Patent GB-906373-A (GB)
Title: Control for automatic vending machine
Inventor: BOURACIER CYRIL EUGENE
IPC: G07F5/10
Filed: 1960-08-16
Abstract: 906,373. Coin-freed apparatus. ICE-MATIC Ltd. Oct. 24, 1960 [Aug. 16, 1960], No. 28370/60. Class 27. A control for an automatic vending machine which may contain a refrigerating plant 16 comprises one or more selector mechanisms each containing a solenoid-operated gate 52 and closing a switch 50, 61 when a coin is accepted to operate a relay 58, 60 having contacts controlling a motor 97 and associated drive for the vending mechanism, a cam on the output shaft of the drive actuating a relay switch 67 in the circuit of the coils of the relay and a motor switch 68, whereby on acceptance of the required coin or coins, the relay or relays are energized to close their contacts to start the motor, the motor switch is closed to enable the motor to continue to run when the contacts of the relays are opened, the relay switch is opened to return the relays to the unoperated position and then closed to condition the relays for the next sale, and the motor switch is opened at the end of the vending cycle. As described, the machine has two coin selectors, one accepting shillings and the other accepting sixpences. A coin inserted in a selector follows a path 40 passing devices controlled by adjusting screws 41 . . . 44 for checking its diameter and thickness and between a pair of wheels 45 which check its thickness just inside the rim. The coin then passes into a bucket 46 which, if the coin is the correct weight, swings about a pivot 47 to cause a hook 48 to actuate the switch 50. The switch connects power lines L, N, which are joined to a connector block 19, to the coil 93 of the relay 58 which closes contacts between points 24, 25 and 27, 28, the contacts between the latter points closing a holding circuit for the coil and the contacts between the former points connecting the line L to a point 33 on the relay 60. When a coin is accepted by the second selector, the switch 61 is closed and connects the power lines to the coil 86 of the relay 60 which closes contacts between points 32, 33 and 34, 35, the contacts between the latter points closing a holding circuit for the coil and the contacts between the former points connecting the line L by lines 95, 96 to the motor 97 driving the magazine of the vending machine, the magazine, which may be of the rotary type described in Specifications 687,359 and 707,432, containing a plurality of stacks of articles for sale. Upon rotation of the output shaft of the drive from the motor, the cam immediately opens a switch 71 to de-energize solenoids 55, 72 of the selector mechanisms whereby springs 57 open gates 52 so that any coins inserted in the mechanisms during a vending cycle will be rejected. The cam also closes the motor switch 68 to connect the motor directly to the power lines L, N and then, shortly afterwards opens the relay switch 67 to disconnect the relay coils 93, 86. Further rotation of the cam then re-closes the relay switch 67 to set the relays for further operation and re-opens the motor switch to stop the motor and the vending operation. During the rotation of the cam, a switch 73 is momentarily closed to operate a mechanism 74 which counts the number of articles sold. After a number of revolutions of the cam corresponding to the number of stocks of articles in the magazine, a 'switch 79 is momentarily closed to energize a solenoid 81 in a counting device associated with a coin slot plate movable after the solenoid has been energized a predetermined number of times to display the word " empty " and operate a switch 120 to de-energize the solenoids 55, 72 whereby the selector mechanisms will not accept coins. A change-giving device, such as that described in Specification 906,377, may be connected to a socket 100, the device having a switch 103 which opens in the event of faulty operation of the device to prevent further actuation of the selector mechanisms. The refrigerating plant 16 is controlled by a thermostatic switch 17 and a heater 105 controlled by a switch 106 may be incorporated in the machine to prevent the formation of frost around the edges of a flap from which the articles are delivered. A protection device 119, such as described in Specification 906,376, may be used with the refrigerating plant and have a hightemperature switch 108 and a timing switch 109 controlling a relay 110. The switch 109 maintains the relay energized so long as the temperature in the magazine does not remain below a predetermined level, at which the switch 108 opens, above a predetermined time. If the relay becomes de-energized, the circuits to an indicator lamp 116 and to the selector mechanisms are broken to prevent operation of the machine. A press-button 123 enables the machine to be adjusted and tested. Specification 906,374 also is referred to.