Mechanical Release Or Separation Of Articles Patents (Class 221/289)
  • Publication number: 20040178218
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel form of medicament or of administration, embodied as a dosing stick containing at least one rod-shaped tablet for the individual dosage of active ingredients, said dosage being adapted to the treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Jurgen Schomakers, Andreas Grummel
  • Patent number: 6758370
    Abstract: A dispensing mechanism is provided for flat faced products. The products are supported in a storage chute between a first upright wall and a second upright wall, stacked one on top of another. The products are supported in the chute by a support surface and a first tongue. Products are dispensed by retracting the first tongue allowing a lowermost product to fall onto a second tongue. The first tongue is advanced to be under the next highermost product in the chute. The second tongue is then retracted allowing the lowermost product to fall onto the support surface and pass through a discharge opening. In a further embodiment, flat faced products are stacked vertically side-by-side on a slightly inclined floor. The products move horizontally to one side to be dispensed. A tongue and a moveable stop are mounted at that side. The spacing between the tongue and the stop is generally equal the thickness of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Imaging Technologies Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Cooke, Mark Grondman, Alan Jenkins, Gerry Mussett, Magnus Cameron, Gower Smith
  • Publication number: 20040124205
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing product from a vending machine. In the present invention, the gauging portion of a product dispensing mechanism in a vending machine can be easily configured to accommodate the depth and number of products being dispensed without adding or removing parts, as required by existing product dispensing mechanisms. The present invention provides a sliding gauge step that can be easily extended or retracted to create or eliminate a product gauge step. Thus, the present invention avoids the use of removable parts, which are required in existing vending machines, to configure product dispensing assemblies to vend an array of products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: THE VENDO COMPANY
    Inventor: Larry E. Hieb
  • Publication number: 20040118863
    Abstract: A dispensing unit (1) for dispensing game playing tokens, including a hopper section (2) for holding tokens, a dispenser section (3) arranged to selectively receive a predetermined number of tokens from the hopper section and a release mechanism (4) for dispensing the tokens from the dispensing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Alan Curtis
  • Publication number: 20040108330
    Abstract: An automatic dispensing tip supply apparatus includes a tip storing box whose bottom has a tapered surface having a tip collecting position in a lowermost part thereof to collect a plurality of inserted dispensing tips in one spot, a tip individually-sending mechanism which lifts up the collected dispensing tips one by one, an outlet to discharge the lifted dispensing tips from the tip storing box, a door mechanism including a door which is turnably supported to close the tip storing box from outside and a tip holding section which is provided on the inside of the door to horizontally hold one of the lifted dispensing tips, and a tip carry-out mechanism including a carry-out conveyor to automatically carry the dispensing tips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Teruaki Itoh
  • Publication number: 20040104239
    Abstract: A dispensing system for a vending machine includes a vend motor, a cradle, a load bar and a push arm. Upon selection of a particular product, the vend motor rotates the cradle, causing the product to emerge from the vending machine. The cradle is designed to accommodate a wide array of container sizes. The dispensing system incorporates a rotation sensor, a position sensor, and a lift arm. The sensors enable accurate rotation of the cradle through a plurality of vend angles depending upon the particular product being vended, while the lift arm cooperates with the push arm and load bar to refill the cradle after a series of product containers have been dispensed. In addition, the vend motor includes a soft start control that prevents instantaneous rotation of the output shaft so as to prolong an overall operational life of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Talbert James Black, Thomas Roger Meinardi, Edmund Scott Richardson, Terring M. Ware
  • Publication number: 20040104240
    Abstract: A unit for feeding cigarettes to a packer machine is equipped with a hopper containing a mass of cigarettes and a device serving to compensate the depletion of the mass as groups of cigarettes are removed from the hopper and directed into a plurality of boxes carried and transported by a conveyor. The compensating device is located internally of the hopper and comprises an articulated mechanism designed to create a movable wall, also a pair of lateral conveyors converging toward the articulated mechanism, its operation being coordinated with that of a further device by which the groups of cigarettes are removed from the hopper, in such a way as to vary the capacity of the hopper according to the volume of cigarettes removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Publication number: 20040104241
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a system comprising a housing having an upper end and a lower end. The housing carries a plurality of movable blades defining an entry aperture proximate to the upper end, an exit aperture proximate to the lower end, and a chamber there between. An adapter may be provided for connection to the housing and for receiving an article storage container. The upper end of the housing carries a sensor responsive to the presence and absence of the article storage container. A memory device carries information about the presence and absence of the article storage container. An article determining and actuating station has electronics for interrogating the memory device, for controlling the plurality of blades and for determining the number of items dispensed. A receptacle collects articles that have been dispensed. Methods of associating a flow control device with an article storage container and of dispensing items are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Brian Broussard, Monroe Milton, Michael A. Bergeron, Steven J. Remis, Joseph Popovich, John Volkar
  • Publication number: 20040094567
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a dispenser comprising (i) a container body (10), (ii) a storage region (12) which is disposed within the container body (10) and which in use contains a multiplicity of items (C) to be individually dispensed, (iii) a dispensing outlet (14), (iv) a passage between the storage region (12) and the dispensing outlet (14), (v) a valve member (38) disposed between said storage region (12) and said outlet (14) moveable between an open position and a closed position, (vi) a stop member (117) spaced from said valve member (38) so as to define a passage region (24) of a size to accommodate an item (C) to be dispensed, said stop member (117) being moveable into and out of a closed position in which it prevents passage of an item (C) through said passage region (24), and (vii) manually operable means (34) for moving said valve member (38) and said stop member (117).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Neil Pollock, Gary Sinclair, Paul Crossman, Andrian Caroen
  • Publication number: 20040074916
    Abstract: A device for rapidly counting and dispensing pills and capsules in blister packs or cards is provided. A movable plate with apertures, a sizing guide and a template fit inside a housing. The sizing guide has apertures corresponding to a particular size of pill or capsule, allowing the desired number of pills or capsules to be counted in a first section of the housing. When the excess pills or capsules are removed, the counted pills or capsules are transferred to the template containing a blister pack by moving the plate and placing its apertures in register with the sizing guide apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Robert N. Priebe, Terrance O. Noble
  • Publication number: 20040056042
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations are disclosed. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A container release assembly is positioned at the end of the vend queue to vend a container upon activation. The container release assembly acts on the first-in-line container to be vended and on the second-in-line container, by retaining the second-in-line container while the first is being released. The container release assembly acts on the containers from two opposite sides of the containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: James E. Skavnak
  • Patent number: 6705486
    Abstract: An arcade merchandise dispensing game delivers one or more visibly displayed articles from one of a plurality of pivotally mounted trays if a player causes a moving tripper to strike a portion of the tray so as to lift it far enough that one or more of the articles falls off the tray into a delivery chute. The strikable portion of the tray may be a tab that protrudes forward from the tray towards the player, where the width of the tab influences the probability of the tray's being struck. The tripper may be moved horizontally to and fro at a constant rate beneath the lowest of a number of rows of trays, and moved upwards in response to the player closing a momentary contact switch at an instant that the player believes is most likely to result in delivery of a desired one of the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Robert E. Noell
  • Publication number: 20040045977
    Abstract: A pill dispensing system includes a shelving unit in array form that holds a number of bulk containers, each holding a bulk amount of a pill to be dispensed. A computer controlled robot removes a selected bulk container and places it on a counter that also dispenses pills. The robot has an arm with a free end portion that can grip a bulk container or a single pill bottle to be filled. The robot is computer controlled to retrieve an empty pill bottle, place it on a label printing and applying unit, then place it next to the counter/dispenser to receive the selected number of selected prescription pills, then place the filled, labeled bottle on a conveyor. In an alternate embodiment, pill bottles are dispensed from a dispenser that holds bottles on inclined plates and feeds them to a vertical dispensing channel. Gates prevent the flow of bottles from an inclined position until the plate above has been emptied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. William, Galina Potepalov, Allan Dolores, Michael Bergeron
  • Patent number: 6688491
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlled dispensing of a plurality of objects, the apparatus comprising a housing and frame assembly, a track assembly comprising a pair of parallel spaced apart tracks shaped in a convoluted closed loop shape to optimize space and volume, and a plurality of tubes disposed within the track assembly and able to move within the tracks. A dispensing assembly has a pneumatic ram for ejecting an object placed in the tube, and an indexing assembly for advancing the tube after ejection of its object. A ratchet assembly permits one directional movement of the tubes and prevents tubes from moving backward to the dispensing assembly. At least one assist advancing assembly has a pneumatic ram for pushing the tubes within the track in one direction. Photosensors used in conjunction with a microprocessor controller enable the apparatus to detect low object load, speed and system error. A user display provides for control of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: PSI Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: David Edward Bliek, Grant Duane Beasley
  • Publication number: 20040007586
    Abstract: A product metering napkin dispenser includes a housing defining a storage magazine for receiving a stack of folded napkins and a metering member that penetrates the stack in order to segregate a predetermined number of napkins from the remainder of the stack for dispensing. Preferred embodiments include gravity feed napkin dispensers. In various embodiments the metering member may include: a pivoting plate cooperating with a hinged trap door support surface; a rotating semicircular disk co-rotating with a support disk; or a reciprocating jaw assembly urging napkins through an aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce T. Boone, Gregory D. Budz, Michael R. Kilgore, Jonathan R. Aumann, James B. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20030226852
    Abstract: The present invention intends to let the medicine fall regularly, by eliminating the static electricity charged on the medicine in the medicine case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicants: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.,, SANYO ELECTRIC BIOMEDICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koichi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20030201279
    Abstract: A muddler carrying-out device includes a muddler storing part for storing a plurality of stacked muddlers, and a muddler carrying-out part for carrying out the lowest muddler of the plurality of muddlers stored in the muddler storing part to a muddler takeout port. Further, the muddler carrying-out part operates below the second lowest muddler, and a distance of carrying out the muddler in the muddler carrying-out part is set at a distance of protruding a part of the lowest muddler from the muddler takeout port. When the lowest muddler is left without being pulled out at the time of carrying out the muddler, the lowest muddler moves over a distance of carrying out the muddler and the second lowest muddler is supported by the lowest muddler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20030146237
    Abstract: A dispenser of single-use portions of preparations for beverages, comprising a structure that supports at least one storage assembly for single-use portions provided with a discharge outlet for the discharge of the portions, at least one distribution assembly for the portions which is provided with an outlet for dispensing said portions and with a device for transferring the portions from the discharge outlet to the dispensing outlet, which are interposed between the storage assembly and the distribution assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Marc Robert Costa
  • Patent number: 6561380
    Abstract: A product delivery apparatus for a vending has a rotatable product delivery drum that includes a selling product supporting face disposed outside the rotation axis of the delivery drum and which is concaved in an arc form toward the rotation axis, and a next selling product supporting face which extends concetrically with respect to the rotation axis to support a product for next sale. A product passage has an enlarged-width section for permitting the passage of the product for sale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20030034356
    Abstract: A commissioning system (1) is provided with product storage compartments (2) vertically to horizontally disposed in a shelf, in which products are stacked. The product right at the bottom of such a stack of a selected product storage compartment can be ejected by a positionable ejector unit (4) in a direction transverse to the shelf. The inventive system is further characterized in that the shelf (5) is configured as a frame/component system, especially as a frame and plug-in modules system, which comprises modular elements. The shelf is variable in terms of height, width and/or length and can optionally be extended by adding modular elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Karl Freudelsperger
  • Patent number: 6508384
    Abstract: A paintball dispensing hopper has an insulating sidewall enclosing a paintball storage space with an open top. A hinged top cover moves between an open position providing access to the open top of the container for filling the storage space with paintballs, and a closed position sealing the open top of the container. All interior surfaces of the sidewall are curved in a manner for directing the paintballs toward a lower frontal dispensing tube. A dispensing valve is engaged with the dispensing tube for dispensing the paintballs by either rotation or linear motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventors: Andrew Tien, Jarvis D. Tien
  • Publication number: 20020195459
    Abstract: A device to automatically dispense solid medicinal units, such as pills, capsules, or the like, based upon patient needs. The medicinal units are stored in long, thin tubes. Each tube stores, in single-line, vertical fashion, a series of units of the same drug. The medicinal units, thusly stored, are efficiently dispensed from the bottom portion of the tube through a novel valve. In some embodiments, the valve is a permanent part of the tube; in others, the valve separates and re-connects to the tube to facilitate refilling of empty tubes at a drug refilling center. In still another embodiment, the valve comprises a thin wall molted elastic rubber tube sleeve mounted on the lower part of the plastic tube containing the medicinal units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Shlomo Greenwald, Zipora Greenwald
  • Publication number: 20020190077
    Abstract: A release mechanism for a vending machine includes a frame for supporting a plurality of hinged plates which are movable between article retention and dispensing positions. As the release mechanism is moved to the dispensing position, a sub-plate member of one of the plurality of plates projects into a dispensing path and abuts an article to be dispensed to force the article along the dispensing path. A pusher link is used to shift the sub-plate member, with the pusher link being adapted to extend through a central opening provided in a main plate member when the release mechanism assumes the article dispensing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Dixie-Narco, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Bowen
  • 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: 20020166870
    Abstract: The present invention relates to containers and their use in an automatic vending machine that vends articles of frozen confectionery. The vending machine includes an outer body, an outer door, and an environment-controlled chamber. The containers are of cylindrical, quasi-cylindrical or polyhedral shape to contain the frozen confectionery. The machine has an environment-controlled chamber maintained at about −18° C. and has insulating panels and an inner door, the machine being maintained by a refrigeration system and a defrost system. Within the chamber are vertical compartments for the storage of stacked containers, a dispensing device, and a discharge hopper leading to an outlet tray. In the outer door there are product selection and cash box mechanisms that monitors not only the amount or number of articles of frozen confectionery but also the amount of money inserted and dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Jesus San Martin, Miguel Ruano Del Campo, Eduardo Domenech Sendra, Jorge Bueno Ceresuela
  • Patent number: 6467648
    Abstract: A stopper which projects into the product passage to support the product to be sold, an ejector which projects into the product passage to support the product to be sold next immediately after the product to be sold, and control means for controlling the projection quantity into the product passage of the stopper and the ejector, wherein the control means, upon receipt of a sales instruction, allows the ejector to project into the product passage to support the product to be sold next, opens the stopper to deliver the product to be sold from the product passage to a sales port and closes the product passage with the stopper after the delivery of the sales product while supplying the product to be sold next by recessing the ejector. As a consequence, irrespective of the size and the configuration of the product to be sold, only the product to be sold can be delivered with certitude at the time of selling the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nishiyama, Yoshitake Yokota, Hideki Fujimoto, Hiroaki Usuki
  • Publication number: 20020139813
    Abstract: A product metering napkin dispenser includes a housing defining a storage magazine for receiving a stack of folded napkins and a metering member that penetrates the stack in order to segregate a predetermined number of napkins from the remainder of the stack for dispensing. Preferred embodiments include gravity feed napkin dispensers. In various embodiments the metering member may include: a pivoting plate cooperating with a hinged trap door support surface; a rotating semicircular disk co-rotating with a support disk; or a reciprocating jaw assembly urging napkins through an aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Bruce T. Boone, Gregory D. Budz, Michael R. Kilgore, Jonathan R. Aumann, James B. Christensen
  • Patent number: 6415953
    Abstract: A vending machine has a housing or casing supporting one or more interior shelves or trays upon which beverage containers can be placed in a position to be viewed by a customer through a window in the front of the machine. The window is located in a door on the front of the machine that is used to stock the machine with fresh product from the front. Product containers are urged toward a vending channel at the rear of the machine and away from the stocking door, thus assuring a first-in first-out movement of each product container to assure freshness. The containers can be urged toward the vending channel by a spring, by gravity (as by placing them on an inclined tray surface and allowing them to slide toward the vending channel at the rear of the machine), or by means of a conveyor, e.g., a vibratory or belt conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Vendtronics Inc
    Inventors: David P. O'Brien, Allen E. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20020070229
    Abstract: A housing has two side walls extend upwardly from a floor to define a channel extending between a primer inlet and a primer outlet. A lanyard clip is fastened to the side walls adjacent the primer inlet, compressing the clip releases it, allowing primers to be loaded through the primer inlet. A spring is riveted to the housing floor with a protruding spacer segment facing the primer inlet, and a restraint segment facing the outlet. Multiple primers are restrained between the spring spacer segment and the primer inlet, yet the spacer segment may be deflected by pushing a primer toward the primer outlet until it is positioned on the restraint segment, and presented for engagement on the primer holder of an in-line action muzzleloading rifle. Pulling the dispenser displaces the primer to move along and depress the restraint segment, and dispensing it. A floor cut-out acts as a decapper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Tedd D. Cash, David A. Butler
  • Patent number: 6371715
    Abstract: A predetermined number of IC (integrated circuit) packages are transferred from a first IC package tube to a second IC package tube. A chosen IC package track has dimensions that fit to dimensions of each of the IC packages. The first IC package tube is placed on a first end of the chosen IC package track, and the second IC package tube is placed on a second end of the chosen IC package track. A stopper gate and a singulator are disposed above the chosen IC package track between the first end and the second end of the chosen IC package track. The first IC package tube, the chosen IC package track, and the second IC package tube are tilted to a slant with the first IC package tube being disposed toward a top of the slant and with the second IC package tube being disposed toward a bottom of the slant such that the IC packages slide out from the first IC package tube, down along the chosen IC package track, and toward the second IC package tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Sa-nguan Boochakorn, Somboon Rungsawang, Watcharin Pinlam
  • Patent number: 6360901
    Abstract: A merchandising device is useful to display flanged bottles. The device includes an elongate track for supporting a row of flanged bottles such that the bottles in the row are suspended by their neck flanges for movement along the track and are removable from the track through the front end of the track. The track comprises a track body including a pair of opposed side walls extending along the track, and a pair of rail members detachably attached respectively to the side walls of the body to be disposed substantially parallel to each other. Each rail member comprises a connector panel extending alongside a respective one of the side walls and a supporting ledge joined to and extending along the panel. The ledges of the rail members project laterally of the panels toward each other and are disposed with a gap therebetween to receive in the gap the necks of the bottles such that the bottles are slidably engaged at the undersides of their neck flanges with the ledges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Display Industries, LLC.
    Inventor: Dennis E. Parham
  • Patent number: 6357624
    Abstract: A lid dispenser for storing and dispensing plastic drink lids. The dispenser has an elongated body within which the lids are stacked upside down and a dispensing slot in a sidewall facing a user. A gravity biased finger rides in a vertical trackway in a sidewall opposite the dispensing slot. The finger contacts the stack of drink lids, clamping the uppermost lid against the next-to-uppermost lid and tilting the uppermost lid at an angle towards the user. The uppermost lid can be grasped by the user and snapped through the dispensing slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Anthony P. Brown
  • Patent number: 6321936
    Abstract: A device in a vending machine for releasing products arranged in a stack made up of horizontal rows each including a plurality of products includes a containing structure (1, 2, 3, 4) inside which there are positioned the members (5, 6, 7) for selecting and releasing the products while the controlling and driving components are positioned outside, the selecting and releasing members including a plurality of doors (7) longitudinally aligned along the drop channel and means suitable to perform a sequential opening of said doors (7) and a subsequent closing thereof. This sequential opening allows to use the machine for dispensing different products without requiring a manual adjustment of the mechanical members which retain the products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Vendo Italy S.p.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Feltrin
  • Patent number: 6283324
    Abstract: In a coin dispensing apparatus having a plurality of magazines arranged one above another for storing rolls of coins, each magazine having a coin roll outlet at one end and an opposite rear end, said apparatus having a lifting conveyor having a plurality of hods which interact with the outlet of the magazine to receive coin rolls therefrom, said apparatus having a plurality of shelves for supporting the magazines in position with a spacing between them the same as the spacing of the hods along the lifting conveyor, each said shelf having an underside with a bracket attached thereto, each said shelf having an end nearest to the lifting conveyor, said apparatus having a dispensing outlet adapted to receive and dispense coin rolls transported thereto by the lifting conveyor, a lever attached to each shelf, said lever being geometrically arranged to automatically interrelate with a coin roll about to be fed from a magazine into an empty hod position, a coin roll waiting to be fed from the magazine immediately abo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: Stuart M. Jenkins, Derek Haynes
  • Patent number: 6230930
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations without dropping or subjecting the vended product to damaging impact forces are disclosed. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A robotic carriage assembly using rack and pinion assemblies moves in positive non-vibratory manner along an X-Y plane in the machine, captures the selected product from its queue and smoothly transports the product to a product delivery port conveniently located close to hip level. The carriage assembly uses unique product escapement and capture mechanisms to smoothly slide the related product from its queue into the carriage. Power door and safety lock features at the delivery port are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Cross-Given Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steven W. Sorensen, James E. Skavnak, Thomas F. Gotich, Scott Hudis, Joseph A. Lotspeich
  • Patent number: 6220450
    Abstract: A device to separate rubber stoppers that have adhered together, typically as a result of sterilization. The device contains a hopper, a pair of rollers and a mechanism to turn the rollers. The rollers are hexagonal-shaped and each face has a scalloped concavity. The adhering stoppers are gravity-fed into the rollers from the hopper, where they are compressed and a shearing force is applied to separate the adherent stoppers. The separated stoppers are then collected for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian N. Weeder, Gordon D. Deacon
  • Patent number: 6206237
    Abstract: A dispenser sequentially dispenses a plurality of containers. The dispenser includes a housing having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side, with an inlet and an outlet for the containers being disposed on its front. A passage is disposed within the housing and guides the containers from the inlet to the outlet. A receiving door is connected to the housing and is movable between a closed position covering the inlet and an open position allowing the containers to be inserted into the inlet. The receiving door includes a front face contoured to cooperate with the passage to guide the containers to a predetermined orientation upon insertion into the inlet. The passage is also canted toward one side of the housing to maintain the containers in the predetermined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Dillon, Gerard A. Furbershaw, Robert A. Howard, David W. Laituri, Adam K. McGinty, Brad Melmon, Robert C. Meyer, Miguel M. L. Praca, Arthur G. Sandoval, Jeffrey L. Smith, Dayne Wilcox
  • Patent number: 6145700
    Abstract: The present invention has a purpose to provide a drug dispensing apparatus realizing an effective large-scale operation for a limited installation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Takahashi, Manabu Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 6134775
    Abstract: A device for applying nailing plates to the ends of wooden ties includes a plate feeder for applying nailing plates to the generally vertically-oriented ends of a wooden tie horizontally disposed therein. The plate feeder includes a frame on each side for holding a nailing plate in a generally vertical orientation adjacent one of the ends of the wooden tie, a dispenser associated with each frame for dispensing nailing plates to the frame; and a piston on each side actuable to partially press a nailing plate held in the frame into the ends of the wooden tie. A tie feeder for conveys ties to the plate feeder. There is also a press for pressing nailing plates partially embedded in the ends of a wooden tie, into the ends of the wooden tie. A conveyor conveys wooden ties from the plate feeder to the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: MiTek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Adolfo Castillo
  • Patent number: 6112944
    Abstract: A ferrule delivery system for placing a ferrule in a desired position on a flat surface quickly and with ease is disclosed. The system includes an elongated shaft having a tapered end and a delivery end, ferrules loaded on the outer circumference of the shaft, and two sets of ball bearings and two O-rings attached to the shaft for retaining the ferrules on the shaft and for releasing a ferrule from the shaft as needed when a plunger slidably mounted within the shaft and extending outwardly from the delivery end of the shaft is depressed. The present invention also discloses a method for loading a plurality of ferrules onto the outer circumference of the shaft easily and without much effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventors: Craig M. Van Hoorn, Stephen R. Swartz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6112938
    Abstract: A bottle dispenser is configured for storing and dispensing bottles having a neck rim. The dispenser includes a substantially rectangular housing with a central opening formed therein. A bottle carrier lid is secured within the central opening and includes a sloped guide track configured for slidably supporting the neck rims of a plurality of bottles for storing and dispensing the bottles. The guide track is sufficiently sloped to advance bottles along the guide track automatically as bottles are dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William Patrick Apps
  • Patent number: 6112943
    Abstract: A vending machine for vending a plurality of bottles each of which are supported in an upright position only at a top portion of each of the bottles include a planar dispensing rack having a plurality of elongated slots therein for storing and dispensing bottles. The elongated slots each include a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls which are spaced apart a distance less than a diameter of the top portion of the bottle to be supported in the slots. The side walls of each of the slots terminate in an opening at one end of each of the slots which opening has a diameter larger than the diameter of the top portion of the bottles supported by the slots to enable bottles which move from the slot to the opening to drop through the opening from the planar dispensing rack to a dispensing station. A gating member is provided to control movement of the bottles from each of the slots to the opening to effect movement of a bottle from the dispensing rack to the dispensing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Vendcraft Inc
    Inventor: Thomas Lauer
  • Patent number: 6102855
    Abstract: A medical monitoring device, operating system, and method is provided for managing administration of medical treatment regimens for treating a patient's medical conditions. The device stores medication schedule data, treatment data, patient query data, and patient response data. The device includes a controller for controlling modes of operation of the device, controlling access of the memory, controlling display of the treatment data and the patient query data on a display, receiving and processing patient response data, tracking timing, and providing scheduled medication alarm signals. The device provides scheduled medication alarm signals that alert the user concerning prescribed medications due to be taken. The device further includes removable trays of varying capacities that provide flexibility regarding type and quantity of dispersed medications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Informedix, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Kehr, Evan Sohn, Davin Stowell, James E. Starnes, David Maurer, Dean Chapman, David Farrage
  • Patent number: 6098839
    Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus for storing and sequentially translating support articles. The assembly can be constructed, arranged, and adapted to be removeably positioned in operative relation to a support article labeling device. The assembly includes a sequencing mechanism and a housing containing the sequencing mechanism. The assembly can optionally include a preloaded removable magazine. The sequencing mechanism captures a stacked array of support articles and translates a lower-most positioned support article from the stacked array to the labeling device. The housing can also include at least one adjustable stop element. The adjustable stop element cooperates with the sequencing mechanism to prevent misregistration of the bottom-positioned support article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Triangle Biomedical Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack E. Hunnell
  • Patent number: 6098841
    Abstract: To securely take out only a commodity at an end of a commodity string stored in a commodity route, a commodity takeout unit of an automatic vending machine is provided with a pair of arms movable between the work position protruding into the commodity route and the retreat position retreating from the commodity route and a driving member for driving the arms with a time difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Katakai
  • Patent number: 6003577
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bead-inlaid picture by inputting a desired original image as a motif for a bead-inlaid picture by an image input device, dividing the inputted original image into each of pieces in a size equal with that of a bead, comparing numerical data for the hue and the brightness obtained for each of the pieces and numerical data for the hue and the brightness predetermined for each of the beads and replacing the numerical data for each of the pieces with a color code allocated to a bead having numerical data most approximate with the obtained data and outputting signals corresponding thereto by an image processing device, feeding beads allocated with color codes while dividing them on every color codes by a feeder, arranging the thus fed beads in accordance with the arranged sequence for each of the pieces in the original image by an actuator and, fusing the arranged beads on a glass plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Moritex Corporation
    Inventor: Yuhkoh Morito
  • Patent number: 5975795
    Abstract: An installation head is mounted on a vehicle and moves along and adjacent to a roadway as the vehicle moves along the roadway. The head has a loading station at the bottom of a vertical loading chamber and a slide that slides along a floor to move markers out of the loading station into a setting station. A setting ram forces markers down onto adhesive prepositioned on the roadway. A plurality of heads may be positioned on the vehicle and may form opposite rows for simultaneously installing markers on opposite sides of a traffic lane. An indexed marker that interlocks with adjacent markers to prevent tilting may be used to maximize the reliability of the system. Various types of delivery devices may be used to deliver markers to the loading station. These include a delivery platform or carrousel positioned above the loading chamber to deliver markers down into the loading chamber. They also include a collating tape that delivers markers into the loading chamber through a side opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Accrued, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Green
  • Patent number: 5971204
    Abstract: A bottle dispenser is configured for storing and dispensing bottles having a neck rim. The dispenser includes a substantially rectangular housing with a central opening formed therein. A bottle carrier lid is secured within the central opening and includes a sloped guide track configured for slidably supporting the neck rims of a plurality of bottles for storing and dispensing the bottles. The guide track is sufficiently sloped to advance bottles along the guide track automatically as bottles are dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William Patrick Apps
  • Patent number: 5957327
    Abstract: A merchandising device is designed for dispensing bottles each having an integrally formed annular neck flange. The device includes an elongate track for supporting a row of the bottles such that the bottles in the row are suspended by their neck flanges for movement along the track and are removable from the track through the front end of the track. The track includes a pair of side walls interconnected by a top wall to form a channel structure, and a C-shaped reinforcing flange provided at the front end of the track to increase the rigidity of the front end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Display Industries LLC
    Inventor: James Douglas Whiten
  • Patent number: 5947303
    Abstract: A consumer display and dispensing rack having a front and a back, and a container rail inclined downwardly and forwardly from the back to the front for supporting a series of bottles thereon is disclosed. The rail provides a spaced apart pair of support flanges for supporting a series of bottles adjacent their tops. Adjacent the front end of the rail, a control lever is pivotally mounted to intercept and engage the tops of bottles supported on the support flanges as they reach the front end of the rail to control removal of bottles from the rail and to control movement of succeeding bottles as they slide along the support flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: RHC/ Spacemaster Corporation
    Inventor: Claude J. Robolin