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A beverage vending machine installation comprising a cabinet and a trolley unit, the cabinet defining a void in which, in use, the trolley unit can be positioned. The cabinet has an opening and at least one door moveable between open and closed positions. A trolley unit comprises at least one bevera

A beverage vending machine installation comprising a cabinet and a trolley unit, the cabinet defining a void in which, in use, the trolley unit can be positioned. The cabinet has an opening and at least one door moveable between open and closed positions. A trolley unit comprises at least one beverage vending machine. The trolley unit is moveable relative to the cabinet between an installed position and an uninstalled position. In the installed position the trolley unit is positioned within the void of the cabinet such that at least one door may be closed to allow operation of the vending machine installation. In the uninstalled position, the trolley unit is removed from the cabinet after opening at least one door to allow access to the trolley unit.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A beverage vending machine installation comprising a cabinet and a trolley unit, the cabinet defining a void in which, in use, the trolley unit can be positioned, the cabinet further comprising an opening and at least one door moveable between open and closed positions,

The invention claimed is: 1. A beverage vending machine installation comprising a cabinet and a trolley unit, the cabinet defining a void in which, in use, the trolley unit can be positioned, the cabinet further comprising an opening and at least one door moveable between open and closed positions, the trolley unit comprising at least one beverage preparation machine, the trolley unit being moveable relative to the cabinet between an installed position, in which the trolley unit is positioned within the void of the cabinet such that the at least one door may be closed to allow operation of the vending machine installation, and an uninstalled position, in which the trolley unit is removed from the cabinet after opening the at least one door to allow access to the trolley unit; wherein the cabinet comprises one or more ports for the conveyance of utilities and the trolley comprises one or more sockets for the reception of utilities wherein the ports and sockets are connectable in use by means of one or more conduits; wherein the utilities comprise one or more utilities selected from the group of electricity, telephone and mains water; wherein the beverage preparation machine prepares and dispenses one or more beverages selected from the group of roast and ground coffee, tea, soup, chocolate, carbonated beverages or water; wherein the trolley unit comprises an upper platform for supporting the preparation machine, a lower platform, a refrigerator unit positioned on the lower platform and accessible by opening the at least one door of the cabinet, one or more cup holders, one or more waste receptacles, and one or more mounting assemblies for ancillary equipment; wherein the one or more mounting assemblies are pivotable about a vertical axis and the ancillary equipment comprises one or more items of equipment that are configured to be removed and replaced with a different ancillary equipment item; wherein the one or more mounting assemblies are pivotable from a first position, in which the mounting assemblies lie in close proximity with the at least one beverage preparation machine, and a second position, in which the one or more mounting assemblies are rotated away from the at least one beverage preparation machine to allow access to all sides of the at least one beverage preparation machine and the ancillary equipment; wherein the one or more mounting assemblies comprise a horizontal platform mounted for rotation about a vertical support post, the vertical support post being mounted to the upper platform of the trolley unit; and wherein the horizontal platform is slidable along an axis perpendicular to the vertical support post from a retracted position, in which the horizontal platform lies in proximity to the vertical support post, and an extended position, in which the horizontal platform is extended away from the vertical support post. 2. The beverage vending machine installation as claimed in claim 1 wherein the opening of the cabinet is at a front face of the cabinet. 3. The beverage vending machine installation as claimed in claim 1 wherein the door comprises upper and lower portions. 4. The beverage vending machine installation as claimed in claim 3 wherein the upper and lower door portions are portions of a single door. 5. The beverage vending machine installation as claimed in claim 1 wherein, with the at least one door closed, an aperture is defined through which a user can operate the beverage vending machine. 6. The beverage vending machine installation as claimed in claim 5 wherein the trolley unit comprises castors to allow the trolley unit to be rolled between the installed and uninstalled positions. 7. The beverage vending machine installation as claimed in claim 6 wherein the trolley unit comprises a load-bearing framework. 8. The beverage vending machine installation as claimed in claim 7 wherein the framework comprises one or more guide bars and the cabinet comprises a guide frame, wherein on movement of the trolley unit from the uninstalled position into the installed position the guide bars and guide frame interact to locate the trolley unit relative to the cabinet. 9. The beverage vending machine installation as claimed in claim 8 wherein the trolley unit comprises a handle rotatably moveable from a vertical, stowed position and an in-use position. 10. The beverage vending machine installation as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more items of ancillary equipment are selected from the group comprising a beverage preparation machine, a refrigerator, a payment unit, a filtration unit, a power supply unit or a waste receptacle unit. 11. The beverage vending machine installation as claimed in claim 10 comprising the at least one beverage preparation machine and a secondary beverage preparation machine mounted as an item of ancillary equipment. 12. The beverage vending machine installation as claimed in claim 10 wherein the cabinet comprises one or more ancillary doors moveable between a closed position, in which the ancillary equipment is shielded from access by a user of the vending installation, and an open position, in which the ancillary equipment may be accessed.