Abstract: A vending apparatus for individually vending an article from a set of articles and for vending a display article after the set of articles has been depleted. The apparatus includes a rack for vertical storage of a stack of newspapers, and a bracket for positioning a display newspaper in a front window of the vending apparatus. The invented vending apparatus includes means for individually dispensing newspapers from the stack of newspapers and includes means for discharging the display newspaper after the stack of newspapers has been depleted. The dispensing means includes a dispensing bar having spikes for engaging the front newspaper in the stack of newspapers. The dispensing bar is protected by a dispensing bar cover that encases the dispensing bar and spikes when the door is in an opened position for loading newspapers. The cover has an extension with a distal roller for engaging a guide on the housing.

Abstract: An electronically actuated and monitorable bulk vending machine assembly for electronically actuated vending from a select one of a plurality of rack mounted of bulk vending machines. The electronically actuated and monitorable bulk vending machine assembly includes a microprocessor controlled, interrogatable central control and currency acceptor unit and methods of assembly and use associated therewith.

Abstract: A kinetic activity gumball-dispensing device has a hopper containing a plurality of gumballs and has at least one alternate-material ball, where the alternate-material ball travels along a first visible route which begins and ends in an opaque enclosure and which is defined by a series of visually interesting kinetic activities. The gumballs are dispensed along a second visible route after the return of the alternate-material ball from the first route, which second route begins adjacent the opaque enclosure. The gumball-dispensing device thus gives the appearance that the gumball dispensed is the ball which traveled the first visible route. The series of kinetic activities includes an inclined, pendular staircase with a series of pivoting, pendular steps; a turntable; an elevator having a pivoting carrier; a swivelling bucket mechanism; and a trampoline means aligned to intercept the alternate-material ball falling from the bucket.

Abstract: A display device for a fluid filler gun head includes a carrying body and a frame attached to an upper surface of the carrying body, defining a display portion for removable display placards. The carrying body can be removable from the gun head or can be an integral part of the gun head itself. A housing is defined in the carrying body for holding one or more replaceable rolls of coupons, and a rotating device, is provided for rotating the coupon rolls and dispensing one or more coupons through a slot in the carrying body. A controller can be provided to control operation of the rotating device, based on information received from an external source, to dispense one or more selected coupons. The information can be a type of fluid being dispensed, a particular product displayed on the display placard, or the like. The dispensed coupons preferably are selected to match the information received by the controller.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vending machine in which a plurality of article columns are slant to be directed to a plurality of vending mechanisms, respectively. Each of the article columns is composed of a plurality of shelves for accommodating a row of articles. Each of the article columns is provided with a vending mechanism, so that articles of different kinds can be sold dependent on the number of the article columns. For this structure, at least one vending mechanism is set for an arbitrary one of article selection buttons. Thus, when the number of the article columns for accommodating the same kind of articles is set in accordance with the sales amount of the articles, different kinds of articles are sold out at an approximately same time.

Abstract: A battery dispenser that includes a container that has a face. The face has two edges that extend between sidewalls and between which is defined an aperture. The aperture may be of variable dimension such that a spacing between the two edges at one location is smaller than a diameter of the battery contained within the container. By concentrating manual forces at one of the edges, however, that one edge flexes to permit manual removal of the battery by grasping the ends of the battery via recess openings in the sidewalls that are adjacent to and in communication with the aperture. Preferably, the two edges are each curved with the widest spacing between the two edges being at the sides and the smallest spacing between the two edges being at the center.

Abstract: A new Motorized Newspaper Dispensing System for dispensing of various printed literature within one machine and further minimizing theft by dispensing only one printed literature at a time. The inventive device includes a housing structure strengthened to resist theft which houses various printed literature, a support means elevating the housing structure to a level comfortable for purchasers, a coin receiving means, a dispensing means which mechanically dispenses the selected printed literature, and a sign stand secured to the upper portion of the housing structure providing space for advertising.

Abstract: A battery dispenser that includes a container that has a face. The face has two edges that extend between sidewalls and between which is defined an aperture. The aperture may be of variable dimension such that a spacing between the two edges at one location is smaller than a diameter of the battery contained within the container. By concentrating manual forces at one of the edges, however, that one edge flexes to permit manual removal of the battery by grasping the ends of the battery via recess openings in the sidewalls that are adjacent to and in communication with the apertures. The sidewalls may each have a slot to permit viewing of the contents of the package.

Abstract: A dynamic bulk vending machine including a merchandise globe assembly sitting on an upper hopper, an intermediate chamber containing a unitary, multi-layer, serpentine, wire-form track defining an irregular pathway for spherical merchandise which sits on a lower hopper, all of which sit on a base containing a coin receiving actuation mechanism which is mechanically linked to both hoppers.

Abstract: A personal computer peripheral, battery powered reward candy dispenser which immediately presents students with a single candy for each problem completed correctly while using educational application software.

Abstract: A dispenser having a housing for dispensing candies therefrom and having a rotatable raceway therein with a plurality of turntables disposed within the housing and on the raceway, with each of the turntables including a compartment sized to accommodate a candy to be dispensed, and a drive motor for driving the raceway and coupled to the turntables for rotating the turntables and for revolving the turntables within the housing to transport the candies to a dispensing station.

Abstract: There are used article display shelves each comprising a plurality of article storing compartments arranged vertically and laterally, the article storing compartments each holding a plurality of articles in a front-declined state, and the articles in each article storing compartment are held by means of a stopper, the stopper being capable of moving between an article holding position for inhibiting free fall of article and an article release position for permitting free fall of article. On the premise that money is paid, a bucket is conveyed to a position where a desired article is to be dropped from the article storing compartment which holds the article, and the position of the stopper is shifted to the article release position by an operation performed on the bucket side. As a result, the desired article is put into the bucket, which bucket is then conveyed up to an article take-out port. In this way the sale of article is effected.

Abstract: The invention relates to vending machines for dispensing of a single copy of a printed publication one-at-a-time. The vending machine is self contained, is provided with a power source, a driving motor and a control unit for operation of the vending machine. An inclined platform plate mounted within the vending machine carries a plurality of media units, while a push plate forces the media units toward a dispensing channel located adjacent a forward edge of the platform plate. When a single copy of the media unit moves through the dispensing channel, a light sensor sends a signal to the control unit which causes reversal of movement of the push plate, thereby preventing accidental dispensing of the next copy of the media unit by gravity. After an entire inventory of the media units resting on a platform plate has been dispensed, a limit switch sends a signal to the control unit allowing vending of a display copy.

Abstract: An article dispensing device including a cabinet defines a dispensing path viewable from outside the cabinet and a plurality of randomly operating elements for possibly diverting an article travelling along the path. A bonus article is dispensed if a primary article successfully negotiates the dispensing path without being diverted. The average rate of operation of the diverting device increases with each diverting device encountered by the article along the dispensing path. For each diverting device, the average rate of operation is greater when an article nears than at other times.

Abstract: A gumball machine which has a transparent support column supporting a partially transparent gumball housing. The support column encloses several individual plates. The plates are spaced apart and arranged in a descending manner. Each of the plates has an opening located thereon so that a gumball can gravitationally descend from one plate to another and eventually ends up in a dispensing aperture for removal by a customer. The plates can also be manually manipulated by an exterior handle for additional customer amusement.

Abstract: A refillable tape or sheet flag dispenser for dispensing sheets from a stack includes a bottom section and a pair of elastically deformable wing sections extending from opposite ends of the bottom section in overlapping spaced relation relative to the bottom section, thereby forming a generally flat C-shaped dispenser configuration. When the tape or sheet flags in the tape or sheet dispenser are exhausted, the wings are elastically flexed to allow the dispenser to accommodate a new stack of tape or sheet flags.

Abstract: Folded sheet units, such as newspapers and magazines are successively removed from a stack of such sheet units by inserting at least one sheet engaging member such as a pin in the fold between adjacent sheet layers of the sheet unit to be removed. The pin is subsequently moved transversely towards the fold so as to withdraw the sheet unit from the stack to a display position. This principle of withdrawing newspapers form a stack is used in a vending machine for newspapers or magazines.

Abstract: A drug storing apparatus for an automatic drug dispensing machine includes a frame provided with a multiplicity of inclined supports arranged one on top of the other or in rows for supporting a multiplicity of drug cases, and the supports may also be configured into rails. The drug cases are detachably connected to a multiplicity of drive boxes which may be mounted onto the frame along the inclined rails. The drug cases are arranged in such a manner that their outlets are oriented towards a central portion of a hopper. Each drive box is also provided with guide rails and contains therein a motor which has an axle oriented towards its corresponding drug case. When a drug case slides along the guide rails to fit onto its corresponding drive box, a coupling of a feeding element of the drug case just fits onto the axle of the motor.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing granules from a container having a circular mouth, includes a body having first and second cylindrical components joined together by an axial spindle, a cylindrical roundel including a radial slit which is adapted to clip onto the axial spindle, and a receptacle. The first and second cylindrical components of the body have a plurality of circumferential notches adapted to receive granules from the container. The cylindrical roundel has a radial slit which receives a single granule from the first cylindrical component, for passage to the second cylindrical component. The receptacle includes driving means adapted to rotate the body for dispensing the granules.

Abstract: The present invention includes a jar ticket dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing jar tickets in response to an operator input. The invention includes an enclosed drum for containing the tickets. A support means supports the drum for rotation thereof. The drum is adapted to be rotated by an electric motor or other conventional device. A control means controls the dispensing of tickets in response to an input of money to the apparatus. The tickets are dispensed by rotating the drum causing the tickets contained therein to come into magnetic contact with a plurality of magnets residing on the drum and to be releasably secured thereto. Dispensing occurs when the magnetically attached ticket encounters a stripper which strips the ticket from the magnet. The dispensed ticket falls into a dispensing chute which dispenses the ticket to the operator.

Abstract: Vending machine (1) for newspapers, in the form of a cabinet capable of automatically delivering into a receptacle one copy of a newspaper which a purchaser has selected from a plurality of other newspapers and paid for with a payment device incorporated in the vending machine. The cabinet comprises fixed and movable shelves on which the newspapers are stored in various stacks each of a same newspaper. On each of the stacks is provided an individual discharge assembly for the upper newspaper of the stack of newspapers. There are two columns of fixed horizontal shelves (56) secured at each side to two vertical supports (61, 62) welded at their ends to the upper and lower parts of the cabinet and at least one movable shelf for each column. Each discharge assembly for the upper newspaper from a stack of newspapers is displaceable relative to the shelf supporting that stack.

Abstract: A vending machine for selling card-like articles having a coin insert located off-center in the front of the vending machine and a handle for advancing card-like article for output. An output maybe provided on the front side of the vending machine. A display panel is provided for showing a display having a depiction or description of the card-like article. Optionally a ceiling cover may be provide which can be slid back for removal and insertion of the display in the vending machine.

Abstract: A portable tabletop or counter top cookie dispenser has a transparent container. A pair of laterally spaced partitions extends lengthwise of the container along the bottom of the latter, and the partitions define a trough which opens to a discharge chute at the front of the container. Inclined guide walls are mounted in the container above the trough and serve to funnel cookies placed in the container to the rear of the trough. A screw conveyor is located in and extends longitudinally of the trough. The screw conveyor is driven by a handwheel disposed at the front of the container externally thereof. When the handwheel is rotated, the screw conveyor urges cookies in the trough towards the discharge chute.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modular bottle dispenser apparatus used for dispensing bottles. Each dispenser includes a receiver opening, a dispenser opening, a continuous guide channel which restricts the side to side and up and down motion of a bottle as it moves from the receiver opening to the dispenser opening, a friction reducing member and a door that covers the receiver opening. Several dispensers can be interlocked to each other through interlocking members provided by the dispenser. The interlocking of several dispenser allows the display of various products in one contiguous setting.

Abstract: A gumball machine attracts and entertains users by enabling a user, after he purchases a gumball from the machine, to visually observe the gumball as it travels from the storage area of the gumball machine to the dispenser where the user removes the gumball from the machine.

Abstract: The application discloses a device (10) to retrofit into the cabinet (11) of newspaper vending machine racks to prevent the removal of more than one copy of the newspaper for each vend or door opening of the cabinet (11). The single vend device (10) consists of a front panel (12) with a T-slot (14). The arms (14a) of the T-slot (14) are normally closed off with a pivoted closure plate (16). Consumer access to the newspapers is provided through the leg of the T-slot (14b), but the newspaper must be slid through the gap between the closure plate (16) and the front panel (12). The thickness of the gap is adjustable to selectively allow for the variation in thickness between various editions of the newspaper. The closure plate (16) is spring loaded to be biased to the closed position. Following removal of the paper, the closure of the plate (16) and a locking pin (32) prevents the plate (16) from re-opening. The locking pin ( 32) is disarmed upon closure of the cabinet (11) door (25a).

Abstract: A system for the controlled dispensing and storing of medication and more particularly, a programmable system with medication dispensing modules having a dedicated programmable processor to dispense medication, according to patient requirements that are programmed into the system. The modules incrementally dispense unit doses of medication in a highly controlled manner for a particular patient. The programmable processor of each module is independently capable of receiving and storing information about the respective type, quantity and medication information of each of the unit doses of medication loaded onto an assigned shelf of the module. The information in the programmable processor is automatically updated when a unit dose of medication is dispensed from the module so that the programmable processor contains information about the remaining inventory in the module at any given time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tablet dispenser, including a dispenser housing, a replaceable tablet package to be accommodated in the housing, an adjustable periodicity indicator and a single tablet dispensing aperture in the dispenser cover. The tablet package includes a cover, rotatably connected to the bottom portion of the package and provided with an opening which, upon use of the dispenser, is in alignment with the tablet dispensing aperture. The dispenser further includes a locking device to compel joint rotational movement of periodicity indicator and package bottom portion, and an operating member to effect stepwise rotation of the package bottom portion relative to said package cover.

Abstract: A transparent display article dispenser, includes spaced front and rear walls and spaced side walls integral with the front and rear walls to define a vertical chute having open upper and lower ends. The front wall includes a first horizontal retainer flange projecting into the interior of the passageway at a lower end of the chute. The rear wall includes a second horizontal retainer flange projecting towards the first retainer flange and being spaced below the first retainer flange a distance in excess of the height of the article being dispensed. An opening is formed within the front wall below the first retainer flange for removal of an article resting on the second retainer flange. An elongated removable see-through tubular cartridge sized smaller in cross-section than the chute passageway and being configured to that passageway has a lower end inserted within the chute passageway and stores articles to be dispensed in a serial, abutting fashion.

Abstract: Extendable modulus for advertising purposes for packaged products dispenser machines, applicable for the promotion and increase of sales in public sales points, and also usable in an autonomous mode, comprised of at least one vertical channel (2) containing the packaged products in promotion (3) in pile arrangement, an expelling system situated internally under the channel (2), an illuminating device (4) and a front cover (5) having an approximately semicylindrical shape in order to magnify the visualization grade of the advertisement, both (4 and 5) in a vertical and front arrangement and in accordance with the front face of the channel (2). The operation of the modulus starts once the activating signal (5) reaches the corresponding relay (R) which in turn through an electronic circuit activates the dispenser system thereby expelling the lower package of the pile towards the collecting tray (6).

Abstract: A cold drink container vending machine having a front window panel through which cold drinks in serpentine tracks can be viewed for selection. Pre-cooled cold drink container holding racks are aligned with the serpentine tracks so that the pre-cooled containers can be viewed when vendable containers in the serpentine tracks are depleted. Continuous advertisement is provided in the form of the cold drink containers themselves which are viewed through the transparent front window panel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for dispensing rollable articles from a package, container or the like. The apparatus includes a retainer for placement over an opening in a package to prevent rollable articles contained in the package from rolling en masse out of the package. The retainer also defines a port for controllably dispensing rollable articles from the package. In addition, the apparatus includes a holder for rollingly receiving an article controllably dispensed from the package through the port. The holder is capable of holding the dispensed articles to enable an individual to remove an article from the holder by grasping it. In addition, an attachment means is provided which cooperates with the retainer for securing the retainer to the package over the package's opening.

Abstract: A newspaper vending machine includes a newspaper let-off mechanism which is triggered to turn on a toothed on-way gyrostate causing it to send out one copy of the newspaper through a newspaper outlet when a coin is dropped in, and a sample copy release control mechanism which is triggered to release the sample copy when a coin is dropped in after the copies of the newspaper have been sold out.

Abstract: A vandal-proof door and a vending machine equipped with the unique door. The door strengthens and reinforces coin operated vending machines, while providing the customer with a clear, unobstructed view of the product selection inside the machine. The door comprises a rigid, generally rectangular frame having a pair of spaced-apart sides that border a product viewing aperture. An outer, arcuate impact panel having a convex vertical cross section overlies the viewing area. The impact panel is flexibly mounted to the door by elongated, resilient extrusions secured to the frame edges. Similar resilient extrusions receive the top and the bottom of the impact panel. A separate, spaced apart translucent window is internally mounted on the door frame adjacent the viewing area. Gasket sealing material is secured about the panel and window edges to complete a seal. An isolated air pocket is thus defined between the outer impact panel and the inner window.

Abstract: A display device has a display surface defined by support members which support various types of display modules including a card dispenser which supports a vertical stack of cards in a large capacity holder which is inclined rearwardly and upwardly behind the display surface. Cards are dispensed through a slot in a face plate onto a projecting inclined surface of a tongue which causes the card to flex ensuring that only one card is dispensed at a time. The stack of cards in the holder is urged forwardly by a lightweight pusher mounted on a track in the holder in a nonreturn manner.

Abstract: A vending machine is designed to dispense multiple copies of a publication one at a time. The machine includes a storage member adapted to temporarily store multiple copies of a publication in a face-to-face orientation, a suction assembly formed of at least one suction cup that is adapted to seize and transport the front most copy of the publication to a dispensing position, a valve assembly associated with the suction cup to cause the cup to vent when in a dispensing position to dispense such copy into a delivery chute, and a slidable backplate biased to continuously urge the remaining copies of the publication forward.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into alignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: An adhesive bandage dispensing system includes an elongated strand of individually sterile-wrapped adhesive bandages and a reusable dispenser for storing and dispensing the bandages. Each bandage is contained in a separate sterile compartment of an otherwise continuous wrapping material. Perforations formed in the wrapping material around each compartment allow the compartments to be individually opened. The strand is loaded into the dispenser, which is secured to a stable surface, so that the leading edge of the strand is frictionally held in biased guide flanges and protrudes from a dispensing opening defined by the flanges. The leading edge of the strand is pulled from the dispensing opening until an entire bandage is exposed, then the strand is pulled sharply to completely break the perforation, and the bandage can then be removed from the excess wrapping and prepared to be applied to a wound using both hands, if necessary.

Abstract: A tablet dispenser includes a housing of rectangular configuration about the size of a credit card and formed with a compartment for holding a plurality of tablets, e.g., artificial sweetener tablets. The compartment is of a thickness only slightly greater than the thickness of the tablets to be dispensed such as to accommodate a single layer of tablets within the compartment. The housing is formed with an opening at one of the corners of the rectangle for dispensing tablets from the compartment, and a pivotal dispensing member is provided to dispense a single tablet from the compartment through the opening.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser for ice cream cakes having a taking unit mounted in a shop window on a movable structure with respect to the product being dispensed. The unit includes a shovel on a structure movable in three orthogonal directions.

Abstract: The application discloses a device (10) to retrofit into the cabinet (11) of newspaper vending machine racks to prevent the removal of more than one copy of the newspaper for each vend or door opening of the cabinet (11). The single vend device (10) consists of a front panel (12) with a T-slot (14). The arms (14a) of the T-slot (14) are normally closed off with a pivoted closure plate (16). Consumer access to the newspapers is provided through the leg of the T-slot (14b), but the newspaper must be slid through the gap between the closure plate (16) and the front panel (12). The thickness of the gap is adjustable to selectively allow for the variation in thickness between various editions of the newspaper. The closure plate (16) is spring loaded to be biased to the closed position. Following removal of the paper, the closure of the plate (16) and a locking pin (32) prevents the plate (16) from re-opening. The locking pin ( 32) is disarmed upon closure of the cabinet (11) door (25a).

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is disclosed for sequentially vending articles upon movement of an actuator.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a one-at-a-time dispensing assembly for newspaper racks of tetrahedral shape in which the assembly is positioned within and spans the walls of the rack. The dispensing assembly of the invention includes a fixed support base subassembly fixedly positioned--in a vertical sense--adjacent to the lower edge of the rack opening, and a shaker subassembly. The base subassembly supports both a stack of newspapers and a planar member of the shaker subassembly. The shaker subassembly also includes a lever extending exterior of the rack below the lower edge of the rack opening actionably connected to the planar member. Purpose: to permit to-and-fro movement of the planar member supporting the stack of newspaper via corresponding movement of the lever.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet. The drum is divided into a plurality of horizontal shelves each of which is divided by a plurality of vertical walls into separate compartments from which the product can be dispensed. These compartments can be brought into allignment with access doors associated with each level and the doors, which are normally maintained locked, can be opened upon the insertion of adequate currancy in the machine to remove the product. The access door locking system prevents more than one door from being opened at one time. The drum is rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor. A viewing area is provided in the front of the machine which allows a prospective customer to see the product as it passes by. The drum is divided into sections with opaque walls which prevent viewing from the viewing area of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: An arrangement for the accommodation and sales display of essentially rectangular articles, preferably razor blade units, of wet razors, packed in dispensers. The arrangement comprises a sales dispensing unit for individually dispensing the articles. The unit comprises a housing having a front side, two side walls, and a bottom. The front side is provided with a withdrawal arrangement in the form of a slot-like opening that is disposed in the vicinity of the bottom of the housing. Each of the side walls is provided in the vicinity of the bottom of the housing with a respective recessed portion that cooperates with the slot-like opening of the front side. The articles are disposed in the housing in at least one row.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a stack of sanitary paper, a dispenser and a manufacturing method for the stack. The stack of sanitary paper consists of folded, interleaving sheets forming a pile which is placed inside a cardboard sleeve (1) which is open at both ends and characterized in that the sleeve (1) comprises a first pair of opposite sides (14, 15) parallel and adjacent to the folding edges of the sheets, a second pair of sides (12, 13) parallel to the sheet surfaces and perpendicular to the first pair, and an opening (10) in at least on one of the sides of the second pair (12, 13).

Abstract: A utility blade dispenser for dispensing and disposing utility or razor type blades (5) is disclosed. A disposable transparent thermoplastic housing (1) shaped to correspond with the shape of the utility blade (5) to be dispensed is provided. The housing (1) is hinged to allow the blades (5) and a blade carrier (18) to be inserted in the housing (1) at the time of manufacture, and then be sonically welded. Dispensing (14) and guide (16) slots are provided to guide blades (5) from inside the housing (1) out through the dispensing slot (14). The blades (5) are supported in the housing (1) on a blade carrier (18) which is upward and downward moveable in the housing (1). The blade carrier (18) includes a support hole (21) for mounting the dispenser on a wall. The rear (6) of the housing (1) includes a track of ratcheting teeth (26) which engage a pawl member (28) on the rear of the blade carrier (18) to minimize movement between the housing (1) and carrier (18).

Abstract: A theft deterrent device restricts the number of newspapers or other periodicals that can be retrieved from a newspaper vending machine at one time. The device includes a cover gate forming a generally T-shaped opening with a vertical passageway and a horizontal slot opening. The cover gate mounts over an access opening of the vending machine behind a hinged door that closes against the vending machine. The cover gate restricts the number of periodicals that can be withdrawn at one time from a storage cabinet portion of the machine after the hinged door is opened and lowered by a customer. The deterrent device is easily installed on existing newspaper vending machines by way of an engagement member that securely engages a fixed part of the vending machine in the region of the access opening. A lock mechanism on the cover gate serves to lock the cover gate to the dispensing machine and firmly hold the gate in place over the access opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vending apparatus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages. The vending apparatus comprises:a) an outer cabinet;b) an isolated freezer compartment within the outer cabinet for storing the plurality of packages disposed within the outer cabinet, the freezer compartment having a thermal barrier for maintaining a frozen environment within the freezer compartment in isolation of the ambient temperature air filling the remaining interior space of the outer cabinet;c) a mechanism for opening the thermal barrier;d) a picker for selectively removing the selected package from the freezer compartment, the picker being located outside the freezer compartment in between operating cycles and entering the freezer compartment for removing one of the packages only during the removal operation; ande) a controller for automatically controlling the picker and opening mechanism in response to a customer's selection.

Abstract: A literature dispensing mechanism which will dispense a single unit of literature from an orderly stack of literature when manually actuated by a coin slide.