Abstract: A filter paper cup for making a beverage pod. The filter paper cup includes a base (or receptacle) and may include a cover. The filter paper cup is formed by forming pleats in walls and a rim around the tops of the wall. Preferably, a heat seal filter paper is used and the pleats in the walls and rim are adhered by the heat to retain the shape. The base in inserted into a pod holder and brewing material is placed into the base. A cover may be positioned over the rim, and a lid is attached to the pod holder to sandwich the cover and rim to seal the pod. The cover, if present, is held taut by the lid of the pod holder to facilitate penetration of the cover by a needle to inject water into the pod.

Abstract: A method for mounting components, in particular terminal blocks, on a supporting rail, wherein the components are removed from at least one magazine by means of a first device, which comprises a receptacle for the components and moves automatically to and fro between a starting position and an end position, and are plugged onto the supporting rail, which is held in a first mounting position by a second device, includes the second device automatically transferring the supporting rail into a second mounting position after one of the components has been plugged on and a further component, which is arranged next to said component in the longitudinal direction of the supporting rail when the latter is in the fully equipped state, is plugged onto the supporting rail held in the second mounting position, in an analogous manner to the component.

Abstract: A vending machine system for stackable goods such as vehicle air fresheners includes a hopper and a reciprocating arm. The hopper is configured to hold a stack of the stackable goods. The hopper has an aperture formed in a base of the hopper for dispensing the stackable goods from the hopper. The reciprocating arm is disposed adjacent the aperture. The reciprocating arm is linearly movable between a retracted position and an extended position. One of the stackable goods is received by the reciprocating arm when the reciprocating arm is in the retracted position, and is pushed from the stack of stackable goods by the reciprocating arm when the reciprocating arm is in the extended position.

Abstract: A card extracting device for use with a plurality of cards may include a card storage, a gate through which the cards pass toward an outside of the card storage, an extracting tab to engage with and extract one of the cards, a tab-moving mechanism to move the extracting tab, an extracting roller outside the card storage to further forward the extracted card, a motor to drive the tab-moving mechanism and the extracting roller, a card-extraction detecting section to detect that card extraction is completed, and a control section to control the motor. An engaging section may be formed in the extracting tab to abut a rear end portion of the card and extract the card. The control section may drive the motor forward to extract the card or drive the motor in reverse based on a detection result from the card extraction detecting section.

Abstract: A small-diameter front-end portion of a feed rod is allowed to enter into the screw hole of a nut delivered by a nut chute, and the nut is fed to an intended position by the forward movement of the feed rod. When an abnormal nut having a screw hole into which the small-diameter front-end portion cannot be inserted is delivered, the abnormal nut is prevented from being flicked by the feed rod. In order to achieve this, in a standby state, the small-diameter front-end portion of the feed rod enters a nut receiving chamber and is then stopped. On condition that the abnormal nut is received in the nut receiving chamber, if the feed rod moves forward to enter into the standby state, the abnormal nut is slightly pushed out forward from the nut receiving chamber.

Abstract: An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals, particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.

Abstract: A snap-ring supplying device includes a magazine (10) containing C-shaped snap rings (S) piled together each of which has a gap, an extrusion member (25) that pushes out a snap ring occupying the lowest position in the magazine so that the gap (S1) of the snap ring is directed forwardly in an extruding direction, a conveying path (23) that conveys the snap ring pushed out by the extrusion member to an area in which the snap ring is contracted to reduce the diameter of the snap ring, a projection-strip guide wall (26) formed to stand upwardly in a substantially vertical direction with a width that is defined by forming a pair of concave parts (28) and that can enter the gap of the snap ring in a termination area of the conveying path, and an oscillating member (31) and urging members (32, 33) serving as a restricting mechanism (30) that restricts the gap of the snap ring so that the gap is directed in a direction from the magazine to the projection-strip guide wall.

Abstract: A tissue box cover with an integral tissue lifting device is provided. The tissue box includes a bottom portion having a base and four side members defining an opening for receiving a tissue box. The base has a lifting device. The lifting device includes a plurality of piercing members coupled to the base, the piercing members adapted to puncture a hole in a bottom surface of the tissue box. The lifting device further includes a plurality of lifting members corresponding to the plurality of piercing members, each of the plurality of lifting members having a resilient member that biases tissues within the tissue box toward a top surface of the tissue box. The tissue box cover also includes a top portion adapted to repeatably, removably couple to the bottom portion of the tissue box.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing both coffee in a reservoir and nested stacks of cup-shaped coffee filters, and then automatically filling individual filters with selected amounts of coffee and brewing the coffee while protecting the reservoir. Through a series of gears, an electric motor rotates an elastic projection with teeth and a disengaging curved tooth against the topmost filter in the stack, dragging it into a filter well beneath a coffee storage receptacle and then dropping it. Simultaneously, a rotating coffee dispenser fills with a selectable quantity of coffee and then dumps the coffee into the filter. The apparatus also includes a stirring device for insuring the stored coffee falls to the bottom of the coffee receptacle. A hot water dispenser operates in conjunction with a valve means for cutting off steam from the coffee reservoir.

Abstract: A restrictor and dispensing system for dispensing sheet material is provided. The restrictor includes a restrictor body positioned on a top sheet of a stack of sheet materials which are positioned in a dispenser. The restrictor assists in one at a time dispensing from a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly includes the dispenser, which has a housing including a container and a lid, and the housing is configured to hold and dispense sheet material. The dispenser also includes a sheet mover mounted to the housing. The sheet mover is configured to move over at least a portion of a sheet material away from additional sheet materials for dispensing. The restrictor cooperates with the housing and sheet mover to dispense one sheet material at a time. The restrictor may be provided with the dispenser, or separately. Alternatively, the restrictor may be provided in a cartridge filled with a stack of sheet materials.

Abstract: The forward movement of a feed rod 15 of a nut feeder permits pressurization of air in an air chamber 3a defined in a rod holder 3, thereby blowing the air out of the air outlet 20 through an air inlet 21 and an air passage 22. A nut 7 is held on the feed rod 15 by the pressure of the air blow from the air outlet 20.

Abstract: A dispenser and system for dispensing sheet material is provided. The dispenser includes a housing including a container and a lid. The container and lid cooperate to provide an inner surface formed to include an internal compartment configured to hold sheet material. The housing includes an exit port for withdrawal of sheet material therefrom. The dispenser also includes a sheet mover mounted to the housing. A portion of the sheet mover is configured to move over at least a portion of a sheet material positioned in the housing such that at least the portion of the sheet material is moved away from additional sheet materials positioned adjacent thereto by the sheet mover. The portion moved away is positioned to be easily withdrawn through the exit port by a user. The system includes the dispenser having a sheet mover and a plurality of sheet materials disposed in the dispenser. A disposable, one-use dispensing system is provided as well.

Abstract: An article transfer device which transfers articles using hanger rods each of which includes helical ridges or helical grooves, wherein the article transfer device can ensure a sufficient number of articles to be suspended without increasing depth of the housing. In an article transfer device which include hanger rods, each of which forms helical ridges and has a length sufficient to allow the suspending of articles therefrom, a support which supports the respective hanger rods for rotation about respective axe, a driver which rotates the respective hanger rods, and a housing which accommodates the respective hanger rods, the support and the driver therein. Each hanger rod has a pitch enlarged portion where pitch of the helical ridges is larger than in other portions so the direction of the suspended article can be changed.

Abstract: A flexible marker holding and dispensing device. An elongate shaft includes a proximal end and a distal end extending away from the proximal end. A handle is connected to the proximal end of the elongate shaft. A trigger component protrudes from the elongate shaft at the proximal end near the handle. A flexible marker engaging mechanism is housed within a portion of the elongate shaft and is in communication with the trigger component.

Abstract: A product metering napkin dispenser includes a housing defining a storage magazine for receiving a stack of folded napkins and a metering member that penetrates the stack in order to segregate a predetermined number of napkins from the remainder of the stack for dispensing. Preferred embodiments include gravity feed napkin dispensers. In various embodiments the metering member may include: a pivoting plate cooperating with a hinged trap door support surface; a rotating semicircular disk co-rotating with a support disk; or a reciprocating jaw assembly urging napkins through an aperture.

Abstract: A method of automatically feeding a part (4) having a through-hole to an intended place comprises the steps: disposing a feed rod (6) capable of advancing toward an intended place to which the part (4) is to be fed, said feed rod (6) consisting of a slide rod (16) of larger diameter and a guide rod (17) of smaller diameter, said guide rod (17) retractably projecting beyond the front end of the slide rod (16); provisionally holding the part (4) in a predetermined position on the advance/retraction axis of the feed rod (6); advancing the feed rod (6) to cause the guide rod (17) to pierce through the though-hole (10) in the part (4) so as to feed the part (4) to said intended place; and detecting, when relative displacement of the guide rod (17) with respect to the slide rod (16) occurs during the advance of the feed rod (6), such relative displacement and issuing a signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-connected ampoules dispensing apparatus which is compact and have a high operation reliability. The dispensing portion 3 comprises a pair of rotors 8a, 8b each of which has a substantially C shape of cross section and is formed with a cutting edge 10 on one side edge. The rotors 8a, 8b are disposed in a vertical direction with a predetermined distance. The rotors 8a, 8b are synchronized to rotate from a receiving position to a cut-off position and return to the receiving position, whereby in the receiving position the rotors 8a, 8b can receive the first ampoule 4a and then cut off and dispense it. The second ampoule 4b adjacent to the first ampoule 4a is positioned in the waiting position by the positioning member 9 synchronized with the dispensing portion 3.

Abstract: A napkin dispenser is designed with a flat base to rest on a horizontal surface. A substantially perpendicular flat front plate is mounted on the base, and a stack of napkins, resting on their edges on the base, is biased toward engagement with the front plate. The front plate carries a movable friction member, which may be in the form of a rotating device or a reciprocally mounted member, for engaging a napkin adjacent the front plate and moving it upwardly to remove it from the stack of napkins. The dispenser may be designed in kit form with different removable front plates, each carrying a different type of friction member.

Abstract: A napkin dispenser is provided which dispenses napkins, one at a time. The casing or housing of the napkin dispenser sits on a rotatable support platform. The dispenser assembly principally includes a roller and a follower. The roller engages and respectively ejects a napkin from a weighted napkin stack via the follower which urges napkins into engagement with the roller. The roller has a plurality of metal protrusions peripherally attached on its exterior surface for penetrably engaging with the material substrate of each respective napkin which enables reliable and efficient delivery of individual napkins for dispensing.

Abstract: A single vend newspaper vending machine includes a machine housing and a newspaper elevator system mounted in the machine housing, the newspaper elevator system including a slide track mounted in the machine housing. The newspaper elevator system further a fixed toothed rack, a movable toothed rack and a newspaper support trolley movably mounted on the slide track. First and second clutch-equipped gear wheels are included, the first clutch-equipped gear wheel operative to engage the fixed toothed rack and restrict downward movement of the trolley, the second clutch-equipped gear wheel operative to engage the vertically movable toothed rack. Upwards movement of the vertically movable toothed rack causes the newspaper support trolley to be moved upwardly therewith. A newspaper thickness sensing device is operative to determine the thickness of the topmost paper.

Abstract: A napkin dispenser is provided which dispenses napkins, one at a time. The casing or housing of the napkin dispenser sits on a rotatable support platform. The dispenser assembly principally includes a roller and a follower. The roller engages and respectively ejects a napkin from a weighted napkin stack via the follower which urges napkins into engagement with the roller. The roller has a plurality of metal protrusions peripherally attached on its exterior surface for penetrably engaging with the material substrate of each respective napkin which enables reliable and efficient delivery of individual napkins for dispensing.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing a single publication product at a time. The vending machine includes a housing with a front wall, back wall, side walls, top wall and bottom wall. A door is hinged to the front wall on the housing and forms part of a display case for displaying information regarding the product being dispensed. An elevator is located within the housing and slidable from a position near the back wall toward the front wall, the elevator adapted to contain a stack of products being dispensed. A dispensing assembly is mounted within housing and forward of the elevator. The dispensing assembly includes a dispensing sled which is translatable from an upper position to a lower position. The dispensing sled is adapted to engage a publication product located on the elevator and to slide the publication product toward a dispensing area located at the bottom of the housing. An actuation arm is attached to the dispensing sled and pivotally mounted to the housing.

Abstract: A machine for vending printed products, in particular, newspaper and including a housing for storing the printed products, a coin mechanism associated with the housing for receiving payment for a printed product, and a delivery mechanism for delivery a paid-for printed product to a delivery slot provided in the housing. The delivery mechanism includes a transporting plate for printed products and a lift mechanism for lifting the transporting plate to a printed product delivery position. The delivery mechanism further includes an element which cooperates with the lift mechanism for automatically adjusting the height by which the transporting plate is lifted after the topmost product has been dispensed.

Abstract: A vending machine suitable for use for vending newspapers and the like, has an enclosure in which there is a magazine for retaining a stack of newspapers, and near the magazine is a chute at the lower end of which is a tray accessible to a customer seeking to purchase one of the items in the machine. A moveable inner arm with a pair of jaws at one end thereof is moveable from a first position to a second position. In one of the two positions the jaws are over the chute such that an item held in the jaws can be released and dropped through the chute. In the other of the two positions, the jaws are against an exposed face of a top item or an end item in the magazine. The inner arm is pivotally mounted on a shaft which extends through the enclosure and connects to a second arm on the exterior of the machine, such that movement of the inner arm may be controlled by moving the exterior arm. The movement of the jaws is controllable by an actuating lever arm on the handle at the end of the exterior arm.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for individually vending an article from a set of articles and for vending a display article after the set of articles has been depleted. The apparatus includes a rack for vertical storage of a stack of newspapers, and a bracket for positioning a display newspaper in a front window of the vending apparatus. The invented vending apparatus includes means for individually dispensing newspapers from the stack of newspapers and includes means for discharging the display newspaper after the stack of newspapers has been depleted. The dispensing means includes a dispensing bar having spikes for engaging the front newspaper in the stack of newspapers. The dispensing bar is protected by a dispensing bar cover that encases the dispensing bar and spikes when the door is in an opened position for loading newspapers. The cover has an extension with a distal roller for engaging a guide on the housing.

Abstract: A segment pickup apparatus for handling material segments. The apparatus includes a frame and at least one pair of picker assemblies coupled to the frame. Each of the picker assemblies includes a linear array of carding elements, and each of the carding elements is resiliently coupled to one of the picker assemblies and is positionable relative to the frame in a resting position and in a picking position. Each of the carding elements includes a base portion and a linear array of substantially parallel, elongated, resilient needle-like elements extending from the base portion to a distal tip. When a carding elements is positioned in the resting position, the distal tips of that carding element lie above a picking plane, and when a carding elements is positioned in the picking position, the distal tips of that carding element lie substantially in the picking plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles such as tickets and cards includes a cabinet and a plurality of article dispensing assemblies inside the cabinet. Each article dispensing assembly includes a base and a frame for enclosing articles to be dispensed in a stack. The bases are mounted on a pair of vertical support plates.

Abstract: Vending machine (1) for newspapers, in the form of a cabinet capable of automatically delivering into a receptacle one copy of a newspaper which a purchaser has selected from a plurality of other newspapers and paid for with a payment device incorporated in the vending machine. The cabinet comprises fixed and movable shelves on which the newspapers are stored in various stacks each of a same newspaper. On each of the stacks is provided an individual discharge assembly for the upper newspaper of the stack of newspapers. There are two columns of fixed horizontal shelves (56) secured at each side to two vertical supports (61, 62) welded at their ends to the upper and lower parts of the cabinet and at least one movable shelf for each column. Each discharge assembly for the upper newspaper from a stack of newspapers is displaceable relative to the shelf supporting that stack.

Abstract: A device for delivery of fasteners having heads with tenons disposed beneath the heads to an insertion tool. The device includes a sloped track with two spaced-apart rails each having a fastener receiving surface to receive the undersides of the heads of the fasteners falling thereon. The fasteners drop onto the track from a rotating barrel and some are correctly aligned with the tenons between the rails and the undersides of the heads resting on the rails and many are misaligned. The fasteners slide to an orienting station which includes a plurality of fluid injector ports disposed around the track. Two of the ports face each other and a third port is disposed over the track. Blasts of air are directed through the ports sequentially so that misaligned fasteners on the track are forced into alignment or are removed from the track thereby leaving only properly aligned fasteners to proceed.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing mats one at a time from a stack of mats, includes a mat retaining structure having a mat loading end and a mat dispensing end for retaining a stack of the mats, the mat within the structure nearest the dispensing end being designated the lead mat, the retaining structure including a mat dispensing slot disposed laterally of and adjacent to the lead mat near the mat dispensing end, a stop member for preventing the lead mat from advancing beyond the dispensing slot, a stack-biasing support member for biasing the stack of mats so that the lead mat bears against the stop member, a lead mat sliding assembly including a mat gripping member having a mat engaging surface and a guide member oriented substantially perpendicular to the dispensing slot for providing a surface along which the gripping member can ride, for guiding the gripping member over and spaced apart from the lead mat, and then toward and against the lead mat, dragging the lead mat along and pushing a portion of the lead ma

Abstract: A newspaper vending machine includes a newspaper let-off mechanism which is triggered to turn on a toothed on-way gyrostate causing it to send out one copy of the newspaper through a newspaper outlet when a coin is dropped in, and a sample copy release control mechanism which is triggered to release the sample copy when a coin is dropped in after the copies of the newspaper have been sold out.

Abstract: An automatic feeder for feeding workpieces of limp material one after another from a stack of workpieces, the feeder includes a moving support mechanism for supporting the stack, and a gripper located generally underneath the stack and the moving support mechanism. The gripper has a multiplicity of needles on it for gripping the bottom workpiece, and the support mechanism has an opening in it for exposing the bottom workpiece in the stack to the needles. A motor actuates relative motion between the support mechanism and the stack and the gripper and the stack such that the opening in the support mechanism and the gripper pass conjointly under the stack in a direction generally from one end of the stack to the other thereby to progressively present areas of the bottom workpiece over the opening.

Abstract: A mechanical vending machine for vending paper tablets or the like, one at a time. The machine comprises a cabinet housing the unvended paper tablets, a tablet delivery apparatus, a coin receptor mechanism for receiving the coins, and a coin box to retain the coins. The coins are deposited in a coin deposit box located in the interior of the cabinet thereof for storage until the service personnel retrieve the coins and restock the paper tablets in the cabinet. The paper tablet vending machine has a simplified design, a low initial cost of manufacture, is easy to install and maintain, is totally independent of an outside power source, and will allow paper tablets to be vended in locations considered impractical because of the operating labor and the power requirements of vending machines heretofore. The machine comprises a cabinet having a top panel, a base, a removable lockable side panel for restocking the machine, and an interior storage tray for storing unvended paper tablets.

Abstract: A vending machine for newspapers includes a housing and an upwardly biased support table (15) for receiving a supply stack of newspapers vertically movable within the housing. A control handle (35) pulls a slide (32) forward. The slide (32) supports a pivotable arm (37) for moving the uppermost newspaper of the stack over a guide plate (53) into a withdrawal slot. A three-quarter circular-cylindrical segment-shaped roller (39) having at least one projection (41) is rotatably mounted at the forward end of the arm. In the rearward base position, the forward end of the arm is lifted away from the stack by a slide (45).

Abstract: A vending machine for newspapers and magazines, where, inside a compartment (12), a couple of rotating discs (21) are forseen. Due to gravity, the discs (21) rest on the pile of newspapers or magazines and, by pushing down onto the top copy of the pile, send the newspaper or magazine down a chute (15) to a retrieving outlet. The discs (21) are fitted on a shaft (23) which is directly or indirectly operated by an electric motor (24) which is started due to a signal coming from the coin box and which stops following the falling of the copy.

Abstract: A gripper for handling limp workpieces has piercing needles slanting downward on translatable needle bars. Slots in the needle bars slant parallel to the needles and engage stationary pins for constraining the needles to move axially. The needles mutually cross after piercing the workpiece to trap a portion thereof between themselves and a baseplate, thus gripping the workpiece securely without stressing or deforming it. An adjustment thimble with a venier scale limits the piercing depth of the needles. A rectangular housing facilitates juxtaposition of a number of such grippers, which may be conjointly controlled.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a coffee filter dispenser has a housing in which a stack of coffee filters to be dispensed are received. A plurality of resilient grippers are axially movable between a retracted and an extended position. A crank arm is connected to the resilient grippers for actuation thereof. By manipulation of the crank arm in axial and rotary directions, a single coffee filter may be dispensed from a stack of coffee filters through resilient plastic flaps in the housing. In a second embodiment, a coffee filter dispenser utilizes an axially reciprocal and rotary plunger having an adhesive foot for removing the top filter from a stack of coffee filters. The adhesive foot is radially offset from the plunger axis, and a spiral cam groove on the plunger causes the foot to be displaced radially as the plunger moves axially. In this manner, a single coffee filter may be laterally dispensed through a pivotal door in the dispenser housing.

Abstract: A separator for packaged pre-moistened pads which has a round piece of hook closure tape (24) attached with pressure sensitive adhesive (28) to the inside of the lid (22) or (36) of a package container, such as a jar (20) or box (34). The uppermost pad in the stack is impinged and retained on the hooks of the tape (24) when the container is sharply oscillated in opposite directions and is singly separated from the stack when the lid is removed. The hook closure tape is round and offset from the center of the lid to obtain maximum efficiency. Another embodiment locates the hook closure tape (24) on the flat end of a handle (38) picking-up a single pad by simultaneously rotating and exerting pressure on the uppermost pad in the stack housed in a packaged container.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for individually dispensing an item such as a newspaper from among a set of items. The dispensing machine includes a mechanism for individually dispensing an item from among a vertically stacked set of items; a money collection device for activating the dispensing mechanism upon payment of particular sum of money, and a housing containing the dispensing mechanism and the money collection device. Each article is urged against the front of the machine, and upon activation, is lifted slightly to clear a barrier, then discharged to the exterior of the machine.

Abstract: A device for individually removing newspapers from an inclined stack, including a movable carriage which is placed over the stack, the carriage having an endless conveyor carrying spaced-apart grippers, the conveyor being connected to drive mechanisms to grip a topmost newspaper and feed it along the incline through a withdrawal slot.

Abstract: The vending machine comprises a housing (17) with a dispensing slot in its front panel (2,3). A table (24) is vertically displaceable and pulled upwards by spring urged chains on either side passing over interconnected sprockets (26). A stack (36) of newspapers (37) is placed on the table (24) and abuts adjacent one of its front corners against a post. An arm (57) containing a pivotable gripper element with gripper needles is pivotable about the vertical axis of the post. The needles are kept retracted until the correct amount has been inserted into a coin slot (7). Then they are released and engage the topmost newspaper (37). When now a handle (12) is operated it pivots the arm (57) about its axis. The newspaper (37) swings about the post until one corner extends through a dispensing slot where it can be pulled out. The machine is particularly constructed to prevent tampering.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing single copies of newspapers or the like by the operation of a pull and push handle that is linked to a plate carrying needles that draw one copy of a newspaper outwardly from a tray through a dispensing door. The newspapers are carried on a spring biased tray that advances newspapers upwardly. The tray is controlled by a brake lock mechanism that allows the tray to be moved upward to a sufficient distance relative to the dispensing door so that only a single copy is drawn outwardly and wherein the brake lock locks the tray at the same respective vertical location for the next paper to be dispensed. A safety ratchet mechanism is arranged with a cable pulley system that is driven by a tension spring arrangement whereby the delivery person may load incremental amounts of newspapers on the tray and safely advance the tray downwardly against the spring loading.

Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed for dispensing strips which contain medicine and can be divided into individual sections as they are dispensed. The dispenser includes a housing having a storage space for strips and a discharge passageway through which strips are dispensed. A ramp interconnects the storage space and passageway. A feed wheel having a peripheral gear feeds strips along the ramp. The feed wheel is actuated by a member operable from outside the housing. The actuating member shifts a drive pawl which engages the peripheral gear on the feed wheel. A cap is secured over the dispensing end of the housing and is held in place by a snap connection.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically denesting an article from a stack of nested articles. The apparatus includes a frame supporting the stack of articles in an elevated downwardly inclined position relative to a conveyor unit defining a substantially horizontal plane. Adjustably mounted on the frame for controlled movement along a path inclined upwardly towards the lower end article of the supported stack is a carrier unit. Carried on the carrier unit are elements adjustable independently of the unit between operative and inoperative modes. When the carrier unit approaches the upper limit of its upward movement along the path, the elements carried thereby are adjusted to an operative mode and frictionally engage the lowermost article of the stack and cause the latter to be denested from the stack as the carrier unit commences its downward movement along the path.

Abstract: A dispensing machine for use in dispensing publications such as magazines and newspapers is disclosed. It is comprised of a housing having a storage area for storing a plurality of publications, a cover for accessing the storage area, and an opening to allow the publication to be dispensed from the house. An adjustable support in the storage area is used for supporting the publications. A dispensing mechanism positioned above the support is adapted to dispense, through the opening, a publication. A mechanism is used for activating the dispensing mechanism and for adjusting the position of the support.

Abstract: First and second separately actuatable triggers are mounted to a housing which carries a hollow needle through which a fastener is dispensed. The needle is mounted to the housing for movement between original and extended positions. The article to be tagged is situated adjacent the front of the housing. When the first trigger is depressed, a tag is moved from a stack on the housng into alignment with the needle as the needle is moved forward to pierce the tag and article. Also, a fastener is fed into the needle. When the second trigger is depressed, the fastener is moved through the needle such that the T-bar end is situated behind the article and the needle retracts to its original position. The apparatus is pulled away from the article, leaving the tag affixed by the fastener. The apparatus is light-weight, easily manipulatable, and can be operated by a single hand.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held tag attacher for attaching tags to merchandise and the like. The attacher includes a hopper for holding a stack of tags to be attached, a tag feeder for feeding one tag at a time into alignment with a needle at an attaching position, mechanism for advancing the needle through the tag at the attaching position, a push rod for pushing a bar of a fastener through the needle, and means for feeding fasteners one-by-one to the needle, wherein the tag feeder, the needle advancing mechanism, the push rod and the fastener feeding means operate in sequence by one-hand operation by the user.

Abstract: A machine for vending newspapers which will allow a customer to receive a single paper in a stack of papers. The papers are housed in a compartment wherein the customer places the correct change, i.e. a quarter, in the coin receptacle and shifts the same inwardly to disengage a latch mechanism and allowing the customer to pull a handle mechanism outwardly by use of pins and push plate and receive a single newspaper only. By use of a spring interiorly of the dispenser, the handle and its mechanism are returned to latched position.

Abstract: A single newspaper vending machine comprises a cabinet and a gate unit, a paper support unit, and a paper display unit, each removably mounted on the cabinet. Newspapers are stacked on a spring loaded elevator within the cabinet. The gate unit is mounted at the top of the cabinet and includes a dispensing mechanism which is reciprocable between rear and forward positions for partially dispensing a top paper on the elevator to the paper support unit so that the front edge of the paper enters a paper access zone between the gate unit and the paper support unit. A coin mechanism operates a dispensing mechanism latch so as to lock the dispensing mechanism in the rear position until the proper amount of coins has been inserted. The gate unit also includes a blocking mechanism for preventing withdrawal of any paper from the elevator when the dispensing mechanism is in the rear position and for preventing withdrawal of a second paper from the elevator when the dispensing mechanism is in the forward position.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding cartons in succession from a stack of cartons carried in an elongated chute onto a receiving chute. The apparatus includes a support member which has a plurality of picker fingers carried thereon. The support member is moved from a carton grasping position to a carton release position. When the support member is moved to the carton grasping position, picker fingers including power-operated cylinders having enlarged gripping heads provided on the end of the piston thereof are activated for retracting the heads for grasping the edge of the last carton in the stack for lifting said carton above an abutment and allowing the carton to drop into the receiving chute when said support member is moved back to the depositing position.