Abstract: Provided is a dispensing mechanism for an article vending machine, which can facilitate coupling of a drive section to a dispensing unit.

Abstract: A widget device for use in delivering products or items stored on a storage unit to a transfer system, is described herein. The widget device includes a shell, a positioning magnet mounted to the shell and deployable to selectively contact the storage unit to hold the widget device at a desired location associated with a corresponding product or item, and a processor programmed to operate the positioning magnet to control a position of the widget device with respect to the storage unit.

Abstract: An anti-theft merchandise hook that includes a top wire connected to a housing portion at one end of the top wire, and to a mounting portion, used to mount the anti-theft merchandise hook to a stationary surface, at another end of the top wire opposite the one end. A bottom wire is attached to the mounting portion and extends from the mounting portion toward the housing portion. The bottom wire is configured to hold retail merchandise. A moveable hanger is at least partially disposed within the housing portion. The hanger is configured to move linearly between a closed position in which the hanger abuts the bottom wire, and an open position in which the hanger is spaced some distance from the bottom wire.

Abstract: An anti-theft merchandise hook that includes a top wire connected to a housing at a first end of the top wire, and to a mounting portion, used to mount the anti-theft merchandise hook to a stationary surface, at a second end of the top wire opposite the first end. A bottom wire is attached to the mounting portion and extends from the mounting portion towards the housing. The bottom wire is configured to hold retail merchandise. A hanger is at least partially disposed within the housing. The hanger is configured to move linearly between a closed position in which the hanger abuts the bottom wire, and an open position in which the hanger is spaced some distance from the bottom wire. A motor is configured to drive a rotary shaft in order to move the hanger between the closed position and the open position.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system of dispensing a row of inventory by advancing the row forward. An elongated member has opposite ends, either of which can receive and mount an actuator, e.g. electric motor. A drive member, e.g. a lead screw, extends along the elongated member and is connectable to the actuator. A push member, e.g. plate, linearly moves along the elongated body in response to the drive member. The assembly is highly adjustable. In one aspect, it is self-contained and can be mounted and adjusted in different positions on a support such as a tray, shelf, or frame. In another aspect, it can be selectively configured between different states. One state has the elongated member mounted in the support in one way, with the actuator at the back and the push member extending laterally in a first direction. In another state, the push member extends laterally an opposite direction.

Abstract: A product tray includes a tray body and two rotating device. The tray body includes a bottom panel and two mounting portions extending from the bottom panel. Each of the rotating devices includes a pivot shaft mounted to one of the two mounting portions, a roller, and an engaging member. The pivot shaft defines an engaging slot. The roller includes a roller body and a flange extending from the roller body. The roller body defines a pivot hole. The flange defines a cutout. The pivot shaft is received in the pivot hole. The engaging member is placed in the flange via the cutout and to engage in the engaging slot to prevent the roller body from moving along a direction substantially parallel to the pivot shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to mitigate the spread of infectious material caused by coughing or sneezing are disclosed. The apparatus includes a bottom, a peripheral first duct and a peripheral second duct, and a top. The bottom has a first side and an opposing second side. The peripheral first duct is disposed on the first side of the bottom and around a portion of the periphery of the bottom. The peripheral second duct is disposed on the first side of the bottom and around a second portion of the periphery of the bottom. The peripheral first duct has a first cavity and the peripheral second duct has a second cavity. The top includes at least one opening configured to receive a nose and mouth of a user. The top is disposed above the first side of the bottom and is recessed below the peripheral first duct and the peripheral second duct. The bottom, the top, the peripheral first duct and the peripheral second duct define a third cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic product dispenser, i.e. vending machine featuring improved product delivery ability. The vending machine according to the present invention comprises at least one tray (5) for supporting the products (2) to be dispensed, which is arranged in a substantially horizontal manner and is subdivided into a plurality of compartments (6), at least a conveyor belt (9) for handling the products (2) within said compartments (6) and conveying said products (2) towards a release section (35); the inventive vending machine further comprises delivery means (17) provided close to said release section (35). The inventive vending machine is characterized in that at least one of said compartments (6) is so configured as to be able to receive products (2) arranged along two rows, and in that it comprises selection means (19) adapted to arrange said products (2) into a single row in proximity of said release section (35).

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: A medicine dispensing/packaging apparatus is provided with a tablet feeder mechanism, a carrying mechanism, a supporting mechanism, and a dispensing/packaging mechanism. The tablet feeder mechanism further includes tablet accommodation parts, which contain tablets. The tablet accommodation parts are rotatably connected to each other. Each of the tablet accommodation parts further includes a rotatable bottom plate. The carrying mechanism carries the tablet feeder first in a horizontal direction and then in a vertical downward direction. The supporting mechanism provides support to the rotatable bottom plates for part of the time that the tablet feeder is carried in the horizontal direction, thus preventing the plates from opening. When the support to the bottom plate is removed, the bottom plates open, causing the tablets contained in the accommodation parts to be discharged. The discharged tablets are subsequently collected for packaging.

Abstract: An apparatus to reduce the effect of coughing or sneezing is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pad having a configuration that conforms to a general outline of a person's nose and mouth region. The pad includes a bottom having a first side and an opposing second side, an absorbent material disposed on the first side of the bottom to receive byproducts of a cough or a sneeze, and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom substantially upward and around the periphery of the bottom. The peripheral wall is configured to prevent escape of the byproducts from the pad.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a transport system for blister packages or the like, with a boom for mounting on a vertical wall or the like. Guided in the boom is a finite chain formed of hooks such that it is slidable by hand out of a lower groove section via a turning point into an upper groove section and vice versa, within guide grooves extending along the two groove sections and the turning point. Blister packages or the like which are suspended from the hooks can be removed by hand only in the region of the turning point. Preceding and following the turning point, there is formed between each pair of neighboring hooks a closed compartment which opens only in the region of the turning point for removal of a blister package or the like, so that only one blister package at a time can be removed from the chain. With the removal of each blister package or the like, the chain is advanced one step to the front, whereby a neat shelf profile is maintained automatically.

Abstract: A vending apparatus has a housing and at least one rotatable dispensing coil disposed within the housing. The coil is vertically oriented and rotates in a manner such that products placed between the rungs of the coil move progressively downward during rotation until each product is ejected from a bottom end of the coil. There are retaining walls surrounding the coil on opposite sides of the coil. The walls extend an entire length of the coil but do not encompass the entire circumference of the coil, so that two longitudinal portions of the coil located opposite one another are not surrounded by the retaining walls. A product having a length exceeding the diameter of the coil can be placed in the coil for vending so that the ends of the product extend beyond the coil through the two portions not surrounded by the retaining walls. The retaining walls prevent the product from rotating when the coil rotates, and keep the product moving progressively down the coil until it is ejected from the coil.

Abstract: A vending machine for the sale of both food and non-food products has a plurality of adjustable shelves and adjustable product dividers. Products are dispensed from the shelves by the action of a computer controlled transporter mounted on carriages permitting movement of the transporter both horizontally and vertically in an X-Z plane across the face of the product shelving. Rotation of the transporter in front of a selected product engages a product delivery mechanism which gently and safely slides the product off the shelf onto the transporter. A movable wall within the transporter pushes the delivered product aside, thereby clearing the way for the dispensing of additional products. Multiple products may safely be collected in each cycle. Products are carried to a delivery station for retrieval by the customer. After product delivery, the transporter is discharged of any residual items.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing tablets from a blister pack including formations for receiving the tablets and a rupturable foil member which seals the formations. The foil member is rupturable to allow removal of the tablets from the blister pack. The de-blistering apparatus works essentially by using an adhesive coated tape to mount and draw the blister pack through a depressing station and a foil removal station. In the depressing station, the foil which seals the tablet within the formations is ruptured and in the foil removal station the ruptured foil is removed from the blister pack to free the tablet.

Abstract: A container (10) includes a body that has a bottom wall (12), a top wall (20), a back wall (14), and first and second end walls (16), (18) wherein the walls (12), (14), (16), (18), and (20) of the body define an open front (22) portion of the container body. The container (10) further includes a first (24), top (98), bottom (100), side (110), and diagonal (112) conveyors supported on the back wall (14) within the container (10) for supporting parts (28) between the conveyors (24), (98), (100), and (112) for sequentially loading and unloading the parts (28) on and off the conveyors (24), (98), (100), and (112). The container (10) may provide for an effective way for loading and unloading the container with variety of parts comprising different shapes and dimensions.

Abstract: A controlled output automatic product dispensing machine, comprising a fixed structure (13) with at least one shelf (10) holding at least one product-carrying drawer (11) and with at least one door (12) to collect the selected product. Said machine provides at least one guide (15) to slide a container (14) which collects the selected product near the corresponding product carrying drawer (11) and moves it to a collecting position accessible to the user after opening the door (12).

Abstract: An advertising device for use on product and/or service dispensing machines, method for delivering prizes in dispensing machines by the use of the said device and method for actuating the said device. The advertising device is applicable on machines for dispensing products, such as food, beverages and the like or services such as telephony, etc. The device is characterized by comprising a prize viewing means, at least an actuating means and a dispensing slot, where said actuating means is defined by a push button and the device further comprises an actuating cycle comprising a random routine for delivering prizes.

Abstract: An improved merchandising method, system and apparatus are provided through the use of product displays having a track for aligning product packages in a linear fashion, and an electronic monitoring and transmitting device in the product displays that detects a linear position of one or more product packages with respect to the tracks and generates a signal representing the number of product packages still remaining on the shelf. The signal also preferably includes an identifier code, which may include a universal product identifier code (UPC) or a serial number of the track, that can be utilized to pinpoint the location of that particular track within the store. The signal may be transmitted wirelessly as a radio frequency signal that can be received by antennas permanently installed within the store and connected to an in-store inventory control system and database.

Abstract: In a commodity discharge apparatus for a vending machine, an endless chain (2) extends on a vertical plane to form an endless loop and is engaged with a first and a second sprocket (1a, 1b) which are spaced from each other in a horizontal direction. The endless chain is adapted to circulate through the first and the second sprockets and through a lower and an upper traveling path each extending between the first and the second sprockets. A hook (3) is unrotatably attached to a part of the endless chain and is for hooking a commodity (100) only when the part is placed at the lower traveling path. In addition, a fall preventing member (7) is provided to extend in parallel to the lower traveling path beside the hook for preventing a fall of the commodity from the hook.

Abstract: The invention concerns a distribution installation for packets with an operating device (1) and compartments (4) located beside and/or above one another in which the packets (3) to be selected can be arranged, in which transport means (9) controlled by the said device (1) are provided which enable a selected packet (3) to be transferred from the exit (8) of a particular compartment (4) to be dispensing hatch (6), and in certain compartments (4) a conveyor belt (7) is mounted which is directly of indirectly controlled from the operating device (1) and which enables the packets (3) concerned to be brought one by one to the exit (8) of the compartment (4) as far as the said transport means (9).

Abstract: Distributor machine of the type comprising a cooling unit for preserving cooled food products until they are consumed, the distributor comprising rectangular trays (2) which are arranged horizontally and which rotate independently from each other with respect to an axis (10) relative to a front apex; said trays (2) are provided with longitudinal compartments (3) of which the basis has a central longitudinal opening with respect to which are arranged rotary chains between two horizontal axis (5) operated by the corresponding motor (6) in order to displace the selected products (15) towards a reception tray (7) and convey them to the mouth (17) for collection by the user, the tray (7) being in a transversal position with respect to the feed direction of the products when ejected from the corresponding compartment (3).

Abstract: A product dispenser with inventory monitoring, useful to be installed in hotel establishments and establishments providing similar services, including a refrigerating equipment and a plurality of product selection pushbuttons (2), in such a way that the dispenser (1), communicated with a central control, comprises a selection confirmation pushbutton (3); a separating plate (6) in horizontal position that defines a first compartment (7) and a second compartment (8) maintained at different temperatures, each one of the compartments having a plurality of compartmentalized trays (11) in which tray compartments are defined, each tray compartment having a conveyor belt (13), each conveyor belt being provided with a plurality of separators (14) between which the products are positioned; a first strip (18) along the entire length of the front of the dispenser over the closing gate (16) of the opening access (15) to the box (17) for receiving the dispensed products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an improved frozen vending machine having a glass front which provides the customer the opportunity to view the actual product they wish to purchase, while ensuring the maintenance of a freezing environment and utilizing a product conveyor system which reliably delivers a larger selection of frozen product to the customer than has been available in the past. The present invention also provides a method and kit for modifying existing vending machines into the frozen vending machine described herein.

Abstract: A tablet supplying apparatus for a tablet dispensing system includes a conveyer belt carried over on a driving roller and a driven roller, a plurality of tablet receiving trays, and a plurality of hoppers. A tablet release means is provided adjacent to a rear portion of said conveyer belt for releasing tablets in a plurality of tablet input ports correspondingly placed above the tablet receiving trays. The hoppers are attached to a guide which is cross-fixed between lower portions of a pair of side plates forming the frame. Each of the hopper includes a release guide, a lever and a control plate unitary therewith. The release guide is raised (opened) by a corresponding one of a plurality of cams regularly carried on a cam shaft driven by a first motor.

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: A device for allowing the dispensing of cigarettes at a predetermined rate comprising a drum and a plurality of chambers for receiving individual cigarettes, the drum having an open upper end and a plate at the lower end; a container of a size to receive the drum; a cover pivotally attached to the cylindrical container at the upper end and movable between an open position for loading cigarettes, the cover also including a lid at the delivery position openable to allow removal of a single cigarette; a locking assembly to maintain the cover closed except when in the load orientation; drive mechanisms to sequentially bring each chamber beneath the lid for cigarette removal; and control means to activate the drive mechanisms in a time sequence.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus are well known for dispensing material from a package. Described herein is apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of material (10, 10') stored in vessels (12) carried by a continuous web (14). The apparatus comprises a roller (18) over which the web (14) moves. A stop bar (20) is positioned above the roller (20) so that as the web (14) passes over the roller (18), the vessels (12) engage the bar (20) and are separated from the web (14) thereby releasing the material (10').

Abstract: A product dispenser for a vending machine including a conveyor having a continuous belt with flexible transparent dividers spaced at predetermined intervals along the belt. Adjacent transparent dividers form individual product cavities that receive and store a product. The product in the product cavity at the end of the conveyor adjacent to the discharge chute can be identified by viewing it through the transparent front panel of the cabinet and the transparent divider before a product selection is made by the consumer.

Abstract: An article vendor, particularly for food products such as sandwiches, salads, lunch platters and dessert items, wherein the articles are stocked on endless belt conveyors extending in rear-to-front direction in a cabinet having a front window for merchandising display of the articles. The conveyors are arranged in tiers one above another and side by side in each tier, and the vendor includes an elevator movable up and down at the front of the conveyors for receiving an article from any one (or more) of the conveyors and transporting it to a delivery station. Upon selection by a purchaser of an article on a particular conveyor, the elevator is raised to the level of the tier which includes the selected conveyor, and that conveyor is indexed forward one step to dispense the forward article therefrom on to the elevator, after which the elevator is lowered to the delivery station.

Abstract: A vending device for use in article dispensing machines is disclosed wherein a continuous loop conveyor periodically carries a plurality of dispensing units, each unit adapted by means of a biased spring clip member to releasably hold an article to be dispensed, past a stationary cam, whereupon coaction by the dispensing unit with the cam causes the dispensing unit to release and dispense the article.