| 摘要 |
<p>A vending machine (10) for articles, such as videotape cassettes (21), includes a storage area (12) having article-retaining compartments (20) in which the articles (21) to be dispensed are retained, and a vertically movable robotic arm (14) located adjacent the storage area (12) for removing a desired article from the storage area and directing the article to a discharge opening (16) in the machine. The robotic arm (14) is mounted for vertical movement on an elevator assembly (60), and the robotic arm includes a cassette-supporting platform (108) which is movable in a transverse direction relative to the direction of vertical movement of the elevator assembly (60), toward and away from the storage area (12). The robotic arm (14) further includes article-gripping means (124, 126) mounted for transverse movement on the article-supporting platform (108), and these article-gripping means are provided with a drive means (130) for moving the gripping means relative to the article-supporting platform. Preferably the vending machine is computer controlled to dispense the desired article from the machine, based upon an input signal provided by a user, and also to return an article to the machine, when the user desires to return it.</p> |
