Vending machine

• US 20020004690A1
• Filed: 04/25/2001
• Published: 01/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel D. Kozlak, Jeno F. Paulucci, Joel C. Kozlak
• Original Assignee: Daniel D. Kozlak, Jeno F. Paulucci, Joel C. Kozlak
• Inventors: Kozlak, Daniel D., Kozlak, Joel C., Paulucci, Jeno F.
• Application Number:
  US09/842,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20020004690A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/24 Rotary or oscillatory members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/36 in which the magazines are of helical or spiral form
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0078 Food articles which need to be processed for dispensing in a hot or cooked condition, e.g. popcorn, nuts
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/105 Heating or cooling means, for temperature and humidity control, for the conditioning of articles and their storage dispensers for food articles requiring a processing by temperature treatment or conditioning before they are ready for dispensing G07F17/0064
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/808 Microwave heating adapted for vending machines

Abstract

The present invention involves various combinations of new and existing technology to create vending machines with a number of improvements such as, credit and debit card verification in real-time, the incorporation of CDPD technology, multiple vends per one payment, vending of large products, bag dispensing, and the incorporation of microwaves into vending machines.

Claims

1. A vending machine, comprising:

a dispensing unit adapted to receive food items approximately or larger than 16 ounces;

control circuitry operably connected to the dispensing unit for dispensing one or more food items; and

a bag dispenser supported by the vending machine.

2. The vending machine of claim 1, further comprising a payment mechanism adapted to accept only cashless modes of payment for the food items.

3. The vending machine of claim 2, further comprising a card reader.

4. The vending machine of claim 2, further comprising a communications unit operably connected to the payment mechanism.

5. The vending machine of claim 4, wherein the communications unit enables communication via wireless technology.

6. The vending machine of claim 5, wherein the communications unit enables wireless communications via CDPD wireless technology.

7. The vending machine of claim 4, wherein the communications unit enables communications via telephone lines.

8. The vending machine of claim 4, further comprising a processor programmed to validate a payment card in real-time, each time a payment card is used in the vending machine.

9. The vending machine of claim 8, wherein a payment card comprises at least one of a credit card, a debit card, and a stored value card.

10. The vending machine of claim 8, wherein the validation is completed approximately or less than thirty (30) seconds.

11. The vending machine of claim 8, wherein the validation is completed approximately or less than fifteen (15) seconds.

12. The vending machine of claim 8, wherein the validation is completed in approximately or less than ten (10) seconds.

13. The vending machine of claim 8, wherein the validation is completed in approximately or less than six (6) seconds.

14. A vending machine, comprising:

a means for receiving and displaying food items approximately or larger than 16 ounces;

a means for dispensing one or more such food items; and

a means for dispensing bags through the vending machine.

15. The vending machine of claim 14, further comprising a means for storing bags to be dispensed by the bag dispensing means.

16. The vending machine of claim 15, further comprising a means for accepting cashless payments for food items.

17. The vending machine of claim 16, further comprising means for validating at least one of a credit card and a debit card.

18. The vending machine of claim 17, wherein the means for validating comprises a means for communicating from the vending machine to a remote facility.

19. The vending machine of claim 18, wherein the communication means includes a means for wireless communication from the vending machine.

20. The vending machine of claim 14, further comprising a means for accepting cash and cashless payments for food items to be dispensed by the vending machine.

21. A method for dispensing food items approximately or larger than 16 ounces via a vending machine, comprising:

receiving a payment for one or more food items;

dispensing one or more food items upon receipt of payment for the one or more food items; and

providing a bag dispenser for dispensing bags for use to carry the one or more dispensed food items.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the act of receiving a payment comprises receiving cashless payments.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the act of receiving a payment comprises receiving only cashless payments.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the act of receiving cashless payments comprises accepting payment cards.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the act of receiving cashless payments comprises accepting payment cards.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the act of receiving a payment further comprises receiving cash payments.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the act of receiving cashless payments via payment cards comprises accepting payments from at least one of a credit card, a debit card, and a stored value card.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the act of receiving cashless payments via payment cards comprises accepting payments from at least one of a credit card, a debit card, and a stored value card.

29. The method of claim 24, further comprising validating in real-time the payment card each time a payment card is used to purchase one or more food items from the vending machine.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the act of validating the payment card comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than thirty (30) seconds.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the act of validating the payment card comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than fifteen (15) seconds.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the act of validating the payment card comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than ten (10) seconds.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the act of validating the payment card comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than six (6) seconds.

34. A vending machine, comprising a payment mechanism that accepts only cashless payments.

35. The vending machine of claim 34, wherein the payment mechanism comprises a card reader to read at least one of a credit card, a debit card, and a stored value card.

36. The vending machine of claim 35, wherein the payment mechanism comprises a processor for validating in real time at least one of a credit card and a debit card regardless of the amount of payment.

37. The vending machine of claim 36, further comprising a communications unit operably connected to the processor for communicating with a remote facility to validate the at least one of a credit card and a debit card.

38. The vending machine of claim 37, wherein the communications unit enables communication via wireless technology.

39. The vending machine of claim 38, wherein the communications unit enables wireless communications via CDPD technology.

40. The vending machine of claim 37, wherein the communications unit enables communications via telephone lines

41. The vending machine of claim 37, wherein the validation is completed in approximately or less than thirty (30) seconds.

42. The vending machine of claim 37, wherein the validation is completed in approximately or less than fifteen (15) seconds.

43. The vending machine of claim 37, wherein the validation is completed in approximately or less than ten (10) seconds.

44. The vending machine of claim 37, wherein the validation is completed in approximately or less than six (6) seconds.

45. The vending machine of claim 37, wherein the computer instructions operable by the processor for validating further comprises computer instructions for validating the at least one of a credit card and a debit card for a preset amount of money.

46. The vending machine of claim 45, wherein the computer instructions operable by the processor for validating the at least one of a credit card and a debit card for a preset amount of money comprises computer instructions that vary the preset amount based on whether the card to be validated is a credit card or a debit card.

47. A method of vending products using a vending machine comprising accepting only a cashless payment for one or more products.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the act of accepting a cashless payment comprises accepting at least one of a credit card, a debit card, and a stored value card.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprises validating at least one of a credit card and a debit card.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the act of validating comprises communicating with a remote facility.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the act of validating comprises validating in real time each transaction regardless of the amount of payment.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the act of validating comprises validating in real time each transaction regardless of whether the card has previously been used in the vending machine.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the act of validating further comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than thirty (30) seconds.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein the act of validating further comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than fifteen (15) seconds.

55. The method of claim 51, wherein the act of validating further comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than ten (10) seconds.

56. The method of claim 51, wherein the act of validating further comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than six (6) seconds.

57. The method of claim 52, wherein the act of validating further comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than thirty (30) seconds.

58. The method of claim 52, wherein the act of validating further comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than fifteen (15) seconds.

59. The method of claim 52, wherein the act of validating further comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than ten (10) seconds.

60. The method of claim 52, wherein the act of validating further comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than six (6) seconds.

61. The method of claim 51, wherein at the act of communicating to the remote facility from the vending machine comprises using wireless technology.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the act of using wireless technology further comprises using CDPD technology.

63. The method of claim 51, wherein the act of communicating to the remote facility from the vending machine comprises using telephone lines.

64. A vending machine, comprising a payment mechanism that accepts at least one of a credit card and a debit card, wherein the payment mechanism further comprises a processor with computer instructions operable by the processor for validating in real time each transaction made to purchase one or more products from the vending machine.

65. The vending machine of claim 64, wherein the computer instructions for validating further comprise computer instruction for validating each transaction regardless of the amount of the payment.

66. The vending machine of claim 64, wherein the computer instructions for validating further comprise computer instruction for validating each transaction regardless of whether the card has previously been used in the vending machine.

67. The vending machine of claim 64, wherein the computer instructions for validating further comprises instructions for validating for a preset amount.

68. The vending machine of claim 64, further comprising a communications unit operably connected to the processor for communicating with a remote facility.

69. The vending machine of claim 68, wherein the communications unit enables wireless communication from the vending machine.

70. The vending machine of claim 69, wherein the wireless communications unit comprises CDPD technology.

71. The vending machine of claim 68, wherein the communications unit enables communication over telephone lines.

72. The vending machine of claim 64, wherein the payment mechanism further accepts cash for products to be purchased from the vending machine.

73. A method of vending products from a vending machine, comprising:

accepting at least one of a credit card and a debit card for payment of one or more products to be purchased from the vending machine;

validating in real time each transaction of the at least one credit card and debit card used for payment.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the act of validating comprises validating regardless of the amount of payment.

75. The method of claim 73, wherein the act of validating comprises validating regardless of whether the card had previously been used in the vending machine to purchase products.

76. The method of claim 73, wherein the act of validating comprises communicating with a remote facility.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the act of communicating comprises communicating using wireless communication.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the act of using wireless communication further comprises using CDPD technology.

79. The method of claim 76, wherein the act of communicating comprises using telephone lines.

80. The method of claim 76, wherein the act of validating comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than thirty (30) seconds.

81. The method of claim 76, wherein the act of validating comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than fifteen (15) seconds.

82. The method of claim 76, wherein the act of validating comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than ten (10) seconds.

83. The method of claim 76, wherein the act of validating comprises completing the validation in approximately or less than six (6) seconds.

84. A vending machine, comprising:

a first dispensing unit;

a second dispensing unit;

a control circuitry operably connecting the first and second dispensing units, wherein the control circuitry controls dispensing products in the first and second dispensing units; and

a payment mechanism operably connected to the first dispensing unit for receiving one payment for all products to be vended.

85. The vending machine of claim 84, wherein the first dispensing unit is adapted to vend non-beverage food products approximately or larger than sixteen (16) ounces.

86. The vending machine of claim 85, further comprises a payment mechanism that accepts at least one of a credit card and a debit card operably connected to the first dispensing unit for receiving one payment for all products to be vended.

87. The vending machine of claim 86, further comprising a communications unit, wherein the control circuitry and communications unit operate to obtain real-time validation for each card payment.

88. The vending machine of claim 87, wherein the communications unit comprises CDPD wireless technology.

89. A vending machine, comprising:

a first vending machine dispensing at least one family style dinner;

a second vending machine dispensing at least one single serving dinner; and

a control unit operably connected to the first and second vending machine, whereby the control unit controls dispensing items in the first and second vending machines.

90. A method for selling family style dinners and single serving dinners using vending machines, the method comprising:

providing a first vending machine stocked with at least one family style dinner, providing a second vending machine stocked with at least one single serving dinner; and

dispensing items selected from the first and second vending machines, whereby the dispensing is controlled by a control unit operably connected to the first and second vending machines.

91. The method for selling family style dinners and single serving dinners using vending machines of claim 90, further comprising:

providing a microwave adjacent to the vending machines, whereby the microwave selections are pre-set to correspond to the items in the machines.

92. A vending machine for dispensing packages approximately or greater than 16 ounces, comprising:

a housing,

at least one tray with at least one compartment for receiving an item approximately or greater than 16 ounces; and

a landing zone adapted to receive the item when dispensed from a compartment, wherein the landing zone includes a cushioned pad to protect the dispensed item.

93. The vending machine of claim 92, further comprising a bag dispenser for dispensing bags.

94. A vending machine, comprising:

a product dispensing unit,

a card payment acceptor,

a communications unit; and

a processor, wherein the processor and communications unit are adapted to cooperate to validate card payments in real-time each time a card is used in the machine.

95. A vending machine, comprising:

a product dispensing unit with a vend mechanism,

a payment acceptor; and

a processor operably connected to the vend mechanism and the payment acceptor, wherein the processor can vend multiple items based on a single payment.

96. A method of vending, comprising:

accepting selection of more than one item for purchase in a vending machine;

accepting payment for all selected items in one transaction; and

vending the selected items.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein the accepting payment includes accepting payment from a credit card.

98. The method of claim 96, wherein the act of accepting payment includes accepting payment from a debit card.

99. The method of claim 96, wherein the act of accepting payment includes accepting payment from bill money and coin money.

100. A vending machine, comprising:

a first dispensing unit,

a second dispensing unit,

a control unit operably connecting the first and second dispensing units; and

a cashless payment system operably connected to the first dispensing unit for receiving one payment for all products to be vended.

101. An apparatus for vending products, comprising:

two or more vending machines; and

a terminal that is connected to the two or more vending machines, wherein the terminal comprises a processor, and software operable on the processor for controlling the vending machines.

102. The apparatus of claim 101, further comprising a display on the terminal operably connected to the processor.

103. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the terminal further comprises a payment acceptor.

104. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the software enables at least two vends for each payment.

105. The apparatus of claim 102, further comprising a communications unit.

106. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the payment acceptor is adapted to accept a payment card.

107. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein a payment card comprises at least one of a credit card, a debit card, and a store valued card.

108. A vending machine, comprising:

at least one microwave in the housing of a vending machine.

109. A method for vending, comprising:

providing at least one microwave in the housing of a vending machine.