ES2900478T3 - Device for dispensing beverage containers - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for dispensing elongated beverage containers (2), in particular beverage cans, with a housing (3) for accommodating the beverage containers (2), with an extraction element (6) for extracting a beverage container (2) and with a cooling device (9) for cooling the beverage containers (2), the casing (3) presenting a guide channel (10) with a sliding surface inclined to the horizontal (11) for the beverage containers (2), the width of the guide channel (10) being less than its height, the beverage containers (2) being able to slide in the upright state along the sliding surface (11) of the channel guide (10) inside the extraction element (6), the casing (3) presenting on the opposite side to the extraction element (6) a receiving opening (12) that extends essentially perpendicularly to the sliding surface (11) to introduce beverage containers (2), characterized in that e Opposite the sliding surface (11), the guide channel (10) has a retaining surface (19) to protect the beverage container (2) from tipping over in the guide channel (10), being made the guide channel (10) closed in cross section and the upper side of the guide channel (10) being configured as a holding surface (19).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Device for dispensing beverage containers

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing elongated beverage containers, in particular beverage cans, with a casing for accommodating the beverage containers, with an extraction element for extracting a beverage container and with a cooling device for cooling the beverage containers, the housing having a guide channel with a sliding surface inclined to the horizontal for the beverage containers, the width of the guide channel being less than its height, the beverage containers being able to slide in the state standing along the sliding surface of the guide channel into the interior of the extraction element, the housing on the opposite side of the extraction element having a receiving opening which extends essentially perpendicularly to the sliding surface for inserting containers of drink.

Patent US 2014/0367403 A1 discloses a refrigerator for beverage cans. The refrigerator has individual modules, each module containing an individual row of beverage cans in an upright position. Each module has a dispensing point, where the beverage can located upstream can be removed. The modules for the beverage cans are inclined relative to the horizontal, so that the beverage cans slide in the state pushed closely against each other under the influence of the force of gravity to the point of dispensing, when removed. the beverage can found later. The refrigerator has a cooling device on the back. A door is provided on the front side.

However, it is disadvantageous in this embodiment that the refrigerator has a very large space requirement. Therefore, the refrigerator is not suitable for use in narrow space conditions. For example, the refrigerator could not be placed on sales counters in supermarkets. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that the beverage containers are not provided without a barrier. The user has to open the front door to gain access to the beverage cans. Furthermore, the cooling device is uniquely designed to cool a plurality of modules for the beverage cans in the closed cabinet space. A further disadvantage is that each module has to be removed from the refrigerator to be filled with beverage cans. The beverage cans are inserted into the receiving chamber from above. The inclination of the modules is used exclusively to enable the advancement of the beverage cans.

In EP 2273461 A1 a different type of can dispenser is described, which has a housing in which a transport section is formed, along which the beverage cans are transported in the lying state by force of the gravity to an extraction opening. A dispensing flap is provided in the removal opening, which can be pivoted between a closed position, in which it prevents a removal of beverage cans through the removal opening, and a removal position. For this purpose, the dispensing flap has two cup-shaped receptacles which are located transversely to the transport section for one beverage can in each case. In the closed position a beverage can is conveyed into the internal housing, preventing removal of the beverage can. In the removal position, the beverage can rolls into the outer housing, while preventing a further beverage can from being transported into the inner housing. The can dispenser housing features integrated cooling.

Furthermore, patent US 2005/189310 A1 discloses a modular goods system with an inclined sliding surface, which has guide elements on the side walls to protect the ordered goods from tipping over.

US Patent 3,006,707 A also discloses a shelf with an inclined sliding surface and several guide channels arranged one above the other, several goods lying side by side in one guide channel.

The lying transport of the beverage cans entails in particular the disadvantage that the prior art can dispenser has comparatively large dimensions, which are poorly suited for sales counters.

Disadvantageously, furthermore, an actuation of the dispensing flap is necessary in order to be able to remove the beverage can from the can dispenser. Therefore, the consumer has to overcome a barrier for the extraction of a beverage can, which is an obstacle to the sale of the beverage cans. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that the manufacturer's designation on the beverage cans can not be recognized or can only be recognized with difficulty.

WO 2013/106742 describes a device of another type for dispensing cartridges, which is put in an oblique position with the help of a support. Thus, by means of the force of gravity, an unused cartridge can be delivered later, as soon as a cartridge has been removed. The figures show a configuration with five channels, which have an extraction opening at the front and a supply opening at the back, into which the cartridges are inserted, before they slide due to the force of gravity in the channel and can be removed again at the other end if necessary from the removal opening. Additionally, in a alternative embodiment the front side can be opened.

GB 2247 068 shows a container of another type for cans, which can be brought by means of a cooling unit, which is housed in the rear area of the container, to the desired temperature. For this, air cooled by the cooling unit is conveyed with the aid of a fan through a channel to a front area, in which the cans are stored. In this case, the cans to be cooled are delivered to a guide, with which the cans are successively conveyed and provided with the support of the force of gravity. The cans are delivered through a lid on the container.

US Patent 4598 828 discloses a rack of another type for dispensing bottles or cans in the upright state. Between two side parts, the rack has an inclined base surface, the sliding areas being made of a material with a low coefficient of friction. With flanges the base surface is fastened to the side parts and thus a shelving unit is created. Stops are placed at the ends of the rack, which stop the sliding movement of the can at the end of the base surface.

EP 2 147 616 describes a storage rack of another type for dispensing pharmaceutical products, which is intended to be stored in refrigerators.

US Patent 8657126 shows a further dispenser of another type. The products to be dispensed can be deposited by opening a lid on the dispenser, after which they roll down a chute and reach the extraction openings. In this respect, the extraction opening is located on the same side as the lid.

On the contrary, the object of the present invention is to eliminate or at least reduce the individual disadvantages of the prior art. The present invention has in particular the object of creating a device for dispensing beverages of the type stated at the outset, which combines a small constructional size with a simple filling capacity.

The object is achieved by a device of the type mentioned at the beginning, which has the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Therefore, the device according to the present invention has on the rear side, that is to say opposite the extraction element, a receiving opening which runs essentially perpendicular to the sliding surface, which is preferably configured corresponding to the cross section of the guide channel. Thus, the beverage containers can advantageously be introduced in the upright or upright state through the receiving opening in the guide channel, the beverage containers being able to be guided one behind the other, in the individualized state, under the influence of the force of gravity on the sliding surface. For this purpose, the sliding surface is inclined forwards, towards the extraction element. The angle of the sliding surface relative to the horizontal is between 15° and 20°, in particular essentially 17.5°. The sliding movement of the beverage containers during filling is stopped by the respectively preceding beverage container or, in the unfilled state, by the extraction element, which is preferably connected in an essentially barrier-free manner, in particular without a flap or similar, with the casing. Thus, the can dispenser can be individually filled with the beverage containers. Advantageously, the filling can be carried out in the assembled state of use of the device, with the sliding surface inclined. Therefore, unlike the prior state of the art, it is not necessary to open the device and put the beverage containers in the guide channel. In particular, in the configuration according to the present invention it is also not necessary to bring the guide channel for the introduction of the beverage containers into a horizontal position. According to the present invention, the beverage containers can be introduced through the receiving opening on the rear side, the beverage containers being slid individually into the intended position within the guide channel or the extraction element. Therefore, the device can continue to be filled continuously during use. The guide channel preferably extends longitudinally towards the sliding surface, in particular a single row of beverage containers being located in the guide channel. Preferred beverage containers are 250-milliliter cans, which are used, for example, for energy drinks or iced coffees. The embodiment according to the present invention is characterized by a particularly low space requirement, thereby opening up a plurality of areas of application, such as use in sales counters or the like. Furthermore, the subsequent filling with beverage containers can be substantially simplified compared to the prior art. In order to prevent tipping of a beverage container which slides along the sliding surface in the individualized state, provision is made for the guide channel to have a retaining surface opposite the sliding surface for protection against tipping over. of the beverage container in the guide channel. Thus, the guide channel is designed to be closed in cross section. The upper side of the guide channel is configured as a retaining surface, with which the beverage container is reliably prevented from tipping forward when sliding along the sliding surface in the intended position. In the absence of the retaining surface on the upper side, the prior art would not be able to allow the beverage containers to slide in the individualized state in the intended position, since beverage containers could tip forward in particular due to frictional drag on the sliding surface. In contrast, the retaining surface on the upper side of the guide channel causes the beverage containers to be held in the upright/standing state even when the beverage containers are inserted individually, i.e. not abutting one another, along the guide channel. Thus, by means of the retaining surface in relation to the receiving opening on the rear side of the housing, a malfunction during filling can be reliably prevented.

In order to secure the beverage containers during sliding along the sliding surface in the individualized state against tipping over, it is favorable if the height of the guide channel between the sliding surface and the retaining surface is 1.004 to 1.007 times , preferably essentially 1.0055 times, greater than the height of the beverage container disposed therein. Thus, in this embodiment, at least one beverage container forms part of the device. The height of the guide channel, that is to say its extension perpendicular to the sliding surface, is in said relation to the height or longitudinal extension of the beverage container. This creates a small clearance between the beverage container and the retaining surface, with which, on the one hand, the sliding of the beverage containers is not prevented and, on the other hand, it is reliably ensured that the retaining surface return a forward-tilting beverage container to the full-surface-supported state on the sliding surface.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the height of the guide channel between the sliding surface and the retaining surface is 135.5 mm to 136 mm, in particular substantially 135.75 mm, and the height of the beverage container arranged therein between 134.75 mm and 135.25 mm, in particular essentially 135 mm, the width of the guide channel between two lateral surfaces preferably being between 54 mm and 55 mm, in particular essentially 54.5 mm , and the diameter of the beverage container disposed therein is 52.75 mm to 53.25 mm, in particular essentially 53 mm.

In order to keep the cooling losses through the receiving opening as low as possible, a closing element is preferably provided for closing the receiving opening, which is preferably configured as a flap, which can be swiveled between an operating position that closes the receiving opening and a loading position that releases the receiving opening. The flap is preferably pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis, to optionally release or close the receiving opening which extends perpendicular to the sliding surface.

In order to achieve a compact device with sufficient cooling performance, it is advantageous if the cooling device has a cooling element which has a first cooling surface parallel to the sliding surface and/or a second cooling surface parallel to the sliding surface. a first side surface of the guide channel and/or a third cooling surface parallel to a second side surface of the guide channel. Preferably, the first, second and third cooling surfaces are provided such that the cooling element surrounds the essentially U-shaped guide channel.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the first cooling surface of the cooling device extends along the sliding surface and/or the second cooling surface of the cooling device extends along the first lateral surface and/or the third cooling surface extends along the second lateral surface of the guide channel. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first cooling surface is part of the sliding surface, the second cooling surface is part of the first lateral surface and the third cooling surface is part of the second lateral surface of the guide channel. This embodiment is suitable in particular in the case of an embodiment of the cooling device with a Peltier element.

According to a second preferred embodiment, the first cooling surface of the cooling device extends adjacent to the sliding surface and/or the second cooling surface of the cooling device, adjacent to the first lateral surface and/or the third cooling surface, adjacent to the second lateral surface of the guide channel. In this embodiment, the first, second and third cooling surfaces are arranged at a distance from the sliding surface, the first or second lateral surface of the guide channel. This embodiment is particularly suitable in the case of an embodiment of the cooling device with a compressor cooler, a U-shaped evaporator preferably being provided, which surrounds the separately configured guide channel with the sliding surface and the side surfaces. . This prevents freezing of the guide channel.

In order to form the sliding surface with the necessary inclination, it is favorable if the housing is supported on a stand-up element for laying on a flat deposition surface, the housing being arranged by means of the stand-up element at an angle to the horizontal . The upright element can, for example, have a bracket that can be deposited flat on the depositing surface.

In order to bring the beverage containers individually into the removal position, it is favorable if the housing is connected via a dispensing opening that extends essentially perpendicularly to the sliding surface with the extraction element, which has a standing surface for a beverage container and an upper side extraction opening. When a beverage container is removed from the removal member, the beverage container disposed behind slides into the removal member. The standing surface of the extraction element preferably forms an extension of the sliding surface of the guide channel. In use, the beverage container preferably protrudes above an upper edge of the extraction element, so that the beverage container can be removed without barriers.

In order to simplify maintenance of the device, the housing preferably has an upper housing part and a lower housing part, which are preferably connected to one another via a detachable connection, in particular via a plug-in connection, the guide channel having preferably a section in the upper casing part and a section in the lower casing part respectively. The upper housing part is preferably substantially cylindrical in design. Preferably, the section in the upper housing part and the section in the lower housing part are respectively rectangular in cross section, the sections together corresponding in cross section essentially to the shape of the beverage container.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below by means of a preferred embodiment, to which it is not intended to be limited, however. In the drawings show:

Figure 1 a schematic view of a device according to the present invention for dispensing beverage cans; Figure 2 a rear view of the device according to Figure 1; Y

FIG. 3 a sectional view of the device according to FIGS. 1, 2, showing a guide channel with a sliding surface for beverage cans and a retaining surface on the upper side of the guide channel.

Figures 1 to 3 show a device 1 for dispensing elongated beverage containers 2, essentially cylindrical in cross section, which in the embodiment shown are formed by 250 ml beverage cans. The device 1 has a housing 3 for accommodating the beverage containers 2. The housing 3 consists of an upper housing part 4 and a lower housing part 5, which are detachably connected to each other in the shown embodiment. On the front side, the device 1 has a pull-out element 6, from which an individual beverage container 2 can be pulled out. For this purpose, the pull-out element 6 has a flat standing surface (not shown), on which the beverage container 2 stands. The extraction element 6 has an extraction opening 7 on its upper side, from which the beverage container 2 can be removed. The beverage container 2 protrudes upwards above an upper edge 8 of the extraction element 6, in order to facilitate extraction. The device 1 also has a cooling device 9 (which can only be seen schematically), with which both the beverage container 2 arranged inside the housing 3 and the beverage container 2 arranged inside the cooling element can be cooled. extraction 6. The cooling device 9 can have a Peltier element known per se (not shown) or a compressor cooler (not shown). Furthermore, the cooling device can have insulation in the casing 3, in order to reduce cooling losses during operation. With the aid of the cooling device 9, the internal space of the housing 3 is cooled, a cooling manifold being formed in the extraction element 6 for cooling the beverage container 2 placed therein.

As is evident from FIG. 3, the housing 3 has a guide channel 10 extending in the longitudinal direction with a sliding surface 11 inclined with respect to the horizontal forwards towards the extraction element 6. The width of the guide channel 10, i.e. its shortest extension in the cross section perpendicular to the direction of displacement, is less than the height of the guide channel 10, i.e. its extension perpendicular to the sliding surface 11. In this way , the beverage containers 2 can be slid in the standing or edged state along the sliding surface 11 of the guide channel 10, unlike rolling storage as in many known can dispensers. Thus, a beverage container 2 can be slid in the unfilled state of the device 1 under the influence of the force of gravity into the extraction element 6. In this case, the bottom surface opposite the drinking opening of the beverage container 2 slides on the sliding surface 11 of the guide channel 10. As soon as the beverage container 2 is removed, the subsequently disposed beverage container 2 subsequently slides into the removal element 6. For this purpose On the side of the extraction element 6, the housing 3 has a dispensing opening 15, which extends essentially perpendicularly to the sliding surface 11, and is shaped essentially corresponding to the beverage container 2.

As can be seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the housing 3 has on the side opposite the extraction element 6 a receiving opening 12 which extends essentially perpendicularly to the sliding surface for inserting beverage containers 2 into it. transport channel 10. To close the receiving opening 12, a closing element 13 is provided, which in the shown embodiment is configured as a flap, which can be pivoted between a position of use that closes the receiving opening 12 (see Fig. figure 2) and a position of charge released by the receiving opening 12. In FIG. 2, moreover, various ventilation slots 14 of the cooling device 9 can be seen, which can have fans known per se.

As can be seen, moreover, in figures 1 to 3, the casing 3 is connected with an upright element 16, which is deposited on a flat deposition surface, the casing 3 being arranged with the sliding surface 11 at an angle with with respect to the horizontal, which enables autonomous sliding of the beverage containers 2 on the sliding surface 11. In the embodiment shown, the upright element 16 has a bracket 17 that rests flat on the deposit surface, which it is connected via angled sections 18 thereof with the lower housing part 5. In this way a free space is created between the upper side of the bracket 17 and the lower side of the lower housing part 5. An additional housing part can alternatively be provided as the upright element 16, in which a compressor cooler of the cooling device 9 (not shown) can be arranged. In this embodiment, the casing 3 is supported on the further casing part on the deposition surface.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 3, the guide channel 10 has on the upper side, i.e. opposite the sliding surface 11, a flat retaining surface 19, which extends parallel to the sliding surface. slide 11, to protect the beverage containers 2 from tipping over in the guide channel 10. In addition, the guide channel 10 each has a first lateral surface 20 and a second lateral surface 21, which extend essentially in perpendicular to the sliding surface 11. The height of the guide channel 10, i.e. the extension between the sliding surface 10 and the retaining surface 19, is in the embodiment shown 1.0055 times greater than the height of the beverage container 2 disposed therein. In the case of the 250 ml beverage can, the height of the guide channel 10 is essentially 135.75 mm and the height of the beverage container 2 arranged therein is essentially 135 mm. The width of the guide channel 10 between the first 20 and the second lateral surface 21 is essentially 54.5 mm.

In the embodiment shown, the cooling device 9 has a cooling element 22, which has a first cooling surface 23 parallel to the sliding surface 11, a second cooling surface 24 parallel to the first lateral surface 20 of the channel guide 10 and a third cooling surface 25 parallel to the second lateral surface 21 of the guide channel 10. In this embodiment, the first cooling surface 23 of the cooling device 9 extends along the sliding surface 11 , the second cooling surface 24 of the cooling device 9, along the first lateral surface 20 and the third cooling surface 25, along the second lateral surface 21 of the guide channel 10. The cooling device 9 In the embodiment shown, it presents a Peltier element. Alternatively a compressor cooler (not shown) can be used. In this case, the first cooling surface 23 of the cooling device 9 is arranged adjacent to the sliding surface 11, the second cooling surface 24 of the cooling device 9, adjacent to the first lateral surface 20 and the third cooling surface 25, adjacent to the second lateral surface 21 of the guide channel 10.

Claims (10)

1. Device (1) for dispensing elongated beverage containers (2), in particular beverage cans, with a housing (3) for accommodating the beverage containers (2), with an extraction element (6) for extracting a container beverage container (2) and with a cooling device (9) for cooling the beverage containers (2), the housing (3) having a guide channel (10) with a sliding surface inclined to the horizontal (11). ) for the beverage containers (2), the width of the guide channel (10) being less than its height, the beverage containers (2) being able to slide in the upright state along the sliding surface (11) of the guide channel (10) into the extraction element (6), the casing (3) presenting on the side opposite the extraction element (6) a receiving opening (12) which extends essentially perpendicularly to the surface slide (11) to introduce beverage containers (2), characterized by qu e the guide channel (10) has, opposite the sliding surface (11), a retaining surface (19) for protection against tipping of the beverage container (2) in the guide channel (10), being The guide channel (10) is made closed in cross-section and the upper side of the guide channel (10) is designed as a holding surface (19). Device (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the guide channel (10) between the sliding surface (11) and the retention surface (19) is 1.004 to 1.007 times, preferably and essentially 1.0055 times greater than the height of the beverage container 2 disposed therein. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the height of the guide channel (10) between the sliding surface (11) and the retaining surface (19) amounts to 135.5 mm to 136 mm, in particular essentially 135.75 mm, and the height of the beverage container (2) arranged therein is between 134.75 mm and 135.25 mm, in particular essentially 135 mm, the width of the flow channel being guided between two lateral surfaces (20, 21) to preferably 54 mm to 55 mm, in particular substantially 54.5 mm, and the diameter of the beverage container (2) arranged therein being 52.75 mm to 53 0.25 mm, in particular essentially 53 mm. Device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a closing element (13) is provided for closing the receiving opening (12), which is preferably configured as a pivotable flap. between a use position that closes the receiving opening (12) and a loading position that releases the receiving opening (12). 5. Device (1), according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cooling device (9) has a cooling element (22), which has a first cooling surface (23) parallel to the surface sliding (11) and/or a second cooling surface (24) parallel to a first lateral surface (20) of the guide channel (11) and/or a third cooling surface (25) parallel to a second surface side (21) of the guide channel (10). Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first cooling surface (23) of the cooling device (9) extends along the sliding surface (11) and/or the second surface of cooling (24) of the cooling device (9), along the first lateral surface (20) and/or the third cooling surface (25), along the second lateral surface (21) of the guide channel (10). Device (1), according to claim 5, characterized in that the first cooling surface (23) of the cooling device (9) extends adjacent to the sliding surface (11) and/or the second surface of cooling (24) of the cooling device (9), adjacent to the first lateral surface (20) and/or the third cooling surface (25), adjacent to the second lateral surface (21) of the guide channel (10). 8. Device (1), according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the casing (3) is supported on an upright element (16) for placement on a flat deposition surface, the casing (3) being arranged ) by means of the upright element (16) at the angle with respect to the horizontal. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the casing (3) is connected via a dispensing opening (15) which extends essentially perpendicular to the sliding surface (11) with the extraction element (6), which has a standing surface for a beverage container and an upper side extraction opening. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the casing (3) has an upper casing part (4) and a lower casing part (5), which are preferably connected to each other at via a detachable connection, in particular via a plug-in connection, the guide channel (10) preferably having a section in the upper housing part (4) and a section in the lower housing part (5) respectively.