JP2010165065A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine for pulling out columns of the same height all together without hurting an operator who supplies products to the columns. <P>SOLUTION: The vending machine is configured by mounting horizontally arrayed columns 31 among columns 31 horizontally arranged in a plurality of columns and vertically arranged in a plurality of stages on a rack 32, so that the columns 31 of the same height can be pulled out of the storage position all together to a predetermined pull-out position. When the rack 32 is pulled out to a predetermined temporary stop position, tilts down a little toward the front, and engaged with the rack 32 so that the rack 32 can be temporarily stopped. Afterwards, when the rack 32 is pulled out to the pull-out position, it tilts down toward the front to be engaged with the rack 32, so that the rack 32 can be stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine capable of visually recognizing a product stored therein from the outside and having a plurality of columns in the left-right direction and a plurality of columns in the up-down direction.

  There is known a vending machine that can visually recognize a product stored inside. This vending machine includes a box-shaped main body cabinet having an open front surface and an outer door that closes the front opening of the main body cabinet. The interior of the main cabinet is defined by a partition plate into an upper area that occupies approximately 80% and a lower area that occupies approximately 20%. The upper area that occupies approximately 80% constitutes a product storage room, and approximately 20%. The lower area that occupies is the machine room. A product storage rack is stored in the product storage chamber. The product storage rack is constructed by arranging a plurality of columns in the horizontal direction and a plurality of columns in the vertical direction, and can be pulled out forward for each column. The column is configured to store the products in a line in the front-rear direction, and when storing (replenishing) the products, the column is pulled out forward.

  In the front area of the product storage rack, there is a bucket device that moves the bucket in the left-right direction (X direction) and the up-down direction (Y direction), receives the product from the designated column, and transports it to the carry-out position. . An inner door is provided in front of the bucket device. The inner door is a door that closes the front opening of the product storage chamber, and is configured by fitting a glass plate into the frame so that the product stored in the column can be seen from the outside. The inner door is provided with a product outlet, and the product is carried out from the bucket moved to the carry-out position toward the product outlet. The product carry-out port is closed by a carry-out flapper, and the product carried out from the bucket to the product carry-out port pushes open the carry-out port flapper so that the product carry-out port is opened.

  A glass plate is fitted in the outer door, and the product stored in the column can be visually recognized from the outside via the glass plate and the inner door (glass plate). The outer door is provided with a product outlet. The product take-out port is for taking out the product carried out from the product carry-out port, and is provided at a position below the product carry-out port. The product outlet is closed by an outlet flapper, and the product outlet is opened when the user pushes open the outlet flapper from the outside (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-10-302140

  By the way, since the above-described vending machine can be pulled out forward for each column, the column located at the eye level of the operator who replenishes the column with the product does not come out at a time. It ’s hard to imagine getting injured.

  However, if each column can be pulled out forward, the configuration that enables the column to be pulled out increases the cost, which is an obstacle to cost reduction.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine capable of pulling out columns of the same height in a lump without causing danger to an operator who replenishes the column with products.

  To achieve the above object, a vending machine according to claim 1 of the present invention racks columns arranged in the left-right direction among columns arranged in a plurality of rows in the left-right direction and a plurality of rows in the up-down direction. In a vending machine configured to be able to pull out columns of the same height from the storage position to a predetermined take-out position, the rack engages with the rack when it is pulled out to a predetermined pause position. A temporary stop means for temporarily stopping the rack, and a stop means for stopping the rack by engaging the rack when the rack is detached from the temporary stop means and pulled to the pull-out position. It is characterized by that.

  The vending machine according to claim 2 of the present invention is the vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the stop means tilts the rack so as to be lowered toward the front when the rack is pulled out to the pull-out position. It is characterized by.

  The vending machine according to a third aspect of the present invention is the vending machine according to the first or second aspect, wherein the temporary stop means is inclined so as to be lowered toward the front when the rack is pulled out to the temporary stop position. It is characterized by stopping.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, the rack is provided so as to accommodate a handle protruding forward from the front edge. And

  The vending machine according to the present invention temporarily stops the rack when the rack is pulled out to a predetermined pause position, and then stops the rack when the rack is pulled out to a predetermined pull-out position. It will be drawn in two stages. Therefore, if the rack is pulled out, the columns having the same height are pulled out in a lump. However, since the rack is pulled out in two stages, the operator can pay sufficient attention and there is no danger.

  Also, the rack is tilted so that it is lowered toward the front when it is pulled out to a pause position, and is tilted so that it is lowered toward the front when the rack is pulled out to a pull position, which is higher than the eye level of the operator. The product stored in the column of the position can be visually observed.

  Further, if the handle protrudes forward from the front edge, the rack can be lifted with a small force, and the rack can be stored in the storage position with a small force.

  Exemplary embodiments of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an outer door of the vending machine shown in FIG. 1 is opened. As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine described here is a vending machine capable of visually recognizing a product stored inside from the outside, and as shown in FIG. 2, a box-shaped main body cabinet whose front is opened. 1 and an outer door 2 that closes the front opening of the main body cabinet 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the interior of the main body cabinet 1 is defined by a partition plate 11 into an upper area that occupies approximately 80% and a lower area that occupies approximately 20%. The lower area which comprises the chamber 12 and occupies approximately 20% constitutes the machine room 13.

  A product storage rack 3 is stored in the product storage chamber 12. The product storage rack 3 has a plurality of columns 31 arranged in the left-right direction (for example, seven rows in the example shown in FIG. 2) and a plurality of columns 31 (for example, eight rows in the example shown in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 3, the commodity storage rack 3 according to the present embodiment is constructed by mounting columns 31 arranged in the left-right direction for each stage in one rack 32, and the columns 31 having the same height. Can be pulled out collectively from a storage position (position shown in FIG. 3) to a predetermined drawing position.

  The rack 32 includes a bottom plate portion (not shown) on which the columns 31 arranged in the left-right direction are mounted, and side plate portions 322 extending upward from both side edges of the bottom plate portion. A step portion 323 that is folded in a staircase shape is formed in a portion of the lower portion of the side plate portion 322 that is two-thirds of the front side. A guide roller 33 is rotatably attached above the rear end of the side plate portion 322.

  On the other hand, a guide rail 14 and a guide roller 15 are attached to the inner wall portion of the commodity storage chamber 12. The guide rail 14 accommodates the guide roller 33 attached to the side plate portion 322 of the rack 32 and guides the accommodated guide roller 33, and is attached so as to have an inclination of 2 degrees toward the front. The guide roller 15 guides a step portion 323 formed on the side plate portion 322 of the rack 32, and is rotatably attached. Accordingly, the rack 32 is guided by the guide rails 14 and the guide rollers 15 and is pulled out to the front of the product storage chamber 12 with a two-degree inclination.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the uppermost rack 32 that is above the eye level of the operator pauses when pulled out to a predetermined pause position, and then, as shown in FIG. When it is pulled out to the specified pull-out position, it stops.

  Specifically, guide plates 16 </ b> R and 16 </ b> L are attached to the inner wall portion of the commodity storage chamber 12 corresponding to the uppermost rack 32. The guide plates 16R and 16L are attached so as to be continuous with the guide rail 14, and when the rack 32 is pulled out, the guide roller 33 is transferred from the guide rail 14 to the guide plates 16R and 16L, and when the rack 32 is pushed in, The guide roller 33 is transferred from the guide plates 16R and 16L to the guide rail 14. The guide plates 16R and 16L are provided with projecting pieces for guiding the guide roller 33. The guide roller 33 is engaged with the guide roller 33 at the temporary stop position, and the guide roller 33 is at the extraction position. A stop recess (stop means) 162 to be engaged is formed. Therefore, when the rack 32 is pulled out to a predetermined temporary stop position, the guide roller 33 engages with the temporary stop recess 161, so that the rack 32 is temporarily stopped as shown in FIG. At this time, the rack 32 is supported by the guide roller 15 and the guide roller 33 is supported by the temporary stop recess 161, and the rack 32 is inclined with a small inclination (approximately 5 degrees) and stopped. . Thereafter, when the guide roller 33 is detached from the temporary stop recess 161 and the rack 32 is pulled out to a predetermined drawing position, the guide roller 33 engages with the stop recess 162, thereby stopping the rack 32. At this time, the rack 32 stops with a step (323) being supported by the guide roller 15 and a guide roller 33 being supported by the stop recess 162, and being largely inclined (approximately 25 degrees) so as to be lowered.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a handle 34 protruding forward from the front edge is attached to the uppermost rack 32. The handle 34 is used to lift the rack 32 that is largely tilted and stopped at the pull-out position with a small force, and is rotatably attached to the bottom plate of the rack 32. If the handle 34 is rotated forward at the pull-out position, the handle 34 protrudes forward from the front edge of the rack 32, and even the rack 32 full of products in the columns 31 arranged in the left-right direction is small. It can be lifted by force (for example, 50 N).

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the front area of the product storage rack 3, the bucket 4 is moved in the left-right direction (X direction) and the up-down direction (Y direction) to receive the product from the designated column 31, and the product transport position A bucket device (not shown) for conveying is disposed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an inner door 5 is provided in front of the bucket device. The inner door 5 is a door that closes the front opening of the commodity storage chamber 12, and achieves energy saving by adopting a double structure of the outer door 2 and the inner door 5. The inner door 5 is configured by fitting a glass plate 51 into a frame body 52 so that a product stored in the column 31 can be visually recognized from the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a merchandise carry-out port 53 is provided on the right side of the inner door 5, at approximately one third of the height direction. The product carry-out port 53 is a rectangular hole for carrying out the product from the inside of the product storage chamber 12 to the outside, and the product is carried out from the bucket 4 moved to the carry-out position toward the product carry-out port 53. ing. The product carry-out port 53 is closed by the carry-out flapper 54, and the product carried out from the bucket 4 to the product carry-out port 53 pushes the open-out port flapper 54 to open the product carry-out port 53. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a glass plate 21 is fitted in the outer door 2, so that products stored in the column 31 can be visually recognized from the outside via the glass plate 21 and the inner door (glass plate 51) 5. It has become.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a product outlet 22 is provided in the middle of the outer door 2. The product take-out port 22 is a rectangular hole for taking out the product carried out from the product carry-out port 53, and is provided at a position below the product carry-out port 53. The product outlet 22 is closed by an outlet flapper 23, and the product outlet 22 is opened when the user pushes open the outlet flapper 23 from the outside.

  In the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, when replenishing goods, the doors are opened in the order of the outer door 2 and the inner door 5 so that the rack 32 can be pulled out. Next, the rack 32 on which the column 31 in which the product to be replenished is mounted is pulled out from the storage position to the drawer position, and the product is replenished.

  When the uppermost rack 32 is pulled out, the rack 32 is temporarily stopped by engaging the guide roller 33 with the temporary stop recess 161 at a predetermined stop position as described above. At this time, the rack 32 is small (about 5 degrees) and stops and may be replenished in this state.

  On the other hand, when a short operator replenishes the product or refills the product until it is full, the guide roller 33 may be detached from the temporary stop recess 161 and the rack 32 may be further pulled out. When the rack 32 is further pulled out, as described above, the guide roller 33 engages with the stop recess 162 at the predetermined stop position, so that the rack 32 stops. At this time, the rack 32 stops with a large inclination (about 25 degrees). For this reason, even a short operator can replenish merchandise until the column 31 is full.

  After the replenishment of the product is completed, the rack 32 is lifted and the rack 32 is stored from the drawer position to the storage position. When the column 31 arranged in the left-right direction is packed with products and the rack 32 is heavy, the handle 34 is rotated forward, the handle 34 protrudes from the front edge of the rack 32, and the handle 34 is lifted up. Then, the rack 32 can be lifted with a small force.

  After the rack 32 is stored in the storage position, the doors are closed in the order of the inner door 5 and the outer door 2.

  According to the above-described vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, the uppermost rack 32 is paused when it is pulled out to a predetermined temporary stop position, and then is pulled out to a predetermined pull-out position. In this case, the rack 32 is pulled out in two stages. Therefore, although the column 31 is pulled out in the uppermost rack 32 as well, since it is pulled out in two stages, the operator can pay sufficient attention and there is no danger.

  In addition, the uppermost rack 32 is tilted small so that it is lowered toward the front when it is pulled out to a pause position, and is tilted so as to be lowered toward the front when it is pulled out to a pulling position. Even if there is, the product can be replenished until the column 31 is full.

  Furthermore, by rotating the handle 34 forward from the front edge of the rack 32 and lifting the handle 34, the rack 32 can be lifted with a small force, and the rack 32 can be stored with a small force.

It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the vending machine which is embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which open | released the outer door of the vending machine shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the goods storage rack mounted in the uppermost stage. It is a perspective view which shows the state which pulled out the goods storage rack shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the product storage rack shown in FIG. 3 is further pulled out. It is a perspective view which shows the uppermost goods storage rack which pulled the handle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body cabinet 11 Partition plate 12 Commodity storage room 13 Machine room 14 Guide rail 15 Guide roller 16R, 16L Guide plate 161 Temporary stop recessed part 162 Stop recessed part 2 Outer door 21 Glass plate 22 Outlet outlet 23 Exit flapper 3 Commodity storage rack 31 Column 32 Rack 322 Side plate portion 323 Step portion 33 Guide roller 34 Handle 4 Bucket 5 Inner door 51 Glass plate 52 Frame body 53 Product exit 54 Exit exit flapper

Claims (4)

Of the columns arranged in multiple rows in the left-right direction and multiple columns in the up-down direction, the columns arranged in the left-right direction are mounted on the rack, and the columns with the same height are collectively moved from the storage position to the predetermined extraction position. In vending machines configured to be withdrawable,
A pausing means for pausing the rack by engaging the rack when the rack is pulled out to a predetermined pausing position;
A vending machine comprising: stopping means for stopping the rack by disengaging the rack from the temporary stopping means and engaging the rack when the rack is pulled out to the drawing position.   2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the stopping means tilts the rack so as to be lowered toward the front when the rack is pulled out to the pull-out position.   3. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the temporary stop means tilts a small amount so as to be lowered toward the front when the rack is pulled out to a temporary stop position.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rack is provided so as to accommodate a handle protruding forward from the front edge.

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