JP2000113306A - Merchandise housing and ejecting device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a device for easily and efficiently changing the width of a merchandise passage, and for properly housing and smoothly ejecting merchandise with various width by providing the projecting part and/or recessed part of the engagement part of a partition wall so that they can be freely attachably and detachably engaged with the recessed part and/or projecting part of the engagement part of a rack plate. SOLUTION: The projecting part and/or recessed part of the engagement part of a partition wall is provided so as to be freely attachably and detachably engaged with the recessed part and/or projecting part of the engagement part of a rack plate. This partition wall 13 is provided with front and back connection adaptors 15 and 16. Then, the front connection adaptor 15 is connected with the rack plate in a fall-off preventing state by a connecting safety lug 15e and an engagement protrusion 15d, and the front connection adaptor 15 can be removed from the rack plate as necessary by elastically deforming the top end part of the connecting safety lug 15e upward by a hand. Also, the partition wall 13 can be removed from the rack plate by elastically deforming the connecting safety lug 15e of the front connection adaptor 15 by a finger, and removing it from a front square hole, and simultaneously moving the partition wall 13 forward, and removing a connection protrusion 16b from a rear angular hole.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for storing a large number of products side by side in a product path extending in the front-rear direction.
The present invention relates to a product storage and dispensing device of a vending machine that pays out stored products forward or backward at the time of sale.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a product storage and dispensing device of this type, a device described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,881,633 is known. This product storage and dispensing apparatus has a box-shaped frame, a plurality of shelves horizontally mounted on the frame, a number of partition walls mounted side by side on the upper surface of these shelves and extending in the front-rear direction, A carriage provided at the rear of the frame so as to be movable in the vertical and horizontal directions. A merchandise passage is formed between each two adjacent partition walls, and merchandise is stored in the merchandise passage in a line in the front-rear direction. A channel steel is attached to the rear end of the shelf so as to extend in the left-right direction. At the rear end of the partition, a plate is mounted, which is bolted to a channel. With the above configuration, by changing the bolting position of the plate with respect to the channel steel, the mounting position of the partition wall in the left-right direction with respect to the shelf board can be changed, and thereby the width of the product passage can be changed. .

A partition wall constituting the left side wall of the product passage projects from the right side of the partition wall into the product passage, and is slidable forward and connected to the slider, and protrudes rearward from the back surface of the partition wall. And a driving member. Further, the carriage includes an actuator that presses the driving member forward. When selling a product, the carriage moves to the rear of the product path for storing the product for sale, and drives the actuator to press the drive member of the partition wall forward. As a result, the slider moves forward, and pays out the products in the product path forward.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional product storage and dispensing apparatus, when the width of the product passage is changed in accordance with a change in the stored product during loading or the like, the mounting position of the partition wall with respect to the shelf board is changed. Must be changed. Specifically, the bolting of the plate to the channel steel must be once removed and then bolted again. Therefore, in order to change the mounting position, a tool for turning the bolt is required, and the mounting position cannot be easily changed.
When the work time is relatively long, the work time increases when the mounting positions of a large number of partition walls are changed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can easily and efficiently change the width of a product passage, and can appropriately store products of various widths and smoothly pay them. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine product storage and dispensing device capable of dispensing.

[0006]

To achieve this object, a vending machine product storage and dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 stores and sells a plurality of products side by side in a product path extending in the front-rear direction. A vending machine product dispensing and dispensing device that sometimes dispenses stored products in one of a front-back direction of a dispensing direction, wherein two front and rear first engagements respectively configured in one of a first concave portion and a first convex portion. A plurality of sets of first engaging portions arranged in the left-right direction as one set, a substantially horizontally provided shelf board, and an arbitrary one of the plurality of sets of first engaging portions of the shelf board. A pair of first and second concave portions that are detachably engageable with the first concave portion and the first convex portion of the set, and two front and rear second engaging portions respectively formed on one of the second convex portion and the second concave portion; By engaging the second engagement portion with the set of first engagement portions,
A partition wall attached to the shelf so as to extend in the front-rear direction, and defining a product passage.

According to the merchandise storage and dispensing device of the vending machine, the second projection and / or the second projection of the second engagement portion of the partition wall are provided.
The concave portion is formed by a first concave portion and / or a plurality of sets of first engaging portions of the shelf board.
Alternatively, since the first engaging portion is provided so as to be detachably engaged with the first convex portion, it is possible to selectively change a set of first engaging portions with which the second engaging portion of the partition wall is engaged. Thereby, the width of the product passage can be changed according to the width of the stored product. As described above, the width of the product passage can be changed only by disengaging the first concave portion and the second convex portion and / or disengaging the first convex portion and the second concave portion, and then reengaging them. As compared with the conventional case where the bolting position is changed, a tool is not required, and the operation time can be shortened.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the first aspect, the shelf board projects upward at an end opposite to the dispensing direction and extends in the left-right direction. One wall, and one of the two first engagement portions of the shelf is
The first wall includes two upper and lower engagement portions formed on a surface of the first wall on the dispensing direction side, and one of the two second engagement portions of the partition wall is opposite to the dispensing direction of the partition wall. The upper end is provided with two upper and lower engaging portions which are respectively formed to be engageable with the upper and lower two engaging portions of one of the first engaging portions.

According to the merchandise storage and dispensing device of the vending machine, the upper and lower engaging portions of the first wall of the shelf board and the upper and lower engaging portions of the partition wall can be engaged with each other. By this, when the partition wall is engaged with the shelf, the partition wall is moved to the side opposite to the dispensing direction, and the upper and lower engaging portions of the shelf and the upper and lower engaging portions of the partition wall are respectively engaged. Just by making the partition wall perpendicular to the shelf board,
Work time can be further reduced.

[0010] The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the merchandise storage and dispensing device of the vending machine, the shelf board has a second wall protruding downward at an end on the dispensing direction side and extending in the left-right direction parallel to the first wall, and the other first member. The joining portion is formed on the second wall, and is disposed at a position where a vertical plane including a set of two first engaging portions is orthogonal to the first wall and the second wall. Is provided with a mark as a guide for engaging the two second engaging portions of the partition wall with the set of first engaging portions of the shelf board.

According to the merchandise storage and dispensing apparatus of the vending machine, when the partition wall is attached to the shelf, the second engaging portion of the partition wall is engaged with the mark provided on the upper surface of the shelf as a guide. By moving the partition wall in the opposite direction to the dispensing direction, the second engagement portion of the partition wall is engaged with the first engagement portion of the shelf board, and the partition wall can be mounted upright on the shelf board. Therefore, when changing the width of the product passage, the operation of positioning the partition wall in the left-right direction with respect to the shelf plate becomes easy, and the operation time can be further reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise storage and dispensing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, at least one of the first convex portion and the second convex portion has elasticity. , And the other of the second concave portion and the first concave portion is provided with a claw that can be snap-fitted in a retaining state.

According to the merchandise storage and dispensing device of the vending machine, the engagement between the claw and the first concave portion and / or the second concave portion can be released with one touch by elastically deforming the claw. By pushing the claw into the first concave portion and / or the second concave portion side, it can be fitted with one touch. Therefore, when changing the width of the product passage, the work of attaching and detaching the partition wall to and from the shelf plate becomes easy, and the work time can be further reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise storage and dispensing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the partition wall is composed of a plurality of partition walls, and two sets of adjacent first engagement members are provided. The distance P between the centers of the parts is set at an equal interval of 14 ± 2 mm.

According to the vending machine product storage and dispensing apparatus, the main products such as large cans (66 mm diameter) and thin cans (53 mm diameter) canned beverage products and 38 mm diameter lactic acid beverage products can be stably converted. It fits well in the state and can be stored. That is, the width of the partition wall is W (mm), the distance between the centers of the two adjacent first engaging portions, that is, the pitch is P (mm), and a product having a diameter of 66, 53, and 38 mm is stored in the product path. The numbers of pitches between the centers of the partition walls on both sides in this case are N, N-1, N-2 (N is an integer), 66, 53, 38 m, respectively.
The clearances (the sum of the clearances on both sides) between the m-diameter product and the partition walls on both sides are C1, C2, and C3, respectively.
(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. As described above, by setting P = 14 ± 2 mm, the three types of products can be stably stored in the product passage in a stable state without attaching an adapter or the like for regulating the width of the product passage.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise storage and dispensing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a groove extending in the front-rear direction is formed on an upper surface of the partition wall. It is characterized by further comprising a partition wall adapter which is detachably fitted to the groove of the partition wall so as to extend in the front-rear direction, and protrudes from the side surface of the partition wall by a predetermined amount in the width direction of the product passage.

According to the merchandise storage and dispensing device of the vending machine, the width of the passage between the front and rear ends of the merchandise passage can be narrowed by a predetermined amount by fitting the partition wall adapter into the groove of the partition wall. Therefore, by preparing the partition wall adapters of various widths, the width of the product passage can be further variously changed, and the products of various widths can be stably accommodated in a stable state and appropriately stored. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise storage and dispensing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the partition wall protrudes into the merchandise passage and moves in the dispensing direction. A pusher for dispensing stored goods in the dispensing direction, guide means for guiding movement of the pusher in the dispensing direction, and driving means for moving the pusher in the dispensing direction;
Is provided.

According to the merchandise storage and dispensing device of the vending machine, the pusher is moved in the dispensing direction by the driving means while being guided by the guide means of the partition wall, and dispenses the stored commodities in the dispensing direction. These pushers, guide means and drive means are respectively provided on the partition wall, and the partition wall and the payout configuration of the product are modularized, thereby changing the mounting position of the partition wall to the shelf board, Even when the width of the product passage is changed, no adjustment of the connection portion with the drive system in the product payout configuration is required at the partition wall side. This can further reduce the work time when changing the width of the product passage.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise storage and dispensing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the partition wall protrudes into the merchandise passage and moves in the dispensing direction. A pusher for dispensing stored goods in the dispensing direction is provided, the pusher protrudes into the product passage, and a pusher body for pressing the stored goods in the dispensing direction, and a pusher is detachably attached to the pusher body. A pusher adapter that protrudes in the width direction into the product passage from the main body.

According to the merchandise storage and dispensing apparatus of the vending machine, even when a wide product is sold by changing the position of the partition wall to be engaged with the shelf plate and changing the width of the product passage. In addition, the pressing area where the pressing force of the pusher acts on a wide product can be increased. As a result, even a wide product can be smoothly dispensed from the product passage in the dispensing direction.

[0026]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
A merchandise storage and dispensing device for a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1 to 3 show a vending machine 2 in which a product storage and dispensing device 1 according to one embodiment is incorporated. The vending machine 2 stores a large number of items S such as canned beverages and PET bottled beverages in a horizontal box-shaped vending machine main body 3 in a front-rear direction, and stores the products S in a transparent sliding front surface. This is a so-called showcase type that can be seen through the door 3a.
The vending machine 2 stores the vending machine body 3 and a product storage and dispensing device 1 for storing the product S and paying it out at the time of sale.
And a product unloading device 4 that receives the product S paid out from the product storage and payout device 1 at the time of sale and carries it out.

The vending machine main body 3 is formed by assembling a plurality of outer wall panels 3b into 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 including a microcomputer (not shown).

The product unloading device 4 includes a Y module 4a movably provided 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
Bucket 4e provided to be vertically movable with respect to
And The movable body 4d has a bucket 4e.
A driving mechanism (not shown) for driving the bucket 4e in the vertical direction is built in. The bucket 4e includes a reflection type photosensor and a transmission type photosensor, both not shown, and a bucket 4e.
And a pusher driving mechanism 8 as shown in FIG.

The reflection type photo sensor is a combination of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, which are arranged side by side. A light beam emitted from the light emitting element is reflected by the object and is incident on the light receiving element to detect the object. I do. 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, at the time of sale,
In order to carry out the product S, the bucket 4e is moved to the payout position (the payout port 1 to be described later) where the product storage and payout device 1 pays out the product S.
1b). 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.
When the price label L2 is detected, the bucket 4
By stopping e, the bucket 4e is stopped at the payout position.

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 on the partition wall 13 and at the same time the bucket 4e.
Is stopped at the payout 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 reflective photosensor detects the price label L2 in an appropriate detection time, and whether or not the reflective photosensor is operating normally. Used for failure determination.

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, the product rack 11 has a rectangular shelf plate 12 and a plurality of partition walls removably mounted on the shelf plate 12 to partition the shelf plate 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 product passage 11a, a front wall (second wall) 12b bent downward from the front end of the bottom wall 12a. And left and right side walls 12c, 12c and a rear wall (first wall) 12d bent upward from the left and right ends and the rear end of the bottom wall 12a.

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 further vertically bent downward. 12j, and a step portion 12i that 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 (the other first engaging portion and first concave portion) 12e are formed in the upper wall portion 12j. 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.
The upper and lower two horizontally long rear corner holes (one first engagement portion, which extend in the left-right direction along the rear end of the
The upper and lower two engaging portions, the first recesses) 12f, 12f are one set, and a large number of sets of rear square holes 12f,
12f. The rear square holes 12f, 12f of each set are
A position corresponding to each front square hole 12e of the front wall 12b, that is, a vertical plane including the front square holes 12e and extending in the front-rear direction is formed on an intersection line intersecting with the rear wall 12d, respectively.
As a result, the two right and left rear square holes 12f, 1
The pitch P of 2f is set to 13 mm like 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 two reference holes (marks) arranged in front and rear on a crossing line where the vertical plane including the corresponding rear square hole 12f and extending in the front-rear direction intersects the bottom wall 12a as one set. The holes are formed side by side in the left-right direction (both are not shown). Each set of reference holes is arranged for every seven front square holes 12e. These reference holes, as described below,
It is used as a standard for aligning and attaching the partition wall 13 to the shelf board 12 in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the partition wall 13 is
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, and is opened on the upper surface of the partition wall main body 14, and the opening is a narrow slit (groove of the partition wall) 14b extending in the front-rear direction. At the lower end of the partition wall body 14, a lower hollow portion 14c having a rectangular cross section is formed.
Extend continuously in the front-rear direction in the partition wall body 14.

A guide groove (guide means) 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, and the upper and lower edges of the opening of the guide groove 14e are continuous with the right side surface 14d. And upper and lower engaging projections (guide means) 14f, 14f, which extend in the vertical direction and extend continuously in the front-rear direction in parallel with each other. Also, right side 14d
A groove 14g having a rectangular cross section extending in the front-rear direction parallel to the guide groove 14e is formed at the center of the groove. This groove 14
In g, a timing belt (drive means) 17 extending in the front-rear direction is stored.

Also, 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 15b and 15c are provided at the upper and lower portions on the front side of the front connection adapter 15, respectively. As shown in FIG.
b, a number label L1 indicating the number of the product passage 11a, in other words, the number of the product S stored therein,
A price label L2 indicating the price of the stored product S is attached to the lower attachment frame 15c. Upper mounting frame 1
A slit SL1 is formed at the upper end of 5b, 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. . As a result, the number label L1 is attached to the upper attachment frame 15b by being inserted into the slit SL1, and conversely, is removed from the upper attachment frame 15b by being pulled upward. Thus, the number label L1 is attached to the upper mounting frame 1
When the number of the product passages 11a of the product rack 11 is changed,
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 forwardly extending recessed portion that 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. In this recess, a gear G2 with a front pulley 18 is provided.
(Driving means) are provided, 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 (driving means) is formed of a toothed pulley that meshes with the teeth of the timing belt 17, and when the gear G2 is driven clockwise by the above-described drive gear G1, the front pulley 18 is integrally formed therewith. Rotate clockwise to rotate the timing belt 17 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 connecting pawl (the other second engaging portion, second convex portion, pawl) 15
e are formed respectively. As shown in FIG. 8, the engagement protrusion 15d is in contact with the front end of the lower surface of the bottom wall 12a of the shelf board 12, whereby the front connection adapter 15
The shelf 12 is locked so as not to move upward. On the other hand, the connection claw 15e is provided immediately below the engagement protrusion 15d, and a step is formed on the lower surface of the tip. 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 connected to the shelf board 12 by the connection claws 15e and the engagement protrusions 15d in a retaining state, and is elastically deformed upward by hand at the tip of the connection claw 15e. , Can be removed from the shelf 12 as needed.

Further, the front connection adapter 15 is provided with 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 connecting adapter 16, connecting protrusions (one second engaging portion, upper and lower two engaging portions, second convex portions) 16b, 16b projecting rearward are formed. ing. 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.

In the center of the rear connection adapter 16,
A concave portion having an open front surface is formed, and a rear pulley (driving means) 19 configured in the same manner as the front pulley 18 described above is provided in the concave portion. The rear pulley 19 is
The holder 19 is rotatable about a horizontal axis extending in the left-right direction.
a, and the above-mentioned timing belt 17 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 in the upper part of the front part on the right side 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 pushes the stored product S in the product path 11a forward at the time of sale and pays it 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 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 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-shaped groove 23a is formed between the upper and lower engaging projections 14 of the guide groove 14e of the partition wall body 14.
f, 14f, and a guide groove 14e is housed in the inner half of the first guide roller 23. As a result, the first guide roller 23 is engaged with the engagement protrusions 14f, 14f.
, And can roll in the front-rear direction. At the time of this rolling, the front first guide roller 23 is attached to the edge of the notch hole 15f of the front connection adapter 15 described above.
The range in which the pusher 20 can move in the front-rear direction, that is, the stroke amount, is defined by the fact that the pusher 20 is locked at the edge of the notch 16d of the rear connection adapter 16 described above. 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 product unloading 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 the 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. In this manner, 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 product S to be stored, and the products S of various widths can be stably accommodated. Can be stored properly.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when selling a product S which can be stored in the product passage 11a only in a sideways state, 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 coupling 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.

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 the commodity S is stored 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 plate 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 FIG. 12 to FIG. 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.

Further, 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 opening 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. 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.

Thus, 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 path 11a by the product stopper 31 at the same time as the unlocking operation of the left and right sides of the product rack 11 described above. 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 pusher 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 main body 3 of the vending machine. 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 changing the width of the product passage 11a 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, 16
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 the number label L1 needs to be changed in accordance with the width change of the product passage 11a, the old number label L1 is extracted 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.

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, drives the product unloading device 4, and drives the bucket 4e. The payout port 1 of the product passage 11a for storing the product S
Move to the payout position facing 1b. In this case, the target product passage 11a is detected by the reflection type photo sensor of the bucket 4e. Specifically, the presence of the price label L2 on the left partition wall 13 defining the commodity passage 11a is detected by the reflection type photo sensor, and the bucket 4e is stopped at the detected position. When the bucket 4e moves, the LED 4f blinks when the bucket 4e passes the receiving position other than the intended position and the reflective photosensor temporarily detects the price label L2, and the bucket 4e
Is stopped at the target receiving position, and when the reflection type photo sensor continuously outputs the detection signal of the price label L2, the lighting state is maintained.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the pusher drive mechanism 8 is driven to rotate the swing arm 8a to the meshing position, thereby meshing the drive gear G1 with the gear G2. 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 commodity storing and dispensing apparatus 1 of the present invention, the connecting claws 15e and the connecting protrusions 16b, 16b are provided at the front and rear ends of the partition wall 13, respectively. Connecting claw 15e and connecting protrusion 16
b and 16b are formed in front and rear square holes 12e and 12f and 12f formed in front and rear walls 12b and 12d of the shelf plate 12, respectively.
The partition wall 13 to the shelf 1
2 can be detachably attached. In this case, since the upper and lower rear corner holes 12f, 12f of the rear wall 12d are vertically arranged on a vertical line, the connecting protrusions 16b,
The partition wall 13 can be mounted so as to be upright with respect to the shelf board 12 simply by fitting the 16b into these.
Further, the connecting projections 16b, 16b are connected to the upper and lower rear square holes 12f,
When the partition wall 13 is inserted into the front wall 12e, the partition claw 15e can be fitted to the front square hole 12e by moving the partition wall 13 rearward with the two reference holes provided on the upper surface of the shelf plate 12 as a guide. Thereby, the partition wall 13 can be positioned and attached in the left-right direction so as to be orthogonal to the front and rear walls 12b and 12d of the shelf plate 12. As described above, when the width of the product passage 11a is changed, the partition wall 13 can be easily mounted in an upright posture while positioning the partition wall 13 in the left-right direction with respect to the shelf board 12.

Further, since the connecting claw 15e is snap-fitted in the front square hole 15e in a retaining state, the connecting claw 15e
By elastically deforming e by hand and moving the partition wall 13 forward, the partition wall 13 can be easily removed from the shelf board 12 with one touch. Thus, the partition wall 13 can be easily removed from the shelf 12 when the width of the product passage 11a is changed. As described above, when the width of the product passage 11a is changed, the partition wall 13 is
Since it can be easily attached and detached, no tools are required and the operation time can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional case where the bolting position is changed.

Further, two adjacent square holes 12e, 1
By setting the center-to-center distance of 2e, that is, the pitch P to be equal to 14 ± 2 mm, it is possible to install a thick can (66 mm), which is a main commodity at present, without attaching an adapter or the like for regulating the width of the commodity passage 11a. Diameter) and cans (5
(3 mm diameter) canned beverage products and lactic acid beverage products of 38 mm diameter can be stored in the product passage in a stable manner with the above three types of products stably. When the partition wall adapter 26 is used, by fitting the partition wall adapter 26 to the slit 14b and attaching it 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, Goods S of various widths can be stably accommodated and stored properly.

On the other hand, on the partition wall 13, a pusher 20
A guide groove 14 e for guiding the pusher 20, upper and lower engaging projections 14 f, 14 f, a timing belt 17 for driving the pusher 20, and front and rear pulleys 18, 19.
And the gear G2 are attached, and the partition wall 13 and the payout configuration of the commodity S are modularized. Thus, even when the position of the partition wall 13 to be attached to the shelf 12 is changed and the width of the product passage is changed, the adjustment of the connection portion with the drive system (the product unloading device 4) in the product payout configuration can be performed. It becomes completely unnecessary on the partition wall 13 side. by this,
The working time when changing the width of the product passage 11a can be further reduced.

Further, by attaching the pusher adapter 26 to the pusher body 22, a wide product S can be obtained.
Even when selling the product 1, the pressing area where the pressing force of the pusher 20 acts on the wide product S1 can be increased. Thereby, even the wide product S1 can be smoothly dispensed from the product passage 11a.

In the above-described embodiment, the commodity S is paid out from the commodity passage 11a of the commodity rack 11 to the front. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the commodity S may be paid out from behind. Good. Also, the shelf plate 12 is mounted horizontally on the rack frame 10,
However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the shelf board 12 may be attached slightly diagonally backward when paying out the product S forward, and may be mounted slightly obliquely backward when paid out backward. In this way, the product S in the product passage 11a
However, it can be prevented from accidentally dropping from the payout port 11b due to an earthquake or the like.

In the above embodiment, the partition wall 1
3, a connecting claw 15e and a connecting protrusion 16b
The front and rear walls 12b and 12d are provided with front and rear square holes 12e and 12f, respectively, but are not limited thereto.
A claw or a protrusion may be provided on 2 d, and holes for fitting the claw or the protrusion may be provided at the front and rear ends of the partition wall 13. Further, a hole may be provided on one of the front and rear walls 12b, 12d, and a protrusion may be provided on the other, and a protrusion and a hole fitted to these holes and the protrusion may be provided on the front and rear ends of the partition wall 13.
Also, nails (or projections) and holes (or holes) are provided at the front and rear ends of the partition wall 13 in the up-down direction, and holes (or holes) and nails (or projections) to be fitted into these are formed on the rear wall of the shelf board 12. 12d may be provided. On the other hand, the connecting claws that can be snap-fitted are connected to the front and rear ends of the partition wall 13 and the front and rear walls 1 of the shelf plate 12.
2b and 12d may be provided.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the reference hole is used as a mark when the partition wall 13 is attached to the shelf plate 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a slit extending in the front-rear direction, various seals and marks, or the like may be used. What is necessary is just to become.

[0103]

As described above, according to the commodity storing and dispensing apparatus of the vending machine of the present invention, the width of the commodity passage can be easily and efficiently changed, and the commodity of various widths can be appropriately handled. It can be stored and paid out smoothly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external appearance of a vending machine to which a product storage and dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

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

FIG. 3 is a front view of the merchandise storage and dispensing apparatus.

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]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Commodity storage and dispensing apparatus 2 Vending machine 11a Commodity passage 12 Shelf board 12b Front wall (2nd wall) 12e Front square hole (the other 1st engaging part, 1st recessed part) 12d Rear wall (1st wall) 12f Rear square hole (one first engaging portion, upper and lower two engaging portions, first concave portion) 13 Partition wall 14b Slit (groove of partition wall) 14e Guide groove (guide means) 14f Upper and lower engaging projections (guide means) 15e Connecting claw (the other second engaging portion, second convex portion, claw) 16b Connecting protrusion (one second engaging portion, upper and lower two engaging portions, second convex portion) 17 Timing belt (driving means) 18 front pulley (drive means) 19 rear pulley (drive means) 20 pusher 22 pusher body 25 pusher adapter 26 partition adapter G2 gear (drive means) S product S1 wide product

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Masaki Nakayama 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Dr. Kobayashi 2-5-2-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka F term (reference) in Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 3E046 BB01 CB06 CC03 CD01 CD04 DA03 DA04 DA07 EA01 EB01 3F022 AA09 CC08 CC10 FF15 MM03 MM05 MM13

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A merchandise storage and dispensing device for a vending machine for disposing a plurality of commodities in a merchandise passage extending in the front-rear direction and arranging the stored commodities in one of the front-rear dispensing directions at the time of sale. A plurality of first engaging portions arranged in the left-right direction with two front and rear first engaging portions each formed on one of the first concave portion and the first convex portion as one set, and substantially horizontal. And a second convex portion detachably engageable with an arbitrary set of the first concave portion and the first convex portion of the plurality of first engaging portions of the shelf plate. The two shelves have two front and rear second engaging portions respectively formed in one of the two concave portions, and the two second engaging portions are engaged with the set of first engaging portions to thereby provide the shelf. A partition wall attached to the board so as to extend in the front-rear direction, and defining the product passage. Commodity storage dispensing device for the automatic vending machine, wherein the door. 2. The shelf board has a first wall protruding upward at an end opposite to the payout direction and extending in the left-right direction, and one of the two first engaging portions of the shelf board is , Comprising two upper and lower engaging portions respectively formed on a surface of the first wall on the side of the dispensing direction, wherein one of the two second engaging portions of the partition wall is the partition. At least two upper and lower engaging portions are formed at an end of the wall opposite to the dispensing direction so as to be engageable with the upper and lower two engaging portions of the one first engaging portion. The vending machine product storage and dispensing device according to claim 1. 3. The shelf plate includes a second wall protruding downward at an end on the payout direction side and extending in the left-right direction in parallel with the first wall, and the other first engagement portion includes: A vertical plane formed on the second wall and including the pair of the first engagement portions is disposed at a position orthogonal to the first wall and the second wall. A mark is provided on the upper surface as a guide for engaging the two second engagement portions of the partition wall with the set of first engagement portions of the shelf board. A vending machine product storage and dispensing device according to claim 2. 4. At least one of the first convex portion and the second convex portion has an elasticity, and has a claw that can be snap-fit to the other of the second concave portion and the first concave portion in a state of being prevented from falling off, respectively. The merchandise storage and dispensing device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The partition wall is constituted by a plurality of partition walls, and a distance P between centers between two adjacent sets of the first engagement portions is provided.
5. The apparatus for storing and dispensing merchandise of a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is set at equal intervals of 14 ± 2 mm. 6. A groove extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the upper surface of the partition wall. The groove is detachably fitted to the groove of the partition wall so as to extend in the front-rear direction, and from the side surface of the partition wall. The product storage and dispensing device of a vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a partition wall adapter projecting by a predetermined amount in a width direction of the product passage. 7. A pusher that projects into the product passage and moves in the payout direction to the partition wall to pay out the stored product in the payout direction, and guides movement of the pusher in the payout direction. 7. A merchandise storage and dispensing device for a vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a guiding means for performing the operation, and a driving means for moving the pusher in the dispensing direction. 8. The partition wall has a pusher that protrudes into the commodity passage and that dispenses the stored commodity in the dispensing direction by moving in the dispensing direction,
The pusher protrudes into the product passage, and a pusher body for pressing the stored product in the dispensing direction, and is detachably attached to the pusher body, and is wider in the product passage than in the pusher body. 2. A protruding pusher adapter.
Item 7. A merchandise storage and dispensing device for a vending machine according to any one of claims 6 to 6.