Wearable insulated backpack for dispensing beverages

Abstract

Substantially cylindrical objects moving mainly by gravity in plural merging pathways merge without jamming or gridlock when the merging pathways are arranged such that objects in a non-delivering pathway merge into a delivering pathway only laterally whereby objects in the delivering pathway prevent merging of objects from the non-delivering pathway. The arrangement can be used in an wearable, insulated backpack for delivering beverages.

1 . A wearable, pack for dispensing substantially cylindrical containers, the pack comprising at least one framework unit disposed in an enclosure, the framework unit defining a first pathway that extends downwardly from a site for receiving the containers to an opening in the enclosure thru which the containers can be retrieved, the first pathway ending at a first shaped rigid member for blocking movement of the containers through the opening in the absence of manipulation by an operator, said framework further defining a second pathway extending downwardly from a site for receiving the containers to a merging point at which the second pathway feeds the containers into the first pathway, the second pathway ending in a second rigid shaped member positioned at the merging point so as to allow containers in the second pathway to move only laterally into the first pathway whereby movement of the containers from the first pathway to the second pathway is possible when containers occupy the first pathway below the merging point.  
   
   
       2 . The pack of  claim 1  wherein the framework is adapted to removeably hold at least one temperature controlling element.  
   
   
       3 . The pack of  claim 1  wherein the first rigid member is shaped to allow an operator to manipulate the container retained thereby by exerting an upward pressure, causing the container to circumvent the first rigid member and to move to the opening.  
   
   
       4 . The pack of  claim 1  comprising two such frameworks leading to two such openings.  
   
   
       5 . The pack of  claim 1  wherein the substantially cylindrical containers are beverage containers.  
   
   
       6 . The pack of  claim 1  adapted for wearing as a backpack.  
   
   
       7 . The pack of  claim 1  wherein the at least one framework is removable from the enclosure.  
   
   
       8 . The pack of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure is thermally insulated.  
   
   
       9 . The pack of  claim 1  further comprising decoration or advertising on its outer surface.  
   
   
       10 . In a device for the movement of substantially cylindrical objects by gravity down at least two controlled paths that merge into a single delivery path, the improvement comprising a second path merging into the delivery path such that movement of objects into the delivery path from the second path is substantially laterally, whereby objects in the delivery path, when present, prevent movement of objects from the second path into the delivery path.