US3179224A

US3179224A - Vending apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3179224A
Application number: US136424A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sr Reginald C Haupt; Robert A Jewell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-09-11
Filing date: 1961-09-11
Publication date: 1965-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 1982-04-20

Description

April 20, 1965 R. c. HAUPT, sli.` ETAL 3,179,224

Filed sept. 11. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV ENT ORS 1f. mz Jze fs' aefi. lea/a ATTORNEYS April 20, 196s R. c. HAUPT, SR., ETA.. 3,179,224

VENDING APPARATUS ma? i Filed Sept. 11. 1961 April 20, 1965 R. c. HAUPT, SR.. ETAL 3,179,224

VENDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 11, 1961 4 SheetS-She'et 3' ATTORNEYS April 20, 1965 Filed Sept. 1l, 1961 R. c. HAUPT, sR., ETAL VENDING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /L I 32 j@ 93 94] INVENTORS BY www ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,179,224- VENDEG APPARATUS Reginald C. Haupt, Sr., and Robert A. Jewell, Savannah, Ga., assignors, by mesne assignments, of titty percent to Reginald C. Haupt, sixteen percent to Robert A.. .iev/ell, twelve percent to Marjorie R. Lamar, and eight percent to Richard F. Thigpen, all of Savannah, Ga.

Filed Sept. 11, 196i, Ser. No. 136,424 Claims. (Cl. 19d-2) This invention relates to automatic vending devices broadly, and particularly to devices for dispensing gaslled cylinders, especially those filled with an inflammable gas for cooking and similar uses, such as liquid petroleum, and commonly known as LP. gas cylinders.

It hasbeen customary to handle the distribution of LP. gas from a central plant where volume storage of the gas is possible. Although in some places permanent tanks are installed for customers and the tanks iilled periodically from tank trucks, smaller quantities are handled by loading cylinders of various sizes and capacities for sale to customers. The larger cylinders are delivered by truck, but the smaller sizes can be picked up by the customer at the central plant in desired quantity. The use of the smaller cylinders on boats, for camping cookstoves, and other outdoor uses has created a quantity demand for the smaller size cylinder, especially for holiday and week-end use. This makes it necessary for the purchaser to obtain a required supply while the central plant, or other outlet, is open, and the distributor to employ persons for this type of sale.

"The general object of the present invention is to provide avending machine particularly adapted to the automatic sale of gas cylinders, especially the smaller sizes, but suitable for the larger sizes as well.

A more speciiic object of the invention is to provide a dispensing device which will deliver a filled gas cylinder only upon the insertion of coins totalling a predetermined price and the deposit of an empty cylinder, and which will be inoperative to deliver a filled cylinder upon the deposit of the coin orthe empty cylinder alone.

Another object is the provision of a vending device of this general character wherein the control apparatus includes means for recognition of an empty cylinder,

with therecognition means being incorporated serially in the vending chain of mechanism.

A further object is to provide such a vending device having a plurality of cylinder positions with the positions arranged to release filled cylinders in sequence.

Yetanother object of the invention is to provide a vending device having a plurality of cylinder positions arranged for sequential delivery, with the placement and locking of an empty cylinder in an empty position serving to set up conditions to release a cylinder from the next succeeding position upon insertion of the proper coins.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of practical embodiments thereof, when taken in conjunction with the drawings which accompany, and `form part of, this specification.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a vending appalratus embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectiomon an enlarged scale, through one of the cylinder-holding compartments of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1, and is taken on the line 2-Z of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial horizontal section, on a still larger scale, taken through the `compartment shown in FIGURE 2, taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a section taken on the line 4 4 of FIG- igd Patented Apr. 20, lg

URE 3, illustrating the connection between an empty gas cylinder and a typical P.O.L. fitting which forms the gas cylinder recognition means;

FIGURE 5 is a section taken on the line 5--5 of FIG- URE 4; 3

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic layout of a typical electrical circuit for a three-compartment apparatus such as shown in FIGURE 1, with the actuating elements of the circuit in the position they will assume when the apparatus is filled and ready for use;

FIGURE 7 shows the same circuit after an empty cylinder has been placed in the first compartment, coins have been inserted in the coin control, and thesecond compartment door hasopened;

FIGURE 8 is a similar View with the parts in the positions assumed after an empty cylinder has been placed in the second compartment and the apparatus is empty;

FIGURE 9 is a schematic view of the operating mechanism of the circuitselector controlled by the coin box;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective Viewl of a modified arrangement of vending apparatus; and

FIGURE 11 is a vertical `section on an enlarged scale through one of the stations of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 10.

In general, the vending apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of gas cylinder compartments, or gas cylinder stations, with means for locking the `compartment or station to prevent removal of a cylinder placed therein. The unlocking of a compartment, or station, to permit removal of a filled gas cylinder is contingent upon depositing the proper coins, placing an empty cylinder in an open preceding compartment and connecting it to a recognition device, and locking the empty cylinder in the compartment, or station, in which it was placed. The compartments, or stations, are arranged for sequential operation, so that when all the above-mentioned conditions have been fulfilled at one station, the next succeeding station will be unlocked.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and first adverting to FIGURES 1 to 8, inclusive, there is shown a vending machine l which is formed as a cabinet having a plurality of compartments 2, close-d lby hinged doors 3. The compartments are shown arranged in two superposed rows of six compartments each. It will be obvious that any number of compartments may be used, and that the arrangement may be changed as desired. Af coin slot 4 may be provided in the face of the cabinet, and indicator lights 5 can be located over each compartment door except the last. An empty light 6 can be located at any convenient place, such as adiacent the coin slot, to indicate when the supply of full gas cylinders is exhausted. A control box 7, containing a coin box S, a transformer 9, a coin operated circuit selector I0, a reload and reset relay Il and reload and

reset switches

12 and 13, respectively, is located at the side, or back, of the cabinet in a location convenient for access by a service man. The control box will have a key-actuated lock i4, so that unauthorized persons` may not have access to it. t

`In view of the fact that all of the compartments are identical, except that the last compartment of the sequence has no recognition unit (to be described) and a the open front, and some means, such as springs 2i, are A employed to automatically` move the door to open position when unlocked. The door is provided with a spring box 32 attached to the back of the compartment.

3 lock 22., which has a solenoid 23 connected to its bolt 24 to withdraw the bolt when energized. The lock bolt cooperates with a keeper 25 mounted inside the compartment to hold the door in closed position.

The door 3 is pivotally connected, as at 26, to one end of a link 27, which has its other end pivotally connected to a switch actuating slide 28, mounted in bearings 29 Hand having a shaft 30 slidable through an opening 31 in the back wall of the compartment, to project into a switch In the switch box there will be a number of micro-switches, two in each compartment except the last, and four in the last,

, as will be described, mounted upon a bracket 33 fixed to the switch box. The switches will be arranged in a row with their actuating buttons in a line for Contact and actuation by the actuator bar 34 of the slide 28. When the door 3 is closed, link 27 will be shifted to move slide 23 to bring the actuator bar into contact with, and depress, all of the actuating buttons of the switches. When the door 3 opens, the switches are released to assume their normal positions. Due to the fact that it is essential that the micro-switches be operated to close only at the instant the cabinet door reaches closed position, a fZ-shaped spring 34 has one leg iixed to the actuator bar 34 while the other leg is free for resilient movement. v fixed to the switch box to engage and hold back the free An abutment 34 is end of they Z spring as the actuator bar moves forward.

. The spring and abutment are designed so that the free end of the spring Will snap past the abutment and into operative engagement with the switches just as the door reaches closed position. The resiliency of the spring will A hold the switches closed even though there is some free movement of the door due to play of the lock tongue 1n the keeper VZ5. When the door is opened, the spring end will snap past the Vabutment and release the switches. This arrangement makes it necessary to completely close a door upon an empty cylinder before the door of the next compartment will open, thereby eliminating the possibility of a customer almost closing a door upon an empty cylinder compartment to release the next cornpartment door then re-opening the door to the empty cylinder compartment and removing both a full cylinder and the empty one.

. Each'compartment, except the last, also contains an empty gas cylinder recognition unit 35. This consists of a tting 36 known in the trade as a P.O.L. iitting, carried at the end of a length of rubber hose 37 which houses a Y micro-switch and the necessary wiring for the switch. The Vfitting is modified to incorporate an electric switch to close a circuit whenever the tting is attached to the connection nipple 38 on the valve 39 of a conventional gas cylinder 46.

The fitting shown comprises an elongated connector 41 having a frusto-conical head 42, and being bored axially,

, as at 43. The hose 37 is iitted over the shank 44 of the of the connector and has a head 51 at its outer end. A resilient washer 52 is mounted on the rod Sti between the head of the actuator and the head of the connector, serving as a spring to urge the switch operating rod outwardly to inoperative position, arid as a plug to seal the cylinder outlet if the valve 39 is not tightly closed. The actuator rod hasanY elongated cut-out 53l on one side, and a set screw 54 is threaded through the connector shank and seated in the cut-out 53 to lock the actuator to the con- Y nector, yyet allow the actuator limited Vsliding movement Y' relative to theconiiector. j 55 serves to connect the fitting to the cylinder outlet.

A threaded coupling sleeve .be present.

In attaching the fitting to a cylinder, the head 42 of the connector, with the projecting actuator, is inserted into the tapered opening 56 in the mouth ofthe nipple 3S, and the coupling sleeve 55 is threaded onto the nipple. The threads of the nipple and coupling sleeve in all instances will be the special sizeleft hand thread which is standard for this type of cylinder in the trade. As the sleeve is tightened, the head of the actuator will seat itself in the nipple and the connector will he drawn up causing the connector to slide on the actuator rod, compress the washer 52, and bring the end of the rod into contact with, and ultimately depress, the control button` of the micro-switch. Thus, attaching the fitting to the cylinder serves as a recognition device as the mating left hand threads must At the same time, the micro-switch is actuated to prepare a circuit for delivery of a full cylinder, and, if the cylinder valve 39 is not closed tightly, the iitting serves to seal the outlet. When the fitting is removed from the cylinder nipple, the resiliency of the washer 52 will force the rod outwardly andallow the switch to return to its normal condition, in this case to open position. An adjusting nut 48 on the micro-switch permits adjustment to determine the pressure which will be required to actuate the switch.

The above described construction comprises all of the mechanical structure of the vending machine. The various switches and relays, brieiiy referred to, are connected in circuits -to make the vending operation an automatic one when the proper coins have been inserted in the coin slot, an empty gas cylinder has been placed in an empty compartment and connected to the fitting in that compartment, and the compartment door closed. FGURE 6 shows the electric circuitry for a three compartment rnachine. It will be understood that the iirst and last cornpartnient controls will be the saine as Shown no matter how many compartments intervene, and it more than three compartments are used, all between the first and last will be wired as the middle compartment of the layout illustrated.

In FIGURE 6, the three compartments are indicated by the dotted

line rectangles

56, 57 and 5S. Within the first compartment 56, there will be the lock solenoid 59, Y

the door actuated

micro-switches

60 and 61 and the P.O.L. fitting micro-switch 62. The second compartment :'37 will have its solenoid 23, door actuated

micro-switches

63 and 64 and fitting switch 47. The last compartment 53 will contain a solenoid 65, door actuated switches 66, 67, 63 and 69. There is no fitting in the last compartment. Of the above switches, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 47, 66 and 69 will be normally open switches,l While 68 and 67 are normally closed switches. When the doors of the respective compartments are closed, the normally

open switches

60, 61, 63, 64, 66 and 69 will be closed and the normally closed

switches

67 and 68 will be opened.V Switches 62 and 47 will be closed only when the fittings which carry them are connected to empty gas cylinders.

The door lock-controlling solenoid coils 59, 23 and 65 are connected to the contacts 7 tl, 71 and 72, respectively, of the circuit selector It) through

wires

73, 74 and 75. The contacts are selectively connected to a power source 76 by means or a movable contactor 77, connected through wire 7S with the power source. The several coils are connected serially with the respective switches 6i), 63 and 66 and the return line 79 to the power source by wires Si), El and 82. Thus, when the contactor 77 connects one of the solenoid coils to the source of power and the switch in series with that coil is closed, the coil willbe energized to withdraw the bolt tounlock the compartment door with which the coil is associated. Y l

The contactor '77 may be moved step-by-step by any appropriate means in response to insertion of proper coins into the coin mechanism 3. For purposes of illustration one means for operating the contactor has been shown, which :includes a ratchet wheel 83, fixed upon a pivot 84 to which the `contactor 77 is also xed so that` the ratchet and contactor will move in unison. The ratchet may be rotatedthrough predetermined arcs by means of a pawl 85 pivotally attached to a rod 36 and biased toward the ratchet by spring S7. Movement of the pawl toward the `ratchet is limited by a stop S8. Rod 86 is drawn upwardly by a solenoid S9 energizedin response to proper coins being inserted into the coin box, and is returned to its lower inactive position by means of a spring 90. The ratchet may be attached to one end of a clock-type spring 91 which tightens with each progressive movement of the ratchet. A holding dog 92 may be urged into holding relation with the ratchet by a spring 93 to lock the ratchet against reverse rotation. A reload solenoid 04 may be employed to withdraw dog 92 to allow the ratchet and contactor to reverse their movements to return to starting position. Any suitable stop arrangement 95 may be employed to properly position the ratchet for starting.

The solenoid 89 may be connected to the secondary 96 of a transformer having its primary 97 bridging the coin box 8 and the return line 79 and actuated only when coins are put into the coin box. Solenoid 94 is in circuit with the secondary 98 of a transformer 98 connected directly across the input and return lines of the power source and is continuously activated. The solenoid 94 circuit includes the manual reload switch 12, and the solenoid is actuatedonly when switch 12 is closed.

With this much of the circuit described, it is believed that the remainder of the circuit can be described to best advantage in conjunction with the operation of the device.

When the device is ready for operation, compartments 57 and 58 each will contain a full gas cylinder and their doors will be closed and locked. Compartment 56 will be empty, and its door open. At this time, contactor 77 will be at the contact 70, which is the starting position. Door-controlled micro-switches 60 `and 61 will be open, as will P.O.L. fitting switch 62 so that none of the operating circuits will be closed. A warning light 99 suitably positioned at an instruction chart 100, Will be lit as it is in a circuit including wire 101 from the` power source, the bulb 99, wire 102, closed switch 69 and return line 79. This light will remain on unless the door of the last cabinet is open. It will be noted that with conditions as described, door latch coil 59 of the compartment 56 is in circuit with the contactor 77, and, therefore, with the source of power. If the door of compartment is inadvertently closed, switch 60 will be closed, the coil 59 activated, and the door will spring open.

When a customer desires to obtain a full cylinder of gas, he iirst places the proper coins in the coin box 8, which will cause the circuit selector mechanism to operate. advancing the contactor from contact 70 to contact 71. This accomplishes three things: First, the circuit leading to door latch solenoid 59 is broken so that if the door` of the first compartment is closed it will not reopen; second, a circuit to the door release solenoid 23 of conipartment 57 is set up, and, third, a glow bulb indicator light 5 is lit. The glow bulb is lit through the circuit which includes the solenoid 23, but through

bridges

103 and 104 across the switches 61 and 62., each of which includes a resistance. This will allow the indicator light to come on even though both -

switches

61 and 62 are open, but only suliicient current will leak through to illuminate the bulb. The solenoid 23 will not be energized until both

switches

61 and 62 are closed. The

.purpose of the indicator light is to Warn the customer that the compartment56 is now in condition for locking and the door must not be closed unless, and until, an empty gas cylinder is coupled to the litting in that compartment. Next, an empty cylinder is placed in the compartmcnt 56 and the P.O.L. fitting in that compartment is connected to the nipple of the cylinder. As the coupling is tightened, switch 62 will be closed and the glow light will go out to indicate that the coupling is tightened suliciently. The door of compartment 56 is then closed. The door will be locked, automatically, and switches 60 and 61 will be closed. This completes the circuit through solenoid 2?, withdrawing the latch bolt of the door of compartment 57, allowing that door to spring open, revealing the full gas cylinder in that compartment. When the door of compartment 57 opens, switches 63 and 64 open.

With the apparatus in the condition just described, the circuits in compartment 57 will be as were those in cornpartment 56 at the commencement of the operation. The door of compartment 57 will not latch if inadvertently i closed, as closing the door will close switch 63, re-establishing `the circuit through solenoid 23. When the proper coins are inserted to cause the contactor to move to contact 72, an empty cylinder is properly connected to the tting in compartment 57, and the door of compartment 57 is closed, the door will remain closed and solenoid 65 will be energized to unlock the door of compartment 58.

When the door of compartment SiS opens, switch 66 opens to disrupt the circuit throughsolenoid 65. Switch 67 closes, completing a circuit from the secondary 98 of the transformer 98', through closed contacts 105 of reload relay 11, to energize throwout coil 106 of relay 11 to shift the relay and,

open contacts

106 and 107. This opens the circuit to the coin control box S and renders the machine inoperative until reloaded and reset. The opening of the door of compartment 58 also closes switch 63 and opens switch 69. As switch 69 opens, the circuit through warning light 99 is broken and that light goes out. Switch 68 in closing completes a circuit through line 101 from the power source, branch line 108, empty light 6, switch 68 and return line 79 to illuminate the empty light.

in order to reload the machine for further use it is necessary to open the doors of the compartments containing empty cylinders and remove these cylinders. Only compartment 58 is open at this time. Contactor 77 of the circuit selector is engaging contact 72, thus being in circuit with latch release coil 65 on the door of compartment 58. Under these circumstances it would be impossible to close and lock that door. The operator, or service man, will unlock the control box 7, and manually close reload switch 12. This will energize coil 94, withdrawing dog 92 from engagement with ratchet 83 and allow the ratchet to return to its initial position under the iniluence of spring 91. As the ratchet rotates it carries contactor 77 with it. As contactor 77 leaves contact 72 the circuit through coil 65 is broken and the door of compartment 58 will lock if closed. `As contactor 77 engaged contact 71 the circuit through coil 23 is completed and the door of compartment57 will swing open. As contactor 77 leaves contact 71 the circuit through coil 23 is broken and the door of compartment 57 will lock if closed. When contactor 77 reaches contact 70, it will be in its starting position, the circuit through coil `59 is made and the door of compartment 59 will open. The empty cylinders in compartments' 56 and 57 can be uncoupled from the tittings in the compartments and removed. Filled cylinders will be placed in

compartments

57 and 58, and the doors of these two compartments are closed. The machine is now reloaded and the doors of the hlled compartments locked. The operator will then press the reset switch 13 which will complete a circuit through the transformer secondary 98 and relay reset coil 109 to shift the relay to operative position and close contacts and 107. The coin box will again be in operative condition, the empty light will be oit and Warning light 99 Will againbe lit. The machine is now ready for service.

If the service man should arrive before all full cylinders have been dispensed, he is able to reopen the doors of chambers having empty cylinders therein byV closing the reload switch 12. This will cause the selector to rotate to its starting position, as described above, and the doors will open in reverse sequence as the selector moves backward. lt is to be noted, however, that the service man cannot open the compartments containing full cylinders without depositing coins in the usual man- 'which the invention may take.

ner. This precludes the possibility of a dishonest service man removing tull cylinders from the machine at the time of reloading.

The above-described machine is lbut one practical form Many variations of this structure are possible, so long as a plurality of cylinderreceiving positions are provided, with means at each position to lock the cylinder against removal, and the cylinder locking means are arranged to open in sequence,

with the locking means at each position releasing in rcsponse to connection of an empty cylinder to a recognition means in the immediately preceding position and locking Ithe empty cylinder in that preceding position.

f One such variation is shown in FIGURES l and 1l.

Referring to FIGURES and 11 in detail, the vending apparatus is in the form of a rack 110 having a plurality of cylinder-receiving positions 111 therealong. Only a portion of the rack is shown. The rack consists of a fiat base 112, with upstanding collars 113 at each cylinder-receiving position. The Vcollars are of proper size to sea-t the reduced ends 114 of gas cylinders 115. On either side of the collars, posts 116 rise vertically to support sectional gniide members 117. The guide members have horizontal tracks 118 at their sides to slidably receive the side edges of locking slides 119. There is a slide between each adjacent pair of guide members and the slides, when in locked position, overlie the collars 113 and thus overlie the tops of cylinders in the collars. The slides are notched at their rear edges, as at 120, so as to embrace the upstanding valves 121 of the cylinders and hold the cylinders against removal from the collars.

Supported above the guide members there is a conduit 122, to which hoses 123 carrying P.O.L. fittings 124 are connected. There will be a fitting at each position except the last, as in the form previously described.

Each of the slides will be held in` locked position by means of a lock 125. Springs 126 will urge the slides outwardly when unlocked. Switch boxes 127 will be carried by the guide members, and the switch buttons 123 will project from the boxes to be depressed by the slides when the slides move to locked position. This is the same operation as performed when closing the doors of the first-described form. The rack will carry a locked control box 129 with the same controls as in the previously described box 7.

The rack of FIGURE 10 will be wired in the same manner as the circuits already described. The operation of the rack will be similar to the first form except that the slides will be moved in and out in place of opening and closing doors.

While in the above several practical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it will be understood that the precise details of construction shown and described are merely by way of illustration and the invention may take other forms within the scope of the ap- `pended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers comprising, means defining a plurality of vending stations arranged in predetermined sequence adapted to receive containers, container-confining means at each station movable to and from positions blocking removal of containers from the stations, means to lock each container-confining means in container-blocking position, container-recognition means at each station ahead of the last station of the sequence, each container-recognition means including a control member rendered operative by connection of the recognition means to an empty container, a coin control mechanism rendered operative by deposit of coins of predetermined value, and release means at each station ahead of the last station of the sequence to release the locking means of the container` confining means at the next successive station of the sequence, each release means being operative upon movng the `container-confining means at the station at which the release means is located to container-blocking position while the control member of the container-recognition means at the station at which the release means is located is operative and after the coin control mechanism has been operated.

2. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers as claimed in claim l'wherein, there is an electric circuit for each release means, and the coin control mechanism includes a circuit selector to render operative the electric circuits in succession upon the deposit of coins.

3. Apparatus for vending commodity-lled containers as claimed in claim 2, the container-recognition means control member., comprising switches in the respective electric circuits.

4. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having valved outlets comprising, means defining a plurality of vending stations arranged in predetermined sequence adapted to receive containers, container-confining means at each station, movable to and from positions blocking removal of containers yfrom the stations, means to lock each container-confining means in container-blocking position, a fitting at each station ahead of the last station of the sequence adapted for attachment to empty valved containers of the particular type to be vended, the

fittings each containing a switch closable upon attachment lof the fitting upon an empty container, release means at each station ahead of the last station of the sequence to release the locking means of the containerconfining means of the next successive station of the sequence, an electric circuit for each release means, the switches contained in the fittings forming part of the respective electric circuits, coin control means rendered operative by the deposit of coins of predetermined value, the coin control means including a circuit selec-tor to render operative the respective circuits in succession upon the deposit of coins, and means at each station operative upon moving the container-confining means at the respective stations to container-confining position to close the electric circuit at that station, whereby moving the container-confining means at a station to container-confining position after attachment of the `fitting at that station to an empty container and depositing coins in the coin control will operate the release means to release outlets of the containers, and the switches in the fittings are adjustable to vary the degree of screw threaded attachment of the fitting to a container necessary to close a switch.

6. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having valved outlets as claimed in claim 5 wherein, the fittings have switch-operating members seatable in the outlets of empty containers to operate the switch in the fitting and to seal the container outlet.

7. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having valved outlets comprising, a cabinet having a plurality of container-receiving compartments therein arranged in predetermined sequence, a hinged door at each compartment for closing the compartment, means to lock the doors in closed position, a fitting in each cornpartment ahead of the last compartment in the sequence adapted for attachment to empty valved containers of the particular type to be vended, the fittings each containing a switch closable upon attachment of the'fitting to an empty container, release means at each compartment ahead of the last compartment of the sequence to release the locking means of the door of the next successive compartment of the sequence, an electric circuit for each release means, each circuit containing the switch of the fitting in the compartment with which the circuit cooperates, coin control means rendered operative by the deposit of coins of predetermined value,

the coin control means including a circuit selector to render operative the respective circuits in succession upon the deposit of coins, and means at each compartment operated by closing the door of the compartment to close the electric circuit of that compartment after the fitting at the respective compartment has been attached to an empty container placed in the compartment and the coin control circuit selector has activated the circuit of the compartment.

8. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having valved outlets as claimed in claim 7 wherein, the fittings are threaded for attachment to the valved outlets of the containers, and the switches in the fittings are adiustable to vary the degree of screw threaded attachment of the fitting to a container necessary to close a switch.

9. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having valved outlets as claimed in claim 8 wherein, the fittings have switch-operating members seatable in the outlets of empty containers to operate the switch in the fitting and to seal the container outlet.

10. Apparatus for vending co1nmodity-filled containers having valved outlets comprising, a cabinet having a plurality of container-receiving compartments therein arranged in predetermined sequence, a hinged door at each compartment for closing the compartment, means to lock each door in closed position, a fitting in each compartment ahead of the last compartment in the sequence adapted for attachment to empty valved containers of the particular type to be vended, thefittings each containing a switch closed by attachment of the fitting to an empty container, a switch at each compartment ahead of the last compartment of the sequence closed by closing the door of the compartment at which the switch is located, means to release the locking means of each door, an electric circuit for each compartment ahead of the last compartment of the sequence, each compartment circuit including the fitting switch for that compartment, the door-closed switch for that compartment and the lock-releasing means for the door of the next successive compartment of the sequence, and a coin control means rendered operative upon the deposit of coins of predetermined Value, the coin control means including a circuit selector to render operative the electric circuits in succession in the sequence in which the compartments are arranged.

1l. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having outlet valves as claimed in claim l wherein, there are means to release all of the doors for removal of empty containers and replacement of filled containers after the last filled container has been removed from the cabinet.

12. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having valved outlets as claimed in claim 1l wherein there are means to reset the vending mechanism after the cabinet has been reloaded and the compartment doors after the first in the sequence have been closed.

13. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having valved outlets as claimed in claim 12 wherein the switches within the fittings can be adjusted to operate when the fittings are attached to containers with different degrees of tightness.

14. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having valved outlets as claimed in claim 13 wherein the fittings when attached to the containers serve as closures for the valved outlets.

15. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having valved outlets as claimed in claim 14 wherein there are means to indicate when the fittings are attached to the containers with the required degree of tightness, and when all filled containers have been removed from the cabinet.

16. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having valved outlets comprising, a frame, a plurality of container stations arranged on the frame in predetermined sequence, means at each station to seat a container, a gate at each station movable to and from positions to retain containers on their seats, means to lock each gate in container-retaining position, a fitting at each station ahead of the last station of the sequence adapted for attachment to empty valved containers of the particular type to be vended, the fittings each containing a switch closed by attachment. of the fitting to an empty container, a switch at each station ahead of the last station of the sequence closed by moving the gate at the station to container-retaining position, means to release the locking means of each gate, an electric circuit for each station ahead of the last station of the sequence, each station circuit including the fitting switch for that station, the gate-closed switch for that station and the lock-re1easing means for the gate of the next successive station of the sequence, and a coin control means rendered operative upon the deposit of coins of predetermined value, the coin control means including a circuit selector to render operative the electric circuits in succession in the sequence in which the compartments are arranged.

17. Apparatus for vending commodity-lled containers having outlet valves as claimed in claim 16 wherein, there are means to release all of the gates for removal of empty containers and replacement of filled containers after the last filled container has been removed from the stations.

18. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having valved outlets as claimed in claim 17 wherein there are means to reset the vending mechanism after the stations have been reloaded and the station gates after the first in the sequence have been closed.

19. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having valved outlets as claimed in claim 18 wherein the switches within the fittings can be adjusted to operate when the fittings are attached to containers with different degrees of tightness.

20. Apparatus for vending commodity-filled containers having valved outlets as claimed in claim 19 wherein the fittings when attached to the containers serve as closures for the valved outlets.

References Cited by the VExaminer UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,258,498 3/18 Stuebing et al. 312-16 1,489,125 4/24 Jaeger 232--412 1,987,835 1/35 Love 194-4 1,996,668 4/35 Bliss 194-4 2,585,919 2/52 Davis.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, ERNEST A. FALLER, HUGO O. SCHULZ, Examiners.

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR VENDING COMMODITY-FILLED CONTAINERS COMPRISING, MEANS DEFINING A PLURALITY OF VENDING STATIONS ARRANGED IN PREDETERMINED SEQUENCE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE CONTAINERS, CONTAINER-CONFINING MEANS AT EACH STATION MOVABLE TO AND FROM POSITIONS BLOCKING REMOVAL OF CONTAINERS FROM THE STATIONS, MEANS TO LOCK EACH CONTAINER-CONFINING MEANS IN CONTAINER-BLOCKING POSITION, CONTAINER-RECOGNITION MEANS AT EACH STATION AHEAD OF THE LAST STATION OF THE SEQUENCE, EACH CONTAINER-RECOGNITION MEANS INCLUDING A CONTROL MEMBER RENDERED OPERATIVE BY CONNECTION OF THE RECOGNITION MEANS TO AN EMPTY CONTAINER, A COIN CONTROL MECHANISM RENDERED OPERATIVE BY DEPOSIT OF COINS OF PREDETERMINED VALUE, AND RELEASE MEANS AT EACH STATION AHEAD OF THE LAST STATION OF THE SEQUENCE TO RELEASE THE LOCKING MEANS OF THE CONTAINERCONFINING MEANS AT THE NEXT SUCCESSIVE STATION OF THE SEQUENCE, EACH RELEASE MEANS BEING OPERATIVE UPON MOV ING THE CONTAINER-CONFINING MEANS AT THE STATION AT WHICH THE RELEASE MEANS IS LOCATED TO CONTAINER-BLOCKING POSITION WHILE THE CONTROL MEMBER OF THE CONTAINER-RECOGNITION MEANS AT THE STATION AT WHICH THE RELEASE MEANS IS LOCATED OPERATIVE AND AFTER THE COIN CONTROL MECHANISM HAS BEEN OPERATED.