Abstract: A dispensing mechanism releases successive articles from the front end of a module in which they are stored. It includes a trap door pivotably connected to the module along its trailing edge and movable between a retaining position and a downwardly inclined releasing position. As the articles are released, they are guided by fingers that project downwardly from the module floor, the trap door being provided with slots through which the fingers pass as it pivots.The dispensing mechanism includes a box-like frame with vertical sides that are forwardly inclined and inwardly beveled along their trailing edges to straighten mis-aligned articles as they advance along the module. A cowl joins the sides and is inclined to outwardly deflect any falling articles that strike the dispensing mechanism from above. The entire dispensing mechanism can be readily detached from the module by flexing its sides inwardly to release detents.

Abstract: A dispensing machine in which a carriage moves articles along the horizontal floor of a module toward a releasing mechanism by which the articles are dispensed one at a time. The carriage includes a drive wheel that engages a track on the module floor, the wheel being driven by a spring mounted on and carried by the carriage. Rollers on the sides of the carriage ride in guide channels on the sides of the module to hold the wheel in firm contact with the track so that the spring is wound when the carriage is pushed back within the module and the carriage is advanced as the spring unwinds. The module is open along the top so that articles can be inserted between the carriage and the releasing mechanism.A plurality of such modules are mounted on horizontally movable drawers that can be withdrawn from a cabinet for loading while a latch restrains each carriage at the rear of the module during loading.

Abstract: A dispensing machine in which a carriage moves articles along a horizontal trough toward a releasing mechanism by which the articles are dispensed one at a time. The carriage is driven by a tape spring that forms a coil when unrestrained, the coiled portion of the spring being mounted on the carriage with the uncoiled portion extending along the trough to the releasing mechanism. The force exerted on the carriage by the tape spring remains substantially constant regardless of the number of articles in the trough and the corresponding position of the carriage. The trough is open along the top so that articles can be inserted between the carriage and the releasing mechanism in any order desired. A plurality of such troughs are mounted on drawers that can be withdrawn from a cabinet for loading from above.