Vending machine

Abstract

The object of the invention is a vending machine comprising a dispensing system for at least one vertical column of nested glasses which is independent on the size or shape of the glass to be dispensed and which is independent on the presence of the rim of the glass to carry out the separation from the rest of the glasses, wherein the vending machine also comprises a storage system and a recharging system of a plurality of columns of nested glasses.

Description

[0001] VENDING MACHINE

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The object of the invention is a vending machine comprising a dispensing system for at least one vertical column of nested glasses which is independent on the size or shape of the glass to be dispensed and which is independent on the presence of the rim of the glass to carry out the separation from the rest of the glasses.

[0005] The vending machine also comprises a storage system and a recharging system of a plurality of columns of nested glasses.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the state of the art, vending machines comprising a dispensing system for cups, glasses or the like are known to provide a glass from a set of stacked or nested glasses for subsequent filling with a certain product.

[0008] Generally, these stacked glasses have an upper rim that facilitates the decoupling of the upper glass or the lower glass from the rest of the glasses in the glass column.

[0009] This is because the known dispensing systems make use of separation means that exert a retention on said rim to carry out the separation of the glass placed in the lower or upper position.

[0010] However, when the glasses do not have such a rim, it is not possible to use such separating means to carry out the dispensing of the glass placed in the lower or upper position.

[0011] On other occasions, the shape or size of the glass conditions the use of these known separation means, since it is necessary to use elastic elements that guarantee contact between the separation means and the glass to be always separated. However, when the size or the shape of the glass changes, it is necessary to adjust the recovery force of the elastic element so that the grip of the glass and, consequently, its separation is adequate.

[0012] The present invention solves all the problems described above by providing a vending machine comprising a dispensing system which is not dependent on the size or shape of the glass to be dispensed and which is not dependent on the presence of the rim of the glass to carry out the separation from the rest of the glasses.

[0013] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The invention relates to a vending machine comprising a dispensing system for at least one vertical column of nested glasses to be dispensed comprising a left side and a right side and defining a vertical direction, the vertical column also comprising at least a lower glass and a next to lower glass, each one of the glasses comprising a base and a lateral wall, the lateral wall comprising a left side and a right side, wherein the dispensing system comprises:

[0015] - first means configured in use, to both support the vertical column of nested glasses and to push the lower glass out of the vertical column so that the lower glass is dispensed;

[0016] - second means configured to support, in use, the next to lower glass in the vertical column while the lower glass is pushed by the first means.

[0017] In this way, the first means enable to support the vertical column of nested glasses and also to push the lower glass out of the vertical column while the second means support the next to lower glass in the vertical column.

[0018] In this way, the first means allows two functions to be carried out, that of supporting the column of glasses and that of separating the last glass from the column of glasses.

[0019] Optionally, the first means comprises horizontal supporting means configured to support the base of the lower glass and / or tangential pushing means configured to push the lateral wall of the lower glass.

[0020] So, the support of the column of glasses is carried out by gravity and the force exerted on the glass to be separated is tangential to the lateral wall of the lower glass, not being necessary to pre-clamp the glass to be dispensed before carrying out the separation force.

[0021] Optionally, the first means comprises left side first means configured to support at least the left side of the vertical column of nested glasses and / or to push the left side of the lower glass, and right side first means configured to support at least the right side of the vertical column of nested glasses and / or to push the left side of the lower glass.

[0022] In this way, the forces are exerted on both sides of the glasses, allowing that the glass to be dispensed fall by gravity in a vertical direction.

[0023] Optionally, each one of the left side first means and the right side first means comprises horizontal supporting means configured to support a half of the base of the lower glass and / or tangential pushing means configured to push one side of the lateral wall of the lower glass.

[0024] Optionally, the first means comprises two semi-rollers, each one of them comprising a rotation axis and a concave toroidal surface being the tangential pushing means configured to push one side of the lateral wall of the lower glass, the concave toroidal surface comprising a first end and a second end, the two semi-rollers further comprising a semicircular base perpendicular to the concave toroidal surface at the first end or the second end, the semicircular base being the horizontal supporting means configured to support a half of the base of the lower glass.

[0025] Preferably, each one of the semi-rollers comprises a gear, wherein each gear engages with each other so that the two semi-rollers are rotatable around its rotation axis in a synchronous way.

[0026] Furthermore, at least one of the gears of the first means is driven by driving means, preferably a first motor.

[0027] Optionally, the first means are rotatable between a first position wherein the first means are configured to support the column of nested glasses and a second position wherein the first means are configured to push the lower glass out of the column so that the lower glass is dispensed. Preferably, the rotation of the first means is controlled by the first motor, being preferably a stepper motor with an encoder.

[0028] Preferably, the first means are rotatable in a perpendicular horizontal direction to the vertical direction of the vertical column.

[0029] In this way, in the first position of the first means, the first means support the lower glass, that is, the next glass that is going to be dispensed and in the second position of the first means, the first means are configured to push the lower glass out of the vertical column so that the lower glass is dispensed.

[0030] Once the lower glass has been dispensed, the next to lower glass becomes the lower glass, and the second means support the next to lower glass. Then, the first means rotates between the first position and the second position to allow the dispensation of the lower glass.

[0031] Optionally, the second means comprises pincers that support, in a first position, the next to lower glass in the vertical column while the lower glass is pushed by the first means, wherein the pincers are displaceable between a second position wherein the pincers are proximal to the next to lower glass in the vertical column, to the first position.

[0032] Preferably, the pincers comprise two parts comprising two ends, a first end and a second end, each one of the two parts comprising a curved arm disposed in the first end and configured to support in the first position the next to lower glass in the vertical column, and a gear disposed in the second end, the gears of the two parts being engaged, wherein each one of the two parts are rotatable around a vertical axis, displacing the pincers between the second position and the first position or vice-versa.

[0033] Furthermore, at least one of the gears of the second means is driven by driving means, preferably a second motor.

[0034] According to a preferred functioning mode, when the second means are disposed in its first position, the first means rotates between its first position and its second position.

[0035] According to a preferred functioning mode, when the second means are disposed in its second position, the first means are disposed in its second position.

[0036] Optionally, the vending machine further comprises a storage system, wherein the storage system comprises a conveying device configured to transport the at least one vertical column of nested glasses from the storage system to the dispensing system. Preferably, the conveying device comprises a reel controlled by a chain driven by an electric stepper motor, wherein a set of vertical columns are equidistributed along the reel.

[0037] Optionally, the vending machine further comprises a recharging system, wherein the recharging system comprises a tray configured to displace at least one vertical column of nested glasses to the storage system.

[0038] Throughout the whole description, where reference is made to the term glass, it shall be understood that reference is also made to the following terms: tumbler, cup and like containers.

[0039] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0040] To complement the description being made and for the sake of a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, attached as an integral part of said description are a set of drawings wherein, for the purpose of illustration and not limiting the scope of the invention, the following is shown:

[0041] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the interior part (the chassis is not shown) of the vending machine of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 2 shows the dispensing system of the vending machine of the present invention wherein the first means are disposed in the first position and the second means are disposed in the second position, allowing the supporting of the column of nested glasses by the first means.

[0043] Figure 3 shows the dispensing system of the vending machine of the present invention wherein the first means are disposed in the first position and the second means are disposed in the first position.

[0044] Figure 4 shows the dispensing system of the vending machine of the present invention wherein the first means are disposed in the second position and the second means are disposed in the first position.

[0045] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of Figure 3.

[0046] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of Figure 4.

[0047] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the recharging system of the vending machine of the present invention.

[0048] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0049] The following is a detailed description of the vending machine comprising a chassis (not shown), a dispensing system for at least one vertical column (1) of nested glasses (2, 2’) to be dispensed comprising a left side (L1) and a right side (R1) and defining a vertical direction (V), the vertical column (1) also comprising at least a lower glass (2) and a next to lower glass (2’), each one of the glasses (2, 2’) comprising a base (B) and a lateral wall (W), the lateral wall (W) comprising a left side (LW) and a right side (RW) , wherein the dispensing system comprises:

[0050] - first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16), configured, in use, to both support the vertical column (1 ) of nested glasses (2, 2’) and to push the lower glass (2) out of the vertical column (1 ) so that the lower glass (2) is dispensed;

[0051] - second means (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) configured to support, in use, the next to lower glass (2’) in the vertical column (1 ) while the lower glass (2) is pushed by the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16).

[0052] Figure 2 shows the dispensing system of the vending machine of the present invention wherein the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) are disposed in a first position supporting the column (1 ) of nested glasses (2, 2’) and the second means (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) are disposed in a second position, i.e., proximal to the next to lower glass (2’) in the vertical column (1 ), not preventing the vertical displacement of the column (1 ) of nested glasses (2, 2’), but being next to the column (1), at the height of the next to lower glass (2’).

[0053] Once the second means (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) varies its position from the second position to a first position, wherein the second means (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) support the next to lower glass (2’) in the vertical column (1), as shown in Figure 3, the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) varies its position from the first position to a second position wherein the lower glass (2) is pushed by the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) push the lower glass (2) out of the vertical column (1 ) for dispensing it (2), as shown in Figure 4.

[0054] After that, the next to lower glass (2’) becomes the lower glass (2), the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) varies its position again to the first position supporting the column (1) of nested glasses (2, 2’) and the and the second means (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) varies its position and are disposed in its second position, i.e., proximal to the next to lower glass (2’) in the vertical column (1), allowing the vertical displacement of the column (1) of nested glasses (2, 2’) until the new lower glass (2) is supported on the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16).

[0055] The sequence of steps is repeated as described above for the dispensing of the following glasses (2, 2’) in the column (1).

[0056] Preferably, the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) comprises two semi-rollers (10), each one of them (10) comprising a rotation axis (RA) and a concave toroidal surface (11 ) being tangential pushing means configured to push one side (LW, RW) of the lateral wall (W) of the lower glass (2), the concave toroidal surface (11 ) comprising a first end (12) and a second end (13), the two semi-rollers (10) further comprising a semicircular base (14) perpendicular to the concave toroidal surface (11) at the first end (12) or the second end (13), the semicircular base (14) being horizontal supporting means configured to support a half of the base (B) of the lower glass (2).

[0057] Each one of the semi-rollers (10) comprises a gear (15), wherein each gear (15) engages with each other so that the two semi-rollers (10) are rotatable around its rotation axis in a synchronous way. In this embodiment, one of the gears (15) of the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) is driven by driving means, preferably a first motor (16) and the other gear is driven. The rotation of the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) between the first position wherein the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) are configured to support the column of nested glasses and the second position wherein the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) are configured to push the lower glass (2) out of the column (1 ) so that the lower glass (2) is dispensed, is controlled by the first motor (16), being preferably a stepper motor with an encoder.

[0058] In this embodiment, the second means (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) comprises pincers (20) that support, in the first position of the second means (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), the next to lower glass (2’) in the vertical column (1 ) while the lower glass (2) is pushed by the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16), as shown in Figure 6, wherein the pincers (20) are displaceable between the second position wherein the pincers (20) are proximal to the next to lower glass (2’) in the vertical column (1 ), to the first position, wherein the pincers (20) support the next to lower glass (2’).

[0059] The pincers (20) comprise two parts (21 ) comprising two ends (22, 23), a first end

[0060] (22) and a second end (23), each one of the two parts (21 ) comprising a curved arm (24) disposed in the first end (22) and configured to support in the first position the next to lower glass (2’) in the vertical column (1 ), and a gear (25) disposed in the second end

[0061] (23), the gears (25) of the two parts (21) being engaged, wherein each one of the two parts (21) are rotatable around a vertical axis (VA’), displacing the pincers (20) between the second position and the first position or vice-versa. In this embodiment, one of the gears (25) of the second means (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) is driven by driving means, preferably a second motor (26).

[0062] The vending machine further comprises a storage system (30, 31 , 32, 33, 34), wherein the storage system (30, 31 , 32, 33, 34) comprises a conveying device (31 , 32, 33, 34) configured to transport the at least one vertical column (1, T) of nested glasses from the storage system (30, 31 , 32, 33, 34) to the dispensing system, wherein the conveying device (31 , 32, 33, 34) comprises a reel (31 ) controlled by a chain (32) driven by an electric stepper motor (33), wherein a set of vertical columns (1, T) are equidistributed along the reel (31) and supported by a horizontal guide (34), as shown in Figure 1 . Preferably, the number of glasses stacked in each column will depend on the size and design of the glass. In a particular case shown in Figure 1 , the storage system (30, 31 , 32, 33, 34) has a capacity of 300 glasses, 25 glasses distributed in 12 columns of stacked or nested glasses.

[0063] The vending machine further comprises a recharging system (40, 41 , 42) wherein the recharging system (40, 41 , 42) comprises a tray (41 ) configured to displace at least one vertical column (1, T) of nested glasses to the storage system (30, 31 , 32, 33, 34). The tray (41 ) is self-positioned on the vertical direction (V) of the vertical column (1) of the nested glasses (2, 2’) of the dispensing system, as shown in Figure 7, wherein the tray (41) is used as a support to place each of the 12 columns one by one, wherein the tray (41) comprises an electric motor (42).

[0064] As the storage system (30, 31 , 32, 33, 34) is recharged, column by column, each column follows the reverse circuit followed by the reel (31 ) when a column is directed to the dispensing system from the storage system (30, 31 , 32, 33, 34), supported by the horizontal guide (34)

[0065] While the dispensing system is working, the tray (41 ) is moved out of the way of the column in the dispensing system and the tray (41 ) remains in the last position of conveying device (31 , 32, 33, 34) shown in Figure 1 .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Vending machine comprising a dispensing system for at least one vertical column (1) of nested glasses (2, 2’) to be dispensed comprising a left side (L1) and a right side (R1) and defining a vertical direction (V), the vertical column (1) also comprising at least a lower glass (2) and a next to lower glass (2’), each one of the glasses (2, 2’) comprising a base (B) and a lateral wall (W), the lateral wall (W) comprising a left side (LW) and a right side (RW), wherein the dispensing system comprises:- first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) configured in use, to both support the vertical column (1 ) of nested glasses (2, 2’) and to push the lower glass (2) out of the vertical column (1 ) so that the lower glass (2) is dispensed;- second means (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) configured to support, in use, the next to lower glass (2’) in the vertical column (1 ) while the lower glass (2) is pushed by the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16).

2. The vending machine of claim 1 , wherein the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) comprises horizontal supporting means (14) configured to support the base (B) of the lower glass (2) and / or tangential pushing means (11 ) configured to push the lateral wall (W) of the lower glass (2).

3. The vending machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) comprises left side first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) configured to support at least the left side (L1 ) of the vertical column (1 ) of nested glasses (2, 2’) and / or to push the left side (LW) of the lower glass (2) and right side first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) configured to support at least the right side (RW) of the vertical column (1) of nested glasses (2, 2’) and / or to push the left side (LW) of the lower glass (2).

4. The vending machine of claim 3, wherein each one of the left side first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) and the right side first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) comprises horizontal supporting means (14) configured to support a half of the base (B) of the lower glass (2) and / or tangential pushing means (11 ) configured to push one side of the lateral wall (W) of the lower glass (2).

5. The vending machine of claim 4, wherein the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)comprises two semi-rollers (10), each one of them (10) comprising a rotation axis (RA) and a concave toroidal surface (11 ) being tangential pushing means configured to push one side (LW, RW) of the lateral wall (W) of the lower glass (2), the concave toroidal surface (11 ) comprising a first end (12) and a second end (13), the two semi-rollers (10) further comprising a semicircular base (14) perpendicular to the concave toroidal surface (11) at the first end (12) or the second end (13), the semicircular base (14) being horizontal supporting means configured to support a half of the base (B) of the lower glass (2).

6. The vending machine of claim 5, wherein each one of the semi-rollers (10) comprises a gear (15), wherein each gear (15) engages with each other so that the two semi-rollers (10) are rotatable around its rotation axis in a synchronous way.

7. The vending machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) are rotatable between a first position wherein the first means (10, 11 ,12.

13.

14.

15. 16) are configured to support the column (1 ) of nested glasses (2, 2’) and a second position wherein the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) are configured to push the lower glass (2) out of the column (1) so that the lower glass (2) is dispensed.

8. The vending machine of claim 7, wherein the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) are rotatable in a perpendicular horizontal direction to the vertical direction (V) of the vertical column (1 ).

9. The vending machine of any of claims 7 or 8, wherein the second means (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) configured to support the next to lower glass (2’) in the vertical column (1) while the lower glass is pushed by the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) are configured to support the next to lower glass (2’) when the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14,15. 16) are rotatable between the first position and the second position.

10. The vending machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second means (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) comprises pincers (20) that support, in a first position, the next to lower glass (2’) in the vertical column (1 ) while the lower glass (2) is pushed by the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16), wherein the pincers (20) are displaceable between a second position wherein the pincers (20) are proximal to the next to lower glass (2’) in thevertical column (1 ), to the first position.

11. The vending machine of claim 10, wherein the pincers (20) comprise two parts (21) comprising two ends (22, 23), a first end (22) and a second end (23), each one of the two parts (21 ) comprising a curved arm (24) disposed in the first end (22) and configured to support in the first position the next to lower glass (2’) in the vertical column (1), and a gear (25) disposed in the second end (23), the gears (25) of the two parts (21 ) being engaged, wherein each one of the two parts (21 ) are rotatable around a vertical axis (VA’), displacing the pincers (20) between the second position and the first position or vice-versa.

12. The vending machine of claim 7 and any of claims 10 or 11 , wherein the second means (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) disposed in the first position corresponds to the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) being rotatable between the first position and the second position.

13. The vending machine of claim 7 and any of claims 10 or 11 , wherein the second means (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) disposed in the second position corresponds to the first means (10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) disposed in the second position.

14. The vending machine of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a storage system (30, 31 , 32, 33, 34), wherein the storage system (30, 31 , 32, 33, 34) comprises a conveying device (31 , 32, 33, 34) configured to transport the at least one vertical column (1, T) of nested glasses from the storage system (30, 31 , 32, 33, 34) to the dispensing system.

15. The vending machine of claim 14, further comprising a recharging system (40, 41 , 42), wherein the recharging system (40, 41 , 42) comprises a tray (41) configured to displace at least one vertical column (1, T) of nested glasses to the storage system (30, 31 , 32, 33,

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