Vending machine for video cassettes
First Claim
1. A machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically storing a container returned to the machine, said machine comprising:
- (a) an array of storage bins for storing a plurality of containers, each said bin having a bottom with an elongated slot, said bins being arranged in a plurality of vertically-stacked, horizontal rows, with a horizontal passage between adjacent ones of said horizontal rows and a vertical passage connecting the horizontal passages, and each container being stored in a respective one of said bins;
(b) a controllable arm mounted for relative movement through said horizontal and vertical passages between a first position for dispensing a selected container and for receiving a returned container, and a seocnd position corresponding to a selected one of said bins, said controllable arm having first and second upward extensions and being further mounted for movement through a respective one of the bins in a horizontal direction by passage through a respective one of the elongated slots; and
(c) control means responsive to an input signal which corresponds to one of said respective bins and connected to said controllable arm for moving said controllable arm through said vertical and horizontal passages between said first and second positions and for selectively moving said controllable arm back and forth along a horizontal axis aligned with the elongated slot of the selected bin at said second position, wherein the first extension of said controllable arm is disposed for pushing a selected container out its associated bin when said controllable arm is controlled to move in one direction along said horizontal axis, and the second extension of said controllable arm is disposed for pushing a returned container into the selected bin associated with the returned container when said controllable arm is controlled to move in the opposite direction along said horizontal axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically storing a container returned to the machine. The machine includes an array of storage bins for storing a plurality of containers. Each bin has a bottom with an elongated slot. The bins are arranged in a plurality of vertically-stacked, horizontal rows, with a horizontal passage between each horizontal row and a vertical passage connecting the horizontal passages. Each container is stored in a respective one of the bins. A controllable arm is mounted for relative movement through the horizontal and vertical passages between a first position for dispensing a selected container and for receiving a returned container, and a second position corresponding to a selected one of the bins. The controllable arm is mounted for movement through a respective one of the bins by passage through a respective one of the elongated slots. A control mechanism is responsive to an input signal which corresponds to one of the respective bins and is connected to the arm for moving the arm through the vertical and horizontal passages between the first and second positions and for moving the arm through the elongated slot of the bin at the second position for one of removing a selected container from and inserting a returned container into such bin.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically storing a container returned to the machine, said machine comprising:
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(a) an array of storage bins for storing a plurality of containers, each said bin having a bottom with an elongated slot, said bins being arranged in a plurality of vertically-stacked, horizontal rows, with a horizontal passage between adjacent ones of said horizontal rows and a vertical passage connecting the horizontal passages, and each container being stored in a respective one of said bins; (b) a controllable arm mounted for relative movement through said horizontal and vertical passages between a first position for dispensing a selected container and for receiving a returned container, and a seocnd position corresponding to a selected one of said bins, said controllable arm having first and second upward extensions and being further mounted for movement through a respective one of the bins in a horizontal direction by passage through a respective one of the elongated slots; and (c) control means responsive to an input signal which corresponds to one of said respective bins and connected to said controllable arm for moving said controllable arm through said vertical and horizontal passages between said first and second positions and for selectively moving said controllable arm back and forth along a horizontal axis aligned with the elongated slot of the selected bin at said second position, wherein the first extension of said controllable arm is disposed for pushing a selected container out its associated bin when said controllable arm is controlled to move in one direction along said horizontal axis, and the second extension of said controllable arm is disposed for pushing a returned container into the selected bin associated with the returned container when said controllable arm is controlled to move in the opposite direction along said horizontal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A machine for automatically dispensing a selected container from a store of containers and for automatically storing a container returned to the machine, said machine comprising:
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(a) an array of storage bins for storing a plurality of containers, said bins being arranged in a plurality of vertically-stacked, horizontal rows, with a horizontal passage between adjacent ones of said horizontal row and a vertical passage connecting the horizontal passages, and each container being stored in a respective one of said bins; (b) a controllable arm mounted for relative movement through said horizontal and vertical passages between a first position for dispensing a selected container and for receiving a returned container, and a second position corresponding to a selected one of said bins, said controllable arm having first and second vertical surfaces; and (c) control means responsive to an input signal which corresponds to one of said respective bins and connected to said controllable arm for moving said controllable arm through said vertical and horizontal passages between said first and second positions and for moving said controllable arm along a horizontal path transverse to said horizontal passages at said second position for one of removing a selected container from, or inserting a returned container into one of said bins, the first vcrtical surface of said controllable arm being disposed for pushing a selected container out of its associated bin when said controllable arm is controlled to move in one direction along said horizontal path, and the second vertical surface of said controllable arm being disposed for pushing a returned container into the selected bin associated with the returned container when said controllable arm is controlled to move in the opposite direction along said horizontal path. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification