Article dispensing – Plural sources – stacks or compartments – With discharge means for each source
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-13
2001-01-30
Noland, Kenneth W. (Department: 3651)
Article dispensing
Plural sources, stacks or compartments
With discharge means for each source
C221S155000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179161
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is directed to improvements in flat article vending systems, assemblies and methodologies. More particularly, the invention relates to a vending machine for vending flat articles such as stickers, cards, photographs and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Flat article vending machines of the type used to vend cards stickers, photographs and laminates typically are found in public locations such as stores, malls, etc. Flat article vending machines of conventional design are represented by U.S. Pat. No. 2,305,342 (Fry), U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,392 (Rachman), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,784 (Heier). Such machines comprise a cabinet with principal operational segments, a base enclosing one or more flat article storage hoppers and supporting the vend actuation mechanism (coin slide and ejector), an actuator (coin slide), a vended article outlet, and a display.
Conventional cabinets are formed from metal and include at least one compartment to accommodate the card-containing hopper which is typically seated on a tray associated with the dispensing actuator. The dispensing actuator embodies a retractable, spring actuated plate plunger that is designed to engage the edge of one flat article and force it through a corresponding slot in the from of the machine. The dispensing actuator is linked to an actuator enabler such as a coin slide that is mounted on the front of the cabinet which, upon deposit of appropriate coinage, releases a locking assembly to permit the plate plunger to be retracted and translated forwardly to push the flat article through the vending slot. The most common actuator enabler is a coin slide underlying dispensing opening and operatively engaged with the plate-plunger. The above-identified Rachman patent discloses a vending machine relying on a crank handle coin mechanism typically associated with conventional bulk vending machines. The actuating rotational force provided by a crank handle is converted to a translating force to cause reciprocation of the plunger and, consequently, vending of the flat article.
The idea of a flat article vending machine which provides convertibility between mechanical and electronically controlled vending, as well as a machine that permits cartridge style loading from the machine front, as well as facilitating display panel changes and which permits single machine or rack combination on racks with other machines (of the same or different types) appears to have escaped the industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine assembly and methodology that improves upon and overcomes the problems known in the flat article vending art.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved currency operated flat article vending machine.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flat article vending machine convertible between currency-enabled, mechanical and electronic actuation while being capable of stand-alone and rack system use.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a flat article vending machine that is integral and provides for multiple products to be vended.
Another object of this invention is to provide a restocking capability that relies on front loading of flat articles into chimney type hoppers structured to enhance proper stacking alignment and to reduce operator labor.
These and other objects are satisfied by a flat article vending machine, comprising
a cabinet defining an interior of selected dimensions bordered by a base, top, side walls, and an apertured actuator receiving panel adapted to receive and retain at least one vending actuator, said apertured panel being located proximate to said cabinet base and containing at least one vending slot and a pivotable door;
a panel receiving and securing guide disposed in the interior of said cabinet on at least one of said side walls, said panel guide being disposed and extending above said apertured panel;
a retractable locking arm slidable between a depressed locking position and a raised unlocked position, said locking arm being located below said panel receiving and securing guide and behind said apertured panel, said slidable locking arm lockingly engageable with said pivotable door; and
a removable panel lockable to said cabinet of dimensions selected to abut said side walls, said top, and said apertured panel, said removable panel having a lower edge that is receivable in said panel receiving and retaining guide and translatable to abut and coact with said slidable locking arm and lockingly engage said pivotal door.
Further objects of the present invention are satisfied by a pre-loadable magazine for a flat article dispensing machine, comprising, a chimney hopper having an upper loading zone, a middle storage and retention zone, and a lower dispensing zone, said chimney being defined by two opposing side panels, each side panel including a turn in to define a column of selected geometric cross-section for nesting a plurality of stacked flat articles;
said middle storage and retention zone of said column restricting lateral movement of said flat articles retained therein;
said upper loading zone having defining a beveled front opening formed by two opposing sides, each side incorporating a flared turn out flange bordering said beveled front opening where said upper loading zone facilitates front loading and stacking alignment of flat articles in said chimney hopper; and
said lower dispensing zone including an opening for permitting flat articles to exit the chimney hopper laterally upon application of laterally directed force.
Still other objects of the present invention are satisfied by an electronic flat article vending machine assembly, comprising:
a cabinet defining an interior of selected dimensions bordered by a base, top, is and side walls, an apertured actuator receiving panel adapted to receive and retain at least one electrically actuated vending actuator; and a vending slot;
a hopper means for storing flat articles located in the cabinet interior;
a reciprocating electrical vending actuating assembly including a reciprocating plunger disposed within said cabinet relative to said hopper means to push a flat article from the hopper to the vending slot; and
a control unit for transmitting an electronic actuation signal to the electrical vending actuation assembly, said control unit being in electronic communication with said cabinet.
The flat article vending machine assembly provided by this invention improves operator choice, flexibility, vending option selections, and reliability while minimizing the labor and time required for inventory replacement and to maintain multiple machines in good working order.
As used herein, “flat article vending machine” is intended to embrace its ordinary meaning and in the context of the instant invention, allows for variations and deviations from same which may occur by design or as a result of special features, machining, materials, and other variables. The expression is intended to define the functionality where the storage and dispensing of a type of unique vended item occurs from a unique machine with a pre-established price and which is actuated upon the deposit of the appropriate coinage.
Correspondingly, the expression “flat-article” is intended to embrace a functionality beyond dictionary definitions and embrace not only cards, stickers, and the like but also larger flat items such as books or boxed items.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2305342 (1942-12-01), Fry
patent: 3073481 (1963-01-01), Steiner
patent: 3790027 (1974-02-01), Barnhart
patent: 4168784 (1979-09-01), Heir
patent: 4285443 (1981-08-01), Winans
patent: 4702392 (1987-10-01), Rachman
patent: 4919250 (1990-04-01), Olson et al.
patent: 5195653 (1993-03-01), Gerrans
patent: 5301834 (1994-04-01), Lee et al.
patent: 5505333 (1996-04-01), Shibazaki
patent: 5743429 (1998-04-01), Morofsky
patent: 5823386 (1998-10-01), Vanderberg
patent: WO 90/01765 (1990-02-01), None
Deuel Ronald F.
Gootee Michael T.
Kovens Steven A.
Mincher Wayne
Tegtmeier Robert H.
Cahn & Samuels LLP
Noland Kenneth W.
Parkway Machine Corporation
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