Patent ID: 11928910
Assignee: PEPSICO, INC.
Field: Control (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 0:
1. A vending machine comprising:
a shelf containing a vending product;
a delivery area comprising a rack, an outer door, and a projection mechanically linked to the outer door and protruding through a slot; and
a delivery cup configured to transport the vending product to the delivery area, the delivery cup comprising:
an actuator configured to send a signal to the shelf to dispense the vending product onto the delivery cup,
a sensor configured to sense a presence of the vending product within the delivery cup,
a pinion gear configured to interact with the rack as the delivery cup moves the vending product into the delivery area, and
a pushing surface configured to push the projection to mechanically open the outer door and provide access to the vending product within the delivery area from the exterior of the vending machine.