Abstract: The present invention is a pill dispensing method and apparatus wherein a first rotor rotates pills about a rotation axis along a first part of a spiral path at a first rotational speed whereupon the pills move spirally away from the rotation axis. A second rotor receives the pills from the first rotor and rotates the pills about the rotation axis along a second part of the spiral path at a second, greater rotational speed whereupon the pills move spirally away from the rotation axis toward a discharge chute which dispenses the pills into a pill bottle or a storage container.

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 tray for a product vending machine including a flat base upon which product to be vended may be placed. A plurality of walls are attached to the base which define rows into which product is organized. A channel within the flat base houses a threaded shaft. The threaded shaft threadingly attaches to a product drive member.

Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus having a coin hopper for storing bulk coins in a rotating disk coin selector mounted at a lower portion of coin hopper is provided. An overload prevention support member can extend above and across the rotating coin selector unit, and can be vertically movable, while being supported by the vertical walls of the coin hopper. A plurality of support members can be mounted within the coin hopper. An agitator member can be mounted to extend upward from the rotating disk coin selector to agitate the stored coins, and, in one embodiment, to contact the overload prevention support members and drive them upward to assist in removing a bearing weight from the rotating disk coin selector.

Abstract: A dispenser for containing and dispensing elongated articles such as coffee stirrers, straws and the like is provided and presents an inclined wall therein including upper and lower end portions against and downwardly along which articles to be dispensed rest and may move by gravity. A dispensing member equipped with an upwardly opening groove is reciprocal transversely of the lower end portion of the inclined wall and includes an upper surface along which articles to be dispensed may move from the aforementioned lower end portion into the groove. The dispenser includes a side wall having an opening therein with which one end of the groove is registered and the opposite end of the groove is closed, whereby an article disposed in the groove may be dispensed through the opening upon movement of the dispensing member toward the one side wall of the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser for containing and dispensing elongated articles such as coffee stirrers is provided and presents an inclined wall therein including upper and lower end portions against and downwardly along which articles to be dispensed rest and may move by gravity. A dispensing member equipped with an upwardly opening groove is reciprocal transversely of the lower end portion of the inclined wall and includes an upper surface along which articles to be dispensed may move from the aforementioned lower end portion into the groove. The dispenser includes a side wall having an opening therein with which one end of the groove is registered and the opposite end of the groove is closed, whereby an article disposed in the groove may be dispensed through the opening upon movement of the dispensing member toward the one side wall of the dispenser.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing toothpicks or the like comprises a receptacle having a lower surface that slopes downwardly from the rear wall of the receptacle toward the front wall and is spaced slightly from the front wall to define a discharge opening through which toothpicks may pass one at a time. A slide member is reciprocally mounted beneath the inclined lower surface and held in place by a bottom plate which is secured to the receptacle by fastening screws that pass through guide slots in the slide member to guide movement of the slide. The slide member is spring biased forwardly and includes a delivery channel that is alternately positionable between a receiving position in alignment with the discharge opening and a removal position forwardly of the front wall of the receptacle.