Background of the Invention The use of vending machines and other types of product dispensers is well known in the art. Product sales volume from such product dispensers often depends in part on placing the dispenser in a location with sufficient consumer traffic. Because the use of the product dispenser is often an impulse purchase, the dispenser preferably should be located wherever a sufficient number of consumers may gather or pass by.

One drawback with the use of many current product dispensers is that the dispensers may not always be placed where the consumers may be gathered. There are many locations where product dispensers simply are not available. This lack of availability may be due to the size of the dispenser, the expense of the dispenser, the availability of electrical power, or even aesthetic reasons. Further, moving the dispensers on a temporary basis is often difficult, expensive, and/or time consuming.

In addition to the location of the dispensers, the appearance and operation of the dispensers should be designed to catch the consumer's eye and ensure that the consumer has a pleasant purchasing experience. Even if the dispensers can be located in a high traffic area, the purchasing experience is rarely considered to be"fun"because of the ubiquity of the dispensers. As such, the product dispensers are considered simply a means to provide the products therein to the consumer as opposed to an attraction in and of itself.

What is needed, therefore, are methods and apparatus that ensure that the product dispensers easily may be located wherever the consumers are gathered.

Further, there is need for product dispensers that create impulse purchases by being unique, entertaining, and/or interesting. These goals must be accomplished with methods and apparatus that are convenient, safe, and reasonably priced.

Summary of the Invention The present invention thus provides a mobile vending machine for transporting and vending a number of products. The mobile vending machine includes a storage compartment for storing the products, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the products, and a drive mechanism. The storage compartment is positioned about the drive mechanism for movement therewith.

Specific embodiments of the mobile vendor include the storage compartment having a number of storage rows. Each of the storage rows may include a wall and a floor. The floor may include an elevator port for use with the dispensing mechanism.

The elevator port may include a number of apertures surrounding a support flange.

Each of the storage rows may include a collar for rotation within the wall and the floor.

The collar may include a number of partitions therein and the partitions may form a number of product compartments. A collar motor may rotate the collar.

The dispensing mechanism may include an access port for dispensing one of the products at a time. The dispensing mechanism also may include an elevator so as to transport one of the products from the storage compartment to the access port. The elevator may include a pair of elevator arms. The pair of elevator arms may be positioned so as to pass through the apertures of the elevator port.

The drive mechanism may include a number of wheels. A drive motor may power the wheels. The drive mechanism may include a battery.

The mobile vendor also may include an internal control device for controlling the storage compartment, the dispensing mechanism, and the drive mechanism. A remote control device may be in communication with the internal control device. The remote control device may control the drive mechanism, the storage compartment, and the dispensing mechanism. The mobile vendor further may include a first speaker and a first microphone while the remote control device may include a second speaker and a second microphone in communication with one another. The storage compartment may include an outer shell with advertising indicia thereon.

A further embodiment of the present invention provides for a dispensing system for dispensing a number of products from a vending machine. The dispensing system may include an elevator and a storage row. The storage row may include a wall and a floor. The storage row also may include an elevator port for use with the elevator. The storage row further may include a collar for rotation within the wall and the floor. The collar may include a number of partitions therein. The partitions may form a number of product compartments for rotating the products along the floor to the elevator port for transport by the elevator.

The dispensing system may include a number of the storage rows. The elevator port may include a number of apertures and a product support flange. The elevator may include a pair of elevator arms. The elevator arms may be positioned to pass through the apertures of the elevator port and to pick up one of the products.

A product dispenser may be positioned adjacent to the storage row and in communication with the elevator. The product dispenser may include a product platter positioned for rotation therein. The product platter may include a number of apertures positioned therein. The apertures may each include a product support rotatably positioned therein. The product support may be sized to allow the elevator arms to pass through each aperture and to support one of the products. The product support may include a hinge attached to the product platter such that the product support will rotate upward when the elevator lifts one of the products through the aperture and then rotate downward after the product passes therethrough. The product dispenser may include a platter. The product dispenser may include a vending cone positioned on top of the product platter. The vending cone may include a transparent material. The dispensing system further may include an outer shell positioned around the storage row with one or more storage racks positioned thereon.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile vendor of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the mobile vendor of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the mobile vendor of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the storage and elevation system and the drive system of the mobile vendor of Fig. 1 with the outer shell shown in phantom lines.

Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of the storage and elevation system of the mobile vendor of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the storage and elevation system of the mobile vendor of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the drive system of the mobile vendor of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the remote control device for use with the mobile vendor.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the partner cooler of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is an exploded view of the partner cooler of Fig. 9.

Detailed Description of the Invention Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, Figs. 1-8 show a mobile vendor 100 of the present invention. The mobile vender 100 may store and vend a number of products 105. Each of the products 105 may be, for example, a beverage container 110. The product 105, however, may be any type of item that may be stored in a conventional product dispenser and vended therefrom.

The mobile vendor 100 may include an outer shell 115. The outer shell 115 may be a substantially hollow, cylindrical structure, but any convenient size or shape may be used. The outer shell 115 is preferably made from a lightweight, substantially rigid material such as steel, aluminum, or similar metals; thermoplastics such as polycarbonate or PETG (polyethylene terephthalate-glycol) ; or similar materials. The outer shell 115 preferably is insulated with foam or similar materials.

An access lid 120 may enclose the outer shell 115. The access lid 120 may be attached to the outer shell 115 by hinges, springs, or other types of conventional joinder mechanisms. The access lid 120 may be removed or opened so as to permit access to the interior of the outer shell 115 so as to load the products 105 therein. The access lid 120 may be made from the same materials as the outer shell 115. Alternatively, the access lid 120 may be made out of a rigid foam or similar materials. The access lid 120 is preferably insulated.

The access lid 120 may have an access port 130 positioned therein. The access port 130 preferably is sized to permit the vending of one of the products 105 therethrough. As is shown, the access port 130 may have a vending lid 140 or a similar type of enclosing structure attached by hinges, springs, or other types of conventional joinder mechanisms. The vending lid 140 may be omitted if desired. Further, more than one access port 130 may be used. The access port 130 and the vending lid 140 allow the products 105 to be pushed out of the mobile vendor 100 at least one at time and/or allows the consumer to grasp one of the products 105. The access lid 120 of the mobile vendor 100 also may have a number of conventional selection panels 150 and a coin slot 160 positioned thereon. Alternatively, the selection panels 150 and the coin slot 160 may be positioned anywhere on the mobile vendor 100.

As is shown in Fig. 1, the mobile vendor 100 of the present invention also may include decorative aspects. For example, the access lid 120 is shown in the shape of a baseball cap 170. The outer shell 115 includes a pair of sunglasses 180 and one or more trademarks or logos 190 that may be associated with the products 105 positioned within the mobile vendor 100, with the location of the mobile vendor 100, or with third

party advertising. In this case, the Dynamic Ribbon device of The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia is shown as a kind of"mouth"for the vender 100. Any type of aesthetic design, however, may be used to"personalize"the outer shell 115, the access lid 120, and the mobile vendor 100 as a whole. Further, the decorative aspects may include the use of color, lights, sound, and other types of accessories. The decoration shown herein is not intended to be limiting in any manner.

As is shown in Figs. 4-6, the mobile vendor 100 may include a storage and elevation system 200. The storage and elevation system 200 may include a number of storage rows 210. In the present embodiment, three storage rows 210 are used, a first storage row 220, a second storage row 230, and a third storage row 240. Any number of storage rows 210, however, may be used. The storage rows 210 are largely circular in shape so as to fit within the outer shell 115. Any convenient size or shape, however, may be used. The storage rows 210 may each form a central aperture 215 therein. In this example, the aperture 215 is largely cylindrical in shape. Any size or shape, however, may be used. The apertures 215 may be filled with ice so as to keep the products 105 within the storage rows 210 cold. Alternatively, the mobile vendor 100 may use any type of conventional cooling or heating system.

Each of the storage rows 210 may include a fixed floor 260. The fixed floor 260 may be attached to an inner wall 265 of the outer shell 115. The floor 260 may include an elevator port 270. The elevator port 270 may include a pair of apertures 280. The apertures 280 may surround a product support flange 290. By a"pair"of apertures 280, we mean that the apertures 280 surround the support flange 290. The apertures 280 may or may not be contiguous. The apertures 280 may be sized to accommodate the elevator as described in more detail below. The product support flange 290 may be sized to accommodate and support one of the products 105. The product support flange 290 is rotatable and may be attached to the floor 260 via springs, hinges, or conventional type of joinder means.

Positioned on the floor 260 and within the inner wall 265 may be a rotatable inner collar 300. The rotatable inner collar 300 may rotate along the floor 260 by sliding or via rollers, bearings, or similar means. The rotatable inner collar 300 may include a number of partitions 310 thereon that form a number of product compartments 320. As is shown in Fig. 4, several of the products 105 may be positioned on the storage rows 210 in the product compartments 320. The inner collar 300 may be driven to rotate along the floor 260 by a collar motor 330. The collar motor 330 may be a conventional electric motor with about 0.01 to about 0.2 horsepower (about 7.46 to about 149.2 Watts). The collar motor 330 may also include other types of conventional

drive means. When the products 105 are positioned within the compartments 320, the partitions 310 of the inner collar 300 force the products 105 to slide along the floor 260 and the inner wall 265. An internal control device 340 may control operation of the motor 330. The internal control device 340 may include a conventional microprocessor or a similar type of control device.

The storage and elevation system 200 also may include an elevator 350. The elevator 350 may include an elongated shaft 360. The elongated shaft 360 may be fixedly attached to each of the floors 260 of the storage rows 210 by brackets or similar types of connection mechanisms. Attached to the elongated shaft 360 may be an elevator base 370 with a pair of elevator arms 380 attached thereto. The elevator base 370 and the elevator arms 380 may maneuver up and down the elongated shaft 360.

The elevator base 370 may have a flange or other type of guide mechanism so as to attach to the elongated shaft 360 for movement therewith. The elevator base 370 may be of sufficient size to support the elevator arms 380 with a product 105 therein.

The elevator arms 380 each may have an elongated straight portion 390 attached to the base 370 and an angled portion 400 extending toward the outer shell 115. The straight portion 390 is essentially the width of one of the products 105. The elevator arms 380 are sized to maneuver up and down the elongated shaft 360 and through the apertures 280 of the elevator port 270 on each storage row 210. The elevator arms 380 may travel through the apertures 280 until the arms engage one of the products 105 positioned on the support flange 290. The elevator arms 380 may then pick up the product 105 and support it against the elevator base 370. The elevator arms 380 may be made out of a substantially rigid material such as stainless steel or similar types of materials.

The elevator base 370 and the elevator arms 380 may maneuver up and down the elongated shaft 360 as powered by an elevator motor 410. The elevator motor 410 may be an electrical motor with about 0.01 to about 0.25 horsepower (about 7.46 to about 186.5 Watts). or a similar type of drive mechanism. The internal control device 340 may control the elevator motor 410.

The mobile vendor 100 may further include a transport system 450. As is best shown in Figs. 3,4, and 7, the transport system 450 may be based upon a typical wheelchair transport system. As such, the transport system 450 may include a frame 460. The frame 460 may include tubular elements made from aluminum, or similar types of low weight, high strength materials. Attached to the rear of the frame 460 may be a drive mechanism 470. The drive mechanism 470 may include a pair of drive motors 480 positioned on either side of the frame 460. Also attached to the frame 460

are the rear wheels 490. The drive motors 480 drive the rear wheels 490 in a conventional manner. Further, the drive motors 480 may include a gearbox, a clutch, mounting brackets, and similar types of drive components. The drive motors 480 may have a power output of about 0.5 to about 1.5 horsepower (about 373 to about 1119 Watts).. One or more batteries 500 may power the drive motors 480. The batteries 500 may be conventional lead-acid, nickel cadmium, metal-air, or similar types of low weight, long run time energy sources. The batteries 500 are preferably re-chargeable.

Attached to the front of the frame 460 may be a pair of front wheels 520 connected by a pair of steering brackets 530. The front wheels 520 may be of conventional design. The front wheels 520 may be mounted on the steering brackets 530 in a conventional manner. The steering brackets 530 may be made out of steel or similar types of rigid materials. The steering brackets 530 may be connected to the frame 460 in a conventional manner. The wheels 520 may be generally passive with respect to steering. Steering may be provided by altering the speed of the rear wheels 490. For example, the frame 460 will turn to the left by increasing the speed to the right rear wheel 490. Any conventional type of steering mechanism also may be used.

The internal control device 340 may operate in conjunction with a remote control device 570. The internal control device 340 and the remote control device 570 may communicate via radio frequency signals, infrared light, or via other conventional communication means. The internal control device 340 and the remote control device 570 also may be connected via cables or other types of direct connections. The remote control device 570 may have a joystick 575 or a similar type of control mechanism so as to steer the mobile vender 100. The remote control device 570 also may control the speed of the mobile vendor 100, other aspects of the transport system 450, and the operation of the storage and elevation system 200.

The mobile vendor 100 may further include a communication system 580. Both the mobile vendor 100 and the remote control device 570 may include a microphone 590 and a speaker 595. Any conventional type of microphone 590 and speaker 595 may be used. The user of the remote control device 570 therefore may speak into the microphone 590 of the remote control device 570 such that it appears that the mobile vendor 100 is speaking. Likewise, the consumer may speak into the microphone 590 of the mobile vendor 100 and have that speech heard by the user of the remote control device 570 via the speaker 595. The microphone 590 and the speaker 595 may be positioned within the access lid 120 or anywhere on the mobile vendor 100. The mobile vendor 100 thus may be interactive with the consumer.

In use, a number of the products 105 may be loaded into each of the product compartments 320 on the storage rows 210. A different type or flavor of product 105 may be inserted on each row 210. For example, a regular carbonated beverage product 105 may be placed in the first storage row 220, a diet carbonated beverage product 105 may be placed on the second storage row 230, and a water product 105 may be placed on the third storage row 240. Any number of product variations may be used. The apertures 215 within the storage rows 210 may be filled with ice or other types of heating or cooling devices may be used to bring the products 105 therein to the desired serving temperature.

Under the direction of the remote control device 570, the mobile vendor 100 may travel to wherever the consumers may be gathered. For example, the consumers may be waiting in line at an amusement park, a sporting event, a concert, or at a similar type of event or attraction. The user of the remote control device 570 may control the transport system 450 such that the mobile vendor 100 travels along the line of consumers. The user of the remote control device 570 also may use the microphone 590 and the speaker 595 so as to interact with the consumers in line and to gain their attention.

For example, the mobile vendor 100 may stop in front of a consumer. The consumer may place coins, coupons, or currency into the coin slot 160 and then make a selection from the selection panel 150. The selection panel 150 thus activates the internal control device 340 to turn on the collar motor 330 of the storage row 210 with the products 105 thereon that correspond to the selection of the selection panel 150.

The collar motor 330 rotates the inner collar 300 until one of the products 105 is positioned on the product support flange 290 of the elevator port 270. The elevator 350 is then activated such that the elevator arms 380 travel through the apertures 280 and pick up the selected product 105. The product 105 is then elevated through the access port 130 and the vending lid 140 of the access lid 120. The product support flange 290 of the other storage rows 210 rotates upward as the elevator 350 passes therethrough.

The consumer may then remove the product 105 from the access port 130. The mobile vendor 100 may then continue down the line of consumers and repeat the sales process.

Figs. 9-10 show a further embodiment of the present invention, a partner cooler 1400. Operation of the partner cooler 1400 may be controlled by a control system 1405. The control system 1405 may be similar to the control systems 340. The partner cooler may incorporate some or all of the storage and elevation system 200 of the mobile vendor 100. The partner cooler 1400 may include a support base 1410. The support base 1410 may be sized according to the desired size of the partner cooler 1400

as a whole. The support base 1410 may be made out of any conventional material and can be made in any conventional shape. Mounted to the support base 1410 may be a storage and elevation system 1420. The storage and elevation system 1420 may be substantially identical to the storage and elevation system 200 described above. As such, the storage and elevation system 1420 may include an elevator 1425 with a base 1426 and a pair of arms 1427 similar to those described above with the elevator 350.

An outer shell 1430 may enclose the storage and elevation system 1420. The outer shell 1430 may be similar to the outer shell 115 described above. The outer shell 1430 may be made out of any conventional materials such as steel, aluminum or similar metals; a thermoplastic such as polycarbonate or PETG; or similar materials. The outer shell 1430 is preferably insulated. Positioned on the outer shell 1430 may be one or more promotion racks 1440. The promotion racks 1440 may hold magazines, books and newspapers, candy, or any type of consumer goods or other items. The promotion racks 1440 may be conventional shelving. The promotional racks 1440 made out of metal wire or any conventional type of materials may be used. Any conventional shape also may be used. The outer shell 1430 also may include advertising indicia thereon.

Positioned on top of the storage and elevation system 1420 may be a product dispenser 1450. The product dispenser 1450 may include a dispenser base 1460. The dispenser base 1460 may be made out of any substantially rigid materials, such as a thermoplastic, steel, or similar materials.

Positioned within the dispenser base 1460 may be a product platter 1470. The product platter 1470 may have a number of apertures 1475 therein. The apertures 1475 may be sized to accommodate one of the products 105 and the elevator arms 1427 passing therethrough. A product support 1480 may be positioned within each of the apertures 1475. The product supports 1480 may be rotatably attached to the product platter 1470. The product supports 1480 are formed so as to support one of the products 105 and also to allow one of the products 105 to be elevated from the storage and elevation system 1420. The product supports 1480 preferably do not fill each aperture 1475 completely. Rather, sufficient space remains for the elevator arms 1427 to pass therethrough. Springs, hinges, or other conventional types of joinder means may attach the product supports 1480 to the product platter 1470. The product platter 1470 and product supports 1480 may be made from a substantially rigid material, such as a thermoplastic, steel, or similar materials.

The product platter 1470 also may have a number of platter rollers 1490 positioned thereon. The platter rollers 1490 may assist in the rotation of the product platter 1470 within the dispenser base 1460. The product platter 1470 may be driven

via a drive motor and gear assembly 1500. The drive motor and gear assembly 1500 may include a conventional electric motor 1510 or a similar type of drive device.

Rotation of the product platter 1470 and the operation of the drive motor and gear assembly 1500 may be controlled by a number of switches 1520 positioned within the dispenser base 1460. The switches 1520 may be conventional position switches. The switches 1520 may indicate whether a product 105 is in position in each of the product supports 1480. Monitoring of the switches 1520 and operation of the drive motor and gear assembly 1500 may be controlled by the control system 1405.

The dispenser base 1460 also may support a product cone 1530. The product cone 1530 is preferably made from a clear thermoplastic such that a consumer may view the products 105 positioned within the product supports 1480. Positioned on top of the product cone 1530 may be a vending cone 1540. The vending cone 1540 may be made out of a substantially rigid material, such as a thermoplastic, or similar materials.

The vending cone 1540 may have an aperture 1550 positioned therein. The aperture 1550 may be sized to permit the removal of one of the products 105 therethrough. The aperture 1550 may be enclosed with a vending door 1560. The vending door 1560 also may be made out of a substantially rigid thermoplastic or similar materials. Operation of the vending door 1560 may be controlled by a vend door switch or a similar mechanism. The vending door 1560 may be operated by insertion of coins or currency into a coin slot 1580. The coin slot 1580 may be positioned on the vending cone 1540 or anywhere on the product dispenser 1450. Operation of the vending door 1560 also may be controlled by the control system 1405.

In use, the drive motor and gear assembly 1500 may rotate the product platter 1470 of the product dispenser 1450. If a consumer desires one of the products 105 from the partner cooler 1400, the consumer can pay for the product 105 at the time or take the product 105 to a checkout line. The consumer may place coins or currency within the coin slot 1580 or the customer may simply open the vending door 1560 and remove one of the products 105 out of one of the product supports 1480. The rotation of the product platter 1470 stops when the vending door 1560 is opened.

Once the product 105 has been removed from one of the product supports 1480, the switch 1520 signals the control system 1405 that the product 105 has been removed.

Each product support 1480 may be dedicated to a specific product 105 such that the control system 1405 knows what type of product 105 has been removed. Once the vending door 1560 has been closed, the control system 1405 activates the storage and elevation system 1420. The product platter 1470 is also rotated such that the empty product support 1480 is aligned with the elevator 1425. The elevator 1425 of the

storage and elevation system 1420 picks up one of the products 105 in a manner largely identical to that described above with respect to the storage and elevation system 200.

As the product 105 is elevated, the top of the product 105 causes the empty product support 1480 to rotate upward. The elevator 1425 continues to elevate the product 105 above the product platter 1470 and into the vending cone 1540 until the product 105 has cleared the product support 1480. Once the product 105 clears the product support 1480, the product support 1480 swings backward and closes. The elevator 1425 then reverses direction and places the product 105 into the product support 1480. The arms 1427 of the elevator 1425 pass through the apertures 1475 surrounding the product support 1480. Once the product 105 has been delivered, the drive motor and gear assembly 1500 again rotates the product platter 1470.