VENDING MACHINE HAVING INTEGRATED, USER-ACCESIBLE, SINGLE SERVE BREWER INTERLOCKED WITH AUTHORIZATION UNIT

摘要

A vending machine having a housing incorporating an authorization unit, a storage area for storing vendible product, a dispenser for dispensing the vendible product, and an integrated brewer. The vendible product stored in the storage area comprises a cup containing a brew pack and condiments. The integrated brewer is secured to the housing yet has a user-accessible brew chamber in which a consumer can deposit the brew pack associated with the vendible product in order to brew a hot drink. The dispenser is interlocked with the authorization unit such that the dispenser dispenses vendible product in response to a dispense signal from the authorization unit. The integrated brewer is interlocked with the authorization unit such that the integrated brewer is by default inoperative and becomes operative in response to an asserted operation signal from the authorization unit

主权项

1. A vending machine, comprising:
a housing incorporating an authorization unit, a storage area for storing vendible product, a dispenser for dispensing the vendible product, and an integrated brewer; wherein the vendible product stored in the storage area comprises a cup containing a brew pack and condiments; wherein the integrated brewer is secured to the housing yet has a user-accessible brew chamber in which a consumer can deposit the brew pack associated with the vendible product in order to brew a hot drink; wherein the dispenser is interlocked with the authorization unit such that the dispenser dispenses vendible product in response to a dispense signal from the authorization unit; and wherein the integrated brewer is interlocked with the authorization unit such that the integrated brewer is by default inoperative and becomes operative in response to an asserted operation signal from the authorization unit.