Table vending machine

US11282326B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• PepsiCo, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Emad Jafa · Brewster, US
• Xuejun LI · Pleasantville, US
• Yong Serock · Coventry Lake, US
• Cheuk Chi LAU · White Plains, US
• Martyn Thomas Mitchell · Royston, GB
• Euan Morrison · Cambridge, GB
• Wai Ting Chan · Cambridge, GB
• Samuel Luke Johnstone · Cambridge, GB
• Erik David Williams · Cambridge, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 2, 2018
• Grant date: Mar 22, 2022
• Expiry date: Nov 2, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05B2219/2645
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A vending machine with a reduced vertical height and footprint has a horizontal roller surface system for delivering vending products. The horizontal roller system includes actuated rollers and trays that move on top of the rollers. The products are present on top of the trays; the rollers actuate to deliver the trays, and the products, to a delivery portal. Some embodiments of the vending machine have a transparent top to allow the interior of the vending machine, and particularly the roller surface, to be visible from the exterior of the vending machine. The reduced height and size of the vending machine enables it to be placed in locations that are unavailable to conventional vending machines.