Abstract: A squirrel cage-type article dispenser includes a tube having an upwardly open slot. The slot leads to an angled ramp within the tube leading to a semi-cylindrical dispensing chamber. A pivotable flap adjacent the ramp deters tampering. A ring-like plate has a circular periphery and a central opening slidable over the tube. A rotary squirrel cage includes an outer cylindrical wall to which the circular periphery of the plate may be releasably attached, and a plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs have respective inner extents configured such that the inner edges of the ribs slidably engage the outer surface of the tube when the squirrel cage is assembled thereover. Adjacent ribs define, with the inner surface of the cylindrical wall and the outer surface of the tube, individual sub-chambers sized and configured to store articles to be dispensed.

Abstract: An improved staged ramp discharge system for vending machine includes a staged ramp discharge system including an upper chute in an upper chamber which leads to a lower chute in a lower chamber. An upper wall of the lower chamber defines the transition from the upper chamber to the lower chamber with this upper wall being solid and impervious. The upper chamber has a first lower wall separating the upper chamber from the lower chamber with the first lower wall having a lower surface slightly spaced above the surface of the upper chute to provide a horizontal slot through which articles which are being dispensed may slide. The lower chamber has a second lower wall also having a lower surface slightly spaced above the surface of the lower chute to provide a horizontal slot which is sized to permit an article which is being dispensed to slide therethrough. This configuration is designed to preclude tampering.