Merchandiser

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10037645-B2
Application number	US-201615362395-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 28, 2016
Priority date	Jul 1, 2010
Publication date	Jul 31, 2018
Grant date	Jul 31, 2018

Abstract

The present application provides a merchandiser for dispensing a number of products. The merchandiser may include an a temperature controlled compartment with a number of concentric storage wheels for storing the number of products therein, an input system positioned about the temperature controlled compartment, and a vending system positioned about the temperature controlled compartment.

First claim

We claim:

1. A merchandiser for dispensing a number of products, comprising:
a temperature controlled compartment;
the temperature controlled compartment comprising a plurality of concentric storage wheels for storing the number of products therein, wherein the plurality of concentric storage wheels comprise an outer storage wheel surrounding an inner storage wheel;
a dispensing system positioned about the temperature controlled compartment; and
an input system positioned about the temperature controlled compartment, the input system comprising an identification module configured to identify an ambient food or beverage product such that a corresponding temperature controlled food or beverage product can be dispensed by the dispensing system.

2. The merchandiser of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of concentric storage wheels comprises a support ring.

3. The merchandiser of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of concentric storage wheels comprises a plurality of support cups positioned on the support ring.

4. The merchandiser of claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of concentric storage cups comprises a pusher gap therein.

5. The merchandiser of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of concentric storage cups comprises a drive wheel thereon.

6. The merchandiser of claim 5 , wherein the drive wheel comprises a teethed surface.

7. The merchandiser of claim 5 , further comprising a storage wheel drive system in communication with the drive wheel.

8. The merchandiser of claim 7 , wherein the storage wheel drive system comprises a plurality of gears positioned about a plurality of spring loaded levers.

9. The merchandiser of claim 1 , further comprising an air deflector plate positioned about the plurality of concentric storage wheels.

10. The merchandiser of claim 1 , wherein the input system comprises:
an input canister configured to accept the ambient food or beverage product;
a delivery canister; and
a reject column.

11. The merchandiser of claim 10 , wherein the input system comprises a first slider gutter and a second slider gutter and wherein the delivery canister rotates towards the first slider gutter or the second slider gutter.

12. The merchandiser of claim 1 , further comprising an input pusher system positioned about the input system and the plurality of concentric storage wheels.

13. The merchandiser of claim 12 , wherein the input pusher system comprises a pusher pad positioned about an input rail for linear motion.

14. The merchandiser of claim 1 , further comprising an output pusher system positioned about the vending system and the plurality of concentric storage wheels.

15. The merchandiser of claim 14 , wherein the output pusher system comprises a pusher pad positioned about an output rail for linear motion.

16. The merchandiser of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing system comprises an insulated vending aperture door.

17. The merchandiser of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing system comprises a vending door positioned about a slanted floor.

18. The merchandiser of claim 1 , further comprising an ambient compartment positioned about the temperature controlled compartment.

19. The merchandiser of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the plurality of support cups has a cylindrical shape with an axis of the cylindrical shape being perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the support ring.

20. The merchandiser of claim 1 , wherein the identification module includes one or more of:
a bar code scanner;
an RFID tag reader;
a photoelectric cell.

Assignees

• Coca Cola Co

Inventors

• Roekens Jurgen
• Carpentier Bart
• Genechten Erik Van

Classifications

• A47F3/0486

  for charging, displaying or discharging the articles · CPC title

• G07F9/105 Primary

  Heating or cooling means, for temperature and humidity control, for the conditioning of articles and their storage (dispensers for food articles requiring a processing by temperature treatment or conditioning before they are ready for dispensing G07F17/0064) · CPC title