Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090149985 | Automated Store for Selling Articles - An automated ( | 06-11-2009 |
20100025418 | VENDING MACHINE WITH VIDEO DISPLAY - Methods and apparatus are disclosed relating to the provision of a video display device within an article vending machine, such video display being used to provide one or more of an “entertainment”, “advertising” and/or an “interactive product selection” enhancement to the vending machine. | 02-04-2010 |
20100070075 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A VENDING MACHINE - A vending apparatus including a control system for dispensing articles, including one or more of the following features:
| 03-18-2010 |
20100072221 | MACHINE AND METHODS FOR VENDING ARTICLES - A method and apparatus for vending articles from a machine. The machine includes an interior space having at least one compartment adapted to store articles therein, the compartment extending along a non-vertical axis between first and second ends thereof. A head is provided as part of a retrieval end of a flexible hose so as to engage the articles when the head is positioned in alignment with a compartment by a positioning mechanism. The head is extended into the compartment parallel to the non-vertical axis so as to engage to an article stored therein and retrieve it therefrom. | 03-25-2010 |
20100280656 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VENDING GOODS - Methods and apparatus relating to the actions and/or functions of an apparatus for the vending of goods, and for shifting influence among entities with an interest in the vending of goods, which methods and apparatus facilitate the distribution of the risks and rewards involved in the operation the vending apparatus. | 11-04-2010 |
20120143726 | Automated Storage and Distribution System - An automated storage ( | 06-07-2012 |
20150058178 | AUTOMATED STORE FOR SELLING ARTICLES - An automated store for storing and then distributing articles. The store includes a housing for receiving closed shipping containers for storage, and for distributing articles to an output of the housing, which articles were retrieved from inside the shipping containers. The store further includes within the housing an entry means for controlling entry into the housing of a plurality of closed shipping containers, with at least some of the plurality of closed shipping containers having outer dimensions which are different from the outer dimensions of other ones of the plurality of shipping containers, and further including a sensing means for determining the position of at least a portion of an outside surface of each one of the plurality of closed shipping containers that have entered into the housing. Also within the housing is an automated forming means for using the determined position specific to each of the closed shipping containers to form an opening in each of the plurality of the shipping containers, a storing means for storing the plurality of opened shipping containers inside a storage area of the housing, a computer controlled retrieving means for entering into selected ones of the opened shipping containers located in the storage area, by passing through the formed opening so as to retrieve an article from inside one of the stored opened shipping containers and further including moving means for moving the retrieved articles to an output of the housing. | 02-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080272142 | Article Dispenser - An article dispenser where the structure of an article storage cabinet positioned inside the article dispenser, is used to supplement the structure of at least two sidewalls used to form a housing for the article dispenser. In one preferred embodiment where the article storage container comprises a chest freezer or refrigerator, sidewalls used to form the housing for the dispenser are connected to the top or sidewall structure of the chest freezer or refrigerator for receiving structural support. | 11-06-2008 |
20080275591 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING RENTED OR LEASED OR LOANED EQUIPMENT - A method and apparatus relating to the renting, leasing and/or loaning of electronic equipment operable and/or controllable by a computer, wherein one entity not in physical possession and/or control of the equipment desires control over another entity which has physical possession and/or control of the equipment. Such equipment may comprise a washing machine, medical, office or industrial equipment, a vending machine, etc. A central computer system includes software which enables management and execution of financial transactions between the entities, such as debiting or crediting of accounts held by these or other entities, or creating an invoice for one entity to present to another entity. Information used in making these financial transactions can be determined by analysis of information which may be communicated to the central computer system from at least one other source. Such source may include the control system of the controlled equipment, e.g., from a vending machine or the computer system of an interested entity. | 11-06-2008 |