Ultrasonic sensor for detecting the dispensing of a product

Details Ultrasonic sensor for detecting the dispensing of a product Ultrasonic sensor for detecting the dispensing of a product

2009-01-16

2010-11-09

Crawford, Gene (Department: 3651)

Data processing: generic control systems or specific application

Specific application, apparatus or process

Article handling

C700S231000, C700S244000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07831335

ABSTRACT:
A vending machine includes a vend sensor for detecting a completion of a vend operation. The vend sensor includes an electronic circuit connected to first and second sound elements positioned on opposing sides of a product delivery chute of the vending machine. The first sound element directs a sound beam across the product delivery chute where it is received by the second sound element. During a vend operation, a product container is guided to the product delivery chute to be dispensed to a consumer. As the container passes through the product delivery chute, the sound beam is interrupted, thereby signaling the completion of a vend operation. Each of the first and second sound elements is provided with a cone that focuses the sound beam so as to limit interruptions stemming from outside sound sources.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3569924 (1971-03-01), Drake et al.
patent: 4359147 (1982-11-01), Levasseur
patent: 4784251 (1988-11-01), DeWoolfson et al.
patent: 4869392 (1989-09-01), Moulding, Jr. et al.
patent: 5111962 (1992-05-01), Oden
patent: 5229749 (1993-07-01), Yenglin
patent: 5355987 (1994-10-01), DeWoolfson et al.
patent: 5465822 (1995-11-01), DeWoolfson et al.
patent: 5477953 (1995-12-01), Powell et al.
patent: 5913399 (1999-06-01), Takemoto et al.
patent: 5927539 (1999-07-01), Truitt et al.
patent: 6330958 (2001-12-01), Ruskin et al.
patent: 6384402 (2002-05-01), Hair, III et al.
patent: 6640994 (2003-11-01), Chen
patent: 6732014 (2004-05-01), Whitten et al.
patent: 6736250 (2004-05-01), Mattice
patent: 6749052 (2004-06-01), Carmichael
patent: 7255246 (2007-08-01), Bautista et al.
patent: 2001/0000408 (2001-04-01), Hair, III et al.
patent: 407160935 (1995-06-01), None
patent: 407249161 (1995-09-01), None
patent: 2001221677 (2001-08-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Ultrasonic sensor for detecting the dispensing of a product does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Ultrasonic sensor for detecting the dispensing of a product, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ultrasonic sensor for detecting the dispensing of a product will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4245904