JP2000113295A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine for storing a merchandise to be actually sold in a visually confirmable state from a front part, by which a maintenance work accompanying the change of a width in a merchandise passage is easily and efficiently executed. SOLUTION: Relating to the venting machine 2, the plural merchandises S are arranged and stored in the merchandise passage 11a, the merchandise S positioned at the most front part are discharged forward from the merchandise passage 11a at the time of selling it and the discharged merchandise S is carried to a merchandise take-out port 6. The vending machine 2 is provided with a transparent front surface panel 3a, a shelf board which is nearly horizontally disposed in the rear part of the front surface panel 3 and a partitioning wall which is fitted on the shelf board to be extended in a front and rear direction, partitions the merchandise passage 11a and also is constituted to freely change a fitting position for the shelf board in a left and right direction. The partitioning wall is provided with a fitting part disposed in its front end part and a display member which is fitted to the fitting part so as to be freely attachable/detachable and displays information related to the merchandise S.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of storing a product to be actually sold in a product passage extending in the front-rear direction so as to be visible from the front, and displaying information on the stored product so as to be visible from the front. The present invention relates to a vending machine that pays out stored products from a product aisle at the time of sale and conveys the products to a product outlet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A so-called showcase type vending machine is conventionally known as this type of vending machine. The showcase type vending machine has a plurality of product passages arranged in the left-right direction, and a plurality of product racks arranged in the vertical direction, between a receiving position facing a payout port of the product passage and a sales outlet. A movable transport mechanism. A plurality of partition walls are attached to the upper surface of each product rack so as to partition in the left-right direction, and these partition walls respectively constitute side walls of the product passage. Each of the plurality of partition walls is configured to be capable of changing a mounting position with respect to a product rack. When products of different widths are sold, the width of the product passage is changed by changing the mounting position of the partition wall. are doing.

[0003] Further, in the merchandise rack, a display label for displaying information on the merchandise, that is, a price and a number of the merchandise, is disposed near the payout of the merchandise passage so as to be visible from the front. The display label is attached with an adhesive tape or an adhesive. When the product purchaser operates the product selection button while referring to the display label at the time of sale, the transport mechanism moves to the receiving position of the product path for storing the selected product and stops. Then, the transport mechanism receives the goods delivered from the payout port and transports the goods to the product outlet.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional vending machine, in accordance with a change in a product to be sold, a display label corresponding to a product aisle is peeled off from a product rack and replaced, or the position of the label is changed. There must be. Since this display label is attached with an adhesive tape or an adhesive, it is damaged when peeled off and cannot be reused.
Also, with the change of the width of the product passage, the position of the payout port for paying out the product from the product passage is shifted in the left-right direction, and accordingly, the receiving position where the transport mechanism stops near the payout port at the time of sale. Must be adjusted in the left-right direction for each product passage each time it is changed. As described above, in the conventional vending machine, the maintenance work accompanying the change in the width of the product to be sold, that is, the work of changing the display label and changing the mounting position, the work of adjusting the receiving position of the transport mechanism, and the like become a heavy burden. And something that can solve this is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem. In a vending machine for storing a product to be actually sold in a state that can be visually recognized from the front, a maintenance work accompanying a change in the width of a product passage is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine which can be easily and efficiently performed.

[0006]

In order to achieve this object, a vending machine according to claim 1 stores a plurality of products side by side in a product path extending in a front-rear direction, and at the time of sale, a product located at the frontmost position. Vending machine that pays out the front of the product passage from the payout port at the front end of the product passage, and conveys the delivered product to the product takeout port, a transparent front panel extending in the vertical direction, and behind the front panel. A shelf plate provided substantially horizontally, and a partition wall attached to the shelf plate so as to extend in the front-rear direction, defining a product passage, and being configured so that a mounting position on the shelf plate can be changed in the left-right direction. The partition wall is provided with a mounting portion provided at the front end thereof, and a display member detachably mounted on the mounting portion and displaying information related to the product.

According to this vending machine, the position of the partition wall on the shelf is changed in the left-right direction in accordance with the change in the width of the product to be sold. In this case, a display member that displays information related to the product, for example, a price label that displays a price, is attached to the mounting portion at the front end of the partition wall, so that the arrangement with respect to the shelf plate along with the partition wall is in the left-right direction. Is changed to Accordingly, unlike the related art, it is not necessary to perform another operation to change the arrangement of the display members. In addition, since the display member is detachably attached to the mounting part, replacement work is easy, and unlike the case of pasting with conventional adhesive tape or adhesive, damage and deformation when removing it It can be used repeatedly without doing. As described above, the maintenance work accompanying the change in the width of the product passage can be easily and efficiently performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vending machine according to the first aspect, wherein the vending machine is disposed behind the front panel, and is located at a receiving position facing the payout port of the merchandise passage, and is carried out for carrying the goods to the merchandise outlet. And a transfer means for receiving the goods paid out from the goods passage at the receiving position at the receiving position and transferring the goods to the unloading position, and the transferring means is provided at the receiving position. At the time, the detecting means for detecting the display member and outputting a detection signal, and at the time of sale, moving the transport means toward the receiving position of the product passage for storing the product to be sold, and outputting the detection signal from the detecting means. And a control device that controls to stop at the receiving position when the output is performed.

According to this vending machine, at the time of sale, the control device moves the conveying means toward the payout position and stops the conveying means in accordance with the detection signal of the display member of the detecting means, so that the conveying means is in the receiving position. To stop. Since this display member is attached to the mounting part of the partition wall,
Even when the position of the partition wall on the shelf plate is changed in the left-right direction in accordance with the change of the width of the product for sale, the detecting means detects the display member, thereby moving the transport means to the receiving position and stopping. Can be executed reliably and appropriately. As a result, the product can be reliably sold. Therefore, even when the width of the product passage is changed, unlike the related art, there is no need to adjust the stop position of the transport unit in the left-right direction, so that the maintenance work accompanying the change in the width of the product passage can be performed more easily. Can be.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the second aspect, the partition wall includes a plurality of partition walls each of which is attached to the shelf board and has an attachment portion and a display member. A merchandise path is defined between each two adjacent partition walls of the plurality of partition walls, and the transportation means moves in the left-right direction over the entire shelf at the height of the receiving position for trial operation. The control device is provided so as to be able to calculate a plurality of receiving positions based on a plurality of detection signals when the detecting means detects the plurality of display members, respectively, during the test operation. Storage means for storing a plurality of receiving positions.

According to this vending machine, when a plurality of partition walls are provided, the control device moves the conveying means along the shelf plate as a trial operation, and detects the detection detected by the detecting means at that time. A plurality of receiving positions can be calculated by the calculating means based on the signal, and can be stored in the storage means in advance. Therefore, even when the width of the plurality of product passages defined between the plurality of partition walls is changed, by performing a trial run before selling the product and storing the changed receiving position in advance, at the time of sale, It is possible to execute a moving speed control such that the conveying means is moved at a high speed in the left-right direction until approaching the receiving position, and the speed is reduced near the receiving position. Thereby, the sales time of the product can be shortened.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 2 or 3.
In the vending machine described in (1), a light emitting means is provided on the front surface of the transport means, and the control device is configured to cause the light emitting means to emit light when a detection signal is output from the detecting means. It is characterized by the following.

According to this vending machine, it is possible to notify forward by the light emission of the light emitting means that the transport means has reached the receiving position. This makes it easy to check the operation of the detecting means when performing maintenance work during a test run or the like. Further, since the light is continuously emitted or lit when the transport means is at the receiving position, this can be notified, and when the transport means is moved to the receiving position in the left-right direction along the shelf. Since the light-emitting means emits light for a short time, that is, blinks each time it passes through the receiving position, it is possible to increase the interest of the product purchaser at the time of sale.

[0014]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
A vending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1 to 3 show a vending machine 2 according to the present embodiment. The vending machine 2 stores, in a vending machine main body 3 in a horizontally elongated box shape, a multi-item product S such as a canned beverage or a PET bottled beverage in a longitudinal direction,
This is a so-called showcase type product in which the product S can be seen through a transparent sliding door (front panel) 3a on the front. The vending machine 2 receives the vending machine main body 3, the product storage and dispensing device 1 for storing the product S and paying it out at the time of sale, and the product S paid out from the product storage and payout device 1 at the time of sale. A product transport device (transporting means) 4 for transporting the product to a carry-out position facing the product outlet 6;

The vending machine main body 3 is formed by assembling a plurality of outer wall panels 3b in a box shape, and has two sliding doors 3a, 3a attached to an open front surface thereof. Each sliding door 3a is normally closed and locked, and is opened at the time of loading the product S, for example, and replenished with the product S as described later. Further, a cooling device 5 for cooling the product S is provided at an upper part of the vending machine main body 3, and at a right side of the front sliding door 2a, a product outlet 6 and a card insertion slot 7a into which a prepaid card is inserted. And a control panel 7 to which a card reader, a numeric keypad type product selection button (both not shown) and the like are attached. The control panel 7 has a built-in control device (not shown).
(Storage means), a microcomputer (arithmetic means) composed of a ROM, a CPU, and the like. The control device includes a commodity transport device 4 described below, a reflection-type photo sensor,
It is electrically connected to the transmission type photo sensor and the pusher driving mechanism 8.

The product transport device 4 includes a Y module 4a provided movably in the left and right direction in front of the product storage and dispensing device 1, an X direction driving mechanism 4b for driving the Y module 4a in the left and right direction, and a Y module. It comprises upper and lower guide mechanisms 4c, 4c for guiding the left and right movement of 4a. The Y module 4a is a movable body 4d extending in the up-down direction and driven in the left-right direction by the X-direction drive mechanism 4b.
Projecting from the right side of the movable body 4d, and
And a bucket (transporting means) 4e movably provided in the up-down direction with respect to. Also, the movable body 4d has
The bucket 4e has a built-in Y-direction drive mechanism (not shown) for driving the bucket 4e in the up-down direction.
An LED (light emitting means) 4f arranged on the upper part of the front surface of the bucket 4e and a pusher driving mechanism 8 as shown in FIG. 8 are provided.

The reflection type photosensor (detection means) is a combination of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, which are arranged side by side. Light emitted from the light-emitting element is reflected by an object and enters the light-receiving element. Detect objects. The reflection type photo sensor is capable of detecting only an object located within a predetermined distance in front thereof and having a certain degree of light reflectivity, and outputs a detection signal to the control device. The control device controls the bucket 4e to transport the goods S at the time of sale.
Is moved toward a receiving position (a position facing a payout port 11b to be described later) for receiving the goods S paid out from the goods storage and payout apparatus 1. In this case, as described later, the presence of the price label L2 is detected by determining the detection time T in the reflective photosensor. Then, when the price label L2 is detected, the bucket 4e is stopped at the receiving position by stopping the bucket 4e.

The transmissive photosensor is also a combination of a light emitting element and a light receiving element facing each other, and the light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the object and does not enter the light receiving element side. An object is detected and a detection signal is output to the control device. The light emitting element and the light receiving element of the transmission type photo sensor are attached to the rear end of the bucket 4e, and the control device detects the delivery of the product S from the product storage and delivery device 1 by using the transmission type photo sensor.

At the time of sale, the LED 4f blinks when the reflection type photosensor of the bucket 4e detects the price label L2 of the partition wall 13, and the bucket 4e.
Is stopped at the receiving position, and is turned on while the detection signal of the price label L2 is continuously output from the reflective photosensor. This LED 4f is
The bucket 4e is disposed on the front upper portion of the bucket 4e and is visible from the front through the transparent sliding door 3a.
Is operating, that is, selling operation. In addition, at the time of a test run or the like, an operation check is performed to determine whether or not the distance between the reflective photosensor and each price label L2 is a predetermined distance, that is, whether or not the distance is detected in an appropriate detection time. It is used for determining whether or not the reflection type photosensor is operating normally.

The pusher drive mechanism 8 includes a swing arm 8
a, a plurality of gears including a drive gear G1 attached to the upper end of the swing arm 8a, and a motor (not shown) driven by the control device. The drive gear G1 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 8 via a motor and a plurality of gears. The swing arm 8a rotates between its standby position in the vertical posture shown in FIG. 8 and a clockwise rotation position, between a meshing position where the drive gear G1 meshes with a gear G2 of the product storage and dispensing device 1 described later. It is rotatable as a fulcrum. When the swing arm 8a waits for sale,
It is held at the standby position and rotates to the meshing position at the time of sale. At this time, the drive gear G1 meshes with the gear G2, so that the rotation of the motor of the pusher drive mechanism 8 is transmitted to the gear G2.

Next, the structure of the product storage and dispensing apparatus 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the product storage and dispensing apparatus 1 has a rack frame 1 assembled in a vending machine main body 3.
And a number of product racks 11 mounted horizontally on the rack frame 10. The rack frame 10 has vertical frame members 10a, 10a, 10a arranged at equal intervals at three places on the left and right. The upper and lower portions of these vertical frame members 10a are connected by upper and lower horizontal frame members (not shown), and a side wall panel (not shown) is attached to the vertical frame members 10a. , Two left and right product storage rooms 10b, 10b are defined. Left storage room 1
0b, the upper and lower 10-stage product racks 11 are placed in the right storage room 1
9b, upper and lower nine levels of merchandise racks 11 are stored side by side, and these merchandise racks 11 are stored such that their front ends are flush with each other as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, a commodity rack 11 has a rectangular shelf 12 and a plurality of partition walls removably attached to the shelf 12 to partition the shelf 12 in the left-right direction. 13 is provided. Two partition walls 13, 13 each
Between the right side wall 12c of the shelf 12 and the partition wall 13,
A product passage 11a extending in the front-rear direction is defined, and a front end of each product passage 11a opens forward to form a payout opening 11b for paying out the product S. The same type of product S is stored in each product passage 11a (FIG. 1).
0 and FIG. 18). The shelf board 12 is manufactured by bending a steel plate, and has a flat bottom wall 12a forming the bottom of the commodity passage 11a, a front wall 12b bent downward from the front end of the bottom wall 12a, and a bottom wall 12a. Left and right side walls 1 bent upward from the left and right ends and the rear end, respectively
2c, 12c and a rear wall 12d.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 15, the front wall 12b is folded back from the front edge of the bottom wall 12a (to the right in the figure, the same applies hereinafter), and is further bent vertically downward. Upper wall 12j extending parallel to the front edge of 12a
And a stepped portion 12i which is bent obliquely forward from the upper wall portion 12j and further extends downward. As shown in FIG. 5, a large number of horizontally long front square holes 12e are formed in the upper wall portion 12j.
Are formed. These front square holes 12e are arranged in the left-right direction, and are formed such that the distance between two adjacent centers, that is, the pitch P, is equal to each other. In the shelf board 12, the pitch P is set to 13 mm.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
A large number of sets of rear square holes 12f, 12f extending in the left-right direction extend in the left-right direction along the rear end of the shelf board 12, and are vertically aligned with two horizontally long rear square holes 12f, 12f.
f. The rear square holes 12f, 12f of each set are positioned at positions corresponding to the respective front square holes 12e of the front wall 12b, that is, the vertical planes extending in the front-rear direction including the respective front square holes 12e.
d, each of which is formed on an intersection line intersecting with the corresponding one of the right and left rear square holes 12f, 12f.
Is set to 13 mm similarly to the front square hole 12e.

The front square hole 1 is provided at the front and rear portions of the bottom wall 12a.
2e and a plurality of sets including two reference holes (not shown) arranged front and rear on a crossing line where a vertical plane including the corresponding rear square hole 12f and extending in the front-rear direction intersects the bottom wall 12a. Are formed side by side in the left-right direction. Each set of reference holes is arranged for every seven front square holes 12e.
These reference holes are used as marks for aligning and attaching the partition wall 13 to the shelf 12 in the left-right direction, as described later.

As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG.
Box-shaped partition wall body 1 long in the front-back direction (left-right direction in FIG. 8)
4, a front and rear connection adapter 15 and 16 attached to the front and rear ends of the partition wall main body 14, and a pusher 20 movably mounted in the front and rear direction on the partition wall main body 14. Parts. As shown in FIG. 6, the partition wall main body 14 has the same substantially rectangular vertically long cross-sectional shape in the front-rear direction, is manufactured by extruding an aluminum alloy, and has a width W set to 19 mm. ing. An upper groove 14a is provided at the upper end of the partition wall body 14.
The upper groove 14a is formed with the partition wall body 14.
Communicates in the front and rear direction. Furthermore, the upper groove 14a
The partition wall is defined by a wall having the same cross-sectional shape as that of the C-shaped steel. The partition wall is opened on the upper surface of the partition wall body 14, and the opening is a narrow slit 14b extending in the front-rear direction. Also,
The lower end of the partition wall body 14 has a lower hollow portion 14 having a rectangular cross section.
c is formed, and the lower hollow portion 14c is
4 continuously extends in the front-rear direction.

A guide groove 14e extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the upper part of the right side surface 14d of the partition wall body 14.
The upper and lower edges of the opening of the guide groove 14e are vertically engaging projections 14f, 14f which protrude vertically in the right side surface 14d and extend continuously in the front-rear direction in parallel with each other. The guide groove 1 is provided at the center of the right side surface 14d.
A groove 14g having a rectangular cross section extending in the front-rear direction in parallel with 4e is formed. A timing belt 17 extending in the front-rear direction is stored in the groove 14g.

The front connection adapter 15 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, two vertical protrusions 15a are provided on the upper and lower ends of the rear surface of the synthetic resin molded product. ing. The upper set of projections 15a is fitted to the front opening of the upper groove 14a of the partition wall body 14, and the lower set of projections 15a is fitted to the front opening of the lower hollow portion 14c. The connection adapter 15 is attached to the partition wall main body 14.

As shown in FIG. 7, upper and lower mounting frames (mounting portions) 15b, 1
5c are provided, and as shown in FIG. 5, a number label (display member) L1 for displaying the number of the product passage 11a, in other words, the number of the product S stored therein, is provided on the upper mounting frame 15b. A price label (display member) L2 for displaying the price of the stored product S is attached to the lower mounting frame 15c. A slit SL1 is formed at the upper end of the upper mounting frame 15b, and grooves (not shown) are formed in the left and right frame portions of the upper mounting frame 15b so as to be continuous with the slit SL1 and extend vertically in parallel with each other. Have been. As a result, the number label L1 is inserted into the slit SL1 so that the upper mounting frame 15b is inserted.
, And conversely, it is removed from the upper mounting frame 15b by being pulled upward. As described above, the number label L1 is detachably attached to the upper attachment frame 15b, and
When the number of 1a is changed, it is replaced accordingly.

On the other hand, the lower mounting frame 15c is also
The price label L2 is configured to be the same as that of the lower mounting frame 15b, and is detachably attached to the lower mounting frame 15c by being inserted into a slit SL2 formed on the upper portion of the lower mounting frame 15c. Therefore, when the price of the product S stored in the product path 11a is changed, the price label L2 is replaced accordingly.

Further, the price label L2 has light reflectivity, and the above-described bucket 4 is operated while the vending machine 2 is operating.
When the reflective photosensor e emits a light beam toward the price label L2, the emitted light is reflected by the price label L2 toward the light receiving element side of the reflective photosensor. In addition, the price label L2 is located at the forefront position of the product storage / dispensing device 1, and is arranged such that the distance between the price label L2 and the reflective photosensor in the front-rear direction is constant. As a result, the detection time T of the price label L2 in the reflection type photosensor, that is, the time T required for light rays emitted by the reflection type photosensor to be reflected by the price label L2 and incident on the light receiving element side is set to a predetermined value Tp. The control device determines whether or not the price label L2 is present by determining whether or not the detection time T of the reflection type photosensor is equal to a predetermined value Tp. That is, when the detection time T is the predetermined value Tp, it is determined that the reflective photosensor has detected the presence of the price label L2.

As shown in FIG. 8, a front expanding concave portion which opens in the front-rear direction is formed at the center of the front connection adapter 15, that is, between the upper mounting frame 15b and the lower mounting frame 15c. A gear G2 with a front pulley 18 is provided in the recess, and these are integrally formed of synthetic resin. The gear G2 is attached to the front connection adapter 15 so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis extending in the left-right direction.
The front end of the gear G2 projects slightly forward from the front edge of the front connection adapter 15 via the front opening of the recess. The front pulley 18 is formed of a toothed pulley that meshes with the teeth of the timing belt 17. When the gear G2 is driven clockwise by the drive gear G1, the front pulley 18 also rotates clockwise integrally therewith. And timing belt 1
Rotate 7 clockwise.

The lower attachment frame 15 of the front connection adapter 15
c on the back surface of each of the engagement projections 1 projecting rearward horizontally.
5d and a connecting claw 15e are formed respectively. As shown in FIG. 8, the engagement protrusion 15 d is attached to the bottom wall 12 a of the shelf 12.
The front connection adapter 15 is locked so as not to move upward with respect to the shelf board 12. On the other hand, the connecting claw 15e is provided immediately below the engagement protrusion 15d, and the lower surface of the tip thereof has
A step is formed. The connecting claw 15e has elasticity, and is inserted into any one of the front square holes 12e of the front wall 12b of the shelf board 12 described above, and the stepped portion is locked so that it cannot be pulled out. Snap fit. Thus, the front connection adapter 15 is locked so as not to move in the left-right direction and downward with respect to the shelf board 12. As described above, the front connection adapter 15 is
5e and the engagement protrusion 15d are connected to the shelf board 12 in a retaining state, and the distal end of the connection claw 15e can be elastically deformed upward by hand to be detached from the shelf board 12 as needed. .

Further, the front connection adapter 15 has a notch hole 15f cut out in a semicircular shape on the upper side of the rear part on the right side thereof, and the notch hole 15f is continuous with the guide groove 14e of the partition wall main body 14. So that it is located in front of the guide groove 14e.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the rear connection adapter 16 is also a vertically long synthetic resin molded product.
At the upper and lower ends of the front, two left and right
The two projections 16a, 16a constitute one set, and two sets of upper and lower projections 16a are provided. Upper set of projections 16a
Is located at the rear opening of the upper groove 14a of the partition wall body 14 described above,
The lower set of projections 16a are fitted in the rear openings of the lower hollow portion 14c, respectively, and the rear connection adapter 16 is attached to the partition wall main body 14 by these fittings.

At the upper and lower ends of the rear surface of the rear connection adapter 16, connection protrusions 16b, 16b projecting rearward are formed. These connecting projections 16b, 16b are provided in any one set of the rear square holes 1 in the rear wall 12d of the shelf board 12 described above.
2f and 12f, respectively.
The rear connection adapter 16 is connected to the shelf board 12. Thus, the rear connection adapter 16 is connected to the rear wall 12 d of the shelf 12.
And the front connection adapter 15 is connected to the front wall 12b of the shelf 12 as described above,
The partition wall 13 is connected to the shelf board 12. In addition, as described above, the connecting claws 15e of the front connecting adapter 15 are elastically deformed with the fingers and removed from the front square holes 12e, and at the same time, the partition wall 13 is moved forward to connect the connecting protrusions 16b to the rear square holes 12e.
By separating the partition wall 13 from the shelf board 12, the partition wall 13 can be removed from the shelf board 12.

At the center of the rear connection adapter 16,
A concave portion having an open front surface is formed, and a rear pulley 19 having the same configuration as the above-described front pulley 18 is provided in the concave portion. The rear pulley 19 is attached to the holder 19a so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis extending in the left-right direction. The timing belt 17 described above is stretched between the rear pulley 19 and the front pulley 18.

The holder 19a has a cross section “U” when viewed from above.
, And is urged rearward by two upper and lower coil springs 16 c, 16 c built in the rear connection adapter 16. As described above, the timing belt 17 is held in a stretched state by the holder 19a being urged rearward by the coil spring 16c. In this case, since the tension of the timing belt 17 acts to bring the rear pulley 19 and the front pulley 18 closer to each other, the front connection adapter 15 is connected via the front pulley 18 to the rear connection adapter 16.
Are pressed toward the partition wall body 14 via the rear pulley 19 and the coil spring 16c. Therefore, as described above, even if the partition 13 is removed from the shelf 12,
The front and rear connection adapters 15 and 16 are held so as not to be disengaged from the partition wall body 14.

Further, the rear connection adapter 16 is provided with a semicircular cutout hole 16d on the upper right side of the front part thereof. The cutout hole 16d is formed in the guide groove 14e of the partition wall body 14. It is arranged on the rear side of the guide groove 14e so as to be continuous.

On the other hand, the pusher 20 is for pushing the stored goods S in the goods passage 11a forward at the time of sale and paying them out of the payout opening 11b. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the pusher 20 includes a support 21 and the support 2.
1, a pusher main body 22 for pressing the product S in the product passage 11 a, two front and rear first guide rollers 23, 23 rotatably mounted above the front and rear portions of the support 21, respectively. And a second guide roller 24 rotatably attached to the lower end.

The support 21 is manufactured by bending a rectangular metal plate, and has a rectangular plate wall 21a.
And three upper and lower and front flanges 21 bent rightward from the upper and lower ends and the front end of the plate wall 21a, respectively.
b, 21b, 21b. The plate wall portion 21a
The partition wall 14 is disposed vertically along the right side surface 14 d of the partition wall body 14, and its lower center portion is connected to the lower horizontal portion of the timing belt 17. By this connection, the pusher 20 moves forward via the support 21 with the clockwise rotation of the timing belt 17 as described above.

The pusher main body 22 is a vertically long and thick rectangular plate, and is attached to the front flange 21b of the support 21 so as to extend at right angles to the right side surface 14d of the partition wall main body 14 and in the vertical direction. ing. The front surface of the pusher body 22 is a flat pressing surface 22a for pressing the product S forward when the pusher 20 moves forward, and a sold-out label 22b is attached to the pressing surface 22a. This sold-out label 22b indicates that when the product S in the product passage 11a becomes empty, the sliding door 3a
Through which the product S is sold out.

The front and rear first guide rollers 23 are respectively attached to the plate wall 21a of the support 21 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis extending in the left-right direction. These first guide rollers 23, 23 are arranged such that their rotation axes are horizontally aligned with each other.
Is provided in the vicinity of the left side. A U-shaped groove 2 extending over the entire periphery of the first guide roller 23 is provided at the center of the outer peripheral surface.
3a are formed. The U-groove 23a is provided with the upper and lower engaging protrusions 14f of the guide groove 14e of the partition wall body 14 described above.
The guide groove 14e is housed in the inner half of the first guide roller 23. Thereby, the first guide roller 23 is guided by the engagement protrusions 14f, 14f, and is capable of rolling in the front-rear direction. At the time of this rolling, the front first guide roller 23 is connected to the front connection adapter 15 described above.
The rear first guide roller 23 is locked at the edge of the notch hole 16d of the rear connection adapter 16 at the edge of the notch hole 15f, so that the pusher 20 can move in the front-rear direction, that is, The stroke amount is specified. In this case, the notch holes 15f and 16d are semicircular, so that the stroke amount before and after the pusher 20 is as large as possible.

The second guide roller 24 is attached to the lower flange 21b of the support 21 so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis. The second guide roller 24 is provided on the lower flange 21
The pusher body 22 is located rearward of the pusher body 22 in the vicinity of the lower surface of the pusher body b. With the movement of the pusher 20, the second guide roller rolls on the right side surface 14d of the partition wall main body 14.

The pusher 20 is configured as described above. At the time of sale, the pusher drive mechanism 8 of the article transport device 4 rotates the timing belt 17 clockwise in FIG. Go to
The merchandise S in the merchandise passage 11a is paid out from the payout opening 11b.

As described above, the partition wall 13 is provided on the shelf 1
2 and can be attached to and detached from the shelf board 12e by the connecting claws 15e and the connecting protrusions 16b, 16b.
It can be changed by selectively fitting any one pair of the front square hole 12e and the rear square hole 12f. At present, the canned beverage product S on the market is 66,53m
Most of the lactic acid beverage products S having a diameter of 38 mm have a diameter of 38 mm. In this product storage and dispensing device 1,
In order to efficiently and easily store the main commodities S of these three diameters, the mounting position of the partition wall 13 is changed,
When the width of the product passage 11a is changed, the clearance between the various products S and the partition walls 13 on both sides (the total amount of the gaps on both sides) is an appropriate value, and the adjacent front corners are not scattered. Holes 12e, 12e (or rear square holes 12f, 12e)
The pitch P between f) is set.

From this viewpoint, more specifically, the pitch P is set as follows. Partition wall 1
3 is W (mm), the pitch between adjacent front square holes 12e, 12e is P (mm), and 66, 53,.
Partition walls 13 on both sides when a product S with a diameter of 38 mm is stored
The pitch numbers between them are N, N-1, and N-2 (N is an integer of 3 or more), and the clearances between the commodity S having a diameter of 66, 53, and 38 mm and the partition walls 13 on both sides are C1 and C, respectively.
2, C3 (mm), the following equations (1) to (3) hold.

P · N−W−66 = C1 (1) P · (N−1) −W−53 = C2 (2) P · (N−2) −W−38 = C3 (3)

When the absolute values Z1 to Z3 of the differences between the clearances are obtained from these equations (1) to (3), the following equation (4) is obtained.
To (6).

Z1 = | C1-C2 | = | P-13 | (4) Z2 = | C2-C3 | = | P-15 | (5) Z3 = | C1-C3 | = 2 | P −14 | …… (6)

Referring to the above equations (4) to (6), Z1
The values of Z3 are 0 to 0 in the range of P = 14 ± 2 mm.
It falls within the range of 4 mm. That is, it can be seen that the variation in the values of C1 to C3 falls within the range of 0 to 4 mm. Thus, if P = 14 ± 2 mm, the product passage 11a
The product S can be stored in a stable state and stored well. Further, in the range of P = 14 ± 1 mm, the variation of the values of C1 to C3 falls within the range of 0 to 2 mm.
At the time of 14 mm, (Z1, Z2, Z3) = (1, 1,
0) mm. That is, when P = 14 mm, C
It can be seen that the variation in values between 1 and C3 is the smallest. In the present embodiment, appropriate values of the clearances C1 to C3 that can ensure the easiness of the loading operation and the smoothness of the payout operation and improve the convergence of the stored product S are as follows:
Considering that 7 ± 1 mm, N = 7 and P = 13 mm by setting W = 19 mm.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The lowermost product rack 11b stores a wide product S1 in which a half dozen canned beverage products S are packed in a paper pack. As shown in FIG. 9, in the product rack 11, the width of the product passage 11 a is set to be wide according to the wide product S <b> 1, and the pusher 20 is provided with a pusher adapter 25. Pusher adapter 25
Is a metal plate having an L-shaped cross section provided with a wide front wall portion 25a and a top plate portion 25b, which protrude rightward from the pusher 20 into the product passage 11a.

A sold-out label 25c having the same structure as the sold-out label 22b is attached to the front surface of the front wall 25a. A rectangular long hole 25d is formed at the left front end of the top plate 25b, and the long hole 25d is fitted to the pusher main body 22, so that the pusher adapter 25 is connected to the front wall portion 25a. The back is the pusher body 2
2 is detachably attached to the pusher 20 in a state in which it abuts on the front surface of the pusher 2 without a gap. A third guide roller 25e that is rotatable around a vertical axis is attached to the left rear end of the upper surface of the top plate 25b. The third guide roller 25e moves when the pusher 20 moves in the front-rear direction. Rolls on the right side of the partition wall 13.

The pusher adapter 25 is provided for the following reason. When the wide product S1 is pressed only by the pusher 20, the pusher main body 22 contacts only the left rear end of the product S. For this reason, the pusher body 22
When the pressing force does not act evenly on the product S and the acting area is reduced, the product S may not be able to be smoothly dispensed forward. However, when the pusher adapter 25 is attached to the pusher 20 as described above, the contact area between the front wall 25a and the wide product S1, that is, the pressing force of the pusher 20 increases the width of the wide product S1 due to the wide width of the front wall 25a. , It is possible to smoothly pay out the wide product S1 forward even if it is wide.

Also, as described above, 66, 53, 38 m
When storing the canned beverage product S having a diameter different from that of the m-sized canned beverage product S, a partition wall adapter 26 as shown in FIG. 10 is attached to the partition wall 13. Hereinafter, a state in which the partition wall adapter 26 is attached to the partition wall 13 will be described. The partition wall adapter 26 is a metal plate that is long in the front-rear direction, and includes a vertical plate wall portion 26a, an insertion portion 26b that is bent rightward from the upper end portion of the plate wall portion 26a, and further bent downward, and a plate wall portion 26a. And a contact portion 26c that is bent rightward from the lower end of the contact portion 26c. The partition wall adapter 26 is detachably attached to the partition wall 13 by inserting the distal end of the insertion portion 26b into the slit 14b on the upper surface of the partition wall body 14 and fitting the slit into the slit 14b. The contact portion 26c is in contact with the left side surface of the partition wall 13, whereby the partition wall adapter 26 is attached to the partition wall 13 in a stable state. Thus, by attaching the partition wall adapter 26 to the partition wall 13, the width of the product passage 11a can be appropriately adjusted according to the width of the stored product S.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when selling a product S which can be stored only in the sideways state in the product passage 11a, such as a canned beverage product S having a small diameter or a chocolate product S having a small cylindrical shape, the bottom is required. The wall adapter 27 is attached to the bottom wall 12a of the shelf board 12. The bottom wall adapter 27 can be attached to the bottom wall 12a with its up-down direction reversed between a use state shown on the left side in the drawing and a non-use state shown on the right side in the figure. The bottom wall adapter 27 attached to the wall 12a will be described. The bottom wall adapter 27
A mounting frame 27a provided on the front surface of the vertical front wall,
Left and right engagement claws 27b, 27 projecting rearward from both side ends
b, engaging projections 27c, 27c formed vertically on both side ends with each engaging claw 27b therebetween, and a wedge-shaped guide portion 27d extending rearward from the upper end of the front wall. .

The mounting frame 27a is similar to the front connection adapter 1 described above except that a slit SL3 for inserting the product name label L3 is formed on the right side of the mounting frame 27a.
5 has the same configuration as the lower mounting frame 15c. That is, the product name label L3 is detachable from the mounting frame 27a, and is replaced in response to a change in the price of the product S stored in the product path 11a. Further, the product name label L3 is set to have considerably lower light reflectivity than the price label L2, so that the reflection type photo sensor can be moved in the horizontal direction at a height such that the bucket 4e faces the payout opening 11b. When moving to
The reflected light from the price label L2 can be detected, and the reflected light from the product name label L3 cannot be detected.

The bottom wall adapter 27 is fitted into the front end of the bottom wall 12a in a groove between the upper engagement projection 27c and the guide portion 27d, and thereby does not move upward with respect to the shelf board 12. It is locked as follows. Also, the left and right engagement claws 27b
Have elasticity, and are inserted into any two of the front square holes 12e, 12e of the front wall 12b of the shelf plate 12 so as to be snap-fitted thereto in a retaining state. Thus, the bottom wall adapter 27 is locked so as not to move in the left-right direction and downward with respect to the shelf board 12.

The upper surface of the guide portion 27d is a guide surface 27f which is obliquely downward and lower.
7f extends so as to be continuous with the upper surface of the bottom wall 12a. The inclination of the guide surface 27f of the guide portion 27d is such that the product S in the overturned state is held in the product passage 11a without being erroneously rolled out of the product passage 11a during standby for sale, and is pressed by the pressing force of the pusher 20 during sale. The angle is set such that the product S easily passes over the guide portion 27d and is paid out from the payout opening 11b.

Further, the bottom wall adapter 27 can be attached to the bottom wall 12a in a non-use state shown on the right side of the figure when storing the product S in an upright state. In this case, the engaging claw 27b is elastically deformed to make the front square hole 12
e, the engagement claw 27b is snap-fitted into the front square hole 12e. At the same time, the product name label L3 is also mounted on the mounting frame 27a upside down.
As shown in the figure, when the bottom wall adapter 27 is attached to the bottom wall 12a in a non-use state, the bottom wall adapter 27 does not protrude above the bottom wall 12a and does not hinder the dispensing operation of the commodity S. .

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, on the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls 12c, 12c of the shelf 12, a rail 12g extending in the front-rear direction and having a U-shaped cross section and a left-right direction are provided. A roller 12h rotatable about a horizontal axis is attached to each. Although not shown,
Rails and rollers similar to the rails 12g and rollers 12h are provided on the side wall panel of the rack frame 10, respectively. The rollers 12h of the shelf board 12 engage with the rails of the rack frame 10 and roll inside the rails. It is movable. Further, the rollers of the rack frame 10 are engaged with the rails 12g and can roll into the rails 12g. As described above, the product rack 11 can be pulled out forward from inside the rack frame 10. Although not shown, the rack frame 10
A leaf spring is provided which abuts against the rear wall 12d of the shelf plate 12 and urges it forward.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, a lock function for locking the product rack 11 to the rack frame 10 and a product rack 11 for loading or the like are provided below the product rack 11. A lock mechanism 30 having a function of holding the product S in the product passage 11a when the product S is pulled out from the front is provided. The lock mechanism 30 is configured symmetrically to the left and right, and the configuration of the right half will be described below. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the lock mechanism 30 moves the product S to the product path 11a.
A product stopper 31 for holding the product inside, a push plate 32 for urging the product stopper 31 forward (downward in FIG. 13, the same applies hereinafter), and a push coil 32 connected to the push plate 32 via a first coil spring 33. A sliding plate 34, an opening lever 35 connected to the sliding plate 34, a lock plate 36 that engages with the sliding plate 34, and a frame 37 attached to the lower surface of the bottom wall 12 a of the shelf 12. . As shown in FIG. 8, the frame 37 is manufactured by bending a metal plate, and is provided with two steps of different heights before and after.

The product stopper 31 is manufactured by bending a metal round bar, and has a rod-like stopper portion 31 a extending slightly longer in the left-right direction than the shelf plate 12.
And an arm portion 31b which is bent rearward at a right angle from both ends of the stopper portion 31a, and further bent at a right angle on the side wall 12c side of the shelf board 12. The rear end of the arm 31b is attached to the frame 37 so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis extending in the left-right direction and movable in the front-rear direction, and is constantly urged upward by a coil spring (not shown). I have. The product stopper 31 is rotatable between a retracted position shown in FIG. 15 and a protruding position shown in FIG. 17, and is always in the retracted position, and is located at the step 12 i of the front wall 12 b of the shelf 12. It is locked between the rear surface and the lower surface of the release lever 35 in a state of contact with the lower surface. When the product rack 11 is pulled out from the vending machine main body 3 forward, the release lever 35 is pushed down to rotate to the protruding position, and as shown in FIG. 18, the payout opening 11b of the product passage 11a is closed. I do. Thereby, the product S is held in the product path 11a.

The push plate 32 is manufactured by bending a metal plate, and is attached to the frame 37 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction between the position shown in FIG. 15 and the position shown in FIG. The push plate 32 includes a flat plate portion 32a that is elongated and flat in the front-rear direction, a front wall portion 32b that is bent upward from the front end of the flat plate portion 32a, and a flat plate portion 32.
and a hook 32c bent downward from the right end of FIG. The rear end portion of the first coil spring 33 is connected to the hook 32c, and the push plate 32 is constantly urged forward by the first coil spring 33, and the front wall portion 32b is Arm 3 of stopper 31
1b is in contact with the rear end. As a result, the product stopper 31 is always urged forward in the retracted position, and is always urged upward by the coil spring as described above, and is locked to the stepped portion 12i and the release lever 35. Have been.

The slide plate 34 is movable in the front-rear direction between the position shown in FIG. 15 and the position shown in FIG.
It is attached to the frame 37. Slide plate 34
Is manufactured by laminating and fixing two metal plates 34A and 34B bent together. The upper slide plate 34A includes a flat plate portion 34Aa, a front engagement portion 34Ab bent upward from the front end of the flat plate portion 34Aa, and further bent forward, and a front engagement portion 34A.
b.

The lower slide plate 34B has a flat plate portion 34Ba.
And a hook 34Bb bent downward from the front of the right end of the flat plate 34Ba, and a pusher 34Bc bent downward from the rear end of the flat plate 34Ba. The first coil spring 33 is attached to the hook portion 34Bb.
Are connected to each other, whereby the slide plate 34 is constantly urged rearward. Pusher part 34
Bc is provided at a position where it can contact the lock plate 36 from behind.

The release lever 35 is attached to the frame 37 so as to be rotatable between a closed position shown in FIG. 15 and an open position shown in FIG. The release lever 35 is connected to the bottom wall 1
The lever 2a includes a lever 35a that projects slightly forward from the front edge of the lever 2a and has a horizontal upper surface, and a protrusion 35b that extends upward from the rear end of the lever 35a. This projection 35b
The long hole 34 of the front engagement portion 34Ab of the slide plate 34
Ac, so that the release lever 35
Is pivoted counterclockwise to the open position shown in FIG.
The slide plate 34 is moved forward. As described above, since the slide plate 34 is constantly urged rearward by the coil spring 33, the release lever 35 is always kept at the closed position.

As shown in FIG. 13, the lock plate 36 is a metal plate having a forearm portion 36a and a rear arm portion 36b, which are formed in a “<” shape in plan view. Lock plate 3
The frame 3 is rotatable about a vertical axis between a closed position shown by a solid line and an open position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
7 is attached. Rear arm 36b of the lock plate 36
A notch 36c is formed at the right end of the rack frame 10, and the rack frame 10 is provided with an engagement protrusion 10c that fits into the notch 36c.

A front end of a second coil spring 38 is attached to the right end of the forearm 36a of the lock plate 36. The second coil spring 38 extends obliquely rearward left and its rear end is connected to the frame 37. The lock plate 36 is constantly urged clockwise in FIG. 13 by the second coil spring 38, and the notch 36c
0c is always fitted. By this fitting, the product rack 11 is locked to the rack frame 10 while resisting the forward urging force of the leaf spring of the rack frame 10. Further, a pusher portion 34Bc of the slide plate 34 is in contact with the right end of the forearm portion 36a of the lock plate 36. When the slide plate 34 moves forward to the position shown in FIG. When pressed, it rotates counterclockwise to the open position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. As described above, the right half of the lock mechanism 30 is configured, and the left half thereof is similarly configured.

The operation of the merchandise storage and dispensing apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. First, an operation in which the lock mechanism 30 unlocks the product rack 11 when the product rack 11 is pulled out from the vending machine main body 3 during loading will be described. First, when the lever portion 35a of the opening lever 35 is pressed downward with a finger, the opening lever 35
5 from the closed position shown in FIG. 5 to the open position shown in FIG. With the rotation of the opening lever 35,
The slide plate 34 is pulled forward and moves to the position shown in FIG. At the same time, the pusher portion 34Bc of the slide plate 34 pushes the forearm portion 36a of the lock plate 36 forward while resisting the urging force of the second coil spring 38, whereby the lock plate 36 becomes a two-dot chain line in FIG. Rotate counterclockwise to the position indicated by. With this rotation, the notch 36c of the lock plate 36 is disengaged from the engagement protrusion 10c of the rack frame 10, and the lock of the product rack 11 is released. By pressing both the left and right release levers 35, 35 with fingers, the locks on both sides of the product rack 11 are released.

As a result, the product rack 11 is pushed forward by the urging force of the leaf spring of the rack frame 10,
The rail 12g of the shelf board 12 is guided by the rollers of the rack frame 10 and the rollers 12h are guided by the rails of the rack frame 10 to move forward.

Further, the lock mechanism 30 holds the product S in the product passage 11a by the product stopper 31 at the same time as the unlocking operation on both the left and right sides of the product rack 11. This operation will be described. As described above, when the left and right release levers 35 are simultaneously rotated counterclockwise,
As shown in FIG. 16, the product stopper 31 is pushed downward by the release lever 35 and rotates downward. The product stopper 31
When the push plate 3 is rotated to the position shown in FIG.
2 and is slid forward along the lower surface of the release lever 35. And release lever 3
At the point when it protrudes forward from 5, the urging force of the coil spring rotates clockwise to the protruding position as shown in FIG. 17, and closes the payout port 11b of the product passage 11a.

In particular, in the lock mechanism 30, the product rack 1 is closed after the product stopper 31 closes the payout opening 11b.
The operation timing is set such that the locks on both the left and right sides of the device 1 are released. For this reason, since the product rack 11 can be pulled out only when the product stopper 31 closes the payout opening 11b, the product S does not fall forward from the product passage 11a by mistake during the pulling-out operation.

When loading the product S into the pulled-out product rack 11, the stopper 20 is moved backward by hand. In this case, since the pusher 20 is attached to the rotatable timing belt 17, it can be easily moved backward.

Next, after the loading is completed, the merchandise rack 11 is pushed back into the vending machine main body 3. FIG. 13 shows the product rack 11 while resisting the urging force of the leaf spring of the rack frame 10.
, The notches 36c of the left and right lock plates 36 of the lock mechanism 30 are fitted into the left and right engagement protrusions 10c of the rack frame 10, respectively.
The left and right sides of the product rack 11 are locked to the rack frame 10. Thereafter, the product stopper 31 is manually moved in FIG.
And is locked between the stepped portion 12i of the shelf 12 and the release lever 35. Thus, the product stopper 31 does not hinder the product dispensing operation of the product storage and dispensing device 1.

When the width of the product passage 11a is changed at the time of loading or at the start of operation of the vending machine 2, the partition wall 13 is first removed from the shelf board 12. At this time, as described above, the connecting claw 15e is elastically deformed with the finger and removed from the front square hole 12e, and at the same time, the partition wall 13e is formed.
Is moved forward, and the connecting projection 16b is pulled out from the rear square hole 12f, whereby the partition wall 13 is removed from the shelf board 12. As described above, even when the partition wall 13 is removed from the shelf 12, the front and rear connection adapters 15 and 16 are kept in contact with the partition wall body 14 by the tension of the timing belt 17.
Since they are pressed to the sides, they are held so as not to be disengaged from the partition wall body 14.

Further, when the partition wall 13 is mounted at an appropriate position on the shelf plate 12, the upper and lower connecting projections 16b, 16b
b is inserted into the rear corner holes 12f, 12f at appropriate positions. Thereby, the partition wall 13 is positioned so as to stand upright. The projections 1 are set so that the partition wall 13 is parallel to the reference holes before and after the bottom wall 12a.
By moving the partition wall 13 backward while inserting the 6b, 16b into the rear square holes 12f, 12f, the connecting claws 15e are snap-fitted to the appropriate front square holes 12e. As described above, when the partition wall 13 is attached, the partition wall 13 can be appropriately attached to the shelf board 12 so as to extend in the front-rear direction without being inclined. Also, the mounting operation can be easily performed because it is only necessary to insert the connecting projection 16b of the partition wall 13 into the rear square hole 12f using the reference holes at the front and rear of the bottom wall 12a as a mark.

When it is necessary to change the number label L1 due to the change of the width of the product passage 11a, the old number label L1 is pulled out from the slit SL1 of the upper mounting frame 15b, and the new number label L1 is inserted into the slit SL1. And mounted on the upper mounting frame 15b. Similarly, stored goods S
If the price label L2 needs to be changed due to a change in the price label L2, the old price label L2 is removed from the lower mounting frame 15c and a new one is mounted.

After the change of the width of the product passage 11a as described above, the control device performs a trial operation of the vending machine 2 as described below to thereby control the width of each product passage 11a after the change. The receiving position of the bucket 4e, that is, the position of each price label L2 is calculated and stored. First, after moving the goods transport device 4 to the right end of the goods storage room 10b,
The height of the receiving position of the product rack 11 in which the width of the product passage 11a is changed for the bucket 4e, that is, the reflection type photosensor of the bucket 4e can detect the price label L2 of each partition 13 of the product rack 11. To a suitable height and stop. Thereafter, the bucket 4e is moved to the product rack 11 while the reflection type photo sensor is maintained in the operating state.
Is moved from the right end to the left end of each of the price labels L2, thereby detecting each price label L2.

During this movement, the LE on the front of the bucket 4e
D4f blinks when the price label L2 is detected, and turns off at other times, so that the worker checks the lighting state of the LED 4f to check the operation of the reflection type photo sensor and the failure. be able to. For example, when the LED 4f does not blink even after passing through the position of the price label L2, dirt on the sensor unit of the reflection type photo sensor or failure of the sensor itself, and the positional relationship between the front and back of the reflection type photo sensor and the price label L2 are determined. The displacement and the failure of the LED 4f are considered.

With the above operation, the control device calculates the position of each price label L2 in the product rack 11, that is, each receiving position of the bucket 4e, stores it in the RAM in the control device, and ends the trial operation. Then, at the time of sale, the moving speed control of the product transport device 4 is executed as follows. First, based on each receiving position in the RAM, the receiving position of the commodity passage 11a for storing the selected commodity S is determined in advance. Then, the bucket 4e is moved at a high speed near the receiving position, and is moved at a low speed after approaching the receiving position.
According to the detection signal of No. 2, it is stopped properly at the receiving position.
As a result, the selling time of the product S can be reduced as compared with the case where the bucket 4e is moved at a constant speed without storing each receiving position in the RAM in advance.

Next, the merchandise storage and dispensing apparatus 1 at the time of sale
Will be described. First, when a product purchaser inserts a prepaid card into the card insertion slot 7a, selects a product S and presses a product selection button, the control device determines the selected product S and drives the product transport device 4.
Then, the bucket 4e is moved to the selected product S by the moving speed control.
Is moved to the receiving position facing the payout opening 11b of the product passage 11a for storing the product. In this case, specifically, the product passage 11
The presence of the price label L2 on the left partition wall 13 defining a is detected by the reflection type photo sensor, and the bucket 4e is stopped at the detected position. This bucket 4
When e moves, the LED 4f blinks when the bucket 4e passes through a non-target receiving position and the reflective photosensor temporarily detects the price label L2, and the bucket 4e stops at the target receiving position. When the reflection-type photo sensor continuously outputs the detection signal of the price label L2, the lighting state is maintained. Thereby, the sale operation of the bucket 4e can be appealed to the product purchaser.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the drive gear G1 and the gear G2 are meshed by driving the pusher drive mechanism 8 and rotating the swing arm 8a to the meshing position. Then, the driving gear G1 is rotated counterclockwise,
By rotating the gear G2 clockwise, the timing belt 17 is rotated clockwise. The pusher 20 moves forward with the rotation of the timing belt 17, and pushes the products S arranged in the product path 11a forward. As a result, the product S is paid out from the outlet 11b of the product passage 11a into the bucket 4e.

When the pusher 20 pushes the product S forward, the first guide rollers 23, 23 before and after guiding the movement of the pusher 20, the upper and lower engaging projections 14 of the guide groove 14e.
Even if the bending force about the axis extending in the left-right direction is generated in the pusher main body 22 by the pressing force of the product S by engaging with the product S, the first guide rollers 23 before and after these are engaged. , 23 restrain the pusher body 14 from rotating around this axis and support the pusher body 14 so as not to tilt backward. Further, the second guide roller 24
Is disposed behind the pusher body 22, so that when the pusher 20 moves forward, even if a bending moment around the axis extending in the vertical direction is generated in the pusher body 22 by the pressing force of the product S, The rotation of the pusher main body 22 about this axis is suppressed, and the pusher main body 22 is supported so as not to tilt backward.

When the delivery of the commodity S is detected by the transmission type photo sensor of the bucket 4e, the rotation of the gear G2 is stopped and the swing arm 8a is returned to the standby position. Thereafter, the bucket 4e is moved to the product outlet 6, the product S is paid out into the product outlet 6, and the selling operation is completed.

As described in detail above, according to the vending machine 2 of the present invention, the mounting position of the partition wall 13 on the shelf 12 is changed in the left-right direction with the change of the width of the product S to be sold. .
In this case, the number and price labels L1 and L2 are attached to the upper and lower attachment frames 14b and 14c at the front end of the partition wall 13, respectively.
2 is changed in the left-right direction. Accordingly, unlike the related art, it is not necessary to perform an operation for changing the arrangement of the labels L1 and L2, separately from the operation for changing the mounting position of the partition wall 13. In addition, the number and price labels L1 and L2 are detachably attached to the upper and lower attachment frames 14b and 14c, respectively, so that their replacement work is facilitated. Also, the number and price label L
1 and L2 can be removed from the upper and lower mounting frames 14b and 14c simply by pulling them out of the slits SL1 and SL2, respectively. Therefore, unlike the case of pasting with conventional adhesive tape, there is no damage or deformation at the time of removal and repeated use. it can.

Further, at the time of sale, the control device controls the movement / stop of the bucket 4e of the commodity transport device 4 according to the detection signal of the price label L2 of the reflection type photo sensor as described above. The price label L2 is attached to the partition wall 1 as described above.
3, the bucket 4e can be moved to the receiving position even when the position of the partition wall 13 on the shelf 12 is changed in the left-right direction in accordance with the change in the width of the product S for sale.
The stop can be reliably and appropriately executed based on the detection signal of the price label L2. Thus, the product passage 11a
Even if the width of the bucket 4e is changed,
There is no need to adjust the receiving position in the left-right direction. As described above, the maintenance work accompanying the change in the width of the product passage 11a is facilitated.

Further, the control device can store the arrangement of each price label L2 on the product rack 11, that is, the receiving position of each product passage 11a in the RAM beforehand at the time of trial operation or the like. Based on
The following movement speed control of the bucket 4e can be executed.
That is, the product passage 11a that stores the selected product S
Is determined in advance, and the bucket 4e is moved at a high speed to near the receiving position, and then moved at a low speed after approaching the bucket. It can be stopped properly at the receiving position. Therefore, the selling time of the product S can be shortened as compared with a case where the bucket 4e is moved at a constant speed without storing each receiving position in the RAM in advance.

Further, when the bucket 4e moves to the receiving position, the LED 4f blinks to inform the front that the bucket 4e has reached the receiving position. In particular, when the bucket 4e is moved to the receiving position, if the bucket 4e is moved in the left-right direction along the shelf 12 at the height of the receiving position, every time the reflective photosensor detects the price label L2. Then, when the LED 4f blinks and stops at the target receiving position, the LED 4f is maintained in the lighting state.
This makes it easy to check the operation and failure of the reflection type photo sensor during maintenance, and at the time of sale, can appeal the selling operation of the bucket 4e to the purchaser of the product, so that Interest can be increased.

In the above-described embodiment, when the bucket 4e is moved to the receiving position facing the payout port 11b, the presence of the price label L2 is detected using a reflective photosensor to detect the receiving position. However, the configuration for detecting the receiving position is not limited to this, and a two-dimensional code or bar code printed on the price label L2 is read using an OCR device or the like, or a magnetic sensor formed on the price label L2 using a magnetic sensor. The magnetic signal of the layer may be read, and any configuration that can detect the presence of the price label L2 may be used. Further, the number label L1 is not limited to the price label L2.
May be detected.

Further, number and price labels L1, L2
Are removably attached to the upper and lower mounting frames 15b and 15c by inserting them into the slits SL1 and SL2 at the upper ends of the upper and lower mounting frames 15b and 15c, respectively. , 15c are formed in the openings thereof, and the projections and claws which fit into these slits and holes are formed so as to protrude rearward on the rear surfaces of the labels L1 and L2, whereby the labels L1 and L2 are formed.
2 may be detachably attached to the upper and lower attachment frames 15b, 15c, or any structure that can be detachably attached may be used.

Although the shelf 12 is mounted horizontally on the rack frame 10, the shelf 12 may be mounted slightly obliquely downward. In this way, the goods S in the goods passage 11a can be dispensed at the payout port 1 due to an earthquake or the like.
1b can be prevented from accidentally falling.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a vending machine for storing products to be actually sold in a state that can be visually recognized from the front, maintenance work accompanying a change in the width of a product passage can be easily performed. It can be performed efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a merchandise storage and dispensing device of the vending machine.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a product rack.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of a main part of the product rack.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a partition wall.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an operation of attaching a number label and a price label to upper and lower attachment frames.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a partition wall and a pusher driving mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which a wide product is stored in a product path of a product rack.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state where a partition wall adapter is attached to a partition wall of a product rack.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an operation of attaching a bottom wall adapter to a bottom wall of a product rack in a used state and a non-used state.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a product rack.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a lock mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of a lock mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing the lock mechanism when the product stopper is at the retracted position.

FIG. 16 is a side view showing the operation of the lock mechanism when the release lever is pressed and the product stopper moves.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing the lock mechanism when the product stopper moves to the protruding position.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the product rack when the product stopper is at a protruding position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Vending machine 3a Sliding door (front panel) 4 Commodity conveying device (conveying means) 4e Bucket (conveying means) 4f LED (light emitting means) 11a Product passage 11b Payout port 12 Shelf 13 Partition wall 14b Upper mounting frame (mounting part) ) 14c Lower mounting frame (mounting part) L1 number label (display member) L2 price label (display member)

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Masaki Nakayama 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsunori 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka No. Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3E044 AA01 CC01 DB05 EA03 EA08 EA12 FB02 FB05 FB09

Claims (4)

[Claims] A plurality of products are arranged side by side in a product passage extending in the front-rear direction, and at the time of sale, a product at a forefront position is paid out from a payout port at a front end of the product passage, and
A vending machine for transporting the dispensed commodity to a commodity outlet, comprising: a transparent front panel extending in a vertical direction; a shelf provided substantially horizontally behind the front panel; A partition wall that is attached to extend in the front-rear direction to define the product passage, and that is configured to be able to change a mounting position with respect to the shelf board in the left-right direction, wherein the partition wall has a front end portion. A vending machine, comprising: a mounting portion provided on a vehicle; and a display member detachably mounted on the mounting portion and displaying information related to the product. 2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: arranging at a rear side of the front panel, between the receiving position facing the payout opening of the product passage, and an unloading position for transporting the product to the product outlet. A transport unit that receives the product paid out from the product path at the receiving position and transports the product to the unloading position; provided on the transport unit, the display unit displays the display member when the transport unit is at the receiving position. Detecting means for detecting and outputting a detection signal; and, at the time of sale, moving the transport means toward the receiving position of the product path for storing the product to be sold, and outputting the detection signal from the detecting means. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a control device configured to control to stop at the receiving position when the vending is performed. 3. The partition wall is attached to the shelf plate, and includes a plurality of partition walls each including the mounting portion and the display member, and two adjacent partition walls of the plurality of partition walls. In between, a product path is defined, and the transporting means is provided so as to be movable in the left-right direction over the entire shelf at the height of the receiving position for a trial operation, and the control device includes: At the time of this test operation, calculating means for calculating a plurality of receiving positions based on a plurality of detection signals when the detecting means respectively detects the plurality of display members, and calculating the plurality of receiving positions calculated by the calculating means. 3. The vending machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a storage unit for storing. 4. A light emitting means is provided on a front surface of said transport means, and said control device is configured to cause said light emitting means to emit light when said detection signal is output from said detecting means. The vending machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the vending machine is provided.