Patent ID: 8267491

Claim:
Apparatus comprising: a vending machine compartment comprising a dispensing door openable to permit removal of merchandise from said compartment, said compartment being pivotedly connected to a box assembly, and wherein said dispensing door comprises a link element that is constrained to move along a track formed in said box assembly such that said dispensing door is not openable at a first portion of said track and is openable at a second portion of said track; a stopper positioned relative to said compartment, such that said stopper is deployed to a stop position that prevents closing said compartment unless merchandise has been removed from said compartment; and further comprising a refill actuation assembly coupled to said stopper with a link arm, said link arm having a first position that retains said stopper in said stop position and a second position that releases said stopper from said stop position to permit closing and opening said compartment for refilling said compartment.