EP2490188A1 - Self-service device for goods packages, in particular cigarette or tobacco packages - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronically controlled dialer selects stocked goods package (2) stored in several storage compartments (5). A horizontal conveyor (9) and a vertical conveyor (10) are equipped with an output unit (11) or a touch screen unit. A control unit is provided with respect to a self-service outlet (B), for transmitting control signals from the areas of the compartments and/or conveyors by processing the control program. Contact and/or error information is automatically detected by control unit and cause-related corrections are executable by the operating personnel.

Description

The invention relates to a self-service device for goods packages, which is provided in particular for the arrangement in the area of a cash register of supermarkets o. The like. Salesrooms for the selection and subsequent sale of cigarette or tobacco packs.

Out DE 92 15 895 U1 a cigarette carrier is known, which is arranged in the area of the checkout area of a cash register so that in the field of view of a cashier both the value display and a keypad are arranged so that there is a control and optimal theft protection can be achieved.

In a self-service device according to DE 10 2006 024 887 A1 is a generic design of the device designed so that starting from a storage unit, the selected by means of a selector device packages pass through an output unit and then transferred to the area of the cash register. In this case, a control unit with touchscreen device is provided with which the packaged goods are to be selected by means of a pictogram. By an operation of the customer internally controlled self-service flow is triggered, with only a program mode in the control unit to go through. This control unit can thus effect only the removal of a cigarette or tobacco pack, so that after completion of this operation, the touch screen device displays the standby state of the system again.

The invention is concerned with the problem of providing a self-service device for goods packages, which enables integrated monitoring of conveying with little technical effort, at least in the area of the supply and output unit, so that improved damage control is achieved and rapid troubleshooting even by less experienced operators is temporarily feasible.

The invention solves this problem with a self-service device with the characterizing features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the inventive concept will become apparent from the claims 2 to 10.

The self-service device for packaged goods, in particular cigarette or tobacco packs, is characterized according to the invention in that the control unit cooperating with one or more customer-activated touchscreen devices or a screen interacts with the respective self-service flow from the area of the compartments and / or Receive the monitoring devices further monitoring signals and process them optimally with the aim of a permanent function control. It is envisaged that also several cooperating with the control unit control programs are to operate with a variable interpretable programming mode and thus a simplified damage control and rapid error correction is achieved.

In this case, an adaptable to high loads and output speeds system improvement is achieved, so that optimal error detection and elimination is possible especially in the daily routine and associated stressful situations of cashiers and the respective functions of the device are largely automatically restored by a restart.

The self-service device is thereby improved in the area of the control unit in that all contact and / or error information can be detected on the function-relevant assemblies, so that an automatic damage control - in particular in the area of the moving parts of the conveyor - takes place and thereby by simple error eliminations respective standstill or downtime of the system are minimized overall.

By means of the touch screen device (s) or at least one screen, the control unit can optionally be activated in each different operating mode so that the self-perpetuating sequence known per se, at the same time with at least one further deposited programming mode optimal HavarieKontrol is effective and a result in case of an error indication resulting repair process is also specified via the touch screen device or processed step by step and can be followed through a menu without errors. In the subsequently achieved start mode of the control unit then takes place, for example, an automatic review of all compartments, and their assembly with packaged goods is controlled. Each incorrect assignment can over the Touchscreen device are signaled, so that so a position-accurate verification process is activated and the effort for troubleshooting is minimized.

The activation of the self-service procedure by a customer is displayed on the touch screen by a corresponding order confirmation, and then in the region of the selected compartment the corresponding goods package is discharged by means of a drive system on the conveyor, so that after relocation of the goods package an automatic return of the control unit to the starting position he follows. In the area of the dispensing unit, an additional control of closing doors in the region of the storage container is provided, wherein all drive assemblies of the conveying device are switched off in an open position detected as a fault. Only after closing the doors can a restart of the system be activated on a corresponding touch panel on the touch screen.

In addition, a damage control in the area of the promotion of the product packages is integrated into the system, wherein an error monitoring is provided at least in the region of the vertical conveyor of the conveyor. In this case, the rotational movement in the drive region of the vertical conveyor is monitored in such a way that an automatic drive shutdown takes place during a breakdown requiring a standstill and damage to product packages is largely avoided. At the same time, in the area of the touchscreen, a corresponding indication of this error or the cause of the error takes place. This is associated with information for troubleshooting, such that, for example, in the case of jamming of goods packages the Actuation of a direction of rotation of the drives reversing and thus the clamping situation dissolving reversing device is provided. For this case, for example, a corresponding key assembly is arranged so that it is accessible and operable in largely protected installation position only by the operator. After the error has been eliminated, the system is switched over again and the corresponding programming mode for restarting the system can be acknowledged on the touchscreen. The goods packages which are each "returned" as the cause of the error can be carried out or remain in a collection position, so that subsequent removal is possible.

For monitoring in the area of respective manhole allocations, it is provided that similar cigarette packs or cigarette types can be contained in several of the compartments, so that the control is aligned to a uniform course of the compartment emptying. The system also provides that at least one activation of up to three shafts can take place simultaneously with the customer selecting a plurality of product packages at the same time.

To further improve the operating and adjustment functions, it is provided that in the area of the control panels of the touchscreen device, a largely free assignment to the respective compartments is possible and thus a variable variety of product packages can be stored. It is also conceivable that several of the compartments are assigned to a touch screen or in the opposite case, several touch screen fields capture a slot. With this optimization of the control program for the Touchscreen devices is to be achieved likewise that in each case a free assignment of cigarette or tobacco packs is possible, the integrated into the system time parameters can be set freely on the motor-driven sequence components and also respective display texts o. The like. Additional information in the area of the touch screen can be variably adapted to the respective usage situation of the self-service device ,

For an improved adaptation of the extraction and delivery devices to different performance parameters, it is provided that a variable speed setting, for example by adjusting the tension, can be achieved in the area of respective discharge motors of the compartments and / or on the respective horizontal and vertical conveyors of the conveyor. Thus, a drive concept is achieved in which speed variations for the respective selection and Ausförderungs phases by targeted speed changes to the respective engines are possible.

In a further programming mode, the control unit is designed so that an automatic detection of operating hours of the system or its components, a count of the output quantity of product packages and a registration of the number and duration of error messages can be performed.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Gesamtansicht einer Selbstbedienungsvorrichtung für Warenpackungen,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der Selbstbedienungsvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 mit jeweiligen Teilschnittdarstellungen im Bereich einer Fördereinrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine vergrößerte Ausschnittsdarstellung der Fördereinrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 im Übergangsbereich von horizontaler zu vertikaler Ausgaberichtung,

Fig. 4 und Fig. 5

jeweilige Perspektivdarstellungen ähnlich Fig. 1 mit durchsichtig ausgeführten Verkleidungsteilen im Bereich einer modular aufgebauten Vorratseinheit,

Fig. 6 bis Fig. 8

jeweilige Prinzipdarstellungen der in das System integrierten Fördereinrichtung mit unterschiedlichen Ausgabesituationen,

Fig. 9

eine Prinzipdarstellung des für die Selbstbedienungsvorrichtung vorgesehenen Wählgerätes in Form eines Touchscreen,

Fig. 10

eine Perspektivdarstellung ähnlich Fig. 5 mit in eine Auszugsstellung verlagertem Schachtmodul, und

Fig. 11 bis Fig. 14

jeweilige Einzeldarstellungen von Schachtmodulen mit unterschiedlich konfigurierten Gefachen für Zigaretten- oder Tabakpackungen.

Further details and advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the following description and the drawing, in which an embodiment of the invention Self-service device is illustrated in more detail. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1

an overall perspective view of a self-service device for goods packages,

Fig. 2

a side view of the self-service device according to Fig. 1 with respective partial sectional representations in the area of a conveyor,

Fig. 3

an enlarged sectional view of the conveyor according to Fig. 2 in the transition region from horizontal to vertical output direction,

4 and FIG. 5

respective perspective views similar Fig. 1 with transparent cladding parts in the area of a modular storage unit,

Fig. 6 to Fig. 8

respective schematic representations of the integrated into the system conveyor with different output situations,

Fig. 9

a schematic diagram of the provided for the self-service device dialer in the form of a touch screen,

Fig. 10

a perspective view similar Fig. 5 with displaced into a pull-out position manhole module, and

11 to FIG. 14

respective individual representations of manhole modules with differently configured compartments for cigarette or tobacco packs.

In Fig. 1 is a generally designated 1 self-service device for product packages 2, wherein such a device is provided in particular for arrangement in the area of a cash register 3 not shown in supermarkets o. The like. Salesrooms. In this device 1, a total of 4 designated storage unit is integrated, in which in a plurality of compartments 5 an assortment of goods packages, in particular cigarette or tobacco packs, is stored. By means of an electronically controlled dialing device 6, in particular in the form of a touch screen 7 (FIG. Fig. 9 ) or a known screen with keyboard, the customer can select a corresponding product package, so that then an automatic output process is initiated.

In this case, the selected product package 2 from the respective compartment 5 by means of an activated drive 8 (FIG. Fig. 6 ) (arrow A), so that then by means of a - at least one horizontal conveyor 9 and a vertical conveyor 10 having - output unit 11, the displacement of the product package 2 (arrow B, Arrow C) from the output unit 11 out into the area of the cash register system 3 and a conveyor belt 12, 12 'is possible.

The control unit 13 of the system which can be operated by means of at least one touchscreen device 7 ( Fig. 6 ) is inventively designed so that in addition to the above-described self-service flow more complex control functions are executable. In particular, when one of the product packages 2 is delivered-by means of a variable design programming mode-the control program stored in the control unit 13 can also process respective monitoring and control signals from the area of the compartments 5 and / or the conveyors 9, 10. By an optimal functional linkage - the variable interpretable programming mode with the respective applied to the control unit 13 contact and / or error information - an improvement of the self-service device is achieved because it can detect additional monitoring signals automatically and then even without maintenance personnel a cause-related correction particularly easy from Operator is executable. The system is expandable so that several touch screen devices 7, 7 '(FIG. Fig. 5 ) can be connected to the only one control unit 13 and this system can be activated by means of each in one of the cash registers 3 integrated keypads.

The automatic operation of the self-service operation within the output unit 11 provided control unit 13 is provided in particular with a respective drive motors 8 and 14, 15 of the output or conveyor means detecting reversing assembly. From the schematic diagrams according to Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 the effect of this assembly is clear, and in the case of an accident, for example in the form of a traffic jam T below the vertical conveyor 10 (FIG. Fig. 6 ), the respective conveying directions (arrow C, arrow B) of horizontal and / or vertical conveyor 9, 10 is switchable / are. This return process is in Fig. 7 clearly, wherein in the conveying phase switched to return (arrow B '), the product packages 2, 2', 2 "can be displaced within the output unit 11 into the region of a retaining member 16 adjoining the horizontal conveying device 9. As the retaining member 16 is a Starting from this, the goods packages 2, 2 ', 2 "can be repeatedly supplied in a largely orderly manner to the vertical conveyor 10 and output to the area of the cash register system 3 after renewed switching to the feed (arrow B) provided as the output mode become. In the illustrated embodiment, a collecting container 16 'is provided as a retaining part 16, from which "back-fed" product packages can be removed.

By means of the above-described reversing function in the area of the control unit 13 or the respective drives 14, 15, testing of the entire delivery system 11 is possible with little effort. In this case, a control run for all monitoring functions including the return phase is carried out in time before a respective operating phase to be triggered by the customer (arrow A), and the readiness for operation of the self-service device 1 can then be displayed in the area of the touchscreen 7.

For a service or repair operation in the area of the device 1, the output unit 11 is provided with further signal transmitters, wherein upon triggering an effective in the door area 17 of the reservoir 18 signal generator 19 visible in the touch screen device 7 service module and then in the field into the extended position ( Fig. 1 . Fig. 10 ) displaced compartments 5 a menu-guided operation and instructions for each repair and / or Befüllsituationen is feasible. It goes without saying that a variable variety of control, operating and / or repair programs can be provided for this purpose, so that a customer-specific adaptation of the self-service device 1 to variable product ranges or the like is possible.

In accordance with the usage profile and the simple operation, safety switches accessible to the operating personnel can be integrated into the system, so that a special detection of the filling state in the area of the compartments 5 or their ejection units 20, 20 'takes place. In this case, respective fill level contactors 21, 21 'can be provided and also several drives (conveying direction A) in each of the compartments 5 improve the ejection process ( 11 to FIG. 14 ).

To operate the self-service device 1, this or its controller 13 is connected to the cash register system 3, so that at the same time also the output unit 11 or the touch screen device 7 is activated by a commissioning taking place here. Already for this operating phase, the control unit 13 is designed so that an automatic control of the compartments 5 and their readiness for operation takes place. By an appropriate signal in the area of the on the touchscreen device 7 apparent Assortment 22, 22 'also the goods assortment is displayed, which is no longer available in any of the compartments 5. After a corresponding filling and subsequent selection of a product package, the respective order - visible to the customer - is signaled as being being processed on the touchscreen 7. In the conceivable case, a largely parallel operation of the two touchscreen devices 7, 7 '(FIG. Fig. 5 ) are stored by two customers, the respective order internally, so that a sequential processing of the two customer orders is possible quickly.

In this order processing within the output unit 11, the conveyor system with the horizontal and the vertical conveyor 9, 10 is activated first, with an adjustable operating phase (for example: t = 10 seconds) is specified. Thereafter, in a second phase by means of the drive 8, the removal of the customer selected amount of product packages 2 from the respective compartments 5, so that by means of the horizontal conveyor 9 and the vertical conveyor 10, the goods packages 2 on the cross conveyor 12 'discharged. After the pre-set working time t of the system, the self-service device 1 as a whole goes into a standby phase.

In accordance with Fig. 10 apparent opening situation (similar Fig. 1 ) takes place in the region of the reservoir 18, a triggering of the corresponding contact of the signal generator 19, and the entire system is turned off. After filling the compartments 5 or other repair takes place on the touch screen 7 to be acknowledged Restart of the system only with closed reservoir 18 and system of the signal generator 19th

The rotational movements in the area of the conveyors 9, 10 are expediently also monitored over the pre-set running time. In case of an accident ( Fig. 6 ) with unintentional standstill all drives 8, 14, 15 are turned off by the automatic control mechanism, and on the touch screen 7 appears a corresponding indication of the location of the conveyor system 9, 10 accident located, if necessary, on "jammed" goods packages 2, 2 By a simple operation of a reversing button E can be activated by the operator, the above-described direction reversal B ', C', so that solved in the simplest case, a jammed product and at a restart of the system this starting from the retaining member 16th can be carried out to the conveyor belt 12 in the "normal way" (arrow D).

In 11 to FIG. 14 different configurations of the respective Auswerfeeinheiten 20 having memory units 4 are shown, wherein Fig. 11 the arrangement of compartments 5 is shown with three rows of chutes and 5 each pack of respective cigarette types are arranged in each of the compartments. In FIGS. 12 and 14 is the plan view of the arrangement of the contact system 20, 20 'and 21, 21' can be seen.

In FIGS. 13 and 14 In a second embodiment, the combined arrangement of respective cigarette packs and "larger" tobacco packs in the compartments 5 illustrates, for the removal of these "larger" parts of the above-described drive 8 (arrow A, Fig. 6 ) may be provided by means of two motors and these are controlled by means of the contacts 20 and 21, respectively.

Claims (10)

Self-service device for goods packages (2), z. B. for arrangement in the area of a cash register system (3) of supermarkets o. The like. Salesrooms, wherein from a plurality of in compartment (5) stocked goods packages (2, 2 ', 2 "), in particular cigarette or tobacco packs, at least one means an electronically controlled selection device (6) is selectable and this each provided for the removal of goods package (2) by means of at least one horizontal conveyor (9) and a vertical conveyor (10) having output unit (11) in the area of the cash register (3) is displaced, characterized in that the output unit (11) is provided with a control unit (13) having at least one screen and / or a touchscreen device (7, 7 ') and having a control unit (A, B, C, D) in addition to the respective self-service sequence ) respective monitoring signals from the area of the compartments (5) and / or the conveyor (s) (9, 10) cooperating control program. Self-service device according to claim 1, characterized in that with a variably interpretable programming mode of the control unit (13) respective contact and / or error information can be detected automatically and cause-related corrections by the operator executable. Self-service device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that with a plurality of touch screen devices (7, 7 ') connectable control unit (13) by means of respective in at least one cash system (3) integrated keypads can be activated. Self-service device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control unit (13) provided for automatic operation within the dispensing unit (11) additionally comprises reversing means which detect a respective drive motor (14, 15) of the conveyor (s) (9, 10) Assembly cooperates, such that in the event of an accident, the respective (s) conveying direction (s) of horizontal and / or vertical conveyor (9, 10) is switchable / are. Self-service device according to claim 4, characterized in that in a switched on return (B ', C') conveying phase, the goods packages (2, 2 ', 2 ") within the output unit (11) into the region of a to the horizontal conveyor (9 ) adjacent retaining member (16) are displaceable. Self-service device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the goods packages (2, 2 ', 2 ") from the contact area of the retaining part (16) from a switchover in the provided as an output mode flow (B) largely arranged the vertical conveyor (10) can be fed and the area of the cash register (3) can be output. Self-service device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the Ausförder system (11) is tested by means of a reversing function of the controller (13), such that in time before each triggers by the customer Operating phases (A, B, C, D) a control run for all monitoring functions including the retrace phase (B ', C') is feasible and displayable. Self-service device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the output unit (11) provided with a signal generator unit (19), when triggering this particular in the door area (17) of the reservoir (18) effective signal unit in a touchscreen device ( 7) visible service module can be activated and then in the region of the extract position displaced compartments (5) a menu-driven control or operation is feasible. Self-service device according to claim 8, characterized in that in the area of the touchscreen device (7) various in the control program (13) can be stored control, operating and / or repair programs are retrievable. Self-service device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that in the phase of the customer operation in the region of the compartments (5) closed output unit (11) has an operator accessible safety switch (D).

Images