A DISPENSING APPARATUS

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus comprises a tray-like housing (15) having recesses (13) in an upper surface each for accommodating an item to be dispensed. A non-return mechanism (18) is located in the housing adjacent to each recess (13) and has a member (21) movable between a first position wherein the member is retracted to a position substantially flush with the recess sidewall and a second position (as seen in the figure) wherein the member (21) projects into the recess (13) to prevent re-insertion of an item. The movable member (21) is retained in the first position by an item accommodated in the recess and is spring-biased to assume the second position when the item is removed. A microswitch is responsive to the movement of the member (21) to signal when the member moves from the first to the second position and thus when an item is removed from the recess (13).

Description: A DISPENSING APPARATUS Background to the Invention This invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing items, in particular a dispensing apparatus which permits the removal of an item to be registered electronically. In the preferred embodiment the invention relates to refrigerators located in hotel rooms. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a dispensing apparatus comprising means for accommodating an item to be dispensed, a non-return mechanism for preventing replacement of an item removed from the accommodating means, and an electrical component having an electrical characteristic which undergoes a measurable change when an item is removed from the accommodating means. In the preferred embodiments the accommodating means comprises a housing having at least one recess in an upper surface thereof defining a receptacle for accommodating a part of an item to be dispensed and the non-return mechanism is located within die housing adjacent the recess and has a member movable between a reset position wherein the member projects into the recess through an aperture in a sidewall of the recess and a set position wherein the member is retracted to a position substantially flush with such sidewall. The movable member is retained in the set position by an item accommodated in the recess and assumes the reset position when the item is removed. The electrical component is responsive to the movement of the member to provide the measurable change when me member moves from the set to the reset position. Preferably the housing is in the form of a tray slidably mounted in a refrigerated cabinet contained several such trays disposed one above the otiier. Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the trays from the refrigerator of figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through part of the tray; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the slider block and paddle forming part of the non-return mechanism associated with each aperture in the tray; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bottom end of the slider block shown in figure 4; Figure 6 shows a device which may to used to set the non-return mechanism; Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the invention; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional elevation along the line VII- VII of figure 7; Figure 9 is a plan view of the dispensing apparatus of figure 7; Figure 10 is an exploded view of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 11 is an internal perspective view of a tray from the refrigerator of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a detailed view of a group of non-return mechanisms of figure 11; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional elevation along the line II-II of figure 12; Figure 14 is an exploded view of a dispensing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and Figures 15(a) and 15(b) show elevation views of the dispensing apparatus of Figure 14 in its reset and set positions respectively. Description of the Preferred Embodiments In figure 1 , a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the invention has an outer insulated cabinet 10 with a front-opening door 11. Refrigeration equipment (not shown) is provided to refrigerate the interior of the cabinet in conventional manner. Witfiin the cabinet there are a plurality of substantially horizontal trays 12. Each tray 12 is mounted in any suitable manner for horizontal sliding movement in the cabinet 10 so as to be capable of being partially withdrawn from the interior of the cabinet 10 through the front opening. This is shown for the lower of the two cabinets in figure 1. In its top surface each tray 12 has a plurality of receptacles 13 each for accommodating a respective one of a plurality of items to be dispensed (in figure 1 the receptacles are shown unoccupied). Turning now to figures 2 to 5, the tray 12 has a rectangular base 14 and an overlying cover 14' together constituting a shallow rectangular housing 15. The receptacles 13 (of which only three are shown in figure 2) are formed as recesses in the upper surface of the housing 15. Each receptacle has solid sidewalls 16 and is designed to accommodate a part of an item to be dispensed, such as the lower half of a bottle 17 as shown in figure 3. In particular, each receptacle has a substantially constant cross-section substantially the same as the cross-section of the part of the item to be accommodated therein, such that the item fits snugly within the receptacle with substantially no gap between the sidewalls 16 and the surface of the item. A respective non-return mechanism 18 is located within the housing 15 immediately adjacent each receptacle 13, for preventing an item from being returned to its receptacle after it has been removed. The mechanism 18 comprises a housing 19, which will be referred to hereafter as a shell to avoid confusion with the housing 15. The shell 19, whose upper surface is flush with and effectively forms the upper surface of the housing 15 at that point, sits on a printed circuit board (PCB) 20 located within the base 14. The shell 19 is generally open facing the receptacle 13 and contains a slider block 21. The block 21 has a concave bearing surface 22 which can slide against a convex bearing surface 23 formed at the rear of the shell 19, such that the block 21 can slide vertically within the housing from a set position at the top of the shell 19 as shown at the left of figure 3 to a reset position at the bottom of the shell 19 as shown at the right of figure 3. During such sliding movement the block 21 also rotates so that its front face 24, which is initially flush wiώ the sidewalls 16 of the receptacle 13, projects into the interior of the receptacle through an aperture 25 formed in the sidewalls 16 immediately in front of the block 21. During such sliding the block 21 is constrained substantially against lateral movement, that is to say movement in the direction perpendicular to the plane of figure 3, by the lateral walls of the shell 19 whose internal surfaces are parallel and spaced apart by substantially the width of the block 21. A spring 26 is held in compression between the top of the shell 19 and a ledge 27 formed on the block 21. This spring 26 resiliendy biases the block 21 towards the reset position shown at the right hand side of figure 3. In use of the apparatus, the block 21 is held in the set position against the bias of the spring 26, using a device which will be described later with reference to figure 6, to permit an item such as the bottle 17 to be inserted into die respective receptacle 13. When the item is fully inserted the block 21 is released. However, the presence of me item in the receptacle 13 retains die block 21 in die set position. When the item is removed from me receptacle 13, die block 21 is released and, under die influence of me spring 26, it moves down to die reset position. In us position die front face 24 of die block 21 projects into die receptacle 13, so diat me top surface 28 of me block 21 forms a stop which prevents die item being re-inserted into me receptacle. Because there is substantially no gap between the sidewall 16 and die external surface of die item attempted to be re-inserted into die receptacle, it is not possible to hold die block 21 in die reset position from widiin die receptacle while die item is re-inserted. However, me block may be returned to and held in the set position by service personnel wishing to re-stock me tray by using me special device to be described widi reference to figure 6. In order to permit the removal of an item from a receptacle 13 to be registered electronically, a respective microswitch 29 is located on me PCB 20 immediately in front of each shell 19. The shell 19 has a low wall 30 at me front. A flat paddle 31 passes dirough a narrow horizontal slot 32 in the wall 30 and also dirough a narrow horizontal slot 33 near die bottom of me block 21, and die end of die paddle 31 outside die shell 19 is joined to die microswitch 29 by a light spring 34. Therefore, as the block 21 slides from the set to the reset position die paddle will "see-saw" about a fulcrum point constituted by die lower edge of die slot 32. As seen in die figures, behind each narrow slot 32 and 33 d e aperture in d e wall 30 and d e block 21 widens in triangular fashion to provide sufficient room for the movement of the paddle 31. The movement of me paddle is guided by having a too 35 (figure 5) which engages in and moves back and forth along an arcuate slot 36 in one side of d e aperture behind die narrow slot 33. The microswitch 29 opens and closes according to me position of the paddle 31, and will be closed (or open) when die block 21 is in die set position and open (or closed) when die block 21 is in the reset position. The state of the microswitch 29 can be monitored by circuitry on die PCB 20, such ti at removal of an item from the tray can be detected. This information can men be sent to a central billing system of the hotel for automatic billing of me customer, and for this purpose die PCB 20 may be connected to external circuitry by flexible cables from each tray 12. Of course, means other than a microswitch can be used to register die removal of an item from the associated receptacle. Any electrical component having an electrical characteristic which undergoes a measurable change when an item is removed from the receptacle can be used. Figure 6 shows a device which can be used to set die mechanism 18 after removal of an item from the receptacle 13. The device comprises a handle 37 having an elliptically curved surface 38 at one end and a hook 39 pivoted to die handle at 40 near die curved end. A tension spring 41 is connected between die hook 39 and die handle 37 so tiiat when die hook projects direcdy away from the handle die spring 41 passes over the pivot point 40. Thus me handle has two stable states, where die hook is on opposite sides respectively of die notional line passing through die pivot point 40 and die point 42 where me spring is attached to die handle. Initially, witii die handle in die state shown in figure 6, die handle is used to guide d e hook into a small aperture 43 in die top of die shell 19 and die handle is brought to die position shown in figure 6 against die top of die shell 19. Since die hook 39 is urged by die spring 41 in a clockwise direction as seen in figure 6 it will be urged into engagement with a recess 44 behind d e front face 24 of die block 21. Now die handle 37 is rotated clockwise dirough 90 degrees to a position extending direcdy away from the top of die shell 19, causing die hook 39 to lift die block 21 to die set position. This allows an item such as the bottie 17 to be inserted into the receptacle. The elliptically curved surface 38 provides die lifting action. Finally, die handle is rotated further to a position where die hook 39 is urged by d e spring 41 in an anti-clockwise direction, causing the hook to disengage die recess 44 and allowing it to be wididrawn from the aperture 43. In a second embodiment of the invention, figures 7 to 9, receptacles 13, having circular sidewalls 16, are grouped in sets of four in die housing 15. Each receptacle 13 has an associated non-return mechanism 18' located in die space between each set of four sidewalls 16, figure 9. The mechanisms 18' are disposed at 90 degree spacing about die centre of die space. Each mechanism 18' includes a slider block 21'. Each slider block 21' is constrained against lateral movement by two walls 51 which lie one on each side of die slider block 21'. Adjacent lateral walls 51 from respective non-return mechanisms 18' are formed as an integral right-angled piece. A pair of inclined rails 52 are formed on opposite sides of each slider block and run from the top of die rear face of d e block remote from the receptacle 13 down towards die front face 24 of die block. Each rail 52 is located in a similarly inclined groove 55 formed in a respective lateral wall 51. Thus, each block 2V is slidable from a set position in which the front face 24 of me block is flush with the sidewall 16 to a reset position in which it extends dirough an aperture 25 in die sidewall 16, shown at die left in figure 8. To facilitate easier movement of die block 21 ' , a bearing (not shown) can be inserted to fit between each rail 52 and its respective groove 55. A spring 26 is held in compression between the upper surface 19' of die housing 15 and a ledge 27 formed on die rear face of die block 21 ' . The spring 26 resiliendy biases die block 21' towards the reset position. In die second embodiment, the mechanism for setting die non-return mechanisms 18' comprises two parts. The first part 53 includes a flat cross-piece 50 witii a tubular member 54 extending upwardly from its centre. The cross-piece 50 is fitted so tiiat each arm of die cross-piece 50 lies under a respective slider block 21' and between its respective lateral walls 51. A pair of L-shaped slots 56 are formed adjacent die top of die tube 54. The second part 57 comprises a handle which is insertable dirough a small aperture 43 formed in die upper surface 19' of die housing 15. The handle comprises a shaft 58 having two diametrically opposite studs 59 adjacent its end which are engageable with die slots 56. Thus, when die handle is inserted into the aperture 43 and twisted die studs 59 positively engage die slots 56 in a bayonet fit, allowing die operator may draw die handle upwards with die first part 53 entrained. This causes die arms of the cross-piece 50 to lift any slider blocks in die reset position back to die set position. The handle may be held in this position by any number of conventional means, for example using clamps or ratchets, so tiiat die operator is free to place a bottle 17 in any empty receptacles 13 before subsequently releasing the handle and allowing die springs 26 to urge die slider blocks 21' against bottles 17 located in respective receptacles 13. Movement of die slider blocks 21 ' between die set and reset positions is detected by a micro-switch 29' located direcdy under each slider block 21 ' . Each micro-switch 29' is monitored by circuitry on a suitably located PCB as before. It will be seen that die mechanism for setting die non-return mechanisms 18' can be made as secure as may be required, for example, by adapting die top of die tube 54 and die end of die handle to include a key mechanism. It will also be seen tiiat the second embodiment can be varied to include groups of any number of receptacles 13 spaced apart appropriately. For example, five receptacles could be spaced at 72 degrees apart witii a five-arm cross-piece 50 used to reset each respective mechanism 18'. In a third embodiment of die invention, figure 10, receptacles 13 having circular sidewalls 16 are again grouped adjacent one anodier in sets of four, tiiere being four such groups in each tray providing sixteen receptacles 13. The tiiird embodiment differs from die second embodiment in tiiat die mechanism for setting die non-return mechanisms 18' operates by urging die slider blocks 21' into die set position from below rather tiian drawing die slider blocks 21' into die set position from above. The first part 53 of die mechanism for setting d e non-return mechanisms 18' in the second embodiment is replaced in die third embodiment witii a first part 53' comprising a flat cross-piece 50, as in the second embodiment, from the centre of which a solid cylindrical member 54' extends upwardly. The cross-piece 50 is again fitted so tiiat each arm of die cross-piece 50 lies under a respective slider block 21' and between its respective lateral walls 51. The cylindrical member 54' protrudes from an aperture 63 in die upper surface 19" covering the mechanisms 18' to ensure diat die first part 53' is constrained to move vertically between die set and die reset positions. The second part of die mechanism comprises an elongate strip 65 which passes under die cross-piece, figure 11. The strip 65 passes dirough slots 66 formed at die bases of diagonally opposite corners 64 of adjoining lateral walls 51. In die tiiird embodiment there are two parallel strips 65 each passing under and being operatively associated witii two groups of mechanisπis 18' . The strip 65 extends as far as a sidewall 67 of die housing 15. At the end of die strip 65 a tubular barrel 68 is formed. Slots (not shown) are formed at die free end of die end of die barrel 68. A key 70 (figure 11) is insertable dirough an aperture 69 formed in die side 67 of die housing in register with die end of die barrel 68. The key 70 includes a shaft which is adapted to engage die slots in die barrel 68 when die key 70 is inserted dirough die aperture 69 and twisted. A pair of cams 71 are formed on each strip 65 and each is disposed adjacent die slot 66 on tiiat side of a respective group of mechanisms 18' which is furthest away from the aperture 69. Each cam 71 is triangular in shape and projects to a height equal to die vertical displacement of the slider blocks 21 ' between die set and reset positions. Thus, when die key 70 is inserted into die aperture 69 and twisted, die operator may retract die key witii die strip 65 entrained to draw die strip 65 towards die side 67. This causes die cams 71 to be drawn under die respective cross-pieces 50 tiius lifting die cross-pieces 50 which in turn lift any slider blocks in die reset position back to die set position. The key 70 may be held in this position by conventional means to allow die operator is free to place a bottie or otiier item in any empty receptacles 13 before subsequendy releasing die key and allowing die springs 26 to urge the slider blocks 21' against items located in respective receptacles 13. Alternatively, the key 70 can be replaced witii a conventional spring loaded ratchet gun 70', figure 10. The gun includes a shaft 72 which extends from die front of die gun and which is insertable dirough die aperture 69. The distal end 73 of die shaft 72 is adapted to engage and entrain the barrel 68. A plate 74 extends from the front of die gun. The distal end of die plate is bent to form a flap in which a hole is formed and dirough which die end 73 of die shaft 72 passes. A spring 75 is located over die lengtii of die shaft 72 between die front of die gun and die flap, witii the spring tending to extend die shaft from the front of the gun. In use, the end 73 of die shaft is inserted in the aperture 69, with die flap bearing against die sidewall 67. Squeezing the gun trigger 76 causes the shaft 72 to draw die entrained strip 65 towards die sidewall 67, tiius setting die non-return mechanisms 18'. Secure operation of die non-return mechanism 18' of the diird embodiment relies on the difficulty posed in re-inserting a bottle into a receptacle 13 while manually attempting to hold die slider block 21 ' in the set position. If a bottle or any otiier item is not a snug fit with its respective receptacle 16, tiien it may be possible to set the non-return mechanism without using die key 70 or gun 70' (although it will be realised tiiat the associated electronic circuitry described previously can always detect removal of the bottle and bill a user appropriately). This problem is mitigated in a fourth embodiment of the invention, figure 14, where a slider block 21" is maintained more securely in the reset position by being adapted to positively engage die lateral walls 51 ' when in the reset position. A pair of resilient arms 77 project upwardly and outwardly from opposite sides at die base of each slider block 21" towards respective lateral walls 51 ' . A step 78 is formed in each lateral wall 51 ' tiius forming a narrowed neck 90 between die upper portions of opposite walls 51'. When a slider block 21 " is held in die set position, figure 15(b), die arms 77 are held in compression in the neck 90 between die upper portions of die lateral walls 51'. However, when a bottie or otiier item is removed from a receptacle 13 die slider block 21" drops as before so tiiat die arms 77 can expand outwardly towards die more widely spaced lower portions of die walls 51', figure 15(a). In tiiis position the distal ends 79 of die arms 77 will come to bear against the underside of respective steps 78 in the lateral walls 51' if any unauthorised lifting of slider blocks 21 " into die set position is attempted, tiiereby preventing such unauthorised lifting. To allow d e slider block 21 " to be lifted back into die set position, die cross-piece 50 of d e tiiird embodiment is replaced in this embodiment with a cross-piece 50' along whose radiating edges side walls 81 project upwardly. The distance between opposing side walls 81 is approximately equal to die widtii of the neck 90 between die upper portions of opposing lateral walls 51'. The slider block 21 " sits between opposing sidewalls 81. It will be seen tiiat when die cross-piece 51 ' is moved upwardly when following the inclined profile of die triangular cam 71 being drawn underneadi it, the sidewalls 81 will cause die arms 77 to be compressed against the side of die slider block 21". Thus, tiieir ends 79 no longer bear against die steps 78, and die slider block 21" can be lifted into the set position, figure 15(b). In the fourth embodiment, the member 54", which is shorter than die member 54' of the third embodiment, slides witiiin a blind sleeve 80 which projects downwardly from underneadi die upper surface 19" of die housing 15. The sleeve 80 thus constrains the member 54" to move vertically without the need for die member 54" to protrude from the upper surface 19", thus ensuring more secure operation of the non-return mechanism.

Claims: Claims: 1. A dispensing apparatus comprising means for accommodating an item to be dispensed, a non-return mechanism for preventing replacement of an item removed from the accommodating means, and an electrical component having an electrical characteristic which undergoes a measurable change when an item is removed from the accommodating means. 2. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein die accommodating means comprises a housing having at least one recess in an upper surface thereof defining a receptacle for accommodating a part of an item to be dispensed, wherein die non-return mechanism is located witiiin die housing adjacent die recess and has a member movable between a reset position wherein the member projects into the recess through an aperture in a sidewall of die recess and a set position wherein the member is retracted to a position substantially flush with such sidewall, die movable member being retained in die set position by an item accommodated in die recess and assuming die reset position when the item is removed, and wherein die electrical component is responsive to die movement of the member to provide die measurable change when die member moves from the set to the reset position. 3. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the non-return mechanism comprises a guide means down which die movable member is adapted to slide from its set position to its reset position, the guide means being configured so tiiat during such sliding a part of die movable member emerges from the aperture into die recess, and means resiliently biassing die movable member to the reset position. 4. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein die movable member is adapted for cooperation with a lifting means for returning die member to the set position against the resilient biassing means, the lifting means being operable from outside die housing dirough an aperture in die housing which is small compared witii die recess opening. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said small aperture is provided in the upper surface of die housing and die lifting means comprises a lifting tool insertable through said small aperture for engagement witii die movable member. 6. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein die lifting means includes a lifting member extending beneatii the movable member, the lifting member being liftable to return the movable member to its set position, and means operative through said small aperture for lifting the lifting member. 7. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said small aperture is provided in die upper surface of die housing and die lifting means further includes a lifting tool insertable dirough said small aperture for engagement with and lifting of the lifting member. 8. A dispensing apparams as claimed in claim 6, wherein said small hole is provided in one side of die housing and the lifting means includes a cam member extending below die lifting member for lifting the latter upon lateral movement of the cam member, the cam member being engageable through said small hole for effecting said lateral movement of the cam means. 9. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the housing has at least one group of receptacles each with an associated non-return mechanism, and wherein the lifting member extends beneatii all the movable members of a group of non-return mechanisms such that the lifting means operates in common on all the non-return mechanisms of the group. 10. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein me movable member is constrained against lateral movement by a pair of walls one on eitiier side, wherein at least one wall has a downward facing step, wherein the movable member has at least one upwardly and outwardly extending resilient arm which engages under die step in die reset position, and wherein die lifting means acts to compress die arm against die member to permit the member to be lifted to die set position. 11. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the electrical component is a microswitch. 12. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 2 to 11, wherein the housing is in the form of a tray slidably mounted in a refrigerated cabinet.

Inventors: HOOD OLIVER, JOHNSTON CRAIG, O'SULLIVAN NIALL, HOOD, OLIVER, JOHNSTON, CRAIG, O'SULLIVAN, NIALL
Applicants: HOOD OLIVER, JOHNSTON CRAIG, JOHNSTON RES & DEV LTD, SULLIVAN NIALL O, HOOD, OLIVER, JOHNSTON RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED, JOHNSTON, CRAIG, O'SULLIVAN, NIALL
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G07F5
IPC codes: G07F5, G07F9