摘要 |
A vending system employs a vending machine with a cylindrical body and removably mounted top and bottom endpieces that allow the external appearance of the machine to be changed according to the type of product to be vended. The ornamentation can be formed in shapes resembling standard types of beverage cans, bottles, and other types of containers. A preferred version of the machine has two arcuate doors on opposing sides of the machine to allow vending access and refilling on both sides of the machine. Door-mounted components, including payment mechanism, selection buttons, and dispenser slot, are arranged vertically in a line at the deepest part of the door, and an offset two-array stacking configuration of the beverage units is used to obtain an optimal storage capacity of the machine. Other versions include a full cylindrical version or a semi-cylindrical one with one door for installations allowing vending access from the front only. |