MXPA99011949A - Vending machine to select composition of pack and its method of use - Google Patents

Abstract

Se proporciona una máquina vendedora para empaquetar una pluralidad de artículos en un paquete unitario. Esta máquina vendedora incluye unárea de empaquetado y un empaquetador. El empaquetador fija una portadora a los artículos discretos en elárea de empaquetado para formar el paquete. El paquete formado luego se descarga desde la máquina vendedora. La máquina vendedora presente, por lo tanto proporciona medios para formara una variedad de artículos, tales como las marcas diferentes de envases para bebidas son las que se combinan para formar el paquete. Asimismo, un número de artículos para cada paquete pueden seleccionarse por el cliente.

Description

"SELLING MACHINE TO SELECT THE COMPOSITION OF THE PACKAGE AND ITS METHOD OF USE" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vending machine and a method for packaging and selling, wherein a plurality of items are combined within the vending machine in order to form a package.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND TECHNIQUE Several selling machines are known. Although different types of items can be sold from a vending machine, there are no known vending machines that can combine different items in a single package. In particular, no vending machine is currently known by which a consumer can select different types of items to be combined in a package within the vending machine. This package is convenient for the consumer to carry the selected products. In the beverage industry, there is no known selling machine by which different types of beverages can be combined in a single package. This package may include a pack of six, pack of twelve or any other appropriately sized grouping of cans, bottles or other type of beverage containers.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a main object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine and a method that can store a plurality of different types of items and that can combine selected items in a package that is sold. Because a coin sales arrangement and / or bill validator can be omitted from the present machine, as will be described below, it should be noted that the use of the term "vending machine" or "vending machine" does not imply that this machine should be made operate by coins. A further object of the present invention is to allow a consumer to select the types of items that are combined in a package within the selling machine. A further object of the present invention is to manufacture a vending machine and a method that are simple to operate and reliable.

These and other objects of the present invention are filled by a vending machine comprising: a packaging area for receiving a plurality of articles; and a packer for packaging the plurality of articles in the packaging area in a unitary package. These and other objects of the present invention are also satisfied by a method of packaging and selling a plurality of items from a vending machine, comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of items from a group of items; grouping the plurality of articles into a packaging area within the vending machine; and combining the plurality of items in the packaging area into a package, the combination occurring within the selling machine. In addition, these and other objects of the present invention are satisfied by a carrier for a plurality of packages, the carrier having a plurality of raised walls, surrounding each of the walls and defining an opening in the carrier, each wall being inclined and one of the containers being insertable in the opening with the inclination of the walls helping to align them. The additional scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description to be provided below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are provided by way of illustration only since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those persons skilled in the art, of this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description to be provided below and the accompanying drawings which are provided by way of illustration only, and thus are not limiting of the present invention, and wherein: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the vending machine of the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the first embodiment of the vending machine of the present invention, with the display board removed; Figure 3A is a view of the interior of the door of the first embodiment of the vending machine of the present invention, prior to a packaging operation; Figure 3B is a view similar to Figure 3A showing a set of articles that are fed to the packaging area by an elevator; Figure 3C is a view similar to Figure 3B, but with the article set raised slightly in the elevator; Figure 3D is a similar view of the Figure 3C, with the set of articles near the top of the elevator and just after the packer activation; Figure 3E is a view similar to Figure 3D showing the item set unloaded from the elevator and showing the additional movement of the packer; Figure 3F is a view similar to Figure 3E showing three sets of articles in the packaging area with the packer that will insert a carrier therein; Figure 3G is a view similar to Figure 3F, but showing the packer inserting the carrier into the plurality of articles to form a packet; Figure 3H is a view similar to Figure 3G, but showing the packet being downloaded; Figure 4A is a front view of a first embodiment of the interior of the first embodiment of the vending machine showing the storage area; Figure 4B is a front view of a second embodiment of the interior of the first embodiment of the vending machine showing the storage area; Figure 5 is a partial side view taken along line V-V of Figure 4A showing the first embodiment of the interior of the vending machine; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a carrier used in the present invention; Figure 7 is a top plan view of the carrier of Figure 6; Figure 8 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the carrier taken along line VIII-VIII of Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a side view of a second embodiment of the vending machine of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES In Figure 1, a first embodiment of the selling machine 10 is shown. This vending machine 10 includes a pivotable door 12 and a body 14 of the vending machine. The door 12 is able to pivot on the body 14 in a known manner. On the face of the door 12, there is a presentation board 16. This board 16 can have any appropriate graphics thereon. It should be noted that the contoured bottle and the "Coke ™" brand are registered trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia. The display board 16 has a plurality of windows 18 that are provided therein. These 18 windows are in the shape of the contour bottle TM Coca-Cola. The interior portions of the door 12 are visible through these windows 18. Although windows of a certain shape have been indicated in Figure 1, any appropriate design can be provided. For example, square oval windows or any other shape, or number of windows, may be provided. In fact, the entire presentation board 16 or a majority or other portion of this board could be transparent in order to allow visualization of the components within the door 12. Of course, this board 16 could also be windowless in such a way that the interior of the door was hidden from view. The board 16 may also be flat as shown or bent, provided with indentations or concave portions or may have any appropriate shape. The display board 16 on the front of the door 12 has a hole 20. A package formed in the vending machine 10 can be recovered through this opening 20., as will be described in more detail below. Also, on the face of the door 12, a selection board 22 is provided. A row of selection buttons 24 are shown on the selection board 22. Adjacent to each of the selection buttons 24, there is an indicator 26. Each of the selection buttons 24 may indicate a type of item to be selected to be sold from the machine. This type of item can be a beverage brand or any other appropriate item. It is proposed that a plurality of articles will be combined to form a single package in the present invention. For discussion purposes, the vending machine 10 of the present invention will be described, forming six-packs. As noted with respect to the second embodiment of the vending machine 160, the first mode of the vending machine 10 can combine the articles to form eight-packs, twelve-packs or any other appropriate number of items can be combined in one package at the present invention. In fact, only two articles could be combined if desired. In addition, as will be described later, a single selling machine could sell more than one package of a size. As mentioned above, the present invention will now be described as forming a six pack in the vending machine 10. This pack of six can be made from the same beverage brand or can have different brands of beverages in a single pack of six. It is proposed that the selling machine 10 be used to sell beverages, but of course any other product can be sold therefrom. The drinks can be in cans, bottles or any other appropriate container. Although the present invention will be described as handling beverage containers, particularly beverage cans, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited thereto. When a six pack of beverage containers is to be sold from the orifice 20, a consumer will first activate the selection board 22. Six selections or performances will therefore be necessary in order to have six containers to form the six pack. Each of the six selections could be of the same product brand or could be of any combination of brands of products held by the machine 10. For example, the consumer can press the same button six times in order to sell the same brand of drinks to the six pack. Alternatively, different selection buttons could be pressed in order to select different beverage combinations. Since a six pack is being formed, these six different beverages could be provided in the six pack. Of course, any desired combination of beverages could be collected in a package, as will be described in detail below. In addition, it is possible to design the machine 10 in such a way that a smaller package than a normal one is formed. In other words, if a machine 10 distributed six packs, a counter-switch could be provided by which five or fewer drinks were distributed to form the package if desired. In other words, the machine could be placed to distribute up to six items if it were designed to make a six-pack seller. In addition, as will be discussed later, a single machine 10 could be designed to distribute packets of different size. The same machine could distribute, for example, both six-packs and twelve-packs. When the consumer activates the upper button 24 on the selection board 22, the indicator 26 adjacent to this button will indicate the number "1". If this same button is activated again, the adjacent indicator 26 will then indicate the number "2". Therefore, the consumer will know what amount of a specific beverage brand has been selected for the six pack. Even though six selection buttons 24 and indicators 26 have been indicated in Figure 1, any appropriate number of selection buttons 24 may be used. Likewise, instead of using the indicators 26 adjacent to each of the selection buttons, a separate presentation apparatus could be provided to inform the consumer how many drinks and what kind of drinks have been selected. Below the row of selection buttons 24 there is an information board 28, and a display apparatus 30 for total selection. This information board 28 informs the consumer of the appropriate number of beverages to be selected. In this example, the consumer will be informed that six selections should be made. Each time one of the selection buttons 24 is activated, the total selection display apparatus 30 will indicate the number of items selected. Therefore, an operating notation is provided to assist the consumer in determining when the appropriate number of drinks for the six pack has been selected. Below the information board 28 and the total selection display apparatus 30 are a start button 32 and a reset button 34. When six drinks have been selected and the consumer is satisfied with their selection, they can then press the start button 32 in order to cause a package of six to be formed and sold. On the other hand, if the consumer accidentally selects the wrong beverage or the number of drinks, the adjustment 34 may be depressed. During the activation of this reset button 34, the consumer can then re-enter his desired selection through the selection buttons 24. The selection board 22 of the present invention is part of the controller 36 for controlling the sale of items. The controller 36 will determine when the appropriate number of items has been selected. If a consumer selects very few items and tries to press the push-button 32, the indicators 26 and the display apparatus 30 will turn on to give the consumer some indication that more items are needed.

On the other hand, if more than six items are selected, then an indication to the consumer can be provided. The controller 36 will not allow the cycle to begin when the button 32 is activated until the appropriate number of items has been selected. Again it should be noted that while six articles are described, any number of articles of the present invention can be sold from the machine 10. For example, a single item could be sold during a given operating cycle if desired. In the example to form a pack of six, when the selection buttons 24 have been activated six times, the start button 32 is activated. This will then begin an operation cycle of the present invention. Turning now from Figure 1 to Figure 4A, the interior of the body 14 of the vending machine will now be discussed. It will be apparent initially that inside the body 14 of the vending machine, no conventional refrigeration equipment is shown. This helps reduce the cost of the selling machine and provides extra space inside the selling machine. The front of the selling machine 1 as seen in Figure 1 should also be observed as being without a coin selling arrangement and / or a bill validator. It is proposed that the present selling machine 10 may be in a grocery store or convenience store, for example. The consumer will then assemble their six packs using the selling machine. They can then take the package of six armed to another site in the store and pay for it. These six packs will not normally be consumed immediately and therefore, there is no need to refrigerate the drinks. Again it should be noted that because the coin selling arrangement and / or the bill validator can be omitted from the machine 10, the use of the term "selling machine" or "selling machine" does not imply that this machine should be operated by coins. However, it is possible that a conventional coin sales team and / or bill validators may be included in the vending machine 10 of the present invention. Likewise, conventional refrigeration equipment can be used in the selling machine. Therefore, the selling machine can be placed in any desired location. For example, the selling machine could be on a street, in an office or any other appropriate location. It is not necessary for the vending machine to be used only at a grocery store or a convenience store. In Figure 4A, seven front columns 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50 are provided. These columns will receive the individual cans for storage. As seen in Figure 5, column 38 on the left hand side of Figure 4A has been shown. Behind this front column 38 is a second column 52. Each of the columns 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50, will have a column behind it. Therefore, a total of fourteen storage columns are provided in the present invention. These columns have a serpentine shape in order to maximize the storage space of the present invention, as shown in Figure 5. These columns act as a plurality of retention areas 54. These retention areas 54 house the containers for drinks that are going to be distributed. As mentioned above, any suitable article of the vending machine 10 of the present invention can be sold. Therefore, other appropriate storage arrangements are possible. The articles are distributed from each of the individual columns to an underlying ramp 56. The articles will fall from the column to the ramp 56 in a conventional manner. It should be noted that the ramp 56 is generally at the same distance from the bottom of each of the columns. When the beverage cans are distributed, for example, they will be placed in such a way that their end with the opening is oriented to the left in Figure 4A. Thus, the selected can will fall from one of the front columns 38 to 50 or from one of the rear columns towards the ramp 56. It is proposed that the cans or articles fall at a distance of approximately 20.32 millimeters. The can opening will then be oriented towards the wall to the left of the body 14 of the vending machine. As seen in Figure 5, a first section 58 and a second ramp section 60 are provided. The second ramp section 60 is hidden behind the first ramp section 58 in Figure 4A. Both of these ramp sections 58, 60 are fed to a third ramp section 62. The third ramp section is generally perpendicular to the first and second ramp sections 58, 60. All ramp sections 58, 60 and 62 form the ramp 56 and extend downwardly for gravity feed of the articles therefrom. In Figure 4A, the third ramp section 62 is at an angle a relative to the horizontal plane. This angle aligns the third ramp section 62 with the first and second ramp sections 58, 60. In particular, if the third ramp section 62 were horizontal, the cans or other articles would have a greater distance to fall from the first and second sections. sections 58, 60 towards the third ramp section 62. This fall tends to twist the cans in such a way that the upper ends no longer face the left-hand wall of the vending machine 10, as seen in Figure 4A. In other words, the cans try to rotate longitudinally. This twisting could result in cans being misaligned. If the cans were rotated longitudinally enough, they would no longer roll down the third ramp section 62, thereby blocking further distribution. Due to this angle a for the third ramp section 62, an appropriate alignment of the cans can be maintained. As will be discussed below, this alignment is subsequently used to form a package with the cans or articles properly aligned. As mentioned above, the can-open end of the can will fall from one of the storage columns to any ramp section 58 or 60. Then, these cans will slide down to the third ramp section 62. The can then will roll down. This tread is in a direction extending out from the page in Figure 4A. When the can rolls in this manner, it will be supplied through an opening 64 in the part 12, as seen in Figure 1. This third ramp section 62 has a stop 66 with a cavity or section to stop the rolling cans . The cans or other items sold then can then be collected from this - area of the third section of ramps 62, for subsequent processing, as will be described later. In Figure 4A, it should be noted that the height of the column 38 is slightly greater than that of the column 50. This is because each of the columns is successively reduced in height from the left to the right in Figure 4A, in order to accommodate the underlying ramp sections 58, 60. Of course, if the articles are to be fed from the retention areas 54 by means other than by gravity feed, the columns could all be made the same size. A second embodiment of the interior of the vending machine showing the storage area is illustrated in Figure 4B. In this example, conveyors 142 and 144 are provided instead of ramp sections 58 and 60. Although not shown, a rear conveyor is also provided instead of the third ramp section 62. Of course, others may be provided other than a chain mail conveyor 142, 144, such as movable baskets, a robotic arm or any other suitable arrangement for moving the articles from the retaining areas 54 'to the packaging area. In this second embodiment, it is proposed that the selected cans or other containers will fall from one of the front columns 38 ', 40', 42 ', 44', 46 ', 48' or 50 ', or from one of the rear columns towards any of the front conveyor 142 or the rear conveyor. The conveyor receiving the can will then move the can towards the conveyor 144 which will discharge the can through the opening 64. Instead of using the conveyor 144, the conveyor 142 could feed the articles towards a gravity feed ramp, such as section 62 of ramp. Also, instead of being on the left end of the conveyor 142, as seen in Figure 4B, the conveyor 144 to the ramp section 62 could of course be on the right end of this conveyor 142. Alternatively, a conveyor could be used. central or ramp section instead of the conveyor 144 with the conveyors on each side thereof feeding the cans to this central conveyor or ramp section. In addition, instead of using a forward conveyor 142 and a separate rear conveyor, a single conveyor could be used. Of course, if there were more of the front columns 38 and second rear columns 52, additional conveyors could be used. It should be noted that in Figure 4B, the bottom of the columns 38 ', 40', 42 ', 44', 46 ', 48' and 50 'are aligned along the bottom. Due to sections 58, 60 and 62 of inclined gravity feed ramps that are not used exclusively in - this second modality, the height of each successive column does not need to be reduced as in the first modality. Therefore, more space can be provided within the columns and more space can be used within the interior of the retaining area 54 '. Although seven front columns and seven rear columns have been indicated in Figures 4A, 4B and 5, any appropriate number of columns could be provided. In addition, even when the leftmost column 38 drops cans directly towards the third ramp section 62 in Figures 4A and 5, and towards the conveyor 144 in Figure 4B, the first and second ramp sections 58, 60 could extending in the first embodiment or conveyors 142 could be extended in the second embodiment in such a way that the cans land on these sections or conveyors instead of the third ramp section 62 or the conveyor 142. Also, instead of using an arrangement of Serpentine for the storage of items, as indicated in Figure 5, could provide any appropriate storage arrangement. For example, a stacker vendor could be used. Also, the number of columns and the number of rows of columns could vary of course.

The various columns that house the beverages as well as the ramp 56 and the conveyors 142, 144 are all provided within the storage area 68. A plurality of cans 70 is retained in the plurality of retention areas 54, 54 'of the storage area 68. Each of the different columns could have a different brand of article. For the most frequently sold items, it could be used if more than one column is desired. Even when the cans 70 are shown, it is again emphasized that the present invention could be used to sell beverages and other containers, such as bottles or to sell any other product. Turning now to Figure 2, packer 72 and unloader 74 of the present invention will be described. This packer 72 and the unloader 74 are placed in the door 12 of the vending machine 10. It is proposed that instead of using the pivotable door 12 in the vending machine 10, the front of the vending machine 10 could in fact be a one-piece or unitary structure. In other words, the door 12 could not be in the front part of the body 14 of the vending machine. Another access opening could be provided in the top side or rear of the vending machine, for example. However, due to conventional arrangements and ease of access to the interior of the vending machine, it is proposed that a pivotable door 12 be used. The packer 72 of the present invention will pack a plurality of articles in the packaging area 76 into a single unit package. As noted, packs of six have been described as being formed in the present selling machine. Six individual cans will be moved into the packaging area 76 in order to have a carrier 78 placed thereon. The placement of a carrier in six cans will form the unit package or six pack. A plurality of carriers 78 are shown in the supply retainer 80 and these carriers 78 will be described in greater detail below. An arm 82 is pivotally mounted on the supply retainer 80 on the pivot 84. This arm 82 has a right-hand section and a left-hand section with a vacuum clamping head 86 being mounted opposite the pivot 84. A pivot 88 for the fastener head 86 is provided so that the head 86 can move relative to the arm 82. The air line 30 provides suction to the fastening head 86. A suitable suction source can be fixed to the opposite end of this air line 90. The air line 90 is a flexible hose, for example, and is therefore movable with the holding head 86. While the vacuum clamping head 86 has been described, it should be noted that any suitable fastener could be provided to move the carriers 78 from the supply retainer 80 to the packing area 76. In addition to moving the carrier 78 to the area 76 of packaging, the packer 72 also places the carrier 78 towards the articles in the packaging area 76 in order to form the package. An engine 92 is provided to pivot the arm 82 about the pivot 84. A linkage arrangement 94 is pivotally mounted to the door 12 at point 96. The link arrangement 94 includes a rod 98 that will slide on a handle 100. The opposite end of this rod 98 is pivotally fixed on the head 86 of the fastener. As arm 82 pivots about point 84, rod 98 will slide on handle 100. Arm 82 will pivot as indicated in Figures 3A through Figure 3H. The arm 82 moves from an outward position to a position in Figure 3B where the head 86 of the fastener engages the lower carrier 78 in the supply retainer 80. Then, the arm 82 will move to the position of Figure 3C, Figure 3D to Figure 3E. It should be noted that the head 86 of the fastener pivots from a generally vertical orientation to a generally horizontal orientation during this movement of the arm. Even though the head 86 of the fastener is not exactly vertical at the position of Figure 3B and is not exactly horizontal at the position of Figure 3FFor example, these positions, however, are referred to as vertical and horizontal orientations because the head is usually either vertical or horizontal. As can be seen between Figures 3A to Figure 3D, rod 98 slides on handle 100. When moving from the position of Figure 3D to the position of Figure 3E, handle 100 pivots at 96. This pivoting movement accommodates the movement of the arm 82. As the arm 82 continues to pivot from Figure 3E to Figure 3F, the rod 98 then slides in an opposite direction on the handle 100. This movement basically lowers the head 86 of the fastener towards the articles in the packaging area 76. The head of the fastener will have a carrier 78 that it places in the article, as shown in Figure 3G. The head 86 of the holder retains the carrier 78 in a warped position from the supply retainer 80 to the packaging area 86. When the carrier 78 engages the articles while being held by the fastener 86, the head 86 of the fastener will flex. This will serve to flatten the carrier 78. Because the carrier 78 is initially warped, a central portion thereof will first come into contact with the cans in the packaging area 76, as will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6 a 8. In Figure 6, the carrier 78 is made of a flexible plastic material. However, the carrier is rigid enough to retain items such as cans in a satisfactory manner. Because a pack of six is being formed, a carrier 78 with six openings 102 is shown in the figures. Of course, if another packet size were to occur, such as a pack of twelve, for example, a carrier could be used of different size with a different number of openings. Also, instead of using a carrier 78 as described, any appropriate band arrangement could be provided to combine the articles in the packaging area 76 into a package. In addition, the articles could be formed into a package by gumming together or being enclosed in a cartonboard wrap. The openings 102 of the carrier 78 are defined by the raised walls 104. Each of the openings 102 is surrounded by an annular wall 104 in order to thereby define the openings 102. Even when the individual walls are shown as completely surrounding the opening 102 If this structure is formed, this wall could be broken if the structure or material of the wall 104 were rigid enough to retain an inserted can in place. The wall 104 is tilted, as indicated in Figure 8. In particular, a first surface 130 is closer to a center 107 of the opening 102 than a second surface 105. Therefore, with respect to the direction of the insertion. of the can, the walls 104 are tilted inwards. This inclination helps to align a can with the opening 102 into which it is to be inserted. The walls 104 therefore act as cam surfaces to align the cans. It should be noted that even when Figure 8 shows the second surface above the first surface, the carrier 78 could of course be above or placed in any other appropriate orientation. However, the inclination wall 104 results in the openings 102 having a funnel shape. Two separate openings 106 are also placed in the carrier 78. These openings 106 are centrally positioned and sized to receive consumer fingers that can be inserted into these openings 106 to transport the packs of six formed, in a known manner. A central longitudinal axis 108 is indicated in Figure 7 for the carrier 78. The head 86 of the fastener will initially buck the carrier along this axis. In other words, the central portion along the axis 108 is it will stick out away from the head 86 of the fastener. The inner portion 110 of the openings 102 towards the central axis will therefore firstly engage the upper portions of the cans 70 in the packaging area 76. This cambered configuration will help to position the carrier 78 towards the cans. This internal portion 110 of each of the openings 102 will be the area of the wall that first engages the cans 70 when the carrier 78 engages therewith in the packaging area 76. The head 86 of the fastener will continue to move toward the cans after this initial coupling with the carrier. This will force the rest of the walls 104 from each of the openings 102 around the cans 70, which are aligned below. During this operation, the head 86 of the fastener flexes to move the carrier 78 from a cambered confirmation to a planar configuration. In this way, the carrier 78 could be placed in the cans to form a pack of six with minimum pressure. The funnel shape of the inclined walls 104 also helps to center or align the cans 70 or other articles with the openings 102, as will be seen above. Instead of springing the carrier 78 towards the cans in this described manner, the carrier 78 could be in an orientation - flat and pressed directly into cans 70. This arrangement, however, would require a force of 68,100 kilograms, for example. With the jump present in the layout, on the other hand considerably less force is used. Therefore, the packer 72 of the present invention is simplified. After the carrier 78 is placed in the cans 70 to form a package, i.e., a pack of six, the head of the holder 86 moves away from the cans as indicated in Figure 3H. Below the packaging area 76 there is a gate 112. The gate 112 moves from the closed position in Figure 3G to an open position in Figure 3H by a motor 114. This motor 114 is not operated until the carrier 78 has been placed in the cans in order to form a package and the head 86 of the clip has been moved to the side. When the gate 112 moves to the open position, the cans will slide by gravity along the chute 116 to an area adjacent to the hole 20. The consumer may then come through the opening 20 and remove the six-pack formed . It should be noted that when the gate 102. is in the closed position, as shown in Figure 3G, a consumer will be prevented from reaching through the opening 20 and removing the formed six pack. It should be noted that when the gate 112 - - is in the closed position, as shown in Figure 3G, a consumer will be prevented from reaching through the opening 20 toward the packaging area 76_. Other suitable gates could also be incorporated to ensure that the packaging area can not give access incorrectly through the opening 20. It has been discussed above that the articles are fed from the storage area 68 in the vending machine 10 through an opening 64, as seen in Figures 1 and 3A. In this area adjacent the stop 66, the third ramp section 62 has an opening or a plurality of openings 118. This opening is small enough to prevent cans or other items resting on the third ramp section 62 from falling off. through it. However, a shelf 120 of an elevator 122 can pass through this opening 118. This shelf 120 can have a plurality of forks that are mounted on the elevator 122, as seen in Figure 2. The shelf 120 will move to through the opening 118 in order to pick up the articles such as the cans 70 that rest on the end of the third ramp section 62. If the cans or other articles are fed by the conveyor 144 of the second embodiment, then it can be provided a mechanism in the elevator - - 122 for picking up the cans from the conveyor 144. Alternatively, the conveyor 144 can feed the cans to a shelf or platform adjacent to the elevator 122, and this shelf or platform can have the openings 118 through which the shelf moves. 120 of the elevator 122. In a pack of six, two rows of cans are provided. Therefore, during the operation of the present invention, two cans 70 will move from the storage area to the end of the third ramp section 62 or the end of the conveyor Í44. At this end of the ramp section or end of the conveyor with or without the platform or shelf, a recess or recessed section may be provided. This cavity or lowered section will receive the cans or other items and stop them from bouncing back in an upstream direction. When the cans reach the top 66, there is a tendency for some of them to bounce and thus increase the cycle time while waiting for the cans to settle. This recess or recess retains the cans to prevent this rebound, and therefore allows them to settle quickly. Accordingly, the operation of the elevator 122 need not be unnecessarily delayed while waiting for the cans to settle. It is proposed that if two cans are fed to the elevator before this elevator is activated, then the width of the cavity or section could be slightly larger than the diameter of the two cans. Both of these cans forward of the elevator 122 will then be collected simultaneously by the shelf 120 and lifted by the elevator 122. Although only one can 70 is visible in Figure 3B, it should be noted that a second can is positioned behind the can shown . They can be sold either the same type of item or different types of items. For example, the same beverage brand or different beverage brands can form the pair of cans fed to the elevator 122. The elevator 122 includes at least one endless element 124. Of course, this endless element 124 can have a pair of chains or endless belts or any other appropriate number of chains or belts could be used of course. Many other types of lifting or lifting arrangements that are known could certainly be used. Two shelves 120 are permanently mounted on the endless element 124. The upper and lower pulleys 126, 128 are provided respectively around which the endless chain or belt element 124 rotates. A motor (not shown) is provided to drive this lifter 122. Of course, any of the previously described engines 92 or 114 could also be used to drive the hoist if desired. This motor for the elevator 122 is only a conventional motor. In Figure 3A, the vending machine 10 is in a waiting position. When a consumer activates selection board 22 to select an appropriate number of items and presses the start button 32, a cycle of operation of the selling machine 10 will begin. A first and a second can are released in sequence from the storage area 68. They will roll down the ramp 56 to the end of the third ramp section 62 that will be transported and unloaded via the conveyor 144. The elevator 122 will then be activated in order to lift the pair of cans in the rack 120. As the Elevator 122 moves around upper pulley 126, cans will be discharged from shelf 120 into the trough 116 that opens into packing area 76. In Figure 3B, this process has been repeated twice in such a way that two pairs of cans 70 are shown in the packaging area 76 (see also Figure 2). A third pair of cans 70 is being lifted by the elevator 122 in Figure 3B. This lifter 122 in Figure 3B has two shelves 120 mounted therein. Of course, any appropriate number of shelves could be used. It should be noted that the second shelf in Figure 3A is hidden behind the guide wall in the packaging area 76. In Figure 3C, the third pair of cans 70 continues to be lifted by the elevator 122. Likewise, the head 86 of the fastener now begins to move away from the supply retainer 80. In Figure 3D, the head 86 of the fastener continues to move away from the supply retainer 80 and the third pair of cans 70 is almost at the top of the elevator 122. In Figure 3E, the third pair of cans 70 has been moved from the elevator 122 towards the trough 116. A pair of guides 130 are shown in Figures 3e and 2. These guides 130 assist in retaining the cans as they are discharged from the elevator 122. The guides 130 will prevent cans 70 from the elevator or tilt when moved to the trough 116. As the elevator 122 reaches the upper pulley 126, its speed decelerates to prevent the cans 70 from being thrown forward as they move towards the trough 116. As mentioned above, the cans are fed with their ends having the openings opposite the wall to the left in the body 14 of the vending machine in Figure 4A. These cans roll down the third ramp section 62 and are then picked up by the elevator in such a way that their ends with the openings are always oriented upwards. When a carrier 78 is placed above the plurality of cans, all the cans will therefore be in an appropriate orientation with their ends having the openings facing upwards. This same correct orientation of cans is provided with the conveyors 142, 144 used in the second embodiment of Figure 4B. Instead of being aligned with all the upper parts of the can facing up, other variations are possible. The head of the bra or other device could insert the carrier into the bottom of the six pack. Then, the cans could be stored in the retaining areas 54, 54 'in such a way that they are eventually fed into the packaging area with their ends having the openings facing downwards. Other constructions are also possible. Although not shown in Figure 2, the front end of the head 86 of the fastener has a cam surface 132. This cam surface can be seen in Figures 3D and 3E, for example. The cam surface 132 may generally have a "V" shape or a "U" shape. This cam surface 132 is inserted into the space 134 between the guides 130. This space 134 is seen in Figure 2, for example, when the cam surface 132 is inserted in this space, it will engage the guides 130 and move the remote ones. one from the other. The guides are pivoted around their forward ends 136 where they are mounted on the supply retainer 80. As seen in Figure 2, the guides 130 are normally above the upper portion of the cans 70. This placement prevents the cans from tilting when they are being unloaded from the shelf 120 of the elevator 122. When the cam surface 132 is inserted into the space 134 to move the guides 130 away from each other, the head 86 of the fastener can move between the guides 130. This will provide unobstructed access to allow the head 86 of the fastener to place the carrier 78 in engagement with the group of cans in the packaging area 76. As seen in Figure 3F, the cam surface 132 are inserted between the guides 130. Then in Figure 3G, the head 86 of the holder with the carrier can couple the cans 70 in the packaging area 76. The head 86 of the holder will then move away from the cans. Even if the cam surface 132 is still engaged with the guides 130, the gate 112 could be opened. Alternatively, this gate 112 could be opened after the cam surface 132 is out of engagement with the guides 130 and they have returned to their original position. Because a carrier 78 has been inserted around the cans 70 to form a pack of six or another package, it is not necessary for the guides 130 to continue guiding the cans. The six-pack formed will not tilt as it does with individual cans. The elevator 122 with the ramp 56 or the conveyor 144 forms a distributor 138 of the present invention. The operation of this distribute 138 can be seen through the display board 16 as indicated in Figure 1. Likewise, the operation of the packer 72, and the unloader 74 can also be seen. This presentation device will help generate consumer interest. The vending machine 10 of the present invention includes the storage area 68 in the vending machine 10. The dispenser 138 includes the ramp 56 or conveyor 144 with the elevator 122. The articles are moved from the storage area 68 by the distributor 138 to the packaging area 76. In this packaging area 76, the packer 72 can pack a plurality of items into a single unit package. This discharger 74 will then remove this unit package from the packaging area 76. The discharger 74 includes the chute 116 and the movable gate 112. The present selling machine 10 provides a method for packaging and selling a plurality of items from a single machine. This method includes the steps of selecting a plurality of items. This selection can be carried out through the selection board 22. The controller 36 may cause a group of items selected in the storage area 68 to be discharged to the ramp 56 or to the conveyors 142, 144. The articles will then move along this ramp 56 or conveyors to the elevator 122, and then to the packaging area 76. All this activity occurs inside the selling machine. The plurality of articles is then combined in a package in the packaging area 76 by the packer 72. Finally, the package formed is then discharged by the discharger 74. This package can be removed through the orifice 20 by the consumer. Although a separate orifice 20 has been shown downstream of the packaging area 76, it is possible that an opening adjacent to the packaging area could be provided. For example, a door preventing access to the packaging area 76 during the formation of the six pack could be provided. When the six-pack is completed, the door could be opened and the consumer could directly remove the product. Also, even when the elevator 122 has been shown to lift the articles towards the packer 72, this elevator could be omitted. For example, a robotic arm or other arrangement of a driven conveyor could be provided to lift the articles toward the packaging area 76. Because the packaging area 76 is in the intermediate portion of the vending machine 10 this results in the hole 20 being at a convenient height for the user to remove the package formed. Of course, the hole 20 could be placed towards the bottom of the machine and the entire structure of the elevator 122 could be omitted. The articles would simply be fed from the ramp 56 or the conveyor 144 to the packaging area 76 without getting up. The consumer could then remove the item from a low 20 hole. Alternatively, the package formed then could be from a low level inside the door 12 and then rise from the packaging area to a convenient raised hole. Many modifications are possible with the present invention. Referring to Figure 9, a second embodiment of a selling machine 160 is shown. As mentioned above, the use of the term "selling machine" and "selling machine" does not imply that this machine must be operated by coins. This second embodiment has a packing area 162 and a packer 164. The packer includes a handle 166 capable of pivoting about the axis 168. The handle 166 is pivotally fixed in the base 170. In the base 170, an area of package includes a support 172 inclined to receive the items to be packaged. These items can be cans 70 for beverages or other containers such as bottles. In fact, the principles of the present invention are applicable to a wide variety of products that are to be packaged and sold. The cans 70 or other items are placed in the holder. A carrier 78 is then inserted into the staples 174 or other retainers that are provided in the vending machine 160. The carrier 78 and the cans 70 are generally inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow 176. The handle 166 then moves to pivot down as indicated by the arrow 178. This action will separate the carrier from the staples 174 and place the same in the cans 70 or other articles. Therefore, a consumer can select the desired items and place them on the selling machine 160 after which the consumer can pack the plurality of items into a unit package. Instead of using a handle 166 capable of pivoting, a reciprocating handle or other suitable device could be used to band or combine the articles into the unit package. After the package is formed, the consumer manually removes the package from the selling machine 160. Of course, an automatic ejector could be provided. In the example of Figure 9, a pack of six is formed. It should be appreciated, however, that packs of eight, packs of twelve or any other appropriate number of items can be combined in one package in the present invention. In fact, only two items could be combined if desired. In addition, a single 160 machine could sell more than one package of a single size. Again, it is emphasized that even though the present invention has been discussed as forming packs of six, any package of appropriate size can be formed. This includes packs of eight, packs of twelve, packs of twenty-four or even just two items packed together. Also, even when the specific plastic carrier 78 has been described, any suitable arrangement may be used to combine the selected items into a package. The present invention, however, authorizes consumers to form a package as they wish. In other words, the consumer can select the types of appropriate items that will be printed on the package. In addition, the present invention has been discussed as forming in sequence six different packets, it being possible for packages of different sizes to be formed with the present invention. For example, packer 72 could be provided with carriers of different size to form six packs, eight packs, twelve packs, etc. within the same machine 10 seller. Therefore, the present vending machine 10 allows different varieties as well as different quantities of items to be sold within a package to be sold. Having thus described the invention, it will be apparent that it can be varied in many ways. These variations should not be considered as a deviation from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all these modifications that will be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (28)

CLAIMS:

1. A vending machine comprising: a packaging area for receiving a plurality of articles; and a packer for packaging the plurality of articles in the packaging area in a unitary package.

The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage area for a group of articles; a distribute to move a plurality of items from the storage area to the packaging area; and a discharger for removing the unit package from the plurality of items from the vending machine.

3. The vending machine according to claim 2, further comprising a controller having a plurality of selection buttons capable of operating by a consumer, the buttons are operated to select the types of items to be moved by the distributor from the storage area to the ampaquetador.

4. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein for each cycle of operation of the controller, a selected number of items are moved by the distributor from the storage area to the packaging area and packaged by the packager in a unit package , being the items in a package of the same type or a different type.

5. The vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the articles are beverage containers and wherein the types of articles are beverage brands, the packager places a carrier around a plurality of items in the packaging area to form a package. the unit package.

The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the distributor comprises a ramp that is provided adjacent to the storage area and an elevator at the end of the ramp, the articles being moved from the storage area on the ramp to the elevator, the elevator being at one end downstream of the ramp and having a shelf to lift the articles toward the packaging area.

The vending machine according to claim 6, wherein the storage area has a plurality of retention areas and wherein the ramp extends below each of the retention areas, dropping articles from retention areas selected towards the ramp and moving by gravity to an adjacent lifting position.

The vending machine according to claim 7, wherein the ramp has at least three sections, a first section of the ramp being below half of the retaining areas, a second section of the ramp remaining below another half of the retaining area, a third section of the ramp interconnecting the first and second sections and extending to the position adjacent to the elevator, leaving the third section of the ramp usually perpendicular to the first and second sections and all sections of the ramp extending down.

The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the dispenser comprises at least one conveyor that is provided adjacent to the storage area, at least one conveyor moves the plurality of articles toward the packaging area.

The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the packer comprises a supply retainer for a plurality of carriers and a movable arm for placing a carrier - from the supply retainer to the plurality of items in the packaging area.

The vending machine according to claim 10, wherein the arm is capable of pivoting about a generally horizontal axis and includes a head of the vacuum holder, the head of the vacuum holder picking up a carrier from the holder of the vacuum retainer. supply, the arm being pivotable from a position adjacent to the supply retainer to a position adjacent to the packaging area, the head of the fastener being pivotally mounted on the arm such that the head of the fastener is movable relative to the arm.

The vending machine according to claim 11, wherein the head of the clip is capable of pivoting from a generally vertical orientation when the arm is adjacent to the supply retainer to a generally horizontal orientation when the arm is adjacent to the area of packaging, and wherein the selling machine further comprises a pair of guides extending from the supply retainer to a position above the packaging area, the guides being placed in cam remote from one another by the head of the fastener when the arm moves adjacent to the packaging area.

13. The vending machine according to claim 2 or 11, further comprising a hole in the vending machine for the removal of a package from the vending machine, the unloader has a chute and a movable gate, the chute being adjacent to the packaging area and the gate being movable to an open position for gravity feeding a package from the packing area along the chute to the hole in the vending machine.

The vending machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a door in the front of the vending machine, the door being movable between an open position and a closed position, the storage area being accessible when the door is in the open position; and a display board at the door of the vending machine, at least one distributor, packer and unloader being visible through the display board when the door is in the closed position.

The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of items are packaged in the packer during at least one cycle of operation of the vending machine, and wherein during at least one cycle of operation of the machine Only one article is received in the packaging area in such a way that the selling machine distributes both an article and a plurality of articles.

16. A method for packaging and selling a plurality of items from a vending machine, comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of items from a group of items; grouping the plurality of articles into a packaging area within the vending machine; and combining the plurality of items in the packaging area into a package, the combination occurring within the selling machine.

The method for packaging and selling according to claim 16, further comprising the step of: storing the plurality of items selected during the selecting step within the vending machine; and downloading the package with the plurality of items from the vending machine.

18. The method for packaging and selling according to claim 17 further comprising the step of storing a plurality of different types of items in the vending machine, the different types of items being the group from which a plurality of items are selected. and wherein different types of articles are selectable during the selecting step, the selected articles are then moved to the packaging area and being combined into a single package during the move and combine steps.

The method for packaging and selling according to claim 17, wherein the moving step comprises the steps of: dropping the selected items from the group that items in the vending machine to a ramp below the article group; and feeding by gravity selected items on the ramp away from an area below the group of items stored in the vending machine.

The method for packaging and selling according to claim 19, wherein the step of moving further comprises the step of lifting the articles fed by gravity towards the end of the ramp to the packaging area.

The method for packaging and selling according to claim 17, wherein an arm capable of pivoting with a vacuum clamp head and a supply retainer for a plurality of carriers is provided in the packaging area of the container. the vending machine, and wherein the combining step further comprises the steps of: pivoting the arm between the supply retainer and the packaging area; hold a carrier from the supply retainer with the head of the vacuum holder when the arm is the supply retainer; moving the carrier fastened by the head of the vacuum fastener to the packaging area during the pivotal movement of the arm; and placing the carrier in a plurality of articles in the packaging area in the vending machine in order to form the package.

22. The method of packaging and selling according to claim 21, wherein a pair of guides extend from the supply retainer to a position through the packaging area, wherein the method further comprises the step of placing on cam the guides moved away from one another by the head of the clip when the arm moves to the packaging area.

23. The method of packaging and selling according to claim 17, wherein a hole, a movable gate and a chute is provided in the vending machine, the chute extends from the packaging area to the hole and the unloading step. it comprises the steps of: preventing the unloading of articles from the packaging area with the gate during the combination step; open the gate after the combination step; moving a package along the gutter from the packaging area to the hole after the gate is opened; and providing access to the package through the hole after the package has moved to the hole.

24. The method of packaging and selling according to claim 17, further comprising the step of presenting at least one of the steps of moving, combining and unloading through the display board in a front part of the vending machine.

25. The method of packaging and selling according to claim 17, further comprising the step of distributing a single article from the vending machine during at least one selected operating cycle.

26. A carrier for a plurality of containers, the carrier having a plurality of raised walls, each of the walls surrounds and defines the hole in the carrier, each wall being inclined and one of the containers being insertable into the opening with the inclination of the walls helping the alignment of the same.

27. The carrier according to claim 26, wherein the carrier is a flexible plastic material. The carrier according to claim 26, wherein the walls are generally circular and when each wall has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of each wall is closer to a center of the hole than the second. surface of it.