DE202016006018U1 - Issuing and positioning part for a cigarette car data, goods compartment for a cigarette vending machine and cigarette machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Dispensing and positioning part (10) for a cigarette vending machine, which can be arranged in a dispensing area (4) of a goods compartment (1) of a cigarette vending machine (100) and which is designed to have cigarette packages (3) of different sizes and / or types in the goods compartment (1 ), wherein the dispensing and positioning member (10) comprises: fastening means (14) arranged and adapted to receive the dispensing and positioning member (10) at a fixture interface (50) provided in the merchandise compartment (1) attach; a guide device (12) which, in the attached state of the dispensing and positioning part (10), extends at least partially into the goods compartment (1), at least one elastic retaining element (11) which is designed and connected to the guide device (12), to prevent inadvertent falling out of cigarette packs (3) from the dispensing area (4), a spring (13) thus attached to the guide (12) for dispensing the cigarette packs (3) stored in the goods compartment (1) to position by the spring (13), the guide (12) in the direction of the cigarette packs (3) presses.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dispensing and positioning part for a cigarette vending machine. The present invention further relates to a goods compartment for a cigarette vending machine and a cigarette vending machine with at least one goods compartment.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

The US 2006/0049201 A1 describes an output device for a cigarette vending machine having a goods shaft in which a plurality of cigarette packs is stored. For dispensing a single cigarette pack, the respectively lowest cigarette pack is guided from the goods shaft into a further shaft and transported from there by means of a conveyor belt into the dispensing area of the cigarette vending machine. Although this dispenser allows a secure dispensing of a single packet of cigarettes from the manhole, it is laborious and therefore expensive to manufacture and maintain.

The US 3,095,114 A describes another cigarette vending machine with an output device which is arranged at a lower end of a goods shaft. The output device has an actuator for pushing out a cigarette packet from the goods shaft. Before a discharge opening of the goods shaft, a leaf spring is provided which prevents unwanted falling out of the cigarette packs from the goods shaft.

Today's cigarette packs have the most varied forms, depending on how many cigarettes are contained in a cigarette pack, how long the cigarettes are, what shape they have, etc. All of these cigarette packs are typically stored in one and the same goods compartments within a cigarette vending machine. Due to these different forms of cigarette pack, the necessary different positioning of the cigarette packs made difficult.

A disadvantage of previous dispensing mechanisms, such as the above-mentioned dispensing mechanisms, is that different adjustment and positioning components are provided for the different pack sizes and / or pack types of the cigarette packs, which have to be mounted in the respective goods compartments. Depending on the pack sizes or pack types, different settings are required in each case in order to ensure error-free dispensing of the cigarette pack from the goods compartment. This increases the effort when refilling the goods compartments, especially if cigarette packs are to be stacked in a different format with a different format. In this case, an exchange of the respective adjustment and positioning components is required. If this is mistakenly overlooked or if this is not done for lack of unsuitable adjustment and positioning components, then there is an increased risk that errors will occur when the cigarette packs are dispensed, for example by jamming of the goods issue area or by non-dispensing of a cigarette pack. In addition to the associated customer dissatisfaction, this also increases maintenance costs.

This is a condition to be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved dispensing of the cigarette packs.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a dispensing and positioning part with the features of the protection claim 1. Furthermore, this object is achieved by a goods compartment with the features of the protection claim 9 and by a cigarette car authorities with the features of the protection claim 10.

• – Ein Ausgabe- und Positionierteil für einen Zigarettenautomaten, welches in einem Ausgabebereich eines Warenfaches eines Zigarettenautomaten anordenbar ist und welches ausgebildet ist, Zigarettenpackungen verschiedener Größe und/oder Typen in dem Warenfach zu positionieren, wobei das Ausgabe- und Positionierteil aufweist: eine Befestigungseinrichtung, welche derart angeordnet und ausgebildet ist, um das Ausgabe- und Positionierteil an einer im Warenfach vorhandenen Befestigungsschnittstelle zu befestigen; eine Leiteinrichtung, welche sich im befestigten Zustand des Ausgabe- und Positionierteils zumindest teilweise in das Warenfach erstreckt, zumindest ein elastisches Rückhalteelement, welches derart ausgebildet und mit der Leiteinrichtung verbunden ist, um ein unbeabsichtigtes Herausfallen von Zigarettenpackungen aus dem Ausgabebereich zu verhindern, eine Feder, welche derart an der Leiteinrichtung befestigt, um die in dem Warenfach gelagerten Zigarettenpackungen für eine Ausgabe zu positionieren, indem die Feder die Leiteinrichtung in Richtung der Zigarettenpackungen drückt. Ferner betrifft die vorliegende Erfindung ein Warenfach und einen Zigarettenautomat.
• – Ein Warenfach für einen Zigarettenautomaten, welches dazu ausgebildet ist, Zigarettenpackungen verschiedener Größe und/oder Typen in einer gestapelten Form aufzunehmen, zu lagern und für eine Ausgabe in geeigneter Weise zu positionieren, wobei das Warenfach aufweist: einen Aufnahmebereich zur gestapelten Aufnahme von Zigarettenpackungen verschiedener Größe und/oder verschiedener Typen; einen Ausgabebereich im unteren Bereich des Aufnahmebereichs, welcher zur bedarfsweisen Ausgabe jeweils einer untersten Zigarettenpackung des Zigarettenstapels vorgesehen ist; eine Befestigungsschnittstelle und ein erfindungsgemäßes Ausgabe- und Positionierteil, welches im Ausgabebereich angeordnet und über die Befestigungsschnittstelle befestigt ist.
• – Einen Zigarettenautomat, mit einer Vielzahl von Warenfächern, die zur gestapelten Aufnahme und Lagerung von Zigarettenpackungen verschiedener Größe und/oder Typen ausgebildet ist, wobei mindestens ein Warenfach als erfindungsgemäßes Warenfach ausgebildet ist und/oder mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Ausgabeteil- und Positionierteil ausgestattet ist.

Accordingly, it is provided:

• - A dispensing and positioning part for a cigarette vending machine, which can be arranged in a dispensing area of a goods compartment of a cigarette vending machine and which is adapted to position cigarette packs of different sizes and / or types in the goods compartment, wherein the dispensing and positioning part comprises: a fastening device, which arranged and adapted to secure the dispensing and positioning part to a mounting interface provided in the goods compartment; a guiding device which, in the attached state of the dispensing and positioning part, extends at least partially into the goods compartment, at least one elastic retaining element which is designed and connected to the guiding device in order to prevent an unintentional falling out of cigarette packets from the dispensing area, a spring, which thus secured to the guide to position the cigarette packs stored in the product compartment for dispensing by the spring pushing the guide towards the cigarette packs. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a goods compartment and a cigarette vending machine.
• - A goods compartment for a cigarette vending machine, which is adapted to receive cigarette packs of various sizes and / or types in a stacked form, store and position for output in a suitable manner, the goods compartment comprising: a receiving area for stacked cigarette packs of various Size and / or different types; an output area in the lower area of the receiving area, which is provided for dispensing each of a lowermost cigarette pack of the cigarette stack as required; a mounting interface and an inventive output and positioning part, which is arranged in the output area and fixed via the mounting interface.
• - A cigarette vending machine, with a plurality of goods compartments, which is designed for stacked storage and storage of cigarette packs of different sizes and / or types, wherein at least one goods compartment is designed as inventive goods compartment and / or equipped with a Ausgabeteil- and positioning according to the invention.

The idea on which the present invention is based is to provide a self-aligning dispensing part and positioning part with which cigarette packets with a wide variety of form factors can be dispensed reliably and without jamming out of the goods compartment, without adaptation or change of the dispensing and positioning part or about the remaining components of the cigarette vending machine would be necessary. Cigarette packs with different form factors have differently shaped cigarette packs with regard to their geometry, thickness, width and / or length. The cigarette pack sizes typically move in a certain tolerance with regard to the thickness, width and / or length, which corresponds to the predetermined pack sizes.

The separation of the last two cigarette packs from each other so that both cigarette packs do not accidentally slip out of the goods compartment during the dispensing process is solved by the dispensing and positioning part according to the invention by positioning the cigarette packs of the guide in such a correct manner that the actuator only a single cigarette pack (and not two) out of the product compartment. The cigarette packs are thus brought from the guide into the correct position for dispensing a cigarette pack. In particular, the cigarette packs are pressed against the rear wall of the goods compartment or to a position on the actuator, so that a cigarette pack is always detected from the same place by the actuator and moved out of the goods compartment.

The dispensing and positioning part according to the invention thus makes it possible to dispense the most varied cigarette packet sizes from one and the same goods compartment without having to make any changes to the cigarette vending machine or the goods compartment.

According to the invention, the dispensing and positioning part has a part acting as a spring. This spring is designed to press the guide for positioning the cigarette packs in the goods compartment in the direction of the cigarette packs. The spring characteristic of the spring can be adjusted appropriately, for. B. progressive, linear, degressive or with kink. By virtue of this design, the cigarette packs can be positioned very effectively and efficiently in the goods compartment such that a predetermined or specifiable systematic dispensing of the cigarette packs from the goods compartment by means of the actuator is ensured.

The retaining element or the retaining device is designed to prevent unintentional falling out of the cigarette packs from the goods compartment, i. H. a fall out of the goods compartment in the absence of a request for goods by a customer to prevent. The elasticity of the retaining element can be adjusted such that only when a predetermined or predefinable limit value, for example 10 N, 20 N, 30 N, 40 N, 50 N, 75 N or 100 N, is exceeded, the retaining element enables the dispensing of a requested cigarette pack.

According to the invention, the dispensing and positioning part also has a fastening device, which is designed to fasten the dispensing and positioning part to a specially provided fastening interface in the goods compartment.

The cigarette vending machine may additionally or alternatively also be provided for dispensing other goods from the product compartment, for example bicycle tubes packaged in the form of cigarette packets, drug packages, contraceptives, avian or wild fodder, snacks in boxes, other food cartons, beverage cartons (such as Tetra Pak) , Ice boxes, boxes with garments (such as women's stockings), etc. By means of a suitable dispensing and positioning part, these goods could possibly be synonymous. Of a conventional cigarette vending machine issue.

Advantageous embodiments and developments emerge from the others Subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring is formed integrally with the dispensing and positioning part. Beispielswese the spring is designed as a leaf spring and / or punched out of the dispensing and positioning. This allows a particularly cost-effective production of the dispensing and positioning part. However, the spring may also be formed separately and z. B. be attached to the output and positioning. Alternatively, the spring may also be formed as a helical spring, rubber spring, Evolutfeder, disc spring or the like.

In another possible embodiment of the invention, the retaining element is substantially elastic, for example very flexible. Additionally or alternatively, the guide can be dimensionally stable, d. H. be formed substantially rigid.

The dispensing and positioning member has attachment means adapted to secure the dispensing and positioning member in the merchandise compartment. In one embodiment of the invention, the attachment means of the dispensing and positioning member is a hook or hook-shaped member. Advantageously, the dispensing and positioning part can thereby be arranged at different positions in the goods compartment. In the goods compartment is / are one or more mounting interface (s) provided in different positions. Preferably, the dispensing and positioning part is pivotally suspended via the hook-shaped fastening device on a specially provided attachment interface of the goods compartment.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing and positioning part is rotatably or pivotably mounted on the fastening device, wherein the fastening device defines the pivot axis.

According to another possible embodiment of the invention, the retaining element has at least one elastic tab. Preferably, at least two elastic tabs are provided. For example, the tabs may be spaced apart, the spring acting as a spacer here.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the dispensing and positioning part is integrally formed from a sheet metal material. The sheet material may be formed of a metal, an alloy or various types of steel. The sheet metal material can also be tin-plated, galvanized, copper-plated, nickel-plated, painted, enamelled or plastic-coated. The dispensing and positioning part can be produced, for example, particularly cost-effectively from a single sheet metal material by cutting and forming. For example, the dispensing and positioning member may be stamped or cut from a sheet material and then bent. For example, the guide is formed by multiple folding of the sheet material. The spring can for example be cut out of the sheet metal material and formed into a spring. The retaining device and the fastening device can also be formed from the sheet metal material.

According to another possible embodiment of the invention, the retaining element has nubs, which are arranged on the side of the retaining element facing the goods compartment in the mounted state. The knobs may be formed, for example, as elevations or depressions. By the nubs on the retaining device, the cigarette packs are only selectively or partially contacted so that sticking or sticking of the cigarette packs is prevented at the retainer. In this way, disturbances of the goods issue can be prevented.

The above embodiments and developments can, if appropriate, combine with each other as desired. Further possible refinements, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

CONTENT OF THE DRAWING

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments indicated in the schematic figures of the drawings. It shows:

1 a schematic plan view and a schematic side view of an embodiment of an output and positioning member according to the invention;

2 a schematic plan view and a schematic side view of another embodiment of an output and positioning member according to the invention;

3 a schematic view of another embodiment of an output and positioning member according to the invention;

4 a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of an inventive dispensing and positioning member;

5 a further schematic sectional view of another embodiment of an inventive dispensing and positioning part;

6 a further schematic sectional view of another embodiment of an inventive dispensing and positioning part; and

7 a schematic view of an embodiment of a cigarette vending machine.

The accompanying drawings are intended to provide further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the stated advantages will become apparent with reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale to each other.

In the figures of the drawing are the same, functionally identical and same-acting elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated - each provided with the same reference numerals.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

1 shows a schematic plan view and a schematic side view of an embodiment of an inventive dispensing and positioning part 10 , The output and positioning part 10 is at an exit area 4 a goods compartment 2 for receiving and storing a plurality of cigarette packs for sale 3 intended. For this purpose, the dispensing and positioning part has a fastening device 14 which is formed, the output and positioning part 10 at one in the department 1 trained mounting interface 50 (not shown) to attach. The output and positioning part 10 has a retaining device 11 which is formed, an unwanted falling out of the cigarette packs 3 from the output area 4 of the goods compartment 2 to prevent. Furthermore, the output and positioning part has 10 a guide 12 which is formed in the goods compartment 2 stored cigarette packs 3 in the product compartment 2 to position. There is a spring for this 13 provided, which is adapted to the guide 12 for positioning the cigarette packs 3 in the product compartment 1 in the direction of the cigarette packs 3 to press.

2 shows a schematic plan view and a schematic side view of another embodiment of an inventive dispensing and positioning part 10 , The output and positioning part 10 is at an exit area 4 a goods compartment 1 attached for receiving and storing a variety of cigarette packs to be sold. The output and positioning part 10 comprises a retaining device 11 , which is formed, an unwanted dispensing of the cigarette packs 3 from the product compartment 1 to prevent. Furthermore, the dispensing and positioning part comprises 10 a guide 12 which is formed in the goods compartment 1 stored cigarette packs 3 in the product compartment 1 to arrange correctly. Furthermore, the output and positioning part has 10 a fastening device 14 which is formed, the output and positioning part 10 in the output area 4 of the goods compartment 1 (not shown) to attach. Further, a spring 13 provided, which is formed, the guide 12 in the direction of the cigarette packs 3 to press. The feather 13 is formed for example as a leaf spring. The feather 13 can be formed for example by punching and bending. Furthermore, this embodiment has the output and positioning part 10 a retainer 11 on which two tabs 15 and 16 includes. The tabs 15 and 16 show pimples 17 on. The pimples 17 serve only a point contact with the cigarette pack 3 train to adhesions and adhesions between the restraint 11 and the cigarette pack 3 to prevent. The pimples 17 point towards the cigarette packs.

3 - 6 show schematic views of an output and positioning member according to the invention 10 and a product compartment according to the invention 1 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The goods compartment 1 is for picking up and storing a variety of cigarette packs for sale 3 . 31 and 32 formed in a stacked manner. The goods compartment 1 For example, is rectangular in shape, and can a variety of cigarette packs 3 . 31 . 32 take up. The goods compartment 1 is with an output area 4 provided by which cigarette packs 3 issued, or in another area of the cigarette vending machine 100 can be transported.

Further, an actuator 5 provided, which is formed, a single of the arranged in the slot cigarette packs 3 from the output area 4 out move. The actor 5 For example, a manually operable, electrical or a pneumatic actuator 5 be.

The goods compartment 1 also has the output and positioning part 10 on, that at the output area 4 at a mounting interface 50 is provided. The output and positioning part 10 is for example on the front wall 21 of the goods compartment 1 intended. The output and positioning part 10 has a retaining device 11 on, which is in the output area 4 extends and is formed, an accidental falling out of the cigarette packs 3 from the product compartment 1 and the output area 4 to prevent. Furthermore, the output and positioning part has 10 a guide 12 at least partially into the goods compartment 1 extends and which is formed in the goods compartment 1 stored cigarette packs 3 in the product compartment 1 to position correctly.

The output and positioning part 10 also has a spring 13 which is formed, the guide 12 for positioning the cigarette packs 3 in the product compartment 1 in the direction of the cigarette packs 3 to press or move. The feather 13 is advantageously integral with the dispensing and positioning part 10 educated. The direction of movement of the guide 12 is by the arrow 30 in 4 clarified. The retention device 11 allows dispensing a cigarette pack 3 from the product compartment 1 as these are in the direction of the arrow 40 is elastic. The elasticity of the retention device 11 is set such that accidental falling out of the cigarette packs 3 from the product compartment 1 is prevented. If a limit value is exceeded, the retaining device 11 deformed such that a dispensing of the cigarette packs is possible. The guide 12 is essentially rigid, so that elastic deformation practically does not take place.

The output and positioning part 10 also has a fastening device 14 which is formed, the output device 10 in the product compartment 1 to attach and / or position. The fastening device 14 is advantageously designed as a hook, which in one in the goods compartment 1 provided fastening interface 50 can intervene. In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening device 14 at different positions, for example at different vertical distances with respect to the actuator 5 or the output area 4 , in the department 1 be positioned. Moreover, the output and positioning part is 10 at the fastening device 14 rotatably or pivotally mounted. The direction of rotation of the output part 10 gets through the front wall 21 of the goods compartment 1 limited. The guide 12 can therefore only be in the direction of the arrow 30 rotatable or pivotable.

Furthermore, the retaining device 11 a first tab 15 and a second tab 16 on. Advantageously, have the first tab 15 and the second tab 16 different elasticities. Furthermore, the tabs 15 and 16 spaced from each other by a predetermined distance. The output and positioning part 10 can be integrally formed from a sheet metal material.

7 shows a schematic view of a cigarette vending machine 100 , The cigarette vending machine has several juxtaposed goods compartments 1 on. The output areas 4 the individual goods fan 1 are each with an output and positioning part 10 Mistake.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but modified in many ways.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

were trade

3

cigarette pack

4

output area

5

actuator

10

Output and positioning part

11

Restraint

12

guide

13

feather

14

fastening device

15

first tab

16

second tab

17

burl

21

Front wall of the goods compartment

30

direction

31

cigarette pack

32

cigarette pack

40

direction

50

Mounting interface

100

cigarette machine

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2006/0049201 A1 [0002]
• US 3095114A [0003]

Claims (10)

Output and positioning part ( 10 ) for a cigarette vending machine, which in an output area ( 4 ) of a product compartment ( 1 ) of a cigarette vending machine ( 100 ) can be arranged and which is formed, cigarette packs ( 3 ) of different sizes and / or types in the product compartment ( 1 ), whereby the output and positioning part ( 10 ): a fastening device ( 14 ), which is arranged and designed in such a way to hold the dispensing and positioning part ( 10 ) at one in the department ( 1 ) existing mounting interface ( 50 ) to fix; a guiding device ( 12 ), which in the attached state of the dispensing and positioning part ( 10 ) at least partially into the product compartment ( 1 ), at least one elastic retaining element ( 11 ), which is designed in such a way and with the guide ( 12 ) to prevent unintentional falling out of cigarette packets ( 3 ) from the output area ( 4 ) to prevent a spring ( 13 ), which in such a way at the guide ( 12 ) attached to the goods compartment ( 1 ) stored cigarette packets ( 3 ) for an output by the spring ( 13 ) the guiding device ( 12 ) in the direction of the cigarette packs ( 3 ) presses. Dispensing and positioning part according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring ( 13 ) in one piece with the output part and positioning part ( 10 ) is trained. Dispensing and positioning part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining element ( 11 ) is elastic and / or that the guide ( 12 ) is rigid. Dispensing and positioning part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device ( 14 ) is designed as a hook. Dispensing and positioning part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing and positioning part ( 10 ) in the mounted state via the fastening device ( 14 ) is rotatably or pivotally mounted on a goods compartment. Dispensing and positioning part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining element ( 11 ) at least one and preferably at least two Eleatic tabs ( 15 ; 16 ) having. Dispensing and positioning part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing and positioning part ( 10 ) is integrally formed from a sheet metal material. Dispensing and positioning part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining element ( 11 ) in the mounted state of the goods compartment ( 1 ) facing side several knobs ( 17 ) having. Merchandise compartment ( 1 ) for a cigarette vending machine ( 100 ), which is adapted to cigarette packets ( 3 . 31 . 32 ) of different sizes and / or types ( 1 ) in a stacked form, to store and to position for output in a suitable manner, the goods compartment ( 1 ): a receiving area for stacked cigarette packets ( 3 . 31 . 32 ) of different sizes and / or different types ( 1 ); an output area ( 4 ) in the lower region of the receiving area, which is used for dispensing one lowermost cigarette packet as required ( 3 . 31 . 32 ) of the cigarette stack is provided, a mounting interface ( 50 ), an output and positioning part ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, which in the output area ( 4 ) and via the attachment interface ( 50 ) is attached. Cigarette machine ( 100 ), with a large number of goods compartments ( 1 ) used for the stacked uptake and storage of cigarette packets ( 3 . 31 . 32 ) of different sizes and / or types ( 1 ), at least one goods compartment ( 1 ) as a commodity subject ( 1 ) according to claim 9 is formed and / or with a Ausgabeteil- and positioning part ( 10 ) is equipped according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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