With Separate Inlet For Replenishment Or Access Patents (Class 221/281)
  • Patent number: 7234609
    Abstract: An article dispensing machine and article transport storage unit are shown that permit articles slated for inventory to be delivered in secure manner from a centralized inventory supply center to an article dispensing machine forming part of an article distribution system. The article transport storage unit is locked during transport from the supply center to the machine and does not become unlocked until fully installed within the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael DeLazzer, Franz Kuehnrich
  • Patent number: 6951292
    Abstract: A container (10) with a hinged lid comprises a container body (11), a hinged lid (23) hinged on the container body (11), and a bottom wall (12) tightly covering the open lower end of the container body (11). A rubber plate 50) is provided between the hinged lid (23) and the container body (11). The container body (11) has an upper wall (27) provided with an opening (24), and a side wall (13). The hinged lid (23) is supported on the side wall (13) of the container body (11). Since the hinged lid (23) is supported on the side wall (13), the hinged lid (23) can be formed in a large shape. The container body (11) is provided with a catching projection (33) for catching a locking projection (32) formed on the hinged lid (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignees: Uni-Charm Corporation, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Bando, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Katsumi Kameda, Masaho Hayashi, Norikazu Shinogi
  • Patent number: 6920999
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing stacked folded sheets. The dispenser includes a housing defining an internal storage space for the stack of sheets. A cover member is pivotally attached to the housing and is movable between an open position and a closed position for loading a stack of folded sheets into the housing. A device, such as a mechanical stop system, is provided and located such that the device must be manually operated with both hands while closing the cover member. In this way, an individual is prevented from using a free hand to compress the stack of folded sheets within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Antwain D. Taylor, Victoria L. Bischoff, Robert C. Ziegenfuss
  • Patent number: 6868985
    Abstract: A small-sized automatic vending machine for snack confectionery is provided, which is capable of being fitted to a side surface of an already installed automatic vending machine for drinks, or the like, and which enables machine size reduction, commodity protection, and a first-in first-out operation for commodities. The small-sized automatic vending machine comprises a base frame (4), which is capable of being fitted to a mounting surface (2), and a cabinet (6). The cabinet (6) comprises a commodity vending opening (10), which is located at an upper region, and a commodity accommodating section, which is located within the cabinet (6) and accommodates a plurality of commodities (CA, CB) laid-up on commodity carriers (26A, 26B). A lower region of the cabinet (6) is pivotably supported on the base frame (4) via a hinge (8), such that the cabinet (6) is capable of being set in a sideways fallen state, in which the commodity accommodating section is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: Kichihei Mori, Yasuhiro Ota
  • Publication number: 20040262326
    Abstract: A selectively cascadeable storage unit allows a variable number of containers to be stored and dispensed in a first-in, first-out manner. The storage unit includes a receiving area, a storage track, a dispensing area, and a selectively engageable stop. The storage track conveys containers from the receiving area to the dispensing area, where the selectively engageable stop either holds the containers or passes the containers to a cascaded storage unit. In one embodiment, multiple storage units are substantially overlapped such that containers may be selectively passed from the dispensing area of one unit to the receiving area of the connected unit. The present invention facilitates better utilization of storage facilities and simplifies inventory management of a variety of containers such as barrels, bottles, boxes, cans, cartons, casks, crates, drums, jars, kegs, packages, sacks, tins, and tubs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Coston L. Christensen
  • Patent number: 6799695
    Abstract: A dispensing device is provided for sanitary napkins of various shapes and sizes. The device is conveniently and efficiently packaged for optimal placement and utility within the private facilities of a home. The device includes a hinged lid allowing ready placement of the sanitary napkins within the device housing. When closed, a latch secures the lid. On one or more sides of the housing, a door is provided near the bottom that allows the user to retrieve a sanitary napkin from the bottom of the housing. The door or doors are hinged with a spring providing a bias to the closed position. Attached to the lid is a spring, the spring having an attached compression plate. When the lid is closed, the spring forces the compression plate against the sanitary napkins within the housing, thus maintaining the sanitary napkins in the proper position and orientation for grasping by the user, through the door. Hooks are provided to support a disposal bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: Miguel Borrero
  • Patent number: 6722526
    Abstract: A cracker dispenser for dispensing individual crackers in a sanitary manner such as at public cooking events and at wine and cheese tasting events. The cracker dispenser includes a plastic housing for receiving a plurality of stacked crackers from a standard size roll of crackers. The housing is of elongate rectangular shape with a horizontal lower wall of a rectangular shape slightly larger than the individual crackers. Three upstanding walls include a rear wall and opposing side walls which extend from the lower wall to retain the plurality of crackers into a cracker receiving interior chamber defined by the housing in a stacked position. A movable door in the form of a sliding door or a latching hinged door is connected to the housing to selectively cover a cracker roll receiving opening formed at the front of the housing between the two side walls to admit crackers from the roll thereof and closing to cover the cracker roll receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Valentino Passetti
  • Publication number: 20040069795
    Abstract: A vending machine comprising a housing and a service chassis. The housing has an interior, a front face and a rear door pivotally connected to the housing. The front face of the housing includes at least one front opening for allowing a vended product to be removed from the housing. The service chassis is at least partially located within the housing and includes at least one money collecting container. The service chassis can be slid into and out of the interior of the housing for allowing access to the at least one money collecting container. A method of loading the vending machine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Gary L. Sams
  • Patent number: 6708841
    Abstract: Glove dispenser having a back plate, a cover, a angled rack for securing a pre-packaged box of gloves within the device at an angle with respect to the back plate, and an aperture in the cover through which gloves can be dispensed at an ergonomic angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Safety Today, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Baughman
  • Patent number: 6705487
    Abstract: An assistance tray for manual distribution used in a medicine sharing and packing device with a disk-type tray for manual distribution of pills mounted in the front side. The assistance tray includes an assistance tray body at the rim portion of which a plurality of auxiliary pill containing portions are formed which correspond in number to a plurality of pill containing portions formed at the rim of the upper surface of a disk-type tray for manual distribution, and on both sides of which handle portions are formed having openings therethrough. An opening/closing plate is mounted on the lower surface of the assistance tray body so as to be rotated, at the rim portion of which holes are formed, a number of the holes corresponding in number to the number of the auxiliary pill containing portions of the assistance tray body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: JV Medi Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: June Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20040026446
    Abstract: A small-sized automatic vending machine for snack confectionery is provided, which is capable of being fitted to a side surface of an already installed automatic vending machine for drinks, or the like, and which enables machine size reduction, commodity protection, and a first-in first-out operation for commodities. The small-sized automatic vending machine comprises a base frame (4), which is capable of being fitted to a mounting surface (2), and a cabinet (6). The cabinet (6) comprises a commodity vending opening (10), which is located at an upper region, and a commodity accommodating section, which is located within the cabinet (6) and accommodates a plurality of commodities (CA, CB) laid-up on commodity carriers (26A, 26B). A lower region of the cabinet (6) is pivotably supported on the base frame (4) via a hinge (8), such that the cabinet (6) is capable of being set in a sideways fallen state, in which the commodity accommodating section is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: MARS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kichihei Mori, Yasuhiro Ota
  • Publication number: 20020185498
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser has a case (1) with an inside periphery sized and shaped to hold a plurality of desired sizes and shapes of beverage containers (3, 4, 5 and 6) oriented horizontally and juxtaposed vertically while being maintained at or caused to become desirably cold or hot before being dispensed one at a time with a rotary gate (9) onto a pickup tray (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Michael V. Riordan, Michael F. Mateo
  • Publication number: 20020079324
    Abstract: A cardholder and dispenser including a housing for encasing the plurality of business cards. The housing having an entrance slot for allowing business cards to be inserted into a housing cavity. The housing further having an exit slot opposing the entrance slot for allowing single cards to be advanced out of the invented cardholder. A spring is utilized within the housing to bias the business cards to a position adjacent to the exit slot for easy ejection therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. Silverthorne
  • Patent number: 6390337
    Abstract: A gravity teed device for holding and dispensing quantities of merchandise and which is capable of being supported upon an upright merchandising display. An elongated and substantially sleeve shaped blank has first, second, third and fourth interconnecting and elongate extending sides, a open top, and a bottom. An opening is defined in the first side, proximate the bottom, and forms a vertical abutment extending between a lower-most edge of the opening and the bottom and acts to prevent unassisted dispensing of quantities of merchandise. A support member extends proximate the open top and from which the device is supported at a specified elevated location and upon the merchandising display. A first end of the member secures to a selected location along the upright merchandising display, a second end of the support member engaging the top of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas M. Shea
  • Patent number: 6354098
    Abstract: A cooler with an insulated shell and a product loading system. The insulated shell has an access portion and a loading portion. The product loading system has a gravity-feed loading element and a dispensing cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: James R. Bardin, Ronald Wayne Steele
  • Patent number: 6318590
    Abstract: A travel facial tissue holder/dispenser is disclosed which is adapted for use with cup holders typically found in vehicles. The dispenser comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow container and a plurality of dry facial tissue paper. The container has a sidewall body, a closed bottom portion attached to one end of the sidewall body and an apertured top portion attached to the opposite end. The sidewall body also has a retention means to aid in retaining the dispenser within the cup holder. The apertured top portion comprises a lid attached to the sidewall rim, and a tissue dispensing flap or panel attached to the lid and/or sidewall rim. The plurality of facial tissues are stored within the container such that the tissues can be continuously and individually retrieved through the tissue dispensing flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Lisa McMurray-Stivers
  • Patent number: 6302293
    Abstract: The apparatus and method for retaining a vertical stack or stacks of vendable items in a vending machine includes a column having sidewalls and a front and back. The back is substantially blocked to retain vendable items vertically at the back of the column. The front of the column is substantially blocked to maintain vertical the vendable items in the front of the column. The front of the column can be substantially unblocked for access through the front of the column to other parts of the column. In one form, a door or retainer can be positioned so that it is closed and latched across the front of the column but releasable and openable to substantially expose the front of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Inland Finance Company
    Inventors: Francis A. Wittern, Jr., Paul L. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 6279776
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus comprising at least two parts, with the first part (d) being releasably held within the second (g) of the two parts and the first and second parts can be moved relative to one another to display at least two apertures leading to a chamber for retaining articles which are to be dispensed from the apparatus. The apparatus is preferably for dispensing question cards for playing a jigsaw game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventors: Elaine Finkletaub, Sara Sanders
  • Patent number: 6276564
    Abstract: The sorting magazine serves for the supply of loose small parts (1) such as rivets, eyes, press fasteners and so forth. It includes a trough-shaped storage container (2) which has a front wall (3) and a magazine base plate (4), with a filling opening (5) for the small parts (1) and, in the base plate (4), an aperture (8) which adjoins an inclined bottom wall (9). The small parts can be guided by way of the aperture int ark adjoining rotary magazine comprising a drum-like rotary member (6) which is mounted rotatably about a substantially horizontal axis (7) and which serves for separating and orienting the small parts (1) for further processing thereof by machine. In order conveniently to provide for complete emptying, the magazine base plate (4) has a plate section (12) which is formed with the walls (3, 9) delimiting the storage container (2) to form a unit. That unit is movable from a closed operative position into an open position permitting the removal of all small parts, and vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Stocko Fasteners GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Reich
  • Publication number: 20010010315
    Abstract: An article discharging device having a main body (1) with an opening (1a) which is provided in a front side, comprising: a container (2) for containing and holding an article therein, which comprises a front wall (2b) at least a portion of which is transparent and an article entrance (8) formed in an upper side, wherein the container (2) is able to close the opening and the article held in the container can be viewed through the transparent portion of the front wall in a closed state, and the container can be rotated reciprocally around a predetermined axis (2a), to take the closed state or an article entrance exposed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Akira Tomioka
  • Patent number: 6223935
    Abstract: Self-positionable device for holding products in dispensing machines, particularly cigarette packets, said machines being operated by inserting coins and having series of compartments adjacent to each other and wherein are piled the various trademarks of cigarettes, the self-positioned device comprising essentially a rod (1) which, in its operational position, is arranged in relation to the open face of the corresponding compartment (2) said rod being housed with some play into a housing (3) while it is biased by a spring (4) at its upper end towards its operational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Jofemar, S.A.
    Inventor: Félix Guindulain Vidondo
  • Patent number: 6213341
    Abstract: Change dispensing apparatus having multiple columns for storing and vending tubes containing change in coin or in currency. The denominations being vended by a particular machine, the unit value of that denomination, and the value of a tube containing a predetermined quantity of that denomination, are user-programmable for each machine, and any combination of denominations can be user-assigned to the columns. The tube locations in each column are monitored to detect tubes in each column, providing a running indication of the amount of change remaining for each denomination in the safe, and for the total value of change in the safe. An ejector is positionable at the lower end of each column and contains a member for selectably extracting the lowermost tube in each column. The change safe on request prints reports of change usage and other factors associated with the safe, and also predicts the amount of change required for future usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Brink's Incorporated
    Inventors: Jasper Newton Keith, III, William L Gunn, W. Chris Morgan
  • Patent number: 6189731
    Abstract: A device for holding and dispensing cotton swabs or the like, wherein the device includes a housing for holding the cotton swabs and the housing has at least two chambers extending parallel one behind the other for holding with play a plurality of cotton swabs arranged one above the other, wherein the chambers have an inclined bottom. The frontmost chamber is connected to a slide member which holds only a single cotton swab. A dispensing chamber is arranged underneath the slide member, wherein a separating wall between two successive chambers can be raised as required by a predetermined dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Rolf-Peter Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6056152
    Abstract: A piece of apparatus for dispensing refrigerating elements enabling consumers to make sure that the cold chain is not broken when buying fresh and frozen food. The apparatus (101) for dispensing refrigerating elements (11) comprises a housing (102) in which is provided an outlet (104) in an upper zone (129) thereof making it possible to insert a refrigerating element (11) to be recycled and an outlet (105) provided in a lower zone (128) of the housing (102) making it possible to dispense a refrigerating element loaded with negative calories, and at least one refrigerated storage unit (107) provided with a helicoidal storage and guide rail (108) extending substantially between the two zones (128, 129) so that the refrigerating elements (11) move toward the lower zone during storage. A cleaning device (112) for cleaning the refrigerating elements (11) to be recycled is provided and comprises rotating brushes (113) which drive said elements from the inlet (104) to the storage unit (107).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Leonetti, Phillippe
    Inventor: Alvaro Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 6050625
    Abstract: A system for managing table tennis balls facilitates retrieval of stray balls, stores them and dispenses them conveniently to a player as required. The system has two main components: a ball retriever, a.k.a. the BallSnatcher, and a storage rack, a.k.a. the BallFeeder. The tubular retriever can hold a column of balls and is deployed in a hand-held manner in a vertical orientation from a standing position. The retriever is fitted at its bottom end with a ball trap including (a) a flexible coaxial constriction ring defining an expandable entry opening that when lowered over a stray ball captures and retains it in the retriever tube, and (b) a flexible coaxial guidance flange extending outwardly and downwardly to provide initial guidance in retrieving a stray ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: Charles Richard Nisbet
  • Patent number: 6029852
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Marc Rochman
  • Patent number: 6021919
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved dispenser for sanitary gloves. The dispenser comprises a rectangular enclosure having a top, bottom, left and right side walls, front and back, for receiving individually packaged sanitary gloves. The front is permanently joined to the top, bottom, left and back, while the right side wall is pivotally attached to the bottom wall. The front contains an opening near the top for dispensing the sanitary gloves one at a time. A window near the bottom portion of the front is used to visually inspect the quantity of gloves remaining in the dispenser at any given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Kevin J. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5957325
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing and dispensing disposable diapers includes a rectangular frame with an inverted Y-shaped partition forming two compartments for holding a stack of diapers at an incline. Openings are formed in the side walls for dispensing the diapers and notches are provided to facilitate removal. A picture frame is provided on the front panel of the apparatus for holding photographs. The cover can be one piece with an attached container on top or two pieces hinged to the partition. A towel rack may be provided on the bottom of the apparatus for holding washcloths or towels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Nydia Montanez
  • Patent number: 5950864
    Abstract: Flanged musket percussion caps are stored and dispensed from a portable hand held capper which has a linear channel defined in a housing formed of sheet material. The housing has a through channel which has a floor which is parallel to two partial top walls with a central slot. The top walls are connected to the floor by side walls which are inclined outwardly from the floor. By this inclined wall shape of the housing, the flanged caps are accommodated, while at the same time the narrow flanges of the caps are prevented from binding against any structure of the capper. The user presses a pusher forward to position a single cap through an outlet between a flexible steel spring and a dispensing wall, where the cap can be dispensed onto a black powder firearm nipple. The housing has a T-shaped hole in one side wall, through which caps can be loaded into the dispensing channel. Musket caps without a flange may also be dispensed from the capper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Cash Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Tedd D. Cash, James M. Parker
  • Patent number: 5860563
    Abstract: A medicine vial dispensing apparatus includes a housing for storing medicine vials in a substantially axially horizontal storage orientation and a dispensing assembly for dispensing the vials in an upright orientation. The preferred embodiment includes a pair of spaced, resilient arms having respective, inwardly extending prongs that receive a vial therebetween. A slotted, rotating wheel receives a vial in the storage orientation and places it between the prongs. The closed end of the vial slips by one of the prongs while the other prong holds the interior surface of the open end until the vial attains a substantially upright orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Scriptpro, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Guerra, Keith W. Kudera, Clayton Mehnert
  • Patent number: 5836476
    Abstract: A new Motorized Newspaper Dispensing System for dispensing of various printed literature within one machine and further minimizing theft by dispensing only one printed literature at a time. The inventive device includes a housing structure strengthened to resist theft which houses various printed literature, a support means elevating the housing structure to a level comfortable for purchasers, a coin receiving means, a dispensing means which mechanically dispenses the selected printed literature, and a sign stand secured to the upper portion of the housing structure providing space for advertising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Emmanuel Ampofo
  • Patent number: 5830054
    Abstract: A coin handling system having a coin sorting system which singularizes, counts and sorts coins or similar disk-shaped objects and has a plurality of sorting outlets in combination with a coin safe which features a plurality of coin bins. The coin bins are each associated with one coin sorting outlet and have a coin-specific dispensing unit. The coin dispensing units of each coin bin are connected to a spatial distribution unit which enables the dispensing of a predetermined number of a specific coin type to be fed to one of a plurality of coin compartments located on a coin cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Standardwerk Eugen Reis GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Petri
  • Patent number: 5829630
    Abstract: A vending machine for valved cylinders of propane gas is provided which includes a cabinet, a U-shaped roller conveyor and a support rail. The cabinet has return and dispensing openings sized to allow empty cylinders to be returned to the cabinet in an upright orientation and to allow full cylinders to be dispensed from the cabinet in an upright orientation. The return and dispensing openings are vertically offset and horizontally spaced apart. The roller conveyor is within the cabinet and extends from the return opening to the dispensing opening. The roller conveyor is downwardly inclined so that the valved cylinders move along the conveyor by gravity. The support rail extends along both sides of the roller conveyor and maintains the valved cylinders in an upright position while moving from the return opening to the dispensing opening. The vending machine also includes an anti-theft system to prevent unauthorized withdrawals of the valved cylinders from the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Plant Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald C. Fernald
  • Patent number: 5826746
    Abstract: A backpack carried on the back of a vendor for transporting and dispensing packaged goods, such as food products or other merchandise. The backpack has a back wall, front wall, opposed side walls, a top closure, and a bottom wall defining a generally rectangular storage compartment. The backpack has at least one access opening at a lower end which is accessible to the hand of the vendor wearing the backpack. A plurality of packaged goods are supported in a vertically descendable disposition by a support member or receptacle installed in the storage compartment which has a lower portion disposed adjacent to the access opening and is configured to support the lowermost one of the packaged goods adjacent to the access opening such that it can be manually removed by the vendor while the backpack is being worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: William O. Ash, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5826745
    Abstract: There is disclosed a stocker for flat healds according to the present invention is a flat heald stocker for stocking a lot of flat healds in order to selectively discharge an arbitrary flat heald A out of the many flat healds A juxtaposed, in which the flat healds A kept in a horizontal state are stacked vertically in a housing, a heald refilling aperture is provided at a top portion of the housing, and a heald drawing opening for discharging the lowermost of the stacked flat healds horizontally is provided at a lower portion of the housing, whereby easy horizontal drawing of flat heald can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventor: Kazunori Kuroyanagi
  • Patent number: 5815914
    Abstract: A sorting device for supplying small parts to a processing machine has a container with a fill opening for receiving the small parts. A drum-shaped rotating sorter for sorting the small parts is laterally connected to the container. The container has a lateral passage opening into the sorter for transferring the small parts from the container to the sorter. The container has a pivot axle for pivoting the container relative to the sorter in order to empty the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Rolf Kamps, Rainer Siegemund
  • Patent number: 5794817
    Abstract: An article is inserted through the upper front of a dispenser, over a first shelf, a fall space, and a second shelf while it is supported by the first shelf at about the same height as the second shelf. The item is then moved off the first shelf so that it pivots on the second shelf and moves down between the shelves. It is caught by one end on a flexible portion of a downward and forward sloping curvilinear wall having a longitudinal access slot through the wall, and supported at the lower part of the dispenser, forward of the front of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Vincent Rosa
  • Patent number: 5791514
    Abstract: A dispenser having a housing for dispensing candies therefrom and having a rotatable raceway therein with a plurality of turntables disposed within the housing and on the raceway, with each of the turntables including a compartment sized to accommodate a candy to be dispensed, and a drive motor for driving the raceway and coupled to the turntables for rotating the turntables and for revolving the turntables within the housing to transport the candies to a dispensing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Cap Toys, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl D. Kirk, III, Paul Mulhauser, Diego Fontayne
  • Patent number: 5788114
    Abstract: A system for packaging manufactured articles into respective cases along a feed line having an apparatus with stations for performing various functions, a unit for automatically stacking and feeding CD cases to be packaged in these stations and a unit for dispensing brochures or leaflets to be packaged in the CD at one of the stations. The automatic case feeding unit transfers a new stack, manually arranged, before a feed magazine into the feed magazine when it is sensed that the current stack is below a predetermined level. A pusher member is actuated to move the new stack into position in the feed magazine. The brochure feeding unit draws a bottom brochure via a conveyor belt from a stack of brochures, while the remaining brochures are retained by a partition element. The withdrawn brochure is stopped at a locating member, wherein the height of its back edge is reduced by pusher element so the brochure passes under the locating member and is passed to the corresponding packaging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Tapematic U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Luciano Perego
  • Patent number: 5788117
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing cylindrical objects of uniform diameter, such as beverage cans, from a package holding at least two rows of the objects, with at least two objects in each row. The dispenser has a front face that defines an object-dispensing opening at its lower end. The opening is shaped to allow an object being dispensed to pass through the opening. There is a dispensing tray at the bottom of the opening and projecting outward from the front face of the dispenser. The dispensing tray is adapted to receive and hold an object dispensed from the package and through the opening. The dispenser also includes an object-repositioning structure inward of the front face and positioned to contact the front object in the second row of objects at or above its center line when the dispenser is placed over an opened end of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Jack Zimmanck
  • Patent number: 5782379
    Abstract: A device for dispensing and holding artificial fingernails for decoration includes a housing having an upper work platform, and a plurality of magazine assemblies disposed within the housing. Each of the magazine assemblies includes a body for storing a plurality of artificial fingernails in stacked relation, and a spring biased plunger disposed in the body for urging the artificial fingernails upwardly within the body. The device further includes a slide having a plurality of slide members which are slidable through the respective magazine bodies for engaging the rear edge of the uppermost fingernail in each of the magazine assemblies and advancing the fingernail outwardly through an exit opening in the body of each of the magazine assemblies. The exit openings are disposed on the upper work surface of the work platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: JoAnn M. Traub, Craig C. Selvage
  • Patent number: 5779095
    Abstract: A portable gumball dispenser has a reservoir mounted atop a pedestal formed of a nested assembly of concentric tubular members and a base. When offset apertures in top walls of the tubular members are in register with each other and with an opening in the bottom of the reservoir to permit a single gumball to drop into a dispensing chamber within the pedestal, apertures in the side walls are out of register to retain the gumball. Rotation of the tubular members to register the side wall apertures rotates the top wall apertures out of register to block any further gumballs dropping from the reservoir. A directional channel in the base facilitates a gumball rolling out when the side wall apertures in register. A cooperating annular ridge on the outside of the inner tubular member and an annular groove on the outer tubular member retain the tubular members in nested assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignees: Imaginings 3, Inc., Imaginings 3 Int'l Ltd.
    Inventor: Sidney Diamond
  • Patent number: 5778632
    Abstract: A hopper assembly for feeding literature to a literature dispenser. The literature dispenser and a label dispenser are positioned on opposite sides of a conveyor on which products being furnished with literature and labels are transported. The hopper assembly includes a chute which is designed to have an upstream chute portion adjacent the conveyor. The upstream chute portion is positioned within the reach of an operator who is stationed on the same side of the conveyer as the label dispenser, and a single operator can load both the hopper assembly and the label dispenser without moving from one side of the conveyor to the other. The hopper assembly also includes a literature escapement having a plurality of retaining members mounted on a pair of support elements. The retaining members engage a forward facing surface of a piece of literature and are arranged in spaced relationship to provide an opening through which the piece of literature is removable from the hopper assembly in the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventors: Harold B. Dinius, Jeffrey S. Fluharty, Donald R. Perryman
  • Patent number: 5752622
    Abstract: A light weight vertically disposed plastic storage and dispenser which can store and dispense both toilet paper and feminine protection articles such as tampons or napkins. Both dispensers are in the same housing which is mounted to a vertically supported base. Flexible support arms rotatably mounted the toilet paper roll above the feminine article dispenser. Upper and lower openings in the feminine article dispenser allow articles to be placed in it in the upper opening and dispensed one at a time by gravity feed from the lower opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventor: Lonna Abell
  • Patent number: 5702027
    Abstract: A bag dispensing device comprising an elongate, tubular housing defining open top and bottom ends. Extending between the top and bottom ends is a passage for receiving and storing a plurality of bags. Extending through the passage and from the open top and bottom ends of the housing is an elongate, flexible dispensing member. The dispensing member is configured such that when pulled from the bottom end of the housing, one of the bags stored within the passage is dispensed from the bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: Michael A. Barry
  • Patent number: 5678727
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: William W. Rice
  • Patent number: 5678728
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Maria Leto
  • Patent number: 5662204
    Abstract: A money operated gaming machine has a box-like housing and a door pivoted on one side wall and able to be locked to such housing, such door bearing on an outer side thereof game areas and a design characterizing the game. In the housing there is arranged a coin unit which consists at least of a coin inlet, a coin testing mechanism, coin distributing and guiding mechanism coin stack tubes and a coin paying out mechanism. At the side wall of the housing, located on the opening side of the door, rails are attached for a carriage holding a frame, which is provided with holding mechanisms for the individual modules constituted by the components of the coin unit. To facilitate simpler and clear installation and maintenance of the coin unit, at the inner side of the back wall of the frame a printed circuit board with U-shaped and knife-like limbs constituting contacts is held, which on insertion into the frame of a module provided with contact springs come into conducting contact with the contact springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: NSM Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm Menke, Borge Heidersberger
  • Patent number: 5647507
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles such as tickets and cards includes a cabinet and a plurality of article dispensing assemblies inside the cabinet. Each article dispensing assembly includes a base and a frame for enclosing the articles to be dispensed in a stack. The bases are mounted on a pair of vertical support plates. A gate is disposed behind each frame for receiving articles from its associated frame and allowing only one article at a time to pass through. A toothed blade is disposed underneath each frame and a motor driven rack and pinion is coupled to the toothed blade for bringing the toothed blade into engagement with the lowermost article in the stack, moving said toothed blade so that the lowermost article is transported from the stack into the gate, bringing the toothed blade out of engagement with the article and then moving the toothed blade back to engage the next article in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Algonquin Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazmier J. Kasper
  • Patent number: 5642836
    Abstract: A towel dispenser consisting of a single unitary molded piece and having a container with a front, a back, right and left sides, and a top, forming a box with an open bottom, arcuate slots in each side, and a bottom member joined to the back with a living hinge and having opposed tabs extending laterally for riding in the slots, and an access opening for passage of a towel from the interior of the container, with the bottom member moveable from an initial position out of the box to a dispensing position with the tabs in the slots for closing the bottom and supporting towels thereon, and to an upward loading position for insertion of towels upward into the box past the bottom member, with the bottom member returning to the dispensing position following insertion of towels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: Frank Merriweather, Jr.