Method and apparatus for dispensing samples and premiums

A system for dispensing sample products and premiums, said system comprising:

• at least one data entry terminal operable for identifying items being purchased by a given consumer and predetermined qualifiers, said data entry terminal generating an output signal identifying each of said products or qualifiers,
• memory means for storing at least one sample/premium file, said sample/premium file identifying each product and qualifier for which a given sample or premium should be dispensed,
• a data processor coupled to said data entry terminal and said memory means, said data processor operable for receiving said output signal from said data entry terminal and for comparing said products or qualifiers identified therein to said sample/premium file, said data processor generating a unique code if any of said purchased products or qualifiers are listed in said sample/premium file,
• a printer coupled to said data processor and operative for printing said unique code, and
• dispensing means coupled to said microprocessor and operative for dispensing a sample or premium upon entry of said unique code.

A method for dispensing sample products or premiums, said method comprising the steps of:

• identifying each qualifier entitling the consumer to receive a product sample or premium, such as identifying each item being purchased by a given consumer or identifying another predetermined qualifier, and generating an output signal identifying each of said qualifiers,
• storing at least one sample/premium file, said sample/premium file identifying each qualifier for which a given sample or premium should be dispensed,
• comparing the qualifiers identified in said output signal to said sample/premium file, and generating a dispense signal if any of said purchased products or other qualifiers are listed in said sample/premium file, and
• transmitting said dispense signal to a sample/premium dispenser, and dispensing a sample or premium.

A method for dispensing sample products or premiums, said method comprising the steps of:

• identifying each qualifier entitling the consumer to receive a product sample or premium, such as identifying each item being purchased by a given consumer or identifying a predetermined qualifier, and generating an output signal identifying each of said qualifiers,
• storing at least one sample/premium file, said sample/premium file identifying each product for which a given sample or premium should be dispensed,
• comparing the products identified in said output signal to said sample/premium file, and generating a unique code if any of said purchased products are listed in said sample file, said unique code identifying the sample or premium to be dispensed,
• printing said unique code, and
• inputting said unique code into a dispenser, and dispensing a sample.