Abstract: A coin changer including a coin changer housing comprising a coin storage cassette. The coin storage cassette comprises a plurality of coin stores. A light source is located within the housing that directs light onto the coin stores with the light source providing sufficient light to allow a user to substantially view the coin stores in the absence of another light source.

Abstract: A bill validator for a vending machine including a bill validator housing having a pair of wing deflectors associated therewith in a sliding arrangement and a bezel having at least two indicator apertures in a faceplate portion thereof and further comprising a pair of opposing mounting wings, the mounting wings comprising retainer portions, the retainer portions comprising ramped surfaces and retainer surfaces on inner surfaces of the wings. The retainer portions cooperate with bezel mount apertures formed in the bill validator housing to retain the bezel upon the bill validator housing. The wing deflectors comprise tapered surfaces at an end adjacent to the mounting wings, the tapered surfaces when brought into contact with the mounting wings resiliently force the mounting wings outwardly to disengage the retainer portions from the bezel mount apertures to allow disassociation of the bezel from the bill validator housing.

Abstract: A method is shown providing a Bill Validator that is adaptable for bill payback by utilizing an attachable bill hopper module to fit between the bill Stacker and the Bill Validator. A construction is shown providing a bill Validator utilizing an attachable bill hopper module fitted between the bill Stacker and the bill Validator that fits in the same “envelope” with an existing Bill Validator with Stacker. A method and construction is shown where higher bill security is provided when the power is off. A method and construction is shown where higher bill security is provided when humidity and icing occur in and around the inlet.

Abstract: A method is shown providing a Bill Validator that is adaptable for bill payback by utilizing an attachable bill hopper module to fit between the bill Stacker and the Bill Validator. A construction is shown providing a bill Validator utilizing an attachable bill hopper module fitted between the bill Stacker and the bill Validator that fits in the same “envelope” with an existing Bill Validator with Stacker. A method and construction is shown where higher bill security is provided when the power is off. A method and construction is shown where higher bill security is provided when humidity and icing occur in and around the inlet.

Abstract: A bill validator for a vending machine including a bill validator housing having a pair of wing deflectors associated therewith in a sliding arrangement and a bezel having at least two indicator apertures in a faceplate portion thereof and further comprising a pair of opposing mounting wings, the mounting wings comprising retainer portions, the retainer portions comprising ramped surfaces and retainer surfaces on inner surfaces of the wings. The retainer portions cooperate with bezel mount apertures formed in the bill validator housing to retain the bezel upon the bill validator housing. The wing deflectors comprise tapered surfaces at an end adjacent to the mounting wings, the tapered surfaces when brought into contact with the mounting wings resiliently force the mounting wings outwardly to disengage the retainer portions from the bezel mount apertures to allow disassociation of the bezel from the bill validator housing.

Abstract: A coin changer including a coin changer housing comprising a coin storage cassette. The coin storage cassette comprises a plurality of coin stores. A light source is located within the housing that directs light onto the coin stores with the light source providing sufficient light to allow a user to substantially view the coin stores in the absence of another light source.

Abstract: A dispensed product detection system and method for use in a refrigerated vending machine utilizing an optical light beam crossing the path through which a dispensed product travels. An optical emitter transmits a light beam through at least one layer of substantially transparent anti-fog film to reduce moisture condensation and across the product path to an optical detector wherein signal intensity is measured. As a dispensed product passes through the light beam between the emitter and the detector, the beam is momentarily broken, resulting in a change in signal intensity at the infrared detector which is registered as the vend of a product.

Abstract: This retainer system for vending machine compartment includes a divider having a base member attached to a wall and a cap stop member attached to the base member by a hook and slot arrangement which permits the cap member to be pulled out from a retracted to an extended position in which it is engageable by the cap end of a bottle to provide a stop inhibiting longitudinal migration of the bottle.

Abstract: This retainer system for a vending machine compartment includes a retainer having an upper hook wall connection which interfits a selected upper slot and a lower tab wall connection which includes a spring clip which interfits a selected lower slot aligned with an associated upper slot, the upper and lower slots being arranged in staggered rows to facilitate installation in a vertical orientation of the retainer.

Abstract: This retainer system for a vending machine compartment includes a retainer having an upper hook wall connection which interfits a selected upper slot and a lower tab wall connection which includes a spring clip which interfits a selected lower slot aligned with an associated upper slot, the upper and lower slots being arranged in staggered rows to facilitate installation in a vertical orientation of the retainer.

Abstract: A vending machine having a vandal panel and main door that can be easily removed through upper and lower hinge assemblies without use of conventional fasteners and tools is provided. As a result, the depth of the vending machine is reduced.

Abstract: This impact dampening system for a vending machine chute includes a resilient sheet disposed above a fixed support and a cushioning arrangement disposed between the resilient sheet and the fixed support. In one embodiment, a sheet metal chute provides the fixed support and a sheet plastic chute having a similar configuration to the sheet metal chute provides the resilient sheet, and foam pads between the two chutes providing the cushioning arrangement for containers received by the plastic sheet. In another embodiment, a sheet plastic chute only is used which is suspended by hangers or attached by brackets to the vending machine and may be provided with a diverter to direct containers away from direct travel to the vending machine access port.