Automated dispensing system with magnetic drive device

• US 9,150,366 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2013
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Rudick, Arthur G., English, Simon Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): HESS, DOUGLAS A
• Application Number:
  US13/960,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20140041992A1
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 198/350, 198/377.05, 198/377.09, 198/439, 198/619, 198/690.1, 198/750.13, 198/805, 294/88, 294/115, 294/119.1, 294/192
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 54/02 electrostatic, electric, or magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 54/025 the load being magnetically coupled with a piston-like driver moved within a tube

Abstract

The present application thus provides a magnetic drive system for maneuvering a container across a deck. The magnetic drive system may include a puck to support the container on the deck, a driven magnet positioned about the puck, an actuator positioned under the deck, and a drive magnet positioned about the actuator for movement therewith.

Claims

1. A magnetic drive system for maneuvering a container across a deck, comprising:

a puck to support the container on the deck;

a driven magnet positioned about the puck;

an actuator positioned and maneuverable under the deck; and

a drive magnet positioned about the actuator for attracting the driven magnet and for movement therewith.

2. The magnetic drive system of claim 1, wherein the deck comprises a central core and wherein a plurality of pucks are positioned about a drive mechanism on the central core.

3. The magnetic drive system of claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a drive belt.

4. The magnetic drive system of claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a drive hub.

5. The magnetic drive system of claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism may be lifted off of the central core.

6. The magnetic drive system of claim 2, wherein the central core comprises a smooth continuous surface.

7. The magnetic drive system of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a drive plate with the drive magnet thereon.

8. The magnetic drive system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of actuators forming a plurality of pathways.

9. The magnetic drive system of claim 1, wherein the deck comprises a puck buffer area and wherein the actuator comprises a buffer drive.

10. The magnetic drive system of claim 1, wherein the deck comprises a plurality of stations and wherein the actuator comprises a dispensing drive.

11. The magnetic drive system of claim 1, wherein the deck comprises an order staging queue and wherein the actuator comprises a staging drive.

12. The magnetic drive system of claim 11, wherein the deck comprises a plurality of staging queues and wherein each of the plurality of staging queues represents one or more containers from a customer order.

13. The magnetic drive system of claim 1, further comprising a gripper mechanism positioned on the deck.

14. A magnetic drive system for maneuvering a container across a deck, comprising:

a puck to support the container on the deck;

a driven magnetpositioned about the puck;

an actuator positioned under the deck;

a drive magnet positioned about the actuator for attracting the driven magnet and for movement therewith; and

a gripper mechanism positioned on the deck;

wherein the gripper mechanism comprises a driven jaw magnet positioned on the deck and a drive jaw magnet positioned underneath the deck.

15. The magnetic drive system of claim 14, wherein the gripper mechanism comprises a drive screw in communication with the drive jaw magnet.

16. A beverage dispensing system for filling a container, comprising:

a deck;

a plurality of stations positioned on the deck; and

a magnetic drive system for maneuvering the container on the deck;

the magnetic drive system comprising a driven magnet positioned about the container and a drive magnetic positioned and maneuverable under the deck.

17. The beverage dispensing system of claim 16, wherein the magnetic drive system comprises a puck to support the container on the deck and wherein the driven magnet is positioned about the puck.

18. The beverage dispensing system of claim 16, wherein the magnetic drive system comprises an actuator underneath the deck and wherein the drive magnet is positioned about the actuator.

19. A magnetic drive system for centering a container on a deck, comprising:

a pair of gripper jaws positioned on the deck;

a pair of driven magnets positioned about the pair of gripper jaws;

a pair of drive magnets positioned under the deck; and

a pair of drive screws to maneuver the pair of drive magnets.

20. The magnetic drive system of claim 19, wherein deck comprises a smooth continuous surface and wherein the pair of gripper jaws and the pair of driven magnets may be lifted off of the deck.