JP2005301818A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine which enhances an appealing effect to consumers, of a commodity sample exhibited in the vending machine itself or its commodity exhibition part. <P>SOLUTION: The vending machine has at least the commodity sample exhibition part built in a front surface of a front door freely openably and closably attached to a front part of a vending machine main body wherein commodities are stored, and a back plate of the commodity sample exhibition part is made of a light-semitransmissive member, and a light source body which transmissively illuminates the back plate and is capable of emitting multi-color light is provided on the rear side of the back plate, and a controller is provided which controls light emission of the light source body in accordance with an operation state of the bending machine main body to vary a display color and a display pattern. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine capable of enhancing the appeal effect of consumers on the product sample displayed on the product display section of the vending machine itself.

Vending machines for packaged products such as cigarettes, beverage products filled in cans or PET bottles are usually on the front of the front door provided on the front of the box-shaped vending machine, and this product A product selection button for selectively designating a product displayed in the sample display section, and further, a money insertion port, a change payment port, and the like are provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The product sample display section includes a display shelf for displaying samples of products to be sold side by side, and a product selection button is provided in association with the displayed product sample. The vending machine selectively pays out a product specified by a product sample associated with the product selection button when the product selection button is selectively pressed.
JP 2002-279497 A

  By the way, in a conventional vending machine, a label card indicating that the product is a new product, for example, in order to appeal a product to be promoted in a plurality of product samples displayed in the product display section, that is, a so-called campaign target product. And stickers are attached to the product sample. However, the product display section is exclusively configured to illuminate a plurality of product samples provided on the display shelf with a fluorescent lamp or the like, and thus has a problem that the product appeal to consumers is poor. .

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and its purpose is to appeal to consumers (purchasers) of the product sample displayed in the product display department, and further to the presence of the vending machine itself. It is to provide a vending machine that can be enhanced.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the vending machine according to the present invention is a product sample in which at least a plurality of product samples are displayed on the front surface of a front door that is openable and closable on the front surface of a vending machine body that stores products. In particular, a semi-translucent member such as a white synthetic resin plate is used as the back plate of the product display portion, and the back plate is transmitted and illuminated on the back side of the back plate. A light source body capable of emitting color light is provided, and a control device for controlling light emission of the light source body according to the operating state of the vending machine body is provided.

  Preferably, the light source body capable of emitting multiple colors includes a light emitting diode that emits each color component of R, G, and B as described in claim 2, and is displayed in the product display section. A plurality of the light source bodies are arranged side by side on the back side of the back plate along the arrangement direction of the product samples (claim 2). According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control device controls the light emission color and the light emission timing of the light source body in a preset manner according to the operating state of the vending machine body. .

  According to the vending machine having the above-described configuration, the semi-transparent back plate made of, for example, a white synthetic resin plate of the product display section displaying the product sample is transmitted and illuminated by the light source body provided on the back side thereof. In addition, since the light emission color of the light source body and the light emission timing thereof are controlled under the control of the control device according to the operating state of the vending machine body, the light emission color of the back plate changes in various modes. Become. In particular, the light emission color or light emission change pattern of the back plate changes in a manner corresponding to the operating state of the vending machine body.

  Such a change in the light emission mode of the back plate gives a visual stimulus even at a position distant from the vending machine, and with this stimulus as a starting point, the attention of the consumer (purchased person) is sold in the vending machine. It becomes possible to point to the machine. That is, unlike the uniform and monotonous lighting effect in the product display section, various visual images are given to the product display section itself by various changes in the emission color of the back plate and the pattern of the change due to transmitted illumination. This makes it possible to increase the appeal effect. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a great practical effect, such as increasing the degree of attention to the product display section and, consequently, the vending machine and expecting a sales promotion effect. In particular, if you change the light emission color of the back plate and the light emission change mode in the product display section according to the operating state of the vending machine body, etc., it will be possible to enhance the product image, thereby expanding the function as the product display section It is possible to expect secondary effects such as being able to do so.

Hereinafter, a cigarette vending machine will be described as an example of an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance and a schematic internal structure of a vending machine according to this embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a plurality of types of products (cigarettes) classified and stored in the inside, for example, height. A box-shaped vending machine main body having a width of about 180 cm, a width of about 80 cm, and a depth of about 50 cm. Reference numeral 2 denotes a front door that can be freely opened and closed on the front surface thereof. On the front surface of the front door 2, a product sample display unit 3 for displaying product samples to be sold and a plurality of product selection buttons 4 for selectively specifying the products displayed in the product sample display unit 3. Is provided.

  The product sample display section 3 includes a plurality of product display shelves on which a plurality of types of product samples (dummy) are placed and displayed, and the front portion thereof is covered with a transparent acrylic plate or the like. The product selection buttons 4 are respectively provided at the front end portions of the product display shelves so as to be pressed from the front side of the front door 2 in association with the product samples (dummy) displayed on the product display shelves. . In the vending machine exemplified here, a wide product display shelf is provided at the upper front portion of the front door 2 across the entire width of the vending machine, The vending machine is provided with a narrow product display shelf of approximately ½ width across the upper and lower 7 levels, and the product sample display section 3 capable of displaying a total of 49 product samples is configured.

  A money processing mechanism 5 comprising a coin insertion slot 5a, a bill insertion slot 5b, a display 5c for displaying the insertion amount, a change return lever 5d, and the like is provided in a right region at a substantially central height position on the front surface of the front door 2. Is provided. Further, at the lower position on the front surface of the front door 2, a product for taking out the product selectively paid out from the vending machine main body 1 in accordance with the selective (alternative) operation of the product selection button 4. An outlet 6, a change return port 7, and an opening / closing lever 8 for the front door 2 are provided.

  A window 2a is provided on the front door 2 above the money processing mechanism 5, and an advertisement unit 10 to be described later is incorporated in the window 2a. Further, in the vicinity of the position where the advertisement unit 10 is assembled (window portion 2a), particularly in the lower position thereof, as will be described later, an auxiliary product selection button 11 for selectively specifying a product sample displayed on the advertisement unit 10 ( In this example, three) are provided. The auxiliary product selection button 11 is managed together with the product selection button 4 described above, and is sold by selectively pressing one of the product selection button 4 and the auxiliary product selection button 11 ( Purchase) The product is specified.

  The front door 2 is provided so as to be opened and closed leftward with the right side of the front end of the vending machine main body 1 as a rotation fulcrum. The vending machine main body 1 is provided with a plurality of rows of product columns, which are not shown in the figure, for storing packaged products (cigarettes) classified by brand and stacked, and on the back side of the front door 2. There are also multiple rows of product columns. These product columns confront each other in parallel with a predetermined interval when the front door 2 is closed, and the products formed by selectively discharging the space portions formed between these product columns from each of the product columns ( The cigarette is formed as a product guide (central chute) for guiding the product to the product outlet 6.

  Here, the advertisement unit 10 described above will be described. The advertisement unit 10 includes, for example, a poster unit 10a as shown in FIG. 2 and a sample display unit 10b as shown in FIG. Both the poster unit 10a and the sample display unit 10b are formed of a box-shaped unit body having the same size, specifically, approximately 20 cm in length, 30 cm in width, and 10 cm in depth. In particular, the poster unit 10a is configured such that a transmissive / semi-transmissive poster panel 22 can be mounted on the front surface thereof, and the sample display unit 10b is configured so that three product samples 13 can be displayed side by side. ing.

  The poster unit (advertising unit) 10a is shown in FIG. 2 (a) as seen from the front, and in FIG. 2 (b), when the back cover is opened, A back cover 15 is provided that covers the back side of the frame body 14 and that can be opened and closed. The back cover 15 is attached to the frame body 14 via a hinge 16, and an engagement groove 18 formed in a side portion of the frame body 14 with a latch 17 slidably provided on the rotating end side thereof. Is fixed to the back surface of the frame body 14. Further, a pair of locking pieces 19 for fixing the poster unit (advertisement unit) 10 a to the front door 2 is provided on both sides of the frame body 14 so as to project. Further, a multi-pole connector 20 for electrically connecting the poster unit (advertising unit) 10 a to the front door 2 and eventually the vending machine main body 1 is attached to the side of the frame body 14.

  Further, for example, three straight tube fluorescent tubes 21 are mounted side by side on the inner surface side of the back cover 15. These fluorescent tubes 21 are used as a backlight light source for illuminating the poster panel 22 mounted on the front surface of the frame body 14 from the back surface side as shown in FIG. The poster panel 22 is formed by printing or drawing characters, figures, photographs, etc. on paper or plastic plates. The poster panel 22 is supported from the back side by a plastic holding plate 23 having translucency, and is sandwiched between a flange portion projecting around the front end of the frame body 14, so that the poster unit 10 a It comes to be attached to the front.

  On the other hand, the sample display unit (advertising unit) 10b includes the poster unit 10a and the poster unit 10a described above, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), as seen from the front, and as shown in FIG. 3 (b). Similarly, a quadrangular frame body 14 and a back cover 15 that covers the back side of the frame body 14 and that can be opened and closed are provided. The mounting structure of the back cover 15 and the multipolar connector 20 are provided in the same manner as the poster unit 10a described above.

  The sample display unit 10b is different from the poster unit 10a described above in that, for example, three product holders (internal structures) 25 for holding the product sample 13 are provided side by side on the inner surface side of the back cover 15. In addition, a low-profile advertising stand 26 is provided at the inner lower portion of the frame body 14. The product holding body 25 is formed of a substantially L-shaped member that holds the lower end portion of the product sample 13 from the front-rear direction. For example, the product holding body 25 is rotated to the back cover 15 left and right around the vertical center line in the vertical direction. It is attached movably.

  A drive system such as a link mechanism (not shown) that reciprocates by a motor is incorporated in the back cover 15, and the product holder (internal structure) 25 is connected to the product holder 25 by using this link mechanism. It is also possible to configure so that the mounted product sample 13 is moved left and right or up and down. Further, an illumination system such as a multicolor light emitting diode (not shown) is incorporated on the back side of the back plate to which the product holding body 25 of the back cover 15 is attached. The periphery (back plate) of the product sample 13 is subjected to multicolor transmission illumination (self-illumination) from the back side.

  Moreover, the advertising stand 26 incorporated in the inner lower part of the frame body 14 described above is provided so as to be removable from the frame body 14 by, for example, tilting backward. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4, the advertising stand 26 is formed of an elongated box with the back side open, and includes a wide concave portion 26 a on which the advertising panel 27 can be attached. The recess 26a has a structure in which a groove into which an edge of the advertising panel 27 is fitted is formed on both side portions and the lower portion thereof. The advertising panel 27 can be attached to and detached from the concave portion 26a along the groove from above the advertising stand 26. Furthermore, three concave portions 26b for mounting price labels 28 corresponding to the product samples 13 respectively mounted on the above-described product holder 25 are provided at the front end portion of the upper surface of the advertising stand 26. These concave portions 26b have a structure in which grooves into which the edge portions of the price label 28 are fitted are formed on both side portions and the back portion thereof. The price label 28 is attached to and detached from the concave portion 26b along the groove from the front side of the advertising stand 26. The price label 28 attached to the recess 26b is prevented from dropping from the recess 26b by the advertising panel 27 attached to the recess 26a.

  The advertisement unit 10 (the poster unit 10a and the sample display unit 10b) configured as described above is fitted into the front door 2 so as to be fitted into the window 2a described above from the back side of the front door 2 with the front door 2 opened. Installed. When the advertising unit 10 is mounted on the front door 2 in this way, the multipolar connector 20 described above is mechanically and electrically coupled to a multipolar receptacle (not shown) provided on the front door 2 side. Thus, various electric signals indicating the driving power of the fluorescent tube 21 and the operating state of the vending machine are supplied from the front door 2 side to the advertising unit 10 through the multipolar connector 20. It has become.

  In this example, the front door 2 is provided with two windows 2a so that the two advertising units 10 can be mounted side by side. For example, the poster unit 10a is mounted on the upper side, and the sample display unit 10b is mounted on the lower side. Of course, it is possible to mount the poster units 10a in the upper and lower two stages, or it is possible to mount the sample display units 10b. Alternatively, although not particularly illustrated, an advertisement unit having a size twice the shape of the above-described two ad units 10 arranged vertically is prepared, and the ad units are collectively attached to the front door 2. It is also possible.

  In the vending machine constructed basically as described above, the present invention is characterized by the product display section 3 for displaying a plurality of product samples 13, particularly in this example as shown in FIG. The back plate 31 of the sample display unit (advertising unit) 10b is made of a white plastic plate (synthetic resin plate) that is a semi-transparent member, and the back plate 31 is transmissively illuminated on the back side of the back plate 31. A light source body 32 that can emit color light is provided, and a control device 33 that controls the light emission color of the light source body 32 and the light emission timing thereof is incorporated in the sample display unit (advertisement unit) 10b.

  The light source body 32 is a light emitting diode that emits red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color components, as shown in, for example, FIGS. (LED) 33r, 33g, 33b are provided side by side, and provided with a lens body 34 that mixes (synthesizes) and emits light emitted from each of these light emitting diodes (LED) 33r, 33g, 33b, for example, about 5 mm square. Of the size of Then, under the control of the control device 33, the light emission amounts (light emission intensity) of the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) emitted by the light emitting diodes (LEDs) 33r, 33g, and 33b, respectively. By changing, the emission color of the color component corresponding to the ratio is obtained.

  In the vending machine according to this embodiment, for example, a group of twelve light source bodies arranged in a straight line is used as one elongated light emitting unit, and four light emitting units are provided on the back plate 31. On the back side, the three product samples 13 to be displayed side by side in the sample display unit 10b are arranged along the direction in which the three product samples 13 are arranged, particularly between the three product samples 13 and on both sides thereof. By controlling the light emission of these light emitting units (light source bodies 32) by the control device 33, the back plate 31 in the sample display unit 10b is transmitted and illuminated in a preset color or color tone (color shade). Become.

  Further, in the sample display unit 10b, the above-described light source body 32 is provided on the back side of the three product samples 13, respectively, so that the plastic product sample 13 is transmitted and illuminated. The light source body 32 that transmits and illuminates the product sample 13 preferably emits white light so as not to impair the unique color image of the product.

  The control device 33 that controls the light emission of the light source body (light emitting unit) 32 described above is configured mainly by, for example, a microprocessor (not shown) of about 4 bits. The control device 33 basically emits light from the light source body (light emitting unit) 32 in accordance with a signal indicating the operating state of the vending machine main body 1 given from the vending machine main body 1 via the multipolar connector 20 described above. Color and light emission timing are controlled respectively. In particular, as shown in FIG. 7, the control device 33 determines the light source body according to the on / off setting state of the eight setting switches 34 (34a, 34b,..., 34h) provided on the back side of the sample display unit 10b. The (light emitting unit) 32 controls the light emission color and the light emission timing.

  Specifically, four of the setting switches 34, that is, the setting switches 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d are “standby mode”, “coin insertion mode”, “button press mode”, “sales mode” in the vending machine. As shown in Table 1, for example, functions for setting the light emission pattern corresponding to each of the above are assigned. The light emission of the light source body 32 is controlled according to the operating state of the vending machine according to the on / off setting states of the setting switches 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d.

  That is, when the setting switch 34a is set to “off”, all of the light source bodies 32 that respectively transmit and illuminate the product sample 13 are turned on during standby, and the setting switch 34a is set to “on”. If there is, the light source bodies 32 that transmit and illuminate each of the product samples 13 are blinked cyclically one by one. When the setting switch 34 b is set to “ON”, all the light source bodies 32 provided on the back side of the product sample 13 are blinked at high speed, and the light source body 32 that illuminates the back plate 31 is transmitted. All of the lights up in white. Further, when the setting switch 34c is set to “ON”, only the light source body 32 provided on the back side of the pressed product sample 13 corresponding to the pressed product selection button 11 is turned on, and the back plate 31 is turned on. The light source body 32 that transmits light is controlled to be lit so as to produce a gradation effect in the horizontal direction. When the setting switch 34d is set to “ON”, all of the light source bodies 32 respectively provided on the back side of the product sample 13 blink at a low speed, and the light source body 32 that illuminates the back plate 31 is transmitted. Is controlled so that a gradation effect is produced in the horizontal direction in a pattern different from that when the button is pressed.

  Here, the gradation effect refers to an operation of sequentially changing the emission color of the light emitters 32 in the arrangement direction, for example, in the order of [blue] [blue green] [green] to [white]. Specifically, for example, the emission color is changed from [blue] to [blue-green] while shifting the change timing at a predetermined interval in order from the left side light emitter 32 (display color update), and the color change is completed. If so, the emission color is then changed from [blue green] to [green], and this is sequentially repeated until it reaches [white], thereby changing the entire transmitted illumination color of the back plate 31 to [blue] [ It refers to an illumination pattern that changes (updates) in order as “blue-green” [green] to [white]. Alternatively, [white] is used as a reference color (background color), for example, by changing the emission color in the order of [blue] [blue green] [green] to [white] in order from the left light emitter 32 in a certain period. This refers to an illumination pattern in which the process of flowing (scrolling) the [blue-green] color portion horizontally (after scrolling) after the blue color portion has flowed horizontally (after scrolling) is repeated in order until reaching [purple].

  On the other hand, with respect to the transmitted illumination of the back plate 31 during standby, the illumination pattern is set as shown in Table 2 by the remaining four setting switches 34e, 34f, 34g, and 34h. The control device 33 controls the light emission color and the light emission timing of each light source body 32 in accordance with the on / off setting state of the setting switches 34e, 34f, 34g, 34h.

  That is, on the condition that the setting switch 34h is set to “off”, the light source 32 emits light through the back plate 31 according to the combination of the setting switches 34e, 34f, and 34g that are set to “on”. The light emission colors of [blue], [blue green] to [white] are selectively (alternatively) determined. When the setting switch 34h is set to “ON”, whether gradation lighting that exhibits a color change at high speed is executed according to the combination of the setting switches 34e, 34f, and 34g set to “ON”. Then, it is determined whether to execute gradation illumination that exhibits a color change at a low speed, or to change the display color in a gradation using only representative colors of [white], [green], and [red].

  Thus, according to the vending machine in which the transmitted illumination color for the back plate 31 and the product sample 13 is changed in this way, the sample display unit 10a on which the product sample 13 is displayed is displayed in various colors. In addition to the product image of the product sample 13 itself, various visual image expressions can be performed. Moreover, such a change in display color (transmission illumination color) can evoke the potential visual sense of the consumer (product buyer) even at a position far from the vending machine. The effect of having a high effect in attracting attention is exhibited.

  Further, since the light source body 32 for transmitting and illuminating the back plate 31 is provided at a position avoiding the portion covered with the product sample 13, only the periphery of the product sample 31 on the back plate 31 is transmitted effectively (efficiently). Can be illuminated. Therefore, even if the light emission (illumination) intensity of the light source body 32 is weak, the entire back plate 31 can be illuminated effectively, and the illumination energy can be kept low.

  Furthermore, if the display color of the back plate 31 is set appropriately, it is possible to image warmth by, for example, a red display, and it is possible to express an image of coolness or coldness by a blue display. Therefore, such a color expression brings about an effect that the product image can be enhanced. Furthermore, if the product sales strategy changes over time or the display color form can be easily changed according to the season, the presence of vending machines can always be seen by consumers with a fresh feeling. It becomes possible to appeal. In addition, the color settings described above can be easily changed at the installation site of the vending machine as described above, so it is flexible for each vending machine according to changes in the needs of the merchandise vendors and changes in market trends. It becomes possible to change to.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. In the embodiment, an example in which the back plate 31 of the advertisement unit (product display unit) 10 is transmitted and illuminated is shown. However, even if the above-described transmission illumination function of the back plate is incorporated in the entire product display unit 3 provided in the front door 2. It goes without saying that it is good. In addition, although a cigarette vending machine has been described here as an example, the present invention can be similarly applied to other packaged goods and vending machines such as beverage cans. In particular, when applied to vending machines such as beverage cans, the display color can be changed according to the products sold by heating (heating) and the products sold by cooling. The effect on raising is very high.

  Further, in the control device 33, it is only necessary to control the illumination system independently of the main operation of the vending machine according to the electric signal given in accordance with the operating state of the vending machine. There are also effects such as no burden. In addition, although the light emitting diode is used as the light source body 32 here, it is of course possible to use another light emitting body or change the illumination color using a white light emitting body and a color filter. Furthermore, the number of setting switches, the light emission color to be variably set according to the on / off state of the setting switch, the light emission pattern, the pattern change cycle, etc. may be determined according to the specifications. Of course, it is possible to variably set the period and the like. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance for demonstrating schematic structure of the vending machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the schematic structure of the poster unit (advertisement unit) with which the vending machine shown in FIG. 1 is mounted | worn. The figure which shows schematic structure of the goods display unit (advertisement unit) with which the vending machine shown in FIG. 1 is mounted | worn. The figure which shows the structure of the advertisement stand in the goods display unit shown in FIG. 3, and the mounting structure of the advertisement panel etc. to this advertisement stand. The figure which shows the example of the assembly position of the light source body to an advertisement unit. The figure which shows the example of a light source body. The figure which shows the example of the setting switch provided in the back surface of an advertisement unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine main body 2 Front door 3 Product display part 4 Product selection button 10 Advertising unit 10a Poster unit (advertising unit)
10b Product display unit (advertising unit)
11 Auxiliary product selection button 13 Product sample 22 Poster panel 31 Back plate 32 Light source body 33 Control device 34 Setting switch

Claims (4)

In a vending machine that incorporates at least a product sample display on the front of the front door that can be opened and closed on the front of the vending machine body that contains the product,
The back plate of the product display section is made of a semi-translucent member, and a light source capable of multicolor emission that illuminates the back plate is provided on the back side of the back plate, and the operating state of the vending machine body A vending machine provided with a control device for controlling light emission of the light source body according to the above.   The light source body capable of emitting multicolor light is provided with light emitting diodes for emitting R, G, and B color components, respectively, and is arranged along the direction in which product samples displayed in the product display section are arranged. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of vending machines are provided side by side on the back side of the face plate.   The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls a light emission color of the light source body and a light emission timing thereof in a preset manner according to an operating state of the vending machine body.   The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the back plate is made of a white synthetic resin plate.

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