How often has it happened to you that you go to a beach or a park and discover you left your sunblock at hope. Imagine vending machines that squeeze out a serving of sunblock into your hand in exchange for a couple of quarters. I think those would be quite popular if placed on beaches or around park entrances. Not sure if what people would be willing to pay for it would make up for the costs, but it might work out.
-- qaramazov, Jun 05 2003

A Research Project in New Zeland http://www.mech.can...s/pgrbiomedical.htm
Mostly focused on booth for checking how well sunblock was applied but also mentioned "a sunscreen vending machine". [qaramazov, Oct 04 2004]

"automat" definition http://www.onelook.com/?w=automat&ls=a
for [fogfreak]. The word (formerly a trademark) was common in the US as well, but has fallen out of use. [krelnik, Oct 04 2004]

VW car vending machine http://www.autostad...3606,2~20~0,00.html
This is the VW car vending machine [stuzo, Oct 04 2004]

If the price is right I would probably prefer it to carrying those slimy, broken bottles with me.

Make the portions toddler sized for let's say a dime. Adults can always pay for a second and third helping.

Add a slot for insect repellent too.
-- kbecker, Jun 05 2003


What about surrealist painters?
-- thumbwax, Jun 06 2003


I don't think they would fit into a vending machine. You have to feed them, and all that trouble...
-- Cedar Park, Jun 06 2003


I think this is a great idea. Simple and useful. +
-- saker, Jun 06 2003


What about a place for tanning lotion? Also what SPF would the sunblock be? Some whant an SPF of 10 while others want 30! There would have to be room for it all!
-- envy, Jun 06 2003


Neat idea! (WTAGIPBAN)
-- krelnik, Jun 06 2003


I'm sure you can make vending machines for anything by now. We have ice-cream vendors. I even remember seeing an automated car park in Barcelona, where you leave your car on some rails and it gets taken into the depths of the building. So why not big car-vending machines?
-- git, Jun 07 2003


great idea, the machine could sell hats, visors, sunglasses, towels, swimsuits, as well
-- flyfast, Jun 07 2003


Re: car vending machines - VW have a giant car vending machine thing somwhere in germany. If i remember correctly it consists of 2 big round towers full of cars arround the edge and a lift that goes up the middle of the tower and picks out the car you want.
-- stuzo, Jun 09 2003


FYI...they already have these and in the winter, wouldn't the lotion freeze?.....
-- lumpysausage007, Feb 12 2005


Maybe where you live.....we don't encourage that sort of thing here.
-- normzone, Feb 13 2005


"vending machines that squeeze out a serving of sunblock into your hand"

They could also dispense sample-size easy-tear foil packets of sunscreen. That way the customer has a bit more control, and the manufacturer can print a coupon on the packet.
-- robinism, Feb 13 2005


The purpose of the coupon is to keep the user from discarding the packaging on the ground.
-- robinism, Feb 14 2005



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