Abstract: A system and method for discharging a selected product into a dispensing chamber of a vending machine are provided. In the system and method of this disclosure, a selected product from a vending machine is received in a product delivery cup. The product delivery cup is moved to a dispensing chamber of the vending machine. Near the dispensing chamber, the product delivery cup moves in a horizontal direction which causes or activates a delivery cup sleeve within the product delivery cup to pivot or move from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position. The dispensing position of the delivery cup sleeve releases the selected product from the delivery cup sleeve to the dispensing chamber where a consumer is able to access the selected product.

Abstract: A vending machine includes first and second integrated dispensing systems mounted at front portions of adjacent product shelf dividers establishing at least first, second and third product queues. Each of the first and second dispensing systems includes first and second release mechanisms having a plurality of hinged plates supported by a frame. The plurality of hinged plates are selectively shifted into and out of corresponding ones of the first, second and third product queues, such that each product queue has associated therewith two opposing release mechanisms. Preferably, at least one of the first and second release mechanisms for each dispensing system includes a queue spacing member which is mounted to one of the hinged plates and projects into the product queue to establish a desired spacing between the release mechanisms.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a product compartment, a duct opening into the product compartment, and a self-contained refrigeration system. The refrigeration system includes a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber includes first and second openings. The second chamber includes third and fourth openings. An evaporator coil and evaporator fan are mounted in the first chamber. The evaporator fan moves air from the first opening, through the evaporator coil, to the second opening. A condensing coil, compressor, and compressor fan are mounted in the second chamber. The compressor fan moves air from the third opening, through the condensing coil, over the compressor, to the fourth opening. The housing thermally insulates the first chamber from both the second chamber and an exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A method includes sensing an exposure of a refrigerated compartment of a vending machine to ambient air and, in response, sensing an initial temperature of the refrigerated compartment. The method also includes, responsive to sensing the exposure to ambient air, selecting a procedure from a plurality of procedures according to the sensed initial temperature, and controlling a refrigeration system of the vending machine using the selected procedure during an initial period. The method may include sensing a current temperature of the vending machine and, once the refrigerated compartment reaches a second predetermined temperature, controlling the refrigeration system according to the sensed current temperature, monitoring an operational characteristic of a compressor of the refrigeration system, and performing a defrost procedure according to the monitored operational characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an improved product delivery bin for a vending machine is disclosed. A vending machine cabinet is provided with a door assembly that is capable of being placed in a closed position with respect to the vending machine cabinet. The product delivery bin of the vending machine comprises a door panel of the door assembly and a cabinet bin panel of the vending machine cabinet. The product delivery bin is formed when the door assembly is in a closed position with respect to the vending machine cabinet. The product delivery bin is accessible through a bin access door in the door assembly.

Abstract: A vending machine incorporates a product support and dispensing system including an oscillator and an adjustable bail cap. The oscillator is pivotally mounted at a lower portion of one of a plurality of stack areas provided within the vending machine. The oscillator includes a product retention zone having first and second staging regions, each of which has upper and lower holding elements for retaining a product containers in pre-vend positions. The adjustable bail cap is detachably secured to the oscillator and includes an arcuate intermediate portion adapted to selectively support the product containers. The adjustable bail cap can be selectively repositioned to allow the product support and delivery system to accommodate a wide range of container sizes.

Abstract: A vending machine includes first and second release mechanisms mounted to front portions of adjacent shelf dividers extending along a product shelf and establishing a product queue. A product transport system is arranged in the cabinet to carry a selected product container from the product queue towards a delivery chamber. A drive mechanism, operatively connected to each of the first and second release mechanisms, is mounted to an underside of the product shelf to simultaneously shift the first and second release mechanisms in order to release a selected product to the product transport system.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a vend sensor for detecting a completion of a vend operation. The vend sensor includes an electronic circuit connected to first and second sound elements positioned on opposing sides of a product delivery chute of the vending machine. The first sound element directs a sound beam across the product delivery chute where it is received by the second sound element. During a vend operation, a product container is guided to the product delivery chute to be dispensed to a consumer. As the container passes through the product delivery chute, the sound beam is interrupted, thereby signaling the completion of a vend operation. Each of the first and second sound elements is provided with a cone that focuses the sound beam so as to limit interruptions stemming from outside sound sources.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a cabinet having a product storage zone and a product delivery mechanism that transports a selected product to a consumer. The vending machine includes a door assembly pivotally mounted relative to the cabinet for selectively providing access to the product storage zone. The door assembly includes an outer, exposed surface and an inner surface that are spaced to define an inner door zone including a vertical drop zone that terminates in a delivery area. A portal is formed in the inner surface of the door assembly and leads from the product storage zone into the door zone. A discharge element is provided on the inner surface of the door assembly and cooperates with the product delivery mechanism to dispense the selected product through the portal as the product delivery mechanism moves past the portal.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism for a vending machine is provided to properly align product containers for vending purposes. The vending machine includes a cabinet that establishes a product storage zone, a product delivery zone and a dispensing chamber. Arranged within the product storage zone are a plurality of shelves which include dividers that separate the shelves into a plurality of product queues. Each product queue includes an dispensing mechanism that releases a selected product from the product queue for delivery to the dispensing chamber. In addition, each product queue includes a positioning mechanism to align products in the product queue. The positioning mechanism includes a support member secured to the divider and a spacer bar pivotally secured to the support member. The spacer bar automatically adjusts to a width of a product container placed in the product queue in order to assure proper alignment of the product for dispensing.

Abstract: A dispensing system for a vending machine includes a vend motor, a cradle, a load bar and a push arm. Upon selection of a particular product, the vend motor rotates the cradle, causing the product to emerge from the vending machine. The cradle is designed to accommodate a wide array of container sizes. The dispensing system incorporates a rotation sensor, a position sensor, and a lift arm. The sensors enable accurate rotation of the cradle through a plurality of vend angles depending upon the particular product being vended, while the lift arm cooperates with the push arm and load bar to refill the cradle after a series of product containers have been dispensed. In addition, the vend motor includes a soft start control that prevents instantaneous rotation of the output shaft so as to prolong an overall operational life of the motor.

Abstract: A vending machine employing an electronic control unit which may be easily programmed initially with predefined angles of a cradle corresponding to existing products or vended items. The control unit has the option of setting custom vending angles with a new, previously unknown product package is to be vended from the machine, allowing a user to rapidly set up the machine for a range of package types. Custom angle settings may be used when needed to avoid loading a new control program whenever a new package type becomes available.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a storage/display region, a dispensing chamber including a product access opening, and an anti-pilfer device that prevents unauthorized removal of products from the storage/display region through the product access opening. A delivery door is provided which can be shifted from a closed position to an open position to enable the removal of products from the dispensing chamber. The anti-pilfer device includes a plate coupled to a lower portion of the delivery door. When the delivery door is moved from the closed position, the anti-pilfer plate shifts, over a guide element, into a position that prevents products from being withdrawn from the storage/display area. Preferably, the storage/display region and dispensing chamber are separated by a product door, with the anti-pilfer plate preventing the product door from opening when the delivery door is shifted from the closed position.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a vend sensor for detecting a completion of a vend operation. The vend sensor includes an electronic circuit connected to first and second sound elements positioned on opposing sides of a product delivery chute of the vending machine. The first sound element directs a sound beam across the product delivery chute where it is received by the second sound element. During a vend operation, a product container is guided to the product delivery chute to be dispensed to a consumer. As the container passes through the product delivery chute, the sound beam is interrupted, thereby signaling the completion of a vend operation. Each of the first and second sound elements is provided with a cone that focuses the sound beam so as to limit interruptions stemming from outside sound sources.

Abstract: A release mechanism for a vending machine includes a frame for supporting a plurality of hinged plates which are movable between article retention and dispensing positions. As the release mechanism is moved to the dispensing position, a sub-plate member of one of the plurality of plates projects into a dispensing path and abuts an article to be dispensed to force the article along the dispensing path. A pusher link is used to shift the sub-plate member, with the pusher link being adapted to extend through a central opening provided in a main plate member when the release mechanism assumes the article dispensing position.

Abstract: A large product vending system which allows for the dispensing of large diameter product from a vending machine is presented. The system includes a dispense mechanism associated with the existing column walls and columns defined therebetween of a machine used for smaller diameter product. A motor and a link arm are associated with each column and control the operation of a cradle which holds the product within the column while positioning one of the products for dispensing upon actuation of the dispense mechanism. The cradle includes opposed end plates which are connected at each end thereof by a blocking bar and a dispense rod. When the cradle is cycled, the dispense rod releases the lowest product while the blocking bar engages the next product to be dispensed. After the cycle of the motor allows the product to be dispensed to clear the dispense rod, the blocking bar is moved out of the way of the next product which is then held in place by the dispense rod and one of the column walls.

Abstract: A modular vending machine for dispensing a variety of different sized products with at least one array received within a cabinet, wherein the array is made up of a plurality of storage chambers with a dispensing mechanism disposed at the bottom of each chamber. The cabinet can receive any number of arrays which in turn can receive any number of storage chambers. The modular vending machine further includes a sensing device received within a receiving trough for confirming that a product has actually been dispensed. The dispensing mechanism includes a solenoid actuated plunger wherein the plunger controls the movement of a toggle member which is movable between a blocking position and a dispensing position so that only a single product is dispensed. The vending machine may also provide a two-point locking mechanism for positively securing a door to the cabinet of the vending machine while allowing maximum utilization of the space within the cabinet.

Abstract: A modular vending machine for dispensing a variety of different sized products with at least one array received within a cabinet, wherein the array is made up of a plurality of storage chambers with a dispensing mechanism disposed at the bottom of each chamber. The cabinet can receive any number of arrays which in turn can receive any number of storage chambers. The modular vending machine further includes a sensing device received within a receiving trough for confirming that a product has actually been dispensed. The dispensing mechanism includes a solenoid actuated plunger wherein the plunger controls the movement of a toggle member which is movable between a blocking position and a dispensing position so that only a single product is dispensed.

Abstract: A can vending machine provides a pair of vertical serpentine passages which can be loaded from a single access area. Serpentine passages are defined by cantilever declined shelves which are interleaved from pairs of walls defining the passages and storage areas. Beneath each of the storage areas is a rotating disc maintained upon a stationary disc or plate, the two discs having similar passages therethrough adapted to accommodate a can. A single motor or solenoid is interconnected with each of the rotatable discs to selectively dispense a can from the associated stack. The serpentine passages prevent the full weight of the can stack from being imposed upon the dispensing discs, but rather upon the cantilevered shelves themselves.

Abstract: A bulk coin hopper and dispensing system is provided. A loading disc and a dispensing disc are fixedly secured to a motor driven shaft in spaced apart relationship to each other. A dispensing blade is interposed between the two discs. Bores in the loading disc are loaded with coins from a bulk hopper, the lower most coin in each of the bores resting upon the dispensing disc. As the discs rotate, the blade engages the coins thereon and urges them out of dispensing slots within the dispensing disc. Ball plungers are provided to restrict movement of the coins upon the dispensing disc until contacted by the blade.