Item dispensing apparatus
AssigneeInnovative Product Achievements, Inc.
InventorsWard Broom, Kyle Joiner, Keith Stallings, Robert Fitzgerald, Joel Eisler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispenser configured for storing one or more items and dispensing the stored items to authorized users. According to various embodiments, the dispenser generally includes a housing defining an interior portion dimensioned to receive one or more items and a laterally sliding access door comprised of a flexible barrier configured to provide restricted access to items stored within the dispenser. In various embodiments, the dispenser also includes a biasing system configured bias the access door to a closed position.
Claims31
A dispenser for storing one or more items and providing selective access to the items, the dispenser comprising:
- a housing defining an access opening and an interior portion dimensioned for receiving the one or more items;
- at least one upper horizontal support member disposed adjacent an upper perimeter of the access opening;
- and
- an access door disposed adjacent the access opening, the access door comprising:
- a flexible barrier;
- and
- a plurality of door attachment members disposed adjacent an upper edge of the flexible barrier and engaged with the upper horizontal support member, wherein the plurality of door attachment members are configured to slide relative to the upper horizontal support member and permit the access door to move laterally to:
- (i) a closed position in which the access door prevents access to one or more items stored within the interior portion of the housing through the access opening, and
- (ii) an open position in which the access door permits access to one or more items stored within the interior portion of the housing through the access opening.
A dispenser for storing one or more items and providing selective access to the items, the dispenser comprising:
- a housing defining an access opening and an interior portion dimensioned for receiving the one or more items;
- at least one upper horizontal support member disposed adjacent an upper perimeter of the access opening;
- at least one lower horizontal support member disposed adjacent a lower perimeter of the access opening;
- and
- an access door disposed adjacent the access opening, the access door comprising:
- a flexible barrier;
- a first plurality of door attachment members disposed adjacent an upper edge of the flexible barrier and engaged with the upper horizontal support member;
- and
- a second plurality of door attachment members disposed adjacent a lower edge of the flexible barrier and engaged with the lower horizontal support member;
- wherein the first plurality of door attachment members are configured to slide relative to the upper horizontal support member and the second plurality of door attachment members are configured to slide relative to the lower horizontal support member in order to permit the access door to move laterally to:
- (i) a closed position in which the access door prevents access to one or more items stored within the interior portion of the housing through the access opening, and
- (ii) an open position in which the access door permits access to one or more items stored within the interior portion of the housing through the access opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.