Article dispensing – Plural sources – stacks or compartments – Rotatably mounted or endless belt carried source assembly
Patent
1998-12-21
2000-09-26
Olszewski, Robert P.
Article dispensing
Plural sources, stacks or compartments
Rotatably mounted or endless belt carried source assembly
221150R, 221155, 312125, 108 21, 108 22, B65G 5900, A24F 2714, A47F 104, A47F 310, A47B 8500
Patent
active
061232238
ABSTRACT:
A vending machine featuring rotating stacked carousels for the display and sale of floral and plant arrangements is disclosed. The vending machine is capable of carrying out both cash and credit card transactions and includes a certified credit card terminal for connecting to the credit card processing network. The present vending machine includes an integrated microprocessor to control the mechanical motion and position of the stacked carousels, accept payment from either cash or credit cards, maintain accounting records, provide printed receipts, and to control on-line modem communications with credit approval sources as well as dial-up auditing of machine's inventory. A significant feature of the certified credit card terminal is the ability to transact purchases in both an off-line and on-line mode and the ability to enter bad credit card numbers into a credit card file when purchase is attempted with an invalid card number. The stacked carousel displays can be divided into a plurality of compartments which differ in size to display a varied inventory of floral arrangements. The position of the carousel compartments are controlled by the use of an encoder device which enables carousel rotation to be stopped at a plurality of discrete points on the circumference of each carousel to present the flowers in alignment with a vending door selected by user input on an alphanumeric keypad. The present machine provides a thermostatically controlled, refrigerated environment to maintain the flowers in optimal condition.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1435441 (1922-11-01), Zsoldos
patent: 2617267 (1952-11-01), Long et al.
patent: 2701746 (1955-02-01), Piggott
patent: 2800988 (1957-07-01), Timms
patent: 2808918 (1957-10-01), Shepard, Jr. et al.
patent: 2811403 (1957-10-01), Barker et al.
patent: 2865698 (1958-12-01), Smith
patent: 2875878 (1959-03-01), Hoban
patent: 3170554 (1965-02-01), Davis
patent: 3443675 (1969-05-01), Yamamoto et al.
patent: 3791505 (1974-02-01), Mandell
patent: 3796294 (1974-03-01), Hoffer et al.
patent: 3866795 (1975-02-01), Urano
patent: 4311227 (1982-01-01), Watkins
patent: 4498603 (1985-02-01), Wittenborg
patent: 4915205 (1990-04-01), Reid et al.
patent: 4927051 (1990-05-01), Falk et al.
patent: 5273183 (1993-12-01), Tuttobene
Jaketic Bryan
Olszewski Robert P.
LandOfFree
Automated vending system for floral arrangements does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Automated vending system for floral arrangements, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Automated vending system for floral arrangements will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2092979