An article dispensing apparatus includes: one article discharging apparatus; and another article discharging apparatus, the one article discharging apparatus and the other article discharging apparatus being capable of being combined in a back-to-back manner. The one article discharging apparatus includes: a driving source; an output gear configured to rotate by a driving force from the driving source when a discharging instruction has been given to the one article discharging apparatus; link levers where each link lever is provided rotatably about an axis of the link lever; and a controller configured to, when the output gear is rotated from the standby position by the discharging instruction, prohibit stopping of drive of the driving source to allow the rotation of the output gear until a preset prohibited time elapses from starting of the rotation of the output gear even when supply of electric power to the driving source is interrupted.

An article dispensing apparatus includes: one article discharging apparatus; and another article discharging apparatus, the one article discharging apparatus and the other article discharging apparatus being capable of being combined in a back-to-back manner. The one article discharging apparatus includes: a driving source; an output gear configured to rotate by a driving force from the driving source when a discharging instruction has been given to the one article discharging apparatus; link levers where each link lever is provided rotatably about an axis of the link lever; and a controller configured to, when the output gear is rotated from the standby position by the discharging instruction, prohibit stopping of drive of the driving source to allow the rotation of the output gear until a preset prohibited time elapses from starting of the rotation of the output gear even when supply of electric power to the driving source is interrupted.

There is provided a product storage device for a vending machine capable of changing the length of each of gaps of a spiral member to store products without replacing the spiral member. The spiral member includes a first spiral member and a second spiral member which have the same rotation axis and a gap of the same length. The position of the first spiral member relative to the second spiral member is the rotating direction is changed to change the length of the gap formed by the first spiral member and the second spiral member.

Present embodiments relate to a revolving mailbox cluster and central package delivery system. More specifically, without limitation, present embodiments relate to a revolving mailbox cluster that includes: substantially circular layers stacked vertically, where a second layer sits atop a first layer, and wherein each substantially circular layers includes: vertically opposed bottom top plates, divider plates perpendicular to the bottom and top plates, and a center ring, where the bottom and top plates, dividers, and center ring define individual mailbox units, each of which has an opening disposed opposite the center ring; a first motor for moving the substantially circular layers vertically; and a second motor for rotating the substantially circular layers.

Present embodiments relate to a revolving mailbox cluster and central package delivery system. More specifically, without limitation, present embodiments relate to a revolving mailbox cluster that includes: substantially circular layers stacked vertically, where a second layer sits atop a first layer, and wherein each substantially circular layers includes: vertically opposed bottom top plates, divider plates perpendicular to the bottom and top plates, and a center ring, where the bottom and top plates, dividers, and center ring define individual mailbox units, each of which has an opening disposed opposite the center ring; a first motor for moving the substantially circular layers vertically; and a second motor for rotating the substantially circular layers.

A vending machine is disclosed which may include a level sensor to ensure proper positioning of the vending machine, and which can be used in an anti-theft alert scheme. The machine may also include an XY mechanism having an X-axis motor in a product area and a Y-axis motor in a transaction area. The machine may also include individually lockable doors between the product area and a delivery bin and between the delivery bin and the outside of the machine. The machine may also include quick release racks, trays and gates for easy removal and replacement. The machine may also include a controller which allows programming of product size or product price by rack or column. The machine may also include a refrigeration cassette which can be quickly removed and replaced. The machine may also include anti-theft legs or an anti-theft underside mechanism.

A vending machine is disclosed which may include a level sensor to ensure proper positioning of the vending machine, and which can be used in an anti-theft alert scheme. The machine may also include an XY mechanism having an X-axis motor in a product area and a Y-axis motor in a transaction area. The machine may also include individually lockable doors between the product area and a delivery bin and between the delivery bin and the outside of the machine. The machine may also include quick release racks, trays and gates for easy removal and replacement. The machine may also include a controller which allows programming of product size or product price by rack or column. The machine may also include a refrigeration cassette which can be quickly removed and replaced. The machine may also include anti-theft legs or an anti-theft underside mechanism.

A vending machine is disclosed which may include a level sensor to ensure proper positioning of the vending machine, and which can be used in an anti-theft alert scheme. The machine may also include an XY mechanism having an X-axis motor in a product area and a Y-axis motor in a transaction area. The machine may also include individually lockable doors between the product area and a delivery bin and between the delivery bin and the outside of the machine. The machine may also include quick release racks, trays and gates for easy removal and replacement. The machine may also include a controller which allows programming of product size or product price by rack or column. The machine may also include a refrigeration cassette which can be quickly removed and replaced. The machine may also include anti-theft legs or an anti-theft underside mechanism.

A vending machine is disclosed which may include a level sensor to ensure proper positioning of the vending machine, and which can be used in an anti-theft alert scheme. The machine may also include an XY mechanism having an X-axis motor in a product area and a Y-axis motor in a transaction area. The machine may also include individually lockable doors between the product area and a delivery bin and between the delivery bin and the outside of the machine. The machine may also include quick release racks, trays and gates for easy removal and replacement. The machine may also include a controller which allows programming of product size or product price by rack or column. The machine may also include a refrigeration cassette which can be quickly removed and replaced. The machine may also include anti-theft legs or an anti-theft underside mechanism.

An earplug dispenser is provided which dispenses earplugs directly into a user's hand upon turning of a knob in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The earplug dispenser is designed for quick and efficient replacement of an empty container with a container full of earplugs. The internal delivery components are particularly designed to prevent earplug jamming or sticking and aid in the quick delivery of a desired number of earplugs directly into the user's hand. The design also allows the earplugs to be delivered without relying on a separate opening or port apart from the impeller thereby eliminating the need to use two hands to deliver or dispense the desired earplugs.