VENDING MACHINE SYSTEM
A vending machine system for exchanging CO 2 gas cylinders, the system including a controller in communication with a user interface, a payment system and an array of bin assemblies, wherein each one of the bin assemblies is shaped to at least partially receive an end of a CO 2 gas cylinder and includes a locking system for releasably securing therein a CO 2 gas cylinder, said system for performing the steps of: (a) receiving user input through the user interface; and (b) if the user input represents a desire to conduct maintenance, then the system performs the steps of: (i) confirming that the user is authorized to conduct maintenance; (ii) unlocking an empty CO 2 gas cylinder from a respective bin assembly for removal by the user; (iii) receiving a full CO 2 gas cylinder in an emptied bin assembly; and (iv) securing the full CO 2 gas cylinder received in the emptied bin assembly.
1 . A vending machine system for exchanging CO 2 gas cylinders, the system including a controller in communication with a user interface, a payment system and an array of bin assemblies, wherein each one of the bin assemblies is shaped to at least partially receive an end of a CO 2 gas cylinder and includes a locking system for releasably securing therein a CO 2 gas cylinder, said system for performing the steps of:
(a) receiving user input through the user interface; and
(b) if the user input represents a desire to conduct maintenance, then the system performs the steps of:
(i) confirming that the user is authorized to conduct maintenance;
(ii) unlocking an empty CO 2 gas cylinder from a respective bin assembly for removal by the user; and
(iii) receiving a full CO 2 gas cylinder in an emptied bin assembly; and
(iv) securing the full CO 2 gas cylinder received in the emptied bin assembly.
2 . The system of claim 1 , including the step of updating a status of the bin assembly as holding a full CO 2 gas cylinder.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the step of unlocking include the step of unlocking a plurality of empty CO 2 gas cylinder from a respective bin assembly for replacement by the user.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein ten empty cylinders are released.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the step of receiving includes receiving a plurality of full CO 2 gas cylinders in respective emptied bin assemblies.
6 . The system of claim 5 , including the step of updating a status of the bin assemblies as holding a full CO 2 gas cylinders.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the step of unlocking includes the step of illuminating a light emitting diodes associated with each one of the bin assemblies holding empty CO 2 gas cylinders.
8 . The vending machine system of claim 7 , wherein the step of confirming that the user is authorized to conduct maintenance, includes the steps of:
(a) receiving a password;
(b) confirming if the password entered matches a device password.
9 . The vending machine system of claim 7 , wherein the step of confirming that the user is authorized to conduct maintenance, includes the steps of:
(a) receiving user identification;
(b) sending a password to a user device associated with the user identification;
(c) receiving a password from the user;
(d) confirming if the password entered matches the a current device password.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the password is sent to the user device via SMS or pushed to the user device.
11 . The system of claim 9 wherein the password is sent to a user e-mail account accessible from the user device.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the password is received as:
(a) indicia entered by the user;
(b) a voice signal entered by the user; and/or
(c) indicia displayed on a user device scanned by the user interface.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the indicia displayed on the user device is a bar code or a QR code.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein each bin assembly in the array includes a tubular chassis shaped to receive and seat therein a CO 2 gas cylinder.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the locking system of each bin assembly in the array includes a sled that engages the CO 2 gas cylinder as it is inserted in to the tubular chassis and translates with respect to the tubular chassis towards a locked position.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the sled is in the locked position when the CO 2 gas cylinder is fully inserted into the tubular chassis.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the locking system of each bin assembly in the array includes a rotary latch that is engaged by the sled as it translates towards the locking position, and wherein a latching arm of the rotary latch secures the sled in the locked position.
18 . The system of claim 15 , wherein translation of the sled towards the locked position pulls a locking bar at least partially over an opening of the tubular chassis so as to secure the CO 2 gas cylinder therein.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the tubular chassis includes a tension spring that resiliently urges the sled away from the locked position.
20 . The system of claim 19 , further including an external door arranged to overlie the array of bin assemblies to inhibit ingress of contaminants therein.
21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the door is releasably secured in position by the controller.
22 . A vending machine, including the system claimed in claim 19 .
23 . A method for remotely controlling a CO 2 gas cylinder vending machine system on a user device, the method including:
displaying a remote vending machine user interface on a display of the user device;
receiving on the user device user input indicating a desire to engage with the vending machine system to perform a maintenance operation;
transmitting the user input over a communications network to a communications interface of the vending machine system.