초록 ▼

Improved dispensing apparatus for dispensing machines of the type having at least one dispensing tray containing a dispensing unit which dispenses articles from the machine by the use of a helical dispensing coil. Improved mounting apparatus is provided for supporting both the forward and back end p

Improved dispensing apparatus for dispensing machines of the type having at least one dispensing tray containing a dispensing unit which dispenses articles from the machine by the use of a helical dispensing coil. Improved mounting apparatus is provided for supporting both the forward and back end portions of the dispensing coil. A cross-bracket member having a portion extending across the diameter of the coil, is mounted to the back portion of the coil. A cross-bracket holding device, connected for rotation by appropriate motor means, releasably accepts the cross-bracket for mounting the back portion of the coil in elevated position above the shelf surface of the dispensing tray. The cross-bracket holding device is configured to matingly accept differently sized cross-bracket members, to enable rapid interchangeability of differently sized dispensing coils in the machine. Coil support apparatus mounted to slidably engage the outer circumference of the dispensing coil near its forward end supports the forward end of the coil in elevated spaced-apart manner above the tray surface, and supports the coil in a manner which minimizes jamming of the items being dispensed at the forward end of the coil. Coil compression means mounted adjacent the forward end of the dispensing coil causes the coil to positively eject or to impart dispensing motion to the item being dispensed from the convolutions of the coil, during the dispensing rotation movement of the coil.

대표청구항 ▼

Mounting apparatus for an elongate helical coil of the type used in dispensing machines, comprising: a. an elongate helical coil having a longitudinally extending coil axis and defining an internal cylindrical zone coaxial with said coil axis; b. a cross-bracket member mounted to one end of said coi

Mounting apparatus for an elongate helical coil of the type used in dispensing machines, comprising: a. an elongate helical coil having a longitudinally extending coil axis and defining an internal cylindrical zone coaxial with said coil axis; b. a cross-bracket member mounted to one end of said coil, having a portion thereof disposed across the diameter of said coil; and c. cross-bracket holding means cooperatively detachably engaging said cross-bracket member for detachably rotatably mounting said coil in quick-release manner for rotation about said coil axis, such that said axis is generally disposed in a horizontal plane, whereby said internal cylindrical zone of the mounted coil is free of obstruction along the longitudinal length of said coil wherein said cross-bracket holding means comprises a stationary housing member; a rotatable Member mounted to said stationary housing member and rotatable about a generally horizontally disposed axis, said rotatable housing member comprising a cross-bracket holding device having a recessed channel sized to matingly engage said cross-bracket member, for imparting rotary motion thereto and retaining means mounted for rotation with said rotatable housing member, for releasably securing in quick-release manner said cross-bracket member into cooperative engagement with said recessed channel in said cross-bracket holding device, wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of retaining clips, positioned on opposite sides of said channel and being operable between first and second positions, said retaining clips being normally biased toward said first position to retainably engage said cross-bracket member within said channel and being movable to said second position for releasing and for accepting said cross-bracket member from and into retention within said channel.