KR0157219B1 - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

None.

Description

[Name of invention]

vending machine

[Field of Technology]

The present invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly to an improved vending machine for dispensing cylindrical product containers, such as bottles or cans, at the customer's choice.

[Background of invention]

Maximizing storage capacity and minimizing the complexity of the transport mechanism is important for the type of vending machine under consideration. The overall dimension is reduced for the purpose of allowing the product to occupy only as much internal space as possible.

Many conventional vending machines have the problem of using a large number of switches and associated wiring as well as complex distribution mechanisms. For example, multi-select vending machines often rely on multiple motor or solenoid actuated dispensing mechanisms. These switches and mechanisms not only occupy useful space but also result in high maintenance costs for the vending machine.

The construction of storage space is also important for the effective use of space. The simplest and most efficient storage is in the use of vertical column loading, but this is often a problem by the weight of the product. Thus, some vending machines use inclined shelf devices or curved devices that reduce the effect of gravity at the expense of simplicity or storage space.

Conventional vending machines have experienced a lack of versatility in the continuous allocation of storage space for product consumption expected for each selection. In some vending machines, the problem was solved by simply providing additional columns for the main product of choice. Recent technological innovations have led to the use of reversal techniques that can occur in some products held on vending machines, not only due to increased costs and reduced reliability, but also due to unreasonable length of time. While the application of expected usage prediction techniques is desirable, there has been no development of distribution systems that can use these techniques.

The vending machine of the present invention solves these and other problems not disclosed in the known prior art.

[Description of the Invention]

The vending machine of the present invention is provided with a dispensing mechanism that is ideally suited for using sophisticated anticipated use of predicting techniques to reduce the number of resaves to maintain product freshness and to help prevent the exhaustion of popular items.

Such vending machines reduce space requirements for switches and transfer mechanisms, thereby providing particularly efficient product storage capacity. In this vending machine, the switch is substantially eliminated and the transfer mechanism is simplified by using a common drive mechanism to minimize the need for multiple electromagnetic devices such as motors and solenoids.

Product storage capacity is further enhanced by independent forward and rearward storage of vertical columns.

Efficient electro-mechanical depletion devices are provided regardless of the initial number of products.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a vending machine includes: article storage means having a plurality of substantially vertical columns arranged side by side and configured to respectively receive vertically adjacent and generally cylindrical articles; Long rotatable support with a plurality of support elements disposed under each column, each having opposing ends and operatively supporting the article in the first position and operatively supporting the article to rotate to the second position by the weight of the article. Means; Release means connected to respective support means longitudinally spaced from the support element and selectively controlling rotation of the support means between first and second positions when releasing an article; Actuating means reciprocally engageable with the selected release means to release the release means and allow rotation of the associated support means; Control means for said actuation means.

According to another aspect of the invention, each release means is fixedly attached to one end of an associated support means and is rotatable adjacent to the ratchet means to allow rotation of the ratchet means with the support means and the support means. And pawl means moveable to engage and disengage with the ratchet means.

According to another aspect of the invention, each ratchet means is integrally formed with the associated support means.

According to another aspect of the invention, each support means has a three-pointed star shape.

In addition, according to another aspect of the invention, the axis of rotation of each support means is arranged in an associated column that is substantially vertical.

According to one aspect of the invention, each release means comprises a first engagement means, the actuating means comprising an endless element having a second engagement means, and moving the endless element in one running direction and Means for providing a temporary reversal of travel direction, and interrupting the operative coupling of the first engagement means and the second engagement means in one travel direction, but during the temporary reversal of the travel direction, the second engagement means by the second engagement means. Means for allowing operative coupling of the single coupling means.

According to another aspect of the invention, the actuating means comprises a reverse electric motor or a stepper motor for driving said endless element.

Further, according to another aspect of the invention, each support means is formed in a three-point star shape from a bar having a substantially uniform cross section, the ratchet means being integrally formed with the bar and at equal intervals A ratchet wheel with a plurality of spaced apart ratchet teeth, the pawl means being a release member with spaced lug members that are continuously engageable with the teeth.

According to another aspect of the invention, each column comprises a lower end and a member disposed at the lower end to narrow the outlet and guide the article onto the associated support means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the operation of the pawl means and the index member is interrupted in one direction of travel, but the operation of the pawl means permits the engagement of the pawl means during temporary reversal of the travel direction such that the index member causes the pole means. It is provided with a biasing means for moving the to engage and disengage the ratchet means.

According to one aspect of the invention, each vertical column comprises a first portion and a second portion, each column portion configured to receive a plurality of articles that are vertically adjacent and generally cylindrical, each rotating Possible support means support the articles in the first and second column portions, each first column portion disposed below the support means and in succession with the article in the second column portion. An escrow member that provides a retention position for transporting the article within, each ratchet means comprising six teeth.

According to another aspect of the invention, each vertical column comprises first, second and third column portions, each column portion being configured to receive a plurality of articles that are vertically adjacent and generally cylindrical, each Rotatable support means for supporting the article in the first, second and third column portions, each first column portion being disposed below the support means and a first escrow member disposed below the support means and And a second escrow member shorter than the first escrow member, wherein the first and second escrow means convey the articles contiguous with each other in the first and second column portions together with the article in the third column portion. A holding position for each, each ratchet means comprising nine teeth.

According to another aspect of the invention, each vertical column comprises a third portion configured to receive a plurality of vertically adjacent and generally cylindrical articles, wherein each rotatable support means is within the third column portion. A coaxial independent support portion for supporting the article, wherein each independent support portion includes associated release means including ratchet means fixedly attached to one end of each respective support portion, and the independent actuating means comprises: Each ratchet means provided for an independent support portion and attached to the support means in the first and second column portions comprises six teeth, each ratchet attached to the support portion in the third column portion. The means comprise three teeth.

According to another aspect of the invention, the biasing means for blocking the operative coupling between the indexing means and the pawl means is one of the means engageable by another of the means for bending the endless drive element. Lamp means on the top.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a biasing means for allowing an actuating engagement between the indexing means and the pawl means is configured to receive tongue means and the tongue means on the one means. Jaw means on top.

According to another aspect of the invention, a biasing means for blocking actuating engagement between the indexing means and the pawl means is arranged adjacent to the endless element and engageable by the indexing means for bending the endless element. A fixed ramp means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ratchet wheel for forming a cam path having an inner portion having a plurality of outer extending inner teeth and an outer portion having a plurality of inner extending outer teeth disposed alternately with the inner teeth. And the pawl means comprises an eccentric bell crank member having cam followers engageable with the inner and outer teeth in the cam path.

According to another aspect of the invention, an article is joined when at least one article is at a height that maintains substantially the first position, and pivots away from said one position when all articles are below that height. A depletion sensing device is provided that includes a first member pivotally attached to an article storage means adjacent to each column of article at a height such that the indicator is responsive to the good motion.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a second member which is pivotally attached to the pawl means and is movable with the pawl means and includes first and second column portions, the first portion being the first portion. A second member coupled by the second portion of the first member and pivotally movable by the second portion of the first member when the first member pivots to the second position, by the index means A depletion detection device is provided that includes indicating means responsive to the movement of the second column portion of the second member resulting from the movement of the first member with movement of the pole means resulting from the movement.

According to another aspect of the invention, the indexing means is engageable with the second member and the second portion to provide the indicating means.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the support means comprises a rod having a plurality of spaced pins selectively engageable by the second portion of the second member and movable with the second member.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article storage means comprising: a plurality of article storage means, each article configured to receive a plurality of adjacent articles, the plurality of storage compartments arranged side by side; Support means disposed at an end of each compartment and operatively supporting the article in a first position and rotating to a second position by the weight of the article; Release means for controlling movement of the support means between the first and second positions when releasing the article; An endless drive element with engagement means, means for moving said endless element in one travel direction and providing temporary reversal of the travel direction of said engagement means, and operatively engaging said release means and said second engagement means in one travel direction; Operating means for said release means comprising means for blocking said but permitting operative engagement of said release means by said engagement means upon said temporary reversal of said travel direction; A vending machine including a control means for the actuation means is provided.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article storage means comprising: a plurality of storage compartments arranged side by side and configured to receive a plurality of adjacent articles, respectively; Support means disposed at an end of each compartment and operatively supporting the article in a first position to move the second position by weight of the article; Release means for controlling movement of the support means between the first and second positions when releasing the article, and alternately engageable with the selected release means to release the selected release means and allow rotation of the associated support means. Operating means; Provided is a vending machine composed of control means for the actuation means.

According to another Naha aspect of the present invention, the actuation means comprises an elongate member having indexing means extending between the release means and positionable adjacent to the selected release means.

According to another aspect of the invention, the control means comprises position sensing means for operatively monitoring the movement of the elongate member indexing means.

According to another aspect of the invention, each support means has a star shape substantially smaller than the dispensed article.

According to another aspect of the invention, the elongate member is a reciprocating endless element.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, each release means consists of joining means comprising rotatable means attached to the rotating means and rotating together and spaced apart means engageable with the rotatable means, wherein the rotating means One of the spaced means is movable from engagement with the coupling means to determine the amount of rotation of the possible means and at the same time the other of the spaced means is movable with an initial engagement with the release means. .

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, each storage compartment comprises first and second portions, each configured and generally arranged to receive a plurality of adjacent articles, wherein each support means is within each compartment portion. Supporting the article, each release means comprising a ratchet wheel and pawl means having a plurality of teeth, the ratchet teeth being at least twice the number of support elements on the support means, and the escrow means being supported Means and a retention position for transporting said article in said first compartment portion in series with said article and arranged under said first compartment portion.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

1 is a schematic front view of a vending machine.

2 is a block diagram showing an operation sequence.

3 is a plan view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the transfer operation in the first column portion.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 showing the transfer operation in the second column part.

6 is a front end view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 showing the release mechanism in the holding.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the release mechanism in the release position; FIG.

8 is a perspective view of a release mechanism.

9 is a schematic view showing the movement of the release actuation mechanism.

10 is a plan view of a modified vending machine.

11 is a rear end view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 11 showing the third column partial transfer mechanism in the holding position.

12 is a top view of another modified vending machine.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12 showing the transfer operation in the first column part.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 12 showing the transfer operation in the second column part.

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 12 showing the transfer operation in the third column part.

FIG. 16 is a square end view along line 16-16 of FIG. 12 showing the release mechanism in the holding position.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the exhaustion detecting device. FIG.

18 is a cross sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 17 showing a modified depletion detection device in non-operating conditions.

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 showing an apparatus for detecting exhaustion modified under operating conditions.

21 is a block diagram showing a modified operating sequence.

22 is a partial plan view of another modified vending machine.

FIG. 23 is a front end view taken on line 23-23 of FIG. 22 showing the transfer mechanism in the holding position;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23 showing the transfer mechanism in the release position. FIG.

25 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 25-25 of FIG.

FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 26-26 of FIG.

FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 27-27 of FIG.

28 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the actuation mechanism.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the vending machine 10 is divided into eight storage compartments 1-8 by the end walls 14, 18 and the intermediate partition 16 in the illustrated embodiment. It can be seen that the frame 12 is provided. In the embodiment shown, the compartment is substantially vertical. As shown in FIG. 3, the columns 1 to 8 have a front portion 1a, 2a, 3a, etc., so that each column can receive a cylindrical article or container C such as a can or a bottle from end to end. And a depth sufficient to provide rear portions 1b, 2b, 3b, and the like. Each column 1 to 8 is of a depth sufficient to accommodate the vertical rows of zigzag of the vessel C. The frame 12 also includes front and back plates 20 and 22 that connect the partition 16; A front safety plate 24 spaced apart from the front plate 20 by a spacer 26; Side plates (28, 30) interconnecting the back plate (22) and the front safety plate (24). The plates 20, 24 interact to provide a housing for the container release mechanism, generally indicated at 32 and described below. The frame 12 includes a hopper portion H that provides a container C dispensed to a consumer by a release mechanism.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the diaphragms 16 forming the columns 1 to 8 are wound at their lower ends to provide a transverse bead 34 for receiving the long bolts 35. It can be seen that on top of the carum outlet defined by the beads each plate 16 comprises a transverse member 36 attached by welding. The transverse member 36 effectively narrows the column and defines the discharge path of the container C therein, the member 36 having an upper ramp portion 38, a vertical portion 40 and a lower inclined portion 42. It includes. At the bottom of the transverse member 36 is a retainer plate 50 comprising an upper portion 52 extending and connecting between the front and back plates 20 and 22 and an escrow portion 54 which is only bent at the front portion of the column. have.

The vessel is supported by a three-point revolving door member 60 disposed axially supported between the rear plate 22 and the safety plate 24 and disposed below each column interacting with the retainer 50 to provide a revolving door system. Pass through the column outlet. In the illustrated embodiment, the generally star-shaped revolving door member 60 comprises three points 61, 63, 65 separated by concave surfaces 66 which are formed in harmony to support the container C. As shown in FIG. The revolving door member 60 is mounted by a stub shaft 68, 69 to be freely rotatable between the rear and safety plates 22, 24. The revolving door member provides support means for the container and the axis of rotation of the member is biased from the center of gravity of the container which is disposed in the column and supported. As a result, the revolving door member is rotated by the weight of the container.

In the revolving door and retainer assembly shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the three-point revolving door 60 extends through the front and rear columns, i.e. column portions 2a, 2b, each revolving door having two containers (C). ). The upper portion 52 of the retainer 50 also extends through the front and rear columns, while the lower escrow portion only extends through the front column portion 2a. Corresponding containers C1a, C1b, C2a, C2b in the front and rear column portions are aligned axially. The containers C1a, C1b, C2a, C2b, C3a are shown in solid lines in the first position and in phantom in the second position. 120 ° movement of the revolving door member 60 is required to release the container C. FIG.

4 and 5, the revolving door protrusion 65 supports the containers C2a, C2b in the front and rear portions of the column 2 at the positions shown in solid lines. In FIG. 4, the revolving door protrusion 61 interacts with the escrow portion 54 to support the container C3a in the position shown in solid lines.

When the revolving door member 60 is allowed to rotate 60 ° to the position shown in phantom, the containers C3a are transferred and the two containers C2a and C2b are moved by the revolving door protrusion 65 and the retainer member 52. Move to the position shown by the supported virtual line. When the revolving door member 60 is allowed to rotate 60 ° further, the container C2a will move to the position already occupied by the container C3a and forward by the revolving door member 60 and the interacting escrow portion 54. Will be supported within the column part. However, the container C2b will be transported because no escrow portion is provided in the rear column portion. After this, the containers C are alternately transferred from each column part every 60 degrees of rotation of the revolving door member 60 but require a rotation of 120 degrees to transfer the containers from the same column.

The release mechanism for controlling the rotation of the revolving door member 60 in the case where it is intended to dispense from the first position to the second position where they are supported by the revolving door members will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 8, each revolving door member 60 extends through the front plate 20, and at its front end, a ratchet integrally mounted and integrally formed coaxially with the revolving door member 60. The wheel 70 is provided. The ratchet wheel 70 comprises a plurality of radially extending teeth 71 to 76 and a circular back plate 77 of the illustrated embodiment. The release member or pawl 80 is pivotally mounted adjacent to the ratchet wheel by a pivot axis 81 extending between the front wall 20 and the guide wall 24. The release member 80 generally includes lugs 82 and 84 that are arcuate and engageable with ratchet wheel teeth 74 and 76 respectively in the illustrated position. The release member 80 comprises a socket 86 which provides a seat for the lower end of the spring 88 to the upper end, which spring is the result of which the lug 82 is biased to engage the top tooth 74. It is possible to engage with the joining member 90 at the upper end in the state.

At the lower end of the release member 80 a protruding member 92 constituting the first engagement means engageable by a reciprocating index finger 94 constituting the second engagement means is included. In fact, the revolving door member and the release mechanism interact to prevent the transfer of the vessel from the column.

In the illustrated embodiment, the indes finger 94 is fixedly mounted to the chain 100 by rivets. The inclined shape of the reverse side 96 of the lower side 96 of the member 92 constitutes the sensing means and the finger 94 is released when the chain 100 moves in a clockwise direction to point A (FIGS. 6 and 7). While interacting with the upper side 98 of the member 94 in terms of flexibility of the chain 100 to allow it to pass by 80, the protruding member reverses the chain from point A to point C through point B. It is provided to engage and pivot the discharge member when moving in this counterclockwise direction (FIG. 9). In particular, the jaw shape of the finger hole 102 provides a lower inclined surface that accommodates the cuboidal shape of the protruding member tip 104 such that counterclockwise movement of the finger 94 over point B is coupled with the ratchet teeth 74. The release lug 82 is pivoted from and the revolving door member 60 is rotated by the weight of the container until it engages with the second lug 84 as shown in FIG. In addition, the clockwise movement of the finger 94 from point C to point B derives the reversal of rotation of the discharge member by the biasing action of the spring 88 such that the lug 82 is engaged to the next tooth and 60 ° during the entire movement. Of ratchet wheel 72 causes movement.

In the illustrated embodiment, 120 ° movement is required during the entire movement to release the container C, thereby allowing the front and rear containers in the column to rotate as the revolving door 60 and the ratchet wheel 70 are rotated at 60 ° intervals. It is released continuously.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the chain 100 has two index fingers 94, 95 mounted at diagonally opposed points, one index finger being always able to fly upwards. The chain is disposed around the drive sprocket 103 and the idler sprocket 105, and is driven by a reversible motor M. As shown in FIG. 3, the drive sprocket 103 is fixedly mounted to a drive shaft 106 rotatably mounted between the safety plate 24 and the bracket 108, the shaft being connected to the motor shaft 110. It is driven from the motor M by miter gears 112 and 114 respectively carried by the drive shaft 106.

The motor M is controlled by the control system 200 shown schematically in FIG. Substantially, the drive chain 100 is a product selection device selected by a customer to position one of the two fingers, for example, the finger 94, adjacent to the discharge member 80 of the selected columns 1-8. According to the start of 204, the motor control device 202 is moved clockwise. Product selection may be coin or credit card controlled or may be adopted in a free mode of operation. The data in the drive chain movement accumulator 206 provides information to the motor control device 202 according to the position of the index finger 94. This information, along with the output from the product selector 204, is used to properly advance the index finger 94 to the correct position via the motor M, the motor shaft 106, the sprocket 103 and the chain 100. Comparison is made by the motor control apparatus 202. When this position is reached, the motor control device 202 causes the index finger 94 to reciprocate and actuate the selected release mechanism pawl 80.

In particular, drive chain movement accumulator 206 stores a numerical value representing the position of index fingers 94 and 95 at all times. Movement of the chain 100 is monitored by sensing the rotation of the sprocket drive shaft 106 by an axis encoder that provides an output pulse with rotation and is one way to provide the drive chain position sensing device 207. Other methods, for example, include sprocket tooth sensors that use a Hall effect device or an optical coupler or an optical sensing circuit to sense the movement of a chain link. The starting point for integrating the chain movement is to observe the index fingers 94 and 95 together with the Hall effect device to provide a reset pulse output to the drive chain movement integrator 206 whenever the index finger is at the starting point. Provided by the drive chain index sensing device 208.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronic control system uses a microprocessor but may use a logic gate circuit.

Another preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In this embodiment, a larger frame 312 is used to provide additional three sets of column portions 1c, 2c, 3c, and the like. The front two column parts 1a, 2a, 3a and 1b, 2b, 3b, etc. are substantially the same as described with respect to FIGS. However, in the modified structure, additional single revolving door members 360 are provided to be rotatable independently of the revolving door 60, respectively. As shown, each revolving door member 360 is mounted to the rear safety plate 324 by a stub shaft 369, and the common shaft 368 mounts the revolving door members 60, 360 on the intermediate wall 321. It is used. The second chain 100 is provided to be driven by a second sprocket 103 fixedly mounted to the rear end of the extended drive shaft 306. As shown in FIG. 11, the revolving door member 360 is substantially the same as the revolving door member 60 in cross section. The discharge member 380 is also substantially the same except that it is mounted in a mirror image. However, the ratchet wheel 370 and escrow plate arrangement are different. Since only one column portion is acted upon by the index finger, the ratchet wheel 370 includes only three teeth. Additionally, there is nothing comparable to the escrow plate portion, and each engagement of pawl 80 and index finger 94 results in a 120 ° rotation of ratchet wheel 370 and revolving door member 360. In other respects, the transfer operation is substantially similar to what has already been described with respect to the rear column portion 2b shown in FIGS. 3 to 5.

Another preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 12-16. This embodiment also uses a larger frame 412 to provide a third set of column portions 401c, 402c, 403c, and the like. The two front column portions 401a, 402a, 403a, etc. and 401b, 402b, 403b, etc., are substantially the same as described with respect to FIGS. 3 to 7. However, the revolving door member 460 is elongated to extend into the third column portion and mounted to the rear wall 422 by a stub shaft 468. As shown in FIG. 13, the revolving door member 460 is substantially the same in cross section as the revolving door member 60. The release member 480 is also substantially the same as the release member 80. However, the ratchet wheel 470 and the retainer member are different. Since all three column portions 402a, 402b and 402c are operated by the same index finger, the ratchet wheel 470 includes nine teeth 471 to 479. The retainer escrow plate 454 in the front column is substantially the same as in the front column portion of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-7 and the escrow plate in the rear column portion has no similarity. However, a short escrow plate 455 is provided in the second or intermediate column portion.

As already described with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-7, a rotation of 120 degrees is required to release the container C. FIG. Thus, each reciprocation of the finger moves the revolving door 40 °, as a result of which the container C is released continuously in the first, second and third column portions 402a, 402b, 402c.

The revolving door 460 rotates to the position shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 so that the containers C1a, C1b, C1c are aligned axially. Similarly, the containers C2a, C2b, and C2c are also aligned axially. In addition, the containers C3a, C3b, C3c are aligned axially, and the container C3c is only temporarily aligned because the third column portion 402c does not have an escrow plate, leaving the position shown in FIG. Is dispensed after a moment. With subsequent 40 ° rotation of the revolving door member 460, the container C3b is dispensed by being no longer held by the short escrow plate 455. At the same time, vessel C3b is dispensed, and vessel C3a will be moved from the position shown in FIG. 13 held by the lowest portion of escrow plate 454 and dispensed with a subsequent 40 ° rotation.

17 and 18 show a modified release mechanism incorporating the depletion detection device 500. The instrument consists of two interacting elements, a vessel sensing arm 502 and a pivot trigger 504. The vessel sensing arm includes an upper portion 506 disposed in a slot 508 provided in the cross member and a lower portion 510 that is engageable with the trigger 504. The upper and lower portions 506 and 510 have an axis 512. And mounted to a pair of brackets 514 for pivotal movement of the sensing arm 502. The trigger 504 also includes an upper portion 516 and a lower portion 518 and pivot axis 520 Is pivotally mounted to the discharge member, and the lower portion 518 is arched to provide the tongue 522. When the column of the vessel C is in a position higher than the sensing arm upper portion 506, The upper portion is forced by the vessel to the position shown in phantom in FIG. 18, and the lower portion forces the trigger tongue 522 to separate it from the index finger 94. The column of vessel C is sufficient. When exhausted to a low position, the sensing arm is automatically counterclockwise by gravity To rotate the trigger 504 clockwise to the position shown in solid line, where the tongue 522 acts as an extension of the release tongue 92 and the release tongue 522. The bond is detected and recorded by the control system to limit or prevent additional sales.

The modified depletion detection device 600 is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. This mechanism is similar to that described above in that it is pivotally mounted to the release member 80 and includes a trigger 604 and a vessel sensing arm 602. However, the trigger 604 is selectively engageable with an independent spring load rod 650 provided with a spring load switching means 640 and a plurality of pins 651-658.

The vessel sensing arm 602 includes an upper portion 606 pivotally mounted to the member 36 and engageable with the vessel C and a lower portion 608 engageable with the trigger 604. The trigger 604 also includes an upper portion 616 and a lower portion 618 and is pivotally mounted to the discharge member 80. Trigger lower portion 618 is arched to provide a ring. When the column of vessel C is higher than the sensing arm 602, the upper portion 602 is forced by the vessel C to the position shown in FIG. 19 and the lower portion 608 is separated from the rod pin 602. Force trigger ring 618. The sensing arm 602 is automatically moved counterclockwise by gravity when the column of vessel C is sufficiently depleted, which allows the trigger 604 to turn clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 20. Ring 618 actuates to engage rod 650 and switch 640, and rod 650 moves release member 80 counterclockwise by engagement by index finger 94. This engagement is detected and recorded by the control system to limit or prevent additional sales of the release mechanism.

Another modified structure of the release mechanism is shown in FIGS. 22-27. This structure uses substantially the same revolving door member 860 but is combined with integrally formed engagement ratchet wheel 870 and pawl 880. The engagement ratchet wheel 870 has an inner portion 871 with three outwardly protruding teeth 872, 873, 874 and an inwardly extending tooth 876 with intermediate teeth 872, 873, 874 disposed on the outer circumference. 877, 878, outer portion 875. Inner and outer portions 871 and 875 interact to define a cam-shaped path with grooves, respectively. The pole 880 is pivotally mounted between the safety plate 24 by the front plate 20 and the pivot 881 and extends from the hub 886 in common with the first arm 882. 884), including the bell crank shape. The first arm 882 is laterally deflected from the second arm 884 and, as shown in FIG. 25, at a right angle at the remote end engageable with the teeth of the inner and outer portions of the ratchet wheel 870. Protruding cam follower 888. The second arm 884 has side projections on each side of the chain and constitutes an index member fixedly attached thereto and is split at the lower end such that the chain 100 with a pair of transverse lugs 894 is narrowed. The second arm 884 includes a socket 887 which extends between the joining member 900 having a second arm and a spring receiving socket 904 attached to the safety plate 24 by a fastener 902. Receives spring 888.

The joining member 900 also includes a bifurcated leg 906 having a first ramp face 908 and a second ramp face 910. The index element 894 is wider than the hole formed by the two legs 906 and engages with the first lamp surface 908 and protrudes forward 912 below the pole 880 as shown in FIG. The cam is downwardly driven by the availability of the chain 100 to pass underneath the junction. When the joining member 900 is removed, the chain returns to the original moving position shown in FIG. Reverse movement of the chain from A to B causes the index member to engage the second arm 884 of the pole 880 to rotate the pole to position C and the cam follower 888 to the external teeth 874. ) And rotate clockwise. The removal of the stop provided by the cam follower 88 causes the ratchet wheel 870 to rotate counterclockwise until engaging the inner tooth 874. When the direction of the chain 100 is reversed again, the index element 890 moves to separate from the pawl second arm 884, which rotates the pawl counterclockwise, whereby the cam follower 888 has an internal tooth. Move apart from 874 and the rotation of ratchet wheel 870 moves to engage outer tooth 877. Therefore, the reciprocating motion of the chain 100 moves the ratchet wheel 870 twice through 60 degrees of each movement. This modified structure works substantially the same as the previously described embodiment.

FIG. 21 is another block diagram similar to that of FIG. 2, which relates to the stepper motor SM, which causes the stepper motor control device 902 to move the chain 100 by a certain small amount, accurate for each pulse, as it generates a pulse. A modified control system 900 is shown. When the product selection 904 is initiated by the customer's selection, the stepper motor SM detects the chain index finger 94 by the drive chain index sensing device 908. Determination of the exact number of pulses required to move the chain in accordance with the product selection is provided to locate the chain index picker 94 at a suitable location adjacent to the selected emission number 80. The stepper motor controller 902 pulses the stepper motor SM to induce a reciprocating motion into the index finger 94 with the correct amount for the stepper motor SM to actuate the release number 80.

It should be noted that with respect to the loading of the front and rear positions of the column, the front part is loaded forward and the rear part is top loaded.

It is to be understood that the term vending machine as used herein is intended to include cash and credit card vending machines.

Various embodiments of the vending machine have been described above, and changes and modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Other modifications are possible, for example, the compartment may be inclined rather than vertical. Thus, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and illustrated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be determined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims (32)

Article storage means comprising a plurality of storage compartments configured and arranged side by side, each to receive a plurality of adjacent articles, and disposed at each compartment end to operatively support the article in a first position and by weight of the article Support means operative to move to a position, a plurality of release means for respectively controlling movement of each support means between the first and second positions when releasing the article, and a selected one of the release means And an operating means for allowing rotation of the associated support means, and a vending machine comprising control means for said operating means, said actuating means extending between said release means and being one of said release means for actuation of a selected release means. An elongated member having indexable means positionable adjacent to the selected one, the elongated member being reciprocated Vending machines, it characterized in that a variable component. A vending machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises position sensing means for operatively monitoring said elongate member indexing means. A vending machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein each support means is a star shape smaller than the dispensed article. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein each release means comprises a coupling means attached to a support means and rotatable together rotatable means and spaced apart means engageable with the rotation means to determine the amount of rotation of the rotation means. Wherein one of said spacing means is movable to disengage said rotating means and at the same time the other of said spacing means is movable to an initial engagement with said release means. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein each storage compartment comprises first and second portions configured and aligned to receive a plurality of adjacent water pools, respectively, and wherein each support means operatively supports the article within each compartment portion. A plurality of support elements, each release means comprising a ratchet wheel and pawl means having a plurality of teeth, said latch teeth being at least twice the number of support elements on said support means, said escrow means A vending machine disposed below the support means and the first compartment portion and providing a holding position for continuously transporting the article in the first compartment portion with the article in the second compartment portion. 2. The traveling element according to claim 1, wherein the endless element is a drive element, the drive element is a coupling means, means for moving the endless element in one travel direction and providing a temporary reversal of the travel direction of the coupling means; And a means for interrupting the operative coupling between the releasing means and the engaging means, but for allowing the operative coupling of the releasing means by the engaging means in case of temporary reversal of the travel direction. The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment is a vertical column. The ratchet means of claim 1, wherein each release means is fixedly attached to one end of the associated support means and rotatably mounted adjacent to the ratchet means to allow rotation of the support means with the ratchet means rotatable with the support means. And pawl means moveable to separate and engage with the ratchet means. A vending machine according to claim 1, wherein each ratchet means is formed integrally with an associated support means. A vending machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein each support means has a three-point star shape. Vending machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the axis of rotation of each support means is arranged in an associated vertical column. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein each release means comprises a first engagement means, wherein the actuating means endless element moves the second engagement means and the endless element in one travel direction and in a travel direction of the second engagement means. Means for providing a temporary reversal and interrupting the operative coupling of the first engagement means and the second engagement means in one travel direction, but in case of temporary reversal of the travel direction of the first engagement means by the second engagement means. A vending machine comprising means for allowing operative engagement. 13. A vending machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein said actuation means consists of a reversible electric motor for driving said endless element. 9. A vending machine according to claim 8, wherein each support means is formed in a three point shape from a bar having a uniform cross section. The ratchet wheel of claim 14 wherein the latch means is a ratchet wheel having a plurality of ratchet teeth formed integrally with the bar and maintained at equidistant intervals and the pawl means having a spaced apart lug member that is continuously engageable with the teeth. The vending machine characterized by the absence. 8. A vending machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein each column comprises a lower end and a member disposed at the lower end to narrow the outlet and guide the article onto the associated support means. The device of claim 1, wherein the article storage means comprises a plurality of vertical columns each configured to receive a cylindrical article, each support means being an elongate shape comprising a plurality of support elements, and the release means being each support. A ratchet means fixedly attached to one end of the means and pivotably adjacent to the ratchet means to control rotation of the support means between the ratchet means rotatable with the support means and the first and second positions when the article is released. A mounted pole means, said endless element being a drive element, said drive element moving said endless element in a traveling direction such that said index member attached thereto and said index member is disposed adjacent to a selected pole means; Means for providing a temporary reversal in the running direction of the indes member, and the index member moves the pawl means to A biasing means for blocking the operative coupling of the pawl means and the index member in the travel direction to engage and disengage with the ratchet means, but for biasing the pawl means in the event of a temporary reversal of the travel direction. vending machine. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each vertical column comprises first and second portions each configured to receive a plurality of vertically adjacent and cylindrical articles, wherein each rotatable support means comprises said first and second column portions. Supporting an article within, wherein each first column portion is disposed under said support means and provides a retention position for conveying said article in said first column portion continuously with said article in said second column portion A vending machine comprising an escrow member. 19. A vending machine according to claim 18, wherein each support means is three-point star shaped and each ratchet means comprises six teeth. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each vertical column comprises first, second, and third column portions each configured to receive a plurality of vertically adjacent and generally cylindrical articles, wherein each rotatable support means comprises: Supporting an article in the first, second and third column portions, each first column portion comprising a first escrow member disposed below the support means, each second column portion being below the support means; And a second escrow member disposed in and shorter than the first escrow member, wherein the first and second escrow means continuously with each other in the third column portion with the article in the first and second column portions; A vending machine, characterized by providing a holding position for transporting an article. 21. A vending machine according to claim 20, wherein each support means is three-point star shaped and each ratchet means has nine teeth. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein each vertical column comprises a third portion configured to receive a plurality of vertically adjacent and generally cylindrical articles, each rotatable support means supporting an article within the third column portion. A coaxial independent support portion, each independent support portion comprising associated release means including ratchet means fixedly attached to each one end of the independent support portion, wherein the independent support portion is provided with independent actuation means. Vending machine, characterized in that. 23. The device of claim 22, wherein each support means comprising the independent support portion is three-point star shaped, and each ratchet means attached to the support means in the first and second column portions comprises six teeth. And each ratchet means attached to said support portion in said third column portion comprises three teeth. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the biasing means for blocking operative coupling between the indexing means and the pawl means is on one of the means engageable by another of the means to bend the infinite drive element. Vending machine comprising lamp means. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the biasing means for blocking the operative coupling between the indexing means and the pawl means is jaw-shaped on another of the means configured to receive the tongue and the tongue means on one of the means. A vending machine comprising means. 18. The fixed ramp means of claim 17, wherein the biasing means for blocking operative coupling between the indexing means and the pole means is arranged adjacent to the endless element and engageable by the indexing means to bend the endless element. Vending machine, characterized in that it comprises. 18. The support of claim 17 wherein the support means is formed in a three-point star shape from a bar having opposing ends and having a uniform cross section, the ratchet means having a plurality of teeth formed integrally with the bar at one end and extending outwardly. And a ratchet wheel having a ratchet wheel, wherein the pawl means comprises a biased release member that is continuously engageable with the teeth. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the support means is formed in a three-point star shape from a bar having opposing ends and having a uniform cross section, the ratchet means forming a cam path and an inner portion with a plurality of outer extending inner teeth. A ratchet wheel having an outer portion with a plurality of inner extending outer teeth disposed alternately with said inner teeth to form a can path, said pawl means being camable engageable with said inner and outer teeth within said cam path; And an eccentric bell crank member with a follower. 18. The article of claim 17, wherein the article is at a height such that at least one article is at its height to engage the article and maintain the first position, and to pivot away from the one position when all the articles are below that height. And a depletion detecting device comprising a first member rotatably attached to the article storage means adjacent each column and indicating means for responding to the pivoting movement. 18. The method of claim 17, adjacent to each column and pivotally attached to the article storage means and including first and second portions, wherein at least the first portion joins and retracts the article when one article is at its height. A first member of an article configured to be held at one position and arranged at a height such that all the goods are pivoted to a second position when below the height, and pivotally attached to the pawl means and moveable with the pawl means And a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being joined by a second portion of the first member and to the second portion of the first member when the first member pivots to the second position. A second member configured to be movable rotatable by means of the second member of the second member resulting from the movement of the first member together with the movement of the pawl means resulting from engagement by the index means; Vending machine, it characterized in that the depleted sensing device comprising indicating means responsive to the movement provided. 31. A vending machine as in claim 30, wherein said indexing means is engageable with said second portion of said second member to provide said support means. 32. An automatic as in claim 31 wherein said support means comprises a rod having a plurality of spaced apart pins selectively engageable by said second portion of said second member and movable with said second member. Vending machine.