CONTAINER STORING/DISPENSING ASSEMBLIES FOR VEHICLE

摘要

A modular storing and dispensing assembly (20) for a plurality of large containers (21). The modular assembly (20) comprises a container support track mechanism (24) supporting the containers (21) for movement toward a dispensing station (26). An enclosure (27) substantially encloses the track mechanism (24) and all of the containers (21). The track mechanism (24) and the enclosure (27) are both coupled to a modular frame (32) mounted on a vehicle for movement thereof as a unit. The modular frame (32) can also be used as a free-standing dispensing unit. In one embodiment, the track mechanism (24) includes an inclined rack-type assembly (33) to induce gravitational movement of each container (21) toward the dispensing station (26). In another embodiment, the track mechanism (24) includes a conveyor-type assembly (25) extending about a predetermined path (34) and includes a drive mechanism (105) and a flexible transport device (111) with carrying trays (36) for the containers movably coupled to the drive mechanism (105).