WO1989006844A1

WO1989006844A1 - Improvements in or relating to vending machines

Info

Publication number: WO1989006844A1
Application number: PCT/AU1989/000018
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Edward Harber
Original assignee: Harber, Robyn, Lisa
Priority date: 1988-01-22
Filing date: 1989-01-20
Publication date: 1989-07-27
Also published as: CN1035734A

Abstract

A vending machine (10) for vending articles having a second pivotal column (20) for articles to be vended, which column (20) is restrained until a first column (17) is detected as being emptied of articles, whereupon the second column (20) is pivoted to a position for dispensing its contents. A slow acting pusher (14) is provided for easing articles out of either column (17, 20) after insertion of appropriate coins/tokens into the machine.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO VENDING MACHINES The present invention relates to vending machines and more particularly to means for smoothly dispensing a product and to means for controlling the operation of a column release in a vending machine.

Typically vending machines for dispensing packaged products employ an impulsive dispensing mechanism. On the contrary, the present invention employs a movable slide or pusher which provides a smooth delivery of each product unit and, desirably, the operation of the dispensing action is achieved without operator intervention other than insertion of the required coins or counter to trigger dispensing.

In a preferred form the slide or pusher movement is controlled by the rotation of a cam interacting with the pusher such that a cycle of rotation of the cam moves the pusher through a full cycle to dispense product and return the pusher to its initial position.

This form of means for dispensing articles from such a vending machine by means of a slow acting pusher gently or slowly dispenses product thus avoiding problems associated with rapid dispensing as are encountered with mechanisms employing impulsive ejection via solenoids.

A further advantage resides in a preferred automatic operation once the correct coins or tokens have been inserted into a vending machine without further intervention of the purchaser. Typically, in existing vending machines operation of the dispensing action is initiated by intervention of the purchaser after the coins or tokens have been inserted. Where the dispensing involves a single product and not a selection amongst alternatives there is no need for handling of the vending machine after the correct coins/tokens have been inserted. In vending machines it is known to provide a second loaded column of product to be dispensed which, upon emptying of a first or primary column, is actuated to swing laterally ready for dispensing its contents in place of the now emptied primary column. Typically, the means for achieving operation of the second column is relatively complicated and can be unreliable in operation.

The present invention consists in latching and release means fitted to a vending machine, said means comprising a movable latch clamping a pivotal column for containing product to be vended, electromechanical means for actuating said latch to release said pivotal column to enable said column to swing into a dispensing or feed position for delivering product from said machine.

A preferred form of the invention incorporates biasing means for biasing the latch oppositely to the latch release motion. Preferably the electromechanical means comprises an electromagnetic solenoid mechanically linked to the latch. In this form, release of the latch is achieved by positive movement of the latch against the biasing force of, say, a spring. In another form, release of the latch can be achieved by release of the electromechanical means such that the biasing spring releases the latch.

The second column swings into its dispensing position upon its release under the action of biasing means. Operation of the latch to release the second column to allow it to swing into its dispensing position is reliably achieved by sensing of the last unit dispensed from the primary column to trigger the latch release.

By means of the present invention a reliable operation from a compact mechanism is achievable.

In another aspect it is desirable in some instances to provide cooling within a vending machine and the addition of conventional refrigeration is not always a practical solution due to its bulk, expense and power requirements. Dispensing of articles, such as roll film, requires that they be kept cool to avoid degradation while stored in a dispenser or vending machine. A ready solution to the space and complexity problems of cooling is provided by the use of electronic cooling via a peltier effect device in conjunction with means for exhausting any heat build up from within the machine.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 shows a vertical cut-away view of an embodiment of a mechanism for dispensing articles in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 but showing an embodiment of the latching mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

In Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a vending machine cabinet 10 containing a low voltage drive motor 11 coupled to a gearbox 12. A rotary drive arm 13 is driven by the output of gearbox 12. Drive arm 13 is coupled to a slide or pusher plate 14 via a crank pin 15. As arm 13 rotates, crank pin 15 moves slide plate 14 in the direction of arrows 16 to push product (not shown) stored in column 17 out of column 17 and into delivery chute 18. Slide plate 14 fits within slide guide 19 which remains fixed relative to cabinet 10.

The operation of the vending machine of this embodiment is as follows. When an appropriate counter/coin or coins are inserted into the machine a relay (not shown) is activated to provide an electrical power connection to motor 11 which drives gearbox 12. As the motor 11 rotates so does arm 13 which moves slide 14 to vend one unit of product (not shown) out of column 17 into delivery chute 18. The slide 14 is returned to a home position which functions to open circuit the power connection to motor 11 and ready the machine for vending another unit of product (not shown) from column 17 upon further activation of motor 11.

The embodiment of Fig. 2 shows a first product storage column 17 and a second such column 20. When the last item is dispensed from column 17 via slide plate 14, a sensor 21 switches power to solenoid 22 which lifts slug 23 and raises latch 24 via linkage 25 against the biasing force of spring 26.

Once latch 24 is released from column 20, that column swings in direction 27, under the action of spring 28, which is under tension in Fig. 2, about pivot 29 until the open bottom of column 20 is positioned in place of the bottom of column 17 so that articles contained in column 20 can feed downwardly to be dispensed by action of slide plate 14.

In a further embodiment the vending machine incorporates a peltier effect cooling device (not shown) in combination with an exhaust fan (not shown) for drawing cooled air past the column 17, 20 to maintain the contents of those columns at a stable temperature. Such a cooling effect is highly desirable where a vending machine is intended for dispensing film or other products whose quality is highly dependent upon temperature. Heretofore, peltier effect cooling/heating devices have been used in various portable articles and medical apparatus but not in the environment of vending machines.

Claims

CLAIMS : -

1. A vending machine comprising a pivotal column for containing articles to be vended, a movable latch clamping said column, electromechanical means adapted to actuate said latch to release said column, and biasing means for pivoting said column to a delivery position upon actuation of said latch.

2. A vending machine as claimed in claim 1 comprising additional biasing means for biasing the latch oppositely to the direction of latch release motion.

3. A vending machine as claimed in claim 1 comprising additional biasing means for biasing the latch in the direction of latch release motion.

4. A vending machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said electromechanical means comprises an electromagnetic solenoid.

5. A vending machine comprising electrical motor means connected to drive a relatively slow acting pusher or slide member for dispensing discrete articles from said machine.

6. A vending machine as claimed in claim 5 comprising a reduction gearbox interposed between the motor and the pusher.

7. A vending machine as claimed in claim 5 or 6 comprising a cranked link connection between the pusher and said motor.

8. A vending machine as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 comprising a pivotal column for containing articles to be vended, a movable latch clamping said column, electromechanical means adapted to actuate said latch to release said column, and biasing means for pivoting said column to a delivery position upon actuation of said latch.

9. A vending machine as claimed in claim 8 comprising additional biasing means for biasing the latch oppositely to the direction of latch release motion.

10. A vending machine as claimed in claim 8 or 9 comprising additional biasing means for biasing the latch in the direction of latch release motion.

11. A vending machine as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said electromechanical means comprises an electromagnetic solenoid.

12. A vending machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a peltier effect cooling device.

13. A vending machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising means for exhausting air from within said machine.