Abstract: A key blank selector-dispenser comprises a drum having a central axis aperture and several series of radial cells for receiving magazines of key blanks and contained in respective radial planes of the cylinder. The drum is rotatable by an electric motor having an electromagnetic brake. Key blank ejectors for each said series are provided in said aperture and are located in the same diametral plane of the drum.A control panel has a number of slots for insertion of specimen keys equal to the number of said cells. Means actuatable by insertion of a specimen key closes the motor circuit to start the motor. A cam on each series of cells operates a limit contact when a cell having a desired blank comes into the plane of the ejectors to effect stopping of the motor and actuation of the ejector corresponding to the series selected.

Abstract: An automatic patty feeder advances a frozen meat patty across a support table having a longitudinal slot therein from a position at the bottom of a stack of patties all but the lowest one of which is longitudinally confined. Below the table is an upper, short, horizontal track overlying a lower, long, horizontal rail. A carrier reciprocates longitudinally and moves a pusher link having a bearing adapted to ride on the track and on the rail and having a pusher adapted to move through the slot and to abut the lowest patty. The bearing can fall from one end of the track onto the rail and can be lifted from the other end of the rail up to the level of the track by a solenoid.

Abstract: A dispensing machine in which a carriage moves articles along a horizontal trough toward a releasing mechanism by which the articles are dispensed one at a time. The carriage is driven by a tape spring that forms a coil when unrestrained, the coiled portion of the spring being mounted on the carriage with the uncoiled portion extending along the trough to the releasing mechanism. The force exerted on the carriage by the tape spring remains substantially constant regardless of the number of articles in the trough and the corresponding position of the carriage. The trough is open along the top so that articles can be inserted between the carriage and the releasing mechanism in any order desired. A plurality of such troughs are mounted on drawers that can be withdrawn from a cabinet for loading from above.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus is disclosed having a horizontally disposed conveyor mounted on a support for vertical movement so that the conveyor may receive articles from each of a plurality of superimposed storage shelves. A picking head for causing articles to be transferred from a shelf to the conveyor is mounted for vertical movement with the conveyor and is also supported for movement along the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing cooked dishes is disclosed which includes a refrigerated isothermal cabinet in which cooked dishes are kept. The cabinet has an outlet opening for the dishes and an automatic door selectively opening and closing the opening in the cabinet. A first conveyor is located within the cabinet and has one end emerging from the outlet opening thereof. At least one microwave induction oven is positioned adjacent the conveyor for receiving cooked dishes emerging from the cabinet and reheating the cooked dishes.

Abstract: A tape trip mechanism is featured that is easily retro-fittable to postage tape dispensing machines in the field. The tape trip device is automatically operative in response to electrical control signals generated by a digital scale, a computer, or other electrical-type mail equipment. The tape trip mechanism is mounted within the postage tape dispensing machine by fastening the mechanism into existing holes in the inside frame. A flexible cable of the mechanism actuates the machine dispensing system by rotating a shaft supporting a manual trip lever. When the manual lever is exercised, the flexible cable is caused to collapse, and therefore, the cable does not interfere with the manual operation. Thus the automatic electrical control is independent from the manual control, allowing the user a greater flexibility in machine operation.

Abstract: A safety door mechanism for use in combination with delivery bins of dispensing machines. A dispensing chamber having a top supply opening and a front delivery opening is provided with a delivery door pivoted about a horizontal axis near the top of the delivery opening and with a supply door pivoted about a horizontal axis near the front of the supply opening. The delivery door is normally positioned by gravity to close the delivery opening, while the supply door is positioned by gravity to normally clear the supply opening. A mechanical linkage cooperatively interconnects the doors so that when the delivery door is manually opened the linkage closes the supply door at a closing rate which initially exceeds the opening rate of the delivery door, and in a manner such that the supply opening is substantially closed before the delivery opening is accessible.

Abstract: An electrically operated control circuit for a multiple selection vending machine with lockout circuits to isolate mal-functioning sections, thereby enabling continued vending machine operations via the remaining functional sections. The lockout circuitry is particularly directed toward sensing and compensating for jammed conditions in the product dispensing mechanisms using a minimal amount of additional circuit elements over non-protected counterpart machines. The malfunction lockout circuitry includes a motor-cam driven embodiment, and a unique thermally sensitive motor thermostat actuated embodiment.

Abstract: An article handling system including means for moving articles from one position to another and including computer means for controlling a plurality of functions of said article handling means including unalterable memory devices for controlling some of the functions and manually operable mechanical selectively programmable memory devices for controlling other of the functions.

Abstract: A versatile merchandising machine for dispensing a variety of goods including bagged snacks and the like in which each of a plurality of delivery units of one of a number of vertically spaced shelves includes a pair of horizontally aligned oppositely wound helices which receive articles between aligned pairs of turns of the helices and in which selectively energisable individual detent motors respectively drive the helices of the pairs in opposite directions to advance the leading article of the unit into engagement with an article control element hanging down in front of the unit to guide the article to control its movement over the edge of the shelf and downwardly to a delivery area. The shelves can be slid outwardly and swung downwardly through a limited arc to facilitate loading.

Abstract: A system for carrying out the controlled displacement of objects comprises a propulsion device constituted by a magnetizing assembly and a magnetized assembly which are capable of relative motion and one of which is connected to an object container while the other is connected to an object-withdrawal device. Power is supplied in the form of a sequence of unidirectional pulses fed to the inductance windings of the magnetizing assembly, the sequence being controlled by a program comprising a series of whole numbers of pulses. Each whole number corresponds to one stationary position of the system so as to place the object-withdrawal device opposite to the stored object.

Abstract: An electromechanical interlock device is interposed between an electrical credit system and a mechanical product dispenser. In preferred form, the interlock device includes a solenoid electrically connected to the credit system, and a drive cam adapted to be positively rotated by the manually operated mechanical product dispenser. The interlock device also includes a locking arm spring loaded into locking engagement with the drive cam to prevent unauthorized rotation thereof, an activator arm connected to the solenoid and adapted to remove the locking arm from locking engagement with the drive cam, and a latch lever. The solenoid is electrically energized upon deposit of the coinage required to achieve vending of a product, the solenoid driving the activator arm and, hence, the locking arm, into the unlock position, thereby withdrawing the locking arm from interlock engagement with the drive cam.

Abstract: The vending control system has first and second motor- and dispensing- assemblies, each assembly including a motor for driving a load and dispensing a product, a motor cam switch connected to the motor, a load cam switch connected to the motor, a motor cam drivingly connected to the motor and operatively actuating the motor cam switch, a load cam operatively actuating the load cam switch, and a torque-limiting clutch interconnecting the cams for driving the load cam and for permitting relative rotational movement of the cams at predetermined torque value. The assemblies are connected in parallel, with the motor and load cam switch of each assembly connected across the power source. The motor cam switch of the first assembly is connected to the power source and to the motor cam switch of the second assembly.

Abstract: A dispensing and control system, adaptable to coin operated vending machines, for selective operation of one of the dispensers acting as a means for releasing and dropping a selected merchandise to a delivery location using a mechanical or electrical control. Three dispenser mechanisms, suitable for different merchandise groups, are operable by a low power operating stroke suitable for a fully mechanical machine where the operating power comes from the manual actuation of operating knobs which are visually and mechanically linked to individual dispensers. Same dispensers are operable by an electrical power source using a novel selection system which includes a coupling and resetting control for coupling a selected dispenser actuator to a common power driven actuating member.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for packaged articles includes a cabinet having a plurality of windows each having a delivery compartment aligned with a multi-package storage compartment. Motor driven feeder means disposed adjacent each storage compartment carries a variable number of divider elements to contain, advance and sequentially discharge single articles from the storage compartment to the delivery compartment. A plurality of switches sense and regulate the opening and closing of any one of the doors, the activation of the associated feeder means and the presence or absence of articles in the storage compartment while a shiftable gate assembly activated by operation of each door prevents access to articles within the storage compartment. By a modification the forwardmost article may be retained for display either in the front of the storage compartment or within the delivery compartment.