Article storage unit devices for use in vending machines

Abstract

An article storage unit device for use in a vending machine comprising a housing including a plurality of vertically extending article stacking spaces and a mechanism for discharging articles one at a time. The device is characterized by an arrangement for reducing failure of article discharge and by another arrangement for readily loading or feeding fresh articles into the stacking spaces without any disassembling. The article discharging mechanism comprises a pendulous stopper plate disposed at the lower portion of each article stacking space and a control for projecting the stopper plate into the article stacking space to hold the article and for releasing the stopper plate to permit the article to fall down. An inner wall of the article stacking space opposite to the stopper plate is provided with a depression to prevent the article from being held by the inner wall and the upper article at a time when the stopper plate is released. Alternatively or additionally, the stopper plate may be so arranged that it is temporarily and rapidly moved during the releasing operation to provide a mechanical shock. Thus the article is securely discharged without failure. The housing has an open side end on which vertical extending bars are disposed along the vertical stacking spaces for preventing articles in the spaces from falling off through the open side end. The vertical bars are deflectable for loading or feeding articles into stacking spaces without disassembling.