Mechanical Release Or Separation Of Articles Patents (Class 221/289)
  • Patent number: 11720775
    Abstract: A dispenser with a replaceable cartridge containing a product to be dispensed, and a housing configured to removably receive the cartridge. The cartridge has a surface that is marked with a first marking, and the housing has a surface that is marked with a second marking. The housing is configured so that, when the cartridge is received by the housing, the first marking and the second marking together form a machine readable code that is detectable from outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: OP-HYGIENE IP GMBH
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, David Duncan, Hendrik Ophardt
  • Patent number: 10380823
    Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus includes an article discharging apparatus, which includes a base, an article storage passage storing articles, a lower pedal, and an upper pedal, an out-of-stock detection switch that is turned to a first state when the lower pedal is in a second standby position and that is turned to a second state when the lower pedal is in a position other than the second standby position; an output member putting the article discharging apparatus in the standby state and drives the article discharging apparatus when the output member rotates from the standby position; and a controller rotating the output member to return the output member to the standby position when the output member rotated from the standby position does not return to the standby position in a preset set time and when the out-of-stock detection switch is turned to the first state in the set time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: FIJU ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Fukuda, Hajime Erikawa, Yuji Tachi, Shirou Takeuchi, Tsutomu Iwako
  • Patent number: 10299637
    Abstract: A holder (10) for at least two toilet-paper rolls (12, 14) which are arranged one above the other and consist of a paper web (56) wound up on a sleeve (52, 54) or a shaft, having a first and a second wall (28, 30) which are arranged at a distance parallel to each other, wherein each of the walls (28, 30) has a guide (40, 42) for receiving one end each of the shaft or of a shaft journal, which can be received in an opening in the sleeve, wherein the guide (40, 42) has a substantially vertically running supply portion (40b) for supplying a toilet-paper roll (12, 14), the supply portion merging into an unrolling portion (40c) running at an inclination with respect to the vertical in the direction of at least one first tear-off element (60, 62) or a stop (72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: ILLE PAPIER-SERVICE GMBH
    Inventor: Eric Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 10242301
    Abstract: A dispenser with a replaceable cartridge containing a product to be dispensed, and a housing configured to removably receive the cartridge. The cartridge has a surface that is marked with a first marking, and the housing has a surface that is marked with a second marking. The housing is configured so that, when the cartridge is received by the housing, the first marking and the second marking together form a machine readable code that is detectable from outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: OP-Hygiene IP GmbH
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, David Duncan, Hendrik Ophardt
  • Patent number: 10066926
    Abstract: This component mounting apparatus includes a head portion capable of mounting a component suctioned by a nozzle on a board, a board imaging portion provided on the head portion to be movable relative to the head portion so as to image the board, and an imaging position correction mark provided in the head portion to be capable of being imaged by the board imaging portion and is configured to correct the displacement of the board imaging portion relative to the head portion on the basis of an image of the imaging position correction mark imaged by the board imaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tadashi Onishi
  • Publication number: 20150014342
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating rod-like or spherical agitating elements in an automatic analyzer allows quick and error-resistant separation and automated charging of cuvettes with the agitating elements. For this purpose, it comprises a lever provided with a bore, wherein the bore is configured such that it can accommodate one of the agitating elements. The bore, in a first position of the lever, is arranged beneath an entry opening and, in a second position of the lever, is arranged above an exit opening, wherein the lever, in the second position, closes the entry opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventors: Josef Meindl, Hugo Wilmes
  • Publication number: 20140263386
    Abstract: A method of dispensing bolts includes a step of forming a column of bolts on top of one another. The column includes an upper end and a lower end. A shank portion of each of the bolts is oriented toward the lower end. The method further includes steps of moving the column of bolts and dispensing a bolt at a time from the lower end. A bolt dispensing system is provided and includes a dispensing tube and a dispensing section. The dispensing section is located near an end of the dispensing tube and is configured to dispense bolts one at a time from the end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Neumeier, Joseph E. Dukehart, Kurt Ehemann
  • Publication number: 20140209622
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a pill delivery apparatus. The method includes providing an inner core having an outer surface and providing an outer sleeve comprising an opening defined therethrough, the outer sleeve having an inner surface. Further, the method includes defining a passageway on the outer surface of the inner core such that positioning the outer sleeve over the inner core defines a delivery chute for delivering a plurality of pills between the passageway and the inner surface of the outer sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Aylward Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: David Parrish, John Winters, Greg Wile, Brian Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 8757433
    Abstract: A dispenser automatically dispenses beverage cans. A housing has a conveyor along which cans are conveyed by gravity to a removal opening. A dispensing flap is on the removal opening and can be pivoted between a closed position, in which it prevents the removal of products through the removal opening, and a removal position. The dispensing flap has two trough-shaped receptacles lying at right angles to the conveyor section for one can, and is pivotal such that in the closed position a can is conveyed from the conveyor section into the first receptacle positioned to the inside of the housing, removal of the can from the first receptacle being prevented. In the removal position the can rolls from the first receptacle into the second receptacle, at the same time a new can is prevented from being conveyed from the conveyor into the first receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Gastro-Cool GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Machers
  • Patent number: 8727178
    Abstract: A condiment packet dispenser that includes a cylindrical shaped housing containing an open top with a plurality of radially partitioned chambers. Each chamber contains a cylindrical shaped container that stores individual condiment packets in a radial manner. The dispenser is operated by pushing a button which sends a signal to a motor control board. The motor control board powers a motor having a spur gear which turns the selected condiment container until the condiment packet is aligned with a drop chute. The packet then falls thru the drop chute and is available for picking up by the customer. There is also a cylindrical shaped top lid which is removable when new condiments need to be loaded to replenish the dispenser. The condiment dispenser sits on top of a base stand that may either be rigidly mounted or may be rotated to choose a condiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventors: Irene Carter, Roger Henry Gagnon
  • Patent number: 8608024
    Abstract: A dispenser (10) is disclosed for dispensing a single object (22, 24) at a time, such as a tablet or the like. The dispenser includes a reservoir (26) to contain tablets and an opening in the reservoir sized to pass the tablets. A chute (30) is defined by a wall adjacent to the opening in the reservoir, and defines a dispensing path (39). The movable dispensing guide (32) has a retracted position that does not prevent the advance of tablets along the dispensing path, and an advanced position that intersects the dispensing path between the first and second tablets (22, 24) in the dispensing path. When advanced, the movable dispensing guide allows the first tablet in line to be dispensed from the path, and prevents the second tablet in line from advancing. An actuator is operable to move the movable dispensing guide from its retracted position to its advanced position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: CSP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Giraud, Michel Zbirka
  • Patent number: 8505772
    Abstract: A container for packing and shipping stud welding ferrule aligned along a spindle. The container comprises a body having a top, a bottom, opposing side walls and opposing end walls defining a storage space therein. The container further comprises a spindle retainer operatively connected to the body. The spindle retainer has a transverse portion and a longitudinal portion connected to the transverse portion. The transverse portion extends from one of the end walls and toward and into the storage space, while the longitudinal portion extends from the transverse portion and toward the bottom of the body. The transverse portion and the longitudinal portion are sized and shaped to accept and to retain ends of the spindle to contain the spindle within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: New Rule Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Martin
  • Publication number: 20130175287
    Abstract: A tapered roller supply system, a tapered roller bearing fabricating system and a tapered roller supply method are provided which enable tapered rollers to be loaded properly in pockets of a cage. The tapered roller supply system has a tube 20 which stocks a plurality of tapered rollers 1 loaded from above in a stacked-up state in an inside thereof and a tapered roller supply portion 30 which separates a lowermost tapered roller 1 from a tapered roller 1 situated above the lowermost tapered roller 1 in the plurality of tapered rollers to be discharged from the tube 20 in upstream and downstream directions so as to allow the tapered rollers to drop sequentially one by one when they reach a lowermost position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamakami, Kei Misaki
  • Patent number: 8418880
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a probe cover dispenser includes a storage member for accommodating stacked probe covers and a retaining unit with a pair of supporting arms for holding or releasing one of the stacked probe covers. A slide connects the retaining unit. A linking rod with a protrusion portion and a recess portion connects the slidable access member. The linking rod is moved upwardly or downwardly and the protrusion portion or the recess portion is moved to a position corresponding to the slide such that a force is applied to push or pull the supporting arms to release or hold the one of the stacked probe covers in the storage member, while the slidable access member is moved upwardly or downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mesure Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chu-Yih Yu
  • Patent number: 8418881
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a dispensing apparatus for dispensing individual tissue cassettes from a stack of cassettes, the apparatus includes a hopper for receiving a stack of tissue cassettes, the hopper having an aperture through which cassettes are dispensable; ejection means for ejecting a cassette through the aperture; and retention means for retaining all but one of the cassettes in the stack as an individual cassette is ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Thermo Shandon Ltd.
    Inventors: Ian Kerrod, Richard Clarkson, Basil Gaynor
  • Patent number: 8360274
    Abstract: A medication delivering device includes a delivering unit and a negative pressure unit. The delivering unit includes a cylinder, a retractable part and a tip element. The cylinder has a first opening and a second opening. The retractable part connects the cylinder with the tip element. The tip element has a first end, a second end and a channel. The first end passes through the first opening and is received within the cylinder. The second end is located at an outlet of a pill container. The channel penetrates from the first end to the second end to link with the interior of the cylinder. The negative pressure unit connects to the second opening for providing negative pressure to the interior of the cylinder and the channel of the tip element, so that the tip element sucks up a pill on the outlet of the pill container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Te-Yang Shen, Chung-Chu Chen
  • Publication number: 20120199604
    Abstract: A bar soap holder and dispenser is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the device includes a base having an upper portion and a lower portion, where the upper portion includes a rear wall and a pair of side walls. The device also includes an open front side of the upper portion adapted to receive and store a plurality of bars of soap stacked therein and a cover adapted to pivotally swing from a closed to an open position over the upper portion of the device, where the cover encloses the front side of the upper portion when in the closed position. A push button is disposed within the lower portion of the base and adapted to dispense a bar of soap outwards from the lower portion of the base when the push button is pushed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Maximus Brown
  • Publication number: 20120181299
    Abstract: A pin dispensing apparatus including a dispenser configured to present a pin to a user, a transfer member configured to convey the pin to the dispenser, and a delivery mechanism configured to provide the pin to the transfer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Jilene A. Repp, David H. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8209942
    Abstract: There is provided a medicine packing device, which prevents a free end of a bottom plate of a tablet dispensing measure from tilting due to its own weight. A bottom plate 43 is provided at a lower opening of a tablet dispensing measure 42. The bottom plate 43 includes a pin 44 at its base end. A leading end of the bottom plate is a free end. When the tablet dispensing measure 42 reaches corresponding stepped portions 37a to 37d by a movement of a tablet dispensing member 36, an opening protrusion 144b of a fixed plate 37 is fitted to an opening recess 43c of the bottom plate 43 and thus the bottom plate 43 pivots about the pin 44 from a closed position to an open position. If the bottom plate 43 moves to the open position, then tablets in the tablet dispensing measure 42 drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kodama, Katsunori Yoshina, Koji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8146778
    Abstract: A ball feeding device includes a mounting seat with a driving device. The driving device includes a driving shaft defining an axis of rotation. A discharge hole is provided in a top plate of the mounting seat. An annular guiding wall is formed on the top plate and surrounds the axis of rotation. A rotary unit is rotatably mounted on the top plate and includes tubes for containing balls. A blocking member is mounted in each tube. When the rotary unit is rotated, lower ends of the tubes are aligned with the discharge hole in sequence such that the balls in the tubes are fed into a pitching machine one by one. The blocking members hold or release the balls in the tubes under the action of the guiding wall such that the balls to be fed cannot contact with the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sheng-Hsiao Lu
    Inventor: Chiung-Hung Shen
  • Patent number: 8132691
    Abstract: A dispensing system for a vending machine includes a vend motor, a cradle, a load bar and a push arm. Upon selection of a particular product, the vend motor rotates the cradle, causing the product to emerge from the vending machine. The cradle is designed to accommodate a wide array of container sizes. The dispensing system incorporates a rotation sensor, a position sensor, and a lift arm. The sensors enable accurate rotation of the cradle through a plurality of vend angles depending upon the particular product being vended, while the lift arm cooperates with the push arm and load bar to refill the cradle after a series of product containers have been dispensed. In addition, the vend motor includes a soft start control that prevents instantaneous rotation of the output shaft so as to prolong an overall operational life of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Talbert James Black, Jr., Thomas Roger Meinardi, Edmund Scott Richardson, Terring M. Ware
  • Patent number: 8016158
    Abstract: The current invention is a lid dispensing device and method of use comprising a base unit, a lid holder operatively connected to the base unit, a blade operatively mounted to the base which moves between a first position and a second position, the blade supporting a stack of lids by engaging a first lid in the stack of lids while the blade is in the first position, and the blade allowing the first lid to fall through an aperture in the blade away from the stack of lids, and still support the remaining stack of lids as the blade moves to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kennik Innovatons, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Walsh, Nicholas R. Walsh
  • Patent number: 7975875
    Abstract: An entirely mechanical gas bottle dispensing machine that allows to either only dispense by gravity a filled bottle upon insertion of a first token or dispense a filled bottle with return of an empty bottle upon insertion of a second token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Andrzej Borzym
  • Patent number: 7918365
    Abstract: A dispenser for storing and dispensing containers has a housing with an inlet opening for loading containers into the dispenser, and an outlet opening for dispensing containers. The dispenser has a passageway connecting the inlet opening to the outlet opening that includes at least one inclined ramp that the containers roll along. The dispenser has a loading mechanism positioned adjacent the inlet opening that is aligned relative to the passageway. The loading mechanism has a contact surface for receiving a container to be loaded into the passageway and maintains the container in a predetermined alignment with the passageway. Movement of the loading mechanism causes the contact surface to urge the container towards the passageway while substantially maintaining alignment of the container with the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignees: Display Industries, LLC, PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel White, Bernard Primiano
  • Patent number: 7784644
    Abstract: A vending machine includes first and second integrated dispensing systems mounted at front portions of adjacent product shelf dividers establishing at least first, second and third product queues. Each of the first and second dispensing systems includes first and second release mechanisms having a plurality of hinged plates supported by a frame. The plurality of hinged plates are selectively shifted into and out of corresponding ones of the first, second and third product queues, such that each product queue has associated therewith two opposing release mechanisms. Preferably, at least one of the first and second release mechanisms for each dispensing system includes a queue spacing member which is mounted to one of the hinged plates and projects into the product queue to establish a desired spacing between the release mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Dixie-Narco, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Albert, Dan Bowen, Bryan Alan Collins, Aron Phillip Lewis, Paul Miller, Charles Wayne Percy, John Robinson, William E. Roe, Russell Watts
  • Publication number: 20090145918
    Abstract: A theft-deterring merchandise dispensing apparatus has a chassis configured to provide limited access to an interior space housing merchandise in a secure manner. A knob is secured to a front panel of the chassis. The knob is secured to one end of an elongate wire coil, the knob and coil rotational about a common axis. An elongate cantilevered rod is mounted on a rear panel of the chassis and extensive therefrom within the coil, the rod terminating at a free end in proximity to the front panel. Units of merchandise are slidingly secured on the rod and positioned between windings of the coil so that rotation of the coil by the knob moves the packages along the rod to exit proximate the front panel. A noise-maker creates a noise when the knob is rotated to alert store personnel that products are being dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Robert P. Colelli, Eric E. Oberg, Johnnie Cruz, Keith Cleland
  • Patent number: 7533784
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for dispensing products that includes a theft deterrent retail product dispensing hook. In certain embodiments, the hook prevents product “sweeping” (where a thief quickly empties a conventional retail hook of product) and also delivers a time-delayed delivery of product per hook. A specific embodiment of a time-delay display hook system comprises a two-prong system having an upper member and a lower member, with the upper member supporting a dispensing system and the lower member supporting a product to be dispensed. Upon triggering of an activation member, the dispensing system releases a single product and provides a time-delay between dispensing of further product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Kirk Vlastakis, Roger Miller, Thomas Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20090090739
    Abstract: A gravity-fed storage and dispensing unit featuring two sidewalls having opposed ledges which form a plurality of separated rearwardly-directed paths, a receiving bin area, and a forwardly-directed path for products to be stored and dispensed. Products placed on a loading area on the front side of the dispensing unit are pulled by gravity down the rearwardly-directed path, into a product receiving bin, and then travel together along the forwardly directed path in two rows. The products from the different rearwardly-directed paths are interspersed in the product receiving bin area. The sidewalls of the dispensing unit have bosses which receive divider rods of varying lengths so that the width of the paths can be adjusted. Multiple units may be attached to each other in an adjacent relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: MILTON J. MERL
  • Patent number: 7513390
    Abstract: A vending machine including a dispensing door openable to permit removal of merchandise from the vending machine, and a one-way stopper positioned relative to the dispensing door, such that upon removal of merchandise from the vending machine, the one-way stopper is deployed to a position that prevents placing the merchandise back in the vending machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Hotel Outsource Management International, Inc.
    Inventor: Eyal Artsiely
  • Publication number: 20090014461
    Abstract: A sliding surface having a gentle slope for carrying pharmaceutical products such as infusion bottles (20) is formed by a row of rollers (15) extending in the direction of slope. An ejecting member (14) for sequentially ejecting the products (20) is formed as a series of a flat plate (14a) and a curved plate (14c). The flat plate (14a) is pivotably supported such that the pivot center is on an extension of the sliding surface. The curved plate (14c) is provided below the flat plate (14a), maintaining a constant distance from the pivot center. An actuator such as an electric motor (12) for pivotally moving the ejecting member (14) is provided beneath the sliding surface. Since the pharmaceutical product at the head of a queue assists the pivotal movement, it is ensured that a small actuator serves the purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: TOSHO INC.
    Inventors: Shiro Omura, Yoshihito Omura, Hideaki Hirobe, Shunji Ogaya
  • Patent number: 7464833
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved holding device which allows for retaining, storing and transporting cups used in sport stacking. The invention allows a user to quickly and conveniently store and transport a stack of sport stacking cups using only one hand, by employing a unitary stem incorporating retractable tangs that retain the stack of cups. The tangs may be withdrawn via a spring-loaded plunger, activated by the user's thumb. The invention also includes the use of a shield mechanism, as well as various cup transporting mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Speedstacks, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Goers
  • Patent number: 7451893
    Abstract: This invention relates to a ferrule dispenser for dispensing stud welding ferrules and to a package of ferrules for use with the dispenser. The dispenser comprises a rod that supports a spring loaded cam system. The cam system moves relative to the rod and includes a compression spring and a cam. The spring and cam work together to bias a pair of ferrule release pins inward and outward of the rod, selectively holding ferrules on an outer surface of the rod or releasing them onto a work surface. The package of ferrules used with the dispenser includes multiple sets of ferrules, each set including multiple ferrules uniformly stacked on a spindle. Each spindle has one open end that can pass through an opening in a handle of the dispenser and down a center bore of the dispenser for loading the ferrules from the spindle onto the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Gerald D Martin
  • Publication number: 20080264968
    Abstract: The invention concerns a delivery element for delivering a plurality of unsorted products to a subsequent apparatus, in particular an apparatus for separating the products, including a rotatably driveable turntable with which is associated a guide element arranged eccentrically to the turntables, which is distinguished by the fact that the guide element comprises a side wall which runs approximately parallel to a radially peripheral side wall extending perpendicularly from the turntable, both the turntable and the guide element being driven optionally in the same or opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Jurs
  • Patent number: 7438201
    Abstract: An apparatus for precisely, detecting a tablet dropped in a last hopper so that packaging speed of tablets is increased and operation of a shutter and a sealer is precisely performed, is disclosed. The automatic medicine packaging machine includes a last hopper provided at the lower end of a hopper installed in a main frame, a shutter installed in the last hopper, and a shutter driving part for driving the shutter to open and close the last hopper, and the apparatus includes a dropping tablet detector installed in the last hopper to detect when the tablet is dropped into the last hopper and to input the detected information about the dropping tablet to the controller such that the moment when the shutter is opened is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: JVM Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20080245808
    Abstract: A small-diameter front-end portion of a feed rod is allowed to enter into the screw hole of a nut delivered by a nut chute, and the nut is fed to an intended position by the forward movement of the feed rod. When an abnormal nut having a screw hole into which the small-diameter front-end portion cannot be inserted is delivered, the abnormal nut is prevented from being flicked by the feed rod. In order to achieve this, in a standby state, the small-diameter front-end portion of the feed rod enters a nut receiving chamber and is then stopped. On condition that the abnormal nut is received in the nut receiving chamber, if the feed rod moves forward to enter into the standby state, the abnormal nut is slightly pushed out forward from the nut receiving chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: SEKI KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouji SAKOTA, Seiji MIURA
  • Patent number: 7364052
    Abstract: A unit for feeding cigarettes to a packer machine is equipped with a hopper containing a mass of cigarettes and a device serving to compensate the depletion of the mass as groups of cigarettes are removed from the hopper and directed into a plurality of boxes carried and transported by a conveyor. The compensating device is located internally of the hopper and comprises an articulated mechanism designed to create a movable wall, also a pair of lateral conveyors converging toward the articulated mechanism, its operation being coordinated with that of a further device by which the groups of cigarettes are removed from the hopper, in such a way as to vary the capacity of the hopper according to the volume of cigarettes removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 7318304
    Abstract: Pairs of first and second rolls are supported for rotation in a roll frame located below a pan for receiving pharmaceutical products loaded as bulk material, each first roll having a plurality of axially successive non-cylindrical sections separated from respective non-cylindrical sections of a respective second roll by a gap, the first and second rolls of each pair being rotated in opposite directions so that surfaces of the rolls facing the gap move upwards. An isolating block having a matrix array of isolating channels is positioned below the rolls for receiving pharmaceutical products from respective gaps and for distributing these products to respective individual wells of a blister pack in a single machine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: HMH Maschinenhandel
    Inventors: Daniel Hiddink, Andreas Gabriel, Urs Barmettler
  • Patent number: 7243817
    Abstract: A tablet dispenser for dispensing individual solid objects comprising a lower housing, an upper housing with an elastomeric cover that covers at least a portion of a trigger mechanism, a elastomeric cover of at least a portion of the lower housing and a dispenser mechanism that is dimensioned to fit within the housings, the dispenser mechanism has a container region and a dispenser zone, the dispenser mechanism has a spring element and a lever mechanism pivotally mounted in the dispensing zone, an interior of the lower housing is provided with a pusher bar which extends from a fore wall of the lower housing back towards an upward extending leg of the lever mechanism, the pusher bar, upward extending leg and a hook element are configured so that the pusher bar is not in contact with the upward extending leg and the extending leg is set back from an opening situated on a fore wall of the lower housing and a hook element of the lever mechanism extends into the dispenser zone blocking tablets from being dispensed
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: CSP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Giraud
  • Patent number: 7213724
    Abstract: A table tennis ball delivery device adapted to be secured to or adjacent the side of a table tennis table for directing a ball to a player upon the activation of a switch by the player. The device includes a chamber for carrying a supply of table tennis balls, a ball transfer mechanism for selectively advancing an individual ball from the chamber to a location over a flexed or cocked delivery spring oriented such that upon activation of the switch by a player, the spring is released so as to strike a ball and launch the ball to the player. The ball transfer mechanism is coordinated with the spring cocking and release mechanism so as to position another ball over the delivery spring and re-cock the spring immediately upon the launching of the ball to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventors: David S. Langer, John Stump
  • Patent number: 7104421
    Abstract: A golf ball teeing device comprising, a platform having an upper surface, an opening in the platform, a tee for a golf ball the tee being arranged for reciprocal movement with respect to the opening between a lower position where the top of the tee is at a level below the upper surface of the platform to an upper position where the top of the tee is above upper surface of the platform, and golf ball deliver means arranged to load a golf ball on top of the tee when it is in the lower position, wherein the golf ball is at a level below the upper surface of the platform when it is loaded onto the tee by the golf ball delivery means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Tee Up Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Franz Charles Eckhardt, Jr., Christopher Patrick Heffernan, James Francis Howe
  • Patent number: 7055717
    Abstract: A pill dispensing device and method in which the part of the device 10 which comes into contact with the pills is disposable so as to prevent cross pill contamination. The device 10 is a disposable, columnar insert comprised of a funnel-like ingress aperture 16 for receiving the articles to be counted and dispensed, tapering to a constriction 18 to limit the passageway and diverging out to a cylindrical tube 20 that segregates the tablets/capsules from the counting/dispensing apparatus. The present invention 10 also provides for an additional element wherein the egress aperture 26 tapers to a smaller cylindrical aperture diametrically conforming to the aperture 18 at the opposing distal end for dispensing the medication directly into a vial 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Ming S Koh
  • Patent number: 7007821
    Abstract: A pill delivery and packing apparatus having a feeder tube for delivering pills is provided. The feeder tube has a helical delivery chute that extends between an inlet side and an exit side of the tube. The delivery chute has a helical inner contour and a rectangular cross section that corresponds to the shape of the pills. The helical delivery chute is configured such that each of the pills rotates while proceeding through the delivery chute, whereby such rotation of the pills prevents jamming of the pills in the delivery chute. Independently extendable pins are used to alternately block and open the delivery chute, thus providing an escapement mechanism for dispensing pills. The tube also has an outer surface defining a helical outer contour that guides a rotatable tray on which pills are disposed. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
  • Patent number: 6959664
    Abstract: A swine feeder for use in feeding individually housed gestating swine. The feeder includes a hollow tube containing feed. The tube controls the amount of feed by having its lower, angled end contained within a feeding tube that is moveable by the individual sow to discharge the feed only when the sow applies a force to the feeding tube. The feeder may be connected to a supply of feed, and typically, the feeder is attached to the individual crate of each sow such that a limited amount of feed is dispersed into the sow's feeding area, usually a trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventors: Karl Keuter, Arlin Karsten
  • Patent number: 6953131
    Abstract: A package assembly 10 for the storage and distribution of a plurality of stacked mints 12 is provided. The package assembly 10 includes a cylindrical outer shell 14 including a shell sidewall 16, a shell bottom surface 18, and a shell open top 20. The shell sidewall 16 includes a sidewall inner surface 22 and a sidewall outer surface 24. A vertical control slot 28 is formed in the shell sidewall 16, the vertical control slot 28 having a control slot height 40 and a control slot width 42. At least one retention protrusion 78 is formed onto a slot side edge 34 such that the control slot width 42 is reduced in the location of the at least one retention protrusion 78. A cylindrical inner insert 26 including an insert sidewall 44, an insert top surface 46, and an insert open bottom 48, is formed to house the plurality of stacked mints 12. The cylindrical inner insert 26 is positioned within the cylindrical outer shell 14 such that the insert open bottom 48 faces the shell bottom surface 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Devine
  • Patent number: 6948634
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing solid dosing forms which include a storage compartment and a releasing portion at the bottom of the storage compartment. The releasing portion is adapted to receive a releasing device which dispenses a single solid dosage form while providing security against the release of multiple solid dosage forms as well as clogging which may prevent the release of a single solid dosage form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company LLC
    Inventors: Christopher T. Evans, Christopher Gieda
  • Publication number: 20040238560
    Abstract: A stamped gate bar for a vending machine having an elongated body with opposing ends. The elongated body is formed first and second side walls extending from an integrally formed edge wall. A support member is disposed along at least one of the opposing ends, and an actuation member is also disposed along at least one of the opposing ends. A method of forming the gate bar from a sheet of metal is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: The Boehm Pressed Steel Company
    Inventors: Joseph J. Krish, William R. Reis, Donald R. Mikuluk
  • Patent number: 6824011
    Abstract: A pellet dispensing device includes a rotatable cylinder having a plurality of chambers and a trigger mechanism for dispensing pellets therefrom, one at a time. The device further includes a clasp for attachment to the belt or otherwise of a wearer where it is readily accessible. Pellets are placed in a hopper atop the rotatable cylinder which allows each chamber to be completely filled. A resilient member engages each pellet before it passes through an exit conduit to insure single pellet dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Woempner Machine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken R. Woempner
  • Patent number: 6817135
    Abstract: The improved shotgun shell carrier is a rectangular plastic housing one end closed by a sliding door. A zigzag-type compression spring is positioned within the housing between the sliding door and a magazine follower. The open end of the housing is provided with opposing feeding lips formed from spring steel and shaped to funnel the shells one at a time to a release point adjacent the tip of the feeding lips. The feeding lips are formed with a centrally located finger slot having a length greater than the width of a shotgun shell. Blocking elements are pivotally positioned at the open end of the housing to prevent extra shells from falling out when the feeding lips are open. The housing is adapted for receiving attaching elements to enable attaching the carrier to high-speed modular gear in a desired position for quick and efficient reloading of a shotgun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventor: Jonathan D. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6808084
    Abstract: A marker implement for applying a distinctive visual mark on a Bingo card at any number the player realizes he or she has mistakenly marked as having been called when in fact it was not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventors: Kim Horn, Michael M. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6796456
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of registering two sheets, such as wood veneer sheets, are disclosed. According to the method, firstly two sheets are assembled together by laying one sheet on top of the other sheet in an overlapped relation to each other wherein one end of the upper sheet is positioned outward of one end of the lower sheet. Then, the two sheets thus assembled are moved by a conveyer in the above overlapped relation in such an orientation that the above ends are moved as the leading ends. For registration of the sheets, there is provided a stop device having a stop surface extending perpendicularly to the direction in which the sheets are moved by the conveyer. On the way of movement of the sheets, firstly the upper sheet is stopped by the stop surface with the leading end thereof aligned against the stop surface, and subsequently the lower sheet is stopped by the stop surface with the leading end thereof aligned against the same stop surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Meinan Machinery Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Toshinori Nakaoda