Adaptable Product Storage and Extraction Tray

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adaptable product storage and extraction tray, intended for being installed in a vending machine having several compartments. The widths of the compartments can be modified in a short time, in a very simple manner and eliminating the need to take out all the products stored in the different compartments to make these adjustments. The tray comprises a base, a front profile, dividing partitions which limit compartments, extractor assemblies, support plates which support the product, where the extractor assemblies, the dividing partitions and the support plates have the possibility of transverse displacement and where the support plates can be transversely coupled to one another and can be separately removed to constantly adjust the width of the compartments.

Claims

1. An adaptable product storage and extraction tray, intended for being installed in a vending machine, comprising: a quadrangular base provided with an upper surface and with lateral sides, a rear side and a front side, a front profile linked to the front side, lateral walls and a rear wall starting in the upper part from the corresponding sides of the base, with the front side of the tray being open for dispensing the products, dividing partitions arranged perpendicularly with respect to the upper surface of the base and distributed parallel to one another, longitudinal parallel compartments defined between the dividing partitions and between the endmost dividing partitions and the lateral walls, and limited by the rear wall and in the lower part by the upper surface of the base, longitudinal extractor assemblies arranged in each compartment which store and push the products towards the front side of the base for the dispensing thereof, longitudinal support plates, located on both sides of each extractor assembly, intended for partially supporting the products transported by the extractor assemblies, and wherein the support plates delimit the width of each compartment, wherein the extractor assemblies and the dividing partitions are linked to the front profile with the possibility of transverse displacement and the support plates can be linked to the front profile with the possibility of transverse displacement; the support plates can be transversely coupled to one another and can be separately removed so as to allow the displacement of the rest of the support plates, of the extractor assemblies and of the dividing partitions and modify the width of the compartments; and the tray further comprises at least one movable retaining element, which regulates the position of the support plates, the extractor assembly or the dividing partition that is located the closest to a lateral wall, with respect to the lateral wall between a retention position in which the at least one movable retaining element keeps the support plates coupled to one another and in which the support plates, the extractor assembly or the dividing partition that is the closest to the lateral wall maintains a clearance with the lateral wall, and a release position in which the at least one movable retaining element releases the support plates for the removal thereof.

2. The tray of claim 1, wherein the support plates are provided with at least one plate pass-through cavity, the extractor assemblies comprise at least one extractor pass-through cavity and the dividing partitions comprise at least one partition pass-through cavity, which are coaxial to one another in an assembly situation, and the retaining element is partially housed in at least one of said pass-through cavities.

3. The tray of claim 2, wherein the retaining element is provided with a bushing partially housed in at least the pass-through cavity, an attachment element partially housed in the bushing, where in a release position the attachment element is completely introduced in the bushing, and in a retention position the attachment element moves away from the pass-through cavity, contacting the lateral wall, and preventing the removal of the support plates.

4. The tray of claim 3, wherein the surfaces limiting the pass-through cavities are provided with at least one groove and the bushing comprises at least one rib on it an outer surface of the bushing which, in an assembly situation, fits in said groove, preventing the bushing from rotating with respect to the pass-through cavity.

5. The tray of claim 3, wherein the bushing comprises a central cavity facing the lateral wall, a threaded cavity extending from the central cavity and the attachment element comprises a head extending from one end of the rod, where in a release position, the rod is screwed in by being introduced in the threaded cavity and the head is housed in the central cavity, and in a retention position the rod is unscrewed and the head stays at a distance from the central cavity and contacts the lateral wall, preventing the movement of the plates, the extractor assemblies and the dividing partitions.

6. The tray of claim 2, wherein there are two pass-through cavities, and the tray comprises two retaining elements.

7. The tray of claim 1, wherein the front profile comprises on an inner surface at least a first longitudinal channel and a second longitudinal channel, both separated by a dividing rib, and where the extractor assembly comprises a first extractor protuberance at its an end housed in the first longitudinal channel, where the base is housed at its a front edge in the second longitudinal channel and where the dividing partitions comprise a first dividing protuberance fitted between the base and the dividing rib.

8. The tray of claim 1, wherein the dividing partitions and the extractor assemblies are additionally linked to the rear wall in a slidable manner at the ends opposite those linked to the front profile.

9. The tray of claim 8, wherein the rear wall comprises a longitudinal rear channel, and where the dividing partitions comprise a second dividing protuberance and the extractor assemblies comprise a second extractor protuberance, with both second protuberances being housed in the longitudinal rear channel.

10. The tray of claim 1, wherein the support plates comprise on one of their faces a recess and on another one of their faces a projection intended for being housed in the recess of another contiguous support plate when the support plates are laterally stacked together.

11. The tray of claim 10, wherein the dividing partitions comprise a fitting surface on both sides and the extractor assemblies comprise a second fitting surface on both sides which are complementary to the recesses and projections of the support plates which allow the lateral stacking of the dividing partitions, and the support plates in a retention situation.

12. The tray of claim 1, wherein the dividing partition comprises a lower edge facing the base and a free upper edge, and the tray comprises a height supplement that can be coupled to the upper edge.

13. The tray of claim 1, wherein the support plates are of a smaller length than the extractor assembly so as to facilitate their extraction.

14. The tray of claim 4, wherein the lateral wall is provided with a pass-through access borehole of a smaller size than the head of the attachment element.

15. The tray of claim 1, wherein one of the ends of the support plates rests on the front profile and is provided with a stop which partially fits with the inner surface of the front profile in an assembly position and prevents the longitudinal movement of the support plates.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] As a complement to the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation, represent the following:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a tray.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of two retaining elements and support plates.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the retaining element in a retention position.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the retaining element in a release position.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the base, the front profile, the lateral walls and the rear wall.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5.

[0041] FIG. 7 shows an elevational view of the tray.

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a view of section A-A of FIG. 7, where an extractor assembly can be seen.

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a view of section B-B of FIG. 7, where a dividing partition can be seen.

[0044] FIG. 10 shows a view of section C-C of FIG. 7, where a support plate can be seen.

[0045] FIG. 11 shows a profile view of a dividing partition.

[0046] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a support plate.

[0047] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of an extractor assembly.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a tray according to the present invention, where there can be seen a quadrangular base (1) provided with an upper surface (2) and with lateral sides (3), a rear side (4) and a front side (5), which cannot be seen in the figure.

[0049] The tray has a front profile (20) linked to the front side (5) of the tray (1), lateral walls (6) and a rear wall (7) starting in the upper part from the corresponding sides of the base (1), with the front side (5) of the tray being open for dispensing the products.

[0050] There can be seen dividing partitions (8) arranged perpendicularly with respect to the upper surface (2) of the base (1) and distributed parallel to one another, longitudinal parallel compartments (9) defined between the dividing partitions (8) and between the endmost dividing partitions (8) and the lateral walls (6) and limited by the rear wall (7) and in the lower part by the upper surface (2) of the base (1). Namely, the tray of the embodiment shown comprises 5 compartments (9).

[0051] The tray comprises several longitudinal extractor assemblies (10) arranged in each compartment (9) which store and push the products towards the front profile (20) for the dispensing thereof. In the embodiment shown, the extractor assemblies (10) are centred in each compartment (9).

[0052] Additionally, there can also be seen support plates (12) located on both sides of each of the extractor assemblies (10) of each compartment (9), which are intended for supporting the lateralmost areas of the products transported by the extractor assemblies (10) and delimiting the width of each compartment (9).

[0053] Namely, the extractor assemblies (10) and the dividing partitions (8) are linked to the front profile (20) and with the possibility of transverse displacement. In the same way, the support plates (12) can be removably linked to the front profile (20) and likewise have the possibility of transverse displacement. The width of the compartments (9) is adapted by means of the transverse displacement of the mentioned elements.

[0054] The support plates (12) can be transversely coupled, and are removable, i.e., they can be easily separated from the front profile (20), with the support plates (12) being interchangeable between compartments (9). Thus, the displacement of the support plates (12), the extractor assemblies (10) and dividing partitions (8) is allowed, and the width of the compartments (9) is modified, adapting them to the width of the products supported by each extractor assembly (10).

[0055] The tray comprises at least one movable retaining element (13), which cannot be seen in the figure, which regulates the position of the support plates (12) closest to the lateral wall (6) and which is located next to a lateral wall (6). In other alternative embodiments, an extractor assembly (10) or a dividing partition (8) can be the element closest to the lateral wall (6), such that the retaining element (13) would regulate the position of the extractor assembly (10) or of the dividing partition (8) with respect to the lateral wall (6).

[0056] When the retaining element (13) is in a retention position, it blocks the movement of all the elements, keeping them at a distance from the lateral wall (6). When the retaining element (13) is in a release position, it stops exerting force against the movable elements such that these can be displaced on the front profile (20) and the support plates (12) can be extracted if the width of the compartments (9) needs to be modified.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of two retaining elements (13) and support plates (12) stacked which are provided with two plate pass-through cavities (14), according to the present invention.

[0058] The retaining element (13) is provided with a bushing (15) configured for being housed partially in at least the plate pass-through cavity (14) and with an attachment element (16) intended for being housed partially in the bushing (15).

[0059] The bushing (15) in turn comprises a central cavity (37) and a threaded cavity (17) extending from the central cavity (37). The attachment element (16) comprises a threaded rod (18) configured for being housed and screwed in the threaded cavity (17) and a head (19) at one end of the rod (18) configured for being housed in a release situation in the central cavity (37) of the bushing (15) or for contacting the lateral wall (6) in a retention situation.

[0060] Namely, the surface which defines the plate pass-through cavities (14) comprises a pair of opposing grooves (46) and the bushing (15) comprises ribs (47) which, in an assembly situation, fit in said grooves (46), preventing the bushing from rotating with respect to the cavity (14). The grooves (46) are present on all the surfaces limiting the pass-through cavities (14, 34, 35).

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the retaining element (13) in a retention position in which it keeps the support plates (12) coupled to one another and spaced from the lateral wall (6). FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the retaining element (13) in a release position in which it releases the support plates (12) for the removal thereof and, as pressure is no longer exerted on the support plates (12), allows the displacement of same, as well as of the extractor assemblies (10) and the dividing partitions (8) with respect to the front profile (20).

[0062] In the release position of FIG. 4, the attachment element (16) is completely introduced in the bushing (15), as the rod (18) is screwed in the threaded cavity (17), and a space is generated with respect to the lateral wall (6), such that the support plates (12), the extractor assemblies (10) and the dividing partitions (8) can be moved. In this situation, the support plates (12) can be extracted. In contrast, when the rod (18) is unscrewed from the threaded cavity (17), the attachment element (16) moves away from the bushing (15) and contacts the lateral wall (6), keeping the support plates (12) compacted. In this position, the retaining element (13) prevents the transverse displacement movement of the support plates (12), the extractor assemblies (10) and the dividing partitions (8) with respect to the front profile (20) and, accordingly, the removal of the support plates (12).

[0063] It can be seen that the lateral wall (6) is provided with a pass-through access borehole (38) of a smaller size than the head (19) of the attachment element (16), which is preferably a screw and allows same to be accessed and activated, for example, with a screwdriver.

[0064] The bushing (15) is housed in the plate pass-through cavity (14) of two support plates (12) and has a cone shape which prevents it from slipping and being displaced from its predetermined position. In the embodiment shown, the bushing (15) is housed in the plate pass-through cavities (14) although they can alternatively be housed in an extractor pass-through cavity (34) or in a partition pass-through cavity (35), which cannot be seen in the figure, depending on which part of the tray is located closest to the lateral wall (6).

[0065] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the base (1) of the tray, the lateral walls (6) and the rear wall (7) extending from the rear side (4) of the base (1). The profile (20) attached to the front side (5) of the base (1) is likewise shown.

[0066] The extractor assemblies (10), the dividing partitions (8) and the support plates (12), which cannot be seen in the figure, are supported on the upper surface (2) of the base (1).

[0067] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, in which it can be seen that the front profile (20) is provided with tabs (36) on its outer surface intended for retaining a product label.

[0068] There can be seen a lower area (43) of the front profile (20) which, in the assembly situation, is located below the base (1) and serves to enable the user to grip the front profile (20) with one hand and exert force on it to extract the tray. This lower area (43) of the front profile (20) also serves as support for the base (1). The front profile (20) also comprises an upper area (44), which is located above the tray (1) in an assembly situation.

[0069] The front profile (20) comprises at least two channels on its inner surface, a first longitudinal channel (22) which serves to fit the extractor assemblies (10) therein in a slidable manner and a second longitudinal channel (42) which houses the front side (5) of the base (1) and one end of the dividing partition (8), not shown in the figure. Said second longitudinal channel (42) and the first longitudinal channel (22) are separated by a dividing rib (45).

[0070] FIG. 7 shows an elevational view of a tray, in which the longitudinal parallel compartments (9) defined between the dividing partitions (8) and between the endmost dividing partitions (8) and the lateral walls (6), and limited by the rear wall (7) and in the lower part by the upper surface (2) of the base (1) can be seen in greater detail.

[0071] FIG. 8 shows a view of section A-A of FIG. 7, where an extractor assembly (10) can be seen in section. The extractor assembly (10) comprises a first extractor protuberance (24) at its end attached to the front profile (20), which is housed in the first longitudinal channel (22) of the front profile (20).

[0072] The extractor assemblies (10) are additionally linked to the rear wall (7) at the ends opposite those linked to the front profile (20). Namely, the rear wall (7) comprises a longitudinal rear channel (25), which cannot be seen in the figure, and the extractor assembly comprises a second extractor protuberance (27), housed in the longitudinal rear channel (25) such that the displacement is performed in a more controlled and precise manner since the extractor assemblies (10) are attached in the rear part and in the front part. The extractor assemblies (10) comprise two extractor pass-through cavities (34) configured for partially housing the retaining element (13).

[0073] FIG. 9 shows a view of section B-B of FIG. 7, where a dividing partition (8) can be seen in section. The dividing partition (8) rests on the upper surface (2) of the base (1) and comprises a first dividing protuberance (23) at its end, which is housed in the second longitudinal channel (42) and fits between the rib (45) and the base (1) of the front profile (20), which can be seen in greater detail in FIG. 6. As well as the extractor assemblies (10), the dividing partitions (8) are additionally linked to the rear wall (7) at the ends opposite those linked to the front profile (20). The dividing partition (8) shown comprises two partition pass-through cavities (35) configured for partially housing the retaining element (13).

[0074] FIG. 10 shows a view of section C-C of FIG. 7, where a support plate (12) provided with two plate pass-through cavities (14) for housing the retaining assembly (13) can be seen in section.

[0075] Unlike the extractor assemblies (10) or the dividing partitions (8), the end of the support plates (12) rests on the front profile (20) but is not permanently retained, so that the extraction of the support plates (12) is simpler. The end is provided with a stop (30), which partially fits with the inner surface of the front profile (20) in an assembly position and prevents the longitudinal movement of the support plates (12) in the direction towards the front profile (20). The length of the support plates (12) is less than the length of the extractor assemblies (10) so as to facilitate their handling and extraction.

[0076] FIG. 11 shows a profile view of a dividing partition (8), where the dividing partition (8) comprises a lower edge (31) facing the base (1) and a free upper edge (32), and the tray comprises a height supplement (33) that can be coupled to the upper edge (32). The dividing partitions (8) comprise a fitting surface (48) on both sides which are complementary to the recesses (28) and projections (29) of the support plates (12) and which allow the lateral stacking of the dividing partitions (8), the extractor assemblies (10) and the support plates (12) in a retention situation. This fitting surface (48) is a projection on one of the sides of the dividing partition (8), which can be seen in the figure, and a recess on the opposite side, which cannot be seen in the figure.

[0077] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a support plate (12) where the support plates (12) comprise on one of their faces a recess (28), which cannot be seen in the figure, and on the opposite face a projection (29) intended for being housed in the recess (28) of another contiguous plate (8) when the support plates (12) are laterally stacked together, as shown in FIG. 3, where they are stacked.

[0078] FIG. 13 shows in detail an extractor assembly (10) of a unitary product extractor type, which allows the unitary dispensing of products. The products are supported on a belt (39) which is displaced towards the front profile (20) and are separated by small separators (40). The products are supported on other products, the last of said products being supported on a product support body (41). It can additionally be seen that the extractor assembly (10) has two extractor pass-through cavities (34) configured for housing the retaining element 13. The extractor assemblies (10) comprise a second fitting surface (49) on both sides which are complementary to the recesses (28) and projections (29) of the support plates (12) which allow the lateral stacking of the dividing partitions (8), the extractor assemblies (10) and the support plates (12) in a retention situation. The drives generating the movement of the belt (39) are arranged in the rearmost part of the extractor assembly. This fitting surface (49) is a projection on one of the sides of the dividing partition (8), which can be seen in the figure, and a recess on the opposite side, which cannot be seen in the figure.