CUSTOM DESIGNED ARTICLE VENDING MACHINE

• US 20130036018A1
• Filed: 08/02/2012
• Published: 02/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tamara Corinne Dickerson
• Original Assignee: Tamara Corinne Dickerson
• Inventors: Dickerson, Tamara Corinne
• Application Number:
  US13/564,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20130036018A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/18
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42

Abstract

A method of providing customized articles can include providing a kiosk. The kiosk can include a housing, a first user interface, an inventory, a printer, a drawer, and a computer, which can communicate with the first user interface, the inventory, the printer, and the drawer. The method further comprises the steps of receiving an order for a customized article, processing the order with the computer, transferring at least one article from the inventory to the printer, printing the user-selected design on the at least one article, and transferring the customized article to the drawer.

Claims

1. A method of providing customized articles comprising:

providing a kiosk, the kiosk including;

(a) a housing;

(b) a first user interface associated with the housing, wherein the first user interface is accessible from an exterior of the housing;

(c) an inventory, the inventory including at least one article retained within the housing;

(d) a printer, wherein the printer is retained within the housing;

(e) a drawer associated with the housing; and

(f) a computer, the computer being retained within the housing and configured to communicate with the first user interface, the inventory, the printer, and the drawer;

receiving an order for a customized article via the first user interface;

processing the order with the computer;

transferring the at least one article from the inventory to the printer;

printing a user-selected design on the at least one article;

transferring the customized article to the drawer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the kiosk includes a second user interface.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second user interface is configured to receive a user authorization for access to the drawer.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transferring the customized article to a holding slot, wherein the kiosk further includes a plurality of holding slots.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer is configured to receive the order through one or more user interfaces.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer is configured to receive the order through a remote location.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the inventory includes one or more weight-sensitive shelves, wherein each of the one or more weight-sensitive shelves provides a reorder notice upon sensing a weight that is less than a predetermined minimum shelf weight.

2. The method of claim I, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, infant bodysuits, jackets, hats, coffee mugs, plates, and clothing.

5. The method of claim I, further comprising the step of notifying a user when the customized article is available for pickup.

10. A method of providing customized apparel comprising:

providing a kiosk, the kiosk including;

(a) a housing;

(b) a first user interface associated with the housing, wherein the first user interface is accessible from an exterior of the housing;

(c) an inventory, the inventory including at least one shirt retained within the housing;

(c) a printer, the printer retained within the housing and including a loading dock;

(d) a heating device, the heating device retained within the housing;

(e) a drawer associated with the housing; and

(f) a computer, the computer being retained within the housing and configured to communicate with the first user interface, the inventory, the printer, the heating device, and the drawer;

providing an interactive design software, the interactive design software being configured to receive design input from a user to create a user-generated design;

receiving an order for a customized shirt from the interactive design software, wherein the order includes information relating to the user-generated design;

processing the order with the computer;

transferring the at least one shirt from the inventory to the printer;

printing the user-generated design on the at least one shirt;

curing the ink on the customized shirt with the heating device; and

transferring the customized shirt to the drawer.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first user interface is configured to provide a user with access to the interactive design software.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the order is submitted through the first user interface.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first user interface includes a USB port, and wherein the interactive design software is configured to upload design input.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first user interface includes a scanner, and wherein the interactive design software is configured to scan design input.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the kiosk further includes a second user interface, the second user interface being configured to receive a user authorization for access to the drawer.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein access to the interactive design software is provided through a remote location, such that the order is completed through a remote location and the computer is configured to receive the order through a remote location.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of notifying a user when the customized shirt is available for pickup.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of transferring the customized shirt to a holding slot, wherein the kiosk further includes a plurality of holding slots.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the inventory includes one or more weight-sensitive shelves, wherein each of the one or more weight-sensitive shelves provides a reorder notice upon sensing a weight that is less than a predetermined minimum shelf weight.

20. A method of providing customized apparel comprising:

providing a kiosk, the kiosk including;

(a) a first user interface associated with the housing, wherein the first user interface is accessible from an exterior of the housing;

(b) a second user interface associated with the housing, wherein the second user interface is accessible from the exterior of the housing;

(c) an inventory, the inventory including at least one shirt retained within the housing and one or more weight-sensitive shelves, wherein each of the one or more weight-sensitive shelves provides a reorder notice upon sensing a weight that is less than a predetermined minimum shelf weight;

(d) a printer, the printer retained within the housing and including a loading dock;

(e) a heating device, the heating device retained within the housing;

(f) a drawer; and

(g) a computer, the computer being retained with the housing and configured to communicate with the first user interface, the second user interface, the inventory, the printer, the heating device, and the drawer;

providing access to an interactive design software at the first user interface, the interactive design software being configured to receive design input from a user to create a user-generated design;

reviewing the user-generated design, wherein the interactive design software ensures that the user-generated design is substantially free of objectionable material;

accepting user payment, wherein each of the first and second user interfaces is configured to accept user payment;

receiving an order for a customized shirt from the interactive design software, wherein the order includes information relating to the user-generated design;

organizing the order in an order queue;

providing a user with an estimated waiting time;

processing the order with the computer;

transferring the at least one shirt from the inventory to the printer;

printing the user-generated design on the at least one shirt;

curing the ink on the customized shirt with the heating device;

transferring the customized shirt to a holding slot, wherein the kiosk further includes a plurality of holding slots;

notifying a user when the customized shirt is available for pickup; and

transferring the customized shirt to the drawer, wherein the drawer is accessible to a user upon a user authorization, and wherein the second user interface is configured to receive a user authorization for access to the drawer.