Abstract: A vending machine that dispense feminine hygiene products. Specifically, this invention is a coin-operated vending machine that dispenses sanitary napkins and tampons. This invention allows a user to purchase a feminine hygiene product by placing a coin or multiple coins in a slot within the vending machine and pressing a product release button. The product is then dispensed to the consumer. The apparatus also provides a mechanism for retrieving a coin in the event that the vending machine is out of a specific feminine hygiene.

Abstract: The product is released by means of a mechanical push-button that releases a ratchet system (18) where the coins rest and, once the counterweight (20) has been overcome, the locking system is composed of a series of balls (12), spacer cylinders (3), compression springs (5) and a stop shaft (11) inserted inside a cylindrical tube (1) which, being unlocked, allow the insertion, between said balls (12), of a pusher rod (7), thereby allowing the movement of the rod (7) responsible for releasing the stacked product. A shaft stop (17) prevents malicious dual actuation, since there is no space between the pusher rod (7) inserted between the balls (12). Unlocking the shaft with return lever (6) effects a deposit in the collection box. The return comprises a return spring (16) that actuates the shaft with return lever (6) and the latter in turn actuates the push-button rod (7), the machine thereby being readied for the next operation.

Abstract: A coin drop mechanism comprises a support member movably connected to a channel member. A contoured channel configured to receive at least one coin is formed on at least one of the members and defines a coin slot when the members are in contact with each other. The channel is configured to guide the at least one coin to a desired location aligned with an actuator opening on the members. The mechanism further comprises an actuator. The actuator comprises a actuation member configured to travel through the actuator opening, engage the at least one coin against a surface of the channel member, and displace the channel member relative to the support member causing a selected product to be dispensed from a product receptacle.

Abstract: A vending machine has a dispensing wheel rotatably mounted on a head with an outer peripheral rim on the wheel having elements displaced angularly from one another in an endless row and radially relative to a central axis of the wheel so as to define a driven gear on the wheel and an alignment device permitting latching of the wheel at, and releasing it from, a desired orientation on the head in a dispensing cycle such that during removing the head from, and remounting it upon, a housing the wheel will be held in a desired relationship with the head in which only given items can pass through the wheel in response to the next deposit of a coin in an actuation mechanism and rotating of a drive gear of the mechanism and driven gear therewith through an actuation cycle corresponding to the dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A multiple coin actuation mechanism has a latch biased to an inward home position with its inner end extending through an upstream side of a first coin slot of a stationary front cover plate toward a rotatable carrier wheel and generally alongside an unobstructed path for insertion of a first coin through the first coin slot into a first coin recess of the carrier wheel. The latch is pivotally yieldably movable away from the carrier wheel due to engagement with a second coin in a second coin recess in the rotatable carrier wheel, as the second coin is brought into alignment with the first coin slot, to allow the second coin to pass under the latch while the latch remains in contact with the second coin, preventing its removal from the second coin recess outwardly through the first coin slot, as the carrier wheel rotates past the first coin slot.

Abstract: An anti-vandalism device in a coin-operated actuation mechanism includes a stop movably extendible and compressible in length and mounted on a coin retainer plate in alignment with a bore therein for moving between a forward blocking position and a rearward unblocking position relative to the bore and to a coin receiving recess in a coin carrier wheel on an opposite side of the retainer plate depending upon whether or not the recess is devoid of a valid coin, and a cam surface actuator defined on a ratchet gear wheel disposed adjacent to the coin retainer plate in a position to engage the stop and cause it to move from its rearward unblocking position to its forward blocking position when the coin receiving recess is devoid of a valid coin and in response to the ratchet gear wheel moving with the coin carrier wheel.

Abstract: A coin drop mechanism comprises a support member movably connected to a channel member. A contoured channel configured to receive at least one coin is formed on at least one of the members and defines a coin slot when the members are in contact with each other. The channel is configured to guide the at least one coin to a desired location aligned with an actuator opening on the members. The mechanism further comprises an actuator. The actuator comprises a actuation member configured to travel through the actuator opening, engage the at least one coin against a surface of the channel member, and displace the channel member relative to the support member causing a selected product to be dispensed from a product receptacle.

Abstract: A dual coin mechanism for a vending machine includes a cover plate having a peripheral flange with first and second coin slots defined therein angularly and axially offset from one another about and along an axis defined by the cover plate, and first and second coin carrier wheels mounted for rotation about the axis relative to the cover plate and respectively having first and second coin recesses angularly and axially offset from one another about and along the axis. The axially offset relationships between the first and second slots, the first and second recesses and consequently first and second paths taken by first and second coins carried in the first and second recesses ensure that the first and second coins are not brought into alignment respectively with the second and first slots and thus are made inaccessible to a user during their travel along the first and second paths.

Abstract: A multiple coin actuation mechanism has a carrier wheel with angularly spaced first and second coin recesses aligned with first and second coin slots of a front cover plate when the carrier wheel is in an initial home position at which a user initially deposits first and second coins into the first and second coin recesses through the first and second coin slots. A pivotal coin removal blocking latch and an edge notch defined adjacent to one side of the first coin recess in the carrier wheel allows initial insertion of the first coin through the first coin slot into the first coin recess while preventing removal of the second coin from the second coin recess through the first coin slot when the carrier wheel has turned sufficiently to align the second coin recess with the first coin slot.

Abstract: A coin mechanism for use with a vending machine where there is a coin barrel that receives the particular coins inserted vertically downwardly by the customer into a coin receiver. The coin barrel has an outer position where the coins can be inserted into the coin receiver and an inner position where the coins are checked by a coin discriminating mechanism, and, if proper, will allow the coin barrel to be rotated further by the customer to activate the vending machine to release the particular selected product. In the even the customer has made a mistake or has had a change of mind, the coin barrel is also allowed to be rotated by the customer, when in its outer position, to a position where the coin receiver is facing substantially downwardly so that the coins can be readily retrieved by the customer and are allowed to fall downwardly by the force of gravity.

Abstract: A coin counting device which comprises: a coin temporary reserve member (3) for temporarily reserving coins therein in a standing condition, the coin temporary reserve member (3) being able to move reciprocally and laterally between a temporary reserve position and a transfer position; and an engaging member (32) which inhibits the coin temporary reserve member (3) to move from the temporary reserve position to the transfer position when the number of coins reserved in the temporary reserve member is smaller than a predetermined number, and which permits the temporary reserve member to move from the temporary reserve position to the transfer position when the number of coins reserved therein is equal to the predetermined number.

Abstract: A coin mechanism for use with a vending machine where there is a coin barrel that receives the particular coins inserted vertically downwardly by the customer into a coin receiver. The coin barrel has an outer position where the coins can be inserted into the coin receiver and an inner position where the coins are checked by a coin discriminating mechanism, and, if proper, will allow the coin barrel to be rotated further by the customer to activate the vending machine to release the particular selected product. In the even the customer has made a mistake or has had a change of mind, the coin barrel is also allowed to be rotated by the customer, when in its outer position, to a position where the coin receiver is facing substantially downwardly so that the coins can be readily retrieved by the customer and are allowed to fall downwardly by the force of gravity.