Abstract: The invention is a snack style clear front merchandiser having a horizontal product column with a front opening leading into a vend space. A product mover pushes a product through the front opening and into the vend space. A retaining device, mounted to the merchandiser near the front opening and positioned in a manner such that a top of the product being vended hits the retaining device during vending, prevents the product top from moving or pitching forward during a vending process. Consequently, the vended product falls freely into the delivery hopper without bridging the vending space. A single retaining device may be used for several columns in a single tray or individual retaining devices may be used for each column. The height of the retaining device can be adjusted as required for the type of product being vended in the columns. The retaining device may be rigidly or rotationally mounted to the merchandiser.

Abstract: A coordinate selectable vending machine assembly for dispensing articles from a plurality of article storage compartments, including horizontally arranged helical coils, comprises a single dispenser, movable between the plurality of storage compartments for vending a selected article. The single dispenser is movable between the plurality storage compartments in response to an electronic signal sent by a micro control panel after a user has inserted money into the machine and used the coordinate section to identify the type of article to be dispensed. The dispenser moves, utilizing a pair of stepping motors, until aligned with the selected storage compartment. Once in position, the dispenser is urged from a normal position out of engagement with the storage compartment to a second position in engagement with the storage compartment for actuation of the vending selected article, which it then actuates resulting in dispensing of the article.

Abstract: A vending machine is housed in a light, yet sturdy enclosure made of an external sheet metal shell and an internal seamless plastic liner between which a volume of expanded synthetic foam material is injected. One or more good-holding magazines are removably held within the enclosure. A keypad, alpha-numerical display and card reader are packaged in the door closing the front of the enclosure. A driving motor module and a coin acceptor are removably mounted against the inside liner. Due to the absence of complex or delicate structure, the machine can be serviced, cleaned and sanitized within minutes. A pair of vending machine, one holding snack food, the other beverage cans are coupled to work together and dispense combinations of items from a single control panel. Both the beverage and snack food holding magazines are driven from the same type of motor module mounted inside the liner.

Abstract: Automatic dispenser of natural flowers which is adapted to making bouquets on request by a user comprising a structure for storing and preserving several series of natural flowers. The structure comprises a transparent part which allows the user to view and select the natural flowers, from outside the structure, when the natural flowers are disposed inside the structure. An external control panel is provided. A coin operated meter is provided which is adapted to receive coins from the user. An internal selection mechanism is provided and is controlled by the external control panel. The internal selection mechanism is adapted to enable the user to individually select each of the natural flowers. A unit for packaging and wrapping the flowers into a bouquet is also provided. The unit is adapted to form the bouquet from the natural flowers selected by the user.

Abstract: A light and compact vending machine suitable for use on a table or counter top, uses interchangeable magazines that can be preloaded with goods at a service center and quickly and conveniently installed on or removed from the machine. Each magazine has good-holding stations that differ in numbers and sizes. Each station has an access port on the front of the magazine toward which a spiral rack driven by a mechanism mounted in the machine moves goods. The currency accepted in payment for the goods is automatically dropped into a sealed receptacle at the bottom of the magazine. Each magazine is secured by a door that opens automatically only when the magazine is in place and the machine door has been locked. Personnel servicing the machine by replacing an empty one with a loaded one need not handle the goods or the cash. In some alternate embodiments of the invention, packaged goods and beverage cans slide down along slanted channels toward dispensing gates under their own weight.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system capable of automatically dispensing copperplates one by one in sequence to be used in imprinting captions on a film in a caption printer. The system has a casing shaped as a slim tube having an inclined guiding hole. A coil spring is longitudinally inserted in the casing. Each of the copperplates can be received in each of pitches of the casing. A rotation shaft is fixed to a lower end of the coil spring. The copperplates can be inserted through the upper end of the casing and guided into each of the pitches one by one in sequence while the rotation shaft together with the coil spring is rotated. The copperplates can be dispensed out of the casing through the inclined guiding hole one by one in sequence at each rotation of the coil spring.

Abstract: In a device for feeding articles, cylindrical feed screws having left and right hand pitched helical grooves are arranged in parallel and are driven rotationally in opposite directions such that an article deposited in the space between the roots of the grooves at one corresponding end of the grooves will be advanced axially to the opposite ends for exiting from between the feed screws.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for performing vend operations on articles selected by a purchaser. Articles to be dispensed are stored in a storage section, and purchased articles are transferred from the storage section to a vend section. A vend mechanism is provided for rapidly moving a given article from a vend-destined section to the vend section. A helical transfer member holds the articles in the storage section and is rotatable in a dispensing direction to transfer the given article from a position adjacent the vend-destined section to the vend-destined section. The helical transfer member is also rotatable in a reverse direction opposite the dispensing direction. A driver is coupled to each helical transfer member, and is actuable to rotate the helical transfer member in either the dispensing direction or the reverse direction.

Abstract: In a packaged article vending machine having a forwardly, projecting motorized helix supported on a horizontally arranged tray in a wide column delimited by side walls which are disposed substantially further apart than the helix is broad in diameter, the helix is prevented from `walking` towards the sidewall towards which it would tend to move as the helix rotates, by securing a chock to the tray so as to tangentially engage at least two turns of the helix during a portion of a 360.degree. rotation of the helix, from externally of the helix, and have its rear end located sufficiently out of the way as to avoid possibly poking contact with from the front lower part of an impounded product package being conveyed forwards to eventually become the leading package, next to be vended.

Abstract: The mounting channel for product price, product identity and/or column identity chips or cards provided across the front of a tray of a glass-front vending machine of the motorized helical mechanism type, is provided with one or more chips or cards which have a tab which protrudes upwards beyond the product support surface of the tray, at a location determined to be appropriate for intersecting a like corner of each package conveyed to the foremost position and off the front edge of that tray, for thereby predetermining the spatial orientation of the package as it begins to fall, for preventing bridging of the package between the tray and the glass front. The tabbed chip or card may also provide typical product price, product identity and/or column identity information.

Abstract: This invention relates to a substantially circular tablet dispenser component system which may be adapted for a variable day start of a prescribed periodic tablet regimen. Also provided are a tablet dispenser kit, a tablet package adapted for filling the tablet dispenser system, methods of filling the tablet dispenser of the invention and methods of administering a prescribed regimen of medication using the tablet dispenser system of the invention, with both "any day start" (i.e., start of the therapy on any day of the week) and "any therapy package" (i.e., not only contraceptives).

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for dispensing medical items (68, 70, 72) includes dispenser modules (28, 30) movably mounted thereon. The dispenser modules are selectively operative to dispense medical items therefrom into a path (54) which is connected to a delivery area (20) of the dispenser. The dispenser and the dispenser modules therein are configured to provide security against unauthorized access thereto. However an authorized user is enabled to readily access the dispenser modules and the medical items therein by unlocking a lock (22), opening a door (16) and extending the dispenser modules through an opening (18). With the dispenser modules in the extended position the medical items therein may be replenished. Alternatively, the dispenser modules may be disconnected from the dispenser and replaced with substitute dispenser modules.

Abstract: A vending machine including a housing with one or more assembly units and one or more stacking shafts positioned in the housing. The assembly unit include a plurality of product dispensing coils for stacking and dispensing product horizontally. The stacking shaft stacking and dispensing products vertically, especially beverage containers. A support structure extends over a horizontal width of the housing and supports the assembly units and the stacking shafts in horizontally adjacent positions.

Abstract: The present invention features a pill-dispensing system which has a number of standardized, or universal-type, modules. Each module has a rotating, helix-drive mechanism, which is rotationally controlled by a microprocessor. The helical-drive mechanism features several improvements, both in the drive mechanism and in the software control of the rotational drive system by the microprocessor that allows for the dispensing of pills of all shapes and sizes one at a time. The helix of the drive is securely mounted within a rotatable, hollow tube. A stationary collar is mounted adjacent the upper end of the rotating tube. The rotating helix extends into the stationary collar and forces pills from the hollow tube to the dispensing edge of the stationary collar. A hopper positioned at the input end, or mouth of the tube, feeds a batch quantity of pills to the drive mechanism. The tube is angled upwardly from the mouth portion, so that the pill-dispensing end is positioned above the input end.

Abstract: A storage and conveying rack havingrespective sets of shelves which independently pivot in a coordinating manner on a rack in an orientation enabling articles to be conveyed downwardly, back and forth between the shelves;a pivotably mounted cross bar extending transversely across each shelf and movable between an article receiving position and an article arresting position;a respective damper for arresting motion of each cross bar when engaged by a conveyed article and moved from the article receiving position to the article rested position;a respective bias for urging each cross bar from the article arrested position to the article receiving position; and,an optical sensor on each shelf for detecting an article's presence and supplying a control signal to the independently pivoting shelves in the coordinated manner.

Abstract: A small parts vending machine for airplanes including a housing having an opening therethrough in a lower portion thereof. The housing includes a dispensing ramp secured therein the hollow interior. A powering and programming computer is secured within the housing to a rear wall thereof. An input portion is secured to a front wall of the housing. The input portion is electrically coupled with the powering and programming computer. A credit card input portion is secured to the front wall of the housing. The credit card input portion is electrically coupled with the powering and programming computer. A plurality of dispensing coils each are secured within the housing to the rear wall thereof. The dispensing coils are operably coupled with the powering and programming computer for the dispensing of small airplane parts at times when parts are otherwise unavailable.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for maintaining and dispensing articles in an aseptic environment. The system includes a cabinet of modular units having at least one bank of shelves. Each bank has an open end and a closed end such that the open end is oriented toward a dispensing chute. Each bank contains a plurality of horizontally adjustable shelves laterally disposed in the bank. The shelves are divided by a plurality of dividers to define a series of slots on each shelf. A dispensing chute is located adjacent the open end of the bank and is adapted to provide gravity feed of an article. The articles are feed toward the dispensing chute by a feeding means such as an auger and the leading article is discharged by gravity. The operation of the feed means is controlled by a microprocessor or the like to control the delivery of articles to the dispensing chute. There is also disclosed a prepackaged cartridge of articles for use in the dispensing system.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for supplying articles such as snacks is disclosed. Articles to be dispensed from the apparatus travel horizontally in a direction parallel with the front surface of the apparatus to a position from which the articles drop through a vertical shaft at the side of the apparatus to a delivery area. The apparatus is compact in size and is capable of holding a large inventory of different snack articles. The apparatus has a low profile and may be mounted to a wall by means of a mounting bracket.

Abstract: A dispenser for razors having a housing, a helical coil for stacking and dispensing the packages of razors, coin activating means for activating the helical coil for dispensing one package from said housing, a shaving cream canister for containing shaving cream, a heating coil for heating a portion of said shaving cream, carbon dioxide pressurized canister for pushing the heated shaving cream, and a spigot for releasing the heated shaving cream from the heating coil.

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: A food storage and delivery device is formed of a reservoir for food items, a holding and transferring section situated adjacent to the reservoir, an ascending section for moving the holding and transferring section, and a controlling section for controlling the device. After positioning the holding and transferring section to one side of the storage and delivery sections at a predetermined vertical level by means of the ascending section based on a delivery command, the food item is delivered from the storage and delivery section to the holding and transferring section to hold the food item temporarily. After positioning the holding and transferring section to a vertical level corresponding to a delivery portion, the temporarily held food item is delivered to the delivery portion. The food items can be automatically and quickly delivered.

Abstract: A supporting member feeding device utilized for manufacturing a construction panel of three dimensional structure, has gears whose teeth partially extend into an interior of an inclined wall of a hopper containing supporting members and rotating in an opposite direction from the direction of the ascending supporting members to smoothly discharge the supporting members toward a chute, and the supporting members discharged from the outlet of the hopper are kept at a predetermined distance by a spiral conveyor whose teeth extend into the chute through a hole of the chute forming member so as to forcibly and exactly feed the supporting members toward an inclined discharging outlet of the chute.

Abstract: A coin handling system includes two coin escrows which receive respectively high and low denomination coins. Each escrow comprises a helical structure with coins individually supported between successive turns of the helix. Each helical structure can store coins of any denomination in any location, and has exits at both ends to allow control over the sequence in which the coins are sent to a cash box.

Abstract: A vending machine has an outer housing with a hollow interior and a manual retrieval opening. At least one tray is removably supported by the housing inside the interior thereof. The tray has a plurality of storage bins, each bin being dimensioned for receiving a plurality of items to be dispensed. Each bin has a movably actuable mechanism for ejecting a single unit of the item therefrom. A manually operable coin mechanism is mounted to an exterior of the housing for receiving a predetermined number and size of coins. Insertion of the proper coins into the coin mechanism permits a single actuation thereof through a predefined range of motion. A manually operable selector mechanism is mounted to the exterior of the housing for designating the item to be dispensed when moved into engagement with the ejecting mechanism of a preselected one of the plurality of storage bins.

Abstract: Frozen products housed in a rack are retained in a spiral wire and is guided by plastic guide pieces formed at portions necessary to hold the products. The guide pieces are fixed onto fitting supports attached to the rack, so that ice deposition spaces are created between the guide pieces and a rack surface (12). Thus, the ice formed in the rack is accumulated in the spaces, thereby reducing its effect on the products. In the invention, damage to the wrapping of a bagged product and deformation thereof are prevented.

Abstract: A file folder conveyor which comprises a rotatable spiral mounted in a base that has opposite ends and has a back wall which extends higher than the front wall such that as the spiral is rotated, files can be moved which rest in the spiral and extend out of the front of the base so that they can be easily removed by a user. The spiral may be driven manually or by a motor means.

Abstract: A vending machine has a front panel with plural removable storage and dispensing trays extending through the enclosure, and defining a rear vertical chute curving gradually in a horizontal direction under the trays and communicating with a vend opening. The machine includes a bar code reader or similar input apparatus for receiving plural control and inventory inputs representative of a UPC code for articles to be inserted in each tray position, the quantity of articles inserted in each tray position, the identity of the tray position and the selection button corresponding to each tray position. A sensor is located at the back of each tray position at the exit into the chute, for detecting when an individual article passes into the chute to provide a sensing output, the operation of the tray position being continued until an article is dispensed into the chute.

Abstract: A system for storing and dispensing articles, containers and the like includes stacks of opposing, vertically staggered shelf assemblies. A shelf associated with each shelf assembly is pivotally mounted for movement at least between an upwardly tilted receiving position and a downwardly tilted discharge position. A fluid-operating system is disclosed for maintaining each shelf in its upwardly tilted receiving position until a container is received and to prevent the lowering of the shelf to the discharge position until the next lower shelf is prepared to receive a container.

Abstract: A container storage and retrieval apparatus includes opposing stacks of vertically staggered shelf assemblies. Each shelf assembly includes a shelf pivotally mounted to a support structure and movable between at least an upwardly tilted, receiving position and a downwardly tilted, discharge position. Fluid-operated structure is provided to raise the shelf between at least the downwardly tilted, discharge position and the upwardly tilted, receiving position. A higher pressure fluid source and lower pressure fluid source are provided. Container indicator switching structure connects the raising structure to the higher pressure fluid source if a container is not present on the shelf, and to the lower pressure source if a container is present on the shelf. Transfer control structure is operatively connected between the shelf and the next lower shelf, and is adapted to prevent the lowering of the shelf to the discharge position unless the next lower shelf is in the receiving position.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatically dispensing machine tools, kits of tools and related supplies. The system includes one or more automatic tool dispensers interconnected and controlled by a host computer. Automatic tool dispensers may be placed at various locations about manufacturing and other facilities to provide decentralized distribution of reusable and perishable tools and supplies near work stations, providing constant, but controlled, access to tools. Data entry device are used to operate the automatic tool dispensers. Indicia may be entered to selectively operate the automatic tool dispensers to dispense a tool, or a plurality of tools as a kit. The data entry devices also provide data which can assist in inventory control, tracking and tool usage. Tool delivery system are provided in the automatic tool dispenser including adjustable helical coil delivery devices and robotic delivery systems.

Abstract: Described is an improved apparatus for joining the helical vending coil of a vending machine to its drive mechanism and which allows easy adjustment of the angular position of that coil. Rather than using conventional screws, washers and spacers to join a coil-engaging bracket to its gear-driven drive shaft, in accordance with the invention, a tension spring or other tensioning device operatively deployed between the vending coil coupling bracket and the drive shaft normally urges the bracket into engagement with the drive shaft but will permit the two to be pulled free of one another to allow rotational adjustment without requiring disassembly of many parts or any special tools.

Abstract: A method for shifting goods in which goods arranged in a predetermined manner within a container having an opening portion are taken out of the container in such a manner as to correspond to the arrangement of the storing state of the goods. The method comprising the steps of superposing a goods take-out tool including partitions which are formed in such a manner as to correspond to the arrangement of the storing state of the goods on the opening portion of the container, and inverting the superposed container and goods take-out tool. The goods in the container can be taken into the goods take-out tool without changing the arrangement of the storing state of the goods.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a counter for elastic rings, comprising a screw having a spiral groove which is slightly wider than the width of an elastic ring and is slightly deeper than the thickness of the elastic ring. The screw has an open discharge end, and a plurality of sorting rollers are loosely mounted in series on a support shaft located above and parallel to the screw and are independently capable of rotation and vertical movement. The sorting rollers contact a spiral ridge of the screw, and are arranged such that while the screw is rotated and the elastic rings are fed to the feed end thereof, the elastic rings are loosely moved into the spiral groove of the screw by the sorting rollers, and then sequentially delivered from the discharge end of the screw to a counting means.

Abstract: A storage and dispensing apparatus for articles, containers and the like includes two opposing vertical stacks of shelf assemblies pivotally mounted relative to support structure for rotation between an upwardly tilted receiving and storage position in a downwardly tilted discharge position. Each shelf assembly includes a transfer stop and transfer control for retaining the shelf assembly in the receiving position until the next lower shelf assembly is prepared to receive a container. Each shelf assembly can also include a receiving stop for retaining the shelf assembly in the receiving position until a container is fully disposed on the shelf surface. The shelf assembly can further include a discharge drive for overcoming static between a stored container and the underlying shelf surface during transfer operations. The apparatus automatically advances container downwardly through the stack to the lowest unfilled shelf for selective dispensing at the bottom of the stacks.

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 container is adapted to be mounted on a paintball weapon to feed paintballs into the firing chamber of such weapon under the influence of gravity. The container includes a hollow housing in which a monolithic, one-piece helical ramp is located. The paintballs are fed onto the helical ramp and move under the influence of gravity from an inlet section to an outlet section for feeding the paintballs to the weapon. Elements located in the helical path defined by the helical ramp prevent the paintballs from moving backwards.

Abstract: A vending device for vending machines comprises a spiral coil connected to a coin-operated mechanism that allows rotation thereof and the connected coil when predetermined coins have been inserted into the mechanism. The loops making up the coil comprise closely spaced neighboring loops, remote from the mechanism, capable of supporting and transporting product to be vended as the coil is rotated, and distantly spaced neighboring loops, incapable of supporting the product. As the coil is turned, product is transported toward the mechanism until it reaches the distantly spaced loops where it drops from the spiral into a chute accessible by the purchaser. The mechanism is rotated by coin receivers that are blocked from rotating by spring-urged pawls unless predetermined coins have been inserted therein, or unless disabling tabs are interposed between the receivers and the pawls.

Abstract: Device for the automatic dispensing of packaged products, including a number of vertical plane surfaces arranged together and having a "U" shape cross section for forming a dispensing chamber within which a spiral element is located having turns spaced apart, the product being placed between two adjacent and thus being supported by the spiral which is caused to rotate in order to dispense the product, which is prevented from rotating by at least one of the walls of the dispensing chamber, the spiral consisting of a number of turns between which are placed additional products, thus forming a vertically arranged store.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing items from a plurality of dispensers in one or more vending or amusement machines includes a plurality of elongate support members each having a rotatably mounted support plate at one end. Items are releasably supported by the support member so that one item is dispensed from the free end of the support member for each complete revolution. A single drive gear motor operates all of the support members and is connected to each support plate via a series of driven rollers or pulleys and a continuous belt or chain extending around the rollers. Each driven roller is drivably connected to a respective one of the support plates via a clutch. A releasable stop mechanism is associated with each support plate for releasably engaging the plate to prevent it from rotating. An actuator controls release of the respective support plates for rotation through one revolution, and one or more selected plates may be released at any one time.

Abstract: A ring dispenser comprising a rotating rod having an acme thread along one portion thereof and a helical coil spring at a dispensing end thereof feeds individual rings to a ring transfer device located at the dispensing end of the rod. The rod is rotated by a motor and the rings are automatically separated and directed to the end of the rod where a sensor detects the presence of the ring and stops the motor. When the ring transfer device is ready to pick up a ring, the motor starts again and a ring slides off a conical tip of the rod onto the transfer device by rotation of the rod. The rings have diameters greater than the separation between the individual threads of the rod so that the rings move on the crests of the threads and are out of engagement with the thread roots. The spacings between the convolutions of the coil spring are greater than the thickness of the rings so that the rings move on the rod surface as the rings approach the dispensing end of the rod.

Abstract: A timed, rotating coil device is provided to advance documents, letters, and the like which are positioned between adjacent coil elements. The coil is flexible to accommodate for different sized documents, letters, etc., between each coil element, and is supported at one end by a timer and at the other end by a coil clamp. This support arrangement eliminates the need for a central support, and together with the coil flexibility, enables the coil to accommodate both for letter size and document thickness. The number of coil element spacings is calculated to coincide with a given time period, typically twenty-four hours. The last coil element is provided with a bent portion to eject the document when it arrives at the end of the coil spacings. Thus, the presence of an ejected document indicates it is ready to be acted upon.

Abstract: A robotic feeding mechanism for feeding electrical connectors. Connector magazines having a plurality of electrical connectors therein can be held in a magazine feeder which comprises at least two worm gears for holding and moving connector magazines therebetween. The magazine feeder also comprises gates for holding a connector magazine received from the worm gears for dispensing individual connectors and means for operably moving the worm gears and gates for controllably advancing connector magazines towards the gates and moving the gates to replace an empty magazine with a new magazine. The feeding mechanism also comprises a device for feeding and inverting individual electrical connectors comprising a sloped feed path; a gate for holding a row of connectors; means for holding the row of connectors while a leading connector is allowed to advance along the feed path; and a tipping ledge and curved guide for inverting the lead connector as it advanced along the feed path.

Abstract: An imposed shelf arrangement for vending tubular products such as cans and the like comprising a tray having a base, a rear panel and a pair of side panels or dividers forming a longitudinally disposed product feed trough having a width equal substantially to twice the length of a tubular product; a helix disposed centrally within said feed trough and adapted to receive a plurality of tubualr products between the convolutions thereof in a staggered relationship whereby the inner end of each tubular product is adapted to be disposed along the longitudinal axis of said trough; and a drive unit at the rear of the base for rotating said helix whereby to advance said tubular products one by one to the front edge of said base to drop to a delivery position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively dispensing discrete quantities of elongated ice pieces from a supply thereof. The apparatus includes a baffle defining an upper edge and mechanism adjacent the baffle for causing ice pieces received from the supply to extend lengthwise generally parallel to the baffle and to be translated upwardly to above the level of the baffle upper edge while concurrently tipping the ice pieces over the upper edge to pass to forwardly of the baffle for dispensing thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the transfer mechanism is defined by at least one helical vane extending from a rearward transfer position to a forward dispensing position defined by the upper edge of the baffle. In the illustrated embodiment, the vanes extend approximately 105.degree. about an axis of rotation thereof within a tubular drum. The apparatus may include a constant speed dispensing mechanism and a timer control for any one of a plurality of preselected time periods.

Abstract: An article alignment unit adapted for use in a helix-type vending machine. The vending machine comprises a cabinet having a tray within the cabinet carrying at least two dispensing helices extending side-by-side from rear to front of the cabinet. Each helix is selectively driven for advancing articles to be dispensed placed on the tray between convolutions of the helix. A generally vertical central partition between the two helices has a top edge margin extending substantially the length of the helices, and first and second generally vertical outer partitions on opposite sides of the two helices. First and second article compartments are defined between the central partition and the first and second outer partitions, respectively, and each compartment contains one of the helices. The article alignment unit comprises a first elongate guide member adapted for pivoting about an axis parallel with and adjacent to the top edge margin of the central partition.

Abstract: A linear magazine for storing and automatically dispensing objects (10) disposed in stacks or in lines within juxtaposed bins (1) includes an extractor cartridge (20) associated with each bin and co-operating with a cog belt (50) which is common to all of the bins. The invention is applicable to dispensing cassettes, books, cigarettes, spare parts, etc.

Abstract: A rotating disk is rotated about an upright axis to feed coins placed thereon toward a rotating body. The rotating body is formed with a spiral groove in which the periphery of each coin is inserted and a guide barrel is disposed in such a manner as to maintain the rising coins in the groove in the rotating body. The coin, the periphery of which are engaged in the spiral groove, are received by the guide barrel and lifted in a generally horizontal posture by the rotation of the rotating body and then discharged outside from a discharge port formed at an upper portion of the guide barrel. A rubber-surfaced roller is disposed opposite the rotating body. The roller is adapted to press against the periphery of coins thereby to ensure the insertion of the coins into the spiral grooves.

Abstract: A ball dispenser dispenses balls into a flow line leading into a well. The ball dispenser has a subassembly that slides into and out of a cylindrical housing. The subassembly has a shaft that rotates within an array of vertical guide members. A helical flight is secured to the shaft. The subassembly will slide into a loading sleeve for loading purposes. The loading sleeve has a long vertical slot on one side to load the balls onto the flight.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sold-out detecting device for a vending machine for dispensing articles from a vertical stack in which there is a detecting plate pivotally supported and biased for movement against the stack, and a switch adapted to be closed by the detecting plate. The detecting plate extends along and is in contact with all of stacked articles to guide the same downwardly as articles are dispensed and to distribute contact pressure along the individual articles in the stack.

Abstract: In a vending machine shelf arrangement, wherein a combined helix unit and drive unit are vertically slidably mounted within a vertical slot formed in a rear panel mounted on the base of the shelf, an assembly for preventing accidental axial separation of a helix unit from a drive unit which includes a first disc element mounted at the rear end of the helix unit adjacent the rear panel and frictionally gripping a drive connection of the helix unit with the drive unit, and a second lip element upstanding on the shelf base and also adjacent the rear panel, the disc element interposed between the lip element and the rear panel thereby preventing normal separation of the helix unit from the drive unit.