US2729376A - Beverage vending machine - Google Patents

Description

J 3, 1956 M. A. GOULD ET AL 2,729,376

BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 14, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I L II I] M INVENTORS Marcus A. Gould 2* BY ke/mdh Armson 3, .1956 M. A. GOULD ET AL BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 14, 1950 INVENTORS M 15 Ll Mn r U 0A 6/ AM 8 wn 60 e k My B Jan. 3, 1956 M. A. GOULD ET AL 2,729,376

BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 14, 1950 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS Marcus A. Gou/o BY Kennerh Armson Jan. 3, 1956 M. A. GOULD ETAL BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 14, 1950 Jan. 3, 1956 M. A. GOULD ET AL BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan 14, 1950 mmvrozas Marcus A. Goa/o BY kennef/z Armson Jan. 3, 1956 M. A. GOULD ET AL BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 14, 1950 INVENTORS Marcus /1. 600/0 2 BY A e/mefh Armsofl United States Patent BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE Marcus A. Gould, San Diego, Calif., and Kenneth I. Arntson, Fort Worth, Tex.

Application January 14, 1950, Serial No. 138,634

11 Claims. (Cl. 226-463) The present invention relates in general to vending machines, and is more particularly directed to the arrangement and construction of an improved vending machine for beverages of the type in which the ingredients of the beverage are mixed within the machine and delivered to the customer in an open receptacle such as a disposable cup. The vending machine contempalted by the present invention is particularly adapted for use in dispensing hot beverages such as coffee, chocolate, soups, etc., formed by the admixture of a hot liquid as water with a suitable food concentrate. The machine is especially designed to accommodate and vend beverages in disposable cups of the type described in co-pending application Serial #112,786, filed August 27, 1949, now abandoned, in the name of Marcus A. Gould, in which the cups are adapted to be stored in the vending machine in stacked or nested relationship and wherein each cup is provided with an internal groove or bead spaced above the closed bottom portion of such diameter as to engage the lower edge of a cup nested therein, as a means of providing a sealed compartment in the bottom of each cup for containing a pre-disposed beverage-forming concentrate. By vending nested cups of this type, separation or release of the lowest cup exposes the concentrate therein and the addition of hot water or other liquid directly forms the beverage.

In the past, vending machines of the type under consideration have employed beverage-forming syrups, liquid extracts, juices, and the like stored in tanks or other types of reservoir with means for metering the required amount into each of the cups or receptacles. In order to conform to pure food statutes and maintain the machine in a hygienic condition, it has been necessary to provide special means for handling such materials and sterilizing the portions of the machine with which they come into contact. In vending certain beverages such as coffee mixed with milk or cream, additional means have been required to refrigerate or maintain one or another of the ingredients at a reduced temperature in order to keep them from spoiling while stored in the machine. These provisions-have necessitated complicating the structure of the machine and therefore increasing its cost.

In the present machine, by utilizing the principal beverageforming ingredients in powdered concentrate form, and disposing the proper amount in each individual cup prior to storing the cups within the machine in such a manner that only the addition of water is necessary to form the beverage, the foregoing complications are eliminated and a relatively simple vending machine is provided whereby the first cost and cost of maintenance are greatly reduced and vending of many types of beverages heretofore considered economically impractical becomes possible.

' In utilizing the beverage forming concentrate in dry or powedered form,- it is essential that the materials be maintained at all times in a dry condition, not only to prevent caking but also to produce a beverage of full aroma and flavor. To this end, the present machine comprises a particular arrangement of the components forming the storage and dispensing elements whereby the cups containing the powdered ingredients are at all times kept within a relatively sealed compartment in which the ambient atmosphere is maintained in a dry or arid condition.

In addition to the above features, the vending machine of the present invention provides means for vending a variety of beverages from the same machine by the use of a plurality of separately controlled compartments in which stacks of cups haivng different beverage-forming concentrates may be stored for vending purposes. Additionally, simple and improved means are provided for the positive and selective release of a single cup from the storage compartment as well as accurately metering a desired amount of liquid into the cup prior to its delivery to the customer. The present machine is primarily adapted for coin-operation and to this end simple and positive means are provided for selectively actuating the dispensing mechanism associated with each of the storage compartments of the machine while positively locking the other mechanisms to prevent multiple operation from a single coin.

The principal objective of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved beverage-vending machine of the type in which the ingredients are mixed within the machine and delivered to the customer in an open receptacle such as a disposable cup.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vending machine for dispensing beverages which are formed within the machine by the addition of a liquid such as water to a powdered concentrate predisposed in cups which are stored in stacked or nested relationship in the machine prior to delivery to the customer, thereby eliminating the necessity for complicated sanitizing, sterilizing and refn'gerating equipment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a beverage-vending machine which is simple in construction and therefore relatively inexpensive to manufacture, operate, and maintain.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine for beverages formed by the addition of water to a powdered food concentrate predisposed in disposable cups, having one or more storage compartments provided with simple yet efiective means for preventing caking and maintaining the condition of the powdered concentrates while stored in the machine so that a beverage of full flavor and strength is always produced.

A still further object is to provide a machine of the class described having means associated with each storage compartment for positively releasing the lowest cup of each stack while maintaining the support of the remaining cups, and for metering a predetermined amount of liquid into the released cup prior to delivery to the customer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coinoperated vending macine of the type under consideration having a plurality of storage compartments and means for selectively dispensing a single vended article from one of the compartments while the dispensing mechanisms of the other compartments are positively locked to prevent multiple actuation from a single coin.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and by reference to the drawings which form a part hereof, in which like numerals of reference designate like parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a general perspective view of a vending machine embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial vertical section of the vending machine illustrating the general arrangement of its operating components;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the operating elements of the vending machine;

Fig.4 is' an enlarged vertical section showing in particular the storing, actuating, releasing, and liquid-controlling elements of the machine;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view showing in greater detail the actuating mechanism and the means of releasing the articles to be vended;

Fig. 6 is a perspective showing the relationship of the actuating elements and particularly the means of releasing the articles and controlling the liquid flow;

Fig. 7 is a rear view of the article storage compartments and the associated actuating means;

Fig. 8 is a partial rear perspective illustrating the means of interlocking the actuating mechanism to prevent multiple operation and in which certain elements have been omitted for clarity;

Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration showing the operation of the interlocking mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a perspective detail of the means for supporting and separating the articles to be vended;

Fig. 11 is a perspective illustrating the means for indicating the contents of the article storage compartments;

Fig. 12 is a partial side view of the coin-actuating mechanism of the machine, showing the means for dispensing a stirring implement with each article;

.Fig. 13 is a partial perspective of the means for actuating the coin-return mechanism.

The beverage vending machine A illustrated in the drawings constitutes a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As particularly shown in Fig. 1, all of the operating mechanism of the machine is adapted to be enclosed in a suitable housing or cabinet 1 in such a manner that the only elements exposed to the customer when the machine is closed and in readiness for operation comprise a coin-release slide 2, a series of operating levers 3, a delivery opening 4 through which the vended goods are made available to the customer, an opening 5 through which a stirring implement such as a wooden spoon is delivered upon each operation of the machine, and a coinreturn receptacle 6. Preferably, all of the foregoing ele ments are disposed in the front or face portion 7 of a door section 8 comprising a part of one side of the cabinet 1. The door section 8 is hinged along one side in such a manner that it may be opened to atford access to the operating mechanism of the vending machine for ously may be utilized for vending a wide variety of articles, and many of its features are capable in themselves of use in connection with vending machine designs in which other general arrangements than herein illustrated are employed. However, the particular embodiment illustrated and hereafter described is specifically adaptable for vending beverages formed within the machine by the admixture of a liquid, preferably water, to a food concentrate in powdered form. There are many varieties of food essences and extracts that are capable of being concentrated. in this form and which are adaptable upon the admixture with a liquid, to .form a beverage. erages include fruit-flavored soft drinks, coffee, chocolate, or soups of variouskinds. In the present case, We have chosen to illustrate and describe the machine arranged to vend hot beverages such as coffee.

Much of the simplicity and economy of the present Such bevinvention arises from the use of disposable paper cups 10 as the vended article as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in which a predetermined amount of beverage-forming concentrate 11 has been disposed prior to storage of the cups 10 in the vending machine A. The cups 10 are adapted to be stored in nested or stacked relation, and when individually released, serve as a receptacle in which the liquid is added to form the beverage and a means of delivering the beverage to the customer. By this means, the necessity for bulk storage of the dry ingredients and metering them in the machine is eliminated, and since the concentrate 11 is maintained within the cup 10 and does not contact the mechanical elements of the machine in any way, it is unnecessary to complicate the machine with expensive sanitizing or sterilizing equipment.

Referring to Fig. 5, each beverage cup 10 comprises a conical wall 12 having a rolled edge 13 defining an open upper end, and a flanged circular disc 14 secured within the smaller lower end to form a closed bottom portion. Conventionally, the disc 14 is sealed to the wall 12 by rolling the lower edge of the latter over the flange of the disc 14, thus spacing the disc 14 somewhat above the lower edge of the wall 12 and defining a bottom lip or rim 15.

Food concentrates of the type under consideration are inherently susceptible of caking as a result of the absorption of moisture in the atmosphere, and in addition the strength and flavor of the resulting beverages are weakened if they are stored for appreciable periods of time in unsealed receptacles. To provide an effective seal for the concentrate 11 after its disposition in the cup 10, an inwardly extending groove or bead 16 is provided in the wall 12 spaced above the disc 14 having an internal diameter slightly less than the diameter of the bottom lip 15. By this means, the bottom lip 15 of one cup 10 engages the head 16 of another disposed in nested relation thereto, forming a compartment between the discs 15 of the cups It) in which the concentrate 11 is effectively sealed. This feature of the cup 10 is the subject matter of the aforesaid co-pending patent application and does not form a part per se of the present invention. Cups formed in this manner are not necessarily essential to the realization of the advantages of the present vending machine, but facilitate handling and storage of the vended'articles prior to and during their insertion in the machine.

While beverage cups having the foregoing sealing feature are effective in preventing exposure of the concentrate 11 disposed in them, we have found it advisable in the vending machine of the present invention to provide additional means for maintaining the cups 10 in as dry an ambient atmosphere as possible while stored within the machine, and for this reason throughout the following description it will be noted that provision is made for maintaining the atmosphere surrounding the articles to be vended in an arid condition. At the same time, it will be noted that the means for accomplishing these ends are simple and efficient, and do not contribute materially to the over-all cost or complexity of the machine or its components.

The present vending machine includes means for storing the articles to be vended as represented by the nested cups 10, comprising one or more vertically disposed support tubes .17 secured, as will be more particularly described, on the rear face of the movable section 8. In

the arrangement shown in the drawings, six of the support tubes 17 are illustrated, it being apparent that the number of tubes employed in the machine is dependent upon the desired capacity of the machine either with respect to the total number of cups 10 or the number of dilferent bever ages desired to be vended. For example, some of the support tubes 17 may contain cups it) having a concentrate 11 producing plain coffee, while others may contain cups 19 having concentrates 11 producing coffee mixed with cream or milk, coffee mixed with sugar, etc.

Beverages formed by the admixture of a concentrate with a liquid obviously may be brought to any desired degree of temperature by heating or chilling the resulting solution, but the time delay necessary in accomplishing this after preparation of the mixture presents ditficulties in connection with vending machines, and an important feature of the present invention resides in the provision of means for storing a supply of the beverage-forming liquid within the machine, with associated means for maintaining the temperature of the liquid at the final temperature of the beverage, so that the addition of a metered amount of the liquid to the cup instantly produces a beverage of the desired temperature. In the illustrated embodiment, the temperature regulating means is in the form of a heat source to elevate the temperature of the liquid in order to produce a heated beverage, but it will be obvious that means may be employed to lower the liquid temperature and thus produce a cold or chilled drink if so desired as for example, by the use of refrigerating equipment associated with the liquid storage means.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 particularly, the liquid storage means comprises a generally rectangular tank or reservoir 18 having an open upper end adapted to accommodate a removable cover 18a. When water is used as the beverage forming liquid of the machine, it is convenient to employ a constant source of supply and to this end a feed line 19 is connected to a suitable intake fitting 20 on one side of the tank 18 above the desired water level, having its other end adapted for connection to a water supply main (not shown). Connected to the fitting 20 inside the tank 18 is a float-controlled valve 21 which serves as means of controlling and maintaining the liquid level.

The tank 18 is supported in the cabinet 1 between a pair of transversely extending stringers 22 whose ends are suitably secured to the sides of the movable section 8. A sump 23 of narrower configuration than the main reservoir is formed in the rear bottom portion of the tank 18, and an elongated electric immersion type heater 24 is disposed through one end thereof adapted for connection to a source of electrical energy (not shown).

A thermostatic switch 25 supported on the rear wall forming the sump 23 and adapted to respond to the temperature of the water within the latter, is interconnected with the immersion heater 24 to control the flow of current to operate the latter and thus maintain the temperature of the water or liquid in the sump 23 at a predetermined value.

On the forward wall of the sump 23 are mounted one or more plunger-operated valves 26 of the type which are Q normally held closed by spring action and which are adapted to be opened by depressing a plunger 27 to release a liquid through the valve body and from a delivery opening 28. A valve 26 is provided for each of the support tubes 17 disposed in the forward wall of the sump 23 in approximate alignment therewith.

The tank 18 is preferably lagged or insulated on all sides with asbestos or the like as indicated by the broken line in Fig. 4, to minimize the heat loss from the liquid in the tank 18 and produce a more uniform temperature gradient.

' The sump 23 provides a restricted chamber for the liquid in contact with the immersion heater 24, reducing the general circulation of the water within the tank 18 and providing an even and constant temperature of liquid at the valves 26.

A drain valve 30 is provided in the lower side of the tank 18. I

The liquid tank 18 and its associated components serve as a common source of hot water or other liquid to be fed or metered into the cups 10 as they are selectively released from the support tubes 1'7.

The support tubes 17 are identical and therefore the following description will be limited to one assembly, it being understood that the description of one represents a similar description of all. For convenience of assembly, the circular support tube 17 comprises a lower tubular section 31 which fits around and accommodates the lower end of an upper tubular section 32 at approximately the mid-point of the assembly, the joint of the two members being scaled by means of an elastic band 33 adapted to encircle the tube 17 and overlap the meeting edge.

The tubes 17 are mounted vertically in equally spaced parallel relation and are supported by means of an upper brace member 34, and a lower brace member 35, extending across the rear face of the movable section 8 and secured at their ends to the sides thereof. The upper tubular section 32 of the tube 17 is secured to the upper brace member 34 by means of a welded clip or bracket 36 provided with flanges 37 disposed outwardly and adapted to abut the upper brace member 34 and to be fastened thereto by screws 38. The lower tubular section 31 is supported on the lower brace member by means of a welded clip or bracket 39 which is provided at its extremities with oppositely extending flanges 40 adapted to be fastened against the lower brace member 35 by screws 41.

A flanged cap 42 is provided to fit over the open end of the upper tubular section 32 and to form an airtight seal therewith by means of a resilient gasket 43 secured within the flange and adapted to bear against the upper edge of the tube opening. A pair of oppositely disposed spring clips 44 are pivotally mounted at 45 to the sides of the upper tubular section 32 having their free ends 44a bent inwardly to engage the upper surface of the cap 42 and secure it in position. The spring-held cap 42 in combination with the gasket 43 thus form a simple and effective seal for the upper end of the support tube 17 A sealing means for the lower end of the tube 17 is also provided comprising a circular resilient sealing band 46 adapted to fit over and project slightly beyond the lower edge of the lower tubular section 31 to form a resilient bearing face for engagement with a closure plate assembly 47 when the latter is in a normal or closed position. As will be described more fully, the closure plate assembly 47 is pivotally mounted and adapted to be moved away from engagement with the sealing band 46 when the machine is actuated to release one of the cups 10 from the tube 17. It will thus be apparent that except when the machine is operated, the vended articles as represented by the cups 10 are maintained within the sealed tube assembly 17 which minimizes the deleterious effect of moisture and maintains the aroma and flavor of the powdered food concentrates 11 disposed within them.

As an additional feature for maintaining the condition of the vended material, we have found it expedient to providc within each of the tubes 17 a small amount of desiccant which may be conveniently supported in a porous bag suspended from a hooked clip 49 secured in the center of the lower side of the cap 42. Calcium chloride or any of a number of commercially available desiccants are satisfactory for the purpose, and are sufficiently inexpen sivc to permit the replacement of the spent desiccator at frequent intervals, as for example, whenever a new supply of the cups it) are disposed within the tube 17. We have found that a small supply of desiccant of this type will maintain the aridity of the air within the tube 17, including the small amount of recirculated air that may be admitted to the tube 17 when it is opened for the ejection of one of the cups 10, in such a manner that the condition of material disposed within the cups 10 may be maintained for considerable lengths of time without loss of flavor and without absorbing suflicient moisture to cause them to cake, or become otherwise difficult to use. I

The mechanism for effecting release of the vended articles from the tubes 17, causing the admixture of liquid with the concentrate 11, and simultaneously actuating the closure plate 47 is most clearly shown in Fig. 4. An intermediate brace member 50 disposed in front of the tubes 17 extends between the sides of the movable section 8 and is suitably secured at its end thereto. Supgreases 7 ported by the intermediate brace member by means of a flange 51 adapted to be secured thereto, is a rearwardly extending elongated bracket 52 disposed adjacent one side of each of the tubes 17.

The rear ends of the brackets 52 are flanged and secured by rivets or welding to the web of a reinforcing angle bracket 53 which extends transversely of the vending machine and is secured at its outer ends to the sides of the movable section 8.

A vertical support bar 55 is riveted or welded at its upper end to the bracket 52, and its lower end is supported by attachment to the rear end of a bracket 56 which is secured to and projects rearwardly from the lower brace member 35. An actuating slide or plate 5'7 is mounted for reciprocal movement in a horizontal direction on the support bar 55 by means of a stud 58 secured in the latter and adapted to engage a transverse slot 59 formed in the slide 57. The stud 53 thus serves to support the slide 57 and limit its movement to the length of the slot 53.

The operating lever 3 comprises a knob or handle 6% fastened to the end of a rod 61 by means of a set-screw 62, the rod 61 being fastened across the lateral face of the slide 57 by means of rivets 63 and 64. The forward end of the rod 61 is journalled in and projects through an aligned opening 65a provided in a bezel plate 65, the

latter being secured to the brace members 50 and 35 so that its outer face is juxtaposed behind the front 7 of the movable section 3. Movement of the actuating slide 57 within the limits permitted by the slot 59 may thus be accomplished by transverse movement of the operating lever 3. in its retracted position, the actuating slide 57 and operating lever 3 are urged towards the rear of the machine by means of a tension spring 66 attached at one end to an extended head of the rivet 64, and at its other end to a hole in a transverse angle bar 67 extending across the movable section 8 of the vending machine and a respect.

A means is provided for preventing the partial extension of'the actuating slide 57 comprising a pivoted latch 63 pinned to the outer face of the bar 55 and having a pointed end portion 69 adapted to engage a series of teeth or castellations 70 formed in the upper edge of the slide 57. Angular movement of the latch 66 is limited by a pair of pins 71 spaced apart on either side of its pivot point. When the actuating slide 57 is in its retracted position, the end portion 69 of the latch 63 hangs freely in a relieved portion '72 of the slide 57. On extension of the slide 57 by means of the operating lever 3, the latch 63 engages the first of the teeth 70 and is swung to it e left as shown. Upon further movement, the pointed end portion 69 successively engages and forms a wedge against the teeth 7% in such a manner that the slide 57 is prevented from returning to its inoperative position even though the knob 6% is relieved. When the slide 57, however, has been fully extended so that the stud 58 engages the right hand end of the slot 59, the end portion 69 of the latch 63 falls clear of the last tooth 68 into a relieved portion 73 formed in the rear end of the slide 57, permitting the latter to rcturn to its inoperative position under the action of the spring 66, the end 69 of the latch 68 passing freely over the teeth 70 unless an attempt is made to withdraw or extend the operating lever 3 before the slide J! is fully retracted, in which case, the latch 63 engages the teeth 76 and restrains further movement until the retracting stroke has been completed. The mechanism thus described com prises an effective means of preventing partial extension or retraction of the operating lever of the vending mi.- chine in order to positively insure a complete and single operating stroke of the-actuating slide 57.

The vending machine A of the present invention contemplates means for locking the actuating mechanism associated with the support tubes 1) until released by the 8 insertion of a coin, which comprises essentially a conventional coin-release slide 2, a transversely disposed swingable frame 74, and a locking lever 75, one of the latter elements being provided for each of the actuating slides 57.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 12 the coin-release slide 2 projects through the front 7 of the movable section 8 adjacent one end of the bank of support tubes 17. While any type of coin-release mechanism may be employed, the device indicated in the drawings utilizes a slide member '76 adaoted upon insertion of the proper coin in a slot exposed to the customer to be moved inwardly, the coin being deposited into a coin box 77 located beneath the mechanism. The rear and unexposed end of the slide member supports a vertical lever 78 which is secured to it by a suitable threaded fastening 77 passing through allanged end portion 78a. The lever 78 is formed with a forwardly extending horizontal portion 78b having a vertical free end projection 780. One end of a tension spring 79 (see Fig. 12) is connected to a hole in the vertical lever 73 and the other is attached in any suitable manner to the rear face of the movable section 6. The spring 79 automatically retracts the slide member 76 after its extension by the customer.

swingable frame 74 is formed by a pair of opposi'tely disposed end links 3!) pivotally supported at their upper end to bearing clips 81 screwed to the lower side or the intermediate brace member 50, a cross tube 33 welded or otherwise secured between the links anda cross rod 84 secured at its extremities to the lower ends of the links '86. As shown, the frame 74 is supported in such a manner that the cross rod 34 is disposed transversely of and somewhat above the rods 61 of the operating levers 3.

The vertical projecting end 78c of the lever 73 is disposed in front of the frame 74 and upon inward movement of the coin-release slide .2 engages the cross bar '84 moving it rearwardly.

The locking lever 75 is pivotally supported at its rear end to the extended head of the stud 58 and is prevented from lateral movement by a cotter pin 85 passing through a hole therein. A recess 36 is provided adjacent the forward end of the locking lever 75 in its lower edge having a forward portion 87, and a rear portion 88 of lesser depth, the two portions being joined by an inclined edge forming a cam surface 8?.

in its operative or locked position as shown in broken lines in Fig. 5, the locking lever 75 is supported with the cross-rod 34 disposed in the forward portion 87 of the recess 86, the frame 74 being swung towards the front of the machine. in this position, a laterally extending tab bent away from the upper edge of the locking lever 75 is disposed in the horizontal path of the leading edge 91 of the actuating slide 57 and prevents the forward movement or extension thereof.

When the frame 74 is moved to the rear by actuation of the coin release slide 2, the locking lever 75 is raised by engagement of the cross-rod 84 with the cam surface 89 so that when the cross-rod 8d rests and is held in the rear portion 88 of the recess 36, the tab 90 of the locking lever 75 is raised above the path of the leading edge 91, thus permitting the actuating slide '57 to be extended-by means of the-operating lever 3.

Since the cross-rod 84 is in engagement with the locking levers 75 associated with all of the support tubes 17, rearward movement of the frame 74 releases all of the operating levers 3 simultaneously. Upon extension thereafter of one of the operating levers 3, the leading edge 9]. of the actuating slide'57 to which it is attached engages the cross-rod 84 moving the frame 74 forward, thus re-lock ing all of the actuating slides not in use. During this operation, the leading edge 91 of the actuating slide 57 in use is moved forwardly of the tab 96 of its associated locking lever 75, the tab 90 being supported on the upper edge of the actuating slide 5'7, and the latters forward movement is therefore unrestricted until it is again retracted, at which time the locking lever 75 drops down to its operative position.

A notch or recess 92 is formed in the upper edge of each locking lever 57, adjacent its leading edge 91. The recess 92 is formed by a downwardly inclined edge 92:: and a vertical edge 92b. If an attempt is made to obtain a second vended article without a repeated actuation of the coin release slide 2, by restraining the operating lever 3 from reaching its fully retracted position, the tab 90 of the locking lever 57 is guided along the inclined edge 92a and into abutment against the vertical edge 92b preventing further extension of the operating lever 3. In this manner, a full actuation cycle of each operating lever 3 is made positive.

The present vending machine comprehends an efficient and positive means of preventing multiple operation of the operating levers 3 in response to the insertion of a single coin. This comprises generally an interconnection between the actuating mechanism of each of'the support tubes 17 operable so that upon actuation of one of the operating levers 3, all of the other actuating slides 57 are locked against extension. The form of locking interconnection is particularly shown for a vending machine having a series of six support tubes 17 and actuating slides 57. It will be appreciated, however, that a similar arrangement may be utilized for a machine having any number of article-holding compartments without considerable modification.

Referring particularly to Figs. 8 and 9, the interlocking means is shown as a whippletree assembly 93 disposed transversely of the machine and supported rearwardly of the support tubes 17, comprising essentially a mainflanged lever member 94 and a pair of secondary lever members 95 and 96. The main lever member 94 is pivotally supported adjacent its mid-point by a stud 97 secured to a flanged bracket 98 (see Fig. 6) riveted to one of the support bars 55 adjacent the center of the bank of support tubes 17.

The secondary lever member 95 is pivoted adjacent its mid-point to one end of the main lever 94 by a stud 99, and the secondary lever 96 is pivoted adjacent its midpoint to the other end of the main lever 94 by a stud 100. The secondary lever 95 is provided with a vertical bar 101 adjustably secured to its outer extremity by means of a pair of bolts 102 adapted to slidably engage a slot 103 adjacent the upper end of the vertical bar 101. A vertical bar 104 is fixedly secured to the inner extremity of the lever 95 by rivets extending through its upper end. The secondary lever 96 is provided with a vertical bar 105 secured at its upper end to the internal extremity thereof, and a vertical bar 106 fastened at its upper end to the outer extremity. The lower end of the vertical bar 106 is formed with an outwardly extending projection 107 for a purpose to be described. The lower ends of the vertical bars 101, 104, and 105 are inclined slightly towards the front of the machine and each is pivotally secured to the mid-point of a relatively short horizontal bar 108, the latter being connected by means of studs 109 for rotation with respect to the vertical bars 101, 104, and 105. The projecting ends 110 of the horizontal bars 108 are equidistantly spaced in such a manner that each lies beneath one of the actuating slides 57 associated with the six support tubes 17.

A vertically disposed plate 111 is associated with each of the support tubes 17, supported by riveting or welding to the rear face and lower end of the support bars 55. An open ended slot 111a extends from the upper edge of the plate 111 in which is supported the movable end portions 110 of the horizontal bars 108. The upper edges of the end portions 110 are adapted to engage the lower edges 112 of the actuating slides 57.

The lower edge 112 of each actuating slide 57 is provided with an inclined portion 113 joining the for-' ward portion of the slide 57 to the relatively wider rear portion. When the actuating slide 57 is extended or drawn forward the inclined portion 113 engages the end portion in the slot 111a beneath it, and forces it downwardly. When one of the ends 110 is thus depressed by the extension of its associated actuating slide 57, by reason of the geometry of the whippletree assembly 93, all of the others are relatively raised and are positively positioned in such a manner that they lie in the path of the inclined portions 113 of their cooperating actuating slides 57 and thus prevent their extension, until the extended slide 57 is retracted, releasing the depressed port-ion of the whippletree assembly 92.

Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of the action of the whippletree assembly 93, in which the end portion 110 5 of the left hand horizontal bar 108 is indicated as being depressed as by the extension of its associated actuating slide 57. It will be seen that this action slightly raises the opposite end of the horizontal bar 108 of which it is a part, relatively lowering the vertical bar 101, and the pivot stud 99, and raising the vertical bars 104, 105, and 106, thus holding the ends 110 and the projection. 107 slightly raised from their original positions and preventing their depression. A similar action is efiected when any other of the ends 110 or the projection 107 are depressed, it being impossible to simultaneously depress more than one point.

Adjustment of the whippletree assembly 94 is effected by raising or lowering the vertical bar 101 with respect to the lever 95 by means of the slot 103.

As thus described, the interlocking means of the invention represents a positive means of preventing multiple operation from a single coin of a coin-operated vending machine having a plurality of article-holding compartments with independent actuating mechanisms.

The present invention contemplates means associated with each of the article-holding tubes 17 for supporting the articles to be vended and positively effecting the release of a single article upon operation of the machine. This mechanism comprises essentially a box-like sheetmetal housing 114 disposed at approximately the height of one of the cups 10 above the lower edge of the support tube 17, and in which is supported for reciprocal movement a carriage or slide 115 having a retracted position in which the lowest of the cups 10 and the nested articles above it are supported above the closure plate 47 by means of its rolled edge 13, and an extended position in which the lowest cup 10 is positively released for delivery through the open end of the tube 17, while the remaining articles are positively supported by the rolled edge 13 of the next higher cup 10.

The housing 114 is generally rectangular in section and plan and is provided in its upper and lower surfaces 116 and 117 with opposed openings 118 and 119 respectively of the same diameter as that of the lower section 31 of the support tube 17. The lower tubular section 31 is divided at a point somewhat more than the height of one of the cups 10 above its lower edge, the two sections being welded within the openings 118 and 119 so that the housing 114 forms an integral part of the lower tubular section assembly 31 adapted to be disposed from front to rear of the vending machine. A wall 120 encloses the front end of the housing 114 having an upwardly extending lip 121 which fits over the lower edge of the lower brace member 35 and serves to position and support the lower tubular section 31 with respect thereto. The rear end of the housing 114 accommodates a flanged cap 122 in which is disposed a resilient gasket 123 adapted to bear against the rear edge of the housing 114 and form an airtight seal therewith. The cap 122 is held in position against the end of the housing 114 by means of a pair of elongated spring steel clips 124 supported on the lower surface 117. The forward ends of the clips 124 are rolled over and form a pivoted connection with a pin 125 which is secured at its end to projections 126 depending from the sides 127 of the housing 114, and their free ends are bent over and adapted to bear against the outer face of the cap 122 when in assembled relation therewith. The carriage 115 as best shown in Fig. 10, .is adapted to .fit within the housing 114 and is a box-like structure having an upper surface 128, sides 1'29, and a rear wall 130. A push rod 131 is secured at one end to the rear wall .130 and is adapted to extend through a hole 132 inrthe cap 122 to the rear of the assembly as a means of moving the carriage 115 within the housing 114.

The upper surface 128 of the carriage 114 is provided with an elongated opening 133 of a width slightly greater than the diameter of the cup below the rolled edge 13, but less than the outer diameter of the latter. The sides 129 are bent over to form opposing flanges 134 on the front end of the carriage 114, in such a manner that the plane of their upper surfaces lie below that of the upper surface 128 by an amount approximately equal to onehalf the distance between the rolled edges 13 of the cups 10 when in nested relation. A pair of inclined strips 135 are welded to the inner surfaces of the sides 129 having their forward edges in abutment with the forward edges of the upper surface 128 and forming a tapered camming surface therewith. A pair of rollers 136 are mounted on studs 137 extending through the sides 129, their lower surfaces projecting slightly below the bottom edges of the sides 129, to bear against'the lower surface 117 of the housing 114 and thus facilitate movement of the carriage therein.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, when the carriage 115 is in its retracted position as shown infull lines, the nested cups 10 are supported by the rolled edge 13 of the lowest cup 10 bearing upon the flanges 134. When the carriage 115 is extended to the dotted position, the inclined strips are moved between the rolled edges 13 of the two lowest cups 10, the lower of the two being disengaged from the flanges 134 and thus being released, while the next higher cup 10 and those above it become supported on the upper surface 128. Any tendency of the two lowest cups 10 to resist separation is overcome by the interjection of the inclined strips 135 which positively force them apart without difiiculty of jamming or deformation. Upon the release of the lowest cup and return of the carriage 115 to its normal position, the rolled edge 1 13 of the succeeding cup is moved from the surface 128 to the flanges 134 to complete the cycle.

The mechanism for actuating the carriage 115 is most clearly shown in Fig. 6. To this end, an elongated lever 138 is journalled for rotation at its upper end on a rod 139 extending transversely and behind the bank of support tubes 17 through holes 140 adjacent the rear ends :of the brackets 52. The lever 138 is disposed on the vertical centerline of the support tube 17, and to support it laterally, .a brace 141 is provided which is welded at its :lower end 141a adjacent to the lower end of the lever 138, and is pivotally supported at its upper end to the rod 139, extending an'gularly with respect to the centerline of the support tube 17 and passing on theinside of the actuating slide 57. The upper ends of the .lever 138 and brace 141 are held in spaced relation on the .rod 139 by cotter pins 142 passing through suitably spaced holes in the latter. The rear edge of the actuating slide 57 .is bent over to form a lateral projection 143 of sufiicient length to lie in the path of the brace 141 and .to move it, and thus the lever 138, towards the front of the machine upon extension of the actuating slide 57. A link 144 is 'pivotally connected by a bolt 145 to the lower end of the lever 138 and projects rearwardly in approximately parallel relation to the push rod 131 attached to the carriage 115. The rear end of the link 144 is angled and bent down to provide a tab 146 in alignment with :the push rod 131 which passes through a hole 147 therein. A cotter pin 148 is provided through a hole in the push .rod 131 so that forward movement of the link .144 .results in forward movement of the carriage 115. Thus, -extension .of the actuating slide 57 moves the brace 141 and lever 138 forward by means of engagement of the projection 143 against the former, drawing the link 144, the push rod 131, and the carriage 115 forward and releasing the lowest cup 10, as heretofore described.

A tension spring 149 is connected between a hole in the rear end of the push rod 131 and an angle brace 150 extending between the sides of the movable section 8 which serves to return the carriage 115 to its inoperative position and retract the linkage formed by the lever 138, brace 141, and link 144 when the actuating slide 57 is returned to its retracted position.

In its normal position, the closure plate assembly 47 is adapted to close and seal the lower end of the support tube 17. Mechanism is provided to simultaneously withdraw the closure plate 47 from engagement with and open the support tube 17, when one of the cups 10 is released therefrom. The closure plate assembly 47 comprises a flat bottom portion 151, having a bent-up front wall 152 and a downwardly curved rear edge 153, bentup side walls 154, and a pair of vertically extending arms 155 and 156 welded or otherwise secured to the bottom portion 151 at the intersection of the front wall .152 and the sides 154. The closure plate assembly 47 is pivotally supported by the arms 155 and 156 on studs 157 disposed in depending projections .158 of the sides 127 forming the housing 114. An extension of the arm 155 in approximate vertical alignment with the actuating slide 57, supports a stud 159 adjacent its upper end. 7

A generally triangular cam plate 160 is pivoted adjacent its rear corner on a stud 161 secured in the rear end of the bracket 56. A lower corner of the cam plate 160 is provided with an open ended slot 162 adapted to engage the stud .159 in the upper end of the arm 155.

. A .retainer member 163 is spaced from and secured to the actuator slide 57 by the spaced rivets 63, the forward rivet being adapted to engage the upper rear edge of the cam plate 160 and to rotate it downwardly when the actuating slide 57 is extended, the retainer member 163 acting to maintain the .path of the cam 160 in a vertical plane. The upper corner of the cam plate .160 is provided with a projection 165 which is adapted to engage the upper rear corner of the lower brace member 35 and limit rotation of thecam plate 160.

It will thus be seen that extension of the actuating slide 57 releases the lowest cup 10 in the support tube 17., and simultaneously opens the end of the support tube 17 by pivoting the closure plate assembly 47 forwardly as a result of counterclockwise rotation of the cam plate 160 and the engagement of the stud 159. On retraction of the actuating slide 57, the closure plate assembly 47 and the cam plate 160 are returned to their normal positions and the bottom portion 151 engages the lower edge of the support tube 17 to etfect a seal, by the action of a tension spring 47a secured to the extended end of the pin 125 and to a suitable hole in one of the side walls 154.

As described, upon extension of the actuating 'slide 57, the lowest cup 10 is positively separated from the nested articlesin the support tube 17 and dropped through the open end of the latter. After clearing the support tube 17, the released cup 10 drops upon a weight compensated support assembly 166 for support during admission of water or liquid from the tank or reservoir 18. The support assembly 166 includes a rod 167 adapted for vertical rotation on 'a pivot 168 disposed near its mid-point. The pivot 168 comprises a depending lug 169 welded along the bottom of the rod .167 having a hole to accommodate a bolt 170 passing through an angle bracket 171, fastened by a screw .172 to the upper surface of a transverse brace member 173, the ends of the latter being secured to the sides of the movable section 8. The rod .167 lies in the vertical plane of the support tube 17 and has a projecting forward end 174 to which is welded at its central portion a generally U- shaped supporting fork 175 having an opening between its projecting ends of suflicient width to engage the under surface of the rolled edge 13 of the cups 10. A weight 176 is supported on the rear end of the rod 167 by means of a set screw 177. The distance of the weight 176 behind the pivot 168 is such that the rod 167 is normally tilted upwards and is maintained in this position when the cup containing the concentrate 11 is dropped between the projecting arms of the supporting fork 175.

The upper end of a tube 178 for discharging fluid from the tank 18 into the cup 10 is connected to the delivery opening 28 of the valve 26 and its lower end 179 is positioned so that liquid released from the tank 18 through the valve 26 is discharged into the cup 10 when supported on the supporting fork 175, The lower end of the tube 178 is provided with a clamp 180 which is secured by a bolt 181 to projecting ears 182 formed on a generally circular clamp 183 encircling the resilient band 46 on the lower end of the support tube 17. The tube 178 is additionally supported in assembly by a clip 184 fastened to the rear face of the flanged cap 122.

A sheet metal housing 186 conforming to the delivery opening 4 is fastened to the face portion 7 of the movable section 8 and comprises an upper wall 187, sidewalls 188, a rear wall 189, and a bottom wall 190 inclined to form a low point 191 forming a drain sump. A drain tube 192 is secured to an opening at the low point 191 by a suitable fitting and hose clamp 193. The lower end of the drain tube 192 may be connected in any convenient manner (not shown) to a waste receptacle or line. A screen or grating 194 conforming to the cross sectional shape of the housing 186 is adapted to be supported above the bottom wall 190 thereof to support the dispensed cup and convey any spillage to the drain tube 192.

The upper wall 187 of the housing 186 is formed with an inclined forward portion 195 and a rear horizontal portion 196, the latter having an opening 197 disposed beneath the bank of support tubes 17 and being of sufficient size to permit the passage of cups 10 from them when supported on the supporting forks 175.

As liquid from the tank 18 is discharged through the tube 178 into a cup 10 supported on the supporting fork 175, the weight of the support assembly 176 to the left of the pivot 168 is thereby increased. The position of Weight 176 on the rod 167 is pre-adjusted so that when suflicient liquid has been added to the cup 10 to provide the necessary and desired admixture therein, the support assembly 166 becomes overbalanced, and the cup 10 is lowered through the opening 197 until it rests upon the grating 194, at which time the customer may withdraw the cup with the beverage from the housing 186 through the delivery opening 4, thus relieving the weight from the supporting fork 175 and permitting the support assembly to return to its normal position shown in full line.

The present vending machine includes means operable upon actuation of the operating lever 3 to automatically control the flow of liquid from the tank 18 to discharge a predetermined amount of liquid into the released cup 10. For this purpose, the valve 26 is provided with a bracket member 198 adapted to be supported upon the projecting portion of the valve housing the plunger 27 by means of a pair of depending ears 200 adapted to be clamped together by a bolt 201. A spacer rivet 202 is disposed between the opposed faces of a pair of projections 203 formed on the bracket 198 upon which is supported at its upper end a pivotable actuator lever 204 in such a manner that it normally engages the exposed end of the valve-operating plunger 27. When the actuator lever 204 is urged toward the plunger 27, the valve 26 is opened to permit the flow of fluid from the tank 18 through the delivery opening 28, while in its normal or inoperative position, the spring-held plunger 27 is ex- 14 tended preventing the flow of liquid through the valve 26.

A link 205 is pivoted at its forward end by a stud 206 to the lever 138, and a pair of rollers 207 supported on a spindle 208 which is journalled in a projection 209 of the links 205, normally bear against the rear face of the depending actuator lever 204. A rod 210 is attached at its upper end to a hole 211 in the rear end of the link 205 and secured therein by a cotter pin 212. The rod 210 is provided with a generally horizontal upper end portion 213, a generally vertical mid-portion 214, and a forwardly bent lower end portion 215 which is secured by a cotter pin 216 through a suitable hole in a clip 217 secured to the rod 167 adjacent its forward end.

Upon extension of the actuating slide 57, while the supporting fork is in its upper position, the link 205 is held approximately horizontal by the rod 210. The forward movement of the lever 138 swings the actuating lever 204 forward and over the rollers 207, so that the latter are disposed in front thereof. During this operation, the cup 10 containing the concentrate 11 is released from the support tube 17 falling onto the supporting fork 175 without disturbing the vertical position of the support assembly 166. Release of the operating lever 3 permits the lever 138 to be moved rearwardly under influence of the spring 149 drawing back the link 205 until the rollers 207 contact the actuating lever 204 pressing it against the plunger 27 thus releasing the flow of water or liquid from the tank 18 through the tube 178 and discharging into the elevated cup 10. When a predetermined amount of the liquid has been added to the cup 10, the support assembly 166 is tilted downward as has been described, lowering the rear end of the link 205 under influence of the rod 210, breaking engagement between the rollers 207 and the actuating lever 204, and thus permitting the spring-actuated plunger 27 to return to its normal position closing further flow of liquid through the valve 26.

Provision is made in the vending machine of the subject invention for indicating when the supply of articles within any of the support tubes 17 is exhausted and of preventing operation of the actuating mechanism associated with the tube 17 while in an empty condition. This mechanism is particularly shown in Fig. 11, and consists of a curved indicator plate 218 to the back of which is centrally welded by a flange 219, a lever 220 having a generally horizontal portion 221 and a depending vertical portion 222. A rod 223 is welded transversely of the lever 220 at the intersection of the horizontal portion 221 and vertical portion 222. A pair of opposed openended slots 224 are formed in the upper edge of the bracket 39 adjacent the juncture of the upper tubular section 32 and lower tubular section 31, serving as journals to support the rod 223. The vertical portion 222 of the lever 220 is adapted to be disposed within the support tube 17 through a slot 225 in the upper edge of the lower tubular section 31. The vertical portion 222 of the lever 220 is of sufficient length to engage the side of a single cup 10 when supported on the carriage 115. In this position, vertical portion 222 is urged against the forward side of the support tube 17 holding the indicator plate 218 in a raised position shown in full lines in Fig. ll. In this position the lower edge of the indicator plate is aligned with an indicator opening 226 in the bezel plate 65. If desired, the portion of the indicator plate 218 thus exposed may be marked to designate the type of beverage formed by the cups 10 in the associated support tube 17. Upon release of the last cup 10 from the support tube 17, the vertical portion 222 of the lever 220 breaks ongagement with the cup 10 and the weight of the indicator plate 218 permits it to rotate downwardly until the upper portion thereof is exposed in the indicator opening 226, and the latter may be marked with the word Out or other appropriate signal indicating that the associated support tube 17 is exhausted. A double bend is formed on the extended end of the rod 223 whereby the end portion 227 is rotatable vertically in response to movement of the lever 220. When the lever 220 is allowed to rotate as a result of exhaustion of the cups 10, the end 227 is rotated into the raised position shown in broken lines in Fig. in which it is interposed in the path of the leading edge 91 of the actuating slide 57 to prevent its extension. Normally, with the lever 222 depressed, the end 227 is rotated out of the path of the actuating slide 57 so that it does not interfere with its reciprocation as shown in full line. A space 228 is provided adjacent the periphery of the lower tubular section 31 between the bracket to accommodate the elastic band 33. The latter is provided with a split portion through which the lever 220 is disposed in assembly so that its sealing action is not impaired by the indicating mechanism.

Although the actuating mechanism of the subject vending machine A may be timed and adjusted so that the admixture of liquid and concentrate 11 in the cup forms a complete solution before delivery to the customer, we have found it.desirable to simultaneously deliver an inexpensive stirring implement such as a spoon-shaped flat piece of wood 229. In this regard a generally rectangular hopper 230 adapted to contain a stack of the spoons 229 is supported in the machine adjacent the coin-release slide 2 in any suitable manner as from the braces 34 or 35. A bracket 231 is welded to the outside of the hopper 230 having a lower surface 232 bent over and spaced from the lower open edge of the latter by slightly more than the thickness of one of the spoons 229. An angled actuating arm 233 is supported by a flange riveted to the vertical lever 78 in such a manner that reciprocal movement of the latter causes passage of the free end of the arm 233 through the space between the lower surface 232 and the end of the hopper 230, engaging the lowest of the wooden spoons 229 and forcing it towards the front of the machine through an opening 234 in a bezel 235 supported in the opening 5 so that it may be withdrawn from the outside of the machine A by the customer. Thus, when the coin release slide 2 is actuated by the customer, the lever 233 clears the opening under the hopper 230 permitting the stack of spoons 229 to rest upon the lower surface 232. Release of the slide member 76 causes its extension by the spring 79 projecting one of the spoons 229 through the opening 234.

A'coin-return mechanism is included in the vending 7 heretofore described in connection with the support 1 tubes 17.

A bracket 238 is welded to the coin support tube 236 adjacent its open lower edge, having a transverse portion 239 lying across the open tube end and spaced from its edge a distance of slightly more than the thickness of the coin which the machine A is adapted to receive. A bracket 240 is fastened by a flange to the upper edge of the actuating slide 237 adjacent its rear end, having a lateral projection 241 disposed in relation to the coin support tube 236 in such a manner that reciprocation of the actuating slide 237 causes the projection 24-]. to pass through the opening between the bottom of the tube 236 and the transverse portion 239 so as to engage and move forward the lowest coin held in the tube 236.

A coin delivery chute 242 is disposed in front of the tube 2% so that its open upper end is slightly below the plane of the transverse portion'239 and aligned with its forward edge. The lower end of the chute 242 mates with acoin return receptacle 243 having a delivery opening 6 in the face 7 of the movable section 8. Upon extension of the operating lever 3 attached to the actuating slide -37, the lowest coin in the support tube 236 is pushed forward and falls through the chute 242 .into the coin-rettun receptacle 243.

The coin return mechanism is interlocked with the actuating mechanisms associated with the article support tubes 17 so that the operation of one of the latter prevents operation of the former, or so that operation of the coin return mechanism prevents operation of wiereas the contemplated invention has been dein the attached drawings, it will be obvious to anyone skiiled in the art that numerous detailed modiiiCa: tions may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which are more fully set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim to be new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A mechanical machine for vending a beverage in n open-ended receptacle through a delivery opening 'nprising storage means adapted to support a stack of d receptacles, release means associated with said storage t adapted to successively eject receptacles therefrom, liquid supply tank having discharge means, flow oi means in said discharge means, a manually 0 er' actuating lever operatively connected to said release means and to said flow control means adapted on actuation to successively eject a receptacle and then open said flow control means, a movable receptacle sup port means having a first position for supporting an ejected receptacle in communication with said discharge means and a second position wherein said receptacle is aligned with said delivery opening by gravity action of a predetermined amount of liquid in said ejected receptacle, and an interconnecting linkage between said support means and said flow control means adapted to close said flow control means on movement of said support means to said second position.

2. A mechanical machine for vending a beverage in an open-ended receptacle through a delivery opening comprising storage means adapted to support a stack of said receptacles, release means associated with said storage means adapted to successively eject receptacles therefrom, a liquid supply tank having discharge means, flow control means in said discharge means, a manually operable actuating lever operatively connected to said release means and to said flow control means adapted on actuation to successively eject a receptacle and then open said flow control means, a vertically pivotable receptacle support means having a raised position for supporting an e ectecl receptacle in communication with said discharge means and a lowered position wherein said receptacle is aligned with said delivery opening by gravity action of a predetermined amount of liquid in said ejected receptacle, and an interconnecting linkage between said support means and said how control means adapted to close said how control means on movement of said support means to said lowered position.

3. A mechanical machine for vending a beverage in an open-ended receptacle through a delivery opening comprising a normally sealed storage means adapted to support a stack of said receptacles, .a movable closure plate associated with one end of said storage means having a closed position sealing said storage means and an open osition whereby receptacles may be released from said storage means, release means associated with said storage means adapted to successively eject receptacles therewith particular reference to the specific structures from, a liquid supply tank having discharge means, means for maintaining liquid in said supply tank at a predetermined temperature, a flow control valve operatively connected to said discharge means, a linkage operatively connected to said closure means, said release means, and said flow control valve adapted on actuation to successively open said closure means and release a receptacle, close said closure means, and then open said flow control valve, a manually operable actuating lever operatively connected to said linkage, a vertically pivotable receptacle support arm having a raised position for supporting an ejected receptacle in communication with said discharge means and a lowered position wherein said ejected receptacle is aligned with said delivery opening by gravity action of a predetermined amount of liquid in said ejected receptacle, and an interconnecting linkage between said support means and said flow control valve adapted to close said flow control valve on movement of said support means to said lowered position. k

4. A mechanical machine for vending a beverage in an open-ended receptacle through a delivery opening comprising a normally sealed storage means adapted to support a stack of said receptacles, release means associated with said storage means adapted to open said storage means and successively eject receptacles therefrom, a liquid supply tank having discharge means, flow control means in said discharge means, a manually operable actuating lever operatively connected to said release means and to said flow control means adapted on actuation to successively eject a receptacle and then open said flow control means, a vertically pivotable receptacle support means having a raised position for supporting an ejected receptacle in communication with said discharge means and a lowered position wherein said receptacle is aligned with said delivery opening by gravity action of a predetermined amount of liquid in said ejected receptacle, and an inter-connecting linkage between said support means and said flow control means adapted to close said flow control means on movement of said support means to said lowered position.

5. A mechanical machine for vending a beverage in an open-ended receptacle through a delivery opening comprising a normally sealed storage means adapted to support a stack of said receptacles, a movable closure plate associated with one end of said storage means having a closed position sealing said storage means and an open position whereby receptacles may be released from said storage means, release means associated with said storage means adapted to successively eject receptacles therefrom, a liquid supply tank having discharge means, a flow control valve operatively connected to said discharge means, a linkage operatively connected to said closure means, said release means, and said flow control valve adapted on actuation to successively open said closure means and release a receptacle, close said closure means, and then open said flow control valve, a manually operable actuating lever operatively connected to said linkage, a vertically pivotable receptacle support arm having a raised position for supporting an ejected receptacle in communication with said discharge means and a lowered position wherein said ejected receptacle is aligned with said delivery opening by gravity action of a predetermined amount of liquid in said ejected receptacle, and an interconnecting linkage between said support means and said fiow control valve adapted to close said flow control valve on movement of said support means to said lowered position.

6. A mechanical machine for vending a beverage formed within the machine by the admixture of a liquid with a beverage-forming concentrate predisposed in an open-ended receptacle said machine comprising a sealed storage compartment adapted to house and encapsulate a plurality of said receptacles in stacked relation to each other and sealed within said compartment, a liquid .supply, release means associated with said storage compartment for selectively sealing and unsealing said compartment tov effect ejection of a receptacle therefrom, means positioned within said machine for discharging a predetermined amount of liquid from said liquid supply into said released receptacle, and delivery means for making available said receptacle with the bevereage after formation thereof to a customer.

7. A mechanical machine for vending a beverage formed within the machine by the admixture of a liquid with a powdered concentrate predisposed in an open-ended receptacle said machine comprising a sealed storage compartment adapted to house and encapsulate a plurality of said receptacles in stacked relation to each other and sealed within said compartment, a liquid supply, release means associated with said storage compartment for selectively sealing and unsealing said compartment to effect ejection of a receptacle therefrom, means positioned within said machine for discharging a predetermined amount of liquid from said liquid supply into said released receptacle, and delivery means for making available said receptacle with the beverage after formation thereof to a customer.

8. A mechanical machine for vending a beverage formed within the machine by the admixture of a liquid with a beverage forming concentrate predisposed in an open-ended receptacle said machine comprising a sealed storage compartment adapted to house and encapsulate a plurality of said receptacles in stacked relation to each other and sealed within said compartment, means for controlling humidity within said sealed storage compartment, a liquid supply, release means associated with said storage compartment for selectively sealing and on sealing said compartment to effect ejection of a receptacle therefrom, means positioned within said machine for discharging a predetermined amount of liquid from said liquid supply into said released receptacle, and delivery means for making available said receptacle with the beverage after formation thereof to a customer.

9. A mechanical machine for vending a beverage formed within the machine by the admixture of a liquid with a beverage-forming concentrate predisposed in an open-ended receptacle said machine comprising a sealed storage compartment adapted to house and encapsulate a plurality of said receptacles in stacked relation to each other and sealed within said compartment, dessicating means positioned within said compartment to maintain said compartment in a dry ambient condition, a liquid supply, release means associated with said storage com partment for selectively sealing and unsealing said compartment to effect ejection of a receptacle therefrom, means positioned within said machine for discharging a predetermined amount of liquid from said liquid supply into said released receptacle, and delivery means for making available said receptacle with the beverage after formation thereof to a customer.

10. A mechanical beverage vending machine comprising an enclosure, a vended article delivery opening in one face of said enclosure, storage means adapted to support and encapsulate a plurality of open-ended receptacles, a liquid supply, a receptacle support means spaced from said storage means, release means operatively associated with said storage means to selectively seal and unseal said storage means and to simultaneously effect successive ejection of receptacles therefrom, means for positioning a released receptacle on said support means, means for discharging a predetermined amount of liquid from said liquid supply into said released receptacle, and means for moving said support means into registry with said delivery opening whereby said receptacle with the beverage formed by said liquid is made available to a customer.

11. A mechanical beverage vending machine comprising an enclosure, a vended article delivery opening in one face of said enclosure, a storage compartment adapted to support and encapsulate a plurality of open-ended re- 1a cept'acles in-nestedrelationship, amovable receptacle support means spa'ced'from saidstor'age compartment, release means operatively associated with saidstorage con1- partmentto selectively seal and unseal said storage means and to simultaneously eifect successive ejection of receptacles therefrom, means for positioning a released receptacle on said support means, a liquid' supply associatedwith flow-control means to discharge liquid into a receptacle when supported on said support means, means for moving said support means into registry With said delivery opening, and actuating meansoperatively associated with said release means, said flow-control means, and saidmovable support means, to successively release a receptacle, discharge a predetermined amount of liquid therein, and then register said receptacle with said dclivery opening.

UNITED STATES PATENTS.

MacLeod' Aug. 18, McLellan June 28, Gunn Oct. 18, Brady May 7, Brady Feb. 4, Michel etsal. Dec. 1, Zwosta Dec. 29, Geer May 2, Steiner July 11, Johnson Jan. 5, Bolsel Apr. 27, Warren Feb. 27, Franz- Sept. 18, Carew- Dec. 30, Bowman Feb, 15, Mills Oct. 21,

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