Apparatus and method for vending from a vending machine

An apparatus for vending vendible products comprising:

• a) a controller;
• b) an electromechanical dispensing unit comprising a motor in communication with the controller and a helical product holder rotatably connected to the motor;
• c) a motor home position sensor operatively communicated with the motor and the controller;
• d) a product sensor in communication with the controller and located between the dispensing unit and a customer access location in the vending machine;
• e) the controller including programming comprising:
• 1) upon authorized customer selection, instructing a first vend cycle, initiating operation of the motor while monitoring product dispension with the product sensor;
• 2) if the product sensor indicates a product dispension during the first vend cycle, operate the motor to home;
• 3) if the product sensor does not indicate a product dispension during the first vend cycle before the motor reaches home, initiate a second vend cycle while monitoring for product.

A method for vending vendible products from a vending machine, wherein the vending machine comprises a controller, an electro-mechanical dispensing unit including a motor for effecting vend cycles, a motor position sensor for indicating home position of the motor and a spiral product mover operatively connected to the motor, and an optical product sensor positioned along a path between the dispensing unit and a customer accessible location for monitoring and sensing product dispensed by the dispensing unit, the motor, motor position sensor and optical product sensor in operative communication with the controller, comprising:

• a) Pre-testing operability of the optical sensor;
• b) Default to use of motor home position sensor for indication of completion of a vend cycle if the optical sensor fails the pretest;
• c) If the optical detector passes the pretest
• 1) Initiate a first vend cycle by initiating rotation of the motor while monitoring for product with the optical sensor;
• 2) If a product is sensed, reset to step a) and operate motor back to home;
• 3) If a product is not sensed during the first vend cycle, operate motor to home, pause and monitor for product with the optical sensor;
• 4) If a product is sensed during pause, reset to step a);
• 5) If a product is not sensed during pause, initiate a second vend cycle by initiating rotation of the motor and monitor for product with the optical sensor;
• 6) If a product is sensed during the second vend cycle, stop the motor where it is at in rotational position and reset to step a);
• 7) If a product is not sensed during the second vend cycle, operate the motor to home.