[0001] The present invention refers to a machine dispensing productos to consumers through
an opening on its upper side.
[0002] At present, the existing dispensing machines are designed so that the product goes
out via an opening located at the upper side of same. Since the slot for introducing
coins is arranged in such a position which is comfortable to a consumer, that is to
say, so that he/she can introduce coins without the need to lift his/her arm too much,
it happens that, then, when the product is dispensed through the lower side of the
machine, the consumer is compelled to stoop to pick up the object dispensed, which
means to adopt an uncomfortable enough position.
[0003] In order to overcome this drawback, the dispensing machine has been designed with
the aim of selling directly products, with delivery of same at the upper part of the
machine, with the characteristic that the produt goes out of the machine through the
upper part of same, at the most comfortable height, the body of a person being at
a normal position remaining upright. This means a great comfort to a consumer with
regard to pick up said products, without being compelled to stoop, as it happens at
present with the conventional dispensing machines.
[0004] The product is placed in a channel having adequate size to receive the products to
be dispensed. Each machine can have as many channels as desired in order to dispense
different products.
[0005] In the channel, there is installed a lifting platform on which the products rest,
with a capacity for as many units as admitted by the height of channel or channels.
[0006] The platform moves vertically upward by means of a lifting system which can be hydraulic,
mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or by a combination thereof. Said lifting system
rises the platform every time a product is requested, at a height according to the
position of said product (for example, for a product having 25 mm thickness, the platform
lifting in that moment will be 25 mm.
[0007] Two outlet systems are possible:
A) The platform is installed tilted, which means that the products are tilted in a
same manner, so that when a product arrives at the upper side of the channel, the
product falls per se.
B) The platform is installed horizontal, which means that the products, that, due
to their package, are not flat, when arriving at the upper part of the machine, are
delivered by means of a gear pushing the product toward the outlet.
[0008] The object of the present invention will be better understood through the aid of
the following description made on the basis of a practical example of embodiment.
Said description is made with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
[0009] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the machine which is the object of the present
invention.
[0010] The products are placed piled in a closed channel (1) containing the products so
that they cannot go laterally out of the channel.
[0011] The pile of products rest on a lifting platform (5), which, by means of a conventional
gear, lifts every time coins are introduced, at a height which is equal to that of
the product to be dispensed.
[0012] The channel (1) is open at its upper side (2) so that the products (6), when arriving
at the oulet of the machine, which is controlled by a conventional gear controlling
the height, are dispensed out of the machine by means of other conventional device
(4) pushing the product (6) out of the channel.
[0013] As a second option, the device (4) pushing the product (6) can be omitted if the
supporting platform (5) is placed in a tilted position, since then the products will
fall by gravity.
[0014] Once the nature of the present invention has been described enough, as well as the
way to carry it out in practice, it remains to be said that in its assembly and parts
composing it it is possible to introduce variations in shape, materials and arrangement,
provided that said variations do not substantially change the features of the invention
which are claimed as follows.
1.- A machine for dispensing products with delivery at its upper side, characterized
in that the products are piled in a closed channel containing the products so that
the product cannot' go laterally out of the channel, and the pile of products rests
on a lifting platform which, by means of a conventional gear, lifts, every time coins
are introduced into the machine, a height which is equal to that of the product to
be dispensed, and in that the channel is open at its upper side so that the products,
when arriving at its outlet position, which is controlled by a conventional gear controlling
the height, are dispensed out of the machine by means of other conventional device
pushing the product out of the channel.
2.- A machine for dispensing products with delivery at its upper side, according to claim
1, characterized in that the device pushing the product has been omitted because the
supporting platform has been arranged in a tilted position, so that the packages will
fall by gravity.