Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a three button actuated pill holder/dispenser are provided. Such a pill holder/dispenser may include a housing comprising a plurality of apertures, a top button and two side buttons. In response to actuation of the top button, a pill may be dispensed from the pill holder/dispenser. Preferably, the two side buttons, which may project through the apertures, lock the top button, such that the top button may only be actuated when the two side buttons are depressed. Alternatively, some other sequence of the buttons may be implemented to cause a pill to be actuated. Additionally, the pill holder/dispenser may be packaged in a sealable package.

Abstract: A pill dispenser and a related method of pill dispensing including a container having a holder, a gate, a controller, a sensor, and a neutralizing device. The dispenser releases pills at a prescribed release rate. The sensor detects tampering with the container. Upon detection of tampering, the neutralizing device renders the contents of the pill dispenser impotent.

Abstract: A dispenser and system for dispensing sheet material is provided. The dispenser includes a housing including a container and a lid. The container and lid cooperate to provide an inner surface formed to include an internal compartment configured to hold sheet material. The housing includes an exit port for withdrawal of sheet material therefrom. The dispenser also includes a sheet mover mounted to the housing. A portion of the sheet mover is configured to move over at least a portion of a sheet material positioned in the housing such that at least the portion of the sheet material is moved away from additional sheet materials positioned adjacent thereto by the sheet mover. The portion moved away is positioned to be easily withdrawn through the exit port by a user. The system includes the dispenser having a sheet mover and a plurality of sheet materials disposed in the dispenser. A disposable, one-use dispensing system is provided as well.

Abstract: A pill dispenser (10) and a related method of pill dispensing including a container (12) having a holder (14), a gate (16), a controller (18) a sensor (20) and a neutralizing device (22). The dispenser (10) releases pills at a prescribed release rate. The sensor (20) detects tampering with the container (12). Upon detection of tampering, the neutralizing device (22) renders the contents of the pill dispenser (10) impotent.

Abstract: There is disclosed a medicine supplying apparatus which can effectively eliminate medicine clogging in a nozzle for releasing a medicine into a package paper or the like. The medicine supplying apparatus supplies the medicine discharged from a tablet case which contains the medicine, and comprises the nozzle for releasing the medicine discharged from the tablet case; a shutter which is rotatably disposed in the nozzle and which opens/closes a medicine falling passage in the nozzle; and a roller which is rotatably disposed facing the medicine falling passage in the nozzle. The roller is disposed in a position at a height facing the shutter, and rotates in conjunction with the opening/closing of the shutter.

Abstract: An anti-jam bezel is provided for dispensing a flexible substrate from an output slot. A guideway is provided for receiving the flexible substrate from a transport and guiding the flexible substrate into the output slot. The guideway may extend from the output slot to the transport to provide a substrate receiving opening. The bezel body is adapted for mounting with the substrate receiving opening adjacent the transport such that the guideway catches a leading edge of the substrate after the substrate exits the transport and guides the leading edge into the output slot. In the event the output slot is blocked, the guideway is adapted to guide at least a portion of the substrate into the substrate receiving opening so that at least the portion of the substrate loops into the substrate receiving opening, thereby preventing a jam.

Abstract: A paper-sheet handling apparatus includes a cassette that stores a paper sheet; a cassette compartment that stores a plurality of the cassettes; a feeding mechanism that feeds out the paper sheet stored in the cassette; a conveying mechanism that conveys the paper sheet fed out; a sheet discharging port through which the paper sheet is discharged out; a sheet discharging mechanism that discharges the paper sheet through the sheet discharging port; and a feeding control mechanism that controls feeding out of the paper sheet stored in the cassette. The feeding control mechanism has a function of selectively feeding out the paper sheet from the cassette, and the function is realized by a single drive source.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a plate feeder and a method of supplying plates. The plate feeder supplies plates on an as-needed basis and includes a holding structure for holding a plate. A proximity sensor detects whether a plate is held by the holding structure. A control system is connected to the proximity sensor to receive a plate absent signal therefrom. When the control system receives a plate absent signal, the control system commands a pusher to move a plate into an ejection area and then commands a blade with a non-linear front edge to engage a rear edge of the plate and push the plate from the ejection area to the holding structure, where the plate is available for use by a technician.

Abstract: The first purpose of this present invention is to provide a coin dispensing safe assembly with a safe system which can prevent coins being stolen. The second purpose of this invention is to provide a coin dispensing safe assembly with a safe system which can prevent coins being stolen, also it is easy and inexpensive. A coin dispensing safe assembly with a safe system includes a coin dispensing safe assembly having a rotating disk with through holes which is located at the bottom of a coin storing bowl with an upper opening and which is rotated by a motor. A safe housing, which is built to enclose said coin dispensing safe assembly and which can be detached from a coin handling apparatus, includes a dispensing slot for dispensing coins and a disabling unit for the coin dispensing safe assembly, when the safe housing is detached from the coin handling apparatus.

Abstract: A dispenser dispenses personal effects such as, panty liners, condoms, wet wipes, tampons, etc., for use by occupants of a particular establishment (home, prison, office, hospital etc.). The personal effects dispenser has a first housing that holds the tampons and the panty liners and dispenses each within a respective opening on the housing with the opening for dispensing the tampons having a hinged door covering the opening. A second housing holds the condoms or wet wipes and has an opening that corresponds to an opening on the first housing whenever the second housing is received within the first housing. A spacer is received within the first housing in order to replace the second housing whenever the second housing is not being used. Various attachment schemes are used to attach the personal effects dispenser to a wall.

Abstract: A candy dispenser transfers candy packaged in a loading container through a valve into a dispensation magazine when the dispenser is in a first orientation. The candies can subsequently be dispensed from the magazine when the dispenser is inverted. A manually-operated plunger mechanism then removes the candies from the magazine. The dispenser provides a sanitary container for the candies and also provides operating interest to the user. Additional candies can be loaded into the dispensation magazine by replacing the loading container.

Abstract: A high capacity document sheet processor combines significant speed and efficiency enhancing improvements in existing approaches to stack feeding particularly in the stack loading, feeding and singulating functions with novel operational arrangements adaptable to a universal paper handling and envelope inserting system.

Abstract: An apparatus for automated key retrieval and deposit includes a housing and a key storage rack assembly positioned within the housing. The automated key retrieval and deposit apparatus also includes a key holder for holding a key to be retrieved positioned on the key storage rack, and a key holder actuating mechanism operatively connected to the key holder, for actuating the key holder between an extended position and a retracted position. The automated key retrieval and deposit apparatus further includes a cover pivotally connected to the key storage rack and actuatable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the cover, in the closed position, exerts a force on the keyholder to retain the key on the key holder.

Abstract: A vending machine for vending a plurality of bottles each of which are supported in an upright position only at a top portion of each of the bottles include a planar dispensing rack having a plurality of elongated slots therein for storing and dispensing bottles. The elongated slots each include a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls which are spaced apart a distance less than a diameter of the top portion of the bottle to be supported in the slots. The distance between the side walls of the slot is adjustable to enable the slot to support bottles having various diameters. The side walls of each of the slots terminate in an opening at one end of each of the slots which opening has a diameter larger than the diameter of the top portion of the bottles supported by the slots to enable bottles which move from the slot to the opening to drop through the opening from the planar dispensing rack to a dispensing station.

Abstract: A pill dispenser for dispensing pills is provided that has a container for holding the pills to be dispensed. The container is closed at one end and open at the opposite end. The container is slidably received in a sleeve. The dispenser has an outlet through which a pill can pass from the container and a gate for closing the outlet to prevent a pill from passing through the outlet. The arrangement is such that the gate is opened when the container is moved in the sleeve, so that a pill can pass through the open end of the container to the outlet to be dispensed from the dispenser. The dispenser may be arranged so that one and only one pill is dispensed at a time.

Abstract: A snack dispenser consists of a series of tiers stacked to resemble a wedding cake. Each tier includes a trough divided into slots. A snack may be placed into each slot. The front of each slot is transparent. The troughs or trays are mounted on a rotatable carousel. The carousel is covered with a backshell and a transparent front shell. The front shell has transparent doors therein. By inserting a proper amount of money and aligning the carousel so that the desired snack is beneath a door; the door may be opened and the customer may withdraw his snack from that slot. The opening of the door blocks the rotation of the carousel, blocks the opening of the remaining doors, and also resets or cancels the credit of the coins inserted. When the single door is closed again, all doors will be blocked so that a person can not again open a door until proper coins are inserted. To service the dispenser the front shell is removed. A segment of all tiers is removed.

Abstract: A lottery machine preventing lotteries from drawing out illegally mainly includes a base, a lottery moving device, a face plate and a coil spring. A micro switch is provided on one of two parallel side plates of the base, and held in ON condition by a stop pushed by the lottery moving device laid between two rails on the left side plate to move back and forth. A lottery is normally moved out of an outlet of the face plate by turning on a motor of the lottery moving device. But when a lottery is to be pulled out unlawfully, the lottery moving device can be moved forward by an external force pulling the lottery, cutting off the micro switch to stop the lottery moving device. Then the lottery may be pressed down firmly by an activating plate against a guider under the outlet, unable to be pulled out unlawfully.

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 vending machine suitable for use for vending newspapers and the like, has an enclosure in which there is a magazine for retaining a stack of newspapers, and near the magazine is a chute at the lower end of which is a tray accessible to a customer seeking to purchase one of the items in the machine. A moveable inner arm with a pair of jaws at one end thereof is moveable from a first position to a second position. In one of the two positions the jaws are over the chute such that an item held in the jaws can be released and dropped through the chute. In the other of the two positions, the jaws are against an exposed face of a top item or an end item in the magazine. The inner arm is pivotally mounted on a shaft which extends through the enclosure and connects to a second arm on the exterior of the machine, such that movement of the inner arm may be controlled by moving the exterior arm. The movement of the jaws is controllable by an actuating lever arm on the handle at the end of the exterior arm.

Abstract: A safety dispenser providing a container portion having a peripheral side wall defining a cavity therein, an open upper end, a bottom wall and a channel wall disposed between the upper end and the bottom wall, the channel wall extending across the cavity and defining a hopper area and a channel thereby; a trigger being slidingly received by the channel, the trigger having a passageway therethrough and at least one spring member projecting upwardly therefrom; the trigger being moveable within the channel between a first position and a second position, the passageway being in communication with a hole in the channel wall when the trigger is in the first position, the passageway being in communication with an orifice in the bottom wall when the trigger is in the second position; the at least one spring member being engageable with at least one abutment provided on a vertical wall projecting upwardly from the channel wall, the at least one spring member being disengagable from the at least one abutment upon apply

Abstract: A vending apparatus for individually vending an article from a set of articles and for vending a display article after the set of articles has been depleted. The apparatus includes a rack for vertical storage of a stack of newspapers, and a bracket for positioning a display newspaper in a front window of the vending apparatus. The invented vending apparatus includes means for individually dispensing newspapers from the stack of newspapers and includes means for discharging the display newspaper after the stack of newspapers has been depleted. The dispensing means includes a dispensing bar having spikes for engaging the front newspaper in the stack of newspapers. The dispensing bar is protected by a dispensing bar cover that encases the dispensing bar and spikes when the door is in an opened position for loading newspapers. The cover has an extension with a distal roller for engaging a guide on the housing.

Abstract: A hinged access display and dispensing device for lottery-type tickets includes a housing of box-like configuration with a main door that is pivotally attached to the housing. A lock having a swing arm is secured to the main door. A slot is provided in the housing to coact with the swing arm when the main door is in the closed position to allow the main door to be locked relative to the housing. A horizontal opening is provided in the main door to allow access to tickets placed in the housing. A security door is pivotally attached to the main door to prevent removal of tickets through the horizontal opening. The security door is provided with a lip having a slot so that the swing arm may secure both the main door and the security door relative to the housing.

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: 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 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 the articles to be dispensed in a stack. The bases are mounted on a pair of vertical support plates. A gate is disposed behind each frame for receiving articles from its associated frame and allowing only one article at a time to pass through. A toothed blade is disposed underneath each frame and a motor driven rack and pinion is coupled to the toothed blade for bringing the toothed blade into engagement with the lowermost article in the stack, moving said toothed blade so that the lowermost article is transported from the stack into the gate, bringing the toothed blade out of engagement with the article and then moving the toothed blade back to engage the next article in the stack.

Abstract: A dispenser for consecutive dispensing of tablets in a fixed order comprising a cylindrical body defining along its periphery a number of juxtaposed vertical chutes each accommodating a number of tablets piled on edge radially oriented in the body, a cup shaped dispensing part comprising a bottom plate having an upstanding cylindric wall and forming a stop at the lower end of the chutes. An opening in the cylindric wall allows a tablet on edge to pass from the outside of the cup into the inner space thereof. Above the opening a protrusion extends radially outwards from the cylindric wall into the space between a tablet abreast of the opening and a possible overlying tablet in the chute, and a wall adjacent to the opening extends into the lower ends of the chutes. A detent mechanism makes the body and dispensing part stepwise unidirectionally rotatable in relation to each other.

Abstract: A multiplicity of charitable collection stations are provided with selectors for choosing the charity to which a contribution is destined, a change maker for issuing change if desired, a display for displaying information with respect to premiums available and contributions made, and a modem or other telecommunicator for two-way communications with a central station. The central station communicates with the individual charitable institutions to provide information as to monies collected and signals the machines as to premiums available like food-service items, travel awards and the like.

Abstract: The application discloses a device (10) to retrofit into the cabinet (11) of newspaper vending machine racks to prevent the removal of more than one copy of the newspaper for each vend or door opening of the cabinet (11). The single vend device (10) consists of a front panel (12) with a T-slot (14). The arms (14a) of the T-slot (14) are normally closed off with a pivoted closure plate (16). Consumer access to the newspapers is provided through the leg of the T-slot (14b), but the newspaper must be slid through the gap between the closure plate (16) and the front panel (12). The thickness of the gap is adjustable to selectively allow for the variation in thickness between various editions of the newspaper. The closure plate (16) is spring loaded to be biased to the closed position. Following removal of the paper, the closure of the plate (16) and a locking pin (32) prevents the plate (16) from re-opening. The locking pin ( 32) is disarmed upon closure of the cabinet (11) door (25a).

Abstract: A dowel transfer station in a dowel driving device which includes a dowel separating and conveying unit and a manually operated driving gun to which dowels are supplied through a hose line. The dowel transfer station is arranged between the dowel separating and conveying unit and the hose line conducted to the driving gun. The dowel transfer station includes a reciprocating dowel holder which receives a dowel emerging from the dowel separating and conveying unit and supplies the dowel to the opening of the hose line conducted to the driving gun. For eliminating dowels which do not have the appropriate size, the dowel holder has a bore for receiving a dowel, wherein the depth of the bore is adjustable and the inner end of the bore is connected to a compressed air line which can be switched on and off by a valve.

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 coin operated product dispensing machine including a housing with an enclosed main display compartment and an elongate slide plate extending therethrough and attached at one end to the housing with a biasing element, an opposite free end of the slide plate extending outwardly from a front wall of the housing and defining a pull handle, wherein the slide plate is movable between a relaxed position and an extended position by pulling the handle at the free end thereof. A carousel, including vertically oriented chambers for containing a stacked array of individual product units therein, is rotatably supported within the main display compartment such that each of the chambers is selectively positionable in vertical alignment over a drop hole in the slide plate, the drop hole being sized and configured to receive an individual, lower most product unit dropped from the aligned chamber.

Abstract: Unauthorized removal of packages from coin-operated vending apparatus is prevented by a gravity operated lock which prevents removal of the ejector from the column of packages in the dispenser. The lock can only be removed from the locking position by movement of the connecting link by which the coin-operated slide moves the ejector to remove packages from the column of packages.

Abstract: For machine used to balance disk brake rotors having radial walls defining tapered recesses by inserting tapered weights into selected recesses, a magazine holds a stack comprised of a controlled number of the weights and permits the weights to exit individually. Each exiting weight is oriented radially with its narrow end pointing into a selected recess. An inserter and a double-acting, pneumatic, piston-cylinder apparatus are provided for removing the lowermost weight from the magazine and inserting such weight into the selected recess. Photoelectric detectors are provided for detecting when the magazine has been depleted of a specified number of the weights, when the magazine holds the controlled number of the weights, and when the magazine has been completely depleted of the weights. The magazine has a gate for admitting the weights under certain conditions.

Abstract: The present device is a magazine (10) which includes housing defining a medication storage area. An access door (22) is provided in the housing to gain access to stock the storage area with unit dose medication containers (34). The housing defines an open lower periphery which is covered by at least one locking mechanism having a release door (156). The locking mechanism includes a plurality of cams (166, 174, 186) cooperatively contained such that upon sequential operation, the release door (156) opens the lower periphery which allows the unit dose medication containers (34) to fall.

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 device for reducing cigarette consumption is provided and consists of a container having a hopper compartment therein for holding a plurality of cigarettes. A cover is hinged to the container for normally closing the hopper compartment. A mechanism is carried in the container for allowing the dispensing of one cigarette at a time from the hopper compartment at predetermined timed intervals to make a person cut down on the amount of cigarettes they smoked.

Abstract: An anti-theft apparatus for use in a dispensing machine for newspapers and the like having a coin-operated locking access door. The apparatus includes a cover panel sized to mount within the access opening in the rack. The cover panel restricts access into the dispensing machine is through a T-shaped access opening in the cover panel. Newspapers and the like stacked within the dispensing machine may be grasped through the vertical slot in the T-shaped access opening and raised for removal through the horizontal slot in the opening along the axis of the horizontal slot. A pivoting gauge gate mounted to the cover panel above the T-shaped access opening restricts the thickness of newspapers and the like which may be removed through the hozizontal slot. The gauge gate pivots between an open position wherein newspapers and the like can be removed through the horizontal slot and a closed position wherein access through the horizontal slot is substantially restricted.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square pictures, with a first and a second frame part (12, 14) which can be moved back and forth relative to one another and parallel to the principal plane of the pile of pictures enclosed by the two of them, and with element which, on moving the frame parts (12, 14) back and forth, remove a single picture (188) from one end of the pile and reinsert on the other end of the pile and which have a separator for separating the individual picture (188) from the pile of pictures, a feeder for feeding pictures to the separator a retainer for holding the individual picture (188) in the first frame part and for holding the remainder of the pile in the second frame part (12, 14) and a guide for guiding the separated individual picture (188) for the purpose of returning it to the other end of the remainder of the pile, wherein the separator has a first and a second separating device (68, 20) on the first and on the second frame p

Abstract: A manually operated coil vending machine device is described which has a rod tipped with a pressure sensitive adhesive movable along a slot in the device to a storage bin area where articles for sale are stored and displayed. Once in the bin area, the rod is lowered until it sticks to the article selected, after which the rod is raised and moved back along the slot until it reaches an area accessible to the operator-purchaser. At such point, the purchased article is grasped and removed. The device can only be operated after predetermined coins equal to the purchase price of the articles have been inserted in the device, thereby permitting removal of a rod blocking first projection over the slot by pressure of the rod as it moves along the slot to the storage bin area.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for simultaneously dispensing a plurality of golf balls are disclosed. A housing member having a plurality of guide members therein is provided for guiding the plurality of balls therethrough into a holding member suitable for being operably connected to a conventional coin dispenser. The manually operated, coin activated, dispenser is operated to allow the plurality of balls to be dispensed into a basket-like member for easy access to a user or player.

Abstract: A vending machine for vending flat packages is disclosed which includes vend assemblies which are reciprocal from a rearward position to a forward, vend position. The vending machine is equipped with a rotary coin accepting assembly including a handle, a shaft and a circular cam affixed to the shaft to be rotated when the handle is turned. An activator rod extends forwardly from a reciprocating portion of the vend assembly and includes an operating finger which is positioned to be contacted by the circular cam when the handle is rotated in response to acceptance of a coin. The contact between the circular cam and the activator rod drives the vend assembly to its rearwardmost position to again prepare the vending machine for vending a flat package.

Abstract: A shotgun shell dispenser for efficient hand loading, the dispenser having a hopper into which a plurality of empty cases or hulls are oriented and stacked, a carousel reel for serial transport of casings from the hopper to a dispenser opening and a trip mechanism for releasing a single shell to a dispenser trough for convenient manual removal of the casing from the dispenser.

Abstract: A bank note processing machine has at least one cassette in which feed rollers and a gate gap is provided to enable conveying of bank notes. When the cassette is placed outside the machine, the feed rollers are locked. When the cassette is loaded in the main body of the machine, the lock is released. The feed rollers provided in the cassette 2 are driven by one driving system while first and second bank note conveying system in the cassette and the main body are driven by the other driving system.

Abstract: In carton feeding apparatus, a rotary member having a blade which passes behind a leading carton in a group of vertically-oriented cartons to separate the leading carton from the adjacent carton. A lockout member is pivotally mounted on the rotary member and is adapted to be moved in a generally axial direction toward the incoming cartons to block the cartons from engagement by the blade.

Abstract: A machine for vending flat articles such as newspapers, magazines and the like comprises an enclosed cabinet having a merchandise storage magazine with an inclined bottom wall and an inclined outlet chute substantially aligned with the magazine bottom wall and having a discharge opening communicating with the exterior of the cabinet, an upright vertically movable bar between the storage magazine and the outlet chute, power actuated means for lowering the bar to release individual articles from the magazine and permit them to slide over the bar onto the outlet chute, coin actuated means for energizing the power means, and means responsive to movement of a released article across the top of the bar for de-energizing the power means and interrupting downward movement of the bar after each article has passed from the magazine onto the outlet chute.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in air seeders, namely agricultural implements which utilize air pressure to move particulate material such as seeds from a feed zone to a dispersal or planting zone. The particulate material is normally fed from a hopper by a driven feed wheel or other similar mechanism. The invention provides a pressure pick-up at the source of air pressure, a conduit connecting the pick-up with a pneumatic actuator and a suitable linkage connecting the actuator with a clutch which is used to transmit drive power to the feed wheel. As long as there is sufficient pressure at the source the actuator will keep the clutch positioned to permit the feed wheel to operate. Should the pressure source fail the actuator will operate the clutch to stop transmitting power to the feed wheel and thus terminate the feeding of material which would otherwise clog the delivery conduits of the seeder.

Abstract: A portable cartridge and mounting apparatus includes, within the cartridge, a document separator, a stack follower, a double document restraint, and a three position lock and latch mechanism for selectively locking the cartridge cover and the issue slot. The mounting includes first and second drives for operating the separator and restraint mechanisms to issue individual documents through the issue slot. The mounting and cartridge are keyed to detect that a cartridge containing a predetermined denomination is properly mounted with the issue slot open to enable the drive mechanisms. A sensor is provided to detect a cash out condition to inhibit operation of the drives.