Office supply vending system and apparatus

• US 6,182,857 B1
• Filed: 12/31/1998
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Doug A. Hamm
• Original Assignee: Doug A. Hamm
• Inventors: Swift, William O., Hamm, Doug A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O.
• Application Number:
  US09/224,585
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 221/2, 221/5, 221/7, 221/12, 221/13, 221/254, 221/270, 221/271, 221/306
• US Class Current: 221/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/14 with means for raising the stack of articles to permit delivery of the topmost
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10

Abstract

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an integrated product supply network comprised of a computer network linked through a variety of methods to a plurality of intelligent vending or dispensing machines and each component of the overall product supply network. The intelligent vending or dispensing machine is comprised of a combination of dispensing mechanisms including one type that it allows for both vertical and horizontal displacement of products to allow a wider variety of products to be offered for sale. In particular, the dispensing mechanism allows paper and art supplies to be dispensed. The intelligent dispensing machine is particularly useful in catering to small offices that need supplies any time, day or night.

Claims

1. A vending machine for distributing products comprising:

means for selecting said products;

means for receiving payment for said products;

means for dispensing said products; and

means for controlling said vending machine in response to said product selection means and said payment means to direct said product dispensing means to dispense said products;

wherein said product dispensing means comprises at least one elevating screw operatively coupled to a product shelf, means for rotating said at least one elevating screw such that said product shelf travels up or down depending upon the direction of rotation of said at least one elevating screw, and means for horizontally displacing said products out of said vending machine;

wherein said horizontal displacement means comprises;

a push plate operatively coupled to said top support by at least one track roller, wherein said at least one track roller allows said push plate to travel horizontally;

a pulley coupled to said top support; and

a discharge motor coupled to said push plate and said pulley by a discharge belt, wherein said discharge motor, through said discharge belt, causes said push plate to travel horizontally between said extended and said retracted position.

2. A vending machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said discharge belt is comprised of a chain, wherein said pulley is comprised of a sprocket and wherein said discharge motor includes a sprocket, said sprockets coupling said at least one elevating screw and said elevating motor to said chain.

3. A vending machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one product dispensing means further comprises a discharge reset sensor which monitors said horizontal displacement means to determine when said push plate has reached a fully retracted position, and wherein said discharge reset sensor communicates said determined position of said push plate to said controller means.

4. A vending machine as recited in claim 1, further comprising a front panel with at least one product delivery door disposed through said door, said at least one product delivery door being operably positioned with said at least one product dispensing means such that said products pass through said at least one product delivery door as said products are partially ejected out of said vending machine.

5. A vending machine as recited in claim 4, wherein said product dispensing means further comprises a delivery door control means which maintains said at least one product delivery door in a locked and closed state until said product dispensing means horizontally ejects said products out of said vending machine when said delivery door control means unlocks and opens said at least one product delivery door.

6. A vending machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said delivery door control means comprises:

a bell crank operably coupled to said at least one product delivery door; and

a cable operably coupled between said bell crank and said push plate;

wherein translation of said push plate from said retracted to said extended position causes said cable to rotate said bell crank thereby opening said at least one product delivery door; and

wherein translation of said push plate from said extended to said retracted position causes said cable to rotate said bell crank thereby allowing said at least one product delivery door to close.

7. A vending machine as recited in claim 6, further comprising a spring, a pulley and a sleeve wherein said spring is coupled between said top support and one end of said cable, wherein said cable is extended over said pulley and attached to said bell crank and wherein said sleeve is operatively coupled to said cable such that translation of said push plate from said retracted to said extended position relieves pressure exerted upon said sleeve by said push plate allowing said spring to pull said cable rotating said bell crank to open said at least one product delivery door, and translation of said push plate from said extended to said retracted position causes said push plate to apply pressure upon said sleeve forcing said spring to extend and said cable to release said bell crank thereby allowing said at least one product delivery door to close.

8. A vending machine for distributing products comprising:

means for selecting said products;

means for receiving payment for said products;

means for dispensing said products; and

means for controlling said vending machine in response to said product selection means and said payment means to direct said product dispensing means to dispense said products;

wherein said product dispensing means comprises at least one elevating screw operatively coupled to a product shelf, means for rotating said at least one elevating screw such that said product shelf travels up or down depending upon the direction of rotation of said at least one elevating screw, and means for horizontally displacing said products out of said vending machine.

9. A vending machine as recited in claim 8, wherein said product dispensing means further comprises a product discharge sensor which monitors said horizontal displacement means to determine the position of said horizontal displacement means and communicate said determined position to said controller means.

10. A vending machine as recited in claim 8, wherein said product dispensing means further comprises a product elevation sensor which monitors rotation of said elevating screw to determine the position of said product shelf as said product shelf travels between said full and empty positions, and wherein said product elevation sensor communicates said determined position of said product shelf to said controller means.

11. A vending machine as recited in claim 8, wherein said product dispensing means further comprises an upper limit sensor which monitors said product shelf to determine when said product shelf has reached a maximum vertical position, and wherein said upper limit sensor communicates said determined position of said product shelf to said controller means.

12. A vending machine as recited in claim 8, wherein said product dispensing means further comprises a lower limit sensor which monitors said product shelf to determine when said product shelf has reached a minimum vertical position, and wherein said lower limit sensor communicates said determined position of said product shelf to said controller means.

13. A vending machine for distributing products comprising:

means for selecting said products;

means for receiving payment for said products;

means for dispensing said products; and

means for controlling said vending machine in response to said product selection means and said payment means to direct said product dispensing means to dispense said products;

wherein said product dispensing means comprises at least one elevating screw operatively coupled to a product shelf, means for rotating said at least one elevating screw such that said product shelf travels up or down depending upon the direction of rotation of said at least one elevating screw, and means for horizontally displacing said products out of said vending machine;

wherein said rotation means is comprised of an elevating motor coupled to said at least one elevating screw by a drive belt, wherein said elevating motor, through said drive belt, causes said at least one elevating screw to rotate such that said product shelf travels up or down depending upon the direction of rotation of said at least one elevating screw.

14. A vending machine as recited in claim 13, wherein said drive belt is comprised of a chain and wherein said at least one elevating screw and said elevating motor each include a sprocket, said sprockets coupling said at least one elevating screw and said elevating motor to said chain.

15. A vending machine for distributing products comprising:

at least one product dispensing means;

product selection means for interactively selecting said products;

means for receiving payment for said products; and

controller means responsive to said product selection means and said payment means, said controller means controlling said at least one product dispensing means to dispense said products;

wherein said at least one product dispensing means includes means for vertically positioning said products and means for horizontally ejecting said vertically positioned products out of said vending machine;

wherein said at least one product dispensing means comprises;

a product shelf for storage of said products disposed between a top and bottom support;

vertical displacement means for moving said product shelf between a full and an empty position;

a push plate for transferring at least one of said products out of said vending machine; and

horizontal displacement means for moving said push plate between an extended and a retracted position; and

wherein said vertical displacement means comprises;

at least one elevating screw mounted between said top and bottom supports with said product shelf coupled to said at least one elevating screw; and

an elevating motor coupled to said elevating screw by a drive belt, wherein said elevating motor, through said drive belt, causes said elevating screw to rotate such that said product shelf travels up or down depending upon the direction of rotation of said elevating screw.

16. A vending machine as recited in claim 15, wherein said drive belt is comprised of a chain and wherein said at least one elevating screw and said elevating motor each include a sprocket, said sprockets coupling said at least one elevating screw and said elevating motor to said chain.

17. A vending machine for distributing products comprising:

at least one product dispensing means;

product selection means for interactively selecting said products;

means for receiving payment for said products; and

controller means responsive to said product selection means and said payment means, said controller means controlling said at least one product dispensing means to dispense said products;

wherein said at least one product dispensing means includes means for vertically positioning said products and means for horizontally ejecting said vertically positioned products out of said vending machine;

wherein said at least one product dispensing means comprises;

a product shelf for storage of said products disposed between a top and bottom support;

vertical displacement means for moving said product shelf between a full and an empty position;

a push plate for transferring at least one of said products out of said vending machine; and

horizontal displacement means for moving said push plate between an extended and a retracted position; and

wherein said horizontal displacement means comprises;

said push plate operatively coupled to said top support by at least one track roller, wherein said at least one track roller allows said push plate to travel horizontally;

a pulley coupled to said top support; and

a discharge motor coupled to said push plate and said pulley by a discharge belt, wherein said discharge motor, through said discharge belt, causes said push plate to travel horizontally between said extended and said retracted position.

18. A vending machine as recited in claim 17, wherein said discharge belt is comprised of a chain, wherein said pulley is comprised of a sprocket and wherein said discharge motor includes a sprocket, said sprockets coupling said at least one elevating screw and said elevating motor to said chain.

19. A vending machine for distributing products comprising:

at least one product dispensing means;

product selection means for interactively selecting said products;

means for receiving payment for said products; and

controller means responsive to said product selection means and said payment means, said controller means controlling said at least one product dispensing means to dispense said products;

a front panel with at least one product delivery door disposed through said door, said at least one product delivery door being operably positioned with said at least one product dispensing means such that said products pass through said at least one product delivery door as said products are partially ejected out of said vending machine;

wherein said at least one product dispensing means includes means for vertically positioning said products and means for horizontally ejecting said vertically positioned products out of said vending machine;

wherein said at least one product dispensing means further comprises a delivery door control means which maintains said at least one product delivery door in a locked and closed state until said at least one product dispensing means horizontally ejects said products out of said vending machine when said delivery door control means unlocks and opens said at least one product delivery door; and

wherein said delivery door control means comprises;

a bell crank operably coupled to said at least one product delivery door; and

a cable operably coupled between said bell crank and said push plate;

wherein translation of said push plate from said retracted to said extended position causes said cable to rotate said bell crank thereby opening said at least one product delivery door; and

wherein translation of said push plate from said extended to said retracted position causes said cable to rotate said bell crank thereby allowing said at least one product delivery door to close.

20. A vending machine as recited in claim 19, further comprising a spring, a pulley and a sleeve wherein said spring is coupled between said top support and one end of said cable, wherein said cable is extended over said pulley and attached to said bell crank and wherein said sleeve is operatively coupled to said cable such that translation of said push plate from said retracted to said extended position relieves pressure exerted upon said sleeve by said push plate allowing said spring to pull said cable rotating said bell crank to open said at least one product delivery door, and translation of said push plate from said extended to said retracted position causes said push plate to apply pressure upon said sleeve forcing said spring to extend and said cable to release said bell crank thereby allowing said at least one product delivery door to close.