With Lock, Latch, Or Seal For Container And/or Support Patents (Class 221/154)
  • Patent number: 11694783
    Abstract: A medication dispensing apparatus includes a housing for at storing at least one medication in bulk, a dispenser, and a verification sensor. The at least one medication including a plurality of doses of the at least one medication. The dispenser separates a single dose from the at least one medication in bulk. The dispenser moves the single dose of the at least one medication from a position within the housing to a position outside the housing. The verification sensor verifies that the at least one medication is a correct medication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NOSORTMEDS INC, A MINNESOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: John R. Williamson, David R. Williamson
  • Patent number: 11282311
    Abstract: A door lock mechanism is disclosed that includes door lock and alarm features. The mechanism includes a controller and a sensor useful to detect motions that are representative of attempted access through a door to which the door lock mechanism is attached. The controller can set an alarm condition if a measured motion, such as a measured acceleration, meet and/or exceeds a threshold. If an appropriate access control credential is provided through a user device then the alarm condition may not be set by the controller. The door lock mechanism can be coupled to a remote station via a communications link if needed, such as a radio frequency link. The remote station can additionally be in communication with the door lock mechanism via a network. The remote station can be used to send and receive messages regarding door lock mechanism status, configuration, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Timothy N. Comerford, David M. Baty, William B. Ainley, Raymond F. Rettig, John R. Ahearn, Joseph W. Lyon
  • Patent number: 11160423
    Abstract: A dispenser has a fastening mechanism having a fastened configuration that fastens a cover of the dispenser to a base of the dispenser, and an unfastened configuration that allows the cover to open from the base. The fastening mechanism has a locked state in which the fastening mechanism requires a key to move from the fastened configuration to the unfastened configuration and an unlocked state in which the fastening mechanism is movable from the fastened configuration to the unfastened configuration without the presence of the key. A release member is actuable by a button without the presence of the key to open the dispenser when the fastening mechanism is in the unlocked state, and the release member is actuable by the key to disengage the release member from the cooperating member when the fastening mechanism is in the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Brightwell Dispensers Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Timothy Marshall
  • Patent number: 10881220
    Abstract: Utensil dispensers and methods for making and using same are provided herein. In some examples, the utensil dispensers can include a housing. At least two dispense chassis can be disposed within the housing. Each dispense chassis can be configured to move between a first position in which the dispense chassis is configured to dispense utensils from the housing and a second position in which the dispense chassis is configured to be loaded with utensils. A chassis interlock can be configured to prevent at least one of the dispense chassis that is in the first position from moving toward the second position when one other of the dispense chassis is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Tod Alan Kinsley, Michael J. Wilmink
  • Patent number: 10787308
    Abstract: A gift card presentation device that is operative to receive a gift card (or gift card holder) therein. The gift card presentation device contains a spring-loaded lever panel which is operative to move an internal spring (or springs) between a compressed and uncompressed states. The spring controls movement of a gift card or gift card holder placed into an opening on the gift card presentation device. When the lever moves the spring from the compressed state to the uncompressed state, the gift card is completely ejected from the gift card holder presentation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: Seth Larson
  • Patent number: 10583979
    Abstract: A storage container for a storage and dispensing station for drugs is provided. The storage container includes a housing enclosing a receiving space, a circular-cylindrical section and a bottom area having a discharge opening. A singling device situated in the circular-cylindrical portion of the housing includes at least one duct and a restrainer completely situated within the housing enclosing the receiving space. The restrainer includes a fastening portion and a restraining portion. The restraining portion is kept above the discharge opening and the fastening portion works together with at least one fastening socket within the housing to fix the restrainer in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Hardy Schmidt-Ellinger
  • Patent number: 10532840
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for automated dispensing of individual medicament portions. The systems can include a housing that encloses a receiving space having a bottom surface. A separation device may be provided and arranged on the bottom surface with at least one channel to receive at least one medicament portion. At least one channel may have an opening facing the receiving space and an opening facing the bottom surface. The opening facing the bottom surface may be associated with a contact area on the bottom surface, over which contact area the medicament portions may be guided upon a movement of separation device. At least one recess may be arranged in the bottom surface outside of the contact area to receive contamination particles present in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventors: Hardy Schmidt-Ellinger, Dietmar Gross
  • Patent number: 10529167
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for dispense event verification. For example, a user verification component may be associated with a dispenser that is configured to dispense material, such as a sanitizer dispenser configured to dispense sanitizer. The user verification component may obtain user identification information associated with a user attempting to invoke the dispenser to perform a dispense event of material. The user identification information may be evaluated against a dispense access model (e.g., specifying levels of access to the dispenser for users, such as a first user being allowed to perform up to 10 dispense events of sanitizer every 45 minutes) to determine whether to facilitate or restrict the dispense event. In this way, dispensing of material that may be susceptible to abuse by users (e.g., prisoners, psychiatric ward patients, daycare children, etc.) may be monitored and/or restricted for the safety of such users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Touby Khamphilapanyo, Aaron Kurchev, Michael Prediger
  • Patent number: 10479591
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a coupon upon receiving a tip includes a housing enclosing an interior space wherein a first slot is positioned in the housing advantageously for receiving the tip and a second slot is positioned for dispensing the coupon. A magazine is mounted on top of a dispenser device within the housing wherein the magazine is adapted for holding a stack of individual coupons. The dispenser is able to frictionally move each coupon into contact between a nip roller and a pressing idle roller wherein a dispensed coupon is positioned to be removed manually. The apparatus is adapted to perform a light and sound show upon receiving a tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Good Fortune Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Kris L. Eszlinger
  • Patent number: 10457472
    Abstract: Combination medicine containers and dispensers are shaped similar to or generally the same as standard prescription medicament containers but are configured to dispense one medicament at a time through easy manipulation of integral dispensing means. Each combination medicine container and dispenser has a bottle, a cap, and an integral dispensing mechanism that cooperate with one or more structures of the bottle and/or cap to dispense one medicament at a time from the container. In one form, the combination medicine container and dispenser is designed to allow a user to dispense a single medicament through properly applied pressure. In another form, rotation of one or more components provides dispensing of a single medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventor: Donald T. Sanders
  • Patent number: 10441510
    Abstract: A tablet cassette includes: support points to support a swing member in a slit formed in a bottomed hole of a hollow rotary shaft; an engaged portion provided on a bottom wall portion of a container and spaced from the hollow rotary shaft to surround the rotary shaft; a swing member having a follower portion and an engaging portion located on different sides of the support points; and an urging member operable to move the engaging portion toward the engaged portion and move the follower portion into the bottomed hole. In a free state wherein the tablet cassette is detached from the base, the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion. When the tablet cassette is mounted to the base and the drive shaft is fitted into the bottomed hole, the follower portion is pushed out of the bottomed hole, and the engaging portion is disengaged from the engaged portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHO, INC.
    Inventor: Yoshihito Omura
  • Patent number: 10376110
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing hand towels, the apparatus comprising a receiving portion for receiving hand towels, a first retaining member comprising a first retaining portion, the first retaining portion defining a first retaining surface for retaining the hand towels within the receiving portion, a second retaining member comprising a second retaining portion, the second retaining portion defining a second retaining surface for retaining the hand towels within the receiving portion, wherein the first and second retaining members define an opening for providing access to the hand towels and wherein an angle between the first and second retaining surfaces is less than 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Kingsway Enterprises (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Benjamin Hall
  • Patent number: 10337740
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for supporting and centring a fuel injector in a turbine engine combustion chamber, which includes means for centring a fuel injector along an axis, which are movable in a plane that is radial to the centring axis (52) in supporting means intended for being attached to the bottom of an annular chamber (18). According to the invention, the centring means include at least two radially external tabs (54, 56) each inserted respectively in a circumferential recess (60, 64) of the supporting means, the device including circumferential abutment means (78, 80, 74, 76, 82, 86, 84, 88) of the radial tabs (54, 56) of the centring means in the circumferential recesses (60, 64), the circumferential abutment means being configured such as to enable a greater angular displacement of a first (54, 154) one of the radial tabs in a first circumferential recess (60) relative to a second (56, 156) one of the radial tabs in a second circumferential recess (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Pierre-François Simon Paul Pireyre, Brice Le Pannerer, Laurent Bernard Cameriano
  • Patent number: 10294014
    Abstract: A packet for bar-shaped articles including an outer wrapper defining an internal space for housing the bar-shaped articles and accessible through an access opening. The packet includes an internal drawer located inside the outer wrapper and a sleeve located inside the outer wrapper with an upper free edge accessible through the opening. The sleeve is configured to receive and support the evenly spaced bar-shaped articles with their longitudinal axes parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve itself. The sleeve is wrapped round the outside of the internal drawer. The outer wrapper has at least one opening facing a sidewall of the sleeve at the internal drawer to allow applying at least one sliding force on the sleeve and to produce a rotation of the selfsame sleeve relative to the internal drawer and the outer wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: G.D S.P.A.
    Inventors: Giulia Corte Coi, Manuele Cucchi, Roberto Polloni, Luca Federici
  • Patent number: 10219636
    Abstract: A merchandise display hook and method for dispensing one or more items of merchandise from a merchandise display hook and/or for loading one or more items of merchandise onto the display hook are provided. The display hook may include at least one rod configured to be mounted to a display fixture and to receive one or more items of merchandise thereon. The display hook may also include a helix disposed about the rod and extending at least partially along a length of the rod. The helix is configured to rotate in a dispensing direction for dispensing the one or more items of merchandise from the rod and/or an opposite loading direction for loading the one or more items of merchandise onto the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Berglund, Erik L. van Bergen, Christopher J. Fawcett
  • Patent number: 10137057
    Abstract: A tablet cassette is provided that can easily adjust the width of a guide groove of a rotor depending on the size of a tablet to be dispensed. The tablet cassette includes a groove width adjustment mechanism that relatively moves both sides of each of the tablet guide grooves in a circumferential direction of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: YUYAMA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Naoki Koike
  • Patent number: 10085917
    Abstract: A tablet cassette is provided that can easily adjust the depth etc. of a guide groove of a rotor depending on the size of a tablet to be dispensed. The tablet cassette includes movable pieces that are disposed movably in a radial direction of the rotor in the plurality of tablet guide grooves and form surfaces in the radial direction of the rotor in the tablet guide grooves, and a movable piece moving mechanism that moves the movable pieces in the radial direction of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: YUYAMA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Naoki Koike
  • Patent number: 10083566
    Abstract: A dispenser particularly suited for dispensing towels has a general cabinet shape with an elevating platform on which the folded towels are loaded. The user withdraws a towel from an upper access opening which causes the stack to raise and present the next towel to the access. The platform is spring loaded to rise as towels are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventor: Mathew McPake
  • Patent number: 10034586
    Abstract: A permanent wipe dispensing container with a faceplate installed into a wall is disclosed. The wipe dispensing container described herein provides a permanent solution to house and dispense wipes with a single hand, is recess mounted in the wall, and can change appearance with interchangeable faceplates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Inventor: Jesse M. Goble
  • Patent number: 9925123
    Abstract: A cabinet for securely storing items includes a drawer enclosure, a drawer, a cover, an electric actuator, and a switch. The drawer is slidable at least partially into and out of the enclosure, and includes a compartment. A cover which is configured as a metal belt is designed to selectively block access to the compartments of the drawer when the cover is in a first configuration, and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second configuration. The electric actuator is designed to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration in one of two directions. The actuator selects the direction to reduce the time required to make such movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ARxIUM, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Michael
  • Patent number: 9836903
    Abstract: A door lock mechanism is disclosed that includes door lock and alarm features. The mechanism includes a controller and a sensor useful to detect motions that are representative of attempted access through a door to which the door lock mechanism is attached. The controller can set an alarm condition if a measured motion, such as a measured acceleration, meet and/or exceeds a threshold. If an appropriate access control credential is provided through a user device then the alarm condition may not be set by the controller. The door lock mechanism can be coupled to a remote station via a communications link if needed, such as a radio frequency link. The remote station can additionally be in communication with the door lock mechanism via a network. The remote station can be used to send and receive messages regarding door lock mechanism status, configuration, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Timothy N. Comerford, David M. Baty, William B. Ainley, Raymond F. Rettig, John R. Ahearn, Joe Lyon
  • Patent number: 9045272
    Abstract: A dispenser for food or medicine is provided to store contents such as food or medicine inside and discharging one or a certain amount of food or medicine at a time and improves productivity of components and convenience for assembly by improving a cover which has an elastic piece and a button and a rod formed in one body and improving a coupling structure of a blocking member, a base plate, and a cylindrical main body to a protrusion and a groove type coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventor: Gwang-Sig Kim
  • Patent number: 9038854
    Abstract: A product distribution device for accommodating at least one row of products with products which can be arranged in succession on a support surface of a product guide element in a receiving space with the following features: at least one door for stocking the receiving space with the products, guide means which are guided along the support surface in one conveyance direction F for advancing the products in the conveyance direction F, a catch element which can be switched between one catch position of the conveyance means and one conveyance position of the conveyance means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Dirk A. Brugmann Kunststoff-Verarbeitung GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Lars Brügmann
  • Patent number: 9016516
    Abstract: Pharmaceutical product dispensers (e.g., in the shape of a common ink pen) are operable to indicate information regarding a dosing schedule of a pharmaceutical product dispensable from the dispenser. Embodiments of the dispensers may include a plurality of dosing segments, each corresponding to a different dose of the pharmaceutical product. Actuation of an actuator may result in interaction between the actuator and the pharmaceutical product storage area such that a dose of pharmaceutical product contained in the pharmaceutical product storage area is dispensed, along with a corresponding advancement of the plurality of dosing segments. The dispenser may also include one or more locks to prevent unauthorized access to the pharmaceutical product (e.g., by a child or the like). Furthermore, the pharmaceutical product dispenser may include a disabling mechanism to permanently disable actuation of the actuator of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventors: Vernon D. Ortenzi, Robert J. Ziemba, Frank M. Lewis, Geoffrey S. Strobl
  • Patent number: 9010570
    Abstract: A container adapted for dispensing a product is provided. The container includes an outer casing body for receiving a dispensing tray. The dispensing tray has an internal storage compartment for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, and includes a cover plate defining at least one dispensing aperture through which a stored unit of product is accessible when the outer casing body is in a dispensing position. The container includes a locking mechanism that releasably locks the outer casing body in the closed and locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John A. Gelardi, Ryan A. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20150083744
    Abstract: Modular manual lift dispenser security systems and methods store and dispense at least one retail product. The systems and methods have a dispenser body having a floor and walls extending above the floor, wherein the walls of the dispenser body define an interior of the dispenser body that is sized to receive one or more retail products. Further, the systems and methods have a locking lid assembly slidably connected to a top edge of each side wall of the dispenser body via at least one fastener and a pusher paddle located within the interior of the dispenser body, wherein the pusher paddle is spring-loaded and configured to move one or more retail products towards the front wall of the dispenser body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Vogler, Joel Pollock
  • Patent number: 8985387
    Abstract: In order to provide a card case in which cards can be automatically and promptly discharged one by one, the case has a case body capable of accommodating more than one cards inside, a card discharging plate mounted so as to proceed from and retreat into the case body via a card discharging opening provided on a side portion of the case body, with a card being placed on its upper surface, and an elastic piece for movably urging the card discharging plate in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8985388
    Abstract: Present invention discloses a dispenser having means to dispense desired number of pills from a bulk supply of pills contained in the dispenser. The dispenser comprises of storage compartment having bulk supply of pills and having a discharge port emptying into counting compartment. The counting compartment contains first and second conveyors moving at first and second speed; wherein the second speed is greater than the first speed thereby enabling pill separation; the second conveyor discharges pills into dispensing compartment. Sensors are strategically placed along the conveyors to count pills discharged into dispensing compartment. A pill recovery system and apparatus is disposed inside the dispenser having means to recover pills remaining on first and second conveyors upon completion of a dispensation cycle and there after deposit recovered pills back into the storage compartment for use in future dispensation cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Nitesh Ratnakar
  • Patent number: 8972051
    Abstract: A multi-pocket step-drawer is disclosed that includes a dispensing drawer and a control module. The dispensing drawer has a body comprising at least one fixed wall forming at least two open-top compartments that are arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis and a ladder fixedly coupled to the body. The ladder has a plurality of cross arms arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis. The control module includes a housing and a latching element coupled to the housing and disposed proximate to the ladder. The latching element has a first position wherein the latching element engages one of the plurality of cross-arms so as to prevent the dispensing drawer from moving toward the front and a second position wherein the latching element allows the dispensing element to move toward the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Rahilly, Hao Ton-That
  • Publication number: 20150041486
    Abstract: A vending machine includes a rack, a number of storage containers, a controlling chip, and a number of locking modules. The number of storage containers is accommodated in the rack. Each of the locking modules is secured to one corresponding storage container and electrically connected to the controlling chip. In an initial state of the locking modules, the storage containers are secured to the rack. The controlling chip is configured to unlock one of the locking modules to allow the corresponding storage container to be pulled out of the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: LONG-WEI SHEN, CONG-XU HU, YONG-NIAN CHEN, LI-FU XU
  • Patent number: 8944282
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing and dispensing small objects comprises a housing, an interior volume formed in the housing adapted to hold at least one of the small objects, an access port in the housing providing access to the interior volume, and a dispenser closure operatively connected to the housing and movable from a first position closing access to the access port to a second position adapted to provide dispensing of one of the objects from the interior volume through the access port. An openable and closeable attachment loop is integrally formed as part of the housing, the attachment loop adapted to be selectively attached to a holding device to secure the housing to the holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Kroupa, Jeff Grossman
  • Publication number: 20150014347
    Abstract: Mounting apparatus for holding goods containers in a vending machine includes a rack with a cover. At least two containers (warehouses) comprise a center warehouse with a first blocking portion and a left warehouse with a second blocking portion. A sliding member includes a flange. The sliding member can be in a a first position or in a second position. In the first position, the flange abuts the second blocking portion and is disengaged from the first blocking portion, allowing the center warehouse to be moved out of the rack but so preventing the left warehouse from also moving out of the rack. In the second position, the flange abuts the first blocking portion and is disengaged from the second blocking portion, allowing the left warehouse to be moved out of the rack but so preventing the right warehouse from also moving out of the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: YUN-LUNG CHEN, GANG SU, WEI-YONG MA, REN-XI DOU, LIANG TU, ZHI-WU XIA
  • Publication number: 20140367403
    Abstract: The present application provides a product vending module for vending a number of products. The product vending module includes a product row configured to contain a number of products therein. The product vending module also includes a product gate positioned about the product row and rotatable from a closed position preventing access to the number of products to an open position allowing access to one of the number of products while preventing access to a remainder of the number of products, the product gate including a biased base. The product vending module further includes a product locking system in communication with the product gate, the product locking system including a locking pin releasably engaging the biased base and movable from a first allowing rotation of the product gate toward the closed position to a second position restricting rotation of the product gate toward the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bart Carpentier, Jurgen Roekens, Antonio Feltrin, Willy Van Esch, Jaacobus Petrus Maria Dessing
  • Publication number: 20140346187
    Abstract: A ticket dispenser comprising a housing body, a lockable housing door configured to close an opening in the housing body, a ticket dispensing aperture, a lockable security cover configured to prevent the removal of tickets through the aperture, and a lock assembly, wherein the lock assembly is configured to lock the housing door and security cover when in a first orientation, wherein the lock assembly is configured to lock the housing door and not to lock the security cover when in a second orientation, and wherein the lock assembly is configured not to lock the housing door or the security cover when in a third orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: FASTRAK RETAIL (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: John Barrett, Stephen Matthews
  • Publication number: 20140316562
    Abstract: Identification card (ID) dispenser comprising an ID card storage module (20) for receiving and coupling with one or more ID card containers (30) with a plurality of positions for receiving an ID card; an ID card extractor (60) for picking ID cards from the ID card containers (30); wherein the ID card extractor (60) has access to the individual ID card positions of the ID card containers (30); and the ID card containers (30) are removable from the dispenser and suitable for uncoupling from the ID card storage module (20); optionally comprising a confirmation slip printer, a touch screen, a bank note reader and respective opening, and a card reader (4) and respective opening, in a user interaction module; optionally comprising a biometric module (40). Therefore, the present invention is useful for applications in the areas of ID card production, transport and management, and final user dispensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: VISION BOX-SOLUCOES DE VISAO POR COMPUTADOR
    Inventors: Miguel Guilherme Leitmann, Bento Antonio Brazio Correia
  • Patent number: 8863984
    Abstract: A product dispensing device including at least a part of a dispenser housing and a cover member. The dispenser housing defines a product reservoir for containing dispensable products. The part of the dispenser housing defines an opening through which products are dispensed from the product housing and through which the product housing is refillable. The cover member is positionable between an open position in which the opening of the dispenser housing part is revealed for refilling the product reservoir with dispensable products and a closed position in which the opening of the dispenser housing is covered for dispensing. The cover member comprises a dispensing opening through which products are dispensed when the cover member is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Justin Siebel
  • Patent number: 8844769
    Abstract: A dispenser housing has a closure mechanism that serves to hold the dispenser housing closed. A key either can be carried by an individual to be employed to override the closure mechanism to permit the opening of the dispenser or can be selectively mounted to the dispenser housing to position a release mechanism appropriately to permit the release mechanism to be manipulated to override the closure mechanism. When the key is not mounted to the dispenser, the release mechanism cannot be appropriately manipulated to override the closure mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E Rosenkranz, Robert L Quinlan, Jr., David D Hayes
  • Publication number: 20140239007
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preventing unauthorised access into a media item dispenser module. The present invention also provides a media item dispenser module comprising a dispensing slot for presenting at least one media item to a user, and a moveable member moveable between a distal position and a proximal position respectively distal and proximal to the dispensing slot, wherein the moveable member prevents unauthorised access into the media item dispenser module via the dispensing slot when in the proximal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: NCR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael McBride, Charles Harrow, Derek Pont
  • Patent number: 8800811
    Abstract: A product dispensing system is provided. The product dispensing system includes an enclosure and a plurality of removable merchandise retainers positioned within the enclosure. The enclosure defines a secured retail storage area and an unsecured retail storage area. The product dispensing system also includes a customer accessible selector for selecting an item of retail merchandise carried by one of the merchandise retainers. Upon selection, depression of an actuator of the selector will bias the item of retail merchandise from the secured retail storage area to the unsecured retail storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sherretts, George J. Ruggeri
  • Publication number: 20140175113
    Abstract: A dispensing device for a vending machine includes an installation member, a goods channel module, and a locking assembly. The goods channel module is slidably secured to the installation member. The locking assembly is secured to the goods channel module and includes a sliding member. The sliding member is slidable into the installation member to lock the installation member to the goods channel module. The sliding member is further slidable out of the installation member, allowing the installation member to be removed from the goods channel module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WUHAN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YUN-LUNG CHEN, LI TONG
  • Publication number: 20140144925
    Abstract: A self-aligning memory alloy wire actuator has a memory alloy wire having first and second ends with at least one terminal coupled to one end of the memory alloy wire. The terminal includes two wings and an extended piece connected in the shape of a T. The two wings are disposed on opposite sides of the extended piece and perpendicular to the extended piece. Each wing comprises top and bottom surfaces, a front surface, and an outside end. The top surfaces of the two wings lie on a common top plane and the front surfaces of the two wings lie on a common front plane. The memory alloy wire is coupled to the extended piece of the terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: CAREFUSION 303, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Dean WEBER, Henricus Mari RUYTEN, Thomas KMETIKO
  • Patent number: 8727178
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventors: Irene Carter, Roger Henry Gagnon
  • Patent number: 8727179
    Abstract: A box structure has a plurality of walls positioned and configured to prevent access to an interior space housing merchandise in a secure manner. A first movable wall permits manual access to a frontal portion of the interior space while at the same time moving a barrier strip to prevent manual access to other than said frontal portion of the interior space. A roll-out shelf mounts merchandise supporting modules with pushers to move merchandise toward the front of the structure where ejection mechanisms in each of the modules are able to direct selected items to the front of the structure where they can be accessed by consumers. The ejection process creates a characteristic noise to alert store personnel that products are being dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Colelli, Eric E. Oberg, Johnnie Cruz, Keith Cleland
  • Patent number: 8706292
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and dispensing cards automatically includes a card receiving and dispensing main body (1000) and a card dispensing box (1001) removably installed on said main body (1000). Said card dispensing box (1001) includes a card dispensing box body, a card outlet (141) and a card gate (90) configured on said card dispensing box body. Said card dispensing box (1001) also includes a card gate locking device for controlling the opening and closing of said card gate (90). Said apparatus also includes an identification and unclocking device, which controls the activity of the card gate locking device on the card dispensing box (1001) associated with the card receiving and dispensing main body (1000) to open the card gate (90) of the card dispensing box (1001).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: IME Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qing Xiao
  • Patent number: 8701931
    Abstract: A medication dispensing cabinet, a medication dispensing drawer assembly and an associated method are provided to facilitate controlled access to medications in an efficient manner. A medication dispensing cabinet includes a cabinet body, a plurality of drawers disposed within and configured for slidable extension relative to the cabinet body and a plurality of pockets serially positioned within a drawer. Each pocket includes a lid configured to cover the pocket and limit access to medication within the pocket. The medication dispensing cabinet also includes a linkage member configured to operably engage the lids of the plurality of pockets. The linkage member has a first state in which the linkage member prevents one or more of the lids from being opened and a second state in which the linkage member permits the lids to be opened in accordance with a predefined sequential order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Aesynt Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Santmyer, Todd Kijowski, Ben Tylenda, Pat Braun
  • Patent number: 8700212
    Abstract: A medication dispenser assembly provides access to medication to promote compliance with a prescribed medication schedule. The assembly includes a housing having a bottom, a top, and a perimeter wall extending from the bottom to the top. Apertures extend through the top. A plurality of vertically aligned bays is positioned in the housing with each bay having an associated access opening extending through the perimeter wall. A plurality of trays each have a plurality of compartments. An interior space of each compartment is accessible through a top of each compartment. Each tray is insertable into a selectable one of the bays through the associated access opening. The compartments of an uppermost one of the trays are accessible through the apertures in the top of the housing. A plurality of doors is coupled to the top of the housing with each door covering an associated one of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventors: Dawn Bruno, Diane Ives
  • Publication number: 20140097197
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a lockable canister for retaining and selectively dispensing medications is disclosed. To prevent drug diversion, a plurality of doses of medication may be loaded into the locking canister at a central pharmacy and then the canister may be locked to prevent unauthorized removal of medication in transit to a remote automated dispensing unit that may be located in a remote pharmacy. The lockable canister may include a canister housing and a canister cover that may be locked to the canister housing to enclose the plurality of doses of medication. The canister cover may include tamper evident or tamper resistant features. The canister may include one or more locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to the medication in the canister in transit or before it is specifically authorized for dispensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: ALIXA RX LLC
    Inventors: Huan Nguyen, Ronald Silva, Philip M. Anthony, III, Evan P. Thompson, Trevor K. Wesolowski
  • Patent number: 8651321
    Abstract: A gumball machine includes a gumball container that contains a plurality of gumballs, and a neck portion coupled to the gumball container. The gumball machine has an elongated transparent housing having an upper end coupled to the neck portion, and a base coupled to the lower end of the elongated housing. A speaker is positioned inside the base and is electrically coupled to a switch, a plurality of lighting elements are arranged inside the transparent housing and electrically coupled to the switch, and a power supply is housed inside the base and electrically coupled to the switch, the speaker and the lighting elements. When an actuator is actuated, the actuator turns on the switch to cause the lighting elements to flash, the speaker to broadcast sound and/or music, and a gumball to be dispensed from the gumball container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sweet N Fun, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hoi Wai Fu
  • Publication number: 20140027465
    Abstract: A contact lens dispensing apparatus may include a container with a lid that removably seals the container, a cradle that cradles a contact lens, and a lifting mechanism connected to the cradle and the lid. The container and lid may collectively form a blister pack with the contact lens sealed therein. The lid may protect the contact lens from foreign matter including bacteria while the contact lens is stored in the container. The lifting mechanism may lift the cradle from a storage position within the container to a dispensing position above the container in response to opening the lid of the container. The cradle may cradle a contact lens placed thereon and enable a user to slide the contact lens off of the cradle. The lifting mechanism and the cradle may be a laminar emergent mechanism that is integrally formed from a planar sheet of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Larry L. Howell, Spencer P. Magleby, Holly C. Greenberg, Samuel E. Wilding
  • Publication number: 20130320032
    Abstract: A latch assembly is disclosed that has a latch, a locking lever having locked and unlocked positions, and a detent lever having engaged and disengaged positions. The locking lever is configured to secure the latch in the closed position when the locking lever is in the locked position and the detent lever is configured to provide a detent function when the detent lever is in the engaged position. In certain aspects, the latch assembly includes a single motor and cam assembly having three configurations, wherein the locking lever and detent lever are respectively in the unlocked and disengaged positions while in the first configuration, in the unlocked and engaged positions while in the second configuration, and in the locked and engaged positions while in the third configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Rahilly