Title of Invention

"A COIN OPERATED MECHANICAL VENDING MACHINE"

Abstract

A coin operated vending machine for dispensing a predetermined volume of milk, water or other liquid from the reservoir and being adoptable for mounting on the outlet of the reservoir having a push button and a coin inserting slot at the users end, the coin inserting slot receives the coin and slight push provides the milk, water or other liquid through the discharge mouth. The assembly of parts mainly comprises of push button, stem, compression springs, torsion spring, flanged cap, slot, lever, adjustable pusher, spool, check valve, chain, discharge valve, float valve and metering pot. The lever mounted on the fulcrum utilizes the mechanical forces and convert it into a resultant force to control the flow of the liquid from the reservoir and operate the discharge valve with the help of a chain to discharge the predetermined volume of the liquid from the metering pot to the customers.

Full Text

FIELD OF INVENTION ;- This invention relates to a coin operated mechenism vending machine which enables the user to receive metered amount of fluid from a container with the help of a coin. This vending machine is a unique apparatus of its type. This will help in the installation of unmanned water point, milk point, juice point or any other liquid points at the roadside, in the markets and at the corner of the cities. This coin operated vending machine does not need any power, any man and any other electrical or electronic attachment. It is simple, cost effective, less voluminous and easy to use. It needs little care. It is totally mechanical. Coin operated milk vending machine which are presently being used are illustrated and described in IN Pat No. 135472 (milk vending machine of Mother Dairy Limited). PRIOR ART :- In the prior art coin operated milk vending machine, the outlet chamber remains in the discharge or rest position until the coin is inserted by customer OR Press button is pushed by the authorized person. Coin operated milk vending machine takes the time to charge the chamber and discharge the milk through the outlet. It is voluminous, costly and need electric and electronic attachment. It also need the power backup incase of power breakdown. There also need a authorized person to give the respective coin through the sale counter to operate the coin operated milk vending machine. In recent years efforts have been made for construction of coin operated vending machine to serve the purpose but as these machine comprises of electrical and electronic attachment. They need much care and they become inactive when there is a power break down. Examples of these electric and electronic based vending machine are disclosed in US pat no. 4,380,130 to Bachmann, US pat no 4,414,768 also to Bachmann, US pat no 4,454,670 to Bachmann and US pat no. 4,682,709. DESCRIPTION:- According to present invention, there is provided a coin operated vending machine wherein chamber is already charged in advance in rest position before the coin is inserted by the user hence it causes less consumption of time for discharge of fluid. It is easy to carry due to less weight and it does not need any electric or electronic attachment or any power backup. There also not need any man to give the respective coin through the sale counter to operate this vending machine because it is operated by customary coin. Therefore it helps in installation of unmanned water point, milk point, juice point or any other liquid points. Aim of the present invention:- To make a machine totally mechanical and operated manually to fulfil the work of vending by just inserting a coin and thus simplifying its operation without aid of power making it cost effective. DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO ACCOMPANYING DIAGRAM:- The invention will be better understood with reference to the accompanying diagram wherein: Diagram 1 is sectional view of a coin operated vending machine incorporating an embodiment of the vending machine, with the vending machine in the closed position; Diagram 2 is a enlarged partial sectional view of the coin operated vending machine of diagram 1 showing the operation of the flanged cap, stem and push button; Diagram 3 (a) is a enlarged partial sectional view of the coin operated vending machine of diagram 1 showing the spool, lever and discharge valve in the charge position or rest position; Diagram 3 (b) is a enlarged partial sectional view of the coin operated vending machine of diagram 1 showing the spool, lever and discharge valve in the discharged position; and Diagram 4 is a enlarged partial sectional view of the diagram 3 (a) and 3 (b) showing the operation of spool and the float valve. Referring to the embodiment of figure 1-4, the body comprises a vending machine indicated in diagram 1 is mounted to the mouth of the reservoir. This illustration is a typical installation. CONSTRUCTIONAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTS :- CONSTRUCTIONAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTS: - 1. STEM: It is attached with push button and adjustable as per demand. It pushes the collar (4) along with the coin. It may be of stainless steel or rigid plastic. 2. PUSH BUTTON: It provides seat for operators thumb or palm for pressing. It is connected with stem and loaded with compression spring (3). It is commonly known as pushing- means and extended to some extent outwardly to this vending machine for pressing. 3. COMPRESSION SPRING: It enables the stem (1) along with push button (2) to return back to its previous position after its work of pressing is complete. 4. COLLAR: It is the edge of the flanged cap (4a) having inside diameter is lesser than 1 Rs. coin but larger than 50 paisa coin. 4a. FLANGED CAP: It moves when stem pushes its collar (4) with the help of a coin. The flanged cap is loaded with compression spring (5) and sealed through the rubber washer (27) to check the flow of the liquid towards the stem (1). Flanged Cap may be of stainless steel or rigid plastic. 5. COMPRESSION SPRING: It makes the flanged cap (4a) to return its previous position as soon as Rs. 1 coin drops. 6. STOPPER: It provides seat for the compression spring (5). 7. BODY: It consists the assembly of component of vending machine in it, which is mounted on the outlet of the reservoir. Body may be of rigid plastic or metal. 8. BUTTON (SEAT): It is the attached part of the lever (10), which is to be pushed by the adjustable pusher (14) attached with the flanged cap (4a). 9. SCREW: For adjusting the pusher (14). 10. LEVER: It is mounted on the fulcrum (18) and connected through a torsion spring (21). It operates the spool (16) and discharge valve (20) simultaneously. It may be of light metal or fiber. 11. COIN REST: It provides a rest to the respective coin (Rs 1 coin) between the collar (4) and the stem (1) when the coin is dropped by the user through coin slot (24). Where as 50 paisa coin get dropped through the opening for 50 paisa coin (13). 12. OPENENIG FOR Rs.l COIN: It is a slot wider and larger than the thickness and diameter of the coin to make an easy drop. It is ahead the opening for 50 paisa coin. 13. OPENING FOR 50 PAISA COIN: It is beneath the tempered coin rest (11) to slide down the 50-paisa coin and get dropped through the opening in the main body (7). So that the users can't operate this machine by inserting 50 paisa coin. 14. ADJUSTABLE PUSHER: It is the attached part of the flanged cap (4a) and it is adjustable to vary its movement with the help of screw (9). It pushes the button (8) of the lever (10), which in turn operates the lever. 15. HOUSING: It is attached with reservoir with a check valve (17). Spool (16) move inside it. 16. SPOOL: It makes to and fro movement inside the housing (15) to control the function of check valve (17) and it also provides a passage to the liquid to come into the metering pot (22) at a normal position. It is operated by the lever with the help of rod (25). 17. CHECK VALVE: It is connected to a spool. It does not allow the liquid to flow from the reservoir to the spool in a situation when spool is operated by lever on pushing the push-button. But in normal position check valve allow the liquid to flow to the spool. 18. FULCRUM: The lever (10) is mounted on it. 19. CHAIN: It is connected to the lever, and so when the lever is to be pushed, chain is pulled upward, which operate the discharge valve (20) and allow the liquid to come out of the discharge mouth. It may be of fiber, stainless steel or any light metal. 20. DISCHARGE VALVE: It may be made of light metal or fiber, hung with the help of a chain (19) to close the discharge mouth (23). It consists of a seal to avoid leakage. This valve closes the discharge mouth (23) when the fixed volume of the liquid gets discharged from the discharge mouth (23). 21. TORSION SPRING: It fixes the lever (10) to its normal position on the fulcrum to ensure the spool to open the check valve (17) and to close the discharge mouth (23) with the help of discharge valve (20). 22. METERING POT: It is a pot of light metal attached with discharge mouth (23). It comprises of float valve (26) & discharge valve. 23. DISCHARGE MOUTH: It is the attached part of the metering pot (22), which provides a seat to the discharge valve. It is the mouth for discharging of predetermined quantity of the liquid, which get stored in the metering pot (22). 24. COIN-SLOT: It is a cut on the upper portion of the body of the machine to insert a coin by the user. 25. ROD: It is a flexible rod attached with the lever (10) and the spool (16). It helps the spool to control the function of check valve, whether to allow the flow of liquid from the reservoir to the said spool or not. 26. FLOAT VALVE: It is mounted along with the spool to control the flow of the liquid from the said spool (16) into the pot (22) due to float action when the predetermined volume of liquid gets collected in the pot (22). 27. RUBBER WASHER: It is mounted on the flanged cap (4a) to prevent the flow of liquid towards the stem (1). It is only for preventing measure. 28. PASSAGE: It allows the liquid to pass to the pot (22) from the said spool (16). The stopper (30) closes the mouth of passage with the help of a float valve when the predetermined volume of liquid gets collected in the pot & opens the mouth of passage when the liquid gets discharged from the discharge mouth (23). 29. ADJUSTABLE TIE ROD: It connects the stopper (30) with the float valve (26). The tie rod can be adjusted so the movement of the float valve & stopper (30) can be controlled as per the requirement of the fluid. 30. STOPPER: It stops the flow of the liquid from the passage (28) of said spool (16) into the metering pot (22) due to float action of the float valve (26) when predetermined volume of the liquid gets collected in the pot (22) & allow the flow of the liquid from the passage (28) of said spool (16) to the pot (22) when the liquid get discharged from the discharge mouth (23). The parts of coin operated vending machine as illustrated in point 1 to 30 is formed of described material, but other forms of material may be utilized if desired. FUNCTION OF THE COIN OPERATED VENDING MACHINE This vending machine operates by inserting a coin through the coin-slot (24) and by pressing the push button (2), extended to some extent outwardly of this vending machine. Push button having a compression spring (3) further pushes a stem (1). The stem pushes a flanged cap (4a) having a compression spring (5) with the help of a coin which in turns operate a lever (10) which closes the mouth of a check valve (17) and opens the discharge mouth (23), the liquid from the container collected in the metering pot (22) gets discharged and completion of dispensing of liquid give the normal position to the lever with the help of a torsion spring fixed at fulcrum which makes the return movement of adjustable pusher and said compression spring (3) & (5) initiate the backward movement of the said push button, stem & flanged cap with coin which makes the droppage of coin through the opening for Rs. 1 coin. The customer or the user will collect the liquid in a glass/bottle/any pot (Illustrated in diagram 1.) This vending machine is a close system having a coin slot (24) for inserting a coin and a discharge mouth (23) for dispensing a pre-determined volume of liquid. When one inserts the coin, it rests beside the flanged cap (4a) and in between the stem (1) as shown in the diagram. After that push button (2) is pushed and the coin moves along with the flanged cap (4a) as long as a slot (12) an opening for Rs. 1 coin comes and the coin drops (Illustrated in diagram 2). Before the coin drops, the adjustable pusher (14) on the flanged cap pushes a lever (10) which simultaneously operates the spool (16) having a check-valve (17) mounted at the outlet of reservoir and discharge valve (20) attached with chain at the bottom of the pot to stop the flow of liquid from the said spool into the metering pot and to discharge the metered liquid through the discharge mouth. The uplifting of the discharged valve and closing of the outlet of the reservoir with the help of check-valve (17) takes place simultaneously (Illustrated in diagram 3 (b)). Due to the action of the compression spring (5) and (3) at the flanged cap and the push button respectively, the flanged cap, stem and the push button return to its initial position. The torsion spring (21) brings the lever to come to its previous position, which normally open the mouth of the outlet of the reservoir and close the discharge mouth. A float valve (26) mounted along with the passage of the spool, which controls the flow of the liquid from the reservoir in to metering pot (22) & ensure the storage of the predetermined volume of the liquid into the metering. (Illustrated in diagram 4). STATEMENT OF INVENTION:- Accordingly the invention provides a coin operated vending machine for dispensing a predetermined volume of a liquid from the reservoir comprising; (a) a pushing means (2) extended outwardly; f (b) a flanged cap (4a) being connected to said pushing means (2) on reception of a coin; (c) an adjustable pusher (14) connected to said flanged cap (4a); (d) a lever (10) being connected to said adjustable pusher (14) on movement of said flanged cap and having a chain connected to it for controlling the movement of said chain; (e) a spool (16) connected to said lever (10) through a rod being pulled in a backward direction by said lever; (f) a check-valve (17) connected to said spool for checking the flow of liquid from reservoir into metering pot; (g) a discharge valve (20) connected to said metering pot for dispensing the liquid from said metering pot (22); and (h) a float valve (26) connected to said spool for controlling the flow of liquid in accordance with the volume of liquid into the metering pot (22); thereby dispensing liquid and returning said lever, said flanged cap, said pushing means and said adjustable pusher to normal position after the liquid is dispensed. ADVANTAGES: i). On the basis of above specification another vending machine may be constructed which may be operated only by 50 paisa or by Rs. 2 coin by doing some modification in case of water point or at less costly fluid point. ii). On the basis of above specification another vending machine may be constructed which may be operated only by Rs. 5 coin by doing some modification in case of cold drinks, juice, milk, coffee or other related cost fluid. But in this case of operation the opening for 50 paisa, Rs.l and for Rs. 2 coin will be just below the slot (24) (opening for inserting a coin) with less thickness of Rs.5 coin so that the customer or user may not get the explained fluid by inserting of 50 paisa, Rs.l or Rs. 2 coin because this type of fluid will be discharged only by inserting Rs.5 coin. The opening for Rs. 5 coin will be constructed according to his thickness and diameter for easy to drop just ahead the opening of Rs. 0.50 paisa, Rs. 1 and Rs. 2 coin. The diameter of the flanged cap (4a) and stem (1) will be adjusted according to the diameter of the Rs.5 coin. In this operation Rs.5 coin inserted through the slot (24) which do the same function and will dispense the metered fluid as done by Rs.l coin as explained in the complete specification. Thus in simple words there may be constructed another type of vending machine which will be operated by Rs.5 coin or by any higher value coin according to market value of the fluids. iii.) More then one vending machine of different coin base may be attached in the same reservoir for the financial choice of customer OR different reservoir of fluid may be attached with "coin operated vending machine" in the single system for the disposal of variety of fluids for the choice of customer. We claim: 1. A coin operated mechanical vending machine for dispensing a predetermined volume of a liquid from the reservoir comprising: (a) a pushing means (2) extended outwardly; (b) a flanged cap (4a) being connected to said pushing means (2) on reception of a coin; (c) an adjustable pusher (14) connected to said flanged cap (4a); characterized in that it comprises (d) a lever (10) being connected to said adjustable pusher (14) on movement of said flanged cap and having a chain connected to said lever for controlling the movement of said chain; (e) a spool (16) connected to said lever (10) through a rod being pulled in a backward direction by said lever; (f) a conventional check-valve (17) connected to said spool for checking the flow of liquid from reservoir into metering pot; (g) a discharge valve (20) connected to said metering pot for dispensing the liquid from said metering pot (22); and (h) a float valve (26) connected to said spool for controlling the flow of liquid in accordance with the volume of liquid into the metering pot (22); thereby dispensing liquid and returning said lever, said flanged cap, said pushing means and said adjustable pusher to normal position after the liquid is dispensed. 2. A coin operated mechanical vending machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pushing means comprises of a stem, compression spring and a push button. 3. A coin operated mechanical vending machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a linkage driven by said stem moves the flanged cap to and fro on insertion of a coin through coin slot that rests at coin rest. 4. A coin operated mechanical vending machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flanged cap is mechanically connected to said lever (10) to enable simultaneously the stoppage of flow of liquid from reservoir and dispensing of the liquid with the help of discharge valve (20) and thereafter on completion of dispensing of liquid, the coin drops during the backward movement of the said flanged cap and pushing means attached with compression spring (5) & (3) respectively. 5. A coin operated mechanical vending machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein upward rotation of lever at fulcrum lifts said chain connected to discharge valve for dispensing predetermined volume of liquid stored in metering pot and downward rotation of lever restores the normal position of said discharge valve after dispensing of liquid. 6. A coin operated mechanical vending machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein float valve (26) connected to adjustable tie rod (29) stores predetermined volume of the liquid in said metering pot and closes the passage (28) of spool when the required volume of liquid is stored in said metering pot. 7. A coin operated mechanical vending machine for dispensing a predetermined volume of fluid from a reservoir, substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings.

Documents:

506-del-2004-abstract.pdf

506-del-2004-claims.pdf

506-del-2004-complete specification (granted).pdf

506-del-2004-correspondence-others.pdf

506-del-2004-correspondence-po.pdf

506-del-2004-description (complete).pdf

506-del-2004-drawings.pdf

506-del-2004-form-1.pdf

506-del-2004-form-13.pdf

506-del-2004-form-19.pdf

506-del-2004-form-2.pdf

506-del-2004-form-3.pdf

506-DEL-2004-GPA.pdf