GB2123394A - Cup separator module and vending machine equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

A cup separator module 28, and a vending machine 10 equipped with a separator module 28, in which a longitudinally displaceable jaw carriage 30 serially, forcibly separates rimmed cups 24 from nested stacks to facilitate a vend. Preferably the cups 24 are arranged in vertical columns disposed within tubular columns 20A disposed at radially spaced-apart intervals within the rotatable carousel 18. Each of the cups 24 within the carousel columns are filled with premeasured quantities of beverage concentrate 23. Apparatus is provided for moving the desired column to a vend position whereupon the separator module 28 is activated. The jaw carriage 30 slidably mounted to the module is longitudinally displaceable between a rest position and a cup stack engaging position. The carriage includes a first notched plate 100 which engages the next to last cup in a stack of cups, and a second notched plate 102 which engages the stack above the rim of the lowermost cup. As the jaw carriage 30 moves forward towards the cup column, deflection means associated with the second jaw carriage plate contacts a rigid stop, pivoting the second plate downwardly to forcibly remove the lowermost cup. In a preferred form a jaw carriage follower means 40 contacts a slidable gate 38 expose dispensing orifices 34 allowing the separated cup to drop through to a liquid insertion compartment 44. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cup separator module and vending machine equip ped therewith This invention relatesgenerallytobeveragevend- ing machines. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with beverage dispensing apparatus in which a plurality of nested stacks of concentrate bearing rimmed cups are contained within a carousel forsubsequentfilling and dispensing.

In the prior art a variety of beverage vending machines have been proposed in which an interior, rotatable carousel or similar magazine device contains a plurality of radially spaced-apart dispensing columns. Each column contains a plurality of rimmed cups stored within nested stacks. An extremely wide variety of engineering approaches have been taken to effectuate control andtiming of such apparatus. One of the most important design considerations in vending machines ofthistype relatesto the manner in which cups are serially separated from the stacks within the rotary magazine. While the magazine or carousel structure is of relatively simple construction, the structure which serially removes individual cups to facilitate a vend is often complex.

While the cup separator apparatus must function reliably and quickly, it must also handle cups gentlyso as to prevent inadvertent damage. Thus a basic design problem inherent in cup separator technology relates to the fact that, while the cup separation must be done forcibly and reliably, damage to the cup and/orthe magazines associated with the cup column must be prevented. In the past, two general types of cup separator apparatus have been proposed. The first general category includes a variety of attempts at forming various latches, levers or gripping members which manipulates the rims ofthe cups and separate them through various complex mechanical movements.A second broad category of cup separators includes rotatable cam gearswhich function like screw th reads to separate cups as the rims ofthe cups are forced to ride downwardly in response to rotation ofthe cam elements.

Examples of magazine or carousel type dispensing apparatus may be seen generally in United States Patents 2,352,858 and 2,278,013. In the latter patent aligned plates within a dispensing column orifice effectuate cup separation. Patents 2,538,185 and 2,919,830 issued to S. F. Anderson disclose systems for separating cups by grasping plates which may be moved reciprocally with respect to each other.

Greaves in Patent 3,648,889 separates cups through complex movement of a plurality of angularly manipulated grasping levers and pawls.

In United States Patent 3,586,074 cups are separated from their stack by the scissor-like grasping movement of a pair of hands. A similar approach is seen in Franz Patent 2,385,267 in which a pair of pivoted levers are forced together about a cup, whereupon subse quentaxial movement effectuates cup separation.

Avarietyofpriorartapproacheshave been employed using threaded, rotatable cam members to separate cups. This approach is seen in Patent 2,374,168.P.atent3,120,324 separates cups within columns bythe action of a plurality of rotatable cam gears which engage the rims ofthe cups. Stoner patent 2,925,196 discloses a suitable cam element engaged with the rim ofthe container to be dislodged.

Such cam members may be arranged intheform of separator rings, in which a plurality of rotatable cams are disposed in encircling relation with respectto a cup to be dispensed. The latter construction is seen in United States Patents 3,506,156; 2,497,718; 2,925,196; 2,860,817; 2,742,183; 3,283,951; 3,592,355; 2,742,183; 3,576,275; 3,819,086; 3,807,600; and 3,520,444.

Typical devices constructed along the foregoing lines serially output all of the cups in a given carousel column, whereupon the magazine is switched to a full column. This approach is taken where the desired beverage is formulated from liquid constituents stored in internal compartments (i.e. no beverage concentrate is disposed within the cups when stored in the columns). Thus cup separator apparatus ofthe prior art typically does not have the capacity to rapidly switch between columns of cups in a given magazine.

The rotary cam ring arrangementfordispensing cups, which is now well knownintheart,functions adequately in many applications, but involves precision gears and is extremely expensive. Moreover, rotary cam type dispensers may be unreliable when switching between magazine columns of cups. Partly in response to this problem, some carousel type dispensers employ a rotary cam cup separator at the bottom of each and every column of cups in the magazine, resulting in obvious added expense.

The present invention comprises a vending machine module for separating cups, and a carouseltype vending machine equipped with such a module.

The vending machine comprises an upright, generally cubicle enclosure in which a large, rotatable carousel including radially spaced-apart columns is disposed. Each of the carousel or magazine columns house a nested stack of rimmed cups to be eventually dispensed. The nested stacks are disposed upon the bottom plate of the carousel, separated from a dispensing orifice aligned with the cups by a spring biased gate. The columns which are generally cylindrical, include a lower access opening which will be oriented in a vend position by conventional control apparatus when the customer makes a selection.

The vending machine cup separator module ofthe present invention is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the carousel ata dispensing orvend position.The module includes a box-like, generally cubicle, rigid frame adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface, such as and internal plate of the dispensing machine. A unique jaw carriage is mounted for longitudinal displacement relative to the frame, and may be moved into engagement with the stack of cups within acarousel column.The jawcarriage includes a first rigid, notched jaw plate which engages the next to last cup in a stack of cups below its rim. A second jaw plate pivotally coupled to the first notched jaw plate engages the cup stack above the rim of the lowermost cup.As longitudinal jaw carriage movement continues, a deflection plate associated with the jaw carriage strikes a stop mechanism, whereby to pivot the secondjaw plate, forcing the cup-below it apart fromtheremainingstackofcups Atthistime.the upperjaw plate prevents axial novement of the remaining cups in the stack A motor secured to the frame of the module produces rotary motion in responseto conventional vending machine control circuitry. A rotary link coupled between the frame and thejaw carriage translates rotary motion into longitudinal motion to force the jaw carriage inwardlyand/oroutwardly relative to the frame.Preferably the jaw carriage is mounted to a pair of telescoping slide assemblies rigidly mounted within the frame to properly orient and aim the carriage towardsthe cup separator column.

The module optionally includes a follower mechanism which opensthe column gate beneath the stack of cupsto exposethe vend orifice. Inthismannerthe separated cup mayfall through the carousel to a lower fill position, but engagement of the upperjaw carriage platewiththe nested stack prevents othercupsfrom falling through. As the jaw carriage withdraws into the frame, after completion of a vend,the gate will close priorto release of the column of cups by the carriage assembly.

The present arrangement ideally contemplatesthe provision of beverage concentrate being provided in each ofthe cups ofvarious magazines. In other words, each ofthe carousel columns is adapted to dispense a different beverage upon user selection. Mixture of the concentrate occurs in the fill position, when water is dropped or injected into the cup, whereupon it mixes with the concentrate therewithin to produce the desired beverage. Means are provided to add sugaror cream after a vend is initiated.

Thus a broad object of the present invention isto provide a unique and reliablevending machine moduleforseparating cups.

More particularly, itis an objectofthe present invention to forcibly but gently remove cups from nested columns within a carousel vending machine in a reliable and commercially feasible manner.

Yet another object of the present invention is to avoid the use of rotatable cam ring dispenser separators. It is an important feature ofthe present invention that only one cup separator is required for a multiplicity of carousel columns.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cup separator apparatus which is complete lyseparateand apartfromthecarousel mechanism.

A still further object of the present invention is to divorce the cup separating structure in a beverage dispenserfrom the carousel assembly.

Another object is to ease the service and maintenance burden experienced bytheserviceman or technician in conjunction with carousel vending machines.

Yet another object of the present invention is to forcibly remove a cup from a nested stack, without damaging it.

Another important object is to provide a vending machine in which the efficiency ofthe cup separator is not deleteriously effected by rotation of the cup carousel, or by depletion of cups in a magazine column.

Thus a fundamental object is to prevent jamming oF cup feeding problems ofthetype hitherto experienced with conventional cup separators.

A basic object is to provide a module adapted for modification and use with carousel vending machines of a wide variety of configurations.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenanttherto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections.

In the following drawings, which form a part ofthe specification ana which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views; FIGURE lisa perspective view of a vending machine constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention, in which the cup separating module has been correctly installed, and with parts thereof broken away or shown in sectionfor clarity; FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, cross sectional view an embodimentofthe invention illustrating the relationship between the carousel, the cup separator, and associated hardware, with parts there broken away or omitted for clarity;; FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 Figure 2, with parts thereof broken away or omitted for clarity; FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of Figure 3 with the cup separator in the rest position; FIGURE 5 is a viewsimilarto Figure4, but illustrating the cup separator in an intermediate position prior to separating a cup; FIGURE 6 is a viewsimilarto Figures 4 and 5 but illustrating the position of the cup separatorwhen a cup is separated from the stack; FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view ofthe separator module looking into the jaw carriage assembly; FIGURE 8 is a vertical cross sectional viewtaken generally along line 8-8 of Figure 4;; FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary, top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a cup separator module, with partsthereofomitted for clarity; FIGURE loins a side sectional view ofthe cup separator module of Figure 9; FIGURE 11 is a side sectional view ofthe alternative cup separator module of Figures 9-10 illustrating the jaw carriage in extended position; FIGURE 12 is a front plan view ofthe cup separator module of Figures 9-11; FIGURE 13 is a block diagram of-a timing and control system which may be employed in conjunction with the invention; and, FIGURE 14 is a timing diagram ofthe control circuit.

With initial referenceto Figures 1 and 2, a vending machine constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention has generally been desig nated bythe reference numeral 10. Machine 10 includes a conventional, generally cubicle enclosure 12 adaptedto bedisposed upon a supporting surface such asfloor 14 orthe like. For purposes of illustration the front door 16 has been cut away to expose the machine interior. Vending machine 10 includes a rotatable carouset 18 including a plurality of radially spaced-aparttubular compartments 20 for containing nested stacks 22 of rimmed cups. Each of the cups 24 (Figures 4-6) is of generally conventional configuration, and includes an upper lip portion 25 which functions as a flange. Each cup is preferably pre-filled with a concentrate 23.In Figure 1 column 20A is illustrated in a vend position, adjacentthe cup separator module, generally designated by the reference numeral 28. The cup separator module 28 includes a longitudinally displaceable jaw assembly 30 which will engage the stack 22 of cups, penetrating a suitable cutout 27 defined in the lowermost portion of each column 20 or 20A. Afterthe jaw assembly 30 engages the cups, a lowermost cup 34B will be separated from the stack, being forced through dispensing orifices 34 and 35. The columns of the carousel may vary in number or geometry, as long as they are capable of housing a nested stack of cups.

A dispensing orifice 34 is defined in carousel plate 36 directly beneath each column 20 or 20A. When a column is positioned in a vend orientation its orifice 34 will align with orifice 35 defined in machine support ing surface 72.As will be explained in more detail later, a gate 38 will be opened by the module in response to a follower 40 moved with the jaw carriage 30 to expose orifices 34,35. Once cups are removed from columns 20 or 20A,theywill drop into a consumer accessible region 44 via transfer chute 48.

Afterwards water, sugar and/or cream may be injected via nozzle assembly 48B.

A conventional coin mechanism is employed to enableselectionofadesiredproductthrough manipulation of buttons 49. Hot waterforced through a tube 50 into a vat 52 may be mixed therewithin with sugar outputted from sugar storage bin 54 by mechanism 56. Afterwards, the hotsugarwater may drop down line 58 into cream vat 60 and via hose 62 to spout 48. where cream is desired, it may be extracted from canister 64 via mechanism 66, and appropriately mixed with vat 60 along the lines discussed. Cold water is available via line 63. A plurality of controls, generally designated bythe reference numeral 70, may be manipulated bythe service man to getthe machine up for operation.

The carousel 18 includes a lowermost rotatable base plate 36 which is spaced-apartfrom interior planar shelf plate 72. A central, elongated, axle 76 extends from timing housing 78, being secured to carousel bottom 36 by collar77A. Axle 76 is similarly coupled to intermediate column shelf 80 and upper column brace 82 by collars 76B, 76C respectively. Axle 76 terminates at its top within a bearing assembly 84 secured interiorly atthe top of the vending machine 10. The control assembly 78 is conventional, and a variety of different approaches may be taken to mechanically and/or electrically or electronically sense and control the position of the carousel.The purpose of assembly 78 is to enable the machine to first determine what position the carousel is in, and then tofacilitate moving of the carousel, if necessary, to effectuate a consumer ordered vend. An intermedi ate axle sleeve 88 within enclosure 78 is keyed to axle 76, and, at its bottom, is coupled via axle portion 76B to a conventional drive motor 79. A plurality of spaced-apart, raised projections 90 formed upon the periphery of cylinder 88 trip microswitches 94 to generate appropriatetiming and control signals via lines 96 in a conventional fashion. Thus, appropriate sensing circuitry of conventional designs will enable the machineto realize when the selected column 20A is positioned in the vend position (Figure 2).Afterwards, the jaw carriage 30 in the separator module 28 will be actuated whereby to effectuate a vend.

With primary attention now directed to Figures 4-8, the cup separator 28 comprises a generally rectilinear, box-like frame generally designated bythe reference numeral 90, which includes a pair of spaced-apart, generally parallel sides 91,92 terminating in lower flange portions 91 B, 92B respectively which are conventionally bolted to shelf 72. Frame top 93 is preferably integral with sides 91,92. A conventional rotatable electric motor, generally designated by the reference numeral 98, is secured within the module, being fastened to top 93. Linkage, generally designated bythe reference numeral 99, is coupled between motor 98 and the jaw carriage 30 to produce longitudinal motion of the jaw carriage.

The jaw carriage assembly 30 comprises a rigid, notched upper plate 100 having an arcuate notch 101 B defined therein. Notch 101 B enables plate 100 to surround a cup just below its flange portion 25. The jaw carriage includes lower plate 102, having notch 102B, which is pivotally coupled to plate 100 by a pivot axle 134. Pivot plate 102 includes a downwardly projecting strut 108 which, as illustrated in Figure 6, will contact an L-channel stop means 110, preferably secured to frame 90. The jaw carriage end wall 112 mounts a forwardly projecting follower 40, which, as described previously, deflects the gates 38 out from under the columns whereby to expose the discharge orifices permitting cups to drop down into customer access region 44.

As viewed in Figures 7 and 8, plate 100 is generally planar, and terminates in opposite side flanges 120, and 121. Rails means, generally designated by the reference numeral 130, are disposed at opposite sides ofthe carriage assembly to telescopingly support the jaw carriage assembly and facilitate aligned, reciprocal longitudinal movement. The lower notched plate 102 ofthejaw carriage similarly terminates in a pair of spaced-apart end flanges 125 and 126. Elongated, transverse pivot axle 134 extends across the jaw carriage assembly, and is journaled for rotation through sides 120,125 and 121, 126 whereby to pivot lower plate 102 with respect to plate 100. However, a spring 140 normallyyieldably biases plate 102towards plate 100.Axle 134 is coupled at each end to the telescoping rail means 130.

It will be noted that pivot axle 134terminates at its opposite ends in a pair of elongated, generally parallel rails 150 of generally C-shaped cross section. Rails 150 are free to telescope inwardly or outwardly with respectto stationary, surrounding rails 152 which are secured to the frame side walls interiorly of the module enclosure by boits 149A. Rails 152 are similarly of generally C-shaped cross section. Sides 120,121 of plate 100 are secured to rails 150 by conventional screws 160 (Figures 4-6). Notches 162 (Figure 6) are provided in the sides 125,126 of plate 102to provide clearance. Another elongated fail 153 of generally C-shaped configuration is slidably disposed between rails 152,150.Rail 153securesball bearings 1 53B rotatably between the channel shaped end members 152E and 150E of rails 152 and 150 respectively whereby to facilitate telescoping, slide- able displacement between them.

Motor 98 drives an output shaft 168 which is keyed to a rotatable link 170 forming part of linkage system 99. Rotatable link 170 is pivotally connected to a longer, offset link 172 via pivot connection 174. Front offset portion 1 72B of link 172 terminates in lower horizontal end portion 172C, which is coupled to upper shelf 100 via pivot 176 which includes appropriate, preferably teflon bushings. Thus, as viewed in Figure 3, rotation of link member 170 by the motor will cause the longitudinal dimensional length of the linkage system 99 to vary, resulting in the longitudinal displacement ofthe jaw carriage assembly 30.

In operation, the cup separator module 28 will be configured as in Figure 4while in a rest position. When a vend is initiated the carousel 18 will be positioned such that a desired column 20Awill be positioned in vend position illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. As mentioned earlier, a plurality of cups 24 positioned in nested, stacked relationship within columns 20 or 20A include concentrate 23 which, when appropriately mixed with waterwill produce a desired beverage, such as coffee, tea, juice, soup, orthe like. Afterthe appropriate column has been selected, the jaw carriageassemblywill move to the intermediate position illustrated in Figure 5, as plates 100 and 102 are longitudinallythrust out of rail 152 by movement of linkage 99.Atthistime linkage element 170 will be rotating,whereby to force element 172 longitudinally toward column 20A. Rails 150, which are secured to upper plate 100, will thus extend outwardly from the rail 152, proper alignment being assured by interior bearing rail 153 discussed earlier in conjunction with Figure 8. Importantly, when the jaw carriage assembly reaches the position illustrated in the jaw carriage assembly recces the position illustrated in Figure 5, thefirst notched plate 100willsurroundthe nextto last cup 24C immediately below its rim 25E. However, at this time the lowermost notched jaw carriage plate 102 will surround cup 24C immediately above the rim 25B ofthe lowermost cup 24B.

As the jaw carriage assembly 30 moves further outwardly (Figure 6) the downwardly projecting strut means 108 associated with lower plate 102 will contact the transverse stop 110, forcibly pivoting plate 102 and thus moving cup 24B downwardly. Simultaneously the follower rod 40 will engage the spring biased gate 38, forcing it rearwardly as in Figure 3 to expose the aligned cup dispensing orifices 34,34 formed in carousel plate 36 and in the dispensing shelf 72 respectively. The cup may thus drop downwardly into customer receptive area 44 (Figure 1) for subsequent input of hot or cold water, and optionally including sugar and/or cream for delivery and consumption by the customer.

Motor 98 will preferably rotate 190 degrees, at which time a delay signal is generated by a conventional cam 160 keyed to shaft 168 which contacts one ofthe cam switch followers 1 69B. This permits more time for lighter cups to drop. After a short delay, the motor 98 will rotate to its original position, withdrawing the jaw carriage. Atthis time cam 160 will activate another cam switch to generate a home signal, turning off the motor. The jaw carriage assembly will thus return to the position illustrated in Figure4, and the carousel is free to rotate to any desired position without interfering with the separator module.Im mediately after the jaw carriage withdraws from engagementwith cup stack, gate springs 38E (Figure 3) bearing upon gate sleeves 38B will close that gate 38 positioned overvend orifices 34 and 35 to complete a vend from column 20A.

With reference now to Figures 9-12, an alternative cup separator module has been generally designated bythe reference numeral 250. Module 250 includes a generally cubical frame 252 comprised of a flat, generally planartop 254 integral with downwardly depending vertical sides 256,258 which terminate in lower, flatflange mounting edges 256A, 258A respectively. Mounting holes 257 are defined in edges 256A, 258Afor mounting the module within the vending machine. Module 250 includes an internal jaw carriage assembly, generally designated by the reference numeral 260, which is adapted to be moved inwardly or outwardly of the frame 252 to engage a nested stack of cups and to separate and dispense a cup along the lines discussed previously.A motor (not shown) which is similarto motor 98 (Figure 5) is mounted on top 254 ofthe apparatus, to rotate a shaft 266. Linkage, generally designated by the reference numeral 268, will force jaw carriage 260 inwardly or outwardly of the frame 252 in response to rotation of shaft 266.

Figures 9-10 and 12 illustrate the withdrawn position; Figure 110 illustrates the maximally projected position.

Jaw carriage 260 includes an upper notched plate 270 and a cooperating lower notched plate 272. Plate 270 includes a generally vertically oriented planar side 271 which is integral with it, and which includes an elongated follower slot 274 for clearing a generally cylindrical rod 275 which extends transversel within the frame 252 between sides 256, 258. Screws 280 secure the rod 275 in place.

A pair of elongated telescoping jaw carriage rail assemblies 282 are secured within the enclosure on opposite upper, interior sides to mountthejaw carriage 260 for longitudinal, reciprocal displacement.

Rail system 282 is similarto that previously described.

Essentially rail elements 284 are longitudinally dis placeable with respect to stationary rail elements 286.

Rail elements 286 and secured by screws 288 interiorally ofthe ericlosure. The rail elements 284 are securedtoboth notched plate members270 and 272.

Plate 272 is thus pivotally displaceable relative to plate 270. The rearward downwardly projecting portion 292 of plate 272 follows behind the jaw carriage as the jaw carriage moves outwardly. However, when moved into the position generally indicated in Figure 11, portion 292 forceably contacts the stop rod 275 to deflect the forward end of notched plate 272 downwardly. When the jaw plate members 2TO, 272, thus engageacupstack,thelowermostcupwill beforced downwardly since the pressure from plate 272 against its upper rim will axially displace it from the nested stack, as described previously. At this time the notched plate 270will underlaythe rim ofthe next highest cup to prevent cup stacks from dropping downwardly.The lower notched plate 272 is biased toward plate 270 by generally arcuate spring 296 disposed therebetween.

The linkage means 268 includes a first offset portion 300 pivotal ly secured to drive axle 266. This portion 200 is in turn pivotally coupled as at 302 to a cooperating offset linkage member 304 pivotal ly coupled at its extreme end to the jaw carriage at 306.

Thus rotation of shaft 266 will produce longitudinal reciprocal displacement of the jaw carriage assembly along the lines discussed previously.

As best viewed in Figure 9, it will be observed that the leading ends 308 of lower plate 272 terminate short of the forward ends 310 of plate 270. Thus the second plate 272 isshorterthanthefirst plate, and plate 270 will thus engagethe cup stack priorto engagement by plate 272. As best viewed in Figure 11, the side portion 271 of upper notched plate 270 includes a lower, forward notched portion 320. The side 271 is employed to actuate the cup dispenser doors associated with each carousel column by physically contracting it and moving it out of the way of the cup to be displaced. Thus plate 271 (Figure 11) is employed in substitution ofthefollower rod 40 (Figure 4) employed with module 28.

With reference nowto Figure 13, a control circuit, generally designated bythe reference numeral 340, is employed to time and control the various mechanical movements in the vending machine. Itwill be appreciated bythoseskilled in the artthatthe actual circuitry which may be successfully employed may take on a wide variety of configurations. The circuit basically is activated in response to the input of appropriate coins, activation resulting in a selection of the desired sup carousel nested stack of cups, and the activation ofthe appropriate dispenser cup separator module along the lines discussed previously.

For example, a conventional coin changer 342 provides initial activation of a controlling circuit 346 along a bus line 348. Controller 346 activates conven- tional digital display 348 via bus line 350. Customer selector switches, generally designated by the reference numeral 352, communicate with controller346 via bus line 356. The separator motor 360 receives instructions along bus 362. As previously mentioned, the separator motor preferably includes a pair of cam driven switches which provide an indication to con troller 346 of its position along lines 364. Controller 346 also activates a hot water solenoid 368 and/or a cold water solenoid 370 via bus lines 372,274 respectively, providing the customer has selected same by actuating switches 352.An optional display 378 may be provided.Acream dispense motor371 and sugar dispense motor 379 are provided to dispense sugar and cream. The carousel employed in the machine is controlled by a bi-directional turret motor 382. Sensors 384,386, corresponding, for example, to the switches 94 (Figures 2) indicate to the controllerthe carousel position. With refrenceto Figure 14, a cycle starts with appropriate coin input.

The initial timing waveform 390 activates associated circuitry to enable a vend. Waveform 392 is generated when a selection is made, waveform 390 dropping out at this time. Turret motion is determined bythe difference between turret oF carousel initial position and the desired vend position. Thus turret supply waveform 394 lasts until the turret is approptiately positioned. Waveforms 396 occurs during the interval when the jaw carriage assembly is thrust out of the module toward the cup stack. An approximately one second delay occurs when the module jaw carriage is th rust fully outwardly. This gives the cups enough time to drop downwardly for a vend. Timing interval 398 drives the jaw carriage home. Waveform 40 determines whether hot or cold water is selected.

Waveforms 402,404 determine the selection of sugar and/or cream. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a variety of both electronic and/or electromechanical timing schemes may be substituted for the timing system shown in Figures 13 and 14. The apparatus of the invention is not limited to the particulartiming circuit shown, and may be employed in conjunction with a wide variety of other design choices.

Fromtheforegoing, it will be seen thatthis invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinationsareofutilityand may be employed without reference to otherfeatu res and subcombina- tions. This is contemplated by and is within the scope

Claims (20)

ofthe claims. As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. CLAIMS

1. Avending machine module forserially separat- ing rimmed cups from nested stacks of cups, the module comprising: rigid, frame means adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface; jaw carriage means mounted for longitudinal displacement relative to said frame means between a rest position and a cupstackengaging position,the jaw carriage means comprising: first notched plate meansforengaging the nextto last cup in a stack of cups below its rim this preventing that cup and those above itfrom downward axial displacement; second notched plated means for engaging the stack above the rim of the lowermost cup; means for deflecting said second plate means with respect to said first plate means whereby to separate said lowermost cup from the cups above it; and, means for moving said jaw carriage means between said rest position and said cup stack engaging position.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein: said second plate means is pivotally coupled to said jaw carriage means; and includes downwardly projecting strut means; and, said frame means includes rigid stop means adapted to be contacted by said second plate means strut means whereby to pivot said second plate means downwardlywith respect to said first plate means in response to outward longitudinal displacement of said jaw carriage means to effectuate removal ofthe lowermost cup from said nested stack.

3. The combination as defined in claim 2 wheren said meansfor moving saidjawcarriagemeans comprises: motor means secured to said frame means for producing rotary mation; and, linkage means coupled between said motor means andsaidjawcarriage meansfortranslating rotary motor means motion into longitudinal jaw carriage means motion.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said jaw carriage means is slidably mounted to said frame means with telescoping rail means secured to said frame means.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4 including bias means for normallyyieldably maintaining said jaw carriage second plate means in generally parallel relation with respect to first plate means.

6. The combination as defined in claim 4 including follower means associated with said jaw carriage meansfortemporarilyopening dispensing gate means beneath the lowermost cup in said nested stack to permitthevending of a cup.

7. The combination as defined in claim 4wherein the second plate means is shorterthan said first plate means.

8. Abeveragevending machine comprising: rotatable carousel means comprising a plurality of radially spaced-apart, vertical compartments for housing nested stacks of rimmed cups; means for rotating said carousel means whereby to orient a desired compartment in a vend position; cup separator means for serially separating rimmed cups from the stack of cups, the module positioned adjacent said vend position and comprising: rigid, frame means adapted to be secured within said machine upon a rigid supportive surface; jaw carriage means mounted for longitudinal displacement relative to said frame means between a rest position and a cup stack engaging position, the jaw carriage means comprising:: first notched plate means for engaging the nextto last cup in a stack of cups below its rim thus preventing that cup and those above it from downward displacement; second notched plate means for engaging the stack above the rim ofthe lowermost cup; means for deflecting said second plate means with respectto said first plate means whereby to separate said lowermostcupfrom the cups above it; and, means for moving said jaw carriage means between said rest position and said cup engaging positon.

9. The combination as defined in claim wherein: said second plate means is pivotally coupled to said jaw carriage means, and includes downwardly pro jecting strut means; and, said vending machine includes rigid stop means adapted to be contacted by said second plate means strut means whereby to pivot said second plate means downwardly with respectto said first plate means in response to outward longitudinal displacement of said jaw carriage means to effectuate removal of the lowermost cup from said nested stack.

10. The combination asdefined in claim 9 wherein said means for moving said jaw carriage means comprises: motor means secured for producing rotary motion; and, linkage means coupled between said motor means and said jaw carriage means for translating rotary motor means motion into longitudinal jaw carriage means motion.

11. The combination as defined in claim 10 wherein said jaw carriage means if slidably mounted to said frame means with telescoping rail means secured to said frame means.

12. The combinations defined in claim 11 including bias meansfornormallyyieldably maintaining saidjawcarriagesecond plate means in generally parallel relation with respectto said first plate means.

13. The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein: said rotatable carousel means includes a generally circular, lower bottom for supporting said nested cup stacks, said bottom including a plurality of radially spaced-apart dispensing orifices in alignment with said compartments and gates for normally blocking said dispensing orifices; and, said jaw carriage means includesfollowermeans fortemporarily opening that gate associated with the column oriented in a vend position to permit the dropping of a cup through that dispensing orifice associated with said last mentioned column.

14. Thecombinationasdefinedinclaim 13 wherein: said second plate means is pivotally coupled to said jaw carriage means, and includes downwardly projecting strut means; and, said vending machine includes rigid stop means adapted to be contacted by said second plate means strut means whereby by to pivot said second plate means downwardly with respect to said first plate means i response to outward longitudinal displacement of said jaw carriage means to effectuate removal ofthe lowermost cup from said nested stack.

15. The combination as defined in claim 14wherein said meansformovingsaidjawcarriagemeans comprises: motor means secured for producing rotary motion; and, linkage means coupled between said motor means and said jaw carriage meansfortranslating rotary motor means into longitudinal jaw carriage means motion.

16. The combination as defined in claim 15 wherein said jaw carriage means is slidably mounted to said frame means with telescoping rail means secured to said frame means.

17. The combination as defined in claim 16 includ ing bias means for normally yieldably maintaining said jaw carriage second plate means in generally parallel relation with respectto said first plate means.

18. The combination as defined in claim 15 where in the second plate means is shorterthan said first plate means.

19. Acup-separating module substantially as he reinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

20. Avending machine including acup-separating module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19.