Abstract: An automated delivery system includes a unitary wheel assembly having a plurality of horizontally disposed tiers each supporting a plurality of radially extending product bins. Electronic control components including customer interfacing devices, regulate the operation of a motor to rotate the wheel assembly to position a specific bin juxtaposed a single, fixed delivery chute, at which point one stationary discharge assistant as provided for each tier is actuated to manipulate a gate assembly associated with each bin to cause the discharge of its product, by gravity, into the chute. Input keyboard, monitor, credit card and currency processing devices connected to the control components permit varied types of transactions by customers of the system.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing articles, particularly video tape cassettes, comprising a plurality of containers (26) for the articles and arranged in columns and having a transparent front panel to allow a user to identify the article therein. Each container being pivoted (42) and held closed by a latch (34, 47). Operation of the apparatus by a user selecting a container releasing the latch and allowing the container to be moved to an open position by a spring (53).

Abstract: A machine for renting articles, e.g. video cassettes, which stores individual articles in containers (26) from which they may be rented by the user and wherein an opto-electronic emitter and sensor cobination (55) is provided to sense whether an article is in a container when the latter is in its closed state, a further opto-electronic emitter and sensor combination (56) may be provided to sense whether or not a container is in its closed state, a microprocessor (61) is arranged to permit the container to remain in its closed state if the article is sensed in the container and to re-open the container if it is not so sensed, and when the container is closed a predetermined number of further times without the article being sensed, disabling action is taken.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a storage and inventory control system for keys wherein a microprocessor controlled positioning assembly directs a key to an inclined storage receptacle, and a withdrawal assembly releases the key from the storage receptacle. The positioning assembly is provided with an inclined receiving receptacle that is selectively positioned to release the key into an appropriate storage receptacle. The withdrawal assembly is provided with an opening element for releasing the key from the storage receptacle so that it can be picked up by a user. The microprocesor records usage data such as use of the key, user of the key, and the time of key usage.

Abstract: A vending machine which comprises a replaceable, transparent loading magazine forming an array of honeycomb slots holding the goods to be dispensed. The magazine is positioned over the slanted top of the vending machine. Each honeycomb slot has a small hinged trap door upon which the goods held therein rest. The trap door is held closed by a flexible member associated with a system of crossbars. A solenoid is used at the end of each crossbar to shift it laterally. Only the flexible member positioned at the cross point of two activated crossbars is allowed to move and release the corresponding trap door. A chute under the trap doors directs the goods falling therethrough toward a dispensing station. The goods selection is made by dialing on a keyboard the identifying symbol of the slot holding the desired item. The keyboard is activated by signals issued from a coin box after detection of the correct change.

Abstract: In a trap door chute for vending machines, doors are pivotably mounted to sidewalls of the machine, in a certain trap door chute division. Each door supports itself in its merchandise storing position by a finger on an electric detention member. Along one chute wall extends at least one vertical track, along which a carriage with a cam for the deflection of the detention member is movably guided. A lifting bar extends parallel to the track and has a row of teeth whose spacing corresponds to the smallest trap door chute division. The carriage supports itself on the row of teeth via a stepping pawl. A stop is provided on the carriage, with which it rests on one of the detention members. The detention members are tines of a rake made of a spring material.

Abstract: A novel shelf arrangement for a drop shelf vending machine of the type used for newspapers and the like wherein the shelves are staggered or of varying width to suggest the loading or unloading of several shelves at any one given time.

Abstract: A vending machine containing horizontal pivotable shelves disposed side-by-side are adapted to support articles to be dispensed. A device is disclosed for selectively converting two adjacent shelves so that they function as a single shelf whereby an operator can simultaneously attain dispensing from the two adjacent shelves.

Abstract: An automatic feeder for animals adapted to dispense packaged food at a preset time, wherein the automatic feeder comprises an elongated vertical housing having a plurality of storage bins defined by a movable shelf selectively operated to drop stored food packages by means of a solenoid-operated ejector carriage which is mounted to a vertical track and supported in position by a retainer member adjacent each storage bin. The solenoid is activated by a timing device, causing the ejector to work its way down from the top of the housing and sequentially push each movable shelf to a discharge position, thus allowing each package to drop down a chute and engage cutting blades located adjacent the bottom of the chute, so as to release the food from the package for consumption.

Abstract: A semi-automatic display supporting mechanism for a single copy periodical vending machine wherein the display copy of a magazine, newspaper or the like is vended to a purchaser in due sequence after the principle storage area of the machine has been exhausted, which encompasses linkages whereby the supporting mechanism is reoriented to retain a new display copy by the very act of gaining access to the display area. The advantages are threefold in that the prospective purchaser may see a copy of that which he might purchase, the display copy is not wasted because it is vendable and because of the semi-automatic reset means a minimum of time is expended in replacing a vended copy.

Abstract: A novel system for supporting, releasing and resetting the shelves of a drop shelf vending machine wherein a pawl with a double sided actuating ramp is retracted by an extended roller chain link pin on the upward or vend cycle, the back side of actuating ramp being of such configuration as to act as a passive guide for the extended pin on the downward or reset cycle and, whereby a lever controlled linkage raises a multiplicity of shelves in a single operation.

Abstract: A product dispensing apparatus of a coin operated type is provided with a housing having a product delivery compartment attached thereto. A frame structure is rotatably mounted within the housing and has a plurality of product column assemblies mounted in a carousel arrangement. Each of the product column assemblies has a set of shelves, each shelf pivotally attached thereto and oriented one above another in each column for allowing a product to be placed thereon for dispensing, one at a time. A radially extending partition wall is disposed on each side of each set of shelves for preventing the product from being moved off of the shelf. Each of the shelves is a generally pie section shaped configuration with side wing members that fold so that such shelves do not become wedged between the partition walls when they drop towards a product dispensing position.

Abstract: A low cost apparatus adapted to permit shelf type vending machines adapted to sell small items such as candy bars to be modified so that larger items such as cakes and pies can be sold therefrom. The apparatus comprises a panel which fits onto a shelf of the machine so as to widen it to accomodate such larger items. Ease of assembly is assured by having the panel engage the shelf with a pair of runners which engage the sides of said shelf and hold it in place with a friction fit.

Abstract: An article handling device is adapted for storing and readying cassettes, film cards and other information carriers of essentially equal size. The device comprises a support frame including a plurality of compartments for accepting articles to be stored, these compartments being arranged in vertically oriented rows of generally aligned, opposing pairs of compartments, with the rows being spaced apart from one another to define a passageway between the rows, each compartment having an inclined floor member, with the floor members of each compartment pair being inclined outwardly away from the passageway; and apparatus for selectively inserting an article into one of the compartments, comprising a lifting assembly which is vertically displaceable in the passageway and an article carrier mounted on the lifting assembly such that the carrier is tiltable from the horizontal position bilaterally to an angle which is parallel to the inclined floor member of either compartment of a compartment pair.

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 machine using a drop shelf trigger operated vending mechanism. The drop shelf vending mechanism employs a rack having vertically aligned drop shelves having a square shaft which is axially slidable within a square hole provided in a wall of the rack. A rounded end portion of the shelf extends beyond the square hole in one side of the rack and is adapted to be contacted by an upwardly spring biased trigger that fits around and into the shaft inwardly into registry with the squared hole in the side wall of the rack where the drop shelf drops to release the article. The trigger mechanism is operated by a trip lever contacted by conventional coin actuating mechanism which turns an operating shaft upon which the trigger is slidably mounted. The trigger is spring biased upwardly on the shaft to contact in sequence the lower most and then further drop shelves. A trigger stop on the trigger stops the trigger at each unoperated drop shelf in sequence.

Abstract: A system for processing and finishing stained glass slides includes a staining rack for receiving stained slides and including a device for discharging the stained slides therefrom, a conveyor for receiving the discharged stained slides from the staining rack, and for transporting the stained slides in a direction away from the staining rack; and a slide finishing station cooperating with the conveyor. The slide finishing station includes a device for depositing glue onto the stained slide; the stained slide carries the glue, and a device is provided for applying a cover glass to the glue-carrying slide.

Abstract: A vending device for dispensing newspapers or the like, said device comprising a coin acceptor mechanism, a master dog assembly operatively connected to the coin acceptor mechanism for coacting with dispensing shelves and including a pivotally mounted master dog which permits rapid reset upon reloading of the device, and a stop pin located at the end of the path of travel of the master dog assembly to prevent full return of the coin acceptor, such that further acceptance of coins is not possible after the last newspaper has been dispensed.