US3810561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vending machine delivery apparatus
Assignee: MAYVILLE METAL PROD CO
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Filing: 1972-03-17
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Granted: 1974-05-14
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Expires: 1992-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A vending machine delivery apparatus for dispensing containers of circular cross-section from a multiplicity of columns and including a removable tray comprising a pair of converging inclined planes or ramps, inclined at an angle of at least about 6*, including a trough at their confluence, a conveyor belt mounted in the trough and having one surface extending thereover and being driven to engage cans located in said trough, and transport them to the front end of the vending machine for discharge through a discharge port.
Inventors
- 👤 L Merkl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:53
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/04; G07F11/10; G07F11/16; G07F11/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A vending machine apparatus having a front and back, comprising: a. Means for storing and vertically selectively releasing from a multiplicity of columns containers of circular cross-section; b. Means mounted in said machine for releasing one container at a time from one of said columns; c. Inclined plane means mounted in said machine and comprising A pair of converging inclined ramps spaced from each other and formed of a single integral unit of sheet material and extending substantially from the front to the back of said machine and substantially coextensive with and located beneath and proximate to said columns of containers and having an angle of incline with respect to the horizontal of less than about 10*; d. Mechanically engaged conveyor belt drive means mounted in said machine and having a surface located between and below said ramps to transport containers in a horizontal direction transverse to the direction of incline of said ramps; e. Said unit including an integral dependent section having two discrete channels at the convergence of said ramps, on either side of said drive means; f. Mounting means removably mounting said unit in said machine; and g. Upstanding frictional gripping means mounted on said conveyor belt to align said containers in substantial axial alignment with said drive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
A vending machine apparatus having a front and back, comprising: a. Means for storing and vertically selectively releasing from a multiplicity of columns containers of circular cross-section; b. Means mounted in said machine for releasing one container at a time from one of said columns; c. Inclined plane means mounted in said machine and comprising A pair of converging inclined ramps spaced from each other and formed of a single integral unit of sheet material and extending substantially from the front to the back of said machine and substantially coextensive with and located beneath and proximate to said columns of containers and having an angle of incline with respect to the horizontal of less than about 10*; d. Mechanically engaged conveyor belt drive means mounted in said machine and having a surface located between and below said ramps to transport containers in a horizontal direction transverse to the direction of incline of said ramps; e. Said unit including an integral dependent section having two discrete channels at the convergence of said ramps, on either side of said drive means; f. Mounting means removably mounting said unit in said machine; and g. Upstanding frictional gripping means mounted on said conveyor belt to align said containers in substantial axial alignment with said drive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including vibrator means connected to one of said inclined ramps for transmitting vibration thereto to dislodge any containers which may be blocked thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said gripping means comprises at least one pair of foam blocks extending on either side of said conveyor belt and means mounting said blocks thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the angle of incline of each of said ramps is about 6.5* .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including a door, means mounting said door on said machine in the path of said drive means, said door having dimensions only slightly greater than the diameter of a container to be dispensed, magnetic switch means mounted in said door and actuated in response to the position of said door, and means interconnecting said magnetic switch means and said drive means to discontinue operation of said drive means when said door is partially opened.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-13 | 1977-11-12 | 1978-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-13 | 1981-11-12 | 1982-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-13 | 1985-11-12 | 1986-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |