Abstract:
The apparatus and system for controlling the temperature of a plurality of separate storage compartments described herein has been made in consideration of the above problems. An exemplary embodiment of such an apparatus includes a centralized refrigeration system that circulates chilled air to these separate storage compartments and a number of heating units located within the apparatus housing but separate from the storage compartments for purposes of user convenience. It also includes a locking mechanism capable of securing food, beverages, and/or medicine stored in the apparatus against unauthorized access. Additional functionality, such as an Internet connection and sufficient instrumentation to allow the status of the storage compartments to be monitored, may also be included in such an embodiment.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Food-related vending machines are now relatively commonplace in various public settings. These vending machines often allow users to choose from a variety of foods and drinks and purchase, at their convenience, any that are to their liking. As such, vending machines are often installed at locations that host large numbers of people for extended periods of time, like schools or workplaces. To the present date, such vending systems have been limited in their functionality and space-inefficient. Typical vending machines are limited to displaying and/or vending various purchasable products, and, when depleted of the products in question, do not make further use of the storage space the depletion of the products has freed up. Typical prior art vending machines also have substantial maintenance requirements, due to having large numbers of moving parts and otherwise; many such vending machines must be serviced on a monthly basis at minimum, a process which generally requires extensive disassembly of the vending machine. Additionally, most known vending machines must be replenished after purchasable consumables have been sold, which generally must take place on an uncertain or arbitrary time schedule and which may also require extensive disassembly of the vending machine. 
         [0002]    Furthermore, many people may prefer to thing their own food to eat instead of having to order food from a vending machine; for example, they may be dissatisfied with the selection at the vending machine, or may find the vending machine prices too expensive. These people are usually faced with the question of where to store their food until they eat it, how to keep the food cold, and how to warm up any of their food that they wish to eat hot. Additionally, for people who are visiting a location which they do not often frequent, they may end up carrying their food with them for half a day or more due to lack of a practically useful place to store the food. Users who have other items that they wish to keep cold, for example beverages or medicines, may face similar problems. 
         [0003]    Some locations provide communal refrigerators and/or microwaves in small kitchenettes. This is common in many office workplaces, but those office workers are used to the also-common problems when another person takes (either accidentally or purposefully) their food and/or drink, or even their medicine. Such communal kitchenettes are also not practical in public spaces due to the lowered security for personal belongings kept in such kitchenettes. 
         [0004]    In many public spaces, personalized storage is available, for example individual lockers at an airport or train station for the temporary storage of personal effects. However, these lockers have no temperature control associated with them; many foods, beverages, or medicines requiring a cooler temperature, such as milk or frozen products, would not keep in such a locker. Additionally, someone utilizing these public lockers is still faced with the question of how to warm up his or her food. 
         [0005]    There is a need for an improved, user-friendly food, beverage, and/or medicine storage device. Current methods are spatially inefficient, impractical, or non-existent, depending on the environment. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    An apparatus and system for controlling the temperature of any number of separate storage compartments. An exemplary embodiment of such an apparatus may include a plurality of separate storage compartments located within a larger housing. The housing may include a centralized refrigeration system that circulates chilled air to these separate storage compartments, and may include an exterior door through which the storage compartments may be accessed. The embodiment also may include a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized access to the storage compartments. A further exemplary embodiment may include the above, and additionally may include a plurality of storage compartment access doors separate from the exterior door and a mechanism for heating food located within the housing of the apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]    Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0008]    Exemplary  FIG. 1A  shows the front side of an exemplary embodiment of a temperature-controlled storage system with exterior doors closed and in place; 
           [0009]    Exemplary  FIG. 1B  shows an alternate view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1   a , showing the front side of the temperature-controlled storage system with exterior doors open or removed and with the individual storage elements exposed; 
           [0010]    Exemplary  FIG. 2  shows a detail view of an exemplary embodiment of an access pad; 
           [0011]    Exemplary  FIG. 3A  shows a three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a single individual storage element; 
           [0012]    Exemplary  FIG. 3B  shows an alternate view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3A , showing the front side of the individual storage element. 
           [0013]    Exemplary  FIG. 3C  shows an alternate view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3A , showing the rear side of the individual storage element. 
           [0014]    Exemplary  FIG. 3D  shows an alternate view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3A , showing a side view of the individual storage element. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows. 
         [0016]    As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
         [0017]    According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a temperature-controlled storage apparatus and system may be described. The temperature-controlled storage system can include a centralized refrigeration system that circulates chilled air to these separate storage compartments and any number of heating units, e.g. microwaves, microwaving capabilities, toasters, toasting capabilities, or any other heating apparatus or capabilities, as desired, located within the apparatus housing but separate from the storage compartments. The heating units may be directly open to the environment, secured behind one or more doors, or otherwise positioned or disposed amongst the compartments, as desired. Other devices or equipment for preserving or preparing food may be used in place of, or in conjunction with, the chilled air system in the storage compartments and the heating system. As one example, instead of using a chilled-air system, a vacuum pump could be used to create vacuum conditions within the storage compartments, thereby creating a desirable environment for long-term food storage. As another example, an apparatus intended to vend produce might use a food processor in place of a heating unit. 
         [0018]    A further exemplary embodiment can also include a locking mechanism capable of securing food, beverages, or medicine stored in the apparatus against unauthorized access. Users that are authorized to access food or other items within one of the storage compartments, for example food that they have stored within the apparatus, or food that they have paid for, may be able to identify themselves and properly gain access to the item or items by presenting some form of identification or verification. For example, users could identify themselves electronically, such as through use of a bar code reader system or by entering a code via a numerical keypad. According to an exemplary embodiment, users may be able to provide additional documentation either physically or electronically to access an it or items that they could not otherwise access; for example, a temperature-controlled storage system may be configured as a vending machine to dispense medicine, and may restrict the purchase of certain medicines to users who have input valid prescription information. 
         [0019]    The exemplary embodiments described herein may offer any of a variety of additional functionality, such as online functionality that allows users or administrators to remotely view the state of the apparatus. Administrators and users may be able to use the online functionality of the apparatus to determine whether or not storage compartment is currently occupied or in use and other information, such as how long the storage compartment has been occupied. Further, online or network-implemented access may provide payment capabilities or allow for other charges associated with the use of the compartments to be paid. 
         [0020]    Referring generally to exemplary  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a storage system  100  may include one or more storage sections  110 , and one or more heating units  120 , all contained within a housing  105 . Storage sections  110  may be accessed by at least one exterior door  112  that can also include handle  114 , and which may be secured by a locking mechanism. Exterior door(s)  112  may be transparent, translucent, or opaque, or may have any other known or desired appearance, and may be flat, curved, semicircular, or any other shape, as desired. Exterior door(s) on the same storage system may have different appearances or shapes, as desired; according to one embodiment, opaque French-style doors may be used to enclose storage sections  110 , and a transparent sliding door used to enclose the heating units  120 . Opening an exterior door  112  may allow access to individual storage compartments  116 . Exemplary  FIG. 1B  may show a front view of storage system  100  with exterior doors  112  removed for simplicity. In the preferred embodiment, the storage system  100  may include distinct upper and lower exterior doors  112  separated by a single central row of heating units  120 . 
         [0021]    Individual storage compartments  116  may be arranged in any desired fashion, and may be sized, shaped, or given internal features or compartmentalization for a particular application; for example, they may be specifically sized to provide sufficient room for a meal that may an individual has prepared and stored in a small cooler or other type of food carrying and transportation device, or may be shelved to improve organization. Different individual storage compartments  116  within the same storage system  100  may have different or adjustable size, shape, internal features or compartmentalization; for example, in an embodiment of a storage system  100  that is configured to vend produce, more delicate or more easily damaged produce may be stored in a more protective individual storage compartment  116  specifically tailored to vend that type of produce, while less delicate consumables may be stored in general-purpose individual storage compartments  116 . Additionally, each of individual storage compartments  116  may have its own access door and/or access mechanism separate from exterior door  112 , and may have locking mechanisms instead of or in addition to that of the exterior door  112 . Individual storage compartments  116  can further be provided with some form of visual indicia, for example an LED, an LCD display, or a mechanical indicator, that can provide an indication of whether or not the compartment is in use. 
         [0022]    Further, individual storage compartments  116  may be temperature-controlled. For example, individual storage compartments  116  may be capable of refrigerating their contents. This may be accomplished in any temperature-control fashion known in the art. According to at least one embodiment, cooled air may be circulated through individual storage compartments  116  to keep them a lowered temperature. Additionally, circulating air may provide ventilation for individual storage compartments  116 . Individual storage compartments may be optimized to allow for ease of heat transfer and/or ventilation, for example being made permeable to airflow or being constructed from a conductive material. As an alternative example, individual storage compartments  116  may be separately insulated and may be paired with their own temperature-control systems, allowing for different storage compartments to be maintained at different temperatures. These temperatures may be preset, or may be adjustable by the users or other parties as desired. 
         [0023]    Heating units  120  may be any suitable cavity configured to heat its contents, for example a microwave, a toaster oven, a hot plate, or any other heating element desired. Heating units  120  and storage sections  110  may be arranged in any of a number of ways in storage system  100 . For example, as shown in exemplary  FIG. 1A , heating units  120  may be arranged horizontally between two storage sections  110 . In other configurations, the heating units  120  may be vertically stacked between two storage sections, may be vertically stacked on one side of the storage system  100 , may be arranged such that they are interspersed with individual storage compartments  116 , or any other configuration desired. 
         [0024]    Other features of storage system  100  may include an access pad  130  and support structures  140 . Access pad  130  may provide an interface for a user to unlock exterior door  112  and/or the door to an individual storage compartment  116 , and may additionally allow a user to actuate open either door. Access pad  130  may for example include such features as a display, a keypad, a payment system, a bar code scanner, or any other suitable interface device desired. Support structures  140  may provide support to storage system  100 , including raising storage system  100  off the floor. Additionally, storage system  100  may include a footstep  142 , which may assist users with shorter heights to access components situated higher on storage system  100 , or may include other comparable features to improve the accessibility of the apparatus. 
         [0025]    Now referring to exemplary  FIG. 2 , access pad  130  may have one or more interface components for a user to interact with storage system  100 . Access pad  130  may have a display  132 , a keypad  134 , a bar code scanner  136 , a payment system  138 , or other suitable interface devices. Display  132  may be a touchscreen display, a standard visual display, or any other display desired. Keypad  134  may be a numeric or alphanumeric keypad, may use a full keyboard, or may use other character sets as desired. Bar code scanner  136  may be capable of reading 1D or 2D barcodes, for example barcodes generated on a user&#39;s smart phone or barcodes on a physical tag in the user&#39;s possession. Other interface devices known in the art may also be integrated in storage system  100 , such as an MD reader/communicator, a fingerprint reader, voice control, or any other interface device, as desired. Payment system  138  may be a credit card reader, a bill acceptor, a wireless antenna enabling users to pay via a mobile phone, or any other system for receiving payment. 
         [0026]    Now referring generally to exemplary  FIGS. 1A-2 , access pad  130  may provide for a user to gain access to an individual storage compartment  116 . For example, according to at least one embodiment, a user may approach storage system  100  and via access pad  130  request the usage of an individual storage compartment  116 , which may be accomplished by means of scanning an assigned bar code  136 , swiping a credit card  138 , or using a numerical or alphanumerical keypad  134 . Access pad  130  may then validate the user&#39;s credentials to ensure that the user is authorized to access the given storage compartment  116 ; access pad  130  may then send a signal to exterior door  112  and/or to an individual storage compartment  116  to unlock, allowing user to place one or more items into individual storage compartment  116 . This individual storage compartment  116  may be selectable by the user, may be randomly selected from a list of available compartments, or may be assigned by another method; according to an exemplary embodiment, certain storage compartments  116  may be restricted to certain users or types of users, such as users with a premium subscription. The respective access door(s) may then lock after re-closing. When the user wishes to withdraw his item(s), he may again request access via access pad  130 , which may again validate the user&#39;s credentials. Payment, if any, may be accomplished either when the user first requests usage of a compartment or when user requests access to withdraw their item(s), and may be for a set fee or may be based on the amount of time that the user has made use of the compartment. In the event that payment for a certain amount of time is made when the user first requests usage of a compartment and the time expires without the user having retrieved their item(s), the device may be configured to unlock automatically. Payment may be accomplished via payment system  138 , via authenticating a user&#39;s online membership, or by any other means of facilitating payment desired, 
         [0027]    According to another embodiment, the storage system  100  may be configured as a vending machine, and the individual storage compartments  116  pre-stocked with items; according to such an embodiment, the user may be able to select an item using access pad  130  and may be able to pay for it through payment system  138 , following which the access pad  130  may send a signal to exterior door  112  and/or to an individual storage compartment  116  to unlock. 
         [0028]    Referring generally to exemplary  FIGS. 3A-3D , individual storage compartments  116  may have a geometry that permits the circulation of chilled air through the compartments  116 . Air may circulate through openings in the side panels  302  of the individual storage compartment  116 , through openings in the rear panel  304  of the individual storage compartment, or through openings in the top or bottom panels of the individual storage compartment  116 . Air may freely circulate within the individual storage compartment  116  or within only a portion of it. For example, an individual storage compartment  116  may include an adjustable center panel separating a refrigerated portion of the individual storage compartment  116  from a nonrefrigerated or insulated portion of the individual storage compartment  116 ; this panel, when adjusted, may allow a user to adjust the amount of space allocated to any defined portions within the individual storage compartment  116 . 
         [0029]    Individual storage compartments  116  may incorporate a compartment door  306 , which may be located in place of the front panel or elsewhere; for example, the door  306  may instead replace the top panel of the individual storage compartment  116 . This door  306  may be openable via a handle  308  located on the lowermost portion of the door or elsewhere, for example in the center of the door  306  or on the body of the individual storage compartment  116 . The door  306  may have a single section or may have several sections connected to each other via hinges, and may open outward or may slide into the individual storage compartment  116  when opened, 
         [0030]    Storage compartments  116  may be removable and may be supported within the storage system  100  by rails, shelves, platforms, bars, or by any other appropriate method of supporting. Similarly, the rear side of the storage compartments  116  may be supported when in use by a fall protection wall or bar. In the preferred embodiment, bars or permeable wall panels may be used to support the rear sides of the storage compartments  116  when housed within the storage system  100 . According to an alternative exemplary embodiment wherein the temperature of each individual storage compartment  116  is separately controlled and there is negligible air circulation between storage compartments  116 , the storage compartments  116  may directly incorporate refrigerating coils into their design and may not be removable from the storage system  100 . 
         [0031]    Alternative embodiments of the individual storage compartments  116  may have different shapes, sizes, or configurations. For example, according to an alternative embodiment, the individual storage compartment  116  may have a rounded or cylindrical shape, or fewer or more openings or vents to allow more or less air circulation. The geometry of the individual storage compartments  116  may even be adjustable; for example, the volume of air circulation through the storage compartment  116  may be controlled via adjustable vents on the outermost portion of the individual storage compartment  116 . In another embodiment, the individual storage compartment  116  may be constructed from a substantially flexible material, for example foam, plastic, or fabric, and may have a more variable geometry because of this construction. 
         [0032]    Referring generally to exemplary  FIGS. 1A-3D , storage system  100  may incorporate at least one refrigeration system. Such a system may be housed internally, externally, or a combination of the two; in the preferred embodiment, if the system is housed internally, it may be housed between the back panels of the individual storage compartments  116  and the back panel of the storage system  100 . The storage system  100  may incorporate a device for operationally connecting the refrigeration system to at leas one power source; for example, the storage system  100  may include an electrical power cord that may be connected to a standard plug outlet. Alternatively, chilled air or chilled refrigerant may be supplied to the storage system  100  by another device; for example, the storage system  100  may be able to connect to a cold water supply and employ water as a refrigerant. The storage system  100  may incorporate more than one power system; for example, the payment system  138  may be powered via battery backup as well as via outlet power. 
         [0033]    Again referring generally to  FIGS. 1A-3D , storage system  100  may have additional features, as desired for particular applications. For example, storage system  100  may be sized and shaped such that it fits into a location where it is to be used; this may include being sized and shaped similarly to a vending machine or being given a semicircular u-shape. Size and shape may be adjustable; for example, an embodiment of storage system  100  may be adjustable into an L-shape if intended to fit in a corner or between two connecting walls, and may be adjustable into a flatter shape if intended to fit flush against a wall. Such an embodiment may allow for adjustment of the shape of the storage system  100  without impairment to its functionality or accessibility. Furthermore, storage system  100  may include other features that facilitate saving space; for example, an embodiment of the storage system  100  may comprise a modular stack of individual storage compartments  116 , heating units  120 , and similar compartments which may be added to or removed from the storage system as desired. Such an embodiment may allow owners of the storage system  100  to tailor the storage system  100  to the space they have available. 
         [0034]    Storage system  100  may also have additional credential validation functionality or additional anti-theft features; according to at least one embodiment, storage system  100  may include a security camera or another sensing device that may act to identify persons attempting to improperly gain access to individual storage compartments  116  or to other components of the storage system  100 . According to another embodiment, users may be subscribed to an account, with each account attached to a single individual storage compartment  116 . In this embodiment, a subscribed user may have a storage compartment guaranteed for their use that they may re-access and re-use whenever they so desire. A user may provide identifying information, for example a numeric code or a bar code on his/her smart phone, on his/her lunchbox or other food storage container, on a wallet card, or by another appropriate means, to access the storage compartment. An administrator may be able to access the device through similar means, and may have additional functionality made available to them; for example, the administrator may be able to open all storage compartments in the apparatus to facilitate cleaning or removal of spoiled food, or to allow an apparatus configured as a vending machine to be restocked. According to another embodiment, storage system  100  may be fitted for remote monitoring, for example monitoring via a network, such that a technician may be able to see the status of storage system  100  and potentially manage multiple machines at the same time. A technician may also be able to remotely access an apparatus to facilitate management; for example, they may be able to reserve a storage compartment for a subscribed user. According to another exemplary embodiment, a storage system  100  configured as a vending machine may restrict a subset of its contents to subscribed users, or to a particular set of users; for example, a storage system  100  that is configured to vend alcoholic beverages may restrict sale of these beverages to subscribed users that have been verified to be the appropriate age. 
         [0035]    The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
         [0036]    Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.