Abstract: A device for dispensing medicament capsules is set forth which includes a housing within which are disposed a plurality of vertically spaced and substantially parallel transverse dispensing gates. Each dispensing gate has a like number of apertures extending vertically through the gate and spaced at different radial distances from the housing axis where the radial distances are of equal length in each one of the plurality of gates. Those apertures located at equal radial distances in successive dispensing gates are spaced in a radial sequence of equal angles. Between each successive dispensing gate a removable and reloadable carriage member is located which is contiguous with the dispensing gate and each carriage member has a multiplicity of radially spaced slots extending vertically througth the carriage member for storage of medicament capsules. The slots are sequentially located concentrically about the vertical axis at radial distances equal to those radial distances locating a dispensing gate aperture.

Abstract: There is provided an improved cassette particularly adapted for sowing seeds utilizing a plurality of adjacent stacked plates having a plurality of perforations therein. The perforations are adapted to receive seeds. The seeds in the perforations of each plate are held in place by portions of a lower adjacent plate. Adjacent plates are adapted to be moved relative to one another for a short distance for aligning the perforations thus permitting the seeds from an upper plate to pass through the perforations in the plates below it for planting.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for dispensing balls and a method of loading balls into the apparatus. The apparatus has a housing, a shaft, and a helical rib mounted on the shaft. Rods are mounted in the housing, between the rib and the housing, to keep the balls from rolling down the rib. As the shaft and the rib are rotated, the balls are pushed out the lower end of the housing. A cylindrical loading sleeve fits over the shaft, the rib, and the rods. The balls are loaded onto the rib through a longitudinal slot in the side of the sleeve. The sleeve is then placed on the housing, and the shaft, rib, rods, and balls are lowered into the housing.

Abstract: Dispensing shelves for cabinet-type vending machines having a plurality of different sized helical feeder coils all on the same level for advancing articles interposed between the convolutions of the coils to a delivery opening. The width of the troughs holding the coils is variable on the same shelf level and the placement of the helical feeder coil within a trough is variable. The shelf is of either a sheet metal or a molded, high-density plastic type material. Drive units for the helical coils are removably mounted for operation without fastening devices and are adjustably laterally mounted within a single trough. A unique shelf support rail unit maintains the shelf side panels of the vending machine against lateral movement and bending. Further, a unique door closure member maintains the shelves in their vending positions at all times when the door is closed.

Abstract: A vending machine (20) comprises a housing (21) and a pair of product vending shelf units (24, 26) mounted within the housing (21) in vertically stacked relation. Each shelf unit has a front end higher than the rear end thereof. A product selection mechanism (29) is mounted within the housing (21) for actuation of each of the shelf units (24,26) to vend a product (90) forwardly therefrom in response to a customer selection. An anti-theft product delivery drawer assembly (31) is mounted below the lower shelf (26) within the housing (21) and receives the vended product in an inner stored position, and exposes the product for retrieval by the customer upon the customer pulling the drawer outwardly, a drawer cover plate (153) slidable outwardly over the drawer (151) as the drawer is pulled outwardly for preventing access to the interior of the vending machine.

Abstract: A motor control for a refrigeration apparatus having a cabinet, a door to the cabinet, a source of ice pieces located in the cabinet, means located in the door for dispensing the ice pieces, a power source having a supply terminal and a ground, a motor and means responsive to operation of the motor for delivering the ice pieces from the source of the ice pieces to the dispensing means, the motor control comprising means for energizing the motor, an actuable ice command switch generating an ice command signal for requesting delivery of the ice pieces from the source to the dispensing means, a processor having an input terminal coupled to the ice command switch and an output terminal, the processor generating a transistor command signal in response to the ice command signal, and a transistor having a control electrode coupled to the output terminal and first and second main current electrodes, wherein the processor output terminal is coupled to the transistor control electrode, and the motor energizing means, t

Abstract: A sold out detector for an article storage and dispensing device includes a detecting plate which is pivotally supported on the device and normally pushed toward one side plate of the device by the stored articles and an empty switch controlled by the movements of the detecting plate. A movable element extends within the clearance between the side plate and the detecting plate to contact with the plates. The movable element is operatively connected with a drive source to enable the rotating motion of the drive source to transmit movement to the detecting plate through the movable element. As a result, frozen water which tends to fill the gap between the side plate of the device and the detecting plate easily falls away.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser in which a vertically elongated housing has a screw at a rear end thereof whose lower portion is free from a screwthread. Fork-shaped rear edges of trays carrying articles to be dispensed are lowered by rotation of the motor-driven screw until they reach the thread-free portion whereupon the tray is dropped to the bottom of the housing at which an access opening is provided and to allow articles on the trays to be removed while the trays accumulate at the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A helical vending module having dual diameter convolutions, and a vending machine equipped with a plurality of such modules. Preferably the vending machine comprises a generally cubical cabinet including a front service door equipped with a translucent panel facilitating visual exposure of the cabinet interior. Suitable conventional coin acceptor apparatus is provided to effectuate a vend when a particular product is selected by conventional control apparatus, and when a product is vended the selected module helice will rotate to effectuate a vend. The product will then drop downwardly into a customer accessible access zone. Each of the modules preferably comprises a rigid, generally planar frame which is adapted to be secured to an inclined supporting surface within the vending machine. The module frame support an outwardly projecting helical spindle coupled to an associated drive motor.

Abstract: A feed storage for drill rods for a long-hole drilling apparatus, said feed storage comprising a magazine provided with fixed guides (11) for storing drill rods (13) in parallel with each other, a delivery opening (14) defined by the guides for transferring drill rods one at a time into and out of the guides, and a feed device provided with gripping means (27) extending between the drill rods positioned in the guides for feeding the drill rods towards and away from the delivery opening in the guides, and a transfer device (9) comprising at least one transfer arm (29) provided with gripping jaws (31) and pivotably mounted on a pivot shaft (30) which is fixed with respect to the magazine so that the gripping jaws are displaced transversally with respect to the axial direction of the drill rods between the delivery opening of the guides and the drilling axis (A) of a drilling machine. The guides of the magazine guide the drill rods with their axes in the same plane.

Abstract: A vertically accumulating storage and dispensing apparatus for containers and the like wherein the containers are loaded at the top of a tower and selectively dispensed from the bottom. The tower has a frame that defines first and second tower sections, each supporting a number of vertically spaced shelf trays which in turn support the containers which are stacked on the trays when loaded. The shelf trays of each tower section face inwardly toward and are staggered relative to each other. Each tray is mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and is operated so that when a container is dispensed from a bottom shelf tray, each higher tray beginning at the bottom and progressing upward one at a time, pivots to transfer its carton to the upwardly tilted next lower empty shelf tray. This process is repeated until each container has been transferred to the next lower shelf tray.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing small items. A removable dispensing tray has a spiral ejector, each coil of which is loaded with one item. The dispensing tray is placed in position on its dispensing station, which station has a drive motor to rotate the spiral ejector. Upon an activating signal, the motor rotates the ejector one time, causing one item to be dispensed. The dispensing tray includes a tray latching bar which latches to a station latching bar to hold the dispensing tray.

Abstract: A product dispensing mechanism in a vending machine dispensing such products as cigarettes and candy bars, the mechanism permitting the product to be vertically stacked in the vending machine, the lowermost unit of the product being seated between the adjacent coils of a short length of a coiled member which is rotated by an external operating member to advance the product along the member and discharge the same down a dispensing ramp.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided which includes a generally upright body having an external helical groove journalled for rotation in a preferably transparent outer sleeve. Resilient fingers in the groove or on the inside of the sleeve project into the groove space. An outlet is provided near the top of the dispenser. As the body is rotated, preferably manually, relative to the sleeve in one angular sense, small, firm round objects located in the groove are urged along the groove and serially expelled from the dispenser at the outlet. The dispenser regionally of the outlet may be shaped to resemble a cartoon character or the like. In a preferred embodiment the outlet does not rotate relative to the grooved body so there is no danger that a child can hurt its finger by sticking it into the outlet while the dispenser is being operated. The device is useful in teaching a small child the art of twisting one object relative to another, pepper grinder-fashion.

Abstract: A vending machine having a plurality of helically-wound dispensing coils with merchandise items disposed between adjacent coil convolutions is provided with a coil operating system movable along X-Y axes. A first drive motor rotates a vertically-oriented shaft to reciprocate a traveler movable thereon and supporting a horizontally-disposed member. A second drive motor and a counter-balancing weight, mounted adjacent to the ends of the member, are interconnected by a second shaft rotatably secured to the second motor and the weight. A horizontally-movable traveler carrying a dispensing coil actuator reciprocates along the second shaft. A control unit responds to signals from a coin-operated merchandise selector to move both travelers, vertically and horizontally, respectively, to position the actuator adjacent to the dispensing coil for the selected item. Operation of the actuator motor rotates the coil to dispense the item.

Abstract: An automated pipe handling system is provided to increase safety and to minimize the number of workmen required in the coupling and uncoupling of pipe stands. The system includes a programmable controller for monitoring and/or controlling devices which remove and add pipe stands to a drill column. A number of transducers are operatively connected to the controlled devices for communication with the programmable controller for use in verifying that the controlled devices have properly performed their programmed tasks. The controlled devices include upper and lower arm assemblies for use in engaging and moving the uncoupled pipe stands to a storage position. The controlled devices further include a finger board assembly and a set-back assembly. The finger board assembly moves and retains the upper portions of the pipe stands while a drill rig floor of a derrick supports their lower portions.

Abstract: A portable toothpick case comprises a flat box-like body composed of a flat base member and a flat cover member and having lengthwisely elongated top and bottom openings on its top and bottom periphery walls; a lid member lengthwisely slidably mounted on the top opening of the body and having a guide plate and an opening for taking out toothpicks contained in the body one by one; a toothpick delivery structure; a movable bottom plate mounted on the bottom opening of the body; and fixing clips for integrally fixing the base and cover members. Toothpicks are inserted into the body through the bottom opening and are taken out one by one by sliding the lid member.

Abstract: The support apparatus (39) for rotatably supporting an elongated semi-rigid helical (22) having a center longitudinal axis (52), of the type used for dispensing articles (38) from a dispensing machine, above a substantially planar shelf surface (34) having a front edge (36) is disclosed. The support apparatus (39) comprises a first coil support member (40) and a second coil support member (42) each defining a generally planar upper surface (41) and (43) respectively to lie above and generally parallel to a shelf surface (34) and adjacent a front end (36) thereof. The first and second coil support members (40 and 42) are disposed in spaced, generally parallel relationship to one another, and wherein the first and second coil support members (40 and 42) are laterally spaced apart from one another a sufficient distance to cooperatively support a helical coil on and between the first and second upper surfaces (40 and 42).

Abstract: A vending apparatus is disclosed which is adjustable for delivering products of different sizes and shapes and which is particularly suited for easy field conversion or changeover for a desired product delivery. The vending apparatus includes a plurality of identical rotary dispensing shafts each having a helical scroll with the dispensing shafts vertically disposed in an aligned array. To establish a preselected drop-off for a given product, the dispensing shafts are each angularly adjustable relative to one another. A power operated, rotary actuator shaft is provided with a plurality of gears fixed on the actuator shaft. The actuator shaft gears are meshingly engageable respectively with a corresponding gear on each dispensing shaft.

Abstract: A modular helical carrier mechanism for dispensing bottles and cans is readily mounted and dismounted from a vending machine, to make its parts and assemblies readily accessible. A frame portion of the module may include a tie bar providing support for the carriers, which tie bar engages the lower edge of an overlying partition wall of the machine, to provide an assembly of enhanced rigidity.

Abstract: The invention comprises a dispenser for sequentially dispensing a plurality of articles, including a removable dispensing cartridge for storing foods or other articles to be dispensed. The cartridge includes support for supporting the articles in spaced vertical relationship, and a guide for guiding the movement of the articles within the cartridge. The dispenser further includes a displacement actuator for displacing the stored articles from the support during the dispensing process. The dispenser is particularly adapted for dispensing skewered foodstuffs, and is especially contemplated for use in combination with a cooking apparatus of the type wherein raw food is conveyed past a cooking element by an endless conveyor.

Abstract: A coin operated delivery system for manual dispensing of products from vending machines. The system, being manually operable and of relatively simple construction, is intended for use in low volume sales locations where the use of large expensive electrically operated vending machines cannot be justified because of insufficient sales volume. The system comprises an elongated open top horizontal channel in which is disposed an elongated helix of substantially the same length. The coils of the helix are widely spaced apart to receive the individual items of product to be dispensed between the adjacent coils. The helix is linked to a rotatable coin receiver mechanism. Upon insertion of a coin, the coin receiving mechanism and the helix may be rotated through one full rotation to force the unit of product contained in the outermost coil of the helix to be discharged from the channel.

Abstract: A helical carrier mechanism for dispensing bottles and cans from a vending machine has adjustable and removable carriers, to permit facile conversion, preferably between two- and three-deep alternative modes of operation. The mechanism may employ cam members, used to control the energizing circuit of the operating motor, which are reversible so as to present different numbers of lobes, and the frame in which the carriers are mounted may have spring-loaded members, both to further facilitate conversions.

Abstract: A helical carrier mechanism for dispensing bottles and cans from a vending machine has at least one carrier which can be rendered inoperative and non-interfering, such as by removal, to permit facile conversion between two- and three-deep alternative modes of operation. The mechanism may include a cover that is configured to cooperate with the internal walls and hopper of the machine, to afford smooth, gentle and dependable dispensing of the product.

Abstract: This invention involves a vending machine having helix discharge units used to store and dispense packaged objects such as ship products, etc. The unit preferably utilizes a rotatable helix dispensing spindle having an adjustable rod within the convolutions of the helix which can be pivoted from horizontal to vertical to vary the size of the merchandise storage compartments in the helix to accommodate different size packages. The size of the compartments is determined by the position of the rod, the compartment being largest when the rod is vertical and smallest when it is horizontal.

Abstract: This invention involves a vending machine having helix discharge units which are used to store and dispense packaged objects such as chip products, candy, mints, chewing gum, candy bars, cigarettes, cigars, etc. The unit preferably utilizes a rotatable helix dispensing spindle having a pivotally adjustable panel within the convolutions of the helix which can be moved from horizontal to vertical to change the size of the compartment to accommodate different size packages. The size of the compartment is determined by the position of the panel with the compartment being largest when the panel is vertical and smallest when it is horizontal.

Abstract: An auxiliary can dispensing unit (30) for use in vending machine (2) comprises an inclined track (32). Pivotal control member (62) at the discharge end (34) of track (32) dispenses a single can (42) at a time. Pivotal control member (62) is actuated by a cam (78) and connecting rod (98) which are releasably secured to the output shaft (20) of a motor. The inclined track (32) is releasably contained in dispensing channel (10) of vending machine (2) and is meant to replace the helical coil (14) normally used therein.

Abstract: This invention involves a vending machine having helix discharge units. The units are used to store and dispense packaged objects such as chip products, candy, mints, chewing gum, candy bars, cigarettes, cigars, etc. The unit preferably utilizes a rotatable helix dispensing spindle having a central divider within the convolutions of the helix which divides the helix into separate side-by-side compartments and is expansible to vary the size of the compartments to accommodate different size packages.

Abstract: This invention involves a vending machine having helix discharge units in which the rearmost convolution of the helix is retained by a clip and held off the floor of the unit to reduce friction and prevent excessive side-to-side movement of the rear of the helix. The units are used to store and dispense packaged objects such as chip products, candy, mints, chewing gum, candy bars, cigarettes, cigars, etc. The unit preferably utilizes a rotatable helix dispensing spindle having a central divider within the convolutions of the helix which can be adjusted by rotation from horizontal to vertical and which divides the helix into separate side-by-side compartments which can be varied in any size to accommodate different size packages. The size of the compartments is determined by the position of the center divider, the two compartments being largest when the divider is vertical and smallest when it is horizontal.

Abstract: A merchandising machine shelf supporting structure in which respective left and right hand cabinet panel supported lower guide rails receive rollers mounted at the rear of the shelf and in which left and right hand shelf supported upper guide rails receive cabinet panel carried rollers mounted adjacent to the front of the cabinet. As the shelf is moved manually from a housed or home position at which shelf carried plugs engage cabinet carried sockets the rollers and rails support the cabinet so that the force required to withdraw the shelf is relatively low. As the shelf approaches its intermediate position at which the shelf is to be loaded, pins on the shelf engage stops at the front ends of the lower guide rails and the shelf is permitted to pivot to a position at which the shelf rollers are received in recesses formed by elements secured to lower guide rails. After loading the shelf may easily be returned to its home position.

Abstract: A product rack structure for an automatic vending machine for cylindrically-shaped product items including a movable rack board disposed opposite one sidewall of the rack housing. Product supporting members are provided opposite one another on the rack board and sidewall. To vend a product item, the rack board is reciprocated once up and down. The vertical pitch of the supporting members, the horizontal spacing between supporting members and the stroke length of the rack board are determined such that each product item drops by one space for each reciprocation of the rack board.

Abstract: This invention involves an adjustable divider for vending machine helix discharge units. The units are used to store and dispense packaged objects such as chip products, candy, mints, chewing gum, candy bars, cigarettes, cigars, etc. The unit basically comprises a large rotatable helix dispensing spindle having a central divider within the convolutions of the helix which can be adjusted from horizontal to vertical and which divides the helix into separate side by side compartments. The size of the compartments is determined by the position of the center divider, the two compartments being largest when the divider is vertical and smallest when it is horizontal. The compartments are varied in size to accommodate different size packages.

Abstract: A helical coil vending machine includes a housing having a plurality of shelves thereon. Each shelf includes a plurality of elongated helical coils of a first size received in dispensing channels having a nominal width. This invention relates to an auxiliary dispensing unit which can be received in selected ones of the dispensing channels. The auxiliary dispensing unit includes a replacable insert member or trough receivable in the dispensing channel to decrease its cross-sectional width. The first sized coil in this channel is then replaced by a second and smaller coil which is received inside the insert member. The auxiliary dispensing unit is suited for receiving relatively thin articles such as gum and mint packages therebetween for vending such articles using a helical coil mechanism.

Abstract: An improved locking apparatus for a slidably mounted product carrying shelf in a helical coil vending machine. Each shelf includes a front roller normally retained in a front stop. The locking apparatus comprises a pivotably mounted lock member mounted above the front stop of each shelf. The lock member has a lock surface which in a first or normal position of the lock member prevents the front roller from being removed from the front stop to lock the shelf in position in the vending machine. The lock member may be rotated to either a second or third position where the lock surface clears the front roller to allow the shelf to be slid out of the vending machine. The lock member is counterweighted such that it will remain in its third position to allow an operator to completely remove the shelf from the vending machine.

Abstract: A door and shelf interlock system for a vending machine comprises a vertically movable locking bar operatively coupled to the pivot structure of the door of the vending machine. The locking bar in a first position prevents any of the shelves from being pulled out from their normally retracted position inside the machine. A locking member is associated with each shelf. If the shelf is pulled out from its normally retracted position, the locking member engages the locking bar to prevent the door from being closed until the shelf is placed back into its retracted position.

Abstract: In a dispensing machine, a magazine is provided in which a multiplicity of packets to be dispensed are maintained in a magazine supported by clips which support the packets on a helical screw. The packets are dispensed individually by energizing a motor to turn the screw, during which the endmost packet drops into a receiving tray. The drop of the packet is detected by a photosensitive detector, and the screw driving motor is deenergized. The magazine contains a channel for maintaining the packets in single-file relationship as they are advanced toward the end of the screw in response to rotation of the screw. The tray into which the packets are dropped is slidable between an inner position, in which it is disposed below the dispensing magazine, and an outer position in which the contents of the tray are accessible to an operator. The tray is forced toward an outer position, and a motorized drive is provided for moving the tray backwardly and forwardly when the tray is in a rearward position.

Abstract: In a dispensing machine of a helical coil type having a plurality of shelves which each contain at least one elongated helical dispensing coil, an insert member is received inside the convolutions of selected coils. Each insert member comprises a plastic rail member having a bracket at one end. The bracket loosely and nonrotatably journals the insert member about the shank of the output shaft of the motor for the coil. The insert member extends forwardly through the coil to a position between the last and next to last convolutions of the coil. The insert member is free floating relative to the coil by virtue of its mounting and rides on the inner surfaces of the lowermost portions of the convolutions of the coil. Rotation of the coil imparts a rocking movement to the insert member. Thus, the insert member supports the products received in the coil above the shelf surface and further agitates these products to prevent their sticking to the insert member.

Abstract: An improved shelf configuration for a spiral vending machine is embodied in a novel support apparatus for rotatably supporting the forward or discharge end of a helical coil used to dispense packaged food products or the like from the machine. The support apparatus comprises a first elongated coil support member transversely spaced from and parallel to a second elongated coil support member. The coil support members each define a ramp at one end respectively thereof upwardly inclined between the shelf surface on which the food products to be dispensed rest and an upper planar surface disposed above the shelf surface. The coil support members each terminate at coplanar second ends which are connected together by means of a downwardly inclined ramp. One of the coil support members adjacent the downwardly inclined ramp has a beveled inner edge portion to allow at least some products moved by the coil to be oriented in a transversely tilted position immediately before dispensing.

Abstract: A newspaper vending machine comprising a rectangular case having a filling opening for receiving newspapers, conveyor structure to advance the newspapers to a delivery slot through which the folded back of a newspaper is bent out and protruded to hand out the newspaper to a purchaser who has inserted the required coin amount.

Abstract: A connection apparatus for a vending machine of a type having a helically shaped member which is connected to a drive shaft in a novel manner. A one piece molded plastic member has a hub section for connection to the drive shaft and a plurality of radially extending arms for connection to a convolution of the helically shaped member.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing ball-like objects and more particularly to an apparatus with a grooved longitudinally disposed member and a surrounding sleeve having a helical inwardly extending rib therein rotatably mounted around the sleeve, the objects being dispensed by the rib pushing them along the groove and out of the apparatus as the sleeve is rotated.

Abstract: An ice piece dispenser for automatically dispensing pieces of ice from a collecting bin associated with an automatic ice maker. The dispenser includes a delivery member for transferring the ice pieces from the collecting bin to a delivery position. A metering device is provided at the transfer position between the collecting bin and delivery member for providing a metered delivery of the ice pieces to the delivery member which may have a relatively large delivery capacity so as to permit use of the apparatus in dispensing any one of a plurality of different size and shape ice pieces. The metering device may be any one of a plurality of different metering devices correlated with the size and configuration of the ice pieces intended to be dispensed in the apparatus.

Abstract: Improved dispensing apparatus for dispensing machines of the type having at least one dispensing tray containing a dispensing unit which dispenses articles from the machine by the use of a helical dispensing coil. Improved mounting apparatus is provided for supporting both the forward and back end portions of the dispensing coil. A cross-bracket member having a portion extending across the diameter of the coil, is mounted to the back portion of the coil. A cross-bracket holding device, connected for rotation by appropriate motor means, releasably accepts the cross-bracket for mounting the back portion of the coil in elevated position above the shelf surface of the dispensing tray. The cross-bracket holding device is configured to matingly accept differently sized cross-bracket members, to enable rapid interchangeability of differently sized dispensing coils in the machine.

Abstract: A vendor comprising a cabinet having a front door and shelves in the cabinet for holding items to be vended, the shelves being slidable into and out of the cabinet at the front of the cabinet when the door is open, the vendor having means for locking the shelves in the cabinet unless the door is opened far enough to enable the shelves to be slid out without striking the door, and means for locking the door in open position when any shelf is in an extended position at least within a predetermined range of extension from its position within the cabinet to prevent closing the door against a shelf.

Abstract: A vendor comprising a cabinet having a first and a second bank of article dispensers therein, each bank comprising a plurality of dispensers located one above another, each dispenser being adapted to feed articles toward one end of the dispenser and discharge the leading article to drop by gravity, the two banks feeding to a common drop space in the cabinet, and a closure for closing off either the first or the second bank from the drop space.

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

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for vending sealed water filled bags of live bait by way of a plurality of helical conveyors coupled with support shafts rotatably driven by selectively actuated motors. The apparatus includes a spring loaded platform assembly having a dispensing chute aligned with the opening in the housing; transparent windows for viewing the bags prior to vending; and a switch assembly responsive to the weight of the bags for preventing initiation of the vending cycle when the supply of bags is exhausted.

Abstract: A plurality of item discharge units disposed in side-by-side fashion within a vending machine, each unit including a tray with a selectively driven helix rotatably disposed therein. A divider member is mounted completely within the helix and extends along the length of the helix and upon the divider member and extends downwardly and at an angle therefrom on both sides of the divider to form spaces triangular in cross section between the divider and the walls of the tray.

Abstract: A rear-to-front spiral vendor having special provision for vending items such as bags of snack products, e.g., bags of potato chips, without hang-up of the items against the front window of the cabinet of the vendor.

Abstract: A vending apparatus of a type utilizing a selectively rotatable helical member. The helical member is connected at one end to an annular plate having gear teeth around the inner periphery thereof. A drive gear is disposed within the annular plate and is in operative engagement with the teeth on the inner periphery of the annular plate. The drive gear and thereby the annular plate and helix is driven ultimately by an electric motor. Once the motor is turned on the helical member will rotate one-half of a revolution before being switched off by a switching device. A vertical divider is disposed within the helical member and supports the helical member along the top thereof. A portion of the helical member is aligned along the longitudinal axis of the helix and this portion is connected to the vertical divider for stabilizing and supporting the helical member as it rotates. A plurality of such vending units are stacked on top of one another and are slidable into and out from a cabinet housing.