WO2017144754A1

WO2017144754A1 - Wholesale vending machine

Info

Publication number: WO2017144754A1
Application number: PCT/ES2017/070063
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joan Baptiste Rams Francisco
Original assignee: Joan Baptiste Rams Francisco
Priority date: 2016-02-23
Filing date: 2017-02-06
Publication date: 2017-08-31
Also published as: ES1154014U; ES1154014Y

Abstract

The invention relates to a wholesale vending machine comprising a casing (2) defining at least one housing (3) for a product (4), provided with a door (5) that can opened in order to insert the product and an access opening through which the product is dispensed, said access opening being associated with a payment system using an electronic device (6) including an electronic circuit board that controls the electrical components and mechanisms. According to the invention, the housing(s) (3) can receive products (4) inserted directly on a pallet (7). The machine also includes a scale (8) connected to the electronics of the machine, such that the weight of the product (4) is checked and linked to the payment system, allowing a variable amount of product (4) to be removed.

Description

DESCRIPTION

WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as expressed in the statement of the present specification, refers to a wholesale vending machine that provides, to the function to which advantages and novelty features are intended, which will be described in detail below, which suppose a remarkable improvement of the current state of the art in its field of application.

More particularly, the object of the invention focuses on a vending machine, of the type known as "vending" that allows a user to autonomously use a product contained therein, upon payment of the corresponding amount, which presents a structural configuration specially designed for said product to be dispensed in bulk, allowing the quantity of product chosen to be dispensed, as desired, and in the packaging itself with which it is transported on the pallets of conventional logistics use, being prepared so that said packages with the product they can be introduced directly into the machine with the pallet itself, thus being the machine intended for wholesalers so that their retail and retail customers can provide the desired quantity of product and fully automated and autonomous mode.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION The field of application of the present invention is framed within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of vending machines and similar automated self-service sales devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, although vending machines of different types are widely known, they are usually designed to dispense products unitarily to the final consumer. Thus, in most cases, these machines comprise a housing with one or more product housings and a dispensing mechanism that, actuated through of an electronics associated with the payment system, either in currency or on a card or by combining both, it gives access to only such products, as its use by an end consumer is foreseen, in many cases being possible to choose between different types of product with which the machine can be stocked, but not more than one product each time it is used, so, if more than one is desired, it is necessary to repeat the payment and operation operation of the dispensing system.

With this, the problem that come to solve or function provided by these machines is to provide a fully automated product service that does not require personnel and, therefore, can work anywhere and at any time with lower economic costs, but only For the final consumer.

It would be desirable, therefore, and is the objective of the present invention, to expand the possibility of automated service offered by vending machines to the commercial sector at the wholesale level to save costs but, above all, to expedite sales transactions and transactions. to retailers and retailers in supply stores and supply markets, facilitating logistics for both suppliers and customers. However, at least on the part of the applicant, the existence of any such vending machine that allows the user to use the amount of product desired is unknown, as is the case of the machine object of the present invention, as well as neither none that has technical, structural and constitutive characteristics similar to those that said machine advocates, as claimed.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the wholesale vending machine that the invention proposes is configured as a remarkable novelty within its field of application, since, according to its implementation and in a restrictive manner, the objectives previously indicated as suitable are satisfactorily achieved, being the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it from what is already known, conveniently included in the final claims that accompany the present description. Specifically, the machine that the invention proposes, as noted above, is a vending machine that, unlike those already known, is structured to can be used by wholesale companies, suppliers of wholesale products, and offer the service of vending or automated self-service to customers constituted by retailers and retailers who, in turn, will subsequently sell the product to the final consumer, for which The machine, in addition to the essential elements already known for automatic operation, is equipped with means that, on the one hand, allow its product to be filled directly with a pallet and, on the other hand, the dispensing of the quantity of product desired by each Customer, according to your needs.

Thus, the machine of the invention is configured, in a known manner, from a housing with one or more product housings and a dispensing mechanism that gives access to it when operated through an electronics associated with a payment system, distinguished by the fact that the accommodation or accommodations for the product are suitable for receiving it incorporated on a pallet and by the fact of having a scale that controls the weight of the existing product and that is associated with the payment system, so that this collects based on the amount of product removed, detected by the difference in weight recorded by the scale after access to the product.

In addition and in order to avoid fraud or misuse of the machine, the payment system of the proposed machine, preferably, is a system restricted to registered customers to whom an access code and / or a prepaid card will be provided with which they will have a certain credit limit after whose use the amount will be charged to their account, for which the electronics are associated with a card reader and / or a keyboard, and incorporates a programmable computer program that manages the accesses and the amounts . With this, for the supplier, the machine greatly facilitates the ability to quickly and conveniently fill a large number of machines that may be available in your warehouse or in the supply market or in the installation where you install them , since you simply have to open the corresponding door of the machine housing and incorporate the pallet or pallets with the product boxes, without the need to disassemble them. Only, where appropriate, you should remove the protective wrap that the pallets can carry to avoid deterioration during transport.

And on the part of the consumer, the machine supposes the advantage of being able to supply itself directly and autonomously, which speeds up the procedures and can even allow such supply without being subject to schedules. It should be noted that the invention contemplates two preferred embodiments, one, in which the housing is a structure that is installed completely above the floor surface, having a height sufficient to fit the entire pallet with the boxes of products and a front access door that opens completely to allow such access, and a second option, in which the housing is partially buried below ground level, so that only a portion of it protrudes above, resulting in a lot less cumbersome and from which the consumer accesses the product boxes more comfortably. In this second option, in addition to the corresponding hole to bury the lower part of the housing, the machine is equipped with a lifting mechanism that, depending on the consumption that the machine detects that is being made thanks to a sensor or other system suitable for This gradually raises a platform on which the pallet is incorporated, so that the product is always accessible at the top.

Likewise, and to be able to place the complete pallet, in this case the housing has, in its external part located on the surface of the floor, with a front door and with a folding lid that open together giving capacity to deposit said pallet in the housing interior with the bull that moves it from the transport vehicle.

Given the above, it is found that the described wholesale vending machine represents an innovative structure of structural and constitutive characteristics unknown until now for the purpose to which it is intended, reasons that together with its practical utility, provide it with sufficient basis to obtain the privilege of exclusivity that is requested.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is attached, as an integral part thereof, of a set of drawings, in which with character Illustrative and not limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure number 1 .- Shows a schematic perspective view of an example of realization of the wholesale vending machine, object of the invention, in its surface variant, its general external configuration being appreciated.

Figure 2 shows a sectioned perspective view of the example of the machine of the invention shown in Figure 1, showing the main parts and elements it comprises, as well as its configuration and arrangement.

Figure number 3.- Shows a side elevation view and section of the same example of the machine, according to the invention, represented in figures 1 and 2, showing in this case the opening mode of access to the product.

Figure number 4.- Shows a perspective view of an example of grouping several vending machines of the external variant, according to the invention, showing the versatility it presents.

Figure number 5.- Shows a perspective view of another example of the vending machine object of the invention, in this case in its partially buried variant, showing its general configuration and arrangement of the housing. And Figure 6 shows an elevation and sectional view of the example of the machine of the invention shown in Figure 5, showing the parts and elements it comprises and its arrangement.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred, but not limited, embodiment of the recommended wholesale vending machine can be seen, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and describe in detail below.

Thus, as observed in said figures, the machine (1) in question is configured from a housing (2) that determines at least one housing (3) for product (4), said being at least one , housing (3) provided with at least one practicable door (5) for the incorporation of the product (4) and access for dispensing, whose opening mechanism, at least for said dispensation, is associated, through a electronic board and the corresponding electrical components (not shown), to a system Payment through an electronic device (6).

From this configuration, common to most known machines of the type that concerns here, the machine (1) is distinguished by the fact that the housing or housings (3) and the practicable opening of product introduction (4 ) are suitable for receiving said product (4) directly incorporated in the pallet (7) with which it is transported for wholesale distribution, that is, that the interior dimensions of the at least one, housing (3) of the machine ( 1) they are large enough so that said pallet (7) of product (4) is incorporated in the corresponding boxes or packaging, and the opening that allows its introduction is also wide enough so that said pallet (7) of product (4) can be incorporated without disassembling inside the housing (3) of the machine (1).

In addition, the machine (1) also has a scale (8), preferably integrated in the base of the housing (3), in any case arranged and connected to the electronics of the machine so that it controls the weight of the product (4) at all times, allowing the payment system to know the quantity of product (4) existing prior to the opening of the dispensing access and the remainder after the withdrawal of a part of it when opening the access to the product for the user of the machine, that is, in a way that controls the weight of the product (4) and associates it with the payment system, allowing the variable withdrawal of the quantity of product (4) that is to be acquired.

Likewise, preferably, the electronic device (6) of the payment system of the machine (1) to which the electronics that control the access to the product (4) is associated comprises a card reader (9) and / or a keypad (10) for inserting codes, which will have previously been supplied to the customers users of the machine (1), as well as a programmable computer program that controls and manages the collection of the amount of the product (4) directly withdrawn from the holders of the code, according to the payment system previously agreed and / or assigned, for example charge to a card with credit limit.

Preferably, the electronic and computer software of the payment system, together with the reader (9) and keyboard (10) mentioned above, are housed in a terminal with display (1 1) that shows informative messages of interest about the content and transaction that it carries out the machine (1), for example product type, weight, quantity withdrawn, price, code confirmation, credit used, etc. For its part, in a first preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 to 4, the machine (1) has a housing (2) formed by a structure that is installed completely above the surface of the floor (S), with one or more housings (3) of sufficient height to fit the entire pallet at ground level. In addition, in this option, the opening for the introduction of the product (4) incorporated in the pallet (7), is made through a practicable door (5) provided in its front part that fully opens said front part of the housing ( 2).

Furthermore, said practicable door (5) for the incorporation of the product (4) incorporated in the pallet (7), is the same that determines the access for the dispensing of the product (4) and preferably consists of a sliding shutter type door , appreciable in its lifting operation in Figure 3, which is provided with windows (12) to allow visualizing the product (4) contained in the interior housing (3) of the machine (1), as well as provided with the corresponding closing of security associated with the drive electronics that controls its opening by means of the code system associated with the payment system, so that both the owner of the machine or operator in charge, for the incorporation of the product pallet (7) (4), as Customers customers for access to the product boxes (4) they wish to purchase must use the code system that triggers their opening.

And according to figures 5 and 6, a second preferred embodiment of the machine (1) is observed, in which the housing (2) is constituted by a partially buried structure below the ground level (S), so comprising an upper part (2a) that protrudes above said level, from which the introduction of the pallet (7) is carried out and the consumer accesses the product boxes (4), and a lower part (2b) that remains below, making the set occupy less space superiorly.

For this, in this option, the machine (1) is provided with a lifting mechanism (13), which, preferably, is constituted by a hydraulic piston system (14) that drives an extensible support (15) on which a platform (16) is placed that constitutes the lower base of the housing (3) for the product pallet (4) and in which, preferably, the scale (8) is integrated, and a sensor (17) is also provided. which detects the existence of product boxes (4) in the housing (3) so that, through the electronics, it controls the lifting mechanism (13) to gradually raise the platform (16) and keep it at the necessary height to that the product (4) is always accessible from the top (2a) of the housing. In addition, preferably, on the platform (16) the existence of a partition is contemplated

(18) which determines a perimeter barrier on two or three of its sides, with the exception of the front, intended to prevent any obstruction between the product boxes (4) and the walls of the housing (2) that due to improper placement could cause a malfunction of the lifting system (13) and, consequently, of the dispensing of the product.

Also, in this option, the product introduction opening (4) with full pallet (7) in the housing (3) is formed by a front door (5 ') with windows (12) and a flip top

(19) superior, being optional its joint or independent opening for access to the product boxes (4) by the user client.

Finally, in either of the two options, the machine (1) optionally incorporates a ventilation system (20), preferably with temperature and humidity control, located in the most appropriate area of the housing (2), to maintain the product (4) in optimal conditions within the accommodation (3), as appropriate in each case, since, preferably, they will be fresh market products. Describing sufficiently the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to extend its explanation so that any person skilled in the art understands its scope and the advantages that derive from it,

Likewise, it is noted that, within its essentiality, the machine of the invention may be put into practice in other embodiments that differ in detail from that indicated by way of example, and which will also achieve the protection sought as long as it is not altered, change or modify the fundamental.

Claims

one . - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE which, configured from a housing (2) that determines at least one housing (3) for product (4) provided with a practicable door (5) for incorporation and access for dispensing, said access being associated with a payment system by electronic device (6) with electronic board that controls the electrical mechanisms and components, is characterized by the fact that the housing or housings (3) are able to receive the product (4) directly incorporated in a pallet (7); and because it has a scale (8) arranged and connected to the electronics of the machine in such a way that it controls the weight of the product (4) and associates it with the payment system, allowing the variable withdrawal of quantity of product (4).

2. - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE, according to claim 1, characterized in that the scale (8) is integrated in the base of the housing (3).

3. - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electronic device (6) of the payment system to which the electronics that control the access to the product (4) is associated comprises a card reader (9)

4. - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE, according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electronic device (6) of the payment system to which the electronics that control the access to the product (4) is associated comprises a keyboard ( 10) for the insertion of codes and programmable computer software that controls and manages the collection of the amount of the product (4) withdrawn.

5. - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the electronics and software of the electronic device (6) of the payment system are housed in a terminal with display (1 1) that displays informative messages of interest on the content and transaction made by the machine (1).

6. - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE, according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing (2) is arranged completely above the floor surface (S).

7. - WHOLESALE SELLING MACHINE, according to claim 6, characterized because the practicable door (5) for the incorporation of the product (4) incorporated in the pallet (7), is the same that determines the access for the dispensing of the product (4).

8. - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE, according to claim 7, characterized in that the practicable door (5) and dispensing door (4) is a sliding shutter door with windows (12), to allow visualizing the product (4) contained in the housing (3) inside the machine (1),

9. - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE, according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing (2) is constituted by a partially buried structure below ground level (S), comprising an upper part (2a) that protrudes above said level, from which the introduction of the pallet (7) is made and the consumer accesses the product boxes (4), and a lower part (2b) that is below.

10. - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE, according to claim 9, characterized in that it is provided with a lifting mechanism (13) and a platform (16) that constitutes the lower base of the housing (3) for the product pallet (4) in which the scale is integrated (8).

eleven . - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE, according to claim 10, characterized in that the lifting mechanism (13) is constituted by a hydraulic piston system (14) that drives an extensible support (15) on which the platform (16) is located. which constitutes the lower base of the housing (3).

12. - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE, according to claim 10 or 1, characterized in that it incorporates a sensor (17) that detects the existence of product boxes (4) in the housing (3) which, through electronics, controls the lifting mechanism (13) to gradually lift the platform (16) and keep it at the necessary height so that the product (4) is always accessible from the top (2a) of the housing.

13. - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE, according to any of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that on the platform (16) there is a partition (18) that determines a perimeter barrier on two or three of its sides, except for the front, intended to prevent any obstruction between the product boxes (4) and the walls of the housing (2).

14. - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE, according to any of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the opening of introduction of the product (4) with complete pallet (7) in the housing (3) is formed by a front door (5 ') and a flip top cover (19).

15. - WHOLESALE SELLING MACHINE, according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it incorporates a ventilation system (20) located in the most appropriate area of the housing (2).

16. - WHOLESALE EXPENDING MACHINE, according to claim 15, characterized in that the ventilation system has temperature and humidity control of the housing (3).