Package Advancement System

Abstract

Systems and methods of a package advance system for moving a package on a shelf of a vending machine which may include an end plate positioned on the shelf, a dispensing door positioned near a dispensing end of the shelf that opens to dispense the package, and a spring system affixed to the end plate that applies a force on the end plate towards the dispensing door.

1 . A package advance system for moving a package on a shelf of a vending machine, comprising:
 an end plate positioned on the shelf;   a dispensing door positioned near a dispensing end of the shelf that opens to dispense the package; and   a spring system affixed to the end plate that applies a force on the end plate towards the dispensing door.   
   
   
       2 . The package advance system of  claim 1  wherein the spring system comprises a spring. 
   
   
       3 . The package advance system of  claim 1  wherein the spring system comprises a spring and a damper. 
   
   
       4 . The package advance system of  claim 2  wherein the spring is chosen from a group consisting of a roll spring and a coil spring. 
   
   
       5 . The package advance system of  claim 1  comprising a track to guide the end plate. 
   
   
       6 . The package advance system of  claim 5  wherein the track comprises a plurality of teeth to interface a gear on the end plate. 
   
   
       7 . The package advance system of  claim 1  wherein the dispensing door permits one product to be removed from the shelf and wherein the end plate pushes any packages remaining on the shelf towards the dispensing device. 
   
   
       8 . The package advance system of  claim 1  comprising a lever that opens the dispensing door to permit one package to be dispensed from the shelf. 
   
   
       9 . The package advance system of  claim 1  wherein the dispensing door comprises two walls that interface substantially at the middle of the shelf, wherein the two walls rotate towards the outside of the shelf to allow the package to be dispensed. 
   
   
       10 . The package advance system of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing door comprises a unitary wall that may rotate about one end of the wall to create an open position to dispense the package. 
   
   
       11 . The package advance system of  claim 1  wherein the shelf comprises side walls. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of shelves wherein each shelf comprises a package advance system. 
   
   
       13 . A method for loading a plurality of packages on a shelf comprising:
 moving an end plate of the shelf away from a dispensing end of the shelf;   placing the plurality of packages onto the shelf, and   forcing the end plate towards the dispensing end of the shelf to secure the packages on the shelf.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising providing a spring system that comprises a spring and a damper. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the spring is chosen from the group consisting of a roll spring and a coil spring. 
   
   
       16 . A method of dispensing a package from a shelf of a vending machine, comprising:
 moving an end plate of the shelf away from a dispensing end of the shelf;   placing the plurality of packages onto the shelf;   moving the end plate towards the dispensing end of the shelf using a spring system to secure the packages on the shelf between the end plate and a dispensing door; and   opening the dispensing door to permit one package to be dispensed from the shelf.