Pneumatic product vending system and product loader therefor
US6164491A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07G1/00
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A pneumatic product vending and delivery system is provided which preferably uses an existing product vending machine as a storage and loading device for use in a pneumatic vending and delivery system along with an interface unit in place of the vending machine door. A product dispensing terminal is provided that is connected by the delivery tube of a pneumatic conveyor from the storage and loading device, which has a loading mechanism configured to load a product dispensed by the dispensing mechanism into the delivery tube. The pneumatic conveyor includes a back pressure source operable to apply reverse pressure to a product in the delivery tube to gently slow a product approaching the product dispensing terminal through the tube. A gate is selectively moveable into and out of the path of a product proximate the outlet end of the delivery tube to stop a product slowed by the back pressure source and to release the stopped product for delivery to a customer at the product dispensing terminal. A pressure control valve is connected to the output end of the delivery tube to control the release of air from the delivery tube ahead of the product to gradually decelerate the product appro…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.