DISPENSER APPARATUS

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus for dispensing individual articles (50) at a dispensing station (A) from a line of the articles stored one-behind-another on a trackway (10) comprises a conveyor belt (16) on which the articles rest. Belt (16) is connected at one end to variable force springs (19) beneath the trackway (10) and at its other end to a follower or pusher plate (13). When the springs (19) are tensioned by moving the plate (13) away from the dispensing station to load the device the conveyor (16) exerts traction on the articles stored thereon tending to move them toward stop means (20, 34) at the dispensing station. When an article (51) is removed from the dispensing station (A) the conveyor (16) moves up the remainder so that a next article is positioned at the dispensing station (A) against the stop means (20, 34). Ramps (22) at the dispensing station project the article thereat from the dispenser to facilitate its removal. In one embodiment the trackway (10) and conveyor (16) are incorporated in a cassette (28) one end wall (34) of which constitutes the stop means. The ramps (22) are positioned opposite a slot (35) in the cassette adjacent this end wall (34) so as to project an article at the dispensing station (A) from the cassette. In another embodiment two conveyor means (16, 16A) are provided, articles being located in openings (37) therefor along one of the conveyors (16A) and resting upon the other conveyor (16).

Description: "DISPENSER APPARATUS" This invention relates to dispenser apparatus for use in retail outlets and the like for vending or dispensing discrete articles, or discretely packaged articles, such as packets of cigarettes or confectionery and other packaged items. Dispenser apparatus is known whereby packages or articles arranged one- behind-another on a trackway are spring biassed to bring a leading one of the packages to a dispensing station at a leading end of the trackway. When the package at the dispensing station is removed the spring moves up the remaining packages so that a next one becomes accessible at the dispensing station. A drawback of known dispensers of this kind is that the packages on the trackway are subjected to a relatively strong pushing force exerted by the spring exclusively on the rearmost article or package, and this may cause damage or distortion. When rounded articles or packages are being pushed toward the dispensing station along a parallel-sided trackway there is a tendency for them to jam through bec ning misaligned. Another drawback is that under the conditions in which such dispensers are normally used, the trackway extending away frcm the position of the observer along a shelf or counter, it is not easy to determine how many articles remain on the trackway to be dispensed. An object of the present invention is to improve upon known dispensing apparatus of this kind. In accordance with the present invention there is provided apparatus for dispensing discrete articles arranged one-behind-another against a trackway so that a leading one of the articles is accessible at a dispensing station which includes stop means in the region of one end of the trackway, means being provided to move the remaining articles along the trackway into contact with the stop means when said one article is removed so that a next article takes its place at the dispensing station, characterised in that the trackway comprises conveyor means in contact with all articles on the trackway which, by moving incrementally toward the dispensing station when articles are removed therefrom, applies traction to said articles to displace them toward the dispensing station. The conveyor means is preferably an elongated, flexible element which changes its direction about roller means in the region of the dispensing station so as to have a first run in contact with articles on the trackway and a second run spaced from the first run. The runs of the conveyor element preferably have distal ends, that of the first run being connected to follower or pusher means upstanding frcm the trackway to be behind the last of the articles thereon and that of the second run being connected to spring means which biasses the conveyor means to tend to move to bring the follower means tcward the dispensing station. The follower means may comprise a plate having extending frαrt one edge thereof a formation which engages in a complimentary groove in the trackway thereby to guide the follower means in its movement toward and away frcm the dispensing station. The second run of the conveyor means is preferably substantially parallel with the first run and its distal end is preferably connected to a pair of variable force coil springs disposed on the opposite side of the trackway to the follower means with the axes of the coils generally perpendicular to the trackway. The connection of the distal end of the second run of the conveyor means to the coil springs is preferably via a connector element having a tab whereby it may be grasped and moved toward the dispensing station to tension the coil springs, the connector element moving in guide means therefor below the trackway which, in the region of the dispensing station, has a latch formation which will retain the connector element in a cocked condition while articles are loaded onto the trackway, thereafter the connector element being releasable frcm the latch means so that articles on the trackway are biassed toward the dispensing station by the conveyor means. The latch formation may be constituted by an end of the guide means nearest the dispensing station, the disposition of the guide means relative to the roller means being such that the latter deflects the connector element over said end of the guide means as the connector element reaches the roller means. There may be provided at the dispensing station ramp means adapted to deflect said leading article out of alignment with the remaining articles as it approaches the stop means, thereby to improve the accessibility of said leading article and to break any adhesion of said leading article to said next article. The conveyor means preferably has markings along its length which are revealed as said articles are removed at the dispensing station, the markings providing a visual indication at the dispensing station of the number of articles reiraining on the trackway. The markings may comprise numbers which have a spacing along the conveyor means generally equal to the thickness of the individual articles, whereby a number visible at the dispensing station indicates the number of articles remaining on the trackway. Alternatively or in addition the markings may comprise markings which diverge across the conveyor means away frcm the dispensing station such that the width of the markings where exposed at the dispensing station indicates how much of the first run of the conveyor means remains extending frcm the dispensing station. There may be associated with the ramp means a mirrored surface at an obtuse angle to the upper run of the conveyor disposed so that the marking exposed when a leading article is lifted from the conveyor by the ramp means can be viewed frcm a position at or below the level of the trackway. The trackway may be contained in an elongated cassette of transparent material, the stop means being constituted by the end wall of the cassette at the end region of the cassette which provides the dispensing station and the cassette having a lateral slot at said end region through which said leading article is accessible. The ramp means is preferably arranged in the cassette opposite to said slot such that as an article approaches the dispensing station it is projected out of the slot to be partially exposed from the cassette. Alternatively the trackway may lie between sidewall means which terminate in the region of the dispensing station in latch elements constituting said stop means. A second conveyor means may be provided parallel and moving jointly with said firstmentioned conveyor means but spaced therefran on the upstream side of the dispensing station, the second conveyor means having openings spaced along its length for the location therein of respective articles which will rest upon the firstmentioned conveyor means. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a first embodiment of dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view frcm above of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the end stop removed for clarity. Figure 3 is a perspective view frcm below of the dispenser of Figures 1 and 2 also with the end stop removed. Figures 4A and 4B are sectional views each taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 1 but showing the parts in different positions of adjustment. Figure 5 is a perspective view rom above of a second embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 is a perspective view from below of the embodiment of Figure 5, Figure 7 is a detail on an enlarged scale taken on the line TI-VH of Figure 5, and Figure 8 is a perspective view frcm above of a third embodiment of the invention. The dispensing apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 4B inclusive comprises an elongated trackway 10 suitably formed by extruding a plastics material. The upper surface of the trackway 10 is formed with undercut grooves 11 in which feet 12 of a follower means or pusher plate 13 are entrapped so that the plate 13 is slideable along the length of the trackway 10. Adjacent one end of the trackway 10 a roller 14 is mounted on bearings 15 so as to be freely rotatable just in front of the trackway. A flexible belt 16 changes direction about the roller 14 so as to have upper and lower runs on opposite sides of the trackway 10. The distal end of one of these runs is connected to the plate 13 while that of the other is connected by hooks 18 on a connector plate 17 to a pair of variable force coiled springs 19. These are mounted on the underside of the trackway 10 at the end thereof remote from the roller 14. Each is coiled in a plane parallel with that of the trackway 10 for the sake of space economy. The belt 16 may be of a polyester material or any similar rubber-like material, preferably with a surface roughened, textured or even provided with protrusions or pimples to enhance friction. The connector plate 17 travels in a guide channel 21 therefor on the underside of trackway 10. With the parts positioned as shown in Figures 1 and 2, therefore, the springs 19 will tend to draw the plate 13 to the end of the trackway 10 where the roller 14 is located. In use, however, similar packaged articles 50, such as packets of cigarettes, are arranged one-behind-another along the trackway 10 with one edge of each packet in contact with the upper run of the conveyor 16. A leading one 51 of the packages is in contact with stop means 20 adjacent the roller 14. This leading package 51 is at a dispensing station A of the device. As soon as it is removed, by grasping it and pulling it in the direction of arrow Z, the packages 50 remaining on the conveyor 16 are moved up by the springs 19, which displace the conveyor 16 incrementally until a next one 52 of the packages abuts the stop means 20. The plate 13 may have the effect of pushing the rearmost package but this is not regarded as essential or desirable in the functioning of the apparatus. The principal purposes of the plate 13 are to prevent a line of packages toppling backwards and to provide a means of "cocking" the device when it is to be loaded with packages. By grasping the plate 13 and pulling it away frcm the roller 14 the springs 19 are tensioned and at the same time the upper run of the conveyor 16 is extended to receive a line of packages 50. When the device is charged with the desired number of packages 50 to be dispensed the plate 13 can be released, whereupon the abutment of the leading package 51 against the stop 20 holds the line of packages between the stop 20 and the plate 13. The region of the end of the trackway 10 where the roller 14 is located thus provides the dispensing station A of the device. Ramp formations 22 on the trackway 10 at the dispensing station are a desirable feature because these displace the leading package 51 in the direction of arrow Z as it approaches the stop means 20 so that it projects slightly out of alignment with the remaining packages 50. This facilitates grasping it and removing it frcm the device and also breaks any adhesion which may occur between the wrappings of adjacent packages. Side plates 23 and 24 define with the upper run of the conveyor 16 a channel in which the line of packages 50 will be stored. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B each side plate 23 and 24 preferably has a stem 25 engaged in a corresponding groove 26 in the associated side of the trackway 10. As shown the stems 25 are preferably toothed to cooperate with serrations on one side of the associated groove 26. In this way the plates 23 and 24 can be given a mutual spacing appropriate to the widths of the packages to be positioned between them, and the cooperating teeth and serrations will tend to maintain the stems 25 at the chosen position of extension out of the grooves 26. As seen in Figure 2, the stop means 20 is provided by a flange on the end of the sidewall 24 nearest the roller 14. A corresponding flange (not shown) is preferably provided on the corresponding end of sidewall 23. As shown in Figure 2 the belt 16 is marked along its length with a sequence of numbers ccmmenσing adjacent the pusher plate 13. If the mutual spacing of these numbers is generally equal to the widths of the packages with which the device is loaded the number which becomes visible eis the belt passes around the roller 14 when a package has been removed will give a visual indication of how many packages remain to be dispensed. The device of Figures 1 to 4B is intended for use on a shelf or counter in such a position that the trackway 10 will extend away from the observer so that it will not always be easy or even possible to see more than the package currently at the dispensing station. As an alternative or addition to the numbers the end region of the belt 16 nearest to the plate 13 may have a diverging marking 27 preferably of a bright colour such as red. The width of this marking 27 visible at the dispensing station will give a visual indication of how much of the length of the belt 16 remains to be drawn to the dispensing station and thus provides at least a warning that the device is about to run out of goods to be dispensed. A plate 53 extends between the ramps 22 and has a mirrored surface 54 presented outwardly and downwardly at an obtuse angle relative to the upper run of the conveyor 16. By means of mirror 54 the marking (the number "15" as seen in Figure 2) which is exposed at the dispensing station when the corresponding packet 51 has been lifted frcm the conveyor 16 by the ramps 22 can be viewed frcm a position belcw the device. If the device is on a shelf or counter at or above eye level this enables the state of charge of the device to be monitored without lifting it dcwn to see how many packages remain in it. The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7 is essentially similar to that of Figures 1-4B, and like parts are identified by like reference numerals, except that in this embodiment the trackway 10 and the components mounted on it as well as the roller 14 are encased in a cassette 28 of transparent plastics material. Sidewalls 29 and 30 of the cassette replace the function of the side plates 23 and 24 of the previously described embodiment. Moreover the ramps 22 are provided not on the trackway 10 but at one end of a cover member 36 which can be slid into the cassette 28 along guides 33 therefor at a height above the upper run of the belt 16 appropriate to the height of packaging with which the cassette is charged. The function of the stop means 20 of the preceding embodiment is performed by one of the end walls 34 of the cassette. This is adjacent a cut-away part of the cassette defining a dc&mwardly-opening slot 35 adjacent the roller 14. A leading package moved along the cassette by the belt 16 is therefore deflected by the ramps 22 to project downwardly out of the slot 35 where it can be grasped and removed frcm the cassette in the direction Z' . To charge the cassette 28 with packages, for example packets of cigarettes arranged one-behind-another along the upper run of the belt 16, first of all and while the cassette is empty the springs 19 are tensioned by grcisping a tab 36 projecting from the connector plate 17 and drawing the connector plate 17 along the guide channel 21 until it emerges frcm the end 55 thereof nearest the roller 14. At this point (see Figure 7) the connector plate 17 is deflected downward because of the diameter of the roller 14 so that it lodges against the end 55 of guide channel 21, holding the springs 19 fully extended. Preferably and as shown the end 55 is formed with a notch to engage plate 17. The cassette is now loaded with packages to be dispensed, following which the connector plate 17 is manipulated by the tab 36 until it re-enters the guide channel 21, enabling the springs 19 to move the belt 16 until a leading one of the packages is presented by the ramps 22 out of the slot 35. The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 8 differs frcm the foregoing in that it incorporates a second conveyor belt 16A guided by side plates 23A and 24A so that its upper run lies parallel with but spaced frcm that of the first belt 16. The second belt 16A passes around its own roller (not shown) rotating on a second bearing 15A, but is connected in common with the first belt 16 at one end to pusher plate 13 and at its other end to the springs 19. Openings 37 spaced along the length of the second belt 16A will accept individual items such as jars or bottles. The bottoms of the jars or bottles will rest on the first conveyor 16 and the second conveyor 16A will surround them at a position above their bottoms. The openings 37 ensure that the individual items are kept separated and cannot knock together and if the items to be dispensed at least approximately fit the openings 37 they will be prevented frcm moving about relative to the belts during transport. This double-belt system is particularly suited to dispensing soft and/or irregularly shaped articles or packages. The belt 16 need not be horizontal. The cassette of the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 may be disposed in any desired attitude with the slot 35 presenting the leading package in any desired direction Z'.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. Apparatus for dispensing discrete articles (50) arranged one-behind- another against a trackway (10) so that a leading one (51) of the articles is accessible at a dispensing station (A) which includes stop means (20,34) in the region of one end of the trackway, means (13) being provided to move the remaining articles along the trackway (10) into contact with the stop means (20,34) when said one article is removed so that a next article (52) takes its place at the dispensing station (A), characterised in that the trackway (10) comprises conveyor means (16) in contact with all articles (50) on the trackway which, by moving incrementally toward the dispensing station (A) when articles (50) are removed therefrc , applies traction to said articles (50) to displace them toward the dispensing station (A). 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1. characterised in that the conveyor means is an elongated, flexible element (16) which changes its di ection about roller means (14) in the region of the dispensing station (A) so as to have a first run in contact with articles (50) on the trackway (10) and a second run spaced frcm the trackway. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the runs of the conveyor element (16) have distal ends, that of the first run being connected to follower or pusher means (13) upstanding frcm the trackway (10) to be behind the last of the articles (50) thereon and that of the second run being connected to spring means (19) which biasses the conveyor means (16) to tend to move to bring the follower means (13) toward the dispensing station (A). 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the follower means comprises a plate (13) having extending frcm one edge thereof a formation (12) which engages in a complimentary groove (11) in the trackway (10) thereby to guide the follower means (13) in its movement toward and away frcm the dispensing station (A) . 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that the second run is substantially parallel with the first run and its distal end is connected to a pair of variable force coil springs (19) disposed on the opposite side of the trackway (10) to the follcwer means (13) with the axes of the coils generally perpendicular to the trackway (10). 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the connection of the distal end of the second run of the conveyor means (16) to the coil springs (19) is via a connector element (17) having a tab (36) whereby it may be grasped and moved toward the dispensing station (A) to tension the coil springs (19), the connector element (17) moving in guide means (21) therefor below the trackway (10) which, in the region of the dispensing station (A), has a latch formation (55) which will retain the connector element (17) in a cocked condition while articles (50) are loaded onto the trackway (10), thereafter the connector element (17) being releasable frcm the latch means (55) so that articles on the trackway are biassed toward the dispensing station (A) by the conveyor means (16). 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the latch formation is constituted by an end (55) of the guide means (21) nearest the dispensing station (A), the disposition of the guide means (21) relative to the roller means (14) being such that the latter deflects the connector element (17) over said end of the guide means (21) as the connector element (17) reaches the roller means (14). 8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the precedi g claims, characterised in that there is provided at the dispensing station (A) ramp means (22) adapted to deflect said leading article (51) out of alignment with the remaining articles (50) as it approaches the stop means (20,34), thereby to improve the accessibility of said leading article (51) and to break any adhesion of said leading article (51) to said next article (52). 9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the conveyor means (16) has markings along its length which are revealed as said articles are removed at the dispensing station (A), the markings providing a visual indication at the dispensing station of the number of articles remaining on the trackway (10). 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the markings comprise numbers which have a spacing along the conveyor means (16) generally equal to the thickness of the individual articles, whereby a number visible at the dispensing station (A) indicates the number of articles remaining on the trackway (10). 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, characterised in that the markings comprise a marking (27) which diverges across the conveyor means (16) away from the dispensing station (A) such that the width of the marking (27) where exposed at the dispensing station (A) indicates how much of the first run of the conveyor means (16) remains extending frcm the dispensing station (A) . 12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9-11 as appendant to claim 8, characterised in that there is associated with the ramp means (22) a mirrored surface (54) at an obtuse angle to the upper run of the conveyor (16) disposed so that the marking exposed when a leading article (51) is lifted frcm the conveyor (16) by the ramp means (22) can be viewed frcm a position at or below the level of the trackway (10). 13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the trackway (10) is contained in an elongated cassette (28) of transparent material, the stop means (34) being constituted by the end wall of the cassette (28) at the end region of the cassette which provides the dispensing station (A) and the cassette (28) having a lateral slot (35) at said end region through which said leading article is accessible. 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 as appendant to claim 8, or any of claims 9-12 as appendant to claim 8, characterised in that the ramp means (22) is arranged in the cassette (28) opposite to said slot (35) such that as an article (51) approaches the dispensing station (A) it is projected out of the slot (35) to be partially exposed from the cassette (28). 15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-12, characterised in that the trackway (10) lies between sidewall means (23,24) which terminate in the region of the dispensing station (A) in latch elements (20) constituting said stop means. 16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a second conveyor means (16A) is provided parallel and moving jointly with said firstmentioned conveyor means (16) but spaced therefrcm on the upstream side of the dispensing station (A), the second conveyor means (16A) having openings (37) spaced along its length for the location therein of respective articles which will rest upon the firstmentioned conveyor means (16).

Inventors: HUCKNALL HAYDON SQUIRES, HUCKNALL, HAYDON, SQUIRES
Applicants: ATL ASSOCIATES LTD, HUCKNALL HAYDON SQUIRES, ATL ASSOCIATES LIMITED, HUCKNALL, HAYDON, SQUIRES
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G07F11
IPC codes: G07F11