GB1276190A - Improvements in or relating to vending apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1276190 Multiple selection vending apparatus VENDO CO 17 June 1970 [14 Jan 1970] 29345/70 Heading G4V A vending machine has a plurality of product dispensing mechanisms, any one of which can be selected for vending. The machine includes a control circuit that prevents simultaneous actuation of more than one dispensing mechanism, and that isolates a dispensing mechanism in the event of its jamming so that a product is prevented from being dispensed, while rendering the remaining dispensing mechanisms operational. As described, a vending machine includes three columns of articles that are dispensed by one of three paddle wheels 12, 12a, 12b, a column being selected by an associated selection switch 26, 26a or 26b. The paddle wheel construction is described in Specification 1,276,189. The deposit of coins totalling the price of an article momentarily actuates a coin switch 46 to energize a credit relay coil 36; coil 36 is then held on by relay switches 38 and 40. The relay switch 40 also de-energizes a coin return electromagnet 44, which thereafter returns to the operator all further coins deposited. The relay switch 42 supplies power from a rail 48 to the selection switches 26, 26a, 26b, and to three relay hold switches 22, 22a, 22b. Normal operation.-If the selection switch 26 is momentarily actuated after coin deposit, a vend solenoid 20 is energized through the contact 16 of a "lockout" switch associated with the paddle wheel 12. The initial movement of the vend armature 20 actuates a relay switch 22 to hold the solenoid 20 energized. Further armature movement actuates a credit cancel switch 24 that de-energizes the credit relay 36. Power is thereby removed from the relay hold switch 22, and the vend solenoid 20 de-energized. The armature of solenoid 20 is clutched to the paddle wheel 12, which therefore rotates to dispense an article at the start of the return movement of the armature. During the dispensation, a cam 14 attached to the paddlewheel 12 switches over a pair of "lock-out" switches 16, 18. When the vend armature 20 reaches its starting position, the switches 22, 16 and 18 are returned to their initial positions. The selection switches 26, 26a and 26b and the vend solenoid hold switches 22, 22a and 22b, are arranged in a ladder formation that ensures that credit is cancelled from the credit relay 36 before more than one vend solenoid can be actuated. In the event of malfunction.-If the paddle wheel 12 jams during the delivery operation,the complete return of the vend armature 20 is prevented, and the relay switch 22 and "lockout" switches 16, 18 remain in an activated position. "Lockout" switch 16 serves to isolate the vend solenoid 20 to prevent further energization, and to shunt power from the line 64 to the remaining two selection switches 26a, 26b. The "lockout" switch 18 energizes a warning lamp 32 associated with the paddle wheel 12. In the event of a malfunction of all three paddle wheels 12, 12a, 12b, the three "lockout" switches 18, 18a, 18b will simultaneously remain actuated to isolate the coin return electromagnet 44 and so return all deposited coins. When articles are sold out, the switches 28, 28a, 28b, 30, 30a, 30b disconnect the appropriate selector switch 26, 26a, 26b and energize the appropriate sold-out lamp 32, 32a, 32b.