EP4592980A1

EP4592980A1 - Vending machine

Info

Publication number: EP4592980A1
Application number: EP24382056.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bob Didier Marie De Wilde; Xavier Olivé Galán; Martin Cohen Leibenberg
Original assignee: Mixo Machine SL
Current assignee: Mixo Machine SL
Priority date: 2024-01-23
Filing date: 2024-01-23
Publication date: 2025-07-30
Also published as: WO2025157627A1

Abstract

The object of the invention is a vending machine comprising a bottle storing system wherein all the bottles disposed in the bottle storing system are emptied at the same time and equally, so when they must be replaced, it is assured that the whole liquid contained in all the bottles has been dispensed, wherein the bottle storing system of the vending machine also comprises extraction means configured to extract a bottle rack of the bottle storing system at the same time that a liquid dispensing system is extracted from the interior of the bottles.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is a vending machine comprising a bottle storing system wherein all the bottles disposed in the bottle storing system are emptied at the same time and equally, so when they must be replaced, it is assured that the whole liquid contained in all the bottles has been dispensed.
The bottle storing system of the vending machine also comprises extraction means configured to extract a bottle rack of the bottle storing system at the same time that a liquid dispensing system is extracted from the interior of the bottles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the state of the art, vending machines comprising a bottle storing system wherein all the bottles disposed in the bottle storing system are emptied at the same time and equally, so when they must be replenished, all of them can be replaced assuring that the whole liquid contained in the bottles has been dispensed.
Some of these bottle storing systems have a related liquid dispensing system that is inserted in the interior of the bottle for suctioning the liquid contained in each one of the bottles.
Generally, these liquid dispensing systems must be extracted from the interior of the bottles once the bottles have been emptied and it is necessary to replace them for not interfering with the extraction means that allow to extract the bottles from the interior of the vending machine.
The extraction of the liquid dispensing system is carried out by an operator that must also insert the liquid dispensing system in the new set of full bottles, in a way that the insertion of the liquid dispensing system may vary from one bottle to another, not being dispensed the liquid in a uniform manner for all the bottles.
The vending machine of the present invention solves all the problems described above.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a vending machine comprising a bottle storing system configured to store a set of bottles, wherein all the bottles disposed in the bottle storing system are emptied at the same time and equally, so when they must be replaced, it is assured that the whole liquid contained in all the bottles has been dispensed.
The bottle storing system comprises a rack configured to support the set of bottles.
The vending machine also comprises a liquid dispensing system configured to suction a liquid contained in at least one of the bottles of the set of bottles and dispend it to a user, wherein the liquid dispensing system comprises emptying means configured to empty the liquid contained in at least one of the bottles.
In this way, even if there is only one full bottle in the rack and the others are empty, the others would be filled with the liquid from the first one, i.e. they would be self-levelling due to the pressure shared by the whole liquid dispensing system once primed, and all bottles of the rack would have the same level of liquid. This ensures that all the bottles of the rack are replaced at the same time because they are all emptied at the same time.
The bottle storing system further comprises first extraction means configured to extract the rack from a first position wherein the emptying means are configured to empty the liquid contained in at least one of the bottles to a second position wherein the at least one emptied bottle may be replaced.
The emptying means further comprises a set of pipes that are displaceable from a first position wherein the set of pipes are disposed in the interior of the bottles to a second position wherein the set of pipes are disposed externally to the bottles, wherein the first position of the rack corresponds to the first position of the set of pipes and the second position of the rack corresponds to the second position of the set of pipes. Preferably, the pipes of the set of pipes are rigid, thus facilitating the extraction and insertion of the set of pipes from or to the interior of the bottles. Also preferably, the rack further comprises a template comprising housings for each one of the bottles of the set of bottles, wherein each one of the pipes of the set of pipes are aligned with a center of the respective housing, thus ensuring non-interference between the set of pipes and the bottles during the extraction and insertion of the set of pipes.
In this way, all the bottles disposed in the bottle storing system are emptied at the same time and equally when the set of pipes are disposed in the first position, so when the rack is disposed in the second position, the set of bottles may be replaced since the set of pipes are disposed externally to the bottles.
Moreover, the set of pipes are extracted from the interior of the bottles from its first position to its second position, at the same time that the rack is extracted from its first position to its second position. To do this, the bottle storing system further comprises second extraction means configured to extract the set of pipes from the first position wherein the set of pipes are disposed in the interior of the bottles to the second position wherein the set of pipes are disposed externally to the bottles.
Optionally, the first extraction means and the second extraction means are joined, preferably in an articulated way, to synchronize the extraction of the rack and the extraction of the set of pipes from the bottles.
Optionally, the bottle storing system comprises guiding means configured to guide the rack from the first position wherein the emptying means are configured to empty the liquid contained in at least one of the bottles to the second position wherein the at least one emptied bottle may be replaced, and vice versa.
The liquid dispensing system further comprises a pump connected to the set of pipes, wherein the pump is configured to pump the liquid from the interior of the bottles through the set of pipes.
Optionally, the set of pipes comprises pipes comprising a length, in use, greater than a height of the set of bottles, thus assuring that all the liquid contained in the bottles is dispensed through the set of pipes.
Optionally, the bottle storing system further comprises first blocking means configured to block the rack when the rack is disposed in the first position.
Optionally, the first blocking means are unblocked when the rack is extracted from the first position to the second position by means of the extracting means.
Optionally, the emptying means further comprises an auxiliar pipe that connects the pump with the set of pipes. Preferably, the emptying means further comprises guiding means configured to guide the auxiliar pipe during the extraction and the insertion of the rack, from the first position to the second position, or vice versa, respectively, thus avoiding the bottleneck of the auxiliar pipe, assuring the passage of the liquid of the interior of the bottles from the set of pipes to the user, preferably to a glass wherein the liquid is dispensed. Preferably, the auxiliar pipe is flexible, thus ensuring the stretching of the auxiliar pipe when the set of pipes are extracted from its first position to its second position maintaining the set of pipes centered with the center of the housings of the rack.
Optionally, the bottle storing system further comprises supporting means configured to support a weight of the rack and the set of bottles from the first position wherein the emptying means are configured to empty the liquid contained in at least one of the bottles to the second position wherein the at least one emptied bottle may be replaced, and vice versa.
Optionally, the bottle storing system further comprises second blocking means configured to block the set of pipes when the set of pipes is disposed in the first position.
Optionally, the second blocking means are unblocked when the rack is extracted from the first position to the second position by means of the extracting means.
Preferably and advantageously, the first blocking means and the second blocking means are both of them released by the first extraction means. In this way, once unblocked the rack for its extraction from the first position to the second position, the set of pipes are also unblocked for its extraction from the first position to the second position. In the same manner, once the rack is blocked in its second position once the bottles are replenished, the set of pipes are also blocked in its second position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To complement the description being made and for the sake of a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, attached as an integral part of said description are a set of drawings wherein, for the purpose of illustration and not limiting the scope of the invention, the following is shown:

Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of the bottle storing system of the vending machine of the present invention when the rack and the set of pipes are disposed in its first position.
Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the bottle storing system of the vending machine of the present invention when the rack and the set of pipes are disposed in its first position.
Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of the bottle storing system of the vending machine of the present invention when the rack and the set of pipes are disposed in its second position.
Figure 4 shows a frontal view of Figure 1.
Figure 5 shows the rack being extracted from its first position to its second position.
Figure 6 shows a bottom perspective view of the bottle storing system of the vending machine of the present invention when the rack is disposed in its second position.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The following is a detailed description of the vending machine comprising:

a bottle storing system configured to store a set of bottles (1) drawn in dashed lines as they do not form part of the invention, the bottle storing system comprising a rack (2) configured to support the set of bottles (1);
a liquid dispensing system configured to suction a liquid contained in at least one of the bottles (1) and dispend it to a user, wherein the liquid dispensing system comprises emptying means (3) configured to empty the liquid contained in at least one of the bottles (1);
- wherein the bottle storing system further comprises first extraction means (4) configured to extract the rack (2) from a first position wherein the emptying means (3) are configured to empty the liquid contained in at least one of the bottles (1) to a second position wherein the at least one emptied bottle (1) may be replaced;
- wherein the emptying means (3) further comprises a set of pipes (5) that are displaceable from a first position wherein the set of pipes (5) are disposed in the interior of the bottles (1) to a second position wherein the set of pipes (5) are disposed externally to the bottles (1), and
- wherein the first position of the rack (2) corresponds to the first position of the set of pipes (5) and the second position of the rack (2) corresponds to the second position of the set of pipes (5).

The rack (2) further comprises a template (10) comprising housings (11) for each one of the bottles (1) of the set of bottles (1), wherein each one of the pipes is preferably rigid and is aligned with a center of the respective housing (11).
The rack (2) further comprises an upper support (20) configured to support an upper end of the pipes (5) of the set of pipes.
The bottle storing system further comprises second extraction means (6) configured to extract the set of pipes (5) from the first position wherein the set of pipes (5) are disposed in the interior of the bottles (1) to the second position wherein the set of pipes (5) are disposed externally to the bottles (1). Preferably, the second extraction means (6) comprises a set of articulated bars (15), wherein the set of articulated bars (15) are joined at least to the template (10) and to the upper support (20) of the rack, thus elevating or descending the set of pipes (5) when the rack (2) is extracted from its first position to its second position or vice versa, and in consequence, displacing the set of pipes (5) from its first position to its second position or vice versa.
Preferably, the first extraction means (4) and the second extraction means (6) are joined, more preferably in an articulated way, as can be seen in Figure 6, preferably by means of a plate (21).
The emptying means (3) further comprises a pump (not shown) connected to the set of pipes (5), wherein the pump is configured to pump the liquid from the interior of the bottles (1) through the set of pipes (5) and an auxiliar pipe (12) that connects the pump with the set of pipes (5).
The emptying means (3) further comprises guiding means (13) configured to guide the auxiliar pipe (12) during the extraction and the insertion of the rack (2), preferably a guidance chain (13), from the first position to the second position, or vice versa, respectively. The guidance chain (13) supports and guides the auxiliar pipe (12) during the extraction or insertion of the rack (2), thus avoiding the interference of the auxiliar pipe (12) with the other elements of the bottle storing system. Preferably, the auxiliar pipe is flexible, in the form of a coil.
The bottle storing system further comprises guiding means (7) configured to guide the rack (2) from the first position wherein the emptying means (3) are configured to empty the liquid contained in at least one of the bottles (1) to the second position wherein the at least one emptied bottle (1) may be replaced, and vice versa.
The bottle storing system further comprises first blocking means (8, 18) configured to block the rack (2) when the rack (2) is disposed in the first position. Preferably, the first blocking means (8, 18) comprises a first bearing (8) configured to be locked in a slot (18) of a chassis (30) of the bottle storing system. The first bearing (8) is joined to the first extraction means (4) and is unblocked from the slot (18) when the first extraction means (4) are actuated.
The bottle storing system further comprises supporting means (9) configured to support a weight of the rack (2) and the set of bottles (1) from the first position wherein the emptying means (3) are configured to empty the liquid contained in at least one of the bottles (1) to the second position wherein the at least one emptied bottle (1) may be replaced, and vice versa. Preferably, the supporting means (9) comprises a second bearing (9) configured to be displaced on the chassis (30) of the bottle storing system and preferably joined to the rack (2).
The bottle storing system further comprises second blocking means (14, 16) configured to block the set of pipes (5) when the set of pipes (5) is disposed in the first position, wherein in this embodiment the first blocking means (8, 18) and the second blocking means (8, 18) are both of them released by the first extraction means (4).
In this embodiment, the second blocking means (14, 17) comprises a third bearing (14) movable by a ramp (16) of the first extraction means (4) when the rack (2) is extracted. The second blocking means (14, 17) further comprises a clamp lock (17) blocked by the first extraction means (4) until the third bearing (14) ascends the ramp (16). Preferably, the third bearing (14) is pivotally joined to the second bearing (9) of the supporting means, and the third bearing (14) ascends the ramp (16) when the second bearing (9) reaches a chamfer (19) of the chassis (30). In this way, when the clamp lock (17), joined to the second extraction means (6), is released, the second extraction means (6) extract the set of pipes (5) from the first position wherein the set of pipes (5) are disposed in the interior of the bottles (1) to the second position wherein the set of pipes (5) are disposed externally to the bottles (1).

Claims

Vending machine comprising:
- a bottle storing system configured to store a set of bottles (1), the bottle storing system comprising a rack (2) configured to support the set of bottles (1);

- a liquid dispensing system configured to suction a liquid contained in at least one of the bottles (1) and dispend it to a user, wherein the liquid dispensing system comprises emptying means (3) configured to empty the liquid contained in at least one of the bottles (1);
wherein the bottle storing system further comprises first extraction means (4) configured to extract the rack (2) from a first position wherein the emptying means (3) are configured to empty the liquid contained in at least one of the bottles (1) to a second position wherein the at least one emptied bottle (1) may be replaced;

wherein the emptying means (3) further comprises a set of pipes (5) that are displaceable from a first position wherein the set of pipes (5) are disposed in the interior of the bottles (1) to a second position wherein the set of pipes (5) are disposed externally to the bottles (1),
characterised in that the first position of the rack (2) corresponds to the first position of the set of pipes (5) and the second position of the rack (2) corresponds to the second position of the set of pipes (5).
The vending machine of claim 1, wherein the set of pipes (5) are extractable from the interior of the bottles (1) from its first position to its second position, at the same time that the rack (2) is extractable from its first position to its second position.
The vending machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the bottle storing system further comprises second extraction means (6) configured to extract the set of pipes (5) from the first position wherein the set of pipes (5) are disposed in the interior of the bottles (1) to the second position wherein the set of pipes (5) are disposed externally to the bottles (1).
The vending machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the bottle storing system further comprises guiding means (7) configured to guide the rack (2) from the first position wherein the emptying means (3) are configured to empty the liquid contained in at least one of the bottles (1) to the second position wherein the at least one emptied bottle (1) may be replaced, and vice versa.
The vending machine of any of preceding claims, wherein the bottle storing system further comprises first blocking means (8) configured to block the rack (2) when the rack (2) is disposed in the first position.
The vending machine of any of preceding claims, wherein the bottle storing system further comprises supporting means (9) configured to support a weight of the rack (2) and the set of bottles (1) from the first position wherein the emptying means (3) are configured to empty the liquid contained in at least one of the bottles (1) to the second position wherein the at least one emptied bottle (1) may be replaced, and vice versa.
The vending machine of any of preceding claims, wherein the bottle storing system further comprises second blocking means (8) configured to block the set of pipes (5) when the set of pipes (5) is disposed in the first position.
The vending machine of any of claims 5 and 7, wherein the first blocking means (8) and the second blocking means (8) are both of them released by the first extraction means (4).
The vending machine of any of preceding claims, wherein the emptying means (3) further comprises a pump connected to the set of pipes (5), wherein the pump is configured to pump the liquid from the interior of the bottles (1) through the set of pipes (5).
The vending machine of claim 9, wherein the emptying means (3) further comprises a flexible auxiliar pipe (12) that connects the pump with the set of pipes (5).
The vending machine of claim 10, wherein the emptying means (3) further comprises guiding means (13) configured to guide the flexible auxiliar pipe (12) during the extraction and the insertion of the rack (2) from the first position to the second position, or vice versa, respectively.
The vending machine of any of preceding claims, wherein the rack (2) further comprises a template (10) comprising housings (11) for housing each one of the bottles (1) of the set of bottles (1), wherein each one of the pipes (5) of the set of pipes (5) is aligned with a center of the respective housing (11).
The vending machine of any of preceding claims, wherein the rack (2) further comprises an upper support (20) configured to support an upper end of the pipes (5) of the set of pipes.
The vending machine of claims 3, 12 and 13, wherein the second extraction means (6) comprises a set of articulated bars (15), wherein the set of articulated bars (15) are joined at least to the template (10) and to the upper support (20) of the rack (2), thus elevating or descending the set of pipes (5) when the rack (2) is extracted from its first position to its second position or vice versa, and in consequence, displacing the set of pipes (5) from its first position to its second position or vice versa.
The vending machine of claim 3, wherein the first extraction means (4) and the second extraction means (6) are joined, preferably in an articulated way, to synchronize the extraction of the rack (2) and the extraction of the set of pipes (5) from the bottles (1).