GB1334281A - Apparatus for the storage and distribution of articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1334281 Article storage and dispensing apparatus COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'AUTOMATISME 3 Nov 1971 [3 Nov 1970] 51082/71 Heading A4T A storage and vending apparatus comprises four sections 1-4, Fig. 1, each containing several banks e. g. that having front 5B and side 5A in section 1, each bank containing a number of magazines e.g. 6 containing identical articles 7 which are pressed downwards onto gravity against a stop at a cut-out 31, Fig.5a, and opposed bottom outlet. Each bank in Fig. 1 is shown in a retracted position and each bank may be lowered by a first manual or electrical drive system e.g. as at X7, Fig. 2 towards a set of dispensing endless belt conveyors 8, Figs. 1, 2 whereby a pusher 11 on a belt enters the cut-out of a selected magazing and displaces the article out of the stack on to a transverse endless belt conveyor 9 Fig. 1 which delivers the article to a retrival point 16. The position of a stack of articles is determined by an X-Y coordinate as shown in Fig. 2. The banks are also electrically driven or pulled by handle 10 in the direction of arrow 15 to a servicing position in which all the magazines are accessible. Each bank in its pretracted position is supported by an upper T-formation entering a flanged U-section 32, the latter being carried on spring 43. On rotating crank 47, straps 41A, 41B pull the bank down towards its dispensing positon. The banks may move horizontally instead of vertically.