GB728036A - Improvements in article dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

728,036. Sales and sale service; dispensing articles on conveyer belts, coin-freed vending apparatus. SKILLMAN & CO., PTY., Ltd., T. S. Dec. 23, 1953 [Jan. 23, 1953], No. 35779/53. Classes 27 and 116. An apparatus for dispensing articles and contained within an independent enclosed structure in the nature of a cabinet or kiosk' 5 having an opening 27 in it through which the articles may 'be delivered, comprises a group of storage devices 1 too numerous to deliver their contents directly to the opening 27, a horizontal wheel 7 beneath the storage devices to receive articles from them and having its periphery close to the bottom of the opening 27, means 12 for rotating the wheel to transfer the articles to the opening, and a barrier 18 above the wheel and adjacent the opening to direct the articles towards the periphery of the wheel at the opening. Vertical shoots may deliver the articles to the wheel 7, or five columns each of five storage belts 1 may be used, the belts, each storing a different kind of article, being driven by clutches 2 controlled by articleselector buttons 30 and a coin-selecting gear 31 on a glass show case, Fig. 4, having shelves on which samples of the articles are exhibited above the selector buttons 30 which correspond in number to the actual number of storage belts in use. "Bin empty" indicators (not shown) are also carried by the metal strips 29 which carry the buttons 30 and hold the glass in position, and lamps 32 indicate the amount of money tendered to the machine or the value of the articles. Trip contacts 4 are provided on flaps 3 beneath the storage belts to disengage the clutches 2 upon discharge of an article to the wheel 7 which may be of wood covered by a layer 8 of rubber and canvas. A central cone 15 prevents articles from resting on the centre of the wheel and guide walls 16, 17 keep them on the wheel until the barrier 18 is encountered and the articles are beneath a box structure surrounding the opening 27 but providing access to the wheel. The show case and opening 27 may be formed in a panel 22 hinged at 23 to the front of the kiosk or to the end opposite the storage belts 1. In the latter case a baffle extends across the kiosk and has a feed opening for the articles. The kiosk may be housed in a storeroom and arranged to feed articles on to a conveyer belt to transport them to the panel 22 which is located at the delivery point. The conveyer belt may be driven from the motor 12 which rotates the wheel 7 through pulleys 14 and a reduction gear 13.