초록 ▼

A method and system are provided for performing vend operations on articles selected by a purchaser. Articles to be dispensed are stored in a storage section, and purchased articles are transferred from the storage section to a vend section. A vend mechanism is provided for rapidly moving a given ar

A method and system are provided for performing vend operations on articles selected by a purchaser. Articles to be dispensed are stored in a storage section, and purchased articles are transferred from the storage section to a vend section. A vend mechanism is provided for rapidly moving a given article from a vend-destined section to the vend section. A helical transfer member holds the articles in the storage section and is rotatable in a dispensing direction to transfer the given article from a position adjacent the vend-destined section to the vend-destined section. The helical transfer member is also rotatable in a reverse direction opposite the dispensing direction. A driver is coupled to each helical transfer member, and is actuable to rotate the helical transfer member in either the dispensing direction or the reverse direction. A controller is operable during each vend operation to control the driver to first rotate the helical transfer member in the dispensing direction by a first amount until the given article is fully transferred to the vend-destined section. The controller then controls the driver to then rotate the helical transfer member in the reverse direction by a second amount until an article immediately following the given article is securely held in the storage section.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a storage section arranged to store articles to be dispensed;a vend section to which a purchased article is transferred from said storage section;a vend-destined section adjacent said storage section and a vend mechanism associated with said vend-destined section to rapidly

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a storage section arranged to store articles to be dispensed;a vend section to which a purchased article is transferred from said storage section;a vend-destined section adjacent said storage section and a vend mechanism associated with said vend-destined section to rapidly move a given article from said vend-destined section to said vend section;a helical transfer member holding said articles in said storage section and being rotatable in a dispensing direction to transfer said given article from a position adjacent said vend-destined section to said vend-destined section, and being rotatable in a reverse direction opposite said dispensing direction;a driver coupled to said helical transfer member and actuable to rotate said helical transfer member in either said dispensing direction or said reverse direction;a controller operable during each vend operation to control said driver to first rotate said helical transfer member in said dispensing direction by a first amount until said given article is fully transferred to said vend-destined section and to then rotate said helical transfer member in said reverse direction by a second amount until an article immediately following said given article is securely held in said storage section.