Patent ID: 7264138

Claim:
A vending machine comprising: a product storage area: a dispensing chamber in communication with the product storage area, said dispensing chamber including a product access opening for removal of products transferred to the dispensing chamber from a product storage area; a delivery door having an upper portion and a lower portion, with the upper portion being pivotally mounted adjacent the product access opening such that said delivery door is shiftable between a closed position, wherein the delivery door substantially covers the product access opening, and an open position, wherein products can be readily accessed and removed from the dispensing chamber; and an anti-pilfer plate having a first edge, the first edge pivotally mounted to the lower portion of the delivery door, said anti-pilfer plate being shiftable from a first position, wherein the anti-pilfer plate enables free passage of products from the product storage area to the dispensing chamber when the delivery door is in the closed position, to a second position, wherein passage of products from the product storage area to the dispensing chamber is prevented when the delivery door is shifted from the closed position.