Abstract:
A mechanical lift for delivery bins and receptacles in vending and analogous machines includes a feature that partial opening of a delivery door allows at least partial access to the delivery bin or receptacle but that further opening of the door would lift the bin or receptacle floor. The assembly can be compact, relatively noncomplex and economical. It can come in basically a preassembled kit that can be retrofitted or original manufacture equipment. It can include additional features such as anti-cheat functions and dispense detect sensors. An additional feature can be a unique dispensing floor geometry.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to provisional application Ser. No. 61/976,231 filed Apr. 7, 2014, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to vending machines and analogous dispensing apparatus, and in particular, to dispensing bins, receptacles, and the like that collect dispensed items and allow access for the user of the machine. 
     Related Art 
     Conventional gravity-drop vending machine arrangements have plural horizontal trays spaced vertically in a cabinet. Each tray has plural dispensers across a substantial width of the vending machine cabinet (across each tray). Dispensed items drop by gravity in a drop zone (usually but not always) along a front vertical space in the cabinet. A dispensing bin below the lowest of dispensers, and across the width of the trays, is adapted to catch anything dropped from any of the dispensers. However, this could place the floor of the dispensing bin quite low in the cabinet. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a typical vending machine  10  of this basic arrangement. Cabinet  112  is about 6 feet tall by 4 feet wide by 4 feet deep. By customer interface  114  (e.g. bill/coin/credit reader), a customer selects an item to be dispensed to a delivery bin. An access or delivery door  118  is near the bottom of cabinet  112 . A conventional position for delivery bin  108  has been added to  FIG. 1  in ghost lines. Note that its floor is below delivery door  118  and not far above the ground or floor. 
     The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) includes guidelines that apply to at least some vending machines or vending machine placements regarding minimum height or access to a vended product (e.g. 15-48 inches above the floor or ground). Some machines do not meet those guidelines. The ADA also has guidelines regarding the maximum amount of force required by a customer to access a vended product (e.g. 5 lbs. of force). 
     Attempts have been made to adapt vending machines to these ADA requirements. For example, the assignee of the present application has developed the following:
         U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,342 (incorporated by reference herein); and   Published US Application US 2012/0277904 (incorporated by reference herein).       

     Each of the above provides some technique for raising the lower-most portion of a delivery bin or collection component towards a delivery door or access opening. One (U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,342) is a mechanically actuated sling. This can present issues regarding durability, access, and operation. Another (2012/0277904) utilizes an elevator with some sort of electrical controller and motor/actuator, that can raise the bin floor slightly or if needed all the way to the top of the dispensers in the cabinet. This can have benefits but can add cost and complexity. 
     An issue for adding lift potential for the bin can be efficient space utilization inside a vending machine cabinet. Added components to facilitate delivery bin floor lifting can use space that could have other beneficial uses. Another consideration is cooperation with other components of the vending machine. For example, when the delivery bin floor is lifted it may lift the top of such items past the access opening or at least make them difficult to access. 
     As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a number of competing factors exist regarding dispensing mechanisms and components. For example, in most retail vending situations, it is beneficial to have as large an interior machine space as possible for inventory to minimize time and resources spent restocking. This generally incentivizes operation components such as dispensers, and delivery boxes, bins, or receptacles to be as small as possible. However, because those things are at least partially mechanized, and because it can also be beneficial for a machine to vend a variety of products, minimizing the size of those components, including the bin size, can limit the size of products the machine can handle. Importantly, especially with retail vending applications, the customer experience must be taken into account. Simplicity, at least the feeling the customer has significant control, and versatility for various customers and vending situations, can be important. However, sometimes this is difficult to achieve with other needs for the machine. The designer is faced with sometimes antagonistic factors when trying to meet needs not only with retail, consumer/customer machines but in other dispensing situations. 
     It has been discovered that there is still room for improvement relative to providing a dispensing bin floor or the like that can lift from a home or normal position. For example, competing interests for use of interior space of a vending machine cabinet are always in play. Reduction in complexity can be very important. There can also be times when it is not needed or desired to lift the dispensing bin floor or collector. 
     Force/effort to access a dispensed product can also be a problem. This can include force needed to open a delivery door and, in the case of a mechanical lift, raise the product. Some machines vend relatively large, heavy beverage containers, tools, etc. Multiple products are sometimes vended in one selection/payment activity. Again, it has been identified there is room for improvement regarding the delivery experience from these types of dispensing machines, including the amount of effort needed to effectuate or improve visualization, access, and withdrawal of a vended or dispensed item. 
     Another factor the designer faces is flexibility. This includes not only flexibility as to the size, type, or form factor of items to be dispensed, but also to features and operations involved in the dispensing. This can implicate consumer satisfaction. It also can relate to space utilization in the machine. Further it can relate to providing adaptability and flexibility in an economical way, voiding complexity, as well as user confusion and effort. 
     The foregoing issues, as well as others, relate to vending machines such as illustrated in FIG. 1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,342, and U.S. 2012/0277904. They can also apply as well to a wide variety of other types of dispensers. Examples range not only from food/beverage/candy retail vending machines but to any machines that might deliver from an inventory of supplies (medical supplies in a hospital, tool bits in a manufacturing facility, bin items in an assembly plant, etc.). 
     The prior art machine of  FIGS. 1A-D  has a number of advantages. They include the ability to comply with ADA requirements. However, it is an electromechanical solution. The inventor has recognized potential for improvements or different solutions in this area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a principle object, feature, advantage, and aspect of the present invention to provide a mechanical lift for delivery bins and receptacles of vending machines and analogous machines which solve or overcome some of the problems and deficiencies in this technical field. 
     Other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention include an apparatus, method, or system which;
         1. is relatively compact for beneficial use of space inside the machine;   2. is relatively economical and non-complex relating to both cost of manufacturer/assembly, as well as installation and operation;   3. allows some selection or control by the customer as to whether or not floor lifting is needed or desired;   4. is purely mechanical and operated by manual operation of the customer;   5. can be compliant with the ADA accessibility regulations;   6. is easy, and effective for consumer or user operations;   7. is applicable to a wide variety of dispensing applications whether retail or not;   8. is adaptable to a wide variety of dispensable items.       

     A first aspect of the invention comprises a delivery bin assembly having a delivery bin with a vertically raisable floor and a bin opening substantially across and above the length and width of that floor. A customer delivery door provides access to the interior of the delivery bin. Linkage between the delivery bin and delivery door allows partial opening of the delivery door from a closed position to a partially opened position without raising of the bin floor, but then proportional raising of the bin floor upon further opening of the delivery door manually by the customer. Retrieval may be without floor lifting, but allows conscious selection of lifting if the customer desires. In one embodiment the proportional raising can be non-linear in the sense that user initiation of movement of the delivery door is not a 1:1 relationship to movement of the bin floor. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the bin floor does not begin to rise until after partial opening of the delivery door to give the customer an initial chance to visualize the dispensed item and control whether or not further opening of the door and/or raising of the floor is needed or desired. 
     Another aspect of the invention comprises a vending machine or analogous machine in combination with and which incorporates such an assembly. 
     A further object of the invention comprises a method of vending or dispensing items. A dispensed item is collected at a delivery bin floor at a first vertical height. A delivery door is manually openable by a customer for a first range of movement allowing at least some visualization of the vending machine floor and/or ability to reach in towards that floor in its lower-most or home position. Further opening of the delivery door raises the bin floor. The customer can elect further opening to raise the floor from its home position. 
     Another aspect of the invention comprises a concave receiving surface along the longitudinal (side-to-side) axis of the bin floor that promotes collection and fall-down of elongated items. 
     Another aspect of the invention comprises a dispensing bin that has relatively narrow depth for good space utilization in the machine. 
     Another aspect of the invention can include a combination and method allowing single-handed user control of access to a dispensed item based on user intuition through user tactile sensing of non-linear or proportional action between an access door, flap, lever, or the like, and a bin or receptacle or its floor, to promote better user experience. 
     These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent with the accompanying specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective scale-model view of a typical vending machine with an added illustration of a typical dispensing bin placement relative to a delivery door. 
         FIG. 1B  is an example of a machine of the general type of U.S. 2012/0277904 (an elevator lift) with front door open showing how a refrigerated machine needs space (reference number  5 ) near the bottom, under the dispensers, for an evaporator/condenser. It also illustrates height H 1 . 
         FIG. 1C  is a front plan view of  FIG. 1B  showing the elevator system for retrieving dispensed items and allowing lifting of a dispensing floor. 
         FIG. 1D  is a partial exposed view of  FIG. 1B  further illustrating the rather constrained space between front door and front of evaporator/condenser (see reference number S) as well as height (H 1 ) to a home, lower-most position for a dispensing bin floor relative to the general height (H 2 ) of the delivery door. 
         FIGS. 2A-C  are similar to  FIGS. 1B-D  but illustrate an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention installed in a vending machine. The embodiment comprises a dispensing bin assembly  108 ′ mounted along the inside lower part of the glass front door to the vending machine cabinet at or around the customer access opening door  118 . 
         FIGS. 3A-F  are scale model perspective views and isometric views of a mechanical lift and dispensing bin assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention with the delivery door in a closed position and the dispensing floor in a lowered home position. 
         FIG. 4A  is an exploded view of the assembly of  FIGS. 3A-F . 
         FIGS. 4B-D  are enlargements of sections of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  is similar to  FIG. 3A  but shows the delivery door to a fully open position which actuates mechanical lifting of dispensing bin floor. 
         FIG. 6A  is similar to  FIG. 5  showing in perspective the apparatus of  FIG. 3A  in isolation with the delivery door in a closed vertical position and the bin floor in a lowered home position. 
         FIGS. 6B-H  are isometric views and sectional views showing different viewing orientations of that position. 
         FIG. 7A  is similar to  FIG. 6A  but shows the delivery door pivoted open to approximately 60%°-70%° from closed and showing how the bin floor would remain in lowered or home position over that range of motion. 
         FIGS. 7B-G  are similar views to  FIGS. 6B-G  but in this second position. 
         FIG. 8A  is similar to  FIG. 7A  but shows the delivery door moved further inwardly and upwardly to its fully opened position and showing how mechanical linkage would raise the bin floor in response. 
         FIGS. 8B-G  are isometric and sectional views of this position. 
         FIGS. 9A-F  are similar to  FIGS. 3A-F  but illustrate an alternative but similar embodiment of a delivery bin according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is similar to  FIG. 4A  but illustrates the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 9A-F  in exploded view. 
         FIG. 11  is similar to  FIG. 5  but shows the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 8  A-G with access door completely raised and bin floor proportionally raised. 
         FIGS. 12A-D  are similar to  FIGS. 6A, 6E, 6D, and 6H  respectively but relative to the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 9A-F . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Overview 
     For a better understanding of the invention, specific examples of forms it can take will now be described in detail. It is to be understood, however, that the invention can take many forms and embodiments and this example is neither inclusive nor exclusive of those forms. 
     This embodiment will be described in the context of a vending machine that is refrigerated and which has a plurality of vertically spaced trays  122  above an evaporator/condenser  128  at the bottom of cabinet  112  (see  FIGS. 1A-D  generally for basic components of a vending machine but in particular  FIGS. 2A-C  with respect to a similar vending machine but with an exemplary embodiment of the invention installed therein). Plural helical dispensers  124  dispense products down vertical drop space S to the location indicated at  108  in  FIG. 1A  (below a delivery door/access opening and below the lowest of dispensers). As is illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-C , the exemplary embodiment delivery bin assembly  108 ′ can be removably fixed in place on the glass front cabinet door bottom by screws, bolts, or other fastening means. It is to be understood it could also be mounted inside of cabinet  112  at an appropriate location. However, in this embodiment, its mounting on the door at the customer access door  118  makes its cooperation with movement of access door  118  less complex. Dispensed items  125  would drop down across any portion of the width of space S to bin  108 . A customer would have to push a delivery door to gain access. 
     It is to be understood, however, the invention can be applied to different types of vending machines/vertical drop dispensing systems. Likewise, it can be applied to all types of vending, dispensing, or analogous machines that dispense items in an analogous way. Examples would be non-food items which can include a variety of things like industrial tools, medical supplies, and other things such as are known in the industry. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, and as is well known to those persons, dispensing techniques such as those used in retail food/beverage/candy vending machines can also be applied to a wide variety of items such as the examples mentioned. The invention has the chance of applicability to any type of application that stores an inventory of items relative to at least one dispenser that a user can instruct to dispense (either one or plural) from that inventory. Therefore, the following description of possible embodiments is understood to be intended to apply to a variety of dispensing mechanisms and techniques as well as a variety of components to accomplish the same. Therefore, terms such as dispensing bin, delivery door, and their subcomponents are intended to convey examples that could be implemented with different form factors, materials, structures, or applications in analogous ways. 
     The prior art vending machine of  FIGS. 1A-D  shows a different way to lift a dispensing bin floor. Details are described in U.S. 2012/0277904. In contrast, the present invention differs in a number of ways including it is a mechanical lift instead of an electromechanical elevator as is U.S. 2012/0277904.  FIGS. 2A-C  illustrate the basic configuration of helical coil vending machines with vertical drop to a dispensing bin accessible through a customer-actuated delivery door. 
     It is also noted that the present invention will be described in the context of lifting a dispensing bin floor or the like. This can be used to assist compliance with ADA minimum vertical height rules. Those rules are publically available and discussed in U.S. 2012/0277904 and will not be repeated here. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be applied regardless of whether compliance with ADA is relevant or needed. As will be appreciated, the invention provides the capability of customer access to a dispensed item without lifting of the floor but allows the option of at least some lifting of the floor. 
       FIGS. 2A-C  show how this embodiment promotes effective and efficient space utilization. Bin assembly  108 ′ has a form factor and is made of materials engineered to maximize collection space or volume of the bin. As can be appreciated in  FIGS. 2A-C , bin assembly  108 ′ extends all across the width of the interior of cabinet  112  allowing it to have the best chance to capture any dispensed item from any level of dispensers through the height of the machine. This avoids any funnels or chutes that would occupy space and add costs and complexity. Effective space utilization also means that the height of the bin is specifically designed to accept a wide range of dispensed product sizes. This space utilization feature promotes handling of even larger dispensable items such as beverage bottles. Furthermore, by subtle and effective mechanical design, the mechanical pieces that effectuate the proportional but non-linear lifting of the bin floor are built-in along the vertical outside side walls of bin assembly  108 ′ and do not extend substantially beyond the exterior peripheral three-dimensional dimensions of the walls of bin assembly  108 ′. As such, interior volume of the bin is maximized. It further promotes the ability to retrofit or otherwise mount as original equipment mount the bin assembly  108 ′ into a variety of vending machines (sometimes with some scaling for specific machines). Furthermore, the mechanical solution is relatively economical, non-complex, and yet robust for cost, durability, and ease of maintenance benefits. Still further, as will be further demonstrated below, it can cooperate with or have added features such as a security baffle  28  and other enhancements, again with good space utilization and is economical and effective. 
     Apparatus 
       FIGS. 3A-E  and  4 A-D illustrate an exemplary embodiment according to one aspect of the invention. 
     The exemplary embodiment in  FIGS. 3A-F  includes a delivery box weldment or shell  8  having a base  81 , an open front, back wall  82  and opposite side walls  83 ,  84 . The sheet metal shell basically defines the interior space of a delivery box sized to be positioned such as is generally shown at  108  in  FIG. 1A . As indicated in  FIGS. 2A-C , the inventive non-linear lift option delivery bin will be generally referred to at reference numeral  108 ′. It can, of course, be scaled up or down according to need or desire. The back wall can be perforated to enhance air exchange and keep bin  8  cold. 
     With respect to  FIGS. 3A  and subparts, as well as  FIG. 4A  and subparts,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6A  and subparts,  FIG. 7A  and subparts, and  FIG. 8A  and subparts, Table 1 below itemizes a description of various parts of assembly  108 ′ and include some details regarding specific characteristics of such components. It is to be understood, however, that the precise nature of these components can vary according to need or desire. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ITEM NO. 
                 DESCRIPTION 
                 QTY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 DELIVERY DOOR FOAM ASSEMBLY/ 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 ALPINE 
                   
               
               
                 2 
                 SPRING HINGE 
                 1 
               
               
                 3 
                 DELIVERY DOOR ANTICHEAT 
                 1 
               
               
                 4 
                 HOLE PLUG, BPF-½ 
                 3 
               
               
                 5 
                 8-18 × ⅜″ PHIL PH TY-A BLACK 
                 11 
               
               
                 6 
                 ANTI-CHEAT LINKAGE STAKE-ALPINE 
                 1 
               
               
                 7 
                 ANTI-CHEAT LINKAGE STAKE-ALPINE 
                 1 
               
               
                 8 
                 DELIVERY BOX WELD-ALPINE 
                 1 
               
               
                 9 
                 SPACER BUSHING 
                 2 
               
               
                 10 
                 8-32 × ¼″ PHIL PH TYP 23 ZN 
                 9 
               
               
                 11 
                 SNAP-IN NYLON BEARING 
                 2 
               
               
                 12 
                 8-32 × ¾ PHIL PH MS 
                 2 
               
               
                 13 
                 8-18 × ⅜ PHIL PH TY-A/BLK 
                 14 
               
               
                 14 
                 SPRING-CONSTANT FORCE 
                 2 
               
               
                 15 
                 BUMPER 
                 4 
               
               
                 16 
                 #8 HEX NYLOCK NUT 
                 1 
               
               
                 17 
                 DELIVERY SENSOR 
                 1 
               
               
                 18 
                 D-GASKET 
                 1 
               
               
                 19 
                 SNAP RIVET 
                 9 
               
               
                 20 
                 TUBULAR SPACER 
                 2 
               
               
                 21 
                 ROLLER SLIDE 
                 2 
               
               
                 22 
                 STANDOFF 
                 8 
               
               
                 23 
                 FLOOR SPRING HOLDER STAKE 
                 2 
               
               
                 24 
                 ARROW CLIP (∅ 625 × .100) 
                 12 
               
               
                 25 
                 FLANGE BEARING - ∅ 5/16″ 
                 6 
               
               
                 26 
                 ID.171 × OD.312 × 250 L SPACER 
                 6 
               
               
                 27 
                 ID.171 × OD.312 × 500 L SPACER 
                 2 
               
               
                 28 
                 DELIVERY ANTI-CHEAT BACK 
                 1 
               
               
                 29 
                 DELIVERY SHAFT ALPINE-5W 
                 1 
               
               
                 30 
                 DOOR-LIFT FLOOR LINK 
                 1 
               
               
                 31 
                 DOOR-LIFT FLOOR LINK 
                 1 
               
               
                 32 
                 FLOOR LIFT BRACKET 
                 2 
               
               
                 33 
                 IVEND HARNESS COVER-ALPINE 
                 1 
               
               
                 34 
                 LIFT FLOOR - ALPINE 
                 1 
               
               
                 35 
                 LIFT FLOOR ROD - ∅ 3/16″ 
                 2 
               
               
                 36 
                 LINK FLOOR LIFT 
                 2 
               
               
                 37 
                 PLASTIC FLOOR BASE 
                 1 
               
               
                 38 
                 DOOR OPENING ANTICHEAT-ALPINE 
                 1 
               
               
                 39 
                 ⅜ × 3/16 CLAMP 
                 3 
               
               
                 40 
                  5/16 ID FLAT WASHER 
                 2 
               
               
                 41 
                 WASHER 
                 14 
               
               
                 42 
                 8-32 HEX NUT W/ETW 
                 9 
               
               
                 43 
                 #8 FLAT WASHER 
                 2 
               
               
                 44 
                 RETAINING RING - 3/16 
                 4 
               
               
                 45 
                 E-RING 
                 2 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The open top to box  8  would be positioned under the lower edge of an access opening to cabinet  112 . Delivery door  3  is mounted to the inside of front door  116  of cabinet  112  just below the access opening by a spring hinge  2 . Spring hinge  2  in this version is basically a piano-type hinge with one or more springs that constantly bias delivery door  3  to a closed position against and around the back side of the access opening. A complete seal of that opening is desired with a refrigerated vending machine. Gaskets such as gasket  18 ′ and a foam thermally-insulated cover  1  over delivery door  3 , along with a spring hinge  2 , promote this. 
     Delivery door  3  also serves as an anti-cheat component. It can be made of metal. Outwardly extending pins along its lower edge extend into curved slots  86  on opposite side walls  83 ,  84  of box  8 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , slots  86  have a lower end commensurate with where the lower edge of delivery door  3  would be in a closed position. Upper ends of slots  86  guide and provide an upper limit to opening of door  3  (approximately 54° from vertical) (see  FIG. 6H ). Thus, access door with thermally-insulating foam cover  1  pivots around spring hinge  2  from a vertical closed position shown in  FIG. 3A  to a fully pivoted back 54° opening shown in  FIG. 5  by pins traveling in slots  86 . A user can manually push on foam cover  1  to commence such opening. 
     False floor  34  (here aluminum) is covered by a plastic floor base  37  (curved around its longitudinal access in a concave shape) (see  FIG. 3F ). As mentioned, lift floor  34  has a pair of outwardly extending pins from each opposite side that are journaled in vertical slot pairs  85  on each opposite box side  83 ,  84 . In this manner, lift floor  34  is constrained to vertical movement commensurate with the vertical height of slots  85 . 
     Plastic floor base  37  is curved in that manner to promote elongated vended items to fall down so that they end up in as low a profile as possible on floor base  37 . This tries to ensure that elongated items such as bottles would not land on their base and have their head extend vertically. This could make it more difficult to extract. As can further be appreciated, it may conflict with the opening of door  3 . The plastic material and its configuration relative to the underlying lift floor  34  also provides some cushioning or impact absorption. Other floor shapes, form factors, and materials are possible. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-D  (an exploded view of the assembly), lift floor rods  35  are mounted through side flanges in lift floor  34  to provide structural robustness and function as the pins that move in slots  85 . 
     As indicated in the drawings, lift floor  34  covers essentially the horizontal cross-section of bin  8 . Plastic floor base  37  can be made of molded plastic. In this embodiment, the length of slots  85  are approximately 4-6 inches such that the range of possible movement from the lower-most home position to a fully raised portion is in the approximately 5 inch range for a typical sized vending machine shown in  FIGS. 1A-D . Of course, different distances are possible according to need or desire. But as an example, if home position of floor  34  were approximately 10 inches from the floor or ground when bin  8  is installed in vending machine  110 , the 5 inch lifting range would bring the floor to the minimum ADA 15 inch standard. 
     Door lift floor links  30 , pivotally connected on the outside of each of left and right sides  83 ,  84  of box  8  at pivot axis PA 30  ( FIG. 3C ), have an upper arm  302  which operatively connects to and responds to opening of delivery door  3  in certain circumstances. Lower arms  306  are operatively connected via floor lift links  36 . When upper arms  302  respond to opening movement of door  3 , links  30  pivot around PA 30  and pull lift floor  34  upwardly. 
     A major feature of this embodiment is that partial opening of door  3  over a first sub-range of approximately 34° of the possible 54° does not move lift floor  34 . Further opening of door  3  after the initial 34° commences lifting. Over that last 20°, links  30  would pivot, lower arms  306  would pull lift floor links  36  upwardly, and lift floor  34  would proportionally raise. 
     This is accomplished as follows. 
     Roller slides  21 , similar to drawer slides, would be vertically positioned between slots  85  on opposite side walls  83 ,  84  of delivery box weld  8  as shown. One-half of each roller slide would be fixed in position on those side walls. The extendible half (outer half) would be connected to floor lift bracket  32  (an inverted T-shaped member). The lateral arms of T-shaped floor lift bracket  32  would be connected to the lift floor rods  35  that move in vertical slots  85 . The lower end of lift floor link  36  would be pivotally attached to floor lift bracket  32 . Therefore, any vertical movement of lift floor link  36  would result in smooth roller slide assisted vertical movement of lift floor  34 . 
     The delay, so to speak, of lifting to lift floor  34  during the first 34° of delivery door opening is the result of commensurately curved slots  303  in upper arms  302  of door lift floor links  30  (see  FIG. 3C ). In a home position, slots  303  are aligned with slots  86  in box weld  80  (see  FIG. 3C ). The outwardly extending pins from the lower edge of delivery door  3  extend through both sets of slots. This is illustrated in  FIGS. 6A, 7A, and 8A  and their subparts. Floor lift floor links  30  thus remain in home position until the pins from the lower edge of delivery door  3  hit enlarged slot ends  307  in the top arms  302  of door lift floor links  30  (see  FIG. 3C ). At that point (commensurate with around 34°), further opening of door  3  starts to pivot links  30  upwardly. Lower arms  306  of links  30  then pull up on floor links  36 . This pulls floor lift brackets  32  upwardly. Because brackets  32  are connected to lift floor rods  35 , vertical slots  85  constrain that movement to vertical movement. Thus, the lift floor  34  would move proportionally vertically upward with further opening of door  3 . Indent profile  307  serves to significantly delay and dampen the unassisted closure of door  1  from the fully open position. This delay allows the user to extract hand and item without fear of being trapped or injured by the closing door. This delay can be accentuated by the addition of spring  201 . 
     Lowering of floor  34  would also be proportional to closing of door  3 . However, when door  3  is lowered back to the approximately 34° from vertical position, floor  34  would be home position and stop moving. Pins on the lower end of door  3  would thus freely travel in aligned arm slots  303  and weld slots  86  and allow door  3  back to closed position. 
     It can therefore be seen that this embodiment provides a mechanical combination allowing a user to partially open delivery door  3  without lift floor  34  raising but then continue opening would cause a lifting. 
     Several features enhance that action. 
     For example, spring hinge  2  has been described as biasing door  3  to a closed position. As illustrated at the exploded view of  FIGS. 4A-D  and shown attached at  FIG. 5 , constant force springs  14  could be connected between floor lift brackets  32  and spaced apart floor spring holder stakes  23  on box  8 . Those springs can be selected to assist the lifting of lift floor  34 . When floor  34  is up or at a fully lifted position, springs  14  are at or near relaxed state and do not exert significant forces. But when floor  34  is in down or home position, springs  12  unwind from the relaxed state and exert upward bias on floor  34 . As constant force springs, this would be a relatively constant force throughout the range of vertical movement. Springs  12  would not exert enough upward force to automatically raise floor  34  when in home position with no dispensed items (the mass of the components associated with lift floor  34  would not be overcome by the springs upward biasing forces). But they would assist in raising floor  34  with or without dispensed items once sufficient manual force on door  3  is exerted by the customer. In this example, such springs could add perhaps several pounds (e.g.  2  to  5 ) of force. This could be beneficial in meeting ADA requirements. The designer can select the same. Other forms of lift assists are possible. For example, different ways to assist/reduce force needed to move the components described above are possible. One example is placement of counter weights, such as on the dispenser floor, to help facilitate its return to a lower-most or home position after the dispensed item has been removed or the user decides to return the door to home position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , bumpers  308  and  309  can be installed along opposite side walls  83  and  84 . They could cooperate with flanges  304  and  305  on upper arm  302  of link  30 . Essentially it could act as a mechanical stop or rest when floor  34  is in home position (see flange  304  and bumper  308 ). Similarly, they can act as a mechanical stop when door  3  approaches its fully opened position (see flange  305  and bumper  309 ). 
     The configuration and geometry of links  30 , slots  303  and  86 , link arms  36  are coordinated with the size and movement of door  3 . It is to be appreciated, however, by those skilled in the art, that obvious variations to these specifics are possible depending on need or desire. Also, a range of possible variations of coordination of the components is possible according to need or desire. The designer would take into consideration the factors felt necessary for an application towards one or more of the aspects of the discussed combination. 
     Another potential feature can be coordinated with opening of door  3 . As mentioned, door  3  provides a partial anti-cheat component against someone trying to reach a hand or tool up towards dispensers  122 . When door  3  is in fully open position such as  FIG. 5 , it covers a substantial amount of the horizontal plane at or near the top of box  8 . But it does not cover that whole plane. A rear anti-cheat plate  28  is fixed to a shaft  29  along its top edge. Shaft  29  has a square cross-section along most of its length except for around opposite ends. The round ends would be journaled at opposite sides of box  8  to define a pivot axis PA 28  along or near the back top of box  8 . Anti-cheat linkage stakes  7 , having a longer portion and a shorter portion pivotally connected at adjacent ends, would attach at front ends along the sides of dispensing door  3  (a distance below spring hinge  2 ). The rear ends of anti-cheat stakes  7  would have square openings that would matingly slide over the square cross-section of shaft  29 . When installed, rear anti-cheat plate  28  would basically hang vertically when door  3  is in closed position. However, when door  3  is started to open, including during its first 34° of opening, stakes  7  would start to move backwards and then at some point cause rotation of shaft  29 . The more door  3  is open, the more plate  28  would pivot forwardly and upwardly to meet and slightly overlap door  3 . This would provide a more complete covering of the horizontal cross-section at the top of the box for anti-cheat purposes. 
       FIGS. 4A-D  and  3 A also show a delivery door opening anti-cheat  38  could be mounted along the lower edge of the access opening and be made of a robust material such as metal. 
     Still further, a delivery sensor subsystem could be mounted to box  8 . In this example, an optical sensor system including sensor array  17  at opposite sides  83  and  84  of box  8  at its top could sense and report if an item passes into box  8 . An example is the I-Vend® system available from Fawn Engineering, Des Moines, Iowa USA. This is an example of an added optional feature that can enhance another aspect of this invention. As can be appreciated, the assembly of  FIGS. 3A-5  is fairly compact and basically self-contained. All of the features of door opening that can selectively control bin floor lifting as well as back anti-cheat pivoting are relatively non-complex even though the movement relationship facilitated by these components is subtle and complex. The dispensing sensor can be preassembled. Thus, a feature is this entire combination can be retrofitted into an existing machine to take advantage of these features without any or much additional structure or components. On the other hand, this can be original equipment to the vending or dispensing apparatus. As can further be appreciated, the entire assembly is fairly lightweight. Some of the materials enhance this. An aluminum lift floor  34  and plastic floor base  37  promote this. For those components, lighter weight means less lifting force needed. Appropriate plastics can also be used for some of the components depending on application which may reduce cost and weight. Additionally, as discussed previously, space utilization is a part of the embodiment shown in the drawings. The components that facilitate the non-linear bin floor lifting are built into the sides of the delivery bin. As such, they do not add much to the volume defined by the delivery bin. This allows the entire assembly to be beneficially applied to a wider range of dispensed item sizes because more space can be used for the bin. As can be appreciated, if the function of the bin floor lift is desired, and if a relatively large sized item is vended, it may end up supported on the bin floor on its base. In the case of a beverage bottle, when the floor lifts, the top of the dispensed item could block the complete opening of the access door. Thus, this embodiment promotes more space in the bin to accommodate larger vended or dispensed items that will work and allow complete door opening than if the bottom to top distance in the bin were more limited. The form factor of this embodiment also provides flexibility for retrofitting into existing machines. In other words, if the general bin size is similar to those in existing vending machines, a bin with the lift assist according to this embodiment can be more easily swapped into an existing machine. Still further, the mechanical solution of the embodiment does not require interconnection with motors, drive trains, or the like, which could occupy space or make it more difficult to install or design into machines. 
     As can be appreciated from  FIGS. 4A-D  and other drawings, various spacers, bumpers, bearings, and the like can be utilized to enhance or promote long and accurate operation. 
     Operation 
     To further illustrate the cooperation of components for mechanical door opening and its commensurate functions,  FIGS. 6A-H ,  FIGS. 7A-G  and  FIGS. 8A-G  are presented. 
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective of the assembly in normal or home position. Door  3  is closed, lift floor  34  is in bottom or home position, and back anti-cheat is vertical or close thereto (open).  FIGS. 6B-H  show various views of those components in those positions as well as the mechanical connections and relationships between them. In particular,  FIGS. 6D and 6H  provide added dimensional and angle information for this particular size and configured example. 
       FIG. 7A  is a perspective of door  3  opened to what will be called the transition point (approximately 34°) when pins extending from its lower edge move to the enlarged end portions  307  of slots  303  and upper arms  302  of door lift floor links  30 . In essence, links  30  remain in the same position as in  FIGS. 6A-6H . Thus, floor  34  remains in home position over any of that range of motion of door  3 . 
     Then,  FIG. 8A  is a perspective of door  3  all the way in its fully up position (approximately 20 additional degrees or 54° from vertical). It and its subparts  8 B-G illustrate how the links  30  pivot and then pull or lift floor  34  towards the top of its vertical range of motion. It is to be understood that by selection of the geometry of the components and slots, the relationship of pivoting movement of door  3  versus the amount of lifting of floor  34  can be engineered. But an important feature is that the relationships allow a partial opening of door  3  without lifting of floor  34 . The user can select whether or not to continue opening and then lift floor  34 . 
     A subtle feature of the invention is that when during that first opening 34° of door  3 , there is no lifting and thus the user only feels the weight and the closing bias of door spring  2 . But the user can see at least partially into bin  8  and/or reach into bin  8  all the way down to floor  34  if needed. Sometimes that is all that is needed to retrieve a dispensed item. This can be done with one hand by the user&#39;s back of the hand pushing on door  34  and then reaching further in and retracting the item. Optionally lighting could supply additional visual assistance. 
     However, when the user opens the door to at or near 34° from vertical, the linkage connection of door to floor kicks in. The customer senses tactilely the increased resistance because the weight of floor  34  (and potential weight of dispensed product) is now a factor. This gives the customer a tactile feel of the transition point. It provides the ability for an intuitive understanding that there is a difference and that it involves an additional mass. Either with that tactile feedback and/or vision of at least a portion of lift floor  34 , the customer can quickly associate that additional resistance to lifting of the bin floor. As can be appreciated, a user can intuitively and easily understand how the lift assist can benefit the user. Single hand operation (which can be supplemented by mechanical means) and the non-linear movement allows a customer or user to first begin opening of the access door to first identify if the item has been vended and where it is in the bin. This can be done many times with just a slight opening of the door even though the bin floor is in its lower-most position. With the mechanical action, the force needed to open the access door that initial amount is small. The user can attempt to grab the dispensed item and remove it, with one hand, without further opening of the access door. Again, two hands are not required, which can be important for the user experience. However, the non-linear movement would provide tactile feedback to the user when the access door is opened to the point that bin floor lifting commences. The user simply feels more resistance at the point the floor starts to lift. As can be understood, this point in access door opening effectively can be feedback to the user that if the user sees the item and can grab it and remove it, that is all that is required. But, the user, whether by desire or need, can with a single hand or arm, sense that point and use his/her strength to continue opening of the access door. Again, tactile feedback informs the user that something else is now happening. That something else is easily perceived, if not by intuition then by sight, that the bin floor moves proportionally with further door opening. By trial and error, the user can immediately feel that the floor can be further raised or lowered by single-handed operation of the access door. The customer experience, as well as this added lift feature, subtly provide benefits for the user. As mentioned, one particle benefit can be relative the ADA. Both for machine owner operator and user, it provides an easy, intuitive way for a user to lift a dispensed item, under their control, to the minimum ADA height. But benefits in other contexts apply as well. 
     Thus, that understanding allows the customer to decide whether or not the item can be retrieved without further opening of the door and lifting of the floor or it can prompt the customer to continue door opening to get the floor closer to the access opening. The customer can decide whether or not that is needed. 
     In either case, once the customer does not need access to the bin, the customer can release door  3 . Constant force springs  14  would dampen any closing motion and thus any slamming of either door or floor back to closed and home positions. Spring hinge  2 , however, and the mass of floor  34  would promote full closing and sealing of door  3  around its access opening (for insulation purposes). 
     It can therefore be seen that the subtle cooperation of the components provides for these features. It can therefore be seen that a designer can balance competing factors and produce beneficial results according to objects of the invention. 
     Options and Alternatives 
     It will be appreciated that the above described exemplary embodiment is but one form the invention can take. Variations obvious to those skilled in the art will be included within the invention. 
     As a few examples, the 54° total door opening range and the 34°/20° split between no floor lift and floor lift can be varied according to need or desire. Likewise the exemplary embodiment is indicated as having a floor lift of 4.125 inches. That also can be adjusted according to need or desire. 
     As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the specific materials, form factors, scale and applications can vary while utilizing the invention. 
     Another example is optional features that relate to the particular application. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4A-D , back wall  82  of the dispensing bin could be at least partially perforated for air exchange, especially if the machine is refrigerated. Additionally, delivery door cover  1  can be thermally insulated and the opening to which it closes could include sealing mechanisms, again particularly beneficial if a machine is refrigerated. 
     Still further, such features as the concave plastic floor base  37  are not required. The system with the delayed floor lift could be applied without that feature if desired. 
     The foregoing are but a few examples of some variations possible. 
     Some specific examples of options and alternatives are illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-F ,  10 A,  11 , and  12 A-D. Those figures illustrate an alternative embodiment to that of  FIGS. 3-8  and any subparts. For example, it will be noticed that the assembly  108 ″ in these drawings is similar to assembly  108 ′. Some differences in the specific parts include the following. Some of the parts can be made of different materials than embodiment 108′. For example, certain parts can be made of plastic instead of metal. One example, is illustrated at  FIGS. 9-12  and subparts. Linkage arm  30  could be made of two pieces ( 30 A and  30 B). It would have the same function as link  30  of  FIGS. 3-8  and subparts but could be made of two pieces that are riveted, screwed, or otherwise rigidly fastened together. This could allow one piece to be made of one material and the other of a different material. One example would be piece  30 A of metal and piece  30 B of plastic. The reverse could be true. This could save cost and weight. 
     Note also in  FIGS. 9-12  and subparts that material costs can be reduced by judicious removal of material where not structurally needed. An example would be the void shown in piece  30 B of  FIGS. 9-12  and subparts. Another example is illustrated with openings in the bottom floor of the bin frame as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     Another example is form factor of some of the parts. The same non-linear proportional mechanical lifting of bin floor  34  can be achieved through pushing door  1 . As indicated in  FIGS. 9-12  and subparts, the linkage components  30  and  36 , as well as slides  32  are similar with small variances. 
     Table 2 below lists one example of the components of the exploded view of  FIG. 10 . It is to be understood, of course, that variations are possible. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ITEM NO.  
                 DESCRIPTION 
                 QTY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 DELIVERY DOOR FOAM ASSY ALPINE- 3W 
                 1 
               
               
                 2 
                 8-32 × ⅜ PHIL PH TYP 23 
                 11 
               
               
                 3 
                 HINGED SCREW COVER 
                 6 
               
               
                 4 
                 SPRING HINGE 
                 1 
               
               
                 5 
                 DEL DOOR ANTI-CHEAT/EXTRUSION 
                 1 
               
               
                 6 
                 DEL DOOR SIDE BRACKET STAKE ASSY/RH 
                 1 
               
               
                 7 
                 DEL DOOR SIDE BRACKET STAKE ASSY/LH 
                 1 
               
               
                 8 
                 8-32 × ⅜″ PHIL UNDERCUT FH TYP 23 ZN 
                 4 
               
               
                 9 
                 DELIVERY WRAPPER SIDE WELD/ALPINE 
                 1 
               
               
                 10 
                 DELIVERY LIFT LINK ASSY/RH 
                 1 
               
               
                 11 
                 SLIDE &amp; FLOOR LIFT BRACKET WELD 
                 2 
               
               
                 12 
                 8-32 × ¼″ PHIL PH TYP 23 ZN 
                 9 
               
               
                 13 
                 BUMPER 
                 2 
               
               
                 14 
                 #8 HEX NYLOCK NUT 
                 16 
               
               
                 15 
                 FLOOR SPRING HOLDER STAKE ASSY 
                 2 
               
               
                 16 
                 FLANGE BEARING-05/16″ 
                 2 
               
               
                 17 
                 LINK FLOOR LIFT STAKE ASSY 
                 2 
               
               
                 18 
                 ID.166 × 0D.312 × .250 L SPACER 
                 6 
               
               
                 19 
                 WASHER .6250D × .175ID × .062 
                 12 
               
               
                 20 
                 8-32 HEX NUT W/ETW 
                 15 
               
               
                 21 
                 DELIVERY WRAPPER SIDE WELD/ALPINE 
                 1 
               
               
                 22 
                 DELIVERY LIFT LINK ASSY-LH 
                 1 
               
               
                 23 
                 ANTI-CHEAT LINKAGE STAKE-ALPINE 
                 1 
               
               
                 24 
                 ANTI-CHEAT LINKAGE STAKE-ALPINE 
                 1 
               
               
                 25 
                 DELIVERY SHAFT ALPINE-5W 
                 1 
               
               
                 26 
                 DELIVERY ANTI-CHEAT BACK/3W 
                 1 
               
               
                 27 
                 SNAP-IN NYLON BEARING 
                 2 
               
               
                 28 
                 SPACER BUSHING 
                 2 
               
               
                 29 
                 8-18 × ⅜ PHIL PH TY-A/BLK 
                 21 
               
               
                 30 
                 DELIVERY SENSOR 
                 1 
               
               
                 31 
                 D-GASKET 
                 1 
               
               
                 32 
                 SNAP RIVET 
                 8 
               
               
                 33 
                 SNAP RIVET 
                 4 
               
               
                 34 
                 STANDOFF- 5/16″ 
                 8 
               
               
                 35 
                 ARROW CLIP (0.625 × .100) 
                 4 
               
               
                 36 
                 IVEND HARNESS COVER-ALPINE 
                 1 
               
               
                 37 
                 LIFT FLOOR ROD-03/16″ 
                 2 
               
               
                 38 
                 DOOR OPENING ANTICHEAT-ALPINE 
                 1 
               
               
                 39 
                 ID.166 × OD.312 × .625 L SPACER 
                 2 
               
               
                 40 
                 DELIVERY WRAPPER BACK/ALPINE/3w 
                 1 
               
               
                 41 
                 8-32/X1 ¼″ PH PH MS ZN 
                 2 
               
               
                 42 
                 DELIVERY BOX FLOOR/ALPINE 
                 1 
               
               
                 43 
                 CF SPRING &amp; SPOOL ASSEMBLY 
                 2 
               
               
                 44 
                 I-VEND SENSOR LENS/ALPINE 
                 2 
               
               
                 45 
                 IVEND METAL COVER 
                 2 
               
               
                 46 
                 CF SPRING COVER 
                 2 
               
               
                 47 
                 COUNTERBALANCE-FLOOR WT/3W 
                 1 
               
               
                 48 
                 ⅜ × 3/16 CLAMP 
                 3 
               
               
                 49 
                  5/16 ID FLAT WASHER 
                 2 
               
               
                 50 
                 #8 FLAT WASHER 
                 2 
               
               
                 51 
                 RETAINING RING - 3/16″ 
                 4 
               
               
                 52 
                 E-RING 
                 2 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     By further example of options and alternatives,  FIGS. 12A-B  show one optional feature. A lift-assist spring  201  can be connected between the elbow of linkage member  30  and sidewall  84  of the delivery box of frame  8 . It can be selected to be in tension (stretched) when door  1  and lift floor  34  are in the home position (closed and down). That tension can be selected to help a user push open door  1  and, if opening proceeds to that point, assists lifting floor  34 . One example of a spring force could be one to five pounds. This might be effectuated with just one spring  201  on one side or it could be effectuated by a combination of a pair of springs, one on each side of bin  108 ″. This could be applied, as well, to bin  108 ′. This would help a customer or user open the access door and raise the bin floor if it gets to that point. It could make it easier on the user or smoother on the user for a better user experience. 
     Another optional feature comprises adding a counterbalance  202  to lift floor  34 . Essentially it is an added element that presents additional mass to the lift floor. It could be selected according to need or desire to help gravity move floor  34  back to a home position once the user backs off of force on door  1 . 
     It is to be appreciated that embodiment 108″ includes features of and operates substantially similarly to bin assembly  108 ′ as previously described. It is further mentioned that, as roughly indicated in  FIG. 12A , the form factor or size of delivery bin  108 ′ or  108 ″ could vary. As can be appreciated, for any of a variety of applications, it would not need to span an entire width of a vending machine. Products could be funneled to it or otherwise directed thereto. Or, for different types of dispensing machines different than a full size glass front multiple dispenser machine such as in  FIGS. 1A-D  and  2 A-C, a delivery bin  108 ′ or  108 ″ of less width can have the built in non-linear proportional floor lift linkage and any of the other features described herein. Of course, it could also have a wider width than  FIGS. 2A-C .