Product release mechanisms and vending machines having product release mechanisms

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11900756-B2
Application number	US-202217580319-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 20, 2022
Priority date	Feb 2, 2021
Publication date	Feb 13, 2024
Grant date	Feb 13, 2024

Abstract

A vending machine includes a housing defining a product compartment and a front wall having a transparent portion. A platform is arranged within the product compartment of the vending machine for storing a product thereon, and the platform includes a first end opposite a second end. The vending machine further includes a product release mechanism that includes a gate arranged on the platform and movable from a closed position to an open position to release the product from the platform. A delivery bin having an open front end is arranged below the platform such that when the first gate is moved to the open position, the product falls under a force of gravity from the platform into the delivery bin for access by a consumer.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vending machine, comprising:
a housing defining a product compartment, wherein the housing comprises a front wall having a transparent portion;
a first product release mechanism, comprising:
a platform arranged within the product compartment for storing a product, wherein the platform comprises a first end opposite a second end; and
a first gate arranged on the platform and movable from a closed position to an open position to release the product from the platform;

a first delivery bin having an open front end, wherein the first delivery bin is arranged at the first end of the platform such that when the first gate is moved to the open position, the product falls under a force of gravity from the platform into the first delivery bin for access by a consumer through the open front end of the first delivery bin;
a second product release mechanism arranged within the product compartment for storing a second product, wherein the second product release mechanism is arranged at a different elevation than the first product release mechanism; and
a second delivery bin arranged at a different elevation than the first delivery bin, wherein the second delivery bin is configured to receive the second product that falls under a force of gravity from the second product release mechanism into the second delivery bin for access by the consumer through an open front end of the second delivery bin.

2. The vending machine of claim 1 , wherein the product is a beverage container, and wherein the platform is configured to support the beverage container in an upright orientation.

3. The vending machine of claim 1 , wherein the platform is arranged at an incline such that the product moves from the second end of the platform toward the first end of the platform under a force of gravity.

4. The vending machine of claim 1 , further comprising an advancing mechanism configured to automatically advance the product toward the first end of the platform.

5. The vending machine of claim 1 , wherein the platform is one of a plurality of platforms arranged at different elevations within the product compartment, and wherein the first delivery bin is one of a plurality of delivery bins.

6. The vending machine of claim 1 , wherein the first delivery bin further comprises a flap that movably covers the open front end of the first delivery bin.

7. The vending machine of claim 1 , wherein the first delivery bin comprises a drawer that is movable from a closed position to an open position such that a product within the drawer is accessible to a consumer in the open position.

8. The vending machine of claim 1 , wherein the first product release mechanism further comprises a gate control mechanism configured to selectively control movement of the first gate from the closed position to the open position.

9. The vending machine of claim 8 , wherein the gate control mechanism comprises a rack engaged with a pinion of the first gate.

10. A vending machine, comprising:
a housing defining a product compartment, wherein the housing comprises a front wall having a transparent portion;
a platform arranged within the product compartment for storing a product, wherein the platform comprises a first end opposite a second end;
a product release mechanism configured to selectively release the product from the platform;
a delivery bin arranged below the platform such that when the product release mechanism is operated, the product falls from the platform into the delivery bin for access by a consumer; and
a buffering mechanism disposed on the front wall of the housing and configured to control the fall of the product from the platform into the delivery bin.

11. The vending machine of claim 10 , wherein the product release mechanism comprises a gate and a gate control mechanism configured to move the gate from a closed position to an open position.

12. The vending machine of claim 10 , wherein the buffering mechanism comprises a guide channel extending from an upper end of the product compartment toward a lower end of the product compartment, wherein the delivery bin is arranged below the platform.

13. The vending machine of claim 10 , wherein the buffering mechanism comprises a cushion.

14. The vending machine of claim 10 , wherein the buffering mechanism comprises a plurality of bristles extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

15. The vending machine of claim 10 , wherein the buffering mechanism comprises one or more pads arranged on the front wall of the housing or on the first end of the platform.

16. A product release mechanism for a vending machine, comprising:
a platform having a first end opposite a second end and configured to support a first product and a second product;
a first gate arranged at the first end of the platform and movable from a closed position in which the first product is not accessible to a consumer to an open position in which the first product is accessible to a consumers;
a first rail extending from the first end of the platform to the second end of the platform along a first side of the platform;
a second rail extending from the first end of the platform to the second end of the platform along a second side of the platform opposite the first side;
a second gate arranged on the platform and spaced from the first gate and movable from a closed position to an open position, wherein the second gate is configured to extend from the first rail to the second rail to prevent access to the second product; and
a gate control mechanism configured to control the first gate and the second gate, such that the first gate is arranged in the open position and the second gate is moved to the closed position to provide a consumer with access to the first product on the platform while preventing access to the second product on the platform.

17. The product release mechanism of claim 16 , further comprising an advancing assembly configured to automatically advance the first product and the second product toward the first end of the platform.

18. The product release mechanism of claim 16 , further comprising a third gate spaced from the second gate and configured to control an advance of products on the platform toward the first end of the platform.

19. The product release mechanism of claim 16 , further comprising a gate control mechanism configured to control opening and closing of the first gate and the second gate.

Assignees

• Pepsico Inc

Inventors

• Bhutani Gurmeet Singh
• Jain Sandeep

Classifications

• G07F9/10

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

• G07F11/72

  Auxiliary equipment, e.g. for lighting cigars, opening bottles · CPC title

• G07F11/32

  two or magazines having a common delivery chute · CPC title

• G07F11/58 Primary

  the articles being supported on or by endless belts or like conveyors · CPC title

• G07F17/0014

  for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 (meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00) · CPC title