Abstract: An automatic vending machine includes: a belt conveyor constituting a part of a column configured to store a product, the belt conveyor being able to convey the stored product along the column, and a controller configured to control an operation of the belt conveyor. The controller acquires an amount of movement of a belt of the belt conveyor moving to convey the product. The controller calculates the number of products stored in the column, based on the acquired amount of movement of the belt.

Abstract: A system for storing an object includes a card reader, a keypad, and a secure storage area. The card reader is configured to receive a card from a user. The keypad is configured to receive authentication information from the user. The secure storage area is configured to store a plurality of boxes including a first box that is assigned to the user. The first box is configured to be dispensed from the secure storage area to the user in response to the user requesting to physically receive the first box. The first box defines an internal volume that is configured to store one or more objects belonging to the user. The first box is configured to be returned to the secure storage area after the user adds the one or more objects to, or removes the one or more objects from, the internal volume of the first box.

Abstract: A readily reconfigurable cash dispensing system for providing change, such as coins of different values and bills or currency of different denominations needed by a retail store, grocery store, busy convenience store, or the like. A tray or trays for storing and delivering multiple rolls of coins or bills of a first value, as well as, a tray or trays for storing and delivering stacks of bills are described herein. A bill acceptor may be employed to accept bills used to purchase rolls of coins and stacks of bills, and a system controller can sense restocking and dispensing events to maintain an accurate inventory of cash in the bill acceptor, as well as, the total cash stored in the form of coin rolls or rolls bills, as well as, bill stacks.

Abstract: Present invention discloses a dispenser having means to dispense desired number of pills from a bulk supply of pills contained in the dispenser. The dispenser comprises of storage compartment having bulk supply of pills and having a discharge port emptying into counting compartment. The counting compartment contains first and second conveyors moving at first and second speed; wherein the second speed is greater than the first speed thereby enabling pill separation; the second conveyor discharges pills into dispensing compartment. Sensors are strategically placed along the conveyors to count pills discharged into dispensing compartment. A pill recovery system and apparatus is disposed inside the dispenser having means to recover pills remaining on first and second conveyors upon completion of a dispensation cycle and there after deposit recovered pills back into the storage compartment for use in future dispensation cycles.

Abstract: A support group (1; 50) of products distributable by means of vending machines comprising a shaped body (2; 51) suitable to be coupled with transport means (6; 75) belonging to the vending machine, the shake body (2; 51) defining an inner seat (3; 52) which receives the product to be supplied and comprising a base plate (4; 53), suitable to be coupled to transport means (6; 75), and a boundary bulkhead (5; 54) removably coupled with the base plate (4; 53) in order to define a plurality of positions of the boundary bulkhead (5; 54) on the base plate (4; 53) varying the dimensions of the inner seat (3; 52) as the type of product to be supplied varies.

Abstract: A vending arrangement for computerized vending machines, retail displays, automated retail stores, utilizes a centralized, robotic gantry associated with companion modules for vending selectable products. The modularized design enables deployment of half-sized or full-sized machines. The robotic gantry is deployed in a centralized module disposed adjacent display and inventory modules. The inventory modules can be fitted to both gantry sides, and doors can be fitted to the gantry front or rear. The gantry comprises an internal, vertically displaceable elevator utilizing a central conveyor for laterally, horizontally moving selected items from associated display and inventory positions to a vending position. The inventory modules comprise dispensing modules adjustably configurable to adjust the storage density of items to be vended.

Abstract: A vending arrangement for computerized vending machines, retail displays, automated retail stores, utilizes a centralized, robotic gantry associated with companion modules for vending selectable products. The modularized design enables deployment of half-sized or full-sized machines. The robotic gantry is deployed in a centralized module disposed adjacent display and inventory modules. The inventory modules can be fitted to both gantry sides, and doors can be fitted to the gantry front or rear. The gantry comprises an internal, vertically displaceable elevator utilizing a central conveyor for laterally, horizontally moving selected items from associated display and inventory positions to a vending position. The inventory modules comprise dispensing modules adjustably configurable to adjust the storage density of items to be vended.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for dispensing plastic bags from a stack of bags, one at a time, for use in stores and shopping areas. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device includes at least one conveyor belt mounted about at least two rollers and is adapted and configured to engage a plastic bag from the stack of bags, a pressure mechanism for pressing at least one bag against the belt so as to cause the belt to engage the bag, means for rotating one of the rollers so as to cause it to drag an engaged plastic bag upwards to a dispensing area, and means for automatically stopping rotation of said belt after a single bag has been dispensed. If desired, the rate at which the bags are dispensed can also be set and controlled.

Abstract: A medicine dispensing system is provided that comprises of a medicine container with an inbuilt pill dispensing assembly which automatically dispenses a prescribed dose of medicine at prescribed times. It alerts the patient when a dose of medicine has been dispensed. The alert signal is a local audio or visual alarm or a remote reminder by phone, wireless network or internet. A modem and communication ports are provided which enable the said medicine container to communicate with remote parties like health care professionals and medical devices such as glucose meter. This feature allows remote medicine management, disease management and health education. An internal microprocessor and a memory chip control and execute electronic functions of the said medicine container. Sensors are provided to detect whether a dose has been dispensed and whether it is consumed. The said medicine container is able to record, analyze and report patient's compliance with a medicine regimen.

Abstract: A dispensing game system includes a prize capsule storage hopper above two automatic hopper loaders that replenish the game below with prize capsules as needed. Two Ferris wheels carry free swinging gondolas that receive and hold the prize capsules from the loaders. Two or more player-activated actuator arms located next to the outer edge of the Ferris wheels are used to hit targets attached to the moving gondolas, in turn causing the gondolas to tip forward and release the prize capsule, which then falls down and rolls into the prize opening for the player to collect.

Abstract: An animated candy dispenser for tablet candy pieces including a magazine for storing the candy in a columnar manner, a finger actuated button mechanically linked to a dispensing assembly that includes a movable character with candy gripping extensions to grab and retain a piece of candy and withdraw it from the dispenser.

Abstract: A gel covering seed inspection apparatus 1 of the present invention comprises a feeder 3 in which the gel covering seed 19 is accumulated, a delivery device 4 which successively lets out a predetermined number of the gel covering seed supplied thereto at a constant rate from the feeder, a transport device 5 which conveys the gel covering seed 19 let out by the delivery device in a line, a discrimination device 6 which judges the acceptance or rejection on the midway of conveyance of the gel covering seed 19 by the transport device 5, a defective product reject device 7 which rejects the gel covering seed 19 judged to be a defective product, and an accepted product extractor 9 which takes out the gel covering seed 19 judged to be an accepted product to an accepted product box 10. The discrimination device 6 is provided with a camera 61 and a luminaire 62 which are arranged face to face on both sides of the transport device 5.

Abstract: A machine and a method for wrapping an elongated object, such as a drinking straw, with a plastic film are disclosed. The machine has a drive for continuously advancing a thin narrow film strip from a supply roll to a wrapper loading and forming station. The wrapper loading and forming station has a trough former for folding the advancing film strip into a film trough. An inserting device positions spaced-apart elongated objects, such as the drinking straws, into the film trough of the advancing film strip for engagement by the film trough. The objects are supplied by a dispenser and disposed in a pre-oriented manner to be grasped by the inserting device. The film trough is advanced through sealing and severing stations wherein individually wrapped elongated objects or straws are produced.

Abstract: A coin roll dispenser has a number of coin magazines each filled with rolls of coins of a given denomination and removably seated within a housing. Each magazine has a motorized conveyor adapted to receive and sequentially dispense individual coin rolls through a discharge aperture into a discharge passage which transports the coin rolls dispensed from the magazines to a receptacle from which they may be removed by a purchaser. Dispensing is controlled by activating the conveyor in selected magazines. A first sensor detects the coin rolls as they are dispensed from the magazines and a sensor in advance of the receptacle produces a total count which is compared with the total ordered and the total from the first sensor.

Abstract: A new Motorized Newspaper Dispensing System for dispensing of various printed literature within one machine and further minimizing theft by dispensing only one printed literature at a time. The inventive device includes a housing structure strengthened to resist theft which houses various printed literature, a support means elevating the housing structure to a level comfortable for purchasers, a coin receiving means, a dispensing means which mechanically dispenses the selected printed literature, and a sign stand secured to the upper portion of the housing structure providing space for advertising.

Abstract: A newspaper conveying mechanism of a newspaper vending machine, including a chain driven by a motor, a set of friction wheels and a driving claw which are locked on the chain at a certain interval. When the mechanism is placed on the surface of a pile of newspapers, the friction wheels previously attach to and frictionally push a single upmost newspaper and then the driving claws grabs the newspaper at folding edges thereof. At this time, the chain is continuously circled to convey the newspaper outside the machine. A joint apparatus is provided to enable the newspaper conveying apparatus to fully attach to the surface of the newspaper for more accurately conveying the newspaper.

Abstract: Picking apparatus for picking and dispensing plastic sheet wrapped videocassette packages onto a high speed product gathering conveyor comprises a package dispensing mechanism with a package feed magazine containing a replenishable stack of these packages stacked on a platform of the dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism is controlled by a computer and has a pair of dispensing belts with cogs that engage the package at the bottom of the stack and dispense it at a prescribed time off the platform and onto the conveyor. A set of nozzles with a pressurized air supply is operated to forcibly direct air between adjacent packages in the stack in a sequential manner to reduce adhesion therebetween prior to their dispensing and a bumper operated by a controlled plunger timely bumps the package at the bottom of the stack to help free it from the one immediately above and start it in the dispensing direction.

Abstract: An in-mold labeling method and apparatus for a blow molding machine having a primary circular multiple mold path. A continuous drive closed circuit is provided by a guide track means and forms a secondary path in which a carriage or trolley carrying an air actuated means for picking and holding a label for transport to a matched segmental transfer station at which the mold parts and the carriage move in unison at zero relative velocity during which the label is automatically deposited in a mold for application to the plastic part being formed by the mold. Thereafter, the carriage or trolley is conditioned to pick up another label. The continuous driving of both the blow molding machine and the in-mold label dispenser is synchronized for unison uninterrupted operation.

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: An apparatus for ejecting a row of cigarettes from a cigarette magazine employs an endless conveyor which is actuable by means of a stepping drive. Ejector members fixed to the endless belt are moveable through the magazine case for ejecting the bottommost cigarette row. The endless conveyor employs a belt having a series of troughs which receive the bottommost cigarette row. The ejector members define the trailing boundary of the troughs.

Abstract: A delivery device in which an endless belt rotatably driven is brought into contact with the foremost sheet of a stack of sheets of paper stored in a registered relationship with each other and the sheets of paper are delivered one at a time by the endless belt through a gate gap defined by a rotary member which guides the endless belt and a gate forming member disposed in opposed relationship with the rotary member. The sheets of paper can be delivered one at a time in a predetermined spaced apart relationship by utilizing the slack of the endless belt.

Abstract: A feeding device for controlled feeding of objects (R) from an inlet (9) to a outlet (11) by means of a feeding means consistituted by two cooperating feeding wheels (4,5). One of the feeding wheels (4) has a guiding groove (21), and the other feeding wheel (5) has two round belts (17a,17b) laid around the wheel, and stationary guide plates (26,27) preferably extend between the belts in the nip and merge with the inlet and/or the outlet.

Abstract: Wires are picked from a loose bundle of wires which have been cut to length, prior to feeding to a processing machine such as a grid welding machine. The bundle is laid on a supporting table (23) so that end parts of the wires project freely beyond the table. A lifting beam (18) having a vertical slot (19) is then raised beneath the projecting end parts of the wires so that most of the wires are raised but the others are received one above the other in the slot. A gripper having clamping cheeks (20) is applied from below and grips the lowermost wire in the slot. The gripper is mounted on a carrier (2) which is movable parallel to the wire axes to pull the gripped wire longitudinally out of the slot.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and method for producing a composite container having a neck label or tubular sleeve mounted temporarily thereon adapted to be shrunken into final surface covering relation. The tubular sleeve is preformed of relatively-stiff material and flat-folded until ready for use when it is fully opened and conveyed into vertical alignment with a container therebeneath. The sleeve preform comprised of heat-shrinkable plastic material is telescopically assembled onto the container while the latter is transported in spaced upright arrangement. The preform is moved downwardly by a pair of gripping vacuum cups moving downwardly and divergently to open the preform and place the same telescopically on the container upper portion. Alternately, the opened preform is placed on a cylindrical mandrel to more fully open the preform prior to its being mounted telescopically on the container neck portion.

Abstract: A packaging machine in which the shipper package is formed from a carton blank which is wrapped around the article to be shipped. The packaging machine includes a loading station having a loading mechanism for loading an article into each compartment as the compartments move continuously through the loading station. The loading mechanism includes a loading platform disposed above the path of travel of the article receiving compartments and wiper blades mounted for movement along the loading platform in the direction of travel of the compartments to remove an article deposited on the loading platform and to deposit it in a compartment as the compartment moves out from under the loading platform. A wrapping station is provided wherein the article receiving compartments are moved longitudinally through the wrapping station on a conveyor and are moved laterally of the conveyor so as to project over an edge of the conveyor when passing through the wrapping station.

Abstract: In order to separate boards of wood or the like from one another in a stack, spacing strips are successively lifted from a hopper by a rising flight conveyor and are accumulated on a generally horizontal extension of that conveyor for consecutive pickup, at predetermined instants of an operating cycle of a stacker, by a transfer mechanism delivering each strip to a passing gripper on a continuously moving transport band overlying the stack. A vertically movable frame beneath the transport band, positioned above a stacking platform, carries a series of unloaders normally projecting into the path of the oncoming strips for dislodging them from their grippers and depositing them on a board already resting on the platform as part of a growing stack. The unloaders can be selectively deactivated to vary the number and/or the spacing of the strips deposited on the top of the stack.

Abstract: A plurality of article carriers are stacked in vertical inverted relationship in a hopper and are supported on a cantilever type support bar mounted at one end only and having its free end extending in one direction so that a plurality of carrier applicator blocks mounted on an endless chain may withdraw sequentially the lowermost carrier from the hopper, each applicator block having a clearance slot therein for slidably receiving the support bar and each applicator block having abutment means disposed on each side of its clearance slot for engaging the lowermost carrier and for moving it off of the support bar and for subsequently re-inverting and applying the carrier to the group of articles moving in synchronism with the endless element.