DE2325384A1 - DISPENSING DEVICE FOR DRAWER STACKS - Google Patents

Description

9086-73 232 5 38 A

Munich, May 8, 1973

Peters & Company, Inc.

Jk Lawley Street

Doi ~ ch.ester, Mass., V. St. A.

Dispensing device for stacks of dishes

Priority: May 18, 1972; V.St.A .; No. 254 487

A pile picking and lifting device for dishes has a platform and a spring lifting it so that dishes can be appropriately dispensed from the stack will. A simultaneous adjustment of the height of the platform and a preload of the spring for stacks of different Weight-height ratios are achieved by a spring arranged between the platform and a compression spring retractable fixed unit. With a right-angled or roughly square housing cross-section provided hand access to pieces of crockery below the housing opening. A pivoting of the housing and the platform causes the stack to rest against one side of the housing, thereby stabilizing and guiding it, and improves hand access and also provides an immediate path of heat transfer across the edges of the

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pieces of crockery forming the stack. ' By one provided above Extension pieces of crockery are led out of the upper end of the housing, and this results in a Heat transfer path for dishes at the top of the stack.

The invention relates to devices for lifting and progressively dispensing dishes through the top of a Housing.

Tubular dispensing devices for individual stacks of dishes are offered within a wide range of sizes. Typically between 16 and 2k different sizes of tubular dispensers are offered, each having a number of springs of different spring rates to accommodate the different weights and sizes of dishes used in restaurants and other types of food delivery. In order to make installation convenient it is necessary to accurately specify the size and weight of the plates to be used and to ensure that the correct units are installed. The resulting confusion and cost of purchasing such a wide range of dispensers has long been a disadvantage for manufacturers, as has the very limited ability to convert a once-installed dispenser for use with different items of crockery. '

Adjustments have been proposed for modification the stack heights of the dispensers in empty and full condition, but with the adjustment devices currently in use there has generally been a reduction in number from fixture sizes to less than 16 not possible.

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It is furthermore desirable that the dishes be dispensed at a regulated temperature, but so far available Of-ies did not work satisfactorily «»

It is an object of the invention to provide improved pile lifters, and particularly tubular dispensing devices to create where the aforementioned problems occur and which are simple, relatively cheap and effective Represent dispensing device =

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide means by which the required number of tubular dispensing devices different sizes and the problems that arise in organizing the distribution of meals be simplified. ■ '

The invention therefore relates to a dispenser which gradually removes round pieces of crockery from a single! stack releases pieces of the same size, the device being a has upwardly extending housing open at the top and a platform provided in the housing raid a compression spring, the spring constant of which generally corresponds to the weight-height ratio of the pieces of crockery.

According to the invention, this dispensing device is characterized in that that the dispensing device crockery items of different Diameter within a predetermined size range that it is designed so that the Crockery edges of a crockery stack attack a guide wall of the housing regardless of whether the stack Crockery pieces of the smallest or largest size range contains that the cross-section of the housing in a predetermined Area is larger than the largest size within the harness size range so that it extends along the side

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of the stack results in an access opening and the first piece of crockery of the stack can be grasped even if it is below the top of the housing, and that the dispensing device preferably has an adjusting device for adjusting the device in such a way that stacks can be accommodated by pieces of crockery, their weight-to-height ratio deviates from the specified nominal ratio within a predetermined range.

According to a further feature of the invention, means are provided for adjusting pile lifters that use platforms raised by compression springs by Use of an extendable and retractable adjuster. This device has a reference point that with respect to the base in a fixed vertical position is held, as well as mutually movable sections that simultaneously raise the platform and push the spring down and preload so that stacks of heavy dishes can be picked up; for lightweight dishes, the direction of movement is reversed.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are characterized through the use of a telescopic system and in particular by a number of links that can be screwed alternately to the left and to the right, those of the platform and members associated with the spring are held against rotation and an intermediate member is attached so that during the Rotation a vertical movement is not possible. A modified one Embodiment uses a lever assembly that is pivotally mounted near said reference point and has different sections that are dependent on each other Perform lifting and lowering movements.

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Another feature of the invention relates to the Housing cross-section that is either rectangular or square is or is at least larger than that of the dishes, so that there is access to below the upper end of the tubular housing results in pieces of crockery. The advantage of this feature is further enhanced by pivoting of the crockery stack against one side of the housing.

Another feature of the Ex-discovery is that a Tempex nature control device with a side wall of a dispensing device is combined, the Rändex "of the pieces of crockery attack the stack on the side wall, so that a Teraperaturregulierung the pieces of crockery as a result of heat transfer.

Embodiments of the invention are described below under Described with reference to the drawings. From the figures show:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in Form of a tubular dispensing device with a telescopically extendable thread having adjusting device;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view the Fedex *, the adjustment device and the platform of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figux ~ en vertical cross-sections of the design

3 and 3a measured Figure 1, once empty and once

filled with a lightweight stack of dishes;

Figures similar to Figures 3 and 3a,

4 and 4a, once empty and once with a

heavy weight pile of dishes filled;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view similar to FIG. 2 perspective representation of the moving parts of a further preferred Atisführungform the invention;

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Figures vertical cross-sectional views, the ver-6 and 6a differ in the embodiment according to FIG 5 possible adjustment positions;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a preferred one Embodiment of the invention, the features of a housing of right-handed Are illustrated cross-section with pivoted stacking unit;

Figure 8 is a plan view showing the relation of dishes pointing to the housing chamber}

Figure 9 is an exploded view of parts the embodiment according to Figure 7i and

FIG. 10 shows a partially broken away vertical cross-sectional view the embodiment of Figure 7.

According to Figures 1 and 2, the device has an upwardly extending tubular housing 10 of approximately rectangular Cross-section into which a movable platform is fitted, which is adjusted by a compression spring 14.

The platform is a hollow body with flat side walls 13) the corresponding flat sides of the housing adjacent are arranged, which prevents twisting of the platform. The platform 12 is rigidly attached to a downwardly extending hollow outer member l6 which is attached to the cave Intermediate member l8 is screwed, which in turn is screwed onto the inner member 20. Matching threads links l6 and l8 are unidirectional and the threads of links 18 and 20 mate with one another run in the other direction. The intermediate member l8 is freely rotatable with respect to the members l6 and 20, but is against a vertical displacement held by the pivot 22 and the flexible retaining element 24, which is a clamping element of is of substantially constant length and, through a hole in the inner member 20- to an anchor 25 at the bottom of the Housing extends. 309848/0561

The inner threaded member 20 is fastened at its lower end to a part 26 which in turn is fastened to the upper end of the spring 14 in such a way that relative rotation between the parts 20, 26 and ± k is prevented.

At its lower end, the spring 14 is attached to a plate 28, whose sides 29 correspond to the sides of the housing 10, so that the housing the lower end of the spring against a Rotation stops.

The attached intermediate link l8 has a slot I9, which is intended for insertion of a screwdriver, and a rotation performed by this causes an expansion and contracting the device.

To understand how it works, a pile lifting device is used assumed a nominal spring constant, d. H. a certain weight relief results in a load ■ correct displacement of the spring. In some cases it will be dishes, their ratio of weight to Height is less than the nominal constant of the spring; So when you start to deliver dishes when the top is When the full stack is at a certain height, it will be at the point in time when the stack is almost used up has moved the feather less than nominal, and the top of the remainder of the pile will be up are at a lower level. Conversely, if dishes with a ratio higher than face value from weight to height is used, when the stack is just large enough to completely compress the springs, the level of the top of the stack are lower than is the case when there are only a few dishes left is available. The industry was given the task of reducing the range of tableware sizes that can be

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direction can be added to expand. As in the beginning has already been mentioned, there is already the possibility of a certain adjustment to expand this range; In the invention, a very extensive expansion of this range is achieved using a principle that allows both a simple construction and easy and quick use.

When used with dishes a 'ratio of Weight to height that is less than the nominal value, the adjustment device according to Figure 1 is pulled together. In the Figures 3 and 3a it is completely drawn together, and you recognizes that the tops of the stacks, though different, are both full and almost empty State are accessible.

When using dishes with a ratio of Weight to height that is greater than the nominal value, the adjustment device is extended. In Figures 4 and 4a it is fully extended. It is to be noted that the outer link 16 protrudes beyond the attached intermediate link 18 and so raise the platform. When moving downward, the inner member 20 is printed downward, and as Reaction against the rigid retaining element 24 presses the inner member 20 over the part 26 of the upper end of the spring below, whereby the spring comes under tension. When in this state a pile of heavy dishes is brought in to replenish the dispenser is due to the fact that some of the weight is used to relieve the Preload is needed, the total displacement of the spring is less than it would be without preload. In cooperation with the platform now raised, this ensures that the top of the full stack

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located at an accessible level. During the full When the stack is consumed, the level of the top of the stack moves slowly upwards, but remains within an accessible area.

By means of a fast-acting and therefore expedient adjusting device, the dispensing device can be expanded within a wide range Range can be set to accommodate different stacks Weight-height ratio as this is different Types of dishes or dishes of different sizes may be the case.

In the modified preferred embodiment of the invention the adjustment described above, which permits two different modes of operation, is achieved by two opposite ones Pairs of levers 30 »32 and 34, 36, which are at pivot points 38, 40 are in connection with one another, the pairs of Levers are connected to one another by cross bars 42.

The pairs of levers rest on an upper spring plate 44, which is attached to the spring and act upward through the adjustment rod 46 to support the platform.

The levers actually form a scissor-shaped support, and when they are essentially collapsed to the plane of the pivot points 38, 40, they take up very little space in the vertical direction (see FIG. 6), but when they are in the are extended substantially to the vertical, they take up a considerable amount of space in the vertical direction. the Adjusting rod 46 has pairs of holding members 50, 52, 54 in different settings with the upper ends of the Engage levers and hold them in selected settings, as shown in Figures 6 and 6a. the Pivots 38, 40 define the reference point since they are healed by the tensioning element 24, and it can therefore be seen that

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lifting the platform and preloading the spring is possible by manually squeezing the levers so that they change their positions from FIG. 6 to those from FIG 6a change, and by repositioning the adjustment rod on the tops of the levers so that the device is locked in the new setting. The embodiment according to Figures 5 »6 and 6a therefore contains general principles, which are common to this embodiment and that of Figures 1-4.

In addition to the features of adjusting the platform height and the spring preload is another. Feature which leads to the expansion of the range of dishes to be handled by a given dispenser, in the configuration of the housing itself. In the embodiment according to FIGS also referred to) the usual round dishes (or the smaller size 62) in a housing with an approximately square Cross-section arranged. Since the housing does not tightly enclose the stack, the hands of the User access to dishes located below the top of the housing as shown at corner areas 64. These access areas have the consequence that the area of Access levels that are convenient for the food distribution staff are considerably expanded. The durability this access area is reinforced by placing the entire unit under a small relative to the vertical Angle a (Figure 3) is pivoted so that the stack of plates inclines to one side and engages a side wall of the dispensing device.

Another significant advantage of such pivoting and contact with wall 66 is that thereby the stack is guided and the forming the stack

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Plate not shifted sideways as easily due to friction will. It follows from this that plates 62 (FIG. 8) which have a diameter that is significantly smaller is than the nominal diameter of a particular dispenser that can be added.

FIG. 10 shows that a protective covering 68 is preferably applied to the wall 66, for example one on aluminum Applied vinyl coating that protects the plates and prevents them from becoming discolored.

Another feature of the invention is an extension 72 of the sloping 'rear wall 66 on which the plates are in contact even if they emerge completely from the upper part of the housing .. This extension positions and stabilizes the top portion of the stack so that it can be very high and at the same time becomes this enables access to the plates from three sides.

As the figures show 7 _S 9 and 10 is the 'back wall 66 against which the stack is pivoted, provided on its outside with a heater? 6, wherein the controller 78 for the heater 76 i * ^1, a wall extension. assigned and re-entering part is built into this. The heating device causes the wall 66 to be heated. Heat is then passed on through the edges of the plate resting against the wall 66 to the latter. Since the wall extension 72 is also made of thermally conductive metal, the heat is even conducted through the extension 72 from the heated wall 66 upwards and from there into the top plate of the stack.

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It is therefore possible with a simple dispensing device made of a simple flat sheet of metal that the device can accommodate a complete set of dishes of different sizes.

It follows that for essentially every weight of the dishes and for essentially all plate sizes, which are usually used in the distribution of food, the delivery device described in only four different Sizes must be provided to accommodate the full range of plate sizes to record. Example details are given in the following table:

Nominal size cross-section spring constant permissible leg cm dimensions of the range in kg / 2.54 cm-weight-housing in cm ratio in kg / 2.54 cm

15.24 15.8? χ 16.51

20.32 20.95 χ 21.59

25.40 26.03 χ 26.67

30.48 31.11 χ 31.75

As FIGS. 7, 9 and 10 show, a cover 90 is provided provided which, when the device is not in use, is pushed along the outside of the housing (dashed lines in FIG shown) or covers the plate. If the dispensing device is moved when it is loaded, it is advantageous to to use a sufficiently large plate load - so that the top of the stack is above the housing opening lies. Then when the cover is printed in place, the stack is stabilized even further, which in turn leads to the usefulness of the device in handling dishes contributes, which is slightly smaller than the housing cross-section.

Claims i

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0.544 0.408-0 , 816 0.907 0.68-1, 36 1.36 1.02-2, 04 1.81 1.36-2, 72

Claims (12)

Claims fl and has a spring constant which generally corresponds to the nominal ratio of weight to height of the dishes, the spring pushing the platform upward in a compensatory manner when dishes are removed, characterized in that the dispenser dispenses dishes of different diameters within a predetermined size range, that the dispenser is designed so that the edges of a crockery stack engage a guide wall (66) of the housing (10) regardless of whether the stack contains crockery pieces of the smallest or largest size range that the cross-section of the housing (10) in a predetermined B Area is larger than the largest size within the tableware size range, so that there is an access opening (64) (Figures 7, 8) along the side of the stack and the first piece of tableware of the stack can be grasped even if it is below the top of the housing and that the dispensing device preferably has an adjusting device for adjusting the device in such a way that stacks of crockery items can be picked up, the weight-height ratio of which deviates within a predetermined range from the said nominal ratio. 2. Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that the housing (10) in Cross-section is approximately square and has lateral dimensions that are the diameter of the largest piece of crockery to be accommodated slightly exceed, with corner areas 309848/0561 (64) of the housing (ΙΟ) allow access. By, hand » 3. Dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide wall (66) on which the edges of the stack of dishes rest at a small acute angle (a) to the vertical, and that the platform (12) is parallel to the Wall section (66) moved along βΐμβτ angularly the same axis «, 4. Dispensing device according to claim 3 _8, characterized in that the housing (10) and the platform "(12) have the same rectangular shape and are inclined as a unit at the said small acute angle (a) to the vertical, so that there is a Stack of round pieces of crockery also tends to attack one side of the housing (10) and is guided on it, with the possibility of manual access for crockery pieces lying below the open top end of the housing (10) at points remote from these contact points » 5. Dispensing device according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the Side wall (66) extending beyond the upper housing opening and forming the top of the stack, the Leads to user-accessible crockery » 6. Dispensing device according to one of claims 1-5 _s characterized in that the wall (66) is in heat-transferring sliding contact with the edges of the pieces of crockery forming the stack and that the wall (66) is assigned a temperature control means (? 8) for controlling the Temperature of the wall section (66) and thus, through heat transfer, the temperature of the pieces of crockery. ■ 3 09848/0561 7. Dispensing device according to claim 6, characterized ge Ind e ichne t _s that the wall portion (66) is flat and a flat Heizvoirichtung (76) skon in heat transfer clock on the outside of the wall (66) abuts, and that along the interior of the wall section (66) is applied a the dishes protective coating and the parts of the dispensing device are arranged in such a way that a stack of dishes is pressed with its edge against the said cover and receives heat from it » 8. Dispensing device according to one of claims 1-7ι, characterized in that the adjusting means have an extendable and contractible unit (l6, 18, 20 in Fig. I3 34, 36 in Fig. 6) which is at a reference point (22 in Fig. 1; 40 in Fig. 6) is attached to the upper end of a flexible tensioning element (24) that the unit is carried on the upper end of the spring (14) and below the "platform (12") this is arranged supporting that part of the unit (16 in Fig. Ij, 42 in Fig. 5) can be extended upwards relative to the reference point _x and the platform (12) is raised, while another part of the unit (20 in Fig. 1) (44 in Fig. 6) thereby is extended downwards relative to the reference point and the upper end of the spring (l4) presses downwards, the lower end of the flexible tensioning element (24) being attached to an anchor (25) for limiting the reference point to a predetermined upper position when the dispensing device is empty, with one directed upwards and downwards extending the corresponding sections simultaneously lifts the platform (l2) and brings the spring (l4) under tension and a corresponding contraction of the mentioned parts causes a simultaneous lowering of the platform (12) and a relief of the spring (l4). 309848 / 05-61 9. Dispensing device according to claim 8, characterized characterized in that said unit having telescopically extendable members which are interconnected so that they are relative to the reference point are movable in dependence on each other. 10. Dispensing device according to claim 9 j thereby characterized in that the reference point defines is through a hollow upwardly extending member (18) with unidirectional external threads and internal threads running in the other direction, with one of the telescopically extendable members on the external one and the other is screwed into the internal threading of said member (18), and that means are provided which cause a relative rotation between said member (l8) and the other members (l6, 20) so that these be extended. 11. Dispensing device according to claim 10, characterized G. ek en n- indicates that the link (l6) screwed onto the external thread of the hollow intermediate link (l8) serves to change the platform height and to prevent rotation is fixed relative to the platform (12), the platform (12) being held against rotation by the housing, that the intermediate member (18) defining the reference point can be rotated relative to the tensioning element (24) without being Height ratio is changed to this, and that the in the inside of the intermediate link (l8) is screwed-in link (20) the spring (14) biases and is fixed against rotation relative to the spring (.14) and that the lower end of the spring (l4) is held against rotation by the housing. 12. Dispenser according to Claim 8, characterized in that said means 309848/0561 Lever (30, 32, 34, 36; Figure 5), which is close to the Reference point are pivotally mounted so that they move with a component in the vertical direction, and from a "collapsed position generally horizontally close to the reference point to an extended position Position with sections of the levers shifted up and down above and below the reference point 309848/0561 Blank page