NL2023352B1 - Vending kit and method for repurposing a refrigerator as a vending machine - Google Patents
Vending kit and method for repurposing a refrigerator as a vending machine Download PDFInfo
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- NL2023352B1 NL2023352B1 NL2023352A NL2023352A NL2023352B1 NL 2023352 B1 NL2023352 B1 NL 2023352B1 NL 2023352 A NL2023352 A NL 2023352A NL 2023352 A NL2023352 A NL 2023352A NL 2023352 B1 NL2023352 B1 NL 2023352B1
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Abstract
The invention relates to a vending kit and a method for repurposing a refrigerator as a vending machine, wherein the refrigerator has a thermally insulated compartment and a door that provides access to said 5 thermally insulated. compartment, wherein the vending kit comprises: a first dispenser module that is arranged to be placed in the thermally insulated compartment of the refrigerator and that is connectable to a payment module, 10 wherein the first dispenser module comprises a product holder for holding a plurality of products and a dispensing mechanism that is coupled to the product holder for dispensing one product of the plurality of products at a time in a dispensing direction from the product holder in 15 response to a payment at the payment module.
Description
P136890NL00 Vending kit and method for repurposing a refrigerator as a vending machine
BACKGROUND The invention relates to a vending kit and method for repurposing a refrigerator as a vending machine. WO 2015/076949 Al discloses a vending kit that can be installed on an existing refrigerator to repurpose the refrigerator as a vending machine through which patrons can retrieve food items from the refrigerator and pay for their selections accordingly. The vending kit comprises a locking mechanism that can be installed between the door and the door {frame of the refrigerator. The door is unlocked to validation of the credit card or successful login into a purchase account. The patron can subsequently open the door of the vending machine, select one or more food items, and close the door. An RFID reader can poll RFID tags still within the vending machine to identify one or more food items removed from the shelf.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A disadvantage of the known vending kit is that its basic working principle relies on controlling access to the refrigerator as a whole. Moreover, the known vending kit can not necessarily be fitted to each type of refrigerator as it requires modifications to the door and the door frame. Once the vending kit is retrofitted to an existing refrigerator, its door can only be opened conditionally, i.e. after some kind of authorization or validation.
Hence, the known vending kit would typically be retrofitted to commercial display refrigerators or minibars, i.e. refrigerators with a transparent glass door, that allow a patron to view the contents of the refrigerator from the outside.
The known vending kit would certainly not be convenient for home-appliance refrigerators with non- transparent doors.
Yet, such home-appliance refrigerators are found in almost every small to medium sized office building for common use by the employees.
These office refrigerators are hardly ever used up to their full capacity.
Consequently, a lot of the energy consumption is essentially wasted.
On the other hand, it has been found that in these small to medium sized offices, there is a relatively small demand for refrigerated vending machines.
In this office scenario, the retrofitting the known vending kit to the office refrigerator would render the office refrigerator unsuitable for common use by the employees.
Purchasing a separate display refrigerator is commercially unviable for the relatively small demand and would waste even more energy.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending kit and a method for repurposing a refrigerator as a vending machine, wherein the vending kit can meet a relative small demand in a commercially viable and/or environmentally friendly manner.
According to a first aspect, the invention provides a vending kit for repurposing a refrigerator as a vending machine, wherein the refrigerator has a thermally insulated compartment and a door that provides access to said thermally insulated compartment, wherein the vending kit comprises: a first dispenser module that is arranged to be placed in the thermally insulated compartment of the refrigerator and that 1s connectable to a payment module,
wherein the first dispenser module comprises a product holder for holding a plurality of products and a dispensing mechanism that is coupled to the product holder for dispensing one product of the plurality of products at a time in a dispensing direction from the product holder in response to a payment at the payment module.
By having a dispensing mechanism that is coupled to the product holder, the vending kit can be operated independently of the refrigerator. In particular, the dispensing mechanism can be configured to operate independently from the door of the refrigerator. Hence, the refrigerator itself is still freely accessible and can still be used for other purposes, such as for common use by office employees. By repurposing at least a part of the refrigerator as vending machine, the capacity of its thermally insulated compartment can be used more efficiently. Moreover, because the first dispenser module is placed inside the thermally insulated compartment, it can be cooled by the refrigerator. Hence, the vending kit does not require an expensive cooling system and/or insulation. Consequently, the vending kit can be commercially attractive for low volume vending applications, i.e. in small to medium sized companies.
In a preferred embodiment the product holder is arranged to prevent removal of the plurality of products in all directions but the dispensing direction. Hence, unauthorized access to the products, i.e. access without payment, can be prevented.
In a further embodiment the product holder is provided with an enclosure that encloses the plurality of products and a dispensing opening in said enclosure for dispensing said one product in the dispensing direction. The enclosure can effectively contain the plurality of products. Preferably, the enclosure is open in the dispensing direction only so that the products can be removed from the product holder only in the dispensing direction.
In a further embodiment thereof the vending kit comprises one or more further dispenser modules, wherein the enclosure is part of a common housing that contains the first dispenser module and the one or more further dispenser modules. Hence, a group of dispenser modules can be contained in a single housing to reduce the amount of material required for the individual enclosures. Moreover, the common housing can be handled as a single unit. For example, a unit of at least three, at least six or at least nine dispenser modules can be placed in the refrigerator.
In another embodiment the first dispenser module comprises a collection member in front of the product holder in the dispensing direction that defines a collection area for supporting said one product after it has been dispensed from the product holder. The first dispenser module can be located close to the edge of a shelf of the refrigerator. In such a situation, the collection area can prevent that said one product, during or after the dispensing, falls from the vending kit.
In one particular embodiment the dispensing mechanism comprises a retaining member that is movable between a retaining position for retaining the plurality of products in the product holder and a release position for releasing said one product from the product holder, wherein the dispensing mechanism further comprises a blocking member that is movable between a blocking position for blocking the movement of the retaining member from the retaining position into the release position and an unblocking position for allowing the movement of the retaining member from the retaining position into the release position. The blocking member can be controlled in response to the payment at the payment module to momentarily move into the unblocking position.
In one preferred embodiment thereof the retaining member is biased to return from the release position into the retaining position when said one product has been dispensed. The automatic return to the retaining position can prevent that a second product is inadvertently dispensed after the dispensing of said one product.
In another preferred embodiment thereof the product holder is provided with one or more guides for 5 guiding the plurality of products in a single file along a guide path that declines at an oblique angle to a horizontal plane in the dispensing direction.
Hence, the plurality of products can be advanced towards the dispensing mechanism under the influence of gravity.
This is particularly convenient when the plurality of products are cylindrical and arranged in such an orientation that they can roll down the guide path under the influence of gravity.
Alternatively, the dispensing mechanism comprises a separator member that 1s movable between a receiving position for receiving said one product in the dispensing direction from the product holder and a separating position for separating said one product from the plurality of products that remain in the product holder, wherein the dispensing mechanism further comprise a blocking member that is movable between a blocking position for blocking the movement of the separator member from the receiving position into the separating position and an unblocking position for allowing the movement of the separator member from the receiving position into the separating position.
By separating said one product from the plurality of products that remain in the product holder, access to the remaining products can be prevented.
In particular, once the separator member is in the separating position, only said one product as received in the separator member can be removed, while the separator blocks access to the remaining products.
Preferably, the separator member comprises a revolving door that forms a chamber for receiving said one product, wherein the revolving door is rotatable between the receiving position and the separating position.
Such a revolving door can effectively block access to the remaining products in the product holder.
In each of the aforementioned embodiments with a blocking member, the blocking member can be an electronic actuator, preferably a solenoid. The blocking member can thus be electronically controlled, i.e. in response to an electronic signal received from the payment module.
In a further embodiment, the dispensing mechanism further comprises a biasing member for biasing the plurality of products in the dispensing direction.
Preferably, the biasing member is a spring. By urging the plurality of products in the dispensing direction towards and/or against the dispensing mechanism, it can be ensured that a product is dispensed for each payment until the product holder is empty.
In a further alternative embodiment the dispensing mechanism comprises a dispensing spiral with a plurality of helical windings spaced apart in the dispensing direction over a pitch distance and a spiral drive that is arranged to drive the dispensing spiral over half the pitch distance at a time.
In another embodiment the vending kit further comprises a connection member for connecting to the payment module, wherein the connection member is an electronic communication cable or a wireless communication unit. When using a cable or a wireless connection, the payment module can be located at a distance from the first dispenser module, i.e. in a convenient location within the thermally insulated compartment or at an external surface of the refrigerator.
In another embodiment, the vending kit comprises the payment module. In this embodiment, no external payment module is required. Hence, the vending kit is self- sufficient or stand-alone in terms of payment.
Preferably, the payment module is a coin slot module, a card reader module or a mobile device. As such, payment can be effectuated with cash, card or any form of electronic payment, i.e. via an app on a mobile device.
In another embodiment the product holder is arranged for holding beverage cans in an upright orientation or a lying orientation. In the upright orientation the beverage cans can be presented in a commercially attractive manner. In the lying orientation, the beverage cans can easily roll out of the product holder under the influence of gravity. In another embodiment, the vending kit comprises one or more {further dispenser modules, wherein the one or more further dispenser modules are arranged to be placed adjacent to the first dispenser module in a horizontal direction and/or a vertical direction. The one or more further dispenser modules can have the same or substantially the same features as claimed in relation to the first dispenser module. These one or more further dispenser modules can thus be operated in the same or substantially the same way as the first dispenser module to dispense the same products or a different type or brand of products. By cleverly arranging the dispenser modules side- by-side and/or on top of each other, the available space in the thermally insulated compartment of the refrigerator can be used optimally.
In a variation on the previous embodiment the vending kit comprises one or more further dispenser modules and one or more selection members for selecting one of the dispenser modules for dispensing. The selection can for example be made by pressing a button next to a chosen dispenser module or by selecting the number or symbol of a chosen dispenser module from a central selection member.
In a further embodiment the vending kit has no cooling system of its own. Hence, the vending kit can be relatively low-cost and/or compact.
In a further embodiment the vending kit comprises a control unit that is operationally connected to the dispensing mechanism and that is arranged to receive a signal indicative of payment from the payment module and control the dispensing mechanism accordingly. The control unit can receive, process, store and/or send signals to control the operation of the vending kit. Preferably, the control unit is further configured for keeping inventory of the plurality of products in the product holder of the first dispenser module. The control unit can send a warning to the user when the product holder of a chosen dispenser module is empty. Information on the contents of the product holder (s) can also be used to optimize the replenishment process.
According to a second aspect, the invention provides a refrigerator fitted with the vending kit according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments, wherein the vending kit occupies less than half of the thermally insulated compartment of the refrigerator. Hence, the space that is not occupied by the vending kit can be used for other purposes, such as for common use by office employees. The capacity of the refrigerator can thus be used more efficiently.
According to a third aspect, the invention provides a method for repurposing a refrigerator as a vending machine with the use of a vending kit according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, wherein the refrigerator has a Thermally insulated compartment and a door that provides access to sald thermally insulated compartment, wherein the method comprises the steps of: - placing the first dispenser module in the thermally insulated compartment of the refrigerator; - connecting the first dispenser module to a payment module; - loading the product holder of the first dispenser module with the plurality of products; and — dispensing one product of the plurality of products at a time in a dispensing direction from the product holder in response to a payment at the payment module.
The aforementioned method relates to the practical implementation of the vending kit according to the first aspect of the invention and - as such - has the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated hereafter.
In one preferred embodiment of the method the vending kit occupies less than half of the thermally insulated compartment of the refrigerator.
In another embodiment of the method the payment module is placed in the thermally insulated compartment of the refrigerator or fitted to an external surface of the refrigerator.
In another embodiment of the method the step of loading the product holder of the first dispenser module comprises the steps of: — providing a tool for unloading any remaining products from the product holder in the dispensing direction; - reversing the tool with respect to the dispensing direction to change the order of the remaining products; and = placing new products on the tool in a position such that the new products are loaded into the product holder first. The tool can facilitate loading and unloading of the product holder according to the \first-in first-out’ principle.
In another embodiment of the method the vending kit comprises one or more further dispenser modules, wherein the method comprises the step of placing one or more of the further dispenser modules adjacent to the first dispenser module in a horizontal direction and/or a vertical direction.
In another embodiment of the method the thermally insulated compartment of the refrigerator comprises two mutually {facing sidewalls and a plurality of shelves extending in a horizontal direction between said sidewalls to divide the thermally insulated compartment in a plurality of sections, wherein the number of the one or more further dispenser modules is chosen such that the group of the first dispenser module and the one or more further dispenser modules fits in one of said sections.
In another embodiment of the method the payment is a cash payment, a card payment, an electronic payment or a combination thereof.
The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which: figure 1 shows an isometric view of a refrigerator with a vending kit according to a first embodiment of the invention; figure 2 shows an isometric view of the vending kit according to figure 1; figure 3 shows a side view in cross section of the vending kit according to the line III - III in figure Z; figure 4 shows another isometric view of the vending kit according to figure 2, with the housing partially broken away to expose the internal mechanism of the vending kit; figure 5 shows an isometric view of an alternative wvending kit for use in the refrigerator of figure 1; figure 6 shows a side view in cross section of the alternative vending kit according to the line VI - VI in figure 5;
figure 7 shows a top view in cross section of the alternative vending kit according to the line VII - VII in figure 5; figure 8 shows a top view in cross section of a further alternative vending kit according to a third embodiment of the invention; figures 9A, 9B and 9C isometric views of three dispensing mechanism variations; and figure 10 schematically shows the operational components of the vending kit according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION QF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a vending kit 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, for repurposing at least a part of a refrigerator 9 as a vending machine.
The refrigerator 9 has a thermally insulated compartment 90 defined by two sidewalls 91, 92, a rear wall, a top wall and a bottom wall. The refrigerator 9 further comprises a plurality of shelves 93 which divide the compartment 90 into sections 94. The refrigerator 9 is further provided with a door 95 that provides access to the compartment 90. The refrigerator 9 is a non-commercial, home-appliance type refrigerator. Such a refrigerator 9 is typically closed and therefore unsuitable for commercial display purposes. This type of refrigerator is often found in small to medium sized offices for common or public use by the office employees.
As shown in figure 1, the vending kit 1 is arranged to be placed into one of said sections 94. Hence, the vending kit 1 is dimensioned to fit in a vertical direction V between two shelves 93 and in the horizontal direction H between the two sidewalls 91, 92. Also, the depth of the vending kit 1 is adapted to fit in a standard refrigerator depth. In the configuration as shown, the vending kit 1 occupies less than half of the compartment 90 of the refrigerator, in particular less than a quarter.
Figures 2-4 show the vending kit 1 in more detail. As best seen in figure 2, the vending kit 1 comprises a first dispenser module 21 that is arranged to be placed in the thermally insulated compartment 90 of the refrigerator 9. In this example, the vending kit 1 comprises one or more further dispenser modules 22-29 which are placed adjacent to the first dispenser module 21 in the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction V. In particular, the group of the first dispenser module 21 and the one or more further dispenser modules 22-29 are arranged in a matrix of three rows and three columns. In this example, the one or more further dispenser modules 22- 29 have the same or substantially the same features a described hereafter in relation to the first dispenser module 21.
As shown in figures 3 and 4, the first dispenser module 21 comprises a product holder 3 for holding a plurality of products C and a dispensing mechanism 4 for dispensing one of the products C from the plurality of products C from the product holder 3 in a dispensing direction D. In this exemplary embodiment, the products C are beverage cans, in particular soda beverage cans. Such beverage cans are typically cylindrical or substantially cylindrical. In this example, the product holder 3 is arranged for supporting the beverage cans in a lying orientation, i.e. with the cylindrical axis thereof parallel or substantially parallel to the horizontal direction H and transverse or perpendicular to the dispensing direction D.
As shown in figure 3, the product holder 3 is arranged for holding the products C in a single file. In particular, the product holder 3 comprises one or more guides 31 for guiding the products C along a guide path P parallel to the dispensing direction D. Optionally, the one or more guides 31 can be arranged at an angle A to the horizontal direction H, declining in the dispensing direction D, to allow for the products C to move in the dispensing direction D mainly or solely under the influence of gravity (the gravitational force is schematically depicted in figure 3 with arrow G). Note that the movement under the influence of gravity is particularly effective in combination with beverage cans C rolling in the lying configuration over the one or more guides 31. The product holder 3 is provided with an enclosure 10 that encloses the plurality of products C and a dispensing opening 32 in said enclosure 10 for dispensing said one product C in the dispensing direction D. In this example, the enclosure 10 1s open in the dispensing direction D only. In this case, the enclosure 10 is part of a common housing 10 that contains the first dispenser module 21 and the one or more further dispenser modules 22-
29. Hence, the group of dispenser modules 21-29 can be handled as a single package or unit. Preferably, the outer dimensions of the common housing 10 are adapted to fit in one of the sections 94 of the refrigerator 9 of figure 1.
As best seen in figure 4, the dispensing mechanism 4 is coupled or connected to the product holder 3 to operate relative to said product holder 3. Hence, the dispensing mechanism 4 can be operated independently of the refrigerator 9 or the door 95 of the refrigerator 92 in figure 1. Preferably, the dispensing mechanism 4 is physically or mechanically coupled to the product holder 3. In the context of this invention, the term ‘mechanical coupling’ is to be interpreted as the Joining of two or more elements by mechanical fasteners such as bolts, rivets, screws. The term ‘physically coupled’ is to be interpreted as the joining of two or more elements through direct or indirect contact, i.e. by adhesives, welding or form-lock. In this exemplary embodiment, the dispensing mechanism 4 comprises a retaining member 41 that is movable between a retaining position for retaining the plurality of products C in the product holder 3 and a release position for releasing said one product C from the product holder 3.
The retaining member 41 is formed as a lever that is rotatable (see arrow R) about a rotation axis S between the retaining position and the release position. The retaining member 41 is biased to return from the release position into the retaining position when said one product C has been dispensed. The biasing is the result of the retaining member 41 having its center of weight predominantly at a side of the rotation axis S that promotes its return to the retaining position.
The dispensing mechanism 4 further comprises a blocking member 45 that is movable between a blocking position for blocking the movement of the retaining member 41 from the retaining position into the release position and an unblocking position for allowing the movement of the retaining member 41 from the retaining position into the release position. The blocking member 45 may block the retaining member 41 directly, i.e. through direct contact. In this exemplary embodiment, the dispensing mechanism 4 comprises an arm 42 that is coupled to the retaining member 41 and that extends from the retaining member 41 towards the blocking member 45. In this case, the blocking member 45 is arranged for indirectly blocking the movement of the retaining member 41 through contact with the arm 42.
Preferably, the blocking member 45 is an electronic actuator, i.e. an actuator that can be controlled by electronic signals. In this exemplary embodiment, the blocking member 45 comprises a blocking pin with a latch-style blocking end. Said blocking pin is actuated by a solenoid.
As best seen in figures 2 and 3, the first dispenser module 21 further comprises a collection member 5 in front of the product holder 3 in the dispensing direction D. The collection member 5 defines a collection area 50 for supporting said one product C after it has been dispensed from the product holder 3. Said one product C can then be collected from said collection area 50. In this exemplary embodiment, the collection area 50 is formed as a tray.
The first dispenser module 21 is connectable to a payment module 61. As schematically shown in figure 10, the vending kit 1 may be provided with a payment module 61 of its own or it may be arranged for communication with an external payment module 61, i.e. a mobile device. The vending kit 1 is provided with a connection member 62 for connection to the payment module 61. Said connection member 62 may be an electronic communication cable or a wireless communication unit. In case of the electronic communication cable, the payment module 61 can be physically connected to the rest of the vending kit 1. The payment module 61 is then placed in the compartment 90 of the refrigerator 3 together with the first dispenser module 21 or it may be placed on an external surface of the refrigerator 9 with the cable extending through the seals of the refrigerator 9 into the compartment 90. In the case of the wireless communication unit, a connection can be established between the vending kit 1 and an external device, i.e. a mobile device, via a suitable communication protocol, i.e. Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, or indirectly via a telecom network. The mobile device may be provided with an app to process electronic payments.
The payment module 61 itself may be a coin slot module for receiving cash payments, a card reader module for processing card payments or a mobile device for processing electronic payments.
As schematically shown in figure 10, the vending kit 1 comprises a control unit 7 that is operationally connected to the dispensing mechanism 4 of the first dispenser module 21 and the payment module 61. The control unit 7 is arranged for receiving, processing, storing and/or sending signals, i.e. for receiving a signal indicative of a successful payment from the payment module 61 and for sending a control signal to the dispensing mechanism 4 to dispense one product C at a time in response to the payment at the payment module.
As schematically shown in figure 10, the vending kit 7 may further be provided with a memory 71 for storing information about the inventory of the first dispenser module 21 and/or the one or more further dispenser modules 22-29. Said information may be used to keep inventory and to send signals to a supplier when one or more of the dispenser modules 21-29 requires replenishment. As shown in figure 2, the vending kit 1 may further comprise one or more selection members 72 for selecting one of the dispenser modules 21-29 for dispensing. The selection can for example be made on the payment module 61. Alternatively, a plurality of selection members 72 may be provided at or near the respective dispenser modules 21-29, Figure 3 further shows a tool 8 that can be used during replenishment for loading and unloading of the dispenser modules 21-29. The tool 8 is formed as a tray that can receive and hold cans C. The cans C supported on the tray can be loaded simultaneously into one of the dispenser modules 21-29 by tilting the tray until the cans C roll from the tray onto the collection area 50 of the respective dispenser module 21-29 and into the product holder 3. For this purpose, the vending kit 1 can be switched into a replenishment mode in which the retaining members 41 of the respective dispenser modules 21-29 are no longer blocked and the cans C can be freely loaded and unloaded. The tool 8 can further be used to unload any remaining cans C from one of the dispenser modules 21-29. The unloaded cans C are then replenished with new cans C and the tool 8. The tool 8 can subsequently be positioned relative to the vending kit 1 such that the cans C can be loaded according to the ‘first in — first out’ principle. In particular, the tool 8 1s reversible about a vertical reversing axis and can be loaded and unloaded from both sides.
Figures 5, 6, 7 and 9B show an alternative vending kit 101 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The alternative vending kit 101 differs from the previously discussed vending kit in that it features a first dispenser module 121 and one or more further dispenser modules 122-128 that hold the products C in a vertical or upright orientation. In particular, figure 6 shows that each dispenser module 121 has a product holder 103 that holds the products C, in this example beverage cans C, in the upright orientation, i.e. with the cylindrical axis of the beverage can C parallel or substantially parallel to the vertical direction V. As such, the products C are not likely to be dispensed solely under the influence of gravity. Hence, the alternative vending kit 101 comprises a dispensing mechanism 104 that includes a biasing member 149 that is arranged to exert a biasing force B onto the products C in the dispensing direction D, thereby urging said products C to move or advance in the dispensing direction D when allowed to do SO.
As best seen in figures 7 and 9B, the dispensing mechanism 104 further comprises a separator member 141 that is movable between a receiving position for receiving said one product C in the dispensing direction D from the product holder 103 and a separating position for separating said one product C from the plurality of products C that remain in the product holder 103. In this exemplary embodiment, the separator member 141 is formed as a revolving door that forms a chamber for receiving said one product C. The revolving door is rotatable (see arrow R) about a rotation axis S. The revolving door may be provided with a handle 142 to facilitate manual operation.
The dispensing mechanism 104 further comprise a blocking member 145 that is movable between a blocking position for blocking the movement of the separator member 141 from the receiving position into the separating position and an unblocking position for allowing the movement of the separator member from the receiving position into the separating position, The separator member
141 may be provided with a protrusion 143 that crosses with the path of the blocking member 145 during the rotation R.
The alternative vending kit 101 further comprises a collection member 105 in front of the product holder 103 in the dispensing direction D, to receive said one product C after it has been dispensed. In this case, the collection member 105 may be formed by the separator member 141. In particular, the revolving door of the separator member 141 together with a circular platform or tray 150 at the bottom of said separator member 141 may form the collection area for said one product C.
Figures 8 and 9C show a further alternative vending kit 201 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The further alternative vending kit 201 has a similar configuration to the alternative vending kit 101 according to the second embodiment of the invention, i.e. a number of dispenser modules 221-227 with product holders 203 for holding the products C, in this example beverage cans C, in an upright orientation. The further alternative wvending kit 201 differs from the previously discussed vending kits 1, 101 in that the dispensing mechanism 204 comprises a dispensing spiral 241 and a spiral drive 245 that is arranged to drive the dispensing spiral 241 in a rotation {see arrow R) about a spiral axis S. The dispensing spiral 241 comprises a plurality of helical windings spaced apart in the dispensing direction D over a pitch distance X. The spiral drive 245 is arranged for rotating the dispensing spiral 241 over half the pitch distance X at a time, i.e. in response to a payment at the payment module 62. As shown in figure 9C, a collection member 205, i.e. a collection tray or platform, may be provided at the end of the dispensing spiral 241 to form a collection area 250 for the dispensed product C.
Figure 9A shows an alternative first dispenser module 321 which is a combination of the dispensing mechanism 304 according to the first embodiment of the invention and the product holder 303 according to the second embodiment of the invention. In particular, the dispensing mechanism 304 comprises a lever-style retaining member 341 with an arm 342 that is blocked by a solenoid driven blocking member 345 to selectively block and allow rotation R of the arm 342, and thus the retaining member 341 relative to the product holder 303. The product holder may be provided with a collection member 305 similar to the collection member 205 according to the third embodiment of the invention.
It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. In particular, it will be clear that many variations and combinations are possible in terms of the dispensing mechanism, the configuration of the product holders and the ways of payments, as already reflected in the various embodiments as shown. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.
Claims (33)
Priority Applications (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2023352A NL2023352B1 (en) | 2019-06-20 | 2019-06-20 | Vending kit and method for repurposing a refrigerator as a vending machine |
| US17/620,996 US11721157B2 (en) | 2019-06-20 | 2020-06-16 | First dispenser module, vending kit comprising said first dispenser module and method |
| CN202080053085.3A CN114144820A (en) | 2019-06-20 | 2020-06-16 | First dispenser module, vending kit including the same, and method |
| EP20743891.2A EP3987493A1 (en) | 2019-06-20 | 2020-06-16 | First dispenser module, vending kit comprising said first dispenser module and method |
| PCT/NL2020/050385 WO2020256543A1 (en) | 2019-06-20 | 2020-06-16 | First dispenser module, vending kit comprising said first dispenser module and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2023352A NL2023352B1 (en) | 2019-06-20 | 2019-06-20 | Vending kit and method for repurposing a refrigerator as a vending machine |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NL2023352B1 true NL2023352B1 (en) | 2021-01-28 |
Family
ID=74304563
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2023352A NL2023352B1 (en) | 2019-06-20 | 2019-06-20 | Vending kit and method for repurposing a refrigerator as a vending machine |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| NL (1) | NL2023352B1 (en) |
-
2019
- 2019-06-20 NL NL2023352A patent/NL2023352B1/en active
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