Novel Modular Vending Machine for Packaged Goods

Abstract

The Novel Modular Vending Machine for Packaged Goods allows consumers to purchase packaged goods without an attendant present. The invention uses two or more conveyor assemblies to store and transfer packaged goods and primarily uses gravity to transfer the packaged goods from the storage location to the customer. When a vend is initiated, a dispensing drum rotates and places a packaged item on a delivery system for transportation to the customer. The remaining packaged goods move into position for the next vend. When the lower conveyor assembly is empty, an upper conveyor assembly is lowered into position to transfer the remaining packaged goods to the dispensing drum. The apparatus may be configured in a system comprised of multiple modular units controlled by a single user interface.

1 . An apparatus for vending packaged goods, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a cabinet;   (b) a lower conveyor assembly, disposed at an incline within the cabinet, for storing and conveying a plurality of packaged goods;   (c) a plurality of upper conveyor assemblies, parallely disposed at an incline within the cabinet, for storing and conveying a plurality of packaged goods each having posterior ends pivotally attached to the cabinet so that the anterior ends of the upper conveyor assemblies are vertically displaceable independently;   (d) a displacing means for vertically displacing the anterior ends of the upper conveyor assembly;   (e) a retaining means for retaining the packaged goods on the upper conveyor assemblies until the upper conveyor assemblies are positioned to allow for the dispensing of the packaged goods; and   (f) a dispensing means for dispensing the packaged goods from the lower conveyor assembly and upper conveyor assemblies.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for vending packaged goods, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a cabinet;   (b) a lower conveyor assembly, disposed at an incline within the cabinet, for storing and conveying a plurality of packaged goods;   (c) an upper conveyor assembly, disposed at an incline within the cabinet, for storing and conveying a plurality of packaged goods and having the posterior end pivotally attached to the cabinet so that the anterior end of the upper conveyor assembly is vertically displaceable;   (d) a displacing means for vertically displacing the anterior end of the upper conveyor assembly;   (e) a retainer plate located within the cabinet and positioned proximal to the anterior end of the upper conveyor assembly; and   (f) a dispensing means for dispensing the packaged goods from the lower conveyor assembly and upper conveyor assembly.   
   
   
       3 . An apparatus for vending packaged goods, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a cabinet;   (b) a lower conveyor assembly disposed at an incline within the cabinet, for storing and conveying a plurality of packaged goods;   (c) an upper conveyor assembly disposed at an incline within the cabinet, for storing and conveying a plurality of packaged goods, the upper conveyor assembly having an posterior end pivotally attached to the cabinet so that an anterior end of the upper conveyor assembly is vertically displaceable;   (d) a lift assembly connected to the cabinet and pivotally attached to the upper conveyor assembly;   (e) a retainer plate located within the cabinet and positioned proximal to the anterior end of the upper conveyor assembly;   (f) a dispensing drum for dispensing the packaged goods from the lower conveyor assembly and upper conveyor assembly; and   (g) a rotating means for rotating the dispensing drum.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 1  further comprising an automated control system having a programmable logic device, a photoelectric eye transmitter and receiver, a proximity sensor, a proximity sensor indicator, a reset button, and a plurality of relays. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 2  further comprising an automated control system having a programmable logic device, a photoelectric eye transmitter and receiver, a proximity sensor, a proximity sensor indicator, a reset button, and a plurality of relays. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 3  further comprising an automated control system having a programmable logic device, a photoelectric eye transmitter and receiver, a proximity sensor, a proximity sensor indicator, a reset button, and a plurality of relays. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 1  wherein the packaged goods are displaceable over the upper conveyor assembly(ies) and the lower conveyor assembly by gravity only. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 2  wherein the packaged goods are displaceable over the upper conveyor assembly and the lower conveyor assembly by gravity only. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 3  wherein the packaged goods are displaceable over the upper conveyor assembly and the lower conveyor assembly by gravity only. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 1  wherein the upper conveyor assembly and the lower conveyor assembly are comprised of a plurality of rollers parallely disposed within the cabinet. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 2  wherein the upper conveyor assembly and lower conveyor assembly are comprised of a plurality of rollers parallely disposed within the cabinet. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 3  wherein the upper conveyor assembly and lower conveyor assembly are comprised of a plurality of rollers parallely disposed within the cabinet. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 3 , wherein the lift assembly comprises a linear actuator, a lever, and a plurality of lift bars. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 3 , wherein the lift assembly comprises a winch, pulleys, and cables. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 3 , wherein the rotating means comprises a dispensing motor, a drive chain, and an adjustable idler. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 3 , wherein the rotating means comprises a dispensing motor, a belt, and an adjustable idler. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus for vending packaged goods of  claim 3 , wherein the retainer plate is adjustable to accommodate packaged goods of various sizes. 
   
   
       18 . A system of apparatuses for vending package goods of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatuses are arranged to dispense packaged goods onto a common conveyor that transports the packaged goods to a dispensing bin, with the apparatuses electronically connected to a single user interface. 
   
   
       19 . A system of apparatuses for vending package goods of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatuses are arranged to dispense packaged goods onto a common conveyor that transports the packaged goods to a dispensing bin, with the apparatuses electronically connected to a single user interface. 
   
   
       20 . A system of apparatuses for vending package goods of  claim 3 , wherein the apparatuses are arranged to dispense packaged goods onto a common conveyor that transports the packaged goods to a dispensing bin, with the apparatuses electronically connected to a single user interface.