Vending machine
First Claim
1. A vending machine for vending items to customers, the device comprising:
- (a) a housing having an opening for dispensing the items;
(b) a conveyor mounted in the housing, the conveyor having a plurality of item mounts for holding the items;
(c) a motor that drives the conveyor to position the item mounts at various locations inside the housing;
(d) a user interface unit that receives inputs from customers;
(e) a processor configured to control the motor to position the conveyor so that the item mount holding a desired item is presented at the dispensing opening.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Automated vending machine that can hold a large number of items while occupying only a small footprint. The main elements of the device are a hollow housing comprised of item loading and dispensing openings. Mounted within the housing is a motor-driven conveyor to which are affixed a plurality of item mounts, each mount associated with one of plurality of item identifiers. A sensor keeps track of the items on the conveyor. Inputs to an interface mounted on the device signal a processor controllably coupled to the motor, item mounts, sensor and loading and dispensing opening.
The machine provides customers with multiple choices of tendering payment. An external communications device in the machine allows for communication between the vending machine and vendors.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vending machine for vending items to customers, the device comprising:
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(a) a housing having an opening for dispensing the items;
(b) a conveyor mounted in the housing, the conveyor having a plurality of item mounts for holding the items;
(c) a motor that drives the conveyor to position the item mounts at various locations inside the housing;
(d) a user interface unit that receives inputs from customers;
(e) a processor configured to control the motor to position the conveyor so that the item mount holding a desired item is presented at the dispensing opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vending machine for vending items to customers, wherein at least part of the vending machine is reinforced so that it may be placed underground.
- 10. A vending machine for vending items to customers, wherein at least part of the vending machine made of a galvanized metal so as to resist subterranean corrosion.
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12. A vending machine for vending items to a customer, comprising:
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(a) a housing having an opening for dispensing items;
(b) a door in the housing that opens inward to form a chute for dispensing the items.
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13. A vending machine for vending items to a customer, comprising:
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(a) a housing having an opening for dispensing items;
(b) a door on the housing that opens to form a loading tray to guide the item into the device.
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14. A method for vending items to customers from a vending machine, comprising:
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(a) displaying the items contained in the vending machine to customers via a screen on the vending machine;
(b) providing customers with an interface through which the customers may select an item contained in the vending machine;
(c) in response to customers'"'"' selections, moving a conveyor so that an item mount holding the selected items align with a dispensing opening;
(d) signaling item mount to release selected item, so that the item is vended through a dispensing opening. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for loading a vending device, comprising:
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(a) opening a loading door and placing item on a loading door positioned to serve as a loading tray. (b) using a data input means to indicate the type and number of items to be loaded into the device. (c) moving the conveyor to the appropriate stopping position, so that an item mount selected to hold the item aligns with the item in the loading tray. (d) using one or more guides mounted in the housing, guiding the item into the item mount.
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19. A vending machine for vending items to customers, comprising:
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(a) a user interface unit for receiving customer inputs selecting items;
(b) a conveyor mounted in the housing, the conveyor having a plurality of item mounts;
(c) a bar code tag fixed to each item mount;
(d) a bar code reader mounted in the vending machine, wherein the bar code reader identifies the item mount to which the customer-selected item is fixed.
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20. A vending machine for vending items to a customer, comprising:
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(a) a housing having a dispensing opening for dispensing items;
(b) a door mounted in the dispensing opening, the door opening inwards to form a chute;
(c) one or more payment collection interfaces for accepting payment for the items, wherein item is vended through the dispensing door chute once payment is made.
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Specification