Abstract: In an electronic component supply device electronic components are accommodated within cavities formed in a carrier tape of which surface is covered with a top tape. A peeling portion for peeling off the top tape from the carrier tape includes a peel-away cutout portion cut into a tape transfer direction. A thin plate has an angled portion having a rounded portion. A concavity, in which the thin plate operates, is formed in the tape pressing member downstream of the peel-away cutout portion in the tape transfer direction.

Abstract: A tape feeder for a part mounter including a guide frame into which first through third guide portions and a stripper are incorporated, a driving motor installed on the rear surface of the guide frame, first through third gears for transmitting the power of the driving motor, a sprocket coaxially installed on the third gear, the sprocket having teeth formed on the outer circumferential surface to be inserted into grooves formed on the tape having parts attached thereto and a plurality of slots formed along the circumference of the sprocket, a cover take-up apparatus assembly having a first pulley installed on one gear among the first and second gears, a belt hung on the first pulley, a second pulley which rotates by a driving force transmitted via the belt, and a take-up reel installed coaxially with respect to the second pulley, a cover tension apparatus assembly having an axle gear interlocked with the third gear, a peel roller which is installed coaxially with the axle gear and rotates, and a pinch roller

Abstract: A coin operated device for the distribution of items includes a target array of tubular members containing items. A ram attached to and extending from a support member. The support member providing for movement of the ram within a plane. The ram is employed to force the items from the selected tubular member of the target array.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a top cover tape peeled from an electric-component tape which additionally includes a carrier tape having pockets which accommodate electric components, respectively, and whose respective upper openings are closed with the top cover tape, the apparatus including two rotatable members which are rotatable about respective axis lines parallel to each other and whose respective outer circumferential surfaces cooperate with each other to pinch the top cover tape, a rotary drive device which rotates one of the two rotatable members, one of the two rotatable members having a scraper groove which is formed in the entire outer circumferential surface thereof, in an intermediate portion thereof in an axial direction thereof parallel to the two axis lines, and a scraper which is provided on an outlet side of the two rotatable members in a tape-feed direction, such that a portion of the scraper is fitted in a portion of the scraper groove that corresponds to a position where the respective outer

Abstract: A parts feeder is provided which may be employed in feeding electronic parts such as chip components to a mounting device for mounting them on a printed circuit board, for example. The parts feeder is designed to lift up parts supplied from an inlet to a parts orientation chamber to an outlet along an inner peripheral surface of the parts orientation chamber using a magnetic mechanism. A parts orienting path is defined upstream of the outlet which allows only the parts oriented in given directions to pass therethrough. A guide member is disposed within the parts orientation chamber to guide the parts, which are unoriented in alignment with a parts transport path connecting the outlet and a parts pickup station and which are dropped from the outlet, to an inlet for facilitating transportation of the parts by the magnetic mechanism to the parts orienting path, thereby avoiding jamming of the parts in the parts orienting path.

Abstract: An electric-component feeder for feeding a carrier tape carrying electric components at a predetermined component-carry pitch, at a tape-feed pitch equal to a quotient obtained by dividing the component-carry pitch by an integral number, and thereby supplying the electric components, one by one, the feeder including a main frame including a tape guide which guides the carrier tape in a lengthwise direction thereof; a cam which has a cam surface and which is provided on the main frame such that the cam surface is movable relative to the main frame; a cam drive device which is supported by the main frame and which drives the cam and thereby moves the cam surface relative to the main frame; a cam follower which is supported by the main frame and which follows the cam surface while being moved by the cam surface being moved by the cam drive device; and a motion converting device which is supported by the main frame and which converts the motion of the cam follower into the feeding of the carrier tape at the tape-

Abstract: The present invention is intended to feed components stably and speedily in a component feed apparatus whereby components stored in the form of a taped component, while being transferred along a component feed guide, are sequentially supplied to a predetermined position to be mounted to a printed board. In order to accomplish the object, a magnet is set in the vicinity of a slit of a component feed guide at which a covering tape is separated from the taped component. The magnet magnetically attracts the component, to thereby prevent the component from being forcibly dragged together with the covering tape when the covering tape is separated. Quick and stable supply of the component can be accordingly ensured.

Abstract: An electronic component feeder is provided for feeding electronic components in their stable position into an electronic component mounting apparatus and allowing the taking up of a top tape with high stability thus increasing the speed of component mounting action. As the top tape (4) is being taken up on a reel (42), a shutter (34) moves backward together with a slit (51) provided integral on the shutter (34). The turning in the tape take-up direction of the reel (42) is driven by the restoring force of a return spring (39). When the reel (42) has completed its take-up motion, the electronic component (1) can be picked up at a component pick-up location with the shutter (34) staying backward. A stationary roller (31) is provided between the slit (51) and the reel (42) and a movable roller (32) is provided for keeping the length of the top tape (4) between the slit (51) and the stationary roller (31) substantially constant.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument is adapted to receive a generally circular sensor pack containing a plurality of blood glucose sensors. Each of the sensors are disposed in sensor cavities, each of which is in fluid communication with a corresponding desiccant cavity and has a support wall that assists in directing the sensor as its being ejected from the cavity. The sensor pack is loaded on an indexing disk in the instrument such that when a slide actuator on the instrument is moved toward a testing position, a feed mechanism engaged by the slide actuator moves a knife blade thereon toward one of the sensor cavities. The knife blade pierces a portion of a foil covering the sensor cavity and engages the sensor disposed in the cavity to thereby eject the sensor from the sensor cavity.

Abstract: An electronic-component supplying cartridge is provided which includes a movable and an immovable jumping-out-preventing member and is free from jumping of electronic components out of electronic-component accommodating pockets, changing of posture of the components, or standing-up of the components due to suction. A shutter 210 is attached to a cover 82 fixed to a cartridge frame, such that the shutter 210 is movable relative to the cover 82 in the tape feeding direction. The shutter 210 includes a connection portion 214 having a groove 222 opening at a downstream-side end thereof as seen in the feeding direction, and a pair of movable jumping-out-preventing strips 228. When the shutter 210 is moved to a second position thereof, the strips 228 are received in receiving recesses 200, respectively. When a component carrier tape is fed, the shutter 210 is moved to a first position thereof where the strips 228 cover a component accommodating pocket fed to an electronic-component picking-up position.

Abstract: The system has several test elements, each of which is individually sealed to be impermeable to water vapor. The system storing test elements facilitates removal of test elements and protects the test elements contained in it against effects from the outside.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument is adapted to receive a generally circular sensor pack containing a plurality of blood glucose sensors. Each of the sensors are disposed in sensor cavities, each of which is in fluid communication with a corresponding desiccant cavity and has a support wall that assists in directing the sensor as its being ejected from the cavity. The sensor pack is loaded on an indexing disk in the instrument such that when a slide actuator on the instrument is moved toward a testing position, a feed mechanism engaged by the slide actuator moves a knife blade thereon toward one of the sensor cavities. The knife blade pierces a portion of a foil covering the sensor cavity and engages the sensor disposed in the cavity to thereby eject the sensor from the sensor cavity.

Abstract: A game machine includes a housing; a grip mechanism including two hands for gripping articles mounted on a rear wall of the housing; a drive mechanism for moving the grip mechanism vertically and/or horizontally, and depthwise in the housing; a control mechanism for controlling starting and stopping of the drive mechanism; and an input mechanism manually controlled by a game user for sending signals to the control mechanism to start and stop vertical and/or horizontal movement of the grip mechanism. Depthwise movement of the grip mechanism is actuated by the control mechanism after horizontal and vertical movement is stopped. A sensor mechanism on the grip mechanism senses the presence of a prize between the two hands and sends a signal to the control mechanism to close the hands to grip the article whereupon the grip mechanism is returned to a home position, the hands are released and the prize is delivered to the user.

Abstract: An electronic component feeder is provided for transferring a succession of electronic components borne by a carrier tape toward a pickup position one by one, the carrier tape having a backing strip and a protective cover strip adhesively secured to the backing strip to hold the electronic components in position.

Abstract: A magazine for containing a plurality of film cartridges and a method of using same. The magazine comprising at least one storage disk having a plurality of sleeves defining passages at both ends for retaining at least one of the film cartridges between the open ends. The magazine having a shutter mechanism disposed adjacent to at least one end of the at least one storage disk. The shutter mechanism comprising a first dispensing disk having a first access opening and a first central axis of rotation, and a second dispensing disk associated with and adjacent to the first dispensing disk. The second dispensing disk having a central axis of rotation in co-alignment with the first central axis and a second access opening.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument includes a sensor magazine that contains a plurality of blood glucose sensors disposed in sensor slots. Each of the sensor slots is in fluid communication with a desiccant cavity in which desiccant material is disposed. The front and rear walls of the sensor magazine are sealed with burst foils so as to seal the sensor slots and the desiccant cavities. The sensor instrument has an outer housing with a laterally extending magazine opening adapted to receive the sensor magazine. A pivot rod is moved through the magazine and an indexing wheel into an operating position with a detent arm on the instrument housing engaging a detent groove on the magazine to position the magazine in a sensor feeding position. Once so positioned, a sensor push rod is pushed forward resulting in the push rod piercing the rear burst foil and engaging a sensor in one of the sensor slots to thereby push the sensor out through the front burst foil and into a testing position.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of supplying electronic components successively to a loading position of an electronic component mounting machine at a high speed and in a stable manner is disclosed, in which a dancing guide is operatively connected with a feeding unit for taking out a predetermined length of the electronic-component tape from a supply reel before feed pins of the feed unit advance a carrier tape of the electronic-component tape to move a leading one of the electronic components into the loading position. Preferably, the apparatus further includes a separating unit, operatively connected with the feed unit, for separating an adhesive tape from the leading electronic component and the carrier tape before said feed pins advance the carrier tape. The separating unit is composed of a pair of spaced movable guide rollers and a fixed guide roller.

Abstract: A mountable beverage cooler and dispenser system comprising a housing with a vertically positioned cylindrical wall. The housing has a circular planar roof and floor, and a diameter which exceeds the height. The housing wall includes a generally rectangular large aperture. The large aperture also includes a small aperture which extends downward,toward the floor further than the majority of the large aperture. A generally rectangular shaped sliding door is contoured to follow the perimeter of the housing. The door is positioned between the tray discussed below and the wall of the housing so that it may be maneuvered to cover the large and small apertures. A generally cylindrically shaped tray consists of a circular planar floor with upstanding sidewalls forming a hollow central section therebetween. The height of the tray sidewalls is approximately the height of the housing sidewalls beneath the large aperture. The diameter of the tray and planar floor are slightly smaller than that of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for inhibiting removal of a first article from a first blister-type container having at least one blister. The device includes a first member or second blister-type container positioned facing the first blister-type container with at least one opening in the second container in registry with the blister when the second container is in the first position. The first container likewise may include an opening in registry with a second blister of the second container when the second container is in the first position. The openings in the first and second containers are sized to permit passage of the respective articles therethrough. When the second container is in the second position, the second container is positioned to inhibit removal of a first article from the first container and the first container is positioned to inhibit removal of a second article from the second container.

Abstract: Process for the automatic dispensing and automatic dispenser (1) of products (63), in particular of packaged food products, arranged on trays (20) of a storage device (2) comprising means (3) for transportation in a closed circuit, from which means the trays are suspended in a continuous chain and which have gear members (5) with horizontal and parallel axes, with the aid of an extracting device (56) comprising at least one pusher (62) and suitable for extracting the products from the storage device when the trays are, respectively, at a discharging station. When one of the trays is at the discharging station (55) and the pusher (62) is arranged laterally to the product (63) to be extracted which is carried by this tray (20), means displace the pusher (62) parallel to the axes of the gear members (4, 5) of the transportation means (3) so as to push and slide this product on this tray parallel to these axes in order to extract this product at one of the transverse ends of this tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously processing a plurality of optical cards in succession including a magazine having a plurality of racks on which a plurality of optical cards are placed, a table on which the magazine is detachably set, and a main body which supports the magazine movably up and down. On a side wall of the table is secured a rack extending vertically and a pinion is engaged with the rack. By driving the pinion, the table and thus the magazine is moved up and down so that a desired optical card can be indexed at a card discharging position. A driving roller is selectively caused to contact a side edge of the desired optical card through a window, and the optical card can be discharged from the magazine by rotating the driving roller. There is further provided a driving mechanism for feeding the optical card discharged from the magazine into an optical card utilizing device. After the optical card has been processed in the utilizing device, the optical card can be inserted into the magazine.

Abstract: A container for magnetic tape cassettes has a housing having a plurality of receiving compartments for magnetic tape cassettes, a plurality of base plates separating the compartments from one another, a lockable slider member ejectable under a spring action to a position in which a magnetic tape cassette arranged on the base plate can be removed, resilient locks provided on the slider member and formed as pivotable rocker arms adapted to engage two reel hubs of a magnetic tape cassette, projections arranged on the base plate, and elevations. The rocker arms have laterally mounted pegs which, when the slider member is ejected, disengage the rocker arms from the reel hub by running beneath the projections, and when the slider member is inserted, engage the rocker arms in the reel hub by running on the elevations.

Abstract: An automatic pill dispensing apparatus is provided having a plurality of cartridges mounted on a common rotatable shaft within a housing. Each cartridge has a plurality of compartments disposed about its periphery for containing medication to be dispensed at proper intervals. An alarm is sounded for the user when the cartridges are in position for dispensing medication. A dispense bar is manually actuated by the user to eject medication into a tray for user access. The plurality of cartridges enable filling by a pharmacist of independent multiple prescriptions. The use of a manually automated dispensing bar eliminates the possibility of overdosage by taking accumulated, unused medication. A dislodging wire sweeps through each compartment as the dispense bar is depressed, thereby dislodging the medication from the compartment for user access.

Abstract: Product-supporting trays are carried in closed circuit paths by an endless chain engaged with gear members with parallel horizontal axes. Products are extracted from transverse ends of the trays by a pusher which moves parallel to the gear axes and onto an oven hearth located laterally of the discharging station. A tray guide maintains the trays at horizontal orientations at all times. An inner chain guide bears against pins on the chain along their entire continuous paths. The inner chain guide has at least one adjustable part which is movable when the distance between the gear members is adjusted. The pusher has an arm which is perpendicular to the gear axes, and the pusher is slidably mounted on a horizontal guide positioned outside the path of the trays and parallel to the gear axes.

Abstract: A vending machine which, after payment of a fee, delivers a complete meal from a number of meals which are available through the manipulation of a selector member. Each of the meals comprises two or more articles of food packaged in separate units. The units are stored in different compartments in the machine. The compartments are placed on different levels within the machine. The selector member comprises a traveller which can be displaced along a U-shaped arm which is journalled on a horizontal axis so it can be pivoted by drive motor, until the traveller is in a position to cooperate with one of several elevator frames. These frames are coaxially journalled, and has linkage arms for mechanical connection to different feeding out devices which are arranged at each respective compartment level.

Abstract: Machine tool apparatus utilizes a tool magazine provided with first plurality of horizontally extending parallel separate compartments disposed vertically one above the other. A plurality of elongated tool units are disposed in the compartments, each compartment containing a like number of units, the units in each compartment being disposed in spaced side by side position across the width of the compartment. Each unit in any compartment is vertically aligned with the correspondingly positioned units in all other compartments. Displaceable, first mechanisms coupled to each unit enable each unit to be separately moveable back and forth along the length of its compartment to either extend the unit out of its compartment into position for subsequent transfer or to retract the corresponding unit back into its compartment.

Abstract: In an electronic chip supplying apparatus, a vacuum suction device for sucking a retainer tape which encases electronic chips is provided in a retainer tape support member provided at an opening position where the electronic chips are picked up from a chip pickup device, or a tension applying device for the retainer is provided. Thus, vertical fluctuation of the retainer tape is prevented at the opening position.

Abstract: A tube magazine component feeder is disclosed. The component feeder is reconfigurable to accommodate different tube magazine sizes and different component configurations. The component feeder includes a pair of upright masts for supporting loaded tube magazines in a stacked upright manner. The spatial separation of the two masts is adjustable to accommodate different tube magazine lengths. Other elements of the component feeder are adjustable or replaceable so as to quickly and easily adapt the device to a different tube magazine size or different component configuration.

Abstract: A robotic materials handling system for storing and handling box-like articles such as videocassettes includes a storage area containing a plurality of columns of storage bins, a vertical support shaft located adjacent the storage area and a manipulator assembly carried on the shaft. The manipulator assembly includes a plurality of gripper mechanisms which may be positioned adjacent desired storage bins. The system includes computer control circuitry for controlling the operation of the manipulator assembly and gripper mechanism to transport articles between desired locations.

Abstract: A holder assembly for the storage of a plurality of cassette-type casings of the type normally associated with audio or video cassettes or casings for compact disks wherein the holder assembly incorporates an ejector structure comprising a plurality of springs positionable into biasing engagement with the retained casings such that each of the casings may be independently and selectively positioned between a retained and stored position within the housing of the holder and an ejected position defined by the casing extending out of an open face of the housing for removal thereof. Selective disposition of each casing between the aforementioned positions is accomplished by applying proper force to an exposed surface portion of the casing itself in opposition to the biasing force exerted thereon by the ejector spring structure.

Abstract: The bumper includes resilient material for forcing a cartridge positioned at rest in contact with the bumper away from the bumper in response to the cartridge momentarily being forced into the bumpder from its at-rest position; and a rigid ridge extending from the back wall of the chamber; wherein the resilient material is secured to the ridge, and extended from the ridge to define a void between the ridge and the portion of the resilient material contacted by the cartridge.

Abstract: An article storage container comprising; a case including an accommodation chamber having an opening in an end thereof, a retainer for holding an article within the chamber, and a change-over mechanism attached to the retainer. The change-over mechanism is adapted to displace the retainer and to change its position alternately between an accommodated position in which the article is completely inserted within the opening of the case and an ejecting position in which the article is partially projecting above the opening of the case through manual pressing action against the article inserted within the chamber.

Abstract: A projectile holder uses assemblies which provide projectile locking and projectile extracting. Each assembly has a control rod with a pivotably mounted spring-biased extractor member mounted thereon for extracting a projectile. The control rod, which is spring-biased backwardly, operates a cam and a locking shoe to clampingly secure a projectile within the holder. The holder allows both front and rear loading of a projectile.

Abstract: A key selector device which comprises a switch means to be secured in the vicinity of the lock to be opened, and having an inners protrusion formed for pushing one of the actuating rods movably secured in alignment on the upper wall of a box, in order to enable one of the key hangers pivotably secured in alignment on a lateral axis supported by the opposing side walls of said box, to be angularly moved to a suitable position in which an enlarged triangular protrusion of said one of the key hangers which generally rests on one of the spring leaves, slides over a triangular curved portion of said one of the spring leaves secured in alignment on the rear wall of said box, while a foot portion of said one of the key hangers carrying a desired key projects upward.

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.

Abstract: In ammunition-stowage systems in which the individual shells can be inserted in storage tubes, damage to the shells is prevented when they are inserted too rapidly. A braking device is positioned for this purpose at each storage tube and brakes the longitudinal travel of the shell as soon as the shell arrives at the position inside the storage tube that corresponds to the rest position, in which it is secured in place by the securing hooks. The braking device preferably grasps the impact part of the shell and is connected to a stop that can be displaced longitudinally by a system of rods that activates the braking device when it is displaced as soon as the shell comes to rest against the stop and the stop is shifted out beyond its rest position into the shell-insertion position by the moving shell.

Abstract: In ammunition-stowage systems in which the shells are stored in storage tubes, the shells are to be prevented from being able to slide out of the storage tubes when severely shaken while on the other hand being easy to grasp for removal and withdrawal from the tubes. A securing and ejector device is positioned at every storage tube for this purpose. The device contains one stop each, which rests on the front of the rim of the shell and is subjected to spring force in such a way that the springs are compressed when the shell is inserted. A hook that can be shifted transversely against the force of a spring engages behind the rear of the base of the shell when a shell has been inserted. To remove a shell, the hook is shifted transversely until it releases the base of the shell, upon which the stop, which is subject to the force of a spring, thrusts the shell out at least as far as the length of the spring allows.

Abstract: Upon the occurrence of a cabin depressurization emergency, a manually operated deployment handle is presented to the passengers in the vicinity of each of the aircraft's supplemental oxygen deployment compartments. A simple manual manipulation of the handle results in the extraction of the individual oxygen masks from the compartment and the activation of the oxygen generating system. In one preferred embodiment, the masks and related oxygen equipment are stowed in an overhead compartment and the manually operated handle is a deployment ring (22) attached by means of a lanyard (24), both to a mask extraction sheath (26) and to an actuator pin (32) associated with the oxygen supply subsystem (20). When the door (10) to the overhead compartment is opened automatically in response to a depressurization signal, the ring falls towards the passenger. When the ring is pulled, the oxygen flow is initiated and at the same time the masks are positively extracted from their stowed position.

Abstract: The invention comprises a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of articles, including a removable dispensing cartridge for storing foods or other articles to be dispensed. The cartridge includes support for supporting the articles in spaced vertical relationship, and a guide for guiding the movement of the articles within the cartridge. The dispenser further includes a displacement actuator for displacing the stored articles from the support during the dispensing process. The dispenser is particularly adapted for dispensing skewered foodstuffs, and is especially contemplated for use in combination with a cooking apparatus of the type wherein raw food is conveyed past a cooking element by an endless conveyor.

Abstract: The device comprises (FIGS. 1 and 2) a fixed plate 1 provided with radial paths 2 having axes 3; along each path there is disposed an assembly 4 which comprises a wire-holder with a wire guide 10 for the wire 12 and means for moving this wire-holder radially. The paths having axes a, b, c, d, e, f converge at A, those having axes h, i, j, k, l, m at B and that having axis g passes through C without passing through A or B.In a variation, the device (FIGS. 3 to 7) has a common delivery zone for each of the article-holders. Each article-holder comprises, in addition to a stopping position for taking up and a delivery position, a third stopping position for waiting which is located between these two above-mentioned stopping positions, in the vicinity of the delivery position.

Abstract: A cartridge dispenser is disclosed herein for storing a pre-recorded program tape cartridge which includes a box-like construction having a side opening defining an entrance into an internal storage compartment for slidably receiving the cartridge. A yieldable, spring-loaded lock mechanism is in the compartment and bears against the back side of the cartridge. A pivotal latch mechanism cooperates with the lock mechanism to selectively release the lock mechanism for forcibly urging the cartridge through the entrance externally of the box-like construction.

Abstract: A storage box for substantially parallelepipedic tape and film cartridges, and cases for such cartridges, comprises side walls, a back wall, and a front wall of substantially lower height than the back wall. A top wall extends from the back wall a short distance inwardly over the bottom wall spaced therefrom. Spring elements are provided on the bottom wall for pressing cartridges or cases stored in the box, individually towards the lower side of the top wall and towards the inner sides of the front and back walls.

Abstract: There is disclosed an integrally formed tablet dispensing container for receiving a tablet package having a plurality of individually enwrapped tablets and comprised of a top or cover member and a bottom or body member. The body member is formed with a plurality of orifices juxtaposed to said tablets. The top member is provided with a plurality of hinged dispensing members which after the dispensing of a tablet from the tablet package assumes a tablet dispensed position.

Abstract: A dispenser for razor blade cartridges of the character in which one or more blades are permanently secured in a plastic body which has a slidable interlocking connection with a razor head longitudinally of the carriage parallel to the blade cutting edges, the dispenser comprising a cellular arrangement of plastic wall sections forming a plurality of parallel cells connected together as an integral unit each cell having a longitudinal slot at the exterior surface of the unit to receive the razor handle stem, the cells having common walls interiorly of the unit and each cell having interiorly of the cell lug arrangements to prevent accidental escape of the cartridge but cooperative with parts of the razor head and cartridge parts to aid in the insertion and withdrawal of a cartridge.

Abstract: Apparatus for blocking a cassette in a storage magazine having housings with slidable drawers adapted for receiving respective cassettes. The drawers can be retracted to a stored locked position in which a recall spring is compressed and when the drawer is unlocked, the spring displaces the drawer to an extended position. Studs are provided on the drawers for loosely engaging bores in reels in the cassettes and the recall springs can act directly or indirectly on the cassettes in the associated drawers, at least during retraction of the drawers, to take up the play between the studs and the reels thereby to block movement of the reels.

Abstract: Container suitable for accommodating a tape cassette.