Dispenser
A dispenser automatically dispenses beverage cans. A housing has a conveyor along which cans are conveyed by gravity to a removal opening. A dispensing flap is on the removal opening and can be pivoted between a closed position, in which it prevents the removal of products through the removal opening, and a removal position. The dispensing flap has two trough-shaped receptacles lying at right angles to the conveyor section for one can, and is pivotal such that in the closed position a can is conveyed from the conveyor section into the first receptacle positioned to the inside of the housing, removal of the can from the first receptacle being prevented. In the removal position the can rolls from the first receptacle into the second receptacle, at the same time a new can is prevented from being conveyed from the conveyor into the first receptacle.
1. A can dispenser for automatically dispensing, comprising a housing ( 1 ) including:
a conveyor section ( 4 ) for conveying sequentially therealong a plurality of cans by the force of gravity;
a removal opening ( 3 ) having an operably associated dispensing flap ( 10 ) pivotably movable about a horizontal axis (X) extending at right angles to the conveyor section ( 4 ) and the removal opening ( 3 ) between a closed position, in which the dispensing flap ( 10 ) prevents the removal of a first can through the removal opening ( 3 ), and a removal position;
the dispensing flap ( 10 ) being formed in order to accommodate the first can from the conveyor section ( 4 ) in the closed position thereof;
the dispensing flap ( 10 ) having first and second trough-shaped receptacles ( 11 , 12 ) and a holding projection ( 13 ) separating the first and second trough-shaped receptacles ( 11 , 12 ), each of the receptacles ( 11 , 12 ) configured to accommodate one of the cans;
the dispensing flap ( 10 ) being pivotably mounted such that in the closed position the first can being conveyed from the conveyor section ( 4 ) into the first receptacle ( 11 ) positioned to the inside of the housing and removal of the first can from the first receptacle ( 11 ) being prevented, and in the removal position the dispensing flap allows the first can being rolled from the first receptacle ( 11 ) into the second receptacle ( 12 ) while a second can is prevented from being conveyed from the conveyor section ( 4 ) into the first receptacle ( 11 );
the second receptacle ( 12 ) formed such that in the removal position of the dispensing flap ( 10 ) the first can is prevented from rolling from the second receptacle ( 12 ) due to the force of gravity;
the holding projection ( 13 ) provided such that removal of the first can lying in the first receptacle ( 11 ) in the closed position of the dispensing flap ( 10 ) is prevented, and the first can is conveyed by the force of gravity from the first receptacle ( 11 ) into the second receptacle ( 12 ) when the dispensing flap ( 10 ) is in the removal position;
the filling opening ( 2 ) provided with an upper closing flap ( 7 a ) and a lower closing flap ( 7 b ) held pivotably on an end of the chute ( 5 ) adjacent to the filling opening and pivotable between a closed position, in which the upper and lower closing flaps ( 7 a ), ( 7 b ) at least partially close the filling opening ( 2 ) and are held in the closed position by elastic resetting means ( 8 ) against a resetting force of the elastic resetting means ( 8 ), and an open position in which the upper and lower closing flaps ( 7 a ), ( 7 b ) at least substantially span a space ( 9 ) between the chute ( 5 ) and the conveyor section ( 4 );
each of the cans positioned on the chute ( 5 ) rolling down the chute ( 5 ) to enter the filling opening ( 2 ) after the upper and lower closing flaps ( 7 a ), ( 7 b ).
2. The can dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein on an end region of the dispensing flap ( 10 ) facing towards an interior of the housing a blocking lug ( 14 ) is provided which, in the removal position of the dispensing flap ( 10 ), projects into the conveyor section ( 4 ) such that the second can is prevented from rolling from the conveyor section ( 4 ) into the first receptacle ( 11 ) of the dispensing flap.
3. The can dispenser according to claim 2 , wherein a pivot axis (X) of the dispensing flap ( 10 ) lies beneath the first receptacle ( 11 ) approximately centrally thereof.
4. The can dispenser according to claim 1 , further comprising elastic resetting means biasing the dispensing flap into the closed position thereof; wherein an end of the dispensing flap extends out of the housing in the closed position thereof and is pivoted into the removal position thereof when pressed down.
5. The can dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein a pivot axis (X) of the dispensing flap ( 10 ) lies beneath the first receptacle ( 11 ) approximately centrally thereof.
6. A can dispenser for automatically dispensing cans, comprising a housing ( 1 ) including:
a conveyor section ( 4 ) for conveying sequentially therealong a plurality of cans by a force of gravity;
a removal opening ( 3 ) having an operably associated dispensing flap ( 10 ) pivotably movable about a horizontal axis (X) extending at right angles to the conveyor section ( 4 ) and the removal opening ( 3 ) between a closed position, in which the dispensing flap ( 10 ) prevents the removal of a first can through the removal opening ( 3 ), and a removal position;
the dispensing flap ( 10 ) being formed in order to accommodate the first can from the conveyor section ( 4 ) in the closed position thereof;
the dispensing flap ( 10 ) having first and second trough-shaped receptacles ( 11 , 12 ), each of the receptacles ( 11 , 12 ) configured to accommodate one of the cans;
the dispensing flap ( 10 ) being pivotably mounted such that in the closed position the first can being conveyed from the conveyor section ( 4 ) into the first receptacle ( 11 ) positioned to the inside of the housing and removal of the first can from the first receptacle ( 11 ) being prevented, and in the removal position the dispensing flap allows the first can being rolled from the first receptacle ( 11 ) into the second receptacle ( 12 ) while a second can is prevented from being conveyed from the conveyor section ( 4 ) into the first receptacle ( 11 );
an upper side of the housing being provided with a filling opening ( 2 ) through which the first and second cans can be introduced into the housing ( 1 ), and a chute ( 5 ) being formed on the upper side of the housing adjacent to the filling opening ( 2 ) on which the first and second cans can roll to the filling opening ( 2 );
the filling opening ( 2 ) being provided with an upper closing flap ( 7 a ) and a lower closing flap ( 7 b ) held pivotably on an end of the chute ( 5 ) adjacent to the filling opening and pivotable between a closed position, in which the upper and lower closing flaps ( 7 a ), ( 7 b ) at least partially close the filling opening ( 2 ) and are held in the closed position by elastic resetting means ( 8 ) against a resetting force of the elastic resetting means ( 8 ), and an open position in which the upper and lower closing flaps ( 7 a ), ( 7 b ) at least substantially span a space ( 9 ) between the chute ( 5 ) and the conveyor section ( 4 );
each of the cans positioned on the chute ( 5 ) rolling down the chute ( 5 ) to enter the filling opening ( 2 ) after the upper and lower closing flaps ( 7 a ), ( 7 b ).
7. The can dispenser according to claim 6 , wherein guide surfaces ( 6 ) are provided on both sides of the chute ( 5 ) for the first and second cans.
8. The can dispenser according to claim 6 , wherein a cooling device is provided in order to cool the first and second cans within the housing ( 1 ).
9. The can dispenser according to claim 6 , further comprising elastic resetting means biasing the dispensing flap into the closed position thereof; wherein an end of the dispensing flap extends out of the housing in the closed position thereof and is pivoted into the removal position thereof when pressed down.