Abstract: The present invention relates to a more robust article dispensing apparatus that is relatively simple in construction and usage for dispensing articles in a clean and protective environment. More specifically, the apparatus accepts, separates, and dispenses articles from a nested stack of articles such as beverage cup lids one at a time.

Abstract: A dispenser is adjustable to contain beverage container lids of various sizes. A housing has a front element with an opening. Pager assemblies are mounted in slots which extend radially outwardly from the opening. A stack of lids is inserted into the housing through the opening, and the pager assemblies allow a single lid to be extracted from the stack by the pivoting of a door containing two claws which engage the frontmost lid. To reconfigure the dispenser for a different lid size, a template is positioned frontwardly of the housing front element, and the pager assemblies are adjusted to abut the template, thereby configuring the pager assemblies in the proper position. The claws on the lid are then replaced with claws which are configured to the new lid shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A container release assembly is positioned at the end of the vend queue to vend a container upon activation. The container release assembly acts on the first-in-line container to be vended and on the second-in-line container, by retaining the second-in-line container while the first is being released. The container release assembly acts on the containers from two opposite sides of the containers.

Abstract: A destacking device for rolled cone-like structures with or without sleeves, and in particular for ice-cream wafer cones, has at least one gripper for the cones, with the jaws of the gripper that come into contact with the cones being made of an elastic material that conforms to the shape of the cone-like structures.

Abstract: Device for handling, transporting and storing capillaries, method for the production thereof and individual capillary dispenser therefrom.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing container lids includes a central body in which a number of container lids are peripherally engaged by a pair of opposed endless belts disposed within the dispenser. The belts are rotated within the dispenser to sequentially dispense each lid from an open end of the dispenser by using an actuating mechanism engaged with each of the belts. The mechanism includes a number of gears which are selectively operated by depressing a lever connected to the gears in order to rotate the belts and dispense a single lid from the dispenser each time the lever is depressed.

Abstract: A selective actuating apparatus involves a barrel 17 rotated due to rotation of a driving motor 2, a revolving shaft 3A supporting rotatably the barrel 17, and a barrel 16 rotated as a result of transmitting torque in the case where the barrel 17 is rotated in a direction b indicated by an arrow wherein a cam section 16B is defined on the barrel 16. In this condition, when the barrel 17 rotates in a direction a indicated by an arrow, the torque does not transmit to the barrel 16, but the barrel 16 is allowed to displace along the revolving shaft 3A due to sliding motion in between a projection 16A formed on the barrel 16 and a projection 17D formed on the inner circumference of the barrel 17 in a stepped manner. As a result, the selective actuating apparatus by which a plurality of driving objects can be driven without requiring a plurality of driving sources, so that its driving system can be downsized is obtained.

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: A dispenser for a lid from a plurality of nested lids can include at least one member for isolating at least one adjacent to an endmost lid whereby the endmost lid can separate from the adjacent lid and be dispensed.

Abstract: An automated filter changing system comprises a rotatable filter dispensing assembly and a filter clamping assembly. The filter dispensing device receives filter storage magazines in which a plurality of filters are initially stored in the form of connected stacks. The filter dispensing assembly includes a filter separating device having a stationary portion. The filter separating device separates one or more stacks of filters into discrete filter units, such that individual filters are transported sequentially from the filter dispensing device. The filter clamping assembly operates in conjunction with the filter dispensing device to receive one or more individual filter units dispensed therefrom, and provides one or more coupling sites which can fluidly communicate with one or more fluid lines. The filter clamping device couples unused filters to fittings associated with the fluid lines by applying an evenly distributed force to the filters.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a dispenser having a flanged tubular container removably engaged in a bracket. The container has an interior space for holding pacifiers and a flexible gasket at the bottom of the container to retain the pacifies in the container. The pacifiers are placed in the container with the nipple facing downward. The body of the pacifier is held inside the container by the gasket. By grasping the pacifier at the side openings of the container and pulling downward, he gasket will deform and the pacifier will be released from the container. The gasket will return to its original shape and the next pacifier will be held until needed The bracket may be fixedly mounted to a wall or it may be attached to a crib by a pair of velcro straps.

Abstract: A device to separate rubber stoppers that have adhered together, typically as a result of sterilization. The device contains a hopper, a pair of rollers and a mechanism to turn the rollers. The rollers are hexagonal-shaped and each face has a scalloped concavity. The adhering stoppers are gravity-fed into the rollers from the hopper, where they are compressed and a shearing force is applied to separate the adherent stoppers. The separated stoppers are then collected for further processing.

Abstract: A flexible diaphragm for covering the discharge end of a cup dispenser that stores a plurality of cups in a nested stack. The diaphragm includes an inner continuous edge defining a central discharge opening through which the bottom of the outermost cup in the stack extends to be grasped and withdrawn from the stack. The inner continuous edge is configured in a polygonal shape to retain the stack of cups to be dispensed while permitting the outermost cup in the stack to be withdrawn from the stack. Preferably, the inner continuous edge is hexagonal in shape.

Abstract: An automated system for preparing and delivering postmix beverages in response to one or more drink orders being entered from a remote point of sale unit or a local keypad and including: a postmix beverage preparation assembly for dispensing ice and a selected postmix beverage into a cup; an oblong carousel type conveyor assembly including a plurality of upwardly open cup holders which are driven by a motor driven belt so as to pass beneath a cup dispensing station, an ice dispensing station, a beverage dispensing station, and a plurality of pick-up stations; a cup storage and dispenser assembly including a bidirectionally rotatable turret upon which is mounted a plurality of different sized cup supply tubes for holding a respective stack of beverage cups; and a pneumatic vertically driven cup gripper/extractor mechanism having a pair of pneumatically operated gripper arms which operate to remove a cup from a selected supply tube on the turret and placing the extracted cup into an empty cup holder which is th

Abstract: A cup dispenser includes a housing for storing a plurality of cups nested in a stack. The cup dispenser has an annular collar surrounding the exterior of the housing. An annular retaining ring carries a cup holding member that is removably mounted on the collar such that the cup holding member is disposed over the discharge end of the housing to control removal of cups from the stack. The collar and housing have a locking arrangement which cooperates to permit relative movement of the collar and housing between a locked position and an unlocked position where the collar and housing can be separated. Portions of the collar and locking arrangement exposed to the interior of the housing preferably are substantially free of crevices or cavities which can trap bacteria.

Abstract: Container dispensing system sequentially dispense containers from a nested stack. The systems have a support frame for accepting multiple stack of nested containers aligned in a cross-machine direction having upper and lower opposed pairs of gates. The gates are coupled to the support frame and extend in the cross-machine direction. Each upper and lower opposed pairs of gates defines gate openings sized so as to capture and support a lowermost and a next lowermost container in the stack respectively. A controller (e.g.

Abstract: The invention provides a container dispensing apparatus and a liquid dispensing apparatus. The container dispenser includes a housing, axial bores for receiving a column of containers and a central, axial bore, a vertical bar attached to and uprising from the housing, upright legs that are attached to the peripheral wall of the housing, a cover being positioned above the housing and having a number of downwardly extending rods and a downwardly extending, central pipe, a guide for the vertical bar attached to the cover, a pair of friction pads separating the guide for the vertical bar from the vertical bar while acting as a reenforceable break to allow lifting and lowering of the cover along the vertical bar, a handle engaged with the vertical bar, a fulcrum that is attached to the cover and that is engaged with and supports the handle. The liquid dispenser has a housing with a side wall and a bottom wall. The bottom wall is provided with a number of liquid dispensing openings that are selectively positioned.

Abstract: A disposable cup dispenser comprises a fastening frame, an upper locating frame, a lower locating frame, a cup container, a dispensing plate, and a support rod. The dispensing plate is fastened with the bottom end of the cup container such that only one cup is dispensed at a time. The cups are dispensed upside down and caught by the support rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading multiple pipette tips into laboratory storage boxes. The apparatus is principally composed of a dispenser that may be positioned above a box housing a pipette insert-rack. The dispenser is adapted to receive pipette tips from a magazine. The magazine contains multiple stack layers of pipette tips that are arranged one on top of the other. The pipette tips are configured so that each pipette tip can nest its pointed tip through an opening in the collar and inner bore of the pipette tip in the stack layer immediately below. Likewise, each pipette tip may receive the pointed tip of the pipette tip in the stack layer above. In normal operation the tips are transferred from the magazine into the dispenser and then a user may actuate a series of plates in the dispenser to separate the bottom stack layer from the other stacks above it, to allow it to fall downwardly into a storage rack.

Abstract: The invention provides a dispenser for disposable cups, comprising a mounting plate provided with means for attachment of the dispenser to a vertical surface; and a cup-retaining and dispensing body extending therefrom, the body being provided with an annular opening having a lower edge, and with wedge-like protrusions extending from the inner walls thereof into the opening, the base of the wedge facing the lower edge, and at least a major part of the protrusions being positioned within the same imaginary semi-annular, co-planar segment of the opening; whereby the protrusions, in conjunction with a segment of the inner walls, retain the rim of a downwardly-extending cup to be dispensed, until the removal thereof from the dispenser.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing individual containers, for example flower pots, from a nested stack of containers. The apparatus may be used to dispense rows of individual containers into a larger container, for example, a tray. The apparatus includes a first extendable arm for holding the stack of containers in an elevated position within a hollow column adapted to hold the stack of containers vertical, a second extendable arm for wedging the stack of containers, with the exception of the bottom container in the stack, against the side of the column and a third extendable arm for contacting the bottom container in the stack, thereby causing the bottom container to separate from the stack and fall into the tray. The apparatus also includes a wedge disposed within the column, opposite to the second extendable arm for facilitating the exposure of the lip of the bottom container.

Abstract: A group of flanged lids or cups of substantially identical construction and arranged in nested relation in a container are dispensed from an open end of the container by an elongated yieldable tension element disposed astride the open end of the container and arranged to override the flange of the article adjacent the open end of the container thereby to release and to aid in ejecting the article from the container.

Abstract: An automated drinkmaker system which is designed to accept an input drink order, as from a cash register, and deliver the drink order, for different sizes and different flavors, with or without ice, completely finished in lidded containers to an output station. The automated drinkmaker system is designed for labor free processing of drink orders in high volume quick service or fast food establishments. The machine is designed around a carousel type of drink transporter which intermittently carries each drink to and from four circularly spaced stations, cup dispensing, ice dispensing, soda dispensing, lid application and marking. The carousel design allows a cup to be dispensed at one station while another cup is being filled with ice at a second station, and yet another is being filled with soda at a third station, etc. The use of carousels is extended to both cup and lid dispensing.

Abstract: A feeder for shape unstable articles such as pads for absorbing body fluids has an upright hopper having top and bottom openings for receiving and discharging pads. First and second rotationally driven upper pulleys having a plurality of round belt receiving grooves in their peripheries are mounted adjacent the bottom opening of the hopper on opposite sides of the vertical center line of the hopper. Third and fourth idler pulleys are arranged in laterally spaced apart relationship and symmetrical to the center line of the hopper at a lower level than the first and second pulleys. Because the lower pulleys are closer to each other than the upper pulleys, the belts converge toward each other such that articles which settle out of the hopper finally become wedged between the belts proximate to the lower pulleys.

Abstract: A machine and method for separation of nested articles such as trays. Nested articles of the type that do not separate from one another under the influence of gravity alone are stacked in vertical nesting relation to one another. Plural blade members are movably mounted about the periphery of the tray members. In a first embodiment, the blade members move horizontally and vertically in a novel sequence to dislodge one tray from the lowermost end of the stack during each cycle of the operation. In a second embodiment, the blade members are pivotally mounted.

Abstract: An article dispenser especially advantageous for dispensing pills of the prescription drug or over-the-counter type, comprises three components including a container member, a dispenser control member and a flexible member. The container member provides a dispenser portion through which the articles are passed in a serial array whereby one article reaches an exit aperture while the remaining articles are restrained at gate apertures within the dispenser portion by the flexible member and the control member. The dispenser components are preferably made of low-cost molded plastic and when assembled provide an easy access dispenser not requiring two hands for activation.

Abstract: A feeder for containers comprising a magazine having counter-positioned controls for positioning a pile of containers, and a trolley movable horizontally, relative to the pile, and with two sheets for engaging the lowermost container of the pile, and with components for separating the lowermost container from the pile and having various further components whereby it can accommodate containers of various sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A pallet repair and inspection system includes pallet destacking apparatus for automatically dispensing pallets from stack of vertical pallets one at a time and discharging the pallets onto an inspection table. The destacking apparatus includes a vertically reciprocating table onto which the stack of pallets is driven and horizontally reciprocating forks which are operated to suspend all but the lowermost pallet as the table is successively lowered and raised between a pallet discharge height and a pallet pick-up height, to discharge the pallets into the inspection table one at a time. The top of the inspection table is foldable to define a cradle for one end of the pallet, orienting the pallet generally vertically, allowing inspection of its top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: The distributor separates plastic cups (3) which are provided with outwardly-facing rims (5) from a stack (2) in a store (1) and releases them one-at-a-time into a tube (6). The distributor comprises first, lower supports (13) and second, upper supports (14) arranged peripherally of the cups and separated by less than the distance between the rims (5) of the two adjacent cups. The supports (13 and 14) alternate in operative positions in which they support rims (5) of cups so that cups are released one-at-a-time and fall into the tube (6). The distributor also comprises compressed air blowers (25) which operate when the second supports (14) move into their operational positions to exert a pressure between the cup supported by the second supports (14) and the cup which has just ceased to be supported by the first supports (13).

Abstract: A system for automatically supplying tapered paper tubes to an automatic winder which includes a number of winding units. The system includes a paper tube discharging device which provide a stock section for retaining tapered tubes in heaped up condition and a releasing section for separating lowermost ones of the heaped up paper tubes in the stock section. The separated paper tubes are transported one by one along a paper tube transporting path and fed to each winding unit.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus for individually dispensing folded newspapers, magazines, or like articles from a stack of articles, comprises a reciprocal dispensing assembly having movable fingers mounted thereon for engaging within a fold of the article to pull the article to a dispensing position from its stacked or stored position. The fingers are laterally spaced and adapted to be extended and inserted into respective lateral ends of the fold. Alternatively, the fingers can be made responsive to the opening of an acess door. In both embodiments, movement of the fingers between their extended and retracted positions is controlled by a pair of longitudinally spaced stops. An adjustment is provided for accommodating the dispensing of articles having varied thicknesses, while maintaining the fingers in the center of the fold of a particular article.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for separating and dispensing nursery pots which are nested in a stack. The apparatus includes a ratchet mechanism which allows the stack to move in only one direction along a predetermined path, an elongated bar mechanism for engaging the first pot at one end of the stack and pulling it away from the pots in the stack and a contact off switch which responds to the presence of a pot at a dispensing location along said path to deactivate the bar mechanism until such time as the pot is removed by the operator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically supplying cups to a filling station is disclosed herein. The apparatus consists of means for moving nested cups along a generally horizontal path that has guide means at the end thereof with pusher means engageable with the rim of a leading cup which drives the leading cup from the nested group to the filling station. Gripper means engage the rim of the next succeeding cup for holding the remaining cups while the leading cup is moved from the group of nested cups. The apparatus also incorporates mechanism for automatically releasing the leading cups at a specific location with respect to the filling station so that they drop by gravity to the filling station and also mechanism that automatically moves the gripper means to grip the next succeeding cup for holding the group while another cup is moved from the group path.

Abstract: A novel device is described for unloading and orienting articles, such as cartons, stacked in tiers on a pallet. The device includes a tiltable pallet receiver which receives a loaded pallet in horizontal position and then tilts the pallet and tiered articles thereon onto their sides with the article tiers forming a series of substantially vertical, adjacent stacks. A means is provided for intermittently advancing the pallet and tiers horizontally in a direction away from the receiver when in a tilted position towards a single tier receiver which receives a single vertical stack of tiered articles from the pallet. The tier receiver is horizontally movable for moving the received stack laterally away from the next adjacent stack and support devices are provided for securely holding the stack in the tier receiver and the next adjacent stack in the pallet during this movement of the tier receiver.

Abstract: An automatic cone labeling, separating and restacking apparatus comprising a magazine, loading means for placing a stalk of cones from the magazine into the labeling and separating apparatus, apparatus for placing a label into the larger end of a cone, separating apparatus for separating the labeled cone from the stalk of cones by creating a closed annular space between the labeled cone and the next cone and placing a compressible fluid under pressure within the closed annular space so that the labeled cone is moved to a receiving means, and control means to continue the operation until all cones in the stalk of cones have been labeled, separated, and restacked on the receiving means.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liner feeder assembly comprised of a liner supply assembly and a transfer assembly including a liner block having at least one cavity for receiving a preformed liner. The liner transfer assembly is provided with a pump and valve assembly in fluid communication with each such cavity for placing such cavity alternately in fluid communications with the suction side or the compression side of the pump for assisting in the removal of a liner from the liner supply assembly containing a supply of nestable liners and the subsequent positioning in such cavity, and for the placing of the liner on a core rod or pin.

Abstract: An automatic cone labeling, separating and restacking apparatus comprising a magazine, loading means for placing a stalk of cones from the magazine into the labeling and separating apparatus, apparatus for placing a label into the larger end of a cone, separating apparatus for separating the labeled cone from the stalk of cones by creating a closed annular space between the labeled cone and the next cone and placing a compressible fluid under pressure within the closed annular space so that the labeled cone is moved to a receiving means, and control means to continue the operation until all cones in the stalk of cones have been labeled, separated, and restacked on the receiving means.