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.

Abstract: A piece of apparatus for dispensing refrigerating elements enabling consumers to make sure that the cold chain is not broken when buying fresh and frozen food. The apparatus (101) for dispensing refrigerating elements (11) comprises a housing (102) in which is provided an outlet (104) in an upper zone (129) thereof making it possible to insert a refrigerating element (11) to be recycled and an outlet (105) provided in a lower zone (128) of the housing (102) making it possible to dispense a refrigerating element loaded with negative calories, and at least one refrigerated storage unit (107) provided with a helicoidal storage and guide rail (108) extending substantially between the two zones (128, 129) so that the refrigerating elements (11) move toward the lower zone during storage. A cleaning device (112) for cleaning the refrigerating elements (11) to be recycled is provided and comprises rotating brushes (113) which drive said elements from the inlet (104) to the storage unit (107).

Abstract: A lid dispenser for round plastic lids of the type normally used on plastic take-out cups for coffee, soft drinks, and the like in convenience stores is in the form of a sanitized tubular container. The lids are stored inside a protective housing. A cap that snaps down on the top of the housing completely seals off the upper end. The bottom end of the housing is open. The plastic lids hang on a center stainless steel rod passed through the straw openings in the lids. The lids can be retrieved one at a time by grasping a lid through a finger opening and pulling the lid from the opened bottom of the dispenser.

Abstract: A method of dispensing ferrules onto a work surface without requiring bend motion of the workman. The method utilizes a dispenser which is loaded from the top using a stack of nested ferrules on a retainer which is easily removable to free the ferrules in the dispenser. The dispenser has means for returning the ferrules in the applicator while releasing only the lowermost ferrule. A new universal ferrule is disclosed which allows only one adapter to be required for the stud welding tool. A portable cart can hold an applicator, a box of ferrule clips and means for disposing of the used clips is provided for wheeling the entire unit to and along the work area.

Abstract: Dispensing member (200) having a guide rail (202) for dispensing an individual bag holder from a nested stack. Dispensing member (200) having a plurality of curves (208, 210, and 207) which cause a spreading or fanning out enabling bag holders (40) to be removed one by one at outfeed station (206). Bag holders (40) are loaded in clips (230) which are bound together by breakable retaining strip (232) and fed onto guide rail (202). The action of said clip (230) being pushed around curve (208) of dispensing member (200) breaks retaining strip (232), thus facilitating loading. A nib (209) prevents individual bag holders (40) from inadvertently becoming detached from dispensing member (200).In the preferred embodiment, dispensing member (200) having curves (208, 210, and 207) which cause the nested stack of bag holders (40) to fan out at their unsupported ends.

Abstract: A feeder system for sequentially supplying a plurality of cuvettes or other objects to a conveyor track. The system includes a cassette, an escapement, and an actuator. The cassette retains the objects/cuvettes in at least one substantially vertical stack over the conveyor. The escapement is movable between a first position in which the escapement supports the bottom object in the stack, a second middle position in which the escapement supports both the bottom object and the object above it and a third position in which the escapement continues to support the object in said stack above the bottom object and releases the bottom object to be deposited on the conveyor. The actuator moves the escapement between the first, second and third positions. Novel apparatus for use in the system, including a stick for loading cuvettes into a cassette and a cuvette particularly adapted for stacking, are also provided.

Abstract: A device for vending articles includes a stack of separator panels, each of which supports a product package, positioned in a storage bin. The bin has separator panel support tabs extending into the bottom thereof, and a pivot plate containing a panel-dislodging detent is located at the bin's bottom. The lowermost panel is dislodged from the support tabs by rotation of a pin forming part of an associated coin mechanism after proper coinage has been inserted into the mechanism and its operating handle has been turned. The pin forces the plate to pivot, causing its detent to press against the separator panel, thereby dislodging the panel from the support tabs, together with its product package. Once dislodged, the separator panel falls from the device, together with the vended article, the article proceeding to an area accessible to the purchaser, and the separator panel being retained on a hanger attached to the bin.

Abstract: An arrangement for the accommodation and sales display of essentially rectangular articles, preferably razor blade units, of wet razors, packed in dispensers. The arrangement comprises a sales dispensing unit for individually dispensing the articles. The unit comprises a housing having a front side, two side walls, and a bottom. The front side is provided with a withdrawal arrangement in the form of a slot-like opening that is disposed in the vicinity of the bottom of the housing. Each of the side walls is provided in the vicinity of the bottom of the housing with a respective recessed portion that cooperates with the slot-like opening of the front side. The articles are disposed in the housing in at least one row.

Abstract: This invention relates to novelties and in particular to a hand-held, candy holding/dispensing device designed to hold multiple pieces of candy in a housing. The self-contained candies are loaded in the housing at the factory and can be replaced by the consumer by removing the bottom base or inserting through the top one at a time. The housing has an open end at the top with a perforated plastic shield through which a shaft extends from the bottom of the housing through the top of the housing and is secured into place by a threaded cap at the bottom of the housing. Each piece of candy has a hole through the center to conform to a flexible locking system fixed at the top of the shaft and is loaded onto the top of the shaft by unscrewing the threaded cap at the bottom of the shaft and pulling down until the top of the shaft and the flexible locking system is locked inside the topmost piece of candy.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated key dispenser system that permits keys to be randomly loaded and stored on individual keyholders in horizontal and vertical arrays, as well as in a number of planes, while dispensing keys to a single accessible location. An exemplary system comprises one or more racks containing solenoid-operated pins arranged in columns and rows. The racks may be arranged side-by-side, one on top of another, or stacked in parallel planes. Awning-shaped covers over the pins prevent tampering and dislodgement of keys. The keys which are released when pins are withdrawn by the solenoids are directed by the awning-shaped covers to a chute which in turn directs them to an accessible opening or receptacle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading fastener collars of the lockbolt variety into a tubular magazine associated with a fastener collar-feeding apparatus. Collars are stacked on an elongated flexible mandrel, after which the mandrel-collar assembly is inserted as a unit into the tubular magazine. The mandrel is then pulled out of the magazine while deforming a collar retainer provided on the mandrel thereby releasing the collars from the mandrel and leaving the collars loaded in place within the magazine.

Abstract: In a package designed to be readily loaded into a magazine, stacked roofing washers are collated by means of an elongate, flexible, polymeric strap extending through central apertures of the washers. Near each end of the strap, the strap is formed with a formation, such as, for example, an overhand knot, which is capable of supporting the washers if the package is suspended from the other end of the strap. One such formation is capable of being deformed sufficiently so as to permit it to be forcibly pulled through the washer apertures. A related method of loading such washers into the magazine and a related method of packaging such washers are disclosed. Each such method involves the package noted above.

Abstract: An insertion tool to be interfaced with a turret-type punch press, or the like, to insert fasteners, such as captive or clinch nuts, into holes in a sheet metal workpiece. The tool includes a canister assembly having a plurality of guide rods on which the captive nuts are stacked. The nuts are loaded from the guide rods into respective holes in a rotatable planetary gear of the canister assembly so that successive ones of said nuts can be axially aligned with an exit opening of the canister assembly to be forcibly ejected therethrough by a punch assembly. The punch assembly and planetary gear are moved relative to the exit opening by a reciprocating cam enclosure which is connected to the punch assembly and to which an impact force is applied from the press. The reciprocating movement of the cam enclosure is transferred to the planetary gear to rotate said gear by way of a motion translating assembly including a rotatable cam that is coupled to and rotated by said cam enclosure.

Abstract: A safety blade magazine for storing, transporting and dispensing individually a large number of single edge safety blades. The magazine is essentially an elongated rectangular box having an opening or slot at the base of one wall and a thumb shaped recess along the bottom wall for dispensing a single blade at a time out of the slot in the bottom of the box. The magazine also includes an elongated spindle centrally disposed from its top to within one blade width of the dispensing slot in length, the spindle capable of holding one hundred razor blades through the blade apertures in the center of the single edge blades. A small magnet is disposed on the outside wall just above the dispensing slot which acts to stabilize the blades in the magazine and also to assist in dispensing whenever the thumb actuated recess to manually dispense the blades is utilized. Finally the magnet serves to temporarily hold a blade that has already been dispensed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hog ring clamping device such as a C ring clamping device. In the hog ring clamping device of the invention, a knock pin is mounted to a movable member of a jaw driving unit, a pivotable member is mounted to a hog ring clamping device body, the pivotable member is pushed against the knock pin by means of spring, a feed member is mounted to the pivotable member so that it can come into contact with hog rings engaged with a magazine, and a presser wheel is mounted to the hog ring clamping device body through a unidirectional rotating unit so as to be in contact with the hog rings engaged with the magazine.

Abstract: An elongate, flexible storing or magazine element serves to receive at its outside ring travellers to be used in spinning or twisting machines. The storing element comprises a profiled strip composed of a retaining member and a back or spine member. The retaining member is positioned within the internal space of the ring travellers and the leg portions of the ring travellers are clamped at the retaining member. The back member is wider than the retaining member; it is positioned outside the ring travellers and serves as an abutment or stop for the leg portions of the ring travellers. This storing or magazine element permits each ring traveller to be individually retained and independently of the preceding and subsequent state and the number of ring travellers stored on the profiled strip.

Abstract: A rod magazine for electrical and/or electronic components, more particularly for air coils, comprising a rod-shaped holder comprising a magazine chamber of U-shaped cross-section and a component support needle cantilevered from the holder at one needle end and extending freely through the magazine chamber throughout its length.

Abstract: The invented anti-contamination orthodontic device dispenser includes a container for housing orthodontic devices, an aperture in the container through with the devices are dispensed, and a guide structure which directs the devices to the aperture for dispensing. The dispenser is gravity and friction controlled so that when one device is dispensed, the next device is presented and ready for dispensing. The container and guide structure are constructed so that the devices are stacked on top of each other and touching because of gravity. Each device has a tooth on its upper surface and ridges on its lower surface. When a device is dispensed, its tooth contacts the ridges on the device immediately above it creating friction which positions the next device for dispensing. The invented dispenser is particularly effective for dispensing orthodontic O-rings mounted on a carrier or stick.

Abstract: A ring dispenser comprising a rotating rod having an acme thread along one portion thereof and a helical coil spring at a dispensing end thereof feeds individual rings to a ring transfer device located at the dispensing end of the rod. The rod is rotated by a motor and the rings are automatically separated and directed to the end of the rod where a sensor detects the presence of the ring and stops the motor. When the ring transfer device is ready to pick up a ring, the motor starts again and a ring slides off a conical tip of the rod onto the transfer device by rotation of the rod. The rings have diameters greater than the separation between the individual threads of the rod so that the rings move on the crests of the threads and are out of engagement with the thread roots. The spacings between the convolutions of the coil spring are greater than the thickness of the rings so that the rings move on the rod surface as the rings approach the dispensing end of the rod.

Abstract: Apparatus for singularizing garment hangers in a plant wherein the hooks of garment hangers are slidable along a downwardly sloping ramp has a stop with a tooth extending upwardly from an intermediate portion of the ramp. The tooth has a substantially vertical arresting flank confronting the oncoming hooks, and a downwardly sloping second flank defining with the arresting flank an apex at a level above the topmost portion of the hook which is arrested by the tooth. An elevator, which is movable up and down by a fluid-operated motor, has a leg which is reciprocable adjacent the stop upstream of the arresting flank to lift the foremost arrested hook to a level above the apex so that the lifted hook can ride over the tooth and descends onto the ramp below the stop. The leg of the elevator has a top land which slopes downwardly and is flush with the second flank of the tooth in the upper position of the elevator to facilitate downward movement of the lifted hook. The effective width of the top land is between 0.

Abstract: A disk operated mechanism having two pivotable members spaced apart by an amount less than the diameter of the disk. A lever extends from one pivotable member. Co-operable stops on each pivotable member restrict pivoting of the members when the lever is moved, thus restricting further movement of the lever. The arrangement ensures that a disk placed between the pivotable members will transmit force applied to one pivotable member by the lever to the other pivotable member to widen the spacing between the pivotable members so that the co-operable stops cannot contact each other to restrict pivoting of the members and thus movement of the lever.

Abstract: This invention relates to the dispensing of ceramic ferrules individually from a dispenser which is loaded from a disposable cartridge containing the ferrules. The dispenser has a longtitudinally slidable nose cone with different internal diameters, the smaller diameter holding a series of balls in the path of the ferrules to hold the ferrules in the dispenser, and the larger diameter allowing the weight of the dispensers to move the balls into the larger diameter to free the lowermost ferrule.

Abstract: A guard ring for long distance transmission cables for preventing wet snow from accumulating on the cables. The guard ring consists of two half collars of a hard elastic plastic material integrally joined by a hinge strap at one end and having interlocking hooks at their free ends to form a closed ring that tightly encloses the cable. Beaks or the like are integral with the inner ends of the half collars and face each other in the area of the hinge. The beaks cover a part of the hinge strap from both sides, so that when the half collars are open, they form, together with the hinge strap, a T-shaped groove for conveniently holding the rings in a row, prior to assembly, on a corresponding T-shaped rail. When the half-collars are closed and the ring secured to the cable, the beaks are bent apart a sufficient distance so that the rings can easily be removed from the rail. An assembly tool is also provided for clamping the rings about the cable.

Abstract: Flexible packaging bags are sequentially air-opened one at a time at a packaging station and filled with an article to be packaged while resting on top of a packaging table, which is removable so as to expose an area beneath the table in which a stacked and wicket held supply of the packaging bags is stored for use in the packaging operation, a selected number of the bags being periodically removed from the stacked supply of bags and transferred to the packaging station while still held by the wicket.

Abstract: A holder for a multiplicity of paper clips is arranged in an aligned stack disclosed herein having an elongated, hollow housing closed at a dispensing end with a stop defining a partial opening for passing the uppermost clip of the stack. The housing dispensing end includes an outwardly projecting bill or lip adapted to present the uppermost clip in a preparatory position for manual removal from the housing. A spring biasing mechanism is incorporated into the housing closing the end thereof opposite to its clip dispensing end which includes a guide rod projecting through aligned openings in the stack of clips and a slidable foot carrying the clip stack. An expansion spring is disposed on the rod between the foot and a base which is snap-locked with the housing to close the housing storage cavity.

Abstract: A device that can individually separate thin nested metallic diaphragms prior to welding same to form bellows is disclosed. The device uses a threaded rod (16) which is tilted upwardly with respect to the horizontal. One end of threaded rod (16) is received through the inside diameter of a stack (32) of nested diaphragms while the other end thereof is received in a collet (18) attached to a gear motor (20). As threaded rod (16) is rotated by gear motor (20), each diaphragm (10) is carried in its own groove provided by the threads on the threaded rod (16) to the free end thereof where one diaphragm is discharged for each revolution of the threaded rod (16).

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying slide fastener sliders comprises a track for carrying thereon the sliders stacked sideways with their respective pull tabs arranged in the recumbent position for gravity delivery of the sliders to a groove in a base. A slider retainer is engageable with the recumbent pull tab of the leading slider for retaining the same with the slider body position so as to release the same from engagement with the slider retainer, and substantially at the same time to allow the leading slider to fall in the groove. A feeding device feeds the slider in and along the groove to a predetermined position. The apparatus further comprises an arrangement for correcting the posture of the slider to have the pull tab raised substantially perpendicularly to the slider body wings.

Abstract: An orthodontic instrument is provided to permit the application of arch wire retaining elastic annular ligatures to orthodontic brackets on the labial surface of the teeth of a patient. The instrument includes a disposable cartridge which is loaded with a stack of the annular elastic ligatures, and which serves as a dispenser member, a housing for receiving the cartridge, a spring-biased pusher member slidably mounted in the housing and engaging the rear ligature of the stack to push the stack toward the forward end of the cartridge, so that the forward ligature moves along an enlarged end portion of the cartridge, a plurality of push rods extending along the cartridge under the ligatures with the ends of the push rods engaging the forward ligature, and release means for moving the cartridge reciprocally with respect to the housing so that the forward ligature may be forced over the enlarged end of the cartridge by the push rods each time the instrument is operated.

Abstract: A garment-hanging station associated with a garment-treating station, such as a tunnel finisher, is located along a rail section which slopes downwardly in the advancement direction and on which a plurality of successive clothes hangers is suspended. A singularizing arrangement frees hangers accumulated upstream of the same one at a time for downward sliding on the sloping rail section. The rail section has a transverse slot in which the hook of the freed hanger is received after engaging an abutment surface and in which it is confined by a latch for the duration of a garment-hanging operation. Subsequently, a releasing member expels the hanger hook out of the transverse slot for further downward sliding on the rail section, and the next succeeding hanger is freed by the singularizing arrangement for travel toward the transverse slot.

Abstract: A clip is provided for carrying articles and cooperates with system for engaging, disengaging and overlapping it. The clip is constituted by a thin piece of injected, stamped or moulded plastics material which is provided with a triangular opening which is itself open at a narrow slot in the center of the upper side of the clip and which may or may not have bosses to enable a regular spacing to be maintained between a number of clips which are carried by a storage rod before they are engaged onto a transfer or handling system. Such a clip is able to operate effectively with an engaging system which is formed by a dispenser and a member for thrusting the clip towards a system of abutments which thus enable the clip to move from a fixed support to a moving support.

Abstract: A hair roller holder comprises an elongated hollow handle defining a chamber for successively accommodating a plurality of hair rollers. Associated with the chamber is an arrangement for electrically heating the rollers therein. The chamber has an inlet opening at one end for insertion of the rollers in unheated condition and an outlet opening at the other end for discharge of the rollers in heated condition. Adjacent such outlet opening and externally of the chamber is a support for receiving a heated roller in a manner so that hair can be wrapped onto the roller and the roller can be manipulated by the handle. Provision is made in the chamber for guiding movement of the successive rollers therethrough onto the support. The movement guiding means may comprise guide pins in the chamber upon which the rollers are slidable and which are provided with electric heating elements for heating the rollers.

Abstract: A surgical ligating instrument is provided for tubal ligation within the human and/or animal body, by the application of two or more elastic rings to anatomical tubes such as Fallopian tubes. The instrument is constructed to grasp a Fallopian tube, to draw it into an elongated tubular member, and to discharge a stretched elastic ring on the Fallopian tube to perform the ligation procedure, followed by grasping the other Fallopian tube and discharging another similarly stretched elastic ring thereon, without removing the instrument from the patient's body.

Abstract: The drapery and pin-hook dispensing and inserting tool is of a pistol grip type construction having a pin-hook chamber for a charge of pin hooks for gravity feed without a separate magazine. At the position of the handle or grip is a thumb actuated pin-hook feeder or dispenser and inserter. The pin-hook chamber is internally configurated to conform to the contour of pin-hooks so as to hold a line of pin hooks in position for dispensing. The chamber is provided with a hinged door so that a fresh charge or supply of pin-hooks can be inserted as a unit to be held in the chamber by its internal configuration and the configuration on the inside of the door. The handle or grip preferably is at a 90.degree. angle to the chamber.

Abstract: A clothes hanger vending machine comprising a box-like cabinet, a horizontal clothes hanger supporting rod within the cabinet with a free end spaced from a wall in the cabinet a distance sufficient to permit the downward movement of the hook portion of one clothes hanger therebetween; a spring loaded stop normally bridging the space between the free end of the rod and said wall; a spring loaded follower shiftably carried by the rod and normally yieldingly urging a row of hangers hooked over the rod toward the free end thereof and the first hanger of said row of hangers into said space and onto engagement with said stop; a vertically shiftable ejector normally above said space and said first hanger; and, a coin released manually operable actuating member intermittently operable to move the ejector downwardly and to urge said first hanger downwardly by the stop and through and from said space for free manual engagement and extraction from the machine.

Abstract: A dispenser for split retaining rings includes a base, a bracket mounted on the base, a ring-retaining rail pivotably mounted to the bracket and a guide passage for a ring-removal tool. Lateral displacement of the rail is prevented by maintaining opposite sides of the rail in contact with stationary surfaces. The base is formed of a single piece of formed sheet metal and includes a bracket supporting platform and folded portions which prevent sagging of the platform. Frictional wear of the platform is prevented by a wear plate mounted thereatop. The ring-retaining portion of the rail is designed to accommodate a wide variety of retaining rings, including rings with and without a center prong. The dispenser is assembled at the time of manufacture with the rail permanently disposed with proper clearance above the guide passage.

Abstract: In a dispensing machine, a magazine is provided in which a multiplicity of packets to be dispensed are maintained in a magazine supported by clips which support the packets on a helical screw. The packets are dispensed individually by energizing a motor to turn the screw, during which the endmost packet drops into a receiving tray. The drop of the packet is detected by a photosensitive detector, and the screw driving motor is deenergized. The magazine contains a channel for maintaining the packets in single-file relationship as they are advanced toward the end of the screw in response to rotation of the screw. The tray into which the packets are dropped is slidable between an inner position, in which it is disposed below the dispensing magazine, and an outer position in which the contents of the tray are accessible to an operator. The tray is forced toward an outer position, and a motorized drive is provided for moving the tray backwardly and forwardly when the tray is in a rearward position.

Abstract: A bag dispenser and holder comprising a pair of spaced-apart wicket and support members from which outwardly and oppositely opposed deformable arcuate members distend to define a substantial hoop configuration for supporting and maintaining a bag having wicket holes in an open position.

Abstract: A bag dispenser and holder comprising a brace member having distending from its ends a pair of spaced-apart wicket and support members from which outwardly and oppositely opposed deformable curved members extend to define a substantial hoop-type configuration and having at least one U-shaped hook-wicket distending intermediate said support members. The pair of support members and hook-wicket cooperate to support and maintain a bag having wicket holes in the open position.

Abstract: An orthodontic O-ring dispenser comprising a magazine or housing for containing a supply of stacked O-rings that are progressively advanced toward a slotted discharge opening wherein the respective O-rings are individually dispensed by stretching the endmost O-ring with the aid of a ligator to permit the dispensing of the O-ring through the discharge opening. The O-ring dispenser may also comprise a plurality of O-rings integrally molded to a core and which are connected thereto in a manner to facilitate the independent removal of the respective O-rings from the attached core.

Abstract: The invention, in the embodiment depicted by way of example only, comprises an elongate rod which serves as a cartridge or carrier for a plurality of game-play chips. The chips are centrally apertured and are slidably engaged with the outer surface of the rod. A detent arrangement, fixed within the dispensing end of the rod selectively allows single chips, in turn, to be dispensed upon the supply of chips being slidably urged against the detent arrangement. In addition, the rod is hollow; the same defines a storage chamber or carrier for a marking pen. The hollow interior of the rod opens onto the end thereof which is opposite the dispensing end, and a marking pen frictionally engaged within the rod has the marker end projecting therefrom. A closure cap is received on the opposite end of the rod to protect the marker end of the pen when the latter is not in use. Too, the cap has an annular flange extending therefrom which serves as a retainer for the game-play chips.

Abstract: Apparatus for dropping rings one at a time from a stack and including apparatus for receiving piston rings so dropped and applying them to pistons. The apparatus includes a tube, upper and lower pawls slidably mounted in the lower end of said tube and an oscillating cam having a pin and slot interconnection to said pawls to cause them to project and retract alternately in order to drop a ring from the lower pawl while retaining the stack with the upper pawl and to drop the stack onto the lower pawl. Adjacent the lower end of the tube is a ring spreader which has a jaw engageable with one side of a piston ring and bifurcated jaw engageable with the other side of the piston ring with means to cause the jaws to engage the piston ring and spread the bifurcated jaws apart to open up the ring, whereupon the spreader may be lowered to position the ring around the piston.

Abstract: A method for supporting a bundle of two-handle bags so as to better insure that only one bag at a time will be removed.

Abstract: A plurality of keys are movably suspended on a support in successive orientation one behind the other. The leading key engages a dispensing device which normally prevents the discharge of the keys from the support but which is actuable on command to selectively release the first or leading key while retaining the remainder of the keys on the support. Secondary rails are provided for separating and diverting keys according to their use.

Abstract: A device for providing coil springs carried by a rope wound about a rotatable drum to a prescribed position, one by one, comprises a separation mechanism having a guide hole in which a prescribed number of coil springs are received, a pair of movable plates to pull the rope, a pair of moving plates holding the coil spring fallen from the guide hole and a pair of blades for cutting the rope after the rope is pulled.

Abstract: A cylindrical housing has a rod attached to one interior end thereof. A tube extends out of an open end of the cylindrical housing and is attached to the rod. A space is formed between the interior of the cylindrical housing and the rod such that large quantities of gauze may be received onto the rod within the housing. A flexible seal at the open end of the housing keeps the gauze within the housing clean and sterile but allows the gauze to be selectively pulled from the interior of the housing as needed. A gauze cutter is disposed around the open end of the housing. The cutter can remain stored in this position whether or not gauze is being removed. A cap is provided to cover the entire open end of the housing as well as the tube and the cutter.