초록 ▼

A cigar vending machine provides for the automated vending of cigars which are stored in a humidor area within the machine until being dispensed. The humidor portion of the machine provides for the automatic control of the humidity and at least the minimum temperature therein, to maintain the freshn

A cigar vending machine provides for the automated vending of cigars which are stored in a humidor area within the machine until being dispensed. The humidor portion of the machine provides for the automatic control of the humidity and at least the minimum temperature therein, to maintain the freshness of the cigars stored therein until they are purchased. The machine may utilize conventional automated currency and credit card acceptance devices, and also utilizes a robotic arm dispensing device which withdraws a given cigar from an appropriate storage area within the humidor, depending upon the selection made by the purchaser. The separate storage areas may be adjusted in size to accommodate different sizes, types, and/or brands of cigars, as desired. The machine operates by accepting an appropriate currency or credit card input by a purchaser, who then makes a selection on a cigar selection panel on the front of the machine. When the selection has been made, the machine automatically opens the lid to the humidor, and the robotic arm travels to a position above the compartment in which cigars of the selected type are stored. The arm withdraws the uppermost one of the selected cigar type, and transfers the selected cigar to a dispensing tray in the front of the machine, which is accessible by the purchaser. The present machine enables cigar smokers to purchase a cigar as desired at any time, without need to visit a tobacco shop or the like during its hours of operation.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [13.] An article vending machine, comprising:a housing having an accessible interior including a lower portion and a front door panel for lockably securing access to said interior;automated currency acceptance means;article selection means;article delivery means;an article humidor appar

[ We claim:] [13.] An article vending machine, comprising:a housing having an accessible interior including a lower portion and a front door panel for lockably securing access to said interior;automated currency acceptance means;article selection means;article delivery means;an article humidor apparatus disposed within said lower portion, said humidor apparatus including automated humidifying means for maintaining a preselected level of humidity within said humidor apparatus and a normally closed article storage container disposed therein, said article storage container including a selectively openable, normally closed top, an open bottom, and an internal volume communicating with said humidifying means through said open bottom of said container; andautomated article dispensing means disposed within said housing for selectively acquiring an article from said article storage container and delivering the selected article to said article delivery means, wherein said automated article dispensing means comprises a first and an opposite and parallel second fixed track disposed in said housing, with a movable track extending between said first and said second track and orthogonally disposed thereto, with a telescoping arm depending from said movable track, with said telescoping arm including a vacuum actuated lowermost tip for selectively applying a vacuum to an article for lifting and dispensing the article to said article delivery means.