IP Library › Patent Application 11915516
Patent Application
App. No. 11/915,516

Article Dispenser

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
11/915,516
Abstract

An article dispenser where the structure of an article storage cabinet positioned inside the article dispenser, is used to supplement the structure of at least two sidewalls used to form a housing for the article dispenser. In one preferred embodiment where the article storage container comprises a chest freezer or refrigerator, sidewalls used to form the housing for the dispenser are connected to the top or sidewall structure of the chest freezer or refrigerator for receiving structural support.

Claims (13)

1 . An article dispenser, comprising:

an article storage container having a base, upwardly projecting side walls and an open top, said article storage container providing an article storage area for said article dispenser, and said article storage container also functioning as a structural member for providing a bottom portion for the article dispenser, and

a cap structure having a top, downwardly projecting side-walls, and an open bottom, wherein

said cap structure is positioned on top of the article storage container in a manner so that the open top of the article storage container opposes the open bottom of the cap structure, with the structure of the article storage container at least partially supports the weight of the cap structure,

the cap structure includes therein an article dispensing mechanism, and wherein

the cap also includes a door mounted thereon and operable so as to provide access to the interior of said cap structure.

2 . The article dispenser of claim 1 , where the article storage container is a chest freezer.

3 . The article dispenser of claim 1 , where the side-walls of the article storage container support the cap structure.

4 . The article dispenser of claim 1 , where a top portion of the article storage container supports the hood structure

5 . A vending machine, comprising:

a) a cap,

b) a storage chest, the cap being positioned so as to cover the chest, and

b) panels which cover a seam between the cap and the chest so as to present the visual appearance of a unified structure