USRE23103E

USRE23103E - Product vending machine

Info

Publication number: USRE23103E
Authority: US
Publication date: 1949-04-26

Description

' E. J. NEWCOMER 23,103

PRODUCT VENDING MACHINE April 26, 1949.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 19, 1946 INVENTOR. J. NEwcoMER,

ATTORNEY.

April 26, 1949. E. J. NEWCOMER PRODU'S'I VENDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original F -ecl June 19, 1946 EVERETT J. NEWGOMER ATTCI R N IYI E. J. NEWCOMER PRODUCT VENDING MACHINE April 26, 1949.

SSheets-Sheet :5

Original Filed June 19, 1946 INVENTOR; EVERETT u. NEwcoMER';

ATTDRNIYU April 26, 1949. E. J. NEWCOMER PRODUCT VENDING MACHINE 5' Sheets-Sheet 4 my me mm m E N T E R E V E Original Filed June 19, 1946 ATTORNEYS April 26, 1949. E. J. NEWCOMER PRODUCT VENDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed June 19, 1946 INVENTOR. EVERETT J. NEWGOMER,

M yrwyaa.

Reissued Apr. 26, 1949 23,103 PEQDUCT VENDING MACHINE Everett .1. Newcomer, Kew Gardens, N. Y., assignor to City Vending Equipment Corp, Maspeth, Long Island, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original No. 2,436,223, dated February 17, 1948, Serial No. 677,891, June 19, 1946. Application for reissue January 29, 1949, Serial No. 73,541

16 Claims. 1

My present invention relates to improvements in vending machines of the coin operated and electrically controlled type, and designed for dispensing or vending packaged commodities, such as milk, as one example, which is hereinafter referred to as a product being dispensed in a container.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a compactly arranged coincontrolled vending mechanism that is simple in construction and operation, and reliable for controlling the feeding, delivery, and discharge of a container to a customer.

In carrying out my invention a horizontally travelling storage and feeding conveyer is combined with a delivery and discharge conveyer moving in a direction at right angles to the direction of travel of the feeding conveyer, and the vended container is discharged by gravity to position readily accessible by the purchaser.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of these parts as will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are combined and arranged in accordance with one mode I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention. It will be understood that changes and alterations may be made in these mechanical and electrical structures exemplified in the drawings without departing from the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 is a vertical front View showing the mechanical parts of a unit of the vending machine in which my invention is embodied, together with portions of the lateral walls of a cabinet in section, and also indicating portions of two other adjacent unit-s of the cabinet.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machinein Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View on the line .'t-3 of Figure 2 showing the delivery conveyer and discharge chute, and accessories.

Figure is a vertical sectional View at line tll of Fig. 2 showing the feeding conveyer in longitudinal section and the delivery conveyer in transverse section. v

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional View at line 5--5 of Fig. l showing the storage and feeding conveyer and one of its rollers.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view at line fi-fi of Fig. 2 showing the delivery conveyer, one of its rollers, and journal bearings therefor.

Figure '7 is an electrical diagram of the wiring and appliances for the operation and control of one unit of the vending machine; and

Figure 8 is an electrical diagram of the wiring for multiple units when employed in the vending machine.

In the drawings, the operating parts of "the vending machine are enclosed within a cabinet l of suitable siZe and shape, which may be fash-.

ioned with a double wall construction, and insulated for refrigerating purposes when perishable goods are to be vended. Multiple vending units may be enclosed within the same cabinet, but at different levels, for vending either the same product, or different products, prepared in packages or containers. For purposes of illustration and description, one such unit is herein disclosed,

and the product to be vended is referred to'as milk contained in a bottle or other container. It is to be understood that the present invention is directed to a machine capable of handling packages containing materials other than food, and that the invention is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

The interior operating units at each level within the cabinet are supported upon a rectangular, horizontally disposed main frame 2 that is supported in suitable brackets 3 from the walls of the cabinet.

For storing and feeding the containers they are first deposited in alined rows disposed transverse-- ly across the upper or conveyer flight of an endless feed belt 4 of rubber, or other suitable flexible material, which belt is mounted to travel over a drive roller 5 and a spaced driven roller-6, both of which are journaled in bearings 2| supported in suitable manner from the main frame 2.

The conveyer flight of the belt upon which the containers are arranged in right angle rows is intermittently moved to the left'in Fig; 4, and guided over a fixed horizontal supporting plate I mounted upon a fram 8 in suitable manner to insure a level and substantial support for the containers.

Power for driving the roller 5 is furnished 1) an electric motor 9 which is supported upon a bracket that depends rigidly from the main frame 2, and power is transmitted to the. drive parallel with the front edge of the conveyer flight, to confine the load or supply of containers on and to prevent their displacement from the conveyer flight of the feed belt 4.

The feed belt with its load of containers. is intermittently mo ed. or mechanically operated under automatically operating electrical control means for the motor 9, a will be described.

From the feed belt the containers are fed in successive quantities or rows to a delivery ibelt I1 of a type similar to the feed belt, and the conveyer flight of the delivery belt is also intermittently moved, in a direction at right angles to the movement of the feed belt, and in the same plane therewith, see Figure 4, .so that the conveyer flight of the delivery belt may deliver a single container from the front end of :a single row being conveyed by the delivery belt.

This comparatively narrow single row delivery belt I! with its conveyor flight supported on and sliding ov'er a dixed' pl'ate 8 running part of the main frame 8, is mounted upon a drive roller -|'9 and acriven roller "29, both of which are j'ou-rnaled in ball bearings 2 supported upon parts of the main frame 2. Power is supplied to the shaft "22 cf the nave roll'e'r l9 "through a chain di ive in'cludin'g a dr ivihg sprocket wheel 23, chain 24, and sprocket '25 operatively connected with the drive shaft 25 cf an electric motor 21, and the fmoltor is supported in a bracket frame depending from the main frame of the unit.

The delivery 'b'elt I is of a width to accommodate a single row of containers, and a lateral upstanding guide plate 28 supported from the main frame, maintain's'the IOWOf containers in aline'merit from fro'nt to rear ends of thedelivery belt.

As "best seen in Figs. '1 and 4, the upper con- Veyer "flight CT the feed belt is very slightly 'elevated above the 'ac'l j'oini'n g edge "of the delivery belt, 22nd between the two belts is interposed an intermediate stationary rest plate or transfer plate 29 arranged parallel to and withits conveyiir surface flush with the conveye'r flight of the i eed belt.

u rassrer plate --2'9 is of such "dimension as to e'ifte hd the '-i'ull "width of the feed belt and the full length of the delivery belt. It is rigidly metered on the main name of the inachine, and it's "n 'er-rt and terminates adjacent an angular guide wan 30 disposed at the left end of the lateral guide M5 for the ieed belt, see Figure 2.

The delivery belt I"! is also intermittently opcrates under Ihechani-srh that is automatically actuated to activate electrical controls for the power supsiyin motor 21. to s'hi'ft belt H and feed the front container from its single row of containers ithereon over and against :a vertically disposed, semicircular baflile wall "3|. or delivery cl'r'lit'e, that is mounted "on the main "frame at the neat interior portion of the cabinet, or enclosure The delivery chute is mounted in the path of the rcrwarciy moving row of containers, and it is adapted to receive a single container, and 'perniit the 'c'o'ntain'er to drop by gravity into a discharge receptac'le "3 2,of elbowshape, and having astopfli for the container at the 'mouth thereof.

The discharge receptacle is mounted in the front wall of th'eca-binetjand it isprovidedwith been front permittin ready access or the purchaserto the "container which-comes 'to rest againsvtne stop 33.

For convenience in adjustment, the chute 3'1 is iiiciint'ed by brackets 34 and "slot connections,

in order that it may correctly be located in proper position to receive the particularly sized single container that is deposited therein from the delivery belt.

To prevent the machine from being operated when both .the teed anddelivery belts are empty of packages, an empty 'fe'ed switch 35, Which is mounted upon a suitable support at one side of the belt, is mechanically operated by movement of a leverarm 36 extending transversely over the feed -b'elt. This lever arm is pivoted at 31 with its "innerpi'vot end 38 in position to contact with a complementary spring blade 39 forming the stationary contact of the switch, and a coil spring 40 tends to retract the lever in the absence of contact with the containers.

The operation of the motor 9, and the consequent movement ofthe feed belt 4 is automatically controlled by switch 4| mounted at the rear end of the delivery belt l1.

The delivery empty switch 42 is mounted 'below the switch M and is operated simultaneously with switch 41 These switches areinitiallycontrolled by means of a replacement bar or .yoke

43, which extends longitudinally of the delivery belt I! and over the center of the delivery belt, and with its inturned ends pivoted at 44, upon the main frame and at one side of the delivery belt.

The pivoted yoke 43 .is held in uplifted position by contact with the sides of the containers in the delivery :row on the belt, and in this position, the operating switch 4| opens the motor ioperating circuit.

In the absence of containers on .the delivery belt, the unsupportedyoke swings down upon its pivots as a center, thereby operating a switch lever 45 which has vaisliciing pin and slot .connection-46 with the rear end of theyoke.

The horizontally disposed switch lever 45 is pivoted at 41 on an upright supporting bracket 48, and the lever is equipped withan upright -.or angular operating arm 49 which co-acts with the two :movable contacts 50 and '.5.'|., respectively, --of theswitches 4| and 42.

A delivery-cut-ofi switch 52, which is normally closed, .is mounted at the lowerend of the discharge chute for controlling the delivery circuit in'connection with the motor 21.

This cut-off switch is activated by a vended container asit passes .down through the discharge chute 3|., andfor this .purposea'depressible operatingarm 53 is located within the chute projecting inwardly thereinto and in the path of the discharged container. The arm is fixed to a rocker-shaft .54 .journalled in .a bracket 55, and a spring 56 resiliently holds the depressible arm in the path of the discharging container. One end of the rocker-shaft terminatesin an angular movable contact arm .51 that normally swings down into frictional engagement with a stationary cczmtact blade 58 for closing the cut-off switch 5 In loading the containers in the cabinet, they are initially alined .on the delivery belt lengthwise thereof with the replacementyoke 43 in uplifted position, with the delivery-empty switch 42 and the feeding switch 4| open, and the

respective motors

21 and 9 idle.

Lever arm 35 is turned ninety degrees counterclockwise from the position in Figure 2 and .containers are then stored in rows upon and transversely across the conveyor flight of the feed belt 4, in position retaining the spring pressed lever armparallel "withthe direction of travel of the feed belt, and the storage-empty switch 35 is in open circuit.

When a coin is inserted in the coin actuated mechanism (not shown), electrical connections are thereby closed through relay 65 to energize the delivery motor 21, causing movement of the delivery belt ll with its row of containers to Ward the front baffle and chute 3!. As the first or leading container is delivered by the delivery belt, it drops therefrom by gravity into chute 3| and bears against the discharge baiiie 3i, and thence is deposited in the receptacle 32.

By contacting the out ofi arm lit, the container opens the cut-ofi switch 52, thereby cutting out all electrical current otherwise flowing to the machine, and placing the machine in condition for the insertion of another coin and a, succeeding vending operation, which operations are repeated as long as any containers remain upon the delivery belt.

As the last container on the delivery belt is vended, the unsupported replacement yoke swings downwardly and causes closing movement of the feed switch 4| for operating the motor ll, whereupon the conveyor flight of the feeding belt is moved toward the delivery belt, thus forcing a row of containers from the feed belt to the transfer plate 29 and thence to the delivery belt. In this movement the front row of containers presses against the replacement yoke, forcing it into an upward position, thereby breaking the circuits to both the feed switch 4! and the delivery empty switch 42.

The last row of containers on the feed belt may be transferred to the delivery belt by means of a weight 59 movably supported by an inclined ramp 59' secured to the cabinet 5, and adapted to extend transversely across the rear end of the feed belt, and having a forwardly projecting extension till equaling the width of the transfer plate cor-- tacting the last row of containers. As the last row of containers. travels forwardly with the storage feed belt, the weight 59, by gravity, moves into position on the feed belt, and will remain. in engagement with the last row on the feed belt, to force the last row of containers over the rest plate 29 onto the delivery belt.

When the last row of containers has been forced from the feed belt to the delivery belt, thus releasing the empty-arm 35, torsion spring 48 swings the arm back into position of Figure 2, thus closing its operating circuit.

When the last container is discharged from the delivery chute from the delivery belt, the re-- placement yoke 13 swings down thereby closing the switch 52 as previously described.

In the electrical diagram storage empty switch 35 and delivery empty switch 42 are closed in series when the machine is empty of containers, and both of these switches are connected to a relay SI for its activation, and the opening and closing of the switch 42 is controlled by the movement of the replacement bar or yoke 43.

Referring to the electrical diagram of Figure '7, upon the insertion of a coin into the coin operated mechanism, electrical contact is made at 62 in series with one of the main electric lines, and with the main operating relay 53, thus closing the operating circuit and energizing the delivery motor 2'! to initiate a vending operation. Under these conditions, a coin blocking magnet 64 is ole-energized to permit automatic closing of a barrier or finger (not shown) that closes the entrance to the coin chute.

During delivery and discharge of the vended container, the delivery cut-off switch 52 breaks the circuit of the main operating relay 63, delivery motor 21 is de-energized, and the coin blocking magnet is automatically re-energized by this action, and coin barrier or finger is retracted from the coin chute, thus resetting the coin operated mechanism for another vending operation.

An empty condition of the machine is indicated to a customer by means of an electric lamp 64A, which is visible when illumined, and including in a lighting circuit under control of the emptyrelay 5! at which time all current ceases to flow within the machine, except current in the electromagnetic empty relay coil and the light circuit.

The above described mechanical and electrical features apply to a single unit of the vending machine; when multiple units are employed in the same vending machine and operated singly, a change-over electrical equipment is utilized, to successively control the operations of the multiple units, as well as for simultaneously controlling two operating units.

This change-over equipment is under control of manually operated switches Kit, 839, it, El and '52 and a three prong polarized plug and socket connection at B5 and 55' in Figure 8 which connects wi h main line and empty relay terminals on the terminal boards 66 and El of the upper and lower level units.

The automatic cl1ange-over circuits would be used in machines containing more than one vending mechanism. Assuming two vending mechanisms in one cabinet or housing, one above the other, the purpose of automatic changeover circuit would be--in one circumstance-to place one vending mechanism in operative con dition while de-energizing the other. In another circumstance, the one vending mechanism would be de-energizcd while the other would. be in operative condition. In a th.-d circumstance, the automatic change-over circuit would be used when both vending mechanisms were desired to be operated simultaneously and independently of each other.

Using the electrical circuit of Figure 'l for the top vending mechanism, and an identical circuit for the bottom vending mechanism, the interconnection with the automatic change-over cir cuit, Figure 8 would be as follows: Reading from left to right, the third terminal of the upper terminal board 8t would be connected to the plug and socket connection 55 at "it, Figure 8. The same terminal of the bottom vending mechanism would be connected to the plug and socks '51 at US. The third terminal of terminal strip 67, Figure 7, would. be connected at Figure 8, and the identical terminal of bottom vending unit would be connected at an, Figure 8. The fifth terminal from the left of the lower terminal strip, :igure 7, of the u; er vending mechanism would be connected at 55, Figure 8, and the same terminal of the lower vending mechanism would be connected to plug and socket ll similarly.

Assuming that it be desired to operate the top ven unit with the bottom vending unit inoperative, switch would be open, switch it] closed. switch ll open, switch closed and switch E8 closed. Referring to Figure 8, one main line ill would be connected through fuse "M, closed switch it, term al ii-l, and the third terminal of the top terminal strip, Figure 7. The other side of line "ill would be connected through closed switch 6-8, terminal 15 and the third ter- -minal of the bottom terminal strip of Figure 7.

7,, The-upper vendingmechanismthen would be energizedand in av condition to operate. The lower vending mechanism would have one leg tomain power line- 13 of Figure 8 connected through closedswitch 68, terminal 65 and the third terminal of the bottom terminal board of the lower vending unit. The other side of power line "13 of Figure 8 would have no connection to the lower vending circuit by reason of switch H being open. This condition would obtain until such time as the entire upper vending mechanism became empty; at this time switches 35 and 42, Figure 7, having been closed by the upper vending mechanism becoming empty, the fifth terminal of Figure 7 of the lower terminal board is: now energized and being connected through terminal 65, Figure 8, and closed switch l2, Figure 8, and terminal '36, Figure 8, and further connected to the third terminal of the upper terminal board of the lower vending mechanism. This then energizes the lower vending mechanism circuit so that it is now in a condition to operate.

When it is desired to operate the lower vending mechanism first and then allow the top vending mechanism to operate after the lower vending mechanism becomes empty, switch 6i would be closed, switch Ill open, switch ll closed, switch l2 open, and switch 68 closed. This would then energize the lower vending mechanism with the upper vending mechanism having one line connection made through switch 68, terminal 15, Figure 8, which is connected to the third terminal of the lower terminal strip of the top vending unit. The other side of the line to the top vending unit is not energized due to switch It being open. The bottom vending unit then would operate until it became empty; at which time switches 35 and 4.2, Figure 7, lower vending unit would be closed, thereby energizing the top vending unit through the fifth terminal of the lower terminal strip, and terminal ll, Figure 8, through closed switch 6t, and terminal it, Figure 8,. which is connected to the third terminal of the top terminal board, Figure 7, of the upper vending mechanism.

Now, where it is desired that both top and bottom vending mechanism operate simultaneously and independently of each other, switch 69 would be open, switch ll] closed, switch ll closed, switch 12 open, and switch 98 closed. This would supply electrical current to the top vending unit through one side of the main power line iii and fuse it, Figure 8, then through closed switch l0, terminal 18, and the third terminal of the top terminal board, Figure 7, of the top vending unit. The other side of the main line 13, to the top vending unit would be through closed switch 3 8, terminal 15, Figure 8, and the third terminal of the lower terminal strip, Figure 7, top vending unit. Top vending unit is now energized for operation. Bottom vending unit would be energized through one-side of main line [3, closed switch 68, terminal S and the third terminal of the lower terminal board, Figure 7, of the lower vending unit. The other side of the line to the lower vending unit would be connected through fuse M, closed switch H, terminal 16, Figure 8, and the third terminal number of the top terminal strip, Figure 7, of the lower vending mechanism. The lower vending mechanism is now energized for operation and both vending mechanisms will operate independently and simultaneously.

It will be noted that the main electric lines 13 .enter the operating circuits through a fuse l4, and the main manually operated switch 68,

the latter being provided to break the main.

electric line to the machine when necessary, as,

for repairs.

As previously indicated, various changes maybe made in the mechanical structures and ope erating devices, as well as in the electrical arrangements herein disclosed, within the scope of my appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a vending machine as described, the com-- bination with a storage feed belt and its containers, a delivery belt and its containers, a motor,

for driving the storage feed belt, and an operating circuit for the motor including a control,

switch, of a pivotally mounted replacement yoke: co-acting with the containers on the delivery belt for opening the control switch, and auto-- matic means operative in the absence of contact, of the containers from said yoke for closing the control switch.

2. In a vending machine asv described, the combination with a storage-feed endless belt anda.

delivery belt and its containers, a supporting plate for the conveyor flight of the storage feed belt, a drive roller and a driven roller for said, belt, of an electric motor and a sprocket-chain drive between the motor and the drive roller, an,

operating circuit for the motor and a.con.tr.olv

switch therein, a pivotally mounted yoke co-acte, ing with containers on the delivery belt for renidering inoperative the motor, and automaticmeans coacting with the yoke for rendering the;

motor operative in the absence of contact of the containers with the yoke,

3. In an article dispensingv device comprising.

in combination a cabinet, a main frame supported therein, a storage and feeding conveyor rotatably supported by said main frame and adapted to contain a plurality of aligned rows of articles, a first power means for driving said storage and feeding conveyor, a delivery conveyor rotatably.

supported by said main frame adjacent said storage and feeding conveyor for movement at-right.

angles thereto, a second power means for'driving said delivery conveyor, atransferplateattached. to said main frame and extending between said. conveyors, yoke means extending longitudinally.

and parallely above said delivery conveyor, a first switch means for controlling the energization of, said first power means, a switch means connected.

to said yoke means and said first switch means whereby the absence of an article on said delivery conveyor will free said yoke for downward movement to actuate said first switch means thereby energizing said first power means for. advancing said storage and feeding conveyor whereby movement of said storageand feeding conveyor will deposit intermittently and succesby gravity from the chamber and a. switch means in said chute and connected to said second power means, said switch means extending into the path,

of the discharged article for actuation; therebyto interrupt actuation of said. secondv power, means whereby said delivery conveyor will dispense said row of articles singly.

4. In a coin actuated package vending, machine, the combination of a horizontallytravelling storage feed belt and a plurality of rows o-fa packages thereon transversely aligned there.

across, a horizontally travelling delivery belt having its conveyor flight travelling in substantially the same horizontal plane as the feed belt and at right angles thereto, and a package delivery chute, the feed belt operating to deposit a row of packages on the delivery belt, and the delivery belt operating to deposit a single package at time in the delivery chute.

5. In a coin actuated package vending machine, the combination of a horizontally travelling storage iced belt and a plurality of rows of packages thereon. transversely aligned thereacross, a horizontally travelling delivery belt having its conveyor flight travelling in substantially the same horizontal plane as the feed belt and at right angles thereto, and a package delivery chute, the feed belt operating intermittently to deposit a row of packages on the delivery belt, and the delivery belt operating intermittently to deposit a single package at a time in the delivery chute.

6. In a coin actuated mechanically operated and electrically controlled package vending machine, the combination of a horizontally travelling storage feed belt and a plurality of rows of packages thereon transversely aligned thereacross, a horizontally travelling delivery belt having its conveyor flight travelling in substantially the same horizontal plane as the feed belt and at right angles thereto, and a package delivery chute, motor means for operating the storage feed belt. control means for said motor and a circuit therefor, motor means for operating the delivery belt, control means for said. motor and a circuit therefor, the feed belt operating intermittently on closing of its motor circuit to deposit a row of packages on the delivery belt, the delivery belt operating intermittently on closing of its motor circuit to deposit a single package at a time in the delivery chute, operation of the control means and the closing of either circuit automatically opening the other circuit.

7. In a mechanically operated and electrically controlled coin actuated package vending machine, the combination including a horizontally travelling storage feed belt, motor means for operating the same and electric control means for the motor, a horizontally travelling delivery belt having its conveyor flight travelling in substan tially the same horizontal plane as the storage feed belt but at right angles thereto, the storage feed belt operating intermittently to deposit packages on the delivery belt, motor means for operating the package delivery belt, and coin responsive automatically actuated means for controlling the operation of the delivery belt motor.

8. In a mechanically operated and electrically controlled coin actuated package vending machine, the combination of a horizontally travelling storage feed belt and packages thereon, a package delivery belt travelling at right angles to the storage feed belt and packages thereon, a package supporting transfer plate between the storage and delivery belts, and in substantially the same plane therewith, a discharge chute adapted to receive a package from the delivery belt, a motor for op-- erating the feed belt, and a motor for operating the delivery belt, electrical control means for the motors and circuits therefor, and means in the discharge chute actuatable by passage of a package through the discharge chute for opening the circuits of said electrical control means and rendering both motors inactive.

9. In a mechanically operated and electrically controlled coin actuated package vending machine, the combination of a horizontally travelling storage feed belt and rows of packages thereon extending transversely thereacross, a delivery belt travelling at right angles to the storage feed belt and in the same plane therewith and a column of Packages on the delivery belt extending lengthwise thereof, operating means for each of said belts, control means operable with packages on said belts for actuating the operating means for the delivery and storage feed belts, said control means de-energizing the operating means for said belts in the absence of packages thereon.

10. A vending machine as in claim 9, in which the control means for the delivery belt extend lengthwise thereof.

11. A vending machine as in claim 9, in which the control means for the delivery belt extend lengthwise thereof and are movable towards and away from the delivery belt.

12. A vending machine as in claim 9, in which the control means for the delivery belt extend lengthwise thereof, and the control means for the storage feed belt normally extend transversely across the direction of travel of the feed belt and are movable out of the path of the belt in the absence of packages on the feed belt.

13. In a mechanically operated and electrically controlled coin actuated package vending machine, the combination including a horizontally travelling storage feed belt, a delivery belt moving at right angles to the feed belt and in substantially the same plane therewith, an electrically controlled motor for the storage feed belt and an electrically controlled motor for the delivery belt, replacement control means operative in the absence of packages on the delivery belt for energizing the storage feed belt motor, and adapted to tie-energize the storage feed belt motor in the presence of containers on the deliver belt.

14. In a package vending machine, a storage feed belt and a plurality of packages thereon, a delivery belt and a, plurality of packages thereon, a motor for driving the storage feed belt, an operating circuit for said motor including a control switch, a replacement yoke co-acting with the packages on the delivery belt for opening the control switch to de-activate the storage belt motor, and means associated with the delivery belt automatically operable in the absence of contact with the containers by said yoke for closing the control switch to energize the operating circuit of the feed belt.

15. In a package vending machine as described, the combination of a. storage feed belt and packages thereon, and a delivery belt and its packages, a drive roller and a driven roller for said storage feed belt, an electric motor and a positive driving connection between the motor and the drive roller, an operating circuit for the motor and a control switch therein, a yoke co-acting with packages on the delivery belt for rendering the storage belt motor inoperative, and automatically operable means associated with the delivery belt co-acting with the yoke for rendering the storage belt motor operative in the absence of contact of the packages on the delivery belt with the yoke.

16. A package vending machine as in claim 15, having associated therewith means responsive to the presence of the packages on the storage feed belt to transfer the last of the packages on said storage belt to the delivery belt.

EVERETT J. NEWCOMER.

No references cited.