Patent Publication Number: US-2023135405-A1

Title: Vending machine system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/AU2021/050378, filed on Apr. 27, 2021, which claims the benefit of priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2020901325, filed on Apr. 27, 2020. The entirety of each of these applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a vending machine system, a bin assembly, an array of bin assemblies and a vending machine. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A popular way to make your own bubbly drinks at home is by way of a sparkling water maker, such as the one made by SodaStream™. The sparkling water makers typically come with:
     (a) sparkling drink maker housing;   (b) a plastic carbonating bottle; and   (c) a C0 2  cylinder.   

     Usage of the sparkling water maker depletes the CO 2  in the cylinder and, as such, the cylinder will need to be replaced from time to time. 
     The cylinders are currently swapped in one of the following ways:
     1. Swap Your Cylinder On Shelf In-Store 
   a. Customer goes to a store, such as Big W™, where the empty cylinder can be swapped;   b. Customer grabs off the shelf a full cylinder in box;   c. Customer take the new cylinder to the checkout;   d. The cashier scans the bar code of the new cylinder and the cash register displays the full cylinder price;   e. The cashier scans the empty cylinder and the cash register displays: 
   i. the exchange price reduction; and   ii. the exchange price; and   
   g. The customer then pays the exchange price and takes the full cylinder home.   
   2. Swap Your Cylinder at the Counter   

     Take your empty SodaStream™ cylinder to the counter at your local Target™, Myer™, Kmart™, or David Jones™ to swap for a full one, with a customer assistant. 
     a. Customer goes to store, such as Kmart™, with an empty cylinder;   b. Customer requests the store attendant to exchange an empty cylinder for a full one;   c. Store attendant takes customer’s empty cylinder;   d. Store attendant gets a full cylinder from behind the counter and scans the barcode;   e. The cash register displays the exchange price; and   f. The customer then pays the exchange price and takes the full cylinder home.   

     It may not be convenient for the customer to travel all the way to a store to swap the cylinder in the manner set out in items 1 and 2 above. This may particularly be the case when the weather is inclement and/or travel is restricted. 
     Further, the above described system relies on the cashier, and ultimately the store owner, collecting the empty cylinders and contacting the sparkling water maker for collection and refilling. A difficulty here is that the sparkling water maker does not know, at any given point in time, how many empty cylinders are being collected by the stores that they supply. Further again, how human error may lead to cylinders not being collected in total by the store. They tend to go missing. 
     In an attempt to address some of the above issues, the replacement process has been localised at some petrol stations, such as those including a Coles Express™ Store. The improved process includes the steps of:
     a. Customer goes to petrol station stocking the replacement cylinders with an empty cylinder;   b. Cashier scans the bar code of the empty cylinder or a pre-printed bar code;   c. The cash register displays the exchange price;   d. The customer then pays the exchange price;   e. The customer is given a key to the cage of replacement cylinders;   f. Customer unlocks the cage and replaces the empty cylinder with a full one; and   g. The customer returns the key to the cashier and takes the full cylinder home.   

     Being able to sway a cylinder at a local petrol station may be more convenient than travelling to a large store. However, the above described process is time consuming and relies on a large number of mechanical human step, including the locking and unlocking of cages. Issues can arise with theft, for example, where the customer does not lock the cage properly. Also, the lack of security with the cage lends itself to the customer taking more than one cylinder without paying. 
     Also, as per processes 1 and 2, the petrol station process still relies on the cashier, and ultimately the store owner, collecting the empty cylinders and contacting the sparkling water maker for collection and refilling. Again the difficulty here is that the sparkling water maker does not know, at any given point in time, how many empty cylinders are being collected by the stores that they supply. Further again, how human error may lead to cylinders not being collected in total by the store. They tend to go missing. 
     It is generally desirable to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above described difficulties, or to at least provide a useful alternative. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the invention, there is provided a vending machine system for exchanging CO 2  gas cylinders, the system including a controller in communication with a user interface, a payment system and an array of bin assemblies, wherein each one of the bin assemblies is shaped to at least partially receive an end of a CO 2  gas cylinder and includes a locking system for releasably securing therein a CO 2  gas cylinder, said system for performing the steps of:
     (a) receiving user input through the user interface; and   (b) if the user input represents a desire to exchange a CO 2  gas cylinder, then the system performs the steps of: 
   (i) receiving payment from the user through the payment system for a replacement CO 2  gas cylinder;   (ii) receiving a CO 2  gas cylinder in a first one of said bin assemblies; and   (iii) the locking system releasing a full CO 2  gas cylinder located in a second one of said bin assemblies for collection by the user.   
   

     Preferably, step (ii) is performed by the system before step (i). Step (a) of receiving user input is preferably the same as the step (ii) of receiving a CO 2  gas cylinder. 
     Preferably, each one of the bin assemblies includes an authentication system for confirming that an item received therein is a legitimate CO 2  gas cylinder, said the system for performing the step of confirming through the authentication system that the item received in step (ii) is a legitimate CO 2  gas cylinder. 
     Preferably, if said user input represents a desire to purchase a full CO 2  gas cylinder without replacement, then the system performs the steps of:
     (a) receiving payment from the user through the payment system for a full CO 2  gas cylinder without replacement; and   (b) the locking system releasing a full CO 2  gas cylinder located in a third one of said bin assemblies for collection by the user.   

     In accordance with the invention, there is also provided a vending machine system for purchasing a CO 2  gas cylinder, the system including a controller in communication with:
     (a) a user interface;   (b) a payment system; and   (c) an array of bin assemblies, wherein each one of bin assemblies is shaped to at least partially receive an end of a CO 2  gas cylinder and includes a locking system for releasably securing therein a CO 2  gas cylinder,   
said system for performing the steps of: 
   (a) receiving user input through the user interface; and   (b) if the user input represents a desire to purchase a CO 2  gas cylinder, then the system performs the steps of: 
   (i) receiving payment from the user through the payment system for a CO 2  gas cylinder; and   (ii) the locking system releasing a CO 2  gas cylinder located in a one of said bin assemblies for collection by the user.   
   

     In accordance with the invention, there is also provided a vending machine system for receiving spent CO 2  gas cylinders, the system including a controller in communication with:
     (a) a user interface;   (b) a payment system; and   (c) an array of bin assemblies, wherein each one of bin assemblies is shaped to at least partially receive an end of a CO 2  gas cylinder and includes a locking system for releasably securing therein a CO 2  gas cylinder,   
said system for performing the steps of: 
   (a) receiving user input through the user interface; and   (b) if the user input represents a desire to return a CO 2  gas cylinder, then the system performs the steps of: 
   (i) receiving an item in one of said bin assemblies;   (ii) the locking system locking the CO 2  gas cylinder in said one of said bin assemblies;   (iii) issuing a credit to the user through the payment for return of CO 2  gas cylinder without replacement.   
   

     Preferably, step (a) of receiving user input is the same as the step (i) of receiving a CO 2  gas cylinder. 
     Preferably, each bin assembly in the array includes a tubular chassis shaped to receive and seat therein a CO 2  gas cylinder. The locking system of each bin assembly in the array includes a sled that engages the CO 2  gas cylinder as it is inserted in to the tubular chassis and translates with respect to the tubular chassis towards a locked position. 
     In accordance with the invention, there is also provided a bin assembly for an array of bin assemblies of a CO 2  gas cylinder vending machine system, wherein the bin assembly is shaped to at least partially receive an end of a CO 2  gas cylinder and includes a locking system for releasably securing therein a CO 2  gas cylinder. 
     Preferably, the bin assembly includes an authentication system for confirming that an item received therein is a legitimate CO 2  gas cylinder. The bin assembly includes a tubular chassis shaped to receive and seat therein a CO 2  gas cylinder. The locking system includes a sled that engages the CO 2  gas cylinder as it is inserted in to the tubular chassis and translates with respect to the tubular chassis towards a locked position. 
     In accordance with the invention, there is also provided an array of the above-described bin assemblies. 
     In accordance with the invention, there is also provided a vending machine, including the above described system. 
     The vending machine system can be installed in any convenient location with 24 hour access. Customers (also referred to as “users”) can use the vending machine system to swap an empty CO 2  gas cylinder for a full CO 2  gas cylinder. 
     Being able to sway a cylinder at a local vending machine of the above described type is more convenient than travelling to a large store. Furthermore, exchanging CO 2  gas cylinder using the above described vending machine minimises reliance on human steps for locking and unlocking of cages. The vending machine makes theft of CO 2  gas cylinders more difficult. 
     Further, the vending machine securely collects and safely stores returned CO2 gas cylinders. As such, accurate stock of cylinders is maintained by the vending machine. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the invention are hereafter described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram of a vending machine system; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a CO2 cylinder and a vending machine that embodies the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a flow diagram showing steps performed by the system shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIGS.  4   a  and  4   b    are perspective views of clusters of bin assemblies in different conditions of use; 
         FIGS.  5   a  and  5   b    are perspective views of a bin assembly in different conditions of use; 
         FIG.  6    is a section view of the bin assembly shown in  FIG.  5   b    through the line A-A; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of a sled of the bin assembly shown in  FIG.  5   b     
         FIG.  8   a    is a side view of the bin assembly shown in  FIG.  5   b    with a CO2 gas cylinder partly inserted therein; 
         FIG.  8   b    is a section view of the bin assembly shown in  FIG.  5   b    with a CO2 gas cylinder partially inserted therein through the line A-A; 
         FIGS.  9   a  to  9   c    are partly transparent side views of the bin assembly shown in  FIG.  5   b    in different conditions of use; 
         FIG.  10    is an enlarged view of the bin assembly shown in  FIG.  8   b    in another condition of use; 
         FIG.  11    is an enlarged end perspective view of the bin assembly shown in  FIG.  5   a   ; 
         FIGS.  12   a  to  12   c    are section views through the line A-A of the bin assembly shown in  FIG.  5   a    in different conditions of use; 
         FIG.  13    is a section views through the line A-A of the bin assembly shown in  FIG.  5   b    in different conditions of use; and 
         FIGS.  14   a  &amp;  14   b    are enlarged end perspective views of an alternative bin assembly in different conditions of use; 
         FIG.  15    is a schematic diagram showing component parts of the system shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The vending machine system  10  shown in  FIG.  1    is used for exchanging CO 2  gas cylinders  12 . The system  10  is advantageously embodied as a standalone vending machine  14  as shown in  FIG.  2    for swapping and buying new CO 2  cylinders. Alternatively, the components of the system  10  can be distributed over different locations and are in communication on standard communication networks using standard communication protocols. 
     The vending machine  14  can be installed in any convenient location with 24 hour access, for example. Customers (also referred to as “users”) can use the vending machine  14  to swap an empty CO 2  gas cylinder  12  for a full CO 2  gas cylinder. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the system  10  includes a controller  16  in communication with a user interface  18 , a payment system  20  and an array  22  of bin assemblies. Each one of the bin assemblies  24  is shaped to at least partially receive an end  26  of a CO 2  gas cylinder  12  and includes a locking system  28  for releasably securing therein a CO 2  gas cylinder  12 . 
     Advantageously, the system  10  also includes an authentication system  30  for confirming that an item received therein is a legitimate CO 2  gas cylinder  12 . 
     The system  10  performs the process  100  shown in  FIG.  3   , including the step of receiving, at step  102 , user input through the user interface  18 . If, at step  104 , the user input represents a desire to exchange a CO 2  gas cylinder, then the system  100  performs the steps of: 
     (a) receiving, at step  106 , payment from the user through the payment system  20  for a replacement CO 2  gas cylinder  12 ;   (b) receiving, at step  108 , an item in a first one of the bin assemblies  24 ;   (c) confirming, at step  110 , through the authentication system  30  that the item is a legitimate CO 2  gas cylinder; and   (d) the locking system  28  releasing, at step  112 , a full CO 2  gas cylinder  12  located in a second one of the bin assemblies  24  for collection by the user.   

     Advantageously, steps  106  and  108  can be performed in any order. For example, the step  106  of receiving payment can occur after the step  108  of receiving the item. In this embodiment, the step  102  of receiving user input could advantageously be equivalent to the step  108  of receiving an item. To this end, a customer could initiate an exchange by simply inserting a spent CO 2  gas cylinder into an empty bin assembly  24 . 
     The user interface  18  shown in  FIG.  2    includes a “Swap” function button  25  that is used to represent a desire to exchange a CO 2  gas cylinder  12 . 
     The user can perform this function by simply inserting the expired CO 2  cylinder  12  into an empty bin assembly  24  in the array  22 , making a selection through the user interface  18  and making a payment through the payment system  20 . The process is efficient and convenient with minimal human interaction. No issues arise with theft. 
     Further, the returned empty CO 2  gas cylinders  12  are securely stored in the machine  14 . As such, there are no issues with the cylinders  12  not being collected properly by cashiers and cylinders  12  going missing. 
     In order to release a CO 2  gas cylinder  12 , the controller  16  electronically triggers the locking system  28  on an appropriate bin assembly  24  to open. In response to this request, the locking system  28  releases the cylinder  12  to the user. 
     The step,  112 , of releasing the CO 2  gas cylinder  12  preferably includes the step of identifying a suitable cylinder  12  to release. Advantageously, the locking system  28  releases a full CO 2  gas cylinder  12  from a bin  24  in the array  22  that is closest to the bin  24  where the empty CO 2  gas cylinder  12  was returned. 
     The system  10  preferably illuminates an LED ring on the empty bin assembly  24  selected to receive the empty CO 2  gas cylinder  12  from the user. 
     If, at step  114 , the user input received represents a desire to purchase a full CO 2  gas cylinder  12  without replacement, then the system  10  performs the steps of:
     (a) receiving, at step  116 , payment from the user through the payment system  20  for a full CO2 gas cylinder  12  without replacement; and   (b) the locking system  28  releasing, at step  118 , a full CO 2  gas cylinder  12  located in one of the bin assemblies  24  for collection by the user.   

     The user interface  18  shown in  FIG.  2    includes a “New” function button  31  that is used to represent a desire to purchase a full CO 2  gas cylinder  12  without replacement. 
     The step  118  of releasing the CO 2  gas cylinder  12  preferably further includes the steps of:
     (a) engaging a height measurement system to measure a height of the user; and   (b) the locking system  28  identifying a bin assembly  24  with a full CO 2  gas cylinder  12  that is closest to the height of the user.   

     In doing so, the system  10  releases a cylinder  12  in a bin assembly  24  that relates to the height of the user:
     short person / disabled person, lower bin assembly  24  selected   tall person, higher bin assembly  24  selected.   

     If, at step  120 , the user input represents a desire to return an empty CO 2  gas cylinder  12  without replacement, then the system  10  performs the steps of:
     (a) receiving, at step  122 , an item in one of the bin assemblies  24 ;   (b) confirming, at step  124 , through the authentication system  30  that the item is a legitimate CO 2  gas cylinder  12 ;   (c) the locking system locking, at step  126 , the cylinder  12  in the bin assemblies  24 ;   (d) issuing, at step  128 , a credit to the user through the payment system  20  for return of CO 2  gas cylinder  12  without replacement.   

     The system  10  preferably illuminates an LED ring on the empty bin assembly  24  selected to receive the empty CO 2  gas cylinder  12  from the user. 
     Advantageously, the system  10  performs the additional steps of asking the user if they want a receipt of the transaction through the user interface  18 . The transaction being the conclusion of the exchange of a CO 2  gas cylinder  12 , the purchase of a new CO 2  gas cylinder or the return of a CO 2  gas cylinder. This may be done by generating indicia on a display, for example. On receipt of confirmation from the user through the interface  18 , the system  10  generates a receipt for the transaction. The system  10  then performs the step of providing the receipt to the user. This is done by printing a physical copy of the receipt for the user through the user interface  18 . Alternatively, the receipt is provided by e-mail to the user, where the user enters his or her e-mail address through the user interface  18 . 
     Bin Assembly  24   
     As shown in  FIGS.  4   a  and  4   b   , the bin assemblies  24  have a modular structure that allows for easy connection and removal of individual bin assemblies  24  from the array  22 . Individual bin assemblies  24  can be joined together in an array  22  of any size. Each individual bin assembly  24  can be slid out of the array  22  and replaced or serviced as needed. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  5   a  to  8   b   , each bin assembly  24  in the array  22  includes a tubular chassis  32  with an open end  42  that is shaped to receive and seat therein a CO 2  gas cylinder  12 . As shown, the tubular chassis  32  is formed in two parts which facilitates easy assembly. Alternatively, the tubular chassis  32  could be any other shape capable of receiving, and securing therein, an end section of a CO 2  gas cylinder  12 . 
     As particularly shown in  FIG.  7   , the locking system  28  of each bin assembly  24  in the array  22  includes a sled  34  that engages the CO 2  gas cylinder  12  as it is inserted in to the tubular chassis  32 . The sled  34  is adapted to translate with respect to the tubular chassis  32  towards a locked position in the manner shown in  FIGS.  9   a  to  9   c   . The sled  34  is in the locked position when the cylinder  12  is fully inserted into the chassis  32 , as shown in  FIG.  9   c   . 
     The locking system  28  of each bin assembly  24  also includes a rotary latch  36  that is engaged by the sled  34  as it translates towards the locked position. A latching arm  38  secures the sled  34  in the locked position. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  9   a  to  9   c   , translation of the sled  34  towards the locked position pulls a locking bar  40  at least partially over the open end  42  of the tubular chassis  32  so as to secure the CO 2  gas cylinder  12  therein. 
     The locking system  28  also includes a tension spring  44  that resiliently urges the sled  34  away from the locked position. The tension spring  44  acts to drive the sled  34  towards the open end  42  of the chassis  32  when the locking system  28  releases the CO 2  gas cylinder  12 . This facilitates easy removal of the CO 2  gas cylinder  12  from the vending machine  14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the sled includes:
     (a) two parallel long linkage members  46   a ,  46   b  separated at a common end by a latching bar  48 , the long linkage members extending along opposed sides of the tubular chassis  32 ;   (b) two parallel short linkage members  50   a ,  50   b  pivotally secured at a common end to respective other ends of the of the long linkage members  46   a ,  46   b ;   (c) a locking bar  40  coupled between other ends of the short linkage members  50   a ,  50   b ; and   (d) a collar  54  shaped to receive a necked section  56  of a CO 2  gas cylinder  12  when inserted into the tubular chassis  32 .   

     The collar  54  includes pair of pins  58   a ,  58   b  that extend in opposite directions into respective slots  60   a ,  60   b  of the long linkage members  46   a ,  46   b . The collar  54  is adapted to translate with respect to the long linkage members  46   a ,  46   b  along the length of the slots  60   a ,  60   b . 
     When a CO 2  gas cylinder  12  is inserted into the tubular chassis  32 , the necked section  56  of the cylinder  12  engages the collar  54  and the collar  54  is subsequently urged to translate along the slots  60   a ,  60   b  towards the latching bar  48  on the sled  34 . Further, when the pins  58   a ,  58   b  of the collar  54  abut terminal end sections  62  of the slots  60   a , 60   b , the cylinder  12  drives the sled  34  another 20 mm, for example, towards the rotary latch  36 , and the latching bar  48  engages an actuator arm  64  of the rotary latch  36  and urges it towards a locked position. 
     The double action of latching and locking of the locking system  28  secures the CO 2  gas cylinder  12  in the vending machine  14 . Although the locking system  28  has been above described in terms of the sled  34  translating through the chassis  32  and latching to the rotary latch  36  and pulling down of the locking bar  40 , other methods for releasably securing the CO 2  gas cylinders  12  in the vending machine  14  are anticipated. For example, the CO 2  gas cylinders  12  may be secured in the vending machine  14  by the locking system  28  from one end of the CO 2  gas cylinder  12  only. 
     The authentication system  30  includes:
     (a) a latching sensor  66  for detecting the state of the rotary latch  36 ; and   (b) a locking sensor  68  for determining the state of the locking bar  40 .   

     The latching sensor  66  and the locking sensor  68  confirm that an item inserted into the tubular chassis  32  is a legitimate CO 2  gas cylinder  12  when the sled  34  is in the locked position and the locking bar  40  at least partially overlies the open end  42  of the tubular chassis  32  so as to block removal of the cylinder  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  15   , the authentication system  30  alternatively, or in addition to, includes one or more of the sensors  82  in communication with the controller  16  by way of a I 2 C interface or a GPIO, for example:
     (a) eddy current sensors;   (b) Hall effect sensors;   (c) micro switches;   (d) weight sensors;   (e) bar code readers; and/or   (f) image sensor.   

     These sensors act to confirm that the item inserted into the chassis  22  is a legitimate CO 2  gas cylinder  12 . 
     In one embodiment, the array  22  of bin assemblies  24  is made up of a plurality of clusters  72  of sub-arrays of bin assemblies. For example, each cluster includes nine bin assemblies  24 . The clusters  72  are modular and can be separately removed from the array  22  for repair, for example. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  14   a  and  14   b   , each bin assembly  24  includes a door  86  that is operable between open and closed conditions of use. In the closed condition of use, the door  86  overlies the open end  42  of the tubular chassis  32  and inhibits ingress of external elements into the bin assembly  24 . For example, the door  86  inhibits entry of rain and dust into the bin assembly  24  when in the closed position. The door is preferably IP66 rated or similar. 
     When arranged in the open condition of use, the door  86  allows full access to the tubular chassis  32  to facilitate insertion and removal of CO 2  gas cylinders  12  into/from the machine  14 . 
     Each bin assembly  24  includes an actuator (not shown) that drives the door  86  between the open and closed conditions of use. The actuator is in communication with the controller  16  which governs its operation. 
     Advantageously, the locking system  28  includes use of the door  86  to secure a CO 2  gas cylinder in a tubular chassis  32  of a bin assembly. 
     As shown in  FIG.  13   , if a user inserts the cylinder  12  the wrong way, the locking system  28  will not be able to lock the cylinder  12  in the chassis  32  and the process will abort. 
     Advantageously, the user interface  18  is a hands free interface that operates from voice commands or hand gestures. 
     Advantageously, the instead of a rotary latch  36 , the bin assemblies  24  include a worm drive. 
     Controller  16   
     In the example shown in  FIG.  15   , the system  10  incudes:
     (a) a controller  16  includes a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2 GB that includes: 
   (i) 1.5 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 CPU   (ii) VideoCore VI graphics   (iii) 4 kp60 HEVC decode   (iv) True Gigabit Ethernet   (v) 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, BLE   (vi) 2 × USB 3.0 and 2 × USB 2.0 ports   (vii) 2 × micro-HDMI ports (1 × 4 kp60 or 2 × 4 kp30)   (viii) USB-C for input power, supporting 5.1 V 3A operation   (ix) LPDDR4 RAM 4 GB   
   

     The controller  16  is in communication with the bin assemblies  24  by way of the a Bus Master. This would normally be the closest set of 9 bins to the Controller  16 . 
     The protocol between the Controller  16  and the Bus Master  70  supports the ability to communicate via RS485 Bus  74  which can send and receive data from each individual Bin assembly  24  back through the Bus Master  70  to the controller  16 . 
     The system  10  supports the ability for remote updating of both Firmware and Applications, where required. 
     As shown in  FIG.  15   , the user interface  18  includes a touch screen  78  and touchless sensors  80  that are configured to interface with the controller  16  through respective USB and GPIO interfaces. 
     The controller  16  is preferably in communication with a facial recognition system  84  by way of a MIPI / DSI interface. 
     The controller  16  is preferably a control module including a central processing unit. For example, the controller  16  includes a Broadcom BCM2711 or similar and the CPU for cluster of nine bins  24  will be a STM32F411 or similar. The central processing unit is in communication with non-transient data storage that include instructions stored there on that engage the system components to perform the steps  100  shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     Alternatively, the controller  16  includes a plurality of central processing units each in communication with non-transient data storage that include instructions stored there on that engage the system components to perform the steps  100  shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     Further, the controller can include a field programmable gate array that has been configured to engage the system components to perform the steps  100  shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     Payment System  20   
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the payment system  20  includes a payment terminal in communication with the controller  16  via a USB port or a TTL UART. The payment system  20  uses standard systems for effecting point of sale transactions. 
     Vending Machine  14   
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the vending machine  14  has an open front to allow entry and exit of CO 2  gas cylinders. The vending machine  14  preferably provides the following advantages:
     The location of the cylinders  12  is known at any time - both empty and full   The transactions occur in real time   Data on each exchange is recorded by the machine, including customer info, for later use which can help to determine behavioural patterns (when customers are likely to complete a transaction and demographics   The vending machine  14  is adapted to send realtime information back to a central server, reporting on stock levels and the condition of the machine.   The vending machine is adapted to receive information from the central server that can be used to control the operation of the machine, including the price real-time (anytime) - option for different prices in different locations   Camera in vending machine (face recognition) - complete a transaction with customers consent   Face recognition to determine height of person which allows the machine to eject a cylinder or request insertion of cylinder based on that person’s height (wheelchair as example)   Confirmation of person standing in front of vending machine (vending machine issuing random number, person keys into mobile to confirm they are physically there)   User credits can be in the form of gift cards, or a credit to a bank account or credit / debit card   Loyalty Card   

     Alternatively, the vending machine  14  includes one of more doors (not shown) to safe guard the array  22  of bin assemblies  24  from exposure to the elements. Each door is hinged to allow access to the bin assemblies  24 . Each door is biased so as to default closed position covering the bin assemblies  24 . 
     As used herein, an element recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. 
     The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. 
     List of Parts
       10  Vending machine system     12  CO2 gas cylinder     14  Vending Machine     16  Controller     18  User interface     20  Payment system     22  Array of bin assemblies     24  Bin assembly     25  Swap function button     26  End of CO2 gas cylinder     28  Locking system     30  Authentication system     31  New function button     32  Tubular chassis     34  Sled     36  Rotary latch     38  Latching arm     40  Locking bar     42  Open end of the chassis     44  Tension spring     46   a , 46   b  Long linkage member     48  Latching bar     50   a ,  50   b  Short linkage member     54  Collar     56  Necked section     58   a ,  58   b  Pin     60   a ,  60   b  Slot     62  Terminal end section     64  Actuator arm     66  Latching sensor     68  Locking sensor     70  Bus Master     72  Cluster     74  RS485 Bus     76  4G / 5G interface     78  Touch screen     80  Touchless sensors     82  Sensors     84  Facial recognition system