EP2003626A1 - Mécanisme de sécurité pour distributeur automatique réfrigéré - Google Patents

Mécanisme de sécurité pour distributeur automatique réfrigéré Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2003626A1
EP2003626A1 EP07425292A EP07425292A EP2003626A1 EP 2003626 A1 EP2003626 A1 EP 2003626A1 EP 07425292 A EP07425292 A EP 07425292A EP 07425292 A EP07425292 A EP 07425292A EP 2003626 A1 EP2003626 A1 EP 2003626A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vending machine
trays
actuator
locking member
front panel
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.)
Ceased
Application number
EP07425292A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Angelo Ribello
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.)
FAS International SRL
Original Assignee
FAS International SRL
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 FAS International SRL filed Critical FAS International SRL
Priority to EP07425292A priority Critical patent/EP2003626A1/fr
Publication of EP2003626A1 publication Critical patent/EP2003626A1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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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 a safety mechanism for a refrigerated vending machine.
  • Refrigerated vending machines are generally composed of a frame having, formed inside it, a space which is open at the front, for storing the products to be dispensed, which are usually arranged on support trays equipped with selective dispensing means known in the art.
  • the front opening of the vending machine is closed by a front panel, generally comprising a sheet of glass or transparent material arranged in a surrounding support rim; the front panel may be hinged on the frame so that it can be easily opened in order to replenish the vending machine.
  • dispensing of the product is performed by means of gravity, namely the selected product is pushed beyond the front edge of the tray and is allowed to fall, through the gap present between the trays and the front panel, into a receiving space which can be accessed by the users.
  • the latter are usually arranged on slides which allow displacement thereof outwards so that, when the front panel is open, it is possible to selectively extract the trays in order to replenish them with products.
  • the vending machines are subject to vibrations and mechanical stresses which push the trays out of their normal working position. It may therefore happen that these stresses push the trays against the transparent part of the front panel, damaging it.
  • a layer of soft material for example a sheet of expanded polystyrene able to dampen the impacts or prevent unwanted movements of the trays.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine in which the risk of damage to the front closing panel is lower than in the vending machines known in the art.
  • this object is achieved by means of a vending machine in accordance with Claim 1.
  • the figures show a refrigerated vending machine 1 comprising a frame 2 which defines a space 3 for storing the products to be dispensed and a front opening for access to this space 3; the front opening can be closed by a front panel 4 (visible solely in Figures 5 to 9 ) arranged movably relative to the frame 2.
  • the front panel 4 is usually transparent so as to allow a user to see what is arranged inside the space 3.
  • the vending machine 1 comprises one or more trays 5 which are usually rectangular or circular and in which a plurality of movable compartments 51 for housing the products to be dispensed are defined.
  • the movement of the compartments 51 in order to deliver to the user the prechosen product is achieved by means of systems known in the art, for example by means of a spiral device, such as that shown in the figures, which therefore will not be further described.
  • the vending machine 1 comprises one or more trays 5 sliding between an inner position and an outer position, a front panel 4 movable between a closed position and an open position, an actuator 61 movable between an outer position and an inner position and a locking member 62 movable between a first position and a second position, all being operationally associated with each other so that, when the front panel 4 is in the closed position, the trays 5 are forced to remain in the outer position, effectively preventing the trays 5 from damaging the front panel 4 itself.
  • positions between which the parts kinematically linked together (i.e. front panel 4, actuator 61, locking member 62, trays 5) are movable, a particular technical effect being associated with each reference position.
  • the locking member 62 is movable between a first position, where it has a constraining action which prevents the movement of the trays 5 from the inner position to the outer position, and a second position, where it has a constraining action preventing the movement of the actuator 61 into the outer position.
  • the trays 5 are movable between an inner position corresponding to the position assumed during normal use of the vending machine, where they allow the movement of the locking member 62 from the second position into the first position, and an outer position, complementary thereto, where they have a constraining action which prevents the locking member 62 from moving from the second position into the first position; an example of this position is that where the trays 5 project outwards from the space 3.
  • the actuator 61 is movable between an outer position, where it allows the movement of the locking member 62 from the first position into the second position, and an inner position, complementary thereto, where it has a constraining action which prevents the locking member 62 from moving from the first position into the second position.
  • the front panel 4 is movable between a closed position, where it has a constraining action which prevents the actuator 61 from moving from the inner position into the outer position, and an open position, where it does not constrain the actuator 61 in any position.
  • the locking member 62 therefore acts as a device for "switching" between the movement of the trays 5 and the movement of the actuator 61, preventing the trays 5 from assuming the outer position and the actuator 61 from assuming the inner position simultaneously.
  • This constraining action prevents the movement of the trays 5 into the outer position when the front panel 4 is closed and, advantageously, also prevents closing of the front panel 4 when the trays 5 are in the outer position.
  • the locking member 62 is able to move from the first position into the second position and vice versa.
  • the movement of the locking member 62 from the second position into the first position may advantageously be performed by means of the action of the actuator 61; the reverse movement may advantageously be performed only by means of the action of an external operator. In this way greater control of the moment when the trays 5 are released is ensured; at the same time, closing of the front panel 4 may be performed only if the trays 5, advantageously only if all the trays 5, are in their inner position.
  • the actuator 61 advantageously projects from the frame 2, namely when it is in the outer position it occupies part of the space which is occupied by the front panel 4 when the latter is in the closed position.
  • the outer end 611 of the actuator 61 may come into contact with the front panel 4; its inner end 612, which is advantageously situated inside the frame 2 and/or the space 3, may come into contact with the locking member 62.
  • the actuator 61 is substantially straight, being arranged horizontally and/or is able to be displaced along its longitudinal axis.
  • the axis of displacement of the actuator 61 is parallel to the axis of displacement of the trays 5.
  • the locking member 62 comprises a first actuating surface 622, which receives the thrusting force of the actuator 61 so as to move from the second position into the first position, and a stop surface 623, which acts as a abutting surface for a corresponding stop surface 53 provided on the trays 5, so as to keep the trays 5 in the inner position.
  • the locking member 62 is formed by a section bar, which is advantageously hinged about a pin 621, for example defining a vertical axis, and the actuating surface 622 converts the translatory movement of the actuator 61 into a rotational movement about the pin 621.
  • the section bar 62 is in the form of an asymmetrical V, with one of the sides of the V (preferably the long side) which performs the function of a rotating arm and the other of the sides of the V which comprises the stop surface 623.
  • the end of the side which is not hinged comprises the actuating surface 622, which receives the thrusting force from the inner end 612 of the actuator 61; however, it is also possible to form the actuating surface 622 as a separate part 624 (see Figure 2 ).
  • section bar 62 may be formed by folding a metal plate of suitable size.
  • the surface 55 of the trays 5 which is directed towards the locking member 62 is that which prevents the locking member from moving into the first position, since it acts against a corresponding stop surface 625 of the locking member 62.
  • the stop surface 53 advantageously coincides with the edge of the trays 5, directed towards the front panel 4.
  • the surface 53 may be one of the two sides of a seat formed in the vicinity of the corner of the trays 5 situated close to the locking member 62.
  • the surface 55 may be formed on the other side of this seat.
  • the vending machine may comprise resilient recall means acting on the actuator 61 so as to keep it in the outer position, for example a coil spring 631 (visible in Figure 3 ) and/or resilient recall means acting on the locking member 62 so as to keep it in the first position, for example a leaf spring 632 (visible in Figure 4 ).
  • retaining means 64 which are able to releasably retain the locking member 62 in the second position, once this position has been reached.
  • These retaining means 64 may be formed, for example, by one or more magnets or electromagnets, although other methods (e.g. a double strip of material with small hooks and loops, such as Velcro ® ) are possible.
  • the retaining means 64 are advantageously stronger than the recall means mounted on the locking member 62, but only when in a close position.
  • the vending machine 1 When the vending machine 1 is in the configuration according to Figure 5 , the front panel 4 is closed, the actuator 61 is in the inner position, the locking member 62 is in the first position and the trays 5 are in the inner position. The trays 5 are unable to move into the outer position, and therefore damage to the front panel 4 is prevented.
  • Figure 8 shows the vending machine 1 which is completely open: the front panel 4 is in an open position: the actuator 61 is in an outer position, the locking member 62 is in the second position and the trays 5 are in an outer position.
  • Closing of the vending machine is performed by means of the following operations: the trays 5 are brought back into the inner position (visible in Figures 5, 6 and 7 ) and the front panel 4 is closed.
  • the front panel reaches a closed position, it presses against the actuator 61, moving it into the inner position.
  • the actuator 61 in turn presses against the locking member 62, moving it into the first position, without the need for manual action.
  • a second problem which may arise with vending machines which have sliding trays 5 occurs when the trays 5, after a product replenishing operation, are not all correctly arranged in their seats. In this case it could happen that a tray 5 which is situated in an outer position may interfere with the trajectory of a product which is falling towards the receiving space. The impact between the falling product and the projecting tray 5 may have undesirable effects such as: damage to the falling product, the product getting caught between the front panel and the projecting tray and/or dispensing of a product, positioned on the projecting tray 5, different from the desired one.
  • the vending machine described is able to solve, not only the problem of preventing impacts caused by the trays 5 against the front panel 4, but this problem as well.
  • the leaf spring 632 when the actuator 61 pushes the section bar from the second position into the first position, the leaf spring 632 causes the section bar itself to snap into the second position, as soon as the combined action of the actuator 61 and of the leaf spring 632 manages to overcome the force of the retaining element 64.
  • the vending machine 1 comprises an actuator 61 for each locking member 62 and a locking member 62 for one only, for some or, preferably, for all the trays 5; it is possible to envisage, moreover, an independent locking member 62 for each tray 5 or, as can be seen in the figures, a locking member 62 having a length such that it is able to constrain all the trays 5 at the same time.
  • a configuration will be adopted such as to prevent closing of the front panel 4 also even if only one of the trays 5 is in the outer position.
  • the front panel 4 is hinged on one of the sides of the vending machine 1, advantageously on the side opposite to the side containing the product selection electronics, and the actuator 61 and the locking member 62 are arranged in the vicinity of the front opening, on the opposite side; however, it is conceivable to arrange these parts also on the same side on which the front panel 4 is hinged, using, if necessary, for the actuator 61 a rotating part which acts against a suitable cam, or other devices for converting the movement of the front panel 4 into a movement of the locking member 62.
  • the vending machine 1 comprises generally also devices for selecting the product, for collecting the money, for monitoring correct operation, for refrigerating the products, and other devices.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
EP07425292A 2007-05-21 2007-05-21 Mécanisme de sécurité pour distributeur automatique réfrigéré Ceased EP2003626A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07425292A EP2003626A1 (fr) 2007-05-21 2007-05-21 Mécanisme de sécurité pour distributeur automatique réfrigéré

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07425292A EP2003626A1 (fr) 2007-05-21 2007-05-21 Mécanisme de sécurité pour distributeur automatique réfrigéré

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2003626A1 true EP2003626A1 (fr) 2008-12-17

Family

ID=38645775

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07425292A Ceased EP2003626A1 (fr) 2007-05-21 2007-05-21 Mécanisme de sécurité pour distributeur automatique réfrigéré

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2003626A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4023704A (en) * 1974-03-25 1977-05-17 Rowe International Inc. Helical feed merchandising machine
US4046440A (en) * 1974-10-04 1977-09-06 Umc Industries, Inc. Vendor with door and shelf interlock
US4138174A (en) * 1978-05-12 1979-02-06 Umc Industries, Inc. Vendor having sliding trays and latches therefor
US4209211A (en) * 1978-09-28 1980-06-24 Umc Industries, Inc. Vendor with door and shelf interlock

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4023704A (en) * 1974-03-25 1977-05-17 Rowe International Inc. Helical feed merchandising machine
US4046440A (en) * 1974-10-04 1977-09-06 Umc Industries, Inc. Vendor with door and shelf interlock
US4138174A (en) * 1978-05-12 1979-02-06 Umc Industries, Inc. Vendor having sliding trays and latches therefor
US4209211A (en) * 1978-09-28 1980-06-24 Umc Industries, Inc. Vendor with door and shelf interlock

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