Vending machine apparatus and method to prevent fraud and minimize damage from injected fluids
First Claim
1. An apparatus for connection to an internal component of a vending machine for preventing fraud and for minimizing damage to said internal component and to other vending machine components from injected liquids, comprising:
- a housing which connects underneath the internal component;
mounting members attached to the housing which connect to the internal component;
a tray integral to the housing for collecting the injected liquids;
a moisture sensor located in the tray; and
detection and control circuitry connected to the moisture sensor, wherein the circuitry operates to interrupt power and control signals to the vending machine components when the liquid is sensed.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for reducing vandalism and minimizing damage from liquids injected into apertures of a vending machine is described. An anti-salting module, having a housing with an integral tray for collecting liquids, is connected beneath a bill validator in a vending machine A rubber fillet is connected to the rear of the bill validator and directs injected fluids to the tray. A moisture sensor integral to the tray is connected to detection and control circuitry. When moisture is detected, the detection and control circuitry operates to interrupt power and control signals to the bill validator. Other external sensors, such as a second moisture sensor and a continuity sensor for monitoring the status of other vending machine components, may also be connected to the detection and control circuitry. After moisture has been detected, vending machine power and control signals can be restored only when moisture is no longer present, and a SET switch is depressed by service personnel.
50 Citations
38 Claims
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1. An apparatus for connection to an internal component of a vending machine for preventing fraud and for minimizing damage to said internal component and to other vending machine components from injected liquids, comprising:
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a housing which connects underneath the internal component; mounting members attached to the housing which connect to the internal component; a tray integral to the housing for collecting the injected liquids; a moisture sensor located in the tray; and detection and control circuitry connected to the moisture sensor, wherein the circuitry operates to interrupt power and control signals to the vending machine components when the liquid is sensed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for connection to an internal component of a vending machine for preventing fraud and for minimizing damage from injected liquids, comprising:
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a housing which connects underneath the internal component; mounting members attached to the housing which connect to the internal component; tray means for collecting liquids molded into the housing; means for detecting moisture connected to the tray means; and means for interrupting power and control signals to the vending machine when the liquid is detected. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method for preventing fraud and for minimizing damage from a liquid injected into a vending machine, comprising:
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mounting a housing having mounting members, a tray, at least one moisture sensor and moisture detecting circuitry beneath an internal component of a vending machine, wherein the mounting members connect to the internal component; collecting the injected liquid in the tray; sensing the liquid with the moisture sensor; generating a signal with the moisture detecting circuitry; and interrupting vending machine power and control signals to and from the internal component in response to the generated signal to functionally disable the vending machine. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification