the receptacles, and a conveyor. The capsule dispensing apparatus is characterized in that between the at least a pick-up device and the conveyor there is arranged a distribution tray including a plurality of guide partitions adapted to enable the capsules to undergo a rotary motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: N & W Global Vending S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alessandro Magno
  • Patent number: 7987768
    Abstract: A dispensing system for injecting a fluid into a number of containers. The dispensing system may include a turret plate for holding the containers and an injection system positioned about the turret plate. The injection system may include a piston for contacting a container. The piston may include an injection surface in communication with an internal spring such that the internal spring forces the injection surface against the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Charles Bradley Green, Paul A. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7958701
    Abstract: A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters and a control for releasing a desired quantity of pills from a selected pill canister at a target location. Several platens are provided, each of the plurality of platens having a machine-readable platen identifier. A frame is situated beneath the target location. The frame is adapted to move in both an X axis and a Y axis and adapted to accept and hold a selected platen of a set of platens whereas the selected platen holds and supports a target container into which the desired quantity of pills is deposited and the machine-readable platen identifier is read by the device for dispensing pills to determine which of the plurality of platens is the selected platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: QEM, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman D. Knoth
  • Patent number: 7908827
    Abstract: A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters and a control for releasing a desired quantity of pills from a selected pill canister at a target location. A frame is situated beneath the target location. The frame is adapted to accept and hold a selected platen of a set of platens and to move the selected platen in both an X axis and a Y axis. The selected platen holds and supports a target container into which the desired quantity of pills is deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: QEM, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman D. Knoth
  • Patent number: 7866506
    Abstract: An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals, particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew P. Daniels, Jeffrey P. Williams, Richard D. Michelli, Jasper Pollard, Demetris P. Young, Joseph C. Moran, Jr., George Raymond Abrams, Jr., David Alan Calderwood, Pete Klein
  • Patent number: 7848846
    Abstract: A medicine supply apparatus for filling medicines into containers has a plurality of reception compartments into which each of a plurality of medicines are to be respectively selectively fed by a user based on prescription data stored in a processor, a discharge apparatus for discharging the medicines from each of the reception compartments, and filling apparatus for filling the medicines discharged from the reception compartments into containers. An LED lamp is identifiably related to each of the plurality of reception compartments to indicate the reception compartment into which a particular medicine is to be fed based on the prescription data and a control device controls the discharge apparatus to discharge the medicine from the reception compartment and the filling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Uema, Manabu Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 7793797
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Jarisch, Alfred Yoakim
  • Publication number: 20100210200
    Abstract: A coin mechanism comprises a coin entry point (2) to receive coins (1), a coin exit point (19), a coin acceptor (5) having an inlet (7) for coins to be tested, a sensor and processing arrangement configured determine the acceptability of coins under test that enter the inlet, an coin accept path (10) for acceptable coins and a non-accept path (12) for non-acceptable coins. A first coin conveyor runs along first coin feed path (6) from a coin receiving portion that receives coins from coin entry path (3) to deliver coins in succession to the inlet (7) of the coin acceptor. A second coin conveyor runs along a second coin feed path (17) from a coin receiving portion that receives coins from the non-accept path of the acceptor to the coin, to deliver coins to the coin exit point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Money Controls Limited
    Inventors: Malcolm Bell, Graham Jones, Nicholas Aspinall, Robert Blythin
  • Patent number: 7747347
    Abstract: The medication apparatus includes a mobile housing assembly and a plurality of tray members supported therein for rotation on a central mounting assembly. A lockable access door is present in the housing assembly for controlled access to the trays. A tray locking assembly locks and unlocks the trays individually in a plurality of angular positions so that each of the compartments on a particular tray member can be presented before the door. A drive assembly selectively engages and rotates each tray individually when the tray is unlocked. A control system, including a stored program, identifies a compartment associated with a particular patient or associated with particular medications, unlocks the tray associated with the desired compartment, and rotates the tray to present the compartment before the access door, which is then unlocked and openable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sabal Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Park, IV
  • Patent number: 7735680
    Abstract: A dispensing device and method including a housing defining an opening. A door is movable relative to the housing from a closed position to a maximum open position. The door and the housing defining an access portion of the opening. A tray is disposed within the housing and is supported for movement relative to the housing. The tray is configured to support dispensable items within a plurality of segments of the tray. An access control mechanism is configured to locate the tray relative to the housing to generally align a selected one of the plurality of segments with the opening and also to limit opening movement of the door to limit a size of the access portion to a size of the selected segment if a corresponding position of the door is less than the maximum open position of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Nexiant
    Inventor: Peter Godlewski
  • Publication number: 20100032446
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic product dispenser, i.e. vending machine featuring improved product delivery ability. The vending machine according to the present invention comprises at least one tray (5) for supporting the products (2) to be dispensed, which is arranged in a substantially horizontal manner and is subdivided into a plurality of compartments (6), at least a conveyor belt (9) for handling the products (2) within said compartments (6) and conveying said products (2) towards a release section (35); the inventive vending machine further comprises delivery means (17) provided close to said release section (35). The inventive vending machine is characterized in that at least one of said compartments (6) is so configured as to be able to receive products (2) arranged along two rows, and in that it comprises selection means (19) adapted to arrange said products (2) into a single row in proximity of said release section (35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Gabriele Valota, Aristide Domenico Roncari, Sergio Pesenti Barili
  • Patent number: 7588165
    Abstract: Trays within a given level of a drum-type vending machine form individual zones, and may be further subdivided into additional individual zones, for which pricing may be separately specified. A vend door for the corresponding level is constrained to allow access to a given zone upon payment of the appropriate amount. More levels and greater flexibility in pricing and product selection are thus enabled, together with greater control over vending operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Crane Co.
    Inventors: James B. Prichard, Mark R. Henning, Douglas M. Mingo
  • Patent number: 7581657
    Abstract: A bandage dispenser comprising a housing having a magazine rotatably mounted therein; an advancement assembly for rotating the magazine and a pusher mechanism. The magazine including a plurality of sterile individual pie shaped compartments each receiving a sterile bandage assembly. The pusher mechanism sequentially penetrating the compartments and ejecting the bandage assembly therefrom after each compartment is aligned with the pusher mechanism by the advancement assembly. The advancement assembly including a ratchet mechanism on the magazine and an advancement solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Inventor: Alexander J. Dickmann
  • Patent number: 7424960
    Abstract: A chip dispenser for dispensing a plurality of poker chips has a base with upper and lower surfaces and an outer wall through which extend a plurality of slides. Extending upward of the base is a plurality of tubular members for retaining chips. The thickness of each of the slides is chosen to be approximately equal to the number of chips to be dispensed with the actuation of each such slide. Upon actuation of a slide, the chips are moved to a cavity within the base and allowed to fall through a centralized hole in the bottom surface thereof and into a retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas J. Vokac
  • Patent number: 7422128
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided with a carousel rotatably supported within a housing. The carousel includes multiple cells spaced circumferentially from each other upon the carousel. A door is provided in the housing which provides access to one cell. Each cell can contain an item, such as a newspaper, to be dispensed. A coin-op is mounted to the dispenser and allows a lever to be manually actuated when payment is made. When the lever is actuated, a latch of a door control assembly is released so that the door can be opened. The lever also causes an arm of a carousel control assembly to be rotated, which arm causes the carousel to be rotated along with the lever. Dividers between adjacent cells in the carousel preclude access to adjacent cells when a user has access to one of the cells through the door, such that theft is precluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Jody A. Cline
  • Patent number: 7410077
    Abstract: A container is disclosed for storage and dispensing of web roll products such as gift wrap. The container includes an elongated housing. A cylindrical barrel assembly is rotatably supported within the housing, and includes a plurality of roll storage cavities each having an open end and an open slot along a length thereof. A second end panel of the housing includes a rotatable cap frictionally attached to one end of the barrel assembly to rotate the barrel assembly within the housing. Removable storage boxes for storing gift-wrap related accessories are attachable to the housing. Wheels may be included on the housing to facilitate rolling the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Byron Ness
  • Patent number: 7395945
    Abstract: A dispensing device and method including a housing defining an opening. A door is movable relative to the housing from a closed position to a maximum open position. The door and the housing defining an access portion of the opening. A tray is disposed within the housing and is supported for movement relative to the housing. The tray is configured to support dispensable items within a plurality of segments of the tray. An access control mechanism is configured to locate the tray relative to the housing to generally align a selected one of the plurality of segments with the opening and also to limit opening movement of the door to limit a size of the access portion to a size of the selected segment if a corresponding position of the door is less than the maximum open position of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: NEXIANT
    Inventor: Peter Godlewski
  • Patent number: 7344050
    Abstract: A distribution installation for products (11) arranged in compartments (10, 10?) with transport means (13) for transferring the products (11) from said compartments (10, 10?) to a dispensing hatch (5). Said transport means (13) comprise a deformable reception means (29) which are connected to at least a first and a second attachment element (30, 31). The attachment elements (30, 31) can move relative to each so that the reception means (29) have at least a reception position in which said products (11) are transferred from said compartments (10, 10?) to the reception means (29), and a delivery position in which products (11) are transferred from the receiving means (29) to said dispensing hatch (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: VTL Group Limited
    Inventor: Jozef Robrechts
  • Patent number: 7293673
    Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing items. The system includes a base that has first and second compartments. The base can rotate about an axis. An item can be stored in one of the first and second compartments. The system also includes a cover that covers the base, the first compartment, and the second compartment. Furthermore, the cover has an opening. The system also includes a handle that is coupled to the cover. The handle can be used to actuate the cover to rotate about the axis to align the opening with one of the first and second compartments. The system also includes an ejector that ejects the item from the compartment when the handle aligns the ejector with the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: SupplyPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent V. Savage, William K. Holmes, Charles A. Tyack
  • Patent number: 7246554
    Abstract: A charging arrangement for a baking oven (8) is provided with a supply arrangement (9) for dough pieces (4) and a lifting and delivery device (34) for the dough pieces (4). The supply arrangement (9) is provided with a charging inlet, at least one supply bin (10, 23) and a supply outlet arranged underneath the charging inlet. A delivery inlet portion (37) of the lifting and delivery device (34) that is located at the bottom is in delivery engagement with the outlet of the supply arrangement under the influence of gravity. A baking system (1) with such a charging arrangement (9) can be easily operated and does not require the continuous presence of an operator. Furthermore, it can have an optically attractive design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Werner & Pfleiderer Lebensmitteltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Dannenhauer, Frank Blümel, Thomas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6971543
    Abstract: A vend mechanism for transferring articles, or prizes, to a receiving area of a vending machine accessible from outside the machine, including an amusement game machine, has a plurality of conveyors arranged radially on each of a plurality of spaced plates. A first drive mechanism is provided to rotate an assembly of the plates so that a selected column of conveyors is in alignment with the receiving area and, for each plate, a second drive mechanism is provided to operate the conveyor that is in the transferring orientation so that an article, or prize, on the conveyor is transferred to the receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Benchmark Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Ronald D. Halliburton, Steve Corso
  • Patent number: 6941855
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding capsules containing a substance to be extracted in an extraction system under pressure for the preparation of a drink. The device includes a supply of capsules arranged in several series, and a mechanism for individually unloading one capsule into a reception part of the extraction system. The extraction system injects water into the capsule to form the drink as a liquid extract of the substance. The reception part is arranged beneath the unloading mechanism in such a way as to allow the direct descent of the released capsule into the reception part and includes structure for opening the capsule for releasing the liquid extract therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Denisart, Jean-Luc Colantonio, Lucio Scorrano
  • Patent number: 6860402
    Abstract: An automatic single object dispenser has storage elements provided with a drum with a horizontal axis on the periphery of which are formed receptacles radially oriented to receive each an object through an opening and a delivery zone whereat the user can collect the selected object, the drum being driven in rotation to bring the selected object to the delivery zone. The dispenser includes elements for ejecting the selected object when it reaches the delivery zone. The dispenser is useful for selling or renting out articles and in particular video cassettes or compact discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Juan Blas Casuccio
  • Patent number: 6775591
    Abstract: A medication dispensing cart has a pull-out drawer, and a conveyor that transports a number of removable medication bins within the cart, one at a time, to the position of the drawer. An on-board processor controls operation of the bin conveyor mechanism whose pathway can be a serpentine (folded) loop. The drawer slide engages the bin located at the drawer position, and the bin can be pulled forward from said conveyor and pushed back onto the conveyor. The bins can be lifted out when the drawer is opened. A 2-D bar code symbol or other machine-readable code, positioned on the bin, contains data identifying the contents of the bin and the associated patient. A reader device reads the coded symbol and transfers data for that bin to an on-board processor. The processor keeps track of the bins on the conveyor, as well as their contents. Pusher arms on the drawer assist in pushing the bin out when the drawer is opened and in returning the bin onto its carrier when the drawer is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: S&S X-Ray Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman A. Shoenfeld
  • Patent number: 6732884
    Abstract: A medication dispensing system comprising an on-site medication dispensing unit and a central monitoring facility. The on-site medication dispensing unit holds bulk amounts of medication in a plurality of separate receptacles from which it selects a desired medication dosage according to an entered and stored prescription regimen and then notifies the patient by an audible or other sensory signal. If the patient presses a button within a prescribed time, the unit dispenses the dosage. If the patient does not press the button within the prescribed time, or if the unit detects a failure to dispense the selected canister, the unit makes the receptacle inaccessible and contacts a predetermined list of caregivers and the central monitoring facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas A. Topliffe, Roger O. Topliffe, Anil Sahai
  • Patent number: 6683288
    Abstract: A system for removing a food container tray from a sleeve, placing the food tray in an oven of an automatic hot food vending machine, removing the hot food tray from the oven and replacing it in the tray, including means for preventing the sleeve from distorting while the food tray is in the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Food Service Technology Limited
    Inventor: Bruce Dunford