EP0269492A1 - Self-service dispensing apparatus providing refunds of containers requiring a deposit, particularly liquefied petroleum gas canisters - Google Patents

Self-service dispensing apparatus providing refunds of containers requiring a deposit, particularly liquefied petroleum gas canisters Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0269492A1
EP0269492A1 EP87402443A EP87402443A EP0269492A1 EP 0269492 A1 EP0269492 A1 EP 0269492A1 EP 87402443 A EP87402443 A EP 87402443A EP 87402443 A EP87402443 A EP 87402443A EP 0269492 A1 EP0269492 A1 EP 0269492A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
location
container
bottle
empty
self
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Granted
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EP87402443A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0269492B1 (en
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J. Bernard Lorthioir
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to AT87402443T priority Critical patent/ATE71751T1/en
Publication of EP0269492A1 publication Critical patent/EP0269492A1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
    • G07F7/0609—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers

Definitions

  • FR-A-2,541,102 has already proposed a display rack for liquefied petroleum gas bottles which has a certain number of locations for said bottles, access to each location being blocked by a flexible link, such as a chain, arranged transversely, one end of which is fixed to an upright of the locker delimiting one side of the access opening to the location and the other end of which is fixed by a lock on the opposite upright.
  • This display locker is theoretically intended to be used in self-service and provides that the key allowing to open the lock of a defined locker which is given by the manager against payment of the price remains trapped in the lock, the buyer can return the empty bottle to the same location.
  • the display rack of FR-A-2.541.102 Due to the relatively high amount of the deposit, the display rack of FR-A-2.541.102 has the drawback that the buyer can, voluntarily or not, omit to make the bottle empty or put it back without the cap which protects the tap head. This same drawback exists in all cases where a self-service device includes the return of a deposit.
  • the object of the present invention is to remedy this drawback and to provide a self-service distribution device in which the distribution of the product, in particular of the full liquefied petroleum gas bottle, is conditioned by the return of the container consigned to the 'complete, including the empty bottle with its cap.
  • two racks each forming a location for a bottle or other container for packaging the product sold, one intended to receive the empty returnable container and the other containing a full container, are provided, the first of a member for detecting the weight and / or the shape of said empty container and the second for a member for retaining the full packaging container, said member for retaining the second location does not release the container until the member for detecting the first detects the presence of an empty container in this first location.
  • access to at least one of the two locations is controlled by a price payment control device which can be a key, a token or a magnetic card or a device for prepayment in cash or by credit card with remote control of the device controlling said access.
  • the device controlling access can be a lock or a device for unlocking the retention member of the container full of the second location or for unlocking a member preventing the placement in the active position of an empty container in the first location.
  • access to the second location or unlocking of the retention member of the second location is enslaved to the confinement of the empty container placed in the first location.
  • the self-service distribution device comprises two horizontal rows of superimposed locations, the empty locations of a first row being intended to receive the returned containers and the locations in the second row containing the full containers, access to an empty location in the first row being controlled by a payment control device, the operation of the controlled means releasing a means of controlling access to the location by vertically matching the second row and the container in this second location being mechanically immobilized by means open by the weight and shape sensing member of the corresponding location in the first row.
  • the means for controlling access to the locations are preferably constituted by gates or the like with closure by key locks, the gate lock of the first row being a double key lock, the key payment control opening this lock in which it is trapped and releasing, when closing the door or the like, the second key which opens the door lock or the like of the second row in which it remains trapped.
  • the first row of locations is preferably the upper row and the weight and shape detecting member is constituted by a hook or similar member for hooking the cap of the bottle which requests on lifting, under the action of the weight of the bottle, a collar or other fitting around the cap and above the body of the full bottle located on the lower floor, this lifting movement being hampered by a stop which only opens when a fork is separated, the two branches of which come to bear on the body of the hanging bottle.
  • the self-service dispensing device lends itself particularly well to full automation, with a prepayment device of the coin-operated or credit card type placed next to the dispensing device proper, lighting up an indicator light indicating the '' location for the installation of the deposit, after possible raising of the retention device of said location which has been unlocked, and relocking of said retention device by lowering after installation of the returnable bottle unlocking a first lock of the retention means of the sampling location, a second lock of which has been unlocked by the member for detecting the presence of an empty container. Locks and gates or chains for closing the locations can thus be avoided, security being ensured by a simple electrical servo-control using electromagnet locks.
  • Figure 1 is a diagram in side elevation of the control mechanism of the means for retaining the full bottle when replacing an empty bottle;
  • Figure 2 is a detailed plan view of the retention means;
  • Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the device of Figure 1,
  • Figure 4 is a front elevational view of two locations and
  • Figure 5 is a detailed view of the lock of the lower location.
  • the reference 1 generally designates the vertical uprights of the rack in which the bottles of liquefied petroleum gas are placed.
  • Reference 2 designates the horizontal crosspieces.
  • the locations 3 of the upper level of the rack are intended to receive the empty bottles returned as deposit and the locations 4 of the lower level are filled with the full bottles.
  • Reference 5 designates the support plates on which the bottles are placed.
  • Each of the locations is closed by a door 6 articulated at 7 on one of the vertical uprights laterally delimiting the front access to a location.
  • Each gate is kept closed by a lock 8.
  • the lock 8a of the gate condemning access to the upper location is a lock with two keys, the ca not 9 intended to receive the key given by the manager opening the lock and releasing, after closing the gate, the key which was in the barrel 10, key which can be used to open, by introduction into the barrel 11, the lock 8b of the lower locker.
  • the bolt 12 of the lock 8b is articulated at 13 so that when the gate 6 of the lower location is opened, the bolt drops, which prevents the lock from being closed and the key from being taken up.
  • the device for controlling the removal of a full bottle located in the lower housing 4 than the fitting of an empty bottle provided with its cap in the upper rack 3 essentially comprises a lever with two arms 14 articulated at 15 and whose front arm carries a fastening member 16 for suspending the bottle by the ring or rings secured to the stopper.
  • a vertical linkage bar 18 which is guided in a yoke 19 and which is articulated at its lower end at 20 on a connecting rod 21 articulated at 22 on an upright 1
  • a ring 23 capable of fitting the plug and the upper part of the full gas cylinder placed in the lower location.
  • two rods 24 arcuate in opposite directions are articulated at 25 on the upright 1, moving apart one on the other and they are biased towards each other by a spring 26.
  • the two links 24 between which the rod 18 passes form a stop for lateral pins 27 solidai res of said rod 18.
  • the bottle suspended by means of attachment 16 hangs between the rods 24, it separates them, which releases the pins 27, the rod 18 and the lever 21-23 being lifted to release the bottle located in the lower location.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-service dispensing device with a return of issued packs, especially for bottles of liquefied petroleum gas having a cap for protecting the tap head, in which two compartments, each forming a location for a bottle, one intended for receiving the empty issued container and the other (4) containing a full container, are equipped, the first with a member detecting the weight and/or shape of the said empty container and the second with a member for retaining the full packaging container, the said retaining member of the second location releasing the container only when the detection member of the first detects the presence of an empty container in this first location. According to the invention, the member (16-24) for detecting the placement of an empty bottle in the first compartment (3) consists of a hook (16) or a similar member for catching the cap of the bottle, which, under the action of the weight of the bottle, raises a collar (23) or other similar member fitting round the cap and above the body of the full bottle located in the second compartment (4). The invention makes it possible to check that the issued pack has been returned safely together with its protective cap. <IMAGE>

Description

On a déjà proposé dans FR-A-2.541.102 un casier présentoir pour bouteilles de gaz de pétrole liquéfié qui comporte un certain nom­bre d'emplacements pour lesdites bouteilles, l'accès à chaque empla­cement étant condamné par un lien souple, tel qu'une chaîne, dispo­sé transversalement dont une des extrémités est fixée à un montant du casier délimitant un côté de l'ouverture d'accès à l'emplace­ment et dont l'autre extrémité est fixée par une serrure sur le mon­tant opposé. Ce casier présentoir est théoriquement destiné à être utilisé en libre service et prévoit que la clé permettant d'ouvrir la serrure d'un casier défini qui est remise par le gérant contre paiement du prix reste emprisonnée dans la serrure, l'acheteur pou­vant remettre au même emplacement la bouteille vide.FR-A-2,541,102 has already proposed a display rack for liquefied petroleum gas bottles which has a certain number of locations for said bottles, access to each location being blocked by a flexible link, such as a chain, arranged transversely, one end of which is fixed to an upright of the locker delimiting one side of the access opening to the location and the other end of which is fixed by a lock on the opposite upright. This display locker is theoretically intended to be used in self-service and provides that the key allowing to open the lock of a defined locker which is given by the manager against payment of the price remains trapped in the lock, the buyer can return the empty bottle to the same location.

En raison du montant relativement élevé de la consigne, le casier présentoir de FR-A-2.541.102 présente l'inconvénient que l'ache­teur peut, volontairement ou non, omettre de rendre la bouteille vi­de ou la remettre sans la bouchon qui protège la tête de robinet. Ce même inconvénient existe dans tous les cas où un dispositif à li­bre-service comporte la restitution d'une consigne.Due to the relatively high amount of the deposit, the display rack of FR-A-2.541.102 has the drawback that the buyer can, voluntarily or not, omit to make the bottle empty or put it back without the cap which protects the tap head. This same drawback exists in all cases where a self-service device includes the return of a deposit.

La présente invention a pour but de remédier à cet inconvénient et de réaliser un dispositif de distribution en libre-service dans le­quel la distribution du produit, notamment de la bouteille de gaz de pétrole liquéfié pleine, est conditionnée par le rendu de conte­neur consigné à l'état complet, notamment de la bouteille vide mu­nie de son bouchon.The object of the present invention is to remedy this drawback and to provide a self-service distribution device in which the distribution of the product, in particular of the full liquefied petroleum gas bottle, is conditioned by the return of the container consigned to the 'complete, including the empty bottle with its cap.

Conformément à l'invention, deux casiers formant chacun un emplace­ment pour une bouteille ou autre conteneur de conditionnement du produit vendu, l'un destiné à recevoir le conteneur consigné vide et l'autre contenant un conteneur plein, sont munis, le premier d'un or­gane détecteur du poids et/ou de la forme dudit conteneur vide et le second d'un organe de rétention du conteneur de conditionnement plein, ledit organe de rétention du second emplacement ne libérant le conteneur que lorsque l'organe détecteur du premier détecte la présence d'un conteneur vide dans ce premier emplacement.According to the invention, two racks each forming a location for a bottle or other container for packaging the product sold, one intended to receive the empty returnable container and the other containing a full container, are provided, the first of a member for detecting the weight and / or the shape of said empty container and the second for a member for retaining the full packaging container, said member for retaining the second location does not release the container until the member for detecting the first detects the presence of an empty container in this first location.

Selon une autre caractéristique l'accès à l'un au moins des deux emplacements est contrôlé par un dispositif de contrôle du paie­ment du prix qui peut être une clef, un jeton ou une carte magnéti­que ou un dispositif à prépaiement en espèces ou par carte de cré­dit avec commande à distance du dispositif contrôlant ledit accès. Le dispositif contrôlant l'accès peut être une serrure ou un dispo­sitif de déverrouillage de l'organe de rétention du conteneur plein du deuxième emplacement ou de déverrouillage d'un organe empêchant la mise en place en position active d'un conteneur vide dans le pre­mier emplacement.According to another characteristic, access to at least one of the two locations is controlled by a price payment control device which can be a key, a token or a magnetic card or a device for prepayment in cash or by credit card with remote control of the device controlling said access. The device controlling access can be a lock or a device for unlocking the retention member of the container full of the second location or for unlocking a member preventing the placement in the active position of an empty container in the first location.

Selon une autre caractéristique l'accès au deuxième emplacement ou le déverrouillage de l'organe de rétention du deuxième emplacement sont asservis à l'emprisonnement du conteneur vide mis en place dans le premier emplacement.According to another characteristic, access to the second location or unlocking of the retention member of the second location is enslaved to the confinement of the empty container placed in the first location.

Selon un mode de réalisation qui est le plus simple en pratique, le dispositif de distribution en libre service conforme à l'invention comporte deux rangées horizontales superposées d'emplacements, les emplacements vides d'une première rangée étant destinés à recevoir les conteneurs rendus et les emplacements de la seconde rangée con­tenant les conteneurs pleins, l'accès à un emplacement vide de la première rangée étant asservi à un dispositif de contrôle du paie­ment, le fonctionnement du moyen asservi libérant un moyen de con­trôle d'accès à l'emplacement en correspondance verticalement de la deuxième rangée et le conteneur dans ce deuxième emplacement étant immobilisé mécaniquement par un moyen ouvert par l'organe détec­teur de poids et de forme de l'emplacement correspondant de la pre­mière rangée.According to an embodiment which is the simplest in practice, the self-service distribution device according to the invention comprises two horizontal rows of superimposed locations, the empty locations of a first row being intended to receive the returned containers and the locations in the second row containing the full containers, access to an empty location in the first row being controlled by a payment control device, the operation of the controlled means releasing a means of controlling access to the location by vertically matching the second row and the container in this second location being mechanically immobilized by means open by the weight and shape sensing member of the corresponding location in the first row.

Dans ce mode de réalisation, les moyens de contrôle d'accès aux em­placements sont, de préférence, constitués par des portillons ou analogues avec fermeture par serrures à clefs, la serrure du portil­lon de la première rangée étant une serrure à double clef, la clef de contrôle du paiement ouvrant cette serrure dans laquelle elle se trouve emprisonnée et libérant, lors de la fermeture du portillon ou analogue, la deuxième clef qui ouvre la serrure du portillon ou analogue de la seconde rangée dans laquelle elle reste emprisonnée.In this embodiment, the means for controlling access to the locations are preferably constituted by gates or the like with closure by key locks, the gate lock of the first row being a double key lock, the key payment control opening this lock in which it is trapped and releasing, when closing the door or the like, the second key which opens the door lock or the like of the second row in which it remains trapped.

Dans le cas de bouteilles de gaz liquéfié, la première rangée d'em­placements est de préférence la rangée supérieure et l'organe détec­teur du poids et de la forme est constitué par un crochet ou orga­ne analogue d'accrochage du bouchon de la bouteille qui sollicite au relèvement, sous l'action du poids de la bouteille, un collier ou autre s'adaptant autour du bouchon et au dessus du corps de la bouteille pleine se trouvant à l'étage inférieur, ce mouvement de relèvement étant entravé par un dispositif de butée qui ne s'ouvre que lors de l'écartement d'une fourche dont les deux branches vien­nent prendre appui sur le corps de la bouteille suspendue.In the case of liquefied gas bottles, the first row of locations is preferably the upper row and the weight and shape detecting member is constituted by a hook or similar member for hooking the cap of the bottle which requests on lifting, under the action of the weight of the bottle, a collar or other fitting around the cap and above the body of the full bottle located on the lower floor, this lifting movement being hampered by a stop which only opens when a fork is separated, the two branches of which come to bear on the body of the hanging bottle.

Il rentre également dans le cadre de l'invention de prévoir, afin de réduire l'encombrement, des dispositifs de distribution en réali­sant des emplacements à double usage, l'emplacement libéré par le retrait d'un conteneur plein étant utilisé pour recevoir le conte­neur vide rendu. Ceci est possible en prévoyant dans chaque emplace­ment, à l'exception du premier et du dernier, à la fois un organe détecteur du poids et/ou de la forme du conteneur consigné vide et un organe de rétention dudit conteneur, l'organe détecteur de l'em­placement amont assurant la mise en position inactive de l'organe de rétention de l'emplacement aval qui est maintenu dans cette posi­tion, en même temps que la mise en position active de son propre or­gane de rétention. L'accès à tous les emplacements peut alors être condamné par une serrure à deux ou trois clefs à fermeture automati­que et rétention de la ou des nouvelles clefs introduites.It also falls within the scope of the invention to provide, in order to reduce the size, distribution devices by providing dual-use locations, the location freed by the removal of a full container being used to receive the container. empty rendered. This is possible by providing in each location, with the exception of the first and the last, both a device for detecting the weight and / or the shape of the empty returnable container and a retention member of said container, the detector member of the upstream location ensuring the inactive position of the retention member of the downstream location which is maintained in this position, at the same time as the active setting of its own retention organ. Access to all locations can then be blocked by a lock with two or three keys with automatic closure and retention of the new key (s) introduced.

Il est également possible de prévoir un déverrouillage possible du moyen de rétention par un clef de consigne ou moyen analogue de con­trôle du paiement de la consigne dans le cas où l'acheteur n'a pas rapporté la bouteille vide.It is also possible to provide for a possible unlocking of the retention means by a deposit key or similar means for controlling the payment of the deposit in the event that the buyer has not brought back the empty bottle.

Le dispositif de distribution en libre-service conforme à l'inven­tion se prête particulièrement bien à l'automatisation complète, avec dispositif à prépaiement du type à monnayeur ou à carte de cré­dit disposé à côté du dispositif de distribution proprement dit al­lumant un voyant signalant l'emplacement pour la mise en place de la consigne, après relèvement éventuel du dispositif de rétention dudit emplacement qui à été déverrouillé, et le reverrouillage du­dit dispositif de rétention par abaissement après mise en place de la bouteille consignée déverrouillant un premier verrou du moyen de rétention de l'emplacement de prélèvement dont un deuxième verrou a été déverrouillé par l'organe de détection de la présence d'un con­teneur vide. On peut ainsi éviter les serrures et portillons ou chaînes de fermeture des emplacements, la sécurité étant assurée par un asservissement électrique simple mettant en oeuvre des ver­rous à électro-aimant.The self-service dispensing device according to the invention lends itself particularly well to full automation, with a prepayment device of the coin-operated or credit card type placed next to the dispensing device proper, lighting up an indicator light indicating the '' location for the installation of the deposit, after possible raising of the retention device of said location which has been unlocked, and relocking of said retention device by lowering after installation of the returnable bottle unlocking a first lock of the retention means of the sampling location, a second lock of which has been unlocked by the member for detecting the presence of an empty container. Locks and gates or chains for closing the locations can thus be avoided, security being ensured by a simple electrical servo-control using electromagnet locks.

L'invention sera décrite plus en détail ci-après sous forme d'un mode de réalisation pratique simple pour distribution en libre-ser­vice de bouteilles de gaz de pétrole liquéfié avec référence au des­sin ci-annexé dans lequel :The invention will be described in more detail below in the form of a simple practical embodiment for self-service distribution of bottles of liquefied petroleum gas with reference to the attached drawing in which:

Figure 1 est un schéma en élévation latérale du mécanisme d'asservissement du moyen de rétention de la bouteille plei­ne à la remise en place d'une bouteille vide; Figure 2 est une vue de détail en plan du moyen de rétention; Figure 3 est une vue de détail en perspective du dispositif de figu­re 1, Figure 4 est une vue en élévation frontale de deux em­placements et Figure 5 est une vue de détail de la serrure de l'emplacement inférieur.Figure 1 is a diagram in side elevation of the control mechanism of the means for retaining the full bottle when replacing an empty bottle; Figure 2 is a detailed plan view of the retention means; Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the device of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a front elevational view of two locations and Figure 5 is a detailed view of the lock of the lower location.

Dans les dessins, la référence 1 désigne d'une manière générale les montants verticaux du casier dans lequel sont disposées les bouteil­les de gaz de pétrole liquéfié. La référence 2 désigne les traver­ses horizontales. Dans le mode de réalisation illustré, les emplace­ments 3 du niveau supérieur du casier sont destinés à recevoir les bouteilles vides rendues comme consigne et les emplacements 4 du ni­veau inférieur sont garnis avec les bouteilles pleines. La référen­ce 5 désigne les plateaux d'appui sur lesquels sont placées les bou­teilles. Chacun des emplacements est fermé par un portillon 6 arti­culé en 7 sur un des montants verticaux délimitant latéralement l'accès frontal à un emplacement. Chaque portillon est maintenu fer­mé par une serrure 8. La serrure 8a du portillon condamnant l'ac­cès à l'emplacement supérieur est une serrure à deux clefs, le ca­ non 9 destiné à recevoir la clef remise par le gérant ouvrant la serrure et libérant, après refermeture du portillon, la clef qui se trouvait dans le canon 10, clef qui peut être utilisée pour ouvrir, par introduction dans le canon 11, la serrure 8b du casier infé­rieur. Le pêne 12 de la serrure 8b est articulé en 13 de sorte qu'à l'ouverture du portillon 6 de l'emplacement inférieur ledit pêne re­tombe, ce qui empêche de refermer la serrure et de reprendre la clef.In the drawings, the reference 1 generally designates the vertical uprights of the rack in which the bottles of liquefied petroleum gas are placed. Reference 2 designates the horizontal crosspieces. In the illustrated embodiment, the locations 3 of the upper level of the rack are intended to receive the empty bottles returned as deposit and the locations 4 of the lower level are filled with the full bottles. Reference 5 designates the support plates on which the bottles are placed. Each of the locations is closed by a door 6 articulated at 7 on one of the vertical uprights laterally delimiting the front access to a location. Each gate is kept closed by a lock 8. The lock 8a of the gate condemning access to the upper location is a lock with two keys, the ca not 9 intended to receive the key given by the manager opening the lock and releasing, after closing the gate, the key which was in the barrel 10, key which can be used to open, by introduction into the barrel 11, the lock 8b of the lower locker. The bolt 12 of the lock 8b is articulated at 13 so that when the gate 6 of the lower location is opened, the bolt drops, which prevents the lock from being closed and the key from being taken up.

Le dispositif d'asservissement du prélèvement d'une bouteille plei­ne se trouvant dans le logement 4 inférieur à la mise en place d'u­ne bouteille vide munie de son bouchon dans le casier supérieur 3 comporte essentiellement un levier à deux bras 14 articulé en 15 et dont le bras avant porte un organe d'accrochage 16 permettant de suspendre la bouteille par le ou les anneaux solidaires du bouchon. A l'extrémité de l'autre bras du levier 14 est articulée en 17 une barre de timonerie verticale 18 qui est guidée dans une chape 19 et qui est articulée à son extrémité inférieure en 20 sur une bielle 21 articulée en 22 sur un montant 1. A l'extrémité de cette bielle est réalisé un anneau 23 susceptible d'emboîter le bouchon et la partie supérieure de la bouteille de gaz pleine placée dans l'empla­cement inférieur. Pour éviter qu'une traction exercée sur le moyen d'accrochage 18 libère le moyen de rétention 23 sans que la bouteil­le soit en place, deux biellettes 24 arquées en sens inverse sont articulées en 25 sur le montant 1 en s'écartant l'une de l'autre et elles sont sollicitées l'une vers l'autre par un ressort 26. Lors­qu'elles sont rapprochées, les deux biellettes 24 entre lesquelles passe la tige 18 forment butée pour des ergots latéraux 27 solidai­ res de ladite tige 18.Par contre, lorsque la bouteille suspendue au moyen d'accrochage 16 vient pendre entre les biellettes 24, elle écarte celles-ci, ce qui libère les ergots 27, la tige 18 et le le­vier 21-23 se trouvant soulevés pour libérer la bouteille située dans l'emplacement inférieur.The device for controlling the removal of a full bottle located in the lower housing 4 than the fitting of an empty bottle provided with its cap in the upper rack 3 essentially comprises a lever with two arms 14 articulated at 15 and whose front arm carries a fastening member 16 for suspending the bottle by the ring or rings secured to the stopper. At the end of the other arm of the lever 14 is articulated at 17 a vertical linkage bar 18 which is guided in a yoke 19 and which is articulated at its lower end at 20 on a connecting rod 21 articulated at 22 on an upright 1 At the end of this connecting rod is produced a ring 23 capable of fitting the plug and the upper part of the full gas cylinder placed in the lower location. To avoid that a traction exerted on the attachment means 18 releases the retention means 23 without the bottle being in place, two rods 24 arcuate in opposite directions are articulated at 25 on the upright 1, moving apart one on the other and they are biased towards each other by a spring 26. When they are brought together, the two links 24 between which the rod 18 passes form a stop for lateral pins 27 solidai res of said rod 18. On the other hand, when the bottle suspended by means of attachment 16 hangs between the rods 24, it separates them, which releases the pins 27, the rod 18 and the lever 21-23 being lifted to release the bottle located in the lower location.

Le mode de réalisation ci-dessus décrit à titre d'exemple est sus­ceptible de recevoir de nombreuses modifications sans sortir du ca­dre des revendications ci-annexées.The embodiment described above by way of example is capable of receiving numerous modifications without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (9)

1. Dispositif de distribution en libre service avec restitu­tion d'emballage consigné, notamment pour bouteilles de gaz de pé­trole liquéfié comportant un bouchon de protection de la tête de robinet dans lequel deux casiers formant chacun un emplacement pour une bouteille,l'un (3) destiné à recevoir le conteneur consi­gné vide et l'autre (4) contenant un conteneur plein, sont munis, le premier d'un organe détecteur du poids et/ou de la forme du­dit conteneur vide et le second d'un organe de rétention du conte­neur de conditionnement plein, ledit organe de rétention du se­cond emplacement ne libérant le conteneur que lorsque l'organe dé­tecteur du premier détecte la présence d'un conteneur vide dans ce premier emplacement,
caractérisé en ce que l'organe détecteur (16-24) de la mise en place d'une bouteille vide dans le premier casier (3) est consti­tué par un crochet (16) ou organe analogue d'accrochage du bou­chon de la bouteille qui sollicite au relèvement, sous l'action du poids de la bouteille, un collier (23) ou autre organe analo­gue s'adaptant autour du bouchon et au-dessus du corps de la bou­teille pleine se trouvant dans le second casier (4).1. Self-service distribution device with return of returnable packaging, in particular for liquefied petroleum gas cylinders comprising a protective cap for the tap head in which two compartments each forming a location for a bottle, one (3 ) intended to receive the empty returnable container and the other (4) containing a full container, are provided, the first with a member detecting the weight and / or the shape of said empty container and the second with a retention member of the full packaging container, said retention member of the second location only releasing the container when the detector member of the first detects the presence of an empty container in this first location,
characterized in that the detector member (16-24) for placing an empty bottle in the first rack (3) consists of a hook (16) or similar member for hooking the bottle cap which requests the lifting, under the action of the weight of the bottle, a collar (23) or other similar member fitting around the stopper and above the body of the full bottle located in the second rack (4). 2. Un dispositif de distribution en libre service selon la reven­dication 1,
caractérisé en ce que le mouvement de relèvement du collier (23) ou autre organe analogue s'adaptant autour du bouchon et au-­dessus du corps de la bouteille pleine est entravé par un dispo­sitif de butée (27) qui est ouvert par l'écartement d'une four­ che (24) dont les deux branches viennent prendre appui sur le corps de la bouteille suspendue.2. A self-service distribution device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the raising movement of the collar (23) or other similar member fitting around the stopper and above the body of the full bottle is hampered by a stop device (27) which is opened by the spacing from an oven che (24), the two branches of which come to bear on the body of the hanging bottle. 3. Un dispositif de distribution en libre-service selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 et 2,
caractérisé en ce que les deux casiers sont munis chacun d'un dis­positif de contrôle d'accès (6) empêchant l'introduction d'une bouteille dans le casier ou son retrait, l'ouverture du disposi­tif de contrôle d'accès (6) au deuxième casier (4) étant asservie par un dispositif à la fermeture verrouillée du dispositif de con­trôle d'accès (6) au premier casier (3).3. A self-service distribution device according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
characterized in that the two racks are each provided with an access control device (6) preventing the introduction of a bottle into the rack or its removal, the opening of the access control device (6) to the second locker (4) being slaved by a device to the locked closure of the access control device (6) to the first locker (3). 4. Un dispositif de distribution en libre service selon la reven­dication 3,
caractérisé en ce que le dispositif d'asservissement est, dans le cas de dispositifs de contrôle d'accès constitué par des portil­lons ou analogues (6) constitués par des serrures, la serrure (8b) du second casier (4) étant ouverte par une clef (10) empri­sonnée dans la serrure (8a) du premier casier (3) et libérée par la fermeture de la serrure (8a) du premier casier (3).4. A self-service distribution device according to claim 3,
characterized in that in the case of access control devices constituted by gates or the like (6) constituted by locks, the servo-control device is, the lock (8b) of the second locker (4) being opened by a key (10) trapped in the lock (8a) of the first locker (3) and released by closing the lock (8a) of the first locker (3). 5. Un dispositif de distribution en libre service selon la reven­dication 3,
caractérisé en ce que le dispositif d'asservissement est un dispo­sitif de déverrouillage de l'organe de rétention (23) du conte­neur plein du deuxième emplacement (4) asservi à l'emprisonne­ment du conteneur vide mis en place dans le premier emplacement (3).5. A self-service distribution device according to claim 3,
characterized in that the control device is a device for unlocking the retention member (23) of the container full of the second location (4) slaved to the confinement of the empty container placed in the first location (3) . 6. Un dispositif de distribution en libre service selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5,
caractérisé en ce que les emplacements (3-4) sont disposés selon deux rangées horizontales superposées, les emplacements vides (3) d'une première rangée étant destinés à recevoir les bouteilles vi­des rendues et les emplacements (4) de la seconde rangée conte­nant les bouteilles pleines, l'accès à un emplacement vide de la première rangée étant asservi à un dispositif (9) de contrôle du paiement.6. A self-service distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that the locations (3-4) are arranged in two superimposed horizontal rows, the empty locations (3) of a first row being intended to receive the returned empty bottles and the locations (4) of the second row containing the full bottles, access to an empty location in the first row being controlled by a payment control device (9). 7. Un dispositif de distribution en libre service selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5,
caractérisé en ce que les emplacements sont à double usage, l'em­placement libéré par le retrait d'un conteneur plein étant utili­sé pour recevoir le conteneur vide rendu, chaque emplacement, à l'exception du premier et du derner, comportant à la fois un or­gane (16-24) détecteur du poids et de la forme du conteneur consi­gné vide et un organe (23) de rétention dudit conteneur, l'orga­ne détecteur (16-24) de l'emplacement amont assurant la mise en position inactive de l'organe de rétention (23) de l'emplacement aval qui est maintenu dans cette position, en même temps que la mise en position active de son propre organe de rétention (23).7. A self-service distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that the locations are dual-use, the location freed by the removal of a full container being used to receive the empty container returned, each location, with the exception of the first and the last, comprising both a member (16-24) for detecting the weight and shape of the empty returnable container and a member (23) for retaining said container, the detector member (16-24) of the upstream location ensuring the inactive position of the 'retention member (23) of the downstream location which is maintained in this position, at the same time as the active positioning of its own retention member (23). 8. Un dispositif de distribution en libre-service selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7,
caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un déverrouillage possible du moyen de rétention (23) par une clef de consigne ou moyen analo­ gue de contrôle du paiement de la consigne dans le cas où l'ache­teur n'a pas rapporté la bouteille vide.8. A self-service distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that it includes a possible unlocking of the retention means (23) by a deposit key or analog means check of payment of the deposit in the event that the buyer has not brought back the empty bottle. 9. Un dispositif de distribution en libre-service selon la reven­dication 1,
caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un dispositif à prépaiement du type à monnayeur ou à carte de crédit disposé à côté du disposi­tif de distribution proprement dit allumant un voyant signalant l'emplacement (3) pour la mise en place de la consigne, après re­lèvement éventuel du dispositif de rétention (23) dudit emplace­ment qui a été déverrouillé, et le reverrouillage dudit disposi­tif de rétention par abaissement après mise en place de la bou­teille consignée déverrouillant un premier verrou du moyen de ré­tention (23) de l'emplacement (4) de prélèvement dont un deuxiè­me verrou a été déverrouillé par l'organe de détection de la pré­sence d'un conteneur vide.9. A self-service distribution device according to claim 1,
characterized in that it comprises a prepayment device of the coin-operated or credit card type disposed next to the dispensing device proper, lighting up an indicator lamp indicating the location (3) for setting the deposit, after collection optional retention device (23) of said location which has been unlocked, and relocking of said retention device by lowering after placing the returnable bottle unlocking a first lock of the retention means (23) of the location (4) sampling, a second lock of which has been unlocked by the member for detecting the presence of an empty container.
EP87402443A 1986-10-29 1987-10-29 Self-service dispensing apparatus providing refunds of containers requiring a deposit, particularly liquefied petroleum gas canisters Expired - Lifetime EP0269492B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT87402443T ATE71751T1 (en) 1986-10-29 1987-10-29 SELF-SERVICE DEVICE WITH RETURN OF RETURN PACKAGES, ESPECIALLY FOR BOTTLES WITH LIQUID GAS.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8615043 1986-10-29
FR8615043A FR2605868B1 (en) 1986-10-29 1986-10-29 SELF-SERVICE DISTRIBUTION DEVICE WITH RETURN OF RETURN PACKAGING, PARTICULARLY FOR LIQUEFIED OIL GAS BOTTLES

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0269492A1 true EP0269492A1 (en) 1988-06-01
EP0269492B1 EP0269492B1 (en) 1992-01-15

Family

ID=9340316

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87402443A Expired - Lifetime EP0269492B1 (en) 1986-10-29 1987-10-29 Self-service dispensing apparatus providing refunds of containers requiring a deposit, particularly liquefied petroleum gas canisters

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0269492B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE71751T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3776096D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2605868B1 (en)
TN (1) TNSN87118A1 (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2641887A1 (en) * 1989-01-19 1990-07-20 Padet Philippe Automatic dispenser of bottles of liquefied gas with a circular cross-section
FR2657707A1 (en) * 1990-01-26 1991-08-02 Bouvier Daniel Dispensers of returnable containers
EP0848359A1 (en) * 1996-12-14 1998-06-17 Christian Hasenkopf Vending system for gas bottles
WO1998027380A1 (en) * 1996-12-16 1998-06-25 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Installation for exchanging articles, in particular gas cylinders
FR2769735A1 (en) * 1997-10-15 1999-04-16 Air Liquide Installation for exchange of containers, especially gas bottles
ES2242479A1 (en) * 2003-01-27 2005-11-01 Compañia Española De Petroleos, S.A. Cepsa System for controlling exchange of empty and full bas containers in self-service installation
ES2255339A1 (en) * 2003-01-03 2006-06-16 Grupo Tatoma, S.L. Supermarket system for selling products in returnable containers blocks empty container with blocking tape, and unblocks container to be provided with product
WO2019238147A1 (en) * 2018-06-14 2019-12-19 HUNSGAS s.r.o. A device for storing and self-service exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1431026A (en) * 1965-01-27 1966-03-11 Method of dispensing one by one of the objects in a series, the objects being identical and consisting for example of cans, and dispenser produced according to this process
FR2117113A5 (en) * 1970-11-19 1972-07-21 Acide Carbonique Pur
FR2423190A1 (en) * 1978-04-18 1979-11-16 Elf Antargaz Distributor for gas bottles - has automatically controlled rotary cage with compartments to house full and empty bottles
FR2540080A1 (en) * 1983-01-27 1984-08-03 Utilisation Ration Gaz Apparatus for dispensing bottles, particularly bottles of gas

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1431026A (en) * 1965-01-27 1966-03-11 Method of dispensing one by one of the objects in a series, the objects being identical and consisting for example of cans, and dispenser produced according to this process
FR2117113A5 (en) * 1970-11-19 1972-07-21 Acide Carbonique Pur
FR2423190A1 (en) * 1978-04-18 1979-11-16 Elf Antargaz Distributor for gas bottles - has automatically controlled rotary cage with compartments to house full and empty bottles
FR2540080A1 (en) * 1983-01-27 1984-08-03 Utilisation Ration Gaz Apparatus for dispensing bottles, particularly bottles of gas

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2641887A1 (en) * 1989-01-19 1990-07-20 Padet Philippe Automatic dispenser of bottles of liquefied gas with a circular cross-section
FR2657707A1 (en) * 1990-01-26 1991-08-02 Bouvier Daniel Dispensers of returnable containers
EP0848359A1 (en) * 1996-12-14 1998-06-17 Christian Hasenkopf Vending system for gas bottles
WO1998027380A1 (en) * 1996-12-16 1998-06-25 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Installation for exchanging articles, in particular gas cylinders
US6192296B1 (en) 1996-12-16 2001-02-20 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Installation for exchanging articles, in particular gas cylinders
AU736541B2 (en) * 1996-12-16 2001-08-02 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Installation for the exchange of items, such as gas cylinders
FR2769735A1 (en) * 1997-10-15 1999-04-16 Air Liquide Installation for exchange of containers, especially gas bottles
ES2255339A1 (en) * 2003-01-03 2006-06-16 Grupo Tatoma, S.L. Supermarket system for selling products in returnable containers blocks empty container with blocking tape, and unblocks container to be provided with product
ES2242479A1 (en) * 2003-01-27 2005-11-01 Compañia Española De Petroleos, S.A. Cepsa System for controlling exchange of empty and full bas containers in self-service installation
WO2019238147A1 (en) * 2018-06-14 2019-12-19 HUNSGAS s.r.o. A device for storing and self-service exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles
EE01546U1 (en) * 2018-06-14 2021-10-15 HUNSGAS s.r.o. A device for storing and self-service exchange of empty propane-butane bottles for full propane-butane bottles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3776096D1 (en) 1992-02-27
ATE71751T1 (en) 1992-02-15
TNSN87118A1 (en) 1990-01-01
FR2605868B1 (en) 1989-10-20
EP0269492B1 (en) 1992-01-15
FR2605868A1 (en) 1988-05-06

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