EP3340194A1

EP3340194A1 - Product dispensing machine

Info

Publication number: EP3340194A1
Application number: EP17208217.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gjon BISHA
Original assignee: Alvending Srl
Current assignee: Alvending Srl
Priority date: 2016-12-20
Filing date: 2017-12-18
Publication date: 2018-06-27
Also published as: IT201600129005A1

Abstract

A product dispensing machine (100) comprises: a storage compartment (1), a partition (5) disposed in frontal position with respect to the storage compartment (1), two side edges (7), an unloading conduit (6) comprising a stacking station (62) and an unloading station (60) provided with an outlet section (61), and movement means (3) to let the products pass from the stacking station (62) to the unloading station (60); said movement means (3) comprise two chains (30) that are moved along an endless loop path, and a plurality of equidistant rods (31) joined to the two chains (30); the product dispensing machine (100) comprises actuation means (4) to actuate the movement means (3).

Description

The present patent application for industrial invention relates to a product dispensing machine.
Automatic product dispensing machines are known. Said product dispensing machines comprise a box-shaped frame with a front wall, which is usually transparent, a back wall, two side edges and one compartment defined by the front wall, the back wall and the side edges.
The machine comprises a storage compartment disposed inside the compartment. The storage compartment comprises a plurality of support surfaces, disposed one above the other and suitable for supporting the products. Each support surface comprises a free front edge.
Moreover, the frame comprises partitions in parallel position to the side edges and disposed on the support surfaces in such a way to divide the support surface into channels. The products are disposed on the support surfaces in rows defined by the partitions. In particular, the first product is disposed near the free front edge of each support surface.
The frame comprises an outlet for dispensing the products from the machine. The outlet is obtained on the front wall and is disposed under the support surfaces.
The support surfaces have a lower width than the side edges, in such a way that a conduit is formed between the free front edge of the support surfaces and the front wall to let the products pass beyond the free front edge of the support surfaces. The conduit ends in the outlet.
The dispensing machine comprises movement means suitable for pushing the products beyond the free front edge of the support surfaces. In particular, the dispensing machine comprises one movement means for each row of products.
The most common movement means consist in a spiral that is revolvingly mounted in one of the channels. The spiral has the same length as the channel and comprises a first end, which is connected to actuation means disposed on the back wall of the frame, and a second end, which is disposed on the free front edge of the support surface.
The products are disposed between the turns of the spiral. By rotating the spiral, the products are pushed forward in the channel until the first product of the row passes beyond the free edge and falls into the conduit.
Alternatively, the products are stored in the storage compartment in columns disposed on a support surface and laterally contained by a pair of side edges. Each movement means comprises a jack for each column. Each jack is suitable for pushing the product disposed in the lowest position of the column beyond the free edge of the support surface.
In spite of automatically dispensing the products, such a dispensing machine is impaired by several drawbacks.
A first drawback is experienced when the first product of a row or of a column of products is not ejected correctly following to the action performed by the movement means; in some instances, said product is jammed in said spiral or between the free front edge and the front wall of the frame. In such a case, the product cannot fall into the conduit, preventing all products in the row or in the column from being ejected.
Otherwise said, the product becomes a sort of "plug" that prevents the movement means from moving the other products in the row or in the column.
A second drawback consists in the fact that it is necessary to provide one movement means for every row of products. Consequently, the production of said dispensing machines is time-consuming and expensive because of the high number of movement means that needs to be provided.
A third drawback occurs when one of the products disposed in said row or in said column of products is jammed, blocking the entire row or the entire column.
The purpose of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by disclosing a product dispensing machine that is capable of dispensing the products also when a product of a row is jammed.
Another purpose of the present invention is to disclose a product dispensing machine that comprises a dispensing device that allows for dispensing multiple rows of products; in particular, reference is made to the case in which identical products are to be stored in several rows in the storage compartment; in such a case, according to the prior art, a number of movement means equal to the number of rows is to be provided, it being evident that each of said movement means is affected by the aforesaid drawbacks.
Another purpose of the present invention is to disclose a product dispensing machine that is efficient, practical, inexpensive and simple to make.
A product dispensing machine according to the present invention comprises a storage compartment comprising one lower support surface and at least one upper support surface. Each support surface is intended to support a row of products and comprises a free front edge.
The product dispensing machine comprises a partition disposed in frontal position with respect to the free front edges of the support surfaces, as well as two side edges disposed in frontal position with respect to the storage compartment.
The product dispensing machine comprises an unloading conduit that receives the products that pass beyond the free edge of each support surface. The conduit is frontally defined by the partition and is laterally defined by the side edges. The conduit comprises one unloading station and one stacking station disposed above the unloading station. The unloading station is provided with an outlet section for dispensing the products from the machine.
The product dispensing machine comprises movement means to let the products pass from the stacking station to the unloading station. The movement means comprises two sets of toothed wheels, each of them being revolvingly mounted on one of the two side edges. The movement means comprise two chains, each of them engaging with the toothed wheels of one of the two sets of toothed wheels.
The toothed wheels of each set of toothed wheels are disposed in such a way that each chain is moved along an endless loop path. The path comprises an ascending section, which passes through the outlet section, and a descending section, which passes through the stacking station. The movement means comprise a plurality of equidistant rods, which are joined to the two chains and parallel to the axis of rotation of the toothed wheels. The distance of each rod relative to the adjacent rods is higher than the height of the products.
The product dispensing machine comprises actuation means to actuate the movement means. The actuation means comprise a device that actuates the actuation means.
For the sake of clarity, the description of the product dispensing machine according to the present invention continues with reference to the attached drawings, which have a merely illustrative, not limiting value, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an axonometric view of a product dispensing machine according to the invention,
Fig. 2 is an axonometric view of actuation means and of a storage compartment of the product dispensing machine of Fig. 1; some parts are partially omitted in said Fig. 2 to display said actuation means from the interior;
Fig. 3 is an axonometric view of the storage compartment and of the moving means of Fig. 2 seen from a different angle; some parts are partially omitted in said Fig. 3 to display said movement means from the interior;
Figs. 4 to 29 are axonometric views of the products and of the movement means of Fig. 2 during the steps in which the products are dispensed.

With reference to Fig. 1, a product dispensing machine according to the present invention is disclosed, which is generally indicated with reference numeral (100).
The product dispensing machine (100) comprises a box-shaped frame (9), comprising a front wall (90) with a transparent portion, and an outlet (91) for dispensing the products. The box-shaped frame (9) comprises a compartment that is suitable for containing the products. As shown in the attached Figures, the products usually consist in small bottles.
With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the product dispensing machine (100) comprises a storage compartment (1) disposed inside the compartment of the box-shaped frame (9). The storage compartment (1) comprises two vertical side walls (17) disposed in parallel position. Advantageously, the two vertical side walls (17) are spaced by a distance that is equal to the length of the products, in such a way that said products can be exactly disposed between the two vertical side walls (17).
The storage compartment (1) comprises a plurality of support surfaces, disposed one above the other in parallel position. In particular, the storage compartment (1) comprises a lower support surface (11), a first upper support surface (12) disposed above the lower support surface (11), and a second upper support surface (13) disposed above the first upper support surface (12).
Alternatively, the storage compartment (1) comprises two support surfaces or more than three support surfaces.
Each support surface (11, 12, 13) is suitable for supporting a row of products. Each support surface (11, 12, 13) is a pair of shelves connected to the side walls (17) of the storage compartment (1). Each pair of shelves comprises a free front edge (11a, 12a, 13a).
Advantageously, the upper shelves comprise a removable portion (12c, 13c) that is suitable for being moved in order to facilitate the loading from above of the products into the storage compartment (1).
Alternatively, the support surfaces (11, 12, 13) are removable surfaces or rollers disposed between the side walls (17) of the storage compartment (1).
The product dispensing machine (100) comprises pushing means (2). Each pushing means (2) is disposed above one of the support surfaces (11, 12, 13) of the storage compartment (1) in such manner to push the products beyond the free front edge (11a, 12a, 13a) of the shelves.
Each pushing means (2) comprises a pair of crowns (21), each of them being free to rotate around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the side walls (17) and to slide along the shelves. In particular, each shelf comprises a plurality of longitudinal openings (14), wherein the teeth of one of the two crowns (21) are inserted when the crown (21) is rolled. The pushing means (2) comprise a front bar (22) connected to the crowns (21) and suitable for stopping against the last product of the row of products.
The pushing means (2) comprise an elastic device (23) configured in such manner to push the products beyond the free front edge (11 a, 12a, 13a) of the support surfaces (11, 12, 13). The elastic device (23) is disposed in one of the two side walls (17). The elastic device (23) comprises a first end connected to a wall of the storage compartment (1), and a second end connected to one of the two crowns (21). The elastic device (23) is released when no product is disposed on the shelves. In such a case, the crowns (21) are near the free front edge (11a, 12a, 13a) of the shelves. When the products are disposed on the shelves, the crowns (21) are moved towards the back wall of the storage compartment (1), compressing and loading the elastic device (23). Consequently, the front bar (22) exerts a pressure on the products in such a way to push the products beyond the free front edge (11a, 12a, 13a) of the shelves.
The product dispensing machine (100) comprises a partition (5) disposed inside the compartment of the frame (1) in frontal position with respect to the free front edges (11a, 12a, 13a) of the shelves. In particular, the minimum distance between the partition (5) and the free front edge (11a, 12a, 13a) of the shelves is higher than the width of the products, i.e. the diameter of the small bottles. In view of the above, the products are inserted between the partition (5) and the free front edge (11a, 12a, 13a) of the shelves.
The partition (5) comprises a plurality of rods (50) disposed in parallel position and spaced by a distance that is lower than the height of the products, i.e. the diameter of the small bottles, in such a way to prevent the products from passing between the rods (50) of the partition (5).
The product dispensing machine (100) comprises two side edges (7) disposed in parallel position and in frontal position with respect to the storage compartment (1). The rods (50) of the partition (5) are fixed to the side edges (7). The side edges (7) are spaced by a distance that is higher than the distance between the pair of side walls (17) of the storage compartment (1).
The product dispensing machine (100) comprises an unloading conduit (6) that receives the products that pass beyond the free front edge (11a, 12a, 13a) of each support surface (11, 12, 13). In particular, the products that pass beyond the free front edge (11a, 12a, 13a) of each support surface (11, 12, 13) are stacked in the conduit (6) in such a way to form a column of products. The conduit (6) is frontally defined by the partition (5) and is laterally defined by the side edges (7).
The conduit (6) comprises a lower unloading station (60) and a stacking station (62) disposed above the unloading station (60). Advantageously, the unloading station (60) is disposed on the lower support surface (11) and is configured in such a way to contain only one product. Moreover, the unloading station (60) is in communication with the outlet (91). The stacking station (62) is disposed on the upper support surfaces (12, 13) and is configured in such a way to contain two products stacked one on top of the other.
Alternately, the unloading station (60) can be disposed under the lower support surface (11). In such a case, the stacking station (62) is disposed on the lower and upper support surfaces (11, 12, 13) and is configured in such a way to contain three products. It must be noted that, according to another embodiment, the stacking station (62) contains more than three products.
The unloading station (60) is provided with an outlet section (61) for dispensing the products from the product dispensing machine (100). Advantageously, the outlet section (61) is disposed under the unloading station (60).
The product dispensing machine (100) comprises movement means (3) that let the products pass from the stacking station (62) to the unloading station (60). The movement means (3) comprise two sets of toothed wheels (not shown in the figures), each of them being revolvingly mounted on one of the two side edges (7).
With reference to Fig. 3, the movement means (3) also comprise two chains (30), each chain engaging on the toothed wheels of one of the two sets of toothed wheels. The toothed wheels of each set of toothed wheels are disposed in such manner that each chain (30) is moved along an endless loop path. The path comprises an ascending section, which passes through the outlet section (61), and a descending section, which passes through the stacking station (62).
It must be noted that the toothed wheels of the two sets of toothed wheels are disposed in such a way that the two chains (30) travel along the same path.
The ascending section of the path of each chain (30) comprises an inclined section disposed in correspondence of the outlet section (61), in such manner that the outlet section (61) is inclined to let the products fall by gravity from the unloading station (60) when the chains (30) of the movement means (3) are moving.
The inclined section of the ascending section of the path of each chain (30) of the movement means forms an angle with a horizontal plane that is comprised between 45° and 50°.
The movement means (3) comprise a plurality of equidistant rods (31) joined to the two chains (30). The rods (31) are parallel to the axis of rotation of the toothed wheels and to the rods (50) of the partition (5). The distance between each rod (31) and the adjacent rods is higher than the height of the products, i.e. the diameter of the small bottles, in such a way to let the products pass between two consecutive rods.
The product dispensing machine (100) comprises actuation means (4) that actuate the movement means (3).
In particular, the actuation means (4) comprise an electrical motor with a shaft. One of the two sets of toothed wheels comprises a first toothed wheel (38a) connected to the actuation means (4), in such a way to be actuated by the actuation means (4), and a second idle toothed wheel (38b) that engages with the first toothed wheel (38a). The second toothed wheel (38b) is connected to a toothed wheel of the other set of toothed wheels by means of a shaft, in such a way that the two chains (30) are moved together.
With reference to Fig. 1, the actuation means (4) comprise a device (40) that actuates the actuation means (4). In particular, the device (40) is a button or a plurality of buttons disposed on the front wall (90) of the box-shaped frame (9). By pressing one of the buttons, the electrical motor is started and the chains (30) are moved. Alternately, the device is a control unit that detects a signal from a sensor, such as for example a presence sensor that detects the passage of a coin.
It must be noted that, every time the device (40) is actuated, the electrical motor is started in such a way to move the rods (31), and is stopped when the rods (31) have covered a distance that is equal to or multiple of the distance between two successive rods (31). Otherwise the chains (30) are moved in steps by the electrical motor, in such a way that, every time the device (40) is activated, each rod (31) is moved until it is disposed in the same position occupied by another rod (31) at the previous step.
In particular, when the electrical motor of the actuation means (4) is stopped, one of the rods (31) is disposed in the outlet section (61) to prevent a product from passing through the outlet section (61).
Moreover, the rods (31) in the descending section of the path are disposed in the support surfaces (11, 12, 13) and do not interfere with the products disposed on the support surfaces (11, 12, 13).
The rods (31) are moved when the electrical motor of the actuation means (4) is started. Given that the distance between two consecutive rods (31) is higher than the width of the product, i.e. the diameter of the small bottles, the outlet section (61) is not blocked by any rod when the rods are moved. Consequently, the product comes out of the unloading station (60) and falls into the outlet (10). Moreover, the rods (31) in the descending section of the path are disposed between the support surfaces (11, 12, 13) in such a way to prevent the products from entering the conduit (6).
With reference to Fig. 3, the product dispensing machine (100) optionally comprises additional movement means (8), comprising two sets of toothed wheels (not shown in the figures), each of them being revolvingly mounted on one of the side edges (7) and disposed inside the endless loop path of one of the two chains (30) of the movement means (3), in the unloading station (60).
One of the two sets of toothed wheels of the additional movement means (8) is connected to the actuation means (4). In particular, as shown in Fig. 2, one of the two sets of toothed wheels of the additional movement means (8) comprises an idle toothed wheel (88a) that engages with the first toothed wheel (38a) and with the second toothed wheel (38b) of the movement means (3). The idle toothed wheel (88a) of the additional movement means (8) is connected to a toothed wheel of the other set of toothed wheels of the additional movement means (8).
The additional movement means (8) also comprise two chains (80), each of them engaging with the toothed wheels of one of the two sets of toothed wheels of the additional movement means (8). The toothed wheels of each set of toothed wheels of the additional movement means (8) are disposed in such manner that each chain (80) is moved along an endless loop path, inside the path of the chains (30) of the movement means (3). In particular, the path of the chains (80) of the additional movement means (8) comprises an ascending section, which is proximal to the descending section of the path of the chains (30) of the movement means (3), and a descending section, which passes through the unloading station (60).
The additional movement means (8) comprise a plurality of equidistant rods (81) joined to the two chains (80) and parallel to the axis of rotation of the toothed wheels. The distance between each rod (81) of the additional movement means (8) and the adjacent rods is higher than the height of the products.
The toothed wheels of the additional movement means (8) move the chains (80) of the additional movement means (8), in such a way that when the chains (80) of the additional movement means (8) are moving, one of the rods (81) of the additional movement means (8) is moved along the descending section of the path of the chains (80) of the additional movement means (8), passing through the unloading station (60) and pushing the product out of the unloading station (60).
When the chains (80) of the additional movement means (8) are stopped, a rod (81) of the additional movement means (8) is disposed in lower position in the unloading station (60), in order to support the product disposed in the unloading station (60).
With reference to Figs. 4 to 27, the process used to dispense products in the product dispensing machine (100) is described.
With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, according to said process, the products are disposed on the shelves of the storage compartment (1) and in the conduit (6). One of the rods (31) of the movement means (3) is disposed under the product disposed in the unloading station (60), in such a way to prevent the product from coming out of the unloading station (60).
As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, by activating the actuation means, the rods (31) of the movement means (3) are moved, freeing the outlet section (61), in such a way to let the product fall through the outlet section (61). Simultaneously, one of the rods (81) of the additional movement means (8) pushes the product disposed in the unloading station (60) downwards, in such a way to prevent the product from being jammed.
The rods (31) of the movement means (3) in the descending section prevent the products on the shelves from entering the conduit (6) and simultaneously move the products in the conduit (6) downwards. In particular, one of the products passes from the stacking station (62) to the unloading station (60).
When the chains (30) of the movement means (3) are stopped, the rods (31) of the movement means (3) in the descending section are disposed again in the free front edges (11a, 12a, 13a) of the shelves. The products that are disposed on the lower support surface (11) and on the first upper support surface (12) are blocked by the products disposed in the unloading station (60) and in the stacking station (62), whereas the first product disposed on the second upper support surface (13) can be freely introduced in the stacking station (62).
As shown in Figs. 14-17, the products disposed on the first upper support surface (12) can enter the conduit (6) only when no products are disposed on the second upper support surface (13).
Moreover, as shown in Figs. 22-25, the products disposed on the lower support surface (11) can enter the conduit (6) only when no products are disposed on the first upper support surface (12).
Because of the movement means (3), products disposed on multiple rows can be dispensed. Moreover, if a product is jammed, the product dispensing machine can operate and dispense the products disposed on the other shelves.
Moreover, it must be noted that, in spite of having the same volume, the product dispensing machine (100) according to the present invention has an autonomy that is higher by 30% compared to a traditional product dispensing machine.

Claims

Product dispensing machine (100); said dispensing machine (100) comprising:
- a storage compartment (1) comprising a lower support surface (11) and at least one upper support surface (12, 13); each support surface (11, 12, 13) being intended to support a row of products and comprising a free front edge (11a, 12a, 13a);

- a partition (5) disposed in frontal position with respect to the free front edges (11a, 12a, 13a) of the support surfaces (11, 12, 13);

- two side edges (7) disposed in frontal position with respect to the storage compartment (1);

- an unloading conduit (6) that receives the products passing beyond the free edge (11a, 12a, 13a) of each support surface (11, 12, 13); said conduit (6) being frontally defined by the partition (5) and laterally defined by the side edges (7); said conduit (6) comprising an unloading station (60) and a stacking station (62) disposed above the unloading station (60); said unloading station (60) being provided with an outlet section (61) for dispensing the products from the product dispensing machine (100);
- movement means (3) to let the products pass from the stacking station (62) to the unloading station (60); said movement means (3) comprising two sets of toothed wheels, each of them being revolvingly mounted on one of the two side edges (7); said movement means (3) comprising two chains (30), each of them engaging on the toothed wheels of one of the two sets of toothed wheels; the toothed wheels of each set of toothed wheels being disposed in such manner that each chain (30) is moved along a endless loop path; said path comprising an ascending section, which passes through the outlet section (61), and a descending section, which passes through the stacking station (62); said movement means (3) comprising a plurality of equidistant rods (31) joined to the two chains (30) and parallel to the axis of rotation of the toothed wheels; each rod (31) being spaced from the adjacent rods by a distance that is higher than the height of the products;

- actuation means (4) to actuate the movement means (3); said actuation means comprising a device (40) that actuates said actuation means (4).
The product dispensing machine (100) of claim 1, comprising additional movement means (8) provided with two sets of toothed wheels, each of them being revolvingly mounted on one of the side edges (7) and disposed inside the endless loop path of one of the two chains (30); said additional movement means (8) comprising two chains (80), each of them engaging with the toothed wheels of one of the two sets of toothed wheels of the additional movement means (8); the toothed wheels of each set of toothed wheels of the additional movement means (8) being connected to the actuation means (4) and disposed in such manner that each chain (80) is moved along an endless loop path; said additional movement means (8) comprising a plurality of equidistant rods (81) joined with the two chains (80) and parallel to the axis of rotation of the toothed wheels.
The product dispensing machine (100) of claim 1 or 2, comprising pushing means (2); each pushing means (2) being disposed above one of the support surfaces (11, 12, 13) of the storage compartment (1); each pushing means (2) comprising an elastic device (23) configured in such manner to push the products beyond the free front edge (11a, 12a, 13a) of the support surfaces (11, 12, 13).
The product dispensing machine (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said partition (5) has a minimum distance from the free edge (11a, 12a, 13a) of the support surfaces (11, 12, 13) that is higher than the width of the products.
The product dispensing machine (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said storage compartment (1) comprises vertical side walls (17) disposed in parallel position and spaced by a distance that is lower than the distance between the pairs of side edges (7).
The product dispensing machine (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the two sets of toothed wheels comprises a first toothed wheel (38a) connected to the actuation means (4), and a second idle toothed wheel (38b) connected to said first toothed wheel (38a) and to a toothed wheel of the other set of toothed wheels.
The product dispensing machine (100) of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein each rod (81) of the additional movement means (8) is spaced from the adjacent rods by a distance that is higher than the height of the products.
The product dispensing machine (100) of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein one of the two sets of toothed wheels of the additional movement means (8) comprises an idle toothed wheel (88a) that engages with the movement means (3); said idle toothed wheel (88a) of the additional movement means (8) being connected to a toothed wheel of the other set of toothed wheels of the additional movement means (8).
The product dispensing machine (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said partition (5) comprises a plurality of rods (50) in parallel position to the rods (31) of the movement means (3).
The product dispensing machine (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ascending section of the path of each chain (30) of the movement means (3) comprises an inclined section disposed in correspondence of the outlet section (61), in such manner that the outlet section (61) is inclined to let the products come out of the unloading station (60) when the chains (30) of the movement means (3) are moved; said inclined section forming an angle with a horizontal plane that is comprised between 45° and 50°.