With Supply Cartridge Or Container Removable From Enclosing Casing Patents (Class 221/197)
  • Patent number: 8505772
    Abstract: A container for packing and shipping stud welding ferrule aligned along a spindle. The container comprises a body having a top, a bottom, opposing side walls and opposing end walls defining a storage space therein. The container further comprises a spindle retainer operatively connected to the body. The spindle retainer has a transverse portion and a longitudinal portion connected to the transverse portion. The transverse portion extends from one of the end walls and toward and into the storage space, while the longitudinal portion extends from the transverse portion and toward the bottom of the body. The transverse portion and the longitudinal portion are sized and shaped to accept and to retain ends of the spindle to contain the spindle within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: New Rule Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Martin
  • Publication number: 20130200093
    Abstract: A packaged product including a substantially enclosed container for a material, said container including a first end, a second end with a width and a length, a sidewall forming an interior surface defining the container, a first opening into the container adapted to dispense the material, a hanging member, and an insert with an insert base portion, two insert side portions and an insert opening along a width of the insert, wherein the insert base portion extends along the width of the second end, the insert side portions extend at least partially up the sidewall, and the insert opening extends along at least substantially the entire width of the second end. A dispensing method including providing a packaged product, opening the packaged product to form a first opening into the container adapted to dispense a material, and dispensing the material from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Paul CARLSON, Myles Wegner, Steve Gucinski
  • Patent number: 8469228
    Abstract: A dispenser of containers. A carousel is rotatably mounted to a main frame about a vertical axis of rotation and has a plurality of container compartments arranged around the axis and along the length of the axis. A driver mounted to the main frame rotates the carousel around the axis in a single direction and a lock limits rotation of the carousel in any direction when engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: SLEEGERS Engineered Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Adams
  • Patent number: 8459496
    Abstract: A machine particularly adapted for dispensing light items (19) packaged in symmetrical, frustum-shaped containers. The items are propelled through a tubular cartridge (3) by compressed air, and in the absence of any solid pushing, pulling or carrying device, then individually dispensed. A flow of compressed air generated by a blower (28) is s fed to the back of the cartridge. The items are dispensed under control of a toggling dual-gate mechanism (26, 27) at the front end of the cartridge. The dual-gate mechanism of a removable magazine (2) grouping a number of cartridges can be selectively addressed and activated by means of a solenoid-driven cross-bar assembly (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventors: Anton K. Simson, Henri J. A. Charmasson
  • Patent number: 8453874
    Abstract: A dispenser (200) and method for dispensing pills to patients from cartridges (224) featuring downloadable remotely programmable timer (1B) and network communications links (504), alerting timer, databasing, printer, and battery (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventors: Edwin C. Simpson, Mary Carson
  • Patent number: 8430269
    Abstract: The tablet cassette includes a division block installed to be rotated by a drive motor to discharge tablets introduced from above through transfer passages indented in an outer circumferential surface thereof. Each of the transfer passage includes a separation recess for downward transfer of the tablets, a lower end of which is blocked by a prop, and a supply recess along which the tablets having passed through the separation recess are moved on the outer circumferential surface of the division block to thereby be discharged downward via rotation of the division block. The tablet cassette further includes a bottom ring provided around a lower end of the division block to transfer the tablets located in the separation recess into the supply recess via rotation of the division block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: JVM Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Hee Nam
  • Patent number: 8418881
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a dispensing apparatus for dispensing individual tissue cassettes from a stack of cassettes, the apparatus includes a hopper for receiving a stack of tissue cassettes, the hopper having an aperture through which cassettes are dispensable; ejection means for ejecting a cassette through the aperture; and retention means for retaining all but one of the cassettes in the stack as an individual cassette is ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Thermo Shandon Ltd.
    Inventors: Ian Kerrod, Richard Clarkson, Basil Gaynor
  • Patent number: 8418880
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a probe cover dispenser includes a storage member for accommodating stacked probe covers and a retaining unit with a pair of supporting arms for holding or releasing one of the stacked probe covers. A slide connects the retaining unit. A linking rod with a protrusion portion and a recess portion connects the slidable access member. The linking rod is moved upwardly or downwardly and the protrusion portion or the recess portion is moved to a position corresponding to the slide such that a force is applied to push or pull the supporting arms to release or hold the one of the stacked probe covers in the storage member, while the slidable access member is moved upwardly or downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mesure Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chu-Yih Yu
  • Patent number: 8397945
    Abstract: A container adapted for dispensing a product is provided. The container includes an outer casing body for receiving a dispensing tray. The dispensing tray has an internal storage compartment for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, and includes a cover portion defining at least one dispensing aperture through which a stored unit of product is accessible when the outer casing body is in a dispensing position. A sealing member is engaged with one of the outer casing body and the dispensing tray, and is configured to interact with the other of the outer casing body and the dispensing tray to form a seal about an outer peripheral portion of the dispensing tray when the outer casing body is in a closed and locked position. The container includes a locking mechanism that releasably locks the outer casing body in the closed and locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John A. Gelardi, Ryan A. Bailey
  • Patent number: 8386070
    Abstract: In a preferred implementation, an automated pharmacy admixture system (APAS) prepares intermediary IV bags as drug sources for creating highly diluted patient doses in syringes. During the compounding process the APAS may align needles with a vial seal opening so as to ensure repeated entry through the same vial puncture site via precise control of needle position, needle bevel orientation, and needle entry speed. These techniques can in certain implementations substantially improve bung pressure sealing and reduced particulate generation. The APAS optionally creates drug order queues for incoming drug orders wherein the orders can be sorted by priority, drug type or patient location. A phantom queue can be combined with the incoming drug order queues to include frequently used medicaments to minimize operator loading of the APAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Intelligent Hospital Systems, Ltd
    Inventors: Walter W. Eliuk, Ronald H. Rob, Lance R. Mlodzinski, Alex H. Reinhardt, Thom Doherty, Dustin Deck
  • Patent number: 8375941
    Abstract: Dry powder inhalers include: (a) a first generally planar spiral travel path in an inhaler body, wherein the first spiral travel path has a plurality of adjacent curvilinear channels forming lanes with upstanding sidewalls, including an inner lane and an outer lane; and (b) a plurality of discrete sealed microcartridges with substantially rigid bodies disposed in the first travel path, each comprising a pre-metered (typically dose) amount of dry powder, the microcartridges being configured to slidably advance along the first travel path toward an inhalation chamber that merges into an inhalation output port. In operation, at least one microcartridge is held in the inhalation chamber to release the dry powder therein during inhalation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Oriel Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael King, Jeffrey Alan Warden, John Kim, Benjamin Finney, Nicholas Oxley
  • Patent number: 8346387
    Abstract: A dedicated self-service return terminal is provided for receiving returned media on which entertainment data is stored. The dedicated self-service return terminal comprises a media transporter having a media return slot through which returned media can be received from a customer returning the media, a removable media storage bin for storing returned media which has been received through the slot, a container having a chamber in which the media storage bin is installed when the media storage bin is in use, a sliding mechanism arranged to support the container for vertical sliding movement between a top position in which the media storage bin can receive returned media received through the slot and a bottom position in which the media storage bin can be removed from the container, and a controller arranged to control the sliding mechanism to effect movement of the container between the top and bottom positions during operation of the dedicated self-service return terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Rafael Yepez, Jason A. Mastry
  • Publication number: 20120312835
    Abstract: A cassette for an automatic teller machine (ATM) is provided, which is capable of returning a paper medium disposed at an entrance of the cassette into the cassette using a moving force of a shutter that closes the entrance, during separation of the cassette from a cassette receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: NAUTILUS HYOSUNG INC.
    Inventors: Jin Hwan Cha, Won Joon Lee, Dong Sik Lee
  • Publication number: 20120298689
    Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed for flat items such as disposable gloves that are contained within a dispensing bag that has an at least partially-open front side. The dispenser includes a base that has a rear wall and a pair of opposing side walls. A non-opaque cover with a dispensing aperture therethrough is pivotally fixed between each side wall and adapted to swing between an open and a closed position. At least one elastic cord is stretched between each side wall to urge the dispensing bag towards the cover when the cover is in the closed position and the dispensing bag is between the cover and the at least one elastic cord. The front side of the dispensing bag may be non-opaque and open at a dispensing bag aperture therethrough, a temporary adhesive being fixed proximate a periphery of the dispensing bag aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: David Cohen
  • Publication number: 20120298684
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing cigarette blanks in a cigarette manufacturing machine. The apparatus comprises a base having an upper end, a lower end opposite the upper end, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a shaker communicating with the base. The base also comprises a retainer for retaining at least one cigarette blank. Also disclosed is a method for separating and dispensing cigarette blanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Jacques LAPLANTE
  • Patent number: 8308026
    Abstract: An apparatus for picking up, holding and dispensing objects is disclosed. The apparatus has a storing device, a holding device, a retaining device, and an ejection device that enables pick up, holding and dispensing of a plurality of objects. The apparatus provides an improved method of picking up, holding and storing objects that heretofore required extreme dexterity and substantial periods of time. The apparatus can be used to pick up, hold and dispense a variety of objects including, but not limited to, crystals, nuts, confectionary pieces, pills, jewelry, and electronic components. The apparatus may be sold as a kit or as replacement parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rapko Corporation
    Inventors: Darin Rapko, Norma Rapko
  • Publication number: 20120279984
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes, the dispenser includes a housing which defines a receiving volume and which has an access opening through which the receiving volume is accessible, an insert which is arranged to be inserted into the receiving volume of the housing through the access opening of the housing, the insert being provided with a receiving portion for receiving the paper, nonwovens, and/or wipes to be dispensed, and the insert being provided with a closing portion which is adapted to close the access opening of the housing when the insert is fully inserted into the housing. A dispensing opening is provided in the closing portion of the insert, wherein a cover is attached to the insert for closing the dispensing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Anna Brolin
  • Publication number: 20120273515
    Abstract: A dispenser for sanitary tissue products comprises a base and a lid comprising an arcuate portion. An aperture is defined in the arcuate portion. The lid or the base is movable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position and the lid and the base define a receiving cavity when the lid and the base are in the closed position. The lid or the base comprises a first side wall and a second side wall. When the lid and the base are in the closed position, a first edge of the arcuate portion is positioned adjacent to the first side wall, a second edge of the arcuate portion is positioned adjacent to the second side wall, and the arcuate portion extends intermediate the first side wall and the second side wall in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane of the first side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Phillip Lacoi Hutchison, James Roy Denbow
  • Patent number: 8272533
    Abstract: A device for dispensing cutlery utensils individually, having a housing containing a quantity of utensils with the housing having sides and product guides within. The front wall contains an opposing leaf escapement mechanism connected to it, to hold and singulate the utensils such that they dispense seriatim, without a user being required to physically touch or interface with any part of dispenser other than the actual desired utensil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventors: Anthony D'Amelia, Mark V. Pierson
  • Publication number: 20120193372
    Abstract: A medical dispenser for storing and dispensing electrodes includes a housing having a front member and a back member, at least one electrode strip disposed between the front member and the back member of the housing and an actuator mounted to the front member of the housing and adapted to engage the at least one electrode strip. The electrode strip includes a strip member and a plurality of electrodes mounted to the strip member. The actuator is movable relative to the front member such that movement of the actuator results in corresponding movement of the at least one electrode strip to dispense an electrode from the housing. The actuator may be adapted to engage an electrode of the at least one electrode strip. In one embodiment, the actuator is adapted to engage a male terminal of the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Scott Coggins, Rachel Starr, Scott Holmes, Steve T. Wilson, David R. Swisher, David T. Middleton, JR., Michael W. Konieczny, Robert L. Naas, Paul Eric Carlson
  • Patent number: 8196774
    Abstract: A remote pharmaceutical dispensing system for automatically dispensing medication includes a plurality of packets each containing at least one type of medication for a predetermined hour of administration (HOA). The system also includes at least one cartridge having a housing and a feed mechanism disposed within the housing for advancing at least one of the plurality of packets toward an opening in the cartridge housing. The system further includes a dispenser having a dispenser housing configured to receive the at least one cartridge and a motor that is drivably engageable with the feed mechanism of the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the dispenser. The system also includes a controller in operable communication with the motor and configured to actuate the motor to advance at least one of the plurality of packets toward an opening in the dispenser housing at the predetermined HOA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Talyst Inc.
    Inventors: Darcy O. Clarke, James E. Torina
  • Patent number: 8186542
    Abstract: An object is to provide a medicine supply apparatus capable of reducing a time required for charging medicines without causing any trouble during counting of the medicines, the apparatus comprises: a discharge drum which discharges the medicines from a tablet case; a medicine detecting sensor which detects the medicines discharged from the tablet case, and a control device, and this control device controls a rotating motor for rotating the discharge drum to discharge the medicines from the tablet case, counts the discharged medicines based on a detecting operation of the medicine detecting sensor, and changes a discharge speed of the medicine by the discharge drum depending on a type of medicine in the tablet case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Kobayashi, Manabu Haraguchi, Akinori Hatsuno, Toshitake Maruyama, Tetsuo Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20120118905
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a dispenser (1) for dispensing tissue and/or nonwoven products (100), preferably wet wipes, the dispenser comprising a containing body (2) defining a volume (200) for receiving the products to be dispensed and a covering body (3), wherein the containing body comprises a main section (20) and a connecting section (22), the connecting section having dimensions to be at least partly received in the covering body, and wherein the containing body and the covering body are connected to one another by the connecting section such that the covering body is movable with respect to the containing body from a closed configuration to a dispensing configuration, wherein a dispensing opening (24) is present in the connecting section for dispensing in the dispensing configuration the products from the volume, wherein covering body covers the dispensing opening in the closed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Jannike Lindbergh
  • Patent number: 8156755
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerator for storing vials containing a (bio)pharmaceutical substance, in particular vaccines for animals, comprising a cabinet having an internal space for accommodating the vials arranged in columns, a cooling element for cooling the internal space and at least one door or dispenser for removing vials from the internal space. A plurality of guides located inside the space and adapted to slidingly accommodate columns of the vials. The invention further relates to a cartridge suitable for use in the said refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Intervet International B.V.
    Inventors: Stephen Murray, Gaynor Hillier, Philip Nigel Bordet-Stead, Tanja Langgner, David Helps
  • Patent number: 8157125
    Abstract: Improved solid pharmaceutical dispensing systems and methods provide direct transfer of doses from bulk blister packaging material. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a positioning mechanism that alters the spacing between portions of a de-blister apparatus. The de-blister apparatus comprises a de-blister roller, cylinder or elongated cylindrical toothed gear which pushes against a first side of packaging material to remove individual doses from a conventional blister package. The apparatus may operate under manual or automatic control and preferably includes adjustable or movable package holding rollers which are preferably aligned with portions of packaging material between the rows of blister cavities at a side of the packaging material opposite the side at which the roller or cylinder is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: MTS Medication Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David Schiff
  • Patent number: 8133434
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes at least one reservoir with a delivery mechanism in communication therewith. The delivery mechanism draws an air treatment material from the reservoir and provides the air treatment material in response to a decreased level of active air treatment material or the detection of a malodor. Additionally, the delivery mechanism includes a control system and a detection system. The control system activates the detection system at a timed interval or in response to a change in one or more ambient conditions (e.g., motion, temperature, light, humidity, etc.). Once activated, the detection system samples the environment for either the level of active air treatment material or the quality of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: The Dial Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bankers, Sanam Nassirpour, Kevin Hafer
  • Patent number: 8132692
    Abstract: A method of interfolding gloves including superposing finger portion of second glove adjacent finger portion of first glove, with second glove finger portion being disposed parallel and in a direction opposite the first glove finger portion, in a superjacent opposing relationship. First glove hand and cuff are lapped over second glove finger to create lapped, superjacent opposing fold. By repeatedly lapping previous glove hand over subsequent glove fingers, a glove bundle is formed. Folding can be longitudinal before lapped, superjacent opposing folding. Gloves are disposed in portable dispenser with lapped, superjacent folding and dispensing opening cooperating to dispense one glove, cuff first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Oneglove, LLC
    Inventor: Earl Jordan
  • Publication number: 20120012068
    Abstract: A pet toy with an adjustable treat dispensing lid is disclosed. The lid is connected to a body of the pet toy, and a treat holding enclosure receives treats. The enclosure has an open area which communicates with a treat dispensing opening of the lid enabling treats to be selectively dispensed. The lid may be placed at selected positions with respect to the body thereby changing the size of the exposed treat dispensing opening to thereby selectively change the rate at which treats are dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: The Kong Company, LLC
    Inventor: Chuck Costello
  • Publication number: 20110315705
    Abstract: Disclosed is a technology of discharging, from a drug cartridge, a drug instructed to discharge, while managing a plurality of drugs stored in a drug cartridge. The technology makes it possible to correctly discharge the drugs even when the dosing order of the drugs is changed. A medical agent dispenser has: a main body case (1); an annular drug cartridge (2) which is housed in the main body case (1) and has a plurality of holders (3) at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction; a discharge mechanism (7) which discharges the drugs from the holders (3); and an input interface (6) which receives operations of leading the drug to be discharged. Based on the number of operations the input interface (6) has received, gears (4a, 4b), i.e., rotating mechanisms which rotationally transfer the drug cartridge (2), are controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ando, Kaoru Shigematsu, Toshiki Matsumoto, Yuichi Sugiue
  • Publication number: 20110290818
    Abstract: For safe storage and simple and reliable removal of tablets T by a user, a medicament dispenser 1 is created that has receiving means for an exchangeable cartridge 900 containing the medicament portions. The medicament dispenser 1 is equipped with at least one locking means for locking the cartridge 900 and with at least one means for cancelling the locking of the cartridge 900 in the medicament dispenser 1. The at least one locking means is movable in rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: BAYER SCHERING PHARMA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Sabine Leifeld, Heike Grützmacher, Samer Lezzaiq, Tom Reinhold
  • Publication number: 20110284568
    Abstract: For safe storage and simple and safe administration of tablets T by a user, a cartridge 900 is provided that can be inserted into a medicament dispenser 1 for solid medicament portions T and that is designed with a reservoir for receiving the medicament portions T, and a medicament dispenser 1 containing this cartridge 900 is also provided. According to the invention, the cartridge 900 comprises a transport safety mechanism for preventing movement of the medicament portions T during storage and transport of the cartridge 900. This transport safety mechanism is in particular a tolerance compensation plug 970 that sits with a frictional fit in the reservoir and that is movable in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: BAYER SCHERING PHARMA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Sabine Leifeld, Tom Reinhold, Sven Filler, Uwe Karla
  • Patent number: 8061556
    Abstract: An automated freezer stores food items stacked in a removable cartridge. The food items are dispensed from the automated freezer in response to a request for the food items. The food items are loaded into the cartridge outside of the automated freezer. When the cartridge is inserted into the automated freezer, the upper end of the cartridge is inserted into a buffer, pushing a plurality of arms in the buffer upwardly to allow food items to pass through the buffer. When the cartridge is removed from the freezer for reloading of food items, a resilient member biases the arms downwardly to retain any food items in the buffer and to prevent any food items in the buffer from falling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sands, Ronald J. Glavan, Andrew Paul Franklin, Randy L. Ginner, Henry Thomas Ewald
  • Patent number: 8061558
    Abstract: Gloves and dispensers for gloves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to disposable gloves packaged in a disposable dispenser configured to engage with a carrier. Aspects of the glove assemblies provided herein include a dispenser case having a flange having locking tab for sliding engagement with a channel on the carrier. The dispenser case may be removed from the carrier and a new dispenser case engaged to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Oneglove, LLC
    Inventors: Earl Jordan, Paul R. Persiani, Mark Robinson
  • Publication number: 20110272430
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for dispensing and collecting handle or armature cover material or covers for use, by way of example, with door handles, knobs, and the like. In one embodiment, the device is an automated handle cover dispenser that can include a dual use handle cover refill cartridge for both supplying and collecting handle cover material, or alternatively, a plurality of reels or cartridges (e.g., a supply reel and a take-up reel). The material, when supplied, at least partially covers a handle (e.g., door handle) during use by a consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: XELA INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Todd J. Muderlak, Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Patent number: 8048379
    Abstract: An air freshener includes a housing having at least a first compartment and a second compartment, each of the first and second compartments having vents. The air freshener includes a first fan unit disposed within the first compartment and a second fan unit disposed within the second compartment. The air freshener also includes a first fragrance emitting substance disposed within the first compartment proximate the first fan unit and a second fragrance emitting substance disposed within the second compartment proximate the second fan unit. A programmable processor is operatively connected to a power source and the first and second fan units and configured to drive at least one of the first and second fan units so as to promote discharge of one of the first and second fragrance emitting substances from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hyso Technology LLC
    Inventor: Simon Sassoon
  • Patent number: 8038017
    Abstract: A spring alignment mechanism utilizes a guide inserted into a display carton below merchandise items. A spring-driven rear pull member travels on the guide so that as items are removed from the carton, remaining items are pulled forward. In one example, the guide is inserted between the bottom of merchandise items and the carton bottom. In another example, merchandise items are supported on cardboard support rails built into the bottom of the carton, or provided on a carton insert; and the guide is inserted between the cardboard support rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Close in Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: James Garth Close
  • Patent number: 8020724
    Abstract: A singulating disc, carried by a housing, has a plurality of openings around its periphery. The disc rotates vertically through a pickup chamber of a hopper carried by the housing. A vacuum is pulled through the openings by a pump which is connected to the disc. Items are placed in the hopper and, via gravity, fall to the bottom of the hopper where they contact the periphery of the rotating disc. The vacuum at the openings attaches an item and holds it while the disc rotates. At the top of the disc's rotation, a diverter directs the item into a path depending on the results of a fragment detection and/or counting mechanism. Items that are allowed to pass by the diverter are scraped off the disc into another path by a scraper. Negative pressure is used to singulate and count a multitude of sizes and shapes of items with no calibration. Retractable paddles, a vacuum management system, and RFID tags may be incorporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Remis, Adam Hahn, Raymond Rhodes, John Volkar
  • Patent number: 8016157
    Abstract: The dispenser is comprised of a first hollow body and a second hollow body. The second hollow body fits into the first hollow body. The second hollow body has a closure at the open end. The second hollow body is maintained in the first hollow body by means of an interference fit. There also is at least one vent between the first hollow body and the second hollow body. The second hollow body will contain a medicament. In use the first hollow body and the second hollow body are separated, the lid on the closure of the second hollow body opened and a tablet dispensed into the first hollow body. A liquid such as water is added to the first hollow body to dissolve the tablet. This dissolved medicament is ingested in the usual way and the second hollow body placed back into the first hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Norris, Jeffrey Mayers, Peter Stagl
  • Patent number: 8016156
    Abstract: A cleansing wipe container includes a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a pair of side panels and a lid. The cleansing wipe container may be filled with a plurality of cleansing wipes that are contained in a cartridge. The cartridge and container interact such that a message is displayed on or through a panel of the container. The message is based on the cartridge of wipes and may include a type of wipe, a list of ingredients of the wipes, and/or instructions for using the wipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Philip Andrew Sawin, Kilian John O'Neill, Yolanda Christina Kennish
  • Patent number: 7992747
    Abstract: A product holding, displaying and dispensing assembly includes a dispenser housing having a feed channel and a dispensing location together with a pre-packed, shipping cartridge holding a plurality of product units. The cartridge is inserted and held within the dispenser housing as the product units move within the cartridge to the dispensing location where a consumer can access and remove one or more product units. Unlike more conventional dispensers, the assembly of the present invention is configured so that the pre-packed cartridge is loaded into and remains within the housing as the product units are dispensed and advance forward within the dispenser. After insertion, the cartridge is locked in place by an arrangement of the feed track when one or more cans remain in the cartridge, but can be removed easily when the cartridge is empty. A forward facing surface also provides an additional advertising medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Jamie Bauer
  • Patent number: 7946450
    Abstract: A container for dispensing a product is provided, the container including an outer casing body having a cavity; a dispensing tray adapted for sliding movement within the cavity of the outer casing body between a closed and locked position and a dispensing position, the dispensing tray having an internal storage compartment for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, a dispensing window, and a stop for engaging the outer casing body to prevent removal of the dispensing tray from the cavity; and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the dispensing tray in the cavity, the locking mechanism including protrusions projecting from the outer casing body into the cavity and positioned adjacent to a moveable flap formed in the outer casing body, and recesses carried by the dispensing tray and positioned to engage the protrusions when the dispensing tray is in the closed and locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John A. Gelardi, Caleb S. Loftin
  • Patent number: 7930066
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an automated Pharmacy Admixture System (APAS) may include a manipulator system to transport medical containers such as bags, vials, or syringes in a compounding chamber regulated to a pressure below atmospheric pressure. In a preferred implementation, the manipulator system is configured to grasp and convey syringes, IV bags, and vials of varying shapes and sizes from a storage system in an adjacent chamber regulated at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. Various embodiments may include a controller adapted to actuate the manipulator system to bring a fill port of an IV bag, vial, or syringe into register with a filling port at a fluid transfer station in the chamber. A preferred implementation includes a sanitization system that can substantially sanitize a bung on a fill port of a vial or IV bag in preparation for transport to the fluid transfer station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Intelligent Hospital Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Walter W. Eliuk, Ronald H. Rob, Lance R. Mlodzinski, Alex H. Reinhardt, Thom Doherty
  • Patent number: 7922036
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container for dispensing vertically configured wipes, which provides improved sequential dispensing of the contained wipes while permitting enhanced accessibility to the wipes within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Yarron Bendor, Marcia Cole-Yocom, Donna Barker, Stefano Bartolucci, Johannes Lambertus Maria Mensink
  • Patent number: 7922037
    Abstract: A device for manually dispensing medications is realized, which allows the operator to perform preliminary manual medication dispensing in advance of several subsequent dispensing steps, while facilitating the operator's ability to recognize the region to which each medication is to be dispensed, there by allowing the operator to easily and precisely perform manual dispensing of various kinds of medications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Tosho Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Ohmura, Hideaki Hirobe
  • Patent number: 7917246
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an electronically lockable dispensing apparatus with a patient authentication mechanism are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a medicament dispensing apparatus includes an electronic lock adapted to protect medicaments from theft or unauthorized dispensing. The medicament dispensing apparatus is adapted to unlock the electronic lock upon authenticating a patient. In one embodiment, a set of biometric data may be analyzed for the purpose of authenticating the patient. The biometric data may include, for example, fingerprint patterns, voice samples, retinal scans, and/or facial characteristics of a person requesting medicaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Handfield, Helene Laliberte
  • Patent number: 7909207
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining a status condition of a medicament container having a memory contained therein for storing medicament effect data, such as, for example, drug interaction, side effect, and other information for determining the status condition of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Handfield, Helene Laliberte
  • Patent number: 7886932
    Abstract: A vending machine has a support part that has a first support member extending in the right and left direction on the inside of a commodity storage chamber and a second support member extending in the front and rear direction on the inside of the commodity storage chamber, and supports a commodity column so that the commodity column is movable in the front and rear direction on the first and second support members. In the vending machine, when a support receiving part is detached from the first support member, the commodity column can be moved in the front and rear direction via the second support member, so that replenishment of commodities to the commodity column and maintenance of the commodity column can be accomplished. Both of the first support member and the second support members are located under the commodity column, and support the commodity column from the downside. Therefore, spaces for arranging support members at the right and left of the commodity column are unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuki Yanagisawa, Takeshi Onda, Toshihiko Kurihara, Masaru Tsunoda, Yoshitaka Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7882981
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for storing and dispensing (D) parts such as rivets comprising a frame (100) provided with zones for receiving (100?) cartridges (200) for storing parts such as rivets displaced by a transporting fluid. The invention is characterized in that it comprises a mobile dispensing head (300) for gripping and evacuating in single units parts stored in the cartridge (200) in front of which it is urged to be placed, said mobile head being associated with a plurality of dispensing tubes (310) whereof the diameter corresponds to the type of parts to be dispensed. The invention is applicable to storage and dispensing of parts such as rivets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignees: F2 C2 System
    Inventors: Jean Marc Auriol, Philippe Bornes
  • Patent number: 7878369
    Abstract: A medicine feeding apparatus in which a usability is improved by automatically executing a fine adjustment of a horizontal position and a vertical position of a door panel in correspondence to an operation of taking a drawer in and out without the necessity of executing a troublesome mount fine adjusting work of a door panel. In a medicine feeding apparatus provided with a main body, drawers are attached to the main body so as to be freely drawn, a plurality of tablet cases are detachably attached to the drawers and receiving medicines, and a door panel of the drawer is rotatably held and is finely adjusted to a proper position in correspondence to an operation of taking the drawer in and out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Kobayashi, Takashi Mori, Hideyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7874455
    Abstract: Gloves and dispensers for gloves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to disposable gloves packaged in a disposable dispenser configured to engage with a carrier. Aspects of the glove assemblies provided herein include a dispenser case having a flange having locking tab for sliding engagement with a channel on the carrier. The dispenser case may be removed from the carrier and a new dispenser case engaged to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: OneGlove, LLC
    Inventors: Earl Jordan, Paul R. Persiani, Mark Robinson