FR2537307A1 - CUP SEPARATOR MODULE AND AUTOMATIC DISPENSER EQUIPPED WITH THIS MODULE - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION CONCERNS A MODULE 28 CUP SEPARATOR AND AN AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTOR 10 EQUIPPED WITH THIS MODULE, OR A LONGITUDINALLY SEPARATED MOBILE JAW SUPPORT IN SERIES OF CUP WITH A RIM OF A PILE OF CUPS IN A SATISFACTORY MANNER. PREFERENCE, THE CUPS ARE ARRANGED IN VERTICAL COLUMNS SPACED RADIALLY FROM ONE OF THE OTHERS INSIDE A ROTARY CARROUSSEL36. EACH CUP IN THE CARROUSSEL COLUMNS IS FILLED WITH A PRE-MEASURED QUANTITY OF BEVERAGE CONCENTRATE. THE DISTRIBUTOR IS DESIGNED SO THAT THERE IS MOVEMENT OF THE DESIRED COLUMN TO A SALES POSITION, WHERE THE SEPARATOR MODULE IS ACTIVATED. A JAW SUPPORT SLIDING ON THE MODULE MOVES LONGITUDINALLY BETWEEN A REST POSITION AND A CUP STACK ENGAGING POSITION.

Description

The present invention relates to distributors

  drinks in general and, more specifically,

  a beverage dispenser in which a plurality of

  stacks of rimmed cups containing a concentrate

  are contained inside a carousel to be

  filled and picked up by consumers.

  In the prior art, various distri-

  automatic beverage scorers in which an inner rotating carousel, or magazine, contains a plurality of radially separated distribution columns from each other Each column contains a plurality of rimmed cups which are stacked on top of one another Mechanical solutions have been adopted for controlling and timing such a device. One of the most important considerations for the design of vending machines of this type is

  relating to the manner in which the cups are separated

  series of batteries inside the rotary magazine.

  While the store or carousel structure presents

  a relatively simple construction, the structure that allows

  removing the individual cups in series so as to satisfy a sale is often complex,

  While the cup separator must function

  in a reliable and rapid manner, he must also

2

  gently remove the cups so that they are not damaged

  inadvertently create a fundamental problem of

  realization inherent in the technology of the separator of

  the fact that, while the separation of the cups must be carried out in a forced and

  damage to the cups and / or the associated shops.

  In the prior art, two general types of cup separators have been proposed. The first category concerns the various types of cup separators.

  I O attempts to form several interlocking elements

  Jetting, levers or hooks that handle

  around the goblets and separates them from

  to complex mechanical movements A second category

  cup separators generally includes

  rotating cam sheaves that function as screws to separate the cups while their periphery is caused to move downward in response to the rotation

cam elements.

  Examples of dispensing machines of the type

  shop or carousel are generally the subject of

  In US Pat. No. 2,352,858 and No. 2,278,013, in the latter patent, plates aligned within an orifice in a dispensing column separate the cups.

  Nos. 2,538,185 and 2,919,830 describe systems

  cup separator plates which grip plates which can be moved back and forth relative to each other Patent No. 3,648,889 permits the separation of cups by a complex movement of a plurality of levers and grip pawls which are manipulated angularly, In US Patent No. 9

  3,586,074 cups are separated from their stack by the following

  A similar solution is described in the United States Patent of America, which is similar to that of scissors which is caused by a pair of handles.

  No 2 385 267 in which a pair of pivot levers

  tants is brought around a goblet, following which

  axial displacement separates the cups.

  Various solutions of the prior art have made

  use of threaded, rotary cam elements for separating

  This type of solution is described in United States Patent No. 2,374,168.

  United States of America No. 3,120,324 separates gobballs

  inside columns as a result of

  [0002] A number of rotating cam gears which come into contact with the cup rim. US Pat. No. 2,925,196 discloses a cam member which is

  in contact with the perimeter of the container to be

  such cam elements can be arranged under

  Separation rings, in which a plurality of rotating cams are placed to encircle a cup to be dispensed. This latter construction is described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,506,156; No. 2,497,718; No. 2,925,196; No. 2,860,817; No. 2,742,183; No. 3,283,951; No. 3,592,355;

  No. 3,576,275; No. 3,819,086; Nos. 3,807,600 and 3,520,444.

  Typical devices built according to the

  previous description allow the serial output of

  all goblets in a given column of carousel,

  as a result, the store moves to a full column.

  This solution is adopted in the case where the

  is formulated from liquid constituents stored in inner compartments (ie

  that no concentrate is placed inside the gobballs

  when stored in the columns) This separates

  the prior art typically does not have the possibility of

  to allow rapid passage between columns of

  in a given store, The ring arrangement with

  my presses to distribute the cups, which is now

  keeping well known in the prior

  in many applications, but involves the use of precision gears and is extremely

  In addition, distributors of the rotating cam type

  In part, in response to this problem, some carousel-type dispensers use a rotating cam cup separator which is located at the bottom of each of the cups. cup columns

  in the store, which translates into an additional expense

  evident. The present invention relates to a vending machine module for separating cups, and a carousel type vending machine equipped with a

such module.

  The vending machine comprises a

  vertical, generally cubic, in which is

  a large rotating carousel with columns

  radically different from each other Each of the

  carousel or store contains a stack of cups with a rim to be finally

  piles are placed on the lower plate of the carousel-

  salt, being separated from a dispensing orifice which is

  with the cups by a door solicited by

  The columns, which are usually cylindrical

  carry a lower access opening that will be oriented

  in the distribution position by a communication device

  classic when a customer chooses.

  The cup separator module of the dispensing

  scorer of the present invention is intended to be placed

  in a place contiguous to the carousel in the position of

  tribution or sales position The module comprises a rigid frame, generally cubic, resseimblant a bolte, which is intended to be arranged on a surface of

  support, such as an inner plate of the dispenser.

  A single jaw support is mounted to move longitudinally relative to the frame, and can

  brought into contact with the stack of cups

  The jaw support includes a first, notched, rigid plate that contacts the front beaker of a stack of cups located beneath its rim.

  jaw plate pivotally coupled with the first

  re comes into contact with the stack of cups above the rim of the cup bottom low, while continues the

  longitudinal displacement of the jaw support, a

  deflection associated with the support hits a mechanism

  which results in the pivoting of the second

  that, bringing the cup below to separate from the pile of remaining cups -At that moment, the plate

  prevents axial movement of the drinking cups.

of the pile.

  A motor attached to the module frame produces a rotary motion in response to a control circuit

  classic automatic dispenser A rotating link

  The carrier is mounted between the frame and the jaw support and converts the rotary motion into longitudinal movement so as to bring the carrier inwardly and / or outwardly relative to the frame. Preferably, the carrier is mounted on a pair of slip-on assemblies which are rigidly mounted within the frame so as to orient and direct the

  support towards the column of the cup separator.

  The module includes, as an option, a mechanism to

  cam which causes the opening of the door of colon-

  not below the stack of cups so as to expose the dispensing orifice, In this way, the cup

  separated can fall through the carousel to a po-

  infill, but the contact of the upper plate of the jaw support with the battery

  place avoids the fall of other cups While the

  port withdraws into the chassis, at the end of a distribution operation, the door closes before the release of

  the column of cups by the set comprising the

jaw wear,

  The present arrangement ideally envisages the.

  supply of bqis bran concentrate to each of the cups of the various stores In other words, each column of

  carousel is intended to distribute a different beverage

  After the user has made his choice, the mixing of the concentrate occurs in the filling position,

  while water is spilled or injected into the gobball

e,

  after which, there is a mixture with the concentration

  to produce the desired beverage means are

  to add sugar or milk after the initial

lsation of the machine.

  Thus, a general aspect of the present invention

  is to provide a unique and reliable module for distributing

  automatic machine for separating cups.

  More particularly, the present invention relates to the forced but regular extraction of cups from columns placed inside a carousel vending machine in a reliable and commercially feasible manner,

  Another object of the present invention is to

  It is an important feature of the present invention that only one separator is required to use a ring distributor separator with rotating cams.

  of cups for a multiplicity of carousel columns.

  Another object of the present invention is

  positive cup separator, which is completely separate

  located at a distance from the carousel mechanism.

  Another object of the present invention is to isolate

  the cup separation structure in a dispensing

  automatic drink machine vis-à-vis the formed group

by the carousel.

  Another object of the present invention is to

  facilitate the service and maintenance required by

  vending machines with carousel.

  Another object of the present invention is to remove

  force a cup of a pile, without it being

dom-swum.

  Another important object of the present invention is

  both a vending machine in which efficiency

  the cup separator is not affected in any way

  ostentatious by the rotation of the cup carousel, or by the exhaustion of goblets in a magazine column,

  Thus, a fundamental object of the present invention is

  This is to avoid the jamming or cup-feeding problems of the type hitherto encountered with the conventional cup separators, a fundamental object of the present invention.

  is to provide a module for modifying

  carousel machines and to be used therein, these dispensers having a wide range of configurations. The present invention will be well understood when

  of the following description made in connection with the

  attached in which: Figure i is a perspective view of a

  vending machine built according to the present

  invention, in which the cup separation module is mounted, and parts of which are shown in punctured or cutaway form; FIG. 2 is a sectional view, on a large scale, of an embodiment module of the present invention illustrating the relationship between the carousel, the cup separator and the auxiliary equipment with portions of

  punctured or omitted for clarity; -

  FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally

  along line 3-3 of Figure 2 with parts broken or omitted for clarity; Fig. 4 is a sectional view, on a large scale, taken generally along line 4-4 of Fig. 3, with the cup separator in the home position; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing the cup separator in an intermediate position before the separation of a cup; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figures 4 and 5, showing the position of the cup separator when a cup is separated from the stack; Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the separator module, taken in the direction of the jaw support assembly;

  Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view pri ,.

  is generally along the line 8-8 of Figure 4; Figure 9 is a partial plan view of an 8,

  another embodiment of a separator module of

  belets, with parts omitted for clarity; Fig. 10 is a side sectional view of the cup separator module of Fig. 9; Figure 11 is a side sectional view of the

  module of FIGS. 9 to 10 representing the support of

  choir in the extended position;

  FIG. 12 is a front plan view of the module

  the cup separator of FIGS. 911; Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram

  a timing and control system that can be used

  in the present invention; and

  Figure 14 is a time diagram of the

Cooked order.

  In connection firstly with FIGS. 1 and 2, an automatic dispenser according to the present invention is represented in broad outline by the reference. The dispenser 10 comprises a conventional, generally cubic, chamber 12 which is intended to be placed

  on a support surface such as a floor 14 or the like.

  For purposes of illustration, the front door 16 has been

  to reveal the inside of the machine.

  The dispenser 10 comprises a rotary carousel 18 which has a plurality of tubular compartments 20 spaced radially from each other which contain

  batteries 22 cups with an edge Each of the gobballs

  24 (FIGS. 4-6) has a generally conventional shape, and has an upper lip 25 which functions as a flange. Each group is preferably prefilled with

  In FIG. 1 column 20A is shown in FIG.

  in the dispensing position contiguous to the cup separator module generally shown as 28, the module 28 includes a

  m Ocho Qire 30 mobile longitudinally that will come into con-

  tact with the stack of 22 cups, penetrating into an en-

  cut right 27 defined in the lowest part of each column 20 or 20 A After the assembly 30 comes into contact with the cups, the lower cup 24 B will be separated from the stack, being made to pass through Dispensing orifices 34 and 35 The columns of the carousel may be of variable number and geometry, inasmuch as they are capable of containing a stack of cups. The dispensing orifice 34 is defined in a

  plate 36 of the carousel, which is located directly

  below each column 20 or 20 A When a column is in the dispensing position, its orifice 34 will be aligned with the orifice 35 defined in the

  surface 72 of machine support As will be ex-

  In a further detail, a door 38 will be opened by the module in response to the action of a roller moving with the jaw assembly 30 so as to expose the orifices 34,35. As soon as the cups are

  extracts from columns 20 or 20 A, they fall into a

  No. 44 accessible to the user via a transfer chute 48 Next, water, sugar and / or milk can be injected via a nozzle assembly 48 B. A conventional sweeper machine is used to enable selection of the desired product following the manipulation of buttons 49 Hot water introduced into a tank 52 after passing through a pipe 50 can be mixed with sugar from a container of

  storage 54 by means of a mechanism 56 Next, the hot water

  The sugar can be conveyed via a pipe 58 into a milk tank 60 and via a hose 62 to a nozzle 48. When milk is desired, it can be extracted from a cartridge 64 via a mechanism 66, and mix with the contents of the tank 60 Cold water is available via a pipe 63 A plurality of control members, shown in their main line by the reference 7 Q, can be manipulated

  by the service manager to adjust the machine.

  The carousel 18 comprises a rotatable lower base plate 36 which is spaced from a shelf inner shelf plate 72. An elongated central axis 76 extends from the timing unit housing 78,

25373 7

  10. being attached to the bottom 36 of the carousel by a collar 77 A. The axis 76 is coupled in the same manner to an intermediate shelf 80 and a column upper spacer

  by collars 76 B, 76 C, respectively The axis 76 is

  at the top in a bearing 84 internally fixed to the top of the dispenser 10 The control assembly 78 is conventional, and various solutions can be adopted

  to detect and control the position of the mechanical carousel

  nically and / or electrically or electronically

  seems to be used first to determine the position in the

  what is the carousel and then to facilitate his

  if necessary, so as to satisfy the order

  The intermediate shaft sleeve 88 within the housing 78 is keyed to the shaft 76 and at its lower portion is coupled via a shaft portion 76B to a drive motor. A plurality of mutually spaced projections 90 formed on the periphery of the cylinder 88 causes microswitches 94 to trip to provide the appropriate timing and control signals that are transmitted.

  by lines 96 in the conventional manner Thus, a circuit

  appropriate detection method, of conventional design,

  will machine to know when the selected column 20 A is placed in the dispensing position (Figure 2) Then, the jaw support 30 of the separator module 28 will be actuated, where it will result in the execution

of a sale.

  In connection now more particularly with FIGS. 4 to 8, the separator 28 comprises a generally box-like, generally rectilinear frame, shown in outline by the reference numeral 90, which has a pair of spaced, generally parallel, sides 91-92

  ending with lower flanges 91 B, 92 B,

  which are bolted to the shelf.

  93 of the chassis is preferably in one piece

  with the sides 91, 92, an electric motor rotating classically

  which is broadly represented by the reference

  this 98, is mounted inside the module, namely to it, top 93 A linkage, represented by the reference

  99, is coupled between the motor 98 and the spindle assembly

  30 so as to cause longitudinal displacement

dinal of this set.

  The assembly 30 consists of a rigid upper plate 100 in which is defined a notch l B arc-shaped notch 10 l B allows the plate to surround a cup just below its part flanged 25 The assembly includes a bottom plate

  102, having a notch 102 B, which is pivotally coupled

  to the plate 100 by an axis 134 The plate 102 comprises

  takes a bracket 108 projecting downwards which, as shown in FIG. 6, will come into contact with a means

  110, having the shape of an L-shaped channel, preferably

  this fixed to the frame 90 on the end wall 112 of the en-

  30 appears, is mounted a roller 40 projecting forward which, as described above, causes the deflection of the doors 38 away from the bottom of the columns, which results in the exposure of the discharge ports and the fall of cups in zone 44 that can be accessed

the consumer.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the plate is generally flat, and ends with flanges

  opposite sides 120 and 121 rail means,

  130, are arranged on opposite sides of the jaw assembly, so as to interlockably support this assembly and to facilitate the longitudinal movement of back and forth in alignment. The lower plate 102 also terminates. by a pair of end flanges spaced apart from each other and 126 An elongate, transverse pivot axis 134 extends across the assembly and is rotatably mounted in the sides 120, 125-and 121 r 126, This results in the pivoting of the lower plate 102 with respect to the plate 100. However, a spring 140 normally elastically urges the plate 102 towards the plate 100. The pin 134 is coupled to each of these ends to the

rail means 130.

12

  It will be noted that the pivot axis 134 terminates

  at opposite ends by a pair of rails

  long, generally parallel, 150 having in section the

  shape of a C The rails 150 can fit inside-

  or externally relative to the surrounding fixed rails 152 which are fixed to the side walls of the frame within the enclosure of the module by bolts 149 A The rails 152 also have the general shape in section of a C The sides 120 121 of the plate 100 are fixed to the rails 150 by conventional screws 160 (FIGS. 4-6). Notches 162 (FIG. 6) are provided in the sides 125, 126 of the plate 102 so as to form a set. elongated member 153, generally having the shape of a C, is slidably disposed between the rails 152, 150 on the rail 153 are fixed ball bearings 153 B which can roll between the end elements

  channel 152 E and 150 E of the rails 152 and 150, respectively

  this makes it easier to move around

  sliding, interlocking, between them.

  The motor 98 drives 5 an output shaft 168 which is keyed to a rotatable link 170 constituting a part of the linkage system 99. The link 170 is pivotally connected to a longer offset link 172 via a pivot link 174. offset front portion 172 B of the link 172 terminates in a horizontal bottom portion 172 C, which is coupled to the shelf

  greater than 100 via a pivot 176 which includes bushings

  preferably, Teflon material Thus, as seen in Figure 3, the rotation by the

  motor of the link member 170 will cause a change in

  length in the longitudinal direction of the system

  linkage 99, resulting in a long displacement

  tudinal of the jaw support assembly 30.

  In operation, the poppet separator module 28 will have the configuration shown in FIG. 4 while it is in the rest position. When a sale is initialized, the carousel 28 will be placed

  20 A column is in the distribution position

13

  tion, shown in Figures 1 and 4 as shown earlier

  alternatively, a plurality of cups 24 stacked on top of one another inside the columns 20 or 20 A, comprise a concentrate 23 which, when suitably mixed with water, will produce the desired beverage, for example coffee, tea, fruit juice, soup, or the like After selecting the appropriate column,

  the jaw assembly will move to the inboard position

* Intermediate shown in Figure 5, since the plates 100 and

  102 are longitudinally out of the rail 152 by

  At this time, the link member 170 will rotate, which will have the effect of longitudinally driving the member 172 to the column 20.

  rails 150, which are attached to the upper plate 100, extend

  and thus go out of the rail 152, the correct alignment being provided by the inner support rail 153 which has been discussed previously in connection with the

  figure 8 Of the most important, when the cheek set

  r reaches the position shown in Figure 5, the first notched plate 100 will surround the penultimate cup 24 C

  immediately around its edge 25 Eo However, at this moment

  At this point, the plate 102 will surround the cup 2 AC immediately.

  above the rim 25B of the bottommost cup 24B.

  As the jaw assembly 30 moves

  a little more outward (Figure 6), the means of

  108, projecting downwards, associated with the lower plate

  102, will come into contact with the transverse stop, rotating the plate 102 and thereby causing the cup 24 B to move downwards Simultaneously the rod 40 will come into contact with the door 38 biased by spring, driving it backwards, 3, so as to expose the distribution orifices 34 i formed in the carousel plate 36 and in the shelf 72, respectively The cup can fall into the receiving zone 44 (FIG. that there is then entry of hot or cold water and in option provision of sugar and / or milk for delivery and consumption by the 14, customer.

  Motor 98 will preferably run from 190.degree.

  At this point, a delay signal is produced by a conventional cam 160 keyed to the shaft 168 which is in contact with one of the switch cam rollers 169 B. This gives more time for the fall of the lighter cups. After a short time, the motor 98 will return to its original position, removing the jaw assembly. At this time, the cam 160 will actuate another cam switch to produce a return signal, shutting off the motor. jaw assembly will thus return to the position shown in FIG. 4, and the carousel

  will be able to turn to any position without

  Once the jaw assembly is disengaged from a stack of cups, the door springs 38 E (FIG. 3) pressing on the sleeves 38 B to bear will close the door 38 placed on the orifices 34 and 35. in order to complete a distribution from column A. In connection now with FIGS.

  variant of the cup separator module is

  250 The 250 module

  takes a generally cubic frame 252 which is

  killed by a flat top 254 in one piece with vertical sides

  ticauz directed down 256, 258 that end with

  flat bottom mounting flanges 256 A, 258 A respec-

  Unfortunately mounting holes 257 are defined in the edges 256A, 258A to mount the module within the

  vending machine The 250 module includes a

  seems to jaw inside, represented in its large

  lines by the reference 260, which is intended to move

  inwardly or outwardly of the frame 252 so as to come into contact with a stack of cups and to separate and provide a cup as

  this was previously described An engine (not repre-

  which is similar to the motor 98 (Figure 5) is

  on the top 254 of the distributor, so as to rotate a shaft 266 A linkage, shown in its 15.

  outline by reference 268, will lead to

  Fig. 9-10 and 12 show the retracted position; Figure 11 the position with maximum advancement. The set with m Rachoire 260 includes a plate

  notched upper 270 and a bottom plate with

  che 272 cooperating with the previous plate 270 comprises

  a planar side 271 generally oriented in the green direction

  tical which is in one piece with the plate, and which-features

  an elongated slot 274 for disengaging a general stem

  generally cylindrical 275 which extends transversely inside the frame 252 between the sides 256, 258, Des

  screws 280 secure in place the rod 275.

  A pair of sets 282 having elongated jaw support rails, interlocking, are fixed at

  interior of the enclosure on the inner sides,

  opposite, so as to permit a movement of

  longitudinally of the jaw assembly 260, the sys-

  The rail system 282 is similar to that previously described. Essentially, the rail elements 284

  can move longitudinally with respect to

  The elements 286 are fixed by screws 288 inside the enclosure. The elements 284 are fixed to the two plate members 270 and 272.

  plate 272 can thus move by pivoting with respect to

  270 The portion 292 protruding towards the armature

  back and down the plate 272 follows the back of

  the jaw assembly as it moves out

  However, as it moves into the position shown in FIG. 11, the portion 292 contacts the stopper rod 275 to deflect the front end of the plate 272 downward. When the plate members 270, 272 are in contact with a stack of cups, the cup at the bottom will be trained

  down because the pressure exerted by the plate 272 con-

  to be its upper rim will cause its axial displacement

  relative to the stack, as previously described

  At this point, plate 270 will be located

  under the rim of the cup according to the highest so

  avoid falling the stack of cups The lower plate

  272 is biased towards the plate 270 by a resistor

  arc-shaped spell 296 which is arranged between the plates. The linkage means 268 includes a first offset portion 300 which is pivotally attached to the axis

  This part 200 is in turn

  pivotally coupled, for example 302, to an offset link member 304 which is pivotally coupled at its end to the jaw assembly 306.

  rotation of the shaft 266 will cause longitudinal movement.

  dinal back-and-forth of the jaw assembly as de-

previously written.

  As best seen in Figure 9, we remark

  That the front edges 38 of the bottom plate 272 terminate below the front ends 310 of the plate 270 Thus, the second plate 272 is shorter than the first plate, and the plate 270 will thus come into contact with the stack of cups Before the contact with the plate 272 As best seen in FIG. 11, the lateral portion 271 of the upper plate 270 comprises a lower notched front portion 320.

  used to operate the distribution doors that are

  associated with each column of the carousel by physical contraction

  and moving out of the path of the goblet

  Thus, the plate 271 (FIG. 11) is used in place of the rod 40 (FIG. 4) used with the module 28.

  In connection now with FIG. 13, a circuit

  Cooking control represented by the reference 340, serves to timed and control the various mechanical movements of the vending machine, the skilled person will notice

  that the actual circuit that can be used can have

  Basically, the circuit is actuated in response to the input of appropriate coins, which results in the selection of the desired stack of carousel cups, and the actuation of the separas module 17,

  cup maker as previously described.

  For example, a classic coin changer

  342 causes the initial actuation of a com-

  346 by a line 348 A controller 346 actuates a conventional digital display device 348 via a line 350 The switches of the operated selector

  by the clientrepresented by reference 352,

  The motor 360 of the separator receives instructions via a line 362. As previously indicated, this motor preferably comprises a pair of cam-driven switches which provide an indication to the controller 346 on its position by lines 364 The controller 346 operates

  also a solenoid 368 of hot water and / or a solenol

  of 370 cold water via lines 372, 374 respectively

  to the extent that the customer has chosen them in action

  Switches 352 A visualization system

  378 may be provided as an option, A 371 engine supply

  milk re and a 379 sugar supply motor are provided to provide sugar and milk The carousel

  used in the machine is controlled by a bi-di-

  384, 386 detectors.

  responding, for example, to switches 94 (FIG. 2)

  indicate to the controller the position of the carousel

  sound with Figure 14, a cycle starts with the introduction of

  the production of an appropriate coin The form of on-

  initial timing 390 operates a circuit for validating

  of a sale A 392 waveform is produced when a

  choice is made, the 390 waveform falling at that moment.

  The movement of the turret is determined by the difference

  this between the initial position of the turret or carousel and the desired sales position, Thus, a turret feed waveform 394 takes place until the

  turret found its proper position, a form of on-

  396 occurs during the interval ot the set to.

  jaw is pushed in the direction of the gobble stack

  A delay of about 1 second occurs when the set is pushed all the way out.

25373 * 7

18.

  leave enough time for the tumbler cups to

  bent down to satisfy a sale An interval-

  The timing member 398 returns the jaw assembly to its initial position. A waveform 400 determines whether hot water or cold water has been selected. Waveforms 402, 404 determine the choice of sugar and / or

  As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it can be

  place the timing system shown in the figures

  13 and 14 by various provisions both electronic and

  and / or electromechanical devices.

  the invention is not limited to the time circuit

  felt, and can be used in conjunction with various

other systems.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described.

  is, on the contrary, susceptible of modifications and

  laughing that will appear to the man of the art.

Claims (12)

  1 Vending Machine Module for   to separate in series cups provided with a rim of pi-   cups, characterized in that it comprises: a rigid frame means, intended to be disposed on a support surface;   a jaw support means mounted manually   longitudinally movable relative to the frame means between a rest position and a position of contacting a stack of cups, said jaw support means comprising: a first slot plate means for coming into engagement with a stack of cups; contact with the penultimate goblet   in a stack of cups, below his rim,   as well as the cup and goblets located above   above are subject to axial downward movement; second notch plate means   intended to come into contact with the battery above the re-   bottom edge of the cup, a means for deflecting the second plate means with respect to the first plate means, resulting in the separation of the bottommost cup from the cups above him; and   means for moving the means of sup-   jaw port between the rest position and the position   contacting the stack of cups.   Module according to claim 1, characterized   in that the second plate means is coupled in   votively by means of jaw support; and comprises a bracket means projecting downwards; and the frame means comprises rigid abutment means for the angle means of the second plate means to come into contact therewith; of it results a   pivoted from the second plate means to the b as   port to the first plate means in response to a displacement   longitudinal outward movement of the support means of   jaw so that the bottom cup is empty. line of the stack of cups.   20. Module according to claim 2, characterized in that the means causing the displacement of the   jaw support means includes: -   motor means fixed to the frame means for producing a rotational movement; and   a linkage means coupled between the -   motor means and the means for supporting the rotor to transform the rotary motion of the motor means into   longitudinal movement of the jaw support means.   Module according to claim 1, characterized   in that the jaw support means is   sliding on the chassis means with a means   interlocking rail fixed by means of frames.   Module according to claim 4, characterized   in that it includes a means of soliciting   to maintain the elasticity normally   plate means means of the jaw support in generally parallel relation to the first plate means.   Module according to claim 4, characterized   characterized in that it comprises a roller means associated with the jaw support means for temporarily opening   distribution door means located below the door   belet the lowest at the bottom of the stack of cups, so to allow the sale of a cup.   Module according to claim 4, characterized   in that the second plate means is shorter than the first plate means.   Beverage vending machine, characterized in that it comprises: a rotary carousel means having a   plurality of vertical compartments spaced radially   from each other to contain piles of go-   belets having a rim means for rotating the carousel means, whereby the orientation of a desired compartment in a position of sales satisfaction results; separating cup means for separating 21.   series of cups with a rim of the stack of go-   the module being placed at a contiguous point of the sales satisfaction position and comprising: rigid chassis means for attachment to the interior of the machine on a rigid support surface; jaw support means mounted to move longitudinally relative to the   frame means between a rest position and a posi-   contact with a stack of cups; the jaw support means comprising: first plate means   che intended to engage in the penultimate cup of a stack of cups, below its rim, thus avoiding that the cup and the cups located above are animated in a downward movement; a second plate means   che intended to engage in the stack above the rim of the cup at the bottom; a way to deflect the   plate means with respect to the first plate means   that from which results the separation of the bottommost cup from the cups situated above him; and means for moving the support means of   jaw between the rest position and the position of engagement cups.   Distributor according to claim 8, characterized in that:   the second plate means e-st coupled in pivots   by means of jaw support; and comprises a bracket means projecting towards the base and in that it comprises a rigid abutment means for the angle means of the second plate means to come into contact with the abutment means of the abutment. this results in a pivoting of the second plate means downwards with respect to RN first plate means in response to a longitudinal outward movement of the jaw support means so that the bottommost cup 22,   is extracted from the stack of cups.   Dispenser according to claim 9, characterized in that the means for moving the chuck support means comprises, motor means fixed to produce a rotary movement; and   a linkage means coupled between the   motor yen and the jaw support means for turning the rotary motion of the motor into motion   longitudinal of the jaw support means.   Distributor according to claim 10, characterized in that the jaw support means is slidably engaged on the frame means with a   rail means interlocking fixed by means of frame.   Distributor according to Claim 11,   characterized in that it comprises means for soliciting   in order to normally maintain the second plate means in a generally parallel relationship   vis-à-vis the first plate means.   Dispenser according to claim 8, characterized in that the rotary carousel means comprises a generally circular lower base for supporting the   stacks of cups, this background comprising a plurality of ori-   distribution channels spaced radially from each other   very, in alignment with compartments and doors   in order to normally block the distribution orifices   bution; and the jaw support means includes a roller means for temporarily opening the associated door   column oriented in a sales position and allows   be the fall of a cup through the dispensing orifice   associated with the column quoted last.   14 - Dispenser according to claim 13, characterized in that;   the second plate means is coupled in   votively by means of jaw support and comprises a means of bracket projecting downwards; and 23, in that the dispenser comprises a rigid abutment means for the second angle means of the second   medium of plaque comes in contact with it, from which it results   pivoting the second plate means downwardly with respect to the first plate means in response to longitudinal movement toward the interior of the support means   jaw so that the bottom cup is line of the stack of cups.   Dispenser according to claim 14, characterized in that the means causing the displacement of the jaw support means comprises, a motor means fixed to produce a rotational movement; and linkage means coupled between the means   motor and the jaw support means for converting   sea the rotary motion of the moving motor means   longitudinal of the jaw support means.   Dispenser according to claim 15, characterized in that the jaw support means is slidably mounted on the frame means with a   rail means interlocking fixed by means of frame.   Dispenser according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises a biasing means for normally maintaining the second elastically   jaw support plate means in general relationship with   parallel to the first plate means.   Dispenser according to Claim 15, characterized in that the second plate means is more   short than the first plate means.