US4917264A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Double-depth modified serpentine can vender
Assignee: Inland Finance Co
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Filing: 1988-12-27
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Granted: 1990-04-17
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Expires: 2008-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An article dispensing machine (10) comprising a cabinet (12) containing a plurality of upstanding columns (14),(15),(16) each of which includes a first serpentine track unit (17) having an upper article receiving end (19) and a lower article dispensing end (21), the first track unit (17) having serpentine track sections overlying each other in contiguous relationship, a second track unit (22) including an upper serpentine section (23) disposed above the first track unit (17) and including also a rear substantially straight, vertically disposed track section (26) connected to the lower end of the upper section (23) and disposed behind said first track unit (17) and having a lower article dispensing end (27), and article dispensing control units (28),(29) at the lower dispensing ends of said first and second track units, each control unit selectively pushing and lifting an article (18),(18') to be dispensed for aiding the release thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph F. Gasiel
- 👤 Paul L. Hawkins
- 👤 Jeffery J. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:08
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/34; G07F11/04; G07F11/16; G07F11/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
In an article dispensing machine: a cabinet including one or more vertically disposed columns; each column including a first serpentine track unit having an upper article receiving end and a lower article dispensing end, each column including further a second track unit having an upper serpentine section disposed above said first serpentine track unit and having an upper article receiving end, and having further a rear track section connected to said upper serpentine section and disposed behind said first serpentine track unit and having a lower article dispensing end, said rear track section substantially straight and normally vertically disposed, and disposed normally behind substantially the entire vertical extent of said first serpentine track unit; and article release units secured to said cabinet means at said lower ends of said first serpentine track unit and said second track unit for controlling the dispensing of articles therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
In an article dispensing machine: a cabinet including one or more vertically disposed columns; each column including a first serpentine track unit having an upper article receiving end and a lower article dispensing end, each column including further a second track unit having an upper serpentine section disposed above said first serpentine track unit and having an upper article receiving end, and having further a rear track section connected to said upper serpentine section and disposed behind said first serpentine track unit and having a lower article dispensing end, said rear track section substantially straight and normally vertically disposed, and disposed normally behind substantially the entire vertical extent of said first serpentine track unit; and article release units secured to said cabinet means at said lower ends of said first serpentine track unit and said second track unit for controlling the dispensing of articles therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article dispensing machine as described in claim 1, and further wherein said first serpentine track unit has serpentine track sections overlying each other in contiguous relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An article dispensing machine as described in claim 1, and further wherein said rear track section has offset portions formed therein guiding the articles in a zig-zag path downwardly within said rear track section to impede the movement of the articles therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
An article dispensing machine as described in claim 3, said rear track section having front and rear walls, said offset portions formed in said walls for guiding the articles moving downwardly through said rear track section sequentially against said front and said rear track walls whereby to impede the movement of the articles through said rear section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An article dispensing machine as described in claim 1, and further wherein said article release units is operable to release an article from a held position, and includes a rotatable cam unit selectively engageable with a rearward end of each article for supplementing the gravity fall of each article.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
An article dispensing machine as described in claim 5, and further wherein each said article release unit includes a floor over which the articles move for dispensing purposes, and includes further a rotatable lift device selectively engageable with an underside of each article for lifting each article above said floor simultaneous with releasing said lifted article for aiding the gravity release of said lifted article.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
An article dispensing machine as described in claim 1, and further wherein said article dispensing unit is operable to release an article from a held position, and includes a rotatable cam unit selectively engageable with a rearward end of each article for supplementing the gravity fall of each article, and further wherein each said article release unit includes a floor over which the articles move for dispensing purposes, and includes further a rotatable lift device selectively engageable with an underside of each article for lifting each article above said floor simultaneous with releasing said lifted article for aiding the gravity release of said lifted article.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-16 | 1993-10-16 | 1994-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-16 | 1997-10-16 | 1998-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-16 | 2001-10-16 | 2002-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |