Abstract: A dispensing system that includes a housing and a cartridge which is to be inserted into the interior area of the housing. The housing includes a plurality of intersecting exterior sidewalls, a first end wall defining a dispensing throat, a second end wall, and a means for securing a cartridge within the housing. The cartridge includes a flexible bag, a plurality of products compressed within the flexible bag in the dispensing direction, a means for restraining the cartridge within the housing, and a means for releasing the products from the flexible bag.

Abstract: A self-feeding manual cap crimper, indexing mechanism and replaceable cap cartridge provide benefits related to quickly sealing crimp top vials or bottles. A conventional manually operated cap crimping mechanism may be utilized in conjunction with a cap indexing mechanism and a replaceable cap cartridge constructed in accordance with the invention. The replaceable cap supply cartridge includes a main body having a cap containment portion which serially feeds caps to the cap indexing mechanism. The cap indexing mechanism and the replaceable cartridge may each be releasably connected to the cap crimping mechanism. A first actuation of the cap crimping mechanism feeds a cap proximate to multiple jaws associated with the crimping mechanism. A second actuation moves the jaws and crimp the cap onto the vial or bottle.

Abstract: A removable cartridge for a detergent dispensing system for a dishwasher comprising:

Abstract: A reversible cartridge holding a plurality of paper products and for dispensing a controlled amount of the same from a dispenser housing. The cartridge includes a cartridge body having cartridge walls, the cartridge being insertable into an interior area of a dispenser housing. The cartridge may further include removable sections defined in the cartridge body, removal of at least a portion of the removable portions creating openings in the cartridge. The exterior walls define an interior surface and an interior area within the interior surface for receiving a cartridge holding a plurality of paper products. The cartridge further includes two dispensing throats, a first dispensing throat for dispensing multiple paper products, and the second dispensing throat for dispensing single paper products one at a time. Additional openings could be provided for controlling the dispensing and alignment of the paper products within the cartridge.

Abstract: A dispenser for storing/dispensing pharmaceutical dosages that are provided in a stamp-like (flat) dosage form. In some embodiments, the present dispenser includes a housing for retaining a plurality of stacked, individual “stamp-like” pharmaceutical dosages. Disposed within the housing beneath the dosages is a bias element, such as a helical spring, that urges the dosages towards a dosage delivery port of the housing. From the dosage delivery port, dosages are dispensed through an aperture. In other embodiments, the instant dispenser includes a cylindrical main body for retaining pharmaceutical dosages having a stamp-like dosage form that are collectively organized in a roll. A dosage delivery port depending from the cylindrical main body receives dosages one at a time therefrom. The present dispenser is configured, in various embodiments, for manual, mechanically assisted, or automated dispensing.

Abstract: A tablet cassette installation-error preventing system comprises cassette supports each having a front side, a rear side, a top side, and a rotor drive therein, wherein the rear side is fixedly attached on the outer periphery of a tablet dropping unit. Pin holes are formed in the top side of each cassette support and the cassettes are detachably mounted on the cassette supports. An installation-error detector having a base with an upper surface attached to the bottom of the cassette. Locking pins downwardly extend from the base lower surface so that the locking pins respectively fit in the pin holes when each tablet cassette is mounted on the cassette support.

Abstract: A centralized method for selling items through a plurality of vending machines installed at various companies' sites comprises using vending machines having a substitutable goods-holding magazines from which goods can be extracted only when fully installed inside a vending machine and only by use of a special key when the magazines are outside their machines. The magazines are filled at the supply center and distributed along pre-established delivery routes. The servicing of each machine consists essentially of opening the machine, removing the previously installed magazine, substituting a new full magazine and securely locking the machine without any accounting of goods or currency or any other maintenance work.

Abstract: The invention proposes a dispenser of paper, or other equivalent product, including a housing storing the product in the form of folded sheets to be dispensed through a dispensing opening. The paper is contained in a detachable cartridge compatible with the paper dimensions and assembled to the dispenser inside the housing. The cartridge includes an end wall situated opposite an opening of the housing wherein is located a dispensing slot of which the shape matches the paper sheets to be dispensed. The cartridge includes walls which guide the stack of folded sheets.

Abstract: A note holding and dispensing device is provided which comprises a frame 16; a cassette 18 removably positioned in a cavity 112 of the frame 16; a transfer device 24 which comprises an extraction drive means 120 and a conveyer means 122 provided in the frame 16; and an electronic controller 46 for controlling operation of the extraction drive means 120 and conveyer means 122. The cassette 18 has a chamber 64 for receiving a plurality of notes 66 and an extracting device 232 for discharging the notes 66 from the chamber 64. The extraction drive means 120 operates the extracting device 232 in the cassette 18 to fetch the notes 66 from the cassette 18. The conveyer means 122 transports the notes 66 received from the cassette 18 to an outlet 20 through a passageway 22.

Abstract: As means for handling elongate and flat workpieces flowing in a manufacturing line, three handling devices are provided. First one is a workpiece transmitting device which functions to push down, one after another, the frontmost one of a mass of raised workpieces horizontally put on a table structure. Second one is a parts-mass compressing device which compresses a mass of raised workpieces horizontally put on a table structure to a desired smaller size by using moving and fixed plates. Third one is an assembling device which connects a header pipe to each side of a compressed mass of raised workpieces horizontally put on a table structure.

Abstract: As means for handling elongate and flat workpieces flowing in a manufacturing line, three handling devices are provided. First one is a workpiece transmitting device which functions to push down, one after another, the front most one of a mass of raised workpieces horizontally put on a table structure. Second one is a parts-mass compressing device which compresses a mass of raised workpieces horizontally put on a table structure to a desired smaller size by using moving and fixed plates. Third one is an assembling device which connects a header pipe to each side of a compressed mass of raised workpieces horizontally put on a table structure.

Abstract: A cutlery utensil dispenser for dispensing cutlery utensils one at a time upon hand operation of an externally accessible utensil delivery controller. The dispenser includes a housing having at least one interior compartment in communication with an exit opening. At least partially accommodateable within the interior compartment is a stack of utensils within a cartridge capable of universally accommodating knives or forks or spoons and provided with a portal through which a single utensil can pass and wherein a dispensable utensil is situated. The portal is situated in a pathway aligned with the exit opening. Finally, the utensil delivery controller is an externally accessible hand operable ejector engageable with the dispensable utensil and situated for ejecting the dispensable utensil from the portal of the cartridge and thereafter through the pathway to the exit opening for ultimate user retrieval.

Abstract: A ball cartridge device includes: a tube container for filling practice balls in the tube container having a locking bar resiliently held in a bottom portion of the tube container for normally preventing discharge of ball from the container, and a discharge tube formed on an unloading device and positioned under the tube container for quickly coupling the tube container for smoothly discharging ball from the tube container through the unloading device to a ball dispensing device.

Abstract: A light and compact vending machine suitable for use on a table or counter top, uses interchangeable magazines that can be preloaded with goods at a service center and quickly and conveniently installed on or removed from the machine. Each magazine has good-holding stations that differ in numbers and sizes. Each station has an access port on the front of the magazine toward which a spiral rack driven by a mechanism mounted in the machine moves goods. The currency accepted in payment for the goods is automatically dropped into a sealed receptacle at the bottom of the magazine. Each magazine is secured by a door that opens automatically only when the magazine is in place and the machine door has been locked. Personnel servicing the machine by replacing an empty one with a loaded one need not handle the goods or the cash. In some alternate embodiments of the invention, packaged goods and beverage cans slide down along slanted channels toward dispensing gates under their own weight.

Abstract: A note holding and dispensing device is provided which comprises a frame 16; a cassette 18 removably positioned in a cavity 112 of the frame 16; a transfer device 24 which comprises an extraction drive means 120 and a conveyer means 122 provided in the frame 16; and an electronic controller 46 for controlling operation of the extraction drive means 120 and conveyer means 122. The cassette 18 has a chamber 64 for receiving a plurality of notes 66 and an extracting device 232 for discharging the notes 66 from the chamber 64. The extraction drive means 120 operates the extracting device 232 in the cassette 18 to fetch the notes 66 from the cassette 18. The conveyer means 122 transports the notes 66 received from the cassette 18 to an outlet 20 through a passageway 22.

Abstract: A novel system for dispensing tickets wherein a continuous strip is individuated into separate units by the force of users pulling each individual luggage tag through an aperture located at one end of a dispensing mechanism having a detent mechanism for shearing pre-scored and pre-arranged tickets that is used in combination with an interference and/or ramped spacing mechanism. The same may be mounted in a stanchion, on any existing environmental structure, or in a counter, and may include rectangular, rolled and alternatively shaped housing. Particularly useful for luggage tagging applications, a self-engaging ticket-like article may be used with existing guidance systems and an optional writing surface to allow users to procure and apply identifying indicia to such articles for marking luggage on an expedited basis while traveling.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus having a refrigerated compartment for receiving a plurality of bottle cartridges containing bottle container. A bottle latching mechanism holds the bottles within the cartridge as the cartridge and bottle containers are inserted into the refrigerated compartment. A bottle lifting mechanism located proximate the end of the rows of multiple cartridges lifts the bottles upward until the top bottle rolls onto a sloped dispensing platform where a person can remove the bottle from the dispensing apparatus by pressing a lever to allow a bottle to roll past a flexible window and out of the bottle dispenser to a position where a person can pick up the bottle.

Abstract: A clip device is provided which is capable of clipping a sheet bundle with more than a predetermined clipping force independent of the thickness of the sheet bundle. This clip device is equipped with a cartridge for housing a plurality of substantially flat clip plates, a slider for feeding the clip plates from the cartridge into a predetermined position, a bending mechanism for bending the clip plate into a shape in which only point end portions are closed and also a rear portion is bulged, and a widening mechanism for clipping a sheet bundle by opening the point end portions of the bent clip and then inserting the sheet bundle into the opened point end portions.

Abstract: As means for handling elongate and flat workpieces flowing in a manufacturing line, three handling devices are provided. First one is a workpiece transmitting device which functions to push down, one after another, the frontmost one of a mass of raised workpieces horizontally put on a table structure. Second one is a parts-mass compressing device which compresses a mass of raised workpieces horizontally put on a table structure to a desired smaller size by using moving and fixed plates. Third one is an assembling device which connects a header pipe to each side of a compressed mass of raised workpieces horizontally put on a table structure.

Abstract: An automatic rolled coin dispenser for quickly and automatically dispensing a pre-selected number of paper or plastic wrapped rolls of coins. The dispenser further provides a large coin storage capacity, speed loading capability, as well as the ability to dispense multiple denominations of rolled coins simultaneously.

Abstract: A note holding and dispensing device is provided which comprises a frame 16; a cassette 18 removably positioned in a cavity 112 of the frame 16; a transfer device 24 which comprises an extraction drive means 120 and a conveyer means 122 provided in the frame 16; and an electronic controller 46 for controlling operation of the extraction drive means 120 and conveyer means 122. The cassette 18 has a chamber 64 for receiving a plurality of notes 66 and an extracting device 232 for discharging the notes 66 from the chamber 64. The extraction drive means 120 operates the extracting device 232 in the cassette 18 to fetch the notes 66 from the cassette 18. The conveyer means 122 transports the notes 66 received from the cassette 18 to an outlet 20 through a passageway 22.

Abstract: A tin tag dispensing attachment for roofing guns and the like includes a housing containing a chamber for receiving a cylindrical cartridge containing a stack of disk-shaped tin tags. The cartridge includes a vertical tubular resilient wall containing a longitudinal slit running the length thereof, the bottom end of the cartridge being expandable by an expansion device carried by the housing, thereby to release the tin tag stack for longitudinal displacement relative to the cartridge wall from a supported position to a released position, whereupon the lowermost tin tag of the released stack is positioned for displacement from the tag feeding station to the tag nailing station.

Abstract: A note holding and dispensing device is provided which comprises a frame 16; a cassette 18 removably positioned in a cavity 112 of the frame 16; a transfer device 24 which comprises an extraction drive means 120 and a conveyer means 122 provided in the frame 16; and an electronic controller 46 for controlling operation of the extraction drive means 120 and conveyer means 122. The cassette 18 has a chamber 64 for receiving a plurality of notes 66 and an extracting device 232 for discharging the notes 66 from the chamber 64. The extraction drive means 120 operates the extracting device 232 in the cassette 18 to fetch the notes 66 from the cassette 18. The conveyer means 122 transports the notes 66 received from the cassette 18 to an outlet 20 through a passageway 22.

Abstract: A portable medication cartridge allows for both manual and automated dispensing of tablets or capsules of virtually all sizes through a radial dispensing apparatus. The cartridge may be sealed and encoded with medication and patient identification. A microprocessor controlled medication dispensing apparatus includes a cartridge magazine capable of holding a plurality of cartridges for the same or different patients. The portable medication dispensing apparatus and method detects patient identification data and activates a radial dispensing medication cartridge in response to verification of patient identification data. The radial dispensing medication cartridge may include, for example, a tablet tray having a plurality of tablet stalls with at least a partially open top and side. The tablet and tray accommodates different sizes and types of tablets or capsules.

Abstract: A scrubs dispenser cabinet dispenses garment tops and bottoms to customers in a plurality of sizes. A cabinet housing has a dispense port at a convenient location on the front. A pair of reels within the housing have a first web belt wound onto them and the belt has pockets or compartments along its length. These compartments are adapted to be loaded with scrub tops. The belt passes over idlers along a path so that the compartments on the first belt align with the dispense port as the belt unwinds from one reel and winds onto the other. Another pair of reels has a second web belt, the second belt similarly having compartments, here adapted to be loaded with said scrub bottoms. The second belt also moves on a path that aligns the compartments with said dispense port as the belt unwinds from one of the reels and winds onto the other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wet wipes (1) for use in wiping surfaces in the home and in industry, in addition to their use on the human body such as for baby wipes, make-up removal and other skin care applications. The wet wipes are folded and interleaved with one another (40, 50) to provide an improved stacking configuration whereby each wipe can be readily singly separated from the wet wipe stack by the consumer.

Abstract: A coin roll cassette is disclosed. The cassette is used in a coin roll dispensing apparatus of the type that includes at least one rotatable dispensing wheel. Such dispensing wheel has a device for engaging cassettes therein to retain the cassettes within the wheel, a rotary drive for rotating the dispensing wheel to a dispensing position, and a pusher arm assembly defining a longitudinal axis along which the pusher arm assembly moves. The pusher arm assembly moves reciprocally along the longitudinal axis to enter the cassette and to eject a predetermined number of coin rolls from the cassette when the dispensing wheel is rotated by the drive to place the cassette in the dispense position.

Abstract: A device and magazine are set for dispensing articles of value such as pre-paid telephone calling cards. The closed magazine has a gate moveable between a closed to an open position to permit articles to be dispensed therefrom by a dispensing mechanism. A one cycle gate operating mechanism is included which has an actuator moveable from a first position to a second position to secure the magazine to the dispensing mechanism and open the gate. Should the actuator be moved to close the gate, the gate is locked in the closed position and cannot be re-opened. Surreptitious opening of the gate to remove cards and then closing the gate prevents the gate from re-opening and prevents securing the magazine to the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: A plate stacker is described for use in the field of sample analysis. The plate stacker increases the rate and ease with which sample carriers such as microwell plates may be interfaced with an automated system and includes a removable rack attached to a base to allow plates to be transported to and from an automated system. The stacker rack includes a door which allows for a compact stacker thus allowing manipulation of the microwell plates in a compact area. Generally, the plate stacker provides a means to allow a user to interface with an automated system. The rack portion of the stacker allows the user to load and unload microwell plates into the system in batches by loading or unloading multiple individual plates into or out of the rack. The base portion allows the automated system to load and unload individual microwell plates from the stacker.

Abstract: A pill dispenser for releasably holding a collection of pills. The dispenser having a base plate and a cover rotatably mounted relative to the base plate. The collection of pills are housed individually in compartments in the holding means and an aperture allows for selective release of the pills. At least one notch is provided and travels along a toothed circular guide path when the cover is rotated. An baffle extends inwardly from the aperture in the direction of the compartments of the holding means and prevents rotation past pills in a compartment without removing the pill next in sequence from its holder so that no pills may be skipped.

Abstract: The invention comprises a wall or door-mounted container for cleansing wipes having two separate compartments, one for holding readily available packet stacks (or rolls) of dry paper towel wipes of standard size, and one for holding a sealed containers of pre-moistened paper towelette wipes. The latter containers also may be found in retail and wholesale outlets everywhere and comes in generally cylindrical tubs of two or three standard sizes. A slot is provided in the bottom of the first container compartment for permitting egress of the dry paper towels, as is common. A new aperture is provided in the bottom of the second compartment for providing egress to the wet towelettes, in cooperative placement with respect to the cross slit aperture found in the lid of a towelette tub. A one-piece hinged and locked transparent front panel gives ready access to both compartments for instant refilling.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a device for the convenient storage and controlled dispensing of objects, and includes at least the following components. A shell with a generally hollow interior cavity, an advancement slot, and at least one dispenser opening. A cartridge for location within the hollow interior cavity of the shell, such that the cartridge can be removed and contained within the shell. The cartridge optionally includes a cartridge belt disposed about the cartridge plate, wherein the cartridge belt is capable of receiving the objects for storage and dispensing. Captured within the advancement slot of the shell is an advancement arm comprising a first end for selective advancement of the objects and a second end to allow for control over the advancement arm in advancing the objects towards the dispensing opening of the shell, and for control of the advancement arm in retracting the advancement arm after dispensing.

Abstract: A wall-mountable apparatus for securably dispensing packages of cigarettes includes a vertically elongated interior casing, and an exterior shell configured to embrace the interior casing and pivotally jointed thereto in a manner to permit swinging movement of the shell in a vertical path between a lockable upper position which encloses the interior casing, and a lower position which exposes the interior casing. A basket tray disposed within the interior casing holds a multitude of vertically stacked packages of cigarettes which descend by gravity effect to a serving panel which may be adjustably disposed in a lower, dispensing position or in an upraised, non-dispensing and locked position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a substantially circular tablet dispenser component system which may be adapted for a variable day start of a prescribed periodic tablet regimen. Also provided are a tablet dispenser kit, a tablet packge adapted for filling the tablet dispenser system, methods of filling the tablet dispenser of the invention and methods of administering a prescribed regimen of medication using the tablet dispenser system of the invention.

Abstract: A cartridge is provided which is detachably attached to a main body of a unit. The main body of the unit houses a connected clip body where a plurality of clip plates are interconnected in ribbon form by tape and wound in roll form, and the main body is equipped with a device for clipping an end portion of a sheet bundle. The cartridge has a main body (103), which is in turn formed with a chamber (102) for housing the connected clip body and a conveyer path (113) for feeding a clip plate of the connected clip body housed in the housing chamber to a clipping position by a feed unit. The housing chamber (102) is provided with an opening (105A) at its circumferential wall (105) which becomes an inlet between the housing chamber (102) and the conveyer path (113). The opening (105A) has nearly the same diameter as the diameter of the housing chamber (102).

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus for storing and sequentially translating support articles. The assembly can be constructed, arranged, and adapted to be removeably positioned in operative relation to a support article labeling device. The assembly includes a sequencing mechanism and a housing containing the sequencing mechanism. The assembly can optionally include a preloaded removable magazine. The sequencing mechanism captures a stacked array of support articles and translates a lower-most positioned support article from the stacked array to the labeling device. The housing can also include at least one adjustable stop element. The adjustable stop element cooperates with the sequencing mechanism to prevent misregistration of the bottom-positioned support article.

Abstract: A card dispensing cassette includes a housing in which cards are stacked. A dispense outlet is provided in the housing through which cards are laterally dispensed from the cassette. A card retainer, cooperating with the dispense outlet, is slidably mounted to the cassette for substantially lateral movement between a closed position in which cards cannot be dispensed and an open position in which cards can be dispensed. The card retainer has a retaining lip which engages any cards protruding through the dispense outlet when the card retainer moves to its closed position so as to return those cards into the cassette.

Abstract: This invention relates to a substantially circular tablet dispenser component system which may be adapted for a variable day start of a prescribed periodic tablet regimen. Also provided are a tablet dispenser kit, a tablet package adapted for filling the tablet dispenser system, methods of filling the tablet dispenser of the invention and methods of administering a prescribed regimen of medication using the tablet dispenser system of the invention, with both "any day start" (i.e., start of the therapy on any day of the week) and "any therapy package" (i.e., not only contraceptives).

Abstract: A windshield washing service unit for providing a station for holding the equipment and supplies needed for cleaning windshields and other windows. The windshield washing service unit includes a housing with a spaced apart pair of side walls, spaced apart front and back walls extending between the side walls, and a bottom wall extending between the side walls and connecting the front and back walls together. The front, back, and bottom walls define a receptacle therebetween. An insert is inserted into the receptacle. The insert defines an open topped reservoir designed for holding a liquid therein. An elongate dowel is extended between and rotatably mounted to the side walls above the receptacle.

Abstract: A currency storage and dispensing apparatus (20) includes a top member (22) defining an upper interior cavity (34), a bottom member (36) defining a lower interior cavity (48), and a slider (64). The top member and the bottom member can be connected to define a storage cavity (49) for the secure storage of a quantity of currency (58). A display notch (80) is formed through a corner of the top member allowing a corner of the currency stored within the apparatus to be exposed. An angled dispensing slot (82) is formed through the upper wall of the top member and intersects with the display notch such that single currency bills can be dispensed through the slot. A currency storage drawer (100) is also provided in which a plurality of bill dispensing units (102) can be secured by a rod (106).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved dispenser for sanitary gloves. The dispenser comprises a rectangular enclosure having a top, bottom, left and right side walls, front and back, for receiving individually packaged sanitary gloves. The front is permanently joined to the top, bottom, left and back, while the right side wall is pivotally attached to the bottom wall. The front contains an opening near the top for dispensing the sanitary gloves one at a time. A window near the bottom portion of the front is used to visually inspect the quantity of gloves remaining in the dispenser at any given time.

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: An automatic bulk vending machine is described including specific details as to various aspects of accurate volumetric dispensing, the separation of small broken pieces or fines from the dispensed product, and the easy and sanitary loading of such a machine. Further details as to how to provide a highly flexible selection process are provided. An automatic bulk vending machine according to the present invention may include a touch-screen for providing a visually entertaining and instructive display to guide a customer through the product selection process. Products to be selected may be stored in bins and volumetrically dispensed by a dispenser to a blending and holding pan. From this pan, they are then directed through a dispenser tube including a fines separator and collector to a dispensing cup. Bulk refill containers are also disclosed. Unlike an ordinary vending machine, the customer can choose the blend of product to be purchased.

Abstract: This invention relates to a substantially circular tablet dispenser component system which may be adapted for a variable day start of a prescribed periodic tablet regimen. Also provided are a tablet dispenser kit, a tablet packge adapted for filling the tablet dispenser system, methods of filling the tablet dispenser of the invention and methods of administering a prescribed regimen of medication using the tablet dispenser system of the invention.

Abstract: An insert device for a sheet dispenser having a housing for receiving a stack of folded sheets, a bottom opening of the housing being formed as a rounded elongate slot having an enlarged center portion, includes a rear panel portion; an upwardly and forwardly sloping front ramp portion, a pair of side panel portions connecting the front ramp potion to the rear panel portion; and a ledge portion extending forwardly from the panel portion toward the ramp portion. Also disclosed is a method for bottom loading of the insert device (with stacked sheets therein) into a dispenser having door members defining a bottom opening thereof.

Abstract: The article dispensing apparatus includes an elongated barrel and a dispenser body received on the lower end of the elongated barrel for retaining and dispensing stacked articles. The dispenser body may be used to accommodate cups of a range of different sizes, shapes, and lip configurations due to a plurality of flexible fingers of the dispenser body. The flexible fingers are formed by pairs of spaced slots provided about a circumference of the dispenser body. The flexible fingers have radially inwardly sloping stop members which retain the cups and flex outward to dispense the cups. The elongated barrel is affixed to the dispenser body by one or more projections on the barrel which snap into corresponding recesses in the dispenser body.

Abstract: A medication delivery cartridge for dispensing unit dose medication packages is provided, comprising a base; a plurality of support members extending upwardly from the base, the support members being shaped and dimensioned to hold a plurality of unit dose medication packages; and an attachment device on the base for allowing the cartridge to be installed within a medication delivery system. Preferably, the medication delivery cartridge further includes a removable retaining device connected to each of the support members, wherein the retaining device is shaped and dimensioned to retain the unit dose medication packages within the cartridge prior to installation of the cartridge within the medication delivery system. Also, a bar code or other identifying indicia are located on the cartridge corresponding to the particular unit dose medication packages within the cartridge, wherein the identifying indicia are readable by the medication delivery system.

Abstract: A medication delivery cartridge for dispensing consumable medical supplies is provided, comprising a base; a hollow guide member, preferably in the shape of a tube, removably connectable to the base by a guide sleeve, wherein the guide member is shaped and dimensioned to contain a plurality of medical supply containers; and attachment means on the base for allowing the cartridge to be installed within a medication delivery system. The hollow guide member preferably includes an indexing device for aligning the guide member with the base. Each of the medical supply containers may include a lifting device attached thereto for allowing temporary attachment to the probe of the delivery system. Where a magnetic probe is employed, each of the lifting devices includes a ferrous material sufficient to allow magnetic attachment of the probe to the lifting device. The medical supply containers are stacked end to end within a medication tube, and the medication tube is inserted into the guide member.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for dispensing cylindrical objects, the apparatus having a dispensing device comprising a device housing having a dispensing opening, a storage magazine disposed within the device housing for storing the objects, and a dispensing drum rotatably borne in the device housing and having a recess for accepting the objects, the recess communicating with the storage magazine and the dispensing opening. The drum has an axis of rotation substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the objects, and teeth disposed at the recess to push objects seating on the drum away from the drum. The apparatus is particularly well-suited for dispensing rolls of coins without damage to same and without jamming.

Abstract: An escrow vending machine has a secure, locking cabinet; a dispenser for cards or other merchandise; a bill acceptor, coin acceptor or similar cash acceptor; and a controller board within the cabinet and connected to the dispenser and to the cash acceptor. The dispenser contains a supply of prepaid telephone cards or other merchandise, and dispenses them one at a time in response to a control signal. The cash acceptor accepts and registers units of cash, e.g., dollars, and generates a pulse or other signal for each unit accepted. The controller board has an input that receives the cash signal from the cash acceptor and an output supplying the control signal to the dispenser. An escrow counter or register accumulates an escrow count of the pulses or cash signals. This enables the controller board to supply the control signal when the count in the escrow register equals or exceeds a preset number that represents a price or value.