Cylindrical container dispenser
A system for dispensing cylindrical containers is disclosed. In an embodiment, a housing with an upper opening and a lower opening includes a track that connects the upper and lower openings. A drawer is mounted in the lower opening so that containers placed in the upper opening may travel along the track until they reach the drawer. In an embodiment opening the drawer allows a single container to be removed. A plurality of tracks connecting a plurality of upper and lower openings may be provided so that different types of containers may be dispensed. In an embodiment the drawer may be lockable and a cover that may include a lock may be mounted to the housing so as to cover the upper opening. In an embodiment, a sensor may be included to detect the opening of the drawer.
1. A system for dispensing cylindrical containers, comprising:
a housing configured to mount to a shelf, the housing having a base and a plurality of upper openings and a plurality of lower openings;
a plurality of tracks positioned in the housing, wherein each of the plurality of tracks connects one of the upper openings to one of the lower openings;
a plurality of drawers, wherein one of the plurality of drawers is positioned in each of the lower openings, the plurality of drawers being slidable between a closed position and an open position in a horizontal direction along a surface of the base;
a plurality of retaining tabs, each one of the plurality of retaining tabs coupled to one of the plurality of drawers, wherein sliding one of the plurality of drawers causes the associated retaining tab to translate to a blocking position, wherein the associated retaining tab extends through an opening in one of the plurality of tracks in the blocking position; and
a sensor configured to detect a change in position of one of the plurality of drawers.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spring elements, wherein each one of the plurality of drawers is supported in the closed position by one of the spring elements.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a sliding member, wherein the sliding member is configured to allow the plurality of drawers to open when in a first position and to prevent the plurality of drawers from opening when in a second position.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a cover mounted to the housing, the cover configured to occlude the plurality of upper openings.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a tone generator connected to the sensor, wherein opening one of the plurality of drawers causes the tone generator to generate an audible tone.
6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to transmit a signal from the sensor to a monitoring device, whereby the area may be monitored when the drawer is opened.
7. A method of dispensing cylindrical containers in a retail environment, the method comprising:
(a) placing a plurality of cylindrical containers in a first opening of a housing;
(b) directing the plurality of cylindrical containers along a track to a second opening;
(c) providing a single cylindrical container in response to a sliding of a drawer mounted in the second opening in a horizontal direction along a surface of the housing by associating the drawer with a retainer tab located approximately one diameter of the cylindrical container away from the drawer and positioning the retainer tab in a blocking position, where the retainer tab extends through an opening in the track, when the drawer is moved;
(d) providing a reaction in response to the sliding of the drawer comprising:
(i) generating a signal representing the opening of the drawer; and
(ii) providing the signal over a network connection to a monitoring device; and
(e) automatically closing the drawer.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the providing the reaction in (d) comprises:
(i) generating a tone while the drawer is opening.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the directing in (b) comprises:
(i) directing the cylindrical containers along an inclined first portion of the track in a first direction; and
(ii) directing the cylindrical containers along an inclined second portion of the track in a second direction, the second direction being more than 90 degrees different from the first direction, whereby the first and second portion provide a compact method of storing the plurality of containers.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the placing of containers in the opening in (a) comprises:
(i) unlocking a cover occluding the first opening;
(ii) rotating the cover so as to allow access to the first opening; and
(iii) placing a plurality of cylindrical containers on their side in the first opening.