Patent Description:
With certain cups that are stacked in this manner, the stack or one or more cups thereof may rotate when the machine is attempting to dispense a lowermost cup from the stack. The rotation of the stack during the dispensing of the cups may cause the rim of the lowermost cup to climb over the dispensing mechanism. The result of this may be that the lowermost cup is not properly dispensed, or if it is dispensed the rim has been distorted. Thus, a need exists for a beverage vending machine and a cup dispensing mechanism thereof that cures the aforementioned deficiencies.

Further examples of the prior art are disclosed in the following patent applications published under the following numbers <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

According to the present invention, there is provided a beverage vending machine as set out in claim <NUM>.

The invention is directed to a beverage vending machine and a cup dispensing assembly thereof.

It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a beverage vending machine <NUM> is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The beverage vending machine <NUM> generally comprises a housing <NUM>, a cup dispensing assembly <NUM>, and a liquid injection mechanism <NUM>. Operation of the beverage vending machine <NUM> includes automatic dispensing of one cup from the cup dispensing assembly <NUM>, filling the cup (which may pre-filled with a beverage ingredient) with hot or cold water from the liquid injection mechanism <NUM> to form a beverage, and presentation of the cup with the beverage therein to a consumer. All of these actions are achieved by the beverage vending machine <NUM> automatically upon a user putting money into the machine (if required) and pressing a button associated with a particular beverage (or otherwise providing an input associated with the particular beverage). Although the description set forth herein relates to the operation of an automatic vending machine, it should be appreciated that the concepts described herein are applicable to manual and automatic vending machines and to other cup dispensing mechanisms even when not associated with a vending machine.

As noted above, the beverage vending machine <NUM> comprises the housing <NUM>, which includes a body portion <NUM> and a door <NUM> that can be closed (<FIG>) and open (<FIG>). The door <NUM> is closed during normal use of the beverage vending machine <NUM> and open during maintenance and/or when additional cups need to be inserted into the beverage vending machine <NUM>. Opening and closing of the door <NUM> can be achieved by an administrator or other authorized individual and may require the use of a key or other device to unlock the housing <NUM> prior to opening the door <NUM>.

In the exemplified embodiment, the beverage vending machine <NUM> comprises a user interface <NUM> on the door <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Of course, the user interface <NUM> could be located at other positions along the housing <NUM> in other embodiments. In the exemplified embodiment, the user interface <NUM> comprises a plurality of buttons <NUM>, each of which includes indicia, graphics, or labeling for a different type of beverage. For example, one of the buttons <NUM> may include a graphic image of a particular type of coffee and another one of the buttons <NUM> may include a graphic image of hot chocolate, iced or hot tea, plain or flavored water, a type of soup, or the like. Thus, each of the buttons <NUM> is associated with one of the types of beverages that the beverage vending machine <NUM> is configured to create. When a user desires to have a particular beverage created for him or her by the beverage vending machine <NUM>, the user presses (or otherwise actuates) one of the buttons <NUM>, which causes the beverage vending machine <NUM> to create the selected beverage and present a cup containing the selected beverage to the user. The user interface <NUM> may be a touch screen such that the buttons <NUM> are merely regions on the user interface <NUM> that can be selected via contact by a user's finger. Alternatively, the buttons <NUM> may protrude from the door <NUM> so that they can be pressed for actuation thereof. Of course, the invention is not to be limited by these examples and the buttons <NUM> can take on any other form used in beverage vending machines of this type.

In the exemplified embodiment, the beverage vending machine <NUM> includes a payment receiving section <NUM> and a coin return area <NUM>. The payment receiving section <NUM> may be configured to receive payment in coins, cash, or electronic payment which may include payment via a credit or debit card or payment via an electronic key that has money associated therewith. However, the beverage vending machine <NUM> may be preset to operate without requiring payment in some instances, such as if the beverage vending machine <NUM> is located in a place of employment and the employer desires to provide free beverages from the beverage vending machine <NUM> as a perk. Furthermore, the beverage vending machine <NUM> includes a beverage pick-up zone <NUM> which is where the user/consumer can pick up the beverage after it is made by the beverage vending machine <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the door <NUM> can be opened to expose an interior cavity <NUM> of the beverage vending machine <NUM>, which houses the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> and the liquid injection mechanism <NUM>. The cup dispensing assembly <NUM>, which will be described in much greater detail below, supports a plurality of stacks of cups <NUM>. The cups in each particular stack of cups <NUM> may be pre-loaded with a beverage ingredient (e.g., coffee grounds, tea leaves, flavored powder, hot cocoa powder, soup base ingredients, or the like). Thus, once a beverage is selected by a user, the beverage vending machine <NUM> dispenses a cup that is pre-loaded with the beverage ingredient used to make the selected beverage (i.e., the beverage ingredient associated with the selected beverage). For example, if the user wants a hot coffee with sugar, the beverage vending machine <NUM> will dispense a cup that contains powdered coffee mixed with sugar, and if the user wants a hot cocoa, the beverage vending machine <NUM> will dispense a cup that contains cocoa powder, and so on. Because there are multiple stacks of cups <NUM> each comprising cups that are pre-loaded with a different beverage ingredient, many different beverages can be made with the beverage vending machine <NUM>. Of course, some of the stacks of cups <NUM> may not be pre-loaded with any beverage ingredient, particularly those stacks of cups <NUM> that are designated for preparing water (hot or cold) for the consumer.

The liquid injection mechanism <NUM> comprises conduits <NUM> that are operably coupled to a water supply source (not shown) so that water can be made to flow into the beverage vending machine <NUM> for generating a desired beverage. The water supply source may be a water main of a water supply system or it may be a filtered water source or the like. When a desired beverage is selected by a user on the user interface <NUM>, a cup is dispensed from the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> and positioned so that liquid can be injected from the liquid injection mechanism <NUM> into the cup. The cup may be pre-loaded with a beverage ingredient (e.g., coffee grounds, tea leaves, flavored powder, hot cocoa powder, or the like) so that upon the injection of a liquid such as water into the cup, the desired beverage is formed. Depending on the beverage selected on the user interface <NUM>, the liquid (e.g., water) may be injected at different temperatures (hot for coffee, tea, and hot chocolate and cold for plain water, flavored water, fruit juices, or the like).

In the exemplified embodiment, the beverage vending machine <NUM> also includes a processor and/or circuitry <NUM> that includes all of the electronic components required for proper operation of the beverage vending machine <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> is configured to receive signals indicative of a choice of beverage selected by a consumer and initiate operation of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> so that the correct beverage is generated and provided to the consumer, as described in detail herein below.

Referring to <FIG>, a top plan view of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> is illustrated. The cup dispensing assembly <NUM> comprises a carousel <NUM> that comprises a plurality of cup dispensing sections <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the carousel <NUM> is ring-shaped and each of the cup dispensing sections <NUM> is a segment or circumferential section of the ring. Thus, the cup dispensing sections <NUM> are arranged in a side-by-side manner such that each cup dispensing section <NUM> is immediately adjacent and positioned between two others of the cup dispensing sections <NUM>.

Each of the cup dispensing sections <NUM> comprises a cup dispensing mechanism <NUM>, which is configured to hold a stack of cups and to dispense cups from that stack. In <FIG>, only one of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> is illustrated to avoid clutter in that particular illustration. It should be appreciated that there is a cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> located along and associated with each of the cup dispensing sections <NUM> of the carousel <NUM>. Although in the exemplified embodiment, the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> comprises a plurality of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM>, in other embodiments the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> may comprise just a single cup dispensing mechanism <NUM>.

In the exemplified embodiment, the carousel <NUM> is configured to rotate about a rotational axis C-C in the direction of the arrow Z (or the opposite direction) during operation of the beverage vending machine <NUM>. In particular, the carousel <NUM> is moved or rotated about the rotational axis C-C in order to align a desired one of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> and cup dispensing sections <NUM> with an actuator mechanism <NUM> (depicted generically herein) that operates in conjunction with the cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> with which it is aligned to dispense a cup from the cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> in accordance with a beverage selection made by a consumer. By "aligned" in this sense, it means that the actuator mechanism <NUM> is positioned to engage an actuator member (now shown, but see element <NUM> in <FIG>, for example) to initiate a cup dispensing operation. However, the actuator mechanism <NUM> may not be perfectly circumferentially aligned with the cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> that it actuates, depending on the particular structure of the actuator member and the actuator mechanism <NUM>. During operation of the beverage vending machine <NUM>, if a user selects coffee with sugar, the carousel <NUM> will rotate until the cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> that is supporting a stack of cups with each cup containing coffee and sugar is aligned with an actuation feature of the actuator mechanism <NUM>. Additional details related to the actuator mechanism <NUM> and its operation on the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> can be found in <CIT>, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In the exemplified embodiment the carousel <NUM> is ring-shaped and comprises an inner surface <NUM> and an outer surface <NUM>. Ring-shaped may include circular and non-circular shapes in various different embodiments, although the carousel <NUM> is circular ring-shaped in the exemplified embodiment. The inner surface <NUM> of the carousel <NUM> surrounds or faces an opening within which additional mechanical components of the beverage vending machine <NUM> (such as the actuator mechanism <NUM>) may be positioned. The inner surface <NUM> of the carousel <NUM> forms a circle having a first diameter and the outer surface <NUM> of the carousel forms a circle having a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter.

In <FIG>, the stack of cups <NUM> is depicted being supported by one of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> and in that cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> a top plate has been removed to expose the internal components that facilitate the dispensing of an individual cup. Each of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> may support a stack of cups holding a different beverage ingredient, although this is not shown in the drawings to avoid clutter. As noted above and described further below, when the cups are inserted into the beverage vending machine <NUM>, the cups may be pre-filled with a beverage ingredient (e.g., coffee grounds, hot chocolate powder, tea, flavored water powder, soup base ingredients, etc.). Thus, when a beverage is selected by a consumer, a cup having the desired beverage ingredient is dispensed from the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> and then either hot or cold water is added to create the beverage that is then provided to the consumer. Of course, some of the cups may not have any beverage ingredient so that the can vend plain water.

Thus, for example, one of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> may support a stack of cups holding a coffee ingredient therein, another of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> may support a stack of cups holding a mixture of coffee, sugar, and whitener, another of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> may support a stack of cups holding hot chocolate, still another of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> may support a stack of cups holding tea, and yet another of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> may support a stack of cups that is empty (so that it can hold plain water). Of course, two of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> may support a stack of cups holding the same ingredient in some embodiments, although each cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> may support a stack of cups holding different ingredients in other embodiments, depending on the total number of cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> available and the total number of beverages desired to be generated by the beverage vending machine <NUM>. It may be desirable for each cup within a single stack to contain the same beverage ingredient.

Referring to <FIG> concurrently, the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> and their components will be described in greater detail. Each of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> comprises a cup dispensing aperture <NUM> through which a lowermost cup in the stack of cups <NUM> is dispensed, a plurality of scrolls <NUM> that support the stack of cups <NUM> and dispense the lowermost cup in the stack <NUM> when desired (i.e., when a user pushes the button to dispense a beverage that is associated with a particular stack of cups), and a ring gear <NUM> that interacts with the scrolls <NUM> as described further below to facilitate the dispensing of the cups. In the exemplified embodiment, the plurality of scrolls <NUM> comprises four scrolls, although more or less than four scrolls could be used in other embodiments.

The four scrolls <NUM> are similar in structure, and the particular structure of the scrolls <NUM> will be described in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>. In the exemplified embodiment, the plurality of scrolls <NUM> are arranged in pairs including a first pair of scrolls 210a that are positioned adjacent to one another and a second pair of scrolls 210b that are positioned adjacent to one another. In the exemplified embodiment, the first pair of scrolls 210a may be considered the inner scrolls because they are located closer to (i.e., adjacent to) the inner surface <NUM> of the carousel <NUM> and the second pair of scrolls 210b may be considered the outer scrolls because they are located closer to (i.e., adjacent to) the outer surface <NUM> of the carousel <NUM>. Because there are four of the scrolls <NUM>, the scrolls <NUM> are collectively arranged about (or collectively form) a four-sided polygon with each of the scrolls <NUM> being positioned on one of the corners of the polygon. In the exemplified embodiment, the first pair of scrolls 210a are spaced apart from one another by a first distance D1 and the second pair of scrolls 210b are spaced apart from one another by a second distance D2 that is greater than the first distance D1. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the four-sided polygon formed by the scrolls <NUM> is not a square. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the four-sided polygon is a trapezoid, but the invention is not to be limited by this in all embodiments.

In the exemplified embodiment, the scrolls <NUM> all have the same diameter. However, it may be possible for the system described herein to function even with two or more of the scrolls <NUM> having a different diameter from one another. In embodiments where four scrolls having the same diameter are used (as with the exemplified embodiment), the four-sided polygon could b a square, rectangle, or isosceles trapezium. In other embodiments, the scrolls may have different outside diameters and they may then work when arranged in a convex quadrilateral shape.

In the exemplified embodiment, the cup dispensing aperture <NUM> has a centerpoint CP. Furthermore, there is a reference plane RP1-RP1 that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stack of cups <NUM> and that intersects the centerpoint CP of the cup dispensing aperture <NUM> so that the first pair of scrolls 210a are located on a first side of the reference plane RP1 and the second pair of scrolls 210b are located on a second side of the reference plane RP1. Stated another way, the reference plane RP1-RP1 divides a perimeter of the cup dispensing aperture <NUM> into a first perimetric portion and a second perimetric portion such that the first pair of scrolls 210a are located along the first perimetric portion and the second pair of scrolls 210b are located along the second perimetric portion. Furthermore, the reference plane RP1-RP1 is positioned between the inner and outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the carousel <NUM> so that the reference plane RP1-RP1 does not intersect the inner and outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the carousel <NUM> along the cup dispensing section <NUM> at issue. That is, there is a reference plane RP1 associated with each cup dispensing section <NUM> and the reference planes RP1 do not intersect the inner and outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the carousel <NUM> within that cup dispensing section <NUM>. When moving along the perimeter of the cup dispensing aperture <NUM>, there are no scrolls located between the two scrolls of the first pair of scrolls 210a and there are no scrolls located between the two scrolls of the second pair of scrolls 210b. Rather, the two scrolls of the first pair of scrolls 210a are located adjacent to one another without any intervening scrolls and the two scrolls of the second pair of scrolls 210b are located adjacent to one another without any intervening scrolls.

As noted above, although in the exemplified embodiment there are four of the scrolls <NUM>, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and there could be more or less than four scrolls <NUM> in other embodiments and the spacing between the scrolls <NUM> could be modified to be different than that which is shown in the exemplified embodiment in some alternative embodiments. The cups of the stack of cups <NUM> are supported by the scrolls <NUM> of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> in a right-side-up orientation. This is necessary in embodiments whereby the cups are pre-loaded with an ingredient, because in such embodiments if the cups were supported upside down or inverted the ingredient would fall out. Thus, in the right-side-up orientation, a rim <NUM> of a lowermost cup <NUM> in the stack <NUM> is supported by the scrolls <NUM> and a portion of the lowermost cup that is below the rim protrudes into and perhaps through the cup dispensing aperture <NUM>.

<FIG> is depicted with arrows on the top of each of the scrolls <NUM> to illustrate the direction of rotation of each of the scrolls <NUM> during a cup dispensing operation. In particular, the first pair of scrolls 210a rotate in a first direction Y and the second pair of scrolls 210b rotate in a second direction X which is opposite the first direction Y. Having the first and second pairs of scrolls 210a, 210b rotate in opposite directions helps to prevent the cups <NUM> from rotating during the dispensing operation and also prevents the scrolls <NUM> from damaging the rims of the cups during the dispensing operation, among other advantages. Rather, the scrolls <NUM> simply push the lowermost cup in the stack downwardly and away from the remainder of the stack so that the lowermost cup can be dispensed during the cup dispensing operation.

Referring to <FIG>, the scrolls <NUM> will be described in detail. The scrolls of the first pair of scrolls 210a and the scrolls of the second pair of scrolls 210b are essentially identical, except that they may be mirror images of one another. This is due to the fact that the first pair of scrolls 210a and the second pair of scrolls 210b are configured to rotate in opposite directions during dispensing of the lowermost cup <NUM> from the stack <NUM>, as mentioned above with reference to <FIG> and described in greater detail below. Due to the counter rotation of the various scrolls, the features of the scrolls <NUM> that facilitate the dispensing of the lowermost cup <NUM> from the stack <NUM> may need to extend in different directions.

The features of the scrolls <NUM> will be described generically with reference to <FIG>, and thus the suffixes "a" and "b" will not be used after the numeral associated with each feature of the scrolls <NUM>. However, later on in this document the scrolls <NUM> will be described in terms of their function and relationship with other components of the cup dispensing mechanism <NUM>, with the first and second pairs of scrolls 210a, 210b being described separately from each other because they have different interactions with the ring gear <NUM>. Thus, the suffixes "a" and "b" may be added to the numerals associated with various features of the scrolls <NUM> below when the feature being described relates specifically to one of the first or second pairs of scrolls 210a, 210b (specifically, the suffix "a" will be used when describing features that are specific to the first pair of scrolls 210a and the suffix "b" will be used when describing feature that are specific to the second pair of scrolls 210b, although the description of that particular feature provided with reference to <FIG> will remain applicable unless stated otherwise).

Each of the scrolls <NUM> comprises a body portion <NUM> and a gear portion <NUM>, with the gear portion <NUM> protruding from a bottom end of the body portion <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> of the scroll <NUM> comprises a support ledge <NUM> that is configured to support a rim of a lowermost cup of a stack of cups, thereby supporting the entire stack of cups <NUM>. The support ledge <NUM> also allows for the indexing of the cups in the stack <NUM>. The support ledge <NUM> protrudes from an outer surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> to achieve this support function and the support ledge <NUM> may be connected to the body portion <NUM> in a cantilevered manner. The support ledge <NUM> may be level or planar to facilitate the support of the rim of the cup as described herein. Specifically, referring briefly to <FIG> and <FIG>, the support ledges <NUM> of the four scrolls <NUM> collectively support the stack of cups <NUM> by the rim <NUM> of the lowermost cup <NUM> in the stack of cups <NUM> resting atop of the support ledges <NUM> of all of the scrolls <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, each of the scrolls <NUM> also comprises a cup splitter projection <NUM> protruding from the outer surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> of the scroll <NUM>. The cup splitter projection <NUM> is configured to force two adjacent cups in a stack of the cups (i.e., the lowermost cup and the second lowermost cup) to separate from one another so that the lowermost cup can be dispensed. The cup splitter projection <NUM> comprises a bottom surface <NUM> and a top surface <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the top surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projection <NUM> is flat and the bottom surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projection <NUM> is inclined. Specifically, the bottom surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projection <NUM> is oriented oblique to the axis A-A such that the bottom surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projection <NUM> extends helically about the outer surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>. Stated another way, the cup splitter projection <NUM> has a tip portion <NUM>, and a height of the cup splitter projection <NUM> measured between the bottom and top surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the cup splitter projection <NUM> increases as the cup splitter projection <NUM> extends circumferentially away from the tip portion <NUM>. This is because the top surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projection <NUM> is flat and level (and perpendicular to the axis A-A) whereas the bottom surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projection <NUM> is inclined or angled or helical.

Due to the helical nature of the bottom surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projection <NUM>, as the scrolls <NUM> are made to rotate during a cup dispensing operation as described in greater detail below, the bottom surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projection <NUM> applies a force onto the rim <NUM> of the lowermost cup <NUM> to force the lowermost cup <NUM> to move downwardly and away from the remainder of the stack <NUM>, thereby resulting in the dispensing of the lowermost cup <NUM> through the cup dispensing aperture <NUM>. Depending on the rotational direction of the scroll <NUM> during dispensing, the cup splitter projection <NUM> may extend in a different direction on the various scrolls <NUM>. Thus, for example, if the scroll <NUM> is made to rotate in a counterclockwise direction during dispensing, the cup splitter projection <NUM> will appear as shown in <FIG> such that the height of the cup splitter projection <NUM> increases when moving clockwise around the scroll <NUM>. However, if the scroll <NUM> is made to rotate in a clockwise direction during dispensing, the cup splitter projection <NUM> will extend in the opposite direction as that which is shown in <FIG>, such that the height of the cup splitter projection <NUM> will increase when moving counterclockwise around the scroll <NUM>.

As noted above, each of the scrolls <NUM> also includes a gear portion <NUM> protruding from a bottom end of the body portion <NUM>. The gear portion <NUM> comprises a plurality of gear teeth <NUM> that mesh with or engage with teeth of the ring gear <NUM> as described in greater detail below to facilitate the rotation of the scrolls <NUM> during operation to dispense a cup. Thus, each of the scrolls <NUM> is rotatable about a rotational axis A-A during this operation, the rotational axes A-A being parallel to each other, to a rotational axis of the ring gear <NUM>, and to the rotational axis C-C of the carousel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the ring gear <NUM> will be described in greater detail. The ring gear <NUM> is located around the cup dispensing aperture <NUM>, and in some embodiments the ring gear <NUM> may define the cup dispensing aperture <NUM>. The scrolls <NUM> are arranged around the ring gear <NUM> so as to be operably coupled to the ring gear <NUM> so that rotation of the ring gear <NUM> causes simultaneous rotation of all of the scrolls <NUM>. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the scrolls <NUM> are arranged around an outer surface of the ring gear <NUM> so that the gear portions <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM> mesh or engage with teeth on the outer surface of the ring gear <NUM>.

The ring gear <NUM> has an inner surface <NUM> that faces the cup dispensing aperture <NUM> and an opposite outer surface <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the inner surface <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> is smooth. Furthermore, the outer surface <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> comprises a first set of gear teeth <NUM> and a second set of gear teeth <NUM> that are configured to interact, either directly or indirectly, with the gear teeth <NUM> of the gear portions <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM>. Although the first and second sets of gear teeth <NUM>, <NUM> are located on the outer surface <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> in the exemplified embodiment, the invention is not to be so limited and the first and/or second sets of gear teeth <NUM>, <NUM> could be located on the inner surface of the ring gear <NUM> in other embodiments.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second sets of gear teeth <NUM>, <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> are not located at the same elevation along the ring gear <NUM>. Specifically, the ring gear <NUM> extends from a first end <NUM> to a second end <NUM> in the direction of the rotational axis B-B. The first set of gear teeth <NUM> is located closer to the first end <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> than the second set of gear teeth <NUM>. The second set of gear teeth <NUM> is located closer to the second end <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> than the first set of gear teeth <NUM>. Thus, the first and second sets of gear teeth <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned on the ring gear <NUM> at offset locations in the direction of the rotational axis B-B. In the exemplified embodiment, there is no overlap between the first set of gear teeth <NUM> and the second set of gear teeth <NUM>. Thus, the ring gear <NUM> has an upper portion <NUM> that includes the first end <NUM> and a lower portion <NUM> that includes the second end <NUM>. The first set of gear teeth <NUM> are located on the upper portion <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> and the second set of gear teeth <NUM> are located on the lower portion <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM>. Stated another way, in the exemplified embodiment there is no reference plane perpendicular to the rotational axis B-B of the ring gear <NUM> that intersects the first set of gear teeth <NUM> and the second set of gear teeth <NUM>. However, in other embodiments there may be some overlap between the first and second sets of gear teeth <NUM>, <NUM>, such as the embodiment shown in <FIG>, <FIG> described below.

By offsetting the location of the first and second sets of gear teeth <NUM>, <NUM>, the scrolls <NUM> can be identical (other than the helical direction of the cup splitter projection <NUM> as noted above) while still enabling the ring gear <NUM> to rotate the first and second pairs of scrolls 210a, 210b in opposite directions. Thus, the scrolls of the first and second pairs of scrolls 210a, 210b have an identical size and shape in some embodiments. As a result, the gear portions <NUM> of all of the scrolls <NUM> are aligned with the upper portion <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM>, as best seen in <FIG>. The manner in which the counter-rotation of the scrolls is achieved in one exemplary embodiment will be described in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>, and <FIG>.

Referring again to <FIG>, the rotation direction of the ring gear <NUM> and the scrolls <NUM> during a cup dispensing operation will be described. The ring gear <NUM> and each of the scrolls <NUM> rotate in a particular rotational direction (but not the same direction) during a cup dispensing operation, and then the ring gear <NUM> and each of the scrolls <NUM> rotates in the opposite direction after a cup has been dispensed to reset the cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> and prepare it for the dispensing of the next cup in the stack. That is, the ring gear <NUM> rotates from a storage position to a dispensing position during a cup dispensing operation, and then rotates back from the dispensing position to the storage position in between cup dispensing operations. The ring gear <NUM> waits in the storage position when the beverage vending machine <NUM> is not currently dispensing a cup and vending a beverage.

During a cup dispensing operation, the gear ring <NUM> is made to rotate (via the actuator mechanism <NUM> shown generically in <FIG> and described in greater detail in <CIT> which has previously been incorporated herein by reference) in a second rotational direction. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the ring gear <NUM> could alternatively be made to rotate manually by a handle. As the ring gear <NUM> rotates in the second rotational direction, the operable coupling between the gear portions <NUM> of the first pair of scrolls 210a and the first set of gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> causes the scrolls of the first pair of scrolls 210a to rotate in a first rotational direction, which is opposite the second rotational direction. Furthermore, as the ring gear <NUM> rotates in the second rotational direction, the operable coupling between the gear portions <NUM> of the second pair of scrolls 210b and the second set of gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> causes the scrolls of the second pair of scrolls 210b to rotate in the second rotational direction (i.e., in the same direction as the ring gear <NUM>). In the exemplified embodiment, the first rotational direction is clockwise and the second rotational direction is counterclockwise. However, this could be changed in other embodiments so that the first rotational direction is counterclockwise and the second rotational direction is clockwise. The particular direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) of the first and second rotational directions is dictated, at least in part, by the structure of the scrolls <NUM> and particularly the helical direction of the cup splitting projections <NUM> thereof as noted above.

The ring gear <NUM> comprises an actuation member <NUM> that is configured to be operably coupled to the actuator mechanism <NUM> when it is desired to dispense a cup being supported by the cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> of which the ring gear <NUM> is a part. Thus, during operation the actuator mechanism <NUM> engages the actuation member <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> and causes it to rotate, thereby causing the entire ring gear <NUM> to rotate about the rotational axis B-B (when a beverage associated with the particular cup dispensing section <NUM> is actuated/selected by a user/consumer). As the ring gear <NUM> rotates, the first set of gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> are operably coupled to the gear teeth <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM> of the first pair of scrolls 210a and the second set of gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> are operably coupled to the gear teeth <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM> of the second pair of scrolls 210b, thereby causing the scrolls <NUM> to rotate about their own respective rotational axes. The rotation of the scrolls <NUM> causes a lowermost cup of the stack of cups <NUM> to be separated from the remainder of the stack of cups <NUM> and thereby dispensed as the cup splitter projections <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM> drive a wedge between the lowermost cup and the second lowermost cup.

The ring gear <NUM> may be driven by a servo through an idler gear, for example as described in <CIT>. However, in the exemplified embodiment the actuation member <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> comprises a cam, and the cam is selectively operable by the actuator mechanism <NUM> positioned outside or inside the carousel <NUM> (the actuator mechanism <NUM> is depicted inside the carousel <NUM> in <FIG>, but it could be outside of the carousel <NUM> in other embodiments). The cam-driven ring gear provides the advantages that a single actuator, not mounted to the carousel, can be used to drive the mechanism on any stack. Thus, it is not necessary to have a separate driver for each stack splitting mechanism. A further advantage is that the actuator mechanism <NUM> can be arranged so that it does not block the rotation of the carousel <NUM> that is needed to bring different stacks to the dispensing location. The actuator mechanism <NUM> preferably drives the cam in a reciprocating movement from a storage position (in which the lowermost cup of the stack is supported by the support ledges <NUM> on the scroll <NUM> as described above), to a dispensed position (in which the lowermost cup has been dispensed and the next cup in the stack is supported on the top of the cup splitting projection <NUM>), and back to the storage position (in which the previously next cup is now the lowermost cup supported on the support ledge <NUM>). In certain embodiments, the cam projection is situated between the second pair of scrolls 210b, and the cam actuator will then be situated radially outside the carousel. In other embodiments, the cam projection is situated between the first pair of scrolls 210a, in which case the cam actuator will be situated radially inside the carousel, and the cam projection will normally be situated above or below the plane of the scroll splitters in order to remain clear of the inner scrolls. It will be appreciated that alternative cam-driven mechanisms for rotating the scrolls, different from the ring gear, for example a belt-driven mechanism, could be contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

Once a particular beverage is selected by a consumer, the carousel <NUM> of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> rotates until the cup dispensing section <NUM> containing a stack of cups having the beverage ingredient that is associated with the particular beverage selected by the consumer is aligned with the actuator mechanism <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM>. Next, the actuator mechanism <NUM> will actuate the ring gear <NUM> of the selected cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> so that it rotates, which then causes the scrolls <NUM> of the selected cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> to rotate, which causes dispensing of one of the cups held within that cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM>. The actuator mechanism <NUM> may itself be rotated due to an operable coupling to a motor, although the exact manner of activation of the actuator mechanism <NUM> is not to be limiting in all embodiments of the invention set forth herein.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the operation of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> to dispense a lowermost cup <NUM> from the stack of cups <NUM> will be described. <FIG> illustrates one of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> whereby the scrolls <NUM> are supporting the stack of cups <NUM> on the support ledges <NUM> thereof. Specifically, a rim <NUM> of the lowermost cup <NUM> of the stack of cups <NUM> rests on the support ledges <NUM> of the four scrolls <NUM>. A bottom portion of the lowermost cup <NUM> (and some of the other cups in the stack of cups <NUM>) extends through the cup dispensing aperture <NUM> in the cup dispensing section <NUM> due to the cups being in a right-side-up orientation as described above. In <FIG>, the cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> is in the storage position, which allows the lowermost cup <NUM> to rest atop the support ledges <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the same cup dispensing section <NUM> of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> is illustrated, but in <FIG> the ring gear <NUM> has rotated in the second rotational direction X so that the cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> is now in the dispensed position. As noted above, this may be achieved by rotating the actuator member <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> with the actuator mechanism <NUM> (not shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, but shown and described above). Due to the rotation of the ring gear <NUM> in the second rotational direction (which is clockwise in this embodiment, but could just as easily be counter-clockwise), the first pair of scrolls 210a have rotated in the first rotational direction Y and the second pair of scrolls 210b have rotated in the second rotational direction X. Specifically, as the actuator mechanism (not shown in these views) causes the ring gear <NUM> to rotate, the interaction between the first and second sets of gear teeth <NUM>, <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> and the gear teeth <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM> (either direct or indirect interaction, as described in more detail below) causes the scrolls <NUM> to also rotate. As the scrolls <NUM> begin to rotate, the rim <NUM> of the lowermost cup <NUM> is no longer supported by the support ledges <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM>. However, the stack of cups <NUM> remains supported by the scrolls <NUM> because upon this first degree of rotation the rim of the second lowermost cup <NUM> in the stack of cups <NUM> rests atop of the top surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projections <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM>. The lowermost cup <NUM> remains attached to the second lowermost cup <NUM> due to friction between the cups, but as can be seen in <FIG> the cup splitter projections <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM> are driving the lowermost cup <NUM> downwardly away from the second lowermost cup <NUM> through the cup dispensing aperture <NUM>.

As the scrolls <NUM> continue to rotate, the cup splitter projections <NUM> wedges themselves in between the lowermost cup <NUM> and the second lowermost cup <NUM> to force the lowermost cup <NUM> to separate from the second lowermost cup <NUM> and be dispensed. Because the bottom surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projection <NUM> is angled or helical, rotation of the scrolls <NUM> causes the lowermost cup <NUM> to be pushed downwardly away from the second lowermost cup <NUM>. Specifically, as the scrolls <NUM> rotate the distance between the portion of the top surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projection <NUM> that supports the second lowermost cup <NUM> and the portion of the bottom surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projection <NUM> that is contacting the lowermost cup <NUM> increases, which increases the size of the space/distance between the lowermost cup <NUM> and the second lowermost cup <NUM>. Eventually, there is insufficient friction between the lowermost cup <NUM> and the second lowermost cup <NUM> for the lowermost cup <NUM> to remain attached to the stack <NUM>. Furthermore, at this time the lowermost cup <NUM> is not supported by the scrolls <NUM> or any other component of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM>. Thus, once a sufficient space is created between the lowermost cup <NUM> and the second lowermost cup <NUM>, the lowermost cup <NUM> is dispensed through the cup dispensing aperture <NUM>.

Although not shown in the drawings, once the lowermost cup <NUM> in the stack has been dispensed, the ring gear <NUM> is made to rotate in the opposite direction until the cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> arrives back at the storage position shown in <FIG>. Thus, if during dispensing of the lowermost cup <NUM> from the stack the ring gear <NUM> is rotating in a clockwise direction (the direction X), then after dispensing of the lowermost cup <NUM> from the stack the ring gear <NUM> rotates in a counter-clockwise direction. Of course, the direction at which the ring gear <NUM> rotates could be opposite to that which is described herein with reference to the exemplified embodiment. Specifically, the ring gear <NUM> is rotated in the opposite direction to "reset" the position of the ring gear <NUM> and of the scrolls <NUM> back to the position of <FIG> (i.e., the storage position). Thus, the ring gear <NUM> and the scrolls <NUM> rotate back to the initial position whereby the previously denoted second lowermost cup <NUM> (which is now the lowermost cup because the previously denoted lowermost cup <NUM> has been dispensed) rests atop of the support ledges <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM>. Similar to that which was described above, rotation of the ring gear <NUM> causes rotation of the scrolls <NUM> due to the interaction between the first and second sets of gear teeth <NUM>, <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> and the gear teeth <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM>.

Thus, the ring gear <NUM> and the scrolls <NUM> do not rotate a full <NUM>° in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. Rather, the ring gear <NUM> and the scrolls <NUM> may rotate up to <NUM>° in some embodiments, or up to any one of <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>° in other embodiments. Specifically, the ring gear <NUM> and the scrolls <NUM> may rotate up to <NUM>° (or any of the other distances) in the first direction during dispensing of the lowermost cup <NUM>, and then the ring gear <NUM> and the scrolls <NUM> may rotate up to <NUM>° (or any of the other distances) in a second direction that is opposite the first direction to "reset" back to the non-dispensing position. Of course, in alternative embodiments the scrolls <NUM> may be made to rotate through <NUM>° in a continuous operation, although this may require the use of multiple motors instead of a single motor.

Referring to <FIG>, and <FIG>, the manner in which the ring gear <NUM> is able to rotate the first pair of scrolls 210a in a first rotational direction while simultaneously rotating the second pair of scrolls 210b in a second rotational direction will be described in accordance with an exemplified embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen by comparing the first pair of scrolls 210a shown in <FIG> to the second pair of scrolls 210b shown in <FIG>, the bottom surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projections <NUM> of the second pair of scrolls 210b extend in an opposite direction to the bottom surface <NUM> of the cup splitter projections <NUM> of the first pair of scrolls 210a. As a result, even though the first pair of scrolls 210a rotate in an opposite direction than the second pair of scrolls 210b during a dispensing operation, the cup splitter projections <NUM> of the first and second pairs of scrolls 210a, 210b will all still operate collectively to split the lowermost cup from the second to the lowermost cup.

Referring first to <FIG> and <FIG> concurrently, the operable coupling between the ring gear <NUM> and the first pair of scrolls 210a will be described. In this embodiment, the gear portions 211a of the scrolls of the first pair of scrolls 210a are in direct engagement with the first set of gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM>. Thus, due to this direct mating engagement between the gear portions 211a of the scrolls of the first pair of scrolls 210a and the first set of gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM>, rotation of the ring gear <NUM> will directly cause rotation of the first pair of scrolls 210a. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the ring gear <NUM> and the scrolls of the first pair of scrolls 210a will rotate in opposite rotational directions. Thus, if the ring gear <NUM> is rotating in a clockwise direction, then the first pair of scrolls 210a will be rotating in a counterclockwise direction, and vice versa.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the operable coupling between the ring gear <NUM> and the second pair of scrolls 210b will be described. In this embodiment, the gear portions 211b of the scrolls of the second pair of scrolls 210b are not in direct engagement with the second set of gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM>. Rather, the gear portions 211b of the scrolls of the second pair of scrolls 210b are aligned with the upper portion <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> between the second set of gear teeth <NUM> and the first end <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM>. Therefore, in this embodiment a first idler gear <NUM> is positioned in direct engagement with the second set of gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> and with the gear portion 211b of a first scroll of the second pair of scrolls 210b. Furthermore, a second idler gear <NUM> is positioned in direct engagement with the second set of gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> and the with the gear portion 211b of a second scroll of the second pair of scrolls 210b.

Thus, the second set of scrolls 210b are made to rotate in the opposite rotational direction relative to the first set of scrolls 210a because the ring gear <NUM> rotates the idler gears <NUM>, <NUM>, which in turn rotates the scrolls of the second set of scrolls 210b. Specifically, rotating the ring gear <NUM> in a second rotational direction causes the idler gears <NUM>, <NUM> to rotate in the first rotational direction, which in turn causes the scrolls of the second pair of scrolls 210b to rotate in the second rotational direction. This occurs because the idler gears <NUM>, <NUM> are in direct mating engagement with the second set of gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> and the idler gears <NUM>, <NUM> are in direct mating engagement with the gear portions 211b of the second pair of scrolls 210b. Furthermore, the gear portions 211b of the second pair of scrolls 210b are not in direct mating engagement with the second set of gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> (or any gear teeth of the ring gear <NUM>).

As best seen in <FIG>, in this embodiment the first and second idler gears <NUM>, <NUM> have a height that is greater than the height of the second set of gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM>. This ensures that the first and second idler gears <NUM>, <NUM> are in mating engagement with the second set of gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> and with the gear portions 211b of the second pair of scrolls 210b. However, the idler gears <NUM>, <NUM> need not have a greater height than the second set of gear teeth <NUM> in all embodiments and could still be positioned in a manner that ensures its engagement with the second set of gear teeth <NUM> and with the gear portions 211b of the scrolls 210b.

Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment, the first and second idler gears <NUM>, <NUM> are located between the scrolls of the second pair of scrolls 210b. As noted above, in the exemplified embodiment the spacing between the second pair of scrolls 210b is greater than the spacing between the first pair of scrolls 210a. Thus, this increased spacing provides ample room for the first and second idler gears <NUM>, <NUM> to be positioned between the scrolls of the second pair of scrolls 210b. However, in other embodiments the first and second idler gears <NUM>, <NUM> may be positioned at other locations. For example, in one embodiment the scrolls of the second pair of scrolls 210b may be located between the first and second idler gears <NUM>, <NUM>.

As noted above, in the exemplified embodiment the idler gears <NUM>, <NUM> are used to facilitate rotation of the second pair of scrolls 210b in a direction that is opposite the rotation direction of the first pair of scrolls 210a. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and other techniques may be used to achieve this functionality. For example, in some embodiments a chain and sprocket configuration may be used to rotate the first and second pairs of scrolls 210a, 210b in opposite directions. In still other embodiments, the first and second pairs of scrolls 210a, 210b may be operably coupled to distinct ring gears such that a first ring gear is operably coupled to the first pair of scrolls 210a to rotate the first pair of scrolls 210a in the first rotational direction while a second ring gear is operably coupled to the second pair of scrolls 210b to rotate the second pair of scrolls 210b in the second rotational direction. Thus, it should be appreciated that there are many different ways that the first pair of scrolls 210a and the second pair of scrolls 210b can be rotated in opposite rotational directions during the cup dispensing operation.

As mentioned previously, the scrolls <NUM> are arranged along a four-side polygon with each of the plurality of scrolls <NUM> located at one of the corners of the polygon. In the embodiments described herein, the scrolls <NUM> located along opposite corners of the polygon that are diagonal from one another rotate in opposite directions. Thus, the scrolls <NUM> that are diagonal from one another rotate in opposite directions. Furthermore, each scroll is adjacent to one scroll that is rotating in the same direction and one scroll that is rotating in the opposite direction. The term "pair of scrolls" as used herein refers to two scrolls that are adjacent to one another and that rotate in the same direction during a particular phase of the cup dispensing operation.

Referring to <FIG>, a ring gear 220a is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The ring gear 220a could be used in the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> as an alternative to the ring gear <NUM>. The ring gear 220a is identical to the ring gear <NUM> previously described except for the differences noted below. The ring gear 220a will be similarly numbered to the ring gear <NUM>, except that the suffix "a" will be used. The ring gear 220a comprises a first set of gear teeth 223a and a second set of gear teeth 224a. The first set of gear teeth 223a are configured to interact with the first pair of scrolls 210a and the second set of gear teeth 223b are configured to interact with the second pair of scrolls 210b. The difference between the ring gear 220a and the ring gear <NUM> is that the first and second sets of gear teeth 223a, 224a are not at different elevations. However, the first set of gear teeth 223a have a greater height than the second set of gear teeth 224a.

Specifically, the first set of gear teeth 223a which interact with the first pair of scrolls 210a have a first height and the second set of gear teeth 224a which interact with the idler gears 230a, 231a, which in turn interact with the second set of scrolls 210b, have a second height which is less than the first height. In the exemplified embodiment, a top end 215a of the first set of gear teeth 223a is aligned or flush with a top end 225a of the ring gear 220a. Moreover, a top end 216a of the second set of gear teeth 224a is offset downwardly relative to the top end 225a of the gear ring 220a. This allows the gear portions 211a of the first set of scrolls 210a to interact with the first set of gear teeth 223a while the gear portions 211b of the second set of scrolls 210b do not directly interact with the second set of gear teeth 224a.

Referring to <FIG>, the interaction between the first pair of scrolls 210a and the first set of gear teeth 223a of the gear ring 220a is illustrated and will be briefly described. As with the previously described embodiment, the gear portions 211a of the first pair of scrolls 210a interact directly with the first set of gear teeth 223a of the gear ring 220a.

Referring to <FIG>, the interaction between the second pair of scrolls 210b and the second set of gear teeth 224a of the gear ring 220a is illustrated and will be briefly described. In this embodiment, the gear portions 211b of the second pair of scrolls 210b have a reduced height as compared with the gear portions 211a of the first pair of scrolls 2120a. This is to ensure that the gear portions 211b of the second pair of scrolls 210b do not interact directly with the second set of gear teeth 224b of the gear ring 220a. Rather, as with the embodiment previously described, first and second idler gears 230a, 231a are used as the intermediary that is operably coupled to both the second set of gear teeth 224b and to the gear portions 211b of the second pair of scrolls 210b. The idlers gears 230a, <NUM> allow the second pair of scrolls 210b to rotate in the same direction as the gear ring 220a, which is the opposite direction that the first pair of scrolls 210a rotate, as described in the previous embodiment. Thus, even with the modified gear ring 220a and the modifications made to the gear portions 211b of the second pair of scrolls 210b, the operation is the same as with the previously described embodiment.

As noted above, in the exemplified embodiment the cup splitters <NUM> of the scrolls of the first pair of scrolls 210a are mirror images of the cup splitters <NUM> of the scrolls of the second pair of scrolls 210b. Thus, the cup splitters <NUM> of the first pair of scrolls extend helically downwardly in a clockwise direction whereas the cup splitters <NUM> of the second pair of scrolls 210b extend helically downwardly in a counterclockwise direction. In the exemplified embodiment, the scrolls of the first and second pairs of scrolls 210a, 210b rotate at the same speed (measured in rotations per minute or RPM). The reason for this is that it facilitates pushing the cup equally at all points at the same speed. However, this same function could be achieved by operating the counter rotating scrolls at a different RPM by changing the pitch of the cup splitters <NUM> in some alternative embodiments.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the beverage vending machine <NUM> may also comprise a brake sub-system <NUM> for locking the carousel <NUM> in position and preventing it from moving during the cup dispensing process. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the brake sub-system <NUM> may be activated in both rotational directions of the ring gear <NUM>. This means that the brake sub-system <NUM> will be activated to lock the carousel <NUM> in position both when the ring gear <NUM> moves in a first direction to dispense a lowermost cup from a stack of cups (from the storage position of <FIG> to the dispensing position of <FIG>) and when the ring gear <NUM> moves in a second direction that is opposite the first direction (from the dispensing position of <FIG> to the storage position of <FIG>) to "reset" the scrolls <NUM> as described previously herein. The brake sub-system <NUM> may be unlocked when none of the cup dispensing mechanisms <NUM> of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> are actively dispensing a cup from a stack or being "reset," thereby permitting rotation of the carousel <NUM> when the scrolls <NUM> and the ring gear <NUM> are not rotating. The reason that this is desirable is that if the carousel <NUM> is not locked when the scrolls <NUM> and the ring gear <NUM> are rotating during a cup dispensing operation, inertia may cause the carousel <NUM> to move/rotate accidentally as well during the cup dispensing operation. However, this is not desirable because this will result in misalignment between the ring gear <NUM> and the actuator mechanism <NUM> which may result in the cup dispensing mechanism <NUM> failing to properly dispense the lowermost cup from the stack of cups that it is supporting.

The brake sub-system <NUM> of the beverage vending machine <NUM> is formed by the interaction of the actuator mechanism <NUM> with the carousel <NUM>. As best seen in <FIG>, the carousel <NUM> has a plurality of cam lock registers <NUM>, with each cam lock register <NUM> corresponding to one of the cup dispensing sections <NUM>. That is, there is at least one of the cam lock registers <NUM> aligned with each of the cup dispensing sections/mechanisms <NUM> of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM>. The cam lock registers <NUM> are located along the inner surface <NUM> of the carousel <NUM>. Only a portion of the carousel <NUM> is illustrated for clarity. The cam lock registers <NUM> comprise a notch or recess as best seen in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Turning to <FIG>, the brake sub-system <NUM> will be further described. <FIG> illustrates the actuator mechanism <NUM> and the portion of the carousel <NUM> as they would appear inside the beverage vending machine <NUM>. The carousel <NUM> is illustrated showing several of the cup dispensing sections <NUM> and the respective cam lock registers <NUM>. The actuator mechanism <NUM> comprises a cam assembly <NUM>, the cam assembly <NUM> comprising an upper cam <NUM> and a lower cam <NUM>. The upper cam <NUM> has a plurality of upper cam surfaces which, in cooperating with a plurality of lower cam surfaces on the lower cam <NUM>, guide a follower <NUM> of a lock <NUM>. The lower cam <NUM> has an unlocked surface <NUM>, a ramp surface <NUM>, and a locked surface <NUM> as best seen in <FIG>. The upper cam <NUM> has a corresponding unlocked surface <NUM>, a ramp surface <NUM>, and a locked surface <NUM> as best seen in <FIG>.

The actuator mechanism <NUM> further comprises the lock <NUM> and a guide pin <NUM>. The guide pin <NUM> is configured to enable sliding motion of the lock <NUM> along the length of the guide pin <NUM> while preventing rotation of the lock <NUM> on the guide pin <NUM>. In the unlocked state, the lock <NUM> is proximate a lower end <NUM> of the guide pin <NUM>. In the locked state, the lock <NUM> is proximate an upper end <NUM> of the guide pin <NUM>.

The follower <NUM> of the lock <NUM> extends from the guide pin <NUM> and facilitates the movement of the lock <NUM> along the guide pin <NUM>. That is, the lock <NUM> comprises a sheath portion <NUM> which is positioned around the guide pin <NUM> and is configured to slide relative to the guide pin <NUM> and the follower <NUM> which extends from the sheath portion <NUM>. As discussed previously, the follower <NUM> rides on the surfaces of the upper cam <NUM> and lower cam <NUM> to move the lock <NUM> from an unlocked state proximate the lower end <NUM> of the guide pin <NUM> to a locked state where the lock <NUM> is moved proximate the upper end <NUM> of the guide pin <NUM>. Thus, the lock <NUM> moves in an upward axial direction when transitioning from the unlocked state to the locked state. A locking protrusion <NUM> of the lock <NUM> is driven into one of the cam lock register <NUM> when the lock <NUM> is moved into the locked state (<FIG>). This prevents rotation of the carousel <NUM> until the lock <NUM> is returned to the unlocked state (<FIG> and <FIG>). Particularly, as seen in <FIG>, when the locking protrusion <NUM> nests within the cam lock register <NUM> of the carousel <NUM>, the carousel <NUM> is prevented from rotating due to the locking protrusion <NUM> interfering with any such attempts to rotate the carousel <NUM>. Thus, by having the brake sub-system <NUM> in the locked state as shown in <FIG> during a cup dispensing operation, the carousel <NUM> is prevented from movement during the cup dispensing operation.

In the exemplified embodiment, the locking protrusion (which may be referred to herein as a locking feature) <NUM> of the lock <NUM> engages the cam lock register (which may also be referred to herein as a locking feature) <NUM> of the carousel <NUM> along a cup dispensing section <NUM> of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> that is adjacent to the cup dispensing section <NUM> which is currently dispensing a lowermost cup. For example, in the variation shown in <FIG>, the cup dispensing section <NUM> immediately to the left of the one which is being engaged/interacted with the lock <NUM> is the cup dispensing section <NUM> which is dispensing a cup. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and in other embodiments the lock <NUM> may interact with the same cup dispensing section <NUM> which is dispensing a cup. In still other embodiments, the lock <NUM> may interact with any of the cup dispensing sections <NUM> of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM>, including the one which is dispensing the cup, the one on either side of the one dispensing the cup, or any of the other cup dispensing sections <NUM> no matter how close to or how far from the one dispensing the cup they are located.

The unlocked surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the lower and upper cams <NUM>, <NUM> dictate the position of the lock <NUM> when in the unlocked state and can be altered based on the relative positioning of the lock <NUM> (and particularly the follower <NUM> thereof) with respect to these surfaces. Similarly, the locked surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> dictate the position of the lock <NUM> in the locked state. The ramp surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> control the movement profile and acceleration speeds for a given speed of rotation of the cam assembly <NUM>. In combination, these surfaces can collectively define the total travel of the lock <NUM> as well as the speed at which the lock <NUM> moves in and out of the locked state. In particular, the ramp surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> need not be flat, and may have a non-linear shape such that they can control the acceleration of the lock <NUM> as it moves from one state to another. Furthermore, the slope can be altered as desired to achieve any desired rate of movement of the lock <NUM>.

In the exemplified embodiment, the lock <NUM> engages the cam lock register <NUM> corresponding to the cup dispensing section <NUM> immediately adjacent the cup dispensing section <NUM> where cups are dispensed. In some embodiments the actuator mechanism <NUM> which is used to activate the scrolls <NUM> and the actuator mechanism <NUM> which is used to activate the lock <NUM> may be different from one another. In another embodiment, the actuator mechanism <NUM> which is used to activate the scrolls <NUM> and the actuator mechanism <NUM> which is used to activate the lock <NUM> may be the same device (this is the case in the exemplified embodiment). In such an embodiment, in order to provide room for the actuator mechanism <NUM> to simultaneously actuate the actuation member <NUM> and lock the carousel <NUM>, the lock <NUM> engages the cam lock register <NUM> of the cup dispensing section <NUM> immediately clockwise relative to the cup dispensing section <NUM> from which a cup is being dispensed. Thus, the cup dispensing section <NUM> positioned at the lock <NUM> does not dispense a cup. Instead, the cup dispensing section <NUM> which is counterclockwise one position is the cup dispensing section <NUM> which is operated by the actuator mechanism <NUM>.

During a dispensing operation, the actuator mechanism <NUM> first rotates the cam assembly <NUM> to cause the lock <NUM> to move from the unlocked state to the locked state. As noted above, this causes the locking protrusion <NUM> to engage the cam lock register <NUM> located along the one of the cup dispensing sections <NUM> which is immediately clockwise of the cup dispensing section <NUM> containing cups to be dispensed. In particular, during this initial part of the dispensing operation, the cam assembly <NUM> rotates (it may be rotated by a bi-directional motor) a first distance in a first rotational direction (clockwise in the exemplified embodiment), which causes the lower and upper cams <NUM> to rotate in the first rotational direction. During this initial part of the dispensing operation, the follower <NUM> rides along the lower and upper cams <NUM>, <NUM>. In particular, the follower <NUM> rides from the unlocked surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, along the ramp surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, and to the locked surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. When the follower <NUM> is located along the locked surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, the locking protrusion <NUM> is raised/elevated so that it nests within the cam lock register <NUM>. This is because the locked surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> are elevated relative to the unlocked surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, as best seen in <FIG>.

Next, the cam assembly <NUM> is made to continue rotating in the same direction until an engagement feature <NUM> of the actuator mechanism <NUM> engages the actuation member <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM>. As the cam assembly <NUM> continues to rotate, the engagement feature <NUM> of the actuator assembly <NUM> moves the actuation member <NUM>, which in turn forces the ring gear <NUM> to rotate to the dispensed position as discussed above (see, for example, <FIG> and <FIG>). This dispenses a cup by rotating the scrolls <NUM>, as has been discussed in detail above. Subsequently, while the lock <NUM> is still in the locked state, the actuator mechanism <NUM> moves the actuation member <NUM> back to the storage position from the dispensed position. That is, as noted above the actuator mechanism <NUM> may be coupled to a bi-direction motor (not shown). Thus, after the ring gear <NUM> has been rotated to the dispensed position and the cup has been dispensed, the motor may start to rotate in the opposite direction, which in turn will cause the actuator mechanism <NUM> and the cam assembly <NUM> to rotate in the opposite direction. In doing so, the engagement feature <NUM> will contact the actuation member <NUM> and move it back to its initial, non-dispensing position (i.e., storage position). The cam assembly <NUM> will then continue to rotate, which will cause the follower <NUM> to move from being located along the locked surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the lower and upper cams <NUM>, <NUM> to being located along the unlocked surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the lower and upper cams <NUM>, <NUM>. Once the follower <NUM> is aligned with the unlocked surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the lower and upper cams <NUM>, <NUM>, the locking protrusion <NUM> disengages from the cam lock register <NUM>, so that the carousel <NUM> can once again be rotated. After the actuation member <NUM> is moved back to the storage position, the cam assembly <NUM> moves the lock <NUM> from the locked state to the unlocked state. This process ensures that no movement of the carousel <NUM> can occur during dispensing or when returning to the storage position.

It should be appreciated that the brake sub-system <NUM> is in the locked state at all times during rotation of the scrolls <NUM>. In particular, the brake sub-system <NUM> is in the locked state as the scrolls <NUM> are rotating in a first direction during cup dispensing and also as the scrolls <NUM> are rotating in a second direction when being reset back to their original position. Stated another way, the brake sub-system <NUM> is in the locked state as the ring gear <NUM> is rotating in the first direction during cup dispensing and as the ring gear <NUM> is rotating in the second direction when being reset back to its original position. It is only after completion of all rotation of the ring gear <NUM> and the scrolls <NUM> that the brake sub-system <NUM> alters from the locked state to the unlocked state.

The cam lock register <NUM> is shaped as a rectangular recess in the exemplified embodiment, although this is not required in all embodiments and modifications to this shape are possible within the scope of the invention claimed herein. The locking protrusion <NUM> is shaped with angled side surfaces which may be tapered to facilitate alignment during the locking process. Alternately, the cam lock register <NUM> may have angled surfaces which facilitate alignment or both the cam lock register <NUM> and the locking protrusion <NUM> may have angled side surfaces to facilitate alignment. The locking protrusion <NUM> may also take various other shapes such as a cylindrical or conical pin or combinations thereof. The cam lock register <NUM> may be formed as a cylindrical hole or a conical hole, or combinations thereof. Any configuration is contemplated which would tolerate some misalignment between the carousel <NUM> and the lock <NUM> and still ensure reliable coupling between the lock <NUM> and the carousel <NUM>. Moreover, while the cam lock register <NUM> is a notch/recess (female component) and the locking protrusion <NUM> is a protrusion (male component) in the exemplified embodiment, the opposite may be true in other embodiments. In particular the cam lock register <NUM> may be a protruding feature and the locking protrusion <NUM> may be a notch or recess that mates with the protruding feature of the cam lock register <NUM> in other embodiments while achieving the same function. In some embodiments, the cam lock register <NUM> and the locking protrusion <NUM> (and all alternatives thereto as described herein) may be referred to herein as a first locking feature and a second locking feature, respectively.

Conventionally, 'In Cup' vending machines such as the one described herein above (although not limited to this particular machine) have dispensed the desired beverage in a plastic cup. However, there is a current trend to find alternatives to plastic in all industries, including in 'In Cup' beverage vending machines. Thus, for example, there is a desire to use paper cups instead of plastic cups due to the increased recyclability potential for paper versus plastic. Thus, in some embodiments, the cups of the stacks of cups <NUM> described herein may be formed from a paper-based material. Such cups may be made out of paper and then lined or coated with plastic or wax to prevent liquid from leaking out or soaking through the paper. The paper material may be recycled paper in some embodiments.

In other embodiments, the paper may not be lined with plastic, because doing so may render the paper cup unable to be recycled in normal paper waste streams. Thus, in some embodiments the cup may be formed from paper and include a water-based dispersion coating which prevents leaks while still enabling the cup to be recycled in normal paper waste streams.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the vending cups being formed from paper and they could be formed from plastic, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polylactic acid, metal, or the like or any other materials typically used to form cups that are intended to hold beverages in other embodiments.

Moreover, the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> may be configured to handle cups having multiple pitches, with the pitch being the distance between rim centers when the cups are stacked. Thus, the pitch need not be consistent throughout the stack for proper dispensing to take place in all embodiments. Furthermore, the cups in the stacks <NUM> may be interlocked (typically done when the cups are plastic) or non-interlocked (used when the cups are paper). Interlocking is some sort of mechanical engagement between adjacent cups that creates a temporary lock therebetween. The machine described herein is able to dispense cups one at a time regardless of whether they are interlocked or not.

Moreover, in some non-claimed embodiments the invention may be directed to a cup dispensing assembly regardless of its end use. Thus, for example, the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> may be one that is used in a manufacturing factory such as one that manufactures cups. In such factories, there may be a need to dispense cups at high speed and without distorting said cups during the dispensing. Thus, the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> described herein can be used for this purpose and for other purposes and is not limited to use in a beverage vending machine in all embodiments.

Claim 1:
A beverage vending machine (<NUM>) comprising:
a cup dispensing assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
at least one cup dispensing mechanism (<NUM>), the cup dispensing mechanism (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of cup splitting scrolls (<NUM>) arranged around a cup dispensing aperture (<NUM>), wherein the plurality of cup splitting scrolls (<NUM>) are configured to support a stack of cups (<NUM>) and dispense a lowermost cup (<NUM>) of the stack of cups (<NUM>) through the cup dispensing aperture (<NUM>) during a cup dispensing operation, the plurality of cup splitting scrolls (<NUM>) comprising a first pair of adjacent scrolls (210a) and a second pair of adjacent scrolls (210b); and
a ring gear (<NUM>, 220a) configured to rotate about a rotational axis (B-B), the ring gear (<NUM>, 220a) comprising a first set of gear teeth (<NUM>, 223a) and a second set of gear teeth (<NUM>, 224a) that is circumferentially spaced apart from the first set of gear teeth (<NUM>, 223a);
wherein each of the scrolls of the first pair of adjacent scrolls (210a) comprises a gear portion (211a) that is directly coupled to the first set of gear teeth (<NUM>, 223a);
characterized in that:
a first idler gear (<NUM>) in direct engagement with the second set of gear teeth (<NUM>, 224a) of the ring gear (<NUM>, 220a) and with a gear portion (211b) of a first scroll of the second pair of adjacent scrolls (210b); and
a second idler gear (<NUM>) in direct engagement with the second set of gear teeth (<NUM>, 224a) of the ring gear (<NUM>, 220a) and with a gear portion (211b) of a second scroll of the second pair of adjacent scrolls (210b);
wherein rotation of the ring gear (<NUM>, 220a) causes the first pair of adjacent scrolls (210a) to rotate in a first rotational direction and the second pair of adjacent scrolls (210b) to rotate in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction during the cup dispensing operation.