Product dispenser for variable stacked articles
OwnerMatthew J. Clementsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A product dispenser of the type adapted to release articles from vertical stacks is disclosed, which is configured to dispense a variety of articles whether in bulk or singularly. The present vending apparatus provides a main housing that is configured to receive interchangeable release mechanisms, with each mechanism dependent upon whether the dispensed article(s) is generally flat or of the small round type distributed by bulk similar to candies. The bottom surface of the product compartment defined on the top of main housing is configured to allow variability in the type of products released from the vertically mounted product cartridge.
Claims21
A product dispenser, comprising:
- a main housing having a top surface, a housing front, and an interior;
- a product compartment defined on said top surface having a bottom surface configured as a pair of flanges hingedly attached to opposing sides of said product compartment, wherein said flanges are adapted to articulate and define an opening of variable size when said flanges are in an up-position or a down-position;
- and,
- a release mechanism removably mounted on said housing front and positioned underlying said bottom surface.
A product dispenser, comprising:
- a main housing having a top surface, a housing front, and an interior;
- a product compartment defined on said top surface having a bottom surface configured as a pair of flanges attached to opposing sides of said product compartment, wherein said flanges define a channel-like opening;
- and,
- a release mechanism removably mounted on said housing front and positioned underlying said bottom surface, said release mechanism further comprising a rotating arm configured to be turned by a turning knob, wherein said rotating arm may pass through said channel-like opening to move generally rectangular products out of said product compartment.
A product dispenser, comprising:
- a main housing having a top surface, a housing front, and an interior;
- a product compartment defined on said top surface and revealing said interior;
- a product cartridge removably attached to said product compartment having a cartridge bottom shaped complementary to said product compartment, whereby said product cartridge is vertically mounted on said top surface of said main housing;
- a bulk release mechanism removably mounted on said housing front and positioned underlying said product compartment, said bulk release mechanism further comprising a cylindrical cam adapted to be rotated by a turning knob, said cylindrical cam having a cam surface and a cup-like trough defined thereon, wherein said trough can move generally small products away from said product compartment after said small products are released from said product cartridge.
A product dispenser, comprising:
- a main housing having a top surface, a housing front, and an interior;
- a product compartment defined on said top surface having a bottom surface configured as a pair of flanges attached to opposing sides of said product compartment, wherein said flanges define a channel-like opening;
- a declining ramp positioned indirectly underlying said pair of flanges situated at the bottom of said interior of said housing, whereon a product may fall and proceed by gravity to a product exitway;
- and,
- a release mechanism removably mounted on said housing front and positioned underlying said bottom surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.