US3753514A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for selectively dispensing articles stored in a plurality of containers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-07-18
•
Granted: 1973-08-21
•
Expires: 1992-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A vending machine including a plurality of movable containers for articles to be dispensed, the containers being mounted adjacent a rotatable shaft which supports drive rollers. The containers are selectively magnetically energized so as to move toward the shaft where a drive roller will contact and drive an article out of each selected container.
Inventors
- 👤 P Naguet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:17
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/38; G07F11/42; G07F11/04; G07F11/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
An article dispensing apparatus comprising: a housing; a plurality of containers for articles to be dispensed, each of said containers having an aperture in a first wall and a slot commensurate in size and shape with the articles to be dispensed in an adjacent second wall, said containers including means for urging the articles against the internal surface of said first wall; means mounting said containers from said housing for individual movement, said mounting means arranging said containers in at least a first linear array; at least a first rotatable shaft mounted in said housing, said shaft being oriented parallel with a line defined by a container array; roller means commensurate in number with the number of containers mounted on said rotatable shaft, said roller means being located oppositely to the apertures in the container first walls and being adapted to pass partly through said apertures; and means for selectively moving said conTainers toward said rotatable shaft whereby the corresponding roller means will engage an article in the selected container through the container wall aperture thereby feeding the article through the slot in the container second wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
An article dispensing apparatus comprising: a housing; a plurality of containers for articles to be dispensed, each of said containers having an aperture in a first wall and a slot commensurate in size and shape with the articles to be dispensed in an adjacent second wall, said containers including means for urging the articles against the internal surface of said first wall; means mounting said containers from said housing for individual movement, said mounting means arranging said containers in at least a first linear array; at least a first rotatable shaft mounted in said housing, said shaft being oriented parallel with a line defined by a container array; roller means commensurate in number with the number of containers mounted on said rotatable shaft, said roller means being located oppositely to the apertures in the container first walls and being adapted to pass partly through said apertures; and means for selectively moving said conTainers toward said rotatable shaft whereby the corresponding roller means will engage an article in the selected container through the container wall aperture thereby feeding the article through the slot in the container second wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means resiliently biasing said containers away from said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for selectively moving said containers each comprises: armature means mounted on each of said containers; and magnetic field generating means mounted on said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for selectively moving said containers each comprises: armature means mounted on each of said containers; and magnetic field generating means mounted on said housing, energization of said magnetic field generating means producing forces which overcome said biasing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said containers are mounted in a vertical array and wherein said mounting means includes: track means for each of said containers whereby horizontal movement of individual containers is permitted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said containers are mounted in a vertical array and wherein said mounting means includes: track means for each of said containers whereby horizontal movement of individual containers is permitted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: switch means mounted on said housing adjacent to each of said containers for providing an indication of the exhaustion of the supply of articles in the containers; and means including an extension of said means for urging the articles against the container first walls for contacting and energizing said switch means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3418913A
Cited
US3618933A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-20 | 1977-02-19 | 1977-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-20 | 1981-02-19 | 1981-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-20 | 1985-02-19 | 1985-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |