Patent GB-1116924-A (GB)
Title: Token operated dispensing machines
Inventor: KLACKOWSKI STEFAN
IPC: G07F7/08
Filed: 1965-04-05
Abstract: 1,116,924. Vending machines. THOMAS DE LA RUE & CO. Ltd. 24 March, 1966 [5 April, 1965], No. 14396/65. Heading G4V. A vending machine, e.g. for petrol, is operated by radio-active tokens and includes a totalizer for recording the total monetary value of tokens inserted and a dispenser control device operable in accordance with the value recorded. The tokens are tested by a Geiger-Muller tube GM1, the output of which is amplified at A1 and used to illuminate a bulb B1. Another Geiger-Muller tube GM2 senses the radio-active emission from a standard token and illuminates a bulb B2. The outputs of the bulbs B1, B2 are sensed by photo-transistors PS1, PS2, the latter being blacked out so that it is only sensitive to heat, and the difference signal, which is a measure of the light output of the bulb B1, is amplified at A4 and used to operate relays R6, R5, which open switches NC5-1, NC5-2 and close switches N05-1, N06-1 and N06-2 to supply power to further detectors D1, D2 which also sense the outputs of the bulbs B1, B2. If the outputs are the same, there is no signal from the amplifier A5, but if they are different, i.e. if the inserted token does not match the standard token, the switch NC-7 is opened by the relay R7. A third Geiger-Muller tube GM3 senses the emission from the inserted token through an aluminium sheet 5 which screens it from soft radiation, so that if a token emitting too hard radiation is inserted, the relay R8 is operated to open the switch NC8. After a predetermined time the timer T1 operates the relay R1 to close the switch NO1-1, so that if the switches NC8 and NC7 have not been opened, the main relay R9 is operated to actuate a token diverter S3 which diverts the token into a token receiving box. The relay R9 also maintains closed a gate S4 to prevent the insertion of further tokens. The Geiger-Muller tubes may be replaced by semi-conductor cells and the third radiation detector GM3 may be dispensed with if the token is moved into two separate positions, with and without a screen. Instead of the standard token, a standard signal from a stabilized power supply may be used (Figs. 3A, 3B, 4A-4D, not shown). The machine may accept coins of different value, the size, colour or magnetic properties determining which of a series of resistors (RE 1, RE2, RE3) is inserted in the comparison circuit to the bulb B2. Totalizer.-In one embodiment, Figs. 1A and 1B (and Fig. 2, not shown), the totalizer comprises a nut carrying a contact 11 and movable over contacts 12, 13 by motors M1, M2 driving a screw engaging the nut. The arrangement is that on operation of the relay R9 and closing of the switch 30 by the token entering the receiving box a circuit to the motor M1 is closed and the contact 11 is driven from a contact 12 on to the adjacent contact 13. The motor M1 is then disconnected and the motor M2 is connected by the closing of the switch NO13, to drive the contact 11 to the next contact 12, when both motors are stopped. A further token may then be inserted and the operation is repeated. At the end of the travel of the contact 11, a contact F is opened to prevent further operation of the motor M2. Also, the contact then contacts adjacent contacts 12 and 13 so that the relays R12 and R13 are energized, and the gate S4 is kept closed to prevent the insertion of further tokens. In another embodiment (Figs. 3A, 3B, not shown), the machine accepts tokens of three different values in the ratio 1:2:4, and alternative connections of the contacts 12 enable the motors to drive the contact 11 over one, two or four pairs of contacts 12, 13 according to the token inserted. In another embodiment (Figs. 4A-4D, not shown), the totalizer comprises a multiple contact summing relay (R27) which advances by one step when a basic value token is inserted, and is connected to multiplier relays to advance more than one step when higher value tokens are inserted. Dispensing control.-The petrol is dispensed by closing the pourer switch PR, thus energizing relay R11 and starting pump motor PM. A switch PS operated by a flow meter is arranged to close at the completion of each unit being dispensed, and this causes the motors M2 and M1 to drive the contact back across one pair of contacts 12 and 13, until first the contacts H, then the contacts E are opened. The totalizer is then in the starting position. In the embodiment using the summing relay, a dispensing relay (R30) advances one step at a time until its wiper is in series with the wiper of the summing relay (R27). In this embodiment a pricing unit is provided to indicate the value of the petrol that has been dispensed. This comprises a series of banks (Fig. 4D, not shown) of fast-registering relays for registering the value of the petrol to be dispensed and the instantaneous value still to be dispensed. The pricing unit may alternatively be a mechanical toothed wheel arrangement, with, for example, a photoelectric registering device, or may include electronic counters.