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(11) | EP 1 855 256 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Gift item dispensing machine and method for dispensing the items using said machine |
| (57) The present invention relates to a gift item dispensing machine and a method for
dispensing the items using said machine. The machine basically consists of an upper
deposit containing the gift items to be dispensed, which are distributed randomly
inside it, and a manual dispenser on the bottom with at least one slot for inserting
coins and an actuation lever for dispensing the items. The present invention is characterised
by having a device that transforms the random distribution of the items contained
in the deposit into an ordered distribution on which the user acts to select the desired
item, which is then dispensed by the machine. |
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a gift item dispensing machine and a method for dispensing the items using said machine. The machine basically consists of an upper deposit containing the gift items to be dispensed, which are distributed randomly inside it, and a manual dispenser on the bottom with at least one slot for inserting coins and an actuation lever for dispensing the items.
[0002] The present invention is characterised by having a device that transforms the random distribution of the items contained in the deposit into an ordered distribution on which the user acts to select the desired item, which is then dispensed by the machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Gift item dispensing machines are available in the market, generally targeted at children, having an upper deposit that can be spherical housing a number of items containing a gift inside them, these items generally consisting of transparent spheres that allow seeing the gift contained in them.
[0004] The drawback of such devices is that the user, generally a child, cannot select the specific item preferred as the machine dispenses the items randomly.
[0005] There are other product dispensing machines, generally for canned products such as soft drinks or nuts, consisting of an upper transparent rotating element in which are placed the cans to be dispensed in vertical rows, allowing to select the product desired by turning the upper deposit.
[0006] The drawback of this configuration is that it requires a greater storage space for a given number of items, with the resulting increased room required by the machine or increased frequency of item refilling.
[0007] The machine disclosed allows overcoming the drawbacks of dispensing machines with items randomly distributed in their deposit by integrating a device that allows transforming said random arrangement of items into an ordered arrangement on which the user may act, allowing to select the desired product. The integration of this device allows maintaining the normally spherical deposit in which the items are distributed randomly, which is very successful among children. Maintaining this deposit is also advantageous because it provides a maximum item storage capacity in a minimum volume, with the corresponding advantages.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to a gift item dispensing machine and a method for dispensing the items using said machine.
[0009] The machine basically consists of an upper deposit containing the gift items to be dispensed, which are distributed randomly inside it, and a manual dispenser on the bottom with at least one slot for inserting coins and an actuation lever for dispensing the product.
[0010] The present invention is characterised by having a device that transforms the random distribution of the items contained in the deposit into an ordered distribution on which the user acts to select the desired item, which is then dispensed by the machine.
[0011] The aforementioned device comprises a transparent rotating and compartmentalised element in which the gift items are placed. The rotating element turns about its axis until the compartment containing the desired object is vertically above the dispensation orifice, then actuating the dispenser lever.
[0012] The device also has means for setting certain preferred positions in the rotation of the revolving part, which correspond to those in which each compartment is placed directly above the dispensation orifice, thereby ensuring a correct dispensation of the product.
[0013] To set in place the aforementioned device, the dispensing machine disclosed has a shaft that crosses vertically the deposit and the device.
[0014] The method for dispensing the gift items using the machine described above is characterised in that, prior to inserting the coin and actuating the dispenser, the item is selected and positioned, and after it is dispensed the free compartment left by the dispensed item is occupied by another item which falls under gravity from the upper deposit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The present descriptive memory is completed by a set of drawings that illustrate the preferred example and in no way limit the invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The present invention relates to a gift item dispensing machine and a method for dispensing the items using said machine.
[0021] The machine basically consists of an upper deposit (1) containing gift items (2) to be dispensed, which are distributed randomly inside it, and a dispenser (4) on the bottom with at least one slot (4.1) for inserting coins and a lever (4.2) that is actuated to dispense the product through an orifice (4.3).
[0022] The machine disclosed is characterised by having a device (3) that transforms the random distribution of the items (2) contained in the deposit (1) into an ordered distribution on which the user acts to select the desired item, which is dispensed by the machine.
[0023] The device (3) is placed between the deposit (1) and the dispenser (4), comprising a transparent element (3.1) which revolves and is provided with compartments (3.1.1) in which the gift items (2) are placed.
[0024] The device (3) has means for setting certain preferred positions in the rotation of the revolving piece (3.1) which correspond to the positions in which each compartment (3.1.1) is placed directly above the orifice (4.3) of the dispenser, thereby ensuring a correct dispensation of the items (2).
[0025] The means that allow to set the preferred positions of the circular piece (3.1) consist, in the preferred embodiment, of an intermediate circular piece (3.2) shown in figure 2, provided on its bottom face with hemispherical recesses (3.2.1) in a number equal to the number of compartments (3.1.1) of the revolving piece (3.1) and provided on its upper part with lugs (3.2.2) with a cross-section complementary of the grooves (3.1.2) of the circular piece (3.1) in which they are inserted.
[0026] Under the intermediate piece (3.2) is a dispenser piece (3.3) with an essentially circular shape that feeds the dispenser (4) of the machine. It has a recess (3.3.1) through which the selected item (2) is dispensed. The dispenser piece (3.3) has hemispherical lugs (3.3.2) complementary of the recesses (3.2.1) of the intermediate piece (3.2) in order to set the preferred positions in the rotation of the revolving piece (3.1).
[0027] Between the revolving piece (3.1) and the intermediate piece (3.2) is a spring (3.2.3), the force of which must be overcome to move from one of the preferred positions of the revolving piece (3.1), determined by the spherical recesses (3.2.1) and the complementary lugs (3.3.2), to the next preferred position.
[0028] The method for dispensing the gift items using the machine described above is characterised in that, prior to inserting the coin and actuating the dispenser, the item is selected and positioned, and after it is dispensed the free compartment left by the dispensed item is occupied by another item which falls under gravity from the deposit.
[0029] The positioning of the selected object comprises the following stages:
- a) Visually finding the desired item (2) in the revolving piece (3.1);
- b) Manually rotating the revolving piece (3.1);
- c) Positioning the compartment (3.1.1) that contains the desired item (2) vertically above the orifice (4.3) of the dispenser (4).
1. Gift item dispensing machine, comprising a deposit (1) in which a number of gift items
(2) are randomly distributed and a device (4) for inserting coins and supplying the
gift items (2), characterised in that it has a device (3) that transforms the random distribution of the gift items (2)
contained in the deposit (1) into an ordered distribution on which the user acts to
select the desired item (2), which is then dispensed by the machine.
2. Gift item dispensing machine, according to claim 1, characterised in that the device (3) comprises a transparent and compartmentalised (3.1.1) revolving piece
(3.1) in which the gift items (2) are placed.
3. Gift item dispensing machine, according to claim 1, characterised in that the device (3) comprises a lower dispenser piece (3.3) with a recess (3.3.1) for
dispensing the gift item (2).
4. Gift item dispensing machine, according to claim 1, characterised in that the device (3) has means for setting preferred positions in the rotation of the revolving
piece (3.1).
5. Gift item dispensing machine, according to claim 4, characterised in that the means for setting preferred positions in the rotation of the revolving piece
(3.1) consist of an intermediate piece (3.2) between the revolving piece (3.1) and
the dispenser piece (3.3) that is provided on its upper face, coinciding with the
circular piece (3.1), with lugs (3.2.2) that engage complementary grooves (3.1.2)
of the circular piece (3.1).
6. Gift item dispensing machine, according to claim 5, characterised in that the bottom face of the intermediate piece (3.2) has spherical recesses (3.2.1).
7. Gift item dispensing machine, according to claim 6, characterised in that the number of recesses (3.2.1) is the same as the number of compartments (3.1.1)
of the circular piece (3.1).
8. Gift item dispensing machine, according to claims 3 and 7, characterised in that the dispenser piece (3.3) has hemispherical lugs (3.3.2) complementary of the recesses
(3.2.1) of the intermediate piece (3.2) for setting the preferred positions in the
rotation of the circular piece (3.1).
9. Gift item dispensing machine, according to claim 5, characterised in that between the revolving piece (3.1) and the intermediate piece (3.2) there is a spring
(3.2.3) the elastic force of which must be overcome to move from one of the preferred
positions of the revolving piece (3.1) to another preferred position.
10. Gift item dispensing machine, according to claim 1, characterised in that it has a shaft (5) that crosses vertically both the deposit (1) and the device (3)
to fix their position.
11. Gift item dispensing machine, according to claim 10, characterised in that the shaft (5) is attached on its top by a nut (5.1).
12. Method for dispensing gift items using the gift item dispensing machine, characterised in that prior to inserting the coin and actuating the dispenser the desired item (2) is selected
and positioned, and after it is dispensed the compartment that is left free is occupied
by another item (2) that falls under gravity from the deposit (1).
13. Method for dispensing gift items using the gift item dispensing machine according
to claim 12, characterised in that the positioning of the gift item (2) comprises at least the following stages:
a) Visually finding the desired item (2) in the revolving piece (3.1);
b) Manually rotating the revolving piece (3.1);
c) Positioning the compartment (3.1.1) that contains the desired item (2) vertically above the orifice (4.3) of the dispenser (4).