Vending machine with merchandise buffering device

Abstract

A vending machine includes a front plate with an opening, a delivery tray, and a shielding plate rotatably attached to the cabinet. The delivery tray is attached to the front plate and defines an entrance. A first electromagnet, a second electromagnet, and one or more sensors are located on the delivery tray. The sensor(s) is connected to the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet. The sensor(s) detects merchandise dropping into the delivery tray and sends a signal to the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet; when the sensor detects no merchandise in the delivery tray, the shielding is engaged with the first electromagnet to cover the opening; when the sensor detects the merchandise in the delivery tray, the shielding is engaged with the second electromagnet to cover the entrance. A merchandise output method of the vending machine is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a shielding plate;   a securing member rotatably secured to the shielding plate; and   a resilient member located between the shielding plate and the securing member;   wherein the shielding plate is rotatable relative to the securing member in a first direction to resiliently deform the resilient member, and when the resilient member the resilient member rebounds, the shielding plate is moved by the resilient member in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the securing member comprises a clipping portion, and the clipping portion is configured to secure to a cabinet. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the securing member comprises a securing plate, the clipping portion comprises two hooks and a protrusion located on the securing plate, and the protrusion is located between the two hooks. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a shaft, wherein the securing member comprises a plurality of first securing portions, the shielding plate comprises a plurality of second securing portions, each of the plurality of first securing portions abuts each of the plurality of second securing portions, and the shaft is engaged with the plurality of first securing portions and the plurality of second securing portions, to rotatably secure the shielding plate to the securing member. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the resilient member is located about the shaft, the securing member further comprises a connecting portion connected to the plurality of first securing portions, a first end of the resilient member abuts the connecting portion, and a second end of the resilient member abuts the shielding plate. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the shaft comprises a head, a mounting portion connected to the head, and a nut; the mounting portion is engaged with the plurality of first securing portions and the plurality of second securing portions; and the nut is engaged with the mounting portion, and the nut and the head together prevent the mounting portion from disengaging from the plurality of first securing portions and the plurality of second securing portions. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plastic member, wherein the plastic member is attached to the shielding plate. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member is a coil spring. 
     
     
         9 . A vending machine comprising:
 a cabinet comprising a mounting plate and a plurality of separated plates; a passage defined between every adjacent two separated plates, and the mounting plate located in the passage; and   a device attached to the mounting plate, the device comprising:
 a securing member secured to the mounting plate; 
 a shielding plate rotatably secured to the securing member and substantially perpendicular to the mounting plate; and 
 a resilient member located between the shielding plate and the securing member; 
 wherein the shielding plate is rotatable relative to the securing member in a first direction to resiliently deform the resilient member, and when the resilient member the resilient member rebounds, the shielding plate is moved by the resilient member in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 
   
     
     
         10 . The vending machine of  claim 9 , wherein the securing member comprises a securing plate, two hooks are located on the securing plate, the mounting plate defines two clipping holes, and the two hooks are engaged in the two clipping holes. 
     
     
         11 . The vending machine of  claim 10 , wherein a protrusion, located between the two hooks, is located on the securing plate, and the mounting plate defines a positioning slot to receive the protrusion. 
     
     
         12 . The vending machine of  claim 10 , wherein an operating portion extends from the securing plate, and the operating portion is slanted relative to the securing plate. 
     
     
         13 . The vending machine of  claim 9 , further comprising a shaft, wherein the securing member comprises a plurality of first securing portions, the shielding plate comprises a plurality of second securing portions, each of the plurality of first securing portions abuts each of the plurality of second securing portions, and the shaft is engaged with the plurality of first securing portions and the plurality of second securing portions, to rotatably secure the shielding plate to the securing member. 
     
     
         14 . The vending machine of  claim 13 , wherein the resilient member is located about the shaft, the securing member further comprising a connecting portion connected to the plurality of first securing portions, a first end of the resilient member abuts the connecting portion, and a second end of the resilient member abuts the shielding plate. 
     
     
         15 . The vending machine of  claim 14 , wherein the shaft comprises a head, a mounting portion connected to the head, and a nut; the mounting portion is engaged with the plurality of first securing portions and the plurality of second securing portions; and the nut is engaged with the mounting portion, and the nut and the head together prevent the mounting portion from disengaging from the plurality of first securing portions and the plurality of second securing portions. 
     
     
         16 . The vending machine of  claim 9 , further comprising a plastic member, wherein the plastic member is attached to the shielding plate.