Cigarette carton dispensing system

Abstract

The system functions so that a shopper purchases a token at a check-out counter for a stated price and thereafter uses the token to operate a cigarette carton vending machine. The tokens are purchased from a central source and are used immediately to operate a vending machine so that constant control is maintained of the tokens. Each vending machine is composed of modular units and is itself built as a modular unit to provide for ready operation.

Description

This invention relates to a cigarette carton dispensing system.

It has been known that the sale of cigarettes has presented particular problems to retail outlets, such as supermarkets, because of pilferage and the relative ease in obtaining otherwise unauthorized use of the cigarettes. In some outlets, a relatively large percentage of cigarette cartons have been removed without payment by persons entering into these retail outlets or by employees thereof. In other instances, individual cigarette packs have been removed from cartons prior to sale such that the shopper has obtained less than a full carton.

In order to prevent these abuses and obtain a more effective control over the sale of cigarette cartons, many retail outlets have placed the cigarette cartons at their check-out counters so as to be under the direct supervision of a check-out sales person. However, in these cases, relatively large storage areas are required at the point of check-out in order to maintain a proper supply of cigarette cartons. In other instances, retail stores have retained the cigarette cartons in a manager's office for direct sale to a shopper. This, however, has caused an inconvenience to the shopper.

Because of the pilferage of cigarette cartons and/or the lack of convenience in purchasing cigarettes, the total sales of cigarettes through retail outlets, especially, supermarkets has, in many cases, been curtailed. As a consequence, the amount of profit to be made on cigarette sales by a retail owner has decreased.

In order to overcome these above problems and inconveniences, it is an object of this invention to provide a cigarette carton dispensing system which requires a minimum of security control.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cigarette carton dispensing system which requires a minimum of labor to be placed in operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cigarette carton dispensing system which is relatively simple and efficient to operate.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cigarette carton dispensing system which utilizes vending machines of compact modular construction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cigarette carton dispensing system with vending machines which are attractive in appearance and which require relatively small space.

Briefly, the invention provides a cigarette carton dispensing system in which a token is purchased by a shopper at a check-out counter for a stated price and is then immediately used by the shopper to obtain a cigarette carton from a vending machine. The cigarette vending machine is constructed as a modular unit so that a number of such units, each of which supplies a different brand of cigarettes from the other can be oriented in a desired fashion. In addition, the vending machine units are installed at a location beyond and convenient to the check-out counter so that a checker can visually supervise the purchase of cigarette cartons from the vending machines.

Each vending machine of the system is constructed so as to be actuated by a purchased token and each includes a housing containing a number of cartons, for example, twenty, which are stacked in vertical array. The housing is provided with an opening, for example, at a lower portion of the front face which is of a size to permit passage of the lowermost carton of the carton stack out of the housing. Each vending machine also has a means within the housing for moving the lowermost carton a predetermined distance, e.g., 4 inches, out of the housing. In this way, the shopper is then able to grasp and remove the carton. Each machine also has a suitable means for receiving the tokens for actuating the machine, such as electrically or mechanically, so as to dispense a cigarette carton in response to the deposit of a token.

Each cigarette carton vending machine is also constructed so that after the removal of a carton, the machine automatically becomes set up for a successive vending operation in response to the deposit of further tokens.

The means for moving a cigarette carton from a vending machine as well as the token receiving means are constructed in modular form and mounted in the housing of the vending machine in a removable manner as to be readily replaced, if necessary.

Each vending machine is of modular construction so that a plurality of such machines can be oriented in a horizontal array as well as a vertical array so as to occupy a relatively compact space. Further, as the individual vending machines are each formed of a modular unit of compact construction, a single brand of cigarettes can be supplied by each. In this way, all of the known brands can be dispensed by the system in an efficient manner. Also, where one cigarette brand is more popular than another, multiple units can be provided. Likewise, where some brands are of limited appeal the units can be formed in fractional sizes, such as half sizes, and two or more such units can be stacked on each other.

In use, the cigarette vending machines are oriented together at a dispensing station beyond a check-out station but within view of a checker at a check-out counter in the check-out station. In order to operate the system, a shopper, upon checking out at the check-out counter, purchases a token for an amount equivalent to the price of the carton of cigarettes desired. Thereafter, while under some degree of surveillance, the shopper passes through the check-out counter and moves to the dispensing station and deposits the token in the vending machine containing the cigarettes desired. The token then activates the vending machine and a carton is projected from the machine. The shopper then completely removes the carton from the machine and continues on his way out of the retail outlet.

Should it be necessary to protect against any counterfeiting of the tokens of the system, the tokens can be made of a unique construction for use over a limited period of time, for example, one day, while the token receiving means of the vending machines are made so as to be adjusted to respond to different tokens. For example, a disposable paper token can be provided with a stamped date code so that a vending machine can only be operated on the date indicated by the code. The machines, would, of course, be provided with a suitable inexpensive read-out to read the tokens and activate the dispensing operation of the machines only upon deposit of a valid token.

The invention thus provides a relatively high security carton cigarette dispensing system since the dispensing of the cigarette cartons is controlled from vending machines which can only be actuated with the proper token. In addition, as the token can only be purchased from the check-out counter of a retail outlet, the number of tokens in distribution can be readily determined and controlled. Still further, since the vending machines are in relatively close vicinity to the check-out counters, surveillance of the vending machine users can be readily carried out by the check-out personnel.

The invention further provides a system which is able to dispense a relatively large number of cartons of diverse brands of cigarettes from a relatively small retail sales station. As a result, a favorable amount of profit can be obtained.

Another feature of the invention is that the cigarette vending machine units can be placed at a convenient station beyond the check-out counters. In this way, suitable advertising displays can be associated with the units so as to stimulate the sales of the cigarettes contained within the dispensing units.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of cigarette vending machines according to the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a fragmentary front view of a single cigarette vending machine according to the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a mechanism for dispensing a cigarette carton from the dispensing unit according to the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment for expelling the cigarette carton individually from a vending machine unit according to the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the structure set forth in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of a cigarette vending machine as shown in FIG. 4 with a carton in an expelled condition; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of the cigarette vending machine of FIG. 7 immediately prior to the removal of the lowermost carton from the vending machine.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cigarette carton dispensing system consists of at least one check-out counter 10 at a check-out station 11, a token 12 and at least one cigarette carton vending machine 13 at a dispensing station 14. As shown, for a typical supermarket retail outlet, a number of check-out counters 10 are arranged near a common entrance and exit 15 to the outlet and each is staffed by suitable personnel as is known. The cigarette carton dispensing station 14 is located near the check-out station 11 and includes a plurality of the cigarette vending machines 13 oriented in a stacked array. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, most of the vending machines 13 are of upright construction and are arranged in horizontal array while other machines 13' are of half size and stacked vertically.

A supply of tokens 12 is maintained at each check-out counter 12 and each is sold to a shopper 16 in return for a stated amount of money corresponding to the cost of a carton of a particular brand of cigarettes. After purchase, the tokens 12 are utilized by the shopper 16 immediately to operate the desired cigarette machine 13, 13'. To this end, the tokens 12 can be of any suitable shape and construction so as to activate the selected cigarette machines.

Referring to FIG. 2, each vending machine 13, 13' is constructed with a housing 17 of modular box-like construction and is supported on a suitable stand 18 adjacent to each other. In the case where each machine 13 is to be operated electrically, a suitable power cord 19 extends from the machine 13 and plugs into a suitable power line strip 20 located, for example, on the underside of the stand 18. Each housing 17 has a front door 21 which is hinged on a suitable hinge 22 on one side and provided with a lock 23 on the opposite side so that access can be had to the housing interior from the front. The lock 23 can be of any suitable construction to secure the door 21 to the housing 17. The housing 17 is sized to accomodate a stack of cigarette cartons 24, for example, twenty cartons. In addition, the housing 17 is provided with an exterior opening 25 in the lower end of the door 21 for the passage of the lowermost cigarette carton of the stack from the machine 13. Still further, the housing 17 includes a token receiving slot 26 in the door 21 which communicates in a suitable manner with a token receiving means 27 in the lower part of the housing 17. This token receiving means 27 is constructed as a modular unit to be readily removed from the housing 17 when desired and is also constructed to activate the machine 13 to dispense a cigarette carton 24 upon deposit of a token 12. The receiving means 27 also includes a token reject return 28' as is known as well as a token acceptance box 29' for receiving valid tokens. The box 29' is provided with a suitable lock 30' so as to be readily removed from the remainder of the token receiving means 27 for retrieval or safekeeping of the tokens.

Should it be necessary to view the contents of the machine 13, the door 21 can be provided with a transparent panel 26'. This also allows the number of cigarette cartons remaining in the machine 13 to be viewed.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the interior of the housing 17 of a vending machine 13 is provided with a plurality of vertically disposed guides 27' so as to align the vertical stack of cigarette cartons 24 therein. In addition, the housing 17 has a stationary floor 28 which supports the stack of cigarette cartons 24 thereon and extends from front to back. As shown in FIG. 4, the opening 25 in the door 21 is of a height slightly in excess of the height of a carton 24 so that the cartons 24 can be removed from the housing 17 individually.

In order to prevent an unauthorized extraction of a carton 24 through the openings 25, a gate means 29 is provided within the housing 17 at a point near the opening 25. To this end, a slot 30 is provided in the floor 28 of the housing 17 and the gate means 29 has a gate in the form of a plate 31 which extends upwardly through the slot 30 into the path of the lowermost carton 24. The gate plate 31 is connected to a suitable retraction means 33 such as an electrically operated solenoid so as to be retracted downwardly through the opening 30 to allow the carton 24 to pass through the opening 25. The retraction means 33 is constructed in a suitable manner to react to a token being deposited into the token receiving means 27. In addition, as shown, a spring 34 is provided to bias the plate 31 upwardly through the floor slot 30 after the retraction means 33 has been deenergized.

The gate means 29 is constructed as a modular unit to be readily installed and replaced within the housing 17 and is secured at a forward end of the housing 17 by a suitable bracket 35.

As shown in FIG. 4, in order to positively expell a carton 24 from the housing 17, a means in the form of a linear actuator 36 is located to the rear of the lowermost carton 24 to push the carton 24 a predetermined amount from the housing 17. This linear actuator 36 has a cylinder 37 which is fixed to the floor 28 and a piston 38 which is reciprocally mounted in the cylinder 37 in alignment with the lowermost carton 24 and opening 25. The linear actuator 36 is operated in a predetermined time sequence with the gate means 29 so as to push the lowermost carton 24 outwardly of the housing 17 a predetermined distance, for example, 4 inches, after the gate plate 31 is retracted.

Since the force required of the linear actuator 36 for expelling a carton 24 depends upon the height of the cigarette carton stack above the lowermost carton, a suitable means can be provided to decrease the force of the expelling linear actuator 36 as the height of the cigarette carton stack decreases. To this end, an electrically conductive rod 39 is located on a wall of the housing 17 alongside the stack of cartons and is electrically connected over a suitable connection 40 into the linear actuator 36 voltage supply while a metal weight 40' is slidably connected to the rod 39 and seats on the topmost carton of the stack. The weight 40' and rod 39 functions as a rheostat so that as the metal weight 40' slides down the rod 39 as the cartons are expelled, the voltage delivered into the linear actuator 36 decreases. In this way, the force of the piston 38 will vary in corresponding relation to the height of the carton stack.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the event that it is required to ensure the security of the vending machine against tampering, each housing 17 can also include a sensing means 41 to determine when the lowermost carton 24 has been removed. This sensing means 41 can also be connected to the gate means 29 so as to positively move the gate plate 31 through the opening 30 in the housing floor 28. For example, where the gate means 29 utilizes an electrically operated solenoid 33, the sensing means 41 is connected into the circuit of the solenoid 33 so as to cause the solenoid to positively force the gate plate 31 upwardly after passage of a carton. Further, if for some reason the gate plate 31 does not move into position, a warning light or sound signal can be activated so as to indicate that the machine has been tampered with or has been rendered inoperative.

The sensing means 41 is constructed with a housing 42 located on the underside of the floor 28 at about mid-length of the lowermost carton and has a spring biased pin 43 which passes through a hole 44 in the floor 28 to abut against the carton 24 resting on the floor 28. The pin 43 is constructed as a switch within an electrical circuit to the gate means 29 so that when the pin 43 is depressed by a cigarette carton 24, the circuit to the gate means 29 is open allowing the gate means 29 to be operated in a normal manner. However, when the pin 43 is moved out of the housing 42 to project upwardly through the floor 28 due to the passage of the lowermost carton 24, the electrical circuit to the gate means is closed causing the gate means 29 to force the gate plate 31 upwardly. In order to permit sufficient time for removal of the lowermost carton 24, a slight time delay (not shown) can also be built into this circuit to the gate means 29.

In use, a token 12 is purchased at a check-out counter (FIG. 1) and thereafter deposited into the slot 26 of a particular cigarette vending machine 13. At this time, the gate plate 31 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is retracted through the floor 28 so as to expose the lowermost carton 24. Thereafter, the linear actuator 36 is actuated so that the piston 38 pushes the lowermost carton 24 partially out of the housing opening 25, e.g., with a 4 inch projection. The piston 38 then retracts while the shopper pulls the remainder of the carton 24 from the housing 17. As the gate plate 31 is spring loaded, the gate plate 31 returns to the blocking position as the lowermost carton slides across the opening 30 in the floor 28. However, should the spring 34 fail to function, the sensing means 41, by sensing the passage of the lowermost carton, will positively control the gate means 29 to force the gate plate 31 into the blocking position.

Referring to FIG. 2, the vending machines 13' are constructed in fractional sizes, such as, one-half the height of the above described vending machines 13 and are stacked vertically in pairs. These vending machines 13' are each capable of a capacity slightly less than half the capacity of the full size machines 13, for example, each contains nine cartons 24. In other respects, the fractional machines 13' are the same as those described above and similar reference characters are used to indicate like parts as above.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts as above, the vending machine 50 can alternatively be constructed in a manner to further insure the locking of the machine against tampering. For example, a tray 51 is slidably mounted on the floor 28 to receive and eject the lowermost carton. This tray 51 includes a tab 52 which is exposed to the exterior of the housing 17 to serve as a means for manual gripping and pulling of the tray from the housing 17. In addition, the tray carries a stop 53 on the underside thereof which cooperates with a stop block 54 on the side wall of the housing 17 so as to limit the amount of outward motion of the tray 51. In addition, a lock 55 which is constructed in similar fashion to the gate means 29, is provided under the rear of the tray 51 to cooperate with a slot 56 in the tray 51. The lock 55, as shown in FIG. 5, has an upwardly extending plate 57 which is biased by a spring 58 through an opening 59 in the floor 28 into the slot 56 in the rear of the tray 51. This plate 57 is also connected into a solenoid 60 as is known so as to be retracted from the tray 51 when the solenoid 60 is energized.

In addition, a spring 61 is connected to the rear of the tray 51 and the rear wall 62 of the housing 17 so as to spring load the tray 51 under a slight force against the force of a person pulling the tray 51 from the housing 17. A sensing means 41 as above is also mounted under the tray 51 to one side thereof.

In order to positively retract the tray 51 into the housing 17 after a carton has been removed therefrom, a retraction means 63 is mounted to the rear of the tray 51 within the housing 17. This retraction means 61 includes a bifurcated yoke 64 which is pivotally mounted on the base 65 of the housing 17, a solenoid 66 which is pivotally mounted on the rear wall 62 and a link 67 which pivotally connects to the solenoid 66 and is fixed on the yoke 64. The arms 68 of the yoke 64 are provided with elongated slots 69 into which a suitable cam 70 mounted on the side wall 71 of the tray 51 projects. Also, the solenoid 66 has a piston 72 which is reciprocally mounted link as is known, and is hinged to the like 67,

The tray 51 is also provided with a slot 73 near the forward end to permit passage of the plate 31 of the gate means 29.

The gate means 29, sensing means 41, lock 55 and the retraction solenoid 66 are each electrically connected in a suitable circuit so as to be operated in proper sequence. That is, upon depositing of a token into the machine 50, the electrical circuitry of the machine 50 is energized, the gate means 29 is first operated to retract the plate 31 to expose the lowermost cigarette carton 24 to view. At the same time, the lock 55 is actuated to retract the plate 57 so that the tray 51 is free to move out of the housing 17. Thereafter, the purchaser can grasp the depending tab 52 of the tray to pull the tray 51 with the carton 24 thereon (FIG. 7) from the housing 17. The tray 51 is then pulled out as far as the stops 53-54 permit and the carton of cigarettes thereon can be removed (FIG. 8). During this time, the yoke 64 pivots freely towards the front of the housing 17 while drawing the piston 22 from the solenoid 66. As the lowermost carton is removed from the tray 51, the spring biased pin 43 of the of the sensing means 41 pops through the floor 28. This opens the circuit to the solenoid 66 of the retraction means 63. The yoke 64 is then pivoted rearwardly as the piston 72 is retracted positively into the solenoid so as to pull the tray 51 back into the housing 17. As the tray 51 moves into its normally retracted position, the pin 43 of the sensing means 41 is depressed and thereafter both the gate plate 31 and lock plate 57 snap into position with respect to the slots 73, 56 to lock the tray 51 in place.

It is noted that the token receiving means, as well as the other individual components within each housing 17 are of modular construction so as to be readily removed. In the case of the token receiving box, this allows these means to be removed at the end of a sales day and retained in a safe place, such as a safe, overnight and replaced the next day.

Because the tokens emanate from a controlled source for deposit into controlled areas, the retail outlet owner or manager can easily determine the quantity of tokens sold as well as the quantity of tokens received in the vending machines over a predetermined time period, for example, one sales day. In this way, the sales of cigarette cartons can be related to the purchase of tokens as a check.

It is also noted that replenishment of the cigarette cartons in the vending machines can be made simply by unlocking the door of the housing and inserting the desired number of cartons.

Claims

I claim:

1. In a system for dispensing cigarette cartons a vending machine comprising

a housing of modular construction having a floor therein for supporting a stack of cigarette cartons thereon, a door for exposing the interior thereof for replenishment of cigarette cartons to the stack, and an opening of a size corresponding to one of the cigarette cartons aligned with the lowermost carton of the stack;

a tray slidably mounted on said floor with the lowermost carton therein, said tray having a tab exposed to the exterior of said housing and a pair of slots therein;

gate means adjacent said opening of said housing including a gate plate disposed between said opening and the lowermost carton of the stack to pass through one of said slots in said tray to block the passage of the lowermost carton through said opening, and means for retracting said gate plate from said tray;

a lock mounted below said tray and having a plate to pass through the other of said slots in said tray and means for retracting said plate from said tray; and

retraction means mounted to the rear of said housing and including a yoke pivotally mounted in said housing with a pair of arms having elongated grooves therein, a solenoid pivotally mounted in said housing and having a reciprocally mounted piston hingedly secured to said yoke, and cams on said tray disposed in said grooves of said arms to permit said tray to be retracted into said housing upon retraction of said piston into said solenoid.

2. A system for dispensing cigarette cartons comprising in combination

a plurality of tokens;

a check-out station maintaining a supply of said tokens thereat for individual purchase of a token; and

a cigarette carton dispensing station having a plurality of vending machines thereat, each said vending machine including a stack of cigarette cartons therein, first means for receiving one of said tokens within said machine, a housing having said stack of cartons arranged in vertical disposition therein and having an opening disposed in alignment with the lowermost carton of said stack, and second means aligned with said lowermost carton and said opening to push said lowermost carton a predetermined distance from said stack through said opening for exposure of a predetermined length of said lowermost carton to the exterior of said housing, said second means including a reciprocally mounted piston for pushing said lowermost carton through said opening and means for varying the pushing force imposed on said lowermost carton in direct relation to the number of cartons in said stack, said first means being connected to said second means for actuating said second means in response to receiving one of said tokens.

3. In a system for dispensing cigarette cartons, a vending machine comprising

a housing of modular construction having a floor therein for supporting a stack of cigarette cartons thereon, a door for exposing the interior thereof for replenishment of cigarette cartons to the stack, and an opening of a size corresponding to one of the cigarette cartons aligned with the lowermost carton of the stack;

gate means adjacent said opening of said housing including a gate plate disposed between said opening and the lowermost carton of the stack to block the passage of the lowermost carton through said opening, and means for retracting said gate plate from between said opening and the lowermost carton;

a linear actuator mounted on said floor to the rear of said housing and including a reciprocally mounted piston aligned with the lowermost carton and means for moving said piston a predetermined amount to push the lowermost carton through said opening a predetermined distance; and

a sensing means in said floor for detecting the passage of the lowermost carton from said housing, said sensing means being connected to said gate means to activate said gate means to positively dispose said gate plate between said opening and the next carton of the stack occupying the lowermost position.

4. A system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said gate means is a modular unit replaceably secured in said housing.

5. A system for dispensing cigarette cartons comprising in combination

a plurality of tokens;

a check-out station maintaining a supply of said tokens thereat for individual purchase of a token; and

a cigarette carton dispensing station having a plurality of vending machines thereat, each said vending machine including a stack of cigarette cartons therein, first means for receiving one of said tokens within said machine, a housing having said stack of cartons arranged in vertical disposition therein and having an opening disposed in alignment with the lowermost carton of said stack, and second means aligned with said lowermost carton and said opening to push said lowermost carton a predetermined distance from said stack through said opening for exposure of a predetermined length of said lowermost carton to the exterior of said housing, means for varying the pushing force imposed on said lowermost carton in direct relation to the number of cartons in said stack, said first means being connected to said second means for actuating said second means in response to receiving one of said tokens.

6. A system for dispensing cigarette cartons comprising in combination

a plurality of identical tokens;

a check-out station maintaining a supply of said tokens thereat for individual purchase of a token; and

a cigarette carton dispensing station having a plurality of vending machines thereat, each said vending machine including a housing for containing a stack of cigarette cartons therein, an exterior opening in said housing for the pasage of the lowermost carton of the stack from said housing, gate means within said housing for preventing unauthorized extraction of a carton through said opening, first means within said housing for moving one of said cartons a predetermined distance from said stack through said opening, said first means being aligned with said lowermost carton and said opening to push said lowermost carton through said opening for exposure of a predetermined length of said lowermost carton to the exterior of said housing, said first means including a reciprocally mounted piston for pushing said lowermost carton through said opening; and means for varying the pushing force imposed on said lowermost carton in direct relation to the number of cartons in said stack, an electronic circuit connected to said gate means and said first means to actuate said gate means and said first means in sequential order, and means for receiving any one of said tokens within said machine for automatically actuating said electronic circuit in response thereto.

7. A system for dispensing cigarette cartons comprising in combination

a plurality of identical tokens;

a check-out station maintaining a supply of said tokens thereat for individual purchase of a token; and

a cigarette carton dispensing station having a plurality of vending machines thereat, each said vending machine including a housing for containing a stack of cigarette cartons therein, an exterior opening in said housing for the passage of the lowermost carton of the stack from said housing, gate means within said housing for preventing unauthorized extraction of a carton through said opening, first means within said housing for moving one of said cartons a predetermined distance from said stack through said opening, said first means including a tray slidably disposed in said housing and having a tab extending through said opening to the exterior of said housing for pulling of said tray from said housing with said lowermost carton thereon, a spring connected to said housing and said tray biasing said tray into said housing, retracting means for pulling said tray from an extended position into a retracted position within said housing for receiving a further cigarette carton of said stack thereon, and a lock for holding said tray in said retracted position, an electronic circuit connected to said gate means and said lock to actuate said gate means and to unlock said lock in sequential order, and means for receiving any one of said tokens within said machine for automatically actuating said electronic circuit in response thereto.

8. A system for dispensing cigarette cartons as set forth in claim 7 further comprising stop means for limiting the movement of said tray out of said housing.