Merchandise compartmenting arrangement for an automatic vending machine

#The present invention relates to a merchandise compartmenting arrangement for an automatic vending machine of merchandise packages, including actuating installations associated with the merchandise compartments for the dispensing of the merchandise packages, in which at least one, and particularly a plurality of merchandise compartments are constructed as a self-contained unit independent of the automatic vending machine, and which is fillable externally of the automatic vending machine, separately transportable from the latter, and insertable into the automatic vending machine for the filling thereof whereby, in the inserted position of the unit, the merchandise packages of the merchandise compartments are individually dispensable by means of the actuating installation through a dispensing aperture provided in the unit.

#Automatic vending machines are located by firms or plants which must service a large number of automatic vending machines. The working period which is required for the filling of an automatic vending machine is of particular significance to such firms. The filling of automatic vending machines which are common in actual practice is a time-consuming procedure since the merchandising packages must be introduced more or less singly into the merchandising compartments of the automatic vending machine at the current location of the latter.

#In order to render more efficient the filling of automatic vending machines, in German Petty Patent, 1,869,584 it has been proposed that the merchandise compartments be assembled through the use of braces or cross bars into a compartment basket which, in a suitable manner, may be removably suspended within the automatic vending machine. The transportation of such a compartment basket must be carried out with extreme care since the merchandise stacks contained within the merchandise compartments, or respectively the individual merchandise packages, can easily drop out. As a consequence, the range of application of the compartment baskets is limited. The same restriction pertains to the automatic vending machine which is disclosed in German Published Patent Specification 2,143,651.

#Further advantages and details of the invention may now be ascertained from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; in which:

#FIG. 1 shows a front view, partly broken away, of a construction unit having five merchandise compartments in the transporting position thereof;

#FIG. 2 shows a side view of the unit of FIG. 1 in its inserted position within an automatic vending machine;

#A construction unit 1 consists of five adjoiningly located merchandise compartments 2. The unit 1 is bounded on the side by two side walls 3. The merchandise compartments 2 are separated from each other by means of partitions 4. Provided for the connection of the side walls 3 and the partitions 4 is an upper cross bar member 5 and a lower cross bar member 6. The merchandise packages 7 are supported from below on crosspieces 8. Intermediate the crosspieces 8 there remain free slots 9. These slots are dimensioned so small that, in the transport position of the unit 1 and at the tilting over of a merchandise package itself, the latter cannot pass through a slot 9.

#The rear side 10 of the unit 1 is closed off to such an extent that no merchandise packages 7 can drop out therefrom. This is achieved through angled portions 11 of the side walls 3 and of the partition walls 4. Provided in the rear side 10, and the lower cross bar member 6, are cutouts 12 which connect to the slots 9.

#Along the front side, the merchandise compartments 2 are covered by a slidably displaceable closure plate 13. The closure plate at its top is provided with an angled section 14. This section, in the transport position of the unit (compare FIG. 1), lies on top of the partitions 4. The closure plate 13 is provided with viewing apertures 15 in the region of each merchandise compartment, through which there can be ascertained the filling condition of the merchandise packages in each particular merchandise compartment 2.