US2586351A

US2586351A - Bottle vending machine

Info

Publication number: US2586351A
Application number: US54043A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harvey T Larimore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-10-12
Filing date: 1948-10-12
Publication date: 1952-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 1969-02-19

Description

Feliuk 19,. 1952 H. T. LARIMORE BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 12, 1948 IN l 'EN TOR. y@ ammore H. T. LARMORE BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE Feb. 19, 1952 Filed Oct'. 12, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 v .u by? 7L, ,6. T. m r mm @d f f @WQ y L www www mvb B QNN( www H. T.' LARIMORE BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE Feb. 19, 1952 Filed oct. 12. 1948 6 Sheets-Shea?I 4 lm m mum H ll un n Feb. 19, 1952 H. T. AR|M'ORE BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. l2, 1948 INVENTOR. yan1/@ZZ z'marej BY my? Feb. 19, 1952 H. T. LARlMoRE BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed4 Oct. 12, 1948 Patented Feb. 19, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to vending machines, adapted to vending bottled goods, canned goods, or goods in cartons, or other containers.

An object of the present invention is the .provision of a vending machine in which the articles to be vended are stacked in a novel staggered arrangement whereby a single impelling means controls the delivery of twice as many articles as was the case with former vending machines.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a vending machine adapted to articles or containers or different sizes.

Another object is the provision of a vending machine having great capacity for articles to be vended.

Still another object is the provision of such a vending machine having a great capacity for articles not only in position for immediate vending, but in addition thereto, a reserve capacity for placing articles for storing and cooling purposes to be later placed in position for vending.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a vending machine having vertically arranged columns or cells in which the articles to be vended are placed, and from which the articles are expelled from the top in response to upward movement of platforms actuated by a mo tor.

A still further object is the provision of a vending machine as just referred to, in which the platforms can be reversed in movement, or lowered, by means of which feature the cells can be filled with articles.

Still another object is the provision of such a vending machine in which several platforms, individual to the respective cells, are selectively actuated by a single motor.

Another object is the provision of a vending machine, as described above, in which the mechanism for expelling articles ceases operation in response to each individual article bein-g expelled and falling into a chute and actuating a switch means.

A further object is the provision of a vending machine, in which the articles to be vended therefrom are so arranged and stacked as to permit the greatest number of articles to be accommodated in a given space. For example, a particu- With these and other objects in view, my in vention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as-hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out'in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the vending machine of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the interior of the machine;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2, showing the machine with the door removed;

Figure 5 is an enlarged view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4, with an intermediate portion removed; this view is also taken on staggered line 5 5 of Figure 6;

Figure 6 is a view taken on line 6 6 of Figure 5;

, Figure 7 is a view taken on staggered line 1-1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a cell, oriented as Figure 7, showing the staggered stacking arrangement of articles other than bottles; and

Figure 9 illustrates the diagram of the electric circuit employed in the vending machine.

The Vending machine, as illustrated particularly in Figures l, 2 and 4 includes a cabinet in- A dicated generally at l2 having side and rear walls I4 and a door IG having a lock l1. The cabinet is, of course, provided with a top l8, and a base indicated kgenerally at 20.

The enclosing Walls of the cabinet, as illustrated, are formed of insulating material so that the machine may be refrigerated, although it will be understood that the vending machine may be used for articleswhich are not intended to be refrigerated, and in the latter case the walls need not be of insulating material.

The front door of the machine is provided with a panel 22 for inclusion therein of various switch buttons, and label Windows -23 employed in the operation of the machine. A coin slot 24, and a coin return chute 25 is also provided in the door as Well as delivery chute outlets 26. At the lower portion of the door is a grill 28 for dissipation of heat from the refrlgerating apparatus.

Referring particularly to Figures 2 and 4, the interior of the cabinet is divided into two vertical spaces, one of which is indicated at 30 and comprises a. supply, or storing area. The space 3U be placed conveniently in the cabinet, and the heat dissipation unit has communication with the grill 28.

A convenient supporting stand 42,`having a horizontal supporting base 44, is mounted in the lower portion of the operating space 38. rlhe base 44 is spaced from the base 25 of the cabinet. Mounted on the upper surface of the supporting base 44 are a plurality of

cells

46, 48, 58 and 52 which extend vertically upward therefrom and terminate near the upper end of the space 38. The two

cells

48 and 46 form one pair, being spaced apart to form a space 54. Similarly, the two

cells

56 and 52 form a pair and are spaced apart to form a space 56. The innermost cells 48and 59 are juxtaposed and the

outermost cells

46 and 52 are disposed adjacent the lateral sides of the space 38.

The cells 46 to 52, in horizontal cross section, are of elongated rectangular formation, as illustrated in Figure 2, each having a long transverse dimension extending from front to rear of the cabinet, and a short transverse dimension extending transversely across the cabinet. The cells 46 to 5,2 may be formed of any convenient material, such as sheet metal fabricated in the usual manner. The cells are open at the top.

,L A plurality of vertically spaced shelves 58 are mounted in the

spaces

54 and 56, being supported by the side surfaces of the adjacent cells.

Mounted in the space 54 is a switch' 68 on one of the shelves therein and is provided with legends Load and Vend eration of this switch later.

The purpose and opwill be referred to in detail Mounted in the space 54 is a switch 60 on onev top thereof are

chutes

82 and 64, respectively, which may be formed of sheet metal and are mounted on the side walls of the adjacent cells. The

chutes

62 and 64 slope downwardly from rear to front, as indicated in Figure 5, and extend from the front to a position adjacent the rear, as indicated in Figure 2. The lower ends of the

chutes

62 and 64 communicate with the chute outlets 2B which extend through the door I6 of the cabinet. The outlets 26 may be prof vided with doors 65, pivoted at 66. The doors are adapted to swing outwardly and downwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure and may be urged to closed position by means` of springs, or other convenient means.

The

chutes

62 and 64 may be of the.opentop gutter type chutes. Mounted inthe floor of the

chutes

62 and 64 are switches 18 and 12, respectively. Each switch includes a body portion 14 mounted onthe underside of the floor of the respective chute, as indicated at 16 and a lever arm 'I8 pivoted in the mounting 16, the lever arm having a portion 80 extending upwardly through an opening. of the floor of the chute. A switch contact element 82 extends up out of the body portion 14 and a spring B4 is biased between the contact element 82 and the lever arm 78. The' switches I6 and 12 are normally closed and are opened when the lever arms 18 are depressed.

The purpose of these switches will be referred to in detail later in the description of the circuit employed in the machine, and the operation of the machine.

Mounted on the upper end of each of the cells 46 to 52 are deector strips 86. These deflector strips are preferably spaced along the long transverse dimension of each cell, and are secured to the outermost walls of the cells of the respective pairs, curving upwardly and inwardly and are directed toward the

respective chutes

62 and 64.

I have found that several kinds of means may be employed for impelling the articles to be vended and delivering them to the dispensing chutes. One such means includes a screw thread drive. Mounted in each cell 46 to 52 is a guide rod 88, supported as indicated at 90 in the supporting base 44, and extending to the top of the cell. The guide rods 86 are disposed substan tially midway of the longtransverse dimension of the cells and at the sides of the cells remote from the

respective chutes

62 and 64. Also, mounted in each of the cells 46 to 52 is a screw threaded shaft S2, journaled in the supporting base 44 and having a portion extending therebelow. Each shaft 92 is disposed on the side of its cell substantially opposite the guide rod 88 and extends to the top of the respective cell. The lower projecting end of the shaft 82 extending below the supporting base 44 is provided with a bevel gear 94 secured to the shaft for rotation therewith. All of the shafts 92 and the gears 94 thereon are in alignment with each other.

Mounted in each of the cells 46 to 52 is a load supporting platform 96. The platform 96 may be made of any convenient material, such as rigid and strong sheet metal. The platform 96 is of a shape as viewed from the top, substantially co-extensive the cross sectional dimensions of the `cells. The platform includes (Figure '1) a horizontal portion 98 extending from adjacent one end of the cell past the central point, or the threaded shaft 92, and a horizontal portion |90 offset vertically with respect to the portion 98. Each platform 96 is provided with holes, or cutout portions |82 and |64 (Figure 2), for the re- Aception of the guide rod 89 and the threaded and shaft 92.

shaft 92.

A block |96, of considerable vertical depth, is secured to the under surface of the horizontal portion 98 in registration with the guide rod 88 One end of the block |06 is of U-shape, having legs |08 (Figure 3) disposed on opposite sides of the guide rod 88. The other end of the block |96 is provided with an interiorly threaded hole through which the shaft 92 is threaded. Upon rotation of the threaded shaft 92, the block |96 and the platform 96 are raised or lowered, and the platform is guided by the shaft 92 and by the guide rod 88. Mounted on the under surface of the horizontal portion 98 of each platform 96 is a two-way switch III), which is included in the circuit for operation of the vending machine. The switch |I0 is provided with a lever ||2, pivoted at H4. The lever ||2 has an upstanding portion H6 adapted to project through an opening in the platform 96. The switches H8 are designated with postscripts a, b, c and d, in the circuit diagram to be described later, to correspond with the respective cells.

As mentioned above, the vending machine is adapted to various kinds of articles. One type of articles is bottles, to which reference is now made. A plurality of bottles ||8 are stacked in each of the cells 46 to 52. As viewed particularly in Figures 2 and '1, the bottles are stacked in two tiers, arranged with their large ends toward the ends of the long dimension of the cell and their necks disposed toward each other and overlapping at the center of the cell. The horizontal portion |00 of the platform 96 is disposed above the horizontal portion 98 approximately one-half of the diameter of a bottle so that when the bottles are stacked, as represented in Figure 7, the large portions of the bottles in each tier are enabled to rest directly on one another and the necks of the bottles project in between adjacent necks of the bottles in the other tier. The offset portions 98 and |00 of the platform 96 are so related for the particular size bottle employed; the offset spacing may be varied for bottles of other sizes.

The mechanism for operating the screw threaded shafts 92 is 'disposed below the supporting base 44 in the lowermost portion of the cabinet. This mechanism is best illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and 7, and has been eliminated from Figure 4 for the sake of clarity. A drive shaft is journaled at its ends in the upright portions of the supporting structure 42, as indicated at |22. The drive shaft |20 is disposed directly under the aligned bevel gears 94 on the lower ends of the threaded shafts 92. A plurality of bevel gears |24, having hubs |25, are mounted on the drive shaft |20, being xed thereon against axial displacement and are in mesh with the respective bevel gears 94. The gears |24 are free for rotation with respect to the shaft |20, or conversely, the shaft |20 is enabled to rotate with respect to the gears |24. A worm gear |26 is xedly mounted on the shaft |20 and meshes with a worm |28 on a shaft |30 which is mounted in a vertical portion |32 of the supporting means 42. 'I'he shaft |30 is coupled by means of a connector |34 to the shaft |36 of a reversible electric motor |38.

From Figure 6, it will be noted that there is one solenoid |60 for each of the cells 46 to 52 and for further detailed description of the operation of the device in connection with the circuit diagrams, the individual solenoids |60 are given postscript references a, b, c and d, for association vwith the

cells

46, 48, 50 and 52, respectively.

Figure 8 illustrates the adaptation of the machine to articles other than bottles. A plurality of containers |45, such as cans or round cartons, are shown in the cell 52. In this instance also, the containers |45 are arranged in two tiers, vand those in one tier are staggered or offset vertically with respect to those in the other tier. There is, of course, no overlapping or intermeshing between the containers of the two tiers, but the staggered relationship produces an advantage which will be referred to later.

Use and operation 0f the mechanical dispensing mechanism Containers or bottles of various avors are placed in the different cells 46 to 52, to be dispensed according to the purchasers selection as will be explained later.

When the motor |30 is operating, the shaft |20 rotates continuously during the operation of the motor. When all of the solenoids |60 are cle-energized, the clutch means |39 are in declutched position, but when any one of the solenoids |60 exis energized, the respective clutch means is moved into clutching position, which connects the respective gear |24 with the shaft |20 and the gear |24, therefore, rotates vtherewith. This, in turn, rotates the respective screw threaded shaft 92. Upon rotation of the shaft V92 in one direction, the block |06 is moved upwardly, which carries the associated platform 96 upwardly. The bottles of goods in the particular cell are thereby lifted and the top bottle is forced out of the top of the cell. When this occurs, the deflector means 86 force the bottle toward the

adjacent chute

62 or 64. The bottle then slides down the chute and out through the delivery opening 26, where it can be picked up by the purchaser.

Upon rotation of the motor |38 in the opposite direction, the screw threaded shafts 92 are rotated in the opposite direction and the platforms 96 are therefore lowered in the cell. The service man utilizes the lowering operation for reloading the cells by feeding bottles into the cells until the platform is in its lowermost position.

From the above description of the cabinet and the operating mechanism, it will be noted that a great capacity of goods to be vended is possessed by the` vending machine. A large number of bottles can be accommodated in the cells 46 to 52 by reason ofthe stacking arrangements in tiers. Bottles may be contained in the basket 36 and on the shelves 5B in the

spaces

54 and 56 for storing purposes. The bottles while beingstored are also cooled and when the cells are to be replenished, the bottles may be taken from the storage space and put in the cells and the machine is immediately ready for vending.

The switch element |96 of the switch |12 is connected to a lead 200, which, in turn, is connected to one side of a switch 202; the other side of the-switch 202 is connected to a lead 204, which, in turn, is connected to one terminal of a plug 206. The plug 206 has terminals numbered to 8, inclusive.

The solenoids |60, referred to in connection with the operation of the mechanical dispensing apparatus, yare connected in parallel with the lead |92. The opposite ends of the solenoids |60 are connected to the two-way switches l0, which are mounted in the load lifting platforms 96 in the cells. The switches are provided with the postscriptsva, b, c and d to correspond with the respective solenoids |60 and with the respective cells 4S to 52. Each of the switches H0 includes three

contact elements

208, 2|0 and 2|2, the element 208 being connected directly with the respective solenoid |60. The switches ||0 are all arranged so that when there are bottles in the cells, the bottles depress the lever arms ||2 and there is contact between the

elements

208 and 2| 0. When the cells are empty, the lever arms l2 are biased upwardly, and the contact is broken between the

elements

The elements 2 |0 in the switches ||0 are connected respectively to leads 222, having contacts adapted to be contacted by respective switches 224. The switches 224 are also provided with the postscrpts c, b, c, and d to correspond with the respective switches ||0 and solenoids |60. The switches 224 are of the conventional push button type, in which, when che is actuated all others are released. The buttons are indicated at 224 (Figure l) in thepanel 22 on the door of the machine. The switches 224 have constant contact with one end of adjacent leads 226, and when they are depressed they contact the respective lead 222; when the switches are released, they continue the circuit through leads 226 which are arranged in-series and connected between leads |82 and 214.

The lead |84 is connected to one of the terminals of the plug 206.

The reference numeral 228 designates generally a coin control and selector mechanism, which may be of conventional construction. The mech- When the relay 2|8 is f anism 228 includes a connector plug 230, having terminals numbered I to 8 inclusive, corresponding to the terminals in the plug 206 and between which appropriate connection is made.

Leads

232 and 234 are connected to the terminals I and 3 of the plug 230 and terminate in a switch 236. The switch 236 is adapted to be closed by a coin inserted for operating the machine.

Leads

238 and 240 are connected with terminals Nos. 2 and 6 in the plug 230 and are connected to a lock-out relay, 242.

A manually operated switch 244 is inter-connected between the

leads

232 and 234 to shunt the switch 236.

The lock-out relay 242 is included in the coin mechanism 228 and is for the purpose of preventing the coin mechanism from accepting a coin and the coin will then be returned to the purchaser.

Operation of the circuit Assume the purchaser desires a particular davor of bottled beverage, as indicated by one of the labels 23 and pushes the button of switch 224:1.. The switch then makes contact with the respective lead 222. If the particular cell, which in the given case is cell 46, for the flavor desired is empty, then the contact element 2|0 in the switch ||0a is in contact with the element 2|2. This closes the circuit to the lead 2|4. The circuit then is: lead |68, |84, |82, switch 224e, lead 222, switch ||0a, lead 2|4, test lamp 2|6 and lead |66. The circuit is also closed through the relay 2|8 and lead |66. When this condition occurs, the relay 2|8 is energized and the switch 262 is opened, bringing into action the lock-out relay 242. The latter is then effective for preventing the mechanism from accepting a coin. The test lamp 2|6 indicates to the purchaser that the particular flavor is depleted and, of course, that the cell is empty. The lock-out relay 242 is a conventional arrangement incorporated in the coin control mechanism 228, and so arranged that when the circuit is broken through switch 202 (and lead 264, plug 206 and lead 240) it actuates a device for preventing the coin mechanism from accepting a coin.

The same conditions prevail when none of the switches 224 are actuated by the purchaser. When none of the switches 224 are actuated, the circuit is closed continuously through the leads 226 and switches 224 to lead 2|4, bypassing the switches ||0 and has the same eiect in lighting the test lamp 2|6 and energizing the relay 2|8.

I-f the particular flavor is not depleted, but there are bottles in the cell (e. g., cell 46) when the purchaser actuates the switch 224a, the element 2I0, in the switch ||0a, is in contact with the element 208; the circuit is then completed through the solenoid |a. When this occurs, the circuit is broken to the test lamp 2|6, and to the relay 2|8. The relay 2|8 is de-energized and the switch 202 is closed; the test lamp 2|6 is not lighted and the purchaser inserts a coin in the slot. When the coin is inserted, it closes the contacts in the switch 236. The circuit is then closed as follows: lead |66, lead 232, switch 236, lead 234, lead |18, relay and return leads |82, |84 and |68. The relay |80 is thus energized and the element |14 in the switch |12 is in contact with the element |16. The closed circuit continues from lead |18 through switch |12, and lead |10 through the switches 10 and 12 and then to the lead |66. At this point a holding circuit is established;

When the coin is thus inserted in the coin selector mechanism, the motor |38 begins to operate, the switch 60 having been thrown to the desired position for the intended direction of rotation of the motor. During rotation of the motor, the drive shaft |20 operates also.

The circuit through the solenoid |60a having been completed, as explained above, the respective clutch means |39 is actuated, as described in connection with Figure 6, bringing into clutched relation the gear |24 and gear 94. The screw threaded shaft 92 is thereby rotated, lifting the platform 96 and forcing the uppermost bottle out of the cell 46. The bottle then is deected by the deector means 86 into the adjacent chute 62. The bottle on falling into the chute rides across the switch and thereby breaks the circuit through this switch and between the leads |66 and |10, and thereby breaks the holding circuit. The relay |80 is thereby de-energized, opening the switch |90, and the circuits through the solenoids |60 and motor |38 are broken. The cycle is thus completed and the mechanism is at rest.

When the relay |80 is de-energized, the circuit is completed through lead |66, switches 10 and 12, lead |10, switch |12, lead 200, switch 202 (which is normally closed), lead 204, lead 240, lock-out relay 242, lead 238, and leads |84 and |68. Thus, the lock-out relay 242 is activated to prevent the coin mechanism from accepting a coin, and if a coin is inserted, it will be directed into the coin return chute.

It will be noted that the switches 224 are arranged in series with respect to each other so that if one of the switches is actuated for a selection for one flavor, none of the succeeding switches will be affected and, therefore, only one avor can be dispensed at one time.

The operation is not regulated in predetermined timed cycles, but is controlled by the actual delivery of articles vended, i. e., by the articles opening the switches 10 and 12. Thus articles of different sizes can be accommodated, the platforms S6 being elevated in each vending cycle an amount determined by the size of the articles.

Because of the staggered arrangement of the bottles, and the intermeshing of the necks of the bottles in the two tiers, a great increase in capacity is accomplished. The spaces between adjacent necks of bottles in a single tier which were formerly not utilized in other vending machines, are now employed for increased capacity.

In the case of either bottles, or containers which do not intermesh (Figure 8), the staggered arrangement results in an advantage which I consider entirely novel: each impelling means for delivering the articles out of the cells into the chutes controls twice as many articles as would be the case if it were not for the staggered relationship.

In order to load the device, the service man throws the switch 60 to the Load position, as

10 indicated in Figure 4, and the drive motor |38 is reversed from the direction of the vending operation. He then actuates the switch 244, which closes the circuit as if a coin were inserted and presses one of the switch buttons 224. The load supporting platform 96, in the respective cell, is then lowered and the service man lls the cell with bottles and when the load supporting platform is completely lowered and the cell is filled,

' he releases and opens the switch 244, which opens the circuit and the motor |36 stops.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise form herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a vending machine, the combination comprising a cabinet, a pair of vertically disposed, laterally spaced cells in the cabinet, said cells having open upper ends and being adapted to receive and contain articles to be vended, means for raising the articles in said cells and expelling them therefrom, a chute positioned between and adjacent the top of said cells, and deflector means secured to the upper end of each of said cells, said deector means being operable to guide articles expelled from the respective cells into said chute, said chute communicating with the exterior of the cabinet.

2. In a vending machine, the combination comprising a cabinet, a pair of vertically disposed, laterally spaced cells in the cabinet, said cells having open upper ends and being adapted to receive and contain articles to be vended, means for raising the articles in said cells and expelling them therefrom, a chute positioned between and adjacent the top of said cells, and curved deilector means secured to the top of each cell on the side thereof remote from said chute, each deflector means extending upward and over the top of the respective cell and being operable to guide articles expelled from the respective cell into said chute, said chute communicating with the exterior of the cabinet.

3. In a vending machine, the combination comprising a cabinet, a pair of vertically disposed cells in the cabinet, said cells having open upper ends and being adapted to receive and contain articles to be vended, each cell having a relative long and short transverse dimension, said cells being spaced apart with their-long transverse dimensions substantially parallel, means for expelling articles from said cells, and a chute positioned between said cells adjacent the top thereof, said chute having an open top and extending transversely across the space between said cells and extending substantially the extent of the long dimension of said cells, said chute communicating with the exterior of the cabinet.

4. A vending machine for vending bottles, each bottle having a large body portion and a reduced neck portion, comprising in combination, a cabinet, a vertically disposed cell in the cabinet, said cell having a long transverse dimension, a Vertically movable platform in said cell, said platform having vertically offset portions spaced along said long dimension, said portions being olset substantially half the dimension of the large body portion of each of said articles, said bottles adapted to be stacked in said cell in tiers with one tier supported on each portion of said platform,

11 said bottles being arranged with the reduced neck portions in respective tiers intermeshing, the long transverse dimension of said cell being substantially the length of said tiers so stacked, and means for moving said platform.

5. In a vending machine, the combination comprising a cabinet, a pair of vertically disposed, laterally spaced cells in the cabinet, saidv cells having openupper ends, said cells being adapted to contain articles to be Vended, shelves secured to said cells in the space therebetween, means for expelling articles from said cells, a chute secured between said cells in the space therebetween adjacent the top thereof, and means for deflecting articles expelled from said cells into said chute, said chute communicating with the exterior of the cabinet.

HARVEY T. LARIMORE.

REFERENCES CITED A The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,419,219 Carroll June 13, 1922 1,694,599 Lea Dec. 11, 1928 2,187,568 Gurley Jan. 16, 1940 2,249,236 Tratsch July 15, 1941 2,272,750 Miller Feb. 10, 1942 2,281,191 Eddy Apr. 28, 1942 2,314,632 Rear Mar. 23, 1943