CA2169086C - Package vending machine - Google Patents
Package vending machineInfo
- Publication number
- CA2169086C CA2169086C CA002169086A CA2169086A CA2169086C CA 2169086 C CA2169086 C CA 2169086C CA 002169086 A CA002169086 A CA 002169086A CA 2169086 A CA2169086 A CA 2169086A CA 2169086 C CA2169086 C CA 2169086C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- package
- vending apparatus
- accordance
- picker head
- freezer compartment
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
- G07F11/04—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
- G07F11/16—Delivery means
- G07F11/163—Delivery means characterised by blocking access to the output bins
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/0064—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for processing of food articles
- G07F17/0071—Food articles which need to be processed for dispensing in a cold condition, e.g. ice and ice cream
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
- G07F11/04—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
- G07F11/16—Delivery means
- G07F11/165—Delivery means using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
- G07F11/1657—Delivery means using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements the picking arrangements using suction
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
- G07F11/38—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are horizontal
- G07F11/42—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are horizontal the articles being delivered by motor-driven means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
- G07F11/44—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
- Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a vending apparatus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages. The vending apparatus includes an outer cabinet, an isolated freezer compartment within the outer cabinet for storing the plurality of packages disposed within the outer cabinet, the freezer compartment having a thermal barrier for maintaining a frozen environment within the freezer compartment in isolation of the ambient temperature air filling the remaining interior space of the outer cabinet, a mechanism for opening the thermal barrier, a picker for selectively removing the selected package from the freezer compartment, the picker being located outside the freezer compartment in between operating cycles and entering the freezer compartment for removing one of the packages only during the removal operation, and a controller for automatically controlling the picker and opening mechanism in response to a customer's selection.
Description
wo 95/06301 PCrluss3/08l04 2~69086 Desc. ,I.lic..
parka~e Vendin~ Machine Technical Field S The present invention relates to an a~s for selectively dispensing a selectecl one of a plurality of packages. More particularly, the a~ L~ls of the present invention utilizes a con~ negative air pres~u~c picker for picking up packages of frozen food having heterogeneous shapes and sizes from a th~rm~lly isolated storage co.~ llent.
10 ~^fLh~rv~nd Art Until recent years, most of the mçrh~ni~m~ used in various package and product dispensing m~rhines relied on a mllltihl~le of motors, switches and solenoids for moving various m~rhinP parts and otherwise h~nrlling the package to be tli~pen~e~l Most such ,.,~rhil-~s required one motor, switch 15 and/or solenoid for each row, column or type of product or package .. dedicated to kicking out or otherwise ejecting the desired package or product the~rlolll. Thclc~ole, a m~rhine having an arrangement of nine wo 95/06301 Pcr/us93/08104 2~ 6~0,~
racks of product would typically require nine motors, switches and/or solenoids for ejecting one product from each rack.
Such m~rhines generally suffer from numerous disadvantages. One disadvantage lies in the fact that any m~rhine having such an arrangement will commonly experience ~ le~ou~ merh~nical failures due to such factors as age, exposure, poor m~ re, poor assembly, mi~lignm~nt, etc.
Furthermore, the tendency to malfunction can be greatly incll ased when the mrrh~nical parts must operate in a froæn enviro~ c.ll such as that created in a frozen food or ice cream vending m~rhinr Additionally, each motor, switch and/or solenoid can be expensive and therefore can contribute to increasing the overall cost of a m~rhine, i.e., either in capital or assembly costs. F.limin~tion of any such merh~nic~l parts will usually result in a lowered cost of production and future m~ ce and repair.
Moreover, extraneous m~rh;ll~ . .y uses up valuable space which could be occupied by product. The loss of product storage space means that the m~rhinP location must be visited by the opcldLor more frequently for restor~ing, thereby i~cl~;asillg op~.atillg costs and redllcing profitability.
For the above reasons and others not expressly ~ cll~sed herein, 20 numerous ~U~ have been made to develop package and product wo 95106301 Pcr~us93/08104 2~ 6~o~
dispensing m~rhin~s which have as few motors, switches, solenoids and ;- other me~h~nical devices as possible.
As one e~mple of such a package and product rlicpçncing m~l~hin~, consider the ap~dlus disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,787,533 to Haroutel S et al. The ~licpenC~r disclosed by Haroutel et al. fiicpences postal packets of differing sizes and types. The device utilizes individually controlled and motorized ho.i olll~l and vertical carriages for positioning a product holding device in front of the desired article. However, this device still has a relatively large number of electro-m~ h~niç~l parts which are relatively 10 intricate to assemble and e~l.e.~i~e to operate and ...~ st;n Furthermore, the disclosed ",~c~ icm is not designed for cold ~ e~dlul~ operation and therefore is not suitable for cold food ~licpencing U.S. Patent No. 5,025,950 to Trouteaud et al. discloses an a~lJdldlus for storing and dispencing ice cream packaged in u~fifollll containers which 15 are stored in rotatable transporters or revolving racks. However, this appdldlus does not solve the above-mentioned problems. Firstly, each rotatable l~dl~uull. ~ re.luiles its own motor drive. Secondly, this arr~n~m~nt has a very limited capacity. Thirdly, and perhaps most .o.L~llly, all of the m~rh~nics of the disclosed allpdldlus are exposed to 20 the cold envi~onlllell~.
2~ 6908~
As was mentioned briefly above, mp~h~nical failures are common with vending m~hintos that refrigerate their products, especially with vending m~rhin~s that employ motors or solenoids to dispense their products from the refrigerator. Because the motors and solenoids are 5 located within the refrigerator, they are subjected to cold telnpc.dlules and con~en~t~s Such harsh Op~.dlillg conditions increase the likelihood that the motors and solenoids will malfunction. The a~alalus of Trouteaud et al. is as susceptible as the other prior art m~rhinPs and furthermore suffers from the other disadvantages ~ c~ e~ hereinabove.
German Application No. 2,455,673 discloses a m~l~.hin~o for vending froæn food packages which utilizes a motoriæd sliding carriage to position a suction device over the package to be dispensed. The entire suction device is then lowered by a motorized drum and cable system until contact is made between the suction device and the package. The suction device 15 is then activated and withdrawn to a dispensing position along with the package. However, this device still suffers from the disadvantage that the entire mt-f~.h~ni.~m is still subject to the cold envilolllllc,l~ of the freezer, thereby inviting inc~eased m~o~h~nic~l failures as well as having the inefficiency of expending a good deal of energy cooling large volumes of 20 non-storage space.
wo gS/06301Pcr/uss3/osl04 2~69086 Disclosure of the Iovention Thelefole, it is one object of the present invention to provide an a~p~alus for dispensing products which are stored in a refrigerated or frozen condition having fewer moving parts than known app~dLus.
SIt is another object of the present invention to provide an a~alus for dispensing frozen products in which cold-susceptible moving parts are exposed to the cold ellvilolllllent only during the ~ p~n~ing process.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an a~palal IS for tli~p~n~ing frozen products wherein the storage capacily of the 10refrigerated area is much greater than that of known frozen food dis~ense.~.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an ap~al~s for dispensing frozen products having heterogeneous shapes, weights and sizes.
The foregoing objectives and others not specifically enumerated 15herein are accomplished by the present invention which relates generally to a vending appalaLus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of p~ ges More particularly, the vending app~alus of the present invention .is especi~lly well-suited for dispensing frozen and refrigerated foods such as ice cream, for example. The vending al"~alalus comprises an outer W O 95/06301 PC~rrUS93/08104 2~ S~Q~6 cabinet having storing means for storing the plurality of packages disposed therein. The storing means is provided with a displaceable themmal barrier and refrigeration means for refrigerating the interior of the storing means to a selected te~ lwe. The themlal barrier is displaceable by opening S means provided for opening the themmal barrier.
The appalalus is provided with package removing means for selectively removing the selected package from the storing means. The removing means are located outside the storing means between op~ g cycles and enter the storing me~nc only for the purpose of removing one of 10 the packages during the rlicpencing operation. The tlicp~ncing operation is govemed by controlling means for autom~tic~lly controlling the package removing me~nc and opening means in response to a customer's selection, as well as m~ g an inventory map and sensing opclalhlg conditions.
The removing means includes a picker for cont~r,ting the package to 15 be removed, x-y positioning means for positioning said picker over the package, and z positioning means for selectively raising and lowering the picker above the package. The lifting is accomplished by constant air blower means for creating a constant negative air ples~ule which is conn~ctrrl to the picker by an air hose. The air blower means and z 20 positioning means are controlled by the controlling means which 216!~Q~l3 sequentially actuates them in l~syonse to signals sent by sensing means on .- the picker for sensing contact b.,L~ the picker and the package. The package is then lifted up and deposited into a dispensing area, by which time the thermal barrier has been replaced, thereby conserving the cold S environment of the storage area and protecting the app~a~ ls' cold-suscc~,Lible moving and electromechanical parts.
BriefD~s: ;I,lionOfTheD.~
For a more complete underst~n-ling of the present invention, ref~lellce may be had to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment taken in conjunction with the accol.,y~liing figures of the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a vending aypalalus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of a vending ayyaldLus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with FIG. 1, having the front door removed;
WO 95/06301 PCI`NS93/08104 2~6908~
FIG. 3 is a left-side elevational view of one embodiment of a vending app~dLus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with FIG. 1, having the left wall of the outer cabinet removed and shown in partial cross-section for purposes of clarity and discussion;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cartridge to be utilized with one embodiment of a vending ap~&dLus constructed in accord~lce with the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a cartridge to be utilized with one embodiment of a vending a~)~dldLus constructed in accordance with the present invention according to FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another cartridge to be utilized with one embodiment of a vending appa.dLus coll~LIu~;Led in accordance with the present invention according to FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another cartridge to be utilized with one embodiment of a vending a~p~dLLls constructed in accordance with the present invention according to FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a pel~ecLi~e view in detail of a portion of a vending apl)dldL~ls for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with FIG. 1, a portion thereof being shown in partial cross-section, wo 95/06301PCr/US93/08104 ~fi90~
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view in detail of a portion of a vending - a~a.dl~ls for selectively tlicp~n.cing one of a plurality of packages in accol~ce with FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view in detail of a portion of a vending 5app~a~us for selectively tlicpencing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view in detail of a portion of a vending app~d~ls for selectively flicpencing one of a plurality of packages in accordance ~,vith FIG. 1;
lOFIG. 12 is a side elevational view in detail of another embodiment of a portion of a vending ~ald~us for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 is a side elevational view in detail of another embodiment of a portion of a vending appdldLuc for selectively dispensing one of a 15plurality of packages in accorda~lce with FIG. l;
FIG. 14 is a side elevational view in detail of another embodiment of a portion of a vending al)p~dLus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with FIG. 1; and WO 9~/06301 PCI/US93108104 2~90~6 FIG. 15 is a front elevational view in detail of another embodiment of a vending app~dLus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages constructed in accordance with the present invention.
Best Mode for Carryin~ Out the Invention With lefele~lce to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a vending m~rhine 2 having an outer housing 3 with a main door 4. A cllctom~. retrieval door S is disposed in a lower part of door 4 while the upper part is domin~tecl by a viewing glass 6. Inset near viewing glass 6 there is a currency receiver 7 and l~belled selection ~wilches 8.
Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3 m~r~inP cabinet 10 is shown having a freezer colllpalllllent 12 disposed in a bottom portion thereof. Freezer colllp~l~llent 12 has an open top which is covered by sliding panels 14, posihoned in sliding door tracks 1~, which provides a thermal barrier for mA;~ ;ng a cooled environment b~Lweell 0 and -20F
in freezer colllp~L,llent 12. The cooled envho~lle.ll is provided by refrigeration system 16 located in a bottom portion of m~r~in~ cabinet 10.
An x-y beam 18 is sncpçn~e(l above sliding panels 14 and outside freezer colllpd,L~llent 12 betweeny rails 20 which are ~tt~rh~d opposite one wo 95/06301 PCrluss3/08l04 2~ ~90~i another near the top of cabinet sides 22. Beam 18 has ball-bearing rollers 22 which rest on y rails 20 at either end thereof. There are x-guide rails 24 provided on~either long edge of x-y beam 18 on which ride additional ball-bearing rollers 26 which are ~tt~rh~d to x-y carriage 28. The side to side S mov~,l,t,ll of x-y carriage 28 is accomplished by X motor 30 which is suspended in a stationary position on the underside of x-y beam 18. X-y carriage 28 and X motor 30 may be conn~cted in a variety of ways such as by an endless chain which engages toothed sprockets (not shown) provided on both x-y carriage 28 and X motor 30. Movement of x-y beam 18 is similarly accoll,~lished by providing Y motor 32 for driving Y axle 34. Y
axle 34 has one gear 3~ at each end thereof, tonm~shçd with toothed rack 37. The positions of x-y carriage 28 and x-y beam 18 are determinçcl by X
position sensor 36 and Y position sensor 38, lespe~lively, which feed t~nre mea~ ;",e"l~ to an ~uto-m~tic control system 40 located adjacent to freezer co",p~ll"ent 12 which governs and coor.lil,a~es all the operations ofthe present invention. The ~lece~l;ne arrangement for positioning the x-y carriage 28 over the correct dispensable product may be refe.l~d to collectively as the x-y positioning means.
A blower motor 42 is housed bclw~en l"~rhinf cabinet 10 and - 20 freezer colllpd,llllent 12. Blower motor 42 has conn~cted thereto a flexible 2~9Q~6 air hose 44, which air hose 44 is connrcted at its other end to x-y carriage 28 which comprises an air conduit 46. X-y carriage 28 has a picker guide tube 48 e~trn~ling down th~ ulll which houses a longitudinally-colllpressible hose 50, which preferably self-retracts to a normally 5 colll~ ed position. Picker guide tube 48 has mounted on an outer surface thereof a z-origin sensor 51 for a purpose which will be more fully ~i~c~ ed hereinbelow.
Hose S0 connects at its upper end with air conduit 46 and has a picker head 52 at its lower tc...;...~ Picker head 52 comprises a 10 coulltc,~ight against sudden closed-end vacuum 1)1e~ and has a generally cylindrical upper portion 53 with a frustum-shaped lower end 55 for a reason which will be disclosed hereinbelow. A Z motor 54 mounted to x-y carriage 28 is att~rhed to a Z reel 56 which has wldl,~ed thereon two Z cables 58. Cables 58 are wound around Z reel 56 which is rotated by Z
motor 54, and then pass over cellhlhlg Z pulleys 60 which align cables 58 so they are eq~ t~nt from one another and parallel with the longit~l-lin~l axis of guide tube 48. Cables 58 are ~tt~ch~d to the top of picker head 52 and may be provided with a cable slack removal system ~ltili7ing a counterweight or a spring ~tt~c~ed to a slidable pulley. Rather than wo 95106301 Pcrlus93/08104 2~ 6908~
employing two cables external to the air hose 50, a single cable could be . employed, running co~xi~lly within the air hose 50.
Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, picker head 52 has a central bore 62 thelethlough. Bore 62 tapers from a wide ~ meter interior conical S guide 63 near the top of picker head 52 to a ~ m~ter slightly greater than that of hose 50. Hose 50 is secured to the inside of bore 62 by any of a number of suitable means including cl~mring, friction, screw threads or glue. In the te n~;nAl end of picker head 52 and circumscribing the mouth of bore 62, there is installed a package sensor ring 64. ~ rh~tl to the 10 outer portion of sensor ring 64 there is a flexible circular rubber gasket 66 which provides for greater collro~ ce to package contours during the operation of the present invention. The sensor ring 64 can be s~lbst~nti~lly rigid. ~1ternAtively, the sensor ring 64 could be made from a flexible air hose in order to p~lrullll a shock-absolbillg function during a product 1~ removal operation, thereby promoting the integrity of an air seal formed b~lw~;n a product and the rubber gasket 66 even when the product is jostled or jolted by, for ;..~ n~e~ sudden motion or inadvertent contact with ~ rent objects. In this alternate embo-lim~ont the sensing function nnrrnAlly ~,c.rollllcd by the sensor ring 64 could be peirolllled by a movable ~690~b plunger switch located coaxially within the bore 62 of the picker head 52 and toxtentling below the rubber gasket 66.
Referring now back to FIGS. 2 and 3, x-y carriage 28 is securely fixed to sliding panel cables 68 which are closed-loop cables. Cables 68 5 pass around a series of sliding door pulleys 70 and are securely fixed to sliding panels 14. Cables 68 are arranged together with pulleys 70 so that sliding panels 14 sllde from a closed position back and up tracks 15 when x-y carriage 28 is moved towards the rear of cabinet 10. When x-y carriage 28 is moved back towards a starting position near the front of cabinet 10, 10 sliding panels 14 is similarly moved back into a closed position.
Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, there is shown one embodiment of a cartridge 72 which may be used in conj~ c~ion with the present invention.
Cartridge 72 has generally rectangular walls 73 and a floor 75 with one open end into which frozen food packages 74 are placed. With particular 15 reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, pac~ges 74 of different sizes can be held cellh"ed in a standard size cartridge 72 by using package positioners 76, which may be locked into place or removably inserted into receiving means (not shown) in car~idge 72. The use of cartridges 72 for holding packages 74 provides numerous advantages such as enabling easy preloading at a 20 central location in an assembly line fashion, quicker restocking, and proper wo 95/06301 Pcrluss3lo8lo4 2.16sa~6 positio~ing of packages 74 having many shapes and sizes in the same basic - outer unit.
Referring to FIGS. 11-14, there are shown ~lt~rn~te embo-lim~nt~ for covering the open top of freezer colllpa L.llcllt 12. One embodiment seen 5 in FIG. 11 has a multi-part cover 78 constructed with nulllcl~us panel members 80 which slide over or under ~ c~r,t m~rnhers 80. The cover 82 of FIG. 12 is constructed of a plurality of hinged members 84 so that the members 84 fold up against one another. The cover 86 of FIG. 13 is a single unit which is co.~ ctecl by at least one hinge 88 to freezer 10 colll~ ,lll 12. In this embo~im~nt the cover 86 opens in a vertically arcing motion, which can be initiated by a se~a,al~ motor only or by a sepal~le motor acting to partially open the cover 86 and then by a mechanical linkage (not shown) depending from the x-y beam 18 and movable conjointly th~ vilh. The cover 90 of FIG. 14 is a single flexible 15 member which slides in track 1~.
In use, a customer inserts money into ~;Ull~ n~;y receiver 7 and makes a selection from selection ~wil~l~s 8. Automatic control system 40 locates the correct stack of packages and a.;liv~les X motor 30 to move x-y carriage 28 left or right to a position in line with the stack. When x-y carriage 28 20 reaches the correct position, X motor 30 is turned off and Y motor 32 which ~ 6~086 moves the entirè x-y beam 18 carrying the x-y carriage 28 LonLw~d or rearward is activated. Sliding panels 14, which is ~tt~checl by cables 68 to x-y carriage 28, opens up in proportion to the rearward travel of x-y beam 18. At the end of the completed ope.dLillg cycle sliding panels 14 will close 5 in tandem with the Lolllw~ud motion of x-y beam 18. When x-y beam 18 reaches the x,y coordill~les of the selected package Y motor 32 is turned off and Z motor 54 is activated. This turns Z reel 56, thereby unwinding Z
cables 58, lowering picker head 52 down into freezer co"l~dlLlllent 12. As picker head 52 enters into the predet~min~od cartridge 72 it is guided by the 10 Lu~Lul~-shaped lower end 55 coming in contact with cartridge walls 73.
Therefore, while X motor 30 and Y motor 32 act to position picker head 52 over the cartridge 72, the L ~Lulll-shaped lower end 55 accurately positions picker head 52, colllpe~ ting for mi~lignmPnt~ in cartridge position.
Similarly, the upper end 53 of picker head 52 has a ullir(Jllll cross-section 15 for a dete~min~d length sufficient to prevent tipping of picker head 52 to one side because of contact with cartridge walls 73 as it is lowered down.
When any part of rubber gasket 66 contacts the package, package sensor ring 64 is activated and Z motor 54 is turned off. Blower motor 42 is turned on, sucking the package up against rubber gasket 66. Z motor 54 is 20 then reversed, thereby winding up Z cables 58 on Z reel 56 and raising picker head 52 along with the package out of freezer colllpd.~llent 12.
Picker head 52 is pulled up around guide tube 48 aided by the tapered interior conical guide 63 until Z origin sensor 51 is activated and Z motor 54 is turned off.
Ymotor 32 is then activated in reverse until x-y beam 18 is returned to its origin position and sliding panels 14 are simultaneously closed. Y
motor 32 and blower motor 42 are deactivated thereby releasing the package, which drops down behind c~-~tomer retrieval door 5. X motor 30 is reversed until x-y carriage 28 is returned to its origin position, thereby completing a full op.ld~ing cycle.
Should a cartridge 72 be empty, then automatic control system 40, which monitors the descent of picker head 52 from signals received from descent measuring mean~ (not shown), excludes the empty cartridge from the inventory, recalls picker head 52 by reversing Z motor 54, relocating picker head 52 above another cartridge 72, and co.~ g the procedure as detailed above. The contents of the inventory, from which a package location is ~let~ninP~ is stored in automatic control system 40. The data conce. ..;..g which cartridges 72 correlate with which selection switches 8 is pro~loulllllcd by an opc.~lor during a weekly load up, for example. After 20 the load up is completed, or after any m~rhinr shut down, the automatic -2~ 69086 control system 40 sends picker head 52 down into each and every cartridge 72 to determine, by signals sent or not sent by sensor ring 64, if it has any contents.
It will be understood that the embo-liment.c described herein are 5 merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, blower motor 42 could be mounted on X-Y
carriage 28, as shown in FIG. 15. All such modifications and variations are intton-l~d to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the 10 appended claims.
parka~e Vendin~ Machine Technical Field S The present invention relates to an a~s for selectively dispensing a selectecl one of a plurality of packages. More particularly, the a~ L~ls of the present invention utilizes a con~ negative air pres~u~c picker for picking up packages of frozen food having heterogeneous shapes and sizes from a th~rm~lly isolated storage co.~ llent.
10 ~^fLh~rv~nd Art Until recent years, most of the mçrh~ni~m~ used in various package and product dispensing m~rhines relied on a mllltihl~le of motors, switches and solenoids for moving various m~rhinP parts and otherwise h~nrlling the package to be tli~pen~e~l Most such ,.,~rhil-~s required one motor, switch 15 and/or solenoid for each row, column or type of product or package .. dedicated to kicking out or otherwise ejecting the desired package or product the~rlolll. Thclc~ole, a m~rhine having an arrangement of nine wo 95/06301 Pcr/us93/08104 2~ 6~0,~
racks of product would typically require nine motors, switches and/or solenoids for ejecting one product from each rack.
Such m~rhines generally suffer from numerous disadvantages. One disadvantage lies in the fact that any m~rhine having such an arrangement will commonly experience ~ le~ou~ merh~nical failures due to such factors as age, exposure, poor m~ re, poor assembly, mi~lignm~nt, etc.
Furthermore, the tendency to malfunction can be greatly incll ased when the mrrh~nical parts must operate in a froæn enviro~ c.ll such as that created in a frozen food or ice cream vending m~rhinr Additionally, each motor, switch and/or solenoid can be expensive and therefore can contribute to increasing the overall cost of a m~rhine, i.e., either in capital or assembly costs. F.limin~tion of any such merh~nic~l parts will usually result in a lowered cost of production and future m~ ce and repair.
Moreover, extraneous m~rh;ll~ . .y uses up valuable space which could be occupied by product. The loss of product storage space means that the m~rhinP location must be visited by the opcldLor more frequently for restor~ing, thereby i~cl~;asillg op~.atillg costs and redllcing profitability.
For the above reasons and others not expressly ~ cll~sed herein, 20 numerous ~U~ have been made to develop package and product wo 95106301 Pcr~us93/08104 2~ 6~o~
dispensing m~rhin~s which have as few motors, switches, solenoids and ;- other me~h~nical devices as possible.
As one e~mple of such a package and product rlicpçncing m~l~hin~, consider the ap~dlus disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,787,533 to Haroutel S et al. The ~licpenC~r disclosed by Haroutel et al. fiicpences postal packets of differing sizes and types. The device utilizes individually controlled and motorized ho.i olll~l and vertical carriages for positioning a product holding device in front of the desired article. However, this device still has a relatively large number of electro-m~ h~niç~l parts which are relatively 10 intricate to assemble and e~l.e.~i~e to operate and ...~ st;n Furthermore, the disclosed ",~c~ icm is not designed for cold ~ e~dlul~ operation and therefore is not suitable for cold food ~licpencing U.S. Patent No. 5,025,950 to Trouteaud et al. discloses an a~lJdldlus for storing and dispencing ice cream packaged in u~fifollll containers which 15 are stored in rotatable transporters or revolving racks. However, this appdldlus does not solve the above-mentioned problems. Firstly, each rotatable l~dl~uull. ~ re.luiles its own motor drive. Secondly, this arr~n~m~nt has a very limited capacity. Thirdly, and perhaps most .o.L~llly, all of the m~rh~nics of the disclosed allpdldlus are exposed to 20 the cold envi~onlllell~.
2~ 6908~
As was mentioned briefly above, mp~h~nical failures are common with vending m~hintos that refrigerate their products, especially with vending m~rhin~s that employ motors or solenoids to dispense their products from the refrigerator. Because the motors and solenoids are 5 located within the refrigerator, they are subjected to cold telnpc.dlules and con~en~t~s Such harsh Op~.dlillg conditions increase the likelihood that the motors and solenoids will malfunction. The a~alalus of Trouteaud et al. is as susceptible as the other prior art m~rhinPs and furthermore suffers from the other disadvantages ~ c~ e~ hereinabove.
German Application No. 2,455,673 discloses a m~l~.hin~o for vending froæn food packages which utilizes a motoriæd sliding carriage to position a suction device over the package to be dispensed. The entire suction device is then lowered by a motorized drum and cable system until contact is made between the suction device and the package. The suction device 15 is then activated and withdrawn to a dispensing position along with the package. However, this device still suffers from the disadvantage that the entire mt-f~.h~ni.~m is still subject to the cold envilolllllc,l~ of the freezer, thereby inviting inc~eased m~o~h~nic~l failures as well as having the inefficiency of expending a good deal of energy cooling large volumes of 20 non-storage space.
wo gS/06301Pcr/uss3/osl04 2~69086 Disclosure of the Iovention Thelefole, it is one object of the present invention to provide an a~p~alus for dispensing products which are stored in a refrigerated or frozen condition having fewer moving parts than known app~dLus.
SIt is another object of the present invention to provide an a~alus for dispensing frozen products in which cold-susceptible moving parts are exposed to the cold ellvilolllllent only during the ~ p~n~ing process.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an a~palal IS for tli~p~n~ing frozen products wherein the storage capacily of the 10refrigerated area is much greater than that of known frozen food dis~ense.~.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an ap~al~s for dispensing frozen products having heterogeneous shapes, weights and sizes.
The foregoing objectives and others not specifically enumerated 15herein are accomplished by the present invention which relates generally to a vending appalaLus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of p~ ges More particularly, the vending app~alus of the present invention .is especi~lly well-suited for dispensing frozen and refrigerated foods such as ice cream, for example. The vending al"~alalus comprises an outer W O 95/06301 PC~rrUS93/08104 2~ S~Q~6 cabinet having storing means for storing the plurality of packages disposed therein. The storing means is provided with a displaceable themmal barrier and refrigeration means for refrigerating the interior of the storing means to a selected te~ lwe. The themlal barrier is displaceable by opening S means provided for opening the themmal barrier.
The appalalus is provided with package removing means for selectively removing the selected package from the storing means. The removing means are located outside the storing means between op~ g cycles and enter the storing me~nc only for the purpose of removing one of 10 the packages during the rlicpencing operation. The tlicp~ncing operation is govemed by controlling means for autom~tic~lly controlling the package removing me~nc and opening means in response to a customer's selection, as well as m~ g an inventory map and sensing opclalhlg conditions.
The removing means includes a picker for cont~r,ting the package to 15 be removed, x-y positioning means for positioning said picker over the package, and z positioning means for selectively raising and lowering the picker above the package. The lifting is accomplished by constant air blower means for creating a constant negative air ples~ule which is conn~ctrrl to the picker by an air hose. The air blower means and z 20 positioning means are controlled by the controlling means which 216!~Q~l3 sequentially actuates them in l~syonse to signals sent by sensing means on .- the picker for sensing contact b.,L~ the picker and the package. The package is then lifted up and deposited into a dispensing area, by which time the thermal barrier has been replaced, thereby conserving the cold S environment of the storage area and protecting the app~a~ ls' cold-suscc~,Lible moving and electromechanical parts.
BriefD~s: ;I,lionOfTheD.~
For a more complete underst~n-ling of the present invention, ref~lellce may be had to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment taken in conjunction with the accol.,y~liing figures of the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a vending aypalalus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of a vending ayyaldLus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with FIG. 1, having the front door removed;
WO 95/06301 PCI`NS93/08104 2~6908~
FIG. 3 is a left-side elevational view of one embodiment of a vending app~dLus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with FIG. 1, having the left wall of the outer cabinet removed and shown in partial cross-section for purposes of clarity and discussion;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cartridge to be utilized with one embodiment of a vending ap~&dLus constructed in accord~lce with the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a cartridge to be utilized with one embodiment of a vending a~)~dldLus constructed in accordance with the present invention according to FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another cartridge to be utilized with one embodiment of a vending appa.dLus coll~LIu~;Led in accordance with the present invention according to FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another cartridge to be utilized with one embodiment of a vending a~p~dLLls constructed in accordance with the present invention according to FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a pel~ecLi~e view in detail of a portion of a vending apl)dldL~ls for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with FIG. 1, a portion thereof being shown in partial cross-section, wo 95/06301PCr/US93/08104 ~fi90~
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view in detail of a portion of a vending - a~a.dl~ls for selectively tlicp~n.cing one of a plurality of packages in accol~ce with FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view in detail of a portion of a vending 5app~a~us for selectively tlicpencing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view in detail of a portion of a vending app~d~ls for selectively flicpencing one of a plurality of packages in accordance ~,vith FIG. 1;
lOFIG. 12 is a side elevational view in detail of another embodiment of a portion of a vending ~ald~us for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 is a side elevational view in detail of another embodiment of a portion of a vending appdldLuc for selectively dispensing one of a 15plurality of packages in accorda~lce with FIG. l;
FIG. 14 is a side elevational view in detail of another embodiment of a portion of a vending al)p~dLus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages in accordance with FIG. 1; and WO 9~/06301 PCI/US93108104 2~90~6 FIG. 15 is a front elevational view in detail of another embodiment of a vending app~dLus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages constructed in accordance with the present invention.
Best Mode for Carryin~ Out the Invention With lefele~lce to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a vending m~rhine 2 having an outer housing 3 with a main door 4. A cllctom~. retrieval door S is disposed in a lower part of door 4 while the upper part is domin~tecl by a viewing glass 6. Inset near viewing glass 6 there is a currency receiver 7 and l~belled selection ~wilches 8.
Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3 m~r~inP cabinet 10 is shown having a freezer colllpalllllent 12 disposed in a bottom portion thereof. Freezer colllp~l~llent 12 has an open top which is covered by sliding panels 14, posihoned in sliding door tracks 1~, which provides a thermal barrier for mA;~ ;ng a cooled environment b~Lweell 0 and -20F
in freezer colllp~L,llent 12. The cooled envho~lle.ll is provided by refrigeration system 16 located in a bottom portion of m~r~in~ cabinet 10.
An x-y beam 18 is sncpçn~e(l above sliding panels 14 and outside freezer colllpd,L~llent 12 betweeny rails 20 which are ~tt~rh~d opposite one wo 95/06301 PCrluss3/08l04 2~ ~90~i another near the top of cabinet sides 22. Beam 18 has ball-bearing rollers 22 which rest on y rails 20 at either end thereof. There are x-guide rails 24 provided on~either long edge of x-y beam 18 on which ride additional ball-bearing rollers 26 which are ~tt~rh~d to x-y carriage 28. The side to side S mov~,l,t,ll of x-y carriage 28 is accomplished by X motor 30 which is suspended in a stationary position on the underside of x-y beam 18. X-y carriage 28 and X motor 30 may be conn~cted in a variety of ways such as by an endless chain which engages toothed sprockets (not shown) provided on both x-y carriage 28 and X motor 30. Movement of x-y beam 18 is similarly accoll,~lished by providing Y motor 32 for driving Y axle 34. Y
axle 34 has one gear 3~ at each end thereof, tonm~shçd with toothed rack 37. The positions of x-y carriage 28 and x-y beam 18 are determinçcl by X
position sensor 36 and Y position sensor 38, lespe~lively, which feed t~nre mea~ ;",e"l~ to an ~uto-m~tic control system 40 located adjacent to freezer co",p~ll"ent 12 which governs and coor.lil,a~es all the operations ofthe present invention. The ~lece~l;ne arrangement for positioning the x-y carriage 28 over the correct dispensable product may be refe.l~d to collectively as the x-y positioning means.
A blower motor 42 is housed bclw~en l"~rhinf cabinet 10 and - 20 freezer colllpd,llllent 12. Blower motor 42 has conn~cted thereto a flexible 2~9Q~6 air hose 44, which air hose 44 is connrcted at its other end to x-y carriage 28 which comprises an air conduit 46. X-y carriage 28 has a picker guide tube 48 e~trn~ling down th~ ulll which houses a longitudinally-colllpressible hose 50, which preferably self-retracts to a normally 5 colll~ ed position. Picker guide tube 48 has mounted on an outer surface thereof a z-origin sensor 51 for a purpose which will be more fully ~i~c~ ed hereinbelow.
Hose S0 connects at its upper end with air conduit 46 and has a picker head 52 at its lower tc...;...~ Picker head 52 comprises a 10 coulltc,~ight against sudden closed-end vacuum 1)1e~ and has a generally cylindrical upper portion 53 with a frustum-shaped lower end 55 for a reason which will be disclosed hereinbelow. A Z motor 54 mounted to x-y carriage 28 is att~rhed to a Z reel 56 which has wldl,~ed thereon two Z cables 58. Cables 58 are wound around Z reel 56 which is rotated by Z
motor 54, and then pass over cellhlhlg Z pulleys 60 which align cables 58 so they are eq~ t~nt from one another and parallel with the longit~l-lin~l axis of guide tube 48. Cables 58 are ~tt~ch~d to the top of picker head 52 and may be provided with a cable slack removal system ~ltili7ing a counterweight or a spring ~tt~c~ed to a slidable pulley. Rather than wo 95106301 Pcrlus93/08104 2~ 6908~
employing two cables external to the air hose 50, a single cable could be . employed, running co~xi~lly within the air hose 50.
Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, picker head 52 has a central bore 62 thelethlough. Bore 62 tapers from a wide ~ meter interior conical S guide 63 near the top of picker head 52 to a ~ m~ter slightly greater than that of hose 50. Hose 50 is secured to the inside of bore 62 by any of a number of suitable means including cl~mring, friction, screw threads or glue. In the te n~;nAl end of picker head 52 and circumscribing the mouth of bore 62, there is installed a package sensor ring 64. ~ rh~tl to the 10 outer portion of sensor ring 64 there is a flexible circular rubber gasket 66 which provides for greater collro~ ce to package contours during the operation of the present invention. The sensor ring 64 can be s~lbst~nti~lly rigid. ~1ternAtively, the sensor ring 64 could be made from a flexible air hose in order to p~lrullll a shock-absolbillg function during a product 1~ removal operation, thereby promoting the integrity of an air seal formed b~lw~;n a product and the rubber gasket 66 even when the product is jostled or jolted by, for ;..~ n~e~ sudden motion or inadvertent contact with ~ rent objects. In this alternate embo-lim~ont the sensing function nnrrnAlly ~,c.rollllcd by the sensor ring 64 could be peirolllled by a movable ~690~b plunger switch located coaxially within the bore 62 of the picker head 52 and toxtentling below the rubber gasket 66.
Referring now back to FIGS. 2 and 3, x-y carriage 28 is securely fixed to sliding panel cables 68 which are closed-loop cables. Cables 68 5 pass around a series of sliding door pulleys 70 and are securely fixed to sliding panels 14. Cables 68 are arranged together with pulleys 70 so that sliding panels 14 sllde from a closed position back and up tracks 15 when x-y carriage 28 is moved towards the rear of cabinet 10. When x-y carriage 28 is moved back towards a starting position near the front of cabinet 10, 10 sliding panels 14 is similarly moved back into a closed position.
Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, there is shown one embodiment of a cartridge 72 which may be used in conj~ c~ion with the present invention.
Cartridge 72 has generally rectangular walls 73 and a floor 75 with one open end into which frozen food packages 74 are placed. With particular 15 reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, pac~ges 74 of different sizes can be held cellh"ed in a standard size cartridge 72 by using package positioners 76, which may be locked into place or removably inserted into receiving means (not shown) in car~idge 72. The use of cartridges 72 for holding packages 74 provides numerous advantages such as enabling easy preloading at a 20 central location in an assembly line fashion, quicker restocking, and proper wo 95/06301 Pcrluss3lo8lo4 2.16sa~6 positio~ing of packages 74 having many shapes and sizes in the same basic - outer unit.
Referring to FIGS. 11-14, there are shown ~lt~rn~te embo-lim~nt~ for covering the open top of freezer colllpa L.llcllt 12. One embodiment seen 5 in FIG. 11 has a multi-part cover 78 constructed with nulllcl~us panel members 80 which slide over or under ~ c~r,t m~rnhers 80. The cover 82 of FIG. 12 is constructed of a plurality of hinged members 84 so that the members 84 fold up against one another. The cover 86 of FIG. 13 is a single unit which is co.~ ctecl by at least one hinge 88 to freezer 10 colll~ ,lll 12. In this embo~im~nt the cover 86 opens in a vertically arcing motion, which can be initiated by a se~a,al~ motor only or by a sepal~le motor acting to partially open the cover 86 and then by a mechanical linkage (not shown) depending from the x-y beam 18 and movable conjointly th~ vilh. The cover 90 of FIG. 14 is a single flexible 15 member which slides in track 1~.
In use, a customer inserts money into ~;Ull~ n~;y receiver 7 and makes a selection from selection ~wil~l~s 8. Automatic control system 40 locates the correct stack of packages and a.;liv~les X motor 30 to move x-y carriage 28 left or right to a position in line with the stack. When x-y carriage 28 20 reaches the correct position, X motor 30 is turned off and Y motor 32 which ~ 6~086 moves the entirè x-y beam 18 carrying the x-y carriage 28 LonLw~d or rearward is activated. Sliding panels 14, which is ~tt~checl by cables 68 to x-y carriage 28, opens up in proportion to the rearward travel of x-y beam 18. At the end of the completed ope.dLillg cycle sliding panels 14 will close 5 in tandem with the Lolllw~ud motion of x-y beam 18. When x-y beam 18 reaches the x,y coordill~les of the selected package Y motor 32 is turned off and Z motor 54 is activated. This turns Z reel 56, thereby unwinding Z
cables 58, lowering picker head 52 down into freezer co"l~dlLlllent 12. As picker head 52 enters into the predet~min~od cartridge 72 it is guided by the 10 Lu~Lul~-shaped lower end 55 coming in contact with cartridge walls 73.
Therefore, while X motor 30 and Y motor 32 act to position picker head 52 over the cartridge 72, the L ~Lulll-shaped lower end 55 accurately positions picker head 52, colllpe~ ting for mi~lignmPnt~ in cartridge position.
Similarly, the upper end 53 of picker head 52 has a ullir(Jllll cross-section 15 for a dete~min~d length sufficient to prevent tipping of picker head 52 to one side because of contact with cartridge walls 73 as it is lowered down.
When any part of rubber gasket 66 contacts the package, package sensor ring 64 is activated and Z motor 54 is turned off. Blower motor 42 is turned on, sucking the package up against rubber gasket 66. Z motor 54 is 20 then reversed, thereby winding up Z cables 58 on Z reel 56 and raising picker head 52 along with the package out of freezer colllpd.~llent 12.
Picker head 52 is pulled up around guide tube 48 aided by the tapered interior conical guide 63 until Z origin sensor 51 is activated and Z motor 54 is turned off.
Ymotor 32 is then activated in reverse until x-y beam 18 is returned to its origin position and sliding panels 14 are simultaneously closed. Y
motor 32 and blower motor 42 are deactivated thereby releasing the package, which drops down behind c~-~tomer retrieval door 5. X motor 30 is reversed until x-y carriage 28 is returned to its origin position, thereby completing a full op.ld~ing cycle.
Should a cartridge 72 be empty, then automatic control system 40, which monitors the descent of picker head 52 from signals received from descent measuring mean~ (not shown), excludes the empty cartridge from the inventory, recalls picker head 52 by reversing Z motor 54, relocating picker head 52 above another cartridge 72, and co.~ g the procedure as detailed above. The contents of the inventory, from which a package location is ~let~ninP~ is stored in automatic control system 40. The data conce. ..;..g which cartridges 72 correlate with which selection switches 8 is pro~loulllllcd by an opc.~lor during a weekly load up, for example. After 20 the load up is completed, or after any m~rhinr shut down, the automatic -2~ 69086 control system 40 sends picker head 52 down into each and every cartridge 72 to determine, by signals sent or not sent by sensor ring 64, if it has any contents.
It will be understood that the embo-liment.c described herein are 5 merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, blower motor 42 could be mounted on X-Y
carriage 28, as shown in FIG. 15. All such modifications and variations are intton-l~d to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the 10 appended claims.
Claims (37)
1. A frozen confection vending apparatus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages, characterized by an outer cabinet, storing means for storing the plurality of packages, said storing means including a freezer compartment disposed within a portion of said outer cabinet, said freezer compartment having displaceable means for thermally separating the interior of said freezer compartment from the ambient air in the remainder of said outer cabinet's interior, said thermal separating means being operative to prevent heat transfer from said freezer compartment to said outer cabinet interior between package removal operating cycles;
opening means for alternately activating and deactivating said thermal separating means immediately before and after, respectively, a package removal operating cycle; package removing means for selectively removing the selected package from said freezer compartment, said package removing means being separated from said freezer compartment by said thermal separating means between removal operating cycles and entering said freezer compartment for removing the selected package from said freezer compartment only during the removal operating cycles after said thermal separating means is deactivated; and controlling means for automatically controlling said package removing means and opening means in response to a customer's selection.
opening means for alternately activating and deactivating said thermal separating means immediately before and after, respectively, a package removal operating cycle; package removing means for selectively removing the selected package from said freezer compartment, said package removing means being separated from said freezer compartment by said thermal separating means between removal operating cycles and entering said freezer compartment for removing the selected package from said freezer compartment only during the removal operating cycles after said thermal separating means is deactivated; and controlling means for automatically controlling said package removing means and opening means in response to a customer's selection.
2. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that said package removing means includes a picker head for contacting the package to be removed; x-y positioning means for horizontally positioning said picker head over the package; z positioning means for selectively raising and lowering said picker head above the package; constant air blower means for creating a constant negative air pressure, said air blower means being connected to said picker head by an air hose; and sensing means for sensing contact between said picker head and said package.
3. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 2, characterized in that said opening means is driven by said x-y positioning means.
4. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 2, characterized in that said z positioning means includes at least one cable equipped with slack removal means.
5. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 2, characterized in that said picker head includes a flexible tubular element which terminates in a package-engaging tip.
6. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 5, characterized in that said at least one cable extends coaxially within said air hose.
7. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 2, characterized in that said air hose is self-retracting.
8. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, further characterized by automatic inventory taking means for keeping inventory of the packages.
9. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that said package removing means includes adjustable x-y positioning means to position said package removing means above the selected package.
10. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that said thermal separating means includes at least one panel section which is slidably mounted on said storage means.
11. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that said thermal separating means includes at least one panel, said panel being hingedly mounted on said storage means, whereby said at least one panel describes a vertically arching motion when opened by said opening means.
12. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that said thermal separating means includes at least one panel, said at least one panel being compressible in an accordion-like manner, whereby said thermal separating means is opened by the action of said opening means in compressing said at least one panel.
13. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that said thermal separating means includes a plurality of rectangular plates, said plates being slidably connected to one another adjacent to their long edges such that said opening means may optionally fan out said plates to seal said storing means or compressively stack one atop the other thereby exposing the packages to said package removing means.
14. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that said thermal separating means is made from a flexible material.
15. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that said thermal separating means is visually transparent.
16. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that said thermal separating means is opened by motion of said removing means.
17. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that said thermal separating means includes an air curtain.
18. A vending apparatus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages, characterized by an outer cabinet; a thermally insulated freezer compartment for storing the plurality of packages, said freezer compartment being disposed within said outer cabinet and further having displaceable means for thermally separating the interior of said freezer compartment from the ambient air in the remainder of said outer cabinet's interior, said thermal separating means being operative to prevent heat transfer from said freezer compartment to said outer cabinet interior between package removal operating cycles; opening means for alternately activating and deactivating said thermal separating means immediately before and after, respectively, a package removal operating cycle; package removing means for selectively removing the selected package from said freezer compartment, said removing means being located outside said storing means between removal operating cycles and entering said storing means for removing one of the packages from said storing means only during the removal operating cycles; and controlling means for automatically controlling said package removing means and opening means in response to a customer's selection, said vending apparatus having no mechanical, electro-mechanical or electronic parts contained within said storing means between successive removal operations.
19. A vending apparatus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages, characterized by an outer cabinet; a thermally insulated freezer compartment for storing the plurality of packages, said freezer compartment being disposed within said outer cabinet and further having displaceable means for thermally separating the interior of said freezer compartment from the ambient air in the remainder of said outer cabinet's interior, said thermal separating means being operative to prevent heat transfer from said freezer compartment to said outer cabinet interior between package removal operating cycles; opening means for alternately activating and deactivating said thermal separating means immediately before and after, respectively, a package removal operating cycle; package removing means for selectively removing the selected package from said freezer compartment, said removing means including a picker head for contacting the selected package, x-y positioning means for positioning said picker head over the selected package, z positioning means for selectively raising and lowering said picker head above the selected package, constant air blower means for creating a constant negative air pressure in said picker head, said air blower means being connected to said picker head by an air hose, and sensing means for sensing contact between said picker head and the package, said removing means being located outside said storing means between removal operating cycles and entering said storing means for removing one of the packages from said storing means only during the removal operating cycles; and controlling means for automatically controlling said package removing means and opening means in response to a customer's selection, said vending apparatus having no mechanical, electro-mechanical or electronic parts contained within said storing means between successive removal operations.
20. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 19, characterized in that said picker head has a frustum-shaped lower section.
21. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 19, characterized in that said picker head includes counterweight means for countering upward vertical force applied to said picker head by sudden closed-end vacuum pressure.
22. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 19, characterized in that said picker head is connected to said z positioning means by a longitudinally compressible air hose, whereby said picker head is displaceable without interrupting said connection.
23. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 19, further characterized by a gasket made from a flexible sealing material attached to said picker head for sealing air gaps between said picker head and the selected package.
24. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 19, further characterized by a cartridge for containing at least one stack of the packages, said cartridge being located inside said storing means.
25. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 19, further characterized by measuring means for measuring the vertical distance traveled by said picker head, whereby said controlling means can determine when no more packages remain in said stack.
26. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 19, characterized in that said opening means is driven by said x-y positioning means.
27. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 19, further characterized by at least one containment cartridge for containing the packages, said containment cartridge being located inside said storing means, said containment cartridge having a chamber with inner dimensions at least as large as the maximum cross-sectional dimension of said picker head.
28. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 27, characterized in that said containment cartridge is removable and has a bottom floor for supporting said packages during the loading and unloading of said cartridge into said apparatus.
29. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 27, further characterized by removable redimensioning means for redimensioning said chamber.
30. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 19, characterized in that said z positioning means includes at least one cable equipped with slack removal means.
31. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 19, characterized in that said picker head includes a flexible tubular element which terminates in a package-engaging tip.
32. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 31, characterized in that said at least one cable extends coaxially within said air hose.
33. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 19, characterized in that said air hose is self-retracting.
34. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 19, characterized in that said thermal separating means includes an air curtain.
35. A frozen confection vending apparatus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages, characterized by an outer cabinet;
storing means for storing the plurality of packages, said storing means including a freezer compartment disposed within a portion of said outer cabinet; package removing means for selectively removing the selected package from said freezer compartment, said removing means including a picker head for contacting the package to be removed, x-y positioning means for positioning said picker head adjacent to the selected package, z positioning means for selectively positioning said picker head in contact with the selected package, constant air blower means for creating a constant negative air pressure in said picker head, said air blower means being connected to said picker head by a self-retracting compressible hose, said picker head having a flexible tubular element which terminates in a package-engaging tip; and controlling means for automatically controlling said removing means in response to a customer's selection.
storing means for storing the plurality of packages, said storing means including a freezer compartment disposed within a portion of said outer cabinet; package removing means for selectively removing the selected package from said freezer compartment, said removing means including a picker head for contacting the package to be removed, x-y positioning means for positioning said picker head adjacent to the selected package, z positioning means for selectively positioning said picker head in contact with the selected package, constant air blower means for creating a constant negative air pressure in said picker head, said air blower means being connected to said picker head by a self-retracting compressible hose, said picker head having a flexible tubular element which terminates in a package-engaging tip; and controlling means for automatically controlling said removing means in response to a customer's selection.
36. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 35, characterized in that said z positioning means includes at least one cable equipped with slack removal means.
37. A vending apparatus in accordance with Claim 36, characterized in that said at least one cable extends coaxially within said hose.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002169086A CA2169086C (en) | 1993-08-27 | 1993-08-27 | Package vending machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002169086A CA2169086C (en) | 1993-08-27 | 1993-08-27 | Package vending machine |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2169086A1 CA2169086A1 (en) | 1995-03-02 |
| CA2169086C true CA2169086C (en) | 1999-01-05 |
Family
ID=4157527
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002169086A Expired - Lifetime CA2169086C (en) | 1993-08-27 | 1993-08-27 | Package vending machine |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2169086C (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6929149B2 (en) | 2002-06-20 | 2005-08-16 | Royal Vendors, Inc. | Frozen product vending machine |
| CN110269517A (en) * | 2019-06-28 | 2019-09-24 | 广东亿龙电器科技有限公司 | Coffee machine |
-
1993
- 1993-08-27 CA CA002169086A patent/CA2169086C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2169086A1 (en) | 1995-03-02 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) |
Effective date: 20131021 |