Abstract: Preferably, instant-winner lottery tickets are sold by the machine. The machine includes a bill acceptor to receive the money of the purchaser. It has from one to four windows in a front panel. Lottery tickets are displayed in the window and move past the window as they are being dispensed, thus allowing the buyer to see the messages and terms on the tickets themselves. When more than one window is provided in the machine, the buyer can select among a plurality of different instant-winner lottery games. The machine is connected electrically to a central computer for accounting and control functions. In another embodiment, representations of the tickets are displayed in a movable array on a video screen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coin-operated newspaper vending machine that is designed to prevent direct access to the newspaper-storage compartment by means of a door that includes a newspaper-display compartment. A multiplicity of stack newspapers are stored within the storage compartment defined in the vending-machine housing and are supported on a floating shelf that aligns the uppermost newspaper with a newspaper-dispensing device that includes a paper dispensing carriage on which is mounted a feeder plate aligned to engage and dispense the uppermost-positioned newspaper through a discharge chute formed in the door of the vending machine. The newspaper-display compartment is adapted to dispense the displayed newspaper stored therein after all of the newspapers stored in the storage compartment have been dispensed.

Abstract: A single article dispensing apparatus adapted for newspaper vending captures a bundle of newspapers between opposing support plates with one movable plate being spring biased toward the stationary plate. Newspaper engaging pins extend beyond the stationary support plate and into the space between the opposing support plates to engage the back edge of a newspaper of the bundle. Upon deposit of the necessary coins and pulling of a dispensing handle, the newspaper engaging pins slide the newspaper from the bundle and out through an output door of the vending machine. When all newspapers in the bundle are dispensed and the support plates come to direct face-to-face opposition, a last copy of the newspaper held behind a display window is automatically dispensed upon the next actuation of the dispensing handle. The vending machine restricts access to the inventory of newspapers and allows a purchaser but one copy of the newspaper for payment of one copy.

Abstract: A vending machine (10) with a safety electrical back light sign assembly (32) having a sign panel assembly with a translucent sign panel (18A) and a fiber optic sign panel (18B) secured together to form an enclosure of a main housing (16) within which is contained a back light source (32A, 34B) having its own source of power (33, 35) shared with the other vending machine components (12, 14) and a fiber optic light assembly (36) with a fiber optic light source (38) protectively contained within a fire resistant housing (51) mounted within the housing (16) and having its own connection to AC power (47, 49) separate from the connection for the remainder of the vending machine (10) and a fan (63) to exhaust the interior of the fire resistant housing (51) of hot air, and a method of safe lighting of a sign panel assembly (18) of a vending machine (10).

Abstract: A vending machine (10) with a first translucent panel (18A) primarily back lit by a first back light subassembly (32) and a second translucent sign panel (18B) primarily back lit by a second back light subassembly (36) having a transformer (34), halogen housing lamp socket (54) with a halogen lamp (38) spaced above a rotatable color wheel (44) driven by a motor (46) and causing the receiving end of a fiber optic cable (40) to convey light to selected locations on the second translucent sign panel (18B) all of which are held together in proper position and mounted together by means of a single elongate frame (62) with transverse arm (62A, 62B and 62C) and preconnected with the same source of power (50) as is connected to the first panel (18A).

Abstract: A gravity fed culling apparatus (10) capable of singulating work pieces (12). The culling apparatus (10) comprises a transport track (11) and a rotating device (14) wherein the rotating device (14) has a first and a second protrusion (17 and 18, respectively) which cooperate with the transport track (11). A plurality of work pieces (12) are conveyed along the transport track (11) to an inspection site (13). After inspection, at least one work piece (12) is separated from the plurality of work pieces (12) and continues along the transport track (11).

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 compartment on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

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 a least on one of the sides of the second pair (12, 13).

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 package and dispenser for a continuous roll of plastic bags has a generally cylindrical shape and a longitudinal slot for dispensing the bags. Adjacent bags on the roll are attached by a perforated tear line. The dispenser is deformable to allow the operator to grip the roll by squeezing the dispenser, preventing further rotation of the roll, and allowing a bag to be removed from the roll. The dispenser is transparent, allowing indicia to be seen from a flyer inserted into the dispenser and around the roll. The flyer also blocks the slot so that bags cannot be removed during storage or shipping.

Abstract: A dispenser for folded paper napkins including a door hinged to an opening of a housing and a face plate detachably secured to the door. The face plate includes a dispensing opening through which napkins are withdrawn from the dispenser. The new dispenser allows the use of interchangeable face plates so that the same dispenser can be used to store various styles and/or sizes of folded paper napkins.

Abstract: The apparatus stores and dispenses a plurality of disposable razors, the dispenser being affixable to a bathroom wall. The razors are initially loaded into the dispenser apparatus and retained therein by a pair of opposed support members, the support members extending inwardly from a pair of parallel sidewalls, the support members having a centrally disposed channel. The support members are sloped downwardly to facilitate gravitational loading of the individual razors. A flexible member is affixed to each of the support members. The dispenser apparatus has an open bottom, enabling the razors stored therewithin to be withdrawn in the same sequence that they are loaded thereinto. The opposed sidewalls of the dispenser apparatus are transparent, enabling the razors stored therewithin to be readily viewed. The dispenser apparatus also includes a razor holder mounted on the top thereof, to retain the razor currently being used.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus for business cards or the like articles including a plurality of dispensing units which are in the form of hollow housings for receiving a stack of cards, each housing having a slot through which the cards are dispensed. The housings are supported on a grid-like support which is hingedly mounted to a backing board so that in one position access to the rear of the housings is prevented while in a second position access is allowed to permit refilling of the housings.

Abstract: A storage chamber large enough to store a predetermined number of probe covers is formed into a dispenser body. A spring biases the probe covers toward one end of the chamber at which is located a slide. The slide has an indentation used to retrieve a single probe cover from the chamber at a time when aligned with the chamber. Located in the indentation is an aperture tube for receiving a probe of the instrument to be covered. The probe is pressed into the probe cover and into the aperture thus causing the probe cover to stretch and cover the probe. A flange formed on the slide is pressed by a user to align the indentation of the slide with the chamber. The slide is spring loaded so that releasing the flange will result in the slide moving such that the identation is located outside the chamber and the retrieved probe cover can be applied to the instrument. A door in the dispenser is raised to allow access to the chamber for the insertion of a stack of probe covers.

Abstract: A combined dispenser tray and package is provided for pipettes. The tray is elongated with a stepped front wall which provides a dispensing position for sequentially dispensing individual pipettes, as required. The front wall includes a built-in curved wall portion for feeding the individual pipettes, one at a time, to the dispensing position for removal. A cooperating cover is provided with a hinged peel tab for gaining access to the dispensing position. A further feature of the tray of the invention is that the stepped configuration, as seen in cross-section, allows for stacking a plurality of trays in a compact fashion for shipping and storage.

Abstract: Presented is a vending machine with an outer door, a space for merchandise capable of being seen through the outer door and filled with merchandise, and with additional units, as for example coin changer/coin counter, etc., adjacent to the merchandise space, which are lockable with the outer door. The merchandise space is cooled by a cooling assembly and the vending machine displays means that reduce cold losses during operation, in particular at the time of dispensing merchandise, removal of merchandise and/or refilling with merchandise. In this manner, it is also possible to offer and sell with the vending machine cooled merchandise, in particular low-temperature-cooled merchandise.

Abstract: A multiple-product merchandizing 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 areas of more than half of the compartments on a shelf when the drum is in its rest position.

Abstract: Plastic shopping bag container to store randomly disposed shopping bags with lower horizontal slot for removal of stored bag.

Abstract: A display package is described. It comprises a backing sheet and a blister piece which combine to simulate a vending machine. The upper bowl portion of the simulated vending machine is filled with gum balls and a dispensing mechanism is disposed in the base portion of the simulated vending machine. A knob is rotated to dispense individual gum balls from the package. A breakaway tab provides means for deterring tampering and must be removed in order to dispense the gum balls.

Abstract: A combination cracker dispenser and entertainment center is provided and consists of a housing that will contain a lazy susan tray near the bottom to hold crackers, a mechanism to dispense one cracker at a time, a dish near the top to hold dip therein to be used for the crackers and a built-in radio placed within a transparent middle portion of the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for individually dispensing an item such as a newspaper from among a set of items. The dispensing machine includes a mechanism for individually dispensing an item from among a vertically stacked set of items; a money collection device for activating the dispensing mechanism upon payment of particular sum of money, and a housing containing the dispensing mechanism and the money collection device. Each article is urged against the front of the machine, and upon activation, is lifted slightly to clear a barrier, then discharged to the exterior of the machine.

Abstract: A cartonless recyclable package for protectively enclosing a product, such as photographic film, comprises a recyclable plastic container and mating cap with recyclably compatible plastic labels thereon bearing product information. One such label on the cap has readily tearable tab portions extending therefrom and tautly secured to the container, to tear apart when the cap is first removed. A second label, secured to the container and overlapping the tearable tab portions, includes inner and outer sheets separably adhered together. The outer sheet can be peeled back to reveal information on the interfacing surfaces of both sheets, and then re-adhered to the inner sheet. A third label, separably adhered to the first label on the cap, may be peeled away and re-adhered to some other surface for reference after the product has been removed.

Abstract: A promotional display apparatus for a newspaper vending machine, and a newspaper vending machine incorporating a promotional display apparatus, are disclosed. The display apparatus comprises a fixture securable to the newspaper vending machine door. The fixture includes a display section for displaying promotional information. The display section in operation projects internally away from the inside of the vending machine door and into the vending machine internal cavity elevationally above a stack of newspapers therein when the vending machine door is closed. The display section in operation effectively displays promotional information to the vending machine user when the vending machine door is swung away from the housing.

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 currency 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: A vending device for newspapers or other articles comprising a box like receptacle which can be pole or pedestal mounted. The device includes a one piece paper display member, an access door biasing means which is hidden from exposure to the weather, a door latch device which maintains the access door in an open position, a releasable lock device for locking a coin operating mechanism and coin box in the vending device and an access door locking unit for locking the access door to the coin operating mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for die bonding, comprising the steps of arranging a wafer having a multiplicity of mutually separated semiconductor chips vertically and near a lead frame which is conveyed horizontally, and picking up each of the semiconductor chips from the wafer and bonding the same onto the lead frame.

Abstract: A compact business or calling card dispenser which includes a casing in which a plurality of cards are stacked in a vertical array on a card support plate that is resiliently urged so as to align the cards relative to a discharge slot or opening in the casing and which includes an ejector mechanism which interacts with the card support plate to insure uniform card dispensing characteristics with each stack of cards carried within the dispenser.

Abstract: A novel vending machine for sequentially and selectively dispensing and vending in a merchandise dispensing region each one of a plurality of substantially silimarly-shaped flat merchandise objects (usually each of substantially parallelopiped shape, such as that of a newspaper, magazine, or the like, although not specifically so limited) in an object-size-adjustable manner making it possible to quickly and easily initially adjust the apparatus to correspond to a particular thickness of depth-direction dimension of each of the merchandise objects which are to be dispensed so the dispensing apparatus is set exactly for that particular thickness of each of the similar merchandise objects; and conversely, being just as easily differently adjusted for the appropriate sequential dispensing of each one of a plurality of different merchandise objects having completely different thicknesses in each case than in the first-mentioned case; and capable of easy adjustment into any intermediate adjusted relationship suitab

Abstract: A medication dispenser includes a container having a main compartment, a selection compartment, and an exit compartment whereby a pill or the like is dispensed from the container by passage from the main compartment, through the selection compartment, and to the exit compartment. The configuration of the pill selection compartment may be selectively varied and adjusted into a preselected configuration substantially conforming to the shape and size of a pill contained in the main compartment. A flexible first gate selectively extends between the selection compartment and the main compartment, a second gate selectively extends between the selection compartment and the exit compartment, and a third gate selectively extends across the exit compartment, near the container exterior. Initially, the second gate is in an extended position, and the first and third gates are in nonextended positions.

Abstract: A golf tee dispenser including a length of rigid cylindrical tubing adapted to receive a plurality of golf tees therein and a thin elastic member disposed and held in tension transversely through the center of longitudinal axis of the tube and through and between opposing apertures formed in the walls of the tube adjacent one end. The elastic member is adapted, when tensioned, to retain the golf tees within the tube and to manually dispense one golf tee at a time when the tube is generally upright, the elastic member and apertures are at the lower end thereof, and the golf tees are downwardly pointed. Various forms of the elastic member are also provided, along with releasable engagement means for attachment of the dispenser to golf equipment such as bags and carts.

Abstract: A countertop snack vendor in which a drum having a plurality of groups of circumferentially spaced article-receiving compartments is mounted within a cabinet for rotary movement around a generally horizontal axis with the groups disposed respectively behind normally locked elongated transparent doors, each of which spans a plurality of compartments of its associated group to afford a potential customer a view of a large number of articles. Each door is freed upon the deposit of money in the vendor for limited movement from a normally closed position to an open position at which a single compartment of the associated group is accessible.

Abstract: A container storage and dispensing apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing for enclosing a storage and dispensing area, the housing having an access door for inserting the containers and having a first and a second exit door for dispensing the containers. The apparatus also includes first and second guides for guiding and supporting containers to the first exit door. Further the apparatus includes third and fourth guides for guiding and supporting containers to the second exit door.

Abstract: A novel vending machine for sequentially and selectively dispensing and vending in a merchandise dispensing region each one of a plurality of substantially similarly-shaped flat merchandise objects (usually each of substantially parallelopiped shape, such as that of a newspaper, magazine, or the like, although not specifically so limited) in an object-size-adjustable manner making it possible to quickly and easily initially adjust the apparatus to correspond to a particular thickness of depth-direction dimension of each of the merchandise objects which are to be dispensed so the dispensing apparatus is set exactly for that particular thickness of each of the similar merchandise objects; and conversely, being just as easily being differently adjusted for the appropriate sequential dispensing of each one of a plurality of different merchandise objects having completely different thicknesses in each case than in the first-mentioned case; and capable of easy adjustment into any intermediate adjusted relationship

Abstract: An improved vending machine having an enclosure for storage of articles and an access door is provided with an arm affixed to the door and which has a free end, with a hydraulic door closer connected between the free end and the machine. A stop element is affixed to the machine enclosure and projects into the door opening of the access door for stopping movement of the arm thereby to limit the opening movement of the door and thus prevent application of excessive force to the hydraulic door closer. The vending machine also includes a latch hook releasably engageable with the stop element for restraining the door in an open position against return to a closed position.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing granular confectionery, such as gumballs, peanuts, and the like, which includes a housing, a container globe seated on the housing, a cap seated on the globe and a vertical standard extending interior of the housing and globe and including a threaded end. A retainer ring is seated on the globe with a gasket interposed. The inlet to the globe carries opposing deformations in the form of notches in the perimeter of the entrance opening of the globe. The retainer ring carries depending lugs seatable in the notches. The cap can be tightened onto the globe with the lugs seated in the notches so as to prevent relative rotation between the retainer ring and globe during tightening of the cap and thereby prevent possible damage to the globe, such as breaking or cracking it.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser for pre-cut Z-folded web materials wherein the dispenser comprises a holder or support having an orifice through which the web materials are pulled. The orifice has outwardly rounded edges so that the web can be pulled with unequal pulling forces and from different directions. In some embodiments the orifice is provided with an obturator having two opening elements that are elastically coupled to one another. The obturator has round edges through which the web passes wherein one of the edges can be separated from the other.

Abstract: A golf ball dispenser is shown. It comprises a tube into which a stack of golf balls can be loaded, a base at the bottom of the tube, a cap at the top of the tube, a resilient coil spring disposed for urging balls of the stack upwardly in the tube, a ball-accepting and dispensing side aperture near the top of the tube for retaining balls that are out of register with that aperture, and, in the cap, a finger access or a plunger for manually depressing the topmost ball of the stack into dispensing register with the side aperture. The side aperture includes a finger notch which extends downwardly toward the base of the dispenser a distance sufficient for exposing part of the exterior surface of the first two balls stacked under the topmost ball.

Abstract: Arbitrarily and individually priced articles can be automatically vended from a machine in which the articles are stored without restriction, limitation, or categorization to their individualized prices. The vended articles are compactly stored in a plurality of vertical stacks. Each stack includes a retrieval mechanism which picks the top article from the stack and inserts it into an inclined ladder. The inserted package then moves to the display station where the user determines whether or not the displayed article is to be vended. If the article is to be vended, an appropriate amount of consideration is inserted, counted, and the article is moved to a delivery station within the ladder. If the appropriate amount of consideration has, in fact, been received, the article is dispensed from the delivery station. Otherwise, the article will then be moved to a return station included within the ladder.

Abstract: A newspaper display machine has a container and an access door pivotably mounted to the container. The door includes a transparent window large enough to expose the full length and full width of a newspaper. A pair of pressure plates are pivotably mounted on the inside of the door for retaining a display newspaper against a rear surface of the window. Closure springs bias the pressure plates and access door to their closed positions. The container is provided with retainer openings which receive lower corners of the pressure plates when the pressure plates and the access door are all in their opened positions, in order to hold-open the pressure plates and access door against the closure biases of the springs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bag dispenser for the storing therein and drop-down dispensing therefrom of shopping bags comprising a blank divided by fold line and slit lines defining a front wall, left and right side walls, back wall, back wall seal flap, left and right side bottom flaps, top cover, top cover lock flap, and left and right side top flaps. The blank is folded along its fold lines and is assembled to form a box-like structure. The front wall, correspondingly perforated in configuration, defines an inverted T-shaped panel which is removed via the resulting weakened tear line. Such removed T-shaped panel provides a horizontal slot portion through which the shopping bags may be dispensed one at a time and a centrally located vertical slot portion for determining the number of shopping bags stored in such dispenser.

Abstract: A newspaper display machine includes a housing, a service access door mounted on the housing and carrying a coin-actuated unlocking device, and a paper access door mounted on the service access door. A locking mechanism includes a first lock for locking the service access door to the housing and a second lock for locking the paper access door to the service access door. A single key-actuated cylinder controls both the first and second locks for selective actuation. A pin which forms a horizontal hinge axis for the paper access door also forms a vertical hinge axis for the service access door. That pin is slidably removable from the housing to facilitate removal of the service access door from the housing. That pin, together with another pin plus two elements of the second lock, serve to support the service access door against forces imposed thereagainst when the paper access door is slammed shut.

Abstract: A newspaper display machine has a container and an access door pivotably mounted to the container. The door includes a transparent window large enough to expose the full length and full width of a newspaper. A pair of pressure plates are pivotably mounted on the inside of the door for retaining a display newspaper against a rear surface of the window. Closure springs bias the pressure plates and access door to their closed positions. The container is provided with retainer openings which receive lower corners of the pressure plates when the pressure plates and the access door are all in their opened positions, in order to hold-open the pressure plates and access door against the closure biases of the springs.

Abstract: A vending machine comprising at least one drum pivotably mounted about a vertical shaft comprises a front pane permitting the customer to view the articles contained in the drum. In order to increase the utilization of the compartments of the drum and the use of compartments of many different sizes, the front pane comprises an outer pane and an inner pane. The inner pane is pivotably mounted about the same axis as the drum. The outer pane covers the entire stack of drums, whereas each drum is associated with one inner pane. Each inner pane comprises a first pawl engaging a pin which is associated with each partition. This pawl may be made to disengage the pin by means of a releasing mechanism which is activated when the drum in question is activated by a switch. At the same time the outer pane is caused to rotate clockwise about the axis, which movement the inner pane is caused to follow as a consequence of a first dog engaging the outer pane.

Abstract: A container for storing and displaying a reusable stack of cards bearing recorded information, comprising a four sided box, a cover hinged to one side of said box with a flange which, when the box is closed, fits over all four sides of the box, a transparent sheet mounted horizontally inside said box across the upper face of the box, a card-supporting shelf movable up and down within said box, a helical coiled spring positioned beneath said shelf to move said shelf and its stack of cards upwardly against said transparent sheet, a first horizontal slot in the hinged back side of the box for insertion of a card into the box and at the bottom of the stack of cards, a second horizontal slot in the opposite front side of said box positioned beneath the transparent sheet to permit the top card of the stack to be removed from the box, and mechanism mounted on the transparent sheet for engaging the top card of the stack and moving the card out of the box through the second slot.

Abstract: A bulk loaded coin dispensing machine maintains a supply of coins to be dispensed in a bulk loaded magazine made up of a plurality of layers of coin rolls or tubes, each layer having plural rows and columns of coin tubes resting directly on each other, without intervening portions among the tubes. Coin tubes are stripped from the magazine a row at a time, and then carried by a transport conveyor and an elevator to a dispensing mechanism. The magazine carrier is movable independently of the stripper, conveyor and elevator to allow inventory replacement, and the stripper and conveyor are vertically adjustable in accordance with the decreasing height of the magazine as the coin rolls are dispensed. The stripper, conveyor, elevator and dispenser are operable asynchronously under control of a microprocessor.

Abstract: A coin operated gumball dispensing slide mechanism is disclosed which has a coin slide slidable over a base plate. The coin slide has a gumball dispensing wall, an aperture for passage of a gumball from a reservoir to the gumball dispensing wall, an actuator for moving the coil slide, a shoulder, and a portion defining a coin receiving slot. The coin slide is slidably mounted on a base plate which has a flexibly mounted locking dog for abutting the shoulder and locking the coin slide until a coin inserted into the slot disables the dog. When the coin is in the slot, moving the actuator moves the slide and the gumball is dispensed while the shoulder pushes the coin to a coin receiving aperture in the base plate and while a gate portion of the base plate intrudes on the gumball aperture to prevent gumballs from entering it during operation of the slide.

Abstract: A complete advertising and card dispensing module for insertion into a housing, having electrical connections for the module, includes a front face, for securing to the housing by a key lock for removing the entire module, with the front face having an advertising window and a card display window, and a push button switch for actuating a single card ejector. The card ejector includes a housing for a stack of cards with a smooth floor member with a card width and thickness card pusher gliding on the smooth floor to push a single card out an adjustable slot adjusted to the thickness of the individual card. The smooth floor being mounted generally horizontally but at a slight angle toward the slot. A solenoid actuator moves the card ejector from a position at the rear of the stack of cards to a position to push a card so as to partially extend out the slot for manual retrieve.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles, particularly, but not necessarily, packaged food articles which are warmed within the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a storage zone, a dispensing zone and a conveyor for conveying articles between the storage zone and the dispensing zone. Articles are loaded into vacant holders in a loading zone and such loading is controlled by a detector which detects for the presence of articles in holders which are at any one time approaching the loading zone. A further detector detects for a vacancy in the dispensing zone and, if such vacancy exists, an article is transferred from an associated holder to the dispensing zone.

Abstract: A vending machine which comprises a replaceable, transparent loading magazine forming an array of honeycombed slots holding the goods to be dispensed. The magazine is positioned upside down over a plate having a small trap door under each slot. A chute under the trap doors directs the food falling through the trap doors toward a dispensing slot. The trap doors are controlled by electrical signals generated upon selection of the goods by the customer. The selection is made by dialing on a numerical keyboard the identification of the slot holding the desired item. The selection is enabled by a signal issued from the coin box after acceptance of the correct change.

Abstract: A vending device comprising a box-like housing subdivided in its interior by partitions which form an array of storage bins. A cover, releasably secured to the device, is formed with flexible, resilient projections, each projection partially covering a bin, permitting an article of merchandise therein to be withdrawn by upward flexure of the projection thereat. In one form of the invention the housing is retained on a stand therefor at an angle of about 45.degree.. In another form of the embodiment, the housing is retained adjacent a change tray.