AU1677701A - Vending process and apparatus - Google Patents
Vending process and apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- AU1677701A AU1677701A AU16777/01A AU1677701A AU1677701A AU 1677701 A AU1677701 A AU 1677701A AU 16777/01 A AU16777/01 A AU 16777/01A AU 1677701 A AU1677701 A AU 1677701A AU 1677701 A AU1677701 A AU 1677701A
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P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 32(2)
AUSTRALIA
Patents Act 1990
ORIGINAL
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: PROMOTIONAL PROCESS AND VENDING METHOD AND APPARATUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us Title of Invention: Promotional Process and Vending Method and Apparatus.
Field of Invention: The present invention relates to vending of food, beverages or other merchandise from vending machines, and is particularly adapted to the vending of commodities such as liquor or tobacco products which are the subject of government licensing requirements.
The present invention also relates to a promotional process for the promotion of goods or services. (Throughout the rest of this specification, including the claims, the term 'merchandise' is used to indicate goods or services or both goods and services.) Background of the Invention: Liquor licensing legislation generally permits the sale of liquor only from licensed premises. Liquor licences are generally subject to onerous duties, such as a requirement of strict legal liability that the licensee ensure that liquor not be sold to minors or to intoxicated customers. Different classes of liquor licence may permit •different types of trading, such as sale for on-premises consumption only, or sale for S 20 off-premises consumption only. Sales may also be subject to restrictions on hours of trading. Trading hours may, for example: Sdepend on the class of licence (hotel, club, gaming, retail); or be set specifically for each licence.
The nature of the duties imposed on a liquor licensee have made it difficult, if not impossible, for small outlets such as general grocery stores or small social clubs to qualify for a licence. Allowing small operations such as these to retail liquor is consistent with the current deregulation of industry. It is, however, difficult for such •small operations to trade in liquor in a way which still allow enforcement of sensible and proper controls over the sale of alcohol.
We have appreciated that the liquor control legislation of the state of Victoria will allow the issue of a liquor licence in respect of individual vending machines, or in respect of individual vending machines located on a specific area of land, or in a building, vehicle vessel or aircraft.
The saleof tobacco and tobacco products is also subject to government regulation and licensing. In Australia, governments have also regulated advertising of tobacco and tobacco products. This regulation of advertising has resulted in a movement for the withdrawal from service of coin-operated cigarette vending machines on the basis that these vending machines are a form of advertising. We understand that coin-operated vending machines have already been withdrawn from service in at least one Australian jurisdiction on this basis.
We have also appreciated that: the ownership of a vending machine; the right to place a vending machine in a specific location; the right to stock or re-stock a vending machine or machines (that is, distributing goods to a machine or machine); and the right to be the source from which the vended products are acquired for distribution to vending machines °o are all commercial property rights which may be exploited, either separately or in S 20 various combinations.
The use of vending machines may create a bundle of advertising or other promotional opportunities, including: promotional material physically displayed on the machine itself; promotional material on the vended goods; promotional material on articles which are supplied in conjunction with the vended goods, such as on a drinking container which is packaged with beverages vended from a machine; and promotional material appearing on a receipt or other voucher issued in the course of a vending transaction.
All these opportunities give rise to commercial property rights which may be exploited, either separately or in various combinations.
The last twenty years have seen a proliferation of electronic display devices and electronic transaction processing equipment. Electronic display devices include score-boards at sporting venues, display screens displaying flight arrival and departure times at airports, screens displaying bus or train arrival or departure times at bus and train stations, and the like. Transaction processing equipment includes automated teller machines (ATMs), electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) terminals, transport ticket issuing machines, and parking voucher machines. Such display devices and transaction processing equipment has the capacity of displaying or printing or both displaying and printing information.
Throughout the remainder of this specification, including the claims, the term 'terminal' is used to indicate any apparatus which is capable of presenting data to a person, in any intelligible form such as visually or audibly, and includes any vending machine which has such a capacity. Some, but not all, existing terminals have been used to promote products or services of the organization which provides the terminal.
For example, some ATM displays include an opening screen which advertises services of the financial institution. However, hereto here has been no process for the use of a range of terminals in promoting merchandise.
S 20 As with vending machines, the user of terminals may create a bundle of advertising or other promotional opportunities, including: promotional material displayed on or by the terminal itself; and promotional material appearing on a receipt or other voucher issued by the terminal.
The present invention accordingly seeks to provide a new process of vending liquor.
*The present invention also seeks to provide apparatus for the vending of liquor.
The present invention also seeks to provide a method of promoting the sale of goods and services in general.
-4- Summary of the Invention: According to a first aspect, this invention accordingly provides a process for vending merchandise, the process including: providing a merchandise vending apparatus; and vending merchandise from the vending apparatus; and wherein the process includes at least one of the steps of: creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to place promotional material on merchandise vended from at least one vending machine; creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to place promotional material on receipts or other vouchers issued in the course of transactions from at least one vending machine; and creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to display promotional material on a video display which is incorporated into at least one vending machine.
According to a second aspect, this invention also provides for apparatus or a process •for vending merchandise, where the sale of such merchandise is subject to legal "restrictions, including a vending machine for vending merchandise on reading of a S 20 token which has been issued to a person who may legally purchase such merchandise.
According to a third aspect, this invention also provides for apparatus or a process for vending merchandise, where the sale of such merchandise is subject to legal restrictions, including: a vending machine for vending merchandise following entry of a PIN number or other identifier which has been issued to a person who may legally purchase such merchandise and wherein the vending machine includes a camera which is adapted to photograph users of the vending machine; and a database which includes a collection of photographs of persons to whom such a PIN number or like identifier has been issued.
According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a process for the promotion of merchandise (as hereinbefore defined) which utilises at least one terminal (as hereinbefore defined), which process includes the step of providing at least one terminal, and wherein the process further includes at least one of the steps of: creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to place promotional material on receipts or other vouchers issued by at least one terminal; creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to display promotional material on a static video display on at least one terminal; creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to display dynamic visible promotional material on at least one terminal; and creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to disseminate audible promotional material from at least one terminal.
Preferred Features of the First Aspect of the Invention: In the case where the sale of the vended merchandise is subject to licensing requirements, it is preferred that the merchandise vending apparatus be actuated by tokens and that the process further include the steps of: obtaining a licence which will allow the sale of such merchandise from merchandise vending apparatus; S 20 screening potential purchasers of merchandise for consistency with the requirements of the licensing requirements; issuing such tokens only to persons who may legally purchase such merchandise; and S -vending merchandise from the vending apparatus in conformity to the terms of the licence.
oo It is preferred that the process further includes at least one of the steps of: creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party purchases or hires at least one vending machine from another contracting party; creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to place at least one vending machine on at least one site; creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to distribute merchandise to at least one vending machine; -6-
(S
creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to supply merchandise which is to be vended from at least one vending machine; creating contractual rights whereby a contacting party has the right to place promotional material on at least one vending machine.
In situations where the legal restrictions include restrictions on the times when the merchandise may be sold, it is preferred that the merchandise vending apparatus be operable only during those restricted times.
It is preferred that the vending apparatus includes vending control means for enabling and disabling the vending of merchandise from the machine, wherein the vending control apparatus is operable from a location which is remote from the vending apparatus.
It is preferred that the tokens be credit cards. Where the tokens are credit cards, it is preferred that they carry a PIN number.
It is further preferred that each such token be subject to a limit on the maximum daily amount that may be spent on purchases using the token.
SIt is further preferred that there be a limit on the number of such tokens that any one person may hold at any one time.
It is further preferred that a voucher be issued for each transaction. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the voucher is a receipt for the transaction.
o° Where such a voucher is issued, it is preferred that the voucher be imprinted with text in addition to the record of the transaction. Preferred forms of text include personalised messages or advertising promotional material. In the case where different lines of merchandise are vended, it is preferred that the content of the text be dependant on the line of merchandise which is the subject of the transaction.
Where a voucher is issued with imprinted text, it is preferred that the content of the printed matter be controlled from a remote location.
It is further preferred that sales from each vending apparatus be monitored from a remote location for inventory control and re-stocking purposes.
Where the vended merchandise is a beverage, it is preferred that the beverage be packaged in a container such as a can or bottle. When a beverage is so packaged in a can or bottle, it is further preferred that it be packaged with a drinking container.
Preferred features of the second aspect of the invention:According to the second aspect of the invention, it is preferred that the tokens are credit cards.
It is preferred that each credit card carries a PIN number.
It is preferred that the amount of merchandise which may be purchased with an individual token during a predetermined time period is subject to a maximum limit.
It is preferred that there is a limit on the number of such tokens that any one person may hold at any one time.
It is preferred that a voucher is issued for each sale transaction.
It is preferred that the voucher is a receipt.
ooooo S'It is preferred that the voucher is imprinted with text in addition to a record of the transaction.
go It is preferred that the voucher is printed with a message which is personalised to the purchaser.
It is preferred that the voucher is printed with advertising promotional material.
It is preferred that the content of the text printed on the voucher depends on the line of merchandise which is the subject of the transaction.
It is preferred that the content of the text printed on the voucher is controlled from a location which is remote from the vending apparatus.
It is preferred that the sales from each vending apparatus are monitored from a remote location for inventory control and re-stocking purposes.
It is preferred that the merchandise which is vended is a container of beverage which is packaged together with a drinking container.
Preferred features of the third aspect of the invention: It is preferred that the identifier is a driver's licence number.
It is preferred that the amount of merchandise which may be purchased by a person during a predetermined time period is subject to a maximum limit.
It is preferred that there is a limit on the number of such PIN numbers or other identifiers that any one person may hold at any one time.
-It is preferred that a voucher is issued for each sale transaction.
2 It is preferred that the voucher is a receipt.
It is preferred that the voucher is imprinted with text in addition to a record of the transaction.
It is preferred that the voucher is printed with a message which is personalised to the purchaser.
0•oo• It is preferred that the voucher is printed with advertising promotional material.
It is preferred that the content of the text printed on the voucher depends on the line of merchandise which is the subject of the transaction.
-9- It is preferred that the content of the text printed on the voucher is controlled from a location which is remote from the vending apparatus.
It is preferred that the sales from each vending apparatus are monitored from a remote location for inventory control and re-stocking purposes.
It is preferred that the merchandise which is vended is a container of beverage which is packaged together with a drinking container.
Preferred features of the fourth aspect of the invention: It is preferred that the process further includes at least one of the steps of: creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party purchases or hires at least one terminal from another contracting party.
It is preferred that the content of the dynamic display of promotional material is controlled from a location which is remote from the terminal.
It is preferred that the content of the audible promotional material is controlled from .a location which is remote from the terminal.
Brief Description of the Views of the Drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of Figure 1.
o* Figure 3 is a front elevational view of apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is an elevational view of merchandise packaged with a container for vending apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating operation of apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention Detailed Description with Respect to the Drawings: Prior art Currently, liquor is available through a number of types of outlets. These include traditional outlets such as hotels and taverns. Sale of liquor through these traditional outlets requires trained staff supervising each individual sale. Recent areas of growth in liquor sales in Australia have been licensed sporting or social clubs, and food-halls in supermarkets and shopping centres.
In these growth areas, it is difficult and inefficient to provide the specialist staff and facilities necessary to endure that liquor sales take place only within the terms of the licensing requirements.
The present invention Figures 1 and 2 show apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and in respect of which an appropriate liquor licence has been obtained. In the State of Victoria, this may be a Packaged Liquor Licence in conjunction with an Extended Hours Permit. A vending machine 1 has an interface with the user which ""consists of a video display screen 2, a keypad 3, a card reader slot 4, and two rows of menu selection keys 6 and 7. The vending machine also has a delivery chute 8 for delivery of merchandise to the purchaser. The interior of the chute 8 is provided with cushioning material (not illustrated) to form a 'soft landing' for the merchandise.
The slot 9 above the display screen 2 operates in conjunction with a printer (not illustrated) within the vending machine for delivery of a voucher. It is preferred that the voucher be a receipt for the purchase of merchandise.
When the machine is idle, advertising material appears on the video display screen 2.
,It is preferred that this advertising material appears in conjunction with a message inviting potential users to swipe their credit card through card reader slot 4 to purchase merchandise from the machine.
-11- When a user swipes a credit card through the card reader slot 4, the video display screen 2 then displays a message prompting the user to enter their PIN number through the keypad 3.
On successful entry of a PIN number, the user is prompted to choose a purchase using the menu selection keys 6 and 7 in conjunction with menu text displayed on the video display screen 2.
Following a successful choice of merchandise from the menu, that merchandise is delivered to the user through delivery chute 8.
It is to be understood that multiple vending transactions may take place following successful entry of a PIN number. For example, the menu choices presented to a user may present options for: e the purchase of alcohol and cigarettes; the purchase of alcohol only; and the purchase of cigarettes only.
oo It is preferred that, on the purchase of merchandise, a receipt or other printed voucher be issued to the purchaser via slot 9.
An alternative embodiment of apparatus according to the invention is illustrated in S-Figure 3. This apparatus differs from the apparatus of Figure 2 in that the rows of S. "menu selection keys 7 and 8 of Figure 1 have been replaced with merchandise selection buttons illustrated generally at 11 in Figure 3. These merchandise selection buttons carry an illustration of the merchandise which will be purchased on activation of the relevant button.
Figure 4 illustrates one method of packaging merchandise for vending according to the present invention. The package of this embodiment is a glass 12 containing liquor in combination with a drink container 13 of suitable plastics material, in a wrapping of shrink-wrap foil 14.
12- Figure 5 illustrates a plurality of vending machines in accordance with this invention connected by communications links 17 to a central administration 18. The communication links 17 may be, for example, a local network, leased telephone lines, dial-up connection or cellular telephone connections. Sales data from each vending machine 16 is passed over the communications links 17. This sales data may, for example, take place contemporaneously with each sale, or on polling from the central administration 18. This sales data may then be sued for any one, or for a combination of, purposes. It may, for example, be used for arranging re-stocking of the vending machines on a programmed or 'as needed' basis. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the authorisation of credit transactions also takes place over the communications links 17. In further alternative embodiments, the content of advertising material which is displayed on video screen 2 is controlled from the central administration 18 over the communication links 17.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communications links 17 are also used to control availability of each vending machine 16. When a vending machine is vending liquor which may be sold only during licensed trading C. hours signals over the communications link 17 from the central administration 18 *fee provide a secure method of ensuring that sales do not take place outside trading hours.
C.
These signals close down the vending operation of the machine, and cause the machine to display a message indicating that it is outside trading hours.
C 6 According to other embodiments of the invention, the vending machine vends merchandise which is not subject to restrictions on trading hours, as well as merchandise such as liquor which is subject to trading hour restrictions. It is then preferred that the menu choices available to purchases be modified, either by signals oo over the communications link 17 or otherwise, to vary or modify the choices which are available to purchasers to allow sale of the merchandise which is not subject to trading hours restrictions but prevent the sale of liquor.
In yet further embodiments, the receipt or voucher which is issued to the purchaser carries a personalised and/or advertising promotional material. It is preferred that the contents of such personalised message or promotional material be controlled from the -13central administration 18 by passing messages over the communications link 17 to the vending machine 16.
In yet alternative embodiments of the process and apparatus according to the present invention, the vending machine 1 is fitted with wheels and is mobile, so that it may be moved from venue to venue. These embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for sales at venues such as sporting competitions, public events and the like.
In yet further embodiments of the invention which are not illustrated in the drawing, the vending machine 1 includes a camera which is orientated to photograph a user of the machine. According to this embodiment, the photographs which are taken by the camera are transmitted to a central control station (which may or may not be colocated with the central administration 18). A PIN number identifying the user is entered at keypad 3, or other identifying information is read from a card at card reader slot 4. The PIN number or other identifying information is used to retrieve a photograph of the authorised user from a database. When the transmitted photograph matches the retrieved photograph, the vending transaction takes place.
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Claims (51)
1. A process of vending merchandise, which process includes the steps of: providing merchandise vending apparatus which includes at least one vending machine; and vending at least one line of merchandise from the vending apparatus; and wherein the process further includes at least one of the steps of: creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to place promotional material on merchandise vended from at least one vending machine; creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to place promotional material on receipts or other vouchers issued in the course of transactions from at least one vending machine; and creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to display 20 promotional material on a video display which is incorporated into at least one vending machine.
2. A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the sale of the vended merchandise is subject to licensing requirements and in which the vending apparatus is actuated by S: 25 tokens, the process further including the steps of: obtaining a licence which will allow the sale of such merchandise from merchandise vending apparatus; screening potential purchasers of merchandise for consistency with the requirements of the licensing requirements; issuing such tokens only to persons who may legally purchase such merchandise; and vending merchandise from the vending apparatus in conformity to the terms of the licence.
3. A process as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the process further includes at least one of the steps of: creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party purchases or hires at least one vending machine from another contracting party; creating contractual fights whereby a contracting party has the right to place at least one vending machine on at least one site; creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to distribute merchandise to at least one vending machine; creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to supply merchandise which is to be vended from at least one vending machine; 20 creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to place promotional material on at least one vending machine. o:ooo
4. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: 25 the vending apparatus includes vending control means for enabling and disabling the vending of merchandise from the machine; and wherein the vending control means is operable from a location which is remote from the vending apparatus. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tokens are credit cards.
16- 6. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein each credit card carries a PIN number. 7. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the amount of merchandise which may be purchased with an individual token during a predetermined time period is subject to a maximum limit. 8. A process as claimed in any one the preceding claims wherein there is a limit on the number of such tokens that any one person may hold at any one time. 9. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a voucher is issued for each sale transaction. A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the voucher is a receipt. 11. A process as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the voucher is imprinted with text in addition to a record of the transaction. oeoo 12. A process as claimed in claim 11 wherein the text includes a message which is 20 personalised to the purchaser. ooooe 13. A process as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the text includes advertising promotional material. 25 14. A process as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the content of the text printed on the voucher depends on the line of merchandise which is the subject of the transaction. A process as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein the content of the text printed on the voucher is controlled from a location which is remote from the vending apparatus. -17- 16. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sales from each vending apparatus are monitored from a remote location for inventory control and re-stocking purposes.
17. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the merchandise which is vended is a container of beverage which is packaged together with a drinking container.
18. Apparatus for the vending of merchandise, where the sale of such merchandise is subject to legal restrictions, which apparatus includes a vending machine for vending merchandise on reading of a token which has been issued to a person who may legally purchase such merchandise.
19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the tokens are credit cards. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein each credit card carries a PIN *number.
21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the amount of 20 merchandise which may be purchased with an individual token during a S•predetermined time period is subject to a maximum limit.
22. Apparatus as claimed in any one claims 18 to 21 wherein there is a limit on the number of such tokens that any one person may hold at any one time. e"23. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22 wherein a voucher is issued for each sale transaction. oooo•
24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein the voucher is a receipt. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24 wherein the voucher is imprinted with text in addition to a record of the transaction. -18-
26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein the text includes a message which is personalised to the purchaser.
27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26 wherein the text includes advertising promotional material.
28. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 27 wherein the content of the text printed on the voucher depends on the line of merchandise which is the subject of the transaction.
29. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 28 wherein the content of the text printed on the voucher is controlled from a location which is remote from the vending apparatus.
30. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 29 wherein the sales from each vending apparatus are monitored from a remote location for inventory control and re-stocking purposes. Apparatus as claimed in any one claims 18 to 30 wherein the merchandise 20 which is vended is a container of beverage which is packaged together with a drinking ooooo container.
32. A process for the sale of such merchandise which is subject to legal restrictions, the process including the step of vending merchandise from a vending machine on the reading, by the machine, of a token which has been issued to a person o 25 who may legally purchase such merchandise.
33. A process as claimed in claim 32 wherein the tokens are credit cards.
34. A process as claimed in claim 33 wherein each credit card carries a PIN number. A process as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 34 wherein the amount of merchandise which may be purchased with an individual token during a predetermined time period is subject to a maximum limit. -19- y II
36. A process as claimed in any one claims 32 to 35 wherein there is a limit on the number of such tokens that any one person may hold at any one time.
37. A process as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 36 wherein a voucher is issued for each sale transaction.
38. A process as claimed in claim 37 wherein the voucher is a receipt.
39. A process as claimed in claim 37 or claim 38 wherein the voucher is imprinted with text in addition to a record of the transaction. A process as claimed in claim 39 wherein the text includes a message which is personalised to the purchaser.
41. A process as claimed in claim 39 or claim 40 wherein the text includes advertising promotional material. ••oo A process as claimed in any one of claims 39 to 41 wherein the content of the 20 text printed on the voucher depends on the line of merchandise which is the subject of oo••• the transaction.
43. A process as claimed in any one of claims 39 to 42 wherein the content of the text printed on the voucher is controlled from a location which is remote from the 25 vending apparatus. 0 oooo
44. A process as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 43 wherein the sales from each vending apparatus are monitored from a remote location for inventory control and re-stocking purposes. A process as claimed in any one claims 32 to 44 wherein the merchandise which is vended is a container of beverage which is packaged together with a drinking container.
46. Apparatus for vending merchandise, where the sale of such merchandise is subject to legal restrictions, the apparatus including: a vending machine for vending merchandise following entry of a PIN number or other identifier which has been issued to a person who may legally purchase such merchandise and wherein the vending machine includes a camera which is adapted to photograph users of the vending machine; and a database which includes a collection of photographs of persons to whom such a PIN number or like identifier has been issued.
47. Apparatus as claimed in claim 46 in which the identifier is a driver's licence number.
48. Apparatus as claimed in claim 46 or claim 47 in which the amount of merchandise which may be purchased by a person during a predetermined time period is subject to a maximum limit. S. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 48 in which there is a limit on •°the number of such PIN numbers or other identifiers that any one person may hold at any one time.
50. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 49 in which a voucher is issued for each sale transaction.
51. Apparatus as claimed in claim 50 in which the voucher is a receipt.
52. Apparatus as claimed in claim 50 or claim 51 in which the voucher is imprinted with text in addition to a record of the transaction.
53. Apparatus as claimed in claim 52 in which the text includes a message which is personalised to the purchaser.
54. Apparatus as claimed in claim 52 or claim 53 in which the text includes advertising promotional material. -21 A n t. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 54 in which the content of the text printed on the voucher depends on the line of merchandise which is the subject of the transaction.
56. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 55 in which the content of the text printed on the voucher is controlled from a location which is remote from the vending apparatus.
57. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 56 in which the sales from each vending apparatus are monitored from a remote location for inventory control and re-stocking purposes.
58. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 57 in which the merchandise which is vended is a container of beverage which is packaged together with a drinking container. A process for vending merchandise, where the sale of such merchandise is •-•subject to legal restrictions, the process including the steps of: vending merchandise from a vending machine following entry of a PIN 20 number or other identifier which has been issued to a person who may legally purchase such merchandise and wherein the vending machine includes a camera which is adapted to photograph users of the vending machine; and S"a database which includes a collection of photographs of persons to whom such a PIN number or like identifier has been issued. A process as claimed in claim 59 in which the identifier is a driver's licence number.
61. A process as claimed in claim 59 or claim 60 in which the amount of merchandise which may be purchased by a person during a predetermined time period is subject to a maximum limit. -22-
62. A process as claimed in any one of claims 59 to 61 in which there is a limit on the number of such PIN numbers or other identifiers that any one person may hold at any one time.
63. A process as claimed in any one of claims 59 to 62 in which a voucher is issued for each sale transaction.
64. A process as claimed in claim 63 in which the voucher is a receipt.
65. A process as claimed in claim claim 63 or claim 64 in which the voucher is imprinted with text in addition to a record of the transaction.
66. A process as claimed in claim 65 in which the text includes a message which is personalised to the purchaser.
67. A process as claimed in claim 65 or claim 66 in which the text includes advertising promotional material.
68. A process as claimed in any one of claims 65 to 67 in which the content of the 20 text printed on the voucher depends on the line of merchandise which is the subject of the transaction.
69. A process as claimed in any one of claims 65 to 68 in which the content of the text printed on the voucher is controlled from a location which is remote from the 25 vending apparatus. A process as claimed in any one of claims 59 to 69 in which the sales from each vending apparatus are monitored from a remote location for inventory control and re-stocking purposes.
71. A process as claimed in any one of claims 59 to 70 in which the merchandise which is vended is a container of beverage which is packaged together with a drinking container. -23- a
72. A process for the promotion of at least one line of merchandise (as hereinbefore defined) which utilises at least one terminal (as hereinbefore defined), which process includes the step of providing at least one terminal, and wherein the process further includes at least one of the steps of: creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to place promotional material on receipts or other vouchers issued by at least one terminal; creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to display promotional material on a static visible display on at least one terminal; creating contractual rights to display dynamic visible promotional material on at least one terminal; and creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party has the right to disseminate audible promotional material from at least one terminal.
73. A process as claimed in claim 72, wherein the process further includes at least S 20 one of the steps of: S•creating contractual rights whereby a contracting party purchases or hires at least one terminal from another contracting party. 25 74. A process as claimed in claim 72 or claim 73 in which the content of the dynamic display of promotional material is controlled from a location which is remote from the terminal. A process as claimed in any one of claims 72 to 74 in which the content of the audible promotional material is controlled from a location which is remote from the terminal.
76. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, 32 to 45, or 59 to substantially as described with reference to the drawings. -24- I f,
77. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 3 1, or 46 to 58, substantially as described with reference to the drawings. DATED this 1st day of February 2001 TERRENCE ALAN MOUNSEY and DEAN HENRY CLEARY WATE1R1ARK PATENT TRADENARK ATTORNEYS 290 BURWOOD RoAD HAWTHORN. VIC. 3122. 0* C C C. see. S. @505 C S. C S C 0 C* C @0 t. C CCC@ 25
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU16777/01A AU779873B2 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 2001-02-01 | Vending process and apparatus |
| AU2004233508A AU2004233508A1 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 2004-11-29 | Vending Process |
| AU2004233507A AU2004233507A1 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 2004-11-29 | Promotional Process and Vending Process and Apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPP3279 | 1998-05-01 | ||
| AU16391/99A AU726243B2 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 1999-02-11 | Vending method and apparatus |
| AU16777/01A AU779873B2 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 2001-02-01 | Vending process and apparatus |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU16391/99A Division AU726243B2 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 1999-02-11 | Vending method and apparatus |
Related Child Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2004233508A Division AU2004233508A1 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 2004-11-29 | Vending Process |
| AU2004233507A Division AU2004233507A1 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 2004-11-29 | Promotional Process and Vending Process and Apparatus |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU1677701A true AU1677701A (en) | 2001-05-03 |
| AU779873B2 AU779873B2 (en) | 2005-02-17 |
Family
ID=34280387
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU16777/01A Ceased AU779873B2 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 2001-02-01 | Vending process and apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU779873B2 (en) |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH103568A (en) * | 1996-06-14 | 1998-01-06 | Hitachi Ltd | Electronic purse application system and transaction device using ic card |
-
2001
- 2001-02-01 AU AU16777/01A patent/AU779873B2/en not_active Ceased
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU779873B2 (en) | 2005-02-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC1 | Assignment before grant (sect. 113) |
Owner name: GARRY DAVID BOYD, DEAN HENRY CLEARY Free format text: THE FORMER OWNER WAS: TERRENCE ALAN MOUNSEY, DEAN HENRY CLEARY |
|
| PC1 | Assignment before grant (sect. 113) |
Owner name: EXPRESS RX PTY LTD Free format text: THE FORMER OWNER WAS: GARRY DAVID BOYD, DEAN HENRY CLEARY |
|
| TC | Change of applicant's name (sec. 104) |
Owner name: GLOBAL VENDING PTY LTD Free format text: FORMER NAME: EXPRESS RX PTY LTD |