Article Selection Indicator Patents (Class 221/5)
  • Patent number: 5625334
    Abstract: The invention provides a device that cautions the user of medication, for example, by visual change and/or surface contour change of a part of a medicine container, that a preset time since an event, such as since the last prior use or application of the medication, has not transpired. The medicine container cover or an indicating element of the container or cover changes visually or dimensionally to signal the user that it is not advisable to administer the next dose of the medication. The device shuts itself down upon changing to a permissive configuration, and requires no power input until it is again activated by accessing the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Inventor: Karen A. Compton
  • Patent number: 5570810
    Abstract: This invention relates to a substantially circular tablet dispenser component system which may be adapted for a variable day start of a prescribed periodic tablet regimen. Also provided are a tablet dispenser kit, a tablet package adapted for filling the tablet dispenser system, methods of filling the tablet dispenser of the invention and methods of administering a prescribed regimen of medication using the tablet dispenser system of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Lambelet, Jr., Henry Passarotti, Gary E. McQuay
  • Patent number: 5562231
    Abstract: This invention relates to a substantially circular tablet dispenser component system which may be adapted for a variable day start of a prescribed periodic tablet regimen. Also provided are a tablet dispenser kit, a tablet package adapted for filling the tablet dispenser system, methods of filling the tablet dispenser of the invention and methods of administering a prescribed regimen of medication using the tablet dispenser system of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Lambelet, Jr., Henry Passarotti, Gary E. McQuay
  • Patent number: 5529206
    Abstract: A game machine is provided with an automatic gift ejecting function of selecting gifts, even if in different forms, through game-like operations and automatically ejecting the gifts without using special capsules or the like by using devised gift display, gift selection and selection indication methods. The game machine has a gift display portion including a plurality of vertically arranged tiers each having a plurality of gifts placed horizontally, a selection indicating device for indicating gift display positions respectively corresponding to the gifts, a tier selection device for selecting one of the plural tiers, a horizontal position selection device for selecting one of the gift display positions of the horizontally arranged gifts, and an automatic gift ejecting device for automatically ejecting one of the gifts selected by the tier selection device and the horizontal position selection device into a gift outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Able Corporation Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshinori Kumagai
  • Patent number: 5472116
    Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a service against payment. Values of at least a first set of parameters are displayed for determining the service, and a single control member is adapted, firstly, to allow selection of the desired value for the parameter and, secondly, to confirm the choice which has been made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Schlumberger Industries
    Inventors: Serge Barbe, Thierry Brusseaux, Didier Lehoux
  • Patent number: 5464118
    Abstract: In the apparatus for removing solid medications from blister packs, comprising a shell-shaped bottom part and a hood-shaped top part, the bottom part (2) is provided with an axle (13). It further exhibits recesses (10), which are disposed concentrically to the axle (13). The one end of the axle (13) is configured as a rotational axis and translational guide for the top part (1). The top part (1) reaches over the bottom part (2) and exhibits a hub (15), which is supported on the axle (13) by means of a spring (6). Parallel to the hub (15) on the top part (1) there is disposed a ram (8), which, given an appropriate setting of the top part (1) relative to the bottom part (2), is aligned with respectively one of the recesses (10). The other end of the axle (13) is provided with a journal (11) for receiving a bearing plate (7) for the blister pack (5). The bearing plate (7) exhibits holes (9), which form with the recesses (10) of the bottom part (2) passages for the ram (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Grau, Gunter Ziegert
  • Patent number: 5400838
    Abstract: An automatic packaging machine is provided which has a chute for directing objects such as cooked french fries into the interior of a rotatable loading drum. The drum is rotated by a motor about a horizontal axis at a speed to cause the french fries to first be carried upwardly and then to fall through a predetermined path within the drum. A staging carousel is provided for carrying a supply of varying sized packaging containers such as cups. The carousel can be rotated to a dispensing position where a single selected size container will be dispensed to an index carousel. The index carousel will move the container to a position within the drum to intercept the falling french fries to fill the container. A detector is provided for sensing when the container has been filled. Once the container is filled it is moved via various transfer mechanisms to a deposit or storage area which can accommodate a plurality of containers and has a mechanism for clearing space to receive additional containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: William N. Schjerven, Ramojus P. Vaitys
  • Patent number: 5360134
    Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Unidynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard P. Falk, Paul K. Griner
  • Patent number: 5337920
    Abstract: A general purpose system for the storage and retrieval of articles having nested sets of rotatable platters or of various perimeters such that each set fits inside the perimeter of the next larger sized platter. All platters have storage positions or bins in which articles are stored. Bins are positioned so that one side is adjacent to the perimeter of the platter. All platters are mounted so that a part of their perimeter is adjacent to the perimeter of the platter on which they are mounted. This arrangement makes all storage positions available at the edge of the largest or main platter by rotating a subset of the smaller platters. The main platter can be rotated to a serving window making all storage positions on the platter available at the serving window. The geometry of the circular arrangement make the number of storage positions on a main platter vary with the square of the radius of the main platter whereas the time it takes to fetch a storage location varies with the radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Mark K. Clausen
  • Patent number: 5322166
    Abstract: A pill storage and dispensing container has a lower storage unit with a plurality of radially arranged individual pill storage compartments. An upper storage unit positioned directly above and nestled within the lower unit also has a plurality of similarly arranged storage compartments as well as one bottomless compartment. A top cover is positioned directly above the upper storage unit, and a dispensing opening in the cover is arranged to communicate with the various compartments in the upper unit as well as with the bottomless compartment and the various compartments of the lower storage unit as the cover is rotated relative to the storage units. A hub shaft releasably interconnects the upper and lower storage units and the top cover while allowing the storage units and cover to rotate relative to on another. Twenty eight individual storage compartments are provided in a compact container which enables pills to be dispensed four times per day over a seven day period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Inventor: Jonathan M. Crowther
  • Patent number: 5285926
    Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into allignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Unidynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard P. Falk, Paul K. Griner
  • Patent number: 5277330
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary magazine distributor apparatus (16) comprising a plurality of vertical channels (20) containing piles of respective different articles (6). The apparatus is arranged in order to dispense automatically articles selected by a buyer and which may have different prices. The rotary magazine (16) is provided with a powered driving system (24). A powered distribution mechanism (30) occupies a stationary location under the magazine and comprises an ejection finger (34) intended to push horizontally the lower article of the pile. A side casing (10) contains an electronic unit which controls all the distribution functions on the basis of information received from an electronic coiner, from a selection keyboard (15) and from stationary detectors (43) indicating the position of the magazine, the identity of the channels (20) and the presence of articles (6) in the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Planex S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Saussier
  • Patent number: 5265728
    Abstract: An arrangement for retaining blister pack tablets comprises a container with at least a front cover and a rear cover with a blister pack sandwiched therebetween and visible through a window in the front cover. The blister pack includes indicia thereon indicating the order in which the tablets should be taken and the container includes a pointer identifying the first tablet in the array of tablets to be consumed. Preferably, the container includes a daily calendar in the form of a loop or cylinder which is moveable with respect to the container so that a desired starting day can be selected by the user or prescriber. Preferably, the loop or cylinder is lockable in its selected position. In accordance with two embodiments of the invention, front and rear lids are pivoted to the front and rear covers, respectively, to conceal the blister pack until it is necessary to take a tablet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Berlex Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan C. Allendorf, Thomas M. Dair
  • Patent number: 5261467
    Abstract: Cups stored in the automatic vending machine are released and dropped from a cup supply unit to a cup holding unit one at a time and drink is injected thereinto as selected by a customer. The cup holding unit holding the cup filled with drink is transported approximately horizontally by a front/back cup transport unit to a vertical cup transport unit. As the vertical cup transport unit lifts the cup upward, the vending door is opened to expose to the customer the upper portion of the cup out of the cup outlet, as if the cup were sitting on a counter table in the front of the vending machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Yoshiyuki Kato, Naoto Fukushima, Nobutoshi Migishima, Takashi Uzawa, Hajime Erikawa, Yasuhiko Miyata
  • Patent number: 5169027
    Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartment on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Unidynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard P. Falk, Paul K. Griner
  • Patent number: 5103956
    Abstract: A control device for a vending machine to provide a goods selling control system having relatively simpler goods selecting control to sell goods selected among various goods to be purchased by the user. The control device has one or more switches that are on a goods selecting keyboard, a designating signal generation device for outputting a specific signal identifying the pressing of a switch, a goods displaying device for displaying goods corresponding to the specific signal, a goods releasing device for controlling the release of the designated goods and a coin mechanism for authenticating coins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bo H. Jang
  • Patent number: 5048717
    Abstract: A multiple-product merchandizing machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing areas of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: UniDynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard P. Falk, Paul K. Griner
  • Patent number: 5025950
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and dispensing comestibles, such as ice cream, has a cabinet defining an interior for holding a plurality of stacked ice cream containing magazines. A refrigeration system for cooling the interior of the cabinet below the freezing point of the ice cream is connected thereto. An X-Y picker assembly is positioned in the cabinet interior to transport ice cream from the selected magazine without heating the selected ice cream container or any other ice cream containers stored therein. The ice cream is carried by the X-Y picker assembly to a dispensing opening in the cabinet from which it can be accessed by the consumer. A nonvolatile information storage device is associated with the plurality of magazines and contains product characteristic information therein related to the flavors of ice cream in the magazines. A mapping system maps switch closures from product selection switches with the product characteristic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Hobart Corporation
    Inventors: Lee E. Trouteaud, Robert J. Hadick
  • Patent number: 5000345
    Abstract: An automated drinkmaker system which is designed to accept an input drink order, as from a cash register, and deliver the drink order, for different sizes and different flavors, with or without ice, completely finished in lidded containers to an output station. The automated drinkmaker system is designed for labor free processing of drink orders in high volume quick service or fast food establishments. The machine is designed around a carousel type of drink transporter which intermittently carries each drink to and from four circularly spaced stations, cup dispensing, ice dispensing, soda dispensing, lid application and marking. The carousel design allows a cup to be dispensed at one station while another cup is being filled with ice at a second station, and yet another is being filled with soda at a third station, etc. The use of carousels is extended to both cup and lid dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: PepsiCo Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore J. Brogna, Richard J. Casler, John W. Meadows, Joseph F. Lynders, Burt Shulman
  • Patent number: 4980292
    Abstract: A unique method and apparatus for dispensing tablets having particular application in the clinical analysis of biological samples. A series of containers are advanced past a plurality of processing stations, one of which is a table dispenser in turn. The processing stations are selectively activated by a controller. A sensor is associated with the tablet dispenser and is arranged to detect whether a tablet has actually entered a container. The sensor is activated only when the tablet dispenser is activated. The controller is responsive to the sensor in dependence upon the condition sensed by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Elbert, William A. Stark
  • Patent number: 4953745
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing a selected one of a plurality of drugs. The apparatus includes a plurality of individual dispensing mechanisms which are contained within a cabinet. Each of the dispensing mechanisms is adapted to store a plurality of a selected drug unit and is responsive to a selected one of a plurality of drug dispense signals for dispensing the selected drug unit. A control unit is responsive to an input authorization signal representing an operator, a patient identification signal representing a patient for which a drug is to be selected, and a drug select signal representing the drug and the amount to be dispensed. The control unit generates a drug dispense signal corresponding to the selected drug to cause the respective dispensing mechanism to dispense the selected drug. The control unit can be preprogrammed with a prescribed schedule for a particular patient such that a drug can be dispensed for that particular patient only during a certain time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: James R. Rowlett, Jr.
    Inventor: James R. Rowlett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4927051
    Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currency in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: UniDynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard P. Falk, Paul K. Griner
  • Patent number: 4915256
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a series of different pills over a prescribed period. The dispenser is provided with an indicator that is adjustable to preset the start of the pill regimen on whatever day desired. The pill package and dispenser are constructed and arranged so that after the indicator has been preset the pill package can be fixedly positioned in the dispenser with the first pill of the regimen in position to be taken by the user on the first preselected day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
    Inventor: Dereck Tump
  • Patent number: 4905866
    Abstract: A device for holding and dispensing pills which enables the dispensing of pills in successive order. Pills are mounted in a compact in a single row in the desired successive order and a pill ejector is arranged for incremental movement in one direction along the compact. When the pill ejector is adjacent to a pill, a bendable member is displaced to push the pill out of a blister type package and through an opening in the rear of the compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Ralph Bartell, Frank Neggers
  • Patent number: 4884212
    Abstract: A dispensing machine is accessed repeatedly by a card issued by the machine. The machine comprises storage bins for holding and dispensing a plurality of products. A memory unit is included for storing information including representations of credit information, customer identification code information and product location information. A computer processor accesses information in the memory unit and enters information into the memory unit. A credit card reader responds to information from a credit card used by a customer for transferring credit for the customer to the computer processor for storage in the memory unit. A key pad is used by the customer for inputting credit amount to the computer procoessor. A customer card dispenser responds to the computer processor to dispense a customer card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Vertx Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Stutsman
  • Patent number: 4836352
    Abstract: An express package collection locker capable of automatically calculating the portage fee of a package. The locker comprises a plurality of boxes for storing packages, a plurality of weight sensors incorporated in the boxes, respectively, and a plurality of push buttons for selecting regions from a map which correspond to possible destinations of the package. The locker further comprises a CRT display for displaying operating instructions, and a main controller. The main controller calculates the portage fee of a package placed in any one of the boxes, in accordance with the weight of the package measured by the weight sensor provided within the box, and the region destination of the package, which has been selected by operating the desired button. The portage, thus calculated, is displayed by the CRT display. The main controller locks the door of the box when the portage is duly paid into the locker, and then prints and issues a voucher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignees: UPL Co. Ltd, Koto Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Tateno, Yoshio Shimotori
  • Patent number: 4763810
    Abstract: A tamper-proof apparatus of a type for automatically dispensing medication having a housing with a plurality of medication holding compartments each having an open bottom therein. The compartments can either be of a type which are open at the top so they can be filled manually, or they can be of a prepackaged type having a closed top and a slide-open bottom which are available from and returnable for refilling to a pharmacy. A belt is disposed under the medication holding compartments and the belt has at least one opening therein. A microprocessor is used to control a motor or the like for selectively advancing the belt so that the opening therein moves from beneath one compartment to a position beneath another compartment whereby when the opening moves below a particular compartment, pills contained in such particular compartment will drop down through the openings. The microprocessor can be programmed by authorized personnel to dispense medication from any one of the compartments at any one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventor: Lee T. Christiansen
  • Patent number: 4742936
    Abstract: A merchandise dispenser for storing and dispensing a plurality of items aligned within the dispenser and eased toward the front of the dispenser by a retractable member which is biased to push the remaining line of items forward when the first item in the line is removed. The dispenser is provided with an indicator which automatically indicates the quantity of items remaining in the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: The Display Equation, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Rein
  • Patent number: 4667845
    Abstract: A tablet dispenser for dispensing a series of different pills over a prescribed period. The dispenser is provided with a daily indicator that can be present to begin the regimen on whatever day is selected. The tablet package when used up can be readily replaced with a new package and the indicator reset as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Frazier, Allen D. Lowe
  • Patent number: 4646936
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a series of different pills over a prescribed period. In all embodiments, the pill package disposed in the dispenser is locked in place and cannot be removed therefrom. In one embodiment, the daily indicator employed for designating the period the particular pills are to be taken can be preset to start the regimen on any day selected by the user. Also, after the first pill has been taken and the tray containing the pill package has been moved to dispense a second pill the indicator cannot be repositioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Frazier, Allen D. Lowe
  • Patent number: 4616316
    Abstract: A medication compliance monitoring system consisting of a blister pack having an array of plastic blisters defining compartments for medication, with a frangible non-conductive backing sheet having conductive traces behind the compartments which are respectively ruptured when the medication doses are removed. The blister pack is detachably connected to an electronic memory circuit via a multi-terminal male connector tab on the backing sheet, wired to the conductive traces, and a corresponding female connector with terminals wired to the electronic memory circuit. The electronic memory circuit addresses each individual trace periodically at a constant time interval over a predetermined extended period of time to determine if it is intact. The electronic memory circuit detects the ruptures and stores the time data thereof over said extended period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: John A. Hanpeter, Seth A. Eisen, Michael F. Gard
  • Patent number: 4598810
    Abstract: A vending unit includes a plurality of cubicles each holding a TV film, dispensed in response to the manipulation by an identified patron. The patron has an identification code number, which upon being entered as information into the vending unit, energizes a computer unit and conditions the apparatus for vending. This information may be entered by pushbuttons or using an ID card. A monetary coin or money bill, or token, is inserted and then a film is dispensed in response to depression of a selection button by the patron. The apparatus includes a record of transactions by each patron, according to his ID code number, which shows films taken out, and their return, and a security deposit credit, and sets off the dispensed films against that deposit credit, and re-establishes the deposit credit upon return of the film. Upon entering the ID information, instructions are given to the patron by the computer, visually or audibly, for successive steps to be taken following each previous step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: ABM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Shore, Michael Schwarzberger
  • Patent number: 4583661
    Abstract: A moisture-proof, cylindrical container is provided having a plurality of storage compartments for the receipt of various types of pills or other such items. A selector plate is rotatably mounted on the container to a position wherein an aperture in the plate is aligned over any one of the storage compartments to allow the introduction or removal of pills from that compartment. Indicia on the outside of the container adjacent the storage compartments identify the contents of that compartment. A cap secured to the container body over the selector plate, includes a threaded portion adapted to engage the container body below the indicia identifying the contents of the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Kirstine/Hendricks
    Inventor: William M. Clover, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4526263
    Abstract: A vend control circuit for a multi-channel vendor, including a credit entry circuit, a plurality of selection switches actuatable for selecting different vend selections, a plurality of vend motors, each vend selection having a vend motor associated therewith, a plurality of vend channels each of which may have a different, pre-established vend price associated therewith, a master control circuit for accumulating total credit entered, which master control circuit sequentially compares the total credit entered against the vend prices of each of the vend channels and produces for each such comparison a vend channel authorization signal if the total credit deposited at least equals the vend price, a delivery control circuit for effecting energization of a particular vend motor when a vend selection switch with which such particular vend motor is associated is actuated during the time that a vend channel authorization signal is being produced for the vend channel to which the actuated switch belongs, and a monito
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: H. R. Electronics Company
    Inventor: Joseph L. Levasseur
  • Patent number: 4491240
    Abstract: A vending machine which comprises a replaceable, transparent loading magazine forming an array of honeycomb slots holding the goods to be dispensed. The magazine is positioned over the slanted top of the vending machine. Each honeycomb slot has a small hinged trap door upon which the goods held therein rest. The trap door is held closed by a flexible member associated with a system of crossbars. A solenoid is used at the end of each crossbar to shift it laterally. Only the flexible member positioned at the cross point of two activated crossbars is allowed to move and release the corresponding trap door. A chute under the trap doors directs the goods falling therethrough toward a dispensing station. The goods selection is made by dialing on a keyboard the identifying symbol of the slot holding the desired item. The keyboard is activated by signals issued from a coin box after detection of the correct change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Inventors: Frank Ruskin, Van N. Fellner, Joel Haynes
  • Patent number: 4485925
    Abstract: A receptacle for dispensing insulin in prescribed dosages and a method of administering daily dosages of insulin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Inventor: Richard A. Fickert
  • Patent number: 4311227
    Abstract: This invention is a vending system for floral type products and includes a plurality of product containing cubicles with an access door operatively associated with each. A controllable locking structure is used with each door and is connected to a validator for accepting and totaling money. Selectors are provided for choosing the appropriate cubicle door to be opened and these selectors are resettable to a different amount of money by simply resetting a dial on the exterior backside of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 4278182
    Abstract: In a vending machine, where the items are stored in separate, vertical compartments from the lower ends of which items are removable, one by one, by a selector mechanism comprising a displaceable frame, which embraces three sides of the battery. A front member of the frame carries a sensor, which reacts if a selected compartment should be emptied down to a predetermined level, and a rear member includes a feeding-out finger connected to an actuating mechanism. This is operated by an electric motor, and a governing circuit comprising two switches, which are operated by the position of the frame in relation to the battery, and by the reaction of the sensor at the selected compartment, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Inventor: Allan Ahlstrom
  • Patent number: 4223801
    Abstract: An automatic periodic pharmaceutical preparation dispenser, for alerting patients under medication when specific drugs are to be taken. The device provides orderly storage of a plurality of drugs to be taken in a given time period with a coding associated with each pill. The device further provides a timer having a signal device responsive thereto to indicate when a specific medicament is to be taken and at a predetermined time interval relative to previously administered drugs. In the several embodiments shown, the timer comprises a clock mechanism; a time chip totalizer; and a signal responsive paging device all of which are arranged to indicate when and which pharmaceutical preparation is to be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Inventor: Torsten S. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4204611
    Abstract: A product dispenser for dispensing products, such as tablets, on a time related schedule, or randomly as desired, comprising a generally cylindrical product receiving magazine having a plurality of axially spaced groups of circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly opening, product receiving pockets which are generally in axial alignment with the pockets of adjacent groups to form circumferentially spaced rows of pockets; a plurality of product retaining rotatable rings mounted on the magazine in radial alignment with the pockets for retaining the tablets in the pockets; each ring including a tablet dispensing aperture therethrough adapted to be moved into alignment with a selected one of the pockets; a plurality of axially spaced indicia, representing the days of the week, lying in the planes of the groups of pockets; and circumferentially spaced indicia, representing different time periods throughout the day, generally longitudinally aligned with the rows of pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Inventor: Joel S. Graves
  • Patent number: 4165709
    Abstract: A tablet dispensing device comprises a substantially flat support having a single tablet dispensing aperture therein. A tray is adapted to rotate on one surface of the support and has a plurality of openings therein disposed in a circular orientation. The openings are arranged to individually align in registration with the aperture upon rotation of the tray. The tray is adapted to receive a tablet dispensing package containing a plurality of tablets. A tablet is dispensed by pressing it from the package through its corresponding opening in the tray and then through the aperture in the support for collection by the operator thereof. Rotation of the tray sequentially places each opening over the aperture in alignment therewith so that the remaining tablets can be individually dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Studer
  • Patent number: 4117952
    Abstract: A rechargeable capsule dispenser suitable for simultaneous but separate use by a plurality of users and intended to dispense multiple and variously shaped capsules selected by the users in a time related sequence also determined by the users. The capsule dispenser is formed with a cartridge having a plurality of annularly disposed chambers to hold the capsules and a receptacle base which supports the cartridge. The receptacle base includes a receiving tray and the cartridge may rotate with respect to the receptacle base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Inventor: Dustin Marshall Grimes
  • Patent number: 4069943
    Abstract: An automatic article vendor is provided for storing a plurality of articles, and for individually dispensing the articles. The vendor comprises a carousel including a plurality of elongate, vertically disposed chambers in which the articles are stacked one on top of another. The carousel is rotatable so that the articles are moved in a circular path preparatory to being vended. A finger is mounted on each chamber, a portion of the finger extending beneath each chamber when the finger is in a support position for supporting the articles stacked thereinabove. The finger also has a release position for individually releasing one of the articles from a chamber. The vendor includes an article select mechanism for selecting a certain article stacked in one of the chambers by urging the corresponding finger into a release position. An aspect of the vendor is an empty indicator for indicating when a chamber no longer has articles stacked therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Inventor: Michael E. Fawcett
  • Patent number: 4047635
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively dispensing articles is disclosed. The apparatus is especially suited for dispensing pills in hospitals and nursing homes, wherein stringent controls are needed to prevent mistakes in dispensing or misuse of prescribed pills. The apparatus comprises a plurality of magazines or cassettes, each magazine containing a number of doses of a particular pill prescribed for the patient. The pill magazines are locked so that the pills cannot be removed without insertion into the dispensing apparatus, with the dispensing apparatus being operable only by authorized personnel. The magazines contain a plurality of rotatable compartments for storing several days supply of the particular pill, each compartment containing the unit dose prescribed for the particular patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Inventor: Arthur A. Bennett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4017001
    Abstract: A system for carrying out the controlled displacement of objects comprises a propulsion device constituted by a magnetizing assembly and a magnetized assembly which are capable of relative motion and one of which is connected to an object container while the other is connected to an object-withdrawal device. Power is supplied in the form of a sequence of unidirectional pulses fed to the inductance windings of the magnetizing assembly, the sequence being controlled by a program comprising a series of whole numbers of pulses. Each whole number corresponds to one stationary position of the system so as to place the object-withdrawal device opposite to the stored object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1977
    Assignee: Maurice Barthalon
    Inventors: Maurice Barthalon, Andre Subtil
  • Patent number: 4015717
    Abstract: A tablet package for use in chronologically dispensing tablets includes a sheet of material having pockets therein for receiving tablets, a frangible closure layer secured to the sheet of material to enclose the tablets and a plurality of time related indicia disposed on the closure layer associated with each tablet and aligned with the pockets such that dispensing of a tablet ruptures the closure layer to obliterate the indicia associated with that tablet. The tablet package is particularly useful with a tablet dispenser formed of a housing including a body having a dispensing opening therein and a cover pivotally connected with the body and carrying an ejector tab aligned with the dispensing opening, the tablet package being disposed in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1977
    Assignee: The Medical Dispenser Company
    Inventors: James E. Richardson, Stephen C. Swain
  • Patent number: 3970195
    Abstract: A light weight, portable device for removably storing a number of needles of various transverse cross section but of substantially the same length, which needles have crochet hooks defined on first ends thereof, and the device capable of being used to selectively dispense any desired one of the needles therefrom by a simple manual operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1976
    Inventor: Veatrice Franklin