JP2874144B2 - Sales control device for cup-type vending machines - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cup-type vending machine which allows a user to pay out products to a cup held by the user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 3-2907995 discloses that when a cup sensor detects that a cup is not set in a cup station when a product is dispensed, the built-in cup dispensing device dispenses the cup to the cup station. When the cup sensor detects that the cup is set in the cup station at the time of dispensing the product and the cup dispensing mode in which the cup is dispensed to the set cup, the cup dispenser does not perform the cup dispensing by the cup dispensing device, and the cup dispensing apparatus has already performed the cup dispensing. A cup type vending machine having a cup non-payout sales mode for paying out products to a cup set in the vending machine is disclosed.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a cup-type vending machine, as described above, it is possible to reduce the wasteful use of paper cups caused by the sale of beverages and the labor required to clean up used paper cups. Although it is configured so that the user can pay out the product to the cup that the user has, in the conventional device, the sales conditions are the same for the user in the cup payout sales mode and the user in the cup non-payment sales mode. At present, there are few users who set a cup they own and try to purchase it. Further, at present, there is a demand for a device that can reliably detect whether or not a cup is set in a cup station when dispensing commodities.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sales control device which can recommend use of a vending machine by setting a specific cup possessed by a specific user and using a vending machine in a cup non-payout sales mode.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vending control device capable of reliably detecting whether or not a cup is set in a cup station.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sales control device comprising: a first cup sensor for detecting whether a cup is set in a cup station; Only when set, detects the presence of the characteristic portion of the specific cup and discriminates the specific cup from general cups other than the specific cup.
When the first cup sensor detects that the cup is not set in the cup station when dispensing the product, the built-in cup dispensing device dispenses the cup to the cup station and dispenses the cup. To execute the cup payout sales mode to pay out the product to the sold cup and sell it at the normal selling price,
When the first cup sensor detects that a cup is set in the cup station at the time of dispensing a product and the second cup sensor detects that the cup is not a specific cup but a general cup, the cup dispensing device is used. Without paying out the cup, the product is set in the cup station, and the cup is set at the cup station when the product is sold out at the normal selling price. If the first cup sensor detects that the cup has been discharged and the second cup sensor detects that the cup is a specific cup, the cup is already set in the cup station without performing the cup dispensing by the cup dispensing device. Cup non-payout sales mode that pays out products to specific cups Characterized in that a control unit for sale at a discounted price discounted than the normal price causes the row.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sales control device, wherein a first cup sensor for detecting whether a cup is set in a cup station, and the first cup sensor is provided only when a specific cup having a characteristic portion is set in the cup station. A second cup sensor is provided for detecting the presence of the characteristic portion of the specific cup and distinguishing between the specific cup and a general cup other than the specific cup. If detected by the cup sensor, the built-in cup dispensing device dispenses the cup to the cup station, and executes the cup dispensing sales mode in which the dispensed cup is dispensed with the product, and the normal sales amount of the product is charged at the normal fee. Dispensing to dispensing cups, cups set in cup station when dispensing products If the first cup sensor detects that the cup is dispensed and the second cup sensor detects that the cup is not a specific cup but a general cup, the cup dispensing device does not carry out the cup dispensing and the cup is already dispensed. Execute the cup non-payout sales mode that pays out products to general cups set in the station, and pay out products of normal sales volume to general cups at normal rates,
When the first cup sensor detects that a cup has been set in the cup station and the second cup sensor detects that the cup is a specific cup when dispensing a product, the cup dispensing device performs cup dispensing. A control unit is provided to execute a cup non-payout sales mode in which a product is paid out to a specific cup already set in the cup station without performing the operation and to sell a product which is larger in volume than usual at a normal price. Features.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the first cup sensor detects that there is no cup, the control unit executes the cup dispensing and selling mode, and when the first cup sensor detects that there is a cup, the cup is disconnected. When the payout mode is executed and the second cup sensor detects the presence of a characteristic portion of the specific cup, the cup is sold at a discount price.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the first cup sensor detects that there is no cup, the control unit executes the cup dispensing and selling mode, and when the first cup sensor detects that there is a cup, the cup is disconnected. When the payout mode is executed and the second cup sensor detects the presence of the characteristic portion of the specific cup, a product whose amount is larger than the normal sales amount is sold at the normal price.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a cup-type vending machine provided with a vending control apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the vending machine is configured to process a fee after payment. The control unit 1 has a cup dispensing sales mode for dispensing cups from the built-in cup dispensing device 9 to the cup station 7 and a cup non-dispensing sales mode in which cup dispensing by the cup dispensing device 9 is not performed. Things are connected. A magnetic card reader 2 for reading an identification code of a user from a magnetic card (not shown), first and second cup sensors 4a and 4b, an increase button 5 and a discount button 6 are connected.

The first cup sensor 4a is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a cup at the cup station 7 facing the cup outlet, and the second cup sensor 4b is a sensor for detecting a characteristic portion 8 formed in a specific cup. is there. Specifically, this vending machine has a sales mode in which the beverage is poured into a built-in cup paid out from the cup payout device 9 and a sales mode in which the beverage is poured into the cup set in the cup station 7 by the user. In the sales mode in which the user pours a beverage into the cup set in the cup station 7, the presence or absence of the characteristic portion 8 having a protrusion formed on the bottom of the cup is detected by the second cup sensor 4b, so that the user sets the beverage. As shown in FIG. 2, even the prepared cup is distinguished into a specific cup A in which the characteristic portion 8 is formed and a general cup B in which the characteristic portion 8 is not formed.

Reference numerals 10 and 11 denote a raw material dispensing device for discharging raw materials and cold water to the cup station and a chilled water injection device, and 12 denotes a sales data storage device for recording sales data.

The control unit 1 is configured as shown in FIG.

The control unit 1, which has detected that a magnetic card has been input to the magnetic card reader 2 in # 1, reads the user identification code from the magnetic card reader 2 in # 2. # 3a
Then, the presence or absence of a cup is read from the first cup sensor 4a. If there is no cup in the cup station 7, it is determined to be in the cup payout sales mode, and the control unit 1 instructs the cup payout device 9 in # 4 to pay out the cup to the cup station 7. In step # 5, the material is discharged to the cup of the cup station 7 by instructing the raw material discharging device 10. In # 6, the cold water injecting device 11 is operated for a time T1, and the cold water is dispensed to the cup of the cup station 7 to dissolve the ingredients and cook the beverage. In # 7, the selling price is added to the storage area specified by the user identification code read in # 2.

If there is a cup in the cup station 7 in # 3a, the second cup sensor 4b is read in # 3b. As shown in FIG. 3, the second cup sensor 4b has a light emitting element in a recess 13 formed on the back side of the cup station 7.
The light receiving element 15 and the light receiving element 15 are arranged so as to face each other. In the case of the general cup B, as shown in FIG. Is executed in the cup non-payout sales mode in which the beverage is poured into the general cup set in the cup station 7. As shown in FIG. 3B, in the case of the specific cup A, the light emitting element 14
Is detected by the characteristic portion 8 to detect that the light is a specific cup, and # 8 is executed to execute the sales in which the sales conditions are different from those in the cup non-sale sales mode, especially in the cup non-sale sales mode. Is carried out. In # 8, the control unit 1 executes reading of the increase button 5 and the discount button 6. #
If it is detected in step 8 that the discount button 6 has been operated, the discount is set in step # 9, and steps # 5 and # 6 are executed. In step # 7, the user is notified based on the setting of step # 9. The discount price obtained by discounting the sales price is added to the storage area specified by the identification code.

When it is detected in step # 8 that the increase button 5 is operated, in step # 10, the instruction is issued to the material dispensing device 9 to discharge the material to the cup 4 of the cup station 7. In # 11, the cold water injection device 10 is set to the time T2 [provided that “T2> T”
1 "], dispensing cold water in an amount larger than # 6 to the cup 4 of the cup station 7, dissolving the ingredients and cooking the beverage. In # 7, the user is identified by the identification code of the user read in # 2. The normal selling price is added to the storage area instead of the discounted selling price.

As described above, when the user sets a cup in the cup station 7 prior to inputting a magnetic card into the magnetic card reader 2, the control unit 1 determines in # 3 that the cup is a non-payout sales mode. Further, when it is detected at # 3b that the set cup is a specific cup, the sales conditions are changed by executing the discount sales processing or the increase sales processing, and the user is set in the cup payout sales mode. It is possible to preferentially recommend the user to use the cup non-payout sales mode.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the first cup sensor detects that a cup is set in the cup station at the time of dispensing the product, the cup dispensing device does not execute the dispensing of the cup. The second cup sensor detects that a specific cup is set in the cup station as well as minimizes the waste of paper cups generated during sales and the effort required to clean up used paper cups. Then, the product is sold at a discounted price, or the product that is larger than the normal sales volume is sold at the normal price, preferentially treating the user who has the specific cup and recommending the user to use the specific cup can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a cup-type vending machine provided with a sales control device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a specific cup in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view showing a cup station and a cup set in the cup station.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the sales control device of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 4a 1st cup sensor 4b 2nd cup sensor 5 Increase button 6 Discount button 8 Characteristic part A Specific cup B General cup

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-290795 (JP, A) JP-A-5-189658 (JP, A) JP-A-4-77990 (JP, A) JP-A-2-176893 (JP) JP-A-4-340192 (JP, A) JP-A-4-294490 (JP, A) JP-A-59-121598 (JP, A) JP-A-2-14397 (JP, A) 59-147285 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G07F 5/00-13/10

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cup is set in a cup station.
A first cup sensor for detecting whether the
A specific cup with a sign site is set in the cup station.
Only when the specific cup is
To distinguish a specific cup from a general cup other than the specific cup
And a second cup sensor is provided that, this has not been cup is set in the cup station during the payout of goods
Is detected by the first cup sensor,
Dispense cup from cup dispenser to cup station
Cup dispensing that dispenses the product to the dispensed and dispensed cup
Execute sales mode and sell at normal sales price
To the cup station when dispensing
The first cup sensor detects that the
Out and not a specific cup but a general cup
If the cup is detected by the second cup sensor,
The cup stay is already
Pay out the product to the general cup set in the option
Run the cup non-payout sales mode and
Sell at the selling price
First, confirm that the cup is set in the
Is detected by the tap sensor and that the specific cup is
If detected by a cup sensor, the cup dispensing device
Already without the cup dispensing
Pay out products to a specific cup set in the
Run the non-payment sales mode and normal sales
Set up a control unit to sell at a discount price discounted from the price.
Sales control device for gage cup type vending machines. 2. A cup is set in a cup station.
A first cup sensor for detecting whether the
A specific cup with a sign site is set in the cup station.
Only when the specific cup is
To distinguish a specific cup from a general cup other than the specific cup
And a second cup sensor is provided that, this has not been cup is set in the cup station during the payout of goods
Is detected by the first cup sensor,
Dispense cup from cup dispenser to cup station
Cup dispensing that dispenses the product to the dispensed and dispensed cup
Activate the sales mode and display normal sales
Dispensed to the dispensing cup at the normal rate, when dispensing products
The cup is set in the cup station
Is detected by the first cup sensor and not a specific cup.
The general cup is detected by the second cup sensor.
In the event that the cup is dispensed by the cup dispensing device,
Is already set in the cup station without performing
Non-payout sales mode that pays out products to general cups
At regular rates
Dispensing to general cups, cups when dispensing products
The first is that the cup is set in the station
The second is detected by the cup sensor and determined to be a specific cup.
The cup dispensing device
Without dispensing the cup
Pay out products to specific cups set in the application
Execute the cup non-payment sales mode and
A control unit that sells products that are larger than the sales volume at normal rates
Sales control of the cup type automatic vending machine provided.