Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a merchandise ribbon composed of a plurality of product units joined in series comprises a ribbon advancing mechanism for engaging a product unit and forcing the ribbon along a dispensing path, a cutting mechanism positioned to cut through a web after the ribbon advancing member has advanced the ribbon to a dispensing position, and an actuating mechanism for moving the ribbon advancing member and actuating the cutting mechanism.

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 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: An electrical generator in a coin mechanism supplies enough current to operate an electronic device or an electromagnetic device such as a solenoid, by providing a stator mounted about a rotor and driven by a spring-loaded drive wheel. The drive wheel rotates with the coin mechanism up to a release position, loading the spring. At the release position the drive wheel is released and snaps back to the rest position, driving the rotor and causing the rotor to rotate rapidly within the stator, generating an electric pulse. The electrical signal can be used to pulse a counter, electronic tag or other tracking device, and to recharge a small battery which may be provided as a backup or auxiliary power source. In one embodiment the invention further provides a means for determining whether a deposited coin is composed of metal or form a non-conductive material such as plastic or cardboard.

Abstract: In a vending machine island having a standard supporting a mounting plate at an elevated position, a securing post which extends to a level of the top of the tallest vender. A lid locked to the vender is provided with engaging means which engages a bracket affixed to the securing post. The bracket is secured by a locking screw which can only be accessed when the globe is removed, which requires that the lid of the globe be removed. Each vending machine is thus affixed to the stand by both its base and its lid, rendering the vending machine island substantially more resistant to theft and vandalism.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing flat articles, which is entirely mechanical, resistant to theft and vandalism and consistently dispenses the correct volume of merchandize. A dispensing mechanism locks out a patron as the last article or item of merchandize is dispensed from the merchandize magazine by arresting rotation of the coin mechanism at a point where a coin cannot be inserted. A novel locking mechanism for the door covering the secure compartment in which collected coins are stored and a novel protective flap for the dispensing slot are also provided.

Abstract: An electrical generator in a coin mechanism supplies enough current to operate an electronic device or an electromagnetic device such as a solenoid, by providing a stator mounted about a rotor and driven by a spring-loaded drive wheel. The drive wheel rotates with the coin mechanism up to a release position, loading the spring. At the release position the drive wheel is released and snaps back to the rest position, driving the rotor and causing the rotor to rotate rapidly within the stator, generating an electric pulse. The electrical signal can be used to pulse a counter, electronic tag or other tracking device, and to recharge a small battery which may be provided as a backup or auxiliary power source. In one embodiment the invention further provides a means for determining whether a deposited coin is composed of metal or form a non-conductive material such as plastic or cardboard.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing flat articles, which is entirely mechanical, resistant to theft and vandalism and consistently dispenses the correct volume of merchandise. A dispensing mechanism locks out a patron as the last article or item of merchandise is dispensed from the merchandise magazine by arresting rotation of the coin mechanism at a point where a coin cannot be inserted. A novel locking mechanism for the door covering the secure compartment in which collected coins are stored and a novel protective flap for the dispensing slot are also provided.

Abstract: In a vending machine island having a standard supporting a mounting plate at an elevated position, a securing post which extends to a level of the top of the tallest vender. A lid locked to the vender is provided with engaging means which engages a bracket affixed to the securing post. The bracket is secured by a locking screw which can only be accessed when the globe is removed, which requires that the lid of the globe be removed. Each vending machine is thus affixed to the stand by both its base and its lid, rendering the vending machine island substantially more resistant to theft and vandalism.

Abstract: A rotary coin mechanism is provided with a braking system in which one end of a stationary brake arm is anchored to the frame of the mechanism. The other end of the brake arm provides a breaking ring which surrounds the hub of the drive gear and applies a compressive force thereto, to frictionally restrain the drive gear and thus prevent the coin mechanism from free-wheeling rotation. In the preferred embodiment the braking ring is open at one end and merges into a bifurcated stem which provides an adjusting screw to adjust the compressive force applied by the braking ring.