VENDING MACHINE
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly, to a vending machine designed for automatically and efficiently sorting, displaying and vending a multitude of vendible items.
A vending machine, as known in the art provides repeat sales of convenience items to consumers through unattended automatic machinery.
The vending industry is a huge multi-billion dollar per year industry, most of this market relies upon sales of food items and small novelties though dedicated vending machines.
Typically, as described in the art, a vending machine is comprised of a housing, a storing chamber with or without climate control, including shelves or other item holders, and means of providing such items to a user. Many such machines are described in the art, and are designed to provide a multitude of items, such as snacks, soft drinks, hot and cold food, novelty items, electronic devices and various services.
To effect product delivery, these vending machines contain various and often dedicated mechanisms employed by a variety of user interfaces, and methods of payment.
.One such item dispensing device is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,986. In this patent, a vendible item dispensing device is illustrated as a set of coils that are selectively rotatable in motor driven fashion, about the longitudinal axis of the coils. A plurality of vendible items are disposed in horizontally supported compartments defined between adjacent coils, and upon the selected rotation of the coils, the vendible items contained in the coils are moved forward by a certain distance toward a front opening in a space supporting the vendible items. Thus, in response to the selected rotation of the coils, the forwardmost selected vendible item in the coils is passed through the front opening in the space supporting the vendible item and, assisted by gravity, falls through a drop chute into a retrieval container from which it can be retrieved by the purchaser. In this above described mechanism delivery is effected by a gravitational step which infers that the vendible item must drop from its stored position to a receptacle, from which it can be retrieved by the user. This implies that the above described vending machine can be adapted to vending a limited range of vendible items which would not be damaged by the so called gravitational step.
Although this machine employs a controllable coil for item storage and delivery, different mechanism for storage and delivery of items also exist, most of which limit the machine from storing and delivering items of varying size or makeup, and/or delivering grouped items to the user with one purchase action.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,812 teaches a product-delivery device for an automatic vending machine designed to deliver products stacked and accommodated in a product-accommodating box sequentially from a lowest position according to a sales command. The produce-delivery device is formed of at least one horizontal conveyer installed on a lower side of the product-accommodating box, and a product delivery opening formed at a lower front port of the box. The products are piled on the conveyer. The opening has a size to allow one of the products to pass therethrough. Thus, the products disposed on the conveyer are delivered forward one by one from the box by means of the conveyer according to the sales command. However, U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,812 fails to teach a process or mechanism for effecting safe delivery of the selected product to a receptacle accessible by the purchaser.
Present day vending machines also pose limitations on item restocking by the operator. Typically, in most vending machines, the operator accesses a storage compartment and stocks the items through employment of an item bearing cartridges, or singularly, one item at a time.
Bulk vending, which refers to refers to the sale of unsorted items selected at random by the customer and dispensed generally from one vending machine, is a small subset of the vending machine market. It comprises less than 1 % of the total vending industry and is distinct and unique from the other electrically operated vending machines.
Although bulk vending machines are known in the art, such machines have been generally limited by design to sales of various food and or candy items combined with small novelty items which are of substantially the same size so that a vending machine of the type which dispense items having a uniform size shape and or properties may be used. To this end the reader is referred to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,445,287; 4,591,070; and 3,810,561.
It will be appreciated that providing an array of different items, through one vending machine, presents several design limitations.
Various different schemes have been utilized to effect the selective vending of several vendible items from a vending machine in response to a preselected vending signal. But vending machine design, as known in the art, often limits the machine to stocking and dispensing products of similar size, content and/or weight and so, these machines are incapable or inefficient at stocking and/or dispensing an array of different items. In addition, most of the vending machines described in the prior art are also limited by design to the provision of one item at a time.
Present day consumers increasingly rely upon vending machines for an array of products, which oftentimes leads the vending machine operators to place in proximity several vending machines, each dedicated to providing a distinct item. For the consumer, filling a shopping list by sequentially using several vending machines is both cumbersome and time consuming. Furthermore the operator now has the added burden of maintaining and supplying several distinct vending machines.
There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a vending machine devoid of the above limitation. In particular, there is a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a vending machine capable of storing and displaying a plurality of size shape and weight different vendible items and delivering any subset of selected items to a purchaser upon a single vending command, in a fashion that is both time efficient and which protects the vendible items while delivered and which further enables efficient restocking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a vending machine for vending vendible items, the vending machine comprising (a) a housing forming a storage chamber; (b) at least one shelf being engaged in the chamber by the housing, the at least one shelf being for storing the vendible items, the at least one shelf including a plurality of first conveying implements; (c) a controllably movable carrier being for moving up and down and sideways within the chamber in front of the at least one shelf, the controllably movable carrier including a plurality of second conveying implements; and (d) a mechanism for co-operating at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements and at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements, the mechanism being operated when the at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements
and the at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements are juxtaposed, so as to convey at least one of the vendible items from one of the at least one shelf onto the controllably movable carrier.
According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below, the vending machine further comprising a command circuit operable by a user for controlling the controllably movable carrier and the mechanism.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the vending machine further comprising a command circuit operable by a user for controlling the controllably movable carrier and the mechanism.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the mechanism is engaged by the controllably movable carrier.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments each of the plurality of first and second conveying implements includes a belt and at least one pulley.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the mechanism includes a plurality of rollers, each of the plurality of rollers being independently and removably contactible with a pair of juxtaposed conveying implements, to thereby effect the conveying of the at least one of the vendible items from one of the at least one shelf onto the controllably movable carrier.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the at least one shelf includes partitions.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the partitions are width adjustable on the at least one shelf.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the at least one shelf is height adjustable within the housing.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the vending machine further comprising a receptacle for receiving selected items of the vendible items and for allowing a user to retrieve the selected items.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the plurality of second conveying implements also serve for unloading the selected items from the controllably movable carrier into the receptacle.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the mechanism also serves for effecting the unloading of the selected items from the controllably movable carrier into the receptacle.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the housing is openable from a front side and a back side thereof, so as to enable loading of the vendible items in the housing from either the front side or the back side.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the vending machine further comprising a loading port to effect loading of the vendible items on the at least one shelf, wherein loading is effected via the mechanism and the plurality of first conveying implements and the plurality of second conveying implements, whereby the mechanism being operated when the at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements and the at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements are juxtaposed, so as to convey at least one of the vendible items from the controllably movable carrier onto one of the at least one shelf.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the command circuit includes a processor for effecting memorizing of an arrangement of the vendible items on the at least one shelf.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the controllably movable carrier being designed so as to permit simultaneously conveying thereto at least two selected items of the vendible items.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of conveying a selected item from a shelf in a vending machine, the shelf including a plurality of first conveying implements, to a controllably movable carrier in the vending machine, the controllably movable carrier including a plurality of second conveying implements, the method comprising the steps of (a) controllably moving the controllably movable carrier, so as to juxtapose at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements of the controllably movable carrier with at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements; and (b) operating a mechanism for co-operating the at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements and the at least one of the plurality of second
conveying implements, so as to convey the selected item from the shelf onto the controllably movable carrier.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of loading a selected item onto a shelf in a vending machine, the shelf including a plurality of first conveying implements, from a controllably movable carrier in the vending machine, the controllably movable carrier including a plurality of second conveying implements, the method comprising the steps of (a) loading the selected item onto the controllably movable carrier; (a) controllably moving the controllably movable carrier, so as to juxtapose at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements of the controllably movable carrier with at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements; and (b) operating a mechanism for co-operating the at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements and the at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements, so as to convey the selected item from the controllably movable carrier onto the shelf.
According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of conveying a selected item from a shelf in the vending machine, the shelf including a plurality of first conveying implements, to a consumer, the vending machine including a controllably movable carrier which includes a plurality of second conveying implements, the vending machine further including a receptacle for receiving the selected item and for allowing a user to retrieve the selected item, the method comprising the steps of (a) controllably moving the controllably movable carrier, so as to juxtapose at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements of the controllably movable carrier with at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements; (b) operating a first mechanism for co-operating the at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements and the at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements, so as to convey the selected item from the shelf onto the controllably movable carrier; (c) controllably moving the controllably movable carrier, so as to position the controllably movable carrier with respect to the receptacle; and (d) operating a second mechanism for operating the at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements, so as to convey the selected item from the controllably movable carrier into the receptacle.
The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the presently known configurations by providing a vending machines which
enables vending of items differing in size and weight; venting a plurality of items simultaneously; vending sensitive items with minimal disturbance to content thereof; front and back loading; loading from a loading port; and learning and memorizing inventory status and distribution.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIGs. la-b are perspective views of two embodiments of the vending machine according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vending machine of Figures la-b, wherein covers thereof are show opened;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carrier and a shelf employed in the vending machine according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a shelf employed in the vending machine according to the present invention; and
FIGs. 5a-b are cross sectional views of a mechanism used in the vending machine according to the present invention to effect transfer of vendible items.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is of a vending machine which can be used for vending vendible items. Specifically, the present invention can be used to vent, dispense or distribute a plurality of selected items upon a single vending command. The present invention is further of methods and mechanisms operable in context of a vending machine.
The principles and operation of a vending according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1-5 illustrate some preferred embodiments of the vending machine according to the present invention, which is referred to hereinbelow as vending machine 10.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims section below, the term "vend" and the related terms (e.g., vending and vendible) refer not only to the action of selling, as it also refers to the actions of distributing, dispensing, renting, etc.
Vending machine 10 serves for vending vendible items 12. Vending machine 10 includes a housing 14. Housing 14 forms a storage, and optionally displaying, chamber 16. Chamber 16 serves for storing and optionally displaying items 12.
Vending machine 10 further includes at least one shelf, typically a plurality of shelves, 18. Each of shelves 18 is engaged in chamber 16 by housing 14. Shelves 18 serve for storing vendible items 12. Each of shelves 18 includes a plurality of first conveying implements 20.
Vending machine 10 further includes a controllably movable carrier 22. Carrier 22 serves for moving up and down and sideways within chamber 14 in front of shelves 18. To this end, vending machine 10 further includes vertical 17 and horizontal 19 carrier translating mechanisms, engaged or formed within housing 14, for moving carrier 22 up and down and sideways as described. Controllably movable carrier 22 includes a plurality of second conveying implements 24. Extension and retraction of carrier 22 along a plane orthogonal to the planes of movement thereof hereinabove described, so as to enable to proximate and retrieve carrier 22 to and from shelves 18 or other components of vending machine 10, as further detailed below, are envisaged.
Vending machine 10 further includes a mechanism 26 for, substantially simultaneously, co-operating at least one of conveying implements 20 and at least one of conveying implements 24. Mechanism 26 is operated when at least one of conveying implements 22 and at least one of conveying implements 24 are juxtaposed, so as to convey at least one of the vendible items 12 from one of shelves 18 onto controllably movable carrier 22. Carrier 22 is preferably supplemented with a collapsible barrier 37, and optionally side barriers 39.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention vending machine 10 includes a command circuit, indicated in the drawings
by command interface 28, operable by a user for controlling controllably movable carrier 22 and mechanism 26 as described hereinabove.
According to a preferred embodiment, and as specifically shown in Figures 3 and 5a-b, each of first 20 and second 24 conveying implements includes a conveying belt 32 and at least one pulley 34.
As best seen in Figures 3 and 5a-5b, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, mechanism 26 is engaged by controllably movable carrier 22 and includes a plurality of rollers 36. Each of rollers 36 is independently, substantially simultaneously, and removably contactible with a pair of juxtaposed conveying implements 20 and 24, to thereby effect conveying of at least one of vendible items 12 from one of shelves 18 onto controllably movable carrier 22.
Thus, by moving carrier 22 to an appropriate position with respect to shelves 18, carrier 22, as shown for example in Figure 3, is positioned in from and parallel to a selected shelf 18, such that belts 32 of carrier 22 and of shelf 18 are juxtaposed. Then, by contacting any number of rollers 36 with pulleys 34 of juxtaposed belts 32, and rotating one of pulleys 34, preferably that pulley 34 associated with carrier 22, as shown, a conveying effect is effected and as a result thereof, any number of previously stationery items 12 are now simultaneously conveyed onto carrier 22.
As shown in Figures 5a and 5b, contacting each of rollers 36 with pulleys 34 is effected by an articulated arm 35 operably connected to a solenoid 37. A motor 39 serves for rotating pulley 34 of carrier 22 via an intermediate pulley 41 and suitable friction and/or timing belts 43. Gear and/or chain operation is envisaged as well. Intermediate pulley 41 is preferably under clutch control.
Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of conveying a selected item from a shelf in a vending machine, the shelf including a plurality of first conveying implements, to a controllably movable carrier in the vending machine, the controllably movable carrier including a plurality of second conveying implements. The method according to this aspect of the present invention is effected by implementing the following method steps, in which, in a first step, the controllably movable carrier is controllably moved, so as to juxtapose at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements of controllably movable carrier with at least one of plurality of first conveying implements. Then, in a second step of the method according to the present invention, a
mechanism for substantially simultaneously operating at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements and at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements is operated, so as to convey the selected item from the shelf onto the controllably movable carrier.
As best seen in Figures 2 and 3, according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention each of shelves 18 includes partitions 40. Partitions 40 are preferably position adjustable over shelves 40. To this end, shelves 18 are formed with partition acceptors 42, appropriate usage thereof enables position adjustability as described. This, in turn, enables storage of items 12 of varying width. It will be appreciated that any number of conveying implements 20 can reside between adjacent partitions 40.
As best seen in Figures 3 and 4, according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention shelves 18 are height adjustable within housing 14. To this end, housing 14, or a constructional part thereof 15, is formed with shelf acceptors 46, appropriate usage thereof enables height adjustability as described. This, in turn, enables storage of items 12 of varying heights. To effect height adjustment, as best seen in Figure 4, shelves 18 are supplemented with hooks 47, shaped and designed for engaging acceptors 46. Hooks 47 are preferably designed to provide geometric locking mechanism, in which hooks 47 hook stronger into acceptors 46 when the weight placed on a shelf 18 with which they operate is increased.
According to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention vending machine 10 further includes a receptacle 48. Receptacle 48, which is shown open in Figure la, serves for receiving selected items of the vendible items 12 and for allowing a user to retrieve the selected items. Preferably, conveying implements 24 also serve for unloading the selected items from controllably movable carrier 22 into receptacle 48. This is effected by first positioning carrier 22 parallel to, above or within receptacle 48, when closed, followed by rotating any appropriate number of pulleys 34 of carrier 22 in the same direction as described hereinabove with respect to the process of transferring a selected item from a selected shelf 18 to carrier 22, so as to effect transfer of the selected items from carrier 22 to receptacle 48, which transfer can involve a very short gravitational step. Thus, according to this embodiment of the present invention, mechanism 26 also serves for effecting the unloading of the selected items from controllably movable carrier 22 into receptacle 48.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, when carrier 22 has delivered the selected items to receptacle 48, the latter is openable by the user. At this point, and in order to prevent access to chamber 16, a translatable partition 50 is translated so as to engage the opening formed by opening receptacle 48. In the example shown in the inset of Figure la, while operated, translatable partition 50 in translated upwardly, however, other configuration are envisaged.
Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of conveying a selected item from a shelf in a vending machine, the shelf including a plurality of first conveying implements, to a consumer, the vending machine including a controllably movable carrier which includes a plurality of second conveying implements, the vending machine further including a receptacle for receiving the selected item and for allowing a user to retrieve the selected item. The method is effected by implementing the following method steps, in which, in a first step, the controllably movable carrier is controllably moved, so as to juxtapose at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements of controllably movable carrier with at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements. Then, a first mechanism for substantially simultaneously operating at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements and at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements is operated, so as to convey the selected item from the shelf onto the controllably movable carrier. Subsequently, the controllably movable carrier is controllably moved, so as to position the controllably movable carrier with respect to the receptacle. Finally, a second mechanism for operating at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements is operated, so as to convey the selected item from the controllably movable carrier into the receptacle. The first and second mechanisms are preferably a single mechanism indicated by reference numeral 26 in the drawings.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, and as best seen in Figures la-b and 2, housing 14 is openable from a front side 60 and/or a back side 62 thereof, so as to enable loading of vendible items 12 in housing 14 from either front side 60 or back side 62. To further effect the accessibility of a loader to shelves 18, carrier 22 is preferably engaged within an operable frame 64 of housing 14, hingedly connected via hinges 66 to housing 14, wherein a front cover 68, which, as best seen in Figures la-b, may also serve for display and for operable holding receptacle 48.
Frame 64, according to this embodiment of the present invention, also serves for engaging vertical 17 and horizontal 19 carrier translating mechanisms for effecting the up and down and sideways movements of carrier 22. An openable rear cover 63 is preferably provided hingedly connected to housing 14, so as to permit loading items 12 onto shelves 18 from back side 62. Loading versatility is preferred so as to enable variably locating vending machine against a wall within a shop, wherein loading is effected from front side 60, or in shop front, wherein loading is effected from back side 62. Loading items 12 on shelves 18 is effected, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, by providing items 12 prepackaged in retrievable cartridges, which are retrieved upon loading vending machine 10.
However, according to another and presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, and as best seen in Figures lb and 2, vending machine 10 includes a loading port 70 to effect loading of vendible items 12 on shelves 18 without the need for opening machine 10. Loading is effected via mechanism 26 and conveying implements 24 and 20, whereby mechanism 26 is operated when at least one of conveying implements 24 and at least one of conveying implements are 20 are juxtaposed, so as to convey at least one of vendible items 12 from controllably movable carrier 22 onto one of shelves 18.
As shown in Figure 2, a set of additional conveying implements 72, independently operated, is installed in front cover 68 over a loading shelf 74, so as to accept items 12 through port 70 and to thereafter convey the accepted items to carrier 22. During this transfer of items 12, each transferred item 12 is identified by a bar-code reader 76 implemented within cover 26, as shown, or on carrier 22, and is thereafter placed accordingly on a dedicated shelf 18 as described above. The loading activity is controlled via command circuit and user interface 28.
Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of loading a selected item onto a shelf in a vending machine, the shelf including a plurality of first conveying implements, from a controllably movable carrier in vending machine, the controllably movable carrier including a plurality of second conveying implements. The method is effected by implementing the following method steps, in which, in a first step, the selected item is loaded onto the controllably movable carrier. Then, the controllably movable carrier is controllably moved, so as
to juxtapose at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements of the controllably movable carrier with at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements. Finally, a mechanism for substantially simultaneously operating at least one of the plurality of first conveying implements and at least one of the plurality of second conveying implements is operated, so as to convey the selected item from the controllably movable carrier onto the shelf.
As shown in Figure 2, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention command circuit 28 includes a processor 74 for effecting memorizing of an arrangement of vendible items 12 on shelves 18. Thus, for example, circuit 28 can select the shortest path for carrier 22 to collect any random set of selected items.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, circuit 28 serves to enable an operator to command carrier 22 to scan shelves 18 and to command a memory module in processor 74 to "memorize" specific locations of items 12, e.g., via the locations of partitions 40, such that a contemporary arrangement of items 12 can be altered and re-memorized.
Plurality of conveying implements 20 and 24 enable the simultaneous conveying of at least two selected items from a shelf 18 to carrier 22, a feature which was yet never described in the art. This feature, however, shortens vending time, especially in related items, such as an electronic item and batteries for its operation are arranged as neighbors on a single shelf 18. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, during service, processor 74 "learns" the requirements of consumers using vending machine 10, so as to permit rearrangement of items 12 over shelves 18, so as to enjoy the above advantage.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the command circuit further includes a display 80. Display 80 in conjunction with interface 28 and processor 74 serve to facilitate commanding carrier 22, etc., to operate. Preferably, offered for sale are predetermined sets of items 22 described by display 80, so as to enable a consumer to select a preferred set of items 12. In any case, command circuit is communicating with a remote computer to thereby inform the operators of vending machine 10 of its status, such as depletion of specific items or dysfunction.
As shown in Figures la-b, vending machine 10 preferably includes a payment mechanism 77 which allows for cash and/or credit card payment, as well known in the art.
As shown in Figure 2, vending machine preferably includes at least one camera 79, implemented within housing 14, so as to enable a remote operator to view the inner components thereof and to identify and characterize faults. The camera can also serve to monitor users using the machine.
Vending machine 10 according to the present invention can be used for vending, distributing or dispensing items in various contexts, including but not limited to retail vending, storage facilities, etc. It may be desired to use a construction similar to that of vending machine 10, which readily lends itself to modulation, so as to provide a plurality of vending machines cooperatively controlled and operated. An external conveyor and/or lift device can be used to convey items vended from any one or several of the modularily arranged machines, so as to enable vending of hundreds and more of different products.
The present invention has numerous advantages over prior art vending machines, because it enables (i) vending of items differing in size and weight; (ii) venting a plurality of items simultaneously; (iii) vending sensitive items with minimal disturbance to content thereof; (iv) front and back loading; (v) loading from a loading port; and (vi) learning and memorizing inventory status and distribution.
Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.