Abstract: Intelligent concentrate mixing and delivery devices, systems, and methods are described. An intelligent concentrate mixing and delivery device includes at least one ingredient storage device (e.g., an ingredient cartridge) configured to store one or more ingredients and at least one micro-ingredient pump configured to pump the one or more ingredients into a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber reconstructs at least one finished concentrate from the one or more ingredients. The intelligent concentrate mixing and delivery device further includes at least one pump configured to pump the finished concentrate into a beverage dispensing system.

Abstract: A stick insertion device (1) for inserting a stick (11) into an ice cream product (3) extruded from an extrusion jet (7) and having a height seen in the extrusion direction (9) of the extrusion jet (7), and at least one end surface (5) which is substantially parallel to the extrusion direction (9) and into which the stick (11) is inserted with orientation substantially perpendicular to the extrusion direction (9), wherein the stick insertion device (1) comprises: a stick pusher (15), capable of making a linear and reciprocating movement, an actuator (17) with a first and a secondary outer position, used to activate the stick pusher (15), a servo mechanism (19) for controlling the actuator's (17) movement, a control unit (21), connected to the servo mechanism (19), characterised in that the stick insertion device (1) comprises at least one sensor (23) for measurement of the stick's (11) position in relation to the ice cream product's (3) height, horizontal position in relation to the ice cream product's (3) en

Abstract: In an apparatus for dispensing, a dispenser includes a housing, a reservoir housed within the housing, a chute in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the chute is adjacent to the reservoir, a user input device, a power source housed within the housing, a logic housed within the housing, wherein the power source powers the logic, a motor housed within the housing, wherein the power source powers the motor, wherein the logic controls the motor, a gear train housed within the housing, wherein the motor drives the gear train, a first platform defining an opening, wherein a portion of the first platform abuts a bottom portion of the chute when the dispenser is in a non-dispensing state, and a second platform including a well, wherein the gear train is configured to rotate the second platform relative to the housing, and wherein when the logic sets the dispenser to a dispensing state a position of the well is adjustable relative to the housing via the user input device, such that the well substantially

Abstract: Intelligent concentrate mixing and delivery devices, systems, and methods are described. An intelligent concentrate mixing and delivery device includes at least one ingredient storage device (e.g., an ingredient cartridge) configured to store one or more ingredients and at least one micro-ingredient pump configured to pump the one or more ingredients into a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber reconstructs at least one finished concentrate from the one or more ingredients. The intelligent concentrate mixing and delivery device further includes at least one pump configured to pump the finished concentrate into a beverage dispensing system.

Abstract: Intelligent concentrate mixing and delivery devices, systems, and methods are described. An intelligent concentrate mixing and delivery device includes at least one ingredient storage device (e.g., an ingredient cartridge) configured to store one or more ingredients and at least one micro-ingredient pump configured to pump the one or more ingredients into a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber reconstructs at least one finished concentrate from the one or more ingredients. The intelligent concentrate mixing and delivery device further includes at least one pump configured to pump the finished concentrate into a beverage dispensing system.

Abstract: A screw denester for isolated dispensing of trays, comprising a frame for arrangement on a motor-driven transport device and multiple force-driven dispensing screws for isolating and dropping of trays. The screw denester is characterized in that it has a trigger plate that is provided loosely on the frame below the dispensing screws, wherein at least one sensor is provided that records a position change of the trigger plate in relation to the frame.

Abstract: A first sheet product 1 is gripped between an additional conveyor 2 and a feeding conveyor 3 at a downstream end of the additional conveyor 2. Subsequently, subsequent sheet products 1 are moved back by the feeding conveyor 3 to be separated from the first sheet product 1. Subsequently, the first sheet product 1 is supplied by the additional conveyor 2.

Abstract: A water tank overflow dechlorinating assembly is used with a water tank including an overflow pipe with exit above an overflow discharge region with an air gap between the two. The assembly includes a dechlorinating material delivery assembly comprising a guide tube having a material supply region and a perforated region positioned within the air gap. Overflow water passes through the perforated region for interaction with dechlorinating material therein. Depleted dechlorinating material within the perforated region is automatically replaced by dechlorinating material from the material supply region. A weight can be used to bias the dechlorinating material within the material supply region into the perforated region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for controlling access to product, such as but not limited to bottles, housed within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an opening having a contour that generally mirrors the shape and/or dimensions of the product stored within the dispenser plus a relatively small amount of clearance and also includes a tunnel within the interior of the device. The configuration of the opening and/or the tunnel feature prevents a user from accessing product stored behind the opening within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a pusher system that provides a time delay between the dispensing of products into a receiving area.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing sheet material pertains to a housing arranged for receiving a supply of sheet material, a feed mechanism for advancing said sheet material through a discharge opening of said housing, a motor for driving said feed mechanism and a controller for powering the motor to drive the feed mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing sheet material pertains to a housing (82) arranged for receiving a supply of sheet material (1), a feed mechanism (2) for advancing said sheet material through a discharge opening (100) of said housing (82), a motor (3) for driving said feed mechanism (2) and a controller (4) for powering the motor (3) to drive the feed mechanism.

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.

Abstract: Provided are an automatic tablet dispenser of an automatic medicine packing machine, and a tablet supply method thereof, which are capable of automatically packing various-shaped tablets, and accurately, cleanly and rapidly distributing the tablets without missing any. The automatic table dispenser which is installed in a medicine packing machine for automatically packing tablets, includes: a body including a space for containing the tablets therein and a guide track for guiding the tablets contained in the space upward from a bottom of the body; and a driver vibrating the body so that the tablets contained in the space of the body are transferred upward along the guide track.

Abstract: Supply package and apparatus for dispensing sheet material comprising a housing (82) arranged for receiving a supply of sheet material (1), a feed mechanism (2) for advancing said sheet material through a discharge opening (100) of said housing (82), a motor (3) for driving said feed mechanism (2) and a controller (4) for powering the motor (3) to drive the feed mechanism.

Abstract: An automated pill dispensing system includes an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials and an optical sensor located at a predetermined location in the output chute. The optical sensor includes an optical emitter and an optical detector configured to be operated cooperatively to output a detection signal indicating a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute. A controller is coupled to the optical sensor and is configured to receive the detection signal therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection. Related methods of operation are also discussed.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing disk-shaped objects (such as caps for pharmaceutical vials) of two different sizes comprises: first and second dispensers, the first dispenser containing objects of a first size, and the second dispenser containing objects of a second size, each of the dispensers configured to dispense the objects one at a time through an outlet in a predetermined orientation; a first outlet channel having an inlet disposed adjacent the outlet of the first dispenser; a second outlet channel having an inlet disposed adjacent the outlet of the second dispenser; and a common chute fed by the first and second outlet channels. In this configuration, the apparatus can provide objects of two different sizes to a common location (such as a closure securing station).

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicaments dispensing container (e.g., a cassette or tray), which hold one or more types of medicaments, and configured for secure and intelligent dispensing of the medicaments. In one embodiment, a container for dispensing medicaments includes: a housing for storing an aggregate of medicament units stored loosely with respect to one another; an outlet defined in the housing to dispense the medicament units; and a compressible medium located within the housing and configured to expand so as to move the medicament units toward the outlet for dispensing.

Abstract: Supply package and apparatus for dispensing sheet material comprising a housing (82) arranged for receiving a supply of sheet material (1), a feed mechanism (2) for advancing said sheet material through a discharge opening (100) of said housing (82), a motor (3) for driving said feed mechanism (2) and a controller (4) for powering the motor (3) to drive the feed mechanism.

Abstract: A golf ball container and dispenser for use in storing and dispensing golf balls is constructed of a tube, bottom, spring, spring pad, wire ball catch, opening, bag clip. The bottom is beveled to prevent damage to golf clubs contained in the golf bag and to the device itself. The bottom is also removably attached to facilitate cleaning and maintenance of the interior components of the device. The device may be freestanding or may be inserted in a receptacle molded into the interior of a golf bag to provide further protection from damage to golf clubs and other accessories contained therein as well as to the golf bag itself.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating vending information for a vendible media product having entertainment content therein is provided. The system comprises a transaction network, and a database in communication with the transaction network, wherein the database stores a plurality of digital video disc titles and a plurality of locations corresponding to the digital video disc titles. A first vending controller at a first location receives a user request signal for a digital video disc, and determines whether the digital video disc is in a vending inventory at the first vending location. A central controller receives a first signal from the first vending controller, wherein the first signal comprises a request for a location of the digital video disc. The central controller transmits a second signal to the first vending controller, wherein the second signal comprises the location of the digital video disc.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting, monitoring, and controlling electrically powered devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an electrically powered device having a key operating line and switching control circuitry to control usage of the electrically powered device by interrupting continuity of the key operating line. In another embodiment, the apparatus monitors usage of an electrically powered device. The apparatus includes a circuit which is coupled to the device to provide a power output of the device, an analog to digital converter coupled to receive the power output and convert the same to digital form, and a controller to receive a user input, process the user input by establishing communication with a remotely located device to request approval of a financial transaction, and generate control signals in response to receiving approval. The controller receives the digital form of the power output and monitors the operation of the electrically powered device.

Abstract: A vending machine containing one or more racks that contain stacked products to be vended to customers. An array of capacitive switches or capacitive switches are aligned on one or more racks. The capacitive switches are each aligned with the height of a product to be vended. A controller coupled to the array of capacitive switches senses the presence or lack thereof of a product in the rack, and correlates this presence or absence to a height and/or inventory count of products in the racks. The vending machine, using the controller and communication electronics, may communicate the height and/or inventory count of products in the racks to a device located outside of the vending machine, such as a hand-held computing device and/or a management system, over a communication link.

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 interactive internet photo terminal for composing an electronic self-image photo message utilizing a “live” image background of the terminal's location. The photo terminal includes a cash and credit receiving device, video camera and message composition input control monitor interconnected to a CPU and telecommunication connector capability.

Abstract: There is disclosed a medicine supply apparatus which can improve the efficiency of a dispensing operation. The medicine supply apparatus comprises a plurality of tablet cases 3 stored in a main body case storage part, each tablet case including a container 51 for containing medicines, and a discharge drum 53 for discharging the medicines one by one from the container 51, and the container 51 is provided with a residual amount sensor 58 for detecting that the residual amount of medicines in the container 51 is lowered to indicate a predetermined value.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing a single publication product at a time. The vending machine includes a housing with a front wall, back wall, side walls, top wall and bottom wall. A door is hinged to the front wall on the housing and forms part of a display case for displaying information regarding the product being dispensed. An elevator is located within the housing and slidable from a position near the back wall toward the front wall, the elevator adapted to contain a stack of products being dispensed. A dispensing assembly is mounted within housing and forward of the elevator. The dispensing assembly includes a dispensing sled which is translatable from an upper position to a lower position. The dispensing sled is adapted to engage a publication product located on the elevator and to slide the publication product toward a dispensing area located at the bottom of the housing. An actuation arm is attached to the dispensing sled and pivotally mounted to the housing.

Abstract: Change dispensing apparatus having multiple columns for storing and vending tubes containing change in coin or in currency. The denominations being vended by a particular machine, the unit value of that denomination, and the value of a tube containing a predetermined quantity of that denomination, are user-programmable for each machine, and any combination of denominations can be user-assigned to the columns. The tube locations in each column are monitored to detect tubes in each column, providing a running indication of the amount of change remaining for each denomination in the safe, and for the total value of change in the safe. An ejector is positionable at the lower end of each column and contains a member for selectably extracting the lowermost tube in each column. The change safe on request prints reports of change usage and other factors associated with the safe, and also predicts the amount of change required for future usage.

Abstract: An automatic toll-ticket issuing apparatus enables toll-tickets to be continuously issued. Plural ticket containers are provided in a housing, and the ticket issuing route between a current ticket container and a ticket issuance slot is changed to an alternative ticket issuing route between an alternative ticket container and the ticket issuance slot when the current ticket container tuns out of ticket, and thus termination of ticket issuance is avoided and tickets are issued continuously. Further, new tickets are resupplied into a nearly empty ticket container without termination of the ticket issuing operation.

Abstract: A simplified wiring system for an electronically controlled vending machine of the type capable of vending multiple products out of columns, trays or other queuing means, wherein by employing DC motors and various novel circuits, one may reduce controller complexity and assembly time. Selector button sensing and motor drives are connected in a matrix configuration. Sold-out switches are connected in series with the motors. Home switches are connected in series and only momentary continuity interruption is sensed. Separate sold-out switch outputs are eliminated. Interconnect wiring is reduced by mounting both the Home switch and Sold-out switch for each motor on a motor interface board permitting operation of up to 16 motors from a 10-wire ribbon cable.

Abstract: A method of supplying ampules, stored in a container, to any of a plurality of feeders of an ampule dispenser which has run out or is short of ampules in stock. The ampules are supplied only after confirming that the ampules in the storage container are the kind to be supplied into the intended feeder. When any feeder of the ampule dispenser runs out or is short of ampules, a bar code on the ampule storage container is read by a bar code reader and compared with an identification code provided on the intended feeder. If they coincide with each other, the ampules in the container are supplied into the intended feeder.

Abstract: A monitoring system monitors a plurality of remote product dispensers. Vends are detected indicating that products have been dispensed from the dispenser during a given time period. Vend data indicative of the products dispensed is stored. The vend data is communicated to a base unit and a base unit provides a display indicative of products dispensed and a service schedule based on the vend data received.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a continuous method for charging and discharging carbonization furnaces (15) moving in a circle, in which method the charging and the discharging are effected in a closed process mainly simultaneously at the opposite ends of the furnace, and the gases are collected and cleaned. Another object of the invention is an apparatus for implementing the method. The equipment comprises carbonization furnaces (15) moving in a circle, a charging device (11, 14, 32), and a discharging device (18, 19), and at least one gas duct for each furnace, the duct being connected at the one end thereof to the furnace and at the other end to a gas collector. According to the invention, the charging device is docked in a gastight manner to the one end of the furnace by means of a docking device (35), and the discharging device is attached in a gas-tight manner to the other end of the furnace for charging and discharging mainly at the same time.

Abstract: The invention relates to vending machines for dispensing of a single copy of a printed publication, such as a newspaper or a magazine. The vending machine is self-contained, enclosing a power source, a driving motor and a control unit for operation of the dispensing mechanism. A stack of folded newspapers, or magazines, is placed in an upright position on a platform bearing plate and is retained in an upright orientation by a support plate which slides along the top surface of the platform bearing plate, moving the newspapers closer to a dispensing chute formed in a front part of the vending machine housing. One or more metering breaks are mounted on a top surface of the platform plate adjacent to the dispensing edge of the platform bearing plate to facilitate separation of a single copy of the newspaper prior to dispensing.

Abstract: The invention relates to vending machines for dispensing of a single copy of a printed publication one-at-a-time. The vending machine is self contained, is provided with a power source, a driving motor and a control unit for operation of the vending machine. An inclined platform plate mounted within the vending machine carries a plurality of media units, while a push plate forces the media units toward a dispensing channel located adjacent a forward edge of the platform plate. When a single copy of the media unit moves through the dispensing channel, a light sensor sends a signal to the control unit which causes reversal of movement of the push plate, thereby preventing accidental dispensing of the next copy of the media unit by gravity. After an entire inventory of the media units resting on a platform plate has been dispensed, a limit switch sends a signal to the control unit allowing vending of a display copy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out the conversion of single price purely electromechanical can and bottle vending machines to multi-price microprocessor controlled can and bottle vending machines. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for carrying out such a conversion at the site of the vending machine in a relatively short amount of time, without requiring any special tools and without requiring any changes to the existing wire harness of the electromechanical machine. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of removing the "smart coin" acceptor and credit relay from the existing vending machine and installing a "dumb coin" acceptor and microcontroller in their place, then disconnecting the harness connectors which normally provide connection between the motor select switches and the motors.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a refrigeration compartment, an oven compartment, structure for transferring a food product from the refrigeration compartment to the oven compartment, and structure for transferring the food product from the oven compartment to a user of the vending machine. The vending machine provides automated handling and cooking of packaged food products that enables a hot cooked food to be delivered to a customer in a cool package sleeve. The vending machine also includes a system for inventory control that enables vertical storage of packaged food products while minimizing crushing of packaged food products at the bottom of a stack. A magazine empty indicator automatically indicates when an inventory magazine is empty. An oven door latch mechanism eliminates the possibility that the oven can be operated while the oven door is open.

Abstract: A low cost high speed counter and dispenser of tickets includes a feed roll and a hopper for feeding cards tangentially onto the feed roll. A pair of nip rolls rotating at a higher peripheral speed than the feed roll opens a gap between the trailing edge of one ticket and the leading edge of the next ticket that is detected by a photodetector cell providing an input for a digital counter. A D.C. motor drive is used which is dynamically braked when a desired count is reached. A collector bin includes a detector for determining if the bin is empty to automatically initiate a new dispensing cycle, if desired.

Abstract: A large inventory vending machine with monitoring system comprises a plurality of compartments for storing articles to be dispensed, user activated dispensing apparatus connected to respective ones of the compartments for dispensing individual ones of the articles, circuitry for detecting the number of articles in respective ones of the compartments, and circuitry for communicating the number of articles in respective ones of the compartments to a remote location, whereby inventory status of the vending machine is maintained at the remote location, a blockage detector in the vending machine, a blockage release member moveable to release a blockage of articles, and a power system for operating the blockage release member when a blockage is detected.

Abstract: The modular magazine for feeding tubular containers for stacks of electronic components to a dispenser rack of a machine for the automatic insertion of such components essentially comprises at least one assembly with containment cells for respective tubular containers of the components, each cell being defined by an elongated compartment closed at least at one end by an oscillable lid element, a plurality of sensor elements, each of which is associable with a preset respective portion of the rack to indicate the depletion of components in at least one of the containers in the rack, and electronic control circuit elements driven by the sensor elements to indicate the depletion of the components in the at least one container and to actuate the opening oscillation of the oscillable lid of that cell among the assembly of cells which accommodates tubular containers which contain components of the kind of the depleted ones.

Abstract: This vending machine includes a housing frame (12) subdivided into vertical columns (1-8) adapted to receive cylindrical articles (C). Elongate, rotatable support members (60) are provided below each column for supporting the column of articles, which tend to rotate under the weight of the articles. A ratchet wheel (70) and pawl member (80) assembly provided at one end of each support member provides a release mechanism controlling rotation of the support member incident to dispensing an article. The release mechanism associated with a selected column is actuated by an indexing member (94) carried by an endless loop (100) driven by an electric motor (M). The indexing member is positioned adjacent one of the pawl members to dispense an article by moving an associated pawl member into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel in response to customer selection.

Abstract: An apparatus for successive supply of parts comprises a main parts feeding device for feeding parts successively to a predetermined position, a auxiliary parts feeding device provided with a parts storing portion and operative to supply parts kept in the parts storing portion in a selected situation, a checking device for checking a parts feeding condition of the main parts feeding portion, and a feeding control device operative to cause the auxiliary parts feeding device to feed the parts kept in the parts storing portion to the feeding control device when the checking device detects that the main parts feeding device fails to feed the parts to the predetermined position. The parts fed to the predetermined position and the parts fed to the feeding control device are supplied to a common destination through the feeding control device.

Abstract: The dispenser includes a bin which is adjustable for width, and a release mechanism attached to the bin externally of its outlet. The mechanism comprises a sliding shutter and a baffle, vertically disposed and breasted in mutual contact. The shutter is provided with a slot of adjustable height and moves vertically between a raised receiving position and a lowered knockout position at which the packet of coins is ejected from the slot. The baffle is urged against the shutter by the weight of the packets of coin emerging from the outlet of the bin and thus accompanies the shutter at least through part of its vertical travel.

Abstract: A coin exchanging machine has a coin case disposed at the bottom of a casing for accommodating a plurality of coin bundles, a coin pushing mechanism for pushing laterally a row of coin bundles piled up in the coin case, and a coin transferring mechanism for receiving a row of coin bundles from the coin case by pushing the coin bundles by the coin pushing mechanism and for feeding the coin bundles one by one into a coin accommodating space in response to the discharge of the coin bundles.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for dispensing elongated cylindrical objects, such as pencils, and includes a housing, a hopper enclosed within the housing, actuating structure extending through a wall of the housing and engaging the hopper, a slide plate operatively connected to the hopper and actuating apparatus for carrying a single object to be dispensed to a dispensing position, and blocking apparatus having structure for sensing the presence or absence of an object to be dispensed carried by the slide plate and blocking movement of the slide plate and manual actuating structure if there is no object to be dispensed carried by the slide plate.

Abstract: Electrical connectors are slidably received in side-by-side serial array in elongated, hollow tubular cassettes. The cassettes are shaped to receive the connectors only in a single orientation, and protect terminals which partly extend from the connector housings in an intermediate assembly stage. Cassettes are vertically stacked in a feed system, and when the bottom cassette is emptied of connectors, it is released from the stack and replaced with a full cassette.

Abstract: A disc playing system for playing discs selected from a plurality of stored discs in succession, includes a disc storing part in which a plurality of disc storing slots are provided, a transportation means movable along a direction of arrangement of discs in the disc storing part, for transporting a selected disc from a disc storing slot to a playing position and vice versa, in which the disc storing part is provided is a plurality of guide members for guiding the disc transportation means into each of the disc storing slots, and a swingable member is provided to the transportation means, so that the selected disc is surely picked up from the storing slot and returned thereto. Due to this feature, the spaces between each disc stored in the disc storing part are reduced, and in turn the time required for changing the disc is reduced.

Abstract: The combination of a vend control circuit with a device to accumulate an ongoing history of the operation of a vending machine capable of vending products and making change, the improvements comprising circuit elements for detecting the occurence of an interruption in the supply of power from a power source to the circuit and operable to prevent loss of stored information on the ongoing machine operations before resetting the circuit, an internal source of energy rechargeable by the power source, a pricing matrix and associated switches the combined settings of which establish the vend price for the machine, and a sensor device responsive whether or not the door to the vending the machine is open for restocking or servicing including a control circuit associated with the door sensor device for distinguishing between vends made by the vending machine when the door is open and vends made by the machine when the door is closed.

Abstract: Magazine dispensing apparatus has a housing with a delivery opening disposed in a lower region of a front wall of the housing. A number of selectively actuatable dispenser units are disposed within the housing. Each has a lower platform and a supporting structure for supporting and retaining a stack of magazines. The platform is formed with a forwardly and rearwardly extending slot through which runs the upper flight of an endless conveyor on which an ejector bar is connected. When the conveyor is actuated, it sweeps the ejector bar forwardly along the platform, displacing the lowermost magazine forwardly until it is free of the stack and falls freely downwardly to a chute which passes it to the delivery opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously feeding a ribbon to an end use are disclosed. The apparatus includes a conveyor means for supplying numerous rolls of material, a robot assembly for transferring the rolls of material from the conveyor means to a payoff assembly and a payoff assembly for unwinding the rolls of material. Additionally included is a storage means for storing paper such that the end use may be continuously supplied during those intervals when rolls are being changed.

Abstract: A sheet stacking duplex tray includes a movable finger which separates a first group of sheets under the finger from a second group of sheets above the finger. Sheets which have been copied on only one side are fed to a copy station from the bottom of the tray for second-side copying, as other sheets which have been copied on only one side are fed to the tray, to reside on top of the finger. When all sheets of the first group have been fed, the finger gravity-falls through an opening in the tray. A detector senses this finger movement, and a solenoid then resets the finger to rest on the top sheet of the sheets then in the tray.