Patent ID: 11900756
Assignee: PEPSICO, INC.
Field: Control (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 15:
16. A product release mechanism for a vending machine, comprising:
a platform having a first end opposite a second end and configured to support a first product and a second product;
a first gate arranged at the first end of the platform and movable from a closed position in which the first product is not accessible to a consumer to an open position in which the first product is accessible to a consumers;
a first rail extending from the first end of the platform to the second end of the platform along a first side of the platform;
a second rail extending from the first end of the platform to the second end of the platform along a second side of the platform opposite the first side;
a second gate arranged on the platform and spaced from the first gate and movable from a closed position to an open position, wherein the second gate is configured to extend from the first rail to the second rail to prevent access to the second product; and
a gate control mechanism configured to control the first gate and the second gate, such that the first gate is arranged in the open position and the second gate is moved to the closed position to provide a consumer with access to the first product on the platform while preventing access to the second product on the platform.