WO2010130050A1

WO2010130050A1 - Method and apparatus for vending merchandise suspended from a coil

Info

Publication number: WO2010130050A1
Application number: PCT/CA2010/000737
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rendell Mark
Original assignee: Beaver Machine Corporation
Priority date: 2009-05-15
Filing date: 2010-05-14
Publication date: 2010-11-18
Also published as: CA2666071A1

Abstract

A vendor for dispensing suspended product composed of a housing for containing the suspended product to be vended from an opening in the housing, a mechanical coin mechanism mounted on the housing for receiving at least one coil, the mechanical coin mechanism releasing an actuator after receiving the at least one coin, the actuator connected to, and driving, a fixed end of a coil for suspending the product, the coil rotatably mounted in the housing above the opening to rotate about an approximately central axis of the coil, and a free end of the coil for releasing the suspended product.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VENDING MERCHANDISE SUSPENDED FROM A COIL

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to vending machines. In particular, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for suspending merchandise and vending the suspended merchandise.

Background of the Invention

Bulk vendors, often colloquially known as "gumball machines," are used to dispense various types of merchandise. Bulk vendors conventionally comprise a merchandise bin or 'globe' seated over a revolving dispensing wheel which provides compartments into which the bulk product falls. As the dispensing wheel is rotated by a user through rotating a coin mechanism, a compartment is brought into alignment with the opening of a dispensing chute, and the product is thus dispensed through the dispensing chute to the user.

While bulk vendors can be used to vend many types of small products, including toys and the like, by far the most popular use for bulk vendors is for dispensing confectionary such as gum and other types of candy, and small snacks such as peanuts, cashews, etc.

Current bulk vendors have difficulty vending large or flexible products. Typically, bulk vendors are used to vend products less than 4" in length and that are relatively rigid so that product in the bulk vendor does not foul or obstruct an item to be vended. Soft or awkwardly shaped product may be packed into a hard-shelled capsule before being loaded into a bulk vendor to assist with vending the product.

These limitations with bulk vendors have limited their use for dispensing soft packaged products or products greater than about 4 inches (10 cm) in length. As a great variety of product is commonly available in flexible packaging or packaging greater than 4 inches in length, it would be advantageous to provide a vendor capable of dispensing such product. It would also be advantageous to provide a vendor capable of displaying a product to be vended such that a package of the product may be easily viewed by a customer, for instance to review the ingredients of the product.

Venders are available in which product is stocked in a lateral fashion. This too is problematic for dispensing products greater than about 4 inches (10 cm) in length, because floor space in many places where such vendors are located (e.g. malls and retail premises) is in short supply and is often very expensive. Accordingly, it would also be advantageous to provide a vendor which stocks long products (for example longer than about 4 inches/10 cm) in a substantially vertical fashion, to reduce the usage of floor space. However, conventional venders are typically incapable of supporting long articles, especially soft packaged products, in this orientation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vendor.

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate an alternate embodiment of a support.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the vendor.

Figures 4a and 4b illustrate an embodiment of the vendor.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the vendor with removable shafts.

Detailed Description

In an embodiment a vendor is provided, the vendor comprising a housing for containing a suspended product to be vended from an opening in the housing; at least one rotatable coil for supporting the suspended product, the at least one coil mounted in the housing above the opening and connected to an actuator for rotatably driving a fixed end of the coil about an approximately central axis of the coil; and a free end of the coil for releasing the suspended product.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotatable coil comprises a releasable rotatable coil, selectively releasable from the actuator allowing removal of the coil from the vendor for re-loading product on the coil for suspension in the vendor when the coil is re-engaged with the actuator.

In an embodiment a vendor is provided, the vendor comprising a housing for containing a suspended product to be vended from an opening in the housing; in an embodiment, a mechanical coin mechanism mounted on the housing for receiving at least one coil; the mechanical coin mechanism releasing an actuator after receiving the at least one coin; the actuator connected to, and driving, a fixed end of a coil for suspending the product, the coil rotatably mounted in the housing above the opening to rotate about an approximately central axis of the coil, and a free end of the coil for releasing the suspended product.

In an embodiment the actuator may comprise a rotatable handle of the mechanical coin mechanism and the mechanical coin mechanism releases the rotatable handle to rotate to drive the coil in rotation about the central axis. A rotational axis of the rotatable handle may be offset from the central axis of the coil. The rotatable handle may be connected to the coil by a drive belt.

In an embodiment, the coil may be oriented in the housing to locate the fixed end above and adjacent the opening, and the free end above and opposite the opening.

In an embodiment, the vendor may further comprise a support for supporting the coil between the fixed end and the free end. The support may engage and support the coil when the coil deflects from the central axis under weight of the suspended product. The support may comprise a central support located within the coil and oriented approximately parallel to the central axis. The central support may be rotatably mounted within the housing and the fixed end of the coil is affixed to the central support. The actuator may be connected to the central support, the central support transferring the driving torque from the actuator to rotate the coil from the fixed end.

In an embodiment a method is provided for vending a product, the method comprising suspending a product from a coil, rotating the coil about a central axis of rotation until the product falls from a free end of the coil to be vended.

A method of vending product, comprising suspending the product from a coil passing through a hole in the product; rotating the coil about a central axis of rotation until a free end of the coil passes through the hole in the product, allowing the product to fall from the coil to be vended. In an embodiment the coil is supported by a central support passing through a middle of the coil and the weight of the product causes the coil to deflect against the central support. The deflection of the coil against the central support restricting movement of the package.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a vendor. A housing 10 for containing suspended product 20. The suspended product 20 typically comprises a wrapper 22 for containing and supporting a product to be vended and at least one suspension hole 24 through the wrapper 22 for receiving a support to suspend and display the product 20.

The housing 10 preferably comprises a lower vending portion 14 made of a sturdy supporting material and a display portion 12, at least a part of which comprising a see- through material such as glass or clear plastic to allow a customer to see the product 20 suspended in the housing 10.

An opening 13 in the housing 10 allows for egress of the product 20 being vended. While not shown in Figure 1, the opening 13 preferably includes a flap, for covering the opening 13 when not in use, but that may be lifted, rotated, or slid away from the opening 13 to allow for egress of a vended product 20. In the embodiment illustrated, a coin mechanism 15 located on the housing 10 may receive at least one coin. The coin mechanism 15 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises an actuator 16 that may be rotated when the coin mechanism 15 has received the at least one coin. The actuator 16 is connected to a fixed end of a coil 30 for suspending the product 20. In an alternate embodiment, not shown, the coin mechanism 15 may release a separate actuator such as a lever or crank.

In an alternate embodiment, the coil 30 may be driven by an actuator without the use of a coin mechanism to release the actuator. This alternate embodiment may employ, for instance, an electronic coin reader for reading coins. In a further embodiment, the vendor may employ a bill reader that accepts bills, the bill reader sending a signal to release the actuator, for instance by engaging or releasing a solenoid to release the actuator. Alternatively, the signal could be used to cause a drive to drive the coil about an axis of rotation.

Referring back to Figure 1, rotation of the actuator 16 drives the coil 30 in rotation about an axis of rotation that is approximately a central axis of the coil 30. Rotation of the coil 30 causes the product 20 to traverse along the length of the coil 30 until it is vended off the free end 32 of the coil 30. The actuator 16 of Figure 1 is metered by the coin mechanism 15 to only provide sufficient rotations to vend a set number of product 20 from the coil 30. For instance, where the product 30 is suspended from each loop of the coil 30, one rotation of the coil 30 will cause one product 30 to be vended from the free end 32.

As mentioned above, coin mechanism 15 is one option for actuating and metering the coil 30. Alternative options, for instance, include a separate mechanical or electric drive that may be engaged upon insertion of a coin into a coin reader or a bill into a bill reader.

In the embodiment illustrated in figure 1, an axis of rotation of the actuator 16 is offset from the central axis of the coil 30. This embodiment provides for an actuator 16 at a lower height, a product 20 at a viewable height and storage of the received coins in the vending portion 14 of the vendor 10. While this arrangement is convenient, other embodiments may provide the actuator 16 at a different relative position to the coil 30. For instance, the axis of rotation of the actuator 16 may be in-line with the central axis of the coil 30, obviating the need for a drive connection 50.

In the embodiment illustrated in figure 1, drive connection 50 comprises a belt linking a pulley 18 on actuator shaft 17 with a pulley 42 on support 40. Actuator shaft 17 is driven by rotation of the actuator 16 when released by the coin mechanism 15 and rotated by a user operating the vending machine. In this embodiment the fixed end 34 of coil 30 is affixed to the support 40. While the support 40 is illustrated as being roughly in-line with the central axis of the coil 30, preferably the coil 30 may deflect under the weight of the product 20 such that the coil 30 near the free end 32 comes in contact with the support 40. The deflection of the coil 30 against the support 40 restricts movement of a suspended package 40 along the coil 30 until the coil 30 rotates. This arrangement provides for support of the coil 30 between the free end 32 and the fixed end 34 as well as providing some security for preventing the product 20 from being inadvertently vended when the housing 10 is jostled or rocked. Customers who prefer not to pay for a vended product sometimes try to "milk" a vendor by physically agitating the vendor to dislodge product 20. The additional security provided by a support 40 "locking" the product 20 on the coil 30 reduces the likelihood of a successful "milking" of the vendor. The package 20 can only traverse along the coil 30 when the coil 30 rotates, presenting a clear section of coil to the package 20.

Providing a support for the coil 30 also allows for a smaller gauge coil 30 than would be required for a self-supporting coil 30 capable of sustaining the weight of suspended product 20. Since the product hole 24 is typically sized at a factory to accommodate store dispensing rods, an over-sized gauge coil 30 would generally require a larger than usual product hole 24. Furthermore, many wrappers 22 are sized for a smaller gauge dispensing rod and would not be able to accommodate an over-sized coil 30. Figures 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate an alternate support embodiment comprising a plate 46. The plate 46 has a slot 47 cut through it to accommodate a lower portion of coil 30. Similar to the embodiment of Figure 1, the plate 46 prevents the dispensing of product 20 when the vendor is subjected to milking attempts.

In an alternate embodiment, the vendor may be provided with a coil without a support. In the alternate embodiment, the coil dimensions and material are selected to provide a self- supporting coil. The vendor of the alternate embodiment may be resistant to milking depending upon the size of the product to be vended and the sizes of the coil gauge and complementary product hole 24.

Reverting to the embodiment of Figure 1, fixed end 34 of the coil 30 is attached to support 40 for support (attachment point not visible in this view, see Figure 3) and to transfer driving torque from the actuator 16 to rotate the coil 30 about its rotational axis. Figure 3 illustrates the interaction of the drive connection 50, the support 40 and coil 30. A bracket 54 connected to the housing 10, not shown in this view, supports a bearing 52 that receives an end of the support 40. The fixed end 34 of the coil 30 is affixed to the support 40 which runs through the center of the coil 30 approximately parallel to an axis of rotation of the coil 30. In Figure 3 there is no product 20 suspended from the coil 30, so that the coil 30 is not illustrated as being deflected from its central axis to rest upon the support 40. An end of support 40 is driven by a pulley 42 connected to the drive connection 50. While the embodiment illustrates the drive connection as being a toothed belt, a smooth belt, gears, transfer shaft, bevelled gears or other known means may be used to transfer driving torque from the actuator 16 to the support 40. While a bearing 52 is illustrated, it will be appreciated that other means may be used to support the coil 30. In an embodiment, a bushing or a rigid support may be used in place of the bearing 52. In an alternative embodiment, as described above, the coil 30 may be fixed directly to, and supported by, an actuator, dispensing with the need for a low friction support.

Figures 4a and 4b illustrate a vending cycle. In Figure 4a a product 20 to be vended is located at a bottom loop of coil 30 adjacent to the free end 32. For clarity the view of Figure 4a shows only a single product 20 and the coil 30 is not deflected from its central axis. With rotation of support 40 driving coil 30 in rotation, the product 20 is vended in Figure 4b, falling off coil 30. Referring to Figure 1, a vended product 20 falls from coil 30 down chute 19 to egress from opening 13.

In the embodiment illustrated the support 40 is driven from the rear of the housing opposite the coin mechanism 15. This embodiment provides for clear viewing of the product 20 through the front of the display portion 12 of the housing 10. Alternate embodiments may drive the support 40 and/or coil 30 from the same side of the housing 10 as the actuator 16.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 10 also locates the free end 32 of the coil 30 at the back of the housing 10 opposite the opening 13. For long products 20, locating the free end 32 at the back of the housing provides for vending from the back providing more space for the product 20 to be deflected by chute 19 from its vertical trajectory to a nearly horizontal trajectory out opening 13. This embodiment allows for reduced jamming of larger product 20 when dispensing through an opening 13 of restricted size. Alternatively, the free end 32 could be located at the front of the housing 10, in which case opening 13 is preferably sized to allow for free discharge of the product 20, or the chute is routed to allow for free discharge.

The embodiment of Figure 1 is illustrated as having a support 40 fixed at both the pulley end 42 and the bearing end 52. This embodiment is preferred providing a simple structure that provides a stable support for coil 30. It may also be possible to provide for a support 40 fixed to a bearing 52 at one end in cantilever fashion. This alternate embodiment would require a more rigid support 40 for a given product weight.

In an embodiment the coils 30 may be pre-packaged at a loading site and loaded with product 20 for supply to a merchant. The brackets 54 may provide for a quick-change releasable fit for the support 40. This embodiment allows a vendor to swap out an emptied coil 30 with a pre-packaged coil 30 supplied with product 20, Either the brackets 54 may be releasable from the housing 10, or the support 40 and coil 30 may be released from the bracket 54.

Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of the vendor showing removable coil 30 where the support 40 includes a keyed driving end 60 for engagement with a mating receptacle 62 in the pulley 42. Where bracket 54 is releasable from the housing 10, the coil 40 is removable from the vendor.

Figure 5 also illustrates actuator shaft 17 as having keyed ends 60 and mating receptacles 62 in the pulley 18 and coin mechanism 15. While it is not required for actuator shaft 17 to be easily removable, or connectable in the same manner as support 40, it is convenient to make shaft 17 removable for maintenance purposes.

Figure 5 also illustrates a one-way clutch 64 connected to pulley 42. The use of a one-way clutch prevents reverse rotation of the coil 30, such as may be used in an attempt to "milk" the vendor. A one-way clutch 64 is not required for all embodiments as the coin mechanism 15 may alternatively be relied upon to prevent reverse rotation of the coil 30. Over time, a coin mechanism 15 may wear and allow for some play when being rotated in alternating directions. A one-way clutch 64 may assist in reducing the likelihood of a successful milking attempt.

It can be difficult to load the vendible product support with product within the confines of the housing of the vendor. This problem can be avoided by preloading vendible product supports outside the vender and installing them in the vendor. Accordingly, some embodiments of the vendor and the method of vending disclosed provide the opportunity for a pre-loaded vendible product support, in an embodiment comprising a coil. In these embodiments the coil may be loaded with product to be vended at a first location, transported to a vendor at a vending location and the coil installed in the vendor at the vending location by an operator. Use of a pre-loaded vendible product support that may be releasably installed in a vendor provides the opportunity for simplifying the installation process at the vending location, reducing the time spent at the vending location, and allowing an operator to service more vendors.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, for instance, the drive belt 50 may be disengaged from the coil 30 for removal and replacement. In an alternate embodiment, such as illustrated in Figure 5, a releasable engagement between the coil 30 and the driving pulley 42 may be provided. In the embodiment of Figure 5, the support 40 releasably engages with receptacle 62 in the pulley 42, allowing for insertion and removal of the coil 30. Thus, the coil may releasably engage the pulley 42 during operation, but be released for removal and replacement with a pre-loaded coil 30.

Generally a method of loading vendible product into a vendor may be provided by installing a pre-loaded vendible product support into the vendor. In an embodiment, the pre-loaded vendible product support may comprise a coil 30, each vendible product 20 to be loaded engaged onto the coil 30 by receiving the coil 30 through a product hole 24 through the vendible product20 , the product hole 24 sized to receive the coil 30.

In an embodiment a central support 40 may be installed into the centre of the coil 30 to provide support when both the support 40 and the coil 30 are installed in the vendor. The support 40 may then be engaged with the vendor, for instance using a releasable bracket 54 and/or by connection to a drive means such as a pulley 42 supported by the housing 10 of the vendor to provide support to the coil 30.

If the product is to be loaded into an operational vendor, it may first be necessary to remove a coil 30 currently in place within the vendor. In this situation, the method would start by disengaging and removing the coil 30 currently installed in the vendor. Depending upon the vendor embodiment, the coil 30 may be disengaged by, removing the support 40, if any, from the centre of the coil 30. After removing the support 40, the coil 30 may be disengaged from the drive of the vendor.

Where the drive is a pulley belt 50 engaged to a pulley 42 affixed to an end of the support 40, the belt 50 may be loosened to release the coil 30. Where the drive comprises a mating receptacle 62 in a fixed pulley 42, a keyed end 60 of the coil 30 may be withdrawn from the drive.

Once the coil 30 currently in place within the vendor has been removed, a pre-loaded coil 30 may be installed in the vendor.

This method provides for the convenience of loading a coil 30 at a central loading facility and transporting the loaded coil 30 to a vendor at a vending location. The loaded coil 30 may then be installed in the vendor at the vending location to replace the existing coil 30 in the vendor. The existing coil 30 may then be returned to the loading facility to remove any stale product and load fresh product onto the coil 30.

This method shortens the time required to re-load vendors in vending locations, allowing the installer to visit more vending locations within a shift.

Various embodiments of the present invention having been thus described in detail by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. The invention includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A vendor comprising

a housing for containing a suspended product to be vended from an opening in the housing;

at least one coil for supporting the suspended product, a free end of the coil for releasing the suspended product;

the at least one coil rotatably mounted in the housing above the opening and connected to an actuator for rotatably driving a fixed end of the coil about an approximately central axis of the coil to release the suspended product.

2. The vendor of claim 1 further comprising

a mechanical coin mechanism mounted on the housing for receiving at least one coin;

the mechanical coin mechanism releasing the actuator after receiving the at least one coin.

3. The vendor of claim 2 wherein the actuator comprises a rotatable handle of the mechanical coin mechanism and the mechanical coin mechanism releases the rotatable handle to rotate to drive the coil in rotation about the central axis.

4. The vendor of claim 1 wherein the actuator comprises a rotatable handle and a rotational axis of the rotatable handle is offset from the central axis of the coil.

5. The vendor of claim 4 wherein the rotatable handle is connected to the coil by a drive belt.

6. The vendor of claim 1 wherein the coil is oriented in the housing to locate the fixed end above and adjacent the opening, and the free end above and opposite the opening.

7. The vendor of claim 1 further comprising a support for supporting the coil between the fixed end and the free end.

8. The vendor of claim7 wherein the support engages and supports the coil when the coil deflects from the central axis under weight of the suspended product.

9. The vendor of claim 7 wherein the support comprises a central support located within the coil and oriented approximately parallel to the central axis.

10. The vendor of claim 9 wherein the central support is rotatably mounted within the housing and the fixed end of the coil is affixed to the central support.

11. The vendor of claim 10 wherein the actuator is connected to the central support, the central support transferring the driving torque from the actuator to rotate the coil from the fixed end.

12. A method of vending product, comprising

suspending the product from a coil passing through a hole in the product;

rotating the coil about a central axis of rotation until a free end of the coil passes through the hole in the product, allowing the product to fall from the coil to be vended.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the coil is supported by a support.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the support comprises a central support passing through a middle of the coil and the weight of the product causes the coil to deflect against the central support.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the coil is rotatably connected to an actuator, the method further comprising rotating the actuator to rotate the coil.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the actuator comprises an electric drive, the method further comprises supplying current to the drive to rotate the coil.

17. A vendible product support for supporting and releasing vendible product from a vendor, the support comprising a coil, a free end of the coil for releasing the product, a driven end of the coil adapted to releasably engage a drive in the vendor.

18. The vendible product support of claim 17 further comprising at least one vendible product engaged onto the coil by receiving the coil through a product hole sized to receive the coil.

19. The vendible product support of claim 18 further comprising multiple vendible products engaged onto the coil.

20. A method of stocking a vendor having at least one rotatable coil for suspending a vendible product and dispensing the vendible product by rotation of the coil, comprising the steps of:

loading at least one coil with product,

opening the vendor,

removing at least one coil to be replaced from the vendor,

installing the at least one coil loaded with product into the vendor in place of the coil to be replaced, and

securing the vendor.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the method of removing the vendible product support comprises disengaging and removing a support supporting the vendible product support in the vendor, and disengaging and removing the vendible product support from the vendor.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the method of installing the loaded vendible product support comprises engaging the loaded vendible product support with a drive in the vendor, inserting a support into a centre of the coil, engaging the support in the vendor, and closing a housing of the vendor.