Abstract: A vending machine is disclosed which may include a level sensor to ensure proper positioning of the vending machine, and which can be used in an anti-theft alert scheme. The machine may also include an XY mechanism having an X-axis motor in a product area and a Y-axis motor in a transaction area. The machine may also include individually lockable doors between the product area and a delivery bin and between the delivery bin and the outside of the machine. The machine may also include quick release racks, trays and gates for easy removal and replacement. The machine may also include a controller which allows programming of product size or product price by rack or column. The machine may also include a refrigeration cassette which can be quickly removed and replaced. The machine may also include anti-theft legs or an anti-theft underside mechanism.

Abstract: A vending machine is disclosed which may include a level sensor to ensure proper positioning of the vending machine, and which can be used in an anti-theft alert scheme. The machine may also include an XY mechanism having an X-axis motor in a product area and a Y-axis motor in a transaction area. The machine may also include individually lockable doors between the product area and a delivery bin and between the delivery bin and the outside of the machine. The machine may also include quick release racks, trays and gates for easy removal and replacement. The machine may also include a controller which allows programming of product size or product price by rack or column. The machine may also include a refrigeration cassette which can be quickly removed and replaced. The machine may also include anti-theft legs or an anti-theft underside mechanism.

Abstract: A refrigerated cooler for storing food and other applications having a controller and a temperature sensor that monitors the temperature inside the food compartment and compares the monitored temperature to a stored predetermined temperature and a controller controlled door lock that is placed in the lock position by the controller if the monitored temperature is compared to be greater than the stored predetermined temperature or if the supply of power to the cooler is interrupted to restrict a customer's access to the food inside that may be unsafe due to the monitored temperature being greater than the stored predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A cooler cabinet separated into an upper compartment and a lower compartment by a divider panel having a supply air opening and a return air opening therethrough, a modular refrigeration unit insertable into the lower compartment, and a gasket assembly coupled to the divider panel in registration with the supply air opening and the return air opening to provide a mechanical sealing contact with the modular refrigeration unit. The modular refrigeration unit includes an evaporator assembly, a condenser located forward of the evaporator assembly, and a compressor located between the evaporator assembly and the condenser. The gasket assembly includes a normally-expanded sealing gasket that is in permanent sealing contact with the divider panel around the supply and return air openings and forms a sealing contact with the evaporator assembly when the refrigeration unit is in the inserted position.

Abstract: Vending machine product is moved by the use of an “X-Y mechanism” having two stationary electronically controlled drive “motors”. These motors drive (directly or indirectly) tension elements (belt, chain, cable, etc.) that position horizontally and vertically sliding components. A separation and selection system uses a “rotator” to release a product from a tray and a “gate” to separate the products into two columns on the tray. A “lever” (centered by springs) mechanically links these components. Products move off the tray by a spring powered “slider” (one slider for each product column) on the tray. There is only one “rotator-gate-lever” mechanism per pair of product columns in each display tray. That is, when a “cup” engages the “lever” moving to the right, a product from the left side of the display tray is pushed into the “cup” and vice versa. Adjustable side walls in each tray accommodate different sized packages. The delivery mechanism uses the “cup” for transport.

Abstract: Vending machine product is moved by an “X-Y mechanism” having two stationary electronically controlled drive “motors,” which drive tension elements that position horizontally and vertically sliding components. A separation and selection system uses a “rotator” to release a product from a tray and a “gate” to separate the products into two columns on the tray. A “lever” mechanically links these components. Products move off the tray by a spring powered “slider” on the tray. There is only one “rotator-gate-lever” mechanism per pair of product columns in each display tray. When a “cup” engages the “lever” moving to the right, a product from the left side of the display tray is pushed into the “cup” and vice versa. Adjustable side walls in each tray accommodate different sized packages. The delivery mechanism uses the “cup” for transport. A lower surface of the cup engages a sliding “door” to a balanced delivery “port” for delivery of product from the cup to the port.

Abstract: Vending machine product is moved by the use of an “X-Y mechanism” having two stationary electronically controlled drive “motors”. These motors drive (directly or indirectly) tension elements (belt, chain, cable, etc.) that position horizontally and vertically sliding components. A separation and selection system uses a “rotator” to release a product from a tray and a “gate” to separate the products into two columns on the tray. A “lever” (centered by springs) mechanically links these components. Products move off the tray by a spring powered “slider” (one slider for each product column) on the tray. There is only one “rotator-gate-lever” mechanism per pair of product columns in each display tray. That is, when a “cup” engages the “lever” moving to the right, a product from the left side of the display tray is pushed into the “cup” and vice versa. Adjustable side walls in each tray accommodate different sized packages. The delivery mechanism uses the “cup” for transport.

Abstract: A frozen product, upright-style vending machine having a pick and place mechanism moveable in three dimensions (X, Y, Z) with a fourth, rotational, degree of freedom (W) effected using the Z axis drive. The mechanism moves along tracks in the X-Y directions and is permitted full range of motion by an extension hose. Frozen products are arranged in a container within the vending machine freezer, the container acting as a virtual cold-wall freezer trapping cold air. The pick and place mechanism positions a vacuum pick-up head over the appropriate product along the X-Y tracks in response to a customer selection. The vacuum pick-up head is attached to a vacuum hose which is wound on a hose reel. The vacuum hose is unwound to lower the vacuum pick-up head along the Z axis to the selected product and, when suction has been established against a selected product in the virtual cold-wall freezer, the vacuum hose is rewound.

Abstract: A frozen product, upright-style vending machine having a pick and place mechanism moveable in three dimensions (X, Y, Z) with a fourth, rotational, degree of freedom (W) effected using the Z axis drive. The mechanism moves along tracks in the X-Y directions and is permitted full range of motion by an extension hose. Frozen products are arranged in a container within the vending machine freezer, the container acting as a virtual cold-wall freezer trapping cold air. The pick and place mechanism positions a vacuum pick-up head over the appropriate product along the X-Y tracks in response to a customer selection. The vacuum pick-up head is attached to a vacuum hose which is wound on a hose reel. The vacuum hose is unwound to lower the vacuum pick-up head along the Z axis to the selected product and, when suction has been established against a selected product in the virtual cold-wall freezer, the vacuum hose is rewound.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return chute positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects the coin return slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.

Abstract: The present invention is direct to a system and method for electronically controlling the refrigeration and/or heating of the product storage compartment in a vending machine. The system includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature in the product storage compartment, and a door sensor for sensing whether the door is open or closed. The control method includes the steps of activating a defrost mode, which is a timed period with no heating or cooling activity, when the door to the vending apparatus is open. The defrost mode is also activated whenever the cooling element has been running continuously for several hours. Further, the control method includes a step of cycling the cooling element “on” whenever a predetermined high temperature is reached. When the cooling element is “off” for more than 6 hours and the predetermined high temperature has not been reached, the heater is turned “on” to prevent the products in the vending machine from freezing.

Abstract: The present invention is direct to a system and method for electronically controlling the refrigeration and/or heating of the product storage compartment in a vending machine. The system includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature in the product storage compartment, and a door sensor for sensing whether the door is open or closed. The control method includes the steps of activating a defrost mode, which is a timed period with no heating or cooling activity, when the door to the vending apparatus is open. The defrost mode is also activated whenever the cooling element has been running continuously for several hours. Further, the control method includes a step of cycling the cooling element “on” whenever a predetermined high temperature is reached. When the cooling element is “off” for more than 6 hours and the predetermined high temperature has not been reached, the heater is turned “on” to prevent the products in the vending machine from freezing.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return chute positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects the coin return slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return slot positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects a coin slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return chute positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects the coin return slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.

Abstract: An adjustable mechanism for vending products includes left and right column walls defining a column divided into front and rear sections for retaining the products in front and rear corded stacks. A rear spacer provided at the back side of the column is laterally adjustable relative to the front side of the column to accommodate products of different lengths in the rear section. Front and rear product funnels are positioned respectively in the front and rear sections above the bottom end of the column, with front and rear adjustable product ramps interposed between the outlets of the front and rear product funnels, respectively, and the open bottom end of the column. The front and rear adjustable product ramps are independently pivotable about their pivot axes in response to movement of front and rear adjustment rods to change the width of the open bottom of the column at the front and back sections to accommodate products of different diameters.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return chute positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects the coin return slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.

Abstract: A can vending mechanism comprising a module containing three vertically-extending channels arranged front-to-back and dimensioned to vend cylindrical products, such as cans, with their longitudinal axes parallel to the front face of a vending machine to achieve greater product capacity. A sold-out switch is provided in each channel. Each sold out switch is activated when two products remain in escrow at the bottom of its respective channel. The channels are refilled without the use of diverters by dropping new products into the channels. The two products remaining in escrow at the bottom of each channel absorb the shock of the falling products.

Abstract: This retainer system for vending machine storage compartments includes opposed compartment walls and opposed elongate retainers selectively connected to associated compartment walls in adjustable relation lengthwise of the containers to engage selected contoured containers intermediate the length thereof to provide a stop inhibiting axial movement of said selected containers.

Abstract: A protective device for a mechanism which accepts coins through a raised coin slot comprises a jacket made from an elastic material and conforming substantially to the configuration of the mechanism. The jacket has an open end for insertion over the mechanism, a coin slot aperture positioned and dimensioned to snugly receive the coin slot, and a raised lip surrounding the coin slot aperture. The jacket further includes a cable aperture positioned to receive an electrical cable extending from the mechanism and an elongated tube surrounding the cable aperture, and a closed, raised protrusion positioned to cover a release lever extending from the mechanism. The elastic material can be latex rubber or a synthetic plastic.