EP0249367A2 — Apparatus for dispensing and receiving articles

Claim 1

Independent Claim 130 words

Apparatus for selectably vending videocassettes including storage means for storing a plurality of videocassettes in identifiable locations, characterized by mode selection means (20) for enabling operation of said apparatus among a purchase mode or a rent mode and a return mode, videocassette selection means (22) for enabling selection of a desired videocassette in the purchase mode or rent mode, access means (28) for dispensing the selected videocassette in the purchase mode or rent mode and receiving a videocassette in the return mode, and transport means (48, l00) for transporting the selected videocassette from the storage means to the access means in the purchase mode or rent mode and transporting the videocassette from the access means to any available empty location (50, 52) in the storage means in the return mode.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 130 words

Apparatus for selectably vending videocassettes including storage means for storing a plurality of videocassettes in identifiable locations, characterized by mode selection means (20) for enabling operation of said apparatus among a purchase mode or a rent mode and a return mode, videocassette selection means (22) for enabling selection of a desired videocassette in the purchase mode or rent mode, access means (28) for dispensing the selected videocassette in the purchase mode or rent mode and receiving a videocassette in the return mode, and transport means (48, l00) for transporting the selected videocassette from the storage means to the access means in the purchase mode or rent mode and transporting the videocassette from the access means to any available empty location (50, 52) in the storage means in the return mode.

Claim 3

Independent Claim 61 words

The apparatus of Claim l, characterized by identification means (30) adjacent the access means (28) for receiving information representative of the identity of the videocassette being returned in the return mode, and memory means (34) for storing information about the selected videocassette, the coordinates of the videocassettes within the storage means and available empty locations (50, 52) in the storage means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 172 words

The apparatus of Claim 2, characterized by control means (38) coupled to the mode selection means (20), the videocassette selection means (22), the identification means (30), the transport means (48, l00), and the memory means (34) for receiving information about the selected videocassette, said control means causing the transport means to transport a selected videocassette from the storage means to the access means (28) and causing the information in the memory means representative of the locations (50, 52) of videocassette in the storage means to be altered to indicate removal of the selected videocassette from its location in the storage means, all when in the purchase mode or rent mode, and causing the transport means to transport a returned videocassette from the access means to any available empty location in the storage means and causing information in the memory means representative of the locations of videocassettes in the storage means to be altered to indicate the placement of the returned videocassette in the available empty location, all when in the return mode.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 52 words

The apparatus of Claim 2 or 3, characterized by means (38) for automatically placing videocassettes to be stored in any available empty location (50, 52) in the storage means and for automatically storing in the memory means (34) information representative of the stored videocassette and its corresponding location in the storage means.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 69 words

The apparatus of Claim l, 2, 3 or 4 characterized by first keying means (3l8) associated with the videocassette for uniquely keying the videocassette to the apparatus in the return mode, and second keying means (322) operatively associated with the access means (28) for mating with the first keying means for permitting operation of the access means only when the first keying means mates with the second keying means.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 31 words

The apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage means comprises a plurality of individual storage locations (50, 52) each definable by cylindrical coordinates.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 74 words

The apparatus of Claim 2 or 3, characterized by means (34, 38) operatively associated with the identification means (30) in the return mode for causing videocassettes unacceptable for return to be placed in a discrete location in the storage means and for causing the coordinates of that discrete location to be entered into the memory means (34) along with information identifying that discrete location as containing a videocassette not available for purchase or rental.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 98 words

The apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized by first locking means (340) associated with the access means (28) for permitting movement of the access means between closed and opened positions only when a videocassette is to be dispensed in the purchase mode or rent mode or received in the return mode, and second locking means (360) associated with the access means for preventing closing of the access means when in the opened position when a videocassette is to be dispensed in the purchase mode or rent mode or received in the return mode.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus of Claim 8, characterized in that the second locking means (360) includes a ratchet plate (362) having a plurality of grooves (364) and means (372, 376) for releasably engaging selective ones of said grooves.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 214 words

l0. Apparatus for selectably vending videocassettes in a protective case including storage means for storing a plurality of videocassettes each within a protective case in identifiable locations, characterized by mode selection means (20) for enabling operation of said apparatus among a purchase mode or a rent mode and a return mode, videocassette selection means (22) for enabling selection of a desired videocassette in the purchase mode or rent mode, access means (28) for dispensing the selected videocassette with its protective case in the purchase mode or rent mode and receiving the videocassette within its protective case in the return mode, protective case identification means (30) for receiving information representative of the identity of the protective case being returned in the return mode, and transport means (48, l00) for transporting the selected videocassette within its protective case from the storage means to the access means in the purchase mode or rent mode and transporting the protective case and its contents from the access means to an empty location (50, 52) in the storage means in the return mode in response to the identification means receiving predetermined information with respect to the identity of the protective case, the protective case remaining in the access means in the absence of the identification means receiving said predetermined information.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 214 words

l0. Apparatus for selectably vending videocassettes in a protective case including storage means for storing a plurality of videocassettes each within a protective case in identifiable locations, characterized by mode selection means (20) for enabling operation of said apparatus among a purchase mode or a rent mode and a return mode, videocassette selection means (22) for enabling selection of a desired videocassette in the purchase mode or rent mode, access means (28) for dispensing the selected videocassette with its protective case in the purchase mode or rent mode and receiving the videocassette within its protective case in the return mode, protective case identification means (30) for receiving information representative of the identity of the protective case being returned in the return mode, and transport means (48, l00) for transporting the selected videocassette within its protective case from the storage means to the access means in the purchase mode or rent mode and transporting the protective case and its contents from the access means to an empty location (50, 52) in the storage means in the return mode in response to the identification means receiving predetermined information with respect to the identity of the protective case, the protective case remaining in the access means in the absence of the identification means receiving said predetermined information.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of Claim l0, characterized by memory means (34) for storing information about the selected videocassette and its protective case, the coordinates of the videocassettes within the storage means and available empty locations in the storage means.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 69 words

The apparatus of Claim l0 or ll, characterized by first keying means (3l8) associated with the protective cases for uniquely keying the protective cases to the access means (28) in the return mode, and second keying means (322) operatively associated with the access means for mating with the first keying means for permitting operation of the apparatus only when the first keying means mates with the second keying means.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 91 words

The apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport means (48, l00) comprises first means (l02) pivotable about an axis, second means (l60) pivotable with said first means and linearly movable along the axis, and third means (l64, l66, l68) linearly movable along the axis with the second means for reciprocal movement toward and away from the axis, and means (l32, l38, l80) for moving the first means, second means and third means to any of a plurality of locations definable by cylindrical coordinates.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 103 words

The apparatus of Claim l0, ll or l2, characterized by first locking means (340) associated with the access means (28) for permitting movement of the access means between closed and opened positions only when a videocassette within its protective case is to be dispensed in the purchase mode or rent mode or received in the return mode, and second locking means (360) associated with the access means for preventing closing of the access means when in an opened position when a videocassette within its protective case is to be dispensed in the purchase mode or rent mode or received in the return mode.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 36 words

The apparatus of Claim l4, characterized in that the second locking means (360) includes a ratchet plate (362) having a plurality of grooves (364) and means (372, 376) for releasably engaging selective ones of said grooves.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 88 words

The apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage means comprises a portion of the surface of a cylinder (40), the storage means having a plurality of radially-spaced dividing walls (44, 46, 48) extending parallel to the axis of the cylinder, the dividing walls having means for receiving therein a plurality of axially-spaced shelves (42) arranged to lie substantially in axially-spaced planes perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder, the walls and shelves defining discrete, identifiable storage locations (50, 52) therebetween.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 101 words

The apparatus of Claim ll or l2 characterized by videocassette identification means (30) for receiving information representative of the identity of the videocassette being returned in the return mode, and means (30, 38) operatively associated with the videocassette identification means in the return mode for causing a videocassette unacceptable for return to be placed with its protective case in a discrete location in the storage means and for causing the coordinates of that discrete location to be entered into the memory means (34) along with information identifying that discrete location as containing a videocassette not available for further purchase or rental.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 57 words

The apparatus of Claim l7, characterized in that the protective case includes a transparent window (302) providing access to the information representative of the identity of the videocassette and the protective case, and the transport means (48, l00) includes means (4l0) for engaging a spline (308) on the protective case so as to provide predetermined registration therebetween.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 44 words

The apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the access means (28) includes a pair of spaced-apart receiving cavities (398, 404), and a closure member (400) positionable therebetween so as to selectively prevent communication between the receiving cavities.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 115 words

Method for selectably vending videocassettes from an apparatus, including storing a plurality of videocassettes in identifiable locations in a storage means, characterized by enabling selective operation of the apparatus among a purchase mode or a rent mode and a return mode, enabling selection of a desired videocassette in the purchase mode or rent mode, dispensing the selected videocassette in the purchase mode or rent mode and receiving a videocassette in the return mode, and transporting the selected videocassette from the storage means to a customer access means in the purchase mode or rent mode and transporting the videocassette from the access means to any available empty location in the storage means in the return mode.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 115 words

Method for selectably vending videocassettes from an apparatus, including storing a plurality of videocassettes in identifiable locations in a storage means, characterized by enabling selective operation of the apparatus among a purchase mode or a rent mode and a return mode, enabling selection of a desired videocassette in the purchase mode or rent mode, dispensing the selected videocassette in the purchase mode or rent mode and receiving a videocassette in the return mode, and transporting the selected videocassette from the storage means to a customer access means in the purchase mode or rent mode and transporting the videocassette from the access means to any available empty location in the storage means in the return mode.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 34 words

2l. The method of Claim 20, characterized in that the videocassette is transported from the customer access means to the closest available empty location proximate the customer access means when in the return mode.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 61 words

The method of Claim 20 or 2l, characterized by receiving information representative of the identity of the videocassette being returned in the return mode by videocassette identification means adjacent the customer access means and storing information in memory means about the selected videocassette, the coordinates of the videocassettes within the storage means and available empty discrete locations in the storage means.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 122 words

The method of Claim 22, characterized by transporting the selected videocassette from the storage means to the customer access means and causing the information in the memory means representative of the locations of videocassettes in the storage means to be altered to indicate removal of the selected videocassette from its location in the storage means, all when in the purchase mode or rent mode, and transporting the returned videocassette from the customer access means to any available empty location in the storage means and causing information in the memory means representative of the locations of videocassettes in the storage means to be altered to indicate the placement of the returned videocassette in the available empty location, all when in the return mode.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of Claim 20, 2l, 22 or 23, characterized by receiving information representative of the identity of a videocassette being returned in the return mode, and preventing subsequent rental of the videocassette in the absence of receiving predetermined information thereabout.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 57 words

The method of Claim 24, characterized by causing videocassettes unacceptable for purchase or rental to be placed in a discrete location in the storage means and causing the coordinates of that discrete location to be entered into memory means along with information identifying that discrete location as containing a videocassette not available for further purchase or rental.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 186 words

Method for selectably vending videocassettes in a protective case from an apparatus including storing a plurality of videocassettes each within a protective case in identifiable locations in a storage means, characterized by enabling selective operation of the apparatus among a purchase mode or a rent mode and a return mode, enabling selection of a desired videocassette in the purchase mode or rent mode, dispensing the selected videocassette with its protective case in the purchase mode or rent mode and receiving the videocassette within its protective case in the return mode, receiving information representative of the identity of the protective case being returned in the return mode, and transporting the selected videocassette within its protective case from the storage means to a customer access means in the purchase mode or rent mode and transporting the protective case and its contents from the access means to an empty location in the storage means in the return mode in response to receiving predetermined information with respect to the identity of said protective case, the protective case remaining in the access means in the absence of receiving the predetermined information.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 186 words

Method for selectably vending videocassettes in a protective case from an apparatus including storing a plurality of videocassettes each within a protective case in identifiable locations in a storage means, characterized by enabling selective operation of the apparatus among a purchase mode or a rent mode and a return mode, enabling selection of a desired videocassette in the purchase mode or rent mode, dispensing the selected videocassette with its protective case in the purchase mode or rent mode and receiving the videocassette within its protective case in the return mode, receiving information representative of the identity of the protective case being returned in the return mode, and transporting the selected videocassette within its protective case from the storage means to a customer access means in the purchase mode or rent mode and transporting the protective case and its contents from the access means to an empty location in the storage means in the return mode in response to receiving predetermined information with respect to the identity of said protective case, the protective case remaining in the access means in the absence of receiving the predetermined information.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 54 words

The method of Claim 26, characterized by receiving information representative of the identity of the videocassette being returned in the return mode, and storing information in memory means about the selected videocassette, the coordinates of the videocassette within its protective case within the storage means and available empty discrete locations in the storage means.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 94 words

The method of Claim 26 or 27, characterized by receiving information representative of the identity of the videocassette being returned in the return mode, transporting the videocassette and its protective case to a first discrete location in the storage means for purchase or rental in response to receiving first predetermined information representative of the identity of the videocassette or transporting the videocassette and its protective case to a second discrete location in the storage means to prevent purchase or rental in response to receiving second predetermined information representative of the identity of the videocassette.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 50 words

The method of Claim 26, characterized by establishing a predetermined period for return of a selected videocassette when in the rental mode and charging a customer for the purchase of the selected videocassette after the predetermined period in the absence of return of the selected videocassette in the retun mode.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 153 words

Article storage and transport means, characterized by storage means (40) comprising a portion of the surface of a right cylinder, the storage means having a plurality of radially-spaced dividing walls (44, 46, 48) extending parallel to the axis of the cylinder, the dividing walls having means for receiving therein a plurality of axially-spaced shelves (42) arranged to lie substantially in axially-spaced planes perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder, the walls and shelves defining discrete, identifiable storage locations (50, 52) therebetween, each such storage location being definable by cylindrical coordinates, and article transport means (l00) coaxial with the axis of the cylinder comprising first means (l02) pivotable about the axis, second means (l60) pivotable with said first means and linearly movable along the axis, and third means (l64, l66, l68) linearly movable along the axis with the second means for a reciprocal movement toward and away from the axis along a radial direction.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 153 words

Article storage and transport means, characterized by storage means (40) comprising a portion of the surface of a right cylinder, the storage means having a plurality of radially-spaced dividing walls (44, 46, 48) extending parallel to the axis of the cylinder, the dividing walls having means for receiving therein a plurality of axially-spaced shelves (42) arranged to lie substantially in axially-spaced planes perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder, the walls and shelves defining discrete, identifiable storage locations (50, 52) therebetween, each such storage location being definable by cylindrical coordinates, and article transport means (l00) coaxial with the axis of the cylinder comprising first means (l02) pivotable about the axis, second means (l60) pivotable with said first means and linearly movable along the axis, and third means (l64, l66, l68) linearly movable along the axis with the second means for a reciprocal movement toward and away from the axis along a radial direction.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 121 words

3l. Apparatus for selectively dispensing and receiving articles, including storage means for storing a plurality of the articles in identifiable locations, characterized by mode selection means (20) for enabling operation of said apparatus in a dispensing mode or a receiving mode, article selection means (22) for enabling selection of a desired article in the dispensing mode, access means (28) for dispensing the selected article in the dispensing mode and receiving an article in the receiving mode, and transport means (48, l00) for transporting the selected article from the storage means to the access means in the dispensing mode and transporting the article from the access means to any available empty location (50, 52) in the storage means in the receiving mode.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 121 words

3l. Apparatus for selectively dispensing and receiving articles, including storage means for storing a plurality of the articles in identifiable locations, characterized by mode selection means (20) for enabling operation of said apparatus in a dispensing mode or a receiving mode, article selection means (22) for enabling selection of a desired article in the dispensing mode, access means (28) for dispensing the selected article in the dispensing mode and receiving an article in the receiving mode, and transport means (48, l00) for transporting the selected article from the storage means to the access means in the dispensing mode and transporting the article from the access means to any available empty location (50, 52) in the storage means in the receiving mode.

Apparatus for dispensing and receiving articles

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