Patent Application
20150166322
The present invention relates to devices, systems and methods of vending equipment for dispensing drink and/or confections.
Purchase transactions have traditionally been conducted by utilizing coin based as well as paper based currency. In recent times, with the advent of digital based currency and web based consumer credit accounts that may be accessed via a credit card, debit card, mobile communications device, online credit account or similar based device or mechanism, it has become more desirable to provide for the use of digital based currency in vending equipment. However, traditional vending machines, due to their complexity, are often times very costly to develop and/or purchase and operate.
What is needed are devices, systems and methods for improving the vending equipment for dispensing drink and/or confections.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a machine for dispensing liquids and/or frozen confections can include a housing that is configured to house one or more manually operated machines for dispensing drinks and/or frozen confections, the housing having an interior surface that interfaces with the one or more manually operated machines and having an exterior surface for interfacing with a user. The machine can include one or more product dispensing chutes disposed on the interior surface of the housing that is configured to receive product from one or more dispensing mechanisms of the one or more manually operated machines. The machine can include one or more actuators that is disposed on the interior surface of the housing, the one or more actuators being configured to interact with the at least one manually operated machine and a computer programmed to accept instructions such that dispensing of one or more dispensing mechanisms of the at least one manually operated machine is automated to dispense an amount of liquid and/or frozen confections according to instructions received from the computer.
In another embodiment, a machine for dispensing liquids and/or frozen confections can include a housing that is configured to house one or more manually operated machines for dispensing drinks and/or frozen confections, the housing having an interior surface that interfaces with the one or more manually operated machines and having an exterior surface for interfacing with a user. The machine can include a user interface that is disposed on the exterior surface of the housing, the user interface interfacing with a computer programmed to accept instructions from the user interface to automate dispensing. The machine can include one or more actuators disposed on the interior surface of the housing, the one or more actuators operable in response to instructions input by the user via the user interface. The machine can include, for each actuator, a connection piece that is configured at its proximal end to attach to the actuator and that is configured on its distal end to receive a handle of the one or more manually operated machines such that dispensing of one or more dispensing mechanisms of the at least one manually operated machine is automated. The machine can include a product dispensing chute that is disposed on the interior surface of the housing and that is configured to receive product from the one or more dispensing mechanisms. By the user touching the user interface to indicate a type and amount of liquid and/or frozen confections desired, the user interface can send instructions to the computer, and the computer can cause the type and amount of liquid/frozen confection desired by the user to be discharged from the product dispensing chute through control of the computer of: the manually operated machine, the one or more actuators, and the one or more dispensing mechanisms.
In an embodiment of the invention, a method of serving drinks and/or frozen confections can include housing the drinks and/or frozen confections inside a manually operated machine for dispensing drinks and/or frozen confections, the manually operated machine being located in the housing. The housing can include a computer, a user interface, one or more actuators, one or more product dispensing mechanisms, and one or more payment devices, and the computer is programmed with software to control the actuators and payment devices in response to instructions entered by a user on the user interface, and the user can select a type and quantity of the drinks and frozen confections the user would like.
Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention are set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are examples and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the attached drawings in which:
Some embodiments of the current invention are discussed in detail below. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology and examples selected. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other equivalent components can be employed and other methods developed without departing from the broad concepts of the current invention. All references cited anywhere in this specification, including the Background and Detailed Description sections, are incorporated by reference as if each had been individually incorporated.
Embodiments of the invention may involve use of a computer. As used herein, the term “computer” is intended to have a broad meaning that may be used in computing devices such as, e.g., but not limited to, standalone or client or server devices. The computer may be, e.g., (but not limited to) a personal computer (PC) system running an operating system such as, e.g., (but not limited to) MICROSOFT® WINDOWS® NT/98/2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7/8/8.1 etc. available from MICROSOFT® Corporation of Redmond, Wash., U.S.A. or an Apple computer executing MAC® OS from Apple® of Cupertino, Calif., U.S.A. Computer configurations running other operating systems such as Linux and ChromeOS are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. However, the invention is not limited to these platforms. Instead, the invention may be implemented on any appropriate computer system running any appropriate operating system. Further, the invention may be implemented on a cloud computing unit and mobile devices. In one embodiment, the invention may be a cloud-based SaaS platform and able to be accessed on computers, tablets, ipads, smartphones, etc.
After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the invention using other computer systems and/or architectures.
Some embodiments of the invention can provide an apparatus and/or system that can retrofit existing handle-operated manual machines for dispensing frozen confectionary via a digital interface, and the like. For example, some embodiments of the invention can be a frozen confectionery vending machine based on the utilization of a commercially available, manually operated, frozen confectionery dispensing machine that encloses the machine into a secured housing, and provides an automated dispensing interface and function that is activated upon touchscreen prompt or the completion of a purchase transaction.
Automated dispensing can be achieved by communicating information from end purchaser through a digital interface and a payment device to an embedded computer. The computer can communicate with various financial institutions for the purpose of payment validation of the end user payment information. Upon purchase validation, the computer can communicate with an actuator, which in turn can activate the dispensing mechanism on the manually operated frozen confectionary dispensing machine. Upon activation of the dispensing mechanism, frozen confection can be dispensed through a chute that leads the dispensed product from the interior of the secured housing to the exterior of the secured housing and into a cup, cone, or other substance collection device that the purchaser places below the chute. The cup, cone, or other substance collection device can reside on a platform of a digital scale. As the cup, cone, or other substance collection device is filled, the digital scale can communicate the weight of dispensed confection to the computer. When the weight of the dispensed confection reaches the purchased amount, the computer can disengage or retract the position of the actuator, thus terminating the dispensing of the frozen confection.
The Frozen Confectionary Vending Machine can also provide means for the storage of the cups, cones, or other substance collection devices, eating utensils, napkins and/or any other items deemed necessary to provide a satisfactory end user experience.
Embodiments of the invention relate to vending equipment from which a food product and/or confections are dispensed for a fixed monetary exchange. The equipment can take many forms, creating a retail purchase transaction, and supplying a desirable product to the end user. In this application, the invention is described for use with a frozen confectionary dispensing machine, but this is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. For example, other products, such as soda, pudding, slushees, etc., can be dispensed with embodiments of the present invention.
Embodiments of the invention create a solution to the issue of a high cost entry point for traditional vending machines. In an embodiment, this problem can be solved by substantially reducing the entry point cost to manufacture and operate because of its utilization of widely available, industry standard components, control systems, operating systems, and software that are readily available and are cost effective in their purchase, assembly, installation and operation. Embodiments allow for the ability to expand the intended marketplace at an accelerated pace, due to the lower cost application. Utilizing industry standard components that are readily available and cost effective allows for ease of maintenance, repair, and downtime minimization.
For purposes of illustration but not by way of limitation,
In an embodiment, the machine 90 can include one or more product dispensing chutes 4 disposed on the interior surface 30 of the housing 1. The chutes 4 can be configured to receive product from the one or more dispensing mechanisms 13. As seen in
As shown in
According to an embodiment, a cup, cone, or other substance collection device 7 can be provided on the exterior surface of the housing 1. Additionally, it is also possible to provide a holder to contain a plurality of cups, cones, or other substance collection devices 5, a holder to contain a plurality of disposable napkins, eating utensils, food toppings and any other items to complete the experience 6, and a counter surface on which to place purchased items 9.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
According to an embodiment, by the user touching the digital interface 2 to indicate the type and amount of liquid and/or frozen confections desired, the digital interface 2 sends instructions to the computer 10. Upon receiving the instructions, the computer causes the type and amount of liquid/frozen confection desired by the user to be discharged from the product dispensing chute 4 through the computer's control of the manually operated machine via the one or more actuators 12, and their intersection with the one or more dispensing mechanisms.
In an embodiment, the machine 90 can further include one or more payment devices 3, such as a credit card reader, disposed on the exterior surface 20 of the housing 1. The machine 90 can further include means for transmitting data from the payment devices 3 to the computer 10. For example, a payment connection device can be configured to transmit data from the payment devices 3 to the computer. The payment connection device can be, but is not limited to, a payment device cable 14. A user may acquire liquid and/or frozen confectionary goods by using the payment device 3, which then informs the computer that payment has happened. Furthermore, for purposes of illustration but not by way of limitation, a payment device 3 is shown in
In an embodiment, the machine 90 can further include a digital scale 8, which monitors the amount of liquid and/or frozen confections dispensed by the dispensing mechanism 13 through the dispensing chute 4 by monitoring the weight of the product. The machine 90 can include means for transmitting data between the digital scale 8 and the computer 10. For example, a scale connection device can be configured to transmit data between the digital scale 8 and the computer 10. The scale connection device can be, but is not limited to, a digital scale cable 16. The digital scale 8 can be embedded in the countertop and directly below the dispensing chute. The digital scale 8 can send information to the computer 10 that the amount of liquid and/or frozen confections desired by the user has been dispensed such that the computer causes the dispensing mechanism to stop dispensing liquid and/or frozen confections. In an embodiment, the digital scale 8 can send the information to the computer 10 by means of a digital scale cable 16. The machine for distributing drinks and and/or frozen confections can be a machine for distributing ice cream and/or frozen custards.
Upon validation of end user payment information, the embedded computer 10 can communicate, via the actuator cable 17, various data and power to the actuator 12, causing the actuator 12 to engage the dispensing mechanism on the manually operated frozen confectionary dispensing machine 11, initiating the dispensing of the frozen confectionary from the product dispensing mechanism 13. Frozen confectionary can travel through product dispensing chute 4, and fill cup, cone, or other substance collection device 7 that has been placed, by the end-user, on to the digital scale 8. During the dispensing cycle, the digital scale 8 can communicate, via digital scale cable 16, weight information, to the embedded computer 10. Embedded computer 10 can monitor in real time, the weight of dispensed product so as to determine when to terminate dispensing product based on predetermined weight as a result of user product configuration. When a dispensed product weight matches a predetermined weight as a result of the user product configuration, the embedded computer 10 can communicate, via actuator cable 17, to the actuator 12, a termination command, thus causing the actuator 12 to move the dispensing mechanism to the closed position, thereby terminating product dispensing.
A variety of security mechanisms within the computer's software can also be able to both prevent and detect efforts by the end user from manipulating the scale measurements to defraud the machine and receive more dispensed product than purchased. For purposes of illustration and explanation but not by way of limitation, if the monitored weight drops at any point during the dispensing cycle, the software will be able to terminate product dispensing. This is to prevent the end user from manipulating the scale measurements in an effort to defraud the invention and receive more dispensed product than purchased.
The above-described embodiments can be used to automate dispensing from the C707 single flavor Taylor machine as shown in
The design using the single flavor machine as shown in
Some embodiments of the present invention have several substantial advantages including:
(1) Creating a solution to the issue of a high cost entry point vending machines by its utilization of widely available, industry standard components, control systems, operating systems, and software that are readily available and cost effective in their purchase, assembly, installation and operation.
(2) Creating an automated solution for an otherwise manual operation of dispensing a frozen confectionary, utilizing a digital scale 8 for measurement, payment processing, and a graphical user interface conveyed via a touch screen display 2.
(3) Utilizing proprietary software mechanisms to terminate product dispensing if the monitored weight drops at any point during the dispensing cycle. This is to prevent the end user from manipulating the scale measurements in an effort to defraud the machine and receive more dispensed product than purchased.
In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in
Referring to
The machine 190 can include a digital interface 102 that can be disposed on the exterior surface 120 of the housing 101. The digital interface 102 can be a digital touch screen interface and it can be a digital touch screen interface display. Other digital interfaces can include push buttons, a keypad, a keyboard, and/or wireless connections. The digital touch screen 102 can interface with a computer 110 programmed to accept instructions from the digital touch screen 102 to automate dispensing by controlling at least one actuator 112, which in turn operates the at least one manually operated machine 111, according to the instructions received.
The handle 140 represents the handle on the machine 111. The actuator 112 can correspond to actuator 12 described previously. The connection piece 142 can include one or more pins 156 that interface with the handle 140. The pins 156 can allow for the handle 140 to be securely grasped by the connection piece 142 during the dispensing process.
Thus, for each actuator 112, a connection piece 142 can be configured at its proximal end to attach to the actuator 112 and can be configured at its distal end to receive a handle 140 of the one or more manually operated machines 111. The actuator 112 can move the handle 140 between closed and dispensing positions based on instructions received from the computer 110, to automate operation of the machine. This configuration allows for automated dispensing of one or more dispensing mechanisms 113 of the at least one manually operated machine 111.
Referring to
As shown in
As shown in
The machine 190 can include a counter surface 109 disposed on the exterior surface of the housing 101. The counter surface 109 can provide an approximately level surface with sufficient room to support a plurality of cups or other substance collection devices. The counter surface 109 can be located below the one or more product dispensing chutes such that a cup and/or other substance collection device is capable of being placed on top of the counter surface 109 and below the product dispensing chute 104. The counter surface can include a dispensing device that is configured to dispense one or more of a group comprising knives, forks, straws, and condiments located on the counter surface.
Referring to
The user by touching the digital touch screen 102 to indicate the type and amount of liquid and/or frozen confections desired can cause the digital touch screen 102 to send instructions to the computer 110. Upon receiving the instructions, the computer 110 can cause the type and amount of liquid/frozen confection desired by the user to be discharged from the product dispensing chute through the computer's control of the manually operated machine 111, the one or more actuators 112, causing them to operate the machine to dispense product via the one or more dispensing mechanisms 113.
The counter surface 109 can include a countertop drainage grill 178 that extends beyond the drain pan area 108. The countertop drainage grill 178 can include a top grill layer 136 and a bottom grill layer 137, where the top grill layer 136 can have larger gaps or apertures than the bottom grill layer 137.
In some embodiments the dispenser drainage grill 126 can have a top grill layer and a bottom grill layer. In other embodiments, the dispenser drainage grill can have either a top grill layer and no bottom grill layer or a bottom grill layer and no top grill layer. Further, while in some embodiments, the countertop drainage grill 178 can have a top grill layer and a bottom grill layer, in other embodiments, the countertop drainage grill can have either a top grill layer and no bottom grill layer or a bottom grill layer and no top grill layer. The dispenser drainage grill 126 and/or the countertop drainage grill 178 can have openings for ventilation of the manually operated machine in the housing 101. For example, the dispenser drainage grill 126 and/or the countertop drainage grill 178 can be at least 8 mesh (8 stands per 1 in [25 mm]), or equivalent, to be used on openings to areas housing the manually operated machine having condensing units. Thus, since the machine 190 can house a self-contained refrigeration unit within the overall unit construction, the screening through the various grills can be at least 8 strands per inch. The dispenser drainage grill and the countertop drainage grill can allow for ventilation of the at least one manually operated machine.
The machine 190 can further include a waste tank 150 disposed on the interior surface 130 of the housing 101 underneath the drain pan area 108 and the countertop drainage grill 178. Product spilled on the countertop and drained through the grill will drain into the waste tank, illustrated in
Other embodiments include Lights/LED strip placed around the card reader, cup dispenser, serving area/drain pan to guide customer through checkout process in product checkout sequence. A sensor can be used to detect when the waste tank/receptacle 150 is full. Further, an internal temperature sensor can guard against overheating of the machine 111.
Although the foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is noted that other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment of the invention may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/267,898 filed on May 1, 2014, which is a non-provisional application of U.S. Application No. 61/818,391, filed on May 1, 2013. The entire contents of the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61818391 | May 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14267898 | May 2014 | US |
| Child | 14569394 | US |
