초록 ▼

A vending machine featuring rotating stacked carousels for the display and sale of floral and plant arrangements is disclosed. The vending machine is capable of carrying out both cash and credit card transactions and includes a certified credit card terminal for connecting to the credit card process

A vending machine featuring rotating stacked carousels for the display and sale of floral and plant arrangements is disclosed. The vending machine is capable of carrying out both cash and credit card transactions and includes a certified credit card terminal for connecting to the credit card processing network. The present vending machine includes an integrated microprocessor to control the mechanical motion and position of the stacked carousels, accept payment from either cash or credit cards, maintain accounting records, provide printed receipts, and to control on-line modem communications with credit approval sources as well as dial-up auditing of machine's inventory. A significant feature of the certified credit card terminal is the ability to transact purchases in both an off-line and on-line mode and the ability to enter bad credit card numbers into a credit card file when purchase is attempted with an invalid card number. The stacked carousel displays can be divided into a plurality of compartments which differ in size to display a varied inventory of floral arrangements. The position of the carousel compartments are controlled by the use of an encoder device which enables carousel rotation to be stopped at a plurality of discrete points on the circumference of each carousel to present the flowers in alignment with a vending door selected by user input on an alphanumeric keypad. The present machine provides a thermostatically controlled, refrigerated environment to maintain the flowers in optimal condition.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vending system for the display and sale of floral arrangements, comprising:a housing having a transparent vending door for providing access into an interior portion thereof;a rotatable carousel positioned in said interior portion of said housing in alignment with said d

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vending system for the display and sale of floral arrangements, comprising:a housing having a transparent vending door for providing access into an interior portion thereof;a rotatable carousel positioned in said interior portion of said housing in alignment with said door;a plurality of compartments on said carousel for holding the floral arrangements, each compartment having a registered position with said door;indicia means associated with each of said compartment means;means for normally rotating said carousel whereby said compartments and floral arrangements associated therewith are continuously viewable by a prospective purchaser;means for locking said door means;selector means operable by said purchaser for selecting one of said compartments as referenced by said indicia means;control means responsive to operation of said selector means for continuing rotation of said carousel until said one of said compartments is registered with said one of said doors at said registered position and for discontinuing said rotation at said registered position, said control means disabling said means for locking said door means thereby permitting the purchaser to open said door and remove the floral arrangement carried in said one of said compartments; andmeans responsive to the closure of said door for resuming rotation of said carousel and thereafter preventing positioning of said one of said compartments at said registered position until a new floral arrangement has been located therein.