GB1233760A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,233,760. Vending machine control. VENDO CO. 30 Dec., 1968 [3 Sept., 1968], No. 61638/68. Heading G4V. Control apparatus for a multi-dispensing mechanism (i.e. column) coin-freed, vending machine includes only one sold-out switch associated with each column, said switch being actuated momentarily on vending an article from the column to cancel the established credit and responding to depletion of articles from the column to prevent loss of established credit if a customer attempts to obtain an article from said column. In addition, a signal is applied through each sold-out switch to the control terminal of a triac supplying power to a coin acceptance unit, whereby on depletion of the articles in all of the columns, the control signals to the triac disappear, interrupting the power supply to the coin acceptance unit, so that further coins are rejected. A signal is supplied through each sold-out switch 46, 46a, 46b to the control terminal 68 of a triac 64 to energize an electromagnet 66 in a coin acceptance unit. Insertion of a coin actuates switch 78 momentarily to gate SCR88 and energizes credit solenoid 76 changing over contacts 72, 74. Contact 72 interrupts the control signals to triac 64 to de-energize the coin acceptance unit. The gating signal to SCR88 is maintained through contact 72, contacts 32, 32a, 32b, contact 74 and coin switch 78 to hold-on credit solenoid 76. Depression of an article selection button 58, 58a or 58b, energizes an associated vend solenoid 18, 18a or 18b through the sold-out switch 46, 46a or 46b and the vend solenoid is held-on through a contact 32, 32a or 32b and the associated soldout switch. The sold-out switch is operated momentarily at the end of the vending operation to interrupt the gating signal to SCR88 and restore the circuit to its original condition. If any column is sold out, the associated switch 46, 46a, 46b changes over so that the article selection button is no longer in circuit with the associated vend solenoid to prevent loss of credit if the button is depressed, and lamp 62, 62a or 62b lights up. If all three columns are sold-out, the triac 64 is de-energized and the coins are returned by the coin acceptance unit. Fig. 2 shows the mechanical dispenser for one column down which cans A roll. When solenoid 18 is energized, armature 20 retracts, stop 22 rotates clockwise to retain the second can while allowing gate 38 to rotate clockwise under the weight of the leading can and to dispense it. Gate 38 is returned anticlockwise to the position shown in dotted lines by spring 48, whereby arm 42 energizes sold-out switch 46 momentarily, thus breaking the holding circuit for the SCR88 to cancel the established credit. Vend solenoid 18 is de-energized, stop 22 retracted by a spring, and the next can engages with gate 38 to release switch 46. If no cans are left, sold-out switch 46 is energized permanently and light 62 also comes on permanently.