Access panel for a vending machine face

Details Access panel for a vending machine face Access panel for a vending machine face

1998-06-19

2001-05-15

Silbermann, Joanne (Department: 3628)

Card, picture, or sign exhibiting

Signs

Sign support

C024S542000, C049S168000, C049S394000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06230426

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vending machine face having an access panel therein for providing access to a graphics piece in the vending machine face. The access panel allows a person to change the graphics piece without opening the vending machine door.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART
With today's vending machines, one or more graphics pieces are provided in a particular arrangement to form the face of the vending machine. These graphics pieces may be designed to attract attention to the vending machine, or may be utilized to promote a particular item. These graphics pieces may become damaged over time, or the item being promoted may change. Thus, it becomes necessary to change one or more of the graphics pieces in order to change the appearance of the vending machine.
In order to prevent theft of the graphics pieces in existing vending machines, the faces of the vending machines are designed so that the graphics pieces are not readily removable from the exterior of the machine. Therefore, it is necessary to open the vending machine door in order to obtain access to the interior of the door for the purpose of changing one or more of the graphics pieces from the inside of the door. Thus, the interior contents of the vending machine are accessible to the person changing the graphics piece, including the vault containing money therein. Accordingly, only certain trusted people can be authorized to perform the task of changing the graphics pieces because of security issues with respect to the contents of the vending machine.
There is a need in the art for a vending machine having a face including at least one graphics piece, whereby the graphics piece may be changed without opening the vending machine door. This would allow the owner of the vending machine to give someone the task of changing the graphics piece without having to worry about the security of the money inside the vault area by giving that person access only to the graphics piece instead of a key to the vending machine door.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a vending machine face having an access panel therein for providing access to a graphics piece in the vending machine face.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vending machine face having an access panel therein which allows a person to change the graphics piece without opening the vending machine door.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine in which someone may perform the task of changing the graphics piece without having access to the interior contents of the vending machine.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine having increased security for any money located inside the vault area of the vending machine.
These and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a vending machine having an access panel located in the face for providing access to a graphics piece in the vending machine face. The access panel allows a person to change the graphics piece without opening the vending machine door. The access panel may be incorporated into the exterior trim of the face. The access panel is openable by using a special key or tool which is different from the key used to open the vending machine door. This allows the owner to give someone the task of changing the graphics piece without having to worry about the security of the money inside the vault area by giving that person only the special key to the access panel instead of a key to the vending machine door. Without the special key, the graphics piece would be securely held in the vending machine face to prevent theft of the graphics piece.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.


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