EP0490205B1 - Apparatus for storing and dispensing vending articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus is provided in particular for dispensing assembly and working materials of consumption or tools. It consists of an internal paternoster mechanism 19 with numerous rotatingly arranged compartment rows 17 which can be moved past a row 18 of removal doors. An input keyboard 24 for positioning the relevant compartment row in front of the door row also controls the unlocking of the door 13 assigned to the selected compartment. The dispensing device 11 is connected via a data teletransmission 26 to a data processing installation 33 which records the respective removal and possibly triggers reloading, invoicing etc. <IMAGE>

Description

Assembly and processing consumables or tools, e.g. B. screws, rivets or saw blades, are usually kept in closets or separate stores depending on the size of the processing companies. In addition to tying up capital for operations, this also requires warehouse management, or at least certain administrative measures to check inventory and reorder. Furthermore, there are often stocks of certain types which are too large and which are ultimately not used or are not used optimally.

Vending machines are already known, but are only suitable for dispensing a very small number of different products. In a known vending machine of this type (DE-OS 15 74 236), for example, eight storage levels are present, each storage level containing identical products.

In another device of this type (US-A-4 811 764), several rotatable magazines are arranged one above the other, each magazine also containing only a single product.

Mechanical cabinets in the paternoster design (DE-C2-30 48 394) are also known, in which a display system is used to indicate which compartment is a desired product. This compartment can be moved to a specific removal point. However, access to a large number of subjects is always possible here, so that such a device would not be suitable as a vending machine.

Also known is a vending machine that is connected to a central monitoring system via a telephone line (CH-A5-61 20 24). The central monitoring system is able to determine whether the vending machine has a fault or is empty. The goods are tickets, so that the vending machine must only have two types of goods, namely tickets and coins. The tickets are paid for before you withdraw them by entering coins.

The range of goods, namely banknotes, is also very limited for bank ATMs. Although billing is carried out here via a central office, this billing only requires billing of the value, but not additionally billing of a specific article.

A method and a system for treating consumer goods is already known (WO-A-8 804 085), in which an output device is connected to a central processing unit via remote control lines. If the dispenser is to be designed to dispense a large number of different goods, it requires a very large amount of space, since push-out devices are available for each individual compartment.

Another device for the delivery of goods (FR-A-2 562 293) is a device in which all goods have the same dimensions. These are stored in an endless loop in the device, so that access to a specific good takes a very long time. Information about each good is placed on a marking of the good itself.

Another delivery device (GB-A-1 565 552) contains a data transmission device to a central location, but no details are given about the output device itself.

A system for controlling several automatic goods dispensing devices (FR-A-2 551 898) uses a conventional dispensing device, as is customary in cigarette machines. A shaft contains a large number of identical goods, which of course also have the same price. Error conditions and the complete emptying of each shaft can be queried in the central system.

Another system for remote monitoring of vending machines (US-A-4 412 292) contains details of the control, but no information about the vending machine itself.

A paternoster-like arrangement of compartments in a sales facility is evident from US-A-3,556,284.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device for storing and dispensing sales units which avoids the disadvantages of this prior art and in particular simplifies the storage and accessibility of such materials.

This object is achieved by a device with the features mentioned in claim 1.

The sales units, for example screw boxes, can be contained in this output device, and the remote transmission means make it possible to monitor the removal and the stock from a remote control center. This results in a significant simplification in inventory control and subsequent loading of the output device. The respective stock can be optimally adapted to the needs determined by the control center on the respective output device and thus waiting or procurement times can be avoided. For companies, there is also the advantage that the sales units contained in the dispenser can still be the property of the supplier and the consumer company is only automatically calculated via the control center after the actual removal from the dispenser. The delivery company can also control the entire warehouse management via the company's headquarters for the company and carry out the replenishment according to the needs of the company without its own intervention. This also makes decentralized warehousing in larger companies easier and transport routes are avoided. The advantage for the supplier is that the sales staff is relieved of routine orders and is therefore increasingly available to advise the customer in special cases.

The output device contains a multiplicity of compartments for possibly different sales units, position means for moving at least one compartment into an output position, release means for releasing at least one positioned compartment for removal and signal generation means which generate signals depending on the output position and the removal, the remote transmission means transmitting the signals to a data processing system remote from the output device, in which the removal and the associated output position are registered.

The output device can be constructed in different ways. What is claimed is a paternoster-like arrangement of rows of compartments lying next to one another, which can be moved forwards and backwards by motor, so that they can be quickly moved into the correct position after a preselection, for example according to a color code and exact positioning using a number system. One of several adjacent doors is then unlocked so that the selected compartment can be opened. However, this can be controlled in such a way that release only takes place if the output device is released for removal from the control center and, for example, the compartment actually contains a sales unit. The removal, for example the opening and / or closing of the door, generates a signal that is registered together with the basic data of the output device and the position coding of the corresponding compartment in the central office, where it updates inventory and invoicing files.

The dispenser can be loaded at regular intervals or depending on consumption done independently. The feeder can bring the output device into a loading setting so that the replenishment of the inventory is also registered in a similar manner via the remote transmission.

The compartments of the dispenser can, for example, have a greater depth than the normal sales unit, so that usually two sales units can be accommodated therein, which are removed together. This then also allows larger sales units, for example a pack of saw blades, to be accommodated in the compartment.

The remote transmission can take place via a public data transmission network, for example the telephone network. One possibility is the so-called TEMEX transmission, which, after corresponding coding of the signals in a telecontrol device, transmits them via the telephone network to a Tele-TEMEX center, which, if necessary via a main control center, transmits them to the control center assigned to the data processing system, where they are be registered. In the same way, the retransmission of release or blocking signals, for example in the event of non-payment, etc.

The facility makes it possible to simplify and improve numerous work processes. The arrangement of a large number of compartments makes it possible to solve the problem of different consumption quantities by loading several compartments with the same sales units. The positioning device for the compartments and / or the release triggered after positioning can be made dependent on access authorization via a code number, a key, or the like. this could even be different for different subjects of the same output device, so that, for example, certain materials are only accessible to certain people. This can control the problem of wasting or stealing materials.

If several output devices are connected to the same remote transmission connection, an assignment is possible through different coding of the devices. As a special service, the head office can also provide the company with a precise list of the consumables so that its calculation is made easier.

It is also possible to adapt to changed requirements in the interaction between supplier and company, for example, by entering the standard parts contained in the parts lists and the quantities to be manufactured, the company enables optimal loading and, if the planning data changes, also enables an immediate adjustment. It would also be possible to automate the output on the part of the company by automatically opening and opening the correct compartments when entering a specific product identifier based on the saved parts list data.

These and other features of the invention emerge from the claims, the wording of which is incorporated by reference into the content of the description, and also from the description and the drawings, the scope of protection being determined by the claims, see Article 69 EPC and the associated interpretation protocol.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines Ausgabegerätes,

Fig. 2

eine Schemazeichnung mit Blockschaltbild eines Ausgabegerätes und seines Anschlusses,

Fig. 3

ein Blockschaltbild mehrerer über ein Datennetz an ein Datenverarbeitungs-Zentralgerät angeschlossene Ausgabegeräte,

Fig. 4

ein Detail an einem Ausgabegerät,

Fig. 5

die Anordnung einer Tür.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail below. Show it:

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic perspective view of an output device,

Fig. 2

a schematic drawing with a block diagram of an output device and its connection,

Fig. 3

2 shows a block diagram of a plurality of output devices connected to a data processing central device via a data network,

Fig. 4

a detail on an output device,

Fig. 5

the arrangement of a door.

Fig. 1 shows an output device 11 in the form of a cabinet, which has upper and lower viewing and loading doors 12 on its front side and has a row of adjacent, individually opening removal doors 13 at a medium, convenient removal height. These removal doors, which are also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, are flaps which have a viewing window insert in a frame and can be pivoted about a horizontal axis lying below. They have an electrically operated lock 14 (FIG. 2), which is located in the concealed axis area and is mechanically connected to a door signal transmitter 15 for opening or closing the removal door, for example a magnetic latch.

Inside the output device 11 are a plurality of compartments 16 in rows of eight, for example, side by side arranged. The compartment rows 17 combined into one unit are attached to an endlessly rotating paternoster mechanism 19, so that a large number of these rows 17 can be moved past the door row 18. For example, there can be 24 compartment rows 17 in the dispenser, which can be brought into the dispensing position 18 by a paternoster mechanism 19 (indicated in FIG. 2) via a reversible motor 20. Mechanics and motor together with a control device 21 form positioning means 22. The control device 21 works electronically, for example with a microcomputer and corresponding electronic or electromechanical output switching elements for the control of the motor, the locking and the like.

It receives signals from the door signal transmitters 15, possibly from a row signal transmitter 23 for the position of the individual compartment rows 17, from a keyboard 24 and from a telecontrol device 25, which belongs to telecommunication means 26, as well as feedback from the motor 20, if applicable gives signals on the one hand to a display panel 27, which belongs to the keyboard, to the motor, to the locks 14 and to the telecontrol device 25.

The remote transmission means 26 are shown schematically in FIG. 3. Several output devices 11 are each connected via a telecontrol device 25 to a TEMEX network connection 28, from where they are routed to the TEMEX control center 32 of a supplier via the normal postal telephone network 29, a TEMEX center and, if appropriate, a TEMEX central office 31 of the post office through which they are fed into a data processing system 33 of the supplier. The signals run back the same way.

Swiss Post's TEMEX system transmits data in an appropriately coded form over the telephone network. In the same way, the information can also be transmitted via BTX or dial-up modems.

It can be seen that a plurality of output devices 11 can also be connected to a remote control device.

The facility works as follows:
Each dispenser is loaded the first time with numerous different or the same sales units, namely via the upper and lower viewing and loading doors 12, which a customer service representative of the supplier z. B. can be opened with a key. In each of the 192 compartments, for example, which have a depth that is large compared to their width and height, two sales packs usually go, e.g. B. for screws, or a sales package for longer items. This feed is loaded according to a specific plan agreed with the consumer at whom the output device is located, which is either already recorded in the data processing terminal 33 of the supplier, or is entered by the loader via the keyboard and sent to the latter via the remote transmission means 26. Accordingly, a specific article is assigned to each subject. A compartment can also contain several packs of the same type or related items, for example screws and the associated nuts.

If there is a need for one of the articles at the consumer, he can, only after actuation of a key switch 36 or input of only certain people known code number, operate the output device. He can set the paternoster mechanism 19 in motion via a coarse preselection 37 in the form of keys for different zones, which are identified, for example, in color, or via an "up-down" keyboard 38, in order to select the corresponding group of articles from which he then creates one Fine selection can bring into the field of vision (doors 12). There he can make the exact selection based on the package labels and select the exact number of the compartment using a numeric keypad 39. The paternoster mechanism then, controlled by the control device, moves the compartment row 17 with the desired compartment behind the door row 18 and unlocks that of the doors behind which the compartment with the desired article stands by releasing the lock 14. The other doors remain locked.

The positioning can also be carried out without a rough preselection if the consumer already knows the relevant subject number or is given another way, for example on a drawing or a work instruction. The motor 20 drives the desired row of compartments as quickly as possible, i. H. the forward or backward position to the desired output position. There can also be a connection 50 for automatic entry of position information, e.g. B. from a data processing device 51 containing BOM data may be provided. For example, the user can enter the article number directly.

The control contained in the device, which not only contains an assignment between the compartment numbers and the articles, but also knows whether a particular article is still in the compartment, ensures that when a compartment is empty, the compartment is not positioned equal to the user indicates that the item is no longer available. Of course, this saves time.

With the unlocking, the positioning system is shut down. The consumer can then open the relevant compartment and remove the articles contained therein. When closing (or even when opening) the associated signal transmitter 15 triggers a removal signal which also makes the positioning device operational again when the door is closed. After appropriate conversion and coding in the control device and in the telecontrol device, the withdrawal signal is routed via the telephone network 29 to the control center, which represents only one switching point and separates the signal from telephone signals. In the main control center 31, the signal is assigned a subscriber identifier and possibly other data (location, time, or the like) before the correspondingly processed signal is sent to the data processing central unit 33 at the supplier via the control center 32. There the signals are processed, in particular the inventory of the respective output device is updated, a re-assembly message is issued if necessary and invoicing is initiated. A specific output device can also be blocked by the central processing unit.

It is possible to save the data in the device and to transmit them to the head office only at regular intervals, for example twice a week. Of course, this is done programmatically.

The device can also be designed in such a way that the data processing 33 causes only those subjects to be released which, according to the inventory report, are also released Articles included, although the consumer can usually recognize this himself.

It is generally possible to provide any remote data transmission.

It is possible for the consumer to change or delete the selection as long as the removal has not yet been confirmed by opening the door. In the event of a power failure or a shutdown of the device for other reasons, the control unit saves the current position or it is set up so that each time it is switched on, an initial position is automatically approached in the shortest possible way. When the device is refilled or serviced, a corresponding message is sent to the data processing central device 33 and the removal is blocked during the charging process.

The subsequent delivery takes place as follows. The head office determines at regular intervals which items are missing from a particular device and compiles a subsequent delivery. This contains the missing items in an order. The delivery note contains a list of the items that have been delivered, whereby the item number is also given for each item. The operator identifies himself to the machine with a check card or a secret number and starts filling the machine. She enters the compartment number on the delivery note on the control panel, which causes the machine in the filling mode to position this compartment number in the removal row and to unlock the door 14 assigned to the corresponding compartment. The filler opens this door and pushes the item on the delivery note through the open one Door in the compartment. The door is then closed again. When the door is closed, the automat receives in its control the display that the object in question is back in the compartment. This is repeated until the operator has processed the delivery note.

According to the invention, it can be provided in a further development that the assignment between subjects and articles stored in a memory can be changed on the spot, for which purpose suitable devices can be provided.

The display field 24 can also be expanded so that it corresponds to a complete display of a conventional computer screen, possibly also with a full keyboard. The operator can not only select the compartment number, but also enter the article number directly. The device can also support him by detecting input errors.

According to the invention, it can also be provided that the item number of an item not present in the device can be ordered from the control center by entering the item number. For this purpose, the device can contain, for example on a replaceable diskette, a list of all items available from the supplier. This order can be placed in the regularly occurring data transmission, so that the customer can save both a telephone call and a written order. The device can contain a printer connection or even a simple printer itself, with which a list of the orders or a list of the withdrawals can be printed out either each time or also on demand. This can lead to Assignment of withdrawals to individual cost centers can be useful.

The device can not only be set up directly at the consumer, but also, for example, in a publicly accessible place, where several users can then use the device. In this case, these users must identify themselves to the device, for example by means of a check card or the like. In this case, billing is then carried out for the customers identified by the check card or the like.

Fig. 5 shows a simplified representation of the way in which a door 13 can be secured against unwanted opening. The door 13 is attached to a rotatably mounted shaft 40. A tab 41 is used to open it. When the door 13 is closed, it is locked twice, once in the area of the underside and once in the area of the top. The shaft 40 contains a bore 41 into which a pin 43 actuated by an electromagnet 42 engages. The pin 43 is acted upon by a spring, for example, so that it is pressed into the bore 41 when the electromagnet 42 is de-energized. In the same way, a pin 44, only shown schematically, is provided on the upper side of the door 13 and also engages in an opening. The pin 44 can be raised by an electromagnet 45. In both cases it can be provided that the respective pin 43 or 44 can only be moved if the electromagnet 42 or 45 disengages a pawl or the like beforehand.

The electrical locking in such a way that only a maximum of one door 13 can be opened at a time only when the paternoster system is stationary is taken over by the electronic control of the device.

The individual compartments 16 of each compartment row are separated from one another by partitions 46. These partitions 46 extend so far to the front of the cabinet that the space between the front edges 47 of the partitions 46 and the door flap 13 of the adjacent door is not sufficient to remove objects from the adjacent compartment 16. The opened door 13 thus only allows access to the compartment 16 arranged directly behind it.

If the power fails when the door is open, the control of the device ensures that the information remains stored at the time of the power failure, so that work can continue at the same point after the power is switched on again. If the door is closed again during the power cut, it is also ensured that billing can still take place after the power is switched on again.

Due to the use of a paternoster, a very large number of different products can be accommodated in a small space. The arrangement of a row of doors 13 which are arranged next to one another and correspond to a row of compartments of the paternoster allows access to the entire contents of the paternoster. The ability to open only one door at a time actually allows access to a single compartment of the paternoster. This means that the available space is used optimally or only little space is required despite the large number of objects. This is important for the application described in the application, namely that the machine in the User stands, although the goods and the machine do not belong to the user.

Claims (14)

1. Apparatus for storing and delivering sale units (35), particularly assembly and machining expendable materials or tools with at least one delivery unit (11) connectable to long-range transmission means (26), which has a plurality of compartments (16) for optionally different sale units (35), release means (14) for the release of at least one compartment (16) for removal purposes and signal generating means (15, 23) which generate signals as a function of the delivery, the association between compartment (16) and the content of the compartment (16) being filed in a memory, which is preferably located in the delivery unit (11) and to which has access a control device (21) of the delivery unit (11), and the long-range transmission means (26) transmit the signals to a data processing central unit (33) remote from the delivery unit (11) and in which are recorded the removal and the associated delivery position, characterized in that the delivery unit has positioning means (22) in order to move at least one compartment (16) into a delivery position, the release means (14) are constructed for the release of a compartment (16) positioned by the positioning means (22), the signal generating means (15, 23) generates signals as a function of the removal of a sale unit (35) from the compartment moved into the delivery position by the positioning means (22) and on the delivery unit (11) compartments (16) are juxtaposed in paternoster-like manner in several compartment rows (17) and are preferably motor-movable by the shortest route and in two directions for controlling the delivery position, the filling of the apparatus taking place in a reverse way through the opened door (13) released by the release means (14) into the compartment (16) moved into the delivery position by the positioning means (22).
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory can be interrogated from the central unit by means of the data transmission network.
3. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning means and/or the memory is controllable via the article number.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the compartments (16) are constructed so as to successively contain several sale units (35).
5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the delivery unit (11) has on a front side a row of separately openable doors (13) in each case associated with a compartment row (17) and arranged perpendicular to the movement direction of the paternoster.
6. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning means (22) of the delivery unit (11) has selection means (24) for positioning at least one selected compartment (16) in a delivery position, optionally in addition to preselection means (37, 38) for positioning a larger number of compartments (16) in a viewing area.
7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning means (22) has a selection keyboard (39) and a display (27) for displaying the coding of the coded compartment (16).
8. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that there are release means (14) for unlocking the doors (13), only that door (13) being unlocked behind which is located the compartment with the desired article.
9. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that signal generating means (15) respond to door movements, particularly the opening and/or closing of the doors (13).
10. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a signal generated by the signal generating means (15) indicates an end of the removal process and makes the delivery unit (11) ready for a new removal cycle.
11. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the long-range transmission means (26) have a remote control unit (25) by means of which the delivery unit (11) is connected to a public data transmission network (29), e.g. a telephone network, the data transmission network optionally containing central units or exchanges (30, 31), e.g. a TEMEX exchange, which adds to the signals, optionally for the delivery unit (11) and/or the data processing central unit, specific and/or general data.
12. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, apart from the recording and further processing of the signals for producing an inventory and for billing, the data processing central unit generates an inhibit and/or enable signal and passes same via the long-range transmission means (26) to the delivery unit (11) for inhibiting individual compartments (16) or the complete delivery unit (11).
13. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on filling the delivery unit (11) filling signals are passed via the long-range transmission means (26) to the data processing central unit (33).
14. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a replaceable and/or overwritable memory with additional order information.

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