WO2005104047A1

WO2005104047A1 - Manual dispensing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2005104047A1
Application number: PCT/ES2004/070024
Authority: WO
Inventors: José Manuel CONDE VALLE
Original assignee: Jiconsa Quality Engineering Machines S.L.
Priority date: 2004-04-22
Filing date: 2004-04-22
Publication date: 2005-11-03
Also published as: EP1760672A1; CA2563988A1; MXPA06012140A; JP2007534071A; NO20065388L; EA200601958A1; CN1998030A; BRPI0418789A

Abstract

The invention relates to a manual dispensing machine in the form of a money-activated vending machine which is extremely small owing to the very compact, modular design thereof and the arrangement of the elements inside same. The machine, which is very small and light, can be disposed on a wall or on a piece of furniture or support. The machine is further characterised by the internal modular design of the storage bins, whereby each of said bins is equipped with its own money-collection device and means for dispensing products following payment. The machine also comprises means for detecting when a module contains no more cans, such as to block the money-collection device and prevent the introduction of more money.

Description

MANUAL EXPENDING MACHINE

DESCRIPTION OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is a manual vending machine among the machines for the sale of coin-activated products. The present invention is characterized by the small size of the machine obtained thanks to its modular, very compact configuration and distribution of elements inside it. machine, of very small volume and weight, can be wall interlocked or supported by a light piece of furniture that barely occupies space. The machine also features a modular internal configuration of the storage hoppers, where each one has its own purse and its own means of supply after payment Each of these modules is independent of the rest so it is very difficult for the machine to run out of service The preferred embodiment consists of 3 modules although they can be increased (or more) or reduced for example 2 so that its dimensional adaptability is enormous Therefore, the present invention is c ircunscribe within the scope of vending machines and particularly among manually activated machines

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION So far, vending machines generally have a series of pushbuttons, as many as different Once the button corresponding to the selection has been activated, the selected product is automatically supplied, with a series of additional devices that select the activated product. These machines, although their operation is correct, are complex and expensive. manufacture All of them have a series of coin recognition mechanisms associated with them, as well as means for returning the exchange. On the other hand they need a selection panel with as many buttons as there are different products, and finally they need a series of means to recognize the value of the coins introduced, as well as the selection made, to finally activate a supply mechanism

The presence of a single wallet is the reason that this type of machines run out of service as soon as its mechanism, the coin validation mechanism fails, or as soon as there is a change if the amount entered is not the exact one As a result of all previous disadvantages a vending machine is obtained whose manufacturing and maintenance costs are high, have security problems in the maintenance of the service and especially are of a size and weight that in most of the times makes it impossible to install them in offices not located in street plan or with not excessively wide access It is enough to consider that most of this type of machine does not fit in an elevator of those usually available in buildings

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to achieve an easy-to-use machine, which counts in its interior with independent modular sets interchangeable with each other, where each set has its own purse associated, so that the result is a machine with a clearly reduced manufacturing cost and whose final weight and size is significantly smaller, and can be installed in a smaller space

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention of a manual vending machine basically consists of a mainly rectangular prismatic assembly whose interior houses independent distribution assemblies or modules where each of them comprises at least • a storage means, «a collection purse with drive handle for product withdrawal, a Retention and dosing means Additionally the machine has several elements that service all modules

From the structural point of view, all the modules are subject and supported by a common structure that is incorporated on the chassis

This chassis also has a lower plate or base on which the refrigeration equipment is supported. The refrigeration equipment is of high performance, giving rise to a very efficient behavior that ensures internal temperature maintenance between 3 ° C and 6 ° C. reachable in a very short time from room temperature The refrigeration equipment consists mainly of compressor, condenser, a junction box, and a convector device that expels heat to the outside A condensation collection tray is arranged on the compressor, which in turn is evaporated by the heat of the cooling equipment and boosted by forced convection

For its part, the refrigeration equipment is thermally insulated from the rest of the machine by an insulator that covers the entire section of the machine passing under the product withdrawal tray This insulator is only crossed by the conduction of the refrigerant that communicates the refrigeration equipment with the evaporator coil Similarly, the cold zone of the main body of the machine is thermally insulated from the outside The coil responsible for evacuating heat from the product store is arranged on the rear wall essentially covering the entire covered area by the warehouse that forms the totality of the installed hoppers The independent modular assemblies for the distribution consist of an element with prismatic form opened frontally in whose interior the products to distribute like cans or boats lodge

At the bottom of each of the independent distribution modules there is a distribution bowl This bowl is operated by a coin purse to which it is connected by one of its ends by means of an axis, so that when the coin purse is activated, once introduced the currency of the drive value, it is possible to turn the coin purse and therefore the bowl

The bowl has a curved cavity where the product to be distributed is housed. The shape and dimensions of the bowl are consistent with the product to be supplied. This bowl configuration allows unchanged to supply products of many different shapes and configurations, and, if necessary, slight dimensional changes significantly extend the range of products to be supplied In the resting position, the bowl is arranged with its concave face down, resting the product to be distributed directly on the top or convex Once turned, the product arranged in the lower position of the base column is housed in the bowl Continuing with the rotation the bowl returns to support the product column with its convex face while releasing the product that had been housed inside it by dropping it into the collection tray The collection tray covers all the modules arranged contiguously and is connected in its lower part with the window for collecting the products supplied The number of modules to be installed depends on the capacity of the machine that is to be constituted, being possible, for example, to shorten the hoppers in height due to restrictions imposed by the space where it will be located, and expand the number of modules to compensate for the reduction in the capacity of each of the hoppers

Each of the hoppers has a purse with means of collection and independent operation with the rest so if a module fails the machine does not run out of service The machine, of small size and weight, it is necessary to place it at a height easily accessible to the user. For this purpose it is possible to install it by screwing. It is also possible to place it on a piece of furniture or support that places it at the appropriate height. The result is a device that minimizes the space occupied for use in places such as offices where it is scarce and very expensive In order to facilitate the knowledge of the quantity of stocks of each of the independent modules, it is arranged on the front of the machine of a viewfinder through which the batteries of the independent distribution modules are observed Another possibility of knowing the quantity of stocks is by means of an indicator LED that once lit serves as a means to indicate that there are no stocks relative to said module

It is considered within this same invention the inclusion on the stacking of cans of an additional module blocking piece This additional piece descends as the cans are consumed When the last can is dispensed, the rotation of the bowl places its lower face up remaining in contact with the locking piece The bowl has a slot in which a pivot of the locking piece enters which prevents the purse from turning

As a result, after dispensing the last can, the module is locked without the possibility of inserting another currency. Without the presence of this blocking piece, even if a LED was lit indicating that there are no more cans, it would not be prevented from introducing a new currency. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is going to be carried out below and in order to help a better understanding of its characteristics, this descriptive report is accompanied by a set of drawings in whose figures, in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, the more significant details of the invention In Figure 1, a perspective representation of an embodiment of the machine object of the invention is shown In Figures 2 and 3, the interior of the vending machine according to an embodiment of the invention is shown, with the distribution of the various elements that compose it In the figure, the independent distribution modules according to another embodiment of the invention have been shown in perspective. In figure 5, the connection between the bowl and the purse is shown in detail as well as the interaction with the products to be distributed In figure 6, the constructive characteristics of the bowl of di stribución

In figure 7, a detail is shown in perspective, and with the viewpoint placed in an elevated position, of the support structure of the storage modules with the distribution means inside

In figure 8, a detail similar to that of figure 5 is shown in which the configurative flexibility of the bowl is highlighted when dispensing the most varied products In figure 9, an embodiment of a locking piece is shown together with the bowl The position chosen is the lock

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the figures, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below. In Figure 1, we observe how the manual vending machine (1) object of the invention has a rectangular prismatic shape, which externally counts on one of its sides at the bottom with a grid (2) to allow internal cooling of the cooling means The mainly prismatic shape can present external changes of the design such as softened edges, areas corresponding to the area of the purses in highlighting or incoming, these configurations can be extended perimetrically, or as many aesthetic changes as the image that you want to give externally to the machine imposes, considering at all times these changes as ways of carrying out the same invention since they do not configuratively change the internal structure Frontally it has a window (3) p for collection of the products dispensed, and above, a series of purses (4), as many as independent modular sets of distribution account the machine In this embodiment three modules have been used Above there is a viewer (5) that can be incorporated optionally to know the stock status of each of the batteries This viewfinder (5) may be associated with LEDs indicating the level of stock of the set In this same figure 1 the places where in this embodiment of The invention has placed the switch (21) and the temperature regulator (20) with all the safety means that allow adjustment in acceptable ranges. In Figure 2, we observe that inside the machine there is a series of modular assemblies independent (6) of distribution, in this case three Each of said assemblies is formed by a receptacle or hopper, essentially prismatic, open at its front in order to facilitate the replacement of the interior products Said receptacles are narrowed in their lower part in order to facilitate the alignment of the products to be dispensed so that they leave one at a time Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment example of figure 4 , instead of being narrowed at the bottom of the rectangular receptacles, they have a baffle for the products

At the bottom of each receptacle there is a bowl that in this figure is almost not observed Associated with said bowl is a purse (4) and under all of them there is a tray (11) of channeling (11) of the products to the window (3) that allows access to the product Under said tray (11) is where the equipment is housed of refrigeration, constituted mainly by a compressor (9) connected to a coil (7) (seen in figure 3) through which the refrigerant gas, a condenser and a forced convection equipment (8) circulate Said coil (7) is placed after the independent modular distribution assemblies (6) in order to cool said products Behind the coil is where the thermal insulating plate (7 1) that corresponds to this face of the machine chassis is placed Between compressor (9) and the equipment (8) forced convection a junction box (22) of the refrigeration equipment is shown

Figure (3) shows the rear position of the coil (7) that connects with the refrigeration equipment through the tray (11) and the insulator that covers its lower surface Next to the compressor is where the fan (8) is placed. by convection and with outside air reduces the temperature generated in this part On the other hand above the compressor (9) there is a tray (10) for collecting condensation water, the result of internal cooling The convection of the fan together with the higher temperature that is in this area of the machine favors that the condensed water on the tray (10) evaporates and is eliminated

In figure 4, each of the independent modular distribution assemblies (6) according to a second embodiment is shown more clearly where instead of narrowing at the bottom, they have a baffle (12) that facilitates the alignment and subsequent distribution of the products one by one Associated to the bottom of each of the modular assemblies (6) there is a support assembly (13) that serves to fix the cups, and in turn, fix them to the purses (4) In Figure 5, you can see in detail all the elements and parts involved in the assembly, on the one hand the bowl (16) that in resting position shows its opening or concave face down, so that the products are supported on its convex part waiting to be distributed On the other hand, connected to the grooved shaft (17) with which the bowl (16) has in one of its ends, the purse (4) is attached which has an associated drive shaft (18) that is housed in the groove of said shaft (17) in order to achieve the fixing of the bowl (16) to the rest of the structure uses an intermediate piece (15) that has a perforation n in its lower part through which the grooved shaft (17) is passed, said intermediate piece (15) being fixed by screws to the support profile (14) which in turn is fixed to the modular distribution assemblies themselves Without modifications in the bowl (16) it is possible to supply products with very different packages and dimensions and shape, and also, as shown in Figure 8, with very small changes of the bowl (16) it is possible to extend this diversity of products that can be dispensed

A diagram equivalent to that of Figure 5 is shown in this figure in which the bowl (16) has an auxiliary receiving element (16 1) adapted to a tub (16 2), also shown in detail attached and in shape separated, to highlight the variability of presentation and form of products that it is able to dispense without establishing small changes in the bowl (16) Figure 6 shows a detail of the bowl

(16) that at one end it has a rear ee (19) and on the other with the grooved shaft (17) in whose slot the drive rod of the bowl (16) of the purse (4) is housed as it is shown in figure 7, each of the modules is grouped and supported by a common structure (23) whose dimensions will be essentially dependent on the number of modules that it incorporates This common structure (23) is the one that supports and is held in the chassis (24) which in turn supports all the components of the machine, in particular those of the refrigeration equipment of the lower part. Finally, it is described what is shown in figure 9 where a section of the hopper walls is represented (6 ) and the bowl (16) rotated after the last can or container has been dispensed Over the bowl (16) is drawn an embodiment of a locking piece (25) intended to prevent the module from functioning when the cans have been finished

This locking piece (25) has guiding means (25 2) intended to maintain the proper position during the descent and in particular when blocking the bowl (16) These guiding means (25 2) support the walls of the hopper (6) In this schematic representation the guiding means are straight wings, however, they could be constituted by curved sections or include anti-friction elements It is also possible to establish additional vertical guides as guides (25 2) for this piece (25) to ensure its orientation

In the central part of the locking piece (25) there is a pivot (25 1) intended to be housed in a groove (16 3) of the bowl (16) By rotating the bowl (16) the action of gravity forces this pivot (25 1) enters the groove (16 3) and prevents the bowl from continuing to turn. Within the same invention, parts are considered to have concave or convex curved sections in its central body to better adapt to the can or to the surface of the bowl (16) It does not alter the essentiality of this invention variations in materials, shape, size and arrangement of the component elements, described in a non-limiting manner, this being sufficient for reproduction by an expert

Claims

1 - Manual vending machine among the coin-operated vending machines characterized in that inside it has a series of independent modular distribution assemblies (6), each of them having a distribution bowl (16) associated to the bottom a drive coin purse (4), the drive and distribution of each of the modular assemblies (6) being carried out independently, with a separate tray (11) for channeling the product under all independent modular assemblies (6) to a point which corresponds to the product collection window (11) also having a series of cooling means

2 - Manual vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the independent modular assemblies (6) to achieve the guidance and subsequent distribution of one in one of the products have a rectangular element whose lower part is narrowed, or have a set rectangular without narrowing but with a deflector (12) inside

3 - Manual vending machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling means are housed under the channeling tray (11) and have a compressor (9) in connection with a coolant (7) driving the refrigerant gas, and placed behind the independent modular distribution assemblies (6), in addition there is a fan (8) for the forced convection of the cabin of the refrigeration equipment that takes the air from the outside through a grid (2), as well as a condenser

4 - Manual vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that on the compressor (9) there is a tray (10) for collecting the condensation water by cooling the upper part 5 - Manual vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the distribution bowl (16) placed under the Pile of products to be distributed has a rear ee (19) and a grooved shaft (17), the drive rod (18) of the purse (4) being housed in its slot, to hold the bowl (16) to the rest of the assembly an intermediate piece (15) is used that has a perforation in its lower part through which the grooved shaft (17) is passed, said intermediate piece (15) being fixed by screws to the support profile (14) that a in turn it is fixed to the modular distribution sets themselves

6 - Manual vending machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the dispenser bowl (16) includes an auxiliary receiving element (16 1) adapted to the particular shape of the product to be dispensed

7 - Manual vending machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that to know the lack of stock in each of the independent modular distribution assemblies (6), a viewfinder (5) is used on the main panel that allows observing the interior of the modular assemblies, or a series of LEDs are used, which indicate the lack of any of the products in one of the modular distribution assemblies

8 - Manual vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a locking piece (25) for each module to prevent the admission of coins after dispensing the last can or container 9. - Manual vending machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking part (25) has guiding means (25 2) that maintain their correct orientation, and a pivot (25.1) intended to be housed in a slot ( 16.3) of the bowl (16) preventing it from rotating.