EP1887533A2 - Popcorn-Verkaufsautomat - Google Patents

Popcorn-Verkaufsautomat Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1887533A2
EP1887533A2 EP07114066A EP07114066A EP1887533A2 EP 1887533 A2 EP1887533 A2 EP 1887533A2 EP 07114066 A EP07114066 A EP 07114066A EP 07114066 A EP07114066 A EP 07114066A EP 1887533 A2 EP1887533 A2 EP 1887533A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
constituted
lids
vending machine
lid
grip
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07114066A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1887533A3 (de
Inventor
Claudio Sinico
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lucietto Moreno
Original Assignee
Lucietto Moreno
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lucietto Moreno filed Critical Lucietto Moreno
Publication of EP1887533A2 publication Critical patent/EP1887533A2/de
Publication of EP1887533A3 publication Critical patent/EP1887533A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/10—Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F13/00—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs
    • G07F13/10—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with associated dispensing of containers, e.g. cups or other articles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a popcorn vending machine.
  • Popcorn vending machines are currently known and are widespread particularly in meeting and recreational venues such as cinemas, gaming arcades, exhibition spaces, sports facilities and the like.
  • These currently known popcorn vending machines generally comprise a vessel for corn kernels, a dosage device for selecting the amount of corn to be introduced in associated corn cooking or roasting means, and means for dispensing the popcorn flakes toward appropriately provided means for mixing the flakes with flavoring substances, such as salt or sugar but also caramel, chocolate, nutritional yeast and other similar ingredients, such substances in turn being sent to the mixing means from corresponding vessels by means of a selection and dosage device; after mixing, the popped corn is poured by way of dispensing means into a container, generally a cup, which can be removed manually by a consumer.
  • flavoring substances such as salt or sugar but also caramel, chocolate, nutritional yeast and other similar ingredients
  • vending machines increase in complexity as the number of substances that can be mixed with the popcorn flakes increases, since for each of said substances there is a vessel and there are associated dosage means arranged so as to converge toward one or more mixing chambers.
  • the aim of the present invention is to provide a popcorn vending machine which is capable of obviating the problems and drawbacks of known machines.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine which is capable of managing the substances to be associated with the corn flakes, be they salt, sugar, caramel or others, without said substances impairing the correct and regular operation of the machine.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine which requires less maintenance than known machines.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine which is capable of managing a plurality of different substances.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine which is capable of associating with each portion of popcorn a predefined constant amount of additional substance, regardless of the humidity characteristics of the environment in which the machine is placed to work.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a popcorn vending machine which can be manufactured cheaply with known systems and technologies.
  • a popcorn vending machine which comprises, inside a box-like containment body, a vessel for corn kernels, a dosage device for selecting the amount of corn to be introduced in associated corn cooking or roasting means, and means for dispensing the popcorn flakes toward an appropriately provided container which can be removed manually by a consumer, said vending machine being characterized in that it comprises means for accommodating, selecting and dispensing lids for said containers, said lids having a containment chamber which can be opened toward the inside of the associated container, for a substance to be mixed with the popcorn flakes inside the container itself.
  • a popcorn vending machine according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
  • the machine 10 comprises, inside an upper part 11a of a box-like containment body 11, a vessel 61 for corn kernels, a dosage device 62 for selecting the quantity of corn to be introduced in associated means 63 for cooking or roasting the corn, and means 64 for dispensing the popcorn flakes toward an appropriately provided container, which is visible in Figure 1, is designated therein by the reference numeral 70 and can be removed manually by a consumer.
  • the machine 10 also comprises a dispenser 14 for lids for the containers.
  • the arrangement of the lid dispenser 14 in a lower region with respect to the rest of the machine 10 is to be understood as a non-limiting example of the invention.
  • the lids designated hereinafter by the reference numerals 12, 12a and 12b, are provided with a containment chamber 59, which can be opened toward the inside of the associated container, for a substance to be mixed with the popcorn flakes with the popcorn flakes inside the container.
  • a container dispenser 13 is also associated with the machine 10.
  • the lid dispenser designated by the reference numeral 14 in Figure 2, comprises containment means 15 for two stacks 16 of lids 12.
  • Means 17 for lifting each of the stacks 16 of lids toward means 18 for gripping and conveying a single lid 12 toward means 19 for exposing at least part of a lid 12 outside the box-like body 11 of the machine 10, available for grip on the part of a user, are associated with the containment means 15.
  • the containment means 15 are provided, for each stack of lids 16, by two containment shoulders 20 which are predominantly longitudinally elongated and are fixed to the supporting frame 31 of the dispenser 14 so as to form a vertically elongated compartment for accommodating a stack 16 of lids 12.
  • the lifting means 17 are constituted, for each stack 16, by a pan 21, which is visible in Figures 3 and 4 and on which the stack 16 is arranged; the pan is rigidly coupled by way of fixing and guiding means to a belt 22, which is actuated vertically between two pulleys, a first upper pulley 23 and a second lower pulley 24.
  • the upper pulley 23 is moved by associated motorization means, which are managed by a central electronic controller of the vending machine 10, which is arranged inside the box-like body 11.
  • the motorization means are constituted by a first electric motor 25.
  • the fixing and guiding means for the pan 21 are provided by an L-shaped bracket 26 which supports the pan 21; the vertical portion 26a of the bracket 26 is rigidly coupled, by way of threaded coupling means 28, to the belt 22 and to a slider 27 for maintaining the correct ascent configuration of the pan 21.
  • the slider 27 is arranged so as to slide in a vertical guide 29, which in turn is fixed to a column-like element 30 of the frame 31 which supports the lid dispenser 14.
  • the column-like element 30 is interposed between the front portion, which is directed toward the outside of the machine 10, and the rear portion of the belt 22.
  • the grip and transport means 18 for an individual lid are constituted by a clamp device 32, which is moved by means 33 for its horizontal translational motion, which are fixed to the frame 31 above the two stacks 16 of lids, at such a height that lifting one lid supporting pan 21 arranges the upper lid 12a of the stack 16 between the grip elements 34 of the clamp device 32, which is described in greater detail hereinafter.
  • the horizontal translational motion means 33 are constituted by a belt 35, which is moved between two pulleys 36 and 37 which have vertical and parallel axes; one of the pulleys, for example the first pulley 36, is actuated by a second electric motor 38, which is managed by the electronic central control unit.
  • the clamp device 32 is rigidly coupled to the belt 35 by way of fixing and guiding means.
  • the clamp device 32 is constituted by the two mutually opposite grip elements 34 cited above, each of which supports a pair of pins 39 which protrude downward; the grip elements 34 are arranged so as to slide on two parallel horizontal bars 40 below a supporting plate 41.
  • the supporting plate 41 has two opposite flaps 43 which are folded downward and to which the two bars 40 are fixed by their ends.
  • Elastic means are interposed between the flaps 43 and the grip elements 34 to contrast the thrust applied by a cam-like element 42, which is arranged between the two grip elements 34 and is turned by a third electric motor 44, which is rigidly coupled to the plate 41.
  • the elastic means are constituted by helical springs 45 arranged so as to surround the ends of the sliding bars 40.
  • the fixing and guiding means for the clamp device 32 are constituted by an L-shaped bracket 46, which is rigidly coupled to the clamp device 32, the vertical portion 46a of which is rigidly coupled, by way of threaded coupling means 47, to the belt 35 and to a slider 48 for maintaining the correct configuration for horizontal translational motion; the slider 48 is arranged so as to slide in a horizontal guide 49, which in turn is fixed to a transverse element 50 of the frame 31.
  • the transverse element 50 in turn is bracketed by means of flanges 51 to the partition 52 of the frame 31 and is interposed between the front portion, which is directed toward the outside of the machine 10, and the rear portion of the belt 35.
  • Corresponding switches are fixed to the frame at the stroke limits for the pans 21 that support the stacks 16 and for the clamp device 32 and are adapted to report to the electronic central control unit the position of said elements.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a first upper switch 53, which reports when the pan 21 has risen completely and therefore has no lids 12 and accordingly the machine needs to be resupplied with a new stack of lids.
  • Figures 2 and 5 illustrate a third switch 55 and a fourth switch 56; the third switch 55 indicates the position of the clamp device 32 at a first stack of lids, the rightward stack in the figures, and the fourth switch 56 indicates the position of the device 32 at the second stack of lids, the left one.
  • Two other switches a fifth one 57 and a sixth one 58, are arranged on the clamp device 32; the two switches on the clamp device 32 report the opening and closure of the grip elements 34 around a lid 12.
  • the means 19 for exposing a lid are constituted by a chute which is interposed, below the grip and transport means 18, between the two stacks 16 of lids; in the chute, the ends directed toward the outside of its lateral shoulders 19a are folded inward so as to form a stop abutment for the outgoing lid 12b.
  • the operation of the vending machine 10 according to the invention is as follows.
  • buttons 60 visible in the upper part 11a of the box-like body 11 of the machine 10.
  • the electronic control unit coordinates the translational motion of the clamp device 32 at the stack 16 of the two stacks of lids which are provided with the selected substance in their containment chamber 59.
  • the corresponding stack 16 descends until it frees the horizontal movement of the clamp device 32 with the lid 12a.
  • the clamp device 32 is then subjected to a horizontal translational motion until it reaches the chute, onto which the clamp device 32 opens to drop the lid 12a thereon, the lid sliding toward the outside of the machine 10 and being available for grip by a consumer, as shown by way of example in Figure 1.
  • the machine 10 is therefore capable of dispensing pre-dosed portions of popcorn in association with a lid which contains the substance with which one wishes to flavor it.
  • the supply of salt, sugar, caramel or others by means of an associated lid dispensed by the same machine 10 allows to avoid the provision of the vessel and of the dosage and dispensing devices designed to manage a single substance and the provision of a mixing chamber for mixing the exploded corn flakes with the selected substance.
  • the salt, enclosed within the lids, is in fact completely separated hermetically with respect to the lid dispenser 14 and therefore cannot damage the components of the vending machine, since it cannot deposit in any point of the machine and cannot come accidentally into contact with any of its parts during operation.
  • the lid dispenser 14, described herein applied to a popcorn vending machine, is also a subject of the invention.
  • the lid dispenser 14 is characterized in that it is constituted by containment means for at least two stacks of lids 15; means 17 for lifting each of the stacks 16 of lids 12 toward means 18 for gripping and conveying a single lid 12 toward means 19 for exposing at least part of a lid 12 outside a box-like body 11 in which the dispenser is installed, available for grip by a user, are associated with said containment means.
  • the containment means are constituted by the containment shoulders 20 which are predominantly longitudinally elongated and are fixed so as to form a vertically extended compartment for accommodating a stack 16 of lids 12.
  • the lifting means are provided, for each stack 16, by a pan 21 on which the stack 16 is rested, said pan being rigidly coupled by way of fixing and guiding means to a belt 22 which is actuated vertically between two pulleys 23 and 24, of which the upper one is moved by a first electric motor 25 managed by an electronic central control unit of the dispenser 14.
  • the means for gripping and conveying a single lid are constituted by a clamp device 32 as described above, which is moved by the horizontal translational motion means 18, also as described above.
  • the exposure means 19 are constituted by a chute which is interposed between the two stacks 16 of lids 12 below the grip and conveyance means 18.
  • the present invention provides a vending machine which is capable of handling the substances to be associated with the corn flakes, be they salt, sugar, caramel or others, without said substances affecting the correct and regular operation of the machine.
  • the present invention provides a machine which requires less maintenance than known machines, since it lacks those parts which in known machines fail due to the action of salt or sugar.
  • the present invention provides a vending machine which is capable of managing more than two different substances, since it is sufficient to provide a lid dispenser with as many stacks of lids as there are substances to be made available to the consumer.
  • the present invention provides a vending machine which is capable of associating with each portion of popcorn a predefined constant quantity of additional substance, regardless of the humidity characteristics of the environment in which the machine is placed to work.
  • the present invention provides a popcorn vending machine which can be manufactured cheaply with known systems and technologies.
  • the materials employed may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
EP07114066A 2006-08-11 2007-08-09 Popcorn-Verkaufsautomat Withdrawn EP1887533A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITPD20060306 ITPD20060306A1 (it) 2006-08-11 2006-08-11 Macchina distributrice automatica di pop-corn

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1887533A2 true EP1887533A2 (de) 2008-02-13
EP1887533A3 EP1887533A3 (de) 2008-07-09

Family

ID=38474439

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07114066A Withdrawn EP1887533A3 (de) 2006-08-11 2007-08-09 Popcorn-Verkaufsautomat

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1887533A3 (de)
IT (1) ITPD20060306A1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITVI20090061A1 (it) * 2009-03-18 2010-09-19 Sintech Srl Macchina automatica perfezionata per la distribuzione di pop-corn
US12116199B2 (en) 2021-12-16 2024-10-15 Cfs Brands, Llc Dispenser assembly for disposable lids

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4243153A (en) * 1979-04-12 1981-01-06 Mitchell Phillip E Bowl and lid dispenser
US5309825A (en) * 1993-03-04 1994-05-10 Show-Pop International, Inc. Popcorn vending machine
WO1995024145A1 (en) * 1994-03-11 1995-09-14 Deeley, Stephanie, Tamsin Vending and/or dispensing machine
WO1997006699A1 (en) * 1995-08-16 1997-02-27 Rowe International, Inc. Popcorn vending machine
US5819982A (en) * 1997-01-29 1998-10-13 Brown; Anthony P. Dispenser for disposable lids
US5979647A (en) * 1997-12-30 1999-11-09 Han; Ki Su Lid for container
US5997236A (en) * 1995-05-08 1999-12-07 Mars, Incorporated Method and apparatus for automatic bulk vending
KR20040068449A (ko) * 2003-01-25 2004-07-31 유병길 팝콘에 첨가물을 혼합하는 토핑용 보조컵
US6976578B1 (en) * 2002-05-07 2005-12-20 Antony Austin Kenihan Dispensing lid closure for beverage container and method of making and using the closure
KR20060090364A (ko) * 2005-02-07 2006-08-10 차승호 팝콘 자동 판매기

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4243153A (en) * 1979-04-12 1981-01-06 Mitchell Phillip E Bowl and lid dispenser
US5309825A (en) * 1993-03-04 1994-05-10 Show-Pop International, Inc. Popcorn vending machine
WO1995024145A1 (en) * 1994-03-11 1995-09-14 Deeley, Stephanie, Tamsin Vending and/or dispensing machine
US5997236A (en) * 1995-05-08 1999-12-07 Mars, Incorporated Method and apparatus for automatic bulk vending
WO1997006699A1 (en) * 1995-08-16 1997-02-27 Rowe International, Inc. Popcorn vending machine
US5819982A (en) * 1997-01-29 1998-10-13 Brown; Anthony P. Dispenser for disposable lids
US5979647A (en) * 1997-12-30 1999-11-09 Han; Ki Su Lid for container
US6976578B1 (en) * 2002-05-07 2005-12-20 Antony Austin Kenihan Dispensing lid closure for beverage container and method of making and using the closure
KR20040068449A (ko) * 2003-01-25 2004-07-31 유병길 팝콘에 첨가물을 혼합하는 토핑용 보조컵
KR20060090364A (ko) * 2005-02-07 2006-08-10 차승호 팝콘 자동 판매기

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITVI20090061A1 (it) * 2009-03-18 2010-09-19 Sintech Srl Macchina automatica perfezionata per la distribuzione di pop-corn
EP2230649A1 (de) 2009-03-18 2010-09-22 Sintech S.R.L. Popcorn-Verkaufsautomat
US12116199B2 (en) 2021-12-16 2024-10-15 Cfs Brands, Llc Dispenser assembly for disposable lids

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1887533A3 (de) 2008-07-09
ITPD20060306A1 (it) 2008-02-12

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