Abstract: A medicine dispensing apparatus includes: a hopper that receives a medicine and causes the medicine to proceed to a guiding port; a holding section that is provided to the hopper and holds the medicine; and a delivering section that is provided to the hopper and delivers the medicine held by the holding section to the guiding port.

Abstract: A drug dispensing device includes: a variable cassette configured to dispense any type of drug; a mounting portion, to and from which the variable cassette is mountable and dismountable; a drive controller configured to cause the drug corresponding to the plurality of pieces of prescription data to be dispensed from the set; an allocation processor configured to allocate, based on the plurality of pieces of prescription data, drug information on the drug to be dispensed included in the plurality of pieces of prescription data to the variable cassette or the mounting portion; and a drive controller configured to drive the variable cassette in accordance with a driving condition set in advance in association with the drug information allocated to the variable cassette or the mounting portion by the allocation processor, to thereby dispense from the variable cassette the drug corresponding to the plurality of pieces of prescription data.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body including a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, a door, and an ice maker disposed in the freezing compartment. The refrigerator also includes an ice bank disposed on the door, an ice transfer device configured to transfer ice made in the ice maker to the ice bank, and an ice chute that connects the ice transfer device to the ice bank. The ice transfer device includes a housing in which ice separated from the ice maker drops and a transfer member accommodated within the housing and configured to transfer ice from the housing into the ice chute. The ice transfer device also includes an ice unit configured to reduce ice jamming or damage caused by interference with the transfer member.

Abstract: Utilities that increase the volume of media elements that can be simultaneously loaded and/or unloaded into or from a storage library, facilitate mounting of media element magazines into a storage library, and limit access to an interior of a storage library by users during operation of robotics assemblies of the storage library. One disclosed utility includes a cartridge access port for use with a storage library that has a storage container that is pivotable (e.g., swingable) between at least first and second positions. In the first position, the storage container is adjacent an opening in the housing of the library for loading and unloading of media elements by a user into or from the container via the opening. After the storage container has swung into the second position, the storage container is spaced from the opening and faces the interior of the library for access by a robotics assembly.

Abstract: A medicine dispensing device includes a shell-like base unit, a shell-like cassette with a number of compartments for storage of medicines which is rotatable relative to the base unit, a unit for rotating the cassette relative to the base unit at predetermined times, a lid firmly connected to the base unit, and an aperture situated in the lid in such a way as to be movable to become central to any desired compartment of the cassette when the cassette is rotated relative to the base unit and the lid. A hatch is provided close to the aperture and can assume a position in which the aperture is closed and a position in which the aperture is exposed. The hatch is pivotable relative to a pivot axis. The hatch has a rear edge which has an extent in the circumferential direction of the device.

Abstract: A powder medicine dispensing/packaging apparatus includes: a divisional container composed of a first divisional container and a second divisional container connectable to each other and each including a plurality of powder medicine accommodation parts accommodating powder medicine in equal amounts corresponding to one package, each powder medicine accommodation part being equipped with a bottom plate that can be opened and closed; a carrying device for horizontally carrying the divisional container between an initial position and a first movement terminal position; a dispensing/packaging device for recovering powder medicine dropped from the divisional container carried by the carrying device by successively opening the bottom plates and dispensing/packaging the powder medicine package by package; and a swinging device for canceling the connection between the first divisional container and the second divisional container at the first movement terminal position to enable the first divisional container to move

Abstract: A medicine supply apparatus for filling medicines into containers has a plurality of reception compartments into which each of a plurality of medicines are to be respectively selectively fed by a user based on prescription data stored in a processor, a discharge apparatus for discharging the medicines from each of the reception compartments, and filling apparatus for filling the medicines discharged from the reception compartments into containers. An LED lamp is identifiably related to each of the plurality of reception compartments to indicate the reception compartment into which a particular medicine is to be fed based on the prescription data and a control device controls the discharge apparatus to discharge the medicine from the reception compartment and the filling apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided a medicament dispenser for use with a medicament carrier having a plurality of pockets for containing medicament wherein said pockets are spaced along the length of and defined between two peelable sheets secured to each other, said dispenser having an internal mechanism for accessing said medicament contained within said medicament carrier. The internal mechanism comprises a carrier drive means; indexing means and clutch means, in communication therebetween. The clutch means comprises a gearing surface defining plural gear engagement positions; and plural gear teeth for engaging said plural gear engagement positions. The plural gear teeth are arranged such that at any one time only a single gear tooth engages a single gear engagement position.

Abstract: An automatic medicine packaging machine with door lock unit that prevents the supplement and outflow of tablets by an unauthorized person and makes tablets kept and treated more safely is disclosed. The automatic medicine packaging machine comprising a plurality of tablet cassettes and a door includes; a door lock unit that is established on a body of the automatic medicine packaging machine and locks or unlocks the door; a button operation unit that is established on the front of the body and that operation is inputted by a user; and a lock controller that controls the operation of the door lock unit according to a lock or unlock signal inputted by the button operation unit, in which the lock controller includes a user authentication unit that authenticates user of the door lock unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semi-automatic medicine packaging machine with cassette lock unit that improves packaging efficiency and speed by supplying an automatic supply unit and prevents an unauthorized person from supplement and outflow of tablets by fixing tablet cassettes arrayed in the automatic supply unit as a whole. The semi-automatic medicine packaging machine including a medication feed outlet that feeds and discharges medications into a hopper, a sealing unit that seals medications in the hopper by medication envelope(s), a printing unit that prints data on medication envelope(s), a controller that controls the overall apparatus, and a button operation unit that inputs a user's operation into the controller includes an upper shelf; cassette stands; an automatic supply unit including a plurality of tablet cassettes established on the upper part of the cassette stands; and a cassette lock unit that prevents separation of the tablet cassettes from the cassette stands.

Abstract: A pill dispenser includes a base formed to include several pill-receiving compartments and a cover formed to include an opening. The cover is mounted for rotation on the base to allow a user to align the cover opening with a selected one of the pill-receiving compartments so that the user can access any pills stored in the selected pill-receiving compartment.

Abstract: A portable electrically operable and tamper resistant medication dispenser for supplying multiple daily medications to a patient on a predetermined schedule and which includes a programmable assembly for indexing a plurality of containers which are filled with the medications to a dispenser outlet.

Abstract: A portable electrically operable and tamper resistant medication dispenser for supplying multiple daily medications to a patient on a predetermined schedule and which includes a programmable assembly for indexing a plurality of containers which are filled with the medications to a dispenser outlet.

Abstract: A merchandise dispenser for dispensing merchandising prizes which are used in conjunction with coin operated amusement games. It includes a conveyor belt that follows a continuos path of travel within a housing, a control cabinet having an interface device which is connected to a remote coin operated device which offers an award based upon a score, points or achievement, a prize retrieval space contained within the housing, and an access door formed in the front of the housing to retrieve a prize.

Abstract: An apparatus for destroying medical waste material is provided including a transportable container member, a processor having rotatably driven roller members for breaking the medical waste materials into smaller particles, a removable receptacle for containing the medical waste particles, and a loading device for actuating an opening mechanism of the transportable container and regulating the introduction of medical waste material therein.

Abstract: An improved access door for magnetic tape library systems and the like, including a pivotable cartridge-receiving receptacle for facilitating the insertion and removal of cartridges into and out of the system. The receptacle is pivotably mounted to be rotatable between a first position extending at least part way out of the system housing, and a second position wherein the receptacle is at least partially disposed within the housing. A trip lever actuated latch holds the receptacle in the second position, and a spring-loaded lifter rotates the receptacle away from the second position when the latch is released. A damping cam and resilient roller control the rotation of the receptacle and provide limit stops therefor. Optical sensors indicate receptacle position and the presence or absence of a cartridge in the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for delivering assembly and machining expendable materials or tools. The apparatus has an internal continuous mechanism with different compartment rows arranged in rotary manner and to move past a removal door row. An embodiment having relatively stationary compartments and movable doors to align with a selected compartment is also disclosed. An inputting keyboard for the positioning of the particular compartment row in front of the removal door row also controls the unlocking of a door in the door row associated with the selected compartment. The delivery unit is connected by means of a long-range transmission means to a data processing unit, which records the removal of the materials and optionally initiates reloading, billing, etc.

Abstract: A pill dispenser includes at least one closeable chamber for storing pills therein, and threads for attaching the pill dispenser to the opening of a drinking fluid container such that the dispenser serves as a cap for the container.

Abstract: The apparatus is provided for delivering assembly and machining expendable materials or tools. It comprises an internal continuous lift mechanism with different compartment rows arranged in rotary manner to move past a removal door row. An inputting keyboard for the positioning of the particular compartment row in front of the removal door row also controls the unlocking of door in the door row associated with the selected compartment.The delivery unit is connected by means of a long-range transmission means to a data processing unit, which records the removal of materials and optionally initiates reloading, billing, etc.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus (1, 60) for medications (2) in capsule or pill form includes a case (3, 64) dispensing the medications and a removable loader (4, 75) capable of containing the medications previously put into the loader. The case includes a driving mechanism (7, 61) for driving the loader in a given direction, and optical detection (39) arranged in order to detect the passage of a medication at the moment of its exit from the case and connected to a electronic device (40) for storing, computing and retrieving the data relating to the dispensing of medications. The loader includes several transverse compartments (24) forming a continuous longitudinal chain, the loader and the orifice being arranged in order to allow the exit of the medication directly under gravity when it is dispensed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for storing and dispensing cartridges into the tubular magazine of a .22 caliber or other such rifle. The apparatus includes a central chamber section having a central passageway extending therethrough with a plurality of storage passageways radially spaced equidistant from the central passage and equidistant from each other. An upper cap and a lower cap are spring loaded against opposite ends of the chamber by way of a tension spring passing through the central chamber. The upper cap includes a dispensing opening radially aligned with the plurality of dispensing passages. The outer periphery of the dispensing chamber includes a plurality of semi-cylindrical grooves and the inner periphery of the cap includes two detent rib for positioning in the various semi-cylindrical grooves of the chamber.

Abstract: A machine is designed to be used as an educational tool. The machine is connected to a 120 volt alternating current source of electrical power and to a personal computer. The computer is programmed to put questions on a monitor and to send a signal to the machine, after a certain number of correct responses to the questions have been entered into said computer. The signal causes the source of electrical power to move one of a plurality of compartments, 75, to an opening, 58, in the machine so that a person may retrieve the object the compartment was holding, as a reward for having answered the questions correctly.

Abstract: A ring with a plurality of hidden internal compartments for receiving articles includes an inner circular member and an outer circular member. The outer member defines a plurality of laterally separated, inwardly open compartments for receiving articles and an inwardly biased tab at least partially disposed in a predetermined one of the compartments. The inner circular member is concentrically mounted on the outer member for rotation relative thereto and defines a single aperture therethrough. The aperture is configured and dimensioned to at least partially receive the tab or to act as a passageway for articles into and out of a radially aligned one of the compartments, depending upon the relative rotational orientation of the inner and outer members.

Abstract: A rotating drum magazine for storing and managing coins having a rotating drum formed with a plurality of compartments for receiving coins and a hinged bottom and which rotates in a radial direction between an open and closed position is provided. A driving arm rotatable in two directions selectively opens a hinged bottom. The angle of rotation of the driving arm is coded through coded discs associated with the rotating drum and is controlled by a logic control unit which causes the driving arm to selectively open and close the compartments for dispensing of the coins.

Abstract: An automated delivery system includes a unitary wheel assembly having a plurality of horizontally disposed tiers each supporting a plurality of radially extending product bins. Electronic control components including customer interfacing devices, regulate the operation of a motor to rotate the wheel assembly to position a specific bin juxtaposed a single, fixed delivery chute, at which point one stationary discharge assistant as provided for each tier is actuated to manipulate a gate assembly associated with each bin to cause the discharge of its product, by gravity, into the chute. Input keyboard, monitor, credit card and currency processing devices connected to the control components permit varied types of transactions by customers of the system.

Abstract: The disclosed pill dispenser is of the disc or carousel type and has a base provided with a flat top over which the disc is superimposed so that the bottom face of the disc is so closely proximate to the top face of the base as to prevent the gravitational escape of pills, tablets, capsules, etc. from vertical pill containing pockets in the disc except via a controlled radial slot having a gate timed with rotation of the disc on the basis of a predetermined number of dosage periods per day and a predetermined number of days according to a power source in the form of a clock motor, for example. In a preferred form of the invention the gate-controlled slot depends upon the spirally arranged pattern of the dosage pockets and the gate moves in the slot in accordance with a like spiral track. Each pocket is capable of containing a plurality of pills; e.g., in instances in which multiple pills of different types are prescribed.

Abstract: An improved medication dispensing system is provided for controlled preprogrammed dispensing of medication to a patient and for creating a retrievable patient medication record. The system includes a dispensing unit located, for example, at patient bedside within a hospital room or the like and adapted to receive a pair of medication canisters having magazines with individual cassettes which have been preloaded in a preprogrammed manner in the hospital pharmacy or the like respectively to contain scheduled and unscheduled medications for administration to the patient. The dispensing unit is programmed according to individual patient needs to signal a nurse or other personnel at selected times when scheduled medication is prescribed, whereupon the scheduled medication can be accessed for dispensing only after entry of valid nurse or other personnel identification code into a dispensing unit memory.

Abstract: A system for dispensing components one-at-a-time upon demand for utilization comprises a component handling assembly and a buffer assembly. The component handling assembly receives bulk quantities of the components and when activated, properly orients each component and supplies the components in a randomly timed sequence to the buffer assembly. The buffer assembly comprises a cylindrical upper receiving housing having a plurality of cylindrical through-chambers radially disposed in a circular pattern and rotatable about a central generally vertical axis. A cylindrical lower dispensing member is closely aligned and coaxially rotatable both independently and together with the receiving housing. The dispensing member has a planar upper surface which forms a bottom cover for the chambers in the upper receiving housing and has a single passageway that can be aligned with each of the upper receiving chambers to dispense a component.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for vending newspapers or similar articles is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a horizontally disposed drum mounted on a pedestal. The drum includes an open top and a sliding door on its vertical face. A drive plate is rotatably mounted in the bottom of the drum, and a carousel is detachably secured to the drive plate for rotation therewith. The carousel includes a plurality of open-ended, radial slots. The slots are formed by vertical walls extending from the center of the carousel to the periphery of the carousel. The upper edges of the walls slope downwardly from the center of the carousel to the periphery of the carousel. Various carousels having the same structure but different size slots may be used in a machine. A clear plastic dome is used to cover the open top of the drum. A lock and key arrangement is provided so that the dome may be secured to the drum and easily removed.

Abstract: A vending machine, preferably for cooled articles, comprises a number of drums subdivided into compartments and arranged as a stack within a cabinet to be individually rotatable about a horizontal shaft. A front and a rear shield covers the lower half of the stack and leave between themselves a passage. A flap, which is swingable about a horizontal shaft, reaches, in one of its positions, to the lower edge of the front shield and partly closes the passage. The machine comprises a selector mechanism, by which the position of an actuator can be adjusted to a desired drum and, when released, rotates the latter one step, and also tilts the flap, so an adjacent article can slide down a chute. The machine is provided with suitable release structure, for instance a coin-freed device, which by way of impulses to an electric motor causes a swinging movement of an arm in the actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for working glass tubes, with several chucks circulating on a common axis and sweeping past several processing stations, there being mounted above each chuck a stepwise rotating magazine storing several glass tubes, each tube resting by its lower end on a non-rotating supporting plate which has a hole for the glass tubes to fall through for engagement by the chuck therebelow, the machine having a switch which causes the magazine to rotate, one step at a time, each step corresponding to the distance between two neighbouring tubes, in order to bring the next glass tube to the hole, and wherein between the hole of the supporting plate and the chuck therebelow there is a mobile arrestor blade which allows the magazine to rotate stepwise without a tube falling through the hole, until the chuck is empty, whereupon the blade can disengage so that it no longer blocks the hole.

Abstract: A magazine for holding a plurality of power loads for use in operating a power-actuated tool. The magazine includes a tube formed with a polygonal outer wall and is axially elongated. The inner part of the tube is formed with a plurality of separate open-ended channels in each of which a stack of power loads is disposed. Removable caps close each end of the magazine. The lower cap has a feed passage which, by rotation of the tube, can be aligned with each of the internal channels so as to allow discharge therefrom by gravity of the stack of loads disposed in the aligned channel. The feed passage can also be aligned with each of the radial webs between adjacent channels so that the magazine can be carried about free of the tool without danger that the loads can accidentally fall out of the channels. Rotation of the tube is keyed by the polygonal form of the outer wall of the tube.