AU770086B2 - Vending machine - Google Patents

Description

VENDING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to improvements in vending machines.

More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements in apparatus for dispensing of articles using an extraction device in article display panels which enhance sales of primary articles, and in article containment systems which improve article storage capacity, as well as the ease and efficiency of article handling, access and loading into the apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of the application.

Until recent years, most of the mechanisms used in various product dispensing machines (generally referred to herein as vending machines), relied on a multitude of motors, switches and solenoids for moving various machine parts and otherwise handling of the products (articles) to be dispensed. Most such machines required one motor, switch and/or solenoid for each row, column or type of product or package dedicated to be dispensed therefrom. Such machines generally suffer from numerous 25 disadvantages, such as poor reliability due to mechanical failures, as well known to those skilled in this art. It is desirable to provide for an improved dispensing mechanism having greater reliability and versatility.

Furthermore, a variety of vending machines include a plurality of side-by-side, o*.oo* S 30 vertically orientated storage columns or bins which communicate at their top or bottom end with a discharge port in the front of the vending machine for dispensing vendible products stored therein. The columns are disposed in a parallel relationship with S"respect to each other, and the quantity of stored product therein, such as soda cans or ice cream bars, is usually controlled by proper dimensioning of the area and volume of columns with respect to the area and volume of storage area inside the vending machine cabinet. This arrangement suffers from several disadvantages: each piece of each product must be separately handled to load the machine, once the machine is in the field there is little flexibility to change the number or types of columns, it is difficult W:\Tresse\Pats\68952-OO.SpecAmend.21.11.03.doc to efficiently match product demand with storage capacity, and it is difficult to increase the storage capacity of the machine.

Vending machines may include product display panels which perform certain, highly effective, point-of-purchase functions, such as the identity and source of origin (manufacturer) of the products being vended. However, once the vending machine is out in the field, it is relatively easy for the machine owner/operator to change the display panels and emphasis different products than those for which the machine was originally set up to vend. This can be an undesirable situation, since sometimes a product supplier or manufacturer provides financial assistance to a machine operator of a vending machine with the expectation that product purchases for that machine will compensate the product supplier for the financial assistance. Thus, there is a need in the art for product display panel methods and apparatus which take some product advertising control out of the hands of the machine owner/operator.

The present inventors US Patent 5,240,139 represents a vast improvement in the art in that it provides a negative air pressure vacuum) lifter product pickup mechanism), in combination with innovative use of product storage bins, for dispensing products from a refrigerated storage area of the vending machine to a discharge point where it is dispensed to the customer.

Objects of the present invention are to provide an improved apparatus for article dispensing which is more versatile and reliable, provides improved article display which *enhances sales of primary articles, as well as improved article containment 25 arrangements which increase article storage capacity and improves the ease and efficiency of article handling, access and loading into the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an *oll* S 30 article dispensing apparatus, including: a storage area for storing articles along a plurality of longitudinal axes in adjacently positioned, axially aligned, columns; S"an article extracting device which is positionable adjacent to and exterior of said columns, said article extracting device including a free end adapted for selectively extracting an article from a selected one of said columns; a positioning mechanism coupled to the article extracting device and responsive to control signals for positioning the free end of the article extracting device in alignment with the longitudinal axes of said selected column; W:lTresse\Pats\6892-0,SpedAmeid.21.11.03.doc 3 a drive mechanism coupled to the article extracting device for moving the free end in a direction aligned with the longitudinal axes of the selected column; and user interface and control apparatus for allowing a user of the dispensing apparatus to initiate an article dispensing operation, and to generate control signals for causing controlled movement of the article extracting device so that a selected article is extracted from the article storage area and moved to a dispensing area of the dispensing apparatus; a first-type of alignment structure for facilitating alignment of articles in at least one of said columns; and a second-type of alignment structure for facilitating alignment of a plurality of said first-type of alignment structures, said second-type of alignment structure being easily movable from fully inside to at least partially outside of the storage area.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article dispensing apparatus, including: a storage area for storing articles along a plurality of adjacently positioned, axially aligned, columns; an article extracting device which is positionable adjacent to and exterior of an article discharge end of said columns, said article extracting device including a free end which is controllable for entering the discharge end of a selected one of the columns and extracting an article therefrom; and an alignment structure adapted to be easily movable from fully inside to at least partially outside of the storage area, said alignment structure facilitating adjacent positioning of a plurality of said columns so they have a common orientation for their 25 article discharge ends, said adjacently positioned columns being simultaneously movable, as a group, from fully inside to at least partially outside of the storage area using said alignment structure.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alignment structure adapted to be easily movable into and at least partially out of an article storage area of an article dispenser, said alignment structure facilitating formation of a group of adjacently positioned ones of said columns, said group of said columns having a common orientation for an article discharge end of said columns, wherein: by use of the alignment structure said group of columns are simultaneously movable between a first position where they are fully inside of the storage area of the article dispenser and a second position where they are at least partially outside of the storage area of the article dispenser; and W:\Trese\Pats\68952-OO.SecAmefd.21d.11.03.doc 4 while said alignment structure is fully inside of the storage area and between dispensing operations of said article dispenser, said alignment structure and said columns are devoid of any article discharge apparatus for effecting discharge of articles stored therein.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus which provides for quick re-stocking of a vending machine with articles, including: a vending machine having a cabinet which defines an article storage area therein for storing a plurality of adjacently positioned article storage columns; an article loading opening in the cabinet which provides access into the article storage area; and an alignment structure adapted to be easily movable from fully inside to at least partially outside of the storage area, said alignment structure facilitating adjacent positioning of a plurality of said article storage columns so they have a common orientation for their article discharge ends, said adjacently positioned article storage columns being simultaneously movable, as a group between a first position where they are fully inside of the storage area of the article dispenser and a second position where they are at least partially outside of the storage area of the article dispenser.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for refilling of a vending machine with articles, including: providing a vending machine having a cabinet which defines an article storage 25 volume therein for storing a plurality of adjacently positioned columns of stored articles; providing an article loading opening in the cabinet for providing access into the S: articles storage volume; and providing a first-type of alignment structure for facilitating alignment of articles in at least one of said columns; and 30 providing a second-type of alignment structure for facilitating alignment of a plurality of said first-type of alignment structures, said second-type of alignment structure being easily movable from fully inside to at least partially outside of the S"storage area, so as to facilitate filling of said columns with articles.

In accordance with one other aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus which provides for quick refilling of a vending machine with articles, including: W:\Tresse\Pats\68952-OO.SpedAmend.21 .11.03.doc a vending machine having a cabinet which defines an article storage volume therein for storing articles in a plurality of adjacently positioned columns of stored articles; an article loading opening in the cabinet for providing access into and out of the article storage volume; and a first-type of alignment structure for facilitating alignment of articles in at least one of said columns; and a second-type of alignment structure for facilitating alignment of a plurality of said first-type of alignment structures, said second-type of alignment structure being easily movable from fully inside to at least partially outside of the storage area, so as to facilitate filling of said columns with articles.

For a fuller understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention and to the accompanying Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a front view of a vending machine constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates the inside of the vending machine shown in Figure 1 with the door open; ~Figure 3, 4, 5, and 12 illustrate details of the product lifting mechanism portion :i of the vending machine shown in Figure. 1.

Figure 6 illustrates details of a blower motor portion of the vending machine shown in Figure. 1.

Figure 7 illustrates details of a macro-box and bins being loaded in between

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other bins in the vending machine shown in Figure 1.

I Figure 8 illustrates a view of the floor of the cabinet including the blower motor bulkhead gusset and bin/macro-box retaining walls.

S 35 Figures 9 and 10 illustrate details of further gusset portions of the vending machine shown in Figure 1.

W:\Tresse\Pats\68952-O.SpedAmerid.21.11.03.doc WO 01/11578 PCT/US00/21556 6 Figure 11 illustrates details of the counterweight portion of the vending machine shown in Figure i.

Figures 13-16 illustrate details of the macro-box product containment portion of the vending machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 17 illustrates details of the individual bin construction, including a hinge portion.

Figure 18 illustrates a front view of the lower portion of vending machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 19 illustrates the positioning motors for the x-y positioning portion of the vending machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 20 illustrates details of the product stabilizer mounted to the product lifter head.

Figures 21 to 25 illustrate the primary type of graphic card, comprising a single sheet 210 having multi-graphic product displays 212 thereon.

Figures 26 to 28 illustrate the easily removable individual display graphic cards, and their mounting to the inside of the card holder frame.

Figure 29 illustrates a graphic and product stabilizer on the robot head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a vending machine 2 having a generally rectangular 3-dimensional outer housing WO 01/11578 PCT/US00/21556 7 (cabinet) 3 including a front loading door 4. (Note, in an alternative embodiment a loading door or port could be positioned anywhere on the cabinet.) A customer retrieval door 5 is disposed ina lower part of door 4 while the upper part of door 4 is dominated by a lighted product display area 6. Product display area 6, as described in detail later on, includes a plurality of graphic display panels which illustrate the individual products that are vendible by machine 2, as well as the price and/or selection information for the respective product. A line 6' illustrates a division in display area 6, where all of the individual product graphics which are, for example to the left side of line are on individual panels or display cards, while all of the individual product graphics which are to the right side of line 6' are comprised of multiple graphics for multiple product Selections which are printed or formed as a single graphic on a single multi-graphic panel or card. This technique makes it more difficult for a machine operator to change just a selection in the multi-graphic panel without changing the entire panel, thereby creating an advantage for product suppliers to gain a measure of brand security if they subsidize the cost of machine 2. Note, line 6' is not visible to the user.

Located within display area 6 is a transparent (window) area 7 which allows one to see into the machine and thereby view the dispensing of the product.

Accordingly, window area 7 imparts a public performance, a "theatrical" aspect to the machine, as well as the ability to coordinate the product graphics located on the outside of machine 2 with graphics located inside of machine 2, such as graphics located on the product dispensing mechanism, the backwall of machine 2 and/or WO 01/11578 PCT/US00/21556 8 on the product storage bins, and/or on internal sidewalls of the cabinet. Located proximate one side of product display area 6 is a currency receiver 8 and keypad 9 which is accessed by the user for paying for and identifying, respectively, a product the user wishes the machine to vend. Additional lighted and unlighted display areas are located above and below area 6, for general product and brand advertising. Display panels 6 and 6' are attached to the inside of front door 4 using conventional techniques, such as opposed rails or slots and/or a support frame. In a further aspect of the inventions disclosed herein, the supports used for the individual product panels 6' are of a type which are relatively easy for the machine/operator to change, while the single large multi-graphic product panel 6 is supported by a frame or mounting inside door 4 which makes is it relatively difficult for the machine/operator to change, while still giving a uniform appearance to a view of individual graphic cards. In an alternate embodiment door 4 would have no window area and instead, for security purposes would have a solid metal door. The graphic systems could be applied to a solid door as well.

Figure 2 illustrates vending machine 2 with its front loading door 4 open, so as to show a plurality of vertically aligned product storage bins 10 arranged in a product storage area 11 of machine 2, and an x-y positioning mechanism 12 for controllably positioning a product lifting mechanism 14 to a desired position over products which are aligned within bins Figures 3-5 and 19 illustrate details of x-y positioning mechanism 12, which includes left and right Y-direction rails 15a and 15b, which are fixed to WO 01/!1578 PCT/US00/21556 9 opposite inside surfaces of machine 2 and extend along its depth direction, and an X-direction beam 16, which is positioned along the width of machine 2 and supported at its ends with roller bearings which travel along Y rails. X and Y motors 192 and 194 are shown in Figure 19. Product lifting mechanism 14 includes a support 18 which is connected with roller bearings to X beam 16 so as to be able to travel in the X direction (left/right) along X beam 16. X-Y positioning mechanism 12 is of conventional design and includes electric motors, gears, cables and sensors which operate in conjunction with a control system (not specifically shown), as-well known to those skilled in this art, to provide controlled movement in the X-Y direction for product lifting mechanism 14. The controlled movement locates the product lifting mechanism 14 so that it is vertically aligned with a particular one of a plurality of product storage bins which are located in product storage area 11.

The preceding arrangement for positioning product lifting mechanism 14 over a selected dispensable product in storage area 10 may be referred to collectively as the x-y positioner or more specifically as the product lifter, product lifting mechanism or robot.

A source of negative air pressure, vacuum, is provided by a blower motor (or vacuum pump) 20 located near the back of the machine cabinet 3, as shown in Figure 8. Blower motor 20 has connected thereto, via an offset conduit 203 (as shown in Figure a semiflexible air hose 21 (shown in Figure 8 near the bottom front of the machine) which supplies vacuum pressure to a vacuum junction box 22 (which is optional). Junction box 22 provides a convenient point for connection of WO 01/11578 PCT/US00/21556 hose 21 to a more flexible hose 23 to provide the vacuum pressure to lifting mechanism 14. A vacuum conduit 24 attached to support 18 receives vacuum from hose 23 and transfers it to a longitudinally-compressible, selfretracting wire spring hose 26. Lifting mechanism 14 includes a guide tube 25 extending down therefrom which constrains hose 26 therein. Hose 26 has a 3:1 compression factor and is used to conduct the vacuum from vacuum conduit 24 to an upper end of a product lifter product lifter head 28. Product lifter head 28 acts as a counterweight to prevent sudden movements of hose 26 due to a sudden increase in vacuum pressure which occurs when its end is sealed as it comes into contact with the packaging of a product. Guide tube has mounted on an outer surface thereof a z-origin sensor to assist in control of lifting mechanism 14, and may optionally also have mounted thereon a graphic or 3D character, or information or entertainment value. It is noted that blower motor 20 is advantageously of the type which provides a relatively high volume of air flow, but relatively low vacuum pressure. This combination is particularly good for picking up packages since a momentary, or even a sustained leak in the coupling to the product's packaging will generally not result in a dropped package.

A Z motor 190, shown in Figure 19, is mounted to support 18 and is responsive to the control system for raising and lowering product lifter head 28 via a cable 30 attached between a reel 31 shown in Figure 5 and the top of product lifter head 28. Cable 30 is arranged to pass coaxially inside hose 26. Product lifter head 28 has a central bore therethrough for conducting the vacuum provided by hose 26 to a flexible circular rubber gasket (or suction cup) 32, which provides for greater WO 01/11578 PCT/US00/21556 11 conformance to the contours of a package, and hence more lifting vacuum during the operation of product lifting mechanism 14.

The above arrangement is constructed and operates in accordance with well known techniques, and except where the above and following description is inconsistent with the construction and operation of the vending machine described in the present inventors prior US Patent 5,240,139, it is substantially the same. Note, however that the freezer compartment shown in US Patent 5,240,139 is not included herein.

In operation, a machine operator fills machine 2 with vendible products using the storage bins 10. As described in detail later on, the present invention provides several improvements relating to the bins A user observes the product ID and cost information of a desired product from the product graphic depicted in display panel 6 or and inserts the proper amount of currency into currency receiver 8 and inputs the appropriate product code onto keypad 9. In response, the control system of machine 2, such as an appropriately programmed microprocessor, and its associated parts, causes lifting mechanism 14 to become vertically aligned with the storage bin 10 holding the selected product.

Then in a preferred embodiment, microprocessor energizes blower motor 20 when product lifter head 28 is in the immediate proximity of selected product, due to the microprocessor maintaining update information about the product height in each product bin. This is particularly advantageous in the event that the inside of the cabinet or a portion thereof, is refrigerated, since it would decrease the amount of cold air being displaced by the blower. In an alternate embodiment vacuum isturned on just .before head 28 is lowered into the bin holding the desired product. As soon as product lifter product lifter head 28, via gasket 32, touches the product, a vacuum sensor senses the change in vacuum. In response to the sensed change in vacuum, control system causes take-up reel 31 to rotate, thereby lifting the desired product out of bin 10 and toward a product discharge chute or area. When the product is properly positioned for dispensing (as determined by position sensors in the x-y positioner), blower motor 20 is stopped, the loss of vacuum causes product lifter head 28 to release the product, and the product drops towards customer door for subsequent retrieval by the user.

One problem encountered by the above apparatus is that self-retracting hose 26 rotates as it is extended or compressed, due to its internal spiral spring. As a result, product lifter head 28 rotates as hose 26 is lowered into a bin 10. However, as the product is lifted out of bin 10, product lifter head 28 and hose 26 are restrained from rotating back to their original orientation, due to the tight fit of the product within bin 10. Such restraint could cause gasket 32 to break its contact with the product during the lifting 25 operation, especially for "air-filled" bagged products.

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4.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a rotational coupling 34 is connected to air hose 26 which allows the end 30 of hose 26 which is remote from the picked-up product to rotate, and thereby compensate for the non-rotation of product lifter product lifter head 28 during its retraction from a bin 10. In the preferred embodiment, rotational Scoupling 34 comprises a flanged tube having its flanged end 35 located in vacuum conduit 13 24, to minimize any adverse effect on the maximum retraction of product lifter head 28, and its other end protruding outside conduit 24 and connected by a press fit onto hose 26 and secured thereto with a spring clip, band, or other suitable means. In accordance with this preferred embodiment, a rotational coupling 36 is also provided in cable 30, since although it rotates as product lifter head 28 is lowered into the bin, it is prevented from rotation upon retraction. Accordingly, coupling 36 prevents cable 30 from becoming incrementally twisted or untwisted during each vend cycle, thereby weakening the cable.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment, rotational coupling 34 could be located between product lifter head 28 and product contact gasket 32, thereby avoiding the requirement of a rotation coupling for cable 30. Alternately, rotational coupling 34 can be put where hose 26 meets head 28.

In a preferred embodiment as shown in Figure 20, a product stablizing ring 200 is added to the product lifter head of the vacuum lifter, so as to stabilize a product from movement after being contacted by product lifter head 28, and thereby help ensure a more consistent contact to a :major surface of the product packaging, and hence a more air-tight coupling to the product.

Vacuum may be provided to the product lifting mechanism before it enters a product storage bin, and in :accordance with a preferred embodiment, vacuum is provided to the product lifting 14 mechanism before lifter head 28 contacts product in the storage bin. This ensures adhesion of the product to head 28 immediately upon its contact with the product, such that there is no opportunity for the product to shift away from suction cup 32, which would otherwise be possible due to the weight of head 28.

A sensor responsive to a change in vacuum pressure in air hose 26 (or hose 23 or 21) is used to provide an indication signal that suction cup 32 has made a good contact with the product. The indication signal is then useful to initiate the controlled removal of the product S from bin 10. In the event of a failure of the vacuum change sensor, a cable "slack" sensor arrangement (including a deadweight 29 shown in Figures 4 and 12) which monitors the tension in cable 30, can be used as a backup detector to indicate when product lifter head 28 has contacted the product.

As shown in Figure 8, the blower motor 20 is housed so as to minimize its encroachment into the product storage area 11, and thereby help maximize the footprint 25 of the product storage area.

Additionally, an airway 203 is provided to offset the location of the connection point between blower motor 20 and hose 21, in order to further maximize the 30 30 footprint of the product storage area. Additionally, in one preferred embodiment, the top portion 19 of the blower motor housing (shown in Figure 6) also serves as oeooe a bottom support for a product storage bin. In an alternate 35 WO 01/11578 PCT/US00/21556 embodiment the entire blower motor can be mounted to an with front door 4, so as to even further maximize the footprint of the product storage area 11. In a still further alternate embodiment, blower motor can be mounted to the front of the cabinet, where not only will it substantially protrude into the space of the door, but, if desired can be integrated into the gusset structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, various aspects of the invention relating to novel product storage bin arrangements are shown.

Figures 7, 13, 16 and 17 illustrate details of the product storage bin system. As shown in Figure 17, each individual product storage bin 10 is comprised of a preformed cardboard cutout which is foldable so as to form generally rectangular walls 70 and a floor 72, as well as a "live-hinge" or crease 76.

Hinge 76 allows bin 10 to be easily loaded by sliding product from bottom of bin towards the top of bin and placing new product in the lower portion of bin, thereby achieving first in first out product dispensing. A top end of each bin 10 is open, and into which packaged products 74 are stacked. Although bins such as bins are known from the inventors forenoted prior US patent, which provides advantages such as easy pre-loading at a central location in an assembly line fashion, relatively quick restocking as compared to handling each piece of product in an individual manner, further improvements are desirable.

It would be desirable to have improved flexibility in the choice of the number of different types of vendible products that can be stored in the respective 16 columns or bins and to more easily and efficiently match product demand with storage capacity. Furthermore, in prior art machines loading product at the machine location is generally inefficient due to the s multiplicity of the closely stacked bins, as well as obstructions caused by the position of other components and structures in the machine, such as those which are used to reinforce the rigidity of the cabinet.

As shown in Figure 2, a "macro-box" 90 method and apparatus is provided for storage bin containment. As described below, the macro-box system coordinates improvements in product bin storage in combination with the structure of the vending machine cabinet, so as to increase product storage capacity, as well as to improve the ease and efficiency of product handling, access and loading into the machine, while maintaining the rigidity and structure of the cabinet.

As shown more specifically in Figures 7 and 13-16, macro-box 90 is dimensioned to contain a plurality of individual product storage bins 10 therein, in a prearranged fixed arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, eight similarly sized such product bins are housed therein, however, use of differently sized bins and a different orientations of the bins inside box can also be used, as long as they remain vertically aligned. A handle cut-out 92 is formed in at least one side of box 90 to greatly assist the machine/operator with the handling of groups of bins 10. In the illustrated embodiment the left-right width of macrobox 90 is dimensioned to house the width of 3 bins Accord ingly an extra width of bins 10, labeled 10', are able to be positioned to either side of macro-box This arrangement is particularly advantageous in that it allows relatively unobtrusive metal dividers 94 (shown in Figures 7, 8 and 14) to be fixed to the bottom of storage area 11 which position and retain bins 101 in place during loading. Not only do dividers 94 keep bins lot from falling during loading, but they also keep storage area,11 clear so that the relatively heavy macro-box 90 can be eas ily inserted and removed therebetween during the loading process. In one alternate embodiment all of the bins in machine 2 could be contained in one macro-box, thereby allowing the entire inventory of the' machine to be removed in one step. In a further alternate embodiment when some or all of the bins are contained in a macro-box, the lower is front horizontal edge of the box could be hinged to the cabinet so as to allow the entire box to be tilted ftrward into a stable position at an angle which facilitates loading and replacement of individual bins.

It is noted that in a vending machine of this type for dispensing frozen products, such as the one noted above, since the products were located in a freezer, structural components for adding rigidity to the cabinet (needed, for example, when the front door is open) typically did not adversely affect the product storage area or product capacity of the machine. However, in the present arrangement*, use of horizontally or vertically extending support beams, panels, etc. to add structural rigidity could easily encroach upon or block 30 access to storage area 11, thereby reducing product storage capacity and/or impeding the easy loading of the p~roduct bins into the machine.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention 35 rigidity components WO 01/11578 PCT/US00/21556 18 affixed to the cabinet are placed so as to join adjacent and/or opposed walls thereof while making minimum encroachment into the volume of storage area 11 and at the same time leaving more than one-third of the front width access to area 11 unobstructed, more than unobstructed in the vertical dimension, and about unobstructed in the depth dimension. As noted above, in the illustrated embodiment about 3/5 of the front width is unobstructed, so that a particularly good arrangement is to have one macro-box 90 of 3/5th's width substantially centered in storage area 11, with an additional 1/5 width located to its right and left for the extra row on bins More specifically, as shown in general in Figure 2,and in more detail in Figures 9 and 10, corner gussets 102 and 104 are bolted near the front of machine 2 to adjacent walls thereof to hold the cabinet square and stable when the front door is open. Due to their small and generally triangular shape and their location at the front of cabinet 2, they encroach very little into storage area 11 and present a minimum of obstruction during product loading. Gusset 102, in addition to providing rigidity for cabinet 3, also provides an attachment point for securing hose 21 as it is directed up to vacuum junction 22. Gusset 104, in addition to providing rigidity for cabinet 3, also provides a bulk head for many of the electrical connections, acts as a guide for air hose 21, defines a firm boundary for a corner of storage area 11, as well as providing structural support for bins 10'. These Figures also illustrate a guide 106, which, although not providing for structural support, guides and protects air hose 21 on its path to vacuum junction 22 as well as defining the front end of storage area 11 and providing a firm boundary for retaining the position of macro-box 90. One alternate embodiment would allow for one or more macroboxes to be inserted into cabinet 2, while placing a structural support panel disposed across the front upper portion of the cabinet.

Yet a further embodiment would allow for two panels (one left and one right of the front center), positioned in the front plane of the cabinet from its base to its roof, leaving an opening therebetween which is at least 33% of the width of the cabinet (in order to allow removal of bins and macro-boxes therebetween) One of these vertical panels could be utilized as a frame on which to mount the control systems, coin Systems, money and credit systems, as well as the coin box, which are is located on the door in the current embodiment.

Although not specifically illustrated, top left and top right gussets, of similar shape to gusset 102 also act as safety stops for the x-y positioner, preventing it from traveling past the inside bounds of the cabinet if it runs past front/back "home" position switches.

The product display panels provided in conjunction with the vending machine can enhance the sales of primary products as compared with secondary products also vendible therefrom. This is accomplished by providing first and *second types of display panels inside the vending machine which are visible from a customer viewing side, from outside the front of the machine. The first type of panel displays on a continuous or singular graphic medium (single graphic sheet or card) a plurality of graphics for the products and selections vendible from the vending machine.

This singular multi-graphic medium can include product selection numbers and/or prices. The second type of display panels comprise only individual product graphic mediums for respective individual selections Of the products which are vendible f rom the vending machine.

These second types of display cards typically won't have p~roduct selection numbers and/or prices permanently printed thereon. This allows product producers to maintain a level of control over the appearance, selections, and pricing of a portion of the products being displayed in the machine. Additionally, the singular graphic medium could be enhanced with electronic tamper monitoring devices (such as optical, mechanical, electrical, magnetic and other types of sensor devices) integrated with or connected to the medium or its mounting system (such as a frame, etc.), so as to alert the product manufacturer through a communication means a wireless device or phone modem or data code) of the tampering. Furthermore the tampering monitoring system could be connected with the control system of the machine so as to partially or fully disable the machine from operation. In the event of such disablement the operator could be required to receive an encrypted code from the product manufacturer in order to reactivate the machine. Additionally the 25 control system could be designed to limit the total numrber of selections, so as to restrict the machine operator's. ability to attempt to dilute the primary product by simply increasing the number of secondary product selections.

In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention the singular multi-graphic medium is relatively-difficult to remove from the vending machine, while the individual display cards are relatively easier to remove. In a preferred embodiment, the singular multi-graphic medium typically displays more than 50% of the vendible products thereon. In another embodiment of the invention, product display panels of the first type also include a product identifier code in the graphic associated with each of the vendible products shown thereon, which codes are needed by the customer. to purchase the product.

The individual, display cards may or may not have selection numbers or pricing printed directly on the graphic cards.

It. is noted that in a vending ma chine of this type for dispensing frozen products, such as described in the present inventors forenoted US patent, a freezer is mounted in storage area 2.1. The weight of the freezer is acted as a counterweight for the machine when the door was opened. If there is no freezer, safety dictates that provision must be made to supply one. However, it is desirable that it be accomplished in a manner which ]east affects the amount of product storage area, and minimizes difficulties relating to product access and loading. in accordance with the present invention, as shown in Figure 11, a sheet metal frame 78 is fixed to :the rear wail of cabinet 3, for enclosing a suitable weight, cement blocks. The blocks may be enclosed in a suitable cardboard box, to dampen any shock load to 0@ the blocks during shipment and to prevent migration of cement dust. Thesheet metal holds the blocks in place, acts as a backstop for the macro containment boxes, as well as stiffening the rear wall. If sufficient weight is added to the cabinet by adding thereto machine components, then t he blocks are not necessary.

Thus, there has been shown and described many improvements for a vending machine which fulfill all the objects and advantages sought therefore. Many changes, WO 01/11578 PCT/US00/21556 22 modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and its accompanying drawings which disclose preferred embodiments thereof.

For example, although lifting mechanism is positionable in 3 axes, in some applications only 2 axes of movement may be needed, such as in a single row vending machine.

Furthermore, instead of using gussets/supports of triangular or rectangular design, gussets/supports of other designs are just as usable, as long as their shape is not inconsistent with what is described herein, such as vertically extending bars or panels which are widely is spaced apart at the front of the machine. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by this patent.

Claims (23)

1. An article dispensing apparatus, including: a storage area for storing articles along a plurality of longitudinal axes in adjacently positioned, axially aligned, columns; an article extracting device which is positionable adjacent to and exterior of said columns, said article extracting device including a free end adapted for selectively extracting an article from a selected one of said columns; a positioning mechanism coupled to the article extracting device and responsive to control signals for positioning the free end of the article extracting device in alignment with the longitudinal axes of said selected column; a drive mechanism coupled to the article extracting device for moving the free end in a direction aligned with the longitudinal axes of the selected column; and user interface and control apparatus for allowing a user of the dispensing apparatus to initiate an article dispensing operation, and to generate control signals for causing controlled movement of the article extracting device so that a selected article is extracted from the article storage area and moved to a dispensing area of the dispensing apparatus; a first-type of alignment structure for facilitating alignment of articles in at least one of said columns; and a second-type of alignment structure for facilitating alignment of a plurality of said first-type of alignment structures, said second-type of alignment structure being easily movable from fully inside to at least partially outside of the storage area. 25 2. An article dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said columns each have substantially the same length, and said second-type of alignment structure has a length which is less than the length of said columns. I*

3. An article dispensing apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein all of said columns in said storage area are aligned by a single one of said second-type of alignment structure.

4. An article dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said first-type of alignment structure includes a pre-formed semi-flexible structure which is folded so as to form a column having a generally rectangular cross-section. as to form a column having a generally rectangular cross-section. .eO .*0 W:\Tresse\Pats\68952-OO.SpeAmend.21.11.03.doc I 1 An article dispensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said semi-flexible structure includes adjacent wall portions joined by a live-hinge, whereby opening of the hinge provides an elongate opening to the interior of the column.

6. An article dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said storage area includes guide structure which cooperates with the second-type of alignment structure so as to facilitate positioning of the second-type of alignment structure to a predetermined position within said storage area after it has been moved at least partially outside of the storage area.

7. An article dispensing apparatus of claim 6, wherein said guide structure includes at least one projecting structure which projects into the storage area for facilitating positioning of the second-type of alignment structure within said storage area.

8. An article dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said second- type of alignment structure includes a movement facilitating structure which selectively provides for a movement of said columns from a first stable position fully inside the storage area, which facilitates dispensing of articles from the columns of the second- type of alignment structure, to a second stable position at least partially outside of the storage area which facilitates loading of articles into the columns of the second-type of alignment structure.

9. An article dispensing apparatus of claim 8, wherein said movement facilitating structure includes a pivoting structure which selectively provides a pivoting movement of said columns from the first stable position to the second stable position. An article dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said second- type of alignment structure includes an arrangement of wall portions positioned so as to contain a plurality of axially aligned and adjacently positioned ones of said article storage columns within said second-type of alignment structure.

11. An article dispensing apparatus of claim 10, wherein said arrangement of wall portions forms an open-topped container dimensioned to contain said plurality of said first-type of alignment structures.

12. An article dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said dispensing apparatus includes an exterior wall portion having an opening which W:\Tresse'Pats\68952-O.SpeciAmend.21.11.03.doc provides access to the storage area, said second-type of alignment structure being dimensioned for being moved at least partially through said opening for re-stocking of said article dispensing apparatus with articles.

13. An article dispensing apparatus of claim 12, wherein said storage area is dimensioned to include at least three of said second-type of alignment structures, and support members which limit the size of the access opening into the storage area are positioned so that one of said three second-type of alignment structures must be removed from the storage area before the other two can be removed from the storage area.

14. An article dispensing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said second- type of alignment structure includes a structure for facilitating removal of second-type of alignment structure from said storage area. An article dispensing apparatus, including: a storage area for storing articles along a plurality of adjacently positioned, axially aligned, columns; an article extracting device which is positionable adjacent to and exterior of an article discharge end of said columns, said article extracting device including a free end which is controllable for entering the discharge end of a selected one of the columns and extracting an article therefrom; and an alignment structure adapted to be easily movable from fully inside to at least partially outside of the storage area, said alignment structure facilitating adjacent 25 positioning of a plurality of said columns so they have a common orientation for their article discharge ends, said adjacently positioned columns being simultaneously movable, as a group, from fully inside to at least partially outside of the storage area 0 0 using said alignment structure. e*

16. An article dispensing apparatus of claim 15, wherein said control apparatus 6.00,causes controlled movement of the article extracting device so that the article is moved to a dispensing area of the dispensing apparatus.

17. An article dispensing apparatus of claim 15 or 16, further including user interface and control apparatus for allowing a user of the dispensing apparatus to :initiate an article dispensing operation, and thereby cause controlled movement of the 0 article extracting device so that a selected article is extracted from a selected column in the article storage area. W:\Tresse\Pats\68952-OO.SpedAmend.21.11.03.doc

18. An article dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 17, further including a cabinet which defines a volume therein as the article storage area.

19. An article dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein said alignment structure includes a movement facilitating structure which selectively provides for movement of said group of adjacently positioned columns from a first stable position which is fully inside the storage area, which facilitates dispensing of articles from the columns of the alignment structure, to a second stable position which is at least partially outside of the storage area, which facilitates loading of articles into the columns of the alignment structure. An article dispensing apparatus of claim 19, wherein said movement facilitating structure includes a pivoting structure which selectively provides a pivoting movement of said columns from the first stable position to the second stable position.

21. An alignment structure adapted to be easily movable into and at least partially out of an article storage area of an article dispenser, said alignment structure facilitating formation of a group of adjacently positioned ones of said columns, said group of said columns having a common orientation for an article discharge end of said columns, wherein: by use of the alignment structure said group of columns are simultaneously movable between a first position where they are fully inside of the storage area of the article dispenser and a second position where they are at least partially outside of the storage area of the article dispenser; and while said alignment structure is fully inside of the storage area and between dispensing operations of said article dispenser, said alignment structure and said S: columns are devoid of any article discharge apparatus for effecting discharge of articles S"stored therein. S*

22. An alignment structure of claim 21, including a movement facilitating structure which selectively provides for a movement of said columns from a first stable position fully inside the storage area, which facilitates dispensing of articles from the columns of the alignment structure, to a second stable position at least partially outside of the *i:o storage area which facilitates loading of articles into the columns of the alignment 35 structure. goS W:\Tresse\PatS\68952-OO.SpeiAmerld.2l .11.03.doc

23. An alignment structure of claim 22, wherein said movement facilitating structure includes a pivoting structure which selectively provides a pivoting movement of said columns from the first stable position to the second stable position.

24. Apparatus which provides for quick re-stocking of a vending machine with articles, including: a vending machine having a cabinet which defines an article storage area therein for storing a plurality of adjacently positioned article storage columns; an article loading opening in the cabinet which provides access into the article storage area; and an alignment structure adapted to be easily movable from fully inside to at least partially outside of the storage area, said alignment structure facilitating adjacent positioning of a plurality of said article storage columns so they have a common orientation for their article discharge ends, said adjacently positioned article storage columns being simultaneously movable, as a group between a first position where they are fully inside of the storage area of the article dispenser and a second position where they are at least partially outside of the storage area of the article dispenser. An article dispensing apparatus of claim 24, wherein said alignment structure includes a movement facilitating structure which selectively provides for a movement of said columns from a first stable position fully inside the storage area, which facilitates dispensing of articles from the columns of the second-type of alignment structure, to a second stable position at least partially outside of the storage area which facilitates loading of articles into the columns of the second-type of alignment structure.

26. An article dispensing apparatus of claim 25, wherein said movement facilitating structure includes a pivoting structure which selectively provides a pivoting movement of said columns from the first stable position to the second stable position.

27. An article dispensing apparatus of claim 25 or 26, wherein said alignment structure includes an open-topped container dimensioned so as to contain a plurality of axially aligned and adjacently positioned ones of said article storage columns.

28. A method for refilling of a vending machine with articles, including: providing a vending machine having a cabinet which defines an article storage volume therein for storing a plurality of adjacently positioned columns of stored articles; e providing an article loading opening in the cabinet for providing access into the articles storage volume; and W:\Tresse\Pats\68952-OO.SpeLAmerld.21 .11.03.doc providing a first-type of alignment structure for facilitating alignment of articles in at least one of said columns; and providing a second-type of alignment structure for facilitating alignment of a plurality of said first-type of alignment structures, said second-type of alignment structure being easily movable from fully inside to at least partially outside of the storage area, so as to facilitate filling of said columns with articles.

29. Apparatus which provides for quick refilling of a vending machine with articles, including: a vending machine having a cabinet which defines an article storage volume therein for storing articles in a plurality of adjacently positioned columns of stored articles; an article loading opening in the cabinet for providing access into and out of the article storage volume; and a first-type of alignment structure for facilitating alignment of articles in at least one of said columns; and a second-type of alignment structure for facilitating alignment of a plurality of said first-type of alignment structures, said second-type of alignment structure being easily movable from fully inside to at least partially outside of the storage area, so as to facilitate filling of said columns with articles. An article dispensing apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings. 25 31. An alignment structure for an article dispensing apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings. o 32. A method for refilling of a vending machine, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings. Dated: 21 November, 2003 *o PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: 35 MUNROE CHIRNOMAS W:ATresse\Pats568952-OOSpedAmend.21.11.03.doc