AU2018229381A1

AU2018229381A1 - Dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2018229381A1
Application number: AU2018229381A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kurt Deyerler; Ralf Mayländer; Alexis Wolf
Original assignee: Wanzl GmbH and Co KgaA
Current assignee: Wanzl GmbH and Co KgaA
Priority date: 2017-02-28
Filing date: 2018-01-15
Publication date: 2019-08-08
Also published as: WO2018157987A1; DE102017104191A1; ES2744809T3; EP3433461A1; EP3433461B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus (10) for unpackaged goods, in particular baked goods such as bread, rolls or the like, having at least one carrier framework (12) and having at least one drawer-like insert (14), which in the installed state is inserted into the carrier framework (12), wherein the drawer-like insert (14) surrounds a goods-accommodating space (16), which contains at least one tray-like and/or board-like holder (18) for the goods, and wherein the drawer-like insert (14) has at least one front opening (22), via which the goods-accommodating space (16) and the tray-like and/or board-like holder (18) are accessible, and wherein the drawer-like insert (14) has at least one transparent door (24) and at least one door guide (28), which is arranged in the upper region of the opening (22), as seen in the installed and set-up state of the dispensing apparatus (10), wherein the door (24) has at least two guide pins (30) and wherein the door guide (28) also has a first guide aperture (32) and a second guide aperture (34), in which the guide pins (30) are guided such that the door (24) can be pushed at least to some extent into the goods-accommodating space (16), wherein the first guide aperture (32) runs substantially vertically, as seen in relation to the installed and set-up state of the dispensing apparatus (10), and wherein the second guide aperture (34) runs substantially horizontally and substantially rectilinearly, as seen in relation to the installed and set-up state of the dispensing apparatus (10), and wherein the door (24) is curved to such a pronounced extent in its upper region, as seen in relation to the installed and set-up state of the dispensing apparatus (10), that, when in the pushed-in state, the door (24) does not project beyond the upper edge (36) of the drawer-like insert (14).

Description

SPECIFICATION

Dispensing apparatus

The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for unpackaged goods, in particular baked goods such as bread, rolls, or the like.

Such dispensing apparatuses, in particular for baked goods, are already known from the prior art and are in use, e.g. in retail, to allow the self-service removal of baked goods.

These dispensing apparatuses allow baked goods to be presented to the customer, and allow the customer to remove the goods independently according to his choice.

The dispensing apparatuses must meet strict hygiene requirements, as the unpackaged goods will be sold. One example of these requirements is that spit and sneeze protection must be guaranteed in order to protect the stored unpackaged goods against contamination.

A further requirement is that the dispenser must be able to be cleaned easily, quickly, and reliably.

From EP 2554078 Al, a dispensing apparatus for bread is already known, which has a removal assembly that can be dismantled without tools. This is intended in particular to facilitate cleaning of the dispensing apparatus.

EP 2248448 Al describes a dispensing apparatus that has a separating device consisting of locking clips of different lengths, to prevent the return of baked goods that have already been selected. Said locking clips are arranged between the storage area and the removal area and allow only a transfer of the baked goods from the storage area to the removal area.

From DE 20 2007 009953 Ul, a goods container for the self-service removal of baked goods is known. On its front side, said goods container has a goods carrier configured as a drawer for the removal of goods. Said goods carrier can be fixed in the usage position in a framework by means of a lock, and after being appropriately unlocked, can be pulled out of the framework, e.g. for cleaning or filling.

Additionally, DE 10 2014 110636 B3, along with DE 9204232 Ul and DE 20 2005 008141 Ul, disclose a dispensing apparatus that is equipped with a collecting channel.

In DE 9204232 Ul, a goods transport chute leads as an extension directly into a goods receiving channel, which is extended by a device for delivering the goods individually, arranged movably below the channel.

DE 20 2005 008141 Ul further describes three different collecting device solutions, each of which is arranged at the bottom of the container. The collecting device may be configured in the form of a movably arranged flap, a rotatable, cylindrical collecting channel equipped with an opening, or similarly to a pull-out drawer.

DE 20 2014 000100 Ul discloses a goods dispensing unit for the self-service removal of bread, rolls, or the like, which has a plurality of goods removal compartments with outwardly swinging doors. The doors can be braked by a damping element.

DE 10 2004 013194 Al discloses a goods dispensing container for cigarette packs, which has a roller grating, which is guided in guide rails and can be slid open and closed and by means of which access to the goods in the goods dispensing container can be blocked.

DE 10 2011 011580 B3 discloses a dispensing apparatus for the self-service removal of baked goods, which has a removal container with a front removal opening. The removal opening can be closed by a flap that is pivotable about a horizontal support axis, however this design has a relatively large space requirement to allow movement of the flap.

EP 1985209 Al and DE 20 2009 006755 UI disclose a goods container for self-service removal, having a combined closure flap and hygiene protection.

DE 10 2015 115088 B3 relates to a dispensing apparatus for unpackaged goods having a slotted link mechanism for the door, the slotted link mechanism having curved guide apertures to allow an at least partial sinking of the door in the interior of the dispensing apparatus.

A system comprising a goods selection unit and a goods dispensing unit is known from EP 2015263 Al, in which the goods selection unit serves to issue a goods voucher, which is read in at the goods dispensing unit, where it initiates dispensing of a desired product.

From DE 10 2012 003676 Al, a device for the contact-free opening of a panel is also known.

From WO 2005/044058 Al, a goods carrier for use in a self-service store is known. Said goods carrier has a goods holding device and at least one locking device, which is configured in the manner of a roller grate and is guided in guides; the at least one locking device can be moved in the guides with the aid of at least one electromotive drive means, to enable an opening and closing of the goods carrier. In particular, it is provided that the at least one drive means is assigned at least one electrically acting braking means, which also serves to arrest the locking device.

It is the object of the present invention to develop a dispensing apparatus for unpackaged goods, in particular baked goods such as bread, rolls, or the like, in an advantageous manner, in particular such that the removal area allows a simple and appealing removal of the goods, and also such that the opening mechanism of the door of the dispensing apparatus can be simplified.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a dispensing apparatus having the features of Claim 1. According to said claim, it is provided that a dispensing apparatus for unpackaged goods, in particular baked goods such as bread, rolls, or the like, is provided, having at least one carrier framework and having at least one drawer-like insert, which in the installed state is inserted into the carrier framework, wherein the drawer-like insert surrounds a goods-accommodating space, in which at least one tray-like and/or board-like receptacle for the goods is contained, and wherein the drawerlike insert has at least one front opening, through which the goods-accommodating space and the tray-like and/or board-like receptacle are accessible, and wherein the drawer-like insert has at least one transparent door and at least one door guide, which is arranged in the upper region of the opening in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus, wherein the door has at least two guide pins, and wherein the door guide further has a first guide aperture and a second guide aperture, in which the guide pins are guided such that the door can be pushed at least partially into the goods-accommodating space, wherein the first guide aperture extends substantially vertically in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus, and wherein the second guide aperture extends substantially horizontally and substantially rectilinearly in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus, and wherein the door is curved to such a pronounced extent in its upper region, in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus, that, in the pushed-in state, the door does not protrude beyond the upper edge of the drawer-like insert.

The invention is based upon the basic idea that the slotted link mechanism created by the guide apertures, combined with the curvature of the door, are adapted to one another such that when the door is pushed in, it cannot protrude beyond the upper edge of the drawer-like insert. This makes it possible to provide a simple opening and closing movement or opening mechanism. The opening movement takes place substantially rectilinearly in the guide apertures, which simplifies the dynamics of the overall opening and closing movement of the door.

In a first position, the door should substantially completely close off the goods-accommodating space and the opening that provides access to the goods-accommodating space. In the at least one second position, the door should be open, specifically such that it is sunk partially in the goodsaccommodating space, i.e., is pushed at least partially into the goods dispensing apparatus.

Additionally, at least one damping element can be provided, by means of which the movement of the door can be decelerated. The provision of a damping element allows the closing movement of the door to be decelerated, in particular. The durability of the door and the operability of the dispensing apparatus are thereby increased.

The damping element may be a gas spring, in particular an air spring. Such gas springs or air springs are readily adjustable in terms of their damping property and are available, for example, in a configuration that allows a damping movement or damping function in only one direction. This is useful, in particular, if the opening movement of the door is not to be decelerated, but the closing movement of the door is to be decelerated or damped by the damping element.

In particular, it can be provided that the damping element is connected to at least one guide pin, more particularly is connected to the guide pin that is guided in the second guide aperture. In this way, a direct and readily adjustable damping effect of the movement of the door can be purposefully enabled by simple structural means.

It can further be provided that the damping element is protected in the installed and erected state. For this purpose, a visibility screen may be provided, in particular, by means of which the damping element is covered. With the visibility screen, a more visually appealing solution is achieved.

Additionally, the moving mechanical part, i.e., the damping element, is covered and protected against dirt.

It can also be provided that the damping element is configured as a two-stage damping element. It is conceivable, in particular, for the two-stage capability to be provided by two different damping characteristics. In that case, it is conceivable in particular for the damping element to initially have a first damping characteristic, which is different from a second damping characteristic. In particular, it can be provided that, with such a two-stage damping characteristic, the damping element is easily actuable in a first region, and after reaching a certain push-in depth, a second damping characteristic, which is associated with a higher damping effect, for example, develops.

It is further conceivable for each door to be provided with at least two damping elements. This enables a uniform damping of the movement of the door to be achieved.

The dispensing apparatus can also have an automatic closing function. In that case, a closing unit can be provided, in particular, which has a corresponding door drive for an automatic closing movement of the door. In this connection, it is conceivable, in particular, for the door of the dispensing apparatus to be automatically closed. This can be realized by appropriate monitoring of the opening time. For instance, when a certain time interval is reached, an opened door can be automatically closed again. The door drive can also have electrical actuators, which ensure, for example, that the damping element is extended again. It is also conceivable for suitable linear motors or linear drives to operate the door so as to return it to the closed position.

A closing movement monitoring sensor can also be provided, for monitoring the closing movement of the door. This may include, in particular, monitoring the area around the door that is to be closed. Such closing movement monitoring sensors can interrupt the closing movement of the door, for example, when it is detected that an obstacle is still located in the area around the door to be closed. In this way, in particular, injuries to users of the dispensing apparatus can be prevented, more particularly preventing hands or other body parts from becoming crushed.

A door opening sensor can additionally be provided, by means of which a door opening signal can be detected. In such a case, it would then be unnecessary for the user to pull the door open himself. A tap on the door, for example, may be used to indicate that the corresponding door should be opened, which can then be done automatically. This can be accomplished appropriately, for example, by means of the door drive of the closing unit. In such a case, the closing unit would be embodied as a combined opening and closing unit. By means of the door opening sensor, a contactfree input of the door opening signal can also be detected. In this connection, it is conceivable, in particular, for the door opening signal to be input without contact by means of capacitive sensors or optical sensors, for example. Photocells or cameras may also be used for this purpose.

The second guide aperture may be closer to the upper edge of the drawer-like insert at the front end point in its front region, in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus, than at its end that faces the rear region of the dispensing apparatus. This allows the door to be pushed in further, in particular. Sufficient space, in particular, for the pushing-in movement and for accommodating the door within the corresponding opening in the dispensing apparatus is thereby provided.

It can further be provided that the second guide aperture has a slight bend, which is configured such that the second guide aperture, in the front region thereof in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus, has a highest point, from which the second guide aperture slopes downward in an angular range of about 5-10° to the front end point, and from which the second guide aperture slopes downward in an angular range of about 5-10° to the rear end point. A stable end position is thereby created at each end, and the highest point creates an impediment to opening, which must be overcome. The slight downward slope in the guide aperture also ensures that, once the highest point is reached, movement both in one and in the other direction (during opening or closing) can occur nearly automatically as, due to the configuration of the guide aperture, the door will always tend to move to the respective stable end position.

Further details and advantages of the invention will now be discussed in greater detail, with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a view from the front of an exemplary embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a drawer-like insert of the dispensing apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of the drawer-like insert according to Fig. 2 with the door in a first position;

Fig. 4 shows a further view similar to that of Fig. 3, but with the door in a second position;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the slotted link mechanism;

Fig. 6 shows a perspective detail view of the opening and closing mechanism of the door;

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view from the rear of the drawer-like insert of Fig. 2 in a first position;

and

Fig. 8 shows a further perspective view of the drawer-like insert in a second position, in a perspective view from the rear.

Fig. 1 shows a view from the front of an exemplary embodiment of a dispensing apparatus 10 according to the invention for unpackaged goods, in particular baked goods such as bread, rolls, or the like.

The dispensing apparatus 10 has a carrier framework 12. In the carrier framework 12, a plurality of drawer-like inserts 14 are provided, with four drawer-like inserts 14 being arranged one above the other in the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

The draw er-like inserts 14 are each identical in design. However, other configurations are also conceivable.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a drawer-like insert 14, as shown in Fig. 1.

Each drawer-like insert 14 has three goods-accommodating spaces 16, arranged side by side. A different number is also possible.

Each goods-accommodating space 16 according to the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is also identical in design. In a further variant, other embodiments may be conceivable.

Each goods-accommodating space 16 contains a tray-like or, as shown here, a board-like receptacle 18 for holding the goods to be sold. This receptacle 18 may be configured, for example, as a tray or, as in this case, a board, which may be made, e.g., from food-safe or harmless plastic. An embodiment made of wood is also conceivable.

As is further clear from Fig. 2, each receptacle 18 has longitudinal ribs 20, which facilitate a downward sliding of the goods. This is possible if the receptacle 18 is embodied as a tray-like receptacle or as a board-like receptacle.

For removing the goods from the goods-accommodating space 16, a front opening 22 is provided.

The goods-accommodating space 16 and the tray-like receptacle 18 are accessible through this front opening 22.

The front opening 22 can be closed by means of a door 24. The door 24 may also be designed in the form of a flap. The door 24 has a door handle 26, by means of which the door 24 can be opened, so that the goods-accommodating space 16 is accessible. The door handle 26 is located in the lower, center region of the door 24, in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus 10.

The door 24 is a door made of a transparent material. For example, it may be a glass door or a door made of transparent plastic or some other transparent material.

In the upper region, the door 24 is curved to prevent it from colliding with the carrier framework 12. Furthermore, when the door 24 is in the pushed-in state, said curve prevents the door from protruding beyond the upper edge 36 of the drawer-like insert 14.

As is further clear from Fig. 2, each door 24 has a door guide 28 in its upper region, in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus, which door guide is arranged in the upper region of the opening 22, also in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus

10. All doors 24 can be opened individually by hand. The doors 24 move inward and upward along door guides 28, also called a slotted link mechanism. The goods (rolls, etc.) thereby become accessible and can then be removed.

From Fig. 3 (door 24 in slightly open state) and Fig. 4 (door 24 in nearly open state), each of which shows a side view of the dispensing apparatus 10 of Fig. 1, it is clear that each door 24 has two guide pins 30 on each side, which are guided in the door guides 28 arranged on both sides (see also Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, which show a perspective view of the drawer-like insert 14 of the dispensing apparatus 10 of Fig. 1).

The door guide 28 has a first guide aperture 32 and a second guide aperture 34. The first guide aperture 32 extends substantially vertically in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus 10. The second guide aperture 34 extends substantially horizontally and substantially rectilinearly in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus 10. The second guide aperture 34 also extends just below an upper edge 36 of the drawer-like insert 14. This upper edge 36 defines the uppermost edge of the drawer-like insert and thus determines the maximum possible extension of the drawer-like insert 14 in the vertical direction (in relation to the erected state of the dispensing apparatus 10).

The second guide aperture 34 is closer to the upper edge 36 of the drawer-like insert 14 at the front end point 38 of its front region, in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus 10, than it is at its end that faces the rear region of the dispensing apparatus, at the rear end point 40. The second guide aperture 34 has a slight bend, which is configured such that the second guide aperture 34, in the front region thereof in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus 10, has a highest point 42, from which the second guide aperture 34, in a front section 44, slopes downward in an angular range of about 5-10°, here about 5°, in relation to the upper edge 36, to the front end point 38. Starting from the highest point 42, the second guide aperture 34 slopes downward in an angular range of approximately 5-10° in a rear section 46 to the rear end point 40.

This configuration of the door guide 28 having the first guide aperture 32 and the second guide aperture 34, combined with the pronounced curvature of the door 24 in its upper region, relative to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus 10, ensures that, when the door 24 is in a pushed-in state, it will not protrude beyond the upper edge 36 of the drawer-like insert 14.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the door guide 28, and Fig. 6 shows a perspective detail view of the opening and closing mechanism of the door 24. Each door 24 has at least one damping element 48, by means of which the movement of the door 24 can be decelerated. The damping element 48 may be a gas spring, in particular an air spring.

In Fig. 5, two damping elements 48 are shown. Each damping element 48 is connected to a guide pin 30, and said guide pins are guided in guide aperture 32 or 34, respectively.

In the installed and erected state, the damping element 48 is covered by means of a visibility screen.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the damping element 48 is configured as a two-stage damping element 48 having an upper damper system 52 and a lower damper system 54.

On each of the doors 24, activators (drivers) that activate the damper mechanism are attached on the right side. The first, e.g. 100 mm of damping is controlled by the upper damper system 52. After this distance of 100 mm, the upper damper system 52 transfers the door 24 to the lower damper system 54 using the second activator. This lower damper system 54 causes a pleasantly damped closing.

In a further embodiment, the dispensing apparatus 10 has an automatic closing function. For this purpose, a closing unit is provided, which has a corresponding door drive for an automatic closing movement of the door 24.

In addition, a closing movement monitoring sensor (not shown) for monitoring a closing movement of the door 24 may be provided.

A door opening sensor (not shown) may also be provided, which can identify a door opening signal. The door opening sensor can be used to detect a non-contact input of a door opening signal.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view from the rear of the drawer-like insert according to Fig. 2 in a first position, and Fig. 8 shows a further perspective view from the rear of the drawer-like insert in a second position. The baked goods board or the baked goods tray can be arrested in 5 positions by means of the central height adjustment system 58. The receptacles 18 rest on a rectangular tubular framework 60. This tubular framework is mounted on a rotational axis. The rear pivot points of the rectangular tubular framework 60 are attached on the right and the left to a side plate 64 by means of a locking lever 62. The lowest position in the rectangular tubular framework 60 is referred to by us as the filling position. The purpose of this is to allow the baked goods to be loaded more easily from the rear.

Reference signs dispensing apparatus carrier framework drawer-like insert goods-accommodating space tray-like/board-like receptacle rib front opening door door handle door guide guide pin first guide aperture second guide aperture upper edge front end point rear end point highest point front section rear section damping element upper damper system lower damper system central height adjustment rectangular tubular framework locking lever side plate

Claims

1. A dispensing apparatus (10) for unpackaged goods, in particular baked goods such as bread, rolls, or the like, having at least one carrier framework (12) and having at least one drawerlike insert (14), which in the installed state is inserted into the carrier framework (12), wherein the drawer-like insert (14) surrounds a goods-accommodating space (16), in which at least one tray-like and/or board-like receptacle (18) for the goods is contained, and wherein the drawer-like insert (14) has at least one front opening (22), through which the goods-accommodating space (16) and the tray-like and/or board-like receptacle (18) are accessible, and wherein the drawer-like insert (14) has at least one transparent door (24) and at least one door guide (28), which is arranged in the upper region of the opening (22) in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus (10), wherein the door (24) has at least two guide pins (30), and wherein the door guide (28) further has a first guide aperture (32) and a second guide aperture (34), in which the guide pins (30) are guided such that the door (24) can be pushed at least partially into the goods-accommodating space (16), wherein the first guide aperture (32) extends substantially vertically in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus (10), and wherein the second guide aperture (34) extends substantially horizontally and substantially rectilinearly in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus (10), and wherein the door (24) is curved to such a pronounced extent in its upper region, in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus (10), that, in the pushed-in state, the door (24) does not protrude beyond the upper edge (36) of the drawer-like insert (14).

2. The dispensing apparatus (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one damping element (48) is provided, by means of which the movement of the door (24) can be decelerated, in particular wherein the damping element (48) is a gas spring, in particular an air spring.

3. The dispensing apparatus (10) according to Claim 2, characterized in that each damping element (48) is connected to at least one guide pin (30), in particular is connected to the guide pin (30) that is guided in the guide aperture (32) or (34).

4. The dispensing apparatus (10) according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterized in that, in the installed and erected state, the damping element (48) is protected, in particular is covered by means of a visibility screen.

5. The dispensing apparatus (10) according to any of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the damping element (48) is configured as a two-stage damping element.

6. The dispensing apparatus (10) according to any of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the dispensing apparatus (10) has an automatic closing function, in particular wherein a closing unit is provided, which has a corresponding door drive for an automatic closing movement of the door (24).

7. The dispensing apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one closing movement monitoring sensor for monitoring a closing movement of the door (24) is provided.

8. The dispensing apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one door opening sensor is provided, by means of which a door opening signal can be identified.

9. The dispensing apparatus (10) according to Claim 8, characterized in that a contact-free input of a door opening signal can be detected by means of the door opening sensor.

10. The dispensing apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second guide aperture (34) is closer to the upper edge (36) of the drawer-like insert (14) at the front end point (38) of the front region of said guide aperture, in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus (10), than it is at the rear end point (40) at the end of said guide aperture that faces the rear region of the dispensing apparatus (10).

11. The dispensing apparatus (10) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the second guide aperture (34) has a slight bend, which is configured such that the second guide aperture (34), in the front region thereof in relation to the installed and erected state of the dispensing apparatus (10), has a highest point (42), from which the second guide aperture (34) slopes downward in an angular range of about 5-10° to the front end point (38), and from which the second guide aperture (34) slopes downward in an angular range of about 5-10° to the rear end point (40).