Abstract: A vending machine housing assembly includes a housing body having plural sides assembled one to the next in an end-to-end angular relationship so as to provide the housing body with a polygonal cross-sectional configuration. Each side define a wall portion and a corner portion in a one-piece construction in which the corner portion is rigidly and integrally connected to the wall portion and has an arcuate cross-sectional configuration determining the angular relationship between the sides of the housing body. The housing assembly also has an upper collar and a lower base respectively disposed above and below the housing body and having polygonal cross-sectional configurations like that of the housing body, and elements interconnecting and fixedly clamping the housing body between the upper collar and lower base to provide the housing assembly as a rigid construction.

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.

Abstract: A dispenser places transdermal devices and packaged transdermal devices in an electrically charged state. The dispenser is particularly suitable for transdermal devices that include electrically actuatable components, such as transdermal, drug-delivery patches that include microporator circuitry. A controller can be operatively coupled to a power circuit of the dispenser to control the times that transdermal devices can be charged, thereby providing a measure of control over use and misuse of the transdermal devices to be dispensed.

Abstract: A tablet storing/retrieving device which stores a plurality of kinds of medicines, and delivers as many tablets of such descriptions as designated by prescription data into a vial (3) and retrieves it. An imaging device (400) is provided for photographing the interior of the vial before a cap is applied to the vial (3) after tablets are dispensed into the vial (3). Accordingly, a quick and easy auditing process is possible without removing the cap of a retrieved vial.

Abstract: A medicine dispensing apparatus which allows a prescribed quantity of medicines to be reliably taken out based on prescription data.

Abstract: A cleansing wipe container includes a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a pair of side panels and a lid. The cleansing wipe container may be filled with a plurality of cleansing wipes that are contained in a cartridge. The cartridge and container interact such that a message is displayed on or through a panel of the container. The message is based on the cartridge of wipes and may include a type of wipe, a list of ingredients of the wipes, and/or instructions for using the wipes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochemical sensor dispensing methods and apparatus. The sensors dispensers can include an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal, the elongate body including a proximally positioned dispensing surface with an opening for dispensing a sensor. A storage chamber having a series of connected sensors is positioned distally and can feed a proximally positioned sensor feeder mechanism. The feeder mechanism includes an elongate member having a first end and second end, the second end adapted to pivot between a sensor engaging position and a sensor feeding position.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus can be placed between the money acceptor and the operative components of a gaming or vending machine to award a bonus based on predetermined utilization rates of the machine. The apparatus may incorporate dip switches to permit the number of bonuses to be varied and to change the frequency at which the bonuses are awarded. In gaming machines the bonus can be in the form of additional credits or increased play, while in vending machines the bonus can be in the form of additional credits or the dispensing of bonus product with the product purchased from the machine. Alternatively, the bonus award system can be incorporated into the money acceptor. In vending machines, a sensor may be incorporated to sense the dispensing of product from the vending machine to ascertain the utilization rate of the machine for the awarding of bonuses.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser which may include a housing having a bottom support structure, a pair of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom support structure, and a front wall hinged adjacent its bottom edge to the bottom support structure at a first side so as to swing outwardly and downwardly. The lottery ticket dispenser may also include a transparent cover hinged to the bottom support structure that includes a space shaped to contain a plurality of arrays of tickets in strips.

Abstract: A newspaper vending machine includes a dispensing sled and an elevator supported by a frame within a housing. The elevator includes a base slidable between a rearward position, for loading a stack of newspapers, and a forward position. The dispensing sled engages the newspaper stack and is translatable between upper and lower positions to dispense the periodicals from an exit area. An actuation arm projects outwardly from a front panel for engagement by a user and is translated along a substantially vertical pathway as the dispensing sled is moved between its upper and lower positions. The frame of the vending machine is translatably supported on rails for movement between a retracted condition in which the frame is located within the interior and an extended condition in which the frame extends beyond a front end of the housing.

Abstract: A vending machine messaging system for displaying messages within a vending machine. The vending machine messaging system generally includes a vending machine having a window, a display unit attached to an interior surface of the window and a server in communication with the display unit via a communications network. The server communicates various messages to be displayed by the display unit such as advertisements, stock quotes, news, weather, nutritional content of the merchandise and the like. The vendor is able to add their own messages for display on their vending machines by communicating with the server. Advertisers add various advertisements to the server which are then reviewed and disseminated to the appropriate vending machines.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying lottery tickets consisting of a housing, rotatably installed display arms, a single motor able to synchronously rotation all the display arms and tension holders that allow for a multitude of tickets to exert tension on the tension holders thereby securing the position of the tickets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for items such as disposable cup closures that maintains a high degree of protection from air borne disease, contamination from adjoining surfaces or from contact with the hands of other patrons. The wide acceptance of clean technology depends on uncompromised convenience, productivity and cost as well as satisfying other needs of the store or restaurant proprietors including both dispenser appearance and low use of counter space. The present invention therefore provides clean dispensing of items like cup closures and packaged condiments in a device that is easy to maintain, clean and keep filled, mounts anywhere in a small space is aesthetically pleasing and can be customized to match any décor. Disclosed is a unique combination of a number of small details that together can play a crucial role in protecting the patrons from the spread of a pandemic.

Abstract: A product transfer assembly includes separate transfer segments mounted in a vending machine such that they are disposed in spaced relationship above one another. Each transfer segment has a ramp of helical shape with an exit end and an entrance end spaced above the exit end such that the ramps of the transfer segments together define a path of travel taken by a product item down and in contact with the ramps which includes spaced apart portions helical in shape and reversing the direction of travel of the product item, relative to a generally vertical reference axis, going from one portion to the next portion of the path. Entrance and exit ends of each ramp are angularly displaced from corresponding ends of an adjacent ramp such that the object free-falls out of contact with any ramp between the exit and entrances ends of adjacent ramps.

Abstract: An after-market container that attaches with mating opposing members to a golf cart for holding golf balls for sequential dispensing from an interior cavity through an opening between a pair of opposing legs that each includes a projecting stop on an interior surface, with the legs flexible for moving from a first position for holding one of the golf balls retained by the projecting stops to a second outward position sufficient for the golf ball to pass by the projecting stops.

Abstract: A blade dispenser including a body comprising a housing and a cover. The housing is configured to store a plurality of new blades. The housing has an opening for receiving the blades. The cover is configured to close the opening. The blade dispenser further includes a blade ejector constructed and arranged to dispense blades through a slot in the body. The body comprises an attachment member configured to couple the blade dispenser to another blade dispenser to increase a storage capacity of new blades of the blade dispenser.

Abstract: A wipes dispenser includes a generally tubular transparent housing adapted to be worn about a person's wrist with a plurality of wipes contained within the housing. The housing also has an opening through which the wipes are dispensed. In a second embodiment, the opening may be covered with a hinged resealable cap that may cover or uncover the opening as needed.

Abstract: A display for two or more products having two or more three-dimensional visual aspects providing visual information about two or more products. The visual aspect has a first visual product, a second visual product, a first sampling aspect for the first visual product, a second sampling aspect for the second visual product, product samples associated with both the first and the second sampling aspects, and a dispenser for dispensing the product samples.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medicine discharge device of an automatic medicine packing machine, which is used to discharge a medicine, fed from a medicine cassette based on a medical prescription, into a medicine packing device. The medicine discharge device includes a medicine input unit installed under a medicine cassette mount to receive the medicine fed from the medicine cassette, a frame provided with a gate unit, the gate unit including gate members to be opened or closed by a drive unit so as to control movement of the medicine discharged from the medicine input unit, a plate installed under the frame and having an accommodation portion to receive the medicine and a recess to allow the medicine to be moved from the gate members to a discharge passage, a vibrator to vibrate the plate, and a medicine transfer unit to discharge the medicine, having passed through the recess, into a hopper.

Abstract: Advertising apparatus for vending machines, mainly of the type of those which have a glass front which allows the products to be seen presented in the different compartments of the plurality of storage trays and from which compartments they are delivered to a reception tray formed in an ascending/descending body, by way of an elevator, for their carriage to the delivery box for collection by the user, so that to the ascending/descending body (7), proximate to the internal face of the glass door (2) of the machine (1), is fastened, by one of its sides, a laminar element (9) that holds publicity, which laminar element (9) on its opposing side is fastened to and wound on a winding roller (10), which is driven by a spring tending to cause its rotation and the winding of the laminar element (9), the laminar element (9) in the unwinding thereof remaining abutting on the internal face of the glass front (3) of the machine door.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in dispensing containers of liquid includes a dispensing device having a container dispensing location and a plurality of container storage locations. A light source is disposed at the dispensing location. Light from the light source is transmitted through the bottom of a container at the dispensing location, through liquid disposed in the container, and through an outer side surface of the container.

Abstract: A display includes a visual aspect and, in certain embodiments, a sampling aspect. The visual aspect displays items of visual interest to a consumer. Product samples are associated with the sampling aspect for dispensing to a consumer such that the consumer may sample the product. Upon depletion of the product samples, the display retains value as a visual display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed relating to the provision of a video display device within an article vending machine, such video display being used to provide one or more of an “entertainment”, “advertising” and/or an “interactive product selection” enhancement to the vending machine.

Abstract: A portable carrying case for personal care absorbent articles, particularly feminine hygiene care products, includes a body defining an internal enclosure for receipt of a plurality of the stacked personal care absorbent articles. An opening is defined in the body at a location so as to expose an upper one of the absorbent articles for dispensing without generally exposing underlying absorbent articles. A lid is movably disposed relative to body from a closed position to an open position wherein access is provided to the absorbent articles through the opening. A manual push structure is defined in the body generally opposite from the opening. The push structure allows a user to push on the bottommost one of the stacked absorbent articles so as to move the uppermost one of the stack of articles towards the opening for grasping and retrieval by the user. A biasing element may bias the articles towards the push structure.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf tee container and dispenser having an elastomeric body with a plurality of apertures through which golf tees can be dispensed. Also provided by the invention are ready-packs of dispensable golf tees, as well as methods for containing and dispensing golf tees.

Abstract: A vending machine with adjustable merchandise receiving hole comprises a body; a tank and a rotary disk; a stop plate being installed between the tank and the rotary disk; the stop plate having a notch corresponding to and above the output hole of the tank; a lifting unit being formed by a base and a lifting seat; the base being locked to a bottom of the tank; the base being installed with a buckle; a spring being installed between the buckle and the base; the lifting seat having at least one supporting rod; the supporting rod being formed with a recess for buckling with the buckle; an upper end of the supporting rod extending into the tank to be pivoted to a bottom of the stop plate; at least one reduced hole seat capable of being installed upon the receiving hole of the rotary disk.

Abstract: An exterior housing, which can be mounted directly to a real estate sign, provides an interior cavity for the storage of a supply of real estate brochures. A hand actuated wheel allows users to remove a single brochure from the holder by means of a shaft and rollers. The supply of brochures maintains contact with the rollers by means of a spring assembly. Dispensed brochures are pushed upwards and out a dispensing slot which is sized sufficiently to reduce the ability of bugs entering the cavity. The dispensing slot also keeps the elements from entering into the interior cavity and from ruining the supply brochures. The front of the housing contains a window which allows the realtor to always maintain one sheet visible to customers even when the supply of flyers is empty.

Abstract: A portable sign system utilizing lights and sounds to enhance the message or image displayed of signs provided with the system or pre-existing signs and increase their usefulness beyond daylight hours. The sign system provides an adjustable frame capable of accommodating a plurality of sign dimensions. The adjustable frame is capable of housing the lights utilized to illuminate and enhance the sign as well as accommodate the source of auditory enhancement. A means of attachment and a means of providing power which is appropriate to the location in which the sign will be utilized is provided. In another embodiment the portable sign system affixes the lights, means of power, means of attachment, means of auditory enhancement, directly to the sign without the use of a frame.

Abstract: Produce bags are delivered with less waste and in more sanitary condition through a container holding a roll of bags having overlapping but separate ends. Adhesion between the bags and ultimate separation of the bags may be flexibly controlled with an interfolding of the bags and control of an orifice which applies drag to the bags and compression as they are removed.

Abstract: A rack includes a loading chute into which products are loaded in a generally horizontal face-down orientation, and a dispensing chute defining a dispensing aperture at the front side of the rack. A cam is disposed at the rear end of the loading chute to tilt a product into an upright orientation and to position the upright product with the front face facing forward. The cam also slopes downwardly in a lateral direction so as to move the upright product onto the rear end of the dispensing ramp with the front face still facing forward. The product slides down the dispensing ramp and is stopped by a stop positioned adjacent the dispensing aperture. By virtue of the rack's design, facilitated by the specially designed cam, the upright product is positioned with its front face facing forward such that a consumer can view any indica thereon.

Abstract: A system for optimally filling an apparatus for dispensing a zigzag folded web of towel material is provided. The system includes a holder that is disposed in a housing for receiving a first stock of zigzag folded web of towel material. The holder also includes a fill meter having a division into at least three areas each having its own coding. The first upper coding indicates that no refilling is required, a second coding below the first indicates that refilling with a refill stock that has a coding equal to the second coding, and each further coding indicates refilling with an increasingly thicker refill stock that has a corresponding coding.

Abstract: Vending machines for freshly cut and prepared-to-order salads, including containers containing produce products, salad additives and salad dressings. A vending machine can provide a user with a salad of vegetables and/or fruits, that are freshly cut and prepared, and that is made-to-order. Freshly cut and prepared salads preserve their nutritional value, taste and the user selects only items to his liking.

Abstract: A display for two or more products having two or more three-dimensional visual aspects providing visual information about two or more products. The visual aspect has a first visual product, a second visual product, a first sampling aspect for the first visual product, a second sampling aspect for the second visual product, product samples associated with both the first and the second sampling aspects, and a dispenser for dispensing the product samples.

Abstract: A device to contain, display, and dispense documents may be made from translucent plastic material. The device has a generally convex shaped front face and a generally concave shaped back face that serves to create a generally crescent shaped chamber for holding documents. The front and back faces are in a substantially sealed relationship to protect the documents from exposure to harmful moisture. The device is adapted to be stably secured to a holder at the top and bottom portions of the device.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a vending apparatus is provided. A vertical base reference position of a selector arm is stored, wherein the vertical base reference position corresponds to one of a plurality of rows in a cylindrical storage device. A horizontal base reference position is stored, wherein the horizontal base reference position corresponds to a compartment identifier identifying a compartment within each of the plurality of rows. A position of the selector arm corresponding to a media storage compartment is also stored, wherein the position comprises a vertical position and a horizontal position. A motor is initiated to move the selector arm along a vertical axis, wherein a movement of the selector arm results in one of an increment and/or a decrement to the vertical position of the selector arm.

Abstract: A device for dispensing gloves used to protect from germs and the like has a housing forming a substantially vertically extending inner chamber and configured for accommodating a stack of packages each containing gloves, a rotatable transporting element having one portion extending outwardly of the housing to be activated by a user and another portion extending inwardly into the housing such that when a stack of packages with gloves is introduced into the inner chamber it rests on the transporting element, a dispensing window providing in the housing, so that when the transporting member is turned by a user a lower most one of the packages with gloves is transported by the transporting element from the inner chamber of the housing through the dispensing opening outwardly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article-dispensing machine. The inventive machine comprises: a structure (1), a removable container (2) for articles, and a dispensing mechanism on the base of the container (2), which is actuated by an actuation shaft that is coupled to the shaft of a coin or token selector (6) which is mounted in the structure (1) in order to dispense one or more articles from the container (2) through a delivery outlet (7) following the introduction of one or more coins or tokens. According to the invention, when the door (15) is in the closed position, a single closure device (55), which is associated with said door (15), can be used to lock the container (2), the coin selector (6) and a coin or token collection box (52) in the respective operating positions thereof. When the aforementioned door (15) is open, the container (2) can be refilled or removed, the coin selector (6) can be removed and the collection box (52) can be accessed without the use of tools.

Abstract: An article transfer device which transfers articles using hanger rods each of which includes helical ridges or helical grooves, wherein the article transfer device can ensure a sufficient number of articles to be suspended without increasing depth of the housing. In an article transfer device which include hanger rods, each of which forms helical ridges and has a length sufficient to allow the suspending of articles therefrom, a support which supports the respective hanger rods for rotation about respective axe, a driver which rotates the respective hanger rods, and a housing which accommodates the respective hanger rods, the support and the driver therein. Each hanger rod has a pitch enlarged portion where pitch of the helical ridges is larger than in other portions so the direction of the suspended article can be changed.

Abstract: A vending system for personalized pet collars. The vending system allows a user to conveniently personalize pet collars with letter, number, and design charms. The user may select a pet collar along with any charms. The user may also select the placement of each charm so that letter and number charms may be combined to indicate the pet's name or the pet owner's phone number and/or address.

Abstract: A soap holding and dispersing assembly includes a housing that has a bottom wall, a top wall and a peripheral wall that extends between and is attached to the top and bottom walls. The peripheral wall includes a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The front wall has an opening therein positioned adjacent to the bottom wall that extends between the first and second side walls. A coupler is attached to the housing. The coupler attaches the housing to a horizontally orientated upper edge of a door. A plurality of bars of soap is positioned in the housing and each is extendable outwardly through the opening in the front wall.

Abstract: An article transfer device which transfers articles using hanger rods each of which includes helical ridges or helical grooves, wherein the article transfer device can ensure the sufficient number of articles to be suspended even when a depth of a housing is narrowed and, at the same time, can facilitate the observation of a front surface of each article. An article transfer device includes a plurality of hanger rods each of which forms helical ridges thereon and has a length sufficient to allow the suspending of a plurality of articles therefrom, a driver which rotates the respective hanger rods on the respective axes thereof, and a housing which accommodates the respective hanger rods, and the driver therein, wherein the respective hanger rods have axes thereof arranged obliquely with respect to the front-to-rear direction of the housing.

Abstract: A clip fastener (10) comprises a housing and a releasable cartridge (12) to hold a plurality of clips (20). There is a truck (14) having a pair of guide rails (50, 52) to receive the clips (20). There is a mechanism (76, 78) to vary the distance between the guide rails (50, 52). There is a ram (68) to )move a clip (20) along the track (14). There is a depressor (90) to slightly open the loops.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A container release assembly is positioned at the end of the vend queue to vend a container upon activation. The container release assembly acts on the first-in-line container to be vended and on the second-in-line container, by retaining the second-in-line container while the first is being released. The container release assembly acts on the containers from two opposite sides of the containers.

Abstract: A medicament storage and dispensing system (10) operable for storing and dispensing products (12) such as pre-packaged pharmaceutical boxes and/or bottles and broadly includes a cabinet (14); a plurality of product shelves (16) mounted within the cabinet; an infeed conveyor (18) for transporting products into the cabinet; an outfeed conveyor (20) for transporting products out of the cabinet; a transporter (22) moveable within the cabinet for transporting products between the shelves and the infeed and outfeed conveyors; and a control system (24) for controlling operation of the conveyors and the transporter in response to prescriptions received from a host computer (26). The shelves having a plurality of vertical walls (56) upon which the products rest and between which tines (130) of the transporter slide in order to retrieve products from and place products upon the shelves.

Abstract: A lectern incorporating a support member having a recess that can receive a control panel or laptop or notebook computer, for use with the by a speaker or other presenter. The support member defines an interior, and includes a keyboard tray slidably received within the interior and connectable to the monitor or computer positioned within the recess such that an individual can enter information directly from the keyboard into the device positioned within the recess. The lectern also includes a pair of sliding panels that can be used to cover or expose the device positioned within the recess. The lectern further includes a vertical adjustment mechanism for raising or lowering the height of the lectern as necessary.

Abstract: A machine for vending floral arrangements is described including stack of generally circular carousels each for supporting a plurality of floral arrangements; and a generally cylindrical exterior housing surrounding the carousels.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing packets particularly, but not exclusively cigarette packets is disclosed. The dispenser comprises a number of magazines for holding a plurality of packets standing in an upright position and a pusher for moving the plurality of packets towards a dispensing end of the magazine. There is a column at the dispensing end of the magazine. An arrangement is provided for lifting the front packet of the plurality upwards out of the magazine and there is a latch for preventing the lifted packet from dropping back down the column. The lifting arrangement comprising an endless element entrained around guides so as to provide a vertical run. There is at least one lifting lug carried by the endless element which is driven so that the lug lifts the front packet into the column. In another form the packets are horizontal and in a vertical stack. The endless element is below the stack and, when driven, strips the lowermost packet off the stack and pushes into the column.

Abstract: An automated vending machine is adapted to vend vacation-related goods. The vending machine is constructed as an enlarged reproduction of a conventional traffic control signal. The vending machine includes a rectangular enclosure in which is housed a storage and vending assembly. The enclosure includes a plurality of illuminated, colored lamps. A plurality of circular cavities are provided for visually displaying goods. A coin and bill counter with coin return is provided for receiving a customer's consideration. The vending machine further includes a dispensing chute having a discharge hopper into which goods are delivered. A plurality of push-buttons facilitate communication between a customer and internal circuitry of the storage and vending assembly to facilitate dispensing of a good selected by customer after correct amount of consideration is inserted in coin and bill counter.

Abstract: A relatively tall embodiment of a lottery ticket dispenser with a small footprint is fitted onto the countertop of a check-out counter of a retail store. The dispenser includes a housing, the top of which is flat so as to provide a convenient place for customers to write checks with the tickets being displayed immediately below being highly visible to the customer.