Lean vending machine

A vending machine comprising:

• an exterior body;
• a storage space within the exterior body, the storage space configured to store a vending product;
• a delivery system movable in an X-direction and a Y-direction, the delivery system having a receptacle with an open side and a pinion gear mechanically linked to the receptacle;
• and
• a delivery area having a rack, an outer door, and a projection mechanically linked to the outer door and protruding through a slot,
• wherein the outer door is configured to isolate the delivery area from outside the exterior body in a closed position and provide access to the vending product from outside the exterior body in an open position,
• wherein a surface of the delivery system is configured to push the projection along the slot as the delivery system moves the vending product into the delivery area, thereby moving the outer door from the closed position to the open position, and
• wherein the rack is configured to interact with the pinion gear as the delivery system moves the vending product into the delivery area, thereby rotating the receptacle so that the open side faces an opening formed when the outer door is in the open position.

A method for vending a product to a consumer from a vending machine, the method comprising:

• moving a delivery cup to align the delivery cup with a shelf containing the product;
• opening a gate of the shelf by activating a solenoid for a timed pulse;
• receiving the product into the delivery cup;
• and
• moving the delivery cup into a delivery area such that the product is presented in an upright manner to the consumer,
• wherein moving the delivery cup into the delivery area mechanically opens an outer door to allow access to the delivery area and mechanically rotates the delivery cup to provide the consumer access to the product, and
• wherein the vending machine comprises a transparent front panel.