GB762463A - Vending or dispensing apparatus for cylindrical articles - Google Patents

Abstract

762,463. Sales and sale-service. OSSANNA, F. A. Jan. 12, 1953, No. 901/53. Classes 27 and 116. A dispensing machine for cylindrical articles which comprises a delivery channel having an outlet at its lower end and formed with a step portion near to the outlet, declined ramps along which the articles roll to the channel, gate means associated one with each ramp except the uppermost one for controlling the flow of articles and preventing the flow when there is at least one article on the ramp next above it and to allow the flow when both the ramp next above is empty and there is no article in the delivery channel at the point where the ramp meets it and releasable retaining means for regulating the discharge of containers from the outlet. As shown in Fig. 1, a number of spaced rails 14 supporting containers are mounted on uprights in a casing C and lead to vertical and inclined channels for delivery. Each inclined rail 14 has at its end an angular member 18, Fig. 3, comprising a pair of spaced arms 18a, 18b, rotatably mounted on side extensions of a rod 15 connecting the rails 14 and urged upwardly by a torsion spring 20 coiled on a sleeve 17 of the rod 15 and engaging at one end a rail 14 and at the other end a transverse rod 19 connecting a pair of members 18a. The member 18 is depressed into alignment with the rails 14 by one or more articles on the rails, a rod 19 is then supported by a notched part 14a, the member 18 rises when there is no article on the guides. The members 18 are mounted in staggered relationship to prevent jamming by varying the width between the pair of members and pivoting them alternately to the outside and inside of the guide rails 14. The rails 14 are closely spaced to reduce friction and members 21 are mounted in the casing to guide the articles. The articles pass from the vertical channel between inclined members 23, 24 to an almost vertical channel 25, 26 to the delivery channel 27, 28 at the end of which is a hinged dog 30 the hook 30a of which contacts the last article. A spring 31 connects the dog to the casing and normally retains the hook in engaging position. The hook is moved upwardly to deliver an article by a solenoid operated member 32 which may be coin-freed, the rear of the hook moves downwardly to retain the succeeding article. A number of such storage units may be combined and different articles dispensed. The casing may be insulated or refrigerated and an opening P provided for refilling. In a modification Fig. 6, the casing S supports the rails and the articles are delivered as before to a vertical shoot. From the shoot the articles pass between curved members 36a, 37a to a horizontal channel then up an inclined channel 38, 39 to the delivery channel 38a, 39a, where the last article rests partly on a triangular lever pivotally connected to a solenoid 40 and partly on a member hinged to the lever and pivoted to a lever 44 pivoted to the casing. The lever is retained by a spring 48 in the article retaining position and the linkage is operated to deliver an article while retaining the next article by operating the solenoid.