Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
  • G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
  • G07F11/38—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are horizontal
  • G07F11/42—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are horizontal the articles being delivered by motor-driven means

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an automatic dispensing apparatus for bulky and / or heavy products and / or sold in packs.
• Apparatus for the automatic dispensing of beverages and / or food products is widespread. They provide a distribution of drinks or food products to 1 unit, each unit having a relatively small volume allowing it to be transported and handled easily inside the device.
• EP-A-1 253 562 describes a vending machine for beverages packaged for example in metal cans or in small plastic bottles with a capacity of 25 to 50 cl.
• the product is stored in tiered drawers and pushed to fall into a lift tray that brings it to the bottom where it is manually removed by a consumer having previously rotated a hatch.
• This design is not suitable for bulky and heavy products that can not fall into the elevator bin without the risk of being damaged.
• the recovery mode is not suitable for bulky and heavy products whose grip often requires the use of both hands.
• the object of the invention is to propose a new dispensing apparatus, for example bottled mineral water sold in packs or in a carboy, which is simple, economical, reliable, requiring little maintenance and allowing the setting a new distribution system combining convenience for the consumer by bringing it closer to home, the ecological aspect for centralized recycling of packaging, while boosting sales for water producers.
• the invention relates to an apparatus for automatic dispensing of bulky and / or heavy products and / or sold in packs, consisting of at least one box comprising at least one storage unit of said products structured in stages and provided with means in advance of at least one product to at least one transfer zone, transfer means provided in the transfer zone and arranged to receive in plane support said product pushed by said advance means and to transport it from the unit storage to at least one outlet, means for closing said outlet orifice arranged for, in the closed position, prohibiting access to the interior of said storage unit and, in the open position, allowing the exit of said product , anti-intrusion means arranged to prohibit access to the interior of said storage unit when the closure means are in the open position, and means for controlling said assembly.
• this apparatus comprises thrust means arranged to discharge the product outside said box through said outlet orifice, the closure means comprising at least one hatch coupled to actuating means controlled by said means of pushing so as to open the hatch to allow the output of said product and close it as soon as it is released.
• This apparatus may comprise means of payment and / or selection of said products.
• the stages of the storage unit consist of superposed fixed trays, each able to receive at least one row of products.
• Each tray can be arranged to carry several rows of products arranged side by side and separated by guide means.
• the feed means are arranged to push at least one row of products.
• Each row of products may comprise means of advance or these means of advance may be common to several rows of products.
• These feed means may comprise at least one motor coupled, by at least one transmission, to a pusher arranged to push the corresponding row of products.
• Each fixed plate may have a running surface and may also be slightly inclined rearward opposite the transfer zone.
• the transfer means may comprise at least one motor coupled to a mobile platform by at least one transmission to move it inside the transfer in front of the fixed trays of the storage unit along guides integral with the box.
• the movable platen may define a plane inclined forward and have a running surface.
• the stationary trays of the storage unit comprise, at the front, a ramp inclined downwards able to push the product carried by said movable plate on the latter when it is moving downwards, these ramps inclined may have a degressive length of the upper plates to the lower trays.
• the movable platen comprises a fixed base and a platen movable in said inclined plane, a return member being arranged between them, inclined ramps integral with the casing and arranged on the path of the transfer means facing the fixed platens of the storage unit being arranged to cooperate with said platen so as to bring it closer to the storage unit and facilitate the taking of a product, the inclined ramps having a decreasing depth from the top to the bottom of the storage area; transfer.
• the transfer means may comprise a plate disposed in the upper part of the movable plate at a distance sufficient to allow the loading of the product between it and the movable plate and at least partly constituting said anti-bursting means.
• the outlet orifice is disposed in the lower part of the box and comprises a sliding surface outside the box and provided with at least one slope inclined towards the ground.
• the hatch advantageously covers at least the surface of this outlet orifice and the means actuating means comprise at least one actuator coupled to this door to move it parallel to itself between its closed and open positions.
• the thrust means may comprise at least one actuator coupled to a pusher defining at least one bearing surface intended to come into contact with said product to be evacuated.
• the axis of the actuator is substantially parallel to the plane of the transfer means and the bearing surface of said pusher is flat and substantially perpendicular to this plane.
• the pusher is advantageously designed to close the outlet orifice when the hatch is in the open position and at least partly constitute said anti-burglary means to prevent any intrusion into the interior of the box.
• the box of the dispensing apparatus is advantageously isothermal and may be supplemented by thermal regulation means for cooling and / or heating the interior volume of the box according to the outside temperature.
• the dispensing apparatus comprises a recycling container adjacent to the box and provided with at least one inlet port adapted to receive the empty packages of the products.
• This input port may comprise a mobile access door between a closed position and an open position and coupled to an actuator controlled by the control means.
• This recycling container may also include means for compacting empty containers.
• Figure 1 is a front view of a dispensing apparatus according to the invention
• Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1
• Figure 3 is a sectional view from above of the Figure 1 is a sectional view from above of the apparatus of Figure 1 taken at the outlet
• Figure 5 is a view of the apparatus of Figure 1 taken at the storage unit; in an enlarged detail of the transfer zone, according to a first variant embodiment
• FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, according to a second variant embodiment
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of FIG. the storage unit of the apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the transfer means of the apparatus of FIG. 1
• FIG. 9 is a partial view of the side of the storage unit and transfer means of Figures 7 and 8
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of a another embodiment of the thrust means of the apparatus of FIG.
• dispensing apparatus 1 is specially designed to automatically distribute bulky and / or heavy products 2 and / or sold in packs, for example mineral water bottles, milk bricks. or any other beverage, sold in packs of four to eight, bottles of spring water with a capacity of 5 to 10 liters, detergent or fabric softener packs, etc., this apparatus being able to offer one or more types products, one or more product brands.
• This dispensing apparatus 1 is constituted by a streamlined caisson 10, of substantially cubic shape, defining a bottom 11 resting on the ground by feet 12, a front wall 13, two side walls 14 and 15, a rear wall 16 and a roof 17.
• At least one of the walls forms a hinged door, with one or more leaves, allowing access to the interior of the box 10 to reload the products 2 and provide maintenance.
• this box 10 is thermally insulated to prevent overheating in summer and freezing in winter. It may be completed by one or more refrigerant groups 3 and / or one or more heating groups 4, supplied by the electrical network and driven at least by an internal temperature sensor. An outside temperature sensor can be added if necessary.
• Its front wall 13 may include a glazed portion 13 'through which the proposed products 2 are visible in part or in whole. It may also have no glass part but carry visual information (labels) to identify the products 2 proposed. It may also include a light strip broadcasting advertising messages or others. The fairing of the dispensing apparatus 1 can also serve as advertising space.
• This distribution apparatus 1 comprises, like the majority of the distributors, payment means 21 and / or selection means 22 of the products 2, which can be centralized for example in an electric control box 20.
• the payment means 21 can be arranged to authorize payment by tokens, coins, credit card or prepaid card, which seems to be the simplest solution and limits the risk of burglary, the device then not containing money.
• the selection means 22 may comprise a keypad provided with product identification keys and numerical keys for selecting the desired number of products 2.
• a display screen (not shown) can be associated with the housing electrical control 20 to indicate, for example, the manipulations to follow, the stock status of available products, etc. As needed, other functionalities such as a recycling function can complete each of these means 21, 22.
• the box 10 defines at least one storage unit 30 of the products 2 structured in stages, each stage consisting of at least one fixed plate 31 adapted to receive one or more rows of products 2 arranged side by side.
• These fixed plates 31 may consist of a sliding surface or a running surface.
• they can be formed of a metal plate or not, covered with a sliding coating such as Teflon® for example.
• they may comprise rollers, for example roller rails 35 as illustrated in FIG. 7.
• These fixed plates 31 may be horizontal or, preferably, slightly inclined, towards the rear to promote the displacement. products 2 by their own weight, especially when they are loaded from the front of the dispensing apparatus 1.
• the angle ⁇ of the slope can be minimal, or even equal to 1 °, which is sufficient for a body to slide by its own weight (see Fig. 9).
• Each fixed plate 31 is completed by lateral guides 32 for separating the rows of products 2 and to guide them in translation, such as walls, rails, etc.
• Advancing means 40 are associated with each row of products to move it towards a transfer zone 50 provided at the front of the storage unit 30.
• advance means 40 for each row of products 2 as in the illustrated embodiments. They comprise, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a motor or geared motor 41 coupled to a pusher 44 by means of a worm gear transmission 42 and nut 43.
• the nut 43 is integral with the pusher 44 movable in translation along corresponding fixed plate 31 and arranged to move the row of products 2 by pushing.
• FIG. 1 Another embodiment shown in FIG.
• the feed means 40 comprise a motor or a gear motor 41 'coupled to the pusher 44 by means of a gearset transmission 42' and a chain 43 '. Still other means of advance can be provided such as a cylinder or any other equivalent actuator.
• the fixed plate 31 has a slot 32 putting in communication the pusher 44 disposed above with the transmission 42, 43 or 42 ', 43' disposed below this fixed plate 31.
• the pusher 44 is in this case constituted by a plate oriented substantially perpendicularly relative to the fixed plate 31 to provide the products 2 a flat and sufficiently large bearing surface guaranteeing a displacement parallel to themselves.
• the plate of the pusher 44 can be coupled to the transmission 42, 43 or 42 ', 43' by a bent part allowing it to push the row of products to the end of the fixed plate 31.
• the transfer zone 50 comprises transfer means 51 movable vertically from bottom to top and vice versa and arranged to search for at least one selected product 2 of the storage unit 30, separate it from the other products 2 stored and bring it up to at least one outlet orifice 60 closed by shutter means comprising at least one hatch 61.
• the transfer means 51 comprise a motor or a gear motor 52 on board mobile 53, the motor 52 meshing, by a motor pinion 54, a rack 55 secured to an intermediate intermediate wall 18 of the box 10 at the rear of the front wall 13.
• This movable plate 53 is guided in vertical translation along guide columns, rails or grooves (not shown) provided at least on either side of the rack 55 in the intermediate wall 18 of the box 10.
• these transfer means 51 may comprise a second rack 55 disposed opposite the first, the motor 52 being coupled to two gears 54 rotating in opposite directions and each meshing a rack 55 to multiply the lifting force.
• the racks 55 may also be provided on the sides of the box 10 on either side of the movable plate 53.
• the transfer means 51 are doubled to create two distinct transfer zones 50. each having its movable platen 53.
• the transfer means 51 each comprise a motor or a gear motor 52 'coupled to a movable platen 53 by means of a gear transmission 54' and chain 55 '.
• Transfer means 51 may also be suitable such as, for example, a motor, a geared motor, one or more jacks, coupled to a transmission by cables and pulleys, or any other suitable device.
• Each movable plate 53 is guided in vertical translation by lateral guide rails 59 'forming part of a gantry 59 attached to the box 10.
• the mobile plates 53 may consist of a sliding surface or a rolling surface in the same way as the fixed plates 31. In the example of FIG. 8, these mobile plates 53 each form a running surface obtained by roller rails As for the storage unit of FIG. 7.
• each movable plate 53 defines a plane inclined forwards with respect to the horizontal, the high level being situated on the side of 1 storage unit 30 and the low level of the opposite side, to ensure a good maintenance of the product 2 selected on the movable plate 53, sliding support for example on the intermediate wall 18, without risk of loss or fall of the product 2.
• the angle ⁇ of this plane inclined can be equal to a few degrees and for example 5 ° (see Fig. 9). This inclined plane also favors the separation of the selected product 2 from the other products 2 of the same row by tilting it by a few degrees in order to take off the faces in contact (see Fig. 5, 6, 9).
• the fixed plates 31 comprise on their edge situated on the side of the transfer zone 50 an inclined ramp 34 pointing downwards to push the product 2 selected on the moving plate 53 when the latter is move down.
• This trick makes it possible to correctly position the product 2 selected on the mobile plate 53 taking into account the clearance J existing between the edge of this movable plate 53 and the edge of the fixed plates 31.
• the inclined ramps 34 may have a decreasing length of the fixed plates 31 to the lower fixed platens 31 to avoid any risk of interference with the movable platen 53.
• the movable platen 53 is constituted of a fixed base 53a and a movable platen 53b coupled by a return member 53c.
• These inclined ramps 58 are arranged to compensate for the clearance J existing between the edge of the movable plate 53 and the edge of the fixed plates 31 and may have a decreasing depth from the top to the bottom of the transfer zone 50.
• FIG. 9 also makes it possible to illustrate the angles of inclination and ⁇ respectively of the fixed plate 31 and the movable plate 53 which are reversed.
• the movable plate 53 is completed by a vandal plate 56 in the upper part connected to the movable plate 53 by profiles 57, the assembly forming an open elevator.
• the gap between the movable plate 53 and the vandal-resistant plate 56 is sufficient to allow the loading of said products 2.
• This vandal-proof plate 56 has the function of blocking access to 1 storage unit 30 and the zone transfer 50 at the time of evacuation of the product 2 selected by the outlet port 60.
• the outlet orifice 60 is disposed in the lower part of the box 10 and opens on a sliding floor 62, outside the box 10.
• This sliding floor 62 may comprise a plane inclined towards the floor to promote the descent by gravity of the product 2 selected, extended if necessary by a horizontal plane or raised slightly to prevent the product from falling 2.
• the advantage of providing the lower part is the ease of gripping by the consumer of the product 2 purchased because of its weight and volume. Indeed, the product 2 selected is discharged on the sliding floor 62 slightly raised above the ground and to grip the pack by its handle, almost without bending down.
• the arrangement of the outlet orifice 60 in the lower part allows the dispensing apparatus 1 to restart a dispensing cycle even if the product 2 selected from the previous cycle has remained on the sliding floor 62. In this case , the selected product 2 of the current cycle will push the previous one which can, if necessary, to the floor without damage.
• the hatch 61 is concealed by a flexible and external protection 63 for example rubber slats or the like. It is controlled by actuating means 65 comprising an actuator 66, such as a jack, housed between the transfer zone 50 and the front wall 13. The rod 67 of this actuator 66 is coupled to the hatch 61 to move it in his plan so as to retract it to free the outlet orifice 60 during the evacuation of the selected product.
• actuating means 65 may be provided and the number of outlets 60 and the hatch 61 may be greater than one, depending on the size and design of the dispensing apparatus 1.
• This trap 61 is preferably made of a specific anti-burglary material.
• sealing members 68 such as rubber lip seals to protect the interior volume of the box 10 from the weather. It also includes, in accordance with the standards in force, an anti-pinch and anti-crush safety provided in a flexible bead at the bottom, which stops the descent of the hatch 61 in the event of an obstacle.
• This trap 61 has the function of preventing access to the interior of the box 10 to prevent any attempt of vandalism. It is open only to let the product 2 selected and closes immediately after its release.
• Thrust means 70 are disposed at the rear of the outlet orifice 60 to discharge the selected product outside the box 10 through this outlet port 60 and bring it to the sliding floor 62.
• the axis of the cylinder 71 is substantially parallel to the inclined plane of the movable plate 53 and the pusher 73 offers the product 2 selected a surface of plane support substantially perpendicular to this inclined plane.
• the thrust means 70 comprise two jacks 71 and two push-buttons 73, distributed on either side of the rack 55 and operating independently, to evacuate the selected product 2 coming either from 1).
• FIG. 1 the example illustrated in FIG.
• the thrust means 70 comprise a central cylinder 71 coupled to two push-buttons 73 by two roller carriages 74 rolling in movable slides 75.
• the two pushers 73 are activated if there are one or two selected products 2.
• the dimensions of each pusher 73 are slightly smaller than those of the corresponding outlet orifice 60, and a lip seal 76, for example made of rubber, is provided at the periphery to close this outlet. outlet port 60 at the exit of the product 2 selected, without risk of pinching.
• This system also has the advantage of protecting the distribution apparatus 1 against theft and vandalism when the hatch 61 is open since the pusher 73 and its seal 76 completely close the outlet orifice 60 and prevent access inside the housing 10. It thus offers another solution to the vandal plate 56 provided on the movable plate 53 in the example of Figure 2.
• the cylinders 66, 71 used are advantageously electric cylinders because insensitive to gel.
• the dispensing apparatus 1 is completed by a recycling container 80 attached to the box 10, either laterally or in the upper part, to collect the empty packaging of the products 2 and to offer the consumer a centralized place of purchase of products 2 to consume and recovery of products 2 after consumption.
• This recycling container 80 comprises at least one inlet orifice 81 sized to receive these empty containers.
• This inlet orifice 81 is at least partially closed by an access hatch 82 movable between a closed position and an open position. The opening of this access hatch 82 can be automated and subject to the purchase of products 2 to be consumed, this to avoid the wild filling of the recycling container 80.
• the access door 82 is controlled by an actuator 83 which can be a motor, a jack or any other suitable means. If the access flap 82 only partly blocks this inlet orifice 81, then the remaining portion may comprise a flexible skirt 84 made of rubber, for example, to avoid any risk of pinching the hand at the time of insertion. empty packaging if the access hatch 82 closes.
• This recycling container 80 may also include compacting means (not shown) empty packages to increase its filling capacity for the same volume. It finally has a front, rear or side door, allowing access to empty at regular intervals or when a sensor (not shown) indicates that the filling threshold is reached.
• the recycling container 80 can be equipped with a plastic bag or a removable box facilitating the recovery of empty packaging.
• Piloting means preferably automatic, associated with sensors, limit switches, detectors, etc. are provided to manage all of this dispensing apparatus 1 in an autonomous and secure manner.
• the different actuators 41, 41 ', 52, 52', 66, 71, 83 are controlled according to the means of payment and / or selection of the products 2 and according to a predefined operating cycle.
• limit switches are provided at each end of each fixed plate 31 to control the extreme positions of the feed means 40.
• a presence detector 36 (see Fig. 9) makes it possible to manage the Advancing products 2 and counting them in order to permanently have the status of the remaining product stock 2 on each fixed platen 31.
• a multiposition detector 37 on each movable platen 53 see FIG.
• the control means can also be connected to a central management unit by a telephone line or by other means of communication making it possible to visualize the park of these distribution apparatus 1, to generate the supply of the products 2, the emptying of the recycling container 80, maintenance, etc.
• the transfer means 51 are activated to bring the movable plate 53 facing one of the stages of the storage unit 30 where the first product 2 selected. Then the feed means 40 corresponding to the row of products 2 concerned are activated to push this row of a length equal to that of a product 2, the product 2 located at the end of the row is then transferred to the movable plate 53 by sliding or bearing. At this moment, the transfer means 51 are activated to lower the mobile plate 53 facing the outlet orifice 60. When its position is detected, the actuating means 65 and the thrust means 70 are activated for, part, retract the hatch 61 and open the outlet port 60, and secondly, out the rod 72 of the cylinder 71 and push the selected product 2 outside the box 10.
• the transfer means 51 can be programmed to search for several products 2 at different stages or in different rows of the storage unit 30 so as to deliver them simultaneously or successively through the outlet orifice 60 .
• This dispensing apparatus 1 makes it possible to offer consumers a new distribution network for bulky, heavy and consumer products, such as bottled water, milk bricks or any other product, simple, reliable, ergonomic, near their homes and at a lower cost, eliminating the "chore" of high volumes during weekly shopping. Indeed, this dispensing device 1 can easily be located in the heart of subdivisions, at the foot of buildings, along the main access roads to neighborhoods, village squares, etc.. Combined with a recycling container 80 for empty packaging, this dispensing device 1 also offers consumers an ecological solution at their fingertips, by combining the operation of recycling empty packaging with the operation of purchasing new products.
• this new distribution network will make it possible to boost and develop the sale of these products, to promote a new brand of products, to promote one or more brands, etc. knowing that this dispensing device 1 can be dedicated to a single product or a variety of products.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
• Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
• Refuse Collection And Transfer (AREA)
• Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)

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Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

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• 2005
  • 2005-02-24 SI SI200530798T patent/SI1730708T1/sl unknown
  • 2005-02-24 WO PCT/IB2005/000464 patent/WO2005093673A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2005-02-24 DK DK05708584T patent/DK1730708T3/da active
  • 2005-02-24 EP EP05708584A patent/EP1730708B1/de active Active
  • 2005-02-24 PT PT05708584T patent/PT1730708E/pt unknown
  • 2005-02-24 DE DE602005015688T patent/DE602005015688D1/de active Active
  • 2005-02-24 US US10/591,105 patent/US7591397B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-02-24 PL PL05708584T patent/PL1730708T3/pl unknown
  • 2005-02-24 ES ES05708584T patent/ES2330862T3/es active Active
  • 2005-02-24 AT AT05708584T patent/ATE438166T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2009
  • 2009-10-14 CY CY20091101067T patent/CY1109486T1/el unknown

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