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Automated apparatus, system and method for reliably vending articles of increased value

  • US 5,303,844 A
  • Filed: 04/28/1992
  • Issued: 04/19/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for vending articles, comprising:

  • an enclosure having an opening through which selected articles are vended;

    plural article selection means along a front panel of the enclosure for permitting a customer to select one of a plurality of articles through initiation of a vend selection sequence;

    multiple independent article storing and dispensing means within the enclosure, each storage and dispensing means capable of storing a plurality of articles and then dispensing an individual article across a corresponding discharge end and along a path within the enclosure toward the vend opening;

    a first sensor at each storage and dispensing means and along the path for detecting when an individual article for the corresponding storage and dispensing means is moving along the path toward the vend opening, and providing a first sensing output responsive thereto;

    means for controlling the operation of the selected storage and dispensing means responsive to the first sensor output to insure that a selected article is dispensed into the vend opening; and

    a second sensor at the discharge end for detecting and providing a second sensing output when an individual article passes through the discharge end, the controlling means receiving the second output and continuing operation of the selected storage and dispensing means until both the first and second sensing outputs are received from both the first and second sensors, to insure that the selected article is vended into the opening.

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