초록 ▼

The disclosed invention is a dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing product from a vending machine. The invention employs a motor for bi-directionally rotating a dispenser bucket between two bumpers which physically obstruct and limit the rotational travel, a motor controller for monitoring

The disclosed invention is a dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing product from a vending machine. The invention employs a motor for bi-directionally rotating a dispenser bucket between two bumpers which physically obstruct and limit the rotational travel, a motor controller for monitoring the current drawn by the motor and signals received from a product vend detection sensor. The motor controller uses monitored information to control the rotational direction and stopping positions of the dispenser bucket. The invention eliminates the need for timing cams and switches and eliminates the need for anti-theft device to prevent product theft from the dispenser bucket.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A vending machine, comprising: a housing; a dispensing assembly comprising a dispenser for holding and dispensing a product, the dispenser having an open side and being rotatably mounted substantially horizontally within the housing and rotatable about an axis; a product chut

What is claimed is: 1. A vending machine, comprising: a housing; a dispensing assembly comprising a dispenser for holding and dispensing a product, the dispenser having an open side and being rotatably mounted substantially horizontally within the housing and rotatable about an axis; a product chute for receiving the product when dispensed by the dispenser; a reversible motor coupled to the dispenser for rotating the dispenser about the axis; and a controller electrically coupled to the motor for rotating the dispenser from a first position, wherein the open side is substantially unexposed to the product chute and the dispenser holds the product, to a second position, wherein the open side is exposed to the product chute and the dispenser dispenses the product, to a third position that is substantially the same as the first position, wherein the controller monitors the current drawn by the motor and causes the motor to reverse its rotation direction when the detected current exceeds a predetermined amount for a predetermined time. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing assembly further comprising a bumper fixedly positioned so as to interfere with rotation of the dispenser beyond predetermined points in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. 3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein after the controller receives a signal from a product vend detector indicating that a product has been dispensed by the dispenser, the controller causes the motor to reverse its rotation direction to rotate the dispenser for a time period until the open side is substantially no longer exposed to the product chute. 4. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the time period is substantially equal to the time required for the rotation to dispense the product. 5. The vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the controller receives input signals to determine the number of products being held within the dispenser. 6. The vending machine according to claim 5, wherein the controller is adapted to direct the motor to rotate the dispenser through a reload cycle when the dispenser is empty. 7. The vending machine according to claim 6, wherein the product vend detector comprises an impact sensor attached to the product chute which generates a product dispensed signal when the product impacts the product chute. 8. The vending machine according to claim 7, wherein the dispensing assembly further comprises: a gate extending along at least a portion of a length of the dispenser, the gate being movable between a first position wherein it prevents reloading of the dispenser, and a second position wherein it does not prevent reloading of the dispenser; a gate link pivotally coupled to the gate, wherein movement of the gate link causes the gate to pivot between the first and second positions; a coupling cam coupled to the dispenser for rotation therewith; and the bumper fixedly secured to a panel and positioned relative to the coupling cam so as to prevent rotation of the coupling cam beyond the predetermined points in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. 9. The vending machine according to claim 8, wherein during rotation, the coupling cam is adapted to move the gate link between the first and second positions. 10. The vending machine according to claim 9, wherein the dispenser is substantially cylindrical in shape. 11. The vending machine according to claim 10, further comprising a first partition and a second partition positioned substantially vertically within the housing and spaced apart so as to form a channel positioned above the dispenser, and the first and second partitions extend along at least a portion of the length of the channel. 12. The vending machine according to claim 6, wherein the product vend detector comprises an optical sensor located beneath the dispenser which generates a product dispensed signal when the product passes from the dispenser to the product chute. 13. The vending machine according to claim 12, wherein the dispensing assembly further comprises: a gate extending along at least a portion of a length of the dispenser, the gate being movabie between a first position wherein it prevents reloading of the dispenser, and a second position wherein it does not prevent reloading of the dispenser; a gate link pivotally coupled to the gate, wherein movement of the gate link causes the gate to pivot between the first and second positions; a coupling cam coupled to the dispenser for rotation therewith; and the bumper fixedly secured to a panel and positioned relative to the coupling cam so as to prevent rotation of the coupling cam bcyond the predetermined points in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. 14. The vending machine according to claim 13, wherein during rotation, the coupling cam is adapted to move the gate link between the first and second positions. 15. The vending machine according to claim 14, wherein the dispenser is substantially cylindrical in shape. 16. The vending machine according to claim 15, further comprising a first partition and a second partition positioned substantially vertically within the housing and spaced apart so as to form a channel positioned above the dispenser, and the first and second partitions extend along at least a portion of the length of the channel. 17. A vending machine, comprising: a first partition and a second partition within the vending machine positioned so as to form a channel for holding products to be dispensed by the vending machine; a dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a product, the dispensing assembly comprising a dispenser rotatably mounted within the vending machine and substantially aligned with and positioned below a lower end of the channel, and having an open side; a product chute for delivering the product dispensed by the dispensing assembly; a reversible motor coupled to the dispensing assembly for rotating the dispenser about an axis and; a controller electrically coupled to the motor for rotating the dispenser from a first position, wherein the open side is substantially unexposed to the product chute and the dispenser holds the product, to a second position, wherein the open side is exposed to the product chute and the dispenser dispenses the product, to a third position that is substantially the same as the first position, wherein the controller monitors the motor current and causes the motor to reverse its rotation direction when the detected current exceeds a predetermined amount for a predetermined time. 18. The vending machine according to claim 17, further comprising a cam coupled to the dispenser for rotation therewith, and a bumper fixedly mounted to the vending machine and positioned so as to engage the cam to prevent the dispenser from rotating past a first and a second predetermined point. 19. The vending machine according to claim 18, wherein the controller detects the current drawn by the motor, and either reverses or stops rotation of the motor when the current exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined time. 20. The vending machine according to claim 19, wherein after the controller receives a signal from a product vend detector indicating that a product has been dispensed by the dispenser, the controller causes the motor to reverse its rotation direction to rotate the dispenser for a time period until the open side is substantially no longer exposed to the product chute. 21. The vending machine according to claim 20, wherein the time period is substantially equal to the time required for the rotation to dispense the product. 22. The vending machine according to claim 21, wherein the controller receives input signals to determine the number of products being held within the dispenser. 23. The vending machine according to claim 22, wherein the controller is adapted to direct the motor to rotate the dispenser through a reload cycle when the dispenser is empty. 24. The vending machine according to claim 23, wherein the product vend detector comprises an impact sensor attached to the product chute which generates a product dispensed signal when the product impacts the product chute. 25. The vending machine according to claim 23, wherein the product vend detector comprises an optical sensor located beneath the dispenser which generates a product dispensed signal when the product passes from the dispenser to the product chute.