JP3945851B2

JP3945851B2 - vending machine

Info

Publication number: JP3945851B2
Application number: JP06687797A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 明文宮本
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 1997-03-19
Filing date: 1997-03-19
Publication date: 2007-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2017-03-19
Also published as: JPH10261144A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、たばこ等のパッケージ化された商品の自動販売機に係り、特に商品を積層して収納する商品コラムの前面に設けられる商品ガイドの構造を工夫した自動販売機に関する。
【０００２】
【関連する背景技術】
たばこ等のパッケージ化された商品の自動販売機は、販売機本体の内部に商品を積み重ねて収納する複数列の商品コラムを備え、各商品コラムから選択的に払い出される商品を、ドア部に設けた商品取出口に導く如く構成されている。各商品コラムは、例えばその下部に備えた商品払出ニットを指定商品に応じて選択的に駆動することで、当該商品コラムに収納された商品を最下位置のものから順に払い出すように構成される。
【０００３】
図１は従来一般的な自動販売機における商品コラムとその周辺部の概略構成を示しており、１は仕切板２によって幅方向に区画して設定された商品コラムである。また３は各商品コラム１の下部に組み込まれた商品払出ユニットである。即ち、商品コラム１は商品払出ユニット３の上面を商品載置面とし、その奥部に設けられる背面板（図示せず）と前記仕切板２によって形成される側壁面とにより区画され、その前面を開放した縦長の商品収納空間として実現されている。
【０００４】
しかして商品コラム１の前面側下部には、前記商品払出ユニット３による商品の払出口の上方に位置して板状の商品搬出ガイド４が設けられており、更にこの商品搬出ガイド４上に奥行き調整部材５が取り付けられている。この奥行き調整部材５は商品の長さ寸法に応じて前後に位置調整されるもので、この奥行き調整部材５により各種長さ寸法の商品が、商品コラム１の最奥部を基準として前記商品払出ユニット３上に位置決めされる。そして商品コラム１内に収納された最下位置の商品は、商品払出ユニット３の作動によってその側部を前記仕切板２にガイドされながら商品コラム１の前面側に押し出され、前記商品搬出ガイド４により払い出し姿勢が規制されながら該商品コラム１から払い出されるようになっている。
【０００５】
ところで前記商品コラム１の前面には、該商品コラム１に積層して収納された商品の脱落（抜け落ち）を防止するための商品ガイド６が設けられる。この商品ガイド６は商品コラム１の前面中央部に縦方向に沿って位置付けられる棒状体からなり、その両端６ａはそれぞれ鈎状に折曲されて、その中央の本体部から偏心させた形状を有する。この商品ガイド（シャフト部材）６は、偏心された両端部６ａを回動軸として前記仕切板２の前方に位置させて、前記仕切板２の上端を支持する支持体７と前記商品搬出ガイド４とにそれぞれ回動自在に支持される。そしてその本体部を商品コラム１の前面中央部と、商品コラム１の前方側部との間で回動変位させて該商品コラム１の前面を開放可能に設けられている。
【０００６】
尚、この商品ガイド（シャフト部材）６は自重により下方に変位して、その本体部が商品コラム１の前面中央部に配置される位置に設けられた係合部と係合し、閉じた状態で固定的に位置付けられるようになっている。従って商品ガイド６の回動は、該商品ガイド６を若干持ち上げて上記係合部との係合を解除した状態で行われる。
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで上述した如き商品ガイド６を商品コラム１の前面に備えた自動販売機においては、商品ガイド６を持ち上げた状態で該商品ガイド６を手前側に回動させて商品コラム１の前面を開くと言う２段階の操作が必要である。そしてこのようにして商品コラム１の前面を開いた状態で該商品コラム１内に商品を装填した後、再度、商品ガイド６を逆向きに回動し、該商品ガイド６を商品コラム１の前面中央部に位置付けてその前面を閉じると言う作業が必要となる。この為、商品コラム１に対する商品の装填作業が非常に煩わしい。しかも商品ガイド６を閉じ忘れると、商品コラム１内から商品が崩れ落ちる虞が生じ、商品販売に支障を来す。
【０００８】
本発明はこのような事情を考慮してなされたもので、その目的は、商品コラムへの商品の装填作業を容易ならしめると共に、商品コラムの前面に設けられる商品ガイドの閉じ忘れを確実に防止することのできる簡易で実用性の高い構成の自動販売機を提供することにある。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上述した目的を達成するべく本発明に係る自動販売機は、商品を積層して収納し、その下部に組み込まれた商品払出ユニットにより前記商品コラムに収納された商品を該商品コラムの前方に払い出す商品コラムの前面下部に、前記商品払出ユニットの前端側上面との間に商品払出口を形成して最下位置の商品の上に積み重ねられている商品の払い出しを阻止するストッパ部材を設けると共に、このストッパ部材の上方に位置付けて前記商品コラムの前面を開放可能に商品案内部材を設けたものであって、
特に前記商品案内部材を、前記商品コラムの幅よりも狭い幅の扉体として構成して前記商品コラムの前面一側部に回動自在に支持し、前記商品コラムの前方側に向けて回動可能に設けると共に、前記商品案内部材を回動付勢する弾性体により該商品案内部材を前記商品コラムの前面に位置付けるようにし、更に前記扉体の裏面に、該扉体の回動端よりも前記商品コラムの奥部側に位置して前記商品コラムに収納された商品の前端部を位置規制するガイド部を設けたことを特徴としている。
【００１０】
つまり商品コラムの幅よりも幅狭の扉体からなる商品案内部材を、該商品コラムの前面を開放可能に該商品コラムの前方側に向けて回動自在に設け、この商品案内部材を弾性体にて回動付勢して前記商品コラムの前面に位置付けることで、商品案内部材の開放位置での保持が解除されたときに自動的に閉じるようにしている。また商品案内部材をなす扉体の裏面に、前記商品コラムに収納された商品の前端部を位置規制するガイド部を該扉体の回動端よりも前記商品コラムの奥部側に位置させて設けておくことで、その回動端を商品コラムに収納された商品の前端部よりも手前側に位置付け、これによって上記回動端の引掛けによる商品案内部材の開放を容易化したことを特徴としている。
【００１１】
特に請求項２に記載するように、前記商品案内部材をなす扉体を、その裏面の両側縁部から前記商品コラムの奥部に向けてそれぞれ突出する一対の斜面を備え、これらの斜面の交差部がなす縦方向に延びる稜部を前記商品コラムに収納された商品の前端部を位置規制するガイド部としたものとして構成し、その回動端と前記商品コラムの前面他側部との間に所定の間隙を形成して前記商品コラムの前面に位置付けることで、上記間隙を介して商品コラム内の商品の収納状況を容易に確認し得るようにすることが望ましい。
【００１２】
また請求項３に記載するように、前記商品コラムが多段に設けられるような場合、前記商品案内部材が商品コラムの前面に位置付けられたとき、前記扉体の表面は、上段側の商品コラムから払い出された商品の落下通路をなす壁面の一部を形成するように、前記商品案内部材の形状を定めておくことが好ましい。
【００１３】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面を参照して本発明の一実施形態について説明する。
図２は本発明の一実施形態に係る自動販売機の、商品コラムとその周辺部の概略構成を示す図である。販売機本体の内部に設けられる複数列の商品コラム１１は、例えばその幅方向に所定の間隔で、販売機本体の背面板（図示せず）に固定された複数の仕切板１２によって区画された縦長の商品収納空間として実現される。この仕切板１２は、例えば上端をＬ字型に折り曲げて形成される商品コラム１１の上端板を一体に備えた形状を有しており、例えばその奥端下部に設けた突起１２ａを前記背面板に設けたスリット孔（図示せず）に嵌合させ、奥端上部に設けた固定片１２ｂを前記背面板にねじ止めする等して取り付けられる。
【００１４】
また仕切板１２によって区画された商品収納空間の下部には、それぞれ商品払出ユニット１３が組み込まれる。この商品払出ニット１３は、その上面を商品コラム１１内に積層して収納される商品の載置面としたもので、上面（載置面）に突出して商品コラム１１の奥部から手前側に移動して最下位置の商品を押し出すプッシャ（押圧部材）１３ａを備えている。
【００１５】
尚、この図２に示す商品払出ユニット１３は、その上面に沿って走行駆動される無端状ベルト１３ｂに、該ベルト１３ｂよりも幅広のプッシャ１３ａを取り付けた構造となっているが、スクリューねじにより押圧爪を移動させる方式のもの等、従来より提唱されている方式の商品払出ユニットを適宜用いることも可能である。
【００１６】
さて商品払出ユニット１３を床面、仕切板１２を側壁面としてその前面が開放された商品収納空間を形成した商品コラム１１は、その前面側の下方位置にストッパ部１４を備えると共に、このストッパ部１４の上方に位置して扉体からなる商品案内部材１５を開閉自在に備えている。ストッパ部１４は、例えば前記仕切板１２の前端側下部を横向きに折り曲げて形成されて前記商品払出ユニット１３の上方に位置付けられる。このストッパ部１４は、商品払出ユニット１３の前端側上面との間に商品の払い出し空間（払出口）を形成して設けられるもので、前記商品払出ユニット１３の作動によって最下位置の商品が上記払出口を介して押し出されるとき、最下位置の商品の上に積み重ねられている次商品の前端部に当接してその移動、つまり最下位置の商品の払い出しに伴う次商品の不本意な払い出しを阻止する役割を担う。
【００１７】
このストッパ部１４の幅は、商品コラム１１の幅よりも狭く設定されており、ストッパ部１４は商品コラム１１の前面下部の全幅を覆うことがないようになっている。換言すれば、商品コラム１１の側壁面とストッパ部１４の端部との間に形成される所定の空間（隙間）は、商品の装填時に作業者の指が入る程度の距離を有している。そして商品払出ユニット１３上に残されている商品が少数であっても、その商品を容易に確認でき、また装填作業も容易に行い得るようになっている。
【００１８】
さてこのストッパ部１４の上方に位置して前記商品コラム１１の前面に開放自在に設けられる商品案内部材１５は、例えば透明の合成樹脂材によってモールド成形された縦長の扉体からなる。この商品案内部材１５は、概略的にはその一側部（右側端部）を回動軸として前記商品コラム１１の前面一側部に回動自在に取り付けられ、横向きに回動して商品コラム１１の前面を開放し得るように設けられる。特に商品案内部材１５は、その回動軸部に設けられた弾性体、例えばコイルばね（図示せず）によって回動付勢され、常時は商品コラム１１の前面に位置付けられるようになっている。
【００１９】
またこの商品案内部材１５も、その幅が前記ストッパ部１４と同様に前記商品コラム１１の幅よりも狭く設定されており、該商品案内部材１５が商品コラム１１の前面に位置付けられたとき、その回動端（左側端部）と商品コラム１１の側壁面との間に所定の空間（隙間）が形成されるようになっている。従って商品案内部材１５が閉じられた状態であっても、前記ストッパ部１４の側部から続く上記隙間を介して商品コラム１１内に積層して収納されている商品の状態や、その商品種別が容易に視認し得る構造となっている。更に商品案内部材１５として透明な部材を用いることで、視認が容易になっている。
【００２０】
ところで商品コラム１１の前面に設けられる商品案内部材１５は、例えば図３に示すように大略的には扁平な三角形の横断面形状をなす棒状の扉体からなる。尚、図３において(ａ)はその外観形状を、(ｂ)は上端面形状を、更に(ｃ)(ｄ)は主体部および桟部における横断面形状をそれぞれ示している。即ち、この商品案内部材１５は、商品コラム１１の前面に沿って延びる縦長の扉体からなり、その主体部１５ａの上端および下端に、側方（商品案内部材１５の右側端）に突出した支持片１５ｂを備えている。これらの各支持片１５ｂの端部には、商品案内部材１５の回動軸をなす支持ピン１５ｃが突出形成されている。商品案内部材１５は、上記支持ピン１５ｃを前記商品コラム１１の前面一側部に位置させて、前記上端板およびストッパ部１４にそれぞれ設けられた軸受部（図示せず）に填め込むことで回動自在に支持される。
【００２１】
また主体部１５ａの上端の前記支持ピン１５ｃとは反対側の部位、つまり商品案内部材１５の左側端部位置に上下に突出形成されたピン１５ｄは、商品案内部材１５を商品コラム１１の前面に位置付けたときに該商品コラム１１の前述した上端板の縁部とストッパ部１４の上縁側部とにそれぞれ係合し、商品コラム１１の開放された前面に対して該商品案内部材１５を位置決めするストッパ体として機能する。
【００２２】
さて商品案内部材１５の主体部１５ａは、前記商品コラム１１の前面に位置付けられたときに該商品コラム１１の前面に平行な垂直面をなす表面（前面）を備えている。またその裏面側は商品コラム１１の奥部に向けて突出する斜面により構成されており、斜面によって形成されて縦方向に延びる稜部は前記商品コラム１１内に収納された商品の前端部を位置規制するガイド部をなしている。即ち、商品案内部材１５はその裏面側に稜部として形成され、該商品案内部材１５の表面位置を規定する回動端よりも後方に位置付けられて、商品コラム１１の前面からその内部に入り込むガイド部を備えている。
【００２３】
換言すれば、商品案内部材１５は概念的には三角形の１つの頂点をなす右側部を回動軸、別の頂点をなす左側部を回動端とし、これらの頂点を結ぶ面を商品コラム１１の前面に平行な垂直面をなす表面（前面）としている。また残された頂点をその裏面側に突出したガイド部とし、該ガイド部と前記左右端部をそれぞれ結ぶ２つの斜面を裏面とした形状を有している。
【００２４】
尚、実際には、商品案内部材１５の主体部１５ａは、図３に示すようにその前面側に凹部を形成した、所謂箱形形状として実現される。この凹部内には縦方向に延びる一条の桟部と、横方向に延びる複数条の桟部とが設けられており、箱形形状をなす商品案内部材１５の全体的な強度を確保しながらその軽量化が図られている。このような形状の場合、商品案内部材１５の表面（前面）は、前記各裏面の側部に延びた前縁部と、上記各桟部の前端面とによって規定される面として実現され、実質的に１つの平面として看做し得るようになっている。つまり商品案内部材１５の表面は、桟部によって区画された凹部を有するものの、実質的に１つの平面をなすように構成されている。
【００２５】
上述した如く商品コラム１１の前面に開放可能に設けられる商品案内部材１５は、基本的には商品コラム１１に積層して収納された商品の前端部の位置を規制して該商品の脱落を防止すると共に、商品コラム１１内の商品を前記商品払出ユニット１３上にガイドする役割を担う。このような基本的な機能に加えて前記商品案内部材１５は、図４(ａ)に示すように横方向に並設された複数列の商品コラム１１に対して、更には多段に構成される商品コラム１１列に対して設定される１つの平面の一部をなす。換言すれば、上記各商品案内部材１５の表面（前面）によって１つの大きな平面が等価的に形成され、この平面は各商品コラム１１から選択的に払い出された商品を商品取出口に導くための商品搬送通路（自由落下空間）の壁面として用いられる。
【００２６】
ところで各商品コラム１１への商品の装填は、前述したコイルばねの弾性力に抗して商品案内部材１５を回動させて商品コラム１１の前面を開放し、この状態で商品コラム１１内に商品を順次積み重ねて行くことによってなされる。しかる後、商品の装填終了に伴って前記商品案内部材１５の開放位置での保持を解除すれば、商品案内部材１５は前記コイルばねによって回動付勢されているので、自動的に商品コラム１１の前面位置に回動復帰し、該商品コラム１１の前面を閉じることになる。従って商品を装填するに際して、例えば作業者が手によって商品案内部材１５を開放位置に保持しておかない限り、商品案内部材１５が閉じられことになるので、その閉め忘れを防止することができる。
【００２７】
しかしながら、一方の手によって商品案内部材１５を開放位置に保持すると、その手が塞がることになるので、作業者は片手で商品の装填作業を進めることが必要となり、作業効率が悪い。この点、前述した構造の商品案内部材１５によれば、商品の側部を商品案内部材１５の回動端に引掛けて該商品案内部材１５を開きながら商品の装填作業を進めることが可能なので、その作業効率を高めることが可能となる。
【００２８】
即ち、商品案内部材１５の回動端は、その裏面側のガイド部によって位置規制された商品コラム１１内の商品よりも手前側に位置している。しかも商品案内部材１５の幅が商品コラム１１の幅よりも狭く、その回動端と商品コラム１１の側壁面との間には前述した空間部が形成されている。従って図４(ｂ)〜(ｇ)に商品の装填過程を分解して示すように、先ず斜めに傾けた商品１０の側部を商品案内部材１５の回動端に引掛けて該商品案内部材１５を引き起こし、次いで該商品１０を横方向にずらすことで商品案内部材１５を大きく回動させて商品コラム１１の前面を開放する。そして該商品１０の側部にて商品案内部材１５を開放位置に保ちながら該商品１０を商品コラム１１内に押し込む。すると商品１０の押し込み完了に伴って該商品による商品案内部材１５の開放位置で保持が解除されるので、商品案内部材１５は元の位置に回動復帰して商品コラム１１の前面を閉じることになる。
【００２９】
従ってこのような手順を繰り返すことにより商品コラム１１内に順次商品を装填していくことが可能となるので、手によって商品案内部材１５を開放位置に保持する必要がなくなり、例えば両手を用いて効率良く商品の装填作業を進めることが可能となる。また片手で商品箱（商品がパッケージ化されたたばこの場合には、複数のたばこを収納したパーセル）を抱えながら、他方の手によってそこに収納されている商品を商品コラム１１内に装填する場合にも、例えば肘によって商品案内部材１５を開放位置に保持する必要がないので、その装填作業の容易化を図ることができる。
【００３０】
尚、既に商品コラム１１内に装填されている商品を排除し、別の商品を装填するような場合、前述したようにストッパ部１４の側部から商品案内部材１５の回動端の側部に掛けて隙間（所定幅の空間）が設けられているので、上記商品の排除が容易である。即ち、この場合には上記隙間に指を挿入して商品の前端部を上下方向に摘み、この状態で該商品を商品案内部材１５の裏面に位置付ける。そして商品を摘んだまま指を手前に引き出せば、該商品によって商品案内部材１５が強制的に手前側に押されて回動し、商品コラム１１の前面を開放するので、難なく商品を取り出すことが可能となる。従って商品の装填作業のみならず、商品の排除作業も容易に行うことが可能となる。
【００３１】
尚、本発明は上述した実施例に限定されるものではない。例えば商品案内部材１５の幅は、商品コラム１１の幅の半分程度乃至は２／３程度であれば十分である。また図３に示すように商品案内部材１５の前面側に凹部を形成して軽量化を図ったが、図５(ａ)に概略的な横断面形状を示すように中空形状として軽量化を図ることも可能である。また簡易な構造の商品案内部材としては図５(ｂ)(ｃ)にそれぞれ示すように、板材を折り曲げ加工してその裏面側に突出するガイド部を形成するようにしても良い。更には合成樹脂材からなる商品案内部材に、弾性体を一体に形成するようにしても良い。その他、本発明はその要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々変形して実施することができる。
【００３２】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明によれば、商品を積層して収納する商品コラムの前面に、横方向に回動して前記商品コラムの前面を開放可能な商品案内部材を設けると共に、この商品案内部材を回動付勢して該商品案内部材を前記商品コラムの前面に位置付ける弾性体を設けている。更に前記商品案内部材を、前記商品コラムの幅よりも狭い幅の扉体とし、この扉体の裏面に該扉体の回動端よりも前記商品コラムの奥部側に位置して前記商品コラムに収納された商品の前端部を位置規制するガイド部を設けている。従って商品案内部材の回動端部が手前側に位置付けられているので、商品の端部を商品案内部材の回動端に引掛けて商品案内部材を開きながら、商品コラム内に商品を装填することができ、またその商品の装填が終了したときには、商品案内部材を自動的に閉じることができる。この結果、商品案内部材の閉じ忘れを防止すると共に、商品装填作業の容易化を図ることができる等の効果が奏せられる。
【００３３】
特に前記商品案内部材の回動端と前記商品コラムの前面他側部との間に所定の間隙を形成して前記商品コラムの前面に位置付けているので、上記間隙を介して商品コラム内の商品の収納状況を容易に確認することができ、また隙間を介して商品コラム内の商品を指により摘んで簡単に排除することができる等の効果が奏せられる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】従来の自動販売機における商品コラムとその周辺部の概略構成を示す図。
【図２】本発明の一実施形態に係る自動販売機における商品コラムとその周辺部の概略構成を示す図。
【図３】図２に示す自動販売機の商品コラムの前面に組み込まれる商品案内部材の構成を示す図。
【図４】本発明の実施形態に係る商品コラムへの商品の装填過程を示す図。
【図５】商品案内部材の変形例を示す図。
【符号の説明】
１０商品
１１商品コラム
１２仕切板
１３商品払出ユニット
１４ストッパ部
１５商品案内部材
１５ａ本体部
１５ｃ支持ピン（回動軸）
１５ｄストッパピン[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vending machine for packaged products such as cigarettes, and more particularly to a vending machine in which the structure of a product guide provided on the front surface of a product column for stacking and storing products is devised.
[0002]
[Related background]
Vending machines for packaged products such as cigarettes are equipped with multiple columns of product columns for stacking and storing products inside the vending machine body, and products that are selectively dispensed from each product column are provided at the door section. It is configured to lead to the product outlet. Each product column is configured so that, for example, the product dispensing knit provided in the lower part thereof is selectively driven according to the designated product, so that the products stored in the product column are paid out in order from the lowest one. The
[0003]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a commodity column and its peripheral part in a conventional vending machine. Reference numeral 1 denotes a commodity column that is partitioned and set by a partition plate 2 in the width direction. Reference numeral 3 denotes a product dispensing unit incorporated in the lower part of each product column 1. That is, the product column 1 is partitioned by a back plate (not shown) provided at the back and a side wall surface formed by the partition plate 2 with the top surface of the product dispensing unit 3 as a product placement surface. It is realized as a vertically long product storage space.
[0004]
Accordingly, a plate-like product carry-out guide 4 is provided at the lower part of the front side of the product column 1 above the product discharge outlet of the product delivery unit 3, and further, a depth is provided on the product carry-out guide 4. An adjustment member 5 is attached. The depth adjusting member 5 is adjusted in the front-rear direction according to the length dimension of the product. The depth adjusting member 5 allows the products of various length dimensions to be dispensed on the basis of the innermost part of the product column 1. Positioned on the unit 3. The product at the lowest position stored in the product column 1 is pushed out to the front side of the product column 1 while the side portion thereof is guided by the partition plate 2 by the operation of the product delivery unit 3, and the product delivery guide 4 The payout posture is regulated by the product column 1 while being paid out.
[0005]
By the way, a product guide 6 is provided on the front surface of the product column 1 to prevent the products stacked and stored in the product column 1 from dropping off. The product guide 6 is composed of a rod-like body positioned along the longitudinal direction at the front central portion of the product column 1, and both ends 6a thereof are bent in a bowl shape and have a shape eccentric from the central body portion. . The product guide (shaft member) 6 is positioned in front of the partition plate 2 with the eccentric both ends 6a as rotation axes, and the support 7 for supporting the upper end of the partition plate 2 and the product carry-out guide 4 And are supported rotatably. The main body is pivotally displaced between the front central portion of the product column 1 and the front side portion of the product column 1 so that the front surface of the product column 1 can be opened.
[0006]
The product guide (shaft member) 6 is displaced downward by its own weight, and its main body is engaged with an engagement portion provided at a position where the product column 1 is arranged at the center of the front surface and closed. Can be fixedly positioned. Accordingly, the product guide 6 is rotated in a state where the product guide 6 is slightly lifted to disengage the engagement portion.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the vending machine provided with the product guide 6 as described above on the front surface of the product column 1, when the product guide 6 is lifted and the product guide 6 is rotated forward, the front surface of the product column 1 is opened. Two-step operation is necessary. Then, after loading the product into the product column 1 with the front surface of the product column 1 opened in this way, the product guide 6 is rotated in the opposite direction again, and the product guide 6 is moved to the front surface of the product column 1. An operation of positioning the central portion and closing the front surface thereof is required. For this reason, the product loading operation for the product column 1 is very troublesome. Moreover, if the product guide 6 is forgotten to close, there is a risk that the product will collapse from within the product column 1 and hinder product sales.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and its purpose is to facilitate loading of products into the product column and to reliably prevent the product guide provided on the front of the product column from being forgotten to close. An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine having a simple and highly practical configuration that can be performed.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, the vending machine according to the present invention stacks and stores products, and pays the products stored in the product column to the front of the product column by a product dispensing unit incorporated in the lower part. A stopper member is provided at the lower front portion of the product column to be placed, and a stopper member is formed between the front end side upper surface of the product delivery unit to prevent delivery of products stacked on the lowest product. The product guide member is provided above the stopper member so that the front surface of the product column can be opened,
In particular, the product guide member is configured as a door having a width narrower than the width of the product column, and is rotatably supported on one side of the front surface of the product column, and is rotated toward the front side of the product column. The product guide member is positioned on the front surface of the product column by an elastic body that rotationally biases the product guide member, and further on the back surface of the door body than the rotation end of the door body. It is characterized in that a guide portion is provided which is positioned on the back side of the product column and regulates the position of the front end portion of the product stored in the product column .
[0010]
In other words, a product guide member composed of a door body narrower than the width of the product column is provided so as to be rotatable toward the front side of the product column so that the front surface of the product column can be opened, and the product guide member is provided as an elastic body. By rotating and energizing to position the front of the product column, it is automatically closed when the product guide member is released from being held in the open position. In addition, a guide portion for restricting the position of the front end portion of the product stored in the product column is positioned on the back side of the product column from the rotating end of the door body on the back surface of the door body forming the product guide member. By providing, the rotating end is positioned in front of the front end of the product stored in the product column, thereby facilitating opening of the product guide member by hooking the rotating end. It is said.
[0011]
In particular, according to a second aspect of the present invention, the door constituting the product guide member is provided with a pair of slopes respectively projecting from both side edges of the back surface toward the back of the product column, and the intersection of these slopes. The ridge portion extending in the vertical direction formed by the portion is configured as a guide portion for restricting the position of the front end portion of the product stored in the product column, and between the rotating end and the other front portion of the product column. It is desirable to form a predetermined gap in the front of the product column so that the storage status of the product in the product column can be easily confirmed through the gap.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the product columns are provided in multiple stages, when the product guide member is positioned on the front surface of the product column , the surface of the door body is separated from the product column on the upper stage side. It is preferable that the shape of the commodity guide member is determined so as to form a part of the wall surface that forms the falling passage of the dispensed commodity.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a commodity column and its peripheral part of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The plurality of product columns 11 provided inside the vending machine main body are partitioned by a plurality of partition plates 12 fixed to a back plate (not shown) of the vending machine main body, for example, at a predetermined interval in the width direction. Realized as a vertically long product storage space. The partition plate 12 has, for example, a shape integrally provided with an upper end plate of a product column 11 formed by bending the upper end into an L-shape. For example, a projection 12a provided at a lower end of the rear end is formed on the back plate. The fixing piece 12b provided at the upper end of the back end is fitted to a slit hole (not shown) provided on the back plate and screwed to the back plate.
[0014]
In addition, a product dispensing unit 13 is incorporated in each lower part of the product storage space partitioned by the partition plate 12. The product dispensing knit 13 has an upper surface as a mounting surface for products stored in the product column 11 and protrudes from the back of the product column 11 toward the front side. A pusher (pressing member) 13a that moves and pushes out the lowest product is provided.
[0015]
The product dispensing unit 13 shown in FIG. 2 has a structure in which a pusher 13a wider than the belt 13b is attached to an endless belt 13b that is driven to run along the upper surface. It is also possible to appropriately use a product dispensing unit of a method conventionally proposed, such as a method of moving the pressing claw.
[0016]
Now, the product column 11 which forms the product storage space in which the product dispensing unit 13 is a floor surface and the partition plate 12 is a side wall surface and the front surface is opened is provided with a stopper portion 14 at a lower position on the front surface side. The product guide member 15 which consists of a door body and is located above 14 is provided with opening and closing freely. The stopper portion 14 is formed, for example, by bending the lower part of the front end side of the partition plate 12 in the horizontal direction, and is positioned above the commodity dispensing unit 13. The stopper portion 14 is provided by forming a product delivery space (payout port) between the front end side upper surface of the product delivery unit 13, and the product at the lowest position is moved by the operation of the product delivery unit 13. When it is pushed out through the outlet, it moves against the front end of the next product stacked on the lowest product, that is, the unintentional delivery of the next product accompanying the delivery of the lowest product. To play a role in preventing
[0017]
The width of the stopper portion 14 is set to be narrower than the width of the product column 11, and the stopper portion 14 does not cover the entire width of the lower front portion of the product column 11. In other words, the predetermined space (gap) formed between the side wall surface of the product column 11 and the end of the stopper portion 14 has a distance that allows the operator's finger to enter when the product is loaded. . Even if there are a small number of products remaining on the product delivery unit 13, the products can be easily confirmed, and the loading operation can be easily performed.
[0018]
The product guide member 15 that is located above the stopper portion 14 and that is provided on the front surface of the product column 11 so as to be freely opened includes a vertically long door body molded by a transparent synthetic resin material, for example. The product guide member 15 is schematically attached to one side of the front surface of the product column 11 so as to be rotatable about one side (right end) of the product guide member 15 and is turned sideways to turn the product column. 11 is provided so that the front surface of 11 can be opened. In particular, the product guide member 15 is rotationally biased by an elastic body, for example, a coil spring (not shown) provided on the rotational shaft portion thereof, and is always positioned on the front surface of the product column 11.
[0019]
The width of the product guide member 15 is set to be narrower than the width of the product column 11 like the stopper portion 14, and when the product guide member 15 is positioned on the front surface of the product column 11, A predetermined space (gap) is formed between the rotation end (left end) and the side wall surface of the product column 11. Accordingly, even when the product guide member 15 is closed, the state of the product stored in the product column 11 through the gap continuing from the side portion of the stopper portion 14 and the product type are stored. The structure is easily visible. Furthermore, the use of a transparent member as the product guide member 15 facilitates visual recognition.
[0020]
By the way, the merchandise guide member 15 provided on the front surface of the merchandise column 11 is composed of a rod-like door body having a flat triangular cross section as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, (a) shows the external shape, (b) shows the shape of the upper end surface, and (c) and (d) show the cross-sectional shapes of the main portion and the crosspiece, respectively. That is, the product guide member 15 is composed of a vertically long door extending along the front surface of the product column 11, and is supported at the upper and lower ends of the main body 15a so as to protrude laterally (the right end of the product guide member 15). A piece 15b is provided. At the end of each of these support pieces 15b, a support pin 15c that forms the rotation axis of the product guide member 15 is formed to project. The product guide member 15 is rotated by positioning the support pin 15c on one side of the front surface of the product column 11 and fitting it into bearing portions (not shown) provided on the upper end plate and the stopper portion 14, respectively. It is supported movably.
[0021]
Further, a portion 15d on the upper end of the main body portion 15a opposite to the support pin 15c, that is, a pin 15d formed so as to protrude up and down at the left end position of the product guide member 15 has the product guide member 15 on the front surface of the product column 11. When the product column 11 is positioned, the product column 11 is engaged with the edge of the above-described upper end plate and the upper edge side of the stopper portion 14 to position the product guide member 15 with respect to the opened front surface of the product column 11. Functions as a stopper body.
[0022]
The main body 15a of the product guide member 15 has a surface (front surface) that forms a vertical plane parallel to the front surface of the product column 11 when positioned on the front surface of the product column 11. Moreover, the back surface side is comprised by the slope which protrudes toward the innermost part of the product column 11, and the ridge formed in the slope and extending in the vertical direction positions the front end of the product stored in the product column 11. It is a guide part to be regulated. That is, the merchandise guide member 15 is formed as a ridge on the back side thereof, is positioned behind the pivot end that defines the surface position of the merchandise guide member 15, and enters the interior of the merchandise column 11 from the front. Department.
[0023]
In other words, the product guide member 15 conceptually has a right side portion forming one vertex of a triangle as a rotation axis and a left side portion forming another vertex as a rotation end, and a surface connecting these vertices is a product column 11. The surface is a vertical surface (front surface) parallel to the front surface. Further, the remaining apex is a guide portion projecting to the back surface side, and two inclined surfaces respectively connecting the guide portion and the left and right end portions are formed on the back surface.
[0024]
Actually, the main portion 15a of the commodity guide member 15 is realized as a so-called box shape in which a concave portion is formed on the front side as shown in FIG. In this recess, there are provided a plurality of crosspieces extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of crosspieces extending in the horizontal direction, while ensuring the overall strength of the box-shaped product guide member 15. The weight is reduced. In the case of such a shape, the surface (front surface) of the product guide member 15 is realized as a surface defined by a front edge portion extending to the side portion of each back surface and a front end surface of each crosspiece, Therefore, it can be regarded as one plane. That is, the surface of the commodity guide member 15 is configured to substantially form one plane although it has a recess defined by the crosspiece.
[0025]
As described above, the commodity guide member 15 provided in the front of the commodity column 11 so as to be openable basically restricts the position of the front end portion of the commodity stacked and stored in the commodity column 11 to prevent the commodity from dropping off. At the same time, it plays a role of guiding the products in the product column 11 onto the product delivery unit 13. In addition to such basic functions, the product guide member 15 is further configured in multiple stages with respect to a plurality of rows of product columns 11 arranged side by side as shown in FIG. It forms a part of one plane set for the eleven product columns. In other words, one large plane is equivalently formed by the surface (front surface) of each of the product guide members 15, and this plane guides the products selectively paid out from each product column 11 to the product outlet. It is used as the wall surface of the commodity transport passage (free fall space).
[0026]
By the way, when the product is loaded into each product column 11, the product guide member 15 is rotated against the elastic force of the coil spring described above to open the front surface of the product column 11, and the product column 11 is in this state in this state. It is made by stacking them one after another. Thereafter, if the holding of the product guide member 15 at the open position is released with the end of product loading, the product guide member 15 is automatically biased by the coil spring, so that the product column 11 automatically. Is returned to the front position, and the front surface of the product column 11 is closed. Therefore, when loading a product, for example, unless the operator holds the product guide member 15 in the open position by hand, the product guide member 15 is closed, so that forgetting to close it can be prevented.
[0027]
However, if the merchandise guide member 15 is held in the open position with one hand, the hand is blocked, and the operator needs to proceed with the merchandise loading operation with one hand, resulting in poor work efficiency. In this regard, according to the product guide member 15 having the above-described structure, it is possible to proceed with the product loading operation while opening the product guide member 15 by hooking the side portion of the product to the rotation end of the product guide member 15. It becomes possible to increase the work efficiency.
[0028]
That is, the rotation end of the product guide member 15 is located on the near side of the product in the product column 11 whose position is regulated by the guide portion on the back side. Moreover, the width of the merchandise guide member 15 is narrower than the width of the merchandise column 11, and the above-described space is formed between the rotating end and the side wall surface of the merchandise column 11. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4B to 4G in an exploded manner, the product guide member 15 is first hooked on the rotating end of the product guide member 15 with the side portion of the product 10 tilted obliquely. 15, and then the product guide member 15 is largely rotated by shifting the product 10 in the lateral direction to open the front surface of the product column 11. Then, the product 10 is pushed into the product column 11 while keeping the product guide member 15 in the open position at the side of the product 10. Then, as the product 10 is pushed in, the product guide member 15 is released from being held at the open position, so that the product guide member 15 returns to its original position and closes the front surface of the product column 11. Become.
[0029]
Therefore, by repeating such a procedure, it becomes possible to sequentially load the products into the product column 11, so that it is not necessary to hold the product guide member 15 in the open position by hand. Good product loading work can be carried out well. In addition, when holding a product box (a parcel containing a plurality of cigarettes in the case of cigarettes in which products are packaged) with one hand, the products stored therein are loaded into the product column 11 with the other hand. In addition, since it is not necessary to hold the merchandise guide member 15 in the open position with, for example, an elbow, the loading operation can be facilitated.
[0030]
In addition, when the product already loaded in the product column 11 is excluded and another product is loaded, as described above, the side of the stopper portion 14 is moved to the side of the rotation end of the product guide member 15. Since the gap (a space having a predetermined width) is provided, it is easy to eliminate the product. That is, in this case, a finger is inserted into the gap and the front end portion of the product is picked up and down, and the product is positioned on the back surface of the product guide member 15 in this state. If the user pulls the finger forward while picking up the product, the product guide member 15 is forcibly pushed and rotated by the product to open the front of the product column 11, so that the product can be taken out without difficulty. It becomes possible. Accordingly, not only the product loading operation but also the product removal operation can be easily performed.
[0031]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above. For example, it is sufficient that the width of the product guide member 15 is about half or about 2/3 of the width of the product column 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the concave portion is formed on the front side of the product guide member 15 to reduce the weight. However, the hollow shape is used to reduce the weight as shown in FIG. 5A. It is also possible. In addition, as a product guide member having a simple structure, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, a plate member may be bent to form a guide portion protruding on the back surface side. Further, an elastic body may be integrally formed on a product guide member made of a synthetic resin material. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a product guide member that can be rotated laterally to open the front surface of the product column is provided on the front surface of the product column that stores and stacks products. An elastic body is provided for rotating the member to position the product guide member on the front surface of the product column. Further, the product guide member is a door body having a width narrower than the width of the product column, and the product column is located on the back side of the door body at the back side of the product column with respect to the rotating end of the door body. The guide part which regulates the position of the front end part of the goods stored in is provided. Therefore, since the rotation end of the product guide member is positioned on the near side, the product is loaded into the product column while opening the product guide member by hooking the end of the product to the rotation end of the product guide member. When the product has been loaded, the product guide member can be automatically closed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the product guide member from being forgotten to be closed and to facilitate the product loading operation.
[0033]
In particular, since a predetermined gap is formed between the rotating end of the product guide member and the other side of the front surface of the product column, the product is positioned in the front surface of the product column. It is possible to easily check the storage status of the product, and it is possible to easily remove the product in the product column with a finger through the gap.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a commodity column and its peripheral part in a conventional vending machine.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a commodity column and its peripheral part in a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view showing a configuration of a product guide member incorporated in the front surface of a product column of the vending machine shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a product loading process to a product column according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a modified example of the product guide member.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Goods 11 Goods column 12 Partition plate 13 Goods delivery unit 14 Stopper part 15 Goods guide member 15a Main-body part 15c Support pin (rotating shaft)
15d Stopper pin

Claims

Product columns that store products stacked ,
A product dispensing unit that dispenses products stored in the product column in the lower part of the product column to the front of the product column;
A stopper member that is provided at a lower front portion of the product column and forms a product delivery outlet between the front end side upper surface of the product delivery unit and prevents delivery of products stacked on the lowest product; ,
A product guide member rotatably supported on one side of the front surface of the product column, provided above the stopper member, and rotated toward the front side of the product column to open the front surface of the product column ; ,
An elastic body that pivotally biases the product guide member and positions the product guide member on the front surface of the product column ;
Door forming the product guide member, said consist width narrower door body than the commodity column, on its back side, said protruding rear portion side of the commodity column of the rotation end of said door body A vending machine comprising a guide portion for regulating a position of a front end portion of a product stored in a product column and guiding the product to the rear of the stopper member .

The door that forms the product guide member includes a pair of slopes that protrude from both side edges of the back surface toward the back of the product column, and includes a ridge extending in the vertical direction formed by the intersection of these slopes. It is a guide part for regulating the position of the front end of the product stored in the product column,
The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine is positioned on the front surface of the product column by forming a predetermined gap between the rotating end and the other side of the front surface of the product column.

The product column is provided in multiple stages,
The surface of the door body forming the product guide member forms a part of a wall surface forming a conveyance path of a product paid out from an upper product column when positioned on the front surface of the product column. The vending machine according to claim 1.