Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing assurance a product has been vended upon an authorized product selection. The method comprises monitoring if a product has been vended during a first vend cycle and if not, commencing a second vend cycle, and stopping a second vend cycle immediately if a product is sensed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing assurance a product has been vended upon an authorized product selection. The method comprises monitoring if a product has been vended during a first vend cycle and if not, commencing a second vend cycle, and stopping a second vend cycle immediately if a product is sensed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for article dispensing includes an article bay for holding a plurality of articles, and a conveying mechanism below the article bay operable to move an article. The conveying mechanism can repeat such movement for succeeding articles to a dispensing location. Succeeding articles can optionally be placed on top of the articles directly on the conveying mechanism. The succeeding articles are retained until they move by gravity to the conveying mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lifting a dispensed product in a vending machine includes a lift member positioned in the path of a vended item. A control member, manually movable between first and second positions, raises the lift member to in turn raise a vended item.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for retaining a vertical stack or stacks of vendable items in a vending machine includes a column having sidewalls and a front and back. The back is substantially blocked to retain vendable items vertically at the back of the column. The front of the column is substantially blocked to maintain vertical the vendable items in the front of the column. The front of the column can be substantially unblocked for access through the front of the column to other parts of the column. In one form, a door or retainer can be positioned so that it is closed and latched across the front of the column but releasable and openable to substantially expose the front of the column.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for and method of vending multiple products includes a master vending machine which utilizes money handling and changing components as well as a selection component and controller. The present invention may also include one or more satellite machines. The satellite vending machine utilizes the money handling components and the selection control components of the master vending machine. The selection component used by the master vending machine alone or in combination with one or more satellite vending machines is utilized to implement special combination pricing for selected combination purchase.