Product dispensing system

• US 8,646,650 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2011
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC (WestRock Company)
• Original Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC (WestRock Company)
• Inventors: Lockwood, Thomas A., Miller, Roger K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kumar, Rakesh
• Application Number:
  US13/015,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20110284571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 221/155, 221/279, 221/151, 221/174, 221/3, 221/15, 221/152, 221/227, 221/57, 700/240, 700/236, 211/59.3, 211/1.51
• US Class Current: 221/151
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/002 Devices for protection against sunlight or theft
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/42 the articles being delivered by motor-driven means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 3/003 Anti-theft control theft alarms G08B13/00

Abstract

Dispensing systems and methods are disclosed that provide controlled advancement of product and provide controlled access to product stored within the system. Embodiments include a product pushing device having a track and a pusher that urges product stored on the track forward. Certain embodiments include mechanisms to limit the forward progression of the pusher along the track, such as a brake mechanism, and certain embodiments include mechanisms to block access to product located on the track. Some embodiments include mechanisms for providing a time delay in between the vending of products.

Claims

1. A dispensing system comprising a track, a pusher in sliding engagement with the track, at least one pusher spring that urges the pusher toward a front of the track, at least one brake, a dispensing ram, at least one dispensing ram spring, a resistance mechanism, an access mechanism coupled to the dispensing ram, and a blocker mechanism coupled to the access mechanism,

wherein the dispensing system is capable of moving between a first configuration and a second configuration,

wherein, when the dispensing system is in the first configuration:

(a) the at least one brake is in a first orientation that does not limit the forward movement of the pusher;

(b) the dispensing ram is in an original position toward a rear of the track and does not engage the at least one brake;

(c) the access mechanism is in a closed position that restricts access to product stored within the dispensing system, and

(d) the blocker mechanism is in a first orientation that does not restrict access to the track, and

wherein, when the dispensing system is in the second configuration;

(a) the at least one brake is in a second orientation and is engaged with the pusher to stop forward movement of the pusher;

(b) the dispensing ram is in a forward position toward a front of the track and engages the at least one brake to urge the at least one brake into its second orientation;

(c) the access mechanism is in a vending position that allows access to at least some of the product stored within the dispensing system; and

(d) the blocker mechanism is in a second orientation that restricts access to the track, and

wherein, as the system moves from the second configuration to the first configuration, the at least one dispensing ram spring urges the dispensing ram from its forward position to its original position and the resistance mechanism slows the speed at which the dispensing ram moves from its forward position to its original position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one brake further comprises a plurality of teeth that engage with a plurality of teeth on a base portion of the pusher when the at least one brake is in the second orientation.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one brake further comprises at least one opening having a dimension that is greater than a dimension of a fastener that is receivable in the at least one opening to secure the at least one brake to the track.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one brake traverses along the dimension of the opening when the at least one brake moves from the first orientation to the second orientation.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing ram comprises structure that interacts with structure on the at least one brake to cause the at least one brake to move from the first orientation to the second orientation as the dispensing ram moves from its original position to its forward position, and that causes the at least one brake to move from its second orientation to its first orientation as the dispensing ram moves from its forward position to its original position.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the access mechanism is a drawer having a floor onto which the pusher urges at least one product from the track.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the floor is configured to receive only one product at a time.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing system further comprises sidewalls, each sidewall comprising at least one first slot, and

wherein the access mechanism comprises projections that are receivable within the at least one first slots and that translate along the at least one first slots as the access mechanism moves from the closed position to the vending position.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the sidewalls comprises at least one second slot, and wherein the blocker mechanism comprises projections that are receivable within the at least one second slots of the sidewalls and that translate along the at least one second slots as the blocker mechanism moves from the first orientation to the second orientation.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the blocker mechanism rotates along an attachment point in the sidewalls as the blocker mechanism moves from the first orientation to the second orientation.

11. A dispensing system for controlled vending of a product comprising:

(a) a product pushing device comprising a track, a pusher that is slidably engaged with the track, and at least one pusher spring that urges the pusher toward a front of the track;

(b) at least one brake coupled to the track, the at least one brake having a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein, when in the second orientation, the at least one brake engages with the pusher to stop movement of the pusher;

(c) a dispensing ram coupled to the track, the dispensing ram having an original position and a forward position, wherein, when in moving from the original position to the forward position, the dispensing ram moves the at least one brake from its first orientation to its second orientation;

(d) an access mechanism coupled to the dispensing ram, the access mechanism having a closed position and a vending position, wherein, when in moving from the closed position to the vending position, the access mechanism moves the dispensing ram from its original position to its forward position; and

(e) a blocker mechanism coupled to the access mechanism, the blocker mechanism having a first orientation and a second orientation, the second orientation blocking access to product stored on the track, wherein the blocker mechanism is in the first orientation when the access mechanism is in the closed position and wherein the blocker mechanism is in the second orientation when the access mechanism is in the vending position,

wherein the at least one brake further comprises a plurality of teeth that engage with a plurality of teeth on a base portion of the pusher when the at least one brake is in the second orientation.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the dispensing system further comprises sidewalls, each sidewall comprising at least one first slot, and

wherein the access mechanism comprises projections that are receivable within the at least one first slots and that translate along the at least one first slots as the access mechanism moves from the closed position to the vending position.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein each of the sidewalls comprises at least one second slot, and wherein the blocker mechanism comprises projections that are receivable within the at least one second slots of the sidewalls and that translate along the at least one second slots as the blocker mechanism moves from the first orientation to the second orientation.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the blocker mechanism rotates along an attachment point in the sidewalls as the blocker mechanism moves from the first orientation to the second orientation.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising at least one dispensing ram spring that urges the dispensing ram from its forward position to its original position.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a resistance mechanism that slows the speed at which the dispensing ram moves from the forward position to the original position to provide a time delay in between vending of product.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the access mechanism restricts access to the product located within the system when in the closed position.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the access mechanism is a drawer having a floor onto which the pusher urges at least one product from the track.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the floor is configured to receive only one product at a time.

20. A dispensing system for controlled vending of a product comprising:

(a) a product pushing device comprising a track, a pusher that is slidably engaged with the track, and at least one pusher spring that urges the pusher toward a front of the track;

(b) at least one brake coupled to the track, the at least one brake having a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein, when in the second orientation, the at least one brake engages with the pusher to stop movement of the pusher;

(c) a dispensing ram coupled to the track, the dispensing ram having an original position and a forward position, wherein, when in moving from the original position to the forward position, the dispensing ram moves the at least one brake from its first orientation to its second orientation;

(d) an access mechanism coupled to the dispensing ram, the access mechanism having a closed position and a vending position, wherein, when in moving from the closed position to the vending position, the access mechanism moves the dispensing ram from its original position to its forward position; and

(e) a blocker mechanism coupled to the access mechanism, the blocker mechanism having a first orientation and a second orientation, the second orientation blocking access to product stored on the track, wherein the blocker mechanism is in the first orientation when the access mechanism is in the closed position and wherein the blocker mechanism is in the second orientation when the access mechanism is in the vending position,

wherein the dispensing ram comprises structure that interacts with structure on the at least one brake to cause the at least one brake to move from the first orientation to the second orientation as the dispensing ram moves from its original position to its forward position, and that causes the at least one brake to move from its second orientation to its first orientation as the dispensing ram moves from its forward position to its original position.

21. A dispensing system for controlled vending of a product comprising:

(a) a product pushing device comprising a track, a pusher that is slidably engaged with the track, and at least one pusher spring that urges the pusher toward a front of the track;

(b) at least one brake coupled to the track, the at least one brake having a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein, when in the second orientation, the at least one brake engages with the pusher to stop movement of the pusher;

(c) a dispensing ram coupled to the track, the dispensing ram having an original position and a forward position, wherein, when in moving from the original position to the forward position, the dispensing ram moves the at least one brake from its first orientation to its second orientation;

(d) an access mechanism coupled to the dispensing ram, the access mechanism having a closed position and a vending position, wherein, when in moving from the closed position to the vending position, the access mechanism moves the dispensing ram from its original position to its forward position; and

(e) a blocker mechanism coupled to the access mechanism, the blocker mechanism having a first orientation and a second orientation, the second orientation blocking access to product stored on the track, wherein the blocker mechanism is in the first orientation when the access mechanism is in the closed position and wherein the blocker mechanism is in the second orientation when the access mechanism is in the vending position,

wherein the at least one brake further comprises at least one opening having a dimension that is greater than a dimension of a fastener that is receivable in the at least one opening to secure the at least one brake to the track.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the at least one brake traverses along the dimension of the opening when the at least one brake moves from the first orientation to the second orientation.

23. A dispensing system for controlled vending of a product comprising:

(a) a product pushing device comprising a track, a pusher that is slidably engaged with the track, and at least one pusher spring that urges the pusher toward a front of the track;

(b) at least one brake coupled to the track, the at least one brake comprising at least one of a male or female feature and the at least one brake having a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein, when in the second orientation, the at least one brake engages the pusher to stop movement of the pusher;

(c) a dispensing ram coupled to the track and comprising at least one of the other of the male or female feature, the dispensing ram having an original position and a forward position and wherein, when, in the original position, the dispensing ram does not contact the at least one brake and wherein, in moving from the original position to the forward position, the at least one of the male or female feature of the dispensing ram interacts with the at least one of the other of the male or female feature of the at least one brake to move the at least one brake from its first orientation to its second orientation;

(d) an access mechanism coupled to the dispensing ram, the access mechanism having a closed position and a vending position, wherein, in moving from the closed position to the vending position, the access mechanism moves the dispensing ram from its original position to its forward position;

(e) a blocker mechanism coupled to the access mechanism, the blocker mechanism having a first orientation and a second orientation, the second orientation blocking access to product stored on the track, wherein the blocker mechanism is in the first orientation when the access mechanism is in the closed position and wherein the blocker mechanism is in the second orientation when the access mechanism is in the vending position;

(f) at least one dispensing ram spring that urges the dispensing ram from its forward position to its original position; and

(g) a resistance mechanism that slows the speed at which the dispensing ram moves from its forward position to its original position.