JP2019006604A - Product discharge controller - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a product discharge controller used for sorting products, so that a root man who manages vending machines and delivers goods to replenish products to vending machines in a short time.SOLUTION: A product discharge controller includes: a stand; a product storage device installed on this stand; an inclined lane through which a product passes, the product being discharged from the product storage device; a product discharge control part coupled with the tip of the inclined lane ; and elevating means. The product storage device includes: a product supply port into which a product storage case is set; a space to store products transferred from the product storage case; and a product discharge port for discharging products from the space. The product storage device is disposed at a first position where the product discharge port side is higher than the product supply port side where the product storage case is set, and the elevating means is configured to set the product supply port side of the product storage device at a second position higher than the product discharge port, which is the position higher than the first position, and return the product storage device to the first position from the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a product discharge control device for sorting products to be replenished in a vending machine in advance.

A so-called root man is engaged in replenishing products such as beverage containers to the vending machine. This route man loads the goods on a transport truck in a warehouse such as a sales office, and patrols and distributes each place where vending machines are installed.
At various locations where vending machines are installed, Rootman uses a remote control installed in the vending machine to obtain sales information such as sales data. Based on this sales information, a necessary number of products are taken out from the shelves of the transport truck and replenished to the vending machine.

In this way, the rootman obtains sales information at each installation location of the vending machine and engages in replenishment work for missing items. In addition to relocation work, replenishment work at each destination site Therefore, there is a problem that work efficiency is poor.
As a technology related to such a problem, a product sorting system, a product input device, and a product sorting method have been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1 shows the overall configuration of a replenishment system for replenishing goods to a vending machine in FIG. 16, and FIG. 17 shows a lane type sorting machine.
As an explanation in FIGS. 16 and 17, it is described that a beverage container as a product is opened in a part of the side surface of the cardboard case and discharged from the opening. Further, it is also described that a holder having the same shape as that of a cardboard case made of metal such as aluminum or resin is used instead of the cardboard case.

However, it is troublesome for the operator to open an opening in a part of the cardboard case so that the products are discharged in an orderly manner. Moreover, there is a concern that the beverage container will not be smoothly discharged if the opening shapes are not aligned.
In order to solve such a concern, it is described that a holder made of a metal such as aluminum or a resin having the same shape as the cardboard case is used. Even if the opening for discharging the beverage container can be formed in a certain shape in advance, an operation of taking out the beverage container from the cardboard case and refilling it into the holder occurs, which also puts a load on the operator and lowers the work efficiency. It will be.

  Furthermore, according to Patent Document 1, since the cardboard case is not devised to temporarily store the product, the supply / discharge amount of the product is such that the product is discharged from the cardboard case and reaches the lower end of the lane. Depends on the length, the lane must be lengthened to increase the product storage.

JP 2009-87207 A

  In view of the circumstances as described above, the present invention can easily discharge a beverage container from a cardboard case containing a beverage container as a product, and has a function of temporarily storing the discharged product, while a predetermined amount of An object of the present invention is to provide a product discharge control device that can smoothly supply products.

In order to achieve the above object, a product discharge control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises:
A frame,
A product storage device having a product supply port installed on the mount and into which a product storage case is set, a space for storing the product transferred from the product storage case, and a product discharge port for discharging the product from the space When,
An inclined lane installed on the pedestal and installed on the product outlet side of the product storage tool through which the product discharged from the product storage tool passes;
A product discharge control unit connected to the tip of the inclined lane,
The product storage device is disposed at a first position on the product discharge port side higher than the product supply port side on which the product storage case is set,
Elevating means for setting the product supply port side of the product storage tool to the second position higher than the product discharge port from the first position and returning the product storage port from the second position to the first position. And
The raising / lowering means is configured to discharge the product stored in the space from the product discharge port by setting the product storage device at the second position.

In addition, the product sorting apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is the product discharge control apparatus according to the first aspect,
The product storage case and the product storage case set in the product supply port of the product storage tool are placed on an inclined table,
The raising / lowering means raises the lower floor side bottom surface of the tilt table from the first position to the second position and lowers the lower floor side bottom surface of the tilt table to lower the first floor. It is comprised from the raising / lowering member lowered to 1 position, and the operation member which raises or lowers the said raising / lowering member.

  In this commodity discharge control device, an impact mitigating member that softens the drop impact of the commodity discharged from the commodity discharge control unit may be disposed on the outlet side of the commodity discharge control unit.

Furthermore, the product discharge control device according to the third aspect of the present invention is the product discharge control device according to the first aspect,
The commodity storage tool, the inclined lane, and the commodity discharge control unit installed on the gantry are separable from each other and can be assembled.

Furthermore, a product discharge control apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is:
A frame,
An opening for setting a product installed on the frame, a space for storing the product set from the opening, a product discharge port for discharging the product from the space, the space and the product discharge A product storage device having a shutter installed between the outlets;
An inclined lane installed on the pedestal and installed on the product outlet side of the product storage tool through which the product discharged from the product storage tool passes;
A product discharge control unit connected to the tip of the inclined lane,
The product storage device is installed at a first position in a substantially horizontal state in which the product is stored in the space, and the product stored in the space of the product storage device is discharged from the product discharge port. In this case, the product discharge port of the product storage tool is configured to be inclined to a second position where the product discharge port is lower than the first position.

A product discharge control apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the product discharge control apparatus according to the fourth aspect,
The commodity storage tool has a flat portion and an inclined portion on a bottom surface installed on the gantry,
The flat portion is for installing the product storage device in a first position in a substantially horizontal state,
The inclined portion has a second position where the product outlet of the product storage tool is lower than the first position when the product stored in the space of the product storage tool is discharged from the product outlet. It is to be installed in.

The product discharge control device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the product discharge control device according to the fourth aspect,
The commodity storage tool, the inclined lane, and the commodity discharge control unit installed on the gantry are separable from each other and can be assembled.

  Further, in the commodity discharge control apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a product slide tape is provided on the floor surface of the inclined lane in the inclined lane through which the commodity discharged from the commodity storage tool passes. It may be.

  Furthermore, in the commodity discharge control apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a rectifying plate for controlling the overlap of the products may be provided in the upper space of the inclined lane through which the commodity discharged from the commodity storage tool passes. Good.

  Furthermore, in the product discharge control device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, an impact mitigating member for reducing the drop impact of the product discharged from the product discharge control unit is disposed on the outlet side of the product discharge control unit. May be.

According to the product discharge control device according to the first and second aspects of the present invention,
By opening the opening of the case in which the product is stored and setting the opening in the opening of the product storage tool, the product is moved directly into the product storage tool, so that workability is improved.
Until the product in the case is completely discharged, the case can be set in the opening on the product storage device side, so that the product does not drop or scatter, and an orderly operation can be performed.
According to this product discharge control device, the products to be replenished to the vending machines installed in each place can be sorted in advance in the sorting hall for each vending machine in each place. Rootman does not need to put out and sort out the goods to be replenished from the goods transport truck at various places where vending machines are installed. Therefore, the route man can unload goods on the road in a short time, and can efficiently replenish the goods to the vending machines installed at various places.

  Further, according to the product discharge control device according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the discharge side of the product storage device is inclined so as to rise until the product is discharged to the lane, so that the product is stored. There is no risk of the product flowing out from the product storage device to the lane, and an orderly operation can be performed without scattering the product.

  Further, according to the product discharge control device according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the products discharged from the product discharge control unit are guided to the hopper, and the products of the products are collected in the container without being scattered. Will be stored. In addition, the impact mitigating member can relieve the energy of the drop impact of the product, and the product can be prevented from having dents or scratches.

Further, according to the product discharge control device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the product storage device, the inclined lane, and the discharge control unit installed on the gantry can be separated from each other and can be assembled. The degree of freedom to install the product discharge control device is increased. That is, the product discharge control device can be combined in the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, or both the vertical and horizontal directions, and the number of options for the installation location is increased.
Furthermore, when it is necessary to move the product discharge control device, the product storage device installed on the gantry, the inclined lane, and the discharge control unit are separated, and the separated components are transported to the destination. You can assemble each component locally.
Note that “assemblable” means that the product storage tool, the inclined lane, and the discharge control unit are connected to each other so that the product flows smoothly.

  In addition, according to the commodity discharge control device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the commodity to be discharged is relatively large or heavy, there is no need to lift the commodity container when discharging the commodity, By tilting the product discharge side downward from the horizontal state, the product can be discharged to the lane, and labor can be reduced.

  Moreover, according to the product discharge control apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the bottom surface of the product storage device installed on the gantry has a flat portion and an inclined portion, and the inclined portion is used. By doing so, the outlet for discharging the product from the horizontal state can be lowered in the product storage tool storing the product, so that the product can be discharged to the lane, and labor can be reduced.

  Further, according to the product discharge control device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the product storage device, the inclined lane, and the discharge control unit installed on the gantry are separable from each other and can be assembled. The degree of freedom to install the product discharge control device is increased. That is, the product discharge control device can be combined in the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, or both the vertical and horizontal directions, and the number of options for the installation location is increased.

Furthermore, when it is necessary to move the product discharge control device, the product storage device installed on the gantry, the inclined lane, and the discharge control unit are separated, and the separated components are transported to the destination. You can assemble each component locally.
Note that “assemblable” means that the product storage tool, the inclined lane, and the discharge control unit are connected to each other so that the product flows smoothly.

  In addition, in the product discharge control device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by further providing a slide tape on the floor surface of the inclined lane, the risk of the product staying in the middle of the lane without rolling is eliminated, and the product is smoothly discharged. Work can be done.

  Further, in the commodity discharge control apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by further arranging a baffle plate above the commodity movement area of the inclined lane, control is performed so that the moving commodity overlaps in a line in a situation where the moving commodity overlaps. Therefore, smooth product movement can be performed.

  In addition, in the commodity discharge control apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by further providing an impact mitigating member, the commodity discharged from the commodity discharge control section is guided to the hopper through the shock mitigating member, and the commodity is scattered. Without being collected in a container. In addition, the impact mitigating member can relieve the energy of the drop impact of the product, and the product can be prevented from having dents or scratches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a whole block diagram of the goods replenishment system to the vending machine in which the goods discharge control apparatus based on this invention is used. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the whole of an example of a commodity discharge control device of the present invention. In the example of the commodity discharge control device of the present invention, it is a schematic side view showing a state before the commodity is discharged. In the example of the commodity discharge control device of the present invention, it is a schematic side view showing a state of discharging a commodity. In one example of the commodity discharge control device of the present invention, it is a partial schematic perspective view showing lifting means for raising and lowering the bottom surface of the inclined base on which the commodity storage tool is set. It is a schematic side view which shows the internal structure of the goods discharge control part used by this invention, (a) is a schematic side view which shows the internal state of the previous stage which discharges goods, (b) is the internal state which is discharging goods. It is a schematic side view which shows. It is a schematic side view which shows the state which vertically arranged two goods discharge control apparatuses up and down in an example of the goods discharge control apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic side view which shows the whole about the other example of the goods discharge control apparatus of this invention. In the other example of the goods discharge control apparatus of this invention, it is the schematic perspective view which showed the internal structure of the goods storage tool in detail. In the other example of the goods discharge control device of this invention, it is a partial schematic diagram showing the example of composition for inclining the goods storage tool from the horizontal state. In another example of the commodity discharge control device of the present invention, it is a plan view showing a part of an inclined lane. In another example of the commodity discharge control device of the present invention, it is a perspective view showing the commodity storage tool from the back, and shows a state where the commodity is being discharged. It is a schematic side view which shows the state which discharges goods from a goods storage tool in the other example of the goods discharge control apparatus of this invention.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a product replenishment system for a vending machine in which the product discharge control device shown in FIG. 1 is used will be described.
In FIG. 1, this product replenishment system mainly includes a personal computer PC, a vending machine VM, a control box CB, product discharge control devices M1 and M2, a route man RM, and a route track RT. ing.

  The vending machine VM is filled with merchandise that is a beverage container, and the daily storage amount changes depending on the purchaser's use. This storage amount is reflected in the personal computer PC via the communication network L1 and is managed. In the plurality of vending machines VM, for example, when the storage amount of the vending machine VM1 decreases, command data for replenishing products is sent to the control box CB via the communication network L2.

  The control box CB is operated by operating a product discharge control device that stores the product to be replenished from the product discharge control devices M1 and M2 via the run cable L3, here the product discharge control device M1-1. Discharge the number of items. The discharged product is stored in the container CT. The root man RM places the container CT together with the container CT on the root truck RT and goes to a predetermined vending machine VM, in this case, the vending machine VM-1 whose storage amount is reduced.

  According to the product replenishment system described above, the troublesome work of replenishing the product at the site where the vending machine is installed is unnecessary, and the container CT in which necessary types and numbers are prepared in advance for the root track RT. Therefore, efficient delivery can be performed in a short time.

What plays an important role in such a merchandise replenishment system is a merchandise discharge control apparatus that is the object of the present invention. The merchandise discharge control apparatus will be described in detail below.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the whole of an example of the commodity discharge control apparatus of the present invention.
The product discharge control device 10 shown in FIG. 2 is generally composed of a gantry 20, a product storage tool 40, an inclined lane 50, and a product discharge control unit 60, and these components are assembled together. . Here, in order for these elements to be assembled with each other, the elements can be connected and separated from each other.

The gantry 20 includes a horizontal gantry 21 and an inclined gantry 22 installed on the horizontal gantry 21. The inclined gantry 22 is a position where the product storage device 40 is installed, and is installed on the horizontal gantry 21 on the side from which the product is discharged from the product storage device 40.
In such a gantry 20, the components of the tilt gantry 22, the tilt lane 50, and the product discharge control unit 60 on the horizontal gantry 21 are assembled and arranged along the direction in which the product flows. It is installed on the product outlet side of the tool 40. In addition, an inclined mounting table 30 on which the commodity storage tool 40 is placed is installed on the inclined rack 22.
In FIG. 2, a product discharge control device 10 in which two product discharge control devices 10 a and 10 b are arranged side by side is shown. The number of the product discharge control devices 10 arranged side by side can be arbitrarily set according to the type and amount of the product.

About the product discharge control apparatus 10, each structure is demonstrated in detail along the direction through which goods flow.
The inclined gantry 22 is inclined so that the front side through which the product flows is higher. An inclined mounting table 30 is installed on the inclined mounting table 22, and a product storage device 40 is mounted on the inclined mounting table 30.

  The product storage device 40 has a space S for storing products therein, and a bottom plate 41, side plates 42a and 42b rising from the bottom plate 41, a top portion 43, and a front guide wall so as to surround the space S. 44. Further, the product storage device 40 includes a product supply port 45 into which the cardboard case B is fitted on the rear side thereof, and includes a product discharge port 46 on the front side of the product storage device 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cover of the cardboard case B that stores the product G such as a can and a bottle is opened, and in this state, the product is set in the product supply port 45 of the product storage device 40. The thing of this state is set on the inclination mounting base 30. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the state in which the product storage tool 40 is set on the inclined mounting table 30. As apparent from FIG. 3, the product storage device 40 is arranged at a position higher on the product discharge port 46 side of the product G than the product supply port 45 in which the cardboard case B is set. This position is the first position. Specifically, the position of the bottom plate 41 on the product discharge port 46 side is set higher than the position of the bottom plate 41 on the product supply port 45 side of the product storage device 40.

In order to discharge the product G stored in the space S of the product storage device 40 from the product discharge port 46, the product supply port 45 side of the product storage device 40 is higher than the product discharge port 46 from the first position (the first position). 2 position).
FIG. 4 shows a state in which the product supply port 46 side of the product storage device 40 is set to a higher position (second position) than the first position where the product supply port 46 side is lower by the lifting means 23.
3 and 4, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 5 shows the elevating means 23 in detail, and includes an elevating member and an operation member that moves the elevating member up and down. Specifically, the elevating means 23 is used for a box 24, a rotary shaft 25 that is rotatably set in the box 24, a handle 26 that is an operation member fixed to the rotary shaft 25, and a rotary operation of the handle 26. Along with this, an elevating member 27 that rotates via the rotation shaft 25 is obtained. The lifting member 27 is formed of a rectangular plate, and one end thereof is fixed to the rotating shaft 25, and the other end draws a rotating track in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating shaft 25. The lifting means 23 has a box 24 fixed to the lower floor side of the inclined mount 22.

  In the state shown in FIG. 4, by rotating the handle 26 of the elevating means 23 counterclockwise, the elevating member 27 also rotates counterclockwise, and the bottom side of the inclined mounting table 30 is lifted. When the bottom side of the inclined mounting table 30 is lifted, the product supply port 45 side of the product storage device 40 becomes the second position which is a high position. The product G moves from the product storage case B to the space S of the product storage device 40 at the second position, and further moves to the product discharge port 46. Further, the commodity G moves to the lane 50 and turns around the inclined lane 50.

  Here, the lane 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The lane 50 includes a bottom plate 51 and a pair of side plates 52, and a passage 53 through which the product G passes is formed by a space sandwiched between the bottom plate 51 and the pair of side plates 52. A lane outlet 55 is formed. The lane 50 is provided so as to be gradually lowered from the upper end portion toward the lower end portion, so that the product G moves from the upper end portion through the passage 53 to the lower end portion by gravity and is discharged from the lane outlet 55. The Note that a switch SW is disposed on the bottom plate 51 in the middle of the passage 53, detects the passage of the product G, and counts the number of products G that have passed. As the switch SW, a hinge lever type micro switch or the like is used.

  2, 3, and 4, a product discharge control unit 60 is disposed at the lower end of the lane 50. In the illustrated example, a relay lane 56 is disposed between the lane 50 and the product discharge control unit 60, and plays a role of guiding the product G from the lane 50 to the product discharge control unit 60. The lane outlet 55 of the lane 50 may be extended so that the lane 50 is directly connected to the product discharge control unit 60.

  The product discharge control unit 60 controls the stop and discharge of the product G that passes through the product discharge control unit 60, and is fixed to the gantry 20 by the support fixtures 28 and 29. The relay lane 56 is provided with a window 56a, and the product discharge control unit 60 is also provided with a window 60a. The state of discharge of the product G can be confirmed through these windows 56a and 60a. .

The product discharge control unit 60 is called a bendmec, and the internal structure is disclosed in detail in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).
The internal structure of the product discharge control unit 60 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B will be described. The product discharge control unit 60 includes a gate body 62, a lock lever 63, and components such as a solenoid 64 that interlocks and drives the gate lever 62 and the lock lever 63 with a connecting link 65 inside the cover body 61. Yes.
Inside the cover main body 61, these structural members 62, 63, 64, and 65 are arranged and configured so as to secure a conveyance passage 66 through which the product G can pass. The gate lever 62 is disposed in the vicinity of the outlet on the lower side of the product discharge control unit 60. In the state shown in FIG. The product G at the lower end is held so as not to fall from the outlet.

When a signal for discharging the product G is input to the product discharge control unit 60, the solenoid 64 is driven to hold the second product G from the bottom by causing the lock lever 63 to protrude toward the transport passage 66 and the gate lever. By retracting 62 from the conveyance path 66, the product G at the lowermost end can be dropped and discharged.
Note that a product presence / absence detection lever 67 is disposed above the lock lever 63, and the state shown in FIG. 6B shows a state where the product presence / absence detection lever 67 has advanced to the conveyance path 66 side. It is detected that all the products G have been discharged.

Returning to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a buffer member 68 is provided on the outlet side of the product discharge control unit 60. Specifically, a flap is used as the buffer member 68, and the free end of the flap swings from side to side as indicated by the broken line. The buffer member 68 has a function of consuming energy generated when the product G that has exited from the outlet of the product discharge control unit 60 rotates or slides down.
The commodity G that has passed through the buffer member 68 is collected in the hopper 31. The hopper 31 is fixed to the support fixture 29. A container CT for storing the product G is disposed below the hopper 31, and the product G that has passed through the hopper 31 is stored in the container CT. The container CT is on the carriage WA, and when the product discharge operation is completed, the container CT moves with the carriage WA.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which two product discharge control devices 10 are vertically arranged vertically. 7, the same components as those in FIGS. 2 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. As for the product discharge control device 10 in the vertical arrangement in FIG. 7, as with the product discharge control device 10 shown in FIG. 2, the rack 20, the product storage device 40, the inclined lane 50, and the product discharge control unit 60 And each of these elements is assembled with each other.
In FIG. 7, the two product discharge control devices 10 are configured such that the gantry 20 includes horizontal gantry 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d and an inclined gantry 22, and the two product discharge control devices 10 are vertically arranged vertically. Yes. Of the two product discharge control devices 10, the lower product discharge control device 10 shows a state before the product G is discharged, and the product discharge of the product G is more than the product supply port 45 in which the cardboard case B is set. The outlet 46 side is arranged at a high position (first position). Specifically, the position of the bottom plate 41 on the product discharge port 46 side is higher than the position of the bottom plate 41 on the product supply port 45 side.

    On the other hand, in FIG. 7, the upper product discharge control device 10 of the two product discharge control devices 10 shows a state in which the product is discharged. In this case, by rotating the handle 26 of the elevating means 23 counterclockwise, both the elevating members 27 are also rotated counterclockwise, and the bottom side of the inclined mounting table 30 is lifted. When the bottom side of the inclined mounting table 30 is lifted, the product supply port 45 side of the product storage device 40 is in a second position with a high position. At the second position, the product (not shown) from the product storage case B moves to the space S of the product storage tool 40 and further to the product discharge port 46. Further, the product (not shown) moves to the lane 50 and turns around the inclined lane 50.

  The product G that has passed through the lane 50 is stopped and discharged by driving the product discharge control unit 60 shown in FIG. Thereafter, the commodity G that has passed through the flap 68 is collected in the hopper 31. The hopper 31 is fixed to the support fixture 29. A container CT for storing the products G collected at the lower side of the hopper 31 is disposed. The container CT is on the carriage WA, and when the product discharge operation is completed, the container CT moves on the carriage WA.

Next, driving the commodity discharge control device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cover of the cardboard case B is opened, and the cardboard case B is fitted into the product supply port 45 of the product storage device 40. In this state, it is set on the inclined mounting table 30 on the inclined mount 22. This state is the first position. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the product G in the cardboard case B remains in the cardboard case B.
From this state, as shown in FIG. 4, the handle 26 of the lifting / lowering means 23 is turned counterclockwise to lift the inclined mounting table 30 and set to the second position. Then, it moves to the space S of the product storage device 40.

The product G transferred to the space S of the product storage device 40 is guided in order by the side plates 42a and 42b and the front guide wall 44 of the product storage device 40, and can be prevented from passing through the lane 50 all at once. The commodity G moves to the lane 50 and flows toward the lane outlet 55 on the lower end side of the inclined lane 50.
Further, the product G passes through the lane outlet 55, reaches the product discharge control unit 60 through the relay lane 56. The product discharge control unit 60 has its gate lever 62 advanced into the transport passage 66 and holds the product G at the lowermost end of the transport passage 66 so as not to fall from the outlet.

  Next, when a signal for discharging the product G is input, the solenoid 64 is driven to hold the second product G from the bottom by causing the lock lever 63 to protrude toward the transport passage 66 and to move the gate lever 62 to the transport passage. The product G at the lowermost end is dropped and ejected from 66.

A product replenishment system for a vending machine will be described using the product discharge control device 10 described above with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, for example, among vending machines VM, the storage amount of products stored in the vending machine VM1 is reflected on the personal computer PC via the communication network L1, and data management is performed. When the personal computer PC is operated, the controller CB connected to the run cable L2 is activated. When data indicating that the storage amount of the vending machine VM1 shown in FIG. 1 is decreasing among a plurality of vending machines VM is caught, the necessary number of products are stored in the control box CB via the communication network L2. Command data for replenishing G is sent.

A description will be given of a case in which the products staying in the product discharge control device 10a in the product discharge control device 10 shown in FIG. 2 are replenished to the vending machine VM1 shown in FIG.
When the control box CB in FIG. 1 is operated, as described above, the solenoid 64 in the product discharge control unit 60 called the bend mech in FIGS. 6A and 6B is driven to stay. The required amount of product G is discharged. Specifically, the lock lever 63 is protruded toward the conveyance passage 66 to hold the second product G from the bottom, and the gate lever 62 is moved backward from the conveyance passage 66 to drop the lowest product G. To discharge. This process continues until the required amount of product G is discharged. In this way, the discharged product G is stored in the container CT on the carriage WA via the buffer member 68 and the hopper 31.

  The route man RM puts the container CT storing the product G on the route track RT and goes to a predetermined vending machine VM, in this case, the vending machine VM-1 whose storage amount is decreasing. The route man RM arriving at the vending machine VM-1 may replenish the product G contained in the container CT without confirming the excess or deficiency on the spot.

  The above description is based on the product discharge control device 10a in the product discharge control device 10. However, the product discharge control device 10b shown in FIG. When the information that the product G of the discharge control device 10b is insufficient is caught, the product discharge control device 10b may be driven to perform additional replenishment work for the container CT mounted on the root track RT.

  In the above description, the operation mode for storing the product G in the container CT mounted on the carriage WA has been described. However, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the product discharge control devices 10a and 10b are arranged side by side. A non-conveyor may be disposed below the product discharge control unit 60, the container CT may be moved onto the belt conveyor, and the product may be stored in the container CT. Alternatively, the product discharge controller 60 may directly place the product on the belt conveyor, move the product on the belt, and store the various products G in a container CT placed on the end side of the belt conveyor.

Next, another example of the commodity discharge control device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view showing the entire product discharge control apparatus 100 of another example. In FIG. 8, the product discharge control device 100 is generally composed of a product storage tool 400, an inclined lane 500, and a product discharge control unit 600. These components are assembled with each other and installed on the gantry 101, 102. Is made up of. Here, in order for these elements to be assembled with each other, the elements can be connected and separated from each other. This commodity discharge control device 100 is intended for a relatively heavy commodity G2 such as a PET bottle.

The product discharge control device 100 will be specifically described. The product discharge control device 100 first includes a gantry 101 and a gantry 102. The gantry 101 and the gantry 102 are installed in a substantially horizontal state. The gantry 101 is set at a higher position than the gantry 102.
A product storage device 400 is installed on the gantry 101. A lane 500 through which the product G2 flows is spanned from the right end of the gantry 101 to the right end of the gantry 102, and the product discharge control unit 600 is disposed on the lane exit 505 side of the lane 500.
In FIG. 8, one product discharge control device 100 is illustrated, and the product discharge control devices 100 may be juxtaposed side by side as shown in FIG. The number of the product discharge control devices 100 juxtaposed side by side can be arbitrarily set according to the type and amount of the product.

The configuration of the product discharge control device 100 will be described in detail along the direction in which the product flows.
A product storage device 400 is placed on the gantry 101. First, the product storage device 400 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 9, the product storage device 400 includes a box-shaped case 401 having a space S for storing the product G2, and a cover 402 in which the product G2 can be taken in and out of the space S, both of which are made of metal. It consists of the material. The cover 402 is attached to the case 401 by a hinge or the like so that it can be opened and closed. The protrusion 404 of the cover 402 sticks to the magnet 403 to which the case 401 is attached by a magnetic force, and the cover 402 is closed to seal the space S. can do.

  The product storage device 400 includes a front cover wall 405 connected to the space S, a pair of side guide walls 406 (one side is shown in FIG. 9) provided to face each other with the front cover wall 405 interposed therebetween, An outlet 407 is provided. A shutter 408 is disposed between the space S and the product discharge port 407. The upper end of the shutter 408 protrudes from the upper surface of the case 401, and a guide bar 409 is attached to the lower side of the shutter 408. At the end of the guide bar 409, a knob 410 protrudes from a slit 411 provided in the side guide wall 406 in the vertical direction. A knob 410 moves the shutter 408 up and down as indicated by a bidirectional arrow AR1.

Next, a configuration for discharging the product G2 stored in the space S of the product storage tool 400 from the product discharge port 407 through the shutter 408, the front cover wall 405, and the like will be described.
A flat portion 412 and an inclined portion 415 are provided at the bottom of the product storage device 400. As shown in FIG. 10, the flat portion 412 includes a leg portion 413 and a stretched flat portion 414 formed in a direction orthogonal to the leg portion 413, and the product storage portion 400 is substantially horizontal. Play a role in maintaining. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, in the inclined portion 415, the height of the leg portion 413 gradually decreases toward the product discharge port 407 following the flat portion 412, and as a result, an inclined surface is formed. .
The inclined portion 415 is configured so that the product discharge port 407 side is lowered by lifting the handle 416 attached to the product storage device 400.

  Next, a means for holding the product storage unit 400 flat will be described. In FIG. 10, the product storage tool 400 is placed in a stationary state on the gantry 101. The slider 420 is placed so that the stationary state can be moved on the gantry 101 as well. This slider 420 has a restraining plate 421 and is fixed to the extended flat portion 414 side of the flat portion 412. The stop plate 421 is provided with a guide hole 422, and a guide protrusion 423 is inserted into the guide hole 422, and performs a guide function of moving the slider 420 in the horizontal direction in the drawing.

  In FIG. 10, the restraining plate 421 of the slider 420 suppresses the extended flat portion 414, and prevents the product storage device 400 from tilting toward the product discharge port 407 side. In order to maintain this state, a slider 420 having a weight capable of withstanding the weight of the product storage device 400 storing the product G2 and suppressing the inclination of the product storage device 400 is prepared.

In order to discharge the product G2 from the product storage device 400, when the shutter 408 is raised and the slider 420 shown in FIG. 10 is gripped by the handle 425 and moved to the right horizontal direction, the stretched flat portion 414 has been suppressed so far. The restraining plate 421 shifts simultaneously with the slider 420 while the guide hole 422 is guided by the guide projection 423, so that the product storage device 400 can shift from the horizontal state to the inclined state.
At this time, the product storage device 400 may be tilted using the handle 416 or the handle 426 attached to the front cover wall 405 so that the product discharge port 407 side is lowered. This inclination is realized along the inclination angle of the inclined side of the inclined portion 415.

Next, the lane 500 that constitutes a part of the commodity discharge control apparatus 100 will be described.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, the lane 500 includes a bottom plate 501 and a pair of side plates 502, and a passage through which the product G <b> 2 passes through a space sandwiched between the bottom plate 501 and the pair of side plates 502. 503 is formed, and the lower end side thereof forms a lane outlet 505 shown in FIG. The lane 500 is provided so as to be gradually lowered from the upper end portion toward the lower end portion, so that the product G2 moves from the upper end portion through the passage 503 to the lower end portion by gravity and is discharged from the lane outlet 505. The Note that a switch SW is disposed on the bottom plate 501 in the middle of the passage 503, detects the passage of the commodity G2, and counts the number of passages of the commodity G2. As the switch SW, a hinge lever type micro switch or the like is used.

  A plurality of slide tapes 504 are arranged on the bottom plate 501 of the lane 500. With the slide tape 504, the flow of the container G2 passing through the lane 500 can be made smooth. A flap 507 is disposed in the middle of the lane 500. The flap 507 is constructed so as to be swingable by a support bar 506 between support plates 508 fixed to a pair of side plates 502. The flap 507 functions to restrict the product G2 flowing in an overlapping manner and eliminate the overlap. The flap 507 functions effectively for a PET bottle having a polygonal product cross section.

Next, the product discharge control unit 600 constituting a part of the product discharge control device 100 will be described.
In FIG. 8, a product discharge control unit 600 is disposed at the lower end of the lane 500 via a relay lane 509. The product discharge control unit 600 controls stop and discharge of the product G2 passing through here. The product discharge control unit 600 is fixed and arranged on the gantry 202 with support fixtures 208 and 209, and the specific configuration thereof is generally shown in FIG.
This product discharge control unit 600 is called a bendmec, and its internal structure is disclosed in detail in FIGS. 6A and 6B, and its mechanism and operation are the same. Is omitted.

In FIG. 8, a buffer member 608, specifically, a flap is provided on the outlet side of the product discharge control unit 600, and the free end swings to the left and right as indicated by a broken line. The buffer member 608 has a function of consuming energy generated when the product G2 exiting from the outlet of the product discharge control unit 600 rotates or slides down.
The commodity G2 that has passed through the buffer member 608 is collected in the hopper 301. The hopper 301 is fixed to a support fixture 209. A container CT for storing the product G2 collected under the hopper 301 is disposed. The container CT is on the carriage WA. When the product discharge operation is completed, the container CT moves with the carriage WA.

Next, driving the commodity discharge control device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 13.
First, as shown in FIG. 9, the cover 402 is tilted in the direction indicated by the arrow AR2 so that the space S of the product storage device 400 can be seen. The cover 402 is placed on the slider 420 and the spacer 424. The slider 420 and the spacer 424 have the same height (thickness), and the cover 402 is placed almost horizontally on these. Further, as shown in the figure, the shutter 408 is also lowered and prepared so that the commodity G2 stored in the space S is not discharged.

  On the cover 402, a cardboard case that stores a product G2 (not shown) is placed. The product G2 is transferred from the cardboard case to the space S of the product storage device 400, and the product G2 is stored in the space S. In this case, the product G2 is heavier than a coffee can or a juice can and is a product such as a large plastic bottle. Thereafter, the cover 402 is rotated as indicated by an arrow AR3, and the product storage device 400 storing the product G2 is closed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the extension flat part 414 of the flat part 412 is pressed by the restraining plate 421 of the slider 420 so as not to rise, and the movement of the product storage device 400 is previously stopped.

  In this state, in order to discharge the product G2 from the product storage device 400, first, the slider 420 is horizontally shifted to the right side as shown in FIG. 10 to release the restraint plate 421 from restraining the extended flat portion 414 of the flat portion 412. To do. Next, the product storage device 400 is tilted toward the product discharge port 407 using the inclined side of the inclined portion 415. Next, when the knob 410 is slid upward, the guide bar 409 and the shutter 408 integrated with the knob 410 are raised upward. Here, the product G2 stored in the space S is guided in order by the front guide wall 405 and the side guide wall 406 by the action of gravity, and passes through the product discharge port 407.

Further, the product G2 moves to the lane 500 and flows toward the lane outlet 505 on the lower end side of the inclined lane 500 while the overlap of the product G2 is eliminated by the flap 507 in the middle.
Further, when the product G2 passes through the lane exit 505, it reaches the product discharge control unit 600 via the relay lane 509. The product discharge control unit 600 is not shown in detail in FIG. 8, but will be described based on FIGS. 6A and 6B, which have already shown the internal structure in detail. The product G at the lowermost end of the conveyance passage 66 is held so as not to fall from the outlet.

  Next, when a signal for discharging the product G2 is input, the solenoid 64 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is driven to cause the lock lever 63 to protrude toward the conveyance path 66 and the second product G2 from the bottom. When the gate lever 62 is retracted from the transport passage 66, the product G2 at the lowermost end falls and is discharged.

Although one product discharge control device 100 has been described above, a plurality of product discharge control devices 100 may be juxtaposed to perform replenishment processing for different types of products G2.
In addition, about the goods replenishment system to the vending machine using the goods discharge control apparatus 100, since the content already demonstrated based on FIG. 1 can be used, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted in this Example.

  Moreover, although the operation | work form which stores the goods G2 in the container CT mounted on the trolley | bogie WA was demonstrated, you may move the container CT on the belt conveyor which is not shown in figure. Further, the product G2 discharged from the product discharge control unit 600 may be directly placed on the belt conveyor, moved on the belt, and various products G2 may be stored in the container CT placed on the end side of the belt conveyor. .

As described above, according to the present invention, the product discharged from the product discharge control device is stored in a container, and this container is installed in various places by a route man loading, traveling and delivering the product on a product transport truck. The vending machine can replenish the goods accurately and quickly.
In this way, the route man does not need to put out and sort the goods to be replenished from the goods transport truck at various places where vending machines are installed, so it can be handled on the road in a short time, It is possible to efficiently replenish products in the vending machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Commodity discharge control apparatus 20 Stand 21 Horizontal mount 22 Inclined mount 23 Lifting means 30 Inclined mounting base 40 Commodity storage tool 45 Commodity supply port 46 Commodity discharge outlet 50 lane 60 Commodity discharge control unit 100 Commodity discharge control apparatus 101, 102 Mount 400 Commodity Storage 401 Case 402 Cover 407 Product discharge port 408 Shutter 412 Flat part 415 Inclined part 420 Slider 500 Lane 600 Product discharge control part

Claims (6)

A frame,
A product storage device having a product supply port installed on the mount and into which a product storage case is set, a space for storing the product transferred from the product storage case, and a product discharge port for discharging the product from the space When,
An inclined lane installed on the pedestal and installed on the product outlet side of the product storage tool through which the product discharged from the product storage tool passes;
A product discharge control unit connected to the tip of the inclined lane,
The product storage device is disposed at a first position on the product discharge port side higher than the product supply port side on which the product storage case is set,
Elevating means for setting the product supply port side of the product storage tool to the second position higher than the product discharge port from the first position and returning the product storage port from the second position to the first position. And
The product lifting control device, wherein the lifting means sets the product storage device at the second position and discharges the product stored in the space from the product discharge port. The product storage case and the product storage case set in the product supply port of the product storage tool are placed on an inclined table,
The raising / lowering means raises the lower floor side bottom surface of the tilt table from the first position to the second position and lowers the lower floor side bottom surface of the tilt table to lower the first floor. The commodity discharge control device according to claim 1, comprising a lifting member that is lowered to a position 1 and an operation member that raises or lowers the lifting member.   The commodity discharge control device according to claim 1, wherein the commodity storage tool, the inclined lane, and the commodity discharge control unit installed on the gantry are separable from each other and can be assembled. A frame,
An opening for setting a product installed on the frame, a space for storing the product set from the opening, a product discharge port for discharging the product from the space, the space and the product discharge A product storage device having a shutter installed between the outlets;
An inclined lane installed on the pedestal and installed on the product outlet side of the product storage tool through which the product discharged from the product storage tool passes;
A product discharge control unit connected to the tip of the inclined lane,
The product storage device is installed at a first position in a substantially horizontal state in which the product is stored in the space, and the product stored in the space of the product storage device is discharged from the product discharge port. In this case, the product discharge control device is configured to be inclined to a second position where the product discharge port of the product storage tool is lower than the first position. In the commodity discharge control device according to claim 4,
The commodity storage tool has a flat portion and an inclined portion on a bottom surface installed on the gantry,
The flat portion is for installing the product storage device in a first position in a substantially horizontal state,
The inclined portion has a second position where the product outlet of the product storage tool is lower than the first position when the product stored in the space of the product storage tool is discharged from the product outlet. Product discharge control device that is installed in   The product discharge control device according to claim 4, wherein the product storage tool, the inclined lane, and the product discharge control unit installed on the gantry are separable from each other and can be assembled.

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