Abstract: A utility blade dispenser having an open channel conforming to the configuration of the cutting portion of a utility blade. The channel base is defined by an upward supporting surface, and its top by a blade follower which is engaged in a pawl and ratchet fashion with tracks on the sides of a slot at the rear of the channel. The dispenser body can be molded in a two-piece mold to form an exceptionally strong blade dispenser package.

Abstract: A card housing section has at a front surface a cut portion provided with an opening and closing portion and at a lower end an opening provided with a receiving rib, and a card is held between the receiving rib and a push-plate mounted on an upper plate of a housing box through a coil spring. A second supporting rod slidably and rotatably connected to a first supporting rod stood upright on the push-plate is held in the horizontal state on the housing box by the action of the coil spring, and cards may be supplied through the cut portion in the front of the housing box into a space formed between the push-plate and the receiving rib while the housing section is being assembled into a dispenser body. In addition, a card dispensing section comprises a guide hole extending in a direction of dispensing cards and having sliding grooves provided on opposite sides thereof and inlet and outlets which are downwardly opened into one place forward and backward, and a sliding rod reciprocably fitted in the guide hole.

Abstract: A merchandise dispenser for storing and dispensing a plurality of items aligned within the dispenser and eased toward the front of the dispenser by a retractable member which is biased to push the remaining line of items forward when the first item in the line is removed. The dispenser is provided with an indicator which automatically indicates the quantity of items remaining in the dispenser.

Abstract: Apparatus for advancing packaged goods on a shelf comprises an upright pressure plate carried on the end of a flexible belt. The belt is carried on a roll which is spring biased to wind the belt thereon so that a row of articles positioned along the belt and engaged by the pressure plate will be pushed toward the front of the shelf as each successive article is removed.

Abstract: An improved nail polish remover wand incorporating a replaceable cartridge of absorbent pads is disclosed wherein the individual pads are moved into position for use at the end of the wand and are subsequently ejected after use by rotating a threaded rod attached to a control knob.

Abstract: The present invention provides a staple cassette including a relatively elongated body having a hollow portion extending throughout the length of the body and having a pair of staple driving apertures formed in the body adjacent to its forward end and aligned with each other and feeder means in the hollow portion for resiliently urging a set of staples in the hollow portion toward the forward end thereof, the feeder means including a feeder element engaging the rearward end of the staple set housed in the hollow body portion, a coil spring mounted in the hollow body portion to engage the rearward end of the feeder element and a cap mounted on the cassette body to close its rearward opened end and engaging the opposite end of the coil spring, the cap including a pair of projections adapted to snap-fit into the respective openings on the sidewalls of the cassette body when the cap is pressed into the rearward opened end of the cassette body.

Abstract: A connector mounting press for mounting connectors onto a circuit board. The press includes a connector receiving space and a device to releasably hold a connector therein to be picked up by a descending tool unit for mounting on an underlying circuit board. A device for automatically transferring connectors from a magazine to the space and for applying a constant pressure on the connectors in the magazine and space is also disclosed.

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

Abstract: A two-tiered display rack merchandiser for gravity feeding two columns of products one after another to the front of the rack as the lead product in either column is successively removed by a customer, each column of which includes a roller-mounted tray which, when loaded with product, is operative to push products located in front of the tray forwardly over a slip surface over which the products would not slide in the absence of the roller-mounted tray pusher at the rear of the column. The rollers of each tray are entrapped within tracks which extend parallel to opposite sides of the slip surfaces such that the trays cannot easily be removed from the rack.

Abstract: An improved dispensing carton for elongated flat articles such as milk filters is disclosed. The carton is of generally rectangular configuration and in preferred embodiments is adapted to dispense such elongated articles end-wise and one-at-a-time. Included within the container is a self-supporting member having a pull means that may be accessed through the dispensing opening. When the stack of articles is depleted to the point where access through the dispensing opening is difficult, the pull member may be slid forward carrying the remaining articles towards the dispensing opening and making them readily available. In a preferred embodiment resilient highly frictional foam tape is placed on the interior of a major panel and contacting the edges of the articles to be dispensed. Thus the articles other than the one actually dispensed tend to resist displacement and facilitate one-at-a-time dispensing. The container may be formed from conventional cartonboard or corrugate or from plastic materials.

Abstract: A postage stamp booklet dispenser mechanism uses a multi-position gate cam, which rotates about a central axis and controls the opening and closing of opposed pairs of gate members through which the stamp booklets are dispensed. The operative followers of each pair of gates alternately move between dwell and rest positions to thereby provide corresponding open and closed modes of operation, resulting in the selective dispensing of single booklets from a criss-cross stack. By disposing one pair of gate members in a position slightly offset from the gate cam's central axis, one of the gate members of that pair receives a slight preferential opening position to insure that the booklet dispensed when that pair of gates is opened, falls in the proper orientation onto the chute of the dispenser mechanism. Between each dispensing cycle, all four gates return to their rest positions to prevent inadvertent dispensing and "jackpotting" of the entire stored group of booklets.

Abstract: A cartridge dispenser having structure for securing two columns of cartridges within a housing so that they do not jostle about when the dispenser is used and including structure for guiding the cartridges to the cartridge dispenser opening in a manner which avoids jamming.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated stacking device with a frusto-conically shaped inflatable bladder accommodated with clearance within a housing into which a stack container with stack embracing sidewall panels is insertable with the stack container panels arranged in the clearance space between the housing and the bladder.

Abstract: A stand supporting ice-cream cones comprises an upper dispensing plate (2) with a plurality of apertures (3), in which the ice-cream cones may be temporarily supported before they are to be carried away. A container (6) is provided beside the dispensing plate (2) and comprises a pile (9) of carriers, whereby each carrier (7) comprises a plurality of apertures and may serve to carrying away the conical objects (4). The carriers may be dispensed one by one from the container (6). Immediately upon the dispensing of each carrier (7), said carrier is situated on the dispensing plate (2), whereafter the ice-cream cones to be supported before the carrying away are situated in the apertures of the carrier and the stand. Because of the container a carrier is always available when one or more ice-cream cones are to be carried away from the stand. A carrier preferably for use in connection with the stand (1) comprises a plate (7) of bendable cardboard with a carrier part.

Abstract: Stressing tendons used in prestressing concrete are generally anchored to the concrete by wedge plates which are embedded in the concrete. The anchorage is accomplished by the use of gripping wedges which are placed around the stressing tendons and into the wedge plates.A gripping tool is provided which inserts and seats, in a single operation, gripping wedges. The tool is generally comprised of a holding and guiding piece and a sliding mechanism.

Abstract: A number of improvements to the single article vending machine of U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,477 are disclosed. An angled catch has been provided to prevent the platform which holds the articles from being depressed by a customer, thereby defeating one mode of theft. The provision of a biasing spring greatly facilitates the adjustment of the width of the slot through which the articles are withdrawn. Other improvements enable the machine to operate more smoothly and dependably by insuring that the vended articles are withdrawn easily from the machine and without becoming skewed or jammed in the slot. An improved mounting bracket facilitates proper mounting of the protective cover plate by the operator after the machine has been serviced.

Abstract: A dispenser of chewing gum and other stick-shaped products includes a rectangular container having an upper cover whose central region is cut away to afford access to the stick product which rests atop a false bottom. The latter is urged upward by bias springs so that the sticks may be dispensed by engaging the upper surface of the top stick through the opening with the user's thumb and pushing it through a dispensing opening with a rubbing motion of the thumb. The cover is retractable to permit reloading of the dispensing.

Abstract: Implants may be placed in animals in the field with a system including an implanter and cartridge-like container for a plurality of implants. The cartridge is transparent and encloses a plurality of enlongated implants arranged side-to-side, transverse to the central axis of the cartridge. The implants may be moved manually along the central axis of the cartridge toward one end and stopped in alignment parallel with the end of the cartridge and with one implant aligned with a pair of openings in the cartridge, one at each end of the implant. The implanter carries a sharpened tubular needle and a plunger, slidable along an axis aligned with the central axis of the tubular needle. The implanter has an opening into which the cartridge may be fitted and retained.

Abstract: A device for removing and relocating pieces of fabric from a stack having a carousel that carries a plurality of stack support plates disposed about the axis of rotation of the carousel.When one supportplate is depleted of its pieces forming a stack, a bar for elevating the supportplate to piece removal position is caused to be lowered to a position which permits the carousel to be rotated and to selectively present a supportplate having a full stack thereon in a location whereat it is elevated to piece removing position and the device resumes its function of separate and sequential removal and relocating of each piece from the stack.

Abstract: A vending apparatus well suited for vending such articles as newspapers, magazines or the like which vary in size, in which the articles to be vended are supplied to one side of an access opening in the vending apparatus enclosure. Access opening gating structure normally in a closed position prevent removal of an article unless, after paying a prescribed fee, the customer operates a gating actuator to cause the gating structure to be shifted to an open position in which an article can be removed through the access opening. Removal of the article causes the release of the gating structure permitting it to be returned to its normally closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the gating means includes at least two mutually independently movable blocking members which normally close the access opening.

Abstract: An ammunition container has an ammunition supporting platform which is movable upwardly within the outer housing by springs which are loaded by the weight of the ammunition supported thereon. As the ammunition is used, the decrease in the weight of the ammunition thereon allows the springs to recover and elevate the platform to provide a relatively constant upper position for the upper plane of the ammunition supported on the platform.

Abstract: A machine for vending newspapers and the like singly wherein a closed cabinet has an oblong dispensing opening in an upper portion of a side wall thereof. A newspaper supporting tray is mounted for vertical travel in the cabinet via the action of a spring and cable system which raises the newspaper stack progressively to dispose the topmost newspaper opposite the dispensing opening. A verticlly movable pushing finger assembly is mounted for vertical travel on a dispensing pusher frame which also includes a top stop for limiting upward travel of the stack.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing at least one fish hook in a channel, preferably an arcuate channel positioned around an axis and having a cross section complimentary to the fish hook shape, with the eye portion of the fish hook disposed radially outward from the axis of the channel and with the axis of the opening of the eye disposed parallel to the axis of the channel, and preferably with a plurality of fish hooks being protectively disposed in the channel with spring means urging the fish hooks toward one end of the channel against a resilient containment member confining the fish hooks to the channel at the end thereof adjacent openings in the apparatus of a size approximating that of the fish hook eye and positioned adjacent the fish hook eye at the location at which the fish hook is restrained by the containment member, the openings being divergent on at least one side of the fish hook eye such that a fish hook may be urged by the spring means to the end of the channel, contained there by the containmen

Abstract: A vending apparatus well suited for vending such articles as newspapers, magazines or the like which vary in size, in which the articles to be vended are supplied to one side of an access opening in the vending apparatus enclosure. Access opening gating normally in a closed position prevents removal of an article unless, after paying a prescribed fee, the customer operates a gating actuator to cause the gating to be shifted to an open position in which an article can be removed through the access opening. Removal of the article causes the release of the gating permitting it to be returned to its normally closed position. The size of the access opening is readily adjustable, preferably by tubular members movable to more or less obstruct the access opening, and including elongated blocking members one of which extends through each of the tubular adjusting members to close the access opening.

Abstract: Automated apparatus for applying integrated circuits to a circuit board in which the integrated circuits are fed to the apparatus through the open end of a tubular magazine which holds them in a linear array, and which is positioned in registry with a feeding aperture of the apparatus. By this invention, a casing is provided for holding a plurality of the magazines in side-by-side relation, with the first of the magazines of the plurality occupying the position of registry with the feeding aperture. A spring loaded platen member is provided for biasing the magazines toward the position of the first magazine, so that when the first magazine is emptied of its integrated circuits it may be removed from the casing, and another of the tubular magazines moved by the resilient means into the position of registry.

Abstract: A holder and dispenser for utility knife blades includes a molded plastic back plate and a cover connected thereto by an integral hinge. Blade dispensing apertures are formed at the ends of the cover and a manually actuable follower moves in an opening extending the length of the cover.

Abstract: An article handling apparatus including a generally vertical plate is disclosed for contacting and pushing articles along a generally horizontal surface. The plate is connected to a movable endless cable which is carried about the periphery of a pair of spaced wheels. A hollow dividing rail is supported upon the horizontal surface. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of dividing rails are supported on the surface and divide the surface into a plurality of lanes. A pair of said wheels are rotatably mounted within each hollow rail adjacent opposite longitudinal ends thereof.

Abstract: The present ice cream cone dispenser has an elongated hollow housing with a closed bottom and an open top and a peripheral flange at the top for mounting it at an opening in a counter top. A compression spring urges a follower plate upward inside the housing, and a flexible line limits the upward expansion of the spring to retain the follower plate within the housing when the spring is fully expanded. A shipping container holding stacked cones is inserted down into the housing until the lowermost cones are engaged from below by the follower plate. An apertured retainer is snapped into place at the counter top opening to hold down the uppermost cones which, however, may be removed manually through an opening in the retainer. The entire dispenser is removeable for cleaning purposes.

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 stack of cardmarkers for use by accountants and bookeepers when making entries in ledgers which are then tallied, and a dispenser pack from which the cardmarks are individually slided for use, each cardmark being a flat strip of polystyrene with holes near each end, and a notch along each side edge, engaged by a protrusion inside the pack, and the pack comprising a box that is open on one end and on top.

Abstract: Adjustable wire guide rods are selectively positioned in holes in the movable dispenser table so that it can handle different size dishes.

Abstract: An aerial marker launcher for dropping markers from an aircraft to the ground to form a readily visible indication of the path of the aircraft. The launcher includes a container mounted on the wing of an aircraft, the container configured to hold a stack of markers and having an ejection opening in one end. An ejection means is mounted at the ejection opening and is pilot controllable to eject the markers one at a time. A pusher plate at the end of the stack is operable to urge the markers toward the ejection opening. Attached to the pusher plate is a spring assembly having a resilient retractable extension member, under tension, extending therefrom and attached to the container adjacent the ejection opening for urging the pusher plate resiliently toward the ejection opening.

Abstract: A machine for vending single copies of newspapers comprises a magazine compartment housing a downwardly and forwardly inclined newspaper support platform, a driving arrangement for lowering the platform to the base of the machine preparatory to loading newspapers on the platform, a manually operable crank mechanism responsive to insertion of a coin to permit rotation of the crank mechanism to raise the platform a distance determined by the thickness of the single paper, a dispensing wedge and a discharge chute horizontally aligned with each other, whereby a single copy newspaper is dispensed across the dispensing wedge and through the discharge chute as the newspaper support platform is elevated said predetermined distance by the manually operable crank mechanism in response to a coin being inserted in the machine.

Abstract: A newspaper vendor provides vending of a single newspaper per vend cycle. The vendor has an enclosure holding a stack of newspapers and an elevator within the enclosure for automatically continuously lifting the stack to present a single uppermost newspaper upon the stack at a vend position. A coin mechanism is interengaged by a vend control door. The door is released by the coin mechanism to permit manual access to the uppermost newspaper for withdrawal through a vend throat which is adjustable in dimension to correspond to an average thickness of newspapers in the vendor. A blocking mechanism is responsive to withdrawal of the uppermost newspaper to block withdrawal of a subsequent newspaper through the throat during the vend cycle. A braking mechanism and pivot arrangement associated with the elevator automatically cause the uppermost newspaper to be in alignment with the vend throat regardless of skewing of the stack resulting from non-uniform thicknesses of individual newspapers.

Abstract: A device for use in conjunction with a sheet group separator of the type having a rotating slotted disk supporting a stack, together with a depressor for the lowermost group, and a finger for separating a corner of said group from the stack. The device comprises a vertically slidable weight at said stack corner so that a constant downward pressure is exerted to prevent upward curling of the corner which might reduce the effectiveness of the finger and depressor movements. A counterweighted pressure bar is pivotally mounted at the lower end of the weight so that placing additional sheets on the stack will not interfere with the operation. The weight is reset by pulling upwardly on a handle so that the pressure bar swings away to clear the new sheets and is swung back into position by the counterweight.

Abstract: A dispensing compartment which is in particular provided for refrigeration units has a substantially horizontal stand surface for a plurality of identical or similarly formed articles and is provided with guide walls or strips at the sides projecting beyond the level of the stand surface as well as with a front abutment wall or strip confining the stand surface at the removal side. In order to achieve a quick and convenient removal and a direct access to the products to be removed, a rear abutment is provided which is shiftable in direction of the removal side and away therefrom and upon which a force acts directed toward the removal side. By this structure, the articles to be removed are always accessible at the removal side, and the articles located therebehind are continuously urged forwardly in the course of further removal by means of the force-activated rear abutment.

Abstract: A dispenser for bank notes and currency having a plurality of storage receptacles for bank notes and currencies of different denominations, each with a permanently assigned take-up device. A central conveyor line common to all of the storage receptacles leads to a delivery or filing position. The central conveyor line and the take-up devices are arranged between partly open limits of the storage receptacle and the central conveyor line includes driven guides for the certificates.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly for disposable plastic bowls is disclosed which includes a rectangular housing, open at the top, and a housing cover disposed thereover and defining a circular opening in the top. A slotted, flat, rectangular article supporting plate rides along raised, elongated and vertically extending rails formed on opposite inside walls of the housing which project into the slots. A coiled spring disposed in the housing supports the plate and extends around a raised circular wall formed on the bottom of the plate. A series of three elongated elements or nibs project downwardly from a ceiling of the housing cover around the circular opening and project inwardly of the opening a slight distance sufficient to interfere with and catch against the rolled rims of bowls stacked on the plate and projecting upward through the opening in the housing cover. A companion lid dispenser can be incorporated into the housing for convenience and efficient utilization of space.

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 device for dispensing articles, such as trays, plates, etc., maintains the uppermost article in the stack at a predetermined dispensing level independent of the number of articles in the stack. The device has an upper annular member through which the articles are dispensed and a plurality of vertical posts connecting the annular member to a bottom member. An article carrier has guide bushings for vertically slidable movement on the vertical post members. The guide bushings are movably mounted in the article carrier to permit horizontal movement of the posts to accommodate articles of different sizes.

Abstract: A container is disclosed for receiving a stack of articles to be sequentially removed from a dispensing station of the container. A stack positioning element in the container is movable forwardly in the container into engagement with an article stack to urge the forward-most article forwardly toward the dispensing station. As articles are removed the stack positioning element normally moves forwardly by an amount equal to the thickness of each article that is removed. However, means are provided for increasing the positioning element's movement in response to removal of the last article, whereby a sensing means can more readily detect such movement to thereby cause an indication of an empty container.

Abstract: A container is disclosed for receiving a stack of articles to be sequentially removed from a dispensing station of the container. A stack positioning element in the container has an anti-backup member including a pair of pawls resiliently urged into engagement with cooperating ratchet teeth on opposed inner wall surfaces of the container to inhibit movement of received articles away from the container's dispensing station. A plunger may enter the container through an opening in a wall opposed to the dispensing station to provide the required force to sequentially move the stack positioning element and article stack toward the dispensing station as articles are removed therefrom.

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: A container for dispensing reagent slides into apparatus which uses the slides to carry out quantitative chemical analysis of fluid samples. The container is formed of a plurality of casing parts which, when joined together, for a generally rectangular housing with a chamber for receiving a stack of the slides. The container fits into a complementary shaped nest in the analysis apparatus and has discontinuity means for inhibiting improper orientation of the container in the nest. A notch code on the container cooperates with structure on the nest to inhibit placing into the nest a container carrying reagent slides improper for the analysis test to be conducted.

Abstract: A cylindrical, vertically extending container having an interior, spring-ssed pressure head is adapted resiliently to constrain inverted stacks of paper cups upwardly against a plurality of radially-inwardly-extending, downwardly-directed, arcuate leaf springs, the upper ends of which springs are secured against upper end portions of the container in peripherally-spaced relation, and the lower ends of which springs extend through side openings in the container and are attached to an adjusting collar slidably disposed with respect to the outside of the container. A screwdriver adjustment mechanism serves to positionally adjust the adjusting collar with respect to the container to provide for various degrees of inward flexure of the springs for accommodating a wide variety of sizes, selectively, of paper cups to be dispensed.

Abstract: A cartridge for feeding pairs of clips simultaneously in laterally spaced apart relation between a pair of clamping jaws whereby the outermost pair of clips are clamped onto an elongate member such as a vessel, in which the cartridge is formed with a pair of laterally spaced apart slots for holding a plurality of clips and a slide for endwise displacement of the clips within the slots and a spring clip for permitting the slide to move forwardly in feeding relation while resisting backward displacement.

Abstract: A device for displaying and storing articles includes a wall structure which defines at least one chamber which is open at one end and which is adapted to receive in its interior a plurality of articles arranged one behind the other with one of the articles situated nearer to the open end of the chamber than the other articles. A pusher engages in the chamber that one of the articles which is most distant from the open end of the chamber, and a spring structure cooperates with the pusher to urge the latter toward the open end of the chamber so that the pusher tends to advance the articles out of the chamber through the open end thereof. A retainer structure is situated at the open end of the chamber for retaining the articles therein in such a way that the particular article which is nearest to the open end of the chamber can be manually removed therefrom, whereupon all of the articles are advanced by the pusher until the next article occupies the space previously occupied by the withdrawn article.

Abstract: A box, preferably manufactured from folded cardboard, provides a paper supply container for copying or recording equipment or the like. The interior of the box contains one or more flaps which, as paper is removed from the box through a provided opening, move further into the box to prevent the addition of other paper thereto. This insures that only paper adapted for the particular equipment is employed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and displaying articles as fruit and the like utilizes a display package that includes a diaphragm member for holding the contents of the package and a pneumatic expander that moves the contents contained in the diaphragm member and the diaphragm member itself toward the top of the display package as the contents are removed or to the bottom of the package as contents are added.

Abstract: A container for dispensing reagent slides into apparatus which uses the slides to carry out quantitative chemical analysis of fluid samples. The container is formed of a plurality of casing parts which, when joined together, for a generally rectangular housing with a chamber for receiving a stack of the slides. The container fits into a complementary shaped nest in the analysis apparatus and has discontinuity means for inhibiting improper orientation of the container in the nest. A notch code on the container cooperates with structure on the nest to inhibit placing into the nest a container carrying reagent slides improper for the analysis test to be conducted.