Article dispensing – With recorder – register – indicator – signal or exhibitor – Empty source indicating means
Patent
1997-09-25
1999-07-27
Noland, Kenneth
Article dispensing
With recorder, register, indicator, signal or exhibitor
Empty source indicating means
221 17, G07F 1100
Patent
active
059275421
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing items, in particular a dispensing apparatus which permits the removal of an item to be registered electronically. In the preferred embodiment the invention relates to refrigerators located in hotel rooms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a dispensing apparatus comprising means for accommodating an item to be dispensed, a non-return mechanism for preventing replacement of an item removed from the accommodating means, and an electrical component having an electrical characteristic which undergoes a measurable change when an item is removed from the accommodating means.
In the preferred embodiments the accommodating means comprises a housing having at least one recess in an upper surface thereof defining a receptacle for accommodating a part of an item to be dispensed and the non-return mechanism is located within the housing adjacent the recess and has a member movable between a reset position wherein the member projects into the recess through an aperture in a sidewall of the recess and a set position wherein the member is retracted to a position substantially flush with such sidewall. The movable member is retained in the set position by an item accommodated in the recess and assumes the reset position when the item is removed. The electrical component is responsive to the movement of the member to provide the measurable change when the member moves from the set to the reset position.
Preferably the housing is in the form of a tray slidably mounted in a refrigerated cabinet contained several such trays disposed one above the other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the trays from the refrigerator of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through part of the tray;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the slider block and paddle forming part of the non-return mechanism associated with each aperture in the tray;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom end of the slider block shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows a device which may to used to set the non-return mechanism;
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the invention;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional elevation along the line VII--VII of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 11 is an internal perspective view of a tray from the refrigerator of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a detailed view of a group of non-return mechanisms of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional elevation along the line II--II of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a dispensing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and
FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b) show elevation views of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 14 in its reset and set positions respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIG. 1, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the invention has an outer insulated cabinet 10 with a front-opening door 11. Refrigeration equipment (not shown) is provided to refrigerate the interior of the cabinet in conventional manner. Within the cabinet there are a plurality of substantially horizontal trays 12. Each tray 12 is mounted in any suitable manner for horizontal sliding movement in the cabinet 10 so as to be capable of being partially withdrawn from the interior of the cabinet 10 through the front opening. This is shown for the lower of the two cabinets in FIG. 1. In its top surface each tray 12 has a plurality of receptacles 13 each for accommodating a respective one of a plurality of items to be dispensed (in FIG. 1 the receptacles are shown unoccupied).
Turning now to FIGS. 2 to 5, the tray 12 has a rectangular base 1
Hood Oliver
Johnston Craig
O'Sullivan Niall
Johnston Research & Development
Noland Kenneth
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