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Vending Machine Goods Trays Explained: Spiral, Conveyor Belt, Direct Pusher and Hanging Slot — Which Is Right for Your Products?

A vending machine goods tray is the shelf-and-delivery mechanism inside the machine, and the four main types are spiral (coil), conveyor belt, direct pusher and hanging slot. Each one moves products differently, so the right choice depends on the size, shape, weight and fragility of what you sell. Choose well and the machine dispenses smoothly with fewer jams; choose badly and you will have stuck items, damaged goods and unhappy customers. This guide explains how each tray type works, what products it suits, how to plan slots and floors, and how the MINNO 22 inch touchscreen vending machine supports all four.

Table of Contents

1. What is a goods tray?

2. Spiral (coil) trays

3. Conveyor belt trays

4. Direct pusher trays

5. Hanging slot trays

6. Quick comparison table

7. How to plan your product mix

8. Capacity: floors and slots

9. Common mistakes

10. Why choose MINNO

11. Frequently asked questions

1. What is a goods tray?

Inside a vending machine, products sit on trays arranged in floors (rows). When a customer pays, a motor moves the mechanism for the selected slot, and the product moves forward and is delivered to the pickup area. The mechanism, the tray type, determines which products can be sold reliably.

The MINNO 22 inch touch screen vending machine offers spiral, direct push, conveyor belt and hanging slot goods trays, with a capacity of 6 floors × 9 slots. The spiral size can be chosen based on the size of the product.

2. Spiral (coil) trays

How it works. A metal spiral holds the product in the gap between its coils. When the motor turns the spiral one rotation, the product moves forward and falls into the pickup bin.

Best for:

• Bagged snacks such as chips and candy

• Cans and bottles

• Small boxes that fit within a coil gap

Strengths: simple, widely used, cost-effective, available in different coil sizes.

Limitations: products drop, so fragile items may be damaged; irregular shapes may not sit well in the coil.

Tip: choose the spiral size based on the size of your product so items sit securely and dispense one at a time.

3. Conveyor belt trays

How it works. A belt moves the product forward until it reaches the edge and drops or is delivered to the outlet.

Best for:

• Boxed goods

• Items that are flat or do not fit well in a spiral

• Products of varying shapes

Strengths: handles a wider range of shapes than spirals.

Limitations: typically larger per slot and a little more complex than a spiral.

4. Direct pusher trays

How it works. A pusher moves the product off the tray directly. Slot widths can be adjusted, so the tray suits products of different sizes.

Best for:

• Boxes, packaged meals and salad boxes

• Items that are rigid and flat

• Products that need controlled movement

Strengths: adjustable width and suitable for many package types. In MINNO machines, direct pusher trays are used in more premium configurations and combine well with an elevator for fragile goods.

Limitations: may cost more than basic spiral trays.

For fragile items, see our guide to elevator vending machines.

5. Hanging slot trays

How it works. Products are hung on hooks or pegs, often by a hole in the packaging, and released when the hook mechanism moves.

Best for:

• Items with hang-hole packaging, such as small accessories

• Cosmetics and personal care items in blister packs

• Small electronics accessories

Strengths: makes use of vertical space and suits packaging that cannot stand on a tray.

Limitations: only works for products designed to hang.

6. Quick comparison table

7. How to plan your product mix

1. List your products. Write down each product's width, height, depth and weight.

2. Group by size and shape. Put similar products on the same floor so you can adjust spacing.

3. Choose the tray for each group. Spiral for bags and cans, conveyor or direct pusher for boxes, hanging slots for hang-hole items.

4. Decide on best-sellers. Give popular products more slots.

5. Leave room to test. Start with a smaller range and adjust based on sales data.

6. Check temperature needs. Cold drinks and fresh items need cooling. The MINNO machine offers 3°C to 20°C.

The MINNO 22 inch touchscreen vending machine is described as able to sell many items, including snacks and drinks, salad, books, clothes, slippers and beauty products, depending on packaging and size, which is why tray selection matters.

8. Capacity: floors and slots

Capacity is usually expressed as floors × slots. The MINNO 22 inch machine has 6 floors × 9 slots, which means a maximum of 54 slots. Remember that:

• Larger products need wider slots, so the number of usable slots may drop.

• Depth matters too: a deeper slot holds more units, so you restock less often.

• A mix of tray types may reduce or change the number of slots per floor. Confirm the final layout with your supplier.

9. Common mistakes

• Choosing a tray type before listing your products

• Selling fragile items from a drop-based tray

• Using a spiral size that does not fit the product

• Mixing very different product sizes on the same floor

• Not testing a small batch before filling the machine

• Ignoring packaging changes from your suppliers

10. Why choose MINNO

MINNO is a professional vending machine and smart locker manufacturer, established in 2016, with OEM and ODM capability. Our 22 inch touchscreen vending machine supports multiple goods tray types, smart software with shopping cart, remote inventory and sales data, SDK, CE certification and an 18-month warranty. See the 22 Inch Touch Screen Vending Machine, and read our introduction, What Is a Touchscreen Vending Machine.

11. Frequently asked questions

What are the main types of vending machine trays?

Spiral (coil), conveyor belt, direct pusher and hanging slot trays.

Which tray is best for snacks and drinks?

Spiral trays are common for bagged snacks, cans and bottles, with the coil size chosen to match the product.

Which tray suits boxes and packaged meals?

Conveyor belt and direct pusher trays handle boxes better, and direct pusher slot widths are adjustable.

Can I mix different tray types in one machine?

The MINNO machine offers spiral, direct push, conveyor belt and hanging slot options. Confirm the exact layout and capacity for your configuration with the sales team.

Can a vending machine sell items other than snacks and drinks?

Yes. Depending on size and packaging, products such as salads, books, clothes, slippers and beauty products can be sold.

How do I know which spiral size to choose?

Choose the spiral size based on the size of the product. Share your product dimensions with your supplier.

Request a quotation

Email: sales@buysmartlocker.comWhatsApp / Phone: +86 132 1355 7186

Sources and References

Product information

• MINNO 22 Inch Touch Screen Vending Machine product page: specifications, features, applications and listed prices cited in this article, as published by MINNO.

Specifications, prices and configurations are taken from MINNO's website and may change. Please confirm the latest details with the MINNO sales team before ordering. General explanations of technology terms reflect common industry knowledge. Information reviewed: October 2026