Abstract: In an embodiment, a medication dispensing assembly includes a housing containing a plurality of electronically activated guidance devices which are configured to guide medications from at least one medication dispenser into a plurality of containers. The housing includes a panel which closes off at least a portion of one side of the housing. The panel has a plurality of wire openings that are spaced apart from one another. A plurality of wires extend through a portion of an interior of the housing and extend through the wire openings of the panel from the interior of the housing to outside of the housing. The wires are electronically connected with electronically activated guidance devices. At least one of the wire openings includes a slot which extends to an edge of the panel.

Abstract: A medication management system includes a cabinet, at least one drawer unit, at least one positioning unit and at least one control unit. The at least one drawer unit has an engaging portion. The at least one positioning unit includes an engaging module that separably engages with the engaging portion of the at least one drawer unit, a drive module that is operable to disengage the engaging module from the engaging portion of the at least one drawer unit, and an actuator that actuates operation of the drive unit to disengage the engaging module from the engaging portion of the at least one drawer unit based on an opening signal. The control unit is electrically connected to the actuator for outputting the opening signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preventing unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a docking station including inserting a first plug into a first port of the electronic device, inserting a second plug into a second port of the electronic device, setting the docking station to a locked state, preventing removal of the first plug from the first port while the docking station is in the locked state, setting the docking station to an unlocked state, removing the first plug from the first port, and removing the second plug from the second port.

Abstract: A vending machine to dispense purchased goods includes a frame, a dispensing member, a controlling member, a blocking member and a driving member. The controlling member can slide a limiting shaft between a latched position and a releasing position. The driving member is a spring which is partly uncoiled and which constantly pulls the dispensing member, and thus a line of goods, towards the blocking member. When the limiting shaft is in the latched position, the limiting shaft prevents the blocking member rotating, so holding back the line of unpurchased goods. When the limiting shaft is retracted to the releasing position, the pressure of the line of goods rotates the blocking member through ninety degrees to allow one of the goods to pass out of the goods channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular automated tool dispenser comprising at least one tool delivery module with at least one tool compartment containing a plurality of tools that are combined to form tool classes and with a plurality of tool conveying devices, each device being associated with one of the tool classes and conveying tools of one class to a tool delivery point. Each tool class is defined by the tool type, tool size and/or the tool weight as a tool parameter. The dispenser also comprises a tool selection device for selecting the desired tool class and the number of tools to be delivered and for activating the tool conveying device that is associated with the selected tool class.

Abstract: A system and method for directing a consumer through a vending machine transaction. The system and method include a UI guide comprising visual cues to direct a consumer to insert a minimum amount of money, make a production selection and confirm the product selection. The system and method provide for the consumer to cancel the transaction and request that return of inserted coins.

Abstract: A dispenser for packets comprises a plurality of horizontal rows comprising a plurality of side by said dispenser compartments. Each compartment defines a channel for receiving a horizontal stack of packets and comprises a front edge. A movement imparting assembly is mounted within each compartment and comprises a pusher member for engaging the horizontal stack of packets. The movement imparting assembly provides for the pusher member to selectively push forward the horizontal stack of packets so as to push at least one of the packets in the compartment off the edge thereof for retrieval. Sensor are mounted to the dispenser so as to detect dispensing of packets and to communicate this information to a controller.

Abstract: Systems for deterring theft of retail products. Systems of this invention provide theft deterrent dispensing modules for dispensing products and may incorporate theft deterrent measures including mechanical deterrents, time delays and sound. The dispensing modules may include one or more pusher assemblies for dispensing product. Certain systems of this invention may also include a lockout feature, so that one only pusher assembly may be activated to dispense a product at one time. In some embodiments, a door assembly may be provided as an additional theft deterrent mechanism so that access to additional product not yet dispensed by the pusher assembly is restricted.

Abstract: A system and method for directing a consumer through a vending machine transaction. The system and method include a UI guide comprising visual cues to direct a consumer to insert a minimum amount of money, make a production selection and confirm the product selection. The system and method provide for the consumer to cancel the transaction and request that return of inserted coins.

Abstract: Improvements to increase the speed at which a vending machine can dispense articles are disclosed. In various embodiments, the machine defines plural first arrays of receptacles for receiving articles with the first arrays stacked so that adjacent receptacles in the first arrays form second arrays. A separate user door closes each first array of receptacles, a slot door assembly provides a plurality of receptacle doors operative to open a particular receptacle when the user door is unlocked, and a slot access mechanism provides access to a particular receptacle. The machine waits a specified time period after dispensing to detect whether a subsequent user request is received. If a subsequent user request is received, the machine moves the slot access mechanism directly to a receptacle where the articles are available. Additional improvements include procedures for avoiding problems caused by misaligned doors and procedures for providing optimal article stocking.

Abstract: A vibration-assisted ejection cassette includes: outer plates 11 which align PTP-packaged drugs 20 for storage; a top frame 12 which is provided above an open front and which prevents accommodated drugs from being falling forward; an inner plate 13 which carries the accommodated drugs and advances the drugs when vibrated; and a vibrating member 15 which vibrates the inner plate 13. Thereby, vibration is exploited to maintain the drugs 20 in alignment with each other, advance the drugs while maintaining the drugs in alignment and eject them one by one. Additionally, a retention member 18 for retaining an ejected drug is provided in front of the open front. A control circuit 17 activates or stops activating the vibrating member 15 in accordance with whether or not an ejection detecting member detects that a drug is being retained. In this way, it is ensured that drugs are either manually picked up one by one or ejected by an automatic mechanism in an equally easy and stable manner.

Abstract: A medical glove dispensing device includes a panel having a plurality of differently sized ports, wherein each of the ports is sized to provide indicia about a size of a medical glove adapted to be disposed behind and dispensed through the port. A holder is disposed adjacent the panel and provides a plurality of storage spaces sized and adapted to support a plurality of medical glove containers holding differently sized medical gloves. The plurality of storage spaces are aligned respectively with the plurality of ports, with each of the storage spaces having substantially the same width. A medical glove dispensing assembly, and a method of dispensing medical gloves, are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling removal of one or more receptacles from a receptacle tray are described herein, in which a removal indicator indicates which of the one or more receptacles to remove. Thereafter, the indicated one or more receptacles may be manually removed from the receptacle tray using a gripping mechanism. The receptacles are secured in the tray with two or more tangs protruding from a front face of the receptacle closest to a connector interface. The two or more tangs fit into respective mating units in the receptacle tray, and one or more protrusions toward the rear of the receptacle, with respect to the two or more tangs, mate with respective mating units in the receptacle tray.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an electronically lockable dispensing apparatus with a patient authentication mechanism are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a medicament dispensing apparatus includes an electronic lock adapted to protect medicaments from theft or unauthorized dispensing. The medicament dispensing apparatus is adapted to unlock the electronic lock upon authenticating a patient. In one embodiment, a set of biometric data may be analyzed for the purpose of authenticating the patient. The biometric data may include, for example, fingerprint patterns, voice samples, retinal scans, and/or facial characteristics of a person requesting medicaments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more containers that hold medicaments for dispensing. In one embodiment, a medicament container includes a housing having an outlet port through which a medicament unit can be dispensed; a door configured to seal the outlet port in a closed position and to move to an open position to permit the medicament unit to be dispensed from the outlet port; and a lock configured to maintain the door in the closed position to prevent unauthorized dispensing of the medicament unit.

Abstract: This invention is a vending machine and components parts that include a sophisticated positioning system, catcher and trays for improved efficiency in product retrieval and delivery. Following product selection, the positioning system quickly transports the catcher through the X-Y plane to the front of a tray queue containing the selected product. The catcher is extended in the Z-direction, and lifts the foremost product container from the queue, moving one or more gates out of the way. The catcher then retracts, closing the gate, and the positioning system transports the catcher carrying the product container to a delivery port. The catcher then releases the product container which slides into a delivery port for customer pick up. Unique product storage trays are provided which work in conjunction with the catcher to allow only the foremost product to be removed from a tray queue. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing and/or monitoring a party's compliance with a schedule for taking medicines. In a first embodiment, a method is provided for use by a first container that is adapted to store a first medicine. The method includes storing information regarding the first medicine and wirelessly communicating a signal between the first container and a second container adapted to store a second medicine. In a second embodiment, a method is provided that includes determining if a first container for storing a first medicine is positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with a second container for storing a second medicine. The method further includes generating data based at least in part on whether the first container is positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with the second container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more containers, which hold one or more types of medicaments. In one embodiment, a chamber configured to store a plurality of medicament units is provided and a mechanized dispenser is configured to dispense a predetermined quantity of medicament units from the medicament units in the chamber. A lock assembly is provided to lock the mechanized dispenser to prevent unauthorized dispensation of medicament units. In a further embodiment, the container is configured to dispense a single dosage of a medicament from the chamber. In yet another embodiment, the container is configured to be mounted in a dispensing machine.

Abstract: An automatic medicine packaging machine with door lock unit that prevents the supplement and outflow of tablets by an unauthorized person and makes tablets kept and treated more safely is disclosed. The automatic medicine packaging machine comprising a plurality of tablet cassettes and a door includes; a door lock unit that is established on a body of the automatic medicine packaging machine and locks or unlocks the door; a button operation unit that is established on the front of the body and that operation is inputted by a user; and a lock controller that controls the operation of the door lock unit according to a lock or unlock signal inputted by the button operation unit, in which the lock controller includes a user authentication unit that authenticates user of the door lock unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semi-automatic medicine packaging machine with cassette lock unit that improves packaging efficiency and speed by supplying an automatic supply unit and prevents an unauthorized person from supplement and outflow of tablets by fixing tablet cassettes arrayed in the automatic supply unit as a whole. The semi-automatic medicine packaging machine including a medication feed outlet that feeds and discharges medications into a hopper, a sealing unit that seals medications in the hopper by medication envelope(s), a printing unit that prints data on medication envelope(s), a controller that controls the overall apparatus, and a button operation unit that inputs a user's operation into the controller includes an upper shelf; cassette stands; an automatic supply unit including a plurality of tablet cassettes established on the upper part of the cassette stands; and a cassette lock unit that prevents separation of the tablet cassettes from the cassette stands.

Abstract: A vending machine for lottery tickets includes an exterior housing for access by a purchasing customer and a secure interior within which is mounted a plurality of dispensing containers to dispense the one or more tickets as selected by the purchasing customer. A plurality of separate holders for printed ticket information are arranged in an array, each with a purchase switch and an information switch actuable by the customer. Graphic information is provided on a video display screen controlled by a control unit within the housing arranged to control the dispensing of the selected tickets and to display on the video display screen graphic information relating to a ticket in response to information switches actuated by the customer. The graphics on the screen can be actuated in response to a motion sensor detecting the presence of a customer. The screen serves also as a display screen for the authorized operator and thus can be moved to be viewed from outside or inside a door.

Abstract: Dispensable objects are loaded into a portable case for transport to a dispensing site by connecting a reload controller with a case to be reloaded. Latchable and unlatchable object retainers arrayed in the case are relatched, and the reload controller is activated to respond to a reloading request to unlatch some of the retainers in locations suitable for receiving reloaded objects. A person then reloads the chosen objects in the array locations opened up by the unlatched retainers and relatches those retainers. The controller then acts upon another reloading request to unlatch more retainers in locations suitable for receiving additionally loaded objects, as the loading sequence repeats.

Abstract: A snack dispenser consists of a series of tiers stacked to resemble a wedding cake. Each tier includes a trough divided into slots. A snack may be placed into each slot. The front of each slot is transparent. The troughs or trays are mounted on a rotatable carousel. The carousel is covered with a backshell and a transparent front shell. The front shell has transparent doors therein. By inserting a proper amount of money and aligning the carousel so that the desired snack is beneath a door; the door may be opened and the customer may withdraw his snack from that slot. The opening of the door blocks the rotation of the carousel, blocks the opening of the remaining doors, and also resets or cancels the credit of the coins inserted. When the single door is closed again, all doors will be blocked so that a person can not again open a door until proper coins are inserted. To service the dispenser the front shell is removed. A segment of all tiers is removed.

Abstract: A vending machine for vending a plurality of bottles each of which are supported in an upright position only at a top portion of each of the bottles include a planar dispensing rack having a plurality of elongated slots therein for storing and dispensing bottles. The elongated slots each include a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side walls which are spaced apart a distance less than a diameter of the top portion of the bottle to be supported in the slots. The distance between the side walls of the slot is adjustable to enable the slot to support bottles having various diameters. The side walls of each of the slots terminate in an opening at one end of each of the slots which opening has a diameter larger than the diameter of the top portion of the bottles supported by the slots to enable bottles which move from the slot to the opening to drop through the opening from the planar dispensing rack to a dispensing station.

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: Device to distribute photographic material, such as photographs, films, negatives, slides, etc.

Abstract: A transportation vending machine, and more generally a vending machine and cooling dispenser especially suited to environments in which there is limited space available. A serpentine path in the dispenser is formed from two-pieces of rotary-molded plastic having complimentary, serpentine surfaces which form a serpentine path when positioned against one another. Vending, without the need for selection buttons, is achieved by way of the cradles and an interlock system. Efficient cooling is provided by a thermoelectric cooling system that also consumes very little space.

Abstract: An electronically actuated and monitorable bulk vending machine assembly for electronically actuated vending from a select one of a plurality of rack mounted of bulk vending including at least one electrically lockable, crank actuated vending machine linked to a microprocessor controlled, interrogatable central control and currency acceptor unit and methods of assembly and use associated therewith.

Abstract: A toothed wheel operated adjusting device for card stacking machines, in particular an adjusting device adapted for telephone cards and the like, including a receiving body, a conveyance device, and a press plate. The receiving body has a main frame and a support seat. The components of the conveyance device are disposed between the main frame and the support seat. The adjusting device has a securing plate formed by directly bending an upper portion of the main frame at an angle of 90 degrees, and a movable adjusting plate at a lower portion thereof. The movable adjusting plate has guide track plates at both sides thereof movably inserted into corresponding guide tracks at both sides of the support seat. The upper surface of the movable adjusting plate is provided with four guide posts fitted with stop springs respectively. An upper end portion of each guide post extends into a corresponding hollow guide hole of the securing seat.

Abstract: A combination money deposit and dispensing safe, includes a generally box-like housing having a front door, and back and side walls forming a chamber defining a safe for securing money, a bill receiving apparatus mounted in the front door of the safe for receiving bills of various denominations, for validating the bills and for generating a signal indicative of the validation and determining the denomination of the bills and generating a signal proportionate to the denomination of each of the validated bills, a cash dispensing apparatus mounted in said front door of the safe, having multiple cartridges for containing units of cash for dispensing, a dispensing tray rotatably mounted at the bottom of each cartridge, a latch releasable in response to the signal to enable the manual operation of a dispensing tray of a cartridge of cash proportionate to the signal, and a manually operable handle for dispensing an enabled unit of cash.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing articles such as scrub garments. The machine defines plural rows of slots for receiving articles, with the rows vertically stacked so that slots in each row form vertical columns with slots on adjacent rows. A separate lockable user door closes each slot level. A slot door assembly between the slots and the user door operates to open a particular slot, and only that slot is accessible when the user door for that level is unlocked and opened. The slot door assembly comprises separate user doors numbering one less than the available slots and slidable to expose any one column of slots at a time. A slot access mechanism moves adjacent the slot doors and extends to engage and displace the slot doors blocking a particular column of slots, so that one slot in that column becomes accessible upon opening a particular user door.

Abstract: A safe box is provided with currency containers and a plurality of separate currency chutes with time delay access for security. Manually operated apparatus is provided for aligning and releasing containers into the chutes as well as manually operated drawers for selecting and dispensing only one container from the chutes during any time delay. A door is provided in the front panel for access to the interior of the safe box and the front panel of the safe box is hinged to open the box for servicing.

Abstract: A subassembly for use in a computerized medicine dispensing station is disclosed. The station has a cabinet for housing openable drawers in stacked arrangement containing dispensable pharmaceutical items. The subassembly includes a drawer having a base plate, side walls, and a front panel defining an interior compartment. The drawer can be inserted into the cabinet. The interior compartment of the drawer is divided into subcompartments, each subcompartment defined by spaced apart side walls and a curved rear wall. Each subcompartment contains a movable magazine mounted therein for racetrack-like movement therein between the spaced apart side wall and the curved rear wall. The magazine includes individual open cups for containing single dispensable pharmaceutical items therein. The front panel has an aperture which is normally closed and locked.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out the conversion of purely electromechanical can and bottle vending machines to microprocessor controlled can and bottle vending machines. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for carrying out such a conversion at the site of the vending machine in a relatively short amount of time, without requiring any special tools and without requiring any changes to the existing wire harness of the electromechanical machine.

Abstract: A mechanical system opens a selected drawer in a multiple-drawer cabinet. The drawers are arranged in rows and columns. A selected drawer is unlatched by moving a rod which has protruding fingers, only one of which is positioned to engage a latch in a column of drawers. When the rod moves longitudinally, the selected drawer becomes unlatched. The unlatched drawer can open only to a distance determined by a cable which unwinds from a drum and passes around a pulley attached to the drawer. Thus, by controlling the rotation of the drum, the system can be programmed to open the drawer only to a distance which exposes the first non-empty compartment in the drawer. A computer controls the selection and opening of the drawers. The computer keeps a record of which compartments of each drawer have been emptied. Each time a drawer is opened, it is opened to the next non-empty compartment, allowing access to one and only one compartment in the drawer.

Abstract: An electronic interlock for locking a file cabinet (10, 100) and for limiting the number of drawers (14, 114) to be accessed at any given time. An input keyboard (20, 120) receives an input code to be compared with a prestored access code. If the codes do not match, an unlock signal is not produced. If the input code matches the access code, a processor (28, 148) renders the storage assembly (10, 110) accessible. The processor (28, 128) will receive a drawer selection number from the input keyboard (20, 120) user and will unlock a lock (16, 116) associated with the selected drawer (14, 114). Sensors (34, 134) sense the position of the drawers (14, 114) and disable the processor (28, 128) when one of the drawers (14, 114) is in the open position.

Abstract: An automatic distribution machine includes a plurality of bin modules, each bin module being adapted to dispense packages onto a conveyor belt or the like. The bin modules are removable and interchangeable, thereby facilitating replacement if one fails. A sorting operation performed by the machine is controlled by a computer, which communicates with the bin modules through a common data bus. Expansion of the sorting operation can be achieved by extending the data bus to additional bin modules.

Abstract: A method of preparing electronic components for insertion into printed circuit boards by means of an automatic insertion machine which has an attached set of component retaining and dispensing magazines, comprising the steps of loading another set of magazines at a position detached from the automatic insertion machine while the machine is in operation, then shutting down the machine and swapping the loaded set of magazines for the set previously attached to the machine, and restarting the machine.

Abstract: A medicine cart is set forth and a means and method of dispensing medicines including narcotics on nurse rounds is disclosed. The cart includes a CPU with memory and various input devices. The cart has a locked section to secure narcotics. As nurse rounds are made, individual doses of narcotics and medicines or both are dispensed. At the end of the medication round, hard copies reflecting individual patient medications are printed, and beginning and ending narcotics inventories for the cart are also compiled. Chart entries for patients are likewise printed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dispensing items are disclosed. A preferred dispenser (20) according to the invention includes a vend unit (24) suitable for placement in a small (e.g., four cubic feet) refrigerator (22). The vend unit (24) is preferably an all-mechanical device including a coin receiver mechanism (30) operatively coupled to four delivery doors (26) and associated levers (28). Upon insertion of the proper coinage within coin receiver mechanism (30), and movement of one of the levers (28), an associated slide member (54,56) is caused to move. This in turn enables one of the doors (26) to open, allowing access to an item from the selected group. When one of the slide members (54,56) moves, movement of the remaining slide members (54,56) is precluded by blocking pivots (90,162).

Abstract: A vending machine for vending flat packages is disclosed which includes vend assemblies which are reciprocal from a rearward position to a forward, vend position. The vending machine is equipped with a rotary coin accepting assembly including a handle, a shaft and a circular cam affixed to the shaft to be rotated when the handle is turned. An activator rod extends forwardly from a reciprocating portion of the vend assembly and includes an operating finger which is positioned to be contacted by the circular cam when the handle is rotated in response to acceptance of a coin. The contact between the circular cam and the activator rod drives the vend assembly to its rearwardmost position to again prepare the vending machine for vending a flat package.

Abstract: System and method for preventing multiple vends in which a customer gets more than one product for the price of one. The invention is applicable to vending machines having separate vend motors for delivering different products, with product selection switches for selectively energizing the vend motors. When one of the vend motors is energized, energization of a second vend motor is inhibited for a predetermined period of time to prevent vending of a second product.

Abstract: An article-dispensing assembly including a door movably mounted on a plate for opening and closing an opening provided in the plate, the door including a shelf extending inwardly of the opening and providing a bin for holding an article to be dispensed. A control mechanism is movable to a first position to allow transfer of an article from a feed mechanism to the bin, and movable to a second position to block transfer of an article from the feed unit to the bin. An operating unit interconnects the control unit and door to allow loading of the bin when the door is in its closed position and to preclude loading of the bin when the door is moved from the closed position. A slide bar is slidably mounted and extends transversely of the bin. An interlock unit is movably mounted at one side of the opening to a first position that blocks sliding movement of the slide bar, and to a second position allowing sliding movement of the slide bar to an extended position.

Abstract: A multi-compartment vending stack body (20) has sides engaging a series of roller assemblies (32) within a dovetail slot allowing movement in a vertical direction. A number of doors (42) are arranged in columns, each door having a spreader (46) rotatably attached and an integral tapered appendage penetrating the rollers upon pivotal rotation of the door. A coin carriage at the bottom of the stack allows the rollers (34) to drop freely a given distance, at least sufficient to allow penetration of only one spreader (46) when a proper combination of coins are introduced. The coin carriage employs a plunger block (62) and a pair of forks (66) to retain a number of spring loaded coin holders (64) each with a radiused cavity the appropriate size of the denomination.

Abstract: A vending control system for sequentially carrying out a first and second operation in order to insure that the selected article is in fact vendible and that the correct amount of change is provided. During the first operation, the amount of deposited coins is compared with the vend price of all articles in order to determine which articles are vendible, and article selection switches corresponding to the vendible articles are enabled. And during the second operation, the amount of deposited coins is compared with the vend price of an article selected by operation of the corresponding article selection switch, in order to confirm that the selected article is in fact vendible and to insure that the proper amount of change is provided.

Abstract: A vendor for packs of cigarettes comprising a cabinet having a window at the front, a plurality of dispensers in the cabinet for the packs, each adapted to hold a plurality of packs of one brand in a row extending in rear-to-front direction in the cabinet, the dispensers being arranged in tiers one above another in the cabinet with a plurality of dispensers located side-by-side in each tier. The tiers are slanted upward from rear to front, and each tier above the lowermost tier overhangs the tier next below at the front. A transparent panel fixed in place at the front of each tier is engageable by the forward packs of the rows in the tier, the fronts of the forward packs being visible through the window and the panel. The forward pack of a row is dispensed, upon its selection by a purchaser (and accompanying deposit of an amount sufficient for its purchase), by being pushed down from behind the respective transparent panel, and drops down to a delivery pan located below the window.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing and metering apparatus adapted to be mounted in a stationary cabinet structure or a portable suitcase-type housing, including an electrically driven liquid pump and push-button switch for each liquid or beverage to be dispensed. The electronic controls include a timer circuit to permit the dispensing of a predetermined amount of liquid during depression of the corresponding push-button. The control circuitry permits dispensing any amount of liquid less than the predetermined amount for the period the push-button is depressed. The control circuitry also permits the dispensing of amounts of liquid greater than the predetermined amount upon re-depression of the corresponding push-button. The control circuitry further includes interlocking circuitry for the push-button switches to permit the dispensing of only one liquid at a time.

Abstract: A coin dispensing machine capable of selectively dispensing a coin of a predetermined denomination from among coins of various denominations stored in a plurality of coin tubes. Coins placed at the bottom of the respective coin tubes (i.e. the lowermost coins in stacks of coins in the respective coin tubes) are taken out of the coin tubes by means of a pay out slide. A single coin only among the taken out coins nominated by selective energization of two solenoids is allowed to drop below while the coins which have not been selected are returned to the coin tubes. The dropped coin is then introduced into an outlet by a wiping operation of one or two wipers.

Abstract: Control apparatus for use in a vending machine having actuators individually controlled for dispensing customer selected products. The control apparatus generally includes a credit indicating system, a price indicating system, a calculating section for comparing the customer credit with the price of the selected product category, a selection circuit for generating the internal signals indicative of which product category was selected, and actuator controls for activating the corresponding actuator to dispense the selected product. Disclosed selection circuits include a circuit having a plurality of comparator circuits to form a latching system; and another having a pulse counter with a plurality of output terminals sequentially activated in response to a clock signal, along with detectors such as optical couplers to generate a signal indicative of which product category was selected.

Abstract: A satellite vending machine having a tier of manually operated ejectors for dispensing a selection of packaged articles from storage magazines therein to expand the capacity of a parent vending machine is installed on top of the parent and utilizes the coin-actuated totalizer unit and associated mechanism of the parent and provides a linkage to its own heavy duty mechanism responsive to the latch positions in the parent as pilferage protection. The dual pricing capability of the parent is extended to the satellite by a linkage from the ejectors of the magazines having the higher priced articles in the satellite to the latch mechanism of the parent to lock both parent and satellite latch mechanisms when a higher priced ejector in the satellite is pulled with the deposit of coins sufficient only for the lower priced articles.