Capacitive switching panel

Claim 1

An improved selection panel for a vending machine having a plurality of touch-activated capacitive switches and the facility to readily change the visible indicia associated with each switch such that the visible indicia and the product associated therewith can be conveniently changed to change the products vended by the machine, comprising: a. a transparent substrate; b. first and second transparent conductive coatings on opposite sides of said substrate forming portions of each capacitive switch, with the transparent coatings allowing indicia positioned behind the coated substrate to be visible therethrough; c. an opaque delineation pattern for the substrate for separating the different areas of the different capacitive switches; d. a frame positioned behind and adjacent to said coated substrate for supporting a plurality of retangular indicia tabs associated with the plurality of switches such that the indicia tabs are supported adjacent to said coated substrate and visible therethrough to indicate the type of product vended by each switch, said frame being substantially coextensive with said delineation pattern such that the lines of the delineation pattern obscure the members of the frame from view, said frame having two frame members on opposite sides of each capacitive switch providing opposed holders for each switch to support a rectangular indicia tab associated therewith such that the indicia associated with each switch is conveniently changeable by replacement of its indicia tab.