EP1285414A1

EP1285414A1 - Automatic single unit dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP1285414A1
Application number: EP01936567A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Juan-Blas Casuccio
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-22
Filing date: 2001-05-17
Publication date: 2003-02-26
Also published as: CA2409372A1; CN1430772A; AU6244801A; FR2808985B1; US6860402B2; FR2808985A1; CN1173305C; AU2001262448B2; US20030164379A1; WO2001091072A1

Abstract

The invention concerns an automatic single object dispenser (1) comprising storage means provided with a drum (3) with a horizontal axis on the periphery of which are formed receptacles (5) radially oriented to receive each an object through an opening and a delivery zone (7) whereat the user can collect the selected object, said drum (3) being driven in rotation to being the selected object to the delivery zone (7). The invention is characterised in that said dispenser comprises means for ejecting the selected object when it reaches the delivery zone (7). The invention is useful for selling or renting out articles and in particular video cassettes or compact discs.

Description

"Automatic distributor of unitary objects"

The present invention relates to an automatic distributor of unit objects.

These objects could for example be video cassettes, compact discs such as audio or video compact discs and any other object intended for multimedia.

The invention will find its application particularly in the field of the distribution of such objects essentially within the framework of their sale or their rental.

In this field, there is a great development of distributors allowing, by automatic means, the delivery to the user of the object he wishes and this, without constraint of hours of opening of shops.

Document FR-A-2,622,090 already discloses a vertical storage drum, of unitary objects, by vertical racks, open towards the outside of the drum, provided with an automatic locking system for the product contained in the racks, by a spring-actuated ball system.

According to this document, a drum is formed whose axis of rotation is horizontal and which allows, on its periphery, to receive the unitary objects to be stored by means of racks. This type of storage is particularly effective in that it makes it possible to constitute a reserve of numerous objects and that it allows, by the rotation of the drums, their delivery in a practical way.

However, distributors according to the prior art have various drawbacks.

First, it does not automatically eject the unit object ordered by the user when it is available.

Thus, it is currently necessary to take manual possession of the unit object once the order has been taken into account. In the event that the user does not take possession of the object, current distributors do not allow the object to be replaced in the drum in order to preserve it and to cancel the operation.

However, for reasons of security and validation of the transaction, it is important to offer the object ordered to the customer and to ensure a possible return to the stored position if the transaction is finally canceled.

Another drawback of current devices is that they only offer complex means for retaining the objects stored in the racks when they are located in the lower part of the drum.

Thus, the document FR-A-2.622.090 proposes for each locker a ball system actuated by a spring capable of retaining the stored object.

This design multiplies the number of means necessary for the retention of objects and requires for each locker the establishment of an independent system.

In addition, this system is not always effective, especially if the mass of the stored objects is modified.

Thus, the tension of the springs offered can be adapted to a video cassette without allowing the retention of a heavier object.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of current distributors. To do this, it offers an advanced vending machine.

Firstly, this dispenser aims to allow the ejection of the ordered object. It also allows a return to position of this object if the transaction is canceled. Another object of the invention is to ensure effective retention of the objects stored around the entire periphery of the drum and in particular when the objects are in the lower part of the drum.

The retention means offered are more effective than those currently available and also less costly because of their particularly advantageous design.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic dispenser which is particularly reliable. It has for this the advantage of only offering components of guaranteed reliability to constitute the mechanisms necessary for the storage of objects and their delivery to the user.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description which is not, however, limiting of the invention.

The present invention relates to an automatic dispenser of unitary objects comprising storage means provided with a drum with a horizontal axis on the periphery of which receptacles are formed radially oriented to each receive an object by an opening and a delivery zone at the level from which the user can take delivery of the ordered object, said drum being actuated in rotation to bring the ordered object to the delivery area. This dispenser includes means for ejecting the ordered object when it has reached the delivery area.

This distributor may be presented in the embodiments set out below:

- The ejection means comprise a pusher resting on the underside of the controlled object and moved by translation means; - The translation means are constituted by an electromagnet assembly whose rod is connected to the pusher by a lever arm;

- the delivery area includes:

- a light for the passage of the controlled object from the internal volume of the dispenser to the outside; - A retractable flap for opening or closing the light, the retraction of the flap conditioning the actuation of the ejection means.

- The dispenser includes means for retaining objects stored in the receptacles when their opening is oriented downwards; - The retention means comprise a belt extending along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the drum and applying to the end of the objects stored at least on the lower half of the drum;

- The belt is mounted on pulleys to ensure, by their rotation, a frictionless support of the belt on the stored objects;

- The receptacles have a height greater than that of the objects and they have a notch on two opposite edges of their opening so that the belt is applied to the objects stored in the notch.

the retention means consist, for each receptacle of a finger pivotally mounted on the drum between:

- at rest, a stop position under the end of the stored objects;

- a clear position when actuated in rotation;

the finger is actuated in rotation by at least one lug fixed relative to the drum and placed at the level of the delivery zone, so that it rotates the finger to release the controlled object when the finger comes to bear on ergot;

- The retention means comprise, for each receptacle, a stop capable of sliding by gravity between a retracted position when the receptacle is located in the upper part of the drum, and a stop position under the end of the objects stored when the receptacle is located in the lower part of the drum;

- The drum is rotated in a single direction;

- The stop of each receptacle is slidably mounted in a guide;

- The longitudinal axis of the guide is inclined relative to the radial direction of the drum at the receptacle, the angular offset of the longitudinal axis of the guide being oriented along the direction of rotation of the drum;

the stop is a latch capable of translating in a direction tangential to the drum

- The stop cooperates with a slide movable by gravity in a housing capable of being positioned under the stop in the ascent phase of the drum to maintain the stop in position under the end of the stored objects.

The attached drawings are given as indicative and non-limiting examples. They represent a preferred embodiment according to the invention. They will allow the invention to be easily understood. Figure 1 partially illustrates the dispenser drum according to the invention and ejection means in a particular embodiment.

Figures 2 and 3 show in two different views a possibility of making the means for retaining the stored objects. Figures 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the means for retaining the stored objects.

Figures 6 to 9 show during various phases of rotation a particular embodiment of the retention means in the form of a stop.

Figures 10 to 13 show schematically during different stages of rotation of the drum, another particular embodiment of the means for retaining the stored objects.

In all of the figures, the unitary objects stored on the drum 3 have been identified.

These unitary objects 1 are here, for convenience of representation, of substantially rectangularepipedic rectangle shape. However, other forms of objects can be envisaged.

Preferably, the objects 1 are stored vertically in the direction of their largest dimension.

They are received on the drum 3 by means of receptacles 5. In FIG. 1, receptacles 5 have been shown of substantially rectangular rectangular shape and of dimension slightly greater than that of the stored objects 1, so as to receive them. The receptacles 5 are formed on the periphery of the drum 3.

In FIG. 1, the drum 3 partially shown consists of an assembly mounted in rotation about a horizontal axis 4.

In the example shown, the drum receives side by side by means of two juxtaposed receptacles, two unitary objects 1.

As illustrated, the receptacles are oriented radially on the drum 3 and have an opening 6 through which the unitary objects 1 can be introduced or removed.

The shapes and dimensions of the drum 3 are not limited and in particular the number of storage rows may vary.

The external protective walls of the dispenser have not been shown but we will commonly design a carcass constituting the outer periphery of the dispenser and having a face towards which the user can carry out his control operations.

This face will, most often, include a coin-operated system and the selection of the object he wishes to order. These various members are already used in current automatic dispensers and a common design can be chosen to apply to this subject within the framework of the invention.

The drum 3 allows the storage of unitary objects 1.

To ensure the delivery of the ordered object, the dispenser further comprises a delivery zone marked 7 in FIGS. 1 and 2. As it appears in FIG. 2, the delivery zone 7 comprises a lumen 14 through which the object ordered can be removed from the interior volume of the dispenser.

It is at this level that the user takes delivery of the ordered object.

To ensure that the ordered object and the delivery area 7 are placed opposite, the drum 3 is actuated in rotation by any common motor means.

By convention, for the remainder of the description, the upper part 26 of the drum 3 is called the part situated substantially above the horizontal median plane of the drum as shown in FIG. 2.

By analogy, the lower part 27 also shown in FIG. 2, is the part of the drum 3 located below the median horizontal plane of the drum 3.

This delimitation should not however be understood strictly in the sense that the lower part 27 can rise beyond the median horizontal plane of the drum 3.

According to the invention, means for ejecting the ordered object are formed to deliver it to the user when it has reached the delivery area 7.

A particular embodiment of these ejection means is illustrated in FIG. 1.

In this context, a pusher 8 is applied to the underside 9 of the object 1.

The pusher is also actuated in translation in order to transmit its movement to the unitary object.

The latter is thus therefore at least partially extracted from the receptacle 5.

As shown, translation means 10 are formed to set the pusher 8 in motion. This is applied to the underside 9 by through a passage 35 formed in the lower part of the receptacle 5 as shown in FIG. 1.

The translation means 10 can be formed in various ways and in particular by an electromagnet assembly 11 whose rod 12 is connected to the pusher 8 by means of a lever arm 13.

The presence of this lever arm 13 ensures a reduction in the force applied by the pusher 8 on the unitary object 1. In this way, the ejection means are reliably constituted while minimizing the necessary power of the electromagnet 11. Preferably, the delivery zone 7 is not accessible by the user when the latter has not yet operated his command.

To obstruct the delivery area 7 in the rest position, the dispenser will preferably comprise, at the delivery area 7, a retractable flap 15 capable of opening or closing a lumen 14 formed in the delivery area 7.

It is understood, in this context, that the ejection means can only operate if the flap 15 is retracted.

The example illustrated in Figure 2 shows a retraction of the flap 15 by translation. This can also take place by means of a rotation as shown in FIG. 1 where rotary retracting means 16 are shown diagrammatically.

To ensure efficient operation of the storage means, it is necessary to retain the objects 1 present in the receptacles 5. This retention is carried out at least in the lower part 27 of the drum 3. The present invention proposes several alternative embodiments of the means retention.

According to a first variant, the retention means comprise a belt shown in item 17 in FIGS. 2 and 3.

We. note that the belt 17 applies in its long direction in a plane perpendicular to the axis 4 of the drum 3.

It rests on the end of the stored objects 1, said end being that located opposite the lower face 9. The . FIG. 3 shows, in section, the production of two belts 17 positioned in parallel to hold the objects stored in two series of receptacles 5 situated in parallel on the periphery of the drum 3.

Preferably, the belt 17 is applied without rubbing on the end of the objects 1. To do this, the distributor will include pulleys 18 allowing the guide and the rotation of the belt 17 during the rotation of the drum 3 .

Four pulleys 18 as configured in Figure 2 can be used.

Furthermore, to adjust the tension of the belt 17, a suspension system 19 could be used to suspend at least two pulleys 18.

This variant embodiment of the retention means is particularly effective in the sense that few constituent parts are necessary to produce the retention means.

A particularly reliable and inexpensive assembly is thus produced. Preferably, the receptacles 5 have a height greater than that of the stored objects 1 and they comprise, at their opening 6, a notch 20 as shown in FIG. 3.

It shows, in fact, a notch 20 formed on two opposite edges of the opening 6 so that the belt 17 is applied in the notch 20 on the stored objects 1.

In this way, an additional guide of the belt 17 is formed which avoids any malfunction.

According to another variant, the retention means are a finger 21 pivotally mounted on the drum 3, and this, for each receptacle 5. This embodiment is particularly presented in FIGS. 4 and 5.

We see a finger 21, part of which applies under the end of the stored object 1. It should be understood that a finger 21 is necessary to retain each stored object 1.

In a rest position shown in Figure 4, the finger 21 is positioned under the end of the stored objects 1 to achieve a stop.

The finger 21 can however adopt another position shown in FIG. 5 in which it is released in order to release the object 1. This actuation, in disengaging from the finger 21, can be carried out by means of a lug 22 mounted fixed relative to the drum 3 and placed substantially at the level of the delivery zone 7.

In this way, when the stored object 1 reaches the level of the delivery zone 7, the lug 22 is applied to the finger 21 so as to rotate it.

Preferably, the pivot connection is made around a pivot axis 23 and a return spring 24 ensures the return to the rest position of the finger 21.

According to another variant, the retention means comprise, for each receptacle 5, a stop 25 as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. In this case, the displacement by gravity of the stop 25 is used to ensure that it is placed under the end of the objects, when they are in the lower part 27.

Still by gravity, the stop 25 can be retracted with respect to the end of the objects 1, when the object 1 is located in the upper part 26 of the drum 3. In FIG. 6, it can be seen that the stop 25 is in position retracted when the receptacle 5 is located in the upper part 26 of the drum 3.

In this context, the object 1 is not retained and can easily be delivered to the user.

When the rotation of the drum continues, for example clockwise, as shown in FIG. 7, it is necessary, in a determined angular position, to ensure the positioning of the stop 25 under the end of the objects 1.

This positioning is carried out as shown by a movement by gravity and by sliding of the stop 25. It can be seen, in FIG. 9, that the objects 1 are perfectly retained when they are located in the lower part 26.

In FIG. 8, it is also shown that, during the ascent, the stop 25 retracts.

It will be noted that, according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9, the stop 25 is slidably mounted by means of a guide 28.

Furthermore, the longitudinal axis 29 of the guide 28 is inclined relative to the radial direction of the drum 3 at the receptacle 5.

The radial direction of the drum 3 is marked 30 in FIG. 7. An angular offset is produced between the longitudinal axis 29 and the direction 30 so that the longitudinal axis 29 is ahead of the direction 30 during the rotation of the drum 3.

Of course, this embodiment requires always using only one direction of rotation. In the context of the example, a direction of clockwise rotation has been chosen for information only.

In the case of a rotation clockwise, the angular offset of the longitudinal axis 29 and the radial direction will be reversed.

According to the embodiment of the stop 25 illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 13, the stop 25 is constituted by a latch marked 31.

As presented, the latch 31 can move in a radial direction to the drum and this, to position itself either under the end of the objects 1, or in the retracted position.

FIG. 10 shows the latches 31 in the retracted position while FIG. 1 1 shows the latches in position under the objects 1.

As in the case illustrated in Figures 6 to 9, the sliding of the latch 31 is effected by the action of gravity.

However, in the present case, it is necessary to maintain, in the abutment position, the latch 31 during the ascent phase of the drum 3. In this context, the retention means comprise, in addition to the abutment 25, a slide 32 also movable by gravity.

As shown in FIG. 13, the displacement of the slide 32 takes place in a housing 34 which can be partially closed by a flange 33.

FIG. 13 shows that when reaching the lower part of the drum, the slide 32 falls, by gravity, and bears on the flange 33.

In FIG. 12, it can easily be seen that during the ascent of the drum 3, the latch 31 tends to descend but is held in the abutment position under the end of the objects 1 by pressing on the slide 32.

As in the case of FIGS. 6 to 9, a single direction of rotation of the drum 3 has been chosen for the example clockwise.

In the same way, it is possible to transpose the description to a trigonometric direction of rotation.

To do this, it suffices to reverse the position of the latches 31 relative to the receptacle 5. The latch 31 can be made up in various ways and will include, as illustrated, for example, a substantially L-shape, the long length of which provides the stop element and the short length of which allows the latch 31 to be retained.

Although this is not limiting, the retention means proposed in the present description are of largely mechanical design, which ensures high operating reliability and perfect longevity of the dispenser.

REFERENCES

1. Stored objects

2. Storage facilities

3. Drum

4. Drum axis

5. Receptacle

6. Opening

7. Delivery area

8. Pusher

9. Bottom side

10. Means of translation

11. Electromagnet

12. Rod

13. Leverage

14. Light

15. Shutter

16. Means of retraction

17. Belts

18. Pulleys

19. Suspension

20. Cutout

21. Finger

22. Ergot

23. Pivot axis

24. Return spring

25. Stopper

26. Upper part

27. Lower part

28. Guide

29. Guide axis

30. Radial direction

31. Latch

32. Slide 33. Ledge

34. Housing

35. Passage

Claims

1. Automatic dispenser of unitary objects (1) comprising storage means (2) provided with a drum (3) with a horizontal axis (4) around the periphery of which receptacles (5) are oriented radially to receive each an object by an opening (6) and a delivery zone (7) at the level of which the user can take delivery of the ordered object, said drum (3) being actuated in rotation to bring the ordered object to the zone delivery (7) characterized in that - it includes means for ejecting the ordered object when it has reached the delivery area (7);

- It comprises means for retaining the objects stored (1) in the receptacles (5) when their opening (6) is oriented downwards.

2. Automatic dispenser according to claim 1 characterized in that the ejection means comprise a pusher (8) resting on the underside (9) of the controlled object and moved by translation means (10).

3. Automatic dispenser according to claim 2 characterized in that the translation means (10) consist of an electromagnet assembly (11) whose rod (12) is connected to the pusher (8) by a lever arm (13 ).

4. Automatic dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the delivery zone (7) comprises:

- a light (14) for the passage of the controlled object from the internal volume of the distributor towards the outside;

- A retractable flap (15) for opening or closing the light (14), the retraction of the flap (15) conditioning the actuation of the ejection means.

5. Automatic dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the retention means comprise a belt (17) extending along a plane perpendicular to the axis (4) of the drum (3) and s 'applying on the end of the stored objects (1) at least on the lower half of the drum (3).

6. Automatic dispenser according to claim 5 characterized in that that the belt (17) is mounted on pulleys (18) to ensure, by their rotation, a frictionless support of the belt (17) on the stored objects (1).

7. Automatic dispenser according to any one of claims 5 or 6 characterized in that the receptacles (5) have a height greater than that of the objects (1) and that they comprise a notch (20) on two opposite edges of their opening (6) so that the belt (17) is applied to the objects stored in the notch (20).

8. Automatic dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the retention means consist, for each receptacle (5), of a finger (21) pivotally mounted on the drum (3) between:

- at rest, a stop position under the end of the stored objects (1);

- a clear position when actuated in rotation

9. Automatic dispenser according to claim 8 characterized in that the finger (21) is actuated in rotation by at least one lug (22) fixed relative to the drum (3) and placed at the delivery zone (7) , so that it pivots the finger (21) to release the controlled object when the finger (21) comes to bear on the lug (22).

10. Automatic dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to

4 characterized in that the retention means comprise, for each receptacle (5), a stop (25) capable of sliding by gravity between a retracted position when the receptacle (5) is located in the upper part (26) of the drum (3), and a stop position under the end of the stored objects (1) when the receptacle (5) is located in the lower part (27) of the drum (3).

11. Automatic dispenser according to claim 10 characterized in that

- the drum (3) is rotated in a single direction; - the stop (25) of each receptacle is slidably mounted in a guide

(28);

- And that the longitudinal axis (29) of the guide (28) is inclined relative to the radial direction of the drum (3) at the level of the receptacle (5), the offset angular of the longitudinal axis (29) of the guide (28) being oriented in the direction of rotation of the drum (3).

12. Automatic dispenser according to claim 10 characterized in that - the stop (25) is a latch (31) capable of translating in a direction tangential to the drum (3) - the stop (25) cooperates with a slide ( 32) displaceable by gravity in a housing (34) capable of being positioned under the stop (25) in the ascent phase of the drum (3) to maintain the stop (25) in position under the end of the stored objects (1) .