JP2003109087A - Merchandise carrying-away device and vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a vending machine which reduces merchandise carry trouble and from which a merchandise is easily taken-out. SOLUTION: The merchandise carrying-away device 200 of the vending machine is provided with a merchandise transfer bottom board 231 which is arranged in the lower part of a merchandise rack 201 and inclined vertically upward with respect to a direction from the rear surface to the front surface of a main body case 101 and a merchandise carrier arm 232 for pushing-up the merchandise on the bottom board 231 and discharging it to an upstream side. The device 200 also includes a flapper supporter 221 in the upper of the merchandise transfer bottom board 231 in the left an right direction of the main body case 101 in parallel with the bottom board. The supporter 221 is provided with a flapper 222 for absorbing the falling shock of the merchandise which is thrown down from the merchandise rack 201 and a flapper 223 for controlling the posture of the fallen down merchandise on the bottom board 231.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product unloading device and a vending machine for an automatic vending machine, and more particularly to an automatic vending machine in which a product payout port or a product takeout port is arranged at a position higher than that of a conventional device and the automatic vending machine. The present invention relates to a product unloading device used in a machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, automatic vending machines have utilized the weight drop of products. FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a conventional vending machine. As shown in the figure, the vending machine 500
Has a main body case 501, a product rack 502, a shooter 503, and a product outlet 504. A product conveyor may be provided separately from the shooter 503 or together with the shooter 503 to transfer the product to the product outlet. Conventionally, the product payout port or the product takeout port is thus provided in the lower portion of the vending machine body case.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing another structural example of a conventional vending machine. As shown, the vending machine 600 includes a body case 601 and a product rack 602.
, Shooter 603, product outlet 604, lifter 6
05 and. In this vending machine 600, the product is once transferred to the front side of the lower part of the main body case 601, and is lifted up from here by the lifter 605 to the position of the product outlet 604 provided at the center height of the front surface of the main body case 601.

The automatic vending machine 500 has an advantage that the product is quickly conveyed to the product outlet 504 after the product selection button (not shown) is pressed. Meanwhile, the vending machine 600
Has a merit that the take-out operation such as crouching is not necessary because the product take-out port 604 is high, and the take-out of the product is easy.

[0005]

However, the conventional techniques have the following problems. That is, the vending machine 500 has a problem that it is inconvenient to take out the product itself. On the other hand, the vending machine 600 has a problem that it takes a long time to convey the product to the product outlet 604. That is, after dropping the product from the product rack 602,
Since the two steps of transfer by the shooter 603 and pushing up of the product by the lifter 605 are required, the vending machine 5 that requires only one transfer step by the shooter 603.
Compared with 00, there was a problem that it took time to transfer the products.

On the other hand, improvement of usability for various product services surrounding the human environment has come to play an important role in product development in recent years. Therefore, even in the vending machine, it is becoming more and more important to quickly discharge the product to a position where it can be easily taken out. At this time, as a matter of course, it is necessary to reduce troubles in product transportation.

On the other hand, this usability should not be impaired not only to the purchaser of the product but also to the manager of the vending machine, for example, the person who replaces the product. Because the purchaser of the vending machine is usually different from the purchaser of the product, the user (administrator) of the vending machine itself.
This is because it must be highly convenient for the user. More specifically, it is desired that the product replacement work can be performed easily and at high speed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to realize an automatic vending machine capable of reducing troubles in product transportation and easily taking out products.

Another object of the present invention is to make it easy and fast to replace products.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the product unloading device according to claim 1 is a product unloading device for an automatic vending machine arranged at a lower part of a product rack, which is a main body case. The product transfer bottom plate inclined vertically upward from the rear surface to the front direction, the product transfer arm that pushes up the products on the product transfer bottom plate to the upstream side, and the bottom part on the product transfer bottom plate. A flapper support column is provided in parallel to the face plate and in the left-right direction of the main body case, and the flapper support column includes a flapper for absorbing a drop impact of a product dropped from the product rack and the dropped product transfer bottom plate. And a flapper for controlling the attitude of the above product.

That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, since the bottom plate for transferring the product is inclined so as to rise toward the front surface of the case, the product payout port or the product takeout port should be provided higher than the conventional vending machine. You can Further, the product can be prevented from rolling on the bottom plate due to the inclination by the flapper, and the product attitude can be stabilized by the product weight and the flapper or by these and the product transfer arm. Further, it becomes possible to transfer the product from the product dropping to the product payout port or the takeout port in one step. That is, the transport distance can be shortened.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for discharging goods.
The product unloading device according to claim 1, wherein the flapper support columns are provided so as to correspond to partitions of the product rack in the left-right direction with respect to the main body case.
That is, the invention according to claim 2 reduces the possibility that the product dropped from the product rack appropriately hits the impact absorbing flapper and the product dances.

Further, the product unloading device according to claim 3 is
The product unloading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flapper support column rotatably supports the drop impact absorbing flapper about the column and attaches the flapper in a rotation direction that resists vertically downward. It is characterized by having an elastic body that urges. That is, the invention according to claim 3 properly absorbs the drop impact when the product dropped from the product rack lands on the bottom plate by the elastic force.

Further, the article unloading device according to claim 4 is
The product unloading device according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
The flapper support column rotatably supports the attitude control flapper about the column, and a regulation member for regulating rotation of the flapper at a predetermined angle or more toward the downstream side of the commodity transfer bottom plate. It is characterized by having. That is, the invention according to claim 4 prohibits the commodity from moving downstream from the flapper for attitude control. In other words, the product movement distance on the bottom plate is shortened.

Further, the article discharge device according to claim 5 is
The product unloading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the product transfer bottom plate or flapper is a lubricating steel plate. That is, the invention according to claim 5 can smoothly transfer the product.

[0016] Further, the article unloading device according to claim 6 is
The product unloading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the product transfer bottom plate is located at a position in which a front side of the bottom plate is below horizontal with respect to a rotation axis provided in the left and right direction of the device. It is characterized by being rotatable. That is, in the invention according to claim 6, the bottom plate can be used as a shooter.

Further, in the vending machine according to claim 7, the product racks are provided in a plurality of rows in a stepwise downward direction in the depth direction of the main body case, and the product rack is provided at a lower portion of the product rack according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The above-mentioned product unloading device is provided, and a product payout port or a product takeout port is provided at the upstream end of the product transfer bottom plate. That is, the invention according to claim 7 can shorten the fall distance of the product.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an automatic vending machine and a product unloading device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of the product unloading device according to the present embodiment. Vending machine 10
0 is a main body case 101 which is a housing in its appearance.
It has a product sample section 102 for displaying a sample of a product, a money inserting section 103 for inserting bills and coins, a change refunding section 104 for refunding change, and a product extracting section 105. The product take-out portion 105 is provided in the main body case 10 from the vertical direction.
1 has a take-out port cover 151 that opens and closes in the depth direction, and a product receiver 152 that is a position where products are finally transferred.

2 and 3 are sectional views of the vending machine 100 according to the present embodiment as seen from the side. Of these, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration when a normal vending machine is in operation, such as when trying to purchase a product. On the other hand, FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration when performing high-speed payout by an administrator who manages a vending machine, such as replacement of products, as will be described later. In the following, first, the configurations of the vending machine and the product unloading device will be described while explaining the operation during normal operation, and then the mode in the case of performing high-speed dispensing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vending machine 100
The three product racks 201, each having the product unloading device 200 and the product racks 201 (referred to from the front side of the product case as 201F, 201M, and 201R) arranged in a staircase with three steps, Each is a serpentine type product rack with two rows of front and rear, and stores a large number of products G stacked vertically. Product rack 2
01 has an open lower end, and is provided with a well-known vent mechanism that drops products one by one in synchronization with the pressing of a product selection button (not shown) by the user.

Next, the structure and operation of the product discharge device 200 will be described. 4 to 8 show the product unloading device 20.
It is an external view which showed the structure of 0 from a some direction. Of these, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how goods are conveyed. The product unloading device 200 includes a flapper mounting frame 202 and a bottom plate portion 20.
3 and both rotate about the support shaft 204 as required (see FIG. 3). In addition, in FIG. 4 to FIG.
The flapper, flapper support column and the like are omitted as appropriate.

The bottom plate portion 203 is a bottom plate 231 for transferring products, which is a flat plate on which the products dropped from the product rack 201 are placed.
And a product transfer arm 232 for transferring the product dropped on the product transfer bottom plate 231 to the product take-out section 105 side, and a chain 233 for driving the product transfer arm 232. Although not shown, the bottom plate portion 203 is also provided with a locking claw for hanging the bottom plate portion 203 on the flapper mounting frame 202.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the flapper mounting frame 202 is integrated so as to hold the bottom plate portion 203 during normal use, and has a plurality of parallel flapper support columns 221 and a drop of the product. A flapper 222 for absorbing a drop impact for absorbing a shock, and a flapper 223 for preventing a product from rolling and having a posture for carrying a product have a posture control flapper 223.

As shown in FIG. 2, the product unloading device 200
Is obliquely placed in the main body case 101, and the product transfer bottom plate 231 is also oblique. That is, the product unloading device 200 is connected to the front of the vending machine 100 (the product unloading unit 105
It is inclined so that it will rise toward you when viewed from the side). Therefore, after the product G is dropped from the product rack 201, it is conveyed in one step to the product taking-out section 105 at a height where it can be taken out easily.

This product transfer is performed by pushing up the product transfer arm 232 through the drive of the chain 233 so as to pay out the product parallel to the bottom plate 231. In this example, the transfer arm is used, but the mode is not limited as long as the product is pushed up to the upstream side (the product take-out portion 105 side) against the rolling force due to the inclination. Product transport arm 232
Of the product G is appropriately determined according to the height and the center of gravity of the product G stored in the product rack 201. For example, the height may be such that the center of gravity of the can is stable if the height does not change even when it is rotated like canned juice. Further, if the height changes depending on the direction like a cigarette box, it is preferable to set the height in consideration of the maximum height. This is to prevent the product from jumping over the transfer arm 232 during the transfer and causing a transfer trouble.

The transfer arm 232 may be moved so as to be slightly floated from the product transfer bottom plate 231. As a result, the friction between the arm and the bottom plate is eliminated, and it is possible to prevent transport troubles such as the product G being soiled and the product G being damaged.

If the transfer arm 232 is provided with appropriate buffering performance, the above-mentioned transfer trouble can be further reduced. For example, the arm circumference may be covered with plastic, or the arm itself may be plastic. It may also be covered with a sponge-like material. When the sponge-like one is used, for example, a plastic bottle rounded depending on the part does not dance when the arm hits, and the posture control becomes easy.

Next, the flapper support column 221, the drop impact absorbing flapper 222, and the attitude control flapper 223 will be described. The flapper support columns 221 are attached to the flapper attachment frame 202 so as to be parallel to the product transfer bottom plate 231 and to be parallel to each other. In addition, the installation interval of the flapper support columns 221 is the product rack 2
It is arranged corresponding to the partition part S of 01. With this arrangement, the product G dropped from the product rack 201
Hits the flapper 222 for absorbing the fall impact without hitting the flapper support columns 221 so that the product lands without dancing between the flapper support columns 221. Therefore, peeling of the product coating does not occur, and it is possible to reduce transport troubles.

A flapper 222 for absorbing a drop impact is attached to the flapper support column 221 and is provided with a spring 224 (see FIG. 8).
(See), the structure is such that the spring force acts in the direction against the fall of the product G. By being biased in this way, the impact when the product G falls on the product transfer bottom plate 231 is reduced, and it becomes possible to prevent transport troubles such as damage to the product. Further, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, two flappers 222 for absorbing front and rear product drop impacts may be appropriately provided for each flapper support column 221.

As is apparent from the sectional view of FIG. 2, the attachment angle of the drop impact absorbing flapper 222 for absorbing the drop impact is determined in consideration of the inclination when attached to the main body case 101. That is, the flapper support column 221
The drop impact absorbing flapper 222 in front of is attached so as to be slightly upward from the drop impact absorbing flapper 222 in the rear. This is because the fall distance of the product is relatively long, so hit the product before the falling speed increases,
In addition, this is a result of adopting a design for absorbing shock with more spring force.

If the product take-out section 105 is as wide as one product, it is necessary to move the products closer together. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a cutout portion 225 is provided in the flapper mounting frame 202 so that the product can be moved to the center. The drop impact absorbing flapper 222 is preferably a plate, but is shaped so as not to interfere with the cut portion 225.

The attitude control flapper 223 is also attached to the flapper support column 221 and is regulated by a stopper 226 in a substantially vertical direction so that it can rotate only forward (upstream side). Flapper 223 for attitude control
The movement of the product to the downstream side (main body case 1
01 back direction), and it is possible to reduce transport troubles. In addition, the product attitude is controlled by the product weight and the flapper 223 for controlling the attitude (further, the product carrying arm 232).

For example, in the case of a cylindrical product such as canned juice, the product attitude is controlled so that the axial direction of the cylinder is aligned with the axial direction of the flapper support column 221. Since the product transfer arm 232 contacts the product in this posture, the product is transferred to the upstream side without dancing. Further, the product G stays substantially directly below the product rack 201,
The distance traveled by the product does not increase. Therefore, also from this point, the transport trouble can be reduced. Depending on the mode of use, the flapper 22 for attitude control may be used.
A spring may be provided for 3 as well, and an elastic force may be applied to the downstream side in a direction against the force.

Lubricated steel plates are preferable as materials for the product transfer bottom plate 231, the product G-contacting bottom plate 231, the drop impact absorbing flapper 222, and the attitude control flapper 223. Known lubricating steel plates can be used, but for example, a steel plate composed of an iron plate layer, a zinc plating layer, a chromate layer, and a lubricating coating layer can be used. By using the lubricated steel plate, slippage of products can be improved, coating paint of products can be prevented from being peeled or caught, and transport troubles can be reduced. Further, depending on the mode of use, the flapper 222 for absorbing the drop impact and the flapper 223 for attitude control may be raised from the same mold. This can reduce costs.

As described above, the product unloading device 200
Enables the product to be conveyed in one step to the product take-out section 105 provided at a position where it can be taken out easily, improving the usability for the product purchaser and reducing the conveyance trouble.

On the other hand, the product unloading device 200 has a structure that improves usability not only for the product purchaser but also for the manager of the vending machine 100. Generally, a product with a high turnover rate is selected as a product sold by a vending machine. Then, in accordance with the cycle of a new product, or when replacing a product having a poor turnover ratio with another product, the products in all or some stages of the product rack may be totally replaced.

At this time, if the products to be exchanged are dispensed one by one using the product transport arm 232, the work efficiency is extremely poor. Therefore, the product unloading device 200 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
It is possible to rotate so that 03 is diagonally below. As a result, the bottom plate 231 for transferring the product is in front (the product removing unit 105
It becomes a slope descending toward (side).

In this state, by continuously dropping the products G from the desired product rack 201, the products can be quickly delivered. That is, it is possible to sequentially eject the products toward the front side at high speed without using the product transfer arm 232. In other words, the product transfer bottom plate 231 serves as a shooter. Needless to say,
At this time, it is assumed that the front panel of the vending machine 100 is open, and the storage basket is appropriately installed as a product receiver.

As described above, by using the product unloading device 200, the product can be taken out at high speed, and the manager of the vending machine 100 can also take out the product unloading device 20.
The convenience of 0 is high.

Although the flapper is used in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plate body such as a partition plate, a damper, or a band-shaped flat plate may be used as long as it functions to absorb a fall impact and control the posture. May be

[0041]

As described above, according to the product unloading device (claim 1) of the present invention, the product payout port or the product takeout port can be provided higher than the conventional vending machine, and the product attitude can be improved. It is possible to stabilize the product, and further, it is possible to shorten the product transportation distance, which makes it possible to reduce product transportation troubles and to provide an automatic vending machine that facilitates product removal. .

Further, the product unloading device of the present invention (claim 2).
According to the above, the product dropped from the product rack appropriately hits the impact absorbing flapper, and the possibility that the product will dance is reduced, whereby the product transport trouble can be reduced and the product can be taken out. It becomes possible to provide an easy vending machine.

Further, the product unloading device of the present invention (claim 3).
According to this, it is possible to properly absorb the drop impact when the product dropped from the product rack lands on the bottom plate by the elastic force, whereby it is possible to reduce product transport troubles, and
It is possible to provide an automatic vending machine that can easily take out products.

Further, the product unloading device of the present invention (claim 4).
According to the article, it is prohibited to move the product downstream from the flapper for attitude control, and the moving distance of the product on the bottom plate is shortened, which can reduce the trouble of product transportation and take out the product. It is possible to provide a vending machine that is easy to operate.

Further, the product unloading device of the present invention (claim 5).
According to the above, it is possible to smoothly transfer the products, and thereby, it is possible to reduce the troubles in transferring the products, and
It is possible to provide an automatic vending machine that can easily take out products.

Further, the product unloading device of the present invention (claim 6).
According to the above, the bottom plate can be used as a shooter, which makes it possible to take out products at high speed, such as when the products are completely replaced, and provides a vending machine that is highly convenient for the manager of the vending machine. It becomes possible.

Further, according to the automatic vending machine of the present invention (claim 7), it is possible to shorten the dropping distance of the product, which can reduce the trouble of carrying the product and take out the product. It becomes possible to provide an easy vending machine. In addition, since the product rack is provided in a staircase shape, more products can be stored, and it is possible to provide the vending machine with high convenience for the manager of the vending machine.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a product unloading device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vending machine according to the present embodiment as seen from the side, showing a schematic configuration of a normal vending machine when it is in operation, such as when purchasing a product.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vending machine according to the present embodiment as viewed from the side, showing a schematic configuration when performing high-speed dispensing on the side of an administrator who manages the vending machine such as product replacement. It is a figure.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a configuration of a product unloading device, in particular,
It is the figure which showed the mode of conveyance of goods.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a flapper holder, in particular, of the configuration of the product unloading device.

FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of a product unloading device.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of a product unloading device.

FIG. 8 is an external view showing the product unloading device centering on the front (upstream) side.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a conventional vending machine.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing another configuration example of a conventional vending machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 vending machines 101 body case 102 Product Exhibition 103 Money Injection Department 104 Change refund section 105 Product Extraction Department 151 Exit cover 152 Product receiving 200 Product unloading device 201 product rack 202 flapper mounting frame 203 Bottom plate 204 support shaft 221 flapper support column 222 Flapper for absorbing drop impact 223 Flapper for attitude control 224 spring 226 stopper 231 Product transfer bottom plate (bottom plate) 232 product transfer arm (transfer arm) 233 chain 500,600 vending machines 503,603 Shooter 504,604 Product outlet 605 lifter G product S partition

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kenzo Hagino             1-1 Tanabe Nitta, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa             Within Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3E046 CA11 CC01 CC04 DA01 GA06                       HA06                 3F081 AA04 AA18 BC01 CC15 DA04

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A product unloading device for a vending machine, which is arranged in a lower part of a product rack, wherein a product transfer bottom plate inclined vertically upward from a rear surface of a main body case to a front surface direction, and a product transfer bottom plate above the product transfer bottom plate. A product transport arm that pushes up the product to the upstream side, an upper part of the bottom plate for product transfer is provided with a flapper support column parallel to the bottom plate and in the left and right direction of the main body case, and the flapper support column is A product unloading device, comprising: a flapper for absorbing a drop impact of a product dropped from the product rack; and a flapper for controlling the attitude of the product on the dropped product transfer bottom plate. 2. The product unloading device according to claim 1, wherein the flapper support columns are provided so as to correspond to left and right partitions of the product rack with respect to the main body case. 3. The flapper support column includes an elastic body for rotatably supporting the drop impact absorbing flapper about the column and for urging the flapper in a rotation direction against vertical downward. Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.
The product unloading device described in. 4. The flapper support column supports the attitude control flapper rotatably about the column.
The product discharge device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising: a restriction member that restricts rotation of the flapper at a predetermined angle or more toward the downstream side of the product transfer bottom plate. 5. The product unloading device according to claim 1, wherein the product transfer bottom plate or flapper is a lubricating steel plate. 6. The product transfer bottom plate is rotatable about a rotation shaft provided in the left and right direction of the back of the apparatus to a position where the front side of the bottom plate is below horizontal. Item 5. The product unloading device according to any one of items 5 to 5. 7. The product rack is provided in a plurality of rows in a staircase pattern in the depth direction of the main body case, and the product unloading device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is arranged at a lower portion of the product rack. An automatic vending machine having a product payout port or a product takeout port at the upstream end of the transfer bottom plate.