Abstract: A device for setting the switches of a circuitboard-carried dual in-line package [DIP] which includes an array of miniature closely lined switch actuators such as toggle elements adapted to be rocked around a common axis to open and close their associated switches, which device has a recess with an outline configuration conforming to that of the package to receive the upper portion of the package to bring the lower ends of a plurality of operating arms pivotable around a common axis and having an interarm spacing corresponding to the toggle elements spacing into cooperative relationship with the toggle elements. The arms have offset handles with progressively increasing offsets from the center handles outwardly and extend through slots in the cover of the device so that the interhandle spacing is appreciably greater than is the spacing between adjacent switch toggle elements.

Abstract: A releasable locking mechanism for maintaining the door of a merchandising machine in an open position for loading or servicing. Respective link arms pivotally interconnected at one end are pivotally coupled at their other ends to the door and to the cabinet for movement to an aligned position limiting further movement of the door away from the cabinet. A spring biases one of the arms from its aligned position against a stop to provide an automatic locking action, while an extension of the link arm coupled to the door permits ready kick release of the arms from their locking position.

Abstract: A disco lamp controller for a coin-operated phonograph in which a signal derived from the audio amplifier signal of the phonograph is applied to the trigger input of an astable multivibrator the output of which is applied to a register the outputs of which cause lamps sequentially to light in time to the beat of the music being played. In the absence of the audio signal the lamps light at a constant frequency.

Abstract: Electronic apparatus for recording the number of times each selection offered by a vending machine is chosen by customers and for displaying such information sequentially in either ascending or descending order.

Abstract: An automatic selector unit for repetitively actuating an automatic phonograph to play randomly selected records includes a first timer for measuring the elapsed time since a previous play and a continuously running second timer for generating periodic pulses. The unit actuates the scanning mechanism of the phonograph after a predetermined elapsed time to bring different records successively into position for play and thereafter actuates the player mechanism on the next pulse from the second timer to play the record then in position for play.

Abstract: A ticket dispensing head for delivering individual tickets from a string of tickets connected by laterally extending lines of ticket material weakness in which tickets are advanced along a generally linear path past a breaker blade toward a limit switch adjustably positioned in the path of movement of the tickets beyond the breaker blade by a distance slightly greater than the length of a ticket with actuation of the switch interrupting the ticket drive to position the line of weakness connecting the leading ticket to the next ticket just beyond the blade breaker edge to permit a folder to fold the ticket along the so positioned line over the blade breaker edge for severing of the first ticket precisely along said positioned line upon subsequent actuation of the breaker blade to move along a path generally parallel to the ticket path. The position of the switch is adjusted to accommodate tickets of different size.

Abstract: A versatile merchandising machine for dispensing a variety of goods including bagged snacks and the like in which each of a plurality of delivery units of one of a number of vertically spaced shelves includes a pair of horizontally aligned oppositely wound helices which receive articles between aligned pairs of turns of the helices and in which selectively energisable individual detent motors respectively drive the helices of the pairs in opposite directions to advance the leading article of the unit into engagement with an article control element hanging down in front of the unit to guide the article to control its movement over the edge of the shelf and downwardly to a delivery area. The shelves can be slid outwardly and swung downwardly through a limited arc to facilitate loading.

Abstract: An improved delivery system for a merchandising machine of the first-in first-out type in which each section comprises a spring clutch adapted to be actuated to couple a gear train to a common drive shaft to rotate an escrow member and to step a chain of merchandise-carrying paddles to cause a surface of the escrow member and one of the paddles, which together support the article next to be dispensed in a viewing position, to open in the manner of a trap door to deliver that article to a tray which is accessible to the customer.

Abstract: Syrup tanks in a beverage dispenser having a cold water bath are cooled by circulating water from the water bath through a coil disposed adjacent to the syrup tanks in heat exchange relationship therewith. In the preferred embodiment, the coil is located between adjacent rows of syrup tanks to maximize heat transfer.

Abstract: A merchandising machine cabinet and shelf structure in which a pair of channel-shaped rails mounted on the inner sides of the cabinet structure at corresponding heights and extending from front to back of the cabinet with the channels opening inwardly receive respective pairs of spaced wheels mounted on the sides of the shelf to permit the shelf to be moved rectilinearly out of a fully housed home position to an intermediate position at which an element on the shelf engages a pivot adjacent to the front of the cabinet and at which one roller of each pair registers with a slot in the upper wall of the corresponding channel to permit the shelf to be pivoted downwardly to a limit position at which the merchandising units are readily accessible for loading. Interengageable means on the cabinet door and on the front of the shelf ensures that the shelf is moved fully into its home position as the door is closed.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing tickets from a supply of connected tickets and for feeding severed tickets individually to a delivery location in response to a credit signal in which an already severed ticket, retained in escrow position at which it blocks the path of light from a source to a photocell, is advanced by first drive rollers energized in response to a credit signal to the delivery area and in which the photocell is energized as the trailing edge of the delivered ticket passes out of the path of light from the source to the photocell to cock a cutter disposed between the supply of tickets and the escrow position and to activate second relatively slower drive rollers to advance a ticket from the supply to the first relatively faster drive rollers which picks up the ticket, pulls it taut, and moves it to a position at which the leading portion thereof interrupts the path of light from the light source to the photocell to deenergize the cutter cocking solenoid, both drive rollers, and the source of illuminati

Abstract: A manually disassemblable push-button and switch unit assembly for a merchandising machine in which an elongated frame is formed with a plurality of spaced recesses open at the top and at the side of the frame and with a plurality of openings extending through the frame from the top to the bottom and disposed between the respective recesses to permit respective switch units to be inserted into the recesses through the side openings thereof with their actuating elements accessible through the top openings of the recess and with the switch units held in position by laterally extending spring fingers on the frame. Resilient fingers on a push-button extend through the frame openings at the sides of the recess so as to mount the push-buttons over the top openings of the recesses and for limited movement toward and away from the switch units to operate the actuating elements thereof.

Abstract: A paper currency acceptor which performs a first magnetic test on a first predetermined area of a bill corresponding to an area of a genuine bill printed with magnetic ink to produce a credit signal in response to a genuine bill and to reject a spurious bill not printed with magnetic ink in the first area and which performs a second magnetic test on a second printed area of the bill corresponding to an area of a genuine bill printed with nonmagnetic ink to reject a spurious bill made on a copying apparatus employing magnetic toner particles.

Abstract: A solid state search unit for use in an automatic phonograph system in which phonograph selections are identified by three digit selection identification numbers, and which system includes a record magazine, a playing mechanism and a plurality of user-actuated remote selectors. In its normal mode of operation, the search unit, in cyclical fashion, searches memory locations corresponding to the respective selections offered for a play signal and, when such a signal is found, erases said play signal, causes the corresponding selection to be played, and transmits to the remote selectors a signal representing the selection identification number of the selection being played, or, if no play signal is found in the memory, stops the search. In its selective mode operation, the search unit, in response to a signal from a remote selector representing the selection identification number of a user's selection choice, stores a play signal in the corresponding memory location and restarts the normal mode search cycle.

Abstract: A door operating assembly for a merchandising machine or the like in which a pivoted handle normally retained in a recessed position on the merchandise machine cabinet door by means of a key operated lock is biased in both directions to a ready position out of the recess at which it is accessible to permit the handle to be moved to a fully open position in the course of which movement it drives a latching member to cause a first cam surface thereon to engage a strike in the cabinet positively to initiate movement of the door toward its open position.

Abstract: A candy bar delivery unit for a helical feed merchandising machine in which an article-advancing helix, having an article-delivery cam formed at the front end thereof, is supported above the bottom of the delivery shelf between an elongated boss extending from front to back of one side wall of the unit and the other side wall of the unit so that the turns of the helix make substantially point contact with the boss and with the other side wall and in which drive means is energized on each operation of the unit to rotate the helix through a single revolution to cause the turns of the helix to advance articles supported on end on the shelf between the turns of the helix and to cause the helix cam to deliver the leading article over the front edge of the shelf. Each side wall is provided with an inwardly directed retainer tab for holding the helix in position.

Abstract: A gum and mint delivery unit for a merchandising machine of the helical feed type in which a product separator extends axially through a helix mounted for rotary unit between the unit walls extending from front to back of a shelf of the machine to permit packets of gum or mints or the like to be arranged vertically between the turns of the helix on opposite sides of the separator and in which a motor rotates the helix through one half of a revolution on each operation of the unit to cause a cam formed on the front of the helix to deliver an article over the front edge of the shelf so that articles are alternately delivered from one side of the separator and the other side thereof on successive operations of the unit.