Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coin operated vending machine with an article delivery chute located adjacent the side of the front face of the machine. Bottles and cans stored in vertically oriented storage racks are shifted to the side located delivery chute by a sweep bar connected between spaced chains. The sweep bar is actuated in conjunction with the vend cycle so that it is only operating during vending. Location of the delivery chute adjacent one side of the machine enables use of the face of the machine for advertising display.

Abstract: A coin operated vending machine has a plurality of storage racks for containers, with each storage rack provided with a selector control button. Each rack includes first and second storage sections, each section having slant storage shelves and a discharge channel. The discharge channels for each section discharge to a common outlet. A circuit alternates discharge in a preselected sequence from the two sections in each rack to rotate the stock and insure that the first cans loaded are the first cans vended.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a can dispensing mechanism for releasing containers from a row of containers stored in an automatic vending machine. A slide driven by a motor or solenoid operates a can control gate and a row gate which are in the form of L-shaped levers. The slide is provided with gate position control surfaces including an inclined ramp or cam surface, an offset surface and an end surface. The control surfaces change the position of the gates about their pivotal connections during movement of the slide through the vend cycle. The gates are gravity biased to the open position and move into can blocking positions under influence of the control surfaces on the slide. Springs and complicated linkages are eliminated to provide a reliable, inexpensive, maintenance free unit.

Abstract: A coin operated dispensing machine has a coin chute and an electrical coin mechanism which is subject to malfunction when exposed to liquid entering through the coin chute. The coin mechanism is protected from such liquid by providing the coin chute with a liquid reject mechanism including a liquid pervious gate extending across the chute and which separates the path of coins from the path of liquid. Coins are diverted laterally for delivery to the coin mechanism. Any liquid is discharged downwardly through the gate and into a liquid trough. A splash guard is mounted between the liquid trough and the coin mechanism.