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WO1999032018A1 - Appareil de distribution - Google Patents

Appareil de distribution Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999032018A1
WO1999032018A1 PCT/GB1998/003730 GB9803730W WO9932018A1 WO 1999032018 A1 WO1999032018 A1 WO 1999032018A1 GB 9803730 W GB9803730 W GB 9803730W WO 9932018 A1 WO9932018 A1 WO 9932018A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
platform
articles
article
spring means
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1998/003730
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Haydon Squires Hucknall
Richard John Hooley
Original Assignee
Atl Associates Ltd.
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 Atl Associates Ltd. filed Critical Atl Associates Ltd.
Priority to EP98962546A priority Critical patent/EP1091670A1/fr
Publication of WO1999032018A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999032018A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • A47F1/06—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from top
    • 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 invention relates to a dispensing device and more particularly to a storage and dispensing device which will house a stack of articles and permit an outermost or uppermost one, or the articles of an outermost or uppermost layer, to be removed.
  • a principal object of the present invention is to obtain the benefit of locating a stack of articles within a tubular housing with an access opening in its outer or upper region without the consequent drawbacks.
  • a storage and dispensing device for similar, discrete articles of predetermined shape and weight, comprising a tubular housing having an access opening in an outer or upper region thereof, a support platform movable within the housing between first and second stop positions and spring means biassing the platform toward said first stop position, wherein the rate or constant of said spring means is so calculated in relation to the anticipated load on the platform that when said articles are stacked within the housing in a superimposed relationship an outermost or uppermost article, or an outermost or uppermost layer of the articles, will be supported by the platform in an outer or upper region of the housing where it will be accessible at or beyond said opening and such that when said outermost or uppermost article, or outermost or uppermost layer of articles, is removed the platform will be moved by the spring means until the next article, or next layer of articles, occupies generally the same position as was formerly occupied by the article or layer thereof removed.
  • a storage and dispensing device for similar, discrete articles of predetermined shape and weight, comprising an upright tubular housing having an access opening in an upper region thereof, a support platform movable vertically within the housing between upper and lower stop positions and spring means biassing the platform toward said upper stop position, wherein the rate or constant of said spring means is so calculated in relation to the anticipated load on the platform that when said articles are stacked within the housing in a superimposed relationship an uppermost article, or an uppermost layer of the articles, will be supported by the platform in an upper region of the housing where it will be accessible at or above said opening and such that when said uppermost article, or uppermost layer of articles, is removed the platform will be raised by the spring means until the next-beneath article, or next-beneath layer of articles, occupies generally the same vertical position as was formerly occupied by the article or layer thereof removed.
  • discrete articles as used in the two immediately preceding paragraphs is intended to include individual packages of articles, such as a number of similar bottles or cans held together e.g. by shrink-wrapping.
  • the converse advantage will be obtained that articles can be loaded onto the platform always generally at the same position.
  • the platform When the housing is empty the platform will be at its first stop position ready to receive a first article or layer thereof. Once this, or these, are in place the platform will move to a position where a second article, or layer thereof, can be superimposed on the first at generally the same position and without having to reach into the housing. Similarly for each subsequent article or layer thereof until the housing is full. The final article or layer thereof is now generally in this same position ready to be removed.
  • the access opening will simply be an open top or side of the housing.
  • the periphery of the platform makes with the interior of the housing a seal which is not air-tight but which restricts the flow of air past the housing periphery as the platform moves within the housing.
  • This restriction is sufficient to dampen rapid movement of the platform if it is rapidly relieved of a heavy load or if a heavy load is suddenly placed or dropped onto it and it is therefore effective to dampen oscillations of the spring means.
  • the spring means may be constituted by a single helical compression spring located between the underside of the platform and a closed bottom of the housing.
  • a plurality of helical compression springs may be used generally in coaxial alignment and with a plate spanning the interior of the housing between each two vertically adjacent springs.
  • a strip the other end of which is rolled up and rotatably mounted at a fixed position on the housing above said access opening, the arrangement being such that as the platform descends the strip is unrolled and as the platform ascends the strip is wound up.
  • the strip carries on the side thereof which will be visible to the user markings which inform the latter as to the state of loading of the housing at any given time.
  • the strip may carry at a suitable position a marking which warns the shopkeeper that the stock is about to be exhausted and that the housing should be re-loaded.
  • the strip may be marked with indicia such as numbers indicating the number of articles or layers thereof remaining in the housing at any given time.
  • the strip may be displayed in a window in a frame fixed to extend above the housing, the frame concealing the rolled portion of the strip.
  • an indicating strip which may be marked with indicia such as numbers indicating the number of articles or layers thereof remaining in the housing at any given time may simply be mounted on the inside the housing. In order to determine the number of articles or layers thereof remaining in the housing, the operator simply applies pressure to the outermost or uppermost article to compress the compression spring, when the spring is compressed, the operator can then read off the level of the remaining products against the indicating strip.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded view of a device in accordance with the present invention
  • Figures 2A and 2B are respectively a perspective view and a side sectional elevation of a device similar to that of Figure 1 but having an additional feature;
  • Figure 3 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention.
  • Figures 4 A and 4B are respectively side sectional elevations of the device of Figure 3 but showing the device empty in Figure 4A and containing stock in Figure 4B and
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of a housing with an indicating strip mounted therein.
  • the device illustrated in Figure 1 comprises an upright tubular housing 4 open at its top and the closed bottom of which is supported on feet 9. Slidable up and down within housing 4 is a platform 1 a lower part 2 of which is in the form of an inverted dish having a central, circular indentation. This serves to locate the upper end of a helical compression spring 7 when this is inserted into the housing 4 to act between the platform and the closed base of the housing.
  • Grommets 3 serve to anchor opposite ends of a safety chain 6 to platform 1/2 and to the base of the housing 4 to provide an upper limit stop position for the platform at or near the top opening of the housing and to prevent the platform rising out of the housing under the influence of spring 7.
  • a graphic wrap panel 8 may optionally be provided to surround housing 4 and display promotional or other information relating to the contents of the housing.
  • the peripheries of the two elements 1 and 2 making up the platform are so shaped that they do not make an air-tight seal with the interior of the housing 4 but restrict movement of air past the platform, as it moves up and down within the housing, so as to dampen the movements of the platform and consequently oscillations of the spring 7 which might otherwise be set up if the platform is suddenly relieved of a heavy load or if a heavy load is suddenly imposed upon it.
  • a frame 10 is fixed to the housing 4 to upstand from one of its longer sides above its open top.
  • Frame 10 has a central, rectangular window 11 behind which is a curved surface 12.
  • Slits 13',13" above and below the window allow one end of a strip 14 of sheet material to pass from a roll 15 thereof above the window and behind the frame through the slits 13' and 13" and then to be secured to the platform 1/2.
  • the rolled part 15 of the strip may be held on a spring-loaded spindle (not shown) having a fixed horizontal axis behind frame 10.
  • the effect of this arrangement is that as the platform 1/2 descends within the housing 4 the strip 14 is unwound and as the platform rises it is wound up again, consequently displaying different portions of the length of the strip in the window 11.
  • the strip 14 has markings along its length, on the side which will be visible in the window, which will give a visual indication of the state of loading of the housing 4 at any given time, for example a sequence of numbers corresponding with the number of superimposed articles or layers thereof remaining in the housing.
  • the strip may have a marking such as a colour flash which, when present in the window, warns the shop keeper that the stock is about to be exhausted.
  • the embodiments of the invention illustrated are designed to accept 500 ml cans of beer arranged side-by-side in shrink-wrapped packs of four.
  • each pack When placed on the platform 1 each pack substantially spans the interior of the housing and the packs are superimposed until the housing is filled and the spring is fully compressed. In this situation the final, uppermost pack is almost fully exposed above the opening of the housing 4.
  • the cans of this uppermost layer can be individually removed or the uppermost pack can be bodily removed by a customer.
  • the platform 1 will rise incrementally and in the second case in one movement until the pack next-below the uppermost one occupies generally the same vertical position.
  • a suitable spring means is a single helical compression spring of 23 coils made from spring steel 4.7 mm in diameter to have an unstressed height of 10 1 6 mm and a diameter of 127 mm.
  • two helical compression springs were utilised each made from 5 mm diameter spring steel wound into 7.25 coils 127 mm in diameter to have an unstressed height of 495 mm.
  • a single helical compression spring 7 was utilised made from 10 mm diameter spring steel to have 14.25 coils 228 mm in diameter and an unstressed height of 1016 mm..
  • Beer cans may have a weight of 440 rather than 500 nil, but in practice springs of the same characteristics may be used for either weight. It will be understood that if the goods to be dispensed are of different weight, for example 2 litre bottles or cigarette packets, a spring or springs of appropriate characteristics would be employed.
  • the device illustrated in Figure 3 comprises a substantially horizontal tubular housing 34 open at its front face and with a closed rear face. Slidable within housing 34 is a platform 31 of similar design to the platform 1 of the device of Figure 1. A helical compression spring 37 is inserted into the housing 34 to act between the platform and the closed rear face of the housing. An outer limit stop 36 is provided for the platform 31 at or near the front opening of the housing, to prevent the platform moving out of the housing under the influence of spring 37.
  • the peripheries of the two elements making up the platform 31 are so shaped that they do not make an air-tight seal with the interior of the housing 34 but restrict movement of air past the platform, as it moves up and down within the housing, so as to dampen the movements of the platform and consequently oscillations of the spring 37 which might otherwise be set up if the platform is suddenly relieved of a heavy load or if a heavy load is suddenly imposed upon it.
  • the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 3, 4 A and 4B is designed to accept newspapers standing vertically on the base 38 of the housing 34.
  • each newspaper When placed on the platform 31 each newspaper substantially spans the interior of the housing and the newspapers are superimposed horizontally until the housing is filled and the spring is fully compressed. In this situation the final, outermost pack is almost fully exposed at the opening of the housing 34, as shown in Figure 4B.
  • the newspaper of this outermost layer can be individually removed by a customer.
  • the platform 31 will move until the newspaper adjacent the outermost one occupies generally the same horizontal position. As this second newspaper is removed the one behind it is exposed and so on until the final, rear newspaper is exposed at the opening of the housing.
  • the platform 31 Conversely as newspapers are loaded one at a time or in batches, the platform 31 moves so that the loading position remains at the same horizontal location throughout the loading procedure.
  • a strip 51 is mounted on the interior of the housing to provide a visible indication of the level of stock when the stack is pressed against the spring.

Landscapes

  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un appareil de stockage et de distribution de produits distincts, semblables, de forme et de poids préétablis, constitué d'un logement tubulaire muni d'une ouverture d'accès située dans une partie extérieure ou supérieure, d'un plateau support mobile à l'intérieur du logement entre des première et deuxième positions d'arrêt, et du ressort poussant le plateau vers ladite première position d'arrêt. La constante de rappel ou la flexibilité dudit ressort est calculée en fonction de la charge prévue placée sur le plateau de telle façon que lorsque lesdits produits sont empilés à l'intérieur du logement, les uns au-dessus des autres, un produit ou une couche de produits, le plus à l'extérieur ou le plus élevé, est amené par le plateau jusqu'à une partie supérieure ou extérieure du logement où il est accessible au niveau de ladite ouverture ou hors de cette dernière, et de telle façon que lorsque ledit produit ou ladite couche de produits, le plus à l'extérieur ou le plus élevé, est retiré, le plateau est déplacé par le ressort jusqu'à ce que le produit suivant, ou la couche de produits suivante, occupe, en général, la position qui était celle du produit, ou de la couche de produits, retiré.
PCT/GB1998/003730 1997-12-19 1998-12-17 Appareil de distribution WO1999032018A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98962546A EP1091670A1 (fr) 1997-12-19 1998-12-17 Appareil de distribution

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9726758.7 1997-12-19
GBGB9726758.7A GB9726758D0 (en) 1997-12-19 1997-12-19 Dispensing device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999032018A1 true WO1999032018A1 (fr) 1999-07-01

Family

ID=10823829

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1998/003730 WO1999032018A1 (fr) 1997-12-19 1998-12-17 Appareil de distribution

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1091670A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB9726758D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999032018A1 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2361233A (en) * 2000-04-15 2001-10-17 Maxim Design Group Ltd Display unit with automatic feed system
DE20211140U1 (de) 2002-07-24 2002-10-17 Harting Vending GmbH & Co. KG, 32339 Espelkamp Warenausgabegerät
DE202010009056U1 (de) 2009-06-25 2010-09-16 Keller, Kurt Vorrichtung zur Positionierung von Waren in einer Verpackungs- und Ausgabeeinheit
WO2011127950A1 (fr) * 2010-04-13 2011-10-20 Craig Christopher R Appareil de distribution de paquet de cigarettes
US8779161B2 (en) 2010-06-18 2014-07-15 Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited Asenapine maleate
GB2569192A (en) * 2017-12-11 2019-06-12 Atl Associates Ltd A sprung display case for dispensing products
GB2599715A (en) * 2020-10-09 2022-04-13 Atl Associates Ltd A sprung display case for dispensing products
IT202100009656A1 (it) 2021-04-16 2022-10-16 Redbox S R L Espositore cartotecnico a molla.
US11945642B2 (en) 2022-04-11 2024-04-02 Main St. Group Sprung dispensing tower with resiliently compressible slide guide

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB452870A (en) * 1935-03-05 1936-09-01 William Wilson Lax Improvements in display cabinets, show cases and the like
CH363772A (fr) * 1960-11-08 1962-08-15 Egger Hermann Distributeur d'articles en paquets
DE1293429B (de) * 1964-07-13 1969-04-24 Buenger Bob Textil Behaelter zum Aufnehmen eines Stapels von Wareneinheiten, wie Packungen von Kurzwarenartikeln, und zum Ausgeben der jeweils vordersten Einheit des Stapels
US3724715A (en) * 1970-09-24 1973-04-03 Universal Oil Prod Co Dispenser with metering system
US3861563A (en) * 1973-04-12 1975-01-21 Levelator Corp Self-leveling dispenser with article separator
GB2227010A (en) * 1989-01-16 1990-07-18 John Roger Charles Coleman A storage container, e.g. for bread
JPH0379824A (ja) * 1989-08-18 1991-04-04 Tokico Ltd 防振支持部材

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB452870A (en) * 1935-03-05 1936-09-01 William Wilson Lax Improvements in display cabinets, show cases and the like
CH363772A (fr) * 1960-11-08 1962-08-15 Egger Hermann Distributeur d'articles en paquets
DE1293429B (de) * 1964-07-13 1969-04-24 Buenger Bob Textil Behaelter zum Aufnehmen eines Stapels von Wareneinheiten, wie Packungen von Kurzwarenartikeln, und zum Ausgeben der jeweils vordersten Einheit des Stapels
US3724715A (en) * 1970-09-24 1973-04-03 Universal Oil Prod Co Dispenser with metering system
US3861563A (en) * 1973-04-12 1975-01-21 Levelator Corp Self-leveling dispenser with article separator
GB2227010A (en) * 1989-01-16 1990-07-18 John Roger Charles Coleman A storage container, e.g. for bread
JPH0379824A (ja) * 1989-08-18 1991-04-04 Tokico Ltd 防振支持部材

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 15, no. 249 (M - 1128) 25 June 1991 (1991-06-25) *

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2361233A (en) * 2000-04-15 2001-10-17 Maxim Design Group Ltd Display unit with automatic feed system
GB2361233B (en) * 2000-04-15 2004-12-22 Maxim Design Group Ltd A display unit
DE20211140U1 (de) 2002-07-24 2002-10-17 Harting Vending GmbH & Co. KG, 32339 Espelkamp Warenausgabegerät
DE202010009056U1 (de) 2009-06-25 2010-09-16 Keller, Kurt Vorrichtung zur Positionierung von Waren in einer Verpackungs- und Ausgabeeinheit
WO2011127950A1 (fr) * 2010-04-13 2011-10-20 Craig Christopher R Appareil de distribution de paquet de cigarettes
US8779161B2 (en) 2010-06-18 2014-07-15 Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited Asenapine maleate
GB2569192A (en) * 2017-12-11 2019-06-12 Atl Associates Ltd A sprung display case for dispensing products
US11064819B2 (en) 2017-12-11 2021-07-20 Metalfacture Ltd Sprung display case for dispensing products
GB2569192B (en) * 2017-12-11 2022-04-13 Metalfacture Ltd A sprung display case for dispensing products
AU2018385287B2 (en) * 2017-12-11 2022-12-01 Atl Associates Limited A sprung display case for dispensing products
GB2599715A (en) * 2020-10-09 2022-04-13 Atl Associates Ltd A sprung display case for dispensing products
IT202100009656A1 (it) 2021-04-16 2022-10-16 Redbox S R L Espositore cartotecnico a molla.
US11945642B2 (en) 2022-04-11 2024-04-02 Main St. Group Sprung dispensing tower with resiliently compressible slide guide

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1091670A1 (fr) 2001-04-18
GB9726758D0 (en) 1998-02-18

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