Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing predetermined pills in sequential order has a base with a cylindrical housing removably mounted on the base and has a pill container dispenser opening in the cylindrical housing. A pill container magazine is rotatably mounted inside the cylindrical housing and has a plurality of magazine sections thereon for holding a plurality of vertically stacked pill containers in stacked arrays. The pill container magazine in a manual embodiment has a plurality of shift knobs thereon for rotatably shifting the pill container magazine within the cylindrical housing between dispensing positions. A visual and audible signal system is mounted in the dispenser base and is actuated by a timer or clock mechanism to signal the time for a patient to take the pills in one pill container in the pill container magazine.

Abstract: Smoke generating apparatus has a heater provided in a housing defining a heating chamber, and a slide member movable to and fro for displacing briquettes in a stepped motion onto the heater in succession from the bottom of the stack of such briquettes, so that each briquette is consumed progressively in successive portions at successive time intervals. The slide member is displaced by a mechamism including a pawl and ratchet mechanism which is adjustable to vary the rate of advance of the briquettes to the heater.

Abstract: Sealable food storage containers having a time actuated locking mechanism to prevent access to food stored except at a predetermined time. The purpose of the invention is to aid dieters, children and compulsive snack or dessert consuming persons by permitting access to a particular stored food only at a predetermined time. This is to prevent between meal snacks or consumption of foods for dietary reasons. The device includes a sealable plastic or other type of food storage container that can be safely used within a refrigerated space and a removable separate time actuated locking mechanism that can be interchanged and used with a variety of food storage containers. The time locking mechanism includes a lid latching mechanism that has an engageable latch that is disengaged at a predetermined time by an electrical current provided to a small motor. The food storage containers include a pouch or separate access chamber that houses the timing mechanism and cooperates with the lid for the locking mechanism.

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

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and dispensing comestibles, such as ice cream, has a cabinet defining an interior for holding a plurality of stacked ice cream containing magazines. A refrigeration system for cooling the interior of the cabinet below the freezing point of the ice cream is connected thereto. An X-Y picker assembly is positioned in the cabinet interior to transport ice cream from the selected magazine without heating the selected ice cream container or any other ice cream containers stored therein. The ice cream is carried by the X-Y picker assembly to a dispensing opening in the cabinet from which it can be accessed by the consumer. A nonvolatile information storage device is associated with the plurality of magazines and contains product characteristic information therein related to the flavors of ice cream in the magazines. A mapping system maps switch closures from product selection switches with the product characteristic information.

Abstract: A vending apparatus ensures that the delay between a customer's selection of an article, and the dispensation of the selected article, is minimized, preferably to less than a predetermined delay, regardless of the point in a multi-article vending cycle. The reduced selection-dispensation delay is achieved through use of a "memory and learning" feature. The "memory and learning" feature is predicated on a recall and/or analysis of the relative times of occurrence of one or more previous dispensations, so that the apparatus' present position in the multi-article vending cycle is determined. The "memory and learning" feature allows the vending apparatus to anticipate how long the article dispensation mechanism should run after the present dispensation, to strategically poise the mechanism for a subsequent dispensation having an optimum selection-dispensation delay.

Abstract: A medication dispenser for dispensing pills, tablets, capsules, or the like, one at a time from a receptacle in which the medication is arranged loosely to allow for easy filling. In one embodiment, the medication units are passed through a restricted funnel opening, one at a time, and then captured between two cooperating, movable, compressible structures such as wheels, belts, or the like, which move the units to a detector that counts the units as they are removed from the dispenser. In another embodiment, the medication is first captured and then moved through a restricted opening. The dispenser may also include a computer for controlling and/or recording the time of dispensing and the quantity of medication dispensed. Additionally, the dispenser may include two sequentially placed sets of cooperating, movable, structures at different horizontal levels for achieving greater separation of medication units.

Abstract: A medication dosage instruction and alarm device that indicates the time at which medication should be taken and visual instructions for the correct utilization of the medication to the user. The instruction and alarm device permits the medication to be retained within the original containers supplied by the pharmacist and provides a queuing feature that insures the medications are properly taken in sequence. A mechanism is also provided to insure that the original containers are properly restored after the medication has been taken.

Abstract: Medication dispenser apparatus comprises a plurality of containers for holding different kinds of medications; an injector for selectively injecting medications from their responsive containers; a dispensing station for receiving the ejected medications; and a programmable control for controlling the ejection of medications from their respective containers according to pre-programmed kinds of medication, amounts, and times. The described preferred embodiment is a group dispenser for dispensing medications for a plurality of patients, such as in the ward of a hospital, at predetermined times and in predetermined amounts.

Abstract: A limited access container that limits the rate at which articles can be withdrawn therefrom includes a retrieval rod which extends through the top cover of the container and which has an article-holding implement on the lower end thereof. After securing an article thereto, the rod is lifted to the top of the container and the article passed through a slotted horizontal passageway to a vertical shaft down which it is lowered to a point adjacent a container opening for removal of the article. A pivotable lever is located adjacent the passageway having a passageway blocking member on one end and a blocking-activating member on the other end.

Abstract: A medication dispensing system comprises a portable, securable medication cabinet which includes a programmable logic controller to provide for patient medication control. The system includes periperal components such as a transmitter, patient response means, display means, and a clock. The securable medication cabinet permits easy access by the patient to medication which is prescribed and dispensed logically. The securable cabinet restricts access by the patient to unauthorized medication. The securable medication cabinet contains a plurality of medication dispensing components, each comprising dispensing means, such as a coil attached to a motor positioned interiorly of a wall of the cabinet, to hold a medication package and dispense the package upon actuation of the dispensing means, with means for actuating the dispensing means. A receptacle in the bottom of the cabinet receives a medication package as it is dispensed.

Abstract: A medication dispensing assembly which comprises a stationary annular plate in which a boss formed on a moveable plate is received. The boss is provided with a set of deformations on its periphery which are useful to close a switch. A drilling in the moveable plate, aligned at each depression, is then useful to receive an insert pin to fill the deformation. A microswitch riding on the periphery of the boss is then closed at each unfilled deformation to provide an audio and visual signal. The moveable plate is provided with a set of depressed sectors each in alignment with a corresponding deformation on the boss and each provided with a dispensing hole. A single dispensing port is formed in the stationary plate and when the sector is advanced for dispensing to this port the visual and audio signals are set off.

Abstract: A machine is designed to be used as an educational tool. The machine is connected to a 120 volt alternating current source of electrical power and to a personal computer. The computer is programmed to put questions on a monitor and to send a signal to the machine, after a certain number of correct responses to the questions have been entered into said computer. The signal causes the source of electrical power to move one of a plurality of compartments, 75, to an opening, 58, in the machine so that a person may retrieve the object the compartment was holding, as a reward for having answered the questions correctly.

Abstract: A method and personal banking machine is described by which two items such as cash and statement can be issued simultaneously through one and the same gate. The optimum point in time is determined and adaptively controlled by which the front edge of statement touches the bundle of bank notes during issuing movement of the bank notes. Then both, bank notes and statement, are moved together to their respective end positions. The method and the machine starts the statement transport after a certain monitored delay time (DELTA-STATEMENT). By calculating out of the time difference between the point in time at which the bank notes reach the end position and the statement reaches its end position, a new time delay (DELTA-STATEMENT) is calculated for the next combined cash and statement issue operation. The method provides for the simultaneous issuance of bank notes and a statement through a common exit gate.

Abstract: A portable medicament dispenser and patient medical information storage apparatus utilizes a housing containing external access to an alpha/numeric keyboard, a visual display having a clock display, an alpha/numeric display portion, and a plurality of control function keys which may be used to enter the name of medicaments and the times that they should be taken throughout the day, coupled to a memory storage mechanism. An audio device enunciates the time in which all of the medicaments, in bulk quantity, contained within a compartment of the apparatus, may be retrieved by the user. A cover, over the compartment, opens automatically at the times that any medicaments are to be taken by the user, who then selects those medicaments he is to take at that time. By programming the keyboard, patient information may be inserted into the storage mechanism, for use during emergencies.

Abstract: A dispenser for providing scheduled dosages of pills according to a predetermined medication program includes a housing containing a plurality of pill containers from which dosages of pills may be released into a user-accessible pill receiver. The release of pills is controlled such that pills are released at predetermined intervals as dictated by the medication program. On release of dosage of pills, an alarm is activated to indicate to a user that a dosage is due to be taken, the alarm being deactivated when the user accesses the pill receiver to remove the dosage of pills. If the user does not access the pill receiver within a predetermined time interval from release of the dosage, an optional remote alarm may be activated to alert a supervisor.

Abstract: A medical dispenser includes a portable housing having a plurality of cannister-containing magazines disposed side-by-side. The cannisters are adapted to be loaded with medicines that are to be taken at different intervals. The cannisters are discharged from the magazines one at a time, the frequency of discharge being dependent upon which magazine the cannisters occupy. The cannisters are ejected from the magazine by means of a motor-driven feed slide. Dispensing operations are controlled by a motor-driven cam shaft that is operatively connected to the feed slide. The dispenser includes alarms and indicator lights that advise the user whenever a dispensing operation or a power failure has occurred.

Abstract: A medication dispenser includes a container having a main compartment, a selection compartment, and an exit compartment whereby a pill or the like is dispensed from the container by passage from the main compartment, through the selection compartment, and to the exit compartment. The configuration of the pill selection compartment may be selectively varied and adjusted into a preselected configuration substantially conforming to the shape and size of a pill contained in the main compartment. A flexible first gate selectively extends between the selection compartment and the main compartment, a second gate selectively extends between the selection compartment and the exit compartment, and a third gate selectively extends across the exit compartment, near the container exterior. Initially, the second gate is in an extended position, and the first and third gates are in nonextended positions.

Abstract: The disclosed pill dispenser is of the disc or carousel type and has a base provided with a flat top over which the disc is superimposed so that the bottom face of the disc is so closely proximate to the top face of the base as to prevent the gravitational escape of pills, tablets, capsules, etc. from vertical pill containing pockets in the disc except via a controlled radial slot having a gate timed with rotation of the disc on the basis of a predetermined number of dosage periods per day and a predetermined number of days according to a power source in the form of a clock motor, for example. In a preferred form of the invention the gate-controlled slot depends upon the spirally arranged pattern of the dosage pockets and the gate moves in the slot in accordance with a like spiral track. Each pocket is capable of containing a plurality of pills; e.g., in instances in which multiple pills of different types are prescribed.

Abstract: A motor home/soldout detection scheme which can sense N motors home and/or soldout, using only a two wire interface to each motor. The two wire interface can also be matrixed by row and column to further expand the interfacing ability. By channeling the home signal from the control board through the soldout switch the detection of soldout can be assured.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable and positionally insensitive dispensing device and system for dispensing several types of articles, packaged on strips and loaded into separate cartridges, from a single device. Dispensing is controlled from more than one cartridge by means of special clutch mechanisms acting on a common drive shaft. The dispensing device has a control system that is capable of coordinating the dispensing operations of all the cartridge stations. A host computer system permits efficient definition of dispensing schedules and control options for each cartridge station, loads those dispensing parameters into the dispensing device control system, unloads dispensing data from the dispensing device at the end of a dispensing period, and analyzes the degree of compliance of the actual dispensing operations to the dispensing schedule.

Abstract: A programmable machine for dispensing items, such as pills or capsules, in timed sequence has a cylindrical container element provided with a series of item receiving and dispensing compartments extending spirally therealong and opening into its circumferential surface for alignment with a discharge opening in a stationary cylindrical shell within which the container element is mounted for both rotary and axial movement concentrically over and along a microprocessor controlled, stepper motor, so as to sequentially bring the individual compartments into precise alignment with the discharge opening of the shell to discharge their contents into a delivery tray. The container element is mounted for spiral movement on and along a stationary spiral trackway as it is rotated. The compartments may be filled by turning the machine upside down and inserting items through the discharge opening.

Abstract: An improved medication dispensing system is provided for controlled preprogrammed dispensing of medication to a patient and for creating a retrievable patient medication record. The system includes a dispensing unit located, for example, at patient bedside within a hospital room or the like and adapted to receive a pair of medication canisters having magazines with individual cassettes which have been preloaded in a preprogrammed manner in the hospital pharmacy or the like respectively to contain scheduled and unscheduled medications for administration to the patient. The dispensing unit is programmed according to individual patient needs to signal a nurse or other personnel at selected times when scheduled medication is prescribed, whereupon the scheduled medication can be accessed for dispensing only after entry of valid nurse or other personnel identification code into a dispensing unit memory.

Abstract: A device for indicating when medication should be taken has plural compartments, each of which may store medication. An electrical signaling system emits take-medication signals from time to time, each of which said signals indicates (a) that medication should be taken, (b) from which compartment the medication should be taken, (c) the quantity of medication to be taken from the designated compartment, and instructions for taking the medication. If a designated compartment is not promptly opened and closed, the electrical signaling system will sound an alarm. If each designated compartment is opened and closed, the take-medication signal and the alarm (if operating) are turned off. A reload signal is given once a week, as a reminder to reload the compartments with medication. The device has modular construction.

Abstract: A container for medication has four compartments, each of which may store medication. An electrical signaling system emits take-medication signals from time to time, each of which said signals indicates (a) that medication should be taken, (b) from which compartment the medication should be taken, (c) the quantity of medication to be taken from the designated compartment, and instructions for taking the medication. If a designated compartment is not promptly opened and closed, the electrical signaling system will sound an alarm. If each designated compartment is opened and closed, the take-medication signal and the alarm (if operating) are turned off. A "night" switch is associated with each compartment and when manually operated turns off the signaling system for such compartment; however, the signaling system is automatically reactivated the next morning. A reload signal is given once a week, as a reminder to reload the compartments with medication.

Abstract: A tamper-proof apparatus of a type for automatically dispensing medication having a housing with a plurality of medication holding compartments each having an open bottom therein. The compartments can either be of a type which are open at the top so they can be filled manually, or they can be of a prepackaged type having a closed top and a slide-open bottom which are available from and returnable for refilling to a pharmacy. A belt is disposed under the medication holding compartments and the belt has at least one opening therein. A microprocessor is used to control a motor or the like for selectively advancing the belt so that the opening therein moves from beneath one compartment to a position beneath another compartment whereby when the opening moves below a particular compartment, pills contained in such particular compartment will drop down through the openings. The microprocessor can be programmed by authorized personnel to dispense medication from any one of the compartments at any one time.

Abstract: An interactive drug dispenser which actively controls the pattern in which doses of one or more pharmaceutical preparations are administered to a patient. The dispenser is programmed with information concerning an initial dosing regimen, and monitors deviations from that regimen. The dispenser is adapted to calculate from the dosage deviation a dosing error correction factor which corrects a patient's measured plasma drug concentration for deviations from a prescribed dosing regimen, so as to distinguish the effects of patients' dosing errors from suboptimal prescribed dosage regimens.

Abstract: Mechanism for dispensing medication or other items in timed sequence over an extended period of time has a programmable, electronic, information storage and control system monitored by sensors associated with item delivery parts of the mechanism. The mechanism comprises individual cylinders provided with corresponding circles of item-receiving compartments and stacked on and keyed to a column of individual blocks that are affixed against relative axial movement but are independently rotatable on a shaft that is itself axially movable to determine from which cylinder dispensing shall take place. Through-openings in the respective cylinders are adapted to be aligned as a chute for compartment filling and dispensing purposes. The block and shaft arrangement is useful in other types of mechanism and is considered as a subcombination of the overall invention.

Abstract: A drug dispensing apparatus which is arranged to form divided separate packets during intermittent transport of a packaging sheet in its longitudinal direction and to print messages for predetermined items on the separate packets. The print format may be edited as desired by an operator. Portions of the packaging sheet which are not part of the separate pockets may be printed with the cumulative status of the drug dosage which is accommodated in the printed pockets.

Abstract: A contingent dosing device which actively controls the pattern in which doses of one or more pharmaceutical preparations are administered to a patient. The device is programmed with information concerning an initial dosing regimen, and monitors deviations from that regimen. Based on the acceptability of the calculated deviations, the device may dispense or withhold medication. The invention also includes an automatic drug dosage compliance method using the contingent dosing device.

Abstract: In a document processing facility whose operation is initiated by user-associated authorization cards which can be plugged into a badge reader, a deposit stacker which is not accessible from the outside is provided below the output stacker. A document seating surface is provided in this output stacker, this document seating surface being movable by a drive device back and forth between a document output position and a deposit position, whereby, in the deposit position, an opening in the deposit stacker is exposed, the documents falling into the deposit stacker after being released by braking elements provided in the output stacker.

Abstract: A medicine dispenser includes a container having a lid and a removable compartmentalized tray which can be positioned upon an interior container ledge and held within the container interior immediately beneath the lid when closed. The tray includes a series of apertures dimensioned and positioned on the periphery of the tray to interact with a corresponding series of pegs positioned on the ledge. This arrangement permits only a properly encoded tray to be positioned within the container interior. The lid is provided a plurality of spring-loaded, hinged tray compartment covers aligned directly over corresponding tray compartments, which can be selectively opened and shut to expose the contents of any desired tray compartment. The medicine dispenser is further provided a microprocessor within the container interior which, together with a control button on the lid, controls the operation of an audible and visual alarm, as well as the automatic opening of selected compartment covers.

Abstract: System and method for preventing multiple vends in which a customer gets more than one product for the price of one. The invention is applicable to vending machines having separate vend motors for delivering different products, with product selection switches for selectively energizing the vend motors. When one of the vend motors is energized, energization of a second vend motor is inhibited for a predetermined period of time to prevent vending of a second product.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for dispsensing medications prescribed by a doctor or other medical personnel. A portable memory device (such as a magnetic card) is used to store data representing prescription information. Prescription information is encoded into the memory device by a programming device located in a pharmacy. A container having a plurality of individual compartments is filled at the pharmacy with medications in accordance with the prescription information. The portable memory device and filled container are transported together to a medication dispenser located near a patient. The dispenser includes apparatus which reads the prescription information from the memory device and makes medications within the individual compartments available to the patient only at prescribed times. The medication dispenser also includes apparatus for monitoring whether or not the patient is complying with the prescribed medication schedule. Patient compliance information is stored within the memory device.

Abstract: A mixture control system for mixing a bactericidal chemical and water in a reservoir in batches. Flow of the water into the reservoir is initiated by a float actuated switch and the duration of the flow is controlled. While the flow is occurring, a dispenser dispenses chemical into the reservoir according to a preset dispensing cycle which is initiated when the water flow is initiated and also terminates therewith.

Abstract: A controllable dispensing device for use by a drug therapist for the unsupervised administration to a patient of a drug therapy regimen. A field unit is loaded with a plurality of medication containers in a predetermined sequence. Along with the medication, a program of dosing times is stored in an electronic memory of the field unit. This program is defined using a computerized base unit and is transferred to the field unit via an interface between the base and field units. The field unit includes a display and alarm for altering the patient as to the times for dispensing and administering the medications in the containers. The field unit permits dispensing of containers only in accordance with the predefined schedule and records the actual times of container dispensing. Later, the field unit can be debriefed by the base unit via the interface and the base unit prepares a report of medication compliance for the drug therapist.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing pills wherein a rotating annular element includes a number of compartments for receiving pills. When a compartment is above an opening in the base, the pills fall into a chute and are dispensed. A pin is associated with each compartment and is placed in an activated position when pills are loaded into the compartment. When the compartment is above the dispensing opening, a pin engages a microswitch which activates audio and visual alarms. The alarms are deactivated by depressing a shut-off switch which operates a delay-type relay. A trapdoor is rotatably mounted beneath the dispensing opening and is operated by the lid of the apparatus so that in the loading position, the dispensing opening is locked.

Abstract: A dispensing device for a bactericidal pellet such as chlorine tablets which is readily adapted to being placed on a hopper container for the pellets and which can dispense the pellets such as in conjunction with a well or a water recirculation system while employing a minimum number of parts. The pellet dispenser employs a unique rotor member with pellet carrying passages designed to dispense the pellets from the hopper and out of the pellet dispenser in an individual manner and without jamming. In the instance where pellets may become improperly placed in the pellet carrying passages so that the rotor does not properly move inside the rotor housing, a bi-directional self-reversing motor is utilized so that the tablet dispensing sequence will continue in an accurate manner. This is effected in part by a bidirectional rotor member which is able to dispense tablets in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner.

Abstract: The coin-operable machine is used for "activating" used cooling elements, which are employed in cooler bags or boxes for keeping food fresh and keeping drinks cool and comprises a machine casing with a refrigerating chamber, into which a guideway issues from an upper insertion slot and in which the cooling elements are cooled by removing heat, the individual cooling elements being dispensed by inserting a coin and corresponding operation of a retaining and delivery device.

Abstract: A ticket dispensing machine includes a stack support, posts and guide and the lowest ticket from the stack is moved by a striker plate actuated by a solenoid towards a pair of rollers the lower one being driven by motor which takes up the dispensing action. A nozzle with a fluid sensor detects passage of fluid e.g., beer and actuates the ticket dispensing operation after a predetermined period corresponding to a given volume of fluid discharge.

Abstract: An automatic pill dispenser for dispensing medical pills having different prescribed administration schedules includes a plurality of pill storage compartments each capable of holding more than one pill, an automatic release mechanism for dispensing pills at predetermined time intervals corresponding with their respective administration schedules, and a pill receptacle coupled to a pill detector such that a pill dispensed from the pill dispenser and received by the receptacle causes the pill dispenser to generate a signal to alert the patient to take the dispensed medicine. Twelve storage compartments, arranged in a ring about a vertically rotating wheel, are preloaded by a patient with all pills prescribed to be taken during a 24-hour period. The patient loads pills into individual storage compartments according to a loading code corresponding to the respective administration schedules of the pills.

Abstract: A dispensing system is provided for timed dispensing of tablets, capsules and the like, the system comprising a base unit having a top cover and bottom cover, a carousel in the base unit, and a tray including bins for receiving tablets, capsules and the like. The dispensing system further includes a processor which actuates a drive operable to move the carousel, the processor accepting input information, causing visual and sound alarms, and providing output information for programming a plurality of alarm times with daily repeat feature.

Abstract: A vending machine in the style of a slot machine has a slot machine function, with an internal slot machine mechanism of typical construction and a series of symbol reels which display symbols through a window. When a coin is inserted in the vending machine, a vending device in the housing is activated to dispense an article from a storage hopper to an outlet, and the coin insertion is also effective to switch off an "insert coin" indicator light, switch on a "pull handle" indicator light, de-activate a normally-activated lever lock which normally prevents a slot machine handle on the housing from being pulled, and activate a coin lockout so that any further coins inserted during the operation of the machine will be rejected to a coin return. The article is vended to the dispensing outlet within a predetermined time interval after coin insertion; meanwhile the operator pulls the slot machine handle, the reels are rotated, and the slot machine mechanism successively stops the reels in the normal manner.

Abstract: A vend control system for vending machines which accept credit, have an established vend price, include customer actuatable selection capability, apparatus for producing a selected vend, and an empty product device operable to prevent energizing of the associated vend producing apparatus when the supply of articles to be vended thereby is exhausted, the improvement including a circuit for establishing a power connection when an amount deposited at least equals the established vend price, circuit elements constructed to respond to the power connection to establish a credit condition and to enable selecting a product for vending including generating a vend signal in response thereto, a circuit responsive to the generation of a vend signal to enable energizing of selected vend producing apparatus, and a switch device under control of each respective vend producing apparatus to establish a circuit condition in association with the respective empty product device to assure that an energized vend producing apparatu

Abstract: A conditioning time control and method of operation thereof for controlling the pre-vend conditioning of products in a multi-selection vendor having credit entry circuitry, vend selection switches, each vend selection having a pre-established vend price associated therewith, product conditioning circuitry, and vend producing circuitry responsive to actuation of a vend selection switch for effecting delivery of a selected product to the customer when the credit entered is at least equal to the vend price for the selected product, the conditioning time control including circuitry to inhibit vending of the product associated with a particular vend selection for a period of time to permit preconditioning of such product, conditioning selection switches operable by authorized personnel for individually establishing the particular selections to be inhibited, and a reset switch operable by authorized personnel, the inhibiting circuitry being responsive to actuations of the conditioning selection switches and to oper

Abstract: A medication dispenser in which medication to be dispensed is housed, including a member operable to allow medication access. The dispenser provides a medication alert signal at preselected times in accordance with a desired medication regimen. A medication access signal is provided when medication access is obtained. Data representative of the relative timing between a medication alert signal and a medication access signal is written into a readable memory whereby that data is available to a physician for evaluation. In a preferred embodiment, the data is representative of the time of occurrence of each medication alert signal and medication access signal. The interval between medication alert signals is selectively alterable.

Abstract: An improved vending control system for controlling events and sequences of events involved in vending and paying out or refunding of amounts deposited, the system including product delivery sensing apparatus to monitor the delivery of products and to indicate when a product dispensing cycle has been successfully completed, the sensing apparatus including a sensor device located to sense the dispensing of all products, circuits connecting the sensor device to produce outputs whenever a product being delivered is sensed, a timing device for establishing a predetermined time interval whenever a product delivery operation is initiated, and a comparator circuit to compare the time of occurrence of an output of the sensing apparatus to the predetermined time interval to control terminating a vend cycle and the subtracting of the price of a vend from an amount of credit entered by the customer.

Abstract: A packing machine is disclosed in which an apparatus for automatically stopping a pair of intermittently operated pinching rollers for transferring a strip-like plastics bag material is provided. The apparatus is a kind of emergency stop and is arranged to be automatically operated in case the bag material loaded in the machine has been broken.

Abstract: An automatic medication dispenser is disclosed which dispenses medication serially at preselected time intervals. The medication may be retrieved by the patient within a grace period after which time the medication returns to an inaccessible location within the device. The apparatus includes an endless chain of containers holding prepackaged medications which are moved sequentially under the control of a programmable timer from within the device to a presentation position accessible to the patient.

Abstract: A garment-hanging station associated with a garment-treating station, such as a tunnel finisher, is located along a rail section which slopes downwardly in the advancement direction and on which a plurality of successive clothes hangers is suspended. A singularizing arrangement frees hangers accumulated upstream of the same one at a time for downward sliding on the sloping rail section. The rail section has a transverse slot in which the hook of the freed hanger is received after engaging an abutment surface and in which it is confined by a latch for the duration of a garment-hanging operation. Subsequently, a releasing member expels the hanger hook out of the transverse slot for further downward sliding on the rail section, and the next succeeding hanger is freed by the singularizing arrangement for travel toward the transverse slot.