WO2002009557A1 - Distributeur - Google Patents

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Publication number
WO2002009557A1
WO2002009557A1 PCT/NZ2001/000152 NZ0100152W WO0209557A1 WO 2002009557 A1 WO2002009557 A1 WO 2002009557A1 NZ 0100152 W NZ0100152 W NZ 0100152W WO 0209557 A1 WO0209557 A1 WO 0209557A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dispensing apparatus
item
unitary
support means
dispensing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NZ2001/000152
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Raymond John Markham
Original Assignee
Caltex New Zealand Limited
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 Caltex New Zealand Limited filed Critical Caltex New Zealand Limited
Priority to AU2001282715A priority Critical patent/AU2001282715A1/en
Publication of WO2002009557A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002009557A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F1/00—Racks for dispensing merchandise; Containers for dispensing merchandise
    • A47F1/04—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs
    • A47F1/08—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from bottom
    • 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
    • G07F11/16—Delivery means
    • 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
    • G07F11/14—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 with means for raising the stack of articles to permit delivery of the topmost

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a dispensing apparatus.
  • An object of the present invention is therefore to provide dispensing apparatus for the secure dispensing of pre-packed liquid products, such as oil.
  • a dispensing apparatus including a pair of movable elements with which a lowermost of a stack of unitary items is engageable, first support means to support said lowermost item, moving means to cause relative movement of the movable elements such that said first support means release said lowermost item and second support means movable in response to said relative movement to engage with and support a next upper item in said stack prior to release of the lowermost item.
  • FIG. 1 is a largely schematic illustration of the main elements of dispensing mechanism according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing . a pack actually being dispensed
  • Figure 3 is yet a further similar view, but showing the dispensing mechanism in its reset position.
  • Figure 4 is an elevation view of dispensing apparatus incorporating the dispensing mechanism of the invention.
  • Figure 5 is, a view similar to Figure 4 but showing a further form of the apparatus.
  • Figures 1 to 3 show in a schematic form the dispensing apparatus for dispensing, one at a time, the containers C stacked in a column.
  • a container C consists of a container body B that will generally be of plastic construction.
  • the container C has at its other end a neck N on which is attached a cap or closure P.
  • the dispensing apparatus is generally associated with containers C which are located within a cartridge (not shown) .
  • a cartridge contains a plurality of containers C and can be simply loaded into the dispensing apparatus thereby obviating the need for the person loading the apparatus to individually load each container C separately.
  • the dispensing mechanism according to the present invention is not limited to an arrangement where the containers C must be installed in a cartridge form.
  • the key element of the dispensing apparatus is a pair of movable jaws 10. These jaws are oppositely located and are pivotable about pivot points 11.
  • Actuator means (not shown) which can be formed, for example, by one or more linear actuators is coupled to the jaws 10 at say points 12.
  • An actuator can be linked to each jaw, or alternatively a single actuator can be linked by a linkage to both jaws.
  • the lowermost or next to be dispensed container C is located within the confines of the opposed jaws 10 but is substantially the same height as said jaws 10.
  • a pair of inwardly projecting slightly upwardly inclined ledges 13 (or fingers) engage with the lowermost or base surface S of the container C.
  • the remainder of the containers are stacked one upon each other by base surface S being engaged with the top surface of the cap P.
  • Actuation of the actuator means causes the jaws 10 to move apart about pivot points 11 (see Figure 2) .
  • This causes the ledges 13 to move suf ici p ⁇ tl v a ⁇ art that the lower most container C can fall through the gap which is formed between the opposed distal ends of the ledges 13.
  • a pair of inwardly projecting shoulders 14 at the upper end of the jaws 10 move inwardly toward one another so as to locate beneath the surface S of the next container C. This is possible because cap P is of less cross-sectioned dimension than the container body B.
  • a dispensing area (not shown) will be located beneath the jaws 10 so that the container C simply drops into said dispensing area.
  • This dispensing area will be open to access (possibly via a moveable door) so that the dispensed container can be removed from the dispensing apparatus.
  • the position in which the container C that has been dispensed will take in the dispensing area is for example shown in Figure 3.
  • Sensor means can register the dispensing of the dispensed container C. This could be by way of an optical sensor such as created by an optical be ⁇ m t-hrnngh which the dispenser can pass. Other arrangements could include a weight sensitive floor in the dispensing area which senses the arrival of the container C.
  • the actuator means Upon the sensor means determining a container C has been dispensed, the actuator means will return the jaws 10 to the rest position as shown in Figure 3. Thus the upper shoulders 14 will move apart to enable a container C to fall into the space between the jaws but simultaneously with this the ledges 13 will move to the "closed” position so as to engage with the bottom surfaces of the container moving into the .jaws.
  • the cartridge system has an advantage in that the containers will always be in alignment and in particular correctly aligned to drop between th ⁇ shn ⁇ l Hers 14.
  • a vertical chute will receive the upper containers in a container column so that they are not only correctly aligned but the lowermost is aligned correctly relatively to the jaws 10 and in particular the space between the shoulders 14 when the jaws are in the "closed" position.
  • the dispensing mechanism will be contained within an outer housing (not shown) .
  • a coin operated activation mechanism of any one of a number of conventional designs may be used to activate the actuator means. Therefore in one form of the invention, for example, a purchaser of the oil pack on a forecourt situation could purchase from the forecourt attendant a token for insertion into the activation mechanism. Therefore an oil pack would only be able to be dispensed upon prepayment .
  • the dispensing apparatus could be electronically linked back to the till in the forecourt shop.
  • the dispensing apparatus incorporating the present invention could send a message electronically to the till that one or more packs of oil has been dispensed at a particular pump number.
  • Al- Qv - " ' , " ⁇ 7 ' ly the fact that a unit has been dispensed is registered and becomes the responsibility of the cashier. Therefore, a charge can be added to the charge for petrol dispensed at the same time from the pump.
  • Such an arrangement would most probably need to be under the control of the forecourt attendant who may have a special access key or the like to operate the mechanism and be required to insert say via a key pad the number of the pump at which the oil has been dispensed.
  • the apparatus incorporates means for storing a plurality of containers C which can move into the dispensing column upon dispensing of containers in the column.
  • a plurality of sloping floors 15 are provided each sloping towards the dispensing column.
  • a container C lays on its side on each floor 15. The uppermost container C is prevented from movement as a consequence of contact with the cap P of the uppermost container C in the dispensing column.
  • a stop member 16 is pivotally coupled at 17 to the floor 15.
  • the container C thus lays on flat part 18 of the stop member
  • This flat part 18 merges into an inclined- portion 19 which extends downwardly to guide portion 20 which carries an abutment 21 against which the base of the container C on the next lower floor 15 engages.
  • the lower most floor 15 does not have a stop member 16. It however, has a downwardly inclined part 22.
  • the dispensing column When the next container C between the jaws 10 is dispensed the dispensing column once again indexes downwardly by one container length. Because there is no longer a container C adjacent to guide portion 20 of the stop member 16 of the uppermost floor 15 the weight of the container C on the next lower floor pushes the stop member 16 so that it moves about its pivot axis 17 thereby clearing the way for this container to topple over the incline portion 19 of stop member 16 associated with the floor 15 on which the container resides and thereby be guided by guide portion 20 into the dispensing column. This action is repeated each time a container is dispensed from the dispensing column until the container C on the lower most floor 15 moves into position on the cap P of the container C located between the jaws 10. This container is able to move into the position required because it topples and slides down incline portion 22.
  • a sensor means could be provided with the lower most floor 15 such that when the container C residing thereon has moved into the dispensing column a warning alarm (visible or audible) could be activated to warn that the apparatus will shortly require recharging.
  • a warning arrangement could however be associated with other floors 15 or the dispensing column itself depending on how much advance warning is required of the imminent exhaustion of containers in the dispensing apparatus.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a similar arrangement to Figure 4 but showing smaller containers and illustrating a different form of container which can be dispensed. Also as shown each floor has more than one container. As the lower most container on each floor moves into the dispensing column the next container on that floor moves on to the stop member, thereby preventing the stop member from releasing containers from the next lowermost floor 15.
  • Figure 5 also shows an alternative arrangement whereby opposed guide members 23 are located between the jaws 10. These resilient flaps 23 apply pressure to each of opposed sides of the container C so as to apply a centralising action on the container whereby it sits correctly between the jaws 10.
  • the apparatus could include a number of columns of containers, each column being dedicated to a particular grade or type of oil.
  • the activation mechanism would need to incorporate (once again in accordance with known technology) a means of identifying the particular column from which the purchase is being made.
  • a dedicated activation mechanism could be provided for each column though this is a least preferred arrangement given the increased cost of the activation mechanisms.
  • the jaws of each column could open into a chute which directs the dispensed container into the dispensing area. In this way the need for separate dispensing areas for each column would not be required.
  • the present invention thus provides an effective yet simple and economical mechanism for the dispensing of oil packs.
  • the invention is not limited to such an end use.
  • the mechanisms could be used for dispensing of other packs in situations where automatic or coin/payment controlled mechanisms are required.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • De-Stacking Of Articles (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
  • Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un distributeur comprenant deux mâchoires (10) mobiles comprenant chacune une lèvre (13) de support supportant le fond (5) d'un réceptacle (C). Les mâchoires (10) se déplacent autour d'un point (11) d'articulation pour libérer le réceptacle (C) mais, avant que celui-ci ne soit libéré, une seconde paire de lèvres (14) de support viennent se placer en contact avec le fond du récipient suivant. Lorsque les mâchoires (10) pivotent vers l'arrière, un espace entre les secondes lèvres (14) permet au réceptacle de passer à travers celles-ci, mais les premières lèvres retiennent le réceptacle (C) à l'intérieur du distributeur.
PCT/NZ2001/000152 2000-07-31 2001-07-27 Distributeur WO2002009557A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001282715A AU2001282715A1 (en) 2000-07-31 2001-07-27 A dispensing apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ50608000 2000-07-31
NZ506080 2000-07-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002009557A1 true WO2002009557A1 (fr) 2002-02-07

Family

ID=19928025

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NZ2001/000152 WO2002009557A1 (fr) 2000-07-31 2001-07-27 Distributeur

Country Status (3)

Country Link
CN (1) CN1443047A (fr)
AU (1) AU2001282715A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002009557A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008060339A1 (fr) * 2006-11-14 2008-05-22 Parata Systems, Llc Dispositif pour distribuer des flacons, utile dans un système et un procédé pour distribuer des ordonnances
WO2008138354A1 (fr) * 2007-05-10 2008-11-20 Mikhail Skorik Unité de stockage à couches possédant une capacité améliorée et rayonnage de distribution utilisant cette unité de stockage

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7367472B2 (en) * 2004-03-24 2008-05-06 Anton K Simson Pneumatic vending machine
CN110550333B (zh) * 2019-07-16 2021-03-23 苏州翌恒生物科技有限公司 一种螺杆式采血管移动装置及采血管移动方法

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3904076A (en) * 1974-08-15 1975-09-09 Cavalier Corp Adaptable dispensing apparatus with unique escrow bar and associated latch mechanism
US4303179A (en) * 1980-01-04 1981-12-01 La Crosse Cooler Company High density can stack for automatic can venders
US4405059A (en) * 1981-07-09 1983-09-20 Leo Kull Selectable coupling mechanism including article dispensers
US4991739A (en) * 1988-08-10 1991-02-12 Coin Acceptors, Inc. Vending machine
US5511688A (en) * 1994-10-14 1996-04-30 Coin Acceptors, Inc. Vending machine dispensing system
JPH09319958A (ja) * 1996-05-28 1997-12-12 Sanden Corp 自動販売機の搬出機構

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3904076A (en) * 1974-08-15 1975-09-09 Cavalier Corp Adaptable dispensing apparatus with unique escrow bar and associated latch mechanism
US4303179A (en) * 1980-01-04 1981-12-01 La Crosse Cooler Company High density can stack for automatic can venders
US4405059A (en) * 1981-07-09 1983-09-20 Leo Kull Selectable coupling mechanism including article dispensers
US4991739A (en) * 1988-08-10 1991-02-12 Coin Acceptors, Inc. Vending machine
US5511688A (en) * 1994-10-14 1996-04-30 Coin Acceptors, Inc. Vending machine dispensing system
JPH09319958A (ja) * 1996-05-28 1997-12-12 Sanden Corp 自動販売機の搬出機構

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DATABASE WPI Derwent World Patents Index; Class T05, AN 1998-092172/09 *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008060339A1 (fr) * 2006-11-14 2008-05-22 Parata Systems, Llc Dispositif pour distribuer des flacons, utile dans un système et un procédé pour distribuer des ordonnances
US8261936B2 (en) 2006-11-14 2012-09-11 Parata Systems, Llc Device for dispensing vials useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions
US8651320B2 (en) 2006-11-14 2014-02-18 Parata Systems, Llc Device for dispensing vials useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions
WO2008138354A1 (fr) * 2007-05-10 2008-11-20 Mikhail Skorik Unité de stockage à couches possédant une capacité améliorée et rayonnage de distribution utilisant cette unité de stockage

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2001282715A1 (en) 2002-02-13
CN1443047A (zh) 2003-09-17

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