Vending systems for use in a vehicle are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems include the following: a product housing positioned in a vehicle, the product housing including an exposed surface having a product delivery opening; a removable inventory cartridge; a product dispensing mechanism including a product dispensing opening, the product dispensing mechanism being configured for dispensing a product from the removable inventory cartridge in the product housing to the product dispensing opening; a product delivery conduit including a first end and a second end, the first end being joined with the product dispensing opening and the second end defining a product delivery opening, which is formed in the exposed top surface of the product housing and positioned in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and an lifting mechanism positioned within the product delivery conduit for mechanically lifting the product dispensing opening to the product delivery opening.

Vending systems for use in a vehicle are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems include the following: a product housing positioned in a vehicle, the product housing including an exposed surface having a product delivery opening; a removable inventory cartridge; a product dispensing mechanism including a product dispensing opening, the product dispensing mechanism being configured for dispensing a product from the removable inventory cartridge in the product housing to the product dispensing opening; a product delivery conduit including a first end and a second end, the first end being joined with the product dispensing opening and the second end defining a product delivery opening, which is formed in the exposed top surface of the product housing and positioned in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and an lifting mechanism positioned within the product delivery conduit for mechanically lifting the product dispensing opening to the product delivery opening.

A confectionary item dispenser include a dispenser housing having a dispenser housing opening, a reservoir within the dispenser housing having a reservoir chute aligned with the dispenser housing opening, and a dispenser shield disposed within the dispenser housing and movable so that a dispenser shield opening can align with the dispenser housing opening and the reservoir chute at a dispensing position to dispense a confectionary item. An indeterminate outcome actuation mechanism with an actuation mechanism input device causes the dispenser shield to move between the dispensing position and a non-dispensing position when the actuation mechanism input device is displaced such that the dispenser shield may be disposed in one of the dispensing position and the non-dispensing position when the actuation mechanism input device is displaced so that a confectionary item may or may not be dispensed each time.

A confectionary item dispenser include a dispenser housing having a dispenser housing opening, a reservoir within the dispenser housing having a reservoir chute aligned with the dispenser housing opening, and a dispenser shield disposed within the dispenser housing and movable so that a dispenser shield opening can align with the dispenser housing opening and the reservoir chute at a dispensing position to dispense a confectionary item. An indeterminate outcome actuation mechanism with an actuation mechanism input device causes the dispenser shield to move between the dispensing position and a non-dispensing position when the actuation mechanism input device is displaced such that the dispenser shield may be disposed in one of the dispensing position and the non-dispensing position when the actuation mechanism input device is displaced so that a confectionary item may or may not be dispensed each time.

A product storage device includes: a main gate that is swingably provided to advance and move away from a product storage column, that advances to an advanced position, and that allows a downstream-most product to be taken out; a sub-gate that is swingably provided in association with the main gate; a sliding member that regulates the main gate from moving away and retracting from the product storage column; and a lever that allows the sliding member to be present at a regulation position, that switches to a regulation posture which regulates the sliding member from returning to the regulation position, and that then, when the main gate moves away from the product storage column in response to a take-out operation, switches to a standby posture when the main gate advances to the product storage column to allow the sliding member to return to the regulation position.

A product storage device includes: a main gate that is swingably provided to advance and move away from a product storage column, that advances to an advanced position, and that allows a downstream-most product to be taken out; a sub-gate that is swingably provided in association with the main gate; a sliding member that regulates the main gate from moving away and retracting from the product storage column; and a lever that allows the sliding member to be present at a regulation position, that switches to a regulation posture which regulates the sliding member from returning to the regulation position, and that then, when the main gate moves away from the product storage column in response to a take-out operation, switches to a standby posture when the main gate advances to the product storage column to allow the sliding member to return to the regulation position.

Methods and apparatuses provide a vending machine with a positioning system connected to a dispensing chassis. The dispensing chassis includes a retractable partition. The positioning system moves the dispensing chassis to receive product from a shelf of the vending machine and closes the retractable partition. The positioning system moves the dispending chassis and product to a dispensing position. A dispensing door is raised allowing a user to remove the product. With the door raised the retractable partition and chassis prevent unauthorized user access to other products within the vending machine.

Methods and apparatuses provide a vending machine with a positioning system connected to a dispensing chassis. The dispensing chassis includes a retractable partition. The positioning system moves the dispensing chassis to receive product from a shelf of the vending machine and closes the retractable partition. The positioning system moves the dispending chassis and product to a dispensing position. A dispensing door is raised allowing a user to remove the product. With the door raised the retractable partition and chassis prevent unauthorized user access to other products within the vending machine.

An apparatus for dispensing a product a hygiene product. The apparatus includes a housing for retaining a plurality of products wherein the housing includes a storage rack configured to hold the plurality of products. A weight is movably positioned within the storage rack and is configured to exert a downward force on the plurality of products. A sensor is positioned adjacent to a bottom end of the storage rack. A magnet is affixed to the weight wherein the magnet is configured to substantially align with the sensor once the plurality of products have been completely dispensed from the storage rack.

An apparatus for dispensing a product a hygiene product. The apparatus includes a housing for retaining a plurality of products wherein the housing includes a storage rack configured to hold the plurality of products. A weight is movably positioned within the storage rack and is configured to exert a downward force on the plurality of products. A sensor is positioned adjacent to a bottom end of the storage rack. A magnet is affixed to the weight wherein the magnet is configured to substantially align with the sensor once the plurality of products have been completely dispensed from the storage rack.