Abstract: A vending machine for vending articles comprises a rotatable dispensing drum with a wall comprising at least one recess sized to receive an article, and a mechanism for rotating the dispensing drum about a rotational cycle. A plurality of magazines are provided for containing the articles in a stack, each magazine being in communication with the dispensing drum such that a proximate article in the magazine contacts the dispensing drum. The wall of the dispensing drum blocking the delivery of an article until an empty recess comes into alignment with the article during rotation of the dispensing drum. The article in the recess is dispensed from the recess as the dispensing drum is rotated further along its rotational cycle.

Abstract: A bulk vending machine provides a dispensing conduit having a revolving mouth that floats on top of a heap of articles in the product bin. The mouth is movable between a horizontal orientation, in which the mouth can scoop articles off of the surface of the heap, and a vertical orientation in which a throat of the dispensing conduit opens to allow an article which has been scooped into the mouth to fall through the dispensing chute. Revolution of the dispensing conduit by turning the handle causes the mouth to revolve around the heap of articles, scooping up one or more articles in its path.

Abstract: A tracking system counts events in the operation of multiple machines or devices over a wide geographic area. For example, for bulk venders the system counts each vend responsive to rotation through a cycle of the coin mechanism, and preferably records the date and time of each vend. An active tag has a memory for storing data representing a vending event, for example the date and time of the event. The data is periodically read by an interrogator, which downloads the data stored in the tag memory and erases the memory to reset the tag for continued monitoring of the vender. With this information an operator can reconcile revenues, track when sales take place and over what period of time, and track the work habits of service personnel.

Abstract: A bulk vender having a merchandise bin with a lockable lid that can be unlocked using a remote control. Preferably the locking mechanism releases responsive to an authorization code provided by a remote control transmitter, so that each operator is able to access the contents of their own bulk venders only. The lid may be spring loaded, so that when the locking mechanism is released the lid automatically opens slightly, providing a visual indication that the lid has been unlatched and facilitating its removal by service personnel.