Vending apparatus for dispensing hot-food trays

• US 5,579,952 A
• Filed: 05/03/1995
• Issued: 12/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Automeal, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Automeal, Inc.
• Inventors: Fiedler, Armin, Fiedler, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): NOLAND, KENNETH W
• Application Number:
  US08/434,373
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 221/150 H, 221/150 HC, 221/124, 221/127, 221/249, 221/247, 312/35, 99/357, 99/352, 219/214, 219/521, 219/522
• US Class Current: 221/150.00A
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0078 Food articles which need to be processed for dispensing in a hot or cooked condition, e.g. popcorn, nuts
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/105 Heating or cooling means, for temperature and humidity control, for the conditioning of articles and their storage dispensers for food articles requiring a processing by temperature treatment or conditioning before they are ready for dispensing G07F17/0064

Abstract

A vending apparatus for dispensing trays of hot food is provided with a vertical stack of the compartments for storing and heating the trays of food. Each compartment has a lower support-shelf, under which is an electrical, coil-resistance heater for keeping the food in the tray at a temperature of about 150 degrees F. Opening of the door of a compartment causes the opening of a micro-switch associated with the selected compartment, which opening causes power to be shut off to the solenoid of the compartment. Operatively associated with each compartment is a push-mechanism that causes the selected tray to be partially pushed out of its compartment when the associated door is manually opened. Each push-mechanism has a push-rod coupled through suitable linkage to the door, which push-rod contacts the rear surface of the selected tray for pushing it out as the door is opened. The door is only capable of being partially opened, such that it forms an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, so that the push-rod is not capable of accidentally pushing the tray completely out of the compartment and onto the floor. A self-closing mechanism automatically closes the opened door after the selected tray has been removed and the door released by the customer.

Claims

1. In an apparatus for dispensing food-trays, which apparatus comprises a main frame, and a plurality of tray-compartments in said main frame for storing a plurality of food-trays, each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprising side walls, a floor upon which rests a food-tray, and a ceiling, wherein the improvement comprises:

each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprising heating means mounted in said floor for heating the interior of the respective tray-compartment for maintaining the food in the food-tray stored in the respective tray-compartment at a hot temperature;

said plurality of tray-compartments being stacked vertically one above the other, and comprise a lowermost tray-compartment;

said heating means of said lowermost tray-compartment generating more heat than the heating means of the rest of said plurality of tray-compartments, whereby the temperature of the interior of said lowermost tray-compartment is maintained approximately at the same temperature as the interior of the other tray-compartments.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said floor of each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprise an upper shelf upon which rests a food-tray and a heat-sink layer positioned below said upper shelf;

said heating means being positioned below said heat-sink layer.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of tray-compartments are stacked vertically one above the other;

said floor of at least most of said plurality of tray-compartments mounting one said ceiling of the tray-compartment positioned directly, therebelow, said ceiling mounted directly to said floor and said upper heat-sink layer of said floor sandwiching therebetween said heating means operatively associated with said floor.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said upper heat-sink layer is made of metal, and said heating means comprising electrical resistance coils.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said Upper heat-sink layer is made of metal, and said heating means comprises electrical resistance coils;

each said ceiling of most of said plurality of tray-compartments being made of heat-conducting material, so that the heat in the interior of each tray-compartment will be conducted upwardly to the interior of the tray-compartment located directly thereabove.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprises a front, pivotally-mounted door, and means for preventing said door from being opened to a position that is substantially coplanar with said floor of said tray-compartment, whereby, in its fully-opened position, said door makes an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, in order to prevent a food-tray from falling out.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each said door comprises at least one forwardly-projecting handle section for use in opening the door;

said handle section comprising an upper surface and a lower surface;

said handle sections of all of said doors of said plurality of tray-compartments being mounted vertically above one another in vertical alignment;

said means for preventing said door from being opened to a position that is substantially coplanar with said floor of said tray-compartment being constituted by said upper and lower surfaces of said handle section, whereby when said door is opened to its maximum position, said lower surface thereof strikes against an upper surface of a handle section of the door positioned directly therebelow.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said means for preventing said door from being opened to a position that is substantially coplanar with said floor of said tray-compartment comprises a linkage operatively coupled to said door and actuated by the movement of said door, said linkage limiting the pivotal movement of said door to a maximum position.

11. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said linkage comprises at least one lever having a first end section pivotally connected to a portion of said door, and a second end section;

at least one said side wall of said tray-compartment having a slot formed therein with a forward end, said second end section of said at least one lever being slidable in said slot until striking against said forward end of said slot, whereby further opening of the door is prevented.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprises a front, pivotally-mounted door, locking means for locking said door in its closed position, and switch means for disabling all of said locking means of all of said tray-compartments in response to the respective said door with which it is associated being opened;

said switch means comprising a switch directly controlled by the movement of said door into its open position and into its completely closed position, whereby upon each said switch means being opened in response to the opening of the door with which it is associated, power to said locking means is terminated, whereby any door other than the one being opened is prevented from being opened.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each said door comprises a first and a second side wall surface projecting rearwardly and exteriorly of said side walls of said tray-compartment, said first side wall surface projecting exteriorly of one said side wall of said tray-compartment, and said second side wall surface projecting exteriorly of the other said side wall of said tray-compartment;

said locking means being directly operatively associated with at least one of said first and second side wall surfaces, and said switch means being directly operatively associated with at least one of said first and second side wall surfaces.

6. In an apparatus for dispensing food-trays, which apparatus comprises a main frame, and a plurality of tray-compartments in said main frame for storing a plurality of food-trays, each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprising side walls, a floor upon which rests a food-tray, and a ceiling, wherein the improvement comprises:

each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprising heating means mounted in said floor for heating the interior of the respective tray-compartment for maintaining the food in the food-tray stored in the respective tray-compartment at a hot temperature;

each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprising a front, pivotally-mounted door, and a linkage operatively coupled to said door and actuated by the movement of said door, and a push-member mounted in the interior of the tray-compartment and operatively connected to said linkage, said push-member being moved forwardly in the interior of the tray-compartment to push a food-tray positioned in the interior of the tray-compartment toward the door.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of tray-compartments are stacked vertically one above the other, and comprise a lowermost tray-compartment;

said heating means of said lowermost tray-compartment generating more heat than the heating means of the rest of said plurality of tray-compartments, whereby the temperature of the interior of said lowermost tray-compartment is maintained approximately at the same temperature as the interior of the other tray-compartments.

37. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said linkage comprises a pair of first members positioned adjacent opposite, lateral side walls of said tray-compartment, each said first member having a first end pivotally connected to a portion of said door, and a second end.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein wherein said linkage further comprises a pair of second members positioned adjacent opposite, lateral side walls of said tray-compartment;

each said second member having a first end pivotally connected to a portion of said main frame for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, each said second end of said pair of first members being pivotally connected to one said second member;

each said second member comprising a slotted second end;

said push-member having a pair of ends mounted for sliding movement in said slotted ends of said second members;

each said side wall of said tray-compartment comprising a slot in which slides a portion of said push-member, whereby, when said door of said tray-compartment is opened, said first members are moved forwardly therewith to pivot said second members, which causes said push-rod to slide forwardly in said slots in said side walls, thereby pushing out the food-tray from the tray-compartment and partially through the opened door.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein each said slot in a said side wall has a forward end against which strikes said push-member when said door is opened to its maximum position, said forward end of said slot preventing said door from being opened to a position that is substantially coplanar with said floor of said tray-compartment, whereby in its fully-opened position, said door makes an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, in order to prevent a food-tray from falling out.

12. In an apparatus for dispensing food-trays, which apparatus comprises a main frame, and a plurality of tray-compartments in said main frame for storing a plurality of food-trays, each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprising side walls, a floor upon which rests a food-tray, and a ceiling, wherein the improvement comprises:

each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprising a front, pivotally-mounted door, and means for preventing said door from being opened to a position that is substantially coplanar with said floor of said tray-compartment, whereby, in its fully-opened position, said door makes an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, in order to prevent a food-tray from falling out;

said means for preventing said door from being opened to a position that is substantially coplanar with said floor of said tray-compartment comprising a linkage operatively coupled to said door and actuated by the movement of said door, said linkage limiting the pivotal movement of said door to a maximum position;

said linkage comprising at least one lever having a first end section pivotally connected to a portion of said door, and a second end section;

at least one said side wall of said tray-compartment having a slot formed therein with a forward end, said second end section of said at least one lever being slidable in said slot until striking against said forward end of said slot, whereby further opening of the door is prevented.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said linkage comprises a connecting lever, and a push-rod member at least partially mounted in the interior of the tray-compartment and having an end section and being operatively connected to said connecting lever, said push-rod being moved forwardly in the interior of the tray-compartment to push a food-tray positioned in the interior of the tray-compartment toward the door;

said second end section of said at least one lever being said end section of said push-rod.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said slot in at least one side wall is an at least partially upwardly sloping linear slot making an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, whereby, as said end section of said push-rod is slid in said slot, it is raised vertically for at least some of the forward movement of said push-rod in said slot, in order that the push-rod contact the rear wall of the food-tray being pushed out of the tray-compartment at higher elevations of the rear wall as the front wall of the food-tray protrudes more outwardly from the tray-compartment.

17. In an apparatus for dispensing containers, trays, and the like, which apparatus comprises a main frame, and at least one compartment in said main frame for storing at least one container or tray, said at least one compartment comprising side walls, and a floor upon which rests a food-tray, wherein the improvement comprises:

a front, pivotally-mounted door, and means for preventing said door from being opened to a position that is substantially coplanar with said floor of said compartment, whereby, in its fully-opened position, said door makes an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, in order to prevent a container or tray from falling out; and

a plurality of compartments stacked vertically one above the other, each said compartment having a said floor and door;

each said door comprising at least one forwardly-projecting handle section for use in opening the door, said handle section comprising an upper surface and a lower surface;

said handle sections of all of said doors of said plurality of compartments being mounted vertically above one another in vertical alignment;

said means for preventing said door from being opened to a position that is substantially coplanar with said floor of said compartment being constituted by said upper and lower surfaces of said handle section, whereby when said door is opened to its maximum position, said lower surface thereof strikes against an upper surface of a handle section of the door positioned directly therebelow.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said means for preventing said door from being opened to a position that is substantially coplanar with said floor of said compartment comprises a linkage operatively coupled to said door and actuated by the movement of said door, said linkage limiting the pivotal movement of said door to a maximum position.

19. In an apparatus for dispensing containers, trays, and the like, which apparatus comprises a main frame, and at least one compartment in said main frame for storing at least one container or tray, said at least one compartment comprising side walls, and a floor upon which rests a food-tray, wherein the improvement comprises:

a front, pivotally-mounted door, and means for preventing said door from being opened to a position that is substantially coplanar with said floor of said compartment, whereby, in its fully-opened position, said door makes an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, in order to prevent a container or tray from falling out;

said means for preventing said door from being opened to a position that is substantially coplanar with said floor of said compartment comprises a linkage operatively coupled to said door and actuated by the movement of said door, said linkage limiting the pivotal movement of said door to a maximum position;

said linkage comprising at least one lever having a first end section pivotally connected to a portion of said door, and a second end section;

at least one said side wall of said compartment having a slot formed therein with a forward end, said second end section of said at least one lever being slidable in said slot until striking against said forward end of said slot, whereby further opening of the door is prevented.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said linkage comprises a connecting lever, and a push-rod member at least partially mounted in the interior of the compartment and having an end section and being operatively connected to said connecting lever, said push-rod being moved forwardly in the interior of the compartment to push a container or tray positioned in the interior of the compartment toward the door;

said second end section of said at least one lever being said end section of said push-rod.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said slot in at least one side wall is an at least partially upwardly sloping linear slot making an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, whereby, as said end section of said push-rod is slid in said slot, it is raised vertically for at least some of the forward movement of said push-rod in said slot, in order that the push-rod contact the rear wall of the container or tray being pushed out of the compartment at higher elevations of the rear wall as the front wall of the container or tray protrudes more outwardly from the compartment.

22. In a dispensing apparatus, which apparatus comprises a main frame, and at least one compartment in said main frame for storing an item to be dispensed, said at least one compartment comprising side walls, and a door which when opened allows access to the interior of the compartment, wherein the improvement comprises:

ejecting means for causing the item to be dispensed in said compartment to be at least partially ejected from the interior of said compartment when said door is being opened; and

a mechanical linkage operatively coupled between said door and said ejecting means, said mechanical linkage being directly actuated by the movement of said door into its open position;

said mechanical linkage moving said ejecting means to at least partially eject an item to be dispensed through said door as said door is being opened;

said mechanical linkage comprising at least one lever having a first end section pivotally connected to a portion of said door, and a second end section;

at least one said side wall of said compartment having a slot formed therein with a forward end, said second end section being operatively connected to said ejecting means for moving said ejecting means; and

said ejecting means comprising a push rod, a portion of said push-rod being slidable in said slot.

23. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein each said slot of said side walls makes an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, whereby, as said end section of said push-rod is slid in said slot, it is raised vertically for at least some of the forward movement of said push-rod in said slot, in order that the push-rod contact the rear of the item being dispensed and being pushed out of the compartment at higher elevations of the rear thereof as the front of the item being dispensed protrudes more outwardly from the compartment.

24. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a door-self-closing mechanism for automatically closing the door after it has been opened;

said door-self-closing mechanism being operatively associated with said mechanical linkage and set to return the door to its closed position in response to the opening of the door.

25. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said door-self-closing mechanism comprises a piston-cylinder arrangement having a first end connected to the main frame, and a second end pivotally connected to said mechanical linkage;

said mechanical linkage moving the piston into the cylinder during the opening of said door of said compartment in order to load said piston-cylinder arrangement, the piston being forced outwardly of the cylinder after the door has been released, which piston moves said mechanical linkage in the opposite direction to thus close said door, said piston-cylinder arrangement also acting as a damper when said door is being opened.

26. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising limit means for limiting the amount that said door may be opened, said limit means preventing said door from being opened to a completely horizontal position, whereby said item being dispensed is prevented from being pushed onto the floor by said ejecting means.

27. A method of dispensing an item from a compartment having a door allowing access to the interior of the compartment, comprising:

(a) manually opening the door of the compartment to access the item in the interior of the compartment;

(b) in direct response to the performing of said step (a), at least partially ejecting the item in the interior of the compartment;

(c) said step (b) being performed automatically as said step (a) is being performed by mechanical couplement of the door with an ejector of the item;

(d) said step (c) receiving its driving force directly from the manual opening of the door of said step (a);

said step (a) comprising limiting the degree to which the door may be opened such that it is makes an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, whereby the ejected item will not fall completely out of the compartment.

28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising:

(e) automatically returning the opened door to its closed position after the door has been released;

(f) said step (e) receiving its driving force also directly from the manual opening of the door of said step (a).

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising damping the opening of said door so that the door is opened slowly and safely.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein said step (b) comprises pushing out the item by means of a push-member, said step of pushing comprising initially contacting a lower rear surface portion of the item, and sliding the push-rod higher along the rear surface portion of the item as the push-rod is moved from the rear of the compartment toward the front of the compartment where the door is located, whereby when the item is finally pushed out, the push-rod contacts the rear surface of the item at an elevation on the rear surface that is higher than when initially connecting the lower rear surface portion of the item.

33. The method according to claim 27, wherein said step (b) comprises pushing out the item by means of a push-member, said step of pushing comprising initially contacting a lower rear surface portion of the item, and sliding the push-rod higher along the rear surface portion of the item as the push-rod is moved from the rear of the compartment toward the front of the compartment where the door is located, whereby when the item is finally pushed out, the push-rod contacts the rear surface of the item at an elevation on the rear surface that is higher than when initially contacting the lower rear surface portion of the item;

said step of pushing out the item partially ejecting the item so that a front section of the item rests on the upwardly-sloping, opened door and a rear section rests on the floor in the interior of the compartment.

34. The method according to claim 33, further comprising:

biasing the door into its closed position while it is being opened, whereby the tray partially resting on the open door is prevented from falling out of the compartment.

35. The method according to claim 27, further comprising:

biasing the door into its closed position while it is being opened, whereby the tray is prevented from falling out of the compartment.

36. The method according to claim 27, further comprising:

biasing the door into its closed position while it is being opened, whereby the tray partially resting on the open door is prevented from falling out of the compartment.

31. A method of dispensing an item from a compartment having a door allowing access to the interior of the compartment, comprising:

(a) manually opening the door of the compartment to access the item in the interior of the compartment;

(b) in direct response to the performing of said step (a), at least partially ejecting the item in the interior of the compartment;

(c) said step (b) being performed automatically as said step (a) is being performed by mechanical couplement of the door with an ejector of the item;

(d) said step (c) receiving its driving force directly from the manual opening of the door of said step (a);

said step (b) comprising pushing out the item by means of a push-member, said step of pushing comprising initially contacting a lower rear surface portion of the item, and sliding the push-rod higher along the rear surface portion of the item as the push-rod is moved from the rear of the compartment toward the front of the compartment where the door is located, whereby when the item is finally pushed out, the push-rod contacts the rear surface of the item at an elevation on the rear surface that is higher than when initially contacting the lower rear surface portion of the item.

32. The method according to claim 31, further comprising:

(e) automatically returning the opened door to its closed position after the door has been released;

(f) said step (e) receiving its driving force also directly from the manual opening of the door of said step (a);

said step (e) causing the push-rod to return to its initial position for pushing out another item placed in the compartment.

40. In an apparatus for dispensing food-trays, which apparatus comprises a main frame, and a plurality of tray-compartments in said main frame for storing a plurality of food-trays, each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprising side walls, a floor upon which rests a food-tray, and a ceiling, wherein the improvement comprises:

each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprising a front, pivotally-mounted door, and means for preventing said door from being opened to a position that is substantially coplanar with said floor of said tray-compartment, whereby, in its fully-opened position, said door makes an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, in order to prevent a food-tray from falling out;

each said door comprising at least one forwardly-projecting handle section for use in opening the door;

said handle section comprising an upper surface and a lower surface;

said handle sections of all of said doors of said plurality of tray-compartments being mounted vertically above one another in vertical alignment;

said means for preventing said door from being opened to a position that is substantially coplanar with said floor of said tray-compartment being constituted by said upper and lower surfaces of said handle section, whereby when said door is opened to its maximum position, said lower surface thereof strikes against an upper surface of a handle section of the door positioned directly therebelow.

41. In an apparatus for dispensing food-trays, which apparatus comprises a main frame, and a plurality of in said main frame for storing a plurality of food-trays, each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprising side walls, a floor upon which rests a food-tray, and a ceiling, wherein the improvement comprises:

each of said plurality of tray-compartments comprising a front, pivotally-mounted door, locking means for locking said door in its closed position, and switch means for disabling all of said locking means of all of said tray-compartments in response to the respective said door with which it is associated being opened;

said switch means comprising a switch directly controlled by the movement of said-door into its open position and into its completely closed position, whereby upon each said switch means being opened in response to the opening of the door with which it is associated, power to said locking means is terminated, whereby any door other than the one being opened is prevented from being opened.

42. The apparatus according to claim 41, wherein each said door comprises a first and a second side wall surface projecting exteriorly of said side walls of said tray-compartment, said first side wall surface projecting exteriorly of one said side wall of said tray-compartment, and said second side wall surface projecting exteriorly of the other said side wall of said tray-compartment;

said locking means being operatively associated with at least one of said first and second side wall surfaces, and said switch means being operatively associated with at least one of said first and second side wall surfaces.

43. In a dispensing apparatus, which apparatus comprises a main frame, and at least one compartment in said main frame for storing an item to be dispensed, said at least one compartment comprising side walls, and a door which when opened allows access to the interior of the compartment, wherein the improvement comprises:

ejecting means for causing the item to be dispensed in said compartment to be at least partially ejected from the interior of said compartment when said door is being opened; and

a mechanical linkage operatively coupled between said door and said ejecting means, said mechanical linkage being directly actuated by the movement of said door into its open position;

said mechanical linkage moving said ejecting means to at least partially eject an item to be dispensed through said door as said door is being opened;

said mechanical linkage comprising a pair of first members positioned adjacent opposite, lateral side walls of said compartment, each said first member having a first end pivotally connected to a portion of said door, and a second end; and

a pair of second members positioned adjacent opposite, lateral side walls of said compartment, each said second member having a first end pivotally connected to a portion of said main frame for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, each said second end of said pair of first members being pivotally connected to one said second member;

each said second member comprising a slotted second end;

said ejecting means comprising a push-member having a pair of ends mounted for sliding movement in said slotted ends of said second members;

each said side wall of said compartment comprising a slot in which slides a portion of said push-member.

44. In a dispensing apparatus, which apparatus comprises a main frame, and at least one compartment in said main frame for storing an item to be dispensed, said at least one compartment comprising side walls, and a door which when opened allows access to the interior of the compartment, wherein the improvement comprises:

ejecting means for causing the item to be dispensed in said compartment to be at least partially ejected from the interior of said compartment when said door is being opened; and

a mechanical linkage operatively coupled between said door and said ejecting means, said mechanical linkage being directly actuated by the movement of said door into its open position;

said mechanical linkage moving said ejecting means to at least partially eject an item to be dispensed through said door as said door is being opened;

a door-self-closing mechanism for automatically closing the door after it has been opened;

said door-self-closing mechanism being operatively associated with said mechanical linkage and set to return the door to its closed position in response to the opening of the door;

said door-self-closing mechanism comprising a piston-cylinder arrangement having a first end connected to the main frame, and a second end pivotally connected to said mechanical linkage;

said mechanical linkage moving the piston into the cylinder during the opening of said door of said compartment in order to load said piston-cylinder arrangement, the piston being forced outwardly of the cylinder after the door has been released, which piston moves said mechanical linkage in the opposite direction to thus close said door, said piston-cylinder arrangement also acting as a damper when said door is being opened.

45. In a dispensing apparatus, which apparatus comprises a main frame, and at least one compartment in said main frame for storing an item to be dispensed, said at least one compartment comprising side walls, and a door which when opened allows access to the interior of the compartment, wherein the improvement comprises:

ejecting means for causing the item to be dispensed in said compartment to be at least partially ejected from the interior of said compartment when said door is being opened; and

a mechanical linkage operatively coupled between said door and said ejecting means, said mechanical linkage being directly actuated by the movement of said door into its open position;

said mechanical linkage moving said ejecting means to at least partially eject an item to be dispensed through said door as said door is being opened;

limit means for limiting the amount that said door may be opened, said limit means preventing said door from being opened to a completely horizontal position, whereby said item being dispensed is prevented from being pushed onto the floor by said ejecting means.