Table vending machine

Abstract

SOLUTION: 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.EFFECT: The reduced height and size of the vending machine enable it to be placed in locations that are unavailable to conventional vending machines.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The described embodiments generally relate to systems and methods for selling food and beverage products from vending machines.

Background Art

[0002] Vending machines are used to automatically sell food and beverage products to consumers. A typical vending machine can accommodate a combination of beverages such as soda, juice, or water, and foods such as nuts, snack mixes, and candy bars. Vending machines typically include exterior advertisements or branding that are designed to attract potential customers.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] A tabletop vending machine includes a lower housing and an upper housing positioned above the lower housing, the upper housing including a transparent portion configured to be visible from outside the tabletop vending machine into the interior of the upper housing. A delivery portal is positioned on the upper housing and configured to allow access to the product without the customer accessing the interior of the upper housing. A product delivery system is disposed within the upper housing. The rollers include a horizontally oriented roller surface with a plurality of rollers, each of the plurality of rollers being operably connected to a roller actuator configured to rotate the roller and a roller tray movably disposed on the roller surface, the plurality of rollers allowing the roller tray to move within a horizontal plane. The roller tray is configured to releasably hold the product. A product storage system is positioned within the lower housing and configured to releasably store the product. A product transfer system is disposed within the lower housing and configured to transfer the product from the product storage system to the roller tray. A user interface is positioned on the upper housing and configured to allow the customer to purchase the product. The product delivery system is visible from outside the vending machine through the transparent portion.

[0004] Another embodiment of a system for vending products includes a product storage system configured to releasably store products disposed within a lower housing, and a product transfer system positioned within the lower housing and configured to transfer products from the lower housing to an upper housing. The product delivery system is positioned within the upper housing and configured to deliver products to a delivery portal disposed on the upper housing. The product delivery system includes a horizontally oriented roller surface and a movable roller tray configured to releasably hold the products. The roller surface also includes a plurality of rollers connected to a roller actuator configured to rotate the rollers, the rotation of the rollers enabling the roller tray to translate along the roller surface.

[0005] A method for using an embodiment of a vending machine includes receiving a product selection input from a customer at a user interface disposed on an upper housing of the vending machine. The vending machine then uses a product transfer system disposed within a lower housing to transfer an example of the selected product from a product storage system disposed within the lower housing of the vending machine to the upper housing. Next, the vending machine receives the selected product in a roller tray disposed on a horizontally oriented roller surface disposed within the upper housing, the roller tray being configured to releasably hold the product. The vending machine then uses a plurality of roller tray actuators to actuate a plurality of rollers disposed on the roller surface to transfer the product to a delivery portal disposed on the upper housing. Finally, the vending machine sells the product to the customer through the delivery portal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further explain the principles of the present disclosure and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present disclosure.

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments, including structures, systems, and methods, may be practiced without these specific details. The descriptions and representations herein are the ordinary means used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey their research to other skilled artisans. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits are not described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] References in this specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "an example embodiment", etc., mean that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, whether or not explicitly described, the impact of such feature, structure, or characteristic on other embodiments is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0015] The following examples are illustrative of the present disclosure but not limiting. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the various conditions and parameters commonly encountered in the art, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0016] A vending machine is a device designed to automatically sell products, including consumables such as soda or candy bars, without the need for a salesperson to be present. These machines are configured to safely store food and sell the selected product when payment for the product is processed. A typical vending machine has a large rectangular housing that stores food and houses the necessary input and payment systems. Due to their size and form factor, vending machines are typically installed against a wall or within a recess in a wall. This limitation is undesirable as it restricts the ability to place vending machines within the area accessible by potential customers.

[0017] Vending machines include various elements designed to attract potential customers and interact with customers. For example, most vending machines include an external brand representing some of the products available for vending. Many modern vending machines also include a transparent section that allows customers to directly view the products from outside the vending machine. Customers can often see products with their own brands, as well as the internal delivery and the operation of the vending mechanism. These elements can, to some extent, attract customers and interact with them, but improvements in customer attraction and interaction are necessary to increase vending machine sales.

[0018] In an embodiment, the vending machine includes a housing having a horizontal upper surface and defining a product compartment disposed below the upper surface, and a plurality of products for vending disposed within the product compartment. At least a portion of the upper surface is transparent, and one or more products are visible through the transparent upper surface.

[0019] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a tabletop vending machine comprising a lower housing and an upper housing disposed on top of the lower housing, the upper housing comprising a transparent portion configured to be visible from outside the tabletop vending machine into the interior of the upper housing. A delivery portal is disposed on the upper housing and configured to enable a customer to access a product without accessing the interior of the upper housing. A product delivery system is disposed within the upper housing and comprises a horizontally oriented roller surface with a plurality of rollers, each of the plurality of rollers being operably connected to a roller actuator configured to rotate the roller and a roller tray movably disposed on the roller surface, the plurality of rollers enabling the roller tray to move within a horizontal plane, the roller tray being configured to releasably hold a product. A product storage system disposed within the lower housing is configured to releasably store a product, and a product transfer system disposed within the lower housing is configured to transfer a product from the product storage system to the roller tray. A user interface disposed on the upper housing is configured to enable a customer to purchase a product. The product delivery system is visible from outside the vending machine through an upper wall.

[0020] The embodiments described herein may have one or more advantages over existing vending machines. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 5, it may be placed in a shared space such as in a waiting room or in the middle of a cafeteria. This enables a vending machine to be incorporated into spaces where a conventional vending machine cannot be installed. Another exemplary advantage is the manner in which the transparent upper portion, in combination with the roller-based product delivery system, serves to attract customers. Conventional vending machines cannot be adapted to the visual effects created by a roller-based delivery system that is visible through a transparent upper portion.

[0021] In an embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine 1 includes an upper housing 10 disposed above a lower housing 20. In some embodiments, the upper housing 10 and the lower housing 20 are generally rectangular. In other embodiments, the upper housing 10 and the lower housing 20 are generally square with the upper housing 10 having a longer side than the lower housing 20. The lower housing 20 includes a lower housing wall 22 made of a suitable opaque material such as, for example, metal, plastic, or a composite material. In some embodiments, the upper housing 10 and the lower housing 20 may be an integral structure, i.e., they are one continuous structure.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the upper housing 10 includes an upper housing wall 12 and an upper surface 14 positioned above the upper housing wall 12. The upper surface 14 may be made of a suitable transparent material and may thus be configured to be visible from the outside of the vending machine 1 for a part of the interior of the vending machine 1. In some embodiments, the upper surface 14 may be a horizontal plane. In some embodiments, the upper surface 14 may be parallel to a surface such as a floor that supports the vending machine 1. The upper housing wall 12 may be made of a suitable opaque material such as, for example, metal, plastic, or a composite material.

[0023] In an embodiment, the vending machine 1 may be configured to have a form factor smaller than that of a conventional vending machine. For example, some embodiments of the vending machine 1 may be 4 feet or less in height and 5 feet or less in maximum length or width dimension. These measurements may be changed to fit the vending machine 1 into a specific space. Thus, for example, other embodiments of the vending machine 1 may be 3 feet or less in height and 4 feet or less in maximum length or width dimension. Some embodiments of the vending machine 1 may be adapted to function as a table, for example, by adjusting the amount by which the overall height of the vending machine 1 and the upper housing 10 are wider than the lower housing 20. In some embodiments, the ratio of the height of the vending machine 1 to its width may be less than 1, which means that the vending machine 1 is wider than it is tall. In some embodiments, the ratio of the height of the vending machine 1 to its width may be less than 0.5. In some environments, a vending machine 1 with a lower height enables placement in locations inaccessible to conventional large vending machines.

[0024] In an embodiment, the vending machine 1 may include a product delivery system 30. The product delivery system 30 is disposed on the upper housing 10. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the product delivery system 30 includes a horizontally oriented roller surface 32. The roller surface 32 includes a plurality of rollers 33 configured to protrude slightly above the roller surface 32. The rollers 33 rotate freely. This allows a flat object placed on top of the roller surface 32 to be displaced freely around the roller surface 32 with a minimal amount of force because the rollers 33 support the weight of the object.

[0025] In some embodiments, roller 33 is connected to roller actuator 34. Roller actuator 34 can rotate roller 33 in either direction. Therefore, an object placed on top of roller 33 can be moved across roller surface 32 by using roller actuator 34 to rotate roller 33. In one embodiment, roller surface 32 with actuating roller 33 may be provided as described in International Publication No. WO 2014 / 012861, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. By controlling the direction in which actuating roller 33 rotates, an object on roller 33 can be transferred to any part of the surface.

[0026] In some embodiments, the vending machine 1 includes a roller tray 36. The roller tray 36 is also part of the product delivery system 30. The roller tray 36 is configured with a flat bottom designed to slide along the roller surface 32. The upper surface of the roller tray 36 is configured to releasably hold the vending product 52. In some embodiments, the roller tray 36 may include a flat surface and the product 52 is simply placed on the flat surface. In other embodiments, the roller tray 36 may include a mechanism for holding the product 52, such as an actuating lever or gripping device. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the roller tray 36 translates along the roller surface 32 through the actuation of the rollers 33 and can reach any portion of the roller surface 32 and, in some embodiments, extends through substantially all of the horizontal plane of the upper housing 10. In some embodiments of the vending machine 1, the roller surface 32, the rollers 33, and the roller tray 36 are visible from outside the vending machine 1 through the transparent portion of the upper housing wall 12 of the upper housing 10. Some embodiments of the vending machine 1 may include more than one roller tray 36. In these embodiments, the roller trays 36 may be moved simultaneously with each other, for example, to simultaneously deliver the product 52 to separate delivery portals 60. Embodiments of the vending machine 1 in which the roller surface 32 is visible from the outside may be programmed to move the roller tray 36 in a pattern designed to attract customers to the vending machine 1. For example, multiple roller trays 36 may be moved in a complex pattern at high speed along the roller surface 32 by the rollers 33 to attract potential customers to the vending machine 1.

[0027] In some embodiments, the vending machine 1 includes a product storage system 50. The product storage system 50 is disposed within the lower housing 20. The products 52 are releasably stored within the product storage system 50. In some embodiments, the product storage system 50 includes a plurality of product storage cartridges 54 configured to releasably store the products 52. Typically, one type of product is stored within each product storage cartridge 54, which in turn is releasably disposed within the lower housing 20 as part of the product storage system 50. The product storage cartridges 54 may be pre-loaded with the products 52 and improve the replenishment efficiency of the vending machine 1 by reducing the number of items that must be removed and replaced from the vending machine 1.

[0028] In an embodiment, the vending machine 1 may include a product transfer system 40. The product transfer system 40 is disposed within the lower housing 20 and the upper housing 10. The product transfer system 40 is configured to transfer the products 52 from the product storage system 50 within the lower housing 20 to a roller tray 36 positioned on the roller surface 32. The product transfer system 40 may be any well-known system for transferring products within a vending machine. For example, in some embodiments, the product transfer system 40 combines an x-y delivery system oriented in a horizontal plane with a product elevator 42. The product elevator 42 is configured to releasably hold the products 52 removed from the product storage system 50. The products 52 may be transferred from the product storage system 50 to the product elevator 42 in several different ways. For example, the products 52 may be supplied onto the product elevator 42 by gravity. In some embodiments, the products 52 may be loaded into a coil of rigid wire formed in a spiral shape, and the spiral may be advanced a certain degree to transfer the products 52 to the product elevator 42. Other suitable methods for transferring the products 52 from the product storage system 50 to the product elevator 42 are well-known in the art.

[0029] The x-y system transfers the product elevator 42 in a horizontal plane positioned below the roller surface 32, and the product elevator 42 can be lowered to retrieve the product 52 from the product storage system 50 and then raised to accurately place the product 52 onto the roller tray 36 when the product is in the appropriate horizontal position. In an embodiment, the roller surface 32 may have an opening that enables the product elevator 42 to access the roller tray 36. The x-y delivery system may consist of a first track 44 fixed within the upper housing 10 or the lower housing 20 and is thus oriented to be parallel to one of the sides of the vending machine 1. A second track 46 is movably attached to the first track 44 so as to be perpendicular to the first track 44. The product elevator 42 can be movably attached to the second track 46. By operation, it is possible to move the second track 46 along the first track 44 and move the product elevator 42 along the second track 46. Examples of operation may include a gear and rack mechanism, or a belt or chain drive disposed on each of the first track 44 and the second track 46. Other systems for transferring the product 52 from the lower housing 20 can be used without limitation.

[0030] In an embodiment, the vending machine 1 includes one or more delivery portals 60. The one or more delivery portals 60 are disposed on the exterior of the vending machine 1. In some embodiments, the delivery portal 60 is disposed on the exterior of the upper housing 10. In some embodiments, the delivery portal 60 may be installed on the upper surface 14 of the vending machine 1. In some embodiments, the delivery portal 60 may be disposed on a surface of the vending machine 1 that is perpendicular to the upper surface 14. The delivery portal 60 is configured to allow a customer to access the interior of the vending machine 1 and retrieve the product 52 without accessing the rest of the vending machine 1. In some embodiments, one delivery portal 60 is installed on each of the sides of the vending machine 1. This enables multiple customers to retrieve the products 52 ordered simultaneously.

[0031] In an embodiment, the vending machine 1 includes a delivery interface 70. The delivery interface 70 is disposed outside the vending machine 1. The delivery interface 70 is configured to receive input from a customer, convey information to the customer regarding products 52 available for vending, and accept payment information from the customer. In some embodiments, the delivery interface 70 includes an input device 72 such as a keypad or a touch screen. The delivery interface 70 also includes a display device 74 configured to display information to the customer. In some embodiments, the delivery interface 70 and the display device 74 may be combined into one device, such as when a touch screen is used. Two or more delivery interfaces 70 may be disposed outside the vending machine 1. For example, each delivery interface 70 may be paired with and disposed in the vicinity of each delivery portal 60.

[0032] In an embodiment, the vending machine 1 includes a controller 80 and a sensor 82. The sensor 82 is designed to sense the proximity of a prospective customer and transmit that information to the controller 80. The sensor 82 may include an external camera, an ultrasonic sensor, or any other type of sensor suitable for the present application. In an embodiment of the vending machine 1 having a transparent top surface 14, the controller 80 is configured to move one or more roller trays 36 in a pattern along the roller surface 32 when a prospective customer is near the vending machine 1. This movement pattern is designed to attract the attention of the prospective customer to approach the vending machine 1 and ultimately make a purchase from the vending machine 1. In an embodiment of the vending machine 1, the controller 80 and the sensor 82 may be integrated into the delivery interface 70.

[0033] A method of using an embodiment of the vending machine 1 is described herein. As shown in the figures, first, in the ordering step 100, the customer receives information regarding the available products 52 and places an order for one of the products 52 using the delivery portal 60. In the transfer step 110, the product transfer system 40 retrieves the product 52 from the product storage system 50 and transfers it to the roller tray 36 on the roller surface 32 using the product elevator 42. In the second delivery step 120, the roller tray 36 translates across the auxiliary or roller 33 and the roller surface 32 until it reaches the delivery portal 60. In the retrieval step 130, the product 52 is presented at the delivery portal 60 for retrieval by the customer.

[0034] A method of purchasing products using an embodiment of the vending machine 1 begins when the customer approaches the vending machine 1. The customer reviews the available products 52 and information regarding those products using the delivery interface 70. The customer then selects one of the products 52 for purchase. The vending machine 1 uses the product elevator 42 to transfer the product 52 from the product storage system 50 to the roller tray 36 on the roller surface 32. The roller tray 36, configured to releasably hold the product 52, is displaced across the roller surface 32 on the roller 33 until it reaches the delivery portal 60. The customer then retrieves the product 52 through the delivery portal 60.

[0035] The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

**Claim 1**: A method for dispensing a product from a vending machine, comprising: Detecting a prospective customer near the vending machine using a plurality of sensors disposed in an upper housing or a lower housing of the vending machine; Moving, through a controller, a roller tray disposed on a roller surface disposed in the upper housing of the vending machine and oriented horizontally in a pattern designed to attract the prospective customer; Receiving from a customer a first product selection input for selecting a first product; Using a plurality of roller tray actuators to operate a plurality of rollers disposed on the roller surface to transfer the first product to a first dispensing portal disposed in the upper housing; Dispensing the first product to the customer through the first dispensing portal. **Claim 2**: Receiving from a customer a second product selection input for selecting a second product; Receiving an example of the second product on a second roller tray disposed on the horizontally oriented roller surface; Transferring the second product on the second roller tray to a second dispensing portal, wherein transferring the first product and the second product on the roller surface is performed simultaneously. The method according to claim 1. **Claim 3**: The upper housing is quadrilateral, wherein the first dispensing portal and the second dispensing portal are disposed on different vertical sides of the upper housing. The method according to claim 2. **Claim 4**: Using a product transfer system disposed in the lower housing to transfer an example of the first product from a product storage system disposed in the lower housing of the vending machine disposed under the upper housing to the upper housing. The method according to claim 1, wherein the product storage system includes a plurality of product storage cartridges configured to store products. **Claim 5**: The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least one of a camera and an ultrasonic sensor. **Claim 6**: The method according to claim 1, wherein the roller tray is visible through a transparent portion on an upper surface of the upper housing. **Claim 7**: The method according to claim 1, comprising receiving the first product selection in a user interface disposed in the upper housing and configured to enable a customer to purchase the product. **Claim 8**: A method of dispensing a product from a vending machine, comprising: detecting a prospective customer in the vicinity of the vending machine using a plurality of sensors disposed in an upper housing or a lower housing of the vending machine; moving, through a controller, a roller tray disposed on a roller surface disposed in the upper housing of the vending machine and oriented horizontally in a pattern designed to attract the prospective customer; receiving a first product selection input for selecting a first product from a customer; transferring the first product to one of four dispensing portals disposed on different vertical side surfaces of the upper housing by operating a plurality of rollers disposed on the roller surface using a plurality of roller tray actuators; dispensing the first product to the customer through one of the four dispensing portals. **Claim 9**: receiving a second product selection input for selecting a second product from a customer; receiving an example of the second product on a second roller tray disposed on the horizontally oriented roller surface; transferring the second product to a second dispensing portal on the second roller tray. The method according to claim 8, wherein transferring the first product and the second product on the roller surface is performed simultaneously. **Claim 10**: The method according to claim 9, wherein the upper housing is quadrilateral. **Claim 11**: transferring an example of the first product from a product storage system disposed in a lower housing of the vending machine disposed under the upper housing to the upper housing using a product transfer system disposed in the lower housing; The method according to claim 8, wherein the product storage system includes a plurality of product storage cartridges configured to store products. **Claim 12**: The method according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least one of a camera and an ultrasonic sensor. **Claim 13**: The method according to claim 8, wherein the roller tray is visible through a transparent portion on an upper surface of the upper housing. The method according to claim 8, further comprising receiving the first product selection in a user interface disposed in the upper housing and configured to enable a customer to purchase the product.

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