# US 10,319,175 B2 · Cup dispenser for a beverage vending machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,319,175 B2 - Document ID: US10319175B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/080,778 - Filed: 2017-03-16 - Published: 2019-02-21 - Granted: 2019-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-16 - Assignees: Evoca S.P.A. - Applicants: EVOCA S.p.A. - Inventors: Marco Ditrani - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10319175B2 ## CPC - G07F 13/10: with associated dispensing of containers, e.g. cups or other articles - B65G 59/108: {the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the axis of the stack} - G07F 11/12: with means for automatically changing to reserve stacks - G07F 11/54: about vertical axes - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract A cup dispenser for a beverage vending machine and comprising a magazine rotatably mounted about a rotation axis and provided with a plurality of columns arranged around the rotation axis and each adapted to store a respective stack of cups and provided with a respective release device operable to dispense individual cups. The cup dispenser further comprises a first actuator to rotate the magazine about the rotation axis and selectively bring the columns in a fixed cup dispensing station, a second actuator to operate the release device of the column in the dispensing station, a power takeoff powered by the second actuator, and a third actuator operable to selectively move the power takeoff to and from an engagement position, in which the power takeoff is kinematically coupled with a power input of the release device in the dispensing station. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cup dispenser for a beverage vending machine, the cup dispenser comprising: a magazine rotatably mounted about a rotation axis and provided with a plurality of columns arranged around the rotation axis, each of the plurality of columns is adapted to store a respective stack of cups and is provided with a respective release device operable to dispense individual ones of the cups; a first actuator operable to rotate the magazine about the rotation axis and selectively bring the plurality of columns in a fixed cup dispensing station; a second actuator operable to operate the release device of a respective one of the plurality of columns in the fixed cup dispensing station; a power takeoff powered by the second actuator; and a third actuator operable to selectively move the power takeoff to and from an engagement position, in which the power takeoff is kinematically coupled with a power input of the respective release device in the fixed cup dispensing station. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cup dispenser of claim 1, wherein the power takeoff is adapted to move between a disengagement position in which the power takeoff fails to interfere with the release devices when the release devices pass through the fixed cup dispensing station during the rotation of the magazine, and the engagement position in which the power takeoff is coupled with the power input of the release device of one of the plurality of the columns containing the cups to be extracted. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The cup dispenser of claim 2, wherein the power takeoff is moved to and retained in the engagement position only for the time necessary for dispensing the cup. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cup dispenser of claim 1, wherein: each of the release devices includes a plurality of release elements and a respective transmission having an input that defines the power input and having a gear, the gear including a central part that defines a hub; and the power takeoff is defined by a pin configured to fit into the hub to result in the pin being angularly coupled with said gear. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The cup dispenser of claim 4, wherein the pin includes a conical fitting end having a grooved profile. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The cup dispenser of claim 5, wherein the second actuator is operable to rotate the pin and operate the release devices. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The cup dispenser of claim 5, wherein the first, second and third actuators are mounted to form a compact actuator assembly housed in a box-shaped casing arranged below the magazine. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The cup dispenser of claim 7, further comprising: an optical sensor mounted to the compact actuator assembly; and an electronic control unit connected to the optical sensor and configured to detect, based on an output of the optical sensor, a presence or an absence of the cups one of the plurality of columns the latter stops or runs through the fixed cup dispensing station, and to consequently control rotation of the magazine if no cup is in the column at the fixed cup dispensing station. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The cup dispenser of claim 7, wherein the third actuator includes a linear actuator and is adapted to move the pin between a lowered position defining the disengagement position, and a raised position defining the engagement position in which the pin axially fits into the hub. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The cup dispenser of claim 9, further comprising: wherein the third actuator includes a solenoid actuator; a rocker arm transmission is arranged between a linear output member of the third actuator and the pin to move the pin from a normal position thereof when the third actuator is activated; and elastic return means operable to move the pin back into the normal position when the third actuator is deactivated.