DE102011082378B4 - Merchandise compartment, vending machine and process - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a goods compartment in or for a vending machine, having an output area for dispensing a requested goods product, having a transport device which is designed to convey the requested cylindrical product product arranged on a bottom section of the goods compartment at a first transport speed in the direction of the dispensing area , and having an output device which is arranged directly in the dispensing area and which has at least one spring section, wherein the at least one spring section is adapted to be biased by the requested cylindrical product product conveyed at the first transport speed and the requested one upon reaching a predetermined output force To transport goods product at a second transport speed from the output area. The present invention further relates to a removal device for removing a cylindrical product product from such a goods compartment, a vending machine and a method for operating such a vending machine.

Description

The invention relates to a goods compartment for or in a vending machine. The invention further relates to such a vending machine and a method for operating the vending machine.

Vending machines, which are often referred to in the relevant literature as a self-seller, can be formed in a variety of different applications, such as vending machines, confectionery machines and the like. Although applicable in principle to any vending machine, the present invention and the problem underlying it will be explained below with reference to vending machines for dispensing cylindrical products, in particular bottles.

Vending machines have in the interior goods receiving devices for receiving the goods. These goods receiving devices are designed differently depending on how the individual goods are stored within the vending machine. Whereas in the past the various goods were usually arranged in shafts, one above the other in the interior and were not visible from the outside due to a mostly opaque front door, the goods should be readily visible from the outside in modern vending machines. Modern vending machines have glass front doors with large windows, via which the product should be presented to a potential buyer.

In such modern vending machines, the goods are usually stored in goods oriented to the windshield goods compartments, the goods compartments are typically arranged side by side and / or one above the other. The goods standing or hanging in the goods compartments are thus visible on the transparent front screen for a potential buyer, which has proven advantageous for technical reasons. Thus, the alleged buyer can directly, so without obstructions, recognize which product he actually buys.

For a removal of the goods in the respective compartment consecutively arranged goods they are transported in the direction of a discharge area, for example via a slide, a conveyor spiral or a conveyor belt. The foremost commodity product then falls in the output area of the goods compartment into a removal compartment of a specially provided removal device. Subsequently, the movement of the slider or the conveyor belt is stopped and locks the goods compartment front side again.

For this purpose, a goods compartment has a drive device, for example a sensor-controlled stepper motor. By means of the stepping motor, the conveyor belt or the slider can be moved in a transport direction, wherein for this purpose typically gears, deflection devices, belts and the like can be used. In known solutions, a separate drive had to be provided for each department, which is structurally complex and therefore expensive. In addition, this is due to the large number of drives used also relatively error-prone. If one of these drives fails, then to a certain extent the functioning of the entire vending machine is no longer guaranteed, since goods can no longer be removed from this merchandise compartment.

While in previous vending machines a product taken from such a vending machine has fallen down in a provided for all goods compartments, general goods output tray and could be removed from there, this is avoided in modern vending machines. In particular, in the case of the upper goods compartments, a commodity falls comparatively very deep into the typically arranged near the bottom of the goods output tray. With the falling out of the goods from a great height is sometimes accompanied damage to this product, especially in goods products with a thin, less stable or fragile housing or with a flexible packaging.

In order to avoid this, modern vending machines have a removal device provided specifically for the removal of a requested goods product, which is freely movable along the front side of the various goods compartments in the x / y direction and thus, in the case of a goods request, a respective goods compartment containing the requested goods , can approach specifically. The requested product is now taken directly from this removal device, the requested goods only a small amount falls into the compartment of the removal device and not more or less over the entire height of the vending machine. This removal device conveys the removed goods after completion of the removal process to a specially provided goods output tray of the vending machine, which is typically located at waist height, so that the seller can conveniently remove the requested goods without having to bend down.

The problem with this form of removal, however, is the direct removal process, in which a commodity in the goods compartment, when it is transported over the conveyor belt or the slider in the direction of removal device, at the front edge of the goods compartment quasi with her The upper area tilts forward, while the bottom portion of this product initially still stands on the bottom of the goods compartment. This removal process leads in conventional vending machines with movable in x / y direction removal devices sometimes to incidents, especially if bulky, wide or large goods are to be removed, which thus there is a risk that they fall out of the goods compartment not in the space provided Removal compartment of the removal device falls. This usually leads to a malfunction of this removal device and thus to a malfunction of the entire vending machine.

This is a condition that, understandably, should be avoided.

Furthermore, the European patent application describes EP 1 947 619 A2 a goods compartment for a vending machine, in which two different transport speeds are provided for conveying products into an output area.

The European patent EP 1 006 495 B1 describes a goods storage device for a vending machine, with an opening / closing device for opening and closing discharge openings.

Against this background, the present invention is based on the object to ensure a simple and especially trouble-free removal process in a vending machine.

This object is achieved by a goods compartment with the features of patent claim 1 and / or by a vending machine with the features of claim 13 and / or by a method having the features of claim 15.

• – Ein Verkaufsautomat, mit einem Gehäuse, das eine verschließbare Tür zum Befüllen des Verkaufsautomaten aufweist, mit einem Innenraum, mit einer Vielzahl von derartigen Warenfächern, die in dem Innenraum nebeneinander und/oder übereinander angeordnet sind.
• – Ein Verfahren zum Betreiben eines derartigen Verkaufsautomaten, bei dem die Warenprodukte in einem Warenfach hintereinander angeordnet sind und bei dem auf eine Warenausgabeanforderung hin ein angefordertes Warenprodukt mit zwei unterschiedlichen Transportgeschwindigkeiten in Richtung eines Ausgabebereichs des Warenfaches transportiert wird, wobei eine erste Transportgeschwindigkeit mittels einer Transporteinrichtung eingestellt wird, wobei während des Transports mit der ersten Transportgeschwindigkeit eine Ausgabeeinrichtung durch das transportierte Warenprodukt selbst vorgespannt und ausgelöst wird und wobei eine zweite Transportgeschwindigkeit durch Beschleunigung des Warenprodukts mittels der Ausgabeeinrichtung erreicht wird.

Accordingly, it is provided:
A goods compartment in or for a vending machine, having a dispensing area for dispensing a requested goods product, having a transport device which is designed to convey the requested goods product arranged on a bottom section of the goods compartment at a first transport speed in the direction of the dispensing area, and having a dispenser Dispensing means disposed directly in the dispensing area and having at least one spring portion, the at least one spring portion being adapted to be biased by the requested commodity product being conveyed at the first transport speed and, upon reaching a predetermined dispensing force, the requested commodity product at a second conveying speed out of the exit area.

• - A vending machine, comprising a housing having a closable door for filling the vending machine, with an interior, with a plurality of such goods compartments, which are arranged in the interior next to each other and / or one above the other.
• - A method for operating such a vending machine, in which the goods products are arranged in a goods compartment one behind the other and in a goods issue request, a requested goods product with two different transport speeds in the direction of an output area of the goods compartment is transported, wherein a first transport speed set by means of a transport device is, wherein during transport at the first transport speed, an output device is biased and triggered by the transported commodity itself and wherein a second transport speed is achieved by acceleration of the commodity product by means of the output device.

The idea underlying the present invention is to provide a transport device and an output device in a goods compartment with goods arranged in a row behind one another, which provide two different transport speeds. In the case of removal, the individual goods products are pushed or transported in the direction of the output area of this product compartment. The transport takes place for example via a conveyor belt, a slide or transport rollers or rollers. A cylindrical commodity product is transported here by a first transport speed in the direction of the output area of the goods compartment. In the output area of the goods compartment, the output device is provided, which provides a second transport speed available. The output device is biased and triggered by the cylindrical product itself. Here, the commodity product is accelerated to the second transport speed. In the output area, the requested and to be dispensed commodity product to a specially provided removal device, which is movable in a known manner, for example in the x / y direction to be passed.

It is essential that the second transport speed of the output device is at least greater than the first transport speed of the transport device. It is also essential that the transport directions of the transport device and the output device are the same. A first by means of the first transport speed over the Transport device transported goods in the output area is taken over from the front side of the output device arranged in the output device. Since the output device accelerates the commodity product to a higher transport speed, thus the bottom of the product is accelerated in the transport direction. As a result of inertial forces, the bottom of the goods to be removed is effectively pulled away, which prevents the upper region of the goods to be removed from tipping forward, that is to say in the direction of the front removal device. Rather, it is ensured by providing two different transport speeds and their suitable positioning within the goods compartment that a removed product can always slide first with the ground in a specially designated removal compartment within the removal device. An obstruction of the removal compartment by an undesirable tipping out of the goods from the goods compartment is prevented.

Preferably (but not necessarily), the commodity products are formed as cylindrical commodity products, such as bottles, cans or the like. In this case, the predetermined force is reached when the spring portion abuts against the largest circumference of the cylindrical commodity product. However, it is also possible to output parallelepiped-shaped goods products, such as commodity products with Tetrapak packaging or Vitel bottles, if they have a radius at the edges or are rounded.

The particular advantage of the vending machines according to the invention is that the removal device drives the goods product directly to the dispenser, where the customer can remove the goods product. There is thus no intermediate movement, umtransportieren, turn, handle, pass and the like.

Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the other dependent claims and from the description in conjunction with the figures of the drawing.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the dispensing device projects from a wall section of the goods compartment into a goods receiving area of the goods compartment. As a result, a biasing of the output device and thus reaching the predetermined output force is reliably achieved by the commodity product. This increases the reliability of the goods compartment.

In a further preferred embodiment, the dispensing device is adapted to at least partially contact a scope of the requested goods product during the pretensioning of the at least one spring section. This embodiment has the advantage that it is possible to dispense with a specially provided locking in the front-side dispensing area of the goods compartment, since the individual goods products are reliably retained by the dispensing device in the goods compartment when the transport device is switched off. Retention of the goods by an additional bar, a strap or a flap is therefore not required.

In a preferred development, the dispensing device has a contact section, which is designed to contact a lower region of the product, and a support section, which is designed to contact an upper region of the product. As a result, a reliable guidance of the goods product is ensured, whereby the operational reliability of the goods compartment is increased.

In a further preferred embodiment, the goods compartment according to the invention has a device for retaining the rear goods products (that is to say the goods products that have not yet been issued). This means for retention can z. B. be formed by other springs, wherein the retaining springs exert a lower spring force on the product, as provided for the output of the product product spring section. As a result, a separation function is realized.

In a preferred embodiment, the second transport speed is greater than the first transport speed, the second transport speed being, in particular, at least 30%, preferably at least 50%, and more preferably at least twice the first transport speed. As a result, the lower, compared to the upper portion of the cylindrical product product more accelerated, the range of the cylindrical product product is reliably output from the goods issue area first, thereby increasing the reliability of the goods compartment.

In a further preferred embodiment, the transport device has a slide which is designed to push the goods products located in the goods compartment at the first transport speed to the delivery area. As a result, the transport of the same is reliably ensured by the positive contact of the slider with the product of the product to the dispensing area. The risk of jamming of the product in the goods compartment is reduced.

In an alternative, but also preferred embodiment, the transport device around a pair of rotatable or fixed rollers tensioned conveyor belt, which is adapted to transport the commodities located in the goods compartment at the first transport speed to the discharge area. As a result, a particularly simple and inexpensive construction of the product compartment is guaranteed.

In a further, likewise preferred embodiment, the goods compartment does not have its own drive. Preferably, a drive coupling device is provided for coupling at least one external drive. To drive the transport device, the goods compartment on the specially provided Antriebsankoppeleinrichtung, which can be brought into engagement with an external drive. Thus, the transport device of a goods compartment can be driven via the external drive and the drive coupling device. The advantage of this embodiment is that the goods compartment no longer has to have its own drive, which is advantageous from a cost point of view and also less sensitive to maintenance.

It is particularly advantageous if only a single, central drive is provided here, which can be used for all goods compartments within a vending machine.

In a further embodiment, the drive coupling device has at least one toothed wheel. The gear is preferably arranged in the output area of the goods compartment, in particular under a floor area of the goods compartment. As a result, a particularly space-saving construction of the goods compartment is guaranteed.

A particular embodiment provides that the direct recording of the reaction forces from the gears of the coupling device is initiated directly from the gear of the goods compartment via a suitable claw-like connecting element directly into the coupling device.

In an alternative but equally preferred embodiment, the commodity products are pulled over one or more straps or cords attached to a slider. As a result, a traction device is realized. This embodiment has the advantage that the goods products can stand on the traction devices or one or more profile struts of the goods compartment.

In a preferred embodiment of a vending machine, a removal device for removing a product from such goods compartment is provided, with an open at least upwardly housing, through which a removal compartment is defined, with a drive and with a driven by the drive coupling device designed to is to drive at a removal of a commodity from a goods compartment a Antriebsankoppeleinrichtung the goods compartment.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments specified in the figures of the drawing. Showing:

1 in cross section a schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of a product compartment according to the invention for a vending machine;

2 in cross section a schematic side view of another preferred embodiment of a product compartment according to the invention for a vending machine;

3 a front view of an inventive merchandise compartment from the front side;

4 in a plan view of a schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of a product compartment according to the invention for a vending machine;

5 in a plan view of a schematic side view of another preferred embodiment of a product compartment according to the invention for a vending machine;

6A - 6F schematic representations for explaining the inventive function of the goods compartment according to the 1 to 5 ;

7 a frontal plan view of a vending machine according to the invention with a variety of invented goods compartments;

8th a frontal representation corresponding to the interior of the vending machine 7 in the field of goods subjects;

9 a side view of the interior of the vending machine 8th ;

10 a frontal plan view of a removal device according to the invention for a vending machine; and

11 a plan view from above of the removal device according to the invention 10 .

12 in cross section a schematic side view of another embodiment of a product compartment according to the invention for a vending machine.

In the figures of the drawing, the same and functionally identical elements, features and signals, unless otherwise stated, provided with the same reference numerals.

The 1 to 5 , to which reference will be made hereinafter, illustrate preferred embodiments of a product compartment 10 for a vending machine.

The goods compartment 10 is designed to provide several cylindrical commodity products 11 take. The in the 1 Canned cylindrical products formed as cans or bottles 11 are preferably in a designated goods receiving area 12 of the goods compartment 10 arranged here and are preferably upright on a bottom portion here 17 of the goods compartment 10 , This so-called goods receiving area 12 is laterally typically on dedicated wall sections 14 . 15 , such as sidewalls, grids, webs, or the like, to prevent the commodity products from being restricted 11 laterally from the goods compartment 10 can fall out. Down is the goods receiving area 12 preferably through the bottom section 17 limited. A front 13 of the goods compartment 10 denotes an end face of the goods compartment 10 in the intended use to a front door of a vending machine with such a goods compartment 10 shows.

For removal of a foremost commodity product 11 ' from the product compartment 10 this has an output area 20 at the front 13 of the goods compartment 10 on. To now the foremost commodity product 11 ' over the output area 20 that is towards 19 to be able to remove, points the goods compartment 10 a transport device 30 and an output device 31 on.

The goods compartment 10 according to the embodiment according to 1 as a transport device 30 preferably a bottom side of the goods compartment 10 provided, circulating conveyor belt 32 on. Furthermore, each front and back are each a rotatable roller or roller 33 . 34 provided over which the conveyor belt 32 is curious. The upper horizontal area of the conveyor belt 32 forms the bottom section 17 of the goods compartment 10 , The conveyor belt 32 will be here about at least one of these rollers 33 . 34 , preferably via the front roller 33 , powered. These two rolls 33 . 34 are designed to move the conveyor belt 32 and thus the cylindrical commodity products thereon 11 with a first transport speed v1 towards the discharge area 20 and thus in the z direction 21 ie in direction 19 to enable. The z direction 21 corresponds to an output direction or transport direction of the cylindrical commodity products 11 ,

Preferably, the conveyor belt 32 made of plastic, for example of a plastic with a relatively high Haftreibwiderstand. Will the conveyor belt 32 moved, then the respective, on the conveyor belt 32 standing cylindrical goods products 11 by friction to the front output area 20 emotional.

The rollers 33 . 34 can be driven for example by specially designed electric motors. It is also particularly advantageous if the transport device 30 via an external drive, that is one outside the goods compartment 10 provided drive, so not part of the product compartment 10 is, is driven. This drive can preferably be provided via a specially provided removal device. This removal device is coupled for the removal of a commodity product, for example, to a specially provided Antriebsankoppeleinrichtung the goods compartment 10 and drives, for example via corresponding gears and belts the drive roller 33 at.

When removing the cylindrical product 11 ' from the product compartment 10 this falls into a specially designated removal compartment of the removal device. The removal device detects this removal of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' for example, by a provided at the bottom of the sampling tray pressure or weight sensor and then closes, for example, only after one for the Nachschieben the other commodity products 11 to the front 13 time required, the removal process from. This will cause the transport device 30 stopped. The removal device then moves to a goods delivery shaft of the vending machine, from which the product just taken out of the goods bay can be removed from the buyer. The advantage of this embodiment is that the goods compartment 10 in this case does not have to have its own drive device, which is particularly advantageous for cost reasons.

A goods compartment 10 also preferably has at the lateral areas of a goods compartment 10 or in the lower part of guide elements, such as guide rails or insertion aids, by means of which a goods compartment 10 can be pushed into corresponding slide rails or guide aids in the space provided slot of the vending machine into it.

A goods compartment 10 preferably also has a corresponding latching device 24 on, by means of the goods compartment 10 can be engaged at corresponding locking points on the housing of the vending machine or in an insertion slot of the vending machine and thus fixed there.

The goods compartment 10 points to its back 16 furthermore a back wall 23 on.

The individual goods compartments 10 within a vending machine are flexible in terms of their size, depending on which cylindrical commodity products 11 to be sold with them. Thus, within the vending machine goods compartments 10 especially with regard to their lateral expansions targeted to the goods to be sold. In addition, these goods compartments 10 also removable by pulling out of the interior of the vending machine.

The 2 shows a side view of another preferred embodiment of a goods compartment 10 for a vending machine.

In contrast to the embodiment according to 1 here has the transport device 30 of the goods compartment 10 one in z direction 21 movable slide 38 on. This slider 38 can be optional or alternative to the conveyor belt 32 and the rollers 33 . 34 be provided. The slider 38 is on a bottom part 37 a housing of the goods compartment 10 , z. B. a continuous sheet 37 , movably fastened in z-direction. A cylindrical commodity product 11 facing surface of the bottom part 37 forms the bottom section 17 of the goods compartment 10 , The slider 38 thus clings to the last, in the goods compartment 10 located cylindrical commodity product 11 '' and push this in Z direction 21 and thus in the direction of the output area 20 , This will make everyone in the goods compartment 10 located cylindrical commodity products 11 in the direction of the output area 20 pushed. The slider 38 moves the cylindrical goods products 11 preferably with the first transport speed v1 in the direction of the discharge area 20 , In a further embodiment of the product compartment 10 can the transport device 30 Have transport rollers and / or transport rollers.

The 3 illustrates a front view of the goods compartment 10 according to the 1 or 2 , A front panel 42 is provided, for example, immediately in front of the drive roller 33 of the conveyor belt 32 - For example, to protect them - is arranged. Furthermore, the goods receiving area are on both sides 12 laterally delimiting wall sections 14 . 15 intended. At these wall sections 14 . 15 is preferably the output device 31 of the goods compartment 10 assembled. In particular, the goods issue device 31 immediately in the output area 20 arranged. Alternatively, the output device 31 in any manner, for example by means of appropriate mounting elements in the goods issue area 20 be mounted. Preferably, the output device protrudes 31 from the wall sections 14 . 15 out into the goods receiving area 12 into it.

In particular, the output device 31 two plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 on. The plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 are preferably each with one of the wall sections 14 . 15 connected. Each plate-shaped element preferably has a support portion 45 and a contact section 46 on. The plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 further preferably each have one on the respective wall portion 14 . 15 mounted mounting section 47 on. The particular finger-shaped support section 45 , the contact section 46 and the attachment section 47 can be formed in one piece. The support section 45 is with respect to the z-direction 21 preferably slightly before the contact section 46 arranged. In particular, the support section protrudes 45 preferably further in the goods receiving area 12 into as the contact section 46 , The attachment section 47 is opposite the contact section 46 preferably angled α at an angle. The attachment portion is in particular also opposite the attachment portion 47 Angled β by an angle. The angles α, β can be made the same size.

The contact section 46 is with the attachment section 47 preferably via a, in particular first, hinge section 48 pivotally connected. The joint section 48 can, as in 4 illustrated as a hinge 48 be educated. In this embodiment of the goods compartment according to 4 have the plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 or their attachment sections 47 and their contact sections 46 preferably a high inherent rigidity. Furthermore, the output device 31 preferably at least one, in particular a first, spring section 49 on. The spring section 49 can, as in 4 illustrated as a spring element 49 be formed, which the contact sections 46 each over the hinge 48 laterally in the goods receiving area 12 into it and into an in 4 illustrated initial position spends. The support section 45 is preferably analogous to the contact section 46 over a, in particular second, joint section 39 with the attachment section 47 connected and with a, in particular second, spring section 41 Mistake. The joint sections 39 . 48 may be identical, wherein in this embodiment, the angles α, β are preferably different.

In an alternative embodiment of the goods compartment 10 according to 5 can the plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 be elastically deformable at least in sections, wherein the joint sections 39 . 48 in particular not as hinges but as elastically deformable areas of the plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 are formed. The spring sections 41 . 49 may also be integral to the plate-like elements 43 . 44 be formed, wherein the plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 at least in sections, with an elastic, in particular a resilient, material are formed. Preferably, the support section form 45 or the contact section 46 the spring section 41 respectively. 49 out. In particular, the plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 formed with an elastically deformable plastic material or with an elastically deformable metal material. Preferably, the plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 formed with a transparent plastic material.

In the supervision of the goods compartment 10 according to the 4 and 5 protrude the plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 or the contact sections 46 and the support sections 45 in the direction of the output area 20 pointing diagonally into the goods receiving area 12 into it. The plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 can touch each other in the middle or almost touch each other.

According to 3 is a gear 40 at the bottom of the product compartment 10 attached to the bottom. The gear 40 is something of the goods compartment 10 from. Is a corresponding, to this gear 40 fitting gear, for example via an external drive, in engagement with this gear 40 brought, then learns the gear 40 a rotary motion. This rotational movement then forms the drive of the goods compartment 10 , with which the transport device 30 in the form of the conveyor belt 32 and / or the slider 38 can be driven. This is done by appropriate deflection devices, such as gears and belts, in a conventional manner. The goods compartment 10 thus requires no independent drive.

The following is the operation of the product compartment 10 and thus the interaction of the transport device 30 and the output device 31 - based on 6A - 6E for a removal process of a cylindrical commodity product 11 from the product compartment 10 explained in more detail.

6A shows one on the bottom section 17 standing cylindrical commodity product 11 ' , The cylindrical commodity product 11 ' is by means of the transport device 30 , for example by means of the conveyor belt 32 and / or the slider 38 , with the first transport speed v1 in the direction of the discharge area 20 , ie in the direction of the output device 31 promoted. In 6A is the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' just in contact with the contact sections 46 the plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 the output device 31 , Preferably, only a lower region of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' in contact with the contact sections 46 , The cylindrical commodity product 11 ' touches the support sections 45 the plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 preferably not yet. In the further movement of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' with the first transport speed v1 in the direction of the discharge area 20 become the contact sections 46 the plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 through the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' in the direction of the respective wall sections 14 . 15 moving towards them, as with the arrows 93 clarified. The contact sections 46 pivot around the joint sections 48 relative to the attachment sections 47 , As a result, the spring sections 48 in the direction of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' biased towards and exerts on this one spring force. The output device 31 So is the requested cylindrical product product 11 ' even spring-loaded. The farther the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' with the first transport speed v1 in the direction of the goods issue 20 is moved, the further the contact sections 46 in the direction of the wall sections 14 . 15 moves and the greater is the on the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' acting spring force. The cylindrical commodity product 11 ' touches in this operating state of the biasing of the contact portions 46 the support sections 45 the plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 already or is still slightly spaced from these.

The largest spring force of the contact sections 46 is reached when a circumference u of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' the contact sections according to 6B as far as possible in the direction of the wall sections 14 . 15 has moved. In this operating state of the goods compartment 10 The contact portions are preferably only at the outermost peripheral points 94 . 95 the circumference u of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' at. The outermost perimeter points 94 . 95 are the points of the circumference u, which are the wall sections in a transverse direction 97 of the goods compartment 10 lie closest. The maximum achievable spring force corresponds to a predetermined output force A of the goods issue device 31 , This predetermined output force A depends, for example, on the geometry and the material of the plate-shaped elements 43 . 44 , from the spring characteristics of the spring sections 49 and the circumference u of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' ,

Immediately after reaching the predetermined output force A, that is, as soon as the predetermined output force A is reached, contact the contact portions 46 according to 6C the circumference u no longer at the outermost perimeter points 94 . 95 but the contact sections 46 glide on the circumference u of the cylindrical product 11 ' , which is still in the direction of the output area 20 moves, off. Ie. the spring biased output device 31 is requested by the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' triggered. The spring preload of the output device 31 causes an acceleration of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' on a second, also in the direction of the output area 20 acting, transport speed v2. Because the contact sections 46 preferably only the lower portion of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' contact, in particular, this lower range is accelerated. At the latest as soon as the predetermined output force A is reached, touch the support sections 45 the circumference u of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' , Preferably, the finger-shaped support portions touch 45 only an upper portion of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' ,

While the contact sections 46 on the circumference u will slide off the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' according to 6D in its upper region from the support sections 45 contacted and so with respect to the accelerated lower portion of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' braked. As a result, a tilting of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' forward in the direction of the output area 20 prevented when this is accelerated to the second transport speed v2. The support sections 45 thus support the function of the contact sections 46 , by which the lower portion of the cylindrical commodity product 11 ' is accelerated towards the upper area. The support sections 45 be against a spring preload of the spring sections 41 around the joint sections 39 to the wall sections 14 . 15 pivoted out. The product is in accordance with 6E tilted slightly backwards and reliable with a bottom section 17 assigned end first issued. The contact sections 46 and the support sections 45 move back to their in 6A illustrated initial position back.

The first transport speed v1 of the transport device 30 is preferably less than the second v2 of the output device 31 , Preferably, the transport speed v2 is greater by at least 50%, and preferably twice as large as the transport speed v1.

The output by means of the transport speed v2 in the example shown depends on whether the springs 43 . 44 have crossed the center of the bottle.

6F shows a further embodiment of a goods compartment, wherein the goods compartment according to the invention comprises a device for retaining the rear goods products 11 . 11 '' (ie the goods not yet issued) has. This device 49 ' for restraint are here as more feathers 49 '' be formed, with the retaining springs 49 '' a lower spring force on the goods product 11 exercise as the output of the commodity product 11 ' provided spring section 46 , As a result, a separation function is realized in a very effective manner.

The 7 shows a frontal plan view of a vending machine 50 with a variety of goods compartments 10 ,

In 7 is with reference numerals 50 generally a vending machine for dispensing bottles and cans of various shapes, sizes, designs and liquid capacity is shown. The vending machine 50 generally comprises an outer housing 51 or a cabinet and a typically over joints 52 on this case 51 hinged front door 53 , The front door 53 and the case 51 together form an interior 54 to sell the cylindrical commodity products to be sold 11 , the control and cooling functions of the vending machine 50 and other vending machine features. In the present embodiment, the front door comprises 53 a transparent glass or clear plastic disc 55 which, if the front door 53 closed, for a clear view of the interior 54 of the vending machine 50 and thus to the cylindrical commodity products housed therein 11 in the interior 54 of the vending machine 50 kept organized in goods compartments ensures. In the area of the front door 53 or alternatively in the housing 51 is a suitable control panel 56 which includes product selection input devices and money and credit processing devices, as well as a coin return device 57 are generally known.

Furthermore, a locking unit 58 provided that allows the front door 53 for the purpose of maintenance, filling of the vending machine and the like can be safely opened and closed. The vending machine 50 Also includes a merchandise dispensing opening or tray 59 , from which a sold cylindrical commodity product 11 is removable from a buyer.

The vending machine 50 has a variety arraymäßig in the interior 54 arranged goods compartments 10 on. The 8th shows the arrangement of these goods subjects 10 in the interior 54 of the vending machine 50 ,

The individual goods compartments 10 are here in five different product lines 60 and eight different departmental columns 61 arranged side by side or one above the other. The individual goods compartments 10 Here are the same size, which is not mandatory. As already described in detail above, it is also advantageous if these goods compartments 10 are variably adjustable in their width, number and / or height.

For the removal of the cylindrical goods products 11 , in the 8th not shown, from the various subjects 10 is a dedicated collection facility 62 intended. This removal facility 62 is variable in the y direction 63 and x-direction 64 movable and can thus be attached to any front side of a goods compartment 10 move. This is done via a not shown here, in each case in x / y-direction variably movable transport device to which the removal device 62 is attached. This transport device may for example contain guide rails on which the removal device 62 in the y direction 63 and x-direction 64 is movable.

The 9 shows a side view of the interior 54 of the vending machine 50 out 8th , Here are the individual goods subjects 10 not completely horizontal, that is horizontal, aligned. Rather, the goods subjects 10 slightly lowered towards the front door side. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable that the goods compartments 10 are aligned completely horizontally

The 10 and 11 show an embodiment of a removal device 80 for a vending machine 50 in two different views, in which 10 a frontal view from the front and 11 a top view of the removal device 80 shows.

The removal device 80 essentially comprises a cuboid container, with four side walls and a bottom. The removal device 80 is to remove a single cylindrical commodity product 11 designed and is designed for this purpose open at the top. Thus, by the cuboid housing 81 the removal device 80 a removal compartment inside the case 81 defines what the inclusion of a cylindrical commodity product 11 serves.

On the frontal housing wall 82 is a with reference number 83 designated gear via a fastening device 84 attached. To drive this gear 83 is a drive 85 , in particular an electric motor 85 , provided on a right side wall 86 of the housing 81 is attached. About a gear belt 87 becomes the gear 83 from the electric motor 85 driven, the gear belt 87 in corresponding gears, which over waves with the gear 83 and the electric motor 85 are coupled, intervenes.

Will the picking device 80 to one of the goods subjects 10 a vending machine 50 moves, then engages the gear 83 in a corresponding gear 40 (please refer 3 ) of the sampling compartment 10 and drive this. This way you can use the electric motor 85 the removal device 80 and by means of the gear belt 87 , the gear 83 and the specialist side gear 40 the transport device 30 be driven, as already stated by the 1 - 6 has been shown and described.

Will the picking device 80 moved to an output tray of the vending machine, then that can in the removal tray 90 goods product 11 get into the goods output tray. Preferably, the commodity is brought in this transport in the removal device in an inclined position. This has the advantage that the bottle is visible by the inclination to the right in the removal opening of the goods output tray. The goods product can then be removed by a customer directly from the goods output tray.

12 shows in cross section a schematic side view of another embodiment of a product compartment according to the invention for a vending machine. Here are the goods products 11 . 11 ' over one or more drawstrings 101 or cords attached to a slider 102 are attached, via a pulley 100 drawn. As a result, a traction device is realized. This embodiment has the advantage that the goods products 11 . 11 ' on this type of traction device or one or more profile struts 103 the goods can be direct, resulting in a better stability of the goods 11 . 11 ' means.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but modifiable in a variety of ways.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a beverage vending machine for dispensing bottles and beverage cans, it is not limited thereto, but can be extended with appropriate modification to the output of any commodity products, for example, cuboidal or arbitrary forms (regular or freeform surfaces) of packaging Beverages and other liquids and commodities, cigarette packs, packaged confectionery products, sandwiches, miscellaneous items such as cameras, spectacles and the like.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

were trade

11, 11 ', 11' '

cylindrical goods products

12

Goods receiving area

13

front

14

wall section

15

wall section

16

back

17

bottom section

19

direction

20

output area

21

z-direction

23

rear wall

24

latching

30

transport means

31

output device

32

conveyor belt

33

roller

34

roller

37

the bottom part

38

movable slide

39

hinge section

40

gear

41

spring section

42

cover

43

plate-shaped element

44

plate-shaped element

45

support section

46

Contact section

47

attachment section

48

hinge section

49

spring section

49 '

Retention device

49 ''

feathers

50

vending machine

51

casing

52

joint

53

front door

54

inner space

55

disc

56

operating device

57

coin dispenser

58

locking device

59

output tray

60

Were trade row

61

Were trade gaps

62

Unloader

63

y-direction

64

x-direction

80

removal device

81

casing

82

front housing wall

83

gear

84

fastening device

85

electric motor

86

Side wall

87

gear belt

90

withdrawal compartment

91

swiveling flap

92

joint

93

arrow

94

peripheral point

95

peripheral point

97

transversely

100

idler pulley

101

tieback

102

pusher

103

profile struts

A

output power

u

scope

v1

first transport speed

v2

second transport speed

z

Transport direction along the goods compartment

Claims (15)

Merchandise compartment ( 10 ) in or for a vending machine ( 50 ) with an output area ( 20 ) for issuing a requested commodity product ( 11 ), with a transport device ( 31 ) which is designed to be mounted on a floor section ( 17 ) of the product compartment ( 10 ), requested product ( 11 ) with a first transport speed (v1) in the direction of the discharge area ( 20 ) and with an output device ( 31 ), which directly in the output area ( 20 ) is arranged and which at least one spring portion ( 49 ), wherein the at least one spring section ( 49 ) is designed to be transported by the requested commodity product transported at the first transport speed (v1) ( 11 ) and upon reaching a predetermined output force (A) the requested commodity product ( 11 ) with a second transport speed (v2) from the output area ( 20 ) to transport. Goods compartment according to claim 1, characterized in that the commodity product is designed as a cylindrical commodity product. Goods compartment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the output device ( 31 ) of a wall section ( 14 . 15 ) of the product compartment ( 10 ) into a goods receiving area ( 12 ) of the product compartment ( 10 ) protrudes. Goods compartment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output device ( 31 ) is designed for a scope (u) of the requested goods product ( 11 ) in the biasing of the at least one spring portion ( 49 ) to contact at least in sections. Goods compartment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output device ( 31 ) a contact section ( 46 ), which is adapted to a lower portion of the commodity product ( 11 ), and a support section ( 45 ), which is adapted to an upper portion of the commodity product ( 11 ) to contact. Goods compartment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second transport speed (v2) is greater than the first transport speed (v1), wherein the second transport speed (v2) in particular by at least 30%, preferably at least 50% and more preferably at least twice larger than the first transport speed (v1). Goods compartment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device ( 30 ) a slider ( 38 ), which is designed to be in the goods compartment ( 10 ) ( 11 ) with the first transport speed (v1) to the output area ( 20 ). A goods compartment according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the transport device ( 30 ) a two rotatable rollers ( 33 . 34 ) tensioned conveyor belt ( 32 ), which is designed to be in the goods compartment ( 10 ) at the first transport speed (v1) to the output area ( 20 ) to transport. A goods compartment according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the goods compartment ( 10 ) is designed without drive. Goods compartment according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that a Antriebsankoppeleinrichtung is provided for coupling at least one external drive. Goods compartment according to claim 10, characterized in that Antriebsankoppeleinrichtung at least one gear ( 40 ) having. Goods compartment according to claim 11, characterized in that the gear ( 40 ) in the output area ( 20 ) of the product compartment ( 10 ), in particular under a floor area of the goods compartment ( 10 ) is arranged. Vending machine ( 50 ), with a housing ( 51 ), which has a lockable door ( 53 ) for filling the vending machine ( 50 ), with an interior ( 54 ), with a large number of goods compartments ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 12, in the interior ( 54 ) are arranged side by side and / or one above the other. Vending machine according to claim 13, characterized in that a removal device ( 80 ) for the removal of a commodity product ( 11 ) is provided from a goods compartment, with an at least upwardly open housing ( 81 ), by which a removal compartment is defined, with a drive ( 85 ) and with one of the drive ( 85 ) driven coupling device, which is designed for a removal of a commodity product ( 11 ) from a goods compartment ( 10 ) a Antriebsankoppeleinrichtung the goods compartment ( 10 ) to drive. Method for operating a vending machine according to claim 13, - in which the goods ( 11 ) in a product compartment ( 10 ) are arranged one behind the other, and - in the case of a goods product requested on a goods issue request ( 11 ) with two different transport speeds (v1, v2) in the direction of an output area ( 20 ) of the product compartment ( 10 ), wherein a first transport speed (v1) by means of a transport device ( 30 ), wherein during the transport with the first transport speed (v1) an output device ( 31 ) is biased and released by the transported commodity product itself and wherein a second transport speed (v2) by acceleration of the commodity product ( 11 ) when the output device is triggered ( 31 ) is achieved.

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