GB2191767A - Cup selecting and dispensing device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A beverage vending machine has a cup dispensing mechanism comprising at least two turrets each of which provides a plurality of columns for stacks of cups. Cups are dispensed one by one by operation of a cup drop mechanism and a turret indexing mechanism, and these two mechanisms are controlled by a control unit. The control unit comprises a cup selecting device 21 for selectively dispensing a predetermined cup in accordance with the vending beverage; and a cup dispensing device 24, 25 for alternately dispensing cups from the two turrets. The two devices of the control unit are selectively operated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cup dispensing device for automatic vending machine The present invention relates to a cup dispensing device for an automatic vending machine, and more particularly, to a control devicefora cup dispensing device suitable for a beverage vending machine; and toavending machine.

Generally, in a beverage dispensing machine, a cup is required to be placed in a predetermined position before dispensing the beverage. Such a cup dispensing step is required for each beverage dispensing operation. U.S. Patent No. 2,925,196 (Stoner) shows a cup dispensing mechanism including a turret having at its periphery a plurality of columns, each to contain a stack of cups. There are also a cup drop mechanism and means for indexing theturret. The columns of the turretshould be successively positioned in register with the cup drop mechanism as each column is emptied of its cups.

The cup drop mechanism and turret indexing means are coordinated with each other and with the operation ofthe beverage vending mechanism, particularly through a control device. Also,the cup dispensing mechanism includes means to position thestack of cups properly in an aligned column inthe cup drop mechanism so as to ensure that a cup is dispensed each time when the cup drop mechanism is actuated.

In this construction, cups stored in the columns of the turret are dispensed one by one in accordance with the operation of the cup drop mechanism, and the turret is only rotated to align a new column with the cup drop mechanism when the control device detects the empty situation of the present column.

This meansthat only a single kind of cup should be used in one cup dispensing mechanism. Also, the cups stored in columns will be dispensed in order, and cups stored in successive columns can only be dispensed after earlier columns are emptied of cups.

Therefore, if some new cups are placed in the columns, new cups may be initially dispensed even though some old cups may remain. It is desirableto reset the dispensing mechanism after loading-new cups. Furthermore, if a plurality of kinds of beverages are to bevended by one vending machine, the vending machine might need a pluralityofcupdispensing mechanismsto correspond to the different beverages.

Preferred embodiments ofthe invention may enable one to achieve one or more ofthefollowing desirable ends.

It is desirable to provide an improved cup dispensing mechanism for a beverage vending machine in which a plurality of kinds of cup are selectively usable for correlation with beverages to be vended.

It is desirable to provide a cup dispensing mechanismfora beveragevending machine in which cups are stored in columns, and each column is totally emptied.

According to the present invention there is provided a cup dispensing devicefora beverage vending machine, said cup dispensing device comprising: at leastvo turrets having a pluralityof columns for storing stacks of cups; cup drop means for delivering cups from the columns one by one; turret indexing means for rotating said turrets and aligning respective columns with said cup drop means; and control means for said cup drop and turret indexing means; said control means comprising (a)cupselecting meansforcausing different types of cup to be selectively delivered in accordance with different beverages to be vended; and (b)acup dispensing meansforcausing cupsto be delivered alternately from the columns of differentturrets; said two means (a) and (b) ofthe control means being selectively actuable.

In another aspect the invention provides a vending machine including such a dispensing device.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described byway of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa diagrammatic perspective view of a cup dispensing mechanism according to one embodimentofthis invention; Figure2 is a block diagram of the control means of the cup dispensing mechanism of Figure 1; and Figure3 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the control means.

Referring to Figure 1, a cup dispensing mechanism for a beverage vending machine according to one embodiment of this invention is shown. The cup dispensing mechanism 10 includestwo turrets 11,12, each of which has a plurality of columns (not shown) at its peripheral surface for respective stacks of cups. A cup drop mechanism 13 and turret indexing mechanism 14 are disposed adjacentthe bottom of the turrets 1 1,12to control the cup dispensing operation. Acup guide element 15 is disposed below the cup drop mechanism 13 to guide the dispensed cup "C" to a predetermined position to receive the vending beverage.The cup drop mechanism 13 isadjacentthe bottom openingsof the columns of each turret 11,12. (Alternatively, a respective cup drop mechanism can be disposed at the bottom of each turret to control the dispensing operation of cups, as in the priorart.)Theturret indexing mechanism 14 includes a turret rotating device (not shown) which is coupled to both turrets 11,12 to control the rotating operation and possibly to control selectively the rotation of the turrets 11,12.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, control meansforthe cup drop mechanism and turret indexing mechanism will be explained. Operation of a vending machine normally involves pushing a selecting switch. A signal from the selecting switch initiates preparations for vending a selected beverage. In this example, a signal from a selecting switch is input to a selecting control device 21 to operate the dispensing mechanism of the beverage vending machine. This selecting switch signal is also input into a central processing unit (CPU) 22 ofthe control means, via the selecting control device 21.

The presence of cups in the columns oftheturrets 11,12 is detected by cup sensor means which provides signalsto the CPU 22 through an input signal control device 23. The cup sensor means is inciuded within a turret control device 24,25 forthe cup drop mechanism 12 and may be disposed on or under each turret 11,12. The CPU 22 is provided with a cup data memory 26 in which the following data are stored: (i) in the case that only a single type of cup is used: instructions for selectively (e.g. alternately) dispensing cups from two columns on different turrets, and if either column is empty, dispensing a cup from the other column; (ii) inthecasethat cups areto be selected in accordance with the selection of merchandise, such as beverage: instructions whereby a cup or column is selected to correspond with the beverage; and if the desired type of cup is not available, either (a) a different type of cup will be dispensed without regard for indication, or (b) the vending machine will indicate that the beverage which corresponds to the unavailable type of cup is sold out.

Functions, such as delivering the signal of a type of cup or selected cup, will be selected byfunction selecting device 30. Selection of cups in accordance with the selected beveragewill be operated bycup data determining device 31.

If one of the selecting switches is pushed buy a customer, a signal from the selecting switch is input into CPU 22through selecting control device 21 for preparing the preferable beverage and predetermined cup. When selecting switch signal is input into cup 22, data stored in the cup data memory 26 and selected by operation of the function selecting device 30 and cup data determining device 31 are read by CPU 22, and a driving signal for operating the control device 27 forthe turret rotating device is output from CPU 22. Thus, one ofthe turrets is rotated by operation of control device 27 to align a column accurately with the cup drop mechanism. The cup drop mechanism 13 is operated by a signal from the control device to deliver the cup.

The cup dispensing operation will be described with reference to the flow-chart shown in Figure 3.

Before operating the cup dispensing device, if cups stored in the columns of two turrets are totally sold out, the vending machine indicates the situation as "o'Aoforder". If cups still remain in the column of a turret (this is step 101), and a vending signal is in puffed the next step is to determine whether or not a cup should be delivered in accordance with the selected vending beverage. If the control device is set so that single cups are alternately delivered from two turre+s, the dispensing process proceeds to step 105. On the other hand, if cups are to be selectively delivered according to the vending beverage, the process proceeds to step 102.

After step 102, the next procedure is to determine whether or not a differenttype of cup will be substituted for a selected cup which is sold out. If the dispensing device does not effect such substitution, the control device will determine whether or not a selected cup is stored in a column of the firstturret, by step 103. Then, if the data stored in memory 26 of CPU 22 indicates that a cup stored in the accessible column ofthe firstturret should be delivered, a cup therefrom is delivered through step 104. On the other hand, if the dispensing device is provided with the substitution function, the next procedure isto determine whetherornotthe column ofthefirst turret is empty of cups, by step 112. If this column is empty a cup from the column ofthe second turret is delivered through step 113.Conversely if the column ofthefirstturret is not empty, the dispensing device determines whether or not the column ofthe second turret is empty, through step 114. If the column ofthe second turret is empty, a cup from the firstturret is delivered; ifthe column of the second tu rret is not empty, the operation returns to step 103 through step 116.

If the dispensing device is used to dispense alternately the cups stored in the columns of both turrets, the dispensing device determines whether or not cups are available in the columns of the firstand second turrets through steps 106,107. If the column ofeitherturret is empty, a cup stored in the other turret is delivered through step 109 or 110. When cups are stored in columns of both turrets, the device determines whether or not a cup from the column of the first turret was dispensed in the previous operation. Then an appropriate cup is dispensed through step 108or111.

As mentioned above, the control means can be arranged for selectively dispensing different types of cups from a plurality of columns in accordance with the vending merchandise; orforalternately dispensing cups stored in a pluralit1 of columns.

These operations can be selected by the control device. Therefore, a cup dispensing device provided with this control device can be utilized in many different types of beverage vending machine without the need to modify its operation to match the respective type of vending machine.

Claims (5)

1. Acupdispensingdeviceforabeverage vending machine, said cup dispensing device comprising: at least two turrets having a plurality of columns for storing stacks of cups; cup drop means for delivering cups from the columns one by one; turret indexing means for rotating said turrets and aligning respective columns with said cup drop means; and control means for said cup drop and turret indexing means; said control means comprising (a) cup selecting meansforcausing different types of cup to be selectively delivered in accordance with different beverages to be vended; and (b) a cup dispensing meansforcausing cups to be delivered alternately from the columns of different turrets; said two means (a) and (b) ofthe control means being selectively actuable.

2. A cu p dispensi ng device according to claim 1 wherein said cup selecting means (a) includes: (c) a cup delivery device whereby when a cup type corresponding to a desired beverage is sold out, a cu p of another type is selected for delivery; and (d) an indicator device for providing a "sold out" indication when a cup type corresponding to a desired beverage is sold out; said two devices (c) and (d) being selectively actuable.

3. A cup dispensing device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said cup dispensing means (b) is adapted to cause cups remaining in a column ofone turret to be delivered when cups stored in the column(s) ofthe otherturret are exhausted.

4. A beverage vending machine including a cup dispensing device according to any preceding claim.

5. A cup dispensing device or beverage vending machine substantially as any herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.