Container storage and dispensing apparatus and vending machine for dispensing refrigerated, unrefrigerated and/or heated foods

• US 4,823,984 A
• Filed: 04/21/1987
• Issued: 04/25/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unidynamics Corp. (Crane Company)
• Original Assignee: Unidynamics Corp. (Crane Company)
• Inventors: Ficken, Leonard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bollinger, David H.
• Application Number:
  US07/041,760
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 221/96, 221/97, 221/123, 221/124, 221/126, 221/129, 221/130, 221/131, 221/133, 221/150 HC, 221/150 R, 221/150 A, 221/191, 221/194, 221/195, 221/155, 221/258 , 221/287, 221/289, 312/36, 312/42
• US Class Current: 221/96
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/06 by forced circulation
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 19/00 Arrangement or mounting of refrigeration units with respect to devices or objects to be refrigerated, e.g. infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/12 Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2317/0651 through the bottom
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2317/0661 from the bottom
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 25/00 Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/005 Combined cooling and heating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/24 Rotary or oscillatory members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/28 in which the magazines are inclined
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/42 the articles being delivered by motor-driven means
• 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 17/0078 Food articles which need to be processed for dispensing in a hot or cooked condition, e.g. popcorn, nuts

Abstract

A container storage and dispensing apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing for enclosing a storage and dispensing area, the housing having an access door for inserting the containers and having a first and a second exit door for dispensing the containers. The apparatus also includes first and second guides for guiding and supporting containers to the first exit door. Further the apparatus includes third and fourth guides for guiding and supporting containers to the second exit door. Additionally, the apparatus includes first and second dispensers for selectably dispensing one of the containers, each dispenser including a levered gate movable between an open and a closed position, the levered gate when in the closed position for retaining the container in the storage and dispensing area and when in the open position for dispensing one of the containers through the exit door and for retaining the remaining containers in the storage and dispensing area and an apparatus for moving the levered gate from the closed position to the open position to dispense one of the containers and to return the gate to the closed position. Also disclosed is a vending machine for dispensing refrigerated, unrefrigerated and/or heated foods.

Claims

1. A vending machine for dispensing refrigerated and heated foods comprising:

housing means having refrigerated storage and dispensing area for the refrigerated foods and a heatable food storage and dispensing area for the heated foods;

means contained in the housing means for cooling the refrigerated foods in the refrigerated storage and dispensing area;

means contained in the housing means for heating the heated foods in the heatable food storage and dispensing area;

means contained in the housing means for separating the heatable food storage and dispensing area from the refrigerated storage and dispensing area such that the heatable food storage and dispensing area is substantially unrefrigerated;

first receiving means adjacent the refrigerated storage and dispensing area for receiving dispensed foods from the refrigerated storage and dispensing area;

second receiving means for receiving the heated food from the heatable food storage and dispensing area;

common means for selecting one of the refrigerated foods or heated foods to be dispensed to the first or second receiving means, respectively; and

means responsive to t he selecting means for dispensing the selected food to the first or second receiving means.

2. A vending machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the heating means includes a heating unit for heating a liquid prior to dispensing, and wherein a cup dispenser is located within the heatable food storage and dispensing area having dispensing mechanism for depositing cups into the second receiving means, the second receiving means being adapted to receive both the liquid and the cups.

3. A vending machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein the heating means includes a coffee brewer adapted to hold coffee grounds for passing the heated liquid therethrough prior to dispensing.

4. A vending machine as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a lightener and sugar dispenser for measuring and dispensing lightener and/or sugar to a mixing chamber, the mixing adapted to receive coffee from the coffee brewer for mixing the coffee with lightner and/or sugar and a connecting pipe for carrying the mixed coffee to the second receiving means.

5. A vending machine as set forth in claim 1 further comprising another housing means for enclosing only the refrigerated storage and dispensing area to contain the cooling and wherein the other housing means has a door mounted thereto and a temporary storage area accessible through the door for reducing the temperature of refrigerated foods such that the refrigerated foods may be placed in the temporary storage area prior to placement in the refrigerated storage and dispensing area.

6. A vending machine as set forth in claim 1 further comprising another housing means for enclosing the refrigerated storage and dispensing area to contain the cooling, the other housing means having an opening for inserting the refrigerated foods into the refrigerated storage and dispensing area and having a door covering the opening, and spring means tending to keep the door closed.

7. A vending machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein the other housing means has a window therein for viewing the one of the refrigerated foods to be dispensed to the first receiving means.

8. A vending machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein the other housing means has another opening below the first named opening, the other opening for dispensing the refrigerated foods from the refrigerated storage and dispensing area and having another door covering the other opening.

9. A vending machine as set forth in claim 11 further comprising another housing means for enclosing only the refrigerated storage and dispensing area to contain the cooling, the other housing means having openings, and duct means for directing cooling air into the other housing means through the openings.

10. A vending machine as set forth in claim 9 wherein the duct means comprises a foam plastic member placed between the cooling means and the other housing means, the foam member defining ways which match the openings in the other housing means for circulating the cooling air.

11. A vending machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the housing means has an opening and the first receiving means comprises a shelf attached to the housing means, the shelf being accessible from outside the housing means through the opening in the housing means.

12. A vending machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the refrigerated storage and dispensing area of the housing means includes at least one levered gate movable between an open and a closed position which when in the open position permits one of the refrigerated foods to move to the first receiving means and retain the refrigerated foods remaining in the refrigerated food storage and dispensing area, and a motor which operates in response to the selecting means to move the at least one levered gate from the closed position to the open position to dispense one of the refrigerated foods and then returns the open gate to the closed position.

13. A vending machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first receiving means includes a shelf having a curved section immediately adjacent the refrigerated storage and dispensing area such that the refrigerated foods fall into the curved section.

14. A vending machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for dispensing the selected food comprises a plurality of dispensers each for dispensing one of the refrigerated foods.

15. A vending machine for dispensing refrigerated, unrefrigerated and heated foods comprising:

housing means having a refrigerated storage and dispensing area for the refrigerated foods, and unrefrigerated storage and dispensing area for the unrefrigerated foods and a heatable food storage and dispensing area for the heated foods, each area being separate from the other areas;

means contained in the housing means for cooling the refrigerated foods in the refrigerated storage and dispensing area;

means contained in the housing means for heating the heated foods in the heatable food storage and dispensing area;

common receiving means adjacent the refrigerated and unrefrigerated storage and dispensing areas for receiving dispensed foods from either the refrigerated or unrefrigerated storage and dispensing area;

separate means for receiving the heated food from the heated storage and dispensing area;

common means for selecting one of the refrigerated foods, unrefrigerated foods or heated foods to be dispensed; and

means responsive to the selecting means for dispensing the selected food to the common receiving means or separate receiving means.

16. A vending machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein the heating means includes a heating unit for heating a liquid prior to dispensing, and wherein a cup dispenser is located within the heatable food storage and dispensing area having a dispensing mechanism for depositing cups into the separate receiving means, the separate receiving means being adapted to receive both the liquid and the cups.

17. A vending machine as set forth in claim 16 wherein the heating means includes a coffee brewer adapted to hold coffee grounds for passing the heated liquid therethrough prior to dispensing.

18. A vending machine as set forth in claim 17 further comprising a lightener and sugar dispenser for measuring and dispensing lightener and/or sugar to a mixing chamber, the mixing the coffee with lightener and/or sugar and a connecting pipe for carrying the mixed coffee to the second receiving means.

19. A vending machine as set forth in claim 15 further comprising another housing means for enclosing only the refrigerated storage and dispensing area to contain the cooling and wherein the refrigerated storage and dispensing area and unrefrigerated storage and dispensing area are adjacent to reduce the temperature in the unrefrigerated storage and dispensing area by heat transfer between them.

20. A vending machine as set forth in claim 19 wherein the other housing means is positioned below the unrefrigerated storage and dispensing area and the cooling means supplies cool air through an opening in the other housing means to cool the refrigerated storage area.

21. A vending machine as set forth in claim 19 wherein the other housing means has a door mounted thereto and a temporary storage area accessible through the door for reducing the temperature of refrigerated foods such that the refrigerated foods may be placed in the temporary storage area prior to placement in the refrigerated storage and dispensing area.

22. A vending machine as set forth in claim 15 further comprising another housing means for enclosing the refrigerated storage and dispensing area to contain the cooling, the other housing means having an opening for inserting the refrigerated foods into the refrigerated storage and dispensing area and having a door covering the opening, and spring means tending to keep the door closed.

23. A vending machine as set forth in claim 22 wherein the other housing means has a window therein for viewing the one of the refrigerated foods to be dispensed to the common receiving means.

24. A vending machine as set forth in claim 22 wherein the other housing means has another opening below the first named opening, the other opening for dispensing the refrigerated foods from the refrigerated storage and dispensing area and having another door covering the other opening.

25. A vending machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein the means for dispensing the selected food comprises a plurality of dispensers each for dispensing one of the unrefrigerated foods and a plurality of dispensers each for dispensing one of the refrigerated foods.

26. A vending machine as set forth in claim 15 further comprising another housing, means for enclosing only the refrigerated storage and dispensing area to contain the cooling, the other housing means having openings, and duct means for directing cooling air into the other housing means through the openings.

27. A vending machine as set forth in claim 26 wherein the duct means comprises a foam plastic member placed between the cooling means and the other housing means, the foam member defining passageways which match the openings in the other housing means for circulating the cooling air.

28. A vending machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein the housing means has an opening and the common receiving means comprises a shelf attached to the housing means, the shelf being accessible from outside the housing means through the opening in the housing means.

29. A vending machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein the unrefrigerated storage and dispensing are of the housing means includes at least one spiral arm which separates the unrefrigerated foods in the storage and dispensing area and a motor which operates in response to the selecting means for rotating the at least one spiral arm to dispense one of the unrefrigerated foods.

30. A vending machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein the refrigerated storage and dispensing area of the housing means includes at least one levered gate movable between an open and a closed position retains the refrigerated foods in the refrigerated food storage and dispensing area and when in the open position permits one of the refrigerated food storage and dispensing area, and a motor which operates in response to the selecting means to move the at least one levered gate from the closed position to the open position to dispense one of the refrigerated foods and then returns the opened gate to the closed position.

31. A vending machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein common receiving means includes a shelf having a curved section immediately adjacent the refrigerated storage and dispensing area such that the refrigerated foods fall into the curved section.

32. A vending machine as set forth in claim 31 wherein the unrefrigerated storage and dispensing area includes a shelf for holding the unrefrigerated foods and spiral arms for separating the unrefrigerated foods and the dispensing means includes means for rotating the spiral arms such that one of the unrefrigerated foods is forced from the shelf to the common receiving means.

33. A vending machine for dispensing drink containers, food packages and hot liquids comprising:

housing means having a drink container storage and dispensing area, a food package storage and dispensing area and a liquid storage and dispensing area, each area being separate from the other areas;

means contained in the housing means for cooling the drink containers in the drink container storage and dispensing area;

means contained in the housing means for heating the liquid in the liquid storage and dispensing area;

common receiving means for receiving dispensed food packages and drink containers, the common receiving means adjacent the drink container and food package storage and dispensing areas;

separate means for receiving the hot liquid from the liquid storage and dispensing area;

means for selecting one of the drink containers, food packages or hot liquid to be dispensed into the common receiving means or separate receiving mean; and

means responsive to the selecting means for dispensing the selected drink container or food package to the common receiving means and for dispensing the selected hot liquid to the separate receiving means.

34. A vending machine as set forth in claim 33 further comprising a cup dispenser having a dispensing mechanism for depositing cups into the separate receiving means, the separate receiving means being adapted to receive both the hot liquid and the cups.

35. A vending machine as set forth in claim 34 wherein the heating means includes a coffee brewer adapted to hold coffee grounds for passing the heated liquid therethrough prior to dispensing.

36. A vending machine as set forth in claim 35 further comprising a lightener and sugar dispenser for measuring and dispensing lightener and/or sugar to a mixing and/or sugar to a mixing chamber, the mixing chamber adapted to receive coffee from the coffee brewer for mixing the coffee with lightener and/or sugar and a connecting pipe for carrying the mixed coffee to the second receiving means

37. A vending machine as set forth in claim 33 wherein the common receiving means includes a shelf having a curved section immediately adjacent the refrigerated storage and dispensing area such that the refrigerated foods fall into the curved section.

38. A vending machine as set forth in claim 37 wherein the unrefrigerated storage and dispensing area includes a shell for holding the unrefrigerated foods and spiral arms for separating the unrefrigerated foods and the dispensing means includes means for rotating the spiral arms such that one of the unrefrigerated foods is forced from the shelf to the common receiving means.

39. A vending machine as set forth in claim 33 further comprising another housing means for enclosing only the drink container storage and dispensing area to contain the cooling and wherein the drink container storage and dispensing area and food package storage and dispensing area are adjacent to reduce the temperature in the food package storage and dispensing area by heat transfer between them.

40. A vending machine as set forth in claim 39 wherein the other housing means has a door mounted thereto and a temporary storage area accessible through the door for reducing the temperature of drink containers such that the drink containers may be placed in the temporary storage area prior to placement in the drink container storage and dispensing area.

41. A vending machine as set forth in claim 39 wherein the other housing means is positioned below the food package storage and dispensing area and the cooling means supplies the cooling through an opening in the other housing means.

42. A vending machine as set forth in claim 33 further comprising another housing means for enclosing the drink container storage and dispensing area to contain the cooling, the other housing means having an opening for inserting the drink containers into the drink container storage and dispensing area and having a door covering the opening, and spring means tending to keep the door closed.

43. A vending machine as set forth in claim 42 wherein the other housing means has a window mounted thereon for viewing the one of the drink containers to be dispensed to the common receiving means.

44. A vending machine as set forth in claim 42 wherein the other housing means has another opening below the first named opening, the other opening for dispensing the drink containers from the drink container storage and dispensing area and having another door covering the other opening.

45. A vending machine as set forth in claim 33 wherein the means for dispensing the selected food comprises a plurality of dispensers each for dispensing one of the food packages and a plurality of dispensers each for dispensing one of the drink containers.

46. A vending machine as set forth in claim 33 further comprising another housing means for enclosing only the drink container storage and dispensing area to contain the cooling, the other housing means having openings, and duct means for directing cooling air into the other housing means through the openings.

47. A vending machine as set forth in claim 46 wherein the duct means comprises a foam plastic member placed between the cooling means and the other housing means, the foam member defining passageways which match the openings in the other housing means for circulating the cooling air.

48. A vending machine as set forth in claim 33 wherein the housing means has an opening and the common receiving means comprises a shelf attached to the housing means, the shelf being accessible from outside the housing means through the opening in the housing means.

49. A vending machine as set forth in claim 33 wherein the food package storage and dispensing area of the housing means includes at least one spiral arm which separates the food packages in the storage and dispensing area and a motor which operates in response to the selecting means for rotating the at least one spiral arm to dispense one of the food packages.

50. A vending machine as set forth in claim 33 wherein the drink container storage and dispensing area of the housing means includes at least one levered gate movable between an open position and a closed position which when in the closed position retains the drink containers in the drink container storage and dispensing area and a motor which operates in response to the selecting means to move the at least one levered gate from the closed position to the open position to dispense one of the drink containers and then returns the gate to the closed position.

51. A vending machine for dispensing drink containers, food packages and hot liquids comprising:

a housing having a refrigerated drink container storage and dispensing area, a food package storage and dispensing area and a liquid storage and dispensing area, each area being separate from the other areas;

a self-contained refrigeration unit for providing forced cool air circulation into the refrigerated drink container storage and dispensing area;

a common receiving device for receiving dispensed drink containers and food packages, the common receiving device adjacent both the drink container and food package storage and dispensing areas;

a separate receiving device for receiving dispensed heated liquid and cups;

a heating unit for heating the liquid prior to dispensing;

a cup dispenser having a dispensing mechanism for depositing the cups into the separate receiving device;

a selection panel having plurality of switches for selecting the food package, drink container or hot liquid to be dispensed;

a drink container dispenser in the refrigerated area having a dispensing mechanism responsive to the switches of the selection panel for depositing one of the containers into the common receiving device;

a food package dispenser having a dispensing mechanism responsive to the switches of the selection panel for depositing one of the food packages into the common receiving device; and

a hot liquid dispenser having a dispensing mechanism responsive to the switches of the selection panel for dispensing the hot liquid into a cup deposited in the separate receiving device.

52. A vending machine as set forth in claim 51 wherein the heating means includes a coffee brewer adapted to hold coffee grounds for passing the heated liquid therethrough prior to dispensing.

53. A vending machine as set forth in claim 52 further comprising a mixing chamber adapted to receive coffee from the coffee brewer for mixing the coffee with lightener and/or sugar, and a lightener and sugar dispenser for measuring and dispensing lightener and/or sugar to the mixing chamber.

54. A vending machine as set forth in claim 51 wherein the common receiving device includes a shelf having a curved section immediately adjacent the refrigerated storage and dispensing area such that the refrigerated foods fall into the curved section.

55. A vending machine as set forth in claim 54 wherein the unrefrigerated storage and dispensing area includes a shelf for holding the unrefrigerated foods and spiral arms for separating the unrefrigerated foods and the dispensing means includes means for rotating the spiral arms such that one of the unrefrigerated foods is forced from the shelf to the common receiving device.

56. A vending machine as set forth in claim 51 further comprising another housing for enclosing only the drink container storage and dispensing area to contain the cooling and wherein the drink container storage and dispensing area and food package storage and dispensing area are adjacent to reduce the temperature in the food package storage and dispensing area by heat transfer between them.

57. A vending machine as set forth in claim 56 wherein the other housing has a door mounted thereto and has a temporary storage area accessible through the door for reducing the temperature of drink containers such that the drink containers may be placed in the temporary storage area prior to placement in the drink container storage and dispensing area.

58. A vending machine as set forth in claim 56 wherein the other housing is positioned below the food package storage and dispensing area and the refrigeration unit supplies the cool air through an opening in the other housing.

59. A vending machine as set forth in claim 51 further comprising another housing for enclosing the drink container storage and dispensing area to contain the cooling, the other housing having an opening for inserting the drink containers into the drink container storage and dispensing area and having a door covering the opening, and spring means tending to keep the door closed.

60. A vending machine as set forth in claim 59 wherein the other housing has a window therein for viewing the one of the drink containers to be dispensed to the common receiving means.

61. A vending machine as set forth in claim 59 wherein the other housing has another opening below the first named opening, the other opening for dispensing the drink containers from the drink container storage and dispensing area and having another door covering the other opening.

62. A vending machine as set forth in claim 51 further comprising another drink container dispenser in the refrigerated area having a dispensing mechanism responsive to the switches of the selection panel for depositing another one of the containers into the common receiving device and another food package dispenser having a dispensing mechanism responsive to the switches of the selection panel for depositing another one of the food packages into the common receiving device.

63. A vending machine as set forth in claim 51 further comprising another housing for enclosing only the drink container storage and dispensing area to contain the cooling, the other housing having openings, and ducts for circulating cooling air through the openings.

64. A vending machine as set forth in claim 63 wherein the ducts are formed of a foam plastic member placed between the refrigeration unit and the other housing, the foam member forming passageways which match the openings in the other housing for circulating the cooling air.

65. A vending machine as set forth in claim 51 wherein the housing has an opening and the common receiving device comprises a shelf attached to the housing, the shelf being accessible from outside the housing through the opening in the housing.

66. A vending machine as set forth in claim 51 wherein the food package dispenser comprises a spiral arm which separates the food packages in the storage and dispensing area and a motor which operates in response to one of the plurality of switches on the selection panel for rotating the spiral arm to dispense one of the food packages.

67. A vending machine as set forth in claim 51 wherein the drink container dispenser comprises a levered gate movable between an open position and a closed position which when in the closed position retains the drink containers in the drink container storage and dispensing area and when in the open position permits one of the drink containers to move to the common receiving device and retain the drink containers remaining in the drink container storage and dispensing area, and a motor which operates in response to one of the plurality of switches on the selection panel to move the levered gate from the closed position to the open position to dispense one of the drink containers and then returns to the closed position.