Product dispenser with an s-shaped down chute

Abstract

A serpentine product dispenser has a substantially 'S'-shaped down chute between a cartridge containing rolling products, an exit port, and a lower feed channel leading to a product selection area. Jam-free feeding of cans from the cartridge is accomplished by forming the down chute in three arcuate sections. An upper arcuate section causes a first can falling through the exit port to impact a second can still in the dispenser, delaying motion of the second can, such that a third can follows the first can. A central arcuate section causes the first can to maintain rolling contact with a second can still in the cartridge, further facilitating the movement of the third can toward and into the down chute. A lower arcuate section directs cans toward the dispenser lower feed ramp and product selection area after they traverse the down chute upper and central arcuate sections.