US Patent 8002144 Drive system for a vending machine dispensing assembly

A vending machine includes first and second release mechanisms mounted to front portions of adjacent shelf dividers extending along a product shelf and establishing a product queue. A product transport system is arranged in the cabinet to carry a selected product container from the product queue towards a delivery chamber. A drive mechanism, operatively connected to each of the first and second release mechanisms, is mounted to an underside of the product shelf to simultaneously shift the first and second release mechanisms in order to release a selected product to the product transport system.