FR2865303A1 - Publication`s copy distribution kiosk, has display packs with compartments having copies of publications in preset positions, and driving unit that permits to move one copy between in and out positions of one compartment - Google Patents

Abstract

The kiosk has display packs (13) with compartments (14) arranged in rows and columns. Each compartment has copies (10) of publications in preset positions. A driving unit (23) permits to move one copy between the in and out positions of a compartment. A copy blocking unit (25) permits to block the copy in position with respect to a handling head (22) when the compartment is in out position.

Description

The present invention relates to a press distribution kiosk

automated.

  A newspaper distribution kiosk comprises, in a known manner, in an enclosure open on one of its sides, a set of staged displays for storing copies of different publications, as well as a space provided to allow a salesman to stand between these displays and a sales counter, the sales counter being located on the open side of the kiosk.

  The space provided for the seller limits the surface occupied by the displays and therefore the number of copies of publications that can be contained. In addition, the position of each display unit and each compartment of this display must allow its accessibility by the kiosk, which also limits the number of display compartments that can be arranged in the kiosk.

  As a result, a booth of this type occupies an important space for a limited number of publications available for sale. In addition, the presence of a vendor in each kiosk represents a significant management cost that can not be supported for a small kiosk.

  It is also known to distribute copies of a single title in an automated manner by automated devices comprising a housing for a copy set, and an open compartment in which a copy can fall to be made available to a user. These devices do not allow, in the same housing, the choice between several publications.

  On the other hand, the automated distribution of copies of publications is made difficult by the characteristics of a copy: it is a set of sheets constituting a non-rigid element, whose dimensions and mechanical strength vary from one publication to another, and which, moreover, may possibly include inserts between its sheets not being integral with the sheets of the copy.

  The object of the present invention is to provide an automated solution for distributing to users several different publications in a small space.

  For this purpose, the present invention relates to an automated press distribution kiosk comprising at least one display comprising at least one compartment for housing at least one copy of a publication, and at least one dispensing receptacle for giving access to a user to a chosen copy, characterized in that it also comprises a dispensing device for taking a copy of a compartment and dispose of it in a dispensing receptacle, the device comprising a robotic arm according to at least three axes, on which is mounted the base of a gripping head comprising: - drive means for moving a copy disposed in a compartment, along an axis initially parallel to the plane of the surface of this copy, by a contact force, between its initial position in the compartment and a position at least partially out of this compartment, and - means blocking at least one copy, located in the extension of the axis of displacement and for blocking the copy in position relative to the gripping head, when the latter is in the extended position.

  Advantageously, the drive means move the units in translation between the initial position and the extended position.

  According to one possibility, the drive means comprise at least one flexible suction cup held in depression and providing the contact force between a copy and the suction cup, and means for moving the suction cups in translation, relative to the base of the head, from an initial position to a second position corresponding to the output position.

  Advantageously, the drive means comprise at least two flexible suction cups, whose lateral spacing is modifiable by adjustment means. According to one embodiment, the means for moving the suction cups in translation, relative to the base of the head from an initial position to a second position corresponding to the extended position, comprise at least one pneumatic cylinder.

  According to another possibility, the drive means comprise at least one drive roller movable in rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and parallel to the surface of the copy.

  Advantageously, the locking means comprise at least a first member located on the side of the drive means relative to the plane of the surface of the copy, and at least one second member located on the other side of the copy opposite. a first member, the first and second members being movable relative to each other, so that the first and second members can come together to pinch the copy and hold it in position relative to the gripping head.

  According to one embodiment, the first and second members are rotatable relative to each other about an axis parallel to the plane of the surface of the copy.

  According to one possibility, the locking means comprise a first member constituted by at least one rod, which can be secured to the base of the head during the pinching of the copy, and oriented substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the surface of the copy. .

  According to another possibility, the locking means comprise a first member constituted by at least one rail secured to the base of the head.

  According to one embodiment, the locking means comprise a second member comprising a plate, substantially parallel to the plane formed by the surface of the copy, which during the displacement of the copy by the drive means is disposed substantially in the extension of the wall of the compartment containing the copy, opposite to the position of the drive means.

  Advantageously, the gripping head comprises means for maintaining the cohesion of the copy, which follow the movement thereof.

  According to one embodiment, the means for maintaining the cohesion comprise at least one point for piercing the pages and any inserts constituting a copy.

  Advantageously, the gripping head comprises at least one pressure sensor, intended to measure the pressure exerted by the head on the specimen at the level of the drive means.

  According to one embodiment, the robotic arm is articulated along 6 axes.

  Advantageously, the compartments of the display units are arranged on a surface substantially comparable to a sphere portion.

  According to one embodiment, the kiosk comprises a closed chamber having at least one opening allowing a user to access the dispensing receptacle.

  Advantageously, the closed enclosure is at least partly made of transparent material.

  According to one embodiment, the kiosk comprises control means allowing at least one user to make a selection of copies of at least one publication, and to control the distribution device to provide the corresponding copies.

  Advantageously, the compartments of the displays include reference indications allowing the selection of the user to place his order.

  According to one embodiment, the kiosk is equipped with means of payment.

  In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing, representing by way of nonlimiting example, an embodiment of a kiosk according to the invention.

  Figure 1 is an overview in perspective.

  Figure 2 is a sectional top view of the kiosk of Figure 1.

  Figure 3 is a sectional view along III-III of Figure 2.

  Figures 4 to 7 are enlarged detail views of the kiosk of Figure 1 showing the gripping head and a display compartment containing copies of a publication, and illustrating the steps of gripping a copy by the head.

  Figures 8 and 9 are enlarged detail views of the kiosk of Figure 1 showing the gripping head and a dispensing receptacle, and illustrating the introduction of a copy in the receptacle by the gripping head.

  A kiosk 2 according to the invention comprises a closed chamber 3 25 formed by: a rear part 4 having a vertical wall of semicircular horizontal section, extended by a portion having two parallel walls, and a front part 5 having a vertical plane wall, and comprising in this embodiment an access door 6.

  The enclosure is closed vertically by a roof and a floor.

  The front portion has two openings 8 allowing a user to reach two receptacles 7 distribution.

  Booth 2 includes control means 9 on the front portion 5, allowing a user to select one or more copies of several publications. These means consist of a set of buttons.

  According to one variant, the selection of one or more copies of several publications is carried out by the use of a voice control device.

  Kiosk 2 is also provided with means of payment 12 allowing the user to pay the purchase of copies 10 of his selection.

  In this embodiment, the closed enclosure 3 is made of transparent material to allow the user to see inside the kiosk, and view the coverage of publications offered for sale.

  Within the enclosure 3, the booth 2 comprises several displays 13. Each display 13 comprises compartments 14 arranged in rows and columns, each of which accommodates several copies 10 of one or more publications in determined positions.

  Each compartment 14 is open at the top and has a front wall 15, a rear wall 16 of larger size than the front wall, and a bottom 17. The compartments 14 are assembled vertically or horizontally so that the front wall 15 one compartment is merged with the rear wall 16 of the next compartment. The compartments are inclined at an acute angle to the wall to which they are attached.

  The set of compartments 14 is disposed along a surface corresponding substantially to a sphere portion.

  Each of the compartments 14 includes reference indications, not shown, allowing the choice of the user.

  Kiosk 2 comprises a dispensing device 18 making it possible to take a copy of a compartment 14 and to dispose it in a dispensing receptacle 7.

  The control means 9 comprise means for motorization and control of the dispensing device to perform the distribution of a copy 10 from a compartment 14 to a dispensing receptacle 7, depending on the selection made by the user . These means of motorization and control are known from the state of the art and include a computer.

  This device 18 comprises a robotic arm 19, articulated along six axes, made in a manner known in the state of the art, this arm 19 being fixed on a base 20 situated substantially in the center of the substantially spherical surface on which the compartments are arranged. 14.

  On this articulated arm 19 is mounted a gripping head 22 comprising: drive means 23 for moving in translation by a contact force an exemplary 10 disposed in a compartment 14 along an axis A initially parallel to the plane of the surface 24 this exemplary 10 facing the front wall 15 of the compartment, between its initial position in the compartment 14 and an extended position, and - locking means 25 of at least one copy 10, located in the extension of the axis A displacement and to block the copy 10 in position relative to the gripping head 22 when it is in the extended position.

  The drive means 23 comprise, in this embodiment: four flexible suction cups 26 mounted on a mobile support 27, the suction cups 26 being able to be held in depression by a suction device (not shown) and ensuring the contact force between a copy 10 and each suction pad 26, and - a first pneumatic jack 28, making it possible to move the mobile support 27 in translation relative to the base 29 of the fixed head 22 on the articulated arm 19, from a first position to a second position, these two positions corresponding to the initial position and the output position of a copy 10.

  The four suction cups 26 are mounted on the mobile support 27 so as to be arranged at the four corners of a rectangle whose sides are respectively oriented substantially vertically and horizontally and that the lateral spacing between the two pairs of suction cups located one above the other is adjustable by adjustment means not shown.

  Adjusting the lateral spacing makes it possible to take into account the width of a copy 10 of each publication.

  In this embodiment, the locking means 25 comprise: two rods 30, fixed on the mobile support 27 and facing the surface 24 of the exemplary, oriented substantially perpendicularly to the plane of this surface 24, the length of these rods being as they are set back from the end of the flexible suction cups before the blocking, and - a plate 32, located opposite the movable support 27 when that is in its second position, with respect to the axis A of the displacement of the 10, and substantially parallel to the plane formed by the surface of the copy 10 in its initial position.

  The plate 32 is rotatable relative to the base 29 of the head 22 around an axis B parallel to the plane of the surface 24 of the exemplary 10. A second jack 33 fixed to the base 29 of the head 22 allows bringing the plate of the base 29 of the head to clamp the copy 10 between the plate 32 and the two rods 30 and hold it in position relative to the gripping head 22.

  A tip 34 for piercing the pages and any inserts constituting a copy 10 and thus ensure the cohesion of the copy 10 is mounted on the movable support 27. This tip can be out or recessed relative to the suction cups 26 and the rods 30 to allow optional drilling according to the example by positioning means 35.

  On the other hand, the gripping head 22 includes a pressure sensor, not shown, for measuring the pressure exerted by the head 22 on the specimen 10, fixed at the level of the movable support 27.

  The distribution of a copy 10 located in a compartment 14, illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 9, is carried out as follows.

  According to the selection made by the user, the motorization and control means of the dispensing device 18 make it possible to control the trajectory of the arm and the actuations of the gripping head described below.

  In a first step, illustrated in Figure 4, following a selection of the user, the robotic arm 19 positions the gripping head 22 near the compartment 14 in which are housed the copies 10 of the selected publication, so as to that the suction cups 26 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the front walls 15 and rear 16 of the compartment and therefore to the surface 24 of the exemplary 10, the suction cups 26 facing the surface 24 and the plate 32 being offset with respect to the rear wall 16 of the compartment so as not to come into contact with it during a movement along an axis C perpendicular to this wall. The mobile support 27 is in its initial position, the furthest position from the base 29 of the head. An adjustment of the lateral spacing of the suction cups 26 can also be performed, to adapt this spacing to the known width of the copy 10 to be dispensed.

  In a second step, illustrated in Figure 5, the articulated arm 19 advances the head along an axis C perpendicular to the front walls 15 and rear 16 of the compartment and therefore to the surface 24 of the copy 10, approaching the head of gripping 22 until the suction cups 26 come into contact with the surface 24 of the copy and apply a determined pressure on this surface, measured by the pressure sensor. The pressure measurement is taken into account in the positioning of the head 22 because the copies 10 in the same compartment 14 are arranged in piles, and that the positioning of the head 22 must be different according to the size of the stack. In particular, as the battery decreases, the head must advance to ensure a given pressure. In this position, the suction cups 26 are depressurized by the not shown suction device and thus ensure the contact force between the exemplary 10 and the suction cups 26. The plate is disposed substantially in the extension of the rear wall 16 of the compartment 14.

  In a third step, illustrated in FIG. 6, the jack 28 drives the mobile support 27 in translation along an axis A parallel to the surface 24 of the specimen 10, so as to bring it closer to the base 29 of the head 29. in his second position. This movement drives the specimen 10 into an extended position of the compartment 14, the specimen being held against the suction cups 26. In this second position, the movable support 27 is opposite the plate 32.

  In a fourth step, illustrated in FIG. 7, the jack 33 drives the plate 32 in rotation by bringing it closer to the base of the head 29 and the mobile support 27. The specimen 10 is then pinched between the plate 32 and the stems 30 and held in position relative to the gripping head 22. The suction device is then stopped.

  In a fifth step, illustrated in FIG. 8, the articulated arm 19 positions the gripping head 22 above the dispensing receptacle 7.

  In a sixth step, illustrated in FIG. 9, the plate 32 is moved in rotation in order to move away from the rods 30, the copy which is no longer maintained slides into the dispensing receptacle 7 which has an inclined shape allowing receive the copy 10 without damaging it.

  According to a second embodiment, not shown, the drive means comprise rollers movable in rotation about a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the surface of the copies. These rollers are rotated and allow, by contact with the free surface of the copy, to move a copy to its output position.

  Unlike the suction cups of the first embodiment, the rollers are not mounted on a mobile support but on a fixed support, located at a distance from the body of the head, in a position similar to the mobile support in its position farthest from the body. of the gripping head.

  The locking means are constituted in this case by: - two rails fixed on the base of the head, located on the side of the rollers relative to the surface of the copy and having no stop to the progress of the copy but to guide it, and - a plate similar to the plate used in the first embodiment.

  The rollers are formed on their periphery with a material having a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber.

  As is self-evident, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above, by way of non-limiting example; on the contrary, it embraces all the variants within the scope of the following claims.

  In particular, the arrangement, and the number of displays, may be different. In particular, it is possible to have a single display of curved shape.

Claims (21)

  An automated press distribution kiosk (2) comprising at least one display (13) comprising at least one compartment (14) for housing at least one copy (10) of a publication, and at least one dispensing receptacle ( 7) for giving access to a user to a copy (10) selected, characterized in that it also comprises a dispensing device (18) for taking a copy (10) of a compartment (14) and the disposed in a dispensing receptacle (7), the device (18) comprising a robotic arm (19) of at least three axes, on which is mounted the base (29) of a gripping head (22) comprising: - driving means (23) for moving a specimen (10) disposed in a compartment (14), along an axis (A) initially parallel to the plane of the surface (24) of this specimen (10), by a force of contact, between its initial position in the compartment (14) and a position at least p artiellement output of this compartment (14), and - locking means (25) of at least one copy (10), located in the extension of the axis (A) of displacement and for blocking the copy (10) ) in position relative to the gripping head (22), when the latter is in the extended position.   2. Kiosk (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive means (23) move the units in translation between the initial position and the extended position.   3. Kiosk (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive means (23) comprise at least one flexible suction pad (26) held in depression and ensuring the contact force between a copy (10) and the suction cup (26), as well as means for moving the suction cups (26) in translation relative to the base (29) of the head (22) from an initial position to a second position corresponding to the extended position.   4. Kiosk (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive means (23) comprise at least two flexible suction cups (26), the lateral spacing is modifiable by adjusting means.   5. Kiosk (2) according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the means for moving the suction cups (26) in translation, relative to the base (29) of the head (22) of a initial position at a second position corresponding to the extended position, comprise at least one pneumatic cylinder (28).   6. Kiosk according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive means (23) comprise at least one drive roller movable in rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and parallel to the surface of the copy (10). .   7. Kiosk (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the locking means (25) comprise at least a first member (30) located on the side of the drive means (23) relative to the plane of the surface (24) of the copy, and at least one second member (32) located on the other side of the copy opposite a first member (30), the first (30) and second (30) 32) members being movable relative to each other, so that the first and second members can come closer to pinch the copy (10) and hold it in position relative to the gripping head (22). ).   8. Kiosk according to claim 7, characterized in that the first (30) and second (32) members are movable in rotation relative to each other about an axis (B) parallel to the plane of the surface (24) of the copy (10).   9. Kiosk (2) according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the locking means (25) comprise a first member consisting of at least one rod (30), being able to be secured to the base of the head when pinching the copy (10), and oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane of the surface (24) of the copy (10).   10. Kiosk (2) according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the locking means (25) comprise a first member consisting of at least one rail integral with the base of the head.   11. Kiosk (2) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the locking means (25) comprise a second member comprising a plate (32), substantially parallel to the plane formed by the surface (24) of the specimen (10), which during movement of the specimen (10) by the drive means (23) is disposed substantially in the extension of the wall (16) of the compartment (14) containing the specimen (10). opposite the position of the drive means (23).   12. Kiosk (2) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the gripping head (22) comprises means (34) for maintaining the cohesion of the copy, which follow the movement of the latter. this.   13. Kiosk (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that the cohesion maintaining means comprise at least one point (34) for piercing the pages and any inserts constituting a copy (30).   14. Kiosk (2) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the gripping head (22) comprises at least one pressure sensor, for measuring the pressure exerted by the head (22) on the exemplary (10) at the drive means (23).   15. Kiosk (2) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the robotic arm (19) is articulated along 6 axes.   16. Kiosk (2) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the compartments (14) of the display units (10) are disposed on a substantially similar surface to a sphere portion.   17. Kiosk (2) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it comprises a closed chamber (3) having at least one opening (8) allowing a user to access the dispensing receptacle (7). ).   18. Kiosk (2) according to claim 17, characterized in that the closed chamber (3) is at least partly made of transparent material.   19. Kiosk (2) according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it comprises control means (9) allowing at least one user to make a selection of copies (10) of at least a publication, and to control the dispensing device (18) to provide the corresponding copies (10).   20. Kiosk (2) according to claim 19, characterized in that the compartments (14) displays (13) include reference indications for selecting the user to place his order.   21. Kiosk (2) according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that it is equipped with payment means (12).