IP Library Granted Patent US 8,052,010
Granted Patent B2
US 8,052,010 · App. 12/374,202 · Granted Nov 8, 2011

Helical coil dispenser for vending machines and vending machine comprising such dispenser

Assignee: Damian S.R.L.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,052,010
App. No.
12/374,202
Granted
Nov 8, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to a helical coil dispenser ( 4 ) for vending machines, which dispenser comprises a frame ( 5 ), a plurality of helical coils ( 6 ) mounted on the frame ( 5 ) and a plurality of motors ( 15 ), each connected to a respective helical coil ( 6 ), to determine rotation of the helical coil ( 6 ) about a longitudinal axis (X) and moving forward of the goods (P) supported by the helical coil ( 6 ). The dispenser ( 4 ) further comprises adjusting means ( 18 ) interposed between each motor ( 15 ) and the frame ( 5 ), said adjusting means ( 18 ) enabling shifting of the motors ( 15 ) along a rear side ( 12 ) of the frame ( 5 ) perpendicular to the longitudinal axes (X) and locking of said motors ( 15 ) onto the frame ( 5 ), to allow installation of a different number of motors ( 15 ) and helical coils ( 6 ) and/or installation of helical coils ( 6 ) of different sizes.

Claims (19)

1. A helical coil dispenser for vending machines, comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of helical coils mounted on the frame and each extending along a longitudinal extension axis thereof;

each helical coil being coupled to a respective motor designed to determine a rotation of the helical coil about said longitudinal extension axis causing moving forward of goods supported by said helical coil;

wherein the helical coil dispenser further comprises adjusting means interposed between each motor and the frame, said adjusting means comprising a plurality of supports, each supporting one motor, and a guide disposed on the frame; said supports being mounted on said guide and being designed to translate along about throughout said guide in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension axes and parallel to a main development of a rear side of the frame; said supports and said guide being designed to allow each support, during its translation, to reach a plurality of stable positions along the guide, so as to lock of said motors to a plurality of different positions on the frame, to enable installation of a different number of motors and helical coils or installation of helical coils of different sizes.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the adjusting means enables shifting of each motor in a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension axes and to said first direction.

3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the supports are of one piece construction with, or separated from the respective motor.

4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the guide comprises a plurality of discrete seats disposed in succession along the rear side of the frame and each of the supports has a coupling portion to be secured to said seats.

5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the guide comprises a toothing extending along the rear side of the frame; said toothing having a pitch much smaller than a transverse bulkiness of the support.

6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the guide has an engagement portion extending without a break along the rear side of the frame and each of the supports has a coupling portion to be slidably mounted along the engagement portion and lockable to said engagement portion.

7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2 , wherein each of the motors is slidably shiftable on the respective support along the second direction and lockable onto said support.

8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2 , wherein each of the motors can be secured to a plurality of discrete seats formed on the respective support and disposed consecutively along the second direction.

9. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of partitions adapted to be disposed between the helical coils; said partitions being designed to translate along said first direction.

10. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9 , wherein each of the partitions is designed to be locked onto said frame.

11. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9 , wherein each of the partitions is designed to be secured to a plurality of discrete seats placed in succession along the first direction.

12. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9 , wherein each of the partitions is designed to be secured to the frame at a proximal end thereof designed to be joined to the frame in the region of the rear side of said frame.

13. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9 , wherein each of the partitions is designed to be secured to the frame at a distal end thereof designed to be joined to the frame in the region of a front side of said frame, opposite to the rear side.

14. A helical coil dispenser for vending machines, comprising: a frame; a plurality of helical coils mounted on the frame and each extending along a longitudinal extension axis thereof; a plurality of motors, each connected to a respective helical coil to determine rotation of the helical coil about its longitudinal axis and moving forward of the goods supported by said helical coil; wherein the helical dispenser further comprises adjusting means interposed between each motor and the frame, said adjusting means allowing shifting of the motors along a rear side of the frame perpendicular to the longitudinal axes and locking of said motors to a plurality of different positions on the frame, to enable installation of a different number of motors and helical coils or installation of helical coils of different sizes; the adjusting means comprising a guide disposed along the rear side of the frame and a plurality of supports to be mounted on the guide and each supporting one of said motors; the guide having an engagement portion extending without a break along the rear side of the frame and each of the supports having a coupling portion to be slidably mounted along the engagement portion and lockable to said engagement portion.

15. A helical coil dispenser for vending machines, comprising: a frame; a plurality of helical coins mounted on the frame and each extending along a longitudinal extension axis thereof; a plurality of motors, each connected to a respective helical coil to determine rotation of the helical coil about its longitudinal axis and moving forward of the goods supported by said helical coil; wherein the helical dispenser further comprises adjusting means interposed between each motor and the frame, said adjusting means allowing shifting of the motors along a first direction parallel to a rear side of the frame, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes, and locking of said motors to a plurality of different positions on the frame, to enable installation of a different number of motors and helical coils or installation of helical coils of different sizes; the adjusting means comprising a guide disposed along the rear side of the frame and a plurality of supports to be mounted on the guide and each supporting one of said motors; each of the motors being designed to be secured to a plurality of discrete seats formed on the respective support and disposed consecutively along a second direction perpendicular to both said first direction and said longitudinal extension axis.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Oct 30, 2015
From: DAMIAN S.R.L.
To: RHEAVENDORS INDUSTRIES S.P.A.
Reel/Frame 037009/0537 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2009
From: BORRA, PAOLO
To: DAMIAN S.R.L.
Reel/Frame 022227/0241 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 06425512 · Jul 21, 2006 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090283539A1 · Nov 19, 2009