EP1593326A1 - Dispensing device for stacked articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has fingers (30, 31, 32, 33) to selectively retain and release a capsule. An actuation unit (8) actuates the fingers between stop and release positions. The fingers are distributed on the circumference of a passage and are movable by being deployed transversely in a simultaneous manner towards the interior of the passage, until the stop position to form multiple support points distributed below the capsule. An independent claim is also included for a capsule distribution device comprising a capsule selection device.

Description

The present invention relates to a capsule selection device contained in a stack. The invention is aimed in particular at the supply and the distribution of food-grade capsules such as in distributors, beverage machines of the type coffee machines or other types of machines.

In the food sector, the use of food preparation systems food products from capsules, such as dispensing machines drinks, is booming because of the many benefits that come with usually these systems. These systems can be machines of distribution of beverages, for example, that operate using capsules containing a drink base. The consumer can prepare a drink in using these capsules in a simple, fast way and most of the time with a minimum intervention for preparation and / or cleaning.

These capsules may be, for example, portioned packages of configuration, sizes and / or natures very variable. It can be capsules in plastic film, filter paper, aluminum or composite laminate and may be lens shape, scoop or take other forms.

In the case of intensive use of these machines, there is a need for have sufficient reserves in capsules to avoid stock-out and / or offer a wider choice of different capsules for the preparation of specialties different. For this purpose, a reserve of capsule can be constituted in the form a stack in a reserved space and serve for the supply of capsules according to needs.

For example, US Pat. No. 6,595,106 relates to a capsule magazine to store several capsules stacked on top of each other. The capsules can be removed from the store on request by an opening practiced at the base of the store. A disadvantage is that capsules must be removed manually.

un corps délimitant une ouverture pour le passage des capsules par gravité commençant dans un ordre à partir de la première capsule située le plus bas dans la pile;

des premiers moyens d'arrêt pour sélectivement retenir et libérer ladite première capsule;

des moyens d'actionnement pour actionner lesdits moyens d'arrêts entre une position d'arrêt et une position de libération;

   caractérisé en ce que les premiers moyens d'arrêts sont répartis sur le pourtour du passage et sont mobiles en se déployant transversalement de manière simultanée vers l'intérieur du passage jusqu'en position d'arrêt pour former plusieurs points d'appuis répartis sous capsule.There is therefore a need to have a capsule selection device from a stack of capsules that is automated. However, such a device must relieve each capsule reliably and over a very large number of cycles. It must also be simple in design, fast actuation but able to adapt to capsules of different sizes and shapes. Some flattened capsules tend to be poorly positioned and the release of these capsules from a pile is problematic. Also, the device must make it possible to take care of the release of the capsules so as to avoid jamming and putting the capsules across.
For this purpose, the invention relates to a device for selecting capsules from a stack of capsules contained in a container comprising:

a body defining an opening for the passage of capsules by gravity starting in a sequence from the first capsule located lowest in the stack;

first stop means for selectively retaining and releasing said first capsule;

actuating means for actuating said stopping means between a stopping position and a releasing position;

characterized in that the first stop means are distributed around the perimeter of the passage and are movable by deploying transversely simultaneously towards the interior of the passage to the stop position to form a plurality of support points distributed under the capsule .

Such a configuration meets the requirements of a device that is reliable. Thus, the first capsule is maintained stably in several places distributed; which avoids tipping during the release of the capsule and the possible jamming of the capsule.

Preferably, the first stopping means are at least number of three or four regularly distributed around the perimeter of the passage. In Indeed, the stability of the capsule is greatly improved when the means of stopping are sufficient in number. In addition, the number and distribution of these means of arrest around the passage promotes the descent of the capsule so as to avoid the cross-positioning and jamming that may result, in particular, to the output of the device.

In addition, the shape of the stop means proves to be important in particular for ensure good support in a horizontal plane and thus avoid a release of through the capsule. For this, the first stop means are formed of fingers configured to create lines or bearing surfaces under the extending capsule substantially towards the center of the passage in the off position.

Preferably, the first stop means ends with free ends which are movable to describe an arc portion. So, the movement of the stop means is similar to that of a diaphragm so that when the capsule is released, the pressure on the capsule is gradually reduced and distributed around the capsule. This helps to maintain the capsule stable and to release it by avoiding the capsule to go wrong.

Preferably, each first stop means is attached to a rod of transmission rotatably mounted on the body in the vicinity of the periphery of the passage. Such an assembly is thus particularly simple and reliable.

According to another aspect of the invention, the device comprises second stop means which are configured to retain the second capsule located above of the first capsule in the pile at the moment when the first stop means are in the release position to release the first capsule. So, first and second stop means synchronously cooperate to release the first capsule in a selective manner by ensuring the maintenance of the other capsules in the battery. This synchronization contributes to the reliability of the system and guarantees its good operation; which makes it possible to envisage its use in any type of system distribution, including, an automated system with payment system or not.

In the same way as for the first stop means, the second stopping means extend transversely towards the interior of the passage, so as to simultaneous stop position, to form several support points distributed under the second capsule. Indeed, it is also important to keep the stack of capsules at above the first capsule as stable as possible and to avoid this one from position wrongly. A bad positioning can indeed affect the free descent of the capsules in the space assigned to them, as in a tube by example. A bad positioning of the second capsule can still make its descent against the first means of stopping incorrect.

In the same way as for the first stop means, the second means of arrest are at least three or four regularly around the perimeter of the passage.

Likewise, the second stop means ends preferably with free ends that are movable by describing an arc portion. In this way, the down the second capsule is by a diaphragm effect that ensures a horizontal descent and reduces the risk of jamming.

Also, each second stop means is attached to a transmission rod mounted in rotation on the body in the vicinity of the periphery of the passage; which rod is the same as that for each first stop means. Such a configuration contributes to both the guarantee of a perfect synchronization of movements of the first and second stop means. In addition, each first and second stop means are thus attached to a transmission rod forming together, transversely to the passage, an "L" so as to take positions stopping in opposition of phases. Such a construction has the effect of ensuring good timing in the release and support of the capsules while now the number of coins used as low as possible.

According to an advantageous construction principle, the transmission rods are operated in concert by means of a ring lodged around the perimeter of the passage; which is actuated alternately between the stop positions of the first and second stop means. This principle ensures that all the first means of stopping are actuated at the same time and that all the second stop means are actuated at the same time but to move in phase opposition with respect to movements of the first stop means.

Such a device can be actuated by actuating means of any type. In one possible mode, the actuating means comprise means solenoid type electric. In a possible mode, the actuating means also include crankshaft type mechanical means. He is heard that the electric means could be replaced by a manual control lever type, drawer or other.

Fig. 1 montre une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de sélection selon l'invention sans capsules;

Fig. 2 montre le dispositif de la Fig. 1 sans le corps;

Fig. 3 montre une vue en perspective du dispositif avec une première capsule retenue par les premiers moyens d'arrêt;

Fig. 4 montre le dispositif de la Fig. 3 sans le corps;

Fig. 5 montre une vue en perspective du dispositif avec une second capsule maintenue par les seconds moyens d'arrêt;

Fig. 6 montre le dispositif de la Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 montre le dispositif lors de la libération d'une première capsule par les premiers moyens d'arrêts.

Fig. 8 montre une vue en coupe d'un module de distribution de capsules qui comprend le dispositif selon l'invention.

These characteristics and their advantages as well as other possible ones may be better understood in the light of the description which follows and the following drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a selection device according to the invention without capsules;

Fig. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1 without the body;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the device with a first capsule held by the first stop means;

Fig. 4 shows the device of FIG. 3 without the body;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the device with a second capsule held by the second stop means;

Fig. 6 shows the device of FIG. 5;

Fig. 7 shows the device during the release of a first capsule by the first stop means.

Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of a capsule dispensing module which comprises the device according to the invention.

The present invention relates to a device for selecting capsules of the type of that shown in Figs 1 and 2, as a preferred example, and referenced in 1. Each capsule contains a dose of food product such as ground coffee example. The device 1 therefore comprises a body 10 on which the elements are mounted, the body 10 delimits a passage 20 of size section and shape adapted to the passage of the capsules. The passage 20 is typically arranged in look at a reserve of capsules located above the passage and coaxially in relation to this one. Such a reserve of capsules can be presented under the form of a capsule stack contained in a container as shown in FIG. Fig. 8, as will be detailed later in the description.

The device comprises first stop means 3 and second means stop 4; which means 3, 4 are arranged at two different levels in the passage 20. The first stop means 3 serve to maintain the first capsule in the pile up before his release. The first capsule is understood as being the capsule that is able to be released by the first stop means. The seconds stop means 4 serve to hold the capsule that follows this first capsule, when the first capsule is released by the first stop means. The capsule The following is therefore called a "second capsule" in the present application for reasons for clarity.

The first stop means 3 comprise a series of stop elements in finger shape 30, 31, 32, 33 which are distributed around the periphery of the passage 20. These elements are at least three or four in number to ensure stability and sufficient maintenance of the capsule. The number of stop elements depends on the size and / or the shape of the capsule. For example, for lenticular capsule and relatively wide, of the order of 40 mm in diameter or more, the number of elements stopping is preferably at least four, evenly distributed over the around the passage, for example, about 90 degrees between two elements. The stop elements provide support to the capsule on a surface 300 or a line which extends in the deployed position towards the interior of the passage.

Second stop means 4 in the form of stop elements 40, 41, 42, 43 of substantially the same shape are provided at a vertical distance of about one capsule thickness above the stop elements 30, 31, 32, 34 of the first means. The first and second stop means are respectively mounted by pair 30, 40; 31, 41; 32, 42; 33, 43 on transmission rods 50, 51, 52, 53. Each pair is mounted to form an "L" oriented transversely compared to the passage. The transmission rods 50, 51, 52, 53 are mounted in rotation relative to the body along an axis passing through their center O. All rods transmission are also connected to each other by a transmission ring 6 which is configured to move the rotating rods when the ring is itself biased in reciprocating motion relative to the center of the passage. For this, the rods comprise a base 501 which is fixed to the ring by a pivot point along an axis O 'offset externally with respect to the axis O, thus allowing to transmit the rotational movement to the rod during the pivoting movement of the ring. Each rod is finally mounted in a oblong slot 60 of the ring which provides guidance in rotation of the rod. As shown in FIG. 4, in order to properly maintain the ring relative to the body, the ring comprises a series of oblong light 61 traversed by elements of 150 fixing connected to the body. The ring can thus pivot in a guided manner by to the elements 50, 51, 52, 150 of an amplitude determined by the length of the lights. This amplitude is thus a function of the amplitude of movements of the first and second stop elements to perform their stop and release of the capsules.

The pivoting movement of the ring 6 making it possible to transmit the rotation to the rods is controlled by actuating means 8 which can understand an electrically controlled system such as a solenoid 80. Such a system is able to transmit after receiving an electrical impulse a linear movement back and forth by means of a piston 81. This piston 81 is hinged on a crankshaft 82 that turns this linear movement of the piston into motion transmitted to a shaft 83 at the axis O ". This circular motion of the shaft 83 is transmitted to the ring 6 by a lever arm 84 which is fixed in rotation according to O "'on an extension 62 of the ring 6. Thus a movement back and forth of the piston 81 of the solenoid has the effect of rotating the ring in a guided manner in the lights and transmit a rotational movement to the rods which itself move the stop means in opposition of phases and in two positions possible. Solenoid piston return control can be either by electrical impulse either by a return spring (not shown).

It should be noted that the first and second stop means have free ends, respectively, 300, 400, opposed to those mounted on the rod of transmission and which therefore move according to an arc portion. This portion of arc intersects with the edge 21 of the passage 20 and extends towards the interior of the passage so that the stop means retract by reducing support with the capsule, from the inside 22 to the edge 21 of the passage, in the manner a diaphragm.

The displacement of the stop means is more clearly illustrated in relation to Figs. 3-7.

Figs. 3 and 4 show the retention of a first capsule 90 on the first stop means 3 when they are deployed in position towards the interior of the passage. In this position, the piston of the solenoid is then in the retracted position. The second stop means are in the release position; which allows the stack of capsules to come into contact with the first capsule 90. For the sake of clarity, the stack of capsules, except for the first capsule, is not represented. Pulling in the direction T, the piston causes the ring in the pivoting direction A; which effect of transmitting rotational movement R1 to the transmission rods and therefore to deploy the first stop elements 3.

Figs. 5 and 6 show the retention of a second capsule 91 while FIG. 7 shows the release of the first capsule 90; these figures however showing the device in the same configuration means stop. In this configuration, the first stop means 3 are then retracted; which leads to the second stopping means 4 in the extended position to retain the second capsule 91 in the stack at the moment of the release of the first capsule 90. The passage in this new configuration is obtained by actuation of the actuating means, in particular of the piston which takes an extended position. By pushing in the direction P, the piston causes the ring in the pivoting direction B; which has the effect of transmit a rotational movement R2 to the transmission rods and thus to make deploying the second stop elements 4. This deployment has the effect of preventing the descent of the stack of capsules while the first capsule 90 is released. from the release of the first capsule 90, the device returns to the mode of Figs. 3-4 by return of the piston in the retracted position to bring down the second capsule 91 in contact with the first stop means 3; which then becomes the new first capsule selectable to be released at the desired time. The return of the piston can be done by a return spring, for example. These cycles are repeated for the individual selection of capsules in the stack.

FIG. 8 represents a dispensing device 2 of capsules from capsules stacked in a charging system that uses the selection device 1 according to the invention. The dispensing device 2 comprises a system of loading 7 comprising a removable tube 70 connecting to a portion of a tube buffer 71 permanently mounted on the body 10 of the selection device. The buffer tube holder 71 is able to receive a number of capsules to allow the removable tube 70 to be able to perform the replacement in capsules. The removable tube 70 and the tube support 71 can be associated by alignment means 72 whose function is to make it possible to connect the tube detachable 70 to the tube support 71 quickly and without dropping capsules off the system.

Under the passage of the selection device 1 is positioned a set of recovering capsules 73 comprising a first ramp 74 configured to orient the capsule on a second ramp 75 defining a clearance 76 for the recovery of the capsule. The second ramp includes a rim 77 to stop the sliding of the capsule. Ramps 75, 76 are positioned so as to have opposite sliding surfaces to ensure better inviolability of the device. The dispensing device can be associated with a means of command such as a command button that controls the actuating means and a payment system for activation of the control means (no shown). The payment system can be made by a coin mechanism and / or payment module by magnetic card or smart card or by means of remote payment such as telecommunication and / or multimedia.

The dispensing device and the loading system are described in details in the co-pending European patent application filed the same day having the title "loading device in capsules for feeding a machine distribution in capsules and / or food products "and the entire contents of which are incorporated in this application by reference.

The invention has been described by way of preferred examples. However, it is understood that the invention may include variants or equivalents within the scope of those skilled in the art who are covered by the following claims.

Claims (15)

Capsule selection device from a capsule stack contained in a container comprising: a body (10) defining a passage (20) for the passage of the capsules by gravity; first stop means (30,31,32,33) for selectively retaining and releasing said first capsule (90); actuating means (8) for actuating said stopping means (3, 30, 31, 32, 33) between a stopping position and a releasing position; characterized in that
the first stop means (3, 30, 31, 32, 33) are distributed around the perimeter of the passage (20) and are movable while deploying transversely simultaneously towards the inside of the passage to the stop position to form several points of support distributed in capsule (90). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that
the first stop means (3, 30, 31, 32, 33) are at least three or four regularly distributed around the perimeter of the passage (20). Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that
the first stop means (3, 30, 31, 32, 33) are formed of fingers configured to create lines or bearing surfaces under the capsule extending substantially towards the center of the passage in the off position. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that
the first stop means (3, 30, 31, 32, 33) terminate in free ends (300) which are movable by describing an arc portion. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that
each first stop means (3, 30, 31, 32, 33) is attached to a transmission rod (50, 51, 52, 53) rotatably mounted on the body (10) in the vicinity of the periphery of the passage ( 20) so as to make the stop means (3, 30, 31, 32, 33) movable. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises second stop means (4, 40, 41, 42, 43) configured to retain the second capsule (91) situated above the first capsule (90) in the stack when the first stop means (3, 30, 31, 32, 33) are in the release position to release the first capsule (90). Device according to claim 6, characterized in that
the second stopping means (4, 40, 41, 42, 43) extend transversely inwardly of the passage (20), simultaneously to the stopping position, to form a plurality of stitches. supports distributed under the second capsule (91). Device according to claim 7, characterized in that
the second stop means (4, 40, 41, 42, 43) are at least three or four regularly distributed around the perimeter of the passage (20). Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that
the second stop means (4, 40, 41, 42, 43) terminate in free ends (400) which are movable by describing an arc portion. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that
each second stop means is attached to a rod (50, 51, 52, 53) rotatably mounted on the body (10) in the vicinity of the periphery of the passage (20); which is the same as that for each first stop means (3, 30, 31, 32, 33). Device according to claim 10, characterized in that
each first and second stop means (3, 30, 31, 32, 33, 4, 40, 41, 42, 43) are attached to a transmission rod (50, 51, 52, 53) together forming, transversely in passing, an "L" so as to take stopping positions in opposition of phase. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in
the transmission rods (50, 51, 52, 53) are actuated in concert by means of a ring (6) housed on the circumference (21) of the passage (20); which is actuated alternately between the stop positions of the first and second stop means (3, 30, 31, 32, 33, 4, 40, 41, 42, 43). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in
the actuating means (8) comprise solenoid-type electrical means (80, 81). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in
the actuating means comprise mechanical means of the crankshaft type (82, 83). Capsule dispensing device characterized in that it comprises
a capsule selection device according to any one of the preceding claims,
a capsule loading system 7 and,
capsule recovery means 73.

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