Abstract: A portable personal dispenser assembly comprising a combination of a dispenser and a communication enabled, portable handheld pocket-sized, personal computer in which the pocket-sized personal computer performs compliance monitoring of use of the dispenser and preferably controls and powers the use of the dispenser.

Abstract: A tablet cartridge includes a rotor, a tablet stopper, a case, and a stopper cover. The rotor has a plurality of guide-teeth protruding at regular intervals along a circumference of the rotor, and has tablet insertion grooves formed between the guide-teeth. The tablet stopper is disposed to close a top of one of the tablet insertion grooves. The case includes a dispensing opening formed at a position on a lower portion of the rotor accommodating portion, corresponding to a position of the tablet stopper, and a stopper insertion hole of a length that allows for the tablet stopper to adjust its height while being inserted into the stopper insertion hole. The stopper cover is coupled to the case to close the stopper insertion groove, and has the tablet stopper mounted thereon at an adjusted height.

Abstract: The tablet cassette includes a division block installed to be rotated by a drive motor to discharge tablets introduced from above through transfer passages indented in an outer circumferential surface thereof. Each of the transfer passage includes a separation recess for downward transfer of the tablets, a lower end of which is blocked by a prop, and a supply recess along which the tablets having passed through the separation recess are moved on the outer circumferential surface of the division block to thereby be discharged downward via rotation of the division block. The tablet cassette further includes a bottom ring provided around a lower end of the division block to transfer the tablets located in the separation recess into the supply recess via rotation of the division block.

Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerator for storing vials containing a (bio)pharmaceutical substance, in particular vaccines for animals, comprising a cabinet having an internal space for accommodating the vials arranged in columns, a cooling element for cooling the internal space and at least one door or dispenser for removing vials from the internal space. A plurality of guides located inside the space and adapted to slidingly accommodate columns of the vials. The invention further relates to a cartridge suitable for use in the said refrigerator.

Abstract: A lancet is pressed against a puncture needle cartridge while fitting a puncture needle loading inlet of the lancet to the axis of a puncture needle on the puncture needle cartridge. In order to facilitate the operation, one of plural puncture needles, arranged in parallel, is tilted up from its initial position at a predetermined angle, and the puncture needle is guided into a puncture needle holding rod of the lancet. Simultaneously, the puncture needle is pressed up to a position where the rear end part of the needle pushes the bottom surface of a puncture needle loading chamber of the puncture needle holding rod, whereby the puncture needle is loaded. When discarding a used puncture needle, the puncture needle is inserted into a lancet guide member of the puncture needle cartridge, whereby the puncture needle is reliably captured to be discarded.

Abstract: A container for an access-controlled storage system having a plurality of compartments designed to contain an article where access to the article is controlled by granting access to one or more compartments at a time without moving the article, wherein control is provided by a rotary belt with a cut-out directed by deflection pulleys; and an access-controlled storage system having at least two containers and a housing wherein control of the container is actuated to grant access to one or more defined compartments within the container.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronic component feeding device which can stably feed electronic components, and an electronic component mounting apparatus having the electronic component feeding device. In a component feeding unit, an opening provided in a suppressor for picking electronic components is formed in a size corresponding to electronic components stored in a storage tape of 16 mm pitch so as to employ storage tapes of four types, i.e., 4 mm pitch, 8 mm pitch, 12 mm pitch, and 16 mm pitch. When the storage tape of 4 mm pitch is employed, a component pickup position of a suction nozzle and a feed stop position of a head electronic component have been conventionally in a center of the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tablet dispenser for consecutive administering of tablets, the dispenser having a circular container (21) in which tablets are stored in a number of compartments (24) along the perimeter of the container, and a circular lid (22) concentric with the container, which lid (24) covers the compartments (24) and has a dispensing opening allowing access to one compartment at the time when the lid is rotated relative to the container. A cylindrical surface on the container part forms a pawl wheel provided with teeth (32) each having a ramp shaped and a steep edge and the lid (22) is provided with elongated, flexible pawls (30) which are at one end fixed to the lid (22) and follows a chord of the circular device to engage the teeth (32) of the pawl wheel by its other free end.

Abstract: A coin holding apparatus includes a disk shaped casing and a locking ring. The casing defines three coin wells, each having upper and lower openings thereby having storage for six different coins in a compact casing. The locking ring rotates on the casing to open or close coin well openings to retain coins held within the casing or permit their removal.

Abstract: Device to distribute photographic material, such as photographs, films, negatives, slides, etc.

Abstract: A covered ice cube tray is provided for making, storing, and dispensing ice cubes. The cover is slidably mounted upon the tray and includes at least one leading edge that is shaped so that, as the cover is moved in relation to the tray, ice cubes are uncovered and may be dispensed one-at-a-time.

Abstract: An automatic medication distributor including a hopper of general cylindrical shape, having boxes open transversally near the periphery of the hopper; a fixed base adapted to be associated to the hopper and provided, transversally and at a predetermined location of its periphery, with a delivery window; rotation drive mechanism of the hopper with respect to the base to successively bring each box in register with the delivery window; and a closing element for the delivery window, operated by the rotation of the hopper.

Abstract: A multiple product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet and having a plurality of compartments of varying size which pass by at least one access door. The access door is mounted in the cabinet for sliding movement to allow access to a compartment aligned with the access door. The door is motorized so that it will open and close automatically once activated by slight movement of its handle. The size of the compartment aligned with the door when it is opened is known by the control circuit and the motor moves the door only far enough to allow access by a customer to that compartment.

Abstract: Embodiments of a crayon organizer are disclosed which may be used to store, organize, and dispense crayons, chalks, or similar articles. The crayon organizer has a cylindrical cover with an open slot through which one crayon, chalk, or similar article may be removed at a time from the organizer. The crayons, chalks, or similar articles are placed inside vertical holes in a base which fits inside the cover. The crayon organizer has a lock out mechanism which prevents another crayon, chalk, or similar item from being withdrawn from the organizer until the first one removed is returned.

Abstract: A pill dispenser is provided for dispensing a series of different pills over a prescribed period. The dispenser disclosed is provided with a calendar that can be pre-set to begin the regimen on whatever day is selected. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a cover, calendar and base which interlock to form a dispenser. The calendar is adjustable by applying a deliberate force using a coin or other tool. After the calendar is set to the correspond the initial day to the initial dose, subsequent doses are dispensed by rotating the cover. The calendar and the cover preferably rotate in opposite directions to minimize the possibility of mis-setting the dispenser. In addition, methods of dispensing a series of different pills over a prescribed period and methods of assembling the dispenser of the present invention are also disclosed.

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: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into allignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A stackable, covered ice cube tray apparatus including a base member having four side walls, each side wall having a lower end and a top end, wherein said side walls and bottom wall form a basin for storage of a liquid. The apparatus further includes a cover having a substantially rigid member having a front end, two edges and a rear end, the front end having a handle contiguous thereto. A vertically disposed sealing and prevention channel is positioned contiguous to the top end of the side walls of the basin. The channel compresses an upper channel having means therein to slidably receive the cover and a lower channel having means for the prevention of spilling of liquid when the basin is jostled or tilted. This dual channel system provides both a splash guard and sealing means to substantially eliminate spillage of liquid when the apparatus is moved.

Abstract: An ice cube dispenser tray capable of dispensing only a desired number of ice cubes into a glass or container without dropping of additional unwanted cubes from the tray, includes an elongate tray body having separate ice cube compartments aligned in succession along the length of the tray body, and a pair of compartment cover panels. Guide channels formed in the tray body enable the pair of cover panels to slide just above the ice cube compartments so that ice cubes can be dispensed out of the tray body only from those compartments that are exposed by movement of the cover panels. Ice cubes in compartments beneath the cover panels are blocked by the panels from falling free of the tray body.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartment on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A pill dispenser is provided for dispensing a series of different pills over a prescribed period. The dispenser disclosed is provided with a calendar that can be pre-set to begin the regimen on whatever day is selected. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a cover, calendar and base which interlock to form a dispenser. The calendar is adjustable by applying a deliberate force using a coin or other tool. After the calendar is set to the correspond the initial day to the initial dose, subsequent doses are dispensed by rotating the cover. The calendar and the cover preferably rotate in opposite directions to minimize the possibility of mis-setting the dispenser. In addition, methods of dispensing a series of different pills over a prescribed period and methods of assembling the dispenser of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for inhibiting removal of an article from a blister-type container having at least one blister. The device includes a housing surrounding at least a portion of the container sized to permit movement of the container between first and second positions. The housing has a base positioned facing the blister-type container with at least one base opening in registry with the blister when the container is in the first position. The base opening is sized to permit passage of the article therethrough. The device also includes a biasing member for biasing the container toward the second position. When the container is in the second position, the base of the housing is positioned to inhibit removal of the article from the container.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandizing machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing areas of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A device is provided to facilitate the dispensing of ice cubes from a flexible plastic ice cube tray having long edge lips. The device, of monolithic construction, has a small chamber for receiving and dispensing ice cubes from separate rows of the ice cube tray, and an adjacent large chamber for receiving and dispensing ice cubes from the entire ice cube tray. The device is provided with engagement rails that slideably engage the large edge lips of the ice cube tray.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine includes a drop and delivery shaft defining a drop direction therein for product packages such as bottles or cans. A fixation frame communicates with the drop and delivery shaft for receiving a box having compartments defining product positions for product packages and having an open top being inclined relative to the drop direction for discharging into the drop and delivery shaft. A belt is attached to the fixation frame and covers the open top of the box. The belt has an opening formed therein with a contour dimensioned to permit precisely one predetermined group of adjacent product packages in the box, preferable containing only one single product package, to pass through the opening. The opening is displaceable from one product position in the box to another by incrementally moving the belt.

Abstract: A container and dispenser of coins for toll booths comprising an enclosed rectangular box preferably made of resilient plastic having a left half and right half, wherein a plurality of pockets in the left half open to the top and extend to a floor at the bottom of the left half, and wherein a plurality of pockets in the right half open to the bottom and extend to a floor at the top of the right half. The pockets are formed by spaced apart walls leaving enough room in each pocket to provide the exact change for a specified series of toll booths. A slidable cover is provided on the top and bottom of the container to initially close all of the pockets.

Abstract: This invention to a case for storing and dispensing sockets from matching grooves. A desired socket can be visually selected through at least one of transparent end pieces which close opposite ends of the grooves. The desired socket can be dispensed by positioning a belt which wraps around the grooves to retain the socket therein, to bring an aperture opposite the groove matching the desired socket.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currency in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: A tamper-proof apparatus of a type for automatically dispensing medication having a housing with a plurality of medication holding compartments each having an open bottom therein. The compartments can either be of a type which are open at the top so they can be filled manually, or they can be of a prepackaged type having a closed top and a slide-open bottom which are available from and returnable for refilling to a pharmacy. A belt is disposed under the medication holding compartments and the belt has at least one opening therein. A microprocessor is used to control a motor or the like for selectively advancing the belt so that the opening therein moves from beneath one compartment to a position beneath another compartment whereby when the opening moves below a particular compartment, pills contained in such particular compartment will drop down through the openings. The microprocessor can be programmed by authorized personnel to dispense medication from any one of the compartments at any one time.

Abstract: An apparatus for making ice cubes includes an ice cube tray and an inner grid core. An outer grid core for the apparatus includes sloped sides and a threaded opening at a top of the outer grid core. The outer grid core is wider than the bottom of the core. Dividers are positioned in the ice cube tray and are upright with respect to the ice cube tray. The dividers are inserted into the inner and outer grid cores. A threaded stud is engageable with the threaded opening in the outer grid core.

Abstract: The electronic digitally operated device is for releasably storing an article which is dispensible to a location accessible to a user having been provided with a changeable predetermined code. The device has a tamper resistent article storage structure that is accessible to the proprietor of the device. An article release mechanism communicates to an externally accessible location and is located in the article storage structure. A code receiving mechanism having a changeable code setting portion is provided for a proprietor to enter a predetermined code. A code input portion is located at an externally accessible location for input of the predetermined code by a user, and a signal output portion is in communication with the article release mechanism. A power source is provided in communication with the code receiving mechanism to activate the article release mechanism to release the stored article to a user at the externally accessible location.

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 tablet dispenser is disclosed having an elongate hand-held core with a plurality of cavities adapted to contain tablets. A sheath is mounted to the core for slideable movement from a position covering all the cavities to another position uncovering all the cavities. A detent mechanism is employed between the sheath and the core for interrupting the sliding movement after each of the cavities has been uncovered. For spatially orienting the tablet dispenser, and without the need to look at it, distinct physical touch indicia is fixed to the dispenser in lengthwise alignment with the tablet cavities.

Abstract: A pill dispenser having a rotatable cap with special opening means for dispensing a pill at the proper time for medication. The dispenser comprises a housing having openings corresponding to each time for medication in a repetitive cycle such as in a day or week. A rotatable indicator cap or lid has means cooperating with the housing to provide by a detent means stagewise movement and in a modification ratchet means for one way rotation. An opening in the cap is provided for view of indicia means on the top of the housing with a selected time for taking indicia. When the time for taking the pill arrives the cap is rotated to present a dispensing opening in registry with one of the housing openings for dispensing a pill. The indicator cap and a bottom fill cap may be press fitted on the bottle housing for simple fabrication and refilling the contents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic apparatus for dispensing or vending food and drink or other products having a rather small volume. The locking mechanism of the apparatus is based on the utilization of gravity. An electromagnetically actuated locking bolt is used to hold a segmented, serially folding door in a desired position, the door being so constructed that whenever the bolt is withdrawn, the door moves downwards due to gravity. As it moves downward, the lower segments of the door serially fold down into a magazine located below the locking mechanism and the upper segment of the door opens a space in which food or drink or other products are located.

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: Easy opening article storing and dispensing containers and method in which puzzle-like locking means secure against access to the container contents by very young children by obscuring the mode of opening it. The cannular container shell has closable dispensing aperture means opening through the shell side wall. Locking means at one or more ends of the shell optionally prevents or permits opening and closing of the container by alignment or offset of release means with respect to a sliding means. Pills or other units may be segregated in separate amounts or dosages within the container and dispensed in predetermined sequence from a plurality of rings of radially openable compartments forming a stack in which rows of compartments around the container axis can be rotated to sequentially register with the aperture means and compartments of each row sequentially opened.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic apparatus for dispensing or vending food and drink or other products having a rather small volume. The locking mechanism of the apparatus is based on the utilization of gravity. An electromagnetically actuated locking bolt is used to hold a segmented, serially folding door in a desired position, the door being so constructed that whenever the bolt is withdrawn, the door moves downwards due to gravity. As it moves downward, the lower segments of the door serially fold down into a magazine located below the locking mechanism and the upper segment of the door opens a space in which food or drink or other products are located.

Abstract: A vertical cylindrically shaped container has a top surface defining a flat horizontal spiral which has an inner and substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of said container and has an outer end at the outer periphery of said surface. The spiral has a plurality of spaced holes disposed along the path defined by the spiral, whereby a separate drill bit can be removably disposed in a corresponding hole and extends in a direction parallel to said axis. An elongated slider element having an opening therein slidably engages said spiral whereby said element can be moved back and forth therealong, said opening overlying said spiral. A circular cover overlying said top end is manually rotatable thereabout, said cover having a radial slot therein extending from the center to the periphery, the element extending upwardly through said slot and being slidable therein whereby said opening can be selectively aligned with any one of said holes and access to all other holes is blocked simultaneously.

Abstract: A dispensing carton particularly adapted for use with small candies includes a pair of tubular structures parallel to each other, closed at one end while the upper portion includes a sliding tab which is disposed intermediate overlapping tabs. The upper portion includes sets of registering holes each set of registering holes registering with one of at least a pair of compartments. The sliding tab is hingedly connected to a pivotally connected portion of one end panel of the tubular carton and is so arranged not merely to facilitate the manufacture of the carton but also so that it may be moved to a position where it opens one of the compartments alone or opens the second of the compartments alone or closes both compartments.

Abstract: An improved dispenser preferably having seven compartments that are each identified to correspond to a day of the week. The dispenser compartments are formed by partitions arranged within a flat cylindrical housing, the partitions extending outwardly as spokes from a center area thereof, the housing having at least one groove or track formed around a top lip area thereof for accommodating the edge of at least one circular disk that travels therein, said disk either accommodating another disk in an appropriate recess formed therein, or another disk is arranged to travel in a separate groove or track formed also in the housing top lip area, said disks being sandwiched together both having openings formed therethrough that, when aligned, form a passage to allow pills or the like to pass from within the dispenser, the invention including a safety locking arrangement for maintaining the disks together prohibiting alignment of said openings.

Abstract: A child-proof pill dispenser sealed against contamination is disclosed in the illustrative embodiments. The dispenser includes a pair of relatively rotatable members, which are normally prevented from rotation by axially biased teeth. A force applied against the bias disengages the teeth and permits the members to rotate. Rotation of the members opens a passage for automatic delivery of a pill. The pill is delivered from a storage compartment through an encircled passage into one of the hands required for operating the dispenser. The dispenser has a compression seal between the members for preventing contamination.

Abstract: An upright housing has a transparent side. A plurality of compartments are positioned in rows and columns in upright arrangement in the housing next-adjacent the transparent side. Each column represents a day of the week and each row represents a week of a month. Each compartment is adapted to store a day's medication. A calendar marking indication on the transparent side of the housing labels each compartment as a different day of the month. An opening is formed through the bottom of the transparent side of the housing. A chute device in the housing extends in common from each of the compartments to the opening. A key-operated control device maintains medication in each compartment and releases medication from a selection compartment to the opening upon operation.

Abstract: A rechargeable capsule dispenser suitable for simultaneous but separate use by a plurality of users and intended to dispense multiple and variously shaped capsules selected by the users in a time related sequence also determined by the users. The capsule dispenser is formed with a cartridge having a plurality of annularly disposed chambers to hold the capsules and a receptacle base which supports the cartridge. The receptacle base includes a receiving tray and the cartridge may rotate with respect to the receptacle base.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a pill dispenser with internal capabilities of dispensing only a selected one of a plurality of pills at a given time, and closure mechanism for the dispenser incorporates a child-resistant safety-locking feature in addition to providing threaded closure and sealing of the dispenser. The body of the dispenser has plural spaced compartments for unit-pill retention, and the closure mechanism coacts with the dispenser to assure a fully closed condition of each and every pill compartment, when the closure is secured.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for dispensing articles such as newspapers, magazines and the like is disclosed and claimed herein. The dispensing apparatus includes a housing in which the articles are separately supported in superposed fashion, being downwardly inclined in compartments therefor, awaiting dispensing one by one. Pliable restraining means are in engagement with the article and moveable out of engagement with the article to permit gravitational dispensing of same. Movement of the pliable restraining means is incrementally provided by an amount sufficient to permit dispensing of a single article. Actuation is accomplished by a predetermined coin deposit, or the like. Suitable pliable restraining means may include, without limitation, chains, steel tapes, wires, plastic strips and the like.

Abstract: A device for permitting the simultaneous transfer of a plurality of silicon wafers from one wafer carrier to another, and particularly for permitting a mass transfer between carriers having different wafer spacings. The device comprises two rectangular frames with a portion of the upper frame extending into the lower frame. Both frames are provided with a plurality of wafer slots although in the lower frame there is a greater number of slots and they are more closely spaced than in the upper frame. Each frame is adapted to interface with and be releasably secured to a carrier having a like number of wafer slots. The upper frame is slidable within the lower frame and means are provided to register its slots with different groups of the slots in the lower frame.