DRAKE, Christopher (11 Stoneygate Avenue, Leicester, Leicestershire LE2 3HE, GB)
SHEA-SIMONDS, Duncan (110 WestCoates Drive, Leicester, Leicestershire LE3 OQS, GB)
HODGES, Kevin (101 South Knighton Road, Leicester, Leicestershire LE2 3LS, GB)
DRAKE, Christopher (11 Stoneygate Avenue, Leicester, Leicestershire LE2 3HE, GB)
SHEA-SIMONDS, Duncan (110 WestCoates Drive, Leicester, Leicestershire LE3 OQS, GB)
| CLAIMS: 1 A vending machine door panel for retro-fitting to an existing vending machine comprising: a moulded panel having a recess therein for receiving a plurality of individual product display shelf units, said moulded panel further configured to receive the door frame of a vending machine and comprising attachment means for attachment to said frame wherein said panel is provided with apertures therein corresponding to functional areas on the forward facing surface of said vending machine so as, in use, to enable said vending machine to be operated unaffected by said retrofit panel. 2 A vending machine door panel according to claim 1 further comprising a metal support plate located behind said moulded panel, said moulded plate comprising an array of mounting locations to which individual product display shelves can be attached. 4 A vending machine door panel according to claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising a plurality of individual product display shelves for attachment to said moulded panel in said recess. 5 A vending machine door panel according to claim 4 wherein said individual product display shelves each comprise a back face for attachment to said plate and a front face having attachment means for attachment to at least one visual display panel. 6 A vending machine door panel according to claim 5 wherein said attachment means for attachment to at least one visual display panel comprises a T shaped profile extending from said front face, said front face and said T shaped profile forming upper and lower channels for receiving said visual display panels. 7 A vending machine door panel according to claim 6 wherein said T shaped profile comprises substantially transparent plastics material such that, in use, the parts of the visual display panel located within said channels can be seen through said T shaped profile. 8 A vending machine door panel comprising: a moulded front panel having a recess therein for receiving a plurality of separate individual product display shelf units; a plurality of individual product display shelf units, each individual product display shelf units separately mountable to the moulded front panel within the recess at any one of an array of horizontal and vertical mounting positions wherein each individual product display shelf unit is configured to support a single product for display; and a transparent cover for covering said recess so as to enclose said individual product display shelf units and any products thereon. 9 A vending machine door panel according to claim 8 further comprising a metal support plate located behind said moulded front panel and having attachment means for attachment to said individual product display shelves, said metal support plate providing structural support for said individual product display shelves can be attached. 10 A vending machine door panel according to claim 8 or claim 9 further comprising a graphics panel located in said recess between said individual product display shelves and said moulded front panel. 1 1 A vending machine door panel according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said individual product display shelves each comprise a back face for attachment to said plate and a front face having attachment means for attachment to at least one visual display panel. 12 A vending machine door panel according to any one of claim 11 wherein said attachment means for attachment to at least one visual display panel comprises a T shaped profile extending from said front face, said front face and said T shaped profile forming upper and lower channels for receiving said visual display panels. 13 A vending machine door panel according to claim 12 wherein said T shaped profile comprises substantially transparent plastics material such that, in use, the parts of the visual display panel located within said channels can be seen through said T shaped profile. 14 A vending machine door panel comprising: a moulded front panel having a recess therein for receiving a plurality of individual product display shelves; a plurality of individual product display shelves; and a transparent cover for covering said recess so as to enclose said individual product display shelves and any products thereon; said individual product display shelves each comprising a front surface having a lipped support thereon, said lipped support arranged to retain visual display panels between said lipped support and said front surfaces; wherein at least the lips of said lipped supports are substantially transparent such that, in use, parts of a visual display panel located between said lipped support and said front surfaces can be seen through said lips. 15 A vending machine door panel according to claim 14 wherein said lipped supports comprise substantially transparent T shaped extensions protruding from said front face and forming upper and lower channels for receiving said visual display panels. 16 A vending machine door panel according to claim 14 or 15 wherein said a plurality of said individual product display shelves are arranged in linear arrays so as to form shelves extending substantially across said recess. 17 A vending machine door panel according to any one of claims 14 to 16 further comprising a graphics panel located in said recess between said individual product display shelves and said moulded front panel. 18 A vending machine door panel according to any one of claims 14 to 17 further comprising: a plurality of visual display panels retained between said lips and said front surfaces. |
This invention relates to vending machines, in particular this invention relates to doors for vending machines having displays therein.
Generally vending machines doors comprise a graphics panel that is used to market the product therein. Traditionally the door graphics are fitted prior to placement in the field and are seldom changed. The result of this is that the image presented by companies placing product in the vending machines and marketing thereon present a very static image to the customer.
As we move to a more digital age marketing campaigns are changing much more regularly partially as a result of the simplicity and speed of changing electronic carried images. For example beverage manufacturers may run specific marketing campaigns to tie in with their sponsorship of specific sporting or seasonal events. As their location is often remote and not closely supervised it is essential that vending machines are robust an as such do not readily lend themselves to expensive electronic type visual displays. Accordingly there is a need for a vending machine that can easily be graphically modified to reflect latest marketing campaigns.
It has also been shown that visual enticement by actually seeing a product to be bought may increase impulse purchase and accordingly it is desirable that, as in a shop, the vended product be seen by the customer. This is achieved in some vending machines where the stock of the machine is located in racks from which it is dispensed which can be viewed through a transparent front of the machine. These types of display however are not space efficient and reduce the amount of stock that a vending machine can store resulting a higher frequency of re-stocking which overall reduces the profitability of such machines. Accordingly it is desirable to display product in a manner that does not decrease the vending capacity of a machine.
A number of solutions to the above have been proposed in which rows of product can be located on rows of shelves, one product deep, within the door of a vending machine. The product is viewable through a transparent panel in the door Furthermore, as there are many vending machines currently placed in the market, it is preferable that solution to the above be easily retrofit to existing machines in the field. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a vending machine door panel for retro-fitting to an existing vending machine comprising: a moulded panel having a recess therein for receiving a plurality of individual product display shelf units, said moulded panel further configured to receive the door frame of a vending machine and comprising attachment means for attachment to said frame; wherein said panel is provided with apertures therein corresponding to functional areas on the forward facing surface of said vending machine so as, in use, to enable said vending machine to be operated unaffected by said retrofit panel.
In this manner one benefit is that existing vending machines in the field can easily be retrofit with a door panel according to the invention with no effect on the operation of the machine. The functional areas, e.g. the customer selection means, the payment mechanism and the vending slot can all be accessed through the apertures within the door panel. In addition to being easily retrofit to an existing vending machine, if the door panel is to be removed in the future it can also be done without affecting the manner in which the machine functions. Such ease of interchangability renders it possible, not only to change the display in a vending door, but also to easily change entire vending door front panels, for example to modify their shape in accordance with current advertising regimes. The invention enables existing 'closed fronted' machines (i.e. vending machines in which products are stored in metal chutes inside the machine so the products cannot be seen by the consumer) to be upgraded so they look like glass fronted machines in which products to be dispensed are stored on shelves behind a glass panel, so they can be seen by the consumer. Sales through glass fronted machines tend to be higher as the products are visible to the customer and impulse purchase is therefore increased. There are many more close fronted machines in existence than glass fronted machines and the present invention allows these close fronted machines to be renovated and upgraded so that they can benefit the advantages of glass fronted machines without the need to change the vending part of the machine. In a preferred arrangement a metal support plate located behind said moulded panel, said metal support plate comprising an array of mounting locations to which individual product display shelves can be attached. This enables the panel to be made of a relatively thin lightweight material, for example a plastics material and the metal provided a structural support for the product shelves. Furthermore the metal support plate, which may extend behind a substantial part of the panel, provided a secure barrier between the exterior of the machine and the interior where the vended goods, which may be of high value, are stored, thereby improving the security of the machine. A clear panel is attached to the front of the moulded panel to enclose the recess and is held in place by secure fasteners that attach through the moulded panel into the metal support plate so as to securely attach the clear panel to the door panel.
The machine can include a plurality of individual product display shelves for attachment to said moulded panel in said recess. Preferably the individual product display shelves each comprise a back face for attachment to said plate and a front face having attachment means for attachment to at least one visual display panel.
In this manner visual display panels may be attached to the front of the shelf units. The Visual display panels can cover all or part of the front of the recess and, due to the modular arrangement of the individual product display shelves any arrangement of product displays and visual panels may be achieved thereby creating a fully interchangeable display. This enables, for example, the display to be split into different sections for different products, each section displaying a combination of product samples and visual displays.
In one arrangement the attachment means for attachment to at least one visual display panel may comprise a T shaped profile extending from said front face, said front face and said T shaped profile forming upper and lower channels for receiving said visual display panels. Preferably said T shaped profile comprises substantially transparent plastics material such that, in use, the parts of the visual display panel located within said channels can be seen through said T shaped profile.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a vending machine door panel comprising: a moulded front panel having a recess therein for receiving a plurality of separate individual product display shelf units; a plurality of individual product display shelf units, each individual product display shelf units separately mountable on the moulded front panel within the recess at any one of an array of horizontal and vertical mounting positions wherein each individual product display shelf unit configured to support a single product for display; and a transparent cover for covering said recess so as to enclose said individual product display shelf units and any products thereon.
By providing individual display shelves for each product to be displayed, for example each shelf could support a single beverage can, and enabling the shelves to be mountable in any one of a plurality of positions, both horizontally and vertically, a fully customisable product display is achieved. For example: a single product could be displayed in the centre of the recess, a number of products could be randomly located at irregular horizontal and vertical positions, a single row of two or more products can be located anywhere, horizontally or vertically, within said recess; a regular array of products can be mounted or the recess could be filled with rows of product. This versatility gives maximum versatility to the customisation of the display.
Preferably the vending machine door panel further comprises a metal support plate located behind said moulded front panel and having attachment means for attachment to said individual product display shelves, said metal support plate providing structural support for said individual product display shelves can be attached. Further benefits of the metal panel are described with reference to the first embodiment In a preferred embodiment the vending machine door panel further comprises a graphics panel located in said recess between said individual product display shelves and said moulded front panel. In this manner a graphics display can be provided behind the products on display. Preferably the individual product display shelves each comprise a back face for attachment to said panel and a front face having attachment means for attachment to at least one visual display panel. Details and advantages of this feature are described with reference to the first aspect of the invention. In addition, the provision of front visual display panels, product samples and a graphics display behind the sample a three dimensional appearance can easily be effected. As the front visual display panels and the position of the individual product display shelves can be easily changed a very versatile and customisable display is effected.
As described with reference to the first aspect of the invention the attachment means for attachment to at least one visual display panel may comprises a T shaped profile extending from said front face, said front face and said T shaped profile forming upper and lower channels for receiving said visual display panels and preferably the T shaped profile comprises substantially transparent plastics material such that, in use, the parts of the visual display panel located within said channels can be seen through said T shaped profile.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a vending machine door panel comprising: a moulded front panel having a recess therein for receiving a plurality of individual product display shelves; a plurality of individual product display shelves; and a transparent cover for covering said recess so as to enclose said individual product display shelves and any products thereon; said individual product display shelves each comprising a front surface having a lipped support thereon, said lipped support arranged to retain visual display panels between said lipped support and said front surfaces; and wherein at least the lips of said lipped supports are substantially transparent such that, in use, parts of a visual display panel located between said lipped support and said front surfaces can be seen through said lips.
In this manner, as the parts of the support that retains the visual display panels that extend in front of the display panels are substantially transparent, and the parts of a visual display panel located between the lipped support and said front surfaces can be seen through said lips a larger visual display made up of a number of adjacent display panels can be achieved with little perceivable break between the panels. This enhances the appearance to the user and enables product suppliers to advertise their products with larger substantially uninterrupted marketing displays.
In a preferred embodiment the lipped support extends substantially across the individual product display shelves so as to form a channel for receiving said visual display panels. By providing a channel greater versatility in the shape of visual display panel can be achieved as the edge of the visual display panel that needs to be retained can be inserted into the required part of the channel without the need to design the visual display panels to align with specific retention points.
In a preferred embodiment the lipped supports comprise substantially transparent T shaped extensions protruding from said front face and forming upper and lower channels for receiving said visual display panels.
In one preferred embodiment a plurality of said individual product display shelves are arranged in linear arrays so as to form shelves extending substantially across said recess.
As described with reference to the second embodiment, a graphics panel may be located in said recess between said individual product display shelves and said moulded front panel.
Preferably the vending machine door panel further comprises a plurality of visual display panels retained between said lips and said front surfaces.
The first second ant third aspects of the invention may be combined in various combinations to achieve the advantages associated with each aspect.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a vending machine in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a vending machine in accordance with the invention;
Figure 3 shows a detail of a product support;
Figure 4 and 5 show exploded views of a product support of the invention; Figure 6 shows details of the product supports and display panels Figures 7 to 10 show different arrangements of the a vending machine according too the invention; Figure 11 shows a cross section through line "A" - "A" of Figure 7; and
Figure 12 and 13 show a lower perspective view and an exploded lower perspective view of a shelf of product supports. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a vending machine 100 is shown having a body 2 and a door frame 4. The door frame 4 has a plurality of operational elements 6 thereon for the operation of the vending machine, e.g. selection buttons and card reader/coin slot for receiving payment. A door panel 8 has a lipped edge 10 for fitting over the door frame 4. The door panel 8 has a plurality of openings 12 therein too enable access therethrough to the operational elements on the door frame 4. A further opening 14 enables access to the delivery area to enable a user to collect the vended product. This opening aligns with a delivery chute 16.
The door panel 8 has a recess 18 therein, the rear surface of the recess having an array of holes 20 therein to enable product display shelves 22 to be attached thereto. The door panel is preferably made of a moulded plastics material. A structural support plate 24 locates between the recess and the interior of the vending machine and has flanges that extend around the sided of the recess and attach to the door panel 8 via holes 26. The structural support is made of a string rigid material, preferably metal, and has a plurality of holes 28 therein corresponding to the holes 20 in the recess. The display shelves 22 connect to the support plate 24 through holes 20. The support plate also forms a security barrier between the door panel 8 and the interior of the vending machine. The door panel 8 is fixed to the side of the door frame 4. If external fittings are used then a security strip 28 may be attached to the exterior of the door panel 8 so as to securely hide the fittings. Alternatively the door panel could be fitted in a manner that it can only be removed by accessing the fittings from the inside when the door is open. A number of display shelves 22 are attached in the recessed area to display product and the outer cover 30, which is of a transparent material, is fitted in place using secure/tamper proof fixing means and a trim 32 is placed around the access hole for the vended product. Differing numbers of display shelves 22 may be assembled in different arrangements to customise the display. The outer cover 30 can simply be removed to enable access to the recessed area to enable the display therein to be changed without the need to access the interior of the vending machine.
Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 5 details of the display shelf 22 are shown. The display shelf 22 comprises three parts, a shelf body 34, a product retainer 36 and a front edge clip 38. All three parts are made of plastics mouldings.
The shelf body is substantially L shaped with a back section 40 and a shelf section 42. The upper area of the back section 40 has a recess 44 therein in which the product retainer 36 locates. The product retainer 36 is preferably moulded from a transparent plastics material and comprises an attachment portion 46 for engagement with the recess 44 and a clip 48 for securely holding a product in place. The product retainer 36 is easily separable form the shelf body such that it can be simply interchanged to a different sized product retainer to enable simple changing of the retained product on the shelf.
The front edge clip 38 is substantially L shaped and comprises a first portion 50 that fits into a recessed area 52 of the shelf section 42 and a second portion 53 that extends over the front surface of the display shelf 22. The front edge clip 38 is provided with locating member 54 and clips 56 for retaining it in position relative to the shelf body.
The front edge clip 38 is provided with a substantially upright rim 58 that, in use, locates the product on the display shelf 22. Ribs 60 extend from the rim 58 and interface with shaped lower ends of products, for example beverage containers, so as to enable them to be orientated, and maintained in their orientated position, e.g. with the label facing forward.
Towards the lower end of the rear face of the product display shelf 22 there area pair of bosses 62 with corresponding screws 64 that, in use, fit into keyed slots in the support plate 24. The product retainer 36 and the shelf body 34 both have holes therein for, in their received position, receiving a common screw or bolt 66 that attaches the device to the support plate 24.
On the front edge of the front edge clip 38 is a T shaped extension 68 that forms upper and lower channels 70 for receiving therein the ends of graphics panels of other visual display means. The front edge clip 38 is manufactured from a substantially transparent plastics material so that when graphics panels are inserted into the upper and lower channels 70 even the part of the display panel in the channel can be seen giving the impression of a substantially continuous graphic display
Referring to Figure 6, three vertically arranged product display shelves 22 are shown having graphic display panels 72 located in the channels in their front edge. The ends of the graphic display panels extend fully into the upper and lower channels 70 so that they are separated only by the width of the material forming the top and bottom of the channels. As the sides of the upper and lower channels 70 into which the graphic display panels 72 extend are transparent the whole of the graphic display panels 72 can be seen. When viewed a substantially continuous display is achieved as the separation between adjacent panels is minimal. The display panels 72 may be opaque or partially transparent and may each contain an individual graphic or may each contain a part image and tessellate to form, with adjacent graphic display panels, a larger graphic display. A back graphic 74 may be located behind the product display shelves 22 which may comprise a number of small panels, as depicted, or may comprise one large graphic panel placed in the recess and having holes therein of receiving the fixing means of the product display shelves (64, 66) therethrough. In this manner a three dimensional layered effect of display can be achieved comprising the back graphic, the product on display, and the display panels. As the graphic display panels 72 are small panels that tessellate to form larger graphics and, as the y are protected behind the outer cover, they can be printed on lighter weight materials of paper or similar substrates than are currently used. As they are supported locally through out the larger tessellated display the panels themselves do not need the same structural strength to prevent, for example, sagging. By enabling a system that allows the panels to be printed on lighter and cheaper materials it is economic for the display to be regularly changed to reflect current marketing initiatives. Referring now to Figures 7 to 10 a plurality of possible different arrangements of the display are shown that are enabled by the flexible and modular approach to the vending door display. Figure 7 shows an arrangement of products on shelves in accordance with the invention. The products are display products used for advertising purposes and are not actually vended from the machine, the product that is vended is stored internally within the machine when selected by using the operational elements 6. An active graphics panel 76 forms part of the display in place of the shelves. The active graphics panel 76 contains an LCD which may display moving images or changing fixed images. The active graphics panel is attached to the structural support plate (24, Figure 2).
Figure 8 shows an arrangement of products on shelves in accordance with the invention. The invention allows the flexibility of individually mounted display shelves 22, each shelf adapted to support a single display item 78. A back graphic 74 is located in the recess behind the display shelves 22. Although depicted in a regular pattern the display shelves 22 may be randomly positioned in the recess in a desired location.
Figures 9 and 10 show two possible arrangements of display panels 72, display shelves 22 and products 78, arranged together in the recess in the front of the vending door panel 8. As can be seen the display panels 72 can be tessellated so as to provide a substantially continuous visual display with adjacent horizontal or vertical display panels 72. Optionally a back graphic 74 may be used to further enhance the visual effect.
In all cases the display is covered by outer cover 30 which encloses the shelves, product and display panels within the recess. In this manner the display can easily be modified by the removal of the outer cover 30, the reconfiguration of the selves/the changing of graphic panels/rear graphic and the changing of the actual product on display. This can easily be modified without the need for the person changing the display to access the interior of the machine. A very flexible and easily customisable display is therefore provided that allows promoters to regularly and cheaply change the look of the vending machine and any graphics associated therewith. This enables promoters to reflect current events (e.g. sports events which they may sponsorO or current advertising campaigns in the representation for their company shown at point of sale of vended products.
Referring to Figure 11 a cross section through line "A" - "A" of Figure 7 is shown. As can be seen the door frame 4 has a door panel 8 attached thereto by screws 80. Attached to the rear of a recessed section is the support plate 24. Within the recess is a plurality of display shelves 22 that are attached to the support plate 24 by bolts 66 which attach into threaded bosses 82 attached to the support plate 24. A cover 30 covers the front of the display enclosing the display shelves 22, and any products (omitted for clarity) being displayed, therein. The door panel 8 has at least one hole 12 in the region of operational elements 6 that are fixed to the door frame 4, thereby enabling the door panel 8 to be retrofitted to a door frame of an existing vending machine without the need to change any operational functions of the machine or rewire the controls thereof. The cover 30 is attached to the support plate 24 by means of secure fittings that pass through the door panel 8 so that the cover 30 is securely attached to the metal support plate 24. The cover 30 can be simply removed by removing the secure fittings from the front to enable access to the recessed area for changing of the display therein. Referring to Figure 12 and 13 a bottom perspective view is shown of a shelf comprising four display shelves 22. A light 84 for illuminating displayed products located on the shelf below is attached to the underside of the shelf by means of attachment brackets 86 and screws 88 which screw into bosses 90 in the underside of the base. Wiring, not shown, will connect the lights to a power source of the vending machine.
As will be understood by the skilled person, the invention enables a very flexible and interchangeable display to be effected in a vending machine door that can easily be retrofit to existing vending machines without the need to adapt or move the controls of the existing vending machine. The flexibility of the display enables it to be readily and often changed in accordance with current marketing campaigns. Furthermore this is effected without the need to access the interior of the machine which enables the display to be changed by accompany or persons not associated with the provision of the vending service as no access top the interior of the machine carrying the stock and monies is required.
Next Patent: INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL