AU6895200A

AU6895200A - Vending machine

Info

Publication number: AU6895200A
Application number: AU68952/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Munroe Chirnomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-07
Filing date: 2000-08-07
Publication date: 2001-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-07
Also published as: WO2001011578A2; CA2380998A1; EP1218863A2; WO2001011578A3; AU770086C; AU770086B2

Description

WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 VENDING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to improvements in vending machines. More particularly, the present inventions relate to improvements in apparatus 10 for dispensing of product using a vacuum-type product lifting/dispensing mechanism, in product display panels which enhance sales of primary products, and in product containment systems which improve product storage capacity, as well as the ease and efficiency of product 15 handling, access and loading into the machine. 2. Description of the Prior Art Until recent years, most of the mechanisms used in 20 various product dispensing machines (generally referred to herein as vending machines), relied on a multitude of motors, switches and solenoids for moving various machine parts and otherwise handling of the products (articles) to be dispensed. Most such machines required 25 one motor, switch and/or solenoid for each row, column or type of product or package dedicated to be dispensed therefrom. Such machines generally suffer from numerous disadvantages, such as poor reliability due to mechanical failures, as well known to those skilled in 30 this art. It is desirable to provide for an improved dispensing mechanism having greater reliability and versatility. Furthermore, a variety of vending machines today 35 typically include a plurality of side-by-side, WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 2 vertically oriented storage columns or bins which communicate at their top or bottom end with a discharge port in the front of the vending machine for dispensing vendible products stored therein. The columns are 5 disposed in a parallel relationship with respect to each other, and the quantity of stored product therein, such as soda cans or ice cream bars, is usually controlled by proper dimensioning of the area and volume of the columns with respect to the area and volume of storage 10 area inside the vending machine cabinet. This conventional arrangement suffers from several disadvantages: each piece of each product must be separately handled to load the machine, once the machine is in the field there is little flexibility to change is the number or types of columns, it is difficult to efficiently match product demand with storage capacity, and it is difficult to increase the storage capacity of the machine. 20 Even furthermore, it is conventional that vending machines include product display panels which perform certain, highly effective, point-of-purchase functions, such as the identity and source of origin (manufacturer) of the products being vended. However, once the vending 2S machine is out in the field, it is relatively easy for the machine machine/operator to change the display panels and emphasize different products than those for which the machine was originally set up to vend. This can be an undesirable situation, since sometimes a 30 product supplier or manufacturer provides financial assistance to a machine operator of a vending machine with the expectation that product purchases for that machine will compensate the product supplier for the financial assistance. Thus, there is a need in the art 35 for product display panel methods and apparatus which WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 3 take some product advertising control out of the hands of the machine owner/operator. The present inventors US Patent 5,240,139 5 represents a vast improvement in the art in that it provides a negative air pressure (i.e., vacuum) lifter (i.e., product pick-up mechanism), in combination with innovative use of product storage bins, for dispensing products from a refrigerated storage area of the vending 10 machine to a discharge point where it is dispensed to the customer. Objects of the present inventions are to provide a 15 product vending machine of the type generally shown in US Patent 5,240,139, but which has improved apparatus for product dispensing which are more versatile and reliable, has improved product display panels which enhance sales of primary products, as well as improved 20 product containment systems which increase product storage capacity and improves the ease and efficiency of product handling, access and loading into the machine, all being provided in a cost effective and reliable manner. 25 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS In accordance with one aspect of the invention, product display panels are provided in conjunction with 30 a vending machine which enhance the sales of primary products as compared with secondary products also vendible therefrom. In accordance with further aspects of the 35 invention, a rotational coupling is added to a vacuum WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 4 hose in the product lifting mechanism of the vending machine, to improve the fit"of vacuum hose to the product during lifting and dispensing operations, thereby enhancing its ability to transport unbalanced 5 products, as well as decrease the forces, caused by rotation of the vacuum hose, between the product and the product containment wall, thereby reducing the chance of dropping the product. Further improvements relating to the product lifting mechanism are also shown in the 10 Figures which follow, such as an additional rotational coupling in a cable of the lifting mechanism to compensate for rotation of the vacuum hose during its extension or contraction. An alternate embodiment can utilize the addition of a stabilizer ring or suction cup 15 at the lifting product lifter head for improving the stability and grasp of larger product, especially of the air-filled type (such as potato chip bags). In accordance with other aspects of the invention, 20 improvements are provided to the product storage container system, as well as a coordination of these improvements with the structure of the vending machine cabinet, so as to increase product storage capacity, as well as improve the ease and efficiency of product 25 handling, access and loading of product into the machine, in a cost effective and reliable manner while still retaining the structural rigidity and integrity of the cabinet. 30 In accordance with still further aspects of the invention, improvements are provided to the machines control system so that vacuum is supplied to the lifting mechanism before it contacts the product, and preferably sometime after the mechanism has become aligned with 35 product to be dispensed.

WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 5 For a fuller understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the 5 invention and to the accompanying Figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 10 Figure 1 is a front view of a vending machine constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates the inside of the vending 15 machine shown in Figure 1 with the door open; Figures 3, 4, 5 and 12 illustrate details of the product lifting mechanism portion of the vending machine shown in Figure 1. 20 Figure 6 illustrates details of a blower motor portion of the vending machine shown in Figure 1. Figure 7 illustrates details of a macro-box and 25 bins being loaded in between other bins in the vending machine shown in Figure 1. Figure 8 illustrates a view of the floor of the cabinet including the blower motor bulkhead gusset and 30 bin/macro-box retaining walls. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate details of further gusset portions of the vending machine shown in Figure 1. 35 WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 6 Figure 11 illustrates details of the counterweight portion of the vending machine shown in Figure 1. Figures 13-16 illustrate details of the macro-box 5 product containment portion of the vending machine shown in Figure 1. Figure 17 illustrates details of the individual bin construction, including a hinge portion. 10 Figure 18 illustrates a front view of the lower portion of vending machine shown in Figure 1. Figure 19 illustrates the positioning motors for is the x-y positioning portion of the vending machine shown in Figure 1. Figure 20 illustrates details of the product stabilizer mounted to the product lifter head. 20 Figures 21 to 25 illustrate the primary type of graphic card, comprising a single sheet 210 having multi-graphic product displays 212 thereon. 25 Figures 26 to 28 illustrate the easily removable individual display graphic cards, and their mounting to the inside of the card holder frame. Figure 29 illustrates a graphic and product 30 stabilizer on the robot head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a vending machine 2 having a 35 generally rectangular 3-dimensional outer housing WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 7 (cabinet) 3 including a front loading door 4. (Note, in an alternative embodiment a loading door or port could be positioned anywhere on the cabinet.) A customer retrieval door 5 is disposed in a lower part of door 4 5 while the upper part of door 4 is dominated by a lighted product display area 6. Product display area 6, as described in detail later on, includes a plurality of graphic display panels which illustrate the individual products that are vendible by machine 2, as well as the 10 price and/or selection information for the respective product. A line 6' illustrates a division in display area 6, where all of the individual product -graphics which are, for example to the left side of line 6', are on individual panels or display cards, while all of the 15 individual product graphics which are to the right side of line 6' are comprised of multiple graphics for multiple product Selections which are printed or formed as a single graphic on a single multi-graphic panel or card. This technique makes it more difficult for a 20 machine operator to change just a selection in the multi-graphic panel without changing the entire panel, thereby creating an advantage for product suppliers to gain a measure of brand security if they subsidize the cost of machine 2. Note, line 6' is not visible to the 25 user. Located within display area 6 is a transparent (window) area 7 which allows one to see into the machine and thereby view the dispensing of the product. 30 Accordingly, window area 7 imparts a public performance, i.e., a "theatrical" aspect to the machine, as well as the ability to coordinate the product graphics located on the outside of machine 2 with graphics located inside of machine 2, such as graphics located on the product 35 dispensing mechanism, the backwall of machine 2 and/or WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 8 on the product storage bins, and/or on internal sidewalls of the cabinet. Located proximate one side of product display area 6 is a currency receiver 8 and keypad 9 which is accessed by the user for paying for 5 and identifying, respectively, a product the user wishes the machine to vend. Additional lighted and unlighted display areas are located above and below area 6, for general product and brand advertising. Display panels 6 and 6' are attached to the inside of front door 4 using 10 conventional techniques, such as opposed rails or slots and/or a support frame. In a further aspect of the inventions disclosed herein, the supports used for the individual product panels 6' are of a type which are relatively easy for the machine/operator to change, is while the single large multi-graphic product panel 6 is supported by a frame or mounting inside door 4 which makes is it relatively difficult for the machine/operator to change, while still giving a uniform appearance to a view of individual graphic cards. In an 20 alternate embodiment door 4 would have no window area and instead, for security purposes would have a solid metal door. The graphic systems could be applied to a solid door as well. 25 Figure 2 illustrates vending machine 2 with its front loading door 4 open, so as to show a plurality of vertically aligned product storage bins 10 arranged in a product storage area 11 of machine 2, and an x-y positioning mechanism 12 for controllably positioning a 30 product lifting mechanism 14 to a desired position over products which are aligned within bins 10. Figures 3-5 and 19 illustrate details of x-y positioning mechanism 12, which includes left and right 35 Y-direction rails 15a and 15b, which are fixed to WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 9 opposite inside surfaces of machine 2 and extend along its depth direction, and an X-direction beam 16, which is positioned along the width of machine 2 and supported at its ends with roller bearings which travel along Y 5 rails. X and Y motors 192 and 194 are shown in Figure 19. Product lifting mechanism 14 includes a support 18 which is connected with roller bearings to X beam 16 so as to be able to travel in the X direction (left/right) along X beam 16. X-Y positioning mechanism 12 is of 10 conventional design and includes electric motors, gears, cables and sensors which operate in conjunction with a control system (not specifically shown), as -well known to those skilled in this art, to provide controlled movement in the X-Y direction for product lifting 15 mechanism 14. The controlled movement locates the product lifting mechanism 14 so that it is vertically aligned with a particular one of a plurality of product storage bins which are located in product storage area 11. 20 The preceding arrangement for positioning product lifting mechanism 14 over a selected dispensable product in storage area 10 may be referred to collectively as the x-y positioner or more specifically as the product 25 lifter, product lifting mechanism or robot. A source of negative air pressure, i.e., vacuum, is provided by a blower motor (or vacuum pump) 20 located near the back of the machine cabinet 3, as shown in 30 Figure 8. Blower motor 20 has connected thereto, via an offset conduit 203 (as shown in Figure 6), a semi flexible air hose 21 (shown in Figure 8 near the bottom front of the machine) which supplies vacuum pressure to a vacuum junction box 22 (which is optional). Junction 35 box 22 provides a convenient point for connection of WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 10 hose 21 to a more flexible hose 23 to provide the vacuum pressure to lifting mechanism 14. A vacuum conduit 24 attached to support 18 receives vacuum from hose 23 and transfers it to a longitudinally-compressible, self s retracting wire spring hose 26. Lifting mechanism 14 includes a guide tube 25 extending down therefrom which constrains hose 26 therein. Hose 26 has a 3:1 compression factor and is used to conduct the vacuum from vacuum conduit 24 to an upper end of a product io lifter product lifter head 28. Product lifter head 28 acts as a counterweight to prevent sudden movements of hose 26 due to a sudden increase in vacuum pressure which occurs when its end is sealed as it comes into contact with the packaging of a product. Guide tube 25 15 has mounted on an outer surface thereof a z-origin sensor to assist in control of lifting mechanism 14, and may optionally also have mounted thereon a graphic or 3D character, or information or entertainment value. It is noted that blower motor 20 is advantageously of the type 20 which provides a relatively high volume of air flow, but relatively low vacuum pressure. This combination is particularly good for picking up packages since a momentary, or even a sustained leak in the coupling to the product's packaging will generally not result in a 25 dropped package. A Z motor 190, shown in Figure 19, is mounted to support 18 and is responsive to the control system for raising and lowering product lifter head 28 via a cable 30 30 attached between a reel 31 shown in Figure 5 and the top of product lifter head 28. Cable 30 is arranged to pass coaxially inside hose 26. Product lifter head 28 has a central bore therethrough for conducting the vacuum provided by hose 26 to a flexible circular rubber 35 gasket (or suction cup) 32, which provides for greater WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 11 conformance to the contours of a package, and hence more lifting vacuum during the operation of product lifting mechanism 14. 5 The above arrangement is constructed and operates in accordance with well known techniques, and except where the above and following description is inconsistent with the construction and operation of the vending machine described in the present inventors prior 10 US Patent 5,240,139, it is substantially the same. Note, however that the freezer compartment shown in US Patent 5,240,139 is not included herein. In operation, a machine operator fills machine 2 15 with vendible products using the storage bins 10. As described in detail later on, the present invention provides several improvements relating to the bins 10. A user observes the product ID and cost information of a desired product from the product graphic depicted in 20 display panel 6 or 6', and inserts the proper amount of currency into currency receiver 8 and inputs the appropriate product code onto keypad 9. In response, the control system of machine 2, such as an appropriately programmed microprocessor, and its associated parts, 25 causes lifting mechanism 14 to become vertically aligned with the storage bin 10 holding the selected product. Then in a preferred embodiment, microprocessor energizes blower motor 20 when product lifter head 28 is in the immediate proximity of selected product, due to the 30 microprocessor maintaining update information about the product height in each product bin. This is particularly advantageous in the event that the inside of the cabinet or a portion thereof, is refrigerated, since it would decrease the amount of cold air being displaced by the 35 blower. In an alternate embodiment vacuum is turned on WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 12 just before head 28 is lowered into the bin holding the desired product. As soon as product lifter product lifter head 28, via gasket 32, touches the product, a vacuum sensor senses the change in vacuum. In response 5 to the sensed change in vacuum, control system causes take-up reel 31 to rotate, thereby lifting the desired product out of bin 10 and toward a product discharge chute or area. When the product is properly positioned for dispensing (as determined by position sensors in the 10 x-y positioner), blower motor 20 is stopped, the loss of vacuum causes product lifter head 28 to release the product, and the product drops towards customer door 5 for subsequent retrieval by the user. 15 One problem encountered by the above apparatus is that self-retracting hose 26 rotates as it is extended or compressed, due to its internal spiral spring. As a result, product lifter head 28 rotates as hose 26 is lowered into a bin 10. However, as the product is lifted 20 out of bin 10, product lifter head 28 and hose 26 are restrained from rotating back to their original orientation, due to the tight fit of the product within bin 10. Such restraint could cause gasket 32 to break its contact with the product during the lifting 25 operation, especially for "air-filled" bagged products. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a rotational coupling 34 is connected to air hose 26 which allows the 30 end of hose 26 which is remote from the picked-up product to rotate, and thereby compensate for the non rotation of product lifter product lifter head 28 during its retraction from a bin 10. In the preferred embodiment, rotational coupling 34 comprises a flanged 35 tube having its flanged end located in vacuum conduit WO 01/11578 PCTIUSOO/21556 13 24, to minimize any adverse effect on the maximum retraction of product lifter head 28, and its other end protruding outside conduit 24 and connected by a press fit onto hose 26 and secured thereto with a spring clip, 5 band, or other suitable means. In accordance with this preferred embodiment, a rotational coupling 36 is also provided in cable 30, since although it rotates as product lifter head 28 is lowered into the bin, it is prevented from rotation upon retraction. Accordingly, 10 coupling 36 prevents cable 30 from becoming incrementally twisted or untwisted during each vend cycle, thereby weakening the cable. In accordance with in 'an alternative embodiment, 15 rotational coupling 34 could be located between product lifter head 28 and product contact gasket 32, thereby avoiding the requirement of a rotation coupling for cable 30. Alternately, rotational coupling 34 can be put where hose 26 meets head 28. 20 In accordance with an even further aspect of the invention, as shown in Figure 20, a product stabilizing ring 200 is added to the product lifter head of the vacuum lifter, so as to stabilize a product from 25 movement after being contacted by product lifter head 28, and thereby help ensure a more consistent contact to a major surface of the product packaging, and hence a more air tight coupling to the product. 30 In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, vacuum is provided to the product lifting mechanism before it enters a product storage bin, and in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this aspect of 35 the invention, vacuum is provided to the product lifting WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 14 mechanism before lifter head 28 contacts product in the storage bin. This ensures adhesion of the product to head 28 immediately upon its contact with the product, such that there is no opportunity for the product to 5 shift away from suction cup 32, which would otherwise be possible due to the weight of head 28. In accordance with an even further preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a sensor 10 responsive to a change in vacuum pressure in air hose 26 (or hose 23 or 21) is used to provide an indication signal that suction cup 32 has made a good contact with the product. The indication signal is then useful to initiate the controlled removal of the product from bin is 10. In the event of a failure of the vacuum change sensor, a cable "slack" sensor arrangement (including a deadweight 29 shown in Figures 4 and 12) which monitors the tension in cable 30, can be used as a backup detector to indicate when product lifter head 28 has 20 contacted the product. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, as shown in Figure 8, the blower motor 20 is housed so as to minimize its encroachment into the 25 product storage area 11, and thereby help maximize the footprint of the product storage area. Additionally, an airway 203 is provided to offset the location of the connection point between blower 30 motor 20 and hose 21, in order to further maximize the footprint of the product storage area. Additionally, in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the top portion 19 of the blower motor housing (shown in Figure 6) also serves as a bottom 35 support for a product storage bin. In an alternate WO 01/11578 PCTIUSOO/21556 15 embodiment the entire blower motor can be mounted to an with front door 4, so as to even further maximize the footprint of the product storage area 11. In a still further alternate embodiment, blower motor can be 5 mounted to the front of the cabinet, where not only will it substantially protrude into the space of the door, but, if desired can be integrated into the gusset structure. 10 Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, various aspects of the invention relating to novel product storage bin arrangements are shown. Figures 7, 13, 16 and 17 illustrate details of the 15 product storage bin system. As shown in Figure 17, each individual product storage bin 10 is comprised of a pre formed cardboard cutout which is foldable so as to form generally rectangular walls 70 and a floor 72, as well as a "live-hinge" or crease 76. 20 Hinge 76 allows bin 10 to be easily loaded by sliding product from bottom of bin towards the top of bin and placing new product in the lower portion of bin, thereby achieving first in first out product dispensing. A top end of each bin 10 is open, and into which packaged 25 products 74 are stacked. Although bins such as bins 10 are known from the inventors forenoted prior US patent, which provides advantages such as easy pre-loading at a central location in an assembly line fashion, relatively quick restocking as compared to handling each piece of 30 product in an individual manner, further improvements are desirable. It would be desirable to have improved flexibility in the choice of the number of different types of 35 vendible products that can be stored in the respective WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 16 columns or bins and to more easily and efficiently match product demand with storage capacity. Furthermore, in prior art machines loading product at the machine location is generally inefficient due to the s multiplicity of the closely stacked bins, as well as obstructions caused by the position of other components and structures in the machine, such as those which are used to reinforce the rigidity of the cabinet. 10 Thus, in accordance further aspects of the present inventions, and as shown in Figure 2 a "macro-box" 90 method and apparatus is provided for storage bin containment. As described below, the macro-box system coordinates improvements in product bin storage in is combination with the structure of the vending machine cabinet, so as to increase product storage capacity, as well as to improve the ease and efficiency of product handling, access and loading into the machine, while maintaining the rigidity and structure of the cabinet. 20 As shown more specifically in Figures 7 and 13-16, macro-box 90 is dimensioned to contain a plurality of individual product storage bins 10 therein, in a prearranged fixed arrangement. In the illustrated 25 embodiment, eight similarly sized such product bins 10 are housed therein, however, use of differently sized bins and a different orientations of the bins inside box 90 can also be used, as long as they remain vertically aligned. A handle cut-out 92 is formed in at least one 30 side of box 90 to greatly assist the machine/operator with the handling of groups of bins 10. In the illustrated embodiment the left-right width of macro box 90 is dimensioned to house the width of 3 bins 10. Accordingly an extra width of bins 10, labeled 10', are 35 able to be positioned to either side of macro-box 90.

WO 01/11578 PCTIUSOO/21556 17 This arrangement is particularly advantageous in that it allows relatively unobtrusive metal dividers 94 (shown in Figures 7, 8 and 14) to be fixed to the bottom of storage area 11 which position and retain bins 101 in 5 place during loading. Not only do dividers 94 keep bins 10' from falling during loading, but they also keep storage area,11 clear so that the relatively heavy macro-box 90 can be easily inserted and removed therebetween during the loading process. In one 10 alternate embodiment all of the bins in machine 2 could be contained in one macro-box, thereby allowing the entire inventory of the machine to be removed in one step. In a further alternate embodiment when some or all of the bins are contained in a macro-box, the lower 15 front horizontal edge of the box could be hinged to the cabinet so as to allow the entire box to be tilted forward into a stable position at an angle which facilitates loading and replacement of individual bins. 20 It is noted that in a vending machine of this type for dispensing frozen products, such as the one noted above, since the products were located in a freezer, structural components for adding rigidity to the cabinet (needed, for example, when the front door is open) 25 typically did not adversely affect the product storage area or product capacity of the machine. However, in the present arrangement, use of horizontally or vertically extending support beams, panels, etc. to add structural rigidity could easily encroach upon or block 30 access to storage area 11, thereby reducing product storage capacity and/or impeding the easy loading of the product bins into the machine. Accordingly, in accordance with further 35 aspects of the present inventions, rigidity components WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 18 affixed to the cabinet are placed so as to join adjacent and/or opposed walls thereof while making minimum encroachment into the volume of storage area 11 and at the same time leaving more than one-third of the front 5 width access to area 11 unobstructed, more than 50% unobstructed in the vertical dimension, and about 95% unobstructed in the depth dimension. As noted above, in the illustrated embodiment about 3/5 of the front width is unobstructed, so that a particularly good arrangement 1o is to have one macro-box 90 of 3/5th's width substantially centered in storage area 11, with an additional 1/5 width located to its right and left for the extra row on bins 10'. 15 More specifically, as shown in general in Figure 2,and in more detail in Figures 9 and 10, corner gussets 102 and 104 are bolted near the front of machine 2 to adjacent walls thereof to hold the cabinet square and stable when the front door is open. Due to their small 20 and generally triangular shape and their location at the front of cabinet 2, they encroach very little into storage area 11 and present a minimum of obstruction during product loading. Gusset 102, in addition to providing rigidity for cabinet 3, also provides an 25 attachment point for securing hose 21 as it is directed up to vacuum junction 22. Gusset 104, in addition to providing rigidity for cabinet 3, also provides a bulk head for many of the electrical connections, acts as a guide for air hose 21, defines a firm boundary for a 30 corner of storage area 11, as well as providing structural support for bins 10'. These Figures also illustrate a guide 106, which, although not providing for structural support, guides and protects air hose 21 on its path to vacuum junction 22 as well as defining 35 the front end of storage area 11 and providing a firm WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 19 boundary for retaining the position of macro-box 90. One alternate embodiment would allow for one or more macro boxes to be inserted into cabinet 2, while placing a structural support panel 5 disposed across the front upper portion of the cabinet. Yet a further embodiment would allow for two panels (one left and one right of the front center), positioned in the front plane of the cabinet from its base to its roof, leaving an opening therebetween which is at least 10 33% of the width of the cabinet (in order to allow removal of bins and macro-boxes therebetween). One of these vertical panels could be utilized as a frame on which to mount the control systems, coin systems, money and credit systems, as well as the coin box, which are is located on the door in the current embodiment. Although not specifically illustrated, top left and top right gussets, of similar shape to gusset 102 also act as safety stops for the x-y positioner, preventing 20 it from traveling past the inside bounds of the cabinet if it runs past front/back "home" position switches. In accordance with further aspects of the inventions, the product display panels provided in 25 conjunction with the vending machine enhance the sales of primary products as compared with secondary products also vendible therefrom. This is accomplished by providing first and second types of display panels inside the vending machine which are visible from a 30 customer viewing side, i.e., from outside the front of the machine. The first type of panel displays on a continuous or singular graphic medium (single graphic sheet or card) a plurality of graphics for the products and selections vendible from the vending machine. This 35 singular multi-graphic medium can include product WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 20 selection numbers and/or prices. The second type of display panels comprise only individual product graphic mediums for respective individual selections of the products which are vendible from the vending machine. 5 These second types of display cards typically won't have product selection numbers and/or prices permanently printed thereon. This allows product producers to maintain a level of control over the appearance, selections, and pricing of a portion of the products 10 being displayed in the machine. Additionally, the singular graphic medium could be enhanced with electronic tamper monitoring devices (such as optical, mechanical, electrical, magnetic and other types of sensor devices) integrated with or connected to the is medium or its mounting system (such as a frame, etc.), so as to alert the product manufacturer through a communication means (e.g., a wireless device or phone modem or data code) of the tampering. Furthermore the tampering monitoring system could be connected with the 20 control system of the machine so as to partially or fully disable the machine from operation. In the event of such disablement the operator could be required to receive an encrypted code from the product manufacturer in order to reactivate the machine. Additionally the 25 control system could be designed to limit the total number of selections, so as to restrict the machine operator's ability to attempt to dilute the primary product by simply increasing the number of secondary product selections. 30 In one aspect of the invention the singular multi graphic medium is relatively-difficult to remove from the vending machine, while the individual display cards are relatively easier to remove. In a preferred 35 embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the singular WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 21 multi-graphic medium typically displays more than 50% of the vendible products thereon. In another aspect of the invention, product display panels of the first type also include a product identifier code in the graphic s associated with each of the vendible products shown thereon, which codes are needed by the customer to purchase the product. The individual display cards may or may not have selection numbers or pricing printed directly on the graphic cards. 10 It is noted that in a vending machine of this type for dispensing frozen products, such as described in the present inventors forenoted US patent, a freezer is mounted in storage area 11. The weight of the freezer is acted as a counterweight for the machine when the door was opened. If there is no freezer, safety dictates that provision must be made to supply one. However, it is desirable that it be accomplished in a manner which least affects the amount of product storage area, and 20 minimizes difficulties relating to product access and loading. In accordance with the present invention, as shown in Figure 11, a sheet metal frame 78 is fixed to the rear wail of cabinet 3, for enclosing a suitable weight, i.e., cement blocks. The blocks may be enclosed 25 in a suitable cardboard box, to dampen any shock load to the blocks during shipment and to prevent migration of cement dust. The sheet metal holds the blocks in place, acts as a backstop for the macro containment boxes, as well as stiffening the rear wall. If sufficient weight 30 is added to the cabinet by adding thereto machine components, then the blocks are not necessary. Thus, there has been shown and described many improvements for a vending machine which fulfill all the 35 objects and advantages sought therefore. Many changes, WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 22 modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and its accompanying 5 drawings which disclose preferred embodiments thereof. For example, although lifting mechanism is positionable in 3 axes, in some applications only 2 axes of movement may be needed, such as in a single row vending machine. 10 Furthermore, instead of using gussets/supports of triangular or rectangular design, gussets/supports of other designs are just as usable, as long as their shape is not inconsistent with what is described herein, such as vertically extending bars or panels which are widely is spaced apart at the front of the machine. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by this patent. 20

Claims

1. An article retrieving apparatus, comprising: a storage area for storing articles along at least one longitudinal axis; s an article extracting device including a free end for selectively extracting an article from the storage volume; a drive mechanism coupled to the article extracting device for moving the free end thereof in a direction 10 aligned with the longitudinal axis in the storage area, said free end tending to rotate in response to its movement along the longitudinal axis; and wherein said article extracting device includes a rotational coupling associated therewith so as to prevent is rotation of the free end thereof during article extraction from said storage area.

2. The article retrieving apparatus of claim 1, wherein the article extracting device comprises: 20 a hose having spiral supports therein which introduce the tendency to rotate, and said rotational coupling is positioned at a portion of said hose between the free end thereof and the coupling of the hose to the drive mechanism. 25

3. The article retrieving apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the article extracting device comprises a wire spring type hose, 30 said drive mechanism includes a cable located interior to said hose for causing lifting movement of said hose, and wherein said rotational coupling is positioned coaxially with said cable. 35 WO 01/11578 24 PCT/USOO/21556

4. The article retrieving apparatus of claim 1, further including a positioning mechanism coupled to the article extracting device and responsive to control signals for s positioning the free end of the device in alignment with a said at least one longitudinal axis; and user interface and control apparatus for allowing a user of the dispensing apparatus to initiate an article dispensing operation, and to generate control signals for 10 causing controlled movement of the article extracting device and the positioning mechanism so that a selected article is extracted from the article storage area and moved to a dispensing area of the dispensing apparatus. 15

5. The article retrieving apparatus of claim 4, wherein: the rotational coupling is located in a vacuum conduit having its position controlled by the positioning mechanism, and 20 the rotational coupling comprises a flanged tube having its flanged end located in the vacuum conduit and it other end coupled to the free end of the article extracting device. 25

6. The article retrieving apparatus of claim 1, wherein said article extracting device comprises an air hose having one end coupled to a vacuum source and an other end, which comprises said free end, being coupled to an article lifting suction cup, and 30 said rotational coupling is coupled to said hose at a position located between the coupling of said hose to said vacuum source and the coupling of said hose to said article lifting suction cup. WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 25

7. The article retrieving apparatus of claim 6, wherein said rotational coupling is coupled to said hose at a position located between said one end of the hose and said vacuum source. 5

8. The article retrieving apparatus of claim 6, wherein said rotational coupling is coupled to said hose at a position located between said other end of the hose and said article lifting suction cup. 10

9. The article retrieving apparatus of claim 6, further including a product lifting head located between said other end of the hose and said article lifting suction cup, said rotational coupling being located between said 15 hose and said product lifting head.

10. The article retrieving apparatus of claim 6, further including a product lifting head located between said other end of the hose and said article lifting suction 20 cup, said rotational coupling being located between said product lifting head and said suction cup.

11. The article retrieving apparatus of claim 5, further including a product stabilizer ring having an outer 25 dimension which is greater than an outer dimension of the product lifting suction cup, and mounted proximate to said suction cup for keeping articles steady during said extraction. 30

12. An article dispensing apparatus, comprising: a housing for forming exterior sides and enclosing an interior volume for the article dispensing apparatus; said interior volume including, a storage area for storing a plurality of 35 different type articles to be dispensed, and WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 26 user interface and control apparatus for allowing a user of the dispensing apparatus to initiate an article dispensing operation by entering one of a plurality of article selection codes, and 5 to cause one of a selected type of article to be moved to a dispensing area of the dispensing apparatus; and said exterior sides of said housing including at least one side, said one side including an article 10 display area; said article display area including a first substrate having a plurality of article graphics which identify a plurality of selectable articles, which graphics are is permanently fixed at predetermined locations thereon, and at least one of a second substrate having an article graphic which identifies a single selectable article. 20

13. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 12, wherein said article display area also includes a transparent window which allows a user to see into said interior volume of said dispensing apparatus, and wherein 25 said first substrate and said at least a second substrate are positioned in the display area so as to form a periphery about said transparent window.

14. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 12, 30 further including an article extracting device for selectively extracting articles from the storage volume.

15. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 14, wherein said article extracting device includes thereon a 35 further graphic which is viewable using said transparent WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 27 window during operation of said article extracting device.

16. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 12, 5 wherein said one side further includes a user access device which allows the user to access the user interface and control apparatus.

17. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 12, io wherein a support frame is attached to said front, said support frame including opposed rails or slots which engage outer edges of said first and second substrates.

18. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 5, is further including a tamper control system coupled to said user interface and control apparatus and operable so as to limit dispensing by said dispensing apparatus of the total number of different types of article selections to those shown by the graphics of said first substrate plus 20 those shown by a predetermined number of said second substrates.

19. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first substrate includes as part of each 25 product graphic a fixed article selection code.

20. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first substrate includes as part of each product graphic fixed article pricing information. 30

21. An article dispensing apparatus, comprising: a housing for forming exterior sides and enclosing an interior volume for the article dispensing apparatus; said interior volume including, WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 28 a storage area for storing a plurality of different type articles to be dispensed, and user interface and control apparatus for allowing a user of the dispensing apparatus to s initiate an article dispensing operation by entering one of a plurality of article selection codes, and to cause one of a selected type of article to be moved to a dispensing area of the dispensing apparatus; and 10 said exterior sides of said housing including at least one side, said one side including an article display area; said article display area including a graphic substrate having at least one article graphic is thereon which identifies a selectable article, which graphic is permanently fixed at predetermined location thereon, and said substrate being coupled to a tamper sensor for detecting tamper (removal or alteration) of said 20 substrate, and a control system coupled to said tamper sensor for monitoring tamper detection.

22. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 21, 25 wherein said control system is responsive to said tamper detection for at least partially disabling said dispensing apparatus.

23. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 22, 30 wherein said partial disabling comprises disabling dispensing of a given one or more article selections.

24. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 21, wherein upon said sensor detecting tampering, said 35 control system communicates an alert, via a communication WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 29 means, to a monitoring system external to said article dispensing apparatus.

25. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 24, 5 wherein after said control system communicates said alert, said control system waits for an authorization code which is applied, upon receipt, to re-enable said disabled article dispensing apparatus. 10

26. An article dispensing apparatus, comprising: a housing for forming exterior sides and enclosing an interior volume for the article dispensing apparatus; said interior volume including, a storage area for storing articles to be 15 dispensed, and user interface and control apparatus for allowing a user of the dispensing apparatus to initiate an article dispensing operation, and to cause a selected article to be moved to a dispensing 20 area of the dispensing apparatus; and said exterior sides of said housing including at least one side, said one side including an article display area; said article display area including a single 25 large substrate having graphics which identify a plurality of selectable articles, which graphics are permanently fixed at predetermined locations thereon, said substrate also including a transparent window formed therein which allows a user to see 30 into the interior of said dispensing apparatus.

27. An article dispensing apparatus, comprising: a storage area for storing articles along a plurality of longitudinal axes; WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 30 an article extracting device including a free end for selectively extracting an article from the storage volume; a positioning mechanism coupled to the article 5 extracting device and responsive to control signals for positioning the free end of the device in alignment with a selected one of the longitudinal axes; a drive mechanism coupled to the article extracting device for moving the free end thereof in a direction 10 aligned with the longitudinal axes in the storage area; and user interface and control apparatus for allowing a user of the dispensing apparatus to initiate an article dispensing operation, and to generate control signals for 15 causing controlled movement of the article extracting device and the positioning mechanism so that a selected article is extracted from the article storage area and moved to a dispensing area of the dispensing apparatus; wherein said storage area includes an open-topped 20 container dimensioned so as to contain a plurality of adjacently positioned, axially aligned, individual article storage bins therein.

28. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 27, 25 wherein said individual article storage bins each have a cross-sectional area which is slightly larger than the cross-sectional area of the articles as positioned to be stored therein. 30

29. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 27, wherein said individual article storage bins each have substantially the same length, and said container has a length which is less than the length of said individual article storage bins. 35 WO 01/11578 31 PCT/USOO/21556

30. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 27, wherein said storage area includes dividers/guides which facilitate positioning the container and further ones of axially aligned article storage bins within said storage 5 area.

31. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 30, wherein said dispensing apparatus includes an opening providing access to the storage area, said container 10 being dimensioned for being moved through the opening upon re-loading of said article dispensing apparatus with articles.

32. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 31, 15 wherein container has a handle for facilitating removal of said container from said storage area.

33. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 27, wherein all of said product storage bins loaded into said 20 storage area are contained in a single container.

34. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 27, wherein said storage area is dimensioned to include at least three containers, and support members in the 25 storage area are positioned so that one of said three containers must be removed before the other two can be removed from the storage area.

35. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 27, 30 wherein said container includes means to facilitate pivoting movement thereof.

36. An article dispensing apparatus, comprising: a housing for forming exterior sides and enclosing 35 an interior volume for the article dispensing apparatus; WO 01/11578 32 PCT/USOO/21556 said interior volume including a storage area for storing articles to be dispensed, and user interface and control apparatus for allowing a user of the dispensing apparatus to initiate an article dispensing operation, 5 and to cause a selected article to be moved to a dispensing area of the dispensing apparatus; said housing including an access door which substantially comprises one of said exterior sides, and at least one rigidity component which joins adjacent 10 and/or opposed ones of the remaining sides of said housing, said rigidity component positioned near said access door so as to at least partially obstruct article loading access to said storage volume, at least a portion of the storage volume being located behind the rigidity is component, and a plurality of article storage containers, said containers being dimensioned so that the containers and enter adjacent to the obstruction so as to be placed in the storage volume behind said partial obstruction. 20

37. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 36, wherein one of the rigidity component is a vertical support column joining at least two sides of the housing. 25

38. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 36, wherein one of the rigidity components is a vertical support column joining three sides of the housing.

39. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 36, 30 wherein said rigidity components are positioned so as to leave more than one-third of the front width access to the storage volume unobstructed, more than 50% unobstructed in the vertical dimension, and about 95% unobstructed in the depth dimension. 35 WO 01/11578 33 PCT/USOO/21556

40. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 36, wherein said rigidity components are positioned so as to leave about 3/5 of the front width unobstructed, said 3/5th's width being substantially centered in said s storage volume.

41. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 36, wherein said rigidity components comprise corner gussets fixed to interior portions of said exterior sides near 10 the access door of the dispensing apparatus and to adjacent sides thereof to hold the housing square and stable when the access door is open.

42. An article dispensing apparatus, comprising: 15 a storage area for storing articles along at least one longitudinal axis; an article extracting device comprising an air hose including a free end for selectively extracting an article from the storage volume via suction in said hose 20 created by a vacuum source coupled to said air hose; a positioning mechanism coupled to the air hose and responsive to control signals for positioning the free end thereof in alignment with a said longitudinal axis; a drive mechanism coupled to said air hose for 25 moving the free end thereof in a direction aligned with the longitudinal axis in the storage area; and control apparatus for allowing a user of the dispensing apparatus to initiate an article dispensing operation, and to generate control signals for causing 30 controlled movement of the article extracting device and the positioning mechanism so that a selected article is extracted from the article storage area and moved to a dispensing area of the dispensing apparatus; said control apparatus including a vacuum sensor for 35 indicating to said control system to turn the vacuum on WO 01/11578 PCT/USOO/21556 34 before lifting end of hose comes into contact with product, said vacuum sensor detecting a change in vacuum which occurs when lifting end of hose engages article. 5

43. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 42, wherein said control system begins movement of said hose out of the product container upon said vacuum sensor sensing said change in vacuum. 10

44. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 42, wherein said control system turns on said vacuum source before the lifting end of said hose enters said article storage container. 15

45. The article dispensing apparatus of claim 42, wherein said control system monitors the distance said lifting head travels into said container before coming into contact with an article, and uses this information for controlling turning on of said vacuum source so that 20 it is within close proximity to the next article to be dispensed for subsequent article dispensing operations. 25 7 Date: o1 00C~ _____ o__as 3unroe Chirnomas 30