Automatic dispensing system method and apparatus

• US 8,936,173 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2012
• Issued: 01/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brett Fleishman
• Original Assignee: Brett Fleishman
• Inventors: Fleishman, Brett
• Primary Examiner(s): WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US13/526,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20130090759A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 221/24, 221/192
• US Class Current: 221/24
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/28 in which the magazines are inclined
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/44 in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

A vending machine includes a reservoir for holding bulk goods and multiple reconfigurable distribution path devices to release the goods to a purchaser in entertaining fashion.

Claims

1. A vending apparatus comprising:

a plurality of reservoirs;

a distribution control device;

a dynamic user interface including a multipath serpentine visible goods guidance device;

and a controller device, said controller device being adapted to provide a dynamically configured release of a mixture of goods to said multipath serpentine visible goods guidance device by said distribution control device, whereby said mixture and said dynamic user interface combine to offer enhanced entertainment to a viewer and wherein a reservoir of said plurality of reservoirs comprises a first generally horizontal portion and a second generally vertical portion, said second generally vertical portion including a feed mechanism for elevating stored goods into said generally horizontal portion.

2. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said feed mechanism comprises a motorized lift for elevating stored goods.

3. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said motorized lift comprises a threaded device and an electric motor.

4. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said motorized lift comprises a rack and pinion device.

5. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said motorized lift comprises an Archimedean screw.

6. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said feed mechanism comprises a pneumatic cylinder device.

7. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said feed mechanism comprises a hydraulic cylinder device.

8. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said feed mechanism comprises an elastic device, said elastic device being arranged to urge stored goods upward into said first horizontal portion.

9. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said elastic device tends to expand as said stored goods move upward.

10. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said elastic device comprises a gas.

11. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second generally vertical portion has a lower end, said lower end being adapted to be received within said vending apparatus substantially adjacent to a floor of said vending apparatus.

12. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second generally vertical portion has a generally circular horizontal cross-section.

13. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second generally vertical portion has a generally rectangular horizontal cross-section.

14. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a reservoir of said plurality of reservoirs has a height substantially equal to an interior height of said vending apparatus.

15. A vending apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first generally horizontal portion comprises an inclined surface and a hopper, said inclined surface and hopper being adapted to promote gravitational feeding of said stored goods.