US1982273A - Coin-controlled vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 27, 1934. F. H. VOGL El AL 1,982,273 COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 8, 1930 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS 5 BY am T NQV. 27, 1934. VQGEL ET 1,982,273

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Origina} Filed Nov 8, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TORS. flank /7f V0321.

" I of AT TORNEQS.

Patented Nov. 27, 1934 1,982,273 com-commotion VENDING Mocmm:

Frank H. Vogel and Ralph A; Vogelj Columbus,

Ohio, assignors' to The Columbus Vending Company, Golu-mbus, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application. November- 8,1930. Serial No. 494,212. Divided and this application October 1 22, 1931, Serial N0. 570,396-

This invention relates to a coin-controlled vending machine. larly, with a novel form of. detent device ior controlling the rotative movement of the vender. disk .5 with the actuating device. Furthermore, this invention relates to a novel form of closure member for the commodity and coin receiving compartments respectively and to a novel means for agitating the articles contained in. the; hopper.

This is a division of. our application, Serial Number 494,212., filed November 8, 1.930.

In the past, the vendor disk of a coincontrolled vending machine has, been mintained in align.- ment with the vendor lever by means of a spring actuated pawl adapted to engage. with successive notches in, the vendor disk. In some. instances, the application of undue force on. the operating handle has resulted in driving the vendor disk, by impetus, past the point where its notch registers with the coin slotv of the vendor lever, and

also moving the vendor disk to such position as to preclude cooperation of the pawl with one of the notches therein. As a. result, subsequent operation of the vending machine is prevented in 2d view of the fact that the disaligning slots in the vendor disk and the vendor lever will not permitproper positioning of a coin until the machine has been re-adjusted which necessitates disas sembling thereof.

One object of this invention is. to provide a means for insuring the properalignment between the selector-plate and the vender lever to allow the. slot. of the vendor lever to register with oneoi the notchesin the selector plate after each operationto thereby ensure. positive and reliable operation of theme-chine.

Another object of this invention. lies in: the

provision of a novel form of cap for the com-\- modity compartment that willclosely embrace n the upper end of the-cylindrical hopper to 'preclude the entry'oi dirt, dust and moisture thereinto from this source, and a closure for the coin receiving compartment that will successfully It has to do, moreparticu-v k. were to belocatedrexteriorly oi the device as in several oi the prior artimodels.

Still another object of? this invention is to pro.- vide, a closure for the commodity and coin r ceiving compartments respectively that may be 6.0;. readily removed. from the machine to fully uncover each respective compartment, or. may be mounted thereon and rotated to such' position as; to cause the. cooperation-oi a pluraiity of. means. for precluding; the removal thereof by a direct 65. pull perpendicular to the plane of the base, and then operating a locking means to preclude turning of such closures to a point where such inter.- locking means is ineffective.

A :iurther objector this invention. is toprovide a vending machinewherein 'the operating mechanism isprotected against persons who might be. inclined to; insert wire,.pins: or even the fingers. of the hand into the. commodity chute in. an attempt to fraudulently obtain the articles in the 75. hopper. 1 i p 1 A still further object of this. invention liesv in the provision of an. agitating means that will positively agitate and rearrange the. articles in the. hopper with each operation of. the machine and willserve to correctly feed the. articles from the containing hopper to the delivery mechanism as the articles are. withdrawn therefrom by the operation oi the machine.

This invention contemplates the; provision of a. I

pawl. member having a heel thereon that is positively contacted by the vendor lever at the end of every stroke to drive one end of the pawl into engagement with a notch in. the vendor: disk to preclude movement of the. vendor disk by impetus past the point where the. coin slot. therein registers with the coin slot of the. vendor lever. This. will insure the proper alignment, at all times, of the vendor disk with the vendor lever and will allow the positive and reliable operation of the machine.

Furthermore, this invention contemplates the provision of acap for the commodity compartment that is adapted to beheld thereon by the cooperation of spaced lugs coacting with a peripheral annular groove formed in that part of the cap member that embraces the upper end of the cylindrical hopper. The peripheral groove is provided with a. plurality of spaced grooves perpendicular thereto to allow the cap to be positioned on the upper end of the cylinder and to permitdownward movementof the cap until the. lugs engage with the peripheral annular groove. Rotation of the cap in any direction will remove the lugs from registry with the perpendicular openings and will preclude removal of the top by a direct pull perpendicular to the plane of the base. A locking means is provided to prevent turning of the cap from this position to. a point where the lugs may register with the perpendicular grooves. A detailed description of this locking device will be hereinafter set out in the specification. The principal idea of such an arrangement is to provide means for preventing removal of the cap, unless th cap is turned to a point for allowing such removal and when the cap is in the first named position, to prevent rotation thereof by a locking means.-

Much the same principle is followed in pro-'- viding a closure member for the coin comparte ment. and a plurality of lugs, the closure member for the base is provided with a plurality of bayonet slots formed in that portion of the closure member which interfits with the cylindrical housing. These bayonet slots are adapted to cooperate on rotation, with a plurality of arms mounted in the coin compartment and when such cooperation is approximated further movement of the closure member is prevented by closing the bolt of a locking means. This base closure is designed to operate as a receptacle for coins and-is of sufficient depth to allow the removal thereof without spillingthe coins therefrom.

The selector plate of this vending device is provided with a centrallydisposed upstanding agitator having a plurality of diverging vertical flutes or wings adapted to effectively agitate the articles within the hopper to ensure the continuous proper feeding thereof to the selecting and vending mechanism. Furthermore, means are provided for insuring that the commodity hopper will not be emptied by holding the operating mechanism at a position of discharge.

This vending machine is also provided with a novel means for closing the commodity chute when the drop gate is lifted. This means is formed as an extension of the drop gate and normally lies in the commodity chute although not in such position as to interfere with the passage of articles therethrough. However, when the gate is lifted, the extension drops into such position as to obstruct the passage and prevents access to .the'internal' mechanism of the machine. ther objects-and advantageous features; of this invention will be apparent in the following detailed descriptionand the accompanying drawings wheiein similar figures of reference designate like characters and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of our novel form of vending machine with certain parts thereof broken away to more clearly illustrate the various features thereof.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the operating mechanism showing the vender disk and the preferred form of our pawl in the position which they occupy immediately preceding actuation of the vender lever.

In place of an annular peripheral groove 5 ment of the locking means for the base closure plate, wherein the lock is mounted on the Wall of the base section rather than on the closure member.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the under side of the bowl casing removed from the machine.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the vender lever plate removed from the machine.

The individual parts of our novel vending machine will now be discussed with reference to their construction and respective functions, the closure member for the base being considered first.

With reference to the drawings, we have shown in Figure 1 a vending machine that is substantially cylindrical throughout its length. The base section of this machine preferably comprises a cylindrical wall .1 preferably made up of a light metal which serves as a wall for the coin receiving compartment 2 adapted to receive and contain the coins or other devices after they have passed through the operating mechanism. This cylindrical wall 1 also serves as a support for the operating mechanism and the hopper mounted thereabove.

The lower end of this cylindrical wall is equipped with an outwardly flaring apron 3,'that is adapted to encircle the base and to be rigidly mounted thereon. The lowermost end of such apron extends below the lowermost limits of the annular Wall and is turned under as at 4 to embrace and'h old in position an annular member 5.

This annularmernber 5 comprises a rib-like portion 6 that is disposed intermediate the inner side of the flange 3 and the lower end of the base portion 1. Formed integrally with the horizontal portion of the rib-like member is an upstanding flange '7 adapted to normally lie within the coin receiving compartment and in intimate contact with the inner side of the cylindrical wall 1. I'he horizontal flange of the rib-like member may be equipped with 'a plurality of cushioned supports 8 to prevent the machine from scratching or otherwise marring any surface upon which it rests.

The upstanding wall 7 is provided with a plurality of radial arms 9, Figures 1 and 4, having one end' thereof formed integrally therewith. The inner ends of the arms 9 are joined to an annular center portion 10, Figures 1 and 4, that is drilled centrallyas at 11, Figure 4, for the reception of thethreaded lower end 12 of the center post 13. Each-arm 9 is provided with a reenforcing rib throughout itslength and is reenforced'by one of the legs of a reenforcing spider 15' that is bored centrally to 'allow the central post 13 to extend therethroug'h. Each leg 15 which is preferably made up of a strip of metal is fixedly securedto one of the horizontal arms 9 and extends substantially the length thereof, but terminating short of the points of juncture of sucharms 9' with the wall 7'. The reenforcing plate is also adapted. to support a sleeve 12' mounted in concentric relation to the post 13 and supporting one end of a spout 50, as shown in Fig-' ure 6, hereinafter referred to, on its upper end. The central post 13 is securedto the under sideof the annular center portion 10 by a nut 10'.

The base closure plate 16 preferably comprises a horizontal base section having an upstanding annular flange member 17 formed integrally with the peripheral edge thereof. This upstanding annular flange is provided with a plurality of spaced perpendicular cut away portions 18 each of which communicates with a slot 19 extending 16 may be centrally indented as at 21, Figure 4 to spasms at right angles to the thereof, These communicating grooves form a bayonet slot. When the closure plate is mounted on the base, the cut away portions 18 are brought into registry with the horizontal arms 9 and the base plate is moved upwardly until the arms contactwith the bottom of each respective cut away portion 18'. The closure plate may then'be rotated to move each arm '9 into 'a slot 19.

The horizontal portion of the base closure plate receive a handle member 22-. The provision of this member 22 will enable the closure plate to be readily rotated to effect remo'val'or mounting thereof on the device. After the closure plate has been mounted on the lower end of the device, in the manner shown in Figure 1, it is desirable that some means be provided for precluding the turning of such plate. In order to accomplish this, we utilize aloclr 23 that may be mounted either on the interior of the closure plate adjacent the periphery thereof, Figures 1 and 4, or may be'positioned on the inner side of the wall 1, Figure 5. When the lock is positioned on the closure member, an opening 24, Figure 4 is provided in the wall of the flange 17 to allow the bolt 25 to pass th'erethro-ugh and into engagement with the walls of an opening 26 formed at some point in theupstanding wall 'I'. This lock is adapted to be operated by a key inserted in the key slot 27 that extends below the base of the closure, plate Figure 4 in's'uch position as to be readily accessible, by merelytipping the machine to, one side.

However, where the user desires to secure the machine to a pedestal or counter, the other mounting of the lock is to be preferred, since the key slot is now accessible from the wall 1, This permits the owner of 'the device to ilrmly secure the base closure plate to a table or counter by. driving screws throughsuch plate in a manner that will be clearly apparent, To obtain separation of themachine from the closure plate the machine may be grasped and rotated until the ends of the arms 9 register with the vertical notches i8 and then] lifted. By reversing the procedure, the machine and base may again be joined. The bolt of the lock may then beeperated to engage with anyone o fthe vertical fins 146 which are formed integral with the flange 17' and are located adjacent thelnotches 19. These fins prevent rotation of. the, closure plate with respect to the base and thetwo cannot be sepajrated until the bolt has been withdrawn and the machine rotated as hereinbefore set out. g

'It can readily be seenthat the closure plate is supported. at a plurality of points and theiiange member l'l-thereof will tightly coast with the.

flange member 7 of the rib-like member 5 to pre? vent persons from inserting small objects between the closure plate and the base ,of the ma; chine to remove coins or other devicesirom the coin containing compartment. Furthermore, provision of a closure plate having an upstanding peripheral flange convertsthis plate into, a receptacle of sufficient depth to allow the removal of such platewithout spilling the coins or checkstherefrom. I

Mountedon the upper end of the cylindrical casing 1 is an annular bowl casing member .30 adapted to enclose and support the operating mechanism of this vending machine. Cast integral with this bowl casing is a member 1e17, by means of which the device may be attached to a slot 34 thereinthat overlies and cooperates with I such coin channel. I The plate 33, is mounted. on an extension 35 formedas a part of a top plate 36, mounted on the upper edge of the casting 30; This member 36 is equipped with an annular groove 3'7 in the upperrportion :thereof adapted. to receive the lower end of a cylindrical'hopper38 of transparent material. A gasket 39 of some suitable material is preferably disposedinthe groove prior to mounting of the cylindrical hopper therein; This top plate is'further provided with an annular beveled flange 40, Figure 1, adjoining the groove 37 that is adapted to lie within the commodity compartment, the purpose of which will be hereinafter' described in connection with the agitating means. 1 1 i 1 Located below and to one side of the coin channel is a spout extending througha suitable opening inthe wall 1 that is normallyclosed. by a hingeddrop-gate 51. This drop-gate is novel in that it is provided with an integral extension 1 13 that extendsrearwardly from the pivots 144 and normally lies in a horizontal plane adjacent the upper limits of the spout when the drop-gate is'in closed position. However, on raising of the drop-gate, the extension descends and blocks the entry to the spent in such a manner that such articles as wire, pins or even the fingers cannot be inserted beyondit. The drop-gate and extension are so constructed that persons cannot change the angular relation therebetween by holding the gate open and pushing against the extension.- This is accomplished byeither stamping-the drop-gate and extension out of a heavy metal and crimping it on the marginal edge, or casting them from a strong metal that cannot be bent with ordinary pressure. f The-inner end of thisspout is located at the center of the machine and in a position to receive the vended material from the vender lever plate through a suitable aperture hereinafter referred to, in the base or the bowl casing, such inner end being'aperturedand mounted on the'post 13 and held in position by the upper end of the sleeve l2' which maintains it against the under side of thebowl casting'30. As will be noted the spout has its base inclined downwardly and outwardly to allow the commodity to move toward the dropgate. 1 i l 1 Mounted within the bowl casting 30 is a vender lever plate' 4l best shown in Figures '1, 6 and 7.

This plate 'prei'erably'comprises-a horizontal main body portion 42 having an openingB-Z, Figuresd and '7 therein. This opening is adapted to register withone of a, plurality of'o-penings 81 in the selector plate to receive the commodity to be vended from the hopper and to subsequently, on proper actuation, deliver such material to the inner end of the spout 50 through an opening 50' in the base, of the bowl casting. V

This .vender leverplate 41 also comprises a handle 53which proj-ectsthrough and operates in an opening 54, Figure 6-, in the. bowl. casting 30. The vunderside of this vender lever plate, Figure 6, is equipped with a depending tongue 55 disposedin aslot or opening 56 formedin thebowl'casing 30.

A retractile spring 57 is connected, at one end, to this tongue and is connected at its other end to a second tongue 59 depending from the under side of the bowl casting 30. It can readily be seen, that the rectractile spring tends, to always return the vender lever plate to; its initial position andto return it to such position after it has been operated to effect discharge of the vended material.

The vender lever plate. 41 is further provided with a substantially radial slot 60 which extends through the segmental flange 61 and into the horizontal portion of such plate. When the vender lever plate is in initial position, Figure 2, this slot 60 is in alignment with the inner end, of the coin channel 32 formed, in the depending lobe 142 east as a part of the top plate and located in radially projecting hood 31.

The alignment of the inner end of the channel 32 with the slot 60 is positively insured after each and every operation of the vender lever plate by reason of the fact that the lever is provided with a stop 145 that is adapted to contact with the lobe 142 containing the coin channel 32, the lobe extending into the path thereof, as shown in Figure 3. The contacting surfaces of both the stop member and the lobe may be milled to insure that the vender lever plate on returning to initial position will stop at the exact point where the channel 32 and slot 60 align.

The coin is adapted to be'delivered, when it is received in the channel 32,. into the slot 60 where it is held upright by the walls of such slot and by an arcuate semi-circular channel 140 formed in the bowl casting 30. This channel ex-.

tends from a point adjacent the entryto an opening 141 in the bowl casting through which the coins drop into the coin receptacles The vender lever plate 41 is provided with a central hub 64 that is drilled centrally as at 65 for proper mounting on the annular upstanding portion 66, Figure 4, formed integrally with'and centrally disposed with relation to the bowl cast ing 30. A bushing may be inserted in the hub 64 to reduce the wear resulting from rotation of the plate 41. The annular portion 66 is drilled centrally as at 6'7 to allow the vertical post 13 to extend therethrough. To prevent rotationof such post, it is provided with a pin .70 that extends beyond the periphery thereof and is normally adapted to engage the lugs 71 formed as a part of the upper portion ofthe portion 66, being disposed in a cut away portion 72 in the upper portion thereof and lying in concentric relation to the center post 13.

Mounted on the center post 13 directly above the vender lever plate is'selector plate 80, Figures 2 and 3, that is supported out of engagement therewith by its integral depending hub adapted to rest on the upper end of the annular portion 66 formed as a part of the bowl casting 30. This selector plate preferably comprises a horizontal body portion provided with a plurality of circular openings 81 arranged in a circle about the post 13 and spaced equally distant therefrom and from each other. These circular openings are adapted to receive the articles to be vended and carry them to proper position for vending.

The periphery of the selector plate is provided with a plurality of spaced substantially U-shaped notches 82 that, as will be hereinafter noted, is each adapted to successively align with the coin slot 60 in'the vender lever plate. In addition, the periphery of this selector plate is equipped .with a plurality of ratchet teeth 83. These ratchetteeth lie intermediate two of thenotches 82 over which a pawl member 85 is adapted to ride, the cooperation of such pawl with the teeth servingto prevent reversev movement of the vender selector plate.

' Thepawlmember 85 is pivoted on an upstanding pin 86 mounted on the base plate of the bowl casting to the left of the coin slot and adjacent the periphery thereof. The forward end of this pawl, as at 87, is turned inwardly so as to engage With the teeth and notches of the selector plate and is adapted to be influenced toward contact with the periphery ofthe selector plate and these teeth and notches by a resilient member 88 as mounted on the pin 86. v

This pawl structure serves to prevent any reverse movement ofthe selector plate and is also adapted to successively align the notches 82 with the slot 60 in the vender leverplate and with the coin channel 32. In some instances, an operator willthrow the handle 53 from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3 with undue force. If the selector plate is given undue impetus it might rotate to a point where the forwardend 87 of the pawl will engage with one of the teeth 83 instead of correctly positioning itself in one of the notches 82. In order to prevent this from happening, onev end of the pawl member hasbeen provided with an extension 90 having a heel 91 formed on the rearmost end thereof that is adapted to be contacted with the end 92 of the segmental upstanding portion 61 formed as a part of the vender lever plate, see Figures 1 and 3. The cooperation of this portion 61 with the heel 91 of the pawl member, Figure 3, is adapted to positively drive the forward end 87 of the pawl there! of into cooperation with one of the notches 82.

Perhaps theoperation of this pawl member will be best understood in connection with a brief desoription'of the operation of the mechanism. When a suitable coin is inserted in the slot 34 it will roll down the channel 32 and into the slot 60, being supported from below by the arcuate wall of the channel in which position it will also be disposed in one of the notches 82 in the selector plateas bestshown in Figure 2. This suitable coin will L thereby I look the selector. plate and vender, lever plate together so that when the vender lever plate is moved by the handle 53 the selector plate will'also be, moved a corresponding distance until such time asthe coin traverses the channel "and drops, through a suitable opening in the bowl casting 30 and into thecoin receiving compartment. a

During movement of the selector plate the forward end 8'7 of the pawl 85 drags over the notched periphery of such plate to prevent any reversal in the movementthereof. When the plate reaches the position shown in Figure 3, the forward end 92, Figure 1, of the vender lever plate 41 will con a t with the heel 91 of the pawl member to drive the forward end thereof into positive engagement with one of the notches 82 thus ensuring that one of the other of such notches will align with the coin slot 32. It is obvious that the handle53 may be thrown from one end of its stroke to the other with as much force as desired, yet, the novel form of pawl structure will positively preclude rotation of the selector plate in either direction after such engagement. When the lever 53 is I released, the vender lever plate will rotate in a reverse direction under the influence of the resilient member 57 until the stop 145 strikes the wall 142 extending into the path thereof, Figure 2. However, rotation of the selector plate in a re- Ideeper at these bases than at their tops.

verse direction prevented by' uiepawi as and the coin slot 60 in the vender lever I plate iwill again align with another of the notches 82.

It is obvious,that movement of the selector plate will serve to convey one of the sphericaltarticles seated in one of the'openings 81 of the selector plate beneath the lobe 62 where itwill be discharged through the opening .50 in the bowl casting andfrom there into the spout down which it rolls to the drop-gate 51 from which it can readily be removed. The lobe 62 is so located that it overlies the discharge opening in the lever plate and will prevent other of the articles located in the hopper fromenteringthe opening 50. This ensures thatonly one article at a time will be vended. i

Formed integrally with the selectorplate and extending upwardly from the center thereof is an agitator that is bored centrally to allow the,

center post 13 to extend therethrough. This novel .form'of agitator is provided with a plurality of vertical fins 101 arranged concentrically around the center post 13. The agitator is frustro-conical in form. Therefore, the fins 101 are It will be apparent that any movement of the vender disk will also serve to rotate this agitator. With reference to Figure 4, it will be noted that the spherical commodities are grouped around and rest against the fins of this agitating member and also rest on the beveled portion 40 of the top plate. With each operation of the machine, the agitator is revolved, thus serving to rearrange the articles grouped therearound to prevent any failure in the operation of the machine due to the articles compacting, arching, adhering or assuming a stable arrangement in the hopper. The beveled portion 40 of the top plate will tend to direct the spherical articles against the diverging fins 101 that are so angled as to direct the articles into any one of the openings 81, with the exception of the opening lying directly below the lobe 60.

As hereinbefore mentioned the top plate is 'adapted to support a cylindrical hopper 38 preferably made up of a transparent material such as glass. This portion of the machine is adapted to receive and hold the articles to be vended. The central post 13 extends upwardly therethrough and has its threaded upper end inserted in an opening 105 formed in the centermost portion of a retaining spider ring 106. This retaining ring comprises an annular depending flange 10'? adapted to embrace the upper side. of the cylinder 38 and is provided with an annular integrally formed flange 108 extending inwardly therefrom so as to overlie the upper edge of the cylindrical hopper. This portion 108 is substantially horizontal and is provided with a plurality of radial arms 109 that extend inwardly toward each other erably comprises a vertical wall formed integrally with the retaining ring and a horizontal portion formed integrally with the vertical portion and extending inwardly toward the center post. i

The purpose of these stops will be hereinafter described in detail.

The vertical flange 107 or the retaining ring is provided'with .aplurality of spacedlugs 120. The purpose'of 'these lugswill be hereinafter described.

The cap member for the commodity compart- As will be noted, theannular'groove. 124 is;

formed adjacent the lowermost end of the depend+ ing flange 123 formed as apart of the cap mem ber. Furthermore, a plurality of vertical grooves 125 cooperating at cone end 'with the annular groove 124 are spaced around the. periphery of the vertical portion 123. The opposing ends of each respective groove-125. are" open. These grooves are arranged the samedistance apart from one another as the .lugs formed on the retaining ring 106.

To mount the cap in proper position, the grooves 125 are brought into registry with the lugs 120 and the cap is moved downwardly until such time as the lugs engage the annular groove 124. The

cap may now be turned in either direction to re-' 1 move the lugs 120 from registry with the vertical grooves 125. Thus, it would be impossible to lift the cap from the hopper 38 owing to the fact that the lugs 120 now engage with the annular groove 124.

In order-to preclude removal of the cap, we have mounted a lock on the inner side of the depending flange 123 in the position shown in Figure 1, wherein the key slot 131 for operating the bolt 132 extends through to the opposing side of the flange 123 to allow operation of the bolt from the exterior. When the cap 121 is rotated, in either direction, the body of the lock 130 ultimately contacts with the center stop 112, or at least with the horizontal portion 115 thereof. The lock is so located that when the bolt is withdrawn it will not contact with either one of the stop members 111 and 113. With the cap in the position shown in Figure 1, wherein one side of the lock is abutting against the central stop member 112, the bolt 132 may be extended by means of a key inserted in the key slot 131. This will prevent subsequent rotation of the cap owing to the fact that the bolt 132 will now contact with the inturned flange of the shorter stop member 111, or 113 as the case would be if the position of the cap were to be reversed.

From the foregoing description, it will be clearly understood that we have provided a novel form of vending machine in which are embodied many entirely new features.

One advantageous feature of this novel form of vending machine resides in the fact that ameans is provided for positively insuring the alignment of the coin slot in the vender lever plate with any oneof the notches 82 in the selector plate. This feature alone prevents jamming of the operating mechanism when the lever for operating such mechanism is thrown from one end of its stroke to the other with such force as to cause subsequent disalignment of the hereinabove mentioned parts. The provision of such a means will also allow the vender lever to be roughly manipulated without any detrimental results arising from such handling.

One advantageous feature of our invention resides in the fact that the cap closure and plate are sanitary and will serve to prevent dust and moisture from entering the respective compartments that they cover. Furthermore, the construction of the closure plate is such as to allow it to become filled with coins,:yet since it is itself a receptacle, it maybe removed from the device without the coins falling therefrom.

' Still another advantageous feature of this-invention lies in the provision of a cap for the commodity compartment that may be turned in any direction until it stops. It may then be locked in this position which will preclude removal thereof. i The provision of such a cap means that it may be unlocked, but yet cannot be removed, fromthe hopper until rotated to a predetermined position.

A still further advantageous feature of this invention resides in the agitating meansthat. is

adapted to ensure a uniform feeding of the articles to be vended to the delivery mechanism in addition to agitating such articles in the hop er to preclude the adhering, arching or compacting thereof.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is: a

In a vending machine, a hopper, a cap for said hopper having a closure surface and a flange attached thereto, said flange having an annular groove therein and a plurality of grooves perpendicular to said annular groove, a retaining ring

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