IT202200001592A1 - VENDING MACHINE OF ITEMS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

The present invention concerns an automatic dispenser of articles, for example cigarette packs or pharmaceutical products.

Generally, these automatic dispensers comprise a container body substantially shaped like a parallelepiped in which magazines of articles are housed, for example suitable for accommodating articles arranged in rows or columns. At every warehouse? operationally connected is an electric dispensing actuator that can be operated to push an item from the warehouse into a picking compartment accessible by a user.

In some embodiments to which the present invention refers, between the article magazines and the picking compartment? interposed an article conveyor compartment which is movable in an automated way to position yourself in proximity? of the point of expulsion of an item from a respective warehouse to receive the selected item, move immediately above the picking compartment and release the item into the picking compartment. In this way, possible risks of damage to the items are avoided if they fall from the warehouses. high directly, by gravity, in the sampling compartment usually located at the base of the dispenser, and furthermore you can? position the sampling compartment at an intermediate height, more convenient for interaction with the user.

The dispensers are equipped with a user interface including means of accepting money and means of selecting an item.

Just above or inside the sampling compartment? usually a photocell is installed suitable for detecting the passage of an item from the conveyor compartment to the picking compartment, following a request for the dispensing of an item made by a user. Thereby, ? It is possible to have confirmation that the item purchased by the user is ? was actually paid.

These automatic dispensers, which are usually positioned outside commercial establishments, such as tobacconists and bars, are often subject to malfunctions due to environmental situations, for example deposits of dust, salt, humidity, or the intrusion of insects. These factors are particularly critical for the correct functioning of the photocell. Can these malfunctions compromise continuity? of use of the vending machine and may give rise to disputes between the user and the machine operator.

Furthermore, vending machines are subject to theft attempts. In particular, the bad guys use thin and shaped objects that are inserted through the withdrawal compartment to try to hook and drop the articles positioned at the end into the compartment. of warehouses.

Therefore, in the event of malfunction or failure of the photocell, it becomes impossible to be certain that a product has actually been selected, paid for and dispensed.

To attempt to overcome, at least in part, this problem, some distributors are equipped with a microswitch that can be activated by moving the electric actuator (or a pusher associated with it).

This solution does not completely solve the problem. As is known, situations can occur in which the electric actuator is been correctly activated, but a product to be dispensed pushed by the electric actuator gets stuck before falling into the conveyor compartment or gets stuck in the conveyor compartment during release into the withdrawal compartment.

Furthermore, not all warehouses can be equipped with a microswitch and/or a sensor, for example for reasons related to the type of product to be dispensed, size and cost.

Purpose of the present invention? is to propose an automatic vending machine capable of guaranteeing greater reliability? and continuity? of use compared to dispensers according to the state of the art.

Another purpose of the invention? that of making available an automatic dispenser capable of detecting and distinguishing with greater precision possible causes of malfunctions, failures and fraudulent intrusion attempts.

Said objects are achieved with an automatic dispenser according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

The characteristics and advantages of the automatic vending machine according to the invention will however be evident from the following description of its preferred embodiments, given for indicative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the attached figures, in which:

- figures 1? a simplified representation of an automatic article dispenser, to which the present invention refers;

- figure 2 represents, in a perspective view and in a simplified way, the main internal components of the automatic vending machine according to the invention;

- figure 3? a view similar to the previous one, with a different arrangement of the photocells; and - figure 4 ? a table of the photocell states of the vending machine management software.

In said drawings, with 1 ? As a whole, an automatic vending machine for items has been indicated, for example for the sale of items in commercial establishments such as tobacconists or pharmacies.

In a general embodiment illustrated schematically in figure 1, the automatic dispenser 1 includes a container body 10, substantially in the shape of a parallelepiped, provided with a front panel 12, for example in the shape of a door to allow access to the inside of the container body 10.

The container body 10 can? be of the ?standalone? type or built-in. In the latter case, only the front panel 12? exposed to the outside for interaction with the user and possibly with the person in charge of maintaining the vending machine 1.

Inside the container body 10 ? arranged a plurality? of warehouses 14. Each warehouse 14? configured to contain more? items, for example arranged in horizontal rows or vertical columns. For example, the magazines 14 can be of the spiral type.

At each warehouse 14? operatively connected is an electric pusher actuator 16 which can be activated to cause the exit of a selected article from the respective magazine 14.

The container body 10 houses a withdrawal compartment 18 accessible by a user. The sampling compartment 18 ? suitable to receive one or more? selected items coming from the respective warehouses 14.

The withdrawal compartment 18 has an article entry opening 18? and an item 18 withdrawal opening? for the collection of such items by the user.

The container body 10 also houses an article conveyor compartment 40. This transporter compartment? movable with respect to the magazines 14 and with respect to the picking compartment 18.

The conveyor compartment 40 ? operated by respective compartment actuator means 42, for example electric motors.

The conveyor compartment 40 ? movable along respective guide means 44 so as to be positioned in proximity to of a warehouse 14 of a selected article to receive the selected article from the warehouse, transport the selected article nearby of the article entry opening 18' of the picking compartment 18 and then release the selected article into the picking compartment 18.

For example, the conveyor compartment 40 has a hopper shape, for example with a rectangular section when viewed in plan view.

In a known way, the conveyor compartment 40? equipped with article locking and release means that can be operated between a retention configuration of one or more articles inside it during the transport phases and an article release configuration when the conveyor compartment 40 reaches an end position above the withdrawal compartment 18.

The vending machine 1? equipped with a user interface 20.

The user interface 20 includes money accepting means 24 for purchasing the item and item selection means. For example, the item selection means include a tactile screen 22, or "touchscreen", suitable for displaying information on the status and operation of the dispenser and for receiving instructions from the user.

In particular, the touch screen 22 displays the contents of the magazines 14 and, if the user initiates a purchase request for one or more items, the sequence of interactions with the user for the selection of the item(s) and for the payment.

In some embodiments, the user interface 20 may also be, in whole or in part, of the voice-activated type.

The vending machine 1? equipped with at least a first pair of transit sensors 30a, 30b positioned at the entrance of the conveyor compartment 40. The transit sensors of this first pair of transit sensors 30a, 30b are spaced apart along the direction of transfer of the articles from the warehouses 14 in the conveyor compartment 40. For example, the transfer direction ? the vertical direction if the items are dropped by gravity? in the conveyor compartment 40.

Each transit sensor 30a, 30b, autonomously with respect to the other, is suitable for detecting the passage of an article from the warehouses 14 to the conveyor compartment 40.

The vending machine 1? furthermore equipped with at least a second pair of transit sensors 32a, 32b positioned on the article inlet opening 18' of the picking compartment 18. The transit sensors 32a, 32b of this second pair of transit sensors are spaced apart along the direction of transferring the articles from the conveyor compartment 40 to the back wall of the picking compartment 18. Also in this case, the transfer direction coincides with the vertical direction if the articles are dropped by gravity? from the conveyor compartment 40 into the collection compartment 18.

Each transit sensor 32a, 32b of the second pair of transit sensors? suitable for detecting, independently of the other transit sensor of the pair, the passage of an article from the conveyor compartment 40 to the picking compartment 18.

In particular, the transit sensors 30a, 30b; 32a, 32b of each pair of transit sensors are spaced apart in such a way as to exclude interference effects between the respective detection fields.

Each transit sensor 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b can? assume at least the following four states:

- status of correct article transit detection (?Pulse? status in the status table of figure 3, which will be described later);

- inactive state (state ?0? in the table of figure 3), corresponding to no item transit detection;

- unstable state (state ?X? in the table of figure 3);

- fixed active state (state ?1? in the table of figure 3).

The correct detection status (?Pulse?) ? identified by an impulsive activation having a duration equal to or less than a pre-established time interval corresponding to a transit of an article (the smallest) through the detection field of the sensor, for example less than 2 ms.

The unstable state (?X?), however, corresponds to one or a succession of more? impulsive and variable activations compared to the pre-established time interval associated with the correct detection state. Such an unstable state? therefore it can be associated with a fraudulent intrusion attempt or the presence of insects or a malfunction of the transit sensor.

The fixed focus (?1?) ? clearly indicative of a malfunction of the transit sensor or permanence of an object in the sensor's detection field.

In one embodiment, the transit sensors are barrier photocells. Each photocell therefore comprises a transmitter element 30a?, 30b?; 32a?, 32b? and a receiver element 30a?, 30b?; 32a?, 32b?, for example placed in front of the respective transmitter element. In other embodiments, the receiver element is placed next to the transmitter element and the light beam emitted by the transmitter element is reflected by a reflector element positioned substantially in front of the transmitter element, so as to reflect the light beam towards the receiver element.

In one embodiment, the transmitter element 30a?, 30b?; 32a?, 32b? and the receiver element 30a?, 30b?; 32a?, 32b? of each photocell are positioned so as to define a sensor plane. The sensor planes of the photocells are preferably parallel to each other, although not necessarily horizontal.

In one embodiment, the withdrawal compartment 18 and/or the conveyor compartment 40, seen in plan view, have a substantially rectangular section.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, both pairs of photocells 30a, 30b; 32a, 32b are installed on the same respective sides of the picking compartment and the conveyor compartment. For example, the transmitter elements and the respective receiver elements are installed on the short sides opposite each other. The two photocells of each pair of photocells are therefore positioned vertically one above the other.

In the case of installation on the same sides (short or long, indifferently)? It is best to mount the transmitter and receiver elements of a pair of photocells in reversed positions. This solution greatly reduces the effects of optical interference between the two photocells of a pair, thus also allowing the distance between the respective detection planes to be reduced and, consequently, the overall dimensions of the transit detection system produced by photocells.

Furthermore, this measure makes optimal positioning possible according to capacity. to detect an unwanted double transit, for example a double product dispensed incorrectly or a previously dispensed product falling, but remaining stuck inside the vending machine.

In one embodiment, the two photocells placed on the same sides can be equal to each other but can be configured so as to have detection fields partially out of phase with each other thus? to make more? the overall detection field is selective. For example, the gratings of the two detection planes of the two photocells are out of phase by 1/2 step, where step means the distance between each optoelement of the photocell(s).

In a variant embodiment illustrated in figure 3, a photocell of a pair of photocells is installed on the smaller sides of the sampling compartment and/or of the conveyor compartment 40 and the other photocell of the pair of photocells ? installed on the longer sides of the sampling compartment 18 and/or of the conveyor compartment 40.

In this case, the two photocells can have detection fields that are substantially orthogonal and of different widths. In this way, an improvement in the performance of the overall detection system is achieved.

The vending machine 1? managed by a unit of processing 34 operationally connected to the electric dispensing actuators 16, to the user interface 20, to the compartment actuator means 42 and to the first and second pair of transit sensors 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b.

The unit? of processing 34 ? programmed to detect and communicate an anomalous operation of the vending machine 1 depending on the state of the first and second pairs of transit sensors 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b and the signals received from the user interface 20.

In particular, the unit? of processing 34 ? programmed to emit an alarm signal for a possible intrusion event (fraudulent or by an insect or other foreign body) if, in the absence of a dispensing command coming from the user interface 20, at least one of the two transit sensors of the first and/or or the second pair of transit sensors? in an unstable signal state.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the unit? of processing 34 ? programmed to emit an alarm signal for a faulty transit sensor if, in the presence of a supply command coming from the user interface 20, one of the two transit sensors of the first and/or second pair of transit sensors is ? in a state of correct detection of an article transit and at least one other of the transit sensors of the first and/or second pair of transit sensors? in a state of no detection or in a state of permanent detection.

Figure 3 represents a possible table of the states of one of the two pairs of transit sensors, and therefore of the events identified and reported based on these sensor states and a valid delivery command signal sent to the unit? of processing 34 from the user interface 20. The following symbols are used in the table:

? EROG.TMP. = dispensing command sent? EV.O/I = event(s).

? FTC1 = transit sensor 1

? FTC2 = transit sensor 2

? INT. = intrusion

? N? = table row progressive number? NO = no

? OK = ok

? PULSE = monostable transit sensor pulse for correct transit detection

? STBY = distributor in stand-by

? TR. = correct transit

? WAR. = alarm signal

? X = unstable signal

In the first row of the table, both transit sensors are in an inactive state, isn't there ? a dispensing command sent and the dispenser ? on standby. The dealer ? therefore in a situation of correct functioning.

In the second row of the table, both transit sensors are in an inactive state, but there ? a dispensing command sent and the dispenser is therefore not ? on standby. The dealer ? therefore in a situation of incorrect functioning, as there is no ? transit (information that can be considered realistic given that both sensors do not detect any passage), despite having requested the delivery of an item.

In the third and fourth rows, one of the two transit sensors is ? in the inactive state (?0?), the other sensor is in the unstable state (?X?) and there is no ? an item supply request. The dealer ? therefore correctly in a stand-by state, but the instability? of a transit sensor triggers the reporting of a possible intrusion, for example by an insect or a malicious person who is trying to fraudulently access the warehouses by inserting an object through the picking compartment.

In the fifth and sixth lines, a transit sensor ? in the state of correct transit detection, the other sensor is in the inactive state and ? an item dispensing command has been sent. The vending machine therefore operates correctly despite the fact that a transit sensor is most likely faulty. A faulty sensor signal is then issued.

Similarly, in the seventh and eighth rows a transit sensor? in the state of correct transit detection, the other sensor is in the permanent active state (?1?) and ? an item dispensing command has been sent. The vending machine therefore operates correctly despite the fact that a transit sensor is most likely faulty. A faulty sensor signal is then issued.

In the ninth row, both transit sensors are in the state of correct transit detection (?Pulse?) and ? an item dispensing command has been sent. The distributor therefore operates correctly.

The state table described above can? be used for both pairs of transit sensors.

In particular, the unit? of processing 34 can? be programmed to combine a state analysis based on the first pair of transit sensors with a similar state analysis based on the second pair of transit sensors.

In other words, the table in figure 3 can? be extended in such a way as to provide for all combinations of the four transit sensors, so? to make the identification of possible malfunctions, failures or intrusions even easier. precise.

In particular, the redundant use of transit sensors as described above allows the functionality of the vending machine even in the event of failure/malfunction of one, two or three transit sensors.

For example, can you? leave the vending machine running even if both transit sensors in the conveyor compartment and a transit sensor in the withdrawal compartment are faulty or malfunctioning. Obviously, this is a significant abnormal condition that is detected and reported by the unit? of processing.

From what is described above? it is clear that the proposed distributor allows the set objectives to be achieved.

Using more Transit sensors managed by software with the described redundancy concept guarantee continuity? and reliability? of operation of the distributor even in conditions of failure of one or more? sensors and, above all, in case of temporary critical conditions such as dust deposits, salt, humidity? or insect intrusions which occur frequently given the prevalent installation of outdoor vending machines.

Furthermore, the above also applies to the control of the distributor with respect to fraudulent intrusion attempts, as the technical solution described allows to increase the possibility to recognize an actual intrusion with respect to prior art distributors.

To the embodiments of the automatic vending machine according to the invention, a technician in the field, to satisfy contingent needs, will be able to make modifications, adaptations and replacements of elements with functionally equivalent ones, without departing from the scope of the following claims. Each of the characteristics described as belonging to a possible embodiment can? be carried out independently of the other embodiments described.

Claims (10)

1. Automatic vending machine for items, in particular for tobacconists or pharmacies, comprising: - a container body (10) substantially shaped like a parallelepiped; - a plurality? of warehouses (14) that extend inside the container body, each suitable for containing the items to be dispensed, in which at each warehouse there is operationally connected is an electric dispensing actuator (16) which can be activated to cause the exit of a selected item from the respective magazine; - a sampling compartment (18) suitable for receiving one or more? selected items coming from the respective warehouses, the picking compartment having an item entry opening (18?) and an item picking opening (18?) for picking up such items by a user; - a conveyor compartment movable with respect to the magazines (14) and with respect to the picking compartment (18) along respective guide means and by means of actuator means of the compartment so as to be positioned in proximity to the compartment. of a warehouse of a selected item to receive said selected item from the warehouse, transport said selected item to the vicinity? of the article entry opening of the picking compartment and release the selected item into the picking compartment (18); - a user interface (20) comprising means for accepting money (24) and means for selecting an item (22); - at least a first pair of transit sensors (30a, 30b) positioned at the entrance of the conveyor compartment, the transit sensors of said first pair of transit sensors being spaced apart along the direction of transfer of the articles from the warehouses into the conveyor compartment and each being suitable for detecting the passage of an article from the warehouses to the conveyor compartment; - at least a second pair of transit sensors (32a, 32b) positioned on the article entry opening of the picking compartment, the transit sensors of said second pair of transit sensors being spaced apart along the direction of transfer of the articles from the compartment conveyor to the back wall of the picking compartment and each being suitable for detecting the passage of an article from the conveyor compartment to the picking compartment; - a?unit? processing unit (34) operationally connected to the electric supply actuators, to the user interface, to the compartment actuator means and to the first and second pair of transit sensors, the unit? processing being programmed to detect and communicate anomalous operation of the vending machine depending on the state of the first and second pairs of transit sensors and the signals received from the user interface. 2. Vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the unit? of processing? programmed to emit an alarm signal for attempted intrusion if, in the absence of a supply command coming from the user interface, at least one of the two transit sensors of the first and/or second pair of transit sensors is ? in an unstable signal state, in which it detects a passage of a body for a longer time interval than a pre-established time interval corresponding to the passage time of an item through the detection field of a transit sensor. 3. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, in which the unit? of processing? programmed to emit an alarm signal for a faulty transit sensor if, in the presence of a supply command coming from the user interface, one of the two transit sensors of the first and/or second pair of transit sensors is ? in a state of correct detection of an article transit and at least one other of the transit sensors of the first and/or second pair of transit sensors? in a state of no detection or in a state of permanent detection. 4. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transit sensors are photocells. 5. Dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the transmitter element and the receiver element of each photocell are positioned so as to define a sensor plane, the sensor planes of the photocells of each pair of transit sensors being parallel to each other. 6. Dispenser according to claim 4 or 5, in which the sampling compartment has a substantially rectangular section, and in which a photocell? installed on the smaller sides of the sampling compartment and the other photocell? installed on the longer sides of the sampling compartment. 7. Dispenser according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the conveyor compartment has a substantially rectangular section, and wherein a photocell is installed on the smaller sides of the conveyor compartment and the other photocell? installed on the longer sides of the conveyor compartment. 8. Dispenser according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the two photocells have detection fields of different widths. 9. Dispenser according to claim 4 or 5, in which the sampling compartment has a substantially rectangular section, in which both photocells are installed on the same sides of the sampling compartment but have detection fields partially out of phase with each other so as to make more the overall detection field is selective. 10. Dispenser according to claim 4 or 5, in which the conveyor compartment has a substantially rectangular section, in which both photocells are installed on the same sides of the conveyor compartment but have detection fields partially out of phase with each other so as to widen the width of the overall detection field.