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Patent 2187120 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2187120
(54) English Title: SLIDING SHELF FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINE
(54) French Title: TABLETTE COULISSANTE POUR DISTRIBUTRICE DE BOISSONS
Status: Dead
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • B67D 1/00 (2006.01)
  • B67D 1/08 (2006.01)
  • B67D 3/00 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • PLOURDE, DONALD G. (Canada)
(73) Owners :
  • PLOURDE, DONALD G. (Canada)
(71) Applicants :
  • PLOURDE, DONALD G. (Canada)
(74) Agent: THERIAULT, MARIO D., P.ENG.
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(22) Filed Date: 1996-10-04
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 1998-04-04
Examination requested: 1996-10-04
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract






A beverage vending machine having a sliding shelf for supporting
thereon one or more beverage containers. Folding legs are provided under the
shelf for supporting the weight of the shelf when the shelf is in an extended
position. The deployment and retraction of the legs is effected by a pair of
pantograph actuators, coincidently with a movement of the shelf when the
shelf is within a minimal distance from the extended position.


French Abstract

Distributeur automatique de boissons doté d'une tablette à glissière pouvant supporter un ou plusieurs récipients à boisson. Des pieds pliables sous la tablette servent à supporter son poids lorsqu'elle est en position sortie. Le déploiement et la rétraction des pieds sont commandés par une paire d'actionneurs de type pantographe, simultanément avec un mouvement de la tablette à une distance minimale de la position sortie.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.




CLAIMS

I claim:
1. A beverage vending machine for distributing water, milk, fruit
flavoured drinks or the like to clients, comprising:
a tall rectangular upright cabinet with a closable opening on a front
side thereof, said cabinet containing a plurality of beverage
containers, beverage dispensing equipment connected to said
beverage containers and control means connected to said
equipment for controlling an operation thereof,
a first shelf mounted inside a lower portion of said cabinet for
supporting one or more of said beverage containers, said first
shelf being movably guided by a pair of extendable track
means mounted inside said cabinet, said first shelf being
movably guided along a horizontal plane through said
opening, from a retracted position with an entire surface
thereof being enclosed within said cabinet to an extended
position with a major portion thereof projecting outside said
cabinet;
said first shelf further comprising folding leg means mounted under
a front portion thereof, said folding leg means being movable
from a folded position under said first shelf to a deployed
position extending to a floor surface near a base of said
cabinet for supporting a weight of said first shelf when said
first shelf is in said extended position.







2. A beverage vending machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
folding leg means comprises actuation means for deploying said
folding leg means coincidently with a movement of said first shelf
when said first shelf is within a minimal distance from said
extended position.

3. A beverage vending machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein a
deployment of said folding legs is a circular motion about a
horizontal axis perpendicular to a direction of movement of said
first shelf.

4. A beverage vending machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said
minimal distance is about one third a span between said retracted
position and said extended position.

5. A beverage vending machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein said
circular motion is opposite a direction of movement of said first
shelf.

6. A beverage vending machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein a
relative movement between a lower end of said folding leg means
and a point on said floor surface is about one twelfth a span
between said retracted position and said extended position.

7. A beverage vending machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein said
major portion of said shelf is said entire surface thereof.

8. A beverage vending machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one
or more of said containers is four jugs having each a volume of 5
U.S. gallons.


11





9. A beverage vending machine as claimed in claim 8 further
comprising a second shelf above said first shelf and said plurality of
beverage containers comprises at least two 5 U.S. gallon jugs on
said second shelf.

10. A beverage vending machine as claimed in claim 9 further
comprising refrigeration equipment mounted in an upper portion of
said cabinet above said second shelf.

11. A beverage vending machine for distributing water, milk, fruit
flavoured drinks or the like to clients, comprising:
a tall rectangular upright cabinet with a closable opening on a front
side thereof, said cabinet containing a plurality of beverage
containers, beverage dispensing equipment connected to said
beverage containers, and control means connected to said
equipment for controlling an operation thereof;
a first shelf mounted inside a lower portion of said cabinet for
supporting one or more of said beverage containers, said first
shelf being movably guided by a pair of extendable track
means mounted inside said cabinet, said first shelf being
movably guided along a horizontal plane through said
opening, from a retracted position with an entire surface
thereof being enclosed within said cabinet to an extended
position with said entire surface thereof projecting outside
said cabinet,



12





a pair of folding legs mounted under a front portion of said first
shelf for supporting a weight of said first shelf when said
first shelf is in said extended position, said pair of folding
legs being articulated about a horizontal axis perpendicular
to a movement of said first shelf;
each of said folding legs being connected to a pantograph actuator
having a link member, a lever and a cam plate having a
continuous groove therein and being rigidly mounted inside
said cabinet; said lever having a first end thereof pivotally
connected to said first shelf and a second end thereof being
movably enclosed in said groove, said link member being
pivotally connected at a first extremity thereof to an
intermediate point between said first and second ends of said
lever and at a second extremity thereof, to one of said pair of
folding legs at a nominal distance from said horizontal axis;
whereby upon movement of said first shelf, a displacement of said
second end of said lever along said groove relative to said
first shelf is translated into a corresponding displacement of
said folding leg, for articulating said leg between an
uppermost horizontal position and a deployed vertical
position.

12. A beverage vending machine as claimed in claim 11 wherein said
groove comprises a horizontal segment joining a U-shaped segment
near said closable opening.

13. A beverage vending machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein said
first shelf is movable over a distance of about twenty-four inches
and a length of said horizontal segment is about sixteen inches.


13





14. A beverage vending machine as claimed in claim 13 wherein a reach
of said legs is about six inches, whereby a relative movement
between a lower tip of said leg and a point on said floor surface
during a deployment of said leg is about two inches.

15. A sliding shelf for supporting containers in a beverage vending
machine or the like,
said sliding shelf having a rectangular planar surface with a front
portion, rear portion and side portions, comprising along said
side portions a pair of extendable track means attachable to
spaced apart parallel vertical surfaces for movably guiding
said shelf along a horizontal plane from first position to a
second position;
said first shelf further comprising folding leg means mounted under
said front portion, said folding leg means being extensible
from a folded horizontal position to a deployed vertical
position extending downwardly toward a floor surface near
a base of said beverage vending machine or the like, for
supporting a weight of said shelf when said shelf is in said
second position.

16. A sliding shelf as claimed in claim 15 wherein the folding leg means
comprises actuation means for deploying said folding leg means
coincidently with a movement thereof within a minimal distance
from said second position.

17. A sliding shelf as claimed in claim 16 wherein a deployment of said
folding legs is a circular motion about a horizontal axis
perpendicular to a direction of movement thereof.



14




18. A sliding shelf as claimed in claim 16 wherein said minimal
distance is about one third of a span between said first position and
said second position.

19. A sliding shelf as claimed in claim 17 wherein said circular motion
is opposite a direction of movement thereof.

20. A sliding shelf as claimed in claim 19 wherein a relative movement
between a lower end of said folding leg means and a point on a floor
surface near a base of said beverage vending machine or the like is
about one twelfth a span between said first position and said second
position.





Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


2187~20
TITLE: SLIDING SHELF FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSING
MACHINE


FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a sliding shelf for a beverage dispensing
m~rhine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sliding shelf
with folding legs which are actuated to and fro between a retracted position
and a deployed position coincidently with the respective movement from
5 the ext~n~ing and retracting of the shelf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of di~erenl types of beverage dispensing machines are
connected to a supply of fresh water and have several containers of
concentrated syrup of different fruit flavours. When a fruit drink is
10 selected by a customer, by activating an applopliate push button for
example, a measure of fresh water is automatically mixed with a measure
of syrup to produce the selected drink. The fruit drink is then dispensed
into a cup accessible to the client.

All subterranean water contains minerals and other chemical
15 substances and compounds which are soluble in the water and affect its
taste. Therefore, the taste of a fruit drink from the beverage dispenser in
one location may differ from the taste of the same named drink purchased
from a dispenser connected to a differently located water well. For this
primaty reason, beverage caterers prefer to sell pre-mixed beverages made
20 with distilled water and having a consistent taste upon which a market
response can be reliably monitored, and a good repulalion can be
established.


2l87l2o

Beverage dispensing m~çhines for selling pre-mixed beverages are
relatively voluminous in size in order to house a variety of beverage
containers, each having a relatively large capacity. A common size of
beverage c(mt~iner has a volume of 5 U.S. gallons (18.9 litres), and weighs
5 in excess of 42 pounds when full. Therefore it can be a difficult task to
some persons to handle these cnnt~in~rs into and out a beverage dispensing
machine.

In this respect, a number of prior art beverage dispensers are
equipped with a sliding shelf for supporting the beverage containers. For
example, U.S. Patent 3,949,902 issued on April 13, 1976 to Frank B.
Thompson describes a sliding shelf for supporting four inverted bottles.
The shelf is movable from a retracted position inside the cabinet of the
a~lus to an çxt.ontle~ position where the bottles can be easily replaced.
Similarly, C~n~ n Patent 1,121,772 issued on April 13, 1982, to Bostrom
15 et al. describes a miL~ dispenser having a sliding shelf for supporting two-
20 litre milk packages.

The beverage dispensing m~hin~s of the above-described examples
have a relatively low center of gravity, whereby the loading of the shelf in
the extended position is not detrimental to the stability of the apparatus.
Beverage dispensing m~hines of the modern type, however, have
a tall rectangular shape with dimensions of as much as can afford the
overall clearance of a standard commercial doorway. The center of gravity
ofthese m~hin~s is therefore relatively high as co~ .ared to the aforesaid
25 prior art al)paralus. Moreover, in some machines, the refrigeration
compressor and motor is mounted in the upper region of the dispenser's
cabinet. This has the effect of raising the center of gravity of the m~chine
even further u~w~rd.

2187120
,

For these reasons, the sliding cantilever shelves of the prior art,
although convenient to manipulate heavy beverage containers, would
become a safety concern if installed on modern dispensers having a high
center of gravity. An ~ ;onal overloading of the shelf in the ext~nded
5 position could cause a tall machine to tip forward and fall toward the
person tçn(ling it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, however, there is provided a beverage
vending m~rlline having a sliding shelf with folding legs for supporting the
10 weight of the shelf when the shelf is in an extended position.

ln one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage
vending m~ine for distributing water, milk, fruit flavoured drinks or the
like to clients, comprising of a tall rect~n~ r upright cabinet with a
closable opening on a front side thereof. This cabinet contains a plurality
15 of beverage containers, beverage dispensing eqnipment connected to the
beverage containers and control means connected to the equipment for
controlling the operation of the machine.

The beverage vending machine further has a first shelf mounted
inside a lower portion of the cabinet for supporting one or more beverage
20 containers. This shelf is movably guided by a pair of extendable track
means mounted inside the cabinet. The first shelf is movably guided along
a horizontal plane through the opening of the cabinet, from a retracted
position with an entire surface thereof being enclosed within the cabinet to
an extended position with a major portion thereof projecting outside the
25 cabinet.

218712o


The first shelf has folding legs mounted under a front portion
thereof. The legs are movable from a folded position under the first shelf
to a deployed position extending to a floor surface near a base of the
cabinet for supporting the weight of the first shelf when the first shelf is in
S the extended position.

A first advantage of the sliding shelf of the present invention is that
beverage cont~inprs are replaced safely even when the center of gravity of
the beverage vending m~çhine is relatively high. The first shelf is
positively braced against any inadvertent downward forces thereon, when
I o a beverage container needs to be pushed into a collar socket for example.

In accordance to another aspect of the present invention, each
folding leg comprises a pantograph actuator for deploying the leg in a
circular motion about a horizontal axis perpendicular to a direction of
movement of the first shelf, wherein the circular motion is opposite the
15 movement of the first shelf. The deployment and folding of the leg by the
pantograph actuator is further effected coincidendy widh a movement of the
first shelf when the first shelf is within a minim~l distance from the
extended position. Therefore, the folding leg of the beverage vending
machine of the present invention does not cause excessive friction on dhe
20 floor when the shelf is moved to and from dhe ext~n(led position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS

The plefelled embodiment of the present invention will be further
understood from the following description, with reference to the drawings
in which:

2187120

Figure 1 is a perspective view of t_e beverage vending machine of
the plerelled embodiment;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the beverage vending m~chine of
the ~l~relled embodiment with the bottom door opened and the
sliding shelf in the fully extended position;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the sliding shelf of the plerelled
embodiment;

Figure 4 is a cross-section view of the beverage vending machine
along line 4-4 in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of Detail 5 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is also a cross-section view of the beverage vending
machine showing the sliding shelf in an intermediate position
between a fully extçn-led position and a retracted position;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of Detail 7 in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is further a cross-section view of the beverage vending
machine showing the sliding shelf in the fully retracted position,
with dashed lines showing the fully extended position;

Figure 9 is another cross-section view of the beverage vending
m~l~hine showing an alternate embodiment of a folding leg having
a caster on a lower end thereof.

Figure 10 is across-section through the entire height of the beverage
vending m~chine of the plerelled embodiment.

21 871 20
'


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With referènce to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the beverage vending m~çhine
20 of the ~ rell~d embodiment has one or more doors 22 giving access to
an inside col~ llent 24. An upper portion 26 of the vending m~hine 20
5 preferably contains the refrigeration unit, such that the inside compartment
24 remains free for accommodating cup dispensing equipment 28, drink
dispensing eql~ipment 30, coin handling equipment 32, and for storing a
number of containers 34 of milk, water, and pre-mixed beverages.

The lower portion of the inside com~ ent 24 comprises a sliding
10 shelf 36 which is movable on tracks 38 form a retracted position inside the
compartment 24 to an extçntled position as illustrated in Figure 2. The
sliding shelf 36 has a pair of legs 40 articulated in a folded position under
the shelf and in a deployed position as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The legs 40 have sufficient reach for supporting the weight of the
15 shelf in the ~xt~on~le-l position, and for preventing a condition of instability
of the vending machine 20 when heavy loads such as jugs 34 full of
beverage are placed on the shelf 36.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 8, the folding legs 40 are pivoted on
a pair of first bracket members 42 about an axis 44 which is horizontal and
20 perpendicular to the direction of movement of the shelf 36. Each leg 40 is
articulated about axis 44 by a pantograph actuator.

2187120
-


Each pantograph actuator has a link member 46 connected at a first
end thereof to a respective folding leg 40 by means of a first pivot joint 48.
A second end of each link member 46 is cormected to an int~rrnediate
position on a lever 50 by means of a second pivot joint 52. A first
5 ~A~ y of the lever 50 is pivotally connPcte~ to a second bracket member
54 under the sliding shelf 36 by means of a third pivot joint 56.

Each pantograph actuator further comprises of a cam plate 58
mounted inside the co~ llent 24, below the guide rail 60 supporting the
track 38, on the same side of the enclosure 24 as the pantograph actuator.
10 The cam plate 58 has a horizontal groove 62 extending along a substantial
greater portion thereof. The horizontal groove 62 connects with a
U-shaped groove 64 in the foremost portion of the cam plate 58. The
second t;AIlell~ily of each lever 50 is enclosed into the groove 62,64 and is
adapted for movement there along.
When the sliding shelf 36 is in an extended position, as illustrated
in Figures 4 and 5, the second end of the lever 50 is held captive inside the
foremost arm of the U-shaped groove 64. The folding legs 40 are thereby
held in a vertical position as illustrated in Figure 4, for supporting the shelf20 36.

Referring now particularly to Figures 6 and 7, there is illustrated
therein a best mode of operation of the folding legs 40 of the sliding shelf
36 of the plerelled embodiment. Upon a movement of the sliding shelf 36
in a retracting direction as indicated by arrow 66, the second or lower end
25 of lever 50 is forced into the bottom portion of the U-shaped groove 64.
This causes the link member 46 to push against the folding legs 40 to pivot
the legs 40 about axis 44 and toward a retracted position.

218712U


The retractive movement of the shelf 36 causes each lever 50 to
rotate about pivot joint 56 until the lower end thereof reaches a point where
it can slide into the horizontal groove 62. At this point, the leg 40 is in a
fully retracted position parallel to the shelf 36, as illustrated in Figure 8.

The length and position of the above-described bracket members
42,54, link members 46, levers 50 and cam plates 58 are delç....il-ed such
that the legs are actuated in a supporting position as quickly as possible
when the sliding shelf 36 reaches a fully exten~e-l position.

In this regard, a pl~relled length of a horizontal groove 62 as shown
10 as label 'A' is of about sixteen inches when the sliding shelf 36 extPn~lc
over a distance 'B' of about twenty-four inches. Concullelllly, a preferred
reach 'C' of the legs 40 is about six inches.

This arrangement of the pantograph ac~l~tor and the above prerelled
dimensions is particularly efficient in that the relative horizontal
15 displacement of the lower end of the legs 40 and a point on the floor in
front of the dispenser is only about two inches, when the shelf moves
through the foremost eight inches of its travel. The described arrangement
ensures that the folding legs 40 are deployed and retracted with ~il~i
dragging on the floor.

The ~u~,~ol~lg of ~e shelf is effected only when the shelf is nearing
a fully extPn~e~ position. This is further particularly advantageous wherein
the supporting of the shelf is only needed when full jugs 34 are placed on
it. The attçn(l~nt servicing this m~hine can support the foremost edge of
the shelf 36 when pushing the shelf back inside the compartment 24,
thereby avoiding any security problem at that time.


2187120

An alternate embodiment of the folding legs 40 of the present
invention is illustrated in Figure 9. Each folding leg 40 has a caster 68
mounted on a lower end thereof. In this ~ltPrn~te embol1iment each leg 40
is preferably deployed when the sliding shelf is near a mid-point of its
5 travel. Consequently, a U-shaped groove 70 is preferably positioned
between two hon70nt~l segment~ 72 and 74, of subst~nti~lly equal length.
In this ~lt~rn~te embol1iment the folding legs 40 support the sliding shelf
36 over a longer distance than with the previously described preferred
embodiment. In this respect, it will become a~alenl to the persons skilled
10 in this art that the respective length of horizontal segment.c 72 and 74 can
be varied to accommodate a deployment of legs 40 at a location to suit a
particular installation.

Referring now to Figure 10, the beverage vending m~.hine 20 of
the prerelled embodiment having the sliding shelf 36 of the present
15 invention can easily accommodate up to si7~ jugs 34; four of which are
placed on the sliding shelf 36 and the other two are supported on a top
shelf 76. Each of these jugs 34 can be replaced safely without in~~ g
rl-Jlllw~rd tilting forces to the m~chine.

While the above description provides a full and complete disclosure
20 of the preferred embodiment of this invention, various modifications,
~lt~om~te constructions and equivalents may be employed without departing
from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve
alternate m~tçri~l~, components, structural arrangements, sizes,
constructions re~ s or the like. Therefore, the above description and the
25 illustrations should not be constlued as limiting the scope of the invention
which is defined by the appended claims.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(22) Filed 1996-10-04
Examination Requested 1996-10-04
(41) Open to Public Inspection 1998-04-04
Dead Application 2000-10-04

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
1999-10-04 FAILURE TO PAY APPLICATION MAINTENANCE FEE
1999-12-09 R30(2) - Failure to Respond

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Request for Examination $200.00 1996-10-04
Application Fee $0.00 1996-10-04
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 1998-10-05 $50.00 1998-09-14
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
PLOURDE, DONALD G.
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Cover Page 1998-04-14 1 39
Cover Page 1999-09-30 1 39
Cover Page 1997-02-13 1 14
Abstract 1997-02-13 1 14
Description 1997-02-13 9 358
Claims 1997-02-13 6 189
Drawings 1997-02-13 4 149
Representative Drawing 1998-04-14 1 11
Prosecution-Amendment 1999-06-09 2 3
Assignment 1996-10-04 5 173
Fees 1998-09-14 1 41