US3295716A - Reversible motor driven regulator for dispensing mechanism for articles in staggered stacks - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 3, W637 Filed April 8, 1965 v. D CAMP ETAL 3,295,?36

REVERSIBLE MOTOR DRIVEN REGULATOR FOR DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR ARTICLES IN STAGGERED STACKS 4 Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTORS HARRY R. PAYNE VERNON D. CAMP ATTORNEYS v. D CAMP ETAL 3,295,736 REVERSIBLE MOTOR DRIVEN REGULATOR FOR DISPENSING Jan. 3, 19%? MECHANISM FOR ARTICLES IN STAGGERED STACKS Filed April 8. 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2:

FIG. 2.

INVENTORS HARRY gAYlgE ATTORNEYS 1967 v D CAMP ETAL 3,295,716

REVERSIBLE MOTOR DRIVEN REGULATOR FOR DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR ARTICLES IN STAGGERED STAGKS Filed April 8. 1965 4 sheets shee't 13 FIG. 4:.

ENVENTORS HARRY R. PAYNE BY VERNON D. CAMP MM,WV%

ATTORNEYS Jan. 3, 1967 v. D. CAMP ETAL 3,2g5f7w REVERSIBLE MOTOR DRIVEN REGULATOR FOR DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR ARTICLES IN STAGGERED STACKS Filed April 8 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 7.

INVENTORS HARRY R. PAYNE VERNON D. CAMP c dn wmw W 2, Xfi v/ ATTORNEYS United States Patent M 3,295,716 REVERSIBLE MOTOR DRIVEN REGULATOR FOR DISPENSHNG MECHANliEiM FGR ARTIQLES EN STAGGERED STAQKS Vernon 1). Camp and Harry R. Payne, Chattanooga, Tenn., assignors to The Seehurg Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 446,667 5 Claims. (Cl. 221-9) This invention relates to a reversible motor driven regulator for dispensing mechanisms for dispensing a single article at a time from a plurality of articles arranged in staggered stacks of articles utilizing a portion of the mechanism generally disclosed in my copending appli cation Serial No. 369,674, filed May 25, 1964 and of the type generally described in my copending application Serial No. 440,467 filed March 17, 1965 for Reversible Regulator for Dispensing Mechanism for Articles in Staggered Stacks.

Even more particularly this invention relates to a mechanism for dispensing a single article at a time from staggered stacks of articles in which the releasing and dispensing mechanisms are actuated by the weight of the articles in the staggered stacks of articles and release of the releasing and dispensing mechanisms for dispensing a single article at a time from the staggered stack of articles is actuated by electrically energized means.

Even more particularly still this invention relates to a dispensing mechanism for dispensing one at a time an article such as a single can or bottle from staggered stacks of articles, cans or bottle hereinafter referred to for convenience as bottles, in which the weight of the bottles in the stacks actuates the releasing and dispensing mechanisms. The mechanism is released for the dispensing of a single bottle at a time by electrically energized means which may be energized from any suitable source and controlled by any suitable switch mechanism which switch mechanism may preferably be actuated by the deposit of a coin.

At the present time articles such as bottles of popular beverages are usually stored for selective sale in refrigerated cabinets with coin release mechanisms for dispensing one bottle at a time. In these cabinets the bottles may be disposed on sloping shelves arranged one shelf above the other or the bottles may be arranged in vertical staggered stacks in side by side bins. In the first type of dis penser in which the bottle are arranged in sloping shelves, the lowermost bottle on each shelf may move by gravity to a position where it can be Withdrawn manually by the purchaser after a coin has been deposited to release a locking mechanism allowing withdrawal of one bottle at a time.

In the second type of apparatus, in which the bottles are arranged vertically in columns in staggered stacks in side by side bins, variou devices have been used for releasing one bottle at a time on the deposit of a suitable coin. Usually this release mechanism is driven by an electric motor and moves from beneath one bottle in the selected column in the selected staggered stack to a position beneath the next bottle to prevent more than one bottle from being dispensed at a time.

The first type of dispenser has advantages of relatively simple construction and the merchandise is visible for selection by the purchaser. A variety of types of beverage can be sold in this machine depending only on the number of sloping shelves provided. This multiplicity of variety is disadvantageous to the supplier who may place the machine on location since the machine can then be used for vending products other than those of the supplier.

In the second type of dispenser in which the bottles are arranged in staggered stacks it has been found that the 3,295,716 Patented Jan. 3, 1967 practical size of the cooler, doors and thelike of the ap. paratus limits the number of double column staggered stacks side by side in the cabinet. tions are therefore limited in a machine of maximum size. This is advantageous to the supplier since it limits the number of beverages that can be sold other than those of the supplier. A further advantage is that more bottles can be stored in the staggered stack type dispenser than in the shelf type machine. However, in the staggered stack machine, the delivery mechanism is usually motordriven; it is expensive; and there is always the possibility of a mechanical jam of the mechanism in the automatic, positive drive of the dispensing mechanism for the bottles.

Heretofore, it has been proposed to dispense from stacks of bottles less than two diameters of the bottles in width with mechanism for holding the lowermost bottle in the stack first on one side of the stack and then on the other side of the stack. One such proposal is found in US. Patent No. 3,107,812 to Harry R. Payne and Jack M. Womack, for Dispensing Mechanism for Articles in Staggered Stack and owned by the assignee hereof. In the present invention the bottles being dispensed move the holding mechanism and particularly the latching portion thereof to the opposite position to support the next bottles on the opposite side of the stacks.

In the dispensing mechanism proposed in the present application the latch is actuated by the weight of the stacks of bottles to release the bottles to be dispensed and is moved by the weight of the bottles to position to latch the support for the opposite and next bottle in the stack.

The dispensing mechanism of the present concept is relatively inexpensive to make, use and service, and permits dispensing at a fast rate without damage to the mechanism. The speed of actuation is advantageous in rush hours, permitting maximum sales. The mechanism of the present concept provides maximum capacity of bottles; i simple to service; it eliminates vending errors; and is foolproof in operation.

A regulator is provided with the mechanism of the present concept of the type described in my copending application, Serial No. 369,674, filed May 25, 1964, which returns the bottle supports to normal and stand-by posi tion and is provided with means for reversal thereof should a support be jammed in partially lowered position to free the support, one such mean being dislosed in my copending application filed March 17, 1965 as referred to above.

In the present dispenser, when a coin is deposited or a switch in an electric circuit momentarily closed, a short pulse of electric current passes to an electrically energized means which suffices to actuate this means. This means then lifts a latch which in turn releases a rock plate releasing a support beneath the lowermost bottle in the staggered stack of bottles. At the same time the regulator is actuated to provide slack to a non-extensible resilient element beneath the supports. The released support then moves the rock plate out of its path and into position to lock the opposite bottle support. The descending stack of bottles rotates the opposite bottle support arm into engagement with the rock plate and continues until the rock plate is rotated to a locked position, preventing further downward movement of the stack of bottles. The released support arms continues to rotate in a downward direction under the weight of the bottle at a rate determined by the regulator. One bottle only is then dispensed. The lowermost bottle thus moves with controlled speed toward dispensing position and the stack of bottles move slowly and with controlled speed downwardly until the next bottle in the stack of bottles engages the opposite bottle support. Thereafter, the first support is returned to its upper, stand-by and bottle supporting position by the regulator retensioning the resilient non- The number of selec 3 extensible element with the rock plate locking the opposite bottle support against movement.

Should the bottle support jam during downward movement as by the presence of ice, rust or dirt and fail to release the bottle, the regulator during retensioning of the resilient non-extensible element will be reversed automatically when the resilient element engages the jammed support to provide slack to the resilient element. The jar thus given the jammed support will usually free the support and the bottle will be dispensed. The reversed movement of the regulator is then automatically ended and the normal cycle resumed.

This reversing cycle for the regulator will be repeated automatically as many times as may be required to free the support.

The electrically energized or actuated means may be a solenoid, an electric motor or other suitable electrically actuated device for lifting the latch. The regulator is energized by a reversible electric motor in the circuit with the device for lifting the latch.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel dispensing mechanism for dispensing one at a time a single article such as a bottle from a staggered stack of bottles which mechanism is actuated by the Weight of the bottles in the staggered stack at controlled speed and is released for freeing a bottle by electrically energized means actuating a latch with electrically actuated regulator means controlling the dispensing mechanism, one bottle being dispensed at a time, and the regulator being automatically reversed in case of a jammed support to free the support and the bottle to be dispensed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a dispensing mechanism in which the electrically energized means is a solenoid which is momentarily actuated, on the deposit of a coin or by the momentary closing of a switch in its circuit, to raise a latch. This permits a support beneath the lowermost bottle in the stack of bottles to swing downwardly under the weight of the bottles into engagement with an electrically energized regulator to release the lowermost bottles in the stack. The next bottle in the stack engages an oppositely disposed support which prevents this bottle from being released and supports all of the remaining bottles in the stack. The first support is then returned to its upper position by the regulator which returns to its initial position. Should the first support jam in partially lowered position, the regulator reverses automatically and then automatically resumes normal cycle to free the jammed support.

Other and further objects of the present invention will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof.

The illustrative embodiment of the present invention, as described hereinafter, should in no way be construed as defining or limiting the invention and reference should be had to the appended claims to determine the scope of the present inventive concept.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts, FIG. 1 is a front perspective view partly in section of an embodiment of the present invention showing the relative position of the parts thereof with the regulator in its normal or stand-by position only the mechanism for one stack of bottles being shown for simplicity of disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view partly in section of a portion of the embodiment as seen from the left of FIG. 1 showing the mechanism for reversing the motor in stand-by position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing the position of the parts for reversal of the motor when a support is in dispensing position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, showing the position of the parts when the reversing switch is actuated;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing the position of the parts after reversal of the motor with the 4 cam plate engaging the stop to return the motor to normal cycle; and

FIG. 6 is a view partly in section of the motor and reversing mechanism as seen from the front in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the electrical circuit used with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 1, bins for the staggered stacks of bottles are provided having side walls 11 and 12 and front and rear walls 13 and 14. The side walls of the bins are spaced apart less than twice the diameter of the bottles to be dispensed so that the bottles will lie between the walls in staggered stacks, in known manner. The front and rear walls 13 and 14 are spaced to accommodate the lengths of the bottles to be dispensed. Brackets 15 are formed on the central portion of front wall 13. Solenoid 16 which is provided with plunger 17 is mounted on front wall 13. Plunger 17 has a rigid head 18 which in lowermost position lies adjacent to bracket 15. Arm 20 is pivotally mounted on plunger 17 at 21 and has shoulder 22. Arm 2% is provided with a latch engaging shoulder 23 which in its lowermost position lies beneath latch 24 which is pivoted on rod 29 in brackets 15.

Latch 24 has tongue 25 which drops into a notch in the rock plate now to be described.

A face plate 31) has flanges 26 and 27 and is spaced from and is supported on front wall 13. Face plate 30 is bored adjacent its central lower portion to receive pivot 34 of rock plate 35. An arcuate slot 129 is provided in rock plate 35 in which stop pin 131) is received, pin 13% being mounted on face plate 30 and limits arcuate movement of rock plate 35. Rock plate 35 has an arcuate upper edge 35 which is provided with a notch formed by spaced stops 37 and 33. In stand-by position tongue 25 of latch 24 lies between stops 37 and 38. Rock plate 35 is reduced in width below pivot 35 to form shank 39. Beneath shank 39 rock plate 35 is widened to support tumbler plates 79 and 8d. Tumbler plates 79 and are pivoted at 42 and 43, respectively, on shank 39. Shank 3 has out-turned portion 44 separating the tumbler plates. A spring 45 urges the tumbler plates into engagement with portion 44.

In the position shown in FIG. 1, tumbler plates 79 and 80 overlie cut-away portions 46 and 47, respectively, which are let into front Wall 13.

A bottle support rod 58 extends the full length of the device being journaled in back 14 and extends through cut-away portion 47. Rod 58 is provided with an arm 60 which is journaled in support plate 13 at 61.

An opposed bottle support rod 59 extends the full length of the device being journaled in back 14 and extends through cut-away portion 46 and is provided with an arm 63 which is journaled at 64 in support plate 13.

A flexible non-extensible element such as a chain 89 is fastened to wall 13 at 96 and passes beneath rock plate 35. Chain 89 passes over rollers 91 and 73 and under roller 74-, all being mounted for rotation on front wall 13. The other end of chain 8? is secured at 92 to vertically reciprocable plate 77 mounted on side 11 by pin and slot connectors 73. A horizontal groove 76 is provided at the bottom of plate 77 which is engaged by pin 81 mounted on disc 93. Disc 93 is rotated by shaft 94 of reversible electric motor 95. Motor 95 is mounted on bracket 96 secured to side wall 11. A limit switch 97 is actuated by finger 82 on disc 93, as will appear more fully hereinafter, to deenergize motor 95 after disc 93 has made one complete rotation from and back to the position shown in FIG. 1.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, shaft 94 carries and rotates cam plate 100 which is turned up at 101 and provided with stop edge 102. Bracket 96 is cut away at 103 to expose roller actuator 104 of reversing switch 105 mounted on bracket 96. Stop 106 slides beneath bracket 107 mounted on bracket 96 and is slotted at 108' sition.

to receive shaft 94. Spring 108 urges stop 106 to the position seen in FIGS. 1 and 5. Stop 106 is normally moved to the position seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 by surface 109 on cam plate 100.

The circuit diagram of FIG. 7 shows a suitable circuit for use with the embodiment of FIG. 1 when motor 95 is a split phase reversible electric motor provided with a conventional centrifugal switch 115 mounted on and actuated by motor shaft 94. FIG. 7 shows the cirouitry and switches associated therewith in standby po- When a coin is inserted in the device or solenoid 16 otherwise energized, current flows in wire 110 and passes through wire 111 to pole 112 and switch arm 113 of reversing switch 105. Current then flows through wire 1 114 and centrifugal switch 115 through mot-or starting winding 116 and thence is returned through wire 117, switch arm 118 of reversing switch 105 and wires 119 and 120 to return wire 121.

Motor 95 then starts and turns in a clockwise direcmotor circuit and stop the motor, switch 115 being open during the rotation of shaft 94. During the approximate last half of the rotation of shaft 94, cam plate 100 passes over and depresses actuator 104 of reversing switch 105 moving arms 113 and 118 thereof to the dotted positions shown in FIG. 7. Reversal of switch 105 normally has no influence on the operation of motor 95 and current normally will not flow in the reverse direction through starting windings 1 16 since switch 115is open.

During each cycle of operation and as pin 81 moves plate 77 upward to retrieve the slack in element 89, surface 109 engages and moves stop 106 away from bracket 96 against the tension of spring 108.

Should either support rod 58 or 59 jam during dispensing movement so that the bottle is not released, motor 95 will continue to rotate and provide slack to and then retrieve element 89 until element 89 engages the jammed rod and motor 95 stalls. Switch 115 then closes. During this portion of the cycle cam 1130 has depressed actuator 119 1 of reversing switch 105. Arms 113 and 118 of switch 105 are then in the dotted position shown in FIG. 7. Starting windings 116 are then energized from wires 110 and 111 through contact 126 and arm 113 to wire 117 and winding 116 to closed switch 115, wire 114 and arm 113 to contact 125 and wire 129 to return wire 121. Motor 95 then turns in counter-clockwise direction until switch 115 opens and the motor circuit is then connected through the run windings 123, as above described.

As seen in FIG. 5, counter-clockwise rotation of shaft 94 moves surface 109 away from stop 106 permitting stop 1% to return to normal position. At the same time cam plate 100 frees actuator 104 and reversing switch 105 returns to normal position. Counter-clockwise rotation of shaft 94 and motor 95 continues providing slack to element 89 until surface 102 of cam plate 100 engages stop 106. Motor 95 is then stalled and switch 115 closes placing the motor circuit of FIG. 7 in the normal run condition.

Motor 95 then starts normal clockwise rota-tion as described above and retrieves the slack in element 89. The jar thus provided to the jammed support rod is usually sufficient to clear the rod so that the bottle will be dispensed and the support rod ,ret-urned to its upper and bottle supporting position by the tensioning of element 89. Limit switch 97 is then opened and motor 95 is de- 6 energized. The cycle is completed and the mechanism is ready for the next cycle of dispensing operation.

Should one reversal of motor 95 be insufiicient to release the jammed support, the reversing cycles of motor 95 will continue automatically until the jam is cleared.

Assuming the switches of FIG. 7 to be in their normal positions as shown, deposit of a coin in the mechanism to obtain a bottle of beverage or other goods will cause current to flow to solenid 16. Solenoid 16 is energized raising latch 24 which releases a bottle, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Current then starts motor 95 as above described.

Motor 95 then begins to rotate shaft 94' which through disc 93 closes switch 97. Motor 95 revolves disc 93 through one complete revolution which then through finger 82 opens switch 97. The circuitry is now deenergized and motor 95 stops. In the meantime a bottle has been released, all as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Referring now to FIGS. l-4, FIG. 1 shows the mechanism in stand-by condition with the bottles in staggered stack not shown for clarity of illustration but it is assumed that the lower right bottle supporting the stack of bottles is resting on support rod 58. When a coin is inserted in the mechanism, solenoid 16 is energized to lift latch 24 and free tongue 25 from the notch in rock plate 35 formed by shoulder 37. The weight of the stack of bottles on rod 58 moves rod 53 downwardly and through tumbler moves rock plate 35 in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 1 so that latch 24 rides momentarily on the left portion of surface 36 and pin 130 engages the left end of slot 129. At the same time, motor is energized and disc 93 is rotated in a clockwise direction supplying slack to member 89 which permits rod 58, under the weight of the stack of bottles 150, to descend slowly. In the meantime, rock plate 35 has moved into position to support rod 59 which now receives the weight of the stack of bottles rotating rock plate 35 counter-clockwise so that tongue 25 of latch 24 is engaged against stop 33.

When rod 58 has descended to its lowermost position, it frees the lower right bottle. Engagement of tongue 25 of latch 24 with stop 38 looks rock plate: 35 in position and locks support rod 59 in position.

With support rod 58 in its lowermost position, the lower right bottle is released and the lower left bottle of the stack of bottles comes to rest on support rod 59 and is supported thereon. Rod 59 cannot move because it is a part of and locked with rock plate '35.

Thereafter, clockwise rotation of disc 93 continues and the slack in element 89 is retrieved raising support rod 53 rotating tumbler 80 out of the way. Rod 58 then returns to its normal raised position. At this point switch 97 is opened by finger 82 on disc 93 and the motor circuit is broken and the mechanism comes to rest having dispensed one bottle.

When the next cycle of operation of the apparatus is begun by the deposit of a coin, it will be noted, that the lower left bottle in the stack rests on rod 59 and supports the weight of the stack of bottles. Deposit of the coin energizes solenoid 16, as above described, lifting latch 24 and releasing rock plate 35 which is then rotated in counterclockwise direction, and support rod 59 descends in engagement with element 89 With latch 24 momentarily engaging the right side of surface 36 with pin engaging the right end of slot 129. Motor 95 is energized, as above described, and disc 93 starts its single revolution in clockwise direction to provide slack for element 89 which permits support rod 59 to descend. Rock plate 35 is now moved in clockwise direction by the weight of the bottles on rod 58 and brings tumbler 79 into position to support rod 59 when it returns. Tongue 25 of latch 24 now engages stop 37 and rock plate 35 is locked in position.

Motor 95 continues its rotation to complete the single revolution of disc 93 and this rotation of disc 93 retrieves the slack in member 89 which returns support rod 59 to its upper position tripping tumbler 79 during its return.

When the disc 93 completes its single rotation, switch 97 is actuated and breaks the circuit to electric motor 95 and the mechanism is locked against further dispensing action until another coin is inserted.

The cycle of this mechanism as described above in detail is the normal cycle of operation and will function in normal manner except in about one out of every five thousand cycles. During one such abnormal cycle let it be assumed that support rod 58 has descended partially and then jams by reason of accumulation of ice, rust, dirt or the like. The bottle 150 resting on rod 58 will not be moved to dispensing position even though slack is provided for element 89 which would normally permit rod 58 to move to dispensing position.

Motor 95 continues to rotate disc 93 and, after slack has been given to element 89, this slack is retrieved and element 89 is tensioned and comes into engagement with rod 58 in its partially lowered position. This occurs before finger 82 engages and opens limit switch 97. The engagement of element 89 with rod 58 stalls motor 95 as above described and reverses the direction of rotation of motor 95 and disc 93 and pin 81 are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 5, thus providing slack for element 89.

The jarring action thus performed on rod 58 usually is sufficient to free rod 58 which then moves downward with the slack in element 89 and dispenses the bottle resting thereon.

Further counter clockwise rotation of shaft 94 brings cam plate 100 into engagement with stop 106 as above described. Motor 95 then rotates in clockwise direction as above described retrieving the slack in element 89 during the appropriate portion of the cycle of rotation and bringing finger 82 into engagement with and opening limit switch 97 to end the cycle and deenergize motor 95.

The mechanism is now in normal stand-by position since rod 58 was returned to its normal position when the slack was retrieved from element 89 before switch 97 was opened.

The above-described reversing of the regulator will occur should either rod 58 or 59 of any of the stacks in the machine become jammed in partially lowered position and one reversing cycle is usually sufficient to free the rod. However, if one reversing cycle does not free the jam, the reversing cycle will be repeated automatically as often as may be required to free the jam or until the conventional safety fuse in the mot-or circuit burns out requiring a servicing of the mechanism.

It should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention in every way satisfies the several objectives discussed above.

Changes in or modifications to the above-described illustrative embodiment of this invention may now be suggested without departing from the present inventive concept. For example, the concept is not limited to but a single staggered stack. A plurality of staggered stacks may be arranged in side by side relations-hip. Separate electrical circuits can be used with each stack to provide for selective choice of beverage or other goods in the bottles. Only one regulator would be required and it would be actuated during the appropriate portion of the cycle of operation for each stack and will reverse automatically, as described, to free a jammed support rod at any stack.

FIG. 1 is broken vertically to indicate the location of additional staggered stacks. Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims to determine the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A mechanism for dispensing a single bottle at a time from a stack of bottles in a bin, supports for said bottles adjacent the lower end of the bin mounted for downward rotary movement for releasing the bottle to be dispensed, a regulator for control of releasing of the bottle to be dispensed disposed beneath said supports in stand-by position for engagement by said supports, reversible electric motor means for driving said regulator during movement of one of said supports maintaining engagement between said one of said supports and said regulator during normal run condition, reversible electric switch means for reversing said motor means, cam means rotated by said motor means for reversing said switch means from normal position upon engagement of said regulator with one of said supports jammed in a downward position,-centrifugal switch means opened by rotation of said motor means and closed when said motor means stalls upon engagement of said regulator with said jammed one of said supports for completing the reversing of said motor means whereby said regulator is moved from engagement with said jammed one of said supports, said cam means thereafter freeing said reversible switch means for return to normal position and stop means engaged thereafter by said cam means for stalling said motor means for closing said centrifugal switch means for returning said motor means to normal run condition.

2. Mechanism as described in claim 1, said regulator comprising a non-extensible flexible element extending beneath said supports, means for securing an end of said element to the bin, means for tensioning said element compromising an eccentric, said motor means rotating said eccentric through one complete revolution, a reciprocal plate engaged by said eccentric and means for connecting the other end of said element to said plate, said motor means being reversed prior to completion of the revolution of said eccentric.

3. Mechanism as described in claim 2 including a pin on said eccentric, a channel on said plate receiving said pin, a resilient mount for said stop means, a cam surface on said cam means engaging and moving said stop means, a surface on said cam means for engaging said stop means and a cam surface on said cam means for engaging said reversible electric switch means through a portion of the revolution of said eccentric.

4. Mechanism as described in claim 3 including a shaft for said motor means, said eccentric and said cam means being mounted on and rotated by said shaft.

5. Mechanism as described in claim 4 including a limit switch for said motor means and extension means on said eccentric for engaging and opening said limit switch whereby said eccentric is rotated through one complete revolution.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,158,290 11/1964 Hafley et al. 221-67 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

F. R. HANDREN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A MECHANISM FOR DISPENSING A SINGLE BOTTLE AT A TIME FROM A STACK OF BOTTLES IN A BIN, SUPPORTS FOR SAID BOTTLES ADJACENT THE LOWER END OF THE BIN MOUNTED FOR DOWNWARD ROTARY MOVEMENT FOR RELEASING THE BOTTLE TO BE DISPENSED, A REGULATOR FOR CONTROL OF RELEASING OF THE BOTTLE TO BE DISPENSED DISPOSED BENEATH SAID SUPPORTS IN STAND-BY POSITION FOR ENGAGEMENT BY SAID SUPPORTS, REVERSIBLE ELECTRIC MOTOR MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID REGULATOR DURING MOVEMENT OF ONE OF SAID SUPPORTS MAINTAINING ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SAID ONE OF SAID SUPPORTS AND SAID REGULATOR DURING NORMAL RUN CONDITION, REVERSIBLE ELECTRIC SWITCH MEANS FOR REVERSING SAID MOTOR MEANS, CAM MEANS ROTATED BY SAID MOTOR MEANS FOR REVERSING SAID SWITCH MEANS FROM NORMAL POSITION UPON ENGAGEMENT OF SAID REGULATOR WITH ONE OF SAID SUPPORTS JAMMED IN A DOWNWARD POSITION, CENTRIFUGAL SWITCH MEANS OPENED BY ROTATION OF SAID MOTOR MEANS AND CLOSED WHEN SAID MOTOR MEANS STALLS UPON ENGAGEMENT OF SAID REGULATOR WITH SAID JAMMED ONE OF SAID SUPPORTS FOR COMPLETING THE REVERSING OF SAID MOTOR MEANS WHEREBY SAID REGULATOR IS MOVED FROM ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID JAMMED ONE OF SAID SUPPORTS, SAID CAM MEANS THEREAFTER FREEING SAID REVERSIBLE SWITCH MEANS FOR RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION AND STOP MEANS ENGAGED THEREAFTER BY SAID CAM MEANS FOR STALLING SAID MOTOR MEANS FOR CLOSING SAID CENTRIFUGAL SWITCH MEANS FOR RETURNING SAID MOTOR MEANS TO NORMAL RUN CONDITION.

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