Package Advancement System

a packaging and positioning technology, applied in the field of packaging advancement systems, can solve the problems of not being able to easily roll or slide along the shelf, not being able to dispense packages in certain orientations on the shelf, and gravity no longer being the only source of packaging dispensing

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-04-02
THE COCA-COLA CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, gravity is no longer the only source for dispensing a package from a vending machine.
After a package is picked, however, certain packages in certain orientations on the shelf may have difficulties advancing to a dispensing posit...

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0013]Generally described, the present application relates to a package advance system to move a package along a shelf of a dispensing unit and to assist in the loading of the packages onto the shelf. The package advance system may include an end plate positioned on the top of the shelf. The end plate may be affixed to a spring system. The spring system may attempt to push or pull the end plate towards a dispensing end of the shelf. The spring system may include a spring to move the end plate. The spring system may further include a damper to modify the rate and force that the spring exerts on the end plate.

[0014]The end plate may interface packages disposed on the shelf. The spring system forces the end plate to interface with the packages. If a space or gap exists amongst the packages on the shelf, the spring system may move the end plate to push the packages together collectively towards the dispensing end of the shelf. For example, if the product at the dispensing end of the she...

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PUM

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Abstract

Systems and methods of a package advance system for moving a package on a shelf of a vending machine which may include an end plate positioned on the shelf, a dispensing door positioned near a dispensing end of the shelf that opens to dispense the package, and a spring system affixed to the end plate that applies a force on the end plate towards the dispensing door.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This application relates generally to dispensing apparatuses such as vending machines, and more particularly relates to a package advancement system for packages in the dispensing apparatus.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Vending machines are being developed to incorporate x-y picker assemblies for vending machines with an x-y product grid. Therefore, gravity is no longer the only source for dispensing a package from a vending machine. The x-y vending machines may dispense a package by picking or grabbing the package from a shelf. After a package is picked, however, certain packages in certain orientations on the shelf may have difficulties advancing to a dispensing position. Many of the packages cannot roll or slide easily along a shelf. For example, a bottle or a can resting in the vertical position cannot roll along a shelf and therefore gravity cannot necessarily assist in advancing the package along the shelf.[0003]Thus, there is a need in the art for a lo...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A47F1/04
CPCA47F1/126G07F11/42
Inventor KIRSCHNER, JONATHAN
Owner THE COCA-COLA CO
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