The idea of the Egyptian apparatus is embodied in the numerous pat ented inventions by which a predetermined quantity of fluid is released or by which packages of confectionery or of other articles of merchan dise are presented upon depositing a nickel in the slot. Figures 6 and 7 exhibit a typical example of the merchandise vending-apparatus, whose operation is as follows: When a coin is dropped through the coin-slot c, it passes through the slot e' of the delivery-slide C into the upper trans verse part of the coin-chute E, then by gravity downward so as to push the hinged gate E' aside, and to roll with considerable momentum into the lower vertical part of the coin-chute, where it strikes against the wire shank of the locking-lever F, moving the latter backward and releasing the latch F from the lug f of the delivery-slide C, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 6, whereby the delivery-slide can be drawn forward so as to deliver a piece of confectionery (fig. 7). As soon as the delivery-slide is moved forward, the coin, which has been retained in the lower end of the coin-chute by the abutment on the rear wall of the case, is dropped to the bottom of the case by reason of the forward movement of the coin chute. The twisted shape of the chute at E' causes the coin to pass from
a vertical transverse position to a vertical position. parallel with the side walls of the casing; thus tampering with the apparatus is prevented, and the coin when once dropped cannot be removed. The twisted form of the chute serves also to retard a metal disc of less weight than the coin required for releasing the locking-latch F, as the disc arrives at the lower end of the chute with a momentum which is not sufficient to overcome the inertia of the locking-lever and to release it from the lugf of the delivery-slide. The main part of the delivery-slide C extends through an opening in the front wall of the lower part of the casing A' to the outside, and is provided with a knob by which the slide C is pulled outward whenever the locking mech anism is released.