Disk vending machine
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vending machine for vending data storage disks, said machine comprising:
- carousel means inside said machine for holding said disks, said carousel means including a plurality of retaining slots, and said plurality of retaining slots each receiving an inner track slidable therein, said inner track including a groove for receiving and holding an edge of a storage disk;
carousel rotation means inside said machine for positioning said disks; and
ejection means inside said machine for dispensing said disks from said machine, said ejection means including a hydraulic piston having a pusher element, said pusher element selectively contacting an edge of a disk to elect said disk through said dispensing opening;
wherein said inner track slides partially out of said retaining slot upon said pusher element contacting said disk.
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Abstract
A vending machine system is disclosed for vending computer storage media and specifically a computer floppy disk. The vending machine includes a housing having a disk carousel therein. The disk carousel holds a plurality of disks in a vertical position. Upon a user selecting a disk to be purchased, a signal is sent to a motor which rotates a carousel positioning the selected disk in front of the dispenser opening at which time a pusher element is actuated pushing a disk out through the dispenser opening.
121 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A vending machine for vending data storage disks, said machine comprising:
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carousel means inside said machine for holding said disks, said carousel means including a plurality of retaining slots, and said plurality of retaining slots each receiving an inner track slidable therein, said inner track including a groove for receiving and holding an edge of a storage disk; carousel rotation means inside said machine for positioning said disks; and ejection means inside said machine for dispensing said disks from said machine, said ejection means including a hydraulic piston having a pusher element, said pusher element selectively contacting an edge of a disk to elect said disk through said dispensing opening; wherein said inner track slides partially out of said retaining slot upon said pusher element contacting said disk. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A vending machine for products, said vending machine comprising:
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at least one carousel having a plurality of slots, said slots each receiving an inner track slidable therein, said inner track releasably holding said products; a user interface having a means for accepting currency and a means for selecting said products; at least one motor and gearing system for rotating said at least one carousel, said at least one motor and gearing system responsive to an electrical signal generated by said means for selecting; and an ejector apparatus for dispensing said products through an opening in said machine, said ejector apparatus responsive to an electrical signal generated by said means for selecting; wherein said inner track slides partially out of said slot upon said ejector apparatus dispensing said products.
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12. An improved vending machine comprising:
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a carousel for holding products; a carousel rotation means for rotating said carousel so that a desired product is dispensed through an opening in the machine by an ejector apparatus; a plurality of slots in said carousel; and an inner track slidably mounted in each of said slots, said inner track receiving said products; wherein said inner track slides partially out of said slot when said ejector apparatus dispenses said product.
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Specification