Single copy newspaper dispensing machine

Claim 1

The method of automatically dispensing a single top copy of a vertical stack of newspapers from a newspaper storage cabinet having a means of single copy newspaper egress in a wall of said cabinet comprising the steps of: (a) urging said stack of newspapers upwardly into pressure contact with stop means in said cabinet; (b) lowering said stack of newspapers a first time to relieve said pressure just prior to applying said horizontal force; (c) selecting a platen to rest on the top surface of said top newspaper, having a coefficient of friction between said platen and said top newspaper substantially in excess of the coefficient of friction between said top newspaper and the newspaper next subjacent to said top newspaper, and having sufficient mass that the downward force on the top surface of said top newspaper due to said mass creates a frictional bond between said platen and said top newspaper substantially in excess of the frictional bond between said top newspaper and said next subjacent newspaper; (d) applying a non-destructive first horizontal force to said platen in the direction of said egress means of sufficient magnitude to rapidly accelerate and to impart momentum to said platen and to said top newspaper simultaneously while shearing the frictional bond between said top newspaper and said next subjacent newspaper; (e) arresting the horizontal movement of said platen sufficiently rapidly to shear the frictional bond between said platen and said top newspaper; (f) permitting the momentum of said top newspaper to freely project said top newspaper at least partially through said egress means; (g) lowering said stack of newspapers a second time to provide clearance for the return of said platen away from said egress means; and (h) applying a second horizontal force to said platen in a direction away from said egress means sufficient to return said platen to its position of rest prior to said first application of horizontal force.

Claim 2

The method of automatically dispensing a single top copy of a vertical stack of newspapers from a newspaper storage cabinet having a means of single copy newspaper egress in a wall of said cabinet comprising the steps of: (a) urging said stack of newspapers upwardly into pressure contact with stop means in said cabinet; (b) lowering said stack of newspapers a first time to relieve said pressure just prior to applying said horizontal force; (c) selecting a platen to rest on the top surface of said top newspaper, having a coefficient of friction between said platen and said top newspaper substantially in excess of the coefficient of friction between said top newspaper and the newspaper next subjacent to said top newspaper, and having sufficient mass that the downward force on the top surface of said top newspaper due to said mass creates a frictional bond between said platen and said top newspaper substantially in excess of the frictional bond between said top newspaper and said next subjacent newspaper; (d) applying a non-destructive first horizontal force to said platen in the direction of said egress means of sufficient magnitude to rapidly accelerate and to impart momentum to said platen and to said top newspaper simultaneously while shearing the frictional bond between said top newspaper and said next subjacent newspaper; (e) arresting the horizontal movement of said platen sufficiently rapidly to shear the frictional bond between said platen and said top newspaper; (f) permitting the momentum of said top newspaper to freely project said top newspaper at least partially through said egress means; (g) lowering said stack of newspapers a second time to provide clearance for the return of said platen away from said egress means; and (h) applying a second horizontal force to said platen in a direction away from said egress means sufficient to return said platen to its position of rest prior to said first application of horizontal force.

Claim 3

The method of dispensing a single top newspaper from a vertical stack of newspapers stored in a newspaper vending cabinet having a means of single copy newspaper egress from said cabinet comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a newspaper dispensing means above said stack of newspapers and to the rear of said cabinet; (b) restraining said dispensing means in said position against dispensing a newspaper; (c) raising said stack of newspapers upwardly into pressure contact with stop means in said cabinet subsequent to positioning said dispensing means above said stack of newspapers and to the rear of said cabinet; (d) lowering said stack of newspapers prior to releasing said dispensing means; (e) bringing said dispensing means into pressure contact with said top newspaper; (f) quickly releasing said restraint on said dispensing means; (g) quickly accelerating said dispensing means; (h) frictionally engaging the under surface of said dispensing means with the top surface of said top newspaper sufficient to shear the frictional bond between said top newspaper and the next subjacent newspaper of said stack of newspapers; (i) moving said top newspaper across the top surface of said subjacent newspaper; (j) guiding at least a portion of said top newspaper into said egress means; (k) lowering said stack of newspapers prior to releasing said dispensing means; (l) returning said dispensing means to the rear of said cabinet; and (m) returning said stack of newspapers upwardly into pressure contact with stop means in said cabinet.

Claim 4

The method of dispensing a single top newspaper from a vertical stack of newspapers stored in a newspaper vending cabinet having a means of single copy newspaper egress from said cabinet comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a newspaper dispensing means above said stack of newspapers and to the rear of said cabinet; (b) restraining said dispensing means in said position against dispensing a newspaper; (c) raising said stack of newspapers upwardly into pressure contact with stop means in said cabinet subsequent to positioning said dispensing means above said stack of newspapers and to the rear of said cabinet; (d) lowering said stack of newspapers prior to releasing said dispensing means; (e) bringing said dispensing means into pressure contact with said top newspaper; (f) quickly releasing said restraint on said dispensing means; (g) quickly accelerating said dispensing means; (h) frictionally engaging the under surface of said dispensing means with the top surface of said top newspaper sufficient to shear the frictional bond between said top newspaper and the next subjacent newspaper of said stack of newspapers; (i) moving said top newspaper across the top surface of said subjacent newspaper; (j) guiding at least a portion of said top newspaper into said egress means; (k) lowering said stack of newspapers prior to releasing said dispensing means; (l) returning said dispensing means to the rear of said cabinet; and (m) returning said stack of newspapers upwardly into pressure contact with stop means in said cabinet.