A dispensing system for a vending machine includes a vend motor, a cradle,
a load bar and a push arm. Upon selection of a particular product, the
vend motor rotates the cradle, causing the product to emerge from the
vending machine. The cradle is designed to accommodate a wide array of
container sizes. The dispensing system incorporates a rotation sensor, a
position sensor, and a lift arm. The sensors enable accurate rotation of
the cradle through a plurality of vend angles depending upon the
particular product being vended, while the lift arm cooperates with the
push arm and load bar to refill the cradle after a series of product
containers have been dispensed. In addition, the vend motor includes a
soft start control that prevents instantaneous rotation of the output
shaft so as to prolong an overall operational life of the motor.