Abstract:
An apparatus for dispensing articles is disclosed. The apparatus includes a storage rack associated with a vertically disposed conduit proximate an outlet of the storage rack. A carriage adapted for a manual or spring-assisted upward and downward displacement within the conduit is configured to receive an article from the storage rack. A finger member mounted within the channel is formed to permit an upwardly directed passage thereby of an article loaded carriage and operates subsequently to unload that carriage of its article and thereafter retain that article within that channel at a location elevationally above the finger member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field 
     This invention relates to apparatus for storing and dispensing articles. More particularly, the invention is directed to apparatus for dispensing articles capable of rolling displacement under the force of gravity when placed on an inclined surface. 
     2. State of the Art 
     Many marketing, distribution or manufacturing activities involve the storage of articles and the subsequent provision of those articles on an individual basis. Further, many articles, such as certain types of beverages, e.g., beer, require rotation in order to maintain freshness and avoid the complications which may arise from settling. 
     Many attempts have been made previously to provide apparatus for storing a quantity of an article, e.g. bottled or can beverage, rotating the article during storage, and subsequently retrieving those articles one at a time. Representative of these attempts is the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 2,496,304 (Muffly) which describes a storage system constituted by a vertical array of inclined chutes oriented to define a circuitous and sinuous pathway. A conveyor chain is fitted with a plurality of cup-shaped members at spaced intervals along the length of the chain. The chain being trained over a pair of toothed gear drums is adapted for retrieving bottles on an individual basis from the storage racks and subsequently raising them to an unloading platform. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,446,381 (Dent) discloses a linkage fitted handle and an elevator mechanism adapted to receive and transfer a bottle from a platform retained row of bottles. 
     A piston-like retrieval system adapted for retrieving a single cartridge from a storage bin containing a quantity of such cartridges is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,162,322 (Gilbertson). 
     Mechanisms of other types representative of the state of the art are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,106,601 (Bailey), U.S. Pat. No. 2,296,154 (Elliott) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,238,725 (Fry). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention discloses an apparatus adapted for dispensing articles from a storage means. The storage means defines an inlet and an outlet and a pathway which extends therebetween. The storage means is adapted to transfer articles, introduced at its inlet, to the outlet. In a preferred embodiment, the storage means is formed by a plurality of inclined chutes arranged in a vertically stacked array. The chutes are positioned to facilitate a gravity-induced displacement of the articles to the storage means outlet subsequent to the introduction of the article to the storage means at the inlet thereof. 
     An elevation means for raising an article exiting the storage means outlet to a location above the outlet is associated with the storage means. The elevation means includes a vertically disposed channel means or conduit which defines an upright channel or passageway. A carriage is slidably disposed within the channel, and is adapted for upward as well as downward displacement. The carriage includes a cradle configured to receive and retain an article placed thereon. A retaining means is associated with the channel means and is adapted for engaging an article displaced upwardly within the channel beyond the retaining means. The retaining means is operative to retain the article against a subsequent downward displacement below the retaining means. 
     The retaining means is adapted for permitting an unobstructed upward and downward displacement thereby of the unloaded carriage through the channel. The retaining means is also adapted for facilitating an unobstructed upward displacement thereby of a carriage carrying an article to be dispensed. The retaining means is adapted to unload an article from an article loaded carriage being displaced downwardly in said channel past the retaining means. Further, the retaining means is adapted for retaining the unloaded article in a position within the channel which is elevationally above the retaining means. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating an apparatus adapted for dispensing cylindrically-shaped cans; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a plurality of cans stored thereon; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the vertically disposed conduit, the can carrying carriage and an associated spring of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the conduit illustrating the carriage positioned thereon; 
     FIG. 5 is an elevated perspective view of the retaining means of the invention shown in a rest position (solid line representation) and a retracted position (dotted line representation); 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the storage outlet and a can carrying carriage ascending upwardly through the vertical conduit passing said retaining means; and 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of the storage outlet, and the can carrying carriage in a loading orientation. The retaining means is shown in a rest condition retaining a can positioned in place thereabove. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The dispensing apparatus shown to advantage in FIGS. 1-7 includes a storage rack 20, a vertically disposed conduit 22 and a carriage 24 mounted slidably displaceable within the conduit 22. A retaining means 26 in the form of a pivotedly mounted finger member 28 is mounted within the conduit 22. 
     The Storage Rack 
     The storage rack 20 includes a plurality of inclined chutes 30 which are positioned relative to one another so as to define a circuitous pathway from an inlet 32 to an outlet 34. As shown, a planar panel 36 and chutes 30 are mounted to a vertically disposed support panel 38 and are each inclined to the horizon. The panel 36 is inclined such that its lowermost end 50 is positioned proximate a generally &#34;J&#34;-shaped chute member 48A. An elongate retaining strip 44 is mounted on the top surface 46 of panel 36 and forms a means of retaining a can which has exited the vertical conduit 22. As shown to particular advantage in FIG. 2, the panel 36 functions not only as a means of feeding the cans 47 into the inlet opening 32 of the storage rack but further functions as a holding ramp to store cans which have been lifted through the conduit 22. 
     The &#34;J&#34;-shaped chute 48A is mounted on panel 38 and spaced relative to the panel 36 such that a can positioned on that panel 36 can roll downward along the incline of panel 36, under the force of gravity, and pass between the end 50 of panel 36 and the inner sidewall of the chute 48A and thereafter continue along the inner surface of chute 48A in the direction indicated by arrow 52. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface 53 of panel 36 and the inner surface of chute 48A forms a channel 54. The panel 36 and chute 48A are sufficiently spaced apart that the height of that channel is greater than the height of the can being stored. This spacing facilitates a rolling placement of the cans 47 along the inner surface of chute 48A. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the generally linear segment of the &#34;J&#34;-shaped chute indicated generally as 58 is disposed downwardly directioned to the left in contrast to the downwardly directioned incline to the right of panel 36. Positioned proximate to the distal end 59 of chute 48A is the curved proximal end 61 of a second chute 48B. The linear segment 63 of the second chute is downwardly inclined to the right in contradistinction to the left-directioned incline of the superiorly positioned linear segment 58 of the chute 48A. As described above for panels 36 and chute 48A, the chutes 48A and 48B are positioned spacedly relative to one another to define a generally &#34;J&#34;-shaped channel 65 of sufficient dimension to permit the passage therethrough of the cans 47. Further, the chutes 48A and 48B are sufficiently inclined that a can 47 can, under the force of gravity, roll along the upper surface 67 of the chute 48B. Similarly, a third chute 48C is mounted below chute 48B so as to form a &#34;J&#34;-shaped channel 70 between chute 48B and 48C. Channel 70 is inclined toward the left as shown in FIG. 2 and is dimensioned to permit the rolling passage therethrough of can 47. 
     The arrangement of the chutes 48 and panels 36 are positioned to form a vertical stacked array which defines a generally &#34;S&#34;-shaped pathway which leads from inlet 32 to outlet 34. The lowermost chute 48C has a vertically positioned support member 72 mounted on its curved section which, when mounted on an underlying support surface, functions to support that chute 48C in its inclined orientation. 
     The Conduit 
     The vertically disposed conduit 22 is mounted to the distal end 74 of the chute 48C. As shown in FIG. 3, the conduit 22 is formed of two planar panels 76 and 78 positioned spacedly from and parallel one another. A second pair of planar panels 80 and 82 are spacedly positioned parallel one another and, furthermore, these latter two panels are oriented orthogonal to the first pair of panels 76 and 78. The panels 76, 78, 80 and 82 are joined one to another along their vertical edges to form a generally rectangularly shaped box-like structure which defines a rectangularly cross-sectioned channel 84 which extends vertically upwards through the complete height of the conduit 22. A floor 83 is mounted on the bottom of panels 76, 78, 80 and 82. Channel 84 has a cross-sectional area which remains generally constant over the height of the conduit 22. 
     Mounted on the interior surface of the panels 80 and 82 are one or more pairs of spacedly positioned bosses 86 (FIG. 4). In each pair of bosses 86, the bosses are spaced part sufficiently to receive a respective vertically disposed shaft 88 of carriage handle 90 (FIG. 3). 
     Mounted on the exterior surface of each of the panels 80 and 82 proximate the respective upper end thereof is a bracket 91 slotted on its upper end to receive and retain the end of a coil spring 93. The lower end of each panel 80 and 82 defines a vertically extending slot 95. The slot 95 is dimensioned to slidingly receive a respective spring mounting bracket 97 mounted on the side of carriage 24. As shown in FIG. 1, the spring 93 extends from bracket 91 to bracket 97. 
     The Carriage 
     Carriage 24 includes a horizontally disposed generally rectangularly shaped planar base 99 shown to advantage in FIGS. 3 and 4. The base defines a rectangularly shaped slot 101 in each of the two opposing sides thereof. The slots 101 are dimensioned to permit the base 99 to pass over bosses 86 without contacting those bosses. The base 99 also defines two pairs of elongate slots 105 and 107. Each pair of slots are positioned spacedly apart from one another across the width of the base. The slots 105 and 107 are dimensioned to permit the carriage 24 to be displaced upwardly and downwardly through channel 84 without contacting two pairs of finger members 110 which are pivotedly mounted to panels 76 and 78 and extend into channel 84 (FIG. 5). 
     Mounted on the lower surface of base panel 99 is a vertically disposed spacing member 112 (FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 7, the spacing member 112 is sized to position the base panel 99 below or at most level with the distal lower end of chute 48C. This permits the user to displace the carriage 24 downward through channel 84 such that upon the support member 112 impacting against the floor 83 of the conduit 22, the base panel 99 is positioned proximate the outlet 34 of storage rack 20 such that a can 47 rolling along chute 48C&#39;s upper surface will roll onto carriage 24. The spacing member 112 is configured to register with the slots 105 and 107 in base 99 such that the slots continue through the entire width of the carriage. 
     The base panel 99 is fitted with a cradle 114 constituted by two uprightly disposed panels 116 which are positioned spacedly apart from one another and parallel one another. Each panel 116 defines a generally semicircular top surface dimensioned to correspond to the external configuration of can 47. The two panels 116 are positioned to form a cradle-like structure adapted to receive and retain a can 47 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. 
     Mounted on top of base panel 99 are two vertically extending handle shafts 88 of handle 90 (FIG. 3). The shafts 88 are linked to one another by a horizontally positioned, hand graspable member 119. This latter member 119 permits the user to manipulate the carriage 24 and either displace it upward or downward through channel 84. 
     Being that the handle shafts 88 are positioned along their height between the pairs of opposing bosses 86, the shafts 88 are held in a generally vertical orientation. The bosses 86 essentially form a pair of vertically disposed tracks for the shafts 88. 
     Retaining Means 
     The retaining means mounted on conduit 22 is constituted by a plurality of finger members 110 (FIG. 5). As shown to advantage in FIGS. 4 and 5, each finger 110 is pivotedly mounted to one of the panels 76 and 78 of conduit 22 by pivot pin 118. Each of the fingers 110 is mounted within a respective vertically disposed slot 120 defined in the panel 76 and 78. Positioned below each finger 110 on the inner surface of the panels 76 and 82 is a restraining block 122 which is positioned to engage its respective finger 110 and retain that finger in a generally horizontal rest position (see FIG. 5). Slots 120 are dimensioned to receive the fingers 110 as they are pivoted about their pivot pins 118 (FIG. 6). 
     In some embodiments (FIG. 5), the fingers 110 may be fitted with a spring 117 which is mounted to the conduit 22 so as to urge the finger 110 into its rest condition. 
     Operationally, the user loads the cans 47 into the storage rack 20 by inserting the cans through inlet 32. Under the force of gravity the cans 47 roll along the surfaces of chutes 48A, 48B and 48C following along a generally &#34;S&#34;-shaped pathway. Upon reaching the distal end of the chute 48C and hence outlet 34, a can 47 enters the generally rectangularly shaped inlet opening 121 defined in the panel 78 of conduit 22. At this time, the user displaces the carriage 24 downward through channel 84 of conduit 22 until spacing member 112 abuts against floor 83 thereby bringing the base panel 99 and attendant cradle panels 116 into position below the distal end of the chute 48C. The can 47 rolls into position on the cradle as seen in FIG. 7. At this point, the spring 93, which has been extended due to the downward displacement of the carriage 24, urges the carriage 24 upwardly. As the carriage 24 comes into that region of the channel 84 having the fingers 110 positioned therein, the can 47 impacts against the fingers and urges them to rotate outwardly on their pivot pins as shown in FIG. 6. The carriage 24, having slots 107 and 105, is able to pass both upwards and downwards past the fingers 110 without engaging the fingers, but when the can 47 is in a loaded position on the carriage, it is positioned such that it engages the fingers 110. 
     The fingers 110 are rotated sufficiently outward through slots 120 that the carriage 24 and can 47 can pass through the channel 84. Once the carriage 24 and can 47 pass upwardly beyond the fingers 110, the fingers 110 are returned to the rest orientation shown in FIG. 7. Whether the return is induced solely by gravity or gravity in association with a spring 117, either way the fingers 110 are each brought into abutment against a respective restraining block 122. The can 47 is then held in place by the returned fingers 110 (see FIG. 7). The carriage 24 is then free to return downward to retrieve another can. 
     As further cans 47 are driven into place above the fingers 110 in channel 84, the cans 47 eventually are driven outward from the open top or end 127 of channel 84. As a can 47 exits the top 127 it is driven on to platform 36 eventually coming to rest against restraining strip 44. 
     It should be recognized that the description of the preferred embodiment will suggest modifications thereof. The description is intended as being merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and is not intended to restrict the scope of the claims which alone are intended to set forth the scope of the invention.