GB2248443A - Vending machine. - Google Patents

Description

1 VENDING MACHINE OBJECT OF THE INVENTILW, As is expressed in the title of

the present specification, the following invention consists of a vending machine, being mainl,.- used to d-,spense products contained in cylindric vessels and which is automatically coerated by the user introducing ccins. Likewise, it may dispense products of any shape and size, as lcng as the measurements thereof do not exceed the maximums permitted by the shape itself of the machine.

Thus, the vending machine has a general cylindric shape, similar to that of a can cf a soft drink, and inside the same there is a series o: horizontal compartments so that the products rest on a rotating platform and are led by a spiral linked to a fixed platform, the product being removed bv two successive operations, the first by the pulling of the selected product by the remover itself, towards the corresponding platform linked to the door operated by the use= for the removal thereof, and the second by the opera tion c-.P the latter and Ce removal of the product.

in a second embodiment, for the removal of the product, the p-atform base on which the products are deposited is operated turnably, by means of a motor, whose drive shaft transmits the movement to a pinion that gears with a toothed chain linked to the olatform base.

The products are led in spiral upon the platform base turning, until the first product ready for removal comes up against a micro that drives a motor that moves a removal claw at the same time that the platform base stops.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Among vending machines of soft drink carswith a general rectangular prismatic form which are coin operated, we -can cite those where in the bottom of the structure in which the cans are deposited, there is a motor so that the cans fall on some cavities of the same which upon turning - 7 1, 2 '-- 2- the can tl come out.

Uncn the remover being constituted with the cited mctor, there -,s a reduction of soace that causes less room for cans in the vendinc machine.

Another type of vending machines of soft drink cans consists of a series of compartments in which the cans are ciled vertica-'-,.,. Thev rest on each other on the side surface, in otner words, they remain in a transversal position, the bottom being positioned by a strip that extends bevond the side on which the can rests preventing the same from droiDoina.

1- order tc remove the can, the side strip on which the bottom can rests retracts permitting the free fall thereand once again it returns to its position to prevent the next can from crc,cninc.

-he removaL of cans in the described manner causes t'-e cr--juct to be shaken, thus upon opening the can the contents soravs out and besides, products of a shape that -E not c%,'ndrc cannot be dispensed.

D---'-:RIP--ION OF '-"H--- INVENTION :-e excendIne machine that is described in the present has a ceneral cvlindric shape similar to that so-. drink can, having in the bottom part thereof the c,::)llna motor.

The machine has in the bottom part the different compartments in which the products are placed, which remain deposited on a rotating platform and which are led upon the platform rotating through a spiral duct whose limiting strip is joined to the top fixed platform.

Upon the outlet of the spiral duct remains the removal element itself, which will operate upon pushing the corresponding push button to choose the product.

Said remover is provided with a micro to detect the product to be removed, in such a way that upon rotating for the removal of the product it permits the release of 1 = 1 ' free rotating door, placing the product on the corresponding -:)latform that has the door operated by the user to have access to the chosen product.

The cited free rctating door that separates the platform where the products are deposited from the collection base is urged by the action of a spring that propel s it tc the inoperative position, in other words, to the closed position.

Once the remover is in its inoperative position blocking free rotating door of access to the inside of the product positioning duct, the user can turn the outer transparent door with the selected product on the corresponding platform, in such a way that said door has with regard to its inner mart a curved arm that upon turning likewise blocks the inner free rotatina door.

-'or the perfect operation of the machine for the removal operat-ton and that there cannot be access to the inside thereof during said operation, the outer door has a micro that detects its- perfect closing, for the operation thereof after blocking of the same.

The produzt removal claw is L-shaped and in connection with _t there is a micro that upon coming up against it, the product to be dispensed, gives the order to a motor so that it is activated and causes the rotation of said removal claw. The run of the removal claw remains limited by two ends of stroke, in such a way that one of them, specifically the expulsion one, causes the reversal of the direction of rotation of the motor that activates it.

The selection push buttons remain aligned vertically on the front part of the machine close to the outer rota ting door. This outer rotating door, close to its center part, has two transparent areas one on each side of said rotation shaft, permitting by one of them the visualisation of the product removal operation, and by the other the pro duct on the platform of the outer door.

4 - 1 2 embodiment permits the product to be dispensed tc ave anv shape and size, as long as said dimensions are sma'le- than that of the spiral duct existing for placement and ducting of the products upon the platform on which they placed rotating.

Eacn one of these rotating platforms will remain, for the rotation thereof, locked to the shaft that the corresponding motor transmits movement to it.

In a specific emcodiment of the invention, instead of havina a sole shaft of the rotating platforms, to which a- the p Iform corresponding to the selected product remains 'ocked when it is to be removed, this is made in such a wav that each one of the rotating platforms of the compartmen-.S has, perimetrically a toothed crown in which a pinion I inkeo -.o the drive shaft of a small motor that transmits movemen' to it is geared.

Given that the diffferent compartments remain situated slig-t-y off center from the vertical geometric axis of -:.-I e c n 1; - -ic macrine and by -he side of greater eccentric_-ty, remcva- of tne cans is zroduced, with a variation in 7ne emtod-ment, some fixed clatforms can remain in line rotating p1atforms where the products are deposited, upon wnicn tne dispensed product is deposited, until the user picks it up.

_n this case, when the product has been dispensed, it remains on the platform base which the user has access to upon opening an outer door that turns towards the inside.

The cited product access door, rotating towards the inside of the machine, has near its rotation axis, a pro3ection towards the inside that acts upon a cam that produces the blocking of the product outlet door towards the collection platform base.

Thus, when the product is ready to be picked up by the user, the outer door will open upon being activated by means of an inner spring on the cam, blocking the 1 inner door avoiding access to the products.

To prevent the -:user from having access to the inside thereof during the operation time of the removal claw, when he tries to open the outer door, a micro which blocks the removal operations operates.

In order to complement the description that is going to be made hereinafter and for the purpose of providing a better understanding of the features thereof, the present specification is accompanied by a set of drawings in whose figures, the most significant details of the invention are represented in an illustrative and non-restrictive manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure l.- It shows a raised view of the cylindric vending machine of its front part in which one observes the vertically aligned selection push buttons and the outer door with its two transparent areas.

Figure 2.- It shows a sectioned raised view of the vending machine with the shape of a soft drink can, showing the different compartments for the positioning of the products, with the rotating platform for placement of the same and the fixed platform to which the helicoidal strip that forrs the duct in a similar way to lead the products for their removal links.

Figure 3.- It shows a sectioned view according to a transveral section, in which one observes the helicoidal strip, the insulating wall and the removal element in its outermost position, a can having been removed and the outer door being blocked up.

Figure 4.- It shows a sectioned view according to a transversal section similar to the one of the previous figure, in which the helicoidal strip, the insulating wall the removal element in its inoperative position again and the outer door to enable one to pick up the product, at the same time that the inner door is blocked up, are k - 6 1 observed.

Figure 5.- Its shows a detailed view of the remover:.-lself, in its inoperative position, showing how a product contacts with the micro of the removal element which in ---locksthe inner free rotation door once it has been turn 1 deblocked, and the outer door blocked, contacting with the micro detecting the position of the latter.

Figure 6.- It shows a view of the different compart-,ients of the vending machine, with the rotation shaft and the platforms where the products are deposited, independent from each other, to whose platforms the toothed chain links for operation thereo: as well as the spiral strip which forms the path to be followed by the products until their removal.

Figure 7.- it shows a detailed view of the rotation shaft linked to tle rotating platform where the products are deposited, according tc the embodiment of figure 6.

Figure 8. it. shows a plan view of one compartment :f the vending macn--ne, according to the embodiment of figure 6, in whicn the spiral strip, the longitudinal ercss bars fastening the structure of the machine and the removal and)icking up mechanisms of the product are observed.

Figure 9.- It shows a detailed view of the product removal mechanismE,according to the embodiment of figure 6, showing the outer door in an intermediate position of its opening path, with its spring acting on the cam that blocks the inner product outlet door, likewise, showing part of the toothed chain, upon which the rotation pinion gears through which the motor transmits movement.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In view of the commented figures and in accordance with the numbering used, we can observe how the vending machine (1) used to dispense soft drinks operated by inserting coins, has a general cylindric shape with a perimetric low recess in the bottom part thereof and remaining ended in the top by a first truncated cone section, followed by a straight section that gives it the shape of a soft drink can.

The vending machlne (1) has a series of compartments (2) in which the product will be located, in such a way that said compartments (2) are formed by a rotating platform (3) on which the product is deposited, and a fixed platform (4) to which a spiral strip (5) is linked, form- ing a spiral duct (6) for placement and leading of the product.

The products that can be dispensed by the machine (1) will be all those whose dimensions permit location thereof in the duct (6, independent of the shape thereof being is dispensed aent1%. --n order to avoid shaking of the product.

The front display part of the vending machine (1) has the user's operating elements to obtain the desired product. Thus, it includes a coin insertion inlet (8), the display (7) where the amount inserted appears and the box (9) where change and refunds are obtained.

Besides, it has the rotating door (11) with the vertically aligned push buttons (10) close to it. The push buttons (10'. incorporate the product to be distinguished and serve to select the same, while the rotating door (11) has transparent areas (12) and (13) and once it has been blocked it becomes possible to observe the removal of the product from the duct (6) to the corresponding platform of the same and the display of the product removed for its subsequent picking up by the user respectively and after deblocking of the door (11.) The door (11) is turnable with regard to the shaft (14) and in correspondence with each one of the compartments (2) at the height of the rotating platform (3) it has a support base for the product removed (15.) The remover element itself (16) ends in a L and 8 between its wings the produc rem.ova", one o.;7 the winos of the croduct to be 1 z 2 C, 0 J t (15) is stored for its a micro (17) which detects the presence removed is provided for.

Sa-d remover element (16) remains turnable With recard to the shaft (18) and in turn by the end opposite the removal cf: the nroduct, it has a retainer claw (19) of the closing docr (20) of the duct (6) by the product outlet end.

The door '11) has a curved extension (24) such that upon the same turning by the user to pick up the removed product its backing to the free end of the door (20) rotating with recard to the shaft (21 is produced, causing the blockina thereof and thus avoiding a possible opening from the outside in order to have access to the products.

Upon inserting coins so that the machine is operated and the removal cperation is carried out, the door (11) must be r)locked, as it may be by the retainer element (2231, f2r wriose detection the micro (22) has been incorporated. This blocking of the door (20) is perfectly observed in figure 4.

The operating of the machine will be the following:

Upon inserting the coins in the insertion inlet (8) si that the macnine is activated, the door (11) has to be blocked, position that the micro (22) detects and upon pressing a push button (10), the corresponding removal element (16) is activated. If said removal element (16) does not have a can (15) positioned, the platform (3) of compartment (2) remains locked to the shaft (26) so that it turns until the first product remains positioned up against the micro (17) detecting the correct position thereof and then the removal element (16) turns.

Upon turning the removal element (16), the product (15) is pulled and in turn the claw (19), deblocking the door (21), permitting the product to come out towards the platform or base of the door (11) located on level with it i 9 this operation being visible by the transparent area (12) of tne door (1l. ) When the product (15) is on the base of the door (11), it is visible by the area (13), and upon the door (11) remainina deblocked, the user:an turn it to pick up the product, turn which causes the blocking of the door (201, by the curved section (24), preventing the user from having access to the duct (6) containing the products.

Thus, the vending macnine is provided with insulation (25) that maintains its temperature.

the embodiment, the compartments (2) In a variant of located eccentrically to the vertical geometric axis of the machine, are placed independently upon each other in the vending machine (1f, constituted by a rotating platform (3 upon which the products (15) to be dispensed are deposited. Said clatform (3) remains connected to the rotating shaft (27) with regard to the structure (28) by means of bearinas (29.) The compartments (2) remain linked to the structure c--" the machine by top longitudinal cross bars (30) and in said compartments a spiral path (6) is formed, likewise, for the products by means of the spiral strip (5), thus the compartments (2) remain totally independent from each other.

Perimetrically to the platform (3) and by its bottom part there is a toothed chain (31), in which a pinion (32) gears, which transmits it the movement from the motor (33.

The toothed chain (31) is formed by the connection of a series of toothed sections, such as those represented in figure 3.

Thus, upon the platform (3) turning, the products (15) deposited on it, advance through the spiral shaped duct, by the strip (5) up to the removal claw (19) which is L shaped and in connection with the wing (34) upon which the products come up against, there is a micro (35) which 1 - 10 - 1 detects the perfect positioning of the product between the winaS of the removal claw (19.) Upon the micrc (35) detecting the perfect positioning of the product (15, between the wings of the L-shaped rem:val claw for the removal thereof, a motor (36) is activated, which displaces the removal claw (19) until the product (15) is placed upon the fixed platform (37), the movement of the platform (3) having been previously stopped.

Upon activating the removal claw (19) along with the produt_-_ (15), the free rotation door (38) is opened, depos:-tina the Droduct on the platform (37.) The run of the removal claw (19) remains limited by two ends of stroke, and thus when the removal claw (19) displaces the product, it turns unti- it comes up against the corresponding end of strcke, that causes the reversal of the rotation moveme:-_ of the motor (36), makina the removal claw (19) return its inoDerative position, 'Limited bv the second end of strcke.

Once the zroduct (15) has been P-a-form t37, and the end of stroke of- _ne directic-n of rotation o- the upon the removal claw (19), so that inoperative position, the door (38) is closed upon being urgea by a spring, which impels it towards the "closed" position.

When the product (15) is on the platform (37) the user operates the outer door (39) to reach it, in such a way that upon turning the door (39) the inner flange (40) of the same comes up against the wing (42) of the cam rotating with regard to the shaft (41,) making the free end of the other wing (43) of said cam be displaced over the inner door (38) preventing the opening thereof, thus avoiding direct access to the products.

In order to faciliate the removal of products of different deposited on the fixed nas caused the reversal motor (33) which acts it returns to its k - 11 shapes and dimensions, _o the removal claw (19) a lengthener (46) which permits removal of larger products is capable of being coupled to it. This lengthener can be coupled bv simple pressure when desired that in its corresponding compartment larger products are deposited, in order to thus facilitate pulling thereof, preventing the product from not being able to be perfectly removed.

Some longitudinal ducts (44) and (45) upon the inner structure thereof have been shaped in the vending machine and thev permit the circulation of cold air close to the outermost products of the spiral run, thus providing a better and quicker cooling due to the fact that these are going to be the first products to be removed.

The machine has a micro which communicates that the i5 same must be loaded as the same contains a low number of products, in order to effect the loading thereof and facilitate the cooling of the newly deposited products.

In order to effect the loadina, the direction of rotation o4- the platorm, 13) is reversed, and thev should 2 G onlv be Dlaced near the removal claw so that the rotation c-f the platform, groups all the products together until tfte entire spiral pati- is filled.

in order to faciliate the filling task of the different compartments (2), in connection with the fixed platforms (37), the machine (-) has a door for access to the same, according to the entire height of the same, thus the user can easily have access to the inner door (38) and thus to the inside of the spiral duct in connection with the removal claw.

t - 12

Claims (1)

1 CLAIMS

1.- Vending machine, being mainly used to dispense soft drink cans, essentiallv characterized by having a general cylindric shape, similar to a soft drink can, having a series of -ompartments (2) the products remaining deposited on platforms (3) capable of turning upon being locked, unitarily and independently to the movement transmitting shaft (26), while a second fixed strip (4) has linked:o it by its bottom surface a spiral strip (5), which forms a spiral duct (6) for advancement of the products towards the outlet through the door (20), it being provided that the removal rotating element itself (16) ends in L, the product to be removed remaining bet ween the wings thereof, a micro (17) detecting its posi tionina and bv its other end it ends in a claw (19) for the blockina of the door (20), with the 1Darticularitv that the frontally positioned door (11) has two transp3rent areas (12 and (13) one on each side of the rotation shaft (14) and whose inner part has a curved extension (24) which dur opening thereof causes the blocking of the door (20) a series of platforms or bases that remain level with rotating platforms (3.) 2.Vending machine, according to claim 1, characterized because the operation of the removal element (16) remains related to the blocking of the door (11) by the retainer (23) the micro (22) detecting said blocking.

3.- Vending machine, according to claim 1, characterized because the machine (1) can dispense any product, independently of its shape and dimensions, which permits location thereof in the spiral duct (6.) 4.Vending machine according to claim 1, charac terized because the vending machine (1) has a general cylindric shape, and inside it a series of compartments (2) indendent from each other and superimposed is defined, which are fixed to the structure of the machine by a pair 1 top longitudinal cross bars (30), said compartments (2) being constituted by a platform (3) connected to a rotation shaft (27) eccentrically positioned to the vertical geometric axis of the machine (1), remaining perimetrically underneath the platform (3) a toothed chain (31) in which a pinion (32) gears which transmits the movement from the motor (33) to it, it being provided that upon said platform (3) where the products (15) are deposited the positioning and path of the same is shaped by a 10 spiral strip (S.) S.- Vending machine, according to claim 4, charac- terized because in correspondence with the product (15) removal outlet, from the respective compartments (2), situated in connection with the larger eccentricity of said is compartments (2) remains a freely opening door (38) by a removal claw (19), upon moving the product towards the fixed platform (37) for picking up by the user, it being provided that the removal claw (19) acts upon the product (15) coming up against a micro (35) which activates the motor (36) transmittina movement to the removal claw (16.) 6.- Vending machine, according to claim 4, characterized because the user has access to the product (15) removed, situated upon the platform (37) through an outer door (39) in such a way upon the latter turning, the inner spring (40) close to the rotation shaft thereof, of said door (39) comes up against the wing (42) of a L-shaped safety cam, whose other wing (43) remains displaceable upon the inner door (38), avoiding a possible handling of the same, in order to have access to the products.

7.- Vending machine substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.