Mobile self-vending beverage distribution system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11097844-B1
Application number	US-202016823042-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Mar 18, 2020
Priority date	Mar 18, 2020
Publication date	Aug 24, 2021
Grant date	Aug 24, 2021

Abstract

A mobile self-vending beverage dispenser is disclosed. In embodiments, the dispenser includes a mobile housing divided into segmented sections. Each segmented section includes an outlet at the bottom for dispensing canned beverages and an access hatch for loading canned beverages into the segmented section. Each segmented section includes a vertical staggered raceway extending from the access hatch the outlet via which the segmented section is loaded with canned beverages, the cans traveling in a gravity-assisted path downward to the outlet for dispensing upon request.

First claim

I claim:

1. A mobile self-vending beverage distribution device, comprising:
a housing transportable along a surface via one or more casters attached to a bottom surface of the housing, the housing divided into a plurality of segmented sections and including at least one access door, one or more of the segmented sections installable and removable via the access door, each segmented section comprising:
an outlet proximate to the bottom surface, the outlet configured to dispense one or more cylindrical beverage containers;
an access hatch proximate to a top surface of the housing, the one or more beverage containers loadable into the segmented section via the access hatch;
and
a raceway connecting the access hatch to the outlet, the raceway comprising a plurality of raceway components attached to at least one interior surface of the segmented section, the plurality of raceway components collectively configured to direct the one or more cylindrical beverage containers in a gravitationally assisted path from the access hatch to the outlet.

2. The mobile self-vending beverage distribution device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of segmented sections includes:
at least one first segmented section corresponding to a plurality of first beverage containers having a first diameter;
and
at least one second segmented section corresponding to a plurality of second beverage containers having a second diameter.

3. The mobile self-vending beverage distribution device of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one latch bar mounted to an exterior surface of the housing, the housing securable to a latching fixture via the latch bar.

4. The mobile self-vending beverage distribution device of claim 1 , wherein each outlet includes a flap release mechanism configured to individually release the one or more beverage containers through the outlet.

5. The mobile self-vending beverage distribution device of claim 4 , further comprising:
a plunger externally mounted proximate to the outlet, the plunger articulable to activate the flap release mechanism.

6. The mobile self-vending beverage distribution device of claim 1 , wherein one or more dimensions of the housing correspond to a galley cart of standard size.

7. The mobile self-vending beverage distribution device of claim 1 , wherein:
the housing is transportable along the surface in a primary direction;
and
the gravitationally assisted path is associated with a secondary direction perpendicular to the primary direction.

8. The mobile self-vending beverage distribution device of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one catch set into the top surface, the catch articulable for at least one of activating the access door and releasing the at least one segmented section.

9. The mobile self-vending beverage distribution device of claim 8 , wherein:
the at least one catch comprises a plurality of catches, each catch configured for releasing a segmented section of the plurality of segmented sections.

10. The mobile self-vending beverage distribution device of claim 3 , wherein:
each segmented section includes a flexible bellow attached to the outlet, the flexible bellow connectible to the latching fixture.

Assignees

• Be Aerospace Inc

Inventors

• Burd Peter J L

Classifications

• G07F11/30 Primary

  two or more magazines having independent delivery · CPC title

• G07F9/105

  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

• G07F9/10

  Casings {or parts thereof}, e.g. with means for heating or cooling · CPC title

• G07F9/00

  Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus (coin inlet arrangements G07F1/00; coin-actuated mechanisms, interlocks G07F5/00) · CPC title

• B64D11/0007 Primary

  Devices specially adapted for food or beverage distribution services · CPC title