Vending machine for dispensing articles having regular shape

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a vending machine (1) comprising an outside cabin (33), vertical drawers (11), compartments (10), and an impeller assembly (27) accommodating a plurality of sensors (18) for detecting presence of product (P) in a compartment (10), and a pushing means (24) disposed to move the product (P') through a dispensing station (5).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic vending machine which is suitable for dispensing products having regular shape which products are stacked up on top of each other in vertical lines. More particularly, the invention relates to a vending machine for delivery of a pile of articles stored and stacked within the machine which articles are sequentially got ready to be dispensed by gravity with the help of a horizontally operated impeller assembly.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Vending machines are well known at the present time. These machines are preferred by commercial companies to sell their products because of their highly accessible business model that enables more people to reach to these machines. Therefore, it has long been a challenge in the vending machine sector to provide improved mechanism with low cost and minimum of complexity while providing proper functioning.

[0003] Working principle of these machines is generally based on delivering commodities after receiving money (notes or coins) or receiving a credit card or a pre-paid card. However, their internal mechanism or the commodities they sell can be varied. The most common mechanical system used in vending machines is made with a spiral rack, with the products placed between its coils. The spiral turns in its own axle moved by an engine placed in one of its ends, moving the products in line to the opposite end, where the first product of the line falls through a passageway that leads to the exit compartment where the user picks up the product.

[0004] A vending machine of the kind that delivers flexible items is disclosed in EP 2378495 Al wherein several compartments are arranged on top of each other to accommodate a plurality of products. This machine comprises an assembly for picking up and transferring the product on a compartment towards the dispensing station. The said pickup and transfer assembly comprises at least one pair of elements for gripping said product to be picked up. Another example of vending machines is disclosed in WO 2006/066371 Al wherein the machine exhibits a battering ram moved by a handspike which is attached to a movement engine. The products in this machine are held in a vertical line and by the action of the engine, the handspike moves the battering ram that hits the first product in the bottom of the storage vertical line and so the product is removed from the base falling to the collection area. The battering rams as in the aforementioned document however bring about high complexity and very low level of reliability for the system because each of the vertical piles require its own ram, and these rams are formed in a very sensitive articulated form which are open to deterioration after a certain time.

[0005] US 4 273 253 A discloses an automatic vending machine for cylindrically-shaped product items wherein a movable rack board is disposed opposite one sidewall of the rack housing. Product supporting members are provided opposite one another on the rack board and sidewall. To vend a product item, the product supporting member moves vertically together with the movable rack board which is moved vertically from the time instant when the levels of the members become the same as those of the members.

Brief Description of the Figures

[0006] 

Figure 1 shows a representative view of the vending machine (1) whose door (2) is in opened position and the vertical drawer (11) is drawn forth.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the vertical drawer (11) from an aspect.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the vending machine (1) from an aspect.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the impeller assembly (27) bearing the sheets (40, 41), that is actuated by an engine (16).

Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention is concerned with a vending machine (1) for dispensing of solid products, comprising an outside cabin (33) having at least one vertical drawer (11) situated in said outside cabin (33), and at least one dispensing station (5) for delivery of a product (P') to the intended user. Said drawer (11) comprises a plurality of columnar compartments (10) situated longitudinally in said vertical drawer (11), and is adapted to receive a pile of products (P) stacked up on top of each other. The machine of the present invention further comprises an impeller assembly (27) lying horizontally underneath the vertical drawer (11) for transferring the product (P') towards the dispensing station (5). Said assembly (27) comprises a plurality of sensors (18) corresponding each of the compartments (10) for detection of product (P) availability within the compartments (10) and said sensors (18) produce an electrical signal depending on an existence of a product (P) in the respective compartment (10). The machine (1) comprises also a processor means for producing a control signal based on the electrical signal received from the sensors (18). Comprised is also a pushing means (24) adapted to move back and forth depending on the control signal, and it is operable in horizontal direction (z) underneath the compartments (10). In retracted ready to use position, the pushing means (24) is adapted to be positioned behind the product (P') fallen by gravity from the respective compartment (10), and in an activated position, being adapted to move along horizontal direction until the product (P') is displaced into the dispensing station (5). Said pushing means (24) is also adapted to move back to a retracted position behind the next product (P') fallen by gravity from the respective compartment (10) where a sensor (18) detects a product (P'). Thereby, the machine (1) of the present invention enables to dispense products (P) from compartments (10) sequentially such that when the products (P) in a compartment (10) are run out, the pushing means (24) is operated to dispense a product (P') from the next adjacent compartment (10).

[0008] In preferred embodiments impeller assembly (27) mentioned above comprises two sheets (40, 41) lying in horizontal direction (z) and being in juxtaposition one another, whereby one sheet (40) accommodates the sensors (18) and the other (41) bears the pushing means (24), and whereby the first sheet (40) being stationary and the other (41) is adapted to be activated and supported by at least two drive shafts (9) actuated by an engine (16).

[0009] In a preferred embodiment also a longitudinal plate (12) is provided in horizontal alignment in between the pushing means (24) and the products (P) stacked on top of it so as to reduce friction on lowermost products (P') in the compartments (10) caused by movement of the pushing means (24). Said plate (12) is preferably adapted to move only in backward direction (z) during operation such that it stays stationary during operation and moves back when the products (P) in a compartment (10) are run out so that to allow free fall of a product (P) from a subsequent compartment (10).

[0010] Yet in preferred embodiments is provided at least two sensors (17) located at the back and forth sidewall of the drawer (11) to produce an electrical signal so as to control maximal end points of movement of the pushing means (24).

[0011] The vending machine (1) according to the present invention is very suitable to dispense textile products such as cloths, sheets, rugs and raincoats which are folded and wrapped into a package. The machine (1) is also very suitable do deliver food products that can be packaged into a regular shape.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0012] The present invention is disclosed in more detail with reference to different embodiments hereinbelow. The invention is mainly directed to a vending machine (1) which is used for delivery of products (P) particularly of having regular shape and being stacked up on top of each other in a compartment (10). The phrasing "regular shape" within the context of the present inventions refers to a three dimensional geometric shape conventionally known in the art that is having a number of corners resembling a triangle, rectangle, pentagon etc., or alternatively a cylindrical or conical shape as commonly known. Packaging of the products (P) may constitute the aforesaid regular shape. For instance, where the product (P) to be dispensed is a cloth, sheet, rug, raincoat, or similar textile material, these can be folded a number of times and wrapped with a packaging so as to have a particular shape such as a geometry similar to rectangular prism. The invention is however not limited to the particular shape of the vended product (P') as it may have any shape suitable to vertically move along the compartment (10) by gravity.

[0013] This vending machine (1) of the present invention, comprises a typical outside cabin (33), at least one station (5) for dispensing and picking-up a product (P'), which can be accessed from the outside, and at least one vertical drawer (11), which is arranged within said cabin (33) to accommodate a plurality of collateral compartments (10) for the products (P) which are stacked up on top of each other.

[0014] Referring to Fig. 1, the typical outside cabin (33) of the vending machine (1) protects the machine elements inside as well as the products (P). The machine (1) inside may be divided into several vertical drawers (11). Said vertical drawers (11) are also divided into several collateral compartments (10) longitudinally in which the products (P) are stacked up on top of each other. These compartments (10) may be open at their top, bottom and two sides for ease of placing the pile of products (P). One of the said vertical drawers (11) is drawn forth from the cabin (33) at the direction of axis (z) in Fig. 1. Each drawer (11) has at least a wheel (15) to ease the pulling operation on a guide rail (28) when the compartments (10) are filled at the direction of vertical axis (y). This guide rail (28) is situated under the vertical drawer (11) such that to allow the wheel (15) to move on it when the drawer (11) is moved at the direction of axis (z) to allow the compartments (10) to be filled with pile of products (P). Additionally, a leg (8) may be provided under the front side of the guide rail (28) which supports the drawer (11) to stand straight.

[0015] Referring to again Fig. 1, the cabin (33) structure can be provided with a door (2) that is hinged about a vertical axis (y) and located at the front, and the dispensing station (5) is defined on the door (2).

[0016] According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a cash register cabin (4) on the door (2) above the dispensing station (5), of the type of a conventional programmable processor, not shown in detail, where the payments are received and collected. Also, an electric cabin (3) may be arranged above the cash register cabin (4), for instance at the upper part of the door (2).

[0017] Referring to Figure 2 together with Figure 3, a vertical drawer (11) structure is shown separately from the outside cabin (33). The vertical drawer (11) comprises an impeller assembly (27) lying longitudinally beneath the said vertical drawer (11) for transferring the product (P') situated at the bottom of the compartments (10). The quantity of the products (P) in said compartments (10) as shown in the drawings is poorly representative as it can be variable depending on the size of the products (P) as well as of the compartments (10). The vertical drawer (11) comprises at least two compartments (10) collaterally arranged within the said drawer (11). In preferred embodiments as shown in the drawings, however a plurality of collateral compartments (10), e.g. six compartments can be arranged within a drawer (11). In addition, the vending machine (1) may comprise at least one, and preferably a plurality of vertical drawers (11). As an example, five drawers (11) can be arranged within the vending machine (1) as shown in Fig. 1. According to the product (P) size, the quantity of the product (P) in the machine (1) can be changeable because there is preferably no shelf in the compartments (10). The products (P) are stacked up on top of each other.

[0018] The impeller assembly (27) for transferring the product (P') to the dispensing station (5) has preferably two sheets (40, 41) in juxtaposition one another which surround two drive shafts (9) situated bilaterally, wherein one of the drive shafts (9) is close to the front portion of the assembly (27) and the other (9) is close to the back portion of the assembly (27). In figure 4 is shown an impeller assembly (27) of the above type wherein the first sheet (40) bearing the sensors (18) is shown but the other sheet (41) is not shown for simplicity. In this preferred embodiment a gap is provided inbetween these sheets (40, 41). The first sheet (40) is arranged to be stationary such that it does not move at all when the product (P') is transferred whereas the said product (P') is actually moved by motion of the second sheet (41) which is moved by the drive shafts (9) actuated by the engine (16). In other words, drive shafts (9) have no connection with the first sheet (40) mentioned above.

[0019] A plurality of sensors (18) is located on the first sheet (40) so as to be under the each compartment (10) for being able to detect presence of the product (P') in a compartment (10). As may be appreciated, there is at least one sensor (18) for each of the compartments (10) for detecting the presence of products (P). The product (P') to be delivered in due course falls on the sensor (18) by gravity so that this sensor (18) may set the engine (16) in motion. Preferably, an engine sprocket (19) between engine connection body (20) and reduction gear (26) is actuated by the engine (16). A chain (23) co-rotates with the engine sprocket (19) and shaft sprocket (22). The second sheet (41) starts to move by turning of the back shaft (9). In addition, there is a pushing means (24) having a predefined thickness on these sheets (40, 41) for moving the product (P') stood on a sensor (18) toward the dispensing station (5). Said pushing means (24) is only adhered to the second sheet (41) but it slides also on the first sheet (40) which indeed stays stationary under the compartments (10). When the second sheet (41) starts moving, the pushing means (24) on it moves the product (P'), which fell on the sensor (18) by gravity before, forward for picking up from the station (5). After dropping the product (P') in the dispensing station (5), the pushing means (24) moves backward. When the next product (P') falls on the sensor (18), the pushing means (24) stops moving backward. If any product (P') does not drop on the corresponding sensor (18) of a particular compartment (10) the pushing means (24) moves backward more until any product (P') falls front of it. This process is repeated for each product (P') to be delivered. There may be also additional sensors (17) for detecting the movement of the pushing means (24). One is at the front sidewall of the drawer (11) in alignment with the pushing means (24) to see its movement. The other one is at the back sidewall of the drawer (11) in alignment with the pushing means (24). When the front sensor (17) sees the pushing means (24), it stops movement of the said means (24) forward. Similarly, when the back sensor (17) does not see the pushing means (24), it stops movement of the means (24) backward.

[0020] Referring again to Figure 2 together with Figure 3, there is provided a plate (12) lying longitudinally between said pushing means (24) and the bottom of said vertical drawer (11) to protect the undermost products (P') within the compartments (10) from erosion caused by friction while the pushing means (24) moves backward and forward. This plate (12) only moves backward, when the pushing means (24) moves backward for changing the compartment (10). The regressive plate (12) is kept in the back space (25) of the cabin (33), and can only be brought forward while the compartments (10) are filled.

[0021] As shown in the figures, the pushing means (24) can be formed in a track like structure having individual shoes with a certain thickness, that are placed and adhered on the second sheet (41) as described above. In operation, each sensor (18) of the corresponding compartment (10) is adapted to produce a signal as to availability of at least one product (P') in the respective compartment (10). Therefore, there is provided also a processor means (not shown) to receive an electrical signal from said sensors (18) and to produce a control signal for correctly positioning the pushing means (24). Depending on the said signal, positioning of the pushing means (24) is arranged such that it is moved backward behind the product (P') fallen from the respective compartment (10) in a ready to push position. When a sensor (18) does not detect a product (P') within the corresponding compartment (10), the pushing means (24) is moved further backwardly in horizontal direction (z) until the next compartment (10) where a product (P') is detected. By way of this backward movement, the lowermost product (P') of the next compartment (10) falls in front of the pushing means (24) by gravity, and this process goes on sequentially until the sensors (18) detect no product within the compartments (10). Then the machine (1) can be adapted to deliver products (P') from the next drawer (11). It could however be appreciated by those skilled in the art that each drawer (11) or a group of drawers (11) can be reserved for a different kind of product (P), for example products (P) of different types, colors, quantities or sizes.

[0022] Further advantages and aspects of the invention shall be apparent from the explanations above and exemplary drawings appended to the present description.

Claims

1. A vending machine (1) for dispensing of solid products, comprising an outside cabin (33) having at least one vertical drawer (11) situated in said outside cabin (33), said drawer (11) comprising a plurality of columnar compartments (10) situated longitudinally in said vertical drawer (11), and being adapted to receive a pile of products (P) stacked up on top of each other; and at least one dispensing station (5) for delivery of a product (P') to a user, characterized in that; the machine (1) further comprises an impeller assembly (27) lying horizontally underneath the vertical drawer (11) for transferring a lowermost product (P') of the pile of products (P) toward the dispensing station (5), said assembly (27) comprising a plurality of sensors (18) corresponding to each of the compartments (10) for detection of product (P) availability within the compartments (10) and producing an electrical signal pertaining thereto; a processor means for producing a control signal based on the electrical signal received from the sensors (18), and a pushing means (24) adapted to move back and forth depending on the control signal, said pushing means (24) being operable in horizontal direction (z) underneath the compartments (10) wherein, in retracted ready to use position, the pushing means (24) is adapted to be positioned behind the product (P') fallen by gravity from the respective compartment (10), and in an activated position, being adapted to move along horizontal direction until the product (P') is displaced into the dispensing station (5); whereas the said pushing means (24) is adapted to move back to a retracted position behind the next product (P') fallen by gravity from the respective compartment (10) where a sensor (18) detects said product (P').

2. A vending machine (1) according to claim 1 wherein the impeller assembly (27) comprises two sheets (40, 41) lying in horizontal direction (z) and being in juxtaposition one another, whereby one sheet (40) accommodates the sensors (18) and the other (41) bears the pushing means (24), and whereby the first sheet (40) being stationary and the other (41) is adapted to be activated and supported by at least two drive shafts (9) actuated by an engine (16).

3. A vending machine (1) according to claim 1 wherein said assembly (27) further comprises a longitudinal plate (12) aligned horizontally in between the pushing means (24) and the products stacked on top of it so as to reduce friction on lowermost products in the compartments (10) caused by movement of the pushing means (24).

4. A vending machine (1) according to claim 3 wherein said plate (12) is adapted to move only in backward direction (z) during operation such that it stays stationary during operation and moves back when the products (P) in a compartment (10) are run out so that to allow free fall of a product (P') from a subsequent compartment (10).

5. A vending machine (1) according to claim 1 wherein the machine (1) further comprises at least two sensors (17) located at the back and forth sidewall of the drawer (11) to produce an electrical signal so as to control maximal end points of movement of the pushing means (24).

6. A vending machine (1) according to claim 1 wherein said impeller assembly (27) is adapted to dispense products (P') from compartments (10) sequentially such that when the products (P) in a compartment (10) are run out, the pushing means (24) is operated to dispense a product (P') from the next adjacent compartment (10).

7. A vending machine (1) according to claim 1 wherein the products (P) are textile or food products.

8. A vending machine (1) according to claim 7 wherein the product (P) is selected from a cloth, sheet, rug and raincoat which is folded and wrapped into a package.

Drawing