Dispenser for articles

The invention relates to an overhead product dispensing container, particularly on the issue of product packages, for example, cigarette packs, according to the preamble of claim 1, cf. US-A-4,498,714.

The invention is concerned with the problem, an overhead product dispensing container to create a convenient self-service removal and an even easier filling with product packages allows the presence of residual product packages are subordinate.

The invention solves this problem by an overhead product dispensing container with the features of claim 1. Regarding significant further refinement features Reference is made to the claims 2 to the 7th

The forms of the invention overhead merchandise dispensing container a self-service unit, with little effort to accommodate different goods packaging is adaptable. Which are designed as drawers arranged one above another Fixture create a subdivision into a plurality of compartments, which by their tendency to the customer clearly face and an easily accessible removal opening present.

Where the goods carrier drawers from this operating position obliquely pulled down from the container and by an angle folded down so they reach a laterally accessible filling position, in the even of untrained operators a simple filling possible is. It is located on the product carriers existing Rest goods in front of the discharge opening adjacent Removal position so easily Nachfüllware can be positioned behind the rest of the goods. Then are the goods carrier drawers with a simple opposite sequence of movements in the Overhead goods dispenser tank traceable and in this lockable.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings the two embodiments of the invention Goods output tray illustrate. In the drawing show:<dl tsize="7"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a perspective view of an overhead product dispensing container Noninventive having with several product carriers shafts,</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>an enlarged sectional representation of the Goods dispensing container shown in FIG. 1 with more from one of the shafts in filling position extracted product carriers,</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a cross sectional view of the goods dispensing container according to a line III-III in FIG. 2</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>similarly an enlarged individual representation Fig. 3 having a plurality of through a vertical Divider wall supported product carriers,</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>a rear perspective view according to a Viewing direction V in Fig. 2 on the at the vertical divider wall on a support plate conducted with extension parts product carriers,</dd><dt>Fig. 6</dt><dd>a rear perspective view of the merchandise dispensing container with those receiving Mounting frame,</dd><dt>Fig. 7</dt><dd>an enlarged sectional view of a defining the backing plate to the divider wall arresting, </dd><dt>Fig. 8</dt><dd>a perspective view of the locking device according to FIG. 7,</dd><dt>Fig. 9</dt><dd>a perspective view of an overhead product dispensing container of the invention each formed of drawers Product carriers,</dd><dt>Fig. 10</dt><dd>similarly a perspective view of Fig. 9 having with removable magazines drawers,</dd><dt>Fig. 11</dt><dd>a partially sectioned side view of the container along a line XI-XI in Fig. 10, and</dd><dt>Fig. 12</dt><dd>an enlarged detail view the pulled-out drawer of FIG. 11th</dd></dl>

In Fig. 1 is a generally designated 1 Overhead goods dispenser tank shown, the self-service device on the issue of product packages 2, eg cigarette packets, is provided. The product packages 2 are partitioned spaces of the container 1 in received a series arrangement (left side in Fig. 1) and from the respective receiving space on a front side Removal opening 3 can be removed.

The non-inventively constructed container 1 by vertical Divider walls 4 (Fig. 5) lying side by side in Qty 5 divided, and in these shafts 5 supported stacked goods carrier 6th The enlarged view of FIG. 2 illustrates in conjunction with the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 optimal arrangement of a plurality of product carriers 6, their generally with 8 designated front sides with the lower edges 7, an upwardly sloping front withdrawal position E define. The product carriers 6 are from an operating position (Fig. 3) within the shaft 5 obliquely downward (Arrow B) in an inventory and filling position of the shaft 5 can be pulled out (FIG. 2, FIG. 5) and in the opposite direction of movement in the operating position traceable (Fig. 4).

The divider walls 4 are in a Rear wall 10 of the container 1 is suspended, wherein by means of a Supporting hook 11 and a plug-in projection 12 a releasable Connection is created, the one also stepless change of the horizontal distance T of the respective divider walls 4 permits (Fig. 2). This design is a reaches modular assembly of container 1 and this can with little effort to accommodate different Sizes of packaged goods 2, for example, on cigarette packs be adjusted in the form of big packs.

The enlarged detail view of FIG. 5 shows the useful design of divider walls 4 as two-piece Assembly, the one to the rear wall 10 of the container 1 suspendable first wall portion 13 having a rear angle part 14 and the wall part 13 and assigned to this collimated second wall part 15 in the form a support plate comprises. This second wall part 15 is on the side opposite to the first wall portion 13 side with the Product carriers 6 which removed the wall portion 15 supported and therefore individually form removable assemblies. Between the two wall parts 13 and 15 are guide rails 16 and 17 provided an extract of parts, so that the second wall portion 15 relative to the first wall part 13 extendible is and the goods support 6 so that together from their Operating position (Fig. 4) in its filling position (Fig. 5) can be transferred.

The second wall portion 15 is in its inserted end position, by means of a releasable locking device by hand A (Fig. 7, Fig. 8) can be fixed, wherein a via a spring 18 moving locking pawl 17 into a receiving opening A 'at the lower edge region of the displaceable wall part 15 intervenes (Fig. 4).

Defining the dividing walls 4 or the respective wall part 13 the container 1 is in combination of FIGS. 3 and FIG. 6 clearly, the rear wall 10 in its upper Range a approximately over the width of the rear wall 10 extending recess for receiving the respective the first wall portion 13 provided supporting hook portions 11. At a distance below the recess extends also over the width of the rear wall 10, a receiving slot in the form of a Randabkantung 9 (Fig. 3), into which the attached to the first wall portion 13 in the form of a holding tongue 12 ' Plug-in projection 12 engages (Fig. 4).

The cut single representation of the shaft assembly FIG. 4 shows essentially the constructive details associated with the second wall part 15 product carriers 6, which in their width with a K (Fig. 2) substantially the width of the goods to be supported packs 2 corresponding to the withdrawal side and (removal opening 3) slants downwardly aligned slide 20 are provided along a respective discharge valve 21 is displaceably guided. This discharge valve 21 may with a in the plane of the slide 20 from the front side 8 of the product carrier 6 from extending spring (Not illustrated) in the form of a scroll spring be that in case of a movement of the pressure valve 21 biased towards the rear end of the product carrier 6 back is (arrow Z). Thereafter, the discharge valve 21 under action of the spring force in a direction of the arrow D execute a return movement.

The respective discharge valve 21 are in their end position at the rear end of the goods carrier 6 by means of a spring-loaded Latch 22 (arrow F) can be locked, such as this example, the upper goods carrier 6 in the cross-sectional view shows in FIG. 3. This latch 22 is directly by inserting a recent article pack 2 before the discharge valve 21 'can be triggered so that thereafter is completely filled product carrier 6 of the pressure slide 21 for his pusher movement (arrow D) automatically is released and the product packages 2 to the removal opening 3 can move towards. When refilling the product packages 2, the discharge valve 21 in the direction of Latch 22 to move up behind them. This leaves Rest commodity on the carrier 6 near the discharge opening 3, and the continued use of the self service device 1 takes place after inserting the new product necessarily to a first-in-first-out principle.

In an advantageous embodiment of the container 1 has its Rear wall 10 a vertical in the operating position lower Part 23 and for taking side angled top Part 24, so that also the divider walls 4 that a angled rear wall during the vessel 1 adapted have rear edge course (Fig. 3, Fig. 4). By adjusting the length of the goods carrier 6 to the rear edge over the wall parts 13 and 15 are the goods support 6 different lengths and in turn forming compartments with a different absorption capacity for goods packaging 2 (Fig. 3).

The product carriers 6 are in the front with 8 a sealing member 26 is provided, the only part the height of the set product packages 2 takes so that through the removal openings 3 a convenient access possible is. By forming the seal members 26 from a transparent material such as plexiglass, is also the customer inclined package label legible.

In their parallel superposition, the goods carrier 6 in the area of ​​the front end part 26 by approximately one Packing thickness staggered (distance W, FIG. 3), so that each under the action of the pressure slide 21 applied to the end part 26 article pack 2 in the accessible via the removal opening 3 removal position located and access justice for clients inclined is.

The end faces 27, 28 (or an intermediate wall 28 ') of the container 1 (Fig. 6) are internally with a each guide groove 29 (FIG. 3), in which a total with 30 or 30 'designated shutter shutters is slidably supported. In the open position of the container 1 is the closure shutters 30 above and the back of the divider walls 4 and by a rolling motion (Arrow R), for example by means of a driving motor 31 controlled, the closure shutters 30, 30 'in a closed position for removal of the container 1 be moved, so that for a reliable anti-theft device is reached. In an advantageous embodiment, the Closing shutters 30, 30 'formed as Gitterstab shutters 32nd

The perspective view of FIG. 6 illustrates that the container 1 on its rear wall 10 to a total of is secured with 33 designated carrier rack. In the area the rear wall 10 are two longitudinal rows of Screw holes 34 provided that a longitudinally of the container 1 variable connection to the carrier frame 33 permit. The entire support structure is in the range the supporting frame 33 with two to each other by Diagonal braces 35, 36 braced support columns 37, 38 provided that on respective supporting holes 39, the support additional containers (not shown) allow. In an advantageous embodiment, there are the components of the Supporting frame 33 as a prefabricated perforated profiles with respective Openings 39 are formed, the longitudinal and / or transversely side hanging system of shopping carts allow.

The container 1 is provided on its removal side (Fig. 3) above the sampling openings 3 provided with a supporting part 40, supported in the goods for lighting lamps 41 and are in the region of the front 42 of the supporting part 40 is also the definition of advertising or the like. possible.

In Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the container of the invention 1 illustrates. The product carrier 6 'are each as across the width of the container interior extending store, especially drawers 50 formed. are on the left hand side of the display located in the operating position in the container interior Drawers 50 such visible that the front removal plane in this operating position is clear. The Drawers 50 are in the region of their lateral sides 51,52 respective wall parts 27 ', 28', 28 '' of the container 1 supported. From this operating position, the respective Drawer 50 obliquely downward pulled out (similar to the product carriers 6 - Fig. 5 - means of guide rails or the like).. and may, upon reaching a maximum extension position the drawer 50 via a hinged suspension at 64 and 65 in an approximately vertical filling position (Angle W) can be folded down (Fig. 9, right side). at this pivotal movement of the drawer 50 in the filling position simultaneously or in respective receiving spaces 53 contained residual product packages under gravity for taking side shifted, and behind or over the rest product new goods can be stacked so that with little effort and less trained operators the first-in-first-out principle is realized. After filling the spaces 53, the drawer 50 is in opposite sequence of movements traceable in the container 1 and in this operating position by an unlockable Holding part (not shown) is fixed.

The container 1 gem. Fig. 9 is on either side of the central Wall portion 28 '' is arranged with four superimposed Drawers 50 provided, which in turn each fourteen partitioned spaces 53 have, so that optimal use of space in the container 1, a plurality of product packages can be received.

In Fig. 10, the product carrier 6 ', in one embodiment shown, in which the drawers 50 in the region of the Receiving spaces 53 (FIG. 9) each having as removable Items (Fig. 11) formed magazines 54 provided are. The drawer 50 is in its operating position obliquely downward drawn out of the container and around the Angle W folded into the filling position down. In this tilted position, the magazines 54 with little Effort by an operator removed (arrow E, provided Fig. 11), at a remote filling location with new merchandise and then re-inserted into the drawer 50 will.

The side view of FIG. 11 illustrates in conjunction with FIG. 12, the support of the respective drawer 50 in the respective wall portions 28 '' or 27 ' (Fig. 10) to which in opposite mounting position (to 27 'not visible) respective guide members 59 with a are provided guide 60th In the case of movement of the drawer 50 in the filling position takes place in the guide groove 60 a Sliding or rolling movement of the drawer 50, and a not shown articulated suspension on the guiding component 59 is introduced as a catch groove 61, that the Drawer 50 occupies the pivotal position shown, is sufficiently securely fixed and low Force in the reverse sequence of movements in the operating position is traceable.

The magazines 54 are in the drawer 50 a by a Spring member 55 having clamping connection fixed (Fig. 12), wherein a resilient tongue 62 shown in the part 55 on the spring Filling position easily accessible to the operator is to ensure that the clamp connection easy to solve is and the magazine 54 just a few easy steps can be removed (arrow E, Fig. 11). Equally easy is possible reinsertion of the magazine 54th

The drawer 50 is facing away from the front of their 8 Back 56 (Fig. 12) with a bearing a display 57 Holding device 58 is provided. One of the display 57 envisaged registration also allows for multiple simultaneously sampled magazines 54 positionally accurate Assignment at their reinstatement in the drawer 50th The display 57 is in the region of a folding bar 63 supported that with a joint support 64 such the holding device 58 is connected, that by means of a Pivotal movement (arrow H), the folding bar 63 to the spring tongue 62. displaced (Fig. 11, upper drawers) and so that the respective magazine 54 in the drawer 50 a in addition to the clamping connection in the region of the spring member having 55 effective position assurance.