Patent ID: 11873202
Assignee: ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV S.A.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A vending machine for dispensing a beverage can, the vending machine comprising:
an elevator shaft having a top end portion and a bottom end portion;
a movement mechanism configured to drive an upward movement of the beverage can from the bottom end portion of the elevator shaft toward the top end portion of the elevator shaft; and
an opening tool including:
a hollow housing defining an open cavity configured to allow the beverage can to pass therethrough; and
an opening mechanism configured to create an opening in the beverage can, wherein the opening mechanism is configured to create the opening in the beverage can prior to the beverage can exiting the vending machine,
wherein the opening tool is at a spaced-apart distance from the top end portion of the elevator shaft; and
wherein the beverage can is opened and then moved vertically along the elevator shaft toward the top end portion.