Self-service vending machine for encapsulated products

Abstract

A self-service vending apparatus for encapsulated products is provided that comprises a dispensing unit for dispensing capsules of a food product, comprising cylindrical bodies, each cylindrical body intended for storing a plurality of capsules of one specific category in a 5 vertically stacked position, a capsule receiving part located under the column for storing a plurality of capsules, drive means each of which is intended for rotating a support capable of rotating each column for storing a plurality of capsules between open and closed positions, a touch panel and / or a display panel located on the front surface of the apparatus body; a control device located inside the apparatus body and intended for controlling the operations of selecting 10 and discharging the capsules.

Description

[0001] SELF-SERVICE VENDING APPARATUS OF ENCAPSULATED PRODUCTS

[0002] The present invention relates to vending and self-service devices, in particular vending machines for selling individual goods or products and can be used for selling beverages presented in capsule form in a self-service manner.

[0003] In the modern vending machine market, there is a demand for devices that incorporate or utilize modern technical or technological advances, while at the same time there is a need to adapt such high-tech vending machines to goods or products that focus on or respond to priority areas of the food industry, for example.

[0004] As is known, coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. The coffee industry, like other areas, is experiencing technical progress, as evidenced by the recent appearance of encapsulated coffee on the market and, accordingly, a wide variety of devices for preparing drinks from encapsulated coffee. Encapsulated coffee, or a coffee capsule, is a small, hermetic container made of plastic or aluminum, or a combination of both, in which a pre-dosed amount of ground coffee is placed. The advantage of coffee placed in a capsule is that it does not lose its properties, the taste remains saturated and the aroma does not fade. In today's market, coffee capsules are divided into two main types according to size, the so-called American format and the European format, although the number of types of coffee placed in capsules is much greater depending on the roasting method, intensity or strength, and flavored options.

[0005] The benefits of encapsulated coffee have led to a demand to apply these benefits to other products, such as tea, hot chocolate-like beverages, broth, soup, dried fruit and herbal infusions, etc. Cold drinks have not lagged behind this progress, as evidenced by the availability of encapsulated juice concentrates, multivitamins, and proteins.

[0006] Based on the above, there is a need to provide automatic vending machines for encapsulated beverages, the constructive configuration of which would meet the requirements of a wide range of consumers not only in terms of ease of operation, convenience, or efficiency, but also would ensure the combination of constructive and functional features characteristic of coffee capsules, which are determined by modern coffee production technologies.

[0007] A self-service coffee capsule vending machine (Nespresso Gemini full tower) is known, which is designed for unique coffee capsules and works only on one format, and which is also equipped with a payment system, a mechanical cup dispenser and a milk frother. The device is modular, and consists of 3 main modules: 1- capsule dispenser with storage and dispensing segments, also has a payment system. 2- coffee capsule preparation machine with milk frother. 3- table with storage and mechanical cup dispenser.

[0008] The disadvantage of the device in question is its low functionality, as the product range is limited, i.e. it does not include structural elements for storing and dispensing capsules of different formats (American, European) at the same time. It also does not have the ability to pay through the application program, which excludes the possibility of creating special offers, and is not recorded in the user database, which reduces the possibility of better adaptation to a specific location. In addition, the device works only with coffee capsules, as a result of which it cannot satisfy the needs of users who prefer other capsule drinks over coffee.

[0009] Another example is the hot beverage vending machine (CRISTALLO EVO 400 CAPSULE), which is designed only for the so-called DG capsule format, has only 1 blend of coffee capsules, also has powder containers, which allows the preparation of milky coffee drinks and also drinks such as hot chocolate, also has a tea section and a storage for disposable cups. Unlike the previous example, this machine delivers the prepared drink directly to the customer and no longer requires human involvement.

[0010] The disadvantage of the device in question is its unreliability with the user and the limited number of primary products. The unreliability is caused by the fact that all products are placed in a closed state and sanitary standards are not visible. The lack of primary products means the fact that only 1 format and 1 blend capsule is placed, that is, if the user wants a different type of coffee, the device will not be able to satisfy his request. Also, the sugar dispenser is in an open state, ants can easily enter it, and getting an ant into the food product is associated with quite high risks. In addition, it only has the option of paying in cash, therefore, neither card payments can be made nor the use of the application is envisaged.

[0011] US patent application 2012 / 0037008 discloses a coffee maker capable of adding multiple ingredients to the coffee being brewed, but the user has to program the coffee maker each time, making it inconvenient to use.

[0012] The technical effect of the present invention is to simplify the construction, expand the functional capabilities, increase the capacity, improve the operational characteristics and increase the reliability.

[0013] The simplification of the construction is achieved by simplifying the construction of the capsule storage block, which is formed by at least two hollow cylindrical elements, and by the fact that each of the said cylindrical elements has its own motor and is capable of rotating around its own axis, since such an embodiment does not require other auxiliary nodes that are kinematically connected to each other and perform rotary or reciprocating motion, the hollow cylindrical elements rotate selectively only around their own axis and do not perform simultaneous rotational translational motion. The structural form of the coffee capsule release mechanism can also be considered a simplification of the structure, since it is a stationary wing, located at a height from the table at the transverse size of the capsule of the corresponding format and made with the ability to pass through a cut made in the base of the hollow cylindrical element. Such a structure completely eliminates the need for various movement mechanisms, guides and means for moving the capsules in the correct orientation on the said guides. In addition, the structure is simplified due to the different execution of the coffee capsule output unit, since it is a combination of a cut made below each cylindrical element on the mounting table and a chamber connected to it by guide channels, which can be called a dispensing section and which is equipped with a window for user access.

[0014] The expansion of the functional capabilities is achieved by the fact that each hollow cylindrical element of the said block is made of semi-attached profiles interconnected with each other, in such a way that the bases of the profile form a cylindrical cavity, and the open parts are directed towards the periphery, a vertical cutout is created on the periphery with the open part of each profile, with the possibility of placing coffee capsules in it in a transverse orientation, and also by the fact that one of the two hollow cylindrical elements is formed by profiles of different sizes, respectively, to ensure the storage of capsules of different formats by them. Because with such a constructive form of the capsule storage block, any restrictions on the nomenclature of goods are removed, that is, a constructive form of simultaneous storage and dispensing of coffee capsules of different formats (American, European) is provided. Functional capabilities are also increased by the fact that by placing more than two hollow cylindrical elements for storing capsules in the housing, we can increase the number of capsules to choose from depending on the type of coffee, intensity or strength, and flavored options.

[0015] The capacity increase is achieved by the construction of the storage block, where each hollow cylindrical element forming this block is made of interconnected semi-closed profiles, in such a way that the bases of the profile form a cylindrical cavity, and the open parts are directed towards the periphery, a vertical cutout is created on the periphery with the open part of each profile for placing coffee capsules in a transverse orientation, since such an embodiment provides for the arrangement of capsules on the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical elements in multiple vertical rows, instead of placing capsules in a single row in the cylinder cavity, i.e. the capacity is increased at least a multiple of the profiles forming the cylinder. The capacity increase is also served by the constructive execution of the profiles, since the capsules can be placed in a transverse orientation instead of longitudinally, as was achieved in the prior art.

[0016] Improvement of operational characteristics is achieved by the fact that the housing has a horizontally arranged mounting table, which divides the internal space of the housing into two parts, where at least two of the walls forming the upper part are made of transparent material and the capsule storage block is located in the upper part, since the formation of the apparatus with such a visualization means not only makes the service attractive to the user, but also helps him to easily make a decision. Operational characteristics are improved by the fact that due to the increase in the capacity of the storage block (which was already discussed above), the frequency of refilling services by the operator is reduced, equipping the control block in the apparatus with software and forming a payment system with QR (Quick Response Code) technology, provides fast, simple and, most importantly, accessible to the masses modern technologies adapted service.

[0017] Reliability is increased by the fact that the apparatus, based on simple constructive solutions (as discussed above), does not require the inclusion of mechanisms that are integrated or kinematically connected to each other, which minimizes the likelihood of the entire apparatus failing due to wear or other factors. Equipping each hollow cylindrical element of the storage block with its own motor allows the apparatus to operate even if one of them fails. Reliability is also increased by the fact that the constructive configuration ensures selective rotation of a separate cylindrical element, and not all of them at the same time, which at the same time allows the useful area of the housing to be used to the maximum extent and, accordingly, its overall dimensions are not increased.

[0018] Various aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, based on the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a coffee capsule vending apparatus according to the present invention.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows a representation of the hollow cylindrical elements of a vertical capsule storage block for coffee capsules of different formats (American, European).

[0021] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of each hollow cylindrical part in combination with a motor and a release mechanism.

[0022] Fig. 4 shows a schematic top view of the mounting table and the hollow cylindrical elements placed on it.

[0023] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of the cross-section of a semi-closed profile of various sizes. Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a portion of one of the hollow cylindrical elements, showingthe mechanism for releasing a single coffee capsule from a single slot formed by profiles.

[0024] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of the electronic block diagram of the vending apparatus.

[0025] Figure 8 illustrates a block diagram of the system.

[0026] Fig. 9 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the system.

[0027] Fig. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a delivery circuit for beverage ingredients.

[0028] Fig. 11 shows a system where the vending apparatus includes an electronic display.

[0029] Fig. 12 shows a user's mobile device with a user interface.

[0030] Fig. 13 shows a flow chart of an illustrative order fulfillment process.

[0031] The detailed description below provides a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0032] According to this embodiment, a vending apparatus for coffee capsules comprises a housing 1. The interior of the housing is divided into two parts by a mounting table 2, where at least 2 forming walls of the upper part are made of a transparent material, and the forming walls of the lower part 4 are made of an opaque material. In the transparent upper part 3 of the housing 1, a coffee capsule storage block is located, which is formed in the form of at least two vertically arranged hollow cylindrical elements 5 and 6. The term "at least" in this case is used in order to refer the storage of coffee capsules of two formats (e.g. American and European), i.e. of two different sizes, respectively 51 mm and 37 mm, in the said appatatus. Each hollow cylindrical element is formed by interlocking semi-circular profiles 7, 8 such that the profile bases 9 form a cylindrical cavity, and the open parts 10 are directed towards the periphery. It is clear that the arrangement of each profile provides the possibility of forming a vertical compartment and the coffee capsules are placed in them in a transverse orientation. It would be clear to a person skilled in the art that the concept of transverse orientation does not mean a strictly transverse arrangement, i.e. when the longitudinal axis of the coffee capsule is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the hollow cylindrical element. Electric motors (motor-gearboxes) 11 are disposed in the opaque part of the housing, so that each hollow cylindrical element has its own motor. Each motor is connected to the corresponding hollow cylindrical element via a shaft 12 and a disc 13 connecting the profiles of the hollow cylindrical element. In the embodiment disclosed herein, the number of the coupling discs is two, where 2 may be rigidly connected to the ceiling of the housing, and the second part of the axis may be rotatably inserted into the second coupling disc.

[0033] The apparatus is also provided with a capsule ejection unit. The unit is formed in the form of a combination of a cutout 14 made below each cylindrical element on the mounting table, and a chamber, i.e. dispensing section, (not shown in the figure) connected to it by guide channels (not shown in the figure), wherein the dispensing section has a window 15 for providing access to its interior and for ejecting the capsule. This form of implementation of the mechanism does not exclude its other configuration using methods and technical means known from the prior art, for example, means may be formed on the apparatus for ejecting the coffee capsule directly into the outer space of the apparatus (in front of the window), and the like.

[0034] The apparatus comprises a capsule release mechanism for releasing a capsule from a compartment formed by the profile of the hollow cylindrical element, for separating one capsule from the vertical row of capsules in said compartment and directing it towards a discharge unit.

[0035] The capsule release mechanism is in the form of a blade 16 disposed above each of said cutouts 14, where each wing is stationary and is attached at one end to the mounting table, and the another end is raised to the height of the transverse dimension of the capsule of the corresponding format. In addition, the said wing is arranged in such a way that it has the capability of passing through a circular groove 17 made at the bottom of the profiles forming the cylindrical element. Obviously, such a structure affects the initial arrangement of the capsules, for example, in a compartment formed by profiles, the capsules are placed in a transverse orientation one above the other, such that the capsules of the vertical row of each compartment except one rest on the mounting table by gravity, and in one compartment, under which the said blade may be located at the initial moment, the vertical row of capsules rests on the upper surface of the said blade.

[0036] The apparatus is also provided with a mobile payment system (not shown in the figure), a control unit and sensors connected thereto, a power supply unit, an antenna, the positions of which are not shown in the figure and most of which are located in the opaque part of the apparatus. The knowledge of person skilled in the art and the generally existing state of the art, a fairly large number of varieties of vending apparatuses, allows for the placement or connection of such auxiliary elements in any possible combination, the key being to ensure the quality of the service for which the specific vending apparatus is intended.

[0037] It should also be noted that the semi-coupled profiles can be made of both aluminum and plastic materials.

[0038] The number of doors (not shown in the figure) designed to provide the operator with access to the relevant sections of the housing may be at least two, to provide access to the contents of the storage unit in the transparent part. In the exemplary embodiment provided herein, one door is disposed in the ceiling of the housing, although such a configuration does not exclude its implementation in another way, for example, the door may be formed by one of the transparent lateral walls of the housing, and the like.

[0039] The apparatus operates as follows: after the user visually selects a capsule of the appropriate format (size) and / or composition, he / she scans the QR code from the sticker on the body of the apparatus, then selects the pre-selected coffee capsule, also selects the payment card from which he / she wants to make the payment, and makes the payment. Immediately after the payment is made, a signal is sent from the mobile payment system to the control unit, which turns on the corresponding electric motor. The motor rotates the hollow cylindrical element with the selected format and / or composition coffee capsules around its own axis. As the hollow cylindrical element rotates, a wing movable in the cutout formed in its base will enter the space between the last two capsules of the capsules disposed in the vertical compartment formed by the profile. Thus, the capsule below the wing, as the rotation continues, falls into the cutout of the capsule ejection unit and from there, through the channel, enters the dispensing section, from where it is taken out of a window made on the dispensing housing and connected to the dispensing section. In parallel with this process, a vertical row of capsules located above the released capsule rests on the upper surface of the wing, and upon further rotation of the hollow cylindrical element moves along the upper surface of this wing along a curved trajectory (in accordance with the wing surface) while ensuring a vertical downward movement under the influence of gravity until the capsules of the said vertical row touch the surface of the mounting table.

[0040] Every person has different tastes, so it is important to give the customer the opportunity to individually order a drink, and moreover, to save the order for use at another time convenient for them, or to be able to make changes to the order at a time they prefer.

[0041] For this purpose, the proposed apparatus includes a database structure that stores each user's profile, such as their picture, products, and product recipes.

[0042] The present invention enables the integration of a user's personal mobile digital device with a food vending apparatus through a communication network.

[0043] The technical solution proposed in the present invention enables the creation, deletion, and editing of user profiles, as well as the modification of system configuration settings.

[0044] Figure 8 illustrates a block diagram of the system. The system comprises a server 1 connected to a payment server 2 and a user's server 3 via a telecommunications network; a user's device 4 connected to the payment server 2 and the user's server 3 through the same telecommunications network.

[0045] Fig. 9 depicts all three main servers 1 to 3 of the system. In this embodiment, the user's device 4 establishes a connection with the vending apparatus via near field communication 5 or a quick response (Q.R) code 6, after which the apparatus connects to the payment server 2 and the user's server 3 via a telecommunications network. The user's device 4 allows the user to order a product, which should be ready when the user approaches the apparatus.

[0046] A specific embodiment has thus been described, although it should be evident to a person skilled in the art that many other modifications other than those described may exist within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the appended claims.

[0047] The user uses mobile applications on their device to interact with the apparatus. The mobile application installed on the user's mobile device identifies the dispenser, for example by scanning a QR code, and notifies the server about this. The server sends the user's profile data to the dispenser. In this particular embodiment, the dispenser has a database for storing user profiles.

[0048] In one embodiment, the vending apparatus control device includes a microprocessor connected to a memory device.

[0049] The control device contains a website that is designed for wireless transmission and configured to receive data of remotely selected products.

[0050] The vending apparatus includes a user interface, such as a touch screen display, through which the customer can select products. In addition, the interface can be used to obtain a user profile through interaction with the user's mobile device.

[0051] The vending apparatus may include network devices such as an NFC module, a BLUETOOTH module, a WiFi module, a cellular communication module, an Ethernet module, etc. The vending apparatus may communicate with the user's mobile device via a local area network. The user profile includes the user's favorite beverages. The vending apparatus may also be connected to one or more remote servers via a global network to receive software updates, content updates, user profiles, or beverage selection data, all of which are managed through the remote server. Fig. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a delivery circuit for beverage ingredients, such as sugar, syrup, carbon dioxide, water, carbonated water, etc., which includes a set of valves and dosing means 1, as well as an ingredient container 2.

[0052] The user's mobile device may be a smartphone, personal digital assistant, or any other mobile computing device. The vending apparatus may also be configured to communicate locally with the user's mobile device.

[0053] In one embodiment, the customer the customer can interact directly with the vending apparatus without needing to download a mobile application. In this case, the mobile device is used with or without an Internet connection to order the desired products, as well as to view the current and upcoming product assortment.

[0054] Typically, the mobile device and the vending apparatus are configured to connect to each other when brought within a sufficient distance to scan a QR code displayed on the display of the vending apparatus. Alternatively, the vending apparatus connects to a web server when the mobile device is in close proximity to it.

[0055] Fig. 11 shows a system where the vending apparatus includes an electronic display 1 for a user to control the vending apparatus, one or more mobile devices 2 for selecting desired products with the electronic displays and for initiating physical operations of the vending apparatus. The electronic displays are configured with user interfaces that display an assortment of available products, ingredients, for selection by the user.

[0056] The vending apparatus and mobile devices are provided with appropriate communication hardware to enable wireless communication between them.

[0057] Fig. 12 shows a user's mobile device 1 with a user interface displaying icons 2 of selectable products. The display shows a QR code 3 to perform scanning and establish communication with the dispenser.

[0058] In one implementation, the selected icon dynamically changes color when the user touches it with their finger, sending a signal to the dispenser. The user then presses a dedicated button to receive the selected product from the dispenser.

[0059] Figure 13 shows a flow chart of an illustrative order fulfillment process. The process begins with step 1, where a mobile application is activated on the user's mobile device. The user may download the mobile application from an app store. Alternatively, the user may enter personal identification data so that the application can send information to the vending apparatus to identify the user. In step 2, the vending apparatus determines whether the user is valid. After confirming validity, the vending apparatus blocks other users until the transaction with the given user is completed. Alternatively, the vending apparatus is configured to process multiple transactions simultaneously for multiple users and to sequentially deliver the selected products to different users in sequence.

[0060] In step 3, the mobile device receives the data selected by the user. In step 4, the mobile device sends the data selected by the user to the wireless transceiver of the vending apparatus. In step 5, the transceiver sends a control signal to the corresponding mechanism of the vending apparatus to activate it.

Claims

Claims1. A self-service vending apparatus for encapsulated products, that comprises: at least one dispensing unit for dispensing food product capsules having a substantially symmetrical shape about their axis, wherein the dispensing unit comprises at least one cylindrical body for storing a plurality of capsules of one specific category in a vertically stacked position; wherein the cylindrical body comprises a cylindrical capsule-holding body for holding one specific category of capsules that is designed to be placed in a vertical position on a rotatable support so that the desired capsule can be selected by the user by rotating said support to a position above a capsule receiving portion; a capsule receiving portion located beneath the cylindrical body for storing a plurality of capsules; drive means adapted to rotate the rotatable support of the capsules storage cylindrical body between open and closed positions; means for discharging individual selected capsules that comprises a rotatable housing having at least one outlet opening for positioning a selected capsule coaxially with a cylindrical body for holding the capsules and thus allowing the selected capsule to fall onto the receiving portion under the force of gravity; a touch panel and / or a display panel located on the front surface of the apparatus body; a control device located inside the machine body and designed to control the capsule selection and discharging operations.

2. The vending apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control device is further configured to control the selection and discharging operations of cups, sugar packets, and spoons.

3. The vending apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control device is further configured to monitor the quantity and types of capsules consumed; to initiate service functionality based on the quantity and type of capsules consumed.

4. A vending apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a data transmission means connected to said control device and configured to send a message to service personnel terminals via a communication network, notifying them of the need for service.

5. A vending apparatus according to claim 3, comprising a data transmission means connected to said control device and configured to send a message to a server computer via a telecommunications network, notifying it of the need for service.

6. The vending apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an integrated computing device platform for establishing wireless communication with a user's mobile communication terminal.

7. The vending apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the integrated mobile computing device platform includes an interface that stores information about capsules selected by the user andthat is configured to receive data about the capsule selection from the user's terminal and to transmit those data to said control device.

8. The vending apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the integrated mobile computing device platform is configured to store identification data of each user and statistical data based on the quantity and type of capsules consumed by them.

9. A vending apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit has software and is connected to a mobile payment system that is configured to use QR (Quick Response Code) technology.

10. The vending apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the housing of each of the plurality of capsules storage bodies is made of an optically transparent material.

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