IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO AN ARTICLE DISPENSING MACHINE AND METHOD OF DISPENSING ARTICLES

摘要

The dispensing machine in the form of a vending machine, for vending generally planar articles 3 which may be rigid or flexible, comprises an article feed system 2 comprising a first generally horizontal conveyor 5 on which the articles are arranged generally vertically side-by-side and by which they are moved towards a second generally transversely extending conveyor 6 which engages and moves the endmost article from the first conveyor and supplies it to an outlet slot 4 in the housing 1 of the machine from which it is removed by the user. The second conveyor 6 may move articles from the first conveyor generally vertically upwardly or generally horizontally. The article feed system 2 is driven by operation of a handle 55 by the user through an intermediate mechanical drive means connected between the handle 55 and the article feed system 2 and means may be provided for preventing operation of the article feed system in the absence of the provision by the user of the required amount of money for an article.