Article dispensing system and method for same

• US 20050230410A1
• Filed: 04/15/2004
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail LLC (Chicken Soup For The Soul Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail LLC (Chicken Soup For The Soul Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Kuehnrich, Franz, DeLazzer, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,234,609 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/92
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/069 by box-like containers, e.g. videocassettes, books
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/10 Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling

Abstract

An article dispensing machine and article transport storage unit are shown that permit articles slated for inventory to be delivered in secure manner from a centralized inventory supply center to an article dispensing machine forming part of an article distribution system. The article transport storage unit is locked during transport from the supply center to the machine and does not become unlocked until fully installed within the machine.

Claims

1. A method of transporting and installing articles slated for inventory to an article dispensing machine, comprising the steps of:

storing an article of inventory within an article transport storage unit;

assigning the article transport storage unit to an article dispensing machine;

causing the article transport storage unit to be in a locked condition wherein the article of inventory cannot be accessed;

causing delivery of the locked article transport storage unit to the article dispensing machine;

permitting installation of the locked article transport storage unit into the article dispensing machine; and

following installation of the article transport storage unit into the article dispensing machine, causing the article transport storage unit to enter an unlocked condition wherein the article of inventory is accessible.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein delivery of the locked article transport storage unit is carried out by an independent delivery company.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the article of inventory is a flat-pack type article of inventory.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the article of inventory is a digital video disc and a case associated with said digital video disc.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of storing a second article of inventory within said article transport storage unit and further comprising the step of permitting the second article of inventory to be accessible following the step of causing the article transport storage unit to enter an unlocked condition.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said article of inventory and said second article of inventory are stored within said article transport storage unit such that they are in an aligned relationship with respect to each other.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of causing the article transport storage to enter the unlocked condition occurs automatically once following installation of the article transport storage unit into the article dispensing machine.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of stocking the article dispensing machine with the article of inventory following the step of causing the article transport unit to enter the unlocked condition.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of permitting installation of the locked article transport storage unit into the article dispensing machine is carried out by use of infrared technology.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of permitting installation of the locked article transport storage unit into the article dispensing machine is carried out by use of a radio frequency identification tag associated with at least one of the article transport storage unit and the article dispensing machine.

11. A method of transporting and installing articles slated for inventory to an article dispensing machine, comprising the steps of:

storing a first article of inventory within a first article transport storage unit to be installed within an article dispensing machine;

assigning the first article transport storage unit to the article dispensing machine;

causing the first article transport storage unit to be in a locked condition wherein the first article of inventory cannot be accessed;

causing delivery of the locked first article transport storage unit to the article dispensing machine;

causing entry of a command at the article dispensing machine;

causing a second article transport storage unit storing a second article of inventory and positioned within said article dispensing machine to enter a locked condition in response to said command;

causing ejection of said locked second article transport storage unit the article dispensing machine;

causing removal of said locked second article transport storage unit away from said article dispensing machine;

permitting installation of the locked first article transport storage unit into the article dispensing machine; and

following installation of the first article transport storage unit into the article dispensing machine, causing the article transport storage unit to enter an unlocked condition wherein the article of inventory is accessible.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein delivery of the locked first article transport storage unit is carried out by an independent delivery company.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the first and second articles of inventory are flat-pack type article of inventory.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first and second articles of inventory are digital video discs and cases associated therewith.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of storing a third article of inventory within said first article transport storage unit and further comprising the step of permitting the third article of inventory to be accessible following the step of causing the first article transport storage unit to enter an unlocked condition.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said first article of inventory and said third article of inventory are stored within said first article transport storage unit such that they are in an aligned relationship with respect to each other.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of causing the first article transport storage to enter the unlocked condition occurs automatically following installation of the first article transport storage unit into the article dispensing machine.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of stocking the article dispensing machine with the first article of inventory following the step of causing the first article transport unit to enter the unlocked condition.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein entry of the command is carried out by use of infrared technology.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein entry of the command is carried out by use of a radio frequency identification tag associated with at least one of the first article transport storage unit and the article dispensing machine.