Abstract: The present invention provides a vending machine that converts a force applied from a manual operation means into an electric power, and operates by utilizing the electric power as a source of power. A drive force generation/transmission mechanism includes a generator (45) that generates the electric power by utilizing the force applied from the manual operation means (9) and motors (49-55) driven by the electric power generated by the generator (45). Article moving mechanisms (63-69) are constructed to operate by utilizing the output of the motors (49-55) as the operation source.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for dispensing open-topped flanged containers such as propagation pots and the like from rows of pot stacks for individually locating the pots on a tray. The pot stacks of each row depend between parallel resiprocable support bars provided with opposite, laterally extending shoulders vertically staggered along their length, the shoulders each supporting a pot stack via the top flanges of the lowermost pot thereof. The upper ones of the shoulders have pointed wedge shaped ends that enter in between the top flanges of the two lowermost pots of the stack upon longitudinal motion of the support bars, thus separating the lowermost pot from the stack and taking over the supporting of the stack from the adjacent lower shoulder. Each lower shoulder terminates in a pointed end sloping down below the pointed wedge end of the adjacent upper shoulder to thereby enhance the separating action.