US3917113A

US3917113A - Ejecting dispenser for articles in apertured envelopes

Info

Publication number: US3917113A
Application number: US476840A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas R Light
Original assignee: DISPLAY CORP INT
Current assignee: DISPLAY CORP INTERNATIONAL; DISPLAY CORP INT
Priority date: 1974-02-27
Filing date: 1974-06-06
Publication date: 1975-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-04
Also published as: JPS50127699A; GB1485830A; CA1016909A; GB1485829A

Abstract

This invention provides a coin-operated dispenser comprising a cabinet including a storage compartment for receiving a stack of individual envelopes carrying an article to be dispensed, a support wall inside the cabinet against which the envelopes are stacked, a dispensing opening in the cabinet located in general alignment with the support wall, and a coin acceptor mechanism supported from the cabinet and having a member which is movable relative to the support wall and the stacked envelopes in a direction away from and toward the dispensing slot. The coin acceptor mechanism member is selectively connectable to the envelope nearest the support wall to move this envelope along the support wall and through the dispensing opening as the coin acceptor mechanism member is moved from a position remote from the dispensing opening towards the dispensing opening. With this arrangement, relatively flimsy articles, such as folded road maps, can be stored in their own envelope which envelope also cooperates in individually dispensing one article upon each operation of the coin acceptor mechanism.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Light Nov. 4, 1975 EJECTING DISPENSER FOR ARTICLES IN APERTURED ENVELOPES I FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 723,705 6/1942 Germany 221/240 [75] Inventor: Thomas R. Light, Milwaukee, Wis. 729,079 12/1942 Germany 221/240 Assigneez p y Corporation International 825,472 ll/195l Germany 221/240 Milwaukee, Wis. Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Flledi J 1974 Assistant ExaminerThomas E. Kocovsky [21] Appl. No.: 476,840

Related US. Application Data 1 ABSTRACT [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 446,152, Feb. 27, This invention provides a coin-operated dispenser 1974, abandoned. comprising a cabinet including a storage compartment for receiving a stack of individual envelopes carrying [52] US. Cl. 221/20; 221/36; 221/210 an article to be dispensed, a support wall inside the [51] Int. Cl. G07F 11/20 cabinet against which the envelopes are stacked, a dis- Field of Search pensing opening in the cabinet located in general 221/213, 259, 240, 210; 194/29, 39, 58, 8O alignment with the support wall, and a coin acceptor mechanism supported from the cabinet and having a [56] References Cited member which is movable relative to the support wall UNITED STATES PATENTS and the stacked envelopes in a direction away from 468724 2/1892 MacPherson 312/67 and toward the dispensing slot- The coin aeeepter 536:627 4/1895 Housh N 194/27 mechanism member is selectively connectable to the 755,001 33/1904 Henderson 221/240 envelope nearest the support wall to move this enve- 1,083,608 1 1914 Gatling 221/20 lope along the support wall and through the dispensing 1,170,705 2/1916 Swift 194/39 opening as the coin acceptor mechanism member is 1,460,123 6/192 Bai 22l/240 moved from a position remote from the dispensing 1,461,417 7/1923 Giles 221/20 opening towards the dispensing Opening w i 1,592,285 7/1926 Meyer 194/58 rangement, relatively flimsy articles, such as folded $212 road maps, can be stored in their envelope which 3:199:768 8/1965 Farmlett 229/68 enveleee also cooperates 3,298,570 1/1967 Skorey 221/20 one 9 u19011 each p of the com acceptor 3,337,119 8/1967 Bowers 229/68 mechamsm- 3,404,830 10 1968 Rand 229/68 3,784,088 111974 Shea 229/68 21 Clams, 15 D'awmg Flgures US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,917,113

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet2 0f3 3,917,113

U.S. Patent Nov.4,1975 sheath A 3,917,113

D II. Hm as EJECTING DISPENSER FOR ARTICLES IN APERTURED ENVELOPES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 446,152, filed Feb. 27, 1974.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to coin-operated dispensers and, more particularly, to coin-operated dispensers for dispensing a single article at a time.

It has become desirable to vend folded road maps and similar relatively thin, relatively flimsy articles with a coin-operated dispenser which is capable of dispensing a single article at a time. Coin-operated dispensers have been used for vending a wide variety of articles including types which are designed to dispense a single article upon each actuation of a coin acceptor mechanism. However, prior art constructions generally either are not readily adapted for dispensing single folded road maps, are relatively complex, and/or require careful attention to the arrangement of the articles within the dispenser to insure operation of the dispenser,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide an improved and simplified coin-operated dispenser for dispensing articles such as folded road maps or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a coinoperated dispenser having a relatively simple and economic construction which insures positive and repeated dispensation of one article upon each operation of the dispenser.

A further object of this invention is to provide a coinoperated dispenser for folded road maps or the like which is capable of operating with a wide variety of standard coin acceptors with only a slight modification of the coin acceptor being required.

A further object of this invention is to provide an envelope for carrying a folded road map or like articles and is capable of use in a coin-operated dispenser without regard to the article it carries; and, furthermore, an envelope which will function in the dispenser virtually without regard to the position it assumes in the dispenser.

A still further object of this invention is to prevent catching between adjacent, stacked envelopes during dispensation.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a combination coin-operated dispenser and envelope to carry the article to be dispensed, which combination is economical, reliable and does not require careful or special attention in the loading of filled envelopes into the dispenser.

Other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reviewing the following detailed description, the drawings and the claims.

from and toward the dispensing slot. The coin acceptor mechanism member is selectively connectable to the envelope meansnearest the support wall to move this envelope means along the support wall and through the dispensing opening as thecoin, acceptor mechanism member is moved from a position remote from the dispensing opening towards the dispensing opening. With this arrangement, relatively flimsy articles, such as folded road maps, can be stored in theirown envelope which envelope also cooperates in individually dispensing one article upon each operation of the coin acceptor mechanism. a

Theenvelope means is formed by substantially flat panels arranged in facing relationship and connected together along all but a portion of the edges thereof to form a pocket and an opening to said pocket for insertion of a folded map or the like. Preferably the panels are rectangular and joined along three sides to form the pocket and opening.

The support wall has an opening which is communicable with the envelopes, the panels of the stacked envelopes facing the support wall have an aperture overlying the support wall opening, and the coin acceptor mechanism includes a means which is selectively connected to the envelope aperture during return movement of the coin acceptor mechanism member toward the dispensing opening.

To insure the orientation of the envelope relative to the support wall opening and the coin acceptor mechanism necessary for proper operation, apertures are provided in both panels of the envelope and are centrally located in each panel overlying each other. To prevent the edges of the apertures of adjacent envelopes from catching on each other during dispensation, the lateral edge of each aperture closest to the dispensing opening preferably is generally bowed outwardly, in the plane of the respective panel, toward the dispensing opening. Furthermore, proper orientation is insured by making the envelope and the area in which they are stored in the dispenser rectangular.

Means can be provided to bias the stacked envelopes against the support wall to insure positive engagement of the bracket inside the aperture of the envelope located nearest the support wall. Preferably, this means comprises a plate which is placed atop the stacked envelopes to provide a gravity bias on the envelopes. Means can also be provided to prevent coin acceptor operation and to give a visual indication that the last envelope has been dispensed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin-operated dispenser incorporating various of the features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, partially sectioned, side view of a storage compartment shown in an empty condition.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom view of a storage compartment shown in an empty condition.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, front view of the center mod ule of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 66 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an envelope for carrying the article to be dispensed.

FIG. 8 is a sectional partially broken away view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an envelope for carrying the article to be dispensed.

FIG. 10 is a sectional partially broken view taken along the line l0-10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a section view of a part of a dispenser illustrating an alternative construction.

FIG. 12 is a section view taken generally along the line 1212 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, bottom view of the stacked envelopes shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate alternate configurations for the envelope apertures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A coin-operated dispenser provided by the invention is particularly adaptable for dispensing folded road maps and the like and will be described for that use. However, it should be understood that the dispenser is readily adaptable for the dispensation of other types of articles which can be carried in an envelope to be described.

Illustrated in the drawings is a coin-operated dispenser 11 including an outer cabinet 12 having a rear panel 14, top and

front panels

16 and 18,

side panels

20 and 22, and a pair of spaced

partitions

23 and 24, all of which cooperate to define three compartments 25 for receiving a respective dispensing unit or module 26. Each dispensing module 26 contains road maps of a geographical area for dispensation as described below with the different dispensing modules preferably containing maps of a different geographical area.

Referring to FIG. 2, each dispensing module 26 includes a pair of side walls 28 (one shown), front and

rear walls

30 and 32, and horizontal support wall 34 which cooperate to define a compartment 36 for storing a vertical stack of envelopes 38, each of which contain a folded road map 40 to be dispensed. Supported from the front wall 30 of each dispensing module 26 is a coin acceptor mechanism 42 which, as described in more detail below, can be of conventional design. Each dispensing module 26 also includes a bottom wall 44 and a coin-collection receptacle 46 removably supported on the bottom wall 44 beneath the coin acceptor 42.

The dispensing modules 26 are slidably mounted in a respective cabient compartment 25 so they can be pulled outwardly from the front of the cabinet 12 to an open or servicing position where envelopes 38 can be installed into the storage compartment 36 and the coin collection receptacle 46 can be removed. In order to prevent the dispensing modules 26 from being inadvertently pulled completely out of the cabinet 12 during normal servicing operations, means are provided for limiting the travel of each module. In the construction illustrated, such means includes a generally horizontallyextending spring finger 48 which is connected to the module rear wall 32 and which, during movement of the module 46 towards the servicing position, engages a stop member 50 mounted on the underside of the cabinet top panel 16. In the event complete removal of a dispensing module 26 is desired for some reason, the spring finger 48 is depressed to permit its movement past the stop member 50.

A cutout portion 52 can be provided in the upper portion of at least one of the module side walls 28 to permit ready access to the storage compartment 36 when the dispensing module 26 is in the servicing position. An opening 54 is provided in the lower portion of at least one of the module side walls 28 to afford removal of the coin-collection receptacle 46 when the dispensing module 26 is in the servicing position. Means, such as a keyed lock mechanism 56, is provided for selectively locking each of the dispensing modules 26 inside the cabinet 12 in order to prevent unautho rized access inside the module.

Provided in the front wall 30 of each dispensing module 26 is a horizontally extending opening or slot 58 through which a single envelope 38 is dispensed. The dispensing slot 58 is generally aligned with the support wall 34 so that the envelope 38 nearest the support wall 34 (i.e., the bottommost envelope in FIG. 2), is aligned with the slot.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, each of the mapcarrying envelopes 38 include a pair of substantially flat,

elongated side panels

60 and 62 disposed in facing relation. The

side panels

60 and 62 are connected to-. gether along one side edge 64 and along the opposite end edges 66 and 68 to form a pocket closed at three sides and open at one side for receiving a folded road map 40. The

side panels

60 and 62 are preferably rectangularly shaped and are made from a relatively thin material, such as cardboard, plastic or the like, which is relatively flexible but yet is rigid enough to permit an envelope 38 to be moved through the dispensing slot 58 by movement transmitted thereto by the coin acceptor 42 as described below. Centrally located in each of the

side panels

60 and 62 is an aperture 70 by which the envelopes are moved through the dispensing slot by the action of the coin acceptor 42 as described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the envelopes 38 are vertically stacked in the storage compartment 36, one of the side panels 62 faces the support wall 34 with the aperture 70 therein overlying an elongated opening 72 provided in the support wall 34. Provided for holding the stacked, map-containing envelopes 38 in a relatively compressed stack and for urging them against the support wall 34 is a plate 74 which fits into the storage compartment 36 for placement atop the stacked envelopes. The side walls 28 and the front and

rear walls

30 and 32 of the dispensing module 26 are dimensioned to hold the envelopes 38 in an orderly stack so they are properly oriented for movement through the dispensing slot 58. If desired, guide means (not shown), such as vertical ribs projecting into the storage compartment 36 and engaging the opposite side edges of the envelopes 38, can be provided on the side walls 28 to assist in maintaining the envelopes in an orderly stack.

As mentioned above, the coin acceptor 42 is basically of conventional construction. The only modification is the inclusion of a dispenser bracket 76 on the standard slider bar 78 of a conventional coin acceptor. Since the construction and operation of the coin acceptor 42 are well known, a detailed description of same is not necessary and only that portion necessary for understanding the invention will be described. The slider bar 78 is located below the support wall 34 and, in the usual manner, is movable at a right angle to or transversely of the module front wall 30 and. hence. away from and towards the front wall 30 and the dispensing slot 58.

Before insertion of a coin or coins of predetermined denomination, the slider bar 78 is capable of only a limited amount of movement, or no movement at all, from the coin inserting position shown by the solid lines in FIG. 2 toward the operating position shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 2. After a coin is inserted into the coin acceptor 42, the slider bar 78 is released for full inward travel to the operating position. During this travel, the slider bar 78 passes through a coin accepting position where the coin acceptor 42 permits the coin to fall into coin-collection receptacle 46. After being moved to the operating position, the slider bar 78 is then pulled back to its outermost or normal position by the purchaser. Conventional coin acceptors often include a spring (not shown) for assisting this return movement of the slider bar 78. As thus far described, the coin acceptor mechanism is conventional.

The dispenser bracket 76 is connected to the slider bar 78 for movement therewith and extends through the support wall opening 72 to transmit the motion of the slider bar 78 to an envelope 38 during movement of the slider bar 78 from the operating position towards the dispensing slot 58. The dispensing bracket 76 is generally L-shaped and includes a vertical leg 80 which is attached to the slider bar 78 and an upper leg 82 which extends generally horizontally from the vertical leg 80 towards the dispensing slot 58. During movement of the slider bar 78 from the operating position towards the normal or outermost position (hereinafter referred to as the dispensing position), the upper leg 82 fits into the aperture 70 of the envelope 38 nearest the support wall 34, causing that envelope to be moved through the dispensing slot 58 in response to movement of the slider bar 78.

In operation, the envelopes 38 are stacked vertically in the storage compartment 36 and the plate 74 is placed atop the stack. Since both the side panels '60 and 62 of the envelope 38 include an aperture 70 and both ends 66 and 68 are closed, it is not necessary to pay any particular attention to the orientation of the envelopes. That is, either the

side panels

60 and 62 can be facing the support wall 34 and either of the

ends

66 and 68 can be facing the module front wall 30. When a coin is inserted into the coin acceptor 42 and the slider bar 78 is moved inwardly toward the operating position, the upper leg 82 rides in light engagement with the bottommost envelope 38 and flexes the side panel of the envelope facing the support wall 34 upwardly a small amount. The upper leg 82 is preferably arranged at an obtuse angle to the vertical leg 80 as shown in FIG. 2. This permits the dispenser bracket 78 to ride over the envelope aperture 70 without catching on an edge thereof during movement of the slider bar 78 towards the operating position.

During the return movement of the slider bar 78 towards the dispensing position, the upper leg 82, as it passes over the envelope aperture 70, flexes the folded road map upwardly, permitting the upper leg 82 to slide inside the envelope beneath the map so that the envelope is positively engaged by the dispenser bracket 76. As shown in FIG. 4, the leading edge of the upper leg 82 is preferably rounded to minimize tearing of the envelope and the map. After such engagement, continued movement of the slider bar 78 towards the dispensing position pulls the bottommost envelope 38 through the dispensing slot 58. At the completion of this return movement of the slider bar 78, the envelope 38 will extend a sufficient distance through the dispensing slot 58 to permit removal of an envelope as shown by dashed lines in FIG. 2.

After an envelope is thus dispensed, the map 40 contained therein can be removed for viewing. The envelope can be conveniently used for filing or storing the map in an auto glove compartment or the like. The envelope protects the map from becoming torn or the edges folded over during storage. The envelopes can be provided with indicia identifying the state or other geographical area covered by the map so as to facilitate locating the desired map without having to remove it from the envelope.

Provided in the front wall 30 of each dispensing module 26 for checking the quantity of envelopes present in the storage compartment 36 is a small opening or window 84 through which one end of the envelopes 38 can be observed. The window 84 is preferablycovered with a transparent mate rial to prevent ingress of foreign materials into thestorage compartment 36.

In order to prevent the coin acceptor 42 from accepting a coin when all the envelopes 38 have been dispensed, means are provided for preventing the slider bar 78 from being moved to the coin accepting position when this condition exists. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the plate 74 is provided with a downwardly extending projection 86 which extends through the support wall opening 72 and is located in the travel path of the dispenser bracket 76 when there are no envelopes in the storage compartment 36. The projection 86 is engaged by the dispenser bracket 76 before the slider bar 78 reaches the coin accepting position and prevents further inward movement of the slider bar 78.

As illustrated 'in FIG. 1, the outer two dispensing modules 26 include indicia 88, such as a strip of embossed tape, decal, etc., on the outer face of the front wall 30 for identifying the geographical area covered by the maps being dispensed by the module.

The center dispensing module 26 in FIG. 1 incorporates an alternate arrangement for identifying the maps being dispensed by the module. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a window 90 made from a transparent material is provided in the front wall 30 for displaying the specific map being dispensed by the module. The display window 90 is approximately the same width as the width of the map and has a height approximately onehalf the length 'of the folded road map. Mounted on the backside of the window 90 is a pocket-like receptacle or bin 92 which is arranged to receive and hold a folded-over road map 94. With this arrangement, the road map 94 is folded in half so that the title and other identifying indicia, such as a pictorial representation of the state, will be prominently displayed through the window 90 for observation by the purchaser. As shown in FIG. 1, both

windows

90 and 84 can be formed from a single piece of transparent plastic material. The bin 92 also can be made from the same or similar plastic material and secured by the backside of the window 90 with an adhesive or the like.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an alternate embodiment for the envelopes. In this embodiment, the envelope is constructed from the same type material as described above and includes a pair of substantially flat,

elongated side panels

102 and 104 disposed in facing relation. The

side panels

102 and 104 are connected together along one end edge 106 and along the opposite side edges 108 and 110 to form a pocket closed at three sides and open at one side for receiving a folded road map 112. Like for the envelope 38 described above, each of the

side panels

102 and 104 include a centrally located aperture 114 and preferably are generally rectangularly shaped. One of the side panels 102 is provided with a cutout portion 116 at the open end 118 of the pocket to facilitate removal of the map 112 from the envelope 100.

Since both the

side panels

102 and 104 include an aperture 114, the envelope 100 can be installed in the storage compartment 36 with either side panel facing the support wall 34. The map 112 tends to spread the

side panels

106 and 104 apart at the open end 118 as shown in FIG. 10. Therefore, the envelope 100 should be installed in the storage compartment 36 with the closed end toward the module front wall 30 in order to insure that the envelope does not become jammed in the dispensing slot 58 during dispensation. Accordingly, the envelope construction illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is the most preferred because, pointed out above, the envelope can be installed with either side panel facing the support wall and either end facing the module front wall without creating a potential jamming problem. Both alternative envelope constructions have an edge opening for access to the interior of the pocket. This is desirable as it does not require additional structural elements or cutting and does not interfere with the desired flat condition of the envelope.

Folded road maps and similar articles dispensed in the envelopes frequently have widely varying thicknesses causing a varying degree of bulging of the envelope panels. If both the opposed, lateral edges of the envelope apertures (i.e. the leading and trailing edges of the apertures with respect to the direction of envelope travel toward the dispensing slot) are linear and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the envelope, or include portions so arranged, the trailing edge of aperture in the top panel of the envelope being dispensed tends to catch on the leading edge of the aperture in the bottom panel of the superjacent envelope. This can cause a hang up of the envelope being dispensed and/or tear both envelope panels. To eliminate this problem, at least the lateral edge of the aperture located closest to the dispensing slot preferably is bowed generally outwardly, in the plane of the respective panel, towards the dispensing slot with no substantial portion thereof being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the envelope. With this arrangement, a camming effect occurs between the overlapping apertures.

Reference is made to FIG. 13 which illustrates this camming effect. For the purposes of clarity, only the top panel 60 of the bottommost envelope 38a and the bottom panel 62 of the superjacent envelope 3811 are fragmentarily illustrated. When the bottom envelope 38a is moved in the direction of arrow 115, the aperture 70u in top panel 60 of envelope 38a moves past aperture 70/2 in bottom panel 62 of envelope 38h. As the trailing edge portion 1 17 starts to move past the leading edge portion 119 of aperture 7012, only the laterally outer end portions of trailing edge portion 117 are exposed to leading edge portion 119. The initial area of engagement between edge portions 117 and 1 I9 is minimal and the surfaces engage each other, if at all, at an angle. Thus, edge portion 117 will cam over edge portion 119 without catching during continued movement of envelope 38a toward the dispensing slot. In order to permit the envelopes to be installed with either end directed toward the dispensing slot, preferably both the leading and trailing edge portions of the aperture of both panels are bowed toward their respective end edges, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 13.

In order to achieve this just described advantage, the

apertures can be of various configuration so long as at trates an alternative arrangement for preventing accep-= tance of a coin when the dispenser is emptied and which will provide a visual indication when the last map in a storage compartment has been dispensed.

Plate 120, which provides the biasing force to insure proper engagement of the map containing envelopes with the support wall 34, is in the form of an elongated plate the longitudinal ends of which are turned under to form

lips

126 and 128. Slide 122 is held in the plate 1 between those lips and the major portion of the plate body as is illustrated in FIG. 12. Slide 122 is free to move along the longitudinal axis of plate and is normally positioned such that it is wholly within plate 122, i.e. its left end being positioned at or inside of the left end of the plate as viewed in FIG. 11. When the final envelope has been dispensed, plate 120 will rest on support wall 34 and slide 122 is exposed at the support wall opening. Should a coin be inserted in the coin acceptor, bracket 76 will slide back until it engages L- shaped stop 124 connected to the underside of plate 120. This limits motion of the coin acceptor such that the inserted coin is not accepted. When bracket 76 engages stop 124, the upper end 82 of the bracket engages the right end of slide 122 so that when the coin acceptor is withdrawn, it moves the slide partially out through opening 58 in front wall 30 of the unit. The slide remains in that extended position unless it is manually reinserted and will be moved to the extended position any time a coin is inserted without envelopes positioned in the storage compartment. The end of the slide can be provided with some form of indicia to give a positive indication that the storage compartment has been emptied, i.e. over and above the mere fact of its extension through opening 58.

While the dispenser has been illustrated and described as including three dispensing modules 26, it should be appreciated that any number of dispensing modules, including one, can be used. The storage compartment can be provided in the cabinet itself rather than having separate dispensing modules, in which case a front, top or rear panel of the cabinet is rcmovably installed for gaining access to the storage compartment. The individual dispensing modules or storage compartments can be aligned vertically, horizontally or both with each storing a different article. Thus, a variety of articles can be stored in and dispensed from the same dispenser. Furthermore, this invention is not limited to the specific coin acceptor illustrated. Virtually any type coin acceptor, including a rotating type acceptor, can he used so long as a suitable dispenser bracket is operably connected to the coin acceptor.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

l claim:

I. A coin-operated device for dispensing articles comprising. in combination:

envelope means for carrying each of the articles to be dispensed. said envelope means comprising a pair of substantially flat panels which are disposed in facing relation and are connected to each other along all but a portion of the edges thereof to define a pocket and an opening to said pocket for insertion of articles to be dispensed into said pocket and means defining an aperture in both of said panels;

a cabinet including means defining a storage compartment for receiving a stack of said envelope means and including a support wall against which said envelope means are stacked;

means defining a dispensing opening in general alignment with said support wall;

means defining an opening in said support wall and said envelope means being stacked on said support wall with the apertures in one of said panels facing toward and overlying said support wall opening and the closed edge of said envelope means facing toward said dispensing opening;

a coin acceptor mechanism supported from said cabinet and including a member located for movement relative to said support wall and said envelope means between an operating position remote from said dispensing opening and a dispensing position closer to said dispensing opening than the operating position; and

dispenser means for connecting said coin acceptor mechanism member to said envelope means and engageable in the panel aperture of said envelope means nearest said support wall to move said nearest envelope means with said coin acceptor member along said support wall and through said dispensing opening during movement of said coin acceptor mechanism member from the operating position toward the dispensing position.

2. A coin-operated device for dispensing articles comprising, in combination:

7 envelope means for carrying each of the articles to be dispensed, said envelope means comprising a pair of substantially flat panels which are disposed in facing relation and are connected to each other along all but a portion of the edges thereof to define a pocket and an opening to said pocket for insertion of articles to be dispensed into said pocket, means defining an aperture in both of said panels, said apertures being aligned relative to each other and centrally located on their respective panels;

means defining a dispensing opening a general alignment with said support wall;

means defining an opening in said support wall and said envelope means being stacked on said support wall with the apertures in one of said panels of each envelope means facing toward and overlying said support wall opening and the closed edge of said envelope means facing toward said dispensing opening;

dispenser means for connecting said coin acceptor mechanism member to said envelope means and engageable in the panel aperture of said envelope means nearest said support wall to move said nearest envelope means with said coin acceptor memher along said support wall and through said dis pensing opening during movement of said coin acceptor mechanism member from the operating position toward the dispensing position.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein each of said panels are generally rectangular with one longitudinal side and the ends of facing panels being joined and the remaining longitudinal sides being unconnected to define said pocket and the opening thereinto,

and wherein said envelope means are arranged with one of the ends thereof directed toward said dispensing opening.

4. The device according to claim 2 wherein each of said panels are generally rectangular with the two longitudinal sides and one end ofeach of the facing panels being joined with the remaining ends being unconnected to define said pocket and the opening thcreinto,

and wherein said envelope means are arranged with the closed ends thereof directed toward said dispensing opening.

5. A device according to claim 2 wherein each of said panels are generally elongated having opposite ends one of which is directed toward said dispensing opening, and

each of said apertures include oppositely arranged edges extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the respective panel and each of said aperture edges are bowed generally outwardly toward a respective one of said panel ends.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said aperture edges are generally arcuate.

7. A device according to claim 5 wherein said aperture edges each comprise first and second linear portions arranged at an angle to each other.

8. A device according to claim 2 wherein said means for connecting said coin acceptor mechanism member to said envelope means comprises a bracket connected to said coin acceptor mechanism member which bracket extends through said support wall opening and fits into said aperture of said nearest envelope means during movement of said coin acceptor member from the operating position toward the dispensing position to thereby move 'said nearest envelope means through said dispensing openingv 9. A device according to claim 8 including means for biasing said stacked envelope means against said sup port wall.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein said coin acceptor mechanism member, after insertion of a coin in said coin acceptor mechanism, is movable past a coin accepting position during movement towards the operating position; and

said biasing means comprises a plate adapted to engage said envelope means located farthest from said support wall, said plate including means which, when all of said envelope means have been dispensed, extends into said support wall opening and is engaged by said bracket to limit movement of said coin acceptor mechanism member toward the operating position and thereby prevent a coin from being accepted by said coin acceptor mechanrsm. 11. A device according to claim 2 including means engageable, when said storage compartment is emptied of envelope means, by said dispenser means for movement in response to coin acceptor movement toward said dispensing position into a position extending through said dispensing opening.

12. A device according to claim 2 including a plate adapted to engage said envelope means located farthest from said support wall, an indicator member, and support means connecting said indicator member to said plate for sliding movement on said plate while exposing a portion of said indicator member toward said support wall,

said support means positioning said indicator member at said support wall opening when said storage compartment is emptied of envelope means for engagement and movement, in response to coin acceptor movement toward said dispensing position, with said dispensing means into a position extending through said dispensing opening.

13. A device according to claim 12 including a projection on said plate which, when all of said envelope means have been dispensed, extends into said support wall opening and is engaged by said dispenser means to limit movement of said coin acceptor mechanism member toward the operating position. and thereby prevent a coin from being accepted by said coin acceptor mechanism.

14. A device according to claim 2 wherein said cabinet includes a wall from which said coin acceptor is supported and in which said dispensing opening is disposed, said wall including a window for observing the quantity of said envelope means present in said storage compartment.

15. A device according to claim 2 wherein said cabinet includes a wall from which said coin acceptor is supported and in which said dispenser opening is disposed, said wall having a window, and means defining a receptacle located inside said storage compartment adjacent said window for holding one of the articles to be dispensed for display through said window.

16. A device according to claim 2 wherein said flat panels, and accordingly said pocket,

are generally rectangular and wherein said storage compartment is generally rectangular in cross-section parallel to said support wall and of a size in such cross-section approximating that of said panels so that said envelope means are automatically oriented in said storage compartment relative to said dispensing opening.

17. A device according to claim 16 including means for biasing said stacked envelopes against said support wall,

and means for connection to said coin acceptor mechanism when all of said envelope means have been dispensed to limit movement of said coin acceptor mechanism member toward the operating position and thereby prevent a coin from being accepted by said coin acceptor mechanism.

18. A device according to claim 17 wherein said coin acceptor mechanism member,

after insertion of a coin in said coin acceptor mechanism, is movable past a coin accepting position during movement towards the operating position, and

including biasing means in the form of a plate adapted to engage the one of said envelope means located farthest from said support wall to urge said envelope means toward said support wall, said plate including a projection which, when all of said envelope means have been dispensed, extends comprising, in combination:

envelope means for carrying each of the articles to be dispensed, said envelope means comprising a pair of substantially flat, generally elongated panels which are disposed in facing relation, said panels having opposite ends and being connected to each other along all but a portion of the edges thereof to define a pocket and an opening to said pocket for insertion of articles to be dispensed into said pocket, said envelope means further including means defining an aperture in at least one of said panels which aperture includes oppositely arranged edges extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the panel and each of said aperture edges being bowed generally outwardly toward a respective oneof said panel ends;

. means defining an opening in said support wall and dispenser means for connecting said coin acceptor mechanism member to said envelope means and engageable in the panel aperture of said envelope means nearest said support wall to move said nearest envelope means with said coin acceptor member along said support wall and through said dispensing opening during movement of said coin acceptor mechanism member for the operating posi- 21. A device according to claim 19 wherein said aption toward the dispensing position. erture edges each comprise first and second linear por- 20. A device according to claim 19 wherein said aptions arranged at an angle to each other. erture edges are generally arcuate.

Claims

1. A coin-operated device for dispensing articles comprising, in combination: envelope means for carrying each of the articles to be dispensed, said envelope means comprising a pair of substantially flat panels which are disposed in facing relation and are connected to each other along all but a portion of the edges thereof to define a pocket and an opening to said pocket for insertion of articles to be dispensed into said pocket and means defining an aperture in both of said panels; a cabinet including means defining a storage compartment for receiving a stack of said envelope means and including a support wall against which said envelope means are stacked; means defining a dispensing opening in general alignment with said support wall; means defining an opening in said support wall and said envelope means being stacked on said support wall with the apertures in one of said panels facing toward and overlying said support wall opening and the closed edge of said envelope means facing toward said dispensing opening; a coin acceptor mechanism supported from said cabinet and including a member located for movement relative to said support wall and said envelope means between an operating position remote from said dispensing opening and a dispensing position closer to said dispensing opening than the operating position; and dispenser means for connecting said coin acceptor mechanism member to said envelope means and engageable in the panel aperture of said envelope means nearest said support wall to move said nearest envelope means with said coin acceptor member along said support wall and through said dispensing opening during movement of said coin acceptor mechanism member from the operating position toward the dispensing position.

2. A coin-operated device for dispensing articles comprising, in combination: envelope means for carrying each of the articles to be dispensed, said envelope means comprising a pair of substantially flat panels which are disposed in facing relation and are connected to each other along all but a portion of the edges thereof to define a pocket and an opening to said pocket for insertion of articles to be dispensed into said pocket, means defining an aperture in both of said panels, said apertures being aligned relative to each other and centrally located on their respective panels; a cabinet including means defIning a storage compartment for receiving a stack of said envelope means and including a support wall against which said envelope means are stacked; means defining a dispensing opening a general alignment with said support wall; means defining an opening in said support wall and said envelope means being stacked on said support wall with the apertures in one of said panels of each envelope means facing toward and overlying said support wall opening and the closed edge of said envelope means facing toward said dispensing opening; a coin acceptor mechanism supported from said cabinet and including a member located for movement relative to said support wall and said envelope means between an operating position remote from said dispensing opening and a dispensing position closer to said dispensing opening than the operating position; and dispenser means for connecting said coin acceptor mechanism member to said envelope means and engageable in the panel aperture of said envelope means nearest said support wall to move said nearest envelope means with said coin acceptor member along said support wall and through said dispensing opening during movement of said coin acceptor mechanism member from the operating position toward the dispensing position.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein each of said panels are generally rectangular with one longitudinal side and the ends of facing panels being joined and the remaining longitudinal sides being unconnected to define said pocket and the opening thereinto, and wherein said envelope means are arranged with one of the ends thereof directed toward said dispensing opening.

4. The device according to claim 2 wherein each of said panels are generally rectangular with the two longitudinal sides and one end of each of the facing panels being joined with the remaining ends being unconnected to define said pocket and the opening thereinto, and wherein said envelope means are arranged with the closed ends thereof directed toward said dispensing opening.

5. A device according to claim 2 wherein each of said panels are generally elongated having opposite ends one of which is directed toward said dispensing opening, and each of said apertures include oppositely arranged edges extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the respective panel and each of said aperture edges are bowed generally outwardly toward a respective one of said panel ends.

8. A device according to claim 2 wherein said means for connecting said coin acceptor mechanism member to said envelope means comprises a bracket connected to said coin acceptor mechanism member which bracket extends through said support wall opening and fits into said aperture of said nearest envelope means during movement of said coin acceptor member from the operating position toward the dispensing position to thereby move said nearest envelope means through said dispensing opening.

9. A device according to claim 8 including means for biasing said stacked envelope means against said support wall.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein said coin acceptor mechanism member, after insertion of a coin in said coin acceptor mechanism, is movable past a coin accepting position during movement towards the operating position; and said biasing means comprises a plate adapted to engage said envelope means located farthest from said support wall, said plate including means which, when all of said envelope means have been dispensed, extends into said support wall opening and is engaged by said bracket to limit movement of said coin acceptor mechanism member toward the operating position and thereby prevent a coin from being accepted by said coin acceptor mechanism.

11. A device acCording to claim 2 including means engageable, when said storage compartment is emptied of envelope means, by said dispenser means for movement in response to coin acceptor movement toward said dispensing position into a position extending through said dispensing opening.

12. A device according to claim 2 including a plate adapted to engage said envelope means located farthest from said support wall, an indicator member, and support means connecting said indicator member to said plate for sliding movement on said plate while exposing a portion of said indicator member toward said support wall, said support means positioning said indicator member at said support wall opening when said storage compartment is emptied of envelope means for engagement and movement, in response to coin acceptor movement toward said dispensing position, with said dispensing means into a position extending through said dispensing opening.

13. A device according to claim 12 including a projection on said plate which, when all of said envelope means have been dispensed, extends into said support wall opening and is engaged by said dispenser means to limit movement of said coin acceptor mechanism member toward the operating position and thereby prevent a coin from being accepted by said coin acceptor mechanism.

16. A device according to claim 2 wherein said flat panels, and accordingly said pocket, are generally rectangular and wherein said storage compartment is generally rectangular in cross-section parallel to said support wall and of a size in such cross-section approximating that of said panels so that said envelope means are automatically oriented in said storage compartment relative to said dispensing opening.

17. A device according to claim 16 including means for biasing said stacked envelopes against said support wall, and means for connection to said coin acceptor mechanism when all of said envelope means have been dispensed to limit movement of said coin acceptor mechanism member toward the operating position and thereby prevent a coin from being accepted by said coin acceptor mechanism.

18. A device according to claim 17 wherein said coin acceptor mechanism member, after insertion of a coin in said coin acceptor mechanism, is movable past a coin accepting position during movement towards the operating position, and including biasing means in the form of a plate adapted to engage the one of said envelope means located farthest from said support wall to urge said envelope means toward said support wall, said plate including a projection which, when all of said envelope means have been dispensed, extends through said support wall opening and is engaged by said coin acceptor mechanism to limit movement of said coin acceptor mechanism member toward the operating position and thereby prevent the coin from being accepted by said coin acceptor mechanism.

19. A coin-operated device for dispensing articles comprising, in combination: envelope means for carrying each of the articles to be dispensed, said envelope means comprising a pair of substantially flat, generally elongated panels which are disposed in facing relation, said panels having opposite ends and being connected to each other along all but a portion of the edges thereof to define a pocket and an opening to said pocket for insertion of articles to be dispensed into said pocket, said envelope means further including means defining an aperture in at least one of said panels which aperture includes oppositely arranged edges extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the panel and each of said aperture edges being bowed generally outwardly toward a respective one of said panel ends; a cabinet including means defining a storage compartment for receiving a stack of said envelope means and including a support wall against which said envelope means are stacked; means defining a dispensing opening in general alignment with said support wall; means defining an opening in said support wall and said envelope means being stacked on said support wall with the apertures in panels facing toward and overlying said support wall opening and the closed edge of said envelope means facing toward said dispensing opening; a coin acceptor mechanism supported from said cabinet and including a member located for movement relative to said support wall and said envelope means between an operating position remote from said dispensing opening and a dispensing position closer to said dispensing opening than the operating position; and dispenser means for connecting said coin acceptor mechanism member to said envelope means and engageable in the panel aperture of said envelope means nearest said support wall to move said nearest envelope means with said coin acceptor member along said support wall and through said dispensing opening during movement of said coin acceptor mechanism member for the operating position toward the dispensing position.

20. A device according to claim 19 wherein said aperture edges are generally arcuate.

21. A device according to claim 19 wherein said aperture edges each comprise first and second linear portions arranged at an angle to each other.