Abstract: A personal computer peripheral, battery powered reward candy dispenser which immediately presents students with a single candy for each problem completed correctly while using educational application software.

Abstract: The dispenser and rack for a roll of paper, plastic, or foil, which comprises a magazine for generally vertical disposition having an open bottom, and the inside dimensions of the magazine are sufficient to accommodate at least one roll. A paddle is mounted in the magazine, and a handle affixed to the paddle extends from an opening in the magazine and is free to be moved along the opening so as to actuate the paddle between a lower-most position and an upper-most position. The paddle is arranged so when in its lower-most position, it obstructs the open bottom so as to prevent a roll from dropping from the magazine; and when the paddle is actuated to its upper-most position, clearance is provided to allow a roll to drop from the magazine. A suitable bracket depends from the magazine beneath the open bottom, and the paddle allows one roll a time to drop from the magazine for engagement with the bracket, and is revolvedly mounted on the bracket, thereby exposing the roll for use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispenser for tablets, comprising a drawer element having a through going opening for the accommodation of just one tablet, which drawer element may be displaced along a narrow sidewall of a box shaped housing. A partition parallel with said sidewall bars the inlet of the opening when the dispenser is operated, and an opening serves as a dispensing opening when the drawer is displaced to align its through-going opening with the dispensing opening. The ends of the drawer are closed by trough shaped shells, the shell at the one end being at its end opposite the drawer hinged to the housing, and being at its end adjacent to the drawer hinged to the drawer, and the end of the housing adjacent to the hinged shell being obliquely cut, so that the narrow side of the housing adjacent to the hinge hinging the shell to the housing is longer than the narrow sidewall forming the sliding surface for the drawer.

Abstract: A quick release hopper 60 and an improved cylindrical dispensing member 70 for an individual cigarette vending machine 10. The quick release hopper 60 has a rotatable dispensing member 70, a hopper slot 61 at its bottom that aligns with a dispensing member slot 71 in the rotatable dispensing member 70, and an inboard end 54 of a handle 53 of a coin mechanism 50 that slides through the hopper slot 61 and engages with the dispensing member slot 71. The hopper 60 has flanged edges 62 that extend from a side of the hopper 60, and the flanged edges 62 engage with grooves 40 located in the compartment 30 of the vending machine 10. The slots and flanged edges allow the hopper 60 to be easily inserted and removed from the vending machine 10. The improved dispensing member 70 has axial slots 72 that are rectangularly-shaped.

Abstract: A gumball machine attracts and entertains users by enabling a user, after he purchases a gumball from the machine, to visually observe the gumball as it travels from the storage area of the gumball machine to the dispenser where the user removes the gumball from the machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tablet dispenser, including a dispenser housing, a replaceable tablet package to be accommodated in the housing, an adjustable periodicity indicator and a single tablet dispensing aperture in the dispenser cover. The tablet package includes a cover, rotatably connected to the bottom portion of the package and provided with an opening which, upon use of the dispenser, is in alignment with the tablet dispensing aperture. The dispenser further includes a locking device to compel joint rotational movement of periodicity indicator and package bottom portion, and an operating member to effect stepwise rotation of the package bottom portion relative to said package cover.

Abstract: A new and improved multiple-roll toilet paper dispenser rack for storing a plurality of rolls of toilet paper within the unused space of a bathroom cabinet and dispensing the rolls one at a time through an opening in the cabinet, the multiple-roll toilet paper dispenser rack comprising an elongated shallow pan having an inside width essentially the same as the width of a toilet paper roll, the shallow pan having a length substantially greater than the diameter of a toilet paper roll wherein a plurality of rolls may be placed, the shallow pan being fixedly mounted at a slight downward incline inside a bathroom cabinet adjacent to an opening through the cabinet wherethrough toilet paper rolls may be dispensed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a drug dispensing device which is portable, provides a high level of security, is flexible in accommodating a number of user selected drugs, is easily stockable, and reduces labor and time requirement for drug dispensing. The present invention provides an apparatus having a microprocessor means which controls the drug dispensing. The apparatus includes an interior medication storage area adapted to receive a plurality of different sized dispensers in user selectable combinations. A receiving drawer is provided below the interior medication storage area to receive and dispense the medications.A dispenser is provided which can be configured in a multiplicity of sizes and shapes to accommodate different sized medications. The dispenser is adapted to receive a cooperating cartridge which contains the medications. The dispenser includes an actuator which contacts and dispenses the medications from the cartridge.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser for ice cream cakes having a taking unit mounted in a shop window on a movable structure with respect to the product being dispensed. The unit includes a shovel on a structure movable in three orthogonal directions.

Abstract: An article storage rack apparatus for storing and dispensing articles in first-in, first-out order comprises side-by-side columns of slant racks, in which alternate slant racks in each column are inclined downwardly in opposite direction. Articles are introduced onto the topmost slant rack and slide downward by gravity to successively lower slant racks. The articles are transferred from a slant rack to the next lower slant rack by a transfer mechanism comprising tables which are movable vertically and tiltable. The articles are maintained in the same orientation as they slide down the array of slant racks. At the lower end of the bottom slant rack, the articles are dispensed, by a tilting table dispenser, in the same order in which they were introduced onto the top slant rack.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a one-at-a-time dispensing assembly for newspaper racks of tetrahedral shape in which the assembly is positioned within and spans the walls of the rack. The dispensing assembly of the invention includes a fixed support base subassembly fixedly positioned--in a vertical sense--adjacent to the lower edge of the rack opening, and a shaker subassembly. The base subassembly supports both a stack of newspapers and a planar member of the shaker subassembly. The shaker subassembly also includes a lever extending exterior of the rack below the lower edge of the rack opening actionably connected to the planar member. Purpose: to permit to-and-fro movement of the planar member supporting the stack of newspaper via corresponding movement of the lever.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention are devices for the automatic dispensing of bottles, notably in flexible material.The technical sector of the invention is that of the manufacture of automatic vending machines of drinks in individual containers, of the bottle type, particularly of plastic and containing mineral water.According to the invention the following devices consist of a drum (8) capable of rotation, which receives bottles (6) rolling from a chute (4), fed by ramps (15) set alternately. At each command by the customer for dispensing bottle, a chain drive system (9) provides this drum with an exact turn of rotation and makes the bottle fall into a hatch (7) accessible to the customer. When it returns to its resting position, the drum is reloaded with a new bottle, previously held in a waiting position by a stop mechanism (11) and the bottom of the drum.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing cotton rolls. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus which may be supported on a work table, credenza, sideboard or the like in use in an operating room such as a dental operatory for readily supplying users such as dentists, surgeons, and assistants with absorbtive cotton rolls. The dispenser has a base which defines a delivery chute portion having horizontally spaced apart, upwardly directed surfaces, to which rolls are dispensed from a reservoir formed in part by a pair of planar lower wall portions, each lying on a plane parallel to said axis of rotation and diverging upwardly from a juncture line below the location of the axis of rotation of a dispensing wheel, and which direct rolls to the dispensing wheel which is mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis spaced above the delivery chute.

Abstract: A machine that vends a predetermined number of golf balls when activated by a coin or token-operated slide mechanism. A large plurality of golf balls are placed in a hopper and the balls are fed from the hopper, one at a time, into an elongate pipe that discharges into a bucket positioned in a chamber near the bottom of the machine. A motor rotates a turntable having golf ball receiving apertures formed in its outer periphery so that the balls fill each aperture as the turntable rotates. The upper end of the pipe is in the path of travel of and is in open communication with apertures formed in the turntable so that rotation of the turntable continuously fills the pipe as the apertures pass over its open end. Numerous structural features, including vibrating members, insure that the balls will not jam in the hopper and additional design features insure a jostling of the balls in the vicinity of the pipe's upper end to insure against jamming at that critical location.

Abstract: A dispensing machine (100) is divided into three compartments (110, 112, 114). An animal-like figure including the body and head of an elephant (118) is located in a central compartment (112) and the head (118) can be rotated on the body by a drive mechanism (134) in the upper compartment (114). A number of non-prize containing packages (130) are provided in the central compartment (112) and prize-containing packages are located in the upper compartment (114). In operation, upon insertion of coins into the coin mechanism (154) the drive mechanism (134) is operated and causes the head (118) to turn through 360.degree. passing through the non-prize containing packages (130). Upon each cycle, one prize-containing package from the upper compartment (114) is released from the upper compartment and passes into the passage (112) in the head (118). The prize-containing package is discharged from the trunk of the head through opened bottomed bucket (128) into a prize-receiving receptacle (166).

Abstract: A roll coin dispenser is extremely narrow and occupies a vacant space between adjacent slot machines. The dispenser changes paper bills into coinage. Loading and access to all internal components of the changer are through the front of an enclosing cabinet which is unobstructed by adjacent slot machines. A coin storage section of the changer includes a multi-cartridge loading and dispensing mechanism in order to permit fast and accurate reloading of the machine by someone who is physically capable of lifting only small weights.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for a change machine has a reservoir for storing cylindrical objects such as rolls of coins or paper money stored in tubes. The reservoir has a bottom through which a slot extends. A dispensing mechanism is located beneath the reservoir and has at least a pair of spaced apart rollers which form a pocket therebetween. The rollers are mounted for reciprocal movement between a loading position and an eject position. An object will fall from the reservoir through the slot in the bottom of the reservoir into the pocket between the rollers. The rollers are reciprocated between the loading position and the eject position to dispense the object. When the rollers are reciprocated, they agitate the objects remaining in the reservoir to prevent jams caused by the objects bridging across the opening in the bottom of the reservoir. Further, the rollers will roll the object as they are reciprocated which helps prevent damage to the object.

Abstract: The dispenser includes a bin which is adjustable for width, and a release mechanism attached to the bin externally of its outlet. The mechanism comprises a sliding shutter and a baffle, vertically disposed and breasted in mutual contact. The shutter is provided with a slot of adjustable height and moves vertically between a raised receiving position and a lowered knockout position at which the packet of coins is ejected from the slot. The baffle is urged against the shutter by the weight of the packets of coin emerging from the outlet of the bin and thus accompanies the shutter at least through part of its vertical travel.

Abstract: A coin exchanging machine has a coin case disposed at the bottom of a casing for accommodating a plurality of coin bundles, a coin pushing mechanism for pushing laterally a row of coin bundles piled up in the coin case, and a coin transferring mechanism for receiving a row of coin bundles from the coin case by pushing the coin bundles by the coin pushing mechanism and for feeding the coin bundles one by one into a coin accommodating space in response to the discharge of the coin bundles.

Abstract: A dispenser for articles such as pills or capsules is operative with a reciprocating motion for dispensing individual articles. The dispenser includes a base portion and a slide member on the base portion which is reciprocally movable with respect to the base portion between a lower first position and an upper second position for dispensing articles in succession.

Abstract: A dispenser for golf balls comprises an upper bin (1) containing the balls to be dispensed retained by means of an inclined plate (2) partially sealing the bin (1) so as to arrange in its lower portion an opening (3) for the passage of the balls. In order to avoid a significant bulk at the level of the opening (3) a second inclined plate (4) is arranged in an inverse sense to the perpendicular of the opening (3). A lower inclined ramp (5) is provided with perpendicular elements (7) defining channels (8) disposed opposite compartments (9) arranged on a rotating cylinder (10) in loading position at the extremity of the lower ramp (5). In an upper portion of the vertical elements (7) a closing plate (11) is connected in order to avoid the superposition of several layers of balls. Rotation of the cylinder (10) outputs the balls into a drain (18) responsive to the action of a crank (17) coupled to a coin receiver and to the cylinder (10).

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

Abstract: A dispensing machine including a plurality of receptacles from which articles are released to fall into a receiving chamber. After movement along the chamber by a conveyor, the articles enter a delivery mechanism that moves them into alignment with an escape opening through which they fall into an exit tray. With the delivery mechanism in a closed position, the carrier is aligned to receive an article from the chamber and a guard covers the opening. In an open position, the carrier is aligned with the opening, but access to the chamber through the exit tray is prevented.

Abstract: A board game includes a game board with a plurality of playing positions arranged thereon. A first set of playing pieces, conveniently in the form of construction workers, are moved along the playing positions while other sets of playing pieces, conveniently in the form of barrels and fire balls, interfere with the progress of the first set of playing pieces. Conflicts between the first and second sets of playing pieces are resolved by a two suit deck of cards. A playing piece dispenser is arranged to dispense playing pieces of the first set, one at a time directly onto the playing surface. The playing piece dispenser includes a collection bin for storing a plurality of playing pieces in serial fashion. A pivotal arm is connected at an outlet opening of the bin to receive a single playing piece therein. The pivotal arm receives a playing piece when the arm is in a generally horizontal position.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for separating, orienting and positioning axes including at least one operational flat. The device includes a static chute equipped with a wide bottom opening closed by a drawer which is moved with a back and forth motion from a withdrawn position in which it unveils a narrow opening which is large enough to enable the fall of a single axis onto rolling blades which are extended by descending ramps bringing each axis onto two bearing-sliding blades. The bearing sliding blades cooperate with two push plates, as well as a trap borne by the drawer, to produce the roll of the axis in the desired direction, followed by the slide of that axis without rotation to a selected position.

Abstract: A device for dispensing tablets, pills and the like includes an enclosure containing a first cavity to store a plurality of tablets, a second cavity disposed adjacent the first cavity and a second cavity including a dispensing wheel including slots to convey a predetermined quantity of tablets or pills to a discharge opening, a control knob placed adjacent the dispensing wheel for moving the dispensing wheel. The control knob has a knurled surface such that a manual locking arm included in the dispensing device can engage a groove of the knurled surface to prevent rotation of the control knob and inadvertent dispensing of the tablets.

Abstract: A device for holding a stack of hangers and for advancing one hanger at a time from the stack to a forward position and for carrying out a predetermined operation, usually the affixing of garments, when in the forward position, is described. The device comprises a vertical frame for holding the hangers, a main plate essentially perpendicular to the frame and intersecting the frame in an essentially cross configuration, a receptacle for the hanger resting on the main plate. The receptacle is slidable from a forward position to a rearward position and vice versa. An electric motor provided with a cam linkage permits to carry out automatically the steps of advancing and retracting the receptacle. The method of operation is also described.

Abstract: This invention is a device for the discreet storage and dispensing of tampons. The device is characterized by including a storage container having a dispensing apparatus which will dispense one tampon at a time without display except when actually dispensed and wherein it is dispensed by means of an elongated member having a suitable pocket therein for said purpose. It is further characterized by being suitable to accommodate different sizes of commonly used tampons.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles, particularly, but not necessarily, packaged food articles which are warmed within the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a storage zone, a dispensing zone and a conveyor for conveying articles between the storage zone and the dispensing zone. Articles are loaded into vacant holders in a loading zone and such loading is controlled by a detector which detects for the presence of articles in holders which are at any one time approaching the loading zone. A further detector detects for a vacancy in the dispensing zone and, if such vacancy exists, an article is transferred from an associated holder to the dispensing zone.

Abstract: A container-dispenser for particles such as tablets for medical use consists of a chamber with a rotary floor, a cone-like protrusion in the center of the floor causing spreading of the particles in the chamber, an aperture in the floor which a predetermined quantity of the particles may enter and travel along in the chamber, and a fixed diaphragm below the floor with an aperture which registers with the aperture in the floor in one position of the floor. The particles pass in this position of register into the diaphragm and thence into a receiver, preferably a spiral chute. An apertured disc may be provided below the diaphragm to rotate with the floor, its aperture being out of register with that in the floor, to ensure complete consistency of delivery.

Abstract: A rectangular, vertically-extending tank having an upwardly-extending, spring-pressed pressure head automatically feeds sliced bread against the underside of a cover plate supported for horizontally reciprocative, forth-and-back movement over the upper end of the tank. The cover plate has a transverse sidewall portion centrally disposed along its length and operative to push uppermost slices of bread, one at a time, forwardly to slide off the upper end of the pressure plate for deposit on a receiving tray each time the cover plate is moved manually through a forth-and-back cycle of operation. Ratchet and pawl mechanism operative between the cover plate and its guide means prevents retrograde movement prior to completion of the sliding movement in one direction or the other.