The present disclosure relates to a dispenser. More specifically but not exclusively, the invention relates to a horizontal small packet dispenser. More particularly but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to a cigarette dispenser.
The art teaches a variety of small packet or cigarette dispensers.
Known cigarette dispensers include a cabinet with vertical columns for stacking packs of cigarettes. The user may pull out packs of cigarettes directly from bottom slanted cut outs. A camming piece pushes the lowermost package of the stack rearwardly thus the bottom package of each vertical stack projects to the rear allowing the package to be extracted via the cut out. The packages directly above the lowermost package do not follow the latter to the rear, since when the lowermost package is cammed to the rear; the second package from the bottom is restrained by a blocking bar. Once the lowermost package is removed then space is provide for the next package to take its place.
Some dispensers also provide for displaying advertisements. For example, the art teaches purchase gravity feed package product dispensers with a bottom opening to manually pull out a package. The dispensers include panels which are replaceable in order to display a variety of advertisements. The art also teaches a dispenser having bottom feed outlets with packs that are vertically stacked to be manually removed from openings. This dispenser includes a removable display sleeve for advertisements.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a horizontal small packet dispenser.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an automated small packet dispenser.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cigarette dispenser.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a horizontal dispenser and cabinet assembly.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for monitoring the inventory of packets that are dispensed at a plurality of locations
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a dispenser for packets comprising:
at least one compartment defining a channel for receiving a horizontal stack of packets, the compartment comprising a front edge; and
a movement imparting assembly mounted within the compartment and comprising a pusher member for engaging the horizontal stack of packets,
wherein the movement imparting assembly provides for the pusher member to selectively push forward the horizontal stack of packets so as to push at least one of the packets in the compartment off the edge thereof for retrieval.
In an embodiment, there is provided a plurality of side by side compartments, each compartment defining a channel receiving a respective horizontal stack of packets, each compartment comprising a front edge, a movement imparting assembly respectively mounted within each compartment and respectively comprising a pusher member for engaging the respective horizontal stack of packets.
In an embodiment, a door is positioned in front of the compartment and forwardly spaced from the front edge. In an embodiment, the packet is provided to fall between the door and the front edge when pushed forwardly.
In an embodiment, the movement imparting assembly comprises a movement imparting element positioned beneath the pusher member for providing the pusher member to move forward within the channel. In an embodiment, the movement imparting element is actuated by an actuator. In an embodiment, the movement imparting element is provided to rotate. In an embodiment, the actuator comprises a helicoidal member provided to rotate. In an embodiment, the pusher member comprises a base having a pin for being engaged by the movement imparting element. In an embodiment, the dispenser further comprises a support for the horizontal stack of packets, this support comprising a slot for the movement imparting element to protrude therethrough so as to engage the pusher member.
In an embodiment, the pusher member comprises a backing support for the horizontal stack of packets. In an embodiment, the pusher member comprises a base slidably mounted to guide members so as to forwardly slide thereon during pushing thereof.
In an embodiment, the compartment is removably mountable to a frame. In an embodiment, the compartment comprises a rear wall with a connector to be connected to a corresponding connector mounted to said frame. In an embodiment, the channel is rearwardly slanted relative to the front edge.
In an embodiment, the dispenser further comprises a sensor for detecting that at least one packet has fallen off the front edge. In an embodiment, sensor is in communication with a controller. In an embodiment, the sensor is in communication with the movement imparting assembly for signalling the movement imparting assembly to cease pushing the horizontal stack of packets forward when the at least one packet falls off the front edge.
In an embodiment, the dispenser further comprises a sensor assembly for detecting when the last packet of the horizontal stack of packets has been pushed off the front edge. In an embodiment, the pusher member comprises an emitter, the compartment comprising a sensor mounted near the front edge, wherein when the emitter mates with the sensor thereby providing a signal. In an embodiment, the signal is communicated to a controller. In an embodiment, the signal is communicated to the movement imparting device for deactivation thereof.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a dispenser assembly for packets comprising:
a plurality of vertically stacked dispenser rows comprising a plurality of side by side compartments, each compartment defining a respective channel for receiving a horizontal stack of packets and comprising a front edge; and
a respective movement imparting assembly mounted within each compartment and comprising a pusher member for engaging the horizontal stack of packets within said channel,
wherein each movement imparting assembly provides for the pusher member to selectively push forward a respective horizontal stack of packets so as to push at least one of the packets of a given stack in a given compartment off the edge thereof for retrieval.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a dispenser assembly for packets comprising:
a frame;
a plurality of vertically stacked dispenser rows mounted to the frame, each row comprising at least one compartment defining a respective channel for receiving a horizontal stack of packets, the compartment comprising a front edge and a movement imparting assembly providing for selectively pushing forward a respective horizontal stack of packets thereby pushing at least one of the packets of the compartment off the edge thereof for retrieval;
wherein the frame and the compartment comprise mutually engaging connectors for releasably connecting the dispenser row to the frame.
In an embodiment, a respective door is mounted to the frame in front of each dispenser row and forwardly spaced relative to the front edge thereof.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a system for monitoring the inventory of packets that are dispensed at a plurality of locations comprising:
a plurality of dispensers containing an initial known number of packets, each dispenser being located at a respective location;
a plurality of sensors, each sensor mounted to a respective dispenser for detecting dispensing of a packet;
a plurality of local controllers, each local controller in communication with a respective sensor so as to be notified when a packet is dispensed by a s dispenser at a given location;
a remote controller having information regarding the initial known number of packets in each dispenser and being linked to each local controller so as to be notified when a packet of a given dispenser at a given location is dispensed.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided horizontal dispenser assembly comprising: a plurality of stacked horizontal dispenser rows, each row comprising at least one compartment for receiving small packets therein, each compartment comprising a front edge; and a pushing assembly mounted to each row for selectively pushing forward packets so as to push at least one of the packets in the compartment off the edge thereof for retrieval.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a horizontal dispenser row comprising: a plurality of side by side compartments each compartment comprising a front edge; and a pushing assembly mounted to each compartment for selectively pushing forward packets so as to push at least one of the packets in the compartment off the edge thereof for retrieval.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a horizontal dispenser assembly comprising a plurality of stacked horizontal dispenser rows is provided. Each row comprises at least one compartment for receiving small packets therein. Each compartment comprises a front edge. A pushing assembly mounted to each row provides for selectively pushing forward packets so as to push at least one of the packets in the compartment off the edge thereof for retrieval. A horizontal dispenser row comprising a plurality of side by side compartments is provided. Each compartment comprises a front edge. A pushing assembly mounted to each compartment provides for selectively pushing forward packets so as to push at least one of the packets in the compartment off the edge thereof for retrieval.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of non-limiting illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the appended drawings, where like reference numerals denote like elements throughout and in where:
Generally stated, in a non-exclusive embodiment thereof, the present invention provides a horizontal dispenser assembly made of stacked dispenser rows. Each rows has a compartment for receiving small packets therein. A pushing element pushes the small packet out of the compartment. A front cover provides a space for the packets to fall forwardly into a receptacle to be retrieved.
With reference to the appended drawings, illustrative embodiments of the present invention will be described herein so as to exemplify the invention and in no way limit the scope thereof.
With respect to
The back support element 28 is part of a pushing member 30 which in includes a base 31 that is slidably mounted to the guide members 24 and that forms part of a movement imparting assembly or a pusher assembly 32.
The pusher assembly 32 includes an actuator 34, in the form of a motor, mounted to the backing wail 36 of the horizontal row dispenser 12 to for actuating a movement imparting element 38 in the form of a helicoidal member. The helicoidal member 38 turns about a central axis and abut a pin 40 mounted to the base 31 that causing the pushing member 30 to slide along the guide members 24 thereby pushing the packets P off the edge 42 of the guide members 24.
Each dispenser 12 includes an elongated door 44 mounted on the front side of the dispenser 12.
With respect to
In this way, as small packets are moved forward and fall off the edges 42 of the guide elements 24 at the front side 42 of a dispenser 12, the small packet will fall through the pathway defined by openings 46 and 48 until they reach receptacle 50 which includes a door 52 (see
Turning to
With respect to
When the user fills a compartment 18 with small packets, the pushing member 30 can be pushed inwardly. The helicoidal member 24 turns as shown by arrow R abutting the pin element 40 and causing it to pivot in the direction shown by arrow r as it is engaged by a cam portion 25 to then return to its original position by the force of the spring 66 in a groove 27 between two cam portions 25.
The vertical dispenser row 150 includes a housing 152 including a floor plate 154, a backing plate 156 and side panels 158.
A plurality of pushing elements 160, formed of bent metal pieces, engage the packets; the pushing elements 160 respectively include sleeves 162 for receiving guiding rods 164 secured to the backing plate 156. Movement imparting elements in the form of helicoidal members 166 engage a bottom end of the pushing elements to thereby displace each pushing element 160 along a respective pathway 168 as it is guided along guiding rods 164. The pathways 168 are separated by separator walls 170 which are mounted to the floor plate 154 and the backing plate 156. An auxiliary backing element 167 is mounted onto the backing plate 156 to retain the rods 164.
Actuators in form of motors 172 are mounted on the rear side of the backing plate 156 and are connected to the helicoidal members 166 for actuation thereof. As the helicoidal member 166 it advances a given pusher element 160 along a respective pathway 168.
Each dispenser 12 is positioned within a respective open row 222 defined by receiving shelves 224 of the frame 214. The common backing wall 218 is removably connected to the backing panel 208. As shown in
With particular reference to
As better shown in
The inclination of each dispenser 202 provides a slant which causes the packets P to rest on a back supporting element 248 which is also slanted as shown in
Each compartment 210 includes a pusher assembly 260 having an actuator as shown in
The helicoidal member 264 turns about a central axis and abuts a pin 268 mounted to the rear side of the push member 248 via a spring 269 (see
As better shown in
With respect to
With reference to
In fact, the controller 310 is in communication with the sensor 290 as well. It therefore, can receive information regarding the number of packets P that have been dispensed from each compartment 210 in each dispenser row 202 and by the same token the amount of packets P that are left in each compartment 210 of each dispenser row 202. The type of packet P that have been stacked in each compartment 210 of each dispenser row 202 can also be tracked as the user can enter this information via the controller 310 keypad.
The worker can enter an identification code via the controller 310 keypad, all the packets P that are sold during the worker's shift are attributed to this worker. Once the worker logs off, a print out is provided showing the types and number of packets that were dispensed.
The various features described hereinabove can be combined in a variety of suitable ways, as the skilled artisan will readily appreciate, so as to provide further embodiments within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit, scope and nature of the subject invention.
The present application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/213,827 filed on Jul. 20, 2009 and on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/213,828 filed on Jul. 20, 2009 which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61213827 | Jul 2009 | US | |
61213828 | Jul 2009 | US |