JP3422778B2 - Vending machine product ejection device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product dispensing device which is built in an automatic vending machine and discharges a product. The present invention relates to a product dispensing device of a vending machine that can handle products.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Vending machines are often used as devices for selling beverages such as beer and juice unattended. In an automatic vending machine that sells these beverages, a plurality of product storage shelves 1 are provided in the depth direction as shown in FIG. A product dispensing device 7 is attached to the bottom of the product passage 2. Here, the product dispensing device 7 discharges the products in the product passage 2 one by one, and as shown in FIG. 25, the main flapper 200 that holds the product located at the lowermost portion (the most downstream side) and the main flapper 200. Next-time product holding flapper 201 that temporarily holds the second product when flapper 200 retracts.
have. Then, with the main flapper 200 put out to the product passage side 2 and the next product holding flapper 201 stored,
Wait for the product discharge signal. That is, the main flapper 200 supports the most downstream product, and the next product holding flapper 201 is housed so as not to get in the way.

And by inserting coins and selecting goods,
When a predetermined signal is issued, the solenoid or the like functions to house the main flapper 200, and in conjunction with this, the next product holding flapper 201 is output to the product passage 2 side. As a result, the product located furthest downstream falls to the lower part due to the opening of the main flapper 200, and the product located above it is temporarily supported by the next product holding flapper 201 and stays at that position. Therefore, only one product falls and is supplied to the buyer. When it is confirmed that the product at the bottom is dropped, the main flapper 200 is released, and in conjunction with this, the next product holding flapper 201 can be retracted. As a result, the product that was second from the downstream at the beginning is placed on the main flapper 200 and waits for the next discharge signal.

As described above, in the prior art, the operations of the two flappers 200 and 201 are interlocked, and the inclination angles thereof are always in a one-to-one relationship. Specifically,
In the prior art, two flappers 200, 201
Has a relationship that, for example, when the main flapper 200 is tilted at 30 °, the next product holding flapper 201 is tilted at 20 °.

[0005]

By the way, three types of cans for beverages such as beer and juice, which are called thick cans, medium-thick cans, and thin cans, are widely used. In recent years, beverages in plastic bottles have come to be sold at vending machines. Further, drinks containing vitamins are manufactured and sold exclusively in bottles, and drinks in these bottles are also sold at vending machines. Therefore, it is important for vending machines to be able to handle multiple types of products with different diameters and shapes.

However, if the cans have different diameters, the dropping speed of the product and the position / angle at which the flapper contacts are slightly different. Furthermore, the rectangular plastic bottles that have been frequently used in recent years are significantly different from cans in the falling speed of the product and the position / angle at which the flapper contacts. Therefore, in the product dispensing device of the prior art, product jams and frequent two product dispensing occurred. Further, in the vending machine using the conventional product dispenser, the width of the end of the product passage must be individually adjusted according to the product in order to eliminate the above-mentioned product clogging and the two product dispensing. Absent.

However, the work of individually adjusting the widths of the end portions of the product passages is very troublesome. Further, in many cases, the work of adjusting the width of the end portion of the product passage is performed by hand scooping, and thus the width adjustment is often not sufficient. Therefore, it has been desired by those skilled in the art to develop a product dispensing device that can smoothly carry out cans and PET bottles of various sizes without adjusting the width of the product passage. Therefore, the present invention pays attention to the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, is applicable to products having a plurality of shapes, eliminates the setting work on the exit side of the product passage, and can prevent product carry-out problems. The purpose is to provide a dispensing device.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is provided in a product passage of a vending machine, and is projected and retracted from the wall side of the product passage toward the center side to the most downstream side. A main product support member for holding a product located at, a next product support member located upstream of the main product support member for holding a second product from the downstream side, and the main product support member for the product passage side. Has a urging means for urging the main product supporting member in the direction of projecting, a retracting preventing member for preventing the main product supporting member from retracting, and a projecting device for projecting the next product supporting member by power, and retreating in response to a predetermined signal. A product dispensing device for an automatic vending machine, which is configured to release the backward blocking of the product supporting member by the blocking member, and to cause the next product supporting member to project by the projecting means before and after the blocking.

According to the present invention, it is possible to smoothly discharge the products of a plurality of types of shapes without performing the setting work on the product passage outlet side of the vending machine, and it is possible to prevent the product carry-out trouble.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-mentioned problems is attached to a product passage of a vending machine, and protrudes / retracts from the wall surface side of the product passage toward the center side. And a main product support member that holds a product located on the most downstream side, a next product support member that is located upstream of the main product support member and holds a second product from the downstream side, and the main product support member In the direction of protruding toward the product passage
The urging means for constantly urging, the retraction preventing member for preventing the main product supporting member from retreating, and the projecting means for protruding the next product supporting member by power are provided. Release the backward movement prevention of the product support member,
Before and after this, the next product supporting member is projected by the projecting means, and the operation of the main product supporting member is
Independent of the movement of the product support member,
The prevention of the main product support member from moving backward is released, and the product weight
The main product support member is pushed open by the
Products are discharged and the main product support member becomes unloaded,
The main product support member is a product dispensing device of a vending machine, which is returned by the force of the biasing means .

The product dispensing device of the vending machine according to the present invention has a main product support member and a next product support member, and separates the operations of both. That is, in the prior art, the operations of the main product support member and the next product support member are interlocked with each other. For example, when the main product support member is tilted at 30 °, the next product support member is tilted at 20 °. There was a one-to-one relationship. Since the basic idea of the prior art product dispensing device is to change the width of the product passage to accommodate multiple types of products, as described above, the operations of the main product support member and the next product support member are linked. ing. However, like the basic idea of the present invention, when trying to support a plurality of types of products without changing the width of the product passage, the optimum of the main product support member and the next product support member depending on the size and shape of the product. The relative relationship is different. Therefore, in the present invention, the operations of the main product support member and the next product support member are performed separately. That is, in the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to the present invention, the main product support member is projected toward the product passage side by the biasing means, and is further prevented from retreating by the retreat blocking member. On the other hand, the next product support member is projected by the projecting means with power. In the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to the present invention, the main product support member is projected toward the product passage by the biasing means, and is further prevented from retreating by the retreat blocking member. Therefore, the main product support member can maintain the protruding state and prevent the product from moving. On the other hand, when the backward blocking of the main product supporting member by the backward blocking member is released by a predetermined signal, the main product supporting member retracts due to the weight of the product, and the most downstream product is discharged. Around this time, the next product supporting member is projected by the projecting means, and the second product from the downstream side is held.
Therefore, two products are not discharged at one time. Further, in the present invention, since the main product support member retracts according to the weight of the product, it is independent of the operation of the next product support member.

According to one of the preferred embodiments, the main product support member is pivotally attached to the wall surface side of the product passage so as to be swingable, and is the free end side of the main product support member and the wall surface side of the product passage. 2. The protrusion is provided at the position of, and the backward movement preventing member is engaged with the protrusion and moves according to a predetermined signal, and the backward movement prevention with the main product support member is released. It is a product dispensing device of the vending machine.

In the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the present invention,
The main product support member is pivotally attached to the wall surface side of the product passage so as to be swingable. A protrusion is provided on the free end side of the main product support member and on the wall surface side of the product passage, and the receding prevention member engages with this protrusion. Therefore, even if the product is placed on the main product support member, the main product support member does not retract and the product can be held. On the other hand, the retraction preventing member moves according to a predetermined signal. As a result, the reverse blocking of the main product support member is released, and the product is discharged.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the retreat blocking member is constituted by a chain structure having two or more links A and B, and one link A is engaged with the main product supporting member to be the main product supporting member. 2. The product dispensing device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the link B blocks the movement of the link A and the link B blocks the movement of the link A.

The product dispensing device of the vending machine of the present invention has a function with enhanced safety. That is, claim 1
The product dispensing device of the vending machine described in (1) has a retreat blocking member, and the retreat blocking member regulates the operation of the main product support member. Therefore, for example, when a product is jammed and a finger is inserted to move the retreat blocking member, the retreat blocking member is disengaged, and each member operates to pinch the finger.
Therefore, in the present invention, the receding prevention member has two or more links A and B.
And one of the links A is engaged with the main product supporting member to prevent the main product supporting member from moving, and the other link B is to prevent the link A from moving, so that the retraction preventing member can be easily installed. I tried not to move.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the retraction preventing member is constituted by a chain structure having two or more links A and B, and the main product supporting member and one link A are slidable and rotatable contacts. , The other link B is joined to the link A via a pivotable contact, and when the link A is positioned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the main product support member, the link B is 3. The product dispensing device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the link A is positioned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the above relationship is broken.

The product dispensing device of the vending machine of the present invention also has a highly safe function. In the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to the present invention, the retraction prevention member is constituted by a chain structure having two or more links A and B, and the link A functions to directly restrict the operation of the main product support member. , Link B functions to regulate the operation of link A. That is, since the main product support member and one link A are joined via the slidable and rotatable contacts, when the link A is positioned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the main product support member, Movement of the commodity support member is prevented. On the other hand, when the link A is in a position inclined with respect to the moving direction of the main product support member, the contact point between the link A and the main product support member slides and the main product support member moves. On the other hand, in the present invention, when the link A is positioned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the main product support member, that is, when the link A blocks the movement of the main product support member as described above, the link B Is located in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction in which the link A breaks the above-mentioned relationship of fixing the main product support member.
Therefore, the link B prevents the link A from moving. Therefore, even if you press the link A with your fingers,
The link A is held by the link B, the link A does not move, and the backward blocking is not released.

In another embodiment, the main product support member is pivotally attached to the wall surface side of the product passage so that the main product support member has a link A, and the main product support member and the link A slide. Alternatively, the link A may be joined via a pivotable contact to prevent the product supporting member from retracting against the swing of the main product supporting member.

In the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the present invention,
The retraction preventing member has a link A. The link A resists the swing of the main product support member and prevents the product support member from retracting. The link A can prevent the commodity supporting member from retreating by being positioned, for example, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the swing direction of the main commodity supporting member. Further, the link A is arranged at a position slightly deviated from the vertical direction with respect to the swinging direction of the main product support member, and the rotation force generated in the link A is blocked by another stopper to prevent the product support member from retracting. can do.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the main product supporting member always supports the product horizontally or at an inclination angle within 20 ° with respect to the horizontal product. The product dispensing device of the vending machine described in 1.

In the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the present invention,
The main product support member always supports the product horizontally or at an inclination angle within 20 ° with respect to the horizontal. In the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to the present invention, the main product support member supports the product in a more horizontal state as compared with the prior art. That is, the basic idea of the prior art product dispensing device is to change the width of the product passage to accommodate a plurality of types of products as described above. I was adjusting so that it would stay at. However, as in the basic idea of the present invention, in the case of supporting a plurality of types of products without changing the width of the product passage, if the main product support member is inclined, the product and the product passage may be different depending on the diameter of the product. The contact position with the wall surface or the main product support member changes, and the lowest position of the product is not stable. In view of this, in the present invention, the main product support member is placed in a posture close to horizontal so that the lowest position is always constant regardless of the product diameter and shape.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the main product support member is pivotally attached to the wall surface side of the product passage so as to be swingable, and the main product support member is temporarily fixed in a state of protruding toward the product passage side. When the main product supporting member has a stopping means and the reverse blocking of the main product supporting member is released, the main product supporting member is pushed open by the weight of the product, and when the product passes, the main product supporting member is re-energized by the urging means. It is characterized in that it protrudes to the product passage side, the main product support member is temporarily fixed by the temporary fixing means, and further swings / retracts due to the weight of the next product, and further swinging / retracting is prevented by the retreat blocking member. The product dispensing device of the vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

The product dispensing device of the vending machine of the present invention is pivotally attached to the wall surface of the product passage so as to be swingable. Then, when the reverse blocking of the main product supporting member by the backward blocking member is released, the main product supporting member is pushed open by the weight of the product, and when the product passes, the main product supporting member again projects to the product passage side by the urging means. To do. Here, the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the present invention includes a temporary fixing means for temporarily fixing the main product supporting member in a state of protruding to the product passage side, and the main product supporting member is temporarily fixed by the temporary fixing means. . Therefore, in the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the present invention, the product support member does not vibrate when the main product support member returns to the protruding state. Therefore, the operation of the main product support member is reliable, and the product falling from the next product support member side can be received at a constant timing. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly discharge a plurality of types of products.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the temporary fixing means has a drive side member that operates together with the main product support member, and a fixed side member attached to another member. The product dispensing device of the vending machine described in 1.

In the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the present invention,
The temporary fixing means is composed of a drive side member that operates together with the main product support member and a fixed side member attached to another member. Therefore, the structure is simple and the operation is reliable.

Further, the invention according to claim 7 has a temporary stop biasing means for biasing either the driving side member or the fixed side member to the other side, and the driving side member and the fixed side member are mutually 7. An engaging portion which engages, wherein the driving side member is located in the vicinity of the swing axis of the main product supporting member, and engages with the fixed side member when a predetermined rotation angle is reached. The product dispensing device of the vending machine described in 1.

In the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the present invention,
The drive-side member and the fixed-side member include engaging portions that engage with each other. The drive member is located near the swing axis of the main product support member. Therefore, the drive side member rotates and swings together with the main product support member. Here, since the main product support member is always biased by the biasing means so as to swing toward the protruding side, it is fixed when the main product support member swings and the drive side member reaches a predetermined rotation angle. Engage with side members. Further, either the driving side member or the fixed side member is biased to the other side by the temporary fixing biasing means. Therefore, when the main product supporting member swings and the driving side member reaches a predetermined rotation angle, the driving side member and the fixed side member are promptly engaged by the force of the temporary fixing biasing means. Further, when the main product support member bounces, the engagement between the drive side member and the fixed side member is released, but since the main product support member is biased to the projecting side by the biasing means, the main product support member is The drive side member swings to a predetermined rotation angle and engages with the fixed side member. By the series of operations, the kinetic energy of the main product support member is consumed, and the main product support member temporarily stops.

The invention according to claim 8 is the structure of the product dispensing unit of an automatic vending machine to which the product dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is attached. A part or a wall surface to which the product dispensing device is attached, the product dispensing device side projection is provided at a position above the next product supporting member, and the wall surface is opposed to the product dispensing device,
A structure for ejecting a product in an automatic vending machine, characterized in that a wall-side protrusion is provided at a height position between the protrusion for the product dispensing device and the uppermost position of the main product support member. . Claim
The invention of Item 9 is installed in a product passage of a vending machine.
And project from the wall side of the product passage toward the center side
Main product support part that holds the products that are retracted and located on the most downstream side
Material, and whether it is located upstream of the main product support member and downstream
The next product support member that holds the second product from the
A force that biases the product support member in the direction that it projects toward the product passage.
Urging means and a retraction stopper for preventing retraction of the main product support member.
The stop member and the next product support member are made to project by power.
It has a projecting means, and the retraction prevention member responds to a predetermined signal.
Around the same time as the main product support member
The next product support member is projected by the projecting means, and the main product is
The support member is fixed to the wall surface of the product passage so that it can swing.
And temporarily fix it with the main product support member protruding toward the product passage.
Main product support with a retracting prevention member
Depending on the weight of the product,
When the main product support member is pushed open and the product passes, it is an urging force
Depending on the step, the main product support member again projects toward the product passage,
The main product support member is temporarily fixed by the temporary fixing means,
In addition, the weight of the next product swings and moves backward, preventing backward movement.
The member prevents further swinging and retreating.
It is a featured product dispensing device for vending machines. Claim 1
In the invention described in 0, the temporary fixing means is shared with the main product supporting member.
Drive-side member that operates in
The self-supporting member according to claim 9, further comprising a constant side member.
It is a product dispensing device of a vending machine. According to claim 11,
Ming says that either the driving side member or the fixed side member should be
A driving side member and a fixed side having a temporary fixing urging means for urging
The member has engaging portions that engage with each other, and the drive-side member is the main member.
It is located near the swing axis of the product support member and
Claim to engage with the fixed side member when
Item 10. The product dispensing device of the vending machine according to Item 10.

In the structure of the product dispensing part of the vending machine of the present invention, a protrusion is provided at a part of the product dispensing device or a wall surface to which the product dispensing device is attached and at a position above the next product supporting member. ing. Further, a protrusion is also provided on a wall surface facing the product dispensing device and at a height position between the product dispensing device side projection and the uppermost position of the main product support member. Therefore, according to the product dispensing unit structure of the vending machine of the present invention, the positional relationship between the product and the next product supporting member and the main product supporting member of the product dispensing device becomes appropriate, and the range of products that can be discharged is wide. That is, according to the product dispensing structure of the vending machine of the present invention, products of various sizes such as thick cans, medium-sized cans, and thin cans can be discharged without adjustment.

[0030]

EXAMPLES Example 1 Examples of the present invention will be further described below. Figure 1
It is a front view of the goods dispensing device of the vending machine of the 1st example of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the product dispensing device of the vending machine of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the product dispensing device of the vending machine of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state of the rear end portion of the link B of the product dispensing device of the vending machine of FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when a thick can is thrown out by the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when a square plastic bottle is thrown out by the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation when a small can is thrown out by the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of the product dispensing device of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the vending machine.

In the figure, reference numeral 20 indicates a product dispensing device of an automatic vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The product dispensing device 20 of this embodiment has a frame-shaped frame 21, and flappers (product support members) 22 and 23 are provided above and below the frame 21. Here, the flapper 23 on the lower side (downstream side) holds the most downstream product in the product passage, and functions as a main product support member. The lower flapper 23 is provided with a retreat blocking member 25. Also the upper flapper 22
Holds the second product from the bottom and functions as a next product support member. Further, the upper flapper 22 is equipped with an auxiliary support member 26. In addition, the product dispensing device 20 of this embodiment has a solenoid 27, an interlocking member 28, and the like.

The frame 21 is made by pressing a thin steel plate and bending it.
A substantially square opening 101 is provided at the site where the upper and lower flappers 22, 23 are attached. However, the plate-shaped member 10 is provided in the opening where the lower flapper 23 is attached.
3 is provided, and a part of the lower part of the opening 101 is closed. That is, the plate member 103 is provided at a position on the back surface side of the lower flapper 23 of the frame 21. The position where the plate member 103 is provided is on the left side from the center of the frame 21, and is a part that covers a link B described later when the product dispensing devices 20 are stacked back to back.

On the front side of the frame 21 and above the opening 101 to which the upper flapper 22 is attached,
Protrusions 71a and 71b are provided. Protrusions 71a, 7
1b has the same height and the same sectional shape. That is, the vertical cross-sectional shape of the product ejection device side protrusions 71a, 71b is trapezoidal as shown in FIGS.
9 and 107 and a plane portion 108.

Upper flapper 22 as the next product support member
Is molded of resin and has a main body portion 30 and a guide groove portion 31 as shown in FIGS. The main body 30 is plate-shaped, and has a shaft hole 32 on one side (lower side in the drawing). A guide groove portion 31 is provided on the back surface of the main body portion 30. That is, three (only one is shown) plate-shaped protrusions 33 are provided on the back surface of the main body portion 30.
A guide groove 34 is formed at 3. The plane of the plate-like protrusion 33 is perpendicular to the plane of the main body 30 described above.
One end of the guide groove portion 31 is open. Plate-like protrusion 3
In the plane including 3 and the body portion 30, the guide groove 34 has an angle of about 45 ° with respect to the body portion 30.

On the other hand, the auxiliary support member 26 is frame-shaped and has a large rectangular opening 35 in the center. The length of the opening 35 is longer than the length of the upper flapper 22 described above. A shaft hole 36 is formed on one side of the auxiliary support member 26.

Next, the lower flapper 23, which is the main product support member
Will be described. Lower flapper 2 which is the main product support member
3 is a flapper member 37 made of metal and a joining member 38 made of resin are integrated. That is, the flapper member 37 is made of metal and has a rectangular plate shape. Further, a shaft hole 40 is provided on one side thereof.

On the other hand, the joining member 38 is provided with a shaft hole 41 on one side of the plate-like portion 43 and further has a guide portion 44 on the lower surface side.
Is provided. The guide portion 44 is the plate-like portion 43.
The guide groove 45 is formed on the surface perpendicular to the plane. The guide groove 45 has an arc shape as shown in FIG. The flapper member 37 made of metal and the joining member 3 made of resin
8 is integrated by a fitting structure (not shown),
Shaft hole 40 of flapper member 37 and shaft hole 41 of joining member 38
Communicate with each other.

The retreat blocking member 25 is composed of two links A and B in this embodiment. Link A is
It has two parallel strip-shaped members 61a and 61b, which are arranged facing each other, and a hidden plate 62 is welded to one surface side (product passage side) thereof. The link B is two strip-shaped members.

The interlocking member 28 is a plate-like member, a hook 47 is provided in the lower portion, and a shaft 48 is inserted in the middle portion. The interlocking member 28 is connected to a solenoid 27 provided on the frame 21 and moves up and down with respect to the frame 21.

Next, the assembly structure of each member will be described. Each of the above-mentioned members is attached to the frame 21. That is, the upper flapper 22 is provided at a position that covers the opening 101 of the frame 21, the shaft 50 is inserted through the shaft hole 32 of the main body 30, and the upper flapper 22 is swingably attached to the frame 21. Upper flapper 22 here
Has a shaft 50 inserted therethrough, and the upper side is a free end. In addition, a stopper not shown is provided,
The upper flapper 22 swings within a range of about 30 ° from the vertical. When the upper flapper 22 is attached to the frame 21, the guide groove 31 on the back side of the upper flapper 22 is located on the back side of the frame 21. The shaft 48 of the connecting member 28 is engaged with the guide groove 34 of the guide groove portion 31.

The auxiliary support member 26 is also attached to the frame 21 by inserting the shaft 51 into the shaft hole 36 provided on one side. Here, the auxiliary support member 26
Has a shaft 51 inserted therethrough, and the lower side is a free end. The auxiliary support member 26 is also provided with a stopper (not shown) and swings in the range from the vertical posture to the horizontal posture. The auxiliary support member 26 is urged by the spring 54 so that it is always in a horizontal posture. That is, the auxiliary support member 26 is always biased in the protruding direction. The means for urging the auxiliary support member 26 is not limited to the spring, and another elastic body can be used.

The auxiliary support member 26 and the upper flapper 22 are also provided.
As for the positional relationship, the swing shaft 51 of the auxiliary support member 26 is at the upper portion, and the swing shaft 50 of the upper flapper 22 is at the lower portion. The lower end side of the auxiliary support member 26 swings in the protruding direction with respect to the frame 21, and the upper flapper 22 swings in the protruding direction with respect to the frame 21 at the upper end side. Further, when the upper flapper 22 is stored, that is, when the upper flapper 22 is in the closed state, the height of the upper end of the upper flapper 22 depends on the auxiliary support member 2.
6 is the same as the height of the swing shaft 51. Therefore frame 2
In the state in which the upper flapper 22 and the auxiliary support member 26 are attached to each other, the swing loci intersect with each other when viewed from the side.

However, as described above, since the auxiliary support member 26 is frame-shaped and has the opening 35, and the length of the opening 35 is longer than the length of the upper flapper 22, the upper flapper 22 has the auxiliary support member 26. It fits snugly into the opening 35 of 26. Therefore, although seen from the side, the swing loci of the upper flapper 22 and the auxiliary support member 26 intersect,
Regardless of the position of the auxiliary support member 26, the upper flapper 22
Can swing over the entire swing range.

On the other hand, the operating range of the auxiliary support member 26 is restricted by the position of the upper flapper 22. That is, when the upper flapper 22 is in the vertical state, the tip of the upper flapper 22 engages with the tip of the auxiliary support member 26, and the auxiliary support member 26 cannot maintain the horizontal posture and swing. When the upper flapper 22 is in the most protruded state, the auxiliary support member 26 has the inner side of the frame 56 on the tip end side of the upper flapper 2
It is fixed by engaging with the protruding portion 57 of the second.

Next, the assembly structure on the lower flapper 23 side will be described. The lower flapper 23 is positioned and attached to the lower portion (downstream side) of the upper flapper 22 described above. That is, the lower flapper 23 has the shaft 58 inserted through both the shaft hole 40 provided in the main body portion and the shaft hole 41 provided in the joining member 38, and is swingably attached to the frame 21. The distance between the position of the shaft 58 that swings the lower flapper 23 and the shaft 51 that swings the auxiliary support member 26 is approximately equal to the diameter of the thin can 77 as shown in FIG. In other words, the distance between the position of the shaft 58 that swings the lower flapper 23 and the shaft 51 that swings the auxiliary support member 26 is substantially equal to the smallest of the cans or bottles to be sold, Preferably, this distance is within ± 10% of the smallest diameter can or the like.

In the present embodiment, the lower flapper 23 has the shaft 58 inserted through the upper portion thereof, and the lower side is the free end. Further, a stopper (not shown) is provided, and the lower flapper 23 swings within a range from vertical to substantially horizontal. Further, the lower flapper 23 is always biased by a biasing means composed of a spring 59 (FIG. 1) so as to be in a substantially horizontal posture. That is, the lower flapper 23 is constantly urged in the protruding direction by the spring 59 to maintain the horizontal posture. The posture of the lower flapper 23 is preferably inclined within a range of about 20 ° from the horizontal, more preferably about 15 ° to 20 °. Further, in the tilt direction in this case, the free end side is downward and the swing center is upward. The reason for setting the free end side downward in this manner is to bring the product toward the wall side facing the product dispensing device 20 and keep the product away from the swing range of the auxiliary support member 26. The means for urging the lower flapper 23 is not limited to the spring, and another elastic body can be used.

The tip of the link A is engaged with the guide groove 45 of the lower flapper 23 through the pin 60. Therefore, the tip of the link A is slidable along the guide groove 45, and can be rotated via the pin 60. The other end of the link A is pivotally fixed by a pin 63 to a hole 105 provided in a part 65 of the frame so as to be swingable.

The tip of the link B is attached to the intermediate portion of the link A via a pin 64. On the other hand, link B
A shaft 66 is inserted through the rear end side, and the shaft 66 is engaged with a guide groove 67 provided in a part 65 of the frame. The guide groove 67 is slightly curved and extends in a substantially vertical direction. Therefore, the rear end side of the link B moves in the substantially vertical direction along the guide groove 67. Further, the lower end of the hook 47 of the interlocking member 28 can be engaged with the shaft 66 inserted through the link B as shown in FIG. However, the hook 4 of the interlocking member 28
Although 7 is on the lower end side of the shaft 66, both are not integrated. More specifically, when the hook 47 is raised, the shaft 6
6 is hooked to the hook and moves up, but the shaft 66 can also be lifted alone.

The positional relationship between the lower flapper 23 and the links A and B is as shown in FIG. 2. When the lower flapper 23 is in a substantially horizontal posture, the lower flapper 23 is centered on the swing center axis 58 of the lower flapper 23. The link A is located in the tangential direction of the swing locus. Therefore, the force received from the lower flapper 23 acts only on the link A in the axial direction, the link A does not swing, and the lower flapper 23 is held in a substantially horizontal posture. At this time, the link B is located in the tangential direction of the swing locus of the link A with the swing center 64 of the link A as the center. That is, the link B is positioned in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the link A breaks the above-mentioned relationship. More specifically, the link A is on the frame 21 side (side wall side of the product passage).
If you move to, you will not be able to support the lower flapper 23,
The link B prevents the link A from moving to the frame 21 side. In this embodiment, the force received from the link A acts only on the link B in the axial direction, and the link B does not swing. That is, the link A blocks the movement of the lower flapper 23, and the link B blocks the movement of the link A.

On the other hand, if the rear end side of the link B moves and these relationships are broken, the posture of the lower flapper 23 cannot be maintained. That is, when the rear end side of the link B slightly moves upward, a force in the lateral direction (swing direction) acts on the link B by the force received from the link A, and the rear end side of the link B is further raised by the force. As a result, the link A coupled with the link B swings. Ie link A
The pin 60 on the tip side of the guide groove 45 of the lower flapper 23.
And the tilt angle with respect to the lower flapper 23 changes. Therefore, a force in the swinging direction is generated in the link A by the force received from the lower flapper 23, and the link A moves in the closing direction. As a result, the lower flapper 23 moves in the storage direction.

The above-mentioned vending machine product dispensing device 20
Is the product passage 2 of the vending machine as shown in FIGS.
Attached to the bottom of the. The opposite wall 10 of the product passage 2
6, a wall-side projection 70 is provided at a position corresponding to the maximum height of the upper flapper 22 when the upper flapper 22 is protruding as shown in FIGS. Wall side projection 7
The sectional shape of 0 is a substantially right triangle as shown in FIGS. That is, the lower portion of the tip end portion 111 has the horizontal wall 11
It is 0, and the upper part is a comparatively gentle sloped wall 112.
Has become. The inclined wall 112 of the wall-side protrusion 70 forms an inclined surface (inclined portion) 112 that is inclined so that the amount of protrusion gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side. The angle of this inclined surface, that is, the inclination angle θ of the inclined wall 112 is 15
It is less than or equal to °, more preferably less than or equal to 12 °. On the other hand, the frame 21 of the product dispensing device 20 also has the product dispensing device side protrusion 71 as described above, and the heights of both the protrusions 70, 71 are stepwise different. That is, the protrusion 70 on the opposite wall side of the product passage and the product-discharging-device-side protrusion 71 on the product-discharging device 20 side are located at an approximate height, and the protrusion 71 on the product-discharging device 20 side is slightly higher. The wall-side protrusion 70
And the height of the product ejection device side protrusion 71 are substantially equal.
Specifically, the difference between the two is 15% or less, and the specific numerical value is 2 mm or less. The more recommended difference between the two is 1.5 mm or less.

The positional relationship between the product dispensing device 20 of this embodiment and each part of the opposing wall 106 of the product passage will now be described in detail. When the width of the product passage 2 is W, the product dispensing device 2 will be described.
Distance Wa between the protrusion 71 provided at 0 and the opposing wall 106
Is 85% or more and less than 95% of the width W of the product passage 2.
In addition, the tip end portion 1 of the wall-side projection 70 provided on the facing wall 106
11, and the product dispensing device 20 at a position opposite to this
The distance Wb between and is also 85% or more and less than 95% of the width W of the product passage 2. Further, the shortest distance Wc between the protrusion 71 provided on the product dispensing device 20 and the protrusion 70 on the opposing wall side is also 85% or more and less than 95% of the width W of the product passage. Further, the shortest distance Wd between the auxiliary support member 26 and the projecting end portion 111 of the wall-side projection 70 when the upper flapper (next product support member) 22 is projected is 6 which is the width W of the product passage 2.
It is 5% or less.

Furthermore, regarding the position and height of the tip end 111 of the wall side projection 70 and the positional relationship of the lower flapper (main product supporting member) 23, a cylinder having a diameter of 88% of the width W of the product passage 2 is located in the lower flapper 23. When supported, a part of the cylinder comes into contact with the tip end portion 111 of the wall-side protrusion 70, and when the cylinder having a diameter of 70% of the width W of the product passage 2 is supported by the lower flapper 23, any one of the cylinders is supported. Also the wall side projection 70
It does not come into contact with the tip end portion 111 of. In addition, product passage 2
88% of the width W is a dimension corresponding to the average diameter of the target large-diameter product (thick can). Also, the width W of the product passage 2
70% is a size corresponding to the average diameter of the target small-diameter product (small can). Tip portion 111 of wall-side projection 70
Position and height and lower flapper (main product support member) 23
By setting the positional relationship of the above as described above, it is possible to smoothly eject both the target large-diameter product and the small-diameter product.

Next, the overall operation of the product dispensing device 20 of the vending machine of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 shows a state in which a thick can is thrown out by the product dispensing device 20 of the vending machine of this embodiment. When the product dispensing device 20 of this embodiment is used for discharging a large can, the lowermost can 72 is supported by the lower flapper 23 as shown in FIG.
When the thick can 72 is placed on the lower flapper 23, the thick can 72
Of the wall-side projection 7 at a position above the horizontal axis passing through the central axis of the thick can 72 by about 10 ° to 20 °.
It contacts the nose tip 111. In this example,
The thick can 72 is supported by the projecting end 111 of the wall-side projection 70, the lower flapper 23, and a part of the product dispensing device 20, and does not contact the opposing wall 106 of the product passage.

The positional relationship between the lower flapper 23 and the links A and B at this time is as described above, and the lower flapper 2 is centered on the swing center axis 58 of the lower flapper 23.
The link A is located in the tangential direction of the swing locus of No. 3, and the link B is located in the tangential direction of the swing locus of the link A about the swing center 64 of the link A. Therefore, the load of the heavy can is blocked by link A, and link A
Is fixed by link B. Therefore, the lower flapper 23 maintains a substantially horizontal posture, and the thick can does not drop.

At this time, the upper flapper 22 is in the vertical posture and is retracted. The auxiliary support member 26 includes the spring 5
Although it is urged in the protruding direction by No. 4, it is pushed by the thick can 72 and is in a retracted posture as shown in FIG.

Then, by inserting coins and selecting products,
When a predetermined signal is issued, the solenoid 27 functions to pull up the interlocking member 28. At this time, the hook 47 provided at the lower end of the interlocking member 28 pulls up the shaft 66 which is the swing center of the link B. Then, link B and link A
The above relationship is broken, and the force received from the link A causes a lateral (swinging) force to act on the link B, so that the link B
The rear end side of the rear rises further due to the force. That is, the hook 47 of the interlocking member 28 merely hooks the shaft 66, and the shaft 66 can move upward away from the hook 47. Therefore, the rear end side of the link B has the interlocking member 28.
Rise faster than. Then, the link A swings along with the link B, the pin 60 on the tip side of the link A moves along the guide groove 45 of the lower flapper 23, and the inclination angle with respect to the lower flapper 23 changes. Therefore, the lower flapper 23 is pushed open by the load of the thick can. As a result, the thick can 72 located at the bottom is dropped and the product is discharged.

The interlocking member 28 is continuously pulled up by the solenoid 27, the positional relationship between the shaft 48 interlocking with the interlocking member 28 and the guide groove 34 of the upper flapper 22 is changed, and the upper flapper 22 swings about the shaft 50. Move. That is, the upper flapper 22 projects as shown in FIG. As described above, since the auxiliary support member 26 is frame-shaped and has the opening 35, and the length of the opening 35 is longer than the length of the upper flapper 22, the upper flapper 22 is
Is completely inserted into the opening 35 of the auxiliary support member 26, and the upper flapper 22 can swing over the entire swing range regardless of the position of the auxiliary support member 26.
The upper flapper 22 can project without obstruction. As a result, the tip end portion 57 of the upper flapper 22 comes into contact with the second can 73 from the bottom and prevents the can 73 from falling.

The state of the thick can 73 at this time is as shown in FIG. 5 (b). It is sandwiched between the inclined walls 112 and the lower portion is supported by the projecting end portion 57 of the upper flapper 22 and is stabilized.

In this way, the can 73 is held by the upper flapper 22 and the lower flapper 23 has no load, so that the lower flapper 23 returns to the horizontal position by the force of the spring 59. Further, the link A is located in the tangential direction of the swing locus of the lower flapper 23, and the link B is positioned and stable in the tangential direction of the swing locus of the link A about the swing center 64 of the link A. When it is confirmed that the lowermost product is discharged, the solenoid 27 returns and the upper flapper 22 returns.

When the upper flapper 22 returns, the can 73
Is dropped with the refill removed, but in this embodiment, since the protrusions 70 and 71 are provided on both the product dispensing device 20 and the opposing wall 106, the can 73 has a slightly zigzag shape. And is placed on the lower flapper 23. That is, in the present embodiment, the protrusion 71 on the product dispensing device 20 side and the wall-side protrusion 70 are in a stepped state, and the protrusion 71 on the product dispensing device 20 side is slightly higher than the wall-side protrusion 70. is there. The projection 70 on the opposing wall 106 side has a substantially right-angled triangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 7, and the upper portion of the lower portion of the projecting end portion 111 has a comparatively gentle inclined wall 11.
It is 2. Further, the distance Wa between the protrusion 71 provided on the product dispensing device 20 and the opposing wall 106 is 85% or more and less than 95% of the width W of the product passage 2 and is narrower than the other parts of the product passage 2. Has been done. Further, the distance Wb between the projecting end portion 111 of the wall-side projection 70 provided on the facing wall 106 and the product dispensing device 20 at a position facing the projecting end portion 111 is also 85% or more and less than 95% of the width W of the product passage 2. Yes, it is regulated narrower than the other parts of the product passage 2.

Therefore, in the can 73, when the upper flapper 22 returns, the inclined wall 112 of the wall-side projection 70 on the opposing wall 106 side.
And moves to the product dispensing device 20 side. And can 73
Passes through a portion of the shortest distance Wc between the protrusion 71 provided on the product dispensing device 20 and the wall-side protrusion 70 and reaches the lower portion. Here, in this embodiment, the shortest distance Wc between the projection 71 provided on the product dispensing device 20 and the wall-side projection 70 is also 85% or more and less than 95% of the width W of the product passage,
Even relatively thick cans can easily pass through.

Further, in this embodiment, since the lower flapper 23 inclines downward at the free end side at an angle of about 20 ° from the horizontal, the can 73 moves to the opposing wall 106 side. As a result, the can 73 moves in a zigzag shape and is placed on the lower flapper 23.

The above is the operation in the case of selling a thick can. Next, the operation in the case of selling a square plastic bottle will be described. A point to be noted when selling square plastic bottles is to discharge the square plastic bottles without rotating them. That is, the contact relationship between the cylindrical can and the product passage and the flappers 22 and 23 does not change regardless of the rotation posture when the product falls in the product passage. The contact relationship changes greatly. For example, when the corner plastic bottle drops at the corner, the lower flapper 23 comes into contact with the corner of the corner plastic bottle and is supported in an unstable state. Therefore, it is desirable to drop a square-shaped product such as a square plastic bottle so that the flat portion is the bottom. Therefore, in this embodiment, the inclined wall 112 of the wall-side projection 70 is made to have a gentle slope of 15 ° or less so that the square plastic bottle does not rotate. That is, according to the research conducted by the present inventors, when the rate of change (gradient) of the wall-side projection 70 is abrupt, the corner of the corner plastic bottle is caught by the wall-side projection 70, and there is a difference in the falling speed on both side surfaces of the corner plastic bottle. Occurs. Therefore, it turned out that the corner plastic bottle rotates and the corner part becomes the bottom. On the other hand, the angle of the inclined surface is 1 with respect to the product passage.
When the angle is 5 ° or less, the frequency of rotation of the product is extremely low. That is, when the angle of the inclined surface is small, there is little difference in the falling speed on both side surfaces of the square plastic bottle, and the square plastic bottle does not rotate. When the angle of the inclined surface is 15 ° or less with respect to the product passage, the rotation angle is small even if the angled PET bottle rotates, and when the angled PET bottle comes into contact with the lower flapper 23, it naturally returns to its original posture. To do. On the other hand, if the angle of the inclined surface exceeds 15 ° with respect to the product passage, the angled plastic bottle may not return to the normal posture once every several tens of times. Therefore, in this embodiment, the inclined wall 112 of the wall-side protrusion 70 is set at 15 °.
The following is gentle and prevents rotation of the plastic bottle.

The basic operation when selling a corner plastic bottle is as shown in FIG.
Are supported by the lower flapper 23, and at this time, the upper flapper 22 is in a vertical posture and is retracted. Further, the auxiliary support member 26 is pushed by the corner plastic bottle 74, and the auxiliary support member 26 shown in FIG.
The posture is as shown in (a).

Then, by inserting coins and selecting products,
When a predetermined signal is issued, the solenoid 27 functions to pull up the interlocking member 28, breaking the above-described relationship between the link B and the link A, and the force received from the link A causes the link B to move in the lateral direction (swing direction). A force acts, and the rear end side of the link B further rises due to the force, and the lower flapper 23 moves in the push-open direction due to the load of the corner plastic bottle. Therefore, the corner plastic bottle 74 located at the bottom is dropped and the product is discharged.

Then, the interlocking member 28 is continuously pulled up by the solenoid 27, the positional relationship between the upper flapper 22 and the guide groove portion 31 is changed, and the upper flapper 22 projects to prevent the corner plastic bottle 75 from falling.

Therefore, the lower flapper 23 is unloaded and returns to the horizontal posture by the force of the spring 59. Further, the link A is located in the tangential direction of the swing trajectory of the lower flapper 23,
Further, the link B is positioned in the tangential direction of the swing locus of the link A about the swing center 64 of the link A and is stable. When it is confirmed that the lowermost product is discharged, the solenoid 27 returns and the upper flapper 22 returns. As a result, the corner plastic bottle 75 moves in a zigzag shape, falls on the lower flapper 23, and is supported by the lower flapper 23.

Next, the operation of selling small cans will be described with reference to FIG. The operation when selling a small can is significantly different from the case where the thick can is sold. That is, when the product dispensing device 20 of the present embodiment is used for discharging thin cans, FIG.
As shown in (a), the lowermost can 76 is supported by the lower flapper 23. At this time, no part of the can 76 contacts the tip end portion 111 of the protrusion 70. That is, thin can 76
Are supported by the opposing wall 106, the lower flapper 23, and a part of the commodity dispensing device 20 at three points, and do not contact the protrusion 70. In this embodiment, a part of the thin can 76 is in contact with the opposing wall 106, but the contact portion is the protrusion 7 provided on the opposing wall 106.
The height of the uppermost part of the thin can 76 is near the lower part of 0.
Although the height of the tip end portion 0 of 0 is exceeded, the tip end portion 111 of the protrusion 70 does not come into contact with the thin canister 76 because the outer circumference of the thin canister 76 has a large curvature and the height of the protrusion 70 is low.

At this time, the lower flapper 23 and the link A,
The positional relationship of B is the same as in the case of the thick can described above, and the link A is located in the tangential direction of the swing locus of the lower flapper 23 with the swing center axis 58 of the lower flapper 23 as the center. Is located in the tangential direction of the swing locus of the link A with the swing center 64 of the link A as the center. Therefore, the load of the thin can is blocked by the link A, and the link A is fixed by the link B.
3 maintains a substantially horizontal posture, and the thin can does not drop.

At this time, the upper flapper 22 is in the vertical posture and is retracted. In the case of selling the thick can and the square PET bottle described above, the auxiliary support member 26 is pushed by the thick can and is in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 5A, but the thin can is sold. In some cases, the auxiliary support member 26 has a protruding posture. That is, the thin can has a small diameter, and the distance between the position of the shaft 58 that swings the lower flapper 23 and the shaft 51 that swings the auxiliary support member 26 is equal to the diameter of the thin can 77 as shown in FIG. Since they are substantially the same, the auxiliary support member 26 does not come into contact with the thin cans 76 and 77, and is biased by the spring 54 to be in a horizontal posture.

Then, by inserting coins and selecting products,
When a predetermined signal is issued, the solenoid 27 functions to pull up the interlocking member 28. At this time, the hook 47 provided at the lower end of the interlocking member 28 pulls up the shaft 66 which is the swing center of the link B. Then, link B and link A
The above relationship is broken, and the force received from the link A causes a lateral (swinging) force to act on the link B, so that the link B
The rear end side of the rear rises further due to the force. Then, the link A swings along with the link B, the inclination angle with respect to the lower flapper 23 changes, and the lower flapper 23 moves in the closing direction due to the load of the thin can. Therefore, the thin can 76 located at the bottom is dropped and the product is discharged.

Then, the solenoid 27 continues to pull up the interlocking member 28, the positional relationship between the shaft 48 interlocking with the interlocking member 28 and the guide groove portion 31 of the upper flapper 22 changes, and the upper flapper 22 swings around the shaft 50. Move. That is, the upper flapper 22 projects as shown in FIG. Here, in the present embodiment, as described above, the diameter of the thin can is small, and the position of the shaft 58 that swings the lower flapper 23 and the shaft 51 that swings the auxiliary support member 26 described above.
As shown in FIG. 7, since the auxiliary support member 26 is not in contact with the thin cans 76 and 77, the auxiliary support member 26 is biased by the spring 54 to be in a horizontal posture. Therefore, the upper flapper 22 swings in a state where the auxiliary support member 26 is in the horizontal posture, and the tip end portion thereof engages with the tip end portion of the auxiliary support member 26. Therefore, the auxiliary support member 26 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the tip side is trapped by the upper flapper 22 and does not swing. Further, at this time, the tip end of the auxiliary support member 26 protrudes toward the facing wall 106 side from the tip of the upper flapper 22, so the overall protrusion amount is located closer to the tip side than in the case of the upper flapper 22 alone. To do.

Therefore, the tip of the auxiliary support member 26 contacts the second thin can 77 as shown in FIG. 7B to prevent the thin can 77 from falling. That is, the upper flapper 22 is substantially extended by the auxiliary support member 26 and contacts the thin can 77 to prevent the thin can 77 from falling.

Therefore, the lower flapper 23 has no load and returns to the horizontal posture by the force of the spring 59. Further, the link A is located in the tangential direction of the swing trajectory of the lower flapper 23,
Further, the link B is positioned in the tangential direction of the swing locus of the link A about the swing center 64 of the link A and is stable. When it is confirmed that the lowermost product is discharged, the solenoid 27 returns and the upper flapper 22 returns. Then, the auxiliary support member 26 that held the second thin can 77 in check.
Loses its refilling member and leans under the weight of the can 77. Then, the thin can 77 moves in a zigzag shape, falls to the lower flapper 23, and is supported by the lower flapper 23.

Next, the function for safety of the product dispensing device 20 of the vending machine of this embodiment will be described. When a product is stuck and no longer comes out, the user or maintenance personnel may insert their hands into the product outlet and pull out the jammed product. At this time, when the lower flapper 23 operates, the hand is caught by the lower flapper 23 and it hurts. On the other hand, in the product dispensing device 20 of the vending machine of the present embodiment, it is the link A that can be touched by inserting the hand from the product outlet of the vending machine. If the link A moves here, the lower flapper 23 falls and the hand is caught. However, in the product dispensing device 20 of the vending machine of this embodiment, the link A is supported by the link B, and the link A does not move even if it is pushed from the outside.
Also, if the link B is moved, the lower flapper 23 falls down. However, there is a hidden plate 62 of the link A in front of the link B, and the hidden plate 62 becomes an obstacle even if a hand or the like is put from the outside. Can't touch. Therefore, the lower flapper 23 does not operate, and the lower flapper 23 does not catch a hand.

Since a plurality of product passages 2 are provided inside the vending machine, the product dispensing devices 20 and 20 'are arranged back to back in the layout as shown in FIG. . Further, since the product dispensing device 20 of the present embodiment holds the can with the lower flapper 23 being almost horizontal, when the frame 21 has a large opening, one product is dispensed when the hand is inserted from the product outlet. It is expected that the lower flapper 23 will be closed by touching the link B or the like of the adjacent product dispensing device 20 ′ from the opening portion of the dispensing device 20. Therefore, in the product dispensing device 20 of the present embodiment, the plate member 103 is provided, and a part of the opening 101 is closed. More specifically, in the product dispensing device 20 of this embodiment, the lower flapper 2
3 is an opening of a portion to which the product 3 is attached, and the product dispensing device 2
When 0 and 20 ′ are stacked back to back, a plate-like member 103 is provided in a portion that covers the link B and closes a part of the opening 101. Therefore, in the product dispensing device 20 of the present embodiment, even if a hand is inserted through the product taking-out port, the adjacent product dispensing device 20 does not operate. In the present embodiment, the plate-shaped member 103 has the opening 1 of the frame 21 as shown in the figure.
It is the lower end of 01 and is provided only on the left side. This is because the hidden plate 62 of the link A is present in the lower half of the opening 101 of the frame 21 and in the right half as described above, and therefore the opening 101 cannot be accessed from the right side portion. is there. Further, there is an upper flapper 22 above the opening 101, and the lower portion of the upper flapper 22 is the swing center. Further, since there is always a product in the relevant portion, the upper flapper 22 is located above the opening 101. There is no hidden board.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a front view of the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front view of the frame of the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the standby state of the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG. 9 as viewed from the back side. 13 and 14
[Fig. 10] is a perspective view of the state in which the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of Fig. 9 is discharged, as viewed from the back side. Figure 15 shows
It is the perspective view which looked at the state just after the goods discharge of the goods throwing-out device of the vending machine of the example of Drawing 9 from the back side. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a circle A portion of FIG. 12, and is a perspective view of a temporary fixing member of the product dispensing device of the vending machine. 17 and 18 are explanatory views for explaining the operation when a can is thrown out by the product throwing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG.

The product dispensing device 12 of the vending machine of this embodiment
0 is a part of the lower flapper 23 of the product dispensing device 20 of the above-described embodiment, which is improved. The upper flapper 22 employed in the product dispensing device 120 of the vending machine of this embodiment
The configuration is exactly the same as the above. Therefore, the basic structure of the lower flapper 23 and the structure of the upper flapper 22 will be described only briefly, and the description will focus on the improved portion of the lower flapper, which is a characteristic part. Further, parts common to the previous embodiment and parts exhibiting the same function are designated by the same reference numerals and duplicate explanations are omitted.

Explaining below, the product dispensing device 120 is
Like the previous embodiment, it has a frame-shaped frame 21, and flappers (commodity support members) 22 and 23 are provided above and below it. The frame 21 is made by bending a steel plate, and an opening 101 is provided at a portion where the upper and lower flappers 22 and 23 are attached. However, the plate-like member 103 is provided in the opening of the opening 101 where the lower flapper 23 is mounted, and the opening 10
Part 1 is blocked. The plate-shaped member 103 is provided on the left side from the center of the frame 21, and is a part that covers the link B described later when the product ejection devices 20 are stacked back to back.

Protrusions 71a and 71b are provided on the front side of the frame 21 and above the opening 101 at the portion where the upper flapper 22 is attached. Protrusion 71
a and 71b have the same height and the same sectional shape. That is, the vertical cross-sectional shapes of the protrusions 71a and 71b are trapezoidal as shown in FIGS.
7 and a plane portion 108.

Further, in this embodiment, two support rods 117 and 118 are provided on the back side of the frame 21 as shown in FIGS. The support rods 117 and 118 are made of resin, including the fixed side member 125, which will be described later. , One round hole 123 is provided. Of these, the long hole 12 provided at the top
Reference numeral 4 denotes a straight line that guides the shaft 48 of the connecting member 28. Further, the elongated hole 121 in the middle portion supports the rear end side of the link B via the shaft 66, and has an arc shape as shown in FIG. More specifically, the long hole 121
Has linear ends, extends in the axial direction of the support rods 117 and 118, and has an arcuate middle part. That is, the elongated hole 121 has straight portions 121a and 121b at both ends and an arc portion 121c at the middle portion thereof. The elongated holes 121 of the support rods 117 and 118 guide the rear end side of the link B. A shaft 132 that supports the rear end side of the link A is inserted into the long hole 122 provided at the lowermost portion.

The swing shaft 58 of the lower flapper 23 is inserted through the round hole 123. Here, in the product dispensing device 120 of the present embodiment, the fixed side member 125 which is a part of the temporary fixing means 115 is provided in the round hole 123 of the one support rod 118. The fixed-side member 125 is, as shown in FIG. 16, three cutout holes 137 provided on the end surface of the round hole 123. That is, in the product dispensing device 120, the support rod 118
The round hole 12 through which the swing shaft 58 of the lower flapper 23 is inserted.
Three cutout holes 137 are provided at equal intervals on the three end faces.

The upper flapper 22 holds the second product from the bottom and functions as a next product support member. The structure of the upper flapper 22 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and the auxiliary support member 26 is provided.

Next, the lower flapper 23, which is the main product support member
Will be described. Lower flapper 2 which is the main product support member
3 is a flapper member 37 made of metal and a joining member 38 made of resin are integrated. That is, the flapper member 37 is made of metal and has a rectangular plate shape. Further, shaft holes 40 are provided at both ends of one side thereof.

On the other hand, the joining member 38 is provided with shaft holes 41a, 41b, 41c at both ends and the center on one side of the plate-like portion 43, and further has a guide portion 44 on the lower surface side. Here, in the product dispensing device 120 of the present embodiment, the drive side member 116 that is a part of the temporary fixing means 115 is provided in the central shaft hole 41b of the plate-shaped portion 43. Drive side member 11
As shown in FIG. 16, 6 are three projections 138 provided on the end surface of the shaft hole 41b. That is, the product dispensing device 1
In FIG. 20, three protrusions 138 are provided at equal intervals on the end surface of the shaft hole 41 b at the center of the plate-shaped portion 43. The protrusion 138 that constitutes the driving-side member 116 is provided on the end surface of the round hole 123 of the support rod 118 in the specific rotation posture.
The cutout holes 137 (fixed side members 125) are engaged.

The guide portion 44 is on a surface perpendicular to the plane of the plate-like portion 43 and has a guide groove 45 formed therein. The guide groove 45 has a linear shape as shown in FIGS. The flapper member 37 made of metal and the joining member 38 made of resin are integrated by a fitting structure not shown, and the shaft hole 40 of the flapper member 37 and the shaft holes 41a, b, c of the joining member 38 communicate with each other. ..

The retreat blocking member 25 is composed of two links A and B in this embodiment. Link A is
One plate is bent into a substantially U-shape and has two parallel belt-shaped members 61a and 61b, and a hidden plate 62 is provided on one surface side (product passage side) thereof. Are formed. A round hole 130 is provided in one of the belt-shaped members 61a and 61b. Further, the belt-shaped members 61a, 61b
On the other side, a long hole 131 is provided.

The central portion of the hidden plate 62 of the link A is
It is cut back in a semi-circular shape at two parts. The cut-back portion 135 is folded up in parallel with the belt-shaped members 61a and 61b. Then, in the cut-back portion 135, the hole 136
Is provided. The link B is composed of a link piece made of two resins. The overall shape of each link piece is plate-like, and a through hole 126 penetrating the side surfaces is provided in one side portion. A cutout is provided on the other side, and the pin 1 is provided in parallel with the through hole 126 described above.
27 are provided.

The interlocking member 28 is the same as in the previous embodiment,
A hook 47 is provided in the lower portion, and a shaft 48 is inserted in the middle portion. The interlocking member 28 is connected to a solenoid 27 provided on the frame 21 and moves up and down with respect to the frame 21.

Next, the assembly structure of each member will be described. All the above-mentioned members of the lower flapper 23 are attached to the frame 21. That is, in the lower flapper 23, the shaft 58 is inserted through both the shaft hole 40 provided in the main body portion and the shaft hole 41 provided in the joining member 38,
It is swingably attached to the frame 21.
The distance between the position of the shaft 58 that rocks the lower flapper 23 and the shaft 51 that rocks the auxiliary support member 26 is the same as in the previous embodiment.

Also in this embodiment, the lower flapper 23
The shaft 58 is inserted through the upper part of the shaft, and the lower side is the free end. In addition, a stopper not shown is provided,
The swing range of the lower flapper 23 is restricted. Here, in the previous embodiment, the swing range of the lower flapper 23 was a range from the vertical to the substantially horizontal posture, but in the present embodiment, the lower flapper 23 is 5 to 10 ° from the horizontal.
It is possible to swing until the free end side is up. Further, in the present embodiment, the lower flapper 23 is urged by the urging means composed of the spring 59 (FIG. 1) so as to be always in the open posture. That is, the lower flapper 23 is
It is constantly urged by 9 in the protruding direction.

Further, in this embodiment, the lower flapper 23 is axially biased by the spring 140. That is, in the product dispensing device 120 of this embodiment, the spring 140 is inserted through the shaft 58 that swings the lower flapper 23. The mounting position of the spring 140 is, as shown in FIGS. It is a part. Here, the support rod 117 is
Since it is integrally attached to the frame 21, the lower flapper 23 is pressed toward the other support rod 118 side by the action of the spring 140. As described above, the central shaft hole 4 of the lower flapper 23 (plate-like portion 43)
The drive side member 116, which is a part of the temporary fixing means 115, is provided at 1b.
Since the fixed side member 125 is provided on the other support rod 118, the drive side member 116 is constantly urged toward the fixed side member 125 by the spring 140.

The drive side member 116 provided on the lower flapper 23 side swings with the swing of the lower flapper 23, and when the lower flapper 23 is in the most opened state, the drive side member 116 and the fixed side member 125. Engage. More specifically, when the lower flapper 23 swings and the free end side is positioned above the horizontal by about 5 to 10 °, the lower flapper 2
The positions of the three protrusions 138 provided on the No. 3 match the positions of the three cutout holes 137 provided on the fixed-side member 125, and the driving-side member 116 and the fixed-side member 125 engage with each other.

The tip of the link A is engaged with the guide groove 45 of the lower flapper 23 via the shaft 60. That is, the shaft 60 is inserted through the round holes 130 of the strip-shaped members 61 a and 61 b of the link A, and both ends of the shaft 60 are engaged with the guide groove 45 of the lower flapper 23. Therefore link A
The tip of is free to slide along the guide groove 45, and can also rotate via the shaft 60. Further, a shaft 132 is inserted into a long hole 131 provided on the other end side of the link A, and the shaft 132 is formed by the long holes 122 at the ends (lower part of the drawing) of the support rods 117 and 118 and a part 21 of the frame. Is inserted in the long hole 133 provided in the. The other end of the link A has the support rods 117, 1 via the shaft 132 as described above.
Since it is attached to the shaft 18, it can swing about the shaft 132. Further, the long holes 12 are formed in the supporting rods 117 and 118 and the frame 21 on which the shaft 132 is supported.
2 and 133 are provided, the link A has a long hole 12
It is possible to move linearly only within the range of 2,133.

The tip of the link B is a hidden plate 62 of the link A.
It is rotatably attached to the cut-back portion 135 provided in the. That is, the pin 1 provided at the tip of the link B
27 engages with a hole 136 provided in the cut-back portion 135. On the other hand, a shaft 128 is inserted through the rear end side of the link B, and is engaged with the elongated holes 121 in the intermediate portions of the support rods 117 and 118. The long hole 121 is arcuate, slightly curved, and extends in a substantially vertical direction. Therefore, the rear end of link B is
It moves in a substantially vertical direction along the long hole 121.

Further, the shaft 128 inserted into the link B has
As shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the lower end of the hook 47 of the interlocking member 28 can be engaged. The relationship between the hook 47 and the shaft 128 is the same as in the previous embodiment, and when the hook 47 is raised, the shaft 1
28 is hooked on the hook and moves upward, but the shaft 12
8 can also rise alone.

The positional relationship between the lower flapper 23 and the links A and B is as shown in FIG. 17 (a), and when the lower flapper 23 is slightly lower than the horizontal at the free end side, the swing center of the lower flapper 23 is Lower flapper 23 centered on axis 58
The link A is located approximately in the tangential direction of the swing locus. More precisely, the link A is slightly deviated from the tangential direction of the swing locus of the lower flapper 23, and the shaft 132 serving as the swing center.
The other end is at a position where a rotational force is obtained in a direction (counterclockwise in the drawing) close to the frame 21 with the center as the center. However, as described above, the displacement of the swing trajectory of the lower flapper 23 of the link A with respect to the tangential direction is slight, and the rotational force applied to the link A is very small. The position is the end of the guide groove 45, and the tip of the link A stops using the end of the guide groove 45 as a stopper. On the other hand, the other end of the link A is coupled to the frame 21 via the shaft 132. Therefore, the triangle formed by the lower flapper 23, the link A, and the frame 21 is configured, and the force received from the lower flapper 23 mainly acts on the link A as an axial force. Therefore, most of the force that the lower flapper 23 receives from the product acts in the axial direction of the link A,
The force that the lower flapper 23 receives from the product is supported by the link A. The rotational force slightly generated on the link A is supported by the link B.

That is, at this time, the lower end of the link B is located at the straight portion 121b on the lower end side of the elongated hole 121. The posture of the link B at this time is slightly deviated from the tangent line of the swing locus of the link A, and the link B is the swing center axis 1 of the link A.
When the link A rotates in the closing direction (counterclockwise) about the center 32, the lower end of the link B is in a position to receive a downward force. In this embodiment, when the lower flapper 23 is in a substantially horizontal posture, the load of the lower flapper 23 is mainly supported only by the link A, and the link B bears a slight component of the rotational direction component of the link A. Therefore, the link A does not swing depending on the weight of the product on the lower flapper 23, and holds the lower flapper 23 in a substantially horizontal posture.

When the link A is forcibly moved in the closing direction, the lower end of the link B moves downward, and the long hole 121
The link B bears the force received from the link A by hitting the end of the linear portion 121b on the lower end side of the link. Therefore, also in this embodiment, the lower flapper 23 is operated by operating the link A.
Cannot be lowered.

On the other hand, when the rear end side of the link B rises, the link B crosses the tangential direction of the swing locus of the link A. Therefore, when a force is applied from the link A in the closing direction, the rear end portion of the link B leaves the straight portion 121b of the long hole 121 and moves to the middle arc portion 121c. Therefore, when the rear end side of the link B rises, the link B cannot prevent the link A from swinging. Further, when the rear end side of the link B rises, the link A naturally moves in the closing direction by the rotational direction component force of the link A, the tip of the link A leaves the end of the guide groove 45, and the lower flapper 23 The tangential direction of the swing locus of is exceeded. That is, in the present embodiment, the link B functions as a stopper that blocks the rotation of the link A, but when the rear end side of the link B rises, it is as if the stopper had come off. Therefore, the lower flapper 23
The link A receives a force in the closing direction due to the force of lowering (rotating the lower flapper 23 clockwise),
Of the lower flapper 2 moves along the guide groove 45.
3 tilts and moves in the storage direction. That is, the movement of the link A brings the link A into a state where the swing of the lower flapper 23 cannot be prevented. Therefore, as a result, when the rear end side of the link B is raised, the rocking prevention of the lower flapper 23 is released.

The product dispensing device 120 of the above-mentioned vending machine
Is attached to the bottom of the product passage 2 of the vending machine as shown in FIGS. Further, a wall-side projection 70 is provided on the opposing wall 106 of the product passage 2 at a position corresponding to the maximum height of the upper flapper 22 when the upper flapper 22 is popped out as shown in the figure. The cross-sectional shape of the wall-side protrusion 70 is the same as that of the previous embodiment and is a substantially right triangle. The inclination angle θ of the inclined wall 112 is 15 ° or less, more preferably 12 ° or less.

Further, regarding the positional relationship between the product dispensing device 120 of this embodiment and each part of the opposing wall 106 of the product passage,
As in the previous embodiment, when the width of the product passage 2 is W, the distance Wa between the protrusion 71 provided on the product dispensing device 120 and the opposing wall 106 is 85% or more of the width W of the product passage. 9
It is less than 5%. Further, the distance Wb with the product dispensing device 120 at a position facing the projecting end portion 111 of the wall-side projection 70 provided on the facing wall 106 is also 85% or more and less than 95% of the width W of the product passage 2. Also, the product dispensing device 1
As for the shortest distance Wc between the protrusion 71 provided on 20 and the wall-side protrusion 70 on the opposite wall 106 side, the width W of the product passage is 8
It is 5% or more and less than 95%. Further, the shortest distance Wd between the auxiliary support member 26 and the projecting end portion 111 of the wall-side projection 70 when the upper flapper (next-generation product support member) 22 is projected.
Is 65% or less of the width W of the product passage.

Further, regarding the position and height of the tip end portion 111 of the wall side projection 70 and the positional relationship of the lower flapper (main product supporting member) 23, a cylinder having 88% of the width W of the product passage 2 is supported by the lower flapper 23. Sometimes a part of the cylinder is the wall-side protrusion 7
0% of the tip 111, 70% of the width W of the product passage 2
When the cylinder is supported by the lower flapper 23, no part of the cylinder is in contact with the projection 111 of the wall-side projection 70.

Next, the overall operation of the product dispensing device 120 of the vending machine of this embodiment will be described. 17 and 18
Shows a state in which thin cans are dispensed by the product dispensing device 120 of the vending machine of this embodiment. 12 to 15
Is an observation of the commodity dispensing device 120 at this time from the back side, FIG. 12 shows a state at a time corresponding to FIG. 17A, and FIG. 13 corresponds to FIG. 17B. FIG. 14 is a state corresponding to FIG. 18A, and FIG. 15 is a state corresponding to FIG. 18B.

17 and 18, the elongated holes provided in the lower portion show the support rods 117 and 118 and the part 21 of the frame.
3 shows the positional relationship between the long holes 122 and 133 provided in the shaft and the shaft 132 that supports the rear end side of the link A. Further, the drawing drawn below the drawing shows the relationship between the driving side member 116 provided on the lower flapper 23 side and the fixed side member 125 provided on the support rod 118. That is, the figure shows the operation of the temporary fixing means 115.

When used for discharging cans by the product dispensing device 120 of this embodiment, the lowermost can 76 is supported by the lower flapper 23 as shown in FIG. At this time, the lower flapper 23 is located slightly below the upper limit of the swingable range. That is, in this embodiment, the lower flapper 23 has a free end side of 5 to 10 ° with respect to the swing shaft 58.
The lower flapper 23 is inclined so that its free end side is lower than the swing shaft 58 when supporting the can 76, although it can swing up to a certain degree. At this time, the relationship between the lower flapper 23 and the link A is such that the link A is located substantially tangential to the swing locus of the lower flapper 23 around the swing center axis 58 of the lower flapper 23. More precisely, the link A is slightly deviated from the tangential direction of the swing locus of the lower flapper 23, and the shaft 13 serving as the swing center is formed.
It is located at a position where a rotational force is obtained in a direction (counterclockwise in the drawing) in which the other end approaches with 2 as the center. The position is the end of the guide groove 45, and the tip of the link A stops using the end of the guide groove 45 as a stopper. On the other hand, the other end of the link A is coupled to the frame 21 via the shaft 132. Therefore, the lower flapper 23, the link A, and the frame 21 constitute a triangle closed, and the load of the lower flapper 23 is largely resisted by the axial force of the link A, and the rotational force of the link A slightly generated. Is resisted by link B, link A does not swing, and lower flapper 2
3 is held in a substantially horizontal posture.

The axial load of the link A at this time is such that the upper end edge of the elongated hole 131 of the link A pushes the shaft 132 as shown in the upper part of FIG. 117, 118 and the long holes 122, 133 of the frame 21
It is supported by the frame 21 by pressing the lower edge of the.

At this time, the temporary fixing means 115 is not engaged as shown in the figure. The lower end of the link B is located at the lower end of the slot 121.

At this time, the upper flapper 22 is in the vertical posture and is retracted. As described in the previous embodiment, the small can has a small diameter, and the distance between the position of the shaft 58 that swings the lower flapper 23 and the shaft 51 that swings the auxiliary support member 26 is: As shown in FIG. 17, since the diameter is substantially equal to the diameter of the thin cans 77, the auxiliary support member 26 is
It does not come into contact with, and is biased by the spring 54 to assume a horizontal posture.

Then, by inserting coins and selecting products,
When a predetermined signal is issued, the solenoid 27 functions to pull up the interlocking member 28. At this time, the hook 47 provided at the lower end of the interlocking member 28 pulls up the shaft 128 which is the swing center of the link B. Then, the end portion of the link B rises to pull the link A toward the closed side. Then link A
The tip end of the is separated from the end of the guide groove 45, and is further deviated from the tangential direction of the swing trajectory of the lower flapper 23. Therefore, the lower flapper 23 inclines due to the weight of the can 76, and further, the tip end of the link A slides along the guide groove 45 and the inclination of the lower flapper 23 advances, and the lower flapper 23
Tilts and moves in the storage direction.

On the other hand, a force in the swinging direction acts on the link B by the force received from the link A, and the rear end side of the link B is further raised by the force. That is, also in the present embodiment, the hook 47 of the interlocking member 28 merely hooks the shaft 128, and the shaft 128 can move upward apart from the hook 47. Is
It rises faster than the interlocking member 28. Then, the link A swings along with the link B, the pin 60 on the tip side of the link A moves along the guide groove 45 of the lower flapper 23, and the inclination angle with respect to the lower flapper 23 changes. Therefore, the lower flapper 23 is pushed open by the load of the thin can 76. Therefore, the thin can 76 located at the bottom is dropped and the product is discharged as shown in FIG. 17 (b).

Then, the solenoid 27 continues to pull up the interlocking member 28, the positional relationship between the shaft 48 interlocking with the interlocking member 28 and the guide groove portion 31 of the upper flapper 22 changes, and the upper flapper 22 swings around the shaft 50. Move. That is, as shown in FIG. 17B, the upper flapper 22
Protrudes. Also in this example, the diameter of the thin can is small,
Further, the distance between the position of the shaft 58 that swings the lower flapper 23 and the shaft 51 that swings the auxiliary support member 26 is substantially equal to the diameter of the thin can 77 as shown in FIG. Does not come into contact with the thin cans 76, 77 and is biased by the spring 54 to assume a horizontal posture. Therefore, the upper flapper 22 swings in a state where the auxiliary support member 26 is in the horizontal posture, and the tip end portion thereof engages with the tip end portion of the auxiliary support member 26. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, the auxiliary support member 26 is in a state in which the tip end side is trapped by the upper flapper 22 and does not swing. Further, at this time, the tip end of the auxiliary support member 26 is located closer to the opposite wall 106 than the tip of the upper flapper 22.
Since it protrudes to the side, the amount of protrusion as a whole is located closer to the tip end side than in the case of the upper flapper 22 alone.

Therefore, the tip of the auxiliary support member 26 contacts the second thin can 77 as shown in FIG. 17B, and prevents the thin can 77 from falling. That is, the upper flapper 22 is substantially extended by the auxiliary support member 26 and contacts the thin can 77 to prevent the thin can 77 from falling.

Therefore, the lower flapper 23 has no load and returns to the horizontal posture by the force of the spring 59. Further, the link A is located in the tangential direction of the swing trajectory of the lower flapper 23,
Further, the link B is positioned in the tangential direction of the swing locus of the link A about the swing center 64 of the link A and is stable. When it is confirmed that the lowermost product is discharged, the solenoid 27 returns and the upper flapper 22 returns. Then, the auxiliary support member 26 that held the second thin can 77 in check.
Loses its refilling member and leans under the weight of the can 77. Then, the thin can 77 falls to the lower flapper 23 and is supported by the lower flapper 23.

Since the can 77 is thus held by the upper flapper 22 and the lower flapper 23 has no load, the lower flapper 23 returns to the upper end by the force of the spring 59. That is, the product dispensing device 120 of this embodiment
Since the lower flapper 23 can swing until the free end side is about 5 to 10 ° above the swing shaft 58, the lower flapper 23 is moved by the force of the spring 59 as shown in FIG.
As described above, the free end side is swung until it is above the swing shaft 58. At this time, in the product dispensing device 120 of the present embodiment, the link A and the support rods 117, 118, etc. are provided with elongated holes 131, 122 ,.
133 is provided, and the long holes 131, 122, 1
Since the link A and the frame 21 are connected via the shaft 132 inserted through 33, the lower flapper 23 operates like jumping up and reaches the upper end. Specifically, when the lower flapper 23 is at the highest position,
The pulling force generated in the link A is such that the lower end edge of the elongated hole 131 of the link A pulls the shaft 132 as shown in the upper part of FIG. 18C, and the shaft 132 further pulls the support rods 117, 118 and the frame 21. The upper ends of the long holes 122 and 133 are pulled and supported by the frame 21. Therefore, the link A substantially moves in the axial direction and moves so as to extend, so that the lower flapper 23 is quickly brought to the upper end portion.

When the lower flapper 23 reaches the upper end, the drive side member 116 of the temporary fixing means 115 rotates together with the lower flapper 23, and the positions of the three protrusions 138 are set to three on the fixed side member 125. It matches the position of the notch hole 137. Further, since the drive side member 116 is constantly biased toward the fixed side member 125 by the spring 140, the drive side member 116 and the fixed side member 125 engage with each other. Therefore, the lower flapper 23 temporarily stops at the position of the upper end and does not vibrate.

When the lower flapper 23 bounces, the engagement between the driving side member 116 and the fixed side member 125 is temporarily released, and the lower flapper 23 temporarily lowers at its free end side. Always the product passage 2
Since it is urged in the direction to close the
3 swings again to drive side member 116 and fixed side member 125.
Engage. By these series of operations, the lower flapper 2
The kinetic energy of 3 is consumed, and the lower flapper 23 once stops.

When the discharge of the lowermost product is confirmed, the solenoid 27 returns and the upper flapper 22 returns. As a result, the can 76 falls on the lower flapper 23. Then, the lower flapper 23 swings due to the weight applied to the lower flapper 23, and the temporary fixing means 115 is disengaged against the force of the spring 140. Here, since both the driving side member 116 and the fixed side member 125 constituting the temporary fixing means 115 are made of resin, the temporary fixing means 115 can be smoothly disengaged. As a result, as described above, the free end side of the lower flapper 23 inclines so as to be slightly lower than the swing shaft 58, and the swing trajectory of the lower flapper 23 about the swing shaft 58 of the lower flapper 23. By locating the link A in the tangential direction, the weight of the can is withstood and the substantially horizontal posture is maintained.

When the upper flapper 22 returns, the can 76
Is dropped with the refill removed, but in this embodiment, since the projections 70 and 71 are provided on both the product dispensing device 120 and the opposing wall 106, the can 77 is slightly zigzag. And is placed on the lower flapper 23.

The operation has been described above by taking the case of selling a thin can as an example, but the series of operations is similarly performed in the case of selling a can of other thickness. Further, the same operation is performed when selling square plastic bottles. In this embodiment as well, as in the previous embodiments, the corner plastic bottle does not rotate at the time of sale.

The safety of the product dispensing device 120 of the vending machine according to the present embodiment is also the same as that of the above-described embodiment. You can't get your hands caught in 23.

In the second embodiment described above, the drive side member 116 of the temporary fixing means 115 is provided in the shaft hole for swinging the lower flapper 23. This structure is recommended because of its simple structure and reliable operation, but the position of the temporary fixing means may be another part. For example, lower flapper 23
It is also possible to provide it on the side surface of the flapper member.

(Embodiment 3) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 19 shows
It is a side view of the goods dispensing device of the vending machine of the 3rd example of the present invention. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the product dispensing device of the vending machine of FIG. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when a thick can is thrown out by the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when a square plastic bottle is thrown out by the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 23 shows
It is explanatory drawing explaining the operation | movement at the time of throwing out a small can by the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the Example of FIG. The product dispensing device 80 of the vending machine of this embodiment is provided with the lower flapper 8
Only the structure of 1 differs from the previous embodiment in that the upper flapper 22
The configuration such as is exactly the same as the above. That is, the product dispensing device 80 has a frame-shaped frame 21 as in the previous embodiment, and flappers (product support members) 22 and 81 are provided above and below the frame 21.

Protrusions 71a and 71b are provided on the front side of the frame 21 and above the opening 101 to which the upper and lower flappers 22 and 81 are attached. Protrusion 7
1a and 71b have the same height and the same sectional shape. That is, the vertical cross-sectional shape of the protrusions 71a and 71b is trapezoidal as shown in FIGS.
It has 07 and the plane part 108.

The upper flapper 22 holds the second product from the bottom and functions as a next product support member. The structure of the upper flapper 22 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and the auxiliary support member 26 is provided.

The product dispensing device 80 of the vending machine of this embodiment
Then, the lower flapper 81 is the flapper member 37 made of metal.
And the resin-made projection member 82 are integrated.
The flapper member 37 is the same as that of the first embodiment and is made of metal and has a rectangular plate shape. Further, a shaft hole 40 is provided on one side thereof. On the other hand, the protruding member 82
The shaft hole 41 is provided on one side of the plate portion 43, and the arcuate projection 85 is further provided on the lower surface side. The arcuate protrusion 85 is formed over an angle of about 90 °.

The flapper member 37 made of metal and the projection member 82 made of resin are integrated by a fitting structure not shown, and the shaft hole 40 of the flapper member 37 and the shaft hole 41 of the projection member 82 communicate with each other. The lower flapper 81 has a shaft 83 inserted through both the shaft hole 40 provided in the main body portion and the shaft hole 41 provided in the projecting member 82, and is swingably attached to the frame 21.

On the other hand, a shaft 86 is provided at the lower end of the interlocking member 28.
Are attached together. The shaft 86 is the frame 21
Engages with a guide hole 90 provided in a part of and moves only up and down. In this embodiment, the shaft 86 functions as a retreat blocking member. That is, in the product dispensing device 80 of the vending machine according to the present embodiment, when the lower flapper 81 is in a substantially horizontal posture, the shaft 86, which is the backward movement preventing member, engages with the protrusion 85 of the lower flapper 81 described above. Therefore, the protrusion 85 is prevented from retracting and inevitably maintains the protruding state.

On the other hand, when the shaft 86, which is the retracting prevention member, is lifted and the engagement between the shaft 86 and the projection 85 is released, the lower flapper 8
The member supporting 1 is lost, and the lower flapper 81 swings by the load from above.

The positional relationship between the product dispensing device 80 of this embodiment and each part of the opposing wall 106 of the product passage is the same as in the first and second embodiments described above, and the width of the product passage 2 is W. Time,
The protrusion 71 and the opposing wall 106 provided on the product dispensing device 80
The distance Wa is 85% or more and less than 95% of the width W of the product passage. In addition, the wall-side projection 70 provided on the facing wall 106
Merchandise dispensing device 8 at a position facing the tip end portion 111 of the
The distance Wb from 0 is also 85% of the width W of the product passage 2.
It is above 95%. Further, the shortest distance Wc between the projection 71 provided on the product dispensing device 20 and the wall-side projection 70 on the side of the facing wall 106 is 85% or more of the width W of the product passage 9
It is less than 5%. In addition, the shortest distance Wd between the auxiliary support member 26 and the projecting end portion 111 of the wall-side projection 70 when the upper flapper (next product support member) 22 is projected is 65% or less of the width W of the product passage.

Furthermore, regarding the position and height of the tip end portion 111 of the wall side projection 70 and the positional relationship of the lower flapper (main product supporting member) 81, the lower flapper 81 is a cylinder having a diameter of 88% of the width W of the product passage 2. When supported, a part of the cylinder comes into contact with the tip end portion 111 of the wall-side protrusion 70, and when the cylinder having a diameter of 70% of the width W of the product passage 2 is supported by the lower flapper 81, any one of the cylinders is supported. Also the wall side projection 70
It does not come into contact with the tip end portion 111 of.

Next, the overall operation of the product dispensing device 80 of the vending machine of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. When the product dispensing device 80 of this embodiment is used for discharging a large can, the can 72 at the lowermost end is as shown in FIG.
It is supported by the lower flapper 81. At this time, the tips of the protrusions of the lower flapper 81 are connected to the shaft 86, which is a receding prevention member.
, The projection 85 is prevented from retreating, and the lower flapper 81 maintains the protruding state. Therefore, the thick can 72 does not drop.

The operation of the upper flapper 22 and the auxiliary support member 26 at this time is the same as in the previous embodiment, and the upper flapper 22 is retracted and the auxiliary support member 26 is in the retracted posture.

Subsequently, by inserting coins and selecting products,
When a predetermined signal is issued, the solenoid 27 functions to pull up the interlocking member 28. At this time, the shaft 86, which is the backward movement preventing member provided at the lower end of the interlocking member 28, leaves the projection 85 of the lower flapper 81. As a result, the lower flapper 81
Can swing, and the lower flapper 81 is pushed open by the load of the thick can. Therefore, the thick can 72 located at the bottom is dropped and the product is discharged.

The following operation is similar to that of the previous embodiment,
The solenoid 27 continues to pull up the interlocking member 28, the positional relationship between the shaft 48 interlocking with the interlocking member 28 and the guide groove portion 31 of the upper flapper 22 changes, and the upper flapper 22 swings around the shaft 50. That is, as shown in FIG.
15 can be smoothly disengaged. Therefore, the lower flapper 81
Has no load, and is urged by the force of a spring (not shown) to return to its original posture. When it is confirmed that the lowermost product is discharged, the solenoid 27 returns and the upper flapper 22 returns.

The operation when selling square plastic bottles and the operation when selling thin tubes are also the same as those in the above-described embodiment. That is, the operation in the case of selling the corner plastic bottle is as shown in FIG. 22, and the corner plastic bottle 74 at the lower end is supported by the lower flapper 81, and at this time, the upper flapper 22 is in the vertical posture, retracts, and assists. Support member 2
No. 6 is in a posture of being pushed by a square plastic bottle and retracted as shown in FIG.

The operation when selling a small can is shown in FIG.
And the can 76 at the bottom is the lower flapper 81.
Supported by. Further, although the upper flapper 22 is in the vertical posture and is retracted, the auxiliary support member 26 does not contact the thin can and is biased by the spring to be in the horizontal posture.

Then, by inserting coins and selecting products,
When a predetermined signal is issued, the solenoid 27 functions to pull up the interlocking member 28, the shaft 86, which is the retreat blocking member, leaves the projection 85 of the lower flapper 81, and the lower flapper 81 can swing, so that the load of the thin canister is increased. Thus, the lower flapper 81 moves in the push-open direction. Therefore, the thin can 76 located at the bottom is dropped and the product is discharged.

Then, the interlocking member 28 is continuously pulled up by the solenoid 27, the upper flapper 22 projects, and the tip end thereof engages with the tip end portion of the auxiliary support member 26. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23B, the auxiliary support member 26 is in a state in which the tip end side is trapped by the upper flapper 22, does not close, and contacts the second thin can 77 to prevent the can 77 from falling. Therefore, the lower flapper 81 has no load and returns to the horizontal posture by the force of the spring.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the commodity supporting members are all of the wing type, but they may be of a projecting type. In addition, the product ejection device side projection is
Although it has been described as being integrated with the product dispensing device 20, 80, 120, the same effect can be expected even if the product dispensing device 20, 80, 120 is provided in another part.

[0142]

As described above, the product dispensing device for a vending machine according to the present invention can smoothly discharge products of a plurality of types of shapes without performing setting work on the product passage outlet side. This has the effect of preventing product delivery problems.

Particularly, the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to claim 1 has a main product support member and a next product support member,
Both operations can be performed separately, and there is an effect that products with different outer diameters and shapes can be smoothly supported.

The invention described in claims 2 and 3 has an effect that the safety of the apparatus can be enhanced.

Further, in the commodity dispensing device of the vending machine according to the fourth aspect, the lowest position depending on the diameter and shape of the commodity is always constant, and the operation is stable.

Further, in the product dispensing device of the automatic vending machine according to the fifth aspect, the main product support member operates reliably and receives the product falling from the next product support member side at a constant timing. You can Therefore, there is an effect that products of a plurality of shapes can be smoothly discharged.

Further, in the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to the sixth aspect, the structure of the temporary fixing means is simple and the operation is reliable.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the product dispensing device for the vending machine, when the driving member has a predetermined rotation angle, the force of the temporary fixing urging means causes the driving member and the fixed member to move quickly. Engage with. Further, there is an effect that the bouncing of the main product support member can be quickly converged.

Further, the structure of the product dispensing part of the vending machine according to claim 8 is a part of the product dispensing device or a wall surface to which the product dispensing device is attached and which is located above the next product supporting member. Protrusions are provided. Further, a protrusion is also provided on a wall surface facing the product dispensing device and at a height position between the product dispensing device side projection and the uppermost position of the main product support member. Therefore, according to the product dispensing unit structure of the vending machine of the present invention, the positional relationship between the product and the next product supporting member and the main product supporting member of the product dispensing device becomes appropriate, and the range of products that can be discharged is wide. That is, according to the product dispensing structure of the vending machine of the present invention, products of various sizes such as thick cans, medium-sized cans, and thin cans can be discharged without adjustment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a product dispensing device of a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the product dispensing device of the vending machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a product dispensing device of the vending machine of FIG.

4 is a perspective view showing a state of a rear end portion of a link B of the product dispensing device of the vending machine of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining an operation when a thick can is thrown out by the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for explaining an operation when a square plastic bottle is thrown out by the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining an operation when a small can is discharged by the product discharging device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of the product dispensing device of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a vending machine.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the frame of the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the standby state of the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG. 9 as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the state of the commodity dispensing device of the vending machine according to the embodiment of FIG. 9 when the commodity is discharged, as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the state of the commodity dispensing device of the vending machine according to the embodiment of FIG. 9 when the commodity is discharged, as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the state immediately after the product is ejected from the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to the embodiment of FIG. 9 as viewed from the back side.

16 is an enlarged view of a circle A portion of FIG. 12, and is a perspective view of a temporary fixing member of the product dispensing device of the vending machine.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view for explaining an operation when a can is thrown out by the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view illustrating an operation when a can is thrown out by the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

20 is an exploded perspective view of the product dispensing device of the vending machine of FIG.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation when a thick can is thrown out by the product dispensing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG.

22 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation when a square plastic bottle is thrown out by the product throwing device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view for explaining an operation when a small can is discharged by the product discharging device of the vending machine of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a vending machine body equipped with a conventional product dispensing device for a vending machine.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional product dispensing device of a vending machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

20,80,120 Vending machine product dispensing device 21 frames 22 Upper flapper 23,81 Lower flapper 25 Retraction prevention member 26 Auxiliary support member 27 solenoid 28 Interlocking member 31 Guide groove 34 Guide groove 35 opening 37 flapper member 38 Joining member 51 swing axis 70 Wall protrusion 71 Commodity dispensing device side projection 83 axis (retraction prevention member) 85 protrusions 138 protrusion 137 Notch hole A link B link

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Norihiko Yonehara 4-5 Takaidahondori, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Refrigerating Machinery Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-7-93655 (JP, A) Kaihei 7-93656 (JP, A) JP 11-250336 (JP, A) JP 2002-83360 (JP, A) Actual exploitation Sho 57-140480 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int .Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G07F 11/00-11/72

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. Attached to a product passage of a vending machine,
A main product support member that holds the product located on the most downstream side by protruding and retracting from the wall surface side of the product passage toward the center side,
A next-stage product support member that is located upstream of the main product support member and holds a second product from the downstream side; and a biasing means that constantly biases the main product support member in a direction projecting to the product passage side. , Having a retreat blocking member for preventing the retreat of the main product supporting member and a projecting means for projecting the next product supporting member by power, canceling the retreat blocking of the main product supporting member by the retreat blocking member in response to a predetermined signal. Before and after this, the next product supporting member is projected by the projecting means, and the operation of the main product supporting member is the movement of the next product supporting member.
Independent of the product, the main product support part by the receding prevention member
The prevention of material retreat is released, and the main product support depends on the weight of the product.
The holding member is pushed open and the product at the bottom is ejected.
When the main product support member is unloaded, the main product support member
A product dispensing device for a vending machine, which is returned by the force of the biasing means . 2. The retraction preventing member is constituted by a chain structure having two or more links A and B, and one link A engages with the main product supporting member to prevent movement of the main product supporting member, and the other. The product dispensing device of the vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the link B blocks the movement of the link A. 3. The receding prevention member is constituted by a chain structure having two or more links A and B, and the main product supporting member and one link A are joined through a slidable and rotatable contact, and the other. The link B is joined to the link A via a pivotable contact, and when the link A is positioned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the main product support member, the link B is linked to the link A.
Is located in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the above relationship is broken, The product dispensing device for a vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein. 4. The product for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the main product support member always supports the product horizontally or at an inclination angle within 20 ° with respect to the horizontal. Ejection device. 5. The main product support member is pivotally attached to the wall surface side of the product passage so as to be swingable, and has temporary fixing means for temporarily fixing the main product support member in a state of protruding to the product passage side, and prevents the backward movement. When the prevention of backward movement of the main product support member by the member is released,
The main product support member is pushed open by the weight of the product, and when the product passes, the main product support member is again projected to the product passage side by the biasing means, the main product support member is temporarily fixed by the temporary fixing means, and the next product The product dispensing device for a vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the product is swung / retracted by the weight of the device and the retraction prevention member prevents further rocking / retraction. 6. The vending machine product according to claim 5, wherein the temporary fixing means includes a driving side member that operates together with the main product supporting member, and a fixed side member attached to another member. Ejection device. 7. A temporary stop urging means for urging either the driving side member or the fixed side member to the other side, and the driving side member and the fixed side member have engaging portions for engaging with each other. 7. The product of the vending machine according to claim 6, wherein the drive side member is located in the vicinity of the swing axis of the main product support member and engages with the fixed side member when a predetermined rotation angle is reached. Ejection device. 8. The structure of a product dispensing unit of a vending machine to which the product dispensing device according to claim 1 is attached, wherein a part of the product dispensing device or the product dispensing device is mounted. A merchandise ejecting apparatus side protrusion is provided at a position above the next merchandise supporting member, and the merchandise ejecting apparatus side protrusion and the main commodity supporting member are wall surfaces facing the merchandise ejecting apparatus. The merchandise ejecting part structure of a vending machine, wherein a wall side protrusion is provided at a height position between the uppermost position and the uppermost position. 9. Attached to a product passage of a vending machine,
From the wall side of the product passage to the center side
A main product support member that holds a product located on the most downstream side,
Located on the upstream side of the main product support member and second from the downstream side
The next product support member that holds the eye product and the main product support
Biasing means for biasing the holding member in a direction projecting to the product passage side
And a receding prevention member for preventing receding of the main product support member
And a projecting hand that projects the next product support member by power.
It has a step and is the main quotient by the retraction prevention member according to a predetermined signal.
Release the backward blocking of the product support member and
The next product support member is projected by the step, and the main product support part
The material is pivotally attached to the wall side of the product passage so that it can
Temporarily fix the product support member while protruding to the product passage side.
Of the main product support member by the retracting prevention member
When the reverse lock is released, the weight of the product will
When the holding member is pushed open and the product passes, the biasing means
The main product support member again projects to the product passage side,
The holding member is temporarily fixed by the temporary fixing means.
It swings / retracts due to the weight of the desired product, and
It is characterized by preventing further swinging and retreating
Product dispenser for vending machines. 10. The temporary fixing means together with the main product supporting member.
Working drive member and fixed attached to other members
The automatic according to claim 9, further comprising a side member.
Vending machine product dispensing device. 11. A driving side member or a fixed side member
Drive side member having a temporary stop biasing means for biasing the
The fixed member has an engaging portion that engages with each other, and
The side member is located near the swing axis of the main product support member and
Characterized by engaging with the fixed side member when the rotation angle is reached
The product dispensing device of the vending machine according to claim 10.