Product transport system for a vending machine
US7837058B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F11/1653
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A product delivery system for a vending machine includes first and second guide rails and a carriage rail. The guide rails are fixedly mounted in the vending machine spaced from and parallel to each other and extend along respective first and second axes. The carriage rail extends along a third axis and includes first and second ends that are slidably connected to the respective ones of the first and second guide rails. A carrier member is slidably mounted to the carriage rail for movement along the third axis. A first drive belt is coupled to the carriage rail and a first drive motor to selectively shift the carrier member along the third axis. A second drive belt, extending in multiple axes, is connected to each of the first and second ends of the carriage rail and a second drive motor. The second drive motor selectively shifts the carriage rail along the first and second axes upon driving the second drive belt.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.