1,225,422. Beverage dispenser. COMPAGNIE INDUSTRIELLE DE DISTRIBUTIONS AUTOMATIQUES. 26 March, 1968, No. 14581/68. Heading G4V. A prepayment device for a coin-feed dispensing apparatus comprises an acceptor 8, Fig. 1, or 8<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 4a, for retaining temporarily a coin inserted by a customer, a verifier for indicating the availability of a product selected by the customer, two coin paths leading from the acceptor to a cashbox 13 or 46 and to a coin refund shoot 14 or 50, respectively, and a selector comprising electromagnets 12 1 , 12 2 , or EVM, ERM, at least partly controlled by the verifier and determining the paths followed by a coin when released from the acceptor. First embodiment.-Coins from a sorter 1, Fig. 1, are directed into passages 4a, 4b or 4c according to their denominations to actuate relays 5, 6 and 7 and held in the acceptor, or escrow unit, 8 comprising pivoted members 91 9 2 The electromagnet 12 1 is energized to rotate member 9 1 and deposit the coins in the cashbox 13 and the electromagnet 12 2 energized to rotate member 9 2 and deposit the coins in the refund shoot 14. Coins passing down passage 4b actuate two relays 5, 6. The apparatus dispenses two beverages and has a price-setting switch 15 or 16 corresponding to each, Figs. 2a and 2b. The switches 15 and 16 are connected to the terminals of a rotary switch 17 advanced step-by-step, in unison with a rotary switch 19, by an electromagnet 18, on closing of contacts 5a, 6a, or 7a of the corresponding relays 5, 6 or 7. Contact 7a energizes a motor 34, rotating a cam 35 one revolution to pulse the electromagnet five times. Switch 19 illuminates an operating lamp 24 and lamps 20 in sequence to indicate the total amount deposited. Upon inserting the correct money, switches 17, 19 advance to the same setting as the relevant preset switch 15, 16 and a particular beverage obtained by depressing a corresponding pushbutton I or II to energize relay 25 or 29. Contact 25a or 29a closes to actuate relay 23 and electromagnet 12 1 . The relay 23 operates contacts 23a 1 controlling motor 20a driving a timing cam 21, contacts 23b, 23c, preventing double feed, and contact 23d controlling electromagnet 3 operating a shutter 2 in the coin entrance slot. The contacts of a counter 26 are reduced by one each time the relay 25 operates until it reaches zero and opens a switch 27 illuminating a " SOLD-OUT " sign 28. A switch 40 is opened by a detector (not shown) or exhaustion of the product dispensed by relay 29. The pricesetting switches 15, 16, may be set to terminals G so that beverages are dispensed free of charge. Contacts Ic, IIc operate an electromagnetic valve 31 controlling a water supply. In order to provide a refund when coins of too high a value have been inserted, the corresponding highvalue terminals of switch 17 are connected to the electromagnet 12 2 . In addition, coins may be recovered by depressing push-button 39. The rotary switches 17, 19, are reset to zero by an electromagnet 32 controlled by a cam 33 driven by motor 20a. Second embodiment.-Coins are received between a pair of plates 43, 44 connected by a spring clip 45 and arrested by a stop 48. Energization of solenoid EVM withdraws the stop 48 to release the coins to a cashbox 46. Energization of solenoid ERM moves the plates 43, 44 apart to release the coin to a refund shoot 50. A push-button P 1 or P 2 is pressed to select an article to de-energize relay RV and close contacts RVa energizing solenoid EVM. The coin momentarily closes switch CP as it passes to the cashbox to close hold-on contacts RCa, close contacts RCb in the circuit of a motor MC, and contacts RCc to energize relay S 1 or S 2 and actuate ejector EP 1 or EP 2 . Relays S 1 and S 2 operate contacts S 1a , S 1b , S 2a , S 2b , preventing double feed. Switches SS 1 and SS 2 close on contacts 1b and 2b if the respective beverage is unavailable to energize refund solenoid ERM on actuation of the corresponding push-button.