Patent ID: 6223934
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
Dispensing cabinet for dispensing articles, comprising a cabinet housing having a dispense port through which one of said articles can be dispensed to a customer; wherein said dispense port comprises a door in a front of the cabinet that opens to permit the customer to remove the article; first and second reels disposed within said housing; a web belt wound onto said first and second reels, said belt including a plurality of compartments carried thereon at intervals over its length, wherein the compartments are adapted to be loaded with said articles; means within said cabinet defining a path for said belt between said reels such that the compartments on said belt align with said dispense port as the belt unwinds from one of the reels and winds onto the other of the reels; drive means for turning said reels to move said belt past said dispense port; and control means coupled to said drive means for controlling the turning of said reels to select one of the compartments of said belt and move the belt to align such selected compartment with said dispense port.