MODULAR CAROUSEL AND AUTOMATIC ITEM DISTRIBUTION DEVICE

Description

DESCRIPTION Attached to a patent application for an INDUSTRIAL INVENTION having by title “MODULAR CAROUSEL AND AUTOMATIC DEVICE DISTRIBUTION OF ARTICLES” On behalf of: ANTONIO MARZO ******* The present invention relates to a modular carousel and a automatic dispensing device for items including such carousel. In particular, the present invention is directed to an automatic device for the distribution of commonly used articles. 5 There are numerous types of automatic devices or dispensers known, widespread in industrial or service fields, from which they can be taken different types of products or objects. For example, items may include gloves, helmets, shoes safety gear, overalls, masks, other similar items or even articles 10 food items that may include tubs, trays, plates, or other items. Current devices that allow the flow of objects to be moved, equipped with rotating carousels each with housing sectors or compartments for article placement, they do not allow the insertion of articles larger than the default bay size. 15 To vary the volume of the carousel sectors, for example to save space in case you want to distribute small objects or save space If you want to distribute larger objects, you need to dismantle and modify the entire internal structure of the distribution device. This circumstance certainly turns out to be costly both for what concerns concerns the costs of modifying the layout of the internal structure both in terms of 5 concerns the time required to complete the process. The technical task of the present invention is therefore to provide a modular carousel and a device distribution that are able to overcome the problems that have emerged from known art. 10 An object of the present invention is to propose a carousel modular and a distribution device that simplify operations of modification of the carousel itself and of the distribution device, reducing therefore also the maintenance or intervention times on the device. The specified technical task and purpose are substantially achieved by 15 a modular carousel and a distribution device comprising the technical characteristics set out in one or more of the attached claims. dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention. In accordance with one aspect, the present invention relates to a carousel 20 modular for automatic dispensing devices comprising a pair of discs spaced apart and parallel and in use rotating around a same axis of rotation. The modular carousel comprises a plurality of insertable and fixable separator elements by interlocking between the rotating discs and angularly spaced so as to define a plurality of circular sectors in use configured to accommodate respective items. The circular sectors have a volume that can be set according to a arrangement and / or extension of the separating elements. 5 The circular sectors are adjustable in width according to a distance corner between adjacent separating elements. Preferably, the circular sectors are adjustable in height or it is the height of the separator elements measured along the axis can be modified rotation. 10 Preferably, the circular sectors are adjustable both in width and in height. According to one aspect of the present invention, an automatic device for distribution and / or collection of articles includes an external casing that includes at least one movable door between an open and a closed configuration 15 closed configuration, one collection area, positioned inside of the external casing, associated with at least one accessible door from outside the outer casing when the door is in configuration open and inaccessible from outside the outer casing when the door It is in closed configuration and a plurality of modular rides in accordance 20 with the previous appearance stacked together and inserted into the casing external and accessible via the collection area. According to one aspect of the present invention, each modular carousel It has circular sectors of the same size. In other words, modular rides are located inside a container external closed. The user can interact with the external container for the selection and subsequent collection of the desired item located inside a space available for collection. Corresponding to the level on which it is located 5 the item to be removed, the other compartments are empty. Advantageously, the modular carousel allows to reduce time and costs of set-up in order to obtain circular sectors of specific dimensions by going also to reduce maintenance costs and times. Further features and advantages of the present invention will appear. 10 clearer from the indicative description, and therefore not limiting of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a carousel modular and of a distribution device comprising such a carousel. This description will be presented below with reference to the united drawings, provided for indicative purposes only and therefore not limiting, in which: 15 - Figure 1 illustrates, according to a perspective view, a carousel modular for the distribution of items according to the description; - figure 1A illustrates a detail of the modular carousel of figure 1 in a schematic perspective view; - Figure 2A illustrates a first possible embodiment of a 20 modular carousel according to the description in a perspective view schematic; - Figure 2B illustrates a second possible embodiment of a modular carousel according to the description in a perspective view schematic; - Figure 2C illustrates a third possible embodiment of a 5 modular carousel according to the description in a perspective view schematic; - Figure 2D illustrates a fourth possible embodiment of a modular carousel according to the description in a perspective view schematic; 10 - Figure 2E illustrates a possible embodiment of a carousel modular according to the description in a schematic perspective view; - Figures 3, 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are schematic representations of components of the modular carousel which is the subject of this description; - Figure 5 illustrates an article dispensing device in accordance with 15 with the description in a schematic perspective view. With reference to the attached figures, with 1 it was overall a modular carousel for automatic distribution devices is indicated which, for simplicity of description. The modular carousel 1, as will become clearer from the following 20 of this description, is configured to accommodate articles from distribute. By the term articles we mean gloves, helmets, shoes safety gear, overalls, or masks or other similar items. Furthermore, with the The term articles can mean tubs, trays, plates or other items to contain or containing foodstuffs. The modular carousel 1 comprises a pair of discs 2a, 2b, of which one disc upper 2a and a lower disc 2b, spaced apart and parallel and in use 5 rotating around the same axis of rotation X. Preferably the carousel modular 1 comprises two discs 2a, 2b, of the same diameter arranged in parallel to each other and rotating around the same axis X rotation. Preferably, the upper disk 2a and the lower disk 2b are equal in size. 10 of them. The modular carousel 1 comprises a motor 4 which operates a mechanism gear – rack 3 configured to rotate the discs 2a, 2b with respect to the rotation axis “X”. The gear-rack mechanism 3 comprises a gear and a rack. The gear is driven 15 from engine 4 and the rack is integral with one of the two discs, for example to the lower disc 2b. The gear is engaged with the rack in such a way that a the gear drive by the motor 4 results in rotation of the rack and pinion then of the modular carousel 1. The mechanism 20 rack-gear 3 transfers the rotary motion generated by the motor 4 to the lower disc 2b, thus allowing the rotation of the entire carousel 1. Thanks to this rotation, the items move housed on the modular carousel 1. The rack is in the form of a circular crown formed by the interconnection of a series of circular sections 5. Each section circular 5 is fixed by interlocking to the lower disk 2b. The rack assembly is done by precise insertion 5 of the circular sections 5 via an interlocking system with the lower disc 2b. For example, the interlocking system includes a tab “A” of the circular section 5 and an opening 100, for example square, in the disk lower 2b. The discs 2a, 2b have a plurality of slots 7a and a plurality of holes 7b., 10 angularly spaced from each other. Preferably, the pair of discs 2a, 2b It has 7a slots and 7b holes arranged on two separate rows, along two distinct circles with center along the axis of rotation X. A row of slots 7a is positioned along an outer edge of the disc 2a, 2b, while a ring of holes 7b is radially spaced from the row of slots 7a and is located inside the 15 circumference of the disk. In other words, the slots 7a and the holes 7b are between each other radially spaced. The modular carousel 1 comprises a plurality of separating elements 8 insertable and fixable by interlocking between the discs 2a, 2b and angularly spaced so as to define a plurality of circular sectors 9 configured for 20 accommodate respective items. Preferably, the circular sections 5 of the rack attaching to the disk lower 2b contribute to keeping the elements in position separators 8. Preferably, each circular section 5 has a portion of counter-shaped match with respect to a perimeter portion of said separator elements 8. The circular sectors 9 have a volume that can be set according to a 5 arrangement and / or extension of the separating elements 8. The circular sectors 9 are adjustable in width according to a distance corner between adjacent separating elements 8. The circular sectors 9 are adjustable in height by spacing the discs 2a, 2b. The 9 circular sectors are adjustable in both width and height. 10 The separating elements 8 are arranged radially defining the aforementioned sectors circular 9. These circular sectors 9 allow the insertion of an article in the their interior. Holes 7b allow anchoring of a distal portion of each separator 8 with respect to the outside of the circumference of the two discs 2a, 2b, 15 thus facilitating a complete interlocking of the separating element 8. The presence of a plurality of separating elements 8 allows for the adjustment of I like the size of the space intended for housing the articles. A slot 7a and a hole 7b aligned along a radius of the upper disk 2a 20 and a corresponding slot 7a and hole 7b aligned along a radius of the disk lower 2b allow the interlocking fixing of a first element separator 8. A slot 7a and a hole 7b aligned along a second radius of the disk upper 2a and a corresponding slot 7a and hole 7b aligned along a second spoke of the lower disc 2b allows for the interlocking fixing of a second separating element 8. 5 Consequently, the first and second separating elements 8 are fixed by interlocking to the upper disk and to the lower disk 2a, 2b and to each other angularly spaced to obtain a desired volume in width of the respective circular sector 9. It is possible to vary the spacing of the 8 corner separator elements 10 different ones within the pair of discs 2a, 2b, both within a single carousel 1 that between different carousels selecting different slots 7a and holes 7b in where to fit the separating elements 8. This customization of the spacing of the 8 separator elements thanks to the interlocking system it allows for optimal adaptation to the specifications 15 storage needs for items, ensuring efficient use of the available space and maximum versatility in the use of the carousel 1. According to a further embodiment, illustrated in figure 2B, the modular carousel includes a spacer element 10 to which is attached 20 superimposed a separator element 8 by means of a mechanism interlocking coupling. This system allows you to modify vertically the distance between the aforementioned discs 2a, 2b, thus allowing vary the height of the plurality of circular sectors 9. At least one profile of the separating element 10 and a corresponding profile of the separating element 8 are shaped to fit together in a releasable manner. In practice, the spacer element 10 can be connected by interlocking to 5 a corresponding separator element 8 by changing the height overall, measured along the rotation axis X, of the element separator itself. In one embodiment, the separating elements 8 have on the profile upper (with reference to the attached figures) a tab 101 provided with 10 slide, configured to fit into the holes 7b. A bending of the tab 101 determines a disengagement of the separator element 8 from the hole 7b. The separating elements 8 have a second profile on the upper profile tab 102 configured to fit into slots 7a. Preferably, each separating element 8 comprises on a profile 15 lower tabs 101 and 102 mirror the previous ones to fit into the lower disc 2b. In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 4b, the distance between discs 2a, 2b is increased by adopting an alternation between a separator element 8 and a spacer element 10, with the addition of a 20 additional overlapping separating element 8. This arrangement allows for obtain a greater distance measured along the X-axis of rotation between discs 2a, 2b. A first separator element 8 is attached to the spacer element 10 and a second separator element 8 is attached to the same element spacer 10 on the opposite side to the first separating element 8. The separator elements 8 and the spacer elements 10 comprise 5 each a buttonhole 11 preferably developing in one direction parallel to the rotation axis X; for simplicity this direction is also indicated with direction X. The slots 11 of the separator elements 8 and of the spacer elements 10 coupled together they are aligned according to the X direction. 10 The modular carousel 1 may comprise a plurality of pins or rods inserted in the 11 slots in order to ensure greater stability to the formed structure from the separating elements 8 and from the spacer elements 10. The size of the pin is determined by the height, according to the X direction, of the sequence between the separator elements 8 and spacers 10. 15 The pins ensure structural stability between the separating elements 8 and overlapping spacers 10. In one possible embodiment, the carousel 1 comprises a system of horizontal separation of the carousel 1 itself. The separation system allows to identify a level in the carousel 1 20 lower and an upper level for housing the items. In one embodiment, the separation system comprises a plurality of horizontal panels 14, i.e. orthogonal to the X direction, insertable within respective circular sectors 9, identifying a portion lower and an upper portion of the circular sectors 9. Preferably, the horizontal panels 14 are interlockingly attached to the separating elements 8 defining the circular sector 9 in which each panel 5 horizontal 14 is inserted. According to said embodiment, the separating elements 8 have an opening 104 which allows communication between adjacent compartments of the sectors circulars 9. In other words, a single circular sector 9 can be equipped with the above mentioned 10 horizontal panel 14 that can be inserted inside the sector circular 9, thus dividing the space into two distinct portions, one upper and a lower one. This configuration allows the insertion of at least two objects, for example with a rectangular or similar shape, inside a circular sector 9, a first object in the lower portion and a second 15 object in the upper portion thanks to the division of the volume of housing. The horizontal panel 14 acts as a divider, allowing for efficient distribution of objects and optimal use of the space available inside the modular carousel 1. For example, such an embodiment where the panel is present 20 horizontal can be used to contain, both in the upper portion that in the lower portion, parallelepiped articles 15 such as, for example food trays. In figure 2C, the parallelepiped articles 15 are illustrated as positioned above the horizontal panels 14 and on the lower disk 2b in an alternating manner. Since the plan shape of each circular sector 9 is substantially triangular, the openings 104 in the separating elements 8 allow the 5 parallelepiped articles 15 to occupy at least partially the sector circular 9 adjacent to the circular sector 9 in which they are located. Alternating the positioning of the parallelepiped items 15 at the top and bottom low along the circular sectors 9 of the modular carousel 1 is possible maximize the number of 15 parallelepiped items that can be inserted into the carousel 10 modular 1 same. With the configuration illustrated for example, considering three sectors 9 consecutive circulars, it is possible to insert three parallelepiped articles 15. In an alternative embodiment not illustrated made with the separator elements 8 provided with the opening 104 but without the panels 15 horizontal 14 you could insert two parallelepiped articles 15 every three 9 consecutive circular sectors, leaving the central one empty. According to one embodiment, illustrated for example in figure 2D, the separation system includes a third disc 2c inserted intermediately between the lower disc 2b and the upper disc 2a. 20 The third disc 2c divides the space between the lower disc 2b and the disc upper 2nd floor in two floors intended for housing the containers. Preferably, the third disc 2c is identical to the lower disc 2b and the disc upper 2nd. The separation system comprises a plurality of separation elements 16 of reduced height, for example halved, compared to the separating elements 8 previously described. The intermediate disc 2c is held raised with respect to the lower disc 2b by 5 to the separator elements 16 and the upper disk 2a is in turn held raised compared to the 2c disc thanks to the presence of a plurality of additional separator elements 16. Each separating element 16 is equipped with upper and lower interlocking systems lower ones suitable for creating an interconnection with the respective disks, in 10 in a manner completely analogous to that described for the separating elements 8. This solution allows you to equip the portion independently lower and upper part of the modular carousel 1 divided in half by the disk intermediate 2c, as shown in figure 2D. In particular, given the same height of the carousel 1 it is possible to define, in the 15 lower portion and in the lower portion, of the circular sectors 9 of angular width large enough to accommodate containers 15 parallelepipeds maximizing the capacity of the carousel itself by virtue of the two floors. In particular, the circular sectors 9 can have a comparable amplitude 20 with the opening of the vending machine to access the ride. In this way all the available space on each floor is used and each container 15 can completely occupy its own circular sector 9 (of reduced height). For example, the upper and lower circular sectors they are distributed so that a higher circular sector is superimposed at least partially to two adjacent lower circular sectors. This provision also allows, in use, the withdrawal of a single item per time since the upper or lower circular sectors are not entirely 5 accessible. In one embodiment illustrated for example in Figure 2E, the elements separators 16 can be mounted in the upper floor and in the lower floor bottom of carousel 1 in the same angular position. This allows to double the spaces of the 9 sectors by halving their height. 10 As shown for example in the attached figures, the modular carousel 1 includes a learning system to recognize automatically configure the carousel 1 itself. The learning system is configured to be set at the software level in function of the modular carousel configuration 1, for example 15 storing the number and spacing of separator elements 8. The learning system is configured, for example, to determine in which to rotate the modular carousel 1 to meet a product and / or to establish the acceleration and deceleration ramps of the modular ride 1. 20 The learning system comprises a reading device 12, such as for example an encoder, 8 separator elements. Preferably, each separator element comprises a tab 13 protruding from the separating element 8 itself. In this way, during a rotation of the modular carousel 1, the reading device 12 intercepts each tab 13 so as to at least count a total number of separator elements present between said pair of discs 2a, 2b. In practice, the learning system includes the 12 reading device 5 and the tabs 13 positioned on each separating element 8, protruding towards the outside of the modular carousel 1. Based on the number of elements 8 separators counted, it is possible to determine the number of circular sectors 9 present in the modular carousel 1. Preferably, a reference separator element 8, or “zero element” 10 to start with and to finish the counting, it is identifiable by a modified tab 13 that can be read by the reading device 12 for example, due to a difference in shape compared to the additional tabs 13. For example, element zero is identifiable by the presence of a 15 removable plastic component applied to the tab 13 that distinguishes it from the other separating elements 8. This plastic component serves as visual marker to provide a unique reference point for the system learning. In this way, the learning system is able to precisely determine the position of the circular housing sectors 20 9 and effectively manage the rotation and positioning process of the modular carousel 1. With reference to figure 5, an automatic dispensing device D, of substantially known type and not described in detail, includes a outer casing that includes at least one movable door between a open configuration and a closed configuration and a sampling area, positioned inside the outer casing. The sampling area is accessible from outside the outer casing when 5 the door is in the open configuration and inaccessible from the outside of the outer casing when the door is in the closed configuration. The distribution device D comprises a plurality of modular carousels 1 as described above. The modular rides 1 are stacked together and inserted inside the package and accessible via the sampling area. 10 Each modular carousel 1 preferably has circular sectors 9 of same width. Each modular ride 1 is equipped with its own motor 4 which in communion with the respective gear mechanism – rack 3 allows the rotation of the single carousel 1. In this way, after a 15 user has selected a specific item to be delivered via the automatic device D, only the corresponding carousel is put into operation rotation and the circular sector 9 housing the article made accessible in the collection area. Preferably, the automatic device D comprises a plurality of 20 drawers 6. The drawers 6 are movable between a first inserted position in the casing of the automatic device D and a second position extracted from the automatic device D. Each carousel is mounted on a respective drawer 6 so that it can be removed from the external casing of the D. In dispenser device This way, each carousel 1 can be easily removed from the automatic device “D” to modify the volume of the circular sectors 9 5 using the interlocking mechanisms of at least the separating elements 8. Advantageously, the present invention is able to overcome the drawbacks emerging from the prior art. The separating elements 8 fixed by interlocking to the discs 2a, 2b allow a easy removal of the same and equally easy positioning. 10 slots 7a and holes 7b allow multiple positioning of the elements separators 8 between the discs 2a, 2b holes giving the modular carousel 1 the possibility to easily adjust the volume of the 9 circular sectors according to to the items to be stored there. The spacer elements 10 allow you to change the height of the 15 separating elements 8 according to the X direction obtaining circular sectors 9 of different heights. THE AGENCY Eng. Tommaso Puggioli

Claims

1. Modular carousel for dispensing devices, said modular carousel comprising: an upper disk and a lower disk (2a, 2b) spaced apart and parallel to each other and in use rotating around the same rotation axis (X), a plurality of separator elements (8) arranged between said upper disk and said lower disk (2a, 2b) and angularly spaced so as to define a plurality of circular sectors (9) in use configured to house respective articles; said modular carousel being characterised in that said separator elements (8) can be inserted and fixed by interlocking to said upper disk (2a) and / or to said lower disk (2b), said circular sectors (9) having a volume that can be set according to an arrangement and / or an extension of said separator elements (8).

2. Modular carousel according to claim 1, wherein said circular sectors (9) are adjustable in width as a function of an angular distance between adjacent separating elements (8).

3. Modular carousel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said upper disc (2a) and said lower disc (2b) each comprise a plurality of slots (7a) and a plurality of holes (7b), said slots (7a) being angularly spaced from each other and said holes (7b) being angularly spaced from each other, each slot (7a) of said slots (7a) being radially spaced from a corresponding hole (7b) of said holes, each separator element (8) comprising coupling means (101, 102) 61.13289.12.IT.8 Ing. Tommaso Puggioli (Registration no. 1336 B) configured to engage with said slots (7a) and said holes (7b) and create an interlocking of the separator element (8) with said upper disc (2a) and said disc lower (2b).

4. Modular carousel according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said circular sectors (9) are adjustable in height according to a direction parallel to said rotation axis (X).

5. Modular carousel according to claim 4, comprising a plurality of spacer elements (10), each spacer element (10) being attachable to at least one separator element (8) to increase a distance between said upper disk (2a) and said lower disk (2b) measured along said rotation axis (X).

6. Modular carousel according to claim 4 or 5, comprising a plurality of spacer elements (10), each spacer element (10) being in use attachable to a pair of separator elements (8).

7. Modular carousel according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each spacer element (10) and each separator element (8) comprise respective slots (11) and interlocking elements insertable into said slots (11).

8. Modular carousel according to one or more preceding claims, comprising a gear-rack mechanism (3) and a motor (4) for driving said gear-rack mechanism (3), said gear-rack mechanism (3) being configured to put, in use, said lower disc (2b) into rotation with respect to said rotation axis 61.13289.12.IT.8 Eng. Tommaso Puggioli (Registered no. 1336 B) (X).

9. Modular carousel according to the preceding claim, wherein said gear-rack mechanism (3) comprises a rack divided into circular sections (5), each circular section (5) being interlockingly attached to said lower disc (2b).

10. Modular carousel according to the previous claim, wherein each circular section (5) has a counter-shaped portion with respect to a perimeter portion of said separating elements (8).

11. Modular carousel according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a reading device (12) and wherein each separator element (8) comprises a tab (13) protruding from said separator element (8), said reading device intercepting each tab (13) so as to count the separator elements (8) present between said upper disk (2a) and said lower disk (2b).

12. Modular carousel according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a horizontal separation system (2c, 14) interposed between said upper disc (2a) and said lower disc (2b), said horizontal separation system identifying a lower level and an upper level of the modular carousel.

13. Modular carousel, according to claim 12, wherein said separation system (2c, 14, 16) comprises a third disc (2c) defining an intermediate housing plane between said lower disc (2a) and said upper disc (2b), said separation system comprising a plurality of second separating elements (16), of reduced height with respect to said separating elements (8), interposed between said lower disc (2a) and said third disc (2c) and between said third disc (2c) and said upper disc (2b).

14. Modular carousel, according to claim 13, wherein said upper disc (2a), said lower disc (2b) and said third disc (2c) are identical to each other.

15. Modular carousel, according to claim 12, wherein said separation system (2c, 14,16) comprises a plurality of horizontal panels (14) insertable in said circular sectors (9), said horizontal panels (14) identifying a lower portion and an upper portion of said circular sectors (9).

16. Modular carousel according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least a first and a second adjacent separator element (8) of said separator elements (8) have an opening (104) which allows communication between adjacent circular sectors (9).

17. Modular carousel according to any of the preceding claims wherein said upper disc (2a) and said lower disc (2b) are identical to each other.

18. Device for dispensing and / or collecting articles comprising: an external casing which includes at least one door movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; a collection area inside the external casing in correspondence with said door and accessible from the outside of said external casing when the door is in the open configuration and inaccessible from the outside of said external casing when the door is in the closed configuration; 5 - at least one modular carousel, according to one or more of the preceding claims inserted in said external casing so that at least one circular sector (9) of said circular sectors can be positioned in said collection area.

19. Dispensing device according to claim 18, comprising 10 a drawer movable between a first position inserted in said external casing and a second position extracted from the automatic device (D), said modular carousel (1) being installed on said drawer (6).