Abstract:
Card handling devices may include a card shuffling apparatus and a card output portion having a card buffer area positioned at an interface of the card shuffling apparatus and the card output portion. The card output portion may be configured to move relative to the card shuffling apparatus and alter the orientation of the card buffer area. Card handling devices having a substantially flat card output area may include an interface portion having an at least substantially flat draw surface. The substantially flat card output area may permit playing cards to be drawn from an outlet of the substantially flat card output area in a plurality of at least substantially horizontal directions. Methods of shuffling playing cards may include altering an orientation of a card buffer area and inserting cards into the card buffer area at both a top and a bottom of a group of cards within the card buffer area.
Abstract:
Bei einer Vorrichtung zur vereinzelten Ausgabe von Druckereierzeugnissen, insbesondere Zeitungen, mit einem Gehäuse (2) zur Bereithaltung eines Stapels mehrerer Druckereierzeugnisse, einer Vorrichtung zum Anheben des Stapels, um das oberste Druckereierzeugnis (13) des Stapels in eine Entnahmeebene zu bringen, und einer Vorschubeinrichtung zum Herausschieben des jeweils obersten Druckereierzeugnisses (13), weist die Vorschubeinrichtung wenigstens einen an einem umlaufenden Transportmittel (16) angeordneten Mitnehmer (21, 22) auf, wobei das umlaufende Transportmittel (16) und der Mitnehmer (21, 22) derart angeordnet sind, dass der Mitnehmer (21, 22) beim Umlaufen auf eine Seitenkante des obersten Druckereierzeugnisses (13) trifft und das Erzeugnis in Bewegungsrichtung (23) des Mitnehmers (21, 2) mitnimmt.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft einen Verkaufsautomat für die automatische Ausgabe einzelner Verkaufswaren (2), insbesondere Getränkedosen, an einen Kunden, der einen Aufbewahrungsbereich (11, 112), in dem Verkaufswaren (2) in Form mindestens eines Stapels (20) von unten nach oben übereinander gestapelt anordenbar sind, einen Ausgabebereich (13), an dem die Verkaufsware (2) zur Ausgabe an den Kunden bereitstellt wird, und eine Fördervorrichtung (3) umfasst, die eine Greifeinheit (30, 30', 30'') aufweist, mittels der von oberhalb des Stapels (20) her eine oben auf dem Stapel (20) befindliche Verkaufsware (2) entnommen wird, und wobei mit der Fördervorrichtung (3) die entnommene Verkaufsware (2) zu dem Ausgabebereich (13) befördert wird. Er zeichnet sich durch einen verbesserten Aufbewahrungsbereich (11, 112) und eine optimierte Fördervorrichtung (3) aus, mittels derer auch ein oberhalb des Aufbewahrungsbereichs (11, 112) und der Fördervorrichtung (3) befindlicher Ausgabebereich (13) eine Verkaufsware (2) zur Entnahme durch den Kunden bereitstellt.
Abstract:
An article dispenser where the structure of an article storage cabinet positioned inside the article dispenser, is used to supplement the structure of at least two sidewalls used to form a housing for the article dispenser. In one preferred embodiment where the article storage container comprises a chest freezer or refrigerator, sidewalls used to form the housing for the dispenser are connected to the top or sidewall structure of the chest freezer or refrigerator for receiving structural support.
Abstract:
A vending machine (20) of the single vend type for dispensing newspapers, magazines, or other items. The machine generally includes a housing (22) having a discharge opening (38), and a storage area (50) having an inclined surface (52) upon which a plurality of articles are stacked. A movable gate (62) adjacent the storage area retains the articles therewithin. Upon insertion of a proper coin total into the machine, a drive device (76) moves the gate downwardly until an uppermost article in the stack passes through the gate and is dispensed. The dispensed article, upon passing through the gate, actuates a switch (84) to cause the drive device to reverse and move the gate upwardly a distance above the uppermost article in the stack, such that even if the machine is shaken, jostled, or tilted, the uppermost article in the stack is retained by the gate. The machine is also automatically sensitive to variations in thickness of the articles, as the switch controls operation of the gate responsive to the actual dispensing of an article.
Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to improvements in article handling, such as in vending machines, and more particularly, to improvements in methods and apparatus for handling articles using a vacuum-type product lifting/dispensing mechanism, to improvements in article display panels which enhance sales of primary products, and to improvements in product containment systems which improve product storage capacity, as well as the ease and efficiency of product handling, access and loading into the article handling apparatus.
Abstract:
An engagement wheel (160) contacts a topmost paper (90) and forces it rearward and upwards on the stack (92). The topmost paper (90) is thus removed from underneath the newspaper thickness sensing bar (56) allowing it to fall downwards to contact the next highest paper (94) on the stack (92). The removed paper (90) is allowd to fall down chute (170) for removal.
Abstract:
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an integrated product supply network comprised of a computer network linked through a variety of methods to a plurality of intelligent vending or dispensing machines and each component of the overall product supply network. The intelligent vending or dispensing machine is comprised of a combination of dispensing mechanisms including one type that it allows for both vertical and horizontal displacement of products to allow a wider variety of products to be offered for sale. In particular, the dispensing mechanism allows paper and art supplies to be dispensed. The intelligent dispensing machine is particularly useful in catering to small offices that need supplies any time, day or night.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a vending apparatus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages (74). The vending apparatus includes an outer cabinet (10); an isolated freezer compartment (12) within the outer cabinet for storing the plurality of packages disposed within the outer cabinet, the freezer compartment having a thermal barrier (14) for maintaining a frozen environment within the freezer compartment in isolation of the ambient temperature air filling the remaining interior space of the outer carbinet; a mechanism (68) for opening the thermal barrier; a picker (52) for selectively removing the selected package from the freezer compartment, the picker being located outside the freezer compartment in between operating cycles and entering the freezer compartment for removing one of the packages only during the removal operation; and a controller (40) for automatically controlling the picker and opening mechanism in response to a customer's selection.