GB2491821A - Vending machine door display with sample models and mirrored surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

A vending machine door has a display featuring a number of sample models 44 (Fig 1). The sample models resemble half of a commodity that can be vended by the vending machine. There is a mirrored surface 50 that extends around the periphery of each model, the reflection of the model giving the visual appearance of an entire item which can be vended by the machine. A mirrored shelving unit 34 can be provided underneath the model. The shelving units may be inter-connectable allowing a row of joined units to be formed (Fig 5). The mirrored surface can have an aperture 52 through which the model extends. There may also be a second mirrored surface 42 located behind the first mirror 50 and the model 44. The model may be formed from a thin plastic moulding having a planar section 48 and a protruding section 46, the protruding section resembling the half of the commodity. The vending machine may have retaining means such as clamps for holding shelving units. The model is lighter and smaller than using the actual vending commodities in the display and the models will not degrade over time.

Description

Improvements in Vending Machines 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 and 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. An example of such a vending machine is disclosed in PCT publication W02011/058299 in the name of Hodges and Drake Design Limited. Although this design addresses some of the problems it is not without issues.

One problem is that over time the product in the bottles tends to deteriorate when it has been standing for a time. The most common form of deterioration is the separation of the beverage within the bottle. For example heavier particles suspended in, for example, orange juice based drinks often separate and collect in the bottom of the bottle giving a clear visual appearance that is derogatory to the visual appearance of the drink. This effect also happens over time with some coloured carbonated beverages.

Another problem is that if the door, for example, has an array of 24 bottles then this increases the door weight by approximately 12kg, irrespective of the weight of the door front and supporting structure necessary. This additional weight is seen as disadvantageous as the door hinges will not necessarily be designed to handle the extra weight and may have increased failure as a result.

A further problem is that the door of the prior art is necessarily quite deep. This has one of two effects, either the overall depth of the machine is increased, which may make it unsuitable for specific vending locations, or the door must project inwardly into the machine thereby consuming real estate that would preferably be used to store vended product to maximise the necessary time between refills.

It is the purpose of the present invention to mitigate, at least in part some of the above mentioned problems.

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 with the minimum changes necessary to those machines.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a display for a vending machine door, the display comprising: a plurality of models, each resembling substantially half of an item vended by the machine; at least one mirrored surface that extends around the perimeter of each model such that the model is reflected therein to give the visual appearance of an entire item vended by the machine.

Preferably the display comprises at least one shelving unit associated with the plurality of models and located therebeneath such that each visual appearance of an entire item appears to be sitting on said shelf. More preferably the display comprises a plurality of shelving units, at least one said shelving unit associated with each of the plurality of models. The shelving units may be connectable to one another in horizontal alignment so form a wider shelf and optionally each shelf may have at least one mirrored surfaces associated therewith. In this manner individual units comprising model, shelf and object can be assembled together in modules so as to provide a display of a plurality of vended objects.

In one arrangement the at least one mirrored surface comprises a mirror having at least one aperture therein through which one of said mode! extends. More preferably at least some of said plurality of models are at least partially transparent and the mirrored surface comprises a first mirror having the at least one aperture therein through which the one of said model extends, and a second mirror located behind the first mirror.

The display may comprise a rigid framework having connection means for connection to a vending machine, said framework receiving at least one shelving unit and retaining it relative to the vending machine. Preferably the connection means comprises a plurality of clamps for clamping the framework to said vending machine. In this way it

can be easily and quickly fitted in the field.

Preferably the shelf units, or the wider shelf, and the framework are provided with location means thereon for positioning the shelf units, or wider shelves, relative to one another. In one arrangement the shelf units, or the wider shelf, are provided at either side thereof with location extensions, which may be bosses, and the framework comprises substantially vertical spaced channels into which the location extensions are received. The framework may comprise a pair of substantially vertical spaced channels into which the location extensions of the plurality of shelf units or wider shelves are received in vertical arrangement such that the lower shelf units or wider shelves support the higher shelf units or wider shelves. The channels may have cut out openings therein through which the bosses can be received into the channels.

Preferably there is one opening on each channel.

in one arrangement the model comprises a thin plastic moulding having a planer section, and a protruded section extending from the planar extension, the protruded section resembling half of a vended product.

Preferably the plurality of shelf units each comprise a shelf section and a backing plate extending vertically from the back of the shelf section, the backing plate adapted to receive the model and at least one mirror.

In one arrangement the shelf section and the backing plate are separable from one another; the model comprises a thin plastic moulding having a planer section and a protruded section extending from the planar section, the protruded section resembling half of a vended product; the backing plate having retaining means for receiving the planar section of the model and at least one mirror; and attachment of the shelf section to the backing plate retains the planar section and said at least one mirror.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a vending machine comprising a display according to the first aspect of the invention.

Preferably the vending machine further comprises an at least partially transparent front panel through which the plurality of models can be seen.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure us a vending machine having a display according to the invention; Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the assembly of a shelf unit, model and mirror of the invention; Figure 5 shows a shelf of the invention; Figure 6 shows the frame of the invention; Figure 6a shows an exploded view of Figure 6; Figures 7 and 8 show front and back views of the framework of the invention; Figure 9 shows a display of the invention; and Figure 10 shows a display of the invention in a vending machine door.

Referring to Figure 1 a vending machine 10 of the invention is shown, The vending machine has a door 12 having a curved front panel. The curved front panel 14 has a transparent section 16 through which a product display that resembles the dispensed product can be seen. As shown in this drawing the display resembles a plurality of beverage bottles 18 on shelves 20. The display of the product being vended has been shown to assist in driving impulse purchase of passers by. Other aspects of the machine, for example the delivery chute 22, product selector buttons 24 and payment means 26 are of the type known in the art.

Referring to Figures 2 to 5 a modular display shelf 28 (Figure 5) and the component parts of a single module 30 are shown. Each module 30 comprises a backing plate 32 which is preferably a plastics moulding, and a shelf section 34 connectable to the bottom of the backing plate 32 by means of a bolt 36 and an encapsulated nut 38.

The backing plate 32 has a plurality of retaining features 40 behind which a back mirror 42 can be retained so that it covers the central region of the backing plate 32. To assemble the module 30 the back mirror 42 is first inserted into place on the backing plate 32. The model 44, which is a representation of half of a vended product 46 with a planar section 48 surrounding it, has a front mirror 50 having an aperture 52 therein passed over it so that the representation of half of the vended product 46 protrudes through the aperture 52. The aperture 52 is shaped to closely surround the representation 46. The model 44 together with the front mirror 50 is then slid into the backing plate 32 so that it is retained by its edges in small retaining features 54 on the backing plate. The shelf section 34 is then attached to the bottom of the backing plate 32 by means of the nut 38 and bolt 36 (although it will be appreciated that various other means of attaching them together will be apparent to the skilled person) so as to retain the model (44) and front mirror (50) in the backing plate 32. The backing plate 32 and the shelf section 34 are preferably made of a transparent plastics material but it will be appreciated that they may be made of any suitable material.

On the front edge of the shelf section 34 is a T shaped extension 35 that forms upper and lower channels 37 for receiving therein the ends of graphics panels of other visual display means. As described above the shelf section 34 is manufactured from a substantially transparent plastics material so that when graphics panels are inserted into the upper and lower channels 37 even the part of the display panel in the channel can be seen. In this manner some of the models may be replaced with graphics cards located in these T slots 35 so that other visual information may be presented alongside the products.

The following are given as non exhaustive examples of methods by which the model 44 could be made: a) The model represents a beverage bottle. A sheet of 0.5mm (approx.) transparent PETg or similar material is printed with colour to represent the beverage, for example cola, fruit juice or similar and is then vacuum-formed to the shape of the half bottle. The print could include the bottle label, or it could be applied as a separate sticker afterwards to improve registration. The print could also include the bottle cap, or alternatively the bottle cap could be applied afterwards as a separate part.

b) The model represents a beverage bottle. A sheet of 0.5mm (approx.) transparent PETg or similar material is vacuum-formed to the shape of the half bottle. This is then be spray painted on the interior side with colour to represent the beverage, e.g. cola, fruit juice or similar. Using spray paint the bottle cap could be represented in the same way, or alternatively could be applied afterwards as a separate part. The bottle label is applied as a separate sticker.

c) The model represents a beverage bottle. The half bottle shape is injection moulded in transparent PET or similar material. This is then be spray painted on the interior side with colour to represent the beverage, for example cola, fruit juice or similar. Using spray paint the bottle cap could be represented in the same way, or alternatively could be applied afterwards as a separate part. The bottle label would be applied as a separate sticker.

As described the model 44 is preferably formed from a thin sheet of plastic material, for example by vacuum forming or injection moulding, and may have graphics applied before or afterwards for example by being printed or painted on its interior or exterior surface to resemble an actual product. Buy making the models in this way their weight can be minimised. The effect of the model 44 may be enhanced by, for example, applying labels as used on the vended product or making the model 44 from more than one piece of plastic, for example if representing a beverage bottle a separate moulding may be made for the half bottle cap so as to more closely resemble the vended product.

The mirrors are also preferably polymer mirrors for lightness and may for example be mirrored high impact polystyrene (HIPs).

The front mirror 50 has an aperture to mach the outer shape of the model 44 to give a reflection of the external surface of the representation of half of the vended product 46 making it appear externally to be a whole product, and the back mirror 42 gives an internal reflection of the product further enhancing the 3D visual effect. As many beverage bottles are at least partially transparent the internal reflection significantly enhances the visual reality created by the model 44 and the mirrors 42, 50.

The assembled units (Figure 4) can be attached to one another to form a longer shelf unit (Figure 5). Bosses 58 are attached to either end of the shelf unit 28 to locate it on the vending machine as described below.

Referring to Figures 6 to 9 a frame 60 for supporting the shelves 28 is shown. The framework attaches to the vending machine behind the curved front screen 14 by means of clamps 62. The clamps are simply slipped over the existing metalwork of the machine and tightened so as to retain the framework in place.

In Figures 6 and 6a the frame is shown. The frame 60 has two channels 64, one located on either side of the frame and opening inwardly towards one another. A plurality of apertures 66 are located along either side of the frame 60 in a position that when attached to the vending machine is towards the front of the machine from the channels 64. A cover 68 extends around the back of the apertures and holds therein lighting means, for example LED lighting, that provide a source of light emitting via the apertures 66. The apertures 66 preferably have a light diffuser 67 extending thereover to achieve a less direct lighting effect.

In Figure 7 and 8 the frame 60 is shown from the front and from the rear with a shelf 28 of the display assembled therein. The bosses (see Figure 5) that project from either side of the shelf 28 locate in the channel 64 on either side of the frame 60. The channels 64 have a cut out opening 65 on their rear side towards the top of the channels. The bosses can be passed through the openings 65 into the channel. When the shelf 28 is inserted first the lower bosses are inserted into the channels 64 and then they are slid down to enable the upper bosses to pass through the opening and slid down so that both sets of bosses are retained in the channels 64, As the apertures 66 are located in front of the models 44 then light passing through the apertures will illuminate the models. Referring to Figure 9 a complete framework together with a plurality of shelves 28 is shown. It will be appreciated that the size of the framework may be modified to accept a greater or lesser number of modules 30. In this way the core design of the product can easily be modified to be easily retrofit to a wide variety of vending machines. As can be seen in this figure graphics panels 70 have been inserted into some of the T-slots to present additional information to the users. These panels may, for example, have details of current promotions or sponsorships related to the products being vended. Equally if a new product or flavour has been launched these panels can be used to highlight that to the consumer. As will be appreciated any combination of product display and graphic panels can be used. It will also be appreciated that the use of models 44 behind the graphics panels is not necessary and these may be omitted.

Referring to Figure 10 a whole door of a vending machine, without the curved panel (14, Figure 1) is shown. By utilising models of half bottles a number of benefits are achieved. Firstly, the depth of the display is shallower than would be necessary if whole products were displayed but without loosing the visual impact of whole products. This means that the display can conveniently be retrofit to an existing machine without needing to increase the depth of the door, by for example attaching a whole new deeper front panel to it. The display conveniently fits into the existing space between the curved front panel and the machine.

By using models of half bottles reflected in mirrors instead of whole bottles of beverage filled with liquid, the weight of the display can be vastly decreased. For example the dispray shown in Figure 10 having twenty four 0.5 litre bottles will have an on weight of approximately 12kg just for the displayed product itself. Obviously to support this amount of weight a strong supporting structure is needed which increases further the overall weight. In comparison, twenty four of the models used in the present application have a mass of less than 2 kg.

As the present invention provides a way by which the 3D visual appearance of whole samples of the vended product can be produced, without the need to display actual product bottles, issues relating to the degradation of product in the bottles over time can be avoided and, given the assembly method of the units the models 44, and/or the graphics panels 70 can easily be changed as required to reflect current marketing trends.

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS: I A display for a vending machine door, the display comprising: a plurality of models each resembling substantially half of an item vended by the machine; at least one mirrored surface that extends around the perimeter of each model such that the model is reflected therein to give the visual appearance of an entire item vended by the machine.
2. 2 The display of claim 1 further comprising at least one shelving unit associated with the plurality of models and located therebeneath such that the visual appearance of the entire items appear to be sitting on said shelf.
3. 3 The display of claim 2 comprising a plurality of shelving units, at least one said shelving unit associated with each of the plurality of models.
4. 4 The display of claim 3 wherein the shelving units are connectable to one another in horizontal alignment so form a wider shelf.
5. 5 The display of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein each shelf has said at least one mirrored surfaces associated therewith.
6. 6 The display of any previous claim wherein said at least one mirrored surface comprises a mirror having at least one aperture therein through which one of said model extends.
7. 7 The display of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein at least some of said plurality of models are at least partially transparent and said mirrored surface comprises a first mirror having at least one aperture therein through which one of said model extends, and a second mirror located behind the first mirror.
8. 8 The display of claim 2 further comprising: a rigid framework having connection means for connection to a vending machine, said framework receiving said at least one shelving unit and retaining it relative to the vending machine 9 The display of claim 8 wherein said connection means comprise a plurality of clamps for clamping the framework to said vending machine.10 The display of claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the shelf units, or the wider shelf, and the framework are provided with location means thereon for positioning the shelf units, or wider shelves, relative to one another.11 The display of claim 10 wherein the shelf units, or the wider shelf, are provided at either side thereof with location extensions and the framework comprises a substantially vertical spaced channels into which the location extensions are received.12 The display of claim 11 wherein the framework comprises a pair of substantially vertical spaced channels into which a plurality of shelf units, or wider shelves, are received in vertical arrangement such that the lower shelf units, or wider shelves, support the higher shelf units, or wider shelves.13 The display of any previous claim wherein the model comprises a thin plastic moulding having a planer section and a protruded section extending from the planar section, the protruded section resembling half of a vended product.14 The display of claim 3 or 4 wherein the plurality of shelf units each comprise a shelf section and a backing plate extending vertically from the back of the shelf section, the backing plate adapted to receive and retain the model and at least one mirror.The display of claim 14 wherein: the shelf section and the backing plate are separable from one another; the model comprises a thin plastic moulding having a planer section and a protruded section extending from the planar section, the protruded section resembling half of a vended product; the backing plate having retaining means for receiving the planar section of the model and at least one mirror; and further wherein attachment of the shelf section to the backing plate retains the planar section and the at least one mirror.16 A vending machine comprising: a display according to any previous claim.17 A vending machine according to claim 16 further comprising an at least partially transparent front panel through which the plurality of models can be seen.