CA1094993A - Helical coil dispensing machine apparatus - Google Patents
Helical coil dispensing machine apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1094993A CA1094993A CA269,911A CA269911A CA1094993A CA 1094993 A CA1094993 A CA 1094993A CA 269911 A CA269911 A CA 269911A CA 1094993 A CA1094993 A CA 1094993A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- coil
- cross
- dispensing
- bracket
- tray
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/46—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from movable storage containers or supports
- G07F11/60—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from movable storage containers or supports the storage containers or supports being rectilinearly movable
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Improved dispensing apparatus for dispensing machines of the type having at least one dispensing tray containing a dispensing unit which dispenses articles from the machine by the use of a helical dispensing coil. Improved mounting appa-ratus is provided for supporting both the forward and back end portions of the dispensing coil. A cross-bracket member having a portion extending across the diameter of the coil, is mounted to the back portion of the coil. A cross-bracket holding device, connected for rotation by appropriate motor means, releasably accepts the cross-bracket for mounting the back portion of the coil in elevated position above the shelf surface of the dispensing tray. The cross-bracket holding device is configured to matingly accept differently sized cross-bracket members, to enable rapid interchangeability of differently sized dispensing coils in the machine. Coil sup-port apparatus mounted to slidably engage the outer circum-ference of the dispensing coil near its forward end supports the forward end of the coil in elevated spaced-apart manner above the tray surface, and supports the coil in a manner which minimizes jamming of the items being dispensed at the forward end of the coil. Coil compression means mounted adjacent the forward end of the dispensing coil causes the coil to positively eject or to impart dispensing motion to the item being dispensed from the convolutions of the coil, during the dispensing rotation movement of the coil.
Improved dispensing apparatus for dispensing machines of the type having at least one dispensing tray containing a dispensing unit which dispenses articles from the machine by the use of a helical dispensing coil. Improved mounting appa-ratus is provided for supporting both the forward and back end portions of the dispensing coil. A cross-bracket member having a portion extending across the diameter of the coil, is mounted to the back portion of the coil. A cross-bracket holding device, connected for rotation by appropriate motor means, releasably accepts the cross-bracket for mounting the back portion of the coil in elevated position above the shelf surface of the dispensing tray. The cross-bracket holding device is configured to matingly accept differently sized cross-bracket members, to enable rapid interchangeability of differently sized dispensing coils in the machine. Coil sup-port apparatus mounted to slidably engage the outer circum-ference of the dispensing coil near its forward end supports the forward end of the coil in elevated spaced-apart manner above the tray surface, and supports the coil in a manner which minimizes jamming of the items being dispensed at the forward end of the coil. Coil compression means mounted adjacent the forward end of the dispensing coil causes the coil to positively eject or to impart dispensing motion to the item being dispensed from the convolutions of the coil, during the dispensing rotation movement of the coil.
Description
10~ ~993 BAC~GROUND OF T~IE INVENTION
.
Use of helical coil in vending machines as a means for transporting an item to be vended from a location within the machine to a point of discharge from the machine, by rota-tion of the vending coil has long been known. See for example U.S. Pa~ent Mo. 3,269,595. Typically, the vending coil has been used in conjunction with a horizontal support tray, wherein the item to be vended is placed within the windings of the vending coil and is supported by the tray. By rotating the I0 vending coil, the item to be vended is longitudinally advanced along the tray, under force from the win~ings of the vending coil until it reaches the front end of the tray. Upon further rotation of the vending coil, the item to be vended is forced over the edge of th~ tray and falls into a discharge bin~
Early prior art vending machines of this type were configured to mount the support trays within the helical coil.
- This configuration, however, was particularly susceptible to problems resulting when the package to be vended got caug~tbetween the vending coiland the tray. Upon reaching the front edge of the tray,- rather than ~alling into the discharge bin, the ite~s - so caught would hang-up at the front end of the vending coil, thus jamming the coil discharge mechanism. Various techniques have been used to eliminate this type of problem. For the most part, such techniques have incorporated means for supporting the vending coil above the tray so as to prevent the items being vended from gettingcaughtbetween the vending cQil and the tray. Furtner, to alleviate the jamming problem at the ~ .
discharge end o~ the coil, most prior art -techniques included extending the length of the vending coil significantly past the end of the support tray.
However, such prior art techniques have caused prob-lems of their own. The coil support means have typically taken up space within the windings of the vending coil and have neces-sitated using large support members, requiring significantly more material, and thus increasing the cost of the machine.
Further, such techniques have not totally solved the problem of items being caught, since oftentimes the items being vended ` -will still lodge between the vending coil and the support apparatus itself, thus jamming the coil discharge apparatus.
The present invention provides apparatus which minimizes ~he above problems associated with prior art vending machines~
- Another disadvantage to many of the helical coil type vending machines of the prior art is the incapability in such machines to inter~ange their coils. If maximum use is to be made of available tray area, differently sized coils are required for items having different package si2es. The present invention contempla~es the use of at least two basic coil sizes, one for items ha~ing larger, bulkier packages such as pastries and potato chips, and a second for smaller less bulky packages of items such as candy bars.
Still another disad~antage of the helical coil vending machines of the prior art is that with such devices, upon reaching the discharge end of the tray, the item to be vended does not always fall freely from the tray. This is particularly 10~94993 troublesome with items having a relatively tall package dimension. When such packages are slowly pushed forward by the helical coil and dropped over the edge of the support shelf, they tend to tip forward, rather than falling straight down, and oftentimes become wedged between the outer cabinet of the machine and the leading edge of the support tray. Such a jam typically requires maintenance and denies the purchaser of that item for which he has paid. The present invention solves the problem by pro-viding a positive item ejection apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the inven-tion there is provided mounting apparatus for an elongate helical coil of the type used in dispensing machines, comprising:
(a) an elongate helical coil having a longi-tudinally extending coil axis and defining an internal cylindrical zone coaxial with said coil axis;
~b) a cross-bracket member mounted to one end of said coil, having a portion thereof disposed across the diameter of said coil; and (c) cross-bracket holding means cooperatively detachably engaging said cross-bracket member for detachably rotatably mounting said coil in quick-release manner for rotation about said coil axis, such that said axis is generally disposed in a horizontal plane, whereby said internal cylindrical zone of the mounting coil - is free of obstruction along the longitudinal ; length of said coil, wherein said cross-bracket 10~4993 holding means comprises a stationary housing member; a rotatable member mounted to said stationary housing member and rotatable a~out a generally horizontally disposed axis, said rotatable housing member comprising a cross-bracket holding device having a recessed channel sized to matingly engage said cross-bracket member, for imparting rotary motion thereto and retaining means mounted for rotation with said rotatable housing member, for releasably securing in quick-release member said cross-bracket member - into cooperative engagement with said recessed channel in said cross-bracket holding device, wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of retaining clips, positioned on opposite sides of said channel and being operable between first and second positions, said retaining clips being normally biased toward said first position to retainably engage said cross-bracket member within said channel and being movable to said second position for releasing and for accepting said ; cross-bracket member from and into retention within said channel.
The present invention solves the above problems associated with prior art vending machines. This invention includes coil support apparatus which minimizes the pro-bability of an item package getting caught between the - coil and its associated support tray. This invention also provides for the interchange-- 4a -. - '. .
~09~993 ability between coils of various sizes and incorporates means d~signed to assure a smooth discharge of the vended item from the tray.
The present invention comprises an improved vending machine of the type utilizing helical ~ending coils and associa-ted support trays for deliverying items to be vended from posi-tions upon the respective trays within the vending machines to the leading or forward edges of the trays, from edges the items fall into a discharge bin. The invention includes an improve~ vending coil unit, a plurality of which units are placed along side one another within the machine, with each coil overlying an associated support tray or shelfA Each vending coil unit comprises a helical vending coil connected at one end thereof to a cross-bracket member. The cross-bracket member is secured by a bracket holding device near the back portion of the vending machine. The bracket holding device is connected to a rotatable shaft operatively connected for ro-tation by an electric motor. The opposite end of the coil is supported near the front of the machine by a coil support apparatus which is mounted at the forward edge of that shelf surface defined by a tray longitudinally disposed to underly the coil. The coil support apparatus is inclined at an angle to the shelf surface for enabling the smooth dischar~e of the item to be vended. The coil support apparatus is configured to support the vending coil above and out of contact with the und~rlying shelf surface. In one preferred embodiment, each vending coil unit comprises means for positively e,ecting 1()94993 a vended item from its respective vending coil to assure free fall of the vended item from the edge of the shelf surface and into a discharge bin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Referring to the Drawing, wherein like nu~erals represent like parts throughout the several views:
Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a vending machine of the present invention showing a possible arrangement of a plurality of support trays within the vending machine and a plurality of vending coil units overlying the respective support trays;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of one of the support trays of the vending machine disclosed in Fig. 1, as generally viewed along the plane of the Line 2-2 in Fig. l;
Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the interior of the vending machine disclosed in Fig~ 1, viewed generally along the plane of the Line 3-3 in Fig. 1~ illustratins one of the vending coil units in extended position for loading thereof or preparatory to removal thereof from the machine;
Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in front elevation of a vending coil unit and its associated underlying tray, as disclosed in Fig. 1, and constructed according to the principles of this invention;
Fi-Jure S is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the vending coil unit and underlying support-tray disclosed in Fig. 4, generally taken along the Line 5-5 in Fig. 4;
Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the vending coil unit and underlying support tray disclosed in in Fi;. 4~ generally taken along the L~.e 6-6 of Fig. 4;
--6~
llv94993 Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the securing mechanism for the rear por-tion of the vending coil disclosed in Fig. 4, generally as viewed along the Line 7-7 of Fig. 4;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cross-bracket holding device disclosed in Fig. 7;
Figure 9 is a view in rear elevation of cross-bracket holding device disclosed in Fig. 8;
Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of the lower vending coil units and underlying support trays of the vending machine disclosed in Fig. 1, generally as viewed along the Line 10-10 of Fig. l;
Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of a vending coil unit disclosed in Fig. 10, generally taken along the Line~
11-11 of Fig. 10;
Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of-a portion of the vending coil unit of Fig. 11, illustrating a product to guidearm, and generally taken along the Line 12-12 of Fig. 11;
Fisure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a bracket and pivot arm portion of the vending coil unit of Fig. 11, taken generally along the ~ine 13-13 of Fig. 11;
Figure 14 is a fragmen~ary view in-front elevation of several of the vending coil units and underlying trays disclosed in Fig. 10;
Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of ~ support ramp member for the vending coil of the vending coil disclosed in Fig. 14, generally taken along the Line 15-15 of Fig. 14; and ~7--Figure 16 is a sectional view in rear elevation of the support ramp member disclosed in Fig. 15, generally taken along the Line 16-16 of Fig. 15.
DESCXIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBO~IMENT
Referrinq to the Drawing, wherein like numerals re-present like elements throughout the several views, ther~ is shown in Fig. 1 a dispensing machine 1 having an outer housing
.
Use of helical coil in vending machines as a means for transporting an item to be vended from a location within the machine to a point of discharge from the machine, by rota-tion of the vending coil has long been known. See for example U.S. Pa~ent Mo. 3,269,595. Typically, the vending coil has been used in conjunction with a horizontal support tray, wherein the item to be vended is placed within the windings of the vending coil and is supported by the tray. By rotating the I0 vending coil, the item to be vended is longitudinally advanced along the tray, under force from the win~ings of the vending coil until it reaches the front end of the tray. Upon further rotation of the vending coil, the item to be vended is forced over the edge of th~ tray and falls into a discharge bin~
Early prior art vending machines of this type were configured to mount the support trays within the helical coil.
- This configuration, however, was particularly susceptible to problems resulting when the package to be vended got caug~tbetween the vending coiland the tray. Upon reaching the front edge of the tray,- rather than ~alling into the discharge bin, the ite~s - so caught would hang-up at the front end of the vending coil, thus jamming the coil discharge mechanism. Various techniques have been used to eliminate this type of problem. For the most part, such techniques have incorporated means for supporting the vending coil above the tray so as to prevent the items being vended from gettingcaughtbetween the vending cQil and the tray. Furtner, to alleviate the jamming problem at the ~ .
discharge end o~ the coil, most prior art -techniques included extending the length of the vending coil significantly past the end of the support tray.
However, such prior art techniques have caused prob-lems of their own. The coil support means have typically taken up space within the windings of the vending coil and have neces-sitated using large support members, requiring significantly more material, and thus increasing the cost of the machine.
Further, such techniques have not totally solved the problem of items being caught, since oftentimes the items being vended ` -will still lodge between the vending coil and the support apparatus itself, thus jamming the coil discharge apparatus.
The present invention provides apparatus which minimizes ~he above problems associated with prior art vending machines~
- Another disadvantage to many of the helical coil type vending machines of the prior art is the incapability in such machines to inter~ange their coils. If maximum use is to be made of available tray area, differently sized coils are required for items having different package si2es. The present invention contempla~es the use of at least two basic coil sizes, one for items ha~ing larger, bulkier packages such as pastries and potato chips, and a second for smaller less bulky packages of items such as candy bars.
Still another disad~antage of the helical coil vending machines of the prior art is that with such devices, upon reaching the discharge end of the tray, the item to be vended does not always fall freely from the tray. This is particularly 10~94993 troublesome with items having a relatively tall package dimension. When such packages are slowly pushed forward by the helical coil and dropped over the edge of the support shelf, they tend to tip forward, rather than falling straight down, and oftentimes become wedged between the outer cabinet of the machine and the leading edge of the support tray. Such a jam typically requires maintenance and denies the purchaser of that item for which he has paid. The present invention solves the problem by pro-viding a positive item ejection apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the inven-tion there is provided mounting apparatus for an elongate helical coil of the type used in dispensing machines, comprising:
(a) an elongate helical coil having a longi-tudinally extending coil axis and defining an internal cylindrical zone coaxial with said coil axis;
~b) a cross-bracket member mounted to one end of said coil, having a portion thereof disposed across the diameter of said coil; and (c) cross-bracket holding means cooperatively detachably engaging said cross-bracket member for detachably rotatably mounting said coil in quick-release manner for rotation about said coil axis, such that said axis is generally disposed in a horizontal plane, whereby said internal cylindrical zone of the mounting coil - is free of obstruction along the longitudinal ; length of said coil, wherein said cross-bracket 10~4993 holding means comprises a stationary housing member; a rotatable member mounted to said stationary housing member and rotatable a~out a generally horizontally disposed axis, said rotatable housing member comprising a cross-bracket holding device having a recessed channel sized to matingly engage said cross-bracket member, for imparting rotary motion thereto and retaining means mounted for rotation with said rotatable housing member, for releasably securing in quick-release member said cross-bracket member - into cooperative engagement with said recessed channel in said cross-bracket holding device, wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of retaining clips, positioned on opposite sides of said channel and being operable between first and second positions, said retaining clips being normally biased toward said first position to retainably engage said cross-bracket member within said channel and being movable to said second position for releasing and for accepting said ; cross-bracket member from and into retention within said channel.
The present invention solves the above problems associated with prior art vending machines. This invention includes coil support apparatus which minimizes the pro-bability of an item package getting caught between the - coil and its associated support tray. This invention also provides for the interchange-- 4a -. - '. .
~09~993 ability between coils of various sizes and incorporates means d~signed to assure a smooth discharge of the vended item from the tray.
The present invention comprises an improved vending machine of the type utilizing helical ~ending coils and associa-ted support trays for deliverying items to be vended from posi-tions upon the respective trays within the vending machines to the leading or forward edges of the trays, from edges the items fall into a discharge bin. The invention includes an improve~ vending coil unit, a plurality of which units are placed along side one another within the machine, with each coil overlying an associated support tray or shelfA Each vending coil unit comprises a helical vending coil connected at one end thereof to a cross-bracket member. The cross-bracket member is secured by a bracket holding device near the back portion of the vending machine. The bracket holding device is connected to a rotatable shaft operatively connected for ro-tation by an electric motor. The opposite end of the coil is supported near the front of the machine by a coil support apparatus which is mounted at the forward edge of that shelf surface defined by a tray longitudinally disposed to underly the coil. The coil support apparatus is inclined at an angle to the shelf surface for enabling the smooth dischar~e of the item to be vended. The coil support apparatus is configured to support the vending coil above and out of contact with the und~rlying shelf surface. In one preferred embodiment, each vending coil unit comprises means for positively e,ecting 1()94993 a vended item from its respective vending coil to assure free fall of the vended item from the edge of the shelf surface and into a discharge bin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Referring to the Drawing, wherein like nu~erals represent like parts throughout the several views:
Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a vending machine of the present invention showing a possible arrangement of a plurality of support trays within the vending machine and a plurality of vending coil units overlying the respective support trays;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of one of the support trays of the vending machine disclosed in Fig. 1, as generally viewed along the plane of the Line 2-2 in Fig. l;
Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the interior of the vending machine disclosed in Fig~ 1, viewed generally along the plane of the Line 3-3 in Fig. 1~ illustratins one of the vending coil units in extended position for loading thereof or preparatory to removal thereof from the machine;
Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in front elevation of a vending coil unit and its associated underlying tray, as disclosed in Fig. 1, and constructed according to the principles of this invention;
Fi-Jure S is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the vending coil unit and underlying support-tray disclosed in Fig. 4, generally taken along the Line 5-5 in Fig. 4;
Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the vending coil unit and underlying support tray disclosed in in Fi;. 4~ generally taken along the L~.e 6-6 of Fig. 4;
--6~
llv94993 Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the securing mechanism for the rear por-tion of the vending coil disclosed in Fig. 4, generally as viewed along the Line 7-7 of Fig. 4;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cross-bracket holding device disclosed in Fig. 7;
Figure 9 is a view in rear elevation of cross-bracket holding device disclosed in Fig. 8;
Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of the lower vending coil units and underlying support trays of the vending machine disclosed in Fig. 1, generally as viewed along the Line 10-10 of Fig. l;
Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of a vending coil unit disclosed in Fig. 10, generally taken along the Line~
11-11 of Fig. 10;
Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of-a portion of the vending coil unit of Fig. 11, illustrating a product to guidearm, and generally taken along the Line 12-12 of Fig. 11;
Fisure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a bracket and pivot arm portion of the vending coil unit of Fig. 11, taken generally along the ~ine 13-13 of Fig. 11;
Figure 14 is a fragmen~ary view in-front elevation of several of the vending coil units and underlying trays disclosed in Fig. 10;
Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of ~ support ramp member for the vending coil of the vending coil disclosed in Fig. 14, generally taken along the Line 15-15 of Fig. 14; and ~7--Figure 16 is a sectional view in rear elevation of the support ramp member disclosed in Fig. 15, generally taken along the Line 16-16 of Fig. 15.
DESCXIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBO~IMENT
Referrinq to the Drawing, wherein like numerals re-present like elements throughout the several views, ther~ is shown in Fig. 1 a dispensing machine 1 having an outer housing
2 with a plurality of dispensing trays 3 slidably mounted therein.
~he vending machine 1 also has a front door member 2(a) [illus-trated in open position in Fig. 1) pivotally mounted to the outer housing 2, which door member is normally positioned to enclose the trays within the internal cavity of the housing 2.
Since the support apparatus for each of the trays 3 is of gen-erally identical construction, only one tray will be described, it being understood that the remaining trays 3 are of like construction and function. Re~rring to Fig. 3, each dis-pensing tray 3 is mounted within the housing 2 by means o~ -a plurality o~ rollers 5(a)-5(c~ respectively that travel within a pair of channels -4 attached to the interior o~ the outer housing 2. On each side of the trays 3 there is a front roller 5(a) located near the front portion 6 of the tray 3, a first rearwardly disposed roller 5~b) and a second rear~ardly disposed roller 5~c) located near the back portion 7 of the tray 3. The first rear roller 5~b) is located forward of the second rear roller 5(c). Each guide channel 4 includes a top support surface 8 and a bottom support sl~rface 9. The bottom 10~49~3 support surfac~ 9 of the channel 4 extends generally horizon-tally along its entire length, while the top support surEace 8 includes an elongate horizontally disposed portion lO located rearward of an inclined ramp portion 11, which is disposed ~ toward the forward portion of the channel 4. The inclined - ramp portion 11 enables the second rear roller S(c) to verti-cally lift upward when the tray is pulled sufficiently forward, resulting in a pivoting of the foxward portion 6 of the tray /axis of t~e
~he vending machine 1 also has a front door member 2(a) [illus-trated in open position in Fig. 1) pivotally mounted to the outer housing 2, which door member is normally positioned to enclose the trays within the internal cavity of the housing 2.
Since the support apparatus for each of the trays 3 is of gen-erally identical construction, only one tray will be described, it being understood that the remaining trays 3 are of like construction and function. Re~rring to Fig. 3, each dis-pensing tray 3 is mounted within the housing 2 by means o~ -a plurality o~ rollers 5(a)-5(c~ respectively that travel within a pair of channels -4 attached to the interior o~ the outer housing 2. On each side of the trays 3 there is a front roller 5(a) located near the front portion 6 of the tray 3, a first rearwardly disposed roller 5~b) and a second rear~ardly disposed roller 5~c) located near the back portion 7 of the tray 3. The first rear roller 5~b) is located forward of the second rear roller 5(c). Each guide channel 4 includes a top support surface 8 and a bottom support sl~rface 9. The bottom 10~49~3 support surfac~ 9 of the channel 4 extends generally horizon-tally along its entire length, while the top support surEace 8 includes an elongate horizontally disposed portion lO located rearward of an inclined ramp portion 11, which is disposed ~ toward the forward portion of the channel 4. The inclined - ramp portion 11 enables the second rear roller S(c) to verti-cally lift upward when the tray is pulled sufficiently forward, resulting in a pivoting of the foxward portion 6 of the tray /axis of t~e
3 in a downward direction about the first rear roller 5~b).
10. Loading of articles to be dispensed is facilitated when the .
tray is pulled in its outermost downwardly tipped position, as illustrated in Fig. 3. A pair of stop members 12 and 13 mounted t~ the guide channel 4, engage the fixst and second rear rollers 5(b) and 5(c) respectively when the tray 3 is ful.ly extended in its tipped-down position, to prevent re-moval of the tray from the guide channels 4 (see Fig. 3).
Stop member 13 also engages the front roller 5~a3 when *he tray 3 is positioned in fully inserted position within the housing 2 to retain the tray 3 in its normally operative posi-2~ tion.
~ he preferred embodiment of the present invention contains five trays 3 located within the outer housins 2.
In the praferred embodiment,it has been found.that the most ad~antageous arxangement of the trays 3 is to provide all except the middle tray 3(aJ with the above-described tip-down mechanism. The middle tray 3(a) (Figs. 1 and 3) is supported in side channels 14 having both the top support surface 15 and lOg4993 the bottom support surface 16 thereof disposed generally hor~-20ntally along the entire length of the channels 14. Therefore~
the middle tray 3(a) will not tip down when pulled forward in its fully extended position.
Each o~ the dispensing trays 3 contains a plurality of dispensing coil units 20~ Each dispensing coil unit 20 contains an elongate generally rigid helical dispensing coil 21 having a generally circular cross-section and a front portion terminating in a first terminal 23 and a rear port~on termina-ting at a second terminal 25. A continuous coil 21 containsa plurality of regularly spaced convolutions or windings 26.
The inter-convolution spacing between the windi~gs 26 of the dis-pensing coils 21 toward the rear portion thereof are rapidly decreased ~uch that the last winding 28 directly abuts the next to-the-last winding 29 ~see Figs. 2, 10, and 11).
A cross-bracket 30 is welded or otherwise ~ixedly attacted to the rear portion of each ven~ing coil 21 across the inner diameter of the last winding 28 of the coil (see Figs. 2, 4, 7, 10 and 15). The cross-bracket 30 has a planar 2~ central portion generally designated at 31 and two end portions 32, projecting generally perpendicularly to the central por- -tion 31. The length of the middle portion 31 of the cross-, .
bracket 30 e~uals the inner ~iameter of the last winding 28 of the coil 21 and has a hole 35 positioned at its longitudi-nal center. The end portions 32 of the cross-bracket 30 are of sufficient length to permit attachment thereof to at least the last winding 28 of the vending coil 21, by welding or other lC~94993 means, and preerably are of sufficient length to extend into the inner diameter o~ the coil 21 so as to engage and be con-nected to several windings thereof (see Fig. lO). When mounted to a coil 21, the longitudinal axis of the coil passes through the center of the hole 35 in the cross-bracket 30.
Appropriate motor means, generally designated at 40, are provided for rotating the vending coil 21. In ~he prefer-red embodiment, the motor means 40 includes an electric..motor 41 which rotates a shaft 42 either directly or through an appropriate gear reducing apparatus 43. The shaft 42 has a rounded protruding knurled end 44 (Fig. 7) to provide a frictional compression engagement fit with a cross-bracket holding device 50. ReferrIng to Figs. 7-9 the cross-bracket . holding device 50 comprises a disc-like outer portion 51 t.: having a front lateral surface 52 and a rear lateral surface 53. A hole 54 passes through the center of the cross-bracket holding device 50 so as to receive and to frictionally engage the knurled end 44 of the shaft 42. The front lateral surface S2 of the cross-bracket holding device is recessed to form a channel 55 having a width equal to that of the cross-bracket 30 suc~ that when the cross-bracket holding device 50 is mounted to the shaft 42, the end 44 of the shaft 42 will be aligned with and will matingly engage the hole.35 located in the middle portion 31 of the cross-bracket 30, enabling the central por-tion 31 of the cross-bracket to cooperatively engage the channel 55 of the cross-bracket holding device 50 and to be ' .
~09~993 seated therein.
The cross-bracket holding device 50 is provided with two retaining clips 56 mounted adjacent to the channel 55 on diametrically opposed sides thereof. Each of the retaining clips 56 is operable between a. first and a second position, and is normally biased toward operation in its first position to retainably engage the cross-bracket member 30 within the channel 55 and is movable to its second position for releasing and/or for accepting the cross-bracket member 30 respectively from and into retention within the channel 55~ .
The motor means 40 for each tray 3 are mounted to a support wall 60 disposed across and forming a rear portion 7 of each tray 3. The motor means 40 are mounted to the sup- -port walls 60 such that the shaft 42 projects therethrough a~
a position sufficient to support the rear portion of a ~ending coil 21 (which is properely mounted to the cross-bracket holding device 50 as above-described), above and spaced apart from the lower shelf surface 61 of the tray 3, (sea Figs. 4-6). The forwardly disposed portion of each coil 21 is also supported in a manner such that the lower portion of the coil 21 overliRs and is spaced apart ~rom the tray shelf surface 61. Support of the forwardly disposed portions of the dispensing coils 21 is accomplished by use of novel coil support apparatus of this inven~ion,two preferred embodiments of which are described below.
Referring to Figures 4~6, a first preferred em-bodiment of a coil support apparatus for the forwardly disposed ., ~094993 portion of a coil 21 is disclosed at 70. The coil support apparatus ,0 is configured for mounting upon the shelf surface 61 and for engagement to and against the front edge 62 of the shelf 61. The coil support apparatus 70 includes a first elongate coil support member 71 having a base portion defining a first planar upper surface 72 disposed to lie above and generally parallel to the shelf surface 61. The first coil support member 71 is mounted in fixed engagement to the shelf surface 61 by means of a mounting stud 73 which projects through the shelf surface and into cooperatively mating engagement with the base portion of the first coil support member 71.
The first coil support member 71 has a ramp surface 74 reax-wardly extending from the planar upper surfa~e 72 o~ the sup-port member 71 to the shelf surface.61, forming a smooth con-; tinuous path between the shelf surface 61 and the planar upper-surface 72 of the support member 71. The forward end of the support member 71 is terminated at an end portion 75 disposed forward o~ the front edge 62 of. the shelf 61 at a distance . approximately equal to the longitudinal distance be~ween con- :
?0 secutive convolutions of the helical coil 21 to be supported by the support apparatus 70.
The coil support apparatus 70 further has a second coil support member 81 configured for mounting upon the shelf surface 61 and aligned parallel with and spaced.
: apart from t~e first coil support member 71. The second coil support member 8'1hasabase portion defining a second planar upper surface 82 disposed to lie above and generally parallel ' .
1.0~4993 to the shelf surface 61, and at a hei~ht such that the planar upper sur~aces 72 and 82 of the first and second coil support member 71 and 81 respectively are generally co-planar. The .
second coil support member 81 is mounted in fixed engagement .to the shelf surface 61 by means of a mounting stud 73 which projects through the shelf surface 61 and inta cooperative mating engagement with the base portion of the second coil support member 81. The second coil support member 81 has a ramp surface 84 rearwardly extending from the planar upper surface 82 of the support member 81 and down to the shel~ sur-face 61, forming a smooth continuous path between the shelf surface 61 ~nd the planar upper surface 82 of the support mem-ber 81. The first and second support member 71 and 81 of ~he coil support apparatus 70 are disposed such that their respec-tive ramp surfaces 74 and 84 are generally co-planar. The forward end of the support member 81 is terminated at a leading end portion 85 disposed to lie slightly forwar~ of but adjacent the front edge 62 of the shelf 61, and longitudinally spaced back from the leading end portion 75 of the first support mem-2~ bar 71 by approximately the.longitudinal spacing between suc- , cessive convolutions of the coil 21.
The first and second coil support members 71 and 81 respectively are fixedly connected in parallel spaced~apart alignment with one another by means of a beam member 87 lateral-ly disposed between the first and second support members.71 and 81 respectively. The back surface of the beam member 87 is configured to matingly engage the front edge 62 of the , ' - 10949~93 shelf 61, and the top surface of the connecting beam member 87 is aligned co-planar with the shelf surface 61 to form a continuous sliding surface therewith. In the preferred embo-diment, the forward edge of the connecting beam 87 is co-planar with the forward end surface 85 of the second coil support mem-ber 81. The back edge of the beam member 87 continuously laterally projects across and under the base portions of both the first and second coil support members 71 and 81 respectively,.
to pxovide continuous alignment engagement of the support beam 87 with the front edge 62 of the shelf 61 across the entire lateral. dimension of the coil support apparatus 70. The ; first and second support members 71 and 81 respecti~ely are lateQlly spaced apart from one ansther so as to cooperatively.
support by means of the inwardly disposed edges of their upper i. planar surfaces 72 and 82 respectively one of the helic~l coils 21 such that the lower:surface of the supported coil is disposed to lie above and spaced apart from the shelf surface 61. ln the preferred embodiment, the coil support apparatus : 70 is constructed of durable plastic material, however, any :~: other suitab7e material could be equally well employed within the spirit and intent of this invention.
The fo.rward end portion 75 of the first coil sup-port m~mber 70 includes a display panel 76. In the preferred .~ embodiment, the display panel 76 includes a first generally vertically oriented slot 77 and a second generally vertically oriented slot 78, suitable for accepting plastic or paper tab inserts (not illustrated) on which visual information such as .
. 109~993 product identification or pr.ice information can be visually displayed.
The above-d~scribed coil support apparatus 70 is particularly well suited for use in the dispensing of items having large, bulky packages such as potato chips and pastries.
It should be noted that the coil support apparatus 70 need not extend o~er the entire length of the coil 21 which it.suppo~ts, but is disposed to support the coil 21 only along a relatively short length thereof near its orwardly disposed end. Side p~nels 89 are placed between each of the dispensing coil un~ts 20 and are mounted to the underlylng shelf 61, and extend from the front portions 6 to the rear portions 7 of the respective trays 3. The side panels 8~ function to pro~ide-laterial guide support for items to be dispensed in a forward direction upon the rotation of the vending coil 21 about its longitudi-.
nal axis, and maintain separation-of dispensible it~ms between adjacent ones of the dispensing coil u~itS.
When the dispensing machine 1 is in operative use, .
the items to be dispensed, generally designated at ~O in Fig. 1, are loaded into the dispensing coil units for disposition be-~
tween consecutive convolutions of the dispensing coils, asillustrated in Fig. 1. A purchaser selects that item he desire~
dispensed, by electrical control apparatus not disclosed herein, but o~ any type well known in the art o~ vending and dispensina machines, which control apparatus effects an energization of~
the motor means of the dispensing coil 21 which contains that selected dispensable item . The motor means 40 causes rotation of the selected coil 21 a predetermined number of rotational degrees (generally one full revolution) to effect a dispensing discharge or vend of the selected item to the purchaser. In operation of the preferred embodiment of the dispensing coil unit above described, as thè dispensing coil 21 is rotated, the item to be dispensed travels in a forward direction along the winding 26 of the dispensing coil 21. Until reaching the coil support apparatus 70, the item to be dispense~ is vertically supported by the underlying shelf surface 61. Upon reaching the coil support member 70 the item to be dispensed engages and is guided upwardly by the first ana second ramp surfaces 74.and 84 respectively of the first and second coil support members 71 and 81, and is thereafter longitudinally guided along the upper planar surfaces 72 and 82 respectively . thereof. When the item to be dispensed reac~es the forward end portion 85 of the second coil support apparatus 81, the item package is caused to be tipped in the direction of the second coil support member 81, and falls by action of gravity :. from the retaining convolution of the support coil 21 and from the tray 3 into a discharge bin.91 of the machine 1, where it . is retrieved by the purchaser.
: . Referring to Figures 14, 15 and 16, a second pre-ferred embodiment of a coil support apparatus for supporting the forwardly disposed portion of the dispensing coil 21, is generally illustrated at 100. The coil support apparatus 100 includes a base member 101 having a top planar surface 102 and - configured for mounting to the forward end of the tray 3 such ,.~
-' ' .
10'~4993 that the base member 101 laterally extends across the front edge 62 of the tray shelf 61 with the top planar surface 102 of the base member 101 and ~he shelf surface 61 of the tray 3 forming a continuous sliding surface. The base member 101 further has a forward, generally vertically disposed end 103.
The rearwardly disposed portion of the base member 101 has a mounting flange 104 rearwardly projecting for engagement with the lower side of the.shelf 61, and is securely fastened to the forward end 6 of the tray 3 by means of mounting studs 10~. ' ' The coil support apparatus 100 further has an up-right side panel 108 having a first generally planar side 109 and a second generally planar side 110. The upright side panel 108 is mounted to the shelf 61 and extends from the front por-tion 6 of the tray 3 t~ the rear portion 7 thereof. The coil support apparatus 100 further has a coil support member 112.
mounted to and projecting generally vertically upward from the upper surface 102 of the base member 101 and extending from the forward end 103 of the base member 101 in a rearward ~irec-tion generally parallel to the upright side panel 108. Thecoil support member 112 comprises a first generally verti-cally extending side portion 113 and a second generally verti-cally extending side portion 114, terminating at an elonga~e ramp surfa~e 115 disposed above the shelf surface 61 and in-clinded obliquely thereto. The rean~ardly disposed trailing edge of the coil support member 112 is also incl.ined to form a ramp 116 extending at an angle from the first vertically dis-los4ss3 posed side 113 to the second vertically disposed side 114 of the coil support m~mber 112 and forming a continuous sliding surface with the elongate ramp surface 115.
The upright side panel 108 and the elongate ramp surface 115 of the coil support member 112 are spaced apart a distance relative to one another which is less than the outer diameter of the helical coil 21 to be supported thereby, such that the vending coil 21 is cooperatively supported by the elongate ramp surfa_e 115 and the.first side 109 of the .
lQ upright side panel 108 such that the lower surface of the coil 21 is disposed above and spaced apart from the underlying shelf surface 61. In the preferred e~odiment, the first vertically disposed side 113 of the c9il support member 112 of o~e dis- :~
pensing coil unit 20 abuts in supportive manner the second planar surface 110 of the upright side panel 108 of the immedi-ately adjacent dispensing coil unit 20.
. The forward end 103 of the second coil suppor.t apparatus 100 includes a display panel 117. In the preferred .
embodLment J the display panel 117 includes a plurality of ~en- .
: 20 erally vertically oriented slots 118 suitable or accepting . plastic or paper tab inserts (not illustrated) on which visual information such as product identification or price information can be visually displayed.
~; The coil support apparatus 100 above-described is particularly suitable for accommodatiny a helical coil 21 havi~c~ a diameter less -than that of the coils supported by the coil support apparatus 70, and is particularly well adapted for use in dispensing smaller items such as candy bars and the like which have packages less bulky than potato chips and pasteries. In operation, the items to be dispensed 120 by means of coils supported by the coil support apparatus 100 - would generally be loaded into the dispensing coil 21, by placing the items betweèn the convolutions thereof, in an up-right position. To maintain the dispensable items 120 in their upright positions, a panel-like product guide member 130 is used to laterally support the dispensable items between the first side 109 of the upright side panel and the product guide member 130.
. The product guide 130 is adjustably mounted to .
accommodate various widths of items to be carried by the coil .
21. The product guide 130 comprises a channel shaped member having a side portion 131, a top portion 132 and a bottom portion 133, and extends in overlying manner along the entire length of the dispensing coil 21. The product guide member 130 is pivotally supported ~two pivot points 134 and 135 at longi-tudinally spaced positions along the guide 130. Plastic sleeve members 136 and 137 are ~ositioned between the top and bottom portions 132 and 133 respectively of the guide a~ the pivot points 134 and 135 respectively, and have vertical-ly extending aperatures 138 and 139 respectively extending therethrough (see Figs. 11-13).
Each of the product guide members 130 is supported ~ 1094993 by means of a plurality of pivot arms 140, having an upper~
vertical por-tion 141, a horizontally disposed middle portion 142 and a lower vertically disposed portion 143. The lower verti-cal portion 143 of the pivot arms 1~0 are mounted to pivotally ride in bracket members 145 mounted to/etXhteensde frdm id 110 oftnat upright side panel 108 of the immediately adjacent coil support apparatus. The upper vertical portions 141 of ,~
the pivot arms 140 are inserted through the vertically aligned aperatures 138 and 139 of the plastic sleeve support members 136 and 137 respectively in the product guide 130 and friction- -ally engage the inner aperature surfaces of the plastic sleeve members 136 and 137, such that the product guide member 130 can be pivotally rotated to the desired lateral spacing from the first side 109 of the upright side panel 108 by rotating the~product guide 130 about its pivot points 134 and 135 to /see Fiqs. 10-13. ' the desired location,- Once ~he desired location has been attained, the frictional fit between the pivot arm~ 14Q and the sleeve members 136 and 137 will maintain the-lateral posi-tiOning of the product guide panel 130 until re-adjusted by an operator of the machine.
Each upright side panel 108 has mounted at its .~ . . . .
forward edge a tab member 150 projecting outwardly therefrom at an angle toward the coil support member,112. In the preferred embodiment, this angle is approximately 30 but may be any other suitable angle. The tab member 150 is preferably vertically positioned at that vertical height where the dispensing coil 21 contacts the side panel 108. The tab member 150 projects outwardly from the side panel 108 a dis-109 ~993 tance suEficient to engage the forward edge of the Eront winding of ~he dispensing coil 21, at a position therealong spaced back fro~ the first terminal 23 thereof. As the dispensing coil 21 is rotated during a dispensing operation~ the tab member 150 will come into sliding engagement with the first winding of the vending coil 21. In normal operation, the dispensing coil is rotated about its longitudinal axis in a direction opposite to the direction of the coil windings. Therefore, onc~ the coil has come into sliding engagement with the tab member 150, t~e tab member 150 will impart compressive forces to the dis~
pensing coil 21 in the longitudinal direction of the coil such that further rotation of the coil causes a slight compression of the generally rigid coil 21. ~hen the point of contact between the tab member 150 and the first winding of the coil 21 reaches and passes the first terminal 23 of the vending coil 21, the coil 21 disengages from the tab member 150, relieving the compression and the vending coil 21 rapidly expands to its normal length. The rapid expansion of the dispensing coil to its normal length provides a positive dispensing "push"
to that article to be dispensed which is positioned within the first convolution of the dispensing coil, at the forwar~ edge o~ the tray 3. Upon rapidly expanding, therefore, the dispen-sing coil 21 effects a vend of the item within its first con-volution by positively ejecting that item over the edge of the top planar surface 1~2 of the base member 101, from whence it falls into the discharge bin 91 of the machine l by force of gravity.
to9~9g3 While preferred conEigurations and embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, other modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. This description i5 entended to provide concrete examples of specific embodiments which clearly disclose the present invehtion~ Accordingly, the invention is not limited to any particular embodiment~
All alternatives, modifications ana variations of the present invention which fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims are cGvered.
.i' ' ' . . . .
.
.~ - - .
:.' . .
.
10. Loading of articles to be dispensed is facilitated when the .
tray is pulled in its outermost downwardly tipped position, as illustrated in Fig. 3. A pair of stop members 12 and 13 mounted t~ the guide channel 4, engage the fixst and second rear rollers 5(b) and 5(c) respectively when the tray 3 is ful.ly extended in its tipped-down position, to prevent re-moval of the tray from the guide channels 4 (see Fig. 3).
Stop member 13 also engages the front roller 5~a3 when *he tray 3 is positioned in fully inserted position within the housing 2 to retain the tray 3 in its normally operative posi-2~ tion.
~ he preferred embodiment of the present invention contains five trays 3 located within the outer housins 2.
In the praferred embodiment,it has been found.that the most ad~antageous arxangement of the trays 3 is to provide all except the middle tray 3(aJ with the above-described tip-down mechanism. The middle tray 3(a) (Figs. 1 and 3) is supported in side channels 14 having both the top support surface 15 and lOg4993 the bottom support surface 16 thereof disposed generally hor~-20ntally along the entire length of the channels 14. Therefore~
the middle tray 3(a) will not tip down when pulled forward in its fully extended position.
Each o~ the dispensing trays 3 contains a plurality of dispensing coil units 20~ Each dispensing coil unit 20 contains an elongate generally rigid helical dispensing coil 21 having a generally circular cross-section and a front portion terminating in a first terminal 23 and a rear port~on termina-ting at a second terminal 25. A continuous coil 21 containsa plurality of regularly spaced convolutions or windings 26.
The inter-convolution spacing between the windi~gs 26 of the dis-pensing coils 21 toward the rear portion thereof are rapidly decreased ~uch that the last winding 28 directly abuts the next to-the-last winding 29 ~see Figs. 2, 10, and 11).
A cross-bracket 30 is welded or otherwise ~ixedly attacted to the rear portion of each ven~ing coil 21 across the inner diameter of the last winding 28 of the coil (see Figs. 2, 4, 7, 10 and 15). The cross-bracket 30 has a planar 2~ central portion generally designated at 31 and two end portions 32, projecting generally perpendicularly to the central por- -tion 31. The length of the middle portion 31 of the cross-, .
bracket 30 e~uals the inner ~iameter of the last winding 28 of the coil 21 and has a hole 35 positioned at its longitudi-nal center. The end portions 32 of the cross-bracket 30 are of sufficient length to permit attachment thereof to at least the last winding 28 of the vending coil 21, by welding or other lC~94993 means, and preerably are of sufficient length to extend into the inner diameter o~ the coil 21 so as to engage and be con-nected to several windings thereof (see Fig. lO). When mounted to a coil 21, the longitudinal axis of the coil passes through the center of the hole 35 in the cross-bracket 30.
Appropriate motor means, generally designated at 40, are provided for rotating the vending coil 21. In ~he prefer-red embodiment, the motor means 40 includes an electric..motor 41 which rotates a shaft 42 either directly or through an appropriate gear reducing apparatus 43. The shaft 42 has a rounded protruding knurled end 44 (Fig. 7) to provide a frictional compression engagement fit with a cross-bracket holding device 50. ReferrIng to Figs. 7-9 the cross-bracket . holding device 50 comprises a disc-like outer portion 51 t.: having a front lateral surface 52 and a rear lateral surface 53. A hole 54 passes through the center of the cross-bracket holding device 50 so as to receive and to frictionally engage the knurled end 44 of the shaft 42. The front lateral surface S2 of the cross-bracket holding device is recessed to form a channel 55 having a width equal to that of the cross-bracket 30 suc~ that when the cross-bracket holding device 50 is mounted to the shaft 42, the end 44 of the shaft 42 will be aligned with and will matingly engage the hole.35 located in the middle portion 31 of the cross-bracket 30, enabling the central por-tion 31 of the cross-bracket to cooperatively engage the channel 55 of the cross-bracket holding device 50 and to be ' .
~09~993 seated therein.
The cross-bracket holding device 50 is provided with two retaining clips 56 mounted adjacent to the channel 55 on diametrically opposed sides thereof. Each of the retaining clips 56 is operable between a. first and a second position, and is normally biased toward operation in its first position to retainably engage the cross-bracket member 30 within the channel 55 and is movable to its second position for releasing and/or for accepting the cross-bracket member 30 respectively from and into retention within the channel 55~ .
The motor means 40 for each tray 3 are mounted to a support wall 60 disposed across and forming a rear portion 7 of each tray 3. The motor means 40 are mounted to the sup- -port walls 60 such that the shaft 42 projects therethrough a~
a position sufficient to support the rear portion of a ~ending coil 21 (which is properely mounted to the cross-bracket holding device 50 as above-described), above and spaced apart from the lower shelf surface 61 of the tray 3, (sea Figs. 4-6). The forwardly disposed portion of each coil 21 is also supported in a manner such that the lower portion of the coil 21 overliRs and is spaced apart ~rom the tray shelf surface 61. Support of the forwardly disposed portions of the dispensing coils 21 is accomplished by use of novel coil support apparatus of this inven~ion,two preferred embodiments of which are described below.
Referring to Figures 4~6, a first preferred em-bodiment of a coil support apparatus for the forwardly disposed ., ~094993 portion of a coil 21 is disclosed at 70. The coil support apparatus ,0 is configured for mounting upon the shelf surface 61 and for engagement to and against the front edge 62 of the shelf 61. The coil support apparatus 70 includes a first elongate coil support member 71 having a base portion defining a first planar upper surface 72 disposed to lie above and generally parallel to the shelf surface 61. The first coil support member 71 is mounted in fixed engagement to the shelf surface 61 by means of a mounting stud 73 which projects through the shelf surface and into cooperatively mating engagement with the base portion of the first coil support member 71.
The first coil support member 71 has a ramp surface 74 reax-wardly extending from the planar upper surfa~e 72 o~ the sup-port member 71 to the shelf surface.61, forming a smooth con-; tinuous path between the shelf surface 61 and the planar upper-surface 72 of the support member 71. The forward end of the support member 71 is terminated at an end portion 75 disposed forward o~ the front edge 62 of. the shelf 61 at a distance . approximately equal to the longitudinal distance be~ween con- :
?0 secutive convolutions of the helical coil 21 to be supported by the support apparatus 70.
The coil support apparatus 70 further has a second coil support member 81 configured for mounting upon the shelf surface 61 and aligned parallel with and spaced.
: apart from t~e first coil support member 71. The second coil support member 8'1hasabase portion defining a second planar upper surface 82 disposed to lie above and generally parallel ' .
1.0~4993 to the shelf surface 61, and at a hei~ht such that the planar upper sur~aces 72 and 82 of the first and second coil support member 71 and 81 respectively are generally co-planar. The .
second coil support member 81 is mounted in fixed engagement .to the shelf surface 61 by means of a mounting stud 73 which projects through the shelf surface 61 and inta cooperative mating engagement with the base portion of the second coil support member 81. The second coil support member 81 has a ramp surface 84 rearwardly extending from the planar upper surface 82 of the support member 81 and down to the shel~ sur-face 61, forming a smooth continuous path between the shelf surface 61 ~nd the planar upper surface 82 of the support mem-ber 81. The first and second support member 71 and 81 of ~he coil support apparatus 70 are disposed such that their respec-tive ramp surfaces 74 and 84 are generally co-planar. The forward end of the support member 81 is terminated at a leading end portion 85 disposed to lie slightly forwar~ of but adjacent the front edge 62 of the shelf 61, and longitudinally spaced back from the leading end portion 75 of the first support mem-2~ bar 71 by approximately the.longitudinal spacing between suc- , cessive convolutions of the coil 21.
The first and second coil support members 71 and 81 respectively are fixedly connected in parallel spaced~apart alignment with one another by means of a beam member 87 lateral-ly disposed between the first and second support members.71 and 81 respectively. The back surface of the beam member 87 is configured to matingly engage the front edge 62 of the , ' - 10949~93 shelf 61, and the top surface of the connecting beam member 87 is aligned co-planar with the shelf surface 61 to form a continuous sliding surface therewith. In the preferred embo-diment, the forward edge of the connecting beam 87 is co-planar with the forward end surface 85 of the second coil support mem-ber 81. The back edge of the beam member 87 continuously laterally projects across and under the base portions of both the first and second coil support members 71 and 81 respectively,.
to pxovide continuous alignment engagement of the support beam 87 with the front edge 62 of the shelf 61 across the entire lateral. dimension of the coil support apparatus 70. The ; first and second support members 71 and 81 respecti~ely are lateQlly spaced apart from one ansther so as to cooperatively.
support by means of the inwardly disposed edges of their upper i. planar surfaces 72 and 82 respectively one of the helic~l coils 21 such that the lower:surface of the supported coil is disposed to lie above and spaced apart from the shelf surface 61. ln the preferred embodiment, the coil support apparatus : 70 is constructed of durable plastic material, however, any :~: other suitab7e material could be equally well employed within the spirit and intent of this invention.
The fo.rward end portion 75 of the first coil sup-port m~mber 70 includes a display panel 76. In the preferred .~ embodiment, the display panel 76 includes a first generally vertically oriented slot 77 and a second generally vertically oriented slot 78, suitable for accepting plastic or paper tab inserts (not illustrated) on which visual information such as .
. 109~993 product identification or pr.ice information can be visually displayed.
The above-d~scribed coil support apparatus 70 is particularly well suited for use in the dispensing of items having large, bulky packages such as potato chips and pastries.
It should be noted that the coil support apparatus 70 need not extend o~er the entire length of the coil 21 which it.suppo~ts, but is disposed to support the coil 21 only along a relatively short length thereof near its orwardly disposed end. Side p~nels 89 are placed between each of the dispensing coil un~ts 20 and are mounted to the underlylng shelf 61, and extend from the front portions 6 to the rear portions 7 of the respective trays 3. The side panels 8~ function to pro~ide-laterial guide support for items to be dispensed in a forward direction upon the rotation of the vending coil 21 about its longitudi-.
nal axis, and maintain separation-of dispensible it~ms between adjacent ones of the dispensing coil u~itS.
When the dispensing machine 1 is in operative use, .
the items to be dispensed, generally designated at ~O in Fig. 1, are loaded into the dispensing coil units for disposition be-~
tween consecutive convolutions of the dispensing coils, asillustrated in Fig. 1. A purchaser selects that item he desire~
dispensed, by electrical control apparatus not disclosed herein, but o~ any type well known in the art o~ vending and dispensina machines, which control apparatus effects an energization of~
the motor means of the dispensing coil 21 which contains that selected dispensable item . The motor means 40 causes rotation of the selected coil 21 a predetermined number of rotational degrees (generally one full revolution) to effect a dispensing discharge or vend of the selected item to the purchaser. In operation of the preferred embodiment of the dispensing coil unit above described, as thè dispensing coil 21 is rotated, the item to be dispensed travels in a forward direction along the winding 26 of the dispensing coil 21. Until reaching the coil support apparatus 70, the item to be dispense~ is vertically supported by the underlying shelf surface 61. Upon reaching the coil support member 70 the item to be dispensed engages and is guided upwardly by the first ana second ramp surfaces 74.and 84 respectively of the first and second coil support members 71 and 81, and is thereafter longitudinally guided along the upper planar surfaces 72 and 82 respectively . thereof. When the item to be dispensed reac~es the forward end portion 85 of the second coil support apparatus 81, the item package is caused to be tipped in the direction of the second coil support member 81, and falls by action of gravity :. from the retaining convolution of the support coil 21 and from the tray 3 into a discharge bin.91 of the machine 1, where it . is retrieved by the purchaser.
: . Referring to Figures 14, 15 and 16, a second pre-ferred embodiment of a coil support apparatus for supporting the forwardly disposed portion of the dispensing coil 21, is generally illustrated at 100. The coil support apparatus 100 includes a base member 101 having a top planar surface 102 and - configured for mounting to the forward end of the tray 3 such ,.~
-' ' .
10'~4993 that the base member 101 laterally extends across the front edge 62 of the tray shelf 61 with the top planar surface 102 of the base member 101 and ~he shelf surface 61 of the tray 3 forming a continuous sliding surface. The base member 101 further has a forward, generally vertically disposed end 103.
The rearwardly disposed portion of the base member 101 has a mounting flange 104 rearwardly projecting for engagement with the lower side of the.shelf 61, and is securely fastened to the forward end 6 of the tray 3 by means of mounting studs 10~. ' ' The coil support apparatus 100 further has an up-right side panel 108 having a first generally planar side 109 and a second generally planar side 110. The upright side panel 108 is mounted to the shelf 61 and extends from the front por-tion 6 of the tray 3 t~ the rear portion 7 thereof. The coil support apparatus 100 further has a coil support member 112.
mounted to and projecting generally vertically upward from the upper surface 102 of the base member 101 and extending from the forward end 103 of the base member 101 in a rearward ~irec-tion generally parallel to the upright side panel 108. Thecoil support member 112 comprises a first generally verti-cally extending side portion 113 and a second generally verti-cally extending side portion 114, terminating at an elonga~e ramp surfa~e 115 disposed above the shelf surface 61 and in-clinded obliquely thereto. The rean~ardly disposed trailing edge of the coil support member 112 is also incl.ined to form a ramp 116 extending at an angle from the first vertically dis-los4ss3 posed side 113 to the second vertically disposed side 114 of the coil support m~mber 112 and forming a continuous sliding surface with the elongate ramp surface 115.
The upright side panel 108 and the elongate ramp surface 115 of the coil support member 112 are spaced apart a distance relative to one another which is less than the outer diameter of the helical coil 21 to be supported thereby, such that the vending coil 21 is cooperatively supported by the elongate ramp surfa_e 115 and the.first side 109 of the .
lQ upright side panel 108 such that the lower surface of the coil 21 is disposed above and spaced apart from the underlying shelf surface 61. In the preferred e~odiment, the first vertically disposed side 113 of the c9il support member 112 of o~e dis- :~
pensing coil unit 20 abuts in supportive manner the second planar surface 110 of the upright side panel 108 of the immedi-ately adjacent dispensing coil unit 20.
. The forward end 103 of the second coil suppor.t apparatus 100 includes a display panel 117. In the preferred .
embodLment J the display panel 117 includes a plurality of ~en- .
: 20 erally vertically oriented slots 118 suitable or accepting . plastic or paper tab inserts (not illustrated) on which visual information such as product identification or price information can be visually displayed.
~; The coil support apparatus 100 above-described is particularly suitable for accommodatiny a helical coil 21 havi~c~ a diameter less -than that of the coils supported by the coil support apparatus 70, and is particularly well adapted for use in dispensing smaller items such as candy bars and the like which have packages less bulky than potato chips and pasteries. In operation, the items to be dispensed 120 by means of coils supported by the coil support apparatus 100 - would generally be loaded into the dispensing coil 21, by placing the items betweèn the convolutions thereof, in an up-right position. To maintain the dispensable items 120 in their upright positions, a panel-like product guide member 130 is used to laterally support the dispensable items between the first side 109 of the upright side panel and the product guide member 130.
. The product guide 130 is adjustably mounted to .
accommodate various widths of items to be carried by the coil .
21. The product guide 130 comprises a channel shaped member having a side portion 131, a top portion 132 and a bottom portion 133, and extends in overlying manner along the entire length of the dispensing coil 21. The product guide member 130 is pivotally supported ~two pivot points 134 and 135 at longi-tudinally spaced positions along the guide 130. Plastic sleeve members 136 and 137 are ~ositioned between the top and bottom portions 132 and 133 respectively of the guide a~ the pivot points 134 and 135 respectively, and have vertical-ly extending aperatures 138 and 139 respectively extending therethrough (see Figs. 11-13).
Each of the product guide members 130 is supported ~ 1094993 by means of a plurality of pivot arms 140, having an upper~
vertical por-tion 141, a horizontally disposed middle portion 142 and a lower vertically disposed portion 143. The lower verti-cal portion 143 of the pivot arms 1~0 are mounted to pivotally ride in bracket members 145 mounted to/etXhteensde frdm id 110 oftnat upright side panel 108 of the immediately adjacent coil support apparatus. The upper vertical portions 141 of ,~
the pivot arms 140 are inserted through the vertically aligned aperatures 138 and 139 of the plastic sleeve support members 136 and 137 respectively in the product guide 130 and friction- -ally engage the inner aperature surfaces of the plastic sleeve members 136 and 137, such that the product guide member 130 can be pivotally rotated to the desired lateral spacing from the first side 109 of the upright side panel 108 by rotating the~product guide 130 about its pivot points 134 and 135 to /see Fiqs. 10-13. ' the desired location,- Once ~he desired location has been attained, the frictional fit between the pivot arm~ 14Q and the sleeve members 136 and 137 will maintain the-lateral posi-tiOning of the product guide panel 130 until re-adjusted by an operator of the machine.
Each upright side panel 108 has mounted at its .~ . . . .
forward edge a tab member 150 projecting outwardly therefrom at an angle toward the coil support member,112. In the preferred embodiment, this angle is approximately 30 but may be any other suitable angle. The tab member 150 is preferably vertically positioned at that vertical height where the dispensing coil 21 contacts the side panel 108. The tab member 150 projects outwardly from the side panel 108 a dis-109 ~993 tance suEficient to engage the forward edge of the Eront winding of ~he dispensing coil 21, at a position therealong spaced back fro~ the first terminal 23 thereof. As the dispensing coil 21 is rotated during a dispensing operation~ the tab member 150 will come into sliding engagement with the first winding of the vending coil 21. In normal operation, the dispensing coil is rotated about its longitudinal axis in a direction opposite to the direction of the coil windings. Therefore, onc~ the coil has come into sliding engagement with the tab member 150, t~e tab member 150 will impart compressive forces to the dis~
pensing coil 21 in the longitudinal direction of the coil such that further rotation of the coil causes a slight compression of the generally rigid coil 21. ~hen the point of contact between the tab member 150 and the first winding of the coil 21 reaches and passes the first terminal 23 of the vending coil 21, the coil 21 disengages from the tab member 150, relieving the compression and the vending coil 21 rapidly expands to its normal length. The rapid expansion of the dispensing coil to its normal length provides a positive dispensing "push"
to that article to be dispensed which is positioned within the first convolution of the dispensing coil, at the forwar~ edge o~ the tray 3. Upon rapidly expanding, therefore, the dispen-sing coil 21 effects a vend of the item within its first con-volution by positively ejecting that item over the edge of the top planar surface 1~2 of the base member 101, from whence it falls into the discharge bin 91 of the machine l by force of gravity.
to9~9g3 While preferred conEigurations and embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, other modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. This description i5 entended to provide concrete examples of specific embodiments which clearly disclose the present invehtion~ Accordingly, the invention is not limited to any particular embodiment~
All alternatives, modifications ana variations of the present invention which fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims are cGvered.
.i' ' ' . . . .
.
.~ - - .
:.' . .
.
Claims (2)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Mounting apparatus for an elongate helical coil of the type used in dispensing machines, comprising:
a. an elongate helical coil having a longitudinally extending coil axis and defining an internal cylin-drical zone coaxial with said coil axis;
b. a cross-bracket member mounted to one end of said coil, having a portion thereof disposed across the diameter of said coil; and c. cross-bracket holding means cooperatively detach-ably engaging said cross-bracket member for de-tachably rotatably mounting said coil in quick-release manner for rotation about said coil axis, such that said axis is generally disposed in a hori-zontal plane, whereby said internal cylindrical zone of the mounted coil is free of obstruction along the longitudinal length of said coil,wherein said cross-bracket holding means comprises a sta-tionary housing member; a rotatable member mounted to said stationary housing member and rotatable about a generally horizontally disposed axis, said rotatable housing member comprising a cross-bracket holding device having a recessed channel sized to matingly engage said cross-bracket member, for imparting rotary motion thereto and retaining means mounted for rotation with said rotatable housing member, for releasably securing in quick-release manner said cross-bracket member into cooperative engagement with said recessed channel in said cross-bracket holding device, wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of retaining clips, positioned on opposite sides of said channel and being operable between first and second positions, said retaining clips being normally biased toward said first position to retainably engage said cross-bracket member within said channel and being movable to said second position for releasing and for accepting said cross-bracket member from and into retention within said channel.
a. an elongate helical coil having a longitudinally extending coil axis and defining an internal cylin-drical zone coaxial with said coil axis;
b. a cross-bracket member mounted to one end of said coil, having a portion thereof disposed across the diameter of said coil; and c. cross-bracket holding means cooperatively detach-ably engaging said cross-bracket member for de-tachably rotatably mounting said coil in quick-release manner for rotation about said coil axis, such that said axis is generally disposed in a hori-zontal plane, whereby said internal cylindrical zone of the mounted coil is free of obstruction along the longitudinal length of said coil,wherein said cross-bracket holding means comprises a sta-tionary housing member; a rotatable member mounted to said stationary housing member and rotatable about a generally horizontally disposed axis, said rotatable housing member comprising a cross-bracket holding device having a recessed channel sized to matingly engage said cross-bracket member, for imparting rotary motion thereto and retaining means mounted for rotation with said rotatable housing member, for releasably securing in quick-release manner said cross-bracket member into cooperative engagement with said recessed channel in said cross-bracket holding device, wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of retaining clips, positioned on opposite sides of said channel and being operable between first and second positions, said retaining clips being normally biased toward said first position to retainably engage said cross-bracket member within said channel and being movable to said second position for releasing and for accepting said cross-bracket member from and into retention within said channel.
2. Mounting apparatus as recited in Claim 1, wherein that portion of said cross-bracket member which is disposed across the diameter of said coil includes a first alignment element, and wherein said cross-bracket holding means includes a second alignment element configured for cooperative self-guided mating engagement with said first alignment element, to provide rapid coaxial alignment of said coil with said cross-bracket holding means.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA339,490A CA1104101A (en) | 1976-03-22 | 1979-11-08 | Helical coil dispensing machine apparatus |
| CA339,491A CA1104102A (en) | 1976-03-22 | 1979-11-08 | Helical coil dispensing machine apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US669,348 | 1976-03-22 | ||
| US05/669,348 US4061245A (en) | 1976-03-22 | 1976-03-22 | Helical coil dispensing machine apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1094993A true CA1094993A (en) | 1981-02-03 |
Family
ID=24686017
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA269,911A Expired CA1094993A (en) | 1976-03-22 | 1977-01-18 | Helical coil dispensing machine apparatus |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4061245A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1094993A (en) |
Families Citing this family (53)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4148412A (en) * | 1977-10-06 | 1979-04-10 | Gross-Given Manufacturing Company | Shelf configuration for spiral vendor |
| US4240563A (en) * | 1978-10-27 | 1980-12-23 | Gross-Given Manufacturing Company | Auxiliary dispensing unit for spiral vendor |
| US4368829A (en) * | 1980-05-27 | 1983-01-18 | Gross-Given Manufacturing Company | Can dispensing unit for spiral vendor |
| US4471528A (en) * | 1982-12-06 | 1984-09-18 | Miller Richard M | Tufting button upholstery machine |
| US4506802A (en) * | 1983-06-14 | 1985-03-26 | Gross-Given Manufacturing Company | Shelf configuration for vending machines |
| US4645036A (en) * | 1983-12-12 | 1987-02-24 | Nestler Richard F | Product dispenser |
| US4600119A (en) * | 1984-07-19 | 1986-07-15 | Olson Wayne L | Helical coil dispensing machine apparatus |
| US4636803A (en) * | 1984-10-16 | 1987-01-13 | Exxon Printing Systems, Inc. | System to linearly supply phase change ink jet |
| US4682185A (en) * | 1984-11-08 | 1987-07-21 | Martner John G | Ink jet method and apparatus utilizing a web of hot melt ink |
| US4744490A (en) * | 1986-08-25 | 1988-05-17 | Fawn Engineering Corp. | Table or like vending machine with customer operated anti-theft product delivery drawer |
| US4757915A (en) * | 1986-08-25 | 1988-07-19 | Fawn Engineering Corp. | Vending machine shelf assembly |
| US4930663A (en) * | 1988-10-17 | 1990-06-05 | Unidynamics Corporation | Article alignment unit |
| IT1229414B (en) * | 1989-06-01 | 1991-08-08 | Lucio Grossi | ROTATING VERTICAL HELICAL ELEMENT DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTION OF PACKAGED PRODUCTS. |
| US5215213A (en) * | 1989-06-22 | 1993-06-01 | Richard F. Nestler & Associates, Inc. | Item storage and dispensing apparatus |
| US5096090A (en) * | 1989-08-31 | 1992-03-17 | Revlon, Inc. | Automatic distribution machine |
| US5509573A (en) * | 1994-03-23 | 1996-04-23 | Campoli; William J. | Aseptic dispensing system |
| US6230932B1 (en) | 1996-03-29 | 2001-05-15 | Dpc, International, Inc. | Dispensing machine for printed publication |
| US5921436A (en) * | 1996-03-29 | 1999-07-13 | Lowing; C. Rankin | Media dispensing machine |
| US6128842A (en) | 1996-10-31 | 2000-10-10 | Gross-Given Manufacturing Company | Advertising display panel |
| US7048142B1 (en) | 1997-04-30 | 2006-05-23 | Automed Technologies, Inc. | Apparatus for dispensing medical items |
| US6019249A (en) * | 1997-04-30 | 2000-02-01 | Diebold, Incorporated | Apparatus for dispensing medical items |
| US6776306B1 (en) * | 1997-04-30 | 2004-08-17 | Medselect Inc. | Apparatus for dispensing medical items |
| US6513677B1 (en) * | 1997-10-14 | 2003-02-04 | Gross-Given Manufacturing Company | Apparatus and method for vending products |
| US6384402B1 (en) | 1998-04-29 | 2002-05-07 | Automated Merchandising Systems | Optical vend-sensing system for control of vending machine |
| DE29817528U1 (en) * | 1998-10-01 | 2000-02-17 | Willach Gmbh Geb | Dispenser |
| US6318591B1 (en) | 2000-04-27 | 2001-11-20 | Dpc International, Inc. | Dispensing machine for printed publications |
| IT251040Y1 (en) * | 2000-08-10 | 2003-11-04 | Fas International Spa | PERFECTED DEVICE FOR THE EXPULSION OF A PRODUCT FROM AN AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTOR. |
| US7356980B2 (en) | 2002-04-22 | 2008-04-15 | Restaurant Technology, Inc. | Automated method for packaging food |
| US6960157B2 (en) | 2002-04-22 | 2005-11-01 | Restaurant Technology, Inc. | Automated system and method for handling food containers |
| US7441388B2 (en) | 2002-04-22 | 2008-10-28 | Restaurant Technology, Inc. | Automated device for packaging food |
| US6871676B2 (en) | 2002-04-22 | 2005-03-29 | Restaurant Technology, Inc. | Automated device and method for packaging food |
| US20030205028A1 (en) | 2002-04-22 | 2003-11-06 | Sus Gerald A. | Automated food processing system and method |
| US7337594B2 (en) | 2002-04-22 | 2008-03-04 | Restaurant Technology, Inc. | Food dispensing device and method |
| WO2003089301A1 (en) | 2002-04-22 | 2003-10-30 | Restaurant Technology, Inc. | Automated food processing system and method |
| US6869633B2 (en) | 2002-04-22 | 2005-03-22 | Restaurant Technology, Inc. | Automated food frying device and method |
| DE10324968B4 (en) * | 2003-06-03 | 2008-01-10 | Deutsche Wurlitzer Gmbh | Goods compartment with puller for vending machines |
| US7837059B2 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2010-11-23 | Sanden Vendo America, Inc. | Product acquisition devices and methods for vending machines |
| US8162174B2 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2012-04-24 | Sandenvendo America, Inc. | Retrieval systems for vending machines |
| CA2557607A1 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2005-09-15 | Sandenvendo America, Inc. | Vending machine and component parts |
| US20070235468A1 (en) * | 2006-04-10 | 2007-10-11 | Robert Liva | Programmable helical coil dispensing system |
| US7367471B1 (en) * | 2007-01-08 | 2008-05-06 | Genesis Manufacturing, Inc. | Vending apparatus |
| US20090057096A1 (en) * | 2007-08-30 | 2009-03-05 | Larry Hieb | Front Panels for Vending Machines |
| US7880578B2 (en) * | 2007-10-02 | 2011-02-01 | Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc. | Conductor assembly including a flared aperture region |
| US8038018B1 (en) * | 2008-03-25 | 2011-10-18 | Vendmore Systems, Llc | Vending machine product stabilizer |
| US8550293B2 (en) * | 2009-08-28 | 2013-10-08 | Vendors Exchange International, Inc. | Replacement shelf for a vending machine |
| WO2011031793A1 (en) * | 2009-09-09 | 2011-03-17 | Sanden Vendo America, Inc. | Vending machines for large product containers |
| US9147304B2 (en) * | 2011-03-30 | 2015-09-29 | George Gemberling, Jr. | Reversible multi-position gearmotor and storage tray for vending machines |
| CN103426245A (en) * | 2012-05-24 | 2013-12-04 | 鸿富锦精密工业(武汉)有限公司 | Commodity driving structure |
| CN103632441A (en) * | 2012-08-21 | 2014-03-12 | 鸿富锦精密工业(武汉)有限公司 | Regulating device |
| CN103632447B (en) * | 2012-08-22 | 2016-03-30 | 鸿富锦精密工业(武汉)有限公司 | The device of the spring of mobile cargo in adjustment automatic vending machine |
| CN103679944B (en) * | 2012-09-03 | 2016-12-21 | 刘更新 | Rail mounting structure in automatic vending machine |
| CN104077847A (en) * | 2013-03-26 | 2014-10-01 | 鸿富锦精密工业(武汉)有限公司 | Goods outlet structure of vending machine |
| US11426329B2 (en) * | 2019-11-12 | 2022-08-30 | Omnicell, Inc. | Dispensing systems and methods for prefilled syringes |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3441174A (en) * | 1967-08-14 | 1969-04-29 | Seeburg Corp | Spiral feed vending machine |
| US3591045A (en) * | 1969-11-24 | 1971-07-06 | Raymond F Jones | Helical coil vending machine |
| US3653540A (en) * | 1970-02-06 | 1972-04-04 | Vendo Co | Dispensing machine having multiple dual helix conveyors |
| US3840147A (en) * | 1973-07-05 | 1974-10-08 | Vendo Co | Shelf apparatus for helix type product dispensing machines |
| US3929255A (en) * | 1974-01-31 | 1975-12-30 | Fawn Eng Corp | Vending machine divided helix apparatus |
| US3952915A (en) * | 1974-03-22 | 1976-04-27 | Rowe International, Inc. | Delivery unit for helical feed merchandising machine |
-
1976
- 1976-03-22 US US05/669,348 patent/US4061245A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1977
- 1977-01-18 CA CA269,911A patent/CA1094993A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4061245A (en) | 1977-12-06 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1094993A (en) | Helical coil dispensing machine apparatus | |
| US6415953B1 (en) | First-in first-out vending machine | |
| US5199598A (en) | Dispensing apparatus for tennis ball containers | |
| US5570811A (en) | Apparatus and method for dispensing items from a vending machine | |
| US8025180B2 (en) | Capsule dispensing apparatus | |
| US3970217A (en) | Coin-operable packaged diaper dispensing machine | |
| US20070012716A1 (en) | Vending machine with horizontal product presentation | |
| CA1121318A (en) | Insert member for a helical dispensing coil | |
| US4148412A (en) | Shelf configuration for spiral vendor | |
| US3441174A (en) | Spiral feed vending machine | |
| CA1299149C (en) | Skewed serpentine multi-package product storage rack | |
| EP0019393B1 (en) | Vending machine item discharge unit | |
| EP1797800A2 (en) | Capsule dispensing apparatus for vending machines, in particular beverage vending machines | |
| US4860922A (en) | Automatic dispenser for cylindrical commodities, in particular packets of coin | |
| JPH03506087A (en) | Automatic feeding device for soft material bottles | |
| US4565300A (en) | Dispensing mechanism for vending machines or the like | |
| US4506802A (en) | Shelf configuration for vending machines | |
| WO1995024700A1 (en) | Coin-operated dispensing machine | |
| KR102525991B1 (en) | Product dispensing device of multi-vending machine | |
| CA1104102A (en) | Helical coil dispensing machine apparatus | |
| KR102648687B1 (en) | A vending machine | |
| KR102437320B1 (en) | Card dispenser for toy | |
| WO2012100317A1 (en) | Vending apparatus having drum dispensing means | |
| CA1104101A (en) | Helical coil dispensing machine apparatus | |
| JP2002150373A (en) | Coin inserting device and vending machine |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |