Abstract: A vending machine with a cabinet for articles having a long dimension and a short dimension. A multiplicity of shelves are supported in cabinet. Helical feeder coils rest within slots on each shelf. Each helical feeder coil is adapted to receive articles in its convolutions with the articles slidably supported by the shelf along the long dimension. The articles are separated, but unsupported, by the helical feeder coil. Motors, rotatably drive the helical feeder coils for moving the articles to be vended.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations are disclosed. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A container release assembly is positioned at the end of the vend queue to vend a container upon activation. The container release assembly acts on the first-in-line container to be vended and on the second-in-line container, by retaining the second-in-line container while the first is being released. The container release assembly acts on the containers from two opposite sides of the containers.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations are disclosed. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A container release assembly is positioned at the end of the vend queue to vend a container upon activation. The container release assembly acts on the first-in-line container to be vended and on the second-in-line container, by retaining the second-in-line container while the first is being released. The container release assembly acts on the containers from two opposite sides of the containers.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations without dropping or subjecting the vended product to damaging impact forces are disclosed. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A robotic carriage assembly using rack and pinion assemblies moves in positive non-vibratory manner along an X-Y plane in the machine, captures the selected product from its queue and smoothly transports the product to a product delivery port conveniently located close to hip level. The carriage assembly uses unique product escapement and capture mechanisms to smoothly slide the related product from its queue into the carriage. Power door and safety lock features at the delivery port are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations without dropping or subjecting the vended product to damaging impact forces are disclosed. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A robotic carriage assembly using rack and pinion assemblies moves in positive non-vibratory manner along an X-Y plane in the machine, captures the selected product from its queue and smoothly transports the product to a product delivery port conveniently located close to hip level. The carriage assembly uses unique product escapement and capture mechanisms to smoothly slide the related product from its queue into the carriage. Power door and safety lock features at the delivery port are also disclosed.

Abstract: A display is releasably mounted on the outside of an enclosure. The display may be released from the enclosure upon gaining access to the inside of the latter. In a preferred embodiment, the display is a sign, and the enclosure is a vending machine. The sign includes a rear panel, which is secured to the door of the vending machine, and a front panel which is connected to the rear panel by means of a hinge. A fastener on the front panel, disposed generally opposite the hinge, protrudes through a hole in the rear panel and into an opening in the vending machine door. The relative sizes of the fastener and the hole are such that a portion of the fastener snaps into place on the opposite side of the rear panel.

Abstract: An apparatus and improved method for defrosting of the refrigeration unit of a refrigerated vending machine are disclosed. A damper controls flow of heated defrosting air in the refrigeration unit during a defrosting cycle to prevent the heated air from exiting out of the refrigerated air duct leading to the refrigerated compartment of the vending machine, thereby maintaining the desired ambient air temperature within the refrigerated compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of installing a slide-in refrigeration unit in a vending machine that automatically aligns and seals the refrigeration unit air flow ducts to the refrigerated compartment of the vending machine, is disclosed. A simple assembly guides movement of the refrigeration unit as it is slid backward into the vending machine so as to identically align a pair of mating inclined surfaces of a duct connector assembly into sealing engagement, to automatically effect air flow communication between the refrigeration unit and the refrigerated compartment. The refrigeration unit installation is completed by simple securing the slid-in unit to the floor of the vending machine with several screws or bolts.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that dispenses a lowermost cup from a stack of nested cups. The cups are disposed within an opening formed through an annular housing, and a group of cam assemblies project inward from the housing to support and selectively dispense the cups. Alignment holes are formed through the housing and the cam assemblies to facilitate proper alignment of the cam assemblies relative to one another during assembly of the dispenser. The cam assemblies move inward and outward relative to the opening to accommodate cups of different under-rim diameters within a given range. In particular, the cam assemblies move in an arc and pivot relative to the housing and thereby remain satisfactorily aligned relative to the center of the opening over a wider range of under-rim cup diameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically dispensing a liquid into a container comprises a housing containing a supply of containers, a source of liquid to be dispensed, and a container well having an opening for receiving and supporting a container during dispensing of the liquid. Containers are delivered one at a time from the container supply to the container well and the liquid is dispensed from the liquid source into a container supported in the container well. A support member is supported by the housing for pivotal movement. A blocking member is secured to the support member distal from the point at which the support member is pivotally connected to the housing for movement with the support member between an operative position and an inoperative position. The blocking member is at least slightly larger than the container well opening so that the blocking member blocks access to the interior of the housing when in the operative position.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing water and syrup in a predetermined ratio to a beverage dispenser comprises a housing, a source of syrup in a flexible container and a source of water under pressure. A proportioning pump in fluid communication with the syrup source and the water source is provided for receiving syrup and water and for discharging the syrup and water in a predetermined ratio. A water valve, movable between an open and a closed condition, is connected between the water source and the proportioning pump for controlling the flow of water to the pump. The water valve is normally closed, but is opened upon activation of the beverage dispenser, permitting water to flow from the water source to the proportioning pump. Upon receiving the water, the proportioning pump draws syrup from the syrup source and discharges the water and syrup in a predetermined ratio to the beverage dispenser. a vacuum switch, including a sensor, is connected between the syrup container and the proportoning pump.

Abstract: The support apparatus (39) for rotatably supporting an elongated semi-rigid helical (22) having a center longitudinal axis (52), of the type used for dispensing articles (38) from a dispensing machine, above a substantially planar shelf surface (34) having a front edge (36) is disclosed. The support apparatus (39) comprises a first coil support member (40) and a second coil support member (42) each defining a generally planar upper surface (41) and (43) respectively to lie above and generally parallel to a shelf surface (34) and adjacent a front end (36) thereof. The first and second coil support members (40 and 42) are disposed in spaced, generally parallel relationship to one another, and wherein the first and second coil support members (40 and 42) are laterally spaced apart from one another a sufficient distance to cooperatively support a helical coil on and between the first and second upper surfaces (40 and 42).

Abstract: An auxiliary can dispensing unit (30) for use in vending machine (2) comprises an inclined track (32). Pivotal control member (62) at the discharge end (34) of track (32) dispenses a single can (42) at a time. Pivotal control member (62) is actuated by a cam (78) and connecting rod (98) which are releasably secured to the output shaft (20) of a motor. The inclined track (32) is releasably contained in dispensing channel (10) of vending machine (2) and is meant to replace the helical coil (14) normally used therein.

Abstract: A helical coil vending machine includes a housing having a plurality of shelves thereon. Each shelf includes a plurality of elongated helical coils of a first size received in dispensing channels having a nominal width. This invention relates to an auxiliary dispensing unit which can be received in selected ones of the dispensing channels. The auxiliary dispensing unit includes a replacable insert member or trough receivable in the dispensing channel to decrease its cross-sectional width. The first sized coil in this channel is then replaced by a second and smaller coil which is received inside the insert member. The auxiliary dispensing unit is suited for receiving relatively thin articles such as gum and mint packages therebetween for vending such articles using a helical coil mechanism.

Abstract: An improved locking apparatus for a slidably mounted product carrying shelf in a helical coil vending machine. Each shelf includes a front roller normally retained in a front stop. The locking apparatus comprises a pivotably mounted lock member mounted above the front stop of each shelf. The lock member has a lock surface which in a first or normal position of the lock member prevents the front roller from being removed from the front stop to lock the shelf in position in the vending machine. The lock member may be rotated to either a second or third position where the lock surface clears the front roller to allow the shelf to be slid out of the vending machine. The lock member is counterweighted such that it will remain in its third position to allow an operator to completely remove the shelf from the vending machine.