A conveyor has multiple successive fixed stops (17), each suitable for holding the empty beverage container (20) in place. A horizontal ladder frame (12) structure lifts the beverage container (20) in sequences above one fixed stop (17) at a time. Multiple lifting motions transport the beverage container (20) through the successive fixed stops (17). The ladder frame (12) structure has plural transverse beams (14) that reciprocate between a flat position and a raised position. The motion from the float position to the raised position ejects the beverage container (20) above the fixed stop (17).

A conveyor has multiple successive fixed stops (17), each suitable for holding the empty beverage container (20) in place. A horizontal ladder frame (12) structure lifts the beverage container (20) in sequences above one fixed stop (17) at a time. Multiple lifting motions transport the beverage container (20) through the successive fixed stops (17). The ladder frame (12) structure has plural transverse beams (14) that reciprocate between a flat position and a raised position. The motion from the float position to the raised position ejects the beverage container (20) above the fixed stop (17).

A dispensing mechanism includes at least two helical augers having threads, and at least two channels configured to hold the items to be dispensed. The items to be dispensed are received at least partially within the threads of the augers. The dispensing mechanism includes a drive mechanism engaged with the at least two augers and configured to rotate the at least two augers to transport the items to be dispensed, driven by the threads of the augers, to dispense the items from the dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism may include a separable dispenser and cassette.

A vending system mounted on a substantially vertical surface (e.g., a wall) in accordance with at least one VESA mount standard.

A product discharging device includes: a lower pedal that is swingably disposed in a base to move forward to and backward from a product storage passage storing input products in a vertical direction; an upper pedal that is swingably disposed in a base to move forward to and backward from the product storage passage in an area above the lower pedal; and a pedal link that links the lower pedal and the upper pedal. The upper pedal moves backward by causing the pedal link to move downward and the lower pedal moves forward to regulate downward movement of the product in a standby state, and the upper pedal moves forward to come in contact with a second lowest product and the lower pedal moves backward to discharge a lowest product downward by causing the pedal link to move upward, in an activated state.

A product discharging device includes: a lower pedal that is swingably disposed in a base to move forward to and backward from a product storage passage storing input products in a vertical direction; an upper pedal that is swingably disposed in a base to move forward to and backward from the product storage passage in an area above the lower pedal; and a pedal link that links the lower pedal and the upper pedal. The upper pedal moves backward by causing the pedal link to move downward and the lower pedal moves forward to regulate downward movement of the product in a standby state, and the upper pedal moves forward to come in contact with a second lowest product and the lower pedal moves backward to discharge a lowest product downward by causing the pedal link to move upward, in an activated state.

An article dispensing apparatus includes an article discharging apparatus, which includes a base, an article storage passage storing articles, a lower pedal, and an upper pedal, an out-of-stock detection switch that is turned to a first state when the lower pedal is in a second standby position and that is turned to a second state when the lower pedal is in a position other than the second standby position; an output member putting the article discharging apparatus in the standby state and drives the article discharging apparatus when the output member rotates from the standby position; and a controller rotating the output member to return the output member to the standby position when the output member rotated from the standby position does not return to the standby position in a preset set time and when the out-of-stock detection switch is turned to the first state in the set time.

An article dispensing apparatus includes an article discharging apparatus, which includes a base, an article storage passage storing articles, a lower pedal, and an upper pedal, an out-of-stock detection switch that is turned to a first state when the lower pedal is in a second standby position and that is turned to a second state when the lower pedal is in a position other than the second standby position; an output member putting the article discharging apparatus in the standby state and drives the article discharging apparatus when the output member rotates from the standby position; and a controller rotating the output member to return the output member to the standby position when the output member rotated from the standby position does not return to the standby position in a preset set time and when the out-of-stock detection switch is turned to the first state in the set time.

A dispensing assembly includes a mounting plate with a plurality of openings, a rotatable shaft located adjacent to the mounting plate, a plurality of blocking plates pivotably attached to the mounting plate, and a plurality of jacking members attached to the rotatable shaft. Lengths of the plurality of jacking members are different from each other. When the shaft is rotated to an initial position, the plurality of jacking members disengages away from the plurality of blocking plates, and the plurality of blocking plates are received in the plurality of openings. When the shaft is rotated to a working position, the plurality of blocking plates is rotated out of the plurality of openings to positions slanted relative to the mounting plate by the plurality of jacking members. Slanting angles of the plurality of blocking plates relative to the mounting plate are different from each other.

A dispensing assembly includes a mounting plate with a plurality of openings, a rotatable shaft located adjacent to the mounting plate, a plurality of blocking plates pivotably attached to the mounting plate, and a plurality of jacking members attached to the rotatable shaft. Lengths of the plurality of jacking members are different from each other. When the shaft is rotated to an initial position, the plurality of jacking members disengages away from the plurality of blocking plates, and the plurality of blocking plates are received in the plurality of openings. When the shaft is rotated to a working position, the plurality of blocking plates is rotated out of the plurality of openings to positions slanted relative to the mounting plate by the plurality of jacking members. Slanting angles of the plurality of blocking plates relative to the mounting plate are different from each other.