Patent ID: 7431176
Filing Date: 2008-10-07
Classification: A47F,G07F

Abstract:
1. A dispensing machine for elongated containers having a neck at a top thereof, said machine comprising: (a) at least three vertical columns arranged adjacent to one another to form a cluster, said cluster having an interstice between said columns with an actuator mounted therein, said columns of said cluster being offset from one another, (b) said actuator having a rotatable shaft with a lower platform and an upper platform thereon, said columns having openings therein to receive said upper platform, each platform being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each column of said cluster, (c) said actuator providing means to rotate said shaft and said platforms by successive steps to eject one container from said machine for each step, said lower platform being located at a base of said cluster, said upper platform being located above said lower platform by a distance that is less than a height of said containers, said lower platform being larger than said upper platform, (d) said containers being stored on top of one another in said columns in an upright position, said lower platform having a cutaway portion and being sized to block all of said columns except one column in each position of said shaft, said upper platform being located at a level of said neck and being oriented to block said one column that is not blocked by said lower platform in each position of said shaft, (e) a first bracket extending between said columns near said base, said first bracket having an enlarged central portion that substantially fills said interstice, said shaft extending through said central portion, (f) said first bracket having two ends extending outward from said central portion between said columns, said ends being removably affixed to a retainer, (g) said retainer supporting said cluster including said actuator, and said retainer and first bracket preventing said columns from twisting as said actuator rotates, said retainer preventing said first bracket from rotating as said actuator rotates.