EP1892682A1

EP1892682A1 - Vending machine

Info

Publication number: EP1892682A1
Application number: EP07113466A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yukihiko Kabushikikaisha Sankusu Sugihara; Takao Kabushikikaisha Sankusu Matsuda
Original assignee: Across Wave Co Ltd
Current assignee: Across Wave Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-07-31
Filing date: 2007-07-30
Publication date: 2008-02-27
Also published as: KR20080012194A

Abstract

A vending machine comprises a generally box-shaped main body 2 in which an upper space 4 and a lower space are formed. In the upper space 4, a plurality of cassettes 6 for storing articles and a rotating shaft 5 extending vertically are disposed. Each of the cassettes 6 has a side wall which is partially opened or formed of a transparent member. At least the front side of the upper space 4 is covered with a transparent cover 3. The plurality of cassettes 6 store similar or different types of articles. A selection section 10 to be used to select an article by a purchaser of an article is provided on an outside of the main body 2. The main body 2 has an outlet 15 through which the article can be taken out.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vending machine capable of enhancing purchase intentions.

Background Art

Conventionally, vending machines have a machine body having a front side covered with a transparent cover, and articles are displayed inside the transparent cover so that purchasers can select one of the articles to purchase. However, simply displaying articles in vending machines is not much different from displaying articles in the storefront, and the customers' purchase intentions are not much different whether they are in the storefront or they are in front of vending machines.
On the other hand, since vending machines require no salesperson, the sellers can reduce labor cost. In addition, vending machines require only a small space and permit effective use of space. Therefore, encouraging customers to purchase from vending machines is more effective in terms of cost and space than encouraging customers to purchase from stores.
A vending machine simplified in housing structure and reduced in dimensions is disclosed in JP-B-3706923 . The vending machine has a rotary column storing articles along its circumference. When a purchaser makes a purchase, the rotary column is stopped and an article is discharged from a delivery port.
However, the vending machine disclosed in JP-B-3706923 , in which an article is simply delivered by an article delivery device at the time of sale, has no means for catching the eyes of the purchaser after the purchaser have selected an article. Also, the vending machine does not provide amusement to a purchaser when the purchaser makes a purchase and cannot enhance purchase intentions.
A vending machine capable of offering a game and a bonus article is disclosed in JP-A-2000-353272 . The vending machine is provided with a bonus device which offers a bonus article depending on the game outcome.
However, the vending machine does not have a means for catching the eyes of the purchaser after the selection of an article. In addition, the vending machine cannot enhance the purchaser's purchase intentions during selection of an article since the articles are displayed simply.
An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine overcoming the deficiencies of the prior art being capable of enhancing customers' purchase intentions.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention accordingly provides a vending machine, comprising:

a generally box-shaped main body in which an upper space and a lower space are formed on both sides of a base plate;
a plurality of cassettes for storing articles and a rotating shaft extending vertically, which are disposed in the upper space;
- the plurality of cassettes being arranged radially around the rotating shaft and rotatable about the rotating shaft;
- each of the cassettes having a side wall which is partially opened or formed of a transparent member, and a receiving plate at a lower end thereof on which the articles can be stacked on top of each other;
- each of the cassettes also having an article delivery section at a lower end thereof;
a motor for rotating the rotating shaft, a pusher arm configured to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and arm driving means for moving the pusher arm;
- the base plate having an opening through which the article pushed out of the cassettes falls;
a transparent cover covering at least a front side of the upper space;
- the plurality of cassettes storing similar or different types of articles; and
a selection section provided on an outside of the main body to be used to select an article by a purchaser of an article;
- the main body having an outlet through which the article having passed through the opening of the base plate can be taken out.

For the purpose of accomplishing the above object, the invention of Claim 2 provides a vending machine including: a generally box-shaped main body in which an upper space and a lower space are formed on both sides of a base plate; a plurality of cassettes for storing articles and a rotating shaft extending vertically, which are disposed in the upper space; the plurality of cassettes being arranged radially around the rotating shaft and rotatable about the rotating shaft; each of the cassettes having a side wall which is partially opened or formed of a transparent member, and a receiving plate at a lower end thereof on which the articles can be stacked on top of each other; each of the cassettes also having an article delivery section at a lower end thereof having an opening formed at a lower end of the front wall of the cassette and a cutout extending from a front edge of the receiving plate through the receiving plate into the back wall of the cassette; a motor for rotating the rotating shaft, a pusher arm configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and a delivery motor for rotating the pusher arm, which are disposed in the lower space; the base plate having an opening through which the pusher arm can pass and through which the article pushed out of the cassettes falls; a transparent cover covering at least a front side of the upper space; the plurality of cassettes storing similar or different types of articles; a selection section provided on an outside of the main body to be used to select an article by a purchaser of an article; the main body having an outlet through which the article having passed through the opening of the base plate can be taken out.
The invention of Claim 3 provides a vending machine including: a generally box-shaped main body in which an upper space and a lower space are formed on both sides of a base plate; a plurality of cassettes for storing articles and a rotating shaft extending vertically, which are disposed in the upper space; the plurality of cassettes being arranged radially around the rotating shaft and rotatable about the rotating shaft; each of the cassettes having a side wall which is partially opened or formed of a transparent member, and a receiving plate at a lower end thereof on which the articles can be stacked on top of each other; each of the cassettes also having an article delivery section at a lower end thereof having an opening formed at a lower end of the back wall of the cassette and a cutout extending from a rear edge of the receiving plate through the receiving plate into the front wall of the cassette; a motor for rotating the rotating shaft, a pusher arm configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and a delivery motor for rotating the pusher arm, which are disposed in the lower space; the base plate having an opening through which the pusher arm can pass and through which the article pushed out of the cassettes falls; a transparent cover covering at least a front side of the upper space; the plurality of cassettes storing similar or different types of articles; a selection section provided on an outside of the main body to be used to select an article by a purchaser of an article; the main body having an outlet through which the article having passed through the opening of the base plate can be taken out.
The invention of Claim 4 provides a vending machine including: a generally box-shaped main body in which an upper space and a lower space are formed on both sides of a base plate; a plurality of cassettes for storing articles and a rotating shaft extending vertically, which are disposed in the upper space; the plurality of cassettes being arranged radially around the rotating shaft and rotatable about the rotating shaft; each of the cassettes having a side wall which is partially opened or formed of a transparent member, and a receiving plate at a lower end thereof on which the articles can be stacked on top of each other; each of the cassettes also having an article delivery section at a lower end thereof having an opening formed at a lower end of the back wall of the cassette and a cutout extending from a rear edge of the receiving plate through the receiving plate into the front wall of the cassette; a motor for rotating the rotating shaft, a pusher arm configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and an arm driving unit for moving the pusher arm up and down, which are disposed in the lower space; the base plate having an opening through which the pusher arm can pass and through which the article pushed out of the cassettes falls; a transparent cover covering at least a front side of the upper space; the plurality of cassettes storing similar or different types of articles; and a selection section provided on an outside of the main body to be used to select an article by a purchaser of an article; the main body having an outlet through which the article having passed through the opening of the base plate can be taken out.
The invention of Claim 5 provides a vending machine including: a generally box-shaped main body in which an upper space and a lower space are formed on both sides of a base plate; a plurality of cassettes for storing articles and a rotating shaft extending vertically, which are disposed in the upper space; the plurality of cassettes being arranged radially around the rotating shaft and rotatable about the rotating shaft; each of the cassettes having a side wall which is partially opened or formed of a transparent member, and a receiving plate at a lower end thereof on which the articles can be stacked on top of each other; each of the cassettes also having an article delivery section at a lower end thereof having an opening formed at a lower end of the front wall of the cassette and a cutout extending from a front edge of the receiving plate through the receiving plate into the back wall of the cassette; a motor for rotating the rotating shaft, a pusher arm configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and an arm driving unit for moving the pusher arm up and down, which are disposed in the lower space; the base plate having an opening through which the pusher arm can pass and through which the article pushed out of the cassettes falls; a transparent cover covering at least a front side of the upper space; the plurality of cassettes storing similar or different types of articles; and a selection section provided on an outside of the main body to be used to select an article by a purchaser of an article; the main body having an outlet through which the article having passed through the opening of the base plate can be taken out.
The invention of Claim 6 provides a vending machine including: a generally box-shaped main body in which an upper space and a lower space are formed on both sides of a base plate; a plurality of cassettes for storing articles and a rotating shaft extending vertically, which are disposed in the upper space; the plurality of cassettes being arranged radially around the rotating shaft and rotatable about the rotating shaft; each of the cassettes having a side wall which is partially opened or formed of a transparent member, and a receiving plate at a lower end thereof on which the articles can be stacked on top of each other; each of the cassettes also having an article delivery section at a lower end thereof having an opening formed at a lower end of the front wall of the cassette and a horizontal cutout extending from a side wall of the cassette extending from the opening into the back wall of the cassette; a pusher arm disposed in the upper space and configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and a delivery motor disposed in the upper or lower space for rotating the pusher arm horizontally; the base plate having an opening through which the article pushed out of the cassettes falls; a transparent cover covering at least a front side of the upper space; the plurality of cassettes storing similar or different types of articles; a motor disposed in the lower space for rotating the rotating shaft; and a selection section provided on an outside of the main body to be used to select an article by a purchaser of an article; the main body having an outlet through which the article having passed through the opening of the base plate can be taken out.
The invention of Claim 7 provides a vending machine including: a generally box-shaped main body in which an upper space and a lower space are formed on both sides of a base plate; a plurality of cassettes for storing articles and a rotating shaft extending vertically, which are disposed in the upper space; the plurality of cassettes being arranged radially around the rotating shaft and rotatable about the rotating shaft; each of the cassettes having a side wall which is partially opened or formed of a transparent member, and a receiving plate at a lower end thereof on which the articles can be stacked on top of each other; each of the cassettes also having an article delivery section at a lower end thereof having an opening formed at a lower end of the back wall of the cassette and a horizontal cutout extending from a side wall of the cassette extending from the opening into the front wall of the cassette; a pusher arm disposed in the upper space and configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and a delivery motor disposed in the upper or lower space for rotating the pusher arm horizontally; the base plate having an opening through which the article pushed out of the cassettes falls; a transparent cover covering at least a front side of the upper space; the plurality of cassettes storing similar or different types of articles; a motor disposed in the lower space for rotating the rotating shaft; and a selection section provided on an outside of the main body to be used to select an article by a purchaser of an article; the main body having an outlet through which the article having passed through the opening of the base plate can be taken out.
The invention of Claim 8 provides a vending machine including: a generally box-shaped main body in which an upper space and a lower space are formed on both sides of a base plate; a plurality of cassettes for storing articles and a rotating shaft extending vertically, which are disposed in the upper space; the plurality of cassettes being arranged radially around the rotating shaft and rotatable about the rotating shaft; each of the cassettes having a side wall which is partially opened or formed of a transparent member, and a receiving plate at a lower end thereof on which the articles can be stacked on top of each other; each of the cassettes also having an article delivery section at a lower end thereof having an opening formed at a lower end of the back wall of the cassette and a horizontal cutout extending from a side wall of the cassette extending from the opening into the front wall of the cassette; a pusher arm configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and an arm driving unit for moving the pusher arm back and forth horizontally, which are disposed in the upper space; the base plate having an opening through which the article pushed out of the cassettes falls; a transparent cover covering at least a front side of the upper space; the plurality of cassettes storing similar or different types of articles; a motor disposed in the lower space for rotating the rotating shaft; and a selection section provided on an outside of the main body to be used to select an article by a purchaser of an article; the main body having an outlet through which the article having passed through the opening of the base plate can be taken out.
The invention of Claim 9 provides a vending machine including: a generally box-shaped main body in which an upper space and a lower space are formed on both sides of a base plate; a plurality of cassettes for storing articles and a rotating shaft extending vertically, which are disposed in the upper space; the plurality of cassettes being arranged radially around the rotating shaft and rotatable about the rotating shaft; each of the cassettes having a side wall which is partially opened or formed of a transparent member, and a receiving plate at a lower end thereof on which the articles can be stacked on top of each other; each of the cassettes also having an article delivery section at a lower end thereof having an opening formed at a lower end of the front wall of the cassette and a horizontal cutout extending from a side wall of the cassette extending from the opening into the back wall of the cassette; a pusher arm configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and an arm driving unit for moving the pusher arm back and forth horizontally, which are disposed in the upper space; the base plate having an opening through which the article pushed out of the cassettes falls; a transparent cover covering at least a front side of the upper space; the plurality of cassettes storing similar or different types of articles; a motor disposed in the lower space for rotating the rotating shaft; and a selection section provided on an outside of the main body to be used to select an article by a purchaser of an article; the main body having an outlet through which the article having passed through the opening of the base plate can be taken out.
The invention of Claim 10 provides the invention of any one of Claims 1 to 9, in which a film material is adhered to inner surfaces of the cassettes. The invention of Claim 11 provides the invention of any one of Claims 1 to 10, in which guide plates protruding in a direction in which an article is pushed out are formed at both sides of the article delivery section.
The invention of Claim 12 provides the invention of any one of Claims 1 to 11, in which each of the cassettes has a sample supporting frame for containing a sample of articles stored therein on an outer wall thereof.
The invention of Claim 13 provides the invention of any one of Claims 1 to 12, further including: a game operation section, provided on an outside of the main body, with which the purchaser can play a game when making a purchase of an article; a display section disposed in the upper space for displaying the progress of the game; and a control section disposed in the main body and capable of increasing the number of times the purchaser is allowed to select an article depending on the outcome of the game.
The invention of Claim 14 provides the invention of Claim 13, in which the game is scissors-paper-stone.
According to the various aspects of the invention, the cassettes containing a multiplicity of articles rotate about the rotating shaft, and the rotational motion, which is visible by the purchaser through the transparent cover, catches the eyes of the purchaser and enhances purchase intentions. Also, since each cassette has a side wall partially opened vertically or formed of a transparent member, the purchaser can certainly recognize whether or not the articles are in the cassette. In addition, since the article pushed out of the cassette falls and passes through the opening, it further catches the eyes of the purchaser. Therefore, since the articles are rotating when the purchaser selects an article and the selected article falls and is delivered to the purchaser, the purchaser does not get bored during a series of steps at the time of purchase. As a result, the vending machine has an effect of enhancing purchase intentions as a whole.
According to the invention of Claim 10, a film material is adhered to inner surfaces of the cassettes. Therefore, when the articles are filled in the cassette, the articles are not caught in the cassette on the way and the filling the cassette with articles can be smoothly carried out.
According to the invention of Claim 11, guide plates protruding in a direction in which an article is pushed out are formed at both sides of the article delivery section. Therefore, when a purchaser purchases an article and the article is pushed out, the article can be reliably directed into the opening of the base plate.
According to the invention of Claim 12, each cassette has a sample supporting frame for containing a sample of articles stored therein on an outer wall thereof. Therefore, the purchaser can select an article with reference to the samples placed in the sample supporting frames through the transparent cover and can decide carefully before purchase.
According to the invention of Claim 13, a game operation section with which the purchaser can play a game when making a purchase of an article is provided on an outside of the main body and a display section for displaying the progress of the game is disposed in the upper space. Since the purchaser can play a game every time purchasing an article, purchase for the purpose of the game, in addition to purchase of an article for the purpose of use or consumption, is promoted. Therefore, customers are encouraged to purchase from the vending machine. In addition, since a control section capable of increasing the number of times the purchaser is allowed to select an article depending on the outcome of the game is provided, the customers' purchase intentions are further enhanced.
According to the invention of Claim 14, since the game is scissors-paper-stone, which is familiar to everybody, the customers are not limited and anybody can readily play the game and make a purchase.
The invention provides a vending machine, including: a generally box-shaped main body in which an upper space and a lower space are formed on both sides of a base plate; a plurality of cassettes for storing articles and a rotating shaft extending vertically, which are disposed in the upper space; the plurality of cassettes being arranged radially around the rotating shaft and rotatable about the rotating shaft; each of the cassettes having a receiving plate at a lower end thereof on which the articles can be stacked on top of each other; each of the cassettes also having an article delivery section at a lower end thereof having an opening formed at a lower end of the front wall of the cassette and a cutout extending from a front edge of the receiving plate through the receiving plate into the back wall of the cassette; a motor for rotating the rotating shaft, a pusher arm configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and a delivery motor for rotating the pusher arm, which are disposed in the lower space; the base plate having an opening through which the pusher arm can pass and through which the article pushed out of the cassettes falls; a transparent cover covering at least a front side of the upper space; the plurality of cassettes storing similar or different types of articles; and a selection section provided on an outside of the main body to be used to select an article by a purchaser of an article; the main body having an outlet through which the article having passed through the opening of the base plate can be taken out.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an upper space of the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the joint structure between a rotating shaft and a cassette in the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the general configuration of the cassette in the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7(A), FIG. 7(B) and FIG. 7(C) are a top plan view, a side view, and a front view, respectively, of the cassette in the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating the mechanism by which an article is pushed out of a cassette in the first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the general configuration of the cassette in a second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an upper space of the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the state immediately before an article is pushed out of a cassette in the second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 12 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the state during the process of pushing an article out of a cassette in the second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 13 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the state immediately before an article is pushed out of a cassette in the case where the cassette is constructed in a mirror symmetrical fashion in the second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 14 is a front view of a vending machine according to a third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 15 is a side view of the vending machine according to the third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 16 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the vending machine according to the third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 17 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an upper space of the vending machine according to the third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating the general configuration of the cassette in the third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 19(A), FIG. 19(B) and FIG. 19(C) are a top plan view, a side view, and a front view, respectively, of the cassette in the third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 20 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the state immediately before an article is pushed out of a cassette in the third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 21 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the state during the process of pushing an article out of a cassette in the third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 22 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the state immediately before an article is pushed out of a cassette in the case where the cassette is constructed in a mirror symmetrical fashion in the third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating the general configuration of the cassette in a fourth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 24 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an upper space of the vending machine according to the fourth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 25 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the state during the process of pushing an article out of a cassette in the fourth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 26 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the state immediately before an article is pushed out of a cassette in the case where the cassette is constructed in a mirror symmetrical fashion in the fourth embodiment of the invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

1:: vending machine
2:: main body
3:: transparent cover
4:: upper space
5:: rotating shaft
6:: cassette
7:: top plate
8:: light bulb
9:: operation panel
10:: selection section
11:: game operation section
12:: display section
13:: coin slot
14:: loudspeaker
15:: article outlet
16:: caster
17:: height-adjusting leg
18:: control section
19:: receiving plate
19a:: bent edge
20:: open section
21:: open section
22:: cutout
23:: transparent film
24:: guide plate
25:: article delivery section
26:: sample supporting frame
27:: support arm
27a, 27b:: upwardly-bent end of support arm
28:: base plate
29:: lower space
30:: motor
31:: pusher arm
32:: delivery motor
33:: opening
34:: screw
35:: butterfly nut
36:: female member
37:: article
38:: discharge passage
41:: pusher arm
42:: arm driving unit
43:: pusher arm
44:: delivery motor
45:: cutout
46:: pusher arm
47:: arm driving unit

Detailed Description of the Invention

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.
As shown in the drawings, a vending machine 1 according to the invention has a main body 2 having a generally box-shaped configuration, and an upper part of the front side and upper parts of the lateral sides of the main body 2 are covered with a transparent cover 3. In a sealed upper space 4 covered with the transparent cover 3 in the main body 2, a rotating shaft 5 extending vertically and cassettes 6 connected to the rotating shaft 5 for storing articles are disposed. A top plate 7 and a light bulb 8 disposed through the top plate 7 are located above the upper space 4.
An operation panel 9 is positioned halfway up the outside of the main body 2. The operation panel 9 has a selection section 10 having a plurality of buttons for use in selecting an article and a game operation section 11 having a plurality of buttons for use in playing a game. The progress of the game is displayed on a display section 12 having a liquid crystal display in the upper space 4. The game is scissors-paper-stone, for example, and, in this case, the game operation section 11 has three buttons for stone, scissors and paper. In the original game of the scissors-paper-stone, Each player or participant shapes one hand either into a fist (a stone),open flat (paper) or with second and third fingers apart (to look like scissors). On the shout of "Janken-pon", all of the players show their hands all together. Stone wins over scissors because a stone is stronger than scissors. Scissors wins over paper because scissors cut paper. Paper wins over stone because paper wraps a stone.
A coin slot 13, a loudspeaker 14, and an article outlet 15 are arranged in a lower part of the front side of the main body 2. Casters 16 and height-adjusting legs 17 are attached to the lower end of the main body 2. The casters 16 allow the main body 2 to be moved easily. When the height-adjusting legs 17 are elongated beyond the casters 16, the main body 2 can be firmly fixed on the ground.
To purchase an article, the purchaser inserts coins into the coin slot 13. Then, the cassettes 6 rotate about the rotating shaft 5. The purchaser first presses one of the buttons in the game operation section 11. Then, the "weapon" of scissors-paper-stone of the virtual opponent selected at random by a computer is displayed on the display section 12, and the outcome of the game is determined. When the purchaser is the winner, the purchaser is allowed to select an article twice. When the purchaser is the loser, the purchaser is allowed to select an article once. The number of times the purchaser is allowed to make a selection depending on the outcome of the game is controlled by a control section 18 in the main body 2. The purchaser selects an article and presses a button for the article in the selection section 10. Then, the purchaser takes the article from the article outlet 15.
As described above, when a purchaser purchases an article, the cassettes 6 containing articles rotate about the rotating shaft 5. The rotational motion, which is visible by the purchaser through the transparent cover 3, catches the eyes of the purchaser and enhances his/her purchase intentions. Also, since the game function is provided, purchase for the purpose of the game, in addition to purchase of an article for the purpose of use or consumption, is promoted and purchase intentions are enhanced also in this respect. In addition, since the control section 18, which can increase the number of times the purchaser is allowed to select an article depending on the outcome of the game, is provided in the main body 2, the customers' purchase intentions are further enhanced. When the game is scissors-paper-stone, which is familiar to everybody, the customers are not limited and anybody can readily play the game and make a purchase.
FIG. 3 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the vending machine according to the invention, and FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the upper space thereof.
The inside of the main body 2 is partitioned into an upper space 4 and a lower space 29 by a base plate 28. The cassettes 6 are arranged radially around the rotating shaft 5 in the upper space 4 and rotatably supported by the rotating shaft 5 via support arms 27. The rotating shaft 5 is rotated by a motor 30 housed in the lower space 29. A pusher arm 31 for pushing an article out of an articles delivery section 25 (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) of one of the cassettes 6 and a delivery motor 32 for rotating the pusher arm 31 are also disposed in the lower space 29. The article pushed out of a cassette 6 falls through an opening 33 formed through the base plate 28.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the joint structure between the rotating shaft and a cassette.
Each cassette 6 is connected to the rotating shaft 5 at upper and lower points via the support arms 27. The upper joint is secured by inserting a screw 34 provided on a side wall of the cassette 6 through a cut-out opening formed through an upwardly-bent end 27a of the corresponding support arm 27, threading a butterfly nut 35 onto the screw 34 protruding from the cut-out opening formed through the upwardly-bent end 27a, and fastening the butterfly nut 35. The lower joint is secured by inserting an upwardly-bent end 27b of the corresponding support arm 27 into a female member 36 provided on the side wall of the cassette 6 and opening downward.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a cassette, and FIG. 7(A), FIG. 7(B) and FIG. 7(C) are a top plan view, a side view and a front view, respectively, of the cassette.
The cassette 6 is of a generally rectangular shape with a longer side extending vertically, and has a front wall partially opened to form an open section 20 extending from top to bottom thereof. One of the side walls is also partially opened to form open sections 21. Because of the open sections 20 and 21, the purchaser can certainly recognize whether or not the articles are in the cassette 6. A sensor may be provided at a position on the base plate 28 over which the cassettes 6 pass when rotating about the rotating shaft 5 to display in the selection section 10 whether there are the articles or not. One possible example of the sensor is an optical sensor capable of detecting light passing through openings formed through side walls of the articles delivery section 25, which is described later, to detect whether there are articles or not. The cassettes may have a rectangular cylindrical shape. The cassettes 6 have an inner cross-sectional shape which is similar to and slightly larger than the transverse cross-sectional shape of the articles to be stored therein. Cassettes 6 with different cross-sectional shapes and sizes are selectively used depending on the shape of the articles to be stored therein.
Each cassette 6 has a receiving plate 19 at its lower end, and the articles are placed on the receiving plate 19. The entire lower end of the front wall of the cassette 6 is opened, and the side walls of the cassette 6 have guide plates 24 protruding forward. A space surrounded by the receiving plate 19, the opening of the front wall and the side walls forms the article delivery section 25. The height of the front opening of the article delivery section 25 is slightly larger than the height of the articles to be stored. The mechanism by which an article is pushed out of the article delivery section 25 is described later (see FIG. 3). The articles are stacked on top of each other along the inner surfaces of the cassette 6 and stored in the cassette 6. The front end of the receiving plate 19 are bent upward to form a bent edge 19a in order to prevent the articles from falling out by vibration caused by the rotation of the cassettes 6 and so on. Each cassette 6 has a cutout 22 extending from the front end of the receiving plate 19 into the back wall of the cassette 6. The pusher arm 31 (see FIG. 3) travels through the cutout 22.
A film 23 is adhered to inner surfaces of each cassette 6. The film 23 is made of a resin and has a low friction coefficient. The film 23 covers the open sections 21 from inside. Therefore, when the articles are filled in the cassette 6, the articles are not caught in the cassette 6 on the way and the filling the cassette with articles can be smoothly carried out. Also, every time the lowermost article is pushed out, the remaining articles smoothly fall in the cassette 6.
Each cassette 6 has a sample supporting frame 26 on which a sample of the articles stored in the cassette 6 can be placed on one side wall thereof. Therefore, the purchaser can select an article with reference to the samples placed in the sample supporting frames 26 and decide carefully before purchase.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mechanism by which an article is pushed out of a cassette.
As described before, articles 37 are stored in a stacked condition in each cassette 6. The lowermost article 37 in a cassette 6, that is, the article 37 in the article delivery section 25 is pushed out by the pusher arm 31. The pusher arm 31 is rotated in the arrow R direction by a delivery motor 32, and travels in the opening 33 formed through the base plate 28 to push the article 37 out of the cassette 6. At this time, the pusher arm 31 travels through the cutout 22 (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) of the cassette 6 and pushes the article forward from behind. The article 37 pushed out passes through the opening 33 and falls through a discharge passage 38 below the opening 33 in the arrow D direction. The guide plates 24 are provided on both sides of the article delivery section 25 to ensure that the article passes through the opening 33. The discharge passage 38 is communicated to the article outlet 15 (see FIG. 1).
With the above mechanism, when an article purchaser presses an article selecting button 10 (see FIG. 1), the cassettes 6 are rotated by the motor 30 until the cassette 6 storing the selected article reaches a position in front of the opening 33 of the base plate 28. Then, the delivery motor 32 rotates and the pusher arm 31 enters the article delivery section 25 through the cutout 22 formed through the back wall of the cassette 6 to push the lowermost article 37 out of the cassette 6. As described above, an article intended by the purchaser is sold. When the lowermost article 37 is pushed out by the pusher arm 31 as above, the articles 37 on top of it fall in the cassette 6 and received by the receiving plate 19.
Although the opening of the article delivery section 25 is on the front side of the cassette 6, the opening may be located on the back side of the cassette 6 as shown in FIG. 9. In this case, the rear end of the receiving plate 19 is bent upward to form an upwardly-bent edge 19a, and the two guide plates 24 protrude backward. Then, when the pusher arm 31 is rotated in the opposite direction, the article is pushed out of the article delivery section 25.
A vending machine 1 according to the second embodiment is the same in structure as the vending machine 1 according to the first embodiment except for the pusher arm and the driving unit for the pusher arm. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the opening 33 is formed through a front part of the base plate 28, and a pusher arm 41 and an arm driving unit 42 (see FIG. 11 and FIG. 12) for projecting and retracting the pusher arm 41 are located on one side in the opening 33. The pusher arm 41 can be projected vertically upward beyond the opening 33 (beyond the base plate 28). The opening of the article delivery section 25 is formed on the back side of the cassette 6 as shown in FIG. 9. The arm driving unit 42 may be a type in which rotation of a motor is converted into linear motion by a combination of a gear and a rack or the like or a cylinder-piston type driving unit.
When an article purchaser presses an article selecting button 10 (see FIG. 1), the cassettes 6 are rotated by the motor 30 until the cassette 6 storing the selected article reaches a position above the opening 33 of the base plate 28. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the arm driving unit 42 drives the pusher arm 41 to project generally vertically in front of the lower end of the cassette 6. When the pusher arm 51 is projected, the cassettes 6 are rotated again by the motor 30, and the pusher arm 41, which remains stationary, enters the article delivery section 25 of the cassette 6, which is rotating, through the cutout 22 formed through the front wall and the bottom wall (receiving plate 19) thereof to push the lowermost article 37 out of the article delivery section 25 of the cassette 6 as shown in FIG. 12. Then, the cassette 6 stops at a position away from the opening 33 (not shown). The article 37 pushed out passes through the opening 33, falls through the discharge passage 38 below the opening 33, and reaches the article outlet 15 (see FIG. 1). As described above, an article intended by the purchaser is sold.
In this second embodiment, the cassettes 6 may be oriented as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. In this case, when the cassette 6 reaches a position above the opening 33, the pusher arm 41 is vertically projected behind the lower end of the cassette 6 as shown in FIG. 13 and the cassettes 6 are rotated in the opposite direction so that the article can be pushed out from the front side of the cassette 6. Also, although the pusher arm 41 is projected from the opening 33, the invention is not limited thereto. The pusher arm 41 may be projected upward beyond the base plate 28 through a hole formed through the base plate 28 at a position close to the opening 33.
FIG. 14 is a front view of a vending machine according to a third embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 15 is a side view thereof.
As shown in the drawings, a vending machine 1 according to the invention has a main body 2 having a generally box-shaped configuration, and an upper part of the front side and upper parts of the lateral sides of the main body 2 are covered with a transparent cover 3 as in the case with the vending machine 1 of the first embodiment. In a sealed upper space 4 covered with the transparent cover 3 in the main body 2, a rotating shaft 5 extending vertically and cassettes 6 connected to the rotating shaft 5 for storing articles are disposed. A top plate 7 and a light bulb 8 disposed through the top plate 7 are located above the upper space 4.
An operation panel 9 is positioned halfway up the outside of the main body 2. The operation panel 9 has a selection section 10 having a plurality of buttons for use in selecting an article and a game operation section 11 having a plurality of buttons for use in playing a game. The progress of the game is displayed on a display section 12 having a liquid crystal display in the upper space 4. The game is scissors- paper-stone, for example, and, in this case, the game operation section 11 has three buttons for stone, scissors and paper.
A coin slot 13, a loudspeaker 14, and an article outlet 15 are arranged in a lower part of the front side of the main body 2. Casters 16 and height-adjusting legs 17 are attached to the lower end of the main body 2. The casters 16 allow the main body 2 to be moved easily. When the height-adjusting legs 17 are elongated beyond the casters 16, the main body 2 can be firmly fixed on the ground.
To purchase an article, the purchaser inserts coins into the coin slot 13. Then, the cassettes 6 rotate about the rotating shaft 5. The purchaser first presses one of the buttons in the game operation section 11. Then, the "weapon" of scissors- paper-stone of the virtual opponent selected at random by a computer is displayed on the display section 12, and the outcome of the game is determined. When the purchaser is the winner, the purchaser is allowed to select an article twice. When the purchaser is the loser, the purchaser is allowed to select an article once. The number of times the purchaser is allowed to make a selection depending on the outcome of the game is controlled by a control section 18 in the main body 2. The purchaser selects an article and presses a button for the article in the selection section 10. Then, the purchaser takes the article from the article outlet 15.
As described above, when a purchaser purchases an article, the cassettes 6 containing articles rotate about the rotating shaft 5. The rotational motion, which is visible by the purchaser through the transparent cover 3, catches the eyes of the purchaser and enhances his/her purchase intentions. Also, since the game function is provided, purchase for the purpose of the game, in addition to purchase of an article for the purpose of use or consumption, is promoted and purchase intentions are enhanced also in this respect. In addition, since the control section 18, which can increase the number of times the purchaser is allowed to select an articles depending on the outcome of the game, is provided in the main body 2, the customers' purchase intentions are further enhanced. When the game is scissors-paper-stone, which is familiar to everybody, the customers are not limited and anybody can readily play the game and make a purchase.
FIG. 16 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the vending machine according to the invention, and FIG. 17 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the upper space thereof.
The inside of the main body 2 is partitioned into an upper space 4 and a lower space 29 by a base plate 28. The cassettes 6 are arranged radially around the rotating shaft 5 in the upper space 4 and rotatably supported by the rotating shaft 5 via the support arms 27. The rotating shaft 5 is rotated by a motor 30 housed in the lower space 29. A pusher arm 43 for pushing an article out of an articles delivery section 25 (see FIG. 18 and FIG. 19) of one of the cassettes 6 and a delivery motor 44 for rotating the pusher arm 43 are also disposed in the upper space 4. The article pushed out of a cassette 6 falls through an opening 33 formed through the base plate 28.
The joint structure between the rotating shaft and the cassettes in the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a cassette, and FIG. 19(A), FIG. 19(B) and FIG. 19(C) are a top plan view, a side view and a front view, respectively, of the cassette. The cassette 6 is the same in structure as the cassette 6 of the first embodiment except for the position of the cutout 45, through which the pusher arm 43 travels.
That is, the cassette 6 has a horizontal cutout 45 extending from a side wall of the cassette 6 extending from an opening at the lower end of the front wall thereof into the back wall thereof. The pusher arm 43(see FIG. 16) travels through the cutout 45. Because of the cutout 45, the height of one of the guide plates 24 is lower than that of the other guide plate 24.
FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 are a schematic plan view and a schematic vertical cross-sectional view, respectively, illustrating the mechanism by which an article is pushed out of a cassette.
As described before, articles 37 are stored in a stacked condition in each cassette 6. The lowermost article 37 in a cassette 6, that is, the article 37 in the article delivery section 25 is pushed out by the pusher arm 43. The pusher arm 43 protrudes horizontally from a delivery motor 44 located beside the opening 33 of the base plate 28, and is rotated horizontally in the arrow R direction by the delivery motor 44 to push out the article 37. At this time, the pusher arm 43 travels through the cutout 45 (see FIG. 18 and FIG. 19) of the cassette 6 and pushes the article 37 forward from behind. The article 37 pushed out passes through the opening 33 and falls through a discharge passage 38 below the opening 33. The guide plates 24 are provided on both sides of the article delivery section 25 to ensure that the article passes through the opening 33. The discharge passage 38 is communicated to the article outlet 15 (see FIG. 14). The pusher arm 43 may be rotatable by a definite angle and reciprocable within the range. When there is a space, the pusher arm 43 may be rotatable in one direction by 360 degrees.
With the above mechanism, when an article purchaser presses an article selecting button 10 (see FIG. 14), the cassettes 6 are rotated by the motor 30 until the cassette 6 storing the selected article reaches a position above the opening 33 of the base plate 28. Then, the delivery motor 44 rotates and the pusher arm 43 enters the article delivery section 25 through the cutout 45 formed through the back wall and a side wall of the cassette 6 to push the lowermost article 37 out of the cassette 6. As described above, an article intended by the purchaser is sold.
Although the opening of the article delivery section 25 is formed on the front side of the cassette 6, the opening may be formed on the back side of the cassette 6 as shown in FIG. 22. In this case, the rear end of the receiving plate 19 is bent upward to form an upwardly-bent edge 19a, and the two guide plates 24 protrude backward. When the cassette 6 stops rotating above the opening 33 of the base plate 28, the pusher arm 43 is rotated in the opposite direction as shown in FIG. 22. Then, the pusher arm 43 travels through the cutout 45, and the article 37 is pushed out of the article delivery section 25, passes through the opening 33 and falls through the discharge passage 38.
A vending machine 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention is the same in structure as the vending machine 1 according to the third embodiment except for the cassettes 6, the pusher arm 43, and the delivery motor 44. The vertically extending open section 20, the guide plates 24 and the opening of the article delivery section 25 of the cassette 6 in the fourth embodiment are in mirror image relation to those of the cassette 6 in the third embodiment as shown in FIG. 23, and each of the components are the same in construction as those of the third embodiment. Also, as shown in FIG. 24, a pusher arm 46 and an arm driving unit 47 for moving the pusher arm 46 back and forth are located beside the opening 33 of the base plate 28. The pusher arm 46 can be horizontally projected above the opening 33. The arm driving unit 47 may be a type in which rotation of a motor is converted into linear motion by a combination of a gear and a rack or the like or a cylinder-piston type driving unit.
When an article purchaser presses an article selecting button 10 (see FIG. 14), the cassettes 6 are rotated by the motor 30 until the cassette 6 storing the selected article reaches a position above the opening 33 of the base plate 28. Then, the arm driving unit 47 drives the pusher arm 46 to project generally horizontally in front of the lower end of the cassette 6. When the pusher arm 46 is projected, the cassettes 6 are rotated again by the motor 30, and the pusher arm 46, which remains stationary, enters the article delivery section 25 of the cassette 6, which is rotating, through the cutout 45 formed through the front wall and a side wall of the cassette 6 to push the lowermost article 37 out of the article delivery section 25 of the cassette 6 as shown in FIG. 25. Then, the cassette 6 stops at a position away from the opening 33. The article 37 pushed out passes through the opening 33, falls through the discharge passage 38 below the opening 33, and reaches the article outlet 15 (see FIG. 14). As described above, an article intended by the purchaser is sold.
In this fourth embodiment, the opening of the article delivery section 25 may be formed at the lower end of the front wall of the cassette as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19. In this case, when the cassette 6 reaches a position above the opening 33, the pusher arm 46 is horizontally projected behind the lower end of the cassette 6 as shown in FIG. 26 and the cassettes 6 are rotated in the opposite direction so that the article 37 can be pushed out from the front side of the cassette 6.
The invention is applicable to vending machines for selling various types of articles.

Claims

A vending machine, comprising:
a generally box-shaped main body in which an upper space and a lower space are formed on both sides of a base plate;

a plurality of cassettes for storing articles and a rotating shaft extending vertically, which are disposed in the upper space;

the plurality of cassettes being arranged radially around the rotating shaft and rotatable about the rotating shaft;

each of the cassettes having a side wall which is partially opened or formed of a transparent member, and a receiving plate at a lower end thereof on which the articles can be stacked on top of each other;

each of the cassettes also having an article delivery section at a lower end thereof;

a motor for rotating the rotating shaft, a pusher arm configured to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and arm driving means for moving the pusher arm;

the base plate having an opening through which the article pushed out of the cassettes falls;

a transparent cover covering at least a front side of the upper space;

the plurality of cassettes storing similar or different types of articles; and

a selection section provided on an outside of the main body to be used to select an article by a purchaser of an article;

the main body having an outlet through which the article having passed through the opening of the base plate can be taken out.
A vending machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the article delivery section comprises an opening formed at a lower end of the front wall of the cassette and a cutout extending from a front edge of the receiving plate through the receiving plate into the back wall of the cassette;
the pusher arm is configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and wherein the arm driving means comprises a delivery motor for rotating the pusher arm.
A vending machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the article delivery section comprises an opening formed at a lower end of the back wall of the cassette and a cutout extending from a rear edge of the receiving plate through the receiving plate into the front wall of the cassette;
the pusher arm is configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and wherein the arm driving means comprises a delivery motor for rotating the pusher arm.
A vending machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the article delivery section comprises an opening formed at a lower end of the back wall of the cassette and a cutout extending from a rear edge of the receiving plate through the receiving plate into the front wall of the cassette;
the pusher arm is configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and wherein the arm driving means comprises an arm driving unit for moving the pusher arm up and down.
A vending machine, as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the article delivery section comprises an opening formed at a lower end of the front wall of the cassette and a cutout extending from
a front edge of the receiving plate through the receiving pate into the back wall of the cassette;
the pusher arm is configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, and wherein the arm driving means comprises an arm driving unit for moving the pusher arm up and down.
A vending machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the article delivery section comprises an opening formed at a lower end of the front wall of the cassette and a horizontal cutout extending from a side wall of the cassette extending from the opening into the back wall of the cassette;
the pusher arm is disposed in the upper space and is configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, the arm driving means comprises a delivery motor disposed in the upper or lower space for rotating the pusher arm horizontally; and
wherein the motor for rotating the rotating shaft is disposed in the lower space.
A vending machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the article delivery section comprises an opening formed at a lower end of the back wall of the cassette and a horizontal cutout extending from a side wall of the cassette extending from the opening into the front wall of the cassette;

the pusher arm is disposed in the upper space and is configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, the arm driving means comprises a delivery motor disposed in the upper or lower space for rotating the pusher arm horizontally; and
wherein the motor for rotating the rotating shaft is disposed in the lower space.
A vending machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the article delivery section comprises an opening formed at a lower end of the back wall of the cassette and a horizontal cutout extending from a side wall of the cassette extending from the opening into the front wall of the cassette;
the pusher arm configured to travel through the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, arm driving means comprises an arm driving unit for moving the pusher arm back and forth horizontally, which are disposed in the upper space; and
wherein the motor for rotating the rotating shaft is disposed in the lower area.
A vending machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the article delivery section comprises an opening formed at a lower end of the front wall of the cassette and a horizontal cutout extending from a side wall of the cassette extending from the opening into the back wall of the cassette;
the pusher arm is configured to travel trough the cutout to push one of the articles out of the article delivery section, the arm driving means comprises an arm driving unit for moving the pusher arm back and forth horizontally, which are disposed in the upper space; and
wherein the motor for rotating the rotating shaft is disposed in the lower space.
The vending machine according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein a film material is adhered to inner surfaces of the cassettes.
The vending machine according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein guide plates protruding in a direction in which an article is pushed out are formed at both sides of the article delivery section.
The vending machine according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein each of the cassettes has a sample supporting frame for containing a sample of articles stored therein on an outer wall thereof.
The vending machine according to any one of the preceding Claims, further comprising:
a game operation section, provided on an outside of the main body, with which the purchaser can play a game when making a purchase of an article;

a display section disposed in the upper space for displaying the progress of the game; and

a control section disposed in the main body and capable of increasing the number of times the purchaser is allowed to select an article depending on the outcome of the game.
The vending machine according to Claim 13, wherein the game is scissors-paper-stone.
The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the base plate comprises an opening through which the pusher arm can pass and through which the article pushed out of the cassette falls.
The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pusher arm, the arm driving means and/or the motor for rotating the rotating shaft are disposed in the lower space.