Vending machine with traveling release

Claim 1

A vending apparatus comprising a cabinet having two hinged doors, two storage racks having a plurality of vertical chutes therein said racks being spaced apart and mounted in said cabinet and positioned behind said doors a plurality of moveable holding latch means, each associated with one of said chutes at the lower end thereof and projecting into said chutes for supporting items in said chute; a releasing and receiving means slidably mounted on longitudinal rods below and in cooperative alignment with said racks for receiving and delivering vended items, said releasing and receiving means having a platform, a means for moving said platform horizontally to a predetermined location below a chute comprising a stepper motor operably connected to a cog wheel, said cog wheel being functionally associated with a track, and means to actuate said moveable holding latch means associated with said chute for withdrawing said holding latch from said chute to allow an item to drop from said chute on to said platform and a plurality of blocking means each associated with a chute for holding items above the first item in said chutes when said first item is released therefrom, said holding latch means and said blocking means being independently pivotally mounted on said chutes.