US 8,620,472 B2 · Dispensing mechanism for centralized robotic gantry

Abstract

A vending arrangement for computerized vending machines, retail displays, automated retail stores, utilizes a centralized, robotic gantry associated with companion modules for vending a plurality of selectable products. The modularized design enables deployment of half-sized or larger, full sized machines. The robotic gantry is deployed in a centralized module disposed adjacent display and inventory modules. Inventory modules can be fitted to both gantry sides, and doors can be fitted to the gantry front or rear. The gantry comprises an internal, vertically displaceable elevator utilizing a central conveyor for laterally, horizontally moving selected items from associated display and inventory positions to a vending position. Computerized software enables the display and vending functions, and controls elevator movement to dispense products from twin sides of the gantry by appropriately controlling the conveyor.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims19

Dependent claims

A modularized vending machine, retail display, or automated retail store comprising:

a central robotic gantry comprising
an upright enclosure with a pair of sides and a front and a back, an internal elevator vertically movable within the gantry, the elevator comprising a transverse conveyor for moving items laterally and a pair of retractable, product collection wings disposed on either side of the conveyor and displaceable to direct selected products upon the conveyor to deliver a vend, and wherein the wings are actuated by a wing motor that distributes power through a drive shaft that causes a first set of levers to rotate to actuate a second and a third set of levers to operate said collection wings,
at least one inventory cabinet attached to at least one gantry side;
at least one door fitted upon the front or back of the gantry, the doors comprising a product vend area;
at least one display module proximate said gantry, the display module containing items to be vended, the display module comprising a plurality of physical displays in which items to be vended are visibly housed;
a computer for activating and controlling the gantry and said module;
and,
software for controlling said computer.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description9,533 words

Summary2,494 words

#1. Field

#The present system relates generally to automated and modularized vending machines that can be custom deployed in diverse configurations. More specifically, the present system relates to automated vending systems utilizing an improved robotic dispensing module and associated inventory modules that can be assembled and configured to create diverse vending arrangements, with components linked together via a virtual integrated network.

#2. Description of the Related Art

Brief description of the drawings18 figures

#In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:

#FIG. 1A is an isometric assembly view of a preferred robotic gantry module used with the vending machines of the present system, with portions thereof omitted for clarity and brevity;

#FIG. 1B is a fragmentary isometric view that enlarges the bottom portion of FIG. 1A;

Detailed description6,671 words

#For purposes of disclosure, the following co-pending U.S. utility applications, which are owned by the same assignee as in this case, are hereby incorporated by references, as if fully set forth herein:

#(a) Pending U.S. utility application Ser. No. 12/589,277, entitled “Interactive and 3-D Multi-Sensor Touch Selection Interface For an Automated Retail Store, Vending Machine, Digital Sign, or Retail Display,” filed Oct. 21, 2009, by coinventors Mara Segal, Darrell Mockus, and Russell Greenberg, that was based upon a prior pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/107,829, filed Oct. 23, 2008, and entitled “Interactive and 3-D Multi-Sensor Touch Selection Interface for an Automated Retail Store, Vending Machine, Digital Sign, or Retail Display”;

#(b) Pending U.S. utility application Ser. No. 12/589,164, entitled “Vending Machines With Lighting Interactivity And Item-Based Lighting Systems For Retail Display And Automated Retail Stores,” filed Oct. 19, 2009 by coinventors Mara Segal, Darrell Mockus, and Russell Greenberg, that was based upon a prior pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/106,952, filed Oct. 20, 2008, and entitled “Lighting Interactivity And Item-Based Lighting Systems In Retail Display, Automated Retail Stores And Vending Machines,” by the same coinventors; and,

Facts

Application

13/228,320Filed 8 Sep 2011 · continuation in part

Priority

27 Aug 2009

Published

US 2012/0078412 A129 Mar 2012

Granted

31 Dec 2013

Term ends

27 Feb 2031

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 188 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification4 codes

G07F 11/165
Delivery means: using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
G07F 9/026
Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus: for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending…
G07F 11/004
Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles: restocking arrangements therefor
G07F
Coin-freed or like apparatus

Family

Application61/237,604Us provisional application · filed 27 Aug 2009

Application12/806,862Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 23 Aug 2010

Application61/380,810Us provisional application · filed 8 Sep 2010

US 2012/0078412 A1Pre-grant publication · published 29 Mar 2012

US 8,392,019 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 2011/0054673 A1Published application

US 8,620,472 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Timeline

27 Aug 2009Priority claimedParent application 61/237,604
8 Sep 2011Application filedUS 13/228,320
14 Dec 2011Assigned to Utique, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
29 Mar 2012PublishedUS 2012/0078412 A1
16 May 2013Assigned to Avt, Inc.license
31 Dec 2013GrantedUS 8,620,472 B2
18 May 2016Assigned to Utique, Inc.dissolution of license
23 Aug 2018Assigned to Swyft Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
4 May 2021Assigned to Nfs Leasing, Inc.security interest
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
27 Feb 2031Term endsEstimated, includes 188 days of adjustment

Dispensing mechanism for centralized robotic gantry

Life of this patent

Dispensing mechanism for centralized robotic gantry

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims19

Description9,533 words

Drawings

Classification4 codes

Life of this patent

Description9,533 words