Abstract: An improved bullet loader system applies bullets to a feed tube from a source of bullets. The bullets each have a tip-end and a base-end. The bullet-orienting system includes a bullet conveyance that conveys bullets, in tip-end-down and tip-end-up orientations, from a source of bullets to a feed tube along a bullet conveyance path. A bullet-orienting structure comprising a block, a nose guide forming a ledge, a groove, and a tapered opening, and a ramp is disposed at a fixed location proximate the bullet conveyance path. For each tip-end-down oriented bullet, the bullet-orienting structure interacts with the tip-end-down bullet, and flips the tip-end down bullet relative to the bullet conveyance from tip-end-down orientation to the tip-end-up orientation prior to application to the feed tube.

Abstract: A monitor and method for reasonable confirmation of a vend from a vending machine includes a set of optical emitters positionable on one side of a dispensing area and a set of optical detectors, adapted to sense the optical energy of the emitters, positioned on an opposite side of the dispensing area. The emitters are spaced apart from each other and mounted on a supporting structure that can be installed on the one side of the dispensing area in a vending machine. The detectors similarly are spaced from one another on a supporting structure that can be installed on an opposite side of the dispensing area. A controller operates the emitters to individually turn on and off in a predetermined sequence. The controller checks for falsing of any detector during the off periods and monitors if any detector is blocked during the on periods. Upon sensed falsing or blockage, the controller generates an output signal.

Abstract: A battery dispenser and a refill for a battery dispenser are provided. In one embodiment the battery dispenser includes a disk that supports a plurality of batteries, a cover that has an opening, a grip ring that rotates the disk to align the batteries with the opening of the cover, and a push element capable of advancing batteries from inside the cover to a landing external to the cover. The disk rotates relative to the grip ring between a load position and a dispensing position, and the disk is removable from the grip ring when the disk is in the load position.

Abstract: An article handler having an article storage area and an article dispensing opening at a top portion thereof, with a hinged lid mounted so as to have at least a predetermined range of arcuate movement thereover. The lid has a lifting portion thereon adapted for engagement with a lid opening/closing mechanism, and a lid opening/closing mechanism mounted adjacent the cooled article storage area.

Abstract: A device for feeding sheets to a sheet-processing machine includes a feeding table. Front lays are disposed at a front end of the feeding table, as viewed in a sheet-conveying direction. A first guide device is disposed immediately upstream from the front lays, as viewed in the sheet-conveying direction, and above the feeding table, and is adjustable vertically with respect to the feeding table. A second guide device is disposed upstream from the vertically adjustable first guide device, as viewed in the sheet-conveying direction. The second guide device is disposed in a position oriented parallel to the first guide device. A method of operating the sheet-feeding device is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispenser for tablets, comprising a drawer element having a through going opening for the accommodation of just one tablet, which drawer element may be displaced along a narrow sidewall of a box shaped housing. A partition parallel with said sidewall bars the inlet of the opening when the dispenser is operated, and an opening serves as a dispensing opening when the drawer is displaced to align its through-going opening with the dispensing opening. The ends of the drawer are closed by trough shaped shells, the shell at the one end being at its end opposite the drawer hinged to the housing, and being at its end adjacent to the drawer hinged to the drawer, and the end of the housing adjacent to the hinged shell being obliquely cut, so that the narrow side of the housing adjacent to the hinge hinging the shell to the housing is longer than the narrow sidewall forming the sliding surface for the drawer.

Abstract: A child-proof dispenser for pharmaceutical tablets capable of dispensing such tablets one at a time is disclosed. A sliding drawer with an open-topped tablet receptacle moves from a first position inside the dispenser where a tablet drops into the receptacle from a storage chamber to a second position outside of the dispenser. During this movement, a horizontal extension on the drawer prevents any further tablets from dropping out of the storage chamber. When the drawer is in the first position, detent means on such drawer mate in locking relation with detent means on a flexible arm of a locking member to prevent any movement of the drawer. Digital pressure on the flexible arm of the locking member will move the appropriate detent means out of locking relation to enable the drawer to move out and dispense the tablet.

Abstract: An article cassette for a vending machine has a horizontal conveyor for supporting articles one behind another in a row behind an outfeed station and for feeding the articles step by step towards the outfeed station. The outfeed station at its forward end has an access opening provided with a cover mounted for rotation between a closed position and an opened position. In the opened position the cover provides access to the outfeed station for removal of an article therefrom. The cover also carries a screen for blocking off the outfeed station from the conveyor when the cover is opened, the screen being in the form of an extension at one end of the cover.

Abstract: A medical dispenser includes a portable housing having a plurality of cannister-containing magazines disposed side-by-side. The cannisters are adapted to be loaded with medicines that are to be taken at different intervals. The cannisters are discharged from the magazines one at a time, the frequency of discharge being dependent upon which magazine the cannisters occupy. The cannisters are ejected from the magazine by means of a motor-driven feed slide. Dispensing operations are controlled by a motor-driven cam shaft that is operatively connected to the feed slide. The dispenser includes alarms and indicator lights that advise the user whenever a dispensing operation or a power failure has occurred.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering and singulating electronic devices such as integrated circuits that are arrayed initially in a column. A support member positioned over one end of the column has a plurality of spaced apart coil springs that extend radially to engage a leading one of the devices. The support member rotates at a constant rate to carry one or more of the springs into engagement with the leading device, upon further rotation deflect the spring to store energy, and upon still further rotation, cause the spring or springs to snap back to their initial radial orientation thereby accelerating the leading device to separate it from the column.

Abstract: A diskette transport is provided wherein diskettes are withdrawn from the bottom of a stack, transferred to a work station, where the actual duplication or other operation takes place, and withdrawn from the work station and deposited into an appropriate bin, depending on whether the diskette passes or fails some test.

Abstract: Chip dispensing apparatus for dispensing bingo chips with a chip transfer slide which is reciprocally moveable between a chip receiving position to receive the lowermost chip from a stack of chips received in an elongate upstanding tube and a laterally removed chip dispensing position in which a chip is dispensed to a bingo card. The apparatus includes a pistol grip-type handle having a linkage which is coupled to the chip transfer slide and actuated by a trigger to reciprocally move the chip transfer slide between the chip receiving and chip dispensing positions.

Abstract: A metering sleeve having radial openings in which radially extending plungers reciprocate to vary the effective volume of the openings, and a weight within the sleeve and connected to the plungers to reciprocate the latter in response to rotation of the sleeve. The plungers are loosely connected to the weight to lessen the tendency of the plungers to jam during rotation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A dispenser of dispensing tabets one at a time has a reservoir, a chamber below the reservoir in which the tablets are arranged in a single layer and a dispensing passageway which leads to a dispensing orifice. The passageway is of such a width that a single column of tablets can be accommodated. The passageway is defined by portions of a moving slider member and can be moved from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position. In this latter position the lowermost tablet is dispensed whereas the remaining tablets in the column are retained in the passageway by a fixed protuberance. One side of the passageway is resilient to minimize tablet damage. The slider member is adapted to assist the passage of tablets from the reservoir to the chamber.

Abstract: A magazine for a hemostatic clip applicator useful in the rapid and automatic application of hemostatic clips for the strangulation of tubular members. The magazine has a housing wherein a plurality of clips are stored. A clip loading mechanism disposed within the housing urges the clips through the housing to a clip feed mechanism. The clip feed mechanism sequentially moves the clips to a clip deforming mechanism of the clip applicator.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously feeding a plurality of sticks to a confectionary mold. The sticks are fed from a storage hopper through spaced openings provided in a fixed bottom plate. A reciprocating plate slidable on the bottom plate within the hopper includes a plurality of openings adapted to be placed in registration with the openings in the bottom plate to dispense the sticks. Should a stick become clogged in an opening, the remaining openings can still be placed in registration to dispense sticks. This is accomplished by dividing the reciprocable, sliding plate into a plurality of sections which are spaced from each other by the dispensing openings in the plate. Side bars connect the sections so they can move as an integral unit. Each section however, has a first and second spring-connected portion.

Abstract: An improved escapement is provided for use with a channel for feeding successive components to insure their continuous and individual release therefrom. The escapement includes elements for holding a next-to-endmost component in cooperation with a land extending lengthwise in the channel, in unobstructive position while the endmost component is released. The invention has particular advantages when one or more components in a stacked series may be of a form tending to overlap or have a small irregularity, such as a protruding flashing for instance, causing shingling and hence resisting automatic feeding one-by-one in the channel.

Abstract: The track of the loading chute 105 of FIGS. 6 and 7 in U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,685 is provided with a stop mounted on a leaf spring so that the stop moves aside readily if a workpiece (thermoplastic preform 2B) is misaligned during feeding by the lifter assembly 106, thus reducing malfunctions.