Importance

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Abstract

An articulated gravity feed module includes a curved chute for holding items for sale, the chute having a curved bottom wall with a radius of curvature decreasing from a rear portion to a front portion, and side walls connected with the bottom wall; a mounting assembly mounting the chute to a wall; a hopper for supplying items to the chute, the hopper including an elongated enclosure having an open upper end for restocking the items and an open lower end which is always open to the chute for depositing items on the chute, the elongated enclosure being formed by a rear wall, a front wall and interconnecting side walls, the rear wall having a lower portion with a radius of curvature similar to that of the rear portion of the bottom wall of the chute so that the lower portion of the rear wall rides along the rear portion of the bottom wall of the chute; pivot pins pivotally securing the hopper to the chute at a position above the chute, such that the hopper is pivotable between an upright dispensing position adjacent the wall and a restocking position positioned away from the wall; and a limit mechanism limiting pivotal movement of the hopper with respect to the chute, the limit mechanism including an elongated slot in the rear portion of the bottom wall of the chute and a stop pin mounted on the lower portion of the rear wall for engagement within the elongated slot.

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First Claim