US3087648A

US3087648A - Carton vending machines and the like

Info

Publication number: US3087648A
Application number: US164879A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ray M Cope
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-01-08
Filing date: 1962-01-08
Publication date: 1963-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 1980-04-30

Description

R. M. COPE CARTON VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE April 30, 1963 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 8, 1962 Fig.2.

Eventor a MC b 7 a Fig. l.

April 30, 1963 COPE CARTON VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 8, 1962 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 30, 1963 R. M. COPE CARTON VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 8 1962 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 30, 1963 R. M. COPE CARTON VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 8. 1962 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 30, 1963 Filed Jan. 8. 1962 R. M. COPE CARTON VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 Inventor:

April 30, 1963 R. M. COPE 3,087,648

CARTON VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 8, 1962 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 Inventor: Roy .Cope,

Atty.

April 30, 1963 R. M. COPE CARTON VENDING MACHINES mm THE LIKE l5 Sheets-Sheet 8 mN E April 30, 1963 R. M. COPE CARTON VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE l3 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Jan. 8 1962 April 30, 1963 R. M. can

CARTON VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE I3 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Jan. 8, 1962 April 30, 1963 R- M. COPE CARTON VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 8, 1962 Fig.44-.

l3 Sheets-Sheet 11 April 30, 1963 R. M. COPE 3,087,648

CARTON VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 8, 1962 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 Switch Control.

Selctor Cutout Switch.

l?B.Switch to Fig.45.

Mo 0 Current Input-+- Motor Panel.

Em t swi't h s Inventor:

RqyMCope April 30, 1963 R. M. COPE 3,087,648

CARTON VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 8, 1962 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 l Fig. 46.

lnventdr: ROYM. COpg,

3,087,648 CARTON VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Ray M. Cope, 7624 S. Colfax Ave, Chicago, Ill. Fiied Jan. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 164,375) 23 Claims. (Cl. 221--$1) This invention relates to carton vending machines, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in machines for vending cartons of liquids, such as cream, milk, fruit juices, and other liquids. It will be understood, however, that insofar as the structure of the vending machine is concerned, it may be used for the vending and dispensing of cartons of many kinds and species. The features of construction hereinafter disclosed have been designed and built for dispensing and vending cartons of such liquids as already mentioned, taking into account the need of making provision against damage to the cartons during various operations of filling the machine with such cartons, and against failure to maintain proper and acceptable temperature conditions in the filled cartons stored in the machine, and prior to dispensing the same. Various protective features of structure will appear hereinafter, provided to ensure safe and properly controlled operations.

An important feature of the invention relates to the provision of a vending machine in which various of the operational elements are grouped into units which units are self-contained and may be inserted into and removed from the housing readily for adjustment or repair, or for substitution of other units designed to vend cartons of different size or contour from the cartons previously dispensed by the machine. In this connection the structures hereinafter disclosed include one or more racks provided with vertically travelling shelves, each such shelf being horizontal and sustaining a number of cartons set close together along its length, with provision for lowering the shelves step-by-step for sequential delivery of the supported cartons by successive operations of the machine. Conveniently, such shelves are provided in the form of flights extending transversely between two parallel chain loops, the flight-shelves moving downwardly at one face of the unit, and returning upwardly at the opposite face of the unit, the cartons being supported by the fiight-shelves during downward movement of such shelves, and being delivered from the shelves at a low position, successively at termination of the successive vending operations. The empty shelves then move around the lower ends of the chain loops to the reverse, upwardly moving face of the unit, and rise, empty to the upper end of the unit and over the top of the unit,

then moving downwardly at successive vending operations, during which successive vending operations such previously emptied shelves are moving down towards the vending stage. Such operations continue until the entire group of flight-shelves has been emptied. At such time an empty signal is given whenever such vending unit is requested to deliver a carton. These operations will be explained in detail hereinafter.

Conveniently, each flight-shelf is made of length (corresponding to the lateral distance between the two chain loops) sufficient to accommodate a number of cartons. Thus, the storage capacity of the vending unit is greatly amplified by providing flight-shelves of length sufficient to accommodate a considerable number of the cartons (with corresponding lateral distance between the two chain loops of the unit). Since it is intended to deliver only a single carton at each vending operation, it is necessary to make provision for delivering or releasing or dis charging the cartons from each flight-shelf, one at a time corresponding to successive vending operations. It is also necessary to provide for advance of the supporting chains and the flight-shelves, at each vending operation, a distance less than the distance between successive flights.

3 ,987,648 Patented Apr. 30, 1963 The lessened distance of advance thus imposed is equal to the distance between successive chain flights divided by the number of cartons accommodated along each flightshelf.

A prime object of this invention concerns itself with the means by which provision is made for the successive advances of the chain carrying flight-shelves such lessened distance as above defined, and for the successive delivery of the cartons carried by such flight-shelf, synchronously with each flight-shelf advancej Thus the cartons sustained by the shelf will be delivered one at a time, proceeding along the length of the flight-shelf, in regular succession from end to end thereof.

For a stated length of the flight-shelf (corresponding to a specified depth of the cabinet in which the units are housed, measured from front to rear), it is evident that the number of cartons which can be accommodated along each flight-shelf will depend on the size of the cartons, measured in the direction parallel to the shelf. Thus, for example, small cartons, such as one-half pint size, may be accommodated, seven along each flight-shelf of a unit of specified dimension, front to rear of the cabinet. However, larger cartons can be accommodated, only five along such length. Accordingly, when using the unit for accommodation of only five cartons, and with a stated distance between successive flight-shelves, such flight-shelf distance must be divided by five instead of seven, to detor-mine the proper advance to be executed by the flightcarrying chains corresponding to each vending operation. It is an important feature of the present invention, that I have made simple provision for adjusting the amount of flight-chain advance by simple means, corresponding to such change in the number of cartons to be accommodated on each flight-shelf.

I have provided a drive motor for driving the flightcarrying chains of the unit. Such drive is eliected by shaft drive from the output shaft of the motor unit (including its built-in gear-reducer), to the drive shaft of the flightshelf conveyor unit. Such drive between these two shafts is a positive drive, so that the angular rotation of the drive shaft, and of the motor output shaft, exactly corresponds to the advance which will be executed by the flight-carrying chains. Conveniently, I have provided an arrangement such that each rotation of the motor output shaft (including such built-in gear-reducer) exactly corresponds to advance of the flight-carrying chains a distance equal to the spacing between successive flights. I have also provided one-cycle means to produce motor stoppage at conclusion of each motor operation, at a position exactly corresponding to advance of the flightcarrying chains a distance equal to the flight-spacing divided by the number of cartons to be carried by the flight. Thus, each motor starting operation will be followed by stoppage of the motor after drive of the flight-carrying chains the intended distance. Such motor stopping means conveniently includes a cam element having a number of switch operating elements equal to the number of cartons carried by the flight-shelf, together with a motor stopping control switch under control of such cam element. Thus, whenever it is desired to make provision for accommodation on each shelf of a vending unit, a stated number of cartons, a vending unit designed to accommodate such number of cartons on each of its shelves may be set into the housing, and there may be fastened to the motor output shaft a cam having a number of motor stopping positions equal to the number of cartons to be accommodated on each flight-shelf of such vending unit, such motor stopping positions being equally spaced around such cam.

In connection with the foregoing explanations it is here noted that a prime object of the invention is to provide a very versatile structure, in the sense that there may be introduced and received into a given cabinet or housing, a number of the flight-shelf carrying units, each designed and constructed to accommodate cartons of a specified size, both as to length (top to bottom), as to width (along the shelf), and depth (across the shelf). The spacing between the flight-shelves must be sufficient to accommodate cartons of the specified length without interference between the tops of the cartons and the shelf above; the width of the cartons will determine the number accommodated along a shelf; and the depth of the cartons must be accommodated within the space between the flight-shelf unit itself and any other structural element of the machine. It will presently appear that such structural element comprises a portion of the carton supporting and releasing elements. However, under present conventional practice cartons of various capacities within a considerable range of capacities, are formed to have at least one of their cross-sectional dimensions (either width or depth, or both), of standard size (e.g., 2% inches). Such being the case, the cartons may be set along the shelf close together, and turned, if necessary, into positions such that they are accommodated within the permissible depth dimension of the vending machine structure. The number of cartons along the shelf will be determined by the other crosssectional dimension of such cartons. In addition to the foregoing, provision is, however, made for adjusting the position of each flight-shelf carrying unit laterally from or towards the structural element already referred to, when necessary to accommodate the depth dimension of the cartons placed on the shelf.

It is a further important object of the invention to make provision for readily changing the cam element of each motor drive unit, and for making further adjustments and/or changes in such motor drive unit, without difficulty. To this end such motor drive units for all of the flight-shelf carrying units are supported by a common panel which is readily rocked into horizontal position (prior to insertion of the several flight-shelf carrying units into the cabinet). In such horizontal position the elements of the several motor drive units, including their cams, are made fully accessible to the operator. Having made such changes or adjustments as needed, such panel is restored to its vertical position, whereupon the output ends of the several motor drive units are exposed in positions to receive the matching drive shafts of the several flight-shelf carrying units, for driving connection thereto. During this operation the flight-shelf carrying unit is accurately aligned with the output end of the corresponding motor drive unit. Provision is also made for lateral adjustment of each of the motor drive units, to bring it to position corresponding to any lateral shift of the corresponding flight-shelf carrying unit, such as already referred to.

A further and important feature of the presently disclosed structures relates to the means for releasing and delivering the cartons, one by one, from thei support on such flight-shelf carrying units, according to the signals arriving from the coin operated and controlled elements. As already explained, the cartons are supported by the respective shelves during travel downwardly to their delivery positions. During such time, and prior to such delivery, each carton also gains lateral support against the structural element which is proximate to the vertical path of travel of the flight-shelves of the carton carrying unit in question. Such shelves are themselves so attached to the shelf carrying chains of the unit of which they comprise a part, that they are ruggedly retained against rock or tilt from a substantially horizontal position. In other words, each shelf descends step bystep as cartons are demanded and delivered correspond ing to successive vending operations, until finally any given carton reaches its level of delivery. Such delivery is produced, when demanded, by the action of an ejector arm which is actuated by a rocking movement, to displace the carton from its shelf position, and permit it to descend. These ejector arms are located at positions aligned with vertical rows of cartons on the numerous shelves, so that each ejector arm serves, in proper timing, the cartons which come to its level during descent of the shelves. Thus there are provided as many of these ejector arms as there are cartons carried on each shelf; and during the step-by-step descent of the shelf, each carton along its length comes in turn to position for ejecting operation by that ejector arm which corresponds to the vertical row of cartons including the carton now to be delivered. This arrangement is clearly to be distinguished from any arrangement in which delivery of the cartons from a shelf position is produced by a gravity operation permitted by downward rock of the shelf, as such shelf is released and permitted to effect such rock at the delivery position. Such a rocking gravity actutaed shelf arrangement is disclosed in the Bookout et al. patent, No. 2,888,165, issued May 26, 1959.

Specifically, such ejector arms are rocked for the ejec-v tion operation by downward movement of the flight-shelf carrying the carton against which such ejector arm acts, the parts being properly timed to effect ejection of the carton at the proper time, and in the proper relation to other elements of the structure.

Reference has been made to a structural element adjacent to the flight-shelf carrying chain unit. Such structunal element comprises a plate abutment against which the leaning or tilting cartons carried by the several shelves abut and downwardly along which plate they slide during descent of the shelves. Such plate has its lower edge provided with steps extending horizontally opposite to the several carton supporting portions of the flight-shelf unit. Each such horizontally extending step portion is at elevat on to permit the carton to rock outwardly, or to slide outwardly from the shelf by which it has been carried, to complete the delivery of such carton which is now to be released; but the horizontal steps located opposite to the downward paths of travel of the not yet to be released cartons are at successively lower levels, so that the cartons for which they are provided are released at later times, and subsequent vending operations, successively.

It is a feature of the present improvements, that I have made provision for vertical adjustment of such plate element to bring its stepped edge portions into proper relation, vertically, with the ejector elements by which the successive cartons are ejected laterally from their shelf carried positions, thus ensuring accurate and certain delivering operations for each and all of the cartons to be delivered.

A further feature of the present improvements relates to the provision of arrangements such that each such stepped plate or barrier may serve cartons carried by two of the flight-shelf carrying units, one at each side or face of such plate. Under this arrangement, cartons from the carrying unit at one side are delivered, at the proper time, beneath the step which corresponds to the vertical row of cartons served by such step, it being noted that the controls for bringing the vending elements into operation include arrangements such that it is not possible to produce more than one vending operation at a time. Thus, as each vending operation occurs, with corresponding delivery of a carton beneath a given step of the stepped plate, it is not possible to produce interference with such delivery by occurance of a simultaneous delivery from an opposite iiight-shelf of the opposite carrying unit. In this connection, however, it is also noted that provision has been made, in the present disclosures, for preventing interference between the descending, now released, carton, with a carton carried by the opposite flight-shelf of the opposite carrying unit. Such provision is desirable for the following reasons;

Some types of cartons are provided, at their upper and lower ends, with cap elements which either project beyond the lengthwise bodies of such cartons, or are carried downwardly over a slight distance of such lengthwise carton bodies. Consequently, if, during the release and descent of a carton from the one flight-shelf carrying unit now in use, such carton should be extended laterally from its now abandoned shelf, far enough to touch the opposite carton of the opposite carrying unit, a jamming or engaging might occur, preventing the so-released carton from completing its descent, with jamming of the machine, and requirement of a servicing operation, as well as loss of the prepaid price for such so-released and partially delivered carton. I have, accordingly, made provision in the hereinafter disclosed structures to prevent any such lateral interference between cartons of proximate carrying units, notwithstanding that during each releasing and delivering operation the released carton intrudes onto the space assigned to its opposite neighbor.

It is also to be noted that by this arrangement it is possible to bring the successive flight-shelf carrying units closer together than would otherwards be possible, since a portion of the space between two such carrying units is used by both such units during their delivering operations. Furthermore, by the presently to be disclosed arrangements a single one of the stepped plates or barriers serves two of the flight-shelf carrying units, thus doubling its beneficial function.

Reference has been made to the need of properly timing and synchronizing the positions of the horizontal steps of the stepped plate or barrier, with respect to the arrivals of the flight-shelf elements at positions where the corresponding ejectors act to deliver the cartons laterally from support by the shelves. Each of the stepped plates or barriers is vertically adjustable with respect to the carrying units. However, since such single stepped plate serves carrying units at both sides, it becomes necessary to ensure that when proper synchronization of such stepped plate with one of the carrying units has been made, proper synchronization of the steps of such stepped plate with respect to the companion carrying units flightshelf elements will also occur. To this end I have made provision for enabling adjustment of the rotated position of each of the carrying units drive shaft, with respect to the motor output and cam elements of the motor corresponding to such carrying unit, so that after other adjustments have been made, it is possible, by a simple operation, performed by the service person, and at the front portion of the carrying unit, to produce the desired exact synchronization of operations. Thus both of the carrying units served by such single stepped plate are brought into exact synchronization of their several operations.

Means are provided for refrigerating the cabinet which houses the units and elements already referred to. In this connection I have so arranged the several operational elements and units comprising the releasing and delivering mechanisms that they may be readily removed from and inserted into a chamber within the cabinet, and brought into adjusted conditions by simple and convenient operations, with such operations limited to the carrying units and immediately related elements. It is now noted that the released and delivered cartons descend to a hopper; and when there are provided more than a single flightshelf carrying unit, such hopper is designed and built to underlie all of such plurality of units, thus causing all of the cartons delivered from all of the units to come to a common discharge location. In this connection, I have provided a delivery door in position for enabling the customer to reach into such hopper and remove the delivered unit or units therefrom. Such elements are so designed and built that when the door is opened the hopper is shifted into position convenient of access through the open door; but at the same time, such hopper is then in a position such as to prevent improper reaching of the hand upwardly therethrough to a position where one or more additional cartons could be hand released and delivered. Thus the arrangement serves to prevent improper carton deliveries.

The camber already referred to, which houses the several carrying units, comprises a space above the refrigerating units. Such space is largely open for free movement of air through its body. A main door gives access to such space When necessary, by use of suitable unloclo ing elements. The refrigerated air is delivered up into such space, directly from the refrigerating unit, circulates through the entire body of such space, and is returned into the space beneath such chamber and where the refrigerating unit is housed. Accordingly, I have made provision for circulating the refrigerating air directly from the refrigerating unit, into and through such chamber, and finally down into the refrigerating unit space, for recirculation.

Conventional coin operated and controlled elements are provided for pre-paying the selected cartons to be delivered. The circuitry provided in connection with such coin operated and controlled elements includes a high temperature thermostatically operated switching element, and circuitry to stop coin receiving and operational elements when the temperature of the space within which the cartons are stored rises above a predetermined point, thus complying with pure foods and other legal requirements. Such circuitry also includes provision for terminating coin receiving and operational elements when coin deposits are made corresponding to carton carrying units which have been completely depleted of their cartons. Features in connection with the circuitry will be disclosed hereinafter.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same, which consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 shows a typical front elevation of a unit embodying the features of the present invention, being an embodiment which includes four of the carton flightshelf carrying units;

FIGURE 2 shows a right-hand elevation corresponding to FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 shows a front elevation looking at the interior of the cabinet with the main door removed to reveal the interior elements and units; and this figure is on larger scale than that of FIGURES 1 and 2; and in FIGURE 3 there are shown cartons carried by three of the carrying units, the right-hand unit being exhausted and empty; and this figure also shows the front elevation of the compartment directly beneath the carton carrying unit compartment, the door of such lower compartment being removed to reveal the carton delivery chute which leads to the hopper connected to the delivery door (removed); and FIGURE 3 may be considered as a section taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 shows a front elevational view of the lowermost compartment which houses the refrigerating compressor unit and accessories; and this figure is a lower continuation of FIGURE 3, and on the same scale as FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 shows a face view of one of the carton carrying units on the same scale as that of FIGURES 3 and 4; and may be considered as a section taken on.

the line 55 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, but without the presence of the cartons shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 shows, on enlarged "scale as compared to FIGURES 3 and 5, the lower portion of one of the carton carrying units, a portion of such unit being broken away to shorten the figure; and this figure shows in more detail the ejecting units corresponding to the vertical rows of carton positions;

FIGURE 6A shows a detail section through the paddle plate taken on the line 6A-6A of FIGURE 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 7 shows a left-hand elevational view corresponding to FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 shows a right-hand elevational view corresponding to FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 shows a longitudinal section through the drive shaft which is located along the upper portion of a carton carrying unit; and may be considered as a section taken on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 10, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 10 shows a view of the upper portions of the carton carrying unit shown in FIGURE 6, and it may be considered as an upward extension of that FIG- URE 6 with a portion centrally of the unit broken away;

FIGURE 11 shows a left-hand end view corresponding to FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 shows a horizontal cross-section taken on the line 1212 of FIGURE ll, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 13 shows a right-hand end view corresponding to FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 14 shows a horizontal cross-section taken on the line 14-14 of FIGURE 13, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 15 shows a face view of the lower portion of the stepped plate which is located between and serves two of the carton carrying, flight-shelf units, the central portion of the structure being cut away to shorten the figure; and in this figure the flight now to be served is shown behind such stepped plate, and the several ejector units are shown in their positions with respect to such flight, and cartons supported by the shelves are also shown by dashed lines; and this figure may also be considered as a section taken on the line 1515 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 16 shows, schematically, the relations of the shelve-s of the two opposing carrying units, and the manner in which the intervening stepped plate serves cartons supported by shelves of both of the carrying units; and in this figure the lowermost shelf of the right-hand carrying unit is shown in two positions, one a full line position, and the other, succeeding position being shown in dotted lines; and this figure shows how, during descent of the flight during a deliverying and ejector operating movement the carton is shifted outwardly from its position of support by the flight to a delivery position, and also shows how, during such operation the tilt of the carton may be reversed to enable it to slide readily from the shelf, and be delivered downwardly to the receiving hopper;

FIGURES 17, 18 and 19 show, schematically three consecutive positions of the downward movement of the shelf during at delivering operation, being the lowermost shelf of the left-hand carrying unit; and this figure shows corresponding carton positions during the shelf descent, with final slide of the released carton from its support on the shelf, past the carton of the companion carrying unit, and towards the receiving hopper;

FIGURE 20 shows, on enlarged scale as compared with FIGURES 6 and 15, that portion of the flight which comprises a carton shelf, together with the ejector element and the stand to which such ejector is pivoted, the ejector element being shown in its normal or non-ejecting position;

FIGURE 21 shows a cross-section taken on the line 21-21 of FIGURE 20, looking in the direction of the arrows; and this figure shows the rearwardly extending cam element on the ejector arm, which cam element is engaged by the descending flange of the flight during the releasing and delivering operation, to rock such ejector element rightwardly as shown by the curved arrows, far enough to carry the lower edge of the carton to and beyond the edge of the shelf, thus releasing such carton for downward delivery;

FIGURE 22 shows a top or plan view of the lefthand end portion of one of the flights; and the intended locations of two of the cartons supported by such flight are indicated by the legends A and B; it being noted that in each case the flight is provided with an ejector receiving slot located centrally of the intended location of the carton;

FIGURE 23 shows a vertical front face view corresponding to FIGURE 22;

FIGURE 24 shows a horizontal section taken on the line 24-24 of FIGURE 23, a looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 25 shows an end view corresponding to FIGURES 22, 23 and 24;

FIGURE 26 shows a cross-section taken on the line 21 of FIGURES 22 and 23, but without inclusion of the ejector element; and this figure also shows the lower corner portion of a carton in place on the shelf;

FIGURE 27 shows a face view of one of the stepped plates which are located between companion pairs of the carrying units; such stepped plate being provided with downwardly extending flaps which are laterally deflectable in either direction, and serve to prevent interference between a presently being delivered carton and a carton carried by the companion and opposite carrying unit at a location opposite to that of the now being released and delivered carton; the central portion of the stepped plate being cut away to reduce the hight of the figure;

FIGURE 28 shows a top edge view or a section through the stepped plate shown in FIGURE 27, taken on the line 2828 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 29 shows a left-hand edge view corresponding to FIGURE 27;

FIGURE 30 shows a face view of the partition which is included vertically in each of the carrying units to ensure prevention of interference between the oppositely moving runs of the two flight-carrying chains of a carrying unit;

FIGURE 31 shows a horizontal section taken on the line 31-31 of FIGURE 30, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 32 shows a front elevation of the driving motor unit which is provided for all of the driving motors of the several carrying units of the assembly, three of the motor plates being shown in place on such unit, and the fourth motor plate having been removed from the unit to show the opening which is provided for insertion of the motor-reduction gear assembly backwardly through such opening;

FIGURE 33 shows a top plan view corresponding to FIGURE 32;

FIGURE 34 shows a cross-section taken on the lines 34-34 of FIGURES 32 and 33, looking in the directions of the arrows; and in this figure the operational position of the unit is shown by full lines, and also a portion of such unit is shown in its forwardly rocked position by dotted lines, being the horizontal position to which such unit may be rocked when it is desired to gain access to the several drive motors and corresponding cams, etc;

FIGURE 35 shows a fragmentary face view of the vertical end post of one of the carrying units, being a section taken on the line 3535 of FIGURE 36, looking in the direction of the arrows; and this figure shows the cross-pin and slot connection between the driving motor output shaft and the drive shaft of the carrying unit;

FIGURE 36 shows a cross-section taken on the line 36-36 of FIGURE 35, looking in the direction of the arrows; and this figure shows details of the journal of the drive shaft of the carrying unit in the end post of such carrying unit proximate to the output shaft of the corresponding drive motor;

FIGURE 37 shows a face view of one of the stopping control cams, being provided with seven stopping positions around its periphery, corresponding to an installa- E tion in which seven cartons are supported on each flight element;

FIGURE 38 shows a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 3S38 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, but on enlarged scale as compared to FIGURE 1; and FIGURE 38 shows the carton delivery chute which receives all of the cartons delivered from all of the carrying units and delivers such cartons to the hopper which is controlled by the vendors receiving door when such door is opened; the door and the hopper being shown in door closed position by full lines, and in door opened position by dashed lines; and this figure also shows, schematically, the refrigeration cooling unit behind such door-hopper unit, such cooling unit serving to deliver the cooled air upwardly through a chute into the space of the carrying unit chamber behind such carrying units, for circulation throughout such chamber;

FIGURE 39 shows a modified form of stepped plate assembly which includes a modified form of the flaps which extend down between cartons of the two com-- panion carrying units;

FIGURE 40 shows a vertical central section taken on the line 40-40 of FIGURE 39, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 41 shows in face view one of the arms of the flap unit shown in FIGURES 39 and 40;

FIGURE 42 shows a cro-ssasection taken on the line 42-42 of FIGURE 41, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 43 shows a modified form of slot to enable introduction of the flap unit of FIGURES 41 and 42, through the stepped location of the stepped plate;

FIGURE 44 shows, schematically, t-wo oppositely located cartons carried by flight-shelves of the oppositely companion carrying units, with a flap unit of the type shown in FIGURES 39, 40; 41, 42 and 43 separating such two cartons;

FIGURE 45 shows, schematically, a wiring diagram of a vending unit embodying the features herein disclosed; the details of the coin receiving, testing, collecting, and rejecting elements not being shown, as they are largely of conventional type.

FIGURE 46 shows, schematically, and in outline, a modified embodiment of the shelf-flight in its travel over the path including the upper and lower sprockets, and this figure shows a series of successive flight positions during such travel;

FIGURE 47 shows a cross-section through one of the modified form flights shown in FIGURE 46; being that embodiment in which only the upper chain supported pin is used as a pivot on which the flight may rock; suoh rock under urge of the load carried by the flight being limited at the horizontal position of the flight; and

FIGURE 48 shows a cross-section through another embodiment of the flight wherein only the lower chain supported pin is used as a pivot on which the flight may rock; such rock under urge of the load carried by the flight being limited at the same horizontal position as is irnposed by the embodiment of FIGURE 47, but with the rock limiting abutment properly located to meet the requirements imposed by use of the lower as the pivot.

I shall first describe the carton carrying unit in which the cartons are stored, and from which they are displaced and delivered one at a time. Thereafter I shall describe the various units which are associated and combined with such carrying unit, to produce the desired ensemble of a complete coin operated unit.

The carton storing unit is shown in face view in FIG- URE 5, and various details of its construction are shown in FIGURES 6 to 14, and FIGURES 22 to 26, inclusive. The functional and delivering operations by which the individual cartons are delivered from such storage unit are also shown in FIGURES 6, 15 to 21, inclusive, and FIGURES 26, 27, 28, 29, inclusive, and a modified em- It) bodiment of the stepped plate is also shown in FIG- URES 39 to 44, inclusive. Reference is now made to these figures as follows:

Each storage and carton carrying unit includes the front and back vertical end struts, 50 and 51, respectively. These are conveniently secured to the top and bottom

horizontal elements

52 and 53 to produce a rectangular form of hight to accommodate a number of horizontal shelf elements, lying in two vertical laterally displaced planes; and each such shelf element is adapted to store a number of cartons along its length, measured from front to rear, depending on the front to back dimension of such shelf element, and the size of the cartons stored thereon. These shelf elements are connected at their front and back ends to corresponding chains which travel over top and bottom sprockets suitably journalled with respect to the vertical struts. In FIGURE 5, and elsewhere, each shelf is numbered 54, and when describing and considering the relationship of proximate carrying units and their stored cartons, to each other, I shall include the suffix a to cartons of one such unit, the suffix b to cartons of the proximate unit, etc. Each such shelf is of generally channel cross-section, as well shown in

FIG URES

22, 23, 24, 25 and 26, including the upper flange 55 and the lower flange 56, and the end portions of such shelves are provided with the end plates 57 (see FIGURES 23, 2'4 and 25) which lend rigidity to the shelf element, and also provide elements to which the supporting studs and rollers, presently to be described, are connected, and by which the shelves are connected to the runs of the chains. These details will be explained presently.

Examination of FIGURES 22 to 26 will also shown that the lower flanges of such shelf elements project laterally from the webs 58 of the channels farther than the upper flanges, to thus provide carton supporting lower flange portions for cartons resting thereon, and with such cartons extending upwardly past and beyond the levels of the upper flanges of the shelves. This will be further discussed hereinafter.

The vertical struts 50 and 51 are of cross-section as shown in FIGURES 12 and 14. Each such strut is of generally channel section, and of lateral width suflieient to accommodate the lateral spacing of the vertical runs of the chains, and the shelves carried thereby. The connections of the ends of the shelves to the chains are effected by the following means:

' A pair of pins 59 and 61) are extended through each of the shelf end plates 58 (see FIGURES 6, 12 and 14), and project outwardly far enough for connection to corresponding links of the proximate chain. (Such pins, for each such end plate 58 are seen to be in Vertical alignment, whereas, in FIGURES 12 and 14 only the upper pin of each such pair is shown.) The vertical runs of the several chains are received in partially closed vertical channels, 61 and 62, the flanges of such channels being formed towards each other, but with a narrow slot left between their proximate edges. The pins 59 and extend through such slots to the interior of the channels; and small,

flanged rollers

63 and 64 are journalled on the pins, with their grooved edges receiving the edge portions of the flanges of

such channels

61 and 62. Since the

pins

59 and 60 of each of the shelf end platesare vertically displaced, so that the rollers on such pins are also vertically displaced, it follows that during vertical travel of a shelf carried by such pins and rollers, and the chain to which the pins are connected, the shelf channel is prevented from rocking about a horizontal axis (except when the chain is travelling around one of the end sprockets); thus such shelf is caused to travel vertically, either down or up, while retaining its flanges 55 and 56in horizontal position. In other words, there is no rock of the shelf possible during vertical travel of such shelf, either downwardly during the intended movement of the supported cartons towards the delivery stage, or upwardly,

during the returning travel of the shelf to its top sprocket supported position. Accordingly, it is not possible to deliver or discharge the supported cartons from such shelf, by any rocking movement, and other means, presently to the disclosed, are provided to ensure discharge of each carton at its intended delivery position, and under proper coin or other payment, control. Such delivering and discharging means will be disclosed fully hereinafter.

In FIGURE 3, which is a front elevational view of the interior of the refrigerated carton storing chamber, there are shown, in end elevation, four of the carrying units, designated I, II, III, and IV, respectively. In this figure the vertical runs of the chains at the fronts of such carrying units are also shown by the dash-dot lines; and such chains travel over upper and

lower sprockets

65 and 65, also shown by the dash-dot circles in that figure. These sprockets are journalled closer to that face of the carrying unit at which the cartons are travelling down, than to the opposite, or upwardly returning shelf face of such unit, as clearly evident from examination of such FIGURE 3, and other figures. Thus, during the downward movement of a shelf its lower or carton supporting fiange projects laterally from the carrying unit farther than its projection during the upward or returning travel of such shelf. Accordingly, when two of such carrying units are placed back to back, as shown by the units II and III of FIGURE 3, they may be set closer together without interference beaween projecting shelf flanges of the two carrying units, than would be possible otherwise. Thus, the overall width of the cabinet or other enclosing structure may be correspondingly reduced, without sacrifice of space needed for accommodation of cartons of given size.

Referring to FIGURES 3, 9, 1O, 11 and 13, there is shown the horizontal drive shaft extending from front to back of each of the carrying units, being numbered 67 in its entirety. Such shaft carries the sprockets 68 and 69 at its front and its back portions; and the chains 62 travel over and mesh with such sprockets for drive. The construction of such drive shaft is shown in detail in FIGURE 9, and is as follows:

The shaft proper comprises a tubular element 70, shouldered at 71 and 72 near its front and rear ends, the sprockets being set against such shoulders and drivingly connected to the tube. A rod 73 extends through the tube with its front end projecting forwardly to the front end of the tube, as shown at the right-hand of FIGURE 9. Beyond the front sprocket 68 such rod is grooved as shown at 74, and a set screw 75 is threaded through the overlying portion of the tube, with the inner end of such set screw engaged with the groove. By tightening such set screw the tube and rod may be drivingly locked together; but by loosening the set screw the tube may be rotated to a new angular position with respect to the rod, thus bringing these parts into a new angular relationship. Thereafter, by again tightening the set screw, the rod and tube may be drivingly locked together in their new angular relationship. A stiffening ring 76 may be set onto the tube at the location of such groove and set screw, with the set screw extended through such stiffening ring, as shown in FIGURE 9. At its right-hand end the rod is drivingly connected to a fixture 77 which is end slotted at 78 to receive the cross-wise extending pin of the low speed output shaft of a drive motor, presently to be described. At this point I will state, however, that I have provided a drive motor corresponding to each carrying unit, each such drive motor having a low-speed output shaft which drives through the instrumentality of such cross-wise extending pin. I have also made provision for the stopping of each such motor at successive definite angular positions of its output slow speed shaft and cross-wise extending pin, with corresponding stoppage of the vertical movement of the chains engaged with the sprockets of the shaft 7 t) driven by such I2 motor. The angular adjustability of the shaft tube in relation to the corresponding rod, makes it possible to adjust the vertical stopping positions of the shelves on the chains of the carrying unit in question. Thus each carrying unit may be caused to stop with its shelf now to deliver a carton, at exactly the correct position for effecting such delivery. The importance of such adjustability will appear hereinafter. It is also noted that such angular adjustability is effected at the front end of each drive shaft, and such adjustment may be made after the entire unit has been assembled without need of effecting adjustments of other elements.

The rod 73 is journalled at the points where it passes through the vertical struts 5t) and 51. Such journalling is conveniently effected as shown in detail in FIGURES 35 and 36. To this end a grommet '79 of rubber or other elastic material is set into a hole through the web of the vertical strut at the proper location to accommodate the drive shaft; and an oilless bearing 80, set onto such shaft, is set into the central opening of such grommet. By this arrangement, any slight misalignment of parts may i e compensated by the elasticity of such grommet, it being noted from examination of FIGURE 5 that such vertical struts are intended to be secured to the top and bottom horizontal elements, and that any slight departure for right-angularity of the struts with respect to the top and

bottom elements

52 and 53 is thus compensated for by such grommet arrangement.

In order to prevent possible interference between the back portions of the several shelf units carried by the lowering and rising runs of each chain loop, I have shown the barrier plate 81 set through the chain and shelf elements of each unit, such barrier plate extending between the two vertical struts of each carrying unit, and having its vertical edges set against the proximate faces of the struts and secured thereto, as shown in FIGURES l2 and 14, and elsewhere; such vertical edges being flanged as shown in such FIGURES l2 and 14 for fiat engagement with the proximate struts.

Examination of FIGURE 3 and other figures shows that although the cartons supported by the various shelves rest on the longer flanges 56 of the shelves, still such flanges, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, do not extend outwardly from the carrying unit far enough to do more than take the vertical component of weight, and do not of themselves prevent lateral or outward rock of the cartons from such shelf flanges. Under these conditions it is necessary to make provision for limiting such outward rock or swing, while at the same time making provision for delivering each carton laterally outward from the carrying unit shelf at the exact delivery position intended, and as a portion of the coin pre-pay operations. The following instrumentalities have been provided to meet these requirements:

Reference to FIGURE 3 shows the presence of a carton supporting plate 82 set vertically in proximity to the carton supporting flanges 56 of a carton carrying unit, such plate 82 being separated from the carrying unit at such distance that the cartons supported by the flanges 56 of the shelves may lean outwardly from the carrying unit in question, with their lower ends supported by the flanges 56 and their upper portions in lateral supporting engagement with such plate. At this point I mention that each carrying unit is set laterally from the corresponding plate 32 a distance proper to accommodate cartons of a specified size, and with such a cartons :at an angle of tilt proper to allow the desired carton delivering operations to be performed as hereinafter explained in detail. During step-by-step descent of the shelves toward the delivering position, the cartons continue to slide down while in engagement with such plate, until the delivery operation occurs, as hereinafter explained.

As shown in FIGURE 3, and elsewhere, each of the plates 32 serves carton carrying units at both of its faces, thus materially reducing the overall width of the cabinet or other unit which includes a number of the carrying units. Therefore it is convenient to provide means to retain such plate 82 in a fixed position laterally of the cabinet. Then, in order to accommodate cartons of varying sizes, which require different spacings of the carrying units from the plate or plates 82, I have provided simple means to permit lateral shift and locking of each carrying unit within the cabinet, to meet such varying spatial requirements. Thus, in case the two carrying units facing the opposite sides of the plate, should be selected to store and deliver two different sizes of the cartons, one of such carrying units may be shifted laterally to a new position, or both of the carrying units may be shifted laterally to new positions, leaving the plate 82 in its fixed position between the carrying units, as before. Such lateral adjustment of each carrying unit is provided by the following means.

The upper and lower edge portions of the carrying units are provided with elements cooperating with the upper and lower cabinet or stationary frame members, to retain such carrying units stationary during intended storage and dispensing operations. I have provided means to enable lateral shift of each carrying unit, with respect to its companion plate 82, and for then locking such earrying unit in its laterally shifted position. To this end I have provided a short front to back extending flange 83 on the upper edge portion of each carrying, which flange may be shifted endwise into engagement with either of two companion slots opening downwardly in the upper portion of the cabinet or other stationary element. Likewise, I have provided on the lower edge portion of each carrying unit a pair of downwardly extending spaced apart flanges 85, providing between them a downwardly open slot, together with two upwardly extending, front to back reaching, flanges, spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing between the slots 84. Thus, by withdrawing the carrying unit forwardly from its intended working position in the cabinet, the flange 83 at its upper edge, and the flanges 85 at its lower edge, may be disengaged from the previously engaged slot 85, and from the previously engaged flange 86, respectively. Then, by lateral shift of the carrying unit the distance between the two slots 84 (which is also the distance between the two flanges 86), such carrying unit it positioned for shift backwardly to restore it to intended working position in the cabinet, but with its spacing from the plate 82 correspondingly changed. Provision has been made for securing the carrying unit in either of its intended positions by use of a wing nut or the like, extended through the opening 87 provded in the angle section 88 secured to the flange 83 and engaged with a suitable element or stationary part.

It is here noted that such a lateral shift of any of the carrying units also results in corresponding lateral shift of the drive shaft 67 whose construction has been previously described. Accordingly, without provision for corresponding lateral shift of the motor and its low speed output shaft, the drive shaft of the carrying unit wil now be out of alignment with such motors output shaft. I have accordingly made provision for also shifting the motor of such carrying unit laterally of the device into a new position where the desired condition of lateral alignment between the two shafts will occur. I shall hereinafter describe such motor shifting arrangement in detail.

Reference is next made to FIGURE 15 (which is a section taken on the line 15*15 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows) and shows the form of the plate 82a in its relation to the lowermost shelf element of the carrying unit I of such FIGURE 3, and also shows the manner in which the successive cartons carried by such shelf are progressively brought into positions relatively to such plate, that they may be released and delivered from the shelf, one at a time. In FIGURE 15 there are also shown five out of seven cartons carried by the shelf there illustrated, it being understood that the showing that figure has been shortened by the front to back distance occupied by the cartons which would be legended as C and D, the figure actually showing only the cartons A, B, E, F and G. These seven cartons are to be progressively released and delivered by step-bystep downward advances of the shelf, corresponding to like advances of the drive shaft 67, and like advances of the low speed output shaft of the corresponding motor unit.

In FIGURE 15 I have also shown that shelf element from which the car-tons are to be delivered, designated as 89. The cartons supported by such shelf are shown schematically by dotted lines, all extending in a horizontal row along the length of the shelf. The lower edge of the plate 82 is formed to provide the successive steps We, 91, 92, 94, 95, and 96 (steps and 93 not being shown). These successive steps are located at vertical advances equal to the full movement downwardly of the shelf necessary to discharge the full complement of cartons carried by the shelf when filled, divided by the number of the cartons carried by the filled shelf. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the vertical distance between the step 90a and the step 91 is one-seventh of the distance between successive shelf elements. Accordingly, the advance to be executed by the drive shaft 67 (and by the low speed output shaft of the motor unit for the carrying unit in question) must be proper to advance the chains 62 of such carrying unit downwardly a distance equal to oneseventh of the distance between successive shelves, for each coin pre-pay operation of the devce. Conveniently, the sprocket size, and the tooth and link spacings of the chains of the carrying unit are so proportioned that one rotation of the drive shaft will produce chain movement equal to the distance between successive shelves. Then, by providing for stoppage of such drive at successive advances, each equal to one-seventh of the distance between successive shelves, the proper advances of the shelf, for successive deliveries of cartons therefrom, will be produced. I have made such provision for stoppages at such positions, as will presently appear.

Referring next to FIGURE 16, I have therein shown schematically, the manner of delivery of each carton from its position on the shelf. In this figure the plate 82 is shown between the two carrying units (I and II), and two

successive shelves

89 and 89 and 89 and 89 are shown, corresponding to the two carrying units. Each canton rests on the lower flange of its shelf 56, but due to the fact that, as thus supported, such carton will tend to fall away from the shelf, it is laterally supported by engagement with the plate 82 when such carton has tilted far enough to engage such plate. It is also seen that the upper flange 55 of the shelf serves as an abutment against which lateral movement of the lower portion of the carton is arrested during such tilt. Thus, each carton, during its descent with the chains, it retained in its intended tilted condition, until it reaches a position just above its intended delivery position. Thus, in FIGURE 16, the carton A is resting with its upper edge against the plate 82 at a position just above the lower step edge 90, so that such carton, not yet delivered, will be released and delivered shortly after commencement of the downward movement of the shelf at the next pre-delivering operation. I have also shown, in FIGURE 16, the approximate position of the center of gravity of such carton in its then position, by the point 97. I have also shown in such figure, by the dotted lines A" a reversed tilt position of the carton, corresponding to a lowered position of the shelf, shown by the dotted lines. In such lowered and reversed tilt position of the carton it is possible for it to slide off from the shelf, moving laterally away from the shelf, and downwardly, finally sliding between the lower step edge 90 and the lower shelf flange 56, for completion and delivery of the carton to the receiving hopper. These operations will be further discussed hereinafter. The center of gravity of the carton in such reversed position is shown by the point 97',

Claims

1. IN A CARTON DISPENSING DEVICE, A DISPENSING UNIT INCLUDING TWO VERTICALLY EXTENDING COMPANION LOOPS OF TENSION MATERIAL AND UPPER AND LOWER LOOP SUPPORTING WHEELS FOR EACH SUCH LOOP, THE SUPPORTING WHEELS FOR THE TWO LOOPS BEING LOCATED IN POSITIONS OPPOSITE TO EACH OTHER AND WITH THE VERTICAL RUNS OF THE TWO LOOPS INCLUDED IN VERTICAL PARALLEL PLANES, MEANS TO ADVANCE THE WHEELS OF THE TWO LOOPS IN SYNCHRONISM STEP-BY-STEP AND IN THE SAME ROTATIONAL DIRECTION, A SERIES OF HORIZONTAL FLIGHTS EXTENDING BETWEEN OPPOSING POSITIONS ON THE RUNS OF THE TWO LOOPS WHICH RUNS OF THE TWO LOOPS TRAVEL IN THE SAME DIRECTION DURING EACH STEP-BY-STEP ADVANCE OF THE WHEELS, MEANS TO CONNECT THE TWO ENDS OF EACH FLIGHT TO THE LOOP RUNS AT SUCH OPPOSING POSITION, EACH FLIGHT INCLUDING A CARTON SUPPORTING FLANGE EXTENDING OUT HORIZONTALLY FROM THE PLANE WHICH INCLUDES THE LOOP RUNS, THE MEANS WHICH CONNECTS THE TWO ENDS OF EACH FLIGHT TO THE LOOP RUNS BEING CONSTITUTED TO RETAIN SUCH FLANGE IN HORIZONTAL POSITION WHEN CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF A CARTON, WITH THE FLANGE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE PLANE OF THE LOOP RUNS IN DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO SUCH PLANE DURING MOVEMENT OF SUCH FLANGE TO A CARTON DELIVERY POSITION ON THE DOWNWARDLY MOVING RUN OF THE LOOPS TO WHICH THE FLIGHT IS CONNECTED, CARTON DELIVERY MEANS INCLUDING AN EJECTION FINGER, PIVOT MEANS FOR SAID FINGER LOCATED AT AN ELEVATION HIGHER THAN THE CARTON DELIVERY POSITION OF THE FLANGE WITH THE FINGER DEPENDING FROM SAID PIVOT MEANS AND LOCATED BEHIND THE CARTON, SAID PIVOT MEANS BEING CONSTITUTED FOR SWING OF THE FINGER IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO THE PLANE OF THE LOOP RUNS, A CAM ELEMENT ON THE FINGER, A CAM ENGAGING ELEMENT ON THE FLIGHT ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE CAM ELEMENT OF THE FINGER WHEN THE FLIGHT IS AT A POSITION PROXIMATE TO THE CARTON DELIVERY POSITION, THE CAM ELEMENT BEING CONSTITUTED TO SWING THE FINGER IN ITS PLANE OF MOVEMENT IN CARTON DELIVERY DIRECTION DURING DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE FLIGHT TO THE CARTON DELIVERY POSITION.