The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 18, 2008
Filed:
Feb. 25, 2005
Daniel S. Carter, Fresno, CA (US);
Christopher R. Craven, Fresno, CA (US);
Walid H. El-aouar, Clovis, CA (US);
Craig R Greiner, Fresno, CA (US);
Larry E Hieb, Fresno, CA (US);
Dean W James, Clovis, CA (US);
Sandra L Southard, Clovis, CA (US);
Rolando S. Williams, Madera, CA (US);
Daniel S. Carter, Fresno, CA (US);
Christopher R. Craven, Fresno, CA (US);
Walid H. El-Aouar, Clovis, CA (US);
Craig R Greiner, Fresno, CA (US);
Larry E Hieb, Fresno, CA (US);
Dean W James, Clovis, CA (US);
Sandra L Southard, Clovis, CA (US);
Rolando S. Williams, Madera, CA (US);
Sandenvendo America, Inc., Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
This invention is a vending machine and components parts that include a sophisticated positioning system, gripper and trays for improved efficiency in product retrieval and delivery. Following product selection, the positioning system quickly transports the gripper through the X-Y plane to the front of a tray queue containing the selected product. The gripper is extended in the Z-direction, and its fingers grasp the foremost product container in the queue. The gripper then retracts, and the positioning system transports the gripper carrying the product container to a delivery port. The gripper then releases the product which slides down a chute into a delivery bucket that is then tilted outward for customer pick up. Unique product storage trays are provided which work in conjunction with the gripper to allow only the foremost product to be removed from a tray queue. A specially designed door is provided to accommodate the X-Y positioning system. A unique cabinet is also provided that includes an adjustable ventilation system, and a conveniently located compact, easily removable modular climate control unit. Related methods are also disclosed.