Vending machine for dispensing articles having regular shape

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 A1 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.

[0005] Another example of vending machines is disclosed in WO 2006/066371 A1 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.

[0006] 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.

[0007] US 2006/0048112 A1 discloses an automatic vending machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Figures

[0008] 

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

[0009] 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).

[0010] 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).

[0011] 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).

[0012] 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).

[0013] 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

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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).

[0018] 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).

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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, 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) towards the dispensing station (5), a processor means for producing a control signal based on the electrical signal received from a sensor (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'), characterized in that said assembly (27) comprises;
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; and
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).

2. 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).

3. A vending machine (1) according to claim 2 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).

4. 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).

5. 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).

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

7. A vending machine (1) according to claim 6 wherein the product (P) is selected from a cloth, sheet, rug and raincoat which is folded and wrapped into a package.

Ansprüche

1. Verkaufsautomat (1) zur Ausgabe von festen Gegenständen mit einem außenseitigen Abteil (33), das über wenigstens ein innerhalb des außenseitigen Abteils (33) angeordnetes vertikales Gefache (11) verfügt, wobei das Gefache (11) eine Vielzahl von säulenartigen Fächern (10) aufweist, die in dem vertikalen Gefache (11) in Längsrichtung angeordnet und dazu eingerichtet sind, einen Stapel von jeweils übereinander angeordneten Gegenständen (P) aufzunehmen, und mit wenigstens einer Ausgabestation (5) zum Bereitstellen eines Gegenstandes (P') für einen Benutzer, wobei der Automat (1) weiterhin mit einer Antriebsanordnung (27), die horizontal unterhalb des vertikalen Gefaches (11) zum Überführen eines untersten Gegenstandes (P') des Stapels von Gegenständen (P) in Richtung der Ausgabestation (5) angeordnet ist, mit einem Prozessormittel zum Erzeugen eines auf einem von einem Sensor (18) empfangenen elektrischen Signal beruhenden Steuersignals und mit einem Schiebemittel (24) ausgestattet ist, das dazu eingerichtet ist, sich in Abhängigkeit des Steuersignals vor und zurück zu bewegen, wobei das Schiebemittel (24) in horizontaler Richtung (z) unterhalb der Fächer (10) betreibbar ist, wobei das Schiebemittel (24) in einer zurückgezogenen betriebsbereiten Stellung dazu eingerichtet ist, hinter dem unter Einwirken der Schwerkraft von dem jeweiligen Fach (10) heruntergefallenen Gegenstand (P') positionierbar zu sein, und in einer aktivierten Stellung dazu eingerichtet ist, sich entlang einer horizontalen Richtung zu bewegen, bis der Gegenstand (P') in die Ausgabestation (5) überführt worden ist, wobei das Schiebemittel (24) dazu eingerichtet ist, sich in eine rückgezogene Stellung hinter dem unter Einwirken der Schwerkraft von dem jeweiligen Fach (10) heruntergefallenen nächsten Gegenstand (P') zu positionieren, wo ein Sensor (18) den Gegenstand (P') detektiert, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anordnung (27)
eine Anzahl von jedem der Fächer (10) entsprechenden Sensoren (18) zum Detektieren einer Verfügbarkeit eines Gegenstandes (P) in dem Fach (10) sowie zum Erzeugen eines zugehörigen elektrischen Signals und
zwei Flachelemente (40, 41) aufweist, die in horizontaler Richtung (z) und jeweils nebeneinanderliegend angeordnet sind, wobei ein Flachelement (40) die Sensoren (18) aufnimmt sowie das andere (41) das Schiebemittel (24) trägt und wobei das erste Flachelement (40) feststehend sowie das andere (41) dazu eingerichtet ist, aktiviert und durch wenigstens zwei durch einen Antrieb (16) betätigbare Antriebswellen (9) getragen ist.

2. Verkaufsautomat (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Anordnung (27) weiterhin eine in horizontaler Ausrichtung zwischen dem Schiebemittel (24) angeordnete längliche Platte (12) aufweist und wobei die Gegenstände an deren Endbereich gestapelt sind, um die auf die untersten Gegenstände in den Fächern (10) durch die Bewegung des Schiebemittels (24) ausgeübte Reibung zu verringern.

3. Verkaufsautomat (1) nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Platte (12) dazu eingerichtet ist, sich im Betrieb nur in eine rückseitige Richtung (z) derart zu bewegen, dass sie im Betrieb stationär ist und sich zurück bewegt, wenn die Gegenstände (P) in einem Fach (10) ausgegangen sind, um einen freien Fall eines Gegenstandes (P') aus einem nachfolgenden Fach (10) zu gestatten.

4. Verkaufsautomat (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Automat (1) weiterhin über wenigstens zwei an der rückseitigen und vorderseitigen Seitenwand des Gefaches (11) angeordnete Sensoren (17) verfügt, um ein elektrisches Signal zu erzeugen, damit die maximalen Endpunkte der Bewegung des Schiebemittels (24) kontrolliert sind.

5. Verkaufsautomat (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Antriebsanordnung (27) dazu eingerichtet ist, Gegenstände (P') aus Fächern (10) derart aufeinander folgend auszugeben, dass bei Ausgehen des Gegenstandes (P) in einem Fach (10) das Schiebemittel (24) so betrieben ist, dass ein Gegenstand (P') aus einem nächstbenachbarten Fach (10) ausgebbar ist.

6. Verkaufsautomat (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Gegenstände (P) Stoff- oder Lebensmittelgegenstände sind.

7. Verkaufsautomat (1) nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Gegenstand (P) aus einem Textilstück, einem Laken, einem Teppich und einem Wettermantel ausgewählt ist, die jeweils gefaltet und in einer Verpackung untergebracht sind.

Revendications

1. Distributeur automatique (1) permettant de distribuer des produits solides, comprenant une armoire externe (33) comportant au moins un tiroir vertical (11) situé dans ladite armoire externe (33), ledit tiroir (11) comprenant une pluralité de compartiments colonnaires (10) situés longitudinalement dans ledit tiroir vertical (11) et étant adapté pour recevoir une pile de produits (P) empilés les uns sur les autres ; et au moins une station de distribution (5) pour la délivrance d'un produit (P') à un utilisateur, le distributeur (1) comprend en outre un assemblage de propulseur (27) qui s'étend horizontalement au dessous du tiroir vertical (11) pour transférer un produit le plus inférieur (P') de la pile de produits (P) en direction de la station de distribution (5), un moyen de processeur pour produire un signal de commande sur la base du signal électrique reçu depuis un capteur (18), et un moyen de poussée (24) adapté de manière à se déplacer d'avant en arrière, en fonction du signal de commande, ledit moyen de poussée (24) pouvant fonctionner dans une direction horizontale (z) au dessous des compartiments (10), dans lequel, dans une position prêt pour utilisation rétractée, le moyen de poussée (24) est adapté de manière à être positionné derrière le produit (P') qui est tombé par gravité depuis le compartiment respectif (10), et dans une position activée, il est adapté de manière à se déplacer dans une direction horizontale jusqu'à ce que le produit (P') soit déplacé à l'intérieur de la station de distribution (5) ; tandis que ledit moyen de poussée (24) est adapté de manière à revenir par déplacement dans une position rétractée derrière le produit suivant (P') tombé par gravité depuis le compartiment respectif (10) au niveau duquel un capteur (18) détecte ledit produit (P'), caractérisé en ce que l'assemblage (27) comprend :

une pluralité de capteurs (18) correspondant à chacun des compartiments (10) pour la détection de la disponibilité d'un produit (P) à l'intérieur des compartiments (10) et produisant un signal électrique relatif à cette disponibilité ; et

deux plateaux (40, 41) s'étendant dans une direction horizontale (z) et en juxtaposition l'un par rapport à l'autre d'où il résulte qu'un plateau (40) loge les capteurs (18) et l'autre plateau (41) est porteur du moyen de poussée (24) et ainsi, le premier plateau (40) est stationnaire et l'autre plateau (41) est adapté de manière à être activé et supporté par au moins deux arbres d'entraînement (9) actionnés par un moteur (16).

2. Distributeur automatique (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit assemblage (27) comprend en outre une plaque longitudinale (12) alignée horizontalement entre le moyen de poussée (24) et les produits empilés dessus de manière à réduire la friction entre des produits les plus inférieurs dans les compartiments (10) provoquée par un déplacement du moyen de poussée (24).

3. Distributeur automatique (1) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel ladite plaque (12) est adaptée de manière à se déplacer seulement dans une direction vers l'arrière (z) pendant le fonctionnement de telle sorte qu'elle reste stationnaire pendant le fonctionnement et se déplace vers l'arrière lorsque les produits (P) dans un compartiment (10) sont dirigés vers la sortie de manière à permettre une chute libre d'un produit (P') depuis un compartiment suivant (10).

4. Distributeur automatique (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le distributeur (1) comprend en outre au moins deux capteurs (17) situés au niveau de la paroi latérale se déplaçant d'avant en arrière du tiroir (11) afin de produire un signal électrique de manière à commander des points de déplacement d'extrémité maximum du moyen de poussée (24).

5. Distributeur automatique (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit assemblage de propulseur (27) est adapté de manière à distribuer des produits (P') depuis des compartiments (10) de façon séquentielle de telle sorte que lorsque les produits (P) dans un compartiment (10) sont épuisés, le moyen de poussée (24) soit actionné pour distribuer un produit (P') depuis le compartiment suivant adjacent (10).

6. Distributeur automatique (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les produits (P) sont des produits textiles ou alimentaires.

7. Distributeur automatique (1) selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le produit (P) est choisi parmi un vêtement, un textile, une couverture et un imperméable qui est plié et emballé dans un paquet.

Drawing