Abstract: A weather-resistant thermoplastic resin composition excellent in processing stability is provided which comprises 100 parts by weight of a mixture of 40-100 parts by weight of a vinyl chloride polymer and 0-60 parts by weight of a polymer containing no chlorine and having a glass transition temperature of 100.degree.-200.degree. C.; 4-25 parts by weight of an impact strength modifier containing no double bond; and 0.1-1.0 part by weight of a hindered amine light stabilizer. Molded articles made from this composition are especially excellent in weather resistance and are useful as pipes outdoors or building materials.

Abstract: A method of making a matted article, as well as the article per se wherein it is derived from molding and heat treating a vinyl chloride resin composition incorporated with 0.002-0.02 mol of zinc carboxylate for 100 g of vinyl chloride resin and 0.3-5 mol of a compound having two or more alcoholic hydroxyl groups in one molecule per mol of the zinc carboxylate. This composition yields an article having a good matte-finished surface owing to minute corrugated irregularities formed on the surface.

Abstract: A control device for a dispense mechanism is provided for eliminating failure of the dispense mechanism due to goods becoming stuck therein. In a dispense mechanism of the type wherein a rotating control plate is provided for restricting the motion of dispensing flappers, a control device is provided for controlling the operation of a motor which rotates the control plate. The control device provides a forward rotation signal to rotate the control plate and dispense goods in response to a dispense request. The control device further determines whether an article has become stuck by determining whether the flappers return to their original position while the control plate is being rotated. If an article is struck, the control device rotates the motor in the reverse direction such that the stuck article may be freed. Thereafter, the control device is rotated in a forward direction and again the determination is made whether the flappers have moved to their original position.

Abstract: An article dispenser for dispensing articles from a vending machine is disclosed. The article dispenser includes an article storage area which has a bottom opening through which articles are dispensed and an article dispensing mechanism which dispenses the lowermost articles stacked in the storage area through the bottom opening. The dispensing mechanism includes a rotating shaft which controls the opening and closing of the bottom opening of the storage area and is driven by a motor. The motor is controlled by a control device which starts the motor after receiving a start signal and which temporarily stops the motor after receiving a motor stop signal.

Abstract: A polyvinyl chloride resin composition is disclosed, which contains an .alpha.-methylstyrene/acrylonitrile copolymer in a specified amount. Forming sheet materials made therefrom having high heat distortion resistance as well as a favorable balance of tensile strength and stretching characteristics at elevated temperatures and being suitable for vacuum and pressure forming are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article dispenser for dispensing articles from a vending machine is disclosed. The article dispenser includes an article storage area which has a bottom opening through which articles are dispensed and an article dispensing mechanism which dispenses the lowermost articles stacked in the storage area through the bottom opening. The dispensing mechanism includes a rotating shaft which controls the opening and closing of the bottom opening of the storage area and is driven by a motor. The motor is controlled by a control device which rotates the motor in a first direction as determined by selection switches and reverses the direction of the motor after it has rotated 90.degree. and returns the motor to its initial starting position.