Product release mechanisms and vending machines having product release mechanisms

A vending machine, comprising:

• a housing defining a product compartment;
• a plurality of platforms each having a first end opposite a second end, wherein each of the plurality of platforms is arranged in the product compartment at a different elevation;
• a product release mechanism arranged at the first end of each of the plurality of platforms;
• a delivery bin arranged at the first end of each of the plurality of platforms, wherein the delivery bin is configured to receive a product released by the product release mechanism;
• a product compartment panel extending from a first side to an opposing second side of the product compartment and configured to limit consumer access to the product compartment;
• and
• a door movably connected to the housing, wherein when the door is in an open position the delivery bins are accessible to the consumer.

A vending machine, comprising:

• a housing defining a product compartment, wherein the housing comprises a front wall having a transparent panel;
• a plurality of platforms arranged in the product compartment, wherein each of the plurality of platforms comprises a first end opposite a second end;
• a plurality of product release mechanisms, wherein a product release mechanism of the plurality of product release mechanisms is arranged on each of the plurality of platforms and is configured to release a product from the plurality of platforms;
• a product portal defined by the front wall of the housing for providing a consumer with access to the product;
• and
• a product delivery mechanism arranged along the first ends of the plurality of platforms and extending from a first side to an opposing second side of the product compartment, wherein the product delivery mechanism is configured to deliver the product released from the product release mechanism to the product portal.