Apparatus for dispensing and/or vending a bulk product

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing and/or vending a bulk product. The apparatus comprises one or more bins for holding a bulk product, a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to each of the bins, a controller operatively coupled to the dispensing mechanisms, and an interface for receiving a request for one of the bulk products. The controller is operatively coupled to the interface and configured to generate one or more control signals in response to a request for controlling the dispensing mechanism to dispense one of the bulk products.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for dispensing a bulk product, said system comprising:
 one or more bins, each for holding a bulk product;   an interface for receiving a user request for one of said bulk products;   a controller for dispensing the requested bulk product from the associated bin in an amount based on said user request.   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a payment interface for accepting payment from the user. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said payment interface includes a card reader for accepting a card and said card storing a credit value for making one or more acquisitions of said bulk products up to the credit value stored on said card. 
     
     
         4 . A method for dispensing bulk products from one or more bins, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving a bulk product selection from a user;   receiving a bulk product dispensing amount from the user;   enabling the bin containing the selected bulk product; and   dispensing the selected bulk product from the enabled bin in the amount specified by the user.   
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , further including the step of receiving a payment from the user prior to dispensing the selected bulk product. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , further including the step of setting a price for the selected bulk product based on the amount specified by the user. 
     
     
         7 . A system for dispensing a bulk product, said system comprising:
 a controller, said controller including a user interface;   one or more bins, each for holding a type of bulk product, and each of said bins including a control unit;   a communication bus for communicatively coupling said controller with the control units of each of said bins;   said controller being responsive to an input from a user and generating one or more control commands for dispensing an amount of bulk product from one of said bins, wherein said dispensed amount is based on the user input.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for dispensing one or more bulk products, said bulk products being contained in one or more bins, each of the bins including a dispensing mechanism and the dispensing mechanism being operatively coupled to a controller, said apparatus comprising:
 an interface configured for receiving a user request for one of the bulk products and generating one or more signals representative of said user request;   a control unit operatively coupled to said interface for receiving said one or more representative signals, and said control unit being configured for generating one or more controls signals based on said one or more representative signals;   said control unit including an interface for operatively coupling to the one or more controllers and being configured for sending one or more control signals to one or more of the controllers; and   the one or more controllers being responsive to said one or more control signals to dispense the bulk product from the bin based on said user request.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , further including a container dropper comprising an opening for receiving one or more containers, at least one auger component positioned adjacent to said opening and including a threaded portion for engaging said one or more containers, a motor operatively coupled to said at least one auger, and said motor being configured for turning said auger in response to one or more container dropper control signals received from said control unit. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the threaded portion of said auger includes a lower thread, and said lower thread includes a relief portion to facilitate release of said containers. 
     
     
         11 . A bin for holding a bulk product and suitable for use with a dispensing apparatus, said bin comprising:
 a housing;   a primary baffle for supporting the bulk product, said primary baffle being mounted inside said housing, said primary baffle being configured at a downwardly sloping angle, and having an opening at a lower portion;   a secondary baffle mounted inside said housing, said secondary baffle being configured at a downwardly sloping angle and adjacent to said opening; and   a lower compartment adjacent said secondary baffle, said lower compartment having an opening for releasing bulk product from said secondary baffle to a dispensing mechanism.   
     
     
         12 . The bin as claimed in  claim 11 , further including a cross-member for supporting said primary baffle and transferring the weight of the bulk product to said housing. 
     
     
         13 . The bin as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said dispensing mechanism comprises a dispensing wheel, said dispensing wheel having one or more compartments receiving and holding a portion of the bulk product. 
     
     
         14 . The bin as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said dispensing mechanism comprises a dispensing member operatively coupled to an actuator, said actuator being configured to be responsive to one or more control signals to move said dispensing member between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The bin as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said actuator comprises one of a servo motor and a linear actuator. 
     
     
         16 . A dispensing wheel for use with a bulk product dispensing apparatus, said dispensing wheel comprising:
 an outer rim;   a longitudinal member spanning across the rim and including a hub;   said outer rim having a plurality of slots for receiving one end of a partition member; and   said hub having a plurality of slots for receiving another end of said partition member.   
     
     
         17 . The dispensing wheel as claimed in  claim 16  further including one or more of said partition members, each of said partition members being mounted in corresponding slots on said hub and said outer rim, and each of said mounted partition members defining a compartment for receiving bulk product. 
     
     
         18 . The dispensing wheel as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the end of said partition member includes a tab, said tab extending beyond the slot in said outer rim and providing an actuator for a limit switch. 
     
     
         19 . The dispensing wheel as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said longitudinal member comprises first and second spoke members. 
     
     
         20 . A container dropper suitable for use with a bulk product dispensing apparatus, said container dropper comprising:
 a first member having an opening for receiving one or more containers;   a second member, and said second member supporting at least one auger component positioned adjacent to said opening;   said at least one auger component including a threaded portion for engaging said one or more containers; and   a motor operatively coupled to said at least one auger, and said motor being configured for turning said auger in response to one or more container dropper control signals.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the threaded portion of said auger includes a lower thread, and said lower thread includes a relief portion to facilitate release of said containers. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus as claimed in claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said at least one auger comprises a first auger and a second auger, and said first and said second augers being positioned substantially opposite each other and adjacent said opening.