发明名称 |
System and method for performing vend operation |
摘要 |
A method and system are provided for performing vend operations on articles selected by a purchaser. Articles to be dispensed are stored in a storage section, and purchased articles are transferred from the storage section to a vend section. A vend mechanism is provided for rapidly moving a given article from a vend-destined section to the vend section. A helical transfer member holds the articles in the storage section and is rotatable in a dispensing direction to transfer the given article from a position adjacent the vend-destined section to the vend-destined section. The helical transfer member is also rotatable in a reverse direction opposite the dispensing direction. A driver is coupled to each helical transfer member, and is actuable to rotate the helical transfer member in either the dispensing direction or the reverse direction. A controller is operable during each vend operation to control the driver to first rotate the helical transfer member in the dispensing direction by a first amount until the given article is fully transferred to the vend-destined section. The controller then controls the driver to then rotate the helical transfer member in the reverse direction by a second amount until an article immediately following the given article is securely held in the storage section.
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申请公布号 |
US6202888(B1) |
申请公布日期 |
2001.03.20 |
申请号 |
US19990340048 |
申请日期 |
1999.06.28 |
申请人 |
AUTOMATED MERCHANDISING SYSTEMS, INC. |
发明人 |
POLLOCK RICHARD A.;STEELEY ROY S.;SPENTZOS KYRIAKOS |
分类号 |
G07F11/36;G07F11/42;(IPC1-7):B65G59/00 |
主分类号 |
G07F11/36 |
代理机构 |
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代理人 |
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主权项 |
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地址 |
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