Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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1 VENDING MACHI~E
O~JEC'r` OF THE INVENTION
As is expressed in the title of the present speciflca-
tion, the following invention consists of a vending machine,
being mainly used to dispense products contained in cylin-
dric vessels and which is automatically operated by the
user introducing coins. Likewise, it may dispense products
of any shape and slze, as long as the measurements thereof
do not exceed the maximums permitted by the shape itself
Of the machine.
Thus, the vending machine has a general cylindric shape,
similar to that of a can of a soft drink, and inside the
same there is a series of horizontal compartments so that
the products rest on a rotating platform and are led bv a
spiral linked to a fixed platform, the produc-t being removed
by two successive operations, the first by the pulling of
the selected product by the remover itself, towards the
corresponding platform linked to the door operated bv the
user for the removal thereof, and the second by the opera-
tion of the latter and the removal of the product.
In a second embodiment, for the removal of the product,the platform base on which the products are deposited is
operated turnably , by means of a motor, whose drive shaft
transmits the movement to a pinion that gears with a toothed
chain linked to the platform base.
The products are led in spiral upon the platform base
turning, until the first product ready for removal comes
- up against a micro that drives a motor that moves a removal
claw at the same time that the platform base stops.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
-
Among vending machines of soft drink cars with a general
rectangular prismatic form which are coin operated, we can
cite those where in the bottom of the structure in which
the cans are deposited, there is a motor so that the cans
fall on some cavities of the same which upon turning
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1 causes the can to come out.
~pon the remover being constituted with the ~ite~
motor, there is a reduction of space tha~ causes less roo~
for cans in the vending machine.
Another type of vending machines of soft drink cans
consists of a series of compartments ln whicn the car~ a-e
piled vertically. They rest on each other on the sid~--
surface, in other words, they remain in a transversal
position, the bottom being positioned by a strip that
extends beyond the side on which the can rests preventing
the same from dropping.
In order to remove the can, the side strip on which
the bottom can rests retracts permitting the free fall there-
of and once again it returns to its position to prevent the
next can from dropping.
The removal of cans in the describec manner causes
the product to be shaken, thus upo~ openlng the can the
contents spravs out and besides, products of a sha?e tha~
is not cylindric cannot be dispense~.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The expending machine that is described in t~e present
speclfication has a general cylindric shape similar to that
of a soft drink can, having in the bottom part thereof the
cooling motor.
The machine has in the bottom part the different com-
partments in which the products are placed, which remain
deposited on a rotating platform and which are led upon
the platform rotating through a spiral duct whose limit-
ing strip is joined to the top fixed platform.
Upon the outlet of the spiral duct remains the
removal element itself, which will operate upon pushing
the corresponding push button to choose the product.
Said remover is provided with a micro to detect the
product to be removed, in such a way that upon rotating
for the removal of the product it permits the release of
1 fr-ee rotating door, placlng the product or~ t~ correspond-
ing piatform that has the door oDerated h~7 t':* user ts
have access to the chosen product,
The cited free rotating door that separates the
platform where the products are deposited Irom the
collection base is urged by the actlon of a sprlng that
propels it to the lnop-rative position, in other words,
to the closed position.
Once the remover is in its inoperative position block-
1~ ing free rotating door of access to the inside of theproduct positioning duct, the user can turn the ol~ter
transparent door wlth the selected product on the corres-
ponding platform, in such a way that said door has with
regard to its inner part a curved arm that upon turning
likewise blocks the inner free rotating door.
For the perfect operation of the machine for the
removal operation and that there cannot be access to the
inside thereof during said operation, the outer door has
a micro that detects its perfect closing, for the operation
2~ thereof after blocklng of the same.
The product removal claw is L-shaped and in connection
with it there is a micro that upon coming up against it,
the product to be dispensed, gives the order to a motor
so that it is activa-ted and causes the rotation of said
removal claw. The run of the removal claw remains limlted
by two ends of stroke, in such a way that one of them,
specifically the expulsion one, causes the reversal of the
direction of rotation of the motor that activates it.
The selection push buttons remain aligned vertically
on the front part of the machine close to the outer rota-
ting door. This outer rotating door, close to its center
part, has two transparent areas one on each side of said
rotation shaft, permitting by one of them the visualisation
of the product removal operation, and by the other the pro-
duct on the platform of the outer door.
1 l'his embodiment D rmits the product to be dispensedto have an~ sha~e and slze, as long as said dimensions are
smaller than that of tne spiral duct e~istlng for placement
and ducting of the products upGn the platlorm on which they
are placed rotatlng.
Each one of -.hese rotatlng p]atforms will remain, or
the rotatlon thereof, locked to the shaft that the corres-
ponding motor transmlts movement to it.
In a specific embodlment of the inventior:, instead
1~ of having a sole shaft o~ tae rotatlng platforms, to which
the platform corresponding to the selected product remains
locked when it is to be removed, this is made in such a
way that each one of the rotating platforms of the compart-
ments has, perimetricallv a toothed crown in which a pinion
1~ linked to the drive shaft of a small motor that transmits
movement to it is geared.
Given that the ~lfferent compar,~ents remain situated
slightly off center from the vertical geometric axis of
the cylindrlc machlne and by the slde o,~ grea~er eccentrl-
Clty, removal of the cans is produced, wlth a variation inthe embodiment, some _lxed platforms can remain in line
with the rotating platforms where the products are depositeu,
upon which the dispensed product lS deposited, until the
user picks it up.
In this case, when the product has been dispensed,
it remains on the platform base which the user has access
to upon opening an outer door that turns to~ards the inside.
The cited product access door, rotating towards the
inside of the machine, has near its rotation axis, a pro-
jection towards the inside that acts upon a cam that pro-
duces the blocking of the product outlet door towards
the collection platform base.
Thus, when the product is ready to be picked up by
the user, the outer door will open upon being activated
by means of an inner spring on the cam, blocking the
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1 inner door ~voiding access to the products.
To pre;-ent the user from having access to the inside
thereof during the operation time of the removal claw, when
ne tr1es to open the outer door, a micro which blocks the
removal operations operates.
In order to compiement the description that is going
to be made hereinafter and fo~- the purpose of providing
a better understandlng of the features thereof, the pre-
sent specificatlon is accompanied by a set of drawings in
whose figures, the most significant details of the inven-
tion are represented in an illustrative and non-restrictive
manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ OF THE FIG~RES
Figure 1.- It shows a raised view of the cylindric
vending machine of its front part in which one observes
the vertically allgned selection push buttons and the
outer door with its two transparent areas.
Figure 2.- It shows a sectioned raised view of the
vending machine with the shape o, a soft drink can, show-
2C ing the different compartments for the positioning of the
products, with the rotatlng platform for placement of the
same and the fixed platform to which the helicoidal
strip that forms the duct in a similar way to lead the
products for their removal links.
Figure 3.- It shows a sectioned view according to
a transveral section, in which one observes the helicoidal
strip, the insulating wall and the removal element in its
outermost position, a can having been removed and the
outer door being blocked up.
Figure 4.- It shows a sectioned view according to a
transversal section similar to the one of the previous
figure, in which the helicoidal strip, the insulating wall ,
t h e removal element in its inoperative position again
and the outer door to enable one to pick up the product,
at the same time that the inner door is blocked up, are
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1 observed
Flgure ~.- Its shows a detailed Vl ew of the remover
itsel. in lts lnoperative position, showing how a product
csntact~ with the micro of the rem^val element which in
tur- blocks the inner free rotation door once it has been
~b~o~keà, and the outer door blocked, contacting with the
mlc~-o detectlna th~ position of the latter.
Figure 6.- It shows a view of the different compart-
ments o_ the vending mach:.ne, with the rotation shaft and
1~1 t~.^ platforms where the products are deposited, independent
from eacA other, tc ~hose platforms the toothed chain links
for operation thereof as well as the spiral strip which
forms the path to be followed by the products until their
rem~al.
1~ Figure /.- It shows a detailed view of the rotation
sha~t linked to the rotating platform where the products
are deposited, accoraing to the embodiment of figure 6.
Figure 8.- It shows a plan view of one compartment
of the vending machine, according tO the embodiment o~
2~ figure 6, ln which the spiral strip, the longitudinal
cross bars fastening the structure of the machine and the
removal and pick1ng up mechanisms of the product are
observed.
Figure 9.- It shows a detailed view of the product
removal mechanisms, according to the embodiment of figure
6, showing the outer door in an intermediate position of
its opening path, with its spring acting on the cam that
blocks the inner product outlet door, likewise, showing
part of the toothed chain, upon which the rotation pinion
gears through which the motor transmits movement.
DESCRIPTION OF A_PREFERRED EMBODlMENT
In view of the commented figures and in accordance
with the numbering used, we can observe how the vending
machine ~1) used to dispense soft drinks operated by
inserting coins, has a general cylindric shape with a
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l perlmetric low recess in the bottom part thereof and
remaining ended in the top by a f -st truncate-l cone
se-tion, followed bv a straight section that gives it
.he shape of a sof t drink can.
- The vending machine (l) has a series of compartments
(2) in which the Droduct will be located, in such a way
that said compartments (2) are formed by a rotating plat-
form (3) on which the product is deposited, and a fixed
platform (4) to which a spiral strip (5) is linked, form-
ng a spiral duc~- (6) for placement and leading of the
product.
The products that ca~ be dispensed by the machine (l)
will be all those whose dimensions permit location thereof
in the duct (6), independent of the shape thereof being
l~ dispensed gentlv in order to avoid shaking of the product.
The fron~ displav part of the vending machine (l)
has the user's operating elements to obtain the desired
product. Thus, it includes a coin insertion inlet (8),
the displav (7~ ~here the amount inserted appears and
2~ the box (9) where change and refunds are obtained.
Besides, it has the rotating door (11) with the
vertically aligned push buttons (lO) close to it. The
push buttons (lO) incorporate the product to be dlstinguish-
ed and serve to select the same, while the rotating door
(11) has transparent areas (12) and (13) and once it has
been blocked it becomes possible to observe the removal
of the product from the duct (6) to the corresponding
platform of ~he same and the display of the product
removed for its subsequent picking up by the user
respectively and after deblocking of the door (ll.)
The door (ll) is turnable with regard to the shaft
(14) and in correspondence with each one of the compart-
ments (2) at the height of the rotating platform (3) it
has a support base for the product removed (15.)
The remover element itself (16) ends in a L and
~ ~ L'~ t
i between lts wings the product (li) lS stored for lts
removal, one of the wings of a micro (17) which detects
th~ presence of the prod~ct to be removed is provided fo~.
Sai~ remover element (16) remains turnable with regard to
the shaft (18) and in turn by the end opposite the remo~-al
of the product, lt has a retainer claw (19) of the closing
door (20) of the duct (6) by the product outlet end.
The do~r (11) has a cl~rved extenslon (24) such that
upon the same turning by the user to pick up the removed
1~ product its backlng to the free end of the door (20) rota-
ting with regard to the shaft (21) is produced, causing
the blocking thereof and thus avoiding a possible opening
from the outside in order to have access to the products.
~pon inserting coins so that the machine is operated
and the removal operation is carried out, the door (11)
must be blocked, as it may be ~y the retainer element
(23), for whose detection the micro (22) has been incor-
porated. This blocking of the door (20) is perfectlv ob-
served in figure 4.
The operating of the machine will be the following:
Upon inserting the coins in the insertion inlet (8)
so that the machine is activated, the door (11) has to be
blocked, position that the micro (22) detects and upon
pressing a push button (10), the corresponding removal
element (16) is activated. If said removal element (16)
does not have a can (15) positioned, the platform (3) of
compartment (2) remains locked to the shaft (26) so that
it turns until the first product remains positioned up
against the micro (17) detecting the correct position
thereof and then the removal element (16) turns.
~ pon turning the removal element (16), the pro-
duct (15) is pulled and in turn the claw (19), deblock-
ing the door (21), permitting the product to come out towards
the platform or base of the door (ll) located on level with it
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1 this ~peration belng vis~ e b~ the transparent area (12)
of the door (ll.j
When the product (l,i is o~. the base O~t the door (11`,
lt is visible by the area (13), and upor. tne door (ll
remaining deblocked, tne ~lser can turn it to pick ~p
the product, turn which causes the blocking of the door
(20) by the curved sect~.or (2~i, preventing the user from
having access to the duct (6) containing the products.
Thus, ti~e vending ma-hine lS provided wi.th insulation
1~ (25) that maintains its temperature.
In a varlant of the e~bodlment, the compartments (2)
located eccentrically to tne vertical geometric axis of
the machine, are placed independently upon each other in
the vending machine (1), constituted by a rotating platform
15 (3) upon which the products (15) to be dispensed are depo-
sited. Said platform (3) remalns connected to the rotating
shaft (27) with regard to the st~ucture (28) by means of
bearings (29.)
The compartments (2, remaln linked to the structure
~0 of the machine by top longitudinal cross bars (30) and in
said compartments a spira` path (6! is formed, likewise,
for the products by means of the spiral strip (5), thus
the compaxtments (2) remaln totally lndependent from each
other.
Perimetrically to the platform (3) and by its bot~om
part there is a toothed chain (31), in which a pinion (32)
gears, which transmits it the movement from the motor (33.)
The toothed chain (31) is formed by the connection of a
series of toothed sections, such as those represented in
30 figure 3.
Thus, upon the platform (3) turning, the products (15)
deposited on it, advance through the spiral shaped duct,
by the strip (5) up to the removal claw (19) which is L-
shaped and in connection with the wing (34) upon which the
35 products come up against, there is a micro ~35) which
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1 detects the perfect positionina of the product ~etweer
the w.ngs of the removal cla-; (19.`
Upon the mlcro (35~ detecting the perfect positlonlng
of the product (15) between the wings of the L-shape~
removal claw for the removai thereof r a motor (3~ lc
activated, whi~h displaces the removal. claw (19) unti
the product (15) is placed upon the flxed platform (37~,
the movement cf the platform (3) having been previousl~
stopped.
1~ Upon activating t~;e removal claw (19) along with t.he
product (15), the free rotation door (38) is opened, depo-
siting the product on the platform (37.! The run o.~ the
removal claw (19) remains limited by two ends of stroke,
and thus when the removal claw (19) displaces the product,
it turns untll it comes up against the corresponding end
of stroke, that causes the reversa' ~f the rotation move-
ment of .he motor (3~), making the removal claw (19) return
to its inoperative position, limited by the second enà ~,f D
stroke.
Once the product (15) has been deposlted on the fixed
platform (37) and the end of stroke has caused the ~eversal
of the direction of rotation of the motor (33) whlch acts
upon the remo~al claw (19), so that it returns to its
inoperative position, the door (38) is closed upon being
urged by a spring, which impels it towards the "closed"
position.
When the product (15) is on the platform (37) the user
operates the outer door (39) to reach it, in such a way
that upon turning the door (39) the inner flange (40) of
the same comes up against the wing (42) of the cam rotating
with regard to the shaft (41,) making the free end of the
other wing (43) of said cam be displaced over the inner
door (38) preventing the opening thereof, thus avoiding
direct access to the products.
In order to faciliate the removal of products of different
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1 shapes and di~ensions, to the removal claw (19) a len-
gthener (46) which permits removal of laroer pr~duct-
lS capable of being coupled to it. This lengthener can
be coupled by simple pressure when desired that in its
5 corresponding compartment larger products are depc~ited
in order to thus faci.litate pulling thereof, preventing
the product from not being ab]e to be perfectly removed.
Some longitudinal ducts (44) and (45) upon the inner
structure thereof have been shaped in the vending machine
and they permit the circulation of cold air close to t.~e
outermost products of the spiral run, thus providing a
better and guicker cooling due to the fact that these are
going to be the first products to be removed.
The machine has a micro which communicates that the
same must be loaded as the same contains a low nu~ber of
products, in order to effect the loading thereo- and
facilitate the cooling of the newly deposited p-oducts.
In order to effect the loading, the direction of
rotatlon of the platform (3) is reversed, and the~ should
only be placed near the removal claw so that th- rotation
of the platform, groups all the products together until
the entire spiral path is filled.
In order to faciliate the filling task of the different
compartments (2), in connection with the fixed platforms
(37), the machine (1) has a door for access to the same,
according to the entire height of the same, thus the user
can easily have access to the inner door (38) and thus to
the inside of the spiral duct in connection with the
removal claw.
