Method and apparatus for vending merchandise
OwnerJosef W. Schwarzliinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing a merchandise ribbon composed of a plurality of product units joined in series comprises a ribbon advancing mechanism for engaging a product unit and forcing the ribbon along a dispensing path, a cutting mechanism positioned to cut through a web after the ribbon advancing member has advanced the ribbon to a dispensing position, and an actuating mechanism for moving the ribbon advancing member and actuating the cutting mechanism.
Claims20
An apparatus for dispensing a merchandise ribbon comprising a plurality of product units separated by a web, comprising
- a merchandise advancing mechanism for engaging a product unit and forcing the ribbon along a dispensing path,
- a cutting mechanism positioned to cut through a web after the ribbon advancing member has advanced the ribbon to a dispensing position, and
- an actuating mechanism for moving the ribbon advancing member and actuating the cutting mechanism.
A method of dispensing a ribbon comprising a plurality of product units separated by a web, comprising the steps of
- a. engaging a first product unit,
- b. moving a second product unit downstream of the first product unit to a dispensing position,
- c. engaging the ribbon to prevent upstream movement thereof, and
- d. cutting through a web between product units.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.