How do drink-vending machines work?

             Drink-vending machines are operated electronically when coins are inserted and a button pressed to select the beverage required. They have four basic units, or a module on the inside of the cabinet door is the electrical unit where the dispensing of a drink is programmed through the other three-the cupper dispenser, the recirculating water system and the ingredient container units.

            When the coins are put into the slot, they are checked by an electronic scanning unit. If they are checked by an electronic scanning unit. If they are the wrong coins they are rejected. If accepted, they set off the programme.

               The release mechanism of the dispenser allows a cup to fall down a chute to the service position. While this is happening, a portion of the selected ingredient in powder from is released from its container into a large mixing bowl that looks like a big flattish funnel. Here hot water is added to dissolve the powder and the resulting beverage is poured into the waiting cup. Finally more water enters the mixing bowl, which is then automatically cleaned in readiness for the next customer.

Picture credit: google