Abstract: Systems and methods for setting the prices of merchandise in vending machines are provided. According to some implementations, an electrical circuitry may be provided for vending merchandise. The electrical circuitry may comprise an actuator driver configured to control a dispensing mechanism associated with a vending unit for dispensing merchandise from the vending unit to a buyer. The electrical circuitry may also include an electronic price setting circuit configured to individually set the price for the merchandise of the vending unit. The electronic price setting device may include at least one manually adjustable component associated with each vending unit. A currency acceptor of the electrical circuitry is configured to accept currency from the buyer. An electronic control unit may be arranged in electrical communication with the actuator driver, electronic price setting circuit, and currency acceptor.

Abstract: A vending apparatus has a housing and at least one rotatable dispensing coil disposed within the housing. The coil is vertically oriented and rotates in a manner such that products placed between the rungs of the coil move progressively downward during rotation until each product is ejected from a bottom end of the coil. There are retaining walls surrounding the coil on opposite sides of the coil. The walls extend an entire length of the coil but do not encompass the entire circumference of the coil, so that two longitudinal portions of the coil located opposite one another are not surrounded by the retaining walls. A product having a length exceeding the diameter of the coil can be placed in the coil for vending so that the ends of the product extend beyond the coil through the two portions not surrounded by the retaining walls. The retaining walls prevent the product from rotating when the coil rotates, and keep the product moving progressively down the coil until it is ejected from the coil.