US 7,017,777 B1Granted

Automated vending machine

OwnerCarolyn S. Dixoninventor

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Abstract

An automated vending machine is adapted to vend vacation-related goods. The vending machine is constructed as an enlarged reproduction of a conventional traffic control signal. The vending machine includes a rectangular enclosure in which is housed a storage and vending assembly. The enclosure includes a plurality of illuminated, colored lamps. A plurality of circular cavities are provided for visually displaying goods. A coin and bill counter with coin return is provided for receiving a customer's consideration. The vending machine further includes a dispensing chute having a discharge hopper into which goods are delivered. A plurality of push-buttons facilitate communication between a customer and internal circuitry of the storage and vending assembly to facilitate dispensing of a good selected by customer after correct amount of consideration is inserted in coin and bill counter.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An automated vending machine for vending vacation-related goods, said machine comprising:

a generally rectangular enclosure;
said enclosure is constructed to correspond to or resemble a particular identifiable object being dominated by object's general character;
wherein said enclosure has an exterior defining a concave top which opposes a planar floor, said enclosure further having a front panel which opposes a back panel, wherein said front panel and said back panel extend upwardly from said floor to join said concave top, and wherein said exterior defines a first side panel which opposes a second side panel, said first side panel and said second side panel extend upwardly from said floor to join said concave top;
wherein said front panel and said back panel are each provided with a plurality of illuminated, colored lamps aligned in a vertical series along a linearly elongated centerline of each of said front panel and said back panel, wherein said lamps are electrically connected to a power source;
a storage and vending assembly, said storage and vending assembly is housed inside said enclosure;
and
a rigid frame, said rigid frame is located inside said enclosure and provides a support base for said storage and vending assembly.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.