초록 ▼

An apparatus for dispensing and returning reusable articles each identifiable with its own identification code, comprising: a pair of opposing, stationary arrays of locations, each location being capable of holding a reusable article therein and having its own particular location code; a memory adap

An apparatus for dispensing and returning reusable articles each identifiable with its own identification code, comprising: a pair of opposing, stationary arrays of locations, each location being capable of holding a reusable article therein and having its own particular location code; a memory adapted to store details of the location codes and the article codes in memory; a data receiver for receiving informational data from a patron; a receptacle for receiving and discharging the articles; a transfer mechanism for placing an article in a location in the arrays or removing an article therefrom, the transfer mechanism being movable relative to the arrays between operative engagement with any of the locations and the receptacle; an article code sensing device adapted to sense the article code of an article carried by the transfer mechanism; and a control device having means for receiving control information and for generating output instructional information and control signals, the control device being responsive to informational data from the receiver to actuate the transfer mechanism to remove a selected article from a location in the arrays to the receptacle by the transfer mechanism, or to return an article received by the receptacle to an empty location in the arrays.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for dispensing and returning reusable articles, comprising: means defining a pair of planar arrays, each having a plurality of locations for holding a reusable articles therein, each location identifiable with its own particular location code and each article identifiable with its own p

An apparatus for dispensing and returning reusable articles, comprising: means defining a pair of planar arrays, each having a plurality of locations for holding a reusable articles therein, each location identifiable with its own particular location code and each article identifiable with its own particular article code; memory means adapted to store details of said location codes and said article codes; input data means operatively connected to said memory means for receiving informational data from a patron; receptacle means accessible to a patron for receiving articles; transfer means operable for placing an article into a location in said arrays or removing an article therefrom, said transfer means including: platform means disposed between said arrays and being movable along guides through a plane parallel to said arrays, platen means mounted on said platform means for reciprocal movement between said planar arrays along an axis perpendicular to said arrays, said platen means defining an article receiving opening therebetween and being movable between a first position wherein said platen means are in a central position on said platform means and second positions wherein said platen means are shifted to a side of said platform means toward a location in one of said arrays, and conveyor means for conveying an article into or out of said receiving opening when said platen means is in said second position, and being movable relative to said arrays between operative engagement with an article in any of said locations and said receptacle means; article code sensing means adapted to sense the article code of an article carried by said transfer means; and, control means having means for receiving control information and for generating output instructional information and control signals, said control means being responsive to input data from said patron to initiate the transfer of a selected article from a location in said arrays to said access opening by said transfer means, or to return an article received by said patron from said access opening to an empty location in said arrays.