Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing cutlery may include a housing configured to contain a plurality of utensils for dispensing, a dispensing mechanism that includes at least one belt configured to be driven and separate a utensil from a stack of utensils, and at least one drive mechanism configured to drive the at least one belt. The dispenser may further include a receptacle configured to receive the utensil separated from the stack of utensils.

Abstract: A utensil dispenser that selectively dispenses a lowermost utensil from a stack of utensils. A main housing retains plural dispensing chambers. A selectively operable dispensing mechanism has a movable support structure, an actuated support structure, and an actuation structure retained by a manual actuator. First and second arms form the movable support structure with distal portions that are in proximity to support the lowermost utensil when in a first condition and that are separated when in a second condition. A shelf member retained by the actuator forms the actuated support structure to be selectively interposed between the lowermost and second lowermost utensil. An actuation structure, such as opposed ramp surfaces, is retained by the actuator to separate the first and second arms on actuation of the actuator. When the actuator is actuated, the stack of utensils, except for the lowermost utensil, is supported so that the lowermost utensil is dispensed.

Abstract: A lid dispenser receives a stack of drink cup lids within a housing tube, such that the frontmost lids extend through a front element opening and are retained by multiple pager assemblies, each of which has a frontwardly extending pager body post. The inside of the pager body has an engaging wall with an inclined surface directed radially inwardly. Flippers are pivoted to the posts and have wings which extend towards the front element, and have interior surfaces which are inclined radially outwardly. The flippers are biased radially inwardly, but are displaceable by a pressure applied axially towards the interior cavity. When adjusted so the pager body posts project radially over the front element opening, each pager body post inside wall is positioned to engage lids which extend from the front element opening, and direct them towards engagement with the pager flippers.

Abstract: A stacker (1) for storing a plurality of microplates each having a top surface side and a bottom surface side opposed to the top surface side, comprises a housing and a removal gate (13) for removing a microplate of the plurality of microplates out of the housing. The stacker (1) is arranged to accommodate the plurality of microplates inside the housing such that the top surface side of one microplate of the plurality of microplates abuts on the bottom surface side of an adjacent microplate of the plurality of microplates and such that the housing adjoins to the plurality of microplates. Using such a stacker 1, the plurality of microplates can be arranged and stored in a compact manner wherein the single microplates of the plurality of microplates can still selectively and efficiently be accessed.

Abstract: A device for moving articles between positions at time intervals. The device includes at least two gates disposed sequentially in the direction of travel of the article which can controllably be opened and closed. Upstream of each gate there is formed a temporary holding area for the article. The two gates (1; 2; 3; 4) are controllable by means of one single drive motor (8) or actuator. The two gates (1; 2; 3; 4) are each associated with one control element (5; 6) rotatable about a respective axis of rotation, and the drive motor or actuator (8) is adapted to move one actuating element (7) that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and which is common to the respective control elements (5; 6) of the two gates.

Abstract: An apparatus for precisely, detecting a tablet dropped in a last hopper so that packaging speed of tablets is increased and operation of a shutter and a sealer is precisely performed, is disclosed. The automatic medicine packaging machine includes a last hopper provided at the lower end of a hopper installed in a main frame, a shutter installed in the last hopper, and a shutter driving part for driving the shutter to open and close the last hopper, and the apparatus includes a dropping tablet detector installed in the last hopper to detect when the tablet is dropped into the last hopper and to input the detected information about the dropping tablet to the controller such that the moment when the shutter is opened is optimized.

Abstract: A candy dispenser includes a container defining a chamber adapted to hold a plurality of pieces of candy in a random fashion. The container has sides, a top, and a bottom which define the chamber. A dispensing tube extends along one side of the container. An opening in the container places the chamber in communication with the dispensing tube. The opening is sized to admit a piece of candy from the chamber to the dispensing tube. A leaf spring is mounted to the bottom of the container. The spring has a spring arm which closes the bottom of the dispensing tube and an upwardly extending finger on the spring arm which is received in the dispensing tube. A plunger associated with the dispenser moves the leaf spring from a relaxed state in which the spring finger is in the dispensing tube and closes the opening to a primed state in which the spring arm is urged away from the dispensing tube a distance sufficient for the spring finger to clear the opening to allow a piece of candy to enter the dispensing tube.

Abstract: The dispenser comprises a body forming a magazine for objects to be dispensed and terminated by a tubular neck defining a dispensing chamber suitable for receiving a determined number of objects to be dispensed on a first occasion, the number being equal to or greater than one, and a tubular head capable of sliding over the outside of the neck. When the head is pushed onto the neck by pressing the free end of the head down onto a reception surface, the free end of the neck resiliently deforms a shutter diaphragm so as to allow the objects to be dispensed to fall out onto the reception surface, while resilient tongues cut out in the wall of the neck serve to retain the next object. After pressure has been released, the resilience of the diaphragm gives rise to a reverse movement with the tongues releasing the objects to be dispensed during the following movement while the diaphragm closes in order to hold the objects in the dispensing chamber.

Abstract: Supplying and receiving devices for carriers, which carry substrates for semiconductors thereon, including a pair of carrier guides with an open space; carrier holding claws pivotally provided on the carrier guides so that the claws can hold a carrier; a carrier lifter which moves up and down between the carrier guides; and claw opening pieces provided on the carrier lifter. In the carrier supplying device, the carrier lifter moves up and when the claw opening pieces come into contact with the claws and open the claws. The lowermost carrier accommodated in the carrier guides is then released from the claws and placed on the carrier lifter so that the carrier is taken out of the carrier guides and the carrier immediately above the released carrier is held by the claws.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for first establishing an elongate vertical stack of pallets within a surrounding vertical frame on special supporting and dispensing apparatus and thereafter sequentially dispensing individual pallets from the low end of said stack to floor level for pick up by conventional, pallet handling fork trucks; methods of and apparatus for establishing, first, a plurality of axially aligned elongate vertical stacks of pallets mounted on special supporting and dispensing apparatus within a retaining, surrounding vertical frame and thereafter sequentially or simultaneously dispensing individual pallets from one or more of the axially aligned stacks of pallets for single or multiple pickup by the fork members of conventional pallet handling trucks.

Abstract: E-Z-T Golf Ball Dispenser is a device used by an individual on a practice tee or similar surface for the convenient placement of golf balls on a practice tee and the retrieval or pick-up of balls on and around a practice tee. The device allows for ease in carrying and is free-standing. The device allows for the storage of multiple golf balls due to the utilization of three (3) metal tubes in which golf balls are placed. By pressing a lever, a golf ball is released from storage to the lower horizontal portion of the device which is rounded and cut out in front to allow for the placement of the ball on a tee from above and the removal of the device from the tee by lowering the device thereby placing the ball on the tee and sliding the device away from the tee. Conversely, this device can also be used for the pick up of a single ball and placement on a tee thereby reducing the necessity of a golfer to bend over and pick up a ball.

Abstract: A dispensing machine for the dispensing and aligning of individual articles on a receiving surface is disclosed. The dispensing machine has clamping arms for holding the articles in a stationary position. Jaws are positioned adjacent the receiving surface. The clamping arms act to regulate the supply of articles such that only one article is dispensed at a time. The jaws allow the article to be dispensed onto the receiving surface and further acts to align the article in a precise location. The clamping arms and the jaws are operated by a slide member which causes the clamping arms to engage and disengage and also opens and closes the jaws.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for separating, orienting and positioning axes including at least one operational flat. The device includes a static chute equipped with a wide bottom opening closed by a drawer which is moved with a back and forth motion from a withdrawn position in which it unveils a narrow opening which is large enough to enable the fall of a single axis onto rolling blades which are extended by descending ramps bringing each axis onto two bearing-sliding blades. The bearing sliding blades cooperate with two push plates, as well as a trap borne by the drawer, to produce the roll of the axis in the desired direction, followed by the slide of that axis without rotation to a selected position.

Abstract: A high performance machine for selecting a variety of electronic components by at least two pickers movable along opposite sides of a row of magazines for delivery to a shuttle intersecting said row and which delivers each component to a conditioning means.

Abstract: A stencil printer has a vertical stack of frame-mounted stencils which are supported on one another. Laterally of the stack are arranged holding devices which engage the stencil which is second from the bottom so as to support the stack, while lifting devices are provided which lower the bottom stencil relative to the stack to a printing position and, subsequent to printing, raise it out of the printing position to an intermediate position in which it can be laterally withdrawn from the stack to be placed atop the same. The stack is then lowered by the height of one frame.

Abstract: The apparatus herein described is operative to dispense lines and rows of cups into a plurality of spaced receptacles of a tray, whereupon the tray is moved under successive portions of the apparatus or stations in order to add ice, fill and cup each of the cups in an efficient and regular sequence. The cup dispenser includes opposed recessed stripper bars to selectively strip off the lowermost cup in a stack upon operation of an associated slide mechanism. The ice dispenser includes variable volume chambers to permit a predetermined amount of ice to fall into each of the cups. The capper includes inclined chutes presenting a row of caps which catch on the rims of the cups and are pressed down as the tray is pulled through the capping device. The entire apparatus is designed to be easily disassembled for cleaning.

Abstract: A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus using high frequency vibrations and pressure for inserting an element into a body operates in conjunction with an automatic feed means which feeds such elements seriatim into a guide. The guide has an axial bore in which the resonator of the high frequency vibration apparatus operates. The guide accurately positions the element upon the body prior to such element being inserted into the body responsive to pressure and high frequency vibrations applied by the resonator.

Abstract: A matrix type storage unit including a series of upright storage units and a bottom loading, goods handling means.

Abstract: A case magazine and case stripper part of a case opening, loader sealer machine, including longitudinal case slide rails for supporting a vertical stack of unopened, horizontal, flat folded cases, pusher assemblies mounted on a carriage that is longitudinally reciprocated by an endless chain drive to remove the lowermost case from the stack and push the lowermost case forwardly along the slide rails as the carriage moves forwardly, vertical stack support brackets located adjacent the corners of the stack extending upwardly from adjacent the elevation of the slide rails, and being mounted to be selectively adjustably positioned longitudinally and transverse relative one another, and case lifter assemblies mounted on the stack support brackets for elevating that part of the stack that is located vertically above the slide rails more than a preselected distance, automatically allowing the elevated part of the stack to bear against that part of the stack still supported by the slide rails, and thereafter elevate