Abstract:
A refillable vend module includes at least one canister configured to contain an ingredient for a beverage, and a connecting mechanism configured to slidably connect to any one of a plurality of modular vend spaces in a vending machine. In some embodiments, the at least one canister comprises a poka-yoke refill connection configured to couple an ingredient cartridge to the canister, where the poka-yoke refill connection matches a type of the canister to a type of the ingredient cartridge. A vending machine includes a plurality of modular vend spaces and a plurality of refillable vend modules.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/362,798, filed Jul. 9, 2010, entitled “MODULAR VENDING MACHINE AND CARTRIDGE SYSTEM”, which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure is directed, in general, to vending machines, and more specifically, to a modular vending machine and a modular canister cartridge system for use in the modular vending machine. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Merchandising systems or “vending machines” have long been used to sell products. For example, vending machines are often used to sell beverages and snacks in schools, workplaces, and cafeterias. Vending machines that sell beverages may dispense beverages in pre-packaged containers (e.g., bottles or cans of soda) or may dispense unpackaged beverages into an open container (e.g., coffee into a cup). Some vending machines may be capable of dispensing both pre-packaged and unpackaged beverages. Vending machines that sell unpackaged beverages typically contain ingredients that are mixed with liquid from another source to produce the vended beverages. 
         [0004]    Conventional vending machines are typically pre-configured at the time of sale or manufacture to dispense only certain types of beverages. To accommodate new sales trends or new product lines, such vending machines have to be substantially reconfigured, requiring significant man-power, tools, and machine downtime. 
         [0005]    Thus, there is a need in the art for a highly-configurable, modular vending machine. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a refillable vend module includes at least one canister configured to contain an ingredient for a beverage. The refillable vend module also includes a connecting mechanism configured to slidably connect to any one of a plurality of modular vend spaces in a vending machine. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a vending machine includes a plurality of modular vend spaces, and a plurality of refillable vend modules. Each vend module includes at least one canister configured to contain an ingredient for a beverage, and a connecting mechanism configured to slidably connect to any of the modular vend spaces. 
         [0008]    In still another embodiment, a method of operating a vending machine includes connecting a plurality of refillable vend modules to a plurality of modular vend spaces in the vending machine by slidably connecting a connecting mechanism of each vend module to any one of the modular vend spaces. Each vend module includes at least one canister configured to contain an ingredient for a beverage. 
         [0009]    Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates three views of a beverage vending machine suitable for dispensing hot and cold beverages, according to an embodiment of this disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram and a second drawing of a vending machine according to an embodiment of this disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates three configurations of a vend module according to an embodiment of this disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates views of a vend module from two different angles, according to an embodiment of this disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5A through 5C  illustrate a modular canister fill system for a vend module, according to an embodiment of this disclosure; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates two views of a dispense head module according to an embodiment of this disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIGS. 1 through 6 , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged vending machine. 
         [0018]    The invention will now be described with respect to various embodiments. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding of, and enabling description for, these embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the invention. 
         [0019]    This disclosure describes a modular vending machine and a modular canister cartridge system for use in the vending machine. The modular canister cartridge system and associated modular vending machine according to this disclosure solve many of the problems found in conventional canisters and vending machines. A disclosed canister cartridge features a quick fill system that greatly simplifies refilling, and may reduce filling time by 40%-50%. In certain embodiments, a Kanban management system may be used for refilling the cartridge. 
         [0020]    The disclosed vending machine and canister cartridge represent a true plug-and-play system, made of simple building blocks, and easily configurable. The vending machine automatically recognizes each module, every product in each module, and all recipes associated with each module. Additional programming is typically not needed. 
         [0021]    On-site maintenance of the disclosed vending machine may be eliminated or reduced to a minimum. Because the modules are interchangeable, few or no tools are required to install. Likewise, spare parts are reduced to a minimum. 
         [0022]    Other features of the disclosed vending machine and cartridge include:
       Stand-by power consumption substantially equal to zero Kw/h due to a flash heater with electricity accumulator   Self diagnostic characteristics   Product delivery via an ingredient cartridge system       
 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates three views from different angles of a beverage vending machine suitable for dispensing hot and cold beverages, according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The embodiment of vending machine  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is for illustration only. Other embodiments of vending machine  100  could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0027]    Vending machine  100  includes one or more canister cartridges  110  (also referred to as vend modules), guide rails  120 , a manifold inlet  130 , and a dispense head module  140 . Guide rails  120  are disposed on a slide-in-place modular rack on a rear panel of the cabinet. Each vend module  110  is configured to securely engage with guide rails  120 . For example, during installation or maintenance, slots or grooves on vend module  110  are aligned with associated guide rails  120  and pushed into position until a release catch associated with either vend module  110  or guide rails  120  “clicks” or engages into a secured position in the modular rack. In other embodiments, guide rails  120  and the slots that the rails engage with could be reversed. In other words, the guide rails  120  could be disposed on the sides of vend module  110  (instead of vending machine  100 ) and the associated slots could be disposed on vending machine  100  (instead of vend module  110 ). In still other embodiments, other slidably engaging connecting mechanisms could be used in place of guide rails  120  and slots. 
         [0028]    Dispense head module  140  is configured to dispense contents from vend modules  110  to a user or customer of vending machine  100 . In some embodiments, dispense head module  140  is installed in a box, niche, or compartment in vending machine  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In such embodiments, a release lever, as found on certain types of mixer modules, or a similar connection system, allows the whole dispense head module  140  to be removed from vending machine  100 . Manifold inlet  130  is a one-piece manifold that links an inlet of each vend module  110  to one or more mixers, a boiler or hot water source, and any other suitable components. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram and a second drawing of vending machine  100 , according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The embodiment of vending machine  100  shown in  FIG. 2  is for illustration only. Other embodiments of vending machine  100  could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0030]    As shown in the block diagram, vending machine  100  further includes a boiler module  150 , a polysulfone (PSU) module  160 , and a cold unit module  170 . The drawing in  FIG. 2  illustrates four vend modules  110  installed in vending machine  100  with an empty space  115  available for a fifth vend module. It will be understood that a vending machine with space for five vend modules is just one example. Other vending machines according to this disclosure may support more or fewer vend modules. 
         [0031]    Although  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict examples of a vending machine  100 , various changes may be made to vending machine  100 . For example, in some embodiments, vending machine  100  may include more or fewer vend modules  110  and may include more than one dispense head module  140  for different types of beverages. As another example, other components of vending machine  100  (e.g., manifold inlet  130 , boiler module  150 , cold unit module  170 , etc.) may be combined, separated, added, removed, or arranged in different configurations. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates three configurations of vend module  110  according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The embodiments of vend module  110  shown in  FIG. 3  are for illustration only. Other embodiments of vend module  110  could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Also, for ease of explanation, the embodiments of vend module  110  are described with respect to vending machine  100  of  FIG. 1 . However, embodiments of vend module  110  could be used with any other suitable vending machine. 
         [0033]    Vend module  110   a  is an instant double-canister module that includes two canisters  112   a ,  114   a  and two mixers  116   a ,  118   a . Each mixer  116   a ,  118   a  is associated with one canister  112   a ,  114   a  and serves to mix contents from the canister  112   a ,  114   a  with hot or cold liquid. Vend module  110   a  can be used for dispensing two different products, such as two instant coffee flavors. 
         [0034]    Vend module  110   b  is an instant double-canister-to-one module that includes a single mixer  116   b  with twin canisters  112   b ,  114   b , each canister containing a different product. Vend module  110   b  may be used for dispensing a mixed product, such as an instant mocha coffee beverage. For an instant mocha coffee beverage, mixer  116   b  receives coffee from one canister (e.g., canister  112   b ) and chocolate from the other canister (e.g., canister  114   b ) and mixes the coffee and chocolate with a hot or cold liquid to create the mocha coffee beverage. 
         [0035]    Vend module  110   c  includes one or two canisters  112   c ,  114   c  and a brewer  119  for producing fresh brewed (instead of instant) products, such as fresh brewed coffee or tea. Canisters  112   c ,  114   c  may contain dry ingredients for brewing, such as coffee grounds or ground tea leaves. Brewer  119  receives the dry ingredients from one or both canisters  112   c ,  114   c  and brews the brewed product, e.g., by filtering hot liquid through the dry ingredients. 
         [0036]    Although each of the three vend modules  110   a - 110   c  has different components, each module is configured to be interchangeable on a standard footprint. Thus, any of the three vend modules  110   a - 110   c  could be installed in any empty module space in vending machine  100 . For example, in one configuration, vending machine  100  could include two instant double-canister modules (i.e., vend module  110   a ), two instant double-canister-to-one modules (i.e., vend module  110   b ), and one brewer module (i.e., vend module  110   c ). In another embodiment, vending machine  100  could include four instant double-canister modules, one instant double-canister-to-one modules, and no brewer module. Changes can be readily made by removing one module and installing another module. In one embodiment of vending machine  100 , up to ten vend modules  110  may be fitted into the cabinet. 
         [0037]    Although  FIG. 3  depicts three configurations  110   a - 110   c  of a vend module  110 , various changes may be made to vend module  110 . For example, in some embodiments, vend module  110  may include a single canister module, a larger single canister that occupies two or more module spaces, a bean-to-cup (B2C) module, a boiler module, a dispense head module, a power supply module, a cold unit module, and any other suitable module. A B2C module includes a grinder to grind fresh coffee beans; the coffee is then brewed immediately after grinding. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  illustrates views of a vend module  110  from two different angles, according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The embodiments of vend module  110  shown in  FIG. 4  are for illustration only. Other embodiments of vend module  110  could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0039]    On its reverse side, vend module  110  includes electrical connection  410  and water connection  420 . Electrical connection  410  is a male connector configured to provide power to a vend motor or other electrical device in vend module  110 . Water connection  420  includes two push fit inlets. The inlets are equally spaced on each module  110  to allow any combination of mixers and any arrangement of vend modules  110  in vending machine  100 . In certain embodiments, water connection  420  fits into manifold inlet  130 , which contains all water channels. Both electrical connection  410  and water connection  420  are self-engaging connections. 
         [0040]    On its obverse side, vend module  110  includes grab handle  430 . Grab handle  430  can be lowered or otherwise actuated to allow for easy removal of vend module  110  from vending machine  100 . Grab handle  430  may also provide support for vend module  110  when the entire module is removed. Vend module  110  also includes release lever  440 . 
         [0041]    In certain embodiments, vend module  110  includes one or more RFID (radio frequency identification) tags that are readable by a RF reader in, or associated with, vending machine  100 . The RFID tag provides information about vend module  110 , such as the quantity and type of contents of vend module  110 . Thus, RFID integration between vending machine  100  and vend module  110  may be used, for example, to ensure that vend module  110  is installed in a correct module space in vending machine  100  in order to dispense a correct product based on a customer selection. In addition, RFID communication between vending machine  100  and vend module  110  may provide information to an operator when vend module  110  is almost empty. Likewise, product counters in vend module  110  or vending machine  100  may be used to track dispensed products, thus providing an additional or alternative way to track inventory of vend module  110 . 
         [0042]    As explained previously, vend module  110  and vending machine  100  together provide a plug-and-play system that is easier to configure that conventional vending machines. As each vend module  110  is installed in vending machine  100 , a controller in, or associated with, vending machine  100  reads data or software from a memory in vend module  110 . The data or software includes information related to products, recipes, or temperature for vend module  110 . 
         [0043]    Although  FIG. 4  depicts one example of vend module  110 , various changes may be made to  FIG. 4 . For example, in some embodiments, any or all of electrical connection  410 , water connection  420 , grab handle  430 , and release lever  440  may be removed, changed, or arranged in other configurations. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 5A through 5C  illustrate a modular canister fill system for vend module  110 , according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The embodiments of the modular canister fill system shown in  FIGS. 5A through 5C  are for illustration only. Other embodiments of a modular canister fill system could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 5A , an ingredient cartridge  500  is fitted on top of the canister of vend module  110 . Ingredient cartridge  500  is configured to refill vend module  110  when vend module  110  is empty or nearly empty. Ingredient cartridge  500  and vend module  110  include a poka-yoke connection  510  that is configured for easy coupling and de-coupling of ingredient cartridge  500  with vend module  110 . A unique rail design or shape on poka-yoke connection  510  is associated with each type of ingredient cartridge  500 . For example, one rail shape may be associated with instant coffee. Another rail shape may be associated with fresh brewed coffee. In one embodiment, it is not possible to install an ingredient cartridge having one rail shape on a vend module with a different rail shape. Thus, the unique rail designs help to ensure that the correct type of ingredient cartridge  500  is installed on vend module  110 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 5B and 5C  illustrate an installation of ingredient cartridge  500  onto vend module  110 . Ingredient cartridge  500  engages with canister rails  510  and slides into place, as shown in  FIG. 5B . As it slides, a cartridge door  520  is opened and a product is fed into the canister of vend module  110 , as shown in  FIG. 5C . When ingredient cartridge  500  is installed on vend module  110 , the cartridge door  520  and product delivery passage are not exposed to the surrounding environment. The closed nature of this system helps to prevent dust or other foreign matter from getting in and contaminating vend module  110  and vending machine  100 . 
         [0047]    It is noted that: the embodiment of vend module  110  depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5C  may appear different than the embodiments of vend module  110  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . However, it will be understood that vend module  110  depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5C  may represent embodiments of vend module  110  in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
         [0048]    Although  FIGS. 5A through 5C  depicts one example of a modular canister fill system, various changes may be made to  FIGS. 5A through 5C . For example, in some embodiments, poka-yoke connection  510  may include slots, notches, grooves, or other design elements configured to create unique rail shapes for each type of ingredient cartridge  500 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  illustrates two views of dispense head module  140  according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The embodiment of dispense head module  140  shown in  FIG. 6  is for illustration only. Other embodiments of dispense head module  140  could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Also, for ease of explanation, the embodiment of dispense head module  140  is described with respect to vending machine  100  of  FIG. 1 . However, embodiments of dispense head module  140  could be used with any other suitable vending machine. 
         [0050]    Dispense head module  140  is a quick release dispense head. Dispense head module  140  includes levers attached to its frame. To remove dispense head module  140  from an installed position in vending machine  100 , an operator simply squeezes the levers and pulls module  140  away from vending machine  100 . To install dispense head module  140 , the operator simply pushes the module into place until the levers “click” or engage into a secured position. 
         [0051]    Although  FIG. 6  depicts one example of dispense head module  140 , various changes may be made to  FIG. 6 . For example, in some embodiments, dispense head module  140  may include buttons, tabs, or other structures instead of, or in addition to, levers. 
         [0052]    In accordance with the embodiments described above, this disclosure features an easily configurable vending machine and vend module. The vending machine automatically recognizes each module, every product in each module, and all recipes associated with each module. This allows the vending machine operator to quickly and easily adapt the vending machine to react to sales trends, suit local preferences, and offer or promote new products. 
         [0053]    Although the figures above illustrate specific systems, structures, and methods, various changes may be made to the figures. For example, various components in the systems and structures can be combined, omitted, further subdivided, or moved according to particular needs. In some embodiments, various functions described above are implemented or supported by a computer program that is formed from computer readable program code and that is embodied in a computer readable medium. The phrase “computer readable program code” includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes any type of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of memory. 
         [0054]    It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
         [0055]    While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.