U.S. patent application number 10/635962 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-01 for retractable gauge step for flexible multi-depth vending.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE VENDO COMPANY. Invention is credited to Hieb, Larry E..
Application Number | 20040124205 10/635962 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31715764 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040124205 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hieb, Larry E. |
July 1, 2004 |
Retractable gauge step for flexible multi-depth vending
Abstract
The disclosed invention is a dispensing apparatus and method for
dispensing product from a vending machine. In the present
invention, the gauging portion of a product dispensing mechanism in
a vending machine can be easily configured to accommodate the depth
and number of products being dispensed without adding or removing
parts, as required by existing product dispensing mechanisms. The
present invention provides a sliding gauge step that can be easily
extended or retracted to create or eliminate a product gauge step.
Thus, the present invention avoids the use of removable parts,
which are required in existing vending machines, to configure
product dispensing assemblies to vend an array of products.
Inventors: |
Hieb, Larry E.; (Fresno,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Roger Fulghum
Baker Botts, L.L.P.
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana
Houston
TX
77002
US
|
Assignee: |
THE VENDO COMPANY
|
Family ID: |
31715764 |
Appl. No.: |
10/635962 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60401959 |
Aug 8, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/289 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 11/007 20130101;
G07F 11/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/289 |
International
Class: |
B65H 003/30 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vending machine, comprising: a housing for storing products to
be dispensed; a product dispensing assembly comprising a dispenser
for holding and dispensing products, wherein the dispenser has an
open side and is mounted substantially horizontally within the
housing and rotatable about an axis, wherein the dispenser uses a
retractable gauge step adaptable to vend products of various sizes;
a product chute for receiving products when dispensed by the
dispenser; and a motor coupled to the dispenser for rotating the
dispenser.
2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the
retractable gauge step is substantially permanently affixed to the
product dispensing assembly.
3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the
retractable gauge step adaptable to being in a first position where
the gauge step is extended to create a gauge step to support the
product resting in the product dispensing assembly.
4. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the
retractable gauge step is adaptable to being in a second position
where the gauge step is retracted such that the gauge step does not
support the product resting in the product dispensing assembly.
5. The vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the
retractable gauge step is operable to slide from a first position
where the gauge step is extended to create a gauge step to support
the product resting in the product dispensing assembly to a second
position where the gauge step is retracted such that the gauge step
does not support the product resting in the product dispensing
assembly.
6. The vending machine according to claim 5, wherein the
retractable gauge step comprises a plurality of detents operable to
hold the gauge step in the first position.
7. The vending machine according to claim 6, wherein the
retractable gauge step comprises a plurality of detents operable to
hold the gauge step in the second position.
8. The vending machine according to claim 7, wherein the product
dispensing assembly has a plurality of cutout slots and the
retractable gauge step has a plurality of hooks, wherein the cutout
slots and the hooks are coupled such that the gauge step and the
dispensing assembly are substantially permanently affixed to each
other.
9. The vending machine according to claim 8, wherein the
retractable gauge step is further adaptable to being in a plurality
of positions where the gauge step is extended to create a plurality
of gauge steps to support the products resting in the product
dispensing assembly.
10. The vending machine according to claim 9, wherein the
retractable gauge step is further adaptable to being in a plurality
of positions where the gauge step is retracted such that the gauge
step does not support the products resting in the product
dispensing assembly.
11. The vending machine according to claim 10, wherein the
retractable gauge step is operable to slide from a plurality of
positions where the gauge step is extended to create a plurality of
gauge steps to support the product resting in the product
dispensing assembly to a plurality of positions where the gauge
step is retracted such that the gauge step does not support the
products resting in the product dispensing assembly.
12. A method for dispensing products from a vending machine,
comprising the steps of: storing products in a product dispensing
assembly; employing a retractable gauge step for supporting
products stored in the product dispensing assembly; wherein the
retractable gauge step is adaptable to dispense products of various
sizes; and dispensing products from the dispensing assembly in a
sequential manner.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the retractable gauge
step is substantially permanently affixed to the product dispensing
assembly.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the retractable gauge
step adaptable to being in a first position where the gauge step is
extended to create a gauge step to support the product resting in
the product dispensing assembly.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the retractable gauge
step is adaptable to being in a second position where the gauge
step is retracted such that the gauge step does not support the
product resting in the product dispensing assembly.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the retractable gauge
step is operable to slide from a first position where the gauge
step is extended to create a gauge step to support the product
resting in the product dispensing assembly to a second position
where the gauge step is retracted such that the gauge step does not
support the product resting in the product dispensing assembly.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the retractable gauge
step comprises a plurality of detents operable to hold the gauge
step in the first position.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the retractable gauge
step comprises a plurality of detents operable to hold the gauge
step in the second position.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the product
dispensing assembly has a plurality of cutout slots and the
retractable gauge step has a plurality of hooks, wherein the cutout
slots and the hooks are coupled such that the gauge step and the
dispensing assembly are substantially permanently affixed to each
other.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the retractable gauge
step is further adaptable to being in a plurality of positions
where the gauge step is extended to create a plurality of gauge
steps to support the products resting in the product dispensing
assembly.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the retractable gauge
step is further adaptable to being in a plurality of positions
where the gauge step is retracted such that the gauge step does not
support the products resting in the product dispensing
assembly.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the retractable gauge
step is operable to slide from a plurality of positions where the
gauge step is extended to create a plurality of gauge steps to
support the product resting in the product dispensing assembly to a
plurality of positions where the gauge step is retracted such that
the gauge step does not support the products resting in the product
dispensing assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional U.S.
Application Serial No. 60/401,959, filed Aug. 8, 2002, and titled
"Retractable Gauge Step for Flexible Multi-Depth Vending," which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates in general to the field of vending
machines, and more particularly, to a system and method for
dispensing products of various sizes from a product dispensing
mechanism.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Vending machines are widely used to dispense beverages,
food, and other perishable and nonperishable goods. The products
dispensed by vending machines come in various sizes. Thus, most
common vending machines have been designed and built to accommodate
the various product sizes. For example, a vending machine with a
product holding stack that can accommodate rows of two bottles can
be reconfigured to accommodate rows of four beverage cans (bottles
are approximately twice as long as cans). For efficient operations,
it is necessary to maximize the number of products that can be
stored in the vending machine's product storage compartment, while
minimizing the number of product dispensing mechanisms required to
dispense the products of different sizes.
[0004] Generally, many vending machines, particularly those that
dispense beverages, have column walls or partitions between which
the individual bottles or cans and the like are stacked in a
vertical column. At the bottom of each stack is a dispensing
mechanism that dispenses a selected bottle or can after receipt of
payment by the vending machine.
[0005] One type of dispensing mechanism is known as a bucket type
mechanism. Bucket type dispensing mechanisms have a partial
cylindrical shape that accommodates within it a row of bottles or
cans that is positioned laterally relative to the length of the
cylinder. A portion of the circumference of the cylinder, however,
is open, therefore allowing the bottles or cans to enter into, and
exit from the bucket at various stages of the vend cycle.
[0006] In operation, a motor or other rotational means rotates the
bucket about its axis. A gauging device, appropriately located
below the bucket, is used to create steps of various sizes, which
generally correspond to the length of the individual cans or
bottles being dispensed, i.e., the depth of the products. The
opening in the bucket is of a sufficient size so that when rotated
to a certain point, the first bottle or can is free to fall out of
the bucket dispenser and into the product chute through which it is
dispensed to the customer, while the next-to-vend bottle or can
remains in the bucket, held by the next gauge step.
[0007] During subsequent vends, the bucket rotates to expose the
next bottle or can, allowing it to fall. After all products have
been dispensed from the bucket, the dispensing mechanism continues
through the reload phase of the vend cycle whereby the next row of
products enter the bucket in preparation for the subsequent vending
cycles. Thus, products are initially seated within the bucket, and
may be held in place by a gauging device, but are unseated and
dispensed as the bucket rotates.
[0008] One of the goals for operating vending machines is to
maximize the number of products that can be stored in the vending
machine's product storage compartment, while minimizing the number
of product dispensing mechanisms required to dispense the products
of different sizes.
[0009] At present, common dispensing mechanisms require that some
gauging components be added to or removed from the dispensing
mechanisms themselves in order to accommodate variations in product
sizes. Specifically, the configuration of the gauging portion of a
product dispensing mechanism is altered by adding or removing
various components. The addition or removal or specific gauging
components creates a series of steps that generally correspond to
the number of products that pass through the product dispensing
mechanism during a complete vend cycle. As the product dispensing
mechanism rotates through the vend cycle, openings through which
products drop are created to allow individual products to
sequentially pass one at a time. Then, by controlling the rotation
of the product dispensing mechanism and stopping its rotation at
appropriate times during a vend cycle, the vending machine operates
to allow only one product to be dispensed during each vend
sequence.
[0010] One significant disadvantage of the current gauging devices
arises from the fact that the gauging components are completely
removable from the product dispensing mechanisms. Because they are
removable, they are often misplaced or lost. Thus, the gauging
components are often not available at the time they are needed to
reconfigure a vending machine to dispense products of another size.
As a result, delays occur when additional components must be
ordered. Further, lost revenues occur when products of different
sizes cannot be dispensed as intended. Such delays and lost
revenues should be avoided in order to reach the desirable goals
for efficient vending machine operations. Therefore, there is a
need for an invention for gauging devices that do not cause the
types of delays and costs described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved method and apparatus for product dispensing in a vending
machine.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
method and apparatus that do not require using removable parts to
configure product dispensing mechanisms in order to dispense
products of various sizes.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
method and apparatus that eliminates costly delays and expenses
associated with configuring product dispensing mechanisms to
accommodate products of various sizes.
[0014] Thus, the present invention achieves these objects in a
method and apparatus for dispensing products of various sizes from
a product dispensing mechanism. The apparatus includes a motor
driven product dispenser having a gauging device that allows
multiple products to sequentially be freed one at a time in
accordance with the amount of rotation that the product dispenser
travels, a motor controller used to control the product dispenser
drive motor, and a product delivery chute located below the product
dispenser for receiving product as they are freed from the product
dispenser and presented to the consumer. The gauging device is
substantially permanently affixed to the product dispensing
mechanism and is operable to be configured to accommodate products
of various depths. Thus, the present invention eliminates use of
removable components that may be misplaced or lost, resulting in
undesirable delays and costs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The description and figures herein describe exemplary
embodiments of the present invention. A more complete understanding
of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired
by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate
like features, and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine
incorporating the disclosed invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a view of components of a product dispensing
assembly according to the present disclosure;
[0018] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a portion of
product dispensing assembly with the disclosed product gauge
step;
[0019] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are various views of the disclosed
product gauge step; and
[0020] FIG. 4D is a detail of the detents used in one embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] FIG. 1 shows the interior of a vending machine 100 having a
housing 101 and a door 102 pivotally coupled to the housing. Within
housing 101, products 108, such as bottles or cans, are stored
vertically in channels 106 formed between successive partitions
104. Products are typically positioned laterally within the channel
and stacked on top of one another to form one or more vertical
columns as shown in FIG. 1. A product dispensing chute 130 is
positioned below the channel 106 to receive products 108 that are
dispensed by a product dispensing assembly 200 (FIG. 2) and to
deliver products 108 to a location at which they can be retrieved
by a customer through an aperture 132 in the vending machine door
102. A front panel 122 extends across the front side of the lower
portion of partitions 104. Positioned behind front panel 122 are
product dispensing assemblies 200 (FIG. 2), which are controlled by
controller 150.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows the product dispensing assembly 200 used for
dispensing products 108 after receipt of payment by the vending
machine. Product dispensing assembly 200 includes a dispenser 205
that is positioned substantially horizontally at the bottom of the
channel 106 and between partitions 104, and extends laterally along
the channel. The dispenser 205 may extend substantially along the
length of the channel, or along the portion of the channel in which
products are stacked. The dispensing assembly 200 is mounted to
front panel 122 and rear panel 223 such that it is rotatable.
Guided by a retractable gauge step 250, products may be dispensed
by the product dispensing assembly 200, which may be controlled by
controller 150 to dispense products by the amount of rotation
induced upon the dispenser 205 by the motor assembly 230.
[0023] Further, FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B show a retractable gauge step
250 that is substantially permanently affixed to the gauging
portion at cutout slots 251 and 252 of the product dispensing
mechanism 200. A pair of snaps are provided to act as detents 254
in the detent openings 264 in the gauging portion of the product
dispensing mechanism 200. In one embodiment, the gauge step 250 is
operable to move between two positions.
[0024] FIGS. 3A and 3B show the two exemplary positions. In the
first position, as shown in FIG. 3A, the gauge step 250 is extended
whereby it creates a gauge step to support products in the product
dispensing mechanism. In the second position, as shown in FIG. 3B,
the gauge step is retracted when an additional gauge step is not
needed for vending operations. In each position, detents 254 and
detent openings 264 are used to hold the gauge step 250 securely in
its proper place.
[0025] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show an embodiment of the gauge step
that includes detents 254 whereby the gauge step can be secured in
either the extended or retracted position during normal operations.
The detents 254 serve to position and hold the gauge step 250 in
relation to the gauging portion of the product dispensing
mechanism, wherein the gauge step can be released by force applied
to one of the detents 254, when necessary to reconfigure the
product dispensing mechanism 200. In one embodiment, the gauge step
250 may be an injection molded plastic part that includes a series
of hooks 253 that allow the gauge step 250 to be attached to a pair
of cutout slots 251 and 252 in the gauging portion of the product
dispensing mechanism 200. As shown in FIG. 4D, a pair of snaps is
provided to act as detents 254 in the detent openings 264 in the
gauging portion of the product dispensing mechanism 200.
[0026] Thus, the present invention provides an apparatus whereby
the gauging portion of a product dispensing mechanism in a vending
machine can be easily configured to accommodate the depth and
number of products being dispensed without adding or removing
parts, as required by existing product dispensing mechanisms. The
present invention provides a sliding gauge step that can be easily
extended or retracted to create or eliminate a product gauge step.
Thus, the present invention avoids the use of removable parts,
which are required in existing vending machines, to configure
product dispensing assemblies to vend an array of products.
[0027] The embodiments as described above may be adapted to
accommodate one, two, three or more products within the product
dispensing assembly at one time. It should therefore be understood
that variations to the embodiments above are easily accomplished to
accommodate variations in product sizes.
[0028] Although the present invention has been described in detail,
it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and
alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *