Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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CENTRALIZED VENDING METHOD USING CARTRIDGE-LOADED MACHINE
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to vending machines, and
more specifically to the type of vending machines found
on jobsites capable of distributing pastries, small
snack items and beverages.
Background of the Invention
Conventional vending machines for pastries,
candy bars, soda cans and other snack products must be
able to hold a substantial inventory of goods so that
they do not need to be serviced too often. Accordingly,
they tend to be bulky and heavy and occupy about a
square meter (10 square feet) of floor space, with a
height of almost 2 meters (72 inches).
The reloading of such a machine is time
consuming since items must be inserted one by one, and
inventory of unsold items must be checked for expiration
date, and, occasionally, replaced. Cash must then be
collected and counted by the servicing person. The
good-holding stations must be cleaned of all oil and
grease that may have oozed out of the packaged goods.
These cumbersome procedures are time-consuming, labor
intensive, and sometimes give occasion for pilferage and
theft.
Conventional machines are not well-adapted to
.small job sites having 150 employees or less, because
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the profit generated at such a small site can not
justify the labor cost of servicing the machines.
U.S. Patent No. 4,236,649 Fellner et al. offers
a partial solution to the above-mentioned problems by
the use of a removable and replaceable magazine for the
goods which can be loaded in the factory then used to
replace an empty magazine or partially empty one.
However, this type of magazine is relatively inefficient
since it can hold only one item of goods in each
location. Moreover, the coins need still be collected
and counted on site. The same type of shortcomings
characterize the vending machine disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. RE. 32,115 Lockwood et al. which uses a drum
carousel to hold the goods to be sold. Although ap.
empty carousel could be removed and replaced by a fully
loaded one, each carousel station can only hold one
item, and the cash must be handled separately. The
inefficient designs of the above-devices inevitably
leads to bulky vending machines which are not suitable
for small locations.
The instant invention results from an attempt to
palliate these various shortcomings.
Summary of the Invention
The principal and secondary objects of this
invention are to substantially reduce the time and
expense involved in the refilling and maintenance of
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vending machines distributed at a plurality of locations
over a given period, to reduce any losses due to
pilferage of goods or theft of payment currency by
maintenance personnel, and reduce the health hazard
occasioned by spillage of beverage and food items within
the vending machines.
These and other valuable objects are achieved by
the use of compact vending machines in which all the
dispensable goods are held within a removable and
substitutable magazine. Sets of magazines are filled in
a central location then delivered to a plurality of
vending machines along a predetermined route. At each
location, the servicing of the machine consists
essentially in opening the machine, removing the
previously installed magazine, installing a fresh new
magazine, and securing the vending machine, in the
absence of any other maintenance, counting or inventory-
taking of remaining goods, item by item.or counting of
any collected currency. Payments are made through debit
cards sold by the vending machine operators to owners of
locations for distribution to their employees and
customers. Payments can also be made by currency which,
once deposited into the machine, are securely
accumulated within the magazines and .can only be
retrieved at the central location with use of a special
key. The selection of desired goods and payment
therefor can also be made through wireless communication
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with a cell-phone or other hand-carryable and hand-held
device. At certain locations, combinations of beverage
and snack food item vending machines work together to
deliver specially advertised combinations obtainable at
a discount price. Magazines returned to the central
location are emptied of any unsold goods and collected
currency, cleaned, sanitized and refilled with fresh
goods before being assigned to~ a route for distribution
to a new location.
The machine is opened by means of a.memory chip-
mounting card, also called "smart" card. Upon opening,
the machine automatically down-loads" on the card, an
account of all the sales that occurred since the last
service call, including the amount of currency
accumulated in the coin box. The card is returned along
with the removed magazine to the distribution center
where it is used to verify the integrity of the returned
components and, thus, deters pilferage by the service
personnel. The same "smart" card may be used to load
into the machine the type, location and price of
sellable goods contained in the new magazine.
Brief Description of the Drawincr
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a snack-
food vending machine;
Figure 2 is a horizontal, median cross-sectional
view thereof;
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Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 3-3 of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the
magazine;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the
beverage vending mach ine;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a beverage can
magazine;
Figure 7 is a side view of the gate mechanism;
Figure 8 is a block diagram of the electronic
control system;
Figure 9 is a flow diagram of the machine
operation;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a multi-unit
machine equipped with a scrolling display;
Figure 11 is a front elevational view of a first
alternate embodiment of the vending machine according
to
the invention;
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 2-2 of Figure 11 ;
Figure 13 i s a cross-sectional view of a
dispensing channel equipped with a good-centering
insert;
Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a can-
dispensing mechanism;
Figure 15 is a top plan view of a gating plate;
Figures 16, 1 7 and 18 are cross-sectional views
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taken along lines 6-6, 7-7, and 8-8 respectively of
Figure 15; .
Figure 19 is a detail Cross-sectional view of a
barrier mechanism;
Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of an
alternate version of the dispensing channel;
Figure 21 is a perspective view of a second
alternate embodiment of a snack food dispensing machine;
Figure 22 is a side cross-sectional view
thereof;
Figure 23 is a perspective view of the magazine;
Figure 24 is a detail view of the locking
mechanism;
Figure 25 is a perspective view of a magazine;
Figure 26 is a perspective exploded view of the
cartridge locking mechanism;
Figure 27 is a side view of a locking pin;
Figure 28 is perspective view of a drive motor
coupling mechanism;
Figure 29 is a perspective view of a cartridge
tray;
Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view of an
alternate beverage can distributing cartridge;
Figure 31 is a cross-sectional view of an
alternative gating plate and barrier drive mechanism;
Figure 32 is a top plan view thereof;
Figure 33 is a perspective view of an alternate
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package-feeding mechanism;
Figure 34 is an exploded view of a machine
dedicated to beverage cans, minus the cabinet;
Figure 35 is a side view of an alternate goods
dispensing mechanism;
Figure 36 is a side view of the mechanism during
the gate-opening sequence;
Figure 37 is a side view of the mechanism during
the gate-closing sequence;
Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view of the
pusher drive mechanism;
Figure 39 is a top plan view of the alternate
dispensing mechanism;
Figure 40 is a detail view of the gate actuator;
Figure 41 is a side view of another embodiment
of the dispensing mechanism;
Figure 42 is a top plan view thereof;
Figure 43 is a bottom plan view thereof;
Figure 44 is a front elevational view of the
whole vending machine;
Figure 45 is a diagrammatical side view of the
magazine and enclosure;
Figure 46 is a top plan view of an arcuate
dispensing gate mechanism;
Figure 47 is a side view thereof;
Figure 48 is a top plan view of an actuating
cam;
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Figure 49 is a top plan view of yet another
dispensing gate mechanism;
Figure 50 is a side view thereof;
Figure 51 is a side view of a beverage can
dispensing mechanism and auxiliary magazine;
Figure 52 is a front view of the magazine
interlocking mechanism;
Figure 53 is top plan view of a magazine gate;
Figure 54 is a block diagram of the vending
machine electronic control;
Figure 55 is a block diagram of the central
processing facility's data processing system; and
Figure 56 is a block diagram of a magazine
processing.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment of the Invention
Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a
compact, counter top vending machine 1 housed in a
molded plastic and sheet metal cabinet 2. A
substitutable, quadrangular magazine 3 is securely held
into the cabinet behind the cabinet front door 4. The
customer interface includes a message display 5, a
keypad 6 upon which the selection of a desired goods can
be made, a currency-acceptor 7, a card reader 8 and a
dispensing pocket 9. The goods 10 and the numbers of
the stations or cells 11 holding them can be observed
through the transparent door of the cabinet.
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Each station or cell 11 can hold a plurality of
goods having~~the same sale price. Each station is
identified by a letter (A-C) and a ,number (1-6) . ' In
each station 11, a plurality of goods are held between
the coils of a spiral rack l3. These goods may be of
various configurations or sizes. When a spiral rack is
rotated, it acts as an Archimedes screw, and shifts the
goods toward the.access port 14 along the front of the
magazine. The magazine comprises three trays or layers
15 of good-holding station units. It should be
understood that the number of stations in each unit and
the number of units in a magazine can be varied to
accommodate different sizes and varieties of goods.
Typically, small goods such as candy bars can be loaded
on a narrow cells such as the one shown on the right
side of each tray. Large items such as pastries and
potato chip packs that require a larger cell, can be
loaded into stations such as the ones shown on the
center and left side of each tray.
The lower, lateral corner of the magazine 3
rests upon shelf 16 formed inside the cabinet.
The cabinet 2 comprises an external shell 18
made of a first sheet 19 of metal bent to form the top
and two opposite lateral walls, a second sheet 20
closing the back of the cabinet and a third sheet 21
forming the bottom.
A plastic liner 22 is nested within the shell 18
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and through its open front. The shell and liner are
joined about their respective flanged, peripheral
frontal edges 23, 24. The liner defines a cavity closed
by the door 4. The cavity is divided into a load
compartment 26 which o~CUpies its major portion, and the
pocket or receptacle 9 that receives the delivered goods
below the load compartment.
The shelf 16 that separates the load compartment and
the pocket is ,supported by an angled plate 28 secured to the
three sheets 19, 20, and 21 forming the shell.
A volume of expanded, insulating polyurethane
resin foam material 17 is injected between the liner 22
and the shell, excluding the space 29 defined under the
angled plate 28. Once solidified, the foam material
combines with the shell and liner to form a strong, yet
light box. The external shell can thus be made of
relatively thin sheet material whether steel, aluminum
or plastic, typically, 2 mm thick. Similarly, the
thickness of the plastic liner can be limited to
approximately 1.5 mm.
The structural components of the door 4 comprise
a molded top piece 30, a molded bottom piece 31 and two
extruded lateral pillars 32, 33 joining the top and
bottom pieces. Those four components frame a
transparent polycarbonate window panel 34. The door is
hinged along the external edge of the left pillar 33 to
the joined flanged left sides of the shell and liner
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peripheral edges. The top and bottom pieces and the
pillars are flanged along their external edges so that
when the door meets the joined peripheral edges of the
shell and liner, the vertical center portion of the door
stands apart from the front edge of the cabinet. The
space therebetween defines a chute 27 through which the
selected goods fall toward the pocket 9. A resiliently
compressible gasket 35 is secured to the edge of the
door in order to provide a hermetic ,seal when the door
is closed. A locking mechanism 36 with a keyhole 37
accessible at the top right edge of the molded top piece
30 is used to secure the door. Overlapping flanges 38,
39 along the peripheral edges of both the cabinet and
the door prevent the introduction of a prying tool
between those two components. Mounted behind the top
door piece 30 is a fluorescent light fixture 40.
Mounted against the back upper, portion of the bottom
door piece 31 is an electronic module 41 which includes
the display 5, the keypad 6, the card reader 8 and the
electronic control module 41 for the operation of the
machine. An aperture 42 in the lower portion of the
bottom piece provides access to the pocket 9 into which
falls the purchased goods. The aperture is secured by a
swinging door 43. When the door is pushed inwardly to
gain access to the goods in the pocket, it prevents
access to the chute 27 and any of the goods held in the
cells of the magazine.
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The currency acceptor 7 is mounted against the
right wall of the liner 22. A two-section channel 44
acts as a coin slot from the right pillar 33 of the door
to the inlet of the currency acceptor. A coin chute 45
connects the outlet of the currency acceptor to a coin
receptor box 46 in the base 47 of the magazine.
As more specifically illustrated in Figures 3
and 4, the magazine comprises the base 47 three goods-
holding trays 15, a cover 48 and a pair of locking
straps 49 holding all those components together. The
coin receptor box 46 which occupies the right portion of
the base is closed by a lid 50 secured by a lock 51. In
each station or cell 11 of the trays, the back end of
the spiral rack 13 is connected to a short shaft that
passes through the back wall 52 of the tray where it is
supported by a bearing. The shaft has a female coupling
53 shaped and sized to be engaged by a corresponding
male coupling 54 of a driving mechanism. When the
spiral rack is rotated 360° by the drive mechanism, one
of the goods 10 is selectively expelled from its cell
and falls into the pocket 9 below. The cover 48 has a
folding handle 55 in its center for conveniently
carrying the magazine. The locking straps 49 are shaped
and dimensioned to intimately cinch the other components
of the magazine together. Their crooked left ends 56
lock into mating recesses 57 in the top of the cover
48. At the bottom ends of the straps, a similar hooked
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end 58 locks into a similar recess in the base.
For each spiral rack, the driving mechanism
consists of a motor assembly 60 including a control
circuitry which allows the motor to make only one
revolution every time it is energized. A gang of six
motor assemblies packaged in a sealed driving module 61
is mounted in recesses 62 in the liner's back wall
behind each tray 15.
The wirings of , the motor assembly in each
driving module are brought to a pigtail connector 63A
that mates with a corresponding connector 63B on the
main wiring harness 63 leading to the electronic control
module 41 located in the cabinet door. The driving
modules are held in place by snapping fasteners.
Accordingly, driving modules with different numbers of
motor assemblies can be quickly substituted for one.
another to match the composition of the trays.
A detachable cover 12 is attached to the front
of the magazine, in order to close all the access ports
14 during transportation to and from the central service
facilities.
An electronic sensor 65 in the chute 27 detects
the passage of the goods toward the distributing pocket.
The output of the sensor is fed to the microprocessor 66
which constitutes the principal component of the
electronic module 41. The microprocessor typically
includes a storage memory or equivalent recording
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medium. An infrared transceiver 68 provides access to
the micro-processor data. This transceiver may be used
by a service person to read useful information such as
money paid, and goods sold using a wireless phone or any
other type of hand-held downloading device well known to
persons skilled in the art of data-processing, that can
provide a communication interface with various types of
devices and networks according to so-called "Bluetooth"
technology.
The transceiver 68 can also respond to an order
for goods and payment therefor from similar wireless
communication devices.
It can now be understood that once a user has
made a selection by dialing on the keypad 6 the
identification of the station holding the desired type
of goods, the good-extracting mechanism servicing that
particular station can then be activated to cause the
goods most frontally located on the spiral rack to fall
through the chute 27 into the dispensing pocket 9.
As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the operation of
the vending machine is controlled by the microprocessor
66. The motors are controlled by motor-control modules
69, and the address-decoder 70. The motor-control
modules and the address decoder consist essentially of
gated current drivers, that, under control of the
microprocessor, feed the forward current to the two
appropriate motor. A modem 71 provides the
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communication interface to the microprocessor via
conventional phone carrier services and/or via the
Internet. An LCD message display 72 which is part of
display 5 in the cabinet door is used to suggest to the
user an alternate selection when the selected items is
not available and to give other notices as will be
explained below. A power supply 73 is housed under the
angled plate 28. A wire harness 74 connecting the power
supply to the light 40 and to the electronic module 41
is the only component that passes through the liner 22.
As more specifically illustrated in Figure 9,
the operation of the machine begins when the currency-
acceptor detects that currency has been entered 101,
when a payment card has been inserted 102 or when an
alternate form of payment such as an electronic transfer
through the Internet, or out of a palm-held wireless
device has been detected. In case of payment by
currency, once the correct amount has been received 103,
the system waits for the user to dial his choice of
goods beginning with the letter corresponding to the
proper row. In the case of a payment by card, the
system first determines whether it is a credit card 104.
In that case, the card owner's identification is read
105, and a credit check is initiated 106 via the modem
71. If credit is refused, the user is so advised by
the display 108 of a rejection message. If the credit
card owner has sufficient credit, the system waits for
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the user's selection. If the card is not a credit card,
the system assumes that it is a debit, or so-called
"smart card", and reads the card for the available
balance 109. If the balance is not sufficient to pay
for one of the offered goods, a rejection message is
displayed 108. If that balance is sufficient to cover a
purchase 110, the system waits for the user's selection.
Once the user has selected a row 111, that row
identification is entered 112 into the microprocessor.
The system then waits for the dialing of the appropriate
column 113. When the column is dialed, its
identification is entered into the processor 114. At
that point, the corresponding motor is started 115 and,
at the same time, a ten-second timer is also started
116. If the timer expires 117 before the electronic
sensor 65 detects the passage of goods into the
dispensing pocket, the motor is stopped 118 and a
message suggesting an alternate selection 119 is
displayed. A twenty second timer is also started 120.
If that timer runs out 121 before a new row letter is
dialed by the user, the magnetic card or the currency
which has been introduced into the machine, is rejected
122. If a row letter is dialed before the expiration of
the timer 123, the system proceeds with the entering of
the row identification 112; then the column
identification 114 as previously described. If the
electronic sensor 65 detects the passage of the goods
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124 before the ten-second timer runs out, the motor is
stopped 125. In the event of payment by currency 126,
the currency is accepted 127 and dropped into the
currency receptacle 46. In case of payment by credit
card 128, the charge is confirmed to the bank 129 via
the modem 71. In case of payment by "smart card", the
card is debited 130 by the price of the goods.
The modem 71 can be used to communicate via the
Internet with a warehouse or other type of control
center in order to provide information about the status
of the vending machine such as the amount of goods
already sold, proceeds received including the exact
amount of currency which is now stored in the currency
receptacle 46. The microprocessor is programmed
according to well-known techniques to initiate that kind
of communication at preset intervals or specific times
through a conventional phone network or via the
Internet. The machine activities and sale data that is
compiled by, and stored by the microprocessor can be
down-loaded on site by the service personnel on a
recording medium, such as a smart-card, that is returned
to the central location along with the expanded
magazine. Alternately, the microprocessor can respond
to polling calls initiated from the control center.
From the information thus received at the control
center, the most appropriate time when servicing
personnel should be dispatched to exchange the magazine
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of the machine can be determined. Moreover, the amount
of money held in the currency receptacle; as well as the
amount of goods remaining in the magazine are already
known and Can be verified upon receipt of the magazine.
Any tampering or pilfering by the service personnel can
thus be abated.
The preferred embodiment of the vending machine
has a total height of 85 centimeters (33.5 inches), a
total width of 72.5 centimeters (28.5 inches), and a
total depth of 57 centimeters (22.5 inches), and an
approximate weight of 34 kilograms y75 pounds),
including an empty magazine. Such a vending machine
can be easily transported and installed on a table or
counter top where it occupies no more than 0.5 square
meters (5.4 square feet).
The previously described vending machine 1
intended to dispense a variety of snack foods can be
advantageously combined with a similar machine 75
intended to dispense beverage cans, more specifically
illustrated in Figures 5-7. The beverage dispensing
machine uses a cabinet 76 which is essentially similar
to the one of the snack-vending machine. There is no
currency acceptor, but four side-by-side can magazines
77. Each magazine is driven by only one motor assembly
60. Accordingly, there is only one motor-driving module
61 mounted against the load compartment section of the
liner 22.
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In each of the four magazines 77 up to twenty-
four 355 ml (12 ounces) 12 ounce beverage cans are laid
down. one behind the other in a serpentine pattern
forming a zig-tagging channel of a single cell 78. The
channel has five directionally alternating sections
whose slanted, product-supporting floors urge the can to
roll toward a dispensing gate mechanism 80. Beyond the
gate, an opening 81 in the bottom of the magazine allows
the dispensed can to drop into the dispensing pocket 9.
The gate mechanism 80 comprises a horizontal shaft 82
joined to a coupling 83 in a lower section of the
magazine back wall. This coupling is similar to the one
used in connection with the spiral rack shaft of the
first machine and is shaped and dimensioned to engage a
corresponding coupling of one of the motor assemblies
60. At the opposite end of the shaft, a first fan-
shaped barrier is perpendicularly mounted on one side of
the shaft so that when the shaft is rotated, this first
barrier rises radially across the path of the lowermost
can 85 in the channel. A second fan-shaped gate 86 is
mounted on the opposite side of the shaft 82 and in a
radial direction opposite that of the first barrier 84,
and at an axial distance corresponding approximately to
the diameter of the can. Accordingly, when the first
barrier is lowered by a 180° rotation of the shaft 82,
the second barrier rises between the first can 85 and
the second can 87 positioned immediately behind it. As
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the first can rolls out of the magazine through the
opening 81, the second can is held back by the second
barrier 86 until the shaft Completes a full rotation.
At which time, the second barrier 86 is lowered below
the slanted floor 79. The second can 87 rolls down
until it is stopped and held by the now raised first
barrier 84. Under the pull of gravity, all the
remaining cans in the magazine roll down one position
along the entire serpentine~Channel. The mechanism is
now ready for expelling the second can. The beverage
can dispensing machine 75 includes a refrigerating
assembly comprising a compressor 88 mounted under the
angled plate 28, ~a cooling coil 89 mounted against and
above the ceiling portion 90 of the liner, and a
condenser 91 mounted against the inner side of the back
sheet 20.
A power supply 73 is housed under the angled
plate 28 next to the condenser. It should be noted that
the same cooling assembly can conveniently be provided
in the snack-vending machine 1.
It should also be noted that except for the
passageway for the harness 74, the liner 22 forms a
seamless, hole-free wall surface. The harness
passageway is automatically sealed when the insulating
foam material is injected. Accordingly, the inside of
the load compartment and pocket can conveniently be
cleaned and and sanitized with strong detergents or a
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germicidal solution. The absence of any metallic
component or sensitive mechanism greatly expedites
maintenance of the machines, and enhances their
reliability. If necessary, during cleaning and
sanitization, the driving module 61 and the currency
receptor 7 can conveniently be pulled out and
disconnected from the harness 74.
The use and profitability of the vending machine
can be substantially increased by combining it with a
programmable scrolling display of the type disclosed in
U.S. Patent No. 5,493,802 Simson, which patent is hereby
incorporated in this specification by this reference.
As illustrated in Figure 5, a scrolling display
131 is preferably incorporated into the door of an
auxiliary vending machine unit 75 that dispenses only
beverages. The beverage-dispensing machine does not
require a transparent door to view the various
available items. The type of available beverages can be
indicated on a pictorial sign 132 located above the
distribution pocket 9.
The selection of the beverage and payment
therefor is done on the keypad 6 and by using the card
reader 8 or currency acceptor of principal machine 1. A
simple umbilical cable 133 connects the two machines. A
wide variety of enticing messages can be carried on the
scroll 134 of the display. The messages on the scroll
are exposed for several seconds per frame in a
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continuous mode of operation. Some messages may tout
special packages combining a food item from the
principal machine with a drink from the auxiliary
machine at a reduced price. The display can also be
programmed to match the message with the time of the
day. Sandwiches and puddings may be emphasized around
lunch or dinner time while candies and cookies are
promoted during coffee breaks. The operation of the
scrolling display is controlled by the microprocessor 66
operating under well-known programming routines. Entry
of program commands can be made through the card reader
8, via the modem 71, through wireless communication, or
by means of the servicing person's "smart card".
An alternate embodiment 201 of the invention
illustrated in Figures 11-18 also features a merchandise
and currency cartridge 202 which is removable from the
enclosure cabinet 203. The cabinet, preferably made of
molded plastic, includes a transparent front door 204
secured to the cabinet by a top horizontal hinge 205 and
a bottom lock 206. The cartridge 202 is mounted on a
pair of slides 207 secured to the lower section of the
cabinet.
With the transparent door 204 open, the magazine
can be pulled out and lifted from its supporting slides.
On a front right section of the cabinet is a
keypad 208 upon which the user can dial his selection, a
card slot 209 for accepting payment by bank card or
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enter and down-load data on a so-called "smart card",
and a coin slot 210 for accepting cash payments. A
large opening 211 in the lower section of the door leads
to a dispensing pocket 212 into which purchased items
are dropped. In the lower back section of the cabinet
is a refrigerating unit comprising a compressor 213 and
a condenser 214. Attached to a backboard 215 is a
electronic module 216 and a series of motor assemblies
217. A light 219 mounted in the door 24 illuminates the
entire machine. The cartridge comprises three or more
merchandise-holding trays 219, 220 and 221, and a
triangle-shaped currency receptacle 222. The currency
receptacle forms the base of the cartridge and its lower
lateral ledges rest upon the slides 207. The trays are
stacked upon one another and upon the slanted top of the
currency receptacle. The trays have downwardly slanted
floors and tapering front faces 224 which are vertically
aligned exposing a marginal front section of their
underside which forms the dispensing openings 225 for
the stored merchandise. The trays have approximately
the same width. Accordingly, and due to their. slanted
orientation, a back section 226 of each tray's underside
is also exposed. A cover 223 is used to seal the upper
tray 219. The cover, the trays and the currency
receptacle are secured together by screws engaged in
sets of lugs 227 along their respective lateral edges.
A cartridge may combine trays configured to hold
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different types and sizes of goods. For the sake of
illustation, the preferred embodiment is shown having a
top tray 219 configured to hold small items such as
candy bars and cookie packages. The intermediary tray
220 is configured to hold bags of snack foods such as
chips or pretzels. The bottom tray 221 is configured to
hold standard 355 ml (12 ounces) beverage cans. Each
tray is divided into four or eight rows, each row is
equipped with its own dispensing mechanism. Typically,
a 60 centimeters (24 inches) wide cartridge can
accommodate four rows of beverage cans or snack food
packages, and eight rows of candies or cookies. Each
row in the beverage can holding tray 221 comprises two
layers of cans fed to the same dispensing gate. It
should be noted that the number of layers of cans can be
increased as shown in Figure 30, and that an entire
cartridge devoted uniquely to beverages could comprise a
single tray divided into four rows. As shown in Figure
13, a row initially configured for large snack food
bags, can be modified by addition of an insert 231 to
accommodate smaller items 232.
A sliding gate member 233 lining the bottom of
each row has a front section that closes the dispensing
opening 225. At the opposite end of the gate member, a
toothed rack 234 is engaged by a pinion or gear 235
driven by an external electrical motor 236. A gang of
motors, one for each row, is mounted on the motor
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assembly 217 secured to the backboard 215. Accordingly,
each tray requires a motor assembly board. If the tray
configuration within the cartridge is changed, the
arrangement of the motor assembly in the back of the
cabinet must be reconfigured accordingly. As shown on
Figure 28, when a cartridge is pushed into place in the
cabinet, a flat key element 237 mounted at the end of
the shaft 238 which drives the pinion 235 engages into a
slot 239 cut into a head 240 capping the motor shaft
1p 241. The motor can then be energized to drive the gear
in either direction to open or close the dispensing
opening 225.
As will be explained below, when the cartridge
is being transported, all the dispensing openings are
closed. Accordingly, the keys 237 can be oriented to
always face the slot 239 in the motor shaft head 240.
In each tray, the goods are laid against the
back of the front face 224 and are kept in this position
by a triangular pushing block 242 inserted against the
hack face of the last item in a row. As the goods are
dispensed one by one, the blocks keep sliding along with
the remaining goods toward the front face 224 and the
dispensing opening 225.
The pushing block is not necessary in connection
with smoothly or roundly-shaped good which can slide
toward the dispensing gate in the absence of any applied
downward force other than gravity.
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To make certain that no more than one item is
dispensed with every movement of the gate member 233, a
barrier 243 rises between the item being dispensed and
the one next in line in synchronization with the
backward movement of the sliding gate member 233. The
barrier passes through a quadrangular window 245 cut
into the forward end section of the sliding gate member
233.
In the beverage can tray 221, the barrier is
constituted by a nylon plate 246 creased along three
parallel lines to form three hinges 247, 248 and 249
articulating two rising panels 250 and 251 forming the
barrier~243. The forward end 252 of the barrier is
secured into the forward end of the window 245. The
back end 253 is connected to a trapezoidal nylon pushbar
254 running within a similarly-shaped channel 255 along
the length of the gating member 233. The back end of
the pushbar is shaped into a toothed rack 255 which also
engages the pinion or gear 235 in a diametrically
opposed position to the rack 234 of the gate member
itself. Accordingly, it be understood that when the
gate member 233 is withdrawn toward the back of the tray
to open the dispensing opening 225, the pushbar 254
moves in the opposite direction to cause the barrier to
rise.
As illustrated in Figure 20, in order to prevent
the heavy weight of the cans 256 from bearing upon the
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gate member 233 and impeding its movement, the gate
member is nested in a depression 257 in the center of
the channel floor 258. The edges of the can thus ride
on the remaining shoulders 259 on the lateral edges of
the channel,
The second alternate embodiment 260 of a snack
food distributing machine illustrated in Figures 21-24,
is basically similar 'to the first embodiment 1
illustrated in Figures 1-9. However, the magazine 3 is
secured by a guillotine-type cover plate 261 that can be
removed through a slot 262 in the roof of the cabinet 2.
A pair of notches 263 cut in the right edge of the cover
plate are normally engaged by the bolts of two locks
264. The locks can be opened with the use of a special
key kept at the central location where magazines are
processed. The locks are activated by use of a smart-
card. The card carries an identification number
including the current date. The machine microprocessor
maintains its own calendar. When the identification
number and date read from the smart-card matches the
ones stored into the microprocessor, the locks are
activated. A lost or stolen card can only be used for
the remainder of the day without becoming obsolete. The
smart-card must be updated daily through special
equipment at the central processing location. Each lock
264 comprises two interlocking modules. The first
module 265A is mounted against the outer wall of the
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magazine 3 next to. a cover-plate holding channel 263A.
A second module 265B is mounted against the inside wall
of the cabinet 2, and interconnects with the first
module when the magazine is inserted into the cabinet.
Each module includes a spring-biased bolt 266A, 266B
that can only be retracted under the pull of a solenoid.
The bolts of the first module engage the cover-plate
notches 263. The bolts of the second module engage
mortises in the edge of the door 4. The cover-plate 261
cannot be removed when the door is opened. The door
cannot be opened if the cover-plate is not locked into
place on the magazine. The door cannot be locked if
there is no magazine in the cabinet. These conditions
can be easily implemented by use of contact sensors and
simple logic circuits.
In the embodiment 201 of Figures 11-18, in order
to lock all the gating members 233 in their most forward
position where they close the dispensing openings 225, a
locking mechanism is provided in each tray as
illustrated in Figures 25-29. The locking mechanism
comprises a locking bar 267 which runs along the back
lower corner of each tray, and has a series of lugs 268
positioned to slide behind the back end of each rack 234
in the locked position. In the unlocked position, the
lugs can be moved to fall within the gap 269 left behind
the pinion 235. The left end of the bar passes through
the tray wall and into a lock 270 mounted against the
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lower back corner of the left face of the tray. The
lock comprises a excentric cam 271 engaged into a
circular bore 272 at the end of the bar 267. On the
front end of the lock, a lever 273 can be actuated by
the service personnel. The back end of the lock
comprises a tumbler assembly which is configured and
aligned to be engaged by a key 275, permanently secured
to the backboard 215 of the cabinet, when the cartridge
is fully installed into the cabinet. The tumbler
assembly 274 prevents the lever 273 from being
manipulated if the key 275 is not engaged. Moreover, in
order to separate the tumbler assembly from the key, the
mechanism must be put in the locked position. It can
now be understood that when the cartridge is out of the
cabinet all the dispensing openings 225 are closed and
the levers 273 cannot be manipulated without the use of
a key similar to the one installed into the machine.
Once the cartridge is installed into the machine and the
locking mechanism has been released by manipulation of
the levers 273, the dispensing openings can only be
opened by operation of the driving motors 236.
The coins fed into the coin slot 210 are led
through a chute to a small aperture in the back of the
currency receptacle 222. A sliding gate. controlled by
the same type of locking mechanism that secures the
trays, closes that aperture when the mechanism lever is
manipulated to release the cartridge. Accordingly, when
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the cartridge is out of the magazine, the coin
receptacle cannot be accessed through that aperture.
A locked door 277 is provided for emptying the
currency receptacle at a service center. An alternate
embodiment 278 of the gate member and barrier driving
mechanism is illustrated in Figures 31 and 32 uses a
threaded rod 279 driven by an in-line motor 280 instead
of a rack-and-pinion assembly. The rod 279 engages a
square nut 281 captured by a cavity in the gate member
233. The distal end 282 of the rod engages a bore in
the back edge of the barrier 243. When the motor is
turned in one direction, the progress of the rod through
the square nut draws the gate member away from the
dispensing opening, at the same time pushing against the
back side of the barrier.
In the alternate embodiment of the feeding
mechanism illustrated in Figure 33, the goods are held
in separate packs 284 suspended to a rotating threaded
rack 285 through pierced tabs 286. The aperture in each
tab is axially and slidingly engaged upon the threaded
rack 285 so as to move toward the dispensing opening
when the rack is rotated. The rack is driven by the
same motor that controls the gate member 233. Thus, the
goods can be precisely delivered and dropped right above
the dispensing opening in synchroni-nation with the
movement of the gate member.
The beverage can dispensing machine 287
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illustrated in Figures 30 and 34 uses a series of side-
by-side mounted can.cartridges 288 each constituting a
slight variation from the one illustrated in Figures 6
and 7. Each cartridge has a plurality of rows feeding
the single dispensing opening as shown in Figure 30.
Each cartridge seats on a pair of slated support
rails 289 and a front bar 290. The front bar mounts a
series of pin keys that cooperate with lock assemblies
292 in the bases of .the cartridges to secure the
cartridge within the cabinet. A similar locking
mechanism 293 is provided for the coin receptacle 294.
Loading of the cartridges can be done through the
dispensing opening or through a removable panel in
either the top, side, or back wall. The slant of the
rows in the beverage tray or cartridge is preferably
between 10o and 20° from the horizon.
In snack food packages or candy bar rows, the
slant is preferably between 20° and 30°.
A 60 cm (24 inches) wide, 75 cm (30inches) high
and 55 cm (22 inches) deep magazine can accommodate
approximately 96 candy bars, 32 chip bags and 72 cans.
A I5 cm (6 inches) wide, 60 cm (24 inches) tall
and 55 cm (22 inches) deep cartridge can hold 32 cans,
for a total machine capacity of 128 cans.
Illustrated in Figures 35-40, is an alternate
design for the dispensing control which does not rely on
gravity to move the items toward the gate. It uses
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instead, a pushing mechanism synchronized with the gate
opening.
In the dispensing mechanism 300 a folding gate
301 is mounted across the dispensing slot 302, and is
driven by a backboard-mounted motor 303 by means of a
spline and threaded rod assembly. The forward end of
the folding gate 301 is secured to a threaded spline 304
having its opposite end engaged in a threaded sleeve
305. The opposite end of the sleeve is fixedly,attached
to the end of a threaded rod 306 driven by the motor
303. Thus, when the motor is activated the folding gate
301 is withdrawn, forming a barrier between the item 307
first in line to be dispensed and the next one 308 as
illustrated in Figure 37. The items to be dispensed are
aligned and pressed against the front face of the
dispensing channel by a pusher plate 310 which has a
driving mechanism 311 riding in a longitudinal slot 312
in the floor 313 of the channel. This driving mechanism
comprises a U-shaped bracket 314 having it ends engaged
bY the threaded rod 306. Captured between the legs of
the bracket are a square nut 315 and a coil spring 316
both also engaged by the treaded rod 306. A spring leaf
plate 317 allows the nut to follow the rotational
movement of the rod 306 during clockwise rotation of the
rod, but causes the nut to progress toward the distal
end of the rod opposite the motor 303 when the motor
direction is reversed to close the dispensing gate 301.
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This movement of the square nut 315 apply pressure
through the spring 316 against the distal end of the
bracket 314 causing the pusher plate 310 to shift the
items toward the dispensing slot as illustrated in
Figure 37. The coil spring 316 against which the nut
pushes, is provided to accommodate small differences in
the sizes of the items and to avoid crunching goods such
as potato chips under the action of ,the pusher plate
310. Accordingly, the pushing movements occurs only
after one item has been dispensed and the next in line
must be positioned over the folding gate 301.
It should be noted that by changing the position
of the hinge on the folding gate and barrier, items of a
different thickness can be quickly accommodated.
Alternately, a transparent insert can be applied against
the back side of the front face to reduce the width of
the dispensing slot. Since the folding gate has a very
light duty cycle and is not subject to any particular
stress, it. can conveniently be implemented with a nylon
or other synthetic sheet of material that has been
appropriately creased to form the hinge. The attachment
of the gate elements to the spline and to the floor of
the channel can be accomplished by simple snapping nib-
and-cavity mechanisms. Accordingly, the gate barrier
can be quickly replaced for adjustment to a new height
and size or to replace it in case of excessive wear.
Since the customer cannot reach the dispensing slot, it
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is not necessary that the folding gate span the full
width of the dispensing slot. Closing the central third
of the slot may be sufficient. All the moving
components of the system can conveniently be made out of
nylon or similar self-lubricating and rust-proof
material.
In another alternate embodiment 401 of the
vending machine' illustrated in Figures ~ 41-45, the
driving power for the good-dispensing mechanism is
provided by the user's opening of one of the pocket-
doors 402 at the front of each good-holding station.
Each pocket-door as a inwardly curved bottom
section 403 forming a trough which holds the item to be
dispensed. The pocket-door is rotatively held by
lateral bearings 404 about the horizontal axis of its
curved section 403. When the pocket-door is pulled open
by way of the handle 405, the tail-end of the curved
section rises between the item 406 in the pocket and the
next one 407 in line to be dispensed as shown in dotted
line in Figure 4l. At the same time, a barrier flap 408
actioned by 'a lever 409 coupled to the curved section
403 rotates downwardly. The barrier flap combines with
the curved section 403 of the pocket-door to prevent
access to the good remaining in the station.
A push-plate 410 behind the last item 411 in the
station is advanced toward the pocket-door with every
closing movement of the latter. The pocket-door is
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biased toward the closed position by a pair of springs
412. The push-plate has a nib 413 which projects
downwardly through a slot 414 in the floor of the
station, and is secured to a pair of continuous driving
belts 415. The belts are driven by a ratchet gear
mechanism 416 coupled to a toothed part 417 in the
undersurface of the curved section 403 of the pocket-
door.
The pocket-door is locked shut by a solenoid-
controlled bolt 418 engaging a second toothed section
419 also in the bottom surface of the pocket-door. When
the solenoid is de-energized, the bolt 418 is pushed
toward the pocket-door by a coil spring 420, and into
engagement with the second tooth section 419; thus,
preventing the door from being opened.
In order to accommodate variations in the
thickness of the items, the driving belt 416 is
preferably given a certain amount of elasticity.
Alternately, some resilient slippage may be allowed
between the belt and the nib 413 of the push-plate. If
the station floor is slanted downward toward the pocket-
door, as was taught in connection with some of the
earlier described embodiments of the machine, the push-
plate and its driving mechanism may not be necessary.
The pivot-pins 421 for the barrier flap and the
pocket-door bearing 403 are secured to the front frame
422 of the station.
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The removable and substitutable magazine 423
comprises .the stations and their pocket-doors. The
magazine front 424 which consists essentiallly of the
pocket-doors and their mechanism is detachable along a
line 425 from the rest of the magazine to allow serving
and reloading at the supply center.
The currency receptacle 426 is located between
the floor 427 of the lowest most station and the floor
428 of the magazine. The card reader 429 and the key
pad 430 are mounted on the side of the machine
enclosure.
Yet another embodiment of a dispensing gate
mechanism 431 is illustrated in Figures 46-48. This
mechanism is particularly adapted for dispensing
irregularly shaped articles such as bags of chips. It
could also be used for dispensing beverage cans. The
moving gate 432 is arcuate and forms a trough having a
quarter-round bottom 433. The gate is rotatably
suspended on each side by a pair of pins 434 mounted on
a pair of brackets 435. The bases of the brackets are
secured to the lateral edges of a plate 436 that forms
the bottom of a goods-holding channel. The plate slides
in its longitudinal direction under the action of a
rotating cam 437 activated by a motor 438. A pair of
arms 439 projecting vertically from the top of the
lateral walls of the arcuate gate 432 come in contact
with two stationary posts 440 and 441 mounted astride
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the arm. When contacting either one of the two posts,
the arms 439 act as levers that cause the gate to swing
around its supporting pins 434 about an axis
perpendicular to the downward slant of the plate 436.
As illustrated in Figure 47, when under the action of
the cam 437, the plate,436 is fully withdrawn, the gate
432 swings inwardly, opening the dispensing slot 442.
It should be noted that the width of the dispensing slot
is the sum of the quarter-round chord of the gate plus
the amount of translation of the plate 436.
Accordingly, a gate having a radius of 2.5 centimeters
(1 inch) when combined with a plate movement of 1.25
centimeters (.5 inch) can yield a total dispensing slot
opening of about 5 centimeters (2 inches). It should
also be noted that the trailing edge 443 of the arcuate
gate rises above the forward edge of the floor plate 436
to form a barrier that prevents the movement of the item
next in line to be dispensed toward the dispensing slot
442. When the plate 436 is slid forward, the arcuate
gate assumes the closed position illustrated in dotted
line in Figure 47 wherein the trailing edge 443 of the
gate meets the forward edge of the floor plate. As more
particularly shown in Figure 46, the interface between
the back section 443 and the gate and the forward edge
of the plate 436 form a series of intermeshing crenels
444, and 445. This configuration prevents pinching the
bottom of some of the items to be dispensed between the
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gate and the plate.
Another embodiment of the dispensing gate
particularly adapted for dispensing beverage cans is
illustrated in Figures 49 and 50. In this case, the
gate is formed by a trapdoor 446 that drops under its
own weight away from a resting stop 447 when the sliding
plate 448 is withdrawn by as little as .625 centimeters
( . 24 inch) . The trapdoor gate 446 is hinged to the end
of the sliding plate 448 by a, pin 449 located
approximately 1.25 centimeter (1.5 inch) from the rear
edge of the trapdoor gate 446.. Accordingly, the back
end 450 of the gate forms a barrier to prevent the
passage of the next to be dispensed can 451 when the
gate is down. A pair of horizontal posts 452 fixedly
secured to the lateral wall of the good-holding channel
come in contact with the upper surface of the rear
section of the gate 450 when the sliding plate 448 is
moved forward, causing the dispensing gate to rotate
upwardly and close the dispensing slot.
Another convenient embodiment of a beverage can
dispensing machine is illustrated in Figures 51-53. In
this embodiment, the cabinet 444 and the principal
magazine 455 are basically similar to those in the
embodiment described in Figure 12. The front door 456
of the cabinet is hinged at its base 457 rather than its
top edge in order to provide the space necessary to
mount the auxiliary magazine 458 on top of the principal
magazine 455. In this embodiment, the principal
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magazine has a capacity of 16 cans. It includes a coin
receptacle 459, and a dispensing gate 460 driven by a
cam and motor mechanism 461 of the type illustrated in
Figures 47 and 48. The principal magazine is not
supported by slides but is installed by first placing
the front lower corner on a tilting angled bar 462 with.
the front of the magazine in a horizontal position, then
tilting the magazine upwardly in the direction indicated
by arrow 463 until the back end of the moving plate 464
comes in contact with the cam and motor mechanism 461.
The cans roll along three levels of slides tilted at
approximately 5 degrees from the horizontal. The
magazine is loaded from a slot opening 465 on its top
which is closed by a sliding gate as will be explained
below. The principal magazine 455 can be either
completely refilled or simply topped from a portable
auxiliary magazine 458. Accordingly, the.service person
has the option of either removing the principal magazine
and replacing it by a fully loaded one, or use the
portable auxiliary magazine 458 to add as many cans as
may be necessary to refill the principal magazine. The
auxiliary magazine 458 has a bottom geometry which is
designed to intimately mate with the geometry of the
principal auxiliary magazine top. Furthermore, the
dispensing gate 466 in the bottom of the auxiliary
magazine can only be opened when the two magazines are
completely mated. Both the filling opening 465 of the
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principal magazine and the dispensing slot 466 of the
auxiliary magazine are controlled by sliding gates which
are activated by similar and mating mechanisms 467 and
468 more specifically illustrated in Figures 52 and 53.
Each sliding plate 469 has a pair of longitudinal slots
470 and 471 near its front edge 472. A first slot 470
is engaged by a lock 473 which is mounted by an angled
bracket 474 against the front face of the corresponding
magazine. The angled bracket is not attached to the
body of the lock but to the shaft that normally mounts
the bolt. An enlarged area 475 in the forward end of
the first slot is shaped and dimensioned to be~ engaged
by the rotating main body of the lock 476, the lock is
oriented such that when the key 477 is removed, the main
body of the lock 476 is locked in the position
illustrated in Figure 53. Thus, preventing any movement
of the gate 479. The second slot 478 is shaped and
dimensioned to pass the key 477 of the other magazine
lock. That key is also mounted by a bracket 479 against
the front face of the magazine. It can be now
understood that in order to free the sliding gate 479 of
either magazine, both magazines must be intimately mated
with the keys 477 properly engaged into the respective
locks. At this point, the main bodies 476 of each lock
can be rotated as indicated by a row 480 to allow the
sliding gates 469 to be pulled out and open the feeding
and dispensing slots 465 and 466 of the respective
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magazines. A handle 482 associated with each lock body
is provided to facilitate the rotation. The auxiliary
magazine 458 can be reloaded in a service center by
opening a lock-secured top lid 482.
It should be noted that the service personnel
can never get access to the goods held by either one of
the two magazines.
Just like the first described embodiment of the
invention, the alternate version of the the machine
accept payment by so-called "smart cards". A smart card
is a type of debit card which mounts a microchip having
the capability of holding a file to which data can be
added or substracted. Typically, a smart card can be
purchased for a fixed price plus a small service charge.
The fixed price corresponds to the amount of money
stored in the microchip. Machines adapted to accept
payment with such a card have the ability of deducting,
from the microchip file, the amount corresponding to the
purchase. This type of smart card and associated
hardware and software technologye are commercially
available from Cardlogix of Irvine, California. As
illustrated in Figure 54, the vending machine is
equipped with a micro-processor 483 whose data bus 484
is connected to a variety of peripheral devices
including a smart card. reader/writer 485 having the
capability to read and write on smart cards 486 used by
customers and smart cards used by service persons to
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track the machine performance and inventory. The
microprocessor bus is also connected to a keypad 487
upon which the customer can dial his choice of goods,
and the service person can enter certain information and
instructions. The bus also accesses an alpha numerical
display 488 used to communicate visual messages to the
customers such as machine operating instructions and the
like. Once a customer has made his selection, commands
are transferred to a motor control 489 that selects and
activates the motor corresponding to the channel into
which the selected goods are stored. The position of a
variety of status switches 490 can be read by the
processor through the data bus in order to verify the
proper operation of the machine. An optical sensor 491
located at the entrance of the dispensing slot gives an
indication that the selected goods has been dropped into
the dispensing pocket. The microprocessor can also
release certain latches 492 which enable or disable
certain operations of the machine in accordance to
certain conditions reflected by the status switches 490.
For instance, the machine will not attempt to dispense
goods if the magazine is not properly inserted into the
machine and the front door closed. A solid state memory
or equivalent recording medium 493 is used to hold the
microprocessor operating application programs as well
as the inventory information. The microprocessor can
monitor all the sales and maintain a detailed inventory
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in memory. Prior to servicing a machine, a service
person introduces a smart card into the card reader and
dials a code on the keypad instructing the
microprocessor to transfer the inventory data from the
solid state memory 483 onto the service person's smart
card. The smart card may also contain program
instructions that are read and executed by the
microprocessor. Those instructions may include price
changes or special promotional command to he scrolling
display. The smart card, as well as the removed or
partially empty magazine, can be turned in at the
service center far processing, and refiling and
restocking. The microprocessor 483 is also programmed
to recharge a user's smart-card by an amount
corresponding to currency introduced through the coin
slot 210 and currency-acceptor 7.
As shown in Figure 55, the service center is
equipped with a central processor 494 which is also
provided with a smart card reader/writer 495 and a
printer 496. The information read off the service
person's smart card 497 is used to verify the returned
cartridge contents is consistent with the quantities and
.types of goods dispersed by the machines, and to
generate a complete inventory of the remaining goods
held in various vending machines throughout the serviced
territory, as well as a schedule of services to be
performed during the next day in accordance with the
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status, that is, the amount of goods still held by the
machine previously serviced. Accordingly, the central
processor 494 includes a return cartridge software
module 498, a inventory control module 499 and a route
planning module 500. It should be understood that the
central processor can also accumulate statistical data
about the entire operation.
The smart cards and readers can be
advantageously replaced by other recording devices and
communication interfaces including palm-held processors
using "blue tooth" interfaces, or by direct link throsugh
the Internet according to technologies well-known to
people in the data processing arts.
The block diagram of Figure 56 illustrates the
processing of a magazine at both the user's site and at
the central processing location.
Upon arrival at a user's site, the service
person may download 50I the sale data accumulated by the
vending machine processor. The downloading can be made
on a smart card, a hand-held storage device or any other
convenient recording medium. In the case where the
machine is in direct communication with the central
perocessing location, this step of downloading may be
skipped.
Next, the service person secures 502 the
expended or partially expended magazine that is inside
the machine, and unlocks and opens 503 the cabinet door.
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In some versions of the machine, those two steps are
accomplished by the mere unlocking of the door. After
removing 504 the expended or previously mounted
magazine, a new full magazine is installed 505 into the
cabinet. The cabinet door is then closed 506 and the
newly installed magazine is unlocked 507. Again, in
some versions of the machine, these two last steps are
achieved by locking the door.'
The expended magazine is returned 508 to the
central processing location. As the machine is used,
its micro-processor compiles 509 sales data such as
goods sold and payments collected. On command from a
remote location or as instructed by a program downloaded
from the service person's smart card, or wireless
communication device, the price of the goods in each
station is entered, the display is activated or advanced
510, and special price discounts are set up 511 and
advertised on the display unit.
When the magazine arrives at the central
processing location, it and its contents including
currency are inventoried and verified against the data
collected on the service person's smart card 512. The
magazine is then emptied, washed and sanitized 513. It
is refilled 514 with goods and then assigned 515 to a
route for distribution. The filled magazine is
transported 516 to a user's site, and the above-
described process is repeated.
CA 02423352 2003-03-20
WO 02/25552 PCT/USO1/29416
-46-
While the preferred embodiments of the invention
have been described, modifications can be made and other
embodiments may be devised without departing from the
spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended
claims
