GB1565393A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

(54) VENDING MACHINE (71) We, NIPPON COINCO CO.

LTD., a company incorporated under the laws of Japan, of 5-8, Kitaaoyama 2whom, Minato-ku, Tokyo-to, Japan, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a vending machine.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vending machine including a coin control section for determining the total value of the inserted coin(s), for calculating any change to be given, for paying out any change and for returning the inserted coin(s) if required, and a vending section for dispensing one of a plurality of different kinds of article in response to a vend signal from said coin control section, said coin control section and said vending section being detachably connected to each other, said vending section comprising setting means for individually setting the vend prices of the different kinds of article, a plurality of article selection switches, a respective one of which is provided for selecting each different kind of article, and means for generating, upon actuation of any one of the article selction switches, a preset vend price signal corresponding to the actuated article selection switch, said coin control section comprising means for producing, upon comparison of the preset vend price signal from said vending section with the total value of the inserted coin(s), the vend signal when vending is possible, and said vending section further comprising means for initiating dispensing of the selected article when the appropriate selection switch has been actuated and the vend signal has been received by said vending section from said coin control section.

A vending machine for dispensing a plurality of different kinds of article is generally constructed to comprise a coin control section and a vending or article dispensing secdon. The coin control section functions to electrically count the value of the inserted coins and also to compare the counted value of the coins with a preset article vend price, and has a unit for producing a vend signal when the value of the inserted coins is greater than the article vend price and a unit for paying out change coins thereafter. The article dispensing section has a plurality of article kind selection switches and a circuit for actuating an article dispensing mechanism on the condition that a corresponding vend signal is applied when any of the selection switches is manually actuated.

Since the conventional vending machine of aforementioned structure has a coin control section which includes various vend price presetting circuits and a comparison circuit for comparing the value of the inserted coins with the preset vend price in the coin control section, the constitution of the coin control section becomes very complicated. Moreover the construction of such a coin control section must be revised when the number of different kinds of vend article are increased. In other words, the coin control section cannot be commonly utilised for various sorts of vending sections without revising the construction of the coin control section. In addition, since the vend signal from the coin control section to the vending section is applied through a number of lines thereto, the number of wires connected between the coin control section and the vending section becomes very many.

The Applicants' British Patent Specification No. 1,456,531 describes and claims a vending machine comprising means for producing pulses corresponding in number to the value of a deposited coin or a coin paid out as change or returned without purchase, addition and subtraction counter means for making addition by said pulses produced upon insertion of the coin and making subtraction by said pulses produced upon paying out of the coin, a temporary retention mechanism for temporarily retaining a coin of large denomination which is not usable as a change coin among inserted coins, electromagnetic control means for directing the temporarily retained coin to a cash box upon receipt of a vend instruction signal and directing the return coin to a return outlet upon receipt of a return signal, vend price signal generation means for producing a signal corresponding to a set vend price, means for obtaining a count corresponding to the value of the required change by making subtraction upon application of the signal corresponding to the set vend price to said addition and subtraction counter means, detection means for detecting whether the change is to be paid out in coins of a plurality of denominations, change payout means for paying out the change in coins of the largest possible denomination upon said detection and coin return means for paying out, upon receipt of the return signal, the difference between the inserted coins and the retained coins of the same denomination as the inserted coins.

In order that the present invention may be more fully understood, an embodiment of.

a vending machine according to the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic block circuit dia gram of a coin control section of the embodi ment; and Figure 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of a vending section of the embodiment.

Referring first to Fig. 1, which is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a coin control section of a vending machine according to the present invention, the logic circuit of which will be described in terms of positive logic in which a high level desig nates "1" and a low level designates "0", reference characters Si, S and S3 designate switches which are actuated one at a time by passing coins sorted by a coin acceptor (not shown) for detecting the insertion of the coins. In the illustrated embodiment the switch S1 is adapted to detect a 100-yen coin, the switch S a 50-yen coin and the switch S3 a 10 yen coin.

A signal corresponding to detection of an inserted coin by one of the switches S1, S and S, is converted to a binary signal by a binary converter circuit 1 and the binary signal thus converted is applied through an OR gate 2 to an addition and subtraction counter 4, which is adapted to count the total value of the inserted coins upon completion of the insertion of the coins. The addition and subtraction counter 4 performs addition when a control input is "0", and performs subtraction when the control input is "1".

Since the control input upon completion of insertion of the coins becomes "0" as will become clear from the following descrip tion, the counter 4 performs addition at the appropriate time. A display 3 displays the numeral counted by the addition and subtrac tion counter 4.

When one of article selector switches SLs through SLn provided in a vending section (see Fig. 2) is depressed after at least one coin has been inserted into the machine, a signal SP corresponding to the set vend price of the article selected is supplied in the form of binary information from the vending section to the coin control section of the vending machine and is compared with the counted output value K of the addition and subtraction counter 4 in a comparison section. The comparison section comprises a comparison and storage circuit 6 and a comparison and storage circuit 8. The comparison and storage circuit 6 is used when 10-yen coins are present in a chain coin stacking tube (not shown), and the comparison and storage circuit 8 is used when no 10-yen coins are in the change coin stacking tube.The comparison and storage circuit 8 will produce an output signal "1" only when K=SP and accordingly will operate to vend an article only when the count of the addition and subtraction counter 4 coincides with the set vend price. The circuit 8 will not operate to vend the article when a change coin is required. A binary signal "1" is applied to a terminal T1 only when 10-yen coins are held in the change coin stacking tube (not shown) and the comparison and storage circuit 6 is enabled to perform a comparison by this signal "1", whereas since this signal "1" is inverted by an inverter 7 to become a "0" which is applied to the comparison and storage circuit 8, the latter circuit 8 is not enabled. A binary signal "0" is supplied to the terminal T1 when no 10-yen coin is in the change coin stacking tube (not shown).In this state, the comparison and storage circuit 6 is not enabled and the comparison and storage circuit 8 is enabled.

For convenience of explanation, the following operation will be described under the assumption that 10-yen coins are contained in the change coin stacking tube (not shown).

The comparison circuit 6 is constructed to compare the set vend price signal SP with the counted value K from the addition and subtraction counter 4 and to produce an output "1" at a terminal T8 when SPKSP+90 yen and to produce an output "0" at terminal Ts when K > SP+90 yen.

It also produces an output "1" at a terminal T7 when K > SP+90 yen.

By way of example, if a vend price for a single article is set at 120 yen and two 100-yen coins are introduced into the machine, the condition SPKSP+90 yen is satisfied with the result that a signal "1" is applied to the terminal T,j. This signal "1" at the terminal T,; is applied through an OR gate 10 to a vending control circuit 12, which stores this signal "1" and thereupon produces a vend signal VD. In the case where K > SP+90 yen, more coins than necessary must be paid out in change upon vending, and therefore no vending is allowed. For example, if a vend price for a single article is set at 120 yen and 250 yen are inserted in the machine, the signal at the terminal T, becomes "0" and the vending control circuit 12 will not produce a vend signal VD.Whereupon, the signal "1" produced at the terminal T7 is applied through an OR gate 13 to a reject unit 14. The reject unit 14 functions to prohibit further coins being inserted. It should be noted that the coins which have already been inserted in the machine will, of course, be returned by a returning operation as will be hereinafter described in greater detail.

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the vending section of the vending machine. The vending section comprises article selector switches SL1 through SLn corresponding to different kinds of vend article. When the purchaser depresses the desired selector switch of the switches SL, through SLn, a signal corresponding to the set vend price of the selected article is produced in the form of binary information and the vend signal VD is received from the coin control section as has been described previ ously. A vend start signal representing that the vending action of the selected article is being started is simultaneously produced, whereupon the selected article is dispensed from the machine.

The production of the set vend price signal will first be described.

The setting of the vend price is conducted by vend price presetting circuits SPL1 through SPL,. The vend price presetting circuit SPL1 comprises a plurality of manually closable switches SP1 through SP6 commonly con nected together at one side and each connected through a respective diode to a respec tive one of output terminals t1 through t at the other side.The switch SP1 corresponds to the 10 yen, the switch SP. to 20 yen, the switch SP, to 40 yen, the switch SP4 to 80 yen and the switch SP, to 160 yen so that setting of 10 yen to 310 yen can be conducted by depressing a suitable combination of these switches SP1 through Sup . It should be understood from the foregoing description that the other vend price presetting circuits SPL2 through SPLn are similarly constructed.

Furthermore the output sides of these circuits are connected to the output terminals t1 through t,. Accordingly, the switches of each vend price presetting circuit corresponding to each different kind of article can be suitably depressed so as to preset the vend price of the respective kind of article. For example, in order to set 120 yen at the vend price presetting circuit SPY1, the presetting switches SPa and SP4 may be closed.

When the purchaser depresses the selector switch SL, after he has inserted coins as has previously been described, an electric current will flow from a line B through a relay contact Rx-1, an article shortage switch SE1, the switch Sol,, a diode L" the switches SP3 and SP1 of the vend price presetting circuit SPL1, and resistors R and R to a line C.

Accordingly, the voltage of the terminals t.

and t4 will be at a high level while that of the terminals ti, ti and t will be at a low level.

Thus, a parallel binary signal 01100 will be produced at the terminals t through t1. This binary signal expresses the vend price of the article corresponding to the selector switch SL1 and is thereafter applied to the coin control section.

It should be also understood from the foregoing description that, when the other selector switches SLo through SLn are closed, a signal corresponding to the vend price of the associated article will be produced in the same manner as for the selector switch SL,.

It should also be appreciated that, if it is desired to broaden the range of values of the vend price, the number of parallel switches provided in each vend price presetting circuit mav be increased.

If the selector switch SL, is thus closed, the vend price signal is delivered to the coin control section and is thereafter compared with the counted value K from the addition and subtraction counter 4, and the vend signal VD is applied to a terminal Tin when SPKSP+90 + 90 yen, these operations being rapidly conducted on closure of the switch SL1.

When the vend signal VD is thus applied to the terminal Tin, a switching circuit SK connects a line D to a line A. Accordingly, an electric current will flow from the line B through the relay contact Rx-l, the switch SE1, the switch SLI, the diode L" a relay coil R1 and the line D to the line A, so that the relay coil R, is energized. Therefore, relay contacts R11 to Rl a3 are switched from their states shown in Fig. 2. The relay contact Rl ao is provided for self-holding, so that, even if the switch 5L1 is subsequently opened, the relay coil Rl remains energized. When the contact Rlal is closed, an electric current flows through a carrier switch Sic,, the contact R1 nl and relay coil Rx (associated with relay contact Rx-l) so as to energize the relay coil Rx with the result that a vend start signal VO is produced at a terminal Ts. Simul taneously, when the relay contact R, is closed, an article dispensing motor Ml is started.

The carrier switches SCI through SCn correspond to the respective article dispensing motors Ml through Mn and open when the article has been completely dispensed. Accordingly, when the motor M, finishes the dispensing action of the article, the switch SC1 is opened so that the relay coil Rx is deenergized with the result that the contact Rx-l is closed.

The article shortage switch SE1 is opened when the corresponding article is out of stock so as to dispIay the fact that the article is out of stock by lighting a lamp P, and so as to disconnect completely the switch SLI from the line B. Accordingly, even if the selector switch SL1 is depressed, the corresponding vend price signal is not delivered.

It should be understood from the foregoing description that, although the above described operation has been describd with respect to the selector switch SLI, the other selector switches SL through SL, are similarly constructed and operated in a similar manner to the switch SL1. Thus, SC, through SCn designate carrier switches, SE, through SEn article shortage switches, R2 through Rn relay coils. R2-ai to R2 a3 . . . Rn to Rn-n3 relay contacts, and M2 through Mn article dispensing motors.

When the vend signal is applied to the vending section as described above, the article dispensing action is started in a mechanical manner, temporarily retained coins are accepted by the machine, the amount ot change is calculated, and the requisite coins are paid out These actions are performed in the coin control section, which will now be described.

The vend start signal VO produced at the terminal Ts of the vending section is applied to the terminal T3.

When the vend start signal VO from the vending section is applied to the terminal T3, the signal VO is stored in a memory 17.

The signal VO stored in the memory 17 is applied through an OR gate 18 to a timer l9 so as to thereupon start the delay action of the timer 19. After a predetermined delay, a signal "I" is emitted by the timer 19 and is applied through inverters 20 and 21 to a timer 22 to thereupon start the delay action of the timer 22. Upon completion of the delay of the timer 22, an output signal "1" is emitted by the timer 22 and is then inverted by an inverter 23 so as to become a signal "0".

Since an AND gate 24 receives at a first input the vend start signal VO from the memory 17, at a second input the output signal from the inverter 21 and at a third input the output signal from the inverter 23, this AND gate 24 will emit an output signal "l" as long as the vend start signal VO is applied thereto and the timer 22 is being operated.

The AND gate 24 will supply this output signal "l" to an accept solenoid control unit 25 so that the temporarily retained coins are passed to a coin stacking tube.

The accept solenoid control unit 25 and a return solenoid control unit 42 form a pair and function to temporarily retain the inserted coins of highest denomination (100yen coins in this embodiment) in a mechanical manner and to deliver the temporarily retained coins to a return outlet under control of the return solenoid control unit 42 when the return switch is depressed and to a cash box under control of the accept solenoid control unit 25 when the vend start signal VO is applied.

Since an AND gate 26 receives at one input the vend start signal VO from the memory 17 and at the other input the output signal from the inverter 21, this AND gate 26 will produce an output signal "1" as long as the vend start signal VO is applied thereto and the timer 19 is producing its output. The memory 17 is reset by the output Rl of the timer 22.

When the AND gate 26 produces an output signal "1", this output signal "1" is applied through an OR gate 27 to the control input of the addition and subtraction counter 4 which thereupon makes a subtraction so as to start subtraction operation.

The output signal "'l" from the AND gate 26 is also applied through the OR gate 27 to the binary converter circuit l so as to prevent this circuit producing an output signal even if coins are erroneously inserted in the machine after production of the vend start signal VO. Furthermore, the output signal "l" from the AND circuit 26 is also applied to a memory 28, which thereupon supplies a signal "1" to one input of an AND gate 29. Since the AND gate 29 receives at the other input the set vend price signal SP, the AND gate 29 will produce an output signal which is applied through an OR gate 30 and the OR gate 2 to the addition and subtraction counter 4 so as to subtract the set vend price from the total value of the coins inserted.When the counted value of the addition and subtraction counter 4 becomes 0, the article vending action is completed so that a reset signal R is then produced so as to reset all the memories in the circuit arrangement of the vending machine. However, if the counted value of the addition and subtraction counter 4 does not become 0 when the set vend price is subtracted from the total value of the inserted coins, i.e., in case K > 0, payout of change is necessary. The change payout action will now be described hereinbelow.A signal supplied from the memory 17 to the vending control circuit 12 functions to cause the vending control circuit 12 to retain the signal from the comparison and storage circuit 6 when the signal from the memory 17 is "1" and to reset to completely stop the vend signal when the signal is "0", so as to prevent dispensing of an article twice.

Change Payout Action As is clear from the foregoing description, the counted value of the addition and subtraction counter 4 corresponds at this stage to the total value of the inserted coins minus the set vend price, i.e. to the amount of change required. The counted value K of the addition and subtraction counter 4 is applied to a comparison circuit 31, which determines whether K > 0 or K=0. In the case of K > 0, the comparison circuit 31 produces an output signal "0", which is inverted by an inverter 32 and is thereafter applied to one input of an AND gate 33 which receives at the other input the output signal of a memory 35.The memory 35 is adapted to receive a set signal "1" from a terminal Tg of the memory 28 after the signal "1" is supplied from the memory 28 at the output terminal T8 to the AND gate 29, i.e., after the set vend price is subtracted from the total value of the in serted coins in the addition and subtraction counter 4. Accordingly, the AND gate 33 supplies an output signal after estimation of the change payout so as to actuate a change motor 34.The coins returned by the motor 34 are counted by a change pulse switch 36 and the total value of the returned coins counted by the pulse switch 36 is converted to a binary code by a binary converter circuit 37 and is then supplied through an OR gate 30 and the OR gate 2 to the addition and sub traction counter 4, so that this counted value is subtracted from the counted value K of the addition and subtraction counter 4. This action is continued until the counted value K of the addition and subtraction counter 4 becomes zero. When K = 0, the output signal of the inverter 32 becomes "0". Accordingly, one input of the AND gate 33 becomes zero to cause the change motor 34 to be stopped so that all the memories in the circuit arrange ment are reset by the reset signal R produced as previously described so as to complete the change payout action.

Coin Return Action The coin return action will be hereinbelow described for the case wherein the return switch is depressed and a signal "1" is applied to the terminal T2.

When coins have been inserted into the machine and an article selector switch has not been depressed but the return switch has been depressed, a signal "1" is applied to the terminal T2, is stored in a memory 39 and is then applied through the OR gate 18 to the timer 19. This signal "1" is also simul taneously applied to a first input of an AND circuit 41. The AND circuit 41 receives at its second input a signal from an inverter 40, whose input is connected to the output of the memory 17, at its the third input the output signal of the inverter 21 and at its fourth input the output signal of the inverter 23, so that it produces an output signal only while the timer 22 is active. When the AND gate 41 produces an output signal, it actuates the return solenoid control unit 42 so as to deliver the temporarily retained coins to the return outlet.In the meantime, since an AND gate 43 receives at one input the output signal of the memory 39 and at the other input the output signal of the inverter 21, the AND gate 43 produces an output signal "1" only when the timer 19 produces an output signal.

This output signal "1" is applied through the OR gate 27 to the control input of the addition and subtraction counter 4 so as to initiate sub traction thereafter.

A control unit 44 functions to determine whether the counted output value K of the addition and subtraction counter 4 is the numerically more or less than 50 yen and to supply a signal "1" to an AND gate 46 when a signal "1" is received from the AND gate 43 and Us50. The AND gate 46 receives at its other input a signal X indicating whether there are 50-yen coins in the coin stacking tube (not shown) or not. Accordingly, the AND gate 46 will produce an output signal "1" when there is at least one 50-yen coin in the coin stacking tube, so as to energize a 50-yen coin payout solenoid FS and to thereby deliver a 50-yen coin to the return outlet.

Simultaneously, the output signal "1" of the AND gate 46 is converted to a binary code by the binary converter circuit 37 and is then applied through the OR gate 30 and the OR gate 2 to the addition and subtraction counter 4 so as to subtract 50 yen from the counted value. Furthermore, it is also necessary to subtract the value of the coins returned by the action of the aforementioned return solenoid control unit 42 from the counted value of the addition and subtraction counter 4.

This action is conducted by storing a 100-yen coin insertion signal "1" of the switch S1 in a 100-yen coin insertion storage control circuit 47, by feeding the output signal of the 100-yen coin insertion storage control circuit 47 to the addition and subtraction counter 4 when a signal "1" is applied from the AND gate 41 and by subtracting the 100 yen from the counted value of the addition and subtraction counter 4. After the 50-yen coin and the 100-yen coin are returned, change corresponding to the residual counted value of the addition and subtraction counter 4 is returned in the form of 10-yen coins. Since the memory 35 is set by the output signal of the AND circuit 41, the change motor 34 is actuated thereby and the residual change is returned in the same manner as the change payout action thereafter, the coin return action being completed when the counted value of the addition and subtraction counter 4 becomes 0.

Since the OR gate 13 receives at a first input the signal from the terminal T7 of the comparison and storage circuit 6, at a second input the output signal of the vending control circuit 12 and at a third input the output signal of an OR gate 48 and the OR gate 48 receives at one input the output signal of the memory 17 and at the other the output signal of the memory 39, a signal "1" is applied to the reject unit 14 when the value of the inserted coins is more than SP+90 yen, when a vend signal is produced. When the return switch is depressed or when the vend start signal is applied, a pin is projected into the coin insertion slot so as to prohibit insertion of further coins.

When the switches S,, S2 and S, are all closed, a signal "1" is applied to each of the inputs of an OR gate 50. The output of the OR gate 50 is applied to one input of an AND gate 51 and is simultaneously delivered through the OR gate 18 and the timer 19 to be delayed by a predetermined time prior to the delayed signal being applied to the other input of the AND gate 51. Accordingly, if the switches Si, S and S, continue to be closed for the predetermined time, the AND gate 51 will produce an output signal which is applied to the memory 39 so that the inserted coins are automatically returned. More particularly, this circuit will detect a defective coin insertion slot and insertion of foreign matter into the slot.

The circuit arrangement is constructed such that a signal "1" is produced at the terminal T6 of the comparison and storage circuit 6 in the case of SP < K~SP+90 yen, and a signal "1" is produced at the terminal T, of the comparison and storage circuit 6 in the case of K > SP+90 yen.

The above described embodiment is adapted to prevent the machine from being used as a money exchange machine insofar as the machine will not pay out change more than the difference between the values of the maximum denomination coin and the minimum denomination coin useable in the vending machine (100 yen 10 yen=90 yen in this embodiment). Accordingly, if the difference between the values of the maximum denomination coin and the minimum denomination coin useable is represented by L, it can be generally noted that the circuit arrangement is so constructed that the signal "1" is produced at the terminal TG of the comparison circuit 6 in the case of SP~K~SP+ L.

Thus, the reference character L can be arbi trarily determined depending upon the kinds of the coin or note to be used in the vending machine.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the vending machine as des cribed above is simply constructed with one comparison circuit for comparing the set price delivered from the set vend price circuit pro vided in the vending section with the total value of the inserted coins in the coin con trol section, and the same coin control section can be used for various kinds of articles merely by changing the constitution of the vending section even if the number of different kinds of articles is increased. The circuit arrangement of the coin control section is also relatively simple.

It will be also understood from the fore going description that, although the vend signals delivered to the vending section of a conventional vending machine must corres pond in number to the different kinds of article capable of being vended, only one vend signal need be provided in the above described vend ing machine. Furthermore, the wires for con necting the coin control section and the vend ing section need be only three in number, that is one for delivering the vend signal, one for the vend start signal and one for the set vend price signal, and the circuit construction of the vending section may also be simplified.

It will also be understood that, since the coin control section and the vending section can be freely combined in various combinations for various applications, they can be manufac tured separately by mass production tech niques of high efficiency, and productivity can therefore be improved.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A vending machine including a coin control section for determining the total value of the inserted coin(s), for calculating any change to be given, for paying out any change and for returning the inserted coin(s) if required, and a vending section for dispensing one of a plurality of different kinds of article in response to a vend signal from said coin control section, said coin control section and said vending section being detachably connected to each other, said vending section comprising setting means for individually setting the vend prices of the different kinds of article, a plurality of article selection switches, a respective one of which is provided for selecting each different kind of article, and means for generating, upon actuation of any one of the article selection switches, a preset vend price signal corresponding to the actuated article selection switch, said coin control section comprising means for pro ducing, upon comparison of the preset vend price signal from said vending section with the total value of the inserted coin(s), the vend signal when vending is possible, and said

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. input the output signal of the vending control circuit 12 and at a third input the output signal of an OR gate 48 and the OR gate 48 receives at one input the output signal of the memory 17 and at the other the output signal of the memory 39, a signal "1" is applied to the reject unit 14 when the value of the inserted coins is more than SP+90 yen, when a vend signal is produced. When the return switch is depressed or when the vend start signal is applied, a pin is projected into the coin insertion slot so as to prohibit insertion of further coins. When the switches S,, S2 and S, are all closed, a signal "1" is applied to each of the inputs of an OR gate 50. The output of the OR gate 50 is applied to one input of an AND gate 51 and is simultaneously delivered through the OR gate 18 and the timer 19 to be delayed by a predetermined time prior to the delayed signal being applied to the other input of the AND gate 51. Accordingly, if the switches Si, S and S, continue to be closed for the predetermined time, the AND gate 51 will produce an output signal which is applied to the memory 39 so that the inserted coins are automatically returned. More particularly, this circuit will detect a defective coin insertion slot and insertion of foreign matter into the slot. The circuit arrangement is constructed such that a signal "1" is produced at the terminal T6 of the comparison and storage circuit 6 in the case of SP < K~SP+90 yen, and a signal "1" is produced at the terminal T, of the comparison and storage circuit 6 in the case of K > SP+90 yen. The above described embodiment is adapted to prevent the machine from being used as a money exchange machine insofar as the machine will not pay out change more than the difference between the values of the maximum denomination coin and the minimum denomination coin useable in the vending machine (100 yen 10 yen=90 yen in this embodiment). Accordingly, if the difference between the values of the maximum denomination coin and the minimum denomination coin useable is represented by L, it can be generally noted that the circuit arrangement is so constructed that the signal "1" is produced at the terminal TG of the comparison circuit 6 in the case of SP~K~SP+ L. Thus, the reference character L can be arbi trarily determined depending upon the kinds of the coin or note to be used in the vending machine. It will be understood from the foregoing description that the vending machine as des cribed above is simply constructed with one comparison circuit for comparing the set price delivered from the set vend price circuit pro vided in the vending section with the total value of the inserted coins in the coin con trol section, and the same coin control section can be used for various kinds of articles merely by changing the constitution of the vending section even if the number of different kinds of articles is increased. The circuit arrangement of the coin control section is also relatively simple. It will be also understood from the fore going description that, although the vend signals delivered to the vending section of a conventional vending machine must corres pond in number to the different kinds of article capable of being vended, only one vend signal need be provided in the above described vend ing machine. Furthermore, the wires for con necting the coin control section and the vend ing section need be only three in number, that is one for delivering the vend signal, one for the vend start signal and one for the set vend price signal, and the circuit construction of the vending section may also be simplified. It will also be understood that, since the coin control section and the vending section can be freely combined in various combinations for various applications, they can be manufac tured separately by mass production tech niques of high efficiency, and productivity can therefore be improved. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A vending machine including a coin control section for determining the total value of the inserted coin(s), for calculating any change to be given, for paying out any change and for returning the inserted coin(s) if required, and a vending section for dispensing one of a plurality of different kinds of article in response to a vend signal from said coin control section, said coin control section and said vending section being detachably connected to each other, said vending section comprising setting means for individually setting the vend prices of the different kinds of article, a plurality of article selection switches, a respective one of which is provided for selecting each different kind of article, and means for generating, upon actuation of any one of the article selection switches, a preset vend price signal corresponding to the actuated article selection switch, said coin control section comprising means for pro ducing, upon comparison of the preset vend price signal from said vending section with the total value of the inserted coin(s), the vend signal when vending is possible, and said

vending section further comprising means for initiating dispensing of the selected article when the appropriate selection switch has been actuated and the vend signal has been received by said vending section from said coin control section.

2. A vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a respective setting means is associated with each of the article selection switches, and each setting means comprises a plurality of presetting switches which are connected to a common terminal at one side, which terminal is connectable to a power source upon closure of the corresponding artide selection switch, and which are each connected to a respective output terminal for the preset vend price signal at the other side.

3. A vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said means for initiating dispensing of the selected article comprise: a respective relay associated with each article selection switch, one terminal of each relay being coupled to the corresponding selection switch so as to be connectable to one polarity of a power source on actuation of that article selection switch; a switching circuit actuated only by means of the vend signal from said coin control section for connecting the other terminal of each relay to the other polarity of the power source; and a respective article dispensing motor associated with each relay, which motor is arranged to be started upon energisation of the corresponding relay.

4. A vending machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.