CN1443047A

CN1443047A - Dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN1443047A
Application number: CN01812954A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 雷蒙德·约翰·马卡姆
Original assignee: Caltex New Zealand Ltd
Current assignee: Caltex New Zealand Ltd
Priority date: 2000-07-31
Filing date: 2001-07-27
Publication date: 2003-09-17
Also published as: WO2002009557A1; AU2001282715A1

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus includes a pair of moveable jaws (10), each with a first support ledge (13) to support the bottom (5) of a container (C). Jaws (10) move about a pivot point (11) to release container (C) but, prior to release, a second pair of support ledges (14) move to engage with the bottom of a next container. When the jaws (10) pivot back, a gap between second ledges (14) allows a container therethrough, but first ledges (13) prevent release of container (C) from the dispensing apparatus.

Description

A kind of distributing equipment

Background of invention

The present invention relates to a kind of distributing equipment.

For many years, the operation of gas station is from being distributed oil to distributing oil to change by pre-packing by solid bulk container.This improvement becomes the modern part in gas station.Though need not to distribute in a large number gasoline, supply with the major part that oil is still gas station's operation to the consumer.

Oily in the open path on foreground with the pre-packing and the pre-packing of oil, the problem that the normal position on the transport vehicle etc. is relevant is loss easily stolen and that produce other form.For example, only because the front desk clerk can not make cash register learn that " sale " of oil and the article that the buyer imperfectly understands purchase are not required to pay as yet, just may cause the arrearage of pre-packing.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, one object of the present invention has been to provide a kind of distributing equipment that is filled with flowing product (as oil) in advance that is used for distributing reliably.

Put it briefly, one aspect of the present invention provides a kind of distributing equipment, it comprise a pair of can with the moving component that engages bottom of more than one stack of unitary items; In order to support first supporting arrangement of described lowermost item; Telecontrol equipment, it can make moving component produce relative motion, so that described first supporting arrangement discharges described lowermost item; And second supporting arrangement, it can respond described relative motion and move, so as before lowermost item to discharge with described stack in next top article engage and support these article.

Description of drawings

In below a kind of form of the present invention being described in detail, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for the general, wherein:

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates for the amplification of the critical piece of distributor gear of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the view similar to Fig. 1, and it has shown a packing container of actual allocated.

Fig. 3 is another similar view, but it has shown the distributor gear of going back situ at it.

Fig. 4 is the front view of distributing equipment, and this distributing equipment is equipped with distributor gear of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is the view similar to Fig. 4, but it has shown the another kind of form of present device.

The specific embodiment

The following description will be used in particular for handling the distribution of one liter of oil packing.Can be used for distributing other article in batches owing to it will be understood by those skilled in the art that distributing equipment of the present invention, comprising the oil of bigger packing, milk box or sealed food part, therefore, below explanation only is an example of the present invention.

Fig. 1～3 have shown distributing equipment in schematic form, and this equipment is used for container C that is the file stacking of primary distribution.Container C is made of the container body B of common employing plastic construction.Container C has neck N at the one end, is fixed with a lid or closing element P on this neck.

Owing to hereinafter understands, therefore, any locates to have the zone that section size dwindles (it is usually by the size Expressing of the lid P littler than main body B width) to suppose near container C certain upper end, and described mechanism moves in the case.

In a kind of best mode of the present invention, distributing equipment combines with the container C that is positioned at a box (not shown) usually.Therefore, box comprises a plurality of container C and can be arranged in the distributing equipment fully, thereby can eliminate this equipment of artificial loading to install the needs of each container C separately additional.But distributor gear of the present invention should not be limited to must will be with the arrangement of box-like formula assembling container C.

The critical piece of distributing equipment of the present invention is a pair of movable pawl 10.These pawls are oppositely arranged and can rotate around pivoting point 11.At described point 12 places, for example make and to combine with pawl 10 by the actuator arrangement (not shown) that one or more linear actuators form.An actuator is linked to each other with each pawl, or, can the monomer actuator be linked to each other with two pawls by a linkage as selectable scheme.

As shown in Figure 1, under the static form of equipment, with bottom or the container C that is about to be assigned be arranged in the zone of relative pawl 10, but the height with described pawl 10 about equally.A pair of inwardly stretch out and acclivitous slightly raised edges 13 (or finger) and container C bottom or bottom surface S engage.Be appreciated that by bottom surface S to engage, remaining container can be stacked in together each other with the end face of lid P.

The driving of actuator arrangement can make pawl 10 around pivoting point 11 moved apart (referring to Fig. 2).It can make raised edges 13 sufficient movements separate, so that container C bottom can fall by the gap that forms between the end relatively in raised edges 13.Simultaneously, a pair of shoulder that inwardly the stretches out 14 inwardly motion toward each other in pawl 10 upper ends is so that be positioned at the below of the surperficial S of next container C.Because the section size of lid P is less than container body B, therefore, this situation might produce.

So pawl 10 can be opened synchronously, fall through this place to allow container C, but close pawl to be formed on the obstacle of the container C motion that is assigned with the container top.This " actuating " position that in Fig. 2, has shown distributor gear.

Usually, the below that (not shown) is arranged on pawl 10 is distinguished in a distribution, so that container C falls in the described distribution district fully.This distribution district will open so that enter wherein (can by a movable door), so that can remove the container that is assigned with from distributor.For example, in Fig. 3, having shown that the container C of having distributed will be packed into distributes position in the district.

Sensing device can write down the distribution that is assigned with container C.It can be realized by optical pickocff (for example passing light beam by distributor).Other structure can be included in the weight sensing plate that distributes in the district, the arrival that it can exploration vessel C.

When sensing device is determined to have distributed a container C, actuation gear will make pawl 10 be back to stop position, as shown in Figure 3.Therefore, top shoulder 14 falls into moved apart in the space between the pawl can make a container C, and meanwhile, raised edges 13 will move to " closure " position, so that can engage with the lower surface of container in being moved into pawl.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that and prove: when assignment period begins,, fully open so that before container can drop down onto this place betwixt, shoulder 14 just engaged the below, bottom of next container C in raised edges 13 in case pawl 10 is opened by accompanying drawing.Therefore, can not be created in the danger of the more than container of any one period allocated.

For can realize container correctly move downward and the container of lower side can proper exercise between pawl 10, the box system has such advantage, that is, container is arranged in a line all the time and should just accurately be arranged so that can fall between shoulder 14 each other especially.But, do not using box system part, the ideal structure that adopts is: a vertical slideway will receive into the upper container that file is arranged, so that when being in " closing " position at pawl, these containers can not only correctly be arranged, and container bottom can be with respect to pawl 10 and particularly correctly locate with respect to the space between the shoulder 14.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that: distributor gear is installed in the shell (not shown).Equally, can use in the multiple traditional design any one the starting system of inserting coins to start actuation gear.Therefore, in a kind of form of the present invention, for example, the buyer of the oily packing container of locating on the foreground can buy a fractional currency that inserts in the starter mechanism from the foreground attendant.Therefore, in case behind the advance payment, just only can distribute an oily packing container.

In a kind of selectable structure, distributing equipment can be connected the cash register that is back in the store of foreground in the electronics mode.Utilize the technology that exists in fuel distribution equipment at present, the distributing equipment that contains content of the present invention can send an information to cash register in the electronics mode,, has distributed one or more oily packing containers at specific pump number place that is.As selectable scheme, actual conditions and its responsibility that registration has distributed article as the cashier.Therefore, can provide expense to the loadings of the gasoline that distributes simultaneously by pump.This structure need be carried out work probably under foreground attendant's control, described foreground attendant can have special key or the analog of entering and for example insert the pump that distributes oil through the key platform in order to operate described mechanism and to require.

Referring to Fig. 4, it shows aforementioned a kind of distributing equipment of the present invention in greater detail.As can be understood, this equipment is equipped with the device that is used to store a plurality of container C, and this device can move in the container file of distributing when carrying out container allocation with the form of file.According to the present invention, polylith swash plate 15 is set, each piece swash plate all tilts towards the container file of distributing.The side of container C is positioned on each piece swash plate 15.Because the cause that contact with the lid P of topmost container C in the container file of distributing, so avoided the motion of topmost container C.

Rotationally a retainer 16 is connected on the plate 15 at 17 places.Therefore, container C is positioned on the straight portion 18 of retainer 16.This straight portion 18 is incorporated the sloping portion 19 that extends downward leader 20 into, and described leader 20 has a bearing 21, and the base of the container C on next piece lower side panel 15 engages with this bearing.

Plate 15 bottom is not provided with retainer 16.But it has a downward-sloping part 22.

When the container C between the pawl 10 is carried out the branch timing, the container file of distribution moves down.So just, can be because of the cause of the sloping portion 19 of retainer 16, the container C on the base plate 15 topmost " is toppled ", slip over leader 20 subsequently and enter tram in the dispense container file.

When next container C between the distribution pawl 10, the dispense container file can be changed the position of a container length again downwards.Because the container C no longer leader 20 with the retainer 16 of topmost base plate 15 is adjacent, the weight of the container C on next base plate can promote retainer 16, rotation axis 17 motions so that it rotates, thereby remove the path of this container, so that topple with its on be placed with the sloping portion 19 of the retainer 16 that the base plate 15 of container combines, and then import in the dispense container files by leader 20.

This action repeats, and distributes a container from the dispense container file at every turn, moves to position on the lid P in the container C between the pawl 10 until the container C on base plate 15 bottom.Because this container can topple and can glide along sloping portion 22, therefore, this container can move to desired position.

Can on the base plate 15 sensing device be set bottom, so that thereon container C on the throne is when having moved to the dispense container file, can send alarm signal (vision or sound) needs to load again with apartment warning at once.But,, this warning structure itself can be combined with other base plate 15 or dispense container file according to the lead that is about to the desired alarm of emptying of container in distributing equipment.

Fig. 5 has illustrated a kind of and the similar structure of Fig. 4, but it has shown littler container and the multi-form of the container that can be assigned with has been described.Equally as shown in the figure, each piece base plate all has a more than container.When the container bottom on each piece base plate moved to the dispense container file, the next container on this base plate continued to move to retainer, thus prevent retainer from the next one bottom base plate 15 discharge containers.

But Fig. 5 has also shown a kind of selection scheme that is provided with the guide member 23 that is oppositely arranged between pawl 10.Each side of 23 pairs of container C opposite sides of these elastic baffles is all exerted pressure, so that produce the centering effect on container, therefore, this container can be correctly between pawl 10.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that this centering that otherwise to realize container.For example, can one suitable guide member be set to next the topmost container in the dispense container file, so that this container can fall into the correct orientation between the pawl 10.

Other improvement in protection domain of the present invention also is conspicuous to those skilled in the art.For example, described equipment can comprise the multiple row container, and each row is used for the oil of a kind of special rank or type.Therefore, starter mechanism need be equipped with the device of this particular column that (still according to known technology) a kind of identification buys.As selectable scheme, but each row is provided with a kind of starter mechanism of special use, although this scheme is for improving the less-than-ideal structure of starter mechanism cost.

Adopt the multiple row structure, the pawl of each row all can lead to a chute that can make in the container importing range of distribution of being distributed.In this way, for each row, need not independently to distribute the district.

Therefore, the invention provides a kind of effective, simple and economic mechanism that is used to distribute the oil vessel packing.As mentioned above, the present invention should not be limited to this final use.Described mechanism automatically or under the situation of the mechanism that controls of inserting coins/pay the bill, can be used for distributing other container package at needs.

Claims

1. distributing equipment, it comprises: a pair of can with the moveable element that engages bottom of a plurality of stack of unitary items; In order to support first supporting arrangement of described lowermost item; Telecontrol equipment, it makes moveable element produce relative motion, so that described first supporting arrangement can discharge described lowermost item; And second supporting arrangement, it can respond described relative motion and move, so as before lowermost item to discharge with described stack in next top article engage and support these article.

2. distributing equipment according to claim 1, wherein: unitary item has the section size that reduces in the upper end.

3. distributing equipment according to claim 1 and 2, wherein: described paired moving component be oppositely arranged and can corresponding move (that is, becoming mirror movements toward each other).

4. according to the described distributing equipment of claim 1,2 or 3, wherein: described relative motion is for pivoting.

5. distributing equipment according to claim 4, wherein: the described relative motion that pivots is since a point between first and second supporting arrangements.

6. distributing equipment according to claim 5, wherein: first and second supporting arrangements and described moveable element are integrally formed.

7. according to any described distributing equipment in the claim of front, wherein: telecontrol equipment is a kind of linear actuator.

8. according to any described distributing equipment in the claim of front, wherein: first supporting arrangement is a pair of raised edges that can engage with unitary item bottom.

9. according to any described distributing equipment in the claim of front, wherein: second supporting arrangement is a pair of raised edges that can engage with next upper end article.

10. according to the described distributing equipment of claim 6,8 or 9, wherein: first supporting arrangement extends to more farther than second supporting arrangement from a moveable element.

11. according to any described distributing equipment in the claim of front, wherein: the height of moveable element roughly equates with unitary item.

12. distributing equipment according to claim 8, wherein: moveable element is arranged at least can moved apart, so that the gap between the raised edges of first supporting arrangement is enough to allow a unitary item by this place.

13. distributing equipment according to claim 12, wherein: enough greatly to allow a unitary item by before first supporting arrangement, the gap in second supporting arrangement dwindles to stop next top article to pass through in described gap.

14. distributing equipment according to claim 1, wherein: be provided with one in the exit of first supporting arrangement and distribute the district.

15. according to any described distributing equipment in the claim of front, it also comprises a sensing device that distributes in order to the registration unitary item.

16. distributing equipment according to claim 15, wherein: when distributing a unitary item, when particularly making the enough big so that unitary item in gap in second supporting arrangement pass through this place, the signal that sends by sensing device starts described telecontrol equipment.

17. according to any described distributing equipment in the claim of front, it also comprises: an adjusting mechanism, its in order to a unitary item approaching/between paired moveable element the time, can make this article centering basically.

18. according to any described distributing equipment in the claim of front, it is installed in the housing.

19. according to any described distributing equipment in the claim of front, wherein: telecontrol equipment is started by a coin operated means.

20. distributing equipment according to claim 18, wherein: described housing comprises in order to unitary item is delivered to the chute of described stack.

21. distributing equipment according to claim 20, wherein: chute tilts towards stack downwards.

22. distributing equipment according to claim 21, wherein: the first chute device comprises a retainer that can pivot, and this retainer can limit the second chute discharge of a unitary item from the below by the prodger of its retainer.

23. distributing equipment according to claim 22, wherein: prevent that by position unitary item thereon the retainer that can pivot from rotating, in case unitary item is discharged, the retainer that can pivot just raises to allow another unitary item below chute to discharge.

24. according to any described distributing equipment in the claim 20～23, wherein: being arranged above and below is provided with a plurality of chutes, and each chute all contains a plurality of unitary items, and these article are configured to discharge downwards from the top in housing.

25. according to any described distributing equipment in the claim 20～24, wherein: be provided with one and be used for the sensing device of when the chute emptying, reporting to the police.

26. one kind use in the claim 1～25 in each the method for distributing equipment, it comprises: make described distributing equipment be electrically connected to the inside of a retail shop, so that carry out the monitoring and/or the charge of the unitary item that distributes from described distributing equipment.