Patent ID: 9607465
Date: 2017-03-28
CPC Classifications: G05B,G07F

Claim:
1. A vending machine, comprising: a plurality of bins, each sized to contain a consumable product, with each of the plurality of bins structured to display the consumable product to a vending machine user; a conveyor communicating with at least one of the plurality of bins, the conveyor positioned to transport the consumable product to a consumable product collection area; an interface structured to receive a currency from the vending machine user to purchase at least one of the consumable products; a receipt generator that issues a receipt after the purchase of at least one of the consumable products; a capsule dispensing apparatus sized to fit on a side of the vending machine, the capsule dispensing apparatus sized to be capable of containing a plurality of capsules, with a portion of the capsule dispensing apparatus positioned within the vending machine so that the plurality of capsules are dispensed from a capsule outlet located on a front of the vending machine; and a controller communicating with a remote server containing a database for storing data received from the controller, the data comprising a consumable product quantity in each bin, and a quantity of the plurality of capsules.