Vending machine

Abstract

The present invention involves various combinations of new and existing technology to create vending machines with a number of improvements such as, credit and debit card verification in real-time, incorporation of CDPD technology, multiple vends per one payment, vending of large products, bag dispensing, and the incorporation of food heating units into vending machines.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A vending machine, comprising: 
 a housing;    a dispensing unit disposed within the housing;    control circuitry operably connected to the dispensing unit for dispensing one or more food items; and    a heating unit supported by the housing.    
     
     
         2 . The heating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the heating unit is a pizza oven.  
     
     
         3 . The heating unit of  claim 1  wherein the heating unit is a toaster oven.  
     
     
         4 . A vending machine, comprising: 
 a housing;    a dispensing unit disposed within the housing and adapted to receive food items approximately or larger than 16 ounces;    control circuitry operably connected to the dispensing unit for dispensing one or more food items;    a heating unit supported by the housing; and    a bag dispenser supported by the housing.    
     
     
         5 . The heating unit of  claim 4 , wherein the heating unit is a pizza oven.  
     
     
         6 . The heating unit of  claim 4  wherein the heating unit is a toaster oven.  
     
     
         7 . The vending machine of  claim 4 , further comprising a payment mechanism adapted to accept only cashless modes of payment for the food items.  
     
     
         8 . The vending machine of  claim 4 , further comprising a card reader.  
     
     
         9 . The vending machine of  claim 4 , further comprising a communications unit operably connected to the payment mechanism.  
     
     
         10 . The vending machine of  claim 9 , wherein the communications unit enables communication via wireless technology.  
     
     
         11 . The vending machine of  claim 10 , wherein the communications unit enables wireless communications via CDPD wireless technology.  
     
     
         12 . The vending machine of  claim 9 , wherein the communications unit enables communications via telephone lines.  
     
     
         13 . The vending machine of  claim 9 , further comprising a processor programmed to validate a payment card in real-time, each time a payment card is used in the vending machine.  
     
     
         14 . The vending machine of  claim 13 , wherein a payment card comprises at least one of a credit card, a debit card, and a stored value card.  
     
     
         15 . A vending machine, comprising: 
 a housing;    a dispensing unit disposed within the housing and adapted to receive food items approximately or larger than 16 ounces;    control circuitry operably connected to the dispensing unit for dispensing one or more food items; and    a heating unit disposed within the housing.    
     
     
         16 . The heating unit of  claim 15 , wherein the heating unit is a pizza oven.  
     
     
         17 . The heating unit of  claim 15  wherein the heating unit is a toaster oven.  
     
     
         18 . The vending machine of  claim 15 , further comprising a card reader.  
     
     
         19 . The vending machine of  claim 18 , further comprising a communications unit operably connected to the payment mechanism.  
     
     
         20 . The vending machine of  claim 19 , wherein the communications unit enables wireless communications via CDPD wireless technology.