US3011680A - Dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 5, 1961 v. HECHLER 1v DISPENSING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 6, 1957 VALENTINE HECHLER N ATT'Y Ill-Illullulllll l llll I Dec. 5, 1961 v. HECHLER lV 3,011,680

DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 6, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY A, '1

V ATT'Y United States Patent 3,011,680 DISEENSING APPARATUS Valentine Hechler IV, Evanston, 111., assignor to Webcor, Inc. Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 6, 1957, Ser. No. 701,097 12 Claims. (Cl. 221-109) This invention relates to dispensing apparatus, and more particularly to a power actuated dispenser useful in discharging a plurality of packages successively during an operating interval of preselected duration.

In a dispenser of the type herein considered, it is necessary that a relatively large storage magazine be provided, and that packages be positively transferred therefrom in rapid succession to an ejector that forcibly discharges each of the packages. Thus, it is seen that essentially the apparatus comprises a storage magazine, a transfer mechanism and an ejector; and that the operations of these components must be closely coordinated and controlled if the dispenser is to function properly.

In the past, several power actuated dispensers have been proposed, but for one reason or another these dispensers have not proved satisfactory. Either they are unreliable, are too bulky and complex, are too costly, or much too sluggish in performance of their operational cycles, or one or more of the main components thereof has been ill matched in terms of performance with the other components. As a result, these prior art mechanisms have fallen far short of the necessary requirements for dispensers of this type.

it is, accordingly, an object of this invention to overcome the disadvantages inherent in the prior art dispensers. Another object of the invention is in the provision of a power actuated package dispenser having a storage magazine, transfer mechanism and ejector; in which packages are positively fed from the magazine to transfer mechanism, are positively advanced to an ejector by the transfer mechanism and are then positively discharged by the ejector; and in which such sequence is rapidly efiected, whereby a large number of packages can be processed in a very short interval.

Still another object of the invention is in the provision of a dispenser of the type escribed, wherein the transfer mechanism has a short stroke and thereby quickly advances packages from the storage magazine to the ejector because the idle time cycle of the transfer mechanism is substantially negligible. Yet another object is to provide a storage magazine having a plurality of storage racks, in which packages are discharged in rack-byrack sequence, and wherein successive racks are automatically conditioned for the discharge of packages therefrom by removal of all of the packages from the adjacent, preceding rack.

A still further object is in providing a storage magazine of the type described wherein separate resilient means are incorporated in each rack thereof for urging the package stack therein toward the discharge end of the rack, and in which the force exerted on a stack by the resilient means progressively decreases as the packages are discharged therefrom in general accordance with the decreasing inertial characteristics of such diminishing stack. A further object is to provide a transfer mechanism that utilizes the momentum of reciprocable elements therein to alternately condition the mechanism for the transfer and return strokes thereof.

Yet a further object is in the provision of a reciprocable transfer mechanism having a plurality of transfer fingers adapted to extend outwardly therefrom for advancing packages in step-by-step relation during the transfer stroke of the mechanism, wherein the transfer fingers are positively moved for the transfer stroke into the extended position thereof, and for the return stroke into Fate-rated Dec. 5, 18%

the retracted position thereof, and wherein such positive movements of the fingers are accomplished through utilization of the momentum of certain reciprocable components of mechanism that results from the acceleration attained during the transfer and return strokes thereof.

Still a further object is that of providing a package dispenser having a storage magazine, transfer mechanism and ejector; in which the transfer mechanism can serve as an ejector or an ejector is so synchronized with the transfer mechanism that each package is forcibly discharged by the ejector from the dispensing station without having come to rest after movement thereinto by the transfer mechanism. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the specification.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser incorporating the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, broken top plan view of the dispenser;

FiGURE 3 is a broken, longitudinal sectional view of the transfer mechanism, showing the parts thereof during the transfer stroke and taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 4 is a broken, vertical sectional view identical to that of FIGURE 3, but showing the mechanism in condition for the return stroke thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a broken, perspective view showing the lower end portion of one of the racks in the storage magazine;

FIGURE 6 is a broken, side view in elevation of the lower end portion of a storage rack in its relation to the transfer mechanism; and

FIGURE 7 is a vertical sectional view of the transfer mechanism taken along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 3.

The package dispenser in its entirety is shown in FIG- URE 1, and as indicated hereinbefore comprises the three major components of a storage magazine Ill, a transfer mechanism 11 and ejector 12. All of these components are carried by a main frame 13 defined on each side of the dispenser by longitudinally extending top and bottom beams 14 and 15 rigidly secured to end rails 16 and 17. It is apparent that the main frame 13 will be rigidly secured by any suitable means to the superstruc ture (not shown) of a housing providing the environmental setting for the dispenser.

The storage magazine It} is seen to comprise a plurality of vertically extending racks 18 defined generally by the channels 19 secured to the frame members 14 and 15, and forming package guides. In the specific illustration, there are nine racks 18 and such racks are separated from each other by the respective channels or package guides 19. As shown most clearly in FIG- URES 2 and 5, the package guides 19 are provided on each side of the dispenser, and are respectively aligned with each other. The racks 18 are all identical, except for the rack separately designated in FIGURE 1 with the numeral 18a, which differs only slightly from the others and in a manner that will be described in detail hereinafter.

Extending transversely of the dispenser and between the aligned guides 19 on each side thereof, are rods 28 and 21 located, respectively, adjacent the upper and lower end portions of the racks 18. The rods 20 and 21 extend through vertically disposed guide tubes 22 and 23, and thereby support the same adjacent the respective guides 19 on each side of the dispenser. Extending between the opposite corners defined by the rectangular configuration of the rods and tubes 20, 21, 22 and 23 are diagonally disposed guide rods 24 and 25 which are rigidly secured thereto. Thus, the described components s,011,eso

namely, the channels 19 and rods and tubes 20 through form package guides separating the adjacent racks 13. These package guides function to separate the individual stacks of packages 26 within each of the'racks 18.

The package stack in each of the racks 18 is urged or biased downwardly by a spring cord 27. The cord 27 is rigidly afi'ixed at one end thereof to the upper frame member 14, is shown at 28, extends downwardly therefrom and over the periphery of a rotatably supported pulley wheel 29, and upwardly therefrom and into a rigid cord clasp 3b. The clasp is secured to a similar cord clasp 31, as by means of a slot and bayonet connection 32; and the clasp 31 is in turn secured to a spring cord 27a entrained about a rotatable sprocket 2% and afiixed at its other end to the upper frame member 14 on the opposite side of the dispenser, as shown at 28a. The resilient cords 2'! and 27a are stretched in order to extend over the top of the stack of packages, and therefore bias such packages downwardly. Since the cords are drawn over the pulley wheels 29 and 2%, a multiplication factor to 2-to-l is obtained for the downwardly directed force applied to the package stacks.

The clasps 30 and 31 are rigid so as to maintain the cords in proper alignment with respect to the packages, and to urge the same downwardly with a uniform force applied thereacross. Preferably, the cords 27 and 27a are inversely oriented so that the rigid clasps 30 and 31 extend diagonally across the packages 26. The racks 18 must, of course, be open at their upper ends to permit packages 26 to be loaded thereinto, and consequently the releasably secured clasps 30 and 31 permit this result for they may be released from each other and turned outwardly over the respective frame members 14. In order to maintain the clasps in such position during loading of the racks 18, jam cleats or latches 33 and 34 are carried by the respective frame members 14 adjacent the outer end of the clasps 3t and 31. As is shown best in FIGURE 1, these fasteners have generally V-shaped grooves therein adapted to receive the resilient cords, and the ends of the rigid clasps abut the fasteners to prevent the cords from being drawn inwardly through the l-shaped notches in the fasteners.

Referring now to FIGURE 5 in particular, the manner in which the packages 26 are supported within the respective racks 18 will be described. It will be seen in this figure that package retainers 35 and 35a are provided, respectively, along opposite sides of the dispenser, and more particularly along opposite sides of the racks 18. The package retainers are generally rectangular and are. interposed between adjacent channels 19. They extend inwardly therefrom in the position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 5, so as to engage the undersurface of the lowermost package 26 in the stack thereof. At their outer extremities, the retainers are provided with a longitudinally extending collar 36 having a channel therethrough that pivotally receives a pin 3'7. Thus, the retainers are freely pivotal about the axis defined by the respective pins, and consequently may be swung downwardly from the position shown in FIGURE 5 to open the lower or discharge end of the racks and permit the packages 26 to move downwardly therethrough.

If desired, the package retainers may be spring biased into the generally horizontal position thereof shown in FIGURE 5, so that the retainers return to such position whenever all of the packages have been discharged from 'the respective racks.- If such an arrangement is employed, it will be apparent that the spring biasing force must be less than the weight of a single package 26 plus the effort of the cords on the packages so that one package resting on theretainers will swing the same downwardly and fall therepast. However, in the specific form illustrated, the pins 37 which are supported by the channels 19 are longitudinally movable with respect thereto, and are equipped with a plurality of keys or bayonet pins 38-one for each of the retainers 35-which are slidable into a recess 39 therefor in the collar of each of the retainer plates. The pins 37 are also rotatable with respect to the channels 19, and may be equipped at their outer ends with a knob or handle 40 to facilitate both rotational and longitudinal movement thereof.

With the arrangement just described, the package retainers 35 may be swung into the horizontal position shown in FIGURES for intercepting and supporting packages 26 whenever the bayonet pins 38 are received within the slots 39 in the retainers, by rotating the pins 37 to effect such positioning of the retainer plates. After the retainers have been secured in the horizontal position thereof, by means to be described immediately hereinafter, the pins 37 are moved longitudinally along the axes thereof to release the bayonet pins 38 from the slots 39. Thereafter, the retainers 3:3 may be swung downwardly independently of the pins 37. It will be appreciated that the package retainers 35 in each of the racks 18 can be returned simultaneously to the package supporting position thereof by a single rotational movement of the pins 37 after the bayonet pins 38 thereof are engaged in the slots of the respective retainers.

The package retainers of each rack 18 are maintained in package intercepting position by means of a retainer latch 41 provided for each rack. Each latch 41 may be equipped at the ends thereof with L-shaped catches 42 and 52a adapted to extend under the respective latch plates so as to support the same. The latch 41 is pivotally supported on the rod 21 by means of collars 43 and 43a, respectively provided by the catches 42 and 42a. The pin or rod 21 freely extends through the collars, and adjacent each collar (in cooperative relation therewith and surrounding the pin 21) are the helical springs 44 and dda which bias the latch 41 laterally of the position shown in FIGURE 5, whereat the plates 35 are free to swing downwardly. As seen in FIGURE 6, the biasing force exerted by the coil spring is resisted and opposed by packages 26 within the adjacent rack 18, and which abut the vertically extending legs of the catches 42 and 42a. Thus, the latches cannot release the retainers inone rack 13 until all of the packages have been discharged from a preceding rack, and then the latches automatically swing laterally because of the biasing force exerted by the coil springs to release the retainer plates and thereby permit the packages in that succeeding rack to move downwardly.

It was noted hereinbefore that the rack 18a difiers slightly from the remaining racks, and the difference is with respect to the structure illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6namely, the package retainers 35 and latch 41.

The rack 13a does not include these elements, for this rack is the first to be unloaded or have the packages therein transferred to the ejector mechanism and, consequently, the retention of packages within the rack 18:: is unnecessary. Therefore, in loading the storage magazinelh, it will be preferable to first stack the rack ]8a with packages, and then the successive racks in order from right to left, as seen in FIGURE 1. The reason for this is clear in that as each preceding rack is loaded, the next rack adjacent thereto is automatically conditioned for loading for the latch 31 thereof has been pivoted under the package retainers 35 to lock the same in the pack age supporting position thereof. This'loading order is essential if the package retainers 35 are returned to the horizontal position thereof solely by spring means, but is not absolutely essential with the return arrangement shown in FIGURE 5, wherein the retainers are swung into horizontal position by means of the pins 37 which may be equipped with means for locking the same in the position shown in FIGURE 5 until all of the racks have been loaded.

The transfer mechanism by which packages are shifted from the storage mechanism to the ejector or" the dispenser will now be described, and in particular FIG- URES 3, 4 and 7 will be of primary interest. However, referring first to FIGURES l, 5 and 7, it will be noted that a pair of rails 45 and 46 are disposed between the lower end of the magazine 10 and the transfer mechanism 11. These rails are adapted to support packages 25 thereon, and to have packages so positioned thereon from the discharge ends of the various storage racks 13. The rails are inverted, L-shaped channels, and are oriented in spaced apart relation so as to receive the transfer mechanism 11 thereoetween. The rails are somewhat longer than the transfer mechanism, and extend throughout the entire length of the magazine 19 and forwardly therefrom into adjacency with the ejector 12.

FIGURE 3 makes it evident that the transfer mechanism has a generally rectangular casing 47 providing a bottom wall 48 and end walls 49 and 50 extending upwardly therefrom. The casing may also have side walls, defining with the end walls a compartment 51 therewithin. The casing may be rigidly secured by any suitable means to the main frame 13 of the dispenser, and the upper edges of the casing are disposed slightly below the rails 45 and 46. Preferably, the inner surfaces of the end walls 49 and 50 are covered, respectively, with resilient bumpers 52 and 53 to absorb and attenuate shock resulting from abutment thereagainst of a reciprocable carriage 54.

The carriage 54 is substantially shorter than the space defined between the end walls 49 and 50 of the casing, and is supported for free longitudinal or reciprocatory movement therebetween upon frictionless bearing members 55. The bearings 55 are interposed between the bottom wall 43 of the casing and the bottom wall 56 of the carriage which is equipped with upwardly extending stops or end walls 57 and 58. By referring to FIG- URE 7, it will be evident that the carrier 54 is also provided with side walls 59 and 60, having at the upper ends thereof inwardly turned flanges 61 and 62. The side, end and bottom walls of the carriage define an elongated compartment 63 therein adapted to have mounted therein a transfer carriage 64.

The transfer carriage 64 is substantially shorter than he compartment 63, and is free to reciprocate longitudinally therein between the limits established by the stops 57 and 53 of the carrier. For the most part, the transfer carriage 64 is a solid block having substantial mass, whereby it tends to maintain movement imparted thereto in either direction upon reciprocatory movement of the carrier 54.

The trmsfer carriage does, however, comprise a plurality of compartments 65 therein-one for each of the transfer fingers 66. In the specific illustration, there are nine transfer fingers, one for each of the racks 18 in the storage magazine. The compartments 65 are elongated axially in the direction of reciprocatory movement of the transfer carriage 64, and have substantially the same length along such axis as the inclined cam slots 67. It may be noted that the projected axial length of the cam slots 67, and consequently of the compartments 65, is equivalent to the distance between the end wall 58 of the reciprocable carrier and the end of the transfer carriage adjacent thereto, as shown in FIGURE 3. FIGURE 7 makes it clear that the cam slots, which are provided along each side of the transfer carriage, openly communicate with the respective compartments 65; and FIGURES 3 and 4, in turn, make it evident that the bottom wall 56 of the carrier 54 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings 68 arranged in two spaced rows (FIGURE 7), also communicating with the compartments 65 through similarly oriented and arranged openings or apertures 69 formed in the carriage 64 along the wall portion thereof defining the lower extremity of each compartment 65. The openings 69 are actually elongated along the reciprocatory aXis of the carriage, and have the same dimension in that direction as the compartments 65. On the other hand, the openings 68 in the carrier are relatively small, and are adapted to loosely receive the spaced tongues 70 of the transfer fingers 66 therein.

The compartments 65 permit the transfer carriage 64 to reciprocate longitudinally between the stops 57 and 58 of the carrier without constraint from the transfer fingers 66, and without tending to reciprocate the transfer fingers along the same axis. On the other hand, the tongues 70 of the transfer fingers in the coactive relationship thereof with the openings 68 in the reciprocable carrier, constrain the transfer fingers against movement in the direction of reciprocation of the transfer carriage. In order to further prevent movement of the transfer fingers along the reciprocatory axis of the carriage 64, and to maintain the transfer fingers in the generally vertical positions thereof shown in FIGURE 3, the flanges 61 and 62 of the carrier extend along the forward and rear faces of the fingersor, stated another way, the flanges are provided with slots (as seen in FIGURE 7) that receive the transfer fingers therein, and permit free vertical movement thereof but at the same time prevent their movement along the axis of reciprocation of the transfer carriage 64.

The transfer fingers 66 along each side thereof are provided with cam followers '71 that are slidably received within the respective cam slots 69. The cam followers are in the form of cylindrical stub shafts, and are loosely received within the cam slots so as to afford substantially frictionless movement of the cam followers therethrough. It will be apparent that if the transfer carriage 64 is moved toward the right, as seen in FIGURE 3, with respect to the reciprocable carrier 54, the uppermost wall of each of the cam slots 67 will move into engagement with the cam followers 71 and press the same downwardly, whereupon the transfer fingers will be retracted or pushed downwardly into the position thereof illustrated in FIGURE at the time that the trans-fer carriage has moved completely to the right with respect to the carrier, or against the stop member 58 thereof. On the other hand, upon reverse movement of the transfer carriage relative to the carrier (that is, from the position shown in FIGURE 4 to that shown in FIGURE 3), the lowermost surface of the cam slots will engage the cam followers 71 and drive the same upwardly, whereupon the transfer fingers will be returned to the extended or raised position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 3.

The reciprocable carrier 54 is moved or shifted between the positions thereof shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 by means of piston-cylinder combinations 72 that are preferably two-way air cylinders so as to power both the transfer stroke and return stroke of the carrier. Fl- URES l and 7 make it clear that two transfer cylinders 72 are provided-one along each side of the carrier 54. The cylinders or casings of the transfer members 72 are stationmy with respect to the casing 47, and are rigidly carried by the main frame 13 of the dispenser, preferably through the rails 45 and 46. On the other hand, the piston or reciprocable member of each of the power cylinder units is connected to the carrier 54 through coupling blocks 73 rigidly connected to the respective side walls 59 and 69 thereof. It will be apparent that separate air cylinder units could be provided for the transfer stroke and return stroke of the reciprocaole carrier, or that the return stroke could be actuated by resilient means such as springs. Preferably, however, two-way air cylinder units are employed, and the fluid circuit therefor will include valve means (not shown) for alternately supplying air or other fluid under pressure to the opposite ends thereof, and for exhausting the respective ends of the cylinder units as necessary.

The operation of the transfer mechanism is as follows: Assume first the position of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 3, and that a package 26 is disposed forwardly, or to the right in that figure, of each of the transfer fingers 66. In this configuration of the various components, the carrier'Sd is as far to the left as it can move with respect to the casing 7; and similarly, the transfer carriage 64 is as far to the left as it can move with respect to the carrier.

Now, when a charge of fluid under pressure is admited to the left-hand end of the power cylinder 72, the piston thereof is moved toward the right and since it is rigidly connected to the carrier 54 through the block 73, the carrier will be moved toward the right and ultimately into the position shown in FIGURE 4, wherein the end wall 58 thereof substantially abuts the end wall 50 of the casing and the resilient member 53 carried thereby. Such movement toward the right of the carrier 54 will terminate abruptly, but with a slight cushioning action effected between the end of the cylinder and piston thereof in the power units 72, and also by abutment of the wall member 53 of the carrier with the end wall 59 of the casing.

During this movement of the carrier 54, the transfer carriage 64 has advanced therewith because, initially, the transfer carriage is in abutment with the stop member 57 of the carrier. However, when movement of the carrier terminates, there is nothing to stop continued movement of the transfer carriage, and the inertia or momentum thereof carries it into the position shown in FIGURE 4, wherein it abuts the stop member 58 of the carrier. Since the transfer fingers 66 are elevated (as shown in FIG- URE 3) during the entire movement of the carrier 54, packages supported on the rails 45 and 46 will be advanced therealong through a distance equal to the movement of the carrier.

At the termination of the movement of the carrier, and as the transfer carriage commences to move with respect thereto, the cam slots 67 along the uppermost edges thereof will engage the cam followers 71 and will progressively retract the transfer fingers 65. This retraction will be complete at the time that movement of the transfer carriage 64 is terminated by abutment thereof with the stop 53 of the carriage. As explained hereinbefore, the transfer fingers 66 cannot move longitudinally with the carriage 6 because of the constraint aganst such movement effected through the cooperative relation of the tongues 79 in the openings 68, and flanges 61 and 62 with the upper portions of the fingers. A transfer stroke of the mechanism has now been completed, and it is in condition for the return stroke thereof.

The return stroke of the apparatus is initiated by supplying fluid under pressure to the right-hand end of the power units 72. Pressure fluid admitted thereto will drive the pistons therein toward the left, as viewed in FIGURE 4, whereby the reciprocable carrier 54 will be moved from right to left and into the position shown in FIGURE 3. At the same time, the transfer carriage 6 will'be advanced therewith because, initially, it will be in engagement with the stop member 58 of the carrier, and will thereby be forced to move toward the left. During this movement, the transfer fingers 66 will be retracted and, consequently, the advanced packages on the rails 45 and 46 will not be disturbed thereby.

However, as the movement of the carrier 54- is terminated by engagement thereof with the resilient cushion 52 of the casing wall 49, the transfer carriage 64 will continue to move toward the left because of the momentum thereof, and in so doing the lowermost inclined edges of the cam slots 67 will engage the cam followers 71 and will drive the transfer fingers 66 upwardly and into the position shown in FIGURE 3. The mechanism will thereby have completed an entire reciprocatory cycle, comprising the transfer stroke and return stroke thereof.

The ejector mechanism in its entirety is shown in FIG- URE 1, and includes a ram 75 supported for reciprocatory movement along a line substantially. normal to the .plane defined by the rails 45 and 46. The ram 75, in

the embodiment of the invention herein shown, comprises the plunger or rod of a power cylinder 76.' The plunger 2; of the cylinder 76 is actuated by the pressure fluid, such as air, and preferably both the downstroke and upstroke of the plunger are energized by such pressure fluid. The cylinder 76 is housed within a dust cover or casing 7'7 removably secured to the frame 12 of the dispenser, and it will be apparent that the cylinder 76 must be rigid with such frame so as to effect relative movement between the frame and ram 75.

Secured to the lower end of he ram is an ejector plate 78 having along the outer edge thereof a depending lip or flange 79. The ram and plate 78 are in their upper or return stroke position, as depicted in FIGURE 1, and it will be noted that the lower edge of the lip 79 is in substantial alignment with the rails 45 and 46. Thus, a package being advanced along the rails is accelerated against the lip. Extending upwardly from the plate 78 and secured thereto is a guide 80 is the form of an A- frame, and one is provided along each side of the plate and of the dust cover 77. The guides 89 are equipped adjacent the top and bottom thereof with outwardly extending bearings or pins 31 and 82 that are slidably received within the channels 83 provided by each of the upwardly extending frame elements 16 of the main frame 13. The pins or bearings define vertical movement for the ram and ejector plate with respect to the main frame of the dispenser because of their slidable engagement with the channels 83.

The various valves, solenoid controls therefor and necessary electrical circuitry for controlling the ejector 12 and the transfer mechanism 11 are contained within the cover 77, but such components are not illustrated, nor will they be further described herein, for they are only concerned with initiating the various movements of the transfer and ejector mechanisms, and in other respects are not pertinent to the invention herein considered.

In operation of the ejector, fluid under pressure is supplied to the upper end of the cylinder 76, and as a consequence thereof the ram 75 and ejector plate 73 are accelerated downwardly to forcibly move a package therebelow along a path of travel extending generally downwardly from the dispenser. At the bottom of the ejector stroke, fluid pressure is applied to the lower end of the cylinder 76 to return the ram and plate 78 to the starting position thereof shown in FIGURE 1.

While the operation of the three major components, comprising the storage magazine 10, transfer mechanism 11 and ejector 12, has been described in detail hereinbefore, it may be of value to summarize the functioning of these components in their sequential interrelation with each other. In this respect, it may be stated that after each of the racks 18 has been filled with packages 26, in a manner such that the packages are supported by the retainers 35 and are pressed downwardly thereagainst by the spring cords 27 and 27a, the lowermost package in the rack 18a will be in engagement with the rails 45 and 46 because such rack does not include retainer plates to support the packages therein above the rails.

The transfer mechanism 11 may now be manually or automatically operated to advance the packages from the rack 18a toward the ejector 12; and after a package is disposed beneath each of the racks 18, the rack 18a may again be filled. Therefore, all of these racks will now be full, and the transfer mechanism 11 will be completely loaded.

When the dispenser is now placed in automatic operation, the transfer mechanism will. operate to transfer packages in step-by-step succession into position'below the ejector plate 78. Since the mechanism is intended to function at a relatively high rate of speed to eject many packages per second, such packages are actually shot or accelerated beneath the plate and into abutment with the depending lip 79 thereof. Just as quickly as a package is received thereunder, the ram 75 is energized and the plate 78 moved downwardly to accelerate a package thereunder along a path of movement extending downwardly therefrom. The transfer mechanism and ejector are synchronized so that each package transferred from the rails 45 and 46 to below the plate 78 will be accelerated downwardly by the ejector. However, it will be appreciated that where many packages a second are ejected, an ejector plate 73 may not be required since the transfer moveent may be adequate.

As soon as all of the packages have been removed from the rack 18a, the latch 41 in the rack adjacent thereto will swing outwardly, releasing the retainer plates 35 and permitting the packages in that next rack to be advanced by the transfer mechanism to the ejector 12. This sequence is repeated until all of the racks 18 have been depleted of the packages stacked therein.

While in the foregoing specification embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in considerable detail for purposes of making an adequate disclosure of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made in these details without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a dispenser of the character described, a storage magaz ne comprising a frame defining a plurality of storage racks each adapted to receive a stack of packages therein, means for urging each such stack toward the discharge end of the rack, package retainers adjacent the discharge end of a plurality of said racks and each being movable under the weight of a package thereon from a package supporting position disposed beneath the rack to a position affording free egress of the packages therefrom, and a retainer latch for each retainer-equipped rack and engageable with the retainers thereof for maintaining the same in package supporting position, said retainer latch being biased toward a position remote from said retainers but being held in engagement therewith by the constraining influence of packages abutting the same and contained within the preceding rack adjacent thereto; and a transfer mechanism comprising a pair of spaced rails adapted to receive packages thereon from said racks, a carrier mounted below said rails for reciprocable movement along the longitudinal axis thereof and being equipped with axially spaced stops, means for reciprocating said carrier along said fiis through repetitive transfer stroke and backstroke cycles, a transfer carriage supported by said carrier for free reciprocatory movement between said stops, a plurality of transfer fingers supported by said carrier in spaced apart relation along the axis of reciprocation thereof for advancing packages along said rails during the transfer stroke of said carrier, said transfer fingers being movable between an extended position above said rails and a retracted position below said rails, cam means provided by said transfer carriage in coactive relation with said fingers for selectively moving the same into the extended position thereof at termination of the carriage backstroke and into the retracted position thereof at termination of the carrier transfer stroke, such extension and retrac tion of said transfer fingers by said cam means being effected through relative reciprocation between said carrier and carriage resulting from the inertial continuation of the movement of said carriage at the termination of the carrier motion is defined by the ends of the transfer and backstrokes thereof.

2. in a dispenser of the character described, a storage magazine comprising a frame defining a plurality of storage racks each adapted to receive a stack of packages therein, means for urging each such stack toward the discharge end of the rack, package retainers adjacent the discharge end of a plurality of said racks and each being movable under the weight of a package thereon from a package supporting position disposed beneath the rack to a position affording free egress of the packages therefrom, and a retainer latch for each retainer-equipped rack and engageable with the retainers thereof for maintaining the same in package supporting position, said retainer latch being biased toward a position remote from said retainers but being held in engagement therewith by the constraining influence of packages abutting the same and contained within the preceding rack adjacent thereto; a transfer mechanism comprising a pair of spaced rails adapted to receive packages thereon from said racks, a carrier mounted below said rails for reciprocable movement along the longitudinal axis thereof and being equipped with axially spaced stops, means for reciprocating said carrier along said axis through repetitive transfer stroke and backstroke cycles, a transfer carriage sup ported by said carrier for free reciprocatory movement between said stops, a plurality of transfer fingers supported by said carrier in spaced apart relation along the axis of reciprocation thereof for advancing packages along said rails during the transfer stroke of said carrier, said transfer fingers being movable between an extended position above said rails and a retracted position below said rails, cam means provided by said transfer carriage in coactive relation with said fingers for selectively moving the same into the extended position thereof at termination of the carrier backstroke and into the retracted position thereof at termination of the carrier transfer stroke, such extension and retraction of said transfer fingers by said cam means being efiected through relative reciprocation between said carrier and carriage resulting from the inertial continuation of the movement of said carriage at the termination of the carrier motion as defined by the ends of the transfer and backstrokes thereof; and an ejector comprising a reciprocable ram adjacent an end of said rails, means for reciprocating said ram generally across the path of said rails, an ejector plate carried by said ram for engaging a package advanced thereto along said rails to accelerate the package in one direction along the reciprocatory axis of said ram, and guide means adjacent the discharge end of said dispenser for guiding the movement of said ram and ejector plate with respect thereto.

3. In a dispenser of the character described, a transfer mechanism comprising a pair of spaced rails adapted to receive packages thereon, a carrier mounted below said rails for reciprocable movement along the longitudinal axis thereof and being equipped with axially spaced stops, means for reciprocating said carrier along said axis through repetitive transfer stroke and backstroke cycles, a transfer carriage supported by said carrier for free reciprocatory movement between said stops, a plurality of transfer fingers supported by said carrier in spaced apart relation along the axis of reciprocation thereof for advancing packages along said rails during the transfer stroke of said carrier, said transfer fingers being movable between an extended position above said rails and a retracted position below said rails, cam means provided by said transfer carriage in coactive relation with said fingers for selectively moving the same into the extended position thereof at termination of the carrier backstroke and into the retracted position thereof at termination of the carrier transfer stroke, said cam means comprising an inclined slot for each of said transfer fingers provided by said transfer carriage and forming an acute angle with the axis of reciprocation thereof, and a cam follower provided by each transfer [finger for longitudinal movement through the respective slots such extension and retraction of said transfer fingers by said cam means being effected through relative reciprocation between said carrier and carriage resulting from the inertial continuation of the movement of said carriage at the termination of the carrier motion as defined by the ends of the transfer and backstrokes thereof.

4. In a dispenser of the character described, a transfer 1 i mechanism comprising a pair of spaced rails adapted to receive packages thereon, a carrier mounted below said rails for reciprocable movement along the longitudinal axis thereof and being equipped with axially spaced stops,

means for reciprocatin said carrier along said axis 5 through repetitive transfer stroke and backstroke cycles, a transfer carriage supported by said carrier for free reciprocatory movement between said stops, a plurality of transfer fingers supported by said carrier in spaced apm relation along the axis of reciprocation thereof for advancing packages along said rails during the transfer stroke of said carrier, said transfer fingers being movable between an extended position above said rails and a retracted position below said rails, cam means provided fingers for selectively moving the same into the extended position thereof at termination of the carrier backstroke and into the retracted position thereof at termination of the carrier transfer stroke, said cam means comprising an 'by said transfer carriage in coactive relation with said inclined slot for each of said transfer fingers provided by said transfer carriage and forming an acute angle withthe axis of reciprocation thereof, and a cam follower provided by each transfer finger for longitudinal movement through the respective slots, said carrier and said transfer fingers being equipped with cooperative means to constrain movement of the fingers along the axis of reciprocation of said transfer carriage and to maintain the same substantially normal to such axis of reciprocation, such extension and retraction of said transfer fin ers by said cam means being effected through relative reciprocation between said carrier and carriage resulting from the inertial continuation of the movement of said carriage at the termination of the carrier motion as defined by the ends of the transfer and backstrokes thereof.

5. In a dispenser of the character described, a storage magazine comprising a frame defining a plurality of storage racks each adapted to receive a stack of packages therein above a discharge opening at the discharge end thereof, means for urging each such stack toward the discharge end of the rack, package retainers adjacent the discharge end of each rack and being movable under the Weight of a package thereon from a package supporting position disposed beneath the rack to a position affording free egress of the packages therefrom, and a retainer latch for each retainer-equipped rack having a portion engageable with the retainers thereof on the sides of the respective racks'adjacent to the preceding rack from which packages are dispensed for maintaining the same in package supporting position and a portion extending above the discharge opening, each retainer latch being biased toward a position remote from said retainers towards the preceding adjacent rack to permit of packages dispensed from a preceding rack to move freely under the filled racks to a point of discharge but being held in engagement with the retainers by the constraining influence of packages contained within the preceding rack adjacent thereto the lowermost of which abuts against said upwardly extending portion.

6. In a dispenser of the character described, a storage magazine comprising a plurality of storage racks each adapted to receive a stack of packages therein above a discharge opening, resilient means for urging each such stack, toward the discharge end of the respective racks, substantially all of said racks being equipped with package retainers adjacent the discharge end thereof movable neath the preceding rack from which packages were 7,

dispensed and having an element extending above the discharge opening, each of said retainer latches being biased toward a position remote from the retainers with said element extending into the preceding rack adjacent thereto but being held in engagement with the retainers by the constraining influence of the lowermost one of the packages above said discharge opening contained in such preceding rack adjacent thereto abutting said element.

7. In a storage magazine having a pair of adjacent racks each adapted to receive a stack of packages therein above a discharge opening at the discharge end of each rack, retainer members adjacent the dscharge end of one of said racks and being supported for movement between a position disposed within the rack for supporting packages thereon and a position laterally thereof afiording free egress of the packages through said openings, and a retainer latch supported between each rack and the preceding rack and having a lower element for movement into engagement with said retainer for maintaining the same in package supporting position thereof and release movement into the space below the preceding rack, said retainer latch being biased toward a position remote from said retainers and having an upper element'above its discharge opening projecting into the other of said racks to be held in engagement with the, retainers by the constraining influence of packages above said openings contained within the aforesaid other rack abutting said element.

8. The magazine structure of claim 7 in which said retainer members are disposed on opposite sides of the discharge opening of the aforesaid one rack and are movable downwardly and laterally from the package supporting position thereof under the weight of a package supported thereon, and in which means are provided for returning said retainer members to the package supporting position thereof prior to reloading the rack with packages.

9. The magazine structure of claim 8 in which said retainer latch is pivotally supported between said racks and is equipped at each end thereof with a laterally turned catch adapted to be disposed beneath the retainers to support the same in the package supporting position thereof, and in which spring'means are provided for biasing said retainer latch upper element into the other of said racks and the lower element into the space he neath the preceding rack from which packages were 7 dispensed.

10. The combination called for in claim 7 in which guide members for receiving said packages from said discharge openings extend in a direction transverse to said racks and said retainer members are disposed parallel to said guides,

11. In a dispenser of the character described, a storage magazine comprising a plurality of storage racks each adapted to receive a stack of packages therein above a discharge opening, resilient cord means adapted to be drawn over each stack for urging each stack toward the discharge end of the respective racks, substantially all of said racks being equipped with package retainers adjacent the discharge end thereof movable under the weight of a package thereon from a package supporting position disposed within the rack to a position affording free egress of the packages-therefrom through said opening, a retainer latch for each retainer-equipped rack engageable with the retainers thereof for maintaining the same in package supporting position, each retainer latch being mounted adjacent to the preceding rack for movement downwardly into space beneath the preceding rack from which packages were dispensed and having an element extending above the discharge opening, each of said retainer latches being biased toward a position remote from. the retainers with said element extending into the preceding rack adjacent thereto but being held in engagement with the retainers by the constraining infiuence of the lowermost one of the packages above said discharge opening contained in such preceding rack adjacent thereto abutting said element, and a relatively rigid clasp extending across each of said racks for engagement with a stack of packages therein, and in which said resilient cord means is secured to said clasp at opposite ends thereof, said clasp beingsegmented intermediate the ends thereof and such segments being releasably secured together to permit separation thereof for loading the racks with packages.

12. In a dispenser of the character described, a storage magazine comprising a plurality of storage racks each adapted to receive a stack of packages therein above a discharge opening, resilient cord means adapted to be drawn over each stack for urging each stack toward the discharge end of the respective racks, substantially all of said racks being equipped with package retainers adj acent the discharge end thereof movable under the weight of a package thereon from a package supporting position disposed Within the rack to a position aifording free egress of the packages therefrom through said opening, a retainer latch for each retainer-equipped rack engageable with the retainers thereof for maintaining the same in package supporting position, each retainer latch being mounted adjacent to the preceding rack for movement downwardly into space beneath the preceding rack from which packages were dispensed and having an element extending above the discharge opening, each of said retainer latches being biased toward a position remote from the retainers with said element extending into the preceding rack adjacent thereto but being held in engagement with the retainers by the constraining influence of the lowermost one of the packages above said discharge opening contained in such preceding rack adjacent thereto abutting said element, and a relatively rigid clasp extending across each of said racks for engagement with a stack of packages therein, and in which said resilient cord means is secured to said clasp at opposite ends thereof, said clasp being segmented intermediate the ends thereof and such segments being releasably secured together to permit separation thereof for loading the racks With packages, said magazine being equipped with a plurality of fasteners, one for each of said racks and on each side thereof, said fasteners being adapted to secure said resilient cord means and clasps when the clasps are separated to afford loading access to said racks.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 769,063 Dougherty et al. Aug. 30, 1904 1,364,562 Laughton Ian. 4, 1921 1,564,540 Dinwiddie Dec. 8, 1925 2,021,659 Judkins Nov. 19, 1935 2,889,074 Reynolds June 2, 1959

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