Goods compartment module for a vending machine, vending machine for storing and dispensing goods

Abstract

The present invention relates to a compartment module for a vending machine, in particular a flap vending machine, comprising an interior for storing goods; and a partitioning device that can be mounted in the interior such that the interior can be divided into a plurality of compartments, wherein the partitioning device has at least one compartment flap for closing each compartment. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vending machine, in particular a flap vending machine, for storing and dispensing goods, comprising a vending machine housing in which at least one compartment module according to one of the preceding claims is mounted.

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a product compartment module for a vending machine, in particular for a flap vending machine. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vending machine, in particular a flap vending machine, for storing and dispensing goods. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Vending machines are well-known and come in many variations, for example, machines for storing and dispensing food or tools. A specific type of vending machine is the flap vending machine.

[0003] A vending machine with flaps is characterized by numerous compartments arranged on its front, each containing a different product. These compartments are secured against theft by lockable flaps. When the desired product is selected and paid for at the vending machine, for example, using a touchscreen, keypad, or similar device, the flap behind which the selected product is stored opens, allowing the product to be retrieved. The sizes of the compartments and flaps vary and are suitable for a wide range of products.

[0004] Vending machines with flaps are typically used in direct marketing and for selling agricultural products. The product range extends from individual apples and heads of lettuce to 5-kg sacks of potatoes. Other examples from different sectors include ready meals for company canteens, which can be prepared using attached microwaves, potted flowers or bouquets, food items such as cheese and barbecue meat, cases of beer, and the dispensing of tools like cordless screwdrivers. The advantages of flap vending machines are their ability to market products of varying shapes, sizes, and weights, and the simple design of the product compartments, which requires minimal mechanical components, software, and electronics.

[0005] It is common for a single vending machine to contain or offer several different items of a specific type, from which a customer can select their desired item. Payment for the ordered item is made either in advance or after placing the order by providing the corresponding amount of money for the item in cash or via a standard electronic payment method.

[0006] For example, there are vending machines with flaps that offer a variety of compartment or flap sizes that can be selected. The appropriate compartment size can be chosen depending on the number or size of the products. CN 107527433 A describes a self-service vending machine with a wired base and stacked box modules, each equipped with one or two smart doors. KR 101124553 B1, for instance, describes a vending machine with a door unit and a partition. The assembled partitions can be installed within the main housing compartment to divide it. The corresponding door unit is mounted on the front of the housing to close the compartment, and the number of sub-compartments can be adjusted as needed, both longitudinally and transversely.

[0007] A disadvantage of conventional flap vending machines is that once the corresponding compartment sizes for the flap vending machine have been determined, they can no longer be changed if, for example, it is discovered during operation of the flap vending machine that the compartment sizes are too large or too small for the products. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Against this background, the present invention aims to provide a vending machine that can change or adjust the product compartment size even after the vending machine has been delivered.

[0009] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a product compartment module with the features of claim 1 and / or by a vending machine with the features of claim 8.

[0010] Accordingly, the following is planned: A compartment module for a vending machine, in particular for a flap vending machine, comprising an interior space for storing goods; and a partitioning device that can be mounted in the interior space so that the interior space can be divided into a plurality of compartments, wherein the partitioning device has at least one compartment flap for closing each compartment. A vending machine, in particular a flap vending machine, for storing and dispensing goods, comprising a vending machine housing in which at least one compartment module according to the invention is mounted.A vending machine, in particular a flap vending machine, for storing and dispensing goods, comprising a vending machine housing in which at least one compartment module is mounted, the compartment module having an interior space for storing goods; and with an opening flap on a front of the vending machine housing through which the goods can be dispensed from the at least one compartment module in a horizontal direction. A vending machine, in particular a flap vending machine, for storing and dispensing goods, comprising a vending machine housing in which at least one compartment module is mounted, the compartment module having an interior space for storing goods; and with a weight measurement unit for measuring the weight of the stored goods.

[0011] The underlying idea of ​​the present invention is that the size of the product compartments can be changed and adjusted at any time, either before the vending machine is purchased or during its regular operation. By means of a modular design of the product compartment module and by adding or removing the divider, the product compartment can be enlarged, reduced, or subdivided (on-site). Furthermore, the product compartment module is not necessarily rigidly mounted to the vending machine housing, but can be detachably mounted so that the entire module can be removed – for example, for modifications, maintenance, or repairs.

[0012] Thus, the individual compartments can be opened and closed using their respective compartment flaps. In other words, the divider system has corresponding compartment flaps for each compartment, based on its number and size. This means that every compartment, regardless of its design, contains at least one lockable compartment flap. The compartment flap can be hinged to the divider system. For example, the compartment flap can have a transparent glass or clear plastic panel which, when closed, provides a clear view into the interior and thus of the goods stored within, which are neatly arranged in the compartments. The divider system can also be described as an attachment kit, particularly since it can be installed, added to, or removed from the compartment module.For the purposes of this application, "dividing" means that the dividing device or the set of components for the subdivisions is installed / added so that the originally large compartment, i.e., the interior, is divided into smaller compartments. For the purposes of this application, "enlarging" means that the dividing device or the set of components for the subdivisions is removed so that the compartment becomes larger.

[0013] For example, goods can be dispensed forward, particularly at the front, through the product compartment flap and / or the opening flap. Consequently, the front corresponds to the dispensing side of the vending machine. The vending machine housing encloses, in particular, those components of the vending machine that are assigned to this specific machine, as well as the interior including the goods stored therein. The opening flap is typically hinged to the vending machine housing.

[0014] The vending machine in the present application may also have a viewing window, a manual control unit and / or a payment module. For example, access to the product compartments may be granted via payment and / or card presentation.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention is based on the idea that only the outermost flaps on the front of the vending machine are equipped with seals and / or that the quantity of goods dispensed is measured and billed.

[0016] One advantage of the weight-tracking unit is that customers can select and take products or goods in a targeted and flexible manner, similar to a farm shop, a smart fridge, a selfie store, or in retail stores. Furthermore, profitability, sales, and / or sales volume can be increased.

[0017] Advantageous designs and further developments result from the further sub-claims as well as from the description with reference to the figures in the drawing.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the partitioning device can be installed in the interior without tools. Thus, the partitioning device can be manually installed in the product compartment module. Furthermore, the size of the individual product compartments can be varied without tools.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the partitioning device comprises at least one divider which can be arranged vertically or horizontally, or both, in the interior space. In this way, the interior space can be divided, for example, into two, three, four, or more compartments, with two compartments being arranged side by side or one above the other.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the interior forms a cuboid with a front and five other sides, wherein the interior is enclosed on the five other sides by a body of the goods compartment module and can be closed off at the front by the goods compartment flaps.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the storage compartment module also includes a weight measurement unit for measuring the weight of the stored goods. In this way, the goods can be billed by weight rather than by quantity, as a weight difference can be determined after the goods are removed. This means that the removed quantity of goods can be measured as a weight difference and billed at an assigned price per kilogram. Furthermore, liquids or beverages, such as milk, can advantageously be stored in a storage compartment along with their associated tank, allowing the customer to dispense the liquid or beverage themselves, particularly in a specific quantity. The removed quantity can be weighed and billed using the weight measurement unit. It is sufficient for the weight measurement unit to weigh the storage compartment module as a whole, even if the interior is divided into multiple storage compartments.In the case of a divided interior, an individual price per kilogram can be assigned to each compartment. This allows for fairer billing, as variations in size are taken into account and do not negatively impact the customer.

[0022] Furthermore, information about the fill level of the product compartment module can be obtained. Alternatively or additionally, the product compartments can be used more efficiently, as more products, especially individual items, can be offered or stored than the customer needs in a single purchase. The customer can remove the desired number or quantity of products, and the weighing device records how many items or what quantity were removed. For example, a product compartment might be filled with a crate of apples, e.g., fifty apples. If the customer only wants to buy five apples, they remove only five apples from the compartment and then close the compartment door. The weighing device records the quantity removed and calculates the purchase price accordingly.Furthermore, the weight detection unit can significantly reduce filling effort, as products do not need to be individually packaged or sorted. For example, eggs can simply be left in open trays instead of in an egg carton, or apples can be provided in a large crate instead of being individually packaged. The weight detection unit can, for example, be designed as or incorporate a load cell.

[0023] According to a further development of the invention, the weight detection unit comprises a plurality of load cells, in particular two or four load cells, which are mounted on an underside of the product compartment module. For example, the total weight can be obtained by adding the individual weighings or the total weight of the plurality of load cells. In particular, the modular design of the vending machine and the modular design of the product compartments make it possible to equip the product compartment module with load cells so that the contents of the product compartments can be weighed.

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the weight detection unit is configured to determine the weight of the removed goods in real time and to display this weight to the customer via a display device that communicates with the weight detection unit. This allows the customer to take a precise quantity of goods. In particular, the weight of the removed goods can correspond to the weight difference between the goods stored during a shopping transaction and the goods stored before the shopping transaction.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one product compartment module is mounted interchangeably in the vending machine housing. The at least one product compartment module can be enclosed by the vending machine housing.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the vending machine also includes an opening flap on the front of the machine housing, through which the goods can be dispensed from the at least one product compartment module in a horizontal direction. Thus, the customer does not have access to the entire sales area, which is a particular advantage compared to a so-called selfie store. Furthermore, tampering and theft can be prevented. The opening flap can be lockable. This allows for a combination of the advantages of a vending machine equipped with an opening flap and those of selfie stores. In particular, one dimension of the opening flap corresponds to a dimension of the front of the interior of the product compartment module.

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the opening flap is designed to seal the interior of the vending machine housing in a closed state, wherein the at least one product compartment module is arranged in an area of ​​the interior that can be temperature-controlled by means of a cooling or air conditioning unit. Thus, it is sufficient to equip only the vending machine housing, in particular the opening flap, with a sealing function. The product compartment flaps inside the vending machine housing are located in the temperature-controlled, in particular cooled, area and therefore do not require a separate seal. Consequently, the product compartment flaps, i.e., the inner flaps, and the divided product compartment itself can be constructed much more compactly and simply. In other words, the opening flap of the vending machine housing and the product compartment flaps of the product compartment module are arranged in series or one behind the other.Furthermore, insulated glass panes are not required for the product compartment doors. Reducing the number of necessary seals also contributes positively to the vending machine's energy consumption, as every seal is subject to some heat loss and leakage.

[0028] For example, the opening flap may have a circumferential seal. Furthermore, the opening flap may have insulated glazing. The machine housing, in particular the frame of the opening flap, may be made of a material with poor thermal conductivity, such as plastic.

[0029] The climate control system can be designed to climate control the interior of the vending machine housing, the interior of the goods compartment module, and the goods stored therein.

[0030] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the opening flap is designed to be automatically lockable / openable.

[0031] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a first and a second product compartment module according to the invention are mounted in the vending machine housing, wherein the first product compartment module has a first partitioning device which is configured differently from a second partitioning device of the second product compartment module. For example, the first partitioning device can divide the interior of the first product compartment module into four compartments. The second partitioning device can divide the interior of the second product compartment module into two compartments.

[0032] The divider, the weight detection unit, and the opening flap on the front of the vending machine housing can each be individually integrated into the product compartment module or the vending machine itself. Furthermore, the divider, the weight detection unit, and the opening flap can be combined in any way. These components can exhibit all of the features described above in their respective contexts.

[0033] In some embodiments, the vending machine may, for example, include an opening flap on the front of the machine housing and a weight measurement unit for measuring the weight of the stored goods. The opening flap allows the goods to be dispensed horizontally from the at least one storage compartment module. In this embodiment, the at least one storage compartment module does not necessarily require a partitioning device as described above. The partitioning device can be optionally added or omitted, so that the interior of the storage compartment module forms a single compartment.

[0034] The above embodiments and further developments can be combined with each other as appropriate.

[0035] Further possible embodiments, developments, and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described previously or subsequently with regard to exemplary embodiments, even if not explicitly mentioned. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention. CONTENT OF THE DRAWING

[0036] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures of the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a vending machine for storing and dispensing goods according to one embodiment; Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of a vending machine for storing and dispensing goods according to another embodiment with a compartment module containing a divider; Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of a compartment module with a built-in divider according to another embodiment; Fig. 4 a schematic perspective view of the compartment module made of Fig. 3 without the dividing device; Fig. 5 a schematic perspective view of the dividing device made of Fig. 3 Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a storage compartment module with a built-in divider according to a further embodiment; Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a storage compartment module with a built-in divider according to a further embodiment; and Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a storage compartment module with a weight detection unit for measuring the weight of the stored goods according to a further embodiment.

[0037] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain the principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned will become apparent with reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale.

[0038] In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally equivalent and similarly acting elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated - are each provided with the same reference symbols. DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0039] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a vending machine 1 for storing and dispensing goods according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0040] The vending machine 1 shown here is designed as an example of a flap vending machine and comprises a vending machine housing 2 in which at least one product compartment module (not shown) is mounted. This at least one product compartment module has an interior space for storing a product. This interior space can form a single product compartment.

[0041] Furthermore, the vending machine 1, designed as a flap vending machine, includes an opening flap 3 on a front side of the machine housing 2, through which the goods can be dispensed from the at least one product compartment module in a horizontal direction. In particular, one dimension of the opening flap 3 corresponds to a dimension of the front side of the interior of the product compartment module.

[0042] Optionally, the opening flap 3 can be designed to seal the interior of the vending machine housing 2 in a closed state, with the at least one product compartment module being located in an area of ​​the interior that can be temperature-controlled by a cooling or air conditioning unit. For example, the opening flap 3 can have a circumferential seal. Furthermore, the opening flap 3 can have insulating glazing. The vending machine housing 2, in particular a frame of the opening flap 3, can be made of a material with poor thermal conductivity, for example, a plastic. The air conditioning unit can be designed to regulate the temperature of the interior of the vending machine housing 2, the interior of the product compartment module, and the goods stored therein. Furthermore, the opening flap 3 can be designed to be automatically opened / closed.

[0043] Alternatively or in addition to the opening flap 3, the vending machine 1 designed as a flap vending machine can have a weight recording unit 16 for measuring the weight of the stored goods.

[0044] Using the weight recording unit 16, goods can be billed by weight rather than by quantity, as a weight difference can be determined after the goods are removed. This means the removed quantity of goods can be measured as a weight difference and billed at an assigned price per kilogram. Furthermore, liquids or beverages, such as milk, can advantageously be stored in the goods compartment along with their corresponding tank, allowing the customer to dispense the liquid or beverage themselves, particularly in a specific quantity. The removed quantity can be weighed and billed using the weight recording unit 16. This allows for fairer billing, as variations in size are taken into account and do not negatively impact the customer. In addition, information about the fill level of the goods compartment module can be obtained.Alternatively or additionally, the storage compartments can be used more efficiently, as more products, especially individual items, can be offered or stored than the customer needs in a single purchase. The customer can remove the desired number or quantity of products, and the weight unit 16 records how many items or what quantity were removed. For example, the storage compartment might be filled with a crate of apples, e.g., fifty apples. If the customer only wants to buy five apples, they remove only five apples from the compartment and then close the access flap 3. The weight records the quantity removed and calculates the purchase price accordingly.

[0045] The weight detection unit 16 can, for example, be configured as or include a load cell. Optionally, the weight detection unit 16 can include a plurality of load cells 17, in particular two or four load cells 17, which are attached to an underside of the product compartment module. For example, the total weight can be obtained by adding the individual weighings or the weights of the plurality of load cells.

[0046] Furthermore, the weight recording unit 16 can be configured to determine the weight of the removed goods in real time and to display it visibly to the customer using a display device communicating with the weight recording unit 16.

[0047] The vending machine 1 shown here has, by way of example, six opening flaps 3, behind each of which a product compartment module can be arranged. The vending machine 1 can also have feet by which it stands on a floor.

[0048] Furthermore, a locking unit can be provided that allows the opening flap 3 to be opened and closed safely for purposes of maintenance, refilling the vending machine 1, and the like. Here, for example, a refilling side and a dispensing side of the vending machine 1 are identical.

[0049] Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a vending machine 1 for storing and dispensing goods 100 according to a further embodiment with a compartment module 10 which contains a partitioning device 12.

[0050] The vending machine 1 of the in the Fig. 2 The illustrated further embodiment essentially corresponds to vending machine 1 according to Fig. 1 Unless otherwise described below, vending machine 1 differs in particular in that the at least one product compartment module 10 includes a partitioning device 12 which can be mounted in the interior 11 in such a way that the interior 11 can be divided into a plurality of product compartments, wherein the partitioning device 12 has at least one product compartment flap 13 for closing each partitioned product compartment.

[0051] Optionally, at least one product compartment module 10 can be mounted interchangeably in the vending machine housing 2. The at least one product compartment module 10 can be enclosed by the vending machine housing 2.

[0052] Furthermore, the vending machine 1 can have the opening flap 3 on the front of the vending machine housing 2, as shown above in relation to Fig. 1 As described above, for example, the opening flap 3 can be designed to seal the interior of the vending machine housing 2 in a closed state, with the at least one product compartment module 10 being located in an area of ​​the interior that can be temperature-controlled by a cooling or air conditioning unit. Thus, it is sufficient to equip only the vending machine housing 2, in particular the opening flap 3, with a sealing function. The product compartment flaps 13 inside the vending machine housing 2 are located in the temperature-controlled, in particular cooled, area and therefore do not require a separate seal. Consequently, the product compartment flaps 13, i.e., the inner flaps, and the divided product compartment itself can be built or constructed in a much more compact and simpler manner. In other words, the opening flap 3 of the vending machine housing 2 and the product compartment flaps 13 of the product compartment module 10 are arranged in series or one behind the other.Furthermore, insulating glass panes are not necessary for the compartment flaps 13. For example, the opening flap 3 can have the circumferential seal 4.

[0053] As in Fig. 2 As illustrated by example, a first compartment module 10 and a second compartment module 10 can be mounted in the vending machine housing 2, wherein the first compartment module has a first partition 12 which is configured differently from a second partition 12 of the second compartment module. For example, the first partition 12 can divide the interior 11 of the first compartment module 10 into four compartments, as shown in the compartment module 10 arranged at the top left in Fig. 2 The second partition 12 can divide the interior 11 of the second compartment module 10 into two compartments, as shown in the compartment module 10 located centrally on the right. Fig. 2 This is shown. Details regarding the design of the product compartment module 10 are described in the exemplary embodiments below. Figuren 3-8 presented and described.

[0054] Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a product compartment module 10 with a built-in subdivision device 12 according to a further embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the merchandise compartment module 10. Fig. 3 without the subdivision device 12. Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the subdivision unit 12 from Fig. 3 .

[0055] The product compartment module 10 is designed for installation in a vending machine 1, in particular in a flap vending machine, such as those found in Fig. 2 is described.

[0056] The storage module 10 comprises an interior compartment 11 for storing goods 100. Furthermore, the storage module 10 includes a partition 12, which can be mounted in the interior compartment 11 such that the interior compartment 11 can be divided into a multitude of compartments. The partition 12 has at least one compartment flap 13 for each partitioned compartment for closing the respective compartment. Thus, the compartments can be individually opened and closed by means of their respective compartment flaps 13. In other words, the partition 12 has compartment flaps 13 corresponding to the number and size of the partitioned compartments.

[0057] In particular, the partition unit 12 can be installed in the interior 11 without tools. Furthermore, the size of the individual product compartments can be varied without tools.

[0058] As in Fig. 4 As illustrated, the interior space 11 can form a cuboid with a front and five other sides, wherein the interior space 11 is enclosed on the five other sides by a body 15 of the product compartment module 10 and can be closed off at the front by the product compartment flaps 13.

[0059] Furthermore, the partition device 12 can have at least one partition wall 14 which can be arranged vertically and horizontally in the interior space 11, as exemplified in Fig. 5 This is shown. In this way, the interior space 11 can, for example, be divided into four compartments, with two compartments arranged side by side and two compartments stacked on top of each other. The compartment flaps 13 can each be hinged to the partitioning device 12 via a joint.

[0060] Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a product compartment module 10 with a built-in subdivision device 12 according to a further embodiment.

[0061] The merchandise compartment module 10 of the in the Fig. 6 The illustrated further embodiment essentially corresponds to the product compartment module 10 according to Fig. 3-5 , unless otherwise described below.

[0062] Here, the partitioning device 12 features, for example, a partition wall 14 that can be arranged vertically in the interior space 11. In this way, the interior space 11 can be divided, for example, into two storage compartments, with the two storage compartments arranged side by side.

[0063] Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a product compartment module 10 with a built-in subdivision device 12 according to a further embodiment.

[0064] The merchandise compartment module 10 of the in the Fig. 7 The illustrated further embodiment essentially corresponds to the product compartment module 10 according to Fig. 3-5 , unless otherwise described below.

[0065] Here, the partitioning device 12 features, for example, a partition wall 14 that can be arranged horizontally in the interior space 11. In this way, the interior space 11 can be divided, for example, into two compartments, with the two compartments arranged one above the other.

[0066] Fig. 8 Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a goods compartment module 10 with a weight recording unit 16 for measuring the weight of the stored goods according to a further embodiment.

[0067] The merchandise compartment module 10 of the in the Fig. 8 The illustrated further embodiment essentially corresponds to the product compartment module 10 according to Fig. 3-5 , 6 or 7 , unless otherwise described below.

[0068] Using the weight recording unit 16, goods 100 can be invoiced by weight, as a weight difference can be determined after the goods have been removed. This means that the removed quantity of goods 100 can be measured as a weight difference and invoiced with an assigned price per kilogram.

[0069] Furthermore, liquids or beverages, such as milk, can advantageously be stored in a storage compartment along with their associated tank, allowing the customer to dispense the liquid or beverage themselves, particularly in a specific quantity. The dispensed quantity can be weighed and billed using the weight recording unit 16. It is sufficient for the weight recording unit 16 to weigh the storage compartment module 10 as a whole, even if the interior space 11 is subdivided into multiple storage compartments. In the case of a subdivided interior space 11, an individual price per kilogram can be assigned to each individual storage compartment.

[0070] The customer can remove the desired number or quantity of products. The weighing process, using the weight recording unit 16, records how many items or what quantity were removed. For example, a product compartment might be filled with a crate of apples, e.g., fifty apples. If the customer only wants to buy five apples, they remove only five apples from the product compartment and then close the compartment door 13. The weighing process records the quantity removed and calculates the purchase price accordingly.

[0071] The weight detection unit 16 can, for example, be configured as or include a load cell 17. Alternatively, the weight detection unit 16 can include a plurality of load cells 17, in particular two or four load cells 17, which are attached to a bottom surface of the product compartment module 10, as shown in Fig. 8This is illustrated by way of example. For instance, the total weight can be obtained by adding the individual weighings or the multitude of load cells 17.

[0072] Optionally, the weight recording unit 16 can be configured to determine the weight of the removed goods in real time and to display this weight to the customer using a display device that communicates with the weight recording unit 16. This allows the customer to remove a precise quantity of goods 100. The weight of the removed goods can, in particular, correspond to the weight difference between the goods 100 stored during a shopping transaction and the goods stored before the shopping transaction.

[0073] Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but can be modified in many ways. Reference symbol list

[0074] 1 Vending machine 2 Vending machine housing 3 Opening flap 4 Seal 10 Product compartment module 11 Interior 12 Dividing device 13 Product compartment flap 14 Partition 15 Body 16 Weight detection unit 17 Load cell 100 Product

Claims

1. A compartment module (10) for a vending machine (1), in particular for a flap vending machine, with an interior (11) for storing goods (100); and with a partitioning device (12) which can be mounted in the interior (11) in such a way that the interior (11) can be divided into a plurality of compartments, wherein the partitioning device (12) has at least one compartment flap (13) for closing each compartment.

2. Product compartment module according to claim 1, characterized by that the partition device (12) can be installed in the interior (11) without tools.

3. Product compartment module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the partition device (12) has at least one partition wall (14) which can be arranged vertically or horizontally or both in the interior space (11).

4. Product compartment module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by thatthe interior (11) forms a cuboid with a front and five other sides, wherein the interior (11) is enclosed on the five other sides by a body (15) of the product compartment module (10) and can be closed at the front by the product compartment flaps (13).

5. Product compartment module according to one of the preceding claims, furthermore comprehensive, a weight recording unit (16) for measuring the weight of the stored goods (100).

6. Product compartment module according to claim 5, characterized by that the weight detection unit (16) comprises a plurality of load cells (17), in particular two or four load cells (17), which are attached to an underside of the product compartment module (10).

7. Merchandise compartment module according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by thatthe weight recording unit (16) is designed to determine the weight of the removed goods in real time and to display it visibly to the customer by means of a display device communicating with the weight recording unit (16).

8. Vending machine (1) for storing and dispensing goods (100), in particular a flap vending machine, with a vending machine housing (2) in which at least one product compartment module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 is mounted.

9. Vending machine according to claim 8, characterized by that that at least one product compartment module (10) is interchangeably mounted in the vending machine housing (2).

10. Vending machine according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that an opening flap (3) is provided on a front side of the vending machine housing (2), which is designed and arranged in such a way as to dispense a product (100) from the at least one product compartment module (10) in a horizontal direction.

11. Vending machine according to claim 10, characterized by that the opening flap (3) is designed to seal the interior of the vending machine housing (2) in a closed state, wherein the at least one product compartment module (10) is arranged in an area of ​​the interior which can be temperature controlled by means of a cooling device or an air conditioning device.

12. Vending machine according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that the opening flap (3) is designed to be automatically lockable and / or openable.

13. Vending machine according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized by thatin the vending machine housing (2) a first product compartment module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 and at least one second product compartment module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 are mounted, wherein the first product compartment module (10) has a first subdivision device (12) which is designed differently in relation to a second subdivision device (12) of the second product compartment module (10).

14. Vending machine according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized by that the product compartment module (10) has an interior space (11) for storing goods (100) and an opening flap (3) is provided on a front of the vending machine housing (2) through which the goods (100) can be discharged from the at least one product compartment module (10) in a horizontal direction.

15. Vending machine according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized by thatthe goods compartment module (10) has an interior space (11) for storing goods (100) and a weight recording unit (16) is provided for measuring the weight of the stored goods (100).

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