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Modular Vending Machine

Abstract: A modular vending machine is provided. The modular vending machine can include a central module having a pickup area and one or more product storage cabinets.

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Patent Information

Application #
Filing Date
08 April 2019
Publication Number
20/2019
Publication Type
INA
Invention Field
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Status
Email
Parent Application
Patent Number
Legal Status
Grant Date
2022-11-10
Renewal Date

Applicants

Pepsico, Inc
700 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, New York 10577, United States of America.

Inventors

1. LI, Xuejun
c/o.Pepsico, Inc., 700 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, New York 10577, United States of America.
2. JAFA, Emad
c/o.Pepsico, Inc., 700 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, New York 10577, United States of America.
3. DRAKE, Joshua
309, W Parkview Dr., PO BOX 644, Walcott, lowa 52773, United States of American.
4. CLAPPER, Michael D.
1313 South 12th Avenue East, Newton, lowa 50208, USA.
5. CLARK, Brain D.
2107 SW Westwinds Dr., Ankeny, lowa 50023, USA.
6. FAGEROOS, Victor Jon
4631, 91st Street, Urbandale, lowa 50322, USA.
7. LARSON, Steven Dean
908 East, 18th street North, Newton, lowa 50208, USA.
8. NESS, Brain
2035 W.40th St. N., Newton, lowa 50208, USA.
9. CHIUGU, Michael
2305 E 19th St.N. Lot E4, Newton, lowa 50208, USA.
10. RORABAUGH, Chad
3355 W.76th St.S, Colfax, lowa 50054, USA.
11. RIPLEY, Brain Douglas
2650 Inkpaduta Avenue, Webster City, lowa 50595, USA.
12. MINAR, Dean
c/o.Pepsico, Inc., 700 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, New York 10577, United States of America.

Specification

1. A product dispenser comprising:
a central module including a user interface and a product pickup area;
a first product storage cabinet including a plurality of product shelves positioned within a first interior area;
a second product storage cabinet including a plurality of product shelves positioned within a second interior area;
a first product transport mechanism positioned within the first interior area to receive a first product from one of the plurality of product shelves in the first product storage cabinet and deliver the first product to the product pickup area;
a second product transport mechanism positioned within the second interior area to receive a second product from one of the plurality of product shelves in the second product storage cabinet and deliver the second product to the product pickup area.
2. The product dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a first product orientation mechanism to orient the first product in the product pickup area in a vertically upright orientation.
3. The product dispenser of claim 2, wherein the first product orientation mechanism has a transfer position where a portion of the first product orientation mechanism spans a space between the product pickup area and the first product transport mechanism.
4. The product dispenser of claim 3, wherein the first product orientation mechanism has a pickup position where the portion of the first product orientation mechanism extends into the product pickup area to orient the first product into a vertically upright orientation.
5. The product dispenser of claim 4, wherein the first product orientation mechanism includes a first pivot connecting the portion to the product pickup area, a second pivot connecting a control arm to the portion, and a third pivot connecting the control arm to a motorized slider.

6. The product dispenser of claim 4, further comprising a second product orientation mechanism to orient the second product in the product pickup area in a vertically upright orientation.
7. The product dispenser of claim 6, wherein the second product orientation mechanism has a transfer position where a portion of the second product orientation mechanism spans a space between the product pickup area and the second product transport mechanism, and
wherein the second product orientation mechanism has a pickup position where the portion of the second product orientation mechanism extends into the product pickup area to orient the second product
8. The product dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a first product positioner to orient the first product onto the first product transport mechanism such that a bottom of the first product is positioned closer to the central module than a top portion of the first product.
9. The product dispenser of claim 8, further comprising a second product positioner to orient the second product onto the second product transport mechanism such that a bottom of the second product is positioned closer to the central module than a top portion of the second product.
10. The product dispenser of claim 9, wherein the first product positioner is attached to one of the plurality of product shelves in the first product storage cabinet, and
wherein the second product positioner is attached to one of the plurality of product shelves in the second product storage cabinet.
11. The product dispenser of claim 9, wherein the first product positioner and the second product positioner are non-motorized.
12. The product dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:
a third product storage cabinet including a plurality of product shelves positioned within a third interior area;

a third product transport mechanism positioned within the third interior area to receive a third product from one of the plurality of product shelves in the third product storage cabinet and deliver the third product to the product pickup area.
13. The product dispenser of claim 12, wherein the third product travels through the second product storage cabinet via the second product transport mechanism to deliver the third product to the product pickup area.
14. A product dispenser comprising:
a central module including a user interface and a product pickup area;
a first product storage cabinet including a plurality of product shelves positioned within a first interior area;
a first product transport mechanism positioned within the first interior area to receive a first product from one of the plurality of product shelves in the first product storage cabinet and deliver the first product to the product pickup area; and
a first product orientation mechanism to orient the first product in the product pickup area in a vertically upright orientation.
15. The product dispenser of claim 14, wherein the first product orientation mechanism has a transfer position where a portion of the first product orientation mechanism spans a space between the product pickup area and the first product transport mechanism.
16. The product dispenser of claim 15, wherein the first product orientation mechanism has a pickup position where the portion of the first product orientation mechanism extends into the product pickup area to orient the first product into a vertically upright orientation.
17. The product dispenser of claim 16, wherein the first product orientation mechanism includes a first pivot connecting the portion to the product pickup area, a second pivot connecting a control arm to the portion, and a third pivot connecting the control arm to a motorized slider.

18. A method for dispensing a product, comprising:
transmitting a first electronic signal to a control system based on a first user selection on an electronic user interface:
moving a first product transport mechanism into a first vertical position to receive a first product from a first storage shelf based on the first electronic signal;
moving the first product transport mechanism into a first vertical delivery position to deliver the first product into a pickup area;
moving a first product orientation mechanism into a transfer position to receive the first product from the first product transport mechanism; and
moving the first product into the pickup area.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
transmitting a second electronic signal to the control system based on a second user selection on the electronic user interface;
moving a second product transport mechanism into a second vertical position to receive a second product from a second storage shelf based on the second electronic signal;
moving the second product transport mechanism into a second vertical delivery position to deliver the second product into the pickup area;
moving a second product orientation mechanism into a transfer position to receive the second product from the second product transport mechanism; and
moving the second product into the pickup area.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
moving the first product orientation mechanism into a pickup position to orient the first product in a vertically upright orientation in the pickup area; and
moving the second product orientation mechanism into a pickup position to orient the second product in a vertically upright orientation in the pickup area.

Documents

Application Documents

# Name Date
1 201947014022.pdf 2019-04-08
2 201947014022-STATEMENT OF UNDERTAKING (FORM 3) [08-04-2019(online)].pdf 2019-04-08
3 201947014022-POWER OF AUTHORITY [08-04-2019(online)].pdf 2019-04-08
4 201947014022-FORM 1 [08-04-2019(online)].pdf 2019-04-08
5 201947014022-DRAWINGS [08-04-2019(online)].pdf 2019-04-08
6 201947014022-DECLARATION OF INVENTORSHIP (FORM 5) [08-04-2019(online)].pdf 2019-04-08
7 201947014022-COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [08-04-2019(online)].pdf 2019-04-08
8 Correspondence by Agent_Power of Attorney_09-04-2019.pdf 2019-04-09
9 201947014022-Proof of Right (MANDATORY) [26-04-2019(online)].pdf 2019-04-26
10 Correspondence by Agent_Assignment_29-04-2019.pdf 2019-04-29
11 201947014022-FORM 3 [12-07-2019(online)].pdf 2019-07-12
12 201947014022-FORM 18 [01-10-2020(online)].pdf 2020-10-01
13 201947014022-Certified Copy of Priority Document [08-10-2021(online)].pdf 2021-10-08
14 201947014022-FER.pdf 2021-10-18
15 201947014022-FORM 3 [25-01-2022(online)].pdf 2022-01-25
16 201947014022-Information under section 8(2) [28-03-2022(online)].pdf 2022-03-28
17 201947014022-OTHERS [01-04-2022(online)].pdf 2022-04-01
18 201947014022-FER_SER_REPLY [01-04-2022(online)].pdf 2022-04-01
19 201947014022-DRAWING [01-04-2022(online)].pdf 2022-04-01
20 201947014022-COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [01-04-2022(online)].pdf 2022-04-01
21 201947014022-CLAIMS [01-04-2022(online)].pdf 2022-04-01
22 201947014022-ABSTRACT [01-04-2022(online)].pdf 2022-04-01
23 201947014022-US(14)-HearingNotice-(HearingDate-07-09-2022).pdf 2022-07-25
24 201947014022-FORM-26 [02-09-2022(online)].pdf 2022-09-02
25 201947014022-Correspondence to notify the Controller [02-09-2022(online)].pdf 2022-09-02
26 201947014022-Written submissions and relevant documents [21-09-2022(online)].pdf 2022-09-21
27 201947014022-FORM 3 [21-09-2022(online)].pdf 2022-09-21
28 201947014022-PatentCertificate10-11-2022.pdf 2022-11-10
29 201947014022-IntimationOfGrant10-11-2022.pdf 2022-11-10

Search Strategy

1 XYdescriptionE_09-07-2021.pdf

ERegister / Renewals

3rd: 07 Feb 2023

From 06/10/2019 - To 06/10/2020

4th: 07 Feb 2023

From 06/10/2020 - To 06/10/2021

5th: 07 Feb 2023

From 06/10/2021 - To 06/10/2022

6th: 07 Feb 2023

From 06/10/2022 - To 06/10/2023

7th: 30 Sep 2023

From 06/10/2023 - To 06/10/2024

8th: 26 Sep 2024

From 06/10/2024 - To 06/10/2025

9th: 23 Sep 2025

From 06/10/2025 - To 06/10/2026