GB2403717A

GB2403717A - A dispensing unit

Info

Publication number: GB2403717A
Application number: GB0404667A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Murphy; Peter William Murphy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-02-28
Filing date: 2004-03-01
Publication date: 2005-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-01
Also published as: IE20040126A1; IES20040125A2; GB2403717B; GB0404667D0

Abstract

A dispensing unit (1 fig 1) is provided for pre-packaged goods. The dispensing unit comprises a main body (3 fig1) housing a plurality of drawers (5 fig 1). Each drawer (5) is offset in a front-back direction from the next adjacent drawer (5). Each drawer (5) has an outlet and channels 7 separated by divider walls. A security flap 19 is positioned adjacent the outlet of each drawer which is movable from a locking to a release position on actuation of a dispensing member 15. Means are provided to record the dispensing of a pre-packaged good from the channel.

Description

"A dispecin'anit,' IDtrad'i" This invention relates to a dispensing unit

and in particular a dispensing unit for dispensing pre-,acicaged products, Nowadays, one, of the biggest problems facing retailers is stoc shrinkage, or in other words, theft of stock by employees. Traditionally, stock shrinkage has been very difficult to detect and even more difficult to prove. Verious attempts have been made by retailers to reduce stock shrinkage. One effective way of re clueing stock shrinkage has been to piece some of the more expensive items that a e stocked in Me retail outlet, such as cigarettes for example, in vending machines rig Her Wan having these items stocked l,:,oseb behind the counter.

To date, several different types of vending machines have bee n introduced in order to tackle this problem. One such type of vending machine is that commonly found in bars and restaurants which require the user to insert coins info the vending machire and make a selector of their preferred brand of Cigarette whi:' is then dispensed to them shordy thereafter. Although very effective at reducing stick shrinkage, this type of vending machine is not particularly suitable for retailers such as shop owners, as these machines; are often quite expensive to purchase. Furthermore, the machines require change to operate which may not always be available. and can result in the shopkeepers Change resources becoming depleted throughout the day. The shopkeeperwill not be able to retrieve this change from the machine until the vending machine is opened at the end of the working day. Another F'blern associated with this type of vending machine is that they are often difficult.'nd time consuming to stock and the shopkeeper is given no indication of the levels:'f stock available in the machine until the stock has run out and it is too late.

Another type of vsoding machine that has been introdcecl to prevent stock shrinkage is the behind-the counter vending machine that dot 's not require change to be operated. This type of vending marine is typically provic ed with a keypad which may be located on the shop counter. The shop assistant sole As their choice of brand - l

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of cigarettes b, depressing the appropriate b'mons on the keyad and the required product is dispensed by the vending machine. The shop ass titans then fetches the cigarettes for the customer who subsequently pays for the cigarettes. A record of all the cigarettes dispensed from the machine is kept which n lay be retrieved when 6 reconciliation of the stock and till or bar scanner information is Gamed out.

AIthough this type of vending machine has gone some way t:' solving the problems associated Path other types of vending machines, there are still some disadvantages associated win, this type of vending machine. First of all, becc Else there is provided a separate keypad for brand selection by the user, the ver cling machine will not operate if there' is a loss of power. In addition to finis, any damage to the keypad will result in the entire machine becoming inoperable which is quite unacceptable. By having the fixed keypad, modifications to selections can also be quite difficult once the keypad layout has been decided upon. Another problem with this type of machine is that the machine has a considerable amount of ele:; trical equipment which will be more prone to failure and often a single fault in the vending machine itself will result in the entire machine becoming inoperable. This a so results in a higher maintenance cost of the machine.

One disadvantage of all known types of vending machines s the manner in which they are stocked. Generally speaking, in order to stock vending machine, the shopkeeper accesses the interior of the machine through me rear of the vending machine. This is particularly inconvenient if the vending macli fine is located in a shop behind the counter, as the space will be quite confined with li 11e room to manoeuvre.

The stocking o, the vending machine then becomes a difficult and cumbersome task, with the heavy' vending machine having to be turned around Lr., allow access through the back of th'- machine. Avower way of stocking the vending machine is to have a front cover hingedly attached along one side to the front of tl He vending machine. In order to stock the machine, the cover is unlocked and opened by pivoting the cover about the hinges. Again, due to the small spaces behind th counter, there is often insufficient room allow for the Upswings of the front cover which limits the places where such a machine may be installed or results; in the shopkeeper having to increase the space behind the counter, thereby further reduc ing me space in front of the counter for stacking other goods.

It is an object therefore of the present invention to provide ' dispensing unit that overcomes at least some of the difficulties associated witl' the known types of dispensing unit.; and vending machines that is also cost effective and simple to manufacture.

Ends nventin According to the invention there is provided a dispensing unit cf the type comprising: a main body having a plurality of substantially horizontal in use slidably arranged drawers contained therein, each drawer further comprising a plurality of sideby-side channels, which individual channels in turn being adapted to store a plurality of individual pre packaged "pods; a dispensing mechanism associated with each chann HI for dispensing a prim packaged good from the channel through an outlet in the drawer, the dispensing mechanism further comprising ar operator actuated dispensing member to expel one pre-packaged goo I through the outlet of the drafter and a loading member to urge a pre-:'ackaged good in the channel towards Me dispensing member, a seCUlity flap positioned in each channel adjacent to ire outlet in the drawer, the security flap being movable from a locking position to a release position on actuation of the dispensing member and back age n once a prepackaged good hats been dispensed from the channel; and means to record the dispensing of a pre-packageti gored from the channel.

By having suds a dispensing unit the process of loading the drawers can be carried out in a simplex and efficient manner. The operator may simply slide the drawer out horizontally wlereafter dgareffes or over prepackaged goods may be loaded into the various channels of the drawer quic fly with a minimum c I difficulty. flue unit will not have to be moved to enable the user to stock it and We unit will be easier to stock than was previously possible and require less space than the,;,own machines. This will significantly reduce the time in which it takes to tossup any of the channels of the dispensing unit allowing almost instant tossup of a c hannel she did it become empty.

The dispensing unit described is versatile and the most p:'pular brands of pre- pacicaged goods may be placed in the most noticeable areas; for customers. The dispensing unit will enable the shopkeeper to change the po tuitions of the particular brands contained in the dispensing unit thereby keeping in tur, with the preferences of the wstorners. If a brand becomes particularly popular it m; By be moved to a more prominent position in the unit where it Will be both more noticeable and accessible.

Similar brands or types of goods may be grouped together and should a new brand be introduced into the product line this may be grouped wffl:'ther similar brands by simple rearrangement of the goods in the channels. The unblocking and restocking of individual channels may be carried out within a matte of moments thereby allowing for a quick rearrangement of the goods in the channels. By having a dispensing unit as described not only will the more popular brands or group of goods be in the most noticeable areas for the customers but they Arill also be in the most accessible positions for the shop assistant to retrieve the got is. Each channel has it's own outlet At which Me dispensed goods may be gatherer by the shop assistant.

The best selling! goods may be placed in the channels that are at the most accessible height thereby Obviating the need for repetitive bending over t rig the employees. This also has the Prefect of obviating the chance of the employee s developing repetitive strain injuries.

In addition to the above, the dispensing unit is designed Or behind the counter operations anc therefore there is no need for the supply turf coins to operate the device. The amount of electrical equipment required in the dispensing unit in also reduced to a n inimurn, thereby enhancing the reliability of the unit. Furthermore, the unit will have a more simple and inexpensive construction which mill reduce the overall cost of We dispensing unit. By having means to rec:'rd the dispensing of a pre packaged good from a channel, the shopkeeper can monitor all the packets of cigarettes or other goods mat have been dispensed from eEch of the channels and can rectangle this with the takings or barcode data that has teen taken in the shop.

In this way, il: will be immediately apparent what goods 8r:: being stolen and We - . brands Df those goods being stolen.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a dispensing unit in which there is provided means to releasably secure Me pluralky of drawer!; , in a feed relationship with respect to> the main body. This will help to prevent any tampering win the dispensing unit and theft of goods therefrom.

In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a dispensing unit in which each drawer is off-set in a front rear direction from the nearest adjacent drawer. By having the drar,rers off set in a front rear direction from the nearest adjacent drawer a compact dispensing unit that uses up the least possible spa:;s is provided that will allow for a greater number of drawers to be provided.

In another eml oddment, the security flap further comprises a body portion mounted for limited pivotal movement about a crossbar in the channel, he body portion further comprising a stop portion and an abutting portion. The abutting portion is so dimensioned t':' prevent withdrawal of the next prepackaged good in We channel while a first pn;-, packaged good is being dispensed from the <flannel. Willis prevents two packets being inadvertently dispensed at one time, or theft during a dispensing procedure.

In a further embodiment of the invention. the security trap is a modular flap comprising a plurality of interconnected flap sections. In this; way, various different flap sizes may be provided for different sized prepackaged go Lids. For example, two sections may be required for a ten pack of cigarettes, wherer Pi four port one may be required for a wider tobacco pack By having the security fla, as a modular flap with a plurality of interconnected flap sections, the user of We unit is allowed a greater amount of flexibility to change items in each of the channels. In this same way, the best selling goods may be moved to the shelves in the line Ol sight of the customers and if they become unpopular, they may be moved out of that area in a simple and efficient manner. Having modular flaps further facilitates this F recess.

In a further E''nbodiment of We invention, fee dispensing member comprises a substantially l shaped plate connected to an actuating am, the actuating arm having a handle for manipulation at its other end by an opera'r. nis is particularly simple and cost effective to manufacture while also being robot 1 and effective in use.

In one embodirrent of the invention there is provided a dispensing unit in which the dispensing member is spring biased to return to a rest position spring biasing means lacing embedded in the drawer.

In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a dispensing unit in Which the loading member is provided with means to lock the dispensing member in position when b,e channel is empty. This is seen as particularly beneficial as false readings caused by repetitive action on the dispensing memt:r once the channel is empty will not occur.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a dispensing unit in which the means to record the dispensing of a prepackaged good fr am the channel further comprises; a struck taking unit and a switch operable on ace lotion of thedispensing member connected to the stock taking unit. mis is seen Ins a particularly useful neons to record the dispensing of a prepackaged good as th. switch is a cost effective and reliable piece of equipment that has a very low power consumption. The switch may then be connected to a stock taking unit which will simply note the number of timer; it has been activated by the switch, thereby counting the operations to remove goo'4 s from the channel.

In a further emodirnent of the invention there is provided a dispensing unit in which the stock takin! unit comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) <connected to the switch and a personal digital assistant (PDA) in communication with He PCB. The PCB is furler seen as a simple, robust and cost effective stool. taking unit to use in conjunction wild a personal digital assistant The PDA is a c<' Impact device that may be used to carry out simple stock taking and statistical analysis of the data received from the PCf2 and the switches lUternatwely, a personal computer or other computing device can be used instead of a PDA.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a disp Rinsing unit in which the PCS and the switch are embedded in the drawer. By having the PCB and the switch embedded in a drawer, tampering with the PCB and the u hatch would be virtually impossible.

In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a dispensing unit in which there is provided means to generate a stock taking report ba.,ecl on the record of pre- packaged goods dispensed from each of the individual chacr els.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a <dispensing unit in which there is proviclsd communication means to transmit data re ating to dispensed pre packaged goods to a remote stodc taking computer. In this way, data may be transmitted from the unit to a remote stock taking computer which could be in a large store. This will allow companies to keep a closer track on th., sales of their products on remote sites, in an up to date and simple manner. AKematively, the remote stock taking conputu could be a PDA or other personal compcler located in the retail 1 owlet.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a dispensing unit in which there is provided a display facade on the front of the dispensing unit for receptor of advertising matenal. This will allow additional revenues t<' be generated and to further utilise the space taken up by the dispensing unit.

Details Do.scripf the Invention The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanyog drawings, in whch: Fig. 1a is a perspective view of a dispensing unit aGconding to the invention; hg. 1b is a perspective view of the dispensing unit o Fig. 1a with a drawer partially removed from the dispensing unit, Fig 2 is a perspective view of a drawer which fortes part of the dispensing unit; . Fig. 3 i; an enlarged partially cut-away view of a drawer showing prepackaged goods in the drawers channels; Figs. 4i. 4d are side views along the lines A-A of fig. 3 showing a pre- packaged good being dispensed from the dispensing u it; Fig 5 is a side view along the lines A-A of hg. 3 with 11 pre packaged goods removed from the channel and the dispensing member and loading member in a firs; locked position; and Fig. 6 is a side view along Me lines A-A of ha. 3 vnth ill pre-packaged goods removed from the channel and the dispensing member and loading member in a second locked position.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1a and 1b thereof, there is shown a dispensing unit. indicated generally by the reference numeral l 1, comprising a main body 3 having, plurality of drawers 5 therein Each drawer i is slidably mounted in the main body find is offset in a front-back direction from the next adjacent drawer 5.

Refemng to hi;. 2 of the drawings, there is shown a perspective view of a drawer 5 removed from the dispensing unit 1. The drawer 5 comprise; a plurality of channels 7 separated by divider walls 9, each channel being suitable fc r reception of a plurally of prepackaged goods, in this instance Cigarette packets 11, therein.

Referring to Fi l. 3 of the drawings, there is shown an enlarger I partially wt-away view of the drawer 5 with cigarette packets 11 stored in the chat nnets 7. A dispensing mechanism, comprising a dispensing member 15 and a Lading member 17, is provided in each of the channels 7. A security flap 19 is fur her provided in each of We channels and is mounted for limited pivotal movement about a crossbar 21 in fee channel. The security flap 19 further comprises a stop portion 23 and an buffing portion 25. The security flap 19 is a modular flap comprising a number of interconnected flap sections 27a, 27b, 27c preferably molded from a hardened plastics material. Each of the flap sectors 27a, 27b, 2; c mates with the next -9 - adjacent flap section in such a way to allow each of the s<,bons to be releasably connected together in a simple and efficient manner. This Prevents tampering with the assembly as the whole assembly is contained within each individual channel.

Referring now o Figs. 4a to 4d inclusive, there is shown part ally Gutaway side views of the drawer shown in hg. 3. The dispensing member '16 further comprises a substantially L.-shaped plate connected to an actuating arm 29 which in turn is connected to r handle 31 at its other end. The arm is sp ing biased upwards by spring 33 which is embedded in the drawer front 35 to pre tent tampering With the spring mechanism. late loading member 17 further comprises a constant spring 37 to bias the loading member towards the dispensing member and is mounted on tracks 39.

In use, a cust'rner requests a particular brand of cigarette. The shop employee identifies the Ic,cabon of the particular brand in the dispenser unit and once he/she has identified the channel location of the brand in the dispensing unit. he/she presses the appropriate., handle 31 dowrNvards. When the handle ha; been fully depressed, the horizontal portion 42 of the dispensing member 15 wil be below the nearest packet of cigarettes to the dispensing member in the Deanna I (Fig. 4b). As soon as the horizontal,orb'on lowers below the nearest packet, the loading member 17, under the force of Constant spring 37, moves the row of pacicets:urvard until the packet nearest the dispensing member abuse against the vertical portion 43 of the dispensing me!,nber 15. The user then releases the handle 31 and the handle 31, actuating arm;29, dispensing member 15 and packet 11, ant forced upwards under the force of spring 33 (Fig. 4c). The packet 11 hits against if e stop portion 23 of the security flap 19, forcing the flap to pivot upwards about cmsst ar 21. The security Hap is limited from further pitting movement by stop bar 45 whicl, sits in groove 46 of the security flap 1!3, and abutting portion 25 abutting against the I racket 11. The abutting portion is so dimensioned to prevent exaction of the next packet front the channel when the seminar flap is in a raised position. Finally, the user is free to remove We Cigarette pack'.,{ from the channel (Fig. 4d). Once the packe 11 has been removed, the security flap is reamed to its resting position and bye loading member 17 advances the row of packets 11 forward unto the packet adjacent the horizontal portion 42 of tile dispensing member 15 abuts against the hor zontal portion 42. -

Refarring note to Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, when all the packets have been removed from the channel, the loading member advances forward until coming into contact with the horizontal portion 42 of the dispensing member 15 which prevents further forwancl movement of the loading member 17. Farther operation of the dispensing me!rnber 15 will cause the dispensing member 1& to Me lowered thereby allowing the horizontal portion 42 of the dispensing member 15 to enter a groove 44 of the loadincl member. The loading member 17 is rno,d towards dispensing member 15 by the constant spring 37 and the horizontal port an 42 of the dispensing O member becomes lodged in the groove 44. Further forward n ovement of the loading member is Invented due to the outermost end of the horizontal portion abutting against the loading member 17. Any further downward movement of the dispensing member is reslicted as the horizontal portion 42 of the dispensing member 15 comes into contact vvith a shelf 45 fonned by the groove 44 of the i.ading member 17. In order to release the horizontal port on 42 of the dispensing member 15 from the groove 44 of tile loading member 17, the drawer will have to be opened up and Vale loading member pushed backwards against the force of the constant spring 37 along the tracks 39.

There is further provided means to record me dispensing of a pre-packaged good from a channel comprising a mic;roswitch (not shown) and PUB (not shown). Both the microswitch and the PCB are embedded in the front portion 35 of the drawer to prevent tampering with the circuitry. The microswitch is opera) when the handle 31 is depressed and signals that an item from that channel is o be dispensed. The microswitch is hardwired onto the PCB board and the signal t am the rnicroswHch is passed from the PCB to a decoder (not shown) and then o wards to a PDA (not shown). The; toGktang signal is then interpreted on the l:'QA by a stock-taking programrne where a statistical analysis of the items disperse c! from the dispensing unit may be carried out This analysis can be transmitted tc central stocktaking computer or printed out on a printer (not shown). Clue decoders and the PDA could also be imbedded in We dispensing unit or located re mote from the unit.

Cornmuncab'on means (not shown) for oommunicabon beholden the PCB and the decoder sends W,e stocidaWng data onwards to tle PDA for analysis. - 1 1

It will be understood from the foregoing that this invention is ir no way limited to the dispensing of cigarette packets and could in fact by used for at, y valuable commodity sold in retail outlets such as tobacco, dears, chocolate, confe:honery, phone cards, disposable razors or in fact any other pre-packaged item. Cigarette packets have only been used as an illustrative example. The various dimer;ions of Me individual components anc strengths of the springs would simply be Ghan tied accordingly to suit the particular neecis of the goods to be dispensed.

In the embodirrent shown there are provided six drawers in the unit. It will be understood that any number of drawers 6 could be provided.

In the specification the terms comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising. or any variation thereof and the teens 1nclude, inc ludes, included and including or any variation therec1 are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded Me widest possible interpretation and vice versa.

The invention is; not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore:lesonbed, but may be varied in both construction and detail Within the scope of the claims. - 12

Claims

1. A dispensing unit comprising.

a main body having a plurality of substantially horizontal in use slidablyaaanged drawers contained therein, each drawer further comprising a plurality of side-by-side chart,els, which individual channels in turn being adapted to store a p urality of individual prey packaged goods; a dispensing mechanism associated with eac, channel for dispensing a prepackaged good from Me channel through an outlet in the drawer, the dispensing mechanism further comprising an operator actuated dispensing member to expel one pre Àpackaned good Trough the outlet of the drawer and a loading member lo urge a pre-packaged good in the channel towards the dispensing member; a security flap positioned in each channel adjacent to We outlet in me drawer, the security nap being movable from e locking position to a release position on actuation of fee dispensing member and back again once a prepackaged good has bee n dispensed Bom the channel: and means to record the dispensing of a pre-packE ged good from Me channel.

2. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 1 in which therms is provided means to releasably secure the plurality of drawers in a fixed rel itionship with respect to the main body.

3. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which leach drawer is off-set in a front rear direction from Me nearest adjacent drawer

4. A dispensing unit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the security flap . 4 - 13 further comprises a body portion mounted for limited pivotal movement about a CrOSEi bar in the channel, the body portion furler o.rnprising a stop portion and ar' abuffing portion.

5. A dispensing unit as claimed in any preceding claim i which the security flap is a modular flap comprising a plurality of interconnected flap sectors.

6. A dispensing unit as claimed in any preceding claim i' which the dispensing member comprises a substantially L-shaped plate comected to an actuating arm, the actuating arm having a handle for manipulator. by an operator at its other cold.

7. A dispensing unit as claimed in any preceding claim n which the dispensing member is spring biased to return to a rest position, spring biasing means being embedded in the drawer

8. A dispensing unit as claimed in any preceding slain' in which the loading member is provided with means to lock the dispens ng member in position when ti Be channel is empty.

9. A dispensing unit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the means to record Me dispersing of a prepackaged good from the channel Further comprises a stock taking unit and a switch operable on actuation of the dispensing member connected to the stock taking unit.

10. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 9 in which the stock taking unit compri.,esa printed circuit board (PCB) connected to the switch and a persona I digital assistant (PDA) in communication With the PCB.

11. A dispensing unit as claimed in plaint 10 in Which We F COB and We switch are embedded in the drawer.

12. dispensing unit as claimed in any preceding claim in which there is provided means to generate a stock taking report based on We accord of pre-packaged - . - 14 goods dispensed front each of the individual channels.

13 A dispensing unit as claimed in any preceding claim in vhich there is provided communication means to transmit data relating to dispensed prepackaged S goods to a remote stock taWng computer.

4. A dispensing unit as claimed in any preceding claim in which there is provided a displa' facade on the front of the dispensing unit for i inception of advertising material.

15. A dispensing unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying draurings.