Importance

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Abstract

A vending machine comprising at least one drum pivotably mounted about a vertical shaft comprises a front pane permitting the customer to view the articles contained in the drum. In order to increase the utilization of the compartments of the drum and the use of compartments of many different sizes, the front pane comprises an outer pane and an inner pane. The inner pane is pivotably mounted about the same axis as the drum. The outer pane covers the entire stack of drums, whereas each drum is associated with one inner pane. Each inner pane comprises a first pawl engaging a pin which is associated with each partition. This pawl may be made to disengage the pin by means of a releasing mechanism which is activated when the drum in question is activated by a switch. At the same time the outer pane is caused to rotate clockwise about the axis, which movement the inner pane is caused to follow as a consequence of a first dog engaging the outer pane. This following of the inner pane is stopped when the first pawl engages the first pin which it meets. In this position, an article may be removed from the drum. The closing is performed by the outer pane being turned counter-clockwise backwards into the closing position, whereby the inner pane and the drum retained by the pawl follow the movement as a consequence of the outer pane engaging a second dog on the inner pane. During the opening movement the drum is fixedly retained by a second pawl engaging a pin. During the closing and turning movement of the drum, this pin disengages the second pawl.

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First Claim