Modular vending with centralized robotic gantry

• US 9,240,091 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2013
• Issued: 01/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Swyft Inc.
• Original Assignee: Utique, Inc. (Swyft Inc.)
• Inventors: Segal, Mara Clair, Mockus, Darrell S., Greenberg, Russell
• Primary Examiner(s): WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US13/786,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20130310970A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 700/242, 700/231, 700/241, 700/243, 700/244, 221/133, 221/126, 221/127, 221/112, 221/95
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/004 Restocking arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/165 using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/42 the articles being delivered by motor-driven means

Abstract

A vending arrangement for computerized vending machines, retail displays, automated retail stores, utilizes a centralized, robotic gantry associated with companion modules for vending a plurality of selectable products. The modularized design enables deployment of half-sized or larger, full sized machines. The robotic gantry is deployed in a centralized module disposed adjacent display and inventory modules. Inventory modules can be fitted to both gantry sides, and doors can be fitted to the gantry front or rear. The gantry comprises an internal, vertically displaceable elevator utilizing a central conveyor for laterally, horizontally moving selected items from associated display and inventory positions to a vending position. Computerized software enables the display and vending functions, and controls elevator movement to dispense products from twin sides of the gantry by appropriately controlling the conveyor.

Claims

1. A modularized vending machine, retail display, or automated retail store comprising:

a central robotic gantry comprising an upright enclosure with a pair of sides and a front and a back, an internal elevator, means for vertically moving the elevator within the gantry, the elevator comprising a transverse conveyor for moving items laterally, wherein said conveyor comprises a pair of retractable, product collection wings that open when the elevator is in place to collect items that are dispensed from inventory area(s) in modules placed on either side of the dispensing gantry;

at least one inventory cabinet attached to at least one gantry side;

at least one door fitted upon the front or back of the gantry, the doors comprising a product vend area;

at least one display module proximate said gantry, the display module containing items to be vended, the display module comprising a plurality of physical displays in which items to be vended are visibly housed;

a computer for activating and controlling the gantry and the module; and

,

software for controlling the computer.

2. The vending machine as defined in claim 1 wherein the transverse conveyor comprises a flexible sheet entrained about a pair of spaced apart rollers that are journalled for rotation, the conveyor disposed upon a conveyor tray that is vertically displaceable within the gantry.

3. The vending machine as defined in claim 1 further comprising a conveyor drive roller, and a stepper motor for controlling the conveyor drive roller.

4. The vending machine as defined in claim 1 further comprising belt means entrained over pulleys within the gantry for moving the conveyor vertically.

5. The vending machine as defined in claim 1 wherein the collection wings are disposed on either side of the conveyor and displaceable by levers to direct selected products upon the conveyor to deliver a vend, and wherein the wings are actuated by a wing motor that distributes power to the levers to operate the collection wings.

6. The vending machine as defined in claim 5 wherein:

the levers connect to hinges secured to the collection wings;

the hinges comprise followers slots;

the wing motor pulls the levers downwardly;

when the levers move downwardly lever portions slide within the slots to open the collection wings.

7. The vending machine as defined in claim 1 wherein the gantry can receive products and items dispensed from inventory cabinets of various sizes disposed on either gantry side, and wherein the gantry can dispense products to a user at its front or at its rear.

8. The vending machine as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a conveyor drive roller;

a stepper motor for controlling the conveyor drive roller, and;

belt means entrained over pulleys within the gantry for moving the conveyor vertically.

9. A modularized vending machine, retail display, or automated retail store comprising:

a central robotic gantry comprising an upright enclosure with a pair of sides and a front and a back, an internal elevator, means for vertically moving the elevator within the gantry, the elevator comprising a transverse conveyor for moving items laterally,

at least one inventory cabinet attached to at least one gantry side;

at least one door fitted upon the front or back of the gantry, the doors comprising a product vend area;

at least one display module proximate said gantry, the display module containing items to be vended, the display module comprising a plurality of physical displays in which items to be vended are visibly housed;

a computer for activating and controlling the gantry and the module;

software for controlling the computer;

a conveyor drive roller;

a stepper motor for controlling the conveyor drive roller,

belt means entrained over pulleys within the gantry for moving the conveyor vertically

a pair of retractable, product collection wings mounted upon said the conveyor that open to collect items that are dispensed from inventory area(s) in modules placed on either side of the dispensing gantry; and

wherein;

the collection wings are disposed on either side of the conveyor and displaceable by levers to direct selected products upon the conveyor to deliver a vend;

the wings are actuated by a wing motor that distributes power to the levers to operate the collection wings;

the levers connect to hinges secured to the collection wings;

the hinges comprise followers slots;

the wing motor pulls the levers downwardly or push them upwardly;

when the levers move downwardly or upwardly lever portions slide within the slots to open or close the collection wings.

10. A modularized method for providing a custom, computerized vending machine, retail display, or automated retail store:

providing a robotic gantry, the gantry comprising an upright enclosure with a pair of sides and a front and a back, an internal elevator, means for vertically moving the elevator within the gantry, and the elevator comprising a transverse conveyor for moving items laterally;

at least one inventory cabinet attached to at least one gantry side;

at least one door fitted upon the front or back of the gantry, the doors comprising a product vend area;

at least one display module proximate the gantry, the display module containing items to be vended, the display module comprising a plurality of physical displays in which items to be vended are visibly housed;

a computer for activating and controlling the gantry and the module; and

,

software for controlling the computer;

wherein the method comprises the steps of

opening retractable, product collection wings mounted upon the conveyor and collecting items that are dispensed from inventory area(s) in modules placed on either side of the dispensing gantry.

11. The method as defined in claim 10 wherein the computerized vending machine, retail display, or automated retail store further comprising a flexible sheet entrained about a conveyor drive roller and a pair of spaced apart rollers that are journalled for rotation, and wherein the method further comprising the step controlling the drive roller with a stepper motor.

12. The method as defined in claim 11 further comprising the step of vertically displacing the conveyor within the gantry.

13. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the computerized vending machine, retail display, or automated retail store further comprising belt means entrained over pulleys within the gantry for moving the conveyor vertically.

14. The method as defined in claim 10 including the further step of displacing the wings with levers actuated by a wing motor that distributes power to the levers to operate the collection wings.

15. The method as defined in claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

connecting the levers to hinges secured to the collection wings;

providing the hinges with followers slots for stabilization;

displacing the levers downwardly or upwardly to open or close the wings, whereby, when the levers move vertically, lever portions slide within the follower slots.

16. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the conveyor further comprising:

a drive roller; and

a stepper motor;

wherein the method further comprising the step of;

moving the conveyor vertically with belt means entrained over pulleys within the gantry.

17. The method as defined in claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

locating the collection wings on either side of the conveyor;

displacing the wings by levers to direct selected products upon the conveyor to deliver a vend;

distributing power to the levers with a wing motor to operate the collection wings;

connecting the levers to hinges secured to the collection wings;

stabilizing the levers with followers slots defined in the hinges; and

,

when the levers move downwardly or upwardly, stabilizing movement with lever portions sliding within the slots.