Vending machine product stabilizer
First Claim
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1. A vending machine comprising:
- a shelf divided into at least two rows separated by a divider;
a product advancement tool associated with a first row of the at least two rows, wherein the product advancement tool is adapted to move product forward in response to a vend command from a customer; and
a resilient member, distinct from the product advancement tool and associated with the first row and adapted to abut product positioned in the first row so as to urge product into an upright position, wherein the resilient member comprises a first vertical surface and a second vertical surface hingedly connected to one another, wherein the first vertical surface is adapted to abut the product, and wherein the first vertical surface and the second vertical surface are connected through a spring hinge and form a triangle shape in a rest position, but flatten to allow passage of product as product is vended, and wherein as product is pushed past the resilient member by force exerted by the product advancement tool, the resilient member slides out of the way as a function of movement of the product, allowing the product to advance past the resilient member, and the resilient member returns to a default position after passage of the product.
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Abstract
A vending machine has one or more resilient members placed in each row from which products are vended. As product moves through the row, the product abuts against the resilient member and is forced into an upright and aesthetically pleasing orientation. Further forward movement forces the resilient member out of the path of the product'"'"'s movement.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A vending machine comprising:
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a shelf divided into at least two rows separated by a divider; a product advancement tool associated with a first row of the at least two rows, wherein the product advancement tool is adapted to move product forward in response to a vend command from a customer; and a resilient member, distinct from the product advancement tool and associated with the first row and adapted to abut product positioned in the first row so as to urge product into an upright position, wherein the resilient member comprises a first vertical surface and a second vertical surface hingedly connected to one another, wherein the first vertical surface is adapted to abut the product, and wherein the first vertical surface and the second vertical surface are connected through a spring hinge and form a triangle shape in a rest position, but flatten to allow passage of product as product is vended, and wherein as product is pushed past the resilient member by force exerted by the product advancement tool, the resilient member slides out of the way as a function of movement of the product, allowing the product to advance past the resilient member, and the resilient member returns to a default position after passage of the product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11)
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8. A vending machine comprising:
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a shelf divided into at least two rows separated by a divider; a product advancement tool associated with a first row of the at least two rows, wherein the product advancement tool is adapted to move product forward in response to a vend command from a customer; and a spring-hinged deformable resilient member, distinct from the product advancement tool and associated with the first row and adapted to abut product positioned in the first row so as to urge product into an upright position, wherein the resilient member comprises a first generally triangular shape in a normal position and a second flattened shape as product is advanced past the resilient member, and wherein as product is pushed past the resilient member by force exerted by the product advancement tool, the resilient member slides out of the way to the second flattened shape as a function of movement of the product, allowing the product to advance past the resilient member, and the resilient member returns to the first generally triangular shape after passage of the product. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 12)
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Specification