GB2107292A

GB2107292A - Island vendor

Info

Publication number: GB2107292A
Application number: GB08228532A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Annis Ray Morgan; Eddie Wayne King
Original assignee: Coca Cola Co
Current assignee: Coca Cola Co
Priority date: 1981-10-07
Filing date: 1982-10-06
Publication date: 1983-04-27
Also published as: DE3237218A1; JPS5872291A

Abstract

An island type vendor includes at least one article vending machine 22 which is disposed in association with a video screen 26F which may display point of sale advertising or cable T.V. programs. In one embodiment two vending machines 22, 24 are disposed in a side-by-side arrangement with two video screens positioned therebetween so that a customer may view a sales advertisement or a cable T.V. program as he selects one of a plurality of product buttons to dispense a product from one of the vending machines. On an opposite side of the island vendor another customer may view the second video screen while selecting one of a second plurality of product buttons to dispense a product from the other vending machine. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Island vendor The present invention relates to an island vendor incorporating at least one vending machine. Heretofore, vending machines have been used in combination with a single fixed point of sale advertising or decorative panel disposed on the front surface of the vending machine.

Normally, a plurality of product dispensing buttons are disposed adjacent to a photo or sample of the product to be dispensed. Each of the product dispensing buttons is identified by the logo or mark of the product to which it is operatively connected in order to effect a dispensing of that particular product from the vending machine.

According to the present invention there is provided an island vendor comprising: at least one vending machine for holding a plurality of products contained therein and being adapted to selectively dispense an individual product therefrom; actuating means operatively connected to said vending machine for controlling the selective dispensing of individual products positioned within said vending machine; and a video screen disposed adjacent said actuating means and said vending machine for displaying point of purchase advertisements or cable T.V. programs.

This arrangement permits a potential customer to view a sales advertisement or a cable T.V.

-,uediaij: at. while selecting one of a plurality of product buttons which are operatively connected o dispense a product from the vending machine unit. Thus point of sale information is provided to entice an individual to purchase a product.

In a preferred form of the invention two of said vending machines are disposed adjacent to each other within a common housing, each of said two vending machines including a discharge chute, an individual said actuating means and an individual said video screen associated therewith, one of said vending machines being disposed within said common housing to face in a first direction and the other said vending machine being disposed within said common housing to face in a direction opposite from said first direction. In this manner, potential customers may view a point of purchase sales advertisement or cable T.V. program on the video screen when he or she approaches the island vendor from a variety of different directions.

An embodiment of the invention wills now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a first side of an island vendor according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the opposite side of the island vendor.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, an island vendor 10 includes a first vending machine 22 and a second vending machine 24. A first video screen 26F is disposed in juxtaposition adjacent to the first vending machine 22 and adjacent to a plurality of control buttons 22B. The control buttons 22B control the dispensing of products disposed within the plurality of stacked products PS of the first vending machine 22. In addition, a discharge chute DC is disposed adjacent the lower portion of the plurality of stacked products PS so as to provide an exit for an individual product after it is selected by an individual operating the control mechanism 22B. A compressor C is utilised together with the first vending machine unit 22 and is used in combination with other mechanical equipment to provide refrigeration for the plurality of stacked products PS.

The island vendor 10 is composed of three sections 1 6, 1 8 and 20. A left end section 16 contains the first vending machine unit 22. A center section 18 contains first and second video screens 26F, 26B and first and second control mechanisms 22B, 24B. The right end section 20 contains a second vending machine 24. The three sections 1 6, 18 and 20 are defined by a base frame 1 2B and a top frame 1 2T which are connected to each other by means of a vertical support frame 14. A decorative sheathing may be disposed around the frame members 14, 1 2B and 1 2T so as to form a contiguous outer surface for .he island vendor 10.Advertising material may be written on the outer sheathing for the island vendor 10. In addition, a top panel may be disposed on the top frame 1 2T to protect the various components of the island vendor 10.

A shelf 28 is positioned on the vertical support frame 14 on which the first and second vending machine units 22, 24 are disposed. In this manner, a step S may be removably positioned under the first vending machine unit 22. The step S may be reciprocated outwardly so that a serviceman may position himself or herself on the step S to load the machine with products.

Figure 2 illustrates the reverse side of the island vendor 10 with respect to the illustration depicted in Figure 1. Like numerals referred to in Figure 2 represent like elements discussed with respect to Figure 1.

The second vending machine unit 24 includes a compressor C and a discharge chute DC. The elements function in the same manner as the compressor and discharge chute of the first vending machine unit 22. In addition, a second video screen 26B is disposed in juxtaposition to a second control mechanism 24B which operates the second vending machine unit 24. A plurality of stacked products PS are positioned within the second vending machine unit 24 and are discharged through the discharge chute DC when an individual operates the control mechanism 24B. A step S is provided so that a serviceman may position himself or herself on the step S to load the machine with products.

There is thus provided a specific combination whereby at least one vending machine unit is disposed in juxtaposition to a video screen and a control mechanism so as to provide point of purchase sales advertising or cable T.V. programs to a potential customer.

The point of purchase sales advertising or a cable T.V. program entices an individual to view the video screen 26F,26B and to linger around the island vendor 10. In this manner, an individual viewing the video screen 26F,26B will be motivated to purchase a product contained within the vending machine units 22, 24. The present invention is particularly useful at a convention where a large number of individuals are viewing various displays. The island 10 can be employed to present a program similar to the theme of the convention. Thus, the island vendor 10 is extremely compatible and may be very conveniently displayed during a convention.

Claims

1. An island vendor comprising: at least one vending machine for holding a plurality of products contained therein and being adapted to selectively dispense an individual product therefrom; actuating means operatively connected to said vending machine for controlling the selective dispensing of individual products positioned within said vending machine; and a video screen disposed adjacent said actuating means and said vending machine for displaying point of purchase advertisements or cable T.V. programs.

2. An island vendor according to claim 1, wherein two of said vending machines are disposed adjacent to each other within a common housing, each of said two vending machines including a discharge chute, an individual said actuating means and an individual said video screen associated therewith, one of said vending machines being disposed within said common housing to face in a first direction and the other said vending machine being disposed within said common housing to face in a direction opposite from said first direction.

3. An island vendor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each said video screen is positioned directly adjacent the said actuating means of its associated vending machine.

4. An island vendor according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each said actuating means includes a plurality of dispensing buttons individually operatively connected to a supply of particular products within its associated vending machine, actuation of one of said plurality of dispensing buttons controlling the dispensing of a particular product within said vending machine.

5. An island vendor according to any of the preceding claims, further including retractable step means for providing added accessability to said vending machine for a serviceman.

6. An island vendor according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each said vending machine includes a compressor, a motor and a discharge chute, said compressor and motor being operatively connected to refrigerate the interior of a housing in which said plurality of products are disposed.

7. An island vendor according to any of the preceding claims, further including a frame mounted around the outer peripheral surface of said vending machine or machines for supporting said vending machine or machines, said actuating means and said video screen or screens in operative relationship relative to each other.

8. An island vendor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.