Automated shopping system and apparatus

A vending machine for the sale of both food and non-food products has a plurality of adjustable shelves and adjustable product dividers. Products are dispensed from the shelves by the action of a computer controlled transporter mounted on carriages permitting movement of the transporter both horizon...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors HOLDER THOMAS L, HARDWICK BRADLEY R, HERZOG HETTIE J, MITMAN DAVID W, SPROUL BRIAN K
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 29.06.2004
Edition7
Subjects
CHECKING-DEVICES
COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
CONVEYING
HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
PACKING
PERFORMING OPERATIONS
PHYSICS
PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS
STORING
TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING ORTIPPING
TRANSPORTING
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Summary:A vending machine for the sale of both food and non-food products has a plurality of adjustable shelves and adjustable product dividers. Products are dispensed from the shelves by the action of a computer controlled transporter mounted on carriages permitting movement of the transporter both horizontally and vertically in an X-Z plane across the face of the product shelving. Rotation of the transporter in front of a selected product engages a product delivery mechanism which gently and safely slides the product off the shelf onto the transporter. A movable wall within the transporter pushes the delivered product aside, thereby clearing the way for the dispensing of additional products. Multiple products may safely be collected in each cycle. Products are carried to a delivery station for retrieval by the customer. After product delivery, the transporter is discharged of any residual items.
Bibliography:Application Number: US20010791270