Cold drink vending machine with window front panel

Abstract

A cold drink container vending machine having a front window panel through which cold drinks in serpentine tracks can be viewed for selection. Pre-cooled cold drink container holding racks are aligned with the serpentine tracks so that the pre-cooled containers can be viewed when vendable containers in the serpentine tracks are depleted. Continuous advertisement is provided in the form of the cold drink containers themselves which are viewed through the transparent front window panel.

Description

This application is related to a co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/071,641 entitled "Cold Drink Vending Mechanism" filed concurrently herewith, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,818.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cold drink vending machine and in particular, to a vending machine for dispensing refrigerated cold drink containers from a plurality of vertical gravity feed serpentine cold drink container tracks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, cold drink vending machines which dispense cold drink containers upon payment of a fee have been primarily of the type in which exterior advertising for the type of cold drink products dispensable from the vending machine were separately displayed on the exterior of the vending machine. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,709 issued to Brandes, et al., discloses a beverage container-dispensing machine in which the sign panel contains a product identifying logo corresponding to at least one type of the beverage cans to be dispensed. The individual flavor or type of cold drink is indicated on smaller panels associated with dispensing buttons. Examples of these types of dispensers which also include serpentine tracks for storing and dispensing cylindrical articles, such as cold drink cans, include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,347,952 issued to Bookout in 1982, U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,750 issued to Ficken in 1988, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,313 issued to Rockola in 1990. The Ficken patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,750 includes a window for viewing articles other than the refrigerated cold drinks. The refrigerated cold drinks are stored within the cabinet in a separately closed refrigerated area. The types of cold drinks to be dispensed are presented on separate display panels associated with the various serpentine tracks.

Bottled beverage vending machines have also been disclosed in which a small window panel is provided by which only the bottle caps can be viewed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,679,143 issued to Helsing in 1954 has inclined racks on which the bottles are stored, which move the bottles to the bottle cap viewing and dispensing area by the rolling force of gravity.

Refrigerated product vending machines having window panels through which the products can be viewed have also been previously disclosed for products such as apples in U.S. Pat. No. 2,604,371 issued to Smiley, et al. in 1952.

Some of the advantages of a view-through dispensing machine for temperature controlled cylindrical containers were recognized and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,671,001 issued to Ossanna, Jr. in 1954. However, the cylindrical containers were vertically stacked so that they did not include the advantages of a serpentine track for cold drink can dispensing. Further, when this device was depleted for a particular vertical stack of cylindrical articles it no longer indicated to the potential customer the types of articles which might be obtained when the cabinet was refilled. A precooling storage area was not provided so that a time lag would exist between filling the machine with uncooled product containers and the time at which they could be dispensed at a cool temperature. For these reasons, the temperature controlled vending machine with a glass front as set forth previously was not well suited for cold drink can dispensing.

There are some vending machines, such as cold drink vending machines, in which cylindrically shaped articles and in particular, cold drink containers, bottles, and especially cans are stored in vertical racks or serpentine racks. The articles fall or roll by the force of gravity toward the bottom of the rack. In the past, dispensing one cylindrical article at a time in response to payment and selection actuation, has been accomplished through the use of a rocker arm arrangement having a central trough sized to hold one can, with ears at either end. The arm pivots at the central trough so that either ear can be alternately moved into the path of the cans. In operation, the arm pivots in one direction to allow the column of cold drinks to roll by the force of gravity so that the lowest can in the column is pushed into the trough against the lower ear. The arm then pivots in the other direction to force the upper ear against the weight of the column and to simultaneously allow the lowest cold drink can to fall free into a dispensing area. Upon rocking into the can dispensing position, the upper ear necessarily moves against the entire weight of the column of cold drink cans, thereby holding them upward in place while the trough held can is dispensed. Prior to dispensing the next can, the rocker arm pivots back to its first position allowing the column of cans to drop down, forcing the lowest can into the trough and against the lower ear of the rocker arm. The cycle is repeated to dispense the next can. To facilitate moving the rocker arm against the column, the ears were rounded for insertion between the lowest can and the next can in the vertical column thereabove. This helped make the operation smoother but did not totally eliminate the large amount of power required to move the rocker arm ears against the weight of a full column of cans. These prior mechanisms had to be constructed with sufficient strength to allow repeated operation of the rocker arm from one pivot position to the next while providing sufficient force to move against the entire weight of the column of cans in the track thereabove.

In prior vending machines in which temperature controlled products, such as cold drink containers, were vended, the vending chute through which the cold drinks were dispensed was also a conduit through which cold air escaped, thereby requiring additional energy for maintaining the temperature control storage area. Some cold drink vending machines were constructed with access through the top so that the cold denser air tended to remain within the vending area. Other vending machines provided only small openings through which the cold drinks were dispensed, thereby minimizing the exposure. Sometimes, the areas were provided with a flexible shield which tended to reduce heat exchange by convection, but did little to reduce the heat exchange caused by conduction.

In multiple column cold drink dispensers of the type with a plurality of horizontally spaced vertical columns or tracks of cold drinks, a spring-loaded door was provided across the area through which the cans were dispensed. Sometimes the weight of a single cold drink can was insufficient to actuate the door. The door was intended to be actuated by the weight of a cold drink dispensed thereagainst so that it pivoted to an open position allowing the cold drink to fall into a chute from which it could be retrieved by the consumer. Often, the weight of the door and the tension of the spring was balanced against the force normally applied by a cold drink. When the amount of friction pivoting the door was increased, as by a ruptured can, a broken bottle, or an otherwise spilled cold drink, the force provided by the weight of a can was insufficient to open the door and the machine would become jammed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages of prior cold article vending machines as applied to cold drink container vending machines have been overcome by the present invention which provides a cold drink container vending machine having serpentine vending tracks for guiding vendable containers through a refrigerated case and having a transparent front window panel through which the cold drink containers are viewed from the outside of the vending machine. Further, there are storage racks inside the case adjacent to the front window panel for holding pre-cooled cold drink containers, which remain visible for advertising purposes even after the vendable containers are depleted.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of separate serpentine tracks are vertically stacked so that separate tracks may be activated by separate selection entries with one or more buttons on a control panel. Alternatively, selection entry on the control panel may activate both an upper and a lower vertically stacked serpentine track in appropriate sequence such that both tracks are depleted with the same entry, so that the capacity for a particular type of cold drink may be increased and is dispensable with a single selection entry. With both options available, the versatility of a single vending machine is increased and differences in popularity of types of cold drinks can be accommodated by having popular cold drinks in both upper and lower vertical tracks.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the serpentine tracks are uniquely formed for holding cold drink containers which are cylindrical cans. Pairs of oppositely facing vertical partitions are provided on which mirror image shallow channels are formed. The cans are supported at opposite ends of the cans between the oppositely facing shallow channels formed in the partitions. The partitions are supported inside the refrigerated case and a uniform distance between the channels is maintained with uniformly sized horizontally disposed spacing struts to form an array of side-by-side vertical serpentine tracks.

According to one aspect of the invention, the glass front window, through which the cold drinks are visible, is maintained free of condensation which might otherwise obscure visibility. Preferably, the glass front is formed of a thermal insulated window with the surface of one sheet of window glass coated with an electrically heated sheet of plastic. Alternatively, additional sheets of glass forming a multi-pane window serve to reduce condensation. A border around the front door of the machine may be heated with an electrical resistance wire to prevent condensation around the door seal.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a simplified set of brackets are formed on the inside of the front panel door to prevent the cold drink containers from impacting the glass front window if the machine is tipped.

The present invention overcomes other drawbacks of the prior art by providing a cylindrical article vending mechanism, which is positionable below and adjacent to a track containing a column of a plurality of cylindrical articles, such as cold drink cans. The mechanism includes a first arm having a portion thereof which is pivotable between a blocking position in the path of the cylindrical products and a release position out of the path of the cylindrical products. A first rotatable cam actuates the first arm from the blocking position to the release position. The vending mechanism also includes a second pivotable arm having a portion thereof which is pivotable between a block position in the path of the rolling cylindrical products and a release position out of the product path. The second pivotable arm is located a distance corresponding to the diameter of one cylindrical article, below the first arm. The second pivotable arm is actuated from the blocking position to the release position with a second rotatable cam. The first and second cams have elliptical profile shapes which are rigidly affixed at offset rotary positions to a drive shaft, such that the second arm is only moved to a release position when the first arm is in a blocking position. The second arm moves to its blocking position after it releases one can and before the first arm retracts. The first arm is moved to its release position only when the second arm is in its blocking position. The first arm then moves into its blocking position while the second arm is in its blocking position. In this fashion, the cams never lift the arms against the entire weight of the column. The arms are each moved into blocking positions only when the other is already statically holding the weight of the column. The rotational power requirement of the motor is very low because the weight of the column need not be lifted through motor rotation.

According to another feature of the invention, the vending mechanism is conveniently removable from the vending machine for service. It is reinserted into a fixed rigid position using a unique sliding clip-in arrangement without traditional threaded fasteners. Further, a manually actuated blocking lever is positioned above the vending mechanism so that the column of cylindrical articles can be held in place while the vending mechanism is removed, serviced, or replaced.

Applicant has discovered that rather than providing a single elongated door covering all outlets of vending columns, the ability of individual cans to actuate the doors against the mass of the doors can be facilitated by segmenting the elongated door into individual pivoting doors at the lower end of each cold drink track.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a continuous elongated door comprising rigid surface layers and interior insulation can be used to block the openings between the insulated chamber and the outlet chute. The door is mechanically engaged with an exterior door for access into the chute, so that pushing the exterior door actuates the insulated door to allow the can to fall into the chute for access by the consumer. In this manner, substantial insulation is achieved and the consumer provides the force which can be substantially greater than the weight and inertia of a rolling can to open the door, thereby avoiding inoperability due to sticking doors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following description, claims, and drawings in which like numerals represent like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cold drink vending machine with a view-through front window panel according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial front elevation view of an upper portion of a cold drink vending machine with a view-through front window panel according to the present invention with an alternative exterior appearance and control panel arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a side partial section view taken along section line 3--3 of FIG. 2 depicting an upper portion of a vending machine showing the unique arrangement of vertically stackable serpentine vending tracks and pre-cooled storage racks associated with each separate serpentine track;

FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away top view depicting an embodiment of the unique arrangement and construction of serpentine tracks within a cold drink vending machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the construction of a pair of serpentine track end forming partitions which are welded together for use in the simplified durable construction of the cold drink vending machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cold drink vending machine slave unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side detail view of a vending machine escapement mechanism with one side cover removed to show interior features thereof and also showing hidden portions with dashed lines and a slidable engagement position indicated with partial phantom lines;

FIG. 8 shows an end view of the escapement mechanism of FIG. 7 viewed from the left end of the escapement mechanism with internal portions thereof shown in hidden lines;

FIG. 9 shows a partial section view taken along section line 9--9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged partial side detail of a vending trough, insulated door, and mechanically actuatable access door into the dispensing chute according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a partial top plan detail view of the vending chute and insulated door mechanism of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a front elevation detail view of the manually actuatable access door of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cold drink container vending machine 10. The vending machine 10 includes a refrigerated case 12 having a front 14, a left side 16, a right side 18, a top 20, a bottom 22, and a back 24. The front includes a lower panel portion 26 in which a cold drink container dispensing area 28 is located. The dispensing area 28 may be an opened shelf, but preferably includes an openable door 27 covering an opening 29 behind which the dispensing area 28 is located. The front 14 further advantageously includes a transparent window panel 30 extending substantially from side to side and substantially from the top to the lower panel portion 26 at which the dispensing area 28 is located.

The transparent window panel 30 allows potential consumers of cold drinks or customers who may wish to purchase a cold drink which is dispensed in a container from the vending machine 10 to view actual cold drink containers 32 which will be dispensed or vended.

Particularly advantageous where the cold drink containers 32 are standard size cylindrical cold drink containers 32, a plurality of side-by-side serpentine tracks 35 are formed and positioned inside of the refrigerated case 12 to hold and to guide the cans through the refrigerated area 13 to the dispensing area 28. Tracks 35 preferably include a first upper track 34, which is vertically above a first lower vertical track 36. While any desired number of aligned upper and lower vertical tracks may be included, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 also includes a second upper vertical track 38 and a corresponding second lower vertical track 40, a third upper vertical track 42, and a corresponding third lower vertical track 44, and a final upper vertical track 46 and a final lower vertical track 48. The first upper and lower vertical tracks are adjacent the left side 16 of the case 12 when viewed from the front and the final, upper and lower vertical tracks 46 and 48 are adjacent the right side 18 of the case 12 when viewed from the front.

A container selection means, designated generally as 50, is provided which includes a control panel 52 and track indicator 54 which is vertically aligned with one of the vertical tracks. In the embodiment shown, track indicator 54 corresponds to the first upper vertical track and a lower selection indicator 56 corresponds to the first lower vertical track. The selection indicators may include slots 54a, and 56a, into which printed tags 54b and 56b, having information 54 and 56 thereon, such as selection and price indicia, are formed in horizontal supports 93 and 95 adjacent to each track, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For selection of a desired cold drink which may be seen in one of the tracks, the control panel 52 has buttons or keys 58 having associated indicia corresponding to the track indicators 54 or 56. Upon depositing money in receiving slots 60 or 61, the value of the money may be displayed at a display 62 which when it equals or exceeds a predetermined price for the desired selection, a selected cold drink is dispensed upon making a selection entry by depressing one or more keys or buttons 58 corresponding to the selection indicator. If the value deposited exceeds the amount required for the purchase, then change is returnable at change return 64.

FIG. 2 depicts a front elevation view of one alternative embodiment of a cold drink can vending machine according to the present invention. Front 14 of the case 12 can be opened by disengaging latch 66, which may be key operated lock 66 for security purposes, and by pivoting the front 14 about a hinge 68. This provides a convenient means for refilling one or more of the serpentine tracks 35 with cold drink cans 32. Preferably, as shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a door portion 67 of front 14 on which window panel 30 is mounted, pivots separately from a control panel portion 69 of front 14. However, as shown in FIG. 2, a control panel may also be integrally formed on a door 71 so that both the window panel 30 and the control panel 52 pivot about hinge 68.

FIG. 3 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the cold drink dispenser of FIG. 2 taken along section line 3--3. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 simultaneously, the interior configuration of the cold drink storage area will be more fully understood. The interior structure shown is substantially the same for the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1. An upper serpentine track 70 receives cold drink containers 32, which are preferably cylindrical cans 32 and guides them as they roll downward along serpentine track 70 propelled by the force of gravity. There is a first pre-cooled can storage rack 72 and a second pre-cooled storage rack 74 which are preferably located adjacent the transparent front window panel 30 so that they may be continuously viewed from outside of the cold drink can dispenser 10. The cans in serpentine track 70 can also be viewed (when present) through front window panel 30. A lower serpentine track 76 receives, holds and guides cold drink cans 32 in a similar fashion so that they may be viewed through transparent window panel 30. Additional cold drink pre-cooled storage racks 78, 80 and 82 are further provided in vertical alignment with lower serpentine track 76. Connected at the bottom of serpentine track 70 is an escapement mechanism 84 which is operatively actuated through control panel 52 to dispense a cold drink container into dispensing area 28. The desired or selected type of cold drink is viewed in the serpentine track 70, the track indicator 54 is also viewed and the selection is made by depressing entry selection buttons or keys 58 with corresponding indicia. Arms 86 and 87 of mechanism 84 are appropriately activated in sequence to allow can 32 to move one at a time into the dispensing area 28 where it can be removable from openable door 27 by the consumer. A hold back lever 88 is also provided at each track which is manually pivotable to block the cans in the track above the escapement mechanism 84 so that the escapement mechanism 84 may be removed, replaced, or otherwise worked on without discharging all of the cans from the track.

Thus, a plurality of separate upper serpentine tracks 34, 38, 42 and 46 are vertically stacked over separate lower tracks 36, 40, 44 and 48, respectively so that separate tracks may be activated by separate selection entries 54 or 56 with one or more buttons 58 on a control panel 52. Alternatively, selection entry on the control panel 52 may activate both an upper track 34, 38, 42 or 46 and a corresponding lower track 36, 40, 44 or 48 vertically stacked serpentine track in appropriate sequence such that both tracks 34 and 36 are depleted with the same entry 56, so that the capacity for a particular type of cold drink may be increased and is dispensable with a single selection entry 56. A selectively programmable portion of the control mechanism, including control panel 52, with buttons 58 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), mechanism 84 and connection 146 (see FIG. 7), all for causing the same one or more control panel buttons to activate both an upper and a lower vertically stacked serpentine track so that both upper 34 and lower 36 vertically aligned serpentine tracks can be filled with one kind of cold drink container 32 and the selection 56 of the one kind of cold drink is made with the same one or more buttons 58 without the need for a separate one or more buttons for vertically aligned upper 34 and lower 36 serpentine tracks with the one kind of cold drink 32 held in each of them. A first or rear mechanism 84a and a second or front operated mechanism 84b are provided for each track 34 and 36. Thus, when first track 84a is depleted, pushing the same one button or buttons 58, corresponding to selection 56 only, causes the programmed control panel 52 to activate the second escape mechanism 84b. Another order of canned depletion may be programmed. For example, track 84b before track 84a, or alternating between tracks 84a and 84b sequentially while both are dispensing the same kind of cold drink 32.

The glass front window 30 through which the cold drink containers 32 are visible is preferably maintained free of condensation which might otherwise obscure visibility. Preferably, glass front 30 is formed of a thermally insulated window 30, such as two panes of glass 30a and 30b sealed around the perimeter 73 with a vacuum 30c created between the two panes 30a and 30b. Also preferably, the surface of one pane of window glass is coated with an electrically heated transparent sheet 75. Alternatively (as shown in FIG. 4), additional panes of glass 30d and 30f with vacuum 30e therebetween forming a multi-pane window may serve to reduce condensation. A border around the front door of the machine may be heated with an electrically resistant wire to prevent condensation around the door seal.

Also depicted in FIG. 3 (and also in FIGS. 2 and 4), is a can holding grid 90 attached to the door 71 (or attached to door 67 in FIG. 1) to prevent the cans from escaping from the tracks if the machine is tipped. The grid 90 has vertical side runners 89a and 89b at either side which are each sufficiently narrow to allow a clear view of the cold drink can 32, yet sufficiently wide to overlap one end of cold drink cans 32 by a small amount. Closing door 71 (closing door 67 of FIG. 1) positions vertical side runners, 89a at the left and 89b at the right, immediately adjacent the front of the tracks. Thus, upon tilting or tipping of the machine, the overlap prevents the cans from escaping from the upper track openings by which the tracks are filled with cans. Similarly, grid 90 includes a middle vertical runner 91 which overlaps ends of cans in two side-by-side middle tracks. If more than four total tracks are constructed, an additional middle runner 91 will be required for each two additional tracks. The price indicia can be removably inserted into horizontal cross bars 93 and 95 of the grid 90 immediately below each track. Slots 54a and 56a are formed adjacent to each track for replaceably inserting printed tags 54b and 56b on which information 54 and 56 pertaining to cold drink containers 32 within corresponding tracks and observable within transparent window 30.

FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away top view depicting the plurality of serpentine tracks 35 within the cold drink vending machine 10. Each separate track holds a predetermined number of cold drink cans 32 depending upon the diameter of the cold drink container and the length of the track. Each track may be filled with a different kind of cold drink 32a, b, c, or d. However, the cans will be the same and the construction will be described with reference to a single cold drink can 32 having ends 31 and 33 spaced apart a standard predetermined distance depending upon the size of cold drink cans to be vended. The tracks are formed with a plurality of oppositely facing left and right partitions. As depicted in FIG. 4, the first vertical track is formed with a first left partition 92 and an opposed first right partition 94. The second track is formed with a second left partition 96 and a second right partition 98. The third track is formed with a third left partition 100 and a third right partition 102 and the final track is formed with a final left partition 104 and opposed final right partition 106.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a wall assembly 108 which is typical for each of the plurality of wall assemblies 108 (shown in FIG. 4) which are formed by connecting first right partition 94 to second left partition 96, second right partition 98 to third left partition 100, and third right partition 102 to final left partition 104. The first left partition 92 may be attached to an unused right partition to form a wall 108, or alternatively, first left partition 92 may stand alone. It may be attached to a flat sheet of material for additional support. Alternatively, it might be abutted against and connected to an interior surface of case 12 for additional stability. Similarly, the final right partition 106 may stand alone, may be attached to an unused left partition, may be attached to a flat sheet of material, or may be attached to the interior wall of the case 12.

In FIG. 5, a right partition 94 and a left partition 96 are shown, to demonstrate a preferred construction, which construction is also applicable for other right and left partitions which form a plurality of walls 108 in the refrigerated vending machine. The partitions are joined back to back with joints 112, which are preferably a continuous strip of bonding as in FIG. 5, but which may also be a series of spot bonds as shown in FIG. 3. Joints 112 are preferably positioned in channel bottoms 114 between the channel edges 116 and around the perimeter 115 of the partitions. The joints 112 are flush with or depressed slightly below channel bottoms 114 so that they do not interfere with rolling of cans 32 supported at ends 31 and 33 by channel edges 116. It has been found that the continuous strip of bonding advantageously avoids flat areas between spot bonds which can cause binding if cans 32 tilt as they roll along tracks 35.

In a preferred embodiment, the partitions 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104 and 106 are constructed of plastic, such as ABS, polyethylene, PVC or structural foam because of their light weight and ease of manufacture. However, they may also be constructed of other rigid materials, such as machined metal, sheet metal, or other structural materials, such as composites. Preferably, sheets of plastic are vacuum formed, but other plastic shape-forming processes may be used, such as injection molding. The joints 112 may be conveniently formed by solvent bonding, UV welding, or other techniques for joining sheets of formed plastic back to back. In order to maintain the spacing distance between the ends 31 and 33 of each cold drink container 32 and to further rigidify the structure, spacing struts 118 are inserted at multiple locations into depressions 124 which are formed into the partitions at a plurality of locations outside of the channel edges 116, so that the cold drink cans 32 roll freely. The struts are preferably a rigid tubular material cut to a desired size corresponding to the depth of depressions 124 and the top to bottom dimension of the cans 32. The shape of depressions 124 is unique, in that it has a first component 120 and a second component 122. The first component is longer than the second component so that the tubular strut 118 can be tilted in the first longer portion 120, pivoted perpendicular to the wall 108 and then moved into the second shorter component 122. A reduction in space for a ridge is formed at 123 within each depression 124 at second component 122 to hold the tubular strut 118 in place. The ridge 123 is sized so that strut 118 "snaps" into a fixed position. The wall 108 is accurately spaced over its entire area. The position between the opposed channels is established by securely installing struts 118 between each of the walls 108 at a plurality of predetermined locations 126, 128, 130, 132 and 134 therealong.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cold drink vending machine 105 which is a slave unit. The actuation and vending are controlled from a control panel on a master unit 10, such as that shown in FIGS. 1 or 2.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of an escapement mechanism 84 with a cover portion 192 removed to show the escapement mechanism more clearly. An end elevation of the same escapement mechanism 84 is also shown in FIG. 8 looking inward from left to right with respect to FIG. 7. Mounted within frame 142 is a motor and gearbox assembly 144, which in the preferred embodiment will require only a low amount of power which can be supplied through electrical power connection 146. Motor and gearbox assembly 144 incorporates an integral position detection switch 145 which determines the base position of the output shaft of motor and gearbox assembly 144. This switch 145 is provided to facilitate feedback control of the escapement mechanism so that the power to motor and gearbox assembly 144 can be appropriately disengaged after each vending cycle. The output shaft of motor and gearbox assembly 144 is connected to cam axle 150, which rotates during each vending cycle. Preferably, each cycle is 360.degree. so that two identical single lobe cams 152 and 154 can be used offset 180.degree. from each other.

Cam axle 150 is shown in partial detail cross-sectional view in FIG. 9 taken along section line 9--9 of FIG. 7. With reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 together, it will be understood that there is a first offset cam 152 attached for rotation with cam axle 150 and also a second offset cam 154 similarly attached for rotation with cam axle 150 adjacent to first offset cam 152. The first offset cam 152 operates an upstream pivot arm 86 or an upper pivot arm 86 and second offset cam 154 operates a downstream pivot arm 87 or a lower pivot arm 87. In operation, pivot arms 86 and 87 move between blocked pathway positions 156a and 158a, respectively, and retracted positions 156B and 158B, respectively. Initially, arm 87 is in a blocked position and 86 is in a retracted position to allow the column of cylindrical articles 32 to roll downward against arm 87. Subsequently, rotation of cam axle 150 moves first cam 152 against upper roller 160 to move upper arm 86 from retracted position 156b to block position 156a (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 7) so that both arms 86 and 87 are in blocking positions. With upper arm 86 in blocking position 156a, additional rotation of axle 150 maintains upper arm 86 in its blocking position while lower arm 87 is allowed to retract from blocked position 158a to retracted position 158b, thereby dispensing a single lowest cylindrical article 32 with the remainder of the column of cylindrical articles, including and above 32y, held by arm 86. Additional rotation continues to maintain upper arm 86 in blocking position 156a while lower arm 87 is moved into blocking position 158a. Further additional rotation of axle 150 then retracts arm 86 and allows the column of articles, such as cans 32, to move downward against arm 86 until it is fully retracted and the cans 32 are released to roll downward against arm 87 in blocking position 158a.

In a 360.degree. vending cycle, the preferred sequence is as follows: home position: upper arm 86 retracted, lower arm 87 blocked first 90.degree. rotation: arm 86 moves to block, arm 87 remains blocked; second 90.degree. rotation: arm 86 blocks, arm 87 retracts; third 90.degree. rotation: arm 86 blocks, arm 87 returns to block; final 90.degree. rotation: arm 86 retracts, arm 87 blocks; home position. At this point, the position detection switch 145 on motor and gearbox assembly 144 is actuated to signal the end of the vending cycle and disengage power until the next consumer activates the vending mechanism. Once cylindrical articles roll against arm 87, the vending cycle is completed.

The upper arm 86 extends a maximum distance calculated to not contact the cylindrical article when both arms 86 and 87 are at their fully extended blocking positions 156a and 158a. In this manner, neither upper arm 86 nor lower arm 87 will ever contact the column of cylindrical articles or cans while being raised into their blocking positions so that the power required of the motor and gear assembly 144 is minimized. During retraction action of arms 86 or 87, the weight of the cylindrical articles is in a direction to assist the rotation of motor and gearbox assembly 144. Thus, the maximum power required of motor and gearbox assembly 144 is that required to overcome the rolling friction between cam rollers 162 and 160 against the circular portion of cams 152 and 154 while arm 86 is maintained in a static condition blocking the column of cans. Both upper and lower pivot arms 86 and 87 can be conveniently attached to the same pivot point 164.

To prevent the consumer from accidentally selecting a product from an empty column, the escapement mechanism incorporates a product detection device, consisting of product sensing cam 148, extension spring 166, and product sensing switch 168. When there are one or more cylindrical articles available for vending, product sensing cam 148 is held in retracted position 148b by the cylindrical article, depressing the actuator arm of product sensing switch 168. When the last cylindrical article is vended, extension spring 166 causes the product sensing cam 148 to move to raised position 148a, allowing the actuator arm on product sensing switch 168 to lift and signal a "sold out" condition. Product sensing switch 168 is also wired through power input 146.

As escapement mechanisms 84 are provided at the lower end of each column of cylindrical articles, such as cold drink containers, one or more may be subjected to spillage, breakage, and otherwise particularly harsh operating conditions. Cleaning, repair, or replacement is sometimes required of one of the vending mechanisms. For that purpose, escapement mechanisms 84 are uniquely and advantageously provided with a slide mount mechanism 170 by which the escapement mechanism 84 is removably and rigidly engageable with the vending machine 10. Frame 142 is formed with front feet 172 having engaging toes 173 projecting therefrom. Also, back feet 174 spaced apart from the front feet with engaging toes 175 projecting therefrom. Preferably, there is a pair of front feet 172 and a pair of back feet 174 on each escapement frame 142. The feet and engaging toes engage with a slide track 176 which is formed at an appropriate location within the vending machine cabinet. The slide track 176 includes a pair of front engaging blocks 178 having engaging ears 179 spaced above track 176 a sufficient distance for slip fit engagement with engaging toes 173. Also, there are back engaging blocks 180 with engaging ears 181 supported therefrom spaced above track 176 a sufficient distance for sliding engagement with back engaging toes 175. In order to hold the escapement mechanism 84 rigidly in place, a latch mechanism 182 is provided which has a handle 186 pivotably mounted about a pivot point 184 to move a latch bolt 188 up for clearance above back block 180 and downward into a latch position against back blocks 180. Thus, feet 172 and 174 are placed on track 176 and are slid forward to the position indicated at 190. Latch bolt 188 is then moved with handle 186 into a downward latched position. Removal of the escapement mechanism 84 merely requires that the operator raise handle 186 to disengage latch bolt 188 and then slide the mechanism rearward out of engagement so that it can be lifted and removed for cleaning, servicing, or replacement. Conveniently, power attachment 146 is in the form of a socket 146, so that complete removal and disengagement from a power source, from control circuitry, and from a product sensing device can be easily and conveniently accomplished.

To reduce the amount of cleaning, repair and replacement, the entire cam mechanism of escapement 84 is enclosed within a closure case 192, having a portion thereof fitting between the pivot arms and the motorized cam mechanism with only a sufficient open area for movement of rollers 160 and 162 through the closure case 192 for engagement with cams 152 and 154.

FIG. 10 depicts an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a dispensing trough mechanism 194 shown separated from the escapement mechanism 84 of the vending machine 10 as shown in FIG. 3. Also, additional understanding will be had with reference to FIG. 11 which is a partial top detail view of the dispensing trough 194 of FIG. 10. An angled tray 196 is positioned below a receiving opening 198. Opening 198 is below and receives dispensed articles from escapement mechanism 84 thereabove (as shown in FIG. 3). Preferably, a plurality of escapement mechanisms 84 vend cylindrical containers from a plurality of tracks. Advantageously, partitions 197 are provided along tray 196 to guide the cylindrical containers so that they roll without twisting, which would cause them to stop rolling. The cylindrical articles roll along tray 196 to a discharge opening 195 and against insulated door 200 which is hinged at 202 and spring-loaded as with spring 203 against seal 204 around discharge opening 195 of trough 194. Door 200 may be constructed of a durable plastic material exterior layer 205 having an interior insulation core 206 with desired combined thickness and insulative characteristics to provide adequate insulation for maintaining the interior of the vending machine cabinet at a desired cool temperature with minimum energy consumption. A substantially thick door 200 is thus provided which would normally require either a very steeply angled tray 196 or a very heavy cylindrical article 32, or both, to actuate it to an open position. The cylindrical article could easily become stuck within dispensing trough 194, where it could not be reached by the consumer. However, door 200 is uniquely and advantageously constructed with an offset actuation roller 208 which is mechanically operated upon opening of manual access door 210, which corresponds to openable door 27. It has been found that a plurality of smaller doors (not shown) at each guided portion of tray 196 between the partitions 197 allows the momentum of one can to move the smaller doors opened. However, mechanical opening of a single larger door 200 as shown is preferred to insure proper opening while providing good insulation.

Greater understanding of the mechanism by which door 210 actuates door 200 through roller 208 will be had with reference to FIG. 10 in combination with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a front elevation detail view of the door 210 and access chute 212. Thus, in FIG. 10, it will be observed that access door 210 is pivoted about its hinge at 216 to allow access through access opening 29 into delivery chute 212. A drive bar 218 is rigidly attached to pivot with door 210, which drive bar 218 may be a square or rectangular bar. Bar 218 is rotated about hinge point 216 and upon pushing door 210 engages and rotates lever 220. Lever 220 is connected to spring 222 to hold door 210 into a normally closed position. A flexible sealing flap 214 is positioned to move with door 210 and to act as a barrier against free circulation of air when door 210 is closed. Upon pushing door 210, not only is delivery obtained to chute 212, but also lever 220 is rotated and acts through linkage 224 to actuate cam 226 so that it pivots about pivot point 228. Upon pivoting about pivot point 228, pawl 230 of cam 226 lifts upward against actuation roller 208 and opens door 200. Thus, after a cylindrical article has been vended, it falls onto tray 196 and rolls against door 200 where it is temporarily stopped. When the consumer manually pushes on door 210, force is also provided to open door 200. The dispensed cylindrical article rolls into delivery chute 212 where the consumer can easily reach and remove the vended product.

It will also be seen that this construction conveniently allows temperature controlled air to be injected (as with fan 231 of FIG. 3) through cooling conduit 232 and through orifices 234 formed in angled tray 196. Trough 194 is connected to the bottom of the vending cabinet through connection brackets 236. Door mounting brackets 238 are similarly used to mount door 210 and delivery chute 212 with its cam-operated mechanism at a lower portion of the front panel of the vending machine. The entire cabinet can be maintained with minimum energy expended for temperature control by providing insulation 240 around the entire dispensing trough 194.

Other alterations and modifications of the invention will likewise become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure, and it is intended that the scope of the invention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventors are legally entitled.

Claims

1. A vending machine for selectively vending cold drink containers comprising:

(a) an insulated case having a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top and a bottom enclosing a refrigerated storage area;

(b) a dispensing opening located in a lower portion of said front of said insulated case;

(c) a plurality of serpentine tracks held side-by-side in said refrigerated storage area vertically arranged for holding cold drink containers to be vended within said refrigerated storage area and for guiding said cold drink containers as they move along said serpentine tracks by the force of gravity;

(d) said front comprising a transparent window panel extending substantially from said first side to said second side and from said top to said lower portion at which said dispensing opening is located so that substantially the entire refrigerated storage area is viewable through said transparent window panel;

(e) a plurality of pre-cooled cold drink container storage racks, each one aligned with a corresponding one of said plurality of serpentine tracks adjacent to said transparent window panel, but not rollingly communicating said pre-cooled cold drink container with said serpentine tracks so that a cold drink container of a type to be vended from said aligned serpentine tracks is visible both when said serpentine tracks hold said cold drink containers and also when said serpentine tracks require refilling and so that said precooled cold drink container is available for partial refilling of a depleted track upon filling said track with additional cold drink containers; and

(f) means operatively associated with said insulated case and serpentine tracks therein for selectively vending a cold drink container from one of said serpentine tracks to said dispensing opening so that said selected cold drink container can be retrieved therefrom for consumption.

2. A vending machine for selectively vending cold drink containers as in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said cold drink containers are cylindrical cans having a predetermined diameter and length; and

(b) said serpentine tracks further comprise:

(i) a plurality of left partitions having a left shallow serpentine channel formed thereon, vertically disposed within said refrigerated storage area;

(ii) a plurality of right partitions having a right shallow serpentine channel formed thereon, which is the mirror image of said left shallow serpentine channel, vertically disposed within said refrigerated storage area;

(iii) joints between left and right partitions to hold them back-to-back so that said left and right shallow serpentine channels face in opposed directions toward opposed mirror image right and left shallow serpentine channels; and

(iv) spacing struts horizontally extending between said plurality of opposed right and left channels in said partitions at predetermined locations, said spacing struts sized to hold said opposed shallow channels apart a distance corresponding to the length of said cold drink cans, so that serpentine tracks for guiding said cold drink cans are formed between facing left and right partitions.

3. A cold drink container vending machine as in claim 2 wherein each left and right partition are injection molded sheets of plastic with said shallow serpentine channels integrally formed therein.

4. A cold drink container vending machine as in claim 3 wherein said shallow channel formed in each injection molded partition further comprises and upper and a lower shallow serpentine channel.

5. A cold drink container vending machine as in claim 1 wherein said transparent window comprises an insulated window.

6. A cold drink container vending machine as in claim 5 wherein said insulated window comprises:

(a) a first pane of tempered glass;

(b) a second pane of tempered glass spaced apart parallel to said first pane;

a sealed border around said first and second panes of glass; and

(d) a vacuum maintained between said spaced apart panes of glass.

7. A cold drink container vending machine as in claim 6 further comprising a means for preventing condensation on said transparent insulated window.

8. A cold drink container vending machine as in claim 7 wherein said means for preventing condensation comprises a transparent sheet of electrically heated material applied to one of said panes of tempered glass.

9. A cold drink container vending machine as in claim 7 wherein said means for preventing condensation on said transparent window comprises one or more additional window panes spaced apart from and parallel to said first and second panes to further insulate said window and thereby avoid temperature differences which can cause condensation.

10. A cold drink container vending machine comprising:

(a) a refrigerated case having a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top and a bottom, enclosing a refrigerated storage area;

(b) a transparent window panel in said front of said case through which substantially all of said refrigerated storage area is viewable;

(c) a plurality of upper serpentine tracks constructed of a plurality of oppositely facing shallow channels formed in a plurality of partitions for supporting cylindrical cold drink containers at opposite ends for clear viewing of said cold drink containers through said transparent window panel and for holding said cylindrical cold drink containers and rollingly communicating said cylindrical cold drink containers along said serpentine upper tracks;

(d) a plurality of lower serpentine tracks, each stacked below one of said upper tracks, said lower serpentine tracks corresponding in number to said plurality of upper serpentine tracks and constructed of a plurality of oppositely facing shallow serpentine channels formed in a plurality of partitions for supporting said cylindrical cold drink containers at opposite ends for clear viewing of said cold drink containers through said transparent window panel and for holding said cylindrical cold drink containers and rollingly communicating said cylindrical cold drink containers along said lower serpentine tracks;

(e) a plurality of selection indicia each vertically aligned with one of said plurality of serpentine tracks;

(f) a control panel spatially separated from said selection indicia having a plurality of buttons with button indicia displayed therewith corresponding to said plurality of selection indicia;

(g) a dispensing opening in said front of said refrigerated case for receiving cylindrical cold drink containers from said plurality of upper and lower serpentine tracks; and

(h) a control mechanism operatively activatable by one or more of said plurality of control panel buttons for causing a selected cold drink container to move to said dispensing opening from a corresponding one of said plurality of serpentine tracks.

11. A vending machine as in claim 10 further comprising a selectively programmable portion of said control mechanism for causing the same one or more control panel buttons to activate both an upper and a lower vertically stacked serpentine track so that both upper and lower vertically aligned serpentine tracks can be filled with one kind of cold drink container and said selection of said one kind of cold drink is made with said same one or more buttons without the need for a separate one or more buttons for vertically aligned upper and lower serpentine tracks with said one kind of cold drink held in each of them.

12. A vending machine as in claim 10 further comprising:

(a) a plurality of vertically extending runners attached spaced apart from said transparent window positioned adjacent to and overlapping at least one end of cold drink cans in said serpentine tracks so that said cans are retained in said tracks when said machine is tipped forward; and

(b) horizontal supports are attached to said vertical runners, said horizontal supports having slots therein formed adjacent each track for replaceably inserting printed tags on which information pertaining to cold drink cans within a corresponding track is visibly displayed through said transparent window.

13. A cold drink container vending machine as in claim 2 wherein each left and right partition is a vacuum formed sheet of plastic with said shallow serpentine channels integrally formed therein.