Abstract: [Problem to be solved] A sample storage tube having the seal function to the tube body is provided by integral molding and the airtightness is secured in the sample storage tube. [Solution] The sample storage tube 100 comprise a first molded portion 210 and a second molded portion 220 by the integral molding. The first molded portion 210 is molded as the base figure of the tube body. The second molded portion 220 includes at least the opening edge portion which contacts the lid 300 and closes the opening. The first molded portion 210 is molded by the first material such as polypropylene, the second molded portion 220 is molded by the second material such as TPE which is suitable for the seal object to secure the airtightness between the opening and the lid 300. This second molded portion providing the seal function is molded onto the opening edge of the tube body by the integral molding.

Abstract: A vending machine is provided. The vending machine includes a number of bins, with each bin sized to contain a consumable product. The vending machine also includes a consumable product collection area, with the consumable product collection area accessible by a vending machine user. A conveyor communicates at least a portion of each of the bins, with the conveyor positioned to receive the consumable product from the bin and transport the consumable product to the consumable product collection area. The vending machine also includes an interface structured to receive a currency from the vending machine user to purchase at least one of the consumable products and a controller that activates the conveyor to transport the consumable product to the consumable product collection area.

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 discs 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a dispensing channel, a housing and an article supply regulation system. The dispensing channel has an inlet and an outlet and defines a dispensing path therebetween. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles. The hopper chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet of the dispensing channel. The housing includes a floor. The article supply regulation system includes a first divider wall, a second divider wall and a third divider wall configured and positioned in the hopper chamber to define, in combination with the housing: a front region between the inlet and the first divider wall; a first rear region between the first divider wall and the second divider wall; a second rear region between the second divider wall and the third divider wall; and a third rear region on a side of the third divider wall opposite the second rear region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accurately and repeatably depositing edible particulates on edible products. A dual-drum rotary feed system accurately meters an amount of edible particle for each edible product with a first rotary drum while a second rotary drum deposits the edible particulates onto or within the edible product. The dual-drum rotary feeder can comprise replaceable drums wherein drums can be quickly removed and replaced for cleaning, sanitization and to adjust processing conditions such as, for example, changes in production rates and/or product size.

Abstract: A medicine storing and dispensing apparatus includes: a cap container (501) storing a plurality of caps (2) for closing openings of vial bottles (3) and having a plurality of slits (508) formed on the bottom surface thereof; a plurality of cap stirring members (502) protruding from a rotating shaft (509) and extending inside a cap container (501) through the slits (508); and a cap pathway (503) which continues to the cap container (501), has a clearance allowing only one cap (2) to pass through, and which is inclined downward so as to align the passing caps (2).

Abstract: The present invention is a vibratory sheet jogger which is used to jog and separate sheets of paper such as bank checks so that the sheets of paper and/or bank checks can be aligned. To achieve this result, a vertically jogging motion of a sheet tray is generated from a mechanical combination of an eccentric pulley assembly driven by a DC motor and a slotted ring comprising a slotted bore affixed to the sheet tray of the jogger. Specifically the combination includes a ball bearing with the eccentric pulley inserted into the slotted bore of the slotted ring, wherein the height of the slotted bore matches the outside diameter of the ball bearing, and the length of the slotted bore is larger than the diameter of the ball bearing.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a feeder bowl for receiving items to be dispensed, and a first vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl. the dispenser also includes a plurality of dispensing paths positioned around the feeder bowl, and a rotation drive for rotating the dispensing paths. Moreover, the dispensing paths include a second vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths proportionately to a physical characteristic of each of the items, such that the dispensing paths dispense the items singularly.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a feeder bowl for receiving items to be dispensed, and a first vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl. the dispenser also includes a plurality of dispensing paths positioned around the feeder bowl, and a rotation drive for rotating the dispensing paths. Moreover, the dispensing paths include a second vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths proportionately to a physical characteristic of each of the items, such that the dispensing paths dispense the items singularly.

Abstract: A control system for regulating a dispenser that includes a feeder bowl and a plurality of dispensing paths is disclosed. The control system includes a control unit for controlling a rotation drive for rotating the dispensing paths, a feeder bowl vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl, and at least one dispensing path vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths, such that the feeder bowl receives a plurality of items and supply the items uniformly to each of the dispensing paths, and the dispensing paths dispense the items singularly.

Abstract: An article dispenser is disclosed for dispensing articles, such as pieces of candy, out a dispensing opening in the dispenser. Articles are stored in a storage chamber inside the dispenser. An inclined flipper plate forms the bottom of storage chamber. A flipper arm is positioned near the bottom edge of flipper plate. An actuator is included for vibrating the flipper plate and flipper arms causing the articles to slide down the flipper plate onto the flipper arms where they are flipped up onto a dispensing slide located above the storage chamber. Articles flipped up onto the dispensing slide are dispensed out of the dispenser through the dispensing opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying U-shaped top end stops reliably one at a time to a holding portion of a top end-stop attaching machine, includes a movable guide rail reciprocably movable between a receiving position for receiving the top end stop from a fixed guide rail cantilevered to a vibrating parts feeder, and a delivery position for supplying the top end stop therefrom to the holding portion, and a delivery unit reciprocably movable toward and away from the holding portion to deliver a leading top end stop from the first guide rail through the second guide rail to the holding portion. The movable guide rail and the delivery unit are linked such that the delivery unit resiliently engages with the movable guide rail within a certain range of its reciprocating stroke for moving the movable guide rail from the receiving position to the delivery position.

Abstract: An oscillating deck for treatment of a product such as peanuts is mounted on a main frame by air mounts. The deck is driven in linear oscillation by a pair of vibration motors. The deck supports a cascade of conveying surfaces which deliver the product to treatment stages such as rollers and debris removal devices; the treatment stages being mounted independently of the deck.

Abstract: A process and relevant machine and has for its object to provide a means for packing individual drinking straws, or similarly shaped articles, in sealed strips consisting of two "films" which can be either hot or cold welded. The stages of said process are as follows:(a) formation of a compact line of straws arranged and cross fed along an inclined plane onto which they are released from a hopper where they are stacked;(b) removal of the first straw from the aforesaid line with the simultaneous arrest of the second one;(c) conduction of each straw into cut-outs provided in welding rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and feeding the elongated objects comprising a vibrating bowl for receiving elongated objects, the bowl having a base portion, a side wall, and a ramp spiralling around the inner perimeter of the side wall such that the elongated objects are conveyed from the bottom end of the ramp adjacent the base portion along the upper surface of the ramp to the top end of the ramp, first and second sorting stations positioned along the ramp within the bowl for removing bent objects and limiting the number of elongated objects conveying along the ramp in side-by-side relationship and an escape chute for feeding the elongated objects sequentially from the top end of the ramp. The bent objects are removed and the number of objects passing along the ramp reduced by the first and second sorting station having narrowed ramp widths and associated inclines.

Abstract: A tube feeding device, particularly for use in a bending machine, comprises two units spaced from one another at a predetermined distance to form a tube magazine therebetween. A carriage with a recess to receive one individual tube is positioned at the bottom of the tube magazine. A chain conveyor is provided in the device adapted to receive individual tubes from the recess and transport the tubes toward the bending machine. The carriage is adapted to move towards and away from the chain conveyor to deliver the individual tube to the conveyor which is provided with a plurality of grippers adapted to carry the tubes and to advance them in a vertical direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coil spring feeding apparatus comprising a plurality of elongated magazines supported by a frame in parallel relation to each other and each including a bottom and a discharge end, a conveyor assembly extending transversely of and adjacent to the discharge ends of the magazines for receiving the endmost coil springs from the magazines and for transporting the coil springs transversely of and away from the magazine ends, which conveyor includes a pair of spaced, parallel endless belts each having a top surface and supported for intermittent travel transversely of the magazine ends, an elongated platform having and upper surface, a cylinder for locating the platform, during belt movements, in a lower position with the platform upper surface beneath the belt top surfaces, and for locating the platform between belt movements, in a raised position, and a transfer device for withdrawing the endmost coil springs from the magazines and for transferring the endmost coil springs onto the conveyor

Abstract: To permit single-basket conveyor transport of textile cops from a supply bin holding a number of cops, without damage to the thread wound on the cops upon removal of an individual cop and introduction into the conveyor, the supply bin is constructed such that at least a portion of the bottom thereof is inclined forwardly towards a removal opening leading to the conveyor, and includes a movable base plate which is mounted for movement between a feed position in which the base plate is inclined towards the opening and a re-supply position in which the movable portion is inclined upwardly and away from the removal opening; an ejector is provided having a movable ejector element and occupying a space at least approximately the size of the geometric outline of a cop, the ejector element pushing against the cop and pushing the selected cop for removal through the removal opening against a spring-loaded flap, the ejector element, due to its size, blocking contact between the cop being ejected and a next adjacent cop