Guide device for guiding products in a vending machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a guide device for guiding products in a vending machine, wherein the products can be fed from a product compartment to a dispensing opening via the guide device, comprising a support element for supporting at least one product, wherein the product can be placed on a surface of the support element, and comprising at least one guide arm (8) connected to the support element such that the support element can be aligned in a horizontal plane and in at least one inclined plane, wherein, when aligned in an inclined plane, the product can be conveyed to the dispensing opening by rolling and / or sliding across the surface of the support element. The present invention further relates to a method for guiding products in a vending machine.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a guide device for guiding products in a vending machine. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for guiding products in a vending machine. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Vending machines, or simply vending machines, often referred to as self-service machines, have long been used for the sale of food, beverages, cigarettes, or other items. They can be designed in a variety of different ways, such as candy machines, beverage vending machines, cigarette vending machines, general merchandise vending machines, and the like. In the case of combination machines, deposit items can also be returned to the machine.

[0003] Deposit items can be products such as PET bottles, CO2 bottles, glass bottles, beverage cans, reusable items, or similar items that are to be collected in a return system. In the case of a vending machine, these items can be of different dimensions, for example, with a round or square cross-section.

[0004] When products or goods are dispensed, they are transported from one or more product chutes toward a dispensing opening. In the area between the product chute and the dispensing opening, either some kind of conveyor system or a slope is required to transport the products or goods toward the dispensing opening.

[0005] Due to the limited space in a vending machine or vending machine, the conveyor system or ramp should be designed to be as space-saving as possible. Furthermore, it is desirable to adapt the gradient and drop height to the different shapes of goods or products, so that goods or products of different sizes and cross-sections can be safely transported to the dispensing opening. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Against this background, the present invention is based on the object of specifying an improved guide device for guiding products in a vending machine and a method for guiding products in a vending machine with a guide device.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a guide device having the features of patent claim 1 and / or by a method having the features of patent claim 13.

[0008] Accordingly, it is provided: A guide device for guiding products in a vending machine, wherein the products can be fed from a goods compartment via the guide device to a dispensing opening, with a support element for supporting at least one product, wherein the product can be placed on a surface of the support element, with at least one guide arm which is connected to the support element in such a way that the support element can be aligned in a horizontal plane and in at least one inclined plane, wherein when aligned in an inclined plane the product can be conveyed to the dispensing opening in a rolling and / or sliding manner over the surface of the support element.A method for guiding products in a vending machine, wherein the products are fed from a goods compartment to a dispensing opening via a guide device, in particular with a guide device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: conveying at least one product from the goods compartment onto a horizontally oriented support element, wherein the product contacts a surface of the support element, aligning the support element in an inclined plane such that the product is conveyed to the dispensing opening by rolling and / or sliding over the surface of the support element, wherein the alignment of the support element takes place with at least one guide arm which is connected to the support element.

[0009] The finding underlying the present invention is to design a tiltable ramp which requires little installation space due to a geometric design and inclination of at least one guide arm.

[0010] The idea underlying the present invention is to form the ramp using a support element that can be moved into a horizontal orientation and into at least one inclined orientation. This creates a sliding or rolling surface for the products or goods, so that they can be moved to the dispensing opening in a quasi-automated manner. The inclination can be adapted to the type of product. If, for example, the products have a round cross-section, only a slight inclination is required, as the products simply roll over the surface of the support element to the dispensing opening under the force of gravity. If, on the other hand, the products have a square cross-section, a greater inclination may be necessary to enable the products to slide or glide over the surface of the support element, thereby overcoming static friction.

[0011] Another advantage is that the fall height for the products or goods can be reduced because the support element can be moved parallel upwards in the direction of the goods compartments or the goods compartment.

[0012] The guide arm is preferably located below the support element so that it does not affect the surface of the support element. Preferably, the guide arm is pivotally mounted to the support element, allowing any desired angle of inclination to be formed between the support element and the guide arm.

[0013] The guide arm can be connected to the support element by a first end portion, and to a base by a second end portion. The base can be a base provided within the vending machine, for example, a floor plate of the vending machine. By tilting the guide arm, the distance between the first end portion and the second end portion can be reduced. This allows the support element to be lowered.

[0014] The guide arm is preferably designed to be significantly shorter than the support element, in particular in a ratio of 1:7 to 1:4, preferably 1:5. This allows the entire guide device to have a very low overall height, with the support element being able to span the entire overall height in an inclined state, i.e., in the case of an inclined plane. Thus, one end of the support element can be lowered such that it is moved down to a height of a lower end section, i.e., a second end section, of the guide arm.

[0015] For example, a support mechanism can be provided to hold the guide arm at the desired angle. This can be integrated into the guide arm or establish contact with a base or surface from a position on the outside of the guide arm.

[0016] The support mechanism can be mechanical or hydraulic, for example. It can also be electric.

[0017] If several guide arms are provided, the support mechanism is preferably provided on only one guide arm, whereby the entire guide device can be controlled.

[0018] Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the further subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, a first guide arm and a second guide arm can be included. The guide arms can form a type of parallelogram and be connected to the support element at a distance from one another. This allows the support element to be supported vertically at two specific points, with the inclination of the support element being precisely adjustable, particularly when only an articulated bearing is present between each guide arm and the support element.

[0020] According to a further development, the guide arms can have different lengths. This allows an inclined plane to be set particularly advantageously without additional mechanical or hydraulic elements. In other words, a type of parallelogram can be formed, which has two guide arms aligned parallel to each other when the support element is horizontally aligned. If the support element is moved into the inclined plane, the two guide arms are inclined differently, so that they are no longer parallel.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment, the guide arms can each be mounted with a first end portion on an underside of the support element and can each be fastened with a second end portion to a base, wherein the base of the first guide arm is arranged at a different height than the base of the second guide arm. This allows, particularly advantageously, both a parallelogram, as described above, and, in the case of an inclined plane, a different inclination of the two guide arms.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, an angle of inclination between the support element and the first guide arm can be greater than an angle of inclination between the support element and the second guide arm when the support element is aligned in an inclined plane. In such a case, the support element is further lowered on the second guide arm, wherein the degree of lowering can be influenced by the length of the second guide arm.

[0023] Preferably, the angle of inclination between the support element and the first guide arm, as well as the second guide arm, is identical in the case of a horizontal plane. In particular, the two guide arms are already arranged at an angle of inclination between 30 and 60° with respect to the support element in the case of a horizontal plane. This ensures continuous adjustment of the support element from a horizontal plane to any inclined plane, since the guide arms do not have to be moved from an initial vertical position.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the angle of inclination of the second guide arm can be between 0° and 10° when the support element is aligned in an inclined plane. In particular, the angle of inclination can be 5°, for example.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment, the angle of inclination of the first guide arm can be between 10° and 20° when the support element is oriented in an inclined plane. In particular, the angle of inclination can be 16°, for example.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment, the support element can be inclined at an angle of 1° to 5° relative to the horizontal plane when aligned in an inclined plane. In particular, the angle can be 3°, for example.

[0027] For the various tilt angles mentioned, the support element can be lowered by a desired amount. For example, the distance between a first and a second end section of the guide arm can be 130 mm to 150 mm in the case of a horizontal plane.

[0028] If an inclined plane is now formed, this distance can be reduced to 90 mm to 110 mm.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment, a drive element can be arranged on a guide arm to tilt the guide arms. For example, an electric motor can be used. Furthermore, a spindle, a cardan shaft, and a coupling can be included.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment, the drive element can be arranged between the guide arms. This allows further installation space to be saved, as the drive element can be arranged below the support element. Advantages arise in particular compared to a rack and pinion drive or, in the case of a piston, which require considerably more installation space, even next to the support element. If two or more guide arms are provided, only one drive on one guide arm is sufficient to move the entire guide device to the desired inclination. This is possible by coupling the drive element to a guide arm, which in turn is coupled to the support element, with the support element in turn being coupled to the second guide arm and each additional guide arm.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment, the surface of the support element in the inclined plane cannot be arranged higher than in the horizontal plane at any position. The inclination of the at least one guide arm can therefore preferably achieve a vertical lowering and a substantially horizontal displacement of the support element. This can prevent the support element from moving too close to one of the merchandise compartments, which would prevent the products or goods from falling out of the merchandise compartment.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment, the support element can be arranged in the inclined plane so as to be offset in the direction of the second guide arm compared to the horizontal plane. Preferably, even in the case of a horizontal plane, the guide arm is already inclined in the direction in which the support element moves when aligned in the inclined plane.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, a first guide arm and a second guide arm can be included, wherein the guide arms have different lengths, so that an inclination angle of the second guide arm is between 0° and 10° and the inclination angle of the first guide arm is between 10° and 20° when the support element is aligned in the inclined plane. The same features and advantages apply to the method as described with regard to the guide device.

[0034] The above embodiments and further developments can be combined with one another as desired, where appropriate. Further possible embodiments, further developments, and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention not explicitly mentioned above or described below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, those skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention. TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE DRAWING

[0035] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures of the drawing. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a parallelogram guide from the prior art; Fig. 2 shows a parallelogram guide from the prior art; Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a guide device according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows the guide device from Fig. 3with inclined support element; Fig. 5 a further embodiment of a guide device according to the invention; Fig. 6 the further view of the embodiment from Fig. 5 ; Fig. 7the guide device from Fig. 5 with inclined support element; Fig. 8 the guide device from Fig. 5 with flat support element and placed products; Fig. 9 the guide device from Fig. 5 with an inclined support element and placed products; Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment of a guide device according to the invention; Fig. 11 shows a vending machine.

[0036] The accompanying drawing figures are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the noted advantages will become apparent upon review of the drawings. Elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale relative to one another.

[0037] In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally identical and acting elements, features and components are provided with the same reference symbols, unless otherwise stated. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The Figures 1 and 2show a parallelogram guide from the prior art. A support element 6' is mounted on two guide arms 8', which in turn are connected to a base 13'. Each of the guide arms 8' is connected to the support element 6' by a first end section 11a' and to the base 13' by a second end section 11b'. If the guide arms 8' are now tilted further, as in Figure 2 As shown, a parallel displacement of the two guide arms 8' relative to each other occurs, whereby even in the lowered position, the two angles of inclination α' between each guide arm 8' and the base 13' are identical. Consequently, only a parallel lowering of the support element 6' can be implemented, whereby this was initially arranged at a height h1 and is arranged at a height h2 in a lowered state. An inclined plane on a surface of the support element 6' cannot be implemented.

[0039] Fig. 3shows an embodiment of a guide device 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, it comprises two guide arms 8, which are connected to the support element 6 at a distance from one another. The two guide arms 8 have different lengths and can therefore be arranged at different angles α, β with respect to the base 13 or with respect to the support element 6, even in a state in which a horizontal plane 9 is formed. In the illustrated embodiment, the two guide arms 8 are each connected to a base 13 that is arranged at different heights. Thus, the base 13b is higher than the base 13a by a height d.

[0040] Fig. 4 shows the guide device Fig. 3with inclined support element 6. It can be seen that the two angles of inclination α, β are designed differently, with the angle of inclination β of the second guide arm 8b being smaller than the angle of inclination α of the first guide arm 8a. This allows the formation of an inclined plane 10, with the support element 6 being inclined by the angle γ. In comparison to the Figure 3 In the position shown, the support element 6 is not only tilted but also lowered, since the initial height h1 is reduced to the height h2. Furthermore, the support element 6 is displaced substantially horizontally in the direction of the second guide arm 8b, so that not only a vertical lowering can be implemented with the guide device 1.

[0041] Fig. 5shows a further embodiment of a guide device 1 according to the invention. A drive element 14 is provided on one of the guide arms 8, which can be designed, for example, as an electric motor with a coupling, a cardan shaft, and a spindle. Depending on the direction in which the electric motor rotates, the support element 6 can be raised, lowered, and tilted. This can be achieved, in particular, by extending or retracting the spindle, whereby the angle of inclination α of the guide arm 8 can be changed.

[0042] Fig. 6 shows another view of the embodiment from Fig. 5. The guide arms 8a, 8b can each be mounted with a first end section 11a on an underside 12 of the support element 6, and each be fastened with a second end section 11b to a base 13. A base 13a of the first guide arm 8a can be arranged at a different height than the base 13b of the second guide arm 8b. In the illustrated embodiment, this is implemented by arranging two blocks or profiles of different heights on a surface, to which the respective guide arm 8a, 8b is articulated. This allows the complete guide device 1 to be mounted on a flat surface, since the bases 13a, 13b can each be designed as spacer elements of different heights.

[0043] The support element 6 can, for example, also be designed in two parts, in the form of two parallel rails, as in Figure 6This is suitable, for example, for cylindrical products such as bottles or CO2 bottles, which are longer than the distance between the two rail elements, so that they can roll over the surface 7 of the two-part support element 6. If products of different sizes are to be moved over the support element 6, a one-piece support element 6 is suitable, which covers the entire area between the two rails, as in Figure 6 depicted, exaggerated.

[0044] Fig. 7 shows the guide device Fig. 5with an inclined support element 6. The extent to which the height h1 or h2 and the angle γ change depends in particular on the kinematics of the overall system. In particular, the length of the guide arms 8 and the distance between the pivot points at which the guide arms are connected to the base 13 and the support element 6 are crucial. Based on these kinematic conditions, the guide device 1 can be adapted to individual needs, whereby the extent to which the support element 6 should be lowered and inclined can be specified according to the respective requirements of the vending machine.

[0045] For example, the base 13a can be offset by 8 mm from the base 13b. In particular, a height offset of 5 mm to 15 mm can be implemented. Likewise, one of the guide arms, in particular the guide arm 8b, can be designed to be 3 mm to 15 mm shorter than the other guide arm, in particular the guide arm 8a. Preferably, the guide arm 8b is designed to be 5 mm shorter than the guide arm 8a. The guide arm 8b can be, for example, 110-140 mm long, in particular 125 mm.

[0046] An initial inclination angle α, as in Figure 5shown, can be, for example, between 30° and 50°, in particular 40°. An initial angle β can be between 30° and 40°, in particular 37°. A height h1 can be between 130 mm and 160 mm, in particular 143 mm. If the inclined plane 10 is now adjusted, the angle α can change to 16° and the angle β to 5°. An angle γ can be set, which represents an inclination of the surface 7 of the support element 6. In this specific case, this can be 3°. Furthermore, a height h2 of 105 mm can be achieved.

[0047] Fig. 8 shows the guide device Fig. 5with a flat support element 6 and placed products 2. The products 2 are products with a round cross-section, such as CO2 cylinders, which can roll over the surface 7 of the support element 6. In order to reduce or keep constant the fall height between the support element 6 and the product compartments 4, an alignment in a horizontal plane 9 is first carried out. The reduced fall height reduces the risk of the rollable products 2 becoming jammed and a gentle handling of the products 2 is achieved. Subsequently, an inclined plane 10 can be set, as in Figure 9 shown.

[0048] Fig. 9 shows the guide device 1 from Fig. 5with an inclined support element 6 and products 2 placed on it. The goal is now to transport the products 2 to the right, as indicated by the arrow. This is achieved by the inclined plane 10. Because a surface 7 of the support element 6 is not raised by the inclined plane 10, wedging of the product 2 with the left-hand product compartment 4 is prevented. It would also be conceivable to design the device 1 in a mirrored manner, so that it is lowered to the left and the products 2 are discharged to the left.

[0049] Fig. 10shows a further embodiment of a guide device 1 according to the invention. The two guide arms 8 can, for example, be designed telescopically to implement an inclined plane 10 of the support element 6. Accordingly, the two guide arms 8 can be arranged on a base 13 of the same height. The direction of the arrow shows that the guide arm 8 on the right in the illustration can be shortened, in particular telescopically.

[0050] Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of a vending machine 3, such as can be used with a guide device 1. The vending machine 3 comprises two dispensing openings 5, which can be arranged at different positions on the machine. In particular, products 2 can be dispensed at the lower dispensing opening 5, which have previously been moved to the dispensing opening 5 via a guide device 1.

[0051] Although the present invention has been fully described above using preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but can be modified in a variety of ways. For example, the support element 6 and the guide arms 8 can have a geometry or dimension different from that shown. In particular, more than two guide arms 8, or just one guide arm 8, can be used to reach the inclined plane 10 of the support element 6. List of reference symbols

[0052] 1Guide device 2Product 3Vending machine 4Goods compartment 5Dispensing opening 6Support element 7Surface 8Guide arm 9Horizontal plane 10Inclined plane 11End section 12Bottom 13Base 14Drive element

Claims

1. A guide device (1) for guiding products (2) in a vending machine (3), wherein the products (2) can be fed from a goods compartment (4) via the guide device (1) to a dispensing opening (5), with a support element (6) for supporting at least one product (2), wherein the product (2) can be placed on a surface (7) of the support element (6), with at least one guide arm (8) which is connected to the support element (6) in such a way that the support element (6) can be aligned in a horizontal plane (9) and in at least one inclined plane (10), wherein when aligned in an inclined plane (10) the product (2) can be conveyed to the dispensing opening (5) in a rolling and / or sliding manner over the surface (7) of the support element (6).

2. Guide device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that a first guide arm (8a) and a second guide arm (8b).

3. Guide device (1) claim 2, characterized by thatthe guide arms (8a, 8b) have different lengths.

4. Guide device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the guide arms (8a, 8b) are each mounted with a first end section (11a) on an underside (12) of the support element (6), and are each attachable with a second end section (11b) to a base (13a, 13b), wherein the base (13a) of the first guide arm (8a) is arranged at a different height than the base (13b) of the second guide arm (8b).

5. Guide device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that an angle of inclination (α) between the support element (6) and the first guide arm (8a) is greater than an angle of inclination (β) between the support element (6) and the second guide arm (8b) when the support element (6) is aligned in an inclined plane (10).

6. Guide device (1) according to claim 5, characterized by thatthe angle of inclination (β) of the second guide arm (8b) is between 0° and 10° when the support element (6) is aligned in an inclined plane (10).

7. Guide device (1) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized by that the angle of inclination (α) of the first guide arm (8a) is between 10° and 20° when the support element (6) is aligned in an inclined plane (10).

8. Guide device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, characterized by that the support element (6) is inclined by an angle (γ) of 1° to 5° with respect to the horizontal plane (9) when aligned in an inclined plane (10).

9. Guide device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 8, characterized by that a drive element (14) is arranged on a guide arm (8a, 8b) in order to incline the guide arms (8a, 8b).

10. Guide device (1) according to claim 9, characterized by thatthe drive element (14) is arranged between the guide arms (8a, 8b).

11. Guide device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the surface (7) of the support element (6) in the inclined plane (10) is not arranged higher at any position than in the horizontal plane (9).

12. Guide device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized by that the support element (6) is arranged in the inclined plane (10) displaced in the direction of the second guide arm (8b) compared to the horizontal plane (9).

13. A method for guiding products (2) in a vending machine (3), wherein the products (2) are fed from a goods compartment (4) to a dispensing opening via a guide device, in particular with a guide device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: conveying at least one product (2) from the goods compartment (4) onto a horizontally oriented support element (6), wherein the product contacts a surface (7) of the support element (6), aligning the support element (6) in an inclined plane (10) such that the product (2) is conveyed to the dispensing opening (5) in a rolling and / or sliding manner over the surface (7) of the support element (6), wherein the alignment of the support element (6) is carried out using at least one guide arm (8) which is connected to the support element (6).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized by thata first guide arm (8a) and a second guide arm (8a) are included, wherein the guide arms (8a, 8b) have a different length, so that an inclination angle (b) of the second guide arm is between 0 and 10 degrees and the inclination angle (a) of the first guide arm (8a) is between 10 and 20 degrees when the support element (6) is aligned in the inclined plane (10).

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