Modular vending machine
US5651476A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F11/10
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A modular vending machine for dispensing a variety of different sized products with at least one array received within a cabinet, wherein the array is made up of a plurality of storage chambers with a dispensing mechanism disposed at the bottom of each chamber. The cabinet can receive any number of arrays which in turn can receive any number of storage chambers. The modular vending machine further includes a sensing device received within a receiving trough for confirming that a product has actually been dispensed. The dispensing mechanism includes a solenoid actuated plunger wherein the plunger controls the movement of a toggle member which is movable between a blocking position and a dispensing position so that only a single product is dispensed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.