Patent ID: 6902084

Claim:
A container dispensing machine for storing and dispensing containers longitudinally, where each container has a base and a top, said top being smaller than said base, said dispensing machine comprising a plurality of vertical guides arranged in at least one set, said vertical guides being sized so that a plurality of containers can fit within each of said guides longitudinally with said base being located beneath said top, two abutments rotatably mounted in a plane substantially normal to a longitudinal centre axis of said at least one set, an actuator connected to rotate said two abutments by part of one turn in said plane for each activation, each of said two abutments having a cutaway portion, said two abutments being an upper abutment and a lower abutment, said abutments being oriented so that the cutaway portion of said upper abutment is vertically offset from the cutaway portion of said lower abutment by at least the distance that said two abutments rotate in one activation, said abutments rotating about said longitudinal centre axis of said at least one set, said upper abutments being sized to rotate without damaging containers on said lower abutment, said abutments being vertically separated by less than a height of one container, said vertical guides having an opening therein corresponding to a level of said upper abutment to allow said upper abutment to pass through said guide means, said dispensing machine having an outlet for any containers that pass said lower abutment.