JP2755843B2 - vending machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine in which a product accommodating case is pulled out of a main body to supply products.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a vending machine for selling canned beverages and the like, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a main body 1 is divided into front, rear, left and right, and a plurality of columns 2 are provided. In the column 2, commodities (not shown) are accommodated so as to be connected vertically in each product type. When replenishing products, the vending machine administrator holds the main unit 1 with the main door 3 opened.
Are supplied one by one from the supply port 4 provided in the upper part of the front of the vehicle.

[0003] However, such a method of putting the commodities one by one has a drawback that the replenishment work is troublesome and time-consuming. Therefore, the present applicant has developed a vending machine in which a product storage case having a supply port on a side surface is configured to be able to be taken in and out of the main body, and has previously filed an application (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 1-1990).
No. 69561).

[0004] As shown in FIG.
Inside, a plurality of product storage cases 7 are stored side by side in the front-rear and left-right directions, and these product storage cases 7 can be drawn forward by a rail mechanism 8 for each of a series of product cases 7 arranged in a front-back direction. ing. Further, on the right side surface of each product storage case 7, a wide product supply port 9 is provided so as to cover the whole except for the lower part.

With this configuration, the operation of replenishing the product 10 (canned beverage) into the product storage case 7 involves pulling out the product storage case 7 corresponding to the type of product 10 to be refilled, and from the product supply port 9 thereof. , A large number of products 10 in a box 11
If the product 10 is pushed in as it is, the product 10 can be transferred from the box 11 to the product storage case 7 in a lump.

[0006]

As described above, the vending machine provided with the drawer-type product storage case 7 as shown in FIG. 10 can perform the replenishment work of the product 10 simply and in a short time. Since the size of one product storage case 7 is relatively large, it has the following disadvantages.

That is, since the number of the product storage cases 7 that can be stored in the main body 6 is relatively small, the types of the products 10 that can be sold by one vending machine are reduced.
For this reason, it was not possible to cope with a case where many kinds of products 10 were to be sold.

In addition, since a large number of products 10 can be accommodated at one time, all of the products 10
However, allocating one large product accommodating case 7 to a product 10 of a poorly sold type has a problem that sales efficiency is deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a product storage case having a product supply opening on a side surface so as to be able to be pulled out.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine capable of selling various kinds of commodities and effectively using a commodity accommodating space.

[0010]

The vending machine of the present invention comprises:
A vending machine main body is provided so as to be able to be pulled out from the front surface of the main body and has a product storage case having an opening for supplying products on the side surface, and two product discharge mechanisms are provided at a lower portion of the product storage case. One of the product discharge mechanisms is operated to discharge the products in the product storage case one by one, and the product storage case is divided into two chambers corresponding to the respective product discharge mechanisms. 2 Rutotomoni for 1 product housing case comprises a partition plate for
It includes a number of select switch, by the set of the partition plate, or the form of using the said product accommodating case as one chamber
Each select switch corresponds to each product discharge mechanism
Those having features was adapted to be switched to the use form as 2 chamber being eclipsed.

[0011]

According to the above-mentioned means, when the partition plate is not set, the inside of the product storage case is made one chamber, so that a large number of products can be stored at once. Therefore,
The use of the product storage case as a single room is suitable for storing products of relatively good sales type or when it is not necessary to increase the types of products.

Meanwhile, by setting the partition plate, the product accommodating case is the use form of a small two-compartment of housing space than the above case. In this case, a product discharging mechanism is provided for each of the two rooms ,
Select provided with two for each product storage case
Whether or not the switches are associated with the respective product discharging mechanisms , the products can be discharged from each room independently based on the operation of the select switch . Therefore, if the product storage case is used as two rooms as described above, the two
It is possible to store and sell different types of products
This is suitable for accommodating products of a relatively poor sales type, or for selling many types of products.

As a result, the present invention can be applied to the case where there are many types of products to be sold, and the effective use of the accommodation space according to the types of products can be achieved.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, in FIGS. 2 and 3 showing the entire structure of the vending machine according to the present embodiment, reference numeral 21 denotes a main body of the vending machine, which has a rectangular box shape with an open front surface and a main door on the front surface. 22 is provided to be openable and closable.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main door 22 has a display section 23 on the front of which a product sample is displayed, a select switch 24 corresponding to each product sample, a sold-out lamp 25 including LEDs, and a coin mechanism 26 (see FIG. 3). 5) is provided with a coin insertion slot 26a, a product outlet 27, and the like. Although not shown in detail, the push button of the select switch 24 has transparency so that a sellable lamp 28 (see FIG. 5) formed of an LED provided inside the select button 24 can be seen through. On the back side of the main door 22, a control device 29 including a microcomputer and the like described later is provided.

On the other hand, inside the main body 21, a machine room 30 is provided at a lower portion, and an upper portion thereof is provided with a product storage room 31.
It has been. Although not shown, a cool air supply mechanism or a hot air supply mechanism is provided in the machine room 30, from which cool air or hot air is supplied to the storage chamber 31.

In the storage room 31, a product storage case 33 for storing a product 32 (see FIG. 4) such as a canned beverage or the like can be taken in and out of the main body 21. They are provided side by side in two stages.

As shown in FIG. 1, the product storage case 33 is formed in a vertically long rectangular box shape with an open lower surface, and at the upper end thereof, two pieces arranged in front and rear are connected by a movable rail 34. The storage chamber 31 is supported by a rail mechanism (not shown) at the ceiling. Thereby, the two product storage cases 33 arranged in front and rear are provided so as to be able to be pulled out from the front surface of the main body 21 via the rail mechanism.

At the lower end portion in each product storage case 33, two sets of product discharge mechanisms 35, 35 for discharging the products 32 in the product storage case 33 one by one, as will be described in detail later, are provided. Is provided. The right side surface of the product storage case 33 is entirely open except for the product discharge mechanism 35, so that the product 32 can be supplied into the product storage case 33 from the opening 33a. I have. The opening 33 a is opened and closed by a door 36.

Here, the commodity discharging mechanism 35 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the product 32 in the product storage case 33 is composed of a guide plate 37 provided on the inner wall surface side of the product storage case 33 and a base 38 provided in the center at the lower part of the product storage case 33. Are arranged in a line vertically. The commodity discharging mechanism 35 includes the base 3
8, the product 32 located at the lowest position among the products 32
And a lower stopper 39 (not shown) for locking the lower part of the second lowermost product 32.

The lower stopper 39 and the upper stopper are connected to a solenoid 40 (FIG. 5) provided in the base 38.
(See FIG. 3), and the solenoid 40 is controlled by the control device 29 to turn on and off the power, as will be described in detail later.

In the sales standby state, the lower stopper 39 protrudes laterally from the base 38 to hold the lowest product 32 and the upper stopper is immersed. When the solenoid 40 is driven, the upper stopper is projected, and the second product 32 is
, And the lower stopper 39 is immersed to drop one product 32, and the product 32 rolls toward the product outlet 27.

Further, the base 38 is provided with an out-of-stock detecting switch 41 composed of, for example, a microswitch. The out-of-stock detection switch 41 is configured by projecting an actuator 41a immediately above the upper stopper. When two or more products 32 are present between the guide plate 37 and the base 38, the switch 41 is the second lowest. The actuator 41a is pressed (turned on) by the product 32 of
Then, out of stock is detected based on the fact that the product 32 is no longer pressed (off) when there is only one product 32 remaining. Then, the detection signal of the presence or absence of the product 32 is input to the control device 29.

The product discharge mechanism 35 and the out-of-stock detection switch 41 are symmetrically incorporated into the base body 38 to form a unit. Left and right) 2 sets of product discharge mechanism 3
5 and an out-of-stock detection switch 41 are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a triangular distribution member 42 is provided above the base 38. As shown in FIG. The distribution member 42 distributes a large number of commodities 32 that are cluttered in the commodities storage case 33 to the left and right in FIG. 4 and sends them to the commodity discharging mechanism 35 in a state of being aligned in a line. Has become. The upper end of the distribution member 42 is arranged at a portion facing the opening 33a.

As shown in FIG. 1, the product storage case 33 constructed as described above is
A rectangular partition plate 43 for partitioning the inside of the chamber 3 into two front and rear chambers is provided detachably.

That is, at the upper end of the sorting member 42, a slide groove 42a extending in the left-right direction (the depth direction as viewed from the opening 33a of the product storage case 33) is formed. Two cut-and-raised pieces 33b, 33b for sandwiching the partition plate 43 are formed in the portion corresponding to the slide groove portions 42a.
Further, an insertion groove 33c extending in the up-down direction is formed on the inner wall portion of the product storage case 33 opposite to the opening portion 33a.

Thus, the partition plate 43 has its upper end cut and raised from the opening 33a into the slide groove 42a of the sorting member 42 while inserting the lower end into the slide groove 42a.
It is inserted into the product accommodating case 33 so as to be inserted between the 33b, and the side edge portion is inserted into the insertion groove 33c so as to be detachably set in the product accommodating case 33.

On the ceiling of the product storage case 33, there is provided a partition plate detection switch 44 composed of, for example, a micro switch for detecting whether or not the partition plate 43 is set. Although not shown in detail, the partition plate detection switch 44 has an actuator that is pressed (turned on) by the upper edge of the partition plate 43 when the partition plate 43 is set as described above. Thus, the presence or absence of the setting of the partition plate 43 is detected.
The detection signal of the partition plate detection switch 44 is input to the control device 29.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the electrical configuration around the control device 29 with respect to one product storage case 33. Here, as described above, one product storage case 33 is provided with two sets of product discharge mechanisms 35, 35 and an out-of-stock detection switch 41, 41. Here, in order to distinguish between them, one of them is used. The item relating to the product discharging mechanism 35 is denoted by (A), and the component relating to the other product discharging mechanism 35 is denoted by (B).

In this embodiment, two select switches 24 are provided for one product storage case 33. Therefore, one product storage case 3
3, two out-of-sale lamps 25 and two sellable lamps 28 are provided. Here, in order to distinguish them, (A) and (B) are respectively added.

The control device 29 receives a signal from the coin mechanism 26, a selection signal from the two select switches 24 (A) and 24 (B), and an out-of-stock detection switch 41. (A), 41 (B)
And a detection signal from the partition plate detection switch 44 is input.

As will be apparent from the description of the operation described later, the control device 29 controls the solenoids 40 (A) and 40 (B) of the product discharging mechanism 35 based on the input signals and a predetermined program. Control the power cutoff,
The sold-out lamps 25 (A) and 26 (B) are turned on and off via the transistors 45 (A) and 45 (B), and the sellable lamps 28 (via the transistors 46 (A) and 46 (B). A) and 28 (B) are turned on and off.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. When selling the product 32 by the vending machine, the administrator of the vending machine requires the partition plate 43.
Is set depending on whether or not to set
Select whether to use as a room or two rooms.

Here, when the partition plate 43 is not set, the inside of the product storage case 33 is made into one room, and a plurality of products 32 of the same type are stored. Therefore, when accommodating products 32 of relatively good sales type, or when it is not necessary to increase the number of product types, the product storage case 33 may be used as one room.

In this case, the two select switches 24 corresponding to the product storage case 33 are
, And the product 32 is similarly sold regardless of which of the two select switches 24 (A) and 24 (B) is operated, as will be described later. Also, at this time, when replenishing the products 32, if a large number of products 32 are pushed in a state of being packed in a box (not shown), the products 32 can be collectively transferred from the box into the product storage case 33. And the replenishment operation can be easily performed in a short time.

On the other hand, by setting the partition plate 43, the inside of the product storage case 33 is divided into two rooms, each of which has a smaller storage space than the above case, corresponding to each product discharge mechanism 35. Here, the room corresponding to the product discharging mechanism 35 (A) is referred to as a column A, and the room corresponding to the product discharging mechanism 35 (B) is referred to as a column B to be distinguished. When the product storage case 33 is used as two rooms as described above, when storing a type of product 32 of relatively poor sales, or
This is suitable when a large number of types of products 32 are to be sold.

Thus, when the product storage case 33 is used as two rooms, different types of products 32 are stored in the column A and the column B, respectively.
Therefore, each of the select switches 24, the sold-out lamp 25, and the sellable lamp 2 corresponding to the corresponding product storage case 33
The control method performed by the control device 29 is different from the above-described case of using as one room, for example, it is necessary to distinguish 8 etc. corresponding to each of the columns A and B.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control device 29
Based on the detection signal of the partition plate detection switch 44, the sold-out lamp 25, the sellable lamp 28, and the product discharging mechanism 3
5, different control is performed. Hereinafter, this control will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the case of using two rooms, the select switch 24 (A) corresponds to the column A, and the select switch 24 (B) corresponds to the column B.

FIG. 6 shows a routine for controlling the sold-out lamp 25. Here, when the partition plate 43 is not set, that is, when the detection signal of the partition plate detection switch 44 is off (No in step S1), in the next step S2, two out-of-stock detection switches 41 ( A),
41 (B) determines whether both of them have detected out-of-stock (off). Only when both of the out-of-stock detection switches 41 (A) and 41 (B) are off, that is, when the out-of-stock detection is detected (Yes), both the out-of-stock lamps 25 are output.
(A) and 25 (B) are turned on (Step S3), otherwise (No in Step S2), both out-of-sale lamps 25 (A) and 25 (B) are turned off (Step S4). ).

On the other hand, when the partition plate 43 is set, that is, when the detection signal of the partition plate detection switch 44 is on (Yes in step S1), one of the out-of-stock detection switches 41 (A) is turned off. It is determined whether or not the lamp is out (Step S5).
5 (A) is turned on (step S6), and if on (No), the sold-out lamp 25 (A) is turned off (step S7).

The other out-of-stock detection switch 41
It is determined whether (B) is off (step S)
8) If off (Yes), sold-out lamp 25 (B)
Is turned on (step S9), and if on (No), the sold-out lamp 25 (B) is turned off (step S1).
0).

FIG. 7 shows a routine for controlling the lamp 28 for sale. Here, the partition plate detection switch 44
Is OFF (N in step S11).
o) In the next step S12, it is determined whether or not conditions for selling are satisfied. The condition for sale here refers to a condition such as whether the product 32 has been cooled to an appropriate temperature, for example, or whether a predetermined amount of coins has been inserted. If the conditions for sale are not satisfied (No), both the sale possible lamps 28 (A) and 28 (B) are turned off (step S13).

If the conditions for selling are satisfied (Yes in step S12), both out-of-stock detection switches 41 (A) and 41 (B) detect out-of-stock (off). ) Is determined (step S14). Here, both out-of-stock detection switches 41
When (A) and 41 (B) are off, that is, when the out-of-stock is detected (Yes), the sellable lamps 28 (A) and 2
8 (B) are turned off (step S13), otherwise (No in step S14), both sale lamps 28 (A) and 28 (B) are turned on (step S15).

On the other hand, when the detection signal of the partition plate detection switch 44 is ON (Yes in step S11), it is determined whether or not one of the columns A is ready for sale (step S16). If the possible conditions are not satisfied (No), the selling available lamp 28 (A) is turned off (step S17). Then, if the conditions for selling are satisfied (Yes in step S16), it is next determined whether or not the out-of-stock detection switch 41 (A) has detected out-of-stock (step S18). If yes (Yes), the available lamp 28 (A) is turned off (step S17), and if it is on (No), the available lamp 28 (A) is turned on (step S19).

It is determined whether or not the condition for selling the other column B is satisfied (step S20). If the condition for selling is not satisfied (No), the sellable lamp 28 (B) is turned off. The light is turned off (step S21). If the conditions for selling are satisfied (step S
20; Yes), and then the out-of-stock detection switch 41
It is determined whether or not (B) detects that the product is out of stock (step S22). If it is off (Yes), the sellable lamp 28 (B) is also turned off (step S21), and if it is on (No), it is sold. The available lamp 28 (B) is turned on (step S23).

FIG. 8 shows a selling or merchandise discharging mechanism 35.
2 shows a control routine. Here, after the coin is inserted, the select switch 24 is operated to perform the sale.
When one of (A) and 24 (B) is turned on (Yes in step S31), it is determined whether or not the sellable lamp 28 corresponding to the select switch 24 is lit (step S31). If it is turned on (Yes), it is determined whether the detection signal of the partition plate detection switch 44 is on or off (step S33).

Here, when the detection signal of the partition plate detection switch 44 is off (No in step S33), the value of the variable COL is alternately set to 0 and 1 in step S34. In the next step S35, the variable CO
It is determined whether or not L is 0. In this case, the variable CO
If L is 0, on condition that the product is not out of stock (step S36), the product discharging mechanism 35 (A) is operated (step S37) to discharge one product 32 in the product storage case 33 (step S38). ). Also, if the variable COL is 1
, The condition is that it is not out of stock (step S3
9) The product discharge mechanism 35 (B) is operated (Step S40) to discharge one product 32 in the product storage case 33 (Step S41).

Thus, the product storage case 33 has one room (1
When used as a type of product 32), one of the two select switches 24 (A), 24
Even if (B) is turned on, the product discharging mechanism 35 (A),
35 (B) are alternately operated, and the product 32 is discharged.

On the other hand, when the detection signal of the partition plate detection switch 44 is ON (Yes in step S33), the product storage case 33 is used as two rooms, and different products 32 are stored in the column A and the column B. When the select switch 24 (A) is turned on,
The commodity discharging mechanism 35 (A) is operated, and when the select switch 24 (B) is turned on, the commodity discharging mechanism 35 (B) is operated (step S4).
2).

Thus, when the select switch 24 (A) is turned on, the one stored in the column A
The product 32 is discharged and the select switch 24 (B)
Is turned on, one product 32 stored in the column B is discharged (step S43).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the partition plate 43 is detachably provided in the product storage case 33, so that the product storage case 33 can be switched between one room and two rooms. When the product accommodating case 33 is used as two rooms, each of the columns A and B can discharge the product independently.

Therefore, a product 3 of a relatively good sales type
In the case of accommodating two or more kinds of products 32, if each product storage case 33 is used as one room, a large number of products 32 can be stored at one time, and efficiency can be improved. In this case, the supply operation of the product 32 is also facilitated.

When it is desired to sell a large number of types of products 32, each product storage case 33 is used as two rooms.
Can be increased up to twice. Further, when selling a product 32 of a type having relatively poor sales, for example, 1
If the product 32 is accommodated by using the product accommodation case 33 of two parts as two rooms,
Is half of the number of rooms used as one room,
You can do efficient sales.

As a result, differently from the conventional product shown in FIG. 10, many types of products 32 are sold while the product storage case 33 having an opening 33a for supplying the product 32 on the side surface is provided so as to be able to be pulled out. This makes it possible to effectively use the storage space for the product 32.

In the above embodiment, the partition plate 43 is detachably provided.
A partition plate for partitioning the room is rotatably supported at the center of the left wall (the wall opposite to the opening) of the product storage case. When the product storage case is used as one room, The partition plate is rotated so that it is attached to the left wall,
When used as a room, it may be rotated to the near side and positioned at the middle of the product storage case. In this case, there is also obtained an advantage that there is no trouble in the storage space of the partition plate when not in use.

In addition, instead of providing the partition plate detection switch 44, the present invention may be configured such that an administrator of a vending machine manually operates a changeover switch when switching between one room and two rooms. Various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0058]

As it is apparent in the above description, according to the automatic vending machine of the present invention, when Ru is provided a partition plate for partitioning the product accommodating case into two chambers so as to correspond to each product ejection mechanism
In each case, two Selects for one product storage case
By setting a switch and setting the partition plate , the product storage case can be used as a single room.
As 2 chamber switch is associated with each product ejection mechanism
Use since as can switching in the form of a while are those comprising a product housing case having an opening for goods supplied to the side surface to allow the drawer, along with making it possible to sell many types of goods, products accommodated This provides an excellent effect that the space can be effectively used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a product storage case showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view showing a state where a product storage case is pulled out.

FIG. 3 is an overall front view.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view of a product discharging mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration with respect to one product storage case;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control contents of a sold-out lamp.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control contents of a salable lamp.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing control contents of a product discharging mechanism.

FIG. 9 is an overall vertical sectional side view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 10 is an overall perspective view showing another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 21 is a vending machine main body, 22 is a main door, 24
Is a select switch, 25 is a sold-out lamp, 28 is a sellable lamp, 29 is a control device, 32 is a product, 33 is a product storage case, 33a is an opening, 35 is a product discharge mechanism, 38
Is a base, 39 is a lower stopper, 40 is a solenoid, 41
Denotes a stockout detection switch, 42 denotes a sorting member, 43 denotes a partition plate, and 44 denotes a partition plate detection switch.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A vending machine main body having a product storage case which is housed in a main body of the vending machine so as to be able to be pulled out from the front surface of the main body and has an opening for replenishing products on a side surface thereof, and two product discharge mechanisms provided below the product storage case. Is provided, and one of the product discharging mechanisms is operated to remove one of the products in the product storage case.
Be one which is adapted capable of pieces one by discharge, Rutotomoni comprises a partition plate for partitioning the product accommodating case into two chambers so as to correspond to the respective product discharge mechanism, 1 product accommodating Ke
It includes two select switches against over scan, by the set of the partition plate, the inside of the product housing case as one chamber
Depending on the mode of use, each of the select switches is
A vending machine characterized in that it can be switched to a use form of two rooms corresponding to a delivery mechanism .