Abstract:
An automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus which can dispense a relatively large and heavy flat articles without damaging the articles and without increasing the size of the apparatus and significantly increasing the energy consumption. The apparatus for dispensing a flat article, has a table which supports stacked flat articles and suction ports disposed over the table and facing the flat articles. A suction device provides suctions to hold the top flat article of the stacked flat articles by sucking air through the suction ports. A conveyance device conveys the flat article sucked via the suction port in a lateral direction with respect to the direction of the stack. The suction ports are a first suction port and a second suction port which are disposed in the lateral direction.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japan Patent Application JP 2005-000331 filed Jan. 5, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus which automatically sends out flat articles one by one. Specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic dispensing apparatus which issues, one by one, relatively large and heavy flat articles such as cases storing compact disks (CD) or digital video disks (DVD) or other discs or media or cards.  
         [0003]     Flat article(s) used in the present specification includes a flat case encapsulating a disk which is a product, a flat article which is a product itself, and an article in which a flat article is covered by a film to which the flat article is attached.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The applicant of the present application has proposed a technology disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,867 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-118137 in order to dispense stacked flat articles having cards therein respectively, without causing any damage thereon.  
         [0005]     This technology is such that, after the top flat article of stacked flat articles is suctioned by a suction device, the flat article is conveyed by a conveyance device which is in contact with the flat article by suction. This apparatus sends the held or suctioned top flat article by means of the conveyance device. The apparatus can, for example dispense a CD case, which has a CD therein and wrapped with a thin film, without damaging the CD case. However, in the embodiments disclosed in above patent specifications, since there is only a suction port of a fan, which is the suction device, when dispensing relatively heavy flat article such as a CD cases, the CD case which is suctioned by the suction port is moved in a lateral direction by the conveyance device, thus a part of the suction port is hidden by the flat particle.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, the amount of air suctioned from an uncovered part of the opening increases at once, and the suction force to the flat article decreases drastically, whereby the flat article falls off the suction device, thus the flat article may not be transferred to the conveyance device in the next cycle. Moreover, when the flat article is transferred to the conveyance device in the next cycle, only a leading end portion of the flat article is held by the conveyance device, and other portions fall off the suction port, thus the wrapping film may be damaged by scraping against a peripheral wall.  
         [0007]     Further, reinforcement of the suction device can be considered so that a flat article does not fall off the suction device. However, such causes an increase in the size of the apparatus and the consumption energy, thus this technology cannot be employed readily.  
         [0008]     Furthermore, even when the conveyance device receives only a part of the flat article in the next cycle, the conveyance device may be able to convey without causing the flat article to incline, but this causes an increase in the size of the apparatus and the cost, and thus cannot be employed readily.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     A first object of the present invention is to provide an automatic dispensing apparatus which can dispense a relatively large and heavy flat article without damaging it.  
         [0010]     A second object of the present invention is to provide an automatic dispensing apparatus which can dispense a relatively large and heavy flat article, without increasing the size of the apparatus and significantly increasing the consumption energy.  
         [0011]     In order to achieve these objects, the present invention provides an automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus, comprising: a table or platform which supports stacked flat articles; a suction port which is disposed over the table and faces the flat articles; and a suction device which suctions and sticks the top flat article of the stacked flat articles to the suction device by sucking air through the suction port. A conveyance device is provided which conveys the flat article sucked via the suction port in a lateral direction with respect to the direction of the stack. The suction port has at least a first suction port and a second suction port which are disposed in the lateral direction.  
         [0012]     With the configuration of the first suction port and the second suction port disposed in the lateral direction, the flat article is suctioned by suction airflow which is drawn into at least the first suction port and second suction port created in the suction device. In other words, the flat article is suctioned by at least the first suction port and second suction port which are arranged in a conveyance direction of the flat article. In this suction state, the flat article is moved by the conveyance device in the lateral direction with respect to the direction of the stack. By moving the flat article in the lateral direction, the first suction port which is covered by the flat article is no longer covered by the flat article gradually. Therefore, the suction force of the first suction port to the flat article, where a part of the first suction part is not covered, drastically decreases. However, the second suction port is covered by the flat article entirely, and thus has a large suction force. The flat article is conveyed by the conveyance device in the lateral direction while being suctioned by the second suction port.  
         [0013]     The flat article is then sent to the next cycle. While being sent to the next cycle, the flat article is suctioned by at least the second suction port, thus the flat article can be transferred to the next cycle securely. Moreover, with the simple structure having at least the first suction port and the second suction port, the suction device does not have to be increased in its size. In addition, since the suction device does not have to be powerful, the suction device can be realized without significantly increasing the consumption energy and the cost.  
         [0014]     According to another aspect off the invention an equalizer box may be provided with a predetermined thickness, which is sectioned by a partition wall in the lateral direction. This comprises a first chamber and second chamber. An end face of the first chamber forms the first suction port, and an end face of the second chamber forms the second suction port. A suction airflow generation device is attached to an opening opposite to the suction ports of the first chamber and the second chamber. According to this configuration, the suction airflow generation device suctions air from the first suction port and the second suction port, which are sectioned by the partition wall, via the first chamber and the second chamber. During operation, in the first chamber and the second chamber corresponding to the first suction port and the second suction port, suction negative pressure is equalized, whereby substantially equalized negative pressure is generated through out the entire surfaces of the suction ports. Therefore, the flat article is suctioned by a suction force which is substantially equalized throughout the entire surfaces of the suction ports.  
         [0015]     When the flat article is moved by the conveyance device in the lateral direction, the flat article is removed from the first suction port first, and the suction force of the first suction port no longer acts in effect. However, since the flat article covers the entire region of the second suction port, the flat article is conveyed by the conveyance device to the next cycle, while being suctioned by the large suction force of the second suction port.  
         [0016]     Therefore, with the simple structure of the equalizer box which is sectioned in the lateral direction, at least the first suction port and the second suction port can be formed, thus the suction airflow generation device can be configured at low cost without increasing its size.  
         [0017]     According to a another aspect off the invention the automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus may be provided with the suction airflow generation device as an axial-flow fan which is rotated by an electric motor. In this configuration, since the suction airflow generation device is an axial-flow fan which is rotated by an electric motor, there are advantages that the suction airflow generation device is not increased in its size and is inexpensive.  
         [0018]     The present invention is an automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus, comprising: a table which supports stacked flat articles; a suction port which is disposed over the table and faces the flat articles; a suction device which suctions the top flat article of the stacked flat articles by sucking air through the suction port; and a conveyance device which conveys the flat article sucked by the suction port in a lateral direction with respect to the direction of the stack, wherein an equalizer box with a predetermined thickness has a first chamber and second chamber which are sectioned by a partition wall in the lateral direction, an end face of the first chamber being the first suction port, an end face of the second chamber being the second chamber, and a suction airflow generation device is attached to an opening opposite to the suction ports of the first chamber and the second chamber.  
         [0019]     The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     In the drawings:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view which is viewed from upper left of an automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view which is viewed from upper right in a state in which a supplementary door, of the automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , is opened;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view which is viewed from an upper left portion in a state in which a left and upper part covers, of the automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , are removed;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C-C of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a left side view showing a state in which a left cover, of the automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , is removed;  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is an explanatory diagram of an action of the automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a control device of the automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of the action of the automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart of the action of the automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 12  is an explanatory diagram of the automatic flat-article dispensing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]     Referring to the drawings in particular, an automatic dispensing apparatus  102  is provided for dispensing a flat article  100 , for example, a CD case. The automatic dispensing apparatus  102 , has a dispensing portion  104  and a storage portion  106 . The storage portion  106  is fixed to left and right side frames  112 ,  114  and a rear frame  116  which configure the dispensing portion  104 , and a dispensing portion frame  120  is configured by a top plate  118 . The dispensing portion frame  120  is detachably attached to right and left holding portion side frames  124 ,  126  provided in a base frame  122 , and to a holding portion rear frame  128 . In the case of a break down based on the configuration units of the dispensing portion  104 , it can be fixed by replacing it with a new dispensing portion  104 .  
         [0034]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the dispensing portion  104  has a suction device  130 , lateral direction conveyance device  132 , and a dispensing device  135 . The suction device  130  is explained first.  
         [0035]     The suction device  130  has a function of suctioning the flat article  100  by means of suction airflow. The suction device  130  has a cylindrical equalizer box  134  and a suction airflow generation device  136 . The equalizer box  134  is in a form of a cylinder such that a hollow portion thereof extends in a vertical direction, and is integrally resin-molded with a base  138 , which is attached substantially horizontally between the left side frame  112  and right side frame  114 . However, the equalizer box  134  can be constructed separately from the base  138  and fixed to the base  138 . The equalizer box  134  has a suction port  141 , a lower end face of which is formed into a rectangle.  
         [0036]     The suction port  141  is divided into a first suction port  144  and a second suction port  146  by a thin conveyance direction partition wall  142  which intersects with a conveyance direction D of the lateral direction conveyance device  132  and extends in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction D. The equalizer box  134  has a predetermined thickness, a first chamber  148  having the first suction port  144  on an end face thereof, and a second chamber  150  having the second suction port  146  on an end face thereof. The first chamber  148  and the second chamber  150  have a predetermined capacity which is determined by an opening area of each of the chambers and the thickness of the equalizer box  134 . When the first chamber  148  and the second chamber  150  have a predetermined capacity, even when the suction force of the suction airflow generation device  136  fluctuates as time progresses, there is an advantage that the capacity can function as a cushion, whereby the flat article  100  can be prevented from being caused to fall by drastic decrease of the suction force.  
         [0037]     The dispensing device  135  is attached to the dispensing portion frames  112 ,  114 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the conveyance direction partition wall  142  is reinforced by a thin partition wall  149  which extends in the conveyance direction at the center of the conveyance direction partition wall  142 . The suction airflow generation device  136  generates airflow for suctioning from the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  150 . The suction airflow generation device  136  has an axial-flow fan  152  which is rotated by a first electric motor  151  rotating around a substantially perpendicular axis of rotation. The axial-flow fan  152  is disposed inside a circular hole  156  of a casing  154 , and is fixed to an output axis of the first motor  151 , the output axis being fixed to a stay  158  on an upper surface of the casing  154 . The axial-flow fan  152  is fixed to an upper surface of the equalizer box  134 . In other words, the suction airflow generation device  136  is attached opposite an opening of the equalizer box  134  positioned opposite to the first suction port  144  which is the end face of the first chamber  148  and to the second suction port  146  which is the end face of the second chamber  150 . The suction airflow generation device  136  suctions air from the suction ports  144  and  146 . As the axial-flow fan  152  rotates, the air is introduced from the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  146  into the equalizer box  134 , and airflow going upward is generated. The suction airflow generation device  136  can employ a system for generating suction airflow by means of an ejector effect. Moreover, the suction airflow generation device  136  may cause the axial-flow fan  152  to rotate by means of an air motor.  
         [0038]     The lateral direction conveyance device  132  has the function of conveying the flat article  100 , which is suctioned by the suction device  130 , in a lateral direction. The lateral direction conveyance device  132  then sends the flat article  100  to the next cycle. The lateral direction conveyance device  132  is disposed inside the equalizer box  134 . A circumferential surface of the lateral direction conveyance device  132  slightly protrudes downward from the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  146  in order to convey the flat article  100 , which is suctioned by the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  146 , to the dispensing device  135  which is in the next cycle. In the embodiment shown, the lateral direction conveyance device  132  has a first roller device  160  disposed inside the first chamber  148  and a second roller device  162  disposed inside the second chamber  150 . The first roller device  160  is configured by two rollers  174  which are fixed, at a predetermined interval, to rotating axes  172  which are horizontally attached to a side wall  170  of the equalizer box  134  in a rotatable fashion. The second roller device  162  has the same configuration as the first roller device  160 . Therefore, lower portions of the roller  174  slightly protrude from a lower end of the equalizer box  134 . For this reason, when the flat article  100  is suctioned by the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  146 , air is suctioned from a small space between the lower end of the equalizer box  134  and the flat article  100 . Accordingly, the first electric motor  151  is prevented from overheating, frictional contact between the article  100  and the lower end of the equalizer box  134  is avoided, and conveyance resistance of the flat article  100  is minimized. However, when the interval of time for conveying the flat article  100  is long, the lower end of the equalizer box  134  may be caused to contact with the flat article  100 . Circumferential surfaces of the rollers  174  are covered with a rubber in order to minimize slippage with the flat article  100 . The lateral direction conveyance device  132  can use a belt instead of the rollers to move the flat article in the direction of the dispensing device  135 .  
         [0039]     The dispensing device  135  disposed laterally in the equalizer box  134  is explained next. The dispensing device  135  conveys the flat article  100 , which is sent from the lateral direction conveyance device  132 , to a dispensing port  178 . In the embodiment, the dispensing device  135  has a first nip and conveyance device  182  and a second nip and conveyance device  184  which are disposed along a dispensing path  186 . The first nip and conveyance device  182  and the second nip and conveyance device  184  have the same configuration, thus the first nip and conveyance device  182  is mainly described. The first nip and conveyance device  182  has an upper roller device  188  disposed on an upper side of the dispensing path  186  of the flat article  100 , and a lower roller  190  disposed on a lower side of same. The upper roller device  188  has a shaft  192  which is rotatably supported by the base  138 , and rollers  194  which are fixed to the shaft  192  at a predetermined interval. Lower portions of these rollers  194  protrude from an opening  198  provided in the base  138  to the dispensing path  186 . Lower surfaces of the rollers  194  are installed so as to be located on the same horizontal line as the lower surfaces of the rollers  174  of the first roller device  160  and the second roller device  162  of the lateral direction conveyance device  132 . The lower roller device  190  is attached to a support plate  200  which is disposed parallel with the base  13  at a predetermined interval in a lower part of the base  138 . The lower roller device  190  can be rotated with respect to the support plate  200 , and has a shaft  202  which is movable so as to separate from the dispensing path  186 , and a roller  204  which is fixed to the shaft  202  at a predetermined interval. The rollers  204  are disposed opposite to the rollers  194  respectively. The second nip and conveyance device  184  also has the same configuration. The lower roller device  190  is elastically biased so as to protrude to the dispensing path  186 , and nips the flat article  100  with the upper roller device  188  by means of predetermined force.  
         [0040]     A shutter  206  is attached to the side frames  112 ,  114  in an end portion of the dispensing path  186  in a pivotally operable fashion. The shutter  206  is regulated by a stopper (not shown) so as not to pivotally operate counterclockwise further than a state shown in  FIG. 3 , and is pivotally operable clockwise by being pressed by the flat article  100 .  
         [0041]     A driving device  210  of the lateral direction conveyance device  132  and the dispensing device  135  is described next with reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 7 . Synchronous pulleys  212 ,  214 ,  216 , and  218  with the same diameter are fixed respectively to left end portions at the rotating axes  172  of the first roller device  160  and the second roller device  162 , as well as the shafts  202  of the first nip and conveyance device  182  and the second nip and conveyance device  184 , the left end portions protruding from the wide wall  170 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a speed reducer  220  is fixed to the base  138 , and a pulley  224  having the same diameter as the above pulleys is fixed to an output axis  222  of the speed reducer  220 . The speed reducer  220  is rotated by a second electric motor  226  fixed thereto. The pulleys  224 ,  214 , and  216  are wound by a toothed belt  228 . The belt  228  is provided with predetermined tension by a tensioner  230 . The pulleys  212  and  214  are wound by a tooted belt  232  and are provided with predetermined tension by a tensioner  234 . The pulleys  216  and  218  are wound by a tooted belt  236  and are provided with predetermined tension by a tensioner  238 . Therefore, the pulley  224  is rotated counterclockwise in  FIG. 7  by rotation of the second motor  226  in a predetermined direction, whereby the pulleys  212 ,  214 ,  216 , and  218 , that is, the rollers  174 ,  204  are rotated in the same direction. Accordingly, the flat article  100  which is in contact with each of the rollers  174  or  204  is conveyed toward the dispensing port  178 .  
         [0042]     A detection sensor  250  of the flat article  100  is attached to the partition wall  142 , and a lower end of a contact  252  of the detection sensor is positioned lower than a lower surface of the roller  174 . Therefore, when the flat article  100  approaches a predetermined distance, the detection sensor  250  is pressed by the contact  252  and thereby outputs a detection signal.  
         [0043]     The storage portion  106  of the flat article  100  is described next. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the storage portion  106  has a storage chamber  260  which extends in a vertical direction, a table  262  which moves the flat article  100 , and a moving device  264  of the table  262 . The storage chamber  260  is a rectangular cylinder-shaped space surrounded by the holding portion side frames  124 ,  126 , and  128 , and extending vertically in a lower part of the suction device  130 . A lower end portion of a door  266  is attached to the base frame  122  in a rotatable fashion, an upper end portion of same is rotatably attached to a stay  268  fixed to the side frame  124 , and is locked to the side frame  126  by a lock device  270  in a position in which the storage chamber  260  is closed. The door  266  is opened and the flat article  100  stacked on the table  262 . The table  262  is in a form of a rectangular plate, and is movable so as to approach or separate from the equalizer box  134  in a lower part of the equalizer box  134  inside the storage chamber  260 . Specifically, the table  262  is movable so as to approach or separate from the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  146  which are positioned in a vertical direction of the table  262 . In order to move smoothly, the table  262  is guided in an anteroposterior direction by guide rollers  274  which are attached so as to have a guide column  272  therebetween, the guide column  272  extending substantially vertically to surfaces in the side frames  124  and  126 , and is guided in a longitudinal section by guide rollers  276  which are attached to both sides of the table  262  The table  262  has the function of moving the flat article  100 . Other mechanisms can be employed as long as the table  262  has this function.  
         [0044]     The moving device  264  is described next with reference to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 7 . The moving device  264  has a driving device  280  and a transmitting device  282 . The driving device  280  has a speed reducer  284  which is disposed laterally in the suction device  130  and attached to the base  138 , a third electric motor  286  which is fixed to the speed reducer  284  and drives the speed reducer  284 , a driving gear  288  which is fixed to an output axis  287  of the speed reducer  284 , a fixed axis  290  which is fixed to the base  138 , an intermediate gear  292  which is attached rotatably to the fixed axis  290  and engages with the driving gear  288 , a fixed axis  294  which is fixed to the base  138 , an intermediate gear  296  which is rotatably attached to the fixed axis  294 , and a rotating axis  302  both end portions of which protrude from the side frames  124  and  126 , respective end portions of which are fixed with a pinion gear  298 ,  300 , and which has a driven gear  304  engaging with the intermediate gear  296 . The driving device  280  has a function of causing the table  262  to approach or separate from the suction device  130  via the transmitting device  282 . Therefore, other mechanisms can be employed as long as the driving device  280  has this function.  
         [0045]     The transmitting device  282  is described next with reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 . The transmitting device  282  with the same configuration is disposed laterally in each of the side frames  124  and  126 , and the transmitting device  282  on the left side is mainly described. A stay  310  which protrudes laterally from the table  262  is attached with a lower end of a flexible rack  312  by a pin  314  in a pivotable fashion. The rack  312  is molded with a flexible resin and thus has flexibility. An intermediate portion of the rack  312  engages with the pinion gear  298 . The rack  312  is pressed, at the back thereof, by a pinch roller  320  which is rotatably supported by a fixed axis  318  protruding from the side frames  124  and  126  respectively, whereby engagement with the pinion gear  298  is supported. A leading end portion of the rack  312  is inserted into a pipe  322  in a form of an inverted character J, which is fixed to side faces of the side frames  124  and  126 , and is then returned to the base frame  122  side. By disposing the transmitting device  282  to have a shape of J or U by means of the flexible rack  312 , a compact configuration of the transmitting device  282  can be created; which is suitable for miniaturazion. Guide rails  324 , cross sections of which form an angle, and which are disposed at front and rear sides of the rack  312 , is fixed to the side frames  124  and  126  at a predetermined interval. When the rack  312  is bent by at least a predetermined amount and contact with the guide rails  324 , the rack  312  is prevented from being blocked by the guide rails  324  and further bent, in order to prevent buckling of the rack  312 . The moving device  264  in the embodiment is a lifting device  326  since it moves the table  262  up and down. The moving device  264  may have the function of changing the distance between the suction device  130  and the flat article  100  to a predetermined distance. Therefore, the moving device  264  may fix the table  262  to move the dispensing portion  104 . However, when moving the dispensing portion  104 , the position of the dispensing port  178  is changed, thus it is preferred that the table  262  be moved. Moreover, the driving device  280  and the transmitting device  282  can be integrated. For example, the moving device  264  may be configured by laterally providing a linear motor or magnet plate in the base  138  and connecting the table to a coil plate.  
         [0046]     The above-described detection sensor  250  is described next with reference to FIG.  3  and  FIG. 6 . Two of the detection sensors  250  are fixed to the base  138  at a predetermined interval, the base  138  being disposed horizontally. The contact  252  of the detection sensor  250  is disposed in a space in an upper portion of the storage chamber  260 , and a lower end of the contact  252  is positioned lower than a lower end of the roller  174 . When the contact  252  is slightly lifted up by the flat article  100 , the detection sensor  250  outputs an ON signal. At this moment, when the two detection sensors  250  are switched ON, the positions of the contacts  252  are determined such that the ON signal is output eventually. Specifically, it is detected that the top flat article  100  contacts the both rollers  174  and is suctioned completely. Further, the detection sensor  250  is attached so as to be able to adjust the position thereof in a vertical direction in  FIG. 3 . The detection sensor  250  can use a sensor of other type such as a photoelectric sensor. However, by using a mechanical sensor where the contact  252  is used as in the embodiment, maintenance such as periodical cleaning does not need to be performed, thus a further inexpensive sensor can be achieved.  
         [0047]     A fall prevention device  330  for preventing the table  262  from falling is described next with reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 7 . The fall prevention device  330  has a function of preventing the table  262  from falling rapidly by the weight of the flat article  100 , when the transmitting device  282  is released from the driving device  280 . This function is provided in order to prevent the flat article  100  from being damaged or the like by the rapid fall of the table. It is preferred that the fall prevention device  330  uses a unidirectional torque limiter  332 . The unidirectional torque limiter  332  has the function of having predetermined rotational resistance when an input axis receives a torque in a predetermined direction, and having almost no rotary resistance when the input axis receives a torque in an opposite direction. Therefore, when the table  262  is lifted down in order to resupply the flat article  100 , predetermined rotational resistance is received from the torque limiter  332 , whereby the table  262  does not fall suddenly. Further, when the table  262  is lifted up by means of the driving device  280  and the transmitting device  282 , drive resistance is not generated, whereby the drive energy is reduced.  
         [0048]     The unidirectional torque limiter  332  is provided in a fixed axis  334  protruding from the left side frame  112 , in a pivotally operational fashion. A gear  338  is fixed to an input axis  336  of the torque limiter  332 , and when the torque limiter  332  is pivotally operated counterclockwise in  FIG. 7 , the gear  338  engages with the driven gear  304 . During the operation of the automatic dispensing apparatus  102 , the pin  344 , which is fixed to the side face of the limiter  332 , is held in a standby position SB so that the gear  338  is not caused to engage with the gear  304  by a stopper portion  342  of a control lever  340  which is slidably supported in a vertical direction by the side frame  112 . A notch  343  (see  FIG. 8 ) is formed in an intermediate portion of the control lever  340  so as to be adjacent to the stopper portion  342 . The notch  343  has a function of stopping rotation of the pin  344 , and stopping rotation of the torque limiter  332  in a state in which the gear  338  engages with the driven gear  304 . The unidirectional torque limiter  332  is preferably the one disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 3592948.  
         [0049]     The position of the control lever  340  is switched between the standby position SB and an actuated position AP by a release mechanism  346 . The release mechanism  346  of the lifting device  326  is described next with reference to  FIGS. 2, 3 , and  7 . The release mechanism  346  has a release lever  348 , a link lever  350 , and a speed reducer frame  352 . The release lever  348  is attached to a fixed axis  354  protruding from the speed reducer frame  352 , in a pivotally operable fashion. The lever  350  is attached to a fixed axis  356  protruding from the side frame  112 , in a pivotally operable fashion. The lever  350  is designed such that one end thereof is lifted up by the release lever  348 . The other end of the lever  350  is link-coupled to the control lever  340  to move the control lever  340  in a vertical direction. The control lever  340  is guided by a guide, which is not shown, so as to move in a straight line in a vertical direction. A protrusion  358  and a locking concave portion  360  are formed in a lower portion of one end of the release lever  348 , the protrusions  358  and the locking concave portion  360  being able to engage with a pin  362  which protrudes from the side frame  112 . The speed reducer frame  352  is attached to a fixed axis  364  protruding from the side frame  112 , in a pivotally operable fashion. It should be noted that the release lever  348  is biased by a spring (not shown) counterclockwise in  FIG. 7 . Therefore, by pressing a pressed piece  366  of the release lever  348 , the release lever  348  is caused to pivotally operate clockwise in  FIG. 7 , whereby the concave portion  360  is removed from the pin  362 . Accordingly, the speed reducer frame  352  can be caused to pivotally operate clockwise around the fixed axis  364 , whereby the driving gear  288  can be removed from the intermediate gear  292 . When the speed reducer frame  352  rotates by a predetermined amount, the protrusion  358  is stopped by the pin  362 , and the rotation of the speed reducer frame  352  is stopped. Therefore, in this state, the table  262  can be lifted down while receiving braking force of the unidirectional torque limiter  332  via the transmitting device  282 .  
         [0050]     A dispense detection sensor  370  is described next with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The dispense detection sensor  370  has a function of detecting that a rear end of the flat article  100  passes the first nip and conveyance device  182 . On the basis of a passage detection signal of the dispense detection sensor  370 , the functions of the lateral direction conveyance device  132  and the dispensing device  135  are stopped. In other words, the second electric motor  226  is stopped. The dispense detection sensor  370  is fixed to an upper surface of the base  138 , and a contact  372  of the dispense detection sensor is disposed between the rollers  194  and is lifted up by the flat article  100  passing the dispensing path  186 , whereby an ON signal is output. When the flat article  100  passes, the contact  372  protrudes to the dispensing path  186 , and an OFF signal is output. When the rear end of the flat article  100  passes the contact  372 , the leading end of the flat article  100  protrudes from the dispensing port  178 , and is then pulled, whereby the flat article  100  can be received.  
         [0051]     A flat article position control device  380  is described next with reference to  FIG. 9  through  FIG. 11 . In the present embodiment, the flat article position control device  380  is configured by a software, thus the control device is described with reference to  FIG. 9  first. A main control circuit  382  is, for example, a microprocessor in which predetermined processing is carried out while a CPU  386  exchange data with a RAM  388  on the basis of a program stored in a ROM  384 .  
         [0052]     Specifically, actuation of each of the first electric motor  151 , the second electric motor  226 , and the third electric motor  286  is controlled on the basis of a dispense instruction signal P, an upper position signal U of the detection sensor  250 , and a dispensing signal F of the dispense detection sensor  370 . Actuation of the flat article position control device  380  is described next with reference to the flowcharts shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . At the time of activation, the pin  362  is engaged with the concave portion  360 , and the driving gear  288  is engaged with the intermediate gear  292 . Therefore, the control lever  340  is raised, and the gear  338  of the input axis  336  of the torque limiter  332  is removed from the driven gear  304  by the stopper portion  342 . In Step S 1 , the dispense instruction signal P of the control device in an automatic vending machine is discriminated. When the dispense instruction signal P is present, the process proceeds to Step S 2 , in which the third electric motor  286  of the moving device  264  is rotated reversely. By the rotation of the motor  286 , the pinion gear  298  is rotated clockwise in  FIG. 7  via the speed reducer  284 , the intermediate gears  292 ,  296 , and  304 , and the rotating axis  302 . Accordingly, the rack  312  is moved downward, thus the table  262  and the flat article  100  on the table  262  move downward. By this downward movement, the contact  252 , which is pushed up by the flat article  100 , moves downward, and the detection sensor  250  outputs an OFF signal.  
         [0053]     When the OFF signal is discriminated in Step S 3 , the process proceeds to Step S 4 , in which the motor  286  is rotated normally after being stopped. By this normal rotation, the pinion gear  298  is rotated counterclockwise in  FIG. 7 , thus the rack  312  move upward, and, as a result, the table  262  moves upward. By this upward movement of the table  262 , the flat article  100  is lifted up and pushes up the contact  252 , whereby the detection sensor  250  is switched ON and outputs the upper position signal U. When the upper position signal U is judged in Step S 5 , the process proceeds to Step S 6 , in which the third motor  286  is stopped. Accordingly, the table  262 , and thus the top flat article  100  are positioned slightly below a lower surfaces of the rollers  174  which are located immediately below at least the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  146 . In other words, the table  262  and the flat article  100  are positioned in a place which is opposite the entire surfaces of the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  146  and in which the top flat article  100  is definitely suctioned by the suction airflow. In Step S 7 , the first electric motor  151  of the suction airflow generation device  136  is rotated. By the rotation of the electric motor  151 , the fan  152  is rotated, and the suction airflow for suctioning from the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  146  is generated. The top flat article  100  is suctioned by this suction airflow and is suctioned by the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  146 . In other words, the top flat article  100  comes into contact with the lower surfaces of the first roller device  160  and the second roller device  162 . In this state, since a space is present between the upper surface of the flat article  100  and the first suction port  144  and second suction port  146 , the air is suctioned from the space, whereby predetermined suction force to the flat article  100  is maintained, and the airflow is caused to act on the first motor  151  and is then cooled off.  
         [0054]     After time enough has passed for suctioning to be measured in Step S 8 , the process proceeds to Step S 9 . In Step S 9  the third motor  286  is caused to rotate in a reverse manner. By the reverse rotation of the third motor  286 , the pinion gear  298  is rotated clockwise in  FIG. 7  via the speed reducer  284 , the driving gear  288 , the intermediate gears  292 ,  296 , and  304 , and the rotating axis  302 . Accordingly, the rack  312  is moved downward, and the table  262  and other flat article  100 , besides the flat article  100  which is on the table  262  and suctioned by and attached to the suction port  141 , fall at low speed. By this downward movement, the flat article  100  which is suctioned by and attached to the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  146  is separated from the top flat article  100  on the table  262  by a predetermined distance. Moreover, since the table  262  moves at low speed, adhesion force by the negative pressure is not generated between the table  262  and the suctioned flat article  100 . Therefore, the suctioned flat article  100  and the other flat article  100  adhered underneath move downward along with the falling table  262 , and only the suctioned flat article  100  is continuously suctioned by the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  146 . The predetermined distance described above is a distance in which the top flat article  100  on the table  262  is not suctioned after the flat article  100  suctioned by the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  146  is sent out. After time enough for this distant space is measured in Step S 10 , the rotation of the third motor  286  is stopped in Step S 11 . Accordingly, the gap space between the suctioned flat article  100  and the top flat article  100  on the table  262  is maintained.  
         [0055]     Next, in Step S 12 , the second electric motor  226  of the lateral direction conveyance device  132  is rotated. By the rotation of the second electric motor  226 , the rollers  174  of the lateral conveyance device  132  are rotated counterclockwise via the belt  228 , the pulley  214 , and the rotating axes  172 , and the rollers  194  of the dispensing device  135  are rotated counterclockwise in  FIG. 7  via the belt  288  and the pulley  216 . The suctioned flat article  100  moved in a lateral direction to the left in  FIG. 3  by frictionally contacting with the rollers  174 , and is sent toward the dispensing device  135 . The sent flat article  100  is nipped between the upper roller device  188  and the lower roller device  190  of the first nip and conveyance device  182  of the dispensing device  135 , moved in the same direction, further nipped between the rollers of the second nip and conveyance device  184 , and conveyed to the dispensing port  178 . In this process, a relative area of the flat article  100  with respect to first suction port  144  becomes small gradually. In other words, an opening area of the first suction port  144  gradually increases, and the suction force to the flat article  100  decreases drastically. However, the entire surface of the second suction port  146  is placed opposite the flat article  100 , thus the flat article  100  is continuously suctioned by the second suction port  146 . Therefore, the flat article  100  is conveyed in a lateral direction while keeping its horizontal position. Then, when the leading end of the flat article  100  reaches immediately before the second nip and conveyance device  184 , the rear portion of the flat article  100  starts to be removed from the second suction port  146 , and the suction force to the flat article  100  decreases drastically. However, the leading end portion of the flat article  100  is regulated by the base  138  and the support plate  200 . Therefore, when the rear end portion of the flat article  100  falls off the second suction port  146 , the leading end portion of the flat article  100  is regulated by the base  138  and the support plate  200 , nipped between the upper roller device  188  and the lower roller device  190  of the first nip and conveyance device  182  so as to be held substantially horizontally, and continued to be conveyed in the lateral direction. The flat article  100  is then nipped in the second nip and conveyance device  184 , and is further conveyed in the lateral direction. Therefore, the leading end portion of the flat article  100  causes the shutter  206  to rotated clockwise, and protrudes from the dispensing port  178 . The flat article  100  pushes the contact  372  up when passing the first nip and conveyance device  182 , thus the dispense detection sensor  370  outputs the ON signal. When the rear end of the flat article  100  passes the fist nip and conveyance device  182 , the contact  372  moves downward, and the dispenses detection sensor  370  outputs the OFF signal. When the OFF signal is discriminated in Step S 13 , the process proceeds to Step S 14 .  
         [0056]     In Step S 14  the first electric motor  151  and the second electric motor  262  are stopped. Specifically, the suction airflow generation device  136  is stopped, ad the suction function of the suction device  130  is stopped. Moreover, the lateral direction conveyance device  132  and the dispensing device  135  are stopped.  
         [0057]     Next, in Step S 15 , it is discriminated whether the detection sensor  250  is an OFF signal or not. Specifically, it is judged whether the top flat article  100  pushes up the contact  252 . If the detection sensor  250  outputs the upper position signal U, the process proceeds to Step S 16 , in which the third motor  286  is operated reversely. Accordingly, the table  262  is moved down via the rack  312  similarly. Specifically, after the top flat article  100  is dispensed, in the case in which the next top flat article  100  pushes up the contact  252 , there is a risk that this top flat article  100  is suctioned by the inertial operation of the suction device  130 , and conveyed to the dispensing port  178  by the inertial operation of the lateral direction conveyance device  132 . By moving the table  262  down and thus the flat article  100 , the flat article  100  is prevented from being suctioned by the suction device  130  so that unnecessary dispensing is avoided.  
         [0058]     Next, in Step S 17 , the third electric motor  286  is operated normally, and the table  262  is raised. The process proceeds to the next step S 18 , in which when the upper position signal U, which is sent from the detection sensor  250  by the top flat article  100  pushing up the contact  252 , is discriminated, the process proceeds to Step S 19 . In Step S 19 , the third motor  286  is stopped, an optimal space of the top flat article  100  with respect to the first suction port  144  and the second suction port  146  is secured, and the output of the next dispensing signal is waited on.  
         [0059]     The operation performed when resupplying flat article  100  on the table  262  is described next. First of all, the lock device  270  is released, and the door  266  is opened as shown in  FIG. 2 . Next, the pressed piece  366  is pressed, and the release lever  348  is pivotally operated clockwise in  FIG. 7 . Accordingly, the concave portion  360  moves to an upper portion of the pin  362 , whereby the pin  362  can be pivotally operated clockwise in  FIG. 7 . The speed reducer frame  352  is pivotally operated clockwise (see  FIG. 8 ) until the protrusion  358  is blocked by the pin  362 . Accordingly, the driving gear  288  is removed from the gear  292 . At the same time, one end of the link lever  350  is pivotally operated counterclockwise in  FIG. 7  by an upper edge of the release lever  348 , and the control lever  340  is moved downward. Therefore, the notch  343  is placed opposite the pin  344  of the unidirectional torque limiter  332 . The torque limiter  332  receives a torque counterclockwise from the spring, and thus is pivotally operated counterclockwise around the fixed axis  334  as a supporting point, and the gear  338  engages with the driven gear  304 . Furthermore, the pin  344  is stopped by the notch  343 , and the torque limiter  332  maintains this state. In other words, the torque limiter  332  is held in the actuated position AP. Therefore, the torque limiter  332  is drive-coupled to the lifting device  326  (see  FIG. 8 ). Although the table  262  tries to fall by means of the weights of the stacked flat articles  100 , the table  262  receives the braking force by the resistance of the torque limiter  332 . In other words, the table  262  falls at predetermined low speed until the lower end thereof is stopped by the base frame  122 . Therefore, the flat article  100  does not fall suddenly, and defects such as damage to the flat article  100  are avoided. Thereafter, a new flat article  100  is placed on the table  262 , and the door  266  is closed and locked with the lock device  270 . Next, the speed reducer frame  352  is pressed and pivotally operated counterclockwise, and the driving gear  288  is engaged with the intermediate gear  292 . Accordingly, the release lever  348  is pivotally operated counterclockwise, and the concave portion  360  engages with the pin  362 . As a result, the link lever  350  is rotated clockwise in  FIG. 8  by a biasing device, whereby the control lever  340  is pulled upward, the pin  344  pressed by an inclined portion of the notch  343 , and the torque limiter  332  operated pivotally clockwise. Accordingly, the gear  338  is removed from the driven gear  304 , and the lifting device  326  is drive-coupled to the driving device  280  (see  FIG. 7 ).  
         [0060]     As is clear from the above explanation, Step S 2  through the Step S 11  explain the flat article position control device  380 . Specifically, the flat article position control device  380  has a function of separating the flat article  100  and the suction device  130  from each other, thereafter bringing the flat article  100  and the suction device  130  close to each other again so that the space between the flat article  100  and the suction device  130  becomes a predetermined space, thereafter suctioning the top flat article by means of the suction device  130 , and then, again, separating the flat article  100  from the suction device  130 . By configuring the flat article position control device  380  with a software, the components are not increased by a new component, thus the device can be created inexpensively.  
         [0061]     A second embodiment is described next with reference to  FIG. 12 . The embodiment of  FIG. 12  is an example in which two equalizer boxes  134 A and  134 B are provided, and suction airflow generation devices  136 A and  136 B are coupled thereto respectively. It should be noted that this then has three or more suction ports. However, since the production cost of such configuration is high, it is preferred that one suction device be created, and a plurality of suction ports be formed for an equalizer box, as in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0062]     While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.  
       APPENDIX  
     List of Elements  
       [0000]    
       
           100  flat article  
           130  suction device  
           132  conveyance device  
           134  equalizer box  
           136  suction airflow generation device  
           142  partition wall  
           141  suction port  
           144  first suction port  
           146  second suction port  
           148  first chamber  
           150  second chamber  
           151  first electric motor  
           152  axial-flow fan  
           262  table