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:
Jul. 19, 2011
Filed:
Oct. 23, 2007
David B. Whitten, Saint Charles, MO (US);
William Edwin Booth, Saint Louis, MO (US);
Paul Kevin Griner, Saint Louis, MO (US);
Brian Lee Duncan, Highland, IL (US);
David B. Whitten, Saint Charles, MO (US);
William Edwin Booth, Saint Louis, MO (US);
Paul Kevin Griner, Saint Louis, MO (US);
Brian Lee Duncan, Highland, IL (US);
Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc., Bridgeton, MO (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides for a vending system wherein a monitoring system verifies that a product ordered by a vending customer is actually delivered through a delivery area to the customer. If the product ordered is unavailable either because of an out of stock situation or a blockage of the delivery path for that product, the present invention allows the customer to request a refund or order a second product. Additionally, the present invention helps to prevent theft of product from the vending system.