PRODUCT DISPENSING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A dispensing system comprising a track, a pusher in sliding engagement with the track, at least one pusher spring that urges the pusher toward a front of the track, at least one brake, a dispensing ram, at least one dispensing ram spring, a resistance mechanism, an access mechanism coupled to the dispensing ram, and a blocker mechanism coupled to the access mechanism,wherein the dispensing system is capable of moving between a first configuration and a second configuration,wherein, when the dispensing system is in the first configuration:
- (a) the at least one brake is in a first orientation that does not limit the forward movement of the pusher;
(b) the dispensing ram is in an original position toward a rear of the track and does not engage the at least one brake;
(c) the access mechanism is in a closed position that restricts access to product stored within the dispensing system, and(d) the blocker mechanism is in a first orientation that does not restrict access to the track, andwherein, when the dispensing system is in the second configuration;
(a) the at least one brake is in a second orientation and is engaged with the pusher to stop forward movement of the pusher;
(b) the dispensing ram is in a forward position toward a front of the track and engages the at least one brake to urge the at least one brake into its second orientation;
(c) the access mechanism is in a vending position that allows access to at least some of the product stored within the dispensing system; and
(d) the blocker mechanism is in a second orientation that restricts access to the track, andwherein, as the system moves from the second configuration to the first configuration, the at least one dispensing ram spring urges the dispensing ram from its forward position to its original position and the resistance mechanism slows the speed at which the dispensing ram moves from its forward position to its original position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Dispensing systems and methods are disclosed that provide controlled advancement of product and provide controlled access to product stored within the system. Embodiments include a product pushing device having a track and a pusher that urges product stored on the track forward. Certain embodiments include mechanisms to limit the forward progression of the pusher along the track, such as a brake mechanism, and certain embodiments include mechanisms to block access to product located on the track. Some embodiments include mechanisms for providing a time delay in between the vending of products.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A dispensing system comprising a track, a pusher in sliding engagement with the track, at least one pusher spring that urges the pusher toward a front of the track, at least one brake, a dispensing ram, at least one dispensing ram spring, a resistance mechanism, an access mechanism coupled to the dispensing ram, and a blocker mechanism coupled to the access mechanism,
wherein the dispensing system is capable of moving between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein, when the dispensing system is in the first configuration: -
(a) the at least one brake is in a first orientation that does not limit the forward movement of the pusher; (b) the dispensing ram is in an original position toward a rear of the track and does not engage the at least one brake; (c) the access mechanism is in a closed position that restricts access to product stored within the dispensing system, and (d) the blocker mechanism is in a first orientation that does not restrict access to the track, and wherein, when the dispensing system is in the second configuration; (a) the at least one brake is in a second orientation and is engaged with the pusher to stop forward movement of the pusher; (b) the dispensing ram is in a forward position toward a front of the track and engages the at least one brake to urge the at least one brake into its second orientation; (c) the access mechanism is in a vending position that allows access to at least some of the product stored within the dispensing system; and (d) the blocker mechanism is in a second orientation that restricts access to the track, and wherein, as the system moves from the second configuration to the first configuration, the at least one dispensing ram spring urges the dispensing ram from its forward position to its original position and the resistance mechanism slows the speed at which the dispensing ram moves from its forward position to its original position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A dispensing system for controlled vending of a product comprising:
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(a) a product pushing device comprising a track, a pusher that is slidably engaged with the track, and at least one pusher spring that urges the pusher toward a front of the track; (b) at least one brake coupled to the track, the at least one brake having a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein, when in the second orientation, the at least one brake engages with the pusher to stop movement of the pusher; (c) a dispensing ram coupled to the track, the dispensing ram having an original position and a forward position, wherein, when in moving from the original position to the forward position, the dispensing ram moves the at least one brake from its first orientation to its second orientation; (d) an access mechanism coupled to the dispensing ram, the access mechanism having a closed position and a vending position, wherein, when in moving from the closed position to the vending position, the access mechanism moves the dispensing ram from its original position to its forward position; and (e) a blocker mechanism coupled to the access mechanism, the blocker mechanism having a first orientation and a second orientation, the second orientation blocking access to product stored on the track, wherein the blocker mechanism is in the first orientation when the access mechanism is in the closed position and wherein the blocker mechanism is in the second orientation when the access mechanism is in the vending position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A dispensing system for controlled vending of a product comprising:
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(a) a product pushing device comprising a track, a pusher that is slidably engaged with the track, and at least one pusher spring that urges the pusher toward a front of the track; (b) at least one brake coupled to the track, the at least one brake comprising at least one of a male or female feature and the at least one brake having a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein, when in the second orientation, the at least one brake engages the pusher to stop movement of the pusher; (c) a dispensing ram coupled to the track and comprising at least one of the other of the male or female feature, the dispensing ram having an original position and a forward position and wherein, when, in the original position, the dispensing ram does not contact the at least one brake and wherein, in moving from the original position to the forward position, the at least one of the male or female feature of the dispensing ram interacts with the at least one of the other of the male or female feature of the at least one brake to move the at least one brake from its first orientation to its second orientation; (d) an access mechanism coupled to the dispensing ram, the access mechanism having a closed position and a vending position, wherein, in moving from the closed position to the vending position, the access mechanism moves the dispensing ram from its original position to its forward position; (e) a blocker mechanism coupled to the access mechanism, the blocker mechanism having a first orientation and a second orientation, the second orientation blocking access to product stored on the track, wherein the blocker mechanism is in the first orientation when the access mechanism is in the closed position and wherein the blocker mechanism is in the second orientation when the access mechanism is in the vending position; (f) at least one dispensing ram spring that urges the dispensing ram from its forward position to its original position; and (g) a resistance mechanism that slows the speed at which the dispensing ram moves from its forward position to its original position.
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Specification