WO2001001358A1 - Co-distribution a partir d'un distributeur automatique de recipients presentant des poids relatifs differents - Google Patents

Co-distribution a partir d'un distributeur automatique de recipients presentant des poids relatifs differents Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001001358A1
WO2001001358A1 PCT/US1999/014570 US9914570W WO0101358A1 WO 2001001358 A1 WO2001001358 A1 WO 2001001358A1 US 9914570 W US9914570 W US 9914570W WO 0101358 A1 WO0101358 A1 WO 0101358A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
containers
vending machine
dispensing
storage portions
snack food
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/014570
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Hiromitsu Kashihara
Original Assignee
The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The Procter & Gamble Company filed Critical The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority to PCT/US1999/014570 priority Critical patent/WO2001001358A1/fr
Priority to AU47241/99A priority patent/AU4724199A/en
Publication of WO2001001358A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001001358A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/72—Auxiliary equipment, e.g. for lighting cigars, opening bottles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
    • G07F11/04—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process for dispensing containers from vending machines. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for co-dispensing containers of different relative weights from a single vending machine.
  • Snack food products are typically packaged in bags formed from flexible packaging films. Snack foods have also been packaged in canisters formed from composite, paperboard, and/or metal materials. Such packaging materials are generally made up of laminate structures that provide moisture and oxygen barrier layers to prevent premature staling or loss of product freshness.
  • canister-type containers usually have a re-sealable lid or cap, generally made from plastic, for maintaining freshness of any portion of the snack food that is not consumed at the time the canister is first opened, or during any subsequent uses.
  • both the beverage containers and the snack food containers are cylindrical aluminum cans of 350 ml (12 ounce) capacity. See, WO Publication No. 96/05578, "Co-Dispensing Snack Food Products and Beverages from a Vending Machine," published February 22, 1996.
  • an automatic door-opening mechanism may be installed in the vending machine.
  • Such a mechanism is intended to open the dispensing door of the machine before the containers filled with snack food products reach the door, and if necessary, to maintain the door open a sufficient length of time to permit the containers to reach the door.
  • the installation of such mechanisms both increases the cost of the vending machine and subjects the machine to a greater likelihood of mechanical failure or breakdown. It also requires additional maintenance for the vending machine in order to ensure that the mechanism functions properly.
  • there remains a desire to provide reliable co-vending for containers of different relative weights from a single vending machine without the need for installation of special mechanisms to facilitate such co-vending. None of the existing art provides all of the advantages and benefits of the present invention.
  • the present invention relates to a process for co-dispensing containers of different relative weights from a vending machine, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a vending machine having a storage portion for storing containers which have a size and shape so as to be receivable in the storage portion of the vending machine, and a dispensing outlet with a movable dispensing door covering the outlet, the storage portion being comprised of at least one side rack and at least one center rack; (b) placing a plurality of first containers at least in the side rack storage portions of the vending machine; (c) placing a plurality of second containers of relatively lighter weight than the first containers in at least one of the center rack storage portions of the vending machine; wherein the vending machine is capable of dispensing the first containers and the second containers in response to a selection made by a user operating the vending machine, the first and second containers moving from their respective storage portions and through the dispensing door to the dispensing outlet under the influence of gravity.
  • Figs. 1A and 1 B are elevation views of exemplary containers of different relative weights (e.g., a filled beverage container and a filled snack food product container) which may be dispensed from a single vending machine according to the process of the present invention;
  • Figs. 2A and 2B are plan views of the containers shown in Figs. 1A and 1B;
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a vending machine useful for carrying out the process of the present invention
  • Fig. 4 is a simplified plan view of the vending machine shown in Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a simplified, exploded schematic view of the interior of the vending machine shown in Fig. 3.
  • a typical container 10 which is commonly used to contain a beverage.
  • the beverage container 10 may be made from aluminum, which is light and which may be readily recycled, or it may be made from other metals. For example, steel may used when it is desired to vend a beverage such as coffee or tea in a heated condition.
  • the beverage container 10 has a size and shape such that the container may be received in a storage portion of a vending machine for dispensing by the machine.
  • Exemplary sizes commonly vended include, but are not limited to, 350 ml cans (e.g., about 60 mm in diameter and about 121 mm in height), 280 ml cans (e.g., about 60 mm in diameter and about 100 mm in height), 250 ml cans (e.g., about 50 mm in diameter and about 133 mm in height), and 190 ml cans (e.g., about 50 mm in diameter and about 104 mm in height).
  • 350 ml cans e.g., about 60 mm in diameter and about 121 mm in height
  • 280 ml cans e.g., about 60 mm in diameter and about 100 mm in height
  • 250 ml cans e.g., about 50 mm in diameter and about 133 mm in height
  • 190 ml cans e.g., about 50 mm in diameter and about 104 mm in height.
  • Fig. 1A depicts a beverage container 10 in the form of a conventional recyclable aluminum soft drink can including a body 12, which is usually provided with suitable advertising indicia (not shown), and a pop-top or other easy opening closure indicated generally at 14 (Fig. 2A).
  • Such closures include a pull ring 16 which when lifted upward punches section 18 from the upper surface 20 to provide an outlet, as is known in the art.
  • Vendible snack food product containers can likewise be in the form of a recyclable aluminum can having a body with advertising indicia and an easy opening closure, similar to that shown in Figs. 1A and 2A.
  • the closure should differ from the closure 14 of the beverage container 10 in that substantially the entire upper surface of the snack food product container should be removed to gain access to the contents thereof.
  • the pull ring is grasped and lifted upward to depress a portion of the surface of the closure so as to permit easy removal thereof.
  • This type of closure is known in the art and is therefore not shown in the Figures.
  • Such a container is described in WO Publication No. 96/05578.
  • FIG. 1B Another type of container 30 that is preferable for use herein to contain a snack food to be vended is a composite can, as shown in Fig. 1B.
  • the body 32 of the can is made from a composite of foil and paperboard material, having suitable advertising indicia and provided with a seal layer (not shown) over the entire upper surface 38 of the can.
  • the seal layer provides an airtight closure to protect the freshness of the contents until the time the container is first opened in order to gain access to the contents, at which time it is pulled away from the upper surface 38.
  • a re-closable lid 34 usually formed from plastic, is also provided. The lid 34 is removed in its entirety to gain access to the contents of the can.
  • the lid 34 can put back in place to protect the freshness of the uneaten portion of the contents.
  • Such cans have previously been used for marketing various products, including nuts, potato chips, and various other snack food products.
  • the bottom 35 of the can may be made from metal, or may be made from paperboard.
  • the containers 10 and 30 may be of any size, and further may be of any relative sizes, provided that each container remains receivable in a storage portion of a vending machine.
  • the containers may have a 350 cc or 500 cc capacity (12 or 16 fluid ounce capacity), or any other capacity, for example, as described above.
  • the containers 10 and 30 it is not necessary that the containers 10 and 30 be of the same or substantially the same size and shape, although the present invention can be practiced with such containers. In general, however, the containers 10 and 30 will be of different relative weights due to the nature of the contents of each container, regardless of their respective sizes.
  • the contents of the containers 10 and 30, respectively need not be limited to beverages and snack food products. Any type of contents may be placed in the containers 10 and 30, respectively. For example, moist towels, personal hygiene products, toys for children, batteries, cigarettes, etc. can be vended according to the present invention.
  • the containers 10 and 30 of different relative weights are generally referred to herein as beverage container 10 and snack food container 30, this is only one preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 shows a perspective schematic view of a vending machine 100 for dispensing the containers of different relative weights according to the present invention.
  • the vending machine 100 generally includes an outer housing 102, either or both of payment mechanisms 104a (to accept coins) and 104b (to accept bills), one or more selector mechanisms 106, and a dispensing outlet 108.
  • a coin return lever 105 and a protective door 109 which covers the dispensing outlet 108 are also usually provided. Samples 112 of the vended products are also commonly shown in order to assist the user in making his or her selection (mock-ups as opposed to actual product samples are generally used).
  • a colored indicator stripe 107 is frequently provided just above the selector mechanisms 106 to indicate whether the items will be vended hot (usually indicated by a red stripe) or cold (usually indicated by a blue stripe).
  • the vending machine 100 further includes a front door 110 which is pivotally connected to housing 102 and which can be opened to provide access to the interior of the machine, e.g., to replenish the product supply and collect the money deposited in the machine.
  • the front door 110 of vending machine 100 will typically be provided with suitable advertising display or indicia (not shown).
  • a vending machine 100 i.e., in response to the insertion of money therein
  • the process of the present invention can be practiced with a vending machine having sufficient internal space for storage of filled beverage and snack containers (or containers containing other types of contents), whether of the substantially the same size and shape or of differing sizes and shapes, and means for permitting a user to select a specific item which is dispensed upon the insertion of a sufficient amount of money into the machine.
  • one preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to the vending of a combination of a beverage and a snack food. Accordingly, in this embodiment, a portion of the container storage area will be devoted to storage of beverage containers and a portion of the container storage area will be devoted to storage of snack food product containers.
  • Conventional soft drink vending machines typically have a plurality of holding stacks of a certain width and depth for holding a supply of soft drink containers, and a transport mechanism for transferring a selected container to a delivery position.
  • the transport mechanism is normally gravity operated, resulting in the delivery position being located at or near the lower part of the machine.
  • US Patent No. 4,991 ,740 to Levcasseur on February 12, 1991 , describes a vending machine including vertical columns that receive cylindrically shaped articles with respective release mechanisms and a single machine outlet.
  • Fig. 4 depicts a plan view of the vending machine 100 shown in Fig. 3 and constructed according to the present invention.
  • the vending machine 100 includes the housing 102, a barrier door 120, and the front door 110.
  • the housing 102 includes separate sections or storage portions 150 for receiving stacks of containers to be dispensed.
  • the machine 100 is provided with drive motors (not shown), which operate a dispensing gate or other means disposed at the outlet of each storage portion 150 for releasing the container to a drop chute 160.
  • the selected container slides down the drop chute 160, passes through a dispensing door 124 that is formed in the barrier door 120, and drops into the dispensing outlet 108, where it is picked up by the purchaser. This operation is more fully explained below.
  • the barrier door 120 is connected to the housing 102 at a hinge 170 so as to be movable toward and away from the housing.
  • the barrier door 120 typically will be formed from an insulative material and when closed prevents or reduces heat transfer between the interior of the housing 102 and the ambient environment.
  • a hinged "trap" or dispensing door 124 is provided in the barrier door 120. This dispensing door 124 is usually maintained in a closed position when the machine is not in use, in order to maximize the heat transfer efficiency of the barrier door 120.
  • the selected container When the machine 100 is in use, i.e., when a container has been selected by a purchaser, the selected container should contact the dispensing door 124 with enough force to easily and completely push open the dispensing door 124, allowing the selected container to pass readily into the dispensing outlet 108.
  • the weight of the container is sufficient such that only the acceleration due to gravity is needed to generate a force sufficient to push open the dispensing door 124. (although recognizing that it is more correct to speak in terms of the mass of the container instead of its weight, it is believed that the distinction is not critical for purposes of this description.)
  • the dispensing door 124 is an obstacle to the easy and reliable dispensing of light weight containers such as those containing snack food products. These containers do not weigh enough to generate the necessary amount of force under the influence of gravity. As a result, problems in the vending of the lighter weight containers tend to arise. As more fully described below, a process according to the present invention eliminates this problem. Specific locations at which the snack food containers (or other light weight containers) are located are provided, thus preventing the lighter snack food containers from becoming caught behind the dispensing door 124.
  • FIG. 5 The interior of a vending machine 100 according to the present invention is shown in simplified schematic view in Fig. 5.
  • the barrier door 120 and the housing 102 are shown in exploded view, i.e., with the barrier door 120 detached from the housing 102.
  • the front door 110 is not shown.
  • the storage portions 150 are divided into several storage racks. In total, five such racks are shown, three center storage racks 150a and two side storage racks 150b. Thus, full use of the interior storage space can be made.
  • the present invention is not limited to those machines in which there are five storage racks, two of which are considered “side racks" and three of which are considered “center racks”.
  • the dispensing outlet 108 is also located near the lower portion of the machine.
  • the dispensing outlet 108 may further be divided into several sections, as shown in Fig. 5; however, this is not necessary to the smooth functioning of the delivery mechanism or to the dispensing outlet 108.
  • reference numerals 104, 106, and 112 items held in the center racks 150a fall in a generally straight path through the dispensing door 124 and into the dispensing outlet 108, as indicated generally by the arrows labeled "A" in Fig. 5.
  • the items held in the side racks 150b must be directed toward the dispensing outlet 108, generally in the direction indicated by the arrows marked "B". Accordingly, the containers stored in the side racks 150b must generally be directed or guided toward the dispensing door, for example, as by the angled portions 180 of the machine 100.
  • an container stored in a side rack 150b Upon contacting an angled portion 180, an container stored in a side rack 150b would tend have its force (created by acceleration due to gravity and its mass) diminished; depending on its mass (i.e., its weight), such a container would therefore have difficulty in pushing open the dispensing door 124.
  • the containers of relatively heavier weight i.e., a weight that can create a sufficient force to push open the dispensing door 124 under the influence of gravity without regard to which storage portion of the vending machine they are stored, may be placed in either the side racks 150b or in the center racks 150a. In practice, it is preferable to place them in the side racks 150b in order to allow the center racks 150a to be used for storage of containers of relatively lighter weight, as more fully described below.
  • An example of such containers of relatively heavier weight are containers 10 filled with a beverage.
  • the containers of relatively lighter weight i.e., a weight that does not create a sufficient force to push open the dispensing door 124 under the influence of gravity without regard to which portion of the vending machine they are stored, preferably are placed in the center racks 150a.
  • An example of such containers of relatively lighter weight are containers 30 filled with a snack food product.
  • the preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a solution to this problem.
  • the beverage containing cans may be placed in any of the storage racks 150a or 150b, but the snack food containing containers 30 should preferably be placed only in the center racks 150a.
  • dispensing of containers of different relative weights can be freely carried out under the influence of gravity. It is believed that there exists a approximate lower limit on the amount of weight that is needed to push open the dispensing door 124.
  • the dispensing door 124 is eliminated.
  • the containers of relatively lighter weight can be stored in any location.
  • such an embodiment may not be as desirable for use in hot and/or humid locations since the elimination of the dispensing door 124 may reduce the insulative effect provided to the interior of the machine by the barrier door 120.
  • a refrigerated or a heated environment may desirably be provided to the storage areas 150.
  • beverage containers preferably placed in the side racks 150b
  • either heating or refrigeration may be provided, depending upon the type of beverage to be vended.
  • snack food containers preferably placed in the center racks 150a
  • refrigeration may be desirable in order to maintain freshness of the snack food product and to retard oxidation of oils present in the snack food, but this is not required.
  • the embodiments disclosed herein provide the advantage of eliminating the need for a specific mechanism that controls the opening and closing function of the dispensing door. Costs associated with manufacturing and maintaining the vending machine herein are also reduced, as compared to machines incorporating such mechanisms. In addition, convenience and reliability are provided to the users of the vending machine herein.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de co-distribution à partir d'un distributeur automatique de récipients présentant des poids relatifs différents consistant a) à fournir un distributeur automatique ayant une partie de stockage destinée à recevoir les récipients dont la taille et la forme sont telles qu'elles peuvent s'insérer dans la partie de stockage du distributeur automatique et une sortie de distribution dotée d'une porte de distribution mobile recouvrant la sortie, la partie de stockage étant constituée d'au moins un support latéral et d'au moins un support central ; b) à placer une pluralité de premiers récipients au moins dans les parties de stockage du support latéral du distributeur automatique ; c) à placer une pluralité de seconds récipients dont le poids est relativement plus léger que celui des premiers récipients dans au moins une des parties de stockage du support central du distributeur automatique. Ce dernier, servant à distribuer les premiers et seconds récipients, se met en marche après qu'un utilisateur a effectué une sélection et les premiers et seconds récipients se déplacent de leurs parties de stockage respectives à travers la porte de distribution vers la sortie sous l'effet de la gravité.
PCT/US1999/014570 1999-06-28 1999-06-28 Co-distribution a partir d'un distributeur automatique de recipients presentant des poids relatifs differents WO2001001358A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1999/014570 WO2001001358A1 (fr) 1999-06-28 1999-06-28 Co-distribution a partir d'un distributeur automatique de recipients presentant des poids relatifs differents
AU47241/99A AU4724199A (en) 1999-06-28 1999-06-28 Co-dispensing containers of different relative weights from a vending machine

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1999/014570 WO2001001358A1 (fr) 1999-06-28 1999-06-28 Co-distribution a partir d'un distributeur automatique de recipients presentant des poids relatifs differents

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WO2001001358A1 true WO2001001358A1 (fr) 2001-01-04

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PCT/US1999/014570 WO2001001358A1 (fr) 1999-06-28 1999-06-28 Co-distribution a partir d'un distributeur automatique de recipients presentant des poids relatifs differents

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AU (1) AU4724199A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001001358A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4483459A (en) 1981-07-24 1984-11-20 Mars Limited Dispensing machine
US4991740A (en) 1988-08-10 1991-02-12 Coin Acceptors, Inc. Vending machine
JPH0612559A (ja) * 1992-02-10 1994-01-21 Shibaura Eng Works Co Ltd 自動販売機
WO1996005578A1 (fr) 1994-08-12 1996-02-22 Recot, Inc. Distribution conjointe d'en-cas et de boissons a partir d'un distributeur automatique
US5791516A (en) * 1995-10-03 1998-08-11 Fawn Engineering Corporation Apparatus and method for dispensing items from a vending machine

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4483459A (en) 1981-07-24 1984-11-20 Mars Limited Dispensing machine
US4991740A (en) 1988-08-10 1991-02-12 Coin Acceptors, Inc. Vending machine
JPH0612559A (ja) * 1992-02-10 1994-01-21 Shibaura Eng Works Co Ltd 自動販売機
WO1996005578A1 (fr) 1994-08-12 1996-02-22 Recot, Inc. Distribution conjointe d'en-cas et de boissons a partir d'un distributeur automatique
US5791516A (en) * 1995-10-03 1998-08-11 Fawn Engineering Corporation Apparatus and method for dispensing items from a vending machine

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 018, no. 214 (P - 1727) 15 April 1994 (1994-04-15) *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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