GB2449076A

GB2449076A - Vending apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2449076A
Application number: GB0708832A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Howard Watts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-09
Filing date: 2007-05-09
Publication date: 2008-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2027-05-09
Also published as: GB2449076B; GB0708832D0

Abstract

A vending apparatus comprises a frame 1, a plurality of independently secured cables 3, a product selection means 5, a payment receiving unit 7, a controller (9), and a release mechanism 11. Each of the cables is arranged to secure an individual vended product (13), such as clothing or sports equipment, to the outside of the frame by being threaded through the product, and is permanently fixed at a first end to the frame and releasably fixed to the frame at a second, free end. The controller is operatively linked to the product selection means, the payment receiving unit and the retain and release mechanism. When the controller receives a signal from the product selection means that a product has been selected and a signal from the payment receiving unit that a predefined payment amount, corresponding to the selected product, has been received, a signal is sent to the retain and release means to release the free end of the cable and thus release the selected product.

Description

Vendin2 Apparatus This invention relates to vending apparatus. In

particular, it relates to a vending machine, or similar, for the automated vending of relatively large products, including but not limited to items of clothing and sports equipment.

Vending machines are machines that dispense products when a customer deposits a payment, sufficient to purchase the desired product. They allow for the sale of products without the need for a sales assistant for every purchase. Items sold via vending machines most commonly include snacks, beverages or small discretely packaged products. The products to be vcndcd can be seen but not handled prior to purchase.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved vending apparatus that is capable of selling products which can be both seen and handled prior to purchase.

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided vending apparatus comprising a frame, a plurality of independently secured cables, a product selection means, a payment receiving unit, a controller, and a retain and release mechanism, wherein each of the cables is arranged to secure an individual vended product to the outside of the frame by being threaded through the product, and is permanently fixed at a first end to the frame and releasably fixed to the frame at a second end; wherein the controller is operatively linked to the product selection means, the payment receiving unit and the retain and release mechanism so that when the controller receives a signal from the product selection means that a product has been selected and a signal from the payment receiving unit that a predefined payment amount, corresponding to the selected product, has been received, a signal is sent to the retain and release mechanism to release the second end of the cable securing the selected product.

This arrangement allows items to be securely displayed for inspection prior to purchase. A user may view and touch an individual product in the same manner as in a shop, since the products to be sold are not held behind any form of barrier such as glass (as is the case in prior art vending machines), whilst the secured cable prevents its theft. Upon making a purchase, the consumer may take the product by simply removing the product from the cable. The vending apparatus of the present invention does not suffer from any size constraints and may be used to vend any product that is capable of being secured with a cable.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a vending apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a partial sectional view of the vending apparatus of Figure 1 with a product attached for sale; and Figure 3 shows a system diagram of the vending apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring to the figures, the construction and operation of a vending apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be described.

The vending apparatus comprises a frame 1, a plurality of independently secured cables 3, a product selection means 5, a payment receiving unit 7, a controller 9 (see Figure 3), and a retain and release mechanism 11.

Each of the cables 3 is arranged to secure an individual vended product 13 to the outside of the frame 1 by being threaded through the product 13, as shown in Figure 2. The cables 3 comprise "armoured" plastic coated steel wires. Each cable 3 is permanently fixed at a first end to the frame 1 and releasably fixed to the frame 1 at a second end by the retain and release mechanism II.

The first end of each cable is fed through a hole 15, provided in an outer panel 2 of the frame 1, and attached to a metal disc 17 of a greater diameter than the hole 15. The disc 17 prevents the first end of the cable from being pulled through the hole 15 and thereby fixes the first end of the cable to the frame 1. Other suitable means may be provided for anchoring the first end of each cable to the frame.

The second, free end of each cable is releasably fixed to the frame by the retain and release mechanism, which comprises a plurality of metal tags 19, a bank of solenoids 21 and a plurality of slots 23. Each cable 3 has a tag 19 secured to its free end. The tag 19 comprises a rectangular metal plate that is provided with a through hole 20. The tag 19 is no bigger than a credit card in plan view and less than 10 mm thick. The bank of solenoids 21 is mounted within the frame 1 for fixing the tags 19 to the frame I. Each solenoid 21 has a bolt 22 that may be received by the hole 20 in one of the tags 19 so as to retain the tag 19. The outer face 2 of the frame 1 is provided with a lockable hinged panel door 4 that is provided with the slots 23, for receiving the tags 19, as shown most clearly in Figure 2.

The solenoids 21 and slots 23 are aligned so that when a tag 19 is inserted into one of the slots 23 its hole 20 is aligned with the bolt 22 of the solenoid 21 associated with that slot 23. Activation of the solenoid causes the bolt 22 to pass through the hole 20 in the tag 19, thereby fixing the second end of the cable to the frame 1. The slot 23 is only slightly larger than the profile of the tag 19. Each of the cables 3 is assigned a product code in accordance with a product to be retained by that cable 3 and an identification number. The product code and identification number are stored in a memory of the controller 9 as discussed below.

The panel door 4 is provided with a hinge 6 and a lock 8, the panel provides access to an internal compartment that houses the solenoids so that the solenoids may be accessed for servicing or similar.

The outer surface 2 of the frame 1 is provided with a rail 25 for attachment of a plurality of hangers 27 from which products 13 in the form of garments can be hung. The rail 25 is provided with a plurality of holes for receiving the hangers. The hangers 27 may be mounted in a manner which prevents removal of the hangers 27 from the rail 25. In general there will be an equal number of hangers 27 and cables 3, although this need not be the case since not all products on sale need to be hung up.

The product selection means 5 includes a keypad and a display that are linked to the controller 9. The keypad and display are provided on the outer panel 2 of the apparatus for operation by a customer.

The payment receiving unit 7 is also provided on the outer panel of the vending apparatus and comprises coin and note slots 31, 32, a change return opening 33, a debit/credit card reader 34 and a receipt outlet 35. The payment receiving unit is linked to the controller 9. The payment receiving unit 7 may not be provided with a card slot.

In addition to the products secured to the outside of the frame I by the cables 3 there are provided a nunther of products 29 housed within the frame. The frame features a display window 36, behind which there is a vending compartment, divided into columns 37, as shown in Figure 1. Each column houses a stack of identical products. At the bottom of each column there is provided a tray 38 from which a purchased product may be removed.

Access to the vending compartment for service is provided by a hinged panel provided in the outer panel of the vending apparatus. Each of the columns 37 is assigned an identification nunther. The identification number is stored in a memory of the controller 9 as discussed below.

In the place of the column and tray arrangement described, any known alternative means of vending discretely packaged products may be incorporated into the frame 1 of the vending apparatus.

The controller 9 is provided within a compartment in the frame 1 that is accessible through a lockable hinged portion of outer panel 2 of the frame 1. The controller 9 comprises a control circuit to which the product selection means 5, the payment receiving unit 7 and the retain and release niechanisni 11 are electrically connected, and a memory (not shown) that stores the product code of each of the products retained by the cables, the identification numbers of the cables and columns, and pricing information relating to the products being vended. The memory comprises a replaceable programmable microchip that is connected to a control circuit of the controller. The microchip may be replaced by an operator of the vending apparatus, when there are any changes to the vended products and/or prices, with a microchip that contains corrected information.

Within the compartment housing the controller there is further provided an override means for controlling each of the solenoids. The override means comprises a plurality of switches that operate in isolation from the controller to activate and de-activate the solenoids.

A remote terminal may be provided that is operatively linked to the controller 9 by a wired or wireless link. The remote terminal comprises a keypad for instructing the controller to send a control signal to any one of the solenoids 21 to release a cable 3. The terminal is primarily for use when the vending apparatus is not provided with a credit/debit card reader, so that a consumer may purchase a product using a card at a location where the operator has card payment facilities. Upon receipt of payment the operator may release the product remotely.

In order to purchase a product 13, that is secured to a cable 3, a consumer inputs with the keypad the product code of the desired product 13 and an identification number of the cable 3 that is securing the product. This will cause the display to show the product selected and the amount of payment required. Next the consumer provides payment using the payment receiving unit. If the consumer is paying with cash then the payment may be made using notes or coins or a combination of both. If the consumer is paying with card then the card slot may be used. Upon receipt of the correct payment the payment receiving unit sends a message to the controller that such payment has been received, whereupon the controller instructs the solenoid to release the second end of the appropriate cable and instructs the printer to print a receipt. The consumer may then remove the product from the cable and take the receipt.

In a case where the vending apparatus is not provided with a card slot then the consumer can take the identification nunther and the number of the cable to the operator of the apparatus for the operator to process the payment using separate card payment facilities, wherein upon payment the operator may use the remote terminal to instruct the controller 9 to send a control signal to the respective solenoid 21 to release the cable 3. The controller 9 registers the payment and the printer prints a receipt.

In order to purchase a product 29, housed within the frame, a consumer inputs the identification number of the column in which the product is located and inserts payment as described above. Upon receipt of the payment the payment receiving unit sends a signal to the controller that payment has been received, whereupon the controller instructs a locking mechanism to unlock the appropriate tray and instructs the printer to print a receipt. The consumer may then remove the product from the tray and take the receipt.

The controller registers all sales including both the products housed within the frame and those secured to cables for audit and stock monitoring purposes.

Claims

Claims 1. Vending apparatus comprising a frame, a plurality of

independently secured cables, a product selection means, a payment receiving unit, a controller, and a retain and release mechanism, wherein each of the cables is arranged to secure an individual vended product to the outside of the frame by being threaded through the product, and is permanently fixed at a first end to the frame and releasably fixed to the frame at a second end; wherein the controller is operatively linked to the product selection means, the payment receiving unit and the retain and release mechanism so that when the controller receives a signal from the product selection means that a product has been selected and a signal from the payment receiving unit that a predefined payment amount, corresponding to the selected product, has been received, a signal is sent to the retain and release mechanism to release the second end of the cable securing the selected product.
2. Vending apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retain and release mechanism comprises a bank of solenoids, secured to the frame, and a plurality of metal tags, one attached to the free end of each of the cables, wherein each of the tags features a through hole arranged to receive a bolt of one of the solenoids, wherein in a locked position the bolt prevents release of the tag from the frame.
3. Vending apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the solenoids are mounted behind an outer face of the frame and a plurality of slots are provided in the outer face that are arranged to receive the tags.
4. Vending apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one override means is provided for controlling each of the solenoids, wherein the override means is accessible by an operator of the vending apparatus only.
5. Vending apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the override means comprises one or more switches provided in a lockable compartment in the frame that operate in isolation from the controller.
6. Vending apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a reniote terminal, operatively linked to the controller by a wired or wireless link, which is arranged to selectively instruct the controller to send a control signal to any one of the solenoids to release a cable.
7. Vending apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the cables is assigned a product code in accordance with a product to be retained by that cable and an identification nunther, wherein the controller comprises a memory in which the product code of each cable is stored in association with the identification number of the cable securing the product, and wherein the product selection means is arranged to select a product upon entry of the product code and cable identification nunther.
8. Vending apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the memory comprises a replaceable programmable microchip that is connected to a control circuit of the controller.
9. Vending apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is further provided means for vending products that are securely stored within the frame and dispensed through releasable openings in the frame.
10. Vending apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.