US3870135A - Cigarette carton dispensing system - Google Patents

Abstract

The system functions so that a shopper purchases a token at a check-out counter for a stated price and thereafter uses the token to operate a cigarette carton vending machine. The tokens are purchased from a central source and are used immediately to operate a vending machine so that constant control is maintained of the tokens. Each vending machine is composed of modular units and is itself built as a modular unit to provide for ready operation.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 C Allen Mar. 11, 1975 1 1 1 CIGARETTE CARTON DISPENSING SYSTEM [75] Inventor: Corey M. Allen, Mamaroneck, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Carton Sales, Inc., Mammaroneck,

[22] Filed: Dec. 15, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 315,407

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No 125,174, March 17, 1971',

abandoned [52] US. Cl. 194/4, 221/129 [51] Int. Cl. G07f 7/00 [58] Field of Search 194/4, 10; 221/129, 272, 221/274, 131

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,055,548 9/1962 Allegri 22l/13 X 3,080,036 3/1963 Robbins et al .l 194/10 Primary Examiner-Stanley l-l. Tollberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kenyon & Kenyon Reilly Carr & Chapin [57] ABSTRACT The system functions so that a shopper purchases a token at a check-out counter for a stated price and thereafter uses the token to operate a cigarette carton vending machine. The tokens are purchased from a central source and are used immediately to operate a vending machine so that constant control is maintained of the tokens. Each vending machine is composed of modular units and is itself built as a modular unit to provide for ready operation.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures INVENTOR. W6) 7 4am AIVU/Q/YEXS PATENTEU W U 5 SHEET 2 OF 6 CIGARETTE CARTON DISPENSING SYSTEM This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 125,174 filed Mar. 17', 1971 now abandoned.

This invention relates to a cigarette carton dispensing system.

It has been known that the sale of cigarettes has presented particular problems to retail outlets, such as supermarkets, because of pilferage and the relative ease in obtaining otherwise unauthorized use of the cigarettes. In some outlets, a relatively large percentage of cigarette cartons have been removed without payment by persons entering into these retail outlets or by employees thereof. In other instances, individual cigarette packs have been removed from cartons prior to sale such that the shopper has obtained less than a full carton.

In order to prevent these abuses and obtain a more effective controlover the sale of cigarette cartons, many retail outlets have placed the cigarette cartons at their check-out counters so as to be under the direct supervision of a check-out sales person. However, in these cases, relatively large storage areas are required at the point of check-out inorder to maintain a proper supply of cigarette cartons. In other instances, retail stores have retained the cigarette cartons in a managers office for direct sale to a shopper. This, however, has'caused an inconvenience to the shopper.

Because of the pilferage of cigarette cartons and/or the lack of convenience in purchasing cigarettes, the

total sales of cigarettes through retail outlets, especially, supermarkets has, in many cases, been curtailed. As a consequence, the amount of profit'to be made on cigarette sales by a retail owner has decreased.

In order to overcome these above problems and inconveniences, it is an object of this invention to provide a cigarette carton dispensing system which requires a minimum of security control.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cigarette carton dispensing system which requires a minimum of labor to be placed in operation.

it is another object of this invention to provide a cigarette carton dispensing system which is relatively simple and efficient to operate.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cigarette carton dispensing system which utilizes vending machines of compact modular construction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cigarette carton dispensing system with vending machines which are attractive in appearance and which require relatively small space.

Briefly, the invention provides a cigarette carton dispensing system in which a token is purchased by a shopper at a check-out counter for a stated price and is then immediately used by the shopper to obtain a cigarette carton from a vending machine. The cigarette vending machine is constructed as a modular unit so that a number of such units, each of which supplies a different brand of cigarettes from the other can be oriented in a desired fashion. In addition, the vending machine units are installed at a location beyond and convenient to the check-out counter so that a checker can visually supervise the purchase of cigarette cartons from the vending machines.

Each vending machine of the system is constructed so as to be actuated by a purchased token and each includes a housing containing a number of cartons, for example, twenty, which are stacked in vertical array.

The housing is provided with an opening, for example, at a lower portion of the front face which is of a size to permit passage of the lowermost carton of the, carton stack out of the housing. Each vending machine also has a means within the housing for moving the lowermost carton a predetermined distance, e.g., 4 inches, out of the housing. In this way, the shopper is then able to grasp and remove the carton. Each machine also has a suitable means for receiving the tokens for actuating the machine, such as electrically or mechanically, so as to dispense a cigarette carton in response to the deposit of a token.

Each cigarette carton vending machine is also constructed so that after the removal of a carton, the machine automatically becomes set up for a successive vending operation in response to the deposit of further tokens.

The means for moving a cigarette carton from a vending machine as well as the token receiving means are constructed in modular form and mounted in the housing ofthe vending machine in a removable manner as to be readily replaced, if necessary.

Each vending machine isof modular construction so that a plurality of such machines can be oriented in a horizontal array as well as a vertical array so as to occupy a relatively compact space. Further, as the individual vending machines are each formed of a modular unit of compact construction, a single brand of cigas rettes can be supplied by each. In this way, all of the known brands can be dispensed by the system in an efficient manner. Also, where one cigarette brand is more popular than another, multiple units can be provided. Likewise, where some brands are of limited appeal the units can be formed in fractional sizes, such as half sizes, and two or more such units can be stacked on each other.

In use, the cigarette vending machines are oriented together at a dispensing station beyond a check-out station but within view of a checker at a. check-out counter in the check-out station. In order to operate the system, a shopper, upon checking out at the checkout counter, purchases a token for an amount equivalent to, the price of the carton of cigarettes desired.

Thereafter, whileunder some degree of surveillance, the shopper passes through the check-out counter and moves to the dispensing station and deposits the token in the vending machine containing the cigarettes desired. The token then activates the vending machine and a carton is projected from the machine. The shopper then completely removes the carton from themachine and continues on his way out of the retail outlet.

Should it be necessary to protect against any counterfeiting of the tokens of the system, the tokens can be made of a unique construction for use over a limited period of time, for example, one day, while the token receiving means of the vending machines are made so as to be adjusted to respond to different tokens. For example, a disposable paper token can be provided with a stamped date code so that a vending machine can only be operated on the date indicated by the code. The machines, would, of course. be provided with a suitable inexpensive read-out to read the tokens and chines which can only be actuated with the proper token. In addition, as the token can only be purchased from the check-out counter of a retail outlet, the number of tokens in distribution can be readily determined and controlled. Still further, since the vending machines are in relatively close vicinity to the check-out counters, surveillance of the vending machine users can be readily carried out by the check-out personnel.

The invention further provides a system which is able to dispense a relatively large number of cartons of diverse brands of cigarettes from a relatively small retail sales station. As a result, a favorable amount of profit can be obtained.

Another feature of the invention is that the cigarette vending machine units can be placed at a convenient station beyond the check-out counters. In this way, suitable advertising displays can be associated with the units so as to stimulate the sales of the cigarettes contained within the dispensing units.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of cigarette vending machines according to the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a fragmentary front view of a single cigarette vending machine according to the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a mechanism for dispensing a cigarette carton from the dispensing unit according to the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates'another embodiment for expelling the cigarette carton individually from a vending machine unit according to the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the structure set forth in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of a cigarette vending machine as shown in FIG. 4 with a carton in an expelled condition; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of the cigarette vending machine of FIG. 7 immediately prior to the removal of the lowermost carton from the vending machine.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cigarette carton dispensing system consists of at least one check-out counter 10' at a check-out station 11, a token 12 and at least one cigarettecarton vending machine 13 at a dispensing station 14. As shown, for a typical supermarket retail outlet, a'

number of check-outcounters 10 are arranged near a common entrance andexit 15 to the outlet and each is staffed by suitable personnel as is known. The cigarette carton dispensing station 14 is located near the checkout station 11 and includes a plurality of thecigarette vending machines 13 oriented in a stacked array. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, most of thevending machines 13 are of upright construction and are'arranged in horizontal array while other machines 13' are of half size and stacked vertically.

A supply oftokens 12 is maintained at eachcheckout counter 12 and each'is sold to ashopper 16 in return for a stated amount of money corresponding to the cost of a carton of a particular brand of cigarettes. After purchase, the tokens l2 are utilized by theshopper 16 immediately to operate the desiredcigarette machine 13, 13'. To this end, thetokens 12 can be of any suitable shape and construction so as to activate the selected cigarette machines.

Referring to FIG. 2, eachvending machine 13, 13' is constructed with ahousing 17 of modular box-like construction and is supported on asuitable stand 18 adjacent to each other. In the case where eachmachine 13 is to be operated electrically, asuitable power cord 19 extends from themachine 13 and plugs into a suitablepower line strip 20 located, for example, on the underside of thestand 18. Eachhousing 17 has afront door 21 which is hinged on asuitable hinge 22 on one s ide and provided with alock 23 on the opposite side so that access can be had to the housing interior from the front. Thelock 23 can be of any suitable construction to secure thedoor 21 to thehousing 17. Thehousing 17 is sized to accomodate a stack ofcigarette cartons 24, for example, twenty cartons. In addition, thehousing 17 is provided with anexterior opening 25 in the lower end of thedoor 21 for the passage of the lowermost cigarette carton of the stack from themachine 13. Still further, thehousing 17 includes atoken receiving slot 26 in thedoor 21 which communicates in a suitable manner with a token receiving means 27 in the lower part of thehousing 17. This token receiving means 27 is constructed as a modular unit to be readily removed from thehousing 17 when desired and is also constructed to activate themachine 13 to dispense acigarette carton 24 upon deposit ofatoken 12. The receiving means 27 also includes a token reject return 28' as is known as well as a token acceptance box 29' for receiving valid tokens. The box 29' is provided with a suitable lock 30' so as to be readily removed from the remainder of the token receiving means 27 for retrieval or safekeeping of the'tokens.

Should it be necessary to view the contents of themachine 13, thedoor 21 can be provided with atransparent panel 26. This also allows the number of cigarette cartons remaining in themachine 13 to be viewed.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the interior of thehousing 17 ofa'vending machine 13 is provided with a pluralit'y of vertically disposed guides 27' so as to align the vertical-stack ofcigarette cartons 24 therein. In addition, thehousing 17 has astationary floor 28 which supports the stack ofcigarette cartons 24 thereon and extends from front to back. As shown in FIG. 4, theopening 25 in thedoor 21 is of a height slightly in excess of the height of acarton 24 so that thecartons 24 can be removed from thehousing 17 individually.

In order to prevent an unauthorized extraction of acarton 24 through theopenings 25, a gate means 29 is provided within thehousing 17 at "a point near theopening 25. To this end, aslot 30 is provided in thefloor 28 of thehousing 17 and the gate means 29 has a gate in the form of aplate 31 which extends upwardly through theslot 30 into the path of thelowermost carton 24. Thegate plate 31 is connected to a suitable retraction means 33 such as an electrically operated solenoid so as to be retracted downwardly through theopening 30 to allow thecarton 24 to pass through theopening 25. The retraction means 33 is constructed in a suitable manner to react to a token being deposited into the token receiving means 27. In addition, as

shown, aspring 34 is provided to bias theplate 31 upwardly through thefloor slot 30 after the retraction means 33 has been deenergized.

The gate means 29 is constructed as a modular unit to be readily installed and replaced within thehousing 17 and is secured at a forward end of thehousing 17 by asuitable bracket 35.

As shown in FIG. 4, in order to positively expell acarton 24 from thehousing 17, a means'in the form of a linear actuator 36 is located to the rear of thelowermost carton 24 to push the carton 24 a predetermined amount from thehousing 17. This linear actuator 36 has a cylinder 37 which is fixed to thefloor 28 and apiston 38 which is reciprocally mounted in the cylinder 37 in alignment with thelowermost carton 24 andopening 25. The linear actuator 36 is operated in a predetermined time sequence with the gate means 29 so as to push thelowermost carton 24 outwardly of the housing 17 a predetermined distance, for example, 4 inches, after thegate plate 31 is retracted.

Since the force required of the linear actuator 36 for expelling acarton 24 depends upon the height of the cigarette carton stack above the lowermost carton, a suitable means can be provided to decrease the force of the expelling linear actuator 36 as the height of the cigarette carton stack decreases. To this end, an electricallyconductive rod 39 is located on a wall of thehousing 17 alongside the stack of cartons and is electrically connected over asuitable connection 40 into the linear actuator 36 voltage supply while a metal weight 40' is slidably connected to therod 39 and seats on the topmost carton of the stack. The weight 40' androd 39 functions as a rheostat so that as the metal weight 40' slides down therod 39 as the cartons are expelled, the voltage delivered into the linear actuator 36 decreases.

time, the gate plate 31 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is retracted through thefloor 28 so 'as to expose thelowermost carton 24. Thereafter, the linear actuator 36 is actuated so that thepiston 38 pushes thelowermost carton 24 partially out of thehousing opening 25, e.g., with a 4 inch projection. Thepiston 38 then retracts while the shopper pulls the remainder of thecarton 24 from thehousing 17. As thegate plate 31 is spring loaded, thegate plate 31 returns to the blocking position as the lowermost carton slides across theopening 30 in thefloor 28. However, should thespring 34 fail to function, the sensing means 41, by sensing the passage of the lowermost carton, will positively control the gate means 29 to force thegate plate 31 into the blocking position.

Referring to FIG. 2, the. vending machines 13' are constructed in fractional sizes, such as, one-half the height of the above describedvending machines 13 and are stacked vertically in pairs. These vending machines In this way, the force of thepiston 38 will vary in corresponding relation to the height of the carton stack.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the event that'it is required to' ensure the security of the vending machine against tampering, eachhousing 17 can also include a sensing means 41 to determine when thelowermost carton 24 has been removed. This sensing means 41 can also be connected to the gate means 29 so as to positively move thegate plate 31 through the opening in thehousing floor 28. For example, where the gate means 29 utilizes an electrically operatedsolenoid 33, the sensing means 41 is connected into the circuit of thesolenoid 33 so as to cause the solenoid to positively force thegate plate 31 upwardly after passage of a carton. Further, if for some reason thegate plate 31 does not move into position, a warning light or sound signal can be activated so as to indicate that the machine has been tamperedwith or has been rendered inoperative.

The sensing means 41 is constructed with ahousing 42 located'on the underside of thefloor 28 at about mid-length of the lowermost carton and has a springbiased pin 43 which passes through a hole 44 in thefloor 28 to abut against thecarton 24 resting on thefloor 28. Thepin 43 is constructed as a switch within an electrical circuit to the gate means 29 so that when thepin 43 is depressed by acigarette carton 24, the circuit to the gate means 29 is open allowing the gate means 29 to be operated in a normal manner. However, when thepin 43 is moved out of thehousing 42 to project upwardly through thefloor 28 due to the passage of thelowermost carton 24, the electrical circuit to the gate means is closed causing the gate means 29 to force thegate plate 31 upwardly. In order to permit sufficient time for removal of thelowermost carton 24, a slight time delay (not shown) can also be built into this circuit to the gate means 29.

In use, a token 12 is purchased at a check-out counter (FIG. 1) and thereafter deposited into theslot 26 of a particularcigarette vending machine 13. At this 13' are each capable of a capacity slightly less than half the capacity of thefull size machines 13, for example, each contains ninecartons 24. In other respects, the fractional'machines 13' are the same as those described above and similar reference characters are used to indicate like parts as above.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to '8, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts as above, the vending machine can alternatively be constructed in a manner to further insure the locking of the machine against tampering. For example, atray 51 is slidably mounted on thefloor 28 to receive and ejectthe lowermost car-v ton. Thistray 51 includes atab 52 which is exposed to the exterior of thehousing 17 to serve as a means for manual gripping and pulling of the tray from thehousing 17. In addition, the tray carries astop 53 on the underside thereof which cooperates with astop block 54 on the side wall of thehousing 17 so as to limit the amount of outward motion of thetray 51. In addition, a lock 55 which is constructed in similar fashion to the gate means 29, is provided under the rear of thetray 51 to, cooperate with aslot 56 in thetray 51. The lock 55,

as shown in FIG. 5, has an upwardly extending plate 57 solenoid 60 is energized.

.housing 17 after a carton has been removed therefrom,

a retraction means 63 is mounted to the rear of thetray 51 within thehousing 17. This retraction means 61 includes abifurcated yoke 64 which is pivotally mounted on thebase 65 of thehousing 17, asolenoid 66 which is pivotally mounted on therear wall 62 and alink 67 which pivotally connects to thesolenoid 66 and is fixed on theyoke 64. Thearms 68 of theyoke 64 are provided withelongated slots 69 into which asuitable cam 70 mounted on theside wall 71 of thetray 51 projects. Also, thesolenoid 66 has apiston 72 which is reciprocally mounted link as is known, and is hinged to the like 67,

Thetray 51 is also provided with aslot 73 near the forward end to permit passage of theplate 31 of the gate means 29.

The gate means 29, sensing means 41, lock 55 and theretraction solenoid 66 are each electrically connected in a suitable circuit so as 'to be operated in proper sequence. That is, upon depositing of a token into the machine 50, the electrical circuitry of the machine 50 is energized, the gate means 29 is first operated to retract theplate 31 to expose thelowermost cigarette carton 24 to view. At the same time, the lock 55 is actuated to retract the plate 57 so that thetray 51 is free to move out of thehousing 17. Thereafter, the purchaser can grasp the dependingtab 52 of the tray to pull thetray 51 with thecarton 24 thereon (FIG. 7) from thehousing 17. Thetray 51 is then pulled out as far as the stops 53-54 permit and the carton of cigarettes thereon can'be removed (FIG. 8). During this time, theyoke 64 pivots freely towards the front of thehousing 17 while drawing thepiston 22 from thesolenoid 66. As the lowermost carton is removed from thetray 51, the springbiased pin 43 of the of the sensing means 41 pops through thefloor 28. This opens the circuit to thesolenoid 66 of the retraction means 63. Theyoke 64 is then pivoted rearwardly as thepiston 72 is retracted positively into the solenoid so as to pull thetray 51 back into thehousing 17. As thetray 51 moves into its normally retracted position, thepin 43 of the sensing means 41 is depressed and thereafter both thegate plate 31 and lock plate 57 snap into position with respect to theslots 73, 56 to lock thetray 51 in place.

It is noted that the token receiving means, as well as the other individual components within eachhousing 17 are of modular construction so as to be readily removed. In the case of the token receiving box, this allows these means to be removed at the end of a sales day and retained in a safe place, such as a safe, overnight and replaced the next day.

Because the tokens emanate from a controlled source for deposit into controlled areas, the retail outlet owner or manager can .easily determine the quantity of tokens sold as well as the quantity of tokens received in the vending machines over a predetermined time period, for example, one sales day. In this way, the sales of cigarette cartons can be related to the purchase of tokens as a check.

It is also noted that replenishment of the cigarette cartons in the vending machines can be made simply by unlocking the door of the housing and inserting the desired number of cartons.

I claim:

1. In a system for dispensing cigarette cartons a vending machine comprising a housing of modular construction having a floor therein for supporting a stack of cigarette cartons thereon,a door for exposing the interior thereof for replenishment of cigarette cartons to the stack, and an opening of a size corresponding to one of the cigarette cartons aligned with the lowermost carton of the stack;

a tray slidably mounted on said floor with the lowermost carton therein, said tray having a tab exposed to the exterior of said housing and a pair of slots therein;

gate means adjacent said opening of said housing including a gate plate disposed between said opening and the lowermost carton of the stack to pass through one of said slots in said tray to block the passage of the lowermost carton through said opening, and means for retracting said gate plate from said tray;

a lock mounted below said tray and having a plate to pass through the other of said slots in said tray and means for retracting said plate from said tray; and

retraction means mounted to the rear of said housing and including a yoke pivotally mounted in said housing with a pair of arms having elongated grooves therein, a solenoid pivotally mounted in said housing and having a reciprocally mounted piston hingedly secured to said yoke, and cams on said tray disposed in said grooves of said arms to permit said tray to be retracted into said housing upon retraction of said piston into said solenoid.

2. A system for dispensing cigarette cartons compris-- ing in combination a plurality of tokens;

a check-out station maintaining a supply of said tokens thereat for individual purchase of a token; and

a cigarette carton dispensing station having a plurality of vending machines thereat, each said vending machine including a stack of cigarette cartons therein, first means for receiving one of said tokens within said machine, a housing having said stack of cartons arranged in vertical disposition therein and having an opening disposed in alignment with the lowermost carton of said stack, and second means aligned with said lowermost carton and said opening to push said lowermost carton a predetermined distance from said stack through said opening for exposure of a predetermined length of said lowermost carton to the exterior of said housing, said second means including a reciprocally mounted piston for pushingsaid lowermost carton through said opening and means for varying the pushing force imposed on said lowermost carton in direct relation to the number of cartons in said stack, said first means being connected to said second means for actuating said second means in response to receiving one of said tokens.

3. In a system for dispensing cigarette cartons, a

vending machine comprising a housing of modular construction having a floor therein for supporting a stack of cigarette cartons thereon, a door for exposing the interior thereof for replenishment of cigarette cartons to the stack, and an opening of a size corresponding to one of the cigarette cartons aligned with the lowermost carton of the stack;

gate means adjacent said opening of said housing including a gate plate disposed between said opening and the lowermost carton of the stack to block the passage of the lowermost carton through said opening, and means for retracting said gate plate from between said opening and the lowermost carton;

a linear actuator mounted on said floor to the rear of said housing and including a reciprocally mounted piston aligned with the lowermost carton and means for moving said piston a predetermined amount to push the lowermost carton through said opening a predetermined distance; and

a sensing means in said floor for detecting the pas sage of the lowermost carton from said housing, said sensing means being connected to said gate means to activate said gate means to positively dis- 9 to pose said gate plate between said opening and the carton to the exterior of said housing, said first next carton of the stack occupying the lowermost means including a reciprocally mounted piston for position. pushing said lowermost carton through said open- 4. A system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said gate ing; and means for varying the pushing force immeans is a modular unit r pla a y secured in said 5 posed on said lowermost carton in direct relation housing. to the number of cartons in said stack, an elecy m f dispensing cigareue Cartons p tronic circuit connected to said gate means and mg In combination said first means to actuate said gate means and said a plurality of tokens; first means in sequential order, and means for rea Check-Out siatiofl maintaining a pp y ofSaid 10 ceiving any one of said tokens within said machine f thereat for mfhvidual Purchase 'f and for automatically actuating said electronic circuit a cigarette carton dispensing station having a pluralin response thereto Y W Off/61141112; mfichmes thereat Said vending 7. A system for dispensing cigarette cartons comprismachme including a stack of clgarette cartons ing incombination 1 therein, first means for receiving one of said tokens 1 a plurality of identical tokens; within said machine, a housing having said-stack of a check out Station maintaining a supply of Said cations arrange? in ".ertical therein and kens thereat for individual purchase of a token; and havmg openmg P m ahgnmem the a cigarette carton dispensing station having a pluralloivermosi of Sand stack and 9 means ity of vending machines thereat, each said vending ahgned with S.ald lowermost carton Sand P machine including a housing for containing a stack to push Sald lpwermost carton a Predeteimmed of cigarette cartons therein, an exterior opening in distance from said stack through sald opening for said housing for the passage of the lowermost carexposure of avpredetermmed length of said lowerto of the Stack from said housing gate means most carton to the exterior of said housing, means within said hous ng for preventing unauthorized exfor varying the pushing force imposed on said lowtraction of a carton through said opening, first ermost carton in direct relation to the number of means within said housing for moving one of said cartons in said stack, said first meansbeing cont d t d t f t k nected to said second means for actuating said seca? aP3 6 er.mme axtlce ac ond means in response to receiving one of said to- I g Sal QP g, -Sa irs means mc u ng a kens tray shdably disposed in said housing and having a 6. A system for dispensing cigarette cartons comprisa fg t l g h f g id opening to the; exten ing in combination 0 Sa'l ousmg or pu ling of said tray rom sai housing w1th said lowermost carton thereon, a

a plurality ofidentical tokens; v a check-out station maintaining a supply of said to- P g conneflted o Said housing and said tray blasmg said tray into said housing, retracting means for kens thereat for individual purchase ofa token; and

pulling sardtray from an extended position into a a cigarette carton dispensing station having a pluralg D ity f vending machines thereat, each said vending retracted position within said housing for recelvmg machine including a housing for containing a stack of cigarette cartons therein, an exterior opening in said housing for the pasage of the lowermost carton of the stack from said housing, gatemeans within said housing for preventing unauthorized extraction of a carton through said opening, first means within said housing for moving one of said cartons a further cigarette carton of said stack thereon, and a lock for holding said tray in said retracted position, an electronic circuit connected to said gate means and said lock to actuate said gate means and to unlock said lock in sequential order, and means for receiving any one of said tokens within said machine for automatically actuating said electronic circuit in response thereto. 8. A system for dispensing cigarette cartons as set a predetermined distance from said stack through said opening, said first means being aligned with 'said lowermost carton and said opening to push said lowermost carton through said opening for exiting the movement of said tray out of said housing. posure of a predetermined length of said lowermost forth in claim 7 further comprising .stop means for lim-.

Claims (8)

1. In a system for dispensing cigarette cartons a vending machine comprising a housing of modular construction having a floor therein for supporting a stack of cigarette cartons thereon, a door for exposing the interior thereof for replenishment of cigarette cartons to the stack, and an opening of a size corresponding to one of the cigarette cartons aligned with the lowermost carton of the stack; a tray slidably mounted on said floor with the lowermost carton therein, said tray having a tab exposed to the exterior of said housing and a pair of slots therein; gate means adjacent said opening of said housing including a gate plate disposed between said opening and the lowermost carton of the stack to pass through one of said slots in said tray to block the passage of the lowermost carton through said opening, and means for retracting said gate plate from said tray; a lock mounted below said tray and having a plate to pass through the other of said slots in said tray and means for retracting said plate from said tray; and retraction means mounted to the rear of said housing and including a yoke pivotally mounted in said housing with a pair of arms having elongated grooves therein, a solenoid pivotally mounted in said housing and having a reciprocally mounted piston hingedly secured to said yoke, and cams on said tray disposed in said grooves of said arms to permit said tray to be retracted into said housing upon retraction of said piston into said solenoid.

1. In a system for dispensing cigarette cartons a vending machine comprising a housing of modular construction having a floor therein for supporting a stack of cigarette cartons thereon, a door for exposing the interior thereof for replenishment of cigarette cartons to the stack, and an opening of a size corresponding to one of the cigarette cartons aligned with the lowermost carton of the stack; a tray slidably mounted on said floor with the lowermost carton therein, said tray having a tab exposed to the exterior of said housing and a pair of slots therein; gate means adjacent said opening of said housing including a gate plate disposed between said opening and the lowermost carton of the stack to pass through one of said slots in said tray to block the passage of the lowermost carton through said opening, and means for retracting said gate plate from said tray; a lock mounted below said tray and having a plate to pass through the other of said slots in said tray and means for retracting said plate from said tray; and retraction means mounted to the rear of said housing and including a yoke pivotally mounted in said housing with a pair of arms having elongated grooves therein, a solenoid pivotally mounted in said housing and having a reciprocally mounted piston hingedly secured to said yoke, and cams on said tray disposed in said grooves of said arms to permit said tray to be retracted into said housing upon retraction of said piston into said solenoid.

2. A system for dispensing cigarette cartons comprising in combination a plurality of tokens; a check-out station maintaining a supply of said tokens thereat for individual purchase of a token; and a cigarette carton dispensing station having a plurality of vending machines thereat, each said vending machine including a stack of cigarette cartons therein, first means for receiving one of said tokens within said machine, a housing having said stack of cartons arranged in vertical disposition therein and having an opening disposed in alignment with the lowermost carton of said stack, and second means aligned with said lowermost carton and said opening to push said lowermost carton a predetermined distance from said stack through said opening for exposure of a predetermined length of said lowermost carton to the exterior of said housing, said second means including a reciprocally mounted piston for pushing said lowermost carton through said opening and means for varying the pushing force imposed on said lowermost carton in direct relation to the number of cartons in said stack, said first means being connected to said second means for actuating said second means in response to receiving one of said tokens.

3. In a system for dispensing cigarette cartons, a vending machine comprising a housing of modular construction having a floor therein for supporting a stack of cigarette cartons thereon, a door for exposing the interior thereof for replenishment of cigarette cartons to the stack, and an opening of a size corresponding to one of the cigarette cartons aligned with the lowermost carton of the stack; gate means adjacent said opening of said housing including a gate plate disposed between said opening and the lowermost carton of the stack to block the passage of the lowermost carton through said opening, and means for retracting said gate plate from between said opening and the lowermost carton; a linear actuator mounted On said floor to the rear of said housing and including a reciprocally mounted piston aligned with the lowermost carton and means for moving said piston a predetermined amount to push the lowermost carton through said opening a predetermined distance; and a sensing means in said floor for detecting the passage of the lowermost carton from said housing, said sensing means being connected to said gate means to activate said gate means to positively dispose said gate plate between said opening and the next carton of the stack occupying the lowermost position.

4. A system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said gate means is a modular unit replaceably secured in said housing.

5. A system for dispensing cigarette cartons comprising in combination a plurality of tokens; a check-out station maintaining a supply of said tokens thereat for individual purchase of a token; and a cigarette carton dispensing station having a plurality of vending machines thereat, each said vending machine including a stack of cigarette cartons therein, first means for receiving one of said tokens within said machine, a housing having said stack of cartons arranged in vertical disposition therein and having an opening disposed in alignment with the lowermost carton of said stack, and second means aligned with said lowermost carton and said opening to push said lowermost carton a predetermined distance from said stack through said opening for exposure of a predetermined length of said lowermost carton to the exterior of said housing, means for varying the pushing force imposed on said lowermost carton in direct relation to the number of cartons in said stack, said first means being connected to said second means for actuating said second means in response to receiving one of said tokens.

6. A system for dispensing cigarette cartons comprising in combination a plurality of identical tokens; a check-out station maintaining a supply of said tokens thereat for individual purchase of a token; and a cigarette carton dispensing station having a plurality of vending machines thereat, each said vending machine including a housing for containing a stack of cigarette cartons therein, an exterior opening in said housing for the pasage of the lowermost carton of the stack from said housing, gate means within said housing for preventing unauthorized extraction of a carton through said opening, first means within said housing for moving one of said cartons a predetermined distance from said stack through said opening, said first means being aligned with said lowermost carton and said opening to push said lowermost carton through said opening for exposure of a predetermined length of said lowermost carton to the exterior of said housing, said first means including a reciprocally mounted piston for pushing said lowermost carton through said opening; and means for varying the pushing force imposed on said lowermost carton in direct relation to the number of cartons in said stack, an electronic circuit connected to said gate means and said first means to actuate said gate means and said first means in sequential order, and means for receiving any one of said tokens within said machine for automatically actuating said electronic circuit in response thereto.

7. A system for dispensing cigarette cartons comprising in combination a plurality of identical tokens; a check-out station maintaining a supply of said tokens thereat for individual purchase of a token; and a cigarette carton dispensing station having a plurality of vending machines thereat, each said vending machine including a housing for containing a stack of cigarette cartons therein, an exterior opening in said housing for the passage of the lowermost carton of the stack from said housing, gate means within said housing for preventing unauthorized extraction of a carton through said opening, first means within said housing for moving one of said cartons a predetermined distance from said stack through said opEning, said first means including a tray slidably disposed in said housing and having a tab extending through said opening to the exterior of said housing for pulling of said tray from said housing with said lowermost carton thereon, a spring connected to said housing and said tray biasing said tray into said housing, retracting means for pulling said tray from an extended position into a retracted position within said housing for receiving a further cigarette carton of said stack thereon, and a lock for holding said tray in said retracted position, an electronic circuit connected to said gate means and said lock to actuate said gate means and to unlock said lock in sequential order, and means for receiving any one of said tokens within said machine for automatically actuating said electronic circuit in response thereto.

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