Random access and random load dispensing unit
First Claim
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1. A random access and random load dispensing unit, comprising:
- a housing;
at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis;
a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis;
a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms; and
a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a random access and random load dispensing unit including a housing, at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis, a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis, a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms, and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins.
130 Citations
75 Claims
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1. A random access and random load dispensing unit, comprising:
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a housing;
at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis;
a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis;
a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms; and
a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A random access and random load dispensing unit, comprising:
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a housing;
a shuttle assembly movable in the housing to access and retrieve products stored in random locations in the housing;
an access door pivotably coupled to the housing;
a plurality of customer interface components coupled to the access door, at least one of the customer interface components being configured to determine an identity of a customer;
a computer in communication with the customer interface components, the computer being able to match the customer with at least one of the products stored in the random locations in the housing; and
a controller in communication with the computer for operating the shuttle assembly, the shuttle assembly being directed to the location in the housing to retrieve at least one product for the customer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A dispensing unit for storing and delivering items associated with a specific consumer comprising:
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a housing;
a user interface coupled to the housing;
the housing enclosing a plurality of storage locations arranged three dimensionally, wherein a storage location is capable of storing one or more distinct, consumer specific items, the consumer specific items being locatable at the storage locations without a predetermined order and coupled with identifying information associating the item with a specific consumer;
an information sensor to sense the identifying information;
a computer communicating with the information sensor, and configured to associate the consumer specific item to a storage location within the dispenser; and
a retrieving assembly communicating with the computer, and configured to translate the consumer specific item to a location accessible to the consumer for whom the item has been associated. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A dispensing unit for storing and delivering items associated with a specific consumer comprising:
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a housing comprising a first axis, a second axis, dispense location, and a third axis, wherein the three axis are perpendicular to one another;
a computer;
a consumer interface device coupled to the housing;
a first plurality of storage locations located in the plane formed by the first and the second axis, a second plurality of storage locations located in the plane formed by the first and third axis, and a third plurality of storage locations located in the plane formed by the second and third axis, wherein a storage location is capable of storing a distinct item associated with a specific consumer;
a delivery assembly communicating with the computer, and configured to move a consumer-associated item from a storage location to a dispense location;
an information sensing device communicating with the computer, and capable of providing information about the consumer associated items stored within the dispensing unit; and
wherein the computer can direct the delivery assembly to deliver an item associated with the consumer who interacts with the consumer interface and requests delivery. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A dispensing unit, comprising:
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a housing;
a user interface coupled to the housing for determining an identity of a consumer;
at least one substantially vertically-oriented support defining a first axis and located in the housing;
a plurality of platforms movable along the first axis and coupled to the support;
a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms to selectively allow only the bins on one of the plurality of platforms to be accessed at a given time;
a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis, the shuttle assembly being further movable along a second axis and a third axis coplanar with the second axis, the second and third axes being substantially perpendicular to the first axis and to each other, the shuttle assembly being movable along the second and third axes between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins;
a computer in communication with the consumer interface and the shuttle assembly;
a dispense bin located in the housing, to receive products from the shuttle assembly.
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63. A dispensing unit for storing and delivering items associated with a specific consumer comprising:
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a housing;
a means for consumer interface coupled to the housing;
the housing enclosing a plurality of distinct storage locations in three dimensions, wherein a storage location is capable of storing one or more consumer specific items, the consumer specific items being randomly locatable at the storage locations and coupled with items identifying information for associating the items with a specific consumer;
a sensing means for sensing the items identifying information;
a database for storing the item identifying information sensed by the sensing means;
a delivery means for delivering the consumer specific product to an appropriate consumer;
a computer communicating with the means for consumer interface, the sensing means, the database, and the delivery means, for controlling the delivery means to locate and deliver the consumer specific items to the consumer interacting with the means for consumer interface. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75)
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Specification