EP0368699A2 - Automatic dispenser of food products, such as bread and French loaves, and method for controlling and distributing these products - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatic dispenser according to the invention comprises: - a unit (2) for storing the products (3), - means (5) for making these products (3) available, which means comprise in particular a distribution trap (52) which may be associated with a slot payment device (53), - an intermediate structure (4), disposed between a storage unit (2), which is static within the dispenser, and the means (5) for making the products (3) available, which structure (4) comprises means for gripping and taking off the products within said storage unit (2) and means for routing said products (3) taken off, towards said means (5) for making the products available. The means for gripping and taking off the products consist of hooks (16) forming a basket (15), which are articulated on motor-driven endless chains (11) constituting the means for routing said products. These hooks (16) are intended, by virtue of a counterweight system, to engage into the storage unit (2) and, after taking off the lowest product (3), to disengage therefrom. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to automatic dispensers for elongated food products, of the bread or baguette type. It also relates to a process for the management and distribution of these products.

There are known different types of automatic dispensers intended for individually delivering the products placed in a storage store.

Such dispensers are for example described in document FR-A-2 614 714; these distributors are intended for the storage and distribution of food products such as breads or baguettes. They are in the form of a parallelepiped cabinet, which includes a storage magazine and, in its front part, a product distribution hatch, associated with a coin-operated system.

The dispenser described in this document consists of a system in which the products are arranged in horizontal cells fixed along continuous chains, stretched around two axes arranged horizontally and in the same vertical plane. The cells are transported in the store by means of a stepping motor associated with the continuous chains, so as to bring them individually, sequentially, in front of the distribution hatch.

This type of distributor, which includes a mobile storage store, however has a limited capacity.

This capacity can be increased only by providing more mechanical elements or by significantly increasing the dimensions of the device. The capacity of the distributor then determines the size of the facade.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing an automatic distributor of food products of a totally different design which makes it possible to simplify and improve the storage and the operating principle. It allows a very large storage capacity.

According to the invention, the automatic distributor of food products of the bread or baguette type comprises:
- a storage unit for said products,
- means of making these products available to consumers and which in particular include a distribution hatch possibly associated with a coin-operated device; it also comprises an intermediate structure, arranged between a storage unit, static in the dispenser, and the means for making products available, which structure comprises means for gripping and taking up products in said storage unit and means for routing of said sampled products to said means of provision.

The means for removing the products from the storage unit consist of at least one automatic gripping device which cooperates with specific means for presenting said products, arranged at the level of the storage unit.

Still according to the invention, the storage magazine consists of superimposed trays inclined downwards in the direction of the intermediate structure. These trays each receive a row of products arranged one behind the other, horizontally; these products are held, in the lower part of the plates, by a stop conformed to the end of said plates.

Still according to the invention, the means for conveying the products consist of a conveyor structure located in front of the trays of the storage unit. This conveyor structure consists of two spaced endless chains, guided between wheels centered on the same vertical plane, which chains comprise support and articulation means for at least one gripping device and automatic removal of the stored products. These chains are driven by a motor associated with the coin-operated system and with a product presence detection system, which detection system is arranged upstream of the supply means.

Still according to the invention, the device for gripping and removing products from the storage unit consists of hooks forming a basket, which basket is articulated, on the conveyor structure, around an axis parallel to the elongated product, to engage in the storage unit, at the end of the trays and, after removal of the lowest product, to get out of it.

Still according to the invention and in order to allow the products to be gripped in the storage store, the product support trays comprise, at their lower end, at least one opening for presenting the product to the sampling basket.

According to a particular arrangement, the basket formed of hooks includes counterweights which hold it, when empty, in an engagement position in the storage unit, which counterweights are such that once loaded by the product, the basket tilts so as to disengage from the storage unit.

According to another arrangement of the invention, the basket includes a stop disposed between the hook and the articulation, hook side, which stop is intended to temporarily hold the product during the tilting of the basket in the upper part of the conveyor structure, upstream of the supply means, in a waiting position.

In order to make the product available, an inclined ramp is intended to take up the product positioned in the basket, when the conveyor structure is restarted; this ramp is located between the distribution hatch and the upper part of the conveyor structure.

According to a particular embodiment, an electric oven can be arranged between the recovery ramp and the distribution hatch: this oven is advantageously provided with a lower hatch intended to send the product to the distribution hatch, which lower hatch comprises heating means. Thanks to this electric oven, it is possible to provide users with a hot product at any time of the day.

Still according to the invention, the storage unit consists of a mobile structure provided with wheels, associated with guide means in the form of rails provided in the lower part of the dispenser. This storage unit can be associated with additional stores intended for its filling after exhaustion of the stock.

The invention also relates to a method for managing and distributing elongated food products of the bread or baguette type.

This process consists in structuring batches of products, then offered to consumers individually, from the structured batch, by an automatic distribution system. The consumer offer consists, after switching on the coin system:
- to trigger the heating of the electric oven,
- bringing the product from a standby position to the oven, while positioning another product in the standby position,
- to open the lower oven door to bring the product in front of the distribution door and ensure its delivery.

Still according to the invention, the structuring of the batch consists of placing the products horizontally, one after the other on inclined trays to form rows of products intended to be emptied downwards to supply the distribution system.

Still according to the invention, the automatic feeding of a product from the structured batch consists in automatically withdrawing the first product to come from the batch, that is to say the product positioned at the very bottom, at the lower end. from the first row, and to transport it to the waiting position.

Still according to the invention, the delivery of the batches to the distributor consists in transporting them and possibly storing them at the place of distribution, then integrating them into the automatic machine after recovering the previous empty structure.

• - la figure 1 est une vue en coupe, de côté, montrant le distributeur selon l'invention,
• - la figure 2 est une vue en coupe, de côté, montrant le détail du panier de prélèvement des produits,
• - la figure 3 montre, de façon schématique et en perspective, les moyens de prélèvement des produits stockés.

However, the invention will be further illustrated, without being in any way limited by the following description of a mode of particular embodiment, given by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 is a sectional side view showing the dispenser according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional side view showing the detail of the product sampling basket,
• - Figure 3 shows, schematically and in perspective, the means of sampling stored products.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic dispenser consists of a rectangular cabinet 1 comprising a storage unit 2 for the products 3, a structure 4 intended for the removal and conveying of the products to the means 5 of provision comprising a product recovery ramp 51, a distribution hatch 52 and a coin mechanism 53.

The storage unit 2 consists of a chassis 6 made of steel or aluminum for example and provided, at its lower part, with four wheels 7. This chassis 6 has a substantially parallelepiped shape; it has dimensions allowing its integration into the dispenser 1.

This chassis 6 is equipped with a set of superimposed plates 8, inclined from top to bottom in the direction of the front part of the dispenser. These plates 8 have a width adapted to that of the products 3, which are arranged there horizontally, one after the other, so as to form superimposed rows of products 3. The latter are held, in the lower part, by a stop 9 conformed to the lower end of the plates 8. This stop 9 consists, as can be seen in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, in a double angle return produced by folding the end of the plates 8.

The plates 8 are secured to the chassis 6 of the storage unit 2; they are arranged one above the other and spaced a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the products 3, for example 9.5 or 10 cm.

In order to allow precise positioning of the trolley-shaped storage unit 2 in the dispenser 1, the latter is provided at the bottom with two rails 10 intended to guide the wheels 7 mounted on the chassis 6.

Between the storage unit 2 and the means 5 for providing the products 3, is arranged the intermediate conveyor structure 4 provided with a set of devices 15 for automatic removal of the stored products.

The conveyor structure 4 located in front of the plates 8 of the static storage unit 2 consists of two endless chains 11 guided between wheels 12 centered on the same vertical plane. The upper wheel 12 is mounted idly, that disposed in the lower part is secured to the drive means 13 by means of a belt 13 a . The motor 13 is dependent on the coin-operated device 53 and on a detection system 14 intended to detect the presence of a product at the upper level of the conveyor structure 4 and the role of which will be explained below.

The endless chains 11 include support and articulation means for four devices 15 carrying out the removal and conveying of the products 3. The support means and these removal devices 15 are shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Each pickup device 15 comprises two hooks 16 providing a sort of basket for the products 3. These two hooks are extended by straight portions 16a connected by two transverse rods 17 and 18 stiffening the assembly, as well as by a pin upper 19 carrying out the articulation of the basket 15 on the conveyor structure 4 and in particular the chains 11. The axis 19, which connects the two spaced chains 11 is parallel to the elongated products 3 stored; it fits into the threaded ends 20 of the straight portions 16a and its position is adjustable on the latter by means of clamping nuts 21. The ends of this shaft 19 are secured to the conveyor chains 11 by means of extensions 22 forming flanges. The transverse axis 19 is secured to these flanges 22 by means of rings and clips ensuring the articulation of the sampling device 15 on the chain 11.

The basket 15 comprises one or more counterweights 24 arranged on one side of the tilting axis 19, opposite the hooks 16.

In the embodiment shown, the hinge pin 19 receives a threaded rod 23 provided with a counterweight 24. The position of the counterweight 24 on the threaded rod 23, on the side opposite to the hooks 16, is adjustable by means of a set of nuts 25.

The four sampling devices 15 distributed regularly on the conveyor chain 4 are each provided with stop 26 disposed between the hooked end 16 and the hinge pin 19. These stops 26 extend on the same side as the hook 16; they are intended, as will be seen below, to temporarily retain the product 3, during the tilting of the basket in the upper part of the conveyor structure 4.

The storage unit 2 being placed near the conveyor structure 4, the counterweight 24 of the baskets is adjusted so as to keep the latter, empty, in an engagement position in the storage unit 2. We can see this position, empty, Figure 1 at the bottom, as well as Figure 2 and Figure 3, just before the removal of a product 3. In order to allow the gripping of the products in the storage unit 2, the trays 8, product supports, comprise, at their lower end, two openings 81 corresponding to the position of the hooks 16 and allowing the presentation of the end product 3, to the sampling basket 15. Once loaded with the product located at the lower from the storage unit 2, the basket 15 rocks by the weight of this product and disengages from the storage unit. The basket is then in a vertical position, visible in the rising phase, in the middle of the conveyor structure 4, FIG. 1, as well as in thin dashed lines, FIG. 2.

The storage unit 2, in the form of a trolley, is filled outside the dispenser. Products 3, by example of the rods, are arranged in rows on the plates 8; they are arranged horizontally and perpendicular to the slope of the plates. Once completely filled, the storage unit is integrated into the distributor by guiding by means of the lower rails 10. Stops not shown ensure its precise positioning, in particular with respect to the conveyor structure 4.

In operation, the baskets 15 for collecting the products engage at the bottom in the storage unit 2, by their tilting when empty. They pick up the product located at the very bottom of the storage unit by passing the hooks 16 through the orifices 81 of the trays 8. The weight of the product 3 causes the basket 15 to tilt about its articulation axis 19 and the latter is positioned vertically to go up in front of the storage unit 2, by means of the conveyor chain 4 and in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 1 and 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the end of the hook 16 has a rounded shape so as not to damage the following product, when penetrating into the orifices 81.

The products 3 of the lower row of the storage unit slide progressively with the removal, by gravity, up to the end stop 9 of the trays. When the lower row of products is completely withdrawn, the withdrawal devices 15 pass through the first plate through the orifices 81 and begin the withdrawal of the products placed on the second plate and so on.

The conveyor structure 4 acts as an elevator for the products 3 stored in the unit 2. When they reach the upper part of this structure 4, the pick-up devices 15 rotate around the upper wheel 12 and overturn to release the product 3 taken off which is supported by the ramps 51 guiding the product towards a heater 54 and the distribution hatch 52. The baskets 15 descend along the conveyor structure 4 in the inverted position, hook at the top; this position is maintained by means of the transverse rod 18 which extends on either side of the hooks 16 and bears, in this part of the conveyor, on the drive chains 11. The upper end of the reheating means 54 is equipped with a lug 27 intended to reposition the basket 15 properly in the event of imbalance. This lug 27 thus makes it possible to avoid any problems of attachment of the heater 54 by the hooks 15, during their descent. Arrived at the bottom, these baskets 15 secured to the chains 11, rotate around the lower wheel 12 and resume their inclined position thanks to the counterweight 24, to engage again in the storage unit 2.

The motor 13 which carries out the drive of the conveyor structure 4 and in particular of the chains 11 is controlled by the coin mechanism 53 as well as by a presence detector 14, making its operation sequential.

The introduction of a defined sum of money into the coin mechanism controls the starting up of the motor means 13. The latter operate until the detection system 14 identifies the presence of a sampling device 15 charged with a product 3, in the upper part of the conveyor system. When the product 3 is detected, the motor means stop. The product 3 is then in the standby position, shown in phantom in Figure 1. In this standby position the basket 15 has simply begun to tilt and the elongated product has come to be positioned on the stops 26 for temporary support.

When the drive means 13 have started, the preceding product 3, placed in the standby position, has been driven by its basket 15 and taken up by the ramp system 51 to come to position itself in the heater or electric oven 54, including the reheating was triggered when the coin system was engaged.

The few seconds elapsing between the start of this heating and the arrival of the product in the oven allows pre-heating of the latter, useful for obtaining a distributed product of good quality.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the electric oven 54, disposed between the ramp 51 and the distribution hatch 52 comprises a set of electrical resistors 55 arranged laterally relative to the product 3 and under the latter. The lower hatch 56 intended for the passage of the product in the direction of the distribution hatch 52, after heating, is in fact provided with heating means intended to improve the quality of the product distributed.

Once the product 3 has been heated (a few tens of seconds), the distributor control means open the hatch 56 and make the product 3 available at the distribution hatch 52. The distribution cycle is finished and the device is ready for a new use.

As shown in FIG. 1, the distribution hatch 52 can consist of a simple receptacle 57 which receives the products coming from the oven 54 by simple gravity, which receptacle is accessible by means of a pivoting pallet 58.

It is also possible to provide for the presence of a discharge chute guiding the products longitudinally on the side of the oven 54 for example to allow their presentation and their vertical distribution. The front face of the dispenser is then perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stored products.

All of the functions and the sequence of operations described above are controlled by electronic means controlling the starting of the motor means 13 as well as hatches 52 and 56, according to the information delivered by the coin-operated device 53 and the system. detection 14.

Given the original system for storing, gripping and delivering the products, the dispenser according to the invention allows the storage and distribution of a large quantity of products, up to approximately 150. From the distributor previously described and from its operating system, it is possible to provide an original process for the management and distribution of food products such as breads or baguettes.

This process consists of:
- to structure batches of products by placing the products 3 horizontally, one after the other on the inclined trays 8, to form rows of products intended to be emptied from below to supply the distribution system,
- to deliver the batches to the distributor by transporting them and possibly by storing them on the distribution site to then integrate them into the automatic machine after recovering the previous empty structure,
- to offer consumers single products, from the structured batch, by an automatic distribution system.

This offer to consumers consists, after switching on the coin system:
- to trigger the heating of the electric oven,
- bringing the product from the standby position to the oven, while positioning another product in this standby position,
- to open the lower oven door to bring the product in front of the distribution door and ensure its delivery.

The product is brought automatically, from the structured batch, to the standby position, by taking the first product to come from the batch, i.e. the product positioned at the very bottom, at the lower end of the first row.

It is possible to provide additional storage units 2 intended for filling the integrated storage unit. These additional units can be stored at the distribution location and used as the dispenser is emptied.

The reference signs inserted after the technical characteristics mentioned in the claims have the sole purpose of facilitating the understanding of the latter and in no way limit their scope.

Claims (18)

1.- Automatic distributor of food products such as breads or baguettes including:
- a storage unit (2) of said products (3),
- Means (5) for providing said products (3), which means notably comprise a distribution hatch (52) possibly associated with a coin-operated device (53), characterized in that it comprises an intermediate structure (4) disposed between a storage unit (2), static in the dispenser, and the means (5) for providing the products (3), which structure (4) comprises means for gripping and removing the products from said storage unit (2) and means for conveying said sampled products (3) to said means (5) for making them available. 2.- automatic food dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for removing the products (3) from the storage unit (2) consist of at least one device (15) for automatic gripping which cooperates with specific means of presentation (81) of said products (3), arranged at the level of the storage unit (2). 3.- Automatic dispenser according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the storage unit (2) consists of trays (8) superimposed, inclined towards the intermediate structure (4), each receiving a row of products (3) arranged one behind the other, horizontally, which products (3) are held by a stop (9) conforming to the lower part of said plates (8). 4. Automatic dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for conveying the products (3) consist of a conveyor structure located in front of the plates (8) of the storage unit (2), which structure conveying consists of two endless chains (11) spaced apart, guided between wheels (12) centered on the same vertical plane, which chains (11) include support means (22) and articulation for at least one gripping device and automatic removal of stored products; these chains (11) are driven by motor means (13) associated with the coin system (53) and with a detection system (14) for the presence of products (3), which detection system is placed upstream of the means (5 ) of provision. 5. Automatic dispenser according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the trays (8) product support (3) in the storage unit (2) have, at their lower end, at least one opening (81) for presenting the product to the sampling device. 6. Automatic dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the device for gripping and removing products (3) from the storage unit (2) consists of hooks (16) forming a basket (15), which basket (15) is articulated, on the conveyor structure (4), about an axis (19) parallel to the elongated product (3), to engage in the storage unit (2) , and, after removal of the lowest product (3), to disengage from it. 7. Automatic dispenser according to claim 6, characterized in that the basket (15) comprises at least one counterweight (24) which keeps it, when empty, in an engagement position in the storage unit (2 ), which counterweight (24) is such that once loaded, the basket (15) tilts so as to disengage from the storage unit (2). 8. A vending machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the basket (15) has a stop (26) disposed between the hook (16) and the articulation (19), hook side, which stop (26) is intended temporarily retaining the product during the tilting of the basket (15) in the upper part of the conveyor structure (4), upstream of the means (5) of provision, in the waiting position. 9. Automatic dispenser according to claim 8, characterized in that the means (5) of made available consist of a ramp (51) for taking up the product (3) positioned in the basket (15), when the conveyor structure (4) is restarted, which ramp (51) is located between the hatch distribution (52) and the upper part of said conveyor structure (4). 10.- Automatic dispenser according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises an electric oven (54) disposed between the ramp (51) and the distribution hatch (52). 11. Automatic dispenser according to claim 10, characterized in that the oven (54) comprises a lower hatch (56) provided with heating means (55). 12. Automatic dispenser according to any one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the head of the hooks (16) constituting the baskets (15) has a rounded shape. 13. Automatic dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the storage unit (2) consists of a mobile structure provided with wheels (7), which mobile structure is associated with guide means in the form of rails (10) provided in the lower part of the distributor (1). 14.- Automatic dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises storage units (2) complementary, intended for filling the storage unit (2) integrated. 15.- A method of managing and distributing food products of the bread, or baguette type, by means of an automatic distributor, according to claim 1 and comprising an electric oven (54) positioned upstream of the distribution hatch (52) ; which process consists of:
- to structure batches of products,
- to offer consumers products individually, from the structured batch, by the automatic distribution system, characterized in that the offer to consumers consists, after switching on the system coin operated (53):
- to trigger the heating of the electric oven (54),
- bringing the product (3) from a standby position to the oven (54), while positioning another product (3) in the standby position,
- Open the lower door (56) of the oven (54) to bring the product (3) in front of the distribution door (52) and ensure its delivery. 16.- Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the structuring of the batch consists of placing the products horizontally, one after the other on inclined trays, to form rows of products intended to be emptied downwards for supply the distribution system. 17.- Method according to any one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that the automatic supply of a product (3) from the structured batch, consists in automatically withdrawing the first product to come from the batch, it that is to say the product (3) positioned at the bottom, at the lower end of the first row, and to convey it to the standby position. 18.- Method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the delivery of the batches to the distributor consists of transporting them and optionally storing them at the place of distribution in order to then integrate them into the automatic machine after having recovered the previous empty structure.

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