Patent ID: 6328180
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
A method for vending beverages packaged in sealed containers, comprising:a. storing a plurality of packaged beverages in selectable queues of containers of such beverages within a vending machine;b. arranging said plurality of beverage containers in contained alignment within a plurality of selectable identifiable trays within the vending machine, said trays having at least a portion thereof extending in the direction from front to back of the machine;c. aligning a robotic assembly in the machine in registration with a customer selected one of said beverage container queues;d. transferring one of the beverage containers from the selected container queue to the robotic assembly;e. carrying the transferred beverage container to a delivery port of the vending machine; andf. presenting the carried beverage container at the delivery port for customer removal from the vending machine; wherein the entire process is performed without dropping or subjecting the container to severe impact forces.