EP1055208A1 - Dispensing device for flat articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispensing device for individually dispensing one substantially flat article at a time, such as a newspaper, a magazine or the like, comprises: a housing with a dispensing opening; a support arranged in this housing for carrying a stack of articles and at least one drive roller which is present on the end zone of the support directed toward the dispensing opening and is drivable by a user by means of drive means which can be energized via operating means, which roller has at least a jacket having a high coefficient of friction in common with the relevant outer surface of each article, for instance of a soft rubber or rubbery material; wherein between the article for sliding off the stack for dispensing from this stack and the adjacent article there exists a certain minimal static friction to be overcome by the drive roller for dispensing, which friction is overcome for dispensing by driving the drive roller at sufficiently high initial speed.

Description

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR FLAT ARTICLES

Dispensing devices for newspapers are known. Such a known device comprises a container closed by a cover. By inserting one or more coins into a slot intended for this purpose the cover is unlocked and a newspaper can be taken out. The drawback of such devices is that it is impossible to prevent a user having unrestricted access to the contents of the container and therefore being able to remove more than one newspaper.

It is an object of the invention to embody a dispensing device such that it precludes the possibility of dispensing a plurality of newspapers simultaneously.

A further object of the invention is to embody a dispensing device such that it can operate automatically and reliably. In respect of the above stated objectives the invention provides a dispensing device for individually dispensing one substantially flat article at a time, such as a newspaper, a magazine or the like, which device comprises : a housing with a dispensing opening; a support received in this housing for carrying a stack of articles and at least one drive roller which is present on the end zone of the support directed toward the dispensing opening and is drivable by a user by means of drive means which can be energized via operating means, which roller has at least a jacket having a high coefficient of friction in common with the relevant outer surface of each article, for instance of a soft rubber or rubbery material; wherein between the article for sliding off the stack for dispensing from this stack and the adjacent article there exists a certain minimal static friction to be overcome by the drive roller for dispensing, which friction is overcome for dispensing by driving the drive roller at sufficiently high initial speed.

It should be understood that overcoming the static friction, also referred to as Coulomb friction, is essential to ensure that the device can always dispense only one article. If it were possible to dispense a plurality of articles simultaneously, this would constitute an economic disadvantage for the operator of the device, while co-dispensing of a subsequent article can moreover be a cause of breakdown.

It should be further appreciated that at the moment the last article of the stack is dispensed, it is no longer the case that said static friction is overcome. In this case the coefficient of friction between the outer surface of the drive roller and the article for dispensing is adequate to ensure reliable dispensing of the last article.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the invention provides a dispensing device of the stated type, in which the articles, newspapers, magazines or the like consist of stacks of sheets which are mutually coupled on one side, for instance a fold-zone or spine, wherein the drive roller exerts a tensile force relative to this side on the driven extreme sheet during driving. This aspect also has the object of ensuring very great reliability of dispensing.

A specific embodiment has the special feature that the drive roller engages on the lowest article of the stack; wherein the support inclines upward in the direction of the dispensing opening at an angle of inclination of 45°±25°; and wherein said friction is caused at least partially by the gravitational force of the articles pressing on the lowest article.

It is pointed out that the dispensing device according to the invention is not limited to newspapers, but is also suitable for magazines, stacks of envelopes or other substantially flat articles.

It is assumed at this moment that for most articles for dispensing the angle of inclination preferably lies in the range of 45°+15°, and more preferably in the range of 45°±10°.

Since it has been established that the angle of inclination at which the device has an optimal operation is also dependent on the nature of the articles, such as their weight, the coefficient of friction they have in common with an adjacent article and with the support, a variant can advantageously be applied in which the angle of inclination is adjustable.

In order to prevent unauthorized removal of articles the device has the special feature in a specific embodiment that a plate connects to the dispensing opening which is modelled and placed such that the articles carried by the support cannot be reached with a hand from outside. A variant has stop means for blocking the dispensing of articles other than the lowest of a stack.

It is noted that such stop means are not considered essential. They can however increase the reliability of dispensing of only one article at a time in simple manner, particularly in the case where for instance articles are placed of a type differing from the articles for which the angle of inclination adjusted at that moment is the best .

A simple embodiment has the special feature that the support comprises a substantially flat plate, at least the upper surface of which consists of a material having a low coefficient of friction in common with the material of at least the bottom surface of the articles for dispensing. This embodiment can be designed such that the material comprises a plastic, for instance polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polypropylene (PP) . 4

According to a particular aspect of the invention the device has the special feature that the support comprises a roller conveyor with a number of free-turning rollers. It has been found that the reliability of transport can be improved with an embodiment comprising at least two drivable rollers.

In accordance with a determined aspect of the invention the above specified pressing means can be embodied such that the pressing means comprise mass means. Use can alternatively be made of spring means. In another embodiment the device has the special feature that at least one free-turning roller is arranged on the underside of the pressing means. In yet another embodiment the device has the special feature that at least one slide plate, for instance of stainless steel, is arranged on the underside of the pressing means.

This latter variant preferably has the feature that at least the upper surface of the slide plate consists of a material which has a low coefficient of friction in common with the material of at least the bottom surface of the articles for dispensing.

This variant can hereby be characterized in that the material comprises a plastic, for instance polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polypropylene (PP) .

A very practical method of loading is realized with a dispensing device comprising means for accommodating a cassette filled in advance with articles for dispensing. This latter embodiment can herein be characterized in that the cassette comprises a substantially flat bottom plate, at least the upper surface of which consists of a material which has a low coefficient of friction in common with the material of at least the bottom surface of the articles for dispensing.

Another embodiment has the special feature that the cassette comprises a bottom into which openings are recessed for passage of the free-turning rollers. 5

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the device can be embodied such that the drive roller engages the top article of the stack and is guided for vertical free movement by a vertical guide, wherein said friction is caused at least partially by the weight force of the drive roller with attachments.

In order to be able to compensate misalignment relative to the nominal horizontal position of the axis of the drive roller, the drive roller can be guided by the vertical guide such that its axis can vary substantially relative to its nominal horizontal position.

Close to the rear edge of the uppermost article a particular embodiment has pressing means which engage thereon for pressing the uppermost article onto the adjacent article, which pressing means engage on said adjacent article after passage of the rear edge of the uppermost article. The desired friction is hereby influenced so that it lies within the desired range of values, while during dispensing of the uppermost article the article lying thereunder is effectively prevented from shifting more than a small permissible distance therewith.

Use can be made of spring means. An embodiment is however recommended in which the pressing means comprise mass means. By way of example, in the case of for instance a weight force of the drive roller of 2 kg use can be made of mass means with an effective mass of for instance 0.5 kg. It will be apparent from the foregoing that in the present case use is preferably not made of a free-turning roller for the pressing means but of a fixed active pressing surface along which the uppermost article can pass in sliding manner. Good results are obtained with an embodiment in which the active bottom surface of the pressing means has a coefficient of friction in common with the upper 6 surface of the articles which lies within a chosen range of values.

This latter variant can advantageously be embodied such that said bottom surface forms part of a plate consisting of a material which is the same as or related to a material of at least the upper surface of the articles, in the case of newsprint for instance a fibrous material such as pressed paper or cardboard, chipboard or MDF. In the case of large stacks of newspapers or magazines, which are all placed on top of each other with their spine to the rear, it is not usually possible to prevent the upper surface of the stack inclining downward in forward direction. To prevent unintended toppling of the stack or uncontrolled dispensing of articles and to ensure the required reliability of dispensing, according to another aspect of the invention a stack can in this case be divided into part-stacks. A device suitable for this purpose can make use of only one drive and comprise a number of supports placed one above another for carrying respective stacks of articles, wherein at least one support, with the exception of the bottom support, has a structure such that a drive roller can pass therethrough such that the drive roller, after wholly dispensing all articles of a stack carried by an upper support, can then dispense the articles from a stack carried on a support located thereunder.

In order to enable the best possible utilization of the available vertical space in a housing the device can be embodied such that the or at least the bottom support is supported by spring means such that, as the stack becomes smaller due to dispensing of the articles, the uppermost article is always pushed off the stack above the level of a dispensing location, for instance the position where a buyer can remove an article. It should be understood that a newspaper or magazine drops downward or is guided along the front side of the stack and is received in for instance more or less vertical position by a receiving bin. Said level corresponds with the infeed height of this receiving bin.

The described embodiment wherein the drive roller engages on the topmost article of a stack can be embodied such that the vertical guide of a roller consists of two parts, one at each side of the shaft of the roller. The one guide can for instance supply the necessary voltage for the drive, while the other can for instance carry data signals. This therefore represents as it were a bus system with slide contacts. Flexible lines can also be used. The bus system can also be formed by optical connections, for instance on the basis of infrared, radiographic connections or other suitable connections. In the case of a plurality of drives placed one above another a drive unit must then be provided with switches or other provisions with which the combination of article and price can be entered. Connection to a central control unit provides recognition of the relevant drive unit. The drive motor of a drive can drive the drive roller or a number of drive rollers collectively by means of a clutch bearing or unidirectional bearing which can be embodied for instance as a so-called strangling spring. When the drive shaft is driven, extraction of the newspaper from the machine will release the strangling spring and not set the rotor of the electric motor into rotation. Removal of the article by the buyer can hereby take place more easily.

In a specific embodiment with two drive rollers a subsequent article is not co-displaced because in this situation the two drive shafts are no longer coupled owing to the action of the clutch bearing.

The device according to the invention can further be provided with a movement sensor which detects whether an article is actually displaced by the drive. When the drive roller is driven by the electric motor, the relevant extreme article, either the lowermost of a stack or the uppermost of a stack, will slide forward. For instance a tacho-disc driven by a free-turning roller 8 will be set into rotation by the movement of the article in question. This rotation can be detected by an opto- coupler. The central control unit can be programmed such that the opto-coupler must give a determined number of pulses to discharge an article. If slip occurs between the drive roller and the article for discharging and movement, however slight, of the tacho-generator is registered, the motor excitation will continue to receive electricity until the determined number of revolutions of the tacho-generator is completed and the article has been discharged.

A preferred embodiment has the special feature that the operating means comprise a payment device. This device is adapted to dispense an article after receiving payment.

Yet another embodiment comprises supply means for supplying articles to the support which are controlled such that the stack present thereon does not exceed a determined height and/or a determined weight . According to another aspect of the invention the dispensing device comprises a presentation space in which at least a representative part of an article, for instance (a part of) the front page of a newspaper or magazine, can be arranged such that it is visible to a consumer via a window.

The invention further relates to an assembly of dispensing devices as according to the above stated specification and options, which assembly comprises selection means for setting only one chosen device into operation at any desired moment.

A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention comprises two brushes with bristles, each placed above the support such that during use of the device at least a number of bristles are in engagement with the side edges of at least the lowermost but one or the uppermost but one article of a stack adjacent to the extreme article of a stack for dispensing. The bristles exert a resistance force on said lowermost but one or 9 uppermost but one article such that the article for dispensing adjacent thereto, when driven for dispensing, exerts a force on the relevant adjacent article insufficient to co-displace this article. Unintentional dispensing of not only the extreme article but also the article adjacent thereto is thus effectively prevented. It has been found in extreme cases that without the brushes according to this aspect of the invention as many as three articles can be dispensed simultaneously in some conditions. Not only can this be economically disadvantageous to the operator of the device but can also result in the danger of breakdown of the device. As described, the orientation of for instance newspapers, magazines or the like can preferably be such that the fold-zones or spines of the articles are situated on the side of a stack furthest removed from the dispensing opening. Under all conditions a tensile force is hereby exerted on the driven extreme sheet of the relevant article during driving for dispensing. In combination with the last aspect of the invention this embodiment is preferably embodied such that said bristles are in engagement with at least the inner surface of the fold- zone or spine of said lowermost but one article. The spine of the relevant article remains at least slightly caught behind the bristles. The drive rollers exert a force on the article for dispensing sufficiently great to dispense the newspaper for dispensing which may be in engagement with the bristles, this counter to the resistance applied by the bristles. The adjacent articles, which are to be restrained by the provisions according to this aspect of the invention, are thus subjected to an insufficient force to be dispensed. This force is after all dependent on the mutual friction between the adjacent articles. A preferred embodiment has the special feature that said bristles extend at least with a directional component opposed to the dispensing direction. A very effective hooking or barb effect is hereby realized. 10

According to this aspect of the invention the device is preferably embodied such that the bristles are of the type or are disposed such that they are substantially free of creep and/or plastic deformation. Creep is the phenomenon of a deformation gradually increasing under stationary load and having a more or less plastic character. This phenomenon must be taken into account in the case of for instance plastic bristles. It therefore important to partly base the choice of material for the bristles on this consideration. Use can also be made of spring steel bristles which are anchored in a brush carrier by means of a spiralized or helically extending root or foot. An essentially plastically non-deformable element is thus combined with spring means. In order to enable the articles for dispensing to be presented to a buyer at a comfortable height and also to prevent large drop heights, the device according to the invention can comprise according to yet another aspect of the invention: at least one support arranged in the housing for carrying stacks of articles and for successively dispensing in each case the lowermost or topmost article of a stack of articles at different heights, optionally depending on the type of article; transport means for dispensing the chosen article on the free front side of the support at a height which is for instance specific to the choice which has been made, this under the control of control means controlled by a user by means of operating means, wherein the free front side of the support is situated at a certain free spacing from the front wall or front door in closed position; an access opening, via which the user can remove an article lying in the receiving bin; and lifting means for carrying the receiving bin to said specific height prior to dispensing of an article and for carrying the receiving bin to the height of the access opening after dispensing, which lifting means are movable up and downward in the space defined by said free spacing. 11

A very simple and reliable structure is that in which the receiving bin is vertically guided and driven on both sides.

Another aspect of the invention can entail driving taking place by means of two chains or toothed belts which are coupled to the receiving bin on the respective sides. In this embodiment a motor, optionally via a reducing transmission, can for instance drive a horizontal drive shaft, on both ends of which is situated a toothed wheel round which the respective chains or toothed belts are trained. A perfect synchronization of the drive on both sides and a perfect horizontal position of the receiving bin are hereby always ensured.

The vertical guiding can take place by making use of per se known guide means, for instance two rails and slide or roller elements co-acting therewith. A very inexpensive, maintenance-free and reliable guide can be based for instance on sliding.

A specific embodiment comprises a closable front door, on the inside of which the lifting means are arranged.

The invention will now be elucidated with reference to the annexed drawings. Herein: figure 1 shows a perspective view in non-operational situation of a dispensing device according to the invention, wherein for the sake of clarity the constituent parts are shown at some mutual distance; figure 2 shows a partly broken-away perspective view of an assembly of two dispensing devices; figure 3 shows a cross-section through the device according to figure 2; figure 4 is a perspective partial view of a means of public transport, such as a tram, in which a dispensing device according to the invention is installed; figure 5 shows an assembly of three devices according to the invention having three different types of article for sale; 12 figure 6 shows a partly cut-away perspective of a variant; figure 7 shows the embodiment of figure 6 as seen from the other side; figure 8 is a partly cut-away perspective view of another embodiment; figure 9 shows the embodiment according to figure 6 in another arrangement of the various components; figure 10 shows the embodiment according to figure 6 in yet another arrangement; figure 11 shows on enlarged scale a schematic view of the drive rollers with an "empty switch" and a movement sensor; figure 12 is a side-view of the device of figure 6; figure 13 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment ; figure 14 shows the device of figure 13 with a partly broken-away housing; figure 15 is a partly cut-away perspective of yet another embodiment; figure 16 is a partly broken-away perspective view of the device of figure 15 as seen at an angle from the rear; figure 17 shows a view corresponding with figure 16 of a variant; figure 18 is a perspective view of a drive with pressing block connected thereto; figure 19 shows an alternative cassette in perspective view; figure 20 is a top view of the device according to figure 21 to be shown hereinbelow for elucidation of the arresting brushes; figure 21 is a perspective view of a device with arresting brushes; and figures 22,23,24,25,26 show greatly simplified perspective views of a part of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention with lifting means and a receiving bin for dispensing respective articles. For the sake of clarity functionally corresponding elements are always designated as far as possible in all figures with the same reference numerals.

Each dispensing device 1 as according to figures 1-5 is adapted to dispense one individual newspaper or magazine 2 at a time. The device comprises a housing 3 in which is accommodated a support comprising three free- turning rollers 4. As figure 3 in particular clearly shows, said support has a position inclining upward at about 45° in the direction of a dispensing opening 5. Situated on the front side in the region of dispensing opening 5 are two rollers 7, 8 which are driven by an electric motor 6 and which, as shown in figures 1 and 2, each consist of sub-rollers 9. These sub-rollers 9 are covered with a soft rubber jacket. Connecting onto dispensing opening 5 is a guide plate 10 which together with a deflecting plate 11 ensures that a newspaper, magazine, envelope or the like dispensed via dispensing opening 5 is deflected for transport downward along plate 10 as according to arrow 12 for dispensing at the bottom end zone 13 thereof. A presentation panel 33 is hollow and can for instance display a copy of the relevant article 2 via window 34, which consists for instance of acryl or another transparent plastic.

Under the influence of its own weight a free-turning roller 14 presses the stack of limp articles 2 in the direction of drive rollers 7, 8. A positive driving contact is hereby ensured as far as possible. Roller 14 is supported by a pivotal swivel arm 15.

Figure 1 shows that articles 2 are carried by a holder or cassette 16, in the bottom of which are arranged recesses for passage of rollers 4 and 9. The recesses in question are designated respectively with the reference numerals 17 and 18.

Cassette 16 has a front wall 19 which connects via a slot-like dispensing opening 20 onto bottom 21. It is noted that this front wall 19 can act to restrain I J ω to to H M in o in o in o in

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15 effective tensile force is thus exerted on the bottom sheet of the article for dispensing, which force enhances reliable dispensing of the article without the danger of crumpling or folding. Figure 4 shows the device 1 according to the invention as it is accommodated in the available space of a means of public transport, such as a bus or tram 28. Device 1 has a front surface 29 which is directed toward the public and extends at an angle of inclination and which in this embodiment has a presentation window which is manufactured from polycarbonate, is wholly transparent and bounds a presentation space, in which for instance can be arranged a copy of a newspaper or magazine for sale, or the front page thereof. Figure 5 shows an assembly 30 of three devices 1 according to the invention. As in the embodiment according to figure 4, control of assembly 30 takes place by means of a control unit with a keyboard 31 and a payment device 32. This payment device 32 can be adapted to receive coins or for payment by means of a credit card. In this latter case the keyboard can serve for entering a PIN code as well as for selection by the buyer of an article for dispensing. Of the three devices present in assembly 30, only that device selected by the buyer is energized for dispensing a newspaper or magazine 2.

Figure 6 shows a device 41 which largely corresponds with the device 1 of figures 1, 2 and 3. Device 41 comprises a tacho-generator 42 which is connected to central control means (not shown) .

In the region of the driven rollers 7, 8 the stack of newspapers 2 is pressed down by a plate 43, which is provided on the front side with a weighting 44 and co- acts in hooking manner with a shaft 45 which is provided with spacing rollers 46, 47, which ensure that the ends of shaft 45, which are guided in slotted holes 48, 49, are always guided essentially without friction. Weighting 16

44 presses the stack of newspapers 2 against rollers 7, 8.

Figure 7 shows the manner in which rollers 7, 8 are driven. An electric motor 50 drives these rollers collectively by means of a drive chain 41.

Figure 8 shows an assembly 52 of two dispensing devices of the type according to figures 6 and 7.

Figure 9 shows another spatial arrangement of the constituent parts of device 41. Figure 10 shows, with reference to figure 1, the manner in which a cassette 53 can be supported by frame 54 with drive rollers 7, 8.

Figure 11 shows a detail of the device of figure 6. Tacho-generator 42 comprises a roller 53 to be driven by an article for dispensing, which roller is coupled to a disc 54 with equidistant radial slots 55. A light source with photocell or opto-coupler 56 generates counting pulses to a central control unit (not shown) .

A microswitch 57 is in depressed position when at least one article is present. After dispensing of the final article, contact arm 58 of microswitch 57 moves upward under the influence of a resetting spring, so that the central control unit receives an "empty signal". This is shown for instance on a display 78. Figure 12 shows that newspapers 2 lie with their spines 59 against a back plate 60 with which rollers 46, 47 also co-act. During dispensing as according to arrow 61, drive rollers 7, 8 therefore exert a tensile force on the bottom sheet of the newspaper for dispensing. Figure 13 shows a device 71 which is suitable for dispensing in this case three different newspapers, a copy of which can be displayed in windows 72, 73, 74. A flap 75 can be moved forward by a buyer for removal of a newspaper 76. Device 13 comprises a coin payment unit 77, a display 78, selection keys 79 and optionally credit card payment facilities 80. 17

Figure 14 shows the internal structure of device 71. Two vertical guides 81, 82 embodied as U-profiles guide blocks 83, 84 (see figure 18) to which a drive shaft 85 is rotatably mounted. Shaft 85 is driven by means of an electric motor 86 and a transmission 87 under the control of a central control unit subject to payment by the consumer and the choice of article for dispensing.

Supports in the form of fixed plates, the height of which can be chosen, are designated 88, 89, 90. A respective drive 91, 92, 93 is situated above each support . Prior to placing of a stack of newspapers 2 these drives can be fixed in an elevated position by means of means which are not shown.

When one of the drives 91, 92, 93 is energized, the uppermost newspaper 2 will be moved forward and drop downward to be received in receiving bin 94.

Figure 15 shows a device 95 with two supports 96, 97. In contrast to device 71, the device 95 is suitable for dispensing one type of article or newspaper 2. In order to prevent misalignment due to the thickness of spines 59, the total stack is divided into two part- stacks. For this purpose lower support 96 is unchanged relative to support 88 and upper support 97 is embodied such that it consists of two parts with a separation 98, the form of which corresponds with that of the combination of shaft 85 and rollers 99 as according to figure 18.

It will be apparent that at the moment the stack on support 97 is wholly dispensed the drive 83, 84, 85, 99 can pass through separation 98 and then engage on the top copy of the stack carried by support 96.

Figure 16 shows the internal structure of device 95 from the rear.

Figure 17 shows a device 100 which differs in one respect from device 95. Otherwise than support 88 of figure 16 the support 88' of figure 17 is not disposed fixedly (be it at a chosen position) but is supported by spring means which are designated schematically with lo spring 101. As figure 15 in particular clearly shows, device 95 contains a substantial unused space 102. This unusable space is caused by the requirement that the bottom newspaper, which is carried by support 96, must be dispensed at the level of the infeed 103 of receiving bin 94.

Spring 101 ensures that in loaded situation the spring is substantially compressed and the position of support 88' is therefore relatively low. As the last copies of the stack of newspapers 2 approach the spring 101 undergoes a smaller compression force and will thereby move the support 88' upward. A newspaper 2 is hereby always dispensed above the desired minimal dispensing level, while the empty space 102 is nevertheless fully utilized.

Figure 18, which has already been discussed briefly, has another special feature. Fixed to shaft 85 are two arms 102, 103 which carry a block 104. This block presses the top newspaper in the region of the spine thereof towards the newspaper lying thereunder. As soon as the top newspaper has undergone sufficient displacement during driving, block 104 comes into pressing contact with the newspaper lying thereunder. This structure enhances the reliability of dispensing. The active bottom surface of block 104 consists in this embodiment of MDF, a fibre material which has a certain affinity with newsprint. Very good results have been obtained herewith.

Figure 19 shows a cassette 110 which, at variance with the cassette 53 already shown and described above, is provided with brush means 111. Only one part Of these brush means is shown. It should however be understood that brush means are also arranged on the other side of the cassette symmetrically relative to the drawn brush means. The brush means comprise two brushes with bristles, each placed above the support surface for the articles for dispensing such that during use of the device at least a number of bristles is in contact with the side edges of at least the article which engages with J J to to H in o in o in o in

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PJ TJ < < a Φ 3 β tr D- Di φ a CD TJ 3 CQ 3 ra Di CD 3 tl TJ μ rt TJ ϊ

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PJ Φ Hi tr TJ tr < TJ rt P iQ IQ & tr φ μ rt φ φ β Ω TJ X 0 φ rt rt 0

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U) H" CO 3 tr Ω rt Φ o PJ ra μ rt rt Φ φ μ- φ -> rt 3 ra H • ra a rt Hi A-¹ P

0 rt Φ Φ μ- rt tr a φ rt 0 μ P a Di 3 a ω β Φ β h-> t φ Di tr o Φ Di

Hi PJ μ- o ra μ-

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Ω ra μ- μ- tr p- to μ- a TJ 3 tr φ φ tr rt 0 Ω rt Hi tr β W P iQ Φ -^y μ^j rt p- O - o Ω Di φ IQ φ μ- μ tr Φ Hi 0 β φ Φ . IQ P P μ- φ tr rt tr a a «. P⁾ μ Φ a ⁽Q β Φ • tr μ Φ iQ a • r ra Φ μ- tr μ- PJ ra tr tr D rt P μ rt ^< φ CO Φ Φ t* H 0 μ- < Ω μ- μ- rt tr tr Ω β tr o i o a iQ H Hi 3 to φ tr a a φ rt ra φ a o o in a IQ tr μ

119. In this situation the bin can be transported by the drive and guide means 120, 121 to a chosen dispensing location, for instance a dispensing opening with a flap or door. Figure 25 shows the situation of figure 22 from the other side. Shown clearly herein is that drive motor 125 can drive the drive rollers 125 via a drive chain or toothed drive belt 126.

Figure 26 shows the operational situation of figure 24 in a view corresponding with figure 25.

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Claims

21

1. Dispensing device for individually dispensing one substantially flat article at a time, such as a newspaper, a magazine or the like, which device comprises : a housing with a dispensing opening; a support arranged in this housing for carrying a stack of articles and at least one drive roller which is present on the end zone of the support directed toward the dispensing opening and is drivable by a user by means of drive means which can be energized via operating means, which roller has at least a jacket having a high coefficient of friction in common with the relevant outer surface of each article, for instance of a soft rubber or rubbery material; wherein between the article for sliding off the stack for dispensing from this stack and the adjacent article there exists a certain minimal static friction to be overcome by the drive roller for dispensing, which friction is overcome for dispensing by driving the drive roller at sufficiently high initial speed.

2. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the articles, newspapers, magazines or the like consist of stacks of sheets which are mutually coupled on one side, for instance a fold-zone or spine, wherein the drive roller exerts a tensile force relative to this side on the driven extreme sheet during driving.

3. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive roller engages on the lowest article of the stack; wherein the support inclines upward in the direction of the dispensing opening at an angle of inclination of 45°±25°; and wherein said friction is caused at least partially by the gravitational force of the articles pressing on the lowest article.

4. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 3,

5 comprising pressing means for pressing at least the lowest article of a stack to the drivable roller.

5. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the angle of inclination lies in the range of 45°±15°.

6. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 5, wherein o the angle of inclination lies in the range of 45°±10°.

7. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the angle of inclination is adjustable.

8. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein a plate connects to the dispensing opening which is s modelled and placed such that the articles carried by the support cannot be reached with a hand from outside.

9. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 3, comprising stop means for blocking the dispensing of articles other than the lowest of a stack. o 10. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support comprises a substantially flat plate, at least the upper surface of which consists of a material having a low coefficient of friction in common with the material of at least the bottom surface of the articles 5 for dispensing.

11. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the material comprises a plastic, for instance polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polypropylene (PP) .

12. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein o the support is a roller conveyor with a number of free- turning rollers.

13. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 3, comprising at least two drivable rollers.

14. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein 5 the pressing means comprise mass means.

15. Dispensing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one free-turning roller is arranged on the underside of the pressing means. £ TJ TJ rt P Ω £ s- μ- rt μ o H tr Hi Ω tr P Ω TJ £ tr Hi Ω £ 3 CD P u tr P μ tr μ 0 Φ a^* ra tr O TJ ID o μ 0 0 tr Di O 0 tr o μ 0 tr φ ft rt

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3 Ω TJ P" TJ P-> Ω P φ tr rt rt φ 0 tr Φ 0 p^j 0 μ- TJ P- 3 P- 3 Ω φ μ- P μ- tr P P P φ tr ra φ 0 P Φ Hi Ω. P TJ Hi TJ P μ 3 TJ ra CD P φ Φ P

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3 φ rt μ- 3 3 rt < CQ 3 tr P μ- μ- P P 3 Ω μ rt TJ 3 O 0 3

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Ω P- Φ P P- P- TJ tr ?r TJ P- μ μ P μ μ 0 Ω P- tr μ CO P- tr a tr P-

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Ω Φ 3 a P ra 3 • 3 3 μ^j 0 φ 3 • μ A-> σ a^* 0 3 Ω Ω Hi P" 3 tr rt ra 3 φ P i Ω ra ra ra Hi μ- P ~> 0 Φ < tr Φ 0 P 0 tr μ- ω H \ rt P> P> S 0 rt β to μ Φ Hi Φ rt μ Φ to P- rt μ rt to ra φ 3 t O

_^-. rt - 0 0 - - tr Hi m TJ to 0 Di rt μ rt Φ to TJ P tr Φ σi φ IQ ω O

P μ TJ Φ P 3 TJ - 3 Φ 0 μ- P - tr Φ μ ~ a β ~

P μ rt ≤ μ P μ P 0 tr H Ω 3 a 3 0 Hi Φ TJ 3

TJ P Φ tr tr Φ rt v- μ P ^ P 0 P P- μ TJ φ 1 r

P ra φ φ μ- rt a P rt μ tr P P φ P VO μ Φ μ P Ω φ φ P rt tr Di μ rt 3 μ 3 ^ rt a Φ μ D. tl Φ 0 Φ o tQ ra o rt P- φ μ 0 β Di φ o a μ ra Ov

of) the front page of a newspaper or magazine, can be arranged such that it is visible to a consumer via a window.

32. Assembly of dispensing devices as claimed in any 5 of the foregoing claims, comprising selection means for setting only one chosen device into operation at any desired moment.

33. Device as claimed in claim 1, comprising two brushes with bristles, each placed above the support such o that during use of the device at least a number of bristles are in engagement with the side edges of at least the lowermost but one or the uppermost but one article of a stack adjacent to the extreme article of a stack for dispensing. s 34. Device as claimed in claims 2 and 33, wherein said bristles are in engagement with at least the inner surface of the fold-zone or spine of said lowermost but one article.

35. Device as claimed in claim 33, wherein said 0 bristles extend at least with a directional component opposed to the dispensing direction.

36. Device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the bristles are of the type or are disposed such that they are substantially free of creep and/or plastic 5 deformation.

37. Device as claimed in claim 1, comprising: at least one support arranged in the housing for carrying stacks of articles and for successively dispensing in each case the lowermost or topmost article o of a stack of articles at different heights, optionally depending on the type of article; transport means for dispensing the chosen article on the free front side of the support at a height which is for instance specific to the choice which has been made, 5 this under the control of control means controlled by a user by means of operating means, wherein the free front side of the support is situated at a certain free spacing from the front wall or front door in closed position; 26 an access opening, via which the user can remove an article lying in the receiving bin; and lifting means for carrying the receiving bin to said specific height prior to dispensing of an article and for s carrying the receiving bin to the height of the access opening after dispensing, which lifting means are movable up and downward in the space defined by said free spacing.

38. Device as claimed in claim 37, wherein the o receiving bin is vertically guided and driven on both sides.

39. Device as claimed in claim 38, wherein driving takes place by means of two chains or toothed belts which are coupled to the receiving bin on the respective sides. s 40. Device as claimed in claim 37, comprising a closable front door, on the inside of which the lifting means are arranged.

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