| 摘要 |
An apparatus for storing, warming and manually individually dispensing elongated cylindrical vials having different contents, while minimizing error and clutter, is described. Vials are stored in bins, which have manually operated dispensing members. Each bin may be separately heated using small incandescent bulbs or other heating elements. Adjustable temperature sensors may be placed in each bin to permit separate temperature control, and provide a high-temperature cutoff. One embodiment of the apparatus may be wall mounted to relieve congestion on horizontal surfaces. Another embodiment is suitable for table use, and has a reduced profile for clutter reduction. |
| 主权项 |
1. An apparatus for storing, warming and manually individually dispensing elongated cylindrical vials having different contents, comprising:
at least one bin comprising:
two vertical spaced-apart parallel side walls having a spacing suitable for permitting said vials to be horizontally disposed therebetween;a vertical front wall having an opening in a lower portion thereof, and an inner surface;a vertical guide member protruding into said at least one bin from the lower portion of the inner surface of said front wall, and extending into the opening thereof;a vertical rear wall; anda ramp attached to a lower portion of said rear wall and directed into said at least one bin, wherein the ramp has an outside and a bin side, and has holes therein for permitting heat to pass therethrough, wherein said two vertical side walls, said vertical front wall, said vertical rear wall, and said ramp form a bin volume, and wherein said ramp and said vertical guide member form a channel having an inlet facing the bin volume and an outlet facing the opening in said front wall, and through which said vials slide or roll due to gravity;a manually pivotable vial dispensing tray having an inner portion and an outer portion and disposed in the opening of said front wall of said at least one bin, said dispensing tray comprising:a vial blocking inner portion for reversibly blocking movement of said vials out of the channel;a bent section pivotably attached to each of said side walls, the bent section having a flanking member on opposing sides thereof for guiding said vials along the bent section, the bend in the bent section disposed in the region of the pivotable attachment; anda cup portion for holding one of said vials;a top for covering said at least one bin;a heating element disposed on the outside of said ramp; andan electrical power source for providing power to said heating element. |
