US3057511A - Bag dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Oct- 9, 1962 w. P. MANNHARDT 3,057,511

BAG DISPENSER Filed Jan. 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 'i Wilbert RMam-xlzarclt fH'tornegS Oct. 9, 1962 W. P. MANNHARDT BAG DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 20, 1960 Inven'1or Wilbert P. Mannhard t Bg, gmx:

:l1-Horne grs United States Patent @A 3,057,511 BAG DiSPENSER Wilbert P. Mannhardt, Park Ridge, lil., assigner to W. Mannhardt & Son, Chicago, Iii., a partnership of Illinois Filed Jan. 2d), 1960, Ser. No. 3,533 2 Claims. (Cl. 221-75) The present invention relates to a device for dispensing bags `for use with an automatic vending machine or the like.

For many types of automatic vending machines which will sell a predetermined quantity of product from a bulk supply of that product, it is necessary to -provide the purchaser with a receptacle in which to receive and carry the quantity of the product that he purchases. Products which might be dispensed in such a manner would include ice either in crushed or cube form, candy, nuts, popcorn, etc.

Bags are particularly desirable for use as containers for such products not only because of their relatively inexpensive cost but also because they can be folded so as to occupy little space until the time that they are to be iilled. In some instances it is possible to provide a holder full of bags adjacent -to the vending machine to be extracted and used by purchasers as required. However, with unattended machines the bags will be taken and used by individuals for purposes other than receiving the material that they buy from the vending machine. Not only will this increase the cost to the vending machine operator, but purchasers or prospective purchasers may become disgruntled or irate when there are not bags available to them for use in receiving the material that the purchaser wished to purchase. For the foregoing reasons, it usually is necessary with an unattended vending machine to provide apparatus for dispensing a bag to the purchaser prior to the time that the material that he purchases is dispensed.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an automatic bag dispenser which upon command will positively and surely dispense one bag to the individual who makes `a purchase from the machine. One of the important attributes of my invention is that it is substantially foolproof in operation. If it is filled with bags, it will always dispense one bag at a time each time a demand is made for a bag. There is nothing more frustrating to Ia purchaser using an autom-atie vending machine of the type described than to put a coin in the slot to energize the machine and have the machine fail to deliver a bag prior to the time that delivery of the purchased material is made. If the material is delivered without the purchaser having anything to put it in,V it just makes a mess. Not only is the purchaser unable to use the material when it is just dumped out of the delivery chute but somebody will be forced to clean up the debris and try to pacify the purchaser.

Another advantage of my invention is its simplicity. In etfect, there is only one moving part, a special dispensing screw, that will move one bag vat a time to a delivery chute and deposit it into the chute free of any possibility of hanging up on the related structure. The majority of the parts are either standard items readily obtainableror can be fabricated by simple metal-working operations or the like. This makes the dispenser low in first cost and facilitates any maintenance or rehabilitation that may be necessary after a substantial period of use. Little, if any, maintenance is necessary in order to keep the dispenser operating properly.

vFurther objects and Vadvantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

rTice FIGURE l is `a perspective view of an embodiment of my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial cross section taken longitudinally through the embodiment of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side view of the delivery end of the threaded roll which transports and delivers the bags;

FIGURE 4 is an end view of the roll of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a partial section taken Iat line 5*-5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a partial section taken at line 6-6y of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic diagram of the electrical wiring of the dispenser and its relationship to the material Vending machine of which it is -a part.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrated embodiment comprises a sheet metal frame generally 10. Within the lower part of the frame is a chute 11 along which the dispensed bags slide from the high rearwardly end to the front opening 12 where they can be received by purchasers using the vending machine. It might be emphasized that the structure illustrated is for installation inside the over all cabinet of the vending machine (not shown). Front opening 12 is in registry with a corresponding opening in the vending machine cabinet with the illustrated dispenser structure per se being concealed Within that cabinet.

A magazine for holding the bags 13 is defined by guides 14 and 15 on sidewalls 16 and 17 of frame 10' and bottom guides 18, 19, and 20 on bottom plate 21. Bottom plate 21 is supported on cross members 22 and 23 forming a part of frame 10.

Extending the length of the magazine parallel to guides 14, 15, and 18-20 is `a threaded roll generally 26. The roll is supported on a pair of rollers 27, the ends of which are of reduced size forming stub axles suitably journ-aled in cross members 22 and 23. As best seen in FIGURE 3, roll 26 is formed with deep square threads. The space 28 between each adjacent turn of the thread is slightly larger than the bottom thickness of the folded bags 13. As best seen in FIGURES -5 and 6, the root 29 of the threads of roll 26 is positioned just below a plane defined by the top of guides 18-20. The distance between that plane 'and root 29 is not critical but in no event should root 29 be higher than the plane defined by the tops of guides 118-20. Preferably root 29 is close to the plane of the guides so as to provide `as much support as possible for the bags 13 by the turns of the thread on roll 26.

The diameter of roll 26, the depth of the threads from the outside thereof to root 29, and the width of spaces 2S between the threads all will depend on the size of the bags to be used in the magazine. For a ten pound ice bag I have used rolls both three `and six inches in diameter. The three inch diameter roll had a root diameter of three-quarters of an inch and a thread spacing (28) of about one-eighth of an inch.

At the end of roll 26 above the high portion of chute 11, the thread terminates at edge 31. Extending from this end of roll 26 is a wing 32 which extends angularly outwardly from the end of the roll and also extends rearwardly with respect to the direction of rotation of the roll as indicated by arrows 33. In the illustrated embodiment the wing 32 is cut and bent from a sheet of metal which also forms a plate 34 flush with the exposed end of the threads. A pair of countersunk screws 35 secured plate 34 and wing 32 to the end of roll 26.

Roll 26 has a shaft 38 extending from the end thereof opposite the free end to which wing 32 is secured. Shaft 38 is operatively connected to an electric motor 39 to rotate the roll as hereafter described. An arm 40 projects frorn shaft 38 to operate a switch 41 secured to the 3 inner side of the end of frame 1t). Switch 41 has an actuating member 42 which is positioned so as to contact the end of arm as the arm rotated about a circular path with the rotation of roll 26. Switch 41 is a normally closed switch and is opened when arm 40 contacts actuating member 42.

Spaced beyond wing 32 and over the upper end of chute 11 is an inverted U-shaped portion 45 of frame 10. A pair of wires 46 extend across the U portion 45. Wires 46 act as defiectors so that as bags 13 are discharged from the magazine by wing 32 they will fall into chute 11.

A backup plate 48 of a width substantially corresponding to the width of bags 13 is received within the magazine. The bottom of plate 48 extends down into the threads on roller 26. An arm 49 is attached to and extends upwardly from backup plate 48 over the tops of bags 13. Two fingers, 50 and 51, extend downwardly below the level of the tops of bags 13 to support the bags in an erect position. About one-third of the bags rest against finger 51. A second third rest against finger 50 and the remainder rest against arm 49.

Extending from one side of backup plate 48 is an actuator 52. Within the path of travel of actuator 52 is an operating button 54 of a switch 53. Switch 53 is a single pull double throw switch. When operating button 54 is free, the switch arm is set on one contact. When operating button 54 is depressed by actuator 52, the switch arm is moved to another contact.

Referring to FIGURE 7 the bag dispenser is used in conjunction with a vending machine generally 55. Vending machine 55 will have suitable electrically operated material dispensing equipment 56, the particular form of which is no part of the present invention. It will also have a switch 57 which is momentarily closed when a coin is placed in the vending machine. Switch 57 is closed a brief period of time before material is dispensed from the vending machine 55 and calls for the dispensing of a bag in sufficient time to allow the purchaser to open the bag and position it to receive the material being sold by the Vending machine.

A pair of electrical wires 60 and 61 are connected to a suitable source of electrical power. Wire 61 is connected to switch 53. From one contact of switch 53 a wire 62 connects to the electrical equipment 56 of dispenser 55 and to motor 39. The other contact 63 of switch 53 is connected by a wire 64 to a signal light 65. A wire 66 connects light 65 with wire 60. Wire 60 also connects to the dispensing equipment 56 and switches 41 and 57. A wire connects the opposite side of switches 41 and 57 with motor 39.

In the operation of the dispenser, the magazine is tilled with bags. One bag is inserted into each of spaces 28 between the threads of roll 26 with backup plate 48 in the rearward most space between the threads. About one-third of the bags will be ahead of finger 51, a second third will be between fingers 50 and 51 while the remaining third will be between arm 49 and finger 5t). The bags are held in position by the threads of roller 26 with the upper ends of the bags being supported by fingers 50 and 51 as well as by arm 49. The bags are aligned by guides 16, 17, and 18-20.

When a purchaser inserts a coin into vending machine 55 the electrical equipment 56 therein first closes switch 57. Switch 57 energizes motor 39 to commence the rotation of roll 26 in the direction indicated by arrows 33. The closing of switch 57 need only be momentary since as soon as arm 40 moves away from actuating member 42 of switch 41, switch 41 will close to maintain the energizing of motor 39. Motor 39 will continue to run until roller 26 has rotated one revolution at which time arm 40 again will contact actuating member 42 to de-energize motor 39. During this one revolution one bag will be dispensed. After a suitable period of time to permit the purchaser to open the bag and position it to receive the material from the vending machine 55, the

4 electrical equipment 56 will then operate to dispense a predetermined quantity of material as paid for by the purchaser.

During the one revolution of roller 26 the bag 13a (FIGURE 3) that is in the end slot 28 will be dispensed. As edge 31 of the thread of the roller passes behind bag 13a, the bag will be free to fall into chute 11 to slide out where the purchaser can reach it. To make sure that the bag 13a falls clear of the roller and does not hang up, I have provided wing 32 to push the bag 13a away from the roller 26. With the rotation of roller 26 in the direction indicated by arrows 33, the leading edge 68 of plate 34 passes behind bag 13a. The continued rotation of roller 26 causes wing 32 also to pass behind bag 13a and to push the bag outwardly away from the roller. It of course will be apparent that as bag 13a is dispensed, bag 13b will be moved to the slot previously occupied by bag 13a. Bag 13C will be moved to the slot previously occupied by bag 13b, etc. Thus, each time that the vending machine calls for a bag by the momentary closure of switch 47, roller 26 will rotate one revolution to drop one bag into chute 11 for delivery to the purchaser.

Should the opera-tor of the vending machine fail to replenish the bags 13, a lack of available bags to be dispensed is signaled by the actuation of switch 53 by actuator 52 on backup plate 48. Referring to FIGURE 7 this actuation of switch 53 moves the switch arm to contact 63 which prevents a further energizing of either the electrical dispensing equipment 56 or motor 39. At the same time it turns on light 65 to signal that the machine is empty of bags. Upon being notified by signal 65 the operator can open the vending machine case, return backup plate 48 to the end of roll 26 adjacent motor 39 and refill the roller with the bags. When backup plate 48 was moved away from switch 53, switch 53 returned to the position illustrated in FIGURE 7 so as to put the machine back in operation.

The foregoing description of a lspecific embodiment is for the purpose of complying with 35 U.S.C. 112 and should not be construed as imposing unnecessary limitations upon the appended claims, inasmuch as modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A device for dispensing bags, said device comprising: a magazine having a pair of side walls spaced from each other a distance in excess of the width of the bags; a threaded roll extending longitudinally of said magazine along the bottom thereof, the threads of said roll being spaced in excess of the thickness of said bags whereby bags may be inserted in said magazine between said walls with the bottom portion of the bags being received between the threads, said roll terminating at a free end; means to rotatably support said roll in said magazine; means adjacent the roll to support said bags received between said threads; switch actuating means connected to said roll and adapted Ito rotate about a circular path; and power means including a first electrical switch having an actuating member positioned in said path and adapted to close said switch upon being actuated by said actuating means, a second electrical switch connected in parallel with said switch, and an electrical motor operatively connected to said roll, said switches being connected to said motor to start said motor upon a momentary closing of said second switch with the rotation of said shaft closing said iirst switch to continue to energize said motor until said roll has made one revolution whereupon said first switch will open to de-energze said motor.

2. A device for dispensing bags in response to the momentary closing of a first electrical switch, said device comprising: a frame; a magazine mounted on said frame and having a pair of side guides spaced from each other a distance in excess of the width of the bags and a pair of spaced bottom guides, all of said guides extending the length of said magazine; a threaded roll extending between said bottom guides and generally parallel thereto, the root of the threads of the roll being no higher than a plane extending between the tops of the bottom guides, the threads of said roll being spaced in excess of the thickness of said bags, said roll terminating at a free end, whereby bags may be inserted in said magazine between said guides with the bottom portion of the bags being received between the threads; a backup member received in said thread and extending upwardly to support the bags in said roll; a plurality of rollers rotatably supporting said roll; a wing attached to and extending angularly from said free end of said roll; a shaft attached to the other end of said roll; actuating means connected to said shaft to move about a circular path with the rotation of said shaft; a chute below said free end of said roll; and power means including an electric motor connected to said shaft, and a second electrical switch having an actuating member, said second switch being mounted on said frame with said actuating member positioned in said path, said 20 second switch being normally closed and being opened by said actuating means yat one point during the rotation of said shaft, said power means being adapted to connect said second switch in parallel with said first switch and said two switches in series with said motor whereby a momentary closing of the iirst switch will energize the motor to commence rotating said shaft and close said second switch when then will energize said motor after said rst switch opens and said shaft will rotate for one revolution at which time said actuating means will open said second switch to de-energize said motor, and during the revolution of the roll the bag in the thread adjacent said free end will be moved out of the threads, tossed clear by said wing and dropped into said chute.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 562,754 Peacock Aug. 8, 1893 2,831,407 Pittman et al. Apr. 22, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,129,428 France Jan. 21, 1957

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