U.S. patent application number 13/625136 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-28 for cup dispensing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to IMI Cornelius, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is IMI Cornelius, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bryant Crane, Thaddeus M. Jablonski, David M. Joyce, James Kasallis.
Application Number | 20130075419 13/625136 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47909918 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130075419 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crane; Bryant ; et
al. |
March 28, 2013 |
CUP DISPENSING SYSTEM
Abstract
A cup dispensing system includes a storage device having cups
stored therein. At least one suction cup is attached to a housing.
At least one actuator is attached to the housing. An air source and
vacuum generator are attached to the at least one suction cup. The
at least one actuator moves the at least one suction cup in a
desired motion and the vacuum generator actuates on and off
removing the cup from the storage device and positioning it at a
specified location.
Inventors: |
Crane; Bryant; (Chicago,
IL) ; Jablonski; Thaddeus M.; (Palatine, IL) ;
Joyce; David M.; (Des Plaines, IL) ; Kasallis;
James; (Lombard, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IMI Cornelius, Inc.; |
Glendale Heights |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
IMI Cornelius, Inc.
Glendale Heights
IL
|
Family ID: |
47909918 |
Appl. No.: |
13/625136 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61537709 |
Sep 22, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/211 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D 1/0041 20130101;
B67D 1/0888 20130101; B66F 19/00 20130101; B67D 1/0894 20130101;
B65G 47/901 20130101; B67D 2210/00076 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/211 |
International
Class: |
B65G 59/04 20060101
B65G059/04 |
Claims
1. A cup dispensing system comprising: a storage device having cups
stored therein; at least one suction cup attached to a housing; at
least one actuator attached to the housing; an air source and
vacuum generator attached to the at least one suction cup; wherein
the at least one actuator moves the at least one suction cup in a
desired motion and the vacuum generator actuates on and off
removing the cup from the storage device and positioning it at a
specified location.
2. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the storage device
includes a turret storage device that rotates providing a desired
type of cup.
3. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the at least one
suction cup includes two suction cups separated from each other
along a vertical Y axis.
4. The cup dispensing system of claim 3 wherein the suction cups
are separated from each other a distance such that the cup is
stabilized during a dispensing process.
5. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the at least one
actuator includes two actuators.
6. The cup dispensing system of claim 5 wherein the two actuators
include an up and down Z actuator and a Y actuator moving the
suction cups toward and away from the cup.
7. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein cups in the storage
device have a height of from 3.5 to 7.5 inches, a top rim diameter
of from 2.75 to 4.5 inches and a bottom rim diameter of from 2 to 3
inches.
8. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the at least one
suction cup includes a suction cup body having an outer lip.
9. The cup dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the outer lip is
formed of a material having a stiffness less than the suction cup
body.
10. The cup dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the suction cup
body includes an opening formed therein for introducing a vacuum
pressure into the suction cup.
11. The cup dispensing system of claim 10 including a mesh filter
positioned within the suction cup body over the opening preventing
debris from entering the opening.
12. The cup dispensing system of claim 11 wherein the outer lip has
a diameter of 1.46 inches and the opening has a diameter of 1.18
inches.
13. The cup dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the suction cup
body includes a bellows structure that compresses when a vacuum is
applied.
14. The cup dispensing system of claim 3 wherein each suction cup
is connected to a separate vacuum generator.
15. The cup dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the outer lip
material has a stiffness soft enough to wrap around a curvature of
the cup surface and the cup body has a stiffness strong enough to
support a shear load as the cup is removed from the storage
device.
16. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the at least one
suction cup is moved at the cup at an approach angle with respect
to a vertical center line of the accommodating a taper of the
cup.
17. The cup dispensing system of claim 16 wherein the angle of
approach may be varied relative to a vertical axis.
18. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the inlet air has
a pressure of approximately 50-58 psi.
19. The cup dispensing system of claim 18 wherein the vacuum
generator generates a vacuum of approximately 16-26 inches of
mercury.
20. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 including a control system
connected to the cup dispensing system.
21. The cup dispensing system of claim 20 wherein the control
system adjusts an air inlet pressure to vary the vacuum
generated.
22. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the cup dispensing
system applies a force of from 3-9 pounds removing the cup from the
storage device.
23. A cup dispensing system comprising: a storage device having
cups stored therein; a pair of suction cups attached to a housing;
at least one actuator attached to the housing; an air source and
vacuum generator attached to each of the suction cups; wherein the
at least one actuator moves the pair of suction cups in a desired
motion and the vacuum generator actuates on and off removing the
cup from the storage device and positioning it at a specified
location.
24. A cup dispensing system comprising: a storage device having
cups stored therein; a pair of suction cups attached to a housing;
Y and Z axis actuators attached to the housing; an air source and
vacuum generator attached to each of the suction cups; wherein the
Y and Z axis actuators moves the pair of suction cups in a desired
motion and the vacuum generator actuates on and off removing the
cup from the storage device and positioning it at a specified
location.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/537,709 filed Sep. 22, 2011, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a mechanism for removing cups from
a storage device and placing them at a desired location.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Mechanisms for moving a cup are generally known in the art.
For example, picking devices having opposing fingers that grasp a
cup and move it to a desired location are known in the art.
However, such systems are generally unreliable and secure gripping
and placement of a cup in a desired location is not repeatable over
a large number of cycles. There is therefore a need in the art for
a cup dispensing system and apparatus that reliably removes a cup
from a storage device and orients the cup in a desired
location.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect, there is disclosed a cup dispensing system
that includes a storage device having cups stored therein. At least
one suction cup is attached to a housing. At least one actuator is
attached to the housing. An air source and vacuum generator are
attached to the at least one suction cup. The at least one actuator
moves the at least one suction cup in a desired motion and the
vacuum generator actuates on and off removing the cup from the
storage device and positioning it at a specified location.
[0005] In another aspect, there is disclosed a cup dispensing
system that includes a storage device having cups stored therein. A
pair of suction cups are attached to a housing. At least one
actuator is attached to the housing. An air source and vacuum
generator are attached to each of the suction cups. The at least
one actuator moves the pair of suction cups in a desired motion and
the vacuum generator actuates on and off removing the cup from the
storage device and positioning it at a specified location.
[0006] In a further aspect, a cup dispensing system includes a cup
storage device having cups stored therein. A pair of suction cups
are attached to a housing. Y and Z axis actuators are attached to
the housing. An air source and vacuum generator are attached to
each of the suction cups. The Y and Z axis actuators move the pair
of suction cups in a desired motion and the vacuum generator
actuates on and off removing the cup from the storage device and
positioning it at a specified location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage dispensing
apparatus including a cup dispensing system;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a cup dispensing
system including Y and Z actuators as well as the housing and
suction cups;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partial side view of a housing including a pair
of suction cups approaching a cup in a cup storage device at an
approach angle;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a sectional cut view of a suction cup detailing
the outer lip and cup body as well as the mesh and opening of the
suction cup;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of a suction cup vacuum
source and cup prior to actuation of the vacuum generator;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a sectional view as in FIG. 5 after a vacuum
generator has been actuated on causing the suction cup body to
compress and adhere to a cup surface;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the air and vacuum
generator coupled to the suction cups.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, there is shown one embodiment of a
cup dispensing system 10. As best shown in FIG. 1, the cup
dispensing system 10 includes a storage device 12 having cups 14
stored therein. In one aspect, the storage device 12 includes a
turret storage device that rotates providing a desired type or size
of cup 14. In this manner, various sized cups may be positioned
within the storage device 12 and accessed when needed.
[0015] The cup dispensing system 10 also includes at least one
suction cup 16 attached to a housing 18. In the depicted
embodiments, the at least one suction cup 16 includes two suction
cups or a pair of suction cups 16 that are separated from each
other along a vertical Y axis. In one aspect, the suction cups 16
are separated from each other a distance such that the cup 14 is
stabilized during a dispensing process.
[0016] The cup dispensing system 10 also includes at least one
actuator 20 that is attached to the housing 18. Various numbers of
actuators may be utilized depending on the orientations of the cups
14 and the necessary movement for positioning a cup 14 at a desired
or specified location. In the depicted embodiments, the at least
one actuator 20 includes two actuators 20. The two actuators 20
include a first actuator or Z actuator 22 that moves up and down
and a second or Y actuator 24 moving the suction cups 16 toward and
away from the cup 14 along a Y axis.
[0017] The cup dispensing system 10 also includes an air source 26
and vacuum generator 28 attached to the at least one suction cup
16. In the depicted embodiment including the pair of suction cups
16, each of the suction cups 16 is attached to the air source 26
and a separate vacuum generator 28, as best shown in FIG. 7. The at
least one actuator 20 moves the at least one suction cup 16 in a
desired motion and the vacuum generator 28 actuates on and off
removing the cup 14 from the storage device 12 and positioning it
at a specified location.
[0018] As best shown in FIG. 2, the Y and Z actuators 24, 22 may be
linear type actuators that move the housing along the Y and Z axes.
The Y and Z actuators 24, 22 may include a motor 30 that moves a
driven mechanism in either of the Y or Z axis along a track.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the suction cups 16 may include a
suction cup body 32 having an outer lip 34. In one aspect, the
outer lip 34 is formed of a material having a stiffness less than
the suction cup body 32. The suction cup body 32 includes an
opening 36 formed therein for introducing a vacuum pressure into
the suction cup 16. Additionally, a mesh filter 38 may be
positioned within the suction cup body 32 over the opening 36
preventing debris from entering the opening 36.
[0020] In one aspect, the suction cup body 32 includes a bellows
structure 40 that compresses when a vacuum is applied as best shown
in FIGS. 5 and 6. In one aspect, the outer lip 34 has a diameter of
1.46 inches and the opening includes a diameter of 1.18 inches.
Further, the outer lip 32 material has a stiffness soft enough to
wrap around a curvature of the cup surface and the cup body has a
stiffness strong enough to support a shear load that is applied as
the cup 14 is removed from the storage device 12.
[0021] The cup dispensing system 10 may be utilized with various
sizes and types of cups including paper, plastic, paper with wax,
and Styrofoam cups. Additionally, the cups 14 in the storage device
12 may have various dimensions including a height of from 3.5 to
7.5 inches, a top rim diameter of from 2.75 to 4.5 inches, and a
bottom rim diameter of from 2 to 3 inches. Additionally, the cups
12 may have various tapers or angles from a top to a bottom.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 4, the at least one suction cup 16 is
moved at the cup at 14 an approach angle with respect to a vertical
center line of the cup accommodating a taper of the cup 14. In one
aspect, the angle of approach may be from varied depending on the
type of cup and cup taper relative to a vertical axis.
[0023] As stated above, the cup dispensing system 10 includes an
air source 26 and a vacuum generator 28. In one aspect, the air
source 26 has a pressure of approximately 50 to 58 psi. In this
manner, the vacuum generator 28 generates a vacuum of approximately
16 to 26 inches of mercury.
[0024] The cup dispensing system 10 may include a control system 44
connected to the cup dispensing system 10. The control system 44
may adjust an air inlet pressure to vary the vacuum generated.
Additionally, the control system 44 may determine when to actuate
the various Y and Z actuators 24, 22 based upon a sensor input
indicating when a cup 14 should be dispensed. In one aspect, the
cup dispensing system 10 applies a force of from 3 to 9 pounds when
removing the cup 14 from the storage device 12 and may vary
according to the size of the cup as well as the various dimensions
of the cup.
[0025] In use, the cup dispensing system 10 may align an
appropriate cup 14 using the turret such that it is rotated to a
desired position. Next, the Z axis actuator 22 moves the cup 14
upward to align the uppermost suction cup 16 to the highest exposed
part of the cup 14 or just below the bottom edge of the cup storage
device 12. Following, the vacuum generator 28 is turned on
generating a vacuum. Next, the Y actuator 24 moves the suction cups
16 toward the cup 14 at a desired angle of approach. Following, the
Z actuator 22 moves the cup 14 downward and the cup 14 is removed
from the cup storage device 12. Following removal of the cup 14,
the Y actuator 24 moves the picked cup towards a desired or
specified location. Next, the Z actuator 22 moves the cup 14
downward and the Y actuator 24 moves away resulting in the cup
being positioned at the specified location.
[0026] As stated above, each suction cup 16 may be driven off its
own independent vacuum generator 28. By keeping the lines
independent one suction cup 16 can pull a vacuum even when the
other suction cup 16 is slightly leaking. This redundancy allows
the cup dispensing system 10 to work with only one fully functional
suction cup 16 and also increases the likelihood of a pulled cup 14
for cups having small diameters or large seams. If either suction
cup 16 becomes misaligned, the other suction cup 16 can still pull
the drink cup 14 in which will aid in creating a seal in the
misaligned suction cup 16. In this manner, this allows the suction
cups 16 to contact the drink cup 14 at different times and still
pull a vacuum such as the case of a cup having a large taper.
Additionally, as stated above, the bellows shape 40 of the suction
cup body 32 allows for variable targeting of the cups 14. In other
words, the axial position and angle of the cups 14 will vary as
different size cups having different tapers are utilized. If the
drink cup 14 is off alignment, the bellows 40 compresses and
accommodates for the misalignment.
[0027] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner.
It should be understood that the terminology which has been used is
intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the
scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other
than as specifically described.
* * * * *