DE102015103804B4 - Mobile goods storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

Mobile goods storage device (1) for a vending machine (5, 5 '), - wherein the goods storage device (1) has a goods storage device (11) in which several goods (3, 3', 3 ", 3" ') are stored - wherein the mobile goods storage device (1) has means with which a current stock of goods can be recorded - and wherein the mobile goods storage device (1) has means of locomotion. characterized in that the goods storage device (1) has an interface to one or more vending machines (5, 5 '), that the goods storage device (1) has means with which a current inventory of one or more vending machines (5, 5') can be recorded that the goods storage device (1) has a control unit (4) via which the current inventory of the goods storage device (1) and at the same time the current inventory of one or more vending machines (5, 5 ') can be recorded.

Description

The invention is based on a mobile goods storage device according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Vending machines are used in particular for goods at risk of theft, such as tobacco products.

State of the art

The DE 10 2010 044 405 A1 shows a variety of vending machines positioned at different locations in a warehouse. The goods store of the respective vending machines must always be sufficiently filled so that a high turnover can be achieved.

The DE 10 2007 030 930 B4 shows a container system for the transport as well as for the presentation and storage of goods in retail stores, whereby the container triggers a signal when, for example, a defined product level is reached.

The DE 196 18 962 A1 shows a system for monitoring and refilling of vending machines, whereby the filling level of the individual goods stocks is determined with the help of sensors and reported with the help of remote data transmission to a control center, from which the replenishment of the goods stocks is initiated.

Task

The object of the invention is to facilitate the use of vending machines in department stores.

The object is achieved by the characterizing features of independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The mobile goods storage device proposed here is intended for filling vending machines in department stores. In addition, the goods storage device can be used to keep track of the inventory of several vending machines.

The mobile goods storage device has a goods storage device. Several goods are stored in the goods store. Goods can be removed and new goods can be put in again.

The goods storage device has means with which a current inventory can be recorded. This means that it is always known which different goods are in the goods store and how many of these goods (the number) are available.

As a rule, the goods storage device is filled with various goods at a first location. Then the goods storage device is brought to a vending machine in order to fill the goods memory of the vending machine with goods. The goods storage device has means of transport and can thus easily be moved to vending machines or drive autonomously to the vending machine.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the goods storage device has an interface to one or more vending machines. Via this interface, data can be transmitted bidirectionally between the mobile goods storage device and the vending machine. For example, the vending machine can independently request new goods from the goods storage device if this is necessary. For example, the mobile goods storage device knows the current inventory of the vending machine or several vending machines at the same time and can become active when a critical value is reached. The interface can be implemented via a network, which can also be accessed via the Internet, for example.

The goods storage device advantageously has means with which the current inventory of one or more vending machines can be recorded. This is, for example, a control unit that can calculate the current inventory of the vending machine (s). For this purpose, data can be made available to the control unit in various ways, for example via the interface described above.

The goods storage device preferably has means with which a current inventory of one or more vending machines can be recorded. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the goods storage device has a control unit, via which the current inventory of the goods storage device and, at the same time, the current inventory of one or more vending machines can be recorded. As a result, the inventory can be monitored or tracked by a supermarket operator, from the filling of the mobile goods storage device to the goods sold.

The means of locomotion are preferably wheels. The goods storage device ideally has a motor via which the Wheels are drivable. In this way, the goods storage device can be transported to a vending machine by the staff of the department store, preferably even autonomously, in a effortless manner.

A preferred use of the mobile goods storage device is described below. The sequence of the individual process steps is indicated here by small letters at the end of the respective process step.

The goods in question are delivered to the incoming goods area of a supermarket or other department store. Then the goods are filled into a goods store of a mobile goods storage device (a). Then the mobile goods storage device is guided to a vending machine or the goods storage device moves independently to the vending machine (b). Then goods are transferred from the goods store of the mobile goods storage device to a goods store of the vending machine (c). The current inventory of the goods storage device and the vending machine is then determined (d).

Alternatively, method step (a) can also be carried out as follows: The mobile goods storage device is already filled with goods and delivered to the supermarket or department store. The mobile goods storage devices are used as exchange vessels. Full goods storage devices are brought in and empty goods storage devices are taken away again.

In a preferred method, the goods storage device delivers goods to a first vending machine and determines the current inventory of the goods storage device and the first vending machine (e) and then the same goods storage device delivers goods to a second vending machine and determines the current inventory of the goods storage device and the second vending machine (f) .

Preferably, after goods have been filled from the goods store of the goods storage device into a goods store of a first and at least one second vending machine, the goods store of the goods storage device is filled (g). Then the mobile goods storage device is directly available again when a goods storage device of a vending machine reports a critical inventory.

Overall, it is advantageous if a system consisting of one or more mobile goods storage devices with one or more vending machines is networked with one another and all units can communicate with one another or exchange data. Such a system could work completely independently. The ordering and filling of goods could be carried out independently.

Figure list

• 1 eine Prinzipskizze einer mobilen Warenspeichervorrichtung und
• 2 eine Skizze der mobilen Warenspeichervorrichtung im bevorzugten Einsatz.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. Show it:

• 1 a schematic diagram of a mobile goods storage device and
• 2 a sketch of the mobile goods storage device in preferred use.

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for identical, but possibly not identical elements. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently.

The 1 shows the schematic diagram of a mobile goods storage device 1 . The device has several goods chutes 2 , 2 'on. The goods shafts can be designed differently and adapted to the geometry of the goods stored therein. Different goods can be stored in the goods shafts 3 , 3 ', 3'',3''' must be saved. The goods are only shown schematically here with a symbol. The goods shafts 2 together form the goods store 11 the mobile merchandise storage device 1 . The goods storage device has a control unit 4th on, which is preferably supplied with energy by a battery (not shown). The control unit also has at least one interface (not shown) to a vending machine 5 on. The control unit 4th can use the data already described above, such as the current stock of the goods storage device itself and the current stock of one or more vending machines 5 calculate and output. The data can be viewed via a touch screen 6th can be accessed. The touchscreen 6th can also be used to program the mobile goods storage device 1 to be used. Between the control unit 4th and the touchscreen 6th suitable data lines (not shown) are available. So that the mobile goods storage device 1 to a vending machine 5 can drive are on the goods storage device 1 bikes 7th appropriate.

In 2 it is outlined how the mobile goods storage device according to the invention is preferably used.

The goods 3 , 3 ', 3 ", 3"' are in the goods storage of the mobile goods storage device 1 stored. The mobile goods storage device 1 becomes a vending machine 5 led or the goods storage device 1 drives independently to the vending machine 5 (Arrow 8th ). Goods are transferred from the goods store of the mobile goods storage device to a goods store of the vending machine. The current inventory of the goods storage device 1 and the vending machine 5 is determined.

Then the same goods storage device delivers 1 Goods to a second vending machine 5 '(arrow 9 ). Now the current inventory of the goods storage device becomes 1 and the second vending machine 5 'determined. Other vending machines can also be filled according to the same pattern. All values determined are of course stored in the control unit of the mobile goods storage device 1 saved.

After the mobile goods storage device 1 the vending machines 5 '5' has filled up, the goods storage device moves 1 back to the starting point (arrow 10 ) and can be refilled with goods there centrally.

1. a. Waren (3, 3', 3'', 3''') werden in einen Warenspeicher (11) einer mobilen Warenspeichervorrichtung (1) gefüllt,
2. b. die mobile Warenspeichervorrichtung (1) wird zu einem Warenautomaten (5, 5') geführt oder die Warenspeichervorrichtung (1) fährt selbständig zu dem Warenautomaten (5, 5'),
3. c. aus dem Warenspeicher (11) der mobilen Warenspeichervorrichtung (1) werden Waren (3, 3', 3'', 3''') in einen Warenspeicher (11) des Warenautomaten (5, 5') umgefüllt,
4. d. der aktuelle Warenbestand der Warenspeichervorrichtung (1) und des Warenautomaten (5, 5') wird ermittelt.

The essence of the invention is briefly summarized again below: The invention relates to a mobile goods storage device ( 1 ) for a vending machine ( 5 , 5 '), where the goods storage device ( 1 ) a warehouse ( 11 ) in which several goods ( 3 , 3 ', 3'',3''') are stored, whereby the mobile goods storage device ( 1 ) has means with which a current stock of goods can be recorded and whereby the mobile goods storage device ( 1 ) has means of transport. The invention also relates to a method for operating a vending machine which has the following method steps in the specified order:

1. a. Were ( 3 , 3 ', 3'',3''') are stored in a goods store ( 11 ) a mobile goods storage device ( 1 ) filled,
2. b. the mobile goods storage device ( 1 ) becomes a vending machine ( 5 , 5 ') or the goods storage device ( 1 ) drives independently to the vending machine ( 5 , 5 '),
3. c. from the goods store ( 11 ) of the mobile goods storage device ( 1 ) are goods ( 3 , 3 ', 3'',3''') into a goods storage ( 11 ) of the vending machine ( 5 , 5 ') decanted,
4. d. the current inventory of the goods storage device ( 1 ) and the vending machine ( 5 , 5 ') is determined.

The invention offers the possibility of operating vending machines in supermarkets or the like more efficiently. In addition, the invention offers increased protection against theft.

List of reference symbols

1

Mobile goods storage device

2

Goods shaft

3

Would

4th

Control unit

5

Vending machine

6th

Touch screen

7th

wheel

8th

arrow

9

arrow

10

arrow

11

Goods storage

Claims (3)

Mobile goods storage device (1) for a vending machine (5, 5 '), - wherein the goods storage device (1) has a goods storage device (11) in which several goods (3, 3', 3 ", 3"') are stored - wherein the mobile goods storage device (1) has means with which a current stock of goods can be recorded - and wherein the mobile goods storage device (1) has means of locomotion. characterized in that the goods storage device (1) has an interface to one or more vending machines (5, 5 '), that the goods storage device (1) has means with which a current inventory of one or more vending machines (5, 5') can be recorded that the goods storage device (1) has a control unit (4) via which the current inventory of the goods storage device (1) and at the same time the current inventory of one or more vending machines (5, 5 ') can be recorded. Mobile goods storage device for a vending machine according to Claim 1 characterized in that the means of locomotion are wheels (7). Mobile goods storage device for a vending machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the goods storage device (1) has a motor with which the wheels (7) can be driven.

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