Abstract: A method of making a cylindrical ferromagnetic body and cover assembly for a rotor of a dc motor is provided. In a first embodiment, a blend of a powdered ferromagnetic material and a heat-curable binder is compressedly molded into a cylindrical form in a generally cylindrical non-magnetic cover material having an annular flange around the top thereof, while heat is applied to the material from a heated stationary mold through the cover material, so that the cylindrically-molded ferromagnetic body firmly adheres to the cover material in the molding process. After the ferromagnetic body is cured, an non-magnetic annular protector is placed on the top of the cylindrically-molded body and the annular flange is radially inwardly bent over onto the protector. In a second embodiment, a heated block of a powdered ferromagnetic material is deposited in a cup-shaped non-magnetic cover material.

Abstract: A vending apparatus comprises a cabinet for storing a plurality of items available for purchase; a memory for storing product data associated with the plurality of items; a message device for visually or audibly reproducing selected segments of the stored product data; an input device for receiving selection and designation data from a user in accordance with the data in the message device; a deposit mechanism for receiving payment for items selected for purchase; and a dispenser responsive to the deposit mechanism and the input device for ejecting items selected by the user for receipt by the user.

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.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus suitable for use in a vending machine has a frame supporting a vertically movable open-bottom cylinder and a piston slidably disposed within the cylinder. A base assembly is reciprocal horizontally between a brewing position and rest position. Actuation of various components is controlled by a motor through a cam shaft. The downward movement of the piston is controlled by the operation of a cam element, but this operation of the cam applying vertical force to push the piston also applies a horizontal force tending to offset the axial center lines between the piston and cylinder. Therefore means for preventing the piston from lateral horizontal movement relative to the cylinder insures improved sealing between the piston and cylinder.

Abstract: An article dispenser for vending machines is disclosed. The article dispenser includes an article storage area which has a bottom opening through which the articles are dispensed and a front opening through which the articles are loaded to form two vertical rows. A rotatable shaft extends vertically in the storage area to divide the storage area into the two vertical rows. A pair of pivotable doors are disposed at the bottom opening to block the passage of articles therethrough. The doors are pivotably supported by two axially spaced shafts which extend along the same axis. A control plate is fixed on the lower end portion of the rotatable shaft and contacts the lower surface of the pivotable doors to control the pivotal movement of the door between open and closed positions. A holder member is fixed on the rotatable shaft to prevent the articles disposed above the lowermost article from falling when the lowermost article is discharged from the bottom opening.