Patent ID: 7588165
Filing Date: 2009-09-15
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A merchandising system comprising: a center support member; a plurality of trays each including one or more mounting supports for mounting the tray on the center support member within a vending machine, each tray adapted to be divided into a plurality of tray zones by one or more tray subdividers and each tray including at least one of a slot or a guide selectively receiving a tray subdivider separating one tray zone from another, each tray mounted on the center support member at one of a plurality of different levels, each tray adapted to be divided into a plurality of tray zones and including at least one of a slot or a guide selectively receiving a tray subdivider separating one tray zone from another; and a plurality of vend doors each disposed proximate to an outer edge of one or more of the plurality of trays at a corresponding one of the plurality of different levels, each vend door associated with a different level and each vend door separately selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein each vend door, when in the open position, permits access to only one tray zone on a corresponding tray at the corresponding level, a catch on a tray subdivider received by the corresponding tray controlling a distance that the respective vend door moves between the open and closed positions based upon a size of a tray zone positioned proximate to an edge of the respective vend door; an enclosure having an opening within at least a sidewall, wherein each vend door is positioned over a portion of the opening when in the closed position; a motor for rotating the center support member; and controls that, when actuated, rotate the center support member to position a selected tray zone proximate to the vend door for corresponding tray.