Dispensing system for dispensing free articles

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing free articles comprises lockable housing (10) with at least one compartment for articles and a release mechanism activated in response to an activation device. The release m

Description

Technical field

[001] The present invention relates to a dispensing system, e.g. a type of vending machine, particularly suited for dispensing free articles in a managed way. Background to the invention

[002] Dispensing devices are common, such as those found in public washrooms / spaces for supplying toiletries or small food items. Vending products from a wall mounted or standalone dispenser requires payment by inserting coins / tokens, or electronically communicating payment details over a network, e.g. credit card payment via a swipe card / keypad or contactless / tap reader. A product is dispensed, usually by activating a motorised release mechanism, when payment is completed. The products are otherwise locked away in a housing from access by an outside purchaser, unless the dispenser is compromised due to vandalism.

[003] There are situations where a free product may need to be dispensed, at no cost to a user, such as a social initiative to provide free sanitary products to young women. However, simply providing an unlocked or uncontrolled container to supply products leads to abuse and wastage. For example, where a school has unisex washrooms, boys may take the sanitary articles and use them as projectiles, etc. In any event, if uncontrolled access is available, more products may be taken than needed at the time, such that the supply is exhausted more quickly than when used according to actual demand. A further example of free dispense may be medical supplies (e.g. masks, gloves) made available to the public without charge. 21 02 24

[004] A solution to the above is to provide a conventional dispenser that operates with tokens given freely only to those that the product is aimed at, but this practice is problematic as the tokens need to be constantly recirculated by accessing the machine. There is also a reasonable likelihood that someone in need may not have a valid token to hand at the critical moment. Summary of the invention

[005] The present invention seeks to provide a dispenser that addresses the above-mentioned issues or at least provides the public and product suppliers with a useful alternative to known vending machines.

[006] In a broad aspect the invention is defined as a system according to claim 1. For example, providing a system and associated dispenser to dispense free articles in a managed way, comprising: a lockable housing for enclosing a supply of articles to be dispensed; at least one dispense mechanism for dispensing articles; at least one dispense port; an activatable switch (e.g. accessible controller, receiving means or reader, that is token-less in the sense it does not need to receive and store an activating token within the housing) configured for communication with an activation device (e.g. a card, magnetic card, magnet, fob or key held by an external user) for, subsequently, activating the at least one dispense mechanism to release an article to the dispense port.

[007] The activation means / controller and / or at least one dispense mechanism is manually configured for generating a time delay until a next dispense operation can be made. The time delay may be manually adjustable from no delay at all, to several seconds, or minutes. It will be apparent that a delay may not in fact be present, but the dispensing system is configurable for this function. In one example, a dial (e.g. potentiometer 21 02 24 or other form of variable resistor) inside the unit may be provided to manually set a length of time. Such a dial may only be accessible by authorised personnel when the dispenser is refilled with articles to be dispensed. In this way, the invention may serve to provide a managed / secure dispense option for free articles without use of tokens that must be stored by the device. A time delay provides a measure of security, while being able to be implemented with simple electronics. The dispenser may be configured to count a delay, e.g. of 2, 5, 10, or 30 seconds, before the activation means will operate again. In this embodiment the card is not a credit, debit or prepaid card, but simply a card with a magnetic aspect. Alternative forms of activation may utilise a tag, fob or shaped key to communicate with a receiving / mating device which provides a measure of security, compared to free and unimpeded access.

[008] A vending machine is provided according to claim 12, whereas a method is disclosed according to claim 13.

[009] In one form, the dispenser can operate by use of a portable device, e.g. card with a magnetic strip, carried by a user and to communicate with a reader configured for the particular choice of device. For example, the portable device may comprise a magnet with a specific magnetic field that is compatible for activating the switch / controller. Therefore, the portable device ultimately causes activation of a release mechanism to dispense articles free of charge.

[0010] Same or similar articles may be stacked within the housing in different columns for dispense, located above a common dispense port or a separate dispense port for each column of article. However, many types of dispense method / mechanism are possible such as incorporating a spiral / coil movement, shelves, trays, but the invention is not limited to these since the principle concept is related to free activation.

[0011] It will be apparent to a skilled person that vending machines operating by use of personally held cards are not new, but the idea of a dispenser operating with a card of bare / minimal function, to enable free vending in a more controlled / managed basis, is not currently known.

[0012] The activation device, be it a card, fob, key or other easily portable means, can be distributed to pupils, staff, etc. as a "Wellbeing Card". The activation device is portable, multiuse and remains with the user, as distinct from a token that can only be used once until it is retrieved from the dispenser and put back into circulation. While the primary use-case of the invention is to dispense free products, this may not be the case and should not preclude other use. For example, the customers may pay a fee or deposit for the activation device (e.g. card / fob) initially, or a monthly subscription.

[0013] The device may have a built-in identifiable or unique characteristic, e.g. identification number / function, so as to be distinguished from other devices that may be available to a would-be abuser of the free articles, such as a standard credit card or common magnet that may otherwise fool the system.

[0014] The system described herein is intended to provide a level of security that is sufficient to prevent casual abuse but, ultimately, the dispenser is to house and supply free articles of low value. Therefore, there is an intentional limit to the sophistication of the system to meet practical cost constraints for manufacture, installation and ongoing use.

[0015] In one form, the dispenser and associated system operates without mains power. One or more batteries may be implemented to operate the activation electronics and dispense (motor) functions, respectively.

[0016] In one form, the activatable switch is a reed switch, e.g. actuated by a magnet of known strength, which closes a circuit to activate a release mechanism. A magnet may be embedded in a card or other portable device. Preferably, the strength of the magnet is at least greater than that of a mobile phone speaker. In this way, a common magnet (such as within a mobile phone) cannot be used to trick the system.

[0017] The dispenser may feature a plurality of switches and / or release mechanisms. For example, the dispenser housing may feature a plurality of columns / indexes of product, each with its own dispenser function. In this way a range of products can be stored for dispense, e.g. both a sanitary towel and tampon, disposable or washable / reusable. Plural switches may be replaced by a single authorisation switch / reader in communication with multiple press buttons, each activating a corresponding release mechanism. In some forms a keypad may be provided, e.g. allowing the user to enter a code which then activates the dispense functions and vends the product (i.e. instead of or in addition to a fob / card, etc). In this way, a single activation by a portable activation device, or a keycode, can be enacted, but the user then chooses which free product is required. Only one product may be dispensed at a time, with a timer or other counter means prohibiting immediate dispense of another free product to the same or other portable device.

[0018] In one form, the activatable switch may incorporate Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader technology, to be triggered by the proximity of a passive or active RFID tag (e.g. embedded in a card or fob).

[0019] In one form, the lockable housing comprises a removable front cover or door. A front face of the housing may comprise cut outs corresponding to the shape / configuration of the switch or controller means, enabling access therethrough the housing wall. In this way an entire front face can be removed for access to dispenser contents, without disturbing or relocating electronics. In other forms, the switch means may be surface mounted on the housing or separate and adjacent thereto.

[0020] The dispenser as described above may be modified to incorporate both free products and, additionally, products with a cost associated. The paid-for products may be loaded into columns / rows associated with a payment means activated release mechanism, while free products are subject to activation by a portable device as described above.

[0021] It will be apparent that one expression of the invention is a dispensing system comprised of a lockable housing, a controller and an activation device to communicate with the controller for activating release of a product stored within the housing, wherein the controller includes a timer to provide a minimum delay until the next product can be released. In this way, no matter how frequently the activation device is used to attempt activation of the controller, a measure of security is provided to prevent excessive dispense of products at any one time.

[0022] An alternative expression of the invention provides a dispensing system for free products comprised of a lockable housing, a controller and a portable activation device to communicate with the controller for activating a release mechanism to dispense a product stored within the housing, wherein the portable activation device comprises a characteristic recognisable by the controller to enable activation of the release mechanism, without payment for the product.

[0023] The identifying characteristic may be a known magnetic force and / or identification means, such as RFID. Communication between the controller and portable device may be via a reed switch, laser scan (e.g. of a QR code) or physical connection such as a key. In this way, only an "authorised" portable device is used to enable activation of the controller and a measure of security is provided to prevent dispense because only an authorised user can obtain products. Further security can be encouraged by keeping a record of how many products are dispensed to a particular portable device. Instances of abuse may be identified or, a maximum number of free products may be allocated to a particular identification number.

[0024] The controller may additionally include a timer to provide a minimum delay (e.g. by disabling activation of the release mechanism) until the next product can be released.

[0025] In a further aspect, a method for dispensing free articles as in claim 15 is disclosed herein. The method involves the steps of: providing a dispenser; providing a supply of one or more free articles to the dispenser; providing a portable activation device to a user. A release mechanism of the dispenser is enabled for activation upon contacting the portable activation device to a switch means associated with the dispenser and, subsequently, a first article is dispensed from the dispenser via the release mechanism. Activation of the release mechanism is then disabled for a specified time period so as to delay release of a second article. In this way, the speed and effective amount of dispense of articles is controlled so as to discourage abuse. The control mechanism or electronics is intended to be cheap and simple, without need for memory storage or processor to manage a payment system. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] The present invention will be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a dispenser device configured for supply of free articles, according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0027] The following description presents exemplary embodiments and, together with the representative drawing, serves to explain principles of the invention. However, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise details of the embodiments, since variations will be apparent to a skilled person and are deemed also to be covered by the description. Terms for components used herein should be given a broad interpretation that also encompasses equivalent functions and features. In some cases, several alternative terms (synonyms) for structural features have been provided but such terms are not intended to be exhaustive.

[0028] Descriptive terms should also be given the broadest possible interpretation, e.g. the term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of" such that interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner. Directional terms such as "vertical", "horizontal", "up", "down", "upper" and "lower" are used for convenience of explanation usually with reference to the illustrations and are not intended to be ultimately limiting if an equivalent function can be achieved with an alternative dimension and / or direction. The description herein refers to embodiments with particular combinations of features, however, it is envisaged that further combinations and cross-combinations of compatible features between embodiments will be possible. Indeed, isolated features may function independently as an invention from other features and not necessarily require implementation as a complete combination.

[0029] It will be understood that the illustrated embodiment shows applications only for the purposes of explanation. In practice, the invention may be applied to many different configurations, where the resultant embodiment will be straightforward for those skilled in the art to implement.

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment to demonstrate use of the invention. A dispenser 10, which may be a wall mounted or standalone enclosure, has a front face 11 upon which product information and / or usage instructions may be displayed. In the illustrated embodiment two activation zones 12 and 13 are shown, each relating to a different product stored within, e.g. a tampon or a sanitary towel. In use, a product is dispensed into an access port 14 or 15, being an opening into a recess where a product drops under gravity from an internal release mechanism (not shown). Typically, one product at a time only will be released.

[0031] Dispenser 10 includes a number of features that are not visible in Figure 1, e.g. an internal storage compartment, spiral dispenser, tray, shelf, chute or channel from which products are to be dispensed, which may be comprised of separate organised columns of stacked / indexed product or an unorganised store, but where a single or controlled number of articles can be released; and at least one release mechanism activated by a controller upon receipt of an activation signal, which may ultimately be generated by closing a switch. The release mechanism may be motorised, a solenoid or other form of gate. In preferred forms the operation is electronic and so may require at least one battery to supply electricity, however, a pure mechanical solution may be possible, such as a key operated released mechanism, e.g. with a lever pulled to actuate release to the access port. Access to the internal cavity of dispenser 10 may be via a key activated lock 16, accessible on a surface of the dispenser. In the illustrated case it is at a top corner, but may be anywhere on the dispenser, including on a side wall. The material of the casing can be steel, aluminium, plastic, or any other material that would be suitable for a casing. A separate battery may be provided for powering the control electronics and release motor, respectively.

[0032] In the illustrated form, the two activation zones 12 / 13 correspond to cut-outs that allow access into the housing (e.g. through a sheet metal wall) to contact a control means, e.g. incorporating a reed switch. The user is able to identify a position to activate dispense, via an image / brand, etc, depending on the product required. For example, the upper zone 12 may activate a left column (above port 15) of stacked articles and the lower zone 13 may activate a right column (above port 14). However, the cut-outs, zones 12 / 13, in the casing can be located wherever necessary for convenient access.

[0033] According to one form of the invention, a reed switch of a control circuit is activated by a card or fob 17 which includes an embedded magnet 18. The magnetic field of the magnet 18 may be selected to be sufficient to close the reed switch and ultimately release a product to a port. In a particular form, activation of the reed switch also triggers a time delay (i.e. disables use for a specified period) until a next product can be dispensed. In this way, it is not possible to simply tap or hold the card 17 multiple times against activation zone 12 or 13 and immediately obtain product after product without limitation. If the time delay (i.e. period of disability) is, say, 20-30 seconds a user will obtain the product they need and move on. A new user may activate dispense after the time period has elapsed or, in alternative systems where an activation device is identifiable, be ready for immediate use with a different card. Identification may be by means of an RFID tag, e.g. a passive RFID tag detectable by an RFID reader at the dispenser. The timing aspect comprises a timer that is manually adjustable. 21 02 24

[0034] In one form, the time delay may only affect the product column most recently activated. In other words, a user may be able to activate a first dispense action of a first product and then immediately activate a second dispense action of a second product, without restriction. However, a time delay may then be applied to the second dispense action. In this way, two different free products may be obtained at the same time (or in close succession) without delay, but a second set of the free products cannot be obtained until both time delays have expired. It will be apparent, that two, three or any number of product types can be arranged in this way.

[0035] Once a product is vended / dispensed from either column using a dispense mechanism and secure operation as detailed above, the two port cut-outs 14 and 15 will allow the product to be collected from the casing. Access ports 14 and 15 can be located wherever necessary / convenient. There can be any number of ports, dependent on the number of dispense options from within the dispenser 10.

[0036] In the form described, a wall mounted / free standing dispenser containing products can be activated by a magnet, to trigger a dispensing method (e.g. motor or other type such as release of a solenoid that enables a lever to be used) to vend a product. As mentioned, the device may have a configuration so as to temporarily disable use and create a time delay until the next vend can be made, e.g. a delay can range from no delay at all, to several seconds, or even minutes. Generally, the range would be 0-10 seconds, 10 seconds to 20, 30, 40 or one minute.

[0037] In the illustrated form, dispense of a free article is activated by a magnet 18 against a reed switch 12 / 13 on the device, however, a more 21 02 24 sophisticated system (such as RFID with or without a capability to distinguish between activation devices) could be used so long as the capability of free dispensing, in a managed way, is maintained. The activation device may be a magnetic card, fob or similar, allowing the user to operate the machine free of charge (i.e. no tokens, coins, card payments required). The card is not a credit, debit or prepaid card; simply a card with a magnet, RFID or equivalently functioning purpose.

[0038] Particularly, the device is intended to be easy to use, no matter what the configuration, and will enable free vending on a controlled basis, depending on who is given access to a magnetic card, key fob, plastic key to switch, etc.

[0039] The invention can be broadly summarised as a dispenser for dispensing free articles and an associated system and dispensing method. A lockable housing with at least one compartment for arranging articles therein has a release mechanism activated in response to an activation device being brought into contact with a switch of a control means. The activation device may comprise a magnet of specific strength selected to activate the switch. The control means and / or release mechanism includes a timer configurable to provide a manually adjustable delay until the release mechanism can be activated to release the next indexed article. In this way, the dispenser provides a simple solution to maintain a measure of security that discourages excess or misuse of articles.

[0040] In certain forms the circuit board (i.e. controller) may enable a time delay for a first dispense mechanism that a user has just vended a product from, but it is also noteworthy that the time delay will restrict a second dispense mechanism (or columns / shelves etc) from being activated as well. This accounts for where there may be the same product being vended from multiple shelves / columns. For example, options are (i) customer vends a first product, but now cannot get the first product and a second product for a period of time; or (ii) customer vends first product, and now cannot obtain first product for a period of time, but can get a second product.

[0041] In one form, the controller may include or be in communication with a keypad. The keypad may provide additional functions (such as selecting a number of products) or be configured as the activation device. In a most basic form, the keypad will be able to activate the release mechanism upon entry of the correct code. In further forms, the timer aspect will be enacted to limit dispense. 21 02 24

Claims

10 06 251. A dispensing system for free articles, comprised of:a lockable housing;at least one compartment for free value articles within the lockable housing;at least one exit port;a release mechanism operable to release an article from the at least one compartment to the at least one exit port;a controller; andan activation device;wherein the controller is configured to communicate with the activation device and enable activation of the release mechanism without payment; andwherein the controller and / or the at least one release mechanism includes a manually adjustable electronic timer configured or configurable to provide a minimum delay until the at least one release mechanism can be activated to release a next free value article.

2. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the activation device is a keypad.

3. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the activation device is a portable activation device comprising a magnet selected to be compatible with the controller.10 06 254. The dispensing system of any preceding claim, wherein the manually adjustable electronic timer comprises a variable resistor accessible within the lockable housing.

5. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the activation device is portable and comprises a characteristic recognisable by the controller for enabling activation of the release mechanism, without payment for the article.

6. The dispensing system of claim 5, wherein the characteristic is a magnet selected to be recognised by the controller.

7. The dispensing system any preceding claim, wherein the activation device is comprised of a card, fob or key.

8. The dispensing system of any preceding claim, wherein thecontroller comprises a reed switch.

9. The dispensing system of any preceding claim, wherein thecontroller comprises or is in communication with an activation zone at a surface of the lockable housing, for contacting the activation device.

10. The dispensing system of any preceding claim, wherein the controller comprises or is in communication with at least one button configured to cause activation of the at least one release mechanism following enablement by the activation device.10 06 2511. The dispensing system of any preceding claim, further comprising at least one further compartment for paid-for articles within the lockable housing;a second release mechanism operable to release a paid-for article from the at least one further compartment to the at least one access port;wherein the controller or a second controller is configured for processing payment associated with the value of a paid-for article, prior to activating the second release mechanism to release a paid-for article from the at least one further compartment.

12. A vending machine, comprising:a lockable housing;at least one release mechanism operable for releasing a free article from the lockable housing;a controller;wherein the controller is configured to communicate with an activation device and enable activation of the at least one release mechanism without payment; andwherein the controller and / or the at least one release mechanism includes a manually adjustable electronic timer configured or configurable to provide a minimum delay until the at least one release mechanism can be activated to release a next free value article.

13. A method for dispensing free articles; comprising:providing a vending machine according to claim 12;10 06 25providing a supply of one or more free articles to the vending machine;manually adjusting the electronic timer within the lockable housing to provide a minimum delay for when the release mechanism of the vending machine can be activated to release a next free value article;locking the housing;providing the activation device to a user;contacting the activation device, by the user, to a switch means associated with the release mechanism;dispensing a first article from the dispenser via the release mechanism; andelectronically disabling activation of the release mechanism for a specified time period, according to the manual adjustment of the electronic timer, so as to delay release of a second article upon contacting the activation device, by the user, to the switch means.

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