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:
Sep. 15, 2009
Filed:
Oct. 15, 2003
Applicants:
James B. Prichard, O'Fallon, MO (US);
Mark R. Henning, St. Charles, MO (US);
Douglas M. Mingo, O'Fallon, MO (US);
Inventors:
James B. Prichard, O'Fallon, MO (US);
Mark R. Henning, St. Charles, MO (US);
Douglas M. Mingo, O'Fallon, MO (US);
Assignee:
Crane Co., Stamford, CT (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G07F 11/00 (2006.01); A47F 1/00 (2006.01); B65G 15/00 (2006.01); B65G 17/00 (2006.01); B65G 19/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
Trays within a given level of a drum-type vending machine form individual zones, and may be further subdivided into additional individual zones, for which pricing may be separately specified. A vend door for the corresponding level is constrained to allow access to a given zone upon payment of the appropriate amount. More levels and greater flexibility in pricing and product selection are thus enabled, together with greater control over vending operations.