GB1209307A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for dispensing articles such as for example gramophone records from a stock - Google Patents

Abstract

1,209,307. Dispensing articles. ELECTRIC & MUSICAL INDUSTRIES Ltd. 15 Jan., 1968 [14 Jan., 1967], No. 2096/67. Heading A4T. Orders for given numbers of different titles of gramophone records received in a warehouse are punched on a card, paper tape, or magnetic tape and fed to a reader 1, Fig. 1, which sends corresponding signals to a control unit 2. Alternatively, the orders may be entered directly on manually operated switches or from a computer. Records of each title are stored in one magazine such as 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. Under the control of signals from unit 2 the magazines discharge records as required by the order on to an input conveyer 8 of a packing machine 9 in an evenly spaced stream. If desired, conveyer 8 may be stopped during discharge. At machine 9 the records are packed on a signal from unit 2 and passed on to an output conveyer 10 to the despatch department. A sensor 11 passes an indication of the number of records entering machine 9 to the unit 2 as a check. Machine 9 may be replaced by a manned packing station. Each magazine, Fig. 3A, comprises a rectangular box provided with a base 24 slideable relative to the remainder of the box, and partitions 29 defining compartments for the records 26. As shown, the box and its mountings 32, 33 move to the left relative to base 24 and a shoot 37 in successive steps to allow records 26 to fall under gravity on to shoot 37 and thence to conveyer 8 which comprises a belt or rollers. When a magazine is empty, the mountings and box move back to the right and an indicator lamp is lit. The empty magazine is replaced by a full one either automatically by a conveyer system, or the empty magazine can be picked up by handles 30, 31. Two magazines may be provided for each title. In a modification, the partitions comprise vertical ribs (25, Fig. 2) on the box sides (20, 21). Base 24 may be inclined to the horizontal and the records released by gravity. The magazine may be mounted on a side (20 or 21), means being provided for pushing the records through a slot in base 24. The magazine may be stood on an end 22 or 23, and the records ejected sideways. Partitions 29 may fit in grooves in the box sides (20, 21) to provide compartments of different sizes.