Systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating module-based vending
Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for modular vending systems utilizing reloadable product dispensing modules, including, but not limited to, vertical product dispensing modules comprising a vertical conveyor and a mounting structure for releasably engaging with module holder structures of modular vending machines, and a central controller device for communicating with a plurality of modular vending machines.
1. A modular vending machine system comprising:
a modular vending machine comprising:
a module holding structure for removably securing a product dispensing module to hang vertically within the modular vending machine, and
a vending machine controller configured to control dispensing of products from at least one product dispensing module; and
the at least one product dispensing module comprising a mounting structure configured to be removably engaged with the module holding structure of the modular vending machine,
wherein the module holding structure comprises at least one supporting shelf.
2. The modular vending machine system of claim 1 , the modular vending machine further comprising:
a drive assembly configured to operatively couple with a product dispensing module for dispensing products from the product dispensing module.
3. The modular vending machine system of claim 1 , each at least one product dispensing module comprising:
a respective conveyor comprising a plurality of product supporting positions.
4. The modular vending machine system of claim 3 , each at least one product dispensing module comprising:
a respective container connected to the coupler, the container comprising at least one wall configured to retain products in the product supporting positions of the conveyor.
5. The modular vending machine system of claim 1 , the modular vending machine further comprising:
a drive assembly configured to operatively couple with a respective product dispensing module for dispensing products from the product dispensing module; and
each at least one product dispensing module further comprising:
a respective conveyor comprising a plurality of product supporting positions.
6. The modular vending machine system of claim 5 , each at least one product dispensing module comprising:
a coupler connected to the conveyor, the coupler being configured for coupling with the drive assembly of the modular vending machine for operating the conveyor.
7. The modular vending machine system of claim 6 , further comprising:
a respective coupler lock attached to each product dispensing module, the coupler lock being configured to substantially prevent movement of the coupler and the conveyor when the coupler is not coupled to the drive assembly, the coupler lock being further configured to allow movement of the coupler and the conveyor to dispense products when the coupler is coupled to the drive assembly.
8. The modular vending machine system of claim 7 , wherein the coupler lock is movable from a first coupler lock position for engaging the coupler to prevent movement of the coupler to a second coupler lock position for disengaging the coupler to allow movement of the coupler.
9. The modular vending machine system of claim 7 , wherein the respective mounting structure of each at least one product dispensing module comprises a gap configured to receive a respective supporting shelf of the modular vending machine to hang the product dispensing module vertically.
10. The modular vending machine system of claim 1 , wherein the respective mounting structure of each at least one product dispensing module comprises:
a coupler platform, and
a container platform separated from the coupler platform by a gap,
wherein the gap between the coupler platform and the container platform is configured to receive the module holding structure of the modular vending machine to hang the product dispensing module vertically.
11. A modular vending machine system comprising:
a modular vending machine comprising:
a module holding structure for removably securing a product dispensing module to hang vertically within the modular vending machine, and
a vending machine controller configured to control dispensing of products from the product dispensing module, and
a product dispensing module comprising:
a conveyor comprising a plurality of product supporting positions in a substantially vertical arrangement,
a container connected to the conveyor, the container comprising at least one wall configured to retain products in the product supporting positions of the conveyor, and
a mounting structure connected to the container and removably engaged with the module holding structure of the module vending machine,
wherein the module holding structure comprises at least one supporting shelf.
12. The modular vending machine system of claim 11 , the product dispensing module further comprising:
a drive assembly configured to dispense products from the product dispensing module under control of the vending machine controller.
13. The modular vending machine system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a central controller device in electronic communication with the modular vending machine over a communications network, the controller device comprising:
a processor, and
a computer readable storage device in communication with the processor, the computer readable storage device storing instructions that when executed by the processor direct the processor to:
receive an indication of an identifier that identifies a product dispensing module,
determine, based on the identifier, product information associated with the product dispensing module, and
transmit the product information associated with the product dispensing module.
14. The modular vending machine system of claim 13 , wherein the computer readable storage device further comprises at least one of:
a cartridge database comprising information for a plurality of product dispensing modules, the information including, for each product dispensing module, an indication of a respective identifier that identifies the product dispensing module and an indication of a respective product, and
a product database comprising information for a plurality of products.
15. The modular vending machine system of claim 14 , wherein the instructions when executed by the processor further direct the processor to:
receive an indication of a product associated with the product dispensing module, and
store, in the cartridge database, the indication of the product in association with an identifier that identifies the product dispensing module.
16. The modular machine system of claim 13 , wherein receiving the indication of the identifier that identifies the product dispensing module comprises:
receiving the indication of the identifier that identifies the product dispensing module from the modular vending machine.
17. The modular vending machine system of claim 11 , wherein the module holding structure and the mounting structure comprise snap joint components.
18. The modular vending machine system of claim 11 , wherein the conveyor comprises a helical coil rotatably mounted in the container.
19. The modular vending machine system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one wall comprises a top side wall of the container, and wherein the conveyor is connected to the top side wall.
20. The modular vending machine system of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the at least one wall is adjustable to provide at least two different depths of the container for holding products of different sizes.
21. The modular vending machine system of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of products, each product being stored in a respective one of the plurality of product supporting positions of the conveyor.
22. The modular vending machine system of claim 11 , wherein the product dispensing module further comprises a data storage device storing an identifier that identifies the product dispensing module.