Apparatus and method for coordinating automated package and bulk dispensing
First Claim
1. A dispensing system, comprising:
- a hopper apparatus for receiving and dispensing products, the hopper apparatus having a receptacle that comprises a hopper cone above the door of the receptacle and a package support base above the hopper cone;
a door associated with the receptacle to provide access to the the receptacle; and
a processing device in communication with the door of the receptacle for determining vacancy of the receptacle, receiving a unique access code associated with an end product user based upon the determination of a vacancy and assigning the access code to the vacant receptacle in advance of providing product to the receptacle; and
wherein the receptacle includes a removable floor supported by the package support base such that when the removable floor is present the receptacle is configured to support packaged products and when the removable floor is not present loose product can be gravity fed proximate to the door.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method is provided for coordinating automated package and bulk dispensing at a remote site. A hopper apparatus includes a series of storage compartments and access doors. The compartments and doors are linked to a PLC that is further linked to an inventory provider. The inventory provider takes product orders from an end-user. The end-user is provided an end-user access code. The inventory provider communicates with the PLC and reserves for the ordered product(s) a vacant storage compartment(s). The inventory provider delivers the product(s) ordered by the end-user to the hopper apparatus. Upon delivery, the inventory provider enters the appropriate end-user access code(s), causing the PLC to open the storage compartment(s) previously reserved by the inventory provider for the products ordered by the end-user. The inventory provider loads the appropriate storage compartment(s) with the end-user product(s). The end-user subsequently picks up product(s) previously ordered by entering in his or her access code(s).
42 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A dispensing system, comprising:
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a hopper apparatus for receiving and dispensing products, the hopper apparatus having a receptacle that comprises a hopper cone above the door of the receptacle and a package support base above the hopper cone; a door associated with the receptacle to provide access to the the receptacle; and a processing device in communication with the door of the receptacle for determining vacancy of the receptacle, receiving a unique access code associated with an end product user based upon the determination of a vacancy and assigning the access code to the vacant receptacle in advance of providing product to the receptacle; and wherein the receptacle includes a removable floor supported by the package support base such that when the removable floor is present the receptacle is configured to support packaged products and when the removable floor is not present loose product can be gravity fed proximate to the door. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A dispensing system, comprising:
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a hopper apparatus for receiving and dispensing products, the hopper apparatus having a receptacle that comprises a hopper cone above the door of the receptacle and a package support base above the hopper cone; a door associated with the receptacle to provide access to the the receptacle; and a processing device in communication with the door of the receptacle for determining vacancy of the receptacle, receiving a unique access code associated with an end product user based upon the determination of a vacancy and assigning the access code to the vacant receptacle in advance of providing product to the receptacle; and wherein the receptacle is configured to accept a gravity fed container having an access sliding door associated with an actuator and controllable by the processing device to release product proximate to the door of the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification