Abstract: A picking apparatus which is capable of automatic retrieval of a selected number and kinds of cylindrical objects from stocks of such objects includes a plurality of storage sections arranged side-by-side, each storage section containing a different kind or type of cylindrical object. A discharge means is provided at a lower part of each storage section in order to discharge cylindrical objects one at a time from the storage section. A conveyor extends along the course of the storage sections and conveys discharged objects to a single location. A control unit is provided to control the discharge means of the respective storage sections so that the necessary number and kinds of cylindrical objects are retrieved therefrom.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vending machine in which a plurality of article columns are slant to be directed to a plurality of vending mechanisms, respectively. Each of the article columns is composed of a plurality of shelves for accommodating a row of articles. Each of the article columns is provided with a vending mechanism, so that articles of different kinds can be sold dependent on the number of the article columns. For this structure, at least one vending mechanism is set for an arbitrary one of article selection buttons. Thus, when the number of the article columns for accommodating the same kind of articles is set in accordance with the sales amount of the articles, different kinds of articles are sold out at an approximately same time.

Abstract: A device for the orderly supply of cigarettes; the device presenting at least one channel defined by two lateral walls and for feeding a respective column of cigarettes at a given dropdown speed and in a given traveling direction to the bottom opening of the channel; and an ordering device being provided upstream from the bottom opening in the traveling direction, and presenting at least two engaging elements located at either end of one of the two lateral walls and movable inside the channel to accompany the cigarettes along a given portion of the channel and so feed the cigarettes in orderly manner to the bottom end.

Abstract: A new Motorized Newspaper Dispensing System for dispensing of various printed literature within one machine and further minimizing theft by dispensing only one printed literature at a time. The inventive device includes a housing structure strengthened to resist theft which houses various printed literature, a support means elevating the housing structure to a level comfortable for purchasers, a coin receiving means, a dispensing means which mechanically dispenses the selected printed literature, and a sign stand secured to the upper portion of the housing structure providing space for advertising.

Abstract: There are used article display shelves each comprising a plurality of article storing compartments arranged vertically and laterally, the article storing compartments each holding a plurality of articles in a front-declined state, and the articles in each article storing compartment are held by means of a stopper, the stopper being capable of moving between an article holding position for inhibiting free fall of article and an article release position for permitting free fall of article. On the premise that money is paid, a bucket is conveyed to a position where a desired article is to be dropped from the article storing compartment which holds the article, and the position of the stopper is shifted to the article release position by an operation performed on the bucket side. As a result, the desired article is put into the bucket, which bucket is then conveyed up to an article take-out port. In this way the sale of article is effected.

Abstract: A device for dispensing and holding artificial fingernails for decoration includes a housing having an upper work platform, and a plurality of magazine assemblies disposed within the housing. Each of the magazine assemblies includes a body for storing a plurality of artificial fingernails in stacked relation, and a spring biased plunger disposed in the body for urging the artificial fingernails upwardly within the body. The device further includes a slide having a plurality of slide members which are slidable through the respective magazine bodies for engaging the rear edge of the uppermost fingernail in each of the magazine assemblies and advancing the fingernail outwardly through an exit opening in the body of each of the magazine assemblies. The exit openings are disposed on the upper work surface of the work platform.

Abstract: An article dispensing and positioning device is disclosed in which a plurality of rectangular articles such as dominos or the like are placed on a flat surface in a plurality of parallel rows and in evenly spaced relationship with each other in each row. In one embodiment, the device includes a plurality of article dispensing assemblies mounted in a unitary housing which is capable of being propelled along the flat surface, preferably by motor mounted in the housing. In another embodiment, each article dispensing assembly is an integral unit, a plurality of which can be removably attached together to form a plurality of rows of dominos or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a photosensitive material includes a device to replenish a tablet of a solid processing agent into a processing tank in which a cross-section of the tablet is shaped in a circle. A container in which plural tablets are accommodated is detachably mounted on the device. The plural tablets are accommodated in such a manner that an outer circumference of each tablet is contacted with that of the others.

Abstract: A system for dispensing medicaments such as pills and capsules includes a plurality of medicament dispensing cells, a manipulator arm for moving to a cell and receiving medicament dispensed therefrom into a vial, and a controller for controlling the operation of the manipulator arm. In one embodiment of the invention, each cell includes indicia thereon such as a bar code indicating the medicament contained therein and the system includes an indicia reader such as a bar code reader attached to the manipulator arm. When the system receives dispensing instructions such as a prescription to be filled, the controller moves the manipulator arm to a selected cell location of a cell having the medicament to be dispensed, as indicated by cell data included in the controller memory. The indicia reader reads the indicia on the cell at the selected location and the controller determines whether the medicament indicated by the indicia matches the medicament of the prescription.

Abstract: The general purpose of the device described herein, the Smart Automatic Medication Dispenser, is to aid medical patients who must consume several types of medications several times a day for long periods of time. Often, due to daily diversions, it can be difficult for a patient to keep a running record of the amount of medications and the times at which they must be administered. The specific purpose of this computer controlled dispenser device is to provide a convenient vehicle and means by which properly proportioned medication doses are housed and automatically delivered to the patient in single complete doses. This user friendly and expandable dispenser will deliver medication in the proper chronological order and at the precisely correct/prescribed daily time intervals for a nominal period of one full week. Included in this device are comprehensive patient alerting capabilities, including familiar voices, all coordinated with medication delivery.

Abstract: A small parts vending machine for airplanes including a housing having an opening therethrough in a lower portion thereof. The housing includes a dispensing ramp secured therein the hollow interior. A powering and programming computer is secured within the housing to a rear wall thereof. An input portion is secured to a front wall of the housing. The input portion is electrically coupled with the powering and programming computer. A credit card input portion is secured to the front wall of the housing. The credit card input portion is electrically coupled with the powering and programming computer. A plurality of dispensing coils each are secured within the housing to the rear wall thereof. The dispensing coils are operably coupled with the powering and programming computer for the dispensing of small airplane parts at times when parts are otherwise unavailable.

Abstract: A chip component feeder is provided which includes a chip component storage box, a pick-up slider, a first feeding unit, and a second feeding unit. The pick-up slider slides to enter an outlet of the chip component storage box for picking up chip components and leads them to a feeding path formed in the first feeding unit communicating with the second feeding unit. The feeding path of the first feeding unit has a rectangular cross section suitable for the chip components of rectangular shape as well as square or circular shape.

Abstract: Automated teller machine for dispensing coin rolls, comprising one or more vertical coin roll (2) dispensing wheels (9), the rolls are arranged in chutes (10) radially disposed about its rotational axis (11). Each wheel is enclosed in a circular fairing (12) which comprises, in the upper portion, a window (13) for loading the coin rolls and, in the lower portion, a window (14) for dispensing by gravity the coin rolls. The lower dispensing widow cooperates with elements (19) for controlling a receptacle (15) for opening and closing the latter, elements for controlling the dispensing receptacle and elements (20) for stepwise rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A storage and dispenser apparatus includes a back wall panel and a first, a second, and a third side wall panel projecting outward from the back wall panel. The width of the third is greater than the width of the second side wall panel, and the width of the second is greater than the width of the first side wall panel. A first front wall panel is transparent and is connected between the first and the second side wall panels. A second front wall panel is transparent and is connected between the second and the third side wall panels. A bottom portion is connected to the back wall panel. The bottom portion extends below the respective front wall panels for providing a first dispensing gap between the first front wall panel and the bottom portion and for providing a second dispensing gap between the second front wall panel and the bottom portion. The back wall panel includes installation apertures.

Abstract: A drug storing apparatus for an automatic drug dispensing machine includes a frame provided with a multiplicity of inclined supports arranged one on top of the other or in rows for supporting a multiplicity of drug cases, and the supports may also be configured into rails. The drug cases are detachably connected to a multiplicity of drive boxes which may be mounted onto the frame along the inclined rails. The drug cases are arranged in such a manner that their outlets are oriented towards a central portion of a hopper. Each drive box is also provided with guide rails and contains therein a motor which has an axle oriented towards its corresponding drug case. When a drug case slides along the guide rails to fit onto its corresponding drive box, a coupling of a feeding element of the drug case just fits onto the axle of the motor.

Abstract: A modular vending machine for dispensing a variety of different sized products with at least one array received within a cabinet, wherein the array is made up of a plurality of storage chambers with a dispensing mechanism disposed at the bottom of each chamber. The cabinet can receive any number of arrays which in turn can receive any number of storage chambers. The modular vending machine further includes a sensing device received within a receiving trough for confirming that a product has actually been dispensed. The dispensing mechanism includes a solenoid actuated plunger wherein the plunger controls the movement of a toggle member which is movable between a blocking position and a dispensing position so that only a single product is dispensed.

Abstract: A safe box is provided with currency containers and a plurality of separate currency chutes with time delay access for security. Manually operated apparatus is provided for aligning and releasing containers into the chutes as well as manually operated drawers for selecting and dispensing only one container from the chutes during any time delay. A door is provided in the front panel for access to the interior of the safe box and the front panel of the safe box is hinged to open the box for servicing.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles such as tickets and cards includes a cabinet and a plurality of article dispensing assemblies inside the cabinet. Each article dispensing assembly includes a base and a frame for enclosing articles to be dispensed in a stack. The bases are mounted on a pair of vertical support plates.

Abstract: An automated ordering system has a gathering conveyor belt and a plurality of product dispenser onto the gathering conveyor belt, the plurality of product dispensers arrayed in a matrix in rows and columns wherein each row of product dispensers and each column of product dispensers share common control elements. The product dispensers are of cartridge type utilizing gravity to eject products from a cartridge suspended above the gathering conveyor belt onto the gathering conveyor belt. A universal product dispenser platform accepts a wide range of different sizes and shapes of cartridges storing products to be dispensed. The universal product platform provides support for an actuator for singulating products mounted to the cartridge.

Abstract: A new and improved compartmentalized vitamin dispensing system for use in association with vitamins and minerals in either liquid or powdered form, the apparatus comprising, in combination: a housing unit formed as a hollow rectangular shaped box, the hollow interior being divided into a plurality of dispensing columns, the housing unit including a lower wall angled in a downward direction from each side edge to the approximate centerpoint thereof; a plurality of dispensing tubes, each tube being positioned in a dispensing column and adapted to contain vitamins and minerals therein, each tube including an aperture at its lowermost extent; and a plurality of dispensing knobs, each including a valve rotatably coupled below the dispensing tubes, each valve including a device to retain and dispense materials residing in the dispensing tubes upon turning of the knobs, materials dispensed being caused to slide down the lower wall, a spout extending through the center point of the lower wall, the spout including a d

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for engraving a workpiece selected from a plurality of workpiece styles, and dispensing the engraved workpiece along with a related accessory. Upon receipt of workpiece selection and text information supplied by a user, the controller generates drive signal which cause the apparatus to: retrieve the selected workpiece from one of a plurality of workpiece storage columns, move the workpiece to an engraving location, engrave the workpiece using a workpiece-specific engraving tool pressure, and dispense of the accessory from one of a plurality of accessory storage columns.

Abstract: A portable wood dispenser comprising a housing having parallel side walls, a back wall, a floor and a roof with legs depending from the floor for the support thereof; a plurality of horizontal divider members and a plurality of vertical divider members within the housing with the horizontal divider members parallel with the floor and the vertical divider members parallel with the side walls to thereby define a plurality of compartments in rows and columns adapted for the receipt of firewood; a plurality of doors, each door adapted to be pivotally secured with respect to an associated compartment, each door adapted to be opened to allow the placement of firewood within the compartment and for the dispensing of the firewood therefrom; a lock secured to each door with an associated locking plate secured to the vertical extent of each compartment remote from the hinge, the lock adapted to secure the door in the closed orientation; and a key positionable within each lock and adapted to unlock a door to allow its o

Abstract: A magazine for containing a plurality of film cartridges and a method of using same. The magazine comprising at least one storage disk having a plurality of sleeves defining passages at both ends for retaining at least one of the film cartridges between the open ends. The magazine having a shutter mechanism disposed adjacent to at least one end of the at least one storage disk. The shutter mechanism comprising a first dispensing disk having a first access opening and a first central axis of rotation, and a second dispensing disk associated with and adjacent to the first dispensing disk. The second dispensing disk having a central axis of rotation in co-alignment with the first central axis and a second access opening.

Abstract: A medication dispenser cap and container comprises a base connected to the container and including a non-circular, for example polygonal, indication portion with multiple points or nodes. A cover which also has a non-circular shape is rotatably mounted to the base and moveable into aligned closed position with the base. The base includes multiple openings around its periphery and the cover includes one opening which can be aligned with one of the base openings to dispense medication, for example pills, from the container. The openings are aligned only when the cover is offset with respect to the base. This exposes parts of the base which may carry indicia that indicate when the dosage should be taken.

Abstract: Vending machine (1) for newspapers, in the form of a cabinet capable of automatically delivering into a receptacle one copy of a newspaper which a purchaser has selected from a plurality of other newspapers and paid for with a payment device incorporated in the vending machine. The cabinet comprises fixed and movable shelves on which the newspapers are stored in various stacks each of a same newspaper. On each of the stacks is provided an individual discharge assembly for the upper newspaper of the stack of newspapers. There are two columns of fixed horizontal shelves (56) secured at each side to two vertical supports (61, 62) welded at their ends to the upper and lower parts of the cabinet and at least one movable shelf for each column. Each discharge assembly for the upper newspaper from a stack of newspapers is displaceable relative to the shelf supporting that stack.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modular bottle dispenser apparatus used for dispensing bottles. Each dispenser includes a receiver opening, a dispenser opening, a continuous guide channel which restricts the side to side and up and down motion of a bottle as it moves from the receiver opening to the dispenser opening, a friction reducing member and a door that covers the receiver opening. Several dispensers can be interlocked to each other through interlocking members provided by the dispenser. The interlocking of several dispenser allows the display of various products in one contiguous setting.

Abstract: A mechanical system opens a selected drawer in a multiple-drawer cabinet. The drawers are arranged in rows and columns. A selected drawer is unlatched by moving a rod which has protruding fingers, only one of which is positioned to engage a latch in a column of drawers. When the rod moves longitudinally, the selected drawer becomes unlatched. The unlatched drawer can open only to a distance determined by a cable which unwinds from a drum and passes around a pulley attached to the drawer. Thus, by controlling the rotation of the drum, the system can be programmed to open the drawer only to a distance which exposes the first non-empty compartment in the drawer. A computer controls the selection and opening of the drawers. The computer keeps a record of which compartments of each drawer have been emptied. Each time a drawer is opened, it is opened to the next non-empty compartment, allowing access to one and only one compartment in the drawer.

Abstract: A system for the controlled dispensing and storing of medication and more particularly, a programmable system with medication dispensing modules having a dedicated programmable processor to dispense medication, according to patient requirements that are programmed into the system. The modules incrementally dispense unit doses of medication in a highly controlled manner for a particular patient. The programmable processor of each module is independently capable of receiving and storing information about the respective type, quantity and medication information of each of the unit doses of medication loaded onto an assigned shelf of the module. The information in the programmable processor is automatically updated when a unit dose of medication is dispensed from the module so that the programmable processor contains information about the remaining inventory in the module at any given time.

Abstract: A vending system employs a vending machine with a cylindrical body and removably mounted top and bottom endpieces that allow the external appearance of the machine to be changed according to the type of product to be vended. The ornamentation can be formed in shapes resembling standard types of beverage cans, bottles, and other types of containers. A preferred version of the machine has two arcuate doors on opposing sides of the machine to allow vending access and refilling on both sides of the machine. Door-mounted components, including payment mechanism, selection buttons, and dispenser slot, are arranged vertically in a line at the deepest part of the door, and an offset two-array stacking configuration of the beverage units is used to obtain an optimal storage capacity of the machine. Other versions include a full cylindrical version or a semi-cylindrical one with one door for installations allowing vending access from the front only.

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: The invention pertains to a vending device with a number of compartments (11,23A,32) that serve as receptacles for goods, whereby a computing unit (50) with a memory, at least one display unit (7,12) and at least one input device (8,9) is provided, whereby at least one compartment (11,23,23A,32) is assigned to a merchant by the computing unit (50) to load at least one compartment (11,23,23A,32) after the merchant has entered his identifying merchant code into the input device (8,9), and whereby the computing unit (50) makes the withdrawal of goods from the compartment (11,23,23A,32) loaded with goods possible by releasing a compartment (11,23,23A,32) after the customer has entered an identification code into the input device (8,9).

Abstract: A display device has a display surface defined by support members which support various types of display modules including a card dispenser which supports a vertical stack of cards in a large capacity holder which is inclined rearwardly and upwardly behind the display surface. Cards are dispensed through a slot in a face plate onto a projecting inclined surface of a tongue which causes the card to flex ensuring that only one card is dispensed at a time. The stack of cards in the holder is urged forwardly by a lightweight pusher mounted on a track in the holder in a nonreturn manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for vending work objects having a main frame; a vend mechanism; a subframe, composed of a plurality of modules defining at least one work object storage area, mounted on the main frame; a mount releasably mounting the vend mechanism in vending relation to work objects received in the work object storage area; and a control system for operating the vend mechanism selectively to vend the work objects from the work object storage area.

Abstract: A vending machine (10) includes three individual vendors (28), each of which dispenses cigarettes (20) one at a time. Cigarettes (20) are loaded into a holding bin (50) via a loading box (30) having a removable, horizontal floor (62). The cigarettes (20) reside in the holding bin (50) in a horizontal orientation. The holding bin (50) feeds the cigarettes to a slot (102) in a cylindrical, horizontally disposed dispensing member (52). The dispensing member (52) rotates in a single direction under the control of a coin mechanism (22). As the coin mechanism rotates, an agitator (124) cooperates with dimensioning in the holding bin (50) to prevent arches or bridges from forming and to insure that a cigarette (20) is fed into the slot (102). Continued rotation of the dispensing member (52) causes the cigarette (20) contained within the slot (102) to pass out of the holding bin (50) and fall into a dispensing tray ( 54).

Abstract: A vending mechanism for a cylindrical article dispenser of a type having a column of stacked cylindrical articles moved along a dispensing pathway by a force, such as by the force of gravity, is disclosed, which has an escapement mechanism which is attachable in operative alignment with a vending pathway of a column of stacked cylindrical articles. An upstream arm is pivotably attached in the escapement mechanism, having a first position blocking a portion of the vending pathway and having a second position retracted from the vending pathway to allow cylindrical articles to move past the upstream arm. A downstream arm is pivotably attached in the escapement mechanism, having a first position blocking a portion of the vending pathway and having a second position retracted from the vending pathway to allow cylindrical articles to move past the downstream arm.

Abstract: An overhead pack dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of trays holding an extensive inventory of packs in an array of altitudinal stacks of packs with the lowermost pack of each stack in a field of lateral rows and longitudinal columns, the apparatus including a control system responsive to the selection of at least one pack, and a carriage carrying pickers for actuation by the control system to traverse the field and carry a picker for location beneath the selected pack such that a picker is located beneath at least one selected pack, enabling the selected pack to be picked from a stack and delivered by the carriage to a dispensing location.

Abstract: A card vending machine comprising a cabinet having a plurality of card holding and dispensing modules individually removably positioned therein with each of the modules including a card holding portion and card dispensing portion. Each of the modules includes a gauge cam to enable the card dispensing portions of the modules to be adjusted to compensate for cards having various thicknesses.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying and dispensing cylindrical objects having a diameter and a length along an axis includes a base supporting a reservoir configured and arranged to hold a plurality of cylindrical objects to be dispensed. The reservoir communicates with a downwardly and forwardly extending chute terminating in a forward display position on the base. The cylindrical object displayed in the display position is axially distended from the plurality of cylindrical objects held in the reservoir. Thus, upon loading a plurality of cylindrical objects into the reservoir, the chute and display position are filled with cylindrical objects and upon removal of a cylindrical object from the display position, cylindrical objects descend under the influence of gravity from the reservoir to the chute and from the chute to the display position.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and automatically sorting items, in which the items are stored in bins or magazines arranged on bin-bases affixed to a frame from which individual bin-bases can be pulled out, includes a horizontal conveyor, each bin including an item dispenser through which items are dispensed onto the horizontal conveyor. The horizontal conveyor is positioned beneath the bin-bases and transversely to their end faces, and extends width-wise only across a central part of the apparatus. The apparatus further includes guide plates sloping down toward the conveyor in a part of the apparatus to which the conveyor does not extend for guiding items from the item dispensers to the conveyor. The frame includes an upper beam resting on a row of pillars mounted above the conveyor on A or inverted V-shaped supports whose legs rest on opposite lateral sides of the conveyor, one row of bin-bases being mounted on each side of the columns.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing one or more stacks of paper slips and for sequentially dispensing single slips from a stack as needed. The apparatus may include a protective housing having one or more compartments in which is disposed a flat plate on which a stack of paper slips may be placed. The plate is free to move upwardly or downwardly in the compartment and is biased upwardly. A roller assembly carried at one end of the housing for frictional engagement with the uppermost paper slip in a stack is selectively rotatable by a persons hand to dispense the uppermost slip through an opening in the end of the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for disengaging items from storage compartments and distributing them to the proper delivery locations. An associated system serves to control the storage and dispensing apparatus and, additionally, provides data relative to the operation of the device.

Abstract: A rivet feed system which includes a base feeder assembly (28), having a rivet passageway (30) extendign lengthwise therethrough. The base feeder assembly (28) includes cutout regions to receive rivet injectors (24) which are moved in operation between a first position and a second position. In the first position, an opening (80) in the injectors (24) forms a part of the passageway (30) through the base feeder assembly (28), while in the second position, the opening (80) is positioned directly beneath a vertically oriented rivet cartridge (22) to receive a rivet therefrom. The passageway (30) is connected to a source of pressurized air (32) which moves rivets therealong to a rivet machine or the like. The plurality of cartridges (22) positioned along the base feeder assembly contain rivets of various selected sizes.

Abstract: A novel control storing and dispensing apparatus for a vending machine, or the like is provided, the apparatus being particularly adapted for storing and dispensing cylindrical products of various types and sizes in single and multiple depth stack fashion. The dispensing mechanism for each section includes at least one motor-driven auger mounted in an almost horizontal position in relation to cylindrical products rolling down a shallow slope to control storing, feeding and dispensing of said cylindrical products from the bottom of a stack for each selection, as the mechanism is cycled. The apparatus can also be used to dispense cylindrical products of a relatively wide range of diameters by using spacers or movable ramps to position products properly to fit into the auger track. The apparatus also can dispense a product longer than conventional cans, such as certain bottled beverages, by using several augers.

Abstract: A can vending machine provides a pair of vertical serpentine passages which can be loaded from a single access area. Serpentine passages are defined by cantilever declined shelves which are interleaved from pairs of walls defining the passages and storage areas. Beneath each of the storage areas is a rotating disc maintained upon a stationary disc or plate, the two discs having similar passages therethrough adapted to accommodate a can. A single motor or solenoid is interconnected with each of the rotatable discs to selectively dispense a can from the associated stack. The serpentine passages prevent the full weight of the can stack from being imposed upon the dispensing discs, but rather upon the cantilevered shelves themselves.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated key dispenser system that permits keys to be randomly loaded and stored on individual keyholders in horizontal and vertical arrays, as well as in a number of planes, while dispensing keys to a single accessible location. An exemplary system comprises one or more racks containing solenoid-operated pins arranged in columns and rows. The racks may be arranged side-by-side, one on top of another, or stacked in parallel planes. Awning-shaped covers over the pins prevent tampering and dislodgement of keys. The keys which are released when pins are withdrawn by the solenoids are directed by the awning-shaped covers to a chute which in turn directs them to an accessible opening or receptacle.

Abstract: A cottonbud dispenser consisting of a base, a plurality of long coiled springs, pushing blocks to push said springs, a position block, a fixing plate, a stop plate and a transparent case body storing cottonbuds, any of said pushing blocks below the base being possible to be pushed to eject a cottonbud in one of the rooms in the base to extend out of said room so as to be picked up by fingers and also possible to be pushed back to its original position by the compressed long spring after said pushing block is released.

Abstract: A dual dispenser for dispensing a first type of article from first and second stacks of the first articles and a second type of article from a stack of the second articles. The dispenser includes a housing having first and second magazines for holding the stacks of the first articles and a third magazine for holding the stack of the second articles, with a single article discharge slot in the housing and with means within the housing for movement of articles from each of the stacks to the discharge slot. The dispenser also includes means for moving the first type of articles from the bottom of the first stack and then from the bottom of the second stack, and from moving articles of the second type from the bottom of the third magazine. The dispensing may be controlled by coin mechanisms for each type of article or may be free, no-coin operation.

Abstract: A medication delivery device includes a housing that encloses a storage chamber for holding at least one pill/caplet. The housing also includes a dispensing chamber. The storage chamber has a first opening communicating with the dispensing chamber for conveying a pill/caplet from the storage chamber into the dispensing chamber. The dispensing chamber has a second opening for dispensing the pill/caplet from the housing. A shuttle member is movable within the dispensing chamber between a first and second position. The shuttle member has a delivery mechamism that receives a pill/caplet through the first opening as the shuttle member is moved from its first position toward its second position. The delivery mechanism carries the received pill/caplet to the second opening for dispensing as the shuttle member is returned to its first position.

Abstract: An automated food vending system includes a vending machine having a plurality of stacks and dispenser mechanisms for dispensing standardized food package units, a microwave oven having a code reader located in a predetermined position in an interior cavity of the oven, and the food package units having standardized shapes corresponding to the vending stacks and to the microwave oven cavity. The food packages have a code for controlling the microwave oven printed in a predetermined position which is readable automatically by the code reader when the package unit is inserted in the oven. The dispenser mechanism has a configuration which allows it to be installed in existing vending machines for canned beverages. It may be fromed as a pair of pivotable holding members spaced apart in the widthwise direction of the holding stack, or as a pair of continuous belts spaced apart in the depthwise direction of the holding stack.

Abstract: A structure and method of making a compartmented display dispenser comprising two molded halves directly joinable to form the case and having formed guideways to receive a moldable pusher in each compartment for dispensing merchandise stored and displayed in the compartments.