Abstract: An article handling apparatus having a article storage area includes a movable article storage structure adapted for being positioned therein. The movable article storage structure comprises a bin segment guidance structure adapted for individually guiding groups of articles to be handled, i.e., article storage bin-segments which are preloaded with articles, so as to form therewith a plurality of axially aligned article storage columns. The guidance apparatus includes a receiving device which provides individual coupling to the article storage bin-segments, so as to allow grouping of the bin-segments into the plurality of axially aligned article storage columns. Once received, the segments are individually guided by the guidance apparatus from one end of the column, along the longitudinal axis of the column, in a direction toward an article grasping portion of the article handling apparatus which is adjacent an opposed end of the column.

Abstract: An article handling apparatus having an article storage area (215) includes a movable storage structure (219). The movable storage structure (219) has a bin segment guidance structure to form a plurality of axially aligned article storage columns (216). The guidance structure includes a receiving device providing individual coupling to article storage bin segments (1202) so as to allow grouping of bin segments into the plurality of aligned article storage columns.

Abstract: A product contact sensor of the type shown and described herein.

Abstract: An article handler having an article storage area and an article dispensing opening at a top portion thereof, with a hinged lid mounted so as to have at least a predetermined range of arcuate movement thereover. The lid has a lifting portion thereon adapted for engagement with a lid opening/closing mechanism, and a lid opening/closing mechanism mounted adjacent the cooled article storage area.

Abstract: An article handler having an article storage area and an article dispensing opening at a top portion thereof, with a hinged lid mounted so as to have at least a predetermined range of arcuate movement thereover. The lid has a lifting portion thereon adapted for engagement with a lid opening/closing mechanism, and a lid opening/closing mechanism mounted adjacent the cooled article storage area.

Abstract: A product contact sensor of the type shown and described herein.

Abstract: The invention is an embossing system, embosser and indent imprinter and method of operation thereof. The invention includes a plurality of stations (34, 36, 40, 42, 44 and 46) including an embossing station (38); a carriage (162) for holding an item (60) to be processed by the system at the plurality of stations including the embossing station; a carriage transport (180) which moves the carriage while holding the item to be processed along a plurality of spaced apart transport paths; and wherein at least one station is disposed on each of the plurality of transport paths and the carriage transport moves the carriage holding the item along the plurality of transport paths to each of the plurality of processing stations at which processing is performed on the item.

Abstract: A programmable size and price-setting mechanism for use in a vending machine has a plurality of n access doors aligned horizontally across a front of the vending machine, each of which access doors has a locked condition denying access therethrough and an unlocked condition allowing access therethrough, and each of which is selectably activatable between the locked and unlocked condition. There are a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which has a plurality of partitionable areas corresponding in size to a corresponding one of the n access doors, such that each shelf is selectably partitionable into a plurality of up to n product holding areas. A conveyor mechanism is provided for selectably moving each horizontal shelf into a vending position adjacent to the access doors so that each one of the n partitionable areas is adjacent to a corresponding one the n access doors. A sensor detects which of the plurality of shelves is positioned adjacent to the plurality of n access doors.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for movement of a horizontal shelf in a vending machine includes first and second spaced apart rotatable sprockets. A continuous chain engages and extends around the first and second spaced apart sprockets. A plurality of brackets are attached to the continuous chain supported in a fixed angular relationship to the chain and at predetermined distances along the length of the chain for movement therewith upon rotation of the sprockets. Gear portions are affixed to the vending machine adjacent to and extending approximately 180.degree. around the first and second sprocket. A planetary idler gear is rotatably mounted on the bracket for engagement with the track gear portions. The planetary idler gear is sized for having a predetermined gear ratio with the track gear. A pinion idler gear is coaxially affixed for co-rotation with the planetary idler gear thereby forming an idler gear pair mounted to the bracket for rotation relative to the bracket.

Abstract: A control panel drawer for a consumer-operated vending machine of a type having a cabinet defining an internal volume in which vendable products are held for selectable vending, a front display at which vendable products are designated with price and selection indicia and a money acceptance and product selection panel at which an amount of money corresponding to the price of a desired product selection and instructions for dispensing the desired product selection are entered by the consumer and an operatively associated vending mechanism connected through an electronic circuit to vend the selected product to the consumer in response to insertion of money and instructions from a consumer to the control panel drawer includes a drawer which is slidably connected to the vending machine cabinet having a first position at which the drawer is inserted within the vending machine cabinet adjacent to the internal product holding volume and a second position slidably extended forward of the front display.