Abstract: Pharmaceutical product dispensers (e.g., in the shape of a common ink pen) are operable to indicate information regarding a dosing schedule of a pharmaceutical product dispensable from the dispenser. Embodiments of the dispensers may include a plurality of dosing segments, each corresponding to a different dose of the pharmaceutical product. Actuation of an actuator may result in interaction between the actuator and the pharmaceutical product storage area such that a dose of pharmaceutical product contained in the pharmaceutical product storage area is dispensed, along with a corresponding advancement of the plurality of dosing segments. The dispenser may also include one or more locks to prevent unauthorized access to the pharmaceutical product (e.g., by a child or the like). Furthermore, the pharmaceutical product dispenser may include a disabling mechanism to permanently disable actuation of the actuator of the dispenser.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: A security dispenser for the display and dispensing of merchandise items, having an elongate housing for storing a row of merchandise items, a rear end, a front delivery end, and a lid. An incremental feed device is disposed in the security dispenser, comprising a pusher assembly for advancing merchandise items to the front delivery end, and a stop mechanism allowing the pusher assembly to achieve its travel in a plurality of predetermined increments. When the pusher assembly is engaged with the stop mechanism, an actuator operably connected to the stop mechanism and having an engagable component, must be actuated by a user wishing to dispense a merchandise item, causing the pusher assembly to temporarily disengage the stop mechanism, thereby allowing the pusher assembly to travel in one of the predetermined increments.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: Systems for deterring theft of retail products. Systems of this invention provide theft deterrent dispensing modules for dispensing products and may incorporate theft deterrent measures including mechanical deterrents, time delays and sound. The dispensing modules may include one or more pusher assemblies for dispensing product. Certain systems of this invention may also include a lockout feature, so that one only pusher assembly may be activated to dispense a product at one time. In some embodiments, a door assembly may be provided as an additional theft deterrent mechanism so that access to additional product not yet dispensed by the pusher assembly is restricted.

Abstract: A dispenser unit for countermeasures. A magazine for the countermeasures is removably arranged on the dispenser unit. A dispensing nozzle dispenses the countermeasures out of the magazine. A movable seal is arranged within the magazine. The seal in a first position covers the dispensing nozzle and in a second position opens the dispensing nozzle, such that the countermeasures may be dispensed through the dispensing nozzle when the seal is in the second position.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: A product vending machine, wherein products are arranged on at least one tray, and are fed by a conveyor device to a release outlet controlled by a release device for allowing only one product at a time to be fed off the tray by the conveyor device; the release device having a retainer, and being movable between a closed position, in which the release device holds the products on the tray and the retainer blocks the outlet at least partly, and an open release position, in which the retainer extends in front of the outlet and at least partly outwards of the tray to intercept the released product and control, in a given manner, the way in which the product drops off the tray.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more containers that hold medicaments for dispensing. In one embodiment, a medicament container includes a housing having an outlet port through which a medicament unit can be dispensed; a door configured to seal the outlet port in a closed position and to move to an open position to permit the medicament unit to be dispensed from the outlet port; and a lock configured to maintain the door in the closed position to prevent unauthorized dispensing of the medicament unit.

Abstract: A jar dispenser includes a housing defining a row that accommodates multiple jars of baby food in single file atop a planar floor. A pushplate is configured for movement along the row. A biasing member is in communication with the pushplate to bias the pushplate from a housing back side toward a housing front side. The device includes a door adjacent the row at the housing front side, the door being pivotal to restrict access to the row when at a closed position and to allow access to the row when at open and load positions. A first biasing member biases the door toward the closed position. A door catch is positioned to interact with the door when the door is at the load position. A second biasing member biases the door to bias the door to interact with the door catch when the door is at the load position.

Abstract: A product delivery system for a vending machine includes first and second guide rails and a carriage rail. The guide rails are fixedly mounted in the vending machine spaced from and parallel to each other and extend along respective first and second axes. The carriage rail extends along a third axis and includes first and second ends that are slidably connected to the respective ones of the first and second guide rails. A carrier member is slidably mounted to the carriage rail for movement along the third axis. A first drive belt is coupled to the carriage rail and a first drive motor to selectively shift the carrier member along the third axis. A second drive belt, extending in multiple axes, is connected to each of the first and second ends of the carriage rail and a second drive motor. The second drive motor selectively shifts the carriage rail along the first and second axes upon driving the second drive belt.

Abstract: A test sensor includes a base, a lid and a channel for receiving a fluid sample. The channel includes a reagent. The test sensor also includes a tip portion extending from at least one of the base and lid. The tip portion prevents or inhibits moisture or contaminants from entering the channel and affecting the reagent. The test sensor further includes a detachable area located adjacent the tip portion. The detachable area is formed so as to assist movement of the tip portion or removal of the tip portion from the remainder of the test sensor. The movement or removal of the tip portion exposes the channel for receiving the fluid sample.

Abstract: A stamped gate bar for a vending machine having an elongated body with opposing ends. The elongated body is formed first and second side walls extending from an integrally formed edge wall. A support member is disposed along at least one of the opposing ends, and an actuation member is also disposed along at least one of the opposing ends. A method of forming the gate bar from a sheet of metal is also disclosed.

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: Shopping separator device, intended to be used at a cash till, in order to separate articles which form the shopping of a queue of purchasers and are arranged on an optionally movable surface associated with the till, comprising an elongated housing defining internally at least one storage chamber able to receive and display articles (ABC, DAF), the purchase of which is to be promoted at the till, and comprising dispensing means which feed said articles towards a dispensing opening in order to allow removal thereof by the purchaser.

Abstract: A pill dispensing cap for a bottle has an inner sleeve with a divider panel and a first base panel rotatable within an outer sleeve having a second base panel. First and second window openings are defined in the first and second base panels. A plate moveable across and within the two sleeves defines a third window opening and a fourth window opening is defined in the divider panel. The plate can be held in an initial position wherein the first and second windows are aligned, whilst the third and fourth windows are not aligned. The outer sleeve is rotatable to a condition wherein the first and second windows are not aligned and the plate can then be slid across to a condition wherein the third and fourth windows are aligned to allow pills in a bottle to enter the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A cigarette holding and dispensing apparatus includes a housing having a first and second dividing wall therein such that first, second and third compartment are defined within the housing. The first dividing wall has a vertical slot therein and into the first and third compartments. A covering is removably positioned on the housing. The covering has an aperture therein extending into the third compartment and an opening extending into said second compartment. A lighter may be positioned in the second compartment and a plurality of cigarettes may be positioned in the third compartment. An actuating assembly is mounted in the first compartment and extends into the third compartment through the first vertical slot for selectively lifting a cigarette upwardly through the aperture in the covering.

Abstract: Pill dispenser including a base with multiple compartments receivable of pills and a cover member engaging with the base and rotatable relative thereto. The cover member includes an access opening selectively alignable with each compartment upon rotation of the cover member relative to the base to enable removal of pills in each compartment when in alignment with the access opening. The base includes indicia for the timed dosage of pills arranged in alignment with the compartments. A retaining member is removably arranged in the base and receives a pill holder with an optional clock/alarm/timer unit. The pill holder includes a pill-receiving compartment which can store light-sensitive pills or an emergency supply of pills or money. The clock/alarm/timer unit includes a pill timer setting which activates an alarm at a set time. The alarm remains activated up to 25 hours if pills are not removed from one of the compartments.

Abstract: A single use capsule containing dentifrice is disclosed. It includes toothpaste or other dentifrice enclosed in a shell or coating. The dentifrice may include miswak fibers, which acts as a natural brush, therefore obviating the need for a traditional brush. The coating may include choline and albumin. In use, a capsule is placed in the mouth, burst with the teeth, and then distributed throughout the mouth with the tongue. The teeth can then be brushed with a traditional brush, or the tongue can rub the miswak fibers over the teeth in lieu of using a brush.

Abstract: A blade dispenser including a dispenser body including a cavity shaped to store a plurality of blades therein. The blade dispenser includes a pivotable plate located in or adjacent to the cavity such that the plate can receive at least one blade stored in the cavity thereon. The plate is pivotable such that a blade located thereon can be moved at least partially outside of the cavity when the plate is pivoted such that a user can access a blade located on the plate. The plate includes a magnet located thereon to magnetically interact with a blade located on the plate to maintain the blade on the plate.

Abstract: A tubular golf ball-dispensing container holds multiple golf balls for individual distribution. The container includes a biased lid for selectively loading and unloading of golf balls. A spring loaded compression system presses the stack of golf balls into the lid for continuous dispensing of individual balls. Upon removal of a ball from the container, the biased lid closes and the next ball is forced into the dispensing cup in the lid. The container may be attached to other gold equipment including golf bags, golf carts, and pull carts. With the addition of a support structure, the container may stand alone, a usefully configuration for use at a driving range.

Abstract: A portable electrically operable and tamper resistant medication dispenser for supplying multiple daily medications to a patient on a predetermined schedule and which includes a programmable assembly for indexing a plurality of containers which are filled with the medications to a dispenser outlet.

Abstract: A dispensing package for substantially flat items, such as razor blades, gum and mints. The dispensing package contains a hollow container having a slot on one side and a dispensing door on one end adjacent to the slot. An elevator is located within the track for supporting and lifting the confectionery items. An elevator button is located on one end of the elevator and protrudes through the slot to allow the user to manually raise the elevator and the items located thereon. On the inside of the package and adjacent to the slot is a ratcheting track which corresponds with ratcheting protrusions on the elevator button. The ratcheting track and ratcheting protrusions allow the elevator to move upward in a manner such that only one item at a time is dispensed. Upon the exertion of manual force to lift the elevator button in an upward direction, the elevator is raised via the ratcheting track and protrusions and the top item contacts and pushes open the dispensing door.

Abstract: A portable electrically operable and tamper resistant medication dispenser for supplying multiple daily medications to a patient on a predetermined schedule and which includes a programmable assembly for indexing a plurality of containers which are filled with the medications to a dispenser outlet.

Abstract: In order to get a bill conveniently inserted only by using one hand of a customer as a bill input inlet door is kept open for a predetermined time duration and to fall down by its weight, there is provided an automatic vending machine having a bill input inlet disposed at a predetermined position of the front cabinet, a bill discriminating apparatus embedded inside of the front cabinet at a same height level for discriminating the authenticity of a bill induced through the bill input inlet and for storing the bill and a movable bill input inlet door hinged at the upper side of the bill input inlet for opening and closing the bill input inlet, wherein the bill input inlet is constructed of an opening and closing structure where, after a bill input inlet door is pushed up to a door inducing member and released, a bill input inlet door is slided by a soft contact at an initial closing phase thereof, is moved loosely but swiftly at a middle closing phase thereof and is slidingly contacted at a final closing phase

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a vending machine includes a number of failure control devices that monitor and control the functioning of the various components in the vending machine to ensure uniform quality of food products to be sold to a customer. One specific embodiment includes plurality of oven failure control devices, a freezer failure control device and a power failure control device. When a microcontroller in the vending machine determines the occurrence of a failure, the microcontroller displays a failure message on a customer display and discontinues vending food until the failure is corrected, for example, by an operator. In another aspect of this invention, the vending machine includes a mechanism for operating a door of a refrigeration compartment of the vending machine. The mechanism includes a motor driven rotary link coupled to a roller that moves in a slot of the door.

Abstract: A vending machine having an anti-pilferage door mechanism with a delivery door interconnected through linkage to an anti-pilferage door and a rear door which come together to close off the opening for the product storage area to the product dispensing chamber when the delivery door is opened by a customer thus preventing any opening which would allow a pilferage device such as a wire to be inserted through the delivery door opening up into the product storage area. The linkage which connects the delivery door to the anti-pilferage door and rear door is on one side of the dispensing chamber and a spring biasing mechanism is mounted on an opposite side of the chamber and assists in biasing the delivery door closed while providing a force reduction exerted by the spring as the door is opened.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading a bobbin core from a plurality of bobbin cores onto a bobbin winding device. A plurality of stacked bobbin cores are received into a first end of a first chute. The first chute has a second end positioned adjacent to a rotatable hub. A bobbin core from the plurality of stacked bobbin cores in the first chute is received into a bobbin core holder on the rotatable hub. The rotatable hub is then rotated with hub driving means such that the bobbin core holder on the rotatable hub moves from the second end of the first chute to a first end of a second chute, the first end of the second chute being positioned adjacent to the rotatable hub. The second chute also includes a second end positioned adjacent to the bobbin winding device. The bobbin core previously received into the bobbin core holder is then dispensed onto the bobbin winding device by passing the bobbin core through the second chute.

Abstract: A tablet dispenser comprises a tubular protective housing, from which a stack of tablets can be pushed. Lateral guides for the top tablet of said stack are provided in the working range of an ejector. Said lateral guides are constituted by side walls, which have side wall extensions, which are provided with outwardly directed pivot pins, which have been snap-fitted into bearing bores of the ejector when said side wall extensions have resiliently been deflected. The tablet dispenser comprises a U-shaped spring, the upper leg of which has a free end portion, which bears under pressure on a stop ledge of the ejector and is adapted to resiliently oppose a movement of said ejector out of a stand-by position.

Abstract: A machine for vending stacked articles, such as newspapers, one at a time. The machine includes a paper feed mechanism, operated through the opening of the door, which disengages when the door is about halfway open. The device also includes a mechanism which automatically adjusts to the thickness of the paper to be vended, which includes an elevated shelf, spring loaded to bring a paper to a position adjacent a slot through which the paper feed mechanism urges the paper. The slot is covered by a one-way flap, allowing the paper to issue outward but prevents a dishonest customer from reaching through the slot to take additional papers.

Abstract: Applicant's invention comprises a single-vend dispensing machine particularly applicable to vending newspapers. The apparatus includes a platform along which a supply of newspapers (or magazines) are advanced by a specially configured push plate. Individual copies are advanced to a vend position by operation of a frictional roller which engages the foremost single copy and advances it over a platform edge to a vend position. A copy in the vend position rests against a trap door a lock for which is briefly disengaged upon payment by a customer for allowing the copy to fall to an access slot for recovery by the customer. After removal of the copy, a new copy is advanced to the vend position by friction roller. A biased bailer aids in maintaining the front-most copy in the appropriate position for falling into the vend position, which bailer is released upon actuation of the friction roller.

Abstract: A dispenser for edible tablets having a cylindrical case and a spring biased plunger therein for urging a stack of tablets within the case upwardly. Detents formed around the open end of the case hold the tablets in the spring biased arrangement. A closure cap is pivotally mounted on the case and includes a lifting arm that extends into the case to fit underneath the top tablet in the stack to pivot it upwardly and outwardly while preventing movement of the next tablet out of the case until the cap is reclosed and the lifting arm repositioned relative to the next tablet.

Abstract: The tablet dispenser comprises a drawer, which is adapted to be extracted into engagement with a stop from one end of a tubular protective housing and in its extracted position is adapted to be supplied with a columnlike stack of tablets. The tablets can be advanced as far as to an ejector, which is mounted on that portion of the drawer which protrudes from the protective housing. The ejector is operable to eject each tablet transversely to the longitudinal direction of the stack while the tablet is guided between spaced apart side guides. The side guides consist of clamping holders, which protrude beyond the end of the tubular protective housing and which receive one tablet at a time. Each tablet can be pushed between the clamping holders in that the drawer is raised. The drawer is provided near its bottom end with a foot for supporting the tablet stack. A tilting of the tablets in the housing is prevented by longitidinal guides.

Abstract: A cartonboard container for housing and facilitating removal of sheet products one at a time. The container includes a receptacle for housing a stack of individual sheet products. The receptacle has a top wall, bottom wall and a side wall encompassing and connecting the top wall to the bottom wall forming an enclosure. A sliding closure member is disposed about the receptacle which is selectively reciprocally slideable axially along the receptacle between a closed position covering the dispensing aperture and an open position. A pair of interior hinged panels attached to the sliding closure member extend inwardly into the container to elevate one end of the stack of sheet products when the sliding closure member is moved toward the open position. This allows for easy grasping of the transverse edge of one sheet product for removal through the dispensing aperture.

Abstract: Apparatus which reduces the number of moving parts and the movements required by such parts to enable cups to be transferred rapidly, without damage to cup sheet metal or coating, while controllably feeding cups into a press for redraw. Cups are held in a continuous-feed conveyor collimating means by a stationary element coacting with a longitudinally movable pusher-arm means on the opposite lateral side of the longitudinally directed cup travel path. After release, the cup at the head of the collimated feed line moves both longitudinally of and transversely to the cup travel path along a graded ramp surface, provided by the stationary element, into the control of a pivotally mounted gate means.

Abstract: There is provided a coffee filter dispenser which is easily reset after dispensing a single coffee filter into a position for dispensing the next successive coffee filter, from a nested stack of coffee filters secured within an enclosed container.

Abstract: A dispenser 2 for dispensing disposable cigarette lighters 3. Dispenser 2 includes a housing 4 which receives a cartridge 30 for holding the lighters 3 in a vertical column. Cartridge 30 includes a discharge opening 42 normally closed by a spring biased gate 66. A pusher 90 has a horizontal surface 92 which is interposed between the lowermost lighter 3' and the remaining lighters 3 in the cartridge 30. This horizontal surface 92 both elevates the column to remove the weight of the column from the lowermost lighter 3' and uses the front edge 96 thereof to open the gate 66 before the lowermost lighter 3' is dispensed. A plurality of cartridges 30 for different types of lighters and a plurality of different types of pushers 90 may be interchangeably used in dispenser 2.

Abstract: A tablet dispenser comprises a housing and a tablet storage receptacle coaxially displaceably mounted in the housing. The storage receptacle includes a spring biased to press a stack of tablets stored in the receptacle upwards towards a dispensing end of the receptacle. An end of the housing remains in contact with an end of the receptacle in an outer end position of the receptacle in relation to the housing. The housing has a relatively shallow groove terminating short of the contacting ends of the housing and receptacle, and the receptacle has a catch arranged close to the end of the receptacle contacting the end of the housing in the outer end position. A tolerance remains between the catch and the groove, and the catch has a height corresponding to the tolerance. A sloping transition or run-up section formed by an oblique portion extends between the catch and the groove adjacent the contacting ends.

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: This invention relates to a cooler chest and dispenser structure including a can or object dispenser assembly releasably mounted in a cooler chest assembly. The cooler chest assembly has a main container body with a lid member connected to the main container body and operable in a conventional manner to provide access thereto. One endwall of the main container wall is provided with a rectangular opening that is covered with an access door assembly. The access door assembly includes a door member movable from opened to closed conditions relative the rectangular opening. The can dispenser assembly includes the access door assembly; a dispenser container structure; and a dispenser drawer structure connected to the dispenser container structure and positioned adjacent the access door assembly to dispense a can or similar object therethrough.

Abstract: A holder for pills, capsules and similar uniformly shaped objects for dispensing said objects one by one. A hollow inner tube has an open bottom for receiving the objects and a closed top for limiting axial movement thereof. A hollow outer tube has a spring affixed to a closed bottom and receives the inner tube, the spring biasing the objects upwardly. A dispensing mechanism in a cylindrical casing is affixed to the upper end of the outer tube. The dispensing mechanism operates through diametrically opposed slots in the periphery of the inner tube to dispense the objects one by one. The unit is arranged so that with minor modification a variety of sizes and shapes of objects can be dispensed.

Abstract: A storage device for flat recording media, e.g. compact discs, is disclosed. The device comprises a housing and a slider member having a base portion and front wall that covers the open front face of the housing when the slider member is inserted. A lifting element, which is transported out of the housing by means of the slider member, is provided for supporting the recording media in a position for easy insertion and removal.

Abstract: A cigarette holding and dispensing apparatus includes a housing having a first and second dividing wall therein such that first, second and third compartment are defined within the housing. The first dividing wall has a vertical slot therein and into the first and third compartments. A covering is removably positioned on the housing. The covering has an aperture therein extending into the third compartment and an opening extending into said second compartment. A lighter may be positioned in the second compartment and a plurality of cigarettes may be positioned in the third compartment. An actuating assembly is mounted in the first compartment and extends into the third compartment through the first vertical slot for selectively lifting a cigarette upwardly through the aperture in the covering.