WO1996013020A1

WO1996013020A1 - Dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1996013020A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000701
Authority: WO
Inventors: David M. Abouav
Original assignee: Deeley, Stephanie, Tamsin
Priority date: 1994-10-21
Filing date: 1995-10-23
Publication date: 1996-05-02
Also published as: AUPM897094A0

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus (2) for dispensing products (20), for example frozen products. The products are held in a magazine (28), a sealing member (30) closing the bottom of the magazine (28) and retaining the products (20) therein. Means are provided to lower and retract the sealing member (30) so that the lowermost product (20) falls in tilted position onto a tray (34), the next lowermost product also tilting to protrude out of the magazine. On reverse movement the sealing member (30) moves the lowermost product to discharge, this movement also returning the next lowermost product to the magazine, the sealing member rising to seal on the lower end of the magazine.

Description

TITLE

DISPENSING APPARATUS

This invention relates to dispensing apparatus.

More particular, the invention relates to dispensing apparatus which is arranged for dispensing articles such as solid articles or products in solid packages. The principles of the invention are applicable to vending machines but other applications are possible.

The dispensing of products from vending machines is well known, the products either being at room temperature, cooled or heated to a consumable temperature. Where a product is to be dispensed at a high temperature or at a very low temperature, such as when dispensing a hot or frozen product, then provision should be made to minimise or prevent if possible the escape of the heated or chilled air surrounding the products, and especially to minimise the loss of this surrounding air during the dispensing action.

It is an object of this invention to provide a dispensing apparatus having an improved dispensing mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing mechanism including a transfer tray to deliver a product from a magazine to a delivery opening.

A still further object of the invention provides a dispensing apparatus wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a seal to seal on the lower end of a magazine holding the products to be dispensed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tamper proof mechanism at the product outlet, which tamper proof mechanism permits the product to be discharged through the outlet.

BRIEF STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a dispensing apparatus for dispensing products, said apparatus including storage means for storing the products, a delivery assembly including a transfer tray which receives products from the said storage means and transfers the products to an outlet.

Also according to the invention there is provided a dispensing apparatus for dispensing products, said apparatus including storage means for storage of the product at a desired temperature, a delivery system including a transfer tray which receives products from the lower end of the storage means and transfers the products to an outlet, said delivery system including a sealing member to seal on the said lower end of the storage means.

In a further form of the invention there is provided a dispensing apparatus for dispensing products held in a magazine at a desired temperature, means for supplying conditioned air to the magazine to maintain the products at the desired temperature, a delivery system including a delivery tray which receives a product from the lower end of the magazine, said delivery tray being pivoted to a sealing member which sealing member seals on the lower end of the magazine to retain the products therein, whereby on a delivery action, the sealing member is retracted in one direction from the lower end of the magazine thus presenting said delivery tray beneath the magazine to receive a product thereon, said sealing member on movement in the opposite direction reseals on the lower end of the magazine and pushes the product to a product outlet, the tray pivoting away from the product.

Preferably the sealing member comprises a body arranged for reciprocating movement from a rest position and a delivery position, and preferably further the body reciprocates in a channel.

It is preferred that the channel is pivoted in a housing for the apparatus, the arrangement being such that the channel can pivot upwardly so that the inclined body sealingly engages the lower part of the magazine.

The dispensing apparatus of the invention can also be made very compact so that it is possible to have the product outlets located at a height such that the users do not have to bend or stoop to reach them. Accordingly the outlet is preferably located at a height of at least 70 cm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG 1 is a side view of a vending machine constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG 2 is a front view of the machine;

FIG 3 is a plan view of the machine;

FIGS 4 to 7 schematically illustrate the operation of the delivery assembly of the invention;

FIG 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of parts of the delivery assembly;

FIGS 9 and 10 are more detailed fragmentary views of parts of the delivery assembly;

FIG 11 is a frontal view of a channel and sealing block which form part of the delivery assembly;

FIG 12 is a side view of the sealing block;

FIG 13 is a sectional view along the line 13-13;

FIG 14 is an inverted plan view of the sealing block;

FIG 15 is a longitudinal section through the channel;

FIG 16 is a plan view of the channel;

FIG 16A is an end view of the channel;

FIG 17 is a sectional view along the line 17-17; FIG 18 is a side view of the delivery tray;

FIG 19 is an end view of the tray;

FIG 20 is a plan view of the tray;

FIG 21 is a schematic end view showing four delivery assemblies side by side;

FIGS 22 to 26 schematically illustrate the operation of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG 27 schematically illustrates a modified transfer tray;

FIG 28 is a side view of a preferred form of block and transfer tray;

FIG 29 is an underside view of the block of FIG 28;

FIG 30 is an end view of the block;

FIG 31 is a side view of a guide channel;

FIG 32 is a sectional view along the line 32-32;

FIG 33 is a plan view of the guide channel;

FIG 34 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the location of cams relative to the guide channel;

FIG 35 is a fragmentary side view of a closure member for preventing tampering;

FIG 36 is a frontal view of the anti-tampering mechanism;

FIG 37 is a plan view of the mechanism;

FIG 38 shows the mechanism in an open position;

FIG 39 is a frontal view of the mechanism in an open position; FIG 40 shows a product being introduced into the anti-tamper mechanism;

FIG 41 shows the product passing through the mechanism; and

FIG 42 shows the product in its delivered condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The apparatus 2 illustrated in FIGS 1 , 2 and 3 is primarily intended for dispensing frozen or chilled products such as packaged ice creams or the like. It is to be understood, however, that the principles of the invention could be applied for dispensing other products such as confectionary or heated products.

The dispensing apparatus 2 comprises a housing having front wall 4, sidewalls 6 and 8 and rear wall 10. The front wall 4 includes selection buttons 12 which can be pressed by a user to select one of four types of product to be dispensed. Of course the number can be varied according to requirements. The products are dispensed through an opening 14 (or openings) in the front face. The device includes a coin mechanism 16 which accepts coins inserted by the user, tests them and passes them in the usual way so that the dispensing apparatus can dispense a selected product. The housing has a removable top 18 which permits access to the interior of the housing for loading products into the housing and for maintenance. In the illustrated arrangement, which is suitable for dispensing packaged ice creams 20, the device includes a refrigerated chamber 22, the refrigeration equipment and other control components being located in the rear compartment 24, as best seen in FIG 1. The device includes a delivery assembly for delivering the selected products 20 to the outlet openings 14.

It is preferred that the products 20 are stacked in magazines 28 in the form of vertical columns, the products being dispensed from the open lower ends of the magazines to the delivery assembly 26, as will be described in more detail below. In the illustrated arrangement there are four of the magazines 28 for dispensing the respective types of products. As best seen in FIGS 1 and 3, the magazines 28 are preferably surrounded by air spaces so as to provide for efficient heat transfer within the refrigerated chamber 22. The products 20 to be dispensed are preferably packed in cardboard or plastic boxes which can be directly placed into the magazines 28, once their bottom walls have been removed.

FIGS 4 to 7 schematically illustrate one arrangement for the delivery assembly 26 which operates to deliver the products 20 through the openings 14. There are four of the delivery assemblies located side by side as shown in FIG 21 but only one will be described in detail.

The delivery assembly 26 includes a block 30 of insulating material which is arranged to be reciprocated along a guide surface 32. The block may be moulded or machined from plastics material such as nylon or the like. It is preferred however that the block be hollow and filled or injected with a foam such as expanded Polyurethane. A transfer tray 34 is pivotally connected to the front face 86 of the block 30. As will be described hereinafter, the tray 34 operates to transfer the products 20 from the bottom of the magazine 28 to the opening 14.

In FIG 4, the delivery assembly 26 is in its rest condition. In this condition the block 30 is beneath the magazine 28 and is pressed upwardly into engagement with a sealing gasket 38 by means of a cam 42. The cam 42 has the shape of a ramp which engages the lower face or faces of the block 30 so as to press it into sealing engagement with the gasket. This effectively closes the refrigerated chamber 22 and thus makes temperature control efficient.

When a product is to be delivered, the delivery assembly 26 operates to move the block 30 along the guide surface 32 in the direction of arrow 44. This enables the lowermost product 20 in the magazine to fall onto the transfer tray 34. The rearward movement of the block 30 causes the tray 34 to move to a generally horizontal position because a guide leg 46 of the tray engages the surface 32, as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG 5. The top surface of the tray includes a projection 48 which tends to elevate the rear end of the product 20 to be dispensed. The tray 34 initially operates to keep the product to be dispensed such that its front edge is well clear of the bottom of the magazine, for instance by a clear distance of say 5 mm up to about 40% of the height of the product. Its rear edge, however, is still generally within the magazine by a distance in the range of 3 mm to a maximum of 30% of the height of the product. This ensures that the next lowermost product in the magazine is prevented from falling out of the magazine during the delivery stroke. While FIG. 4 shows that the next product to be dispensed is also tilted, in operation all of the products in the magazine will also forward when the product being dispensed tilts forward, and they also tilt in a reverse direction at the completion of the dispensing action of the product being dispensed. This tilting or rocking motion of the products occurs twice each delivery and helps to ensure that the products do not stick together. As the products tilt forward, and in particular as the front of the lowermost product is outside of the magazine whilst the rear is still partially within the magazine, the dispensing action can shear or "slice" one stuck product away from the next. This is achieved by having the front of the second product partially out of the machine. Also the tilting action ensures that the block does not touch the second product until the very end of its stroke, and hence the product being dispensed actually pushes the next product back into the magazine. This assists in preventing damage to the second product, and ensures that the next lowermost product does not fall out of the magazine. Thus although the next lowermost product 20 is tilted and partly extends below the magazine, it will be returned to the magazine by the block 30 on completion of its next forward stroke.

The block 30 engages the gasket under pressure due to the block rising on the cam 42, When the block is at its uppermost position, the surface 32 and the top of the block 30 are parallel with the gasket. When the block retracts at the beginning of the delivery action, the surface 32 and the top of the block 30 are inclined forward as the block moves down off the cam. In addition to enabling a better seal, this arrangement ensures that the seal and the block only come into contact during the last 30mm of travel thereby causing an effective seal and reducing wear on the seal. It will also be appreciated that during the reverse movement of the block 30 in the direction of arrow 44, the block 30 and/or the surface 32 will be lowered by virtue of the action of the cam 42. This enables disengagement of the top face of the block 30 with the sealing gasket 38 by a general lowering action with little sliding action.

The delivery assembly 26 then reverses the direction of movement of the block 30 so that it now travels in the direction of arrow 50. During the last part (30 mm) of its forward stroke, the block 30 will be progressively elevated by the cam 42 but the arrangement is such that the forward end of the product 20 being carried by the transfer tray 34 will engage a shelf 52 which is inwardly adjacent to the opening 14 so that the product will be rotated clockwise (as seen in FIG 6). After the product 20 engages the shelf 52 and is supported thereon, the guide leg 46 of the tray falls through a hole in (or from the front edge of) the surface 32 so that the transfer tray 34 rotates downwardly to the position as shown in FIG 7. Forward movement of the block 30 continues until the product 20 projects through the opening 14 so that it can be grasped by the user. The block 30 also causes the next lowermost product 20 to be returned to the magazine, if it had fallen partly below the bottom of the magazine. The block 30 remains in the position as shown in FIG 7 with its top face in engagement with the gasket 38 thereby forming a good thermal seal for the refrigerated chamber 22 until the next product is to be dispensed.

The dispensing assembly 26 has the advantages that (a) it provides effective thermal insulation for the refrigerated compartment 22, (b) it is simple and robust, (c) it is relatively tamper proof because in the rest position and during delivery none of the components are in close proximity to the delivery opening 14.

FIGS 8 to 21 illustrate in more detail an embodiment of the delivery assembly 26. It is to be understood, however, that these details can be varied in accordance with the type of product being delivered.

FIG 8 is a schematic view of part of the delivery assembly 26. It shows the guide surface 32 formed as the bottom wall of a channel 60 which has upstanding side walls 62 and 64. The channel 60 may comprise extruded aluminium and, as seen in FIG 15, its rear end includes a pivot 66 for pivoting the channel 60 to a bracket (not shown) fixed to the rear wall 10 of the housing. In this way the channel 60 is pivotable about a horizontal axis, at least to a limited degree to say from 3° to 10° by the cam 42. FIG 8 also shows a support plate 68 which extends beneath the channel 60. The support plate has mounted thereon a pair of cams 42. The cams project above the plate by 10 mm to 20 mm and preferably 15 mm. The plate also incudes first and second openings 70 and 72 which are connected together. The guide surface 32 of the channel includes elongate slots 74 which overlie the respective cams 42. The surface 32 includes an opening 76 which overlies the opening 72. A cam element 78 is located forwardly adjacent to the opening 76. The sidewalls 62 and 64 include shoulders 80 which extend rearwardly from the front face of the channel 60. The channel 60 can rest on the plate 68 so that its guide surface 32 engages the plate 68. In this position, the cams 42 project through the slots 74 and the openings 72 and 76 are aligned and adjacent to one another. Alternatively, the channel 60 can be rotated about the pivot 66 so that its guide surface 32 is clear of the plate 68 as will be described hereinafter.

The block 30 is shaped so that it slides along within the channel 60. As best seen in FIGS 11 and 12, the block 30 includes lateral rebated portions 82, the depth of which is such that the lower part of the block engages (or is closely spaced from) the inner faces of the sidewalls 62 and 64 of the channel 60. The upper part of the block has side faces which are coplanar with or project slightly proud of the outer faces of the sidewalls 62 and 64. This enables the side faces 84 of adjacent blocks to engage one another, as seen in FIG 21 , which diagrammatically illustrates four of the dispensing mechanisms 26 arranged side by side. The interengagement of the side faces 84 of the adjacent blocks maintains a good seal for the refrigerated chamber 22.

Two recesses 88 are formed in the rebated portions 82 and these recesses can receive the shoulders 80 when the block is moved to a forward position. As best seen in FIGS 11 and 14, the lower surface of the block includes a longitudinally extending recess 90 extending between sliding surfaces 100 which slide along the surface 32. Mounted at one side of the recess 90 is a rack 92 which is engageable with a pinion 94 which projects from the guide surface 32 of the channel 60. Drive motor (not shown) is mounted on the underside of the channel 60 for driving the pinion 94. Rotation of the pinion 94 therefore controls forward and reverse movement of the block 30 within the channel. Forward and rear limit switches 96 and 98 (FIG 16) are provided in the channel 60 and are engageable with part of the block (such as the rear lower edge) to limit forward and rearward movement of the block in the channel.

When the pinion 94 moves the block 30 forwardly in the direction of arrow 50 in FIG 6, the rearward ends of the shoulders 80 will enter the forward parts of the recesses 88 in the block. Shortly after this has occurred, the sliding surfaces 100 which are located on either side of the recess 90 will engage the ramp shaped cams 42 and will be elevated thereby. Because of the interconnection of the shoulders 80 and recesses 88, the forward end of the channel 60 will also be elevated, that is to say by rotation about the pivot 66. This rotation continues until the top surface 102 of the block is in good sealing contact with the resilient gasket 38 which surrounds the lower ends of the magazines 28. It follows that in the reverse direction of movement of the block 30, the top surface 102 disengages the gasket 38 and, as reverse movement continues, its sliding surfaces 100 will disengage the cams 42 and the channel 60 will then rest on the plate 68.

FIGS 18, 19 and 20 illustrate the transfer tray 34 in more detail. It comprises a generally flat tray 120 from which extend splayed sidewalls 122, the forward edges of which are sloping, as seen in FIG 18. Mounted beneath the tray 120 is the cam leg 46 which is generally inclined to the plane of the tray 120, a terminal portion 124 of the leg 46 being more steeply inclined than the portion which is adjacent to the tray 120. Extending somewhat rearwardly from the tray 120 are a pair of hinge brackets 126 having pivot holes 128 therein. As best seen in FIGS 9 and 10, the hinge brackets 126 are used to form pivotable connections to the block 30 adjacent to the front face 86 thereof. The block 30 has a bore 130 through which a pivot pin 132 passes as well as through the holes 128 in the brackets 126. The front face 86 of the block includes three slots 134 which receive the rear parts of the bracket 126 so as to permit rotation of the transfer tray 34. The block 30 may include a series of bores 130 for adjusting the position of the pivotal connection of the transfer tray 34 thereto for dispensing products of different thicknesses. FIG 9 shows the tray

120 in its position where it receives one of the products 20 and FIG 10 shows the tray rotated downwardly in its non-operative position. FIGS 18, 19 and 20 also show one form of construction for the projection 48. In this arrangement, the projection 48 comprises a channel like body 136 having a base wall and a pair of upstanding sidewalls 138 with rounded forward and rear edges. The body 136 is connected to the tray 120 by means of a pair of screws and nuts 140.

These screws and nuts also can be used to connect the cam leg 46 and hinge brackets 126 to the tray.

When the dispensing assembly 26 is to dispense one of the products, the block 30 is caused to move in the direction of arrow 44, as shown in FIG 5. Consequent on this rearward movement of the block 30, the cam leg 46 will cause the transfer tray 34 to rotate from the position as shown in FIG 10 to the position as shown in FIG 9 because the leg 46 will engage parts of the plate 68 or channel 60 adjacent to the openings 72 and 76 and be rotated thereby. As rearward movement of the body continues, the tray 120 will be held in a generally horizontal position because the leg 46 will engage and slide along the surface 32. The tray 120 will receive the forward edge of the product to be dispensed and the rear end of the product (shown in broken lines in FIG 9) to be dispensed will still be engaged by the top surface 102 of the block 30. When the front face 86 of the block 30 is clear of the bottom of the magazine 28, the product will then fall downwardly so that its rear part is supported by the sidewalls 138 of the elevating projection (as shown in chain lines in FIG

9)-

When the rear edge of the block 30 engages the rear micro switch 98 it stops for a predetermined period, say 1 second, and then its direction of movement will be changed so that the block 30 will now move forwardly. Forward movement will continue until the forward edge of the product 20 engages the shelf 52, as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG 6. At this stage the channel and body will be starting to be elevated by the cams 42 and then the cam leg 46 will drop through the aligned openings 76 and 72. The transfer tray 34 will thus quickly rotate to its non-operative position as shown in FIGS 7 and 10. At the end of the forward stroke of the block 30, as determined by the limit switch 96, the product 20 will project at least partially through the opening 14 so that it can be grasped by the user. The cam 78 is provided so as to engage the upper face of the cam leg 46 to ensure that it falls through the openings 72 and 76. If transfer tray 34 failed to rotate for some reason, it may be damaged by forced impact with the shelf 52 or front wall 4.

FIGS 22 to 27 schematically illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this arrangement components which are the same or correspond to one another have the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment. The essential difference between the arrangement illustrated in FIGS 22 to 27 is that the elevating projection 48 is not a fixed element on the tray 120 but comprises a cam leg 150 which is pivoted to the block 30 by means of a pivot pin 152 which is above and to the rear of the pivot pin 132 of the tray 120. FIG 27 schematically illustrates the tray 120 and cam leg 150. The rear part of the tray 120 includes a central recess 156 which has approximately the same width as the cam leg 150 so that the cam leg 150 can rotate into the recess and project above the level of the tray 120, as shown in FIG 24. The width of the opening 76 in the surface 32 is wide enough so that the cam leg 150 can fall therethrough but is narrower than the leg 46 so that the latter cannot fall therethrough.

In this embodiment, when the block 30 moves rearwardly (in the direction of arrow 154 shown in FIG 22) the leg 150 will be pivoted in an anticlockwise direction on passing through the openings 72 and 76. The geometry of the arrangement is such that the rear part of the leg 150 will be at a higher level than the tray 120 so that when the cam legs 150 and 46 are sliding along the guide surface 32 of the channel 60, the rear part of the product 20 to be dispensed will be held at a somewhat higher level than its front part. Thus the product held on the tray 120 keeps the next lowermost product from falling from the magazine 28 in an analogous way to that described previously.

When, however, the block 30 moves forwardly to the point where the leg 150 encounters the aligned openings 72 and 76, it will drop through those openings before the leg 46 will cause rotation of the tray. The product 20 to be dispensed will then be held in a generally horizontal position on the tray 120 as shown in FIG 25. Further forward movement of the block 30 causes the forward edge of the product 20 to project through the opening 14 in the front wall 4. The leg 46 will then fall through the opening 70 in the plate 68 causing the tray 120 to rotate away from the front wall 4 and the product 20 to tilt upwardly as shown in FIG 26. The cams 42 cooperate with the block 30 and channel 60 in the same way as described previously so as to cause sealing of the top surface 102 of the block 30 with the gasket 38.

FIGS 28 to 42 schematically illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention. In these drawings, the same reference numerals have been used to denote parts which are the same or correspond to those of the previous embodiments. The main difference between the embodiment of FIGS 28 to 41 and that of FIGS 1 to 21 is that the block 30 and guide channel 60 have been simplified and an anti-tamper mechanism 160 is placed in the openings 14 in order to prevent injury or unauthorised tampering through the openings 14. This embodiment functions generally in the same manner as schematically illustrated in FIGS 4 to 7.

As best seen in FIGS 28 to 34, the block 30 is designed to slide along the channel 60. In this embodiment the sidewalls 62 and 64 of the channel 60 have inturned upper flanges 162 and 164 which are received in recesses 166 and 168 formed in the sides of the block 30, as shown in FIG 30. This ensures that the block 30 is securely held in the channel 60 during all of its reciprocating movement and this provides for positive contact with the micro switches used to limit forward and rearward reciprocation of the block and also to ensure proper engagement of the pinion 94 with the rack 92. In this embodiment the forward ends of the sliding surfaces 100 include tapered portions 170 which engage and ensure smooth cooperation with the cams 42. The tapered portions 170 are preferably covered by means of metal covering plates 172 which extend to the front face 86 of the block and partly up the face to terminate in a pair of mounting brackets 174. The mounting brackets 174 are used to provide a pivotal connection for the transfer tray 34, as shown in FIG 28. Because of the interengagement of the flanges 162 and 164 and the recesses 166 and 168, the slots 74 and shoulders 80 of the embodiment of FIGS 1 to 21 can be omitted.

FIGS 31 to 33 illustrate more details of the channel 60. In this arrangement, the forward end is modified so that the elongate slots 74 through which the cams 42 pass open to the front end of the channel. Similarly the opening 76 which cooperates with the guiding leg 46 of the transfer tray is also open at the front end. Notwithstanding these changes, the channel 60 functions analogously to that described with reference to the embodiment of FIGS 1 to 21. FIG 30 shows the cam members 42 passing through the slots 74 so as to engage the covering plates 172. Because the slots 74 and opening 76 are open to the front face, they define a tab portion 176 at the leading end of the guide surface 32, as illustrated in FIG 33. In this embodiment, a number of the blocks 30 would be supported side by side as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG 21. Also two further nylon blocks (not shown) would be provided to engage the side faces of the end blocks 30 so as to provide better support during reciprocating movement of the blocks and also increases thermal sealing of the refrigerated chamber 22.

FIG 34 diagrammatically illustrates a channel support member 178 having a top surface 180 upon which the cams 42 are mounted. The cams 42 normally hold the guide surface 32 of the channel 60 above the top surface 180, as seen in FIG 30, so that the top surface 102 of the blocks seal against the gasket 38 as before. When, however, the blocks 30 are reciprocated in the reverse direction, the blocks are lowered and the guide surface 32 is then supported on the top surface 180, as shown in FIG 34.

FIGS 35 to 39 illustrate the anti-tamper mechanism 160. The anti-tamper mechanism 160 generally comprises a housing 182 having sidewalls 184 and 186 and bottom wall 188, the inward part of which is inclined downwardly and constitutes the shelf 52. In use, the housing 182 is connected to the front wall 4 of the apparatus so that its open front face is aligned with the delivery opening 14. A separate anti-tampering mechanism 160 would be provided for each outlet opening 14.

Pivotally mounted within the housing 182 is a first pivoted member 190. The member 190 is pivotally connected between the sidewalls 184 and 186 by means of a pivot shaft 192. Generally speaking, the member 190 comprises an open channel member having sidewalls 194 and 196 and bottom wall 198. At the rear of the bottom wall 198 comprises an upstanding wall 200 provided with a forwardly projecting locking flange 202 provided with rebates 204 at either end thereof, as best seen in FIG 37. Located generally within the first pivoted member 190 is a second pivoted member 205 which is pivoted between the sidewalls 184 and 186 above means of a pivot shaft 206. The second pivoted member 205 comprises a channel like structure having sidewalls 208, 210 and bottom wall 212. The forward end of the bottom wall 212 is formed with an upstanding barrier wall 214, the upper portion which is provided with an inclined end 216 which is generally parallel to the front wall 4 in the closed position of the anti-tampering mechanism 160, as shown in FIG

35. As best seen in FIG 36, the wall 214 and end 216 substantially close the opening 14 when the anti-tampering device is in its closed position as shown in FIG 35. Two locking tabs 218 and 220 are bent inwardly from the upper edges of the sidewalls 208 and 210, as best seen in FIGS 37 and 38. The locking tabs 218 and 220 prevent the second pivoted member 205 from being rotated (in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG 35) because the tabs 218 and 220 will engage the flange 202 of the first pivoted member 190. Anti-clockwise rotation of the members 190 and 205 is prevented because the forward parts of the bottom walls 198 and 212 both engage the bottom wall 188 of the housing 182, as best seen in FIG 35.

When it is desired to dispense a product 20 through the mechanism 160, the first pivoted member 190 is rotated in a clockwise direction (as seen in FIG 35) by the product 20 so that the flange 202 is clear of the tabs 218 and 220. This then enables the second pivoted member 205 to be rotated in a clockwise direction. FIGS 40 to 42 schematically illustrate dispensing of a product 20 through the anti-tamper mechanism 160. In FIG 40, it will be seen that the product 20 is carried by the transfer tray 34 in an inclined condition by virtue of the projection 48 on the tray. The leading edge of the product 20 is received on the shelf 52 and, as the block 30 moves forwardly, its front face 86 will move the forward edge of the product 20 into engagement with the underside of the bottom wall 198 of the first member 190. Continued forward movement will cause clockwise rotation of the first member 190 to the position as shown in FIG 41. Further forward movement of the block 30 will then cause the first member 190 to rotate the second member 205 because the bottom wall 198 will engage the bottom wall 212 of the second member and the two members will then be swung into their open position, as shown in FIG 42. In the final delivery position of the product 20 the forward end of it projects sufficiently through the opening 14 so that a user can conveniently grip the product and pull it from the opening 14. After the product has been removed, the block 30 remains in its closed position in sealing contact with the gasket 38 as described in the previous embodiment. During forward movement of the block 30, the guiding leg 46 of the transfer tray 34 slides along the guide surface 32 of the channel 60 and when the leg clears the tab portion 176, the tray 34 will rotate as shown in FIG 42. Before rotation of the tray 34 occurs however the leading edge of the product 20 is supported on the shelf 52.

Thus it will be seen that the tamper proof mechanism effectively prevents entry into the apparatus through the opening 14. In the position shown in FIG 35, the barrier wall 214 and end wall 216 effectively close the opening 14. If an attempt is made to move the walls 214 and 216 it can be seen that they and the second pivoted member 205 cannot be moved downwardly because any such movement is resisted by the bottom wall 188. If an attempt is made to lift the walls 214 and 216 and thus the second pivoted member 205, it will be seen that the second pivoted member 205 will pivot about its pivot axis 206 and in so doing the locking tabs 218 and 220 will engage the locking flange

202. This is due to the relative positions of the pivot axis 202, the point of contact of the locking tabs 218 and 220 with the locking flange 202 in relation to the pivot pin 192 of the first pivotal member. As the pivot pin 192 is spaced rearwardly of the point of contact of the locking tabs 218 and 220 with the locking flange 220, which in turn are spaced rearwardly of the pivot axis 206 of the second member, any attempted upward movement of the walls 214 216 will be prevented. Thus there is provided a security tamper proof unit to prevent unauthorised entry into the apparatus.

Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing products, said apparatus including storage means for storing the products, a delivery assembly including a transfer tray which receives products from the said storage means and transfers the products to an outlet.

2. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing products, said apparatus including storage means for storage of the product at a desired temperature, a delivery system including a transfer tray which receives products from the lower end of the storage means and transfers the products to an outlet, said delivery system including a sealing member to seal on the said lower end of the storage means.

3. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing products held in a magazine at a desired temperature, means for supplying conditioned air to the magazine to maintain the products at the desired temperature, a delivery system including a delivery tray which receives a product from the lower end of the magazine, said delivery tray being pivoted to a sealing member which sealing member seals on the lower end of the magazine to retain the products therein, whereby on a delivery action, the sealing member is retracted in one direction from the lower end of the magazine thus presenting said delivery tray beneath the magazine to receive a product thereon, said sealing member on movement in the opposite direction reseals on the lower end of the magazine and pushes the product to a product outlet, the tray pivoting away from the product.

4. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the delivery tray is pivoted to a forward end of the sealing member, a channel in which the sealing member slides from its retracted position to the delivery and sealing position, the tray in the sealing position of the sealing member extending downwardly, engagement means on the tray engaging a forward portion of the channel on retraction of the sealing member to lift the tray to a receiving position to receive a product being dispensed.

5. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 4 and including means to reciprocate the sealing member in the channel, said channel having means to lower the sealing member from the end of the magazine on the retraction movement, and to reseal on the lower end of the magazine on the delivery movement, said tray and sealing member being so positioned relative to the lower end of the magazine that the lowermost product is delivered onto the tray, the sealing member on the delivery movement engaging the delivered product to deliver same, and retaining the next product in the magazine.

6. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said channel is pivoted at its rearward end, lifting members being provided to lift the forward end of the channel on forward movement of the sealing member to seal the sealing member on the end of the magazine.

7. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 3 including a plurality of magazines positioned side by side, each magazine having its own delivery system, the sealing members of each delivery system abutting its adjacent sealing member to provide a seal there between.

8. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 3 and including an anti- tamper unit at the delivery opening, said unit comprising a first channel shaped member pivoted to the housing of the apparatus to extend downwardly across said opening, a second member pivoted to the first member also to extend to extend downwardly, said second member having a wall to extend upwardly across said opening, engagement means on said first and second members to prevent rotation of the second member relative to the first member by attempted unauthorised entry.

9. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 3 including means to reciprocate the sealing member in the channel, said channel having means to lower the sealing member from the end of the magazine on the beginning of the retraction movement, and to reseal on the lower end of the magazine on the end of the delivery movement, means on said delivery tray to receive said product in a tilted condition to cause tilting of the remaining products in the said magazine with the next lowermost product tilting with a portion outside the magazine, said delivered product on the delivery stroke returning said next lowermost product into the magazine to be then engaged by the sealing member as it seals in the lower end of the magazine.