Abstract: A machine for vending articles, the machine including a housing, a storage area disposed within the housing and having a thermal barrier which separates the storage area from the remainder of the interior of the housing, a dispensing area having an access port disposed within the housing which allows a user of the machine to retrieve a dispensed article, a vertically oriented opening in the thermal barrier of the storage area, the opening dimensioned for allowing articles stored in the storage area to pass from the storage area to the dispensing area, and an article retrieval device nominally located in the storage area for moving articles from the storage area to the dispensing area via said opening. A door aligned with the opening is displaceable in response to movement of articles toward the opening by the article retrieval device.

Abstract: A product contact sensor of the type shown and described herein.

Abstract: An article handling apparatus embodied, for example, asa head (224) adapted to engage and secure to an article (223); a vending machine, includes a controllably positioned hose-type dispenser for retrievingthe first portion of the first positioning device comprises a carriage (218) which carries the feeder, and articles from an article storage area. A first end of the hose receives article securing energy (e.g., suction), and a second end is adapted to secure to and extract a selected article from the storage area. A hose positioning mechanism controllably positions the second end of the hose for retrieving articles from the article storage area. In order to maximize the height of the article storage volume, as well as provide other advantages, the following aspects of the invention are provided :1. the hose positioning mechanism maintains a constant height during hose positioning, 2.

Abstract: Methods of machine vending with a third party are disclosed. The third party issues an authorization code that prevents a computerized vending machine ("CVM") from being shut down automatically, or a de-authorization code that causes the CVM to be at least partially shut down. Use of such codes makes it more prudent for parties to enter into contracts that were previously impractical or susceptible of abuse by dishonest vending machine operators.

Abstract: An article handling apparatus embodied, for example, as a vending machine, includes a controllably positioned hose dispenser for retrieving articles from an article storage area. A hose is continuous from a first end located within a hose storage area, where the hose receives article securing energy (e.g., suction), to a second end adapted to secure to and extract a selected article from the storage area. A hose positioning mechanism coupled to the hose controllably positions the second end of the hose so as to be aligned with a given article stored in the storage area, for controllably contacting and extracting the selected article from the storage area, and controllably positioning the second end of the hose so as to transport the article to a dispensing area. The hose positioning mechanism imparts both a storage requirement and a retraction requirement on the hose as a result of the controllable positioning.

Abstract: The above objects are achieved in an illustrated embodiment of an article dispensing apparatus embodied, for example, as a vending machine, including a controllably positioned suction hose dispenser for retrieving articles from a storage area. In one embodiment, the article dispenser comprises a storage area for storing articles along at least one longitudinal axis in a stack, an article dispensing device for moving the end article from the stack of articles in the storage area along a path to a retrieval area, and an article identification device, mounted within the article retrieving apparatus. The article dispensing device moves the article in a predetermined pattern past the article identification device, so as to provide identification of the article being moved.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus, as in a vending machine (10), including a controllably positioned suction hose dispenser (220) for retrieving articles (223) from a storage area (215). In one embodiment, a sensor (600) having an output (508) responsive to changes in partial pressure inside the air hose (220), such that and airflow sensor (600) coupled to the suction hose (224), can initially act to sense the timing of contact of the suction hose (224) with an article (223) to be dispensed. As long as suction is provided to the gripping end of the suction hose (224) to the hose contacting the article (223) to be retrieved, the airflow inside the hose (224) will change dramatically as the gripping end of the suction hose (224) contact with the article (223).

Abstract: An article storage container, comprising a bin for storing in an a columnar manner, articles to be dispensed from a dispensing end of the bin. A plurality of article supporting intrusions positioned in a spaced manner along at least a portion of the length of the bin function to provide load bearing support for articles stored in the bin.

Abstract: A vending apparatus including a control system for dispensing articles, including one or more of the following features: 1. an article ID device which can identify articles being dispensed from the apparatus; 2. ability to disable dispensing of at least some of the articles stored therein, in a predetermined fashion, without the need for any communication or any disable code being input thereto external from the apparatus or its control system; ability to re-enable dispensing of articles when an authorization code is received and input into the control system of the apparatus. In another aspect of the invention, relevant parameters in the control system are pre-programmed (and can be adjusted, changed or eliminated) by an authorized party, in order to enforce agreements and rules that govern operation of the vending apparatus. For example: 1. determining the types of articles which are authorized to be dispensed, 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to improvements in article handling, such as in vending machines, and more particularly, to improvements in:

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present inventions relates generally to improvements in article handling, such as in vending machines, and more particularly, to improvements in methods and apparatus for handling articles using a vacuum-type product lifting/dispensing mechanism, to improvements in article display panels which enhance sales of primary products, and to improvements in product containment systems which improve product storage capacity, as well as the ease and efficiency of product handling, access and loading into the article handling apparatus.

Abstract: An article handling apparatus embodied, for example, as a vending machine, includes a controllably positioned hose-type dispenser for retrieving articles from an article storage area. A first end of the hose receives article securing energy (e.g., suction), and a second end is adapted to secure to and extract a selected article from the storage area. A hose positioning mechanism controllably positions the second end of the hose for retrieving articles from the article storage area. In order to maximize the height of the article storage volume, as well as provide other advantages, the following aspects of the invention are provided :1. the hose positioning mechanism maintains a constant height during hose positioning, 2. a hose drive means drives the hose in the article extraction direction by passing "THROUGH"the hose positioning mechanism, 3.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus embodied, for example, as a vending machine, including a controllably positioned suction hose dispenser for retrieving articles from a storage area. In one embodiment, an airflow control mechanism, i.e., a vacuum or suction release (i.e., breaker), is used to facilitate a “quick-release” of the article being handled. A mechanical linkage constructed and operating in accordance with the invention is used to activate, for example, the breaker in response to mechanical contact by the article handling mechanism. Such operation thereby causes a rapid equalization of air pressure inside the housing towards ambient when it is time for the article handling mechanism to release the selected article.

Abstract: Improvements are described for the design and operation of article handling apparatus, such as those which utilize computer-controlled electromechanical technology, and in the illustrated embodiment a robotically positioned suction gripper, for grasping and moving a selected article from an article storage area to an article dispensing area. One or more of such apparatus are particularly advantageous in a vending machine which can have multiple article storage areas. Such areas may have different volumes and even different operating environments. A warehouse environment for the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the design and operation of an article dispensing apparatus used in conjunction with an article identification device, and is particularly useful in the environment of a vending machine. A user interface and control portion of the dispensing apparatus allows a user of the apparatus to initiate an article dispensing operation and cause controlled movement of an article handling device so that a selected article is moved from an article storage area along a common path to a dispensing area of the dispensing apparatus. The article identification device is operated so as to generate data which identifies the handled article before, during or after it moves along the common path. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the dispensing apparatus is disabled, directly or indirectly, in response to article identification data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed relating to the renting, leasing and/or loaning, etc. of electronic equipment operable and/or controllable by a computer, wherein one entity not in physical possession and/or control of the equipment wishes to have some control over another entity that has physical possession and/or control of the equipment. Such equipment may comprise a washing machine, medical, office or industrial equipment, vending machines, etc. A central computer system includes software which enables management and execution of financial transactions between the entities. Such transactions may include debiting or crediting accounts of various other entities or creating a bill or invoice for one entity to present to another entity. Information used in making this financial transaction is determined from analysis of information which may be communicated to the central computer system from at least one other source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to the renting, leasing and/or loaning, etc. 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 transactions may include debiting or crediting of accounts held by these or other entities or creating a bill or 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.

Abstract: 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 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vending apparatus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages. The vending apparatus comprises:a) an outer cabinet;b) an isolated freezer compartment within the outer cabinet for storing the plurality of packages disposed within the outer cabinet, the freezer compartment having a thermal barrier for maintaining a frozen environment within the freezer compartment in isolation of the ambient temperature air filling the remaining interior space of the outer cabinet;c) a mechanism for opening the thermal barrier;d) a picker for selectively removing the selected package from the freezer compartment, the picker being located outside the freezer compartment in between operating cycles and entering the freezer compartment for removing one of the packages only during the removal operation; ande) a controller for automatically controlling the picker and opening mechanism in response to a customer's selection.