Abstract: A newspaper dispenser is provided including a housing having an opening formed thereon. Also included is a support plate slidably mounted within the housing with a plurality of newspapers stacked thereon. A money acceptor is provided for raising the support plate an incremental amount when a predetermined amount of money is accepted. As such, only one newspaper is capable of being removed via the opening at a time.

Abstract: A top card feeder feeds cards into a receiving device from the top, the top card feeder having a card holder for holding a stack of cards, a door pivotally mounted near the bottom of the top card feeder, an elastic means adapted to pull the card holder upward, a locking mechanism adapted to lock the door and to rotate a pulley assembly in response to the movement of the door, the pulley assembly being coupled to the card holder for moving the card holder vertically within a chamber of the top card feeder.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved container which may be used to store ten parcels arranged end to end and in two rows, one on top of the other. The container includes a top wall, a bottom wall, opposing side walls, and opposing front and rear walls respectively. The container also includes an advancement mechanism for advancing the rearmost parcels in the container so as to fill the void created by the removal of the foremost parcels. The advancement mechanism includes an enlarged end portion located behind the rearmost parcels and an intermediate portion located intermediate to the two rows of parcels.

Abstract: A freezer chest for storing and displaying frozen foods such as packaged ice cream products for sale to retail customers includes a modular storage bin in which a product stack plate is mounted on a helical support spring. Packaged ice cream products are loaded onto the product stack plate. The product stack plate, urged by the helical spring, advances the stack of frozen products to the top of the storage bin as products are removed by customers. A permanent magnet mounted on the product stack plate generates a magnetic field that couples with position sensors mounted in a vertical array along the storage bin. Each sensor produces an output signal in response to coupling alignment of the magnetic field with the sensor as the stack plate moves through the storage bin. The helical support spring extends the stack plate incrementally in proportion to the weight load removed as each packaged product is unloaded.

Abstract: A solder preform with predisposed flux to be located adjacent to a gap formed between multiple solderable surfaces such that upon heating, the flux wicks into and prepares the solderable surfaces prior to the solder melting and wicking into the freshly prepared gap. In plumbing applications, this invention can be located inside a pipe fitting adjacent to the end of an inserted pipe. Upon heating, this invention will make a sound solder joint by wicking into the annular region formed between the fitting and the pipe. This invention includes a dispenser for solder preforms that has features to align a solder preform with the centerline of the receiving pipe fitting into which it is to be inserted. In addition, the dispenser has features to insure the solder preforms are released one-at-a-time into the receiving fitting.

Abstract: A method for storing and dispensing thin, flimsy objects such as end disks that form the ends of light-tight packages for photosensitive materials. The thin, flimsy objects are loaded onto a hub member and supported by a biased pusher plate that urges the objects one at a time through a stripper plate that has a removed section slightly smaller in dimensions than the object.

Abstract: There is provided an article storage device for an automatic vending machine, which is capable of properly storing and dispensing articles without causing any deformation or breakage thereof and, compact in construction, and at the same time capable of reliably detecting whether articles are sold out.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispensing machine for printed publications. The vending machine allows to dispense one copy at a time by providing a metering break above a dispensing channel. The vending machine has a hollow housing, within which a detachable module is slidable mounted. An operational portion of the machine includes a drive screw connected to a motor by a gear assembly. The printed publications are supported in an upright position on a bearing plate and are advanced towards the dispensing channel by a push plate connected to the drive screw.

Abstract: A semi-automated pharmaceutical dispensing arrangement has a drug cabinet in which a control mechanism permits opening of the front door for an authorized attendant and permits the attendant to obtain the pre-filled bottles or containers of medication for a patient's prescription order. An array of linear dispensing modules each hold a front-to-back row of filled containers, which can be manually lifted out one at a time. A pusher mechanism in the module pushes the containers forward, so that containers are pushed into position for removal. These may be spring actuated. Each of the modules also has an associated signaling device, such as an LED that lights up to guide the attendant to the appropriate dispensing module. A controller processor, e.g., a computer, is associated with the cabinet for inputting patient-medication information and lighting the signaling LEDs for the modules.

Abstract: A golf ball carrier and dispenser in the form of a tube in which balls are stacked and biased to one end by spring action where an end opening smaller than the balls restrains the endmost ball from release. A side dispensing opening for release of ball is located adjacent the end of the tube so that when pressure is applied through the end opening, the endmost ball of the stack can be pushed downwardly and toward the exit opening for release of the endmost ball over the next underlying ball in the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing thermoplastic inserts, or other identical pieces, in a manner in which orientation of the individual inserts is properly maintained. The apparatus includes a hollow tube having an internal cavity for housing and guiding a plurality of the inserts aligned one after another therein. The hollow tube has a central axis. A receiving assembly is positioned at an inlet end of the hollow tube and has at least one pivotable blocking member for selectively blocking the inlet end of the hollow tube. A weight assembly is positioned within the hollow tube. The weight assembly has a lower contact surface spanning substantially the entire width of the cavity and abutting against the one of the inserts nearest the inlet end.

Abstract: A surface mounted display device for serially stacked products, the display device including a first support member, a second support member and at least one divider member removably mounted between the two support members. The divider member has a web to which a pusher plate is movably attached. A guide arrangement is provided on the web for guiding the pusher plate. A spring biases the pusher plate toward one end of the display. Products are stacked between the pusher plate and the first support. When a product is removed, the pusher plate, being biased toward the first support member, advances the next product to the front of the display.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing, receiving or storing packaged integrated circuit devices using at least one vertically-oriented, removable, tubular magazine disposed above a controllably-driven, rod-like indexing element extending from a drive below the magazine. A magazine, with an associated indexing element and drive, is configurable as an individual magazine module. The indexing element, under power of the drive, raises or lowers a vertical stack of devices to a desired level adjacent the top of the magazine to dispense or receive an individual device from a feed mechanism, such as a pick-and-place mechanism. A number of magazine modules may be assembled in a multi-module array, which is particularly suitable for binning tested devices, with a sort category being directed to each magazine.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus module for a vending machine is provided that enables stacked articles to be lifted off of the stack and translated from a loading station to a discharge station. An elevator apparatus is provided for progressively moving articles to a load station. A conveying apparatus with a linkage assembly for supporting a section nozzle can contact the uppermost article and lift it off the stacked array. The conveying apparatus can move the article to a discharge station for releasing the article to the user. A self-contained suction source is provided in the dispensing apparatus to provide low atmospheric pressure to the suction nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing unpackaged articles includes a guide shaft to carry the articles, a pushing element that advances the plurality of articles along the guide shaft, and a feed screw engagable with the pushing element and driven by a motor. While the articles to be dispensed are moved collectively as a group, the apparatus provides for the controlled dispensing of individual articles. A sensor is provided to identify when an article has been dispensed and to subsequently stop movement of the plurality of articles. Also, an iris including a yieldable opening sized to allow passage therethrough of an article in a staggered manner is provided to facilitate the individual dispensing of articles and to prevent the inadvertent dispensing of articles.

Abstract: A product display dispenser in which products are loaded in a tray and brought forward by a spring pusher to the dispensing position one-by-one as the forwardmost product is lifted from the dispenser. A canopy overlies the products and prevents the upward movement of the product. A retaining lip is disposed on the underside of the canopy to prevent any rearward movement of the product when the first product is removed from the dispenser.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing publications one by one having (a) housing defining an enclosed interior; (b) having an exit opening for dispensing the publications; (c) a platform for receiving a stack of the publications, the platform being supported within the housing for vertical movement between a plurality of positions; (d) a slider which, in an operating mode of the machine, is horizontally movable between fore and aft positions; the slider being disposed within the housing for contacting a topmost publication of the stack with the platform in one of the plurality of positions and for feeding the contacted publication to the exit opening when the slider is moved horizontally; (e) a coin operated mechanism for placing the machine into the operating mode, and (f) a mechanism disposed within the housing for automatically imparting a motion to the slider that pushes the slider against a rear edge of the topmost publication so as to move the topmost publication from the stack to the exit opening when the machine i

Abstract: A cradle for holding and feeding a stack of sheets in a printer or copier which compensates for non-uniformities in the stack, and especially non-uniformities in the central portion of the stack, thereby presenting a level top sheet to a sheet feeder regardless of how many sheets are in the stack. The cradle broadly comprises a rectangular base plate and four support posts arranged proximate the corners of the base plate. Two extension springs are arranged diametrically with respect to one another, each spring supported at its ends by the support posts, with the springs intersecting one another at approximately the center of the base plate. The extension springs support a plastic sheet, upon which the stack of sheets is laid.

Abstract: A device for dispensing card-like media, referred to as "cards", from a stack of such cards has a front-loading magazine for storing and dispensing the cards, the magazine being received within a primary aperture of a housing. The magazine has a casing formed by two lateral walls and a base and having a mechanism for biasing the stack of cards towards its front opening. A front cover, attached to the casing near its front end, retains the stack of cards within the casing and provides a slot shaped to facilitate manual removal of a single card from the stack. The front cover is displaceable between a closed position in which the front cover closes most of the front opening and an open position in which the front cover allows front loading of the cards into the casing. The open position is such that the front cover forms a partial obstruction to the front opening so as to retain the stack of cards within the cavity.

Abstract: A clip carrier for storing and dispensing semi-automatic cartridge clips which consists of a generally rectangular container having opposite sides, opposite edges and a bottom panel with upper edge flanges that define a longitudinal groove. A cartridge clip sized opening is formed in one edge panel for entry of a cartridge clip to be forced downward against a spring-loaded push plate. A plurality of such cartridge clips can be entered and forced downward until the carrier container reaches capacity.

Abstract: The lid dispenser of the present invention has four rods which extend from the front to the rear and which support and guide the lids. The rods are connected at the front to individual lid dispensing pagers, and are supported at the rear in arcuate tracks in an adjustment ring. The front pagers are also mounted in an adjustment ring with arcuate tracks. Both adjustment rings have serrated or ridged cylindrical edges, which allow the click-positioning of the rings at a desired position to force the rods and pagers into an evenly spaced radial position. Three plastic claws are flexibly supported on a support member which is mounted for front-to-back movement on cover guide rods. Each claw member is connected by flexible bands to positionable fasteners which are fixed in radial slots in the support member which allow some radial movement of the claws as they engage a cover. By use of such a dispenser in convenience stores and the like contact by customers with lids other than those dispensed is avoided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vending machine for dispensing of a single copy of a printed publication, such a newspaper or a magazine. The vending machine has a metering brake mounted adjacent a dispensing channel for separating a single copy of a publication from a stack of publications that are retained in a housing of the vending machine. The metering brake allows to achieve a uniform speed of movement of both sides of the folded newspapers, or magazines moving along a bearing plate and effective separation of the single copy from the stack of papers.

Abstract: A first commodities receiving plate (9, 62) is provided for holding commodities (4) stored on a pair of neighboring commodities storing paths. An operation member (17, 70) interlocked with a pivotal motion of the first commodities receiving plate (9, 62) is fixed to a driving shaft (13, 67) for pivoting the first commodities receiving plate (9, 62). A second commodities receiving plate (20, 73) is disposed on the sliding surface side of each of the commodities storing paths and on the rear side of the first commodities receiving plate (20, 73), with one side of the second commodities receiving plate (20, 73) supported by a shaft. When the second commodities receiving plate (20, 73) is caused to pivot and the other side thereof is moved upward, the first commodity is fed out to a commodities feed-out port while the second commodity is prevented from moving to the commodities feed-out port.

Abstract: A cup dispenser is disclosed including a housing having an open end and a closed end defining a cup receiving cavity, a cup support reciprocally positioned within the cup receiving cavity for supporting at least one cup received in the cup receiving cavity and a spring for biasing the cup support towards the open end of the cup receiving cavity thereby projecting at least a portion of the cup from the housing. The cup dispenser further includes a guide for guiding the cup support within the housing with a guide including axially extending substantially diametrically opposed rails and a cup restraint for restraining outward movement of the cup within the cavity and a stop position adjacent the guide for stopping outward movement of the cup support. The stop includes at least one circumferentially extending contact surface which contacts a surface of the cup support in order to stop outward movement of the cup support.

Abstract: The invention relates to vending machines for dispensing of a single copy of a printed publication, such as a newspaper or a magazine. The vending machine is self-contained, enclosing a power source, a driving motor and a control unit for operation of the dispensing mechanism. A stack of folded newspapers, or magazines, is placed in an upright position on a platform bearing plate and is retained in an upright orientation by a support plate which slides along the top surface of the platform bearing plate, moving the newspapers closer to a dispensing chute formed in a front part of the vending machine housing. One or more metering breaks are mounted on a top surface of the platform plate adjacent to the dispensing edge of the platform bearing plate to facilitate separation of a single copy of the newspaper prior to dispensing.

Abstract: The invention relates to vending machines for dispensing of a single copy of a printed publication one-at-a-time. The vending machine is self contained, is provided with a power source, a driving motor and a control unit for operation of the vending machine. An inclined platform plate mounted within the vending machine carries a plurality of media units, while a push plate forces the media units toward a dispensing channel located adjacent a forward edge of the platform plate. When a single copy of the media unit moves through the dispensing channel, a light sensor sends a signal to the control unit which causes reversal of movement of the push plate, thereby preventing accidental dispensing of the next copy of the media unit by gravity. After an entire inventory of the media units resting on a platform plate has been dispensed, a limit switch sends a signal to the control unit allowing vending of a display copy.

Abstract: A bread dispensing apparatus has a rigid hollow body (10) in which bread slices can be placed, an upper inlet (11), a lower outlet (14) which is associated with a pull down dispenser. When the dispenser is pulled down, bread can be removed from the body. Hold back blades are provided to allow only the desired number of pieces of bread to be dispensed, the hold back blades being connected to the dispenser such that pulling down of the dispenser operates the hold back blades.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for packaged products which includes a plurality of parallel channels, each of which independently positions products for dispensing. Each product dispensing channel is separated from the adjacent channel or channels by a removable divider wall and is adapted to support and dispense packaged products having a common configuration. The product packages aligned within a dispensing channel are supported upon a pair of parallel guide rails which extend from the rear to the forward position of the dispensing apparatus. A positioning member is disposed within each channel and is slidably engaged upon the parallel guide rail. The positioning member is biased toward the front dispenser support thereby positioning all product packages within a dispensing channel adjacent one another and forwardly toward the front dispenser support.

Abstract: A dispenser for flexible sheets, especially end wrap papers. The dispenser is designed to be worn on the arm of a user or to be strapped to a stand. The dispenser comprises a box for holding a plurality of the sheets. At least one flap is connected to the bottom or at least one of the sides of the box and projects inwardly. Sheets are adapted to be disposed in the box on that side of the at least one flap that faces away from the bottom. Two flaps can also be provided on the top of the box, with each of these flaps extending from an opposite side half way toward the other side. Each of these top flaps opens in an opposite direction. The top flaps define a slot that permits individual sheets to be held between them and to be individually withdrawn from the box.

Abstract: A diaper dispenser apparatus includes a housing having an interior region. The housing includes a front panel formed to include an aperture therein. The apparatus also includes a spring loaded platform located in an interior region of the housing. The platform is configured to support a stack of diapers and to locate a top diaper on the stack in alignment with the aperture in the front panel of the housing to permit removal of the top diaper through the aperture.

Abstract: A cartridge for dry-type chemical analysis films comprises a box housing, which accommodates therein a stack of dry-type chemical analysis films and which has a take-out opening at one end such that the dry-type chemical analysis films may be taken out of the box housing through the take-out opening one after another. A push member is located in the box housing so as to be capable of sliding. The push member comes into contact with the stack of the dry-type chemical analysis films from the side opposite to the take-out opening and pushes the stack of the dry-type chemical analysis films in the direction heading towards the take-out opening. An urging member is located in the box housing and urges the push member in the direction heading towards the take-out opening. A restriction member is located in the box housing and restricts the distance of movement of the push member in the direction heading away from the take-out opening to at most a value equal to the width of each dry-type chemical analysis film.

Abstract: A shelf aid dispensing device for periodic inventory control of commodity units in a displayed row. A rectangular panel with an elongated groove forms part of the device, the panel being adapted to be supported in horizontal condition over a flat bed. A draw bar is slidingly engaged into the groove for sliding displacement axially thereof, and is adapted for grasping engagement by an operator's hand. A slider plate is, slidingly carried to the panel and defines a flat abutment face for abutment by a rearwardmost commodity unit in the row. The slider plate may include ears in axial register with the draw bar rear rear portion, wherein the slider plate and the draw bar releasably interconnect and slidingly move together whenever the slider plate and the draw bar rear enlarged member come in abutting contact.

Abstract: A novelty dispenser for solid objects, such as condoms. The novel features are specifically based on a spring loaded movement of a dispensing element, which element moves an object such as a packaged condom from inside a compartment out through an opening. The dispenser is an everyday entertainment device that conceals a condom therein. It uses a spring, such as a coil spring, which feeds the condom from a magazine compartment and through a shutter to be released for use. The spring is returned to its original position once it has been used. Pulling a tab of the dispenser causes the spring to release within the magazine, forcing the condom through the shutter, such as miniature doors. The spring opens the magazine and doors, allowing the spring to advance the condom into the dispensed position for delivery to the user.

Abstract: A chemical analysis element cartridge includes a box-like cartridge body in which a plurality of chemical analysis elements are stacked and are taken out through an element take-out port formed at one end of the cartridge body. A pressing member is slidably received in the cartridge body and is brought into contact with the stack of the elements on the side remote from the element take-out port to push the stack of the elements toward the element take-out port. The cartridge body is provided at least in one side wall thereof with a slit which extends in the direction of stack of the elements and the pressing member is provided with an external force receiving portion which is laterally interlocked with an urging member disposed outside the cartridge body through the slit and receives a force for urging the pressing member toward the element take-out port from the urging member.

Abstract: A chemical analysis film cartridge having a box-like casing body with opposing first and second end walls and in which dry frameless chemical analysis film chips are stored in a stack between the end walls. A first opening is formed in a side wall of the casing body near the first end wall so that only the film chip nearest the first end wall can be removed from the casing body through the first opening. A second opening in the first end wall permits a suction pad to hold the film chip nearest to the first end wall and to take the film chip out of the casing body through the first opening. The width of the first opening is larger than the thickness of one film chip and smaller than double the thickness of one film chip.

Abstract: A method of operating a vending machine in response to the selection generation of a preselected vending signal. The vending machine includes at least one supporting means for slidably receiving a plurality of vended articles disposed in row formation thereon with adjacent vended articles being engaged. In the practice of this method, the vended articles are contained in the row formation against slidable displacement on the supporting means toward an open end thereof, and one of the vended articles disposed in the row formation at least adjacent the open end of the supporting means is slidably displaced therefrom upon the generation of the preselected vending signal. The remaining vended articles in the row formation are retained against slidable displacement on the supporting means toward the open end thereof during the slidable displacement of the one vended article from the open end of the supporting means.

Abstract: The invention involves a coin dispenser that can be carried in its user's clothing pocket, and has multiple chambers for holding coins with their faces parallel to the dispenser's largest face. Each chamber holds its coins in a stack. Each stack is urged upward by a follower and spring toward a pair of opposing retaining ledges at the top of the dispenser. Each follower has a center stub on its spring side which is guided in a hole in the dispenser's bottom. This guidance reduces the coverage of a top coin needed by the pair of ledges. The reduced coverage provides improved access of a user's finger or thumb to the top coin for pushing it radially through an opening and out of the dispenser. Each guided follower also prevents a top coin from tilting its edge away from its opening or a user's pushing finger. Each chamber has a trough cutting into it, opposite the opening, which aids the user's finger access to a top coin.

Abstract: A bread box for storing and dispensing such sliced bread by means of an inverting action applied to any wrapper in which bread may be packaged resulting in one or more slices dispensed per activation of a sliced bread dispensing unit, as well as the concept of inverting such bread wrappers to accomplish the task of dispensing sliced bread.

Abstract: A dispenser of crayons or the like comprising a container having a longitudinally extending passageway there through. The container has inner and outer walls. The container also has an upper open end and a lower open end for dispensing the crayon or the like. The dispenser further has urging means for moving a crayon in a direction outwardly through the container and the lower open end. In addition, a crayon cartridge is provided with a longitudinal bore there through.

Abstract: An article lifting container (10) is provided which includes an outer housing (50) with a lift (100) within an interior thereof supporting a shelf (150). The lift (100) automatically adjusts a position of the shelf (150) vertically depending on a weight of articles (30) placed upon the shelf (150). The lift (100) includes a base (110) supported by the housing (50) and which in turn supports a spring (130) between the base (110) and the shelf (150). An alignment post (120) aligns the shelf (150) to motion only vertically away from and toward the base (110). A sleeve (140) is fixedly attached to the shelf (150) and surrounds the alignment post (120). The sleeve (140) prevents the shelf (150) from pivoting due to uneven loads of articles upon the shelf (150).

Abstract: A stack of paper is provided for separating portions produced by a portion control machine. The paper is dispensed from a paper feed system that feeds the bottom-most sheet from the stack along support rails that support opposite edges of the sheet. An integral stiffening strip extends between the opposite side edges of each sheet for stiffening the sheet therebetween and to minimize bowing of the sheet when supported at its opposite side edges. The stiffening strip has an arcuate cross-section, and the stiffening strip includes a rigidifying wax coating that is impregnated in the sheet at least to a greater extent in other areas of the sheet than at the strip. The invention also contemplates a method of fabricating the sheets of paper.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for loading the cassette into an operative relationship with a machine for dispensing contents of the cassette for use by the machine. The loading mechanism includes a base adapted for being fixedly mounted on the machine. The loading mechanism also includes a holder for releasably holding the cassette. The holder has one end pivotally connected to the base for pivoting about an axis for moving the cassette between a first position at which the holder releasably receives the cassette and a second position at which the cassette is placed in an operative relationship with the machine. The loading mechanism further includes a linkage mechanism coupled between the base and the holder for translating the holder along the axis as the holder is pivoted between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An improved magazine construction for gas powered firearms or other single object dispensing unit is disclosed. The expanding gasses from the breech or barrel of the gun are directed into the bottom portion of the magazine where they are introduced into a chamber having varying capacity. The upper portion of the chamber is movable and forms the follower, which includes integral biasing means thereon to provide additional impetus for urging the cartridges upwards into the receiver. The body of the follower also includes spring loaded cammed pins that engage cooperating pin holes in the inner magazine wall to provide a ratcheting action as the follower advances. These pinholes also serve as a excess pressure relief, allowing the gasses to escape through a blow by rail located between the inner and outer magazine walls.

Abstract: A grocery bag storage tube for the convenient storage and retrieval of plastic grocery bags. A hollow tube of appropriate diameter has a sturdy and weighty base holding the hollow tube upright. Within the confines of the hollow tube, a weighted plug capable of slidable travel within the interior of the hollow tube is connected as by cords to a cap and to the bottom end of the hollow tube. Plastic grocery bags may be inserted into the hollow tube above the plug once the cap has been removed. Removal of plastic grocery bags is effected by pulling the cap away from the top end of the hollow tube. As the cap is displaced away from the top end of the hollow tube, it pulls the plug with it. Any plastic bags inside the hollow tube between the plug and the cap are urged outwards towards the mouth of the tube by the plug. The plastic bags are then easily retrieved by pulling them from the hollow tube as they emerge therefrom.

Abstract: A self-biasing system for articles has an article support, a frame for controlling the movement of the support and a biasing structure capable of moving the support. The system can be a self-leveling article dispenser with the frame including elongate channel members. The channel members define an elongated cavity capable of receiving articles to be dispensed. A platform is slidably received in the cavity. A plate has one part of a reversibly extensible structure secured thereto. A flexible line has a segment secured to the platform and the linear movement thereof is controlled by a guide on the plate and a guide associated with the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing a plurality of razor blades and for dispensing the razor blades is disclosed. The dispenser includes a housing having side and end walls which define a cavity for storing and dispensing razor blades. The open top of the dispenser includes rails along the tops of the sidewalls for guiding the blades out of the housing. A dispensing slot is provided between the top of one end wall and the rails. A resilient arm integral with the housing is located below the razor blades for applying an upward force on the razor blades against the rails and for aligning a blade to be dispensed with the dispensing slot. The entire dispenser is molded of a thermoplastic. A disposal slot is vertically aligned with the radiused end of the resilient arm for enabling disposal of used razor blades.

Abstract: A hamper attachable to a back of a door for receiving laundry. The hamper is dimensioned to fit between the door and an adjoining wall when the door is in an open position and includes a receptacle structure in which the front panel may take the form of either a rigid panel or a deformable fabric panel. A spring supported movable wall for ejecting laundry from the hamper is disclosed and an alternate embodiment of the present invention includes a deodorant dispenser for spraying a mist of sanitary fluid onto the associated laundry.

Abstract: An elevating dispenser for flexible sheet materials and more particularly for interleafed cosmetology end papers. The flexible sheets are contained in a carton with a dispensing aperture in the top wall. The dispensing aperture has flaps to retain the end of successively drawn sheets above the aperture for ease of withdrawal. The stack of sheets rests within the carton on an elevating platform which is flexibly attached on two opposing sides to the base of the adjacent side walls of the carton by flexibly folded extension panels which allow upward urging of the elevating platform. This facilitates the removal of sheets from a stack of diminishing thickness as the sheets are removed, one at a time. The elevating platform is retained in progressively upward positions by friction between its edges and the inside surfaces of the carton walls and by tabs in the end walls which are pressed into the chamber of the carton beneath the elevating platform.

Abstract: A box for individually dispensing staple strips. The strips are first loaded into a central magazine. A spring activated pusher on one side of the box urges the strips toward the other side. On the other side is positioned a spring loaded ejector device sized and shaped to receive one strip of staples. The ejector device moves in the plane normal to the pusher's motion. The ejector device raises the staple stack toward a window in the box thereby enabling the user to remove the stack.

Abstract: A stack of paper is provided for separating portions produced by a portion control machine. The paper is dispensed from a paper feed system that feeds the bottom-most sheet from the stack along support rails that support opposite edges of the sheet. An integral stiffening strip extends between the opposite side edges of each sheet for stiffening the sheet therebetween and to minimize bowing of the sheet when supported at its opposite side edges. The stiffening strip has an arcuate cross-section, and the stiffening strip includes a rigidifying wax coating that is impregnated in the sheet at least to a greater extent in other areas of the sheet than at the strip. The invention also contemplates a method of fabricating the sheets of paper.