EP1460595A1

EP1460595A1 - Improved dispensing device for a product vending machine

Info

Publication number: EP1460595A1
Application number: EP04075820A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Nicolini
Original assignee: Officine Meccaniche Fratelli Manea Srl; Officine Meccaniche F lli Manea Srl
Current assignee: Officine Meccaniche Fratelli Manea Srl; Officine Meccaniche F lli Manea Srl
Priority date: 2003-03-20
Filing date: 2004-03-15
Publication date: 2004-09-22
Also published as: ITMI20030538A1; CN1532777A; HK1068712A1; CN100354900C

Abstract

The invention concerns an improved dispensing device (10) for a product vending machine (12). Said automatic machine (12) is provided with at least one shelf for said products and a collection pocket (101). Said dispensing device (10) comprises, in an area in front of said at least one shelf, a vertically-sliding container (16), where said container (16) may be opened on its lower part.

Description

The present invention refers to an improved dispensing device for a product vending machine.
For packaged products of high consumption, such as cans, bottles, foodstuffs, pharmaceutical products or similar items, automatic machines exist which distribute such products, following the user's selection and subsequent payment.
Presently such machines, after the user has selected and paid for a certain available product, identify the selected product, which is arranged on a shelf inside the machine in a suitable compartment. The machine allows the product to drop by gravity from the compartment to an underlying collection pocket, where the user retrieves the product by hand.
The pocket is closed by a door which may be opened, for example by pushing, and is provided with a simple anti-intrusion system, which blocks access by hand to the compartments inside the dispenser.
With the described system it is obvious that the products, particularly the more delicate ones, might pose considerable dispensing problems when dispensed from the highest internal compartments.
In addition to possible jamming of the selected product during its descent, there is the risk of damaging the same product due to the height of the drop, for example in the case of glass bottles.
Furthermore, even carbonated drink cans undergo a considerable shaking, such that, in their subsequent opening, the internally compressed gas causes part of the drink to spurt out.
Therefore, vending machines have been achieved that are provided with a dispensing device comprising a vertical guide for the sliding of a container, which collects the selected product close to the corresponding internal shelf and transfers it to the collection pocket, accessible to the user by opening the door.
In this embodiment it is very important, in order to comply with accident prevention regulations, to monitor the collection pocket and the access door of the same by way of sensors. This implies a certain complication in the production and effective management of such sensors, whose perfect function must be guaranteed.
The overall object of the present invention is to resolve the above-cited drawbacks of the known technique and in particular to achieve an improved dispensing device for a product vending machine that is extremely simple, economical as well as especially functional and reliable.
In view of the abovementioned objects, according to the present invention, it has been decided to achieve an improved dispensing device for a product vending machine having the characteristics detailed in the attached claims.
The structural and functional characteristics of the present invention and its advantages with regards to the known technique shall be even clearer and more evident from an examination of the following description, with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate an improved dispensing device for a product vending machine according to the innovative principles of the invention itself.
In the drawings:

figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a part of a product vending machine, in which an improved dispensing device according to the invention is visible;
figure 2 shows an axonometric view of a lower portion of a product vending machine, in which the improved dispensing device of figure 1 is visible, placed above a collection pocket;
figure 3 is an front elevation view of the improved dispensing device of figure 1;
figure 4 is a side elevation view of the improved dispensing device of figure 1;
figure 5 is an enlargement of figure 4;
figure 6 shows the improved dispensing device of figure 1 in a discharged position;
figure 7 shows the improved dispensing device of figure 1 in a transfer position;

With reference to the drawings, an improved dispensing device is shown, indicated in its entirety with 10, for a product vending machine 12.
In the vending machine 12 there exists one or more shelves (not shown in the figures), each provided with at least one product-carrying compartment (not shown in the figures).
On the structure of the machine 12, and precisely in the area in front of the product-carrying compartments, the improved dispensing device 10 is placed for transporting the products from the dispensing point, at a product-carrying compartment, to a collection pocket 101 which is located behind a door 14, generally on the lower part of the machine 12; the collection pocket 101 is accessible through the door 14 which is integral with the machine 12 structure.
The device 10 comprises a vertically-sliding container 16. The movement of the container 16 occurs through (for example two) guides 105, fastened to the inner side walls of the vending machine 12.
On each of the guides 105 a sliding block 104 glides, for example in self-lubricating material, connected on its side to the container 16, for example through supports 103.
The two ends of a belt 18 are fastened to the sliding block 104, connected in a ring shape between two pulleys 20 placed for example in correspondence with the two opposite ends of the guide 105.
One of the two belts 18 is driven by an electric motor 109 and related pulleys; the other belt 18 moves in a synchronous manner by way of, for example, a rotating shaft. The motor 109 is equipped with a rotation transducer or encoder.
The rotation of the shaft of the electric motor 109 thus drives the vertical movement of the container 16, through the displacement of the two belts 18 which causes the simultaneous movement of the two sliding blocks 104 on the guides 105. The container 16, therefore, may position itself in correspondence with the different shelves with a movement of the container 16, which appears thus like the movement of an elevator moving in a vertical manner respect to the machine 12.
The movement of the container 16 is driven for example by a microprocessor board which is programmed through suitable software: the container 16 reaches the highest shelves and collects the dispensed product, transporting it until it arrives just above the collection pocket 101 in a predetermined position.
According to the present invention, the container 16 may be opened on its lower end by, for example, a mobile portion 107.
The container 16 is normally closed on its lower part and is opened in correspondence with the abovementioned predetermined position: in such position, the mobile portion 107 moves, opening the bottom of the container 16. The mobile portion 107 in example of the figures has a lower portion 22 of arched circumference.
More precisely, the mobile portion 107 rotates around pivots 108 fastened on the container 16. A striker 111, such as a roller mounted on a pivot, is integral with the mobile portion 107.
In the illustrated example, the striker 111 is positioned on an arm 110, integral with the mobile portion 107 in correspondence with the pivot 108.
The striker 111, when the container 16 reaches an area above the predetermined position above collection pocket 101, is supported by a stop 112, integral with the structure of the machine 12.
The container 16 continuing its descent, the roller of the striker 111 rotates and moves over a substantially horizontal surface of the stop 112, causing the rotation of the arm 110 around the pivot 108 such that the mobile portion 107 of the container 16 leaves the bottom of the container 16 open.
The functioning and most specific characteristics of the improved dispensing device 10 according to the invention are clear from that described above with reference to the figures, and in brief are the following:
In particular, the container 16 positions itself in front of, or rather just below the shelf of the vending machine 12 which contains the product to be dispensed. By way of an expulsion device known in the art, the product drops into the container 16, which has the mobile portion 107 that closes the bottom of the container 16 itself.
The container 16 therefore descends until the contact between the striker 111 and the stop 112 causes the rotation of the mobile portion 107 around the pivots 108. The bottom of the container 16 opens in a gradual manner such that the product is allowed to drop in the collection pocket 101.
The distinct feature of this device 10 is that the container 16 does not reach the bottom of the collection pocket 101 (which would create considerable difficulties in the management of the accident prevention regulations): the container 16 stops above the pocket 101, opening itself and dispensing the product from a small height.
This device 10 permits the collection pocket 101, as well as the access door 14 to the same, to be without sensor monitoring: in fact, access is exclusively limited to the collection pocket 101, and the container 16 in movement is absolutely not reachable since it is positioned above and protected by a mechanical anti-intrusion system known in automatic machines of this type.
It is emphasised that the device 10 has a veritable module or kit which may be subsequently installed on existing vending machines.
The stops 112 are fastened to the inner walls of the machine 12, one per part. These may also be cams which come into contact with the roller of the striker 111 during the descent of the container 16, causing the mobile portion 107 to rotate.
The descent of the container 16 is regulated in the lower part by an adjustable limit switch sensor 113 and in the upper part by elevation-limiting software starting from the reference elevation of the limit switch 113. The programming takes place through the operating menu.
The machines of this type are provided with dispensing compartments divided into sections equipped with expulsion devices, which are motorised coil devices on which products for dispensing are inserted.
On the inner side walls of the machine 12 substantially horizontal sliding guides are fastened for the pulling out and loading of the shelves with product-carrying compartments, these guides being adjustable in height through the fixed-distance threaded holes 114 made on the inner walls.
Knowing that the distance between holes is fixed and calculating the steps which the motor encoder 109 takes to move up from one hole to another, a progressive number may be assigned to each hole. Therefore the user establishes the height such that the container 16 reaches just below the shelf and automatically the program calculates the number of impulses that the encoder must make in order to reach the desired elevation.
For example, if the shelf to be reached is inserted in the guides fastened to the forty-eighth hole counting up from the bottom, and the container 16 is at the third hole counting up from the bottom, the ascent is arranged by instructing, through programming, the container at the third hole to ascend forty-four holes, stopping the container 16 just below the dispensing point of the product.
Subsequently, the container 16 descends until it arrives in proximity of the cams of opening 112 where it slows down by way of an electronic command in proportion with the "PWM" type modulation, causing the roller of the striker 111 to rise in a simply supported manner which triggers the opening of container 16 with the dispensing of the product.
From that described above with reference to the figures, it is evident how an improved dispensing device for a product vending machine according to the invention is particularly useful and advantageous. In such a manner the objects mentioned in the description preamble are achieved.
Naturally, the shapes of the improved dispensing device for a product vending machine of the invention may be different from that illustrated as only a non-limiting example in the drawings, and the materials used in its construction may also be different.
The scope of protection of the invention is therefore defined by the attached claims.

Claims

Improved dispensing device (10) for a product vending machine (12), said vending machine (12) being provided with at least one shelf for said products and a collection pocket (101), said dispensing device (10) comprising, in an area in front of said at least one shelf a vertically-sliding container (16), characterised in that said container (16) may be opened on its lower part.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that said container (16) may be opened by way of a mobile portion (107).
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 2, characterised in that said container (16) is normally closed on its lower part and is opened in correspondence with a predetermined position, just above said collection pocket (101).
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 3, characterised in that, in said predetermined position, said mobile portion (107) moves, opening the bottom of the container (16).
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 2, characterised in that said mobile portion (107) has a lower portion (22) of arched circumference.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 5, characterised in that said mobile portion (107) rotates around pivots (108) fastened on said container (16).
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 6, characterised in that a striker (111) is integral with said mobile portion (107).
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 7, characterised in that said striker (111) is a roller mounted on a pivot.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 7, characterised in that said striker (111) is positioned on an arm (110), integral with said mobile portion (107) in correspondence with said pivot (108).
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 7, characterised in that said striker (111), when said container (16) reaches an area above said predetermined position above said collection pocket (101), is supported by a stop (112), integral with the structure of said machine (12).
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 10, characterised in that said stop (112) has a substantially horizontal surface.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that said shelves are each provided with at least one product-carrying compartment.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that said collection pocket (101) is located behind a door (14).
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 13, characterised in that said door (14) is located on a lower part of the machine (12).
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 14, characterised in that said collection pocket (101) is provided with a mechanical anti-intrusion system.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that said container (16) moves on guides (105) fastened to the inner side walls of said vending machine (12).
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 16, characterised in that on each of said guides (105) a sliding block (104) glides, connected on its side to said container (16) through supports (103).
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 17, characterised in that said the two ends of a belt (18) are fastened to the sliding block (104), connected in a ring shape between two pulleys (20) placed in correspondence with the two opposite ends of said guide (105).
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 18, characterised in that one of said two belts (18) is driven by an electric motor (109) and related pulleys.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 19, characterised in that the other belt (18) moves in a synchronous manner by way of a rotating shaft.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 20, characterised in that said motor (109) is equipped with a rotation transducer or encoder.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 21, characterised in that the movement of said container (16) is driven by a microprocessor board which is programmed through suitable software.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 10, characterised in that said stops (112) are fastened to the inner walls of said machine (12), one per part.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 10, characterised in that said stops (112) are cams.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the descent of said container (16) is regulated in the lower part by an adjustable limit switch sensor (113) and in the upper part by elevation-limiting software starting from the reference elevation of the limit switch (113).
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 25, characterised in that the programming takes place through the operating menu.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that substantially horizontal sliding guides are fastened to the inner walls of said machine (12) for the pulling out and loading of said shelves with product-carrying compartments, said guides being adjustable in height through fixed-distance threaded holes (114) made on said inner walls.
Dispensing device (10) according to claim 3, characterised in that said container (16), when in proximity of said predetermined position, slows down by way of an electronic command in proportion with the "PWM" type modulation.