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
  • A47F1/06—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from top
• • 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
  • A47F1/10—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from bottom having mechanical dispensing means, e.g. with buttons or handles
  • A47F2001/103—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from bottom having mechanical dispensing means, e.g. with buttons or handles for cutlery

Definitions

• Document EP 2 365 769 describes a dispenser with compartments each filled with a stack of cutlery of the same type and which are actuated with a lever or a contactless control means engaging a mechanism for releasing a single cutlery. per stack, resulting in cutlery coming out of the bottom of each compartment. In essence, this system works through the force of gravity applying to each cutlery, which causes it to move down a notch when the lowest cutlery has been ejected from the stack.
• the cutlery dispensing device of the present invention comprising at least one compartment provided to accommodate the same type of cutlery arranged in a stack per compartment, is such that it comprises, per compartment:
• lifting means being actuated by first motorized drive means controlled by first control means and capable of move the stack of cutlery vertically according to predetermined constant steps p,
• the device of the invention therefore implements two successive movements for the cutlery of each compartment: a first upward movement to attach the upper cover of the stack to the extraction mechanism, then a rotation to release it with a view to release it so that it becomes accessible to the user.
• the sensor and/or actuator type means are also managed by an electronic central unit which receives/sends signals to automate the device, when desired.
• the device of the invention can implement the extraction and release of the cutlery taken from above the stack, it comprises means for detecting the position of the gripping means, which give it an indication of the phase in which the system finds itself at least at certain key points in the distribution process.
• the mobile part of the extraction mechanism mentioned above may comprise a rod sliding vertically in a housing of said mechanism, the lower free end of which located outside of said housing is provided with gripping means.
• the upper end of the rod can cooperate with a compression spring interposed between said upper end and a wall of the casing. In the absence of this spring, according to the simplest and most immediate configuration, it falls by gravity as soon as it is no longer urged upwards, and therefore resumes its initial position.
• This rod is therefore driven by a vertical sliding movement in particular actuated at the moment of contact with the upper cutlery of the stack against the gripping means, when the slider raises the stack of cutlery.
• these gripping means can consist of at least one magnet.
• a single magnet is generally sufficient.
• two magnets may be required.
• the means for detecting the position of the gripping means may consist of a part secured to the rod, at a location fixed between the gripping means and the housing, said part being able to obstruct an optical beam emitted by an optical radiation emitter intended for an optical radiation receiver placed above the compartment and in the longitudinal axis of the latter, the emitter and the receiver being connected to the electronic central unit.
• cutting the beam first means that a cutlery is in contact with the gripping means, and therefore able to be extracted from the stack of cutlery. This break in the beam then indicates that the rotation of the extraction mechanism can be started (see below). It also means that a signal can be sent by the electronic central unit to the stepper motor to lower the slide supporting the stack of cutlery, so as to properly detach the one supported by the gripping means.
• the dispensing zone can be equipped with a sensor for the presence of at least one cutlery, able to detect the removal of the cutlery or cutlery from said zone, so as to be able to initiate a new dispensing cycle.
• This sensor can also be of optical technology, and operate in a similar way to the previous one, by sending as soon as a cover is removed a signal electronics to the central management unit of the entire automated process of the device of the invention.
• the dispensing device of the invention comprises a plurality of compartments to deliver a complete set of cutlery.
• the extraction mechanisms of each compartment can, according to an optional possibility, be joined mechanically, and the first and second control means respectively of the first and second drive means are then synchronized.
• the mechanism 20 for extracting the upper knife from the stack which will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2, is connected to a motor unit 22 making it possible to move the upper cover 1 of the stack according to a rotation R which the kind of horizontal axis.
• a rotation R which the kind of horizontal axis.
• the cutlery is driven upwards, towards arms 23 which it hits, the shock caused being sufficient to detach it from the magnet 21 and cause it to fall in the direction of a distribution zone 24.
• the knife 1 is in fact attached to a magnet 21, the force of attraction of which is provided so that the connection is well established in the absence of any obstacle or shock during the rotation.
• the knife 1 is however prevented from advancing by the two obstacles formed by the arms 23 which are in its path.
• the knife 1 due to the shock with the arms 23, detaches and falls under the effect of its weight towards the zone located under it at the moment of the shock, that is to say the distribution zone 24. it can be located remotely and from the place where the detachment of the knife 1 occurs, and require transfer means of the inclined guide ramp type (see in FIG. 2).

Landscapes

• De-Stacking Of Articles (AREA)
• Feeding Of Articles To Conveyors (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=76284065

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Citations (3)

• 2021
  • 2021-05-25 FR FR2105415A patent/FR3123187B1/fr active Active
• 2022
  • 2022-05-24 EP EP22728975.8A patent/EP4346512A1/de active Pending
  • 2022-05-24 WO PCT/IB2022/054846 patent/WO2022249058A1/fr active Application Filing

Patent Citations (4)

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