CA1308396C - Increased column/selectivity vender - Google Patents
Increased column/selectivity venderInfo
- Publication number
- CA1308396C CA1308396C CA000547612A CA547612A CA1308396C CA 1308396 C CA1308396 C CA 1308396C CA 000547612 A CA000547612 A CA 000547612A CA 547612 A CA547612 A CA 547612A CA 1308396 C CA1308396 C CA 1308396C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- columns
- vending machine
- row
- products
- product
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
- G07F11/04—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
- G07F11/10—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other two or more magazines having a common delivery chute
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
- G07F11/04—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
- G07F11/08—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other arranged in two columns in staggered relationship
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
- Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A space-to-sales vend rack including a plurality of adjacent vend columns having a wide range of respective storage capacities, said columns including means for supporting products in vertical stacks therein and being arranged in groups to provide space for respective products commensurate with the anticipated sales of such products. Some of these columns are fixed within the vending machine which certain of these columns are mounted for at least partial removal from the interior of the vending machine to provide access to all of the columns for loading them with the products to be dispensed and for maximizing the numbers of groups of columns which can be placed within a given interior space of a vending machine.
A space-to-sales vend rack including a plurality of adjacent vend columns having a wide range of respective storage capacities, said columns including means for supporting products in vertical stacks therein and being arranged in groups to provide space for respective products commensurate with the anticipated sales of such products. Some of these columns are fixed within the vending machine which certain of these columns are mounted for at least partial removal from the interior of the vending machine to provide access to all of the columns for loading them with the products to be dispensed and for maximizing the numbers of groups of columns which can be placed within a given interior space of a vending machine.
Description
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INCREASED COLUMN/SELECTI ~ Y VENDER
BAC~GROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to vend racks for a vending machine that store softdrink bottles or cans and feed the same to a discharge port in the front of a vending machine in a uniform manner. More specifically, the present invention relates to vend rack mechanisms having the flexibility of storing selected numbers of vendable bottles or cans in a variety of separately accessible vend column configurations.
One of the most widely used conventional vend racks for bottles and cans in a vending machine includes a plurality of side-by-side, vertical storage columns, each of which communicates with a discharge port in the front o~ a vending machine.
The columns are disposed in parallel relationship, and the quantity of vendable products therein is usually controlled by dimensioning the width of the columns to receive either a double row of nestable bottles or cans or a single stacked row of bottles or cans. These columns may either be one-deep, two-deep or three-deep, depending on the depth on the vending machine cabinet. This conventional vend rack suffers from the disadvantage that there is little flexibility in choice of the number of vendable ~ .
~ . , products that can be stored in the respective columns. Therefore, it is difficult to match product demand with storage capacity for any given column for a vending machine of this type which conventionally contains from five to nlne selectable products and from seven to ten columns.
The demand for different types of produc~s may depend on sales location or general popularity. In addition, in vending machines such as described in U.S. Patent 4,380,130 to Bachmann, et al., issued April l9, 1983 and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, product sales or demand is also influenced, for example, hy the unique styling of a given vending machine.For instance, if the vending machine includes the use of an enlarged primary product selection button adjacent the coin slot of the vending machine, there will be a distinct need for more flexibility in product storaye and delivery from the respective chutes of a vend rack, to accomodate the vending format of that machine.
The need to match product demand with storage capacity exists, however, for all machines which vend multiple pxoducts.
One attempt to provide greater column selectivity in a vender is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,245,755 to Craven et al. In Craven, some increased selectivity is achieved by a communicating slant shelf extension of a column for which the storage capacity is to be increased. However, even the Craven apparatus has limited selectivity.
SUMMARY OF I~IE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide vend rack configurations for a plural product vending machine having the ability to store and supply a large numb~r of high-demand, high-selling, vendable products in one or more large-capacity vend column configurations, and to store and supply low-selling vendable products in lower capacit~ vend column configurations.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide vend rack configurations with greater flexibility for the variation of storage capacities of different types of vendable products within a machine of the same overall storage volume as conventional machines, including a plurality of juxtaposed, vertical storage columns.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a vend rack structure for use in a multiple-product vending machine which facilitates matching of the capacity of respective configurations of vend columns with product demand so that the respective chutes containing the different products will theoretically become empty about the same point in time, thereby reducing the number of service calls for refilling the machine.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a vend rack which may be easily retrofit into existing vending machines which presently utilize conventional, vertical column vend racks.
Various aspects of the invention are as follows:
A vend rack assembly for delivering vendable cylindrical products to discharge port means in the face of a vending machine comprising:
a plurality of vertical columns disposed side-by-side in a parallel relationship behind said face of said vending machine, the bottom of each of said columns communicating with said discharge port means, said ' P~
- ~3~ 339~
~ a columns including means for supporting products in stacks therein an~ being arranyed in groups to provide space for respective products commensurate with anticipated sales of such products, some of said columns being fixed within said vending machine and certain of said columns including means for mounking said certain columns for at least partial removal thereo~ from the interior of said vending machine, said columns including at least two di~ferent product storage configurations and capacities, to provide access to all of said columns for loading the same with sai.d products and to maximize the number of groups of said columns within a given interior space of said vending machine;
wherein said columns are collectively contained side-by-side in at least first and second rows within a substantially rectangular area as viewed from the front of said vending machine, wherein said second row is parallel to said first row and said first row is fixed within said vending machine and said second row includes mounting means for said columns in said second row to permit said second row of columns to move outward from the interior of said vending machine to facilitate loading of products therein, said mounting means includes a hinged pivot means permitting said second row to swing away from said first row;
an interior rear wall opposite said vending machine face; and a pair of sidewalls substantially extending from said rear wall to said face;
wherein said first row comprises a combination of vertically disposed corded double-deep product columns, single-deep product columns disposed across said interior rear wall, and wherein said second row comprises a plurality of vertically disposed single-deep product columns in said mounting means adjacent the interior of said vending machine face.
A
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4b A vending machine for storing and delivering a plurality of vendable cylindrical products to discharge port means in the face thereof, said vendable products including primary high demand products and secondary lower demand products, said vending machine comprising.
a~ a product selection panel including primary product selector means and secondary product selector means for selecting said primary and secondary products, respectively;
b) a vend rack assembly for delivering the vendable products to the discharge port means in the face of a vending machine including, a plurality of vertical columns disposed sid0-by-side in a parallel relationship behind said face of said vending machine, the bottom of each of said column portions communicating with said discharge port means, said columns including means for supporting products in stacks therein and being arranged in groups to provide space for respective products commensurate with anticipated sales of such products, some of said columns being fixed within said vending machine and certain of said columns including means for mounting said certain columns for at least partial removal thereof from the interior of said vending machine to provide access to all of said columns for loading the same with said products and maximizing the number of groups of said columns within a given interior space of said vending machine, wherein said columns are collectively contained side-by-side in at least first and second rows within a ~ubstantially rectangular area as viewed from the front of said vending machine, and wherein said second row is parallel to said first row and said first row is fixed within said vending machine and said second row includes mounting means for said columns in said second row to permit said second row of columns to move outward from : the interior of said vending machine to facilitate ~c loading of products therein, said mounting means includes a hinged pivot means on each of said column groups permitting said second row to swing away from said first row;
c) vend initiation means responsive to said selector means for releasing vendable produc~s from the bottom of the vertical columns, at least one vend initiation means being associated with each column;
d) means operatively connecting said primary product selector means with vend initiation means of selected ones of said columns and said secondary product selector means with other ones of said columns;
wherein primary, high demand products may be stored in said selected ones of said columns and said secondary, lower demand products may be stored in said other ones of said columns; and e) an interior rear wall opposite said vending machine face and a pair of sidewalls substantially extending from said rear wall to said face, wherein said first row comprises a combination of vertically disposed corded double-deep product columns, single double-deep product columns and single-deep product columns disposed across said interior rear wall;
said second row comprises a plurality of vertically disposed single-deep product columns in said mounting means adjacent the interior of said vending machine face.
A vend rack assembly for delivering vendable cylindrical products to a discharge port in the face of a vending machine, comprising:
a plurality of vertical columns disposed side-by-side in parallel relationship behind the face of the vending machine, the bottom of each of the columns communicating with the discharge port, the columns being of selected sizes and arranged in groups to include means to provide space for respective products commensurate with the anticipated sales of such products .:
and including means for supporting said products in vertical stacks, some of the columns being ~ixed within the vending machine and certain of the columns including means mounting those certain columns for at least partial removal thereof from the interior of the vending machine to provide access to all of the columns for loading some with the products and maximizing the num~er of groups of columns within a given interior space of the vending machine.
3~3~
The columns are collectively contained side-by-side within a substantially rectangular frame of substantially the same size as a conventional, vertical column vend rack, so it may be easily retrofit into existing vending machines. At least two rows of columns are provided with one row being movably mounted with respect to the other row.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ~RA~INGS
The objects of the present invention and the attendant advantages thereof will become more readity apparent by reference to the following drawi~gs wherein like numerals refer to like parts and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vending machine of the type disclosed in ~.S. Patent 4,380,130, issued April 19, 1983 to Bachmann, et al;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of prior art vend rack mechanism including only vertical storage columns disposed within a generally rectangular frame;
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a vend rack configuration according to the present invention as would be seen with the top wall of the vending machine removed and with the door open;
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, _ Figure 4 is a side elevation of a vending rack configuration such as shown in figure 3 with a sidewall of the vending machine removed;
Figure 5 is a diagrammatic cross section t~ken along line 5-5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a diagrammatic top plan view of another embodiment of the vending rack configurations of the present invention illustrating the use of multiple hinged racks;
Figure 7 is a diagrammatic cross section taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a diagrammatic cross section taken along line 8-8 of Figure 6; ~
Figure 9 is a diagrammatic top plan view of another embodiment of the vend rack configurations of the present invention utilizing multiple hinged racks;
Figure 10 is a diagrammatic top plan vie~7 of another embodiment of the vend rack configurations of the present invention utilizing door mounted vend racks;
Figure 11 is a diagrammatic top plan view of yet another embodiment of the present invention illustrating a combination of double- and single-deep columns, both f ixed and hinged; and Figure 12 is a diagrammatic cross section taken along line 12-12 of Figure 11.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTIo~T OF PREFERRED EMBODI~ENTS
Referring to Figure 1, an exemplary vending machine 12, incorporating a display panel 1~, is illustrated as being a b~sically three-dimensional, rectangular structure having vertical sides 16 joining horizontal top and bottom sides 18 and 20, respectively. The structure of the vending machine 12 is completed by a flat planar rear surface and a front panel comprising a door 24 which includes the display panel 14 as the obverse face thereof.
The door 24 includes a sealing skirt 24A along one vertical edge thereof and is provided with hinges 24B at the top and bottom of the door on the opposite vertical side thereof to permit access to the interior of the vending machine 12. The bottom surface 20 of the vending machine 12 is illustrated as a load bearing pad or the like which ext~nds outwardly from the main body portion of the machine 12 beneath the door structure 24 and display panel 14.
A further overlapped sealing skirt structure 24C
extends across the top of the door 24 and cooperates with the top surface 18 of the vending machine 12.
The display panel 14 includes a first transversely disposed, opaque field section 14A
located below the median height of the panel 14 in the preferred embodiment illustrated, in which a discharge port DP and a bottle opener BO are positioned side-by-side.
.
, ~3(~33 _9_ A second opaque field 14~ comprisiny the : selection control portion o~ the display panel 14 is basically rectangular in shape in the embodiment illustrated and extends vertically from the upper right-hand side of the transversely disposed first opaque field 14A.
The remaining area above the uppermost edge of the first opaque field 14A and the top of the display panel 14 is of an inverted L shape which is completely defined by a first contrasting panel 14C
which is translucent and is back-lighted in a manner well known in the art, such as for example, the back-lighting arrangement illustrated in U.S: Patent 4,245,730 to Bachmann, et al., for "Display panel For A Vending machine", issued January 20, 1981. The first contrasting panel 14C carries a logo L which is printed out for illustration and which, in the embodiment shown, serves to suggest, in combination with the manner of positioning the logo L thereon, a container shaped such as a can of the beverage "COCA~COLAi', a Registered Trademark of The Coca-cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia. The logo illustrated is for l'COKE" which is also a well-known Registered Trademark of that company. Thus, the ~irst contrasting panel with its logo serves to suggest to a potential purchaser utilizing the vending machine 12, a can of "COKE".
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- /o Beneath the lower edge of the first opaque field 14A is a transversely disposed, second contras~ing panel 14D which can be of various configurations or contrasting color zones, and constitutes a transversely disposed, rectangular field which, in eombination with the shape (inverted L) of the first eontrasting panel 14C, provides a suggestion o~ the letter "C", which is a an abbreviation for "C~E", the logo displayed on the first contrasting panel.
The presentation of goods within the vending maehine 12 and the selection thereof for vending is accomplished by the second opaque field (control panel) 14B which ineludes the following comp'onents:
At the uppermost edge of the control panel 14B is a eoin slot and return mechanism CS adjacent to which is a pricing label PL whieh displays a price for the various goods to be dispensed by the vendin~ machine 12.
Beneath the eoin slot mechanism CS is an enlarged primary product seleetor button BP whieh subtends two vertical columns of seeondary produet seleetor buttons BSl through BS6, the seeondary produet seleetor buttons BSl-BS3 eonstituting one eolumn and the seeondary produet seleetor buttons BS4-BS6 eonstituting a seeond vertieal eolumn parallel to the first.
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All of the product selector buttons sP~ BSl....
BS6 earry various logos or symbols identifying the products corresponding thereto within the vending machine 12.
In the ease of the primary product selector button BP, the logo Ll therein is identical to the logo L on the first eontrasting panel 14C. This eombination of the primary product logo L with its abstract suggestion of a ean of the primary produet beverage, in this specifie example, together with the identical logo Ll on the primary product seleetor button BP provides a strong and effeetive inducement to a purchaser to purchase the primary pro~uet in the maehine 12 in preference to all of the seeondary product provided thereby.
Thls indueement to purehase is further enhanced by the eombination of shapes presented by t~e first and seeond eontrasting panels 14C and 14D, respeetively, whieh superimpose an additional effeet of a eharaeter whieh is an abbreviation for the primary produet. This abbreviation for the primary produet ean also be an abbreviation for the manufaeturer of the primary produet depending upon the eombined effeet desired.
The eontrol panel 14B (second opaque field) is eompleted by the provision of an aecess loeking meehanism AL at the right-hand edge thereof in a ~ ` .
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: . . .
~3~33 9~
--/.;?,--relatively medial position and a coin return slot CR
at the lowermost edge portion thereof.
~ referably, the selector buttons BP, BSl...sS6 all are provided with translucent indicia, and are back-lighted in a suitable manner kno~ln in the art to further emphasize and present the purchaseable contents of the vending machine 12 to a potential customer. The back-lighting of the enlarged primary product selector button BP even further augments the presence of that primary product selector button and provides it with even more dominance over the subtended secondary product selector buttons BSl...BS6 in the two vertical columns therebeneath.
Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated a conventional vend rack including a plurality of vertical storage columns defined by vertical partitions P disposed wlthin a substantiail~
rectangular, box-like frame 30. Articles to be vended such as softdrink cans D are disposed in these respective vertical-storage columns, either one-, two-, or three-deep, into the plane of the paper of Figure 2, depending on the depth of the vending machine utilized. These cans D are selectively dispensed from these columns to discharge ports such as DP in the vending machine of Figure 1 by conventional vending mechanisms including appropriate mechanical gating means and vend motors which are 3~3~
actuated in response to the depression of one of the selector buttons illustrated in the vending machine of Figure 1. The Figure 2 vend rack incl~des eight vend columns, C1 to C8, which would be conventionally associated with eight selection buttons on the face of a vending machine. However, if the vending machine of Figure 1 is utilized, including an enlarged primary product selection button BP, chutes Cl and C2 might both be operatively associated with the actuation of the enlarged primary product selection button BP.
Referring next to Figures 3, 4 and 5, a vending machine 12 is shown with the door 24 swung open to reveal a substantially rectangular interior space IS
defined by an insulated inner door 32, rear wall 34, sidewalls 16 and top wall 18. The inner door 32 is suitably hinged by conventional hinge means,(not shown) at its left-hand extremity in the illustration of Figure 3, to either swing with or independently of the outer door 24 as desired.
Disposed across the interior of the rear wall 34 are a plurallty of single-deep vertically disposed product columns C1~---C12, inclusi~e, which define a first row of product columns R1 in which are vertically stacked a plurality of cans D, the product to be dispensed. A second plurality of single-deep vertically disposed product columns C13---C22 - ~3e~3'`3~
inclusive, define a second row of product columns R2 mounted parallel, as a unit, to the first ro~,~ Rl and having a suitable hinge structure 36 adjacent the hinge means 24B of the main door 24 to permit swinging ~he entire second row R2 outboard of the interior space IS from an interior position (solid lines, Figure 3) to an outboard position (dotted lines, Figure 3) in a similar manner ~o the insulated inner door 32. In the interior position shown in Figure 3, the first and second rows of columns R1 and R2 are parallel.
Beneath each column Cl---C22 are conventional vend cradles VC and adjacent thereto are vend motors VM which drive the cradles in a manner known in the art. A vending chute VCH is disposed beneath both rows Rl and R2 of columns C1----C22 to catc~h and direct vended product from the columns C1---C22 to the discharge port DP in the door 24 as is also well known in the art. The vend motors VM and discharge cradles VC are simply diagrammatically shown herein and may be of any suitable known design.
In the foregoing description reference to a single-deep product column refers to the capacity of that column, namely, a single vertical stack of products placed one upon the other.
3~
-By way of a glossary for further understanding of the following embodiments a single double-deep product column has a capacity for t~Jo single vertical stacks of products (e.g., the cans D placed end-to-end in two adjacent stacks). A corded double-deep product column has a capacity for two corded vertical stacks, each stack being nearly two products wide and one product deep. (See Figure 2) Another embodiment of the present invention using a plurality of single-deep product columns is illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8 wherein like elements to the embodiments of Figures 3,4 and 5 bear like designations.
The difference in Figures 6, 7 and 8 is that the second row of produc~ columns is split into two groups R2A and R2B of product columns C13---C16 and Cl7---C22, respectively. Both groups R2A.and R2B are hinged at their left-hand extremities by hinge structures 36A and 36B, respectively, to permit both groups R2A and R2B to swing outboard of the interior space IS of the vending machine 12. This provides the requisite access to all of the product columns Cl---C22 ~or loading the product (cans D) to be dispensed.
Another embodiment the invention is illustrated in Figure 9 which is substantially identical to Figure 6 except that the second group R2B (columns 3~-3~
--tL~--C17---C22) of the second row R2 is pivoted at its right hand extremity by a hinge device 36B1.
Phantom line outboard positions achieved by swinging the first and second groups R2A and R~B of the second product colu~n row R2 outboard in opposite directions about their respective hinges 36A and 36Bl are illustrated. This contrasts to the embodiment of Figures 6, 7 and 8 in which the first and second groups R2A and R2B of the second product column row R2 are swung outboard in the same direction (clockwise as shown in Figure 6) about their respective hinges 36A and 36B.
Referring next to Figure 10, wherein li~e elements to Figures 6, 7, 8 and g are indicated by like designations, the first and second row of product columns R2 are mounted on the interior of the insulated inner door 32. The first and second groups R2A and R2B thus swing outboard of the interior space IS of the vending machine 12 with the entire inner door 32 about the hinge structure 38 of the latter.
This outboard position is shown in phantom lines.
Another embodiment of the present invention -~hich provides an array of corded double-deep product columns, single double-deep product columns and single-deep product columns will now be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Like elements to the previous embodiments will be designated by ~3L~15 39~
/'1--like numerals except that the product columns have been ~enumbered to avoid confusion.
The first row R1 of product columns includes columns C23---C30, inclusive, which are of the following types, proceeding from right to left across Figure 11:
C23, C24 - corded double-deep product columns;
C25---c28 - single-deep product columns;
C29 - single double-deep product column; and C30 - corded-double-deep product column.
The single-deep product columns C25---C28 in the first row R1 are fixed at the rear wall 34 of the vending machine 12 in the interior space IS~such that an indentation is provided between the single double-deep product column C29 and corded double-deep product column C24 to receive a second row R2 of single-deep product columns C31---C34, incl~usive, coextensively disposed with the adjacent single deep product columns C25---C28 in the first row Rl. The second row R2 is pivoted on a hinge 36C at its left hand extremity to swing to the outboard phantom line position shown.
To further illustrate the configuration of a corded double-deep product column, attention is directed to columns C23, C24 and C30 as illustrated in front elevation in Figure 12 as contrasted to the elevation of column C29 in that same Figure of a single double-deep product column.
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The entire first row Rl of product columns is fixed within the interior space IS of the vending machine 12.
The second row R2 may be hinged within the interior space IS to the vend rack assembly or alternatively, may be mounted on the interior of the inner door 32 to effect its outboard positioning.
Descri~tion of Operation The various product columns of the present invention are controlled by the primary selection button BP and secondary selection buttons B~l---BS6 in various combinations of one or more columns per button so that the space-to-sales versatility provided by the present invention can be fully realized.
Therefore, depending on the relative sales anticipated for the several products in a yiven embodiment, the primary selection button BP can control a combination of single-deep columns in the embodiments of Figures 3 through 10 and various combinations of corded double-deep, single double-deep and/or single-deep columns in the embodiments of Figures 11 and 12. Similar versatility is afforded the secondary selection buttons BSl---BS6 to adopt product space to the sales . . . .
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needs of the marketplace. Control of a plurality of vend motors and vending cradles at respective columns in a group with single selection buttons can, therefore, by the correct electrical interconnections, control a wide variety of product space configurations for the purpose intended.
It should be understood that the particular vending format of the vending machine including the primary selection button BP, etc., is only exemplary and that any vending format for multiple products is contemplated for use with the present invention.
Furthermore, the column configurations used may also include serpentine dispensing paths rather than the rectilinear paths illustrated herein.
Accordingly, it can be seen that enhanced selectivity can be achieved in dispensing products within the vending machine of the present invention due to the large variety of column and stacking arrangements possible within the interior storage space of the machine.
It~should be further understood that other variations of the vend rack assembly described herein may be made, as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the present invention.
.
INCREASED COLUMN/SELECTI ~ Y VENDER
BAC~GROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to vend racks for a vending machine that store softdrink bottles or cans and feed the same to a discharge port in the front of a vending machine in a uniform manner. More specifically, the present invention relates to vend rack mechanisms having the flexibility of storing selected numbers of vendable bottles or cans in a variety of separately accessible vend column configurations.
One of the most widely used conventional vend racks for bottles and cans in a vending machine includes a plurality of side-by-side, vertical storage columns, each of which communicates with a discharge port in the front o~ a vending machine.
The columns are disposed in parallel relationship, and the quantity of vendable products therein is usually controlled by dimensioning the width of the columns to receive either a double row of nestable bottles or cans or a single stacked row of bottles or cans. These columns may either be one-deep, two-deep or three-deep, depending on the depth on the vending machine cabinet. This conventional vend rack suffers from the disadvantage that there is little flexibility in choice of the number of vendable ~ .
~ . , products that can be stored in the respective columns. Therefore, it is difficult to match product demand with storage capacity for any given column for a vending machine of this type which conventionally contains from five to nlne selectable products and from seven to ten columns.
The demand for different types of produc~s may depend on sales location or general popularity. In addition, in vending machines such as described in U.S. Patent 4,380,130 to Bachmann, et al., issued April l9, 1983 and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, product sales or demand is also influenced, for example, hy the unique styling of a given vending machine.For instance, if the vending machine includes the use of an enlarged primary product selection button adjacent the coin slot of the vending machine, there will be a distinct need for more flexibility in product storaye and delivery from the respective chutes of a vend rack, to accomodate the vending format of that machine.
The need to match product demand with storage capacity exists, however, for all machines which vend multiple pxoducts.
One attempt to provide greater column selectivity in a vender is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,245,755 to Craven et al. In Craven, some increased selectivity is achieved by a communicating slant shelf extension of a column for which the storage capacity is to be increased. However, even the Craven apparatus has limited selectivity.
SUMMARY OF I~IE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide vend rack configurations for a plural product vending machine having the ability to store and supply a large numb~r of high-demand, high-selling, vendable products in one or more large-capacity vend column configurations, and to store and supply low-selling vendable products in lower capacit~ vend column configurations.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide vend rack configurations with greater flexibility for the variation of storage capacities of different types of vendable products within a machine of the same overall storage volume as conventional machines, including a plurality of juxtaposed, vertical storage columns.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a vend rack structure for use in a multiple-product vending machine which facilitates matching of the capacity of respective configurations of vend columns with product demand so that the respective chutes containing the different products will theoretically become empty about the same point in time, thereby reducing the number of service calls for refilling the machine.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a vend rack which may be easily retrofit into existing vending machines which presently utilize conventional, vertical column vend racks.
Various aspects of the invention are as follows:
A vend rack assembly for delivering vendable cylindrical products to discharge port means in the face of a vending machine comprising:
a plurality of vertical columns disposed side-by-side in a parallel relationship behind said face of said vending machine, the bottom of each of said columns communicating with said discharge port means, said ' P~
- ~3~ 339~
~ a columns including means for supporting products in stacks therein an~ being arranyed in groups to provide space for respective products commensurate with anticipated sales of such products, some of said columns being fixed within said vending machine and certain of said columns including means for mounking said certain columns for at least partial removal thereo~ from the interior of said vending machine, said columns including at least two di~ferent product storage configurations and capacities, to provide access to all of said columns for loading the same with sai.d products and to maximize the number of groups of said columns within a given interior space of said vending machine;
wherein said columns are collectively contained side-by-side in at least first and second rows within a substantially rectangular area as viewed from the front of said vending machine, wherein said second row is parallel to said first row and said first row is fixed within said vending machine and said second row includes mounting means for said columns in said second row to permit said second row of columns to move outward from the interior of said vending machine to facilitate loading of products therein, said mounting means includes a hinged pivot means permitting said second row to swing away from said first row;
an interior rear wall opposite said vending machine face; and a pair of sidewalls substantially extending from said rear wall to said face;
wherein said first row comprises a combination of vertically disposed corded double-deep product columns, single-deep product columns disposed across said interior rear wall, and wherein said second row comprises a plurality of vertically disposed single-deep product columns in said mounting means adjacent the interior of said vending machine face.
A
` ~L3~3~3 -,~
4b A vending machine for storing and delivering a plurality of vendable cylindrical products to discharge port means in the face thereof, said vendable products including primary high demand products and secondary lower demand products, said vending machine comprising.
a~ a product selection panel including primary product selector means and secondary product selector means for selecting said primary and secondary products, respectively;
b) a vend rack assembly for delivering the vendable products to the discharge port means in the face of a vending machine including, a plurality of vertical columns disposed sid0-by-side in a parallel relationship behind said face of said vending machine, the bottom of each of said column portions communicating with said discharge port means, said columns including means for supporting products in stacks therein and being arranged in groups to provide space for respective products commensurate with anticipated sales of such products, some of said columns being fixed within said vending machine and certain of said columns including means for mounting said certain columns for at least partial removal thereof from the interior of said vending machine to provide access to all of said columns for loading the same with said products and maximizing the number of groups of said columns within a given interior space of said vending machine, wherein said columns are collectively contained side-by-side in at least first and second rows within a ~ubstantially rectangular area as viewed from the front of said vending machine, and wherein said second row is parallel to said first row and said first row is fixed within said vending machine and said second row includes mounting means for said columns in said second row to permit said second row of columns to move outward from : the interior of said vending machine to facilitate ~c loading of products therein, said mounting means includes a hinged pivot means on each of said column groups permitting said second row to swing away from said first row;
c) vend initiation means responsive to said selector means for releasing vendable produc~s from the bottom of the vertical columns, at least one vend initiation means being associated with each column;
d) means operatively connecting said primary product selector means with vend initiation means of selected ones of said columns and said secondary product selector means with other ones of said columns;
wherein primary, high demand products may be stored in said selected ones of said columns and said secondary, lower demand products may be stored in said other ones of said columns; and e) an interior rear wall opposite said vending machine face and a pair of sidewalls substantially extending from said rear wall to said face, wherein said first row comprises a combination of vertically disposed corded double-deep product columns, single double-deep product columns and single-deep product columns disposed across said interior rear wall;
said second row comprises a plurality of vertically disposed single-deep product columns in said mounting means adjacent the interior of said vending machine face.
A vend rack assembly for delivering vendable cylindrical products to a discharge port in the face of a vending machine, comprising:
a plurality of vertical columns disposed side-by-side in parallel relationship behind the face of the vending machine, the bottom of each of the columns communicating with the discharge port, the columns being of selected sizes and arranged in groups to include means to provide space for respective products commensurate with the anticipated sales of such products .:
and including means for supporting said products in vertical stacks, some of the columns being ~ixed within the vending machine and certain of the columns including means mounting those certain columns for at least partial removal thereof from the interior of the vending machine to provide access to all of the columns for loading some with the products and maximizing the num~er of groups of columns within a given interior space of the vending machine.
3~3~
The columns are collectively contained side-by-side within a substantially rectangular frame of substantially the same size as a conventional, vertical column vend rack, so it may be easily retrofit into existing vending machines. At least two rows of columns are provided with one row being movably mounted with respect to the other row.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ~RA~INGS
The objects of the present invention and the attendant advantages thereof will become more readity apparent by reference to the following drawi~gs wherein like numerals refer to like parts and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vending machine of the type disclosed in ~.S. Patent 4,380,130, issued April 19, 1983 to Bachmann, et al;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of prior art vend rack mechanism including only vertical storage columns disposed within a generally rectangular frame;
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a vend rack configuration according to the present invention as would be seen with the top wall of the vending machine removed and with the door open;
`3~
, _ Figure 4 is a side elevation of a vending rack configuration such as shown in figure 3 with a sidewall of the vending machine removed;
Figure 5 is a diagrammatic cross section t~ken along line 5-5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a diagrammatic top plan view of another embodiment of the vending rack configurations of the present invention illustrating the use of multiple hinged racks;
Figure 7 is a diagrammatic cross section taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a diagrammatic cross section taken along line 8-8 of Figure 6; ~
Figure 9 is a diagrammatic top plan view of another embodiment of the vend rack configurations of the present invention utilizing multiple hinged racks;
Figure 10 is a diagrammatic top plan vie~7 of another embodiment of the vend rack configurations of the present invention utilizing door mounted vend racks;
Figure 11 is a diagrammatic top plan view of yet another embodiment of the present invention illustrating a combination of double- and single-deep columns, both f ixed and hinged; and Figure 12 is a diagrammatic cross section taken along line 12-12 of Figure 11.
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~l 3~3~
DETAILED DESCRIPTIo~T OF PREFERRED EMBODI~ENTS
Referring to Figure 1, an exemplary vending machine 12, incorporating a display panel 1~, is illustrated as being a b~sically three-dimensional, rectangular structure having vertical sides 16 joining horizontal top and bottom sides 18 and 20, respectively. The structure of the vending machine 12 is completed by a flat planar rear surface and a front panel comprising a door 24 which includes the display panel 14 as the obverse face thereof.
The door 24 includes a sealing skirt 24A along one vertical edge thereof and is provided with hinges 24B at the top and bottom of the door on the opposite vertical side thereof to permit access to the interior of the vending machine 12. The bottom surface 20 of the vending machine 12 is illustrated as a load bearing pad or the like which ext~nds outwardly from the main body portion of the machine 12 beneath the door structure 24 and display panel 14.
A further overlapped sealing skirt structure 24C
extends across the top of the door 24 and cooperates with the top surface 18 of the vending machine 12.
The display panel 14 includes a first transversely disposed, opaque field section 14A
located below the median height of the panel 14 in the preferred embodiment illustrated, in which a discharge port DP and a bottle opener BO are positioned side-by-side.
.
, ~3(~33 _9_ A second opaque field 14~ comprisiny the : selection control portion o~ the display panel 14 is basically rectangular in shape in the embodiment illustrated and extends vertically from the upper right-hand side of the transversely disposed first opaque field 14A.
The remaining area above the uppermost edge of the first opaque field 14A and the top of the display panel 14 is of an inverted L shape which is completely defined by a first contrasting panel 14C
which is translucent and is back-lighted in a manner well known in the art, such as for example, the back-lighting arrangement illustrated in U.S: Patent 4,245,730 to Bachmann, et al., for "Display panel For A Vending machine", issued January 20, 1981. The first contrasting panel 14C carries a logo L which is printed out for illustration and which, in the embodiment shown, serves to suggest, in combination with the manner of positioning the logo L thereon, a container shaped such as a can of the beverage "COCA~COLAi', a Registered Trademark of The Coca-cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia. The logo illustrated is for l'COKE" which is also a well-known Registered Trademark of that company. Thus, the ~irst contrasting panel with its logo serves to suggest to a potential purchaser utilizing the vending machine 12, a can of "COKE".
' , ~3C~3~
- /o Beneath the lower edge of the first opaque field 14A is a transversely disposed, second contras~ing panel 14D which can be of various configurations or contrasting color zones, and constitutes a transversely disposed, rectangular field which, in eombination with the shape (inverted L) of the first eontrasting panel 14C, provides a suggestion o~ the letter "C", which is a an abbreviation for "C~E", the logo displayed on the first contrasting panel.
The presentation of goods within the vending maehine 12 and the selection thereof for vending is accomplished by the second opaque field (control panel) 14B which ineludes the following comp'onents:
At the uppermost edge of the control panel 14B is a eoin slot and return mechanism CS adjacent to which is a pricing label PL whieh displays a price for the various goods to be dispensed by the vendin~ machine 12.
Beneath the eoin slot mechanism CS is an enlarged primary product seleetor button BP whieh subtends two vertical columns of seeondary produet seleetor buttons BSl through BS6, the seeondary produet seleetor buttons BSl-BS3 eonstituting one eolumn and the seeondary produet seleetor buttons BS4-BS6 eonstituting a seeond vertieal eolumn parallel to the first.
,'. .
. . ' ;~
: . .:
- ~ , . . .
. :-. .
3~AD~
All of the product selector buttons sP~ BSl....
BS6 earry various logos or symbols identifying the products corresponding thereto within the vending machine 12.
In the ease of the primary product selector button BP, the logo Ll therein is identical to the logo L on the first eontrasting panel 14C. This eombination of the primary product logo L with its abstract suggestion of a ean of the primary produet beverage, in this specifie example, together with the identical logo Ll on the primary product seleetor button BP provides a strong and effeetive inducement to a purchaser to purchase the primary pro~uet in the maehine 12 in preference to all of the seeondary product provided thereby.
Thls indueement to purehase is further enhanced by the eombination of shapes presented by t~e first and seeond eontrasting panels 14C and 14D, respeetively, whieh superimpose an additional effeet of a eharaeter whieh is an abbreviation for the primary produet. This abbreviation for the primary produet ean also be an abbreviation for the manufaeturer of the primary produet depending upon the eombined effeet desired.
The eontrol panel 14B (second opaque field) is eompleted by the provision of an aecess loeking meehanism AL at the right-hand edge thereof in a ~ ` .
`:
: . . .
~3~33 9~
--/.;?,--relatively medial position and a coin return slot CR
at the lowermost edge portion thereof.
~ referably, the selector buttons BP, BSl...sS6 all are provided with translucent indicia, and are back-lighted in a suitable manner kno~ln in the art to further emphasize and present the purchaseable contents of the vending machine 12 to a potential customer. The back-lighting of the enlarged primary product selector button BP even further augments the presence of that primary product selector button and provides it with even more dominance over the subtended secondary product selector buttons BSl...BS6 in the two vertical columns therebeneath.
Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated a conventional vend rack including a plurality of vertical storage columns defined by vertical partitions P disposed wlthin a substantiail~
rectangular, box-like frame 30. Articles to be vended such as softdrink cans D are disposed in these respective vertical-storage columns, either one-, two-, or three-deep, into the plane of the paper of Figure 2, depending on the depth of the vending machine utilized. These cans D are selectively dispensed from these columns to discharge ports such as DP in the vending machine of Figure 1 by conventional vending mechanisms including appropriate mechanical gating means and vend motors which are 3~3~
actuated in response to the depression of one of the selector buttons illustrated in the vending machine of Figure 1. The Figure 2 vend rack incl~des eight vend columns, C1 to C8, which would be conventionally associated with eight selection buttons on the face of a vending machine. However, if the vending machine of Figure 1 is utilized, including an enlarged primary product selection button BP, chutes Cl and C2 might both be operatively associated with the actuation of the enlarged primary product selection button BP.
Referring next to Figures 3, 4 and 5, a vending machine 12 is shown with the door 24 swung open to reveal a substantially rectangular interior space IS
defined by an insulated inner door 32, rear wall 34, sidewalls 16 and top wall 18. The inner door 32 is suitably hinged by conventional hinge means,(not shown) at its left-hand extremity in the illustration of Figure 3, to either swing with or independently of the outer door 24 as desired.
Disposed across the interior of the rear wall 34 are a plurallty of single-deep vertically disposed product columns C1~---C12, inclusi~e, which define a first row of product columns R1 in which are vertically stacked a plurality of cans D, the product to be dispensed. A second plurality of single-deep vertically disposed product columns C13---C22 - ~3e~3'`3~
inclusive, define a second row of product columns R2 mounted parallel, as a unit, to the first ro~,~ Rl and having a suitable hinge structure 36 adjacent the hinge means 24B of the main door 24 to permit swinging ~he entire second row R2 outboard of the interior space IS from an interior position (solid lines, Figure 3) to an outboard position (dotted lines, Figure 3) in a similar manner ~o the insulated inner door 32. In the interior position shown in Figure 3, the first and second rows of columns R1 and R2 are parallel.
Beneath each column Cl---C22 are conventional vend cradles VC and adjacent thereto are vend motors VM which drive the cradles in a manner known in the art. A vending chute VCH is disposed beneath both rows Rl and R2 of columns C1----C22 to catc~h and direct vended product from the columns C1---C22 to the discharge port DP in the door 24 as is also well known in the art. The vend motors VM and discharge cradles VC are simply diagrammatically shown herein and may be of any suitable known design.
In the foregoing description reference to a single-deep product column refers to the capacity of that column, namely, a single vertical stack of products placed one upon the other.
3~
-By way of a glossary for further understanding of the following embodiments a single double-deep product column has a capacity for t~Jo single vertical stacks of products (e.g., the cans D placed end-to-end in two adjacent stacks). A corded double-deep product column has a capacity for two corded vertical stacks, each stack being nearly two products wide and one product deep. (See Figure 2) Another embodiment of the present invention using a plurality of single-deep product columns is illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8 wherein like elements to the embodiments of Figures 3,4 and 5 bear like designations.
The difference in Figures 6, 7 and 8 is that the second row of produc~ columns is split into two groups R2A and R2B of product columns C13---C16 and Cl7---C22, respectively. Both groups R2A.and R2B are hinged at their left-hand extremities by hinge structures 36A and 36B, respectively, to permit both groups R2A and R2B to swing outboard of the interior space IS of the vending machine 12. This provides the requisite access to all of the product columns Cl---C22 ~or loading the product (cans D) to be dispensed.
Another embodiment the invention is illustrated in Figure 9 which is substantially identical to Figure 6 except that the second group R2B (columns 3~-3~
--tL~--C17---C22) of the second row R2 is pivoted at its right hand extremity by a hinge device 36B1.
Phantom line outboard positions achieved by swinging the first and second groups R2A and R~B of the second product colu~n row R2 outboard in opposite directions about their respective hinges 36A and 36Bl are illustrated. This contrasts to the embodiment of Figures 6, 7 and 8 in which the first and second groups R2A and R2B of the second product column row R2 are swung outboard in the same direction (clockwise as shown in Figure 6) about their respective hinges 36A and 36B.
Referring next to Figure 10, wherein li~e elements to Figures 6, 7, 8 and g are indicated by like designations, the first and second row of product columns R2 are mounted on the interior of the insulated inner door 32. The first and second groups R2A and R2B thus swing outboard of the interior space IS of the vending machine 12 with the entire inner door 32 about the hinge structure 38 of the latter.
This outboard position is shown in phantom lines.
Another embodiment of the present invention -~hich provides an array of corded double-deep product columns, single double-deep product columns and single-deep product columns will now be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Like elements to the previous embodiments will be designated by ~3L~15 39~
/'1--like numerals except that the product columns have been ~enumbered to avoid confusion.
The first row R1 of product columns includes columns C23---C30, inclusive, which are of the following types, proceeding from right to left across Figure 11:
C23, C24 - corded double-deep product columns;
C25---c28 - single-deep product columns;
C29 - single double-deep product column; and C30 - corded-double-deep product column.
The single-deep product columns C25---C28 in the first row R1 are fixed at the rear wall 34 of the vending machine 12 in the interior space IS~such that an indentation is provided between the single double-deep product column C29 and corded double-deep product column C24 to receive a second row R2 of single-deep product columns C31---C34, incl~usive, coextensively disposed with the adjacent single deep product columns C25---C28 in the first row Rl. The second row R2 is pivoted on a hinge 36C at its left hand extremity to swing to the outboard phantom line position shown.
To further illustrate the configuration of a corded double-deep product column, attention is directed to columns C23, C24 and C30 as illustrated in front elevation in Figure 12 as contrasted to the elevation of column C29 in that same Figure of a single double-deep product column.
~3~
The entire first row Rl of product columns is fixed within the interior space IS of the vending machine 12.
The second row R2 may be hinged within the interior space IS to the vend rack assembly or alternatively, may be mounted on the interior of the inner door 32 to effect its outboard positioning.
Descri~tion of Operation The various product columns of the present invention are controlled by the primary selection button BP and secondary selection buttons B~l---BS6 in various combinations of one or more columns per button so that the space-to-sales versatility provided by the present invention can be fully realized.
Therefore, depending on the relative sales anticipated for the several products in a yiven embodiment, the primary selection button BP can control a combination of single-deep columns in the embodiments of Figures 3 through 10 and various combinations of corded double-deep, single double-deep and/or single-deep columns in the embodiments of Figures 11 and 12. Similar versatility is afforded the secondary selection buttons BSl---BS6 to adopt product space to the sales . . . .
3t~
needs of the marketplace. Control of a plurality of vend motors and vending cradles at respective columns in a group with single selection buttons can, therefore, by the correct electrical interconnections, control a wide variety of product space configurations for the purpose intended.
It should be understood that the particular vending format of the vending machine including the primary selection button BP, etc., is only exemplary and that any vending format for multiple products is contemplated for use with the present invention.
Furthermore, the column configurations used may also include serpentine dispensing paths rather than the rectilinear paths illustrated herein.
Accordingly, it can be seen that enhanced selectivity can be achieved in dispensing products within the vending machine of the present invention due to the large variety of column and stacking arrangements possible within the interior storage space of the machine.
It~should be further understood that other variations of the vend rack assembly described herein may be made, as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the present invention.
.
Claims (12)
1. A vend rack assembly for delivering vendable cylindrical products to discharge port means in the face of a vending machine comprising:
a plurality of vertical columns disposed side-by-side in a parallel relationship behind said face of said vending machine, the bottom of each of said columns communicating with said discharge port means, said columns including means for supporting products in stacks therein and being arranged in groups to provide space for respective products commensurate with anticipated sales of such products, some of said columns being fixed within said vending machine and certain of said columns including means for mounting said certain columns for at least partial removal thereof from the interior of said vending machine, said columns including at least two different product storage configurations and capacities, to provide access to all of said columns for loading the same with said products and to maximize the number of groups of said columns within a given interior space of said vending machine;
wherein said columns are collectively contained side-by-side in at least first and second rows within a substantially rectangular area as viewed from the front of said vending machine, wherein said second row is parallel to said first row and said first row is fixed within said vending machine and said second row includes mounting means for said columns in said second row to permit said second row of columns to move outward from the interior of said vending machine to facilitate loading of products therein, said mounting means includes a hinged pivot means permitting said second row to swing away from said first row;
an interior rear wall opposite said vending machine face; and a pair of sidewalls substantially extending from said rear wall to said face;
wherein said first row comprises a combination of vertically disposed corded double-deep product columns, single-deep product columns disposed across said interior rear wall, and wherein said second row comprises a plurality of vertically disposed single-deep product columns in said mounting means adjacent the interior of said vending machine face.
a plurality of vertical columns disposed side-by-side in a parallel relationship behind said face of said vending machine, the bottom of each of said columns communicating with said discharge port means, said columns including means for supporting products in stacks therein and being arranged in groups to provide space for respective products commensurate with anticipated sales of such products, some of said columns being fixed within said vending machine and certain of said columns including means for mounting said certain columns for at least partial removal thereof from the interior of said vending machine, said columns including at least two different product storage configurations and capacities, to provide access to all of said columns for loading the same with said products and to maximize the number of groups of said columns within a given interior space of said vending machine;
wherein said columns are collectively contained side-by-side in at least first and second rows within a substantially rectangular area as viewed from the front of said vending machine, wherein said second row is parallel to said first row and said first row is fixed within said vending machine and said second row includes mounting means for said columns in said second row to permit said second row of columns to move outward from the interior of said vending machine to facilitate loading of products therein, said mounting means includes a hinged pivot means permitting said second row to swing away from said first row;
an interior rear wall opposite said vending machine face; and a pair of sidewalls substantially extending from said rear wall to said face;
wherein said first row comprises a combination of vertically disposed corded double-deep product columns, single-deep product columns disposed across said interior rear wall, and wherein said second row comprises a plurality of vertically disposed single-deep product columns in said mounting means adjacent the interior of said vending machine face.
2. The vend rack according to Claim 1, wherein said pivot means is at one end of said second row.
3. The vend rack according to Claim 1, wherein said vending machine includes an outer door at said vending machine face; and wherein said pivot means is mounted on the interior of said vending machine adjacent said outer door.
4. The vend rack according to Claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes door means separating said vend rack assembly from said vending machine face, and wherein said pivot means comprises hinges for said door means.
5. The vend rack according to Claim 1, wherein, in said first row, said single-deep product columns are arranged in a group across said interior rear wall; and wherein said second row in said mounting means is coextensive with said group of single-deep product columns.
6. The vend rack according to Claim 5, wherein, in said first row, said double-deep product columns are disposed at said sidewall and said group of single-deep product columns is disposed between groups of said double-deep product columns.
7. A vending machine for storing and delivering a plurality of vendable cylindrical products to discharge port means in the face thereof, said vendable products including primary high demand products and secondary lower demand products, said vending machine comprising:
a) a product selection panel including primary product selector means and secondary product selector means for selecting said primary and secondary products, respectively;
b) a vend rack assembly for delivering the vendable products to the discharge port means in the face of a vending machine including, a plurality of vertical columns disposed side-by-side in a parallel relationship behind said face of said vending machine, the bottom of each of said column portions communicating with said discharge port means, said columns including means for supporting products in stacks therein and being arranged in groups to provide space for respective products commensurate with anticipated sales of such products, some of said columns being fixed within said vending machine and certain of said columns including means for mounting said certain columns for at least partial removal thereof from the interior of said vending machine to provide access to all of said columns for loading the same with said products and maximizing the number of groups of said columns within a given interior space of said vending machine, wherein said columns are collectively contained side-by-side in at least first and second rows within a substantially rectangular area as viewed from the front of said vending machine, and wherein said second row is parallel to said first row and said first row is fixed within said vending machine and said second row includes mounting means for said columns in said second row to permit said second row of columns to move outward from the interior of said vending machine to facilitate loading of products therein, said mounting means includes a hinged pivot means on each of said column groups permitting said second row to swing away from said first row;
c) vend initiation means responsive to said selector means for releasing vendable products from the bottom of the vertical columns, at least one vend initiation means being associated with each column;
d) means operatively connecting said primary product selector means with vend initiation means of selected ones of said columns and said secondary product selector means with other ones of said columns;
wherein primary, high demand products may be stored in said selected ones of said columns and said secondary, lower demand products may be stored in said other ones of said columns; and e) an interior rear wall opposite said vending machine face and a pair of sidewalls substantially extending from said rear wall to said face, wherein said first row comprises a combination of vertically disposed corded double-deep product columns, single double-deep product columns and single-deep product columns disposed across said interior rear wall;
said second row comprises a plurality of vertically disposed single-deep product columns in said mounting means adjacent the interior of said vending machine face.
a) a product selection panel including primary product selector means and secondary product selector means for selecting said primary and secondary products, respectively;
b) a vend rack assembly for delivering the vendable products to the discharge port means in the face of a vending machine including, a plurality of vertical columns disposed side-by-side in a parallel relationship behind said face of said vending machine, the bottom of each of said column portions communicating with said discharge port means, said columns including means for supporting products in stacks therein and being arranged in groups to provide space for respective products commensurate with anticipated sales of such products, some of said columns being fixed within said vending machine and certain of said columns including means for mounting said certain columns for at least partial removal thereof from the interior of said vending machine to provide access to all of said columns for loading the same with said products and maximizing the number of groups of said columns within a given interior space of said vending machine, wherein said columns are collectively contained side-by-side in at least first and second rows within a substantially rectangular area as viewed from the front of said vending machine, and wherein said second row is parallel to said first row and said first row is fixed within said vending machine and said second row includes mounting means for said columns in said second row to permit said second row of columns to move outward from the interior of said vending machine to facilitate loading of products therein, said mounting means includes a hinged pivot means on each of said column groups permitting said second row to swing away from said first row;
c) vend initiation means responsive to said selector means for releasing vendable products from the bottom of the vertical columns, at least one vend initiation means being associated with each column;
d) means operatively connecting said primary product selector means with vend initiation means of selected ones of said columns and said secondary product selector means with other ones of said columns;
wherein primary, high demand products may be stored in said selected ones of said columns and said secondary, lower demand products may be stored in said other ones of said columns; and e) an interior rear wall opposite said vending machine face and a pair of sidewalls substantially extending from said rear wall to said face, wherein said first row comprises a combination of vertically disposed corded double-deep product columns, single double-deep product columns and single-deep product columns disposed across said interior rear wall;
said second row comprises a plurality of vertically disposed single-deep product columns in said mounting means adjacent the interior of said vending machine face.
8. The vending machine according to Claim 7, wherein said pivot means is at one end of said second row.
9. The vending machine according to Claim 7, wherein said vending machine includes an outer door at said vending machine face; and wherein said pivot means is mounted on the interior of said vending machine adjacent said outer door.
10. The vending machine according to Claim 7, wherein said mounting means includes door means separating said vend rack assembly from said vending machine face; and wherein said pivot means comprises hinges for said door means.
11. The vending machine according to Claim 7, wherein, in said first row, said single-deep product columns are arranged in a group across said interior rear wall; and wherein said second row in said mounting means is coextensive with said group of single-deep product columns.
12. The vending machine according to Claim 11, wherein, in said first row, said double-deep product columns are disposed at said sidewalls and said group of single-deep product columns is disposed between groups of said double-deep product columns.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US911,152 | 1986-09-24 | ||
| US06/911,152 US4722455A (en) | 1986-09-24 | 1986-09-24 | Increased column/selectivity vender |
| US6893687A | 1987-07-01 | 1987-07-01 | |
| US068,936 | 1987-07-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1308396C true CA1308396C (en) | 1992-10-06 |
Family
ID=26749535
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000547612A Expired - Lifetime CA1308396C (en) | 1986-09-24 | 1987-09-23 | Increased column/selectivity vender |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0261677B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0490279U (en) |
| AU (2) | AU593386B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR8704894A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1308396C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3770733D1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2022250B3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5027283A (en) * | 1988-05-23 | 1991-06-25 | The Coca-Cola Company | Electronically programmable space-to-sales vender |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2371845A (en) * | 1942-10-22 | 1945-03-20 | Floyd L Robison | Vending apparatus |
| DE1032014B (en) * | 1955-07-21 | 1958-06-12 | Seitz Automatenbau Ges | Self-sellers with goods pits one behind the other |
| US3819087A (en) * | 1972-10-10 | 1974-06-25 | Umc Ind | Article-dispensing apparatus |
| US4057171A (en) * | 1976-07-21 | 1977-11-08 | Sankyo Electric Company Limited | Article storage devices with article releasers for use in vending machines |
| JPS5638212A (en) * | 1979-09-06 | 1981-04-13 | Furukawa Battery Co Ltd:The | Die for battery jar of monoblock type |
| JPS5679519A (en) * | 1979-12-04 | 1981-06-30 | Takayoshi Hirata | Band split type digital equalizer |
| CH668328A5 (en) * | 1985-08-23 | 1988-12-15 | Automaten Ag | Goods sale machine. |
-
1987
- 1987-09-18 AU AU78646/87A patent/AU593386B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1987-09-18 AU AU78645/87A patent/AU597109B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1987-09-23 CA CA000547612A patent/CA1308396C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-09-23 BR BR8704894A patent/BR8704894A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-09-24 EP EP87113962A patent/EP0261677B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-09-24 DE DE8787113962T patent/DE3770733D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-09-24 ES ES87113962T patent/ES2022250B3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1991
- 1991-08-19 JP JP1991072910U patent/JPH0490279U/ja active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU7864587A (en) | 1988-03-31 |
| AU597109B2 (en) | 1990-05-24 |
| ES2022250B3 (en) | 1991-12-01 |
| AU7864687A (en) | 1988-03-31 |
| AU593386B2 (en) | 1990-02-08 |
| BR8704894A (en) | 1988-05-17 |
| JPH0490279U (en) | 1992-08-06 |
| EP0261677B1 (en) | 1991-06-12 |
| EP0261677A2 (en) | 1988-03-30 |
| EP0261677A3 (en) | 1988-06-29 |
| DE3770733D1 (en) | 1991-07-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |