US3173431A - Dispensing means - Google Patents

Description

March 16, 1965 K. J. CHlcHEs'n-:R ETAL .3,173,431

DISPENSING MEANS KENNETH J. CHICHESTER WILLIAM F. CLARKE BY /NvE/vrans March 16, 1965 K. J. cHlcHEsTER ETAL.

DISPENSING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. '7, 1962 KENNETH J. CHICHESTER WILLIAM F. CLARKE Arron/vn March 16, 1965 K. J. cHlcHEsTER E'rAl. 3,173,431

msPENsING MEANS Filed Dec. '7, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 KENNETH J. CHICHESTER WILLIAM F. CLARKE /lvvE/vroRs ATTORNEY United States Patent DISPENSING'MEANS Kenneth al. Chichester, Stamford, Conn., and William' E. Clarke, Larchmont, `NY., assignors to `Universal Match Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporationof Delaware Filed Dec. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 242,943 14 Claims. (Cl. M13- 3) Thisinventionreltes to article dispensing'rneans, and lmore particularly to a coin dispensing systern.

Coin dispensing systems are customarily included in change making devices. Examples `of these are devices for returning to a'depoistor a plurality of small denomination coins in' exchange for a large denomination coin or paper money, and devices Ifor returning to `a depositor goods and small denomination coins in exchange for a large denomination coin 'or paper money.

An obj'ect'of this invention `is the provision of a system for the accurate dispensation of a predetermined number of coins. l

Another object of this invention is the provision of a vsystem for the accurate dispensation of a `predetermined number of coins of different denomination from a single supply of intermixedV coins of dilerent denominations.

A feature of this invention is `an article dispensing sys- 'tern having a reservoir storing an intermixed plurality of 'articles of'dfferent sizes; means for extracting predetermined numbers of articles of each size from said reservoir; and means for dispensing predetermined numbers `of' articles from said extractedpredetermined numbers of articles.

Other and `further objects and features of this invention will be more clearly apparent by reference to the following -clescription'when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of the instant coin dispensing device; A Y

FIGURE 2 isa side view'of the device of FIGURE l;

VFIGURE 3 is a side view in section taken along line S-'fof FIGURE 1 of the coin sorting runway;

FIGURE4 is a front view of a detail of FIGURE l;

FIGURES 15A, 5B, and 57C are rside Views insection taken along lines 5A\-SA, SBF-5B and 5C-5C respectively of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a side view in section taken along 'line '6-6 of FIGUREA of a coin return runway;

FlGU'RE-7 is a top view in section taken along line 7'-7 O'FIGURE 4 of a coin sorting portion of therun- Way system;

FIGURE 8 is a schematic electrical diagram of a detailof'4 an embodiment of this invention; and

FIGURE 9 is a schematic electrical diagram of an embodiment of this invention.

`Referring now to the drawing and particularly FIG- URES l and 2, 'the coin dispensing system embodying this invention includes a baseplate 10 which is inclined at an angle, e.g. degrees, to the vertical. AfliXed to the lower portion ofthe front face 12 of the 'baseplate by screws 14 is a 'hopper I6 whichho'lds a jumbled mass of coins (not shown) of various denominations, e.g. dimes, nickels and'quarters. The center 20 of the baseplate'is cut out and a pickup disc 22 of the substantially same diameter is mounted therein. The pickup disc 22 has la peripheral annular groove or recess 24 in its front face 26. The annular recess 24 is of rectangular ice cross-section and has 'xedftherein a pluralitylo'fupstand- `ing pins Zwhich-are disposed inspaced-apart relationshop. The width of this annular recess is slightly larger than the diameter of 'the largest coin beiirghandled. The depth of this annular recess `is slightly smaller 'than the thickness of the thinnest coin being handled. The pickup disc 22 is'couple'd by a shaft 3l? to'a motor 32, and is suitably journaled vto the baseplate lti'for rotation with respect thereto. As the pickup disc'rotates, in the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGURE l, through the mass of coins, individual coins, e.g. LlSA, 13E, fall into the annular recess, are abutted bythe pins 28, and are carried upwardly.

A coin sorting runway system 3e is provided as an extension to the `baseplate and pickup disc assembly. The function ofthis system is to sort by denomination the various coins which are `extracted by the pickup ldisc from the supply of vcoins in the hopper 16. The sorting runway system 34 consists of a bar portion-36 of substantially rectangular cross-section, the front face of which is inclinedat an angle, eg. l5 degrees, to the vertical. The length of the bar portion Sois also tilted with respect to the horizontal, so that as seen in FIGURES l and 4 the right end' is higher than the left end. A `runway recess 38V of rectangular cross-section is milled 4into the lengthl ofthe frn'tface of the bar. The height of this recess 38is slightly larger than the diameter of the `largest coin being handled. The depthv of this recess is slightly larger than the` thickness of the thickest coin being handled. The bar is joined-to the baseplate so that Vthe V'bar recess 3S is tangental Vto and merges with the annular recess V24. An' L-shaped covery plate 40 is fixed to the front faces of the bar portion andthe -`basep'late It) atth'e junction of the runway recess'SS and the annular recess 24J The legpo'rtion 42 ofthe L-shaped cover plate is Xed to lthe upper faces ofthe bar portion and the baseplate by screws 44. The foot portion 46 of the platey 40 is directed inwardly into the runway recess 38 and the Vannular recessZ-ft.` The foot portion 46 thus guides all of thecoins which have been extracted by the pickup disc 22 from the annular recess 24 into the runway recess 33. A central portion 48-of the foot portion '46, however, is cut away to pass the -pins 28 as the'disc 22rotates. As the coins enter and vroll down the recess 3S, they are tiltedwith respec'tto thefvertical and are supported on their edges by the ybottoni or foot BSF of the runway `recess and are separated on their back faces by'tli'e back or rear SSR of Atherunway recess. 'I `his may also be seen in FIGURE 5A. Acover plate VSli'is provided over fthe upper portion of Vthe runway recess for the `lengthof the recess to'prevent accidental loss of the coins from'the recess. The plate 5t) is liked to the barby screws-52.

A plurality o'fjadditio'nall recesses is milled Vintothe runway recess 38 for the purpose of sorting the coins by denomination. The first sorting recess 54along the path of the coins separates out the dimes, and the second sorting recess 56 separates out the nickels. The coins remaining onthe runway recess 38 are quarters. The first sorting recess 54 is milled into the rear of the runway recess. The rear 54K of the firstV sorting recess is tilted at an angle to the rear of the runway recess, e.g. l5 degrees, and-thus 'Vat'a greater angle to the vertical, e.g. 30 degrees. The height of the lirst sorting recess 'Se is made slightly larger than the diameter of dimes and smaller than the diameter of nickels. Thus, as seen in FIGURES B and 5C, when a dime rolls down the runway recess 33 to the first sorting recess 54, the upper portion of the dime will not be separated by the rear 54K of the runway recess, and the upper portion of the dime will tip into the rst sorting recess. The lower portion of the dime will thus be swung away from the foot 38F of the runway recess, and the dime will slide out of the runway recess and fall. However, nickels and quarters which roll down the runway recess to the first sorting recess have a diameter which is greater than the height of the first sorting recess. These coins will continue to be supported by the rear 38R of the runway recess, will not tip into the tirst sorting recess, and will continue to roll down the runway recess.

The second sorting recess 56 is further along the path of the coins as they roll down ther unway recess. This second sorting recess is similar to the rst sorting recess except that the height of the second sorting recess is slightly greater than the diameter of the nickelsand less than the diameter of the quarters. When the nickels reach the second sorting recess they tip into it and-tall out of the runway recess. However, the quarters continue to roll along the runway recess past the second sorting recess.

Three counting recess systems 58D, 58N and ESQ are respectively disposed adjacent each of the sorting recesses and the end of the runway recess. The purpose of each of the counting recess systems is to respectively receive the coins which have been sortedby` denomination and to respectively store a predetermined number of coins. A return runway is provided for each counting recess system to return to the hopper all of the coins received by the system over the predetermined number.

Each of the counting recess systems is disposed below the bar portion 36 and is formed as an extension thereof. The systems are comprised in a common baseplate 57 into which three recess systems are milled. The rst recess system 58D is provided to process dimes. The length of the upper portion 60D of the recess is tilted from the horizontal and is parallel to the runway recess 3S above. The rear 60DR of the upper portion 60D of the recess is substantially vertical. An intermediate portion 62D of the recess is vertical, and at its upper end merges with the upper portion 60D and at its lower end divides into a vertical counting recess 64D and a return recess 66D which is reversely tilted from the horizontal. A bent cover plate 68D is fixed to the baseplate 57 by screws 70D and covers the upper recess portion 60D and the lower portion of the runway recess 38 thereabove. As the dimes fall from the runway recess 38 above at the first sorting recess 54 they are caught by the first cover plate 68D and lguided into the upper portion 60D of the rst counting recess system. The dimes roll down the upper portion 66D into the intermediate portion 62D and into the counting recess 64D. The central axis of the counting recess 64D is slightly displaced from the central axis of the intermediate portion 62D; however, the dimes fall into the counting recess 64D rather than into the return recess 66D.

An obstruction means, which will be described hereinafter, is disposed to obstruct the lower end of the counting recess 64D, and as each dime falls into the counting recess it is supported therein by the dimes below, which in turn are supported by the obstruction means. When a predetermined number of dimes has fallen into the counting recess, the top of the topmost dime 18DT is level with or slightly higher than the return recess 66D. All further dimes which fall through the intermediate recess 62D are deflected by the topmost dime in the counting recess and pass into the return recess 66D. A cover plate 72D is titted over a portion of the return recess 66D and the counting recess 64D to prevent the loss of the dimes from these recesses. An extension '72DE of this cover plate is formed with a Ushaped cross-section as seen in FIGURE 6. ri`his extension provides a return runway for the dimes from the return recess 66D to the hopper 16. The length of the return runway 72DE is tilted from the horizontal, and its open lower end is disposed above the hopper 16.

The second recess system 58N is provided to process nickels. This system is similar to the tirst recess system 58D and is disposed below the runway recess 38 at the second sorting recess 56. It also comprises an upper recess portion N, an intermediate recess portion 62N, a counting recess 64N, a return recess 66N, an upper cover plate 68N, and a lower cover plate 72N with a U cross-section extension 72NE which guides overflow nickels back to the hopper 16.

The third recess system 58Q is provided at the leftlower end of the runway recess 38 to process quarters. This system is somewhat similar to the other systems. However, since there is no sorting recess for quarters, an extension 50E is provided on the runway recess cover plate Sil to guide the quarters into an intermediate recess portion 62Q. The intermediate recess portion leads to a counting recess 64Q and a return recess 66Q. A lower cover plate 72Q is provided to cover the counting recess 64Q and the return recess 66Q and includes an extension 72QE to provide a return runway for surplus quarters to the hopper 16.

It will thus be seen that the pickup disc extracts intermixed nickels dimes and quarters in a random sequence from the hopper 16 and feeds them to the runway recess 38. As these coins roll down the runway recess, the first sorting recess 54 tips out the dimes from the runway recess into the rst recess system; the second sorting recess 56 tips out the nickels from the runway recess into the second recess system; and the quarters roll out of the end of the runway recess into the third recess system. When the predetermined number of coins in each counting recess 64D, 64N, 64Q, respectively, is collected, the surplus coins are diverted into the return runway and fed back to the hopper.

A reciprocating slide assembly is provided for each of the counting recesses to alternatively obstruct the bottom end of the counting recess and count a predetermined quantity of coins, and to unblock the bottom end of the counting recess to dispense a predetermined quantity ot coins from the stored quantity of coins. The dispensed quantity may be equal to or less than the stored quantity. A slide assembly is illustrated in FIGURE 1 in conjunction with the nickel counting recess 64N. A slide 74N is suitably mounted for reciprocation behind the baseplate 57 at the bottom of the counting recess 64N. A horizontal slot 76N is cut through the baseplate 57 and into the counting recess 64N at the bottom of the recess. Another horizontal slot 78N is cut through the baseplate 57 and into the counting recess at the middle of the counting recess. A pin 86N is fixed to the slide '74N and disposed in the lower slot 76N and another pin 82N is xed to the slide and disposed in the upper slot 78N. When the slide 74N is reciprocated fully to the left, as seen in FIGURE l, the lower pin 80N obstructs the counting recess 64N while the upper pin 82N clears the recess. When the slide is reciprocated fully to the right, the upper pin 82N obstructs the counting recess while the lower pin 86N clears the recess. The slide is biased into its left or counting position by a tension spring 84N. The slide is actuated into its right or dispensing position by a; solenoid 86N. Thus, in this embodiment as seen in the nickel counting recess of FIGURE l, the slide and counting recess will store eight nickels, and will dispense four nickels for each reciprocation cycle of the slide.

A snap action switch assembly is provided for each of the counting recesses to condition the motor 32 of the pickup disc 22 for operation. A snap action switch $81), 88N, 88Q is mounted behind `the baseplate 57 at the top of each counting recess 64D, 64N, 64Q, respectively. Consider the dime assembly. A circular slot 90D is cut through the btaseplate 57 and into the top of the countingv -to a ground returns.

`three dimers.

5 recess Sal) and the cover plate 72D. The end of the actuator arm 92D of the switch 83D is disposed in this slot. As each dime passes through the counting recess 64D, it abuts and carries the end of the actuator arm 92D downwardly, swinging the end through the length of the slot 96D and beyond'the counting recess etD. When the dime falls beyond the end of the arm 92D, the end `of the arm swings back into the counting recess. The

'last (the sixth) llDT of the predetermined number of dimesis supported by the rest of the `dimes in the counting recess, does not fall beyond the end of the actuator arm, and thus holds the actuator arm down.

As seen in FIGURE 8, the three snap action switches 83D, 88N land @SQ are connected in parallel in the norlmallyclosed condition between B+ and one end of the coil of la relay 9d. The other end of the relay is coupled Thus, whenever any of the actuator arms of the :switches is up, that switch will be closed, and the relay 9d will be energized. The normally open `Contact set iid-NO of the relay 94 connects one terminal of the pickup disc motor 32 to B+. The other terminal of the motor is connected toa ground return. Whenever the relay 9d is energized, the motor 32 rotates the pickup disc 22.

ln the illustrated embodiment of FIGURE 9, it is desired to use the dispensing machine in combination with a dollar bill accepting device to dispense a dollars worth of change in the form of -two quarters, four nickels, and At the start of the first cycle of operation, the lower pins Stil), 89N, SQ obstruct the bottom of each respective counting recess 64D, 64N, WQ; the hopper is illed with a mixture of nickels, dimes yand quarters; and the counting recesses are empty. The actuator arm of each of thenormally closed snap action switches 38D,

88N, ddQis up, :closing its switch, and connecting the motor relay 9d, via a `time control 96, to B+. The normally open contact set Qd-NO of the relay 94 is closed, coupling the pickup disc motor 32 to B+. The time control 9o is a recycling device which is normally closed, and is adapted to lopen-the circuit permanently if it runs without interruption for more than a predetermined interval of time. A control of this type is manufactured by the industrial Timer Corporation of Newark, NJ., under catalogue nu-mber 90-305. This device is used to prevent the motor from running too long in the event of an empty hopper or other malfunction. As the motor turns, the pickup disc extracts coins at random which are fed into the runway recess 38. The coins are sorted by the rst and second coin sorting recesses 54, 56. As each coin falls through a counting recess 64D, 64N or 64Q it momentarily opens the respective snap action switch 38D, 88N or SSQ. The motor 32 continues running since notv all of the switches are open for any extended period of time. As each counting recess is tilled with the respective predetermined number of coins, e.g. six dimes, or eight nickels or four quarters, the top-most coin holds down the respective snap action switch actuator arm and deflects suibsequent coins falling through the respective intermediate recess portion 62D, 62N or 62Q into the return recess 66D, 66N or MQ and return runway 72DE, 'YNE or TZQE back to the hopper i6. When all of the counting recesses are lille-d with the respective .predetermined number of coins, all of the actuator arms are held down' and all the switches are open, `de-energizing the motor relay 94. The normally open Contact 4set 94NO opens, de-energizing the lmotor 32. A normally closed contact set 94N() connects an associated article receiving means 93, eg. a dollar bill receiver, to B+ through the time control 96, conditioning it to receive an article. When the article, e.g. a valid dollar bill, has been received and accepted by the article receiving means, this article receiving means closes a switch 166 which connects one end of each of the dispensing solenoids 86D, 86N and SSQ to B+ through the time device; the other ends of the dispensing solenoids are respectively connected to the ground return. The dispensing vsolenoids are thus energized and each yoperates its respective dispensing slide 74D, 74N, MQ toits right hand position todispense those coins which are held in the respective counting recess between the lower pin andthe upper pin. The coins'fall into a catch chute (which is not shown) andpass'into a curponithe outside of the machine where the lcoins are accessible to the user. When the switch ltlti is opened, the slides are restored'by their respective springs to their left hand position permitting those coins remaining in the counting recesses to fall to the respective lower pins 89D, 36N, SQ. The actuator arms 'of :the snap switches are released Vby the topmost coins, closing these switches, and the motor 32 lis energized again, rotating-the pickup 'disc to extract more coins from hopper for sorting. lt will be-noted that .the counting recessesstill contain another dollars. Worth o'fchange after they have dispensed a previous dollars worth. When the'hopper runs out-ofcoins, the Itime control is operated by the motor 32 for more than its predetermined period 'of time, `causing the timecontrol 'to open the main B+ circuit. The'machine will then neither make change, `nor accept dollar bills. The last Vdollars `worthot change left inthe counting recesses will thus never be dispensed by the machine. Although a single upper Islot 7S andra single lower slot V76 havetbeen shown for each counting recess, 'additional slots may be cut into each counting recess at coin diameter spacings, and the pins S2 and lniaybe adjustably secured to the slide "i4 so that these pins may be selectively inserted in any of these slots. By this means the number of coins to be counted and the number of coin's to be .dispensed may be varied. For example, if thepinttlN is disposed-in a slot cutting into the counting recess 64N at the location indicated in FGURE. 1 at Y, the recess will storethree nickels; and if the pin 82N is disposed in a slot cut into the'recess at theflocation X, the recess will dispense one nickel.

We havethus shown `and describedvour invention, but we desire it to be understood that it is not coniined to the partieuar forms or usafes shown anddescribed, 'the sar-me lbeing merely illustrative, and that ourV invention may be carried out in'other ways without-departing from the spirit of our invention, and, therefore, we claim broadly the right to employ all equivaientin'strumentalities Corning Within the scope ofthe appended claims, and, by

means ot'which, objects of our invention are attained and new results are accomplished, as it is obvious that the particular embodimentshereinwshown and described are only some of the many that can be yemployed to `attain these cbjeetsand to accomplish these results.

What is claimed is:

1. An article dispensing system comprising primary means for'storing a plurality of each of a given number of different types of articles in a random, intermixed relationship;

means for sorting the different articles by type;

means for transporting aV random sequence of the articles from saidprim'ary storingV means to said sorting means;

intermediate means for storing a` predeterminedl quantity `respectively of each type of article by type and for rejecting any surplusage'over each'predet'ermined quantity of each type of article;

means for transportingthe sorted articles by type to said intermediate storing means;

means for transporting the rejected `surplusage of Veach type of article to said primary storage means; and

meansf'or effecting the dispensation of a predetermined quantity respectively from the predetermined quantity of each type of article which has been stored by said intermediate storingmeans.

2. A multidenominational coin dispensing system comprising primary means for storing a plurality of each denomination of coin in a random, intermixed relationship; means for sorting coins by denomination;

means for transporting a denominationally random sequence of coins from said primary storage means to said sorting means;

intermediate means for storing by denomination a predetermined quantity of each denomination of coin, and for rejecting any surplusage over each predetermined quantity;

means for transporting by denomination the sorted coins to said intermediate storing means; means for transporting the rejected surplusage of each denomination of coin to said primary storage means;

means for effecting the dispensation of a predetermined quantity of each denomination of coin from the predetermined quantity of each denomination of coin which has been stored by said intermediate storing means.

3. A system according to claim 2 further including means for preciuding further operation of said means for transporting coins from said primary storage means when said intermediate storing means has stored less than the respective predetermined number of any denomination of coin after a predetermined interval of operation of said means for transporting coins from said primary storing means.

4. A system according to claim 2 further including means for precluding further operation of said means for transporting coins from said primary storing means when said intermediate storing means has stored the respective predetermined quantity of each denomination of coin.

5. A system according to claim 2 further including means for actuating said means for effecting the dispensation of coins.

6. A system according to claim 2 further including normally inoperable means for receiving an exchange article;

control means coupled to said exchange article receiving means, including sensing means for sensing the storage by said intermediate storing means of the predetermined quantity of each denomination of coin, and in response thereto conditioning said exchange article receiving means for operation.

7. A system according to claim 2 further including means for receiving and accepting an exchange article,

said receiving means being coupled to said dispensation effecting means and actuating the latter in response to accepting an exchange article.

8. In a multidenominational coin dispensing system having primary means for storing a plurality of each denomination of coin in a random intermixed relationship, sorting means for sorting coins by denomination, means for storing coins by denomination, means for transporting coins from the primary means to the sorting means:

intermediate means for storing by denomination a predetermined quantity of each denomination of coin, and for rejecting any surplusage over each predetermined quantity;

means for transporting by denomination the sorted coins from the sorting means to said intermediate means;

means for transporting the rejected surplusage of coins from said intermediate means to the primary means.

9. A multidenominational coin dispensing system including:

primary means for storing a plurality of each denomination of coin in a random, intermixed relationship; sorting means for sorting coins by denomination; means for storing coins by denomination; rst means for transporting coins from said primary means to said sorting means; intermediate means tor storing by denomination a 3 predetermined quantity of each denomination of coin; second means for transporting by denomination the sorted coins from the said sorting means to said intermediate means; and means, coupled to said intermediate means and said rst means, for precluding further operation of the irst means when said intermediate means has stored less than the respective quantity of any denomination of coin after a predetermined interval of operation of said first means. 10. An article receiving and multidenominational coin dispensing system including:

primary means for storing a plurality of each denomination of coin in a random, intermixed relationship;

means for sorting coins by denomination;

means for transporting coins from said primary means to said sorting means;

intermediate means for storing by denomination a predetermined quantity of each denomination of coin;

means for transporting by denomination the sorted coins from said sorting means to said intermediate means;

means for effecting the dispensation of a predetermined quantity of coins from the quantity of coins which has been stored by said intermediate means;

normally inoperable means for receiving an article;

control means, coupled to said article receiving means, including sensing means for sensing the storage by said intermediate means of the predetermined number of each denomination of coin, and in response thereto conditioning said article receiving means for operation.

l1. A system according to claim 10 wherein:

said article receiving means includes initially operative means for receiving an article and subsequently operative means for accepting the received article;

said article receiving means being coupled to said dispensation effecting means and actuating the latter in response to accepting an article.

12. ln a multidenominational coin dispensing system the combination of primary means for storing a plurality of each denomination of coin in a random, intermixed relationship;

a rotatable disc adapted to lift, when rotating, coins in a random, intcrmixed relationship from said primary means to a sorting means;

said sorting means comprising an inclined runway provided with a plurality of consecutive apertures, each aperture being of a size slightly larger than the diameter of the coin denomination which is to be separated from the random mix so that a respective coin denomination passes through a respective aperture, and said apertures increasing in size in a direction away from said rotatable disc;

a plurality of storage means, one associated with each denomination of coin, disposed for receiving from said sorting means a respective coin denomination and each such storage means adapted to store a predetermined quantity of coins;

a plurality of transport means, one disposed between each of said storage means and said primary means, for transporting surplusage over the respective predetermined quantity of coins from a respective storage means to said primary means,

and means coupled to each of said storage means for dispensing therefrom said predetermined quantity of coins.

13. In a multidenominational coin dispensing system as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of said transport means comprises an inclined rail for guiding surplus coins to said primary means.

14. In a multidenominational coin dispensing system as set forth in claim l2 wherein each of said storage means stores the respective coins on edge, and each of said References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,567,900 9/51 Winkler 133-3 2,750,949 6/56 Kulo 133-8 2,889,960 6/59 Brancato et al 221-166 1 0 References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,877,776 3/59 Hoke. 3,079,934 3/ 63 Thompson. 3,086,536 4/63 Klopp.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, clng Primary Examiner.

ERNEST A. FALLER, JR., Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. AN ARTICLE DISPENSING SYSTEM COMPRISING PRIMARY MEANS FOR STROING A PLURALITY OF EACH OF A GIVEN NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF ARTICLES IN A RANDOM, INTERMIXED RELATIONSHIP; MEANS FOR SORTING THE DIFFERENT ARTICLES BY TYPE; MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING A RANDOM SEQUENCE OF THE ARTICLES FROM SAID PRIMARY STORING MEANS TO SAID SORTING MEANS; INTERMEDIATE MEANS FOR STORING A PREDETERMINED QUANTITY RESPECTIVELY OF EACH TYPE OF ARTICLES BY TYPE AND FOR REJECTING AND SURPLUSAGE OVER EACH PREDETERMINED QUANTITY OF EACH TYPE OF ARTICLE; MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING THE SORTED ARTICLES BY TYPE TO SAID INTERMEDIATE STORING MEANS; MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING THE REJECTED SURPLUSAGE OF EACH TYPE OF ARTICLE OF SAID PRIMARY STORAGE MEANS; AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE DISPENSATION OF A PREDETERMINED QUANTITY RESPECTIVELY FROM THE PREDETERMINED QUANTITY OF EACH TYPE OF ARTICLE WHICH HAS BEEN STORED BY SAID INTERMEDIATE STORING MEANS.

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