US2531238A - Merchandise vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 21, 1950 w. s. TANDLER ETAL MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aprii 17, 1947 FIGI.

i R o T N E V N WILLIAM 5. TANDLERI DAVID S. WALKER I 2 FERDINAND A-DEWIESS WILLIAM M. TELLER.

THEIR ATTORNEYS.

llll INVENTORS. WILLIAM S. TANDLER DAVID 5. WALKER FERDINAND A. DE WIESS BY WlLLlAM M.TELLER w. s.. TANDLER ETAL MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Nbv. 21, 1950 Filed April 17, 1947 Nov. 21, 1950 w s. TANDLER EI'AL 2,531,238-

' MERCHANDISE VENDING: MACHINE Filed April 17, 1947 lOfiheets-Shet 4 FIG.' 4.

z\ INVENTORS. & WILLIAM $.TANDLER ID. 5. WALKER DINAN DE WIESS WILLIAM TELLER BY 3 W M*m T HEI R ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 21, 1950 w. s. TANDLER ETAL MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS.

m ER m u Mn N E EL I: E T .T R A o SWWM H QWA A m mA L: L wu m l WDF W H T Nov. 21, 1950 w. s. TANDLER ETALL MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 17, 1947 INVENTORS.

l i m WI DREM u N NEDE R mm? m .A T wN A A m m m UWDU E V I E wMFW Nov. 21, 1950 w. S. TANDLER ETAL 53 1 I MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIGJ l.

INVENTORS.

WILLIAM 5.TANDLER DAVID 5- WALKER FERDINAND A. DE WIESS y WILLIAM M. TELLER CW H El R ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 21, 1950 w. S. TANDLER ETAL MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 17, 1947 www INVENTORS.

5 m R [R m m s DWE I Y M L TMA R &WDM m .N T MSAM A A mm uwDL m L VH MM l H WDFW W VI B atented Nov. 21, 1950 macnanmse VENDING MACHINE William S. Tandler, David S. Walker, and Ferdinand A. de Wiess, New York, and William M. Teller, New Rochelle, N. Y., assignors to Vendomatlc Machine Corporation, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of Delaware Application April 17, 1947, Serial No. 742,164

1 22 Claims.

This invention relates to vending machines and it relates more particularly to machines for cooking and vending food products, such as, for example, frankfurter and hamburger sandwiches.

It has been suggested heretofore that coincontrolled machines may be used for vending frankfurter sandwiches and that the frankfurters may be cooked prior to dispensing by means of a high frequency heating system so that the food products can be converted from an initially raw state into a cooked state in a relatively short period of time.

The prior vending machines have not been particularly satisfactory for the reason that foolproof operation is difiicult to attain. Moreover, the prior devices have not had a sufliciently large capacity to permit the machine to be operated over extended periods of time without supervision.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fully automatic vending machine for freshly-cooked food products, such as, for example, meat sandwiches of various types, which is foolproof in operation and assures the prompt vending of the cooked product or the return to the customer of the money paid for the product.

Another object of the invention is to provide a compact vending machine which has a large capacity for storing the food products so that it does not require frequent refilling or have to be shut down while being refilled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vending machine for food products and the like which is foolproof in operation and which permits a selection of a variety of products with the assurance that the customer will receive either the selected product or his money.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing and supply system for vending machines whereby products can be dispensed in succession.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of typical embodiments of the invention.

Vending machines, in accordance with the present invention, include an electric high frequency heating coil encircling or associated w th a chamber in which the sandwich or other food product to be cooked is received during the cooking operation. The vending machine also includes a refrigerating compartment wherein the food products are stored prior to cooking in order to prevent spoilage and to comply with the various sanitary codes.

The present invention differs from prior devices in the means for storing the food products prior to cooking, the mechanism for discharging the products from the storage compartment to the cooking unit and to the controls for selecting and delivering the food products to the cooking unit and the mechanism for detecting the presence of a food product or, upon the failure to detect the presence of such a food product, for returning the coins to the customer or allowing him to make another selection.

A particular feature of the invention is the provision of a plural ty of supporting elements for receiving rows of food products, such as, for example, frankfurters in rolls enclosed in a paper sack or other wrapping. These supports are arranged side by side and through a novel interlock system are adapted to be operated in predetermined sequence so that, when one support has discharged the food products thereon, another support is conditoned for operation to dispense the food products thereon, and so on through an entire series of supports with final transfer to the first support for another cycle of operation.

More particularly, each of the supports may be provided with a conveyor belt which is movable relatively to the support for advancing the food products and discharging them over one end of the support. Only one of the conveyor belts is driven at a time and mechanism is provided for disconnecting the driven conveyor belt and connecting another conveyor belt for movement when all of the articles have been dispensed from the first-mentioned conveyor belt.

When a plurality of rows of supports are present in the device, the rows may be set into operation successively so that the dispensing operation may be continued while other supports. in a different row or, for that matter, in the same row, are being refilled with other food products.

Inasmuch as a plurality of article supports arranged in a horizontal plane are provided, a transfer mechanism, such as one or more belts, is used to deliver the food products discharged from the supports to a hopper which delivers the food products into the high frequency cooking device. Dispensing of more than one of the food products at a time is avo ded by means of a detecting device, preferably of the photoelectric cell type. which senses the presence of an article discharged from one of the supports and prevents the machine from dispensing another article until additional coins are inserted in the machine.

3 The detecting mechanism may be connected with a time-control device whereby failure of the support or the conveyor belt thereon t; discharge the article within a limited time will actuate a coin-return mechanism to retiu'n the coin or coins to the customer or to reset the tomer is either assured of receiving an article of his own selection or having hs money, which he has paid for the article, returned to him.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation and partly broken away of a typical form of vending machine embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating one form of transfer mechanism for coupling the feed belts successively to a drive member, with parts broken away to disclose details of construction of the transfer member;

Figure 4 is an end view of the mechanism disclosed in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view in section of the vending machine taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an end view of the transport mechanism disclosed in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the control gate or trap door for delivering the articles to the cooking chamber with parts of the device broken away for clarity of disclosure;

Figure 8 is a view in side elevation of the control gate or trap door illustrating it in closed and open positions;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a group of supports for the article, partly broken away to illustrate details of the transfer mechanism of the device;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a part of a modified form of transfer mechanism disclosing details of a clutch for the transfer mechanism;

Figure 11 is a view in section taken on line II-Ii of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a plan view of a modified support for advancing article; including a modified form of drive and transfer mechanisms;

Figure 13 is a view in side elevation of the support shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 B a view in section on line I i-I4! of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a view in longitudinal section of still another form of feeding mechanism; and

Figure 16 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical system of the device illustrating the electrical transfer-control mechanism and the time and coin-controlled mechanism utilized in the device. The present invention will be described with reference to a device for dispensing frankfurter and hamburger sandwiches in which wrapped sandwiches containing the raw or partiallycooked meat are retained under refrigeration until they are delivered to a cooking device to be cooked and then dispensed to the customer. The devices described hereinafter may be used for dispensing other articles.

The shape, design and arrangement of the device is susceptible to considerable modification, in accordance with requirements.

The form of vending machine illustrated 1.

. 4 cludes a rectangular boxlike casing Ii! which is divided into a. plurality of compartments for receiving the dispensing, cooking and other mechanisms required for operation. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the top section of the box is provided with a compartment I 2 having insulated walls and top I3, inasmuch as this section forms 'a refrigerator and storage compartment for the food products. The bottom of the compartment I2 is provided with an offset compartment I4 in which is mounted an evaporating coil I5 of any desired construction which is supplied with a refrigerant for evaporation therein by means of a compressor I8 mounted on a shelf or platform I! below the compartment I4.

The shelf I'I also supports a condenser I8 for receiving the compressed vapor from the compressor I6 and condensing it into liquid form for delivery to the evaporating coil IT. The condenser may be of the air-cooled type and an electric fan I3 is provided for cooling the condenser.

Directly in front of the compressor I6 and the offset portion ll of the refrigerating compartment is the cooking unit which, as illustrated, may include a glass tube 20 having a flared top which is encircled by a heating cofl 2I supplied with high frequency current from the electronic power unit 22 mounted beneath the coil. The lower end of the tube 20 is disposed above a dispensing chute 23 which opens to the outside of'the compartment through an aperture 24 in the front panel in the case.

The electronic heating unit described generally above is of a conventional type well known in the art and is not believed to require further description herein.

Proper refrigeration of the compartment I2 is assured by circulation of air throughout the compartment by means of a blower or fan 25 which is driven by means of a motor 26 mounted to one side of the compartment IE and connected to the blower by means of a belt 21. The blower is mounted in a casing 21 having an intake opening 28 adjacent to the coil 25 and an exhaust opening 29 in the back of the compartment I2.

The air must pass through the evaporating coil I5 before entering the blower 25 inasmuch as the coil extends substantially the full width and height of the compartment It at about the center thereof and air can enter the compartment only through the opening 30 at its left-hand end.

Moisture from the cofl I5, when the coil is being defrosted, is withdrawn from the compartment I2 by means of a drainage coupling 3| and delivered by a tube or pipe 32 to a drip pan 33 in the lower front of the casing.

As best shown in Figure 1, the entire front 34 of the casing I0 may be opened or removed, and it is provided with lock 35 permitting access thereto only by authorized persons.

In addition to the other details of the casing, it may be provided with a coin-deposit slot 31, a coin-return slot 38 and a series of selector buttons 39, 40 and II for making a selection of the various products contained in the refrigerating compartment I2, as will be explained hereinafter.

The principal features of the present invention reside in the mechanism for supplying the products from the refrigerating compartment to the heating or cooking device and in the control system for regulating the operation of the supply mechanism to render it foolproof.

As disclosed generally in Figures 1 and 2, a typical dispensing device may include a plurality of supports for the products to be dispensed. For

example, the device includes five rows 42, 49, 44, it and 46 of supports, each row containing five supporting and feeding devices 41, 48, 49, 50 and 5|, successively lower rows being identified by alphabetical designations, such as 41a, 41b, 41c and so forth. The rows 42, 48, 44, 45 and 46 of supports are driven by separate motors 52, 59, 54, 85 and 56 which are conveniently mounted on the exterior of the insulated side wall of the refrigerating compartment I2 but within the outer casing I0 so that they may not be tampered with. These motors may be provided with reduction gearing so as to reduce the speed of the output shafts 51, 58, 59, 60 and BI to which they are connected. 4

In the form of the invention illustrated, the shafts 51-5I are mounted near the forward edge of the rows of supports and are utilized, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to drive the conveyor belts 52, 53, 64, 65 and 56 which form the surfaces of the supports and receive the food products.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, each of the supports, for example, support 50, includes a pair of side plates 61 and 68, connected to a flanged base plate 58a, which carry at one end the bearlugs 59 and 10. The base plate supports the bearings 1| and 12 at its rear end. The shafts 13 and 14 are mounted in the bearings 69, and 1|, 12, respectively. The forward or front idler shaft 13 is provided with a pair of spaced-apart rollers and 15 which are secured to the shaft 18 by set screws or the like for rotation therewith and which engage and support the belt 55. The belt 55 and the other belts on the supports preferably are strips of fabric, the opposite ends of which are connected by means of cables or wires 11 and 18 which pass over the pulleys 19 and 80 on the rear shaft 14. Thus, the belt is supported for movement along the supporting member to advance a row of articles which is deposited thereon.

The articles are kept from being displaced transversely of the belt bythe flanges or partitions BI and 82 carried on the supports.

Each of the side plates 61 and 68 is provided with a notch 84 (Figure 4) for receiving the bearing members 85 that are rotatably mounted on shaft 51, for example. The rear edge of the support'rests upon a cross brace 86 so that the entire support may be lifted up and removed through the front of the refrigerating compartment I2 by removing the belt.

The conveyor belts in row 42 of the supports are driven by the shaft 51. The shaft 51 is provided with gears 88, 89, etc., each corresponding to one of the supports 42 to 45. The gear 88 meshes with the gear 90 on the idler shaft 18 and the other gears 89, etc. mesh with similar gears on the corresponding idler shafts of the other supports in a row. The gear 90 is fixed to a clutch sleeve 93 which is slidable axially of and rotat able relatively to the shaft 13 and is provided with an external groove 94 for receiving rotatably the pin 95 on the shifter fork 91. The left-hand end of clutch sleeve 93 is provided with clutch teeth 98 for engagement with the complemental clutch element 99 on the drive roller 16 so that when the clutch elements 98 and 99 are engaged, the idler shaft 13 is connected to the shaft 51 and is driven thereby. When the clutch sleeve 93 is shifted away from the clutch element 99, the shafts 51 and 13 are disconnected and the belt 55 is stationary. Inasmuch as it is disconnected from the drive shaft 51, the belt 65 may be drawn backwardly and refilled, and the entire support may be removed by removing the belt.

The shifter fork M is supported on a pivot pin "0 which is fixed to the base plate 58a and carries a pin IOI' for engaging with one end of a spring I02 that is connected at its opposite end to a plate member I09 secured to an actuating lever I04. The actuating lever I04 is mounted on a pivot pin I05 also secured to the base plate 08a for rocking movement thereabout and extends generally transversely of the base plate having an upwardly and outwardly projecting end portion I05 which extends beyond the conveyor belt 85, for example. The above-described shifter fork 91 and lever arrangement provides a toggle mechanism whereby, upon rocking of the lever I04, the clutch members 98 and 99 may be engaged and disengaged with a snap action. Each of the supports 45 to 5| is provided with a toggle clutch actuating mechanism like that described above, and these toggle mechanisms are used to transfer the motion of the drive shaft 51 successively to the various conveyor belts on the supports 48 to 5|. For example, conveyor belt 58 associated with the support 5| is provided with a cross plate I01 having upwardly extending curved fingers I08 thereon for advancing the food products and having at its right-hand end a rearwardly projecting tripping member I09 having an outwardly extending end I|0 whioh'engages the end I05 of the lever I04 as the plate I01 approaches the front end of the support. As the conveyor belt 55 advances, the lever I04 is rocked in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3 until the toggle mechanism snaps the shifter fork 91 over to engage clutch elements and connect the shaft 51 to the conveyor belt 55 on the support 50. The toggle action advances the member I08 ahead of the finger H0, as shown. Shortly thereafter, a small U-shaped tripping member I on the interior of the conveyor belt 56 of the support 5| engages the lever I04 associated with that support and moves it in a counter clockwise direction to snap the shifter fork 91 in such a direction as to disengage the clutch elements 98 and 99 associated therewith. Therefore, the advancing movement of any of the conveyor belts on the supports 48 to 5| will eventually disconnect the advancing conveyor and connect the next adjacent conveyor to the shaft 51. During this movement of the conveyor 66, the finger 0 engages a cam member 2 fixed to the base plate which deflects the finger ||0 out of the path of the lever end I06 to permit the belt to travel far enough to unclutch itself and prevent stalling of the mechanism when the device is completely sold out.

When all of the conveyors 48 to 5| have discharged-their contents and the conveyor on the support 41 approaches the end of its movement, it is necessary to reconnect the shaft to the conveyor 5|. This may be accomplished by means of the lever and link system disclosed best in Figure 3. In Figure 3, a transfer system for only two of the supports 50 and 5| is illustrated in order to simplify the drawings but it will be understood that the system for the five conveyors, as illustrated in Figure l, is exactly the same with the exception that the driving transfer is made between the supports 41 and 5| rather than the supports 50 and 5|, as shown in Figure 3. The transfer lever system consists of a first bell crank lever ||5 mounted on a pivot IIG supported on a transverse plate 1, Figures 3 and 4. The lever 5 has an upwardly extending end portion 8 which is in the path of the member I I0 so that, as the member I ll! of the support 50 acsnees advances, it rocks the lever H5 in a counter clockwise direction. The inner end of the lever H5 is connected by means of link II9 to another straight lever I20 which is also supported by a pivot I2I on the plate H1. The lever I20 has an upwardly-bent end portion in the path of the rearwardly extending arm I22 of the lever I04 for conveyor belt 56. Thus, when the lever H5 is rocked counter clockwise, the lever I20 is also rocked counter clockwise displacing the toggle .lever I04 clockwise and snapping the clutch elements 98 and 99 associated with the support 5| into engagement. In this way, it is possible to repeat continuously the successive operation of the conveyors n the supports 50, 49, 48 and 41 with a transfer back to the support 5I if this support has been refilled after it has been emptied.

It is also possible to transfer from one row, 42 for example, to another successively lower row 43 or 44, if desired, by successively connecting the motors for driving the rows of supports in the control circuit. The electrical circuit for accomplishing this transfer is described in detail hereinafter. However, in every instance, the driving transfer is made from one end of a row of supports to the other even though that row is not to be actuated until one or more additional rows have been actuated to discharge their contents.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 8, the device includes a transport mechanism for delivering the articles discharged from the various supports to the coo rig device. As shown best in Figure 5, the transport device may consist of a pair of belts I25 and I26 which travel in opposite directions to deliver the material to a trap door I21 above the cooking chamber 20.

The belt I25 is supported at its opposite ends on the pulleys I 28 and I29, the latter being connected by a worm gear mechanism I30 to the pulley I 3| which supports a portion of the conveyor belt I26. The conveyor belt I26 is further supported by means of a pulley I32, and an idler tensioning pulley I33 as well as a pulley I34 disposed below and to the left of the pulley I3I to cause the belt I26 to be inclined outwardly toward the trap door I21. The pulley I32 may be driven also by a worm gear mechanism I35 which is actuated by a motor I36. In this way, any article falling on either of the belts will be advanced toward the center of the machine and will be fed either down the inclined end of the conveyor I26 to the trap door I21 or down the inclined wall of the hopper I31 to the trap door. The positive drive of the inclined portion of the conveyor I26 prevents jamming of the article in the hopper and assures its feed in proper position to the trap door I 21.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the trap door I21 consists of a frame work I38 of generally square shape which supports a pair of shafts I39 and I40 which carry flat gate members I4I and I42 for movement with the shafts. The inner ends of the gate members I4I and I42 are beveled and overlap.

The shafts I39 and I40 have cranks I43 and I44 thereon which are connected in about 90" relationship by means of a link I45 so that, upon endwise movement of the link I45, both of the gate members MI and I 42 will swing downwardly to discharge the article thereon into the funnellike portion of the cooking chamber 20. Such endwise movement of the link I45 may be produced by means of the solenoid I41 having a reciproeating armature I48 that is connected by means of a link I49 to the link I45. A spring I50 is connected between the link I49 and the frame I38 of the trap door I21 normally urging the gate members Ill and I42 to closed position. The energization of the solenoid I41 will be described hereinafter.

At opposite ends of the conveyor belts I25 and I26 are located photoelectric cell I5I and an electric lamp and lens system I52 for directing a light beam on the cell I5I. The cell I5I and the lamp I52 are so located that any merchandise falling on either of the belts I25 and I26 will interrupt the beam. Such interruption of the light beam is utilized to stop any of the motors 52 to 56 which is operating at that time and thereby prevent additional articles from being dispensed from the supports.

The above-described support and conveyor systems may be modified substantially and other types of mechanisms for discharging the merchandise one by one may be used with equal facility.

Another form of actuating mechanism and transfer mechanism is disclosed in Figure 9 of the drawings. Only two supports are disclosed in Figure 9 but it will be understood that as many supports as desired may be arranged side by side and a plurality of horizontal rows of such supports provided, as previously described. In this form of support and conveyor mechanisms, the drive shaft I60 for one row is located at the rear of the supports I6I and "He. A support I6I may consist of a traylike member I62 over the surface of which travels a conveyor belt I63 carrying a pusher plate I64 on its rear edge. The conveyor belt I63 may be provided with a plurality of ribs I65 for more positively advancing the merchandise. The pusher plate IE4 is provided with inturned flanges I63 on its opposite edges for engagement beneath the traylike member I62. The conveyor is advanced over the member I62 by means of cables or cords I61 and I68 which are secured to a reinforcing member I69 at the front edge of the conveyor belt. These cords or cables are adapted to wind around a drum member I10 which is rotatably mounted on the drive shaft I60. If desired, the conveyor belts may be wound around the drum member I10.

The right-hand end of each drum member is provided with a clutch member I1I which may be a tooth or dog type of clutch or, as illustrated, a cone-type clutch, which cooperates with a complemental cone-clutch element I12 on a sleeve I13 which is slidable but non-rotatably mounted on the shaft I 60.. The sleeve I13 is moved axially of the shaft by means of a shifter fork I14 which is pivotally supported by a pivot pin I15 supported in any desired way in the casing. The shifter fork is provided with laterally-extending arms I16 and I11 which are connected by tie rods I 18 and I19 to a small T-shaped member I which is mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis on the tray member I62. The upright I8I of the T-member is slotted to receive a pin I82 on another T-shaped member I83 that is also supported on a pivot pin I84 carried by the tray member I62. A spring I85 extends from a downwardly struck lug I83 on the forward end of the T-shaped member I83 to a fixed pin I81 carried by the tray so that a snap toggle action is obtained as the T-member I83 is rocked past dead-center position. Such rocking movement of the T-member I83 is transmitted by the structure described above to the sleeve I13 to engage or disengage the. clutch ping member I88 carried by the pusher plate I84' so that, when the pusher plate I84 is advanced sufficiently far to discharge the last article on thebelt I85, the T-member I83 is rocked to disengage the clutch element I1I.

At the same time, the corresponding T-shaped member I83a'on the adjacent conveyor is rocked in a clockwise direction by means of a lever I89 which is carried pivotally by a lug I98 extending forwardly from the left-hand end of the pusher plate I84, as viewed in Figure 9. The lever I98 has a lower end adaptedto engage the right-hand leg of the'T-member I83a and when its upper end engages a downwardly extending tripping member I9I which is carried by a cross member I92 in the casing of the machine. Thus, as the pusher plate I64 advances, the upper end of the lever I89 strikes the downwardly projecttratedin Figures 10 and'11.' The structure of the transfer mechanism disclosed therein is similar to that shown in Figure'9, with the exception that'the drive shaft 288 is at the front of the support 28I and passes directly through the center of the roller 282 which drives a continuous or endless conveyor belt 283 extending around the supporting tray member 284. The roller 28I is rotatable relatively to the shaft 288 but can be coupled thereto by means of a clutch element 285 on the, roller and a cooperating clutch element 288 on the right-hand end of a sleeve 281 which is movable axially of the shaft 288 but keyed thereto. The shifter fork for moving the sleeve 281 is a 4-armed member 288 having its forward arm 289 bent downwardly' to engage in a groove 2 I8 in the sleeve 281. The lateral projecting arms 2 I I and 2 I2 are engaged by a tripping mechanism like the lever I89, as shown in Figure 9, and the tripping lug I88 also disclosed in Figure 9. The member 288 has a snap action for the reason that its rearwardly projecting arm" 2I3 ,is connected by means of a spring 2I4 to a pin 2I5 or other element carried beneath the shaft 288.

The operation of this transfer mechanism is exactly like those described above in that the conveyor belts 283, 283a and 'so'forth, are contyp of supporting and feeding mechanism for,

supplying the merchandise to the cookingdevice.

The support us illustratedin these -figures'of is a drive shaft 22I which is driven by means of an electric motor (not shown) through a ratchettype clutch 222. The shaft 22] is provided with a sprocket 223 which is connected by means of a chain 224 to a sprocket 225 fixed to the forward roller 2I8. A series of such supports are arranged along the shaft HI and all of the chains associated with the supports are driven simultaneously. The means for coupling the conveyor beltto the chain includes .an arm 226 on the pusher member 228 which extends over a side plate 221 on the side of the base member and has a downwardly projecting portion 221a terminating in a plate 221b having inturned flanges which engage 'over guide plate 228 fixed to the side of the channel member. The guideplate 221b carries a U-shaped arm 229 which is supported'f or pivotal movement and is normally urged upwardly by means of a spring238 connecting the arm with the guide plate 228. The vertical arm 229a of the U-shaped member 229 is provided with oppositely and inwardly projecting pins 23I and 23Ia which are adapted to I rected flange 232 carried by the side plate of Y engage the upper and lower flights of the chain 224. The upper pin 23I is so positioned that it normally lies above the level of an outwardly di-' the device. When the pin 23I is disposed beneath the flange 232, it is in engagement with the chain 224. When the pin 23I is above the flange 232, the lower pin 23Ia is engaged in the lower night of the chain 224. This arrangement permits the forward and reverse drive of the conveyor belt to advance the articles and then retract the belt for refilling with other articles.

The conveyor is coupled to the chain by means of a bell crank lever 233 which is pivotally supported on the side plate 2" of the conveyor support. This lever includes a ball 234, only partially shown, which extendsacross the entire row of conveyors. and supports for actuation by the last conveyor in the row.

When the bell crank 233 is rocked counter clockwise and. with the conveyor in its retracted position, the pin 23I which is below the bell crank- 233wil1 be displaced downwardly into engagement with the chain 224 and will be driven by the chain 224 to the left. As the pin moves toward the left it engages beneath the flange When the conveyor reaches the left-hand endof its path of travel, the pin 23I disengages from the flange 232 and is urged upwardly by the spring .238 to engage the lower pin 23Ia in the chain 224. This immediately causes a change of direction of the conveyor belt and the conveyor 2I8 then travels to the right until'the pin 23Ia is disengaged from the chain 224 by engagement with the bell crank lever 233. At this stage, both of the pins 23I and 23Ia are out of engagement with 1 the chain. During movement to the right Y the pin 23I a is retained in engagement 65,

with the chain 224 because the pin 23I is in engagement with the top of the flange 2'32.

the drawing includes an inverted channel-like j base plate member 2I1"havingrollers2-I8 and less type 2I9 which carries an L shaped member 228 constituting the pusher member for adconveyor when the conveyor'belt has moved to the left'of its path of travel is produced by means of the lever 235 which is pivotally supported on the end of the shaft which supports the roller 2I8. The lever 235 is connected by means of a ,link as to a bail 231 which carries at its end a vancing the articles with the conveyor'belt.

Near the rear end of the channel member 2I1 tripping member 239 corresponding to the bell crank lever 233 so that it can engage the pin The transfer operation to the next successive ll 2330. on the next support with its corresponding chain 224a. The right-hand end of the lever 235 is so disposed that it is above the path of travel of the pin 23! carried by the U-shaped member 229 when the pin 23! is in engagement with the chain 224. Thus, the pin moves underneath the lever 235 until the pin 23! is disengaged from the chain at which time the pin 23! rises and upon return movement of the U-shaped member 229 with the conveyor, the lever 235 is rocked counter clockwise, thereby moving the tripping member 239 and connecting the next adjacent conveyor to the drive shaft 22!.

When the last conveyor is emptied, a lever corresponding to lever 235 moves the link corresponding to the link 236 and thereby rocks the bail 234 and its lever 233 to connect the conveyor 2! 9 to the chain 224, as previously described. In this way, a series of conveyors can be supported side by side and operated successively with the final drive transfer from the last conveyor of the series to the first conveyor of the series in order to permit repetition of the cycle.

While the supports have been disclosed as actually supporting a single row of articles, it will be understood that the conveyors may be used to advance a double row of articles, as shown in Figure 15- In this modification a continuous conveyor belt 240 is disposed above a guide plate 24! which extends parallel to the lower flight of the conveyor 243 and partially around the back end of it. The plate 24! supports the merchandise until it is advanced around the end of the conveyor 240 by means of the pusher member 242 on the conveyor and the driven rollers 243 at the curved end of the plate. The rollers 243 are coupled to the roller and supporting member 244 by means of a gear 245 rotatable with the member 244 and meshing with gears 246 fixed to the rollers 243. Either the member 244 or the roller 241 at the opposite end of the conveyor may be driven by any of the drive and transfer mechanisms described above.

The above-described elements of the apparatus are controlled by a suitable electrical circuit which is illustrated in Figure 16 of the drawings. A suitable source of power represented by the terminals 253 and 25! is connected to an amplifier 252, which is continuously energized to supply electrical energy to the lamp l52 and the photoelectric cell A relay member 253 is'responsive to the photoelectric cell and has a pair of normally-closed contacts 253a and 25312 which remain closed so long as the light beam impinging on the cell !5! is not interrupted and open when the light beam is interrupted. The movable contact is connected by means of a conductor 254 to the power line 255 having a ter- I minal 253. The fixed contact 253b is connected by a conductor 256 to a movable contact 251a of a relay 251 having a coil 25": and a fixed contact 2510. The fixed contact 251c is connected to one side of the coil 25") and by means of a conductor 253 to a conductor 259 which leads to one contact 263a of a coin-controlled switch 263 and to one contact 26 la of the selector button switch 39 and also one contact of each of the other selector button switches 43 and 4|.

The opposite movable contact 26Gb of the coincontrolled switch 263 is connected by the conductor 262 to the fixed contact 253b of the relay 253.

The opposite contact 23": of the selector switch 39 is connected by a conductor 263, conductor 234 to one contact 235a of a relay 233. The opposite movable and normally-closed contact 265b is connected by a conductor 266 to one side of a relay coil 231a of the relay 231 and the opposite side of the coil 231a is connected through line 230 to the line 233 connected to the terminal 25!. The relay 231 includes three pairs of normally-open contacts 261b, 261c and 261d, 261e, 261 f and 2610. The contact 261!) is connected to the conductor 253 and its cooperating contact 2610 i connected tothe conductors 263 and 234. The contact 261g is connected to the power line 255. Its opposite cooperating contact 261; is connected by a conductor 263 to one terminal of a timing device 213 which has a movable contact arm 21! that is' driven in a counter clockwise direction by operation of the timing device but can snap back against the stop 212 when the timing device is de-energized. The opposite terminal of the timing device is connected by conductor 213 to the power line 263.

The third pair of contacts 231a and 261d are connected as follows: Contact 261a is connected by conductor 215 to the movable contact 2650 of a relay 265 which has a normally-spaced contact 265d connected by the conductor 213 to the power line 255.

The contact 261d is connected by conductor 211 to the movable contact 213a of a switch 213 that is moved by the tripping arm 21! of the timer 213. The other contact 21% of the switch 218 is connected by the conductor 219 to the power line 255.

One side of the relay coil 261a is connected by means of a conductor 235 to the power line 263. The other side of the relay coil 261a and the conductor 266 are connected to a conductor 23! which is connected to the rotary contact 233a of a transfer switch 283 having three additional contacts 263b, 2630 and 283d which are connected respectively to the motors 52, 53 and 54. The opposite sides of the motors are connected to the power line 263.

The switch 263 is utilized to transfer the energy from one motor to another, for example, motor 52 to motor 53 to motor 54 and back to motor 52. The rotary contact 283a of the switch 283 is driven by means of a shaft 234, Figures 3 and 5, mounted on a wall of the refrigerating compartment and extending adjacent the lefthand supports 41, 41a and 41b. The shaft 234 is provided with lever members 265, 235a and 23517 which are in the paths of the transfer levers !!3 associated with each row so that as, the transfer lever moves in response to movement'of the conveyors on the supports 41, 41a and 41b, the shaft 234 is rotated by means of a pawl-andratchet connection 286 between the lever memher 235 and the shaft 234. Thus, as the conveyors on the supports 41, 41a, and 41b reach the end of their travel in dispensing the last article. the switch is shifted to connect the motors 53, 54 and 52 in succession in the circuit.

In order to signal the fact that the dispensing operation is not taking place properly or that the particular merchandise selected is sold out, a signal lamp 233 is connected in parallel with thecoil 235e, one-end of -the coil 265e and, the lamp 230 being: connected by the conductor 23! to the contact 2650 while the opposite ends there, of are connected by means of the conductor 292 to the conductor 233, the relay coil 234a, conductor 235, conductor 233, the normally-closed switch 231 and conductor 233 to the power line 233.

The relay coil 294a controls two contacts mo and 2940 which are normally closed-and are connected between the relay coil 261D and'the power line 266. Another pair or open contacts 294d and 294e are connected respectively to the-power line 268 and to one side of the solenoid 299 of a coin return device including a tilting cup 299a. The opposite side of the solenoid 299 is connected to the power line 255. The relay contacts 294d and 294e are normally open.

The trap door I21 is responsive to operation of any of the selector buttons 39, 40 and 4| and opens whenever a selector button is pressed. This is accomplished by means of the normally-open relay 300 having a coil 300a, one end or which is connected by conductor 30I to conductor 263, and the other end being connected through the normaly closed switch 302 and the conductors 303 and 304 to the line 268. The relay has two normally open contacts 300!) and 3000. The contact 3001) is connected to power line 255. The contact 3000 is connected to conductor 30I and to one end of the solenoid I41 by conductor 306. The other end of the solenoid I41 is connected by conductor 301 to the line 268. When the relay coil 300a is energized the contacts 3001i and 300a close forming a holding circuit through the coil 300a, conductor 303, switch 302 and conductor 304 from the line 255 to line 266. Also the solenoid I41 is energized through contacts 300b, 3000 conductors 306 and 301, opening the trap door I21.

The motor I36 driving the transport belts I25 and I26 is connected in parallel with the solenoid I41. The trap door I21 stays open until the article drops into the cooking chamber 20 where the article strikes the switch 302 thereby opening it and de-energizing the relay 300 and allowing the contacts 300?; and 3000 to open. The trap door I21 then closes.

The cooking unit 22 is also set into operation by entry of the article into the chamber 20. The switch 302 has a third contact 302a. which is connected to the unit 22 and the conductor 304 when the article is in the cooking chamber 20. The other side of the unit 22 is connected by conductor 306 to the line 255. The unit contains a timer (not shown) which times the operation of the unit and at the conclusion of the cooking period it momentarily energizes the electric latch 309 and releases the trap door 3I0 thereby discharging the cooked product. The trap door 3I0 is returned by means of a spring 3 to closed position.

The above-described circuit operates in the following manner: When coin is deposited in the machine through the coin deposit slot 31, it

passes through the usual slug-detecting device and momentarily closes the coin switch 260. Inasmuch as the lamp I52 and photoelectric cell II are continuously energized as in the relay coil 253, when the coin switch 260 closes a circuit is completed from terminal 250, line 255, conductor 254, switch contacts 253a, 253b, conductor 262, switch 260, conductors 259, 256, relay coil 251b, relay contacts 2940, 29412 to power line 266, thereby energizing the relay coil 2511) and closing the contacts 251a and 2510. When these contacts close, a holding circuit for the relay coil 2511; is made between power line 255, conductor 254, relay contacts 253a, 2531:, conductor 256, contacts 251a, 251e, coil 2511;, switch contacts 294b, 294c to power line 266.

The next operation is the selection of the merchandise to be dispensed. Assuming that the customer presses the selector button 39, the fol lowing circuit is produced: Power line 266, conductor 254', relay contacts 263a, 263b, conductor 256, relay contacts 261a. 251e, conductor 260, conductor 253, switch contacts 26Ia, 26Ib, conductors 263, 264, contacts 266a, 265b, conductor 266, relay coil 261a to power line 266. Also, a circuit is created as indicated above from conductors 266, 28I, rotary switch contacts 263a, 283b to motor 52 and from motor 62 to power line 266, thereby starting the motor 52. At the same time, all of the contacts of the relay 261 are closed so that a holding circuit for th e lmotor 52, or any of the other motors which are connected in the circuit by means of the switch 283,

is produced. This circuit is as follows: Power line 255, conductor 254, closed relay contacts 253a, 253b, conductor 256, contacts 251a, 251e, conductor 256, contacts 2619, 261e, conductor 264, contacts 265a, 265b, 266 through the relay coil 261a and motor 52 to the power line 268.' Also, inasmuch as the relay contacts 261} and 2619 are closed, the timer 210 is started by the following circuit: Power line 255 contacts 261g;

261f, conductor 269, timer 210, conductor 213 to power line 266, thereby setting the timer into operation and causing the tripping arm 2" to rotate slowly in a counter clockwise direction.

Simultaneously the solenoid I41 is energized, opening the trap door I21 and the transport motor I36 is set into operation.

If the dispensing device operates properly and an article is dispensed from one of'the article supports, it will intercept the light beam impinging on the photo-electric cell I6I, thereby temporarily de-energizing it and also the relay coil 253, with the result that the relay contacts 253a and 25312 are opened, which in turn deenergizes the relay coil 251 and the relay coil 261a, thereby shutting down the operation of the motor 52 and discontinuing the operation of the feeding system until the coin-controlled switch 260 is again closed. The solenoid I41 and the motor I36 remain energized until the article drops into the cooking chamber 20 and the switch 302 is actuated.

If an article is not dispensed, either because the dispensing device is sold out or because of some mechanical failure, the tripping arm 2" will eventually, for example, in about twenty seconds, close the switch 218. When the switch 218 closes, a circuit is completed as follows:

Power line 255, conductor 210, contacts 216b, 218a. conductor 211, relay contacts 261d, 261e, conductor 215, relay coil 265a, lamp 290, conductor' 2!", conductor 292, conductor 293, relay 294, conductors 295, 296, reset switch 291, conductor 298 to power line 268. As a result, contacts 265a and 265b open and contacts 2650 and 265d close, the. lamp 290 is lighted, warning that the merchan dise is sold out and the relay 294 is energized. When the relay 294 is energized, the contacts 294a and 294i; disengage, thereby disconnecting the relay coil 251!) from the power line 268 and permitting its contacts 251a, 251a to open. Also, the contacts 294d and 2940 engage, energizing the solenoid 299 and tipping the coin cup 299a to return the deposited coins to the coin-return chute. Also, when the relay 265 is actuated, the contacts 265a and 265b separate, thereby breaking the circuit through the relay coil 261a and through the motor 52, stopping the motor and opening of all the contacts by the relay 261. This also deenergizes the solenoid I41, closing the trap door I21 and stops the motor I36.

In order to reset the machine for operation under these conditions, it is necessary to open the switch 291 momentarily, which lie-energizes the relay coil 265e and resets the device for operation.

All of the other selector switches 40 and 4| are connected in a manner similar to the switch 39, involving the use of the corresponding relays 3l2, 3|: and 3H, 3l5, respectively, and connections between the relays and the motors 55 and 58, respectively. Each of the switches 40 and 4| has a sold-out lamp 3l6, 3" connected therewith so that the timer 210 is efiective to indicate when merchandise is sold out corresponding to any of the selector switches.

If desired, the relay 294 and the coin-return mechanisms 289 and 299a may be omitted and the conductor 296 may be connected directly to the conductor 292. With this construction, the coins are not returned but the relay 251 is not deenergized so that a customer may make another selection by depressing one of the other buttons, for example, the button 40 to start the dispensing operation without the necessity of inserting additional coins.

From the preceding description, it will be apparent that feeding devices are provided by this invention which are foolproof in operation, automatic and capable of holding and dispensing large numbers of articles without the necessity of constant attention and refilling.

The feeling mechanism is fully automatic and assures the dispensing of the article selected, the return of the coin if the article selected is sold out or of resetting itself so that the customer can make another selection if he so desires.

The dispensing device is, of course, capable of substantial modification, particularly in the shape and size of the cabinet therefor, the construction of the cooking unit and the arrangement of the feeding mechanism or supports therein. Also, the clutching mechanisms are capable of modification, and equivalent forms of clutching mechanisms may be used without departing from the invention. Therefore, the above-described forms of the invention should be considered as illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal supports arranged side by side, each of said supports being adapted to receive a row of articles, a means for advancing each row of articles along its support for discharge, one by one, by gravity at one end of each support, driving means, a separate clutch for each advancing means for connecting and disconnecting each of said advancing means and said driving means, and mechanism responsive to movement of one of said advancing means to a position corresponding to the position of discharge of the last article thereon for actuating its clutch to disconnect said one of said advancing means from said driving means, and for actuating said clutch of another advancing means to connect it to said driving means.

2. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal supports arranged side by side, each of said supports being adapted to receive a row of articles, a conveyor belt for advancing each row of articles along its support for discharge, one by one, by gravity a; one end of each support, driving means, a clutch for each conveyor belt for connecting and disconnecting each of said conveyor belts and said driving means, and mechanism responsive to movement of one conveyor belt to a predetermined position for actuating its clutch to disconnect said one conveyor belt from saiddriving means and for actuating said clutch of another conveyor belt to connect it to said driving means.

3. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal supports arranged side by side, each support being adapted to receive a row of articles, a conveying means for each support for advancing each row of articles for discharge by gravity at one end of each support, a drive shaft rotatable relative to each of said conveying means for driving the latter, clutch means interposed between said drive shaft and each conveying means for connecting and disconnecting said drive shaft and said conveying means, and clutch actuating means responsive to movement of a driven conveying means to a position to discharge the last article therefrom for disconnecting said driven conveying means from said drive shaft, and for actuating another clutch means to connect another conveying means to said drive shaft when the last article is discharged from said driven conveying means.

4. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of supports arranged side by side, supporting shafts adjacent each end of each support, a conveyor belt mounted on said supporting shafts for advancing a row of articles thereon for discharge at one end of said support, a drive shaft adjacent to said supports and rotatable relatively to said supporting shafts, means including an engageable and disengageable clutch for each conveyor belt for connecting and disconnecting said drive shaft and one supporting shaft on each support, toggle means for shifting each clutch into and out of engagement, and means on said conveyor belts engageable with said toggle means for disengaging the clutch of a. driven conveyor belt and engaging the clutch of another conveyor belt when the last article is-discharged from a driven conveyor belt.

5. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal movable conveyors arranged side by side for supporting a plurality of rows of articles, a drive member, clutch means for releasably coupling said drive member to said conveyors to move the latter to discharge articles from one end of said conveyor, a. member movable with each of said conveyors for actuating said clutch means selectively to connect said conveyors successively and in a predetermined order to said drive member, and detecting means in the path of an article discharged from said conveyors for stopping said drive means upon detection of a discharged article.

6. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal, movable conveyors arranged side by side for supporting a plurality of rows of articles, a drive member, means for releasably and selectively coupling said drive member to said conveyors to move the latter, and means responsive to movement of a conveyor coupled to said drive member for releasing said conveyor from said drive member as said conveyor moves to a predetermined position and for coupling another conveyor to said drive member.

7. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal, movable conveyor members arranged side by side, each member being adapted to receive a row of articles to be discharged, one by one, by gravity at one end of said conveying members by movement thereof, a movable driving member, means for 17 connecting and disconnecting said driving member and said conveyors to discharge the. rows of articles in succession, at least one conveyor extending transversely of and below said conveyor members adjacent to said one end for receiving the articles discharged from said conveyor members, means for driving said conveyor in one direction, and detecting means adjacent to said transverse conveyor and responsive to passage of an article on said transverse conveyor for stopping said driving member.

8. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of movable conveying members arranged side by side, each member being adapted to receive a row of articles to be discharged, one by one, from said conveying means by movement thereof, a movable driving member, a motor for driving said driving member, means for connecting and disconnecting said driving member and said conveyors to discharge said rows successively, timing means, means for initiating operation of said motor and said timing means substantially simultaneously, photoelectric detecting means in the path of articles discharged from said conveying members for discontinuing operation of said motor and said timing member upon detection of a discharged article, said timing means being connected to said motor to stop the latter within a predetermined time after initiation of its operation upon failure of said detecting means to detect a discharged article.

9. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of movable conveying members arranged side by side, each member being adapted to receive a row of articles to be discharged, one by one, from said conveying means by movement thereof, a movable driving member, a motor for driving said driving member, means for connecting and disconnecting said driving member and said conveying members to discharge said rows successively, timing means, control means for ini-' tiating operation of said motor and said timing means substantially simultaneously, and detecting means in the path of articles discharged from said conveying members for discontinuing operation of said motor and said timing member upon detection of a discharged article, said timing means being connected to said motor to stop the latter within a predetermined time after initiation of its operation upon failure of saiddetecting means to detect a discharged article.

10. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of movable conveying members arranged .side by side, each member being adapted to receive a row of articles to be discharged, one by one, from said conveying means by movement thereof, a movable driving member, a motor for driving said driving member, means for connecting anddisconnecting said driving member and said conveyors to discharge said rows successively, timing means, coin-controlled means for initiating operation of said motor and said timing means substantially simultaneously, detecting means in the path of articles discharged from said conveying members for discontinuing operation of said motor and said timing member upon detection of a discharged article, said timing means being connected to said motor to stop the latter within a predetermined time after initiation of its operation upon failure of said detecting means to detect a discharged article, and means connected to said timing means for returning said coin when said timing means stops said motor.

11. A dispensing device comprisinga plurality of movable conveyor members arranged side by 18 side, each member being adapted to receive a row of articles to the discharged, one by one, at one end of said conveying members by movement thereof, a movable driving member, means for connecting and disconnecting said driving member and said conveyors to discharge the rows of articles in succession, and a transfer conveying means below said conveying members fol receiving said discharged articles, a hopper for receiving said articles from said conveying means, and photoelectric cell detecting means adjacent to said conveying means and connected with driving means for stopping said driving means upon detection of an article on said conveying means.

12. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of movable conveying members arranged side by side, each member being adapted to receive a row of articles to be discharged, one by one, from said conveying means by movement thereof, a movable driving member, a motor for driving said driving member, means for connecting and disconnecting said driving member and said conveying members to discharge said rows successively, timing means, control means for initiating operation of said motor and said timing means substantially simultaneously, and detecting means in the path of articles discharged from said conveying members for discontinuing operation of said motor and said timing member upon detection of a discharged article, signalling means for indicating the failure of the conveying members to discharge an article, said timing means being connected to said signalling means and said motor to stop the latter within a predetermined time after initiation of its operation upon failure of said detecting means to detect a discharged article and to actuate said signalling means.

13; A dispensing device for supplying articles to an electric cooking device comprising a plurality of movable conveying members arranged side by side, each member being adapted to receive a row of articles to be discharged, one by one, from said members, by movement thereof, a movable driving member, a motor for driving said driving member, means for connecting and disconnecting said driving member and said conveying members to discharge said rows successively, detecting means in the path of said articles discharged from said conveying members for stopping said motor upon detection of a discharged article, movable transfer means for transporting a discharged article to said cooking device, trapdoor means between said transfer means and said cooking device, means for starting said motor, said transfer means and opening said trap-door simultaneously, and means responsive to entry of an article into said cooking. device for stopping said transfer means and closing said trap-door means.

14. A dispensing device comprising a first group of movable conveyors arranged side by side for supporting a plurality of rows of articles, a first drive member, means for releasably coupling said drive member to said conveyors to move the latter, and means responsive to movement of said conveyors for connecting said conveyors successively and in a predetermined order to said drive member, a second group of movable conveyors arranged side by side, a second drive member, means responsive to movement of said conveyors of said second group for connecting said conveyors successively to said second drive member, and means responsive to movement of one of the conveyors of said first group for 3% actuating said second drive member and stopping said first drive member.

15. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of groups of movable conveying means, each group including a plurality of movable conveying means arranged side by side for supporting a plurality of rows of articles, separate motors for driving each group of conveying means, means responsive to movement of the conveying means of each group for connecting the conveying means of its group successively and in a predetermined order to the motor for driving the group, an electrical circuit for connecting said motors to a source of electrical energy, and switching means in said circuit for connecting a motor of one roup in said circuit, in response to movement of a conveying means of another group.

16. A dispensing device comprising a drive shaft, a first belt conveyor adjacent to said drive shaft for receiving a row of articles, a roller supporting said conveyor, a first clutch element fixed to said roller, a second clutch element connected to and driven by said drive shaft and movable into and out of clutching engagement with said first clutch element, a second belt conveyor adjacent to said first conveyor, toggle means actuated by said second conveyor for moving said clutching elements into engagement, and means carried by said first conveyor for actuating said toggle means to disengage said clutch elements.

1'7. A dispensing device comprising a support, a first shaft having a pair of spaced apart drive rollers at one end of said support and at least one-additional roller at the opposite end of said support, a belt conveyor supported by said rollers, a. drive shaft adjacent to said drive rollers, a first clutch element fixed to said first shaft, a second'clutch element rotatably mounted on said first shaft between said drive rollers and movable into and out of engagement with said first clutch element, means connecting said second clutch elements to said drive shaft for rotation thereby, and toggle means for moving said second clutch element into and out of engagement with said first clutch element.

18. A dispensing device comprising a support, a belt conveyor mounted for movement relatively to said support, an endless chain carried by said support having upper and lower flights substantially parallel with said conveyor, means for driving said chain in one direction, a shiftable member connected to said conveyor and movable therewith, means on said shiftable member selectively engageable with said upper and lower flights of said chain, first means for shifting said shiftable means when the latter is near one end of said support to engage the means on said shiftable member with one flight of said chain to move said shiftable means toward the other end of said support, and second means for shifting said shiftable member to engage said means on said shiftable member with the other flight of said chain to move said shiftable member toward said one end of said support.

19. A dispensing device comprising a support, a belt conveyor mounted for movement relatively to said support, an endless chain carried by said support having upper and lower flights substantially parallel with said conveyor, means for driving said chain in one direction, a shiftable member connected to said conveyor and movable therewith, means on said shiftable member selectively engageable with said upper and lower flights of said chain, first means for shifting said shiftable means when the latter is near oneend of said support to engage the means on said shiftable member with one flight of said chain to move said shiftable means toward the other end of said support, second means for shifting said shiftable member to engage said means on said shiftable member with the other flight of said chain to move said shiftable member toward said one end of said support, and means extending lengthwise of said support for retaining said means on said shiftable member in engagement with said flights in either direction of movement.

20. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of feeding devices arranged side by side; each having a support, a belt conveyor mounted for movement relatively to said support, an endless chain carried by said support having upper and lower flights substantially parallel with said conveyor, means for driving said chain in one direction, a shiftable member connected to said conveyor and movable therewith, means on said shiftable member selectively engageable with said upper and lower flights of said chain, first means for shifting said shiftable means when the latter is near one end of said support to engage the means on said shiftable member with one flight of said chain to move said shiftable means toward the other end of said support, second means for shifting said shiftable member to engage said means on said shiftable member with the other flight of said chain to move said shiftable member toward said one end of said support, and means responsive to said second means of one of said feeding devices for actuating said first means of another of said feeding devices.

21. A dispensing device comprising a plurality of supports arranged side by side, supporting shafts adjacent each end of each support, a conveyor belt mounted on said supporting shafts for advancing a row of articles thereon for discharge at one end of said support, a drive shaft adjacent to said supports and rotatable relatively to said supporting shafts, means including an engageable and disengageable clutch for each conveyor belt for connecting and disconnecting said drive shaft and one supporting shaft on each support, toggle means for shifting each clutch into and out of engagement, means on said conveyor belts engageable with said toggle means for disengaging the clutch of a driven conveyor belt and engaging the clutch of another conveyor belt after the last article is discharged from a driven conveyor belt, and means in the path of said means on said conveyor belt and said toggle for displacing them relatively out of engaging position after said toggle means has disengaged said clutch of said driven conveyor belt.

22. A feeding mechanism for dispensing devices comprising an endless conveyor belt, rollers supporting said belt to provide upper and lower substantially horizontal flights connected by curved portions of said belt, means for driving one of said rollers, a supporting plate spaced beneath said lower flight in radially spaced relation to one end of said belt, a plurality of rollers radially spaced from one of said curved portions of said belt, means for driving said radially spaced rollers to cause their inner peripheries to move in the same direction as the opposed curved portion of said belt, and a pusher member on said conveyor for moving articles along said plate, and together with said radially spaced rollers upwardly around said on end of said belt and then

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