EP1192609B1 - Goods lock and method for the dispensing of objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a goods lock, comprising a lock channel (1), with an inlet opening (10), an outlet opening (14), a transport mechanism, for transportation of an object (15), in the lock channel (1), to the outlet opening (14) and an opening and closing mechanism (5), for the outlet opening (14), with which the outlet opening (14) can be opened for dispensing objects (15). A first closing element (9, 9') may be introduced into the lock channel (1) and displaced to the outlet opening (14), which keeps the inlet side section (1a) of the lock channel (1) separate from the outlet side section (1b) of the lock channel (1), such that, when the outlet opening (14) is open, nobody nor nothing can gain access to the inlet side section (1a). The invention further relates to a method for the dispensing of goods using the above goods lock.

Description

The invention relates to a goods lock and a method for discharging objects with such a goods lock according to claims 1 and 11, respectively.

Goods locks for the controlled output of goods play an important role, especially in vending machines. The sale or delivery of goods through a vending machine is automatic and therefore not monitored by humans. The problem is to transfer ordered goods from a non-freely accessible storage area to the customer, but to prevent access to the unsold goods.

There are goods locks in vending machines are known to which about fist-sized goods, especially food, cigarettes, drinks and the like, can be purchased. The purchased item is conveyed, for example, into an output shaft, usually dropped into this, to which the customer has access through an opening by a closing flap pushed open and thus the access to the storage area is closed. These vending machines are only suitable for smaller and usually unbreakable items, but not for the delivery of more sensitive or voluminous goods, such as those with a few decimeters edge length. Other vending machines have a plurality of compartments containing the items to be dispensed. The compartments are each closed with a flap that follows Payment of the purchase price can be opened. In these vending machines thus no automatic output, but the subjects are selectively released for manual removal. Common to both machine principles is the fact that various unwanted external influences from the outside through the dispensing opening on the storage area are conceivable, eg introduction of objects from outside, penetration of living beings, pollution or vandalism.

Above a certain size of goods, the requirements for the lock are more demanding because the discharge opening becomes so large that humans or animals could pass through them. This is the case, for example, with an automatic beverage terminal according to WO 96/07993, on which beverage containers are dispensed.

In US-A-2,930,312 a vending machine with a goods lock is disclosed, the bottom of which forms an inclined sliding or rolling plane for the goods to be removed. A plate-like ceiling element is pivotally mounted about an axis parallel to the ground and by means of an electromagnet from a closed position, in which it rests with its output side edge on the ground, in a bottom-substantially parallel to the open position flap-like manner. On the input side is from the ceiling element from a curved plate, on the one hand ensures that only one object can slide through the gap between the plate and the floor in the lock with closed lock exit, and on the other hand closes the lock entrance when opening the lock exit by pivoting the ceiling element ,

From DE-A-23 45 177 a vending machine is known, which includes a goods magazine, a device for separating the front in the delivery direction packs, security devices which prevent access to the goods magazine with open dispensing opening, and a controllable by coins or tokens tripping device for triggering an output process. In a linear part of the output shaft a lock is provided, the inner and outer gate are arranged in opposite directions in such a way movable in its plane that always one of the two gates is closed.

The apparatus known from US-A-5,436,523 has an internal, continuous mechanism with various rows of containers. These are drivable all around and can be moved past an output gate row.

An input keypad for positioning an appropriate row of containers in front of a collection gate row also controls the release of the delivery gate row.

In DE-A-36 06 268 an output device for a goods shaft is described, which gives a secure protection against unauthorized removal of goods. Appropriately shaped ejector of a belt drive or the like move before reaching their rest position at the front reversal point of the belt drive a locking flap without affecting the ejection force acting on a auszuschiebende packing in locking position and lock them. When restarting the ejector, the lock is released, so that the locking flap can tilt back or can be transferred by an advancing pack without significant effort.

The invention has for its object to provide a goods lock with the objects of all kinds, especially voluminous or fragile goods can be issued controlled. The process flow should be safe for the user (handling safety), simple, fast and reliable (operational safety) and the possibility of external influences on the storage area are reduced, in particular penetration into the storage area can be prevented (wear-resistant).

The object is achieved by a goods lock with the features of claim 1. The object is further achieved by a method for discharging objects with such a goods lock with the features of claim 11. Advantageous developments of the goods sluice and the method are indicated in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

According to the invention, the goods lock comprises, in addition to the lock channel with an inlet and a lockable outlet opening, a closing element which can be introduced into the lock channel and can be moved to the exit opening. When the outlet opening is open, the closing element separates the inlet-side section of the lock channel between closing element and inlet opening from the outlet-side section of the lock channel between the closing element and the outlet opening in such a way that the lock channel is obstructed and external action on the entry-side section is impeded, in particular no persons, animals or objects can enter the input-side section. The abuse resistance is thus improved. The flow of goods through the lock takes place from the entrance to the exit opening. The object to be ejected or a plurality of objects to be rejected in one working cycle are located in the exit-side section in the lock channel, ie the closing element is always arranged on the input side of the object or objects. The article is conveyed to the exit opening by a conveying mechanism. The conveying mechanism can be realized by the closing element itself, which pushes the object (s) through the lock channel and optionally also into and out of the lock channel. Alternatively, the conveying function may be separate from the separating function of the closing element, for example by a belt conveyor conveying the articles through the channel and the closing element tracking the objects. With an opening and closing mechanism, the outlet opening for dispensing to be opened by objects. According to the invention, the closing element is moved towards the exit opening during the removal of an article such that the volume of the exit-side section is prevented, preferably approaching zero. This has the advantage that not only the access to the input side of the goods lock subsequent storage is prevented, but an intrusion of persons, animals or objects in the output side section of the lock channel is made impossible. For persons, animals and objects therefore there is no risk of injury or the risk of being trapped when closing the exit opening, so that the handling safety is increased compared to known locks. Furthermore, the invention makes it difficult to place unwanted objects in the lock channel of buses. It is also ensured that the object to be ejected is completely removed from the lock. Thus, there is a control possibility for the reliability that contributes to the reliability of delivery.

Preferably, the exit opening is closed only when the closing element has arrived in its position closest to the exit opening, preferably blocking the exit opening directly from the inside. Particularly preferred is between the closing element and a second closing element, with which the outlet opening is closed, in the closed state no or only a small gap of a maximum of a few centimeters wide. Thus, not only a penetration into the input-side portion of the lock channel is impossible, but also an intrusion into the output-side section, from which when retracting the closing element of the input side Section and finally the storage area could be accessible.

The lock can be realized with low design and maintenance costs. Preferably, the closing element also serves to convey the item to be rejected by pushing it through the lock channel.

The outlet opening is preferably closed by a second closing element, which is aligned in the closed state substantially parallel to the first closing element. The second closing element is preferably a lifting, sliding or Stemmtor. When closing the gap between the closing element and the second closing element and the output opening is thus kept as small as possible, in particular slides the second closing element in a plane parallel to the plane of the first closing element = directly over the first closing element. The risk of trapping between the closing elements or the second closing element and the outer wall of the lock is thus reduced. Particularly preferably, the front edge of the second closing element in the direction of movement is not driven against a stop or into a groove, but the closing element is merely pushed over the exit opening, so that no injuries can occur here as well.

For pressure equalization in the lock channel, the closing element is preferably permeable to air, e.g. provided with a fine hole pattern. It can also consist of a grid.

As a conveyor system for auszuschleusende objects, for example, a belt conveyor used in the channel bottom may be arranged, or the suitably driven closing element. A belt conveyor has the advantage that the object to be rejected is not impaired by sliding over the bottom of the channel. The closing element as conveying means has the advantage that the channel itself does not have to have any additional conveying device

The goods lock is preferably connected on the input side with a closed, not freely accessible warehouse. From this objects of the goods lock are fed through its entrance opening. The lock exit side preferably has a horizontal or slightly downwardly inclined guideway, which may be formed by a guide plane, a runway or a belt conveyor for the continuous continuation of the discharged objects.

Fig. 1

eine axonometrische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemässen Warenschleuse mit einem quaderförmigen, horizontal verlaufender. Schleusenkanal;

Fig. 2- 7

einzelne Phasen des Ausschleusungsverfahrens.

Fig. 8, 9

ein weiteres Beispiel für eine erfindungsgemässe Warenschleuse;

Fig. 10, 11

ein weiteres Beispiel für eine erfindungsgemässe Warenschleuse.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing. It shows purely schematically:

Fig. 1

an axonometric view of an inventive sluice with a cuboid, horizontally extending. Schleusenkanal;

Fig. 2-7

individual phases of the discharge process.

Fig. 8, 9

another example of a product lock according to the invention;

10, 11

a further example of a product lock according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the inventive sluice gate. This comprises a lock channel 1 with an inlet opening 10 and a Exit port 14. The lock channel is present cuboid and bounded by wall elements 2, 3 and a bottom element 4. The outlet opening 14 can be closed with an opening and closing mechanism 5 with a lifting gate 5a as a lock exit gate or second closing element. Alternatively, a single sliding gate, a sliding gate with wings running against each other, a Stemmtor or a combination of caulking and lifting gate can be used. The inlet opening 10 can be closed with a first closing element 9 as a lock entrance gate.

The lock chamber or the lock channel 1 is to be dimensioned such that each individual to be transported through this channel Good can be at least individually enclosed between the two gates 5a, 9. It can also be discharged together several goods. The channel 1 may also be in another form, e.g. tubular, and the gates are designed to match. In addition, the lock channel does not have to be horizontal, but can be arranged in a plurality of different levels.

The lock exit gate 5a is a lift gate which can be moved up and down along the plane 6 of the exit opening 14 between a frame 7 of the exit opening 14 and the guide 8 of the lock exit gate 5a. The lock exit gate 5a is always opened only during short phases, ie raised to the "up" position. In the standby position shown in FIG. 1, the gate 5a obstructs access to the lock channel 1. The closing element 9, however, is at such a distance from the inlet opening 10, that the inlet opening 10 for introducing Objects in the lock channel 1 is open. This can be positioned between the lock entrance gate or closing element 9 and the level 11 of the entrance opening 10 goods for the passage. The lock entrance gate 9 is designed such that it is substantially flush with the inlet opening 10 and can be moved like a piston through the channel 1 to the level 6 of the outlet opening 14. In this way, the lock input gate or closing element 9 can push goods to be released in the manner of a piston pump through the channel 1 and through the outlet opening 14. The closing element 9 therefore serves as a conveyor 18 for conveying objects through the channel 1. Alternatively, the goods can be transported by means of a conveyor system on the channel bottom through the lock, the closing element 9 in this case has mainly shut-off function, as shown in FIG 8 and 9 are shown. When the goods exit the exit opening 14, the first closing element 9 performs the function of the lock exit gate for a short time until, after the goods have been ejected from the lock channel 1, the lowered second closing element 5a closes the exit opening 14. This principle prevents the penetration through the outlet opening 14 into the lock chamber 1 or further and reduces the risk of trapping when closing the exit opening 14. The risk of injury is further reduced by the fact that the lower portion 12 of the lock exit gate 5a neither lowered into a groove nor closed on closing Stop is guided, but only up to or below the bottom plane 4 of the lock channel is performed.

Fig. 2 shows schematically simplified the illustrated in Fig. 1 ready position of the goods lock. The closing element 9 is located at a distance from the inlet opening 10 of the lock channel 1. The outlet opening 14 is closed by the gate 5a. In addition, a guideway 16 leading obliquely downwards from the ground or conveying plane 4 is shown, here a runway. This ensures that goods ejected from the lock channel 1 are moved out of the area of the exit opening, so that they do not obstruct the exit opening 14.

Fig. 3 shows an object 15 to be ejected positioned between the lock entrance gate 9 and the lock channel entrance opening 10. The object 15 is conveyed by a conveyor system 17, e.g. a lifting device or a horizontal transport carriage or - band, transported between the open inlet opening 10 of the goods lock and the closing element 9 in the ready position and positioned so that it can be inserted by lateral pressure in the lock channel 1. Subsequently, the closing element 9, which acts as an entry lock, pushes the material 15 to be rejected into and through the lock channel 1. As a result, the entry opening 10 is closed.

Fig. 4 shows the estate in the closed lock chamber. As soon as the object 15 is completely inside the sluice channel 1 and the inlet opening 10 is closed, the outlet opening 14 is released by opening the second closing element 5a. The second closing element 5a is raised as shown in FIG. The first closing element 9 is designed so that it the input-side portion 1 a of the lock channel. 1 between the closing element 9 and the inlet opening 10 from the output-side portion 1 b of the lock channel 1 between the closing element 9 and the outlet opening 14 is able to separate. In this way, when the exit opening 14 is open, it is not possible for any outside to act on the input-side section 1a, and no persons or objects can enter the input-side section 1a.

FIG. 5 shows the lock chamber 1 with the opening and closing mechanism 5 open or the second closing element 5a open. When this position is reached, the closing element 9 conveys the object 15 in a sliding manner through the outlet opening 14 out of the lock channel 1.

Fig. 6 shows the throughput good 15 and the output port 14 obstructing closing element 9. The closing element 9 is driven to the level 6 of the outlet opening 14 to prevent penetration into the lock channel 1. The volume of the output-side portion 1b is negligible in this phase compared to the total volume of the lock channel 1 or tends towards zero. This also ensures that the lock exit gate 5a can be closed easily by lowering it in the plane 6 of the exit opening and thus - as shown in FIG. 7 - parallel to the front surface of the closing element 9.

The work cycle of the goods lock is completed by the first closing element 9 driven out of the lock channel and the ready position shown in FIG. 2 restored.

For moving the first closing element 9 along the longitudinal axis of the lock channel 1, a suitable drive system is used. As soon as the first closing element 9 has reached the level 6 of the exit opening 14, the starting element 9 of the closing element 9 is stopped. After closing the outlet opening 14, the closing element 9 is moved back to its original position. The movements of the closing element 9 and the exit door 5 are matched with a control unit, not shown.

8 and 9 show another example of a product lock according to the invention with a conveying device 18 for discharging an article 15 and a first closing element 9 'mainly used for blocking. The conveyor 18 comprises a belt conveyor 18 ', the conveyor belt forms the bottom 4 of the sluice channel 1 or lies in the ground plane. With a slider 19, an object 15 is placed on the belt conveyor 18 '. When pushing in the article slides over the 15 in a horizontal position pivoted first closing element 9 ', which is pivotally connected to the conveyor system 18. To close the inlet opening 10, it is pivoted into the vertical position, as shown in dashed lines in Fig. 8. When the conveyor system 18 is started, the article 15 is ejected from the channel 1 and at the same time the closing element 9 'moves toward the exit opening 14.

It is also possible, instead of the hinged closing element 9 ', to use an element as a closing element 9, which is synchronous in the removal of an object for separating the input-side channel section 1a is moved with the conveyor belt without actively promoting the article 15 itself. This is shown schematically in FIGS. 10 and 11. For example, the slider 19 shown in Fig. 8, 9 serve as a first closing element 9, wherein the hinged element 9 'is dispensable in this case.

Claims (14)

1. Goods lock for the dispensing of at least one object (15), comprising a lock channel (1) with an inlet opening (10) and an outlet opening (14), a conveying device (18) for conveying the at least one object (15) in the lock channel (1) to the outlet opening (14), a first closing element (9, 9') and an opening and closing mechanism (5) for the outlet opening (14), with which the outlet opening (14) can be opened in order to discharge objects (15), the opening and closing mechanism (5) comprising a second closing element (5a) in the form of a gate with which the outlet opening (14) can be closed, and at least one object which is to be dispensed being able to be enclosed in the lock channel (1) between the first closing element (9, 9') and the second closing element (5a), characterized in that the first closing element (9, 9') can be introduced into the lock channel (1) and can be moved through the lock channel (1) to the outlet opening (14) and is capable of blocking the lock channel (1), of separating an inlet-side section (1a) of the lock channel (1) from an outlet-side section (1b) of the lock channel (1) and of blocking the outlet opening (14) from the inside, and, when the outlet opening (14) is closed by means of the second closing element (5a), that edge (12) of the second closing element (5a) which is in front in the direction of movement being able to be moved along the front surface of the first closing element (9, 9').
2. Goods lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first closing element (9) can be moved to the outlet opening (14) in such a manner that the volume of the outlet-side lock-channel section (1b) is successively reduced during the dispensing of the at least one object (15), and preferably ceases to exist.
3. Goods lock according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first closing element (9, 9') forms part of the conveying device (18) and is capable of conveying at least one object (15) introduced into the lock channel (1) into the region of the outlet opening (14), in particular of pushing it into the lock channel, through the lock channel and/or out of the lock channel.
4. Goods lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying device (18) is capable of moving the first closing element (9, 9') to the outlet opening (14).
5. Goods lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first closing element (9, 9') is at least partially air-permeable.
6. Goods lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control unit which only opens the outlet opening (14) when the first closing element (9, 9') is introduced into the lock channel (1) and closes the outlet opening (14) when the at least one object (15) has been dispensed and the closing element (9, 9') is located in the region of the outlet opening (14), the first closing element (9, 9') preferably only being moved away from the region of the outlet opening (14) when the outlet opening (14) is closed again by the opening and closing mechanism (5).
7. Goods lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second closing element (5a) is moved in its plane in order to close the outlet opening (14).
8. Goods lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front edge (12) of the second closing element (5a) is spaced apart from any projections or edges arranged in the region of the outlet opening (14), when the second closing element (5a) closes the outlet opening (14), in order to reduce the risk of jamming during the closing operation.
9. Goods lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying device (18) comprises a belt conveyor (18') which is arranged in the base region of the lock channel (1).
10. Method for the dispensing of at least one object with a goods lock according to one of Claims 1 to 9, in which at least one object (15) is introduced through the inlet opening (10) into the lock channel (1), the first closing element (9, 9') is introduced into the lock channel (1), the at least one object (15) is enclosed in the lock channel (1) between the first closing element (9, 9') and the second closing element (5a) and is discharged through the outlet opening (14), the object (15) and, following the latter, the first closing element (9, 9') being moved to the outlet opening (14), so that the volume of the outlet-side lock-channel section (1b) is successively reduced between the first closing element (9, 9') and the outlet opening (14), and, after the dispensing of the object (15), the outlet opening (14) is only closed by means of the second closing element (5a) along the front surface of the first closing element (9, 9') when the first closing element (9, 9') blocks the outlet opening (14) from the inside.
11. Method according to Claim 10, the outlet opening (14) only being opened by the second closing element (5a) after the at least one object (15) and the first closing element (9, 9') have been introduced into the lock channel (1).
12. Method according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the first closing element (9, 9') is only moved back into its starting position after the outlet opening (14) has been closed.
13. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the volume of the outlet-side lock-channel section (1b) is reduced during the dispensing operation essentially in such a manner that, when the outlet opening (14) is closed, the outlet-side lock-channel section (1b) is not capable of receiving any objects, individuals or animals, with the volume of the outlet-side lock-channel section (1b) preferably being reduced to zero.
14. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the first closing element (9, 9') conveys, preferably pushes, the at least one object (15) to be dispensed into the lock channel (1) and/or through the lock channel (1) and/or out of the lock channel (1).

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