Abstract: A cigar vending machine for selectively dispensing cigars of varying sizes on selection by a user includes a plurality of cigar storage and dispensing containers each of which includes a base plate having an extension portion extending in a first direction, a restraining plate having an edge oriented in the first direction, the restraining plate in spaced, substantially parallel relationship with the base plate, the extension portion extending substantially in the first direction beyond the edge of the restraining plate.

Abstract: An automated teller machine includes a measuring degree (38) to measure the cross-sectional area in the direction of the travel of a bundle of currency notes as it travels to the currency dispense slot (18), and also as it travels from the dispense slot to the purge bin (30) on retraction after a pre-determined time interval. Comparison of the two values indicates whether one or more notes have been removed by a user before the bundle is retracted.

Abstract: A convenient and safe drive-up vending machine is provided including a housing with a front face, a rear face, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of side faces formed therebetween defining an interior space. A dispensing chute is situated on the front face of the housing. Also included is a money exchanger situated on the front face of the housing. The money exchanger serves to accept and account for money in the form of bills and coins and further dispense change in the form of coins. A selection panel is situated on the front face of the housing and includes a plurality of buttons each having indicia indicative of a consumable product. The selection panel is adapted to effect the delivery of one of the consumable products upon the acceptance and accounting for a proper amount of money and subsequent depression of one of the buttons which correspond to one of the consumable products. Finally, a dispensing pan is coupled to the front face of the housing below the chute.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for dispensing medical items (68, 70, 72) includes dispenser modules (28, 30) movably mounted thereon. The dispenser modules are selectively operative to dispense medical items therefrom into a path (54) which is connected to a delivery area (20) of the dispenser. The dispenser and the dispenser modules therein are configured to provide security against unauthorized access thereto. However an authorized user is enabled to readily access the dispenser modules and the medical items therein by unlocking a lock (22), opening a door (16) and extending the dispenser modules through an opening (18). With the dispenser modules in the extended position the medical items therein may be replenished. Alternatively, the dispenser modules may be disconnected from the dispenser and replaced with substitute dispenser modules.

Abstract: A container structure for solid retaining foods, such as cookies and snack chips, or non-food items, such as first aid products or golf balls, is disclosed which is sized and configured to be vendable from a vending machine which is configured for dispensing canned drinks. The container structure and method of vending disclosed presents advantages in the art in providing both vendable food and non-food items with beverages from a single vending machine, facilitates restocking of such vending machines, and provides a more readily recyclable container for vendable foods and non-food items.

Abstract: A single vend newspaper vending machine having an elevator system mounted within the machine housing, the elevator system including a vertically movable inclined newspaper support plate and a ratchet system for ratcheting the vertically movably plate upwards and a newspaper thickness sensing device for sensing the thickness of the topmost paper. The elevator system is operative to elevate the next paper on the stack of papers to the same height as the former topmost paper as determined by the newspaper thickness sensing device so that paper may be engaged by one or more pusher bars which engage the topmost paper and move it to or towards a dispensing position. The topmost paper then disengages from the stack and may fall forward into the newspaper vending chute or may be pushed forwards by the pusher bars to a dispensing position.

Abstract: An automatic drinking straw dispensing device having a primary receptacle that contains a plurality of drinking straws therein, a generally elongate slot formed in the primary receptacle and structured to permit the passage of the drinking straws therethrough, a single straw dispensing assembly structured to selectively permit only one of the drinking straws to exit the primary receptacle through the elongate slot at one time and only after a beverage has been dispensed by a beverage dispensing device, a dispensing area disposed beneath said generally elongate slot so as to receive the dispensed drinking straw exiting said primary receptacle, and a switch assembly which is actuated by a user's hand entering the dispensing area so as to trigger the single straw dispensing assembly into dispensing one of the drinking straws through the elongate slot and directly into the user's hand.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vending machine for dispensing of a single copy of a printed publication, such a newspaper or a magazine. The vending machine has a metering brake mounted adjacent a dispensing channel for separating a single copy of a publication from a stack of publications that are retained in a housing of the vending machine. The metering brake allows to achieve a uniform speed of movement of both sides of the folded newspapers, or magazines moving along a bearing plate and effective separation of the single copy from the stack of papers.

Abstract: The invention relates to vending machines for dispensing of a single copy of a printed publication, such as a newspaper or a magazine. The vending machine is self-contained, enclosing a power source, a driving motor and a control unit for operation of the dispensing mechanism. A stack of folded newspapers, or magazines, is placed in an upright position on a platform bearing plate and is retained in an upright orientation by a support plate which slides along the top surface of the platform bearing plate, moving the newspapers closer to a dispensing chute formed in a front part of the vending machine housing. One or more metering breaks are mounted on a top surface of the platform plate adjacent to the dispensing edge of the platform bearing plate to facilitate separation of a single copy of the newspaper prior to dispensing.

Abstract: A device for dispensing and holding artificial fingernails for decoration includes a housing having an upper work platform, and a plurality of magazine assemblies disposed within the housing. Each of the magazine assemblies includes a body for storing a plurality of artificial fingernails in stacked relation, and a spring biased plunger disposed in the body for urging the artificial fingernails upwardly within the body. The device further includes a slide having a plurality of slide members which are slidable through the respective magazine bodies for engaging the rear edge of the uppermost fingernail in each of the magazine assemblies and advancing the fingernail outwardly through an exit opening in the body of each of the magazine assemblies. The exit openings are disposed on the upper work surface of the work platform.

Abstract: A small parts vending machine for airplanes including a housing having an opening therethrough in a lower portion thereof. The housing includes a dispensing ramp secured therein the hollow interior. A powering and programming computer is secured within the housing to a rear wall thereof. An input portion is secured to a front wall of the housing. The input portion is electrically coupled with the powering and programming computer. A credit card input portion is secured to the front wall of the housing. The credit card input portion is electrically coupled with the powering and programming computer. A plurality of dispensing coils each are secured within the housing to the rear wall thereof. The dispensing coils are operably coupled with the powering and programming computer for the dispensing of small airplane parts at times when parts are otherwise unavailable.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing rod-like members that are stored in a parallelepipedal housing. The housing includes a base for carrying the rod-like members, with the base being movable against the force of one or more return springs. The base has a narrow side that extends at least partially through a discharge opening of the housing.

Abstract: A process for co-dispensing beverages and snack food products from a single vending machine, and a vending machine including filled beverage and snack food containers. Filled beverage containers and filled snack food containers are stored in the vending machine and a buyer, upon payment, product selection, etc., can obtain both a beverage, e.g., a soft drink, and a snack food, e.g., corn chips, from a single machine. The beverage and snack food containers preferably are of substantially the same size so that a vending machine of the type which dispenses containers having a uniform size may be used to carry out the present invention. An automatic door-opening mechanism opens the dispensing door of a vending machine when a snack food container is selected to avoid problems due to the snack food container being too light to open the door under the force of gravity.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles such as tickets and cards includes a cabinet and a plurality of article dispensing assemblies inside the cabinet. Each article dispensing assembly includes a base and a frame for enclosing articles to be dispensed in a stack. The bases are mounted on a pair of vertical support plates.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for supplying articles such as snacks is disclosed. Articles to be dispensed from the apparatus travel horizontally in a direction parallel with the front surface of the apparatus to a position from which the articles drop through a vertical shaft at the side of the apparatus to a delivery area. The apparatus is compact in size and is capable of holding a large inventory of different snack articles. The apparatus has a low profile and may be mounted to a wall by means of a mounting bracket.

Abstract: This invention refers to an automatic vending machine for newspapers, magazines and the like, which is comprised of a casing (11) with a pick-up opening (14) in the bottom base, a carriage (18), sliding along two guide bars (17), driven by a screw-split nut coupling for progressive feed of newspapers up to the pick-up opening. For dispensing one newspaper at a time, a cam (26) is provided which couples and rotates with said screw (21).

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing objects such as billiard chalk and containers of powder comprises a housing with a front door and two hoppers in it, one hopper for a stack of pairs of chalks and one for a stack of containers of powder, a shelf located below the hoppers, a chute beginning behind the shelf and leading to an access opening in the housing below its front door, and two coin mechanisms in the door of the housing. The coin mechanisms have push rods mounted so that they intercept the selected object when pushed. Placement of coins of the appropriate denomination enables the pushing of the push rods toward the selected object and its pushing from the shelf into the chute.

Abstract: Vending machine (1) for newspapers, in the form of a cabinet capable of automatically delivering into a receptacle one copy of a newspaper which a purchaser has selected from a plurality of other newspapers and paid for with a payment device incorporated in the vending machine. The cabinet comprises fixed and movable shelves on which the newspapers are stored in various stacks each of a same newspaper. On each of the stacks is provided an individual discharge assembly for the upper newspaper of the stack of newspapers. There are two columns of fixed horizontal shelves (56) secured at each side to two vertical supports (61, 62) welded at their ends to the upper and lower parts of the cabinet and at least one movable shelf for each column. Each discharge assembly for the upper newspaper from a stack of newspapers is displaceable relative to the shelf supporting that stack.

Abstract: Coin-operated machine for dispensing foodstuffs preserved in frozen condition and ready to be served hot in situ consisting of a casing (2) having a door (3) inside which there is a freezing unit (4) having doors and supporting elements, connected to a compressor unit (6) and a motor (30). The freezing unit (4) has, inside, trays (7) on supporting guides (8) fitted with a multiplurality of hooks (9) acting as electric resistances. On the lower side, there is a hopper (20) connected with the upper entrance of an oven (21) having an upper door (22) and a front door (23). The freezing unit contains the frozen product in a plastic package which has a ring or strip of low density arranged on the hooks (9), the assembly operating from a computer (13) acting on all the mechanisms.

Abstract: A single copy publication dispenser having an enclosure with a suitable stationary, but adjustable, platform for retaining a stack of publications thereon. A publication discharge assembly overlies the platform and includes a discharge member which is slidable laterally between first and second positions against the force of springs for enabling selective discharge of a single publication, while the entire discharge assembly is slidable vertically under the force of gravity so that the discharge member abuts against the upper surface of the next publication for discharge. The discharge member includes a pivotable discharge bar operable between a first position at which it grips the publication adjacent an edge thereof as the pull bar is retracted under force of springs. An interlock mechanism is provided between a publication withdrawal pull bar and the coin mechanism for enabling actuation of the discharge assembly only when coins of the proper number and size are present in the mechanism.

Abstract: A cash pocket for an automatic teller machine (ATM) comprises a housing having a rear wall with a slot for receiving banknotes from the dispensing mechanism of the ATM into the housing, and a base upon which the dispensed banknotes come to lie upon being dispensed into the housing. The housing also has a front panel having an opening for the withdrawal of notes by a user of the ATM, the opening having a door which pivots about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slot from a first position in which the front opening is closed to a second position in which the front opening is open for the withdrawal of dispensed banknotes. The door includes a pair of flanges which block access to the slot from the front opening when the door is open or partially open.

Abstract: A food storage and delivery device is formed of a reservoir for food items, a holding and transferring section situated adjacent to the reservoir, an ascending section for moving the holding and transferring section, and a controlling section for controlling the device. After positioning the holding and transferring section to one side of the storage and delivery sections at a predetermined vertical level by means of the ascending section based on a delivery command, the food item is delivered from the storage and delivery section to the holding and transferring section to hold the food item temporarily. After positioning the holding and transferring section to a vertical level corresponding to a delivery portion, the temporarily held food item is delivered to the delivery portion. The food items can be automatically and quickly delivered.

Abstract: A device for vending articles includes a stack of separator panels, each of which supports a product package, positioned in a storage bin. The bin has separator panel support tabs extending into the bottom thereof, and a pivot plate containing a panel-dislodging detent is located at the bin's bottom. The lowermost panel is dislodged from the support tabs by rotation of a pin forming part of an associated coin mechanism after proper coinage has been inserted into the mechanism and its operating handle has been turned. The pin forces the plate to pivot, causing its detent to press against the separator panel, thereby dislodging the panel from the support tabs, together with its product package. Once dislodged, the separator panel falls from the device, together with the vended article, the article proceeding to an area accessible to the purchaser, and the separator panel being retained on a hanger attached to the bin.

Abstract: Applicant's invention comprises a single-vend dispensing machine particularly applicable to vending newspapers. The apparatus includes a platform along which a supply of newspapers (or magazines) are advanced by a specially configured push plate. Individual copies are advanced to a vend position by operation of a frictional roller which engages the foremost single copy and advances it over a platform edge to a vend position. A copy in the vend position rests against a trap door a lock for which is briefly disengaged upon payment by a customer for allowing the copy to fall to an access slot for recovery by the customer. After removal of the copy, a new copy is advanced to the vend position by friction roller. A biased bailer aids in maintaining the front-most copy in the appropriate position for falling into the vend position, which bailer is released upon actuation of the friction roller.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a newspaper vending machine which dispenses a single newspaper one at a time while protecting the remaining newspapers from pilferage and the elements. The vending machine includes a plurality of sequentially fixed rectangular slots to each support a newspaper. A releasable bottom door has a side extension attached to each slot. When a pull lever is outwardly pulled, the bottom door is forced open by a trip lever which pushes against a trip rod causing a newspaper to slide out of the slot and onto a slide bar. The newspaper then slides to the front of the vending machine where it is picked up by the purchaser. Specifically, a trip lever engaging device includes a pull hook which pulls a pull belt to cause the pull lever to engage a peripheral flange and thereby cause the bottom door of the newspaper slot to open and the newspaper to drop down.

Abstract: A game token dispenser is equipped with a token hopper for dispensing, to a token receiving port, a predetermined number of tokens supplied from a token reservoir. The token hopper is divided into a sequentially operating preliminary hopper and a dispensing hopper. The preliminary hopper has a sensor for detecting whether or not there are any tokens received from the reservoir, and a conveying mechanism for conveying the tokens forwardly. The dispensing hopper has a sensor for detecting whether or not there are any tokens received from the preliminary hopper. A discharging mechanism is provided for discharging the tokens one by one to the token receiving port. The dispenser preferably includes a display, on a front surface of a housing, for displaying whether or not it is possible to dispense the tokens and the number of the tokens dispensed.

Abstract: A vending machine is designed to dispense multiple copies of a publication one at a time. The machine includes a storage member adapted to temporarily store multiple copies of a publication in a face-to-face orientation, a suction assembly formed of at least one suction cup that is adapted to seize and transport the front most copy of the publication to a dispensing position, a valve assembly associated with the suction cup to cause the cup to vent when in a dispensing position to dispense such copy into a delivery chute, and a slidable backplate biased to continuously urge the remaining copies of the publication forward.

Abstract: A vending mechanism for a cylindrical article dispenser of a type having a column of stacked cylindrical articles moved along a dispensing pathway by a force, such as by the force of gravity, is disclosed, which has an escapement mechanism which is attachable in operative alignment with a vending pathway of a column of stacked cylindrical articles. An upstream arm is pivotably attached in the escapement mechanism, having a first position blocking a portion of the vending pathway and having a second position retracted from the vending pathway to allow cylindrical articles to move past the upstream arm. A downstream arm is pivotably attached in the escapement mechanism, having a first position blocking a portion of the vending pathway and having a second position retracted from the vending pathway to allow cylindrical articles to move past the downstream arm.

Abstract: A dispensing device has a storage compartment for holding one or more of the medication containers. The compartment has an opening. A push member moves in a path aligned with the opening between a first position, spaced from the opening, and a second position, adjacent the opening. A first mechanism moves one container held within the compartment into the path as the push member is moved from its second position toward its first position. The push member, when subsequently moved from its first position toward its second position, ejects the one container in the path from the compartment through the opening. The first mechanism also serves to move another container held within the compartment into the path after the one container is ejected and the push member is moved from its second position back toward its first position.

Abstract: An overhead pack dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of trays holding an extensive inventory of packs in an array of altitudinal stacks of packs with the lowermost pack of each stack in a field of lateral rows and longitudinal columns, the apparatus including a control system responsive to the selection of at least one pack, and a carriage carrying pickers for actuation by the control system to traverse the field and carry a picker for location beneath the selected pack such that a picker is located beneath at least one selected pack, enabling the selected pack to be picked from a stack and delivered by the carriage to a dispensing location.

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

Abstract: A mechanical vending machine for vending paper tablets or the like, one at a time. The machine comprises a cabinet housing the unvended paper tablets, a tablet delivery apparatus, a coin receptor mechanism for receiving the coins, and a coin box to retain the coins. The coins are deposited in a coin deposit box located in the interior of the cabinet thereof for storage until the service personnel retrieve the coins and restock the paper tablets in the cabinet. The paper tablet vending machine has a simplified design, a low initial cost of manufacture, is easy to install and maintain, is totally independent of an outside power source, and will allow paper tablets to be vended in locations considered impractical because of the operating labor and the power requirements of vending machines heretofore. The machine comprises a cabinet having a top panel, a base, a removable lockable side panel for restocking the machine, and an interior storage tray for storing unvended paper tablets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single paper dispenser. An enclosure has a transverse aperture at one end and a discontinuous transverse member near the aperture. A horizontal stack of papers is located within the enclosure and a mechanism is provided to bias the papers against the transverse member. A cam system is located within the enclosure and rotates about an axis parallel to the transverse aperture. Tongues on the cams move upwardly through the discontinuities in the transverse member and then forwardly as the cam system is rotated. While the cam system is rotated, the mechanism for biasing the papers against the transverse member is disabled. The forwardmost paper is dispensed by rotating the cam system while the remainder of the stack is immobilized to separate it from the remainder of the stack and drop it to the transverse aperture.

Abstract: A novel control storing and dispensing apparatus for a vending machine, or the like is provided, the apparatus being particularly adapted for storing and dispensing cylindrical products of various types and sizes in single and multiple depth stack fashion. The dispensing mechanism for each section includes at least one motor-driven auger mounted in an almost horizontal position in relation to cylindrical products rolling down a shallow slope to control storing, feeding and dispensing of said cylindrical products from the bottom of a stack for each selection, as the mechanism is cycled. The apparatus can also be used to dispense cylindrical products of a relatively wide range of diameters by using spacers or movable ramps to position products properly to fit into the auger track. The apparatus also can dispense a product longer than conventional cans, such as certain bottled beverages, by using several augers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated key dispenser system that permits keys to be randomly loaded and stored on individual keyholders in horizontal and vertical arrays, as well as in a number of planes, while dispensing keys to a single accessible location. An exemplary system comprises one or more racks containing solenoid-operated pins arranged in columns and rows. The racks may be arranged side-by-side, one on top of another, or stacked in parallel planes. Awning-shaped covers over the pins prevent tampering and dislodgement of keys. The keys which are released when pins are withdrawn by the solenoids are directed by the awning-shaped covers to a chute which in turn directs them to an accessible opening or receptacle.

Abstract: Presented is a vending machine with an outer door, a space for merchandise capable of being seen through the outer door and filled with merchandise, and with additional units, as for example coin changer/coin counter, etc., adjacent to the merchandise space, which are lockable with the outer door. The merchandise space is cooled by a cooling assembly and the vending machine displays means that reduce cold losses during operation, in particular at the time of dispensing merchandise, removal of merchandise and/or refilling with merchandise. In this manner, it is also possible to offer and sell with the vending machine cooled merchandise, in particular low-temperature-cooled merchandise.

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

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically dispensing cones and the like, contained in piled-up condition and in upside-down position inside a plurality of container tubes. A carrousel revolves stepwise over a plane above which the cones rest and slide. A pair of stationary circular guides is positioned between the carrousel and the resting/sliding plane. A first cone of each cone stack is fed and made advance. The pair of guides are provided with respective inclined planes acting on the peripheral edges of the second cone of each cone stack to separate the first cone from the overhanging cone stack while the first cone falls by gravity into a dispensing station.

Abstract: A dispensing device is provided for dispensing a plurality of articles such as cigarette boxes. The device includes two levels of individual dispensing modules. Each dispensing module includes a plurality of vertical stack holders mounted on a support plate having an open center. A dispensing mechanism selectively withdraws an article from one of the stack holders and conveys the article to the open center such that the article drops through the open center for conveyance to a final destination. The dispensing mechanism includes a shuttle plate also having an open center and a mechanism for moving the shuttle plate beneath the support plate for the vertical stack holders. One or more solenoid-activated engagement pins on the shuttle plate selectively engage one or more of the articles held in the stack holders such that, as the shuttle plate moves, the engaged article or articles moves with the shuttle plate.

Abstract: The normal practice in serve yourself coffee outlets, such as cafeteria-style restaurants and some convenience stores, is to provide loose lids in a cardboard box. A common result is that lids are knocked on the floor and spread around so that different sizes of lids become mixed together. A simple solution to the problem is a lid dispenser which dispenses lids one at a time when a lever is pressed downwardly. The lever extends through the front wall of the dispenser for actuating a pusher arm which engages the flange of the lowermost lid of a stack of lids and pushes the lid through a slot in the dispenser housing. A helical spring returns the lever and the pusher arm to the rest position in which the arm is suitably located for another lid dispensing operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for individually dispensing an item such as a newspaper from among a set of items. The dispensing machine includes a mechanism for individually dispensing an item from among a vertically stacked set of items; a money collection device for activating the dispensing mechanism upon payment of particular sum of money, and a housing containing the dispensing mechanism and the money collection device. Each article is urged against the front of the machine, and upon activation, is lifted slightly to clear a barrier, then discharged to the exterior of the machine.

Abstract: A storage magazine for use in coin operated automatic vending machines composed of a plurality of side-by-side vertical storage columns or magazine sections, each having at least two back-to-back aligned serpentine tracks which store a plurality of cylindrical articles and gravitationally feed the same to an underlying discharge ramp common to both tracks. The ramp cooperates with a wedge feed system for operatively integrating articles discharged from each of the tracks into a single column in which the articles from the individual tracks are arranged in alternating order for first-in, first-out vending by a single coin operated vend mechanism.

Abstract: A dispenser for solid comestibles is disclosed which has a reservoir for containing the comestibles, a port for accessing the comestibles, a channel interposed between the port and the reservoir and a displacement mechanism which dispenses a consistent quantity of the comestibles without mutilating or guillotining the comestibles and which does not become clogged during operation.

Abstract: A flexible container of bread slices has bellows-like foldable longitudinal sides, having a closed end and an open end. It is located within a somewhat larger casing provided with a closable lid, an open end of the flexible container being effectively sealable by a flexible soft cushion mounted to an inside surface of the lid of the outer casing. A small breathing aperture is provided in the lid, and the cushion allows passage of air or vapors through the breathing aperture to let the stored bread slices breathe with little evaporation from the bread slices. A manually movable platen plate supported within the outer casing biases a closed end of the flexible bread container toward the lid. Individual bread slices are dispensed when the casing lid is opened, with additional bias provided by moving the platen plate forward.

Abstract: A packaging device for storing, dispensing and collecting a plurality of blood collection units. The packaging device includes a rectangularly shaped container, a first opening for dispensing unused blood collection units and a second opening for receiving the blood collection units after use. The device includes a slidable tape positioned on the upper surface of the container which is in the form of a continuous band mounted on the container. The unused blood collection units are attached to the slidable tape within the container and movement of the slidable tape with respect to the container advances the unused blood collection units into the first opening so that they are then removed from the slidable tape. A bag being initially folded and disposed within the portion of the container for holding the unused blood collection units, the ends of the bag having an open end attached to the container in alignment with a second opening for receiving and holding used blood collection units.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of automatically vending merchandise to a patron, with the apparatus including display devices and input devices for interaction with the patron. At least one motor is provided for providing vertical and horizontal movement to an elevator which accesses the stored merchandise from respective column positions within the machine. The elevator is then returned to a NEUTRAL position and the merchandise is dumped or dispensed to the patron. The system can provide RENTAL, PURCHASE or RETURN of merchandise procedures along with various other functions related to vending operations.

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 container storage and dispensing apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing for enclosing a storage and dispensing area, the housing having an access door for inserting the containers and having a first and a second exit door for dispensing the containers. The apparatus also includes first and second guides for guiding and supporting containers to the first exit door. Further the apparatus includes third and fourth guides for guiding and supporting containers to the second exit door.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing cups comprising a rotatable turret magazine for supporting a plurality of upright columns of cups. A pair of part-circular guide surfaces engage the bottom surface of the lowermost cup in each column, the guide surfaces rising uniformly above a horizontal base plate from a region of minimum cup height to a diametrically opposite position of maximum cup height. A fixed, arcuate cam surface is adapted to engage between the rims of the lowermost and next lowermost cups for stripping the lowermost cup from its column. The guide surfaces and cam co-operate such that, as the magazine is rotated, the lowermost cup from each column is stripped in turn, lowered to a discharge station and then, if that cup is not required, rejoined to its original column. When a desired cup arrives at the discharge station, the rotation of the turret magazine is stopped and that cup is released downwardly to a dispensing station.

Abstract: A newspaper dispenser includes a housing with an upwardly biased platform therein for supporting a stack of newspapers. A scoop assembly which dispenses a single newspaper at a time, is mounted in the housing and includes a pusher arm and a scoop connected to reciprocating rotatable drive shaft. Rotation of the shaft in one direction causes the pusher arm to drop onto the top newpaper and push the top layer rearwardly, while simultaneously dropping a scoop in front of the folded edge of the newspaper. Rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction causes the scoop to slide under the paper, causes the pusher arm to pull the paper onto the scoop, and causes the pusher arm to raise off of the paper as the scoop tilts to drop the paper down a chute for dispensing. A rotatable handle is connected to the scoop assembly via a series of gears and rack and drive gear to operate the reciprocating cycle to dispense a paper.