AUTOMATED TENDER COCONUT/COCONUT

VENDING/DISPENSING MACHINE

Field of Invention

The present disclosure is from the field of food retail industry, which is related to retail of tender coconut. The present disclosure aims at providing tender coconut water via an automated vending machine. The hole from exocarp to endosperm of the coconut would be freshly made by vending machine, before dispensing tender coconut or tender coconut water. Buyer may also choose an option to make a circular groove which could be easily extended/shoved to a hole later. Buyer may also choose disposable glass as an option wherein coconut water will be poured by vending machine from a tender coconut to disposable glass.

Prior & Related Art

Botanically, coconut plant belongs to the Arecaceae family of palm trees and it's scientific name is 'Cocos Nucifera'. Tender coconut is a term used for fruit of 'Cocos Nucifera', which has water inside. Each tender coconut may contain about 100 to 1000 ml of water depending upon cultivar type and size.

Tender coconut water is popular as health drink within all segment of people, across the world. Tender coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, complex carbohydrates, amino acids and other nutrients.

Tender coconut remains in huge demand during summer and in moderate demand during other seasons. Tender coconut is easily available in coastal areas while it is transported appropriately to other areas.

Tender coconut water is sold on roadsides/footpaths/shops/carts where the seller carefully chops off the top part(exocarp) of tender coconut with a sickle or any other tool to make a narrow hole/slit and buyer is served coconut water in it's natural shell/exocarp with a straw. The availability of roadside tender coconut sellers is shrinking as the people are moving to white collar jobs. Due to stricter rules from local government and administration authorities, it has become difficult for coconut seller to put up their shop in congested and premium areas like shopping markets, malls, airports etc.

Tender coconut water is also available as packaged drink in bottles, tetra packs and other type of packaging as well. However, its overall nutritional profile is not at par with fresh water, in terms of vitamins and enzyme levels, since some kind of additives and preservative need to be added in it, to enhance shelf life.

Most of the consumers prefer natural tender coconut water and intend to avoid the packaged one, as the added preservatives and additives are matter of concern. Due to bulky exocarp, it's not easy to store coconuts in high priced/rented places like supermarkets and malls. Secondly it needs dedicated human resource, specialised to chop the exocarp, as the sickle could lead to fatal injuries if not handled properly.

Though tender coconut is available at roadsides and footpaths in it's natural form, it certainly needs better marketing and easy availability at supermarkets, malls, airports etc.

There have been many vending machines already in operations which can vend items like snacks, beverages, alcohol, cigarettes, condoms etc. There are also specialised food vending machine, which can cook/ microwave food items like pizza and other snacks before dispensing.

Existing vending machines cannot dispense the tender coconut due to following reasons:

1. Vending machine can vend articles with known size but tender coconut has irregular size and shape. Even the trimmed/shoved tender coconut would be of different size and shape

2. Tender coconut need to be chopped from top exocarp to make small hole/slit to allow consumer to drink coconut water via straw or other means

3. After coconut is chopped from top to make narrow hole to allow passage of straw, it has to be dispensed carefully without toppling and spilling

4. The chopped top section of coconut is a waste and needs to be managed by vending machine

To overcome the said drawbacks the present disclosure aims at providing tender coconut via vending machine. The hole in tender coconut from exocarp to endocarp will be freshly made by vending machine, before serving/dispensing it. Consumer may also opt for tender coconut with groove in excocarp which can be easily extended/shoved to a hole later by the buyer.

The automated vending machine would reduce the cost of human resource and would provide 24/7 service to the consumers.

Summary of Invention

An aspect of present disclosure provides a vending machine specially designed for dispensing tender coconut with one or any combination of the following:

1. Buyer can purchase tender coconut with a hole/slit made, to reach coconut water in the kernel, just before dispensing, as means for buyer to drink natural coconut water using a straw

2. Buyer can purchase tender coconut with a groove as means for buyer to shove/extend groove from outer surface to inner kernel and scoop out the inside endosperm of coconut . Same can be used as takeaway option by buyer

3. Buyer can purchase tender coconut water which is dispensed in a disposable glass, after a hole/slit is made in tender coconut to pour fresh coconut water to a disposable glass.

Brief Description of Drawing

Reference will be made to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures.

These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the disclosure is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to these particular embodiments.

Fig. 1 to Fig. 10 including flow chart illustrates an 'Automated Tender Coconut Water & Tender Coconut Water Vending Machine' in accordance to an embodiment of the disclosure

Fig. 1 shows various sections/parts of the tender coconut vending machine

Fig. 2 shows the flow chart including buyer's interaction with vending machine and subsequent operation of the vending machine to dispense the tender coconut

Fig. 3 shows the isometric view of the vending machine

Fig. 4 shows the isometric view of storage area and racks. It also shows the detail view of rack partitions to hold trays

Fig. 5 shows the tray which holds tender coconut in upright direction

Fig. 6 shows the isometric view of dispensing robotic arm, harnessed on the frame of vending machine

Fig. 7 shows the isometric view of processing unit

Fig. 8 shows the isometric view of robotic arm to collect the tray after dispensing of a tender coconut

Fig. 9 shows the isometric view of robotic arm to pick disposable glass, collect pouring water from a tender coconut and dispensing disposable glass filled with tender coconut water

Fig. 10 shows the electronic unit including buyer's interface unit, cash collector unit, communication unit, control unit and power supply Drawings - Reference Numerals

101 Storage unit 102 Process unit 103 Dispensing unit

104 Control unit 105 Buyer Interface Unit : 106 Transaction Unit

107 Communication Unit 109 Remote Server 110 Third Part server

1 Machine Frame 2 Storage Racks j 3 Storage Assembly

4 Hole and groove unit 5 Dispensing Robotic Arm i 6 Tray collection robotic arm

7 Tray Bin 8 Glass Robotic Arm i 9 Glass Stack Holder

10 Straw Dispensing unit 12 Buyer Collection Lid 13 Display Unit

14 Control and Com. Unit 15 Keypad 16 Tray Iron Disc

17 Tray 18 Tray Hole 19 Tray Slide Guide

20 Rack Slide Guide 42 Pick Arm 43 Long Drill Bit

44 Groove Cutter 45 Electromagnet j 55 Power Supply

Detailed Description

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a vending machine which dispenses coconut water as per buyer's requirement. The vending machine comprises of a storage for storing tender coconut in it's natural/ chopped/shaved form, a processing system to pick a tender coconut from the storage and make a hole/slit/groove to reach the coconut water at kernel, a dispensing system to dispense the processed coconut containing water or pour the coconut water in a disposable glass, a buyer interface unit for allowing a buyer to choose appropriate option and guided instructions to transact through the vending machine, a control unit connected to the buyer interface unit for processing and dispensing the tender coconut water as per buyer's selection, a transaction unit for buyer to make payment via cash/card/token and a communication unit connected to the control unit for authenticating the transactions from third party server.

With reference to Fig. 1 the 'Automated Tender Coconut Water Vending Machine' 100 is provided in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The 'Automated Tender Coconut Water Vending Machine' includes a storage unit 101 , process unit 102, dispensing unit 103, control unit 104, buyer interface unit 105, transaction unit 106 and a

communication unit as means of connection to remote server and other third party transaction server.

The vending machine 100 in accordance to an embodiment of the disclosure in the figure 1 includes the buyer interface unit 105. The buyer interface unit 105 allows a buyer to operate the vending machine 100. The buyer interface unit 105 includes an input unit and a display unit. The input unit of the buyer interface unit 105 allows the buyer to enter the buyer's requirement such as quantity etc. in accordance to which the tender coconut needs to be dispensed. The display unit is configured to display the user entered details and corresponding details of the selected options, quantity and/or price of the item/option to be dispensed. The input unit may be a keypad, touch screen, etc, and the display unit may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), liquid emitting diode (LED), etc. The input unit and display unit could be an integrated touch screen.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the transaction unit 106 includes cash acceptor and/or card(swipe/contactless) and/or token and/or SMS and/or NFC reading unit connected to the buyer interface unit 105. The cash acceptor and/or card reading unit 106 is configured for receiving money and/or card information from the user. In accordance to an embodiment of the disclosure, the control unit 104 receives input from the buyer interface unit 105 and transaction unit 106. In accordance to an embodiment of the disclosure, the communication unit 107 would be GSM/GPRS/2G/3G/4G/CDMA/Ethernet/Wireless/Zigbee etc.

Isometric view of the vending machine is in Fig. 3. The vending machine has buyer interface unit which includes an LCD 13, Cash and card acceptor 11 and keypad 15.

The storage area 3 includes multiple racks 2 which provides an option to stack trays 17. The tray 17 has a wide hole 18 in centre to hold a tender coconut upright .

The dispensing unit includes robotic arm 5 which picks the tray 17 from rack 2 and carries the same to processing unit 4 for making hole or groove. After processing is completed, the robotic arm 5 carries the tender coconut near to lid 12, from here the buyer pulls lid 12 and picks the tender coconut. The vending machine also dispenses straw and buyer collects the same from straw dispensing unit 10. The left over tray is collected by tray collection arm 6 and stacked in tray bin 7.

If buyer opts for tender coconut water in disposable glass, the processing unit makes a through hole in tender coconut and water is collected in glass by robotic arm 8, which picks a disposable glass from stack holder 9 and carries the same under the tender coconut held by robotic arm 5. After all water is poured robotic arm 5 dispenses the glass and buyer pulls the lid 12 to collect same. The dispensing arm carries left over tender coconut and is placed back with tray 7 into the empty compartment of storage area.

With reference to Fig. 4 which provides in accordance to an embodiment of the disclosure, the storage unit 3 has multiple racks 2, here tender coconut could be stored in it's natural form or could be placed after removing/shaving/chopping exocarp. The rack 2 have slide guides 20, a structure to support holding and sliding of tray 17.

With reference to Fig. 4 which provides in accordance to an embodiment of the disclosure, the tray 17 has a hole 18 in centre to hold the tender coconut upright. Slide guide 19 supports sliding and positioning of tray 17 in rack 2. The hole 18 is 5 inch in diameter and can hold various shape and size of tender coconut with required grip.

With reference to Fig. 6 which provides in accordance to an embodiment of the disclosure , the dispensing arm 5 harnessed on the machine frame. The dispensing arm can move in X, Y and Z axis.

The Z axis of the dispensing arm is a linear slide comprising of Shaft holders(20,21 ,22 & 23), Linear shaft(24 & 25), Linear bearing set (26 & similar on opposite side). The timing v belt 28 is tied to opposite end of arm, which passes through pulley, mounted at shaft of gear motor and idler wheel 29 .The linear assembly is driven by geared motor 27 connected to control unit.

Similar linear assembly arrangement is used for achieving linear motion for X axis and Y axis in dispensing arm. Pick arm 42 is attached to the Y axis. The assembly of X, Y and Z axis enables the pick arm to reach any tray in the storage area and also carry same to processing unit, tray collection arm and lid 12 for dispensing.

The geared motors of X, Y and Z axis are connected to control unit 14, to manage the speed and direction of motors. The control unit 14 derives/ identifies the home position of axis by measuring the stall current for motor of respective axis. The PWM(Pulse width modulation) circuit is maintained individually for each motor. Similar linear assembly model/arrangement are used for hole and groove unit, tray collection robotic arm and glass robotic arm. Respective motors are also connected to single control unit 14.

With reference to Fig. 7 provides in accordance to an embodiment of the disclosure , the hole and groove unit 4 includes motor 53 and 54 attached to groove bit 53 and long drill bit 43 respectively via coupler connecting shafts of motor and drill bit. The process unit will make a hole and/or groove, as per the option selected by buyer in buyer's interface unit 105.

With reference to Fig. 9 provides in accordance to an embodiment of the disclosure , the glass robotic arm 8 has claw 49 and 50 to hold/pick a disposable glass. The claw 49 and 50 are controlled via servo motor 48 connected to control unit 14. The position of arm is controlled by geared motor 51 and 52, which are connected to control unit 14. The stack holder 9 has a plate 46 mounted on machine frame 1 and a hole to hold the stack of disposable glasses.

If a buyer chooses an option to vend tender coconut water in disposable glass, the hole and groove unit 4 will make hole through the bottom of the tender coconut as means to pour coconut water in disposable glass. The glass robotic arm 8 picks the disposable glass from stack holder 9 and carries the glass under the bottom of tender coconut. Once the water is poured the glass is carried to lid 12 by glass robotic arm, from where the buyer collects the disposable glass filled with water.

With reference to Fig. 10 which provides in accordance to an embodiment of the disclosure , control unit 14 has inbuilt communication unit and is connected to all the motors, which are part of this embodiment. The control unit also connected to Display Unit 13, cash acceptor 11 , keypad 15, straw dispensing unit 10, dispensing robotic arm 5, hole and groove unit 4, tray collection arm 6 and glass robotic arm 8. The control unit 14 has a programmable micro-controller interfaced to power circuits, PWM circuits and 10 circuits. The firmware is programmed with logic to achieve the operations as shown in flowchart Fig. 2.

The power supply unit 55 connected to AC voltage source and provides required DC power supply to control unit 14, LCD 13, Cash Collector unit 11 and also has inbuilt battery to ensure safe completion of transaction in process.

With reference to Flowchart in Fig.2 which provides in accordance to an embodiment of the disclosure, a high level process/operation flow. For example a buyer selects an option Coconut water in shell followed by quantity as one and preferred mode of payment as cash. The Buyer interface unit would display the selected options and will instruct to insert cash in transaction unit. Once the user inserts required denomination of cash and control unit validates the same, control unit would instruct dispensing unit to pick up a tender coconut and place in process area. Once the tender coconut is placed in the process area, the processing unit would make a hole in exocarp to reach the tender coconut water, after which the control unit would instruct dispensing unit to pick the tender coconut upright from process area to takeaway shelf from where the buyer will pick up the tender coconut with a hole as means to drink coconut water using straw.

Additionally the 'Tender Coconut Water Vending Machine ' will also have an option to dispense straw. The vending machine 100 would have storage for disposable glass.

Further, the vending machine also includes a clean in place (CIP) unit (not shown) for performing different functions like flushing, cleaning, rinsing and chemical dosing the vending machine. The clean in place unit (CIP) can be operated remotely or locally. Following are the advantages of the present disclosure:

1. User friendly

2. Dispensing fresh and hygienic tender coconut water in it's natural form

3. Does not required human resource at retail locations

4. No risk of injuries due to manual cutting of exocarp

5. Remote monitoring of vending machine

While the present disclosure has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art , that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure, as defined in the claims.