An automatic vending machine for packaged products

Abstract

 An automatic vending machine for packaged products, in particular for packages (2) such as bottles, is described and comprises a storage chamber for packages which are stacked on top of one another in a plurality of columns (6) arranged side by side, and means for moving the packages (2) sequentially to a dispensing opening (10) of the vending machine. The movement means comprise conveyor means (9) movable transverse the stacking axes of the columns (6) and acting on the packages (2) which are at the bottoms of the columns (6) and are arranged in alignment in the transverse direction, in order to move the row of packages (2) at the bottom towards the dispensing opening (10). Retaining means (15) are independently associated with each column (6) and movable sequentially between a first operative position of interference with the packages (2) of the corresponding column (6) in order to restrain the column, and a second, non-interfering operative position in which the packages (2) of the corresponding column (6) are supplied onto the conveyor means (9) by falling and are consequently moved towards the dispensing opening (10) as a result of the movement of the conveyor means (9) in the transverse direction.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic vending machine for packaged products according to the preamble to the main claim.

[0002] The invention has been devised particularly but not exclusively for the automatic vending of packages such as bottles (or cans) for drinks and beverages in general, but may equally well be applied to vending machines for packaged products of different shapes and sizes, which are typically supplied from a storage magazine to a dispensing opening by falling. Bottles will therefore be referred to in the following context by the generic term "package".

[0003] A first known type of automatic vending machine comprises storage magazines formed as inclined chutes along which the packages are caused to roll by gravity towards a lower opening in the region of which means are provided for moving them to a dispensing opening of the vending machine. These vending machines generally permit only partial optimization of the storage space and have not been found particularly effective in dispensing packages of shapes other than truly cylindrical shapes since these do not generally permit dispensing by rolling of the package towards the dispensing opening.

[0004] A second known type of vending machine provides for column-like storage magazines arranged side by side in which the packages are stacked on top of one another. These vending machines generally require quite complex means for moving the packages of an entire column sequentially to a dispensing position or for moving each package of the corresponding column to the dispensing opening in sequence.

[0005] A main object of the invention is to provide an automatic vending machine which is designed structurally and functionally to have an increased storage capacity for a given volume available, whilst simplifying the structure and components of the means for moving the packages to the dispensing opening.

[0006] Another object is to provide a vending machine which can house packages, in particular such as bottles of different shapes, whilst ensuring the same degree of dispensing reliability and efficiency.

[0007] Yet another object is to produce an automatic vending machine with a large storage capacity and with low production costs.

[0008] These and other objects are achieved by the invention by means of an automatic vending machine formed in accordance with the appended claims.

[0009] The characteristics and the advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a partially-sectioned, perspective view of an automatic vending machine according to the invention,
• Figure 2 is a partially-sectioned, perspective view of a detail of the vending machine of Figure 1,
• Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a detail of Figure 2,
• Figure 4 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 3, showing the vending machine in a different operative condition,
• Figures 5 to 12 are schematic side elevational views showing the vending machine of the preceding drawings in the sequence of stages of its operation, on an enlarged scale.

[0010] In Figure 1, an automatic vending machine for packages 2 such as bottles, is generally indicated 1. The vending machine 1 comprises, in a single housing 3, a storage chamber with one or more column-like magazines 4 defined by a plurality of parallel walls 5 spaced apart uniformly and defining compartments for forming and holding respective columns 6 of packages in a stacked condition. The packages 2, such as bottles, of the same column are stacked in contact and bearing on one another with mutual contact between their lateral surfaces, as shown in the appended drawings.

[0011] The pairs of walls 5 defining each magazine are connected by a rear surface 7 and carry, on the side remote from the rear, a pair of lipped profiles 8 for restraining the bottle-type packages stacked up inside the corresponding magazine.

[0012] The vending machine 1 also comprises conveyor means, generally indicated 9, for moving the packages 2 to an open dispensing opening 10 in the housing 3. The means comprise a conveyor 11 disposed beneath the magazines 4 and movable transverse the vertical stacking axes of the columns 6. This transverse direction is identified by the arrow F of Figure 2, the direction of which represents the direction of forward movement of the conveyor 11 towards the dispensing opening 10, which is substantially perpendicular to the vertical stacking axes of the columns 6.

[0013] As will become clearer from the following description, the conveyor means 9 act on packages 2 which are at the bottoms of the columns 6 and are arranged in alignment along the direction of forward movement F, in order to move this row of packages, which are indicated 2a for clarity, towards the dispensing opening 10.

[0014] The conveyor 11 is of the endless-loop type and comprises a plurality of abutment elements 12 extending transverse the direction of forward movement and arranged at regular intervals around the loop. In greater detail, the conveyor comprises a chain transmission 13 extending around the loop and engaged on opposed toothed wheels (not shown), at least one of which is driven. Two passes 11a, 11b are identified in the conveyor; in the first pass 11a, each of the abutment elements 12 acts on a respective package 2a of the bottom row, whereas the second pass 11b is not active.

[0015] The abutment elements are preferably formed by plates 14 extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of forward movement and each carrying a portion 14a for attachment to the conveyor chain. Each attachment portion 14a is guided for moving in sliding contact on a pair of profiles 14b, 14c which are elongate in the direction of forward movement F and constitute bearing surfaces for the row of packages 2a.

[0016] Also provided in the vending machine 1 are retaining means, generally indicated 15, which are associated independently with each column 6 of packages, except for the column disposed at the end remote from the dispensing opening 10, and the function of which will become clear from the following description. The retaining means comprise, for each column 6, a blade-like member 16 articulated to the base of the corresponding magazine 4. Each blade 16 is articulated about an articulation axis substantially perpendicular to the vertical stacking axes of the columns and is movable between a first operative position of interference with the packages 2 of the corresponding column for the restraint thereof, and a second, non-interfering operative position in which the packages 2 of the corresponding column 6 are supplied onto the conveyor 11 by falling in order consequently to be moved towards the dispensing opening 10 as a result of the movement of the conveyor in the direction of forward movement F. The blade 16 provided in the position farthest from the opening 10 is shown in the first and second operative positions in Figures 3 and 4, respectively.

[0017] It is also pointed out that each blade 16 is held in the first operative position by interference with the packages 2a present at the bottom of the corresponding column 6 and is moved to the second operative position in the absence of packages 2a present beneath it at the bottom of the corresponding column. In practice, in the first operative position, each blade 16 is interposed between the package 2a which is present at the bottom of the column and is disposed on the conveyor 11 and the package 2 immediately above it in the same column 6, and is pivoted to the second operative position when, as a result of the partial emptying of the column by the advance of the conveyor, there is no package 2a present beneath the blade.

[0018] All of the magazines 4 and the blades 16 associated therewith are formed identically and only one of the blades will therefore be described in detail. The blade 16 has a substantially U-shaped configuration in plan with a pair of opposed arms 16a, 16b connected by a transverse portion 16c, by means of which it is articulated at the base of the corresponding column 6. The shape of the blade is such that, in the second operative position, each of the plates 14 of the active pass of the conveyor passes between the arms 16a, 16b of the pivoted blade without interference during the movement of the conveyor (Figure 4).

[0019] It should also be noted that, in the second operative position, each blade 16 is inclined to the vertical stacking axis of the corresponding column with a positioning such that it remains within the projection in a plane of the compartment defining the column-like magazine with which it is associated (Figure 4). The function of this inclined positioning of the blade will become clear from the following description.

[0020] With particular reference to Figures 5 to 11, the vending machine operates as follows. For greater clarity of explanation, the columns of packages arranged side by side are indicated 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, ..., 6i, starting from the column formed in the position farthest from the dispensing opening 10.

[0021] In an initial condition, shown in Figure 5, all of the magazines 4 are loaded by the stacking of packages 2 and the formation of the respective columns 6a-6i. Moreover, the row of packages 2a is arranged at the bottom of the columns, each package 2a being positioned on the conveyor 11 between pairs of adjacent plates 14 on the active pass 11a of the conveyor. Starting from this condition of maximum storage of packages, the row of packages 2a is delivered sequentially to the opening 10 by the operation of the conveyor in the direction of forward movement F, gradually emptying the column 6a, as shown in Figure 6. During this stage, the blades 16 of the columns 6b-6i are kept in the first operative position in which they restrain the respective columns, owing to the interference with the bottom packages 2a moved by the conveyor. When the top package 2 of the column 6a (indicated by hatching the drawings) reaches the bottom position, beneath the column 6c, the blade 16 associated with the column 6b is pivoted to the second operative position, since there is no longer a package beneath it. As a result, the entire column 6b is supplied to the conveyor by falling and is moved towards the opening 10 as a result of the forward movement of the conveyor, as shown in sequence in Figures 7 and 8. When the top package 2 of the column 6b (indicated by crossed hatching) passes beyond the bottom position beneath the column 6c, the blade 16 associated with this column is pivoted, thus enabling the packages 2 of the column 6c to be supplied to the conveyor and delivered sequentially through the opening 10. This stage is shown in Figures 9 and 10. It can thus be seen that the blade retaining members 16 of each column 6b-6i are moved sequentially to the second, pivoted operative position as a result of the emptying of the respective columns 6a - 6h adjacent thereto and disposed upstream with reference to the direction of forward movement F of the conveyor. All of the columns 6a-6i are thus emptied as a result of this forward movement of the conveyor, starting with the column 6a farthest from the dispensing opening 10. An intermediate stage corresponding to complete emptying of the columns 6a-6e and partial emptying of the column 6f is shown in Figure 11.

[0022] The dispensing of the columns in sequence is continued in the manner indicated above until the last column 6i located in the position closest to the dispensing opening 10 (Figure 12) is complete, thus completing the emptying of the entire storage chamber.

[0023] During operations to refill the column-like magazines of the chamber, the pivoted positions of the blades 16 oblige the operator to position the packages 2a after pivoting the respective blades 16 to the first operative position, thus permitting correct loading and stacking of the packages 2 in columns in accordance with the initial configuration of Figure 5.

[0024] The invention thus solves the problem posed, affording many advantages over known solutions.

[0025] A first advantage lies in the fact that the vending machine according to the invention advantageously permits the dispensing of packages such as bottles of any shape, irrespective of whether they have circular or polygonal bases. Each package is in fact moved in the vending machine with translational movements along the vertical stacking axis and in the transverse direction of forward movement of the conveyor means, respectively- In particular, the distributor can equally well and just as efficiently dispense packages such as bottles of different shapes, for example, with circular or square bases.

[0026] A second advantage is that the vending machine of the invention advantageously enables storage capacity to be maximized by improved utilization of the space available inside the storage chamber in comparison with known solutions.

[0027] Another advantage lies in the simplified design of the means for moving the packages, with a consequent reduction in overall size and improved dispensing reliability.

Claims

1. An automatic vending machine for packaged products, in particular for packages (2) such as bottles, comprising: a storage chamber for the packages which are stacked on top of one another in a plurality of columns (6) arranged side by side, and means for moving the packages (2) sequentially to a dispensing opening (10) of the vending machine, characterized in that the movement means comprise conveyor means (9) movable transverse the stacking axes of the columns (6) and acting on the packages (2) which are at the bottoms of the columns (6) and are arranged in alignment in the transverse direction, in order to move the row of packages at the bottom towards the dispensing opening (10), retaining means (15) being independently associated with each column (6) and movable sequentially between a first operative position of interference with the packages (2) of the corresponding column in order to restrain the column, and a second, non-interfering operative position in which the packages (2) of the corresponding column are supplied onto the conveyor means (9) by falling and are consequently moved towards the dispensing opening (10) as a result of the movement of the conveyor means (9) in the transverse direction.

2. A vending machine according to Claim 1 in which the retaining means (15) are held in the first operative position by interference with the packages present at the bottom of the corresponding column and movable by the conveyor means, and the retaining means (15) are moved to the second operative position in the absence of packages at the bottom of the corresponding column.

3. A vending machine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which, in the first operative position, the retaining means (15) of each respective column (6) are interposed between the package (2) which is present at the bottom of the column and disposed on the conveyor means (9) and the package immediately above it in the same column.

4. A vending machine according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the retaining means (15) of each column (6) are moved to the second operative position sequentially, as a result of the emptying of the column (6) adjacent thereto and disposed upstream with reference to the direction of forward movement of the conveyor means.

5. A vending machine according to one or more of the preceding claims in which, as a result of the movement of the conveyor means (9) towards the dispensing opening (10), the columns (6) of packages are emptied sequentially, starting from the column in the position farthest from the dispensing opening (10) in the transverse direction.

6. A vending machine according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the retaining means (15) comprise, for each column (6) of packages, a respective blade (16) mounted pivotably at the bottom of the column and pivotable between the first and second operative positions.

7. A vending machine according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the conveyor means (9) comprise at least one conveyor (11) carrying a plurality of abutment elements (12) extending transverse its direction of forward movement, each of the abutment elements (12) acting sequentially on a respective package (2) which is at the bottom of the corresponding column (6) in order to move it to the dispensing opening (10).

8. A vending machine according to Claim 7 in which the conveyor (11) is of the endless-loop type in which the abutment elements (12) are arranged at regular intervals around the loop.

9. A vending machine according to Claim 8 in which the loop of the conveyor (11) comprises a first pass (11a) in which the abutment elements (12) act on the packages (2) at the bottom of the respective columns (6), and a second, inactive pass (11a).

10. A vending machine according to Claim 8 or Claim 9 in which the conveyor (11) comprises a chain transmission (13) which extends around the endless loop and to which the abutment elements (12) are fixed at predetermined intervals.

11. A vending machine according to one or more of Claims 7 to 10 in which the abutment elements (12) are formed by plates (14) arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of forward movement of the conveyor.

12. A vending machine according to one or more of Claims 6 to 11 in which each of the blades (16) is substantially U-shaped in plan with a pair of opposed arms (16a, 16b) connected by a transverse portion (16c) by means of which it is articulated at the bottom of the corresponding column (16), the configuration of the blade (16) being such that, in the second operative position, each of the plates (14) passes between the arms of each pivoted blade (16) without interference, as a result of the forward movement of the conveyor (11).

13. A vending machine according to Claim 6 or Claim 12 in which, in the second operative position, each blade (16) associated with the corresponding column (6) is inclined to the vertical stacking axis of the column with a positioning such as to remain within the projection in a plane of the column associated therewith.

14. A vending machine according to Claim 10 in which the chain (13) of the transmission is engaged on a pair of toothed wheels disposed at the opposite ends of the passes of the loop, at least one toothed wheel being driven in order to move the conveyor (11) in the direction of forward movement.

Drawing