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A dispenser of single-use portions of preparations for beverages, comprising a structure that supports at least one storage assembly for single-use portions provided with a discharge outlet for the discharge of the portions, at least one distribution assembly for the portions which is provided with

A dispenser of single-use portions of preparations for beverages, comprising a structure that supports at least one storage assembly for single-use portions provided with a discharge outlet for the discharge of the portions, at least one distribution assembly for the portions which is provided with an outlet for dispensing said portions and with a device for transferring the portions from the discharge outlet to the dispensing outlet, which are interposed between the storage assembly and the distribution assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A dispenser of single-use portions of preparations for beverages, comprising: a support structure that supports at least one storage assembly supported at said support structure, for storing single-use portions, said storage assembly being provided with a discharge outlet for said portions; at le

1. A dispenser of single-use portions of preparations for beverages, comprising: a support structure that supports at least one storage assembly supported at said support structure, for storing single-use portions, said storage assembly being provided with a discharge outlet for said portions; at least one distribution assembly for distributing said portions; which is provided with a dispensing outlet for dispensing said portions; and transfer means for transferring the portions from said discharge outlet to said dispensing outlet, said transfer means being interposed between said storage assembly and said distribution assembly, said transfer means comprising: a first shutter for said discharge outlet; first actuation means for actuating said first shutter to move alternately from a closed configuration to an open configuration; a second shutter for said dispensing outlet; second actuation means for actuating said second shutter to move alternately from a closed configuration to an open configuration; and an electronic control and driving unit that controls said first and second actuation means, the dispenser assuming an inactive configuration, in which said first and second shutters are both in the closed configuration, and an active configuration, in which said first and second shutters are actuated alternately and selectively at different times between the respective closed and open configurations and vice versa, to dispense singled portions.2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said distribution assembly is arranged below said storage assembly and said transfer means are interposed between said storage assembly and said distribution assembly.3. The dispenser of claim 1, comprising: a collecting device for collecting the portions and first sensing means for sensing and detecting presence, proximate to said dispensing outlet, of said device for collecting said portions, said first means being functionally associated with said control unit.4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein said storage assembly comprises at least one container for said portions and a support for said at least one container, in which said discharge outlet is provided, said at least one container being provided with an opening that is arrangeable at said discharge outlet.5. The dispenser of claim 4, further comprising second sensing means for sensing and detecting presence, proximate to said discharge outlet, of any of said support and of said at least one container, said second sensing means being functionally associated with said control unit.6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein said first shutter comprises at least one lamina, which is arranged below said discharge outlet and is pivotally associated, about an axis that is substantially perpendicular thereto, with said structure, to move between said closed configuration, in which the first shutter is arranged at the discharge outlet so as to close the discharge outlet at least partially, and said open configuration, in which the first shutter is spaced from said discharge outlet for the passage through said discharge outlet of a singled one of said portions.7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein said first shutter comprises two of said laminas, arranged mutually symmetrical and substantially co-planar with respect to each other.8. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein said second shutter comprises: a disk, which is arranged at said dispensing outlet; a ring that is pivotally associated and coaxial on the disk, and a plurality of contoured laminar elements supported at said disk, said laminar elements being distributed, so as to be mutually substantially co-planar, along said disk, with each said laminar element provided with a respective rotation pivot for articulation to said disk and with an actuation pivot that is pivoted to said ring, rotation of the ring producing movement of the laminar elements between a closed configuration, in which the laminar elements are rotated with free end thereof directed toward a center of the disk so as to close the dispensing outlet at least partially, and an open configuration, in which the laminar elements are spaced from the center of the disk for allowing passage of singled portions through the dispensing outlet.9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second actuation means comprises linear actuators.10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein said linear actuators are of a type that comprises any of electromagnets, electric servomotors, and other electric actuators.11. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second actuation means comprises motor means of the step-motor type.12. The dispenser of claim 1, comprising first control means and second control means, which are interposed, respectively, between said first actuation means and said first shutter and between said second actuation means and said second shutter.13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein at least one of said first and second control means comprises a lever system.14. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein at least one of said first and second sensing and indication means comprises a feeler for sensing contact, respectively, of any of said collection device, and of said container, and said support.15. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein at least one of said first and second sensing and indication means comprises a magnetic proximity sensor.16. The dispenser of claim 8, comprising pushing means for pushing a singled portion that exits from said dispensing outlet into said collection device, said pusher means being associated, in a lower region, with said second shutter.17. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein said pusher means comprises at least one wedge that is monolithically associated with a lower surface of at least one of said laminar elements to push said singled portion into said collection device.18. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein said distribution assembly comprises a surface in which said dispensing outlet is provided, said surface being provided with straight entry guides for entry of said collection device toward said dispensing outlet and with straight removal guides for moving said collection device away from said dispensing outlet, said guides being formed on planes of arrangement that are inclined one with respect to the other, and incident proximate to the dispensing outlet.19. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein said distribution assembly comprises stop means for stopping said collection device which are arranged proximate to said dispensing outlet to prevent movement of said collection device along said straight entry guides.20. The dispenser of claim 19, wherein said stop means comprise elastic pusher means, and at least one detent that is arranged proximate to said straight entry guides and is pivotally associated with said surface, about an axis that is substantially perpendicular thereto and in contrast with said elastic pusher means, between an aligned configuration and an inclined configuration that converges toward said straight entry guides, respectively, for entry and stopping of the collection device.21. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein said distribution assembly comprises a bridge that has a portion of straight guides, is arranged below said dispensing outlet and is arranged so as to move with respect to said surface between a first configuration and a second configuration for connecting said portion respectively to said straight entry guides and to said straight removal guides.22. The dispenser of claim 21, wherein said bridge comprises elastic return means, and an arm that is arranged below said surface and is pivoted, about an axis that is substantially parallel thereto and in contrast with said elastic return means, between said first and second connection configurations.23. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein said surface comprises a receptacle for accommodating said first sensing and indication means.24. The dispenser of claim 19, wherein said distribution assembly comprises respective straight sliding guides formed in said surface, elastic return means and a third shutter, which is arranged below said second shutter and is slidingly associated, in contrast with said elastic return means and along said straight sliding guides, between a configuration for sealing the dispensing outlet and a configuration for access thereto.25. The dispenser of claim 24, wherein said third shutter is constituted by a plate-like slider that is slidingly actuated between said sealing configuration and said access configuration by entry thrust of said collection device, said straight sliding guides being substantially parallel to said straight entry guides.26. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein said third shutter comprises a receptacle for the insertion of said first sensing and indication means.27. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said container comprises a tubular body, inside which said portions are mutually stacked, and which has an end that is provided with said exit opening, and a removable closure element provided at said exit opening.