JP2008158939A - Cup supply device for cup beverage providing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cup supply device of a cup beverage providing device for properly refilling a cup, and for stably supplying a cup as a result by stably moving a preliminary cup column while holding its attitude. <P>SOLUTION: This cup supply device is provided with: a base 4 having an opening 4a; a selling column 15 for storing a selling cup column H; a preliminary column 16 for storing a preliminary cup column Y; a pusher rod 22 which is driven from a stand-by position to a refilling position for pressurizing the preliminary cup column Y, and for moving it to the selling column 15, and for refilling it; and a bottom guide 23 which is installed on a base 4 so as to be freely turnable, and configured so that the bottom part B of the preliminary cup column Y can be brought into contact with it when the pusher rod 22 is moved from the stand-by position to the refilling position, and engaged with the pusher rod 22 so that its turning to the selling column 15 side can be regulated, and turned while being pressurized by the preliminary cup column Y in such a state that the preliminary cup column Y is held between itself and the pusher rod 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cup supply device that is built into a cup beverage providing device such as a cup-type beverage vending machine or a beverage dispenser and supplies a cup when a beverage is provided.

  Conventionally, what was disclosed by patent document 1 as this kind of cup supply apparatus is known. This cup supply device is built in a cup-type vending machine, and has a cup container for storing a large number of cups and a cup that is provided at the bottom of the cup container and carries the cups downward one by one at the time of sale. And a carry-out device. The cup is formed in a tapered shape downward, and has a curled portion at the opening peripheral edge portion of the upper end portion. And the cup row | line | column with which many cups of such a shape were piled up is accommodated in a cup storage device.

  The cup container is formed in a box shape, and a cup row for sale (hereinafter referred to as “sales cup row”) and a spare cup row (hereinafter referred to as “reserve cup row”) are arranged in two rows. It is stored in a state. More specifically, the sales cup row is stored in a state of being set in the cup carry-out device, while the spare cup row is stored in a state of being placed at a position slightly spaced from the sales cup row. .

  The cup carry-out device has a cup drop ring whose planar shape is a ring shape. The sales cup row is set with its lower portion inserted through the opening inside the cup drop ring. At the time of sale, the lowermost cup in the sales cup row is separated from the upper cup by the cup drop ring and carried out downward.

  The cup container is provided with a cup row replenishing device that replenishes the cup carry-out device with the spare cup row when the sales cup row runs out due to the progress of beverage sales. This cup row replenishing device is a pusher that extends in the vertical direction in the cup holder and is linearly movable in the direction of the cup row, and a drive mechanism that drives the pusher provided on the back side of the pusher. It is configured. When the sales cup row disappears, the pusher moves by being driven by the drive mechanism, and presses the spare cup row toward the cup carry-out device side. Specifically, in a state where the pushers are in contact with the curled portions of all the cups in the spare cup row, the pusher is pressed to move the spare cup row to the cup carry-out device side. When the spare cup row reaches above the cup drop ring, it falls while being guided by the opening, and is set on the cup drop ring. Thereby, a reserve cup row is replenished to a cup carrying-out device as a sales cup row.

  As described above, in the conventional cup supply device, when the spare cup row is replenished, the spare cup row is moved to the cup carry-out device side by simply pressing the curled portion of the cup with the pusher. As described above, the cup has a tapered shape, and the cup row has a high center of gravity by stacking a large number of cups, so that the lower end portion becomes very unstable. Therefore, when the spare cup row is moved as described above, the posture of the spare cup row may be greatly inclined. In particular, when the movement of the spare cup row starts, the inclination tends to occur. It cannot be replenished, resulting in poor supply of the cup.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can be replenished appropriately by being able to stably move the spare cup row while maintaining the posture, As a result, it aims at providing the cup supply apparatus of the cup drink provision apparatus which can supply a cup stably.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-6386

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is a cup supply device of a cup beverage supply device for storing a cup row composed of a plurality of stacked cups and supplying a cup when a beverage is provided. A base having an opening penetrating in the vertical direction for supplying a cup, and a provided cup row storage portion provided on the base so as to extend above the opening and for storing a cup row for provision On the base so as to be adjacent to the provided cup row storage portion, the spare cup row storage portion for storing the spare cup row in a state of being placed on the base, the driving means, and the vertical direction And is provided on the base so as to be movable between a standby position on the spare cup row storage portion side and a replenishment position on the provided cup row storage portion side. By being moved, the cup row stored in the spare cup row storage portion is pressed, moved to the provided cup row storage portion, and replenished with a pusher, and provided on the base so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis. When the pusher moves from the standby position to the refill position, the lower end of the cup row stored in the spare cup row storage portion comes into contact with the pusher, so that the pusher can be rotated to the provided cup row storage portion side. A cup row posture holding member that is regulated and rotates while being pressed by the cup row with the cup row sandwiched between the pusher and the pusher.

  According to this configuration, on the base having the opening penetrating in the vertical direction, the providing cup row storage portion for storing the cup row for providing is provided so as to extend above the opening. A spare cup row storage portion is provided adjacent to the cup row storage portion for storing the spare cup row in a state of being placed on the base. On the base, a pusher is provided that extends in the vertical direction and is movable between a standby position on the spare cup row storage portion side and a replenishment position on the provided cup row storage portion side. Further, a cup row posture holding member that is rotatable about a vertical axis is provided on the base.

  When the beverage is provided, the cup row of the provided cup row storage portion is consumed, and when the cup row of the spare cup row storage portion is replenished to the provided cup row storage portion, the pusher is moved from the standby position by the driving means. Driven to the refill position. Thereby, a pusher presses the cup row | line | column of a reserve cup row | line storage part, and moves it to the provision cup row | line | column storage part side. In this case, the lower end portion of the cup row abuts on the cup row posture holding member, and the cup row posture holding member engages with the pusher, whereby the rotation to the provided cup row storage portion side is restricted. The cup row is rotated while being pressed by the cup row with the cup row interposed therebetween. In this way, the cup row posture holding member is restricted by the pusher from turning toward the provided cup row storage portion, so that the cup row provides the lower end portion of the cup row provided higher than the upper end portion by pressing the pusher. Even if an inclination of the posture is caused to be positioned on the storage unit side, the lower end of the cup row is regulated by the cup row posture holding member, thereby preventing the posture inclination of the cup row as described above. it can. As described above, according to the present invention, the cup row stored in the spare cup row storage portion can be stably moved while maintaining the posture at the time of storage, thereby being suitable for the provided cup row storage portion. Can be replenished. As a result, the cup can be supplied stably.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the cup supply device of the cup beverage providing device according to the first aspect, the pusher has a pusher main body extending in the vertical direction, and extends horizontally from the pusher main body, with the vertical axis serving as a fulcrum. And a rotating portion that is rotatably supported.

  According to this configuration, the cup row is replenished to the provided cup row storage portion by turning the pusher body via the turning portion, so that the cup row is replenished by moving the pusher linearly. Unlike the conventional method, the drive mechanism for driving the pusher need not be provided on the back side of the pusher, and the device itself can be made compact accordingly.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the cup supply device of the cup beverage providing device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the cup supply device further includes a first urging means for urging the cup row posture holding member toward the spare cup row storage portion. When the cup row is stored in the spare cup row storage portion, the cup row posture holding member is pressed by the cup row to rotate toward the provided cup row storage portion against the biasing force of the first biasing means. When the cup row is stored in the moved state, the cup row posture holding member is rotated toward the spare cup row storage portion by the biasing force of the first biasing means, and the stored cup row is moved to the spare cup row. It is characterized by pressing toward the storage unit side.

  According to this configuration, the cup row posture holding member is biased toward the spare cup row storage portion by the first biasing means. When the cup row is stored in the spare cup row storage portion, if the cup row is mistakenly stored near the provided cup row storage portion with respect to the proper storage position, the cup row posture holding member is By being pressed, it is rotated toward the providing cup row storage portion against the urging force of the first urging means. In this case, as described above, since the cup row posture holding member is biased toward the spare cup row storage portion, the cup row is rotated and accommodated by the biasing force toward the spare cup row storage portion. By pressing, it is stored in an appropriate storage position. In this way, even when the cup row is mistakenly stored at a position near the provided cup row storage portion, the cup row is automatically corrected to the proper storage position. It is possible to prevent a supply failure of the cup due to interference between the cup row for supply and the cup row for provision.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the cup supply device of the cup beverage providing device according to the third aspect, the first urging means urges the pusher toward the standby position, and the cup row posture holding member is the first As the pusher moves to the standby position side by the urging means, the pusher turns to the spare cup row storage portion side.

  According to this configuration, the cup row posture holding member uses the first urging means for urging the pusher toward the standby position side, and moves toward the standby cup row storage portion side as the pusher moves toward the standby position side. Since it rotates, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated urging means for the cup row posture holding member, and thereby the cup row posture holding member urged toward the spare cup row storage portion is configured easily and inexpensively. be able to.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the cup supply device of the cup beverage providing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the cup supply device extends vertically between the provided cup row storage portion and the spare cup row storage portion and horizontally. A cup row support provided movably, a second urging means for urging the cup row support toward the spare cup row storage portion, and a movement of the cup row support toward the spare cup row storage portion side The cup row support is attached to the cup row with the cup row stored in the spare cup row storage portion being sandwiched between the pushers when the pusher moves from the standby position to the refill position. When pressed, it moves against the urging force of the second urging means.

  According to this configuration, the cup row support that is vertically movable and horizontally movable is provided between the provided cup row storage portion and the spare cup row storage portion, and this cup row support is provided with the second urging force. It is urged toward the spare cup row storage portion by means. Further, the cup row support is pressed by the cup row when the pusher is moved from the standby position to the replenishment position while the cup row of the spare cup row storage portion is sandwiched between the pushers. 2 Moves against the urging force of the urging means. As described above, when the cup row is replenished to the provided cup row storage portion, the cup row is moved while being sandwiched between the pushers by the cup row posture holding member as well as the cup row posture holding member. The cup row can be moved in a more stable posture.

  In addition, for example, when the cup row stored in the provided cup row storage portion is inclined toward the spare cup row storage portion side, the cup row support is pressed, but the cup row support is moved to the spare cup row storage portion side. Is blocked by a stopper. Thereby, it can prevent that the cup row | line | column of a provision cup row | line storage part interferes with the cup row | line | column of a reserve cup row | line storage part. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems caused by the two cup rows interfering with each other, for example, poor supply of cups from the cup rows stored in the provided cup row storage portion, and secure a stable supply of cups. .

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the cup supply device of the cup beverage providing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the base is formed in a concave shape, and the cup row stored in the preliminary cup row storage portion is mounted thereon. It has the cup row | line | column guide part for guiding to a provision cup row | line | column storage part in the state put.

  According to this configuration, since the cup row guide portion formed in the concave shape is provided on the base, the cup row stored in the spare cup row storage portion in a state of being placed on the cup row guide portion. The guide can be smoothly and stably moved while being guided by the side wall of the cup row guide portion.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the cup supply device of the cup beverage supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cup supply device extends upward from the base, and the back side of the provided cup row storage portion and the spare cup row storage portion is provided. A back wall portion for covering, and a spacer for projecting from the back wall portion to the spare cup row storage portion and for maintaining a gap between the cup row and the back wall portion housed in the spare cup row storage portion. It is characterized by that.

  According to this configuration, since the space between the cup row and the back wall portion stored in the spare cup row storage portion is maintained by the spacer protruding from the back wall portion to the spare cup row storage portion, the cup row is reserved. When the cup row is stored in the cup row storage portion, the cup row can be prevented from being stored on the back wall portion side in an unnecessarily close state. Thereby, when the cup row is replenished to the provided cup row storage portion, an appropriate position of the cup row can be pressed by the pusher, and the cup row can be moved stably.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B show a cup supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A shows its appearance and FIG. 1B shows the internal structure of a cup container. This cup supply device 1 is built in a cup-type vending machine (not shown), and a cup into which beverages such as coffee and juice cooked in the vending machine are poured into a sales outlet (not shown) or the like. To supply.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the cup supply device 1 is provided at the bottom of the cup container 2 for storing a large number of cups C, and the cups C are moved downward one by one at the time of sale. A cup unloading device 3 for unloading and a control device (not shown) having a microcomputer for controlling them are configured. The cup C is made of a general paper having a circular cross section, is formed in a tapered shape downward, and has a curled portion at the opening peripheral edge portion of the upper end portion.

  The cup container 2 is provided so as to extend upward from the base 4, a cup row for sale (hereinafter referred to as “sales cup row H”), and two spare cup rows (hereinafter referred to as “reserve”). And a container body 5 having a vertically long box shape for accommodating a total of three cup rows (referred to as “cup row Y”).

  The base 4 is formed in a horizontally long box shape by assembling an upper case 6 and a lower case 7 (see FIG. 5) having a predetermined shape. A circular opening 4 a that penetrates in the vertical direction and is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the opening of the cup C is formed at the center of the base 4. In addition, U-shaped cup row mounting portions 6a and 6a (cup row guides) which are formed in a concave shape on the left and right sides of the opening 4a of the upper case 6 and are formed in a concave shape and have a planar shape opened to the opening 4a side. Part) is provided symmetrically. The arc portion of each cup row mounting portion 6a is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the bottom surface of the cup C and smaller than the outer diameter of the opening portion of the cup C. The base 4 is provided with a drive mechanism 8 (drive means) for driving the cup carry-out device 3 and a cup row replenishment mechanism 21 described later. The drive mechanism 8 will be described later.

  The container body 5 has an outer wall 11 formed by bending a metal plate having a predetermined shape. The outer wall 11 has a back wall portion 11a whose front shape is a vertically long rectangular shape, and side wall portions 11b and 11b that are bent at right angles from the left and right end portions of the back wall portion 11a and extend forward, and the planar shape is opened forward. It is formed in a U shape. Four spacers 11c that protrude forward, have a circular front shape, and have a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape are provided at predetermined locations on the front surface of the back wall portion 11a. Moreover, the upper cover 12 is attached to the outer wall 11 so that the ceiling part and the front upper part may be covered. A front cover 13 made of a transparent sheet is attached to the lower end of the front surface of the upper cover 12 so as to hang down. Therefore, the cup row is stored in the cup container 2 in a state where the front cover 13 is lifted and the front surface of the container body 5 is opened.

  A metal stopper rod 14 (stopper) extending horizontally is attached to the upper end of the container body 5 between the left and right side wall portions 11b, 11b. The stopper rod 14 serves as a stopper for a support rod 24 described later, while restricting the upper limit height of the cup row accommodated in the container body 5.

  Due to the base 4 and the container body 5 configured as described above, a sales column 15 (provided cup line storage part) for storing the sales cup line H is provided in the center part of the container body 5. On the left and right sides, two spare columns 16 and 16 (spare cup row storage portions) for storing the spare cup row Y are defined. Specifically, the sales column 15 is provided on the base 4 so as to extend above the opening 4a, while the spare columns 16 and 16 are adjacent to and adjacent to the left and right sides of the sales column 15, respectively. The base 4 is provided so as to extend above the base 4. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower portion of the sales cup row H is inserted into the opening 4a of the base 4 and the cup unloading device 3 and is stored in the sales column 15 in a state of being set therein. Each spare cup row Y is stored in the spare column 16 in a state of being placed on the cup row placing portion 6a.

  Also, in the container body 5, when the sales column 15 becomes empty, one spare cup row Y in the left and right spare columns 16, 16 is moved to the sales column 15 for refilling. Mechanisms 21 and 21 are provided. Since these cup row replenishment mechanisms 21 and 21 are provided symmetrically, the following description will focus on the right side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cup row replenishment mechanism 21 sells a pusher rod 22 (pusher) that moves by pressing the spare cup row Y toward the sales column 15 and a bottom B of the spare cup row Y. While supporting from the column 15 side and maintaining the posture of the spare cup row Y, the bottom guide 23 (cup row posture holding member) for guiding the spare cup row Y to the sales column 15 side, and the spare cup row Y as the sales column A support rod 24 (cup row support) for holding the posture of the spare cup row Y is provided by supporting from the 15th side.

  The pusher rod 22 is formed in a predetermined shape by bending a metal rod. Specifically, a main body portion 22a (pusher main body) extending in the vertical direction, and an upper connecting portion 22b and a lower connecting portion that are bent at right angles from the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the main body portion 22a and extend horizontally in parallel to each other rearwardly. 22c (rotating part) and a U-shape. The pusher rod 22 is arranged so that the main body portion 22a is located on the front side and the upper connecting portion 22b is located on the upper side with respect to the stopper rod 14 in the container main body 5.

  The main body portion 22 a has a length that is slightly shorter than the distance between the upper surface of the base 4 and the ceiling surface of the upper cover 12. The upper connecting portion 22b has a predetermined length, and a tip portion thereof is bent upward at a right angle and is rotatably supported by a bearing 25 attached to the upper cover 12. On the other hand, the lower connecting portion 22c has the same length as the upper connecting portion 22b, and a bent portion 22d extending at a right angle downward is provided at the tip portion thereof. The bent portion 22 d penetrates the upper case 6 and is connected to the drive mechanism 8 in the base 4 at a position slightly behind the cup row placement portion 6 a of the upper case 6. In the pusher rod 22 configured as described above, the main body portion 22a is positioned on the spare column 16 side with the vertical axis passing through the distal ends of the upper and lower connecting portions 22b and 22c, specifically, the bent portion 22d. A standby position (position shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the like), a replenishment position (position shown in FIG. 7B) where the main body portion 22a is located on the sales column 15 side, and the spare cup row Y is replenished to the sales column 15. It is free to rotate between.

  The bottom guide 23 is provided at the rear part on the base 4, faces the cup row mounting part 6 a from the rear, and is disposed below the lower connecting part 22 c of the pusher rod 22. The bottom guide 23 is a molded product made of plastic, and as shown in FIG. 4, the planar shape is formed in a “F” shape. The inner side surface of the bottom guide 23 is formed in an arc shape, and its curvature is slightly larger than the bottom portion of the cup C and smaller than the opening portion of the cup C. The left half of the bottom guide 23 is provided with a guide wall 23a that is higher than the right half of the bottom guide 23 and has a predetermined height. On the other hand, an engagement convex portion 23 b that protrudes upward is provided at the tip of the right half of the bottom guide 23. The engaging convex portion 23b is positioned on the right side of the lower connecting portion 22c of the pusher rod 22 and has a height capable of coming into contact with the lower connecting portion 22c from the right side. In addition, a U-shaped escape groove 23c whose planar shape opens rearward is formed at the center of the bottom guide 23, and the bottom guide 23 is formed on the bent portion 22d of the pusher rod 22 by the escape groove 23c. It is designed not to interfere. Further, the bottom guide 23 is formed with a hole 23d penetrating in the vertical direction on the left side of the escape groove 23c. The hole 23d is penetrated by a bent portion 24d that extends downward and bends from a distal end portion of a lower connecting portion 24c described later of the support rod 24. Therefore, the bottom guide 23 is rotatable around the bent portion 24d.

  The support rod 24 is configured in substantially the same manner as the pusher rod 22, and has a main body portion 24a, an upper connecting portion 24b, a lower connecting portion 24c, and a bent portion 24d similar to the pusher rod 22. The support rod 24 is located behind the stopper rod 14 in the container body 5.

  The main body portion 24a has substantially the same length as the main body portion 22a of the pusher rod 22, while the upper connecting portion 24b and the lower connecting portion 24c are shorter than the upper connecting portion 22b and the lower connecting portion 22c of the pusher rod 22. Yes. Further, the upper connecting part 24b is bent at a right angle upward and is pivotally supported by the bearing 25 at a position slightly leftward from the tip of the upper connecting part 22b of the pusher rod 22. Has been. The bearing 25 incorporates a spring (second urging means) (not shown) that urges the support rod 24 counterclockwise in FIG. On the other hand, the lower connecting portion 24 c is located on the back side of the guide wall portion 23 a of the bottom guide 23. A bent portion 24d bent downward from the distal end portion of the lower connecting portion 24c is rotatably supported by the upper case 6 of the base 4 while penetrating through the hole 23d of the bottom guide 23.

  The support rod 24 configured as described above is rotatable about a vertical axis passing through the distal ends of the upper and lower connecting portions 24b and 24c, specifically, a bent portion 24d. 1 to 3, the main body 24 a of the support rod 24 in the standby state is located between the sales column 15 and the spare column 16 so as to be close to the stopper rod 14 and the sales cup row H. More specifically, it is located behind the stopper rod 14 and obliquely behind the sales cup row H. As will be described later, when the spare cup row Y is replenished to the sales column 15, the support cup 24 on the right side is pressed by the spare cup row Y, so that the right support rod 24 is centered on the bent portion 24d in FIG. The left support rod 24 rotates counterclockwise.

  The left and right support rods 24, 24 also serve to prevent the sales cup row H housed in the sales column 15 from tilting in the left-right direction. For example, when the sales cup row H is inclined to the right and comes into contact with the right support rod 24, the support rod 24 comes into contact with the stopper rod 14 even when the support rod 24 rotates counterclockwise. Further rotation is prevented. The same applies to the left support rod 24. Thus, since the left and right support rods 24, 24 prevent the sales cup row H from being inclined in the left-right direction, the sales cup row H can be stably held in a vertical posture. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems caused by the sales cup row H and the spare cup row Y interfering with each other, for example, supply failure of the sales cup row H, and secure a stable supply of the cup C.

  Here, the cup carry-out device 3 will be briefly described. This cup carry-out device 3 includes a cup drop ring 26 for separating the lowest cup C from the sales cup row H. The cup drop ring 26 is configured in the same manner as a general one, and the planar shape is formed in a ring shape, and the opening inside thereof is arranged so as to match the opening 4 a of the base 4. A plurality (six in this embodiment) of cup detaching cams 27 are provided at the inner peripheral edge of the cup drop ring 26 so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis while facing the opening. Each cup separating cam 27 has a cam of a predetermined shape on the peripheral surface, and a gear portion is provided on the shaft portion. Further, a drive ring (not shown) having a ring shape in plan view is provided inside the cup drop ring 26, and a gear that meshes with the gear portion of each cup separating cam 27 at the inner peripheral edge of the drive ring. Is provided. In the cup drop ring 26 configured as described above, when the drive ring is driven by the drive mechanism 8, the drive ring rotates in a predetermined direction from the standby position by a predetermined angle, then rotates in the reverse direction, and returns to the standby position. Along with this, all the cup separating cams 27 rotate synchronously by a predetermined angle, rotate in the opposite direction, and return to their original positions. By such an operation of the cup separating cam 27, the lowest cup C is separated from the sales cup row H and is carried out downward via the cup chute 3a.

  5A and 5B show the drive mechanism 8 that drives the cup drop ring 26 and the left and right cup row replenishment mechanisms 21 and 21 by omitting the upper case 6 from the base 4. FIG. 5A is a rear view, and FIG. It is a top view. The drive mechanism 8 includes a motor 31 as a drive source. The drive mechanism 8 is driven by the motor 31, and a rotation drive unit 32 that mainly performs a rotation operation. And a slide mechanism 33 that performs a sliding operation in the left-right direction.

  The rotation drive unit 32 is driven by the motor 31 via the gear box 34, thereby rotating and raising / lowering the drive body 35, and any one of them is rotationally driven by the rotation of the drive body 3 3 Two rotating plates 36. The drive body 35 has an eccentric cam 35a having a circular planar shape. Although a detailed description of the structure of the driving body 35 is omitted, when the motor 31 rotates in a predetermined direction, in FIG. 5B, the driving body 35 rotates, for example, counterclockwise, thereby causing the eccentric cam 35a to move. Go up and down. On the other hand, when the motor 31 rotates in the direction opposite to the above, the drive body 35 rotates in the clockwise direction, and accordingly, the eccentric cam 35a also rotates in the clockwise direction.

  Further, the three rotation plates 36 are provided so as to correspond to three slide plates 41 described later of the slide mechanism portion 33. These rotating plates 36 are identical to each other, are formed in a predetermined shape extending in the front-rear direction, and are disposed so as to be stacked on each other. Each rotation plate 36 is penetrated by a support shaft 37 extending upward from the lower case 7 at the front end portion, and is rotatable about the support shaft 37.

  The slide mechanism portion 33 extends in the left-right direction and engages with three slide plates 41 arranged so as to be stacked on each other, and among these, the upper slide plate (hereinafter referred to as “upper plate 41A”), Engage the right slider 42 for driving the pusher rod 22 of the cup row replenishment mechanism 21 and the middle slide plate (hereinafter referred to as “middle plate 41B”) to drive the pusher rod 22 of the left cup row replenishment mechanism 21. A left slider 43 and the like. The lower slide plate (hereinafter referred to as “lower plate 41C”) is for driving the cup drop ring 26, and a drive lever 44 extending downward is connected to the drive ring (not shown) of the cup drop ring 26. Has been.

  The upper, middle, and lower plates 41A, 41B, and 41C all have a long hole 40 that penetrates in the vertical direction and extends a predetermined length in the left and right direction. , Is biased to the left. The urging mechanism 45 is disposed above the upper plate 41A so as to extend horizontally in the left-right direction, and is provided so as to be slidable along the horizontal rod 46 and a horizontal rod 46 supported inside the upper case 6. And a coil spring 48 attached to the horizontal rod 46 and biasing the slider 47 leftward. The slider 47 is provided with an insertion portion 47a that extends downward and passes through the long holes 40 of the upper, middle, and lower plates 41A, 41B, and 41C. In the standby state shown in FIG. 5, the insertion portion 47 a of the slider 47 is located near the left inner wall of the long hole 40.

  The right slider 42 is formed in a predetermined shape extending in the left-right direction, and has a rack 42a extending a predetermined length in the left-right direction at the right end portion of the upper surface. A pinion 51 that meshes with the rack 42a is provided on the upper side of the right slider 42 so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis. In the upper part of the pinion 51, a groove 51a that opens upward and has a cross-shaped planar shape is provided. The groove 51a is fixed in a state where the bent portion 22d of the pusher rod 22 of the right cup row replenishing mechanism 21 is fitted. Further, a spring 50a (first urging means) is provided inside the right slider 42, and the right slider 42 is urged to the left by the spring 50a. As a result, the pinion 51 is urged counterclockwise. Therefore, the pusher rod 22 fixed to the pinion 51 is always urged counterclockwise.

  On the other hand, the left slider 43 is formed in a predetermined shape extending in the left-right direction, and has a rack 43a at the left end portion of the upper surface thereof symmetrically with the right slider 42 in the front-rear and left-right directions. A pinion 53 is engaged with the rack 43a, and the rack 43a is fixed in a state where the bent portion 22d of the pusher rod 22 of the left cup row replenishing mechanism 21 is fitted in the cross-shaped groove 53a. Similarly to the right slider 42, the left slider 43 is also biased leftward by a spring 50b provided therein. As a result, the pinion 53 is biased in the clockwise direction, and therefore, the left pusher rod 22 fixed thereto is also biased in the clockwise direction.

  Here, the operation of the drive mechanism 8 configured as described above will be described. When the motor 31 operates and rotates in a predetermined direction, the driving body 35 rotates counterclockwise, and thereby the eccentric cam 35a moves up and down.

  For example, when the cup drop ring 26 is driven, the eccentric cam 35a stops so as to be positioned at the same height as the lower rotation plate 36. Thereafter, when the motor 31 rotates in the opposite direction, the driving body 35 rotates once in the clockwise direction, and accordingly, the eccentric cam 35a also rotates once in the same direction. In this case, when the eccentric cam 35 a presses the lower rotation plate 36 to the right, the rotation plate 36 rotates clockwise around the support shaft 37, and the urging force of the urging mechanism 45 is applied. Accordingly, the lower plate 41C is pressed rightward. Thereby, the lower plate 41C slides to the right. At this time, the slider 47 of the urging mechanism 45 is slid rightward by the insertion portion 47a being pressed by the left inner wall of the long hole 40 of the lower plate 41C. When the eccentric cam 35a has passed half a turn, the lower plate 41C that has been slid to the right is pressed by the slider 47 of the urging mechanism 45 through the elongated hole 40 and slid to the left. Return to the original position. By such reciprocation of the lower plate 41 in the left-right direction, the drive ring of the cup drop ring 26 reciprocates in the circumferential direction. Thereby, all the cup separating cams 27 are rotated in a predetermined direction by a predetermined angle synchronously, then rotated in the opposite direction, and returned to their original positions. As described above, when the cup drop ring 26 is driven, the lowermost cup C is separated from the sales cup row H and carried out downward.

  When the right cup row replenishing mechanism 21 is driven, the eccentric cam 35a moves up and down and stops so as to be positioned at the same height as the upper rotation plate 36. Thereafter, as in the case of driving the cup drop ring 26, the eccentric cam 35a makes one rotation so that the upper plate 41A is resisted against the urging force of the urging mechanism 45 via the upper rotation plate 36. Press to the right. Thus, the upper plate 41A slides to the right and presses the right slider 42 against the urging force of the spring 50a to slide it to the right. Thus, the right slider 42 slides to the right, and the pinion 51 that meshes with the rack 42a rotates clockwise by a predetermined angle. When the eccentric cam 35a passes half a turn, the upper plate 41A slides to the left by being pressed by the slider 47 of the urging mechanism 45 and returns to its original position. Accordingly, the right slider 42 slides to the left by the urging force of the spring 50a and returns to the original position, and the pinion 51 rotates counterclockwise and returns to the original position. The pinion 51 reciprocates in the circumferential direction by the reciprocating motion of the right slider 42 in the left-right direction. Accordingly, the pusher rod 22 of the right cup row replenishment mechanism 21 rotates from the standby position to the replenishment position, and then rotates in the reverse direction to return to the standby position. That is, in the pusher rod 22, the rotation from the standby position to the refill position is performed by the power of the motor 31, and the return rotation from the refill position to the standby position is performed by the biasing force of the spring 50a. By driving the right cup row replenishment mechanism 21 as described above, the spare cup row Y in the right spare column 16 is replenished to the sales column 15.

  Further, when the left cup row replenishment mechanism 21 is driven, the eccentric cam 35a moves up and down and stops so as to be positioned at the same height as the middle rotation plate 36. Thereafter, as in the case described above, the eccentric cam 35a makes one rotation, thereby pressing the middle plate 41B to the right against the urging force of the urging mechanism 45 via the middle rotation plate 36. . Thereby, the middle plate 41B slides to the right and presses the left slider 43 against the urging force of the spring 50b to slide it to the right. As described above, the left slider 43 slides to the right, so that the pinion 53 engaged with the rack 43a rotates counterclockwise by a predetermined angle. Further, when the eccentric cam 35a passes half a turn, the middle plate 41B slides to the left and returns to the original position, as in the case of the upper plate 41A. Accordingly, the left slider 43 slides to the left by the urging force of the spring 50b and returns to the original position, and the pinion 53 rotates clockwise and returns to the original position. The pinion 53 reciprocates in the circumferential direction by such a reciprocating motion of the left slider 43 in the left-right direction. As a result, the pusher rod 22 of the left cup row replenishing mechanism 21 rotates from the standby position to the replenishment position and then returns to the standby position, similar to that of the right cup row replenishment mechanism 21 described above. By driving the left cup row replenishing mechanism 21 as described above, the spare cup row Y in the left spare column 16 is replenished to the sales column 15.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the base 4 is provided with a cup detection lever 54 for detecting the presence or absence of the cup C in the opening 4a. The cup detection lever 54 is attached to the vicinity of the opening 4a so as to be rotatable, and has a lever convex portion 54a that can be moved into and out of the opening 4a. When the cup C exists in the opening 4a, the lever convex portion 54a is pressed by the cup C and retracts from the opening 4a (see FIG. 7B). On the other hand, when the cup C does not exist in the opening 4a, the lever convex portion 54a protrudes inward of the opening 4a. The position of the cup detection lever 54 that accompanies the appearance of the lever portion 54a is detected by the sensor 55, thereby detecting the presence or absence of the cup C in the opening 4a.

  In the cup supply device 1 configured as described above, when the beverage is sold, the cup drop ring 26 is driven by the drive mechanism 8 as described above, so that the sales cup row accommodated in the sales column 15 is sold. The lowest cup C is separated from H and supplied to the sales outlet via the cup chute 3a. In addition, when the sales of the beverage progresses, the cup C of the sales cup row H is consumed, and the cup detection lever 54 detects that the cup C is not present in the opening 4a of the base 4, the following is performed. The spare column 16 in the spare column 16 is replenished to the sales column 15.

  6 and 7 show the replenishment operation of the spare cup row Y from the spare column 16 on the right side to the sales column 15. In the standby state before the start of the refill operation, as shown in FIG. 6A, the pusher rod 22 is positioned at the standby position, so that the main body portion 22a is positioned to the right of the spare cup row Y. The guide wall portion 23a of the bottom guide 23 is located on the diagonally left rear side of the bottom portion B of the preliminary cup row Y.

  From this state, when the pusher rod 22 is rotated clockwise around the bent portion 22d, the main body portion 22a has all the cups C in the spare cup row Y as shown in FIGS. 6 (b) and 6 (c). The spare cup row Y moves to the left sales column 15 side by abutting against the curled portion and pressing them. In this case, the bottom B of the preliminary cup row Y abuts against the guide wall 23a of the bottom guide 23 and presses it, so that the bottom guide 23 rotates clockwise around the bent portion 24d of the support rod 24. To do. Further, in this case, the bottom guide 23 is restricted from rotating to the sales column 15 side by the pusher rod 22 because the engaging projection 23b cannot move to the left beyond the lower connecting portion 22c of the pusher rod 22. It rotates in the state. Further, in this case, the curled portions of all the cups C in the preliminary cup row Y come into contact with the main body portion 24a of the support rod 24, and by pressing this, the support rod 24 also rotates clockwise around the bent portion 24d. To turn. Thus, the spare cup row Y moves to the left while being supported by the pusher rod 22, the bottom guide 23, and the support rod 24 from the right side of the curl portion, the left rear of the bottom portion, and the left rear of the curl portion, respectively. To do. Further, in this case, the spare cup row Y moves while being placed on the cup row placing portion 6a, so that the bottom B of the spare cup row Y is guided by the peripheral wall portion of the cup row placing portion 6a. Move smoothly and stably to the left.

  When the pusher rod 22 further rotates, the spare cup row Y further moves to the left as shown in FIG. Then, the support of the bottom B of the preliminary cup row Y by the bottom guide 23 is released, and the bottom guide 23 remains in that position. Thereafter, the pusher rod 22 is further rotated to release the support of the preliminary cup row Y by the support rod 24, and the support rod 24 is rotated counterclockwise by the urging force of the spring at the upper end portion. Return to position. When the pusher rod 22 reaches the replenishment position as shown in FIG. 5B, the spare cup row Y reaches the upper side of the opening 4a and falls while being guided inside the opening 4a. The sales column 15 is replenished with the portion inserted through the opening 4a. In this case, the lever convex portion 54a of the cup detection lever 54 is retracted from the opening 4a by being pressed by the supplemented preliminary cup row Y.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7C, the pusher rod 22 rotates counterclockwise and returns to the standby position. When returning to the standby position, the lower connecting portion 22c of the pusher rod 22 abuts on the engaging convex portion 23b of the bottom guide 23 and presses it to the right, whereby the bottom guide 23 is also rotated counterclockwise. Rotates and returns to its original position. Thus, the replenishment operation of the spare cup row Y to the sales column 15 is completed.

  Further, in the above-described cup row replenishment mechanism 21, for example, even when the diameter of the opening of the cup C is relatively small or the cup C is relatively soft, the preliminary cup row Y composed of such a cup C is used as a pusher. The sales column 15 can be appropriately replenished without causing a replenishment failure caused by being sandwiched between the main body portions 22a and 24a of the rod 22 and the support rod 24.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the preliminary cup row Y is sandwiched between the main body portions 22a and 24a of the pusher rod 22 and the support rod 24, the pusher rod 22 is further rotated from that state. The bottom guide 23 also rotates, and the back surface of the guide wall portion 23b comes into contact with the lower connecting portion 24c of the support rod 24 and presses it. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the support rod 24 is forcibly rotated by the bottom guide 23, and therefore, the holding of the preliminary cup row Y with the pusher rod 22 is released. As described above, the cup row replenishment mechanism 21 can flexibly cope with a cup row composed of various cups, and can appropriately and reliably refill the sales column 15 with the spare cup row Y.

  Furthermore, in this cup supply device 1, when the cup row is stored in the cup holder 2, the spare cup row Y is moved to an appropriate storage position (FIGS. 2, 3, and 6A) by the operator. The storage position of the spare cup row Y is corrected to an appropriate storage position even if the storage position is erroneously stored at a position near the sales column 15.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the spare cup row Y is stored near the sales column 15, the bottom wall B of the spare cup row Y causes the guide wall portion 23a of the bottom guide 23 to be Pressed and slightly rotated clockwise. In this case, when the engaging projection 23b of the bottom guide 23 presses the lower connecting portion 22c of the pusher rod 22 from the right, the pusher rod 22 is slightly rotated clockwise from the standby position.

  As described above, the pusher rod 22 is always urged counterclockwise by the right slider 42 of the drive mechanism 8 being urged to the left by the spring 50a. Therefore, the pusher rod 22 is returned to the standby position by the urging force of the spring 50a, whereby the lower connecting portion 22c of the pusher rod 22 presses the engaging convex portion 23b of the bottom guide 23 from the left side. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B, the bottom guide 23 rotates counterclockwise, and accordingly, the preliminary cup row Y has its bottom B pressed by the guide wall 23a of the bottom guide 23, It is stored in an appropriate storage position. Thus, even if the spare cup row Y is mistakenly stored at a position near the sales column 15, it is automatically corrected to an appropriate storage position. A supply failure of the cup C due to interference between the cup row Y and the sales cup row H can be prevented.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, when the spare cup row Y is replenished to the sales column 15, the spare cup is restricted by the bottom guide 23 whose rotation to the sales column 15 side is restricted by the pusher rod 22. While supporting the bottom B of the row Y, the spare cup row Y is moved to the sales column 15 side. Therefore, the bottom B of the spare cup row Y is regulated by the bottom guide 23 even if the spare cup row Y tends to be inclined such that its lower end is positioned closer to the sales column 15 than the upper end. Thus, the inclination of the preliminary cup row Y as described above can be prevented. Further, the spare cup row Y moves to the sales column 15 side while the curl portion on the sales column 15 side is supported by the support rod 24. As described above, the spare cup row Y stored in the spare column 16 can be stably moved while maintaining the posture at the time of storage, and thus the sales column 15 can be properly replenished. As a result, the cup C can be supplied stably.

  Further, since the supplementary cup row Y is replenished to the sales column 15 by the rotation of the pusher rod 22, the cup supply device 1 is different from the conventional case where the cup row is replenished by moving the pusher linearly. It can be configured compactly.

  Furthermore, the spacer 11C provided on the back wall portion 11a of the container body 5 can appropriately maintain the interval between the spare cup row Y and the back wall portion 11a housed in the spare column 16. As a result, when the spare cup row Y is stored in the spare column 16, it can be prevented from being stored more than necessary on the back wall 11a side, and the spare cup row Y is stored in an appropriate storage position. can do. As a result, when the spare cup row Y is replenished to the sales column 15, the pusher rod 22 can press the appropriate position of the spare cup row Y, and the pusher rod 22 and the support rod 24 sandwich the spare cup row Y. Therefore, the spare cup row Y can be moved stably.

  In addition, this invention can be implemented in various aspects, without being limited to the said embodiment described. For example, although embodiment is the example which applied the cup supply apparatus 1 of this invention to the cup-type vending machine, it is applicable to various cup drink provision apparatuses, such as a drink dispenser which provides a drink. The detailed configuration of the cup supply device 1 shown in the embodiment is merely an example, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

It is a perspective view which shows the cup supply apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is the external appearance, (b) has shown the internal structure of the cup container. (A) is a top view of FIG.1 (b), (b) is a front view of FIG.1 (b). It is sectional drawing which follows the III-III line of FIG.2 (b). It is a figure which shows a bottom guide, (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view. It is a figure which shows a drive mechanism, (a) is a rear view, (b) is a top view. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the replenishment operation | movement of the spare cup row | line | column from the reserve column on the right side to a sales column, (a) is the state before the start of a replenishment operation | movement, (b) and (c) The movement of the spare cup row is shown in order. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram following FIG. 6, (a) is a state immediately before the spare cup row is dropped into the opening, (b) is a state in which the spare column is replenished to the sales column, and (c) is a state where the pusher rod is The state returned to the standby position is shown. (A) shows the state where the spare cup row is sandwiched between the pusher rod and the support rod, and (b) shows the state where the support rod is rotated by the bottom guide. (A) shows a state where the spare cup row is stored closer to the sales column, and (b) shows a state where the storage position of the spare cup row is corrected to an appropriate storage position.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cup supply apparatus 2 Cup container 3 Cup carrying-out apparatus 4 Base 4a Opening 6a Cup row mounting part (cup row guide part)
8 Drive mechanism (drive means)
11a Back wall 11c Spacer 14 Rod (stopper)
15 Sales column (Provided cup row storage)
16 Spare column (spare cup row storage part)
21 Cup row replenishment mechanism 22 Pusher rod (Pusher)
22a Body (Pusher body)
22c Lower connecting part (rotating part)
23 Bottom guide (cup row posture holding member)
23a Guide wall portion 23b Engaging convex portion 24 Support rod (cup row support)
50a Spring (first biasing means)
H Sales Cup Row Y Spare Cup Row C Cup B Cup Row Bottom

Claims (7)

A cup supply device of a cup beverage providing device for storing a cup row composed of a plurality of cups in a stacked state and supplying a cup when providing a beverage,
A base having an opening penetrating in the vertical direction for supplying a cup;
Provided on the base so as to extend above the opening, provided cup row storage portion for storing the provided cup row,
A spare cup row storage portion that is provided on the base so as to be adjacent to the provided cup row storage portion, and stores a spare cup row in a state of being placed on the base;
Driving means;
It extends in the vertical direction, and is provided on the base so as to be movable between a standby position on the spare cup row storage portion side and a replenishment position on the provision cup row storage portion side, and is moved from the standby position by the driving means. A pusher that presses the cup row stored in the preliminary cup row storage portion, moves to the provided cup row storage portion, and is refilled by being driven to the refill position;
Provided on the base so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis, and when the pusher moves from the standby position to the refill position, the lower end of the cup row stored in the spare cup row storage portion comes into contact with the base. By engaging the pusher, the rotation to the provided cup row storage portion side is restricted, and the cup row is rotated while being pressed against the cup row with the cup row sandwiched between the pushers. A cup row posture holding member;
A cup supply device for a cup beverage providing device. The pusher is
A pusher body extending vertically,
A rotating portion that extends horizontally from the pusher body and is supported rotatably about a vertical axis about a fulcrum;
The cup supply device of the cup beverage providing device according to claim 1. A first urging means for urging the cup row posture holding member toward the auxiliary cup row storage portion;
When the cup row is stored in the spare cup row storage portion, the cup row posture holding member is pressed by the cup row, so that the provided cup row is stored against the urging force of the first urging means. When the cup row is stored in a state of being rotated to the side of the portion, the cup row posture holding member is turned to the preliminary cup row storage portion side by the urging force of the first urging means, The cup supply device of the cup beverage supply device according to claim 1, wherein the stored cup row is pressed toward the spare cup row storage portion side. The first urging means urges the pusher toward the standby position,
The said cup row | line | column attitude | position holding member rotates to the said preliminary | backup cup row | line | column storage part side with the movement to the said standby position side of the said pusher by the said 1st urging | biasing means. Cup supply device for cup beverage supply device. A cup row support that extends in the vertical direction between the provided cup row storage portion and the spare cup row storage portion and is provided so as to be movable horizontally,
A second urging means for urging the cup row support toward the spare cup row storage portion;
A stopper for preventing movement of the cup row support to the spare cup row storage portion side;
Further comprising
The cup row support is pressed against the cup row while the cup row housed in the spare cup row housing portion is sandwiched between the pushers when the pusher moves from the standby position to the refill position. The cup supply device of the cup beverage supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cup beverage supply device moves against the urging force of the second urging means.   The base is formed in a concave shape and has a cup row guide portion for guiding the cup row stored in the preliminary cup row storage portion to the provided cup row storage portion. A cup supply device for a cup beverage providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A back wall portion extending upward from the base and covering a back side of the provided cup row storage portion and the spare cup row storage portion;
A spacer for projecting from the back wall portion to the spare cup row storage portion, and maintaining a gap between the cup row housed in the spare cup row storage portion and the back wall portion,
The cup supply device of the cup beverage supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:

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