Apparatus and method for vending products having various dimensions

Abstract

Abstract An improved method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations are disclosed. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A container release assembly is positioned at the end of the vend queue to vend a container upon activation. The container release assembly acts on the first-in-line container to be vended and on the second-in-line container, by retaining the second-in-line container while the first is being released. The container release assembly acts on the containers from two opposite sides of the containers.

1 . A container release assembly for use with a vending machine for vending items from a queue, the assembly comprising: 
 (a) a first release apparatus having a first front engaging member and a first rear engaging member, the first release apparatus positioned on a first side of the item to be vended;    (b) a second release apparatus having a second front engaging member and a second rear engaging member, the second release apparatus positioned on a second side, opposite the first side, of the item to be vended;    (c) the first release apparatus and the second release apparatus operably and pivotally connected together;    (d) the first and second front engaging members for engaging a first item in the queue, and the first and second rear engaging members for engaging a second item in the queue.    
     
     
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