Abstract: The present invention provides a vending machine that converts a force applied from a manual operation means into an electric power, and operates by utilizing the electric power as a source of power. A drive force generation/transmission mechanism includes a generator (45) that generates the electric power by utilizing the force applied from the manual operation means (9) and motors (49-55) driven by the electric power generated by the generator (45). Article moving mechanisms (63-69) are constructed to operate by utilizing the output of the motors (49-55) as the operation source.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument (20) includes a sensor magazine (26) that contains a plurality of blood glucose sensors (38) disposed in sensor slots (30A-J). Each of the sensor slots (30A-J) is in fluid communication with a desiccant cavity (50A-J) in which desiccant material is disposed. The front and rear walls (34, 32) of the sensor magazine (26) are sealed with burst foils (40, 42) so as to seal the sensor slots (30A-J) and the desiccant cavities (36A-J). The sensor instrument (20) has an outer housing (22) with a laterally extending magazine opening (24) adapted to receive the sensor magazine (26). A pivot rod (28) is moved through the magazine (26) and is locked into an operating position. The magazine (26) is rotated on the pivot rod (28) until a detent arm (48) on the instrument housing (22) engages a detent groove (50A-J) on the magazine (26) to position the magazine (26) in a sensor feeding position.

Abstract: A double-acting, vending machine dispensing mechanism is shown whereby product units are alternately dispensed from adjacent storage compartments by an ejection device. The ejection device comprises a horizontally reciprocating dispensing bar connected to, and moved by the pendular movement of a rocker frame, motion of the latter being induced by the camming action of a gear mounted boss. The camming gear, in turn, is driven by a separate gear attached to the operating handle of a coin released mechanism.