The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 27, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 27, 1997
Karl F Truitt, Williston, SC (US);
Jon L Swanson, Aiken, SC (US);
Dixie-Narco, Inc., Williston, SC (US);
Abstract
A modular vending machine for dispensing a variety of different sized products with at least one array received within a cabinet, wherein the array is made up of a plurality of storage chambers with a dispensing mechanism disposed at the bottom of each chamber. The cabinet can receive any number of arrays which in turn can receive any number of storage chambers. The modular vending machine further includes a sensing device received within a receiving trough for confirming that a product has actually been dispensed. The dispensing mechanism includes a solenoid actuated plunger wherein the plunger controls the movement of a toggle member which is movable between a blocking position and a dispensing position so that only a single product is dispensed. The vending machine may also provide a two-point locking mechanism for positively securing a door to the cabinet of the vending machine while allowing maximum utilization of the space within the cabinet.