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WO2009045685A2 - Système pour faire avancer un conditionnement - Google Patents

Système pour faire avancer un conditionnement Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009045685A2
WO2009045685A2 PCT/US2008/075667 US2008075667W WO2009045685A2 WO 2009045685 A2 WO2009045685 A2 WO 2009045685A2 US 2008075667 W US2008075667 W US 2008075667W WO 2009045685 A2 WO2009045685 A2 WO 2009045685A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
shelf
package
end plate
spring
dispensing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2008/075667
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2009045685A3 (fr
Inventor
Jonathan Kirschner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Coca Cola Co
Original Assignee
Coca Cola Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Coca Cola Co filed Critical Coca Cola Co
Publication of WO2009045685A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009045685A2/fr
Publication of WO2009045685A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009045685A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
    • G07F11/38—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are horizontal
    • G07F11/42—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are horizontal the articles being delivered by motor-driven means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F1/00—Racks for dispensing merchandise; Containers for dispensing merchandise
    • A47F1/04—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs
    • A47F1/12—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack
    • A47F1/125—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack with an article-pushing device
    • A47F1/126—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack with an article-pushing device the pushing device being urged by spring means

Definitions

  • This application relates generally to dispensing apparatuses such as vending machines and more particularly relates to a package advancement system for packages in the dispensing apparatus.
  • Vending machines are being developed to incorporate x-y picker assemblies for vending machines with an x-y product grid. Therefore, gravity is no longer the only source for dispensing a package from a vending machine.
  • the x-y vending machines may dispense a package by picking or grabbing the package from a shelf. After a package is picked, however, certain packages in certain orientations on the shelf may have difficulties advancing to a dispensing position. Many of the packages cannot roll or slide easily along a shelf. For example, a bottle or a can resting in the vertical position cannot roll along a shelf and therefore gravity cannot necessarily assist in advancing the package along the shelf.
  • One exemplary embodiment of a package advance system for moving a package on a shelf of a vending machine may include an end plate positioned on the shelf, a dispensing door positioned near a dispensing end of the shelf that opens to dispense the package, and a spring system affixed to the end plate that applies a force on the end plate towards the dispensing door.
  • Another exemplary embodiment of the application may include a method for loading a number of packages on a shelf. The method may include moving an end plate of the shelf away from a dispensing end of the shelf, placing the number of packages onto the shelf, and moving the end plate towards the dispensing end of the shelf using a spring system to secure the packages on the shelf.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a package advance system on a vending machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the application.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a package advance system according to an exemplary embodiment of the application.
  • F ⁇ G, 3 illustrates a side view of a package advance system according to an exemplary embodiment of the application.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view spring system of a package advance system according to an exemplary embodiment of the application.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a damper of a spring system according to an exemplary embodiment of the application.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a package advance system with two side walls according to an exemplary embodiment of the application.
  • the present application relates to a package advance system to move a package along a shelf of a dispensing unit and to assist in the loading of the packages onto the shelf.
  • the package advance system may include an end plate positioned on the top of the shelf.
  • the end plate may be affixed to a spring system.
  • the spring system may attempt to push or pull the end plate towards a dispensing end of the shelf.
  • the spring system may include a spring to move the end plate.
  • the spring system further may include a damper to modify the rate and force that the spring exerts on the end plate.
  • the end plate may interface with the packages disposed on the shelf.
  • the spring system forces the end plate to interface with the packages, if a space or gap exists among the packages on the shelf, the spring system may move the end plate to push the packages together collectively towards the dispensing end of the shelf. For example, if the product at the dispensing end of the shelf is removed, the spring system may force the end plate to move towards the dispensing end of the shelf until the remaining packages on the shelf fill the void left by the removed product.
  • the package advance system also may assist in the loading of the shelf with the packages. A user of the package advance system may move the end plate a distance from the dispensing end to create space for loading the packages onto the shelf.
  • the spring system may be configured to slowly move the end plate giving the user ample time to load the product before the end plate interfaces the packages.
  • the end plate may be moved a distance from the dispensing unit to create space for loading the packages on the shelf and then locked into place with a locking mechanism. When loading of the packages is complete, the locking mechanism may be removed and the spring system may reposition the end piate to interface the packages loaded onto the shelf.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a vending machine 5 that may use the package advance system 10.
  • the vending machine 5 may include any number of package advance systems 10 necessary to accommodate the number or varying types of products loaded into the vending machine.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the package advance system 10 that includes a shelf 12 configured to carry a number of packages 16.
  • the packages 16 may include without limitation plastic bottles, glass bottles, cans, boxes, or any other container to be dispensed from a vending machine.
  • the packages 16 are loaded onto the shelf 12 at the loading end 13 of the shelf 12 and are removed from the shelf 12 at a dispensing end 14. Because the packages 16 may be vertically oriented or have a substantially flat bottom surface, the packages 16 generally are not able to roll along the shelf.
  • the package advance system 10 therefore may move the packages 16 along the shelf 12 as necessary.
  • the package advance system 10 may include an end plate 20.
  • the end plate 20 may be any member sufficient to push against the package, In an exemplary embodiment, the end plate 20 is substantially rectangular in shape and is substantially vertical but it is understood that the end plate may be any shape and any positional orientation.
  • the end plate 20 may be attached to a spring system 22.
  • the spring system 22 may include a spring 24 affixed to the end plate 20 at a first end of the spring 24.
  • a second end of the spring 24 may h disposed near the dispensing end 14 of the shelf 12.
  • the spring 24 may have any configuration capable of moving the end plate 20 along the shelf 12.
  • the spring 24 may be a metal strip that is rolled about itself. The rolled metal spring uncoils to expand the spring to its natural resting position.
  • the spring may be any device that stores energy including coil springs.
  • the spring 24 may create tension between the dispensing end 14 of the shelf 12 and the end plate 20.
  • the tension on the end plate 20 may be used to move the packages 16 along the shelf 12.
  • the package advance system 10 allows the packages 16 to advance along the shelf 12 as necessary.
  • the spring 24 pulls the end plate 20 to advance the packages 16 along the shelf 12 towards the dispensing end 14 of the shelf 12,
  • the end plate 20 may not be able to advance along the shelf 12 when a number of packages 16 are positioned between a dispensing door 36 position near the dispensing end 14 of the shelf 12 and the end plate 20.
  • the spring may be positioned between the dispensing end 14 of the shelf 12 and the end plate 20.
  • the package advance system 10 also may be dampened to control the rate at which the spring applies force to the end plate 20.
  • a damper 26 may be used to dampen the spring 24. Dampers are well known in the art and any damper may be used to dampen the spring 24.
  • the damper 26 also may be designed so that the spring 24 does not overpower the packages 16. Accordingly, when there are no spaces between the packages 16, the end plate 20 will not exert too much force on the packages 16.
  • the spring system 22 with a damper 26 may be used during loading of a vending machine 5.
  • the damper 26 may prevent the end plate 20 from returning towards the dispensing end 14 of the shelf 12 too rapidly.
  • the damper 26 therefore allows a user to load the vending machine by simply pulling the end plate 20 towards the loading end 13 of shelf 12 of the vending machine 5 and then placing packages 16 onto the shelf 12.
  • the damper 26 may prevent the end plate 20 from returning to the packages 16 too rapidly or too powerfully which prevents the packages 16 from being damages, disoriented, or dislodged from the shelf 12.
  • the package advance system 10 may include a track 30 to guide the end piate 20 along the shelf 12.
  • the track 30 may include teeth 32 disposed along the length of the track 30.
  • the end plate 20 may include a gear 34 to interface the teeth 32 of the track 30.
  • the interface of the end plate 20 with the track 30 may prevent the end piate 20 from slipping or translating laterally with respect to the shelf 12 and also may assist in preserving the orientation of the packages 16 on the shelf 12.
  • the track may include a slot (not shown) designed to interface with a protrusion (not shown) on the end plate. The end plate may be confined to the positioning of the slot.
  • the shelf 12 may include side walls 35 that run the length of the shelf 12.
  • the side walls 35 may be positioned substantially near the ends of the shelf 12. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6. a side wall 35 may be positioned on each longitudinal length of the shelf 12. The side walls 35 may prevent the packages 16 from falling off of the shelf 12 while the packages 16 are translating.
  • the side walls 35 may be any height that assists in the securing of the packages 16 onto the shelf 12.
  • the side walls 35 may be spaced across from each other a distance greater than the width of the packages 16. A spacing only slightly larger than the packaging may assist in preserving the alignment and orientation of the packages.
  • the shelf 12 may include the dispensing door 36 near the dispensing end 14 of the shelf 12.
  • the dispensing door 36 may secure the packages 16 on the shelf 12.
  • the end plate 20 applies tension to the packages 16 by pushing the packages 16 against the dispensing door 36.
  • the dispensing door 36 may be two smaller walls that interface near the middle of the width of the shelf and may rotate to the outside of the shelf to allow a package to be dispensed.
  • the dispensing door 36 may be a unitary wall (not shown) that rotates open about one end of the dispensing door to permit a package to be dispensed.
  • the dispensing door 36 ma> be spring driven, electrically driven, driven by a servo, or operated in any other suitable manner.
  • any system may be used to open the dispensing door 36.
  • the shelf 12 may include a lever 40 that opens the dispensing door 36 when the package 16 is to be dispensed, in an exemplary embodiment, an end effector 18 may contact the lever 40 to force open the dispensing door.
  • the end effector 18 is any device that may remove or carry the package 16 from the shelf 12. As shown in FIG.
  • the end effector 18 may be positioned to move across the shelves 12 in the vending machine 5 and access the package 16 positioned on the dispensing end 14 of the respective shelves 12. Because the end plate 20 is applying force to the line of packages on the shelf 12, the end package 16 is forced onto the end effector 18 and is dispensed from the shelf 12. in an exemplary embodiment, the shelf 12 further may include a ramp 38 to assist the package in transferring to the end effector 18. The ramp 38 may permit the end package 16 to move away from the dispensing door 36 quickly to permit the dispensing door 36 to close and secure the packages 16 remaining on the shelf 12.
  • This system is not limited to the spring system and dispensing door disclosed herein, but may be any system or device that allows the end plate and spring system to dispense the end package from the shelf and secure the remaining packages on the shelf.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des systèmes et des procédés qui servent à faire avancer un conditionnement sur un rayonnage d'un distributeur automatique, et comprennent une plaque d'extrémité positionnée sur le rayonnage, une porte de distribution positionnée à proximité d'une extrémité de distribution du rayonnage et qui s'ouvre afin de distribuer le conditionnement, et un système de ressort qui est fixé à la plaque d'extrémité et applique une force sur la plaque d'extrémité en direction de la porte de distribution.
PCT/US2008/075667 2007-09-28 2008-09-09 Système pour faire avancer un conditionnement Ceased WO2009045685A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/863,506 US20090084812A1 (en) 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 Package Advancement System
US11/863,506 2007-09-28

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009045685A2 true WO2009045685A2 (fr) 2009-04-09
WO2009045685A3 WO2009045685A3 (fr) 2009-05-22

Family

ID=40383660

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2008/075667 Ceased WO2009045685A2 (fr) 2007-09-28 2008-09-09 Système pour faire avancer un conditionnement

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20090084812A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2009045685A2 (fr)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20090084812A1 (en) 2009-04-02
WO2009045685A3 (fr) 2009-05-22

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