Abstract: The automatic dispenser comprises at least one rack (10) provided with inclined shelves (14) containing the items (26). A manipulator (18) is controllably movable at the front side of the rack for gripping under the first item and take it out of the inclined shelf. The manipulator (18) conveys the item (26) to one of at least two dispensing locations (22A, 22B). From each dispensing location an individual conveyor path leads to a place of destination. The dispensing locations (22A, 22B) are positioned at the front side of the rack (10). The rear side (27) of the rack opposite to the free space (17) is accessible for filling the inclined shelves (14) without the dispensing operation being impeded.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tablet vessel feed apparatus comprising a stock container for storing a plurality of tablet vessels, a vessel takeout section for taking out the tablet vessels from the stock container, and a conveyor for conveying the tablet vessels taken out from the stock container. The apparatus further comprises an auxiliary conveyor for conveying the tablet vessel taken out from the stock container toward the conveyor; a delivery table for receiving the tablet vessel conveyed by the auxiliary conveyor to retain and then deliver the tablet vessel to the conveyor; a tablet vessel sensor for detecting the tablet vessel on at least any one of the auxiliary conveyor and the delivery table; and a controller. The controller allows the vessel takeout section to stop taking out the tablet vessels from the stock container while the tablet vessel sensor detects the tablet vessel.

Abstract: An automated drug dispensing system includes a cabinet adapted to store a variety of prepackaged pharmaceuticals in a plurality of bins for filling patient prescriptions. Each bin stores a particular variety of packaged multiple-dose pharmaceutical. Each variety of pharmaceutical is associated with a particular code. A controller receives request signals and in response generates dispense signals. Each bin includes a dispenser coupled to the controller for dispensing the packaged pharmaceuticals therefrom in response to a dispense signal sent from the controller. After a package is dispensed, a code reader determines the code of the dispensed package and verifies whether the code on the dispensed package matches the code of the requested package.

Abstract: There is disclosed a medicine supply apparatus which can easily and securely prevent a disadvantage that a medicine is wrongly supplied. The medicine supply apparatus comprises a plurality of tablet cases stored in a main body case storage part, each tablet case including a container for containing medicines, and a discharge drum for discharging the medicines one by one from the container, each tablet case is provided with a memory in which identification data for identifying the tablet case is written, and a main body is provided with a controller for identifying the tablet case based on the identification data in the memory of each tablet case, and executing the drive control of the discharge drum of each tablet case.

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: The present invention is an apparatus for randomly dispensing objects, such as chocolate candies, a kit of parts, and a method for playing games, or educational exercises. that utilizes the random dispenser apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing having a substantially hollow interior portion for holding a plurality of the objects and a dispensing opening dimensioned to allow a single object to be dispensed. An object sorter is provided for aligning the objects for individual dispensing through the dispensing opening of the housing. Finally, an actuator is provided for individually dispensing the single object from the object sorter through the dispensing opening of the housing. In operation, the objects are held within the housing and are randomly aligned within the object sorter such that a user will not know which of the objects will be dispensed when the actuator is actuated. The objects are then dispensed through the dispensing opening in the housing when the actuator is actuated.

Abstract: A portable medication cartridge allows for both manual and automated dispensing of tablets or capsules of virtually all sizes through a radial dispensing apparatus. The cartridge may be sealed and encoded with medication and patient identification. A microprocessor controlled medication dispensing apparatus includes a cartridge magazine capable of holding a plurality of cartridges for the same or different patients. The portable medication dispensing apparatus and method detects patient identification data and activates a radial dispensing medication cartridge in response to verification of patient identification data. The radial dispensing medication cartridge may include, for example, a tablet tray having a plurality of tablet stalls with at least a partially open top and side. The tablet and tray accommodates different sizes and types of tablets or capsules.

Abstract: An automatic medicament dispensing machine (10) that does not remain idle while medicaments are transferred to a vial and counted and that therefore dispenses medicaments at a much faster rate. The machine includes a cabinet (12); a plurality of medicament dispensing cells (14) arranged in the cabinet for holding and dispensing medicaments; a plurality of medicament counting units (18) each including a vial gripper for holding a vial and a transfer mechanism for transferring medicaments from one of the medicament dispensing cells to the vial; and a transporter (20) for transporting the counting units to the cells for filling the vials held by the counting units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a towel dispenser (10) such as a paper towel dispenser comprising a housing (12) in which a paper roll and an issuing device (50) are arranged. Said issuing device can AC be controlled by a sensor (38). In order to simplify the operation and to increase the reliability of the towel dispenser, the invention provides that the sensor (38) is configured as a capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A vending system is provided for the dispensing of products, wherein said vending system comprises means for sampling the sensory characteristics of a product, prior to the dispense of the product. A process is provided for the dispense of a product from a vending system, wherein the consumer or user selects the product to be dispensed from the interface of the vending system and said product is dispensed from the vending system into a storage container located in the dispense point of the vending system, wherein prior to the dispense of the product, the consumer or user may sample the sensory characteristics of said selected product. The sensory experience may be commenced with the use of a product experience button on a vending system, prior to dispense of a product from the vending system.

Abstract: A predetermined number of IC (integrated circuit) packages are transferred from a first IC package tube to a second IC package tube. A chosen IC package track has dimensions that fit to dimensions of each of the IC packages. The first IC package tube is placed on a first end of the chosen IC package track, and the second IC package tube is placed on a second end of the chosen IC package track. A stopper gate and a singulator are disposed above the chosen IC package track between the first end and the second end of the chosen IC package track. The first IC package tube, the chosen IC package track, and the second IC package tube are tilted to a slant with the first IC package tube being disposed toward a top of the slant and with the second IC package tube being disposed toward a bottom of the slant such that the IC packages slide out from the first IC package tube, down along the chosen IC package track, and toward the second IC package tube.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a predetermined amount of paper product to a customer based on a food order inputted into a business machine at a food service establishment. The system includes a business machine, such as a cash register, linked to a powered paper product dispenser. Each menu item available at the establishment is assigned a number that represents the total number of paper product sheets that a normal customer may need while consuming the item. This number is stored within a memory. A microprocessor contained within either the dispenser or the business machine linked to the dispenser retrieves a command from the memory when a food item key is pressed and provides a signal to the dispenser motor which in turn rotates a feed roller within the dispenser so that the predetermined number of paper product sheets are dispensed to the customer. The system controls the amount of paper product provided to the customer in order to reduce waste.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automated dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. A system of the present invention includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. The present invention results in a more efficient and easier to manage system for distribution of such items as medical supplies and drugs.

Abstract: In a system and method for a payout in the form of paper tokens from a gaming machine, the system includes a hopper for dispensing the paper tokens, a cassette for containing the paper tokens, and software for controlling the operations of the payout of the paper tokens from the gaming machine. The cassette and hopper are located in the gaming machine in plain view of a player, and are locked for security purposes. Each paper token is transported through a payout path by mechanisms in the cassette and the hopper which interact to dispense a paper token. A plurality of sensors sense the transport of the paper token through the payout path, the operation of the transport mechanism, and the status of the paper token supply. An escrow area is provided in the cassette for rejected paper tokens, as sensed by sensors and diverted by a diverting mechanism into the escrow area. A memory element in the cassette stores operational information regarding dispensing of the paper tokens.

Abstract: An electronic chip component feeder is provided to prevent continued supply of electronic chip components for mounting which have surface discolorization, deteriorated electrode solderability, or cracks or chips produced by chip collisions. The electronic chip component feeder includes plural feeding units arranged in an array. Each feeding unit has a hopper for holding a plurality of components of a particular kind, and a guide path by which components are transferred from the hopper to a dispensing location. At the dispensing location, the components are picked up by a sucking chuck and then transferred to a substrate for mounting thereon. The plurality of feeding units are capable of being reciprocated in unison so that the dispensing location for the feeding units are successively moved to a fixed position. The electronic chip component feeder further includes a counting unit for counting the number of movements of the each feeding unit.

Abstract: A medicine is supplied in the form of a number of small units, partial doses, containing a determined, equal quantity of the active medical substance, and a number of these units, which correspond to a predetermined dose quantity, total dose, of the active medical substance are taken out and dispensed to the consumer. A device for the carrying out of the procedure comprises devices for counting and feeding-out of a number of units, partial doses of the medicine, which correspond to a predetermined dose quantity of the active medical substance and for transport of these units to a dispensing device for dispensing of the above-mentioned dose quantity, total dose, to a consumer.

Abstract: An automatic high-speed pill counting apparatus comprising: a cylindrical pill hopper 3 having a pill exit 10 and a center hole in a base plate 2; a rotational separative feeder 5 mounted in the cylindrical pill hopper and removably fitted on a shaft 6 borne in the center hole of the base plate, the feeder including an upper diametrically smaller portion 5b and a lower diametrically larger portion 5c having an external diameter approximate to the internal diameter of the lower portion of the pill hopper, a multiplicity of vertically through holes 5c being formed in the outer circumference of the lower diametrically larger portion and allowed to come into alignment with the pill exit for accommodating a plurality of pills vertically, the multiple vertically through holes 5d being enlarged at their lower portions, a ring-shaped slit 8 being formed in such a position in the outer circumference of the lower diametrically larger portion as to accommodate substantially one pill from the bottom; and a pill separatin

Abstract: A vending apparatus for dispensing pre-cooked pizzas (P) packaged inside corresponding sealed containers (E). The apparatus comprises a casing (1) containing a plurality of operating assemblies (7, 13, 17, 25, 31, 37) for picking up a pizza (P) from a refrigerated storage unit (5) and transferring it, after taking it out of its container (E), to an electric heating oven (30), and then to a delivery mouth (34), in a corresponding disposable tray (T).

Abstract: Automatic drug dispenser for automatically dispensing at least one prepacked drug. The dispenser comprises at least one cartridge which, in use, is filled with prepacked drugs, wherein the drugs are each provided with a drug identification code and the cartridge with a cartridge identification code. There are further provided conveying means for selecting a prepacked drug from the cartridge and for subsequently conveying the selected drug from the cartridge. By means of detecting means, the drug identification code of a selected drug and a cartridge identification code of the at least one cartridge are detected and fed to a control unit for further processing.

Abstract: An automated merchant banking apparatus (10) is operative to carry out banking transactions commonly required by merchants. The apparatus includes a user interface (18) which includes a plurality of input and output devices. The apparatus further includes a rolled coin dispenser (40) for dispensing various denominations of rolled coin. The rolled coin dispenser includes a coin roll presenter and retraction unit (42) which is operative to retract coin rolls which have been dispensed into holding areas (177) into a storage area (176) in the machine.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing items from a plurality of horizontally arranged helical coils including a single dispenser for actuating for rotational movement of a selected helical coil. The machine includes, in a first embodiment, a horizontally positioned threaded bar on which is mounted the dispenser wherein rotation of the threaded horizontal bar re-positions the dispenser along a Y axis. A pair of vertical bars, a first vertical bar having a threaded exterior, rotation of the threaded vertical bar re-positions the horizontal bar with the following dispenser. Light emitters, positioned adjacent each helical coil, signal a receiver mounted on the dispenser assembly for positioning the dispenser in a pre-determined position. Once in position, dispenser is urged from a normal position out of engagement with any helical coil to an second position in engagement with a selected helical coil for actuation of the selected helical coil vending the selected article.

Abstract: For ensuring that a vending machine motor will continue to operate until a product has descended through a vending space or an established time interval has elapsed, an optical beam is established across the vend space through which a product must drop. A change in beam intensity is detected. By preference infra red light is emitted at one focal point of an elliptical reflector, and detected at the other focal point. The light is emitted in pulses in the preferred embodiment, and the optical sensing system has automated calibration and error detecting functions.

Abstract: A vending machine is provided with a cabinet having a plurality of inclined, vertically spaced shelves. The shelves are able to selectively feed a beverage container to an elevator which is located adjacent an interior, right side wall of the cabinet of vending machine. A beverage container is dispensed by an escapement block of a shelf onto the elevator. The elevator vertically moves the beverage container, and then dispenses the beverage container to a delivery mechanism which gently lowers the beverage container to a delivery port which communicates with the exterior of the vending machine. The shelves in the cabinet are readily reconfigurable such that their vertical spacing within the cabinet can be easily altered. The escapement blocks of the shelves are mechanically activated to dispense a beverage container by an activation device on the elevator. Thus, electrical power and control signals for the individual shelves are not necessary.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automatic dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. A system of the present invention includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for distribution of items such as medical supplies and drugs.

Abstract: A power seeding rate adjustment mechanism for a seeding implement has a threaded lead screw that is rotated by an electric motor. A nut threaded onto the lead screw is fixed to the shifter lever such that when the lead screw is rotated, the nut translates along the length of the lead screw to pivot a shifter lever. The shifter lever is in turn coupled to a seed meter drive shaft to move the shaft transversely, thereby moving fluted feed wheels in or out of the seed cups. A switch carried by the operator in the pulling tractor actuates the motor. The adjustment mechanism enables the operator to make adjustments on-the-go without stopping or leaving the tractor. The motor can be disengaged from the lead screw and the screw turned by a hand crank for manual adjustment in the event of a power failure to the motor.

Abstract: An electronically actuated and monitorable bulk vending machine assembly for electronically actuated vending from a select one of a plurality of rack mounted of bulk vending including at least one electrically lockable, crank actuated vending machine linked to a microprocessor controlled, interrogatable central control and currency acceptor unit and methods of assembly and use associated therewith.

Abstract: A belt displacement operation is periodically carried by the pick mechanism 11 of a sheet feeding apparatus, when the number of sheets fed has reaches a predetermined value. The motor 34 is driven in reverse for a predetermined time, so as to cause rotation of the belt 28 in the opposite direction to that during feeding. Since the pick pulley 26 is supported on the shaft 38 by means of a one-way clutch 40 so that it does not rotate during the reverse rotation of the belt 28, displacement of the belt 28 occurs relative to the pick pulley 26, so that in subsequent pick operations, a different portion of the belt 28 engages the stack 18 so as to pick a sheet, than had displacement of the belt 28 not occurred. This reduces the risk of localized portions of the belt 28 becoming more worn than others, due to more frequent engagement with the stack 18.

Abstract: A seed planter performance monitor is disclosed herein. The monitor is used with a planting system including a planter coupled to the tractor. The target rate at which the planter deposits seeds into the soil being planted is controlled with a control signal, and the actual rate at which seeds are planted is monitored with an infrared seed sensor supported by the planter at the location where seeds exit the planter. The planter and tractor both include data busses, and the signal from the seed sensor is transmitted to a controller on the tractor via the busses. The controller applies an appropriate signal to an electronic display in the cab of the tractor to produce an image thereon which an operator can view to determine the actual rate at which seeds are planted.

Abstract: A medication dispensing and monitoring system includes an acknowledge-back pager, a carriage communicating with the pager, and a medication unit dispensing stored medication. The pager receives prescriptions and transmits messages back to a physician or health care organization. Prescriptions received by the pager are stored and processed by a pager processor. The pager processor communicates with a carriage controller via a series of electrical contacts. At a prescribed time, a motor in the carriage causes the medication unit to dispense the prescribed medication. Numerous medication units may be assembled to accommodate different forms of medication.

Abstract: The present invention is an automatic banking system including a cash dispenser and a rolled coin dispenser in a single apparatus. The rolled coin dispensing 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 system for monitoring and dispensing medical items includes a plurality of hook registers (10). Each of the hook registers includes sensors (48, 60, 62, 64) sensing the removal or addition of a medical item to the storage location on the hook register. Each hook register has a microprocessor (66) connected to the sensor which stores a count of the items added or removed from the location. The microprocessor also includes location identifying information specifically associated with the particular hook register. The microprocessor is periodically polled by a controller (72) which reads and stores the count and location identifying information from each of the hook registers. The controller information is periodically read by a data terminal (76) which is connected through a local area network (82) to a remote computer (84) having a processor and data store.

Abstract: An automatic drinking straw dispensing device having a primary receptacle that contains a plurality of drinking straws therein, a generally elongate slot formed in the primary receptacle and structured to permit the passage of the drinking straws therethrough, a single straw dispensing assembly structured to selectively permit only one of the drinking straws to exit the primary receptacle through the elongate slot at one time and only after a beverage has been dispensed by a beverage dispensing device, a dispensing area disposed beneath said generally elongate slot so as to receive the dispensed drinking straw exiting said primary receptacle, and a switch assembly which is actuated by a user's hand entering the dispensing area so as to trigger the single straw dispensing assembly into dispensing one of the drinking straws through the elongate slot and directly into the user's hand.

Abstract: A ticket identification system is for a group of tickets of the type which includes a front sheet and a rear sheet and means for bonding the front sheet and the rear sheet together. The tickets are of a group of tickets having different classifications with some having a particular classification to establish an associated value thereof. The ticket identification system includes a normally closed bar code window in the front sheet. There are bar code markings for each ticket on the inward side of the rear sheet under the bar code window. The bar code markings include classification information to indicate the particular classification of each ticket. A ticket identification machine includes a housing and a ticket passageway through which a ticket can be inserted and advanced. A bar code window opening device is in the passageway to open the bar code window and reveal the bar code markings.

Abstract: A device that can be loaded with appropriate pills and programmed to automatically dispense the proper amount(s) and proper type(s) of pill(s) at the proper time(s) each day. The device also includes a system for alerting the pill taker that pills have been dispensed and need to be taken, a system for providing voice messages to coach the pill taker to use the device and consume the pills, a system for alerting an off-site caregiver when the pill taker has not responded as required or when there is a problem with the operation of the device, and a system for the efficient and accurate loading of pills into the device.

Abstract: A dispenser for disc-shaped car-park tickets which makes it possible on a permanent basis for the car-park tickets provided for issuing to be made available reliably, as required, from a supply of car-park tickets, and which is of simple design. The dispenser separates car-park tickets coming from a supply container and moves them, in a pushed group, through a transporting duct which bridges a spatial distance between the supply container and the issuing apparatus. In addition to the spatial distance bridged, a vertical ascent is also surmounted, in order that the car-park tickets can be moved into the issuing apparatus and issued from the same under the action of gravity. Further configurations of the invention can be gathered from the claims and from the following description.

Abstract: The present invention features a pill-dispensing system which has a number of standardized, or universal-type, modules. Each module has a rotating, helix-drive mechanism, which is rotationally controlled by a microprocessor. The helical-drive mechanism features several improvements, both in the drive mechanism and in the software control of the rotational drive system by the microprocessor that allows for the dispensing of pills of all shapes and sizes one at a time. The helix of the drive is securely mounted within a rotatable, hollow tube. A stationary collar is mounted adjacent the upper end of the rotating tube. The rotating helix extends into the stationary collar and forces pills from the hollow tube to the dispensing edge of the stationary collar. A hopper positioned at the input end, or mouth of the tube, feeds a batch quantity of pills to the drive mechanism. The tube is angled upwardly from the mouth portion, so that the pill-dispensing end is positioned above the input end.

Abstract: A solder-ball supplying apparatus for a ball-grid array (BGA) IC packaging process is provided, which can supply solder balls of diameters from 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm at a preset amount to a solder-ball implanting machine. The solder-ball supplying apparatus is fully automated, in which vacuum means is used to suck out a preset amount of solder balls from a storage tank that are to be supplied. Rotary pneumatic cylinder means in conjunction with valve means are used to control the conveyance of the solder balls to the container. This solder-ball supplying apparatus can supply solder balls fast and in a non-contact manner that can prevent damage to the solder balls being supplied. It is fully automated so that manual labor is reduced and the quality of the solder balls being supplied can be assured.

Abstract: A power saving apparatus of an automatic vending machine and method thereof is provided to reduce an electric power consumed therein when it is not necessary as much power as a normal operating state of inner loads, such as a heater and a compressor, of the automatic vending machine.

Abstract: A display device for a fluid filler gun head includes a carrying body and a frame attached to an upper surface of the carrying body, defining a display portion for removable display placards. The carrying body can be removable from the gun head or can be an integral part of the gun head itself. A housing is defined in the carrying body for holding one or more replaceable rolls of coupons, and a rotating device, is provided for rotating the coupon rolls and dispensing one or more coupons through a slot in the carrying body. A controller can be provided to control operation of the rotating device, based on information received from an external source, to dispense one or more selected coupons. The information can be a type of fluid being dispensed, a particular product displayed on the display placard, or the like. The dispensed coupons preferably are selected to match the information received by the controller.

Abstract: A parts arranger comprising a rotating disk (4) which has a plurality of part accommodating holes (6) for accommodating screws (5) arranged in a circumferential row or a plurality of concentric rows and is supported in a condition inclined at a predetermined angle .theta. relative to a horizontal plane, a circumference guide (7) which is disposed along an outer circumference of the rotating disk (4) so as to be substantially perpendicular to a surface of the rotating disk, and a stepping motor (1) which rotates the rotating disk (4) at a predetermined angle in a normal direction and then at a predetermined angle in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A personal computer peripheral, battery powered reward candy dispenser which immediately presents students with a single candy for each problem completed correctly while using educational application software.

Abstract: A seeding machine comprises: an air compressor for generating a positive air pressure; a soil hardness sensor for measuring soil hardness so as to produce a control signal to adjust the positive air pressure generated by the compressor; an air pressure adjuster for adjusting the positive air pressure generated by the air compressor in accordance with the control signal produced by the soil hardness sensor; a negative air pressure generator for generating a negative air pressure by making use of air under the positive air pressure; a change-over valve for effecting a change-over operation between the positive air pressure and the negative air pressure, so as to selectively supply the positive air pressure or the negative air pressure; a seed adsorber for catching a seed by virtue of the negative air pressure; a first air cylinder adapted to extend or contract by the positive air pressure, to cause a certain reciprocating movement of the seed adsorber; a second air cylinder adapted to extend or contract by the

Abstract: A marketing apparatus comprising a housing having the appearance of an antique jukebox; a display supported by the housing; an aromator supported by the housing and selectively emitting an aroma; and a sensor supported by the housing and triggering the display in response to sensing presence of a person spaced apart from but proximate the housing.

Abstract: A medication filling apparatus improves workability in filling a predetermined container with medications and also shortens the time required for medication filling. The medication filling apparatus is equipped with tablet cases for containing medications separately by type, a dispensing and counting device for dispensing the medications from the tablet cases and counting the dispensed medications, a turntable and guide for collecting the medications dispensed from the tablet cases, and a holder for filling a vial with the medications.

Abstract: An improved machine and method for properly orienting two or more sets of parts having different lengths. An escapement mechanism and a length adjusting rod are employed in conjunction with a reciprocating shuttle block. The shuttle block houses a single orientor shaft and parts receiving nest. A sensing mechanism, preferably employing photoelectric fibre optic sensors, is used to control the flow of parts into and away from the orientor.

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 pharmacy carousel comprising an open cylindrical frame having a plurality of independently rotatable discs, a tray on each disc on which bulk containers of medication may be stored, and a lockout assembly which prevents a tray from rotating while it is in use. In a preferred embodiment, the pharmacy carousel further comprises a motor assembly which permits each tray to rotate independently of the other trays.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispensing unit for banknotes (42), comprising a banknote container (12) and a receiving module (14) which is in the form of the frame into which the banknote container (12) can be pushed. The unit includes an extracting and separating device for extracting banknotes (42) through an opening of the banknote container. The opening can be closed by a flap (26) and a closure plate (30). A retracting element (34) presses the banknotes against the extracting device by a force (P), before the flap is closed. The banknotes which are located in the banknote container are thereby forced away from the opening, back into the container interior. The retracting device is displaced in the direction of the extracting device (34) until the banknotes (42) come into the extracting position.

Abstract: For marking a field with unseeded rows during seeding, the seed box of a seed drill is equipped with a valve unit mounted inside the box for shutting off seed flow to one of the seed cups during selective passes. A control system for the unit allows the shut-off to be automatic, after a selective number of passes have been completed, or manual as selected by the operator, The unseeded rows are used after germination for guiding a crop sprayer so that there will be no spray overlap and no gaps between the sprayer passes.

Abstract: A machine for vending articles of merchandise such as compact discs, cassette tapes, video tapes, books and the like, the machine including an enclosed cabinet with a front door having a window to permit viewing of an interior thereof. The interior of the cabinet is provided with racks for supporting and organizing the articles of merchandise in rows with a front article in each row arranged in a preferred viewing orientation relative to the window. A compact disc player and disc exchanger is further supported within the interior of the cabinet and interconnected with controls and headphones on the front door, the compact disc player being adapted to play various selected recordings on at least one disc contained therein, the selected recordings corresponding with the articles of merchandise supported on the racks.