Abstract: An assembly comprises a container, a primary container cover, and a secondary flip up cover. The primary container cover comprises a two-shot injection molded component and includes an integrally-formed seal. The integrally-formed seal is designed to reduce or eliminate evaporation occurring between the container and the primary cover. The integrally-formed seal is further designed to reduce or eliminate evaporation occurring between the primary cover and the secondary flip up cover.

Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed for flat items such as disposable gloves that are contained within a dispensing bag that has an at least partially-open front side. The dispenser includes a base that has a rear wall and a pair of opposing side walls. A non-opaque cover with a dispensing aperture therethrough is pivotally fixed between each side wall and adapted to swing between an open and a closed position. At least one elastic cord is stretched between each side wall to urge the dispensing bag towards the cover when the cover is in the closed position and the dispensing bag is between the cover and the at least one elastic cord. The front side of the dispensing bag may be non-opaque and open at a dispensing bag aperture therethrough, a temporary adhesive being fixed proximate a periphery of the dispensing bag aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and at least one vacuum source. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles and a dispensing channel fluidly connected to the hopper chamber. The dispensing channel has an inlet and an outlet defining a dispensing flow path therebetween. The vacuum source is adapted to provide a vacuum pressure and induce a gas flow in the housing. The apparatus is configured to generate a forward drive gas flow from the vacuum pressure and induced gas flow, and the forward drive gas flow conveys articles through the dispensing channel along the dispensing flow path in a direction from the inlet to the outlet to dispense the articles.

Abstract: In one aspect, a diagnostic test system includes a receptacle, optical detectors, and a logic circuit. Each of the optical detectors has a corresponding view in the receptacle and produces an electrical signal at a respective detector output in response to light from the corresponding view. The logic circuit includes logic inputs that are respectively coupled to the detector outputs and that produce an output logic signal corresponding to a logical combination of signals received at the logic inputs. In another aspect, respective detection signals are produced in response to light received from respective ones of multiple views of the test strip, and at least one output logic signal corresponding to a respective logical combination of the detection signals is generated.

Abstract: A variable capacity ice storage assembly for a refrigerator freezer compartment includes a removable insert adapted to be positioned within an ice storage bucket to alter the storage capacity of the ice bucket. The insert includes one or more tabs having clips thereon for attaching the insert to one or more side walls of the ice bucket. The tabs are fixed to a main body portion having a first solid deflector extending at a first angle there from and a second solid deflector extending at a second angle. One or more hinges may be utilized to connect parts of the insert, resulting in a reconfigurable insert that can be utilized in multiple positions. When utilized in an auger-type ice dispensing system, the insert is sized such that the main body portion of the insert does not interfere with the function of the auger.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and at least one vacuum source. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles and a dispensing channel fluidly connected to the hopper chamber. The dispensing channel has an inlet and an outlet defining a dispensing flow path therebetween. The vacuum source is adapted to provide a vacuum pressure and induce a gas flow in the housing. The apparatus is configured to generate a forward drive gas flow from the vacuum pressure and induced gas flow, and the forward drive gas flow conveys articles through the dispensing channel along the dispensing flow path in a direction from the inlet to the outlet to dispense the articles.

Abstract: A method is described for providing a tablet supply channel in a support (5) of a tablet releasing unit (10), with a slot miller providing the tablet supply channel. The method includes milling the tablet supply channel (6) in the support (5). The supply channel (6) exhibits a transversal section that is practically constant, and has an opening (7) developed along a length thereof. The milled supply channel embraces the transiting tablets (2) using a main wall (11), a first lateral wall (12) connected to the main wall, a second lateral wall (13) connected to the main wall (11), which is opposite the first lateral wall. The milling is performed using a slot miller having a cutting profile which is alike to an external tablet profile of one equal part of a transversal section of maximum area, so that the tablet (2) is guided along the supply channel (6).

Abstract: A system for diagnostic testing may include a meter for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to a test media, the meter having a housing and an interface for receiving a signal representing coding information, and a container configured to contain test media compatible with the meter, the container having a coding element associated therewith. Additionally, the system may provide a mechanisms for removing the meter from an interconnected test container and reattaching it to a new container using on-container coding methods that can recalibrate the meter for the new container of test strips. The system may further provide a sampling device, such as a lancet, operably connected to the container such that that a user may use the sampling device to obtain a sample without disconnecting the sampling device from the container.

Abstract: A compressible package having pair of scored sidewalls, which facilitate compression of the package into a wedge shape for storage in narrow recesses. Optionally, the compressible package may include a scored bottom flap wherein the bottom portion of the sidewalls and the bottom flap are shaped such that when the carton is compressed by a user the resulting shape of the bottom flap complements the shape of the sidewalls, maintaining a substantially closed carton. Preferably the compressible package is a carton for storing and dispensing tissue and the carton assumes a wedge shape, which allows the carton to be fit into tight spaces, such as between the seat and the center console of the automobile while maintaining a substantially closed carton.

Abstract: A transformable towel dispenser is presented that can be quickly transformed from a low profile shipping form into full, ready to dispense form in a substantially tool free manner. The transformability of the dispenser allows the dispenser to be shipped and stored in much smaller space than that for ready to dispense units. Alternatively, more dispensers can be shipped in the same volume container.

Abstract: A container for storing and dispensing wipes that includes an extendable orifice. The orifice is extendable into the storage space of the wipes container to position an opening in close proximity with the top of a stack of wipes stored in the container. The extendable orifice may also act to reduce moisture loss in the case of wet-wipes and reduce the occurrence of fall-back.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a method for detecting solid articles using an apparatus including a sensor system is provided. The sensor system includes a radiation detector and a radiation emitter configured to direct radiation onto the radiation detector. The radiation detector is operative to generate detector signals proportional to the radiation received thereby. The method includes moving the radiation emitter and/or the radiation detector relative to the other. According to some embodiments, the solid articles are solid pharmaceutical articles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic tablet packing apparatus having sliding racks, wherein tablets received in a plurality of tablet cassettes are successively packed on a per dose basis based on a medical prescription. Each of the sliding racks includes a pair of left and right partition walls, a tablet discharge passage to guide the tablets discharged from the tablet cassettes being defined by facing inner surfaces of the left and right partition walls. Cassette pedestals are attached to outer surfaces of the left and right partition walls and in turn, the tablet cassettes are detachably arranged on the cassette pedestals. The left and right partition walls are able to be individually pulled out from a body of the apparatus. As the left or right partition wall is pulled out, the tablet discharge passage is revealed to the outside thus enabling easy cleaning thereof.

Abstract: A container for storing and dispensing consumable products. Modular construction is utilized wherein there is one base container and at least one subcontainer mounted above the base container. The base container has a floor, a peripheral wall, and a cover panel. Each subcontainer has a peripheral wall and a cover panel, and is coupled to a container below, such as the base container or another subcontainer, in stacked fashion. The cover panel of that container immediately below forms the floor of the container above, thereby obviating the necessity of forming a floor in each container. Each container may have a closure to enable contents to be withdrawn therefrom. The various containers are coupled together to form a stack by a removable band. When contents of the uppermost container are depleted, the empty container is removed from the stack to reveal the next container.

Abstract: There is provided a medicine feeding device which can apply uniform tension to wrapping paper wound in a roll state to wrap a medicine. The medicine feeding device comprises a tablet case which stores a medicine, and the wrapping paper wound in the roll state, wraps a medicine discharged from the tablet case in wrapping paper 72, and comprises a tension application mechanism 113 which applies predetermined tension to the continuously pulled-out wrapping paper. This tension application mechanism is constituted to freely move up-and-down, and to apply tension to the pulled-out wrapping paper by its own weight.

Abstract: A collapsible dispenser for dispensing various edible and non-edible materials in an industrial or home environment. More particularly, the invention pertains to a foldable and generally pyramoidal-shaped dispenser particularly suited to dispensing granular, powdered or viscous liquid materials and includes a dispenser body having a dispensing end and an interior compartment for receiving and storing various materials. The dispenser body includes a foldable base that may be manually manipulated between a collapsed position closing and sealing a dispensing mechanism and an expanded position opening and unsealing the dispensing mechanism for use.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of supplying needle covers to be used to cover or shield the sharp and contaminated ends of used syringe-needles. The devices, systems and methods can include a delivery mechanism sized and configured to supply a plurality of needle-shielding members arranged to automatically advance into a preferred position as each individual needle-shielding member is engaged and subsequently removed from the delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A center-pull dispenser for dispensing paper towels from a continuous roll, wherein each individual towel is separated from an adjoining towel by a plurality of perforations. The dispenser comprises a housing having a housing back and a detachable front cover hingedly connected thereto at the lower periphery of said housing back and front cover for opening and closing the housing, a paper support tray removably connected to a lower portion of the housing back, the tray having a centrally located dispensing nozzle and at least one locking element for releasably locking at least one first hinge element on the lower periphery of the front cover to at least one second hinge element on the lower periphery of the housing back, an opening in the lower periphery of said housing through which the towels are dispensed, and a wall-mounting member for removably mounting the housing back to a wall.

Abstract: A water resistant absorbent towel dispenser. The dispenser includes a container having top, bottom and side walls housing a supply of absorbent towels, and an exterior handle for facilitating transport of the dispenser. The top wall includes a finger-accessible opening through which absorbent towels may be withdrawn. In certain embodiments, the top wall is convex upwardly, but is flexible to enable it to be depressed when dispensers are stacked vertically so as to come into load bearing contact with the towel supply. In some embodiments, the top and bottom walls have interlocking configurations to add lateral stability to vertically stacked dispensers.

Abstract: A pill dispensing cap that secures to a conventional pill container. The pill dispensing cap has a lower cap, a pill discharge port, and a spring loaded rotatable and slidable upper cap. Pills are dispensed one at a time, and the remaining pills are isolated from external contamination. A child resistant lock prevents small children and/or mentally handicapped individuals from easily accessing medicine inside the container. The child resistant lock uses a vertically slidable upper cap that is slidably and rotatably attached to the lower cap. A child safety lock uses a key in the upper cap that must be aligned with a slot in the lower cap to allow a pill to be dispensed. When the key and slot are aligned, the upper cap is vertically compressed against the lower cap. As the upper cap moves toward the base cap, a gravity fed pill discharge port is exposed which releases a single pill.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a method for detecting solid articles using an apparatus including a sensor system is provided. The sensor system includes a radiation detector and a radiation emitter configured to direct radiation onto the radiation detector. The radiation detector is operative to generate detector signals proportional to the radiation received thereby. The method includes moving the radiation emitter and/or the radiation detector relative to the other. According to some embodiments, the solid articles are solid pharmaceutical articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining a status condition of a medicament container having a memory contained therein for storing medicament effect data, such as, for example, drug interaction, side effect, and other information for determining the status condition of the container.

Abstract: In a gravity-feed towel dispenser for dispensing C-fold and interfolded towels having a transverse length, L, through an elongated bottom dispensing aperture having a length of L or greater, an adapter plate for securing to the bottom portion of the towel dispenser is configured to abridge the length of the dispensing aperture to a length, L? of from about 80 percent to about 90 percent of the transverse length L of the interfolded towels. In a preferred embodiment the adapter plate is provided with a pair of upwardly inclined terminal portions projecting laterally and upwardly at each end of the adapter plate.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing healthcare products comprising at least one dispenser section having at least one dispensing orifice and one disposal section having a disposal opening. The disposal section has fully compressed and fully uncompressed positions and is capable of remaining positioned in any position between the fully compressed and uncompressed positions.

Abstract: Moving a lid dispenses single thin films from a container. A pad coated with TPE, rubber or silicone rotates downward and contacts the top thin film strip. The pad moves the strip toward a front opening. When the lid is fully opened, the strip has been ejected far enough for the user to remove it. A sliding top and lever dispense a strip. The user slides back the top of the container, causing lever with a living hinges and links to flex downward. A pad rotates downward towards the top strip and outward towards an opening exposed in the front of the container and the strip is ejected out this opening. The pad is connected to a lever on a gear. Sliding the top of the container rotates the gear. The pad contacts the strip and moves the strip through the uncovered front dispensing opening.

Abstract: A water resistant absorbent towel dispenser. The dispenser includes a container having top, bottom and side walls housing a supply of absorbent towels, and an exterior handle for facilitating transport of the dispenser. The top wall includes a finger-accessible opening through which absorbent towels may be withdrawn. In certain embodiments, the top wall is convex upwardly, but is flexible to enable it to be depressed when dispensers are stacked vertically so as to come into load bearing contact with the towel supply. In some embodiments, the top and bottom walls have interlocking configurations to add lateral stability to vertically stacked dispensers.

Abstract: A vending machine with adjustable merchandise receiving hole comprises a body; a tank and a rotary disk; a stop plate being installed between the tank and the rotary disk; the stop plate having a notch corresponding to and above the output hole of the tank; a lifting unit being formed by a base and a lifting seat; the base being locked to a bottom of the tank; the base being installed with a buckle; a spring being installed between the buckle and the base; the lifting seat having at least one supporting rod; the supporting rod being formed with a recess for buckling with the buckle; an upper end of the supporting rod extending into the tank to be pivoted to a bottom of the stop plate; at least one reduced hole seat capable of being installed upon the receiving hole of the rotary disk.

Abstract: A medicine supply apparatus has a tablet case containing medicines, a roll of packing paper that is open at its upper end and folded at its lower end, a nozzle whose discharge end is inserted into the packing paper upper open end for projecting medicine discharged from the tablet case, and heat seal apparatus that seals the packing paper upper open end after medicines are discharged into it. A movable tension device of an elastic member is urged toward the packing paper which applies tension to the packing paper at a location past the point where said nozzle discharge end is inserted into its upper open end at a point before when the paper is to be heat sealed.

Abstract: An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals, particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.

Abstract: A strip dispenser has a strip magazine, a magazine spring, a strip vial component, and a cover. The strip magazine has a magazine open end and an outer magazine casing surrounding the strip magazine adjacent the open end for a predefined distance along the strip magazine where the magazine has a magazine volume with an open magazine top. The magazine spring is contained within the strip magazine. The strip vial component has a magazine receiving end, a closed end and a vial recess for slidably receiving the strip magazine between a first position and a second position where the vial recess has a shoulder portion spaced from the closed end and adjacent to and aligned with the open magazine top. The cover encloses the magazine open end and has a slit spaced a predefined distance from an edge of the cover where the slit is in communication with the magazine volume and the open magazine top and in spatial alignment with the shoulder portion.

Abstract: A device for packaging and dispensing stacked items may include, a box including: a first portion, in particular a cover; and a second portion, in particular a drawer, that is movable relative to the first portion between a retracted position and an extended position; and a stack of items disposed in the second portion; the first portion including a drive member configured to press against the stack of items while the second portion is being moved toward the retracted position, and to entrain an item in contact therewith relative to a remainder of the stack in order to enable the item to be grasped by a user; and the second portion and the drive member also being configured in such a manner as to prevent the drive member from pressing against the stack of items over at least a fraction of the stroke of the second portion from the retracted position toward the extended position.

Abstract: A dispenser for sheet materials includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a restraining member preventing the top and bottom portion from separating. The top portion and the bottom portion can telescope to vary the dispenser's overall height. In one embodiment, by designing a dispenser having bottom sidewalls and top sidewalls of approximately the same length, problems with access to the exposed sheet or excessive manipulation to change the dispenser's height can be avoided. In another embodiment, by designing the dispenser such that the height of the dispenser can automatically reduce as the sheet material is depleted or where the height can be adjusted by simply pushing down on the dispenser's top makes the dispenser convenient to use.

Abstract: A medicine supply apparatus to discharge a medicine into packing paper having a nozzle for discharging a medicine from a tablet case and a shutter rotatably provided in the nozzle for opening/closing a medicine drop path. The shutter includes a first rotatable shutter plate of a size capable of closing the inside of the nozzle, a second shutter plate swingably connected to the tip of the first shutter plate, and a guide for swinging the second shutter plate in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first shutter plate in a final stage of the medicine discharge while the first shutter plate is opened. The tip of the second shutter plate is located in a position to narrow an outlet of the medicine drop path when the first shutter plate is opened.

Abstract: Different embodiments for adapting a package, such as a tissue carton or wet wipes container, for placement into a cup holder or for being secured by a cup holder are disclosed. By adapting existing packages containing disposable articles to fit into a cup holder, the package can be kept securely in place in an automobile. By adapting the existing package design, existing packaging machinery can be used to produce the product.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dispenser of objects comprising a body forming a reservoir (2) for storing objects to be dispensed (8), an outlet passage (22) for said objects, arranged at one end of the body (2), and returned translation means (12) capable of performing a reciprocating movement relatively to the body (2) so as to release a predetermined number of objects (8) at each out and in stroke of the translation movement. The invention is characterized in that said returned translation movement are arranged in the form of a flexible membrane with shape memory (12) perforated with a calibrated opening (17), exerting both a spring force enabling said reciprocating movement and, by co-operation with thrust means (18), to control the dispensing of said objects.

Abstract: A package is disclosed having an enclosed compartment with a pair of oppositely aligned walls and a perimeter. An array of compressible articles is retained in the enclosed compartment in an initial orientation. The package also includes an opening mechanism capable of being activated to provide an opening into the enclosed compartment. The opening is of sufficient size to allow the articles to be individually removed. The package further includes an expansion member secured to the enclosed compartment and capable of expanding outward through the opening. The expansion member permits removal of the articles from the opened package while retaining the remaining articles in their initial orientation.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing candy or other small objects, the dispenser having a rotatable hopper, having a hopper cavity therein, a tubular structure, having a storage portion for storing objects above the rotating hopper, a storage portion opening, a base portion, a base portion opening for dispensing objects, and a hopper positioning portion, where the rotatable hopper is positioned within the hopper positioning portion of the tubular structure, such that the rotatable hopper can rotate within the hopper positioning portion of the tubular structure, a tubular base plunger, inserted into the base portion of the tubular structure, and a hopper rotation mechanism connecting the base plunger to the rotatable hopper, where the hopper rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the rotatable hopper when the base plunger is moved within the base portion of the tubular structure.

Abstract: A package for dispensing articles intended for one time use only, such as skin plasters or adhesive bandages, medicaments, and disposable handkerchiefs, where the articles are placed on top of each other, or on top of and side-by-side of each other, to form a layer of juxtaposed articles. The package includes an upper part and a lower part that is partially telescopically received within the upper part. The lower part of the package is generally rectangular in cross-section and is closed at its bottom and along its sides to form a pocket. The rear wall of the lower part connects with the front edge of a flat panel defining a top wall of the upper part. A tongue extends from the front edge of the upper part down between the respective rear wall and front wall of the lower part of the unit.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing healthcare products comprising at least one dispenser section having at least one dispensing orifice and one disposal section having a disposal opening. The disposal section has fully compressed and fully uncompressed positions and is capable of remaining positioned in any position between the fully compressed and uncompressed positions.

Abstract: An improved structure art knife blade container comprised of an inner case that slides lengthwise into an outer case. An elastic component is positioned lengthwise between the interior section of the outer case and the side of the inner case, thereby providing a spring force to push the inner case outward in a straight line, and a recess capable of holding a plurality of art design knife blades in a stacked arrangement is formed in the inner case. As such, during the sliding operation of the inner and outer case, a horizontal ejection rib contacts the uppermost art design knife blade in the inner case and ejects it horizontally from a dispensing slot, thereby achieving the convenient dispensing of art design knife blades.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a tablet dispenser for distributing tablets in individual portions. The tablet dispenser described in the invention comprises a prismatic enclosure (29), the bottom face (22) of which presents an aperture (21) offset relative to a front face (36), the top face of which is open in its whole cross-section, and the side faces (34, 35) of which have a recess (29) on top. The described dispenser also comprises an internal component (10) with limited displacement, nested into the enclosure (10) by the open top (30) and featuring a tablet feed chamber (12), preferably prismatic, the bottom of which comprises a substantially vertical (13) tablet supply duct extending through the bottom aperture (21) provided in the enclosure (20), as well as a spring (14) resting upon the bottom face (22) of the enclosure and a blade (23) to limit the stroke.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf ball carrier for conveniently carrying and protecting a plurality of golf balls. A sleeve of padded material, open at both ends, has an elastic band at each end to retain the balls. A ball can be extracted by squeezing the sleeve above the ball, and balls can be inserted by pushing them past the band. The carrier may also incorporate holders for golf tees, and other items and a shoulder or belt strap and attachment clasp.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for supplying articles such as snacks is disclosed. Articles to be dispensed from the apparatus travel horizontally in a direction parallel with the front surface of the apparatus to a position from which the articles drop through a vertical shaft at the side of the apparatus to a delivery area. The apparatus is compact in size and is capable of holding a large inventory of different snack articles. The apparatus has a low profile and may be mounted to a wall by means of a mounting bracket.

Abstract: A retrofit folded towel dispensing module for use with a wall mounted, folded towel dispenser designed to dispense a folded towel having a predetermined footprint, the folded towel dispensing module enabling the dispenser to dispense folded towels having a different footprint. The module has a frame including a top member, a pair of extensible side members attached to the top member, and a dispensing platform having a dispensing orifice therethrough. The dispensing platform is pivotally attached to the extensible side members. The frame supports a stack of folded towels within the wall mounted, folded towel dispenser. The extensible side members allow the frame to be vertically adjustable within the wall mounted, folded towel dispenser to accommodate differing stack heights of a plurality of different wall mounted, folded towel dispensers.

Abstract: A container is described which can hold multiple small articles such as earplugs, and which can be inserted into a dispenser where the contents can be readily released. The container includes a box (30, FIG. 3 ) whose bottom wall includes a pair of flaps (50, 52) having inner ends (54, 56) pivotally connected to the bottoms of opposite side walls, and having outer portions (64, 66) that lie adjacent to each other. A release device (34) holds the outer portions of the flaps together to prevent them from pivoting down until the release device is pulled out, when the flaps pivot down and the articles fall out. The outer portion of each flap includes an upstanding tab (76, 78, FIG. 5 ) with a horizontal slot (82), and the release device includes a cardboard plate which is received in the slot.

Abstract: An oblong shaped box for tissues or papers with an opening (21) on top through which tissues or papers are removed one at a time. Moving the bottom up is made possible by folding in the lower sections of the four sides along punctured fold lines (30), and crushing in the corners along lines (40, 60). Lines (50) near but inside the borders of the bottom create the needed space to allow the bottom to move up.

Abstract: A dispenser for the dispensing of individual tablets has a housing (1), a slide (3) displaceable with limited stroke, a tablet storage chamber with adjoining delivery chute (7), and front end closure surfaces and profiled flanks being developed, in part, fixed on the housing and, in part, on the slide (3). A moveable flank forms a separation chamber (A) and in the flank fixed on the housing has a separation finger (F) associated with the separation chamber. To obtain a structurally simple dispenser with optimal functioning and gentle treatment of the tablets, the separation finger (F) is formed by a bottom vertex (22) of a first oblique surface (I) which commences on top opposite an upper closure (23) of the separation chamber (A). A second oblique surface (II) is developed on the moveable flank (d), which surface, commencing at the upper closure (23) of the separation chamber (A), extends in upward direction, continuously increasing the cross-section of the delivery chute.

Abstract: An elongated tubular member for retrieving and dispensing deformable balls, such as tennis balls, is provided with retrieving structure at one extremity and dispensing structure at the opposite extremity. The retrieving structure forms an inlet opening having internal projections requiring deformation of a ball being forced through the inlet opening. The dispensing structure forms primary and secondary dispensing openings and a restraining lip preventing inadvertent movement of the lowermost ball through the primary dispensing opening. The dispensing structure also forms a manual access opening, permitting access to the lowermost ball by the fingers of the user to permit dispensing movement of the lowermost ball. The dispensing structure also includes a closure and dispensing cap positionable for closing the dispensing opening to secure balls within the tubular member for storage and positionable to permit dispensing of balls from the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A tissue paper box includes a plurality of side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall which define an enclosure for containing tissue papers; the top wall being cut-away to define a paper outlet through which the tissue papers can be removed; the side walls being collapsible to provide the tissue paper box in compact form after at least some of the tissue papers are removed therefrom; and at least one elastic strip secured to interior surfaces of the walls of the box for biasing the tissue papers toward the paper outlet, the at least one elastic strip being at least partly removable through the paper outlet when all of the tissue papers are removed from the box, to be wrapped around the box so as to maintain the box in the collapsed, compact form.

Abstract: A coin operated vending machine is provided for delivering the uppermost of a stack of generally horizontally disposed article such as newspapers, out a delivery opening or vending slot. The machine employs an upright pedestal with a top wall for supporting a stack of the articles to be dispensed, and an enclosing cabinet shell is telescopingly received over the upper end of the pedestal and has an article engaging dispensing slot. The pedestal supports the cabinet shell in telescopic position which changes incrementally each time a newspaper is vended. The article is rotated through an arc in the dispensing of the newspaper and a latch bar associated with the dispensing mechanism is movable to latched or unlatched position, dependent on whether or not proper coins have been inserted.