Patent ID: 9038854
Filing Date: 2015-05-26
Classification: A47F,G07F

Abstract:
1. A product distribution device for accommodating at least one row of products, said device including: a housing defining a receiving space, the housing having a front upper edge extending between side walls of the housing; a product guide element disposed within the receiving space, the product guide element having a support surface for receiving the products thereon, wherein the products are aligned along one conveyance direction and the support surface has a pitch greater than 3 degrees in the conveyance direction, at least one door disposed on the housing, the at least one door movable between an open position for stocking the receiving space of the housing with the products and a closed position for allowing sequential distribution of the products from the device, wherein the at least one door is spaced from the front, upper edge of the housing to define a removal opening when the at least one door is in the closed position, the removal opening dimensioned to allow the product to be removed from the device when the at least one door is in the closed position and wherein only a single product disposed next to the at least one door is tilted away from the device when the at least one door is moved from the closed position to the open position, a guide device moveable on the support surface in the conveyance direction, the guide device having a surface for engaging the products to move the products in the conveyance direction, and a catch element disposed below the support surface of the product guide element, the catch element moveable between a catch position and a conveyance, wherein a stop of the catch element extends above the support surface of the product guide element for hindering movement of the guide device in the conveyance direction when the catch element is in the catch position and the stop of the catch element is disposed below the support surface of the product guide element when the catch element is in the conveyance position.