Patent ID: 6386389
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
A vending machine for the dispensing of packaged products such as drinks, confections and food, said vending machine having a movable access panel providing access to an internal area of the machine by a person, the access panel being located such that a consumer is likely to view the access panel during operation of the machine, said vending machine comprising:an enclosure securely enclosing product to be selectively purchased by a consumer, said enclosure having a front portion; a plurality of feed mechanisms each operable to selectively dispense product to a product access area where the consumer can access the dispensed product for subsequent use; a product selection device associated with the feed mechanisms and usable by the consumer to select the product desired for dispensing; an access panel movable between closed and open positions adjacent said product access area, said panel having a portion visible in the closed position to a consumer, said panel having advertising indicia behind an outer disposed surface of the visible portion of the panel and viewable therethrough by a consumer when the panel is in its closed position, said access panel forming a minor portion of the front of the enclosure.