EP0364343A1 - Method and apparatus for automatically dispensing products, in particular possibly reheated foodstuffs - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for automatically dispensing products, in particular possibly reheated foodstuffs Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0364343A1
EP0364343A1 EP89402756A EP89402756A EP0364343A1 EP 0364343 A1 EP0364343 A1 EP 0364343A1 EP 89402756 A EP89402756 A EP 89402756A EP 89402756 A EP89402756 A EP 89402756A EP 0364343 A1 EP0364343 A1 EP 0364343A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pusher
products
plates
oven
axes
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Granted
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EP89402756A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0364343B1 (en
Inventor
André Siméon Dubik
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to AT8989402756T priority Critical patent/ATE105437T1/en
Publication of EP0364343A1 publication Critical patent/EP0364343A1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/0064—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for processing of food articles
    • G07F17/0078—Food articles which need to be processed for dispensing in a hot or cooked condition, e.g. popcorn, nuts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/46—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from movable storage containers or supports
    • G07F11/58—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from movable storage containers or supports the articles being supported on or by endless belts or like conveyors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/10—Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling
    • G07F9/105—Heating or cooling means, for temperature and humidity control, for the conditioning of articles and their storage

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of automatic dispensing devices for products, in particular packaged food products, possibly reheated.
  • patent FR-A-2 587 306 describes an apparatus which comprises a storage device having horizontal plates suspended at their transverse ends from two opposite chains so as to be able to be moved in closed circuit on two vertical paths offset horizontally as well as an ejection device placed between these two vertical paths, this ejection device comprising a piston rod intended to push outwards the products carried by the trays when the latter are respectively at an unloading station so to bring the products on a platform located frontally to one of the vertical paths of the trays.
  • One of the main drawbacks of this known device lies in the arrangement and the working direction of the ejection device which must therefore have a particular complicated structure if it is desired that the two vertical paths of the plates are at a short distance. .
  • a subsequent drawback results from the fact that the ejection device is limited in its course and can only transfer the products to a platform located adjacent to the front side of the trays, without being able to take them further.
  • a distributor of food products is more particularly described in patent WO-A-85 / 04,743.
  • This distributor comprises superimposed shelves formed by conveyor belts on which the products are stored and, at the end of these, an elevator provided with '' a conveyor belt which is used to transfer products vertically to an oven placed in the upper part of the dispenser and to an outlet opening, one of the superimposed conveyor belts being intended to transfer products from the elevator to this opening Release.
  • This dispenser is particularly complicated and has long transfer time. In addition, its height depends on the number of stacked conveyor belts provided for the storage of products.
  • the present invention proposes, on the contrary, a method and an apparatus for automatic dispensing of products which in particular do not have the abovementioned drawbacks.
  • the present invention firstly relates to a process for the automatic distribution of products, in particular packaged food products, arranged on trays of a storage device comprising closed circuit transport means to which are suspended, in a chain , the trays and which have return members with horizontal and parallel axes, using an extraction device comprising at least one pusher and adapted to extract the products from the storage device when the trays are, respectively, at an unloading station.
  • the method consists, when one of the plates is at the unloading station and the pusher is disposed laterally to the product to be extracted carried by this plate, to move this pusher parallel to the axes of the organs of return of the means of transport so as to push and slide this product on this plate parallel to these axes to extract this product at one of the transverse ends of this plate.
  • the method of the invention consists in bringing the pusher laterally to the product to be extracted by moving vertically, one relative to the other, this pusher and the plate carrying this product to be extracted.
  • the method of the invention consists, the pusher being outside the path of the plates, bringing one of the plates into a position close to the unloading station, moving the pusher parallel to the axes of the organs of return so as to bring this pusher behind a product to be extracted carried by this tray, and to bring the tray to the unloading station in which the pusher is disposed behind and laterally to this product to be extracted.
  • the pusher after its extraction from the storage device, the pusher can advantageously slide the extracted product to the bottom of an oven.
  • the present invention also relates to an automatic distributor of products, in particular packaged food products, in particular for implementing the aforementioned method.
  • This dispenser comprises a storage device comprising trays carrying the products, these trays being suspended in a chain from transport means having return members with horizontal and parallel axes and adapted to move these trays on a closed circuit route; and an extraction device comprising a movable pusher adapted to act laterally on the products to be extracted from the storage device when the trays are respectively at a loading station.
  • the extraction device comprises means adapted to move said pusher parallel to the axes of the return members of the storage device so as to extract the products at one of the transverse ends of the plates.
  • the means for suspending the trays from the transport means are hollowed out so as to allow passage for the pusher and the products to be extracted when they are respectively at the unloading station.
  • the suspension means of the plates comprise inverted L-shaped arms which extend perpendicular to the aforementioned return axes, the lower ends of the vertical branches of these arms being fixed to the plates and their horizontal upper branches being connected to the means of transport, respectively.
  • the arms of each of the pairs of arms comprise branches articulated laterally on the tray, branches which, at the unloading station, extend at or below the upper face of the tray so as to leave the passage to the pusher and to the products to be extracted.
  • said means of transport can advantageously comprise two parallel endless elements which are arranged outside the transverse ends of the plates.
  • the suspension means of each plate comprise two pairs of arms which extend in planes perpendicular to the axes of the aforementioned return members, one of the ends of the arms of each pair of arms being articulated laterally on the plate by the same axis while their other ends are carried respectively by the endless elements in two places spaced in the longitudinal direction of the latter.
  • the extraction device comprises a horizontal guide extending outside the path of the plates and parallel to the axes of the return members as well as an arm extending perpendicular to these axes and forming said pusher, this arm being slidably mounted on this guide by means of actuation means.
  • said means of transport comprise notched endless elements mounted on toothed return wheels and internal guides having continuous guide surfaces on which they bear the notches of said endless elements all along their course, these guides having a part adjacent to the idler wheels and possibly being in at least two adjustable parts relative to each other at the same time as the idler wheels.
  • external guides have guide surfaces against which said endless elements bear.
  • the dispenser comprises means for guiding the plates along their course so as to maintain these horizontal plates.
  • these guide means comprise at least one guide member fixed on each plate as well as ramps against which are pressed, successively, parts of the guide members during the movement of the plates, the corresponding ramps to the paths of the plates along the return members being mobile.
  • the ramps corresponding to the paths of the plates along the return members can be movable outwards against springs.
  • the mobile ramps corresponding to the paths of the plates along the opposite return members are connected so as to move in opposite directions under the effect of the guide members.
  • the guide member may comprise at least one star fixed to the plate and having branches offset in the direction of the axes of the return members (4, 5), these branches coming to bear on the ramps (32, 33 ).
  • the guide member preferably comprises two pairs of rollers coming to bear successively on the ramps.
  • the dispenser further comprises an oven, the silk of which is placed laterally at the unloading station.
  • the aforementioned extraction means are preferably adapted so that said pusher brings the products extracted from the storage device onto the silk of this oven.
  • the oven has two lateral access openings offset in its peripheral direction, one of which faces the unloading station.
  • the dispenser is arranged in a cabinet having two compartments located one next to the other and separated by a partition, one of these compartments containing the storage device and the other the oven, this partition having an opening for the passage of the extraction means and the extracted products.
  • the side wall of the furnace may have two openings offset vertically and in the peripheral direction, this side wall being movable vertically, the highest opening being on the side of the unloading station and being opposite the partition when the other is at the level of the oven silk and the lowest opening being below the silk when the other is at the latter.
  • the present invention further relates to an automatic distributor of products, in particular packaged food products, which comprises a product storage device, an extraction device suitable for extracting the products from the storage device and bringing them to a device.
  • heating and in which the heating device is an oven which comprises a floor on which are brought the products to be heated and a side wall movable vertically so as to open or close this oven.
  • the side wall of the oven is adapted to extend around the hearth and has two access openings offset in the circumferential direction and offset vertically, these openings being located below the hearth when the side wall is in its low position, the highest opening being turned towards the unloading station of the storage device.
  • the side wall of the furnace constitutes the side wall of a vertically movable bell.
  • the automatic food dispenser represented in the figures and generally identified by the reference 1 comprises a storage device generally identified by the reference 2.
  • This storage device 2 comprises means of transport formed by two opposite and parallel endless chains, extending in transverse vertical planes and located at a distance from each other. These chains are respectively mounted on wheels with upper teeth 4 and on wheels with lower teeth 5 which constitute return members, the upper wheels 4 and the lower wheels 5 being respectively on horizontal and parallel geometric axes, so that the chains 3 respectively have two opposite vertical strands.
  • the upper wheels 4 are respectively mounted on longitudinal shaft ends 6 whose outer ends are carried by a chassis or frame generally identified by the reference 7.
  • the lower wheels 5 are fixed on a longitudinal shaft 8 whose outer ends are carried by the chassis 7 and one of whose ends is capable of being driven in rotation by an electric motor 9, this motor 9 making it possible to drive the chains 3 simultaneously and in parallel via the shaft 8.
  • the storage device 2 further comprises rectangular trays 20 with horizontal upper surface, the transverse end edges 20 of which are carried by suspension elements 22 articulated on the outer ends of the arms 19 of the pairs of arms 16 and 17 connected to the chains 3.
  • suspension elements extend in transverse planes and are hollowed out so that the transverse end edges 21 of the plates 20 are free. They include horizontal lower arms 23 extending below the edges of the plates 20, arms 24 extending upwards and horizontal upper arms 25 extending above and at a distance from the upper faces of the plates 20, the upper arm ends 25 being hingedly mounted on the ends of the outer arms 19 of the pairs of arms 16 and 17, by means of longitudinal connecting pins 26 fixed on the arms 25.
  • the elements 22 are arranged internally with respect to the pairs of arms 16 and 17.
  • the connecting pins 26 located on the left side in front view along 27 carry, outside the branches 19 of the pairs of arms 16 and 17, fixed stars 29 which have respectively vertical branches 30 and horizontal branches 31.
  • the vertical branches 30 of these stars 29 are guided and supported on external vertical guides 32 fixed to the chassis 7.
  • the horizontal branches 31 of the stars 29 come to bear on horizontal transverse guides 33, one of which is placed at the top and the other of which is placed at the bottom.
  • These horizontal guides 33 are mounted on pivoting parallel arms 34 so as to be vertically movable under the effect of the movement of the stars 29.
  • Springs 35 oppose respectively the upward displacement and the downward displacement of the upper horizontal guides and below 33.
  • the automatic dispenser 1 shown in the figures further comprises an oven generally identified by the reference 36 which is arranged laterally to the front path of the plates 20, to the right of this path, in front view along 27.
  • This oven 36 comprises a lower body 37, the horizontal upper face 38 of which constitutes a hearth in the square example, this lower body 37 containing a heating means such as a microwave heating means 39.
  • the oven 36 includes a cover bell 40 which has a vertical side wall 41 and an upper horizontal wall 42.
  • This bell 4 is suspended from a cable 43 connected to a counterweight 44, one of its idler wheels 45 being connected to an electric motor 46 so as to ensure its vertical movement.
  • the section of the side wall 41 of the bell 40 is such that it can surround the sole 38 and slide along the body 37.
  • the transverse face of the side wall 41 of the bell 40 facing the storage device 2 has an opening 47 which extends slightly on the front face of this side wall 41.
  • This front face of the side wall 41 has an opening 48 which is offset downward from the opening 47.
  • the storage device 2 is arranged in a compartment 49 with insulating walls of a cabinet 50 which has an adjacent compartment 51 in which the oven 36 is arranged as well as the motor 9 for driving the chains 3.
  • the transverse and vertical wall 52 separating the compartments 49 and 51 has an opening 53 through which extends a transfer plate 54 whose upper face is horizontal and extends at the silk 38 of the oven 36, the opening 53 being cleared above this transfer plate 54.
  • the right edge of the transfer plate 54 extends at a distance from the left edge of the sole 38 of the oven 36 so as to leave the passage for the side wall 41 of the bell 40 and its left edge extends a short distance from the vertical path of the plates 20, without hindering the passage of the pairs of arms 16 and 17 located on this side .
  • the upper faces of the transfer plate 54 and the bottom 38 of the oven 36 determine the vertical position of an unloading station 55 in which the upper face of each tray 20 can be brought into horizontal correspondence.
  • the dispenser 1 further comprises an extraction device generally identified by the reference 56.
  • This extraction device 56 comprises a longitudinal section 57 which extends horizontally in front of the front and vertical path of the plates 20, at through the transverse wall 52 of the cabinet 50 and in front of the body 37 of the oven 36.
  • This section 57 of C-shaped cross section contains a slide 58 which is fixed to one of the strands of a cable 59 mounted on two idler wheels 60 mounted at the longitudinal ends of the profile 56, one of these wheels being capable of being rotated by an electric motor 61 so as to move the slide 58 longitudinally in one direction or the other
  • This slide 58 carries a horizontal arm 62 which extends transversely so as to cross the vertical and frontal path of the plates 20.
  • the arm 62 which constitutes a pusher, horizontally scans the vertical and frontal path of the plates 20, scans at a short distance the upper face of the transfer plate 54 as well as the upper face of the silk 38 of the oven 36 over at least one part, the opening 59 formed in the transverse wall 52 of the cabinet 50 being adapted to allow passage to this pusher 62.
  • the trays 20 are intended to receive food products 63, for example packaged in plates with raised edges, each tray being able to carry, in the example, two products 63 spaced in the longitudinal direction.
  • the compartment 49 of the cabinet preferably constitutes a product freezing compartment 63, means being provided for this purpose but not being shown in the figures.
  • the compartment 49 has an access door 59 is provided in its front face.
  • the pusher 62 of the extraction device 56 extends above the transfer plate 54 and the bell 40 of the oven 36 is immobilized vertically in a high intermediate position shown in FIG. 10 in which its opening 47 extends opposite the transverse partition 52 of the cabinet 50 and not opposite its opening 53 and its front opening 58 extends below the sole 38.
  • L 'oven enclosure 36 is therefore not accessible and the opening 53 of the transverse partition 52 is almost closed.
  • the motor 9 drives the chains 3 which move the trays 20 along their route so as to bring a selected tray 20 at a short distance from the unloading station 55 in a position such that the upper edge of the products 63 stored on this plate is below the horizontal path of the pusher 62.
  • the motor 61 of the extraction device 56 displaces the pusher 62 so as to bring the pusher 62 behind the product 63 located most to the right in front view along 27 as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the motor 9 drives the chains 3 so as to raise the plate 20 to the unloading station 55 in which the pusher 62 is located behind the side wall of the product 63 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • a fourth step the motor 46 moves the bell 40 of the furnace 36 downward so as to bring its opening 47 into the intermediate low position visible in FIG. 7, opposite the opening 53 of the transverse wall 52 of the cabinet 50.
  • This fourth step can be carried out simultaneously with the previous steps.
  • the motor 61 of the extraction device 56 drives the pusher 62 from left to right in front view along 27 so as to push and slide longitudinally, that is to say parallel to the axes of the wheels return 4 and 5 of the chains 3 the product 63 on the upper face of the plate 20 in order to extract this product by its right transverse edge 21.
  • the pusher 62 continues its movement and slides the product 63 on the upper face of the plate transfer 54 by passing it through the opening 53 formed in the transverse partition 52 of the cabinet 50, then on the floor 38 of the oven 36 by passing the product 63 through the opening 47 of the wall side of the bell 40 and engaging in this opening, so as to bring the product 63 substantially in the middle of the sole 38 as shown in Figure 3 in dotted lines.
  • the motor 61 of the extraction device 56 drives the pusher 63 in the opposite direction until it brings it into its standby position above the transfer plate 54.
  • the motor 46 drives the bell 40 of the oven 36 so as to bring it down to its low closed position shown in Figure 8 in which its side openings 47 and 48 are both located below from the level of the floor 38, the oven enclosure 36 being completely closed.
  • the heating means 39 of the oven 36 is started up so as to heat the product 63 previously introduced.
  • a ninth step when the product 63 has reached a desired temperature, obtained for example by a determined heating time, the motor 46 drives the bell 40 of the oven 36 so as to move it to its high position shown on the FIG. 9 in which its front opening 48 extends at the level and above the hearth 38. In this position, it is possible to withdraw by this opening 48 the product 63 deposited and reheated in the oven 36.
  • the wall front of the cabinet 50 has a front access door located opposite this opening 48, this door not being shown in the figures.
  • the motor 46 lowers the bell 40 of the furnace 36 to its high intermediate waiting position visible in FIG. 10.
  • the operating process of the automatic dispenser 1 described above can be repeated so as to extract each of the products 63 placed on the trays 20 of the storage device 2 in order to bring them into the oven 36 and then extract them from the latter.
  • the stroke of the pusher 62 of the extraction device 56, to the left in front view along 27, is adapted so that this pusher 22 comes in rear of the remaining product located on the far right.
  • the operating process of the automatic dispenser 1 is preferably managed by a computer not shown in the figures.
  • This computer could contain information concerning the nature of the products 63 arranged on the various trays 20 of the storage device 2 and could be connected to selection keys making it possible to select the product 63 which it is desired to extract from the storage device. 2 and reheat in the oven 36.
  • a means of payment by coin or card could also be associated with this computer so that a consumer who has paid the amount due and then selected a product 63, could have this product automatically delivered 63 selected.
  • the suspension elements 22 are deleted.
  • the connecting axes 26 of the arms 19 of the pairs of arms 16 and 17 carry, in this variant, the plates 20 directly, laterally, so that when the plates 20 are at the unloading station 55, the arms 19 extend laterally to these plates and do not hinder the movement of extraction of the products 63.
  • the upper edges of the branches 19 are located at or below the upper face of the plates 20.
  • the stars 29 which served to maintain the plates in horizontal position are deleted and are replaced by guide members 64 which perform the same function.
  • These guide members 64 respectively have square plates which are hingedly mounted in their middle on the outer ends of the connecting pins 26 and which carry, at their corners, four rollers 66, 67, 68 and 69.
  • the rollers 66 and 68 are in abutment against the vertical ramp 32 or the rollers 67 and 69 are in abutment against the opposite vertical ramp 32 and, when the plates 20 bypass the upper and lower toothed wheels 4 and 5, this are the rollers 67 and 68 and these are the rollers 68 and 69 which bear respectively against the upper and lower transverse ramps 33.
  • the upper and lower transverse ramps 33 are connected by a link 70 which moves them in opposite directions.
  • the lower end of the link 70 is mounted in an articulated manner on one of the pivoting arms 34, between its articulated ends, and the upper end of the link 70 is mounted in an articulated manner at the end of an extension 71 of one of the pivoting arms 34, outside the articulation axes of the latter.
  • the plates 20 are suitably distributed along the chains 3, so that, during their movements around the wheels 4 and 5, the guide members 64 of two opposite plates 20 are simultaneously in contact with the upper and lower transverse ramps respectively. 33, its transverse ramps performing movements in the opposite direction.
  • the springs 35 can be omitted.

Abstract

Method and dispenser (1) for the automatic dispensing of products (63), particularly packaged food products, arranged on trays (20) of a storage device (2) comprising closed-circuit transport means (3), on which the trays are suspended in series and which have guide members (5) with horizontal and parallel axes, with the aid of an extraction device (56) comprising at least one pusher (62) and designed for extracting the products from the storage device when the trays are respectively at an unloading station. When one of the trays is at the unloading station (55) and the pusher (62) is arranged laterally relative to the product (63) to be extracted, carried by this tray (20), means move the pusher (62) parallel to the axes of the guide members (4, 5) of the transport means (3), so as to push this product and cause it to slide on this tray parallel to these axes, in order to extract this product at one of the transverse ends of this tray. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne le domaine des appareils de distribution automatique de produits, en particulier de produits alimentaires conditionnés, éventuellement réchauffés.The present invention relates to the field of automatic dispensing devices for products, in particular packaged food products, possibly reheated.

Des appareils de ce type sont déjà connus.Devices of this type are already known.

En particulier, le brevet FR-A-2 587 306 décrit un appareil qui comprend un dispositif d'entreposage présentant des plateaux horizontaux suspendus à leurs extrémités transversales à deux chaînes opposées de manière à pouvoir être déplacés en circuit fermé sur deux parcours verticaux décalés horizontalement ainsi qu'un dispositif d'éjection placé entre ces deux parcours verticaux, ce dispositif d'éjection comprenant une tige de piston destinée à pousser vers l'extérieur les produits portés par les plateaux lorsque ces derniers sont respectivement à une station de déchar­gement de manière à amener les produits sur une plate-forme située frontalement à l'un des parcours verticaux des plateaux. L'un des principaux inconvénients de cet appareil connu réside dans la dispo­sition et le sens de travail du dispositif d'éjection qui doit de ce fait présenter une structure particulière compliquée si l'on veut que les deux parcours verticaux des plateaux soient à faible distance. Un inconvénient subséquent résulte du fait que le dispo­sitif d'éjection est limité dans sa course et ne peut transférer les produits que vers une plate-forme située de manière adjacente au côté frontal des plateaux, sans pouvoir les enmener plus loin.In particular, patent FR-A-2 587 306 describes an apparatus which comprises a storage device having horizontal plates suspended at their transverse ends from two opposite chains so as to be able to be moved in closed circuit on two vertical paths offset horizontally as well as an ejection device placed between these two vertical paths, this ejection device comprising a piston rod intended to push outwards the products carried by the trays when the latter are respectively at an unloading station so to bring the products on a platform located frontally to one of the vertical paths of the trays. One of the main drawbacks of this known device lies in the arrangement and the working direction of the ejection device which must therefore have a particular complicated structure if it is desired that the two vertical paths of the plates are at a short distance. . A subsequent drawback results from the fact that the ejection device is limited in its course and can only transfer the products to a platform located adjacent to the front side of the trays, without being able to take them further.

Un distributeur de produits alimentaires est plus particulièrement décrit dans le brevet WO-A-85/04 743. Ce distri­buteur comprend des étagères superposées formées par des tapis roulants sur lesquels sont entreposés les produits et, en extrémité de ces derniers, un ascenseur muni d'un tapis roulant qui sert au transfert des produits verticalement vers un four placé dans la partie supérieure du distributeur et vers une ouverture de sortie, l'un des tapis roulants superposés étant destiné à effectuer le transfert des produits de l'ascenseur vers cette ouverture de sortie. Ce distributeur est particulièrement compliqué et présente des temps de transfert long. En outre, sa hauteur dépend du nombre des tapis roulants superposés prévus pour le stockage des produits.A distributor of food products is more particularly described in patent WO-A-85 / 04,743. This distributor comprises superimposed shelves formed by conveyor belts on which the products are stored and, at the end of these, an elevator provided with '' a conveyor belt which is used to transfer products vertically to an oven placed in the upper part of the dispenser and to an outlet opening, one of the superimposed conveyor belts being intended to transfer products from the elevator to this opening Release. This dispenser is particularly complicated and has long transfer time. In addition, its height depends on the number of stacked conveyor belts provided for the storage of products.

La présente invention propose au contraire un procédé et un appareil de distribution automatique de produits qui notamment ne présentent pas les inconvénients précités.The present invention proposes, on the contrary, a method and an apparatus for automatic dispensing of products which in particular do not have the abovementioned drawbacks.

La présente invention a tout d'abord pour objet un procédé de distribution automatique de produits, en particulier de produits alimentaires conditionnés, disposés sur des plateaux d'un dispositif d'entreposage comprenant des moyens de transport en circuit fermé auxquels sont suspendus, en chapelet, les plateaux et qui présentent des organes de renvoi à axes horizontaux et paral­lèles, à l'aide d'un dispositif d'extraction comprenant au moins un poussoir et adapté pour extraire les produits du dispositif d'entreposage lorsque les plateaux sont, respectivement, à une station de déchargement.The present invention firstly relates to a process for the automatic distribution of products, in particular packaged food products, arranged on trays of a storage device comprising closed circuit transport means to which are suspended, in a chain , the trays and which have return members with horizontal and parallel axes, using an extraction device comprising at least one pusher and adapted to extract the products from the storage device when the trays are, respectively, at an unloading station.

Conformément à un objet de la présente invention, le procédé consiste, lorsque l'un des plateaux est à la station de déchargement et le poussoir est disposé latéralement au produit à extraire porté par ce plateau, à déplacer ce poussoir parallèlement aux axes des organes de renvoi des moyens de transport de manière à pousser et faire glisser ce produit sur ce plateau parallèlement à ces axes pour extraire ce produit à l'une des extrémités transver­sales de ce plateau.According to an object of the present invention, the method consists, when one of the plates is at the unloading station and the pusher is disposed laterally to the product to be extracted carried by this plate, to move this pusher parallel to the axes of the organs of return of the means of transport so as to push and slide this product on this plate parallel to these axes to extract this product at one of the transverse ends of this plate.

Dans une variante, le procédé de l'invention consiste à amener le poussoir latéralement au produit à extraire en déplaçant verticalement, l'un par rapport à l'autre, ce poussoir et le plateau portant ce produit à extraire.In a variant, the method of the invention consists in bringing the pusher laterally to the product to be extracted by moving vertically, one relative to the other, this pusher and the plate carrying this product to be extracted.

De préférence, le procédé de l'invention consiste, le poussoir étant à l'extérieur du parcours des plateaux, à amener l'un des plateaux dans une position proche de la station de déchar­gement, à déplacer le poussoir parallèlement aux axes des organes de renvoi de manière à amener ce poussoir en arrière d'un produit à extraire porté par ce plateau, et a amener le plateau à la station de déchargement dans laquelle le poussoir est disposé en arrière et latéralement à ce produit à extraire.Preferably, the method of the invention consists, the pusher being outside the path of the plates, bringing one of the plates into a position close to the unloading station, moving the pusher parallel to the axes of the organs of return so as to bring this pusher behind a product to be extracted carried by this tray, and to bring the tray to the unloading station in which the pusher is disposed behind and laterally to this product to be extracted.

Conformément à un autre objet de l'invention, après son extraction du dispositif d'entreposage, le poussoir peut avanta­geusement faire glisser le produit extrait jusqu'à la sole d'un four.According to another object of the invention, after its extraction from the storage device, the pusher can advantageously slide the extracted product to the bottom of an oven.

La présente invention a également pour objet un distri­buteur automatique de produits, en particulier de produits alimen­taires conditionnés, notammnent pour mettre en oeuvre le procédé précité. Ce distributeur comprend un dispositif d'entreposage comprenant des plateaux portant les produits, ces plateaux étant suspendus en chapelet à des moyens de transport présentant des organes de renvoi à axes horizontaux et parallèles et adaptés pour déplacer ces plateaux sur un parcours en circuit fermé; et un dispo­sitif d'extraction comprenant un poussoir mobile adapté pour agir latéralement sur les produits à extraire du dispositif d'entreposage lorsque les plateaux sont respectivement à une station de chargement.The present invention also relates to an automatic distributor of products, in particular packaged food products, in particular for implementing the aforementioned method. This dispenser comprises a storage device comprising trays carrying the products, these trays being suspended in a chain from transport means having return members with horizontal and parallel axes and adapted to move these trays on a closed circuit route; and an extraction device comprising a movable pusher adapted to act laterally on the products to be extracted from the storage device when the trays are respectively at a loading station.

Conformément à un objet de l'invention, le dispositif d'extraction comprend des moyens adaptés pour déplacer ledit poussoir parallèlement aux axes des organes de renvoi du dispositif d'entrepo­sage de manière à extraire les produits à l'une des extrémités transversales des plateaux.According to an object of the invention, the extraction device comprises means adapted to move said pusher parallel to the axes of the return members of the storage device so as to extract the products at one of the transverse ends of the plates.

Dans une variante d'exécution, les moyens pour suspendre les plateaux aux moyens de transport sont évidés de manière à laisser le passage au poussoir et aux produits à extraire lorsqu'ils sont respectivement à la station de déchargement.In an alternative embodiment, the means for suspending the trays from the transport means are hollowed out so as to allow passage for the pusher and the products to be extracted when they are respectively at the unloading station.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, les moyens de suspension des plateaux comprennent des bras en forme de L inversés qui s'étendent perpendiculairement aux axes de renvoi précités, les extrémités inférieures des branches verticales de ces bras étant fixées aux plateaux et leurs branches supérieures horizontales étant reliées aux moyens de transport, respectivement.In a preferred embodiment, the suspension means of the plates comprise inverted L-shaped arms which extend perpendicular to the aforementioned return axes, the lower ends of the vertical branches of these arms being fixed to the plates and their horizontal upper branches being connected to the means of transport, respectively.

Dans une variante, les bras de chacune des paires de bras comprennent des branches articulées latéralement sur le plateau, branches qui, à la station de déchargement, s'étendent au niveau ou en-dessous de la face supérieure du plateau de manière à laisser le passage au poussoir et aux produits à extraire.In a variant, the arms of each of the pairs of arms comprise branches articulated laterally on the tray, branches which, at the unloading station, extend at or below the upper face of the tray so as to leave the passage to the pusher and to the products to be extracted.

Selon l'invention, lesdits moyens de transport peuvent avantageusement comprendre deux éléments sans fin parallèles qui sont disposés à l'extérieur des extrémités transversales des plateaux. De préférence, les moyens de suspension de chaque plateau comprennent deux paires de bras qui s'étendent dans des plans perpen­diculaires aux axes des organes de renvoi précités, l'une des extré­mités des bras de chaque paire de bras étant articulés latéralement sur le plateau par un même axe tandis que leurs autres extrémités sont portées respectivement par les éléments sans fin en deux endroits espacés dans le sens longitudinal de ces derniers.According to the invention, said means of transport can advantageously comprise two parallel endless elements which are arranged outside the transverse ends of the plates. Preferably, the suspension means of each plate comprise two pairs of arms which extend in planes perpendicular to the axes of the aforementioned return members, one of the ends of the arms of each pair of arms being articulated laterally on the plate by the same axis while their other ends are carried respectively by the endless elements in two places spaced in the longitudinal direction of the latter.

Selon un autre objet de l'invention, le dispositif d'extraction comprend un guide horizontal s'étendant à l'extérieur du parcours des plateaux et parallèlement aux axes des organes de renvoi ainsi qu'un bras s'étendant perpendiculairement à ces axes et formant ledit poussoir, ce bras étant monté coulissant sur ce guide à l'aide de moyens d'actionnement.According to another object of the invention, the extraction device comprises a horizontal guide extending outside the path of the plates and parallel to the axes of the return members as well as an arm extending perpendicular to these axes and forming said pusher, this arm being slidably mounted on this guide by means of actuation means.

Selon un autre objet de l'invention, lesdits moyens de transport comprennent des éléments sans fin crantés montés sur des roues de renvoi à dents et des guides intérieurs présentant des surfaces continues de guidage sur lesquellles viennent en appui les crans desdits éléments sans fin tout le long de leur parcours, ces guides présentant une partie adjacente aux roues de renvoi et étant éventuellement en au moins deux parties réglables l'une par rapport à l'autre en même temps que les roues de renvoi.According to another object of the invention, said means of transport comprise notched endless elements mounted on toothed return wheels and internal guides having continuous guide surfaces on which they bear the notches of said endless elements all along their course, these guides having a part adjacent to the idler wheels and possibly being in at least two adjustable parts relative to each other at the same time as the idler wheels.

En outre, de préférence, des guides extérieurs présentent des surfaces de guidage contre lesquelles viennent en appui lesdits éléments sans fin.In addition, preferably, external guides have guide surfaces against which said endless elements bear.

Selon un autre objet de l'invention, le distributeur comprend des moyens de guidage des plateaux le long de leur parcours de manière à maintenir ces plateaux horizontaux.According to another object of the invention, the dispenser comprises means for guiding the plates along their course so as to maintain these horizontal plates.

Dans une variante d'exécution simple, ces moyens de guidage comprennent au moins un organe de guidage fixé sur chaque plateau ainsi que des rampes contre lesquelles sont en appui, succes­sivement, des parties des organes de guidage lors du mouvement des plateaux, les rampes correspondant aux parcours des plateaux le long des organes de renvoi étant mobiles.In a variant of simple execution, these guide means comprise at least one guide member fixed on each plate as well as ramps against which are pressed, successively, parts of the guide members during the movement of the plates, the corresponding ramps to the paths of the plates along the return members being mobile.

Dans un cas, les rampes correspondant aux parcours des plateaux le long des organes de renvoi peuvent être mobiles vers l'extérieur à l'encontre de ressorts.In one case, the ramps corresponding to the paths of the plates along the return members can be movable outwards against springs.

Dans un autre cas, les rampes mobiles correspondant aux parcours des plateaux le long des organes de renvoi opposés sont reliées de manière à se déplacer en sens opposés sous l'effet des organes de guidage.In another case, the mobile ramps corresponding to the paths of the plates along the opposite return members are connected so as to move in opposite directions under the effect of the guide members.

Dans une variante, l'organe de guidage peut comprendre au moins une étoile fixée au plateau et présentant des branches décalées dans le sens des axes des organes de renvoi (4, 5), ces branches venant en appui sur les rampes (32, 33).In a variant, the guide member may comprise at least one star fixed to the plate and having branches offset in the direction of the axes of the return members (4, 5), these branches coming to bear on the ramps (32, 33 ).

Selon l'invention, l'organe de guidage comprend de préférence deux paires de galets venant en appui successivement sur les rampes.According to the invention, the guide member preferably comprises two pairs of rollers coming to bear successively on the ramps.

Selon un autre objet de l'invention, le distributeur comprend en outre un four dont la soie est placée latéralement à la station de déchargement. Les moyens d'extraction précités sont de préférence adaptés pour que ledit poussoir amène les produits extraits du dispositif d'entreposage sur la soie de ce four.According to another object of the invention, the dispenser further comprises an oven, the silk of which is placed laterally at the unloading station. The aforementioned extraction means are preferably adapted so that said pusher brings the products extracted from the storage device onto the silk of this oven.

Dans une variante, le four présente deux ouvertures latérales d'accès décalées dans son sens périphérique dont l'une est tournée vers la station de déchargement.In a variant, the oven has two lateral access openings offset in its peripheral direction, one of which faces the unloading station.

Selon un autre objet de l'invention, le distributeur est disposé dans une armoire présentant deux compartiments situés l'un à côté de l'autre et séparés par une cloison, l'un de ces compartiments renfermant le dispositif d'entreposage et l'autre le four, cette cloison présentant une ouverture pour le passage des moyens d'extraction et des produits extraits.According to another object of the invention, the dispenser is arranged in a cabinet having two compartments located one next to the other and separated by a partition, one of these compartments containing the storage device and the other the oven, this partition having an opening for the passage of the extraction means and the extracted products.

Avantageusement, la paroi latérale du four peut présenter deux ouvertures décalées verticalement et dans le sens périphérique, cette paroi latérale étant mobile verticalement, l'ouverture la plus haute étant du côté de la station de déchargement et étant en vis-à-vis de la cloison de séparation lorsque l'autre est au niveau de la soie du four et l'ouverture la plus basse étant endessous de la soie lorsque l'autre est au niveau de cette dernière.Advantageously, the side wall of the furnace may have two openings offset vertically and in the peripheral direction, this side wall being movable vertically, the highest opening being on the side of the unloading station and being opposite the partition when the other is at the level of the oven silk and the lowest opening being below the silk when the other is at the latter.

La présente invention a en outre pour objet un distribu­teur automatique de produits notamment de produits alimentaires conditionnées, qui comprend un dispositif d'entreposage des produits, un dispositif d'extraction adapté pour extraire les produits du dispositif d'entreposage et les amener vers un dispositif de chauffage et dans lequel le dispositif de chauffage est un four qui comprend une sole sur laquelle sont amenés les produits à chauffer ainsi qu'une paroi latérale mobile verticalement de manière à ouvrir ou fermer ce four.The present invention further relates to an automatic distributor of products, in particular packaged food products, which comprises a product storage device, an extraction device suitable for extracting the products from the storage device and bringing them to a device. heating and in which the heating device is an oven which comprises a floor on which are brought the products to be heated and a side wall movable vertically so as to open or close this oven.

Selon un autre objet de l'invention, la paroi latérale du four est adaptée pour s'étendre autour de la sole et présente deux ouvertures d'accès décalées dans le sens circonférentiel et décalées verticalement, ces ouvertures étant situées en dessous de la sole lorsque la paroi latérale est à sa position basse, l'ouverture la plus haute étant tournée vers la station de déchar­gement du dispositif d'entreposage.According to another object of the invention, the side wall of the oven is adapted to extend around the hearth and has two access openings offset in the circumferential direction and offset vertically, these openings being located below the hearth when the side wall is in its low position, the highest opening being turned towards the unloading station of the storage device.

Dans une variante d'exécution particulièrement simple, la paroi latérale du four constitue la paroi latérale d'une cloche mobile verticalement.In a particularly simple variant, the side wall of the furnace constitutes the side wall of a vertically movable bell.

La présente invention sera mieux comprise à l'étude d'un distributeur automatique de produits alimentaires décrit à titre d'exemple non limitatif et illustré schématiquement sur le dessin sur lequel :

  • - la figure 1 représente une vue frontale du distri­buteur dont l'armoire le renfermant est montrée partiellement et en coupe ;
  • - la figure 2 représente une vue latérale du distri­buteur de la figure 1, sa partie supérieure étant en vue extérieure et sa partie inférieure étant en coupe transversale ;
  • - la figure 3 représente une coupe horizontale du distributeur de la figure 1 ;
  • - la figure 4 représente une vue latérale partielle du distributeur de la figure 1 ;
  • - la figure 5 montre une coupe verticale médiane de la vue partielle représentée sur la figure 5 ;
  • - la figure 6 montre en perspective le four du distri­buteur représenté sur la figure 1 ;
  • - la figure 7 montre une vue frontale partiellement en coupe de ce four, en position de chargement ;
  • - la figure 8 montre une vue frontale partiellement en coupe de ce four en position de chauffe ;
  • - la figure 9 montre une vue frontale partiellement en coupe de ce four en position de déchargement ;
  • - la figure 10 montre une vue latérale partiellement en coupe de ce four en position d'attente.
  • - et la figure 11 montre, dans une vue correspondante à la figure 2, une variante de réalisation du distributeur.
The present invention will be better understood on studying a vending machine for food products described by way of nonlimiting example and illustrated diagrammatically in the drawing in which:
  • - Figure 1 shows a front view of the dispenser whose cabinet containing it is shown partially and in section;
  • - Figure 2 shows a side view of the dispenser of Figure 1, its upper part being in external view and its lower part being in cross section;
  • - Figure 3 shows a horizontal section of the dispenser of Figure 1;
  • - Figure 4 shows a partial side view of the dispenser of Figure 1;
  • - Figure 5 shows a vertical middle section of the partial view shown in Figure 5;
  • - Figure 6 shows in perspective the dispenser furnace shown in Figure 1;
  • - Figure 7 shows a partially sectional front view of this oven, in the loading position;
  • - Figure 8 shows a partially sectional front view of this oven in the heating position;
  • - Figure 9 shows a partially sectional front view of this oven in the unloading position;
  • - Figure 10 shows a side view partially in section of this oven in the standby position.
  • - And Figure 11 shows, in a view corresponding to Figure 2, an alternative embodiment of the dispenser.

Le distributeur automatique de produits alimentaires représenté sur les figures et repéré d'une manière générale par la référence 1 comprend un dispositif d'entreposage repéré d'une manière générale par la référence 2.The automatic food dispenser represented in the figures and generally identified by the reference 1 comprises a storage device generally identified by the reference 2.

Ce dispositif d'entreposage 2 comprend des moyens de transport formés par deux chaînes sans fin opposées et parallèles, s'étendant dans des plans verticaux transversaux et situées à distance l'une de l'autre. Ces chaînes sont respectivement montées sur des roues à dents supérieures 4 et sur des roues à dents infé­rieures 5 qui constituent des organes de renvoi, les roues supé­rieures 4 et les roues inférieures 5 étant respectivement sur des axes géométriques horizontaux et parallèles, de telle sorte que les chaînes 3 présentent respectivement deux brins verticaux opposés. Les roues supérieures 4 sont respectivement montées sur des bouts d'arbre longitudinaux 6 dont les extrémités extérieures sont portées par un châssis ou cadre repéré d'une manière générale par la référence 7. Les roues inférieures 5 sont fixées sur un arbre longi­tudinal 8 dont les extrémités extérieures sont portées par le châssis 7 et dont l'une des extrémités est susceptibles d'être entraînés en rotation par un moteur électrique 9, ce moteur 9 permettant d'entraîner simultanément et parallèlement les chaînes 3 par l'inter­médiaire de l'arbre 8.This storage device 2 comprises means of transport formed by two opposite and parallel endless chains, extending in transverse vertical planes and located at a distance from each other. These chains are respectively mounted on wheels with upper teeth 4 and on wheels with lower teeth 5 which constitute return members, the upper wheels 4 and the lower wheels 5 being respectively on horizontal and parallel geometric axes, so that the chains 3 respectively have two opposite vertical strands. The upper wheels 4 are respectively mounted on longitudinal shaft ends 6 whose outer ends are carried by a chassis or frame generally identified by the reference 7. The lower wheels 5 are fixed on a longitudinal shaft 8 whose outer ends are carried by the chassis 7 and one of whose ends is capable of being driven in rotation by an electric motor 9, this motor 9 making it possible to drive the chains 3 simultaneously and in parallel via the shaft 8.

Comme on peut le voir sur les figures 3, 4 et 5, les axes 10 des maillons 11 des chaînes 3 sont en appui sur des surfaces continues de guidage de paires de guides extérieurs verticaux 12 qui empêchent les brins verticaux de ces chaînes 3 de se déporter vers l'extérieur. En outre, l'ensemble des maillons 10 des chaînes 3 sont en appui sur des surfaces de guidage continues de guides intérieurs en deux parties 13 et 14 qui sont réglables verticalement l'une par rapport à l'autre et qui s'étendent respectivement latéra­lement aux roues à dents supérieures 4 et aux roues à dents infé­rieures 5 de manière à venir en contact avec les maillons 10 en prise dans les dents des roues à dents 4 et 5, ces guides 13 et 14 empêchant les chaînes 3 de se déporter vers l'intérieur. On voit sur les figures 4 et 5, que les guides 13 et 14 sont réglables l'un par rapport à l'autre en même temps que l'écartement des roues supérieures 4 et des roues inférieures 5 et sont fixés par des vis 15 sur le châssis 7. Ainsi, les chaînes 3 sont complètement guidées sur tout leurs parcours.As can be seen in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the axes 10 of the links 11 of the chains 3 are supported on continuous guide surfaces of pairs of vertical outer guides 12 which prevent the vertical strands of these chains 3 from deport outwards. In addition, all of the links 10 of the chains 3 are supported on continuous guide surfaces of two-part inner guides 13 and 14 which are adjustable vertically with respect to one another and which extend respectively laterally. to the upper toothed wheels 4 and to the lower toothed wheels 5 so as to come into contact with the links 10 engaged in the teeth of the toothed wheels 4 and 5, these guides 13 and 14 preventing the chains 3 from shifting towards the inside. We see in Figures 4 and 5, that the guides 13 and 14 are adjustable relative to each other at the same time as the spacing of the upper wheels 4 and lower wheels 5 and are fixed by screws 15 on the chassis 7. Thus, the chains 3 are completely guided along their entire course.

En se reportant maintenant aux figures 1 à 3, on voit que sont fixées, sur certains axes de maillons 10 des chaînes 3 sur leurs côtés en vis-à-vis, des paires correspondantes de bras de suspension 16 et 17 qui sont régulièrement espacées le long du pourtour des chaînes 3. Ces bras 16 et 17 sont en forme de L, s'étendent dans des plans transversaux et sont situés entre les châines. Ils présentent des branches 18 qui s'étendent l'une vers l'autre et des branches 19 qui s'étendent vers l'extérieur, ces branches 19 étant, dans le sens longitudinal, adjacentes et hori­zontales lorsque les paires de bras 16 et 17 sont le long des parcours verticaux des chaînes 3.Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, we see that are fixed on certain axes of links 10 chains 3 on their opposite sides, corresponding pairs of suspension arms 16 and 17 which are regularly spaced along the periphery of the chains 3. These arms 16 and 17 are L-shaped, extend in transverse planes and are located between the chains. They have branches 18 which extend towards one another and branches 19 which extend towards the outside, these branches 19 being, in the longitudinal direction, adjacent and horizontal when the pairs of arms 16 and 17 are along the vertical paths of chains 3.

Le dispositif d'entreposage 2 comprend en outre des plateaux rectangulaires 20 à surface supérieure horizontale dont les bords transversaux d'extrémité 20 sont portés par des éléments de suspension 22 montés de manière articulée sur les extrémités extérieures des branches 19 des paires de bras 16 et 17 reliées aux chaînes 3. Ces éléments de suspension s'étendent dans des plans transversaux et sont évidés de telle sorte que les bords transversaux d'extrémité 21 des plateaux 20 sont libres. Ils comprennent des bras inférieurs horizontaux 23 s'étendant en dessous des bords des plateaux 20, des bras 24 s'étendant vers le haut et des bras supérieurs horizantaux 25 s'étendant au-dessus et à distance des faces supérieures des plateaux 20, les extrémités des bras supérieurs 25 étant montées de manière articulée sur les extrémités des bras extérieurs 19 des paires de bras 16 et 17, par l'intermédiaire d'axes longitudinaux de liaison 26 fixés sur les bras 25. Les éléments 22 sont disposés intérieurement par rapport aux paires de bras 16 et 17.The storage device 2 further comprises rectangular trays 20 with horizontal upper surface, the transverse end edges 20 of which are carried by suspension elements 22 articulated on the outer ends of the arms 19 of the pairs of arms 16 and 17 connected to the chains 3. These suspension elements extend in transverse planes and are hollowed out so that the transverse end edges 21 of the plates 20 are free. They include horizontal lower arms 23 extending below the edges of the plates 20, arms 24 extending upwards and horizontal upper arms 25 extending above and at a distance from the upper faces of the plates 20, the upper arm ends 25 being hingedly mounted on the ends of the outer arms 19 of the pairs of arms 16 and 17, by means of longitudinal connecting pins 26 fixed on the arms 25. The elements 22 are arranged internally with respect to the pairs of arms 16 and 17.

Comme on peut le voir sur les figures 1 à 3, lorsque les plateaux suspendus 20 sont portés par les brins verticaux des chaînes 3, situés du côté frontal 27 du dispositif d'entreposage 2, les plateaux 20 sont à l'extérieur du plan vertical passant par ces brins de telle sorte que les bords transversaux 20 de ces plateaux sont, dans le sens longitudinal des axes des roues 4 et 5, dégagés ou libres et leurs bords longitudinaux et frontaux 28 sont également dégagés ou libres.As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, when the suspended trays 20 are carried by the vertical strands of the chains 3, located on the front side 27 of the storage device 2, the trays 20 are outside the vertical plane passing through these strands so that the transverse edges 20 of these plates are, in the longitudinal direction of the axes of the wheels 4 and 5, free or free and their longitudinal and front edges 28 are also free or free.

Comme on peut le voir sur les figures 2 et 3, les axes de liaison 26 situés du côté gauche en vue frontale selon 27 portent, à l'extérieur des branches 19 des paires de bras 16 et 17, des étoiles fixes 29 qui présentent respectivement des branches verticales 30 et des branches horizontales 31. Lorsque les plateaux 20 sont déplacés le long des bras verticaux des chaînes 3, les branches verticales 30 de ces étoiles 29 sont guidées et en appui sur des guides verticaux extérieurs 32 fixés au châssis 7. En outre, avant que les maillons 10 portant les paires de bras 16 et 17 contournent les roues dentées 4 et 5, les branches horizon­tales 31 des étoiles 29 viennent en appui sur des guides horizontaux transversaux 33 dont l'un est placé à la partie supérieure et dont l'autre est placé à la partie inférieure. Ces guides horizontaux 33 sont montés sur des bras parallèles pivotants 34 de manière à être mobiles verticalement sous l'effet du mouvement des étoiles 29. Des ressorts 35 s'opposent respectivement au déplacement vers le haut et au déplacement vers le bas des guides horizontaux supérieurs et inférieurs 33.As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the connecting pins 26 located on the left side in front view along 27 carry, outside the branches 19 of the pairs of arms 16 and 17, fixed stars 29 which have respectively vertical branches 30 and horizontal branches 31. When the plates 20 are moved along the vertical arms of the chains 3, the vertical branches 30 of these stars 29 are guided and supported on external vertical guides 32 fixed to the chassis 7. In Furthermore, before the links 10 carrying the pairs of arms 16 and 17 bypass the toothed wheels 4 and 5, the horizontal branches 31 of the stars 29 come to bear on horizontal transverse guides 33, one of which is placed at the top and the other of which is placed at the bottom. These horizontal guides 33 are mounted on pivoting parallel arms 34 so as to be vertically movable under the effect of the movement of the stars 29. Springs 35 oppose respectively the upward displacement and the downward displacement of the upper horizontal guides and below 33.

Ainsi, les branches verticales 30 et les branches horizontales 31 des étoiles 26, en venant en appui sur les guides verticaux 32 et les guides transversaux horizontaux 33, maintiennent les plateaux 20 horizontaux.Thus, the vertical branches 30 and the horizontal branches 31 of the stars 26, coming to bear on the vertical guides 32 and the horizontal transverse guides 33, hold the plates 20 horizontal.

Le distributeur automatique 1 représenté sur les figures comprend en outre un four repéré d'une manière générale par la référence 36 qui est disposé latéralement au parcours frontal des plateaux 20, à droite de ce parcours, en vue frontale selon 27.The automatic dispenser 1 shown in the figures further comprises an oven generally identified by the reference 36 which is arranged laterally to the front path of the plates 20, to the right of this path, in front view along 27.

Ce four 36 comprend un corps inférieur 37 dont la face supérieure horizontale 38 constitue une sole dans l'exemple carrée, ce corps inférieur 37 renfermant un moyen de chauffage tel qu'un moyen de chauffage à micro-ondes 39.This oven 36 comprises a lower body 37, the horizontal upper face 38 of which constitutes a hearth in the square example, this lower body 37 containing a heating means such as a microwave heating means 39.

Le four 36 comporte une cloche de recouvrement 40 qui présente une paroi latérale verticale 41 ainsi qu'une paroi horizontale supérieure 42. Cette cloche 4 est suspendue à un câble 43 relié à un contrepoids 44, l'une de ses roues de renvoi 45 étant reliée à un moteur électrique 46 de manière à assurer son mouvement vertical. La section de la paroi latérale 41 de la cloche 40 est telle qu'elle peut entourer la sole 38 et glisser le long du corps 37.The oven 36 includes a cover bell 40 which has a vertical side wall 41 and an upper horizontal wall 42. This bell 4 is suspended from a cable 43 connected to a counterweight 44, one of its idler wheels 45 being connected to an electric motor 46 so as to ensure its vertical movement. The section of the side wall 41 of the bell 40 is such that it can surround the sole 38 and slide along the body 37.

La face transversale de la paroi latérale 41 de la cloche 40 tournée vers le dispositif d'entreposage 2 présente une ouverture 47 qui se prolonge légèrement sur la face frontale de cette paroi latérale 41. Cette face frontale de la paroi latérale 41 présente une ouverture 48 qui est décalée vers le bas par rapport à l'ouverture 47.The transverse face of the side wall 41 of the bell 40 facing the storage device 2 has an opening 47 which extends slightly on the front face of this side wall 41. This front face of the side wall 41 has an opening 48 which is offset downward from the opening 47.

Comme on peut le voir en particulier sur les figures 1 et 3, le dispositif d'entreposage 2 est disposé dans un compar­timent 49 à parois isolantes d'une armoire 50 qui présente un compar­timent adjacent 51 dans lequel est disposé le four 36 ainsi que le moteur 9 d'entraînement des chaînes 3. La paroi transversale et verticale 52 séparant les compartiments 49 et 51 présente une ouverture 53 au travers de laquelle s'étend une plaque de transfert 54 dont la face supérieure est horizontale et s'étend au niveau de la soie 38 du four 36, l'ouverture 53 étant dégagée au-dessus de cette plaque de transfert 54. En vue frontale selon 27, le bord droit de la plaque de transfert 54 s'étend à distance du bord gauche de la sole 38 du four 36 de manière à laisser le passage pour la paroi latérale 41 de la cloche 40 et son bord gauche s' étend à faible distance du parcours vertical des plateaux 20, sans géner le passage des paires de bras 16 et 17 situées de ce côté.As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 and 3, the storage device 2 is arranged in a compartment 49 with insulating walls of a cabinet 50 which has an adjacent compartment 51 in which the oven 36 is arranged as well as the motor 9 for driving the chains 3. The transverse and vertical wall 52 separating the compartments 49 and 51 has an opening 53 through which extends a transfer plate 54 whose upper face is horizontal and extends at the silk 38 of the oven 36, the opening 53 being cleared above this transfer plate 54. In front view along 27, the right edge of the transfer plate 54 extends at a distance from the left edge of the sole 38 of the oven 36 so as to leave the passage for the side wall 41 of the bell 40 and its left edge extends a short distance from the vertical path of the plates 20, without hindering the passage of the pairs of arms 16 and 17 located on this side .

Les faces supérieures de la plaque de transfert 54 et de la sole 38 du four 36 déterminent la position verticale d'une station de déchargement 55 dans laquelle la face supérieure de chaque plateau 20 peut être amenée en correspondance horizontale.The upper faces of the transfer plate 54 and the bottom 38 of the oven 36 determine the vertical position of an unloading station 55 in which the upper face of each tray 20 can be brought into horizontal correspondence.

Le distributeur 1 comprend en outre un dispositif d'extraction repéré d'une manière générale par la référence 56. Ce dispositif d'extraction 56 comprend un profilé longitudinal 57 qui s'étend horizontalement en avant du parcours frontal et vertical des plateaux 20, au travers de la paroi transversale 52 de l'armoire 50 et en avant du corps 37 du four 36. Ce profilé 57 de section transversale en forme de C renferme un coulisseau 58 qui est fixé à l'un des brins d'un câble 59 monté sur deux roues de renvoi 60 montées aux extrémités longitudinales du profilé 56, l'une de ces roues étant susceptibles d'être entraînée en rotation grâce à un moteur électrique 61 de manière à déplacer longitudina­lement dans un sens ou dans l'autre le coulisseau 58. Ce coulisseau 58 porte un bras horizontal 62 qui s'étend transversalement de manière à traverser le parcours vertical et frontal des plateaux 20. Lorsque le coulisseau 58 est déplacé longitudinalement, le bras 62, qui constitue un poussoir, balaye horizontalement le parcours vertical et frontal des plateaux 20, balaye à faible distance la face supérieure de la plaque de transfert 54 ainsi que la face supérieure de la soie 38 du four 36 sur au moins une partie, l'ouverture 59 ménagée dans la paroi transversale 52 de l'armoire 50 étant adaptée pour laisser le passage à ce poussoir 62.The dispenser 1 further comprises an extraction device generally identified by the reference 56. This extraction device 56 comprises a longitudinal section 57 which extends horizontally in front of the front and vertical path of the plates 20, at through the transverse wall 52 of the cabinet 50 and in front of the body 37 of the oven 36. This section 57 of C-shaped cross section contains a slide 58 which is fixed to one of the strands of a cable 59 mounted on two idler wheels 60 mounted at the longitudinal ends of the profile 56, one of these wheels being capable of being rotated by an electric motor 61 so as to move the slide 58 longitudinally in one direction or the other This slide 58 carries a horizontal arm 62 which extends transversely so as to cross the vertical and frontal path of the plates 20. When the slide 58 is moved longitudinally, the arm 62, which constitutes a pusher, horizontally scans the vertical and frontal path of the plates 20, scans at a short distance the upper face of the transfer plate 54 as well as the upper face of the silk 38 of the oven 36 over at least one part, the opening 59 formed in the transverse wall 52 of the cabinet 50 being adapted to allow passage to this pusher 62.

Comme on le voit notamment sur les figures 1 et 3, les plateaux 20 sont destinés à recevoir des produits alimentaires 63, par exemple conditionnés dans des assiettes à bords relevés, chaque plateau pouvant porter, dans l'exemple, deux produits 63 espacés dans le sens longitudinal. Le compartiment 49 de l'armoire constitue de préférence un compartiment de congélation des produits 63, des moyens étant prévus à cet effet mais n'étant pas représentés sur les figures. Pour remplir le dispositif d'entreposage 2 et en conséquence disposer des produits 63 sur les plateaux 20, le compartiment 49 présente une porte d'accès 59a prévue dans sa face frontale.As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 and 3, the trays 20 are intended to receive food products 63, for example packaged in plates with raised edges, each tray being able to carry, in the example, two products 63 spaced in the longitudinal direction. The compartment 49 of the cabinet preferably constitutes a product freezing compartment 63, means being provided for this purpose but not being shown in the figures. To fill the storage device 2 and accordingly dispose of the products 63 on the trays 20, the compartment 49 has an access door 59 is provided in its front face.

Le dispositif représenté sur les figures tel qu'il vient d'être décrit fonctionne de la manière suivante.The device shown in the figures as just described operates in the following manner.

Dans une position d'attente, le poussoir 62 du dispo­sitif d'extraction 56 s'étend au-dessus de la plaque de transfert 54 et la cloche 40 du four 36 est immobilisée verticalement dans une position haute intermédiaire représentée sur la figure 10 dans laquelle son ouverture 47 s'étend en vis-à-vis de la cloison trans­versale 52 de l'armoire 50 et non en vis-à-vis de son ouverture 53 et son ouverture frontale 58 s'étend en dessous de la sole 38. L'enceinte du four 36 n'est donc pas accessible et l'ouverture 53 de la cloison transversale 52 est quasiment obturée.In a standby position, the pusher 62 of the extraction device 56 extends above the transfer plate 54 and the bell 40 of the oven 36 is immobilized vertically in a high intermediate position shown in FIG. 10 in which its opening 47 extends opposite the transverse partition 52 of the cabinet 50 and not opposite its opening 53 and its front opening 58 extends below the sole 38. L 'oven enclosure 36 is therefore not accessible and the opening 53 of the transverse partition 52 is almost closed.

Dans une première étape, le moteur 9 entraîne les chaînes 3 qui déplacent sur leur parcours les plateaux 20 de manière à amener un plateau 20 sélectionné à faible distance de la station de déchargement 55 dans une position telle que le bord supérieur des produits 63 entreposés sur ce plateau soit en dessous du parcours horizontal du poussoir 62.In a first step, the motor 9 drives the chains 3 which move the trays 20 along their route so as to bring a selected tray 20 at a short distance from the unloading station 55 in a position such that the upper edge of the products 63 stored on this plate is below the horizontal path of the pusher 62.

Dans une deuxième étape, le moteur 61 du dispositif d'extraction 56 déplace le poussoir 62 de manière à amener le poussoir 62 en arrière du produit 63 situé le plus à droite en vue frontale selon 27 comme le montre la figure 3.In a second step, the motor 61 of the extraction device 56 displaces the pusher 62 so as to bring the pusher 62 behind the product 63 located most to the right in front view along 27 as shown in FIG. 3.

Dans une troisième étape, le moteur 9 entraîne les chaînes 3 de manière à lever le plateau 20 jusqu'à la station de déchargement 55 dans laquelle le poussoir 62 se trouve en arrière de la paroi latérale du produit 63 comme le montre les figures 1 et 2.In a third step, the motor 9 drives the chains 3 so as to raise the plate 20 to the unloading station 55 in which the pusher 62 is located behind the side wall of the product 63 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Dans une quatrième étape, le moteur 46 déplace vers le bas la cloche 40 du four 36 de manière à amener son ouverture 47 dans la position basse intermédiaire visible sur la figure 7, en face de l'ouverture 53 de la paroi transversale 52 de l'armoire 50. Cette quatrième étape peut être exécutée simultanément aux étapes précédentes.In a fourth step, the motor 46 moves the bell 40 of the furnace 36 downward so as to bring its opening 47 into the intermediate low position visible in FIG. 7, opposite the opening 53 of the transverse wall 52 of the cabinet 50. This fourth step can be carried out simultaneously with the previous steps.

Dans une cinquième étape, le moteur 61 du dispositif d'extraction 56 entraîne le poussoir 62 de la gauche vers la droite en vue frontale selon 27 de manière à pousser et faire glisser longitudinalement, c'est-à-dire parallèlement aux axes des roues de renvoi 4 et 5 des chaînes 3 le produit 63 sur la face supérieure du plateau 20 afin d'extraire ce produit par son bord transversal droit 21. Le poussoir 62 continue son mouvement et fait glisser le produit 63 sur la face supérieure de la plaque de transfert 54 en le faisant passer au travers de l'ouverture 53 ménagée dans la cloison transversale 52 de l'armoire 50, puis sur la sole 38 du four 36 en faisant passer le produit 63 au travers de l'ouverture 47 de la paroi latérale de la cloche 40 et en s'engageant dans cette ouverture, de manière à amener le produit 63 sensiblement au milieu de la sole 38 comme le montre la figure 3 en pointillés.In a fifth step, the motor 61 of the extraction device 56 drives the pusher 62 from left to right in front view along 27 so as to push and slide longitudinally, that is to say parallel to the axes of the wheels return 4 and 5 of the chains 3 the product 63 on the upper face of the plate 20 in order to extract this product by its right transverse edge 21. The pusher 62 continues its movement and slides the product 63 on the upper face of the plate transfer 54 by passing it through the opening 53 formed in the transverse partition 52 of the cabinet 50, then on the floor 38 of the oven 36 by passing the product 63 through the opening 47 of the wall side of the bell 40 and engaging in this opening, so as to bring the product 63 substantially in the middle of the sole 38 as shown in Figure 3 in dotted lines.

Dans une sixième étape, le moteur 61 du dispositif d'extraction 56 entraîne le poussoir 63 en sens inverse jusqu'à l'amener dans sa position d'attente au-dessus de la plaque de transfert 54.In a sixth step, the motor 61 of the extraction device 56 drives the pusher 63 in the opposite direction until it brings it into its standby position above the transfer plate 54.

Dans une septième étape, le moteur 46 entraîne la cloche 40 du four 36 de manière à la faire descendre jusqu'à sa position basse de fermeture représentée sur la figure 8 dans laquelle ses ouvertures latérales 47 et 48 sont toutes les deux situées en-dessous du niveau de la sole 38, l'enceinte du four 36 étant complètement fermée.In a seventh step, the motor 46 drives the bell 40 of the oven 36 so as to bring it down to its low closed position shown in Figure 8 in which its side openings 47 and 48 are both located below from the level of the floor 38, the oven enclosure 36 being completely closed.

Dans une huitième étape, le moyen de chauffage 39 du four 36 est mis en route de manière à réchauffer le produit 63 préalablement introduit.In an eighth step, the heating means 39 of the oven 36 is started up so as to heat the product 63 previously introduced.

Dans une neuvième étape, lorsque le produit 63 est arrivé à une température souhaitée, obtenue par exemple par un temps de chauffage déterminé, le moteur 46 entraîne la cloche 40 du four 36 de manière à la déplacer jusqu'à sa position haute repré­sentée sur la figure 9 dans laquelle son ouverture frontale 48 s'étend au niveau et au dessus de la sole 38. Dans cette position, on peut retirer par cette ouverture 48 le produit 63 déposé et réchauffé dans le four 36. Pour effectuer cette opération, la paroi frontale de l'armoire 50 présente une porte d'accès frontale située en vis-à-vis de cette ouverture 48, cette porte n'étant pas représentée sur les figures.In a ninth step, when the product 63 has reached a desired temperature, obtained for example by a determined heating time, the motor 46 drives the bell 40 of the oven 36 so as to move it to its high position shown on the FIG. 9 in which its front opening 48 extends at the level and above the hearth 38. In this position, it is possible to withdraw by this opening 48 the product 63 deposited and reheated in the oven 36. To perform this operation, the wall front of the cabinet 50 has a front access door located opposite this opening 48, this door not being shown in the figures.

Dans une dixième étape, le moteur 46 fait redescendre la cloche 40 du four 36 jusqu'à sa position haute intermédiaire d'attente visible sur la figure 10.In a tenth step, the motor 46 lowers the bell 40 of the furnace 36 to its high intermediate waiting position visible in FIG. 10.

Le processus de fonctionnement du distributeur automa­tique 1 décrit ci-dessus peut être renouvelé de manière à extraire chacun des produits 63 disposés sur les plateaux 20 du dispositif d'entreposage 2 pour les amener dans le four 36 puis les extraire de ce dernier. Comme il est avantageux de disposer sur les plateaux 20, dans le sens longitudinal, plusieurs produits 63, la course du poussoir 62 du dispositif d'extraction 56, vers la gauche en vue frontale selon 27, est adaptée pour que ce poussoir 22 vienne en arrière du produit restant situé le plus à droite.The operating process of the automatic dispenser 1 described above can be repeated so as to extract each of the products 63 placed on the trays 20 of the storage device 2 in order to bring them into the oven 36 and then extract them from the latter. As it is advantageous to have on the plates 20, in the longitudinal direction, several products 63, the stroke of the pusher 62 of the extraction device 56, to the left in front view along 27, is adapted so that this pusher 22 comes in rear of the remaining product located on the far right.

Le processus de fonctionnement du distributeur automa­tique 1 est de préférence géré par un ordinateur non représenté sur les figures. Cet ordinateur pourrait renfermer des informations concernant la nature des produits 63 disposés sur les différents plateaux 20 du dispositif d'entreposage 2 et pourrait être relié à des touches de sélection permettant de sélectionner le produit 63 que l'on désire extraire du dispositif d'entreposage 2 et réchauffer dans le four 36. Un moyen de paiement à monayeur ou à carte pourrait également être associé à cet ordinateur de telle sorte qu'un consommateur ayant réglé la somme due puis sélectionné un produit 63, pourrait se faire délivrer automatiquement ce produit 63 sélectionné.The operating process of the automatic dispenser 1 is preferably managed by a computer not shown in the figures. This computer could contain information concerning the nature of the products 63 arranged on the various trays 20 of the storage device 2 and could be connected to selection keys making it possible to select the product 63 which it is desired to extract from the storage device. 2 and reheat in the oven 36. A means of payment by coin or card could also be associated with this computer so that a consumer who has paid the amount due and then selected a product 63, could have this product automatically delivered 63 selected.

En se reportant maintenant à la figure 11, on va décrire une variante de réalisation du dispositif d'entreposage 2 décrit précédemment dont certaines parties ont été modifiées de la manière suivante.Referring now to Figure 11, we will describe an alternative embodiment of the storage device 2 described above, some parts of which have been modified as follows.

Les éléments de suspension 22 sont supprimés. Les axes de liaison 26 des branches 19 des paires de bras 16 et 17 portent, dans cette variante, directement les plateaux 20, latéra­lement, de telle sorte que lorsque les plateaux 20 sont à la station de déchargement 55, les branches 19 s'étendent latéralement à ces plateaux et ne gênent pas le mouvement d'extraction des produits 63. Pour celà, à la station de déchargement 55, les bords supérieurs des branches 19 sont situés au niveau ou en-dessous de la face supérieure des plateaux 20.The suspension elements 22 are deleted. The connecting axes 26 of the arms 19 of the pairs of arms 16 and 17 carry, in this variant, the plates 20 directly, laterally, so that when the plates 20 are at the unloading station 55, the arms 19 extend laterally to these plates and do not hinder the movement of extraction of the products 63. For this, at the unloading station 55, the upper edges of the branches 19 are located at or below the upper face of the plates 20.

Les étoiles 29 qui servaient au maintien en position horizontale des plateaux sont supprimées et sont remplacées par des organes de guidage 64 qui remplissent la même fonction. Ces organes de guidage 64 présentent respectivement des plaques carrées qui sont montées de manière articulée en leur milieu sur les extrémités extérieures des axes de liaison 26 et qui portent, en leurs coins, quatre galets 66, 67, 68 et 69. Lorsque les plateaux 20 se déplacent verticalement, les galets 66 et 68 sont en appui contre la rampe verticale 32 ou les galets 67 et 69 sont en appui contre la rampe verticale 32 opposée et, lorsque les plateaux 20 contournent les roues dentées supérieures et inférieures 4 et 5, ce sont les galets 67 et 68 et ce sont les galets 68 et 69 qui viennent en appui respectivement contre les rampes transversales supérieure et inférieure 33.The stars 29 which served to maintain the plates in horizontal position are deleted and are replaced by guide members 64 which perform the same function. These guide members 64 respectively have square plates which are hingedly mounted in their middle on the outer ends of the connecting pins 26 and which carry, at their corners, four rollers 66, 67, 68 and 69. When the plates 20 move vertically, the rollers 66 and 68 are in abutment against the vertical ramp 32 or the rollers 67 and 69 are in abutment against the opposite vertical ramp 32 and, when the plates 20 bypass the upper and lower toothed wheels 4 and 5, this are the rollers 67 and 68 and these are the rollers 68 and 69 which bear respectively against the upper and lower transverse ramps 33.

En outre, les rampes transversales supérieure et infé­rieure 33 sont reliées par une biellette 70 qui les déplacent en sens opposés. Pour celà, l'extrémité inférieure de la biellette 70 est montée de manière articulée sur l'un des bras pivotants 34, entre ses extrémités articulées, et l'extrémité supérieure de la biellette 70 est montée de manière articulée à l'extrémité d'un prolongement 71 de l'un des bras pivotants 34, à l'extérieur des axes d'articulation de ce dernier.In addition, the upper and lower transverse ramps 33 are connected by a link 70 which moves them in opposite directions. For this, the lower end of the link 70 is mounted in an articulated manner on one of the pivoting arms 34, between its articulated ends, and the upper end of the link 70 is mounted in an articulated manner at the end of an extension 71 of one of the pivoting arms 34, outside the articulation axes of the latter.

Les plateaux 20 sont répartis convenablement le long des chaînes 3, de telle sorte que, lors de leurs mouvements autour des roues 4 et 5, les organes de guidage 64 de deux plateaux opposés 20 soient simultanément en contact avec respectivement les rampes transversales supérieure et inférieure 33, ses rampes transversales effectuant des mouvements en sens opposé. Ainsi, les ressorts 35 peuvent être supprimés.The plates 20 are suitably distributed along the chains 3, so that, during their movements around the wheels 4 and 5, the guide members 64 of two opposite plates 20 are simultaneously in contact with the upper and lower transverse ramps respectively. 33, its transverse ramps performing movements in the opposite direction. Thus, the springs 35 can be omitted.

La présente invention ne se limite pas à l'exemple ci-dessus décrit. Bien des variantes de réalisation sont possibles sans sortir du cadre défini par les revendications annexées.The present invention is not limited to the example described above. Many alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims (25)

1. Procédé de distribution automatique de produits, (63) en particulier de produits alimentaires conditionnés, disposés sur des plateaux (20) d'un dispositif d'entreposage (2) comprenant des moyens de transport (3) en circuit fermé auxquels sont suspendus, en chapelet, les plateaux et qui présentent des organes de renvoi (4, 5) à axes horizontaux et parallèles, à l'aide d'un dispositif d'extraction (56) comprenant au moins un poussoir (62) et adapté pour extraire les produits du dispositif d'entreposage lorsque les plateaux sont, respectivement, à une station de déchargement, caractérisé par le fait qu'il consiste, lorsque l'un des plateaux est à la station de déchargement (55) et le poussoir (62) est disposé latéralement au produit (63) à extraire porté par ce plateau (20), à déplacer ce poussoir (62) parallèlement aux axes des organes de renvoi (4, 5) des moyens de transport (3) de manière à pousser et faire glisser ce produit sur ce plateau parallèlement à ces axes pour extraire ce produit à l'une (21) des extrémités transver­sales de ce plateau.1. Method for the automatic distribution of products, (63) in particular packaged food products, arranged on trays (20) of a storage device (2) comprising means of transport (3) in closed circuit to which are suspended , in a chain, the plates and which have return members (4, 5) with horizontal and parallel axes, using an extraction device (56) comprising at least one pusher (62) and adapted to extract the products of the storage device when the trays are, respectively, at an unloading station, characterized in that it consists, when one of the trays is at the unloading station (55) and the pusher (62) is arranged laterally to the product (63) to be extracted carried by this plate (20), to move this pusher (62) parallel to the axes of the return members (4, 5) of the transport means (3) so as to push and make slide this product on this shelf parallel to these axes to extract this product at one (21) of the transverse ends of this plate. 2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait qu'il consiste à amener le poussoir (62) latéralement au produit (63) à extraire en déplaçant verticalement, l'un par rapport à l'autre, ce poussoir et le plateau (20) portant ce produit à extraire.2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists in bringing the pusher (62) laterally to the product (63) to be extracted by vertically moving, one relative to the other, this pusher and the plate (20) carrying this product to be extracted. 3. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 et 2, caractérisé par le fait qu'il consiste, le poussoir (62) étant à l'extérieur du parcours des plateaux (20), à amener l'un des plateaux dans une position proche de la station de déchargement (55), à déplacer le poussoir (62) parallèlement aux axes des organes (4, 5) de renvoi de manière à amener ce poussoir en arrière d'un produit à extraire porté par ce plateau, et à amener le plateau à la station de déchargement (55) dans laquelle le poussoir (62) est disposé en arrière et latéralement à ce produit à extraire.3. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it consists, the pusher (62) being outside the path of the plates (20), to bring one of the plates in a position close to the unloading station (55), to move the pusher (62) parallel to the axes of the return members (4, 5) so as to bring this pusher behind a product to be extracted carried by this tray, and to bring the tray to the unloading station (55) in which the pusher (62) is arranged behind and laterally to this product to be extracted. 4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait qu'après son extraction du dispositif d'entreposage (2), le poussoir (63) fait glisser le produit extrait jusqu'à la sole d'un four (36).4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after its extraction from the storage device (2), the pusher (63) slides the extracted product to the bottom of an oven ( 36). 5. Distributeur automatique de produits (63), en parti­culier de produits alimentaires conditionnés, notammnent pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications à 4, comprenant :
- un dispositif d'entreposage (2) comprenant des plateaux (20) portant les produits, ces plateaux étant suspendus en chapelet à des moyens de transport (3) présentant des organes de renvoi (4, 5) à axes horizontaux et parallèles et adaptés pour déplacer ces plateaux sur un parcours en circuit fermé,
- et un dispositif d'extraction (56) comprenant un poussoir (62) mobile adapté pour agir latéralement sur les produits à extraire du dispositif d'entreposage lorsque les plateaux sont respectivement à une station de chargement,
caractérisé par le fait que le dispositif d'extraction (56) comprend des moyens (57) adaptés pour déplacer ledit poussoir (62) paral­lèlement aux axes des organes de renvoi (4, 5) du dispositif d'entre­posage (2) de manière à extraire les produits (63) à l'une des extrémités transversales des plateaux (20).5. Automatic dispenser of products (63), in particular packaged food products, in particular for implementing the method according to any one of claims to 4, comprising:
- A storage device (2) comprising trays (20) carrying the products, these trays being suspended in a chain from transport means (3) having return members (4, 5) with horizontal and parallel axes and suitable to move these trays on a closed circuit course,
- and an extraction device (56) comprising a movable pusher (62) adapted to act laterally on the products to be extracted from the storage device when the trays are respectively at a loading station,
characterized in that the extraction device (56) comprises means (57) adapted to move said pusher (62) parallel to the axes of the return members (4, 5) of the storage device (2) so as to extract the products (63) at one of the transverse ends of the plates (20). 6. Distributeur selon la revendication 5, caractérisé par le fait que les moyens (22) pour suspendre les plateaux (20) aux moyens de transport (3) sont évidés ou ouverts de manière à laisser le passage au poussoir (62) et aux produits (63) à extraire lorsqu'ils sont respectivement à la station de déchargement (55).6. Dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the means (22) for suspending the trays (20) from the transport means (3) are hollowed out or open so as to allow passage to the pusher (62) and to the products (63) to be extracted when they are respectively at the unloading station (55). 7. Distributeur selon la revendication 6, caractérisé par le fait que les moyens de suspension des plateaux (20) compren­nent des bras (22) en forme de L inversés qui s'étendent perpendicu­lairement aux axes de renvoi précités, les extrémités inférieures des branches verticales (24) de ces bras étant fixées aux plateaux et leurs branches supérieures horizontales (25) étant reliées aux moyens de transport (3), respectivement.7. Distributor according to claim 6, characterized in that the suspension means of the plates (20) comprise arms (22) in the shape of an inverted L which extend perpendicular to the aforementioned return axes, the lower ends of the vertical branches (24) of these arms being fixed to the plates and their horizontal upper branches (25) being connected to the means of transport (3), respectively. 8. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendi­cations 5 à 7, caractérisé par le fait que lesdits moyens de transport comprennent deux éléments sans fin parallèles (3) qui sont disposés à l'extérieur des extrémités transversales des plateaux (20), les moyens de suspension de chaque plateau comprenant deux paires de bras (16, 17) qui s'étendent dans des plans perpendi­ culaires aux axes des organes de renvoi précités (4, 5), l'une des extrémités des bras de chaque paire de bras étant articulés sur le plateau par un même axe (26) tandis que leurs autres extré­mités sont portées respectivement par les éléments sans fin (3) en deux endroits espacés dans le sens longitudinal de ces derniers.8. Dispenser according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the said means of transport comprise two parallel endless elements (3) which are arranged outside the transverse ends of the plates (20), the means of suspension of each plate comprising two pairs of arms (16, 17) which extend in perpendicular planes cular to the axes of the aforementioned return members (4, 5), one of the ends of the arms of each pair of arms being articulated on the plate by the same axis (26) while their other ends are carried respectively by the elements without end (3) in two places spaced in the longitudinal direction of the latter. 9. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendi­cations 5 à 8, caractérisé par le fait que les bras de chacune des paires de bras comprennent des branches (19) articulées latéra­lement sur le plateau (20), branches qui, à la station de déchar­gement, s'étendent au niveau ou en-dessous de la face supérieure du plateau (20) de manière à laisser le passage au poussoir (62) et aux produits à extraire (63).9. Dispenser according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the arms of each of the pairs of arms comprise branches (19) articulated laterally on the tray (20), branches which, at the unloading station , extend at or below the upper face of the plate (20) so as to allow passage for the pusher (62) and the products to be extracted (63). 10. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendi­cations 5 à 9, caractérisé par le fait que le dispositif d'extraction (56) comprend un guide horizontal (57) s'étendant à l'extérieur du parcours des plateaux (20) et parallèlement aux axes des organes de renvoi (45) ainsi qu'un bras (62) s'étendant perpendiculairement à ces axes et formant ledit poussoir, ce bras étant monté coulissant sur ce guide à l'aide de moyens d'actionnement (59).10. Distributor according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the extraction device (56) comprises a horizontal guide (57) extending outside the path of the plates (20) and parallel the axes of the return members (45) and an arm (62) extending perpendicular to these axes and forming said pusher, this arm being slidably mounted on this guide using actuating means (59). 11. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendi­cations 5 à 10, caractérisé par le fait que lesdits moyens de transport comprennent des éléments sans fin crantés (3) montés sur des roues de renvoi à dents (4, 5) et des guides intérieurs (13, 14) présentant des surfaces continues de guidage sur lesquelles viennent en appui les crans (10) desdits éléments sans fin (3) tout le long de leur parcours, ces guides présentant une partie adjacente aux roues de renvoi et étant éventuellement en au moins deux parties réglables l'une par rapport à l'autre en même temps que les roues de renvoi.11. Dispenser according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the said means of transport comprise notched endless elements (3) mounted on toothed return wheels (4, 5) and internal guides ( 13, 14) having continuous guide surfaces on which the notches (10) of said endless elements (3) come to bear all along their path, these guides having a part adjacent to the deflection wheels and possibly being at least two parts adjustable relative to each other at the same time as the idler wheels. 12. Distributeur selon la revendication 11, caractérisé par le fait que des guides extérieurs (12) présentent des surfaces de guidage contre lesquelles viennent en appui lesdits éléments sans fin (3).12. Dispenser according to claim 11, characterized in that the outer guides (12) have guide surfaces against which said endless elements (3) come to bear. 13. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendi­cations 5 à 12, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend des moyens de guidage (29, 32) des plateaux le long de leur parcours de manière à maintenir ces plateaux horizontaux.13. Distributor according to any one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that it comprises guide means (29, 32) of the plates along their course so as to maintain these horizontal plates. 14. Distributeur selon la revendication 13, caractérisé par le fait que lesdits moyens de guidage comprennent au moins un organe de guidage (29, 64) fixé latéralement sur chaque plateau (20) ainsi que des rampes (32, 33) contre lesquelles sont en appui, successivement, des parties des organes de guidage lors du mouvement des plateaux, les rampes (33) correspondant aux parcours des plateaux le long des organes de renvoi (4, 5) étant mobiles.14. Dispenser according to claim 13, characterized in that said guide means comprise at least one guide member (29, 64) fixed laterally on each plate (20) as well as ramps (32, 33) against which are in support, successively, of the parts of the guide members during the movement of the plates, the ramps (33) corresponding to the paths of the plates along the return members (4, 5) being mobile. 15. Distributeur selon la revendication 14, caractérisé par le fait que les rampes (33) correspondant aux parcours des plateaux le long des organes de renvoi sont mobiles vers l'extérieur à l'encontre de ressorts.15. Distributor according to claim 14, characterized in that the ramps (33) corresponding to the paths of the plates along the return members are movable outwardly against springs. 16. Distributeur selon l'une des revendications 14 et 15, caractérisé par le fait que les rampes (33) mobiles correspondant aux parcours des plateaux le long des organes de renvoi opposés (4, 5) sont reliées de manière à se déplacer en sens opposés sous l'effet des organes de guidage (64).16. Distributor according to one of claims 14 and 15, characterized in that the ramps (33) movable corresponding to the paths of the plates along the opposite return members (4, 5) are connected so as to move in direction opposite under the effect of the guide members (64). 17. Distributeur selon l'une des revendications 14 et 16, caractérisé par le fait que l'organe de guidage comprend au moins une étoile (29) fixée au plateau (20) et présentant des branches (30, 31) décalées dans le sens des axes des organes de renvoi (4, 5), ces branches venant en appui sur les rampes (32, 33).17. Distributor according to one of claims 14 and 16, characterized in that the guide member comprises at least one star (29) fixed to the plate (20) and having branches (30, 31) offset in the direction axes of the return members (4, 5), these branches coming to bear on the ramps (32, 33). 18. Distributeur selon l'une des revendications 14 et 17, caractérisé par le fait que l'organe de guidage (64) comprend des paires de galets (66, 67, 68 et 69) venant en appui succes­sivement sur les rampes (32, 33).18. Dispenser according to one of claims 14 and 17, characterized in that the guide member (64) comprises pairs of rollers (66, 67, 68 and 69) coming to bear successively on the ramps (32, 33). 19. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendi­cations 5 à 18, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend en outre un four (36) dont la sole (38) est placée latéralement à la station de déchargement (55), les moyens d' extraction (56) étant adaptés pour que ledit poussoir (62) amène les produits extraits du dispo­sitif d'entreposage (2) sur la sole de ce four.19. Distributor according to any one of claims 5 to 18, characterized in that it further comprises an oven (36) whose bottom (38) is placed laterally at the unloading station (55), the means of extraction (56) being adapted so that said pusher (62) brings the products extracted from the storage device (2) to the floor of this oven. 20. Distributeur selon la revendication 19, caractérisé par le fait que le four (36) présente deux ouvertures latérales d'accès (47, 48) décalées dans son sens périphérique dont l'une (47) est tournée vers la station de déchargement (55).20. Dispenser according to claim 19, characterized in that the oven (36) has two lateral access openings (47, 48) offset in its peripheral direction, one of which (47) faces the unloading station ( 55). 21. Distributeur selon l'une des revendications 19 et 20, caractérisé par le fait qu'il est disposé dans une armoire (50) présentant deux compartiments (49, 51) situés l'un à côté de l'autre et séparés par une cloison (52), l'un de ces compartiments renfermant le dispositif d'entreposage (2) et l'autre le four (36), cette cloison (52) présentant une ouverture (53) pour le passage des moyens d'extraction (62) et des produits extraits (63).21. Dispenser according to one of claims 19 and 20, characterized in that it is arranged in a cabinet (50) having two compartments (49, 51) located one next to the other and separated by a partition (52), one of these compartments containing the storage device (2) and the other the oven (36), this partition (52) having an opening (53) for the passage of the extraction means ( 62) and extracted products (63). 22. Distributeur selon la revendication 21, caractérisé par le fait que la paroi latérale (41) du four (36) présente deux ouvertures (47, 48) décalées verticalement et dans le sens péri­phérique, cette paroi latérale étant mobile verticalement, l'ouverture la plus haute (47) étant du côté de la station de déchar­gement (55) et étant en vis-à-vis de la cloison de séparation (52) lorsque l'autre est au niveau de la sole (38) du four (36) et l'ouverture la plus basse (48) étant en dessous de la sole lorsque l'autre est au niveau de cette dernière.22. Distributor according to claim 21, characterized in that the side wall (41) of the oven (36) has two openings (47, 48) offset vertically and in the peripheral direction, this side wall being movable vertically, the opening the highest (47) being on the side of the unloading station (55) and being opposite the partition (52) when the other is at the hearth (38) of the oven (36 ) and the lowest opening (48) being below the floor when the other is at the level of the latter. 23. Distributeur automatique de produits (63), notamment de produits alimentaires conditionnées, comprenant un dispositif d'entreposage (2) des produits, un dispositif d'extraction (56) adapté pour extraire les produits du dispositif d'entreposage et les amener vers un dispositif de chauffage, caractérisé par le fait que le dispositif de chauffage est un four (36) qui comprend une sole (38) sur laquelle sont amenés les produits à chauffer ainsi qu'une paroi latérale (41) mobile verticalement de manière à ouvrir ou fermer ce four.23. Automatic dispenser of products (63), in particular packaged food products, comprising a storage device (2) for the products, an extraction device (56) adapted to extract the products from the storage device and bring them to a heating device, characterized in that the heating device is an oven (36) which comprises a hearth (38) on which the products to be heated are brought and a side wall (41) movable vertically so as to open or close this oven. 24. Distributeur selon la revendication 23, caractérisé par le fait que la paroi latérale (41) du four (36) est adaptée pour s'étendre autour de la sole (38) et présente deux ouvertures d'accès (47, 48) décalées dans le sens circonférentiel et décalées verticalement, ces ouvertures étant situées en dessous de la sole lorsque la paroi latérale est à sa position basse, l'ouverture la plus haute (47) étant tournée vers la station de déchargement (55) du dispositif d'entreposage (2).24. Distributor according to claim 23, characterized in that the side wall (41) of the oven (36) is adapted to extend around the hearth (38) and has two access openings (47, 48) offset in the circumferential direction and offset vertically, these openings being located below the hearth when the side wall is in its low position, the highest opening (47) being turned towards the unloading station (55) of the storage (2). 25. Distributeur selon l'une des revendications 23 et 24, caractérisé par le fait que la paroi latérale (41) du four (36) constitue la paroi latérale d'une cloche (40) mobile verti­calement.25. Distributor according to one of claims 23 and 24, characterized in that the side wall (41) of the oven (36) constitutes the side wall of a bell (40) movable vertically.
EP89402756A 1988-10-10 1989-10-06 Method and apparatus for automatically dispensing products, in particular possibly reheated foodstuffs Expired - Lifetime EP0364343B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT8989402756T ATE105437T1 (en) 1988-10-10 1989-10-06 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC DISPENSING OF GOODS, IN PARTICULAR FOOD WHICH WILL BE HEATED.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8813287 1988-10-10
FR8813287A FR2637480B1 (en) 1988-10-10 1988-10-10 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY DISPENSING PRODUCTS, ESPECIALLY HEATED FOOD PRODUCTS

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0364343A1 true EP0364343A1 (en) 1990-04-18
EP0364343B1 EP0364343B1 (en) 1994-05-04

Family

ID=9370855

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89402756A Expired - Lifetime EP0364343B1 (en) 1988-10-10 1989-10-06 Method and apparatus for automatically dispensing products, in particular possibly reheated foodstuffs

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US5147069A (en)
EP (1) EP0364343B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE105437T1 (en)
DE (1) DE68915110T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2057162T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2637480B1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2662591A1 (en) * 1990-05-29 1991-12-06 Allard Philippe Device for the automatic distribution of different categories of articles
EP0482473A1 (en) * 1990-10-26 1992-04-29 MENÜ-EXPRESS Vertriebs GmbH Automatic food dispenser
WO1992007340A1 (en) * 1990-10-10 1992-04-30 Edgewater International, Limited Stacked box handling system for vending machines
WO1995003593A1 (en) * 1993-07-22 1995-02-02 John Nicholas Reid Dispensing machine
EP0708421A1 (en) * 1994-10-18 1996-04-24 Lorenzo Fabbri System for the semicontinuous production and for the sale for immediate consumption of products such as pizzas, pies and the like

Families Citing this family (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5518149A (en) * 1994-07-28 1996-05-21 Gross-Given Manufacturing Company Cup dispenser for vending machines
ATE276559T1 (en) * 1997-04-23 2004-10-15 Juergen Walter CASH DISPENSING MACHINE
FI6531U1 (en) * 2003-10-07 2005-01-14 Pekka Hautala Device for processing food portions
US20080011771A1 (en) * 2006-07-11 2008-01-17 The Coca-Cola Company Flexible Vending Machine
SE530397C2 (en) * 2006-10-06 2008-05-20 Corner Sweden Ab Method for automatic feeding and heating of refrigerated or frozen condition stored portion units and food dispenser for carrying out the procedure
US9687110B2 (en) 2013-12-04 2017-06-27 Teca Technologies Limited Pancake maker apparatus, methods and systems

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US3333666A (en) * 1965-10-08 1967-08-01 William R Murray Electronic microwave cooking and vending machine
US4274551A (en) * 1978-06-14 1981-06-23 Hicks Kevin Joseph Dispensing apparatus having continuously driven conveyor
US4349714A (en) * 1979-08-11 1982-09-14 Tokuo Tamano Apparatus for defrosting frozen foods and continuously supplying same defrosted
EP0184655A1 (en) * 1984-11-09 1986-06-18 René C. Bour Automatic food-vending machine

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US3534676A (en) * 1968-03-15 1970-10-20 Robert A Rubino Vending machine with fast cooking means
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DE3613932C2 (en) * 1986-04-24 1994-03-17 Tepro Praezisionstechnik Gmbh Automatic food processor
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3333666A (en) * 1965-10-08 1967-08-01 William R Murray Electronic microwave cooking and vending machine
US4274551A (en) * 1978-06-14 1981-06-23 Hicks Kevin Joseph Dispensing apparatus having continuously driven conveyor
US4349714A (en) * 1979-08-11 1982-09-14 Tokuo Tamano Apparatus for defrosting frozen foods and continuously supplying same defrosted
EP0184655A1 (en) * 1984-11-09 1986-06-18 René C. Bour Automatic food-vending machine

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2662591A1 (en) * 1990-05-29 1991-12-06 Allard Philippe Device for the automatic distribution of different categories of articles
WO1992007340A1 (en) * 1990-10-10 1992-04-30 Edgewater International, Limited Stacked box handling system for vending machines
EP0482473A1 (en) * 1990-10-26 1992-04-29 MENÜ-EXPRESS Vertriebs GmbH Automatic food dispenser
EP0482245A1 (en) * 1990-10-26 1992-04-29 T.A. S.R.L.Tecnologie Alimentari Automatic food dispenser
WO1995003593A1 (en) * 1993-07-22 1995-02-02 John Nicholas Reid Dispensing machine
EP0708421A1 (en) * 1994-10-18 1996-04-24 Lorenzo Fabbri System for the semicontinuous production and for the sale for immediate consumption of products such as pizzas, pies and the like
US5606904A (en) * 1994-10-18 1997-03-04 Fabbri; Lorenzo System for the semicontinuous production and for the sale for immediate consumption of products such as pizzas, pies and the like

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE68915110T2 (en) 1994-12-15
ES2057162T3 (en) 1994-10-16
EP0364343B1 (en) 1994-05-04
DE68915110D1 (en) 1994-06-09
ATE105437T1 (en) 1994-05-15
US5147069A (en) 1992-09-15
FR2637480A1 (en) 1990-04-13
FR2637480B1 (en) 1991-01-11

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