Modular device for automatically dispensing and ejecting products stored in parallel longitudinal rows

Abstract

A device ( 10 ) for automatically dispensing and ejecting products (B), includes at least one tray (P) having a series of channels (C), which are separated by a partition ( 34 ), stop elements ( 40 ) and a series of controlled ejection members, characterized in that each partition is a separation plate ( 34 ) which can occupy an active separation position and a retracted position so as to constitute a modular device ( 10 ) having an adjustable number of channels (C) of different transverse widths, and in that the device ( 10 ) includes elements which are able to supply signals representative of the presence of each separation plate ( 34 ) in the active position, these signals being able to be processed by a dispensing control unit associated with the device.

1 . A device ( 10 ) for automatically dispensing and ejecting products (B) stored in parallel longitudinal rows, that comprises at least one rack (P) comprising:
 a series of transversely adjacent channels (C), each able to hold a row of products, all in the same plane as each other, each separated from its neighbor or neighbors by a longitudinal partition perpendicular to said plane, and each having a flat base ( 17 ,  136 ) on which the products rest;   stop means ( 40 ) at the forward longitudinal end of each channel (C), against which the forwardmost product in each row is retained by longitudinal abutment;   and a series of controlled ejector means, of which each corresponds to one channel (C) and is able to act on said forwardmost product in order to pass it vertically over said stop means ( 40 ) for its ejection from the channel;   which device is characterized in that:   each longitudinal intermediate partition is a separating plate ( 34 ,  142 ) able to occupy an active position in which it separates two adjacent channels and a retracted position so as to provide a modular device ( 10 ) comprising an adjustable number of channels (C) of differing transverse widths (l);   and in that the device ( 10 ) comprises means capable of supplying signals representing the presence of each separating plate ( 34 ,  142 ) in the active position which are processable by a dispensing control unit connected to the device.   
   
   
       2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that each intermediate partition is a detachable separating plate ( 34 ). 
   
   
       3 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that it comprises means ( 36 ,  38 ) for the detachable fixing of the separating plates ( 34 ) to a base plate ( 16 ), particularly at a constant transverse pitch (p). 
   
   
       4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that each separating plate ( 142 ) is mounted movably between a high active separating position in which it projects vertically to separate two adjacent channels and a low retracted position. 
   
   
       5 . The device as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that each separating plate ( 142 ) is guided as it moves, generally parallel to its plane, between its high active and low retracted positions. 
   
   
       6 . The device as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that each separating plate ( 142 ) is mounted generally so as to pivot, near its rear longitudinal end about a pivot axis parallel to said plane. 
   
   
       7 . The device as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that it comprises motorized means for driving each separating plate individually between its high active position and its low retracted position. 
   
   
       8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that each rack (P) comprises a base plate ( 16 ) that is common to all the channels (C) of this rack. 
   
   
       9 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a frame capable of taking multiple superposed product dispensing and ejecting racks (P). 
   
   
       10 . The device as claimed in  claim 9 , characterized in that the frame comprises means that enable two devices ( 10 ) to be superposed vertically. 
   
   
       11 . The device as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that it comprises motorized means for driving each separating plate individually between its high active position and its low retracted position. 
   
   
       12 . The device as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that it comprises motorized means for driving each separating plate individually between its high active position and its low retracted position. 
   
   
       13 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that it comprises a frame capable of taking multiple superposed product dispensing and ejecting racks (P). 
   
   
       14 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that it comprises a frame capable of taking multiple superposed product dispensing and ejecting racks (P).