Patent ID: 8678232
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A customizable vending machine, retail display, or automated retail store comprising: a central robotic gantry comprising an elevator vertically movable within the gantry, at least one door fitted upon the front or back of the gantry, the doors comprising a product vend area; at least one inventory cabinet attached to at least one gantry side, the inventory cabinet comprising at least one dispensing module adjustably configurable to adjust the storage density of items to be vended, wherein the dispensing module comprises a conveyor and a plurality of dividers releasably couplable to the conveyor, wherein the conveyor comprises a plurality of conveyor slats, individual ones of the dividers are releasably coupled to individual ones of the conveyor slats, wherein individual ones of the dividers include a connection tab receivable in a connection slot in individual ones of the slats to releasably couple the dividers to the slats, wherein the connection tab includes a pair of outwardly biased prongs, the prongs including a first ramped surface to introduce the connection tab into the connection slot and a second ramped surface to releasably retain the connection tab in the connection slot; at least one display module adjacent the gantry, the display module containing items to be vended, the display module comprising a plurality of physical displays in which items to be vended are visibly housed; and a computer for activating and controlling the gantry and said module; and, software for controlling said computer.