Abstract: An apparatus for storing a supply of cups or containers comprises a housing for maintaining the containers in a stacked, telescopically interfitted relationship. An open lower end of the housing has a resilient diaphragm extending there across with a lower face of the diaphragm having a hole therein to allow the lowermost container to be withdrawn while retaining the stack in the housing. The diaphragm has a peripheral flange which extends axially of the housing about the open lower end. A circumferentially continuous clamp sleeve is interference fitted over the peripheral flange of the diaphragm to clamp the flange in position. The clamp ring further includes a radially inward directed collar flange joined to the sleeve at the lower end thereof and extending in close engagement with the lower face thereof to locate the clamp ring on the housing and prevent the diaphragm from being deflected away from the bottom edge of the tubular side wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing a supply of cup-shaped elements such as containers in a stacked, telescopically interfitted relationship comprises a tubular housing with a resilient diaphragm across the lower end. The diaphragm has a center opening through which the lowermost container extends. The diaphragm acts to retain the stack in the housing while permitting the lowermost container to be withdrawn. In one form, the diaphragm comprises a unitary piece of resilient, elastomeric material with the diaphragm having a resistance to elongation in directions circumferentially of the opening which increases progressively radially outwardly of the opening. In another form, the diaphragm includes integral fingers which extend radially inward of the opening. The fingers each decrease in width and thickness in the radial inward direction and may include a transverse rib on their inner surface to engage the lowermost container in the stack.

Abstract: The apparatus stores and dispenses a plurality of disposable razors, the dispenser being affixable to a bathroom wall. The razors are initially loaded into the dispenser apparatus and retained therein by a pair of opposed support members, the support members extending inwardly from a pair of parallel sidewalls, the support members having a centrally disposed channel. The support members are sloped downwardly to facilitate gravitational loading of the individual razors. A flexible member is affixed to each of the support members. The dispenser apparatus has an open bottom, enabling the razors stored therewithin to be withdrawn in the same sequence that they are loaded thereinto. The opposed sidewalls of the dispenser apparatus are transparent, enabling the razors stored therewithin to be readily viewed. The dispenser apparatus also includes a razor holder mounted on the top thereof, to retain the razor currently being used.

Abstract: Storage container for button-shaped batteries with a minimum of one channel, which is dimensioned to fit the cross section of the battery and which has an entrance and an exit opening, a slide, which is located inside the channel and which is secured against being pushed out of the channel by means of limit stops at the entrance and exit openings, and locks which permit the passage of the button-shaped batteries only in the direction of the exit opening. The storage container serves to store new and used button-shaped batteries, with the latter being able to be inserted only into the entrance opening, while, at the same time a new button-shaped battery is dispensed at the exit opening. After all new batteries have been used up and the storage container is filled with used button-shaped batteries, the passage is blocked so that no further button-shaped batteries can be inserted.

Abstract: A pocket for releasably holding a round of ammunition includes a substantially flat base sheet member and a dispensing tube forming sheet member of flexible material secured to the base sheet member and defining an ammunition dispensing tube for permitting ammunition to pass therethrough. The ammunition dispensing tube has an ammunition loading end and an ammunition dispensing end. A closable flap is connected to the base sheet member proximate the loading end of the ammunition dispensing tube. A retainer for releasably retaining the ammunition within the ammunition dispensing tube is operatively associated with the tube proximate its dispensing end. The pocket is adapted to be connected to a vest, jacket, stand, etc.

Abstract: A device for holding a plurality of firearm cartridges having resilient portions to prevent movement, and therefore noise, of the firearm cartridges and having access openings to permit removal of a predetermined number of the firearm cartridges from a firearm cartridge removal section of the device and to permit the movement of the remaining firearm cartridges into the firearm cartridge removal section and wherein the resilient portions prevent movement, and therefore noise, of the remaining firearm cartridges.

Abstract: A quantity of disposable super absorbent pads of uniform size, stacked one upon the other, and packaged in a disposable tube. The purpose of the pads being the removal of fats from home cooked foods, through absorption into the bottom pad, thereby lowering the cholesterol content of the food. Means are provided to eject the soiled bottom pad.

Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing a number of disposable bowls comprising a disk shaped base with retaining arms and support members. Said retaining arms act to keep said disposable bowls horizontally aligned with said base and have bends at the top of each to hold said disposable bowls in the device. Said support members exert upward pressure on the underside of said disposable bowls thereby keeping said disposable bowls firmly nested against said bends at the top of each retaining arm.

Abstract: A cup dispenser for accommodating conically shaped cups of different diameters includes a discharge unit having multiple diaphragms. An outer diaphragm has a series of inwardly extending circumferentially spaced flat fingers for gripping the outer surface of the cup. An inner diaphragm is similarly constructed. The circumferentially spaced flat fingers of the inner diaphragm differ in length one from the other, all of the inner diaphragm fingers being shorter than the outer diaphragm fingers. Preferably, the inner diaphragm is constructed to provide a series of fingers having a first length arranged alternately with a series of fingers having a second, shorter length. The outer diaphragm fingers resiliently grip the outermost cup to require positive pulling of the cup from the dispenser. The inner diaphragm fingers engage the larger end of the stacked cups as the outermost cup is pulled therefrom, to retain the stack within a tubular cup support.

Abstract: Dispensing device for dispensing orthodontic O-rings wherein the O-rings are individually dispensed and are easily accessible.

Abstract: A case for holding and dispensing small components such as orthodontic O-rings. Most of the component is fictionally or otherwise retained within the case, and only a small component portion extends from the case to be accessible to and grasped by the tips of a plier-like extraction tool. The case prevents the tool tips from closing over the entire component which would require component repositioning before placement.

Abstract: A device is provided for automatically dispensing terminals for electric cables into the receptacle of a reception part. The device includes a tubular body containing the terminals, means for causing a relative movement of the body and of the reception part, and resilient grippers mounted on the body and resiliently urged so as to close a lower orifice of the body and thus retain the terminals. An abutment is provided integral with the reception part for causing the grippers to open when the body and the reception part are brought into contact.

Abstract: A cup dispenser for dispensing a stacked array of cups comprising housing for enclosing a plurality of cups arranged in a stack, three parallel rods extending inwardly of the housing parallel to the axis of the stack of cups disposed in surrounding relation to the stack. A spring urged pusher guided by rods engaging the stack of cups at the end of the stack opposite a discharge opening for urging the stack of cups toward the discharge opening. An adjustable ring assembly is providd for releasably restraining cups of different size, comprising a first apertured ring or panel and a second ring rotatably supported relative to the first ring or panel and slots therein, coactive with pins extending from finger members for moving the finger members inwardly and outwardly relative to the stack.

Abstract: A method of dispensing food and drug products in a tamper-proof manner includes sealing the products within a tamper-proof container at the manufacturing and/or packaging site and not opening the container until it reaches the retail destination at which point a tamper-proof dispensing unit is attached to the container so that individual products can be removed from the container but cannot be reinserted into the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pill dispensing device, and in particular to a device for dispensing birth control pills. The invention includes a multi-sided housing having a plurality of chambers disposed therein. Each chamber houses a plurality of pills which are dispensed one at a time through the opening of the housing by a dispensing device.

Abstract: A card-dispenser guard apparatus for a playing-card dealing shoe, the apparatus comprising a plate having an opening therethrough, the opening having disposed therein a flexible closure partable along a vertical axis thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible closure comprises a plurality of closely adjacent tensioned strands which extend from the perimeter of the opening and whose ends meet along a vertical axis of the opening essentially mid-way between the lateral sides of the opening to thereby provide right strands extending from the right perimeter and left strands extending from the left perimeter of the opening. The right and left strands extend at opposing downward angles as measured from a horizontal plane so that the angles and the ends of the right and left strands converge along the vertical axis.

Abstract: A lamination stack selector for supporting a vertical column of laminations in a chute and for selecting a stack of laminations having a predetermined height from the bottom of the column. The selector includes a plurality of support pins biased to a first, column-supporting position, wherein the support pins extend beneath and engage the bottom margin of the column, and movable to a second, column-releasing position, wherein all of the support pins are out of engagement with the bottom margin of the column. When a stack of laminations is to be selected from the lower end of the column, a lamination receptacle is elevated to a position beneath the column. As the lamination receptacle is moved into position to receive a stack of laminations, the support pins are pushed out of supporting engagement with the column by posts moving with the receptacle. The support for the column is thus removed and the column lowers into the receptacle. Thereafter, the receptacle may be lowered.

Abstract: A label magazine comprising a tray for supporting a stack of labels and having a device at one end for yieldingly urging the labels toward the other end of the tray and a plurality of circumferentially spaced spring fingers positioned at the other end of the tray about the labels, each finger including an axially extending portion and an inwardly extending portion engaging the outermost label of the stack. Each finger is mounted so that it can be adjusted to move the finger inwardly of the label and accomodate variations in the size of the labels.

Abstract: A feeder dispenser for cotton swabs and other narrow elongate consumer items embodies a flexibly lipped discharge port which is open to a restricted mid-portion of the lowermost of a group of gravity-fed items, for individual extraction, by the use of thumb and forefinger, against a mild, resilient resistance.

Abstract: A game chip storage and dispensing device having telescopically slidable inner and outer sleeves. First and second sets of flexible and resilient fingers on the lower end of the inner sleeve have inwardly extending lateral protrusions on their lower ends for engaging respectively beneath the lowermost chip in a stack of chips in the inner sleeve and the next chip above. When the outer sleeve is moved down along the inner sleeve, the first fingers release the lowermost chip and the second fingers hold the next chip above. When the outer sleeve moves back up, the second fingers release the next chip to drop onto the lateral protrusions of the first fingers.

Abstract: A dispensing port in a wall of a container 10 for dispensing perforated sheets. The dispensing port comprises three slots 62 generally extending radially from a central opening 61 of the dispensing port to form three flexible, triangular flaps 56, the apex 58 of each flap 56 being rounded. The flaps 56 apply tension to a leading sheet being pulled through the slots 62 to cause the leading sheet to be separated from the next sheet at the perforations while leaving a tip 75 of the next sheet projecting through the dispensing port.

Abstract: An ice cream cone dispenser for dispensing cones from a carton thereof containing columns of nested cones. The dispenser comprises a stand support of L-shaped configuration having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. A rectangular stand chamber, open at its top and bottom, is removably mounted at the upper end of the vertical portion of the stand support, overlying the horizontal stand support portion. A removable crumb tray is mounted on the stand support horizontal portion beneath the stand chamber. A rectangular carton adapter, open at its top and bottom, is so sized as to be mountable within the stand chamber and to just nicely receive and support the open bottom end of a cone carton. The carton adapter, at its open bottom end, supports a horizontal dispensing baffle. The dispensing baffle has a cutout therein for each column of nested cones in the cone carton.

Abstract: A dispenser package for holding a stack of nested tapered disposable cups and dispensing them individually. The dispenser package has a generally circular opening in the top wall through which the bottoms of the tapered cups protrude; surrounded by a series of arcuate dispensing jaws interconnected with straight sided segments forming yieldable segments around the periphery of the opening which permit the topmost protruding cup to be pulled through the opening, but which function to restrain the cups immediately below. Slits or knife cuts in the top wall of the dispenser package extend from the opening in the top wall to each of the sidewalls at the mid point of each sidewall to permit loading a stack of cups through the top opening of the dispenser package without tearing of the top wall.

Abstract: A dispenser package for holding a stack of nested tapered disposable cups and dispensing them individually. The dispenser package has a generally circular opening in the top wall through which the bottoms of the tapered cups protrude; the opening is surrounded by a series of short radial slits or knife cuts defining a series of yieldable tabs around the periphery of the opening which permit the topmost protruding cup to be pulled through the opening, but which function to restrain the remaining cups in the stack. Additional slits or knife cuts in the top wall of the dispenser package extend from the opening in the top wall to each of the sidewalls at a point near each sidewall to permit loading a stack of cups through the top opening of the dispenser package without tearing of the top wall.

Abstract: A tablet dispenser is disclosed having an elongate hand-held core with a plurality of cavities adapted to contain tablets. A sheath is mounted to the core for slideable movement from a position covering all the cavities to another position uncovering all the cavities. A detent mechanism is employed between the sheath and the core for interrupting the sliding movement after each of the cavities has been uncovered. For spatially orienting the tablet dispenser, and without the need to look at it, distinct physical touch indicia is fixed to the dispenser in lengthwise alignment with the tablet cavities.

Abstract: A container chute according to the present invention utilizes movable portions which are normally biased to the closed position but may be moved outwardly to facilitate insertion of a stack of nested containers into the container chute. The container chute is normally used in automated packaging machines which use preformed nested containers. This approach simplifies the container loading operation giving the operator additional time for other responsibilities.

Abstract: An applicator tool for dispensing and clamping individual loops in an orthodontic loop chain which is composed of a series of elastomeric loops connected by breakaway isthmuses. The tool includes a pair of loop-gripping tips adapted for clamping an end loop in the chain in a manner permitting the clamped loop to be placed on an orthodontic tooth appliance, to secure an archwire thereto. A constriction zone formed in the tool, adjacent the loop-gripping tips, functions to restrain the chain at positions where successive end loops are placed for clamping between the tool tips. The chain is advanced in the tool, in a loop-by-loop manner, by exerting a force on the chain in a downstream direction, to pull a restrained chain loop through the constriction zone by reversible loop elongation. The force required to advance the chain by one loop is less than that required to break an isthmus in the chain.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying, retrieving and delivering play balls comprising at least one container for receiving one or more balls, each container being open at each end, and having a multiplicity of elastic deformable protrusions at its uppermost portion which are sufficiently deformable to permit entry of the play balls in the container, and a base means adapted to support said at least one container in a upright manner, said base means having a tray means at the bottom portion of said container for supporting said balls and permitting removal of a ball from each container.

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

Abstract: A horizontal cone dispenser adapted for dispensing fragile edible-type cones in which the stack of cones is supported in a horizontal stack tray for lengthwise movement toward a dispensing outlet having resilient cone retaining fingers for engaging the outer wall of the end cone in the stack to releasably retain end cone. The stack of cones is advanced toward the dispensing outlet by a follower that is urged horizontally toward the dispensing outlet with a low substantially constant-force provided by the coiled band constant-force springs. The stack tray is mounted in a horizontal drawer which can be pulled out to facilitate loading of the stack of cones.

Abstract: An article holder and dispenser including a vertically extending elongate hollow container especially suitable for storing and dispensing a stack of nested articles such as ice-cream cones, cups and the like is disclosed herein along with a particular article release arrangement at the discharge end of the container. This arrangement utilizes a plurality of article retaining elements having upper gripping portions and lower supporting portions, the latter being adapted to engage the lowermost article in the stack for releasably retaining the engaged article and the rest of the stack within the container.

Abstract: A ball holder and dispenser utilizes a substantially hollow cylindrical rigid container, having both ends open. Each open end is configured to resist the injection or exiting of the balls, otherwise capable of being stored therewithin. The mechanism is provided with an elongated slot extending along a portion of the exterior surface of the cylinder, facilitating the injection of the lowermost ball by passing such lowermost ball through an overcomeable retaining mechanism. The balls may be retained in preferred locations within the cylinder prior to ejection. The cylinder is provided with means for removably attaching the cylinder to portions of the users clothing, thereby permitting the apparatus to be carried by the user during the playing of games involving the use of one or more balls stored within the container.

Abstract: An article holder and dispenser assembly including an elongate hollow container especially suitable for storing and dispensing nested articles such as ice cream cones, cups and the like is disclosed herein along with a particular arrangement including article retaining members for releasably retaining articles of different sizes at the discharge end of the container. The overall assembly, as disclosed, also includes a retainer locking ring removably positioned within the hollow container and cooperating with the article retaining members for preventing the latter from allowing the articles, once dispensed, from being reinserted back into the container through the discharge end.

Abstract: A holder for tennis balls which can be worn on the person playing tennis by attachment to a garment having a cage to retain the ball, the cage having a top opening for receiving and restraining the ball from escape at the top and having resilient retaining fingers that restrain the ball at the bottom but which allow the ball to be pushed out when needed by thumb pressure of one hand at the top of the ball, the fingers of the same hand receiving the ball so that it may be put in play.

Abstract: A dispenser for welding electrodes is disclosed. The dispenser comprises a tubular casing having a first internal elongate tubular cavity for storage of a plurality of the welding electrodes for dispensing one at a time therefrom. A top end closure has an axial opening dimensioned to permit the passage of one only of the electrodes from the cavity upon manual actuation of an axially-reciprocal pusher rod engaging the lower end of the electrode. The axial opening is provided with a friction grip disc which normally closes the opening, permits the passage of an electrode therethrough but exerts a friction grip on a stationary partly-dispensed electrode to prevent the same from returning to the cavity.

Abstract: An article holder and dispenser including an elongate hollow container especially suitable for storing and dispensing nested articles such as ice cream cones, cups and the like is disclosed herein along with a particular arrangement for releasably retaining articles of different sizes at the discharge end of the container. This arrangement utilizes a plurality of article retaining elements having resilient but wear resistent article retaining segments located within the hollow container adjacent its discharge opening for establishing the effective size of the opening and for releasably retaining the articles to be dispensed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cup dispenser which employs a cam actuated cup accommodating and release assembly. A cam ring employs four cam surfaces about the periphery thereof. Each cam surface is associated with a flexible rocker arm. The cam ring is rotatably mounted within a dispenser housing and upon rotation of the ring by means of an associated lever, the rocker arms are moved inwardly or outwardly according to the diameter and dimensions of a cup to be accommodated. The position of the cam ring in regard to the rocker arm is predetermined according to fixed graduations associated with the lever mechanism. The rocker arms have a unique surface configuration which coacts with the cups to enable the top most cup to be withdrawn, while simultaneously exerting a counter force on succeeding cups within the stack. The force is in a direction to retain these cups within the housing, thus facilitating the removal of one cup at a time.

Abstract: A can dispensing package comprises an axially collapsible cylindrical sleeve for storing a stack of nested, disposable cups. The sleeve comprises at least a pair of bands at its opposite end portions, axially extending, uniformly circumferentially spaced slits between the bands that define axially extending strips provided with circumferential cut scores, and a detent for one of the bands frictionally engaging the rim of a partially extending cup to retain the latter prior to its forcible removal. The strips fold radially outwardly then downwardly about their cut scores and transverse sections thereof in response to axially applied compressive force on the sleeve, by the user, as the cups are removed, thereby presenting a fully extended frictionally retained cup for dispensing until such time the cup supply is exhausted.

Abstract: A disposable single-service cup dispenser carton is disclosed. The carton is fabricated from a blank of flexible sheet material which is pre-cut and scored to define panel enclosure portion to permit the blank to be folded and erected into a tubular carton which can be collapsed during shipping and which can be folded when erected to enclose a stack of nested cups. The carton includes a dispensing panel connected intermediate side panels having pre-cut portions and perforations which delineate a tear line forming the boundary of a dispensing opening. The portion of the end panel circumscribed by the tear line is removable to permit the withdrawal of a cup from a nested stack of cups enclosed by the carton. The dispensing opening is characterized by a substantially circular edge interrupted by a plurality of radially projecting tabs which are circumferentially spaced relative to each other around the periphery of the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A board-type game apparatus designed around the theme of a mythical man-animal known as "Big Foot" includes, in combination, a game board having a relatively large playing surface with a plurality of spaced apart playing piece stations or spaces thereon positioned at intervals along a travel path. One of the play spaces is designated as "Big Foot Home". A plurality of relatively small playing pieces are adapted for movement over the playing surface between the spaces along the travel path. One of the playing pieces is formed to resemble the mythical character "Big Foot" and includes a hollow base for containing a plurality of disks adapted to be removably contained in vertically stacked relation therein. Some of the disks have distinguishing indicia on one face, such as a foot print of "Big Foot" and some are plain. The disks are loaded in the hollow base in random order.

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

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

Abstract: A dispenser for conical articles such as ice cream cones and the like in which a plurality of tubular columns are arranged above an open-fronted enclosure, with container restraining means arranged at the base of each column, permitting a portion of each container to extend through the retaining means into the open-fronted enclosure from which the container may be grasped and drawn downwardly through the restraining means, and removed from the enclosure, and in which the storage columns are provided with means extending between adjacent said storage columns to provide mutual support between adjacent columns, and in which the columns are mounted on an upper mounting plate having holes therein registering with the base of a respective column, the upper mounting plate being attached to the top of the open-sided enclosure, and with the restraining means being sandwiched between the said top of said enclosure and said upper mounting plate whereby to partially obstruct each of said holes in said upper mounting plat

Abstract: For distributing annular workpieces onto a plate provided with a plurality of bolts protruding from the plate surface, each to hold and arrest a correctly positioned workpiece, there is provided a magazine which accommodates a plurality of workpieces in contact with one another at their peripheral surfaces, the magazine being inclined at an angle with respect to the plate surface, being relatively displaceable in the direction of its inclination parallel to the plate surface, and being provided at its lower end with a resilient holding device for the individual release of one workpiece at a time.

Abstract: A cylindrical, vertically-extending container having an interior, spring-pressed pressure head is adapted resiliently to constrain inverted stacks of paper cups upwardly against a plurality of radially-inwardly-extending, downwardly-directed, arcuate leaf springs, the upper ends of which springs are secured against upper end portions of the container in peripherally-spaced relation, and the lower ends of which springs extend through side openings in the container for free movement therethrough upon flexure thereof, thereby permitting manual withdrawal, one at a time, of stacked cups.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cuboid cassette having channels extending one above the other for receiving yarn reels in a yarn-dispensing device. At least a pair of said cassettes are arranged side-by-side and assembled together by cooperating tongue and groove formations in their respective opposed side walls. Upright side projections at the front of each cassette define upright channels receiving a color strip to retain the cassettes against relative longitudinal movement.

Abstract: Apparatus permitting of a storage and removal of profiled members, such as rods, tubes or the like, in which at least two spaced apart parallel comb-like holders are provided, which have vertical comb tooth spaces which are aligned with each other and have a width which is substantially as large as the width of the profiled members in storage so that the same are individually vertically stacked with central symmetry. The holders are combined in blocks in which the aligned comb tooth spaces have the same width or different widths to enable a holding of profiled members having equal or different widths.

Abstract: Dispensing devices employed in a bulk package of substantially wet sheets include a substantially flat section having an opening through which successive sheets are adapted to be individually dispensed. The opening includes curved surfaces which are substantially free of sharp angles and bends to provide spaced lobes. Hingedly connected flexible flaps are normally disposed within the spaced lobes in substantially the same plane as the flat section, and the flaps have substantially curved outer margins which are closely positioned to curved surfaces providing the lobes to form restricting channels into which successive sheets are directed during sheet dispensing. Bulk packages including the above-described dispensing device also form a part of this invention.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to receive, orient, and store a plurality of visible markers and to dispense said markers individually in a predetermined location under the control of a user. In one form, the apparatus comprises an upper portion having an enlarged, marker-receiving open end and sidewalls tapering downwardly therefrom, and a body joined to said sidewalls of said upper portion. The body portion is cylindrical and includes a marker inlet opening, a marker dispensing opening and a main body portion between the openings. A plurality of chips or markers are stacked in the body, and a reduced diameter rib or spring disposed within the body portion engages and supports the lowermost marker in the stack of markers. The lower part of the body deflects radially outwardly in response to an axial force to permit passage of a marker past the support and through said discharge opening, permitting an individual marker to be dispensed each time an axial force is applied to the support.