System and method for vending products

Abstract

A vending machine comprising two or more compartmentalized storage units (CSUs), each comprising a compartment array configured for accommodating items in different compartments of the grid. The items are independently accessible; a retrieval system configured for accessing the compartments to retrieve an item and providing it to a desired location within the vending machine, other than its respective compartment; a controller associated with an items map indicative of the content and location of the items within the compartment array of the CSU. The controller is configured for operating the retrieval system to access an item based on the items map; The controller is further configured for receive an indication of the location of an first empty compartment, which contains no item therein, in a first CSU, to transfer a first item from a second compartment of a second CSU to the first empty compartment; and to update the items map to indicate that the second compartment is empty and that the first item is located at the first compartment.

1 . A vending machine comprising:
 a plurality of compartmentalized storage unit (CSUs) configured with an array of compartments for accommodating two or more items at different locations of the array, the items being independently accessible,   wherein at least two neighboring CSUs of said plurality of CSUs being stacked one on top of the other such that a gap g between the two neighboring CSUs is insufficient for allowing retrieval of an item from a compartment array of a lower CSU of said two neighboring CSUs;   a retrieval system configured for displacing at least an upper CSU of said two neighboring stacked CSUs in order to provide access to the compartment array of said lower CSU to retrieve at least one item of the two or more items therefrom and providing a retrieved item to a desired location within the vending machine;   a controller associated with an items map of the array said map indicative of the content and location of the items within the compartment array of the CSU, the controller configured for operating said retrieval system to access different locations of the array based on said items map providing an output signal responsive to which said items map is updated following the retrieval of an item from the compartment array.   
     
     
         2 . A vending machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said retrieval system comprises a lift mechanism configured for engaging a CSU and displacing it and a retrieving arrangement configured for locating, attachment to and retrieval of an item from a predetermined CSU. 
     
     
         3 . A vending machine according to  claim 2 , wherein said lift mechanism is configured, when required to access a CSU, to engage the neighboring CSU directly above it, and lift it along with any other CSUs located thereon. 
     
     
         4 . A vending machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the vending machine comprises a housing accommodating all the components thereof, and wherein there exists a gap space greater than G between an uppermost CSU and a top wall of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . A vending machine according to  claim 4 , wherein said lift mechanism is configured, by the above lifting, for increasing the gap g to G so as to allow the retrieval system to access a predetermined compartment array. 
     
     
         6 . A vending machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the lift mechanism comprises a lift bar having anchor stubs projecting therefrom and configured for engaging a CSU in order to lift it. 
     
     
         7 . A vending machine according to  claim 6 , wherein said lift bar is configured for assuming:
 a retracted position in which the anchor stubs are directed so that the retrieval system is free to travel along the CSUs; and   a deployed position in which the lift bar is rotated so that the anchor stubs are engageable with the CSU allowing the lift mechanism to lift one or more stacked CSUs.   
     
     
         8 . A vending machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said retrieval system comprises a robotic arm pivotally attached to the retrieval system. 
     
     
         9 . A vending machine according to  claim 8 , wherein said robotic arm comprises a distal end fitted with an attachment member, configured for attaching to a desired item of the compartment array. 
     
     
         10 . A vending machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the attachment member is a suction-cup. 
     
     
         11 . A vending machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the robotic arm comprises a first arm and a second arm, pivotally attached to one another, so that a distal end of the second arm is capable of assuming any location along the CSU. 
     
     
         12 . A vending machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said CSU is removably received within the vending machine, thereby enabling replacement thereof with a new CSU. 
     
     
         13 . A vending machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said retrieval system is configured for displacing said at least upper CSU by lifting the upper CSU. 
     
     
         14 . A vending machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said retrieval system is configured for displacing at least an upper CSU of said two neighboring stacked CSUs together with other CSUs located thereon in order to provide the access to the compartment array of said lower CSU. 
     
     
         15 . A vending machine comprising:
 At least one compartmentalized storage unit (CSUs) configured with an array of compartments for accommodating two or more items at different locations of the array, the items being independently accessible, wherein said CSU is removably received within the vending machine, thereby enabling replacement thereof with a new CSU;   a retrieval system configured for accessing the compartment array to retrieve at least one item of the two or more items therefrom and providing a retrieved item to a desired location within the vending machine;   a controller associated with an items map of the array said map indicative of the content and location of the items within the compartment array of the CSU, the controller configured for operating said retrieval system to access different locations of the array based on said items map providing an output signal responsive to which said items map is updated following the retrieval of an item from the compartment array;   wherein said controller is further configured to:   receive, at the vending machine, CSU identification data enabling identification of a new CSU;   authenticate the new CSU, using at least the CSU identification data; and   in case the authentication is successful, receive, from an external source and separate from the CSU, an update to the items map, said update being indicative of the content of a plurality of compartments of said new CSU.   
     
     
         16 . The vending machine of  claim 15 , wherein said controller is further configured to:
 receive a product dispensing request including data indicative of a selected product type;   retrieve from said items map a location of one or more items required for dispensing of a product of the selected product type;   dispense the product utilizing the one or more items; and   update the items map to indicate that the locations of said one or more items are empty.   
     
     
         17 . The vending machine of  claim 15  wherein said controller is further configured to:
 receive an indication of at least a first compartment that is empty in at least a first CSU of said CSUs; 
 transfer at least a first item from a second compartment of a second CSU of said CSUs to said first compartment; and 
 update said items map to indicate that said second compartment is empty and that said first item is located at said first compartment, 
 wherein said first CSU is a rapid access CSU, that is accessible in a standby mode of the vending machine. 
 
     
     
         18 . The vending machine of  claim 15 , wherein said vending machine further comprises a CSU reader configured to read the CSU identification data. 
     
     
         19 . The vending machine according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of CSUs is in the form of a tray having an operational surface and wherein said compartments are accessible through said operational surface, and wherein said tray comprises a plurality of support elements extending from an opposite side to the operational surface, and are configured for supporting the weight of the tray. 
     
     
         20 . A vending machine according to  claim 19 , wherein said compartments are in the form of cavities and/or slots formed in the operational surface. 
     
     
         21 . A vending machine according to  claim 19 , wherein said tray is formed with a side rim having engagement ports for engaging a portion of the retrieval system. 
     
     
         22 . A vending machine according to  claim 19 , wherein said tray comprises a plurality of support elements extending from an opposite side to the operational surface, and are configured for supporting the weight of the tray.