Abstract: A system and method is provided for low cost dispensing of soft packaged articles. The soft packaged articles each include an internally positioned forming member. The forming members and articles are enclosed in heat shrinked material so that each soft packaged article is uniformly shaped above and below the forming member. A dispenser for holding and dispensing one soft packaged article at a time is also provided.

Abstract: An improved medication dispenser station is provided for controlled access storage of medications and other pharmaceuticals in a medical facility, such as a hospital or the like. The dispenser station comprises a housing with a plurality of normally locked drawers which have been preloaded with selected pharmaceutical items. A control unit on the housing is programmed to unlock the drawers one at a time to permit access to the contents thereof, with such access being contingent upon keyboard entry of a predetermined access code and other selected information sufficient to generate an access record. In a preferred form, each drawer includes multiple compartments containing multiple pharmaceutical items in a presorted array.

Abstract: A sheet feed device for feeding a sheet in a copying machine includes a sheet cassette storing a stack of sheets therein and removably positioned in a housing of the copying machine, and a plurality of suction cups for attracting one of the sheets at a time from the sheet cassette. The suction cups are movable toward and away from the sheet cassette. Locking fingers lock the sheet cassette against removal when the suction cups are moved toward the sheet cassette and are ready for or are feeding sheets from the sheet cassette. The locking fingers are angularly movably supported in the housing and lockingly fittable in recesses defined in side walls of the sheet cassette.

Abstract: A medicine cart is set forth and a means and method of dispensing medicines including narcotics on nurse rounds is disclosed. The cart includes a CPU with memory and various input devices. The cart has a locked section to secure narcotics. As nurse rounds are made, individual doses of narcotics and medicines or both are dispensed. At the end of the medication round, hard copies reflecting individual patient medications are printed, and beginning and ending narcotics inventories for the cart are also compiled. Chart entries for patients are likewise printed.

Abstract: In an apparatus for mounting and/or soldering or cementing electronic components, in particular SMD components, on printed circuit boards, haing a first carrier for at least one circuit board and a second carrier for the component, the first and second carriers being displaceable relative to one another parallel to the plane of the circuit board and transverse thereto, and having a magazine for the components which has chambers to receive the components, mixing up of the components can be largely avoided while ensuring that it is simple to remove the components from the magazine by providing the chambers with a lid that can be opened and closed by means of a fastening mechanism and having the fastening mechanism opened by the second carrier.

Abstract: A sheet feeding system comprises an interlock assembly for use with a sheet store which includes, a carriage slidably mounted in a housing. A disc shaped locking member locks the carriage in a first position relatively to the housing. A probe can be inserted into the carriage to move a spring biassed plunger out of engagement with the disc to allow the disc to move into an aperture in the probe in order to lock the probe with the carriage for movement relative to the housing.

Abstract: A display rack for dispensing packaged items from a vertical stack of items contained within magazines which are interchangeably received and retained by columns within a housing. The leading item within each magazine may be withdrawn through the discharge opening of the housing and upon withdrawal, a next leading item will be placed in a position for withdrawal as a result of the positive gravity feed of the magazine. A guard is provided which covers the discharge opening of the housing thereby preventing access to the packaged items within the magazines. The display rack also includes a means for locking the guard in first and second positions.

Abstract: A retrofit, automatic audit system for a door-access, coin-operated newspaper rack machine is disclosed. The system operates in conjunction with the standard door-lock mechanism and includes a retrofit purchase-mechanism mounted on the machine. The purchase-mechanism includes an electromechanical audit structure which is operatively connected to the purchase-mechanism and door-lock mechanism and monitors and records service and transaction audit data involving the purchase-mechanism. A portable data transfer unit is proximity coupleable with the audit structure for acquiring audit data therefrom. The system includes proximity activation through magnetic structure which causes the audit structure to shift from a data acquisition mode to an automatic data transfer mode when a data transfer unit is proximity coupled thereto. Communication means between the audit structure and the data transfer unit includes an optical structure providing communication therebetween.

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: A method of dispensing ingestible units such as capsules, tablets and pills in such manner as to avoid tampering or adulteration comprises packaging such units in sealable containers, sealing the containers, and loading the sealed containers into a magazine at the factory where the units are produced. The sealed magazine is transported to the place of sale where it is inserted, while still sealed, into the housing of dispensing apparatus having an opening for introducing the magazine, a closure for the opening and a lock for securing the closure. Moreover, the apparatus includes blades for breaking the seal of the magazine when inserted to release the containers and mechanism for sequentially dispensing the containers in such manner as to prevent their reinsertion into the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of dispensing food and drug products in a tamper-proof manner includes sealing the products within a tamper-proof container at the manufacturing and/or packaging site and not opening the container until it reaches the retail destination at which point a tamper-proof dispensing unit is attached to the container so that individual products can be removed from the container but cannot be reinserted into the container.

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: A pin and staple box composed of an outer case with the opening for placing the pins and staples and an inner box to be placed within the outer case. The upper end of the inner box can be ejected outside the top of the outer case. At the middle portion of the front of the outer case, a horizontally extended plate is formed. There is a small gap between the edge of the plate and the ejecting front plate of the inner box so that the ejection of the inner box shall not be hampered, and a chute is formed for placement of the metal pins, staples and the like. Further, on the front plate of the inner box, a magnetic element is installed. Thus, when the front plate of the inner box ejects to let a portion be exposed outside of the top of the outer case, the pins, staples and the like will affix to the front plate automatically, and the user can easily take them.

Abstract: An enclosed newspaper vending machine has a double front door with a paper access door mounted in a security door carrying coin actuated release mechanism for the paper access door and a key operated pin lock fits within a surrounding guard on the front of the security door for locking engagement with a rod or pin extending forwardly from an interior wall of the enclosure.

Abstract: Boxes and bottles of pills and other medications are factory sealed in a tamper proof dispenser which permits the dispensing of only one bottle or box at a time. Once removed from the tamper proof container, a bottle or box cannot be repositioned in the container, while spring means are utilized to permit the singular dispensing of each bottle or box from the container.

Abstract: A dispenser for tablets is disclosed which protects against inadvertent dispensing, e.g., by children. The dispenser includes a housing forming a tablet storage compartment, a movable slide and an operating key for the slide mounted adjacent a wall of the housing. A detent blocks movement of the slide toward a discharge position. The detent is mounted on the housing remote from the operating key. The slide is moved by simultaneous movement of the detent and operating key.

Abstract: A locked bill stacker in which a slide is mounted on the cash box for movement between a first position at which it blocks the mouth of the cash box and a second position at which the mouth is open. When the stacker is in operative relationship with a bill acceptor, movement of the slide from the first to the second position locks the stacker to the acceptor. When the slide is moved from the second position to the first position the slide is locked in the first position. A latch is provided to prevent the slide from accidentally moving from the first position to the second position before the stacker is positioned in operative relationship with the acceptor.

Abstract: A coin-operated latch mechanism for a newspaper rack includes a coin-receiving mechanism into which coins are deposited. A coin-return mechanism is provided which, when depressed, swings the coin-receiving mechanism to a position in which the outlets of the coin slots overly a coin-return diverter. The coin-return diverter is normally disposed in a coin return mode and is moved to a coin retention position in response to the opening of a door of the rack. A key-actuated wall of the rack is mounted on hinges which permit a simplified removal of the wall from the rack. The key-actuated wall includes a latch which enables the wall to be closed and relatched without the use of a key.

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 machine for dispensing granular confectionery, such as gumballs, peanuts, and the like, which includes a housing, a container globe seated on the housing, a cap seated on the globe and a vertical standard extending interior of the housing and globe and including a threaded end. A retainer ring is seated on the globe with a gasket interposed. The inlet to the globe carries opposing deformations in the form of notches in the perimeter of the entrance opening of the globe. The retainer ring carries depending lugs seatable in the notches. The cap can be tightened onto the globe with the lugs seated in the notches so as to prevent relative rotation between the retainer ring and globe during tightening of the cap and thereby prevent possible damage to the globe, such as breaking or cracking it.

Abstract: A medicien cabinet has a housing and a door. The door is provided with an electrically operated lock which is operable by using the push keys. The opening code for the lock is initially set by inserting four keys into four holes in a four by ten array of holes provided in the casing on the inside of the door. The circuits for the code pre-setting and code inputting circuits are provided on a membrane.The cabinet is provided with a light emitting diode (LED) and a buzzer which can be operated by timing means at set intervals. The LED and the buzzer also operate while the door is open.Additional facilities may also be provided on the cabinet.

Abstract: An autoteller accepts on a ramp exchangeable banknote cassettes which can only be opened at the predetermined angle of the ramp when a key assembly on the ramp is presented to a lock. The cassettes may only have the key assembly presented to the lock when not on the ramp at an angle to the horizontal, whereat opening of the doors on the cassette is prevented by a blocking bar swinging to engage a notch in the opening mechanism to prevent operation of the opening mechanism. A processor in the autoteller accepts a password from an internal keypad, enters a wide access bank service routine if a first password is provided and a restrictive access third party service routine if a second password is provided, shutting down the autoteller if no correct password is provided within a predetermined number of tries in a predetermined time.

Abstract: A tablet or capsule dispenser includes a neck member (12) for forming an entrance through which tablets or capsules to be dispensed must pass to get to laterally-positioned delivery compartments (28) downstream thereof. A baffle member (14) is affixed to the neck member for defining baffle openings (42) which are aligned with each of the delivery compartments (28). A one-way rotary carousel member (16), positioned between the stationary baffle member (14) and the delivery compartments (28), has a rotating opening (50) therein which, when aligned with the delivery compartments allows tablets or capsules therein to be dispensed.

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: Apparatus for dispensing small items. A removable dispensing tray has a spiral ejector, each coil of which is loaded with one item. The dispensing tray is placed in position on its dispensing station, which station has a drive motor to rotate the spiral ejector. Upon an activating signal, the motor rotates the ejector one time, causing one item to be dispensed. The dispensing tray includes a tray latching bar which latches to a station latching bar to hold the dispensing tray.

Abstract: A tamperproof pill dispenser is disclosed which includes a housing (10) having a pill discharge outlet in the form of a cone (16). Above the discharge outlet is carried a dispensing plate (20) and a rotating dispensing wheel (24) having tablet openings (22, 26) formed therein. A dispensing latch (32) is slidably carried by the dispensing plate (20) and includes a second dispensing opening (34) which registers with the openings (26, 22) when moved to a dispense position in order to dispense a tablet from the reservoir (12) through the discharge outlet (16). A safety latch pin (50) engages a latch opening (58) in the dispensing latch (32) and includes a manual handle (54) disposed remotely from a finger tab (36) of the dispensing latch so as to disassociate simultaneous operation of the two. Diametrically opposed safety latches (82, 80) lock a threaded closure (14) in place on top of the housing.

Abstract: A container for holding small parts and the like of cylindrical construction having a body with a number of wedge-shaped cavity compartments closed by a rotatable lid having an opening for accessing each of the cavities. A tab removably closes the opening and contains a pair of stops which project into one of the cavities. The tabs interact with the walls defining the cavities in the body portion to prevent rotation of the lid until the tab has been removed, thereby preventing pilferage of the container contents. The lid is joined to the body by a snap fit.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a strap from a packet of thin sheets, such as bank notes, bound by the strap includes a housing, a magazine disposed within the housing having a receptacle and a drawer-like member received in the receptacle. A plurality of the packets are disposed in the drawer-like member which can be moved by a mechanism in the housing so that a portion of the drawer having a packet is exposed to an ejector member in the housing. The ejector member is operative to eject the exposed packet. Means are provided for engaging the strap and stack of the exposed packet. The means are operated to separate the stack and the strap.

Abstract: A restricted pharmaceutical storage and dispensing cabinet which has a main supporting shell and a stock supporting rack internally of the shell, having vertically and horizontally aligned rows of stock supporting cubicles. The rack is secured by an inner closure which includes an operating panel affording limited access to items of stock. A mechanical locking arrangement is provided for locking and unlocking the inner closure. The operating panel is accessible through an outer locked shell with an unlocking arrangement which include an electrical key reader and readable operator assigned keys. A recording system is provided [with provision] for automatic accountability of items dispensed, date and time of removal and identification of recipient.

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.

Abstract: A mechanism kit is provided to enable fast and economical conversion of existing semi-honor newspaper vending machines to machines for dispensing one newspaper or magazine at a time following the insertion of proper coins into the conventional coin control mechanism. The customer thus has access to only a single newspaper and not the full contents of the vending machine after insertion of the coins. A manually operated reciprocating single newspaper gripping, transporting and release device withdraws each paper through a narrow slot in the front, side or top of the dispensing machine cabinet and this device is connected with a reciprocating element of the coin mechanism which is released for movement only after the insertion of proper coins by a customer. An associated cabinet door lock and release linkage releases the door for access by the customer to the last newspaper held on the cabinet door after the customary stack of newspapers is exhausted.

Abstract: This invention refers to a novel container for articles to be dispensed one at a time and comprises two receptacles, one within the other, each having an opening in its respective wall, and the openings when aligned, allow the articles contained within the inner receptacle to be emitted one at a time. Particularly, the invention relates to a novel container especially for dispensing small articles such as pills, lozenges, tablets, capsules, troches, pearls and the like.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for installation in refrigerator or refrigeration units wherein said apparatus comprises a housing, a door slidably connected to said housing, a coin or token receiving opening in said housing and said door, a door unlocking mechanism adaped to be activated when a coin or token is inserted into said opening, a coin or token exit and a guard to prevent the removal of more than the permitted number of articles, said guard being adapted to cooperate with said door such that when said door is opened said guard closes off the dispensing compartment.

Abstract: A single-copy, coin operated, newspaper and periodical vending machine, specifically including a mechanism for regulating the size of the dispensing opening according to the thickness of the newspaper or periodical being dispensed, said mechanism being manually adjustable when the dispensing machine is loaded, further including a self-compensating spring-loaded mechanism for feeding a stack of newspapers or periodicals to the dispensing opening, and a display panel to permit viewing of the newspaper or periodical dispensed from the machine.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pill dispenser having a base member with a plurality of compartments formed therein for holding pills, a cover member rotatably supported on the base member in superposed relation to said compartments and having a pill exit opening alignable with a compartment to dispense a pill contained therein. The dispenser further includes locking arrangement having a releasable actuator member operable to free the cover member for rotation relative to the base member. The pill dispenser also may include an indexing calendar or dating member rotatably attached to the base member with markings corresponding to the pill compartments.

Abstract: An easily removable front panel for a newspaper vending machine uniquely containing the dispensing door with the customary display window, the coin mechanism and the coin return means. Easy access is provided not only for adjustment or repair of the coin mechanism and for coin removal, but also to the newspaper storage cavity of the cabinet for reloading.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a pill dispenser with internal capabilities of dispensing only a selected one of a plurality of pills at a given time, and closure mechanism for the dispenser incorporates a child-resistant safety-locking feature in addition to providing threaded closure and sealing of the dispenser. The body of the dispenser has plural spaced compartments for unit-pill retention, and the closure mechanism coacts with the dispenser to assure a fully closed condition of each and every pill compartment, when the closure is secured.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pill dispensing cap assembly device adapted for mounting on the neck of a pill container. The cap assembly device is designed to provide for the effective and efficient dispensing of pills which are randomly stored in a container, upon rotation of one element of the cap assembly, through a rather limited arc. The cap assembly includes a cap member secured to the neck of the container and having a discharge passage in communication with the interior of the container; fixed with respect to the cap member is a cover element having one or more dispensing openings therein, which are offset relative to the cap member discharge opening. Mounted between the cap member and the cover element is a rotor member adapted for rotation relative to the cap member and cover element and having a pill receiving aperture therein.

Abstract: Devices are disclosed including a dispenser having a wall closing compartments of a container with an opening in the wall being moveable over a selected compartment, the compartments being preferably in angularly spaced relation about an axis on which the dispenser rotates. An engagement member is provided for engagement by one finger to release a lock device which normally securely locks the dispenser against movement relative to the container while the dispenser is engagable by another finger for movement thereof. In one embodiment, the lock device includes a lock bar carried by the dispenser and having outer end portions engageable in diametrically opposed slots in a ring carried by the container means. In another embodiment, a resiliently deformable element is carried by the container and has a portion engageable in angularly spaced slots of a projecting portion of the dispenser, such projecting portion also serving to journal the dispenser on the container.