GB2457960A

GB2457960A - Vending machine

Info

Publication number: GB2457960A
Application number: GB0804674A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steve Adelani Fadahunsi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-03
Filing date: 2008-03-14
Publication date: 2009-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-14
Also published as: GB0803809D0; GB2457960B; GB0804674D0

Abstract

A vending machine comprises a plurality of product storage columns 4-8, at least one product dispensing aperture 14 at the bottom of the vending machine, a rotating product receptacle 15 adapted to receive products from the columns and to rotate the products around to said dispensing aperture, gate means 17 at the bottom of each storage column to deliver products from the each column into the product receptacle, and a control means 18 to control the gate and rotate the product receptacle. The vending machine is preferably cylindrical with the plurality of storage columns arcuately spaced around a central column. The columns may also be adjustable to accommodate different sizes and numbers of products and may be rotated around said central axis to assist in re-stocking. The control means is preferably connected to a cash/card payment and product selection system.

Description

Title: Vending Machine The present invention relates to a vending machine.

Many different types of vending machines are known, but most of these tend to deliver goods of a single or similar size e.g. drink cans, chocolate bars or the like.

The invention seeks to provide a vending machine which can dispense a wide range of sizes of goods and which can be customised in the sizes of goods it can dispense.

According to the present invention there is provided a vending machine comprising: a) a plurality of product storage columns.

b) at least one product dispensing aperture at the bottom of the vending machine, C) a rotating product receptacle adapted to receive products from the columns and to rotate the products around to a dispensing aperture, d) gate means at the bottom of each storage column to deliver products from the each column into the product receptacle, and e) control means to control the gate means and rotate the product receptacle, in use the control means opens a gate means at the bottom of a column storing a selected product allowing the selected product to be received by the product receptacle, and the control means rotates the product receptacle to deliver the selected product to a dispensing aperture.

Preferably the vending machine is generally cylindrical.

Preferably the or each product aperture is located at the periphery of the bottom of the vending machine.

Preferably a central column is provided and the storage columns are around the central column.

Preferably product storage columns are arcuately-spaced around the central column.

Preferably each arcuate storage column may be adjustable in arcuate angle to accommodate different sizes and numbers of products.

Preferably each arcuate storage column may be sub-divided into radially spaced storage columns.

The storage columns may be rotated around the central column to facilitate stocking of the storage columns with products.

The product receptacle may be divided into separate arcuate chambers.

The control means may be connected to a cash or card payment system and to a product selection system.

The vending machine may form part of a retail till, vending system or self service check-out machine as described in my co-pending three patent applications nos GB080281 1.0; GB0802823.5 and GB0803934.9 the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a schematic perspective view.

Refening to the drawing there is shown a vending machine 1. Machine 1 has a cylindrical housing 2 around a central column 3.

Five product storage columns 4,5,6.7,8 with different sized packaged products are arcuately-spaced around the central column 3 and created between radial arms 9,10.11,12.13. Storage column 8 is sub-divided into three radially spaced storage columns 8A,8B,8C with smaller packaged products. Each storage column would normally be stacked with respective packaged products.

A product dispensing aperture 14 is provided at the bottom of the vending machine 1 in the periphery of the housing 2.

A rotating product receptacle 15 driven by motor 16 is adapted to receive products from the columns and to rotate the products around to the dispensing aperture 14.

The product receptacle 15 is divided into separate arcuate chambers by baffles ISA, l5B,15C.15D.

Gate means in the form of opening flaps 17 are provided at the bottom of each storage column 4,5,6,7,8A.8B,8C to deliver products from the each column into the product receptacle.

Control means 18 in a second housing 19 controls the flaps 17 and rotates the product receptacle 15 through motor 16.

Housing 19 also has product selector buttons 20, a coin receiving slot 21 and note receiving slot 22, a card reader 23 and PIN keyboard 24, and change aperture 25 connected to the control means 18. A display 26 displays transaction details.

In use a user selects a product from selector buttons 20 and pays for the product using cash or card using the payment facilities in housing 19. The control means 18 then opens the appropriate gate 17 allowing the selected products to fall into one of the arcuate chambers in receptacle 15.

The control means 18 rotates the product receptacle 15 to deliver the selected product to the dispensing aperture 14 for removal. If the product falls into an arcuate chamber adjacent aperture 14, then the product receptacle 15 does not need to rotate.

One advantage of the vending machine of the invention is that it can be customised to take different sizes of products. For example each arcuate storage column may be adjustable in arcuate angle to accommodate different sizes and numbers of products.

For example instead of five arcuate storage columns as shown (one with sub-divided radially spaced columns), only two arcuate large columns could be provided or more that five smaller columns. This can be done by adjusting the number and angle of the radial arms extending from the central column. Also each arcuate column can be sub-divided into more of less radially spaced columns. The vending machine can thus be tailored to large products or small products or mixtures of both.

In this respect the number of and position of the baffles in the product receptacle may be changed to adjust for the number and position of the product columns. Also the product receptacle may include a mechanical or other device to move any product therein towards the periphery of the receptacle so that the product is easily reached through the dispensing aperture.

If desired the storage columns may be rotated around the central column to facilitate stocking of the storage columns with products.

The vending machine may form part of a retail till, vending system or self service check-out machine as described in my co-pending three patent applications nos GB08028 11.0; GB0802823.5and GB0803934.9 the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example the storage columns need not be arcuate. More than one product dispensing aperture could be provided.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vending machine comprising: a) a plurality of product storage columns, b) at least one product dispensing aperture at the bottom of the vending machine, c) a rotating product receptacle adapted to receive products from the columns and to rotate the products around to a dispensing aperture, d) gate means at the bottom of each storage column to deliver products from the each column into the product receptacle, and e) control means to control the gate means and rotate the product receptacle.in use the control means opens a gate means at the bottom of a column storing a selected product allowing the selected product to be received by the product receptacle, and the control means rotates the product receptacle to deliver the selected product to a dispensing aperture.
2. A vending machine according to claim!, wherein a central column is provided and the storage columns are around the central column.
3. A vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the product storage columns are arcuately-spaced around the central column.
4. A vending machine according to claim 3, wherein each arcuate storage colunm may be adjustable in arcuate angle to accommodate different sizes and numbers of products.
5. A vending machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each arcuate storage column may be sub-divided into radially spaced storage columns.
6. A vending machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the vending machine is generally cylindrical.
7. A vending machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each product aperture is located at the periphery of the bottom of the vending machine.
8. A vending machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage columns may be rotated around the central column to facilitate stocking of the storage columns with products.
9. A vending machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the product receptacle may be divided into separate arcuate chambers.
10. A vending machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the control means may be connected to a cash or card payment system and to a product selection system.
11. A vending machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.