Motorized Dispensing Apparatus, System and Method

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus is provided. The dispensing apparatus includes at least one bin, with the bin sized to contain at least one article, such as a consumable, or a non-consumable item. The bin communicates with a rotatable element, with the rotatable element having at least two projection members. The projection members are structured to receive the article from the bin. An electric motor communicates with a controller, with the electric motor arranged to actuate the rotatable element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispensing apparatus, comprising:
 a bin, the bin sized to contain at least one article;   a rotatable element, the rotatable element communicating with the bin;   at least two projection members extending from the rotatable element, the at least two projection members structured to receive the article from the bin; and   an electric motor communicating with a controller, the electric motor arranged to actuate the rotatable element.   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a receiving area located adjacent to the at least two projection members, the receiving area sized to receive the article. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , where the bin includes a front surface, with a portion of the front surface structured to be moveable so that the at least one article can be positioned within the bin. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an interface structured to communicate with the controller, the interface operable by a user.   
     
     
         5 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , where the article is either a consumable item or a non-consumable item. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , where the article is a consumable item selected from a group consisting of: a candy, a coffee, a confection, a nut, and a food item. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , where the article is a non-consumable item selected from a group consisting of: a screw, a bolt, and a non-food item. 
     
     
         8 . A dispensing apparatus, comprising:
 at least two bin elements, each bin element structured to contain an article;   at least two rotatable elements, each rotatable element communicating with each of the bin elements;   at least two projection members extending from each of the rotatable elements, the at least two projection members structured to receive the article from each bin; and   an electric motor communicating with a controller, the electric motor arranged to actuate each of the rotatable elements.   
     
     
         9 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a receiving area located adjacent to the at least two projection members, the receiving area sized to receive the article. 
     
     
         10 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 8 , where the bin includes a front surface, with a portion the front surface structured to be moveable so that the at least one article can be positioned within the bin. 
     
     
         11 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a receipt generator that issues a receipt, where the receipt includes an element selected from a group consisting of: a voucher, a coupon, a redemption ticket, a gift card, and a combination of two or more thereof.   
     
     
         12 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 8 , where the article is either a consumable item or a non-consumable item. 
     
     
         13 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 8 , where the article is a consumable item selected from a group consisting of: a candy, a coffee, a confection, a nut, and a food item. 
     
     
         14 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 8 , where the article is a non-consumable item selected from a group consisting of: a screw, a bolt, and a non-food item. 
     
     
         15 . A dispensing apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of bins, with each bin sized to contain at least one article;   an article collection area, the article collection area accessible by a dispensing apparatus user;   a conveyor communicating with at least a portion of each of the plurality of bins, the conveyor positioned to receive the article from at least one of the plurality of bins and transport the article to the article collection area; and   an interface structured to receive a command from the dispensing apparatus user to obtain the at least one article and a controller that activates the conveyor to transport the article to the article collection area.   
     
     
         16 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a conveyor cleaning element located so as to contact the conveyor. 
     
     
         17 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a receipt generator that issues a receipt after dispensing of at least one of the articles, where the receipt includes an element selected from a group consisting of: a voucher, a coupon, a redemption ticket, a gift card, and a combination of two or more thereof.   
     
     
         18 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 15 , where the article is either a consumable item or a non-consumable item. 
     
     
         19 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 15 , where the article is a consumable item selected from a group consisting of: a candy, a coffee, a confection, a nut, and a food item. 
     
     
         20 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 15 , where the article is a non-consumable item selected from a group consisting of: a screw, a bolt, and a non-food item.