Dual product vending machine

Abstract

Herein is disclosed a dual product vending machine comprising: a first product chute configured to hold a plurality of vertically stacked first products; a first product delivery duct connected to the first product chute; a first rotary member having an oval cross-section and mounted within the first product delivery duct; a second product chute configured to hold a plurality of vertically stacked second products; a second product delivery duct connected to the second product chute; and a second rotary member having a first recess and mounted within the second product delivery duct.

Description

DUAL PRODUCT VENDING MACHINECross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority from application No. 63 / 654,862, filed 31 May 2024. For purposes of the United States, this application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of application No. 63 / 654,862, filed 31 May 2024, and entitled MENSTRUAL PAD AND TAMPON DISPENSER which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure is directed vending machines. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to vending machines for vending two distinct products.Background

[0003] Vending machines provide a convenient and low maintenance method for dispensing products. A vending machine may be filled with products, and left unattended to dispense the products to users. The vending machine may be left unattended to dispense products until emptied of products, until such time the vending machine must be refilled.

[0004] Vending machines are often configured to dispense a single product, or multiple products of a single package shape and size. For example, a vending machine may dispense multiple different beverages, but only beverages in the same packaging, for example a can or a bottle.

[0005] There is a general desire for an improved vending machine. More particularly, there is a general desire for a vending machine capable of vending to distinct products.

[0006] The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.Summary

[0007] Further aspects and example embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and / or described in the following description.

[0008] One aspect of the invention provides a dual product vending machine, the vending machine comprising: a first product chute configured to hold a plurality of vertically stacked first products; a first product delivery duct connected to the first product chute and configured to receive the vertically stacked first products one at a time and direct them through a first product outlet; a first rotary member having an oval cross-section and mounted within the first product delivery duct, wherein the first rotary member is configured to advance a one of the vertically stacked first products from the first product chute, along the first product delivery duct, and out of the first product outlet; a second product chute configured to hold a plurality of vertically stacked second products; a second product delivery duct connected to the second product chute and configured to receive the vertically stacked second products one at a time and direct them through a second product outlet; and a second rotary member having a first recess and mounted within the second product delivery duct, wherein the second rotary member is configured to receive a one of the vertically stacked second products from the second product chute within the first recess and advance the one of the second products along the second product delivery duct and out of the second product outlet.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first rotary member is further configured to advance the one of the vertically stacked first products by lowering a first side of the one of the vertically stacked first products and angling the first side of the one of the vertically stacked first products towards a back wall of the first product delivery duct.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first product chute has an elbowed back wall, and the first side of the one of the vertically stacked first products slides along the elbowed back wall when the one of the vertically stacked first products is advanced by the first rotary member.

[0011] In some embodiments, the elbowed back wall has a first angled section, a second vertical section adjoining the first section by a first curved section, and a second angled section adjoining the second section by a second curved section.

[0012] In some embodiments, the second product chute has an angled back wall. The angled back wall may have a vertical section, a curved section contiguous with the vertical section, and a sloped section contiguous with the curved section.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first product is a menstrual pad, and / or the second product is a menstrual tampon.

[0014] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] The accompanying drawings illustrate non-limiting example embodiments of the invention.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dual product vending machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figs. 2A and 2B are respective plan and perspective views of an inside of the dual product vending machine depicted in Fig. 1 , according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Fig. 3A is a side view of a first product chute, a first product delivery duct, and a first rotary member, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Fig. 3B is a perspective view of a first rotary member mounted within a first product delivery duct, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Fig. 3C is a perspective view of a first rotary member, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Fig. 4A is a side view of a second product chute, a second product delivery duct, and a second rotary member, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Fig. 4B is a perspective view of a second rotary member mounted within a second product delivery duct, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Fig. 4C is a perspective view of a second rotary member, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.Description

[0024] Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive sense.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of dual product vending machine 100 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Vending machine 100 comprises body 10 having first control 14A and second control 14B. Vending machine 100 is configured to dispense a first product through first product outlet 16A upon activation of first control 14A, and a second product through second product outlet 16B upon activation of second control 14B. As such, vending machine 100 is configured to dispense two distinct products.

[0026] The first product and the second product may be menstrual products. For example, the first product may be a menstrual pad, and the second product may be a menstrual tampon.

[0027] In some embodiments, body 10 comprises front panel 12A attached to back panel 12B. Front panel 12A may be hingedly attached to back panel 12B, in that body 10 may hinge open by hinging front panel 12A away from back panel 12B.

[0028] Fig. 2A is a plan view of an inside of dual product vending machine 100, and fig. 2B is a perspective view of the inside of dual product vending machine 100. In some embodiments, figs. 2A and 2B may be views of vending machine 100 with front panel 12A removed.

[0029] Vending machine 100 further comprises first product chute 20, first product delivery duct 22 connected to first product chute 20, and first rotary member 24 mounted within first product delivery duct 22. First product chute 24 is configured to hold a plurality of vertically stacked first products, for example a plurality of vertically stacked menstrual pads. First product delivery duct 24 is configured to receive the vertically stacked first products one at a time and direct them through first product outlet 16A. First rotary member 24 has an ovalcross-section and is configured to advance a one of the vertically stacked first products from first product chute 20, along first product delivery duct 22, and out of first product outlet 16A.

[0030] Vending machine 100 further comprises second product chute 30, second product delivery duct 32 connected to the second product chute 30, and second rotary member 34 mounted within second product delivery duct 32. Second product chute 30 is configured to hold a plurality of vertically stacked second products, for example a plurality of vertically stacked menstrual tampons. Second product delivery duct 32 is connected to second product chute 30 and configured to receive the vertically stacked second products one at a time and direct them through second product outlet 16B. Second rotary member 34 has first recess 36A (shown in figs. 4A to 4C) and is mounted within second product delivery duct 32. Second rotary member 34 is configured to receive a one of the vertically stacked second products from second product chute 30 within first recess 36A and advance the one of the second products along second product delivery duct 32 and out of second product outlet 16B.

[0031] Fig. 3A is a side view of first product chute 20, first product delivery duct 22, and first rotary member 24. First rotary member 24 may be configured to advance the one of the vertically stacked first products by lowering a first side of the one of the vertically stacked first products and angling the first side of the one of the vertically stacked first products towards back wall 26 of first product delivery duct 22.

[0032] Fig. 3B is a perspective view of first rotary member 24 mounted within first product delivery duct 22. In some embodiments, a length of first rotary member 24 is less than a width of first product delivery duct 22.

[0033] Fig. 3C is a perspective view of first rotary member 24 having an oval cross-section and length L1 of the major axis of the oval cross-section.

[0034] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of vertically stacked first products has a first product width, and length L1 of first rotary member 24 (shown in Fig. 3C) is less than the first product width. First product chute 20 may have first chute opening 28 into first product delivery duct 22. First chute opening 28 may be less than the first product width. First rotary member 24 may be mounted within first product delivery duct 22 centered with first chute opening 28.

[0035] Back wall 26 may comprise an elbowed back wall, and the first side of the one of the vertically stacked first products may slide along elbowed back wall 26 when the one of the vertically stacked first products is advanced by first rotary member 24. Elbowed back wall 26 may have first angled section 27A, second vertical section 27C adjoining first section 27A by first curved section 27B, and second angled section 27E adjoining second section 27C by second curved section 27D. Elbowed back wall 26 may be configured to guide the first side of the one of the vertically stacked first products around first rotary member 24 and out of first product outlet 16A.

[0036] Fig. 4A is a side view of second product chute 30, second product delivery duct 32, and second rotary member 34 having first recess 36A. In some embodiments, second rotary member 34 has second recess 36B opposing first recess 36A. One or both of first recess 36A and second recess 36B may extend laterally along the entire length of second rotary member 34.

[0037] Each of the second products has a second product diameter, and one or both of first recess 36A and second recess 36B may have a recess diameter greater than the second product diameter. In some embodiments, the recess diameter may be between 1.1 times the second product diameter and 1.2 times the second product diameter.

[0038] Second rotary member 34 may be configured to receive a second one of the vertically stacked second products from second product chute 30 within second recess 36B and advance the second one of the second products along second product delivery duct 32 and out of second product outlet 16B.

[0039] Second product chute 32 may have angled back wall 38. Angled back wall 38 may have vertical section 39A, curved section 39B contiguous with vertical section 39A, and sloped section 39C contiguous with curved section 39B.

[0040] Fig. 4B is a perspective view of second rotary member 34 mounted within second product delivery duct 32. In some embodiments, a length of second rotary member 34 is less than a width of second product delivery duct 32. In some embodiments, the length of second rotary member 34 is similar to the width of second product delivery duct 32.

[0041] Fig. 3C is a perspective view of second rotary member 34 having first recess 36A and opposing second recess 36B.

[0042] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are consistent with the broadest interpretation of the specification as a whole.Some Embodiments

[0043] In one or more embodiments of vending machine 100 one or both of first rotary member 24 and second rotary member 34 comprise a high-friction surface, for example a rubber surface.

[0044] Vending machine 100 may further comprises a low revolutions per minute (RPM) motor for rotating one or both of first rotary member 24 and second rotary member 34. One or both of first control 14A and second control 14B may be configured to control the low RPM motor. For example, first control 14A may be configured to control rotation of first rotary member 24 to advance a one of the first products upon activation of first control 14A. Second control 14B may be similarly configured to control rotation of second rotary member 34 to advance a one of the second products upon activation of second control 14B.

[0045] One or more embodiments of vending machine 100 may comprise one or more sensors to monitor a status and / or an operation or vending machine 100. For example, vending machine 100 may comprise one or both of a first level sensor and a second level sensor. The first level sensor is configured to monitor a first level of first products in first product chute 20, and second level sensor is configured to monitor a second level of second products in second product chute 30. Vending machine 100 may be further configured to provide a first alert when the first level indicates there are no first products in first product chute 20, and a second alert when the second level indicates there are no second products in second product chute 30. The first and second alerts may comprise a visual alert, for example a light indicator visible from the exterior of vending machine 100, for example an LED indicator.

[0046] The first and second alerts may comprise an electronic notification. For example, vending machine 100 may comprise a communications module, and the communicationsmodule may send the first and / or second alert in an electronic notification. In some embodiments, the electronic notification is transmitted by one or more of: a Wi-Fi network, a Bluetooth™ signal, a cellular signal, and the like.

[0047] Vending machine 100 may further comprises one or both of a first duct sensor and a second duct sensor. The first duct sensor may be mounted to first product delivery duct 22 proximate to first product outlet 16A, and the second duct sensor may be mounted to second product delivery duct 32 proximate to second product outlet 16B. The first and second duct sensors may be used to determine if a product has dropped through the respective first and second ducts 22 and 32.

[0048] In some embodiments, vending machine 100 comprises a controller for controlling one or both of first rotary member 24 and second rotary member 34. The controller may be configured to control one or both of first rotary member 24 and second rotary member 34 based on one or more of:• an activation of first control 14A;• an activation of second control 14B;• a measurement of one or more sensors, for example one or more of: the first level sensor, the second level sensor, the first duct sensor, and the second duct sensor, as otherwise described herein; and• a waiting period, wherein the waiting period is a time since dispensing a one of either of the first and second products.

[0049] The controller may be configured to control the low RPM motor based at least in part on one or both of the first duct sensor detecting a presence of a one of the first products proximate to first product outlet 16A, and the second duct sensor detecting a presence of a one of the second products proximate to second product outlet 16B.

[0050] The controller may be further configured to only dispense a second one of the products after a waiting period has passed since dispensing a first one of the products. For example, the controller may not dispense a second one of either of the first and the second products until at least 15 seconds has passed after dispensing a first one of either of the first and the second products. In some embodiments, the waiting period may be at least 30 seconds, or at least 60 seconds. Vending machine 100 may be configured to provide a visual indication during the waiting period. For example, one or both of first control 14A andsecond control 14B may comprise an illuminated control, and controls 14A and 14B may be unilluminated during the waiting period, and illuminated once the waiting period has passed.

[0051] Where vending machine 100 comprises one or more sensors, each of the sensors may comprise one or more of: a laser sensor, an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, a lidar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and the like.

[0052] An optical sensor, for example a laser sensor, may comprise an optical emitter and an optical receiver, wherein the optical sensor determines a distance to an object illuminated by the optical emitter based on a time between when light is emitted by the optical emitter and received by the optical receiver. Such an optical sensor may be used as a level sensor to determine the first or second level of the products in the respective first or second product chutes 20 and 30. An optical sensor may comprise a laser sensor, wherein the light is laser light.

[0053] In one or more embodiments of vending machine 100:• the first product is a menstrual pad, and first product chute 20 is configured to hold a plurality of vertically single-stacked menstrual pads; and / or• the second product is a menstrual tampon, and second product chute 30 is configured to hold a plurality of vertically stacked rows of two or more menstrual tampons.Interpretation of Terms

[0054] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims:• “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”;• “connected”, “coupled”, or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof;• “herein”, “above”, “below”, and words of similar import, when used to describe this specification, shall refer to this specification as a whole, and not to any particular portions of this specification;• “or”, in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list;• the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” also include the meaning of any appropriate plural forms.

[0055] Words that indicate directions such as “vertical”, “transverse”, “horizontal”, “upward”, “downward”, “forward”, “backward”, “inward”, “outward”, “vertical”, “transverse”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “below”, “above”, “under”, and the like, used in this description and any accompanying claims (where present), depend on the specific orientation of the apparatus described and illustrated. The subject matter described herein may assume various alternative orientations. Accordingly, these directional terms are not strictly defined and should not be interpreted narrowly.

[0056] In addition, while elements are at times shown as being performed sequentially, they may instead be performed simultaneously or in different sequences. It is therefore intended that the following claims are interpreted to include all such variations as are within their intended scope.

[0057] Where a component (e.g. a chute, duct, member, controller, motor, etc.) is referred to above, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a “means”) should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0058] Specific examples of systems, methods and apparatus have been described herein for purposes of illustration. These are only examples. The technology provided herein can be applied to systems other than the example systems described above. Many alterations, modifications, additions, omissions, and permutations are possible within the practice of this invention. This invention includes variations on described embodiments that would be apparent to the skilled addressee, including variations obtained by: replacing features, elements and / or acts with equivalent features, elements and / or acts; mixing and matching of features, elements and / or acts from different embodiments; combining features, elementsand / or acts from embodiments as described herein with features, elements and / or acts of other technology; and / or omitting combining features, elements and / or acts from described embodiments.

[0059] Various features are described herein as being present in “some embodiments”. Such features are not mandatory and may not be present in all embodiments. Embodiments of the invention may include zero, any one or any combination of two or more of such features. This is limited only to the extent that certain ones of such features are incompatible with other ones of such features in the sense that it would be impossible for a person of ordinary skill in the art to construct a practical embodiment that combines such incompatible features. Consequently, the description that “some embodiments” possess feature A and “some embodiments” possess feature B should be interpreted as an express indication that the inventors also contemplate embodiments which combine features A and B (unless the description states otherwise or features A and B are fundamentally incompatible).

[0060] It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions, omissions, and sub-combinations as may reasonably be inferred. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A dual product vending machine, the vending machine comprising: a first product chute configured to hold a plurality of vertically stacked first products; a first product delivery duct connected to the first product chute and configured to receive the vertically stacked first products one at a time and direct them through a first product outlet; a first rotary member having an oval cross-section and mounted within the first product delivery duct, wherein the first rotary member is configured to advance a one of the vertically stacked first products from the first product chute, along the first product delivery duct, and out of the first product outlet; a second product chute configured to hold a plurality of vertically stacked second products; a second product delivery duct connected to the second product chute and configured to receive the vertically stacked second products one at a time and direct them through a second product outlet; and a second rotary member having a first recess and mounted within the second product delivery duct, wherein the second rotary member is configured to receive a one of the vertically stacked second products from the second product chute within the first recess and advance the one of the second products along the second product delivery duct and out of the second product outlet.

2. The dual product vending machine according to claim 1 , wherein the first rotary member is further configured to advance the one of the vertically stacked first products by lowering a first side of the one of the vertically stacked first products and angling the first side of the one of the vertically stacked first products towards a back wall of the first product delivery duct.

3. The dual product vending machine according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of vertically stacked first products has a first product width, and the long side of the first rotary member is less than the first product width.

4. The dual product vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the first product chute has a first chute opening into the first product delivery duct, the first chute opening is less than the first product width, and the first rotary member is mounted within the first product delivery duct centered with the first chute opening.

5. The dual product vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first product chute has an elbowed back wall, and the first side of the one of the vertically stacked first products slides along the elbowed back wall when the one of the vertically stacked first products is advanced by the first rotary member.

6. The dual product vending machine according to claim 5, wherein the elbowed back wall has a first angled section, a second vertical section adjoining the first section by a first curved section, and a second angled section adjoining the second section by a second curved section.

7. The dual product vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first rotary member comprises a high-friction surface.

8. The dual product vending machine according to claim 7, wherein the high-friction surface comprises a rubber surface.

9. The dual product vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first recess extends laterally along the entire length of second rotary member.

10. The dual product vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, where the second rotary member has a second recess opposing the first recess, and the second rotary member is configured to receive a second one of the vertically stacked second products from the second product chute within the second recess and advance the second one of the second products along the second product delivery duct and out of the second product outlet.

11. The dual product vending machine according to claim 10, wherein each of the second products has a second product diameter, and the first recess and the second recess each have a recess diameter greater than the second product diameter.

12. The dual product vending machine according to claim 11 , wherein the recess diameter is between 1.1 times the second product diameter and 1.2 times the second product diameter.

13. The dual product vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the second product chute has an angled back wall.

14. The dual product vending machine according to claim 13, wherein the angled back wall has a vertical section, a curved section contiguous with the vertical section, and a sloped section contiguous with the curved section.

15. The dual product vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a low revolutions per minute (RPM) motor for rotating one or both of the first rotary member and the second rotary member.

16. The dual product vending machine according to claim 15, further comprising a first duct sensor mounted to the first product delivery duct proximate to the first product outlet, and a controller configured to control the low RPM motor based at least in part on the first duct sensor detecting a presence of a one of the first products proximate to the first product outlet.

17. The dual product vending machine according to claim 15, further comprising a second duct sensor mounted to the second product delivery duct proximate to the second product outlet, and a controller configured to control the low RPM motor based at least in part on the second duct sensor detecting a presence of a one of the second products proximate to the second product outlet.

18. The dual product vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a first control and a second control, wherein the first control is configuredto control rotation of the first rotary member to advance a one of the first products upon activation, and the second control is configured to control rotation of the second rotary member to advance a one of the second products upon activation.

19. The dual product vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the first product is a menstrual pad, and the first product chute is configured to hold a plurality of vertically single-stacked menstrual pads.

20. The dual product vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the second product is a menstrual tampon, and the second product chute is configured to hold a plurality of vertically stacked rows of two or more menstrual tampons.

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