Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations without dropping or subjecting the vended product to damaging impact forces are disclosed. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A robotic carriage assembly using rack and pinion assemblies moves in positive non-vibratory manner along an X-Y plane in the machine, captures the selected product from its queue and smoothly transports the product to a product delivery port conveniently located close to hip level. The carriage assembly uses unique product escapement and capture mechanisms to smoothly slide the related product from its queue into the carriage. Power door and safety lock features at the delivery port are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations without dropping or subjecting the vended product to damaging impact forces are disclosed. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A robotic carriage assembly using rack and pinion assemblies moves in positive non-vibratory manner along an X-Y plane in the machine, captures the selected product from its queue and smoothly transports the product to a product delivery port conveniently located close to hip level. The carriage assembly uses unique product escapement and capture mechanisms to smoothly slide the related product from its queue into the carriage. Power door and safety lock features at the delivery port are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations without dropping or subjecting the vended product to damaging impact forces are disclosed. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A robotic carriage assembly using rack and pinion assemblies moves in positive non-vibratory manner along an X-Y plane in the machine, captures the selected product from its queue and smoothly transports the product to a product delivery port conveniently located close to hip level. The carriage assembly uses unique product escapement and capture mechanisms to smoothly slide the related product from its queue into the carriage. Power door and safety lock features at the delivery port are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and improved method for defrosting of the refrigeration unit of a refrigerated vending machine are disclosed. A damper controls flow of heated defrosting air in the refrigeration unit during a defrosting cycle to prevent the heated air from exiting out of the refrigerated air duct leading to the refrigerated compartment of the vending machine, thereby maintaining the desired ambient air temperature within the refrigerated compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that dispenses a lowermost cup from a stack of nested cups. The cups are disposed within an opening formed through an annular housing, and a group of cam assemblies project inward from the housing to support and selectively dispense the cups. Alignment holes are formed through the housing and the cam assemblies to facilitate proper alignment of the cam assemblies relative to one another during assembly of the dispenser. The cam assemblies move inward and outward relative to the opening to accommodate cups of different under-rim diameters within a given range. In particular, the cam assemblies move in an arc and pivot relative to the housing and thereby remain satisfactorily aligned relative to the center of the opening over a wider range of under-rim cup diameters.

Abstract: The support apparatus (39) for rotatably supporting an elongated semi-rigid helical (22) having a center longitudinal axis (52), of the type used for dispensing articles (38) from a dispensing machine, above a substantially planar shelf surface (34) having a front edge (36) is disclosed. The support apparatus (39) comprises a first coil support member (40) and a second coil support member (42) each defining a generally planar upper surface (41) and (43) respectively to lie above and generally parallel to a shelf surface (34) and adjacent a front end (36) thereof. The first and second coil support members (40 and 42) are disposed in spaced, generally parallel relationship to one another, and wherein the first and second coil support members (40 and 42) are laterally spaced apart from one another a sufficient distance to cooperatively support a helical coil on and between the first and second upper surfaces (40 and 42).

Abstract: An auxiliary can dispensing unit (30) for use in vending machine (2) comprises an inclined track (32). Pivotal control member (62) at the discharge end (34) of track (32) dispenses a single can (42) at a time. Pivotal control member (62) is actuated by a cam (78) and connecting rod (98) which are releasably secured to the output shaft (20) of a motor. The inclined track (32) is releasably contained in dispensing channel (10) of vending machine (2) and is meant to replace the helical coil (14) normally used therein.

Abstract: An improved locking apparatus for a slidably mounted product carrying shelf in a helical coil vending machine. Each shelf includes a front roller normally retained in a front stop. The locking apparatus comprises a pivotably mounted lock member mounted above the front stop of each shelf. The lock member has a lock surface which in a first or normal position of the lock member prevents the front roller from being removed from the front stop to lock the shelf in position in the vending machine. The lock member may be rotated to either a second or third position where the lock surface clears the front roller to allow the shelf to be slid out of the vending machine. The lock member is counterweighted such that it will remain in its third position to allow an operator to completely remove the shelf from the vending machine.

Abstract: A door and shelf interlock system for a vending machine comprises a vertically movable locking bar operatively coupled to the pivot structure of the door of the vending machine. The locking bar in a first position prevents any of the shelves from being pulled out from their normally retracted position inside the machine. A locking member is associated with each shelf. If the shelf is pulled out from its normally retracted position, the locking member engages the locking bar to prevent the door from being closed until the shelf is placed back into its retracted position.

Abstract: An improved shelf configuration for a spiral vending machine is embodied in a novel support apparatus for rotatably supporting the forward or discharge end of a helical coil used to dispense packaged food products or the like from the machine. The support apparatus comprises a first elongated coil support member transversely spaced from and parallel to a second elongated coil support member. The coil support members each define a ramp at one end respectively thereof upwardly inclined between the shelf surface on which the food products to be dispensed rest and an upper planar surface disposed above the shelf surface. The coil support members each terminate at coplanar second ends which are connected together by means of a downwardly inclined ramp. One of the coil support members adjacent the downwardly inclined ramp has a beveled inner edge portion to allow at least some products moved by the coil to be oriented in a transversely tilted position immediately before dispensing.

Abstract: A safety door mechanism for use in combination with delivery bins of dispensing machines. A dispensing chamber having a top supply opening and a front delivery opening is provided with a delivery door pivoted about a horizontal axis near the top of the delivery opening and with a supply door pivoted about a horizontal axis near the front of the supply opening. The delivery door is normally positioned by gravity to close the delivery opening, while the supply door is positioned by gravity to normally clear the supply opening. A mechanical linkage cooperatively interconnects the doors so that when the delivery door is manually opened the linkage closes the supply door at a closing rate which initially exceeds the opening rate of the delivery door, and in a manner such that the supply opening is substantially closed before the delivery opening is accessible.

Abstract: Improved dispensing apparatus for dispensing machines of the type having at least one dispensing tray containing a dispensing unit which dispenses articles from the machine by the use of a helical dispensing coil. Improved mounting apparatus is provided for supporting both the forward and back end portions of the dispensing coil. A cross-bracket member having a portion extending across the diameter of the coil, is mounted to the back portion of the coil. A cross-bracket holding device, connected for rotation by appropriate motor means, releasably accepts the cross-bracket for mounting the back portion of the coil in elevated position above the shelf surface of the dispensing tray. The cross-bracket holding device is configured to matingly accept differently sized cross-bracket members, to enable rapid interchangeability of differently sized dispensing coils in the machine.