IE20040125U1 - A dispensing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

This invention relates to a dispensing unit and in particular a dispensing unit for dispensing pre-packaged products.

Nowadays, one of the biggest problems facing retailers is stock 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. Various attempts have been made by retailers to reduce stock shrinkage. One effective way of reducing stock shrinkage has been to place some of the more expensive items that are stocked in the retail outlet, such as cigarettes for example, in vending machines rather than having these items stocked loosely behind the counter.

To date, several different types of vending machines have been 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 into the vending machine and make a selection of their preferred brand of cigarette which is then dispensed to them shortly thereafter. Although very effective at reducing stock 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 clay. The shopkeeper will not be able to retrieve this change from the machine until the vending machine is opened at the end of the working day. Another problem associated with this type of vending machine is that they are often difficult and time consuming to stock and the shopkeeper is given no indication of the levels of stock available in the machine until the stock has run out and it is too late.

Another type of vending machine that has been introduced to prevent stock shrinkage is the behind-the-counter vending machine that does not require change to be operated. This type of vending machine is typically provided with a keypad which may be located on the shop counter. The shop assistant selects their choice of brand lE040125 of cigarettes by depressing the appropriate buttons on the keypad and the required product is dispensed by the vending machine. The shop assistant 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 may be retrieved when reconciliation of the stock and till or bar scanner information is carried out.

Although this type of vending machine has gone some way to solving the problems associated with other types of vending machines, there are still some disadvantages associated with this type of vending machine. First of all, because there is provided a separate keypad for brand selection by the user, the vending machine will not operate if there is a loss of power. In addition to this, 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 electrical 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 also results in a higher maintenance cost of the machine.

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

The stocking of the vending machine then becomes a difficult and cumbersome task, with the heavy vending machine having to be turned around to allow access through the back of the machine. Another way of stocking the vending machine is to have a front cover hingedly attached along one side to the front of the 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 the counter, there is often insufficient room to allow for the "swing" 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 reducing the space in front of the counter for stacking other goods. lEO40125 It is an object therefore of the present invention to provide a dispensing unit that overcomes at least some of the difficulties associated with the known types of dispensing units and vending machines that is also cost effective and simple to manufacture.

According to the invention there is provided a dispensing unit of 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 side-by-side channels, which individual channels in turn being adapted to store a plurality of individual pre-packaged goods; a dispensing mechanism associated with each channel for dispensing a pre- packaged good from the channel through an outlet in the drawer, the further dispensing member to expel one pre-packaged good through the outlet of dispensing mechanism comprising an operator actuated the drawer and a loading member to urge a pre-packaged good in the channel towards the dispensing member; a security flap positioned in each channel adjacent to the 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 again once a pre-packaged good has been dispensed from the channel; and means to record the dispensing of a pre-packaged good from the channel.

By having such a dispensing unit the process of loading the drawers can be carried out in a simple and efficient manner. The operator may simply slide the drawer out horizontally whereafter cigarettes or other pre-packaged goods may be loaded into the various channels of the drawer quickly with a minimum of difficulty. The unit will not have to be moved to enable the user to stock it and the unit will be easier to stock lEG40125 than was previously possible and require less space than the known machines. This will significantly reduce the time in which it takes to top-up any of the channels of the dispensing unit allowing almost instant top-up of a channel should it become empty.

The dispensing unit described is versatile and the most popular brands of pre- packaged goods may be placed in the most noticeable areas for customers. The dispensing unit will enable the shopkeeper to change the positions of the particular brands contained in the dispensing unit thereby keeping in tune with the preferences of the customers. if a brand becomes particularly popular it may 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 with other similar brands by simple rearrangement of the goods in the channels. The unstocking and restocking of individual channels may be carried out within a matter 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 will also be in the most accessible positions for the shop assistant to retrieve the goods. Each channel has it’s own outlet at which the dispensed goods may be gathered 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 by the employees. This also has the effect of obviating the chance of the employees developing repetitive strain injuries.

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

In this way, it will be immediately apparent what goods are being stolen and the IE 04 0125 brands of those goods being stolen.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a dispensing unit in which there is provided means to reieasabiy secure the plurality of drawers in a fixed relationship with respect to the main body. This will help to prevent any tampering with 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 drawers off set in a front rear direction from the nearest adjacent drawer a compact dispensing unit that uses up the least possible space is provided that will allow for a greater number of drawers to be provided.

In another embodiment, the security flap further comprises a body portion mounted for limited pivotal movement about a crossbar in the channel, the body portion further comprising a stop portion and an abutting portion. The abutting portion is so dimensioned to prevent withdrawal of the next pre-packaged good in the channel while a first pre-packaged good is being dispensed from the channel. This prevents two packets being inadvertently dispensed at one time, or theft during a dispensing procedure. in a further embodiment of the invention, the security flap is a modular flap comprising a plurality of interconnected flap sections. in this way, various different flap sizes may be provided for different sized pre-packaged goods. For example, two sections may be required for a ten pack of cigarettes, whereas four portions may be required for a wider tobacco pack. By having the security flap as a modular flap with a plurality of interconnected flap sections, the user of the 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 of 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 process.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the dispensing member comprises a substantially L-shaped plate connected to an actuating arm, the actuating arm E04 0125 having a handle for manipulation at its other end by an operator. This is particularly simple and cost effective to manufacture while also being robust and effective in use.

In one embodiment 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 being 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 the channel is empty. This is seen as particularly beneficial as false readings caused by repetitive action on the dispensing member 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 pre—packaged 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. This is seen as a particularly useful means to record the dispensing of a pre—packaged good as the 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 times it has been activated by the switch, thereby counting the operations to remove goods from the channel. in a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a dispensing unit in which the stock taking unit comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to the switch and a personal digital assistant (PDA) in communication with the PCB. The PCB is further seen as a simple, robust and cost effective stock taking unit to use in conjunction with a personal digital assistant. The PDA is a compact device that may be used to carry out simple stock taking and statistical analysis of the data received from the PCB and the switches. computing device can be used instead of a PDA.

Alternatively, a personal computer or other In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a dispensing unit in which the PCB and the switch are embedded in the drawer. By having the PCB and the switch |E040125 embedded in a drawer, tampering with the PCB and the switch 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 based on the record of pre- packaged goods dispensed from each of the individual channels. in a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a dispensing unit in which there is provided communication means to transmit data relating to dispensed pre- packaged goods to a remote stock 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 the sales of their products on remote sites, in an up to date and simple manner. Alternatively, the remote stock taking computer could be a PDA or other personal computer located in the retail outlet. in one embodiment of the invention there is provided a dispensing unit in which there is provideda display facade on the front of the dispensing unit for reception of advertising material. This will allow additional revenues to be generated and to further utilise the space taken up by the dispensing unit. :1": .. "I.

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 accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1a is a perspective view of a dispensing unit according to the invention; Fig. 1b is a perspective view of the dispensing unit of Fig. 1a with a drawer partially removed from the dispensing unit; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a drawer which forms part of the dispensing unit; lE040125 Fig. 3 is an enlarged partially cut-away view of a drawer showing pre- packaged goods in the drawers channels; Figs. 4a-4d are side views along the lines A-A of Fig. 3 showing a pre- packaged good being dispensed from the dispensing unit; Fig. 5 is a side view along the lines A-A of Fig. 3 with all pre~packaged goods removed from the channel and the dispensing member and loading member in a first locked position; and Fig. 6 is a side view along the lines A-A of Fig. 3 with all 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 1, comprising a main body 3 having a plurality of drawers 5 therein. Each drawer 5 is slidably mounted in the main body and is offset in a front-back direction from the next adjacent drawer 5.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, there is shown a perspective view of a drawer 5 removed from the dispensing unit 1. The drawer 5 comprises a plurality of channels 7 separated by divider walls 9, each channel being suitable for reception of a plurality of pre-packaged goods, in this instance cigarette packets 11, therein.

Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings, there is shown an enlarged partially cut-away view of the drawer 5 with cigarette packets 11 stored in the channels 7. A dispensing mechanism, comprising a dispensing member 15 and a loading member 17, is provided in each of the channels 7. A security flap 19 is further provided in each of the channels and is mounted for limited pivotal movement about a crossbar 21 in the channel. The security flap 19 further comprises a stop portion 23 and an abutting portion 25. interconnected flap sections 27a, 27b, 27c preferably moulded from a hardened The security flap 19 is a modular flap comprising a number of plastics material. Each of the flap sections 27a, 27b, 27c mates with the next IE 940125 adjacent flap section in such a way to allow each of the sections 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 to Figs. 4a to 4d inclusive, there is shown partially cut-away side views of the drawer shown in Fig. 3. The dispensing member 15 further comprises a substantially L-shaped plate connected to an actuating arm 29 which in turn is connected to a handle 31 at its other end. The arm is spring biased upwards by spring 33 which is embedded in the drawer front 35 to prevent tampering with the spring mechanism. The 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 customer requests a particular brand of cigarette. The shop employee identifies the location of the particular brand in the dispensing unit and once he/she has identified the channel location of the brand in the dispensing unit, he/she presses the appropriate handle 31 downwards. When the handle has been fully depressed, the horizontal portion 42 of the dispensing member 15 will be below the nearest packet of cigarettes to the dispensing member in the channel (Fig. 4b). As soon as the horizontal portion lowers below the nearest packet, the loading member 17, under the force of constant spring 37, moves the row of packets fon/vard until the packet nearest the dispensing member abuts against the vertical portion 43 of the dispensing member 15. The user then releases the handle 31 and the handle 31, actuating arm 29, dispensing member 15 and packet 11, are forced upwards under the force of spring 33 (Fig. 4c). The packet 11 hits against the stop portion 23 of the security flap 19, forcing the flap to pivot upwards about crossbar 21. The security flap is limited from further pivoting movement by stop bar 45 which sits in groove 46 of the security flap 19, and abutting portion 25 abutting against the packet 11. The abutting portion is so dimensioned to prevent extraction of the next packet from the channel when the security flap is in a raised position. Finally, the user is free to remove the cigarette packet from the channel (Fig. 4d). Once the packet 11 has been removed, the security flap is returned to its resting position and the loading member 17 advances the row of packets 11 forward until the packet adjacent the horizontal portion 42 of the dispensing member 15 abuts against the horizontal portion 42. iEo4o125 Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, when all the packets have been removed from the channel, the loading member advances fon/vard until coming into contact with the horizontal portion 42 of the dispensing member 15 which prevents further fon/vard movement of the loading member 17. Further operation of the dispensing member 15 will cause the dispensing member 15 to the lowered thereby allowing the horizontal portion 42 of the dispensing member 15 to enter a groove 44 of the loading member. The loading member 17 is moved towards dispensing member 15 by the constant spring 37 and the horizontal portion 42 of the dispensing member becomes lodged in the groove 44. Further forward movement of the loading member is prevented due to the outermost end of the horizontal portion abutting against the loading member 17. Any further downward movement of the dispensing member is restricted as the horizontal portion 42 of the dispensing member 15 comes into contact with a shelf 45 formed by the groove 44 of the loading member 17. in order to release the horizontal portion 42 of the dispensing member 15 from the groove 44 of the loading member 17, the drawer will have to be opened up and the loading member pushed backwards against the force of the constant spring 37 along the tracks 39.

There is further provided means to record the dispensing of a pre-packaged good from a channel comprising a microswitch (not shown) and PCB (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 operated when the handle 31 is depressed and signals that an item from that channel is to be dispensed. The microswitch is hardwired onto the PCB board and the signal from the microswitch is passed from the PCB to a decoder (not shown) and then onwards to a PDA (not shown). The stocktaking signal is then interpreted on the PDA by a stock-taking programme where a statistical analysis of the items dispensed from the dispensing unit may be carried out. This analysis can be transmitted to a central stocktaking computer or printed out on a printer (not shown). The decoder and the PDA could also be imbedded in the dispensing unit or located remote from the unit.

Communication means (not shown) for communication between the PCB and the decoder sends the stocktaking data onwards to the PDA for analysis. -11..

It will be understood from the foregoing that this invention is in no way limited to the dispensing of cigarette packets and could in fact by used for any valuable commodity sold in retail outlets such as tobacco, cigars, chocolate, confectionery, phone cards, disposable razors or in fact any other pre-packaged item. Cigarette packets have only been used as an illustrative example. The various dimensions of the individual components and strengths of the springs would simply be changed accordingly to suit the particular needs of the goods to be dispensed. in the embodiment shown there are provided six drawers in the unit. It will be understood that any number of drawers 5 could be provided. in the specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" or any variation thereof and the terms "include, includes, included and including" or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the claims.

Claims (1)

1.A dispensing unit comprising: a main body having a plurality of substantially horizontal in use slidably arranged drawers contained therein, each drawer further comprisingaplurality of side-by-side channels, which individual channels in turn being adapted to store a plurality of individual pre- packaged goods; a dispensing mechanism associated with each channel for dispensing a pre-packaged good from the channel through an outlet in the drawer, the dispensing mechanism further comprising an operator actuated dispensing member to expel one pre-packaged good through the outlet of the drawer and a loading member to urge a pre-packaged good in the channel towards the dispensing member; a security flap positioned in each channel adjacent to the 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 again once a pre-packaged good has been dispensed from the channel; means to record the dispensing of a pre-packaged good from the channel; and means to releasably secure the plurality of drawers in a fixed relationship with respect to the main body and with each drawer off-set in a front rear direction from the nearest adjacent drawer. A~ dispensing unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the security flap further comprises a body portion mounted for limited pivotal movement about a cross bar in the channel, the body portion further comprising a stop portion and an abutting portion. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the dispensing member comprises a substantially L-shaped plate connected to an actuating arm, the actuating arm having a handle for manipulation by an operator at its other end. A dispensing unit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the means to record the dispensing of a pre-packaged 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. A dispensing unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.