| 摘要 |
There is provided an article storage device for an automatic vending machine, which is capable of properly storing and dispensing articles without causing any deformation or breakage thereof and, compact in construction, and at the same time capable of reliably detecting whether articles are sold out. The article storage device 1 for an automatic vending machine includes an article rack 10 received within a body 3 of the automatic vending machine and having an article passage 11 for storing a large number of articles S placed one behind another in a horizontal row in a front-rear direction, a stopper 12 arranged at a front end of the article passage 11 in a manner movable between an engagement position in which the stopper 12 faces the article passage 11, for stopping the articles S, and a dispensing position in which the stopper 12 is withdrawn from the article passage 11 for dispensing the articles S, a pusher 15 inserted into the article passage 11 in a manner movable in the front-rear direction between an extreme forward position thereof and an extreme rearward position thereof, for pressing on the articles S, and a drive mechanism 20 connected to the pusher 15 and having helical tension springs 30, 30 for urging the pusher 15 forward.
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