Patent ID: 7802700
Filing Date: 2010-09-28
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A vending machine comprising: a cabinet; a product storage zone arranged within the cabinet; a product support shelf positioned in the product storage zone; at least two dividers extending across the at least one product support shelf and establishing a product queue; a release mechanism mounted at a front end portion of the product queue; a dispensing chamber mounted in the cabinet; a product transport system for carrying a selected product from the product support shelf towards the dispensing chamber, at least a portion of said product transport system being selectively shiftable between a product receiving position and a delivery position, said product transport system including a product delivery cup having a carriage portion and a shroud portion pivotally mounted to the carriage portion, said shroud portion including a discharge element and open bottom section; a portal operatively connecting the product storage zone and the dispensing chamber, said portal including a discharge member; a door pivotally mounted across the portal, said discharge element engaging the discharge member to pivot the shroud and the door in order to release a selected product from the product delivery cup through the portal for delivery into the dispensing chamber; and a product holder mounted in the dispensing chamber, said product holder including a shield member, said shield member being rotatable between a product receiving position, wherein the product holder is open to the portal for receiving a selected product while access to the dispensing chamber is blocked by the shield member, and a product delivery position, wherein the shield member blocks access to the portal through the product holder while the product holder is exposed allowing a consumer to retrieve the selected product.