Abstract: A vending machine featuring rotating stacked carousels for the display and sale of floral and plant arrangements is disclosed. The vending machine is capable of carrying out both cash and credit card transactions and includes a certified credit card terminal for connecting to the credit card processing network. The present vending machine includes an integrated microprocessor to control the mechanical motion and position of the stacked carousels, accept payment from either cash or credit cards, maintain accounting records, provide printed receipts, and to control on-line modem communications with credit approval sources as well as dial-up auditing of machine's inventory. A significant feature of the certified credit card terminal is the ability to transact purchases in both an off-line and on-line mode and the ability to enter bad credit card numbers into a credit card file when purchase is attempted with an invalid card number.

Abstract: This invention is a vending system for floral type products and includes a plurality of product containing cubicles with an access door operatively associated with each. A controllable locking structure is used with each door and is connected to a validator for accepting and totaling money. Selectors are provided for choosing the appropriate cubicle door to be opened and these selectors are resettable to a different amount of money by simply resetting a dial on the exterior backside of the panel.