Abstract: An apparatus and method for maximizing the amount and selection of vendable items from a bucket-type vending machine includes a main access door over an access opening to buckets of the machine. One or more shields are positioned below the access opening but can be selectibly interlocked with the door so that when the access door uncovers the access opening, any of the shields can be raised to cover any or all of the access opening. This arrangement allows each bucket to be subdivided into separate buckets. The selectable shields therefore can close off from access any of the sections of the bucket which are not selected by a customer thereby allowing use of one main access door to facilitate the increased amount and number of selections available from each bucket of the bucket-type vending machine.

Abstract: Articles such as cans vertically stacked on a serpentine shelf (30) and on a longitudinally inclined shelf (33) at the lower end thereof are dispensed one at a time by a motor driven article release mechanism (24). A single can is dispensed for each user actuation of the release mechanism (24). A pair of longitudinally and arcuately spaced fingers (72), (73) are mounted for rotation as a unit as a part of the mechanism (24), and extend at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the cans in the section. The lowermost finger (72) is normally in can-blocking position and the upper finger (73) is normally in a non-can-blocking position. Upon actuation of the mechanism, the fingers are rotated sequentially from their normal positions to a second position, where a lowermost can (C') is released and the next adjacent can (C") held in place, to their normal positions where the next adjacent can (C") moves by gravity down against the lowermost finger (72).

Abstract: A vending machine has a frame comprising a newspaper holding compartment with a spring hinged door and a housing for a mechanical control system secured to the top of the holding compartment. A vending member is secured to the door and operably engaged with the control mechanism. The control mechanism includes a lever biased to a locking position with respect to the vending member. A lever holding rod is secured to the lever and has an "up", or unlocked, position wherein the lever does not lock the vending member, and a "down", or locked, position wherein the vending member is locked in position. A coin operated mechanism has an output shaft and cam which rotate in response to the insertion of a low price coinage amount to a first position, and a high price coinage amount to a second position. A second cam is mounted for free rotation on the coin mechanism shaft and is gravity biased to follow the first cam.

Abstract: A product dispensing apparatus of a coin operated type is provided with a housing having a product delivery compartment attached thereto. A frame structure is rotatably mounted within the housing and has a plurality of product column assemblies mounted in a carousel arrangement. Each of the product column assemblies has a set of shelves, each shelf pivotally attached thereto and oriented one above another in each column for allowing a product to be placed thereon for dispensing, one at a time. A radially extending partition wall is disposed on each side of each set of shelves for preventing the product from being moved off of the shelf. Each of the shelves is a generally pie section shaped configuration with side wing members that fold so that such shelves do not become wedged between the partition walls when they drop towards a product dispensing position.

Abstract: A vending apparatus of a type utilizing a selectively rotatable helical member. The helical member is connected at one end to an annular plate having gear teeth around the inner periphery thereof. A drive gear is disposed within the annular plate and is in operative engagement with the teeth on the inner periphery of the annular plate. The drive gear and thereby the annular plate and helix is driven ultimately by an electric motor. Once the motor is turned on the helical member will rotate one-half of a revolution before being switched off by a switching device. A vertical divider is disposed within the helical member and supports the helical member along the top thereof. A portion of the helical member is aligned along the longitudinal axis of the helix and this portion is connected to the vertical divider for stabilizing and supporting the helical member as it rotates. A plurality of such vending units are stacked on top of one another and are slidable into and out from a cabinet housing.

Abstract: A vending apparatus of the type having a helical member rotatably disposed in a vending chamber. A vertical divider is disposed within the helical member for positioning items to be vended in two rows. A mechanism is also provided for compressing the helical member and releasing such compressed helical member by rotation of such helical member to thereby aid in the discharge of items placed on one side of the vertical divider. Rotation of the helical member by one-half of a revolution releases an item on one side of the vertical divider. Further rotation of one half of a revolution releases an item from the other side of the vertical divider, and so forth, releasing an item from the front of each side successively.

Abstract: A vending device for use in article dispensing machines is disclosed wherein a continuous loop conveyor periodically carries a plurality of dispensing units, each unit adapted by means of a biased spring clip member to releasably hold an article to be dispensed, past a stationary cam, whereupon coaction by the dispensing unit with the cam causes the dispensing unit to release and dispense the article.