Compact vending machine
First Claim
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1. A compact vending machine, comprising:
- a housing, comprising;
a back wall comprising a mounting system configured to allow the housing to mount to a support structure;
a first side wall attached to the back wall;
a second sidewall attached to the back wall in a parallel orientation to the first side wall;
a bottom wall attached to the back wall in a perpendicular orientation to the first and second side walls; and
a front cover hingedly attached to the bottom wall, wherein the front cover is configured to swing in an outward manner with respect to the back wall;
a product storage cartridge removably disposed in the housing so as to be accessible when the front cover is hinged open, wherein the product storage cartridge is configured to dispense a food product;
a cartridge actuator disposed in the housing configured to dispense the food product from the product storage cartridge;
a payment system disposed in the housing configured to accept non-cash payments from a user;
a power source comprising a battery disposed in the housing configured to power the entire vending machine without relying on other power inputs; and
an input device disposed on the front cover configured to accept a user input,wherein the cartridge actuator is fixed to the housing and is releasably coupled to the product storage cartridge when the product storage cartridge is disposed in the housing.
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Abstract
A compact vending machine for dispensing food products is disclosed. The compact vending machine includes a lightweight housing which may be mounted on a wall and a payment system that is configured to accept non-cash payments. A power source of the compact vending machine may be an external powers source, such as a power outlet, or an internal battery. An embodiment of the compact vending machine includes a controller and a communication system that are configured to transmit status information about the compact vending machine to a network.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A compact vending machine, comprising:
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a housing, comprising; a back wall comprising a mounting system configured to allow the housing to mount to a support structure; a first side wall attached to the back wall; a second sidewall attached to the back wall in a parallel orientation to the first side wall; a bottom wall attached to the back wall in a perpendicular orientation to the first and second side walls; and a front cover hingedly attached to the bottom wall, wherein the front cover is configured to swing in an outward manner with respect to the back wall; a product storage cartridge removably disposed in the housing so as to be accessible when the front cover is hinged open, wherein the product storage cartridge is configured to dispense a food product; a cartridge actuator disposed in the housing configured to dispense the food product from the product storage cartridge; a payment system disposed in the housing configured to accept non-cash payments from a user; a power source comprising a battery disposed in the housing configured to power the entire vending machine without relying on other power inputs; and an input device disposed on the front cover configured to accept a user input, wherein the cartridge actuator is fixed to the housing and is releasably coupled to the product storage cartridge when the product storage cartridge is disposed in the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification