Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing product that includes a dispenser body having first and second interior sections, a lid, and a release mechanism. Product in the first interior section passes through an opening in the second interior portion and into an inner channel for dispensing. The inner channel includes a prong that prevent product from reverting back to the first interior section. The lid includes a lip that, when the dispenser is closed, creates a seal about the inner channel. When the dispenser is to be opened, the user may activate the release mechanism, which includes an upper portion and an activation portion. The user inwardly presses the release activation portion, which deflects or bends a portion of the inner channel away from the lip. The user may also downwardly press on the release mechanism to release the upper portion from engagement with the lip and the sidewall.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing assembly includes a dispenser that may be attached to an air conditioning unit. A container is provided to contain a liquid clog remover. The container is removably attached to the dispenser thereby facilitating the container to be fluidly coupled to the dispenser. A hose is fluidly coupled between the dispenser and a condensation drain on the air conditioning unit such that the liquid clog remover inhibits the condensation drain from becoming clogged.

Abstract: Modular vending machine systems provide for reloadable product dispensing modules, including, but not limited to, vertical product dispensing modules. In some embodiments, the modular vending machine systems comprise one or more modular vending machines and product dispensing modules that may be releasably mounted using module holder structures of the modular vending machines. In some embodiments, a central controller device may be used for communicating with a plurality of modular vending machines, product dispensing modules, and/or docking stations.

Abstract: A child-resistant package includes a seal for sealing a package and a latch for securing the package in a closed position. According to embodiments, the package includes a first shell portion having a first closed lip and a second shell portion having a second closed lip. According to embodiments, the seal may be formed by the engagement of an angled outer wall of the first closed lip with a bent or deformed thin wall of the second closed lip. The package may also incorporate one or more elastomeric ancillary face and/or side seals. The first and second shell portions may be joined by a hinge, such as a double hinge. Additionally, the insert may include a dispenser assembly that controls the dispensing of product from a product containing space to a dispenser receptacle. A spring may bias the latch in a locked or rest position.

Abstract: A blade dispenser (100) has a blade supply container (110), a blade disposal container (120), and a detachable and reconnectable connecting means (130, 131, 132) that is embodied to connect the blade supply container (110) and blade disposal container (120) detachably to one another. The blade supply container (110) has a blade supply container upper side and a blade supply container underside, and is embodied to receive a blade stack (111) made up of multiple mutually abutting blades (112, 115). The blade supply container (110) also has a removal opening (116) through which at least one blade (112, 115) of the blade stack (111) is removable from the blade supply container (110). The blade disposal container (120) has a blade disposal container upper side and a blade disposal container underside, and is embodied to receive blades (120) to be disposed of.

Abstract: A container adapted for dispensing a product is provided. The container includes an outer casing body for receiving a dispensing tray. The dispensing tray has an internal storage compartment for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, and includes a cover plate defining at least one dispensing aperture through which a stored unit of product is accessible when the outer casing body is in a dispensing position. The container includes a locking mechanism that releasably locks the outer casing body in the closed and locked position.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and dispensing small objects comprises a housing, an interior volume formed in the housing adapted to hold at least one of the small objects, an access port in the housing providing access to the interior volume, and a dispenser closure operatively connected to the housing and movable from a first position closing access to the access port to a second position adapted to provide dispensing of one of the objects from the interior volume through the access port. An openable and closeable attachment loop is integrally formed as part of the housing, the attachment loop adapted to be selectively attached to a holding device to secure the housing to the holding device.

Abstract: A cup rack includes a cup rack body for receiving multiple cups in a stack, and a base for supporting the storage cups in the cup rack body and defining an access port for finger access to pick up the cups individually.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for dispensing items. In one embodiment, a magazine defining a channel adapted to store a plurality of items of substantially similar size in a uniform manner is provided. The magazine may also define (a) a rake element path adapted to allow one item of the plurality of items to be engaged and (b) a dispensing opening adapted to allow the engaged item to be urged out of the dispensing opening. In such an embodiment, a receptacle may also be provided. The receptacle may comprise a storage cavity and a rake element, wherein the rake element is adapted to (a) pass through the rake element path of the magazine to engage the item and (b) urge the item out of the dispensing opening of the magazine into the storage cavity of the receptacle.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly having a container and an insert secured within the container. The insert includes a product cartridge defining a product containing space and a dispensing body having a dispenser receptacle. The product containing space has a first opening through which product exits, and the dispenser receptacle has a second opening at least partially offset from the first opening through which product enters the dispenser receptacle. The dispenser assembly further includes a push-button assembly attacked to the insert, including a button that moves between first and second positions. The button has an orifice defined therein in communication with one of the first or second openings when in the first position and with the other of the first or second openings when in the second position, such that the button permits transmittal of product between the first and second openings when moved between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A feeding device for a balls-sorting machine serves to guide balls to a rotary ball-carrying disc disposed in a housing, the ball-carrying disc is formed with a plurality of ball-falling holes. The feeding device comprises: a feeding hopper, a dividing device, and a control unit. The feeding hopper includes a feeding hole and a feeding passage connected to the housing. The dividing device is abutted against the ball-carrying disc and formed with a receiving space, and a sub-inputting hole and a sub-outputting hole which are in communication with the receiving space, the sub-inputting hole is connected to the feeding passage, and the sub-outputting hole is located corresponding to the ball-falling holes of the ball-carrying disc.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus has a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber that are divided by a dividing wall, a lid covering the second chamber and a cover covering the first chamber, with the first chamber holding a plurality of articles, and an opening provided in the dividing wall to allow an article to pass through to the second chamber. A figure is retained inside the second chamber, the figure having a pair of arms that are normally positioned adjacent the opening in the dividing wall to receive an article that is transferred from the first chamber via the opening in the dividing wall. An actuator is coupled to the figure to push the figure upwardly through the lid so that the figure, and the article held in the arms of the figure, are delivered outside the housing.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) is disclosed for dispensing a single object (22, 24) at a time, such as a tablet or the like. The dispenser includes a reservoir (26) to contain tablets and an opening in the reservoir sized to pass the tablets. A chute (30) is defined by a wall adjacent to the opening in the reservoir, and defines a dispensing path (39). The movable dispensing guide (32) has a retracted position that does not prevent the advance of tablets along the dispensing path, and an advanced position that intersects the dispensing path between the first and second tablets (22, 24) in the dispensing path. When advanced, the movable dispensing guide allows the first tablet in line to be dispensed from the path, and prevents the second tablet in line from advancing. An actuator is operable to move the movable dispensing guide from its retracted position to its advanced position.

Abstract: The test strip containers accurately dispense one test strip for easy removal. One test strip container includes a slider with a slot that catches a single test strip therein from a stack positioned inside the container. The slider retaining the single test strip moves across the container while the single test strip rides along a ramp or track on the exterior of the container until the single test strip extends above the container. Another test strip container includes inner and outer cylinders. The inner cylinder defines an opening through which a test strip from a stack is dispensed and an external ramp or track. As the outer cylinder rotates about the inner cylinder, a recessed slot in the outer cylinder captures a single test strip, and continued rotation of the outer cylinder causes the test strip to ride along the ramp or track to extend above the cylinders for removal.

Abstract: A feed unit for filling a coin module with coins improved in such a way that a plurality of coin modules can be filled or loaded with just one feed unit. The coin feed unit is a coin drum which is rotatable inside a shell. A coin stock compartment is provided into which coins can be filled via a charge aperture. A dispensing compartment is provided inside the coin drum from which coins can be taken out via the discharge aperture. A passage is arranged in such a way that coins get from the stock compartment into the dispensing compartment as the coin drum rotates around a pivot pin.

Abstract: A container adapted for dispensing a product is provided. The container includes an outer casing body for receiving a dispensing tray. The dispensing tray has an internal storage compartment for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, and includes a cover portion defining at least one dispensing aperture through which a stored unit of product is accessible when the outer casing body is in a dispensing position. A sealing member is engaged with one of the outer casing body and the dispensing tray, and is configured to interact with the other of the outer casing body and the dispensing tray to form a seal about an outer peripheral portion of the dispensing tray when the outer casing body is in a closed and locked position. The container includes a locking mechanism that releasably locks the outer casing body in the closed and locked position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide vending dispenser assemblies for beverage dispensers. In particular, embodiments of the invention can provide a beverage dispenser with a manually operated vending dispenser assembly that consumes little or no additional electrical power to dispense a beverage container using the assembly. Embodiments of a vending dispenser assembly can be used with a heated or chilled compartment associated with a beverage dispenser. Furthermore, embodiments of a vending dispenser assembly can operate in conjunction with a relatively small dispenser opening to limit heat transfer loss via the dispenser opening. One embodiment can provide a dispenser for dispensing a number of products. The dispenser can include at least one storage column adapted to dispense a number of products, and a product selection device operable to permit one of the number of products to advance from the storage column, wherein the advanced product can be dispensed from the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a probe cover dispenser, which comprises a base having a probe cover basin; a probe cover cartridge receiving probe covers; a gravitational member applying gravity to the probe covers; and a feeder assembly arranged between the base and the probe cover cartridge. The gravitational member makes a probe cover fall from the probe cover cartridge onto the base, and a feeder pushes the gravitationally released probe cover to the probe cover basin. Then, the user inserts a probe of an infrared thermometer into the probe cover inside the probe cover basin to sleeve the probe with the probe cover. Via the present invention, the user can fit a probe cover onto a probe without using his hands. Thus, the present invention can effectively reduce the pollution of probe covers and the infection of testees.

Abstract: A product discharge and delivery system for a vending machine includes a product delivery cup including a carriage portion and a shroud portion having an open bottom section and a discharge element. After receiving a selected product, the product delivery cup is shifted toward a dispensing chamber causing the discharge element to engage with a discharge member mounted within the vending machine. Engagement of the discharge element and discharge member causes the shroud portion to pivot relative to the carrier portion exposing the open bottom section allowing a selected product to release into a dispensing chamber. A delivery port is mounted in the dispensing chamber that rotated between a product receiving position and a product delivery position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying branding of pharmaceutical/medical containers are provided. In some embodiments, systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided. The systems including: a scanning system including at least one scanner for determining the branding of at least one of a first medication container and a cap used to cover the first medication container; a transport system that transports the first medication container; and a control system that: controls the transport system to transport the first medication container to the scanning system; and controls the scanning system to determine whether the branding of at least one of the first medication container and the cap correctly matches a predetermined branding among a plurality of brandings based on predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A device and method for dispensing a bag from a stack of bags, the device including a plate having a frame, a rotatable shaft coupled to the frame, at least one roller non-rotatably affixed to the shaft and arranged to engage a bag of the stack of bags, means for rotating the shaft, and means for automatically stopping rotation of the shaft after a single bag has been dispensed, wherein the stack of bags is held against one side of the plate, and the single bag is dispensed to an opposite side of the plate.

Abstract: A container adapted for dispensing a product is provided, the container including a storage compartment configured to store a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed; a dispensing chamber for receiving at least one unit of the product, the dispensing chamber configured for movement between a closed and locked position and a dispensing position; a dispensing pathway between the storage compartment and the dispensing chamber, the dispensing pathway sized for passage of at least one unit of the product; a locking mechanism adapted for releasably locking the dispensing chamber in the closed and locked position; and a blocking member operatively positioned to block the dispensing pathway when the dispensing chamber is in the dispensing position.

Abstract: A dispensing device for beverage cup lid which prevents excessive human contact with the lid prior to insertion upon the beverage cup, the device providing an externally threaded central rotary rod attached to a direct drive bidirectional electrical motor and suspended within a lid cabinet with a stacked plurality of lids retained upon the rotary rod through a central bore in each lid, the lids urged downward by a traveling press plate having a central threaded hole engaging the external threads of the rotary rod, the rotation of the rotary rod causing the press plate to move up and down the rotary rod, pressing against the uppermost lid on the rotary rod against the stacked plurality of lids in increments programmed to release only the lowermost lid from the end of the rotary rod in a receiving area below the retaining rod. The device is operated by the activation of a presence sensor, either a beverage cup or a clean hand, which causes the incremental dispensing of a single lid.

Abstract: A medicine dispensing apparatus which allows a prescribed quantity of medicines to be reliably taken out based on prescription data.

Abstract: An earplug dispenser (10) includes a container (12), a cover (14), and a rotatable member (16). The container (12) is adapted to hold a quantity of earplugs (18) to be dispensed, and has a downwardly opening mouth (20). The cover (14) is attached to the container (12) to close the downwardly opening mouth (20). The rotatable member (16) is carried in the cover (14) for rotation about a vertical axis (22). The cover (14) has a base (24), a dispensing port (26) extending through the base (24), and a facing cylindrical surface (28A) extending up from the base (24) and centered on the vertical axis (22). The rotatable member (16) has a plurality of conduits (29) extending vertically through the rotatable member (16), with each conduit (29) adapted to receive an earplug (18) from the container (12) and align one at a time with the dispensing port (26) to allow an earplug (18) carried in the conduit (29) to be dispensed downwardly through the dispensing port (26).

Abstract: A container for dispensing a product is provided, the container including an outer casing body having a cavity; a dispensing tray adapted for sliding movement within the cavity of the outer casing body between a closed and locked position and a dispensing position, the dispensing tray having an internal storage compartment for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, a dispensing window, and a stop for engaging the outer casing body to prevent removal of the dispensing tray from the cavity; and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the dispensing tray in the cavity, the locking mechanism including protrusions projecting from the outer casing body into the cavity and positioned adjacent to a moveable flap formed in the outer casing body, and recesses carried by the dispensing tray and positioned to engage the protrusions when the dispensing tray is in the closed and locked position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying branding of pharmaceutical/medical containers are provided. In some embodiments, systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided. The systems including: a scanning system including at least one scanner for determining the branding of at least one of a first medication container and a cap used to cover the first medication container; a transport system that transports the first medication container; and a control system that: controls the transport system to transport the first medication container to the scanning system; and controls the scanning system to determine whether the branding of at least one of the first medication container and the cap correctly matches a predetermined branding among a plurality of brandings based on predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A display device includes a chute supporting products in a stacked arrangement and a cartridge assembly for dispensing a lowermost product. The cartridge assembly includes a movable pocket biased in a closed position. A lever switch has a portion disposed within the pocket. An escapement member has an escapement arm and an escapement shelf disposed over the pocket. A cam body coupled to the lever switch has a cam surface. A timer device is disposed between the pocket and escapement member. As a product is removed from the pocket, the lever switch is raised. As the pocket is closed, the cam surface engages the escapement member, moving the escapement member into a retracted position, and allowing a product to drop from the chute into the pocket. This depresses the lever switch, moving the cam body and returning the escapement member to its forward position.

Abstract: A system for dispensing cylindrical containers is disclosed. In an embodiment, a housing with an upper opening and a lower opening includes a track that connects the upper and lower openings. A drawer is mounted in the lower opening so that containers placed in the upper opening may travel along the track until they reach the drawer. In an embodiment opening the drawer allows a single container to be removed. A plurality of tracks connecting a plurality of upper and lower openings may be provided so that different types of containers may be dispensed. In an embodiment the drawer may be lockable and a cover that may include a lock may be mounted to the housing so as to cover the upper opening. In an embodiment, a sensor may be included to detect the opening of the drawer.

Abstract: A cup lid dispenser is characterized by a cylindrical housing for containing a stack of relatively flexible cup lids in vertical orientation with a lip of the bottommost lid supported at points around its circumference on a plurality of shelves within and around a base of the dispenser at a lower end of the housing. The base has a forward opening that exposes just a front portion of the lip of only the bottommost lid of the stack for being gripped by a user. To dispense the bottommost lid, a user grips the exposed lip and pulls the lid downward to flex it away from the overlying stack and forward to move it off of the shelves and release it from the overlying stack of lids for downward movement into an underlying pocket in the base, with continued forward pulling of the lid then moving it through and out of a forward dispense opening from the base.

Abstract: A multifunctional medicinal dispensary device made up of an armstand, an arm with an attached punchknob pivotably connected thereto and equipped with a handle as well as a punchplate with a hole in it being attached to the topside of the armstand along with a splitter bar and splitterguard each connected to the arm and a pillcrusher component also pivotably affixed a pivotstand affixed to the arm and laterally positioned pill compartments within the armstand all for the purpose of extracting pills from pill packs, splitting and/or crushing them or for extracting liquid medicine from within capsular pill jackets, all very hygienically, economically and efficiently with only minimal effort, without waste.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing small items such as pieces of candy is disclosed herein. The dispenser includes a container having a first major side, a second major side, and a storage volume positioned between the first and second major sides. The dispenser includes a dispensing opening defined through the first major side. A dispensing member for carrying the items from the storage volume to the dispensing opening carries the items along a path of travel aligned along a plane, the dispensing opening having an axis aligned in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane.

Abstract: A slide ejector mechanism for automatically removing a slide from a slide stack is set forth. The slide ejector mechanism comprises an ejector blade adapted to engage a longitudinal edge of the slide and an ejector drive. The ejector drive is connected to rotate the ejector blade through a curved ejection path. During this rotation, the ejector blade engages the longitudinal edge of the slide to remove the slide from the slide stack and place the slide at an output position for subsequent manipulation. In accordance with a further enhancement, the slide ejector mechanism may include structures that render the apparatus self-cleaning of broken slides. Such structures may include a platen having an opening therethrough along at least a portion of the ejection path. The opening has a width that is slightly less than a length of the slide so that the slide spans the opening and is supported at its edges by the platen.

Abstract: A medication storing and dispensing cassette is comprised of a housing defining at least a portion of a bulk storage chamber for storing a medication, defining at least a portion of a pick-up area, and defining at least a portion of a discharge chute sized to temporarily store a quantity of the medication. A divider wall is positioned between the bulk storage chamber and the pick-up area. A gate is positioned to control an exit end of the discharge chute. A rotatable conveying wheel having openings proximate to the periphery thereof is positioned such that a portion of the wheel is in communication with the pick-up area while another portion of the wheel is adjacent to an entrance end of the discharge chute. A calibration arm is positioned adjacent the openings of the rotatable wheel. A baffle is positioned to block those openings in that portion of the rotatable wheel adjacent to the discharge chute.

Abstract: A wall mounted vertical, gravity fed dispensing container for use with a blister pack includes a pair of perforated sheets defining a holder portion for receiving and supporting the blister pack while holding the blister pack parallel to the wall. The holder portion is formed as a separate element which can be snapped into the container. The two sheets are hinged at the bottom. Behind the holder portion is a catching container fixed to the holder portion and to the wall such that medication expelled from the blisters through the openings by a manually movable punch is caught in the catching container. A bottom wall of the catching container converges the medications to a bottom chute with a manually movable press lever operating a flap valve to discharge the medications into a cup. A front door covers the holder and the blister pack and contains a receptacle for the punch.

Abstract: An automated dispensing assembly includes a base, and a shuttle mounted in the base and movable under automated control between a loading position and a dispensing position. The shuttle includes a cavity configured to carry an object, such as cover. The depth of the cavity in the shuttle is approximately the same (or less) as the thickness of one of the objects. A storage module is mounted proximate the shuttle. The storage module is configured to store a plurality of objects and includes an opening exposing the next object to be dispensed. The cavity is positioned adjacent the opening in the storage module in the loading position and an edge of the cavity separates the object to be dispensed from the other objects in the storage module as the shuttle moves to the dispensing position.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and dispensing small objects comprises a housing, an interior volume formed in the housing adapted to hold at least one of the small objects, an access port in the housing providing access to the interior volume, and a dispenser closure operatively connected to the housing and movable from a first position closing access to the access port to a second position adapted to provide dispensing of one of the objects from the interior volume through the access port. An openable and closeable attachment loop is integrally formed as part of the housing, the attachment loop adapted to be selectively attached to a holding device to secure the housing to the holding device.

Abstract: A refrigerator with a through-the-door beverage can dispenser that includes a chute disposed within a refrigerated interior space that is adapted to receive and hold a plurality of beverage cans in a side-by-side relationship for sequential discharge from a bottom end of the chute. The beverage dispenser includes a rotatable drum that in a loading position has a trough portion adapted to receive a beverage can discharged from the bottom end of the chute and a barrel portion adapted to sealingly fill a passage through a door of the refrigerator. The drum is rotatable by hand from the loading position to a dispensing position where the trough portion of the drum is adjacent to the passage through the door to permit removal of a beverage can from the trough without opening the door.

Abstract: A disposable container for holding and dispensing one oral care, candy and/or medicinal strip at a time, without the need to open the package or to insert one's dirty fingers into the package, thereby eliminating the contamination of the remaining strips, and allowing the use of only one hand to dispense a strip directly on to the tongue, thereby eliminating the need to place ones dirty hand into the mouth.

Abstract: A dispenser for items of merchandise is formed as a wire rack having an entrance opening for placing the items into the dispenser and a discharge opening for removal of the items from the dispenser by a customer. A pivotally moveable gate located adjacent the discharge opening permits removal of the items one at a time, with a time delay being required between the removal of each of the items to retard shoplifting. The gate also produces an audible sound when moving toward the open position to further reduce possible shoplifting.

Abstract: A child-resistant dispenser for dispensing items, including a chassis (12) having a reservoir (40) for holding items (16) and a conveyor (14) including a conveyor pocket (18) for receiving an item (16a). The conveyor (14) is pivotably mounted within chassis (12) between a closed position in which the conveyor pocket (18) is inaccessible from outside the dispenser (10), and an open position, in which the conveyor pocket (18) is accessible from outside of the dispenser (10). The dispenser further includes a pathway positioned between the reservoir (40) and the conveyor pocket (18) when the conveyor (14) is closed. The pathway is blocked by the conveyor (14) when the conveyor (14) is open. A locking mechanism (20, 22) is provided for releasably locking the pill conveyor (14) in a closed position. A user must simultaneously apply pressure to both the conveyor (14) and the locking mechanism (20, 22) in order to open the conveyor (14).

Abstract: A blade dispenser assembly includes a housing and an integrally formed shuttle mechanism which functions to dispense one blade at a time from the bottom of a stack of blades held within the housing. The shuttle mechanism is configured to engage a bottommost blade in the stack when in a closed position and to carry the engaged blade with it when the shuttle mechanism is moved to an opened position. In the opened position, the shuttle mechanism is partially extended from the housing and securely holds and displays the withdrawn blade. An exemplary preferred shuttle mechanism is pivotally coupled to the housing and includes an arm portion that allows a person to pivot the shuttle mechanism away from the housing while keeping the person's hand safely away from the blade being withdrawn.

Abstract: A product dispenser comprising a cover, a slidable push element, a base and a landing is provided. The cover and the base are rotatable with respect to each other about a common axis. The cover comprises a roof opening in which the push element slides in opposing directions, advancing product from the interior of the cover onto the landing. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser houses miniature zinc air batteries, secured to the base using an adhesive layer. When a cell is advanced from the interior of the cover onto the landing, the cell is separated from the adhesive layer, allowing air to pass into the cell and the cell to be activated. The landing preferably comprises a magnet for releasably securing product. The dispenser is then used as an inserter for orienting and placing the product in position in a device. The product is not directly handled during its removal from the dispenser or during its insertion into a device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for merchandising products are disclosed. A merchandising system for containers of consumer product such as food stuffs, the containers each having a body and a feature, includes a base configured to be coupled to a structure with a non-invasive fastener, and a first retainer and a second retainer each selectively coupled to the base. Each retainer comprising a pair of opposed projections configured to retain the container duct. The pair of opposed projections forms an opening through which containers are received and retained by the pair or projections.

Abstract: A candy dispenser may be provided with a housing shaped like an animated figure and having first and second housing openings formed therein, a candy container operatively positioned relative to the second housing opening so that pieces of candy that are inserted into the second housing opening may pass into the candy container, and a movable animated figure associated with the housing. The movable animated figure may be provided with a candy holder that is sized to hold a piece of candy, and the movable animated figure may be movable between a concealed position in which the movable animated figure is disposed within the housing and a revealed position in which the movable animated figure extends out of the first housing opening.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for storing fresh, edible seeds in a lower container having an upper container attached thereto for receiving the shells from the used or shucked seeds. The upper portion of the top chamber is a dome-like member with an aperture therein for the disposal of shells. Further, the top chamber has a dome-like lid that rotates being spill-proof when not in use. The bottom chamber is cylindrically shaped for receiving and storing fresh seed. The top and bottom chambers are removably attached. An access means is disposed on the outside of the lower container and enables seeds to be dispensed therethrough.

Abstract: A transportation vending machine, and more generally a vending machine and cooling dispenser especially suited to environments in which there is limited space available. A serpentine path in the dispenser is formed from two-pieces of rotary-molded plastic having complimentary, serpentine surfaces which form a serpentine path when positioned against one another. Vending, without the need for selection buttons, is achieved by way of the cradles and an interlock system. Efficient cooling is provided by a thermoelectric cooling system that also consumes very little space.

Abstract: A jam resistant dispenser (10) including a storage housing (14) of a size and shape to store and dispense a plurality of substantially identical cylindrical members (12), preferably, capillary tubes for gene sequencing reactions and other chemical/biological processes. Housing (14) includes a base (22), an interior (24) defined by a front wall (16), back wall (18), two end walls (20) and the base (22). Base (22) includes an open throat (32) of a size to receive at least seven cylindrical members (12) laid out side by side and parallel to base (22) in order to prevent a naturally occurring arch or bridge of the cylindrical members from forming. Dispenser (10) also includes a sliding tray (46) having an exit slot (48) of a size to completely receive and support one cylindrical member (12). During sliding movement, the exit slot (48) is positionable along any portion of the open throat in order to receive one cylindrical member from the throat.

Abstract: A golf ball dispenser formed of a plurality of transparent tubular golf ball containers attached by a mounting bridge member and a strap. A connector on the strap permits attaching the dispenser to a rigid object. Each container includes a loading opening and a dispensing opening. A pivotable golf ball dispensing cradle, located at the dispensing opening and spring biased in a normally closed position, is actuated by a lever to transport a golf ball from within the tubular container through the dispensing opening for removal by a golfer.

Abstract: A bread dispensing apparatus has a rigid hollow body (10) in which bread slices can be placed, an upper inlet (11), a lower outlet (14) which is associated with a pull down dispenser. When the dispenser is pulled down, bread can be removed from the body. Hold back blades are provided to allow only the desired number of pieces of bread to be dispensed, the hold back blades being connected to the dispenser such that pulling down of the dispenser operates the hold back blades.