Intrusion-proof self-service vending facility

Abstract

It is desirable to establish vending services as a stand-alone operation, that is, similar to a coin laundry and gasoline station. It is the objective of this patent application to devise means and methods to make it feasible. This objective is achieved by surrounding vending machines with an intrusion-proof cage, and placing all the interactive devices (money-inserting boxes, item-retrieving box, etc.) outside of the cage. In order to lessen the negative feeling people would have on the cage, some items and figures in the forms of vicious wild animals, devils, etc. can be placed inside the cage so as to create an atmosphere that the cage exists there to keep them in, not to keep customers out.

1 . An intrusion-proof self-service merchandise vending facility comprising of: 
 self-service vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) and a cage ( 2 ), wherein the cage ( 2 ) is made of such materials as to make intrusion difficult, the self-service vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) are enclosed inside the cage ( 2 ), the interfacing devices ( 3 ) for the vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) are removed from the vending machines and placed on or near the cage ( 2 ), and the item-retrieval exit ( 5 ) of the vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) is extended from the vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) to the outside of the cage ( 2 ).    
     
     
         2 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the interfacing devices ( 3 ) include a remote control device similar to a conventional television remote control device.  
     
     
         3 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the interfacing devices ( 3 ) include a device which has the form of a rifle.  
     
     
         4 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) and the cage ( 2 ) is more than one foot.  
     
     
         5 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the whole vending facility as described is mounted on a carrier that can be transported.  
     
     
         6 . An intrusion-proof self-service merchandise vending facility comprising: 
 self-service vending machines or the likes ( 1 ), a cage ( 2 ), and figures ( 6 ), wherein the cage ( 2 ) is made of such materials as to make intrusion difficult, the interfacing devices ( 3 ) for the vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) are removed from the vending machines and placed on or near the cage ( 2 ), and the item-retrieval exit ( 5 ) of the vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) is extended from the vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) to the outside of the cage ( 2 ), and the figures ( 6 ) are of such a nature that they are supposed to be separated from the public for the safety of the people, whereby a pretended impression is created that the cage ( 2 ) exists not to keep the people out but to keep the dangerous figures ( 6 ) in.    
     
     
         7 . The invention according to  claim 6 , wherein the figures ( 6 ) are in the form of living animals that are found in the wilderness, jungles or the likes.  
     
     
         8 . The invention according to  claim 6 , wherein the figures ( 6 ) are in the form of imaginary creatures such as devils, dragons, etc.  
     
     
         9 . The invention according to  claim 6 , wherein the figures ( 6 ) are in the form of prisoners.  
     
     
         10 . A method to prevent forced intrusion into self-service vending machines or the likes, in which the self-service vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) are enclosed inside a cage ( 2 ), the cage ( 2 ) is made of such materials as to make intrusion difficult, the interfacing devices ( 3 ) for the vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) are removed from the vending machines and placed on or near the cage ( 2 ), and the item-retrieval exit ( 5 ) of the vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) is extended from the vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) to the outside of the cage ( 2 ).  
     
     
         11 . A method to prevent forced intrusion into self-service vending machines or the likes, in which the self-service vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) are enclosed inside a cage ( 2 ), the cage ( 2 ) is made of such materials as to make intrusion difficult, the interfacing devices ( 3 ) for the vending machines is removed from the vending machines and placed on or near the cage ( 2 ), the item-retrieval exit ( 5 ) of the vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) is extended from the vending machines or the likes ( 1 ) to the outside of the cage ( 2 ), and the figures ( 6 ), which are of such a nature that they ought to be isolated from the public for the safety of the people, are placed inside the cage so as to create an impression that the cage ( 2 ) exists not to keep the people out but to keep the dangerous figures ( 6 ) in.