Abstract: A system and method for automatic closure of sample vessels such as vessels with medical laboratory samples, having a plurality of identically shaped, stackable closure caps with a convex outer face and concave inner face that are stacked in a closure cap stack such that an upper closure cap in the stack bears with its convex outer face on the concave inner face of a lower closure cap lying immediately below in the stack. The system includes a closure gripper for gripping an uppermost closure cap from the stack, for transferring the gripped closure cap to the sample vessel to be closed, and for introducing the gripped closure cap into an opening of the sample vessel in order to tightly close the opening. The closure gripper has a centering piece insertable into a closure cap such that it bears on the concave inner face of the closure cap.

Abstract: A traveler has a platform which moves vertically within a carriage. By depressing one of three keys, the platform is depressed against a spring to the depth of one, two or three lids to be dispensed from a stack. With the desired key depressed, the entire carriage moves downwardly within a housing which has cams mounted to its side walls which displace spring mounted side separators which extend inwardly to separate the remainder of the stack of lids from the selected lids. The extended separators urge the selected lids past protruding pagers which support the remainder stack and prevent it from being dispensed. Once past the pagers, the selected lids are presented for one-handed removal by a user at a housing outlet. Constant force springs mounted between the carriage and the housing return the carriage to its initial position once pressure on the selected key is released.

Abstract: A medicine dispensing device capable of appropriately dispensing medicines independent of their form and having a compact structure. The medicine dispensing device has a device body (1) and a medicine conveyance member (3) for conveying, on one by one basis, medicines (D) arranged in rows in the device body (1). The medicine conveyance member (3) has a medicine holding member (40) reciprocatingly moving in the horizontal and vertical directions. The medicine holding member (40) has a support member (42), a forwardly/backwardly moving member (43) reciprocatingly moving in the forward and backward direction of the device body (1) while being supported by the support member (42), and a holding member (44) supported by the forwardly/backwardly moving member (43) so as to swing between a vertical position and a horizontal position and having a pair of holding sections (54) capable of holding a medicine (D).

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for controlling dispensing of medication are provided. A dispenser device used, for example, in the systems and methods can include a housing for storing units of medication and a dispensing well having an opening therein to permit removal of units of medication therefrom. The dispenser device can include first and second slides having openings therein that are configured to funnel a unit of medication toward the opening in the dispensing well. The opening in the first slide can be configured to funnel a unit of medication to the opening of the second slide upon movement of the first slide, while the second slide can be configured to funnel the unit of medication to the opening in the dispensing well upon movement of the second slide into a position that is aligned with the opening in the dispensing well.

Abstract: The unique technology displayed in The Turn Up container assembly is the linear movement of contents inside of a container, when they are in liquid form. By rotating the container the contents are moved proportionately from the bottom to the open top end, enabling easier access to them. This movement is uniquely provided by the gradual decompression of an initially compressed conical compression spring. The gradual uncompressing of the spring is used to provide controlled linear movement of a platform, which is what the contents rest upon inside the container. By pushing up on this platform while its edges are in contact with the inside walls of the container, a watertight seal above and below the platform is maintained, enabling the use of liquid based products inside the container. The spring is initially contained between two flat surfaces, the bottom of the container, and a snap on bottom section of the assembly.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a cabinet having a product storage zone and a product delivery mechanism that transports a selected product to a consumer. The vending machine includes a door assembly pivotally mounted relative to the cabinet for selectively providing access to the product storage zone. The door assembly includes an outer, exposed surface and an inner surface that are spaced to define an inner door zone including a vertical drop zone that terminates in a delivery area. A portal is formed in the inner surface of the door assembly and leads from the product storage zone into the door zone. A discharge element is provided on the inner surface of the door assembly and cooperates with the product delivery mechanism to dispense the selected product through the portal as the product delivery mechanism moves past the portal.

Abstract: A business card case includes a storage case, a fixing part, a lifting part, a guiding part and a discharging button. The storage case comprises a discharging opening for discharging a card, which stores cards in its interior and comprises a lower case and an upper case vertically detachable from each other. The fixing part fixes the lower case and the upper case while both the cases overlap each other. The lifting part provided on the lower case lifts up cards stored in the lower case toward the upper case. The guiding part attached to one of sides of the storage case bends at least of the ones at the top of the cards stored in the lower case. The discharging button slidably provided toward the discharging opening on the upper case includes a locking portion for locking the cards at the top.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling vials comprises a shelving unit defining an array of storage locations. The shelving unit may be an array in an XY plane or one or more carousels. A plurality of storage containers are provided, each removably carried by one of the storage locations. A counting and dispensing unit, a source of vials, a label printer and application unit or units, and an output device are also provided. A computer controlled engagement device provides motion in a Z direction. The engagement device may be comprised of a first stage for engaging the storage containers and a second stage for engaging the vials. A computer controlled system carries the engagement device and moves the engagement device in XY directions among the plurality of storage locations, counting and dispensing unit, source of vials, label printer and application unit, and output device.

Abstract: A medicine dispensing device capable of appropriately dispensing medicines independent of their form and having a compact structure. The medicine dispensing device has a device body (1) and a medicine conveyance member (3) for conveying, on one by one basis, medicines (D) arranged in rows in the device body (1). The medicine conveyance member (3) has a medicine holding member (40) reciprocatingly moving in the horizontal and vertical directions. The medicine holding member (40) has a support member (42), a forwardly/backwardly moving member (43) reciprocatingly moving in the forward and backward direction of the device body (1) while being supported by the support member(42), and a holding member (44) supported by the forwardly/backwardly moving member (43) so as to swing between a vertical position and a horizontal position and having a pair of holding sections (54) capable of holding a medicine (D).

Abstract: An ice dispenser includes an ice storage bin with a drive shaft aperture and an ice dispensing aperture; an ice dispensing chute connected to the storage bin in proximity to the ice dispensing aperture; a paddlewheel inside the storage bin; and a drive mechanism, including a drive shaft passing through the drive shaft aperture, for rotation of the paddlewheel. The drive shaft is connected to the paddlewheel in such a fashion that the paddlewheel is prevented from disengaging from the drive shaft during normal operation of the ice dispensing apparatus, but the drive shaft can be disengaged from the paddlewheel in order to be able to remove the drive mechanism from the ice dispenser without accessing the ice storage bin. The paddlewheel may be molded plastic, and include a rigid coupler molded into the paddlewheel having first and second axial openings at opposite ends for receiving the drive shaft and the agitator shaft.

Abstract: There is disclosed a medicine supplying apparatus which can effectively eliminate medicine clogging in a nozzle for releasing a medicine into a package paper or the like. The medicine supplying apparatus supplies the medicine discharged from a tablet case which contains the medicine, and comprises the nozzle for releasing the medicine discharged from the tablet case; a shutter which is rotatably disposed in the nozzle and which opens/closes a medicine falling passage in the nozzle; and a roller which is rotatably disposed facing the medicine falling passage in the nozzle. The roller is disposed in a position at a height facing the shutter, and rotates in conjunction with the opening/closing of the shutter.

Abstract: A condom dispensing device (10) including an outer hollow sleeve member (20) that slidably receives a feed unit (12) that includes a three sided feeder body member (30) having a spring biased elevator element (34) supporting a stack of condoms that are delivered to a dispensing unit (13) including a cap member (43) provided with a rack gear (44) that is pivotally connected to the feeder body member (30) and engageable with a pusher plate member (40) that delivers condoms through a feeder aperture (35) wherein, the cap member (43) and the outer hollow sleeve member (20) have a complementary appearance that disguises the purpose and the function of the condom dispensing device (10).

Abstract: An article handling apparatus embodied, for example, as a vending machine, includes a controllably positioned hose-type dispenser for retrieving articles from an article storage area. A first end of the hose receives article securing energy (e.g., suction), and a second end is adapted to secure to and extract a selected article from the storage area. A hose positioning mechanism controllably positions the second end of the hose for retrieving articles from the article storage area. In order to maximize the height of the article storage volume, as well as provide other advantages, the following aspects of the invention are provided: 1. the hose positioning mechanism maintains a constant height during hose positioning, 2. a hose drive means drives the hose in the article extraction direction by passing “THROUGH” the hose positioning mechanism, 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to improvements in article dispensing, such as in a vending machine, and more particularly to improvements in product containment systems which improve product storage capacity, as well as the ease and efficiency of product handling, access and loading into the storage area of the article dispensing apparatus. A product containment system in accordance with the invention includes a plurality of first-type of alignment structures for facilitating alignment of the articles to be dispensed into a plurality of columns, and a second-type of alignment structure for facilitating alignment of a plurality of the first-type of alignment structures, where the second-type of alignment structure is movable from fully inside to at least partially outside of the storage area to facilitating reloading of the first-type of alignment structure with the articles to be dispensed.

Abstract: The present inventions relates generally to improvements in article handling, such as in vending machines, and more particularly, to improvements in methods and apparatus for handling articles using a vacuum-type product lifting/dispensing mechanism, to improvements in article display panels which enhance sales of primary products, and to improvements in product containment systems which improve product storage capacity, as well as the ease and efficiency of product handling, access and loading into the article handling apparatus.

Abstract: A mobile vending machine for transporting and vending a number of products. The mobile vending machine includes a storage compartment for storing the products, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the products, and a drive mechanism. The storage compartment is positioned about the drive mechanism for movement therewith.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for dispensing pre-cooked pizzas (P) packaged inside corresponding sealed containers (E). The apparatus comprises a casing (1) containing a plurality of operating assemblies (7, 13, 17, 25, 31, 37) for picking up a pizza (P) from a refrigerated storage unit (5) and transferring it, after taking it out of its container (E), to an electric heating oven (30), and then to a delivery mouth (34), in a corresponding disposable tray (T).

Abstract: In order to achieve a disturbance-free and accurate supply of elements to be conveyed to a metal sheet and/or panel, with a minimum mounting height, a device is disclosed for a tool mounted in a press for fastening bolt-shaped elements, in particular screws, on a metal sheet or panel. The device has a punching head, a fixed member for supplying the elements arranged in opposite rows to the punching head, and a rigid connection between the tappet channel of the punching head and the concatenating station (loading device). A loading bushing acts as a loading device, taking up the elements individually in a fixed orientation and then concatenating them in the head station.

Abstract: Plastic binding strips used with this invention comprise a female strip consisting of a narrow, thin plastic strip formed with spaced apertures and grooves communicating with the apertures and a male strip comprising a narrow plastic strip having bendable studs projecting at fight angles therefrom spaced to fit through holes in the pages to be bound and the apertures in the female strip. Such strips are packaged in cassettes. The hopper for the female strips receives a stack of cassettes. Strips are fed from the lowermost cassette by a horizontally reciprocating finger onto a transverse ways and then feed along the ways to an assembly station. When the lowermost cassette is empty, its support is removed and the next cassette is moved into place. The male hopper is similar to the female except that the studs require greater spacing between cassettes and provision is made in the feed structures for the upward projection of the studs.

Abstract: An ice cube containing and dispensing device having a thermally insulating receptacle with a cooling unit, a mechanism for dispensing individual ice cubes including a lever with a pushbutton, a movable platform which closes an ice cube outlet of the receptacle and on which an ice cube is deposited as it awaits opening of the outlet, a stop attached to the lever which intercepts passage of the ice cubes toward the outlet, and a trapdoor which closes off the passage of the ice cubes from the receptacle. In another embodiment, a hopper holds the ice cubes in an interior thereof and has a separate enclosing chamber provided with orifices which connect it to the interior of the hopper. Heat exchange components of a cooling unit are arranged above the hopper. The cold from evaporators is distributed uniformly through the enclosing chamber.

Abstract: A device for delivery of fasteners having heads with tenons disposed beneath the heads to an insertion tool. The device includes a sloped track with two spaced-apart rails each having a fastener receiving surface to receive the undersides of the heads of the fasteners falling thereon. The fasteners drop onto the track from a rotating barrel and some are correctly aligned with the tenons between the rails and the undersides of the heads resting on the rails and many are misaligned. The fasteners slide to an orienting station which includes a plurality of fluid injector ports disposed around the track. Two of the ports face each other and a third port is disposed over the track. Blasts of air are directed through the ports sequentially so that misaligned fasteners on the track are forced into alignment or are removed from the track thereby leaving only properly aligned fasteners to proceed.

Abstract: A part is kept on standby so that it can be reliably held by a feed rod. An auxiliary feed rod is provided with an arrangement for holding a part at a fixed position in advance. The part is stopped on the advance and retraction axis of a main feed rod by the advance movement of the auxiliary feed rod where the part transferred and is held on the main feed rod.

Abstract: A dual pawl, feed mechanism for feeding a strip of fasteners into an installation apparatus. The mechanism includes first and second pawls which are connected together and reciprocate in horizontal synchronism. The dual pawls enable a second strip of fasteners to be loaded into a chute before the first strip of fasteners is exhausted. This permits uninterrupted operation of the fastener installation apparatus irrespective of the transition between strips of fasteners. The dual feed pawl mechanism also prevents a partial feed condition from taking place.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vending apparatus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages. The vending apparatus comprises:a) an outer cabinet;b) an isolated freezer compartment within the outer cabinet for storing the plurality of packages disposed within the outer cabinet, the freezer compartment having a thermal barrier for maintaining a frozen environment within the freezer compartment in isolation of the ambient temperature air filling the remaining interior space of the outer cabinet;c) a mechanism for opening the thermal barrier;d) a picker for selectively removing the selected package from the freezer compartment, the picker being located outside the freezer compartment in between operating cycles and entering the freezer compartment for removing one of the packages only during the removal operation; ande) a controller for automatically controlling the picker and opening mechanism in response to a customer's selection.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator includes an splined shaft which cooperates with a cam follower so that displacement of the shaft is purely axial for a substantial portion of its forward displacement but the final displacement portion rotates the follower and hence the transfer arm.

Abstract: A limited access container that limits the rate at which articles can be withdrawn therefrom includes a retrieval rod which extends through the top cover of the container and which has an article-holding implement on the lower end thereof. After securing an article thereto, the rod is lifted to the top of the container and the article passed through a slotted horizontal passageway to a vertical shaft down which it is lowered to a point adjacent a container opening for removal of the article. A pivotable lever is located adjacent the passageway having a passageway blocking member on one end and a blocking-activating member on the other end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for destacking and dispensing cup-like containers, such as for use in association with an automated product packaging machine, are disclosed. The apparatus includes pairs of upper and lower jaws associated with each stack of containers received by the apparatus. Both the upper and lower jaws are mounted for movement inwardly and outwardly relative to each stack, with the lower jaws further mounted for vertical movement relative to the upper jaws. By this arrangement, the lower jaws can be operated to destack and separate the lowermost container of each stack, so that the separated container is received on a product conveyor of the packaging machine.

Abstract: A device for organizing desk implements and for dispensing single sheets of paper. By repeatedly depressing and releasing a pressing bar mounted on a casing containing a stack of paper, one sheet at a time is advanced gradually from a slit in the casing. The device also has a pen-receiving stand aligned with the pressing bar, and one or more concave depressions in its upper surface in which paper clips or the like are retained by magnetic discs affixed to the underside of the depressions.

Abstract: A newspaper dispenser includes a housing with an upwardly biased platform therein for supporting a stack of newspapers. A scoop assembly which dispenses a single newspaper at a time, is mounted in the housing and includes a pusher arm and a scoop connected to reciprocating rotatable drive shaft. Rotation of the shaft in one direction causes the pusher arm to drop onto the top newpaper and push the top layer rearwardly, while simultaneously dropping a scoop in front of the folded edge of the newspaper. Rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction causes the scoop to slide under the paper, causes the pusher arm to pull the paper onto the scoop, and causes the pusher arm to raise off of the paper as the scoop tilts to drop the paper down a chute for dispensing. A rotatable handle is connected to the scoop assembly via a series of gears and rack and drive gear to operate the reciprocating cycle to dispense a paper.

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: Two dispensing port mechanisms are arranged in parallel in a banknote distributing and dispensing machine. A distributing mechanism is provided to be selectively arranged at either one of two dispensing port mechanisms. A transmission mechanism is provided to transmit the movement of conveyor belts in the distributing mechanism to the conveyor belts of the selected dispensing port mechanism.

Abstract: A device for automatically dispensing a unitary product has a frame having two grooves therethrough. A coil having a movable core is joined to the frame and one end of one U-shaped flange is joined to one end of the core of the coil for movement therewith. A stud is fixed relative to the frame and cooperative with the one U-shaped flange for guiding its movement. A projection from the one end of the one U-shaped flange joined to the core also butts against the stud, whereby to limit the movement of the one U-shaped flange with the core. A rack on the one U-shaped flange and a pinion rotate a toothed wheel at one end of another U-shaped flange. Two fingers are rotatably connected to the other end of the other U-shaped flange for movement respectively along the grooves upon the rotation of the other U-shaped flange for dispensing the product.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser for hot and cold food products comprises an isothermal cabinet in which a plurality of horizontal conveyor belts arranged one above another comprises a plurality of conveyor belts on which the food products are stored and a single delivery conveyor belt leading to a delivery opening in the cabinet. A microwave oven disposed in the cabinet above the horizontal conveyor belts has a door and a small conveyor belt inside. A lift comprising a small conveyor belt on vertically movable frame is provided adjacent vertically aligned ends of the horizontal conveyor belts and oven conveyor belt. The conveyor belts, oven and lift are controlled by a computerized control system in the manner that if a customer selects a product to be eaten hot, the product is transported to the oven, heated and transported to the delivery opening. If a customer selects a product to be eaten cold, the product is transported to the delivery opening without going to the oven.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging slide fasteners comprises a guide unit disposed on a horizontal longitudinal path downstream of a pair of feed rollers for receiving the slide fasteners therefrom one after another, and a gripping unit disposed in the path downstream of the guide unit for releasably gripping a leading end of the individual slide fastener received in the guide unit. The guide unit includes a stationary upper guide member and a lower guide member pivotally movable to open the bottom side of the guide unit to thereby allow the individual slide fasteners therein to fall and hence become suspended from the gripping unit.

Abstract: Small workpieces are loaded into a pair of detenting (spring-biased) jaws along a loading station center line by a reciprocal feed finger. The jaws are shifted to a work station center line, where tooling is applied, by advancing one jaw toward the other. The jaws are shifted back to the loading station center line where the workpiece is ejected from the jaws concurrently with the loading of the next workpiece.

Abstract: Coacting, self-centering jaw members in a machine tool which machines small, cylindrical lightweight workpieces; coaction and self-centering is achieved by an equalizer arm actuated by a slide; the slide also actuates one jaw member while the equalizer applies an equal force to the other jaw member; a spring bias applied to each jaw member speeds production.

Abstract: A bill paying machine of a type to be disposed between two operators and used in common by them. Two paying outlets are arranged side by side on the front portion of the bill paying machine. The bills are transferred from bill containers of the bill paying machine to a position near the paying outlets. In that position, a distributing device is provided for receiving the bills and transferring the bills to one of the paying outlets in response to an instruction by the operator. The distributing device comprises a horizontally movable receiving plate for receiving the bills thereon and directing the bills to one of the paying outlets. Vertically and horizontally movable bill holding plates are provided above the receiving plate for holding the bills between the receiving plate and bill-holding plates.

Abstract: Friction members, working together as an integral unit, rise up into engagement with the lowermost article in a stack to slightly raise it along the engaged portions thereof above the rest of the device as a forward stroke is commenced, thereby warping the article along its leading edge as such leading edge is at the same time tucked beneath a forwardly located element positioned to permit passage of only the lowermost article during each feed stroke. This combination of actions has the effect of advancing the articles seriatim from the stack into a pair of highspeed nip rollers which grab only the lowermost article and immediately complete its withdrawal. At the instant the nip rollers begin pulling on the article, the raised friction members respond by dropping down to their initial position below the upper surface of the feed device, which thereupon makes its return stroke in preparation for feeding the next article of the stack.

Abstract: A fixture (31) is constructed of plastic for holding a stack of electrical components (10) that are to be sequentially picked off (77) from the bottom of the stack and fed to a component insertion machine. The fixture includes a receiver (32) having a passageway (47) into which projects shoulder(s) 68 for supporting a tube (14) of components. The components are held in the tube, during loading and unloading by a stylus-like tool (30) which fits within a tube slot (26). The tool is used to support and guide the components during movement of the components through the receiver passageway onto or from a removable support tab (57) without spillage or jamming of the components in the passageway.

Abstract: A method for removing at least one flat article at a time from an at least approximately vertical stack of articles supported on a support surface, by the steps of pushing at least the lowermost article in the stack sideways away from the stack by moving an ejector member transversely to the stack, and approximately simultaneously with the contact of the ejector member at the lowermost article, lowing the support surface in such a manner that the ejector member ejects the lowermost article from the stack during free fall of the lowermost article.

Abstract: A vending machine capable of dispensing individual beverage cups incorporating a soluble component, selectively from one of a plurality of stacks, each stack containing cups having a particular type of soluble component. The cups are positioned in inverted position within a stack, and are dispensed in such inverted position from the top of the stack. A claw mechanism, selectively positionable along a horizontal track which is tiltable about its own horizontal axis for actuating the claw mechanisms, is employed to engage a cup which is delivered to a chute structure carrying the same to a location where it may be manually engaged for subsequent filling with a liquid. With the removal of a cup from the top of a given stack, the stack is elevated to position the next succeeding cup of the stack within the path of movement of the claw mechanism, so that the operation may be repeated.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for singularly removing a cup from the bottom of a vertically nested stack of cups in a hopper is described. This mechanism, designed principally for beverage vending machines, has a pair of coacting jaws which each contact nearly one-half the periphery of the cup. Each jaw has sufficient flexibility to fully conform to the cup contour thereby grasping cups having varying dimensions. After the cup is grasped, the jaws are moved axially with respect to the cup to withdraw the cup from the stack. The jaws then open to release the cup and return to their initial position to be ready to grasp the next cup. A plurality of resiliently-biased fingers placed about the bottom of the hopper hold the stack of cups; however, when a cup is drawn away, they retract sufficiently to release that cup but grasp the next cup beneath the lip thereof.

Abstract: A transfer finger for feeding small workpieces is pivotally mounted at the forward end of a rod which is adapted to be advanced and retracted by a reciprocating pneumatic actuator. During the initial portions of the advance and retract strokes of the actuator, one or more radially contractible collects frictionally grip the rod and prevent the rod from advancing and retracting the finger until such time as the actuator has pivoted the finger between active and inactive positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser with at least one ejection opening for the individual dispensing of particles of uniform shape and size, predosed as bulk material, consisting of a cupshaped first rotational body and of a second rotational body disposed coaxially therein, whereby the dispensing of the particles is accomplished by operation of the dispenser.

Abstract: A part is kept on standby so that it can be reliably held by a feed rod. An auxiliary feed rod is provided with an arrangement for holding a part at a fixed position in advance. The part is stopped on the advance and retraction axis of a main feed rod by the advance movement of the auxiliary feed rod where the part transferred and is held on the main feed rod.