Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a sheet feeding tray configured to support a sheet; and an apparatus main body configured to support the sheet feeding tray so as to be moveable in a direction parallel with a sheet feeding direction, the apparatus main body including a chute configured to guide the sheet that is fed from the sheet feeding tray, wherein the sheet feeding tray includes a guiding member configured to be displaced between an engaging position at which the guiding member engages with the chute and restrains movement of the sheet feeding tray and a separation position at which the guiding member separates from the chute and permits movement of the sheet feeding tray, and wherein the guiding member is configured to guide the sheet that is fed from the sheet feeding tray toward the chute when the guiding member is located at the engaging position.

Abstract: A dispenser unit for countermeasures. A magazine for the countermeasures is removably arranged on the dispenser unit. A dispensing nozzle dispenses the countermeasures out of the magazine. A movable seal is arranged within the magazine. The seal in a first position covers the dispensing nozzle and in a second position opens the dispensing nozzle, such that the countermeasures may be dispensed through the dispensing nozzle when the seal is in the second position.

Abstract: The Novel Modular Vending Machine for Packaged Goods allows consumers to purchase packaged goods without an attendant present. The invention uses two or more conveyor assemblies to store and transfer packaged goods and primarily uses gravity to transfer the packaged goods from the storage location to the customer. When a vend is initiated, a dispensing drum rotates and places a packaged item on a delivery system for transportation to the customer. The remaining packaged goods move into position for the next vend. When the lower conveyor assembly is empty, an upper conveyor assembly is lowered into position to transfer the remaining packaged goods to the dispensing drum. The apparatus may be configured in a system comprised of multiple modular units controlled by a single user interface.

Abstract: A lottery ticket machine able to prevent tickets from being illegally drawn out includes a machine base provided with a driving device, two press rollers with pressed streaks on the wheel surface and a control device. One of the two press rollers is provided with a shaft extending out of the machine base for fixing the control device that contains a rotary gear with engage holes, a bushing and a control wheel bored with bushing hole to be fitted with the bushing and disposed with engage teeth and projecting members to be respectively engaged with the engage holes of the rotary gear. An outer cover covered on the control device is provided inside with engage teeth to correspondingly engage with the engage teeth of the control wheel, and a spring has opposite ends respectively pushing against the control wheel and the inner wall of the bushing cover.

Abstract: A vibration-assisted ejection cassette includes: outer plates 11 which align PTP-packaged drugs 20 for storage; a top frame 12 which is provided above an open front and which prevents accommodated drugs from being falling forward; an inner plate 13 which carries the accommodated drugs and advances the drugs when vibrated; and a vibrating member 15 which vibrates the inner plate 13. Thereby, vibration is exploited to maintain the drugs 20 in alignment with each other, advance the drugs while maintaining the drugs in alignment and eject them one by one. Additionally, a retention member 18 for retaining an ejected drug is provided in front of the open front. A control circuit 17 activates or stops activating the vibrating member 15 in accordance with whether or not an ejection detecting member detects that a drug is being retained. In this way, it is ensured that drugs are either manually picked up one by one or ejected by an automatic mechanism in an equally easy and stable manner.

Abstract: A medication dispensing system uses a series of medication rings grouped as a rotary drum and controlled for dispensing medication on a daily basis into a divided pill box. Each medication ring includes an associated medication collar that cooperates with the medication ring to reduce the possibility of abrasion of the medication dosages held in the medication rings. The pill box is moved and rotated within the dispensing system by a carriage to dispense medication into appropriate cells of the pill box. A computer control module controls the movement of the various components and is programmable for loading and dispensing different medication regimes.

Abstract: To reliably bias drugs to a rotor side without upsizing a device, with little layout limitations, and without damaging the drugs. Biasing means that biases drugs stored in a cassette 3 to a rotor 23 side to arrange the drugs includes: a casing 35; a constant load spring 36 provided in the casing 35 and having a spring part 41 fixed to the rotor 23 side of the cassette 3 at its tip; a locking plate 42 provided in the casing 35 and having a gear part 46 that engaged with and disengaged from a locking rack 26 formed in the cassette 3; and a pressing block 43 projected so as to be pressed from the contact surface of the casing 35 in contact with the drugs and rotating the locking plate 42 by pressing to release the gear part 46 from the locking rack 26.

Abstract: A lottery ticket machine having function of preventing tickets from being illegally drawn out includes a machine base provided thereon with a driving device, two press rollers and a control device. One of the two press rollers is disposed with a shaft extending out of the machine base for assembling the control device, which consists of a rotary gear with engage holes, a bushing and a control wheel bored with a bushing hole to be fitted on the bushing and provided with engage teeth and projecting bars to be respectively engaged with the engage holes of the rotary gear. An outer cover covered on the control device is disposed inside with engage teeth to be correspondingly engaged with the engage teeth of the control wheel, and a spring has its opposite ends respectively pushing against the control wheel and the inner wall of a bushing cover.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser, especially for dispensing solid preparations, comprising a housing having a dispensing orifice, and a collar member having a receiving opening, and a passage member, having a receiving chamber, which should be improved in respect to proper dispensing a single unit dose of a substance when required.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more containers that hold medicaments for dispensing. In one embodiment, a medicament container includes a housing having an outlet port through which a medicament unit can be dispensed; a door configured to seal the outlet port in a closed position and to move to an open position to permit the medicament unit to be dispensed from the outlet port; and a lock configured to maintain the door in the closed position to prevent unauthorized dispensing of the medicament unit.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for dispensing products that includes a theft deterrent retail product dispensing hook. In certain embodiments, the hook prevents product “sweeping” (where a thief quickly empties a conventional retail hook of product) and also delivers a time-delayed delivery of product per hook. A specific embodiment of a time-delay display hook system comprises a two-prong system having an upper member and a lower member, with the upper member supporting a dispensing system and the lower member supporting a product to be dispensed. Upon triggering of an activation member, the dispensing system releases a single product and provides a time-delay between dispensing of further product.

Abstract: A convective warmer for flexible plastic bags containing foam precursor chemicals includes an outer housing and an inner enclosure supported within the housing, the inner enclosure having foraminous floor and ceiling plates and foraminous dividers which divide the inner enclosure into vertical compartments for containing vertical stacks of bags. An air space exists between the housing and the inner enclosure, and a forced-air heater is arranged to heat air within the air space and circulate the heated air from the air space, through the foraminous floor plate into the compartments, and out the foraminous ceiling plate back into the air space. A loading door provides access to upper portions of the compartments for loading bags into the warmer, and a dispensing door provides access to lower portions of the compartments for removing a bottommost bag from a stack of bags in the warmer.

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 multiple product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet and having a plurality of compartments of varying size which pass by at least one access door. The access door is mounted in the cabinet for sliding movement to allow access to a compartment aligned with the access door. The door is motorized so that it will open and close automatically once activated by slight movement of its handle. The size of the compartment aligned with the door when it is opened is known by the control circuit and the motor moves the door only far enough to allow access by a customer to that compartment.

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

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into allignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A sub-assembly for use in a medication dispenser station for controller actuated dispensing of pharmaceutical items in single quantities from locked storage and allowing rapid reloading of more items all under extreme security and heightened accountability, comprising a chassis for insertion into the cabinet for secure mounting therein, including an unlockable front reloading access door, pharmaceutical retrieval tray depending therebelow and a discharge chute opening from interior the access door down into the tray, at least one narrow stock-supporting magazine slidably mounted in the chassis extending rearward from inside the front access door for retaining a stock of pharmaceutical items in vertically oriented, front-to-rear alignment therein, an ejector interconnected the magazine for moving the forward-most pharmaceutical item in the magazine into position over the discharge chute for dispensing into the retrieval tray upon command while retaining the other items in locked storage in the magazine, a bi-s

Abstract: In order to avoid disruption of a stack of signatures, particularly when a cyclically operable signature feeding apparatus is temporarily disabled, the utilization of a unique latch arrangement is contemplated. The feeding apparatus will generally include a driven rotary drum having a plurality of signature grippers disposed about the periphery thereof. The signature grippers are adapted to grip signatures seriatim upon receipt from a signature supply hopper. A suction assembly is driven by a cam for shifting signatures seriatim from the signature supply hopper to the rotary drum for gripping by the signature grippers. The suction assembly includes oscillating suction grippers together with a vacuum control valve. The signature feeding apparatus further includes a cam follower operatively associated with the suction assembly to control movement of the oscillating suction grippers and operation of the vacuum control valve.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartment on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: Automatic dispensing apparatus for articles, comprising an outer casing (1), a sliding door (6) movable vertically on associated slide guides (7) fixed to the outer casing, there being provided below the sliding access door a movable wall (11), equipped along its lower edge with a hinge (12) in engagement with the outer casing (1), equipped with blocking devices (13) with associated drive structure (21, 22), movable between a closure position which interferes with the sliding of the sliding door and an opening position which does not interfere with said door.

Abstract: A paper feeder having a feed unit for dispensing paper from a paper containing unit and delivering the paper to a transport assembly. The feeder comprises a first guide portion for guiding the paper containing unit and a second guide portion for guiding the feed unit. The paper containing unit and the feed unit are slidably supported by the first guide portion and the second guide portion respectively individually.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for an automatic vending machine includes a conveying mechanism to move merchandise toward a discharge passage, and a discharge control mechanism. The discharge control mechanism holds the merchandise and prevents the merchandise from falling into the discharge passage when the dispensing mechanism is off. The discharge control mechanism includes a control plate which is biased to contact and hold the merchandise, and a locking element which prevents the rotation of the control plate when the dispensing mechanism is off. The engagement between control plate and locking element is controlled by a solenoid which permits the rotation of the control plate during the dispensing operation.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandizing machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing areas of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing, heating and dispensing portioned foods items has a cooled storage unit for storing portioned food items, a cooking unit for heating the portioned food items, a transport lift unit for transferring the food items to be heated from the storage unit to the cooking unit and an output unit for transferring heated food items from the cooking unit to a dispensing station for dispensing. The storage unit includes a plurality of conveyor belts upon which the portioned food items are stored and which transport the food items to the transport lift unit. Each of the lift transport unit, the cooking unit and the output unit includes a conveyor for transferring the food items.

Abstract: A buoy deployment system for an aircraft is disclosed which includes a multi-store gravity launching system which allows for discharge of different lengths and types of buoys. The gravity launch system includes a plurality of launch tubes, each including a spring biased door at the discharge end thereof, with the doors being either electrically actuated from the pilot cockpit via electrical controls, or, in the event of an electrical malfunction, being manually operable by an operator. Each buoy loaded therein is accessible for reconfiguration in flight, with each tube similarly being reloadable in flight. Also disclosed is a rotatable storage carousel including a plurality of semi-cylindrical tube section/latch assemblies, sized to restrain a plurality of buoys, which form storage stations on the carousel.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currency in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A linear magazine for storing and automatically dispensing objects (10) disposed in stacks or in lines within juxtaposed bins (1) includes an extractor cartridge (20) associated with each bin and co-operating with a cog belt (50) which is common to all of the bins. The invention is applicable to dispensing cassettes, books, cigarettes, spare parts, etc.

Abstract: A device in a vending machine in which articles are fed stepwise to a position of delivery opposite a delivery opening in the machine to be dispensed therefrom one by one, has a cover which is pivotal between a closed position in which it covers the delivery opening, and an open position in which it exposes the delivery opening to permit dispensing an article fed to the position of delivery. The device has lock in the form of an electromagnet which is adapted to lock the cover in the closed position, and a pusher in the form of an arm which is fixed to the cover and adpated, when the cover is swung from the closed position to the open position, to push the article fed to the position of delivery, at least a certain distance out of the delivery opening. A releaser is adapted to suspend the locking action of the lock when an article has been fed to the position of delivery.

Abstract: Operation completion detection circuitry for a vend system including a plurality of individually controllably operable motors for performing a given type of operation, comprising power leads, a vend control circuit portion operatively connected to complete a circuit across the power leads through a given motor from among the plurality of motors, a cam operated switch associated with each motor and connected in series circuit therewith, each of which switches includes a first pole and a second pole, connected in common, and a controllably movable switch contact which is normally in electrical contact with the first pole of the switch means and is responsive to operation of the motor with which such cam operated switch is associated to switchably cycle between such first and second poles during a complete operational cycle of the motor, and a detector circuit which includes a monitor portion thereof operatively connected in common circuit to all of the motors and their associated cam operated switches and in se

Abstract: One or more security receptacles, provided for safekeeping keys, include a deposit opening especially configured in a shape corresponding to the longitudinal cross-section of the key handle. A set of ramps oblique and a normally locked horizontal ramp in the receptacle prevent access to the key. The horizontal ramp may be released from its horizontal position by disabling the lock so that the key falls to a lower portion of the receptacle. Disabling of the lock is accomplished by transmitting a coded signal to a receiver incorporated in the lock. Access to the key is then possible, preferably requiring a second key to open the lower portion of the receptacle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing paper money or currency bills according to which the bills are lodged in transparent containers fed from a magazine adapted for use in vending, amusement, gaming and other coin-operated or coin-handling machines. The dispensing mechanism is provided with open portions through which the transparent bill containers can be seen through a viewing window in the associated vending-like machine. An electromagnetic dispensing and safety lockout mechanism activates a dispensing gate to release one bill container at a time under control of circuit means in the vending or like associated machine.

Abstract: A product dispensing machine of the type having conveyor means for moving successive product carriers, each divided into a plurality of separate product carrying compartments, into registry with a product dispensing zone, including separately shiftable access doors or closures for the paths to the various compartments, is provided and employs reliable, predominantly mechanical, control means for normally maintaining the access closures in closed and locked condition denying access to the products, for automatically both unlocking and opening the access closures in a predetermined sequence in response to successive actuation of a dispense cycle actuating means (such as a coinage deposit unit) permitting removal of the product from each of the compartments of the registered carrier in turn, and for automatically moving the next product carrier into registry with the dispensing zone, after all of the products have been sequentially dispensed from the preceding carrier, permitting the sequential dispensing of all

Abstract: An electromechanical interlock device is interposed between an electrical credit system and a mechanical product dispenser. In preferred form, the interlock device includes a solenoid electrically connected to the credit system, and a drive cam adapted to be positively rotated by the manually operated mechanical product dispenser. The interlock device also includes a locking arm spring loaded into locking engagement with the drive cam to prevent unauthorized rotation thereof, an activator arm connected to the solenoid and adapted to remove the locking arm from locking engagement with the drive cam, and a latch lever. The solenoid is electrically energized upon deposit of the coinage required to achieve vending of a product, the solenoid driving the activator arm and, hence, the locking arm, into the unlock position, thereby withdrawing the locking arm from interlock engagement with the drive cam.