WO1989008901A1 - Distributeur automatique - Google Patents

Distributeur automatique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1989008901A1
WO1989008901A1 PCT/GB1989/000239 GB8900239W WO8908901A1 WO 1989008901 A1 WO1989008901 A1 WO 1989008901A1 GB 8900239 W GB8900239 W GB 8900239W WO 8908901 A1 WO8908901 A1 WO 8908901A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user
machine
film
processed
films
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1989/000239
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Nicholas Reid
Original Assignee
John Nicholas Reid
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by John Nicholas Reid filed Critical John Nicholas Reid
Publication of WO1989008901A1 publication Critical patent/WO1989008901A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03D—APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03D15/00—Apparatus for treating processed material
    • G03D15/001—Counting; Classifying; Marking
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a machine for automated collection for processing of photographic film and for automated return of the processed film to the user.
  • Vending machines are known for dispensing of consumables such as cigarettes and chocolates. Such machines only require the correct payment to be made before dispensing an article.
  • each article is marked with a code which is read when the article is dispensed to enable the vending machine to keep a record of which cassette has been rented to any individual user.
  • a machine for automated collection for processing of photographic film from a user and for automated return of the processed film to the user characterised by:
  • e means operative during the return of a processed film to the user to read the code on the ticket retained by the user
  • processing means for dispensing from the appropriate one of said storage locations the package containing the processed film identified by the read code.
  • the storage locations are formed by hooks arranged on a rack and from which hooks packaged processed films can be suspended, the hooks being heatable to a temperature at which the packaging material of the processed films melts.
  • the labels to be affixed to the films may form part of envelopes into which the film cassettes are inserted by the user prior to their being placed in the machine.
  • the machine is preferably operative to demand payment both upon dispensing of labels and tickets and upon the return of a processed film.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a vending machine
  • Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the machine of Figure 1 with the front panel removed
  • Figure 3 is a schematic vertical section through the machine of Figures 1 and 2
  • Figure 4 is a schematic partial section through a storage rack
  • Figure 5 is a schematic partial front of a rack.
  • the vending machine 10 in the drawings comprises a casing resting on adjustable feet 14 and having a front panel 12, shown in Figure 1.
  • the front panel 12 provides access to a slot 16 for receiving payment, the latter being either for receiving coins or for reading credit cards.
  • a display panel 18, disposed beneath the slot 16, is used to display instructions and prices to the user.
  • This may be for example a liquid crystal display or a light emitting diode (LED) display capable of displaying alphanumeric characters.
  • LED light emitting diode
  • a second slot 20 beneath the display panel 18 is provided for reading bar codes and a third slot 22 serves to dispense envelopes to the user.
  • a chute 24 for change is arranged beneath the envelope dispensing slot 22. Also arranged on the front panel of the machine 10 are an opening 28 for posting of films to be developed and a a chute 30 from which packaged processed films can be collected.
  • the first section is a closed box 40 for storage of films to be processed.
  • the second section is a column 42 for storing envelopes and the third section consists of a plurality of racks 44, better shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5.
  • Each rack 44 consists of a carrier which is shaped to define several sloping ramps 46.
  • At the top end of each ramp is a hook 48 formed of resistance wire from which a package 50 containing a processed film can be suspended.
  • An LED 52 is arranged adjacent each hook to act as an indicator, when the processed films are being loaded by the operator into the machine.
  • the purpose of the ramps on the surface of the carrier is to ensure that when a package is released from its hook by melting of the package material, i -can fall into the chute and is not prevented from doing so by packages lying beneath it.
  • the racks 44 can slide out of the machine casing after lowering a door 54 which forms part of the front panel.
  • This mounting arrangement resembles the manner in which circuit boards are retained in computer cabinets.
  • a new user is requested to insert money in the slot 16 or to introduce a credit card into the slot.
  • an envelope can be collected from the slot 22.
  • Each envelope includes a ticket which is separated and retained by the user.
  • the user is also asked to enter his name and address on the envelope before inserting the film into the envelope and posting the envelope through the slot 28 into the box 40. This precaution is to enable the processed film to be sent to the user by post if it has not been collected within a set term.
  • the machine operator empties the box on a regular basis and takes the films away for processing. It is possible to verify during collection that each person to whom a ticket has been issued has placed a film in the machine for development, as the envelopes can be consecutively numbered and the operator need only count the number of envelopes removed from the machine. In the event of a mismatch, the sequential numbering of the tickets enables the operator to determine which envelope has not been used, this being important if fraudulent claims for lost films are to be avoided.
  • the operator uses a key to turn a mode switch 26 located under the change chute 24.
  • the operator introduces part of the package carrying a bar code into the bar code reader 20. This informs the machine of the identity of the processed films being inserted into the racks for return to the user as well as the additional amount owing on each film.
  • the machine lights one of the LED's 52 on the racks 44 to inform the operator of where to suspend the package and stores in its memory the location at which the film can be found.
  • the user inserts to the bar code reader the ticket removed from the envelope.
  • the machine matches the bar code with those loaded into the racks by the operator and recalls from its memory the amount owing on that package.
  • a request for the necessary further payment is made to the user through the display.
  • current is applied to the hook 48 from which the relevant package 50 is suspended.
  • the heat melts the package material and allows the package to fall under its own weight to the chute 30 from which it can be collected by the user.
  • the storage locations may consists of separate compartments spaced about a rotatable drum. The drum can be rotated to bring any one of the compartments into alignment with a dispensing slot. Storage density can in this case be increased by forming several radially spaced rows of compartments around the same drum, each row having its own dispensing slot.
  • each film be assigned an identification code as it is received in order to enable it to be returned to the user presenting the appropriate ticket.
  • this has been effected by the use of a label affixed by the user to the film.
  • the film associated with any given ticket issued to a user may be uniquely identified by being placed in a different compartment of a drum.
  • an empty compartment is brought into alignment with the dispensing slot and the user is asked to place the film in it.
  • a ticket is issued to the user and the machine maintains a record of the code associated with the film and that storage compartment.
  • a label is issued to the operator carrying the code which is now affixed by the operator to the film prior to the film being removed for processing.
  • a label is still affixed to the film before it is taken away for processing, but this is done by the operator rather than the user.
  • the advantage of the machine of the invention from the viewpoint of the processing laboratories is that it avoids the need for an intermediary and permits direct collection from and return to the user. This reduces operating overheads enabling cost reductions to be passed on to the user.
  • the invention offers the advantage of speedy processing at lower cost. It is also an advantage that the machines of the invention can be made available to the public in convenient locations, such as railway stations, and at times when shops would normally be closed.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Abstract

On décrit une machine qui accueille automatiquement une pellicule photographique déposée par un utilisateur pour qu'elle soit développée et qui la lui retourne automatiquement après son développement. La machine comporte une fente (22) qui fournit une étiquette portant un code d'identification à apposer sur la pellicule à développer et un ticket à conserver par l'utilisateur et portant un code d'identification correspondant; une boîte (40) recevant les films à développer; des compartiments de stockage (48) des paquets (50) contenant les pellicules qui ont été développées, un lecteur de code à barres (20) qui lit le code figurant sur le ticket de l'utilisateur lorsqu'une pellicule développée lui est retournée et un micro-ordinateur pour rechercher dans le compartiment de stockage approprié (48) le paquet contenant la pellicule développée identifiée par le code de lecture.
PCT/GB1989/000239 1988-03-09 1989-03-09 Distributeur automatique WO1989008901A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8805573 1988-03-09
GB888805573A GB8805573D0 (en) 1988-03-09 1988-03-09 Vending machine

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1989008901A1 true WO1989008901A1 (fr) 1989-09-21

Family

ID=10633106

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1989/000239 WO1989008901A1 (fr) 1988-03-09 1989-03-09 Distributeur automatique

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB8805573D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1989008901A1 (fr)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1990011582A1 (fr) * 1989-03-29 1990-10-04 Delphi Partners, Ltd. Systeme interactif de distribution automatique pour produits a traiter
GB2247968A (en) * 1990-09-11 1992-03-18 Hazel Grove Music Co Ltd Dispensing machine
FR2670929A1 (fr) * 1990-12-21 1992-06-26 Gemic Borne accessible au public pour l'enregistrement d'ordres de travaux sur des pellicules photographiques impressionnees.
EP0769720A1 (fr) * 1995-10-17 1997-04-23 Direct Station interactive pour la collecte de travaux photographiques
US5649260A (en) * 1995-06-26 1997-07-15 Eastman Kodak Company Automated photofinishing apparatus
US5652936A (en) * 1996-02-06 1997-07-29 Eastman Kodak Company Automated photofinishing apparatus with convenient order status checking feature
EP0809149A1 (fr) * 1996-05-21 1997-11-26 Eastman Kodak Company Système de photofinissage ayant comme caractéristique le paiement personnalisé du commande du client
WO2000025280A1 (fr) * 1998-10-22 2000-05-04 Giampaolo Sala Dispositif servant a recueillir un materiau photographique
EP1083505A2 (fr) * 1999-09-10 2001-03-14 Ncr International Inc. Appareil et méthode pour la mise en boíte des films
NL1020376C2 (nl) * 2002-04-12 2003-10-14 Dutch Thinking Man B V Beeldopneeminrichting omvattende tenminste een code en werkwijze voor het distribueren van beelden.

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE570467A (fr) *
US3379295A (en) * 1964-08-28 1968-04-23 Varley Clement Self-service apparatus
EP0234833A2 (fr) * 1986-02-14 1987-09-02 Samuel Sabbagh Système de vente et de distribution

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE570467A (fr) *
US3379295A (en) * 1964-08-28 1968-04-23 Varley Clement Self-service apparatus
EP0234833A2 (fr) * 1986-02-14 1987-09-02 Samuel Sabbagh Système de vente et de distribution

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1990011582A1 (fr) * 1989-03-29 1990-10-04 Delphi Partners, Ltd. Systeme interactif de distribution automatique pour produits a traiter
GB2247968A (en) * 1990-09-11 1992-03-18 Hazel Grove Music Co Ltd Dispensing machine
FR2670929A1 (fr) * 1990-12-21 1992-06-26 Gemic Borne accessible au public pour l'enregistrement d'ordres de travaux sur des pellicules photographiques impressionnees.
US5649260A (en) * 1995-06-26 1997-07-15 Eastman Kodak Company Automated photofinishing apparatus
EP0769720A1 (fr) * 1995-10-17 1997-04-23 Direct Station interactive pour la collecte de travaux photographiques
WO1997014994A1 (fr) * 1995-10-17 1997-04-24 Direct S.A. Station interactive pour la collecte de travaux photographiques
US5652936A (en) * 1996-02-06 1997-07-29 Eastman Kodak Company Automated photofinishing apparatus with convenient order status checking feature
US5808723A (en) * 1996-05-21 1998-09-15 Eastman Kodak Company Photofinishing system having customized customer order payment feature
EP0809149A1 (fr) * 1996-05-21 1997-11-26 Eastman Kodak Company Système de photofinissage ayant comme caractéristique le paiement personnalisé du commande du client
EP1357425A2 (fr) * 1996-05-21 2003-10-29 Eastman Kodak Company Système de photofinissage ayant comme caractéristique le paiement personnalisé d'une commande du client
EP1357425A3 (fr) * 1996-05-21 2004-11-03 Eastman Kodak Company Système de photofinissage ayant comme caractéristique le paiement personnalisé d'une commande du client
WO2000025280A1 (fr) * 1998-10-22 2000-05-04 Giampaolo Sala Dispositif servant a recueillir un materiau photographique
US6543943B1 (en) * 1998-10-22 2003-04-08 Giampaolo Sala Device for the collection of photographic material
EP1083505A2 (fr) * 1999-09-10 2001-03-14 Ncr International Inc. Appareil et méthode pour la mise en boíte des films
EP1083505A3 (fr) * 1999-09-10 2003-03-26 Ncr International Inc. Appareil et méthode pour la mise en boíte des films
NL1020376C2 (nl) * 2002-04-12 2003-10-14 Dutch Thinking Man B V Beeldopneeminrichting omvattende tenminste een code en werkwijze voor het distribueren van beelden.
WO2003091803A1 (fr) * 2002-04-12 2003-11-06 Snaplink System B.V. Dispositif de prise de vues comprenant au moins un code

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8805573D0 (en) 1988-04-07

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