Technical field

[0001 ] The present solution relates to a device and a system for dispensing articles, particularly articles that are intended to be vertically suspended on an elongated element.

Background art

[0002] Devices for dispensing articles are commonly used at various places, for example inside supermarkets, at public places such as train stations, and others where it is beneficial for a user to be able to buy certain goods without interacting with checkout staff.

[0003] Such devices may also be used for dispensing articles of relatively high worth, and/or that have a high risk of being stole, i.e. goods that are not suitable for having on shelves.

[0004] Current solutions are available, such as vending machines with a dispensing function. However, the current solutions have some issues, such as sometimes dispensing more than one article at a time, jamming, and other problems that negatively affect customer experience.

Summary

[0005] It is an object of the solution to address at least some of the problems and issues outlined above. It is possible to achieve these objects and others by using devices and systems as described herein.

[0006] According to an aspect, there is provided a device for dispensing articles. The device comprises an elongated element adapted for receiving articles, the elongated element having a free end, and a transporting arrangement defining a path for a plurality of dividing elements disposed above the elongated element. The plurality of dividing elements are disposed along the path, and each dividing element is adapted to engage with one article. The device further comprises a drive arrangement, adapted to move the plurality of dividing elements along the path in order to dispense an article at the free end of the elongated element. By having such a device, dispensing articles that are intended for being suspended on an elongated element becomes easy and can be automated. Refiling articles is also easy and can be done quickly, and by having a dispensing device adapted for dispensing suspended articles, a more space efficient dispensing system may be achieved compared to when the articles are e.g. lying down or standing on a surface. Further, systems and devices may be achieved that are easy to adapt depending on the specific articles that are to be suspended.

[0007] According to an optional embodiment the elongated element is movable between a first position for dispensing articles and a second position for refilling articles. By having a first and second position, refilling and dispensing of articles may be facilitated.

[0008] According to an optional embodiment, all of the plurality of dividing elements are adapted to be moved simultaneously.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment, the drive arrangement comprises a belt. According to another optional embodiment, the drive arrangement comprises a helically shaped element. By having one of these drive arrangements, the articles may be dispensed continuously without having to rewind or otherwise interfere with the drive arrangement.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment, the device comprises a sensor adapted for detecting when an article has been removed and wherein the drive arrangement is adapted to automatically move the plurality of dividing elements upon removal of the article. By having such a sensor, the system may become completely automated and not require any human interaction.

[001 1 ] According to a second aspect, there is provided a system for dispensing articles. The system comprises a housing and at least two elongated elements, adapted for receiving articles, disposed in the housing. The system further comprises a transporting arrangement for each of the at least two elongated elements, each transporting arrangement defining a path for a plurality of dividing elements, each transporting arrangement disposed above a corresponding elongated element. The system further comprises a plurality of dividing elements, disposed along each path, wherein each dividing element is adapted to engage with one article, and at least one drive arrangement, adapted to move the plurality of dividing elements along the path. The elongated elements of the system may optionally be movable between a first position intended for dispensing articles and a second position for refilling articles.

[0012] According to an optional embodiment the system comprises one drive arrangement for each transporting arrangement, wherein each drive arrangement is adapted to move the dividing elements of the corresponding transporting

arrangements. According to another optional embodiment, the system comprises a single drive arrangement for all transporting arrangements.

[0013] According to an optional embodiment, the system comprises a single mechanism for moving the at least two elongated elements between the first position and the second position. According to another optional embodiment, the system comprises one mechanism for moving the elongated element for each elongated element.

[0014] The above devices and systems may be configured and implemented according to different optional embodiments. Further possible features and benefits of this solution will become apparent from the detailed description below.

Short description of the drawings

[0001 ] The solution will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0002] Fig. 1 shows an oblique front view of a dispensing device and dividing elements of said dispensing device.

[0003] Fig. 2 shows an oblique front view of a dispensing device and a pushing arrangement of said dispensing device.

[0004] Fig. 3A shows a side view of a dispensing device in a first, upper, position. [0005] Fig. 3Β shows a side view of a dispensing device in a second, lower, position.

[0006] Fig. 4 shows a system comprising multiple dispensing devices according to the present disclosure.

Description of embodiments

[0007] In the following, a detailed description of the different embodiments of the solution is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings. All examples herein should be seen as part of the general description and are therefore possible to combine in any way in general terms. Individual features of the various embodiments may be combined or exchanged unless such combination or exchange is clearly contradictory to the overall function of the implementation.

[0008] Shortly described, the present solution relates to a device and a system for dispensing articles, particularly articles that are intended to be suspended from an elongated element by a perforation or a hole in the top parts of the articles. The solution comprises an elongated element, adapted for receiving articles. The device further comprises a transporting arrangement with a path for a plurality of dividing elements, wherein each dividing element is intended to push on a corresponding article, such that the article is dispensed from the elongated element it's suspended on. The device further comprises a drive arrangement adapted to move the plurality of dividing elements such that the articles are dispensed.

[0009] Fig. 1 shows a device according to the present disclosure for dispensing articles. The device comprises an elongated element 10 for receiving articles, having a free end 12, wherein the articles are intended to be suspended from the free end of the elongated element, preferably by a hole on the top part of the articles. The other end of the elongated element is typically a closed end attached to a back part of the device, as seen in the figure. In some embodiments, the elongated element is moveable between a first position, preferably upper position, intended for dispensing articles, and a second, preferably lower position, intended for refilling articles. The dimensions of the elongated element can vary depending on the articles intended to be suspended from it. It may typically be between 5 and 30 mm in diameter, for example 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm or 25 mm, although smaller and larger sizes are possible depending on the articles that are intended to be dispensed therefrom.

[0010] The device further comprises a transporting arrangement 15 defining a path 20 for a plurality of dividing elements 30. The dividing elements 30 are disposed along the path during operation, typically with a similar distance between each pair of dividing elements. In some embodiments, the dividing elements may be having a fixed position during operation, but may be movable when the device is not in operation, in order to facilitate refilling articles. For example, the dividing elements 30 may be possible to slide along the path 20 when the device is not in operation, but is fixedly attached to the transport arrangement 15 along the path during operation.

[001 1 ] Each dividing element 30 is adapted to engage with one article of the plurality of articles being suspended from the elongated element 10, such that each dividing element 30 can transport its corresponding article along the elongated element 10, and thereby dispense that article from the free end 12 of the elongated element 10. This engagement typically entails that the dividing element 30 presses against the article, but in some embodiments the dividing elements may have connecting segments adapted for engagement with a corresponding connecting segment of the articles to be dispensed.

[0012] The transporting arrangement 15 is adapted for transporting the dividing elements 30 along the path 20. In some embodiments, the transporting arrangement comprises a belt. The belt is typically an endless belt such that the bottom side of the belt, running in a direction towards the free end 12 of the elongated element 10 is along the path, and the top side of the belt, running towards the closed end of the elongated element, is above the path. In some embodiments, the dividing elements 30 are transported along with the endless belt all the way around, and in some embodiments the dividing elements 30 are transported slightly past the free end 12 of the elongated element 10 and are then detached from the transporting arrangement, i.e. the element stays in place there, while dividing elements that have yet to dispense their corresponding article are still attached to and transported with the transporting arrangement 15.

[0013] The device further comprises a drive arrangement adapted for moving the dividing elements 30 along the path, typically by powering the transporting

arrangement 15. The drive arrangement may be disposed externally on the device, or it may be disposed internally of the device and thus out of sight for a user. The drive arrangement may be actuated by e.g. a button disposed on the device, or it may be actuated by an external controller. The drive arrangement typically comprises a motor for powering the transporting arrangement 15 and/or for moving the dividing elements 30 along the path 20.

[0014] In some embodiments, the device may further adapted such that it's only possible to dispense one item at a time, in order to minimize the risk of a theft, and decreasing the worth of goods stolen in case a theft occurs. This may be done e.g. by having a cooldown period between when items may be dispensed. In some embodiments, the device may comprise a scanner that requires a code to be scanned in order for an item to be dispensed, such as the code of a receipt, which may be a receipt the customer has already paid for. The device may in some embodiments comprise a lock which must be unlocked in order to retrieve the item that has been dispensed. The unlocking of such a lock may e.g. be done when a certain event occurs, such as the customer paying for the article that has been dispensed or is to be dispensed.

[0015] The device may optionally comprise a mechanism 50 for changing the position of the elongated element between a first position and a second position. In some embodiments this mechanism 50 may comprise a handle, which may be attached to a disc 60 on which the elongated element 10 is disposed. In such an embodiment, the elongated element 10 may be moved from the first position to the second position, and vice versa, by interacting with the handle 50, which rotates the disc 60. In other embodiments, the elongated element 10 may be changeable between the first position and the second position by manual interaction from a user directly with the elongated element. In some embodiments, the mechanism 50 may be electrically actuated and controlled by interacting with e.g. a button or similar element.

[0016] In some embodiments, the dividing elements of the device may be possible to fold or move in such a way that they do not interfere or engage with articles on the elongated element, for instance by inserting them up into the path of the transporting arrangement. In such embodiments, the device may comprise only one position for the elongated element, since the dividing elements are moved instead of the elongated element. In some embodiments, the device may be adapted for refilling articles without moving either the dividing elements or the elongated element.

[0017] Looking now at Fig. 2, another type of transporting arrangement 15 is shown, comprising a helically shaped element 40 instead of an endless belt.

Although not shown in the figure, embodiments with a coil shaped element 40 also comprise dividing elements 30 as described above. The coil shaped element 40 is adapted to rotate, which rotation results in the coil shaped element 40 transporting the dividing elements 30 along the path.

[0018] Fig. 3A shows a side view of the device in the first position, intended for dispensing articles from the elongated element 10 by moving the dividing elements 3 such that they transport the articles towards the free end 12 of the elongated element 10. The first position is typically an upper position, in which the elongated element 10 is closer to the dividing elements 30 than it is in the second position, which entails that the dividing elements 30 are closer to the articles when they are suspended on the elongated element 30. The dividing elements 30 will then engage with and push on a top part of the articles when they are hung on the elongated element 30 and the transporting mechanism is actuated by the drive arrangement. In some

embodiments, the dividing elements may be positioned such that they push on a side of the top part of the articles, for instance such that one dividing element engages with an article on both sides of the article, on a top part.

[0019] The reason for having the dividing elements 30 push on a top part of the articles is to facilitate the dispensing of articles. For most articles adapted to be suspended from an elongated element, the biggest part of the article will be below the elongated element while a relatively small part is above the elongated element. Pushing on the bottom part of such articles may entail that they bend or get positionally displaced without moving, rather than move along the elongated element, which is why interaction on a top part is generally preferred, and is one advantage of the current invention compared to other alternatives.

[0020] Fig. 3B shows a side view of the device in the second position, intended for filling or refilling articles that are to be dispensed, onto the elongated element 10. The second position is typically a lower position, in which the elongated element 10 is further away from the dividing elements 30, which entails that articles are easier to slide onto the elongated element 10 without being hindered by the dividing elements 30. In some embodiments, the articles may be put onto the elongated element 10 such that one articles is matched with a corresponding dividing element. In other embodiments, the articles may be put onto the elongated element 10 all at one time, and be matched with a corresponding dividing element afterwards.

[0021 ] In some embodiments, the device may comprise a sensor for detecting when an article has been dispensed, which may be seen as when it leaves the elongated element 10. The sensor may be disposed e.g. on the free end 12 of the elongated element 10, or above the free end 12. In some embodiments, the sensor may be in form of a weight sensor that gives off an indication when the total weight being suspended on the elongated element increases or decreases. In some embodiments, the sensor may be a sensor that detects movement.

[0022] In some embodiments, the device may further comprise sensors for detecting when an article needs to be refilled. This may be such that the device alerts a user when there is a specific number of articles left, which number may be configurable by the user. Further, the device may comprise a sensor for alerting a user if an article would get stuck on the elongated element and thus prevent dispensing of more articles, or other similar errors.

[0023] Fig. 4 shows a system comprising a plurality of devices 100, eight in the figure, disposed inside a housing 1 10. In the figure, only a small part of the devices are shown, primarily the free end of the elongated element. [0024] Typically, the devices 1 10 are positioned next to each other, as shown in Fig. 4. However, as will be understood, the devices may be positioned differently. For example, there may be multiple different rows with devices in a single housing, and/or the rows may be vertical rather than horizontal.

[0025] In such embodiments, each device 1 10 comprises an elongated element, a transporting arrangement and a plurality of dividing elements. In some embodiments, each device 1 10 also comprises a drive arrangement. In other embodiments, a single drive arrangement may be used for the entire system inside the housing. In embodiments comprising one drive arrangement for multiple devices, the drive arrangement may be adapted for actuating the devices separately, such that the function would be similar to when each device has one drive arrangement.

[0026] Further, when the devices comprises a mechanism for changing the elongated elements between the first position and the second position, the devices may comprise one such mechanism each, or there may be one mechanism for changing the positions of all elongated elements within the housing 100

simultaneously.

[0027] In some embodiments, the system may further comprise an element adapted to displace the articles after they have been dispensed. In a standard position, an article will be suspended from the elongated element. The article typically has an elongated form, and depending on where the article is intended to go after it has been dispensed from an elongated element, it may be suitable for it to be in an upright position in some cases and it may be suitable for it to be lying down in some cases. This may be achieved by positioning a displacing element below the elongated element and below the height of the articles suspended thereon, such that an article will collide with the displacing element and change position, for instance from an upright position, which is typical when being dispensed, to a lying position. Such a displacement element may for example be a relatively thin elongated element, such as a thin dividing wall, which may or may not be angled depending on the position that is intended for the article after being displaced. [0028] In some embodiments, the system may further comprise a padding or similar soft material at the bottom of the housing, such that articles that get dispensed from the elongated articles are protected from damage when falling. This may be useful in e.g. implementations comprising multiple rows with devices, wherein some devices are placed relatively high up in the housing.

[0029] Fig. 5 shows some examples of packages 200, 300, 400 for articles intended to be dispensed with a device and system according to the present disclosure. The articles are typically elongated and comprise a hole or perforation 210, 310, 410, for suspending the articles. As can be seen in the figure, the articles 200, 300, 400 may vary in size and in the specific types of perforations/holes 210, 310, 410, although what is common for them is that the hole or perforation 210, 310, 410 is typically placed at a top part of the article. The holes/perforations 210, 310, 410 may also vary in size, and the size of the elongated elements are typically adapted for specific articles. It should be understood that the examples shown in Fig. 5 is merely intended to demonstrate some different types or articles and

holes/perforations, a wide variety of different articles/packages of similar type may be used for devices and systems of the present disclosure.

[0030] Although the description above contains a plurality of specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the concept described herein but as merely providing illustrations of some exemplifying embodiments of the described concept. It will be appreciated that the scope of the presently described concept fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the presently described concept is accordingly not to be limited. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more". Moreover, it is not necessary for an apparatus or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the presently described concept, for it to be encompassed hereby.