Product delivery and discharge system for a vending machine
US8469230B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 5, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F11/1653
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A vending machine includes a cabinet having a product storage zone and a product delivery mechanism that transports a selected product to a consumer. The vending machine includes a door assembly pivotally mounted relative to the cabinet for selectively providing access to the product storage zone. The door assembly includes an outer, exposed surface and an inner surface that are spaced to define an inner door zone including a vertical drop zone that terminates in a delivery area. A portal is formed in the inner surface of the door assembly and leads from the product storage zone into the door zone. A discharge element is provided on the inner surface of the door assembly and cooperates with the product delivery mechanism to dispense the selected product through the portal as the product delivery mechanism moves past the portal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.