Hands-free vending machine and door opening assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a vending machine that allows one or more steps of the sales process to be performed hands-free. [Solution] A pedal-operated vending machine comprises a housing and an outlet defining a product storage area. The vending machine further includes a dispensing mechanism configured to transport products from the product storage area to the outlet. The vending machine may further include a pedal located at the lower end of the housing and configured to be operated by the consumer's foot to activate the dispensing mechanism and move products from the product storage area to the outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments described herein generally relate to hands-free vending machines and coolers. Specifically, the embodiments described herein relate to pedal-operated vending machines that enable one or more steps of the vending operation to be performed by the actuation of a pedal.

Background Art

[0002] Product storage cabinets such as coolers can be used to store and display products that are available for purchase. Generally, a product storage cabinet includes a product storage area that can be accessed by opening the door of the cabinet. A consumer can access the stored products by gripping the door handle with one hand, pulling the handle to open the door, and accessing the products. The consumer can leave the door open, manually remove a product from the product storage area, and close the door after removing the desired product.

[0003] Similarly, consumers generally use their hands to operate vending machines. A consumer can enter payment through a payment unit, such as by inserting bills or coins into a slot, or by passing or inserting a payment card through a card reader. Next, the consumer can enter user input for product selection, such as by pressing keys on a keypad or touching a touch screen display. Next, the selected product may be dispensed to an outlet, and the consumer may open a door or flap on the outlet to remove the dispensed product.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Some embodiments described herein relate to a pedal-operated vending machine comprising a housing defining a product storage area and an outlet; a dispensing mechanism configured to transport products from the product storage area to the outlet; and a pedal located at the lower end of the housing and configured to be operated by a consumer's foot to activate the dispensing mechanism and move products from the product storage area to the outlet.

[0005] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the pedal may be connected to the extraction mechanism via a mechanical linkage mechanism such that the operation of the pedal activates the extraction mechanism.

[0006] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the vending machine may further include a control unit that communicates with a dispensing mechanism and a pedal, the control unit being configured to activate the dispensing mechanism when the pedal is operated.

[0007] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the vending machine may further include a second pedal configured to be operated by the consumer's foot to activate a second dispensing mechanism to move a second product from the product storage area to the dispensing outlet.

[0008] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the vending machine may further include a payment processing unit configured to receive payments from consumers. In some embodiments, a control unit may communicate with the payment processing unit and the pedal, and the control unit may enable the pedal to operate when a payment is received as determined by the payment processing unit.

[0009] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the vending machine may further include a door that, when a pedal is operated, is movable from a closed position in which the door covers the dispensing outlet to an open position in which the door opens the dispensing outlet for consumer access.

[0010] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the vending machine may be configured to dispense products without the consumer's hands coming into contact with the vending machine.

[0011] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the pedal may be located within a recessed area at the lower end of the housing.

[0012] Some embodiments described herein relate to a pedal-operated vending machine comprising: a housing defining a product storage area and an outlet; a dispensing mechanism configured to transport a product from the product storage area to the outlet; a door movably covering the outlet, the door being movable from a closed position to an open position; and a pedal located at the lower end of the housing below the outlet, the pedal being configured to be operated by the consumer's foot to move the door from a closed position to an open position, enabling the consumer to take a product from the outlet without touching the door.

[0013] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the door may be connected to the housing by a hinge.

[0014] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the door may have a curved portion, and the door may rotate about a vertical axis to move from a closed position to an open position.

[0015] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the pedal may be connected to the door via a mechanical linkage mechanism.

[0016] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the vending machine may further include a motor configured to move the door from a closed position to an open position. In some embodiments, the vending machine may further include a control unit that communicates with the motor and a pedal, the control unit may be configured to activate the motor when the pedal is operated.

[0017] Some embodiments described herein relate to a hands-free door opening assembly comprising a mounting plate configured to be fixed to the lower end of a door opposite the side of a hinged door, and a body connected to the mounting plate and configured to be engaged by a consumer's foot to open the door, the hands-free door opening assembly further comprises a body connected to a mounting plate and configured to be engaged by a consumer's foot to open the door, the body comprising a first portion connected to the mounting plate and extending perpendicularly from the mounting plate, a second portion connected to the first portion and extending perpendicularly from the first portion, and a flange extending upward from the second portion.

[0018] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the door opening assembly may further include a surface engagement member configured to move along the ground when the door is opened. In some embodiments, the surface engagement member may include a wheel attached to a second part of the body.

[0019] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the body may further include ribs on the body configured to provide structural support to the body.

[0020] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the mounting plate and the body may be formed integrally. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] The accompanying drawings, incorporated herein and forming part thereof, illustrate the disclosure and, together with the description, further illustrate the principles of the disclosure and enable those skilled in the art to construct and use the disclosure. [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a door opening assembly installed in a product storage cabinet according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the door opening assembly. [Figure 3]Shown is a side view of the door opening assembly of FIG. 1 and a product storage cabinet being used by a consumer to open the door of the product storage cabinet. [Figure 4] Shown is a perspective view of a door opening assembly configured to be opened by a consumer's leg according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Shown is a perspective view of a door opening assembly configured to be opened by a consumer's foot or arm according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] Shown is a perspective view of a door opening assembly configured to be opened by a consumer's arm according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] Shown is a perspective view of a door opening assembly configured to be opened by a consumer's arm according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] Shown is a perspective view of a door opening assembly configured to be opened by a consumer's arm according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] Shown is a perspective view of a pedal-operated vending machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] Shown is a cross-sectional view of a pedal-operated vending machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 11] Shown is a cross-sectional view of a pedal-operated vending machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a schematic block diagram of components of a pedal-operated vending machine having a plurality of pedals according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a schematic block diagram of components of a pedal-operated vending machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 14] Shown is a perspective view of a hands-free product storage cabinet according to one embodiment. [Figure 15] Shown is a perspective view of the hands-free product storage cabinet of FIG. 14 with the front wall open. [Figure 16] Shown is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computer system for implementing an embodiment.

Embodiments of the Invention

[0022] The following description will refer in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the multiple embodiments to one preferred embodiment. Rather, the present invention is intended to encompass alternatives, variations, and equivalents that may fall within the spirit and scope of the embodiments defined by the claims.

[0023] Product storage cabinets are ubiquitous and can be found in a variety of places, including grocery stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, gas stations, movie theaters, schools, offices, sports or concert venues, and rest areas. To retrieve products from a product storage cabinet, consumers generally have to use their hands to grasp the cabinet door or handle and manually open the door to access the products inside. Over time, many people may touch the door or handle, which can spread bacteria and viruses. If a consumer touches the cabinet door or handle and then touches their face, they may be at increased risk of becoming ill. While doors and handles can be cleaned regularly, frequent cleaning of doors and handles can be cumbersome or impractical, especially in stores such as grocery stores that may have dozens of product storage cabinets and serve hundreds of customers per day.

[0024] However, consumers may not be able to avoid going to grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, etc., to purchase groceries and other essential products, and they may not be able to open product storage cabinet doors and retrieve products for purchase without using their hands. As a result, there is a need in the art for a door opening assembly that allows doors to be opened hands-free to prevent the spread of bacteria. Furthermore, a hands-free door opening assembly that can be quickly and easily retrofitted to existing product storage cabinets provides a quick and low-cost solution that allows the continued use of existing storage cabinets while helping to protect consumers from the spread of bacteria. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a hands-free door opening assembly that can be retrofitted to existing product storage cabinets.

[0025] Similarly, vending machines often require consumers to use their hands to perform one or more steps in the sales process. For example, consumers may have to use their fingers to operate a user interface such as a keypad or touchscreen to enter payment information and select products. Consumers may also have to touch a door or flap covering the dispensing opening to access the dispensed product. As a result, each consumer has to touch various surfaces of the vending machine, which exposes them to bacteria and creates a risk of illness. Therefore, there is a need for vending machines that allow one or more steps of the sales operation to be performed hands-free.

[0026] Some embodiments described herein relate to a pedal-operated vending machine that allows a consumer to operate a pedal with their foot to perform one or more steps of a sales operation, such as dispensing products or opening the door of a dispensing outlet. In this way, consumers can avoid touching the vending machine with their hands and reduce the spread of bacteria. Some embodiments described herein relate to a door opening assembly for the door of a product storage cabinet that can be operated by a part of the consumer's body other than their hands. In this way, consumers can more easily open the door of a product storage cabinet without using their hands and reduce the spread of bacteria. Some embodiments described herein relate to a door opening assembly that can be retrofitted to the door of an existing product storage cabinet to avoid the time and cost of replacing the entire door or the entire product storage cabinet.

[0027] As used herein, the term “hands-free” may refer to the ability to perform tasks such as opening a door without requiring the consumer to use their hands.

[0028] As used herein, the term “body part” can refer to any body part other than the hand, but is not limited to, the wrist, forearm, elbow, upper arm, calf, knee (or back of the knee), thigh, foot, heel, or ankle.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a door opening assembly 100 configured to allow consumers to open the door without using their hands. The door opening assembly 100 is particularly suited for use with the door 1030 of a product storage cabinet 1000, but may be used on any door. The product storage cabinet 1000 may be used to store any of a variety of products, for example, packaged beverages such as canned or bottled beverages, or snacks or food. Although this application primarily describes the door opening assembly 100 as being used with the product storage cabinet 1000, it is understood that the door opening assembly 100 may be used with various types of product storage cabinets, including, among others, product storage cabinets with one or more doors, product storage cabinets with opaque or transparent parts, and refrigerated or non-refrigerated product storage cabinets.

[0030] An exemplary product storage cabinet 1000 for storing product 1100 is shown in Figure 1. The cabinet 1000 may include a housing 1010 defining a product storage area 1020 and a door 1030 movable and fixed to the housing 1010 to selectively allow access to the product storage area 1020 and product 1100. In some embodiments, the product storage cabinet 1000 may be configured to store product 1100 at ambient temperature or room temperature. The cabinet 1000 may be insulated to maintain the product storage area 1020 at a predetermined temperature. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the product storage cabinet 1000 may be a cooler and may include a cooling unit to maintain the product storage area 1020 at a predetermined temperature for product 1100 that needs to be cooled or refrigerated, for example, for storing beverages or perishable food. The cooling unit may be, among other things, a vapor compression refrigeration unit, a thermoelectric cooling unit, or a cold plate.

[0031] The door opening assembly 100 may be fixed to the door 1030 of the cabinet 1000 so that consumers can open the door without using their hands. The door opening assembly 100 may be retrofitted to the door 1030, but in some embodiments, the door 1030 may be integrally formed with the door opening assembly 100. Thus, the product storage cabinet 1000 may be manufactured to include a door opening assembly 100 integrally formed with the door 1030, or the original door of the product storage cabinet 1000 may be replaced with a door having an integrally formed door opening assembly.

[0032] The door 1030 may include a lower end 1031 opposite the upper end 1033 and a hinged side 1037 opposite the free side 1035, where a hinge rotatably secures the door 1030 to the housing 1010. The door opening assembly 100 may be fixed to the free side 1035 of the door 1030 to facilitate hands-free opening of the door 1030. In some embodiments, the door opening assembly 100 may be fixed to the lower end 1031 of the door 1030 so that the door opening assembly 100 is operable via the consumer's foot.

[0033] In some embodiments, the door opening assembly 100 may include a mounting plate 110 and a body 120, as shown in Figure 2. The mounting plate 110 may be configured to secure the door opening assembly 100 to the door 1030, and the body 120 may be configured to engage with a portion of the consumer's body to facilitate opening the door 1030 to access products in the product storage area 1020.

[0034] In some embodiments, as best shown in Figure 3, the mounting plate 110 may be fixed to the lower surface 1034 of the door 1030 at the lower end 1031 of the door 1030. Attaching the door opening assembly 100 to the lower surface 1034 of the door 1030 can provide the mechanical advantage of a strong and secure connection of the door opening assembly 100 to the door 1030, and further, it can serve to conceal the fasteners used to fix the mounting plate 110 to the door 1030 from the consumer's view. However, in some embodiments, the mounting plate 110 may, alternatively or additionally, be fixed to the front surface 1038 of the door 1030 at the lower end 1031 of the door 1030. Fixing the mounting plate 110 to the front surface 1038 of the door 1030 can facilitate the installation of the door opening assembly 100 and allow for height adjustment of the door opening assembly 100 on the door 1030, as will be described in more detail with respect to Figure 7.

[0035] The mounting plate 110 may be fixed to the door 1030 by any of the following various fastening methods. In some embodiments, the mounting plate 110 may be fixed to the door 1030 via mechanical fasteners such as screws, nails, bolts, or rivets, via the use of adhesives, epoxy, or binders, or, among other fastening methods, via welding or brazing.

[0036] The main body 120 of the door opening assembly 100 may include a first portion 122 that is connected to and extends from the mounting plate 110, as shown in Figure 2. Specifically, the first end 121 of the first portion 122 may be connected to the mounting plate 110 and may extend downward from the mounting plate 110 and the door 1030. The first portion 122 may be perpendicular to the mounting plate 110. The first portion 122 may include a second end 123 opposite the first end 121, which is spaced above the ground when the door opening assembly 100 is installed on the door 1030.

[0037] The main body 120 of the door opening assembly 100 may further include a second portion 124 connected to and extending from a first portion 122. For example, the first end 125 of the second portion 124 may be connected to the second end 123 of the first portion 122. The second portion 124 may extend perpendicularly from the first portion 122 or parallel to a horizontal plane such as the ground. The second portion 124 may extend away from the cabinet 1000 and toward a consumer standing in front of the cabinet 1000 (see, for example, Figure 3).

[0038] To open the door 1030 of the cabinet 1000, the consumer can place the sole of their foot on the upper surface 129 of the second part 124 and apply a downward force to the second part 124 to maintain contact between their foot and the second part 124. The consumer can then use their foot to pull outward from the cabinet 1000 and open the door 1030. The consumer can keep their foot on the door opening assembly 100 while removing products from the product storage cabinet 1000, and once the consumer has finished removing the products, they can remove their foot from the door opening assembly 100 and close the door 1030.

[0039] In some embodiments, the body 120 of the door opening assembly 100 may further include a flange 127 connected to a second portion 124 of the body 120 and extending upward from there. Specifically, the flange 127 may extend from the second end 126 of the second portion 124 opposite the first end 125. The flange 127 can be positioned substantially perpendicular to the second portion 124 of the body 120 and parallel to the first portion 122. When a consumer places their foot on the second portion 124, the flange 127 can help the consumer pull the door opening assembly 100 with their foot and prevent the consumer's foot from slipping off the body 120 of the door opening assembly 100. In some embodiments, the body 120 may have an L-shape or a J-shape in a side view, as shown in Figure 3.

[0040] In some embodiments, the door opening assembly 100 may include a rib 140. The rib 140 can provide structural support to the body 120 of the door opening assembly 100. The rib 140 may be integrally formed on one or more of the first portion 122, the second portion 124, the surface of the first portion 122, and the flange 127. The rib 140 may extend from the first end 121 to the second end 123 of the first portion 122, and from the first end 125 to the second end 126 of the second portion 124.

[0041] The door opening assembly 100 may further include a surface engagement member 130 configured to engage with the ground when the door 1030 is opened. The surface engagement member 130 may have low friction to allow it to move easily along the ground. In some embodiments, the surface engagement member 130 may be a wheel that rolls along the ground when the door 1030 is opened. In some embodiments, the surface engagement member 130 may be a pad made of a low friction material to allow the surface engagement member 130 to slide on the ground. The surface engagement member 130 can facilitate the opening of the door 1030. Furthermore, when a consumer pushes down on the body 120 of the door opening assembly 100, the downward force may cause the cabinet 1000 to tilt forward toward the consumer, creating a risk of the cabinet 1000 tipping over. Therefore, the surface engagement member 130 prevents the downward force applied by the consumer from causing the cabinet 1000 to tip over.

[0042] In some embodiments, the door opening assembly 100 may include a brake 160 (see, for example, Figure 3) configured to hold the door 1030 in the open position, thereby eliminating the need for the consumer to keep their foot on the door opening assembly 100 when the door 1030 is moved to the open position. In this way, the consumer can use the door opening assembly 100 to open the door 1030 and then use their foot to activate the brake 160 to hold the door open while they are looking into the product storage cabinet 1000 and taking out a product 1100. In some embodiments, the brake 160 may be connected to a surface engagement member 130, such as a wheel, to prevent the wheel from moving when the brake 160 is engaged. In some embodiments, the brake 160 may include a leg that is movable from a retracted position to an extended position in which the leg engages with the ground to prevent the door 1030 from moving to a closed position.

[0043] In some embodiments, a door opening assembly 200 configured to be opened by the consumer's leg is shown, for example, in Figure 4. Similar to the door opening assembly 100, the door opening assembly 200 includes a mounting plate 210 configured to be fixed to the door 1030 and a body 220 configured to be engaged by a portion of the consumer's body to open the door 1030.

[0044] The mounting plate 210 can be fixed to the side surface 1039 of the door 1030 at the lower end 1031 of the door 1030 so that the door opening assembly 200 can be operated by the consumer's leg. The door opening assembly 200 may extend along a portion of the free side 1035 of the door 1030, or substantially along the free side 1035 of the door 1030, from the lower end 1031 to the upper end 1033, or to the upper end. When the door opening assembly 200 extends substantially along the free side 1035 of the door 1030, the door opening assembly 200 can be opened via the user's elbow or arm. In such embodiments, the door opening assembly 200 can be easily used by consumers of different heights.

[0045] The mounting plate 210 can be secured to the door opening assembly 100 by any of the fastening methods described above. The body 220 may include a first portion 222 connected to and extending from the mounting plate 210. The first portion 222 may be positioned perpendicular to the mounting plate 210 and parallel to the plane of the door 1030. The first portion 222 may extend outward from the free side 1035 of the door 1030 in a direction away from the cabinet 1000. The first portion 222 may include a front surface 228 facing the consumer and a rear surface facing away from the consumer. During operation, the consumer may stand facing the cabinet 1000 and position their legs, particularly their calves, behind the first portion 222 of the body 220 so that their legs are in contact with the rear surface of the first portion 222. The consumer can then move their legs toward themselves to open the door 1030.

[0046] In some embodiments, the body 220 may further include a lip 224 connected to and extending from the outer end 223 of the first portion 222. The lip 224 may have a curved portion, and the outer end 223 of the first portion 222 may be rounded so as not to be sharp. If the consumer's leg comes into contact with the outer end 223, the rounded lip 224 can provide a smooth surface for the consumer's leg.

[0047] A door opening assembly 300, which is opened by the consumer's foot, is shown in Figure 5. The door opening assembly 300 includes a mounting bracket 310 for securing the door opening assembly 300 to the door 1030 of the cabinet 1000, and a body 320 configured to engage with the consumer's foot to open the door 1030. The mounting bracket 310 may be configured to be installed on the lower end 1031 of the door 1030 and on the free side 1035 of the door 1030 opposite the door hinge. The mounting bracket 310 may include a first portion 312 configured to be positioned in contact with the front surface 1038 of the door 1030 and a second portion 314 configured to be positioned in contact with the side surface 1039 of the door 1030. The mounting bracket 310 can be secured by any of the fastening methods described above with respect to the door opening assembly 100.

[0048] The main body 320 of the door opening assembly 300 includes a first portion 322 connected to and extending from a mounting bracket 310. The first portion 322 may extend vertically downward from the mounting bracket 310 toward the ground. The main body 320 may further include a second portion 324 connected to and extending from the first portion 322. The second portion 324 is perpendicular to the first portion 322 and may be parallel to the front surface 1038 of the door 1030. During operation, a consumer standing in front of the cabinet 1000 can place their feet in contact with the rear surface of the second portion 324 of the main body 320, and in particular, can place their heels in contact with the rear surface of the second portion 324 and pull their feet toward themselves to open the door 1030.

[0049] In some embodiments, the body 320 of the door opening assembly 300 may further include a third portion 326 connected to and extending from a second portion 324. The third portion 326 may extend rearward from the second portion 324 in a direction away from the consumer standing in front of the cabinet 1000. The third portion 326 helps position the consumer's feet relative to the second portion 324 and can prevent the consumer's feet from slipping off the second portion 324 while the door 1030 is open.

[0050] The door opening assembly 400, configured to be engaged by the consumer's arm, may, alternatively or additionally, be fixed to the door 1030 of the cabinet 1000, as shown in Figure 5. In this way, the consumer can choose to use their foot or arm, or both, to open the door 1030 of the cabinet 1000. The door opening assembly 400 may include a mounting plate 410 for fixing the door opening assembly 400 to the door 1030, and a body 420 configured to be engaged by a part of the consumer's body to open the door 1030 without the consumer using their hand. The mounting plate 410 may be fixed to the side 1039 of the door 1030. The mounting plate 410 can be fixed to the door 1030 by any of the fastening methods described with respect to the mounting plate 110 of the door opening assembly 100.

[0051] The body 420 of the door opening assembly 400 may include a first portion 422 connected to a mounting plate 410 and extending thereto toward the hinge side 1037 of the door 1030. The first portion 422 may be positioned perpendicular to the mounting plate 410 and parallel to the plane of the door 1030. The body 420 may include a second portion 424 connected to and extending from the first portion 422 in a direction toward a consumer standing away from the door 1030 and in front of the cabinet 1000. The second portion 424 may be perpendicular to the first portion 422. A third portion 426 may be connected to and extending from the second portion 424 such that the third portion 426 is parallel to the front surface 1038 of the door 1030 and the first portion 422. The third portion 426 may extend from the second portion 424 toward the free side 1035 of the door 1030. The third portion 426 may be perpendicular to the second portion 424. Therefore, the main body 420 can have a C-shape or a U-shape in a top view. When in use, the consumer can position their arm, such as their forearm, within the space defined by the main body 420, with the forearm positioned vertically, allowing the consumer to open the door using natural movements. Furthermore, the consumer can access the space defined by the main body 420 through the free side 1035 of the door 1030. The consumer can then move their forearm toward themselves to pull the main body 420 of the door opening assembly 400 and open the door 1030.

[0052] A door opening assembly 500 configured to be opened by the user's arm is shown, for example, in Figure 6. The door opening assembly 500 may include a mounting plate 510 configured to secure the assembly 500 to a door 1030, and a body 520 configured to engage with the user's arm to open the door 1030. The mounting plate 510 may be secured to the front surface 1038 of the door 1030. The mounting plate 410 can be secured to the door 1030 by any of the fastening methods described with respect to the mounting plate 110 of the door opening assembly 100. In some embodiments, the mounting plate 510 may include one or more openings 512 for receiving fasteners 1080 through it. In some embodiments, the openings 512 may be positioned along the edge 515 of the mounting plate 510. In this way, the fasteners on the door 1030 do not need to be completely removed when installing the door opening assembly 500. Alternatively, the fastener may be simply loosened or partially unscrewed so that the opening 512 can be positioned around the shaft of the fastener, and then the fastener may be tightened to secure the mounting plate 510. The opening 512 may be sized to accommodate the threaded portion of the fastener 1080, such as a screw, so that the head of the fastener 1080 holds the mounting plate 510 in place on the door 1030, and may have a maximum diameter smaller than the diameter of the head of the fastener 1080.

[0053] The main body 520 may include a first portion 522 connected to and extending from the mounting plate 510. The first portion 522 may be positioned approximately perpendicular to the mounting plate 510 and may extend toward a consumer standing in front of the cabinet 1000. The main body 520 may further include a second portion 524 connected to the first portion 522 and extending toward the hinge side of the door 1030. The second portion 524 may be positioned approximately perpendicular to the first portion 522 and parallel to the front surface 1038 of the door 1030. In this way, a space for receiving the consumer's forearm can be defined between the door 530 and the second portion 524 of the main body 520. In some embodiments, the main body 520 may further include a third portion 526 connected to and extending from the second portion 524 of the main body 520. The third portion 526 may extend toward away from the door 1030 and the cabinet 1000. The third portion 526 may be positioned at an angle to the second portion 524. In this way, the third portion 526 can help guide the consumer's arm toward the space defined between the second portion 524 and the door 1030. The consumer can orient their forearm vertically and insert it into the space between the body 520 and the door 1030 from the hinge side 1037 of the door 1030. In some embodiments, the body 520 may further include a lip 528 at the upper end 529 of the body 520. The lip 528 may have a curved shape so that the body 520 has a hook shape in a cross-sectional view. The lip 528 can provide a smooth surface on the upper end 529 of the body 520 so that the body 520 is not sharp and does not snag on the consumer's clothing.

[0054] Figure 7 shows a door opening assembly 600 configured to allow a consumer to open a door using their arm. The door opening assembly 600 includes a mounting plate 610 configured to secure the door opening assembly 600 to a door 1030, and a body 620 configured to receive a consumer's arm, such as a forearm. The mounting plate 610 may be fixed to the door 1030, such as the front surface 1038 of the door 1030. The mounting plate 610 may be fixed to the door 1030 via any of the fixing methods described above with respect to the door opening assembly 100. In some embodiments, the mounting plate 610 may include a plurality of openings 612 for receiving fasteners for securing the mounting plate 610 to the door 1030. The openings 612 may be spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the mounting plate 610. During installation, the user can select which of the plurality of openings 612 to use to secure the mounting plate 610 to the door in order to set the door opening assembly 600 at a desired height on the door 1030. Since the door 1030 may already have pre-drilled holes for receiving fasteners, the height of the door opening assembly 600 can be adjusted without having to drill new holes in the door 1030 by selecting which opening 612 of the mounting plate 610 to use to fix the door opening assembly 600 to the door 1030.

[0055] The main body 620 of the door opening assembly 600 may include a first portion 622 connected to and extending from a mounting plate 610. The main body 620 may further include a second portion 624 connected to and extending from the first portion 622. The second portion 624 may have a C-shaped cross-sectional area in a top-down view. The second portion 624 may be molded as part of a tube. The second portion 624 may be configured to receive the consumer's forearm in a vertical orientation, and the consumer may pull the second portion 624 with their forearm to open the door 1030.

[0056] A door opening assembly 700 configured to be opened by arm is shown in Figure 8. The door opening assembly 700 may include a first mounting plate 710 and a second mounting plate 712 configured to secure the assembly 700 to the door 1030, and a body 720 configured to be engaged by the consumer's arm to open the door 1030.

[0057] The first mounting plate 710 may be fixed to the front surface 1038 of the door 1030. The body 720 may include a first portion 722 extending downward from the mounting plate 710. The body 720 may be connected to a second mounting plate 712 at the lower end 723 of the first portion 722. The second mounting plate 712 may be fixed to the front surface 1038 of the door 1030. The second mounting plate 712 may be aligned vertically with the first mounting plate 710 or positioned below the first mounting plate 710. The mounting plates 710, 712 may be fixed to the door 1030 by any of the fastening methods described above with respect to the door opening assembly 100.

[0058] The body 720 may include a second portion 724 that curves upward from the lower end 723 of the first portion 722. Thus, the body 720 may have a generally U-shaped configuration in a side view. The body 720 may be configured to receive the consumer's forearm in a horizontal orientation, and the space defined by the body 720 may be accessed from the upper end of the body 720.

[0059] In any of the embodiments described herein, the mounting plates and bodies of the door opening assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 may be integrally formed. The door opening assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 may be formed from a metal sheet, for example, by stamping or cutting the metal sheet into a desired shape and / or by bending the metal sheet into the final shape described herein. The door opening assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 may be formed from other materials, including metals such as aluminum, or steels such as galvanized steel or stainless steel. In some embodiments, the door opening assemblies may be formed from molded plastic.

[0060] In addition to retrieving products from product storage cabinets, consumers can also purchase products using vending machines. While vending machines allow consumers to purchase products without interacting with another person, such as a cashier, consumers may still be exposed to germs when operating the vending machine. To enable consumers to operate the vending machine without using their hands, the vending machine 800 can be operated by one or more pedals 850, as shown in Figure 9.

[0061] The vending machine 800 may include a housing 810 that defines a product storage area 820 for storing products. The vending machine 800 can be used to store and dispense any of a variety of products, including packaged beverages and snack items. The housing 810 may further define an outlet 830 that receives products dispensed from the product storage area 820 and provides consumers with access to the dispensed products. The outlet 830 may be movablely covered by a door 832. A dispensing mechanism may be configured to transport products from the product storage area 820 to the outlet 830 for consumer access. The vending machine 800 may include a pedal 850 that can be operated by the consumer's foot to enable the consumer to perform one or more aspects of the sales operation in a hands-free manner, as will be described in more detail herein.

[0062] The housing 810 of the vending machine 800 may have a bottom wall, a top wall, and a number of side walls 813. One side wall 813, such as a front side wall, may be a door that provides access to the product storage area 820 of the vending machine 800 to allow for replenishment of the vending machine 800. In some embodiments, the housing 810 may be molded as a rectangular column. However, in other embodiments, the housing 810 may have various geometric shapes and may have one or more rounded or curved side walls. In some embodiments, the housing 810 includes a transparent portion 811 on a side wall 813, such as a front wall, which allows consumers to view the products 1100 in the product storage area 820 from outside the vending machine 800.

[0063] The product storage area 820 of the vending machine 800 may include one or more shelves 822 on which the products 1100 are placed. The shelves 822 may be spaced vertically apart within the product storage area 820 so that the shelves 822 are placed at different heights. The products 1100 may be placed in one or more rows 824 on each shelf 822. Each row 824 of the shelf 822 may be separated by dividers 823 to maintain products within each row 824.

[0064] The retrieval mechanism 840 may be configured to transport products from the product storage area 820 to the outlet 830. In some embodiments, the retrieval mechanism 840 may be located on each shelf 822 or on each row 824 of each shelf 822. In some embodiments, a single retrieval mechanism 840 may be configured to retrieve products from any shelf 822 or row 824 and transport them to the outlet 830.

[0065] In some embodiments, the retrieval mechanism 840 may include a screw drive configured to rotate so as to move the product 1100 in the row 824 forward toward the front of the row 824, and the product 1100 may fall into the outlet 830 under gravity. In such embodiments, each row 824 may have its own retrieval mechanism 840. In some embodiments, the retrieval mechanism 840 may be a pusher that includes a tab at the rear of each row 824 that applies force to the product 1100 in the row 824, moving the product 1100 forward toward the front of the row 824. Each row 824 may further include a gate at the front of the row 824 configured to stop the product 1100 from moving forward. When a consumer selects a product, the gate may open, allowing the product to fall from the row 824 under gravity, or the product may be retrieved by another mechanism that transports the product to the outlet 830. In some embodiments, the retrieval mechanism 840 may include a robotic arm configured to move to the location of the product, retrieve the product, and transport the product to the outlet 830. In some embodiments, the retrieval mechanism 840 may include a movable cup configured to receive products from a row 824 of shelves 822 in the product storage area 820 and transport the products to an outlet 830. The cup may be movable via an XY mechanism. Products may be moved from shelves 822 to the cup via another retrieval mechanism on shelves 822. Thus, products can be transported to the outlet 830 using any of the various retrieval mechanisms 840 known in the art.

[0066] The vending machine 800 includes one or more pedals 850 configured to be operated by the consumer's foot. The pedals 850 may be located at the lower end 819 of the housing 810 to facilitate operation of the pedals 850 by the consumer's foot. In some embodiments, the pedals 850 may be located adjacent to ground level, such as within one foot of the ground. In some embodiments, the pedals 850 may be located on the housing 810 below the outlet 830. In some embodiments, the pedals 850 may be located within a recessed area 855 of the housing 810. In this way, the pedals 850 cannot extend outward beyond the side wall 813 of the housing 810, so that the pedals 850 do not increase the footprint of the vending machine 800 and eliminate the risk of consumers tripping over or accidentally operating the pedals 850. The pedals 850 may include a plate 852 on which the consumer can place the bottom of their foot to apply downward force to operate the pedals 850. The plate 852 of the pedal 850 may be positioned generally horizontally, as shown in Figure 9, or at an angle to the horizontal plane, to facilitate the placement of the sole of the foot on the pedal 850. However, in some embodiments, the pedal 850 may have other configurations that allow the consumer to apply force to operate the pedal 850 using their own foot.

[0067] In some embodiments, a pedal 850 of the vending machine 800 may control the opening of the door 832 of the outlet 830, as shown in Figure 10. The door 832 may be movable from a closed position where the door 832 covers the outlet 830 and prevents access to the outlet 830, to an open position where the door 832 does not cover the outlet 830 and allows consumers to access the outlet 830 and the products inside. The door 832 may rotate around an axis, such as along the Z-axis of the outlet 830, the door 832 may slide along a track, or the door 832 may pivot around a hinge connecting the door 832 to the housing 810.

[0068] Specifically, in some embodiments, the pedal 850 may be operably connected to the motor 860 by an electrical or mechanical linkage mechanism 862, etc. The linkage mechanism 862 may be mechanical and may include one or more lever arms, pivots, hinges, cams, or gears, or a combination thereof. The linkage mechanism 862 may be electrical and may include one or more conductive wires. The motor 860 may be configured to move the door 832 from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. The motor 860 can, for example, rotate the door 832 around the Z-axis. In some embodiments, the linkage mechanism 862 may be mechanically connected to the door 832 such that the operation of the pedal 850 causes the linkage mechanism 862 to open the door 832 without the use of the motor.

[0069] In some embodiments, the pedal 850 can control the take-out mechanism 840, as shown in Figure 11. The pedal 850 may be connected to the take-out mechanism 840 via an electrical or mechanical linkage mechanism, as described above with respect to Figure 10. In some embodiments, the pedal 850 may communicate with a control unit 880, which may communicate with the take-out mechanism 840, so that when the pedal 850 is operated, an electrical signal is sent to the control unit 880 and the take-out mechanism 840 is activated. The control unit 880 may, alternatively or additionally, communicate with a motor 860 that controls the door 832. Thus, the pedal 850 can control the door 832 and / or the take-out mechanism 840. The pedal 850 may also communicate with the control unit 880 via wires, which may communicate with the motor 860 that operates the take-out mechanism 840 and / or the door 832 via wires 866 and 864, respectively.

[0070] In some embodiments, a single pedal 850 may control both the dispensing mechanism 840 and the door 832. In such embodiments, pressing the pedal 850 once may dispense the product and simultaneously or consecutively open the door 832. When the pedal 850 is pressed, the control unit 880 may activate the dispensing mechanism 840, and then activate the door 832 after a predetermined period of time, or when the product has been received into the outlet 830. In such embodiments, a sensor may be used to determine when the product has been received into the outlet 830. Alternatively, the pedal 850 may be pressed first to activate the dispensing mechanism 840 and dispense the product into the outlet 830, and the consumer may press the pedal 850 a second time to open the door 832. However, in some embodiments, the vending machine 800 may include a pedal 850 for activating the dispensing mechanism 840 and a separate pedal for opening the door 832 of the outlet 830.

[0071] In some embodiments, the vending machine 800 may include only a single pedal 850, so that no product selection is required. The pedal 850 can activate a dispensing mechanism 840 to deliver a product to an outlet 830. In some embodiments, the pedal 850 may dispense one product upon first press, a second product upon second press, and so on. The consumer may be charged for the number of products dispensed based on the number of times the pedal has been pressed. In some embodiments, the vending machine 800 may allow only one product to be purchased at a time, so that the pedal 850 may be operated only once, and subsequent presses of the pedal 850 may have no effect until a new transaction is initiated.

[0072] In some embodiments, the vending machine 800 may include a plurality of pedals 850A, 850B, as shown in Figure 12. Each pedal 850A, 850B may correspond to a different product to be dispensed. In one embodiment, the first pedal 850A may be connected to a first dispensing mechanism 840A associated with a first product 1100A, and the second pedal 850B may be connected to a second dispensing mechanism 840B associated with a second product 1100B. Thus, the consumer may, if desired, operate the first pedal 850A to dispense the first product 1100A, and if desired, operate the second pedal 850B to dispense the second product 1100B. Additional pedals may be included for each type of product available for dispensing. In such embodiments, each pedal 850A, 850B may include a label indicating which product will be dispensed by operating the pedal. In some embodiments, the pedals may correspond to a single shelf 822 or row 824 of the vending machine 800 (see, for example, Figure 9). For example, in some embodiments, operating a first pedal may dispense a product from a first shelf 822, and operating a second pedal may dispense a second product from a second shelf 822.

[0073] In some embodiments, the vending machine 800 may include a user interface 870 configured to receive user input for beverage selection, as shown in Figure 13. The control unit 880 of the vending machine 800 can communicate with dispensing mechanisms 840 associated with each product. Thus, when a consumer makes a product selection and operates the pedal 850, the control unit 880 can activate the dispensing mechanism 840 corresponding to the product selected by the consumer via the user interface 870.

[0074] In some embodiments, the vending machine 800 may further include a payment processing unit 875 configured to receive payment sources from consumers. In some embodiments, the payment processing unit 875 may include a slot configured to receive banknotes, coins, or tokens, a card reader for reading the magnetic stripe or electronic chip of a payment card such as a credit card, debit card, or gift card. The payment processing unit 875 may also include contactless payment options such as a near-field communication (NFC) antenna configured to detect contactless payment cards, a transceiver capable of communicating with a portable electronic device such as a smartphone, smartwatch, or tablet for receiving electronic payments (e.g., PayPal or cryptocurrency), or a scanner configured to scan a code on a portable electronic device for receiving mobile payments (e.g., Apple Pay or Google Pay) from consumers. In this way, consumers can make payments without having to touch the vending machine 800, as may be required when inserting coins or banknotes or when using a payment card. The vending machine 800 may also include sensors configured to identify consumers and access consumer accounts with payment sources based on the detected consumer identity. The vending machine 800 may identify the consumer via facial recognition, voice recognition, or other biometric recognition, or by communicating with the consumer's portable electronic device, or by scanning a code displayed on the portable electronic device, or by receiving signals or communications from the portable electronic device. In this way, the consumer does not need to provide a source of payment at the time of purchase, and the consumer's account may be charged for the products sold. The consumer's account may be associated with a source of payment or payment method, or the account may have a pre-loaded balance.

[0075] Once payment is received by the payment processing unit 875, the consumer can operate the pedal 850 to dispense the product. The pedal 850 may be inoperable until payment is received. In some embodiments, the consumer can operate the pedal 850 to open the door 832 of the outlet 830 as described above.

[0076] Some embodiments described herein relate to a hands-free product storage cabinet 900, as shown in Figures 14 and 15. The product storage cabinet 900 may include a housing 910 defining a product storage area 920. The product storage area 920 may have an open front section 921 that is removablely covered by a front wall 930. The front wall 930 may be connected to the housing 910 via a hinge 906 such that it rotates from a closed position, where the front wall 930 covers the open front section 921, to an open position, where the front wall 930 rotates away from the housing 910 to allow access to the product storage area 920. Moving the front wall 930 to the open position may facilitate loading of the product storage area 920 by an operator of the cabinet 900. The front wall 930 may be locked in the closed position by a lock 932 to prevent the front wall 930 from being opened by a consumer.

[0077] The front wall 930 may include one or more doors 950 that can move from a closed position to an open position to provide consumers with access to the product storage area 920. The doors 950 can move from an open position to a closed position and vice versa by sliding on tracks attached to the front wall 930. The doors 950 may include a transparent section 952 configured to allow consumers to view the product storage area 920 and the products 1100 within it without opening the doors 950.

[0078] In some embodiments, the cabinet 900 includes a sensor 960 configured to detect the presence of a consumer. The sensor 960 may be a motion sensor, proximity sensor, or infrared sensor, among other sensors that enable the detection of a consumer near the cabinet 900. In some embodiments, the sensor 960 may be a microphone configured to detect voice, such as a command from the consumer to open the door. Thus, the consumer can have the cabinet door opened by voice command. In some embodiments, the sensor 960 may be configured to detect a gesture performed by the consumer to open the door 950.

[0079] When the presence of a consumer is detected by the sensor 960, the door 950 can be automatically moved from the closed position to the open position by a sliding mechanism or the like. The door 950 may be automatically moved from the closed position to the open position by a drive mechanism such as a motor. The consumer can then take the desired product from the product storage cabinet 900.

[0080] In some embodiments, the door 950 may be configured to remain open for a predetermined period of time, and may automatically close or attempt to close once the predetermined period has expired. In some embodiments, the door 950 may remain open as long as the sensor 960 continues to detect the presence of the consumer, such as when the sensor 960 is a motion sensor, proximity sensor, or infrared sensor. The sensor 960 may continuously monitor the presence of the consumer, or may check at intervals such as once every 60 seconds, 30 seconds, or 15 seconds.

[0081] In some embodiments, the product storage cabinet 900 may further include a payment processing unit 980. In such embodiments, the product storage cabinet 900 may function as a vending machine. The payment processing unit 980 may have the same features as those described above with respect to the payment processing unit 875 of the vending machine 800. The product storage cabinet 900 may authenticate the identity of the consumer or receive payment before opening the door 950 of the cabinet 900.

[0082] Figure 16 shows an exemplary computer system 1500 in which an embodiment or part thereof may be implemented as computer-readable code. The control unit 880 described herein may be a computer system having all or some of the components of the computer system 1500 for implementing the processes described herein.

[0083] When programmable logic is used, such logic can be executed on a commercially available processing platform or a device for a particular purpose. Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be put into practice in a variety of computer system configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, and mainframe computers, distributed and linked or clustered computers, and popular or small computers that can be virtually embedded in any device.

[0084] For example, at least one processor device and memory may be used to implement the above embodiment. The processor device may be a single processor, multiple processors, or a combination thereof. The processor device may have one or more processor "cores".

[0085] Various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by this exemplary computer system 1500. By reading this specification, methods for implementing one or more of the present invention using other computer systems and / or computer architectures will become apparent to those skilled in the art. While operations may be described as sequential processes, some operations may actually be performed in parallel, simultaneously, and / or in a distributed environment, and may be performed by program code stored locally or remotely for access by single or multiprocessor machines. In some embodiments, edge computing, cloud computing, or a combination thereof may be used. In addition, in some embodiments, the order of operations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the disclosed subject matter.

[0086] The processor device 1504 may be a dedicated processor device or a general-purpose processor device. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the processor device 1504 may also be a single processor in a multicore / multiprocessor system, such a system operating independently or in a cluster of computer devices operating in a cluster or server farm. The processor device 1504 is connected to a communication infrastructure 1506, such as a bus, message queue, network, or multicore message passing scheme.

[0087] The computer system 1500 also includes main memory 1508, for example, random access memory (RAM), and may also include secondary memory 1510. Examples of secondary memory 1510 include a hard disk drive 1512 or a removable storage drive 1514. Examples of removable storage drives 1514 include floppy disk drives, magnetic tape drives, optical disk drives, and flash memory. The removable storage drive 1514 reads from and / or writes to the removable storage unit 1518 in a well-known manner. Examples of removable storage units 1518 include floppy disks, magnetic tapes, optical disks, and universal serial bus (USB) drives, which are read from and written to by the removable storage drive 1514. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the removable storage unit 1518 includes computer-usable storage media storing computer software and / or data.

[0088] The computer system 1500 optionally includes a display interface 1502 (which may include input / output devices such as a keyboard and mouse), which transmits graphics, text, and other data from a communication infrastructure 1506 (or from a frame buffer, not shown) to a display unit 1530 for display.

[0089] In alternative implementations, the secondary memory 1510 may include other similar means for enabling computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into the computer system 1500. Such means may include, for example, a removable storage unit 1522 and interface 1520. Examples of such means may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as those found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 1522 and interfaces 1520 that can transmit software and data from the removable storage unit 1522 to the computer system 1500.

[0090] The computer system 1500 may also include a communication interface 1524. The communication interface 1524 enables the transmission of software and data between the computer system 1500 and external devices. The communication interface 1524 may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communication port, a PCMCIA slot and card, etc. The software and data transmitted through the communication interface 1524 may be in the form of signals, which may be electronic signals, electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or other signals that can be received by the communication interface 1524. These signals may be provided to the communication interface 1524 via a communication path 1526. The communication path 1526 carries the signals and may be implemented using wires or cables, optical fibers, telephone lines, cell phone links, RF links, or other communication channels.

[0091] In this specification, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer-usable medium” are generally used to refer to media such as the removable storage unit 1518, the removable storage unit 1522, and the hard disk installed in the hard disk drive 1512. The computer program medium and computer-usable medium may also refer to memory such as the main memory 1508 and the secondary memory 1510, which may be memory semiconductors (e.g., DRAM).

[0092] The computer program (also called computer control logic) is stored in main memory 1508 and / or secondary memory 1510. The computer program may also be received via the communication interface 1524. When such a computer program is executed, it enables the computer system 1500 to implement the embodiments described herein. Specifically, when this computer program is executed, it enables the processor device 1504 to implement the processes of the embodiments described herein. Thus, such a computer program represents the control unit of the computer system 1500. If the embodiments are implemented using software, the software is stored in the computer program product and may be loaded into the computer system 1500 using a removable storage drive 1514, interface 1520, and hard disk drive 1512, or the communication interface 1524.

[0093] Embodiments of the present invention may also relate to computer program products that include software stored on any computer-readable medium. When such software is executed on one or more data processing devices, it causes the data processing devices to operate as described herein. Embodiments of the present invention may employ computer-readable or computer-readable media. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, primary storage devices (e.g., any kind of random-access memory) and secondary storage devices (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, ZIP disks, tapes, magnetic storage devices, and optical storage devices, MEMS, nanotechnology storage devices, etc.).

[0094] It should be understood that the section "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention," rather than the sections "Summary of the Invention" and "Abstract," is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The sections "Summary of the Invention" and "Abstract" may describe one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the Invention as conceived by the inventors, and are not intended to limit the Invention and the appended claims in any way.

[0095] The present invention has been described above with the help of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation forms of specific functions and their relationships. The boundaries of these functional building blocks are arbitrarily defined herein for the sake of explanation. Alternative boundaries can be defined, as long as the specific functions and their relationships are appropriately represented.

[0096] The above description of specific embodiments fully reveals the general nature of the present invention, and others can readily modify and / or adapt such specific embodiments to various uses without excessive trial and error and without departing from the general concept of the present invention by applying the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the disclosed embodiments based on the teachings and guidance presented herein. It should be understood that the expressions and terminology herein are for illustrative purposes only and not limiting, and therefore, the terms and expression herein should be interpreted by those skilled in the art in terms of the teachings and guidance presented herein.

[0097] The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above, but should be defined solely in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. It is a pedal-operated vending machine, A housing that defines the product storage area and the exit, A removal mechanism configured to transport products within the product storage area to the outlet, A pedal positioned at the lower end of the housing and configured to be operated by the consumer's foot to activate the retrieval mechanism and transport the product from the product storage area to the discharge exit, A pedal-operated vending machine equipped with the following features.

2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the pedal is connected to the dispensing mechanism via a mechanical link mechanism such that operation of the pedal activates the dispensing mechanism.

3. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that communicates with the dispensing mechanism and the pedal, wherein the control unit is configured to activate the dispensing mechanism when the pedal is operated.

4. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a second pedal configured to be operated by a consumer's foot to activate a second dispensing mechanism to move a second product from the product storage area to the outlet.

5. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a payment processing unit configured to receive payments from consumers.

6. The vending machine according to claim 5, further comprising the payment processing unit and a control unit that communicates with the pedal, wherein the control unit enables the pedal to operate when payment is received by the payment processing unit.

7. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a door that, when the pedal is operated, is movable from a closed position that covers the outlet to an open position that opens the outlet for consumer access.

8. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine is configured to dispense products without the consumer's hands coming into contact with the vending machine.

9. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the pedal is located within the recessed area at the lower end of the housing.

10. It is a pedal-operated vending machine, A housing that defines the product storage area and the exit, A removal mechanism configured to transport the product from the product storage area to the outlet, A door that movably covers the aforementioned exit, the door being movable from a closed position to an open position, A pedal located at the lower end of the housing below the outlet, the pedal being operated by the consumer's foot to move the door from the closed position to the open position, enabling the consumer to remove the product from the outlet without touching the door; A pedal-operated vending machine equipped with the following features.

11. The vending machine according to claim 10, wherein the door is connected to the housing by a hinge.

12. The vending machine according to claim 10, wherein the door has a curved portion, and the door rotates about a vertical axis to move from the closed position to the open position.

13. The vending machine according to claim 10, wherein the pedal is connected to the door via a mechanical linkage mechanism.

14. The vending machine according to claim 10, further comprising a motor configured to move the door from the closed position to the open position.

15. The vending machine according to claim 14, further comprising a control unit that communicates with the motor and the pedal, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the motor when the pedal is operated.

16. A hands-free door opening assembly, A mounting plate configured to be fixed to the lower end of the door on the free side of the door, opposite to the hinge side of the door, A body connected to the mounting plate and configured to be engaged by a consumer's foot to open the door, comprising: a first portion connected to the mounting plate and extending vertically from the mounting plate; a second portion connected to the first portion and extending vertically from the first portion; and a flange extending upward from the second portion; A hands-free door opening assembly equipped with [feature name / feature name].

17. The door opening assembly according to claim 16, further comprising a surface engagement member configured to move along the ground when the door is opened.

18. The door opening assembly according to claim 17, wherein the surface engaging member comprises a wheel attached to the second portion.

19. The door opening assembly according to claim 16, wherein the main body further comprises ribs on the main body configured to provide structural support to the main body.

20. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the mounting plate and the main body are integrally formed.

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