Abstract: A subassembly for use in a computerized medicine dispensing station is disclosed. The station has a cabinet for housing openable drawers in stacked arrangement containing dispensable pharmaceutical items. The subassembly includes a drawer having a base plate, side walls, and a front panel defining an interior compartment. The drawer can be inserted into the cabinet. The interior compartment of the drawer is divided into subcompartments, each subcompartment defined by spaced apart side walls and a curved rear wall. Each subcompartment contains a movable magazine mounted therein for racetrack-like movement therein between the spaced apart side wall and the curved rear wall. The magazine includes individual open cups for containing single dispensable pharmaceutical items therein. The front panel has an aperture which is normally closed and locked.

Abstract: A stack of paper is provided for separating portions produced by a portion control machine. The paper is dispensed from a paper feed system that feeds the bottom-most sheet from the stack along support rails that support opposite edges of the sheet. An integral stiffening strip extends between the opposite side edges of each sheet for stiffening the sheet therebetween and to minimize bowing of the sheet when supported at its opposite side edges. The stiffening strip has an arcuate cross-section, and the stiffening strip includes a rigidifying wax coating that is impregnated in the sheet at least to a greater extent in other areas of the sheet than at the strip. The invention also contemplates a method of fabricating the sheets of paper.

Abstract: The instant invention is used to feed a stack of flattened cartons in which the cartons extend in respective parallel planes and where the stack has an end formed by a frontmost carton. A device for picking the cartons off the stack starting with the frontmost carton includes a grab displaceable along a path passing through a pickup point and operable when at the point to engage and grip the frontmost carton, and a system for displacing the path and thereby moving the location along a generally straight line for setting the picker for cartons of different height.

Abstract: A small, wall mounted, coin operated vending machine vends individual tubed cigarettes directly from a cigarette manufacturer's original cigarette container. The machine has a removable hopper for loading and holding the cartons of tubed cigarettes. The cigarettes in the hopper are picked up one at a time in a slot of a dispensing member that is rotated by the coin mechanism. The dispensing member may have a plurality of slots to allow for the dispensing of a predetermined number of tubed cigarettes for each turn of the coin mechanism. Agitators may be placed on the dispenser to insure proper feeding of cigarettes into a dispenser slot. The coin mechanism may also be adapted to use tokens only. A "cheater" feature prevents dispensing of more cigarettes than have been properly purchased.

Abstract: An improved carousel apparatus for use in carousel-type magnetic tape library systems and the like, including a cylindrical magazine carried by a rotatable turntable. The turntable includes a sprocket wheel that is engaged by a drive belt or chain connected to a stepper motor affixed to a rotatable base plate. Affixed to the sprocket is a shutter plate having a plurality of notches in its perimeter for detection by an optical-indexing sensor. The apparatus also includes a carousel-indexing sensor and a cartridge-in-carousel and cartridge-orientation sensor. Disposed within the central cavity of the carousel magazine unoccupied by cartridges is a cartridge-onloading/offloading mechanism which is rotatably mounted concentric with the carousel turntable.

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 transparent display article dispenser, includes spaced front and rear walls and spaced side walls integral with the front and rear walls to define a vertical chute having open upper and lower ends. The front wall includes a first horizontal retainer flange projecting into the interior of the passageway at a lower end of the chute. The rear wall includes a second horizontal retainer flange projecting towards the first retainer flange and being spaced below the first retainer flange a distance in excess of the height of the article being dispensed. An opening is formed within the front wall below the first retainer flange for removal of an article resting on the second retainer flange. An elongated removable see-through tubular cartridge sized smaller in cross-section than the chute passageway and being configured to that passageway has a lower end inserted within the chute passageway and stores articles to be dispensed in a serial, abutting fashion.

Abstract: A device for allowing the dispensing of cigarettes at a predetermined rate comprising a drum and a plurality of chambers for receiving individual cigarettes, the drum having an open upper end and a plate at the lower end; a container of a size to receive the drum; a cover pivotally attached to the cylindrical container at the upper end and movable between an open position for loading cigarettes, the cover also including a lid at the delivery position openable to allow removal of a single cigarette; a locking assembly to maintain the cover closed except when in the load orientation; drive mechanisms to sequentially bring each chamber beneath the lid for cigarette removal; and control means to activate the drive mechanisms in a time sequence.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for dispensing rollable articles from a package, container or the like. The apparatus includes a retainer for placement over an opening in a package to prevent rollable articles contained in the package from rolling en masse out of the package. The retainer also defines a port for controllably dispensing rollable articles from the package. In addition, the apparatus includes a holder for rollingly receiving an article controllably dispensed from the package through the port. The holder is capable of holding the dispensed articles to enable an individual to remove an article from the holder by grasping it. In addition, an attachment means is provided which cooperates with the retainer for securing the retainer to the package over the package's opening.

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: A container is described which can hold multiple small articles such as earplugs, and which can be inserted into a dispenser where the contents can be readily released. The container includes a box (30, FIG. 3) whose bottom wall includes a pair of flaps (50, 52) having inner ends (54, 56) pivotally connected to the bottoms of opposite side walls, and having outer portions (64, 66) that lie adjacent to each other. A release device (34) holds the outer portions of the flaps together to prevent them from pivoting down until the release device is pulled out, when the flaps pivot down and the articles fall out. The outer portion of each flap includes an upstanding tab (76, 78, FIG. 5) with a horizontal slot (82), and the release device includes a cardboard plate which is received in the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for vending work objects having a main frame; a vend mechanism; a subframe, composed of a plurality of modules defining at least one work object storage area, mounted on the main frame; a mount releasably mounting the vend mechanism in vending relation to work objects received in the work object storage area; and a control system for operating the vend mechanism selectively to vend the work objects from the work object storage area.

Abstract: A dispenser and method for dispensing materials from a blister pack of one or more blister cards. A single blister card having a plurality of blisters thereon can be used with other blister cards in a stack. To dispense materials from the aligned blisters of stacked blister cards, a plunger is driven through a guide hole in a top plate and into aligned blisters of a stack of blister cards. In this way, a plurality of blisters can be quickly and cleanly opened. Thus, a plurality of medical pills can be liberated from the blisters and can easily gravitate to a collection region below the stack of blister cards. Several embodiments of the mount for the blister card stack is disclosed.

Abstract: An adhesive bandage dispensing system includes an elongated strand of individually sterile-wrapped adhesive bandages and a reusable dispenser for storing and dispensing the bandages. Each bandage is contained in a separate sterile compartment of an otherwise continuous wrapping material. Perforations formed in the wrapping material around each compartment allow the compartments to be individually opened. The strand is loaded into the dispenser, which is secured to a stable surface, so that the leading edge of the strand is frictionally held in biased guide flanges and protrudes from a dispensing opening defined by the flanges. The leading edge of the strand is pulled from the dispensing opening until an entire bandage is exposed, then the strand is pulled sharply to completely break the perforation, and the bandage can then be removed from the excess wrapping and prepared to be applied to a wound using both hands, if necessary.

Abstract: An improved sealed dispenser for sequentially dispensing filters utilizing a band tangentially contacting a portion of the periphery of a wheel thereby providing a frictionalized surface. Filters may be added to the top of the dispenser in a prepackaged set and the packaging becomes a sealing top to the dispenser. A single filter can be drawn from a stack of filters positioned in the dispenser by rotating the wheel using an externally attached knob, which passes a single filter by friction between the wheel and the band. The filter exits the dispenser via a pivotably closable door located at the lower part of the front of the dispenser.

Abstract: Frozen products housed in a rack are retained in a spiral wire and is guided by plastic guide pieces formed at portions necessary to hold the products. The guide pieces are fixed onto fitting supports attached to the rack, so that ice deposition spaces are created between the guide pieces and a rack surface (12). Thus, the ice formed in the rack is accumulated in the spaces, thereby reducing its effect on the products. In the invention, damage to the wrapping of a bagged product and deformation thereof are prevented.

Abstract: A tray and dispenser for holding and dispensing individual film packets from a stack of film packets provided in a tray. The tray comprises a bottom wall, an first end wall, a second end wall, and two substantially parallel side walls. The side and end walls extend upwardly from the bottom wall and terminate in an upper rim to define an open top and a recess for receiving a stack of film packets. The second end wall is provided with a support surface for supporting a stack of film packets placed in the recess when the tray is placed in the vertical position. The bottom wall of the tray is provided with ribs for spacing the stack of film packets a predetermined distance from the surface of the bottom wall and forming a rear space behind the bottom packet. The second end wall is also provided with an access opening for allowing access to the packet disposed on the bottom of the stack of film packets when the tray is placed in the substantial vertical position.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which can receive a large number of earplugs from a box and dispense one or two of them at a time to a worker. The apparatus includes a wheel (22, FIG. 1) which is rotatable on a frame (12) and which has holes (24) that move in a circular path and that can each receive a single earplug (16). As each hole moves over a dispense passage 18, the earplug in the hole can fall out, and be dispensed. A barrier (42, FIG. 2) lying above the wheel, prevents an earplug from falling into a hole that lies at the passage. The barrier covers only one side (52) of the path (32) of the holes, to allow a deformed earplug to move along the other, uncovered side (54) of the path. The wheel has a narrow slot (80) extending from each hole to the periphery, so a tool can be projected through a frame opening (84) and through the slot to dislodge an earplug stuck in a wheel hole.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus (1, 60) for medications (2) in capsule or pill form includes a case (3, 64) dispensing the medications and a removable loader (4, 75) capable of containing the medications previously put into the loader. The case includes a driving mechanism (7, 61) for driving the loader in a given direction, and optical detection (39) arranged in order to detect the passage of a medication at the moment of its exit from the case and connected to a electronic device (40) for storing, computing and retrieving the data relating to the dispensing of medications. The loader includes several transverse compartments (24) forming a continuous longitudinal chain, the loader and the orifice being arranged in order to allow the exit of the medication directly under gravity when it is dispensed.

Abstract: A key storage container receives, stores and dispenses along a longitudinal axis a supply of identical key storage tags, each of which holds a key blank. The key storage container includes a horizontally oriented base and vertically oriented sidewalls. The sidewall includes a first sidewall segment aligned with and extending vertically upward from the front of the base as well as a second sidewall segment which completes the vertically oriented sidewall of the key storage container. A dispensing aperture is located at the junction of the first sidewall segment with the base and includes a height and width sufficient to allow the maximum cross sectional area of the lowest key storage tag stacked within the storage volume of the key storage container to be longitudinally displaced along the base of the storage volume through the dispensing aperture.

Abstract: A card vending machine comprising a cabinet having a plurality of card holding and dispensing modules individually removably positioned therein with each of the modules including a card holding portion and card dispensing portion. Each of the modules includes a gauge cam to enable the card dispensing portions of the modules to be adjusted to compensate for cards having various thicknesses.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which can receive a large number of earplugs from a box and dispense one or two of them at a time to a worker, which avoids touching of the earplugs by any other person. The apparatus includes a wheel (22, FIG. 1 ) which is rotatable on a frame (12) and which has holes (24) that are each capable of holding a single earplug (26). As the wheel turns, earplugs fall into the holes. As each hole moves to a dispense location (30), the earplug in the hole can fall out of the hole along a dispense passage (16). A barrier (42) lying above the wheel, prevents an earplug from falling into a hole that lies at the dispense location, and sweeps away any second earplug which lies partially within a hole approaching the dispense location. A large number of earplugs are contained in a box (80) which is installed in an open top (82) of the dispenser.

Abstract: A tray and dispenser for holding and dispensing individual film packets from a stack of film packets provided in a tray. The tray comprises a bottom wall, an first end wall, a second end wall, and two substantially parallel side walls. The side and end walls extend upwardly from the bottom wall and terminate in an upper rim to define an open top and a recess for receiving a stack of film packets. The second end wall is provided with a support surface for supporting a stack of film packets placed in the recess when the tray is placed in the vertical position. The bottom wall of the tray is provided with ribs for spacing the stack of film packets a predetermined distance from the surface of the bottom wall and forming a rear space behind the bottom packet. The second end wall is also provided with an access opening for allowing access to the packet disposed on the bottom of the stack of film packets when the tray is placed in the substantial vertical position.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and automatically sorting items, in which the items are stored in bins or magazines arranged on bin-bases affixed to a frame from which individual bin-bases can be pulled out, includes a horizontal conveyor, each bin including an item dispenser through which items are dispensed onto the horizontal conveyor. The horizontal conveyor is positioned beneath the bin-bases and transversely to their end faces, and extends width-wise only across a central part of the apparatus. The apparatus further includes guide plates sloping down toward the conveyor in a part of the apparatus to which the conveyor does not extend for guiding items from the item dispensers to the conveyor. The frame includes an upper beam resting on a row of pillars mounted above the conveyor on A or inverted V-shaped supports whose legs rest on opposite lateral sides of the conveyor, one row of bin-bases being mounted on each side of the columns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vending apparatus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages. The vending apparatus comprises:a) an outer cabinet;b) an isolated freezer compartment within the outer cabinet for storing the plurality of packages disposed within the outer cabinet, the freezer compartment having a thermal barrier for maintaining a frozen environment within the freezer compartment in isolation of the ambient temperature air filling the remaining interior space of the outer cabinet;c) a mechanism for opening the thermal barrier;d) a picker for selectively removing the selected package from the freezer compartment, the picker being located outside the freezer compartment in between operating cycles and entering the freezer compartment for removing one of the packages only during the removal operation; ande) a controller for automatically controlling the picker and opening mechanism in response to a customer's selection.

Abstract: Dispensing machines are described which are suitable for use in a cold environment. The machines have a plurality of storage locations for supporting articles to be dispensed, each of which includes an electrical heating element. The heating elements can be energized individually and the heat generated by an energized heating element causes an article supported at the respective storage location to be released.

Abstract: A system for dispensing medication includes a dispensing device unto which a prepackaged cassette can be releasably installed. The cassette contains medication that has been prepackaged in individual pockets along a strip. The strip is wound between a supply reel and a take up reel within the cassette. A control mechanism associated with the dispensing device advances the strip within the cassette by winding the strip onto the take up reel, while unwinding the strip from the supply reel, and while moving a dispensing mechanism also associated with the device into contact with the strip for opening a medication pocket to expel the medication from the strip and out of the cassette.

Abstract: A secure housing in an automatic teller machine for accommodating cassettes attached to a carrier frame which by means of slide rail assemblies is fixed to the upper portion or wall of the housing is disclosed. This wall is provided with an output opening out of which bank notes or other documents may be issued reliably to a transport mechanism.

Abstract: The specification discloses a sheet material dispenser for which the angle between axis along which sheet material is dispensed and the dispenser container may be changed. A dispensing funnel is provided on a ball that rotates about its center within a socket mounted on the container. Sheet material extends from the center of a stationary supply of sheet material around a guide bar, through openings in the ball and the container, and to the exterior of the container through the opening of the funnel. Sheet material is manually extracted from the funnel. A stabilizing member extends into a hollow core to the supply of sheet material to stabilize the supply. An access hole is formed in the container to allow adjustment and refeeding of sheet material without unlocking the container.

Abstract: A medication delivery device includes a housing that encloses a storage chamber for holding at least one pill/caplet. The housing also includes a dispensing chamber. The storage chamber has a first opening communicating with the dispensing chamber for conveying a pill/caplet from the storage chamber into the dispensing chamber. The dispensing chamber has a second opening for dispensing the pill/caplet from the housing. A shuttle member is movable within the dispensing chamber between a first and second position. The shuttle member has a delivery mechanism that receives a pill/caplet through the first opening as the shuttle member is moved from its first position toward its second position. The delivery mechanism carries the received pill/caplet to the second opening for dispensing as the shuttle member is returned to its first position.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and dispensing loaves of sliced bread in plastic wrappers in sanitary condition is simple, easy to operate and keeps the bread from drying out in storage. The bread is stored in a substantially closed tubular container with an opening for removing bread slices. A hinged lid closes to seal the opening to prevent entry of air into the bread wrapper in the storage condition, and opens to permit removal of the bread slice by slice in the dispensing condition. The open end of the wrapper is positioned outside the container on the outside of the tubing and is grasped and moved for forcing the loaf of bread slice by slice toward the opening for dispensing.

Abstract: The present device is a magazine (10) which includes housing defining a medication storage area. An access door (22) is provided in the housing to gain access to stock the storage area with unit dose medication containers (34). The housing defines an open lower periphery which is covered by at least one locking mechanism having a release door (156). The locking mechanism includes a plurality of cams (166, 174, 186) cooperatively contained such that upon sequential operation, the release door (156) opens the lower periphery which allows the unit dose medication containers (34) to fall.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a candy tablet dispenser shaped to simulate a beverage can, or the like. What would normally be the pop-top region of the can slides laterally outwardly and, at the same time, ejects a tablet from the top of a stack of tablets that is stored internally. The ejector portion is finger-driven back and forth.

Abstract: A stack of baskets carrying frozen chickens or the like are mounted on a dolly which is wheeled into a denester having spaced apart vertical side walls. Each of the side walls carries a vertically moving conveyor having spaced hooks adapted to be moved inwardly to engage the baskets. As the conveyors move upwardly, the top basket is lifted from the top of the stack. As the conveyors continue to move, the next basket is lifted and this continues until all of the baskets are lifted off of the dolly and are spaced apart from each other. A horizontal conveyor is then interposed beneath the lowermost basket. The vertical conveyors are moved downwardly until the lowermost basket rests on the horizontal conveyor and the conveyor hooks are removed therefrom. This basket is then conveyed horizontally to make room for the next lowermost basket and the process continues until all of the baskets have been denested.

Abstract: In a package designed to be readily loaded into a magazine, stacked roofing washers are collated by means of an elongate, flexible, polymeric strap extending through central apertures of the washers. Near each end of the strap, the strap is formed with a formation, such as, for example, an overhand knot, which is capable of supporting the washers if the package is suspended from the other end of the strap. One such formation is capable of being deformed sufficiently so as to permit it to be forcibly pulled through the washer apertures. A related method of loading such washers into the magazine and a related method of packaging such washers are disclosed. Each such method involves the package noted above.

Abstract: A chip structure (connector) (20) includes a socket body (21); and a pair of L-shaped reinforcing brackets (23, 24), with a vertical leg (25) attached to either side of the socket body and a horizontal leg (28) provided with an abutment face (29).

Abstract: A film sheet load magazine is adapted to hold a stack of superimposed films with at least central portions of the films in a curved configuration and leading ends of the films adjacent a film separator mechanism. The curvature of the films is such that they retain themselves in desired positions in the magazine independent of the orientation of the films with respect to gravity. When a top cover of the magazine is opened, floating primary feed rollers are raised by spring-biasing assemblies to facilitate loading of the films under the rollers, and when the top cover is subsequently closed, the rollers are moved into feeding engagement with an innermost film, and the films are held in position by leaf biasing springs. A cleaning mechanism removes contaminants from the primary feed rollers, which feed each film to secondary feed rollers driven at a faster speed than the primary feed rollers.

Abstract: A chip packaging casing for packing chips and also serving as a chip supply source comprises a substantially plate-like body having a spiral passageway formed in its interior, and a plurality of chips received in a row in the spiral passageway of the body. The plate-like body further has a chip-outlet formed therein as a continuation of the spiral passageway to communicate with the exterior of the body and at least one air-intake formed therein to communicate between the passageway and the exterior of the body. The air-intake is adapted to be connected to an air supply source and serves to facilitate the forwarding of the chips along the passageway toward the outlet to discharge the chips form the outlet. A chip supply mechanism is provided for supplying chips to a mounting head of an automatic chip mounting apparatus by using the chip packaging casing.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sheet package and a sheet feeding apparatus in which such a sheet package is preferably employed. The sheet package is comprises a cover for covering a stack of sheets in its entirety and openable by being broken away to expose at least an end portion of the stack of sheets and a member extending outward from the bottom of the stack of sheets. The sheet feeding apparatus is provided with cassette body capable of accomodating the sheet package therein, and a holding portion for fixedly holding the extending member of the sheet package.

Abstract: A package and dispenser for a continuous roll of plastic bags has a generally cylindrical shape and a longitudinal slot for dispensing the bags. Adjacent bags on the roll are attached by a perforated tear line. The dispenser is deformable to allow the operator to grip the roll by squeezing the dispenser, preventing further rotation of the roll, and allowing a bag to be removed from the roll. The dispenser is transparent, allowing indicia to be seen from a flyer inserted into the dispenser and around the roll. The flyer also blocks the slot so that bags cannot be removed during storage or shipping.

Abstract: An automatic distribution machine includes a plurality of bin modules, each bin module being adapted to dispense packages onto a conveyor belt or the like. The bin modules are removable and interchangeable, thereby facilitating replacement if one fails. A sorting operation performed by the machine is controlled by a computer, which communicates with the bin modules through a common data bus. Expansion of the sorting operation can be achieved by extending the data bus to additional bin modules.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for thin, disposable plastic gloves wherein the gloves may be reliably removed one at a time in a simple manner. The apparatus comprises a generally rectangular enclosure for housing a removably mounted packet containing a plurality of gloves. The gloves are arranged in closely spaced, parallel relationship to one another for removal, one at a time, through an exit opening provided through the walls of the enclosure. Each glove is provided with a weakened tear line across the wrist portion. The packet of gloves includes a mounting strip which extends across the upper wrist portion of the stack of gloves and is fixed to each glove above the tear line. The mounting strip cooperates with means formed in the enclosure to releasably fix the packet within the enclosure. Each glove may be removed by exerting a downward force through the exit opening on the outermost glove sufficient to separate the glove along the tear line from the remaining gloves in the packet.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for a paper pad (P) of note paper of the type having sheets (S) releasably adhered to each other along opposite edges of successive sheets (S) by a narrow band of adhesive includes a base container member (11) and an insert member (12). The base container member (11) receives the pad (P) therein and carries a leaf spring (26) having leaves (27) which apply an upward force to the pad (P) generally adjacent to the edges of the sheets (S) which have the narrow band of adhesive. The insert member (12) is positioned above the pad (P), is received within the base container member (11), and has a top surface (37) with a slot (38) therein through which the sheets (S) may be dispensed. Lock barbs (44, 52) formed on the insert member (12) engage apertures (35, 36) in the base container member (11) to temporarily attach the insert member (12) to the base container member (11).

Abstract: A sheet store, such as a banknote cassette, comprises a container having an access opening. The access opening is provided with a closure member and a locking device for locking the closure member in the closed position. The locking device includes an electrically conductive non-ferromagnetic member supported for movement between locked and unlocked positions. The member is biased to one of the positions and caused to move to the other of the positions in response to the generation of a magnetic field in the vicinity of the member.

Abstract: A vending machine has a carousel containing several rotatable trays stacked one above another. The trays carry and present for vending selected items, such as food and merchandise. The carousel is contained in a housing or canister and is part of an integrated assembly with a coin container. The carousel is filled at a central depot rather than at the site where the machine is installed for use by customers. The customer locations have the cabinet of the machine. Fixed in the cabinet is a drive mechanism for the carousel and locating and guide members which enable integrated assemblies to be removed from the cabinet and fresh assemblies, with the carousel trays loaded at the central depot, to be installed in place of the removed assemblies. The coin box when empty is equipped with a mechanism which is set to enable coins to drop into the container and is automatically reset so as to close the opening when the assembly is removed from the cabinet.

Abstract: The appliance can be used in particular for dispensing food pellets to animals in animal houses or especially in a space vehicle. It comprises a magazine (10) for storing the pellets (38) in which is compactly housed a thin wall pipe made from a flexible material containing a stack of pellets and a dispenser (20) comprising means for progressively extracting the pipe (30) from the magazine and a knife (42) for opening the latter along a generatrix as it advances for releasing the pellets. A spool (52) receives the split and emptied portion of the pipe.

Abstract: A roofing washer-dispensing machine having improved features is disclosed. A novel magazine comprises a substantially box-like container with a substantially open face, for housing a stack of circular roofing washers having inserts, and a substantially rigid rod removably mounted within or upon to a top wall of the box so as to extend downwardly into the central apertures of the stack washers, except for the lowermost washer, so as to restrain the remaining washers. The machine comprises a shuttle arranged to displace the lowermost washer from the stack when it is desired to dispense such washer. The shuttle includes a novel arrangement of means overlying and underlying marginal portions of such washer.

Abstract: A dispenser comprising an elongate rigid hollow cylindrical tube including opposed ends and a transverse elongate dispensing slot laterally therethrough at a midpoint along the length thererof. The dispensing slot includes opposed serrated edges with the teeth of each edge overlapping the teeth of the other edge to provide for restricted passage of film bags pulled outwardly through the dispensing slot from the interior of the tube. The opposed ends of the dispensing slot are enlarged and smooth-edged for access to interior bags and cooperation with the serrated edges in providing for projecting leading bag corners.

Abstract: A sheet feed device for feeding a sheet in a copying machine includes a sheet cassette storing a stack of sheets therein and removably positioned in a housing of the copying machine, and a plurality of suction cups for attracting one of the sheets at a time from the sheet cassette. The suction cups are movable toward and away from the sheet cassette. Locking fingers lock the sheet cassette against removal when the suction cups are moved toward the sheet cassette and are ready for or are feeding sheets from the sheet cassette. The locking fingers are angularly movably supported in the housing and lockingly fittable in recesses defined in side walls of the sheet cassette.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for disposable, thin plastic articles is disclosed wherein said articles may be retrieved by the user one at a time in a relatively simple manner. The apparatus comprises a box-like, generally rectangular enclosure for housing a removably mounted packet containing a plurality of the disposable articles stacked in the packet in closely spaced, parallel relationship in a flat condition. The enclosure is provided with a front window or opening and a removable top cover or cap. The packet of articles is loaded into the enclosure through the top opening and are disposed to be removed, one at a time, through the front opening of the enclosure. The packet comprises a pair of faces yieldably connected to one another which have a planar configuration at least as great as the area of the articles disposed between them.