IES20080709A2 - Dispensing and vending machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A machine for dispensing or vending products comprises an enclosure having at least one chute for storing a product, and a display area, which is arranged to accommodate a menu card and comprises a panel. The machine further comprises an activation means to selectively cause the panel to assume a first transparent state in which the display area is visible, and to assume a second non-transparent state in which the display area is occluded.

Description

This invention relates to dispensing and vending machines, and in particular, tobacco dispensing and vending machines. IE a λ λ -» λ it u 8 0 7 0 9 Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a conventional dispensing machine 100, for example, a cigarette-dispensing machine as utilised behind shop counters of retail premises. The dispensing machine 100 is basically a metal enclosure having a back panel 102 in front of which cigarette packets 104 are held in columns in vertical chutes, A, B, C ... F, defined by plastics or metal vertical dividers. The chutes have a motor arrangement (not shown) at the bottom to facilitate ejection of the packets from any selected column, one at a time. A transparent panel 106, preferably composed of Perspex or a similar plastics material, forms a facade of the enclosure. A gap of approximately 20mm is provided between a front most edge 108 of the enclosure and the panel 106, thereby creating a display case 110 for displaying cigarette packages 112 in an upright position visible to a user and aligned with each of the chutes. In this way, the brand of tobacco, which may be dispensed from the adjacent chutes, is indicated to a user. On operator selection of a required product, usually at remote keypad or till (not shown) connected to the dispensing machine, the motor arrangement is activated and the dispensing machine dispenses the product to a tray 114 located beneath the chutes.

Fig. 2 illustrates a conventional self-service vending machine 200, for example, as utilised in public houses for vending packets of cigarettes. Similar to the conventional dispensing machine 100, the vending machine 200 is basically a metal enclosure having a back panel 202 in front of which cigarette packets 204 are held in columns in vertical chutes, A’, B’, C’... K’, defined by plastics or metal vertical dividers. The chutes have a motor arrangement (also not shown) at the bottom to facilitate ejection of the packets from any selected column, one at a time. However, in contrast to the conventional dispensing machine, the vending machine 200 comprises a coin or token slot 216, located on a front surface of the enclosure. A plurality of buttons 218, each associated with a specific chute and displaying an image of a brand of tobacco, are provided on the front surface, and interact with the motor arrangement to dispense a user selected product to a tray 214 located beneath the chutes, once a required sum and/or token has been deposited in the coin slot 07 ο9 216. The front surface further comprises a display section 220, which can be used for advertising purposes.

As of July 1,2009, further provisions of the Irish Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004 will commence, including Section 43, which relates to point-of sale advertising for tobacco products. In effect, no displays of tobacco products in retail premises will be permitted and all in-store/point-of-sale advertising of tobacco products will be banned.

Instead, retailers may provide a member of the public with one packet only of each tobacco product sold, or a menu board with one image (no greater than the size of the packet concerned) of each tobacco product sold, with the mandatory health warnings on each image.

Section 43 further provides that all self-service vending machines must be token activated and will only be provided in licensed premises or registered clubs only. No tobacco advertising will be permitted on the machines.

Instead, a customer may be supplied with a black and white text only information ticket or a menu board, similar to that provided by retailers, informing them of the tobacco products available, and indicating which button to select on the machine to dispense the correct product.

The object of the present invention is to provide legally compliant dispensing and vending machines whilst maintaining a high quality of service for customers.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispensing machine for dispensing products, the machine comprising an enclosure having at least one chute for storing a product, a panel forming a fagade of said enclosure, wherein said panel is spaced apart from a front-most surface of said enclosure to thereby form a display area arranged to accommodate a menu card, and an activation means to selectively cause said panel to assume a first transparent state in which the display area is visible, and to assume a second non transparent state in which the display area is occluded. ΙΕο 80 7 09 According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine for vending products, the machine comprising an enclosure having at least one chute for storing a product, and associated with a display area arranged to accommodate a menu card and comprising a panel, and an activation means to selectively cause said panel to assume a first transparent state in which the display area is visible, and to assume a second non transparent state in which the display area is occluded.

Preferably, a reverse surface of said panel comprises an Indium Tin Oxide, ITO, coating, and said activation means comprises a voltage supply connected to said panel.

Preferably, said activation means further comprises a switch for actuating said voltage supply.

Preferably, said dispensing machine further comprises at least one light fitting for illuminating the display area.

Alternatively, a reverse surface of said panel comprises a semi-silvered coating and said activation means comprises at least one light fitting for illuminating the display area.

Preferably, said activation means further comprises a switch for actuating said light fitting.

Preferably, said activation means is actuatable from a point of sale terminal arranged to cooperate with said dispensing machine.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a conventional dispensing machine as utilised behind shop counters of retail premises; Fig. 2 illustrates a conventional vending machine as utilised in public houses for vending packets of cigarettes; ΙΕο 80 7 09 Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a vending machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a vending machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Referring now to Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings, there is depicted a dispensing machine, generally indicated at 300, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The dispensing machine 300 corresponds closely with the dispensing machine 100 of the prior art as illustrated in fig. 1. However, the cigarette products 112 displayed in the display case 110 of Fig. 1 are replaced with a menu card 322 depicting images of the products available from the dispensing machine 300.

The display case 310 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention further comprises light fittings 324, for illuminating the menu card 322 displayed therein.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in Fig. 3, the panel 306 comprises a layer of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) on its reverse surface and connected to a voltage supply (not shown). An ITO coated surface exhibits the property that according to the voltage applied, the optical transmissivity of the layer can change from substantially opaque to substantially transparent.

When no voltage is being applied to the reverse surface of the panel 306, the panel assumes an occluded state whereby the menu card 322 is not visible from the obverse surface of the panel 306. On application of a voltage, the panel 306 assumes a transparent state, allowing the menu card 322 to be viewed from the obverse surface of the panel.

In the preferred embodiment, the voltage supply is controlled by a switch (not shown) provided at a point of sale terminal and arranged to cooperate with the dispensing machine 300. Alternatively, the voltage-controlling switch may be provided on the dispensing machine 300, or at any suitable location for example, so that it may be operated either by the till operator or a customer. ΙΕο 8 Ο 7 09 Thus, when a customer wishes to view the brands of cigarettes available, a retailer may activate the voltage supply, thereby enabling the customer to view the menu displayed in the display case 310. When the customer is satisfied, the retailer may deactivate the voltage supply or it may be timed to deactivate automatically so that the menu card 322 is no longer visible.

In an alternative embodiment, a reverse surface of the panel 306 is coated in a semi-silvered layer. A switch (not shown) is provided, at a point of sale terminal arranged to cooperate with the dispensing machine 300, for controlling the operation of the light fittings 324.

However, it will be appreciated that the switch may be provided at any suitable location, for example, on the dispensing machine.

When the light fittings 324 are not emitting light, the semi-silvered layered panel 306 acts as a mirror, occluding light and preventing the menu card 322 from being viewed from the obverse surface of the panel 306. When the light fittings 324 are emitting light, the semisilvered layered panel 306 becomes transparent, thereby allowing the menu card 322 to be viewed from the obverse surface of the panel 306.

Thus, when a customer wishes to view the brands of cigarettes available, a retailer or customer may activate the light fittings 324, thereby enabling the customer to view the menu 322 displayed in the display case 310. When the customer is satisfied, the retailer may deactivate the light fittings 324 so that the menu card 322 is no longer visible.

The present invention may also be implemented in vending machines. Referring now to Fig. 4, there is illustrated a vending machine, generally indicated at 400, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The vending machine 400 corresponds closely with the vending machine of the prior art as illustrated in Fig. 2. However, the images provided on the buttons 218 of Fig. 2 have been removed and instead, in the preferred embodiment, the buttons 418 of Fig. 4 each display a number or letter, indicative of a brand of product.

In the second embodiment, the vending machine 400 further comprises a display box 410 having a front panel 406, and provided on a top surface 428 of the enclosure. However it will be appreciated that the display box 410 may be provided at any suitable location, for example, at a side of the vending machine 400, in proximity to the machine 400, and/or mounted in a counter top.

The display box 426 displays a menu card 422 depicting images of the products available 5 from the vending machine 400, as well as the number or letter to identify its associated button 418. It will however be appreciated that the menu card 422 may be viewed from above the display box and/or from the front of the display box.

The display case 410 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention further comprises light fittings 424, for illuminating the menu card 422 displayed therein.

As in the embodiment of Figure 3, as depicted in Fig. 4, the panel 406 comprises a layer of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) on its reverse surface and is connected to a voltage supply (not shown).

When no voltage is being applied to the reverse surface of the panel 406, the panel assumes an occluded state whereby the menu card 422 is not visible from the obverse surface of the panel 406. On application of a voltage, the panel 406 assumes a transparent state, allowing the menu card 422 to be viewed from the obverse surface of the panel.

In one implementation, the voltage supply is controlled by a switch (not shown) provided on the vending machine. Thus, when a customer wishes to view the brands of cigarettes available, they firstly acquire a token from a staff member to activate the dispensing machine. They may then activate the voltage supply by actuating the switch, to view the menu displayed in the display case 410. When the customer is satisfied, they may deactivate the voltage supply so that the menu card 422 is no longer visible or the supply may be timed to automatically deactivate, and select the button 418 with the letter or number that corresponds to the letter or number displayed on the menu card 422 alongside their desired brand of product.

Alternatively, the voltage-controlling switch may be provided in a different location, for example, at the bar counter, and activated by a staff member on request. *0 In an alternative implementation, a reverse surface of the panel 406 is coated in a semisilvered layer. When the light fittings 424 are not emitting light, the semi-silvered layered panel 406 acts as a mirror, occluding light and preventing the menu card 422 from being viewed from the obverse surface of the panel 406. When the light fittings 424 are emitting light, the semi-silvered layered panel 406 becomes transparent, thereby allowing the menu card 422 to be viewed from the obverse surface of the panel 406.

In a further implementation, the display case 410 of Fig. 4, may also be associated with a dispensing machine 300, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and provided in a location in proximity to the dispensing machine, for example, mounted in a counter top.

The dispensing machine 300, and vending machine 400, of the present invention are primarily arranged to store and dispense cigarettes and other tobacco related products. However, it will be appreciated that any type of product may be stored and dispensed or vended by the dispensing or vending machines of the present invention.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. Κ°δΟ /og $ 1. A machine for dispensing products, the machine comprising an enclosure having at least one chute for storing a product, a panel forming a facade of said enclosure, wherein

Claims (5)

1. Claims: said panel is spaced apart from a front-most surface of said enclosure to thereby form a display area arranged to accommodate a menu card, and an activation means to selectively cause said panel to assume a first transparent state in which said display area is visible, and to assume a second non transparent state in which said display area is occluded.
2. 2. A machine for vending products, the machine comprising an enclosure having at least one chute for storing a product, and associated with a display area arranged to accommodate a menu card and comprising a panel, and an activation means to selectively cause said panel to assume a first transparent state in which said display area is visible, and to assume a second non transparent state in which said display area is occluded.
3. 3. The machine according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a reverse surface of said panel comprises an Indium Tin Oxide, ITO, coating, and said activation means comprises a voltage supply connected to said panel.
4. 4. The machine according to any preceding claim further comprising at least one light fitting for illuminating said display area.
5. 5. The machine according to claims 1 or 2 wherein a reverse surface of said panel comprises a semi-silvered coating and said activation means comprises at least one light fitting for illuminating said display area.