Vending machine for storage, labeling and dispensing of a container

A vending machine comprising:

• storage for a plurality of containers in a rack of storage bins, wherein the plurality of containers are of different sizes and shapes and contain different products;
• at least one image capture device;
• a label module to apply, in a labeling zone thereof, a label to one said container containing a product;
• an adjustment mechanism to adjust at least one of:
• a first position of the label in the labeling zone, before being applied to the one said container, to a different, second position thereof;
• and
• a first position of the one said container in the labeling zone, before the label is applied thereto, to a different, second position thereof;
• a delivery zone;
• a control system operable to:
• move the one said container from the storage to the labeling zone;
• receive and analyze image data from the at least one image capture device to derive therefrom the first position of the one said container in the labeling zone before the label is applied thereto;
• control the adjustment mechanism as a function of the received and analyzed image;
• control the label module to apply, in the labeling zone, the label to the one said container;
• and
• deliver the labeled one said container to the delivery zone;
• a pick head including a platform;
• and
• a telescopic unit to drive the pick head to an access location corresponding to a selected said storage bin having one said container, wherein:
• the telescopic unit has a spool of drive tape;
• the drive tape has:
• a free end fixed to the platform;
• ready bendability in a first direction to permit storing at the spool upon platform exit;
• and
• relative unbendability in an opposed direction, whereby:
• the drive tape provides axial thrust and platform entry upon unwinding of the spool;
• and
• the drive tape drives the platform by telescoping into and out of the rack from the access location;
• the platform is moved progressively under the one said container in the selected said storage bin as the platform progressively telescopes into the selected said storage bin;
• and
• the telescopic unit drives the platform by telescoping out of the selected said storage bin in the rack from the access location while the platform engages the one said container in the selected said storage bin to move the one said container in the selected said storage bin out of the selected said storage bin, wherein the control system is further operable to control the pick head to move the one said container out the selected said storage bin to the labeling zone;
• and
• a database of respective specifications for where the label is to be applied to each of a plurality of unlabeled said containers of different sizes and shapes, and containing different products, wherein the control system is further operable to determine a portion of the surface of the one said container in the labeling zone over which the label is to be applied based upon a corresponding said specification in the database.