Patent ID: 9147303
Filing Date: 2015-09-29
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A retrieval system for a vending machine comprised of a hopper rotationally mounted therein so as to be movable between opened and closed positions, the hopper comprising; an elongated outer shell having a hollow interior and side walls that define a hopper opening into the interior thereof and extending along a length thereof, the interior of the hopper having an actual floor on which a vended product is received at a first level when the hopper is in a closed position with the hopper opening being in an aligned orientation with a path of travel of a vended product within the vending machine; the outer shell being positioned adjacent a product retrieval opening provided in a door of the vending machine, at least a portion of the outer shell forming a closure structure within the product retrieval opening when the hopper is in the closed position; a handle provided on the closure structure; and an additional straight plate false bottom member separately secured within the outer shell and positioned to maintain a substantial vertical dimension across a central portion of the interior of the hopper when in the closed position and a raised technical floor of the hopper when the hopper is rotated into the open position thereby positioning the hopper opening in an aligned orientation with the product retrieval opening and presenting a vended item at a position that is higher than the first level, the additional straight plate false bottom member being secured so as to extend across the interior of the outer shell from an edge adjacent the actual floor to an edge adjacent the hopper opening; wherein the outer shell is comprised of a plurality of interconnected discrete parts that include a molded first section, a second section formed from a portion of the false bottom and a third section with the first and third sections each having a exposed edge that define opposing edges of the hopper opening, respectively; and further including a shield member movably positioned on the hopper so as to move with the hopper into a position to close access to a product storage area within the vending machine from outside the vending machine when the hopper is in the open position.