GB2255332A - Dispensing apparatus. - Google Patents

Abstract

Dispense apparatus for dispensing of stacked cylindrical items (22) comprises a slide (17) which moves laterally between a dispense position and a store condition. The slide (17) has a platform portion (19) which supports the stack in the store position and a laterally spaced aperture (20) which allows dispensing of the lowermost item of the stack (22) upon movement of the slide (17) to the dispense position. When the slide (17) is in the dispense position the remainder of the stack above the lowermost item (22) is restrained from downward movement by a tongue (24) and upon return to the store position, the stack falls downward and is once again supported by the platform (19). Once moved into the dispense position, the slide (17) moves automatically back to the store condition by way of a spring (26) mounted on the operating handle of the mechanism (21). <IMAGE>

Description

DISPENSING APPARATUS This invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for a vending machine for use in the vending of stacked cylindrical articles.

The invention has particular relevance to the vending of stacked items such as containers of liquid, for example cans of beverage.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple and convenient dispense apparatus for use in vending cylidnrical items.

The invention provides a dispense apparatus for stacked cylindrical items, the apparatus being dispensable in two conditions, a first condition wherein a lowermost item of a stack is restrained against downward movement and a second condition wherein the lowermost item is freed for downward movement and a next superjacent item of the stack is restrained against downward movement.

After downward movement of said lowermost item has been completed the apparatus can return to its first configuration, the aforesaid next superjacent item descending to form the lowermost item in the stack.

The apparatus can form part of a vending machine including a coin freed blank enabling the mechanism to be operated.

Desirably the apparatus is manually operable, any returning forces required to reset the apparatus being provided by springs compressed during an actuating movement of the apparatus.

A first member of the apparatus can be in the form of a slide having an aperture, the slide, in the first condition of the apparatus serving to support the lowermost item, the slide being movable, in a dispense movement to the second position wherein an aperture therein is disposed beneath the said lowermost item to allow it to descend to an outlet.

A second member of the apparatus can be a tongue arranged to move, in synchronism with the slide, between a position, in said first condition of the apparatus, wherein it is disposed free of said stack and a second position, in said second condition of the apparatus wherein it is interposed between said lowermost and said next superjacent item of the stack to restrain downward movement of the second item of the stack until the lowermost item has been dispensed, movement of the second item allowing said second item of the stack to descend to become the lowermost item in the amended stack.

The cylindrical items can be guided by their ends engaging in grooves within a casing so as to restrain them against rolling or sliding movement in a direction coinciding with the direction of movement as said slide.

The second item can be carried by the slide.

As an alternative, the first member can be reciprocable between a position wherein it supports the lowermost item and a position wherein it releases it, the second item being operatively connected to the first itemso that it moves in unison therewith to restrain the second item in the stack restrain the second item in the stack whilst the lowermost item is dispensed and, during a subsequent movement as the first item moves to a position supporting a lowermost item the second item retracts to a position releasing the stack to allow the items of the stack to descend so that the second item descends onto the first item and becomes the lowermost item in the stack.

Such movement can be effected mechanically or by a solenoid. Desirably, however, movement is effected manually.

Means can be provided to prevent operation of the apparatus when an item does not rest on the first member. Such means can comprise a sensor operatively connected to a latch or the like. The sensor can be a magnetic sensor in the case of magnetic articles, or can be a weight sensor.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating a part of a vending machine incorporating the apparatus of the invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view illustrating the apparatus; Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section viewed through the apparatus; Fig. 4 illustrates a variation; and Fig. 5 illustrates a possible modification.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that a vending machine 10 has a casing 11 which includes spaced apart side walls of which only one is shown at 12. Each of the opposed side walls has a zig-zag track 13 which accommodates one end a cylindrical or comparably shaped item 14 to be vended. Generally speaking, the item 14 will be cans of beverage, for example, soft drinks although other items can, of course, be vended. The array of items 14 will be referred to generally as a stack 15.

At its lower end, the stack 15 terminates at an apparatus 16 in accordance with the invention. The apparatus 16 includes a first member in the form of a slide 17 which can be moved laterally in guides 18 mounted on side walls 12. The slide 17 has a first platform portion indicated at 19 and an aperture 20.

The slide 17 when freed, can be drawn to the right in Figure 2 by means of a conventional spring loaded handle arrangement 21. This movement can be referred to as a dispense movement. In Fig. 2 the lowermost item 22 in the stack 15 is shown in outline, although the next superjacent item (hereinafter referred to as the second item) is not shown. As will be apparent from a consideration of Fig. 1, the lowermost item 22 cannot move in the direction of the movement of the slide 17 being restrained by the wall portions 23 of the lower ends of the racks 13. The slide 17 operates in unison with a second member of the apparatus in the form of a tongue 24. Although the tongue 24 is, for convenience, operatively connected to the slide 17 by being mounted thereon by means of an upstand 25, it can, of course, be connected thereto in any other manner, for example by a linkage or by other means.

Fig. 2 shows the apparatus in its first condition, that is to say its store condition wherein the lowermost item 22 supports the rest of the stack above it. Upon freeing of the slide 17 by insertion of a coin or token, or a sset of coins or tokens, the mechanism can operate.

Drawing of the handle 21 to the right in Fig. 2 causes the slide and tongue 24 to make a dispensing movement which places the aperture 20 beneath the lowermost item 22 which is allowed to drop through the aperture 20 to a dispense position.

Simultaneously with this, the tongue 24 enters the nip between the lowermost item 22 and the second item so as to support the second item and the rest of the stack 15 thereabove during the dispense movement.

Upon return movement under the influence of spring 26 the platform 19 returns to its support position and the tongue 24 is withdrawn, allowing the stack 15 to descend by the length of one item so that the second item becomes a lowermost item and the mechanism is primed ready for the next dispense movement. The conventional zig-zag track 13 prevents the full weight of the entire stack being posed suddenly on the platform 19 and discourages jamming and damage of the items to be dispensed.

Fig. 3 shows a conventional coin mechanism 27 including a coin slot 28 which allows coins to pass through the slide 17 into a counting, adding and selection mechanism 29 of conventional form. Once the coins have been checked the drawer is freed and the checked coins fall into a selection drawer 30.

This mechanism is generally conventional, and can be varied if necessary.

It will be appreciated, of course, that it is desirable that the apparatus should not be able to operate when the machine is empty, that is to say there is no item 22 on the platform 19.

It is, therefore, desirable that there is some kind of item sensor associated with the platform 19.

Figs. 2 and 5 illustrate one particular form of sensor which can be used with items which are magnetic. From a consideration of Fig. 5 it will be seen that the platform part 19 has a through aperture 31 which slidably accommodates a bolt 32. The upper end of the bolt 32 has a magnetic head 33 and the lower end of the bolt 32 can engage an aperture in a fixed structure 34 forming part of the casing 11. It will be appreciated that when a magnetic item 22 is present the magnetic head 33 is lifted and therefore the drawer 19 can slide. If, however, a magnetic item 22 is not present the bolt 32 remains in its lowermost position engaged with fixed portion 34 and therefore the drawer cannot be operated.

In the case that the item to be dispensed are not magnetic, the bolt 32 could be replaced with a spring loaded finger projecting above the top surface of the platform 19 and, usually, depressed by the item 22. In the absence of the item 22 the spring loaded finger would rise and obstruct, or cause the obstruction of the movement of the platform 19.

The apparatus of the invention is not limited to the precise details of the foregoing. A second possibility is illustrated in Fig. 4.

Here it will be seen that the slide 17 is not present and that the lowermost item 35 is (in the storage condition) supported by a first member 37 shown in dotted lines in its storage condition in Fig. 4. The first member 36 is in the form of a slidable platform connected by a linkage indicated at 37 and, indeed, shown as a single arm pivoted about point 38.Linkage 37 is connected to a second member in the form of an upper tongue 39. In the storage condition the platform 36 and the tongue 39 are in the position shown in dotted lines, the item 35 being supported by the platform 36. In a dispense movement the platform 36 is drawn to the right whilst simultaneously the tongue 39 moves to the left in Fig. 4. This allows the lowermost item 35 to descend whilst the rest of the stack is supported. During a retraction movement after the dispense movement the tongue 39 moves to the right and the platform 36 moves to the left, allowing the second item to become the lowermost item.

In Fig. 4 actuation of the platform has been illustrated as being carried out by means of a solenoid 40, which can, in use, be connected to simple electrical circuitry forming part of the apparatus. However, it is equally possible for the solenoid 40 to be replaced by an arrangement comparable to the handle arrangement 21 of the earlier Figures.

The invention is not limited to the precise details of the foregoing and many other variations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

1. Dispense apparatus for stacked cylindrical items, the apparatus being dispensable in two conditions, a first condition wherein a lowermost item of a stack is restrained against downward movement and a second condition wherein the lowermost item is freed for downward movement and a next superjacent item of the stack is restrained against downward movement.

2. Dispense apparatus according to claim 1 wherein after downward movement of said lowermost item has been completed the apparatus returns to said first condition, the next superjacent item descending to form the lowermost item in the stack.

3. Dispense apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said apparatus forms part of a vending machine including a coin freed blank enabling the mechanism to be operated.

4. Dispense apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the apparatus is manually operable and any returning forces required to reset the apparatus are provided by springs compressed during an actuating movement of the apparatus.

5. Dispense apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein a first member of the apparatus is in the form of a slide having an aperture, the slide, in the first condition of the apparatus, serving to support the lowermost item, the slide being movable, in a dispense movement to a second position wherein an aperture therein is disposed beneath the said lowermost item to allow it to descend to an outlet.

6. Dispense apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a second member of the apparatus is a tongue arranged to move, in synchronism with the slide, between a position, in the first condition of the apparatus, wherein it is disposed free of the stack and a second position, in the second condition of the apparatus, wherein it is interposed between the lowermost and said next superjacent item of the stack to restrain downward movement of the second item of the stack until the lowermost item has been dispensed, movement of the second item allowing said second item of the stack to descend to become the lowermost item in the stack.

7. Dispense apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the cylindrical items are guided by their ends engaging in grooves within a casing so as to restrain them against rolling or sliding movement in a direction coinciding with the direction of movement of said slide.

8. Dispense apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the second item is carried by the slide.

9. Dispense apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the first member can be reciprocable between a position wherein it supports the lowermost item and a position wherein it releases it, the second item being operatively connected to the first item so that it moves in unison therewith to restrain the second item in the stack whilst the lowermost item is dispensed and, during a subsequent movement as the first item moves to a position supporting a lowermost item, the second item retracts to a position releasing the stack to allow the items of the stack to descend so that the second item descends onto the first item and becomes the lowermost item in the stack.

10. Dispense apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the movement of the first member is effected mechanically or by a solenoid.

11. Dispense apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein means is provided to prevent operation of the apparatus when an item does not rest on the first member.

12. Dispense apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the means to prevent operation of the apparatus comprises a sensor operatively connected to a latch.

13. Dispense apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the sensor comprises a magnetic sensor when the articles are of a magnetic nature.

14. Dispense apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said sensor is a weight sensor.

15. Dispense apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

16. A vending machine incorporating dispense apparatus according to any preceding claim.