SELECTION BUTTON FOR A VENDING MACHINE

Abstract: A selection button for a vending machine can have a three-dimensional shape which is suggestive of an item to be vended. Therefore, a consumer can be informed of the item to be vended upon activation of the button. Graphics can be included with this selection button to further suggest to the consumer the type of item to be vended.

Description: SELECTION BUTTON FOR A VENDING MACHINE The present invention relates to a selection button, a vending machine with a selection button and method utilizing the selection button which all involve a selection button having at least a three-dimensional shape suggestive of an item to be vended. Background of the Invention Conventionally, vending machines have selection buttons. Graphics indicating the item to be vended can be placed adjacent or directly on these selection buttons. The buttons themselves are usually either rectangular or circular but generally the only indication of what item is to be vended is with the graphics associated with the selection button. Therefore, a consumer • must stop and read the selections or at least review the associated graphics before selecting an item. In order to quickly convey the item to be vended to a consumer, a better selection button arrangement is needed. Such a selection button can increase the chance of an impulse purchase by a consumer. In particular, the consumer can quickly see what items are to be vended and can therefore readily select an item. Moreover, international travelers or those* people who do not speak a certain language may have some difficulty in operating standard vending machines in foreign countries. For example, an international traveler may recognize that a vending machine dispenses certain brands of beverages, but they might not know whether the beverages are in cans or bottles unless they are familiar with the language of text on a particular vending machine. Therefore, a need exists for a more universally recognizable arrangement for conveying information about a vending machine product. Field of the Invention It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide at least one selection button on the vending machine which quickly conveys information to the consumer about an item to be vended. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a selection button which has a three- dimensional shape suggestive of the item to be vended. This button can include graphics which make the selection button look like the item to be vended. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide means for informing the consumer of the item to be vended thereby avoiding possible consumer confusion, providing a visual message to the consumer of what is to be vended, aiding a consumer in making a rapid selection and encouraging impulse purchases. It is also an object of the present invention to provide universal information about an item to be vended which can be readily recognized throughout the world. These and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by a selection button for a vending machine, the selection button having a three-dimensional shape suggestive of an item to be vended. These and other objects of the present invention are also fulfilled by a vending machine comprising a vending machine housing, and at least one selection button on the vending machine housing, the at least one selection button including means for informing the consumer of an item to be vended upon activation of the button, the means for informing including a three-dimensional shape of the button which is suggestive of the item to be vended. Moreover, these and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by a method or informing the consumer of an item to be vended from a vending machine, the method comprising the steps of providing at least one selection button on the vending machine, providing the at least one selection button in a three-dimensional shape suggestive of an item to be vended from the vending machine, and displaying graphics on the at least one selection button which graphics simulate the item to be vended whereby the three-dimensional shape and the graphics on the at least one selection button simulate the item to be vended thereby visually informing a consumer of the item to be vended. Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the 'spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a vending machine with a plurality of selection buttons of the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the selection buttons of the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view of the selection button shown in Figure 2 with the graphics omitted for clarity; Figure 4 is a top view of the selection button of Figure 2; and Figure 5 is an example of a type of item to be vended from the vending machine. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring in detail to the drawings and with particular reference to Figure 1, a vending machine 10 is shown. While the vending machine 10 of the present invention has a contour or wave-like front face, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to many different shaped and sized vending machines. For example, conventional rectangular vending machine can utilize the principles of the present invention. In the vending machine 10 as shown in Figure 1, a plurality of selection buttons 12 are shown. While three rows and four columns of selection buttons and an additional selection button 12 ' are shown, the configuration and number of these selection buttons 12, 12' can be modified. Moreover, while the selection button 12 * is shown having a shape similar to the matrix of buttons 12, the additional selection button 12' can have a different shape from the buttons 12. The particular shape of the selection buttons 12 will be discussed in more detail below. Adjacent the additional selection button 12' is a bill validator 14 and a coin slot 16. Upon insertion of a bill into the validator 14 or coins into the slot 16, the vending machine 10 can be activated in order to permit discharge of an item from the vend port 18 upon selection of one of the buttons 12, 12'. This vending arrangement is well-known in the art. Control means 20 is generically shown in Figure 1. This control means 20 is responsive to a signal from the bill validator 14 or coin slot 16 indicating receipt of sufficient funds for dispensing of an article. Upon activation of one of the selection buttons 12, 12', the control means 20 will. cause release of the item from the vend port 18. This arrangement of the control means 20 is well known in the art as noted above. In addition, in the face of the vending machine 10, a video display 22 and coin return 24 are shown. The video display can be replaced by a light box with graphics as is conventionally used in a vending machine or with a coupon dispenser, video game or any other suitable arrangement. Moreover, the coin return 24 is shown as being 'located in the vend port 18. This enables the consumer to reach to one general location in order to remove both the selected vended item and any returned change. This arrangement is very convenient for a consumer and can speed the total transaction time because the consumer must not first retrieve change and then retrieve the selected item. Rather change and item retrieval can be done in one series of continuous steps. While the coin return 24 is shown in the vend port 18, this coin return 24 can be located in any other suitable position on the vending machine 10. In fact, the selection buttons 12, 12'; bill validator 14; coin select 16; vend port 18; video display 22 and coin return 24 can be moved about the face of the vending machine . Turning to Figure 2, one of the selection buttons 12 is shown in greater detail. This selection button 12 has an outer surface 26 which is engageable by the consumer. This outer surface 26 has a shape which is suggestive of an item to be vended. In particular, a beverage can 34 such as shown in Figure 5 is intended to be vended when selection buttons 12 are used. This can shown in Figure 5 looks similar to the selection button 12 ' and therefore, the button 12 suggests the item to be vended. The three- dimensional shape and associated graphics of the selection button 12 form a connection in a consumer's mind to the vended item. The outer surface 26 of the selection button 12 has two opposed sides 28 and 30 which are generally parallel. These opposed sides 28 and 30 form the top and bottom of the beverage can which the button 12 represents. The outer surface of the button further has a curved side 32 which has a semi-cylindrical shape. Rather than being a whole cylinder similar to can 34, this selection button 12 is contemplated as being only a portion, such as half of the cylinder which forms a typical beverage can. Figure 3 shows a side view of selection button 12 while Figure 4 shows a top view with one of the opposing sides 28 being visible. From these views in Figures 3 and 4, the semi-cylindrical shape of the selection button 12 can be seen. It is noted that the beverage can 46 shown in Figure 5 will typically have a tapered upper surface 38 and a pushed down tab 36, for example. The selection button 12 is not an exact replica of all these features of the beverage can 34. In other words, the tapering upper surface 38 and tab 36 are omitted from the simulation in button 12 as shown in Figure 2. Of course, these features could be included on button 12 is so desired. Nonetheless, the three-dimensional shape of the selection button 12 along with the associated graphics 40 sufficiently resemble the beverage can 36 to thereby be suggestive of the item to be vended from the vending machine 10. Therefore, the selection button 12 with at least its three-dimensional configuration acts as means for informing the consumer of the item to be vended upon activation of the button 12. Apart from the three-dimensional shape of the button 12, the graphics 40 also make a suggestion of the item to be vended. Figure 2 shows the trademark "Coca-Cola Classic"™, the Contour Bottle ™ as well as slogans from the beverage can 36. The graphics 40 shown in Figure 2 are not meant to be limited to the particular graphics used in the selection button. Rather, Figure 2 merely illustrates the degree to which the selection button 12 will resemble the can 36, the item to be vended. If so desired, additional graphics such as the product's size or any other additional slogans can be included on the selection button 12. Also, not only Coca-Cola Classic™, but Sprite ™, Diet Coke™ or other brands of items to be vended can be illustrated by the graphics 40 shown in Figure 2. While Figure 2 includes certain graphics, these graphics have been omitted from the selection buttons 12, 12' in Figures 1, 3 and 4 for clarity. It is contemplated that the selection buttons 12, 12' will include appropriate graphics for the items to be vended therefrom. Moreover, while a beverage can 34 is to be vended from machine 10, it is also possible to vend other types of items such a beverage in bottles. The three- dimensional shape and graphics associated with the selection buttons 12 would then be varied in order to match the item to be vended. The principles of the instant invention are therefore applicable to many different types of vending machines. In fact, these principles are applicable to vending machines which do not require coin activation, or which have their selection buttons arranged in any desired configuration on the machine. Moreover, with brand recognition, a consumer can select an item to be vended without the need for reading text on the vending machine. Thus, the principles of the present invention provide universal information about a product to be vended. As seen in Figure 2, the graphics 40 include both text and pictorial material. It is possible to include only pictorial material or text and it is contemplated that these graphics in association with the three- dimensional shape of the selection button 12 will provide means for informing a consumer of the item to be vended upon activation of the button 12. If bottles were to be vended from the vending machine 10, the selection button 12 or 12' could have the shape of the bottle. Of course, with the bottle shape, the associated graphics for the vended bottle can be included on the selection button similar to the graphics which are included when beverage cans 34 are vended. The present invention provides for a method for quickly informing the consumer of a item to be vended from the vending machine 10. The method further comprises the steps of providing at least one selection button 12 on the vending machine 10. Also, the at least one selection button is provided with the three-dimensional shape which is suggestive of a shape of an item to be vended such as the beverage can 34. Graphics 40 are displayed on the at least one selection button which graphics, simulate the item to be vended whereby the three-dimensional shape and the graphics 40 on the at least one selection button 12 simulate the item to be vended. A consumer is therefore visually informed of the item to be vended. Upon activation of the button 12, the selected item such as beverage can 34 is vended from machine 10 through port 18. "Coke", "Coca-Cola Classic"™, "Sprite"™, "Diet Coke"™, and the Contour Bottle™ are all • registered trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company. The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED: 1. A selection button for a vending machine, the selection button having a three-dimensional shape suggestive of an item to be vended. 2. The selection button as recited in claim 1, further including graphics on the button, the graphics simulating the item to be vended such that the button has an appearance of the item to be vended. 3. The selection button as recited in claim 2, wherein the selection button has an appearance of a beverage can. 4. The selection button as recited in claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the button is engageable by a consumer, the outer surface of the button having at least two opposed sides. 5. The selection button as recited in claim 4, wherein the outer surface of the button has the three- dimensional shape which is suggestive of the item to be vended. 6. The selection button as recited in claim 4, wherein the two opposed sides of the outer surface are generally parallel and wherein the outer surface of the button further comprises a curved side between the two opposed sides. 7. The selection button as recited in claim 6, wherein the curved side of the outer surface of the button is semi-cylindrical and wherein the curved side and two opposed sides comprise all of the outer surface of the button. 8. The selection button as recited in claim 7, further comprising graphics on the button, the graphics simulating the item to be vended such that the button has an appearance of the item to be vended. 9. The selection button as recited in claim 8, wherein the selection button has the appearance of a beverage can. 10. The selection button as recited in claim 8, wherein the graphics include both text and pictorial material. 11. A vending machine comprising: a vending machine; and at least one selection button on the vending machine having, the at lest one selection button including means for informing a consumer of an item to be vended upon activation of the button, the means for informing including a three-dimensional shape of the button which is suggestive of the item to be vended. 12. The vending machine as recited in- claim 11, wherein the means for informing further comprises graphics on the at least one button, the graphics simulating the item to be vended such that the at least one button has an appearance of the item to be vended. 13. The vending machine as recited in claim 11, wherein an outer surface of the at least one button is engageable by a consumer, the outer surface of the at least one button having two opposed sides and a curved side between the two opposed sides. 14. The vending machine as recited in claim 13, wherein the curved side of the outer surface of the at least one button is semi-cylindrical and wherein the two opposed sides and the curved side comprise all of the outer surface of the at least one button. 15. The vending machine as recited in claim 14, further comprising graphics on the at least one button, the selection button having an appearance of a beverage can. 16. The vending machine as recited in claim 11, wherein a plurality of selection buttons are provided on the vending machine housing with means for informing a consumer of an item to be vended and further comprising a port on the vending machine housing for release of the item to be vended. 17. The vending machine as recited in. claim 16, wherein all of the selection buttons on the vending machine housing have means for informing the consumer with all of the selection buttons having a shape of the item to be vended. 18. A method for informing a consumer of an item to be vended from a vending machine, the method comprising the steps of: providing the at least one selection button in a three-dimensional shape suggestive of a shape of an item to be vended from the vending machine; and displaying graphics on the at lest one selection button which graphics simulate the item to be vended whereby the three-dimensional shape and the graphics on the at least one selection button simulate the item to be vended thereby visually informing a consumer of the item to be vended. 19. The method for informing a consumer as recited in claim 18, further comprising the step of vending a beverage container from the vending machine upon activation of the at least one selection button, the three-dimensional shape and graphics of the at least one button being suggestive of and simulating the beverage container. 20. The method for informing a consumer as recited in claim 19, further comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of selection buttons with a majority of the selection buttons having 'the three dimensional shape and graphics suggestive of and simulating the beverage container; storing a plurality of different brands of beverage containers in the vending machine; and vending different brands of beverage containers from the vending machine upon activation of different selection buttons, the different selection buttons each having a different three-dimensional shape or graphics such that each of the different buttons suggests and simulates a different brand of beverage. 21. The method for informing a consumer as recited in claim 19, wherein the beverage container suggested and simulated by the at least one selection button is a beverage can.

Inventors: BURDETTE CRYSTAL GAYE, SAUNDERS WILLIAM JAMES, BURDETTE, CRYSTAL, GAYE, SAUNDERS, WILLIAM, JAMES
Applicants: COCA COLA CO, THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G07F9
IPC codes: G07F9