JP3258806B2 - Vending machine product storage rack - 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 product storage rack for stocking cylindrical products such as canned juice and canned coffee in a vending machine prior to sale.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, canned juice and canned coffee have been
There is a tendency to sell many types of products having different can diameters such as thin cans represented by 250 ml cans and thick cans represented by 350 ml cans by a single vending machine. In such a vending machine, each column of the product storage rack can be appropriately changed and set for a thin can or a thick can. This change setting is generally the width (height) of the product aisle that makes up the column
Is adjusted by adjusting the width.

As such a conventional product storage rack,
The applicant has proposed, for example, one described in the specification or drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 4-209137. As shown in FIG. 4, each column 52 of the conventional product storage rack 51 is
A product insertion port 53 at the front end for inserting a cylindrical product in a sideways posture, a horizontal stock path 54 extending obliquely downward from the product insertion port 53, and a vertical stock path 55 extending downward from the tip of the horizontal stock path 54. And the vertical stock passage 5
5 is provided with a product passage 57 having a product payout port 56 provided at the lower end.

[0004] In the product passage 57, a top plate 58 which constitutes the horizontal stock passage 54 and which freely moves toward the upper end of the vertical stock passage 55, and which is disposed in parallel with the vertical stock passage 55 and interlocks with the top plate 58. An interlocking arm 59 that can move up and down, and an outlet regulating plate 60 that forms a part of the vertical stock passage 55 and that can move back and forth in conjunction with the up and down movement of the interlocking arm 59 are provided. A shaft 61 is provided at the tip end of the top plate 58 in the width direction of the product passage 57. The left and right side plates 62 of the product passage 57 are used to regulate the vertical movement of the shaft 61. , A first guide groove 65 having an inverted "L" shape having a first locking portion 63 for setting a large-diameter product and a second locking portion 64 for setting a small-diameter product. The upper end of the interlocking arm 59 has an upper hole 6 for engaging with the shaft 61 and moving the interlocking arm 59 up and down in conjunction with the up and down movement of the shaft 61.
6 is provided, and a lower end of the interlocking arm 59 is engaged with an upper shaft 67 provided at an upper portion of the outlet regulating plate 60,
A lower hole 68 is provided for moving the outlet regulating plate 60 in the front-rear and vertical directions of the vertical stock passage 54.
The left and right side plates 62 of the product passage 57 are formed with second and third guide grooves 69 and 70, respectively, which are formed in a substantially inverted "S" shape, and the upper shaft 67 of the outlet control plate 60 is connected to the second
The lower shaft 71 of the outlet regulating plate 60 is engaged with the third guide groove 70 in the guide groove 69.

With the above configuration, when the product storage rack 51 is set for a large-diameter product, the top plate 58
Is lifted upward, and then moved so as to be pulled closer, the shaft 61 is locked to the first locking portion 63 of the first guide groove 65. In conjunction with this, the interlocking arm 59
Is moved upward, and the upper and lower shafts 67 and 71 of the outlet regulating plate 60 are also connected to the second and third guide grooves 6 respectively.
The vertical stock passage 55 can be widened while moving upward along the lines 9 and 70. Conversely, in the case of setting for small-diameter products, the shaft 61 is engaged with the second locking portion 64 of the first guide groove 65 by lifting the top plate 58 and then moving it so as to push it forward. Stop. In conjunction with this, the interlocking arm 59 moves downward, and the upper and lower shafts 67 and 71 of the outlet regulating plate 60 also move downward along the second and third guide grooves 69 and 70, respectively. At the same time, the width of the vertical stock passage 55 can be reduced.

[0006]

However, in the product storage rack 51, the own weight of the can stored in the vertical stock passage 55 pushes the outlet regulating plate 60 from inside so that the vertical stock passage 55 is widened. Working. On the other hand, since the interlocking arm 59 is connected to the top plate 58, the vibration of the top plate at the time of placing a product is transmitted and rattled. Therefore, the second, third and first guide grooves 6
In the conventional product storage rack 51 in which the upper and lower shafts 67, 71 and the shaft 61 are not restrained by upward movement of the upper shaft 67, the lower shaft 71 and the shaft 61, the rattling pushes the interlocking arm 59 upward. In some cases. In such a case, since the interlocking arm 59 acts to lift the outlet regulating plate 60 connected thereto, the outlet regulating plate 60 is coupled with the acting force due to the weight of the stored can, and the outlet regulating plate 60 is set to the large diameter product setting. It moves to the position for use.
As a result, there is room for improvement in that the vertical stock passage 55 is widened and the stored small-diameter products are paid out from the product payout port 56.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and occurs at a time other than when a product is sold due to the connection of the top plate, the interlocking arm, and the outlet regulating plate. It is an object of the present invention to provide a product storage rack of a vending machine which can prevent erroneous payout of a product stored in a product storage rack.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention extends obliquely downward from the product insertion port toward the back.
The horizontal stock passage and the distal end of the horizontal stock passage
And a vertical stock passage extending downward from the product passage.
A vending machine product storage rack with adjustable aisle width.
And extend in the vertical direction with each other, and
Left and right, which are arranged in a manner that constitutes the left and right sides of the product passage
While being arranged between two side plates and these side plates,
Constructs the bottom of the horizontal stock passage, and
At the middle of the length direction of the horizontal stock passage
Swingable with the supporting shaft extending in the left and right direction as a fulcrum
Top plate and the top end of the top plate
A shaft provided to extend in the left-right direction,
Formed on each of the two side plates, with the shaft engaged
To guide the top plate back and forth and swing
The guide groove and the top play
And move up and down in conjunction with the swing of the top plate
And the width of the lower end of the vertical stock passage.
For adjustment, it is placed between the two side plates,
Moves in the width direction of the passage in conjunction with the vertical movement of the interlocking arm.
A mouth regulating plate, and the guide groove is a top plate.
Is set to a predetermined position while moving forward and backward
Therefore, the width of the passage was adjusted for the small-diameter product with the outlet regulating plate.
Sometimes, the shaft must be locked in the vertical
With this, the horizontal groove that prevents the top plate from swinging
It is characterized by having.

[0009]

According to the present invention, the width of the product passage is adjusted.
The top plate against the vertical stock passage.
When retreating and swinging with the support shaft as a fulcrum,
The interlocking arm moves up and down in conjunction with this, and further interlocks with this
Outlet to adjust the width of the lower end of the vertical stock passage
The regulating plate moves in the width direction of the passage. This exit control plate
In order to adjust the passage width for small-diameter products,
Set the port in place while moving forward and backward and swinging
And the shuff provided at the tip on the back side of the top plate
The water in the guide grooves formed in the two left and right side plates, respectively.
Engage with the flat groove. Thus, the width of the product passage is narrow.
When adjusted for diameter products, the shaft
By the horizontal groove part, it is locked in the up and down direction immovable state,
Thereby, the swinging of the top plate is prevented. did
Thus, for example, the passage width is adjusted for small diameter products
A place for introducing small-diameter products into the product aisle through the product input port
The small diameter product rolls on the top plate
As a result, the top plate vibrates.
Even if a force is required to move the
The swing of the rate is prevented, so the interlocking arm
It does not move. As a result, the width of the passage
Movement is also prevented and therefore adjusted by the outlet regulating plate
Products are accidentally paid out without widening the passage width
Can be reliably prevented from being performed.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a side view of the product storage rack, and FIG. 2 is a side view of a typical column of the product storage rack. FIG.
As shown in the figure, this product storage rack 1 has six types of products A
6-column structure with six columns 2 that can sell
By arranging a plurality of product storage racks 1 in the left-right direction, a product storage of a vending machine is configured. In each column 2, the same product A is stored in a large number in the vertical direction, and is sold sequentially from the lowest product A according to a sales command. Therefore, each column 2 is provided with a product passage 3 that can stock many products A and can sequentially send out the products A.

The merchandise passage 3 includes a merchandise insertion opening 3a at a front end portion near which the merchandise A is inserted, a horizontal stock passage 3b extending obliquely rearward and downward from the merchandise insertion opening 3a,
A vertical stock passage 3d extending downward from the rear end of the vertical stock passage 3d via the bent portion 3c, and a commodity delivery port 3e provided at the lower end of the vertical stock passage 3d. Although not shown, a product outlet which can take out the product paid out from the product outlet 3e is provided below the product outlet 3e. The merchandise A which has been inserted one by one from the merchandise insertion opening 3a is dropped into the vertical stock passage 3d via the horizontal stock passage 3b, and is sequentially placed in the merchandise passage 3 from the lowermost merchandise outlet 3e. Is filled. When selling the product A, the product payout opening 3e is opened, and the product purchaser can take out the product from the product outlet by sequentially paying out the products A one by one from the lowest order.

This product storage rack 1 stocks and sells cylindrical products A such as canned juice and canned coffee, and each column 2 is represented by a thin can represented by a 250 ml can and a 350 ml can. It is configured to be able to accommodate two types of commodities A having different can diameters.

The product storage rack 1 is constructed by assembling a pair of left and right side plates 4 formed by connecting three steel plates in parallel with each other, and forming a plurality of columns 2 in a gap formed by the both side plates 4. ing. Commodity passage 3 that constitutes each column 2
The insertion guide 6 for guiding the introduction of the product A, the insertion regulating pin 7 for regulating the width of the insertion opening, the top plate 8 forming the introduction path of the product A, and the top plate 8 A guide plate 9 for guiding the rolled product A to the vertical stock passage 3d, a car black 10 for setting the rolled product A in an appropriate posture, and a passage width of the vertical stock passage 3d corresponding to the diameter of the product A. An outlet regulating plate 11 for regulating the product A and a product dispensing device 12 for dispensing the product A one by one based on a sales command are provided so as to be supported by the both side plates 4. A pair of left and right interlocking arms 13 is provided along the side surface. The introduction guide 6, the introduction restriction pin 7, and the front end 8 a of the top plate 8 mainly serve to make the commodity introduction opening 3 a, and the top plate 8 mainly serves to mainly supply the horizontal stock passage 3.
b, the bent portion 3c is mainly constituted by the guide plate 9, the vertical stock passage 3d is mainly constituted by the car black 10, and the commodity outlet 3e is mainly constituted by the exit regulating plate 11 and the commodity ejection device 12.

The top plate 8 is, as shown in FIG.
A plate body 21 having a bottom plate 21a and a compatible plate 21b formed by bending a steel plate into a U-shaped cross section;
A first support pin 22a and a second support pin 22b respectively attached to the front end of the first and second support pins, and a third support pin 22b attached to the rear end of the third
And a support pin 23. Plate body 21
Is configured such that the product A can be turned sideways in the groove formed by the bottom plate 21a and the compatible plate 21b and rolled in a horizontal position.

The first support pin 22a projects to the left (toward the back of the paper of FIG. 2), is inserted into a hole 4a formed in the left side plate 4, and the second support pin 22b is connected to the right (to the front of the paper of FIG. 2). Side), and is inserted into a hole 4b formed in the right side plate 4. When the column 2 is set to a column for large cans, the first support pin 22a and the second support pin 22b
Are inserted into the holes 4c and 4d, respectively. Both ends of the third support pin 23 are formed on the left and right side plates 4 respectively and have horizontal grooves 4e, and are inserted into first guide grooves (guide grooves) 4f having a substantially "2" shape as a whole. , Are movably supported by the first guide groove 4f. Further, an intermediate portion of the top plate 8 is supported by a fulcrum support pin 24.
Are inserted through holes 4g, 4g formed in both side plates 4. That is, the plate body 21 is connected to the side plates 4 via the support pins 22a, 22b, 23, and 24.
Supported by Thereby, the plate body 2
Reference numeral 1 designates a fulcrum support pin 24 as a fulcrum, and moves forward and backward while moving in a seesaw motion (swinging).

Next, the reciprocation of the plate body 21 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIGS. 2 and 3 show a state where the product storage rack 1 is set for a thin can and a thick can, respectively. When changing from the thin can setting state shown in FIG. 2 to the thick can setting state, the front end of the plate body 21 is grasped, pulled toward the user, and then pushed downward and toward the user. As a result, the third support pin 23 is guided along the horizontal groove 4e of the first guide groove 4f to its front end, whereby the plate body 21 is swung up and down while moving forward, and As the whole moves forward, the front part rises slightly and the rear part falls down to a slightly lowered position, resulting in the state shown in FIG. When the plate body 21 is pushed down and pushed forward by the reverse procedure, the third support pin 23 is moved to the first guide groove 4f.
The plate main body 21 is returned to the original position by being guided from the front end to the rear end through the horizontal groove 4e, and the thin can setting state shown in FIG.

In the position where the plate body 21 is moved rearward as shown in FIG. 2, the rear end of the plate body 21 faces the upper end of the vertical stock passage 3d to reduce the width of the passage, and the front end is located above and below the merchandise inlet 3a. The width of the opening in the direction is narrowed to form a column for fine cans for filling the fine can. On the other hand, at the position where the plate body 21 has moved forward as shown in FIG.
The width of the mouth in the vertical direction of a is widened to form a column for thick cans for filling thick cans. That is, the column 2 is moved forward and backward by guiding the plate body 21 to the first guide groove 4f, and the first and second support pins 21a and 21b are inserted into the holes 4a and 4b or the holes 4c and 4d, respectively. Each column is set for a thin or thick can.

Exit control plate 11 and commodity delivery device 12
Are arranged in parallel with each other with a gap forming the product passage 3 below the car black 10.
1, the width of the product passage 3 is restricted to a narrow can or a thick can, and the commodity delivery device 12 pays out the lowest products A in the product passage 3 one by one.

The outlet regulating plate 11 is supported by the side plates 4 by upper and lower support pins 31 and 32 provided vertically. That is, both ends of the upper support pin 31 and the lower support pin 32 are respectively engaged with a pair of upper and lower guide grooves 4g, 4g, which are formed in the both side plates 4, and have a substantially inverted "S" shape. 31 and 32 are supported by the both side plates 4 and guided by the guide grooves 4g and 4g, and are translated between the thin can setting position and the thick can setting position. Specifically, in conjunction with the movement of the top plate 8 between the thin can setting position and the thick can setting position, the outlet regulating plate 11 is moved between the thin can setting position and the thick can setting position. The width of the product passage 3 including the product outlet 3e can be adjusted. This interlocking is performed by an interlocking arm 13 provided outside the side plates 4 and extending in a direction in which the car black 10 continues.

The interlocking arm 13 has an upper end 35 having an inverted "L" shape, a lower end 36 bent into an "L" shape, and a long main body 37 connecting the upper and lower ends 35, 36. The front end of the upper end portion 35 is engaged with the third support pin 23 of the top plate 8, and the lower end portion 36 is engaged with the upper support pin 31 of the outlet regulating plate 11. Then, it moves up and down in conjunction with the forward and backward movement of the top plate 8, and the outlet regulating plate 11 moves to the thin can setting position or the thick can setting position in conjunction with this vertical movement. In order to ensure that the interlocking arm 13 interlocks with the top plate 8, the engaging portions of the upper end 35 and the lower end 36 of the interlocking arm 13 are elongated grooves 37, 38.

Next, the overall interlocking operation of the product storage rack 1 when setting the thin can and the thick can is described. First, in order to change from the thick can setting to the thin can setting, when the operator pushes the top plate 8 backward while pressing it downward, the top plate 8 moves to the thin can setting position. Further, the interlocking arm 13 moves downward with the movement of the top plate 8, and the exit regulating plate 1 moves in conjunction with the downward movement.
1 also moves in parallel to the can setting position. In this state, the width of the product insertion opening 3a is regulated by the introduction regulating pin 7, the width of the vertical stock passage 3d is regulated by the rear end of the top plate 8, and the width of the commodity outlet 3e is regulated by the exit regulating plate 11. Thus, only the thin can can pass through the product passage 3.

On the other hand, in order to change from the thin can setting to the thick can setting, after the operator pulls the top plate 8 forward,
When the top plate 8 is pulled forward while being held down, the top plate 8 moves to the thick can set position, and the interlocking arm 13 moves upward with the movement of the top plate 8,
In conjunction with this upward movement, the outlet regulating plate 11 also moves in parallel to the thick can set position. In this state, the product passage 3 is widened so that thick cans can pass through.

On the other hand, when the can is set, since the third support pin 23 is located in the horizontal groove 4e of the first guide groove 4f, the top plate 8 vibrates when a product is put in, and the vibration is transmitted to the interlocking arm 13, and Even if a force for lifting the arm 13 is generated, the horizontal groove 4f prevents the third support pin 23 from moving upward, and the interlocking arm 13 is also prevented from moving upward. As a result, the exit regulating plate 11 connected to the interlocking arm 13 is also prevented from moving, so that the width of the vertical stock passage 3d does not become the passage width corresponding to the large-diameter product, and the narrow width to the product outlet 3e is reduced. Delivery of diameter products is prevented.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the first guide groove 4f for guiding the top plate 8 to advance and retreat is provided with the horizontal groove 4e so that the product storage rack 1 can be used as a thin can column. Since the third support pin 23 attached to the top plate 8 is configured to be positioned in the horizontal groove 4e, the vibration of the top plate 8 caused by the introduction of the product A is transmitted to the interlocking arm 13, and 13 does not move even if a force is generated to move it upward.
3 is prevented by the horizontal groove 4e.
The product passage 3 does not widen, and the discharge of the thin can from the product discharge port 3e can be effectively prevented with a simple configuration.

In this embodiment, the horizontal groove 4e
Is provided at the position of the first guide groove 4f when the top plate 8 is moved to a position corresponding to the thin can product, that is, when the passage width of the vertical stock passage 3d is completely narrowed by the outlet regulating plate 11. Since the horizontal groove 4e has a function of preventing the upward movement of the interlocking arm 13, the horizontal groove 4e may have this function.
The top plate 8 may be located between the position corresponding to the thin can product and the position corresponding to the large diameter product. The horizontal groove 4e does not necessarily have to be completely horizontal.

[0026]

As described above, according to the merchandise storage rack of the vending machine of the present invention, the width of the merchandise aisle is reduced for small-diameter merchandise.
Move the top plate back and forth and swing to adjust
If the guide groove is set at the predetermined position,
Part locks the shaft in the vertical direction.
This prevents the top plate from swinging, so even when the top plate, the interlocking arm and the exit restricting plate are connected, vibrations during product introduction and the weight of stored products
Depending on the force that tries to move the interlocking arm up and down.
A malfunction of the outlet control plate can be prevented with a simple configuration, and as a result, erroneous dispensing of the product stored in the product storage rack, which occurs only when the product is sold, is effectively prevented. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a product storage rack of a vending machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a typical column when the product storage rack according to the embodiment is set for thin cans.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a typical column when the product storage rack according to the embodiment is set for thick cans.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a conventional product storage rack.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Commodity storage rack 2 Column 3 Commodity passage 3a Commodity entrance 3b Horizontal stock passage 3d Vertical stock passage 3e Commodity discharge port 4 Side plate 4e Horizontal groove 4f First guide groove 8 Top plate 11 Exit control plate 13 Interlock arm 23 Support pin A Commodity

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An obliquely downward direction from the product insertion port toward the back side.
The horizontal stock passage that extends and the back of this horizontal stock passage
A product having a vertical stock passage extending downward from the tip
Vending machine product storage rack with adjustable passage width
Which extend vertically and are spaced apart in the horizontal direction.
Left and right which constitute the left and right sides of the product passage
Two side plates, and between the side plates,
Constructs the bottom of the passage and moves back and forth with respect to the vertical stock passage
Freely and in the middle of the length of the horizontal stock passage.
Swingable with the support shaft extending in the left-right direction
Extends left and right to the top plate and the top end on the back side of this top plate
And the shafts formed on the two side plates, respectively.
When the top plate moves forward and backward and swings
A guide groove for guiding , extending vertically and connected to the top plate
And moves up and down in conjunction with the swing of the top plate
For adjusting the width of the interlocking arm and the width of the lower end of the vertical stock passage
And between the two side plates,
Exit regulation that moves in the width direction of the passage in conjunction with the vertical movement of the arm
And a guide plate , wherein the guide groove allows the top plate to move forward and backward and swing.
While being set at a predetermined position, the width of the passage
When adjusted for small-diameter products with the outlet regulating plate,
By locking the shaft vertically,
And has a horizontal groove for preventing the top plate from swinging.
Commodity storage rack of a vending machine, characterized in that it has been.