Article dispensing – With separate inlet for replenishment or access
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-20
2001-05-01
Bollinger, David H. (Department: 3651)
Article dispensing
With separate inlet for replenishment or access
C221S31200B
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223935
ABSTRACT:
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
As expressed in the title of the present specification, the following invention consists of a self-positionable device for holding products in vending machines, which is conceived especially to be included in automatic cigarette pack vending machines, that are coin-operated, in such a way that the same facilitates the loading of the machine in order to be able to insert a large number of packs simultaneously and besides the fastening rod of the packs in their stacking is self-positioned once the packs have been placed in the corresponding compartment.
Hence, the self-positionable device for holding products in automatic cigarette vending machines is defined by a rod aided by a spring that impels it towards its operating position, acting as a fastening element of the packs stacked in the corresponding compartment of the machine, in such a way that whenever the rod returns by the action of the spring that impels it towards its operating position, the packs are prevented from being free and accidentally collapsing, leaving the machine unusable.
FIELD OF APPLICATION
The self-positionable device for holding products in vending machines, is especially applicable to be included in automatic cigarette pack vending machines that are coin-operated, facilitating the loading of the machine, at the same time that there is complete surety that the fastening device of the packs stacked in their corresponding compartment, is perfectly arranged in order to complete the function thereof with total reliability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The automatic cigarette pack vending machines that are coin-operated, have a series of aligned vertical compartments in which are stacked the different brands of cigarettes, for dispensing them whenever the user has made his choice.
Said compartments are defined by a series of vertical strips that are fastened to the corresponding structure forming the machine, defining each pair of contiguous strips, each one of the compartments.
Hence, said strips in relation to the defined open side, may have a projection that permits the fastening of the stacked packs in order to prevent the same from collapsing, in such a way that in the top part of the strip, said front projection is narrower in order to facilitate the loading of the packs. Said top narrower section is not very long, and therefore, the loading being progressively carried out through said top end permits the insertion of a small number of packs simultaneously, until the compartment is complete, said operation requiring quite a bit of time.
Likewise, on the market there is a second device used to fasten cigarette packs stacked in the corresponding compartments, in such a way that in this case, the strips that define the compartments are totally flat and the device is defined by a rod provided in both ends of the respective L-shaped projections through whose vertical free wing is fit in the respective holes, acting as rotation shafts of the rod, as the same can be arranged according to two differentiated positions.
Thus, the rod is aided by the action of a top spring that impels it towards the bottom part, in such a way that at the bottom the structure of the compartment has a front projection that allows positioning of the rod in the opening position and in the operating position, said positions being delimited by the bottom projection, upon which the rod accedes upon pushing it at the top overcoming the force of the corresponding spring.
In the operating position, the rod remains in relation to the front open side of the compartment, acting as a stop of the packs stacked in it, and preventing the collapsing of the same.
In this way, upon producing the opening of the rod for the purpose of loading the machine, the loading space is defined according to its entire height, but this device has the inconvenience that if when finishing the loading some rod is not in its operating position, the packs corresponding to that compartment may collapse very easily, leaving the machine unusable, with the inconvenience that this implies.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present specification describes a self-positionable device for holding in vending machines, the same being especially applicable in automatic cigarette pack vending machines, that are coin-operated, in such a way that in said machines are defined a series of compartments adjacent to each other in which are stacked the packs of different brands of cigarettes for the dispensing thereof, the self-positionable device for holding the packs to be dispensed being basically comprised of a rod that in its operating position, is in relation to the open surface of the corresponding compartment, which at its bottom end is inserted, with a small play in a recess, while at its top end it is aided by a spring that impels it towards its operating position, this is in relation to the free surface of the compartment so that the rod knocks against the packs in order to prevent them from collapsing.
The spring that impels the top end of the rod towards its operating position, in front of the packs that it positions, is mounted on a body in relation to a projection of the same, in such a way that one of its ends is fixedly arranged in a recess, and its other end pushes the top end of the rod towards its operating position, in such away that the position of the rod, as long as no direct action is carried out on the rod, will be in relation to the packs stacked in the corresponding compartment, perfectly carrying out its purpose.
The body above the corresponding strip of the compartment in which is located the spring that impels the top end of the rod towards its operating position, has a groove for its connection with said spring, along which slides the rod in its movement for the loading of the compartment and towards its operating position, upon releasing the same once loading has taken place, in such a way that the flexibility itself of the rod facilitates simultaneous loading of a large number of packs, which will be done simply by pushing the rod so that it moves and lets the packs pass, so that once released, by the action of the spring, it self positions itself again in its operating position.
This device, has the big advantage that it is continuously impelled towards its operating position, for which purpose as long as the same is not activated, it will be in the operating position, keeping in position the packs to be dispensed, avoiding accidental collapsing thereof.
In order to complete the description that is going to be made hereinafter, and for the purpose of providing a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present specification is accompanied by a drawing, in whose figures the most characteristic details of the invention are represented in an illustrative and non-restrictive manner.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3283954 (1966-11-01), Spooner
patent: 4133421 (1979-01-01), Hanley et al.
patent: 4654513 (1987-03-01), Hennessy
patent: 1139316 (1962-11-01), None
patent: 589344 (1993-04-01), None
Bollinger David H.
Jofemar, S.A.
Klauber & Jackson
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