Package advancement system

This application relates generally to dispensing apparatuses such as vending machines, and more particularly relates to a package advancement system for packages in the dispensing apparatus.

Vending machines are being developed to incorporate x-y picker assemblies for vending machines with an x-y product grid. Therefore, gravity is no longer the only source for dispensing a package from a vending machine. The x-y vending machines may dispense a package by picking or grabbing the package from a shelf. After a package is picked, however, certain packages in certain orientations on the shelf may have difficulties advancing to a dispensing position. Many of the packages cannot roll or slide easily along a shelf. For example, a bottle or a can resting in the vertical position cannot roll along a shelf and therefore gravity cannot necessarily assist in advancing the package along the shelf.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a low-cost, low maintenance package advancing system to advance a package along the shelf so that it can be dispensed to a consumer.

One exemplary embodiment of a package advance system for moving a package on a shelf of a vending machine 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.

Another exemplary embodiment of the application may include a method for loading a number of packages on a shelf. The method may include moving an end plate of the shelf away from a dispensing end of the shelf, placing the number of packages onto the shelf and moving the end plate towards the dispensing end of the shelf using a spring system to secure the packages on the shelf.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of a method of dispensing a package from a shelf of a vending machine may include moving an end plate of the shelf away from a dispensing end of the shelf placing a number 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.