US2178001A - Selective vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 31, 1939D A. E. sxEHRs 2,178,001

sELEc'rIvE vmmrue MACHINE l Filed June 5. v193s 4 sheets-sheet 1 Oct. 31, 1939. A. E. slEHRs SELECTIVE VENDING MACHINE Filed June 3, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 3l, 1939. A. E. slEHRs SELECTIVE VENDING MACHINE 4 Sh'eefs-Sheet 3 Filed June 3, 1938 l|i||5k .nllrx..illllllnlllfrnlsllial.

Patented Oct. 31, 1939 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to coin controlled automatic vending machines, and particularly to automatic selective vending machines.

The object of this invention is to provide a machine which is adapted to vend packaged articles and particularly liquids in upright containers such as for example bottles of milk, and to provide the purchaser with a choice of avors or brands of product in a single compact machine, so that a choice of at least two brands or iiavors may be obtained.

Other objects relate to the 4common supporting and storing means for. the merchandise, the segregation of their classes thereon, the means for selectively causing the desired article to be moved into delivery position, the automatic selective control means, the automatic coin actuation of the machine, the methods of preventing successive delivery of articles for a single coin, and the various methods and means by which the basic principles of selective operation and general common construction of the machine is retained while the details of operation are accomplished by modified means.

Further objects relate to the economy of operation and economy of storage capacity of the machine, and the various details of construction and arrangement of parts which will be apparent from a consideration of the following specilication and the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation, with parts in section, and parts broken away of a typical vending machine embodying some of my selective vending principles.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram of the electrical control circuits of the machine shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

Fig. 5 is a section similar to that of Fig. 2, embodying a modification thereof.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. x5.

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram of the electrical control circuits of the modified construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a section similar to that of Fig. 2 embodving another modied construction andV a modied principle of operation.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 8 embodying a modication of the details thereof.

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram of the electrical control circuits of the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Fig. 11 is a section similar to that of Figs. 2, 5 and 8 embodying still another modified con- (cl. y31a-ss) struction and another modified principle of operation.

Fig. 12 is a section on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a detail section on the line I3-I3 of Fig. 12 illustrating one position of the selective operating means of Fig. 11, and,

Fig. 14 is a similar view illustrating a detail of the selective operative means of Fig. 11 in a second position.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 11 embodying a modication of the details thereof.

v Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, I0 indicates generally the housing of my selective vending machine, the general construction of which is applicable to the various modifications thereof shown by the drawings and hereinafter described. 'Ihe machine is conveniently divided into two compartments, the lower compartment I I housing the gears, motor, refrigerating' equipment, etc., whereas the upper compartment I2 is provided with an inner body I3 so that insulating material I4 may be utilized. The top of compartment I2 is closed with a like insulated cover I5, thus providing a closed chamber insulated against heat and cold, and which may thereby be more eiliciently kept refrigerated to preserve the articles to be vended, particularly when they are perishable, such as milk.

Rotatably mounted within compartment I2 adjacent the base thereof is the turntable I6 which is adapted to support the merchandise to be vended such as the bottles I'I and I8, the table being provided with a downwardly depending collar I9 surrounding the shaft 20, and being supported in the bearing block 2| by the roller bearing 22 for ease in operation. Suitable means for rotating the turntable I6 are provided in the lower compartment II, such as the motor 23 and the gears 24, 25 and 26, the latter being secured to the collar I9. Within this compartment II, although not shown, may conveniently be contained refrigeration equipment and the like appurtenances.

For convenience and conservation of space, a trap door 21, having a diameter slightly larger than that of a single article to be vended, is formed on the base 28 of the compartment I2. adjacent a corner thereof when the machine is of rectangular construction, and is in substantially osculating relationship with the turntable I6. Secured to the base 28 is the guide and retaining wall 29 which is substantially concentric with and spaced slightly outwardly of the table I6 for about three-quarters of its periphery, the remainder of the wall 29 constituting the two tangential portions 30 and 3| which meet to embrace the trap door 21, the wall l29 being of suflicient height to retain the vendable commodities until delivery operation.

Fixedly secured to the axial shaft 20 and ex*- tending transversely over the table I6 are the pair of substantially curved deiiecting arms 32 and 33 having their concavities toward each other, their outer ends meeting at the periphery of the table I6 .at the point where an extended radial line from the turntable bisects the trap door 21, or at the point of tangency of the discs forming the table and the trap door. These deiiecting arms are of equal contour and arcuate in shape for a substantial length, except for the portions forming their outward ends Where they are straight and substantially parallel to the adjacent sides of the machine, so that these end portions, together with the portions 30 and 3| of the guide walls form a pair of converging channels in a direction towards the trap door, of sufficient width to accommodate a single unit of the article to be dispensed. Extending radially and transversely across the table from the axial shaft 20 to a point on the guide wall 29 diametrically opposed to the point of outer convergence of the deflecting arms 32 and 33, and fixedly secured at both of said points, is the dividing bar 34. It will thus be seen that by means of the dividing bar 34A and the defiecting bars 32 and 33, which are of sufficient height to prevent an article on the table 6 from being carried over them, that the contents of the table |6 are kept separated into two divisions, whereby they may be selectively vended as hereinafter set forth.

Selective vending of either of the articles |1 or I3 is accomplished by causing the table |6 to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise. Thus for example, if it is desired to vend an article l1, the table is caused to rotate clockwise, and the articles on the table between the guide wall 23, divider bar 34 and deflector arm 33, will be carried into the channel formed between the outer end of arm 33 and the tangential guide wall portion 3| by the rotation of the table, by centrifugal force imparted to the articles, by guiding action of the arm 33, the convex curvature of which is opposed to the clockwise direction of rotation of the table, and by the guiding action of the guide wall 29 and its portion 3|, onto the trap door 21. The trap door is provided with a spring hinge 35 which permits the article |1 positioned on the trap door to drop through the opening 36 and onto a suitable cushion 31 contained in the delivery opening 38, from where it may be manually withdrawn by the purchaser. Likewise, if an article |8 is desired, the table is caused to rotate counterclockwise.

The motor 23, which may be a 110 volt single phase motor, may be caused to reverse by means of a suitable reversal switch of a conventional type adapted therefor, and diagrammatically indicated at 39, which may be actuated by a purchaser by means of a lever 40 on the exterior of the machine. Thus the purchaser makes his selection of either of the classes of merchandise in the machine by turning the lever 40 to either one of the marked contacts 4| or 42. He then places the requisite coin in the coin control box 43, which may be of any suitable type and which may include coin scanning and slug rejection means. The insertion of the proper coin closes the coin switch 44, the switch being preferably of the type which remains closed after operation by a coin until the circuit is broken at some other point, or if not thus broken will after a time limit return the coin and break itself. Other suitable means of holding the circuit closed after insertion of the coin untilreturn thereof or delivery of the selected merchandise may be employed, such as for example, an auxiliary holding circuit. Thus insertion of a coin in the box 43a closes the coin switch 44 and permits the current to fiow through either of the selected points 4| or 42 to operate the motor 23, and cause the table I6 to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise. As hereinbefore described, the rotation of the table in, for example, a clockwise direction causes the article |1 to be positioned on the trap door 21 whereupon the weight of the article causes it to depress the trap 21 which is equipped on its under surface with a mercury trap switch 45 placed in the circuit. 'Ihe lowering of the trap door operates the mercury switch to break the circuit and thus immediately stops the motor and resultant rotation of the table, and simultaneously re-opens the coin switch which then remains open even though the article |1 is withdrawn and the trap door and its switch are then allowed to close by means of the spring hinge. It will thus be seen that the trap door is cleared of its load and the subsequent operation of the machine may be either in the same direction or in the reverse direction, as controlled by the desires of the purchaser. It is of course to be understood that the electrical operation, circuit, switches and other like appurtenances may be suitably varied by conventional means and devices.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are directed to a modiiication of my selective vending principle, also embodying the use of a reversal switch to cause the supporting platform or turntable to rotate in two directions, in this modification, however, two separated trap doors are employed, and the contents of each section of the retaining walls more positively separated. The construction and arrangement of the machine is generally the same as that set forth in Figs. l to 4.

In this modification, however, for economy of space, the outer end portions and 5| are curved in a direction reverse to the curvature of the deiiecting arms 32 and 33' respectively, and after meeting at a point diametrically opposed to the point where the dividing arm 34 is joined to the guide wall 29', continues outwardly to form a straight dividing portion 52 where it meets the retaining wall portion 53. On each side of the dividing portion 52 the trap doors 54 and 55 are formed on the base 28', the traps being in the form of discs in osculating relation to the table |6', and of a vsufficient diameter to receive the articles |1 or I8. The guide wall 29 substantially encompasses the table I6' but is provided with projecting portions 56 and 51 which are substantially parallel with the portion 52 and form a complete closure with the portion 53. The portions 56 and 51 meet the guide wall 29' at a curvature in the same direction respectively as the curved defiector bar portions 50 and 5|, so that they form therewith elbow channels into which an article on the table may be directed by rotation thereof as previously described, and thus an article I8 may be deposited on the trap door 54, or an article |1 may be deposited on the trap door 55.

'I'he trap doors 54 and 55 are respectively provided with tiltably operable mercury switches 53 and 59 or other like suitable circuit making and breaking means. rIn addition thereto the doors until a circuit -in either direction is closed, at

which time the lock opens. Thus if it is desired to purchase an article from, for example, the left hand side of the machine shown in Fig. 5, the reversal switch 39' is turned to the contact 4|, and a coin inserted in the machine which closes the switch 44'. This causes the lock 60 to open and the table I 6 to rotate counterclockwise until an article I8 is positioned on the trap door 54, whereupon the article is delivered into the opening 62 and the mercury switch 58 becomes tilted to break thev circuit and stops the motor. As soon as the article is withdrawn the trap door closes by means of its spring hinge 63, and the machine is ready for the succeeding sale. It is to be understood`- that a single delivery opening 62 may be provided in themachine or two separate openings may be used, and that if desired they may be together or spaced apart, and that directional delivery chutes may be suitably employed.

I'he modified form of apparatus shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, while generally directed to selective vending and employing a revolvable merchandise supporting platform and a fixed segregation wall extending transversely thereover, accomplishes selective vending by means other than reversal operation of the motor.

In this modification two trap doors, discs 80 and 8| in substantial osculating relationship to turntable 82 and diametrically opposed to each other, are formed on the base 83. Substantially concentric with and extending around the turntable to include the trap doors is the retaining guide wall 84 secured to the base 83. Secured to the xed axial shaft 85 and extending transversely across the table in opposed directions therefrom are the curved dei'lecting arms 86 and 81 having respective outer terminal portions 88 and 89 curved inthe reverse direction, so that together with the guide wall to which they are attached, they form elbow channels, in a manner similar to those shown in Fig. 5, leading off in a radial direction.

Instead of conforming the wall 84 around the turntable and trap discs as close as possible, the wall 84 may form a tangent to both the table and trap disc as at 90 in Fig. 9. In this detail modication, the outer end of the deiiecting arms is then formed substantially parallel to the portion 90, as at 9| spaced apart therefrom to form a tangential channel similar to that shown in Fig. 2.

For the operation of this machine selective operation is brought about by the use of two separate coin control boxes, the insertion of a coin in the selected box resulting in delivery of the selected article. Thus coin insertion causes either of the coin switches 92 or 93 to close and causes either one of the magnetic locks 94 or 95 associated with the trap doors 80 and 8| to open, and simultaneously starts the motor 9B. Although an article |8 may be thereby positioned on the trap 80 and an article |1 on the trap 8| at the same time, due to the employment of the magnetic locks in the circuit of each coin switch, onlyv the selected one will be opened. The trap doors 80 and 8| are also provided respectively with the tiltable mercury switches 91 and 98, whereby the motor circuit is broken when an article is positioned on a trap and allowed to drop downwardly.

Although not shown, it is apparent that with this form of machine two spaced apart delivery openings will ordinarily be required which may be formed on opposed or adjacent sides of the machine. It is also conceivable that a single delivery opening Amay be employed by adapting to the machine a second revolvable platform underneath the containing table, which willcarry an article delivered from the remote side of the machine to a common opening on the front side thereof.

Figs. 11 to 15 set forth another modification of my vending machine embodying the selective principle by means oa unidirectional motor operation as in the modied form of Figs. 8 to 10, but requiring the use of only a single trap door and delivery opening, the selective operation being practically manually controlled.'

In these Figures 1 -1 and 12, the outer retaining wall 84 is similar to -that shown in Figs. 9 and 8 respectively, with the exception that only one trap door 99 is embraced since only one is required. Further the curved arms 86 and 81' are loosely mounted by means of the hub or collar |00 on the shaft 85', or the collar may be secured tothe shaft and the shaft adapted to freely revolve. 'I'he curved arms in this form of machine are at a height above that of the wall 84. The outward end portions of the arms, whether of the straight type of Fig. 11 or the partially curved type of Fig. 15, are elongated as at |0| and |02 to extend beyond the turntable 82' and the guide wall 84 and over them, and the terminal portion being in the form of upwardly, or otherwise bent, abutting arms shown in detail in Figs. 13 and 14. Further each of these arm end portions are at spaced apart elevations.

Extending through suitable journals |03 and |04 in the front of the machine are the selector rods |05 and |06 provided with suitable handles |01 and |08 on the outer side of the machine. These two selector rods extend inwardly for equal lengths and terminate in stop links |09 and ||0 respectively, xed to them.

The operation of this machine requires a single coin box of the type hereinbefore described Vand a single circuit breaker in connection with the trap door 99, such as the mercury switch heretofore utilized. Otherwise no magnetic door lock or electrical selector arm is required. Prior to the insertion of a coin either selector handle is turned to the indicated position for selection, they being adapted to be returned to a neutral position when not in use sothat the stop links will normally be vertically extended. When turned to the selective position either of the linksv|09 or l0 will be horizontally extended, whereupon a coin is then inserted in the coin box to clo'se the coin switch which in turn causes the motor to operate and revolve the turntable. 'I'he articles supported on the table, even though there be only a single item, will carry along the freely mounted arms 86' and 81 until either the end of portion |02 lodges against the horizontally extended link |09 as shown in Fig. 13, or the end of portion |0| lodges against horizontally extended link ||0, dependent upon the selection made. This will cause the transversely extending curved arms to become fixed to form guiding channels as in Fig. 1l or- `l5. If for example an article |8 has been select- While I have set forth a number of modifications of my selective vending machine and described the parts and methods of operation thereof in detail, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that further modifications may be made in the general structure and in the 'detailed parts and their arrangement without departing from the spirit of my invention; and I therefore do not wish to be restricted thereto except as so limited by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A selective vending apparatus comprising a zo turntable adapted to support a plurality of classes of commodities in individual containers to be dispensed, a base substantially level with said turntable and extending outward of the periphery thereof, a delivery chute depending from the level of said base and having its entrance adjacent to the periphery of said turntable, a guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around said turntable and embracing the chute entrance and separator means extending transversely above and over said turntable from adjacent the center thereof adapted to hold each contained class of commodity in' segregated relationship, said separator mea'ns comprising a plurality of substantially arcuate deilector arm portions each adapted to cooperate with adjacent portions of said guiding rim to form a channel therewith and to successively and selectively guide the con- .tainers on the turntable during rotation thereof and to move them outwardly therefrom through said channels into said delivery chute.

2. A selective vending apparatus comprising a turntable adapted to support a plurality of classes of commodities in individual containers to be dispensed, means for rotating said turntable, a base substantially level with said turntable and extending outward of the periphery thereof, a delivery chute depending from the level of said base and having its entrance adjacent to the periphery of said turntable, a guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around said turntable and embracing the chute entrance, and separator means extending transversely above and over said turntable adapted to hold each contained class of commodity in segregated relationship, said separator means comprising a plurality of deilector arms, each having portions extending from the axial shaft of said turntable arcuately to a point adjacent the periphery thereof and formed with terminal portions extending to the periphery thereof, the said terminal portions being parallel to adjacent portions of the guide rim, the said deector arms and the component portions thereof being adapted to cooperate with said guide rim to form channels therewith to successively and selectively guide the containers on the turntable during rotation thereof and outward movement therethrough to said delivery chute.

3. A selective vending apparatus comprising a turntable adapted to support a plurality of classes of commodities in individual containers to be dispensed, coin controlled means for rotating said turntable, a base substantially level with said turntable and extending outward of the periphery thereof, a delivery chute depending from the level of said base and having its entrance adjacent to the periphery of said turntable, a guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around said turntable and embracing the chute entrance, and separator means extending transversely above and over said turntable from adiacent the center thereof adapted to hold each contained class of commodity in segregated relationship, said separator means comprising a plu-.

rality of defiector arm portions each adapted to cooperate with said guiding rim to successively and selectively guide the containers on the turntable during rotation thereof and to move them outwardly therefrom into said delivery chute, the

said chute having means positioned therein adapted to discontinue rotation of the turntable upon delivery thereto of a container.

4. A selective vending apparatus comprising a turntable adapted to support a plurality of classes of commodities in individual containers to be dispensed, selective means for rotating said turntable in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, a base substantially level with said turntable and extending outward of the periphery thereof, a delivery chute depending from the level of said base and having its entrance adiacent to the periphery of said turntable, a guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around said turntable and embracing the chute entrance, and separator means extendingv transversely above'and over said turntable adapted to hold each contained class of commodity in Aseslegitid relationship, said separator means comprising a plurality of deflector arms, each having portions extending from the axial shaft of said turntable arcuately to a point adjacent the periphery thereof and formed with terminal portions extending to the periphery thereof, the said terminal portions being parallel to adJacent portions of the guide rim, the said defiector arms and the component portions thereof being adapted to cooperate with said guide rim to form channels therewith to successively and selectively guide the containers on the turntable during rotation thereof and outward to said delivery chute.

5. A selective vending apparatus comprising a turntable adapted to support two separated classes of commodities in individual containers to be dispensed, selective means for rotating said turntable in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, a base substantially level with said turntable and extending outward of the periphery thereof, a delivery chute depending from the level of said base and having its entrance adjacent to the periphery of said turntable, a guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around and embracing the turntable and chute entrance, and fixed guide and separator means extending transversely above and over said turntable adapted to hold each class of commodity in segregated relationship comprising a pair of oppositely bowed deflector arms extending from the axial shaft of said turntable to a meeting point adjacent the periphery thereof and a divider arm extending from the axial shaft of said turntable to said guide rim at a point spaced from the outer meeting point of said deilector arms, the said deilector arms being adapted to cooperate with adJacent guide rim portions to successively and selectively guide the containers on theturntable during rotation thereof and to move them outwardly therefrom into said delivery chute.

6. A selective vending apparatus comprising a turntable adapted to support two separated cl of commodities in individual containers gential relation thereto,

to be dispensed, selective means for rotating said turntable in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, a base substantially level with said turntable and extending outward of the periphery thereof, a delivery chute depending from the level of said base and having a commonentrance adjacent to the periphery of said turntable in tana guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around and embracing the turntable and chute entrance, and fixed guide and separator means extending transversely above and over said turntable adapted to hold each class of commodity in segregated relationship comprising a pair of oppositely bowed deector arms extending from the axial shaft of said turntable to meet at a point of said tangential relation and a divider arm extending from the axial shaft of said turntable to said guide rim at a point spaced from the outer meeting point of said deflector arms, the said deiiector arms being adapted to cooperate with adjacent guide rim portions to successively and selectively guide the containers on the turntable during rotation thereof and to move them outwardly therefrom into said delivery chute.

'7. A selective vending apparatus comprising a turntable adapted to suport two separated classes of commodities in individual containers to be dispensed, selective means for rotating said turntable in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, a base substantially level with said turntable and extending outward of the periphery thereof, a delivery chute depending from the level of said base and having two entrance doors adjacent to the periphery of said turntable, a guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around and embracing the turntable and chute entrance doors, and fixed guide and separator means extending transversely above and over said turntable adapted to hold each class of commodity in segregated relationship comprising a pair of bowed deiiector arms extending from the axial shaft of said turntable to a meeting point adjacent the periphery thereof and radially outward to said retaining rim,

and a divider arm extending from the axial shaft of said turntable to said guide rim at a point diametrically opposed to the outer meeting point of said deiiector arms, the said deflector arms being adapted to cooperate with adjacent guide rim portions to successively and selectively guide the containers on the lturntable during rotation thereof and to move them outwardly therefrom into said delivery chute.

8. A selective vending apparatus comprising a turntable adapted to support two separated classes of commodities in individual containers to be dispensed, selective means for rotating said turntable in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, a base substantially level with said turntable and extending outward of the periphery thereof, a delivery chute depending from the level of said base and having two entrance trap doors adjacent to each other and to the periphery of said turntable, a guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around and embracing said turntable and said trap doors, and iixed guide and separator means extending transversely above and over said turntable adapted to hold each class of commodity in separated relationship comprising a divider arm extending radially from the axial shaft of said turntable to said rim and a pair of bowed defiector arms extending from said axial shaft and converging towards each other at a point adjacent the periphery oi' said turntable and extending outwardly therefrom and between said trap doors, the

said deflector arms and component portions being adapted to cooperate with adjacent rim portions and to successively and selectively guide the containers on the turntable outwardly therefrom onto said trap doors.

9. A selective vending apparatus comprising a turntable adapted to support a: plurality of classes of commodities in individual containers to be dispensed, means for rotating said turntable, a base substantially level with said turntable and extending outward of the periphery thereof, single container outlets comprising trap doors in said base positioned adjacent the periphery of said turntable, a guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around said turntable and embracing the trap doors, separator means extending transversely above and over said turntable from adjacent the center thereof adapted to hold each contained class of commodity and an outlet therefor in separated relationship,- said separator means comprising a plurality of deflector arm portions each adapted to cooperate with said guiding rim to successively guide the containers on the turntable during rotation thereof and to move them outwardly therefrom onto said trap doors, and means for selectively actuating said trap doors to deliver a single selected commodity through its respective outlet.

10.v A selective vending apparatus comprising a turntable adapted to support a plurality of classes of commodities in individual containers to be dispensed, means for rotating said turntable, a base substantially level with said turntable and extending outward of the periphery thereof, single container outlets provided with trap door entranceways formed in said base adjacent the periphery of said turntable, a guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around said turntable and embracing the trap door entranceways, separator means extend- -ing transversely above and over said turntable adapted to hold each contained class of commodity and respective entranceway outlet in separated relationship, said separator means comprising a plurality of fixed deflector arms, each having portions extending from the axial shaft of said turntable arcuately to a point adjacent the periphery thereof and formed with terminal portions extending to the guide rim, the said terminal portions being parallel to adjacent portions of the guide rim, the said deflector arms and the component portions thereof being adapted to cooperate with said guide rim to form channels therewith to successively guide the containers on the turntable during rotation thereof and outward movement therethrough .to delivery position on said trap doors, and means for selectively actuating said trap doors to permit delivery therethrough of a single selected commodity.

ll. A selective vending apparatus comprising a turntable adapted to support a plurality of classes of commodities in individual containers to be dispensed, coin controlled means for rotating said turntable, a base substantially level with said turntable and extending outward of the periphery thereof, a delivery chute depending from the level of said base and having a trap door entrance therein positioned adjacent to the periphery of said turntable for each commodity, a guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around said turntable and embracing each chute entrance, and separator means extending transversely above and over said turntable from ed to cooperate with said guiding rim to successively guide the containers on the turntable during rotation thereof and to move them outwardly therefrom onto their respective trap doors, the

said chute having means positioned therein` adapte-4i to selectively actuate said trap doors, and means adapted to limit rotation of the turntable upon delivery thereto of a container.

12. A selective vending apparatus comprising a turntable adapted to support a plurality of classes of commodities in individual containers to be dispensed, means for rotating said turntable, a base substantially level with said turn- -table and extending outward of the periphery thereof, a delivery chute depending from the level of said base and having its entrance adjaa cent to the periphery of said turntable, a guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around said turntable and embracing the chute entrance, and separator means extending transversely above and over said turntable adapted to hold each contained class of commodity in segregated relationship, said separator means comprising a plurality of freely revolvable deflector arms each having portions extending from the axial shaft of said turntable arcuately to a point adjacent the periphery thereof and formed with terminal portions extending outwardly thereof, the said deiiector arms and the component portions thereof being adapted to be selectively fixed against rotation to cooperate with said guide rim to form channels therewith to successively and selectively guide the containers on the turntable during rotation thereof and outward to said delivery chute.

13. A selective vending apparatus comprising a turntable adapted to support a plurality of classes of commodities in individual containers to be dispensed, means for rotating said turntable, a base substantially level with said turntable and extending outward of the periphery thereof, a delivery chute depending from the level of said base and having its entrance adjacent to the periphery of said turntable, a guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around said turntable and embracing the chute entrance, separator means extending transversely above and over said turntable adapted `to hold each contained class of commodity in segregated relationship, said separator means comprising a plurality of freely revolvable deector arms, each having portions extending from the axial shaft of said turntable arcuately to a point adjacent the periphery thereof and formed with terminal portions extending outwardly thereof, and selector means adapted to engage one of said terminal portions to hold it fixed in spaced apart parallel relation to a complementary guide rim portion adjacent said delivery chute entrance, the said terminal portion and component arm thereof being adapted in said fixed relation to cooperate with said guide rim to form a selected channel therewith to successively guide a selected class of containers on the turntable during rotation thereof outwardly to said delivery chute. v

14. A selective vending apparatus comprising a turntable adapted to support a plurality of classes of commodities in individual containers to be dispensed, means for rotating said turntable, a base substantially level with said turntable and extending outward of the periphery thereof, a delivery chute depending from the level of said base and having its entrance adjacent to the periphery of said turntable, a guide and retaining rim extending upwardly from said base around and embracing said turntable and the entrance of said delivery chute, separator means extending transversely above and over said table and said guide rim adapted to hold each class of contained commodity in segregated relationship on said turntable, said separator means comprising a plurality of spaced apart defiector arms freely pivoted axially of said turntable, each of said arms having a portion extending from its pivot point arcuately to a point adjacent the periphery of the turntable and a terminal portion extending outwardly of said guide rim, and manually operable selector means adapted to engage one of said terminal portions to hold it fixed in spaced apart parallel relation to a complementary guide rim portion adjacent said delivery chute entrance, the said terminal portion and component arm thereof being adapted in said fixed relation to cooperate with said guide rim to form a selected channel therewith to successively guide a selected class of containers on the turntable during rotation thereof outwardly to said n delivery chute.

ARTHUR E. SIEHZRS.

Images