Abstract: A ligature-resistant, multifold paper towel dispenser has a housing having a top panel, a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of side panels secured together to define a hollow, interior chamber. The housing has an open bottom end through which a stack of paper towels may be inserted into the interior chamber. The dispenser also includes a support and dispenser assembly for resiliently supporting the stack of paper towels and for permitting manual dispensing of successive individual paper towels from the open bottom end of the housing. The support assembly includes at least one resilient flexible member which permits the paper towels to be supported thereon and dispensed therebelow and which at the same time is ligature-resistant due to its flexibility.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical filling system for a high volume pharmacy is described. The system can include a spill detection subsystem and method. The system can include a cameras to take images that a processed to determine presence of a spilled pharmaceutical. A mirror portion is provided so that the camera can take images of the entire field of the filling area. The mirror portion can be a concave mirror that increases the field of view of the camera. A light panel can illuminate the field of view to allow the camera to take high speed images. A controller can receive a series of at least two images captured by the camera and determine whether an object in the captured images is a spilled pharmaceutical.

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: An assembly for dispensing sterile lancets one at a time from a clip holding a plurality of lancets is described. The assembly is configured to dispense the lancets easily and conveniently under laboratory conditions where the lancet user is gloved and must manipulate the dispenser using only one hand while holding the animal being bled in the other. The assembly and its components are made of polycarbonate and rubber and are therefore capable of being sterilized by steam autoclaving methods or by other means of sterilization.

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 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 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: 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: The invention comprises a staple gun with highly compact accessory apparatus for attaching a planar tab or label to a fixing surface. The accessory has a housing and a positioning and indexing assembly associated with the housing which is operable to feed and hold a tab or label between the staple gun head and fixing surface, thereby allowing single-handed fixing of a label or tab to a fixing surface. The apparatus can include a roller assembly, staple gun and accessory apparatus or have all components integrated into the construction of a staple gun apparatus. Preferably, the apparatus is mated with a tab or label holding magazine. Some exemplary embodiments of the invention are suitable for securing protective covering to lumber product and may be configured for rectangular polyolefin tabs measuring approximately 0.035 inch thick and 1.0 inches by 2.0 inches.

Abstract: The invention comprises a staple gun with highly compact accessory apparatus for attaching a planar tab or label to a fixing surface. The accessory has a housing and a positioning and indexing assembly associated with the housing which is operable to feed and hold a tab or label between the staple gun head and fixing surface, thereby allowing single-handed fixing of a label or tab to a fixing surface. The apparatus can include a roller assembly, staple gun and accessory apparatus or have all components integrated into the construction of a staple gun apparatus. Preferably, the apparatus is mated with a tab or label holding magazine. Some exemplary embodiments of the invention are suitable for securing protective covering to lumber product and may be configured for rectangular polyolefin tabs measuring approximately 0.035 inch thick and 1.0 inches by 2.0 inches.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tablet vessel feed apparatus comprising a stock container for storing a plurality of tablet vessels, a vessel takeout section for taking out the tablet vessels from the stock container, and a conveyor for conveying the tablet vessels taken out from the stock container. The apparatus further comprises an auxiliary conveyor for conveying the tablet vessel taken out from the stock container toward the conveyor; a delivery table for receiving the tablet vessel conveyed by the auxiliary conveyor to retain and then deliver the tablet vessel to the conveyor; a tablet vessel sensor for detecting the tablet vessel on at least any one of the auxiliary conveyor and the delivery table; and a controller. The controller allows the vessel takeout section to stop taking out the tablet vessels from the stock container while the tablet vessel sensor detects the tablet vessel.

Abstract: A method for converting a multiple access newspaper vending machine into a single vend machine is described. The vending machine will have a cavity with a rack assembly for holding a stack of newspapers and a pivoting door for closing the cavity. The conversion includes mounting into the cavity of the vending machine a feed assembly which has a bracket and a roller member rotatably mounted to the bracket. The feed assembly rests within the cavity above the rack assembly in a manner such that the bracket pivots within the cavity and the roller member floats on the top copy of the stack of printed publications. A drive assembly having an unidirectional drive mechanism and a reset mechanism is also positioned within the cavity. A plate member having a publication discharge portal with dimensions sufficient to allow discharge therethrough of a single copy of the printed publication is positioned across the opening of the cavity.

Abstract: A container for dispensing tablets in which the dispensing opening and/or a dispensing passage upstream of the dispensing opening is constricted such that a tablet is releasably retained with part of the tablet projecting outside of the dispensing opening. The part of the rim of the dispensing opening or an adjacent part of the container is movable relative to the rest of the container so as to facilitate the release of the retained tablet from the container.

Abstract: A vending apparatus and system for storing and automatically dispensing magnetic or optical disks. A user interface means allows a user to enter a dispensing request corresponding to the selection of a desired disk and includes means for receiving user identification information, such as credit or debit card information, or other information stored magnetically on a bank card, driver's license, school identification card, or library card. Once a disk selection has been entered and user identification information received and verified, the selected disk is dispensed from the vending unit. The disks to be dispensed by the vending unit may be provided to have a region of magnetic recording media formed on one surface, and the vending unit may be equipped to write information relevant to the transaction onto the region of magnetic media.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing granules from a container having a circular mouth, includes a body having first and second cylindrical components joined together by an axial spindle, a cylindrical roundel including a radial slit which is adapted to clip onto the axial spindle, and a receptacle. The first and second cylindrical components of the body have a plurality of circumferential notches adapted to receive granules from the container. The cylindrical roundel has a radial slit which receives a single granule from the first cylindrical component, for passage to the second cylindrical component. The receptacle includes driving means adapted to rotate the body for dispensing the granules.

Abstract: In a machine for dispensing stackable roofing washers individually and for driving fasteners through such washers, a shuttle is actuatable to displace a lowermost washer of one from a stack, either a small, circular or large, square washer. A gate is biased toward a lowermost position wherein it provides sufficient clearance for the lowermost washer but not any overlying washer to pass beneath it. A pawl mounted pivotally to the gate is biased to a lowermost position wherein the pawl engages a small washer displaced by the shuttle so as to restrain it against backward movement. A stop is adjustable so as to limit movement of a washer of whichever size is being displaced. A measuring bar is mounted via the stop. A screw gun, which provides a primary handle, and a secondary handle are mounted to an upright element so as to be independently adjustable.

Abstract: A hopper type supply device includes a rod hopper for storing a large number of filter rods. A grooved hopper drum rotatably disposed directly under the rod hopper is provided for closing the discharging port of the rod hopper. A roller is rotatably disposed near the discharging port in the rod hopper and rotated in a direction opposite to the rotating direction of the hopper drum, for accelerating the filter rods lying near the roller by rotation thereof. The hopper drum takes out the filter rods received into the receiving grooves from the rod hopper according to the rotation thereof.

Abstract: A tray and dispenser for holding and dispensing individual film packets from a stack of film packets provided in a tray. The tray comprises a bottom wall, an first end wall, a second end wall, and two substantially parallel side walls. The side and end walls extend upwardly from the bottom wall and terminate in an upper rim to define an open top and a recess for receiving a stack of film packets. The second end wall is provided with a support surface for supporting a stack of film packets placed in the recess when the tray is placed in the vertical position. The bottom wall of the tray is provided with ribs for spacing the stack of film packets a predetermined distance from the surface of the bottom wall and forming a rear space behind the bottom packet. The second end wall is also provided with an access opening for allowing access to the packet disposed on the bottom of the stack of film packets when the tray is placed in the substantial vertical position.

Abstract: The present invention includes a holder for blades having a dispensing opening through which a single blade can be slideably ejected by either a sliding ejector or manual manipulation through a thumb slot. The blades within the holder are aligned by a free floating partition which is biased toward the dispensing opening by at least one rubber band formed in a double loop configuration. The double loop configuration orients the rubber band such that it loops around the back of the holder, loops adjacent the front of the holder, and loops around the back of the sliding partition. The ejector includes an extension to occlude the edge of a dispensed blade.

Abstract: A dispenser for elongated articles that is especially adapted for convenient assembly. The dispenser has a generally rectangular storage bin having an inner chamber and an article discharge slot that extends substantially from side to side across the front of the chamber. A chamber floor inclines downwardly toward the article discharge slot, and a lever arm is hingedly attached to the chamber floor to form therewith a lever arm-floor assemblage that includes substantially all of those moving parts the dispenser whose function directly relates to dispensing articles therefrom. The lever arm extends forwardly through the article discharge slot and has a depressed dispensing position and an elevated closed position.

Abstract: This dispensing machine rack assembly is formed from a pair of complementary, individually molded rack portions interconnected in face-to-face relation to define a plurality of generally vertical container-receiving compartments. Each rack portion includes a plurality of vertically spaced ramps extending beyond the connection face of the racks and disposed in staggered, overlapping relation to the ramps of the other rack portion to provide a serpentine path for the containers. A container entry opening is provided at the upper end of the rack assembly and a container dispensing opening is provided at the lower end of the rack assembly. Each lower end opening is provided with a door having a container-receiving bin and a control means associated with the door to control movement of a container from the lower ramp into the bin.

Abstract: A tube feeding device, particularly for use in a bending machine, comprises two units spaced from one another at a predetermined distance to form a tube magazine therebetween. A carriage with a recess to receive one individual tube is positioned at the bottom of the tube magazine. A chain conveyor is provided in the device adapted to receive individual tubes from the recess and transport the tubes toward the bending machine. The carriage is adapted to move towards and away from the chain conveyor to deliver the individual tube to the conveyor which is provided with a plurality of grippers adapted to carry the tubes and to advance them in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring a round part such as a drill from a first station to a second station with intermediate accumulating storage wherein a horizontally reciprocating slide has a pair of horizontally displaced transverse V-shaped grooves. With the slide extended, one of the grooves receives a part from the first station while the second groove receives a part from the storage hopper. When the slide is retracted, the part in the second groove is transferred to the second station and the part in the first groove is transferred to the hopper. Pivoted gate fingers at the hopper move the part from the first groove into the hopper when the slide is again extended. By using only one groove in the slide, the transfer mechanism can be used for an unloading operation only, that is, transferring a part from a machining station to the hopper.