Patent Application
20200390622
This invention relates generally to vending machines. More particularly, this invention relates to digital wall-mounted vending machines that dispense disposable diapers and related infant care and incontinent adult care accessories. This invention also relates to systems and methods for the dispensing of diaper kits containing a plurality of sizes of diapers and for the consumer's ability to locate vending machines via a mobile app.
Diapers are generally a necessity for very young children and incontinent adults. Individuals incapable of controlling the release of bodily waste in a manner sufficiently reliable to enable the use of restroom facilities, and those caring for such individuals, typically need to carry extra disposable diapers and changing accessories. This is typically because it is difficult to predict when a diaper worn by an individual may need to be changed. Caretakers of babies and others requiring diapers often carry spare, clean diapers for this reason. Many of the following discussions and examples are directed to use of diapers in infant care. However, it will be apparent that many of the same considerations apply to use of diapers for non-infant, incontinent persons. Storing and carrying clean diapers and related diaper changing accessories is often inconvenient. For instance, disposable diapers are generally rather bulky items not given to easy storage in a purse, pocket, or otherwise about the person. In addition, the problem can be exacerbated in that diapers are often needed in unpredictable circumstances when caregivers are away from home. In addition, it is often the case that it is not sufficient to simply change a soiled diaper and replace it with a clean diaper. For instance, cleaning of the individual who wore the diaper may need to be performed with diaper accessories, such as moist wipes. Also, it may be necessary to apply ointment or powder to the individual wearing the diaper to treat or prevent incidents of diaper rash or other skin conditions. Due to these considerations, caretakers of individuals requiring diapers often carry clean diapers and diaper changing accessories in a dedicated container, which is often referred to as a “diaper bag.” By doing so, when it becomes necessary to change a diaper, all of the materials needed by the caretaker are available in one location. While a conventional diaper bag provides a dedicated container in which diapers and diaper accessories can be stored and carried, the requirement to carry a diaper bag often adds to the difficulty of a caretaker's responsibility. For example, parents of young children often must carry a purse or bag for the parent's own needs. In addition to this, the parent may need to carry the young child; and, of course, the child's diaper bag. This can leave the parent with a burdensome amount of articles to carry and no free hands for other tasks.
There are currently very few options to purchase diapers and diaper changing accessories such as baby wipes in public (outside of grocery store and pharmacy). Diapers and wipes are not sold at most malls, airports, zoos, children's museums, parks, ballparks, amusement parks, and other kid-friendly destinations. This means that parents and caregivers with young children must take a diaper bag with them when traveling, running errands, and going to parks and restaurants with their children. The problem arises when the parent/caregiver is out in public and (a) forgets the diaper bag at home or in the car, (b) does not properly stock the diaper bag with clean, appropriately-sized diapers and baby wipes, or (c) the parent does not want the inconvenience of carrying the diaper bag due to its bulky nature. It is safe to say that a botched diaper change can very negatively impact a parent's day.
Children typically wear diapers up to age 3. There are 1,221,075 children under the age of 3 (diaper age) in the state of Texas alone. Young children can wear up to 12 diapers per day. Parents are incorporating their children into daily activities and travel plans now more than ever. Parents are also increasingly willing to pay a premium for convenience items when on the go. The ability to purchase diapers and wipes and hand sanitizer at the location of the public diaper changing station will help parents in a critical time of need.
Many attempts to address these problems have been made. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,080 issued to Habib discloses an enclosure containing a set of individually packaged sanitary accessories including prepackaged moist baby wipes, prepackaged instant hand sanitizer, baby liner, and a disposable diaper. U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,161 issued to Jonese discloses a baby changing kit with accessory items arranged within the enclosure to provide uniform and pliable surfaces for carrying and storage. The changing kit contains sanitary items for two complete diaper changes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,531 issued to Nieves discloses a feminine hygiene package comprising a disposable container enclosing a dry wipe, an enclosed wet wipe, and a sanitary napkin. U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,378 issued to Finkel discloses a disposable baby changing kit comprising of a sheet of plastic film folded in such a way to provide a number of pockets receiving various hygiene accessories. U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,859 issued to Feldman discloses a diaper with integral changing pad/disposable container wherein the changing pad is mounted on the outer surface of the diaper.
Nevertheless, each one of these references suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages. Most kits are bulky and therefore require a large vending machine. Others are packaged in a soft-sided package making them difficult to vend from a vending machine. Additionally, many of the kits require compression of the diapers, increasing the expense of manufacturing and packaging. Furthermore, none of the prior art kits are configured for vending multiple different sized diapers from a single sized package utilizing a low-profile wall mounted vending machine.
The current state of vending machines is inadequate to address this need. Of the machines that are in the marketplace today, they are often located in an inconvenient location (e.g., near a mall playground or in the middle of an airport terminal) due to their size and are coin-operated when most people today do not carry cash, let alone coins. Also, coin-operation is a deficient means of operating a vending machine because when a vending machine holds actual currency it is more susceptible to theft. The machines are also few and far between and difficult to locate. In addition, a vending machine may be provided to dispense fresh disposable diapers, however, such apparatus is bulky and because of this, many toilets are unable to provide it because of already limited space. Vending machines are often not wall mounted, but rather large, stand-alone machines too large to be located in a public restroom. The public restroom, specifically near the changing table in a public restroom, is the most convenient location for a diaper vending machine because that is where the caregiver performing a diaper change will need to procure a diaper. For parents on the go, the most convenient location for a diaper vending machine is a machine mounted on the wall near the changing table in a public restroom.
Diaper vending machines are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,748, which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes a vacuum-packed diaper vending machine. However, such machines vend volumetrically-reduced articles (i.e., vacuum-packed), which limits the different types of items that can be vended in the machines. Although prepackaged diaper kits are also known, they have not been engineered to properly vend from a wall-mounted vending machine in, for example, a public restroom. Rather, the aforementioned machines require posterior restocking of items, requiring a large hole to be cut into the wall on which the machine is mounted.
Digital vending machines with touchscreen displays are known. Vending machines equipped with transceivers configured to communicate via a wireless network and identify the location of vending machines and order a group of products as a single request are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,898,884, which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes a vending machine allowing purchase of items using a cell phone. However, such invention fails to be used for the dispensing of diapers and related diaper changing accessories.
Advertising facilitated by vending machines is known. The ability to remotely manage vending machine inventory and usage and to be alerted remotely to vending machine malfunctions and maintenance issues via a cellular network are also known. For example, U.S. Pub. Pat. App. No. 2014/0179231, which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes advertisements or coupons facilitated by the smart vending machine. Such advertisements and coupons are delivered to the user's cell phone subsequent to the user's use of the vending machine. The advertisements are targeted to the particular user based on purchasing history. Such method of advertisement is dependent on a person using the vending machine consenting to receive advertisements and using a vending machine in the same network at a later time to redeem the coupons. These methods require storing information related to the machine user and making product suggestions based on the user's previous vending machine usage.
Thus, there is a need for an innovative technology that can make disposable diapers and related items and accessories available where they are needed most.
The present invention is a diaper vending machine system and method. In various embodiments, the system comprises a wall-mounted vending machine having a digital touchscreen and the ability to accept non-cash payments and an interactive mobile app to facilitate locating the machine and communicating with the system. In various embodiments, the vending machine may sell diapers and diaper changing products and be sized to be mounted on the wall near the changing table in public restrooms. In accordance with another aspect of an embodiment of the invention, a method of packaging a diaper kit is provided to facilitate the size and location of the vending machine.
In various embodiments, the vending machine may feature scrolling advertisements, for example, on the top portion of the screen such that the advertisements will be visible by not only the users of the machine, but also other people in the vicinity of the machine. Restrooms in particular are an excellent place to catch a captive audience. The advertisements may offer discount codes for childcare products, promote a local kid-friendly venue or resource, and so on.
The above summary of the invention is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present invention. Particular embodiments may include one, some, or none of the listed advantages. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.
A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for providing diaper vending machines. In various embodiments, the diaper vending machines may be sized to be wall mounted in a public restroom at a location near a changing table and the diapers and other accessories may be packaged in a manner that facilitates dispensing from the wall-mounted machine. The diaper vending machine is configured to offer a wide range of products while occupying a limited volume so that it can be situated in areas where space is restricted.
Referring now to
Vending machines impose various limitations on the size, shape, weight, etc. of products which they are capable of vending. In general terms, products which are suitable for vending are those having length, width and thickness dimensions that will allow the individual product units to be stored, securely positioned, and selectively retrieved via mechanical or electromechanical means within the machine. The diaper changing kits described herein are configured to be vendable from a low profile, wall-mounted vending machine. In particular, the kits, or other products, loaded into the tray assembly 102a must be sized: (1) to have a thickness that fits freely between the augers; (2) to have a width that fits between the side walls of the tray assembly 102a; and (3) to have a height that fits under the bottom of a tray assembly (or top of the machine) disposed over the product. Oversized items or packages forced into the spaces will cause the machine to misvend. Additionally, in order to vend properly, the size of the item being vended must be larger than the diameter of the auger being used. Undersized items could cause vend problems. If the product does not fit the auger properly, a different auger must be used or the size of the package must be changed. The shape, size and thickness of the product affects how well it will fall off the tray. If vending problems occur, additional changes may be needed, such as adding product pushers or retiming the auger. In addition, any time a different sized package is loaded into a tray assembly 102a, the tray must be reconfigured and retested to ensure correct vending. The trays or shelves are mounted within the housing in such a manner that their height may be adjusted in small increments so that a wide range of packages can be accommodated. It also allows a number of shelves to be adjusted to hold the same product, or each hold a different sized package, for example. The products to be dispensed from this machine are relatively light and supplied in rigid packets. The upper surfaces of the shelves are preferably designed to be smooth and to minimize any friction with the products.
Referring to
Wall-mounted vending machines are a compact, space-saving alternative to large floor standing vending machines. Wall vending machines can include many of the same features that are found in floor standing vending machines. In addition to restroom convenience products, they can also dispense a range of other products. In various embodiments, the vending machine has dimensions on the order of 39.4 inches (height)×17.5 inches (width)×11 inches (depth) and weighs (machine only) approximately 84 pounds. In other embodiments, the vending machine may be 23.6 inches wide×21.5 inches high×7.8 inches deep. In some embodiments, the vending machine may be housed in a cabinet that has overall dimensions of 1.5 m high (59 inches), 0.5 m wide (19.6 inches) and 0.5 m deep (19.6 inches) or larger. In some embodiments, the dispenser may include five or more adjustable product trays. In various embodiments, the vending machine may be able to dispense a plurality of separate products (depending on product sizes/configuration) with a column height of, for example, up to 13 inches (330 mm) (depending on product sizes/configuration) and capable of vending products having dimensions of, for example, 8.3 inches (210 mm) in height×5.1 inches (130 mm) in width×3.1 inches (80 mm) in depth. In other embodiments, typical ranges include products with heights in the range of 20 mm to 500 mm, widths in the range of 20 mm to 200 mm, and depths in the range of 5 mm to 100 mm. However, to be vendable from a low-profile wall-mounted vending machine, the width of the packaging much be less than the depth of the internal storage area and, in particular, the width of the trays of the vending machine.
Turning now to
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Referring now to
To use the prepackaged diaper changing kit, the storage box or other exterior packaging is opened and the assembly is removed. The changing pad 208 is unfolded from around the disposable diaper 204 and placed on the surface where the newborn or infant is to be changed. The newborn or infant is placed on the changing pad 208 and the dirty or wet diaper is removed and placed into disposable plastic bag 206 and the new diaper 204 is placed on the child.
Turning to
These items are preferably prepackaged together in a durable cardboard package having sufficient rigidity to allow vending from a vending machine. The durable cardboard package is configured to accommodate a prepackaged diaper changing kit for various sized diapers, for example, a small diaper for a newborn or infant and a large diaper for a toddler or older. In a preferred embodiment, at least two (2) different prepackaged diaper changing kits are anticipated each having a different size of disposable diaper, a smaller size being suitable for newborns and infants of up to approximately eighteen (18) pounds and a larger size suitable for infants and toddlers from approximately eighteen (18) pounds up to approximately thirty six (36) pounds. Other sizes for disposable diaper could also be used, for example, one size for newborns and infants of up to approximately twelve (12) pounds, a larger size suitable for infants from approximately twelve (12) pounds to approximately twenty four (24) pounds and yet a larger size suitable for infants and toddlers from approximately twenty four (24) pounds up to approximately thirty six (36) pounds. Still larger sizes for disposable diaper could be used in prepackaged diaper changing kit, if desired, for still larger children and/or adults.
In the embodiment shown, the box 202 is approximately 140 mm tall (appx. 5.512 inches), 40 mm wide (appx. 1.575 inches), and 80 mm deep (appx. 3.1496 inches) for a total volume of 448 mL (27.3386 cubic inches). In various embodiments, the vending machine may be stocked with disposable diapers of different sizes. In some embodiments, the horizontal rows of the vending machine may be adjustable to accommodate various product sizes, providing the ability to sell multiple distinct product lines and allowing different sized boxes to be utilized for different diaper sizes. However, in order to facilitate the dispensing of the diaper kits without the worry of the packages jamming or misvending, the dimensions of the box as well as the grade of paper of the box have been customized. In addition, in order to avoid reconfiguring the horizontal trays of the vending machine to accommodate different sized diapers, a single sized box may be utilized for multiple diaper sizes.
Turning now to
In order to be vendable, the diaper changing kit needs to include a package consisting of a paper box with flexible articles packaged therein, wherein the paper box can be easily filled with a variety of different sized articles and subsequently closed and which is then shape-retaining. In various embodiments, the paper box for packing the flexible articles not only has good environmental qualities and sufficient strength, but also good printing qualities on its external surface so that an attractive package can be provided. In order to use a paper box to package flexible articles of various sizes and remain vendable, it is important that the paper box be sufficiently rigid. Paper of insufficient weight, when not supported by a rigid backing will easily get deformed, wrinkled and subsequently torn or punctured. This is also the case when flexible articles, like diapers, are packed in the paper box. One solution is to compress the flexible article, but this doesn't allow multiple sizes of flexible articles to be packaged in a single sized box. Another solution would be to provide a rigid backing for the paper. However, this increases the expense of the package and the complexity of the packaging process. In various embodiments, paper, cardboard, or combined layers of paper, having a total basis weight in the range of from 200 to 500 grams per square meter (gsm), are suitable. In some embodiments, the qualities of paper that present the most advantages from the environmental point of view for making the box are unbleached virgin papers or unbleached recycled papers. In order to be able to present an attractive package made with unbleached papers, it is, however, necessary to white-coat the outside of these papers to allow good quality printing. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible articles packed in the paper boxes are folded. In various embodiments, the paper used may be 350 g C1S (“coated one side”) white and have a thickness of 0.4 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness may range from 0.27 mm or less to 0.55 mm or more and have a grammage ranging from 210 gsm or less to 400 gsm or more. In some embodiments, the paper may be C2S (coated two sides), which may increase the grammage without significantly increasing the thickness.
The paper box utilized in various embodiments may be formed from various printed folding paper cartons, boxes made of the solid bleached substrate (SBS) paperboard, CCNB paperboard, kraft paperboard and/or specialty paperboard. The thickness of the paperboard in some embodiments is less than 0.8 mm in thickness. Bleached paperboard or SBS is a premium paperboard grade that can be single or multi-ply board. SBS is made from mostly hardwood, first-generation, chemically pulped fibers that are subsequently bleached, refined and formed. SBS is white on both sides and throughout the sheet. The relatively short hardwood fibers are coated and polished, creating an impressively smooth print surface that accommodates the highest quality imaging. Most SBS products are coated one-side only (C1S), but some may be partially or fully coated on the back side as well (C2S). SBS is not known for tear strength, but generally has good stiffness and compression strength.
Another possible material used in some embodiments is FBB (Folding BoxBoard) also called CTMP or TMP, which is multi-ply and utilizes a combination of chemical and some form of MP (Mechanical Pulp) or TMP (Thermo Mechanical Pulp). FBB is a light-weight board which uses fewer trees and offers yield advantages over SBS and CRB (Coated Recycled Board) and a significant weight savings. FBB comprises middle layers of mechanical pulp sandwiched between outer layers of chemical pulp. The top layer of chemical pulp is bleached and pigment coated. Being virgin fiber paperboard with consistent purity for product safety, the combination of inner layers of mechanical pulp with outer layers of chemical pulp creates a strong and stiff sheet, making it a low density material with high stiffness. The fully coated grades give great printing and visual impact. FBB is a low grammage solid board suited to the packaging of lightweight products, commonly available in 150-400 gsm. TMP is available in coated one side or coated two sides and is a cost alternative to SBS. The thickness of kraft board varies from 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm and the grammage can be 128-450 gsm.
Another important consideration is the stiffness or bending stiffness of the paper used in the packaging and the overall stiffness of the assembled box. After grammage and thickness, stiffness is the next most important property to consider when choosing paperboard. Stiffness is particularly important when determining the correct grade of paperboard for packaging applications. Without stiffness, paperboard would not be able to perform its primary function of providing the packaged contents with physical protection. Stiffness itself relates to other strength properties such as compression strength, toughness, creasability, foldability, etc. Stiffness play an important role in the distribution chain right through to the retailer and then the consumer. Maximum stiffness often needs to be achieved at the lowest possible grammage. Stiffness or bending stiffness is the degree to which paper or board resists bending when subjected to a bending force in its intended use. Bending stiffness is an expression of the rigidity of paper or paperboard and is often measured in Taber stiffness unit, in either gram-force centimeter (gfc) or milli-Newton meters (mNm). Since paperboard is an anisotropic material, measurements are made on strips cut in the machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD) of the paperboard web. The stiffness ratio (MD/CD) gives an assessment of paperboard anisotropy. When specifying for a new end use or product, several factors must be taken into account. First are the weight and size of the product to be packaged. With cartons, it is only possible to consider the stiffness after the shape and dimensions have been decided. Not all paperboards of the same grammage or thickness have the same stiffness. Stiffness also has a major effect on the carton's resistance to bulging. The box compression strength requirement (physical protection) depends on a number of factors: the structural design of the carton, i.e. size and dimensions, supporting elements in the carton design, flap design, and loading direction, whether the contents support the package or not, types of secondary (transport) packaging, transport, storage methods and conditions (palletisation, stacking, climatic conditions), and material properties such as stiffness and compression strength of the paperboard. Structural designs and paperboard properties have to be matched to provide the required degree of performance from the packaging machine all the way through to the consumer. The carton must withstand various types of external loading and handling, protect the contents, be able to be vended from a low-profile vending machine, and reach the consumer without damage. For very small cartons, bulging of the panels is small or non-existent, which means that only the paperboard's compression strength is of importance (stiffness plays a minor role). In contrast, cartons with very large panels are much more dependent on stiffness than compression strength. In some embodiments, the paper board used for the storage box 202 has a thickness of 0.4 mm, a grammage of 350 gsm, and a stiffness of 18 to 31 mNm (MD) and 9 to 15 mNm (CD).
Referring now to
Although various embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This patent application claims priority to U.S. Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No. 62/921,427, filed Jun. 17, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62921427 | Jun 2019 | US |
