Reciprocating (including Oscillating) Patents (Class 221/268)
  • Patent number: 8261516
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for inserting food products into packages are disclosed, and in particular apparatus and methods for inserting generally thin or planar food products from a stack of such food products into a package. A stacker assembly includes a pusher mechanism for advancing a bottommost food product or products from the stack toward an opening or edge disposed above a package so that the food product or products can fall into the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventor: Christian Laplace
  • Publication number: 20120181299
    Abstract: A pin dispensing apparatus including a dispenser configured to present a pin to a user, a transfer member configured to convey the pin to the dispenser, and a delivery mechanism configured to provide the pin to the transfer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Jilene A. Repp, David H. Weaver
  • Publication number: 20120152971
    Abstract: A vending machine system for stackable goods such as vehicle air fresheners includes a hopper and a reciprocating arm. The hopper is configured to hold a stack of the stackable goods. The hopper has an aperture formed in a base of the hopper for dispensing the stackable goods from the hopper. The reciprocating arm is disposed adjacent the aperture. The reciprocating arm is linearly movable between a retracted position and an extended position. One of the stackable goods is received by the reciprocating arm when the reciprocating arm is in the retracted position, and is pushed from the stack of stackable goods by the reciprocating arm when the reciprocating arm is in the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth F. Flower
  • Patent number: 8192516
    Abstract: Disclosed is a filter cassette magazine and an apparatus for sequentially gathering fine particles using the same, in which a ‘filter cassette not having gathered fine particles yet,’ is received from a first magazine and the received filter cassette is transferred to a lower portion of an upper filter holder, the ‘filter cassette not having gather fine particles yet’ is pushed up toward the upper filter holder by lifting a lower filter holder so as to gather fine particles from outside, the ‘filter cassette having gathered fine particles’ is transferred to a lower portion of a second magazine, and the ‘filter cassette having gathered fine particles’ is pushed up and stored into the second magazine by lifting a push rod. Therefore, it is possible to implement simple maintenance and management, reduction in malfunction, and reduction in parts for machines and equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: APM Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gwan Hoon Yoon, Won Sik Chae
  • Patent number: 8153080
    Abstract: A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad A. Kheiri, D. Glenn Purcell
  • Patent number: 8142733
    Abstract: A cartridge assembly is adapted to be used in a sensor-dispensing device. The cartridge assembly comprises an end cap, a disposable cartridge and a sealing mechanism. The end cap includes one opening. The disposable cartridge comprises an outer and inner cartridge. The inner cartridge contains sensors arranged in a stack therein. Each of the sensors carries a reagent sufficient to produce a signal in response to the analyte concentration in a fluid. The outer cartridge forms an opening of sufficient dimensions to permit a sensor to pass through the opening. The outer cartridge includes a holding mechanism that holds at least one of the sensors in place during movement of the inner cartridge. The sealing mechanism is adapted to form a substantially moisture-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventor: John P. Creaven
  • Publication number: 20120055948
    Abstract: For safe storage and simple and safe administration of tablets T by a user, a cartridge 900 is provided that can be inserted into a medicament dispenser 1 for solid medicament portions T and that is designed with a reservoir for receiving the medicament portions T, and a medicament dispenser 1 for this cartridge 900 is also provided. According to the invention, the cartridge 900 comprises a singulation device 910 that is designed to dispense defined medicament portions T and that comprises a movable mechanism 940 for separating a defined medicament portion T from the reservoir and for dispensing it from the medicament dispenser 1, wherein the singulation device 910 is designed to produce an operative connection to an actuating device 14, 220, 224, 226; 15, 210; 230 in the medicament dispenser 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: BAYER SCHERING PHARMA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Sabine Leifeld, Tom Reinhold, Sven Filler, Uwe Karla, Peter Weber, Nina Voege, Nat Jarvis, Benjamin Holch, James Whittaker
  • Patent number: 8096444
    Abstract: A product discharge and delivery system for a vending machine includes a product delivery cup including a carriage portion and a shroud portion having an open bottom section and a discharge element. After receiving a selected product, the product delivery cup is shifted toward a dispensing chamber causing the discharge element to engage with a discharge member mounted within the vending machine. Engagement of the discharge element and discharge member causes the shroud portion to pivot relative to the carrier portion exposing the open bottom section allowing a selected product to release into a dispensing chamber. A delivery port is mounted in the dispensing chamber that rotated between a product receiving position and a product delivery position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Ardern, Dan Bowen, Paul Miller, Charles Wayne Percy, Kevin A. Poyck, Denise Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8087540
    Abstract: A dispensing container is provided, including an outer casing having an open end, a top, a bottom, sidewalls extending between the top and bottom, and an interior compartment; an inner tray slidably received within the interior compartment of the outer casing and including a storage compartment configured to store a plurality of units of product to be dispensed, and a dispensing trough in communication with the storage compartment, the inner tray extending outwardly from the open end of the outer casing and configured for sliding movement between a closed and locked position and a dispensing position, wherein the dispensing trough includes an aperture sized to allow a single unit of product exit the dispensing trough at one end thereof and a slot at the opposing end thereof, and the outer casing further includes a rib extending into the interior compartment and positioned to enter the slot of the dispensing trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tabacco Company
    Inventors: Ryan A. Bailey, John A. Gelardi
  • Publication number: 20110290820
    Abstract: A multiple-use dispenser (1) for articles contained in blister-type packages (100), in particular for pharmaceutical products such as pills, tablets, capsules and like articles, comprising a housing (2) with at least one opening for dispensing an article from a blister-type package contained therein, The housing (2) comprises a front and a rear sheet (3,4) which are interconnected with each other along their longitudinal edges and have a closed end (5) and an open end (6) on opposite longitudinal ends thereof. The front and rear sheets (3, 4) each are provided with at least one opening (30,40) which are in permanent registry with one another. A shutter sheet (9) is provided within the housing (2) and adapted to be moved longitudinally from a first end position, in which the openings (30, 40) are closed by the shutter (9) to a second end position, in which an aperture (90) of the shutter sheet (9) is in registry with the openings (30, 40) in the front and rear sheets (3, 4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Andreas W. Kracke
  • Patent number: 8028856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the packaging and dispensing of solid shaped bodies, especially oral tablets or/and capsules, which device has a container sealed with a cap suitable for storing shaped bodies, a dispensing opening, and tools forwarding the shaped bodies from the inside of the container to the dispensing opening. The container (5) is constructed in a house (1) in a way that it can be moved like a piston against elastic returning force. The dispensing opening (35) is situated in the bottom (2a) of the house (1); when the device is in a position when it is not used for dispensing, the end-part of the container (5), with an opening (20) for releasing one shaped body at a time situated opposite the end of the container (5) sealed with a cap, fits into the dispensing opening (35) by sealing it, and it is constructed in a way that in the course of the dispensing operations it makes it possible to dispense favourably one shaped body at a time outside of the house (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: CHINOIN Gyógyszer és Vegyészeti Termékek Gyára Zrt.
    Inventors: Zoltán Erdélyi, Zoltán Bencz, János Mezei
  • Patent number: 8016158
    Abstract: The current invention is a lid dispensing device and method of use comprising a base unit, a lid holder operatively connected to the base unit, a blade operatively mounted to the base which moves between a first position and a second position, the blade supporting a stack of lids by engaging a first lid in the stack of lids while the blade is in the first position, and the blade allowing the first lid to fall through an aperture in the blade away from the stack of lids, and still support the remaining stack of lids as the blade moves to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kennik Innovatons, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Walsh, Nicholas R. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20110174834
    Abstract: A sheet product dispenser includes a body portion defining an inner cavity, and an impeding element arranged in the inner cavity operative to exert a compressive force on a first sheet product disposed on a second sheet product in the inner cavity, the compressive force is operative to reduce a load exerted by the first sheet product the second sheet product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: GEORGIA-PACIFIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS LP
    Inventors: Abby Case, David James Van Eperen, Matthew T. Zabel, Andrew Sanguinet, Scott W. Beau
  • Patent number: 7980420
    Abstract: A card dispensing apparatus having a compact configuration has a housing to support a stack of cards on a fixed base. Openings in the base member can permit surfaces from a conveying member to extend into the housing and contact a surface of the lowest card. The conveyer member can move horizontal to a release point and retract beneath the base member to return to an initial position. A movement unit provides a cyclic looping movement of the conveyer member into and out of the housing for transporting cards. A feed unit positioned at the dispensing point of the cards can grasp and release the cards from the card dispensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahito Yamamiya
  • Patent number: 7946450
    Abstract: A container for dispensing a product is provided, the container including an outer casing body having a cavity; a dispensing tray adapted for sliding movement within the cavity of the outer casing body between a closed and locked position and a dispensing position, the dispensing tray having an internal storage compartment for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, a dispensing window, and a stop for engaging the outer casing body to prevent removal of the dispensing tray from the cavity; and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the dispensing tray in the cavity, the locking mechanism including protrusions projecting from the outer casing body into the cavity and positioned adjacent to a moveable flap formed in the outer casing body, and recesses carried by the dispensing tray and positioned to engage the protrusions when the dispensing tray is in the closed and locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John A. Gelardi, Caleb S. Loftin
  • Patent number: 7905342
    Abstract: A supply unit including a funnel-shaped container for receiving a quantity of unsorted, or randomly oriented, nuts and bolts, a conveyor that is driven, in a reciprocating manner, along an inwardly tapering interior wall of the container. The upper carrying surface of the conveyor dips into the unsorted nuts and bolts on its downward stroke and picks up some of the nuts and bolts. On its upward stroke, or travel, the conveyor cooperates with the adjacent wall to properly orient the majority of the nuts and bolts. Some of the improperly oriented nuts and bolts may fall off the conveyor during its upward travel. Blasts of air, or mechanical deflectors, cause other improperly oriented nuts and bolts to fall back into the container. A step is formed near the top of the container, and the upward travel of the conveyor term mates above the step. The properly oriented nuts and bolts are transferred away from the container by a transport assembly located in proximity to the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Heiko Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7882927
    Abstract: A protective cover for a stethoscope head and an apparatus for quickly and easily interconnecting the protective cover with the stethoscope head. The apparatus includes a cover-positioning device that positions the protective cover so that it can be quickly and easily interconnected with the stethoscope head. The cover positioning device includes a base having a planar portion and an upstanding rim connected to the planar portion, the upstanding rim defining an opening for receiving the stethoscope head therethrough. Following examination of the patient using the stethoscope with the protective head covering, the protective covering can be quickly and easily removed from the stethoscope head and suitably disposed of so as to prevent skin bacteria and like contaminants that may have contaminated the protective cover during patient examination, from undesirably being transmitted to the next patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Samvel Hmayakyan, Vahen Joakim
  • Patent number: 7861889
    Abstract: A thin-part feeding device is provided which is compact and efficient. The device has a funnel portion with a feeding opening at the bottom thereof, a take-out tube for taking out thin parts from the funnel portion, and a receiving portion with separate opening for receiving thin parts from the discharge opening. The receiving portion is movable, and the receiving opening is sized to receive only one thin part. The device is operative to repeat a state where the receiving opening faces the discharge opening, and a state where the receiving opening is away from the discharge opening to enable thin parts to be taken out from the receiving opening. The device also features a novel, posture-correcting portion to correct vertical posture of thin parts, a delivery portion for receiving posture-corrected thin parts, and a transporting portion as described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kanji Ishigure
  • Patent number: 7857165
    Abstract: A measuring instrument (A) includes: a storage (1) which has an insertion port (10) for insertion of measuring articles (S) and is capable of storing the measuring articles stacked in a direction of the insertion; and movable members (2A, 2B) for a movement of dispensing a predetermined quantity of the measuring articles (S) out of the storage (1) toward a measuring position (P). With such an arrangement, refilling of the measuring articles (S) to the measuring instrument (A) becomes easy, and the measuring instrument (A) can be always loaded suitably with a quantity of the measuring articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventors: Daisuke Matsumoto, Tokuo Kasai
  • Patent number: 7857163
    Abstract: A drug dispenser which can push a drug package in a stable state and discharge it. The drug dispenser includes a drug case (1) for containing a plurality of drug packages (100) stacked in a vertical direction, each of the plurality of drug packages (100) is packed in a rectangular package with a flange (100a), and a pushing mechanism (3) for pushing out the lowermost drug package (100) in a horizontal direction. A guide member (35) for supporting and guiding the flange (100a?) of the second drug package (100?), when the lowermost drug package (100) is pushed out, is provided in a pushing direction of the drug package (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shigeyama, Hiroyuki Kanda
  • Patent number: 7819283
    Abstract: A strip ejection system for holding and ejecting a strip is provided. The system includes a body and a strip movement section. The strip moving section includes all elements of the system that are involved with moving the strip, including a pressing element for pressing against the strip to move the strip from a first position to a second position. The pressing element is the only element of the strip movement section that is movable relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Universal Biosensors Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Garry Chambers, Alastair Hodges, David Sayer
  • Patent number: 7802698
    Abstract: An apparatus (15) to aid in locating articles in bags produced by a packaging machine (10). The apparatus (15) includes a reservoir (40) to which the articles are delivered, with a plurality of discharge locations being located at angular spaced positions about the reservoir (40). Each of the discharge locations (24) includes an upwardly facing aperture (25) through which the articles are delivered to a central chute (27) from where the articles are located in the bags being formed. Adjacent each discharge location (24) is a conveyor device (29) that moves angularly so as to take articles from the reservoir (40) to the associated aperture (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: TNA Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Alfred A. Taylor, Darren K. Alchin
  • Patent number: 7784644
    Abstract: A vending machine includes first and second integrated dispensing systems mounted at front portions of adjacent product shelf dividers establishing at least first, second and third product queues. Each of the first and second dispensing systems includes first and second release mechanisms having a plurality of hinged plates supported by a frame. The plurality of hinged plates are selectively shifted into and out of corresponding ones of the first, second and third product queues, such that each product queue has associated therewith two opposing release mechanisms. Preferably, at least one of the first and second release mechanisms for each dispensing system includes a queue spacing member which is mounted to one of the hinged plates and projects into the product queue to establish a desired spacing between the release mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Dixie-Narco, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Albert, Dan Bowen, Bryan Alan Collins, Aron Phillip Lewis, Paul Miller, Charles Wayne Percy, John Robinson, William E. Roe, Russell Watts
  • Patent number: 7731058
    Abstract: Semi-automatic dispenser for disposable cups, comprising a semi-automatic dispensing mechanism (1-50), defined by a box (2-51) having in its upper section a tubular drawer (4-43) for the accommodation of several common disposable cups (C), arranged as a stack with their mouths facing downwards, and further, each cup is expected to be dispensed in a bottom drawer (6-62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Reynaldo Stamatis Filho, Mauro Moreira De Lima, Luciano Missurini
  • Patent number: 7694847
    Abstract: A snap-ring supplying device includes a magazine (10) containing C-shaped snap rings (S) piled together each of which has a gap, an extrusion member (25) that pushes out a snap ring occupying the lowest position in the magazine so that the gap (S1) of the snap ring is directed forwardly in an extruding direction, a conveying path (23) that conveys the snap ring pushed out by the extrusion member to an area in which the snap ring is contracted to reduce the diameter of the snap ring, a projection-strip guide wall (26) formed to stand upwardly in a substantially vertical direction with a width that is defined by forming a pair of concave parts (28) and that can enter the gap of the snap ring in a termination area of the conveying path, and an oscillating member (31) and urging members (32, 33) serving as a restricting mechanism (30) that restricts the gap of the snap ring so that the gap is directed in a direction from the magazine to the projection-strip guide wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 7677410
    Abstract: An apparatus for discharging tissue that is folded several times and stacked is provided. The apparatus includes a cartridge that holds stacked tissue and has a through hole at one end, and a holding member that is disposed adjacent to the through hole of the cartridge and pivots on an axis to grasp and remove tissues one at a time from the top of the stack through an arm. The inventive apparatus allows a user to easily replace tissue and check the amount of tissue used and the amount left to use through visual means. The apparatus virtually eliminates the problem of tissue dispensing failure, and has increased precision and reliability and reduced dispensing time over conventional apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Elix Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 7614478
    Abstract: A protective cover for a stethoscope head and an apparatus for quickly and easily interconnecting the protective cover with the stethoscope head. The apparatus includes a cover-positioning device that positions the protective cover so that it can be quickly and easily interconnected with the stethoscope head. The cover positioning device includes a base having a planar portion and an upstanding rim connected to the planar portion, the upstanding rim defining an opening for receiving the stethoscope head therethrough. Following examination of the patient using the stethoscope with the protective head covering, the protective covering can be quickly and easily removed from the stethoscope head and suitably disposed of so as to prevent skin bacteria and like contaminants that may have contaminated the protective cover during patient examination, from undesirably being transmitted to the next patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventors: Samvel Hmayakyan, Vahen Joakim
  • Patent number: 7597214
    Abstract: A system and method of delivering products from a vending machine having a number of selectable product storage locations comprising actively moving products using a product delivery mechanism associated with each of said selected product storage locations, driving an endless element having at least one engagement finger that is moved in a first direction by an actuator to engage one of a number of rotatable drive elements each connected to said product delivery mechanism, driving said endless element with said engagement finger in a second direction by reversing said actuator and going past said rotatable drive elements without engagement to provide for the selection of other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Coin Acceptors, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Levasseur
  • Patent number: 7568595
    Abstract: A stamped gate bar for a vending machine having an elongated body with opposing ends. The elongated body is formed first and second side walls extending from an integrally formed edge wall. A support member is disposed along at least one of the opposing ends, and an actuation member is also disposed along at least one of the opposing ends. A method of forming the gate bar from a sheet of metal is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph J. Krish, Sr., William R. Reis, Donald R. Mikuluk
  • Patent number: 7559435
    Abstract: The forward movement of a feed rod 15 of a nut feeder permits pressurization of air in an air chamber 3a defined in a rod holder 3, thereby blowing the air out of the air outlet 20 through an air inlet 21 and an air passage 22. A nut 7 is held on the feed rod 15 by the pressure of the air blow from the air outlet 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Seki Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Miura, Kouji Sakota, Seji Miura
  • Patent number: 7556177
    Abstract: A slide ejector mechanism for automatically removing a slide from a slide stack is set forth. The slide ejector mechanism comprises an ejector blade adapted to engage a longitudinal edge of the slide and an ejector drive. The ejector drive is connected to rotate the ejector blade through a curved ejection path. During this rotation, the ejector blade engages the longitudinal edge of the slide to remove the slide from the slide stack and place the slide at an output position for subsequent manipulation. In accordance with a further enhancement, the slide ejector mechanism may include structures that render the apparatus self-cleaning of broken slides. Such structures may include a platen having an opening therethrough along at least a portion of the ejection path. The opening has a width that is slightly less than a length of the slide so that the slide spans the opening and is supported at its edges by the platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Domack
  • Patent number: 7533785
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing tablets. The dispenser generally includes a housing and a compartment. The compartment is pivotable with respect to the housing between a dispensing position and a non-dispensing position. The dispenser may also include a biasing member to bias the compartment to the non-dispensing position and a rib to resist accidental pivoting of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: SeaQuist Closures Foreign, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly A. Smith, James W. Hammond, Cori M. Blomdahl, John Wisniewski
  • Publication number: 20090114673
    Abstract: A measuring instrument (A) includes: a storage (1) which has an insertion port (10) for insertion of measuring articles (S) and is capable of storing the measuring articles stacked in a direction of the insertion; and movable members (2A, 2B) for a movement of dispensing a predetermined quantity of the measuring articles (S) out of the storage (1) toward a measuring position (P). With such an arrangement, refilling of the measuring articles (S) to the measuring instrument (A) becomes easy, and the measuring instrument (A) can be always loaded suitably with a quantity of the measuring articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Daisuke Matsumoto, Tokuo Kasai
  • Publication number: 20090001095
    Abstract: A card dispensing apparatus having a compact configuration has a housing to support a stack of cards on a fixed base. Openings in the base member can permit surfaces from a conveying member to extend into the housing and contact a surface of the lowest card. The conveyer member can move horizontal to a release point and retract beneath the base member to return to an initial position. A movement unit provides a cyclic looping movement of the conveyer member into and out of the housing for transporting cards. A feed unit positioned at the dispensing point of the cards can grasp and release the cards from the card dispensing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Takahito Yamamiya
  • Patent number: 7469799
    Abstract: A measuring instrument (A) includes a pressurizing mechanism (C) which moves at least one of a measuring article (S) and a connector (4) toward and into pressing contact with the other when the measuring article (S) is placed at a measuring position (P). This prevents improper connection between the connector (4) and the measuring article (S) caused by wear of the connector (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventor: Daisuke Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20080245814
    Abstract: A device for dispensing tongue dispensers has housing forming an inner chamber for accommodating a plurality of tongue depressors arranged in stack and having a dispensing opening, a unit for displacing the stack as a whole so as to move one of the tongue depressors in the stack to a dispensing position, and an inclined guiding unit guiding the one tongue depressor from the dispensing position through the opening so as to extend at least partially outside to be grasped by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Rogow, John Mattera
  • Patent number: 7337918
    Abstract: A strip dispenser has a strip magazine, a magazine spring, a strip vial component, and a cover. The strip magazine has a magazine open end and an outer magazine casing surrounding the strip magazine adjacent the open end for a predefined distance along the strip magazine where the magazine has a magazine volume with an open magazine top. The magazine spring is contained within the strip magazine. The strip vial component has a magazine receiving end, a closed end and a vial recess for slidably receiving the strip magazine between a first position and a second position where the vial recess has a shoulder portion spaced from the closed end and adjacent to and aligned with the open magazine top. The cover encloses the magazine open end and has a slit spaced a predefined distance from an edge of the cover where the slit is in communication with the magazine volume and the open magazine top and in spatial alignment with the shoulder portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Nova Biomedical Corporation
    Inventors: James Fowler, Robert Daggett
  • Patent number: 7334699
    Abstract: A filler assembly capable of filling unit-of-use medication containers or dispensers. In an embodiment, the filler assembly includes a generally trough-shaped top with a generally horizontal bottom including apertures surrounded by multiple sidewalls. Further, a body including a plurality of sides and ends is coupled to the top for transferring medication from the top to the medication dispenser. The plurality of sides includes a plurality of chutes covered by a transparent cover. Additionally, a base for supporting the filler assembly is included. The base bottom includes a plurality of apertures and positioners. The plurality of apertures extend through the base whereby each aperture aligns with one of the plurality of chutes. Moreover, a slide is coupled to at least one of the body and the base for controlling the dispensing of medication by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventors: Mark G. Keffeler, David P. Keffeler
  • Patent number: 7311222
    Abstract: A drug dispenser which can easily align drugs when filling it with the drugs. In a drug dispenser in which a lowermost drug of a plurality of drugs (100) stacked in a vertical direction and contained in a drug case (1) is pushed out in a horizontal direction to dispense it, a door (7) is provided on the front surface of the drug case (1). A drug aligning device (second door 11) is provided on the inner surface of the door (7), the drug aligning device pushes the front ends of the plurality of drugs (100) contained in the drug case (1) to align the rear ends thereof when the door (7) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shigeyama, Hiroyuki Kanda
  • Patent number: 7275659
    Abstract: A selected drill or driver bit [“d—d bit”] (i) is at a first time selected from a magazine and mounted to a rotary tool, normally an electric drill, and (ii) is at a later time removed from the tool and returned to the same magazine, each in a one-handed operation totally without manual contact with any of the drill or driver bit, a holder of the d—d bit, or any chuck of the tool. Coaction is realized between (i) a d—d bit holder having a sliding sleeve releasibly holding a d—d bit, and (ii) a d—d bit dispenser having multiple bores of complex interior contour each relieved to one side in a complex contour defining a side entrance and extraction channel. The d—d bit holder (and its mounted d—d bit) is (i) entered downward into a bore of the d—d bit dispenser, and (ii) plunged full to the bottom, whereupon (iii) the d—d bit is released while (iv) the d—d bit holder is withdrawn upward through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Renato Openiano
  • Patent number: 7270080
    Abstract: An animal treat dispensing assembly includes a base and a housing attached to and extending upwardly from the top side of the base. The housing has a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The housing has an open upper end defining a fill opening. The front wall has as dispensing opening therein. A pivot rod is positioned in the housing. A pivot member is pivotally coupled to the pivot rod. The pivot member has a top side that is planar. The top side abuts an upper edge of the dispensing opening when the top side is horizontally orientated. A panel is attached to the pivot member and extends outwardly of the dispensing opening. A plurality of animal treats is positioned in the housing, and the panel is moved downwardly so that one of the treats is dispensed outwardly through the dispensing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Matthew J. Kane
  • Patent number: 7264139
    Abstract: A sensor dispensing device (1) comprises a cartridge (2) having an outer casing (11) and a plurality of sensors (6) arranged one upon another in a stack. The cartridge has a first dispensing end (13) and a second opposing end (14) spaced a fixed distance apart, and the cartridge includes a first aperture (15) for the ejection of a sensor closest to the first end and a second aperture (16) opposed to the first aperture, for access by a pushing member (25). The first aperture and the second aperture are each provided with compliant sealing means (17) which are at least partly disposed outside the outer casing. The sealing means have first and second sealing surfaces which are capable of co-operating to releasably form a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable clamping forces. The device has a housing (34) for receiving the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Hypoguard Limited
    Inventors: David Brickwood, Graeme Maisey, Stuart Richard May
  • Patent number: 7216776
    Abstract: A child-resistant dispenser for dispensing items, including a chassis (12) having a reservoir (40) for holding items (16) and a conveyor (14) including a conveyor pocket (18) for receiving an item (16a). The conveyor (14) is pivotably mounted within chassis (12) between a closed position in which the conveyor pocket (18) is inaccessible from outside the dispenser (10), and an open position, in which the conveyor pocket (18) is accessible from outside of the dispenser (10). The dispenser further includes a pathway positioned between the reservoir (40) and the conveyor pocket (18) when the conveyor (14) is closed. The pathway is blocked by the conveyor (14) when the conveyor (14) is open. A locking mechanism (20, 22) is provided for releasably locking the pill conveyor (14) in a closed position. A user must simultaneously apply pressure to both the conveyor (14) and the locking mechanism (20, 22) in order to open the conveyor (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Gelardi
  • Patent number: 7186186
    Abstract: A ball drop mechanism for a game apparatus has a mechanism allowing to drop balls one by one on a desired location. The ball drop mechanism includes a housing that stores balls, a cylindrical ball passage connected to the housing, and a cogged stopper that is located in the housing near the ball passage. One side of the cogged stopper has a hollowed portion that matches a circumference of the ball passage. A golf ball dispenser is established by installing the ball drop mechanism for a game apparatus. The golf ball dispenser has a plurality of ball cylinders which install and guide a large number of golf balls and has a golf ball placer with a seesaw movement mechanism to place a ball accurately on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Takeo Imahata
  • Patent number: 7086644
    Abstract: A media cartridge for a printer has a connector for connecting to the printer and a media storage volume in which sheets of media are stored. A manually operated slider ejects one sheet at a time through an outlet to an input slot of the printer. The printer then draws the sheet past a printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 7004351
    Abstract: A differentiator for a vending machine includes a drive motor which drives a threaded shaft. A carrier with a port adapted to receive the threaded shaft defines the base of the differentiator with the head of the differentiator pivotally mounted on the base. A biasing spring between the base and the head urges the head into an angular orientation. A surface which supports a stack of items marketed by the vending machine provides an environment in which the differentiator works. The differentiator is mounted under the support surface. The support surface includes a slot therein. The differentiator is mounted so that differentiator head, on the differentiator base is positioned in the slot of the support surface. One end of the angularly oriented head extends above the support surface, through the slot and, when carried forward by the base, separates an item from the stack of items supported on the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Bertho Boman
  • Patent number: 7004312
    Abstract: An aluminum business card box comprises a main box and a drawer box. A top cover is on the top of the main box and a containing slot is arranged in the middle part thereof. The inserting slot accommodates the ID badge. And a drawer cover is on one end of the drawer box to forms a space for business cards to store in. Users can insert ID badge into the main box and have business cards stored in the drawer box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Hsin Wang Chen
  • Patent number: 6997343
    Abstract: An embodiment of a sensor dispensing device for dispensing sensors for measuring analyte concentration in a fluid includes a cartridge assembly (32) having a housing (70) with an opening and means (16) for making a moisture-proof seal around the opening. A stack of sensors (12) is stored in the housing (70) and urged through the opening towards a stop member (73) by spring means. The device is provided with an externally actuable pusher (18) for breaking the seal and for pushing a single sensor from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hypoguard Limited
    Inventors: Stuart R. May, David Brickwood, Graeme A. Maisey
  • Patent number: 6938896
    Abstract: An automatic card dispenser unit for displaying and dispensing cards includes a storage housing for storing an array of cards. A holding member operatively positions a lower most card at a load station in a vertical alignment for display. A controller unit can receive a user input to dispense a card which will activate a dispenser assembly to cause a pickup member to removably grasp the card surface and release it from the holding member along a predetermined path of movement. A stopper member is mounted in the path of movement for separating the card from the pickup member to enable the card to be dispense to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Tamotsu Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 6896150
    Abstract: In a vending machine island having a standard supporting a mounting plate at an elevated position, a securing post which extends to a level of the top of the tallest vender. A lid locked to the vender is provided with engaging means which engages a bracket affixed to the securing post. The bracket is secured by a locking screw which can only be accessed when the globe is removed, which requires that the lid of the globe be removed. Each vending machine is thus affixed to the stand by both its base and its lid, rendering the vending machine island substantially more resistant to theft and vandalism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Beaver Machine Corporation
    Inventor: Josef W. Schwarzli