JP4922541B2 - Centrally managed vending machine using cartridge loaded device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to vending machines, and more particularly to vending machines that can sell pastries, small snacks, beverages, etc., as found in the workplace.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traditional pastries, candy bars, canned soda water, and other snack product vending machines must have a substantial amount of inventory in place to avoid frequent replenishment. It was. Accordingly, such vending machines were bulky and heavy, and occupied about 1 square meter (10 square feet) and about 2 meters (72 inches) in height.
[0003]
In such a vending machine, refilling takes time because it is necessary to input products one by one and check the expiration date of the unsold products in stock and replace them in some cases. The service person must collect and count cash. The product holding station may have oils and fats that have exuded from the packaged product and must be cleaned. Such a cumbersome procedure is time consuming, labor intensive, and sometimes provides an opportunity for theft.
[0004]
Conventional vending machines are not designed to be installed in small workplaces with less than 150 employees. This is because the profits raised in such a small number of places do not match the labor costs for the maintenance of the vending machine.
[0005]
US Pat. No. 4,236,649 to Fellner et al. Uses a removable and replaceable merchandise magazine, which is filled at the factory and is either empty or partially empty And proposed a method for solving some of the above problems. However, this type of magazine is relatively inefficient because only one type of product can be placed at each position. Furthermore, it is still necessary to collect and count coins at the installation site. A similar disadvantage exists in the vending machine disclosed in US Pat. No. 32,115 issued to Lockwood et al. In this vending machine, a drum-type carousel is used to hold products to be sold. An empty carousel can be removed and replaced with a filled rack, but each carousel station can only contain one type of merchandise and cash must be handled separately. This device is thus inefficiently designed, making it a bulky vending machine unsuitable for small spaces.
[0006]
The present invention has been made from attempts to solve these various drawbacks.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The direct and indirect objectives of the present invention are to substantially reduce the time and expense of refilling and maintaining vending machines installed at multiple locations for a given period of time, and reducing the amount of goods and sales by service personnel. It is intended to reduce the damage caused by theft of food, and to reduce the health risks caused by spilling beverages, foods and other items in vending machines.
[0008]
These and other important challenges can be solved by using a compact vending machine in which all items that can be sold are contained in a removable and replaceable magazine. After the magazine set is filled at the headquarters, it is conveyed to a plurality of vending machines by a predetermined route. The maintenance of the vending machines at each location mainly involves opening the vending machine, removing the previously installed magazine, installing a new magazine, locking the vending machine, and other maintenance and remaining There is no need to count the items by item and catalog or account for the cash collected. Payment is made with a debit card, which is sold by the vending machine owner to the owner of the site and distributed to employees and customers. Payment can also be made in cash. In that case, when cash is put into the vending machine, it can be safely stored in the magazine and cannot be collected without using a special key at the headquarters. Selection of a desired product and its payment can also be made by wireless communication using a mobile phone or other portable handheld device. Depending on the location, a beverage vending machine and a snack food vending machine can be combined and run together to sell combination products with special advertisements that can be bought at discounted prices. When the magazine is brought back to the headquarters, unsold products and sales are taken out, cleaned, disinfected, refilled with new products, and distributed to a route for transport to a new location.
[0009]
This vending machine is opened by a memory chip mounted card called a “smart” card. When the vending machine is opened, all sales calculations that have occurred since the previous service call, including the amount of coins accumulated in the coin box, are automatically downloaded to the card. This card is taken back to the delivery headquarters together with the removed magazine, and is used for inquiring whether the returned item is complete, so that theft by the service person can be prevented. The “smart” card can also be used to upload to the vending machine the type, location, and price of the items for sale contained in the new magazine.
[0010]
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings, a compact countertop type vending machine 1 housed in a cabinet 2 made of molded plastic and metal sheet is shown. A replaceable rectangular magazine 3 is fixed behind the front door of the cabinet and in the cabinet. The customer interface includes a message display 5, a keypad 6 for selecting a product to be purchased, a cash acceptor 7, a card reader 8, and a product takeout pocket 9. The product 10 and the number of the station or shelf 11 containing this product can be seen through the transparent door of the cabinet.
[0011]
Each station, that is, the shelf 11, can store a plurality of products having the same selling price. Each station is specified by a letter (A-C) and a number (1-6). In each station 11, a plurality of products are held between the coils of the spiral rack 13. These products may have different shapes and dimensions. When the spiral rack is rotated, it acts as an Archimedean spiral and moves merchandise to the access port 14 along the front of the magazine. The magazine comprises three trays or layers 15 of product storage station units. It can be seen that products of different sizes and types can be accommodated by changing the number of stations in each unit and the number of units in the magazine. For example, small items such as candy bars can be filled into thin shelves as shown on the right side of each tray. Large items that require large shelves, such as pastry or potato chip bags, can be filled into stations such as those shown in the middle or left side of each tray.
[0012]
The corner of the lower side surface of the magazine 3 is placed on a shelf 16 formed inside the cabinet.
[0013]
The cabinet 2 is an outer body composed of a first metal plate 19 which is bent to form a top portion and two opposing side walls, a second plate 20 for closing the back of the cabinet, and a third plate 21 which forms a bottom portion. Part 18 is included.
[0014]
A plastic liner 22 is accommodated in the body portion 18 from the opened front. The barrel and liner are joined along their respective flanged front peripheral edges 23,24. The liner defines an internal space that is closed by the door 4. This internal space is divided into a filling compartment 26 that occupies most of the interior space, and a pocket or container 9 for receiving a product conveyed below the filling compartment.
[0015]
The shelf 16 separating the filling compartment and the pocket is supported by an angled plate 28 fixed to the three plates 19, 20, 21 that form the body.
[0016]
An insulating foamed polyurethane resin foam material 17 is injected between the liner 22 and the body portion except for a space 29 defined under the angled plate 28. When the foam material is solidified, it combines with the body and the liner to form a strong and lightweight box. Thus, the outer body can be made of a relatively thin sheet material such as steel, aluminum, or plastic, typically 2 mm thick. Similarly, the thickness of the plastic liner can be about 1.5 mm.
[0017]
The components of the door 4 include a top molded part 30, a bottom molded part 31, and two extruded side pillars 32 and 33 that connect the top part and the bottom part. These four parts constitute a frame of a transparent polycarbonate window panel 34. The door is hingedly connected to the flanged left connecting portion at the peripheral edge of the body and the liner along the outer edge of the left column 33. Along the outer edge of the top part, bottom part, and column, so that the vertical center part of the door can be separated from the front edge of the cabinet when the door meets the joined peripheral edge of the body and liner A flange is provided. The space between the door portion and the cabinet defines a chute 27 through which the selected item falls toward the pocket 9. An elastically compressible gasket 35 is fixed to the edge of the door, and forms an airtight seal when the door is closed. For locking the door, a lock mechanism 36 having a key hole 37 into which a key is inserted at the top right end of the top molded part 30 is used. The flanges 38 and 39 provided so as to overlap along the peripheral edges of the cabinet and the door prevent a tool to be pry open between the two parts. A fluorescent lamp fixture 40 is attached to the back side of the door top part 30. An electronic module 41 including a display 5, a keypad 6, a card reader 8, and an electronic control module 41 is attached to the rear upper part of the door bottom part 31 for use in the operation of the vending machine. By providing the opening 42 in the lower part of the bottom part, the hand can reach the pocket 9 where the purchased product falls. This opening is protected by a free door 43. When the free door is pushed inward to pick up the product in the pocket, the free door prevents the product held on the chute 27 and the magazine shelf from reaching.
[0018]
The cash acceptor 7 is attached to the right wall of the liner 22. The passage 44 composed of two sections functions as a coin insertion slot from the column 33 on the right side of the door to the entrance of the cash acceptor. The coin chute 45 connects the outlet of the cash acceptor and the cash receiving box 46 at the magazine bottom 47.
[0019]
As shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, the magazine includes a bottom 47, three commodity storage trays 15, a cover 48, and a pair of lock straps 49 for gathering all these parts. ing. The cash receiving box 46 occupying the right part of the bottom is closed by a lid 50 locked by a lock 51. At each station or shelf 11 of the tray, the rear end of the spiral rack 13 is connected to a short shaft that passes through the rear wall 52 of the tray, where it is supported by a bearing. The shaft includes a corresponding female coupling 53 of a shape and size that engages with the male coupling 54 of the drive mechanism. When the helical rack is rotated 360 degrees by the drive mechanism, one of the products 10 is selectively released from the shelf and falls into the pocket 9 below. A foldable handle 55 is provided at the center of the cover 48 so that the magazine can be carried easily. The lock strap 49 is shaped and dimensioned to securely clamp the other parts of the magazine. The hooked left end 56 of the strap is fitted and locked in a corresponding recess 57 provided on the top of the cover 48. At the bottom end of the strap, a similar hooked end 58 fits into a similar recess in the bottom and is locked.
[0020]
The drive mechanism for each helical rack consists of a motor assembly 60 that includes a control circuit that rotates the motor one turn each time it is energized. The set of six motor assemblies housed in the sealed drive module 61 is placed in a recess 62 provided on the liner rear wall at the back of each tray 15.
[0021]
The wiring of the motor assembly in each drive module extends to the pigtail connector 63A, which is coupled to the corresponding connector 63B on the main wiring harness 63 that leads to the electronic control module 41 disposed on the cabinet door. ing. The drive module is secured by snap fasteners. Therefore, it is possible to easily replace the drive module having a different number of motor assemblies according to the configuration of the tray.
[0022]
A removable cover 12 is attached to the front surface of the magazine in order to keep all access ports 14 closed during reciprocating conveyance with the service headquarters.
[0023]
An electronic sensor 65 provided in the chute 27 detects that the product has passed into the take-out pocket. The output of this sensor is sent to the microprocessor 66 which is a main part of the electronic module 41. The microprocessor typically has a storage device or a storage medium equivalent to the storage device. Microprocessor data can be accessed by infrared transceiver 68. This transceiver can be used by service personnel to read useful information, such as the amount paid or sold, using a mobile phone or other handheld download device. As such a handheld download device, a device well known to those skilled in the data processing field, which provides a communication interface with any type of device or network using so-called “Bluetooth” technology, can be used.
[0024]
The transceiver 68 can also respond to merchandise orders and payments sent from similar wireless communication devices.
[0025]
When the station that contains the product that the user wants is specified by selecting it on the keypad 6, the product take-out mechanism that operates that particular station is activated, and the product that is located at the forefront of the spiral rack is It can be seen that it is dropped through the chute 27 into the take-out pocket 9.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the operation of the vending machine is controlled by the microprocessor 66. The motor is controlled by a motor control module 69 and an address decoder 70. The motor control module and address decoder mainly consist of a gate current driver that supplies a forward current to two appropriate motors under the control of a microprocessor. The modem 71 provides a microprocessor communication interface via a conventional cellular telephone service and / or the Internet. Use the LCD message display 72, which is part of the display 5 on the cabinet door, to recommend alternatives to the user when there is no selected item, or to give other notices as described below can do. A power source 73 is accommodated below the angled plate 28. The wiring harness 74 that connects the power source to the fluorescent lamp 40 and the electronic module 41 is the only component that penetrates the liner 22.
[0027]
As shown in more detail in FIG. 9, the operation of this vending machine is performed when the cash acceptor detects that cash has been inserted (101), when a payment card is inserted (102), or via the Internet. Alternatively, it is started when payment by another method such as electronic transfer transmitted from the palm type wireless device is detected. If payment is made in cash, upon receipt of the correct amount (103), the system waits for the user to enter a selection of items beginning with the letter corresponding to the appropriate line. If payment is made with a card, the system first determines whether the card is a credit card (104). If it is a credit card, the card owner's identification number is read (105), and a balance check is started via the modem 71 (106). If the credit is rejected, a reject message is displayed on the display 108 to inform the user to that effect. If the credit card holder has enough balance, the system waits for the user to select. If the card is not a credit card, the system reads the available balance of the card assuming that the card is a debit card or so-called “smart card” (109). If the balance is not sufficient to pay for one of the products offered, a reject message is displayed (108). If the balance is sufficient to cover the purchase amount (110), the system waits for the user's selection.
[0028]
When the user selects a line (111), the ID of the line is input to the microprocessor (112). The system then waits for the appropriate queue to be dialed (113). When a column is dialed, the ID of that column is entered into the processor (114). At this point, the corresponding motor is started (115) and at the same time a 10 second timer is started (116). If the timer expires before the electronic sensor 65 detects that the product has passed into the take-out pocket (117), the motor stops (118) and a message recommending another option is displayed (119). A 20-second timer is also started (120). If this timer expires before the user dials a new line of characters (121), the magnetic card or coin placed in the vending machine is returned (122). If the line characters are dialed before the timer expires (123), the system proceeds to enter the row ID (112) and then enters the column ID as previously described (114). If the electronic sensor 65 detects that the product has passed into the take-out pocket before the 10-second timer expires, the motor stops (125). If payment is made in cash (126), cash is received (127) and falls into the cash receiving box 46. If the payment is made by credit card (128), the bill is referred to the bank via the modem 71 (129). If payment is made with a "smart card", the price of the item is deducted from the card (130).
[0029]
The modem 71 provides information on the state of the vending machine, such as sales, including the number of items sold and the exact amount of cash currently stored in the cash accepting box 46 via the Internet. Used to communicate with the control center. The microprocessor is programmed to initiate such communications at regular intervals or at specific times over conventional telephone lines or the Internet according to known techniques. The vending machine activity and sales data compiled and stored by the microprocessor can be downloaded on the spot to a recording medium such as a smart card, and this recording medium is taken back to the headquarters together with the used magazine. . The microprocessor can also respond to polling calls from the control center. In this way, from the information received by the control center, it is possible to determine the most appropriate time for dispatching a service person and replacing the magazine of the vending machine. In addition, the amount of cash contained in the cash accepting box and the number of items remaining in the magazine are already known so that they can be confirmed when the magazine returns. In this way, fraud and theft by a service person can be prevented.
[0030]
In the preferred embodiment of this vending machine, the overall weight, including a total height of 85 cm (33.5 inches), a total width of 72.5 cm (28.5 inches), a total depth of 57 cm (22.5 inches), and an empty magazine is 34 kg. (75 pounds). Such vending machines can be easily transported and installed on tables and countertops and take up less than 0.5 square meters (5.4 square feet).
[0031]
The vending machine 1 for selling various snack foods described above is advantageous in comparison with a similar vending machine 75 for selling beverage cans, and more particularly with a vending machine 75 as shown in FIGS. Can be combined. The beverage can vending machine uses a cabinet 76 that is basically the same as a snack vending machine. However, there is no cash acceptance machine, and it has four magazines 77 for cans arranged side by side. Each magazine is driven by a single motor assembly 60. Accordingly, only one motor drive module 61 is placed in the filling compartment portion of the liner 22.
[0032]
355ml for each of the four magazines 77 (12 ounces) Up to 24 beverage cans are arranged from the front to the back in a winding pattern forming one shelf 78 with a zigzag passage. This passage has five parts that are staggered in direction, and the can that rolls toward the dispensing gate mechanism 80 because the floor supporting the product in each part is inclined. At the tip of the gate, the dispensed can is dropped into the take-out pocket 9 by an opening 81 provided at the bottom of the magazine. The gate mechanism 80 includes a horizontal shaft 82 connected to a coupling 83 below the rear wall of the magazine. This coupling is similar to that used with the helical rack shaft in the original vending machine and is shaped and dimensioned to engage with a corresponding coupling in one of the motor assemblies 60. At the opposite end of the shaft, a fan-shaped first barrier is provided vertically on one side of the shaft, and when the shaft rotates, this first barrier is the passage of the lowest can 85 in the passage. Stand up in the radial direction across. A fan-shaped second gate 86 is provided on the opposite side of the shaft 82 from the first barrier 84 in the radial direction, and is separated from the first barrier in the axial direction by a distance substantially corresponding to the diameter of the can. Yes. Therefore, when the first barrier is lowered by rotating the shaft 82 by 180 degrees, the second barrier rises between the first can 85 and the next can 87 immediately behind it. As the first can rolls out of the magazine through the opening 81, the next can is held by the second barrier 86 until the shaft makes a full revolution. When the shaft completes one full revolution, the second barrier 86 is lowered below the inclined floor 79. The next can 87 rolls until it is locked and held by the raised first barrier 84 this time. All the cans remaining in the magazine are attracted by the force and roll down one by one over the tortuous path. The mechanism is now ready to release the next can. The beverage can vending machine 75 is placed in contact with the compressor 88 placed below the angled plate 28, the cooling coil 89 placed in contact with the ceiling portion 90 of the liner, and the back plate 20. A cooling assembly including the condenser 91 may be provided.
[0033]
A power source 73 is accommodated below the angled plate 28 and next to the capacitor. It can be seen that it is convenient to provide this cooling assembly in the snack vending machine 1.
[0034]
Further, it can be seen that the liner 22 forms a wall surface without a joint or a hole except for the path for the harness 74. The harness passage is automatically sealed when the insulating foam material is injected. Therefore, the inside of the filling compartment and the pocket can be easily cleaned and disinfected using a strong detergent or disinfectant. Since there are no metal parts or delicate mechanisms, the maintenance of the vending machine can be performed very quickly and the reliability becomes high. If necessary, the drive module 61 and the cash acceptor 7 can be easily pulled out and removed from the harness 74 during cleaning / disinfection.
[0035]
Combining the vending machine with a programmable scroll display of the type disclosed in Simson US Pat. No. 5,493,802 substantially improves the utility and profitability of the vending machine. Can be made. This patent is incorporated herein by reference.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 5, the scroll display 131 is preferably incorporated into the door of an auxiliary vending machine unit 75 that dispenses only beverages. The beverage dispenser does not require a transparent door to show various items that can be purchased. The types of drinks that can be purchased can be displayed as a graphic 132 above the take-out pocket 9.
[0037]
Selection of a drink and its payment method is performed by the keypad 6 of the main device 1 and the card reader 8 or cash acceptor. Two vending machines can be connected with a simple umbilical cable 133. Various intriguing messages can be displayed on the display scroll 134. The message on the scroll is displayed for a few seconds for each frame in the continuous operation mode. There is also a message to sell a special package that combines food from the main unit and beverage from the auxiliary unit at a discounted price. The display can also be programmed to adjust the message to the time of day. Emphasize sandwiches and pudding around lunch and dinner, and sell candy and cookies during coffee breaks. The operation of the scroll type display is controlled by a microprocessor 66 operated by a known program routine. The program command can be input by wireless communication using the card reader 8 via the modem 71 or by a “smart card” of a service person.
[0038]
Another embodiment 201 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 11-18 also features a commodity / cash cartridge 202 that is removable from the enclosure cabinet 203. The cabinet is preferably made of molded plastic and includes a transparent front door 204 secured to the cabinet by a top horizontal hinge 205 and a bottom lock 206. The cartridge 202 is placed on a pair of slides 207 fixed below the cabinet.
[0039]
With the transparent door 204 open, the magazine can be pulled out and lifted from the slide that supports it.
[0040]
On the front right side of the cabinet is a keypad 208 that can be used by the user to dial his / her choice, and receive payments with a bank card or input / output data with a so-called “smart card” There are a card insertion hole 209 for performing payment and a coin insertion slot 210 for receiving payment in cash. A large opening 211 in the lower part of the door leads to the take-out pocket 212, and the purchased product falls into this pocket. There is a cooling unit including a compressor 213 and a condenser 214 in the lower part on the back side of the cabinet. An electronic module 216 and a series of motor assemblies 217 are attached to the back plate 215. door 204 Light placed on 218 Illuminates the entire device. The cartridge includes three or more commodity holding trays 219, 220, and 221 and a triangular cash receiving box 222. This cash receiving box forms the base of the cartridge, and the lower horizontal shelf is placed on the slide 207. The trays are stacked one above the other on the top of the cash receiving box. The tray has a floor inclined downward and a front surface 224 having a taper, and is arranged in a vertical direction with the front edge of the lower surface protruding, and the dispensing opening 225 for the goods prepared by the lower surface front edge. Is forming. The trays are approximately the same width. Therefore, since the tray is inclined, the rear portion 226 on the lower surface of each tray also protrudes. A cover 223 is used to seal the top tray 219. The cover, tray, and cash receiving box are secured together by screws that engage a set of protrusions 227 along their respective side edges.
[0041]
The cartridge may be a combination of trays shaped to accommodate different types and sizes of merchandise. By way of example, a preferred embodiment is shown with a top tray 219 shaped to accommodate small items such as candy bars and cookie bags. The intermediate tray 220 is shaped to accommodate a bag of snack food such as chips and pretzel. The bottom tray 221 is shaped to accommodate a standard 355 ml (12 ounce) beverage can. Each tray is divided into four or eight rows, and each row is provided with a dedicated dispensing mechanism. Typically, a 60 cm (24 inch) wide cartridge can accommodate four rows of beverage cans and snack food bags and eight rows of candy and cookies. Each row of beverage can holding trays 221 is provided with two layers of cans fed to one dispensing gate. It can be seen that the number of can layers can be increased as shown in FIG. 30, and the entire beverage cartridge can be made into one tray divided into four rows. As shown in FIG. 13, the insert 231 may be added to a row that originally had a shape for a bag of large snack food, and the small product may be accommodated.
[0042]
A sliding gate member 233 that covers the inner bottom of each row includes a forward portion that closes the dispensing opening 225. At the other end of the gate member, a pinion or gear 235 driven by an external electric motor 236 engages the tooth rack 234. A set of motors for each row is mounted on a motor assembly 217 fixed to the back plate 215. Therefore, a motor assembly plate is required for each tray. If the shape of the tray in the cartridge is changed, the arrangement of the motor assembly at the rear of the cabinet must be changed accordingly. As shown in FIG. 28, when the cartridge is pushed into a predetermined position in the cabinet, a flat key element 237 placed on one end of the shaft 238 that drives the pinion 235 is provided on the head 240 that covers the top of the motor shaft 241. Engage with the groove 239. Thus, power can be applied to the motor, and the gear can be driven in any direction that opens and closes the dispensing opening 225.
[0043]
As will be described below, all the dispensing openings are closed when the cartridge is transported. Therefore, the key 237 can always face the direction facing the groove 239 of the motor shaft head 240.
[0044]
In each tray, the products are arranged in contact with the back side of the front surface 224, and held in this position by a triangular pressing block 242 inserted so as to contact the back surface of the last product in each row. As the items are dispensed one by one, the block continues to slide toward the front 224 and dispensing opening 225 with the remaining items.
[0045]
In the case of a product having a smooth shape or a round shape that slides toward the dispensing gate without applying a downward force other than gravity, this pressing block is unnecessary.
[0046]
The sliding gate member 233 moves backward so that each time the gate member 233 rotates once, the sliding gate member 233 moves backward and between the dispensed product and the next product in the row. Barrier 243 rises. This barrier passes through a rectangular window 245 cut out from the front end portion of the sliding gate member 233.
[0047]
In the case of a beverage can tray 221, the barrier is made of a nylon plate 246 that is folded along three parallel lines forming three hinges 247, 248, 249. The two stand-up panels 250 and 251 forming the frame are hinged. The front end 252 of the barrier is fixed to the front end of the window 245. The rear end 253 of the barrier is connected to a trapezoidal nylon pressing bar 254, which extends into a similarly shaped groove 255 formed in the longitudinal direction of the gate member 233. The rear end of the pressing bar is in the form of a toothed rack 255, which also engages a pinion or gear 235 on the diametrically opposite side of the rack 234 of the gate member itself. Therefore, it can be seen that when the gate member 233 is pulled toward the rear of the tray to open the dispensing opening 225, the pressing bar 254 moves in the opposite direction to raise the barrier.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 20, the gate member is accommodated in a recess 257 provided in the center of the passage floor 258 so that the heavy weight of the can 256 does not get on the gate member 233 and hinder the movement of this member. . Therefore, the edge of the can is placed on the remaining shoulder 259 of the passage side edge.
[0049]
The second modified embodiment 260 of the snack food vending machine shown in FIGS. 21 to 24 is basically the same as the first embodiment 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, except that the magazine 3 is a cabinet. 2 is fixed by a guillotine-type cover plate 261 that can be removed through a groove 262 provided in the roof portion. A pair of notches 263 provided on the right edge of the cover plate is usually engaged with a latch of two locks 264. This lock can be opened using a special key stored in the headquarters for magazine processing. This lock can be operated using a smart card. An ID number such as the date of the day is recorded on the card. The device's microprocessor contains its own calendar. If the ID number and date read from the smart card match those stored in the microprocessor, the lock can be operated. A lost or stolen card can only be used for the remainder of the day without being delayed. Smart cards need to be updated daily by special equipment at the processing headquarters. Each lock 264 includes two modules that lock together. The first module 265A is placed next to the cover plate holding groove 263A in contact with the outer wall of the magazine 3. The second module 265B is placed in contact with the inner wall of the cabinet 2, and is connected to the first module when the magazine is inserted into the cabinet. Each module is equipped with spring-biased yokes 266A, 266B that can only be retracted by the attractive force of the solenoid. The first module is engaged with the cover plate notch 263. The pin of the second module engages with a mortise provided in the edge of the door 4. The cover plate 261 cannot be removed when the door is open. Also, the door cannot be opened when the cover plate is not locked in place in the magazine. Furthermore, the door cannot be locked when there is no magazine in the cabinet. These conditions can be easily implemented using contact sensors and simple logic circuits.
[0050]
In the embodiment 201 of FIGS. 11-18, in order to lock all the gate members 233 in the foremost position which closes the dispensing opening 225, as shown in FIGS. 25-29, each tray is provided with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a locking bar 267 that extends along the lower rear corner of each tray, which bar is arranged to slide behind the rear end of each rack 234 when in the locked position. The protrusion 268 is provided. When in the unlocked position, the protrusion can be moved and dropped into the gap 269 left behind the pinion 235. The left end of the bar passes through the tray wall and is inserted into a lock 270 placed in contact with the lower rear corner of the left side of the tray. This lock has an eccentric cam 271 that engages in a circular hole 272 provided at one end of the bar 267. A lever 273 that can be operated by a serviceman is provided at the front end of the lock. There is a tubular assembly at the rear end of the lock, which allows the key 275, which is permanently fixed to the back plate 215 of the cabinet, to engage when the cartridge is fully installed in the cabinet. Formed and arranged. This tubular assembly 274 prevents the lever 273 from being operated when the key 275 is not engaged. Furthermore, in order to keep the tubular assembly and key apart, this mechanism must be in the locked position. Thus, when the cartridge is outside the cabinet, all the dispensing openings 225 are closed, and the lever 273 cannot be operated without using a key similar to the key installed inside the vending machine. I understand that. The dispensing opening can be opened by operating the drive motor 236 only after the cartridge is installed in the vending machine and the lock mechanism is released by operating the lever 273.
[0051]
The coin put into the coin insertion slot 210 passes through the chute and enters a small hole provided at the rear portion of the cash receiving box 222. A sliding gate controlled by a locking mechanism similar to the locking mechanism for securing the tray closes the hole when the mechanism is operated to release the cartridge. Thus, if the cartridge is outside the magazine, it cannot reach the cash receiving box through this hole.
[0052]
A locked door 277 is provided to open the cash receiving box at the service headquarters. 31 and 32 show another embodiment 278 of the gate member and barrier drive mechanism. This embodiment uses a threaded rod 279 driven by a series motor 280 instead of a rack and pinion assembly. The rod 279 engages with a square nut 281 fitted in a cavity in the gate member 233. The distal end 282 of the rod engages with a hole in the rear edge of the barrier 243. When the motor is rotated in one direction, the rod moves forward through the square nut, so that the gate member is pulled away from the dispensing opening and at the same time the rear surface of the barrier is pressed.
[0053]
In another embodiment of the supply mechanism shown in FIG. 33, the merchandise is contained in a separate pack 284 and suspended on a threaded carousel 285 through perforated tabs 286. The holes provided in each tab are slidably engaged in the axial direction of the threaded rack 285 so as to move toward the dispensing opening when the rack is rotated. The rack is driven by the same motor that controls the gate member 233. Therefore, in synchronization with the movement of the gate member, the product can be accurately conveyed and dropped just above the dispensing opening.
[0054]
The beverage can vending machine 287 shown in FIGS. 30 and 34 uses a series of can cartridges 288 that are slightly different from those shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively. Each cartridge has a plurality of rows that feed into one dispensing opening shown in FIG.
[0055]
Each cartridge is placed on a pair of inclined support rails 289 and a front bar 290. A series of round keys for fixing the cartridge in the cabinet in cooperation with a lock mechanism 292 provided at the bottom of the cartridge is placed on the front bar. A similar locking mechanism 293 is also provided in the cash receiving box 294. The cartridge can be filled through a dispensing opening or through a removable panel on the top wall, side wall, or rear wall. The inclination of the row of beverage trays or cartridges is preferably 10 to 20 degrees relative to the horizontal.
[0056]
In the rows of snack food packages and candy bars, this inclination is preferably between 20 and 30 degrees.
[0057]
A magazine 60 cm (24 inches) wide, 75 cm (30 inches) high, and 55 cm (22 inches) deep can accommodate about 96 candy bars, 32 bags of chips, and 72 cans. .
[0058]
A cartridge with a width of 15 cm (6 inches), a height of 60 cm (24 inches), and a depth of 55 cm (22 inches) can accommodate 32 cans, and the entire vending machine can accommodate 128 cans. it can.
[0059]
FIGS. 35-40 show another design for dispensing control that does not rely on gravity to move the goods toward the gate. This design uses a pressing mechanism that synchronizes with the gate opening instead of gravity.
[0060]
In the dispensing mechanism 300, the foldable gate 301 is placed across the dispensing opening 102 and is driven by a motor 303 placed on the back plate through a spline-threaded rod assembly. The front end of the folding gate 301 is fixed to a threaded spline 304, and the other end of the spline is engaged in the threaded sleeve 305. The opposite end of the sleeve is secured to the end of a threaded rod 306 driven by a motor 303. Thus, when the motor is activated, the foldable gate 301 is retracted, forming a barrier between the first product 307 and the next product 308 in the column to be dispensed, as shown in FIG. The products to be dispensed are arranged and pressed against the front surface of the dispensing passage by the pressing plate 310, and this pressing plate rides on the longitudinal groove 312 provided on the floor 313 of the passage. 311. The drive mechanism includes a U-shaped bracket 314 that engages the threaded rod 306 at both ends. A square nut 315 and a coil spring 316 are fitted between both leg portions of the bracket, and both engage with the threaded rod 306. The nut follows the rotational movement of the rod 306 by the leaf spring 317 while the rod rotates clockwise, but toward the distal end of the rod opposite to the motor 303 when the motor rotates backward. Proceed and close dispensing gate 301. This movement of the square nut 315 applies pressure to the distal end of the bracket 314 via the spring 316, and the pressing plate 310 moves the product toward the dispensing opening as shown in FIG. The coil spring 316 pressed by the nut is provided to absorb a slight difference in the size of the product and prevent the product such as the potato chip from being broken by the action of the pressing plate 310. Therefore, this pressing operation occurs only after the first product is dispensed, and the next product must be placed on the folding gate 301.
[0061]
It can be seen that by changing the position of the folding gate and the hinge of the barrier, products of different thicknesses can be quickly accommodated. Moreover, a transparent insert can be provided on the back side of the front surface to narrow the width of the dispensing opening. This foldable gate has a very light duty cycle and is not particularly stressed, so it can be easily made with nylon or other synthetic sheet material that is properly creased to form a hinge. The gate element splines and passages can be easily attached to the floor by a snap-fit projection and hole mechanism. Thus, the gate barrier can be easily changed to adjust to a new height and size, and can be easily changed when wear is severe. Because the customer does not have access to the dispensing opening, there is no need to extend the foldable gate across the entire width of the dispensing opening. It is enough to close one third towards the center. All moving parts of this system can be easily made of self-lubricating and rust-proof materials such as nylon.
[0062]
In another embodiment 401 of the vending machine shown in FIGS. 41 to 45, the user obtains the driving force for the product dispensing mechanism by opening the pocket door 402 in front of each product holding station. .
[0063]
Each pocket door includes an inwardly curved portion 403 that forms a trough to hold the goods to be dispensed. The pocket door is supported by a lateral bearing 404 so as to be rotatable about the horizontal axis of the curved portion 403. When the handle 405 is pulled to open the pocket door, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 41, the end of the curved portion rises between the product 406 in the pocket and the next product 407 arranged in the row to be distributed. At the same time, the barrier flap 408 that receives the action of the lever 409 connected to the bending portion 403 rotates downward. This barrier flap cooperates with the curved portion 403 of the pocket door so that the product remaining in the station cannot be touched.
[0064]
The pressing plate 410 behind the last product 411 in the station advances toward the pocket door every time the pocket door is closed. The pocket door is biased to the closed position by a pair of springs 412. The pressing plate has a protrusion 413, which protrudes downward through a groove 414 provided on the floor of the station, and is fixed to a pair of continuous drive belts 415. This belt is driven by a ratchet gear mechanism connected to a toothed component 417 provided on the lower surface of the curved portion 403 of the pocket door.
[0065]
The pocket door is locked in the closed position by a bolt 418 controlled by a solenoid. This solenoid is engaged with a second toothed portion 419 provided on the bottom surface of the pocket door. When the solenoid is turned off, the bolt 418 is pressed toward the pocket door by the coil spring 420 to engage the second toothed portion 419 and prevent the door from opening.
[0066]
In order to absorb the difference in product thickness, the drive belt 416 is preferably given a certain degree of elasticity. Alternatively, a certain amount of elastic slip may be allowed between the belt and the protrusion 413 of the pressing plate. As taught with respect to some of the previously described apparatus embodiments, the press plate and its drive mechanism may not be required if the station floor is inclined downwardly toward the pocket door. is there.
[0067]
A pivot pin 421 for the barrier flap and pocket door bearing 403 is secured to the front frame of the station.
[0068]
The removable and replaceable magazine 423 includes a station and a pocket door for each station. The magazine front 424, which mainly consists of the pocket door and its mechanism, can be removed from other parts of the magazine along the line 425 and can be supplied and refilled at the supply headquarters.
[0069]
The cash receiving portion 426 is disposed between the floor 427 of the station at the bottom and the floor 428 of the magazine. The card reader 429 and the keypad 430 are provided on the side surface of the device enclosure.
[0070]
46 to 48 show still another embodiment of the dispensing gate mechanism 431. FIG. This mechanism is particularly adapted to dispense irregularly shaped products such as chip bags. It can also be used to dispense beverage cans. The transfer gate 432 is arcuate and forms a trough having a quarter-circle bottom 433. The gate is supported on both sides by a pair of pins 434 mounted on a pair of brackets 435. The bottom of the bracket is fixed to the side edge of the plate 436 that forms the bottom of the commodity holding passage. This plate slides in the longitudinal direction by the action of a rotating cam 437 driven by a motor 438. A pair of arms 439 projecting vertically from the top of the side wall of the arcuate gate 432 comes into contact with two stationary columns 440 and 441 mounted on both sides of the arms. When the arm 439 comes into contact with one of the two pillars, the lever oscillates around the axis perpendicular to the downward inclination of the plate 436 around the support pin 434 by the action of the lever. As shown in FIG. 47, when 436 that has been fully retracted by the action of the cam 437 is fully retracted, the gate 432 swings inward to open the dispensing opening 442. It can be seen that the width of the dispensing aperture is equal to the sum of the gate's quarter chord and the travel distance of the plate 436. Therefore, if a gate with a radius of 2.5 cm (1 inch) is used, and the moving distance of the plate is 1.25 cm (0.5 inch), the total size of the dispensing opening is about 5 cm (2 inches). The trailing edge 443 of the arcuate gate also rises above the front edge of the floor 436 to form a barrier that prevents the next product in the row of products to be dispensed from moving toward the dispensing opening 442. I understand that. As the plate 436 slides forward, the arcuate gate assumes the closed position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 47, where the trailing edge 443 of the gate is in contact with the front end of the floor plate. As shown in more detail in FIG. 46, the interface between the rear portion 443 of the gate and the front end portion of the plate 436 forms a series of serrated spaces 444, 445 that mesh with each other. With this shape, it is possible to prevent the bottom of the product to be dispensed from being caught between the gate and the plate.
[0071]
Another embodiment of a dispensing gate that is particularly suitable for dispensing beverage cans is shown in FIGS. In this case, the gate is constituted by a trap door 446 that is pulled away from the mounting stopper 447 by its own weight only by pulling the slide plate 448 by only 0.24 inches. The trap door gate 446 is hinged to the end of the slide plate 448 by a pin 449, which is about 1.25 cm (1.5 inches) away from the rear end of the trap door gate 446. Has been placed. Thus, the rear end 450 of the gate forms a barrier to prevent the next dispensed can 451 from passing through when the gate is down. When the slide plate 448 moves forward, a pair of horizontal pillars 452 firmly fixed to the side walls of the product holding passage come into contact with the upper surface of the rear portion of the gate 450, and the dispensing gate is rotated upward to close the dispensing opening. To do.
[0072]
51-53 show another convenient embodiment of the beverage can dispensing mechanism. In this embodiment, the cabinet 444 and the main magazine 455 are basically the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. The front door 456 of the cabinet is hinged at the bottom 457 instead of the top edge, so that a space necessary for placing the auxiliary magazine 458 on the main magazine 455 is secured. In this embodiment, the main magazine has a capacity of 16 cans and includes a cash receiver 459 and a dispensing gate 460 driven by a cam and motor mechanism 461 of the type shown in FIGS. The main magazine is not supported by a slide, but the lower front corner is first placed on the tilting angled bar 462 with the front of the magazine horizontal, and then the rear end of the moving plate 464 is connected to the cam and The magazine is installed by tilting upward in the direction indicated by arrow 463 until it contacts the motor mechanism 461. The can rolls along three layers of slide tilted about 5 degrees from the horizontal. The magazine is filled from a slot opening 465 provided at the top. This opening is closed by a slide gate described below. The main magazine 455 may be completely refilled or supplied from a portable auxiliary magazine 458. The service person can therefore either choose to remove the main magazine and replace it with a fully filled one or use the removable auxiliary magazine 484 to add as many cans as necessary to refill the main magazine. There is. The bottom shape of the auxiliary magazine 458 is Main magazine The shape fits closely with the shape of the top. Furthermore, the dispensing gate 466 provided at the bottom of the auxiliary magazine can only be opened when the two magazines are completely fitted. Both the filling opening 465 of the main magazine and the dispensing opening 466 of the auxiliary magazine are controlled by slide gates actuated by mechanisms 467 and 468 that are similar and fit together. Details of this mechanism are shown in FIGS. Each slide plate 469 includes a pair of longitudinal grooves 470 and 471 in the vicinity of the front edge 472. A lock 473 placed on the front surface of the corresponding magazine is engaged with the first groove 470 by an angled bracket 474. This angled bracket is not attached to the lock body, but is usually attached to the shaft on which the yoke is placed. The enlarged region 475 provided at the front end of the first groove is shaped and dimensioned to engage with the rotating main body of the lock 476. When the lock is removed, the main body of the lock 476 is positioned as shown in FIG. It is oriented to be locked in. Therefore, the movement of the gate 479 is prevented. The second groove 478 is shaped and dimensioned to allow the other magazine lock key 477 to pass through. This key is also placed on the front surface of the magazine by a bracket 479. It can now be seen that in order to open the slide gate 479 of either magazine, a key 477 that properly engages each lock must be aligned with both magazines. At this point, the body 476 of each lock can be rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 480 to pull out the slide gate 469 and open the fill opening 465 and the dispensing opening 466 of each magazine. A handle 481 associated with each lock body is provided so that it can be easily rotated. The auxiliary magazine 458 can be refilled by opening the top lid 482 locked at the service headquarters.
[0073]
It can be seen that the service person cannot touch the products in either of the two magazines.
[0074]
Similar to the first described embodiment of the invention, another embodiment of the device can accept so-called “smart card” payments. A smart card is a type of debit card equipped with a microchip capable of storing files that can read and write data. Smart cards are typically those that can be purchased for a fixed fee plus a small service fee. This fixed fee corresponds to the amount recorded on the microchip. In an apparatus that accepts payment with such a card, an amount corresponding to the purchase amount can be withdrawn from the file on the microchip. Such types of smart cards and associated hardware and software technologies are commercially available from Cardlogix, Inc. of Irvine, California. As shown in FIG. 54, a vending machine is equipped with a microprocessor 483, and a data bus 484 of this processor is connected to various peripheral devices such as a smart card reader / writer 485. This smart card reader / writer 485 is readable and writable on smart cards 486 used by customers and smart cards used by service personnel to track machine performance and inventory status. The microprocessor bus is also connected to a keypad 487 for a customer to enter a selection of goods and for a service person to enter predetermined information and instructions. In addition, the bus has access to a display 488 that combines alphabetic and numeric characters used to communicate visual messages, such as device operating instructions, to the customer. When the customer selects a product, a command is sent to the motor control unit 489 that selects and activates the motor corresponding to the passage containing the selected product. The processor can read the position of the various status changeover switches 490 via the data bus to see if the device is operating properly. An optical sensor 491 provided at the dispensing opening entrance can indicate whether or not the selected product has dropped into the takeout pocket. Further, the microprocessor can release a predetermined latch for executing or stopping a predetermined operation of the apparatus according to a predetermined situation reflected by the situation changeover switch 490. For example, the device will not dispense goods unless the magazine is correctly inserted into the device and the front door is closed. A microprocessor operation application program and inventory status information are stored in a semiconductor memory or a recording medium 493 equivalent thereto. The microprocessor can monitor all sales status and record detailed inventory status in memory. Prior to servicing the device, the serviceman inserts the smart card into the card reader and enters a code on the keypad to transfer the inventory status data from the semiconductor memory 483 to the serviceman's smart card. To instruct. The smart card can also record program instructions that the microprocessor can read and execute. Such instructions include price changes and special promotional commands for scrolling displays. Smart cards can be taken back to the service headquarters for processing, refile, and refilling, just like magazines that have been removed or partially empty. The microprocessor 483 is also a program for recharging the user's smart card with an amount corresponding to the cash inserted into the cash slot and the cash receiver 7.
[0075]
As shown in FIG. 55, a central processing unit 494 is installed in the service headquarters, and this device also includes a smart card reader / writer 495 and a printer 496. Using the information read from the service person's smart card, check whether the contents of the returned cartridge match the number and type of products dispensed by the device. Create a complete inventory list that covers all the remaining products in all vending machines, and services to be performed on the following day depending on the number of products that are still in the equipment that was checked last time Can make plans. Accordingly, the central processing unit 494 includes a returned cartridge software module 498, an inventory management module 499, and a route planning module 500. It should also be understood that the central document device can also accumulate statistical data regarding the overall operation.
[0076]
Advantageous for smart cards and readers to link directly to other recording devices and communication interfaces such as palm-type processors using a “Bluetooth” interface, or the Internet using techniques known to those skilled in the data processing field It is also possible to replace it.
[0077]
The block diagram in FIG. 56 shows the magazine processing on both the user side and the processing headquarters.
[0078]
When the service person arrives at the user side, the service person downloads the sales data accumulated by the vending machine processor (501). Downloads can be made to smart cards, handheld recording devices, and other convenient recording media. This download step may be skipped if the device is in direct communication with the processing headquarters.
[0079]
Next, the service person locks the magazine which has become empty or partially empty (502), and unlocks and opens the cabinet door (503). Some types of devices can perform these two steps simply by unlocking the door. When the magazine which has become empty, that is, the magazine placed last time is removed (504), a new filled magazine is installed in the cabinet (505). Then, the cabinet door is closed (506), and the newly installed magazine is unlocked (507). In this case, there is also a device of the type that can perform this last two steps by locking the door.
[0080]
The empty magazine is returned to the processing headquarters (508). When the device is used, sales data such as products sold by the microprocessor in the device and the amount of money collected are accumulated (509). The price of the product in each station is entered by a command from a remote location or by instructions of a program downloaded from a serviceman's smart card or wireless communication device, and the display is activated or advanced (510), special discount A fee is set (511) and an advertisement is placed on the display unit.
[0081]
When the magazine arrives at the processing headquarters, it creates a record of the magazine and its contents, including cash, and collates it with the data stored on the serviceman's smart card (512). The magazine is then emptied and cleaned and disinfected (513). The magazine is refilled with goods (514) and distributed to the delivery route (515). The filled magazine is conveyed to the user side (516), and the above steps are repeated.
[0082]
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, modifications can be made and other embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a snack food vending machine.
FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view along the central portion of the vending machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the magazine.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a beverage vending machine.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a beverage can magazine.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the gate mechanism.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an electronic control system.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vending machine.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a multi-unit device having a scroll display.
FIG. 11 is a front elevation view showing a first modified embodiment of the vending machine of the present invention.
12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing path with a commodity concentration insert.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a can dispensing mechanism.
FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a gate plate.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG.
FIG. 19 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the barrier mechanism.
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing another aspect of the dispensing path.
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a second modified embodiment of a snack food vending machine.
22 is a side cross-sectional view of the vending machine of FIG. 21. FIG.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a magazine.
FIG. 24 is a detailed view of the locking mechanism.
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a magazine.
FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge lock mechanism.
FIG. 27 is a side view of the lock pin.
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a drive motor coupling mechanism.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the cartridge tray.
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of another beverage can dispensing cartridge.
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of another gate plate and barrier driving mechanism.
32 is a top plan view of the gate plate and barrier drive mechanism of FIG. 31. FIG.
FIG. 33 is a perspective view of another package supply mechanism.
FIG. 34 is an exploded view of the beverage can dedicated vending machine with the cabinet removed.
FIG. 35 is a side view of another commodity dispensing mechanism.
FIG. 36 is a side view of the mechanism during a gate opening step.
FIG. 37 is a side view of the mechanism during a gate closing step.
FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of an extrusion drive mechanism.
FIG. 39 is a top plan view of another dispensing mechanism.
FIG. 40 is a detailed view of the gate actuator.
FIG. 41 is a side view of another embodiment of a dispensing mechanism.
42 is a top plan view of the mechanism of FIG. 41. FIG.
43 is a bottom plan view of the mechanism of FIG. 41. FIG.
FIG. 44 is a front elevation view of the entire vending machine.
FIG. 45 is a schematic side view of a magazine and an enclosure.
FIG. 46 is a top plan view of an arcuate dispensing gate mechanism.
47 is a side view of the mechanism of FIG. 46. FIG.
FIG. 48 is a top plan view of the working cam.
FIG. 49 is a top plan view of yet another dispensing gate mechanism.
50 is a side view of the mechanism of FIG. 49. FIG.
FIG. 51 is a side view of the beverage can dispensing mechanism and the auxiliary magazine.
FIG. 52 is a front view of the magazine mutual locking mechanism.
FIG. 53 is a top plan view of the magazine gate.
FIG. 54 is a block diagram of vending machine electronic control.
FIG. 55 is a block diagram of a data processing system of a central processing facility.
FIG. 56 is a block diagram of magazine processing.

Claims (3)

At least one product magazine,
Means for selectively releasing various products stored in the magazine;
Means engageable with the drive means for the release,
Control means for operating the drive means in response to a signal input by a user;
Means for generating the signal ,
The magazine includes at least one shelf shaped and dimensioned to hold a plurality of substantially similar sized products and having an opening;
The means for releasing includes a drive shaft engageable from the rear of the magazine opposite the opening;
The drive means comprises at least one electromechanical device;
The means for discharging includes a gate coupled to the shaft and configured, dimensioned and arranged to selectively close the opening;
The shelf comprises an inclined product support floor arranged to move the product contained therein toward the gate;
The gate is
A first barrier connected radially to the axis;
On the opposite side of the first barrier, a second barrier spaced radially distally and connected radially to the axis;
When the shaft is rotated 180 degrees, the first barrier is lowered to release the first product of the products from the shelf and the next product immediately behind the first product is the second barrier. Vending machine held in the shelf by . An encryption card reader / writer,
Means for reading and writing data to and from the encryption card by the card reader / writer;
Means for receiving payment by the card reader / writer;
A means to monitor and record sales transactions;
Means for receiving program instructions via the card reader / writer;
The vending machine according to claim 1 , further comprising means for outputting the record via the card reader / writer . The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the card reader / writer is configured to interface with a memory chip mounted card .

Images