Modular cabinet for vending machines

1. A machine for vending products in containers comprising a cabinet with a door cooperatively forming an internal storage cavity which is divided into first and second chambers by a first internal panel, said first chamber being further divided into first and second compartments by a second internal panel, said second compartment forming a plenum using a front wall provided between said second panel and a side of said cabinet, wherein a first opening is provided in said first internal panel to allow the communication of air between said second chamber and said first compartment, and a second opening is provided in said first internal panel to allow the communication of air between said second chamber and said second compartment, said second internal panel including a plurality of ventilation openings therein, wherein said door includes an extension panel complementing said second internal panel.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein one of said compartments is larger than the other and is insulated for product storage, the other of said compartments forming a plenum for the communication of air through said ventilation openings.

3. The machine of claim 2 wherein said ventilation openings may be selectively opened and closed in different combinations.

4. The machine of claim 2 wherein said door is insulated and includes an insulated area adjacent to said second chamber, said door also including a seal for engagement with said larger compartment.

5. The machine of claim 4 wherein said door includes a transparent panel allowing a user to view the inside of the storage cavity.

6. The machine of claim 5 wherein electronic controls for said vending machine are provided at locations selected from the group of: in said first chamber, in said second chamber, in the door of said cabinet, in a housing for a product gripping device, and combinations thereof.

7. The machine of claim 4 wherein a self-contained removable modular climate control unit is provided in said second chamber of said cabinet.

8. The machine of claim 7 wherein said self-contained removable modular climate control unit is a device selected from the group of: a refrigeration device, a heating device, and combinations thereof.

9. The machine of claim 1 further comprising a delivery bucket pivotally mounted in said door adjacent to said extension panel for movement between a first closed position in which the delivery bucket is upright and may not be accessed from the exterior of said machine, and a second open position in which the delivery bucket is tilted outward at an angle away from said door allowing access from the exterior of said machine.

10. The machine of claim 9 further comprising a product delivery chute pivotally attached below an opening in said extension panel in said door adjacent to said bucket for movement between a first position in which the chute covers said opening preventing access to the interior of the cabinet, and a second position in which the chute is tilted away from said opening at an angle to provide a slide on which product containers are deposited for transfer from the interior of the cabinet to the bucket.

11. The machine of claim 10 further comprising a container retrieval device movably mounted inside said cabinet for removing product containers from queues in said machine and releasing them over said chute.

12. A machine for vending products in containers comprising:

a. a cabinet with a door cooperatively forming an internal storage cavity that is divided into first and second chambers by a first internal panel, said first chamber being further divided into first and second compartments by a second internal panel, wherein a first opening is provided in said first internal panel to allow the communication of air between said second chamber and said first compartment, and a second opening is provided in said first internal panel to allow the communication of air between said second chamber and said second compartment, said second internal panel including a plurality of ventilation openings therein that may be selectively opened and closed in different combinations; wherein one of said compartments is larger than the other and is insulated for product storage, and the other of said compartments forms a plenum for the communication of air through said ventilation openings; wherein said door is insulated and includes an insulated area adjacent to said second chamber, said door also including a seal for engagement with said larger compartment and an extension panel complementing said second internal panel;

b. a self-contained removable modular climate control unit provided in said second chamber;

c. a delivery bucket pivotally mounted in said door adjacent to said extension panel for movement between a first closed position in which the delivery bucket is upright and may not be accessed from the exterior of said machine, and a second open position in which the delivery bucket is tilted outward at an angle away from said door allowing access from the exterior of said machine; and

d. a product delivery chute pivotally attached below an opening in said extension panel in said door adjacent to said bucket for movement between a first position in which the chute covers said opening preventing access to the interior of the cabinet, and a second position in which the chute is tilted away from said opening at an angle to provide a slide on which product containers are deposited for transfer from the interior of the cabinet to the bucket.

13. The machine of claim 12 wherein said self-contained removable modular climate control unit is a device selected from the group of: a refrigeration device, a heating device, and combinations thereof.

14. The machine of claim 12 wherein electronic controls for said vending machine are provided at locations selected from the group of: in said first chamber, in said second chamber, in the door of said cabinet, in a housing for a product gripping device, and combinations thereof.

15. A machine for vending products in containers comprising:

a cabinet with a door cooperatively forming an internal storage cavity which is divided into first and second chambers by an internal panel;

a self-contained removable modular climate control unit is provided in one of said chambers;

a delivery bucket pivotally mounted in said door for movement between a first closed position and a second open position; and

a product delivery chute separate from a product retrieval device, said chute being pivotally attached at an access opening in an extension panel attached to said door adjacent to said bucket for movement between a first closed position covering said access opening, and a second open position allowing access to said bucket.

16. The machine of claim 15 wherein said chute in the open position is tilted away from said opening at an angle to provide a slide on which product containers are deposited for transfer from one of said chambers to the bucket.

17. The machine of claim 15 wherein said self-contained removable modular climate control unit is a device selected from the group of: a refrigeration device, a heating device, and combinations thereof.

18. The machine of claim 15 wherein electronic controls for said vending machine are provided at locations selected from the group of: in said first chamber, in said second chamber, in the door of said cabinet, in a housing for a product gripping device, and combinations thereof.

19. A machine for vending products in containers comprising:

a. a cabinet with a door cooperatively forming an internal storage cavity which is divided into an upper compartment and a lower compartment by an internal floor within said storage cavity, said cabinet including a product delivery port assembly including a closable chute located on an extension panel in the door;

b. a plurality of removable trays located in the upper compartment for holding at least one product container to be vended, each said tray having at least one spring operated pivotally mounted gate at a front thereof;

c. product gripping mechanism having a base member supporting a plurality of movable fingers oppositely positioned along an axis and capable of coming to rest at different positions relative to each other for temporary secure engagement with said product container.

20. The machine of claim 19 wherein said self-contained removable modular climate control unit is a device selected from the group consisting of a refrigeration device, a heating device, and combinations thereof.