Patent ID: 6012604
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
An article dispensing device for an automatic vending machine having a body and capable of storing articles having a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape resembling bottles or cans in stacks, and of dispensing the article in response to a dispensation command, said article dispensing device comprising;a fixed plate serving as a wall defining an article dispensing passage, and holding a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the articles one at a time; anda movable unit disposed opposite to the fixed plate;wherein the movable unit comprises: a frame attached to the body of the automatic vending machine; shiftable plate means supported on side walls of the frame by pivot pins fitted in slots formed respectively in the side walls, and provided with positioning lugs projecting from at least one end thereof so as to engage with steps of stepped positioning edges formed in the side walls selectively according to a diameter of the article passing through the dispensing passage; and a biasing means for biasing the shiftable plate means so that a lower end portion of the shiftable plate means protrudes into the dispensing passage.