Abstract: A monitor and method for reasonable confirmation of a vend from a vending machine includes a set of optical emitters positionable on one side of a dispensing area and a set of optical detectors, adapted to sense the optical energy of the emitters, positioned on an opposite side of the dispensing area. The emitters are spaced apart from each other and mounted on a supporting structure that can be installed on the one side of the dispensing area in a vending machine. The detectors similarly are spaced from one another on a supporting structure that can be installed on an opposite side of the dispensing area. A controller operates the emitters to individually turn on and off in a predetermined sequence. The controller checks for falsing of any detector during the off periods and monitors if any detector is blocked during the on periods. Upon sensed falsing or blockage, the controller generates an output signal.

Abstract: A vending machine of a type having a plurality of coin releasable and manually operable pull rods for selectively releasing a product to a consumer. A novel mechanism is provided for selectively locking or releasing the pull rods. This mechanism includes a rod pivotally attached to a frame, the rod being attached to a first lever which is, in turn, operably connected to the pull rod and to a second lever which is, in turn, pivotally attached to a third lever. Structure is provided for causing the third lever to be biased to a position wherein the pull rods are locked; but, upon the insertion of a predetermined amount of money into the vending machine, one of the pull rods can be actuated to release a product due to a changing of the fulcrum of the third lever and simultaneous movement of the third lever and its associated locking structure to thereby unlock one of the pull rods.