Abstract: The disclosed invention is a dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing product from a vending machine. The invention employs a motor for bi-directionally rotating a dispenser bucket between two bumpers which physically obstruct and limit the rotational travel, a motor controller for monitoring the current drawn by the motor and signals received from a product vend detection sensor. The motor controller uses monitored information to control the rotational direction and stopping positions of the dispenser bucket. The invention eliminates the need for timing cams and switches and eliminates the need for anti-theft device to prevent product theft from the dispenser bucket.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing product from a vending machine. The invention employs a product vend detector to sense when products are dispensed. A controller compares the occurrences of products actually dispensed to the product depth setting assigned to a product dispensing assembly. When vend-completed signals do not match the assigned product setting, the controller initiates a learning mode to determine the actual product depth of the product dispensing assembly and resets the product depth setting to the correct value. The present invention eliminates the need for manual adjustments and eliminates the need to use additional electromechanical components, such as timing cams and switches that are normally used by prior product dispensing systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hopper for preventing theft of undispensed products from a vending machine. The disclosed anti-theft hopper receives dispensed products and allows customers to retrieve dispensed products, but prevents unauthorized access to the interior of a vending machine through the product delivery port. The anti-theft hopper has a first opening through which dispensed products enter the hopper and a second opening through which dispensed products are retrieved by customers. A hopper flap is pivotally coupled to the hopper, wherein the hopper flap is adaptable to pivotally swing over products dispensed into the hopper to allow consumers to retrieve dispensed products from the hopper and wherein the hopper flap is further adaptable to prevent unauthorized access to undispensed products by blocking the insertion of a protruding device through the hopper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hidden door hinge that is hingedly coupled to an outer door of a vending machine for the purpose of securing the vending machine and to prevent theft and vandalism. The present invention prevents unauthorized access to the interior of a vending machine by providing a hinging system that is used to attach the outer door to the cabinet of the vending machine. The hinging system provides a hinge having a pivot that is supported by an arching member that allows a portion of the outer door to swing within the hinge itself. The outer door has a small cutout at the hinge area through which the hinge passes. The small cutout is covered by the cabinet and not accessible from outside the vending machine. Hinge pins allowing the hinge to pivot are located on the inside of the outer door. The door can be nestled in the cabinet to strengthen the cabinet frame and improve security for the vending machine.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing product from a vending machine. The invention employs a product vend detector to sense when products are dispensed. A controller compares the occurrences of products actually dispensed to the product depth setting assigned to a product dispensing assembly. When vend-completed signals do not match the assigned product setting, the controller initiates a learning mode to determine the actual product depth of the product dispensing assembly and resets the product depth setting to the correct value. The present invention eliminates the need for manual adjustments and eliminates the need to use additional electromechanical components, such as timing cams and switches that are normally used by prior product dispensing systems.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing product from a vending machine. In the present invention, the gauging portion of a product dispensing mechanism in a vending machine can be easily configured to accommodate the depth and number of products being dispensed without adding or removing parts, as required by existing product dispensing mechanisms. The present invention provides a sliding gauge step that can be easily extended or retracted to create or eliminate a product gauge step. Thus, the present invention avoids the use of removable parts, which are required in existing vending machines, to configure product dispensing assemblies to vend an array of products.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing such enclosures as vending machines is disclosed. A hasp is mounted on the interior of the enclosure and a mounting bracket having a flange and a lock hole is disposed on the exterior of the enclosure. To securely lock the enclosure, a hasp key is passed through an opening in the enclosure proximate the mounting bracket. One end of the hasp key includes an engagement mechanism that engages a hasp key aperture through the hasp. On the other end of the hasp key is a lock hole which is generally aligned with the lock hole on the exterior of the enclosure when the hasp key is engaged. A lock may then be disposed through the lock holes, limiting a would-be intruder's options to gain access to the inside of the enclosure. A sliding T-handle lock cover is also described. The sliding T-handle lock cover includes a flange and slides over a T-handle lock and aligns with a flange of a cover plate.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing product from a vending machine. The invention employs a motor for bi-directionally rotating a dispenser bucket between two bumpers which physically obstruct and limit the rotational travel, a motor controller for monitoring the current drawn by the motor and signals received from a product vend detection sensor. The motor controller uses monitored information to control the rotational direction and stopping positions of the dispenser bucket. The invention eliminates the need for timing cams and switches and eliminates the need for anti-theft device to prevent product theft from the dispenser bucket.

Abstract: A door retaining device having particular application for preventing unauthorized removal of vending machine doors from vending machine housings. The door retaining device is fixedly secured at a first end to the vending machine door, and cooperates with the vending machine housing at a second end to permit rotation of the door relative to the housing about at least one hinge pin, but to substantially prevent movement of the door relative to the housing other than rotation about the at least one hinge pin. The door retaining device has a hook portion at the second end that extends into the housing through an aperture in the housing. The hook portion engages the housing to prevent movement of the door relative to the housing other than rotation about the at least one hinge pin.

Abstract: A helical structure having a shaft defining an axis of rotation and a substantially helical flight extending about the axis of rotation and composed of a plurality of sections each having a segment disposed in substantially right angular relation to the axis of rotation. A method for manufacturing a helical structure or the like including the steps of producing a mold having a mold cavity defining a configuration for the helical structure having a substantially helical flight composed of a plurality of sections having segments disposed in substantially right angular relation to an axis of rotation for the helical structure, introducing a moldable substance into the mold cavity to form the helical structure in the configuration and removing the helical structure from the mold cavity by separating the mold along a path substantially aligned with the segments.

Abstract: A replaceable sign face used in vending machines for operating instructions, advertising purposes and the like. A front panel having optically transparent regions and a curved surface and constructed from a sturdy, solid material serves as a permanent protective cover to deter attempts at tampering and breaking in for food or money. A replaceable inner panel bearing advertising media is disposed directly behind the front panel. The inner panel is formed from a thin, resilient and inexpensive material which is configured for frequent replacement with minimum effort. The transparent front panel and replaceable inner panel bearing instructional and advertising media (hereinafter sometimes referred to as visual displays) are securely held within retainers disposed at either end of the front face of the vending machine.

Abstract: A novel control storing and dispensing apparatus for a vending machine, or the like is provided, the apparatus being particularly adapted for storing and dispensing cylindrical products of various types and sizes in single and multiple depth stack fashion. The dispensing mechanism for each section includes at least one motor-driven auger mounted in an almost horizontal position in relation to cylindrical products rolling down a shallow slope to control storing, feeding and dispensing of said cylindrical products from the bottom of a stack for each selection, as the mechanism is cycled. The apparatus can also be used to dispense cylindrical products of a relatively wide range of diameters by using spacers or movable ramps to position products properly to fit into the auger track. The apparatus also can dispense a product longer than conventional cans, such as certain bottled beverages, by using several augers.

Abstract: An apparatus having a high center of gravity incorporating an energy absorbing device is disclosed. The energy absorbing device includes a rapidly extending shock absorbing device to absorb and thereby dampen the forward motion of an apparatus having a high center of gravity such as a vending machine subjected to a tipping force in the lateral direction. A method of fabrication for example a vending machine having an energy absorbing device is also described. In the vending machine example, the energy absorbing device prevents an individual from using a rocking motion to develop sufficient angular momentum enabling the individual to tip the vending machine into a forward position.

Abstract: A latching mechanism is disclosed for application in vending machines, or the like. In a preferred embodiment the latching mechanism is of one-piece construction. The latching mechanism comprises a ramp mounted to an outer door of the vending machine and configured such that an inner door of the vending machine remains latched to the outer door when it is pulled away from a dispenser housing to access the refrigerated compartment therein. The ramp preferably comprises a ridge on a horizontal surface thereof. When the inner door is urged against the outer door, it passes over the ridge and comes to rest on the ramp. The ridge deters the inner door from sliding off the ramp and becoming detached from the outer door. An appropriate amount of force applied to separate the two doors causes the inner door to roll over the ridge and swing away from the outer door.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for facilitating passage of a vendable object through a vending machine, the apparatus including a main body borne by the vending machine and mounting a pair of ribs which are disposed in spaced relation one to the other and which are individually adapted to support the vendable object in spaced relation to the main body, the ribs operable substantially to inhibit the vendable objects from bridging with adjoining vendable objects and thereby increasing the reliability of the vending machine so equipped.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus operable to secure a pair of work objects to each other and wherein one of the work objects mounts an engagement member, the fastening apparatus having a mount adapted for attachment on the other of said work objects in substantially a predetermined position; and a grasping assembly borne by the mount and operable to expand upon movement of said engagement member therewithin and subsequently to contract for engagement with said engagement member to interlock the work objects.

Abstract: A ramp apparatus for causing a plurality of containers disposed in a staggered stack column to converge into a single stack column for subsequent dispensing by a single column dispensing mechanism, the ramp apparatus having an upper edge of a configuration such as not to contact a substantial portion of a container passing thereover at any one time and a supporting surface operable to cause the containers to converge to form the single stack column in a minimum of vertical distance while simultaneously inhibiting the containers from bridging with adjoining containers.

Abstract: System and method for preventing multiple vends in which a customer gets more than one product for the price of one. The invention is applicable to vending machines having separate vend motors for delivering different products, with product selection switches for selectively energizing the vend motors. When one of the vend motors is energized, energization of a second vend motor is inhibited for a predetermined period of time to prevent vending of a second product.

Abstract: A package dispensing mechanism for a vending machine, the mechanism being particularly adapted for dispensing cylindrical packages in a single column, of a single or a multiple depth stack. The mechanism has a cylindrical bucket open at one side and mounted for oscillation substantially about its axis, the bucket having one axially extending edge which simultaneously releases all of the packages in the lowermost tier of such a stack into the bucket and another such edge which sequentially vends the packages so received, and the mechanism has a pivoting gate disposable to support the next tier above such lowermost tier so that such one edge does not engage the such next tier, avoiding lifting of the entire stack even though the bucket and package have substantially different diameters, minimizing the power required to drive the bucket, and avoiding damage to such next tier.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for increasing the product storage capacity of selective product dispensing machines, which must handle a plurality of generally cylindrical product types with one or more product types being accommodated in significantly greater quantity than others, while retaining the operational reliability of staggered stack releasing for all product types. The apparatus utilizes a lower zone of the total product storage space available within a cabinet of any given size to provide staggered stack chambers of appropriately limited height for a maximum number of product types to be selectively handled, and utilizes the remaining upper zone of the available storage space to accommodate a maximum number of stored products of one or more preferred product types to be made available in greater quantity than others, with the preferred type products stored on superimposed inclined shelves and fed by gravity to the upper end of corresponding staggered stack compartments.