This invention relates generally to vending machines and more particularly to an improved vending apparatus adapted to deliver selected packaged articles upon the actuation of one of a plurality of helical feeder coils overlying a supporting surface upon which packaged articles are disposed. The helical feeder coils rest in slots on the supporting surface such that part of the coil is above and part of the coil is below the supporting surface, so that the articles rest directly on the supporting surface without any support from the helical feeder coil.
In most earlier machines of this type, the articles rest within the convolutions of the feeder coils so that the long dimension of the articles is perpendicular to the convolutions of the coil, i.e., the articles are generally disposed vertically. This requires feeder coils with convolutions that are substantially larger than necessary to hold the articles. Furthermore, the articles are not held firmly within the feeder coil, but can move about, which can cause feeder jams. Finally, this arrangement takes up unnecessary vertical space within the vending machine, limiting its article holding capacity.
Coin-controlled vending machines incorporating drivable members for separating, retaining, advancing and discharging articles held horizontally are shown in the U.S. patents to Krakauer et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,269,595, issued Aug. 30, 1966, U.S. Pat. No. 3,344,953, issued Oct. 3, 1967, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,279, issued Mar. 2, 1976 (see prior art
Several disadvantages are inherent in such machines as above described. In the two earlier patents, the articles are not supported directly on the shelf, but rather on a longitudinal bar that resides within the convolutions of the feeder coil. This horizontal bar adds unnecessary complexity to the apparatus and, in addition, may cause the feeder coil to jam if the length of the feeder coil and bar is excessive. The third patent shows articles resting directly on the shelf, but not between the convolutions of the feeder coil. Instead, the articles are moved along the shelf by a pair of arms that extend outward from the feeder coil and traverse most of the compartment in which the article rests. This adds unnecessary complexity and, in addition, prevents adjacent feeder coils from being disposed close to one another, which in turn limits the article holding capacity of the shelf. These prior art machines also waste significant vertical space about the articles to be vended as shown in
There is a need for an improved vending machine that simplifies the structure of the feeder coil and shelf while providing increased article holding capacity.
A vending machine with a cabinet for articles having a long dimension and a short dimension. A multiplicity of shelves are supported in cabinet. Helical feeder coils rest within slots on each shelf. Each helical feeder coil is adapted to receive articles in its convolutions with the articles slidably supported by the shelf along the articles' long dimension. The articles are separated, but unsupported, by the helical feeder coil. Motors rotatably drive the helical feeder coils for moving the articles to be vended.
a is a front perspective view of a vending machine of the present invention broken away.
b is a front perspective view of an article to be vended by the present invention.
a is a front elevational view of one embodiment of a vending machine shelf of the present invention, wherein part of the feeder coil convolutions project below the slot.
b is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of a vending machine shelf of the present invention, wherein the feeder coil convolutions rest on a curved support structure.
Referring to
Referring to
The helical feeder coils 28 are adapted to receive articles A between adjacent convolutions 30 at an acute angle α to the slots 26 as shown in
Referring to
The vending machine 10 has increased capacity. It may be appreciated in both
Referring to
In operation, new shelf brackets 15 are mounted within cabinet 12 of the vending machine 10. The shelves 14 are mounted between brackets in a slidable arrangement. The shelves 14 may be moved out for loading of articles A into the machine 10. As a consumer places money into the vending machine 10, a selected motor 32 is operated to advance a helical feeder coil 28 to present an article A forwardly to drop off of the top surface 20 of shelf 14, due to either edge 26a or 26b being shorter than the other, and to permit the article to be dispensed out of discharge opening 24. While this machine 10 uniquely provides the front surface of article A for easy recognition by the consumer, the present invention also doubles the capacity of the vending machine 10 compared to other prior art vending machines. This is simply because there is no waste in vertically space, as is no well known in the prior art, as in
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or the essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all effects as illustrative and not restricted, reference being made to the appendent claim rather than the forgoing description indicate the scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10693799 | Oct 2003 | US |
Child | 11474729 | Jun 2006 | US |