US3298763A

US3298763A - Device for dispensing cylindrical articles

Info

Publication number: US3298763A
Application number: US431093A
Authority: US
Inventors: Domenico Joseph Di
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-02-08
Filing date: 1965-02-08
Publication date: 1967-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 1984-01-17

Description

Jan. 17, 1967 I DI DoME o 3,298,763

DEVICE FOR DISPENSING CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES Filed Feb. 8, 1965 3 Sheets-$l1eet 1 Inventor, /2 zfose ah DiDomenico,

2/ Atys.

Jan; 17, 1967 I J. 0| DOMENICO 3,298,763

DEVICE FOR DISPENSING CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES Filed Fb. 8, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F9! 0 g. 4' 3 v Inventor; vfose vh DiDomenz'co,

A tgys.

Jan. 17, 1967 J. Dl DOMENICO. 3,298,763

DEVICE FOR DISPENSING CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES Filed Feb. 8, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y In 216% tar;

Josc vh Difl amem'co,

r 77 Att fys.

United States Patent U 3,298,763 DEVICE FOR DKSPENSING CYLINDRICAL ARTItCLES Joseph Di Domenico, 575 Mount Pleasant Ava, Providence, RI. 02968 Filed Feb. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 431,093 Claims. (Cl. 312-45) The present invention relates to a device for dispensing cylindrical articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dispensing device that includes downwardly inclined, alternately directed track sections that are adapted to transfer cylindrical articles in rolling relation thereon from a loading station to a dispensing station. I

The present invention is designed to be displayed on a counter or the like in a commercial establishment and has particular application in the dispensing of articles such as pressurized cans that are formed with cylindrical bodies and reduced end or neck portions. Although the dispenser embodied herein has particular application for the dispensing of cylindrical articles, the basic concept of the invention also includes the dispensing of articles having a configuration other than cylindrical, such as boxes having a cross sectional shape that is square or rectangular. Since the dispenser of the present invention provides for rolling movement of cylindrical articles from a loading station to a dispensing station, spaced track .sections are mounted in the dispenser over which the cylindrical articles roll. In order to provide for the rolling movement of the cylindrical articles in the dispenser embodied herein, the track sections are disposed in inclined relation and are formed as part of inner plate members. The inner plate members, which are secured between spaced side walls, are located in spaced-apart relation and are mounted on horizontal spacer members. The spacer members are defined by tapered pins that are integrally molded to the spaced side walls and are joined at the mid points thereof. The inner plate members which are located in parallel relation are molded of a plastic material and are formed with integral hub elements, the inner diameters of which are predetermined so as to locate the inner plate members in a fixed position with respect to the tapered pins that define the spacer members. The relationship of the tapered pins of the spacer members and the hubs received thereon provides for location of the inner members in proper spaced position with respect to the side walls of the dispenser. The inner plate members further include upwardly facing edges that define the spaced track sections over which the cylindrical articles roll. The cylindrical articles to be dispensed are thus placed on the upper edges of a pair of the inner plates that define an upper track section and are then allowed to roll downwardly over the upper track section and onto an intermediate and a lower track section which are defined by additional upper edges of said inner plate members. The upper track section as defined by said inner plate members provides for movement of the cylindrical articles in a forwardly and downwardly inclined direction, this direction of movement being reversed by the intermediate track section and then reversed again by the lower track section, whereafter the articles are directed to the forward portion or dispensing station of the dispenser. Since the inner plate members are spaced from the side Walls of the dispenser, only the cylindrical bodies of the articles engage the track sections, the reduced neck portions of the cylindrical articles projecting into the space between one of the inner members and an adjacent side wall. Rolling movementof the cylindrical articles is thus assured since the diameter of the bodies of the cylindrical articles is constant throughout.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for individually dispensing cylindrical articles therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for dispensing cylindrical articles in rolling relation wherein the cylindrical articles are formed with reduced neck sections.

Still another object is to provide a dispensing device that is formed essentially of plastic materials and that includes track sections that are defined by upwardly facing edges of inner plate members, the inner plate members being located inwardly of and spaced from the side walls of the dispenser.

Still another object is to provide a device for dispensing cylindrical articles that includes a loading station and a dispensing station, the dispensing station having projections located thereat that are formed with concave portions, the radius of curvature of the concave portions being substantially equal to the curvature of the cylindrical articles being dispensed and thereby defining a positive stop for said cylindrical articles.

Still another object is to define a dispensing device that includes side walls that are molded of a plastic material and to which a plurality of inwardly directed tapered pins are joined, the tapered pins of the side walls being joined at the mid point of the dispenser to define spacer members and further receiving molded hubs of inner members for locating the inner members in predetermined spaced apart relation.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become obvious as the description thereof pro ceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the dispenser embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional'view taken along lines 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view on a reduced scale of one of the side walls of the dispenser;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of one of the inner plates located between the side walls;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of another of the inner plates located between the side walls;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modified loading station for the dispenser embodied herein; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modified dispensing station of the dispenser embodied herein.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to- FIGS. 1 and 3, the dispensing device embodied in the present invention is illustrated and is generally indicated at 10. The dispensing device 10 is designed to store and dispense a plurality of cylindrical articles that are normally located in use with the longitudinal axes thereof in a vertical direction. However, as stored for dispensing in the dispenser 10, the cylindrical articles indicated at 12 are disposed such that the longitudinal axes are generally horizontal, and as such are designed to be moved from a loading station to a dispensing station in a rolling motion. The present invention has particular application in the dispensing of cylindrical articles that, as seen in FIG. 2, are formed with a body portion 14 of generally cylindrical construction, and are furthermore provided with a reduced neck section 16 commonly employed in the well-known pressurized can such as a push-button shaver container, air-freshener container, or other similar container.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the dispenser lift is shown including spaced

side walls

18 and 20 that are preferably molded of a clear plastic material. Each of the

side walls

18 and 21 is constructed substantially identical and includes an upper edge 19, a lower edge 21 and a forward convex edge 22 that extends into a forward concave edge 24, the forward concave edge continuing to the forwardmost portion of the side wall on which it is formed, and thus defining a dispensing area from where the articles 12 are withdrawn from the dispenser. The bottommost edges 21 of the side walls 18 and 2d are fiat and thus define means for supporting the dispenser in an upright position. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the uppermost edges 19 of the side walls ii? and 2d are inclined, and joined to the inside surface of the side walls adjacent the uppermost edges thereof, are

tracks

26 and 28 in which a top plate 36 is received. The top plate 30 may have any suitable indicia or advertising information imprinted on a surface thereof.

In order to locate the side walls 18 and 2% in their proper spaced-apart position, each of the side walls is molded from a plastic material and has a plurality of spaced pins integrally joined thereto. The pins that are molded to the side wall 18 are indicated at 32, while the pins that are integrally molded to the side Wall are indicated at 34. Since the side walls 18 and 2d are molded substantially alike, the

pins

32 and 34 are located in aligned relation and are joined at the mid points thereof to define a plurality of horizontal spacer members that position the

side walls

18 and 26* in their proper spacedapart position. Since the

pins

32 and 34 as molded to their respective side walls must have a tapered configuration that provides for extraction of the pins from the molds in which they are formed, the degree of taper is predetermined, the purpose of which is described hereinafter. In order to join the

pins

32 and 34 at the ends thereof, the pins 32 have central sockets 36 molded therein, while the pins 34 are molded with projections 38 thereon that are adapted to be received within the sockets 36. The projection and socket connection for each of the

pins

32 and 34 is heat sealed to positively secure the

pins

32 and 34 together and to define the spacer members for locating the

side walls

18 and 20 in their spaced-apart parallel position.

In order to guide the articles 12 from the loading station to the dispensing station in the dispenser 16, downwardly inclined track sections are provided and are located in such a position so as to transfer the rolling articles in a circuitous path to the dispensing station. The track sections are formed by a first set of inner plates, each of which is indicated generally at 40. As shown in FIG. 5, each inner plate 46 is formed with an upper portion 42 and a lower portion 4-4 that are interconnected by an intermediate portion 45. The uppermost edges of the upper portions 42 of the inner plates 40 define an upper track section 48 that is adapted to receive the articles 12 thereon. The lowermost sections 44 of the inner plates are also formed with upper edges that define the lower track section 54) over which the articles move in rolling relation. Both the upper track section 48 and lower track section 50 of the inner plates 40 are downwardly inclined, that is, they are inclined toward the front of the dispenser, so as to direct the articles moving thereon in a forwardly rolling motion. As further shown in FIG. 5, the lower portions 44 of the inner plates M are formed with upwardly extending projections 50 at the forwardmost ends thereof. The inner edges of the projections 50 are formed with concave portions 52, the radius of curvature of which corresponds generally to the curvature of the body 14 of each of the cylindrical articles 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1; the concave portions 52 of the inner plates 4t} define a positive stop for locating the lowermost of the articles 12 in fixed position in the dispenser.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner plates 40 are located in spaced relation with respect to each other and with respect to the

side walls

18 and 20 of the dispenser. In order to locate the inner plates 40 in the position as illustrated, each of the plates 4% is formed with a plurality of openings 54 therein. On the inner wall of each plate 40 are molded a plurality of hollow hubs 56 each of which communicates with an opening 54. Since the inner plates 4e are preferably molded of a plastic material, the hubs 56 are integrally molded thereon, the openings therein being somewhat tapered to provide for extraction of the plate 46) from its mold. In the assembly of the plates 40 in the dispenser 10, the plates 4t? are placed in position by projecting the

pins

32 and 34 formed on the side Walls 18 and 29 through the openings 54 and communicating hubs 56. This assembly step would, of course, be accomplished prior to the joining of the pins 32 and 3 at the outer ends thereof. By preforming the

pins

32 and 34 with a predetermined taper as described and by further performing the openings in the hubs S6 with a predetermined taper, the inner plates 40 may be positioned on the

pins

32 and 34 at a precise location. After the positioning of the inner plates 40 on the spacer members that are defined by the

pins

32 and 34, the hubs 56 are then heat sealed to their respective pins. It is understood that the plates 40 will be located in spaced-apart relation so that the upwardly facing edges efine the upper and

lower track sections

48 and 50 on which the cylindrical articles 12 are received. It is seen that the positioning of the plates 40 with respect to the side walls 18 and 2% is of particular importance since it is necessary that sufficient space he provided for receiving the reduced neck sections 16 of the articles 12 between the side wall 2% and the adjacent inner plate 40. With the inner plates 40 positioned as illustrated, the body 14 of each article 12 will engage the spaced edges of the inner plates 40 that define the upper track section 48 and the lower track section 50, while the neck section 16 projects into the space defined by the end wall Zti and the plate 46 located adjacent thereto.

As seen in FIG. 1, the path of movement of the articles 12 from the loading station to the dispensing station is reversed in direction so as to take advantage of the additional space that is created by the track section interposed between the upper and lower track sections. This intermediate track section that is reversely directed, is defined by a pair of inner plates generally indicated at 60 each of which includes a bottom portion 62 to which an upwardly curved finger 64 is joined. The bottom portions 62 of the inner plates 60 are formed with upwardly facing edges that define an intermediate reversely extending inclined track section 66. The inner plates 6%} are also molded of a plastic material and are formed with a plurality of openings 68 therein. Hub portions 70 are joined to the inner surface of the plates 60, the interior of each hub portion 70 communicating with an opening 68. The inner plates 60 are secured to the spacer members defined by the

pins

32 and 34 in the manner as described above in connection with the plates 40, wherein the

pins

32 and 34 project through the openings 68 and the hubs 70 and are joined to the hubs 70 by heat sealing. In this connection, the tapered openings in the hubs 70 are performed so as to locate the inner plates 60 in a predetermined position in the spacer members. Normally, the inner plates on are located in spaced relation with respect to each other and with respect to the

side walls

18 and 20 so as to be disposed in aligned and coplanar relation with the spaced plates 40. The intermediate track section 66 thus projects between the upper track section 43 and the lower track section 50 and cooperates therewith to define a continuous but disconnected trackway for directing the articles 12 from the loading to the dispensing station. It is seen that the articles 12 may be introduced within the loading end of the dispenser which is located at the rear and uppermost end of the track section 48 and as placed on the track 48 are allowed to roll downwardly thereon onto the reversely directly intermediate track section 66, and then onto the lower track section 50 which directs the articles forwardly to the dispensing station.

The articles 12 thus are disposed on the track sections of the dispenser such that their longitudinal axes are horizontal and are accordingly mounted for rolling movement on the track sections. Since only the body portion 14 of the articles 12 engages the track sections defined by the

inner plates

40 and 60, the articles have free rolling movement thereon and will roll by gravity on the track sections to the dispensing station that is defined by the upwardly projecting portions 50 of the inner plates 40. Since the upwardly projecting portions 50 are formed with the concave portions 52 on the inner edge thereof, the lowermost of the articles 12 will be positively retained therein and will be prevented from popping outwardly due to the weight of the remaining articles bearing thereagainst. The configuration of the

side Walls

18 and 20 and part cularly the concave portions 24 formed therein provides for simple removal of the lowermost'article 12 contained at the dispensing station. As each of the articles 12 1S removed from the dispenser at the dispensing station, the remaining articles roll forward by gravity to dispose the next-lowermost article at the dispensing station.

It is seen that the upper track section 48 as defined by the inclined upper edges of the inner plates 40 form an entry slot with the plate 30 for assisting in the loading of the articles at the loading station. If the article to be dispensed is entirely cylindrical in construction, it may be desirable to eliminate the upwardly extending portions 50 on the inner plates 40. In this connection, additional stops 76 will be necessary, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the stop members 76 being joined to the inner surfaces of the lower portions 44 of the inner plates 40. By eliminating the upwardly extending portions 50 of the inner plates 40, ready access will be provided for the dispensing of the articles located at the dispensing station.

As herein described, the dispenser has particular application in tthe dispensing of cylindrical articles. However, it will be understood that the inner track section may be constructed and arranged to provide for the dispensing of articles having cross-sectional configurations other than circular, one example being boxes having a rectangular or square configuration.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept, and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described, ex-

cept insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

'What is claimed is:

1; In a dispensing device, a pair of horizontally spaced vertical side walls, both said side walls having a plurality of inwardly extending tapered pins joined thereto in spaced apart relation, each of the pins in one side wall being joined to a pin in the other side wall to define a'plurality of horizontal spacer members that locate said walls in their spaced position, a first pair of spaced inner plates mounted on a first group of said spacer members in parallel relation and inwardly thereof with respect to said side walls, a second pair of spaced inner plates mounted on a second group of said spacer members in parallel relation with respect to said side walls, each of the inner plates of said second pair being located in the same vertical plane as one of the inner plates of said first pair, the upwardly facing edges of said first and second pairs of plates defining tracks on which cylindrical articles are received for rolling movement from a loading station to a dispensing station, the tracks as defined by the upper edges of said plates being downwardly inclined and arranged in alternate oppositely extending directions for transferring said cylindrical article from said loading station to said dispensing station in a circuitous path.

2. In a dispensing device, a pair of vertically positioned side walls that are located in spaced apart relation, means for joining said side Walls and locating them in their spaced apart relation, a plurality of inner plates mounted on said joining means intermediate said side walls and located in parallel relation with respect thereto, at least two of said inner plates being substantially coplanar and at least two other of said inner plates being substantially coplanar and horizontally spaced from said first two inner plates, the upwardly facing edges of said inner plates defining track sections on which cylindrical articles are movable from a loading station to a dispensing station, the track sections as defined by the upper edges of said inner plates being downwardly inclined and arranged in alternate oppositely extending direction for transferring said cylindrical articles from said loading station to said dispensing station in a circuitous path.

3. In a dispensing device, spaced side walls that are disposed in parallel vertical planes, means inter-connected to said side walls for locating them in their spaced apart relation, a plurality of inner plates mounted on said 10- cating means intermediate said side walls and in parallel relation with respect thereto, said inner plates being de fined by a first pair located in horizontal spaced relation and a second pair located in horizontal spaced relation the upwardly facing edges of said pairs of inner plates defining a disconnected trackway on which cylindrical articles are rollingly movable from a loading station to a dispensing station, said trackway including separate track sections that are downwardly inclined and arranged in alternate oppositely extending direction for transferring cylindrical articles downwardly from said loading station to said dispensing station in a circuitous path.

4. In a dispensing device as set forth in claim 3, said loading station being defined by an article receiving slot formed by upwardly extending extensions of two of said inner plates and at least one other member located at the uppermost end of said device.

5. In a dispensing device as set forth in claim 3, said dispensing station including projections located at the lower and forward end of said device and with which the cylindrical articles engage after their rolling movement from said loading station to said dispensing station.

6. In a dispensing device as set forth in claim 5, said projections being formed as integral extensions of two of said inner plates and projecting in a vertical direction, the inner edges of said projections having a concave portion formed therein, the radius of curvature of which is substantially the same as the curvature of a cylindrical article adapted to be contained in said device, said concave portions defining a positive stop for preventing a lowermost article at said dispensing station from being inadvertently moved out of said dispensing station by the weight of the remaining articles located on said track sections bearing thereon.

7. In a dispensing device as set forth in claim 5, said projections being joined to said end plates adjacent the outer and lowermost end thereof and projecting inwardly thereof for engagement by an article rolling into contact therewith on the lowermost of said track sections.

8. In a dispensing device, spaced parallel side walls, spacer members for locating said side walls in their spaced position, inner plates joined to said spacer members intermediate said side walls and located parallel with respect thereto, said inner plates being positioned such that upwardly facing edges formed thereon define track sections for directing cylindrical articles from a loading station to a dispensing station, said plates having upper and lower track sections downwardly inclined and extending in substantially the same direction, an intermediate track section supported from said side walls extending between each said upper and lower track sections and being inclined in a direction opposite thereto, the inclined track sections being disposed in alternate oppositely extending directions for transferring said cylindrical articles downwardly from said loading station to said dispensing station in a circuitous path.

9. In a dispensing device as set forth in claim 8, said spacer members being defined by a plurality of tapered pins that are integrally molded to said side walls, each pin in one side wall being joined to an aligned pin of the other side wall to form a complete spacer member, each of said inner plates having a plurality of openings formed therein, a plurality of hubs being joined to said inner plates, each of said hubs communicating with an opening and cooperating therewith to receive a pin therein, the opening in said hubs having a predetermined taper and cooperating with the taper of the pins that define the spacer members to locate said inner plates in a predetermined position with respect to the side walls.

159. In a dispensing device as set forth in claim 9, said dispensing station being defined by outwardly extending portions of said lower track section, stops joined to said lower track section and including upwardly projecting portions in which concave portions are formed, the radius of curvature of which corresponds generally to the curvature of the cylindrical surface of said cylindrical articles, so that the article located at said dispensing station is nested within said concave portions and is prevented from accidentally escaping from said dispensing station when pressure of other cylindrical articles on said track sections is applied thereto.

11. In a dispensing device, spaced side walls that are disposed in parallel vertical planes, means interconnected to said side walls for locating them in their spaced-apart relation, a plurality of inner plates mounted on said location means intermediate said side walls and in parallel relation with respect thereto, the upwardly facing edges of said inner plates defining a disconnected trackway on which cylindrical articles are rollingly movable from a loading station to a dispensing station, said inner plates being defined by a first pair located in parallel and spaced relation and a second pair located in arallel and spaced relation, each plate of said first pair having an upper portion and a lower portion that is vertically spaced from said upper portion, the upper edges of the upper portions of said first pair being downwardly inclined and forming the upper track section of said trackway, the upper edges of the lower portions of said first pair being downwardly inclined in the same general direction as the upper edges of the upper portions and forming the lower track section of said trackway, each of said second pair of plates including a portion that projects intermediate the upper and lower portions of a plate of said first pair, the upper edges of the projecting portions of said second pair of plates being downwardly inclined in a direction opposite to that of the upper edges of the upper and lower portions of said first pair and defining an intermediate track section, wherein an article introduced at said loading station follows said circuitous path by rolling downwardly in a first direction on the upper track section, is received on said intermediate track section at which the direction of movement is reversed and is then received on said lowertrack section at which the direction of movement is again reversed, said article thereafter being directed to said dispensing station.

12. In a device for dispensing an article having a cylindrical body and a reduced neck portion joined to said body, side walls located in spaced, parallel relation, means for interconnecting said side walls for locating them in spaced-apart position, inner members mounted on said interconnecting means and being spaced from said side walls, said inner members having inclined surfaces that cooperate to define track sections that are located in alternate oppositely extending directions, the spacing between said inner members being less than the longitudinal dimension of the cylindrical portion of said article, and said side wallsbeing located such that the dimension therebetween is just sufficient to permit an article to be placed lengthwise on said track sections and between said side walls, wherein the cylindrical portion of an article is received on said track sections and a neck portion extends into the space defined by a side wall and the adjacent track section, said inner members being defined by a plurality of vertical plates that are located parallel to said side walls, at least two of said plates having upper inclined edges forming an upper track section and lower inclined edges forming a lower track section, said upper and lower inclined track sections extending in substantially the same direction, at least two other of said vertical plates being inclined and extending in a direction opposite to that of said upper and lower track sections and extending intermediate thereof to form an intermediate track section.

1.3. In a device as set forth in claim 12, said interconnecting means including a plurality of spacer members that are tapered for at least a portion of the length thereof, said inner plates having openings formed therein and hubs joined thereto in alignment with said openings for receiving a spacer member therein, the positioning of said hubs on said spacer members being determined by the taper thereof.

14. In a dispensing device, spaced side walls, means interconnecting said side walls for locating them in their spaced-apart relation, inn-er members mounted on said interconnecting means in spaced relation and independent of said side walls, said inner members defining track sections for directing articles to be dispensed from a loading station to a dispensing station in a circuitous path, said interconnecting means including tapered pins, each of which is joined to a side wall and at the outer end thereof to an aligned pin that is joined to the other side wall, said inner members having hollow hubs joined thereto that are received in said tapered pins for locating said inner members in a predetermined position thereon.

15. In a dispensing device, a pair of vertically positioned side walls that are located in spaced-apart relation, means for joining said side walls and locating them in their spaced-apart relation, a first pair of inner plates mounted on said joining means between said side walls in spaced horizontal and parallel relation with respect to said side walls and to each other, a second pair of inner plates mounted on said joining means between said side walls in spaced horizontal and parallel relation with respect to said side walls and to each other, said inner plates being formed with upwardly facing edges that define track sections on which cylindrical articles are movable from a loading station to a dispensing station.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,888,145 5/1959 Knott et al. 211-49 3,010,606 11/1961 Heselov 211-92 3,152,697 10/1964 Berman et a1. 21149 3,194,620 7/1965 Sauer 312-45 CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Acting Primary Examiner. CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Examiner.

W. LOULAN, Assistant Examiner,