Abstract: A coin storage and dispensing apparatus comprising a coin hopper assembly and a coin track assembly is disclosed for orienting coins in edge-to-edge relationship in the coin track assembly, and for dispensing coins from the coin track assembly at an elevation higher than that of the coin hopper. An impact drive assembly for preventing damage to the drive or gear box when a coin jam occurs or there is a malfunction in the coin hopper or coin track assembly is also disclosed. The coin storage and dispensing apparatus also incorporates an improved coin counter device, an anti-theft device, and a coin ejector for propelling coins from the exit slot.

Abstract: A group of flanged lids or cups of substantially identical construction and arranged in nested relation in a container are dispensed from an open end of the container by an elongated yieldable tension element disposed astride the open end of the container and arranged to override the flange of the article adjacent the open end of the container thereby to release and to aid in ejecting the article from the container.

Abstract: A cartridge for storing pencil leads and dispensing such leads into the lead storage chamber of a pencil has an assembly slidably mounted therein which has a dispensing spout on one end thereof. Pencil leads are contained within the cartridge and prevented from being released therefrom by a gate member formed on the slidable assembly. When the slidable assembly is actuated to effect slidable motion thereof relative to the main body of the cartridge, the gate member is driven out of the path between the leads and the dispensing spout, permitting the leads to be dispensed into the chamber of the pencil.

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: An outlet device for coin payout hoppers including an outlet chute having a curved coin guiding passage for receiving coins at a lower inlet in the horizontal direction form the coin payout hopper and guiding the coins in the vertical direction and an escalator connected to the outlet chute at the lower end. The outlet chute includes a back side plate and a pair of edge plates to drop a deformed coin out of the curved passage to prevent a coin from jamming in the passages of the outlet chute and the escalator. Further, the escalator includes a coin holding device on the front side plate having an opening for preventing a coin from descending by a wedge action to decrease the weight of upper coins subjected to lower coins, to thereby provide an outlet device having a high lift and high efficiency without coin jamming.

Abstract: A coin payout apparatus in a gaming device. The apparatus includes a coin hopper and a coin guide connected to the hopper for successively delivering coins in edge-to-edge relationship. A rotary arm is pivotally provided at the coin guide and has one end rotatably providing a coin ejector roller. The rotary arm is normally biased toward the coin in the coin guide by a biasing member. A supplemental coin ejecting member is provided at a position confronting the ejector roller. When the maximum diameter portion of the coin passes through the space defined between ejector roller and the supplemental coin ejecting member, the coin is urgedly discharged by the biasing force of the biasing member.

Abstract: A disposable strip dispenser for dispensing a single testing strip from a stack of testing strips is constructed with a housing and integrally formed magazine to hold a stack of testing strips. A cap assembly with a strip feeder mechanism is mounted to the housing to form a water proof chamber. The cap assembly is locked to the housing with a rib and channel locking assembly with the body of the cap assembly defining a slot and slide bar assembly slideably mounted in the slot. The slide bar assembly comprises a strip guide bar with a finger grip mount extending from the guide bar through the slot with the bottom of the guide bar engaging the topmost strip on a spring biased stack of strips allowing a single strip to be dispensed from the housing through an aperture defined in the cap assembly while maintaining the remaining strips of the stack of testing strips in a moisture free environment.

Abstract: A golf tee dispenser includes a disposable tee pack removably insertable in a support housing. The tee pack includes front and back walls forming an open-bottom vertical passage for a stack of horizontal golf tees. A horizontal internal shelf is movable between a closed position in the passage in which it supports the stack, and an open posiition for releasing a tee through the open bottom. A floppy compliant check flap mounted to one of the walls extends into the passage to engage the tees, permitting their downward movement and obstructing their movement upward or otherwise. The support housing includes front and back walls with an open top and bottom. A rocker panel with an inward extending dispensing finger is hinged on the front wall on a horizontal axis for movement into the tee pack between tees at the bottom of the stack to move the shelf from its closed position to its open position, releasing the bottom tee.

Abstract: An improved nail polish removing wand comprising an elongated tubular device containing a stack of absorbent pads that are driven toward an open end of the tubular device by selective operator manipulation of the wand. The forward pad in the stack is moved to the end of the tubular device where it is held until ejected by a flange at the open end of the wand that cooperates with the geometric configuration of the pad. After the pad is used for removing nail polish, it is ejected by further manipulative action of the wand by the operator.

Abstract: A device for inverting articles being transferred from one location to another in an assembly machine. More particularly, the device includes a tube having a helical groove extending therealong so that an article entering one end of the groove is inverted at the other end.

Abstract: A lead-frame separating apparatus includes an inclined stationary stocker placed with a plurality of rectangular sheet-type lead-frames in alignment, and a chuck unit capable of taking two positions consisting of a stand-by position above conveying rails where it swings within a vertical plane and extends beneath the stocker, and a chuck position where it adjoins the first lead-frame on the stocker. At the chuck position, the chuck unit holds and takes out the first lead-frame, which is released at the stand-by position and transferred onto the conveying rails.

Abstract: A coupon packet housing defines a vertically disposed compartment for receiving a stack of substantially vertically aligned, vertically juxtaposed packets. A forwardly and rearwardly movable reciprocable floor plate underlies the compartment and has a flat surfaced, recessed portion extending rearwardly from its front end to define a generally vertically disposed dispensing shoulder which lies adjacent the rear of the compartment when the plate is in rearward position. The lowermost packet is received in the recessed portion, and is separated from the stack and then the recessed portion when the plate is respectively moved forwardly and thence returned rearwardly.

Abstract: A gripping mechanism is mounted on a carriage and is adapted to be shifted back and forth along an inverted L-shaped path to pick up and transfer parts. Inverted L-shaped cam tracks are formed in a main support member and receive and guide rollers which support the carriage. The cam tracks and the rollers are arranged to allow the rollers to roll freely without skidding while preventing radial play between the rollers and the tracks. A flexible drive linkage is connected between the carriage and its actuator and is capable of yielding in both directions in order to prevent damage to the actuator if the carriage becomes jammed when the carriage is being either advanced or retracted. Before being picked up by the gripping mechanism, the parts are held in a track by an escapement having spring-biased fingers adapted to move between open and closed positions.

Abstract: In an improved coin handling apparatus including a hopper payout assembly, an improved device for delivering coins from the hopper to a coin tray comprises an elongated duct for receiving a stack of coins of a given denomination in single edge-to-edge relationship from the hopper and having a coin ejector assembly at the end of the duct opposite the hopper.

Abstract: A vending machine for articles such as newspapers, magazines or the like is provided wherein the articles are held in a vertical plane and can be viewed through a transparent front glass and wherein a single article is dispensed at a time and wherein the operation is substantially theft-proof in that it is virtually impossible to obtain more than a single article for each payment.

Abstract: A jig comprises a housing which has a front end and a storage channel. A split collet and an elongated slotted bar attached thereto are slideably moveable into and out of the housing. The jig further has an elongated bolt for transporting individual blanks from the storage channel to the front end of the housing. Respective first and second pistons located inside the housing are provided for operating the split collet and the elongated bolt. The split collet is movably received within the housing and is not formed by a section thereof.

Abstract: A mechanical dispensing device, suitable for dispensing miniature elements, comprises a cyclically driven finger element having a cam follower member which rides over a cam surface to produce a generally rectangular motion path for the finger during each cycle of dispensing operation. The finger is positioned across a feed flow line in which a series of individual elements to be dispensed are stacked from a spring biased latch member which serves as a stopping point for the leading element in the feed line. During dispensing operation, the finger engages a suitable notch space occurring in the stacked elements and draws the leading element through the latch point. The finger then withdraws from engagement with the element, enabling the element to freely drop by gravity through a suitable guide tube into an associated receptacle to be filled. The finger is then returned to an initial position for the dispensing process to repeat.

Abstract: A jig comprises a housing which contains a storage channel and a feed channel. The feed channel communicates with the storage channel and extends to the front end of the housing. The jig also has a releasable gripping portion located at its front end. The releasable gripping portion grips and releases stylus blanks. The jig also has bolt for transporting blanks from the storage channel through the feed channel to the releasable gripping portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for washing the solid annular pieces used in immune methods, i.e. the so-called EIA-rings, and for coating such rings with a reagent, as well as for the dispensing of the rings. The EIA-rings are fitted, one after the other, into a tubular container part, which is open at both ends. To the bottom end of the container part an intake tip is attached, and to the other end a device for drawing and exhausting a liquid through the intake tip into the container part. The container part enclosing the EIA-rings is then sealed at both ends until the upper end of the container part is opened for dispensing the rings. The opened end is connected to a dosage device, the intake tip of the container part is removed and the EIA-rings are dispensed by means of the device.

Abstract: A horizontal cone dispenser adapted for dispensing fragile edible-type cones in which the stack of cones is supported in a horizontal stack tray for lengthwise movement toward a dispensing outlet having resilient cone retaining fingers for engaging the outer wall of the end cone in the stack to releasably retain end cone. The stack of cones is advanced toward the dispensing outlet by a follower that is urged horizontally toward the dispensing outlet with a low substantially constant-force provided by the coiled band constant-force springs. The stack tray is mounted in a horizontal drawer which can be pulled out to facilitate loading of the stack of cones.

Abstract: A loader (10) for a grinding machine includes a loading member (30) with at least one resilient finger (32) thereon for gripping a workpiece (14) to be ground by movement of the loading member in a loading direction as a resiliently biased workpiece positioner (34) initially counteracts force applied to the workpiece by finger deflection. Continued movement of the loading member (30) after the gripping first moves the workpiece positioner to a nonblocking position and thereafter moves the workpiece to an associated grinding machine. Preferably, a pair of the fingers (32) and a rigid locator (44) cooperate to position and grip a joint race (14) of an annular shape with ball grooves to be ground. A pair of spring biased blocking members (34) preferably embody the workpiece positioner and are pivotally mounted in alignment with a hopper (16) in which workpieces to be ground are stocked.

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 speed drill apparatus has a seed storage box SB with seed inlet manifold 2 to convey seeds to a rotatable collector wheel 5 having a number of peripheral seed receiving cavities 6. The seeds are ejected singly, assisted by a blade edge 11 running in a groove 5a joining the centers of the cavities, through an aperture B in casing 1 to fall into a groove 8 around the periphery of a distributor wheel 7. The groove 8 is subdivided by stops 9 into arcuate sectors each of which receives a seed. A retardation device 12 catches a seed in the groove 8 and holds same until carried on by a stop 9. The seed falls to the ground through outlet 13. The wheel 7 has a peripheral speed equal to the linear speed of motion over the ground and wheel 5 rotates more slowly with a reduction dependent on the ratio between the number of cavities 6 and number of stops 9. The retardation device 12 ensures accuracy of spacing by providing for discharge of each seed only when in abutment with a stop 9.

Abstract: In a vending machine, where the items are stored in separate, vertical compartments from the lower ends of which items are removable, one by one, by a selector mechanism comprising a displaceable frame, which embraces three sides of the battery. A front member of the frame carries a sensor, which reacts if a selected compartment should be emptied down to a predetermined level, and a rear member includes a feeding-out finger connected to an actuating mechanism. This is operated by an electric motor, and a governing circuit comprising two switches, which are operated by the position of the frame in relation to the battery, and by the reaction of the sensor at the selected compartment, respectively.

Abstract: A dispenser for welding electrodes is disclosed. The dispenser comprises a tubular casing having a first internal elongate tubular cavity for storage of a plurality of the welding electrodes for dispensing one at a time therefrom. A top end closure has an axial opening dimensioned to permit the passage of one only of the electrodes from the cavity upon manual actuation of an axially-reciprocal pusher rod engaging the lower end of the electrode. The axial opening is provided with a friction grip disc which normally closes the opening, permits the passage of an electrode therethrough but exerts a friction grip on a stationary partly-dispensed electrode to prevent the same from returning to the cavity.

Abstract: A seed drill for planting seeds, comprising a seed container having a flexible base with a bore, and one or more slots radiating from the bore, formed therein, and a dibber rod movable axially of the bore whereby to engage and eject from the container a seed located in the bore.

Abstract: An apparatus for arranging and supplying screws comprising a trackway for aligning a plurality of screws, a conveyor for receiving aligned screws from said trackway, conveying them to a point of use and a regulator device for allowing only one screw at a time to be conveyed to the point of use of the screw.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cup dispenser which employs a cam actuated cup accommodating and release assembly. A cam ring employs four cam surfaces about the periphery thereof. Each cam surface is associated with a flexible rocker arm. The cam ring is rotatably mounted within a dispenser housing and upon rotation of the ring by means of an associated lever, the rocker arms are moved inwardly or outwardly according to the diameter and dimensions of a cup to be accommodated. The position of the cam ring in regard to the rocker arm is predetermined according to fixed graduations associated with the lever mechanism. The rocker arms have a unique surface configuration which coacts with the cups to enable the top most cup to be withdrawn, while simultaneously exerting a counter force on succeeding cups within the stack. The force is in a direction to retain these cups within the housing, thus facilitating the removal of one cup at a time.

Abstract: A tablet retaining and dispensing device of generally cylindrical configuration having a disposable tablet containing cartridge removably attached to one of its ends and an ejector rod mounted within the dispenser that is selectively movable so as to eject not more than a single tablet with each selective movement of the rod. A sanitary cap is removably attached to the tablet ejecting end of the cartridge and includes an integrally formed clip member which serves to retain the dispenser in the pocket of an article of clothing.

Abstract: An apparatus for individually dispensing a plurality of articles is provided comprising:(a) a case for receiving articles to be dispensed;(b) a cover slidably mounted on the case for reciprocal movement relative thereto wherein movement of the cover in the direction of dispensing an article forms an opening for removal of a single article;(c) a pushing member slidably positioned between the case and cover and cooperating with movement of the cover to advance articles to be dispensed, the pushing member flexibly engaging the case and the cover in a retainer located on the inner surface of the case and cover, the pushing member being advanced in the direction of dispensing an article at a distance equal to the displacement of an article in response to movement of the cover in that direction and immovable in response to movement of the cover in the direction opposite to dispensing an article.

Abstract: A dispenser for chips or coins includes a cylindrical body and a plunger for moving the chips out of an open end of the body. The open end of the body is formed as a thin distortable ring having at least a pair of oppositely disposed detents thereon against which the chips or coins are normally engaged. A movable collar surrounds the lower end and the distortable ring and alternately spaces the distortable ring from a supporting surface so that a single chip or coin may be dispensed therefrom or permits the distortable ring to engage the supporting surface about a chip or coin to be reinserted in the device.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for assembling a stack having a precise height from a plurality of individual laminates having varying thicknesses are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises seven colinearly aligned dispensing stations for storing a stack of laminates and for dispensing a predetermined number of laminates from the first six stations and a variable number of laminates in the last seventh station; three walking beam assemblies for transporting the plates between the dispensing stations, and a means for controlling the number of laminates dispensed by the last, seventh dispensing station. The controlling means comprises a vertically extending engaging block resiliently mounted on the third walking beam for engaging the laminates to be dispensed and a resiliently mounted cut-off blade depending into and varying the height of a slot located at the bottom of the stored stack of laminates in the last dispensing station.

Abstract: A newspaper vending machine is provided which is coin operated and which discharges a single paper on each operation of the coin mechanism, preventing theft of papers.