Automated apparatus, system and method for reliably vending articles of increased value
US5303844A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 1992 |
| Grant date | Apr 19, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F11/42
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A vending machine has a front panel with plural removable storage and dispensing trays extending through the enclosure, and defining a rear vertical chute curving gradually in a horizontal direction under the trays and communicating with a vend opening. The machine includes a bar code reader or similar input apparatus for receiving plural control and inventory inputs representative of a UPC code for articles to be inserted in each tray position, the quantity of articles inserted in each tray position, the identity of the tray position and the selection button corresponding to each tray position. A sensor is located at the back of each tray position at the exit into the chute, for detecting when an individual article passes into the chute to provide a sensing output, the operation of the tray position being continued until an article is dispensed into the chute.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.