US2933217A

US2933217A - Article dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2933217A
Application number: US654409A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ellsworth C Salisbury; Donald H Lyons
Original assignee: Ideal Dispenser Co
Current assignee: Ideal Dispenser Co
Priority date: 1957-04-22
Filing date: 1957-04-22
Publication date: 1960-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 1977-04-19

Description

April 19, 1960 c, sALlSBURY ETAL 2,933,217

ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 22, 1957 INVENTORS El lsworfh C. Solisbu y Dona/a H L ATTORNEYS April 19, 1960 E. c. SALISBURY ETAL 2,933,217

ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 22, 1957 INVENTORS El lsworHw CSolisbury y Dona/0 H Zyons.

ATTOENEKS April 19, 1960 E. c. SALISBURY ETAL 2,933,217

ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed April 22, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS 9 3 El lsworrh csansbu ATTOP/VEYS April 19, 1960 E. c. SALISBURY ETAL 12,933,217

ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed April 22, 1957 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 /V\ I I I I I I 45 'T 11 4| I I I I I WI INVENTORS EIIsworIh CScIIIsbury.

A T 7' OPNE Y5 April 19, 1960 c, SALISBURY ET AL 2,933,217

ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 22. 1957 INVENTQRS LZ/Zswgg/ZG 50/560!) BY 0/70 Lyons.

ATTORNEYS into the above mentioned common vertical passage.

United States Patent ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS Ellsworth C. Salisbury and Donald H. Lyons, Columbus, Ohio, assignors to Ideal Dispenser Co., Columbus, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 22, 1957, Serial No. 654,409

4 Claims. (Cl. 221-109) This invention relates to article dispensing means and has special reference to apparatus for storing and delivering articles to a coin operated release mechanism.

In general, the present invention applies to a vending machine of the type which includes storage means for articles to be vended, such as bottled beverages, and suitable coin operated release means adapted to release a single article responsive to insertion of a coin in the machine. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel article storing means that includes a plurality of shelves, vertically spaced one from the other, with the ends of each shelf being in communication with a common vertically disposed passage. The ends of said shelves are each provided with a novel gate mechanism for successively releasing articles from the shelves to the common vertically disposed passage with which the shelves communicate. Each gate mechanism serves to release articles from its respective shelf by opening out The horizontally disposed and inclined shelves, which are vertically spaced one above the other, are successively unloaded from the top shelf downwardly. With this arrangement articles stacked in the common vertical passage, with which each of the shelves communicate, are utilized to bear against the gate mechanisms of all loaded shelves beneath the one being unloaded and such articles thereby serve to retain the gate mechanisms of such loaded shelves in the closed configuration and to successively permit opening of the gate mechanisms as required. Starting with the topmost shelf, after such shelf is unloaded the level of the stack of articles in the common vertical passage will be decreased by the release of articles therefrom to a level at which the topmost article in the common vertical passage passes to a level below the gate mechanism of a shelf next lower to the topmost shelf just unloaded. This serves to release such gate mech anism so that articles can pass from such next lower shelf and into the common vertical passage. This sequence is repeated through each of the horizontally disposed and inclined shelves until all of the shelves have been unloaded.

In general, the novel gate mechanism of the present invention includes two overlapping gate elements with the inner of said gate elements being suspended from a horizontal pivotal axis and with the outer of said gate elements being mounted on a vertical pivotal axis. Said inner horizontally pivoted gate element is directly engaged by the end article of its respective shelf and said outer vertically pivoted gate element is extended partially across the inner gate element and is engaged and retained in a closed configuration by the stack of articles in the common vertical passage so long as articles are present in said passage at the level of the gate elements. According to the present invention the above mentioned two 'gate elements are arranged, in a novel manner, to retain articles on an inclined shelf again the action of gravity which action is utilized to cause articles to roll "irom the shelves to the common vertical passageway.

Patented Apr. 19, 1960 ice tial force against the articles in the common vertical passage. Hence any tendency for jamming of the articles in the common vertical passageway is completely eliminated.

As another advantageous aspect of the :novel apparatus of the present invention, each gate mechanism is arranged to release articles from its respective shelf to the common vertical passage in a controlled manner whereby each article is gently released from the discharge end of a shelf and onto the top article in the common vertical passage. Such gentle release is particularly important where glass bottles of carbonated beverages are being vended. In effecting such gentle release from the end of a shelf, the gate mechanism also serves to lower a necked type bottle in such a manner that the horizontal axis of the rolling bottle is maintained substantially horizontal as it passes from the edge of the shelf and onto the topmost bottle in the common vertical passage.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred forms of embodiments of the invention are clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front view of a vending machine constructed according to the present invention, with such view being taken with the front door removed as is indicated at 11 in Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a partially broken side view of the vending machine of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top sectional view of the vending machine of the preceding figure, with the section being taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the vending machine of the preceding figures showing the novel gate mechanism comprising an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a front view of the vending machine of the preceding figures, with the front cover removed, and showing the apparatus as it appears when loaded with articles;

Figures 6 through 8 are partial front views showing stages in the sequence of operation of the novel gate mechanism comprising an aspect of the present invention;

Figures 9 and 10 are partial side views corresponding to Figures 6 and 7 and showing stages in the sequence of operation of the novel gate mechanism of Figures 6 through 11;

Figure 11 is a partial top view corresponding to Figure 8 and showing another stage in the sequence of operation of the novel gate mechanism of Figures 6 through 11; and

Figure 12 is a partial side view showing a modified gate mechanism comprising an aspect of the present invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, Figures 1 and .2 illustrate a vending machine constructed according to the present invention with such machine including a casing indicated generally at 20 which casing comprises

side walls

21 and 22, a top wall 23, and a rear wall 24. Access to the interior of casing 20 is provided by a door 27, Figure 2. For the purpose of revealing the interior construction, Figures 1 and 5 show the apparatus with door 27 removed. As seen in Figures 1 and 5, the interior of casing 20 includes a plurality of .vertically spaced inclined shelves with certain of said shelves being aeeea indicated at 30A, 30B, and 30C. Each of the inclined shelves communicate at their lower ends with a common vertically disposed passage 32. As best seen in Figure "the lower-end of vertically disposed passage 32 delivers articlesto' an article releasing mechanism indicated generallyat34. We 7 Article release mechanism 34 is preferably of a type disclosed in the co-pending application of William A. Patzcr et al., Serial No. 504,786, filed April 29, 1955, now Patent No. 2,877,928, issued March 17, 1959. In general, such release mechanism includes a rotatable trap element 35, Figure 5, arranged to sequentially release articles such as article 36 from the bottom of vertically disposed passage 32 to a discharge compartment 37. Upon insertion of steam in a suitable coin release mechanism, not illustrated, the rotatable trap 35 of article releasing mechanism 34 is allowed to rotate sufficiently torelease an article, such as 36, and deliver same to a cushion'38 inan open compartment 37 as is illustrated by the article 39 in Figure 5. After an article has been delivered to the cushion 35, the person making the purchase can reach in and remove the article from compartrnent '37.

"consists of an outer. gate element 49 which overlies an inner gate element 41 in the manner shown in Figures 2,

""4, '6 and 9. Outer gate-element 40 is arranged to swing outwardly on a vertical pivotal axis formed by a hinge pin 43. Inner gate element 41 is arranged to swing outwardly on a horizontal pivotal axis provided by a hinge pin 45. As is best seen in Figure 4, outer gate element is extended across the outer surface of inner gate element 41 when the gate elements are in the closed configuration;illustrated, and outer gate element) includes a thin outstanding flange 47 which is engaged by the stacked articles in vertical passage 32. Due to the provision of the thin outstanding flange 47 frictional engagementbetween outer gate element 40 and the articles that move downwardl-yalong the gate is reduced to a minimum. Hence any tendency for articles in vertical passage 32 to jam is eliminated and smooth operation of the mechanism is assured.

With reference to Figures 6 and 9, the gate mechanism isillustrated in a closed configuration just prior to the opening thereof. It will be noted that an article 50is progressing downwardly away from contact with the lower edge 51 of outstanding flange 47 of outer gate -element 40. The

articles

53, 54, and 55, on inclined shelf 30A are retained stationary by

the'closed gate elements

40 and 41. It will be understood that tendency for

thetarticles

53, 54, and to, roll down the incline of shelf 30A effects an outward bias against inner gate element 41 which in turn presses outer gate element 40 ments and roll outwardly into contact with article 50,

and

articles

54 and 55 will follow article 53 down the incline of shelf 30A.

Reference is next made to Figures 8 and 11 which illustrate the next step in the release sequence wherein

gate elements

40 and 41 have been completely opened whereby article 53'has moved completely into vertical passage '32.

As is best seen in Figures 9 through 11 inner gate element 41 may, as one aspect of the invention, be formed with an inclined lower edge-58 which is disposed at an angle relative to the axis of horizontal hinge pin 45. Inclined lower edge 58 has a particular function when necked bottles are being vended in that such inclined lower edge allows the inner surface 63 of inner gate element -41 to maintain frictional contact with the upper portion of bottle 53 for a longer period of time than such inner surface 63 maintains contact with the lower portion of bottle 53. This arrangement serves to maintain the longitudinal axis of bottle 53 substantially horizontal as the bottle passes from the edge of shelf 30A and onto the topmost bottle in vertical passage 32. It has been determined that in cases where the lower edge 58 of inner gate element 41 is formed so as to be parallel with. the axis of the hinge pin 45, the necked portion 60 of the bottle 53 will tend to move ahead of the base portion 61 as the bottle rolls from the edgev of the shelf and onto the top of the stack of bottles in passage 32.

..Such non-horizontal delivery causes jamming and has been avoided by the use of inclined lower edge 58.

In considering the above described function of inclined lower edge 58 of inner gate element 41, reference is made to Figures 7, 8, and 10. In Figure 7 it will be noted that the inner surface 63 of inner gate element 41 engages the outer surface of bottle 53 throughout substantially the entire horizontal extent of inner gate element 41. In Figure 8, however, a portion of the contact of inner surface 63 against the outer surface ofbottle 53 has been lost in that the bottle has progressed outwardly and downwardly below the upper bottom corner 65 of inner gate element 41. As the bottle progresses further beyond the position illustrated in Figures 8 and I l, it will be understood that at first only the intermediate and right portion of inner surface 63 of inner gate element 41 will be in contact with the outer surface of the bottle. Finally, as the bottle progresses further downwardly and outwardly the right lower corner 67 of inner gate element 41 will be the last portion of such gate 92. The central lower edge portion 58-A is disposed' at substantially the same level as the discharge edge of shelf 30-A when modified inner gate element 41-A is in-thc closed position illustrated. The

tab portions

91 and 92 extend downwardly below central edge portion *58-A so that'the centers of the tabs are at substantially the same level as the axis of the next lower hinged pivot 45-A of the next lower inner gate element 41-A.

To provide means for maintaining bottles in vertical passage 32, when door 27 is open, a coil spring '70, Figure 5, is shown connected between top wall 23 and a frame member 72 at the lower end of vertical passage 32. It will be understood that spring 70 can be readily moved laterally to permit the manual insertion of bottles'in the passageway 32, and, after bottles have been stacked therein, spring 70 is released whereby it will return to the vertical configuration illustrated in Figure 5.-

The apparatus of the present invention may be constructed with

storage compartments

76, 77, and 78 for precooling the bottles of beverages. After all the articles have been exhausted from inclined shelves 30A through 30C, door 27 is opened and the machine is reloaded by removing bottles from one of the storagecompartrnents and by first stacking same in vertical passage 32. As the bottles are stacked in vertical' passage iil each of the gate elements are closed and maintained closed by the presence of the bottles in the vertical palsage. After the vertical passage 32 has been filled, each of the shelves 39A through 30C are loaded with bottles.

As previously stated, articles are released from the bottom of vertical passage 32 responsive to operation of release mechanism 34. The topmost shelf 30A will be the first to unload, as is illustrated in Figure 5, and as the last bottle 80 of Figure 5, leaves the topmost shelf and passes below the level of the release mechanism for the next lower shelf 30B, the gate mechanism for such next lower shelf will open and the bottles will be exhausted from such next lower shelf 3ilB. After the last bottle 81 of shelf 30B leaves such shelf, and progresses below the next lower gate mechanism, the sequence is repeated and the shelves will progressively unload until the last bottle 82 has been released from lowermost shelf 312C.

It should be pointed out that due to the novel leverage arrangement of the present gate mechanism, the force exerted by the bottles on the inner surface of inner gate element 41 or 41-A is reduced to only a slight force exerted by flange 47 on the bottles in vertical passage 32 and, conversely, only a slight force need be exerted by the bottles in vertical passage 32 to maintain the gate elements in a closed configuration. It should be understood that, in this respect, outer gate element 41 is acting as a lever, the mechanical advantage of which results from the location of the forward edge of inner gate element 41 or 41-A being close to the lever axis 43 of outer gate element 40. Hence it will be understood that the frictional engagement and force exerted by the outer gate elements 4i) on the articles in vertical passage 32 is so slight that the bottles can readily progress downwardly to the release mechanism without jamming. Furthermore, due to the incorporation of the lower edge constructions 58 or 58-A, on the inner gate elements 41 or 41-A, the bottles are delivered from the shelves to the stack in a controlled manner whereby jamming of the bottles as they leave the shelves is effectively prevented.

While the forms of embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

We claim:

1. In a dispensing machine characterized by a vertically extending passage leading to a release mechanism and a plurality of racks communicating with said passage at a plurality of vertically superimposed openings, the

combination of a first gate mounted to the top of one of said openings for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis; a second gate mounted to the side of said one opening for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, said second gate being movable about a vertical axis, said second gate being movable from a first position wherein it extends across said first gate and obstructs movement of said first gate from a closed position to a second position away from obstructing relationship with said first gate whereby said first gate is released, said second gate being retained in said first position by contact with articles stacked in vertically extending passage; means for retarding movement of an article passing throough said opening, the application of said retarding effect on difiierent portions of said moving article being of different magnitudes; and means for urging said articles towards said gates; said retarding means being provided by a lower edge of said second closure member being inclined relative to said horizontally extending pivotal axis.

2. A vending machine for bottles comprising, in combination a vertically extending passage provided with an outlet for connection with an article releasing mechanism; a plurality of inclined shelf means disposed one above the other; a pivoted gate element suspended from each of said shelf means at a lower edge thereof adjacent said passage, each of said pivoted gate elements being nor mally disposed in overlying relationship with a pivot of the next lower pivoted gate element; and a pivoted lever mounted to the side of one of said openings for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, said pivoted lever being movable from a first position wherein it extends across said gate element and obstructs movement of said gate element from a closed position to a second position away from obstructing relationship with said gate element whereby said gate element is released, said pivoted lever being retained in said first position by contact with articles stacked in said vertically extending passage; and means associated with the rack leadingto said one opening for urging articles supported thereon against said first gate, said pivoted gate elements including lower edges inclined relative to the plane of the surfaces of support provided by said shelf means.

3. In a dispensing machine characterized by a vertically extending passage leading to a release mechanism and a plurality of racks communicating with said passage at a plurality of vertically superimposed openings, the combination of a first gate mounted to the top of one of said openings for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, said first gate including a lower edge having a tab portion extending beyond a free edge thereof; a second gate mounted to the side of said one opening for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, said second gate being mounted to the side of one side opening for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, said second gate being movable from a first position wherein it extends across said first gate and obstructs movement of said first gate from a closed position to a second position away from obstructing relationship with said first gate whereby said first gate is released, said second gate being retained in said first position by contact with articles stacked in said vertically extending passage; and means associated with the rack leading to said one opening for urging articles supported thereon against said first gate.

4. A vending machine for bottles comprising, in combination a vertically extending passage provided with an outlet for connection with an article releasing mechanism; a plurality of inclined shelf means disposed one above the other; a pivoted gate element suspended from each of said shelf means at a lower edge thereof adjacent said passage, each of said pivoted gate elements including a lower edge having a tab means in overlying relationship with the pivot of the next lower gate element; and a pivoted lever mounted to the side of one of said openings for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, said pivoted lever being movable from a first position wherein it extends across said gate element and obstructs movement of said gate element from a closed position to a second position away from obstructing relationship with said gate element whereby said gate element is released, said pivoted lever being retained in said first position by contact with articles stacked in said vertically extending passage; and means associated with the rack leading to said one opening for urging articles supported thereon against said first gate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,638,792 Wingate Aug. 9, 1927 1,831,893 Tratsch Nov. 17, 1931 1,897,072 Parks et al. Feb. 14, 1933 2,304,484 Smith Dec. 8, 1942 2,336,382 Albrecht Dec. 7, 1943 2,358,563 Donaldson Sept. 17, 1944 2,473,054 Donaldson et al June 14, 1949 2,531,347 Voigtritter Nov. 21, 1950 2,570,516 Bowman Oct. 9, 1951 2,626,849 James Jan. 27, 1953 2,680,050 James June 1, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,091,027 France Oct. 10, 1953