US2379501A - Article dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

L. STEINER r AL ARTICLE DISPENSING DEVICE July 3, 1945.

Filed Dec. 11', 1941 5 Shegts-Sheet 1 LOU/S STE/NEE PETE/Q 55775045! A T TOENEy v July 3, 1945. L. STEINER ETAL ARTICLE DISPENSING DEVICE S Sheets-Sheet -2 Filed Dec. 11, 1941 I 1 I 1 I 1 1 PM .054 M F l I l N57 77 15% S P m WK E 0.

- .W grroeA/sy y 1945- L. STEIN ER mm. 2,379,501 ARTICLE DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Dec; 11, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5' INVENTORS A 00/5 5 TE/NEQ PETER SET-TECASI Patented July 3, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTICLE DISPENSING DEVICE Louis Steiner, New York, and Peter Settecasi,

Brooklyn, N. Y., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Assets Realization Co.

Application December 11, 1941, Serial No. 422,538

I 7 Claims. ('01. 312-67,)

This invention relates to article dispensing devices. dispensing or Vending packages of cigarettes and the like articles.

An object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character described, a main chute adapted to hold a column of articles, and an auxiliary chute adapted to hold a reserve stack of articles, and highly improved means, controlled by'ejection of articles from the lower end of the main chute, to swing the auxiliary chute into the main chute, when the column in the main chute has been depleted down to a predetermined level.

I A further object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character described, adapted to dispense cigarette packages of either the'king size or regular size. In such devices, the chutes are of a depth sufilcient to accommodate the king size package of cigarettes, removable means being provided to reduce the depth to accommodate cigarette packages of normal or regular length.

It is a further object of this invention to Provide a machine of the character described, having means to prevent the lowermost package from being jogged or vibrated or loosened out of the chute when the machine is loaded with regular sized cigarette packages, which are of a length less than the depth of the chute.

Due to the need for savingin material, the auxiliary chute comprises only a back wall and one side wall, the usual opposite side wall being eliminated, and resilient means being provided to swing the auxiliary chute forwardly when the cigarettes in the main chute are exhausted to a predetermined extent, said resilient means being so It is particularly directed to a device forarranged as to retain the auxiliary chute against twisting, and in its plane of movement.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, a removable auxiliary chute, and an improved releasable latch to retain the auxiliary chute in operative position.

Yet a further object of this invention is to pro,- vide a strong and durable device of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, smooth and positive in operation, and practical and efiicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative emdevice the auxiliary chute;

embodying the invention, with parts broken away and in cross-section;

Fig.- -2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line Fig. 3'isa top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 2 i

Fig. 4 is a partial rear elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1; v

.Fig. .5 is a cross-sectional View taken on line 5.-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on; line 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the lower end of .a device shown in Fig. 1, andshowing the position of the parts when a package in the main chute is being ejected, and while there are not sufficient packages in the main chute toprevent release of Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 88' of Fig. 2, and showing the position of the parts when the packages in the main chute are exhausted to such an extent that upon ejecting one of theremainingpackagesof cigarettes, the

auxiliary chute will be swung forwardly, and also Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 7, but showing the position of the parts when the auxiliary chute is swung forwardly, so that the packages therein may pass to the lower end of themainchute;

I Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view Ill-Illof Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on line llIlofFig.8; Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the position of thechute when the chute is empty and the auxiliary chute has been moved forwardly into the main chute for refilling;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. '7, and showing the machine when loaded forking size packages.

Fig. 17 is a perspective'view oi the false backused in the ,narrow chute wherein the packages are loaded edgewise.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, I 0 designates an article dispensing or vending device embodying the invention, hereshown for the purpose of illustration, as partof'a cigarette package vending machine." ,The-same comprisesa base or support I l of usual construction shown taken on line,-

in dotted lines in the drawings, and including a horizontal wall I2 on which is mounted a cabinet or a chute unit or structure I3. The chute structure I3 may comprise any-suitable number of chutes, a portion only thereof being shown in the drawings by the way of illustration.

The chutestructure comprises parallel, 'vertical aligned walls I4, I5, I B and, IT. The walls I4 and I5 are spaced aparta distance equal to the distance between the walls I6 and I1 forming therebetween similar chambers I 8'. The distance between the walls I4 and I 5 and between the walls l5 and I1, is somewhat greater than the width of a usual package of cigarettes. The distance between the walls I5 and I6 however is less than the distance between the'walls I4 and I5, such distance being somewhat greater than the thickness of the usual package of cigarettes.

Walls I4 and I5 have inwardly extending vertical' flanges Ma and I5a at the rear thereof. Walls I 6 and I l have similar inwardly extending flangesat' the rearthereofl Walls I4 and I5 have inwardly extending flanges I41: and I5b at the front thereof, and the walls I6 and I! have similar, inwardly extending flanges. at the front thereof. Walls IS-and- I6 have inwardly extending flanges, I50 and His at the front thereof. The rear flanges of walls I4, I5, I6 and I! are interconnectedby' a transverse b'ar I'9; which serves to interconnect said walls. The width of the walls I4, I5, I6 and I1 is preferably somewhat greater than twice the length of a king size cigarette package, from a point above the lower ends of said'w'all's to the upper ends of said walls. Said walls are of substantially half width at their lower ends; Thus, the front portions of chambers I8 extend down further than the rear portions thereof.- Thefiont portions of chamber I8 form the main articlechutes designated by numeral 20. In the main chutes, there may be king size packages-of cigarettes 2 I stacked and disposed substantially mid way between the front and rear ends of said walls.

In front of the spacer member 24', and between walls I5 and I6, is a chamber 2'5 forking size packages of cigarettes 2|, and convertible in a manner hereinafter appearing for reception of regular size packages of cigarettes.

At the rear of the lower, narrow ends of walls I4, ISIS and IT is a vertical back wa'l1'26f-and at thebottom' of the rear'p'ortion' of chamber I8, is a horizontal bottom wall 21, which extends from wall 26. Extending upwardly from the rear end of wall 21 isa wall 23 fixed to the rear flanges of walls I4"; I5 I6 and H. The upper ends of walls I4, I5, I6 and H are interconnected by a transverse member 30, from which there extends forwardly a flange 3'I' overlying and spaced above chambers I'I. Wall 21 is formed with longitudinalslots 2T0, disposed beneath the rear portions of chambers I8, and hence in the bottom of the chutes 22. Wall 26 is formed with slots 26a adjacent its upper end; communicating with the slots 21a, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. I

The lower edge of wall 26 is above wall I2, providing a space through which the lowermost packages in the chutes may be ejected rearwardly. Wall 26 is furthermore formed'with a slot 26b (Fig. 10) aligned with chute or chamber to permit the lowermost package in chute 25 to be pushed rearwardly out of said chute.

The reserve chutes 22 each comprises aback wall 22a a side wall 22b contacting a wall of chamber I 8, and a front flange 22c extending from said side wall. The upper ends of back walls 22a are bent around transverse pins projecting to opposite sides of said back wall and engaging the upper edges of the side walls of chambers I8, whereby to suspend the chutes 22 within the rear portions of chambers I 8. It will be noted that the lower ends of chutes 22 terminate somewhat above the horizontal wall 21.

Releasable means is provided to pivotally retain the reserve chutes 22 in the rear portions of chambers I8, permitting said chutes to swing in a clockwise direction, as illustrated in Fig. 8, into the main chutes 20. To this end, flange 3| is formed with parallel slots 36, and fixed to said flange are angular springs 37 having down wardly extending fingers 38 projecting through slots 36 and engaging the upper ends of the back walls of the chutes 22, as shown in Fig. 8. When it is desired to refill the chutes 22, the springs 31 are lifted and the chutes 22 may then be bodily moved forwardly toward the front portions of chambers I8.

Means is provided to adapt the chutes 22 for regular size package of cigarettes. To this end, there is fixed to the back wall 22a, 2. longitudinally channel shaped spacer member or false back 40, having outwardly extending aligned front flanges 4I parallel to the back wall 22a.

The bottom or back wall 42 of the spaced mem-. her is formed with openings to receive fastening;

members such as bolts 43 passing through openings in the back wall 22a for fastening the spacing member 49 to said back wall. When thus attached to said back wall 22a, the chute 22 can receive only the regular size package of cigarettes 23.

Means is provided to adapt chamber 25 for reception of regular size package of cigarettes. To this end, there is fixed to the front of partition 24, a longitudinal vertical spacing member or false back 45 of channel shape, and having outwardly extending wings or flanges 46 at the front thereof. It will be noted (Fig. 10) that the partition 24 terminates at substantially the level of wall 2! and that spacer member 45 extends downwardly to a point somewhat above slot 261). Member 45 may be fixed to the partition 24 by means of bolts, screws or any other suitable fastening means 41.

Slidably mounted on wall l2 of the support are a plurality of retractable spring pressed plungers or ejector members 59. The ejectors are aligned with chutes 20 and 25. When the ejector mem bers are pulled forwardly, the lowermost package in the chutes drops. When the ejectors are released, springs (not shown) push the ejectors rearwardly to push the lowermost packages in the chutes rearwardly out of the chutes to fall into position where the same may be removed by the purchaser.

It will be noted that when chamber 25 is loaded with regular size packages of cigarettes, there is a sizable space between the lowermost package in said chamber (Fig. 10) and wall 26. Because of the space between the lowermost package 23 and wall 26, jogging or slight reciprocation back and forth of the ejector is liable to work the low-' ermost package 23, sufficiently loose to drop out of the chute.

Means is therefore. provided to prevent ejec'-,

tion of a package of cigarettes, unless the proper coins are inserted, and the ejector isretracted therefrom, overlapping slot 261) in wall 26 and contacting the rear edge of the lowermost pack-:

age of cigarettes 23. On the pivot pin-52 about whichplate or member is pivoted, is a torsion spring 53, which normally urges plate" 5| for-' wardly into contact with the packages'of ciga-- Plate 5| is somewhat narrower than slot rettes. 26b. Thus, even if the ejector 59 can be jogged, vibrated or reciprocated back and forthxslightly, nevertheless the package 23 will alwaysbe pushed forwardly by plate 5|, so that it cannot be reased from the chute, unless the ejectoris fully retracted to permit the package to drop.

Whenking size packages are loaded in chute 25 (spacer being removed) the lowermost package cannot be jogged out because there is not sufficient clearance for the package to tilt.

'Means is provided to guide the lowermost package in chamber 25 downwardly when it is ejected.

To this end, wall 26 is formed'with a pairof spaced ears on opposite sides of slot 26b, supporting a transverse pivot 54 above said slot, to which is pivoted a plate 55 projecting downwardly andlikewise overlapping said slot. Spring 56 pushes the packages downwardly where they are ejected from the chute to the delivery chamber in base (not shown).

Means is provided to adapt the lower ends of each of chutes 20 for reception of regular size package of cigarettes 23. To-this end, there is removably fixed to wall 26, and located on the inside of said chute, a vertical, longitudinal memher-60. The lower end of member 60 is some-v what above the lower edge of wall 26. Member 60 may be tubular in shape, and of generally rectangular cross-section. Extending from the vfront wall 6| thereof, is an upwardly and rearwardly inclined lip 63, the upper end of-which partially overlaps slot 26a. The lower ends of side walls 64 of member 66 carry a transverse horizontal pivot pin 65 on which is hinged a plate 66 extending down below the lower edge ofwall 26. Plate 66 is urged forwardly by a torsion spring 61 on pivot 65. Said plate is adapted to contact the lowermost package in chute 20 to prevent surreptitious ejection of said package. ejector is vibrated or moved back and forth some- Supported by the side walls If the what in an attempt to gradually work the pack- Means is provided to retain the auxiliary chutes 22 in vertical position, in the rear of chambers I8, while thereare packages in the main'chutes" 20 above a predetermined height, and to swing said auxiliary chutes forwardly so that'the pack-.

ages therein maybe guided to the main chutes automatically upon depleting or exhausting the packagesin said mainchutesgto below said-pre- |5-and |1,-'are brackets 12- formed with arcuate slots13..- j

As-the control means for each auxiliary chute 22 is similar only one thereof will be described: I Pivotedtothe'lower end of bracket. 12 about ahOIlZOIlttlllpiVOt pin is a lever 15 having a rearwardly -projecting arm 16 formed with, a

shoulder :11 adjacent its rear end normally en.- gaging the lug 1|l -to hold the chute 22in vertical position. i I

Pivoted to the lower-end 0f-bracket 12, as on pivot 18 located at the center of curvature of slot. 13, is an arm 19 extending upwardly throughslot 21a, and having an offset horizontal arm 19a. cn-z gaging the back wall 22a of chute 22. Onarm 19 is a pin '80 projecting through arcuate s1ot 13. Pin 8|! is interconnected to wall 26by a coil tension spring 8|. Spring 8| thus presses arm'19.

against the'chute 22 tending to swing the chute forwardly, -the chute being held back in its vertical position, however, by lever 15 as hereinabove explained.

Means is provided responsive to-ejection of packages by the ejector 50, to trip the lever 15 when the packages in chute 20-are exhausted tov below a. predetermined height, such means being inoperative to trip the. lever as long as there are packages in said chute above said height. To :this end, wall-26is formed with a pair of rearwardly extending ears 85, supporting a transverse shaft 86 on which is pivoted a downwardly extending p1ate 81,'projecting below wall 26. On shaft .85 v is a coil tension spring 88 tending to swing plate;

81 forwardly. As each package of cigarettes is ejected,-plate 81 isswung back, the package being guided downwardly thereby to the delivery chambers I On plate 81 are a pair of rearwardly extending ears 89 carrying a pivot pin parallel to and spaced of lever 15 is a pin projecting through slot 93.-

When the plate 81 is in normal position, pin 96 is at the upper'end of portion 94 of slot 93; The rear-:endof lever 15 is furthermore connected to wall 26 by a downwardly inclined coil tension spring-91, tending-to swing said lever in a, counterclockwise'direction, as shown in the drawings. On the rear of the upper end of wall 26 are a pair of similar, spaced brackets 98 supporting a transverse rod 99 located just below wall 21. Pivoted on rod 99 is a-bell crank having one arm |0| projecting through slot 26a into chute 20 and inclined downwardly and forwardly; and a second arm .l02-inclined downwardlyand rearwardly, and contacting the rear edge of arm 9|.

When there are packages in chute 20 above the level ofarm 10 I, said arm will contact the rear of one ofsaidpackages, causing arm |||2to press arm 9|, and swing it about its pivot in a clockwise directionto retain. the pin 96 within the vertical portion '94 of slot- 93. As cigarettes are'ejected, and plate 81 is oscillated, arm 9l can only move up and down while pin 96 slides inthe vertical: portion 94 .of slot 93, .Thus, while therearecigdetermined height. To this end, thereis fixed to'the-lower end of each-back wall-22a, a lugJO projectingdownwardly through the slot 2111.. Fixed .to the underside of wall 21, and extending downwardly therefrom, in alignment with walls Arm- 9| is formed adjacent- 4;. sie e packages m chute 26" above the hammer an m, the lever I5 am not be tripped asthe packages are ejected. However, when the packand dli'to the enga ement of pin 96' with shoulder 95a, lever 15 will be tripped to disengage lug and permit arm 19 to swing the chute forwardly, so that the packages therein may empty into chute 20.,

The packages descending into chute 20 will againswing member" I00 a counterclockwise directiong swing -ing' ar'm"9f in a clockwise direction about itspivot point and moving pin 96 (iii shoulder 95a, and permitting spring 91 to swing lever in a counterclockwise direction, when all the packages are out of chute 22, said chute; as well as chute may be refilled, and chute 22 may be swung back, so that the lug 'Hlwill again engage stop shoulder 1'! of the lever, and the-device is then back to normal position.

It will be noted that arm 19a of member I9 serves to press wall 22?) of chute 22 against wall 15 The arm being inclined forwardly as shown in Fig. 5', the outer end of said arm contacts wall 22a adjacent the free edge thereof, hence preventing twisting of the chute about its longitudinal axis and insuring movement of the chut'ein a planeper'pendicular to the aiiis of the pin 35.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in'which the several objects of thisinvention a're achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might bemade in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illusti a'tive and not in a limitings'ense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination, a chamber having side walls,

aeratorsaid chamber, and pivoted means at the upper end of the chute to pivotally connect the chute to said chamber, whereby the'lower end of the chute may be swung forwardly within said chamber, resilient means to swing said chute forwardly, releasable means to retain the chute against swinging movement, means adapted to be moved by an article ejected from the lower end of the chamber to release said retaining means, and means controlled by presence of articles ins'aid chamber to render said releasing means inoperative.

5i. In combination, a chamber having a front chute portion, a movable chute in the back portion of said chamber pivoted at its upper end to the upper end of said chamber, spring means to urge said movable chute to swing forwardly within' said chamber, means to retain said chute against'forward swinging movement, means to trip said retaining means, and including a mem-' ber pivoted to said chamber and swingable in one direction by an article ejectedfrom the lower end of the main chute, a second member pivoted to the first member and formed with a slot, hav-- ing an offset portion, means on said retaining means engaging within said slot, resilient means to swing said second member in one direction about its pivot to bring the slot engaging means into the oiiset portion of the slot, and means controlled by articles within said main chute to swing said second member in an opposite direction to bring said slot engaging means into the longitudinal portion of said slot.

5. In combination, a chamber having a front chute portion, a movable chute in the back portion of said chamber pivoted at its upper end to the upper end of said chamber, spring means to urge said moyable chute to swing forwardly within said chamber, means to retain said chute against forward swinging movement, means to trip said retaining means, and including a menuber pivoted to said chamber and swingable in one direction by an article ejected from the lower about its pivot to bring the slot engaging means into the ofiset portion of the-slot, means controlled by articles within said main chute to swing said second member in an opposite direcresilient means to swing said member about its pivot.

2. In combination, an open top chamber, a member attached to the back of said" chamber, and having a forwardly extending flange disposed over. the open -top of said chamber and formed with a slot; a spring mounted on said flange, and having a finger passing downwardly through said slot, and a chute within said chamber, said chute having pivotal means at the upper end thereof engaging the top'of said chamber, whereby said chutez'mey be swung forwardly within said chamber about said means, and said spring finger releasably engaging the upper end of said chute,

3f In" combination, a chamber, a chute within.

tion to bring said slot engaging means into the longitudinal portion of said slot, and resilient means to swing said first member in a direction opposite to the direction in which it is swung by an ejected article.

6. In a dispensing device, a member forming a. chamber, the front portion of which constitutes a main chute for articles to be dispensed, an auxiliary chute for similar articles within the rear portion of said chamber swingable on said member about its upper end, whereby the lower end of the auxiliary chute is movable into the main chute, a lever pivoted to said member, means on the auxiliary chute engageable by said lever to retain said auxiliary chute Within the by said resilient means into the main chute, andmeans controlled by articles within the main chute to render said tripping means inoperative.

7. In a dispensing device, a member forming a chamber, the front portion of which constitutes a main chute for articles to be dispensed, an auxiliary chute for similar articles within the rear portion of said chamber swi'ngable on said member about its upper end, whereby the lower end of the auxiliary chute is movable into the main chute, a lever. pivoted to said member, means on the auxiliary chute engageable by said lever to retain said auxiliary chute within the rear portion of said chamber, resilient means urging the auxiliary chute to swing into the main chute, a member pivoted to said first member, and adapted to .be swung by an article ejected from the lower end of the main chute, an arm pivoted to said last mentioned member and formed with a slot having a, longitudinal portion, and an oil'- set portion, a pin on said lever passing through said slot, and means pivoted to said first member and having a portion engageable by articles within the main chute, and a second portion adapted to engage said arm, said pivoted means being adapted to retain said arm in such position that the pin on'the lever will be in, the longitudinal portion of said slot, as the second member is oscillated, and resilient means urging said pivoted arm to swing in a direction for bringing the pin on the lever into the offset portion of said slot, said resilient means being adapted to swing said arm into position for bringing the pin on the lever into said offset portion of said slot, when the articlesin the main chute are dispensed to a point below the article contacting portion of said pivoted means.

LOUIS STEINER. PE'I'ER. SETTECASI.

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