Abstract: A prophylactic kit apparatus configured to be used with only a single patient includes a plurality of sealed modules and a housing configured to contain those sealed modules such that only one of the plurality of sealed modules can be removed from the housing at a time. Each of the plurality of sealed modules contains at least one prophylactic agent to be used in service of the patient. These sealed modules are to be used in a particular order and the housing is further configured to facilitate the removal of the sealed modules in only that particular order.

Abstract: A medication dispenser assembly provides access to medication to promote compliance with a prescribed medication schedule. The assembly includes a housing having a bottom, a top, and a perimeter wall extending from the bottom to the top. Apertures extend through the top. A plurality of vertically aligned bays is positioned in the housing with each bay having an associated access opening extending through the perimeter wall. A plurality of trays each have a plurality of compartments. An interior space of each compartment is accessible through a top of each compartment. Each tray is insertable into a selectable one of the bays through the associated access opening. The compartments of an uppermost one of the trays are accessible through the apertures in the top of the housing. A plurality of doors is coupled to the top of the housing with each door covering an associated one of the apertures.

Abstract: A system for filling medication dose packs with oral-solid medication items comprises storage tray drawers each having storage trays. Each storage tray stores a specific type of oral-solid medication item. The storage tray drawers are displaceable to a drawn position to expose the storage trays thereof. A table supports dose packs having a plurality of receptacles arranged in rows, with each receptacle associated with an intake time and date of a patient prescription file. A dispensing mechanism has fingers for grasping by suction an oral-solid medication item, and degrees of freedom to displace the fingers from any one of the storage trays to the dose pack, to transfer the oral-solid medication items from the storage trays in the drawn position to the receptacles of the dose pack.

Abstract: The change replenishment management system includes a coin roll storage (1), a coin change dispenser (3), and a POS register (5). A control unit (16) of the storage (1) detects the presence and the denomination of a coin roll in a storage section of each drawer (11, 12, 13) in accordance with an output signal generated from a detection system (18), and transmits the result of detection to the coin change dispenser (3). When loose coins obtained by unpacking removed coin rolls, which are removed from the storage (1), are introduced into an inlet (30), a control unit (36 or 50) of the change dispenser (3) or register (5) compares the denomination and the number of the loose coins, which are detected by identification unit (31), with the denomination and the number of the removed coin roll determined on the basis of the detection result transmitted from the storage (1), and judging the correspondence therebetween.

Abstract: A dispensing method and vending machine (1) for products (2), whereby a drawer (7), defining a pickup compartment (8) for a selected product (2) in the vending machine (1), is maintained by a first force (F1) in a stable closed position to receive the selected product (2), and is then moved into an open position, in which the pickup compartment (8) is accessible from outside the vending machine (1), by imparting a work movement to an actuator (24), which simply moves into contact with the drawer (7) to exert on the drawer (7) a second force (F2) in opposition to and greater than the first force (F1).

Abstract: A dispenser for water-activated compressed articles is formed from a container for receiving the water-activated compressed articles in a stacked configuration and an activation chamber connected to the container. The activation chamber can hold water and is accessible to a user for receiving a compressed article removed from the container. The container is adapted to dispense a one compressed article at a time. The dispenser provides a way to dispense and activate a compressed article, even when a water source is not immediately available.

Abstract: A vending machine has a support part that has a first support member extending in the right and left direction on the inside of a commodity storage chamber and a second support member extending in the front and rear direction on the inside of the commodity storage chamber, and supports a commodity column so that the commodity column is movable in the front and rear direction on the first and second support members. In the vending machine, when a support receiving part is detached from the first support member, the commodity column can be moved in the front and rear direction via the second support member, so that replenishment of commodities to the commodity column and maintenance of the commodity column can be accomplished. Both of the first support member and the second support members are located under the commodity column, and support the commodity column from the downside. Therefore, spaces for arranging support members at the right and left of the commodity column are unnecessary.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automated dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. A system of the present invention includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. The present invention results in a more efficient and easier to manage system for distribution of such items as medical supplies and drugs.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automated dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. A system of the present invention includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. The present invention results in a more efficient and easier to manage system for distribution of such items as medical supplies and drugs.

Abstract: A pill dispenser allows for alternating removal of two or more solid forms of pharmaceutical medications, such as tablets, film tablets, coated tablets, or capsules. The pill dispenser has a housing, a baseplate, at least two storage containers for receiving and storing a solid form of medication, and a dosing slide. The baseplate is attached to the bottom end of the housing and has at least one ejecting opening. The storage containers are adapted for receiving and storing solid forms of medications. Each storage container has a bottom opening. A dosing slide is movably mounted between the storage containers and the baseplate and has receiving openings arranged in the dosing slide so that each of the receiving openings can be positioned under a bottom opening of a storage container and above an ejecting opening.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automated dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. A system of the present invention includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. The present invention results in a more efficient and easier to manage system for distribution of such items as medical supplies and drugs.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles such as tickets and cards includes a cabinet. A plurality of article dispensing assemblies are disposed inside the cabinet. Each article dispensing assembly includes a base and a frame for enclosing the articles to be dispensed in a stack. The bases are mounted on a pair of vertical support plates. A gate is disposed behind each frame for receiving articles from its associated frame and allowing only one article at a time to pass through. A toothed blade is disposed underneath each frame and a motor driven rack and pinion is coupled to the toothed blade for bringing the toothed blade into engagement with the lowermost article in the stack, moving said toothed blade so that the lowermost article is transported from the stack into the gate, bringing the toothed blade out of engagement with the article and then moving the toothed blade back to engage the next article in the stack.

Abstract: A rolling paper dispenser includes a cover defining an inner periphery, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet is sized to receive the booklet of rolling paper. The outlet is configured to dispense individual rolling papers from the booklet of rolling paper. When the inlet receives a rolling paper booklet, the enclosure holds a rolling paper booklet by the edges of the booklet. Preferably, the rolling paper booklet is held by an inner rim integrated with the inner periphery of the enclosure. The inner rim is precisely sized to hold a booklet of rolling paper in a press-fit.

Abstract: A container for pharmaceutical items, comprising a tray having at least one compartment adapted to retrievably contain at least one pharmaceutical item, each said compartment having associated therewith a lid movable between a closed position restricting access to the associated compartment and an open position permitting access to the associated compartment, and each lid having associated therewith a mechanism responsive to control signals from a computer to permit movement between the closed and open positions.

Abstract: A novelty dispenser for solid objects, such as condoms. The novel features are specifically based on a spring loaded movement of a dispensing element, which element moves an object such as a packaged condom from inside a compartment out through an opening. The dispenser is an everyday entertainment device that conceals a condom therein. It uses a spring, such as a coil spring, which feeds the condom from a magazine compartment and through a shutter to be released for use. The spring is returned to its original position once it has been used. Pulling a tab of the dispenser causes the spring to release within the magazine, forcing the condom through the shutter, such as miniature doors. The spring opens the magazine and doors, allowing the spring to advance the condom into the dispensed position for delivery to the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a drug dispensing device which is portable, provides a high level of security, is flexible in accommodating a number of user selected drugs, is easily stockable, and reduces labor and time requirement for drug dispensing. The present invention provides an apparatus having a microprocessor means which controls the drug dispensing. The apparatus includes an interior medication storage area adapted to receive a plurality of different sized dispensers in user selectable combinations. A receiving drawer is provided below the interior medication storage area to receive and dispense the medications.A dispenser is provided which can be configured in a multiplicity of sizes and shapes to accommodate different sized medications. The dispenser is adapted to receive a cooperating cartridge which contains the medications. The dispenser includes an actuator which contacts and dispenses the medications from the cartridge.

Abstract: A control panel drawer for a consumer-operated vending machine of a type having a cabinet defining an internal volume in which vendable products are held for selectable vending, a front display at which vendable products are designated with price and selection indicia and a money acceptance and product selection panel at which an amount of money corresponding to the price of a desired product selection and instructions for dispensing the desired product selection are entered by the consumer and an operatively associated vending mechanism connected through an electronic circuit to vend the selected product to the consumer in response to insertion of money and instructions from a consumer to the control panel drawer includes a drawer which is slidably connected to the vending machine cabinet having a first position at which the drawer is inserted within the vending machine cabinet adjacent to the internal product holding volume and a second position slidably extended forward of the front display.

Abstract: A seed container has a plurality of partition plates for dividing the conner into a plurality of spaces and a brush provided in each space in parallel with the partition plate. A cell plate having a plurality of cells is provided in a bottom of the seed container, and a receiving plate having a plurality of apertures corresponding to the cells is provided under the cell plate. The cell plate is reciprocated so as to reciprocate each row of the cells over the corresponding brush. When each cell coincides with a corresponding aperture, a seed in the cell drops for seeding.