Product release mechanisms and vending machines having product release mechanisms
AssigneePepsiCo, Inc.
InventorsGurmeet Singh Bhutani, Sandeep Jain
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vending machine includes a housing defining a product compartment and a front wall having a transparent portion. A platform is arranged within the product compartment of the vending machine for storing a product thereon, and the platform includes a first end opposite a second end. The vending machine further includes a product release mechanism that includes a gate arranged on the platform and movable from a closed position to an open position to release the product from the platform. A delivery bin having an open front end is arranged below the platform such that when the first gate is moved to the open position, the product falls under a force of gravity from the platform into the delivery bin for access by a consumer.
Claims19
A vending machine, comprising:
- a housing defining a product compartment, wherein the housing comprises a front wall having a transparent portion;
- a first product release mechanism, comprising:
- a platform arranged within the product compartment for storing a product, wherein the platform comprises a first end opposite a second end;
- and
- a first gate arranged on the platform and movable from a closed position to an open position to release the product from the platform;
- a first delivery bin having an open front end, wherein the first delivery bin is arranged at the first end of the platform such that when the first gate is moved to the open position, the product falls under a force of gravity from the platform into the first delivery bin for access by a consumer through the open front end of the first delivery bin;
- a second product release mechanism arranged within the product compartment for storing a second product, wherein the second product release mechanism is arranged at a different elevation than the first product release mechanism;
- and
- a second delivery bin arranged at a different elevation than the first delivery bin, wherein the second delivery bin is configured to receive the second product that falls under a force of gravity from the second product release mechanism into the second delivery bin for access by the consumer through an open front end of the second delivery bin.
A vending machine, comprising:
- a housing defining a product compartment, wherein the housing comprises a front wall having a transparent portion;
- a platform arranged within the product compartment for storing a product, wherein the platform comprises a first end opposite a second end;
- a product release mechanism configured to selectively release the product from the platform;
- a delivery bin arranged below the platform such that when the product release mechanism is operated, the product falls from the platform into the delivery bin for access by a consumer;
- and
- a buffering mechanism disposed on the front wall of the housing and configured to control the fall of the product from the platform into the delivery bin.
A product release mechanism for a vending machine, comprising:
- a platform having a first end opposite a second end and configured to support a first product and a second product;
- a first gate arranged at the first end of the platform and movable from a closed position in which the first product is not accessible to a consumer to an open position in which the first product is accessible to a consumers;
- a first rail extending from the first end of the platform to the second end of the platform along a first side of the platform;
- a second rail extending from the first end of the platform to the second end of the platform along a second side of the platform opposite the first side;
- a second gate arranged on the platform and spaced from the first gate and movable from a closed position to an open position, wherein the second gate is configured to extend from the first rail to the second rail to prevent access to the second product;
- and
- a gate control mechanism configured to control the first gate and the second gate, such that the first gate is arranged in the open position and the second gate is moved to the closed position to provide a consumer with access to the first product on the platform while preventing access to the second product on the platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.