Patent Description:
Vending machines generally include a housing that defines a product storage area in which products available for purchase are stored. The consumer may provide a payment and make a product selection using a user interface of the vending machine. Once the consumer selects a product, a delivery mechanism of the vending machine conveys the product to a delivery portal of the vending machine so that the dispensed product can be accessed by the consumer.

Various types of delivery mechanisms may be used to convey products to the consumer. Delivery mechanisms may be selected depending on the type of products to be dispensed, and the cost of the vending machine, among other factors. Delivery mechanisms may vary in complexity and may be a significant factor contributing to the overall cost of manufacturing the vending machine.

While it is generally desirable to minimize manufacturing costs, it is important to ensure that the delivery mechanism functions properly to convey products to the delivery portal for access by the consumer. If the delivery mechanism fails to retrieve and convey the selected product to the delivery portal, the consumer may be unable to access their product and may have a bad experience. Conversely, the delivery mechanism may accidentally dispense multiple products, resulting in dispensing of products that have not been paid for and loss of revenue. The delivery mechanism may add to the consumer's overall experience and satisfaction. Some vending machines may include a delivery mechanism that is visible by the consumer so that the consumer may view the delivery mechanism retrieve the product and carry the product to the delivery portal. Document <CIT> discloses a vending machine.

Advantageous embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles thereof and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the same.

Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment.

Various delivery mechanisms for vending machines may be used to convey products to the delivery portal of the vending machine for access by the consumer. Some vending machines may include multiple shelves or levels each having a plurality of rows of products, with each row corresponding to a different product. Each row may have its own delivery mechanism and motor for advancing the products in that row to the delivery portal of the vending machine. Such vending machines that include a motor for each row of products may require a large number of motors, which may greatly increase the cost and complexity of the vending machine. As a result, there is a need in the art for a vending machine that may dispense products with reduced complexity and at a lower cost.

Some embodiments described herein relate to a vending machine that includes a movable product retrieval assembly that includes a drive mechanism for actuating any of various advancing assemblies on which products are stored. In this way, each advancing assembly on which products are stored need not have its own motor to dispense the products. Instead, the product retrieval assembly moves to the advancing assembly having the selected product and drives the advancing assembly to dispense the product. Some embodiments described herein relate to a vending machine that includes a plurality of advancing assemblies having conveyor belts configured to rotate to advance a product into a product retrieval assembly when the product retrieval assembly actuates the advancing assembly.

Some embodiments described herein relate to a vending machine <NUM> that includes a housing <NUM> defining a product storage area <NUM> in which products <NUM> are stored, as shown in <FIG>. Vending machine <NUM> may be used to dispense any of various products and merchandise, including but not limited to, packaged beverages, such as canned or bottled beverages, and snack or food items. Product storage area <NUM> may be enclosed within housing <NUM> so that products in product storage area <NUM> are not directly accessible by consumers.

Housing <NUM> may include a lower wall, sidewalls, and an upper wall. In some embodiments, housing <NUM> may be shaped as a rectangular prism. However, in alternate embodiments, housing <NUM> may have various configurations, such as a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical configuration, housing <NUM> may be shaped as a cube, and may have one or more curved or rounded sidewalls. Housing <NUM> may further have a transparent portion <NUM> configured to allow a consumer to view product storage area <NUM> and products <NUM>. Transparent portion <NUM> may be disposed on a front wall <NUM> of housing <NUM>. Transparent portion <NUM> may be formed from glass or a transparent plastic material, including for example, polycarbonate (e.g., LEXAN), polymethylmethacrylate, or cellulose acetate butyrate, among others.

Housing <NUM> of vending machine <NUM> may define a delivery portal <NUM>. Delivery portal <NUM> may provide a consumer with access to a dispensed product arranged within delivery portal <NUM>. Delivery portal <NUM> may include a door <NUM> for removably covering the delivery portal <NUM>. In some embodiments, door <NUM> may lock until a product is dispensed. When a product retrieval assembly moves a product <NUM> to delivery portal <NUM>, the product retrieval assembly may engage with delivery portal <NUM> to open door <NUM> of delivery portal <NUM> so that product <NUM> may be accessed by the consumer.

Vending machine <NUM> may include a plurality of advancing assemblies <NUM> in the product storage area <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Each advancing assembly <NUM> may be used to store a particular product. Advancing assemblies <NUM> may be arranged on one or more shelves <NUM> within product storage area <NUM>. Advancing assemblies <NUM> may be arranged in a side-by-side manner so as to form a plurality of rows <NUM> on each shelf <NUM>. Advancing assemblies <NUM> may be configured to move a product into a product retrieval assembly <NUM> when advancing assembly <NUM> is actuated by product retrieval assembly <NUM>, as discussed in further detail herein. Product retrieval assembly <NUM> may be movable within product storage area <NUM> via an x-y mechanism <NUM> mounted to housing <NUM> of vending machine <NUM>, such as by a frame <NUM>. X-y mechanism <NUM> may move product retrieval assembly <NUM> to a location of any advancing assembly <NUM> or to delivery portal <NUM>.

Embodiments described herein primarily refer to the advancing assemblies <NUM> having conveyor belts <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. However, in alternate embodiments, other types of advancing assemblies may be used that are capable of advancing a product from shelf <NUM> onto product retrieval assembly <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>). In some embodiments, advancing assembly <NUM> may include a frame <NUM> that supports two or more rotatable axles <NUM>, <NUM>. Frame <NUM> may support a front axle <NUM> at a front end <NUM> of frame, and a rear axle <NUM> at an opposing rear end <NUM> of frame <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, additional axles may be present. A conveyor belt <NUM> on which products are positioned is arranged in a continuous loop around front and rear axles <NUM>, <NUM> such that conveyor belt <NUM> extends from front end <NUM> to rear end <NUM> of frame <NUM>. Conveyor belt <NUM> may define a planar surface between front and rear axles <NUM>, <NUM> on which the products may be positioned.

In some embodiments, a pusher plate <NUM> may be secured to conveyor belt <NUM> in a fixed position so that pusher plate <NUM> moves from rear end <NUM> toward front end <NUM> as conveyor belt <NUM> rotates about axles <NUM>, <NUM>. Pusher plate <NUM> may be arranged perpendicularly to conveyor belt <NUM>. Pusher plate <NUM> may help to prevent products from tipping over as conveyor belt <NUM> rotates.

Front axle <NUM> may include a coupling <NUM> configured to be engaged by product retrieval assembly to drive advancing assembly <NUM>. Coupling <NUM> may be fixed to front axle <NUM> so that rotation of coupling <NUM> results in rotation of axle <NUM> and rotation of conveyor belt <NUM>. Coupling <NUM> may be fixed at an end of axle <NUM>. In some embodiments, coupling <NUM> may be integrally formed with front axle <NUM> or otherwise permanently secured to front axle <NUM>. In some embodiments, coupling <NUM> may be a gear. In operation, product retrieval assembly moves to a location at or adjacent front end <NUM> of advancing assembly <NUM> and engages coupling <NUM> via a drive mechanism to rotate coupling <NUM> and front axle <NUM> to rotate and advance conveyor belt <NUM> and product toward front end <NUM> and into product retrieval assembly. In this way, advancing assembly <NUM> does not include its own drive mechanism, and instead a drive mechanism of a product retrieval assembly is used to actuate advancing assembly <NUM>, simplifying construction of the vending machine and minimizing the cost of manufacture.

Vending machine <NUM> may include a delivery mechanism <NUM> configured to convey a selected product from the product storage area to delivery portal <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, delivery mechanism <NUM> may include a product retrieval assembly <NUM> that is movable via an x-y mechanism <NUM>. Product retrieval assembly <NUM> may be configured to drive advancing assemblies (see, e.g., <FIG>) and to receive a product from advancing assembly. X-y mechanism <NUM> may be configured to move product retrieval assembly <NUM> in an X-Y plane (in a vertical direction or Y-direction and in a horizontal direction or X-direction) to the location of an advancing assembly that stores the selected product, and to move product retrieval assembly <NUM> and the retrieved product to delivery portal <NUM>.

In some embodiments, x-y mechanism <NUM> for moving product retrieval assembly <NUM> may include a lower horizontal guide <NUM>, an upper horizontal guide <NUM>, and a vertical guide <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, only a single horizontal guide may be present. Lower horizontal guide <NUM> may be located at a lower end of product storage area <NUM>, and upper horizontal guide <NUM> may be located at an upper end of product storage area <NUM>. Lower and upper horizontal guides <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged out of the view of the consumer. Lower and upper horizontal guides <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged parallel to one another. Lower horizontal guide <NUM> may include a first end <NUM> opposite a second end <NUM>. Upper horizontal guide <NUM> may similarly include a first end <NUM> opposite a second end <NUM>. Each of the upper and lower horizontal guides <NUM>, <NUM> may include a motor <NUM>, <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, only one of the horizontal guides may include a drive mechanism, such as a motor.

Vertical guide <NUM> may be movably coupled to upper and lower horizontal guides <NUM>, <NUM>. Vertical guide <NUM> may be arranged perpendicularly to upper and lower horizontal guides <NUM>, <NUM>. A first end <NUM> of vertical guide <NUM> may be movably coupled to lower horizontal guide <NUM> and an opposing second end <NUM> of vertical guide <NUM> may be movably coupled to upper horizontal guide <NUM>. Vertical guide <NUM> may move reversibly between first ends <NUM>, <NUM> and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> of horizontal guides <NUM>, <NUM>.

Product retrieval mechanism <NUM> may be movably coupled to vertical guide <NUM> of x-y mechanism <NUM>. Product retrieval mechanism <NUM> may reversibly move between first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> of vertical guide <NUM> so that product retrieval mechanism <NUM> may be arranged at a desired elevation. Vertical guide <NUM> may include a motor for moving product retrieval mechanism <NUM> along vertical guide <NUM>.

In some embodiments, x-y mechanism <NUM> is a belt-driven x-y mechanism <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In such embodiments, x-y mechanism <NUM> may include one or more belt assemblies <NUM> for moving vertical guide <NUM> in an X-direction along horizontal guides <NUM>, <NUM>, and for moving product retrieval mechanism <NUM> along vertical guide <NUM> in a Y-direction. In such embodiments, vertical guide <NUM> may include a belt assembly <NUM> having a first wheel <NUM> arranged at first end <NUM> of vertical guide <NUM>, a second wheel <NUM> arranged at second end <NUM> of vertical guide <NUM>, and a belt <NUM> arranged in a continuous loop around first and second wheels <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, belt <NUM> may be configured as a strap, rope, cable, or chain. At least one of first and second wheels <NUM>, <NUM> may be driven by a motor to rotate belt <NUM> about first and second wheels <NUM>, <NUM>. Product retrieval mechanism <NUM> may be fixed to belt <NUM> so that product retrieval mechanism <NUM> translates along vertical guide <NUM> as belt <NUM> rotates. Product retrieval mechanism <NUM> may include one or more rollers that engage vertical guide <NUM> to facilitate movement of product retrieval mechanism <NUM> along vertical guide <NUM>.

Similarly, each horizontal guide <NUM>, <NUM> may include a belt assembly <NUM> having a first wheel <NUM> arranged at first end <NUM>, <NUM> of horizontal guide <NUM>, <NUM>, a second wheel <NUM> arranged at second end <NUM>, <NUM> of horizontal guide <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, and a belt <NUM> arranged in a continuous loop around first and second wheels <NUM>, <NUM>. At least one of first and second wheels <NUM>, <NUM> may be driven by a motor <NUM>, <NUM> to rotate belt <NUM> about first and second wheels <NUM>, <NUM>. Vertical guide <NUM> may be fixed to belts <NUM> so that vertical guide <NUM> translates along horizontal guides <NUM>, <NUM> as belts <NUM> rotates. Vertical guide <NUM> may include one or more rollers that engage horizontal guides <NUM>, <NUM> to facilitate movement of vertical guide <NUM> along horizontal guides <NUM>, <NUM>.

In some embodiments, x-y mechanism <NUM> for moving product retrieval assembly <NUM> may be formed as disclosed in <CIT>. In such embodiments, x-y mechanism <NUM> may include one or more lead screws and nut assemblies. Specifically, each horizontal guide <NUM>, <NUM> may include a horizontal lead screw, and vertical guide <NUM> may include a vertical lead screw. The vertical lead screw may be movably coupled to the horizontal lead screws with a nut configuration at first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> of vertical guide <NUM>. When horizontal lead screws are rotated, such as by a motor, vertical guide translates linearly along horizontal guides between first ends <NUM>, <NUM> and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> of horizontal guides.

Similarly, product retrieval mechanism <NUM> may be coupled to vertical lead screw of vertical guide <NUM> via a nut configuration such that product retrieval mechanism <NUM> moves along vertical lead screw as vertical lead screw is rotated via a motor. Product retrieval mechanism <NUM> may move reversibly along vertical guide <NUM> between first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM>.

In some embodiments, other types of x-y mechanisms <NUM> may be used instead of a system of lead screws and nut assemblies to move product retrieval assembly <NUM>.

X-y mechanism <NUM> may be supported by a frame <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>). Frame <NUM> may have a rectangular configuration. Frame <NUM> may secure x-y mechanism <NUM> to housing <NUM> of vending machine <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>). Further, delivery portal <NUM> may be secured to frame <NUM>. X-y mechanism <NUM> may place product retrieval assembly <NUM> in communication with delivery portal <NUM> so that product retrieval assembly <NUM> may convey a product into delivery portal <NUM> for access by a consumer. In some embodiments, product retrieval assembly <NUM> may at least partially enter delivery portal <NUM>, such as via an anti-theft gate. Further, product retrieval assembly <NUM> may cause a door <NUM> of delivery portal <NUM> to open when product retrieval assembly <NUM> engages with delivery portal <NUM> so that the product may be accessed by the consumer.

In some embodiments, a hand presence sensor <NUM> may detect the presence of a consumer's hand in or near delivery portal <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Hand presence sensor <NUM> may determine when the product has been removed from delivery portal <NUM>. In some embodiments, hand-presence sensor <NUM> may be, for example, an infrared sensor, among other sensors. A product sensor <NUM> of product retrieval assembly <NUM>, as discussed below, may alternatively or additional be used to detect when product is removed from product retrieval assembly <NUM>. Once the product has been removed from delivery portal <NUM>, as determined by product sensor <NUM> and/or hand presence sensor <NUM>, product retrieval mechanism <NUM> may be moved away from delivery portal <NUM> so that door <NUM> of delivery portal <NUM> is closed, and anti-theft gate is closed. Product retrieval mechanism <NUM> may retrieve further products selected by the consumer or may return to an idle position until a new transaction is initiated by a consumer.

In some embodiments, a product retrieval assembly <NUM> may actuate an advancing assembly <NUM> and receive a product from advancing assembly <NUM>. Product retrieval assembly <NUM> may include a cup <NUM> configured to receive a product from product storage area <NUM>, and a drive mechanism <NUM> configured to actuate an advancing assembly <NUM> in product storage area <NUM> to move a product <NUM> into cup <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, cup <NUM> may include a base <NUM> and a sidewall <NUM> extending upwardly from base <NUM>. Sidewall <NUM> may extending around a portion of a perimeter of base <NUM>. In some embodiments, sidewall <NUM> may have a curvature, and may have a C-shape. However, cup <NUM> may have various configurations suitable for receiving and supporting a product <NUM>. In operation, a product <NUM> arranged in an upstanding orientation may be received on base <NUM> in a standing orientation with the product <NUM> supported by sidewall <NUM> to prevent product <NUM> from falling off of product retrieval assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, sidewall <NUM> may be formed of a transparent material so that product <NUM> is visible while in cup <NUM> allowing a consumer to watch product <NUM> as it is moved from product storage area <NUM> to delivery portal <NUM>.

Drive mechanism <NUM> may be secured to base <NUM> of cup <NUM> such that drive mechanism <NUM> is arranged beneath cup <NUM>. In some embodiments, drive mechanism <NUM> may include a motor <NUM> that drives a gear train <NUM>. Gear train <NUM> may include a gear <NUM> that is configured to engage the coupling of an advancing assembly in the product storage area of the vending machine.

Drive mechanism <NUM> is configured to actuate advancing assembly <NUM>, and particularly a coupling <NUM> of advancing assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Drive mechanism <NUM> includes a motor <NUM> that drives a gear train <NUM> configured to engage coupling <NUM>. Thus, when a gear <NUM> of gear train <NUM> engages coupling <NUM>, gear <NUM> rotates coupling <NUM> and front axle <NUM> to drive conveyor belt <NUM>.

Drive mechanism <NUM> includes a movable arm <NUM> that moves from a stowed position to an extended position to engage coupling <NUM>, as best shown in <FIG>. Movable arm <NUM> rotates about an axis Z, and in some embodiments may rotate up to <NUM> degrees. Gear train <NUM> extends onto movable arm <NUM> so that gear <NUM> configured to engage coupling <NUM> of advancing assembly <NUM> is arranged on movable arm <NUM>. Movable arm <NUM> may remain in stowed position until product retrieval mechanism <NUM> is moved to a location of an advancing assembly <NUM>. When product retrieval assembly <NUM> is at a location of an advancing assembly <NUM>, movable arm <NUM> may move to extended position so that gear <NUM> may engage coupling <NUM> of advancing assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, gear train <NUM> and movable arm <NUM> may be arranged on a side of base <NUM>. In this way, gear train <NUM> may be out of the path of a product into cup <NUM>.

In some embodiments, product retrieval assembly <NUM> may include a product sensor <NUM> configured to detect a product within cup <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Sensor <NUM> may be a capacitive sensor. However, in some embodiments, sensor <NUM> may be other types of sensors, such as a weight sensor, a force sensor, or a photosensor, among others. Sensor <NUM> may be arranged on base <NUM> of cup <NUM>.

Sensor <NUM> may be in communication with a control unit <NUM> that controls operation of vending machine <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Control unit <NUM> may be in communication with a memory <NUM> that stores instructions for executing the vending operation. Control unit <NUM> may control delivery mechanism <NUM> and may cause x-y mechanism <NUM> to move product retrieval assembly <NUM> to the location of an advancing assembly on which a desired product is stored. Control unit <NUM> may control motors <NUM> of x-y mechanism <NUM> that cause movement of product retrieval assembly <NUM>. Control unit <NUM> may then activate drive mechanism <NUM> of product retrieval assembly <NUM> to actuate an advancing assembly causing to move a product into product retrieval assembly <NUM>. Once the product is received in product retrieval assembly <NUM> as determined by sensor <NUM>, control unit <NUM> may deactivate drive mechanism <NUM> to stop actuation of the advancing assembly. Once drive mechanism <NUM> is deactivated, control unit <NUM> may cause x-y mechanism <NUM> to move product retrieval assembly <NUM> to the delivery portal.

In some embodiments, control unit <NUM> may also be in communication with a user interface <NUM> for receiving user input, such as a beverage selection, and also a payment processing unit <NUM> for authorizing a consumer to make a purchase or for receiving a payment source from the consumer prior to receiving user input or prior to dispensing a product. In some embodiments, payment processing unit <NUM> may include a slot configured to receive paper bills, coins or tokens, a card reader to read a magnetic stripe or electronic chip of a payment card, such as a credit card, debit card, gift card, or the like. Payment processing unit <NUM> may include contactless payment options, such as a near field communication (NFC) antenna configured to detect a contactless payment card, a transceiver capable of communicating with a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone, smartwatch, tablet or the like, for receiving electronic payment (e.g., Paypal or cryptocurrency); a scanner configured to scan a code on a portable electronic device to receive mobile payment from a consumer (e.g., Apple Pay or Google Pay). Payment processing unit <NUM> may include a sensor configured to identify a consumer and access a consumer account having a payment source based on the detected consumer identity. Vending machine <NUM> may identify the consumer via facial recognition, voice recognition, or other biometric recognition, or by communicating with the consumer's portable electronic device, or by scanning a code displayed on the portable electronic device or receiving a signal or communication from the portable electronic device. In this way, the consumer need not provide a payment source at the time of purchase, and the consumer's account may be charged for the dispensed product. The consumer's account may be associated to a payment source or method, or the account may have a preloaded balance.

User interface <NUM> may receive user input via one or more actuators <NUM>, such as buttons, keys, levers, dials, or switches, among others. User interface <NUM> may alternatively or additionally include a display screen <NUM> for displaying information and instructions. Display screen <NUM> may be an electroluminescent display (ELD), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a quantum dot display (QLED), a plasma display (PDP), or an electronic paper (e-ink) display, among others. In some embodiments, display screen <NUM> may be a touch screen display configured to receive the user input. Display screen <NUM> may display instructions and information, and may display a graphical user interface (GUI). In some embodiments, user input may include entry of a product number or code on a keypad or touchscreen, user input may include pressing a push-button that corresponds to a particular product, or user input may include touching a touch screen at a location at which a desired product name or image is displayed.

User input is received by control unit <NUM> from user interface <NUM>, and control unit <NUM> may determine a location of product within the product storage area of vending machine <NUM>. Control unit <NUM> may retrieve product location information from a memory <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Each advancing assembly <NUM> in product storage area <NUM> may have a coordinate, such as a shelf number (e.g., shelf <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) representing a Y-value, and a row number (e.g., row <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) representing an X-value. The identity of the product at each coordinate may be saved in memory <NUM>, such as in a database <NUM>. Thus, control unit <NUM> may receive the user input via user interface <NUM> and may determine the coordinate for that selected product stored in a memory <NUM>, and actuate the x-y mechanism to move the product retrieval assembly to the coordinate for the selected product. For example, if user selects Product A, control unit may retrieve the location of Product A from memory <NUM>, which is row <NUM>, shelf <NUM>, and may actuate the x-y mechanism <NUM> to move the product retrieval assembly <NUM> to row <NUM>, shelf <NUM>.

An exemplary method of dispensing a product from a vending machine <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The vending machine may move a product retrieval assembly having a cup and a drive mechanism to a location of an advancing assembly on which a selected product is arranged <NUM>. The product retrieval assembly may be movable within product storage area via an x-y mechanism. The product retrieval assembly may engage a coupling of the advancing assembly via the drive mechanism of the product retrieval assembly <NUM>. A conveyor belt of the advancing assembly may be driven by the drive mechanism to move the product from the advancing assembly into a cup of the product retrieval assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, a sensor may determine when the product is received within the cup, and actuation of the drive mechanism may cease when the product is detected in the cup by the sensor. Once the product is received in the cup, the product retrieval assembly disengages the coupling of the advancing assembly. The product retrieval assembly and the product may then be moved to a delivery portal of the vending machine <NUM>. The product retrieval assembly may be moved to the delivery portal by the x-y mechanism of the vending machine. Once the product is moved to the delivery portal, the product retrieval assembly may return to an idle position, or may move to the location of an advancing assembly for retrieving an dispensing further products selected by the consumer.

In some embodiments, the method of dispensing a product <NUM> may include additional steps as shown in <FIG>. Vending machine may receive payment source from a consumer or authorize consumer to perform a transaction <NUM>. Once the consumer is authorized or payment is received, the vending machine may receive a user input on a user interface that corresponds to a product selection of the consumer <NUM>. The control unit may retrieve a location of the selected product within the product storage area from a memory <NUM>. The memory may store a database that includes location information for each product within product storage area. Vending machine may then be operated to retrieve the product from the location as described in method <NUM>, and upon receiving the location information, the product retrieval assembly may be moved to the location of the advancing assembly on which the product is arranged <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary computer system <NUM> in which embodiments, or portions thereof, may be implemented as computer-readable code. Control unit <NUM> as discussed herein may be computer systems having all or some of the components of computer system <NUM> for implementing processes discussed herein.

If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a commercially available processing platform or a special purpose device. One of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be practiced with various computer system configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, and mainframe computers, computer linked or clustered with distributed functions, as well as pervasive or miniature computers that may be embedded into virtually any device.

For instance, at least one processor device and a memory may be used to implement the above described embodiments. A processor device may be a single processor, a plurality of processors, or combinations thereof. Processor devices may have one or more processor "cores.

Various embodiments of the invention(s) may be implemented in terms of this example computer system <NUM>. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement one or more of the invention(s) using other computer systems and/or computer architectures. Although operations may be described as a sequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed in parallel, concurrently, and/or in a distributed environment, and with program code stored locally or remotely for access by single or multi-processor machines. In addition, in some embodiments the order of operations may be rearranged.

Processor device <NUM> may be a special purpose or a general purpose processor device. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, processor device <NUM> may also be a single processor in a multi-core/multiprocessor system, such system operating alone, or in a cluster of computing devices operating in a cluster or server farm. Processor device <NUM> is connected to a communication infrastructure <NUM>, for example, a bus, message queue, network, or multi-core message-passing scheme.

Computer system <NUM> also includes a main memory <NUM>, for example, random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory <NUM>. Secondary memory <NUM> may include, for example, a hard disk drive <NUM>, or removable storage drive <NUM>. Removable storage drive <NUM> may include a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flash memory, or the like. The removable storage drive <NUM> reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit <NUM> in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit <NUM> may include a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, a universal serial bus (USB) drive, etc. which is read by and written to by removable storage drive <NUM>. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, removable storage unit <NUM> includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.

Computer system <NUM> (optionally) includes a display interface <NUM> (which can include input and output devices such as keyboards, mice, etc.) that forwards graphics, text, and other data from communication infrastructure <NUM> (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on display unit <NUM>.

In alternative implementations, secondary memory <NUM> may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system <NUM>. Such means may include, for example, a removable storage unit <NUM> and an interface <NUM>. Examples of such means may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units <NUM> and interfaces <NUM> which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit <NUM> to computer system <NUM>.

Computer system <NUM> may also include a communication interface <NUM>. Communication interface <NUM> allows software and data to be transferred between computer system <NUM> and external devices. Communication interface <NUM> may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communication port, a PCMCIA slot and card, or the like. Software and data transferred via communication interface <NUM> may be in the form of signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received by communication interface <NUM>. These signals may be provided to communication interface <NUM> via a communication path <NUM>. Communication path <NUM> carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link or other communication channels.

In this document, the terms "computer program medium" and "computer usable medium" are used to generally refer to media such as removable storage unit <NUM>, removable storage unit <NUM>, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive <NUM>. Computer program medium and computer usable medium may also refer to memories, such as main memory <NUM> and secondary memory <NUM>, which may be memory semiconductors (e.g. DRAMs, etc.).

Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory <NUM> and/or secondary memory <NUM>. Computer programs may also be received via communication interface <NUM>. Such computer programs, when executed, enable computer system <NUM> to implement the embodiments as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable processor device <NUM> to implement the processes of the embodiments discussed here. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system <NUM>. Where the embodiments are implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system <NUM> using removable storage drive <NUM>, interface <NUM>, and hard disk drive <NUM>, or communication interface <NUM>.

Embodiments of the invention(s) also may be directed to computer program products comprising software stored on any computer useable medium. Such software, when executed in one or more data processing device, causes a data processing device(s) to operate as described herein. Embodiments of the invention(s) may employ any computer useable or readable medium. Examples of computer useable mediums include, but are not limited to, primary storage devices (e.g., any type of random access memory), secondary storage devices (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CD ROMS, ZIP disks, tapes, magnetic storage devices, and optical storage devices, MEMS, nanotechnological storage device, etc.).

The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention(s) as contemplated by the inventors, and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention(s) and the appended claims in any way.

The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention(s) that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, and without departing from the general concept of the present invention(s). Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance herein.

Claim 1:
A delivery mechanism (<NUM>) for a vending machine (<NUM>), comprising: an x-y mechanism (<NUM>); and
a product retrieval assembly (<NUM>) movable by the x-y mechanism (<NUM>) in an x-direction and in a y-direction that is perpendicular to the x-direction, wherein the product retrieval assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
a cup (<NUM>) for receiving a product;
a drive mechanism (<NUM>) comprising a motor (<NUM>) and a gear train (<NUM>) configured to drive an advancing assembly (<NUM>) on which the product is positioned to advance the product into the cup (<NUM>), wherein the drive mechanism (<NUM>) further comprises a movable arm (<NUM>) configured to move from a stowed position to an extended position to engage a gear (<NUM>) of the gear train (<NUM>) arranged on the movable arm (<NUM>) with a coupling of the advancing assembly (<NUM>), wherein the movable arm (<NUM>) is rotatable about an axis from the stowed position to the extended position.