An article container for an automatic vending machine is provided for reliably and smoothly dispensing an article in a simple and inexpensive structure and for improving the appearance of displayed articles. In the article container, a rack body is accommodated in a body of the vending machine and formed with an article passage extending in the longitudinal direction for containing a plurality of articles one after the other. An open /close member is pivotally movable between an open position for opening a dispensing port at a front end of the article passage and a closed position for closing the dispensing port. The open /close member is adapted to pivotally move to the open position when an article is purchased. A pusher is disposed to be longitudinally movable along the article passage and to press articles contained in the article passage in front. An adapter means is attached to a front end of the rack body for feeding a purchased article positioned at the forefront within the plurality of articles contained in the article passage toward the dispensing port when the article is purchased.