Abstract: This is an improved mechanism for vending machines that includes improved efficiency in product dispensing. It"s a vibration proof vending machine with feature to dispense stack based cuboidal shaped available products at any tilted angle even upside down (360 degree) which make it a portable vending machine or dispense on wheels as it can be equipped in moving vehicles like bus, train, metro etc. The vending machine has a QR Code for single commodity dispense to make further payment.
The present invention relates to steps in vending machine featuring touch free/ without button for cuboidal shape at any titled angle (360 degree) which is used for dispensing on move, the said machine is used for selling commodities such as: packaged food items, beverages etc. in accordance with a selling request.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0001] Vending Food Items via Vending Machine which have been cooked in the similar vending machine is not a common preparation in the market. Food items like panipuri or gol gappe and pakodi require manual operations to dispense these processed food items, as these machines are not fully automatic. In the category of fully automatic vending machine, currently we are served with beverages like tea and coffee or food packets through the pick and dispense machine. Hence, the most common place to get instant food is packaged food or street hawkers, raising concerns of hygiene. In the erstwhile invention, there was no provision of stack base fixture at any titled angle (360 degree) and dispensing on move, where unavailable.
1. In the present invention, inventor is adding the steps in the already invented vending machine such as featuring touch free/ without button for cuboidal shape at any titled angle (360 degree) which is used for dispensing on move.
2. The present invention is a vending machine that is capable of efficiently storing, retrieving and delivering product containers having any cuboidal
shapes and weights. In particular, the vending machine of the present invention may be simultaneously stocked with products in containers of different sizes, cuboidal shapes and/or weights, and efficiently store, retrieve and dispense each of those containers at 360-degree titled angle. Area of Invention belongs to addition to the steps of the product dispensing, which is called as cuboidal vending on move. Lots of other vending machine available now a day's worldwide, which has no similar dispensing steps and process.
3. The most common place to get quick food is from our nearby street vendors which raise the issue of hygiene; same dilemma is with instant food items like steam cooked foods or dehydrated food items as well. One has to order to a shop or vendor and then wait for 7-12 minutes to get the food properly cooked and then eat. However, this method has various disadvantages which make the resultant cooked food unpleasing as the natural texture, consistency and taste of the food are compromised during the procedure cooking and mixing of food content before consumption. Dehydrated food requires the use of hot water which takes around 5-12 minutes of time to rehydrate the food item for consumption; this does not include the time and hassle of performing manual tasks which are involved in the method.
4. Our invention attempts to diminish the difficulties mentioned as above by providing a fully automatic food vending machine which is touch free/ without button and works at any titled angle (360 degree) in movable and shaking atmosphere also.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:
1. Present invention's main object is to add few steps in the invention of the vending machine already been invented; which ease the user to dispense on move which is stack based cuboidal dispensing.
2. The object of the invention is to provide ease during the current pandemic time to the user through fully operated touch free/ without button; it will operate only by the customer's mobile application.
3. Another object of our invention is that payment can be made only through digital gateway by scanning of the QR Code. It is a hassle free and contactless payment method, which is also safer as the payment information can be encrypted.
4. Another object of our invention is that it has a motorized base movement of product which is guided by smooth rod and guide rail to provide stable product dispensing. This object of the invention helps to provide fully automated internal mechanisms such as transfer of food, beverage, snacks, etc.
5. Further object of our invention is that it is a stack base dispenser which means that it can dispense single or multiple products without any touch button. For dispensing of the product, the machine is designed with a stack-based dispenser which makes it useful for the customer as it will be able to dispense at any angle in moving and shaking atmosphere also.
6. Further object of our invention is that it uses ball bearing slides technique in the vending machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention discloses a fully automatic vending to serve choices of food items/ product as per user's selection through user interface and its process thereof. The vending machine is fully automatic which dispense and transact the food items without any human intervention.
The machine includes a storage container having various foods in stack based cuboidal shape which can be selected by the user by scanning the QR Code, food items/ product inside the machine are then transferred automatically to the dispensing window where the food contents are dispensed. This machine keeping in mind of the near pandemic accepts digital payments only so that there is no human contact/ touch. The scalability and flexibility of machine design and components provides machine the capability to be used in versatile application/ moveable areas dispensed at any tilted angle (360 degree).
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
A. Drawings of invention;
B. Brief drawings of the invention;
C. References indicate similar elements.
Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the
figures of the accompanying drawings, and in which:
Fig 1 of our cuboidal vending machine embodiment illustrates the
component description of outer display of our vending machine.
Fig 2 of our cuboidal vending machine embodiment illustrates the
directions of our vending machine at any titled angle in 360 degree.
Fig 3 of our cuboidal vending machine embodiment illustrates list of inner
parts and working of our single dispense vending machine.
Fig 4 of our cuboidal vending machine embodiment illustrates the
component description as ball bearing slide technique.
Fig 5 of our machine embodiment illustrates the components of machine
indicator and OLED display with 3 LED indicators.
Fig 6 of our machine embodiment illustrates the flowchart as to how
digital payment can be made through scanning of QR code.
Fig 7 of our cuboidal vending machine embodiment illustrates the internal
product stack/refill arrangement.
D. PPT- WORKING VIDEO OF OUR VENDING MACHINE
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
1. In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term "or" is used to refer to a non-exclusive "or," such that "X or Y" includes "X but not Y," "Y but not X," and "X and Y," unless otherwise indicated.
2. Our invention of vending machine attempts to response at any tilted angle, even at upside down stated position. This invention makes it unique as it is responsive at every angle which means that it works/ functions/ responses at 360-degree. This feature of our invention has not been stated in any of the existing vending machine.
3. Our invention of vending machine attempts to be vibration proof. By this feature, it will work in any moveable and shaking atmosphere. This is one more unique invention of our vending machine which makes it different and unique from the existing vending machines as our invention of vending machine is designed to work in any moveable and shaking atmosphere, which means that it can be installed in vehicles like bus, train, metro, or any other such moving vehicle.
4. Our invention of vending machine has product wise customized fixture, which locks the product within fixture for stable stacking and gives unique feature of product/ food items dispensing even in moving vehicle. This invention provides a stable stacking of the food items/ products, so that they don't fall off on the floor of moving vehicles as our invention could be installed in moving and shaking atmosphere.
5. Our invention of vending machine is designed according to the current pandemic situation, as it is touch free, as there will be no need for customers
to touch or press which will aid in the prevention of spread of the virus. Customers own mobile phone will be used as the only window to perform application. Through this invention, our machine will be able to maintain the hygiene, in that way clean touch free food items/ product will be dispensed to the customer.
6. Our invention of vending machine will work in the following way:
i. For Single Dispense: User can scan a dynamic QR code and enter the amount/ value similar to the product value/ amount and process payment. Once it gets confirmed and verified by the website (PAYMENT GATEWAY), the website will send trigger command to the vending machine after successful payment. After all this the food item/ product will get dispensed from the stack.
*Note: If the vending machine fails to dispense the product or the initiation of payment is unsuccessful, in that case the payment initiated will be refunded to the customer immediately.
7. Our vending machine working for single dispense:
i. Once the QR code is scanned; ii. The URL gets triggered with this scan (every machine will be having a
unique QR for Machine Identity); iii. Then, URL will send connect acknowledgement to device (first LED
GLOW to connect acknowledgment); iv. Once payment is confirmed the machine starts dispensing after
verifying payment acknowledgment "SDK" second will glow; v. Machine will take the product upward/vertical to dispense product
through food item/ product dispensing window.
vi. Vertical stepper motor rotates to lift the product upward until the limit
switch pressed, vii. Machine casing/ housing support to product will move smooth towards the dispense window even in the vibration or any particular angle of machine placement, viii. When the limit switch is pressed, horizontal motor starts rotating to push the product out from the dispense window, ix. Horizontal stepper rotates for particular step (as per the product
dimension) x. Once the product is dispensed "third LED Glow" will be visible for final acknowledgement and closed.
8. Our invention of vending machine uses the techniques discussed below with its component description:
i. The component used in this invention to maintain linear motion to dispense product one after another.
ii. It is built in combination of X and Y Direction, X is for Vertical Movement (Upward) and Y for the Horizontal Movement (to push out from the dispense window);
iii. Ball bearing slides components is arranged in this manner so that product pass through the specific fixture area ^customized area according to the product size).
iv. Ball Bearing slides technique is used in this vending machine.
v. The purpose of a ball bearing is to reduce rational friction and support radial and axial loads.
Linear-motion bearing - A linear-motion bearing or lineal slide is a bearing designed to provide free motion in one direction.
A ball screw is a mechanical linear actuator that translates rotational motion to linear motion with little friction. A threaded shaft provides a helical raceway for ball bearings.
Also called "ball slides," ball bearing slides are the most common type of linear slide. Ball bearing slides offer smooth precision motion along a single-axis linear design, aided by ball bearings housed in the linear base, with self-lubrication properties that increase reliability. Ball bearing slide applications include delicate instrumentation, robotic assembly, cabinetry, high-end appliances and clean room environments, which primarily serve the manufacturing industry but also the furniture, electronics and construction industries. For example, a widely used ball bearing slide in the furniture industry is a ball bearing drawer slide.
Commonly constructed from materials such as aluminum, hardened cold rolled steel and galvanized steel, ball bearing slides consist of two linear rows of ball bearings contained by four rods and located on differing sides of the base, which support the carriage for smooth linear movement along the ball bearings. This low-friction linear movement can be powered by either a drive mechanism, inertia or by hand. Ball bearing slides tend to have a lower load capacity for their size compared to other linear slides because the balls are less resistant to wear and abrasions. In addition, ball bearing slides are limited by the need to fit into housing or drive systems.
The travelling distance of linear recirculating ball bearings is only limited by the length of their rail, as the balls recirculate inside the bearing's housing. Linear non-recirculating ball bearings have balls
installed on a bracket and only move in one axis without recirculation. Since the balls do not recirculate, this type of bearings can provide extremely smooth motion. However, the travelling distance of linear non-recirculating ball bearings is limited by the length of the bracket.
9. Our invention of vending machine has already been innovated, in the present claim. The innovator is adding inventive steps and features in the previously invented vending machine which will be more convenient to the users.
10. Our invention of vending machine at present is a prototype which has elaborative steps and features in the invention.
11. Our invention of vending machine can be resized according to the products/food items as per demand.
CLAIMS:
1/We claim the invention steps of the already invented vending machine;
1. An automated vending machine, the machine invention steps
comprising:
Dispense at any tilted angle even at upside down stated position (360 degree).
2. An automated vending machine, the machine invention steps
comprising:
Dispensing on move such as moving vehicles like; train, bus, metro.
3. An automated vending machine, the machine functions comprising:
A stack-based fixture type vending
| # | Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 202111039731-Examination Report Reply Recieved-280823.pdf | 2023-10-09 |
| 1 | 202111039731-Form 9-020921.pdf | 2021-10-19 |
| 2 | 202111039731-FER.pdf | 2023-03-02 |
| 2 | 202111039731-Form 5-020921.pdf | 2021-10-19 |
| 3 | 202111039731-Form 1-020921.pdf | 2021-10-19 |
| 3 | 202111039731-Form 2(Title Page)-020921.pdf | 2021-10-19 |
| 4 | 202111039731-Form 18-020921.pdf | 2021-10-19 |
| 5 | 202111039731-Form 1-020921.pdf | 2021-10-19 |
| 5 | 202111039731-Form 2(Title Page)-020921.pdf | 2021-10-19 |
| 6 | 202111039731-FER.pdf | 2023-03-02 |
| 6 | 202111039731-Form 5-020921.pdf | 2021-10-19 |
| 7 | 202111039731-Examination Report Reply Recieved-280823.pdf | 2023-10-09 |
| 7 | 202111039731-Form 9-020921.pdf | 2021-10-19 |
| 8 | 202111039731-US(14)-HearingNotice-(HearingDate-16-06-2025).pdf | 2025-05-16 |
| 9 | 202111039731-Others-020725.pdf | 2025-07-05 |
| 10 | 202111039731-Correspondence-020725.pdf | 2025-07-05 |
| 1 | 202111039731E_28-02-2023.pdf |