Abstract: A slide-open dispenser package for loose articles including: a container for containing a plurality of loose articles, in which the container includes a bottom wall and an article dispensing outlet opening made in the bottom wall; a wrapper on the outside of the container and slidably coupled thereto along a sliding direction orthogonal to the bottom wall; at least one occluding element for occluding the outlet opening, in which the occluding element is movable between a closed configuration, in which it prevents the articles from coming out of the opening, and an open configuration, in which it allows at least one article to come out through the outlet opening. The occluding element is fixed to the container and to the wrapper so that the reciprocal sliding of the wrapper and the container causes the occluding element to move between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

Abstract: There is disclosed a dispenser 10 for dispensing product objects, comprising: a main chamber 20 for storing product objects; and a portion dispensing mechanism for dispensing a portion comprising a plurality of project objects 40. The portion dispensing mechanism comprises a gate arrangement 36 and a collection chamber 24 which are configured for relative linear movement between a loading configuration and a dispensing configuration. In the loading configuration a plurality of product objects 40 within the main chamber 20 collect within the collection chamber 24 and the gate arrangement 36 prevents product objects 40 from being dispensed from the collection chamber 24. In the dispensing configuration the gate arrangement 36 prevents product objects within the main chamber 20 from entering the collection chamber 24 and a plurality of product objects are dispensed from the collection chamber.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the disclosure, packaging for a sterile syringe having a nominal size of less than 1 mL may include a flexible tray having a cavity for containing the syringe. The cavity may include an opening, one or more sidewalls, and a base. A lip may surround the opening, may extend radially outward from the cavity, and may define a periphery of the tray. A removable cover may have a periphery that is adhered to the lip, and the removable cover may be permeable to a gaseous sterilant, including one or more of vaporized hydrogen peroxide or ethylene oxide. A projection may be associated with the base of the cavity and may extend away from the base of the cavity in a direction opposite to the opening of the cavity.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly (2) for solid units (4) includes an outer sleeve (10) having an end (12) and a first sidewall (14) extending from the end of the outer sleeve, the first sidewall having a window (19) proximate to the end of the outer sleeve; and an inner) housing (50) inserted into the outer sleeve, the inner housing including an end (54) with an opening therein leading to a compartment configured for storing the solid units. The dispenser assembly (2) is configured to rotate between a CLOSED position corresponding to the window being blocked by a portion of the inner housing, and an OPEN position corresponding to the window not being blocked by the inner housing in order to allow at least one of the solid units to be dispensed through the window.

Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes a divider secured to a support structure, a pusher to move product, a barrier, and a low product indicator device. The low product indicator device may be visible when an amount of product positioned on the top surface of the divider floor or on the shelf is low.

Abstract: A retail merchandise tray is provided. The retail merchandise tray includes a pair of load bearing members, a front stop mounted to the load bearing members, a wire support structure removably attached to the front stop and load bearing members, a pusher that slides along the wire support structure, and a pair of movable divider assemblies.

Abstract: A token dispensing system is adapted suitable for installing a token dispenser in a game device. A mounting bracket for the token dispenser provides a simple and inexpensive way to install the token dispenser as part of the token dispensing system inside the housing of a game device. The dispensing system includes an electronic control circuit that controls an alarm device to provide a low level warning signal when the level of tokens in the token dispenser is low and an empty warning signal when the token dispenser is empty. The electronic control circuit controls dispensing tokens from the token dispenser such that a user receives the correct number of tokens even if the dispenser runs out of tokens in the middle of dispensing a selected number of tokens during a transaction.

Abstract: An automated medication dispenser system is disclosed. The system includes a dispenser device comprising a medication dispensing and storage module, a dispensing drive and control mechanism, and a communications interface. A third party communications host is in communication with the dispenser device, and has administration software with executable instructions for control of the dispensing drive and control mechanism to dispense medication from the medication dispensing and storage module. The communications interface is in communication with the third party communications host.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a search and feel function on a robot for installing parts on a workpiece. An air switch feature is provided on a gripper of the robot to determine the presence and proper placement of a part in a desired receptor location on the workpiece. The air switch feature is used to detect whether or not a particular part, such as a bolt or other part being inserted by the robot, has been properly gripped by the gripper, and whether the part has been properly placed in the desired position.

Abstract: A potato chip lifting apparatus has a elongated handle with a front side and a back side, the back side having a plurality of catching mechanisms extending from the back side of the elongated handle and away from the elongated handle, the catching mechanisms configured to engage a can in which potato chips are stored. The foot portion extends from a bottom portion of the elongated handle in a direction of the front side of the handle and generally orthogonal to the elongated handle and the front side thereof. Finally, the potato chip apparatus has a support extending upward from a top surface of the foot portion upward and parallel to the elongated handle to support potato chips resting on the potato chip lifting apparatus.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a banknote storing/feeding unit which is capable of effectively utilizing winding spaces of a drum and a reel, to increase the number of banknotes to be stored. The banknote storing/feeding unit includes the drum which winds and rewinds a banknote together with a tape, and the reel which winds and rewinds the tape on and from the drum. A guide body swinging according to winding and rewinding of the tape and the banknote on and from the drum is provided between the drum and the reel. The guide body has a guide passage that guides the tape and the banknote to be wound and rewound on the drum. The guide body swings centering on a supporting point located within a region parallel to a virtual line connecting a rotational center of the drum and a rotational center of the reel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a packaging system (10) for containing and dispensing loose filled product units. An inverted tray (20) is sealed to a backer board (40) with a guide insert disposed there between defining an interior chamber that is also filled with product units. The guide insert may include a base flange (38), a pair of side flanges for funneling product units into the truncated area that defines a next dispensing position. A flexible bridge (34) includes at least one high point and a fence portion that can descend into the base flange upon application of sufficient pressure to the at least one high point. This allows a product unit to advance to a dispensing position such that product units can be dispensed one at a time through user manipulation of the flexible bridge.

Abstract: A golf ball dispenser is disclosed comprising a cavity for storing a plurality of golf balls. The dispenser comprises an exit opening through which the balls are dispensed and an ejection lever for ejecting a golf ball through the exit opening when activated. The dispenser and lever are configured so that as the lever is moved towards the exit opening so as to dispense a first ball the lever clamps the next ball to be dispensed within the dispenser so as to prevent the next ball from moving towards the exit opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up, holding and dispensing objects is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a storage device, a holding device, a retaining device, a tension device and an ejection device that enables picking up, holding and dispensing of a plurality of objects. The apparatus provides for an improved method of picking up, holding and dispensing objects over previous methods which required significant dexterity and substantial periods of time. The apparatus can be used to pick up, hold and dispense a variety of objects, including, but not limited to crystals, nuts, confectionary pieces, pills, jewelry, and electronic components.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up, holding and dispensing objects is disclosed. The apparatus has a storing device, a holding device, a retaining device, and an ejection device that enables pick up, holding and dispensing of a plurality of objects. The apparatus provides an improved method of picking up, holding and storing objects that heretofore required extreme dexterity and substantial periods of time. The apparatus can be used to pick up, hold and dispense a variety of objects including, but not limited to, crystals, nuts, confectionary pieces, pills, jewelry, and electronic components. The apparatus may be sold as a kit or as replacement parts.

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: Provided are a device, system, and method for storing and/or transporting a munition and then efficiently accessing the stored munition, even when under stressful combat conditions.

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 golf ball dispenser is disclosed comprising a cavity for storing a plurality of golf balls. The dispenser comprises an exit opening through which the balls are dispensed and an ejection lever for ejecting a golf ball through the exit opening when activated. The dispenser and lever are configured so that as the lever is moved towards the exit opening so as to dispense a first ball the lever clamps the next ball to be dispensed within the dispenser so as to prevent the next ball from moving towards the exit opening.

Abstract: Containers and methods for dispensing test strips. Embodiments of the invention include a container and a cap or an insert. The container holds or stores the test strips and the test strips may be dispensed through the cap or the insert.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing both coffee in a reservoir and nested stacks of cup-shaped coffee filters, and then automatically filling individual filters with selected amounts of coffee and brewing the coffee while protecting the reservoir. Through a series of gears, an electric motor rotates an elastic projection with teeth and a disengaging curved tooth against the topmost filter in the stack, dragging it into a filter well beneath a coffee storage receptacle and then dropping it. Simultaneously, a rotating coffee dispenser fills with a selectable quantity of coffee and then dumps the coffee into the filter. The apparatus also includes a stirring device for insuring the stored coffee falls to the bottom of the coffee receptacle. A hot water dispenser operates in conjunction with a valve means for cutting off steam from the coffee reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for separating objects from a quantity of objects located in a receptacle. In order to keep the constructional and technical effort of said device low while allowing for great tolerance regarding the dimensions or diameters of the objects, a pivotable flap is provided at the outlet of the receptacle for releasing an object that is to be separated while an element for retaining the remaining objects in the receptacle is provided above the flap in the direction of movement of the objects.

Abstract: Distributor device for solid products for individual use or for incorporation in automatic vending machines, wherein the products (P) are arranged aligned and adjacent to form a stack. The distributor device has particular constructive concept which facilitates the extraction of single solid products from the stack, even when tightly packed, including when “reciprocally stuck together,” as well as when the products are particularly slim, as often occurs with CD and DVD packaging. The first product from the stack is separated by means of a sheet, which creates a thrust action against one of the surfaces of the first product, completely sliding the first product from the stack. The sheet is realized in a flexible material in such a manner that, when the sheet slides forward to separate the first product, the sheet assumes a curved configuration and while during the following return stage, the sheet reassumes its flat configuration.

Abstract: The dosing dispenser for essentially spherical items contained in a container is characterized in that it comprises a passage channel whose inner cross-section is larger than the items, and an exit opening which in the relaxed state of the dosing dispenser has an elongated shape whose width is smaller and whose length is larger than the items. The dosing dispenser consists of a soft elastic plastic material and can be deformed by the application of pressure such that the exit opening gets larger than the items. The dosing dispenser is of a simple construction and can be produced at low costs.

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: Spherical articles such as breath mints are released one at a time from a container by depressing a button, which simultaneously opens a first flow regulator and closes a second flow regulator in series with the first. When the button is released, the first flow regulator opens and the second flow regulator closes. The first flow regulator is preferably a pair of opposed weirs, and the second flow regulator is preferably a pair of parallel pillars.

Abstract: A golf ball dispensing and retrieving system for efficiently assisting a golfer in practicing putting. The golf ball dispensing and retrieving system includes an elongated tube having a lower opening, a clamp extending from a side of the tube for removably attaching to a shaft of a putter, a retrieval member attached within the tube near the lower opening, and an ejector member movably positioned within the tube for ejecting a lower golf ball from the lower opening. A bias member is attached to the ejector member for applying a return force to the bias member.

Abstract: A battery dispenser and a refill for a battery dispenser are provided. In one embodiment the battery dispenser includes a housing that has an opening, a landing, and a push element capable of advancing batteries from inside the housing to the landing external to the housing. The position of at least one of the push element and the landing is adjustable to enable the battery dispenser to dispense batteries that are one of at least two distinct physical sizes. A refill for the battery dispenser includes a base, a plurality of batteries disposed on the base and a retainer that contacts the batteries and is connected to the base. The refill base can cooperate with the dispenser to adjust the height of the landing or the push element.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dispenser of objects comprising a body forming a reservoir (2) for storing objects to be dispensed (8), an outlet passage (22) for said objects, arranged at one end of the body (2), and returned translation means (12) capable of performing a reciprocating movement relatively to the body (2) so as to release a predetermined number of objects (8) at each out and in stroke of the translation movement. The invention is characterized in that said returned translation movement are arranged in the form of a flexible membrane with shape memory (12) perforated with a calibrated opening (17), exerting both a spring force enabling said reciprocating movement and, by co-operation with thrust means (18), to control the dispensing of said objects.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tablet dispenser comprising an elongate container (10) for tablets (12) and a dispensing device for discharging tablets out of the container (10). The dispensing device includes an operating unit (11) for manual action, a joint mechanism (14) connected to the operating unit (11), and a slide (15) projecting from the joint mechanism (14) for accommodating and dispensing a tablet (12). The operating unit (13), the joint mechanism (14) and the slide (15) are of one piece manufacture.

Abstract: A small portable apparatus to dispense various sized stored articles, such as tampons, from a container. The container's hollow interior mounts a rotatable flexible deformable roller which can both obstruct the movement of the contained articles against the force of gravity and, when rotated, permit their dispensing when engaged by the roller. Larger diameter articles cause more deformation of the roller's surface when compressed between the roller and the container's near adjacent side walls. Two external control knobs mounted on the same central shaft with the roller are used to manually rotate the roller into engagement with the articles.

Abstract: A flexible belt ejector mechanism for dispensing products from a product cartridge onto a conveyor in an automated order system (AOS). The flexible belt is disposed in an L-shaped guide track that is mounted adjacent to the cartridge with the ejector and dispenser oriented at a compound angle with respect to the underlying conveyor for efficient operation and resupply of the system. A pneumatic actuator is coupled to the belt to cause the belt to travel along the L-shaped track and eject the bottom-most product from the cartridge. The L-shape of the ejector minimizes the space required for the ejector mechanism enabling more product dispensers to be installed in the AOS over a given fixed conveyor length.

Abstract: A cardboard stick gum dispenser comprises a rectangular-shaped container which has a slot formed on the lower part of its front panel. A paper sling extends from the upper part of the container's rear panel through the inside of the container to the slot. A free end of the sling extends from the slot and a stack of stick gum is supported on the sling inside the container. An individually wrapped stick of gum is drawn through the slot whenever the free end of the sling is pulled away from the container.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus for feeding an elongated fastener to a fastening tool, in which the fasteners are fed individually through a first passage and are forced into a holder by a plunger guided in a second additional passage and in which comparatively short fasteners can be fed without jamming or other difficulty in an orderly way, the first passage extending through the apparatus is substantially linear until at the holder positioned coaxial to it, the second passage opens at an acute angle to the first passage and the plunger is made from a flexible material so that the plunger is positionable in an end position outside the first passage and also in a forwardly moved fastener feed position which corresponds to another end position partially in the second and partially in the first passage.

Abstract: A universal packaging system for objects such as electrical components, connectors, semiconductors, chips, etc. includes an elongated, hollow, tubular package formed of resiliently deformable material for containing a plurality of said objects, each object having an identical or substantially similar silhouette or profile and orientated with a predetermined axis of its profile, aligned along a common longitudinal axis or line within the tube. The tubular package includes a unitary, continuous wall of flexible material defining an elongated object receiving space having a first cross-sectional shape intermediate its opposite ends that is shaped and dimensioned for holding a plurality of the objects in said line along said common axis and maintaining each object in substantially the same orientation while permitting free longitudinal movement along the line within the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing single ones of flat chips or discs from a multi-chip receptacle, and/or depositing them onto a surface at selected locations, is disclosed, as may be desireable, for example, when playing a game of bingo. In one preferred embodiment the chips are dispensed and deposited onto the surface in response to a downward motion or force on the apparatus against the surface after it is properly positioned at the selected location.

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 blank for forming a parallelepipedal box or a parallelepipedal box element is constructed with a removal strip in such a manner that parallel tear lines extend through three connected wall sections of the blank. The tear lines end in one wall section at an articulation area. The tear lines delimit the removal strip which can be torn out of a finished pack or box and upon which a pulling force can be exerted in such a manner that the removal strip is bent about the articulation area, thus causing objects to be lifted from the box by the removal strip.

Abstract: A chip, token, coin or card dispenser includes an upright storage tube for a stack of tokens of predetermined shape and is mounted upon a base plate, with the lower end of the tube spaced above a depressed token platform in the base plate defining a token slot. An ejector strip extends transversely of the tube and at one end is guidably mounted upon the base plate under the tube and in registry with the token slot. A spring biased actuator is connected to the other end of the ejector strip and upon movement of the ejector strip in one direction dispenses the lowermost token outwardly of the token slot and upon movement of the ejector strip in the opposite direction permits the next lowermost token to drop into the token platform.

Abstract: A seed planter comprises a seed transport member having a porous surface and an air jet directed normally to this surface. The porous surface is moved past a plurality of seeds, whereupon the air jet retains a single seed on the porous surface, and the seed transport member carries this retained seed to a seed unloading station, where the impingement of the air jet upon the surface is interrupted, thus allowing the retained seed to fall from the porous surface. The planter is capable of metering both flat and spherical seeds very accurately at metering rates of about 40 seeds per second and can be made of small width so that a single row of planters on a planter assembly can plant closely spaced rows. A planter assembly capable of planting multiple rows of seeds is provided by mounting a plurality of the seed planters on a frame.

Abstract: A bill retention device includes a relatively long guide belt which has one end thereof secured to a first rotary member and the other end to a second rotary member and is wound on the first rotary member when no bill isretained at all. For accommodating bills, the second rotary member is rotated to wind the guide belt and also wind the bills tightly thereon. In accordance with winding of the second rotary member, the guide belt is unwound from the first rotary member. Thus, the guide belt is finally wound on the second rotary member many times resulting in winding up of a large number of bills. By having the guide belt wound on the first rotary member simultaneously with the reverse rotation of the second rotary member, the retained bills are unwound from the second rotary member one by one whereby the bills can be automatically returned.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding individual substrates from the top of a stack of substrates includes a paddle wheel having a hub with a plurality of blades attached thereto. The paddle wheel is positioned in driving relation to the substrate stack. As the paddle wheel is rotated, the blades come in contact with a spiral track which retards the motion of the blade tips through controlled bending and thereby stores potential energy in the blades. Continued rotation of the paddle wheel allows the blades to spring forward from the track just prior to or during substrate contact thereby changing the potential energy of the blades into kinetic energy. The sudden acceleration of the blades due to the change from potential to kinetic energy causes an increase in inertial separation of the top substrate in the stack from the remainder of the stack.

Abstract: A wheel supported open top receptacle such as a railway car is provided with a liner arrangement comprising a plurality of belt members arranged between the end walls of the car with the sides of adjacent ones of the belts overlapped in the direction between the end walls, and with each belt overlying the side walls and bottom wall of the car. One end of each belt member is attached to the upper end of the corresponding one of the side walls and, by upward displacement of the other end, each belt is adapted to be displaced upwardly relative to the car. Material in the car is progressively unloaded laterally outwardly of the car by sequential displacement of the belts in accordance with the pattern of overlap.

Abstract: A disposable container for cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and similar articles. The container includes a generally cylindrical tubular body having an inwardly rolled lower rim at the lower end thereof engaging a generally circular bottom closure disc sealed within the body in abutment with the lower rim. The bottom closure disc is formed of relatively thin resilient sheet material such as thermoplastic synthetic resin material. One embodiment of the bottom closure is configured in the shape of at least two concentric, interconnected, frustroconical portions so that the bottom closure is bistable in a first position extending generally across the tubular body and alternately, in a second position extending upwardly into the tubular body thus displacing at least a portion of the contents upwardly out of the over upper end of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding individual substrates from the top of a stack of substrates upon demand includes a first paddle wheel mounted above the substrate stack and adapted to forward a substrate from the stack in a predetermined direction and a second paddle wheel downstream from the first paddle wheel that is adapted to continue movement of the substrate in the predetermined direction. A friction retard roller is positioned opposite to and forms a nip with the second paddle wheel in order to inhibit multi-feeding of substrates. A second embodiment includes a single paddle wheel that acts in combination with a high friction surfaced guide member to feed substrates individually from a stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a predetermined number of golf balls has a hopper for storing golf balls, a receptacle for retaining the predetermined number of golf balls in position for dispensing, and a structure for guiding and conveying the golf balls from the hopper to the receptacle. Such structure includes a passageway and a wheel having a resilient outer circumferential surface defined by a plurality of substantially radially extending bristles thereon. The receptacle has an openable and closable gate at one end thereof through which the predetermined number of golf balls therein are dispensed. Structure is also provided for rotating the wheel to fill the receptacle until the predetermined number of golf balls are filled therein after the gate is closed after discharge of the golf balls therefrom.

Abstract: A seed planting device wherein seeds are carried at high velocities from a central selecting and dispensing unit to individual row units, each row unit has a rotating device that positively decelerates the seeds sufficiently to avoid bouncing of the seeds when they engage the ground and at the same time avoids materially changing the spaced relation between the seeds.

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.