Patent US3831806A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3831806A
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US
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Vending machine having product level sensing switch and method of conversion of multi-column vending machines for conjoint operation of at least two columns
Assignee: CAVALIER ACQUISITION Corp A TENNESSEE CORP
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Filing: 1972-11-03
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1992-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A coin operated multi-column vending machine embodies a separate product delivery means for each column of product units and associated circuit components including plural customer-operated product selector switches. One such selector switch is removed from a customary circuit and two product unit columns are placed under control of a product level sensing switch and one selector switch for conjoint operation. The product level sensing switch is mounted approximately midway of one of the two product unit columns and is electrically connected in the control circuit to respond to product depletion in said one column of the connected pair of columns to a predetermined level in the column and transfer dispensing control to the second column of the connected pair. Selective product dispensing from the second column is continued until the second column is empty. Thereafter, despensing control is automatically transferred back to the first column and the remaining product units in the first column are selectively dispensed until the products in that column are fully depleted. The invention is particularly applicable to vending machines for dispensing carbonated soft drinks or other food products which are subject to staleness if left too long in the machine. The invention allows for easy modification and conversion of existing multi column vending machines and their associated control circuits in the field.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lindsey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:02
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F5/00; G07F5/18; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/04; G07F11/16; G07F11/28; G07F11/30; G07F9/00; G07F9/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
323 words
In a control circuit for a multi-column vending machine having an article delivery means for each vending column adapted to be energized for consecutive vending of articles stored therein in response to customer selection and actuation of a selection switch, soldout switches for the individual vending columns of the machine adapted to be actuated from a first to a second position in response to comolete depletion of articles within a column, and circuit means including a plurality of customer-operated selector switches electrically connected to the soldout switches, the latter being electrically connected in their first position to the article delivery means of an associated column to disable the enabling circuit for the article delivery means of the associated column upon depletion of articles in the associated column and actuation of the soldout switch for that column, the improvement comprising means for connecting at least a pair of columns for conjoint operation, said means including a sensing switch for sensing the level of products in one of a pair of said machine vending columns connected for conjoint operation, said switch having a first position and a second position, said switch in its first position being electrically connected to the soldout switch for one column of said pair of columns and a single one of said selector switches associated with said pair of columns, and said switch in its second position being electrically connected to the soldout switch for the other column of said pair of columns, whereby said single selector switch controls vending of articles from both columns of said pair, said sensing switch being arranged to respond to the partial depletion of articles in one column of said pair below a predetermined level sensed by the switch and automatically transfer dispensing control to the article delivery means of the other column of said pair, said sensing switch being disposed intermediate the ends of said one of a pair of said machine vending columns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
323 words
In a control circuit for a multi-column vending machine having an article delivery means for each vending column adapted to be energized for consecutive vending of articles stored therein in response to customer selection and actuation of a selection switch, soldout switches for the individual vending columns of the machine adapted to be actuated from a first to a second position in response to comolete depletion of articles within a column, and circuit means including a plurality of customer-operated selector switches electrically connected to the soldout switches, the latter being electrically connected in their first position to the article delivery means of an associated column to disable the enabling circuit for the article delivery means of the associated column upon depletion of articles in the associated column and actuation of the soldout switch for that column, the improvement comprising means for connecting at least a pair of columns for conjoint operation, said means including a sensing switch for sensing the level of products in one of a pair of said machine vending columns connected for conjoint operation, said switch having a first position and a second position, said switch in its first position being electrically connected to the soldout switch for one column of said pair of columns and a single one of said selector switches associated with said pair of columns, and said switch in its second position being electrically connected to the soldout switch for the other column of said pair of columns, whereby said single selector switch controls vending of articles from both columns of said pair, said sensing switch being arranged to respond to the partial depletion of articles in one column of said pair below a predetermined level sensed by the switch and automatically transfer dispensing control to the article delivery means of the other column of said pair, said sensing switch being disposed intermediate the ends of said one of a pair of said machine vending columns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a control circuit for a multi-column vending machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensing switch includes a pair of stationary contacts and a movable contact, said movable contact and one stationary contact being electrically connected in series with said single selector switch in its actuated position, said movable contact and the other of said stationary contacts being electrically connected in series with said single selector switch in its actuated position when said sensing switch is in its second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
In a control circuit for a multi-column vending machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensing switch includes a movable feeler actuator in contact with articles in said column of the machine with which the sensing switch is associated.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of vending articles from a multicolumn vending machine having at least a pair of article storage columns connected for conjoint operation comprising dispensing articles in succession in response to customer selection from one column of said pair, sensing partial depletion of the articles in said one column below a predetermined level intermediate the ends of that column, transferring dispensing control to the second column of said pair and terminating the vending of articles in the first column of the pair when said articles in the first column have been partially depleted below said predetermined level, dispensing articles from the second column in succession until the articles in the second column are entirely depleted in response to customer selection and transferring dispensing control back to the first column of said pair and then causing dispensing of the remaining articles in the first column in response to customer selection until the articles in the first column are entirely depleted while discontinuing vending of articles from the second column of said pair of columns.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of vending articles from a multicolumn vending machine having at least a pair of article storage columns connected for conjoint operation comprising dispensing articles in succession in response to customer selection from one column of said pair, sensing partial depletion of the articles in said one column below a predetermined level intermediate the ends of that column, transferring dispensing control to the second column of said pair and terminating the vending of articles in the first column of the pair when said articles in the first column have been partially depleted below said predetermined level, dispensing articles from the second column in succession until the articles in the second column are entirely depleted in response to customer selection and transferring dispensing control back to the first column of said pair and then causing dispensing of the remaining articles in the first column in response to customer selection until the articles in the first column are entirely depleted while discontinuing vending of articles from the second column of said pair of columns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method as defined in claim 4, wherein said dispensing in response to customer selection includes the actuation of a customer selector switch, and said sensing depletion of articles comprises the utilization of a product level sensing switch on one column of said pair of columns near the midpoint of the column.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
223 words
The method of converting a coin operated vending machine having a plurality of individual columns of articles to be selectively dispensed for conjoint operation of at least two of said individual columns, wherein said vending mcahine includes a plurality of article selection switches, one for each column and a plurality of associated article dispensing means, each of which corresponds to a separate column and is connected in an article selection circuit for that column, each said article dispensing means being arranged for selective energization from a primary source of energization to dispense articles consecutively from the corresponding column, one at a time, according to the choice of a customer upon the establishment of proper credit and actuation of an associated selector switch comprising mounting a product level sensing switch intermediate the ends of a column for sensing the level of articles therein, electrically connecting saiD product level sensing switch in a circuit with one of said selection switches and the article selection circuit for another column of an adjacent pair of said columns, disconnecting the selector switch of the article selection circuit of said other column and connecting said one of said selection switches to control the article dispensing means of said pair of columns for conjoint operation in response to the level of articles intermediate the ends of one of said columns.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
223 words
The method of converting a coin operated vending machine having a plurality of individual columns of articles to be selectively dispensed for conjoint operation of at least two of said individual columns, wherein said vending mcahine includes a plurality of article selection switches, one for each column and a plurality of associated article dispensing means, each of which corresponds to a separate column and is connected in an article selection circuit for that column, each said article dispensing means being arranged for selective energization from a primary source of energization to dispense articles consecutively from the corresponding column, one at a time, according to the choice of a customer upon the establishment of proper credit and actuation of an associated selector switch comprising mounting a product level sensing switch intermediate the ends of a column for sensing the level of articles therein, electrically connecting saiD product level sensing switch in a circuit with one of said selection switches and the article selection circuit for another column of an adjacent pair of said columns, disconnecting the selector switch of the article selection circuit of said other column and connecting said one of said selection switches to control the article dispensing means of said pair of columns for conjoint operation in response to the level of articles intermediate the ends of one of said columns.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
248 words
The method of converting a coin operated vending machine having a plurality of individual columns of articles to be selectively dispensed for conjoint operation of at least two of said individual columns wherein said vending machine includes a plurality of article selection switches, one for each column, and a plurality of article dispensing means, each of which corresponds to a separate column and is connected to an associated selector switch in an article selection circuit for that column, each said article dispensing means being arranged for selective energization from a primary source of energization to dispense articles consecutively from the corresponding column, one at a time, according to the choice of a customer upon the establishment of proper credit and actuation of an associated selector switch, comprising removing one of said article selection switches for one of said two columns to be connected for conjoint operation, mounting a product level sensing switch intermediate the ends of one of said two columns for sensing the level of articles therein and connecting the article selection for the other of said two columns and said product level sensing switch in a separate energizing circuit of the article dispensing means of said two columns such that successive operation of said selector switch in said separate energizing circuit causes consecutive dispensing of articles from said one column until said articles are depleted below the level of the sensing switch and thereafter causes consecutive dispensing of articles from the other of said two columns.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
248 words
The method of converting a coin operated vending machine having a plurality of individual columns of articles to be selectively dispensed for conjoint operation of at least two of said individual columns wherein said vending machine includes a plurality of article selection switches, one for each column, and a plurality of article dispensing means, each of which corresponds to a separate column and is connected to an associated selector switch in an article selection circuit for that column, each said article dispensing means being arranged for selective energization from a primary source of energization to dispense articles consecutively from the corresponding column, one at a time, according to the choice of a customer upon the establishment of proper credit and actuation of an associated selector switch, comprising removing one of said article selection switches for one of said two columns to be connected for conjoint operation, mounting a product level sensing switch intermediate the ends of one of said two columns for sensing the level of articles therein and connecting the article selection for the other of said two columns and said product level sensing switch in a separate energizing circuit of the article dispensing means of said two columns such that successive operation of said selector switch in said separate energizing circuit causes consecutive dispensing of articles from said one column until said articles are depleted below the level of the sensing switch and thereafter causes consecutive dispensing of articles from the other of said two columns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
98 words
The method as defined in claim 7, and additionally connecting said product level sensing switch in said separate energizing circuit with a pair of soldout switches for the respective individual columns of said two columns whereby in a first position of said product level sensing switch the article dispensing means for one of the columns is activated and the article dispensing means of the other column is deactivated and in a second position of the sensing switch the article dispensing means of said other column is activated and the article dispensing means of said one column is deactivated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
232 words
In a coin operated vending machine having a plurality of columns of articles to be selectively dispensed, a plurality of article selection switches and a plurality of associated article dispensing means, each of which corresponds to a separate column and is connected in an article selection circuit for that column, each said article dispensing means being arranged for selective energization from a primary source of energization to dispense articles from the corresponding column, one at a time, according to the choice of a customer upon establishment of proper credit and actuation of a selector switch, the improvement comprising switch means operatively connected to control the article dispensing means of at least two columns for conjoint operation, said switch means including a first switch having a first and second position, and a second switch having a first and a second position said second switch being one of the customer operated article selector switches and means for electrically connecting, upon actuation of said second switch to its second position, the article dispensing means of one of the two columns to its primary energizing source when said first switch is in the first position and the article dispensing means of the other of the two columns to its primary energizing source when said first switch in its second position, said firsT switch being disposed approximately midway between the ends of one of said two columns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
232 words
In a coin operated vending machine having a plurality of columns of articles to be selectively dispensed, a plurality of article selection switches and a plurality of associated article dispensing means, each of which corresponds to a separate column and is connected in an article selection circuit for that column, each said article dispensing means being arranged for selective energization from a primary source of energization to dispense articles from the corresponding column, one at a time, according to the choice of a customer upon establishment of proper credit and actuation of a selector switch, the improvement comprising switch means operatively connected to control the article dispensing means of at least two columns for conjoint operation, said switch means including a first switch having a first and second position, and a second switch having a first and a second position said second switch being one of the customer operated article selector switches and means for electrically connecting, upon actuation of said second switch to its second position, the article dispensing means of one of the two columns to its primary energizing source when said first switch is in the first position and the article dispensing means of the other of the two columns to its primary energizing source when said first switch in its second position, said firsT switch being disposed approximately midway between the ends of one of said two columns.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a coin operated vending machine having a plurality of columns of articles to be selectively dispensed, a plurality of associated article dispensing means, and an article selection circuit operatively connected in common to at least a pair of said article dispensing means, each said article dispensing means being arranged for selective energization from a primary source of energization to dispense articles consecutively from the corresponding column, one at a time, according to the choice of a customer upon the establishment of proper credit, the improvement comprising a product level sensing switch disposed intermediate the ends of one of said columns for sensing partial depletion of articles from said one of said columns and having two positions operatively connected in said article selection circuit to control said pair of article dispensing means for conjoint operation, said product level sensing switch in one position effecting energization of the article dispensing means for one column of said pair and in the second position effecting energization of the article dispensing means for the other column of the pair.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a coin operated vending machine having a plurality of columns of articles to be selectively dispensed, a plurality of associated article dispensing means, and an article selection circuit operatively connected in common to at least a pair of said article dispensing means, each said article dispensing means being arranged for selective energization from a primary source of energization to dispense articles consecutively from the corresponding column, one at a time, according to the choice of a customer upon the establishment of proper credit, the improvement comprising a product level sensing switch disposed intermediate the ends of one of said columns for sensing partial depletion of articles from said one of said columns and having two positions operatively connected in said article selection circuit to control said pair of article dispensing means for conjoint operation, said product level sensing switch in one position effecting energization of the article dispensing means for one column of said pair and in the second position effecting energization of the article dispensing means for the other column of the pair.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
The coin operated vending machine as defined in claim 10, further including a pair of soldout switches for said pair of columns, said product level sensing switch in said first position forming a circuit through one soldout switch to the article delivery means for one column and in said second position forming a circuit through the other soldout switch with the article delivery means for the second column of said pair.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
The coin operated vending machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said soldout switches each include a first and a second position, each said soldout switch in said first position completing said circuit and in said second position preventing completion of said circuit so as to prevent energization of the article dispensing means in the associated column.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
The coin operated vending machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein each soldout switch is disposed adjacent a column for sensing depletion of products in the adjacent column and actuating means disposed adjacent each column and operatively connected to the associated soldout switch for actuating said switch from its first to its second position upon depletion of products in that column.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
The coin operated vending machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said product level sensing switch is disposed approximately midway between the ends of said one column for sensing the level of products therein and means for actuating said switch from its one position to its second position upon depletion of products below the approximate midway level of said products in the column.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |