GB1306694A - Article dispensing unit having multidual helix conveyors - Google Patents

Abstract

1306694 Article dispensing apparatus VENDO CO 27 May 1970 [6 Feb 1970] 25344/70 Heading A4T A vending machine has a plurality of selectively operated article dispensers each in the form of two opposite handed, oppositely rotatable helical wires 78, Fig.8 containing the articles 44 in the opposed spaces of the helices, any pair of helices being coupled to a clutch member which effects one complete rotation of the helices for dispensing and all of the clutches of which rotate at the same time but only the selected clutch engaging its pair of helices. The helices are held against the sides of the container 32 by strips 72, 74, may have a central rod which limits their carrying space for small articles or they may be adjustable in pitch to provide for larger articles. Each pair of helices Fig.1 are held in a container 32 which is viewable through the transparent door 28 of the machine and has coin receiving and change giving apparatus, (not shown), and push buttons 30 which operate the selected pair of helices after the prepayment has been made. The containers Fig.5 are movable forwardly to a dotted line position for reloading and normally discharge down a chute, between the end of the container 32 and the transparent door 28, to an article receiving container 34. Each pair of helices are driven by interengageable gears Fig.10, (not shown) and one of gears is provided with a cam 66 and a protruding shaft 62 Figs. 8 and 12 which, when the container 32 is pushed back into the machine, enters the bore 112 of a clutch member 100 Fig.16 having a pawl 116 held in one of two positions by an overt centre spring 128. When the article is selected the push button 30 operates a solenoid 138 Fig.16 to tilt the pawl 116 to the position shown in Fig.17 in which a pawl segment 132a engages a notch 66a in the surface of the cam 66 Figs. 12, 17. After one revolution of the clutch and cam the pawl 116 is returned to its other non-selected position and an eccentric surface on the clutch 100 returns the solenoid to its non-selected position. All of the clutch members 100 are simultaneously rotated Fig. 2 by flexible cables 152 which pass around and are clamped to the clutches and which oscilliate the clutches by means of a spring loaded rod 172 reciprocated by a motor driven crank and lever mechanism switched on after the selected solenoid is operated.