JP3542217B2 - Vending machine product storage device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a product storage device of a vending machine, and more particularly to a product storage device of a vending machine that can open and close openings of a plurality of product storage frames provided in the machine at a time.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional vending machine 1 is provided with a door 3 on a front surface of a body 2 thereof. The door 3 is attached to the body 2 via a pair of upper and lower hinges 9 so as to be freely opened and closed. I have. A large number of product storage frame rows are formed in the body 2, and these product storage frame rows are arranged in a plurality of upper and lower stages in the body 2, and in such a state where the door 3 is opened, An opening is formed in the front of the body 2.
[0003]
More specifically, the vending machine 1 is arranged so as to be divided into a commodity storage frame row 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d in an upper part and a commodity storage frame row 4e, 4f in a lower part from a substantially center of the vending machine 1.
The product storage frame row includes a first type product storage frame row 4a disposed in the upper right portion of the body 2, a second type product storage frame row 4b disposed in two upper and lower stages in the upper left portion, and a center. A first-type product storage frame row 4c located in this portion and a second-type product storage frame row 4d arranged in a space secured in the upper central portion of the first-type product storage frame row 4c are included. .
[0004]
The product storage frame rows 4e and 4f are arranged below the center portion in two upper and lower stages. The product storage frame rows 4e and 4f are of the same type as the second type product storage frame row 4b. belongs to. The product storage frame row is configured such that individual product storage frames 32 having openings 31 on the front surface are horizontally adjacent to each other, and the bottom surface thereof is formed by the upper surface of the product unloading device 33. On the upper surface of the product unloading device 33, products T such as tobacco and boxed confectionery are stored in two rows before and after. The depth of the product storage frame 32 is large enough to store the products T in two rows before and after. Is formed.
[0005]
The product storage frames 32 of the first-type product storage frame rows 4a and 4c include guide rods 34 for opening and closing the openings 31 of the respective product storage frames 32. The guide rod 34 extends vertically in the center of the opening 31 of the product storage frame 32, and its upper and lower ends are bent once in the horizontal direction, and then rotatably supported by the product storage frame 32. Have been. Therefore, if the guide rod 34 is rotated rightward in FIG. 1 around its upper and lower ends, the opening 31 of the product storage frame 32 can be greatly opened.
[0006]
Then, with the door 3 of the body 2 opened, the product T can be loaded or replenished through the opening 21 of the body 2 into the product storage frame 32 with the opening 31 opened. On the side of the body 2 of the door 3, payout chutes 35, 36, 37, 38, correspond to the first kind product storage frame rows 4 a, 4 c and the second kind product storage frame rows 4 b, 4 d, 4 e, 4 f respectively. 39 and 40 are provided.
[0007]
Therefore, when the consumer presses a product selection button corresponding to a product sample provided on the front surface of the door 3 (not shown), the product unloading device 33 of the product storage frame 32 containing the selected product T causes the product T Execute payout. The product T discharged from the product storage frame 32 passes through payout chutes 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 provided on the door 3 to a product outlet (not shown) provided on the front surface of the door 3. Will be sent out.
By the way, it is demanded to store as many products as possible in the vending machine. However, a plurality of product storage frame rows are provided vertically on the body 2 side. It is difficult to provide a space in the body 2 for installing a new product storage frame row. On the other hand, a payout chute is provided on the door 3 corresponding to each product storage frame row, but a slight so-called dead space exists above the door 3.
[0008]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, by providing a new product storage frame row 5 on the back plate 51 of the door 3, the number of products T that can be stored in the vending machine 1 is increased. The product storage frame row 5 includes a back plate 52 fixed to the back plate 51, and a pair of side plates 53a and 53b formed by bending both ends of the back plate 52, and the front ends of the side plates 53a and 53b. Are folded back in a direction parallel to the back plate 52. The folded portion forms the bent portions 54a and 54b.
[0009]
A fixed plate 55 is disposed between the side plates 53a and 53b in parallel with the back plate 52. Both ends of the fixed plate 55 are fixed to the side plates 53a and 53b, respectively. A partition plate 56 is provided on the front surface of the fixed plate 55 at a predetermined interval in a direction parallel to the side plates 53a and 53b, and a front fixed plate 57 is provided at the front end of the partition plate 56. Are fixed in a direction parallel to the back plate 52.
[0010]
Therefore, the front part of the product storage frame row 5 forms a product storage frame 58 surrounded by the bent portions 54a and 54b, the pair of side plates 53a and 53b, the partition plate 56, the fixing plate 55, and the front fixing plate 57. The rear portion of the product storage frame row 5 forms a product carry-out path 59 surrounded by a pair of side plates 53a and 53b, a back plate 52, and a fixed plate 55. The product discharge path 59 communicates with the opening 35a of the payout chute 35.
[0011]
The lower portion of each product storage frame 58 of the product storage frame row 5 is closed by a bottom plate 60, and a product unloading device 61 is provided on the upper surface of the bottom plate 60 so as to correspond to each product storage frame 58. The goods T are stacked and stored on the goods discharge device 61 of each goods storage frame 58, and the goods T are sent out one by one from the near side to the back side by the goods discharge device 61. Then, the product T is sent from the product outlet 55 a provided on the bottom plate 60 side of the fixed plate 55 to the product outlet 59, and the product T is sent from the product outlet 59 to the opening 35 a of the payout chute 35.
[0012]
Front openings 62 are formed between the bent portions 54a and 54b and the front fixing plates 57 and between the fixing plates 57, and the products stored in the respective product storage frames 58 are formed by the front openings 62. The remaining amount of T can be confirmed.
The replenishment or loading of the goods T is performed from the upper surface opening 63 formed on the upper part of the goods storage frame row 5.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-mentioned conventional vending machine, when newly refilling or loading the product T into the product storage frame 58, it is necessary to work from the upper opening 63.
Here, the conventional product storage frame row 5 is provided above the back plate 51 of the door 3 which can relatively easily secure an installation space. For this reason, the work of replenishing or loading the product T into the upper opening 63 is inconvenient for short workers such as women and the elderly, and when such workers perform the replenishment or loading work, the stepladder is used. Or a tall worker had to take over the work.
[0014]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a product storage device of a vending machine that can easily replenish and load a product in a product storage frame. I do.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a product storage device for a vending machine according to the present invention is provided with a product storage frame formed by arranging a plurality of product storage frames having an opening for loading a product on a front surface thereof. A row, a plurality of open / close plates that rotate about a support shaft and open and close the opening of the product storage frame, and are rotatably connected to each of the plurality of open / close plates. A link member that opens and closes the opening of the product storage frame at a time by rotating about a support shaft.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the commodity storage frame row is disposed on a door rotatably provided on the machine body.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, by rotating the door toward the fuselage, the door comes into contact with the link member in a state where the opening is opened by the plurality of open / close plates, and the link member is rotated. And a guide member provided on one of the body and the door for closing the opening at a time by the plurality of opening / closing plates.
[0017]
In the present invention having the above configuration, a plurality of product storage frames having openings for loading products are arranged to form a product storage frame row, and the openings of each product storage frame are rotatable about a support shaft. Can be opened and closed by a plurality of opening / closing plates provided in the main body. Each of the plurality of opening / closing plates is rotatably connected to the link member, and by rotating the link member, the plurality of opening / closing plates can be rotated at once about the support shaft, The opening of each product storage frame can be opened and closed at a time by the opening and closing plate.
[0018]
In addition, since the product storage frame row is also provided on the door side rotatably provided on the machine body, the number of product storage per vending machine can be increased.
Further, a guide member is provided on one of the body side and the door side, and the guide member is arranged so as to be able to contact the link member in accordance with opening and closing of the door.
[0019]
Then, when the door is turned to the fuselage side in a state where the opening of the product storage frame is opened by the opening / closing plate, the link member comes into contact with a guide member provided on either the fuselage side or the door side. By rotating the link member, the opening / closing plate can be rotated in a direction to close the opening of the product storage frame.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where the opening of the product storage frame is opened by the product storage device of the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where the opening of the product storage frame is closed by the same device. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the same device.
3 and 4, the same parts as those in FIG. 2 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of those parts will be omitted.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front portion of the product storage frame row 5 forms a product storage frame 58 surrounded by a pair of side plates 53 a and 53 b, a partition plate 56 and a fixed plate 55. On the front surface of the product storage frame 58, an opening 64 for loading or refilling the product T is formed. On the upper surface of each product storage frame 58, a support plate 65 extends in the horizontal direction and is provided integrally with the product storage frame row 5. A vertical support shaft 66 is provided between the support plate 65 and the bottom plate 60. Is arranged.
[0022]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, holes 65b are formed in the lower surface 65a of the support plate 65 at intervals substantially equal to the intervals between the partition plates 56, and the upper surface of the bottom plate 60 is also formed in the lower surface 65a. Holes 60a are formed at the same intervals as the formed holes 65b. The upper and lower ends of the support shaft 66 are rotatably engaged with the holes 65b and the holes 60a, respectively. The support shaft 66 is rotatably disposed with respect to the support plate 65 and the bottom plate 60.
[0023]
An opening / closing plate 67 is fixed to the support shaft 66, and the opening / closing plate 67 is large enough to substantially cover the opening 64. The horizontal length of the opening / closing plate 67 is larger than the horizontal length of the opening 64. Also, the remaining amount of the product T stored in the product storage frame 58 can be easily confirmed by making the product size smaller.
A notch 67a is formed below the opening / closing plate 67. The notch 67a is formed in such a size that the pushing claw 61d of the product carrying-out device 61 can pass therethrough. Thereby, the remaining amount (sold out) of the product T stored in the product storage frame 58 can be easily confirmed.
[0024]
A connection shaft 68 is provided at an upper portion of each of the open / close plates 67 so as to protrude in the vertical direction, and the connection shaft 68 is fixed substantially at the center of the open / close plate 67.
The upper end of each connecting shaft 68 is rotatably connected to one plate-like link member 69. Specifically, a hole 68a is provided at the upper end of each connecting shaft 68 so that each partition plate 56 Are formed at intervals substantially equal to the intervals. In the hole 68a, a shaft 69a protruding from the lower surface of the link member 69 at an interval substantially equal to the interval between the partition plates 56 is rotatably engaged so as not to drop off from the connecting shaft 68. I have.
[0025]
Therefore, when the link member 69 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 4 to the state shown in FIG. 3, or from the state shown in FIG. 3 to the state shown in FIG. 4, the opening / closing plate 67 can open and close the opening 64. That is, each connection shaft 68 is rotatably connected to the link member 69, and each opening / closing plate 67 is rotated around the support shaft 66 via each connection shaft 68 in accordance with the operation of the link member 69. Can be rotated.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, each connecting shaft 68 has a bent portion 68 a having a lower end bent, and the end of the bent portion 68 a is fixed to the front surface of the opening / closing plate 67.
[0026]
As described above, by slightly projecting the connecting shafts 68 from the front surface of the opening / closing plate 67, when the opening 64 is closed by the opening / closing plate 67, the support shaft 66 and the link member 69 come into contact with each other and interfere with each other. Conflicts can be prevented.
As shown in FIG. 6, the lower portion of the support shaft 66 is divided into an upper support shaft 66a and a lower support shaft 66b, and a hole 66c formed on the lower surface of the upper support shaft 66a and a lower support shaft 66b. The opening / closing plate 67 can also be made rotatable between the support plate 65 and the bottom plate 60 by rotatably engaging a shaft 66d that is formed on the upper surface of the device.
[0027]
More specifically, the convex portion 66e is formed on the lower surface of the upper support shaft 66a, and the concave portions 66f and 66g engaging with the convex portion 66e are provided on the upper surface of the lower support shaft 66b. In addition, in the case of the closed state, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing plate 67 from rotating carelessly.
[0028]
More specifically, when the protrusion 66e is at a position where the protrusion 66e is engaged with the recess 66f, the opening 64 can be closed by the opening / closing plate 67. On the other hand, when the upper support shaft 66a is rotated in the direction of the arrow and the protrusion 66e is at a position where it engages with the recess 66g, the opening 64 can be opened by the opening / closing plate 67. Here, by forming the convex portion 66e and the concave portions 66f and 66g in an arc shape, engagement and disengagement can be performed smoothly.
[0029]
At one end of the link member 69, a contact member 70 is provided on the hinge 9 side that rotatably connects the body 2 and the door 3, and the contact member 70 is rotatably connected to one end of the link member 69. Supported. On the other hand, a plate-like guide member 71 for guiding the contact member 70 is provided on the body 2 side as shown by a dashed line in FIGS. 3 and 4. The guide member 71 does not contact the contact member 70 when the door 3 is fully opened from the fuselage 2 side. However, when the door 3 is rotated toward the fuselage 2 while the link member 69 is in the state of FIG. 3 comes into contact with the guide member 71 as shown in FIG.
[0030]
When the door 3 is further rotated toward the body 2, the guide member 71 pushes the link member 69 while contacting the link member 69, and moves the link member 69 in the direction in which the opening / closing plate 67 closes the opening 64. Let it. Since the contact member 70 is rotatably supported by the link member 69, the above operation can be performed smoothly.
The end of the guide member 71 on the hinge 9 side may be slightly bent toward the product storage frame row 5 side. By providing the bent portion 71a on the guide member 71 in this manner, a large pressing force can be applied to the link member 69 at the moment when the opening 64 is closed by the opening / closing plate 67. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the protrusion 66e is formed on the upper support shaft 66a and the recess 66f is formed on the lower support shaft 66b, the engagement between the protrusion 66e and the recess 66f is ensured. be able to.
[0031]
Next, the operation and operation of the above-described vending machine product storage device will be described.
First, the link member 69 is rotated from the state of FIG. 4 to the state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a connecting shaft 68 that is rotatable with respect to the link member 69 is connected to the lower surface of the link member 69, and the connecting shaft 68 is fixed to the opening / closing plate 67. Therefore, when the link member 69 is rotated, the opening / closing plate 67 can be rotated about the support shaft 66 via the connecting shaft 68, and the opening 64 can be opened by the opening / closing plate 67.
[0032]
Then, the operator can replenish or load the product T into the product storage frame 58 from the opening 64 opened by the opening / closing plate 67. After the product T is replenished or loaded into the product storage frame 58, the link member 69 is rotated from the state of FIG. 3 to the state of FIG. 4, and the opening 64 can be closed by the opening / closing plate 67.
[0033]
Here, when the convex portion 66e is formed on the upper support shaft 66a and the concave portions 66f and 66g are provided on the lower support shaft 66b, the open state and the closed state of the opening 64 can be maintained by the opening / closing plate 67. it can. When the engagement between the convex portion 66e and the concave portion 66f or 66g is released, the opening / closing plate 67 can be rotated by moving the link member 69 slightly upward.
[0034]
In addition, a product discharge device 61 is provided on the bottom plate 60 of each product storage frame 58, and the products T are stacked and stored on the product discharge device 61 as shown in FIG. Although a detailed description of the structure of the product unloading device 61 is omitted, the product unloading device 61 includes a first pusher 61a, a second pusher 61b, and a sold-out confirmation lever 61c as indicated by a dashed line in FIG. . The first pusher 61a and the second pusher 61b can be driven by an electric motor (not shown), and when a consumer presses a product selection button provided on the front surface of the door 1, a product storage frame in which a desired product is stored. The electric motor of the product unloading device 61 is driven to rotate the first pusher 61a and the second pusher 61b in the direction of the arrow.
[0035]
Here, the product T1 and the product T2 will be described as an example. First, the push-out claw 61d formed on the first pusher 61a pushes the back surface Tr of the product T1 placed on the product unloading device 61. Then, the first pusher 61a causes the product T1 to protrude from the product outlet 55a by half a step, that is, about half of the product T1.
Thereafter, the pushing claws 61e formed on the second pusher 61b further push the rear surface Tr of the product T1 extruded by the pushing claws 61d of the first pusher 61a, and a product feeding port formed on the bottom plate 60 side of the fixed plate 55. The product T1 is sent out from 55a to the product discharge path 59.
[0036]
In this way, the lowermost commodities T in the commodities storage frame 58 are sent out to the merchandise exit path 59 one by one from the merchandise outlet 55a. Then, the product T1 is sent through the payout chute 35 to a product receiving port similarly provided on the front surface of the door 3, and the consumer can obtain a desired product from the product receiving port. On the other hand, the product T2 stacked on the product T1 moves downward by one product, and is positioned at the position of the product T1 before being unloaded, that is, the product T2 positioned on the product unloading device 61 and the lowest product T2. Become.
[0037]
The sold-out confirmation lever 61c is constantly urged in a direction to protrude from the product unloading device 61. However, when the products T are stacked on the product unloading device 61, the product unloading device 61 is under its own weight. It is submerged in 61. When the last product T in the product storage frame 58 is discharged by the product unloading device 61, the sold-out confirmation lever 61c protrudes from the product unloading device 61 by urging force, and turns on a switch provided in the product unloading device 61. Operate. Then, "out of stock" is displayed on a display plate provided near the product selection switch provided on the front surface of the door 3.
[0038]
Next, an operation of opening and closing the opening 64 by the opening and closing plate 67 while the contact member 70 is in contact with the guide member 71 will be described with reference to FIG.
After the worker opens the door 3 and replenishes and loads the goods T in the goods storage frame 58, the worker closes the door 3 without rotating the link member 69 to the state shown in FIG. The contact member 70 rotatably supported by the link member 69 as shown in ()) comes into contact with the guide member 71 provided on the body 2 side.
[0039]
When the door 3 is further rotated in this state, the contact member 70 rotates while contacting with the guide member 71, and the guide member 71 moves the link member 69 through the contact member 70, as shown in FIG. Press and move in the direction of the arrow as shown. The movement of the link member 71 is transmitted to each open / close plate 67 via each connection shaft 68 rotatably provided on the link member 71. Each opening / closing plate 67 rotates counterclockwise about the support shaft 66 in FIG. 7B.
[0040]
When the door 3 is further rotated and the body 2 is completely closed by the door 3, the bent portion 71a formed on the guide member 71 strongly presses the link member 70 in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. To move. And the convex part 66e formed in the upper support shaft 66a and the concave part 66f formed in the lower support shaft 66b can be reliably engaged.
[0041]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications or applications can be made without changing the gist. For example, in the present embodiment, the product storage frame row 5 is provided on the door 3 side, but may be provided on the machine body 2 side. In this case, since the link member 69 is disposed on the door side, the guide member 71 that comes into contact with the contact member 70 provided on the link member 69 needs to be provided on the door 3 side.
Further, the convex portion 66e and the concave portions 66f and 66g do not necessarily need to be provided on the upper support shaft 66a and the lower support shaft 66b, respectively. By providing the guide member 71 with the bent portion 71a, the body 3 is closed by the door 3. In this state, the opening / closing plate 67 is inadvertently opened / closed, and the product T can be prevented from falling off from the product storage frame 58.
[0042]
Further, it is not always necessary to form the bent portion 71a on the guide member 71, and the guide member 71 may be a plate-shaped guide member 71.
Further, the connecting shaft 68 may be protruded below the opening / closing plate 67, and the lower end of the connecting shaft 68 may be rotatably connected to the link member 69. With such a structure, since the link member 69 can be operated below the opening / closing plate 67, even a short worker can easily carry out replenishment and loading operations of commodities.
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the products T are stacked in one row in the product storage frame 58 is described. However, the structure of the product storage frame 58 may be a structure in which the products T are stacked in one row before and after.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the commodity storage device of the vending machine according to the first aspect, in accordance with the movement of the link member, the link member is fixed to the connection shaft via the connection shaft rotatably provided on the link member. By rotating the opened / closed plate around the support shaft, each opening of the plurality of product storage frames can be opened and closed at once by the plurality of openable / closed plates according to the operation of the link member.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the commodity storage frame row is provided on the side of the door which is rotatably provided on the machine body, the number of commodity storage per vending machine can be increased.
[0044]
Further, in the invention according to claim 3, a contact member is provided on one of the body side and the door side, and the contact member is arranged so as to be able to contact the link member according to opening and closing of the door. . Therefore, when the door is turned to the fuselage side while the opening of the product storage frame is opened by the opening and closing plate, the link member comes into contact with the contact member provided on either the fuselage side or the door side. By moving the link member according to the closing operation of the door, each opening of the plurality of product storage frames can be opened and closed at once by the plurality of opening / closing plates according to the operation of the link member.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a state where a door of a conventional vending machine is opened.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a conventional product storage device of a vending machine.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which an opening of a product storage frame is opened by a product storage device of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a state where an opening of a product storage frame is closed by the device.
FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the same device.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a support shaft of the device.
FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which an opening is closed by an opening / closing plate in response to a closing operation of a door.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Body 3 Door 5 Commodity storage frame row 58 Commodity storage frame 61 Commodity unloading device 64 Opening 66 Support shaft 67 Opening / closing plate 68 Connecting shaft 69 Link member 70 Contact member 71 Guide member

Claims (3)

A product storage frame row formed by arranging a plurality of product storage frames having an opening for loading products on the front surface, which is provided in the body,
A plurality of open / close plates that rotate about a support shaft and open and close the opening of the product storage frame,
A link member rotatably connected to each of the plurality of opening / closing plates and rotating the plurality of opening / closing plates about the support shaft to open and close the opening of the product storage frame at a time. A product storage device for a vending machine. The product storage device of a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the product storage frame row is disposed on a door rotatably provided on the machine body. By rotating the door toward the fuselage, the plurality of opening / closing plates make contact with the link member in a state where the opening is opened, and the plurality of opening / closing plates open the opening while rotating the link member. 3. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a guide member provided on one of the machine body and the door for closing a portion at a time.

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