KR0157218B1 - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

None.

Description

[Name of invention]

vending machine

[Field of Technology]

The present invention relates to an automatic vending machine, in particular an improved vending machine for dispensing cylindrical article containers such as bottles or cans at the customer's option.

[Background of invention]

In vending machines of the type under consideration, it is important to maximize storage capacity and minimize the complexity of the distribution mechanism. It is an object to reduce the overall dimension by allowing the product to occupy only as much available internal space as possible.

Many prior art vending machines suffer from the use of a large number of switches and associated wiring as complex distribution mechanisms. For example, multi-select machines often rely on multiple motor or solenoid actuated dispensing mechanisms. These switches and mechanisms take up valuable space as well as cost a lot of maintenance.

The organization of storage spaces is also important for efficient use of spaces. The simplest and most efficient storage is the vertical column loading method but this is often a problem because of the weight of the article. Thus, some machines often use inclined lathe devices or curved devices that reduce the effect of gravity at the expense of simplicity or storage space.

Conventional vending machines lack versatility in successfully allocating storage space for expected product consumption for each selection. In some vending machines, this problem has been solved by simply providing additional columns to the main product of choice. Recent technological innovations have led to the use of switching technologies, which can cause some products to hold the machine for an unreasonable time, leading to increased costs and reduced reliability. Application of anticipated use prediction techniques is desirable, but no development of distribution systems has been available that can use these techniques.

The vending machine of the present invention solves these and other problems not known in the prior art.

[Description of the Invention]

The vending machine of the present invention is equipped with a dispensing mechanism that is ideally suited for use with sophisticated anticipated usage forecasting techniques that reduce the number of times of storage to keep the product fresh, and prevent the exhaustion of popular options.

These vending machines offer efficient product storage by reducing the space for switches and distribution mechanisms. In this vending machine, the switch is virtually eliminated and the dispensing mechanism has been simplified by reducing the need for multiple electromagnetic devices such as motors and solenoids to be minimized using a common drive mechanism.

Product storage capacity is further improved by independent front and rear storage of the vertical column.

One aspect of the present invention provides an article storage means comprising a plurality of substantially vertical columns positioned side by side adapted to receive respective generally cylindrical articles adjacent in a plurality of vertical directions, each having opposing ends and in a first position. Efficiently support the article, tend to rotate to the second position by the weight of the article, long rotatable support means located under each column with a plurality of support members, and rotatable with the support means Ratchet means fixedly attached to one end of the support means, and a pawl rotatably mounted adjacent to the ratchet means for releasing the article and controlling the rotation of the support means between the first and second positions Release means comprising a means, a drive shaft to which a plurality of angle associated index members are respectively attachable to the associated pole means, Means for rotating the drive shaft such that the selected index member is positioned adjacent to the selected pole means, and the index member engages with the pole means to move the pole means with or away from the ratchet means, thereby providing Disclosed is a vending machine having actuation means for release means comprising means for inducing alternating movement into the drive shaft and index member to enable rotation, and control means for actuation means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the means for rotating the drive shaft is a first electric motor, and the means for inducing alternating motion into the drive means includes eccentric drive means, and connecting means between the eccentric drive means and the drive means. Disclosed is a second electric motor.

Another aspect of the invention discloses that the means for inducing alternating motion into the drive shaft is a solenoid.

Another aspect of the invention includes means for the pawl means to pivotally attach the end portion and to the other portion such that the end portion is unidirectionally moved relative to the other portion, the actuating means moving the alternating motion into a selected index member. And means for vibrating the drive shaft and the index member to induce.

Another aspect of the invention comprises a first column portion and a separate second column portion each adapted to receive an article, each vertical column being a plurality of vertically adjacent, generally cylindrical, wherein each rotatable support means And independent portions having axially adjacent ends and supporting respective articles in the first column portion and the second column portion, wherein the release means each support portion is located at an adjacent end such that the associated support portion and associated pole means. And a rotatable ratchet means, wherein said actuating means driveshaft support members are located between said pawl means for selectively actuating each of said ratchet means.

According to another aspect of the invention, each release means is fixedly attached to one end of the associated support means, the ratchet means being rotatable with the support means, and pivotally mounted adjacent to the ratchet means to enable rotation of the support means. And pawl means moveable to engage and disengage from the ratchet means.

Another aspect of the invention discloses that each ratchet means is formed integrally with an associated support means.

Another aspect of the invention discloses that each support means has a three point star (or star) shape.

Another aspect of the invention discloses that the axis of rotation of each support means is located in an associated column which is nearly vertical.

Another aspect of the present invention discloses that the ratchet means is a ratchet wheel having a plurality of ratchet teeth of equal spacing and integrally formed with the bar, and the pawl means being a release member having spaced lug members that are sequentially engageable with the teeth.

Another aspect of the present invention discloses that each column includes a lower end and a member located at the lower end to narrow the outlet and to guide the article over the associated support means.

Another aspect of the invention includes a first column portion and a second column portion each vertical column adapted to receive a plurality of vertically adjacent generally cylindrical articles, respectively, wherein each rotatable support means comprises the first and second columns. Supporting the article in the second column portion, each of the first column portions being located below the support means to provide a holding position for sequentially transferring the article in the first column portion with the article in the second column portion. And an escrow member, wherein each support means has a three point star shape, and each ratchet means comprises six teeth.

One aspect of the present invention provides an article storage means comprising a plurality of side-by-side storage compartments adapted for receiving a plurality of adjacent articles, and located at the end of each compartment to operatively support the article in a first position. Support means, which tend to move to the second position by the weight of the article, release means for releasing the article and controlling movement of the support means between the first and second positions, and associated release means, respectively. A drive shaft having a plurality of engageable respective associated index members attached thereto, means for rotating the drive shaft such that the selected index member is positioned adjacent to the selected release means, and the index member engaged with the release means to move the support means. Means for inducing alternating movement into the drive shaft and the index member to possibly activate the release means; The means and operating means for, discloses a vending machine provided with a control means for the drive unit.

One aspect of the present invention provides an article storage means comprising a plurality of side-by-side storage compartments adapted for receiving a plurality of adjacent articles, and located at the end of each compartment to operatively support the article in a first position. Support means prone to move to the second position by weight of the article, release means for controlling the movement of the support means between the first and second positions while releasing the article, and releasing the release means. And an actuating means alternately engageable with the release means selected to enable rotation of the associated support means, and a vending machine having control means for said actuation means.

Another aspect of the invention discloses that the actuation means comprises an elongate member having indexing means which can be positioned adjacent the selected release means and extending between the release means.

Another aspect of the invention discloses that the control means comprises position detection means for operatively adjusting the movement of the index means of the elongate member.

Another aspect of the invention discloses that each support means has a substantially smaller star shape than the dispensed article.

Another aspect of the invention discloses that the elongate member is a drive shaft.

Another aspect of the invention includes ratchet means, each release means being attached to a support means and rotating together, and coupling means comprising a spacing means engageable with the ratchet means, one of said spacing means being in combination with said ratchet means; Moveable away from engagement of the other means, the other of the spacing means simultaneously moveable to initially engage with the release means to determine the amount of rotation of the ratchet means.

Another aspect of the invention includes generally aligned first and second compartment portions wherein each storage compartment is adapted to receive a plurality of adjacent articles, respectively, wherein each support means operatively operates the article at each compartment portion. Each release means comprises a ratchet wheel having a plurality of teeth and pawl means, the number of ratchet teeth being at least twice the number of support members on the support means, the escrow means being the support means and the first compartment Located below the portion discloses providing a holding position for sequentially moving the article in the first compartment portion with the article in the second compartment portion.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

1 is a schematic front view of a vending machine.

2 is a block diagram showing an operation sequence.

3 is a plan view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the transfer operation in the first column portion.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 showing the transfer operation in the second column part.

6 is an end view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 showing the release mechanism in the holding position.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the release mechanism in the release position; FIG.

8 is a perspective view of a release mechanism.

9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG.

10 is a partial schematic view of one form of a drive mechanism.

11 is a partial schematic view of an improved drive mechanism.

12 is a partial view of an improved release mechanism for a dual unit.

13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the 13-13 line of FIG.

14 is a front end view of another improved release mechanism.

FIG. 15 is taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14. FIG.

Best Mode for Achieving the Invention

First, in FIGS. 1 and 3, the vending machine 10 is divided into eight storage compartments 1 to 8 by the end walls 14 and 18 and the intermediate partition 16 in the illustrated embodiment. (12) is provided. In the embodiment shown, the compartment is nearly vertical. As shown in FIG. 3, columns 1 to 8 are of sufficient depth to have a front portion (1a, 2a, 3a, etc.) and a back portion (1b, 2b, 3b, etc.), so that each column is Cylindrical articles such as cans or bottles or containers C can be received from end to end. Each column 1 to 8 has a sufficient width to accommodate the staggered vertical rows of the vessel C. The frame 12 also includes front and rear plates 20 and 22 connecting the partition wall 16, a front safety plate 24 spaced apart by the spacer 26 from the front plate 20, and a rear plate 22. ) And side plates 28 and 30 interconnecting the front safety plate 24. The plates 20, 24 interact to provide a housing for the vessel release mechanism 32 described below.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the diaphragms 16 forming the columns 1 to 8 are rolled at their lower ends to provide transverse beads 34 for receiving the long bolts 35. The top of the column outlet is defined by the beads, each plate 16 comprising a welded cross member 36. The transverse member 36 comprising the upper ramp portion 38, the vertical portion 40 and the lower inclined portion 42 effectively narrows the column and forms the discharge path of the vessel C. At the bottom of the transverse member 36 is a retainer plate comprising an upper portion 52 connected to and extending between the front and back plates 20, 22 and an escrow portion 54 bent only at the front portion of the column. There are 50.

The container passes through the column outlet by a three-point revolving door member, or support means 60, arranged below each column, and the revolving door member is axially supported to rotate between the rear plate 22 and the safety plate 24. And interact with retainer 50 to provide a revolving door system. In the illustrated embodiment, the star shaped revolving door member 60 generally comprises three points 61, 63, 65 separated by a concave surface 66 formed to support the container C. As shown in FIG. The revolving door member 60 is mounted between the rear and safety plates 22 and 24 by stub shafts 68 and 69 so as to be freely rotatable, respectively. The revolving door member has support means for the container and the axis of rotation of the member is arranged in the column, biased from the center of gravity of the supported container. As a result, the revolving door member is rotated by the weight of the container.

In the revolving door and retainer assembly shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the three-point revolving door 60 extends through the front and rear columns, i.e. column portions 2a, 2b, each revolving door having two containers ( Support C). The upper portion 52 of the retainer 50 extends through the front and rear columns while the lower escrow portion extends only through the front column portion 2a. Corresponding vessels C1a, C1b, C2a, C2b in the front and rear column portions are axially aligned. The containers C1a, C1b, C2a, C2b, C3a are shown in solid lines in the first position and in phantom in the second position. A 120 degree revolving door member 60 movement is required to release the container C.

4 and 5, the revolving door protrusion 65 supports the containers C2a and C2b in the front and rear portions of the column 2 at the positions shown by the solid lines. In FIG. 4, the revolving door protrusion 61 interacts with the escrow portion 54 to support the container C3a in the position shown in solid lines.

When the revolving door member 60 is allowed to rotate 60 degrees to the position shown in phantom, the containers C3a are dispensed and the containers C2a and C2b are supported by the revolving door protrusion 65 and the retainer member 52. It is moved to the position shown in the virtual line. When the revolving door member 60 is allowed to rotate 60 degrees further, the vessel C2a will move into the position already occupied by the vessel C3a and the interactive escrow portion 54 in the revolving door member 60 and the front column portion. Is supported by. However, the container C2b is dispensed because no escrow portion is provided in the rear column portion. The container C is alternately distributed in each column portion every 60 degrees of rotation of the revolving door member 60, but requires 120 degrees of rotation to dispense the container from the same column.

The release mechanism for controlling the rotation of the revolving door member 60 from the first position supported by the revolving door member to the second position generating dispensing will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 8, each of the revolving door members 60 extends through the front plate 20, and the ratchet wheels 70 are rotated together with the revolving door members 60 and are integrally mounted and formed coaxially with the revolving door members. It is provided. Ratchet wheel 70 comprises six radially extending teeth 71-76 and a circular backplate 77 in the illustrated embodiment. An escapement member or pawl means 80 is pivotally mounted adjacent to the ratchet wheel by a pivot axis 81 extending between the front wall 20 and the guide wall 24. The release member 80 is generally arc-shaped and includes lugs 82 and 84 respectively engageable with teeth 74 and 76 of the ratchet wheel in the position shown. The release member 80 comprises a socket 86 at its upper end which provides a seat for the lower end of the spring 88, which spring is engageable with the joining member 90 at the upper end and consequently the lug 82. ) Is biased to engage the top tooth 74.

The ejection member 80 constitutes a second engagement means at the lower end and protrudes constituting a first engagement means engageable by an index means mounted on the elongated drive shaft 100 or by a reciprocating member such as an index pin 102. Member 92. In fact, the revolving door member and the release mechanism interact to prevent dispensing of the vessel from the column.

In the illustrated embodiment, drive shaft 100 is mounted between sidewalls 28 and 30. The drive shaft 100 comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced radially projecting index pins 101-108 arranged in angular relation to each other about the axis of the drive shaft and constituting the coupling means. As shown, eight fins are provided at the same angle of 45 degrees, and each fin, such as fin 102, is selectively engageable with an associated adjacent release member 80. The drive shaft 100 is rotatable and movable so that the selected pin corresponding to the customer's item selection can be rotated to a vertical position in alignment with the ejection protruding member 92. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the drive shaft 100 may be coupled to and separated from the protruding member 92 to move the ratchet wheel 70 and the revolving door member 60. As shown in FIG. 6, the movement of the pin 102 from the point A to the point C through the engagement point B is achieved by pivoting the discharge lug 82 to disengage the ratchet teeth 74. The rotary door member 60 rotates by the weight of the container C until the second tooth 75 engages with the second lug 84. The return movement of the pin 102 from point C to point A causes the reversal pivot of the discharge member 80 under the biasing action of the spring 88 such that the lug 82 is in contact with the next tooth 73. In combination to result in a total movement of the ratchet wheel 70 of about 60 degrees.

In the illustrated embodiment, a total of 120 degrees of movement is required to release the vessel C, and the front and rear vessels in the column are continuous when the revolving door 60 and the ratchet wheel 70 are rotated at 60 degree intervals. Is released.

Now, the means for rotating and moving the shaft 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, which show different arrangements for moving the axes, respectively.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the shaft 100 is supported by a bearing 96 slidably mounted to the wall 28. At the other end, the bearing is connected to an auxiliary shaft 110 parallel to the motor shaft 112 and driven from the motor by a drive chain assembly 114. The drive shaft 100 is connected to the auxiliary shaft 110 by the shaft coupler 116. The shaft coupler 116 includes a longitudinal slot 118 that receives a pin 120 that is fixedly attached to the secondary shaft 110. By this arrangement, the drive shaft 100 and the attachment coupler 116 can be moved axially with respect to the auxiliary shaft 110 and at the same time allow the rotation of the auxiliary shaft and the drive shaft 100. The drive shaft 100 is moved axially by a motor M2 comprising a motor shaft 22 having an eccentric arm 124 rotatable with the motor shaft 22, and by a pivotal link 126. Is connected to Eve 116. As can be readily seen, rotation of the arm 124 over 360 degrees results in forward and rearward movement of the drive shaft 100 corresponding to twice the radius of the arm 124.

In order to start the transfer of the container C, the rotation of the selected pin, for example, the drive shaft 100, which is adjusted to engage the release member 80 (of FIG. 6) of the pin 102, is shown in FIG. 2. By means of control as shown in FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, the angular and axial positions of the drive shaft 100 are connected to a shaft position detector (or position detection means) 130 where information is supplied by interacting encoding components 132, 134. Is provided by (Fig. 10). The encoder means may be provided by optical, magnetic or other well known position detection means. Instructions for the desired item to be sold are provided by the product selector (or item selector) 140. Motors M1 and M2 (which may be AC, DC or stepper type motors) operate in accordance with information input to motor control (or control device 142) by preduct selector 140 and shaft position detector 130. do.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, drive shaft 100 is connected by shaft coupler 152 to shaft 150 of motor M mounted to wall 30. The shaft coupler 152 includes a disk flange 154 and also includes a slot 156 for receiving a pin 158 fixedly attached to the motor shaft 150. The drive shaft 100 is axially moved by a positioning lever 160 which is pivotally mounted to the housing by a pivot shaft 162 in the middle of the ends of the positioning lever 160. The lever is branched to the upper end 164 to receive the flange 154, and at the lower end 166 of the lever an axis is pivoted to the core of the solenoid S. The reciprocating motion of the shafts 100 and the pins 101-108 from the first position to the second position and back again takes place when the solenoid S is excited and de-excited. The same control means as described above with respect to the above-described embodiment is provided in FIG.

In the preferred embodiment, the electronic control system uses a microprocessor, but may also use a logic gate circuit.

In some cases, it may be desirable to provide a second dual unit, such as an inventive invention, rather than a simple variant indicated by an imaginary line of reference 12a in FIG. 3, where an additional product is required. For such an arrangement, a total of four column parts are provided. In this case, instead of providing a totally independent second release system, a complex release system as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 may be used. As shown, a rotating door member 160 that is independently rotatable on the common shaft 168 is provided on both sides of the partition wall 122. A six-tooth ratchet wheel 170 is provided at the end of each revolving door member 160, and each discharge member 180 is pivotally mounted to the partition wall 122 by a common pivot axis 181. The revolving door member 160 and the ratchet wheel 170 are almost identical to those described above. The release member 180 is almost identical except for the inwardly lower portion that supports the protruding member 192. This arrangement allows the use of a single rod 100 having suitable pins 101-108 instead of two independent rods. The control system is retrofitted to provide dual usage.

An improved release mechanism using a reversible drive motor and requiring no moving mechanism is shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, the ratchet wheel 270 and the revolving door member 260 are nearly identical to those described above. However, the release member 280 includes a pivoted finger 292 that is movable upward relative to the other portion of the release member but prevented from moving downward relative to the other portion thanks to the pivotal stop member 293. It differs in that point. The drive shaft 200 is driven by the reversible motor M3 and includes a plurality of pins 201-208, as in the previous embodiment, but longer. When the drive shaft is rotated clockwise, all the pins lift their associated pivot finger 292. When the selected pin, for example pin 202, is placed in close contact with the associated pivot finger 292, counterclockwise motion of the drive shaft 200 causes the pin 202 to rotate downwards to pivot the release member 280. And pushes the finger 292 downward, and the engaging lug 282 pivots out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 272, and the revolving door member 260 allows the lug 284 to engage the ratchet teeth 273. Until it is rotated by the weight of the container (C). The clockwise movement induced by the drive shaft 200 moves the end of the release member 80 carrying the pivot finger upwards under the action of the spring 288, so that the lug 284 deviates from engagement with the ratchet teeth 273. Move and lug 282 move to engage ratchet teeth 272. Thus, the vibratory movement of the pin 202 causes full rotation of the ratchet wheel 270 and 120 degrees of rotation of the rotating member 260. Operation in other respects is the same as described above. It should be noted that the length of the pins 201-208 and each vibratory movement are selected so that only one pin is engaged with the associated pivot finger at any one moment.

With regard to the load of the front and rear parts of the column, it should be noted that the front part is subjected to the front load and the rear part is subjected to the upper load.

It is to be understood that the term vending machine, as used herein, is intended to include both cash and credit vending machines.

While various embodiments of the vending machine have been described, those skilled in the art should appreciate that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it should be noted that the 45 degree angle relationship obtained using eight pins is not intended to be limiting. This is because more or fewer pins can be used as desired to suit the number of columns. Other modifications are possible, for example, the compartments may be inclined instead of vertical. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (21)

Article storage means comprising a plurality of storage compartments 1 to 8, each manufactured and arranged side by side to receive a plurality of adjacent articles C, and arranged at the end of each compartment to automatically retrieve the article C at a first position. Control the movement of each of the supporting means 60, which are supported by the tool and rotated to the second position by the weight of the article, and between the first and second positions, which release the article C. A plurality of release means 32, an actuation means 100 for operating the selected one of the release means 32 to allow rotation of the associated support means 60, and a control means for the actuation means 100 ( In a vending machine with 130, 132, 134, 140, 142, M1, M2, each storage compartment 1-8 is arranged first and second, respectively, arranged to receive a plurality of adjacent articles C; Second compartment portions 1a to 8a, 1b to 8b, each supporting means 60 being a respective compartment portion The article in each compartment portion 1a-8a, 1b-8b of each compartment by means of support members 61, 63, 65 which interact with retainer 50 to support the article at 1a-8a, 1b-8b. (C), wherein the retainer is in a holding position with respect to the article to allow alternating dispensing of the article (C) from the compartment portions (1a to 8a, 1b to 8b) upon rotation of the support means (60). And an escrow means 54 for each compartment portion 1a to 8a which provide a number of teeth, each release means 32 being characterized by the number of teeth of the support members 61, 63, 65 on the support means 60. Ratchet means 70 having a plurality of teeth 71 to 76 and pawl means 80 which are at least twice, said release means for said article C in said first compartment portions 1a to 8a To control the rotation of the support means to alternately dispense with the article C in the second compartment portions 1b to 8b. Vending machines, characterized in that. 2. The actuating means (100) according to claim 1, wherein the actuating means (100) has indexing means (101 to 108) which can be located adjacent to the one releasing means (32) selected for actuating the selected releasing means (32). 32. A vending machine, characterized in that it consists of an elongate member extending between them. 3. The indexing means (101 to 108) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indexing means (101 to 108) are in rotation and longitudinal movement, and the control means is adapted to automatically control the rotation and longitudinal movement of the indexing means (101 to 108). A vending machine comprising a operative position detecting means (130). Vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that each support means (60) has a star shape substantially smaller than the dispensed article (C). Vending machine according to claim 2, characterized in that said elongate member is a drive shaft (100). 2. The ratchet means (70) according to claim 1, wherein the ratchet means (70) are attached to and rotate with the support means (60), and the pole means (80) comprises spacer means (82, 84) engageable with the ratchet means (70). One of the spacing means 82 can be moved to disengage from the ratchet means 70 and the other 84 of spacing means can be moved by the reciprocating movement of the elongate member of the ratchet means 70. Vending machine, characterized in that it can move simultaneously to initially engage the ratchet means (70) to determine the amount of rotation. 2. The long member according to claim 1, wherein the elongate member is a drive shaft (100) to which index means (101 to 108) associated with a plurality of angles, each engageable with an associated release means (32), wherein the selected index means (101 to 108) An electric motor M1 is provided for rotation of the drive shaft 100 so as to be arranged adjacent to the selected release means 32, and each release of the index means 101 to 108 to move each support means 60. Vending machine characterized in that an electric motor (M2) is provided for inducing alternating movement into the drive shaft (100) and the index means (101 to 108) in combination with the means (32) to actuate the release means. Vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage compartments (1 to 8) are vertical columns. 2. The ratchet means of claim 1 wherein each ratchet means 70 is fixedly attached to one end of the associated support means 60 and rotatable with the support means 60, with each pawl means 80 being a respective ratchet. A vending machine mounted pivotally adjacent said means (70) and movable to engage and disengage with said ratchet means (70) to enable rotation of said support means (60). According to claim 7, wherein the means for rotating the drive shaft 100 is a first electric motor (M1), the means for inducing alternating motion to the drive means is an eccentric drive means 124 and the eccentric drive means 124 And a second electric motor (M) comprising a connecting means (126) between the drive shaft (100). 8. The vending machine according to claim 7, wherein the means for rotating the drive shaft (100) is an electric motor (M), and the means for inducing alternating movement on the drive shaft (100) is a solenoid (S). 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the pawl means 280 includes an end portion 292 and means for pivotally attaching the end portion 292 to the other portion 280 to unidirectionally move the other portion 280 relative to the other portion 280. 293, wherein the actuating means 200 comprises means for vibrating the drive shaft 200 and the selected index means 201-208 to induce alternating movement into the selected index means 201-208. Vending machine featuring. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein each compartment portion has a second plurality of compartments aligned with each compartment portion of the first plurality of compartments, wherein each rotatable support means 160 has axially adjacent ends. Independent compartments for supporting the article C, respectively, in each compartment of the first compartment and the second compartment, wherein the release means 32 support means 160 at an adjacent end of each support means 160. And ratchet means 170 rotatable with pawl means 180, wherein the actuating means drive shaft index means 101-108 are adapted to selectively actuate each of the ratchet means 170. A vending machine arranged between the boxes. 10. Vending machine according to claim 9, wherein each ratchet means (70) is formed integrally with an associated support means (60). Vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that each support means (60) has a three point star shape. Vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that each support means (60) has a rotational axis located in compartments (1-8). 10. Vending machine according to claim 9, wherein each support means (60) is formed of a bar (60) of substantially uniform cross section having a three-point star shape. 18. The ratchet means (70) according to claim 17, wherein the ratchet means (70) is a ratchet wheel (70) formed integrally with the bar with a plurality of ratchet teeth (71 to 76) of equal spacing, and the pole means (80) is a tooth (71 to). Vending member having spaced apart lug members (82, 84) continuously engageable with 76). 2. The compartment of claim 1, wherein each compartment 1 to 8 comprises a lower end and a member 36 positioned at the lower end to narrow the outlet and to guide the article C over the associated support means. Vending machine. 10. Vending machine according to claim 9, wherein each compartment portion (1a to 8a, 1b to 8b) is designed to receive a plurality of adjacent cylindrical articles (C) respectively. 21. Vending machine according to claim 20, wherein each support means (60) has a three-point star shape and each ratchet means comprises six teeth (71 to 76).