Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Gross-Given Manufacturing Company

Cross-Given Manufacturing Company

Steven W Sorensen

Thomas F Gotich

Joseph A Lotspeich

James E Skavnak

Scott Hudis

Robert M Biegler

John Orlin Kirkwold

John J Allen

Bruce E Nelson

James A Wilson

John A Svendsen

Larry D Humlicek

James R Preston

Michael P Juaire

Alfredo G Viglienzoni

Paul C Star

Ralph E Peterson

Curtis D Ronnander

Roger H Muntifering

Anderson L Griffin

An improved method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations without dropping or subjecting the vended product to damaging impact forces are disclosed. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A robotic carriage assembly using rack and pinion assemblies moves in positive non-vibratory manner along an X-Y plane in the machine, captures the selected product from its queue and smoothly transports the product to a product delivery port conveniently located close to hip level. The carriage assembly uses unique product escapement and capture mechanisms to smoothly slide the related product from its queue into the carriage. Power door and safety lock features at the delivery port are also disclosed.

Apparatus and method for vending products

An apparatus, system, and method for processing photothermographic elements. The apparatus thermally develops a photothermographic element by heating the photothermographic element between a heated member, having a resilient layer, and a plurality of rollers. The apparatus can be a component of other apparatus and systems including those having the ability to expose the photothermographic element to form a latent image.

Apparatus, system, and method for processing photothermographic elements

A cooling article adapted for use with a thermal-processing apparatus for cooling a thermally-processable element after the element is heated by a heating member within the thermal-processing apparatus. The cooling article can include a cooling plate having a textured and/or perforated top surface positionable relative to the heated member so that the sheet slides on the top surface.

Article and method for cooling a sheet of material while minimizing

Dry silver film processor

A single reel supply cartridge is provided with a lock clip which restrains a tape connector within the mouth of the cartridge. The lock-clip is released by the insertion of a release pin in to the cartridge as the cartridge is inserted into a cartridge adaptor.

Tape cartridge connector lock

Growing community of inventors

Maplewood, MN, United States of America

Steven W Sorensen