Automatic drink dispensing machine

Abstract

 The invention relates to an automatic machine for dispensing drinks in containers (22), particularly cans, equipped with drum distributors (25) each of which having at least one cavity (27) designed to contain, at least partially, an individual container or can (22); the distributors (25) are arranged near the outlet (23) of the container tanks (21) and are connected to actuating means (30 + 33), designed to move the distributors (25) from the loading position of the associated container or can to the discharge position thereof from the machine.

Description

1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic machine for dispensing drinks preserved in individual containers, particularly cans, and which is equipped with tanks arranged in a refrigerating chamber designed to house said containers and is equipped with rotating distributors designed to deliver said containers on command.

2. Prior art

[0002] There are presently on the market small and large automatic machines capable of dispensing drinks preserved in individual containers such as bottles and cans when activated by the insertion of tokens or coins in a compartment designed for the purpose.

[0003] The small machines are used particularly for dispensing drinks preserved in cans and generally include in a refrigerating chamber a number of tanks consisting of serpentine channels capable of supplying by gravity the cans arranged in a row therein, and distributors consisting of star wheels which form four pairs of forks each of which is capable of receiving the can at the end of the row and, on command, complete a rotation to deposit it on the outlet conveyor.

[0004] The shaft of the distributors is controlled by an electric ratiomotor which is energized at each phase of delivery for a period of time necessary to rotate a pair of forks by one step corresponding to one rotation of one fourth of a round angle.

[0005] The majority of these automatic machines are also equipped with intrusion proof bulkheads arranged between the distributors and the outlets from the conveyors.

[0006] Distributors of this type have various drawbacks such as the rather complex construction, the critical operating conditions due to eccentric impacts to which they are subject when the forks receive the container or can to be delivered, and the adverse environment in which they operate, i.e. the refrigerating chamber, the noisiness of the loading and unloading operations of a container or can by the forks.

3. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is an automatic drink dispensing machine which would be simpler, more reliable and quieter than the present ones.

[0008] Another object of the invention is a particularly compact machine, especially as regards width.

[0009] In view of said objects there has been developed an automatic machine characterized in that it comprises at least one distributor consisting of a substantially cylindrical body having at least one cavity designed to contain at least partially an individual container or can for drinks, said substantially cylindrical body being arranged near the outlet of at least one tank housing said containers or cans and being operatively connected to actuating means designed to move it on command from the loading position, with said cavity turned toward the outlet of said tank, to the discharge position with said cavity turned toward the outlet from said machine and vice versa.

[0010] In accordance with a preferred solution, the body of said distributor consists of at least one rotating drum equipped with at least one substantially semicylindrical cavity and advantageously said drum is supported in a rotating manner in the machine in such a manner that its outer shell is in contact with the edges of the outlet from said machine.

[0011] In accordance with another preferred solution said actuating means comprise a ratiomotor arranged eccentrically in relation to said rotating drum and capable of driving said drum through a belt.

[0012] The proposed machine represents a considerable improvement compared to the known ones in particular due to its simple, functional and reliable construction, which reduces the need for frequent overhaul and maintenance operations.

4. Detailed description of the invention

[0013] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will now be described with reference to annexed FIGS. 1-4 which show as a nonlimiting example a preferred embodiment of said invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an automatic drink dispensing machine,

FIG. 2 shows a cross section view along plane of trace II-II of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows in enlarged scale some details of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 4 shows a front view in enlarged scale of the details of FIG. 3.

[0014] In FIGS. 1 and 2 reference number 10 indicates as a whole the automatic drink dispensing machine for drinks preserved in special containers and preferably cans.

[0015] The machine 10 which is small is equipped with a front panel 11 in which are made three cans outlets 12.

[0016] On said panel 11 there are arranged three pushbuttons 13 for selection of the type of drink desired and nearby three warning lamps 14 which light up when the tank of the associated drink is empty; there is also a board 15 with the slot 16 for introduction of tokens or coins, a push button 17 for return of tokens or coins, and a cup 18 where the returned tokens or coins are discharged.

[0017] Beneath the outlets 12 is arranged a tray 19 for collection of the containers or cans in which the drinks are preserved. Inside the machine 10 there is a refrigerating chamber, visible in FIG. 2, where it is indicated by reference number 20; the components of the refrigerating system are not shown, because known.

[0018] In the chamber 20 there are arranged three tanks of known type consisting of serpentine channels such as the one indicated by reference number 21 in FIG. 2 and which are capable of feeding by gravity the cans 22 arranged in a row therein.

[0019] Opposite to the outlet section 23 of the tank 21 there is arranged a rotating distributor indicated as a whole by reference number 25, comprising a drum body indicated by reference number 26. In the drum body 26, which is preferably of plastic, is made a cavity indicated by reference number 27 and substantially of semicylindrical form designed to contain a can 22 as shown also in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0020] With the drum 26 is integral a shaft 24 supporte in a rotating manner in the machine 10 opposite to the outlet 12 in such a manner that said drum 26 with its partially cylindrical outer shell, indicated by reference number 29, is in contact with the edges of the outlet 12 and closes it tightly when it is in the loading position with the cavity 27 turned toward the outlet 23 of the tank 21.

[0021] As shown also in FIGS. 3 and 4 with the shaft 24 there is fixed a toothed gear 30 which is rotated by the gear 31 through the toothed belt 32; the gear 31 is in turn rotated through the shaft 28 by a ratiomotor indicated as a whole by reference number 33 and visible in FIG. 4, and which is operated by a direct current motor. The ratiomotor 33, which is not shown in detail, because known, is eccentric in relation to the drum 26 and is arranged on the front of the machine 10, behind the panel 11.

[0022] The ratiomotor 33 also rotates a wheel 34 having notch 35 and the periphery of which is in contact with the feeler pin 36 of a microswitch 37 which connects the direct current motor of the ratiomotor 33 to a power supply, not shown. Said motor is connected in parallel to said power supply through a timing switch, not shown, because known, and operated by the insertion of coins through the slot 16 of the panel 11 and by selection of the desired drink by means of one of the pushbuttons 13.

[0023] In the machine 10 for each of the other outlets 12 there are provided an associated tank 21 for the cans 22, an associated rotating drum distributor 25 and an associated ratiomotor 33.

[0024] When the drum distributor 25 is in the loading position with the cavity 27 turned toward the outlet 23 of the tank 21, the last can 22 in the row falls due to gravity into said cavity 27. By insertion of coins in the slot 16 and selection of the desired drink through one of the pushbuttons 13, the timed switch which feeds power to the direct current motor of the rationmotor 33 is closed for a predetermined period of time; the latter through the gears 30 and 31 and the belt 30 rotates the drum distributor 25 and simultaneously through the wheel 34 and the feeler pin 36 closes the microswitch 37, which continues to feed the direct current motor of the ratiomotor 33, when the timed switch opens.

[0025] The drum distributor 25, while rotating, moves to the discharge position with the cavity 27 turned toward the outlet 12, and drops the can 22 contained in the same cavity 27 into the collection tray 19 and then returns to the loading position, where it remains safely, because the feeler pin 36, which remains in contact with the periphery of the wheel 34, simultaneously penetrates the notch 35 and opens the microswitch 37 to interrupt feeding of power to the motor of the ratiomotor 33.

[0026] The drum distributor 25 while rotating remains with its outer shell 29 in contact with the edges of the outlet 12 and exerts a sealing effect on the refrigerating chamber 20.

[0027] Said drum distributor 25 when in loading position obstructs the outlet 12, preventing tampering and unauthorized entry into the interior of the machine 10.

[0028] The machine 10 is particularly advantageous, because it is provided with a single element, the drum distributor 25, which is capable of performing a plurality of functions such as the delivery on command of cans 22, sealing the outlet of the machine and protection from tampering and intrusion in improper attempts to take said cans.

Claims

1. Automatic machine for dispensing drinks preserved in individual containers, particularly cans, comprising, in a refrigerating chamber, at least one tank designed to house said containers or cans and at least one distributor capable of delivering on command an individual container or can, said machine being characterized in that said at least one distributor (25) consists of a substantially cylindrical body (26) having at least one cavity (27) designed to contain at least partially an individual container or can (22) and said substantially cylindrical body (25) being arranged near the outlet (23) of said tank (21) and being operatively connected to actuating means (30 + 33) designed to move it on command from the loading position, with said cavity (27) turned toward the outlet (23) of said tank (21), to the discharge position, with said cavity (27) turned toward the outlet (12) from said machine and vice versa.

2. Machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said at least one distributor (25) consists of a drum body (26) having at least one substantially semicylindrical cavity (27).

3. Machine in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said drum body (26) is supported in a rotating manner in said machine in such a manner that its outer shell (29) is in contact with the edges of an outlet (12) from said machine.

4. Machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said actuating means (33) comprise a ratiomotor arranged eccentrically in relation to said distributor (25) and capable of driving it through a toothed belt (30).

5. Machine in accordance with claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said drum body (26) is made of plastic.

Drawing