Product dispensing apparatus

Claim 2

In product dispensing apparatus: a cabinet having front and rear wall assemblies, said front wall assembly having an opening for access to a released product and being operable to permit loading of the cabinet; frame means within said cabinet; at least one product-supporting tray shiftably carried by said frame means for movement between a normal position in which the front extremity of the tray is spaced rearwardly from said front wall assembly when the latter is closed to present a delivery path for gravitation of a released product to said opening and a loading position in which said tray is extended forwardly from said cabinet when the front wall assembly is opened to facilitate loading of products on said tray, said tray having a plurality of side-by-side, fore-and-aft extending sections for receiving rows of products, each section having a bottom for supporting the products, an abutment at its forward end, and an aperture in said bottom rearwardly adjacent said abutment; a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame means for said tray common to all sections thereof; power means in said cabinet; means operably coupling said power means with said shaft for driving the latter; ejector means for each section respectively and shiftable between a standby position in which the ejector means is disposed below the aperture and a product-ejecting position in which the ejector means projects into and through the aperture a sufficient extent to push a product at said aperture out of the corresponding section and over said abutment thereof into said delivery path; operator means for each ejector means respectively mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, each operator means being operably couplable with its corresponding ejector means to shift the latter from its standby to its ejecting position in response to actuation of said shaft; and selectively operable actuating means for each operator means respectively for coupling the same to its ejector means.

Claim 3

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1; shiftable product pusher means for each section respectively mounted therein for movement fore-and-aft of the section; and yieldable biasing means coupled with each pusher means respectively for urging the latter toward said abutment.

Claim 4

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 2; and a releasable latch at the rear of each section respectively shiftable between a latching position in which the latch is operable to retain the pusher means of the section in its rearmost disposition for loading of the section and a releasing position in which the pusher means is released for movement toward the abutment.

Claim 5

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said latch includes an operating component adapted for actuation by said rear wall assembly when the tray is in said normal position to hold the latch in saId releasing position.

Claim 6

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 4; second yieldable biasing means operably coupled with each latch respectively for biasing the same toward said latching position, said second biasing means yieldably urging the tray toward said loading position when the latch is held in said releasing position by said rear wall assembly; and a second releasable latch for said tray operable to releasably interconnect the latter and said frame means for holding the tray in said normal position.

Claim 7

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1; and mutually cooperable means on said frame means and on said tray respectively for supporting the latter in an inclined disposition when the tray is in said loading position, said cooperable means including an element on the tray adjacent the rear of the latter and structure on the frame means adjacent the front of the latter provided with a receiving channel for said element having an inclined region therein.

Claim 8

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said channel has an exit opening for the element disposed forwardly of said region for complete removal of the tray from said frame means.

Claim 9

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein is provided a stop in the channel for said element disposed below said opening forwardly of said region and normally in alignment with the element.

Claim 10

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided a spring-loaded flipper for each of said sections respectively for aiding the corresponding ejector means in releasing a product into said delivery path.

Claim 11

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of said flippers is yieldably biased into a position in which the flipper covers the next-to-vend product rearwardly adjacent said abutment.

Claim 12

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said operator means each includes a first member fixedly secured to said shaft and a second member shiftably secured to said first member for movement by the corresponding actuating means between a non-actuated position in which said second member clears the corresponding ejector means when the members are rotated with the shaft and an actuated position in which said second member is disposed for engagement with the corresponding ejector means during rotation of the shaft.

Claim 13

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein is provided yieldable means for each pair of members operably interconnecting the same in a manner to yieldably maintain said second member in either of its alternate positions.

Claim 14

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein each operating means is provided with means for returning said actuated second member from said actuated position to said non-actuated position after ejection of a product.

Claim 15

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein said power means and said coupling means are operable to drive said shaft through an arc first in one direction and then in the opposite direction during each cycle of operation of the power means, said return means including a stationary reset projection on said frame means disposed in the path of travel of said second member when the latter is in said actuated position for engaging and shifting the actuated second member during rotation of said shaft in said opposite direction.

Claim 16

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein each said second member is adapted for momentary partial displacement out of said actuated position to permit overriding of the corresponding reset projection when the shaft is rotated in said one direction.

Claim 17

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein each said actuating means includes a solenoid having a shiftable armature movable between an extended position and a retracted position for effecting said shifting of the corresponding second member from the non-actuated to the actuated position thereof, each said fiRst member having a cam surface engageable with said armature when the latter is in the retracted position thereof for returning the same to its extended position upon rotation of said shaft.

Claim 18

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided a vertically adjustable hold-down component for each of said sections respectively mounted on said frame means above said tray in disposition for retaining against ejection and next-to-forwardmost product in the corresponding product row when the forwardmost product in said row is ejected by said ejector means.

Claim 19

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said coupling means includes driving linkage having a pair of relatively extensible members and yieldable means yieldably biasing said members to their fullest extension to provide stress relief if jamming should occur during product ejection.

Claim 20

In selectable product dispensing mechanism: a driven shaft mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis; a series of spaced product ejector arms mounted on said shaft for individual rotation relative to the shaft between a standby and an operated position; a series of first members for said arms fixedly mounted on the shaft adjacent respective arms for rotation in unison upon actuation of said shaft; a series of second members for said arms each shiftably mounted on the corresponding said first member for movement between a non-actuated position in which said second member clears the corresponding arm during rotation of said shaft and an actuated position in which said second member is disposed for engagement with the arm to shift the same to the operated position thereof during rotation of the shaft; yieldable means for each pair of members operably interconnecting the same in a manner to yieldably maintain said second member in either of its alternate positions; and a series of selectively operable actuators for said second members each operable to shift the corresponding second member from the non-actuated to the actuated position thereof to thereby permit selective dispensing of products disposed in the respective paths of travel of said ejector arms.

Claim 21

In selectable product dispensing mechanism: a driven shaft mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis; a series of spaced product ejector arms mounted on said shaft for individual rotation relative to the shaft between a standby and an operated position; a series of first members for said arms fixedly mounted on the shaft adjacent respective arms for rotation in unison upon actuation of said shaft; a series of second members for said arms each shiftably mounted on the corresponding said first member for movement between a non-actuated position in which said second member clears the corresponding arm during rotation of said shaft and an actuated position in which said second member is disposed for engagement with the arm to shift the same to the operated position thereof during rotation of the shaft; yieldable means for each pair of members operably interconnecting the same in a manner to yieldably maintain said second member in either of its alternate positions; and a series of selectively operable actuators for said second members each operable to shift the corresponding second member from the non-actuated to the actuated position thereof to thereby permit selective dispensing of products disposed in the respective paths of travel of said ejector arms.

Claim 22

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein said shaft is rotatable first in one direction and then in the opposite direction during each cycle of operation, and wherein is provided return means for each second member respectively including a reset projection disposed in the path of travel of said second member when the latter is in said actuated position for engaging and shifting the actuated second member from its actuated to its non-actuated position during rotation of said shaft in said opposite direction.

Claim 23

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein each said second member is adapted for momentary partial displacement out of said actuated position to permit overriding of the corresponding reset projection when said shaft is rotated in said one direction.

Claim 24

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein each actuator includes a solenoid having a shiftable armature movable between an extended position and a retracted position for effecting said shifting of the corresponding second member from the non-actuated to the actuated position thereof, each of said first members having a cam surface engageable with said armature when the latter is in the retracted position thereof for returning the same to its extended position upon rotation of said shaft.

Claim 25

In a dispensing machine: a cabinet; a frame in said cabinet; a plurality of individually functional product dispensing modules supported by said frame in spaced relationship with one another, at least one of said modules including a first product support having a series of side-by-side pairs of rotatable, helical, product dispensing conveyors thereon, the convolutions of adjacent conveyors in each pair winding in opposite directions relatively along their axes of rotation and defIning an axially extending series of transverse product-receiving spaces whereby products received in said spaces are shifted along the first support for dispensing when the corresponding path of conveyors are operated; first drivable mechanism for said conveyors including a first actuatable operator for each pair of conveyors respectively operably couplable with the corresponding conveyors to rotate the same when said first mechanism is driven; a first selectively operable actuator for each first operator adapted to couple the same with its corresponding conveyor, at least one other of said modules including a second product support having a series of elongated, side-by-side, product-receiving sections, each of said sections having an abutment at one end, a bottom, and an aperture in said bottom adjacent the abutment; a shiftable product dispensing ejector for each section respectively movable between a standby position in which the ejector is disposed below the aperture and an operated position in which the ejector projects into and through said aperture for pushing a product at said aperture out of the section and over said abutment to release the product; second drivable mechanism for the ejectors including a second actuatable operator for each ejector respectively operably couplable therewith to shift the corresponding ejector from its standby to its operated position when said second mechanism is driven; a second selectively operable actuator for each second operator adapted to couple the same with its corresponding ejector; power means; and shiftable drive means coupling said power means with said first and second mechanism for driving the same in unison with one another each time the power means is actuated such that a product may be dispensed having said helical conveyors or from a module having said ejectors by selecting and operating an appropriate one of said first and second actuators.

Claim 26

In a dispensing machine: a cabinet; a frame in said cabinet; a plurality of individually functional product dispensing modules supported by said frame in spaced relationship with one another, at least one of said modules including a first product support having a series of side-by-side pairs of rotatable, helical, product dispensing conveyors thereon, the convolutions of adjacent conveyors in each pair winding in opposite directions relatively along their axes of rotation and defIning an axially extending series of transverse product-receiving spaces whereby products received in said spaces are shifted along the first support for dispensing when the corresponding path of conveyors are operated; first drivable mechanism for said conveyors including a first actuatable operator for each pair of conveyors respectively operably couplable with the corresponding conveyors to rotate the same when said first mechanism is driven; a first selectively operable actuator for each first operator adapted to couple the same with its corresponding conveyor, at least one other of said modules including a second product support having a series of elongated, side-by-side, product-receiving sections, each of said sections having an abutment at one end, a bottom, and an aperture in said bottom adjacent the abutment; a shiftable product dispensing ejector for each section respectively movable between a standby position in which the ejector is disposed below the aperture and an operated position in which the ejector projects into and through said aperture for pushing a product at said aperture out of the section and over said abutment to release the product; second drivable mechanism for the ejectors including a second actuatable operator for each ejector respectively operably couplable therewith to shift the corresponding ejector from its standby to its operated position when said second mechanism is driven; a second selectively operable actuator for each second operator adapted to couple the same with its corresponding ejector; power means; and shiftable drive means coupling said power means with said first and second mechanism for driving the same in unison with one another each time the power means is actuated such that a product may be dispensed having said helical conveyors or from a module having said ejectors by selecting and operating an appropriate one of said first and second actuators.

Claim 27

In dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein said first and second mechanisms include first and second rotatable shafts respectively and first and second pinions rotatable with said first and second shafts respectively, said drive means including a bar reciprocably carried by said cabinet and common to said shafts and first and second racks mounted on said bar for reciprocation therewith in meshing engagement with said first and second pinions respectively.