INVENTORY STORAGE AND DISPENSING MECHANISM

摘要

A vending arrangement for computerized vending machines, retail displays, automated retail stores, utilizes a centralized, robotic gantry associated with companion modules for vending selectable products. The modularized design enables deployment of half-sized or full-sized machines. The robotic gantry is deployed in a centralized module disposed adjacent display and inventory modules. The inventory modules can be fitted to both gantry sides, and doors can be fitted to the gantry front or rear. The gantry comprises an internal, vertically displaceable elevator utilizing a central conveyor for laterally, horizontally moving selected items from associated display and inventory positions to a vending position. The inventory modules comprise dispensing modules adjustably configurable to adjust the storage density of items to be vended. Computerized software enables the display and vending functions, and controls movement of the gantry elevator and dispenser module conveyor to dispense products from twin sides of the gantry by controlling the gantry conveyor.

主权项

1. A customizable vending machine, retail display, or automated retail store comprising:
a central robotic gantry comprising an elevator vertically movable within the gantry, at least one door fitted upon the front or back of the gantry, the doors comprising a product vend area; at least one inventory cabinet attached to at least one gantry side, the inventory cabinet comprising at least one dispensing module adjustably configurable to adjust the storage density of items to be vended; at least one display module adjacent the gantry, the display module containing items to be vended, the display module comprising a plurality of physical displays in which items to be vended are visibly housed, wherein the dispensing module comprises a conveyor having a plurality of conveyor slats and a plurality of dividers, wherein individual ones of the dividers having one or more divider tabs extending in a first direction and a connection tab extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the connection tab is insertable in the second direction and releasably retainable in a connection slot in individual ones of the slats to releasably couple individual ones of the dividers to individual ones of the conveyor slats; a computer for activating and controlling the gantry and said module; and, software for controlling said computer.