Vending machine and component parts

Abstract

This invention is a vending machine and components parts that include a sophisticated positioning system, gripper and trays for improved efficiency in product retrieval and delivery. Following product selection, the positioning system quickly transports the gripper through the X-Y plane to the front of a tray queue containing the selected product. The gripper is extended in the Z-direction, and its fingers grasp the foremost product container in the queue. The gripper then retracts, and the positioning system transports the gripper carrying the product container to a delivery port. The gripper then releases the product which slides down a chute into a delivery bucket that is then tilted outward for customer pick up. Unique product storage trays are provided which work in conjunction with the gripper to allow only the foremost product to be removed from a tray queue. A specially designed door is provided to accommodate the X-Y positioning system. A unique cabinet is also provided that includes an adjustable ventilation system, and a conveniently located compact, easily removable modular climate control unit. Related methods are also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.