Vending machine for dispensing cans & bottles with elevator assembly

A product support cradle for support of a beverage container within an vertical channel of a product dispensing rack of a vending machine, said cradle comprising:

• A. Cradling means having an inclined member for support of a container regardless of container configuration, and
• B. A base member,
• said inclined member of said cradling means having an angle of inclination of from about 10 to about 30 relative to said base, and being essentially open-ended along said inclination for cradle support of said container;
• and
• said base member comprising a planar surface component integral with an essentially elongated block associated with the underside of said planar surface, said block being essentially integral with said planar surface and dimensioned relative to a cross-section of a vertical channel of said dispensing rack to position and maintain said cradle support within said vertical channel as to permit dispensing of said container from an open end of said vertical channel;
• and
• C. Means for mounting said support means of said cradle to a resilient lifting member of an elevator assembly within said vertical channel of a product dispensing rack of vending machine.