Vending Systems and Methods

• US 20110238210A1
• Filed: 06/01/2010
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Roekens, Jurgen
• Application Number:
  US12/791,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20110238210A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/240
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0071 Food articles which need to be processed for dispensing in a cold condition, e.g. ice and ice cream
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices

Abstract

The present application provides a vending system for dispensing a number of products. The vending system may include a number of enclosures with each of the enclosures including an access system, a weighing system positioned about the enclosures, and a user interface in communication with the access systems and the weighing system. The weighing system may be adapted to determine the number of products removed from the enclosures.

Claims

1. A vending system for vending a number of products, comprising:

a plurality of enclosures;

each of the plurality of enclosures comprising an access system;

a weighing system positioned about the plurality of enclosures;

the weighing system adapted to determine the number of products removed from the plurality of enclosures; and

a user interface in communication with the access systems and the weighing system.

2. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of enclosures comprises a plurality of glass door coolers.

3. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of enclosures comprises a first enclosure with a first number of products of a first price and a second enclosure with a second number of products of a second price.

4. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of enclosures comprises a first enclosure with a first number of products of a first temperature and a second enclosure with a second number of products of a second temperature.

5. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of enclosures comprises a first enclosure with a first number of products of a first type and a second enclosure with a second number of products of a second type.

6. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of enclosures each comprise an access point and wherein each access system comprises a bar positioned about the access point.

7. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of enclosures each comprise an access point and wherein each access system comprises a solenoid positioned about the access point.

8. The vending system of claim 1, wherein each access system comprises a proximity sensor.

9. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the weighing system comprises a plurality of weight transducers and a plurality of feet.

10. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the weighing system comprises a frame sized to accommodate the plurality of enclosures.

11. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a proximity card coupling device to read and write to a proximity card.

12. The vending system of claim 11, wherein the proximity card comprises a key and wherein the user interface comprises a key hole for mating therewith.

13. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the user interface, comprises a display.

14. The vending system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a controller.

15. A method of vending a number of products of known weights from a number of enclosures to a consumer, comprising:

receiving a value balance available to the consumer;

providing access to one or more of the number of enclosures if the value balance meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold balance;

weighing the number of enclosures before and after a number of the products have been removed;

determining the number of products removed from the number of enclosures based upon the change in weight of the number of enclosures;

determining the value of the number of products removed; and

providing a revised value balance to the consumer.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of determining which of the number of enclosures have been accessed.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of determining the value of the number of products removed depends upon the enclosure accessed.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of providing access to one or more of the number of enclosures comprises releasing the door of a glass door cooler.

19. A vending system for vending a number of products, comprising:

a plurality of glass door coolers;

the plurality of glass door coolers each comprising an access system;

a common weighing system positioned about the plurality of glass door coolers; and

a common user interface in communication with the access systems and the common weighing system.

20. The vending system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of glass door coolers comprises a first glass door cooler with a first number of products of a first price and a second glass door cooler with a second number of products of a second price.