Transparent front vending machine

US6286715A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• THE COCA-COLA COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Lawrence B. Ziesel · Woodstock, US
• John S. Miller · Canby, US
• Michael C. Mayne · Conyers, US
• Daniel J. Bowen · Aiken, US
• John Wiley Jasmin · Aiken, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 15, 2000
• Grant date: Sep 11, 2001
• Expiry date: May 15, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07F11/26
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A vending machine for increasing consumer interest in the vending process and vended product includes a tipping mechanism. The tipping mechanism is positioned at a first end of a shelf, and modifies the orientation of an article being delivered from the shelf to a conveyor. The tipping mechanism causes the article to be tipped from an upright orientation to a perpendicular, lateral orientation. The tipping mechanism includes a ramp supported by the shelf, a spacer that provides the ramp with an incline from the shelf, and a product rotator extending from the shelf toward the conveyor. The conveyor then delivers the article to a vend port, where it is dispensed in the upright position. The conveyor may be mounted on internal elevator that carries the conveyor between one or more shelves and the vend port. A transparent window is provided on the face of the vending machine whereby a consumer can view the dispensing operations.