WO2004114233A1 - Appareil de stockage et de recuperation d'articles et distributeur automatique - Google Patents

Appareil de stockage et de recuperation d'articles et distributeur automatique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2004114233A1
WO2004114233A1 PCT/GB2004/002501 GB2004002501W WO2004114233A1 WO 2004114233 A1 WO2004114233 A1 WO 2004114233A1 GB 2004002501 W GB2004002501 W GB 2004002501W WO 2004114233 A1 WO2004114233 A1 WO 2004114233A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
article
carriage
locations
tube
product
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2004/002501
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Steven Michael Faes
Original Assignee
Apollo Vending Services Ltd
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 Apollo Vending Services Ltd filed Critical Apollo Vending Services Ltd
Priority to US11/570,713 priority Critical patent/US8631969B2/en
Publication of WO2004114233A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004114233A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/02—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
    • G07F11/10—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 two or more magazines having a common delivery chute
    • 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
    • G07F11/165—Delivery means using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
    • G07F11/1653—Delivery means using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements the picking arrangements being collecting buckets
    • 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
    • G07F11/165—Delivery means using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
    • G07F11/1657—Delivery means using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements the picking arrangements using suction
    • 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
    • G07F11/24—Rotary or oscillatory members

Definitions

  • This invention relates to apparatus for storing and selectively retrieving articles, and to a vending machine incorporating such apparatus.
  • vending machines do not have a way to confirm that the product the customer has selected is the same product delivered to the customer. This is a disadvantage to the customer as well as the vending machine operators. It can lead to accounting errors as well as fraud. For example, some machine operator are subsidized by large corporate brands and are obligated to stock the contractually agreed brands. If the operator substitutes non-branded products for the contracted branded products, this can lead to reduced revenue for the corporate brand as well as a breach of contract.
  • U.S. Patents Nos 5,240,139 and 6,547,096 disclose package vending machines comprising means for lifting product with a vacuum pick mechanism in combination with product storage bins and display areas.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a product vending machine of a similar type to this type of machine, but which has an improved mechanism for product dispensing, reliability, innovative product display capabilities, soft delivery, ease of loading and product recognition.
  • the invention provides apparatus for storing and selectively retrieving articles, comprising a vertical array of storage locations each having a horizontal surface on which articles may rest and along which articles may be slid, a carriage mounted for movement horizontally and vertically across the face of the array so as to be selectively positionable at any one of the locations, and an arm mounted on the carriage and selec- tively extendable and retractable to engage and withdraw a selected article from a first one of said locations on to the carriage, the carriage then being movable to another of said locations at which the arm may be extended to discharge the article from the carriage into said other location.
  • the arm preferably comprises a telescopic suction tube, suitably connected to a fan driven by an electric motor.
  • the tube preferably carries at the free end thereof an elastic cup surrounding the tube and engageable with the article.
  • the carriage preferably has mounted thereon a drum rotatable by a motor and carrying a flat flexible tape, the free end of which is attached to the free end of the tube whereby the tube may be selectively extended and retracted.
  • a pressure detector may be provided in the suction tube to detect a decrease in pressure resulting from engagement of the tube with the article to be withdrawn, the drum motor being controllable to reverse direction when the decrease is detected, thereby withdrawing the article.
  • the carriage is conveniently mounted to slide along a horizontal rail which is in turn slidably mounted on a vertical rail, motors being provided for selectively moving the carriage along the horizontal rail and the horizontal rail along the vertical rail.
  • An optical detector may be provided on the carriage for identifying the article in a storage location.
  • the detector may comprise a digital camera, and this may be linked to image processing and storage means, whereby an image generated by the camera can be compared with stored reference images to identify the article stored at any storage loca- tion.
  • a record may be built up of the articles stored in different locations to facilitate their retrieval.
  • the array of storage locations preferably includes a delivery location from which an article may be manually retrieved, or alternatively from which it can be transported, for example by a conveyor mechanism.
  • the invention also provides a vending machine comprising apparatus according to the invention for storing and selectively retrieving articles, located within a closed cabinet providing access only to said delivery location, selection means on the cabinet for sending an article selection signal to control means to indicate the choice of article to be vended by the machine, and payment means for receiving a payment in relation to the article and for sending a payment signal to the control means when the payment has been received, wherein the control means is arranged to control the movement of the carriage and the operation of the arm in response to receipt of the article selection and payment signals to deliver the selected article from the respective storage location to said delivery location.
  • the cabinet is provided with a transparent panel in one vertical face thereof, and the array of storage locations is positioned with the vertical face thereof op- posite to that over which the carriage is movable adjacent to the transparent panel, whereby the contents of all the storage locations are visible from outside the cabinet.
  • the cabinet may include a door for the delivery location, the door preferably being provided with a lock controllable by the control means to release the door when the selected article has been delivered to the delivery location.
  • the storage and retrieval apparatus of the invention eliminates the need for fixed pitch spirals or segmented conveyors and furthermore the need to drop a product for delivery, improving delivery reliability and minimising the risk of damage to the product or article.
  • the products or articles can be displayed in a vending machine in the manner of a store window, allowing for improved customer visibility and therefore improved sales.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine in accordance with the invention
  • Figure 2 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 1 , with the front panel of the machine removed;
  • Figure 3 is a view of a product selector mechanism suitable for use in the machine of Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the telescoping pick mechanism which forms part of the product selector mechanism;
  • Figure 5 is a side elevation of the mechanism of Figure 4;
  • Figures 6 to 8 are side views of the machine of Figure 1 , with the casing removed, showing successive stages in the product cycle;
  • Figure 9 is a perspective view of the machine at the stage at which the product is released to the customer.
  • Figure 1 shows a vending machine 1 with a rectangular shape cabinet 2 including a front door 3, a product display panel 4 which is preferably transparent, a product selection panel 5 and a product delivery door 6.
  • the product display panel 4 may be non- transparent for most aspects of the invention as claimed further to exist.
  • Figure 2 illustrates the vending machine 1 with the front door 3 removed for clarity. Directly behind the transparent product display panel 4 resides a series of product trays 7a-7b.
  • the product trays 7a-7b are shown with a plurality of products 8a-8c stored on them.
  • the trays 7a-7b are arranged in such a way as to allow the products 8a-8c to be viewed from the customer in a clear and easily recognizable manor.
  • the product labelling 27a-c can be viewed in a normal reading orientation by the customer.
  • the products 8a-8c can be loaded into the trays 7a-7b directly from the front of the vending machine 1 when the front door 3 is opened.
  • FIG. 3 shows the vending machine 1 with the cabinet completely removed for clarity.
  • An x-y drive mechanism 9 consists of a motorized elevator 10 for creating motion in the y or vertical direction and a motorized carriage or table 1 1 for creating motion in the x or transverse direction. Attached to the table 1 1 is a telescoping vacuum pick mechanism 12 which is described in detail below.
  • a telescoping pick mechanism 12 consists of a vacuum fan motor 13, a vacuum fan 14 and a suction tube 15 which are rigidly mounted to the table 12.
  • the suction tube 1 5 is attached to s series of telescoping tubes 1 6a -1 6e.
  • Tube 16a is rigidly affixed to the table 1 1 and connected to the vacuum suction tube 15.
  • a motor 17 is affixed to the table 1 1 and connected to a drive drum 1 8 by means of pulleys 1 a -1 b, belt 20, and drive shaft 21.
  • a flat flexible member 25 is connected to the drum 18 by means of a folded tab 22.
  • the member 25 is connected to the end of tube 16e.
  • an elastic suction cup 23 is also connected to the tube 16e.
  • the drum 1 8 is caused to rotate imparting a force on the member 25 which in turn imparts a force on tube 1 6e causing it to move in a linear direction and telescope outwards increasing the length of the pick mechanism 12.
  • tube 16e extends further, it contacts and then imparts a force on tube 16d causing it to move linearly.
  • the same motion can be generated for the tubes 1 6b and 16c.
  • the motor 17 is reversed the forces are then applied in an opposite direction, causing the tubes 1 6b-16e to collapse.
  • the tubes 16a-1 6e are contracted in such a way as to provide an air path for providing negative pressure (vacuum) at the elastic cup 23.
  • FIG. 6-9 a product cycle is described.
  • a customer would normally select a product by using the panel 5 (shown in Figure 1).
  • the drive mechanism 9 positions the table 1 1 in such a way as to align the pick mechanism 12 with the appropriate product.
  • the pick mechanism is positioned so as to be able to retrieve a product 8b.
  • the telescoping pick mechanism is then energized and caused to extend.
  • the motor 17 has been energized causing the tubes 16b-16e to extend.
  • a pressure gauge 24 and a current detect circuit on the fan motor 1 3 detect a drop in pressure and an increase in current to determine when contact between the elastic cup 23 and the product 8b has been made.
  • the motor 17 is then reversed, causing the tubes 1 6b-1 6e to collapse as shown in Figure 8.
  • the x-y mechanism is then energized in such a way as to align the pick mechanism 12 with the product retrieval door 6.
  • the motor 17 is then energized causing the tube 1 6b-1 6e to extend the product to the retrieval door 6.
  • the tube serves simply to push the product on to the delivery space behind the retrieval door 6, without the need for suction in the tube, and without causing the product to drop.
  • the door 6 is then opened manually or by motor/solenoid means and the product 8b can be retrieved by the customer.
  • An optical correlator 26 can be mounted to the table 1 1 in such a way that a stable optical image of any product selected can then be taken. The image is then sent to local or remote data base to correlate product selected versus product delivered.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil de stockage et de récupération sélective d'articles, comprenant un ensemble vertical d'emplacements (7) de stockage présentant chacun une surface horizontale sur laquelle peuvent être disposés des articles (8) et le long de laquelle peuvent glisser lesdits articles. Un chariot (11) est monté de manière à se déplacer horizontalement et verticalement de part et d'autre de l'ensemble de manière à pouvoir être positionné de façon sélective sur un quelconque des emplacements, et un bras (16) est monté sur le chariot (11), et peut être étendu et rétracté de manière sélective pour venir en contact avec et retirer un article sélectionné d'un premier desdits emplacements sur le chariot, le chariot étant alors déplacé vers un autre desdits emplacements sur lequel le bras peut être étendu pour décharger l'article du chariot dans cet autre emplacement.
PCT/GB2004/002501 2003-06-15 2004-06-15 Appareil de stockage et de recuperation d'articles et distributeur automatique WO2004114233A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/570,713 US8631969B2 (en) 2004-06-15 2004-06-15 Article storage and retrieval apparatus, and vending machine

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US47713103P 2003-06-15 2003-06-15
US60/477,131 2003-06-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004114233A1 true WO2004114233A1 (fr) 2004-12-29

Family

ID=33539062

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2004/002501 WO2004114233A1 (fr) 2003-06-15 2004-06-15 Appareil de stockage et de recuperation d'articles et distributeur automatique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2004114233A1 (fr)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1458637A1 (fr) * 2001-11-23 2004-09-22 Munroe Chirnomas Machine et procedes de distribution automatique d'articles
WO2008122285A2 (fr) * 2007-04-10 2008-10-16 Kliment Vidolov Automate de vente destiné à la distribution automatique d'articles individuels
WO2008137355A1 (fr) * 2007-05-03 2008-11-13 Tandem Technologies, Llc Système de distribution
EP2006812A1 (fr) * 2007-06-11 2008-12-24 Teknovation Limited Appareil pour le stockage et l'extraction sélective d'articles et distributeur doté dudit appareil
EP2138983A2 (fr) 2008-06-26 2009-12-30 Steven Michael Faes Appareil de stockage et d'extraction d'articles et distributeur
ITBG20090014A1 (it) * 2009-04-03 2010-10-04 Jonni Gamba Espositore/distributore automatico per prodotti da ganci
WO2011020956A1 (fr) * 2009-08-20 2011-02-24 Intecum Systeme de stockage et de delivrance de boites parallelepipediques telles que des boites de medicament
US8511196B2 (en) 2009-04-23 2013-08-20 Tandem Technologies, Llc Traction drive system
EP3352149A1 (fr) * 2017-01-20 2018-07-25 Harting Systems GmbH Machine avec un support de broche pour les marchandises
PL424277A1 (pl) * 2018-01-15 2019-07-29 Nt Spółka Z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością Zespół dozujący artykuły jednostkowo opakowane z regału korytkowego w bezobsługowym automacie sprzedaży
IT201900001993A1 (it) * 2019-02-12 2020-08-12 Laservideo S R L Distributore automatico di articoli dotato di un robot manipolatore

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001096142A2 (fr) * 2000-05-23 2001-12-20 Munroe Chirnomas Procede et dispositif de detection de contact d'article dans un appareil de manutention d'articles
US20020116208A1 (en) * 1999-08-07 2002-08-22 Munroe Chirnomas Method and apparatus for controlling rented leased or loaned equipment
US20030034354A1 (en) * 1999-08-07 2003-02-20 Munroe Chirnomas Article retrieving mechanism
US20030063969A1 (en) * 2000-05-23 2003-04-03 Munroe Chirnomas Method and apparatus for positioning an article handling device

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020116208A1 (en) * 1999-08-07 2002-08-22 Munroe Chirnomas Method and apparatus for controlling rented leased or loaned equipment
US20030034354A1 (en) * 1999-08-07 2003-02-20 Munroe Chirnomas Article retrieving mechanism
WO2001096142A2 (fr) * 2000-05-23 2001-12-20 Munroe Chirnomas Procede et dispositif de detection de contact d'article dans un appareil de manutention d'articles
US20030063969A1 (en) * 2000-05-23 2003-04-03 Munroe Chirnomas Method and apparatus for positioning an article handling device

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1458637A4 (fr) * 2001-11-23 2010-02-10 Munroe Chirnomas Machine et procedes de distribution automatique d'articles
EP1458637A1 (fr) * 2001-11-23 2004-09-22 Munroe Chirnomas Machine et procedes de distribution automatique d'articles
US8079494B2 (en) 2006-10-24 2011-12-20 Tandem Technologies, Llc Delivery system
WO2008122285A2 (fr) * 2007-04-10 2008-10-16 Kliment Vidolov Automate de vente destiné à la distribution automatique d'articles individuels
WO2008122285A3 (fr) * 2007-04-10 2008-12-24 Kliment Vidolov Automate de vente destiné à la distribution automatique d'articles individuels
WO2008137355A1 (fr) * 2007-05-03 2008-11-13 Tandem Technologies, Llc Système de distribution
EP2006812A1 (fr) * 2007-06-11 2008-12-24 Teknovation Limited Appareil pour le stockage et l'extraction sélective d'articles et distributeur doté dudit appareil
EP2138983A2 (fr) 2008-06-26 2009-12-30 Steven Michael Faes Appareil de stockage et d'extraction d'articles et distributeur
EP2138983A3 (fr) * 2008-06-26 2010-03-03 Steven Michael Faes Appareil de stockage et d'extraction d'articles et distributeur
ITBG20090014A1 (it) * 2009-04-03 2010-10-04 Jonni Gamba Espositore/distributore automatico per prodotti da ganci
US8511196B2 (en) 2009-04-23 2013-08-20 Tandem Technologies, Llc Traction drive system
WO2011020956A1 (fr) * 2009-08-20 2011-02-24 Intecum Systeme de stockage et de delivrance de boites parallelepipediques telles que des boites de medicament
EP3352149A1 (fr) * 2017-01-20 2018-07-25 Harting Systems GmbH Machine avec un support de broche pour les marchandises
PL424277A1 (pl) * 2018-01-15 2019-07-29 Nt Spółka Z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością Zespół dozujący artykuły jednostkowo opakowane z regału korytkowego w bezobsługowym automacie sprzedaży
IT201900001993A1 (it) * 2019-02-12 2020-08-12 Laservideo S R L Distributore automatico di articoli dotato di un robot manipolatore
EP3696777A1 (fr) * 2019-02-12 2020-08-19 Laservideo S.R.L. Distributeur automatique d'une pluralité d'articles équipé d'un robot de manutention

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