Vending machine and component parts

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 7451891
APP PUB NO 20050189370A1
SERIAL NO

11066775

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

This invention is a vending machine and components parts that include a sophisticated positioning system, gripper and trays for improved efficiency in product retrieval and delivery. Following product selection, the positioning system quickly transports the gripper through the X-Y plane to the front of a tray queue containing the selected product. The gripper is extended in the Z-direction, and its fingers grasp the foremost product container in the queue. The gripper then retracts, and the positioning system transports the gripper carrying the product container to a delivery port. The gripper then releases the product which slides down a chute into a delivery bucket that is then tilted outward for customer pick up. Unique product storage trays are provided which work in conjunction with the gripper to allow only the foremost product to be removed from a tray queue. A specially designed door is provided to accommodate the X-Y positioning system. A unique cabinet is also provided that includes an adjustable ventilation system, and a conveniently located compact, easily removable modular climate control unit. Related methods are also disclosed.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
SANDENVENDO AMERICA INC10710 SANDEN DRIVE DALLAS TX 75238

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Carter, Daniel S Fresno, CA 16 237
Craven, Christopher R Fresno, CA 6 83
El-Aouar, Walid H Clovis, CA 5 42
Greiner, Craig R Fresno, CA 5 73
Hieb, Larry E Fresno, CA 12 161
James, Dean W Clovis, CA 7 169
Southard, Sandra L Clovis, CA 5 73
Williams, Rolando S Madera, CA 5 73

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation