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Article storage/dispensing device for vending machine

  • US 6,253,954 B1
  • Filed: 08/20/1999
  • Issued: 07/03/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An article storage/dispensing device for a vending machine, comprising:

  • a plurality of article racks each for storing a plurality of articles, each of said plurality of article racks having an article passage formed therein for storing said plurality of articles in a horizontal row, and a dispensing opening formed at one end of said article passage for dispensing said articles therefrom;

    a plurality of article-dispensing mechanisms each provided for one of said plurality of article racks corresponding thereto in a manner movable between a dispensing position for dispensing said articles from said dispensing opening and a holding position for holding said articles within said article passage;

    a single drive source for causing said plurality of article-dispensing mechanisms to move between said dispensing position and said holding position;

    a plurality of linkages each capable of connecting said drive source to one of said plurality of article-dispensing mechanisms corresponding thereto and disconnecting said drive source from said one of said plurality of article-dispensing mechanisms, for causing said one of said plurality of article-dispensing mechanisms to move from said holding position to said dispensing position when said drive source is connected to said one of said plurality of article-dispensing mechanisms; and

    driving means for selectively actuating one of said plurality of linkages which corresponds to an article selected by a purchaser, thereby connecting said drive source to one of said plurality of article-dispensing mechanisms which corresponds to said article selected by said purchaser, for vending said article selected by said purchaser.

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