JP4027078B2 - vending machine - Google Patents

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JP4027078B2
JP4027078B2 JP2001337859A JP2001337859A JP4027078B2 JP 4027078 B2 JP4027078 B2 JP 4027078B2 JP 2001337859 A JP2001337859 A JP 2001337859A JP 2001337859 A JP2001337859 A JP 2001337859A JP 4027078 B2 JP4027078 B2 JP 4027078B2
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product column
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JP2003141619A (en
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義啓 田淵
賢一 松山
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Glory Ltd
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Glory Ltd
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Description

【0001】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、商品を上下方向に積層収納し最下位の商品から順に払い出す縦積み商品コラムを備えた自動販売機に係り、特に、商品補充時における商品の前倒れを防止する部材を備えた自動販売機に関する。
【0002】
【従来の技術】
縦積みの商品コラムに箱型にパッケージした商品を収納し販売する自動販売機には、通常、商品販売待機時および販売時の商品の前倒れや飛び出しを防止するよう、例えば、商品コラムの前面略中央に上下方向のガイドロッドが設けられている。このガイドロッドは、商品補充時には商品コラム側面付近まで移動させて、商品コラム前面を開放し、商品補充を行えるようにしたものである。
【0003】
しかし、こうした商品前倒れ防止のためのガイドロッドを商品コラムの前面に設けるだけでは、商品コラムが縦に大きくて、積載収納される商品数が多い場合、商品補充のためガイドロッドを商品コラム側面付近まで移動させた時に、商品コラム内に商品がある程度の数残存していると、その残存している積層状態の商品が、ガイドロッドが側方に移動するとバランスを崩して前方に倒れてくることがあり、また、補充商品を積み重ねていく時にバランスを崩して前方に倒れてくることがある。
【0004】
そこで、例えば特開平10−307959号公報記載のように、ガイドロッドとは別に、商品コラムの仕切板の所定位置に、商品コラムの前面に突出し、また、商品コラムの前面から退避可能に、商品の前端に当接する倒れ防止部品を設けたり、実開平6−2488号公報記載のように、商品飛出し防止部材としてのガイドロッドの所定位置に、ガイドロッドを側方へ移動させたときにも商品コラム前面に一部突出して商品の落下を防止するよう商品落下防止部を設けることが提案されている。
【0005】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、このような方法では、商品補充の際にガイドロッドを退避位置へ移動させたときに、倒れ防止部材や商品落下防止部が設けられている位置での商品の前倒れは防止することができるが、倒れ防止部材や商品落下防止部は商品コラム前面の一部に位置するだけで、それら倒れ防止部材や商品落下防止部から外れた位置では、ガイドロッドが退避位置へ移動したときに商品の前面を支持するものが何も無く、そうした位置からの商品の前倒れを防止することができなかった。
【0006】
本発明はそうした問題点に鑑みてなされたもので、縦積み商品コラムへの商品補充時の商品の前倒れを確実に防止することができ、且つ、商品の補充を容易に行える自動販売機を提供することを目的とする。
【0007】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、所定個数の商品を上下方向に積層収納する商品コラムを備え、該商品コラムは左右側面が仕切板により形成されるとともに、前面が開放され、前記仕切板に沿って商品が整列状態で積層収納され、該商品コラム内の最下位の商品から順に払い出される自動販売機を、商品コラムの商品収納部前面に、上下方向に略連続して並ぶ配置で複数のガイド部材が設けられ、商品コラムの商品収納部前面の上下方向に間隔をおいた複数箇所に、各ガイド部材をそれぞれ個別に商品の前倒れを防止する倒れ防止位置と商品の補充を許容する退避位置とに変換可能なように支持する支持部材が設けられ、各支持部材が、商品コラムの商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に対し一側に偏位した位置に、各ガイド部材を下端を支点として揺動可能に支持する摺鉢状の支持穴備えていて、該支持穴で各ガイド部材の下端部を支持し、支持部材同士の間にガイド部材のうちの少なくとも一部のガイド部材が架設され、支持部材の間に架設されるガイド部材を上方側および下方側から支持する両支持部材のうちの上方側の支持部材は、該ガイド部材の上端部を左右移動自在に支持する支持部を有するとともに、該ガイド部材の上端部を商品コラムの商品収納部前面の左右方向中心側へ付勢する付勢手段を備えているようにするものであり、また、商品コラムの商品収納部前面に、上下方向に略連続して並ぶ配置で複数のガイド部材が設けられ、商品コラムの商品収納部前面の上下方向に間隔をおいた複数箇所に、各ガイド部材をそれぞれ個別に商品の前倒れを防止する倒れ防止位置と商品の補充を許容する退避位置とに変換可能なように支持する支持部材が設けられ、各支持部材が、商品コラムの商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に対し一側に偏位した位置で各ガイド部材の下端部を支持し、支持部材同士の間にガイド部材のうちの少なくとも一部のガイド部材が架設され、支持部材の間に架設されるガイド部材は、直棒状で下略半分がバネ部を構成するとともに上端および下端にフック部を備え、支持部材の間に架設されるガイド部材を上方側および下方側から支持する両支持部材のうち、上方側の支持部材は、架設されるガイド部材の上端のフック部を引っかける係止部を備え、下方側の支持部材は、架設されるガイド部材の下端のフック部を引っかける係止部を備えているようにするものである。
【0008】
このように、自動販売機の商品コラムの商品収納部前面に、それぞれ個別に商品の前倒れを防止する倒れ防止位置と商品の補充を許容する退避位置とに変換可能とした複数のガイド部材を、上下方向に略連続して並ぶ配置で設けることにより、商品販売待機時および販売時には、各ガイド部材をそれぞれ倒れ防止位置とし、商品コラムに積層収納された商品のほとんどを前面から支持して前倒れを防止するようにできるとともに、商品の補充作業時には、複数のガイド部材が同時に退避位置にならないよう、下方のガイド部材から順にガイド部材を一つずつ退避位置へ移動させ、各ガイド部材の位置で商品補充量が前倒れする高さに達する前にガイド部材を倒れ防止位置へ戻すようにして、補充時の商品の前倒れを防止できる。
【0009】
各ガイド部材は、商品コラムの商品収納部前面の所定位置に支持部材を設け、該支持部材により、倒れ防止位置と退避位置とに変換可能なように支持することができる。そして、支持部材を商品コラムの前面の上下方向に間隔をおいた複数箇所に設けることにより、それら支持部材の間にガイド部材を架設するようにでき、また、ガイド部材のうちの最上部のガイド部材は、商品コラム上面の天井板と該天井板に最も近い位置に設けられた支持部材との間に架設することができる。
【0010】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
【0011】
(第1の実施の形態)
図1は本発明の第1の実施の形態の自動販売機の扉開放時の正面図であり、図2は商品コラムの正面図、図3は第1の支持部材およびその近傍の正面図(a)および側面視断面図(b)、図4は第2の支持部材およびその近傍の正面図(a)および側面視断面図(b)、図5は第2の支持部材およびその近傍の斜視図である。
【0012】
この実施の形態の自動販売機は、図1に示すように、販売機本体1の内部に、商品を上下方向に積層収納する複数の商品コラム2を横一列に備えるとともに、各商品コラム2の下方に払出機構3を備えたもので、各商品コラム2内に箱状にパッケージした商品を積層収納し、払出機構3により最下位のものから順に払い出して販売する。
【0013】
各商品コラム2は、左右側面が仕切板4により形成されるとともに、上面が天井板5で塞がれ、後面が背板6により塞がれ、前面が商品コラム2内に商品を補充するよう開放され、下方に払出機構3が配置されている。これら仕切板4と、天井板5と、背板6と、払出機構3の上面とで区画される各商品コラム2内部の空間が商品収納部を構成する。図1は扉体7を開放した状態を示す。
【0014】
各商品コラム2の一側(図1において左側)の仕切板4には、図2に示すように、後述の第1の支持部材10Aを取り付けた時に、払出機構3上面との間に商品s1個分の高さ寸法よりやや大きめの間隔が開く位置と、商品コラム2の商品収納部の上下方向略中間の位置の2箇所の、商品コラム2の前面に臨むよう、商品コラム2前面に沿って取付板9A、9Bが突設され、それらの取付板9A、9Bに差し込むことにより第1および第2の支持部材10A、10Bが取り付けられている。
【0015】
第1の支持部材10Aは、下側の取付板9Aに取り付けられ、払出機構3上面から商品の高さ寸法よりやや大きめの間隔を開けて商品コラム2の商品収納部前面に位置する。また、第2の支持部材10Bは、上側の取付板9Bに取り付けられ、商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の上下方向略中間に位置する。
【0016】
そして、各商品コラム2の前面には、第1の支持部材10Aと、該第1の支持部材10Aの上方に所定の間隔をおいて設けられた第2の支持部材10Bとの間に、上下方向に第1のガイドロッド11A(ガイド部材)が架設され、天井板5と、第2の支持部材10Bとの間に、第1のガイドロッド11Aに略連続して上下方向に第2のガイドロッド11Bが架設されている。
【0017】
第1のガイドロッド11Aは、直棒状の部材で、下端部が商品コラム2の左右方向の中心に対し一側(図2において左側)に偏位した位置で第1の支持部材10Aにより支持され、上端部が商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中心付近と該中心に対し一側(図2において左側)に偏位した位置との間を移動可能なように第2の支持部材10Bにより支持されている。
【0018】
また、第2のガイドロッド11Bは、上端部が2箇所においてL字状および逆L字状に折り曲げられクランク状とされた棒状の部材で、そのクランク状の上端部先端が商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に対し一側(図2において左側)に偏位した位置で天井板5に支持され、下端部が商品コラム2の左右方向の中心に対し一側(図2において左側)に偏位した位置で第2の支持部材10Bに支持されている。
【0019】
第1の支持部材10Aは、図3に示すように、後部に上方に開口した摺鉢状の支持穴12Aを備えており、この支持穴12Aに第1のガイドロッド11Aの下端部が嵌まり込むことで、第1のガイドロッド11の下端部が支持される。
【0020】
第2の支持部材10Bは、図4に示すように、後部に摺鉢状の支持穴12Bを備えており、この支持穴12Bに第2のガイドロッド11Bの下端部が嵌まり込むことで、第2のガイドロッド11Bの下端部が支持される。また、第2の支持部材10Bの前面側下部には、第1のガイドロッド11Aの上端部を左右移動自在に支持する支持部13が設けられ、さらに、第2の支持部材10Bの前部には、第1のガイドロッド11Aの上端部を商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中心側へ付勢する付勢手段としてのバネ部材14が配置されている。
【0021】
第1の支持部材10Aおよび第2の支持部材10Bの支持穴12A、12Bは、商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に対し一側(図2において左側)に偏位した位置に設けられている。
【0022】
また、天井板5には、クランク状に折り曲げられた第2のガイドロッド11Bの先端が嵌まり込んで回動可能に支持される支持孔15が設けられるとともに、第2のガイドロッド11Bの直棒部上端を商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に向け付勢するバネ部材16が設けられている。第2のガイドロッド11Bは、クランク状の上端部先端が天井板5の支持孔15に回動可能に支持され、直棒部上端がバネ部材16により商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に向け付勢される。
【0023】
第1のガイドロッド11Aは、下端部が第1の支持部材10Aの支持穴12Aに支持され、上端部が第2の支持部材10Bの支持部13に左右方向に移動可能に支持されてバネ部材14により商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中央に向けて付勢され、販売待機時および販売時には、バネ部材14の付勢力により、上端部が商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中央付近まで移動して、該第1のガイドロッド11Aが面する部分の商品sの前倒れや飛び出しを防止する倒れ防止位置に保持され、商品の補充作業時には、第1のガイドロッド11Aの上端部を商品収納部前面の左右方向一側(図2において左側)へスライド移動させることにより、第1のガイドロッド11Aを下端を支点として揺動させ、商品収納部前面を開放して商品sの補充を許容する退避位置へと変換可能である。
【0024】
また、第2のガイドロッド11Bは、下端部が第2の支持部材10Bの支持穴12Bに支持され、クランク状の上端部先端が天井板5の支持孔15に回動可能に支持されて、直棒部上端がバネ部材16により商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に向け付勢され、販売待機時および販売時には、バネ部材16の付勢力により、直棒部上端が商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中央付近まで移動して、該第2のガイドロッド11Bが面する部分の商品sの前倒れや飛び出しを防止する倒れ防止位置に保持され、商品の補充作業時には、第2のガイドロッド11Bの直棒部上方部分を商品収納部前面の左右方向一側(図2において左側)へクランク移動させることにより、第2のガイドロッド11Bを下端を支点として揺動させ、商品収納部前面を開放して商品sの補充を許容する退避位置へと変換可能である。
【0025】
第1の支持部材10Aの取付位置は、払出機構3上面との間に商品sの高さ寸法よりやや大きめの間隔が開く位置である。第1の支持部材10Aはこの位置で第2の支持部材10Bとの間に第1のガイドロッド11Aを支持するともに、それ自体が商品sの飛び出しを防止する。
【0026】
また、第2の支持部材10Bの取付位置は、商品コラム2の商品収納部内に積み重ねた商品sが前方へ倒れ易くなる高さ位置であり、図示の例では商品収納部上下方向略中間の位置である。なお、後述のように、商品sが前倒れを起こしやすい複数の位置に前記構成の第2の支持部材10Bは設ける場合もある。第2の支持部材10Bはこうした位置で天井板5との間に第2のガイドロッド11Bを支持するとともに、それ自体が補充作業時および販売待機時ならびに販売時の商品sの前倒れや飛び出しを防止する。
【0027】
この自動販売機に商品を補充する時は、まず、第1のガイドロッド11Aの上端部を手で押し、あるいは補充する商品sで押して、図2において左側へスライド移動させ、第1のガイドロッド11Aを商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の下方部分を開放する退避位置に保持し、商品コラム2の商品収納部に前面側から、第1のガイドロッド11Aを避けるように傾けつつ商品sを装入し、水平に戻して上下に積み重ねる。
【0028】
そして、第2の支持部材10Bの取付位置付近まで商品sを装填すると、第1のガイドロッド11Aから手を離し、あるいは手に持った商品sを第1のガイドロッド11Aから離すことにより、第1のガイドロッド11Aの上端部を、第2の支持部材10Bに設けられているバネ部材14の作用によって商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中央付近まで戻し、第1のガイドロッド11Aを、該第1のガイドロッド11Aが面する部分の商品sの前倒れや飛び出しを防止する倒れ防止位置に保持させる。これで商品コラム2の商品収納部の第2の支持部材10Bより下方の部分での商品補充が終了する。
【0029】
こうして第2の支持部材10Bより下方での商品補充が終了すると、さらに商品コラム2の商品収納部の第2の支持部材10Bより上方の部分に商品sを補充するため、第2のガイドロッド11Bの上部を手で押し、あるいは補充する商品で押して、第2図において左側へスライド移動させ、第2のガイドロッド11Bを、商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の上方部分を開放する退避位置に保持し、商品コラム2の商品収納部に前面側から,第2のガイドロッド11Bを避けるように傾けつつ商品sを装入し、水平に戻して上下に積み重ねる。この時、第1のガイドロッド11Aは倒れ防止位置にあるため、商品収納部の第2の支持部材10Bより下方の部分に収納されている商品が、前倒れを起こすのを防止することができる。
【0030】
そして、商品コラム2の天井板5付近まで商品sを補充し、その商品コラム2の商品補充が終了すると、第2のガイドロッド11Bから手を離し、あるいは手に持った商品sを第2のガイドロッド11Bから離すことにより、第2のガイドロッド11Bの直棒部上方部分を、天井板5に設けられているバネ部材16の作用によって商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中央付近まで戻し、第2のガイドロッド11Bを、該第2のガイドロッド11Bが面する部分の商品sの前倒れや飛び出しを防止する倒れ防止位置に保持させる。これでその商品コラム2の商品収納部への商品補充作業が全て終了する。
【0031】
第1のガイドロッド11Aおよび第2のガイドロッド11Bは、それぞれバネ部材14、16によって倒れ防止位置方向へ付勢されているため、商品補充作業後には自動的に退避位置から倒れ防止位置へと戻る。そのため、戻し忘れが生じない。
【0032】
なお、この実施の形態は、商品コラム2の収納部前面に、個別に商品の前倒れを防止する倒れ防止位置と商品の補充を許容する退避位置とに変換可能なガイド部材として、第1のガイドロッド11Aと第2のガイドロッド11Bの二つを上下方向に略連続した配置で設けたもので、それら二つのガイドロッド11A、11Bを支持するため、第1の支持部材10Aと第2の支持部材10Bの二つを設け、第2の支持部材10Bは、商品が前倒れを起こしやすい商品収納部上下方向略中間の位置に設け、第1のガイドロッド11Aは第1の支持部材10Aと第2の支持部材10Bの間に架設し、第2のガイドロッド11Bは第2の支持部材10Bと商品コラム2の天井板5の間に架設しているが、商品コラム2の縦寸法や商品の種類等によっては、三つ以上に分割した配置で上下に略連続してガイド部材を設け、それら三つ以上のガイド部材をそれぞれ個別に倒れ防止位置と退避位置とに変換可能としてもよく、その場合、商品が前倒れを起こしやすい複数の位置にそれぞれ前記第2の支持部材10Bを設け、それら複数箇所の第2の支持部材10Bの間に前記構成の第1のガイドロッド11Aを架設するとよい。
【0033】
(第2の実施の形態)
図6は本発明の第2の実施の形態の自動販売機の扉開放時の正面図であり、図7は商品コラムの正面図、図8は第1の支持部材およびその近傍の正面図(a)および側面視断面図(b)、図9は第2の支持部材およびその近傍の正面図(a)および側面視断面図(b)、図10は第1のガイドロッドの正面図である。
【0034】
この実施の形態の自動販売機は、図6に示すように、第1の実施の形態と同様、販売機本体1の内部に、商品を上下方向に積層収納する複数の商品コラム2を横一列に備えるとともに、各商品コラム2の下方に払出機構3を備えたもので、各商品コラム2内に箱状にパッケージした商品を積層収納し、払出機構3により最下位のものから順に払い出して販売する。
【0035】
そして、やはり各商品コラム2は、左右側面が仕切板4により形成されるとともに、上面が天井板5で塞がれ、後面が背板6により塞がれ、前面が商品コラム2内に商品を補充するよう開放され、下方に払出機構3が配置され、これら仕切板4と、天井板5と、背板6と、払出機構3の上面とで区画される各商品コラム2内部の空間が商品収納部を構成する。図6は扉体7を開放した状態を示す。
【0036】
また、やはり各商品コラム2の一側(図6において左側)の仕切板4には、図7に示すように、後述の第1の支持部材20Aを取り付けた時に払出機構3上面との間に商品s1個分の高さ寸法よりやや大きめの間隔が開く位置と、商品コラム2の商品収納部の上下方向略中間の位置の2箇所に、商品コラム2の前面に臨むよう、商品コラム2前面に沿って取付板9A、9Bが突設され、それらの取付板9A、9Bに差し込むことにより第1および第2の支持部材20A、20Bが取り付けられている。
【0037】
第1の支持部材20Aは、下側の取付板9Aに取り付けられ、払出機構3上面から商品の高さ寸法よりやや大きめの間隔を開けて商品コラム2の商品収納部前面に位置する。また、第2の支持部材20Bは、上側の取付板9Bに取り付けられ、商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の上下方向略中間に位置する。
【0038】
そして、各商品コラム2の前面には、第1の支持部材20Aと、該第1の支持部材20Aの上方に所定の間隔をおいて設けられた第2の支持部材20Bとの間に、上下方向に第1のガイドロッド21A(ガイド部材)が架設され、天井板5と、第2の支持部材20Bとの間に、第1のガイドロッド21Aに略連続して上下方向に第2のガイドロッド21Bが架設されている。
【0039】
第1のガイドロッド21Aは、直棒状で下略半分がバネ部22を構成し、そのバネ部22の下端に形成されたフック部23を、商品コラム2の左右方向の中心に対し一側(図7において左側)にやや偏位した位置で第1の支持部材20Aに引っかけることにより下端で支持され、上端に形成したフック部24を商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に対し同一側(図7において左側)にやや偏位した位置で第2の支持部材20Bに引っかけることにより支持されている。
【0040】
また、第2のガイドロッド21Bは、第1の実施の形態の第2のガイドロッド11Bと同様、上端部が2箇所においてL字状および逆L字状に折り曲げられクランク状とされた棒状の部材で、そのクランク状の上端部先端が商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に対し一側(図7において左側)に偏位した位置で天井板5に支持され、下端部が商品コラム2の左右方向の中心に対し一側(図7において左側)に偏位した位置で第2の支持部材20Bに支持されている。
【0041】
第1の支持部材20Aは、図8に示すように、後面側上部に第1のガイドロッド21A下端のフック部23を引っかける係止部25を備えており、この係止部25に第1のガイドロッド20A下端のフック部23を引っかけることで第1のガイドロッド20Aの下端部が支持される。
【0042】
第2の支持部材20Bは、図9に示すように、後部に摺鉢状の支持穴12を備えており、この支持穴12に第2のガイドロッド21Bの下端部が嵌まり込むことで、第2のガイドロッド21Bの下端部が支持される。また、第2の支持部材20Bの前面側下部には、第1のガイドロッド21A上端のフック部24を引っかける係止部26を備えており、この係止部26に第1のガイドロッド20A上端のフック部24を引っかけることで第1のガイドロッド20Aの上端部が支持される。
【0043】
第2の支持部材20Bの支持穴12は、商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に対し一側(図7において左側)に偏位した位置に設けられている。
【0044】
また、天井板5には、クランク状に折り曲げられた第2のガイドロッド21Bの先端が嵌まり込んで回動可能に支持される支持孔15が設けられるとともに、第2のガイドロッド21Bの直棒部上端を商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に向け付勢するバネ部材16が設けられている。第2のガイドロッド21Bは、クランク状の上端部先端が天井板5の支持孔15に回動可能に支持され、直棒部上端がバネ部材16により商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に向け付勢される。
【0045】
第1のガイドロッド21Aは、下端のフック部23が第1の支持部材20Aの係止部25に支持され、上端のフック部24が第2の支持部材20Bの係止部26に支持され、販売待機時および販売時には、直棒状の上部とバネ部22とが商品コラム2の左右方向の中心に対し一側(図7において左側)にやや偏位した位置で上下に一直線をなして、該第1のガイドロッド21Aが面する部分の商品sの前倒れや飛び出しを防止する倒れ防止位置に保持され、商品の補充作業時には、第1のガイドロッド21Aのバネ部22を押して商品収納部前面の左右方向一側(図7において左側)へ撓ませることにより、商品収納部前面を開放して商品sの補充を許容する退避位置へと変換可能である。
【0046】
また、第2のガイドロッド21Bは、下端部が第2の支持部材20Bの支持穴12に支持され、クランク状の上端部先端が天井板5の支持孔15に回動可能に支持されて、直棒部上端がバネ部材16により商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に向け付勢され、販売待機時および販売時には、バネ部材16の付勢力により、直棒部上端が商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中央付近まで移動して、該第2のガイドロッド21Bが面する部分の商品sの前倒れや飛び出しを防止する倒れ防止位置に保持され、商品の補充作業時には、第2のガイドロッド21Bの直棒部上方部分を商品収納部前面の左右方向一側(図7において左側)へクランク移動させることにより、第2のガイドロッド21Bを下端を支点として揺動させ、商品収納部前面を開放して商品sの補充を許容する退避位置へと変換可能である。
【0047】
第1の支持部材20Aの取付位置は、払出機構3上面との間に商品sの高さ寸法よりやや大きめの間隔が開く位置である。第1の支持部材20Aはこの位置で第2の支持部材20Bとの間に第1のガイドロッド21Aを支持するともに、それ自体が商品sの飛び出しを防止する。
【0048】
また、第2の支持部材20Bの取付位置は、商品コラム2の商品収納部内に積み重ねた商品sが前方へ倒れ易くなる高さ位置であり、図示の例では商品収納部上下方向略中間の位置である。なお、後述のように、商品sが前倒れを起こしやすい複数の位置に前記構成の第2の支持部材20Bは設ける場合もある。第2の支持部材20Bはこうした位置で天井板5との間に第2のガイドロッド21Bを支持するとともに、それ自体が補充作業時および販売待機時ならびに販売時の商品sの前倒れや飛び出しを防止する。
【0049】
この自動販売機に商品を補充する時は、まず、第1のガイドロッド21Aのバネ部22を手で押し、あるいは補充する商品sで押して、バネ部22を撓ませ、第1のガイドロッド21Aを図7において左側へ押し広げて、商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の下方部分を開放する退避位置に保持し、商品コラム2の商品収納部に前面側から、第1のガイドロッド21Aを避けるように傾けつつ商品sを装入し、水平に戻して上下に積み重ねる。
【0050】
そして、第2の支持部材20Bの取付位置付近まで商品sを装填すると、第1のガイドロッド21Aから手を離し、あるいは手に持った商品sを第1のガイドロッド21Aから離すことにより、第1のガイドロッド21Aを、バネ部22の張力によって商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中央よりやや偏位した位置まで戻し、第1のガイドロッド21Aを、該第1のガイドロッド21Aが面する部分の商品sの前倒れや飛び出しを防止する倒れ防止位置に保持させる。これで商品コラム2の商品収納部の第2の支持部材20Bより下方の部分での商品補充が終了する。
【0051】
こうして第2の支持部材20Bより下方での商品補充が終了すると、さらに商品コラム2の商品収納部の第2の支持部材20Bより上方の部分に商品sを補充するため、第2のガイドロッド21Bの上部を手で押し、あるいは補充する商品で押して、第7図において左側へスライド移動させ、第2のガイドロッド21Bを、商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の上方部分を開放する退避位置に保持し、商品コラム2の商品収納部に前面側から,第2のガイドロッド21Bを避けるように傾けつつ商品sを装入し、水平に戻して上下に積み重ねる。この時、第1のガイドロッド21Aは倒れ防止位置にあるため、商品収納部の第2の支持部材20Bより下方の部分に収納されている商品が、前倒れを起こすのを防止することができる。
【0052】
そして、商品コラム2の天井板5付近まで商品sを補充し、その商品コラム2の商品補充が終了すると、第2のガイドロッド21Bから手を離し、あるいは手に持った商品sを第2のガイドロッド21Bから離すことにより、第2のガイドロッド21Bの直棒部上方部分を、天井板5に設けられているバネ部材16の作用によって商品コラム2の商品収納部前面の左右方向中央付近まで戻し、第2のガイドロッド21Bを、該第2のガイドロッド21Bが面する部分の商品sの前倒れや飛び出しを防止する倒れ防止位置に保持させる。これでその商品コラム2の商品収納部への商品補充作業が全て終了する。
【0053】
第1のガイドロッド21Aはそれ自身のバネ部22の張力によって倒れ防止位置を保持し、また、第2のガイドロッド21Bはバネ部材16によって倒れ防止位置方向へ付勢されているため、商品補充作業後には自動的に退避位置から倒れ防止位置へと戻る。そのため、戻し忘れが生じない。
【0054】
なお、この第2の実施の形態では、第1のガイドロッド21Aのみをバネ部22を備えたものとしているが、第2のガイドロッド21Bもまたバネ部16を備えたものとしてもよい。その場合、第2の支持部材20Bの後面側に、支持穴12の代わりに、第1の支持部材20Aの係止部26と同様の支持部を設けて、第2のガイドロッド21Bの上端のフック部を引っかけ、天井部5に支持孔15の代わりに、第2のガイドロッド21Bの上下端を引っかけることができる係止部を設ければよく、そうすることでガイド部材支持部の構成がより簡単になる。
【0055】
また、この第2の実施の形態でも、第1の実施の形態と同様、商品コラム2の上下寸法や商品の種類等によっては、三つ以上に分割した配置で上下に略連続してガイド部材を設け、それら三つ以上のガイド部材をそれぞれ個別に倒れ防止位置と退避位置とに変換可能としてもよく、その場合、商品が前倒れを起こしやすい複数の位置にそれぞれ前記第2の支持部材20Bを設け、それら複数箇所の第2の支持部材20Bの間に前記構成のバネ部材22を備えた第1のガイドロッド21Aを架設するとよい。
【0056】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から明らかなように、本発明によれば、自動販売機の商品コラムの商品収納部前面に、それぞれ個別に商品の前倒れを防止する倒れ防止位置と商品の補充を許容する退避位置とに変換可能とした複数のガイド部材を、上下方向に略連続して並ぶ配置で設けることにより、商品販売待機時および販売時に商品の前倒れを防止するようにできるとともに、商品の補充作業時にガイド部材を一つずつ退避位置へ移動させ、他のガイド部材は倒れ防止位置に保持しつつ商品を補充するようにでき、補充時の商品の前倒れを防止できる。
【0057】
そして、各ガイド部材は、商品コラムの商品収納部前面の所定位置に支持部材を設けて、該支持部材により倒れ防止位置と退避位置とに変換可能なように支持するようにでき、また、支持部材を商品コラムの前面の上下方向に間隔をおいた複数箇所に設け、それら支持部材の間にガイド部材を架設するようにでき、最上部のガイド部材は、商品コラム上面の天井板と該天井板に最も近い位置に設けられた支持部材との間に架設するようにでき、そうすることで、容易且つ簡単な構成でガイド部材を支持でき、縦積み商品コラムへの商品補充時に商品の前倒れを確実に防止しつつ、商品を容易に補充できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図1】本発明の第1の実施の形態の自動販売機の扉開放時の正面図である。
【図2】本発明の第1の実施の形態の自動販売機の商品コラムの正面図である。
【図3】本発明の第1の実施の形態の自動販売機における第1の支持部材およびその近傍の正面図(a)および側面視断面図(b)である。
【図4】本発明の第1の実施の形態の自動販売機における第2の支持部材およびその近傍の正面図(a)および側面視断面図(b)である。
【図5】本発明の第1の実施の形態の自動販売機における第2の支持部材およびその近傍の斜視図である。
【図6】本発明の第2の実施の形態の自動販売機の扉開放時の正面図である。
【図7】本発明の第2の実施の形態の自動販売機の商品コラムの正面図である。
【図8】本発明の第1の実施の形態の自動販売機における第1の支持部材およびその近傍の正面図(a)および側面視断面図(b)である。
【図9】本発明の第2の実施の形態の自動販売機における第2の支持部材およびその近傍の正面図(a)および側面視断面図(b)である。
【図10】本発明の第2の実施の形態の自動販売機における第1のガイドロッドの正面図である。
【符号の説明】
1 販売機本体
2 商品コラム
3 払出機構
4 仕切板
5 天井板
9A、9B 取付板
10A、20A 第1の支持部材
10B、20B 第2の支持部材
11A、21A 第1のガイドロッド
11B、21B 第2のガイドロッド
14、16 バネ部材
22 バネ部
s 商品
[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vending machine including a vertically stacked product column in which products are stacked and stored in the vertical direction and paid out in order from the lowest product, and in particular, includes a member that prevents the product from falling forward during product replenishment. Related to vending machines.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For vending machines that store and sell box-packaged products in vertically stacked product columns, the front of the product column, for example, is usually used to prevent the products from falling forward or popping out during product sales standby and sales. A vertical guide rod is provided at the approximate center. This guide rod is moved to the vicinity of the side of the product column when the product is replenished, and the front of the product column is opened so that the product can be replenished.
[0003]
However, if a product rod is installed on the front side of the product column to prevent the product from falling forward, the product rod will be placed on the side of the product column to replenish the product if the product column is large and the number of products to be stored is large. If a certain number of products remain in the product column when moved to the vicinity, the remaining stacked product will lose its balance and fall forward when the guide rod moves to the side. In addition, when adding supplementary products, the balance may be lost and the product may fall forward.
[0004]
Therefore, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-307959, the product column protrudes from the front of the product column at a predetermined position on the partition plate of the product column and can be retracted from the front of the product column. Even when a tipping prevention part that contacts the front end of the guide rod is provided, or when the guide rod is moved sideways to a predetermined position of the guide rod as a product pop-out prevention member as described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-2488. It has been proposed to provide a product drop prevention part so as to partially protrude from the front of the product column and prevent the product from falling.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a method, when the guide rod is moved to the retracted position when replenishing the product, it is possible to prevent the product from falling forward at the position where the fall prevention member or the product fall prevention unit is provided. However, the fall prevention member and the product fall prevention part are only located at a part of the front of the product column, and when the guide rod moves to the retracted position at a position away from the fall prevention member or the product fall prevention part, There was nothing to support the front of the product, and it was not possible to prevent the product from falling forward from such a position.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is possible to reliably prevent a product from falling forward when a product is replenished to a vertically stacked product column, and to provide a vending machine that can easily replenish the product. The purpose is to provide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention includes a product column for stacking and storing a predetermined number of products in the vertical direction, and the product column is formed with partition plates on the left and right sides, the front surface is opened, and the products are aligned along the partition plates. A plurality of guide members are provided in an arrangement in which the vending machines that are stacked and stored in order and are paid out in order from the lowest product in the product column are arranged substantially continuously in the vertical direction on the front of the product storage part of the product column, Each guide member can be converted into a fall prevention position that prevents the product from falling forward and a retreat position that allows the product to be replenished individually at a plurality of positions spaced in the vertical direction on the front of the product storage section of the product column. Support members are provided to support each guide member so that each support member is swingable with the lower end as a fulcrum at a position shifted to one side with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage section of the product column. You Sliding bowl-shaped supporting hole The A support member that supports the lower end of each guide member by the support hole, and at least a part of the guide member is installed between the support members, and the guide member is installed between the support members. The upper support member of both the support members supported from the upper side and the lower side has a support portion that supports the upper end portion of the guide member so as to be movable left and right, and the upper end portion of the guide member is supported by the commodity column. A biasing means for biasing the front side of the product storage unit toward the center side in the left-right direction is provided, and a plurality of arrangements are arranged substantially continuously in the vertical direction on the front side of the product storage unit of the product column. A guide member is provided, and the guide member is retracted at a plurality of positions spaced in the vertical direction on the front of the product storage section of the product column to prevent the product from falling forward and to allow replenishment of the product. In position Support members are provided so as to be replaceable, and each support member supports and supports the lower end of each guide member at a position displaced to one side with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage section of the product column. At least a part of the guide member is installed between the members, and the guide member installed between the support members is a straight bar shape, and the lower half constitutes a spring portion and is hooked at the upper end and the lower end. Of the two support members that support the guide member installed between the support members from above and below, the upper support member is hooked to hook the hook portion at the upper end of the installed guide member. The support member on the lower side is provided with a locking portion that hooks the hook portion at the lower end of the installed guide member.
[0008]
In this way, on the front of the product storage section of the product column of the vending machine, there are a plurality of guide members that can be converted into a fall prevention position that prevents the product from falling forward and a retreat position that allows replenishment of the product. By placing them in an arrangement that is arranged almost continuously in the vertical direction, each guide member is placed in a position to prevent collapse during product standby and sales, and most of the products stacked and stored in the product column are supported from the front. The guide members can be moved one by one from the lower guide member one by one to the retreat position so that the plurality of guide members are not at the retreat position at the same time during the product replenishment operation. Thus, before the product replenishment amount reaches the height at which the product falls forward, the guide member is returned to the fall prevention position, so that the product can be prevented from falling forward during replenishment.
[0009]
Each guide member is provided with a support member at a predetermined position on the front surface of the product storage portion of the product column, and can be supported by the support member so as to be convertible between a fall prevention position and a retracted position. Then, by providing support members at a plurality of positions spaced in the vertical direction on the front surface of the product column, a guide member can be installed between the support members, and the uppermost guide among the guide members can be provided. The member can be installed between the ceiling plate on the upper surface of the commodity column and a support member provided at a position closest to the ceiling plate.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
(First embodiment)
1 is a front view of the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the door is opened, FIG. 2 is a front view of the commodity column, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the first support member and its vicinity ( FIG. 4A is a front view of the second supporting member and its vicinity, FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the second supporting member and its vicinity, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second supporting member and its vicinity. FIG.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine according to this embodiment includes a plurality of product columns 2 for storing and stacking products in a vertical direction inside a vending machine main body 1. The product is provided with a payout mechanism 3 below, and the products packaged in a box shape are stacked and stored in each product column 2, and the payout mechanism 3 pays out and sells them in order from the lowest one.
[0013]
Each product column 2 is formed with partition plates 4 on the left and right side surfaces, the upper surface is closed with a ceiling plate 5, the rear surface is closed with a back plate 6, and the front surface is replenished with products in the product column 2. The payout mechanism 3 is opened and disposed below. The space inside each product column 2 defined by the partition plate 4, the ceiling plate 5, the back plate 6, and the upper surface of the payout mechanism 3 constitutes a product storage unit. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the door body 7 is opened.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 2, the partition plate 4 on one side (left side in FIG. 1) of each product column 2 has a product s1 between the upper surface of the payout mechanism 3 when a first support member 10A described later is attached. Along the front of the product column 2 so as to face the front of the product column 2 at a position where a space slightly larger than the height of the product is opened and at a position approximately in the middle of the product storage section of the product column 2 in the vertical direction. The mounting plates 9A and 9B are projected, and the first and second support members 10A and 10B are mounted by being inserted into the mounting plates 9A and 9B.
[0015]
The first support member 10 </ b> A is attached to the lower attachment plate 9 </ b> A, and is positioned in front of the product storage portion of the product column 2 with a space slightly larger than the product height dimension from the upper surface of the dispensing mechanism 3. The second support member 10 </ b> B is attached to the upper attachment plate 9 </ b> B, and is positioned approximately in the middle in the vertical direction on the front surface of the product storage portion of the product column 2.
[0016]
On the front surface of each product column 2, there is an upper and lower portion between the first support member 10 </ b> A and a second support member 10 </ b> B provided at a predetermined interval above the first support member 10 </ b> A. A first guide rod 11A (guide member) is installed in the direction, and a second guide is provided between the ceiling plate 5 and the second support member 10B in a vertical direction substantially continuously with the first guide rod 11A. A rod 11B is installed.
[0017]
The first guide rod 11A is a straight rod-like member, and is supported by the first support member 10A at a position where the lower end portion is displaced to one side (left side in FIG. 2) with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the product column 2. The second support member 10B so that the upper end portion can move between the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage portion of the product column 2 and a position displaced to one side (left side in FIG. 2) with respect to the center. Is supported by
[0018]
The second guide rod 11B is a rod-like member whose upper end is bent into two L-shapes and inverted L-shapes at two locations to form a crank shape, and the tip of the crank-shaped upper end portion is the product of the product column 2. It is supported by the ceiling plate 5 at a position displaced to one side (left side in FIG. 2) with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the front of the storage unit, and the lower end is one side (left side in FIG. 2) with respect to the left-right center of the product column 2 ) Is supported by the second support member 10 </ b> B at a position deviated to).
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 3, the first support member 10A is provided with a mortar-shaped support hole 12A opened upward in the rear portion, and the lower end portion of the first guide rod 11A is fitted into the support hole 12A. As a result, the lower end of the first guide rod 11 is supported.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 4, the second support member 10 </ b> B includes a scallop-shaped support hole 12 </ b> B at the rear, and the lower end of the second guide rod 11 </ b> B is fitted into the support hole 12 </ b> B. The lower end portion of the second guide rod 11B is supported. Further, a support portion 13 that supports the upper end portion of the first guide rod 11A so as to be movable left and right is provided at the lower portion on the front surface side of the second support member 10B, and further on the front portion of the second support member 10B. A spring member 14 is disposed as a biasing means for biasing the upper end portion of the first guide rod 11A toward the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage portion of the product column 2.
[0021]
The support holes 12A and 12B of the first support member 10A and the second support member 10B are provided at positions shifted to one side (left side in FIG. 2) with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage portion of the product column 2. It has been.
[0022]
Further, the ceiling plate 5 is provided with a support hole 15 in which the tip of the second guide rod 11B bent into a crank shape is fitted and supported so as to be rotatable, and the ceiling plate 5 is directly connected to the second guide rod 11B. A spring member 16 is provided to urge the upper end of the rod portion toward the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage portion of the product column 2. The second guide rod 11B has a crank-shaped upper end that is pivotally supported by the support hole 15 of the ceiling plate 5 and a straight member that has an upper end directed toward the center in the left-right direction on the front surface of the product storage unit. Be forced.
[0023]
The first guide rod 11A has a lower end portion supported by the support hole 12A of the first support member 10A, and an upper end portion supported by the support portion 13 of the second support member 10B so as to be movable in the left-right direction. 14 is biased toward the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage section of the product column 2, and the upper end of the front of the product storage section of the product column 2 is biased by the biasing force of the spring member 14 at the time of sale standby and during sales. It moves to the vicinity of the center and is held at a fall-preventing position that prevents the product s from falling forward or jumping out at the part facing the first guide rod 11A. When replenishing the product, the upper end of the first guide rod 11A The first guide rod 11A is swung with the lower end as a fulcrum, and the front of the product storage unit is opened by sliding the unit to the left and right side of the front of the product storage unit (left side in FIG. 2). It can be converted into a retracted position for allowing the replenishment of goods s.
[0024]
The second guide rod 11B has a lower end supported by the support hole 12B of the second support member 10B and a crank-shaped upper end tip rotatably supported by the support hole 15 of the ceiling plate 5, The upper end of the straight bar portion is urged toward the left and right center of the front surface of the product storage unit by the spring member 16, and the upper end of the straight bar unit is urged by the spring member 16 at the time of sale standby and at the time of sale. It moves to the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction of the front surface, and is held at a position that prevents the product s from falling forward or jumping out at the portion facing the second guide rod 11B. The upper part of the straight rod portion of the rod 11B is crank-moved to one side in the left-right direction (left side in FIG. 2) of the front surface of the product storage portion, thereby swinging the second guide rod 11B with the lower end as a fulcrum. Open to be converted into a retracted position for allowing the replenishment of products s.
[0025]
The mounting position of the first support member 10 </ b> A is a position where an interval slightly larger than the height dimension of the product s is opened between the upper surface of the payout mechanism 3. The first support member 10A supports the first guide rod 11A between the first support member 10A and the second support member 10B at this position, and prevents the commodity s from popping out by itself.
[0026]
Further, the mounting position of the second support member 10B is a height position at which the products s stacked in the product storage portion of the product column 2 are easy to fall forward, and in the illustrated example, a position approximately in the middle of the product storage portion in the vertical direction. It is. As will be described later, the second support member 10B having the above-described configuration may be provided at a plurality of positions at which the product s is likely to fall forward. The second support member 10B supports the second guide rod 11B between itself and the ceiling plate 5 at such a position, and itself causes the product s to fall forward or jump out at the time of replenishment work, standby for sale, and sale. To prevent.
[0027]
When replenishing products to the vending machine, first, the upper end portion of the first guide rod 11A is pushed by hand or pushed by the replenished product s and slid to the left in FIG. 11A is held in a retracted position where the lower part of the front of the product storage section of the product column 2 is opened, and the product s is mounted on the product storage section of the product column 2 from the front side while being inclined so as to avoid the first guide rod 11A. And put it back horizontally and stack it up and down.
[0028]
When the product s is loaded up to the vicinity of the mounting position of the second support member 10B, the first guide rod 11A is released, or the product s held in the hand is released from the first guide rod 11A. The upper end of one guide rod 11A is returned to the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage portion of the product column 2 by the action of the spring member 14 provided on the second support member 10B, and the first guide rod 11A is The product s in the portion facing the first guide rod 11A is held at a fall prevention position that prevents the product s from falling forward or jumping out. This completes the product replenishment at the portion of the product storage section of the product column 2 below the second support member 10B.
[0029]
When the replenishment of the product below the second support member 10B is completed in this way, the product s is replenished to a portion above the second support member 10B of the product storage portion of the product column 2, and therefore the second guide rod 11B. The upper part of the product column 2 is pushed by hand or by a product to be replenished, and is slid to the left in FIG. 2, and the second guide rod 11B is held in a retracted position where the upper part of the product storage part front of the product column 2 is opened. Then, the product s is inserted into the product storage portion of the product column 2 from the front side while being inclined so as to avoid the second guide rod 11B, and returned to the horizontal and stacked up and down. At this time, since the first guide rod 11A is in the fall-preventing position, it is possible to prevent the product stored in the portion below the second support member 10B of the product storage unit from falling forward. .
[0030]
Then, the product s is replenished to the vicinity of the ceiling plate 5 of the product column 2, and when the product replenishment of the product column 2 is finished, the hand is released from the second guide rod 11B or the product s held in the hand is stored in the second column. By separating from the guide rod 11B, the upper portion of the straight rod portion of the second guide rod 11B is moved to the center in the left-right direction on the front of the product storage portion of the product column 2 by the action of the spring member 16 provided on the ceiling plate 5. Returning, the second guide rod 11B is held at a fall prevention position that prevents the product s at the portion facing the second guide rod 11B from falling forward or jumping out. This completes all the product replenishment operations for the product storage section of the product column 2.
[0031]
Since the first guide rod 11A and the second guide rod 11B are urged toward the fall prevention position by the spring members 14 and 16, respectively, after the product replenishment operation, they automatically move from the retracted position to the fall prevention position. Return. Therefore, forgetting to return does not occur.
[0032]
In this embodiment, the front of the storage section of the product column 2 is a guide member that can be converted into a fall-preventing position for preventing the product from falling forward and a retracting position for allowing the product to be replenished. The guide rod 11A and the second guide rod 11B are provided in a substantially continuous arrangement in the vertical direction. In order to support the two guide rods 11A and 11B, the first support member 10A and the second guide rod 11B Two support members 10B are provided, the second support member 10B is provided at a position approximately in the middle of the product storage portion in the vertical direction where the product is likely to fall forward, and the first guide rod 11A is connected to the first support member 10A. The second guide rod 11B is installed between the second support member 10B and the second support member 10B and the ceiling plate 5 of the product column 2. Depending on the type of The guide member may be provided substantially continuously in the vertical direction in an arrangement divided into three or more, and the three or more guide members may be individually converted into a fall prevention position and a retracted position, The second support members 10B may be provided at a plurality of positions where the forward tilting is likely to occur, and the first guide rod 11A having the above-described configuration may be installed between the plurality of second support members 10B.
[0033]
(Second Embodiment)
6 is a front view of the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the door is opened, FIG. 7 is a front view of the commodity column, and FIG. 8 is a front view of the first support member and the vicinity thereof. a) and a side sectional view (b), FIG. 9 is a front view (a) and a side sectional view (b) of the second supporting member and its vicinity, and FIG. 10 is a front view of the first guide rod. .
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 6, the vending machine according to this embodiment has a plurality of product columns 2 arranged horizontally in a vertical direction in the vending machine main body 1, as in the first embodiment. In addition, each product column 2 is provided with a payout mechanism 3, and the products packaged in a box shape are stacked and stored in each product column 2, and the payout mechanism 3 pays out in order from the lowest one. To do.
[0035]
Each product column 2 is also formed with partition plates 4 on the left and right side surfaces, the upper surface is closed with a ceiling plate 5, the rear surface is closed with a back plate 6, and the front is placed in the product column 2. The dispensing mechanism 3 is opened below to be replenished, and the space inside each product column 2 defined by the partition plate 4, the ceiling plate 5, the back plate 6, and the upper surface of the dispensing mechanism 3 is a product. The storage part is configured. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the door body 7 is opened.
[0036]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the partition plate 4 on one side of each product column 2 (left side in FIG. 6) is provided between the upper surface of the dispensing mechanism 3 when a first support member 20A described later is attached. The front of the product column 2 so that it faces the front of the product column 2 at two positions: a position where the gap slightly larger than the height of the product s is opened and a position approximately in the middle of the product storage section of the product column 2 in the vertical direction. Attaching plates 9A and 9B project along the first and second supporting members 20A and 20B by being inserted into the attaching plates 9A and 9B.
[0037]
The first support member 20 </ b> A is attached to the lower mounting plate 9 </ b> A, and is positioned in front of the product storage portion of the product column 2 with a gap slightly larger than the height of the product from the upper surface of the dispensing mechanism 3. The second support member 20 </ b> B is attached to the upper attachment plate 9 </ b> B, and is positioned approximately in the vertical direction on the front surface of the product storage portion of the product column 2.
[0038]
On the front surface of each product column 2, there is an upper and lower portion between the first support member 20 </ b> A and the second support member 20 </ b> B provided at a predetermined interval above the first support member 20 </ b> A. A first guide rod 21A (guide member) is installed in the direction, and a second guide is provided between the ceiling plate 5 and the second support member 20B in a vertical direction substantially continuously with the first guide rod 21A. A rod 21B is installed.
[0039]
The first guide rod 21 </ b> A has a straight rod shape, and the lower half of the first guide rod 21 </ b> A constitutes the spring portion 22, and the hook portion 23 formed at the lower end of the spring portion 22 is positioned on one side with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the product column 2 ( The hook part 24 formed on the upper end is hooked to the first support member 20A at a position slightly deviated to the left in FIG. It is supported by being hooked on the second support member 20B at a position slightly deviated to the side (left side in FIG. 7).
[0040]
Further, the second guide rod 21B has a rod-like shape in which the upper end of the second guide rod 21B is bent into an L shape and an inverted L shape at two locations in the same manner as the second guide rod 11B of the first embodiment. The top end of the crank-shaped upper end of the member is supported by the ceiling plate 5 at a position that is displaced to one side (left side in FIG. 7) with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage portion of the product column 2, and the lower end is the product. The column 2 is supported by the second support member 20B at a position displaced to one side (left side in FIG. 7) with respect to the center of the column 2 in the left-right direction.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 8, the first support member 20 </ b> A includes a locking portion 25 that hooks the hook portion 23 at the lower end of the first guide rod 21 </ b> A at the upper portion on the rear surface side. The lower end portion of the first guide rod 20A is supported by hooking the hook portion 23 at the lower end of the guide rod 20A.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 9, the second support member 20 </ b> B includes a scallop-shaped support hole 12 at the rear, and the lower end of the second guide rod 21 </ b> B is fitted into the support hole 12. The lower end portion of the second guide rod 21B is supported. In addition, a lower portion on the front side of the second support member 20B is provided with a locking portion 26 that hooks the hook portion 24 at the upper end of the first guide rod 21A, and the upper end of the first guide rod 20A is attached to the locking portion 26. By hooking the hook portion 24, the upper end portion of the first guide rod 20A is supported.
[0043]
The support hole 12 of the second support member 20 </ b> B is provided at a position displaced to one side (left side in FIG. 7) with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage portion of the product column 2.
[0044]
Further, the ceiling plate 5 is provided with a support hole 15 in which the tip of the second guide rod 21B bent into a crank shape is fitted and supported so as to be rotatable, and the ceiling plate 5 is directly connected to the second guide rod 21B. A spring member 16 is provided to urge the upper end of the rod portion toward the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage portion of the product column 2. The second guide rod 21B has a crank-shaped upper end tip rotatably supported by the support hole 15 of the ceiling plate 5, and a straight rod portion upper end is directed by the spring member 16 toward the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage unit. Be forced.
[0045]
The first guide rod 21A has a lower end hook portion 23 supported by the locking portion 25 of the first support member 20A, and an upper end hook portion 24 supported by the locking portion 26 of the second support member 20B. At the time of waiting for sale and at the time of sale, the straight bar-shaped upper portion and the spring portion 22 are vertically aligned at a position slightly deviated to one side (left side in FIG. 7) with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the product column 2. The portion of the product s facing the first guide rod 21A is held at a fall-preventing position that prevents the product s from falling forward or jumping out, and when the product is replenished, the spring portion 22 of the first guide rod 21A is pushed to push the front of the product storage unit. Can be converted into a retracted position that allows the product s to be replenished by opening the front surface of the product storage unit.
[0046]
The second guide rod 21B has a lower end supported by the support hole 12 of the second support member 20B and a crank-shaped upper end tip that is rotatably supported by the support hole 15 of the ceiling plate 5. The upper end of the straight bar portion is urged by the spring member 16 toward the center in the left-right direction of the front surface of the product storage unit. It moves to the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction on the front surface, and is held at a position that prevents the product s from falling forward or jumping out at the part facing the second guide rod 21B. The upper part of the straight rod portion of the rod 21B is crank-moved to one side in the left-right direction (left side in FIG. 7) of the front surface of the product storage portion, thereby swinging the second guide rod 21B with the lower end as a fulcrum. The It can be converted into a retracted position for allowing the replenishment of items s and release.
[0047]
The mounting position of the first support member 20 </ b> A is a position where a gap slightly larger than the height dimension of the product s is opened between the upper surface of the dispensing mechanism 3. The first support member 20A supports the first guide rod 21A between the first support member 20A and the second support member 20B at this position, and prevents the product s from jumping out.
[0048]
Further, the mounting position of the second support member 20B is a height position at which the products s stacked in the product storage portion of the product column 2 are likely to fall forward, and in the illustrated example, a position approximately in the middle of the product storage portion in the vertical direction. It is. As will be described later, the second support member 20B having the above-described configuration may be provided at a plurality of positions at which the product s is likely to fall forward. The second support member 20B supports the second guide rod 21B between the ceiling plate 5 and the second support member 20B at such a position. To prevent.
[0049]
When replenishing a product to the vending machine, first, the spring portion 22 of the first guide rod 21A is pushed by hand or pushed by the product s to be replenished to bend the spring portion 22 and the first guide rod 21A. 7 is extended to the left side and is held in a retracted position where the lower part of the front of the product storage section of the product column 2 is opened, and the first guide rod 21A is avoided from the front side of the product storage section of the product column 2 in FIG. The product s is charged while tilting, and returned to the horizontal and stacked up and down.
[0050]
When the product s is loaded to the vicinity of the mounting position of the second support member 20B, the first guide rod 21A is released, or the product s held in the hand is released from the first guide rod 21A. 1 guide rod 21A is returned to a position slightly deviated from the center in the left-right direction on the front surface of the product storage section of the product column 2 by the tension of the spring portion 22, and the first guide rod 21A is returned to the first guide rod 21A. The product s at the facing portion is held at a fall prevention position that prevents the product s from falling forward or jumping out. This completes the product replenishment in the portion of the product storage section of the product column 2 below the second support member 20B.
[0051]
When the replenishment of the product below the second support member 20B is thus completed, the product s is replenished to a portion above the second support member 20B of the product storage portion of the product column 2, and therefore the second guide rod 21B. The upper part of the product column 2 is pushed by hand or by a product to be replenished, and is slid to the left in FIG. 7, and the second guide rod 21B is held in a retracted position where the upper part of the product storage part front of the product column 2 is opened. Then, the product s is inserted into the product storage portion of the product column 2 from the front side while being inclined so as to avoid the second guide rod 21B, and returned to the horizontal and stacked up and down. At this time, since the first guide rod 21A is in the fall prevention position, it is possible to prevent the product stored in the portion below the second support member 20B of the product storage unit from falling forward. .
[0052]
Then, the product s is replenished to the vicinity of the ceiling plate 5 of the product column 2, and when the product replenishment of the product column 2 is finished, the hand is released from the second guide rod 21B or the product s held in the hand is stored in the second column. By separating from the guide rod 21B, the upper portion of the straight rod portion of the second guide rod 21B is moved to the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction on the front of the product storage portion of the product column 2 by the action of the spring member 16 provided on the ceiling plate 5. The second guide rod 21B is returned and held at the fall-preventing position that prevents the product s at the portion facing the second guide rod 21B from falling forward or jumping out. This completes all the product replenishment operations for the product storage section of the product column 2.
[0053]
The first guide rod 21A holds the fall prevention position by the tension of its own spring portion 22, and the second guide rod 21B is urged toward the fall prevention position by the spring member 16, so that the product is replenished. After the work, it automatically returns from the retracted position to the fall prevention position. Therefore, forgetting to return does not occur.
[0054]
In the second embodiment, only the first guide rod 21A is provided with the spring portion 22, but the second guide rod 21B may also be provided with the spring portion 16. In that case, instead of the support hole 12, a support portion similar to the locking portion 26 of the first support member 20A is provided on the rear surface side of the second support member 20B, and the upper end of the second guide rod 21B is provided. Instead of the support hole 15 in the ceiling portion 5, a hook portion that can hook the upper and lower ends of the second guide rod 21 </ b> B may be provided on the ceiling portion 5, and the configuration of the guide member support portion can be thereby achieved. It becomes easier.
[0055]
Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, depending on the vertical dimension of the product column 2, the type of product, etc., the guide member is substantially continuously up and down in an arrangement divided into three or more. And the three or more guide members may be individually converted into a fall prevention position and a retracted position, and in this case, the second support member 20B is provided at a plurality of positions where the product is likely to fall forward. The first guide rod 21A provided with the spring member 22 having the above-described configuration may be installed between the plurality of second support members 20B.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, on the front side of the product storage section of the product column of the vending machine, a fall prevention position for preventing the product from falling forward and a retreat position for allowing the product to be replenished, respectively. By providing a plurality of guide members that can be converted into vertical and vertical arrangements, it is possible to prevent the product from falling forward during product sales standby and sales, and during product replenishment work The guide members can be moved one by one to the retracted position, and the other guide members can be replenished with the product while being held at the fall-preventing position, so that the product can be prevented from falling forward during replenishment.
[0057]
Each guide member is provided with a support member at a predetermined position on the front surface of the product storage section of the product column so that it can be supported by the support member so that it can be converted into a fall prevention position and a retracted position. The members can be provided at a plurality of positions spaced in the vertical direction on the front surface of the product column, and a guide member can be installed between the support members. The uppermost guide member includes the ceiling plate on the top surface of the product column and the ceiling. The guide member can be supported between the support member provided at the position closest to the plate, and the guide member can be supported with an easy and simple structure. The product can be easily replenished while reliably preventing the fall.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention when a door is opened.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a product column of the vending machine according to the first embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view (a) and a side sectional view (b) of the first support member and the vicinity thereof in the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a front view (a) and a side sectional view (b) of a second support member and the vicinity thereof in the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second support member and the vicinity thereof in the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the door is opened.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a product column of a vending machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a front view (a) and a side sectional view (b) of the first support member and the vicinity thereof in the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a front view (a) and a side sectional view (b) of a second support member and the vicinity thereof in a vending machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a front view of a first guide rod in a vending machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Vending machine
2 Product column
3 payout mechanism
4 partition plates
5 Ceiling board
9A, 9B Mounting plate
10A, 20A first support member
10B, 20B second support member
11A, 21A First guide rod
11B, 21B Second guide rod
14, 16 Spring member
22 Spring part
s product

Claims (3)

所定個数の商品を上下方向に積層収納する商品コラムを備え、該商品コラムは左右側面が仕切板により形成されるとともに、前面が開放され、前記仕切板に沿って商品が整列状態で積層収納され、該商品コラム内の最下位の商品から順に払い出される自動販売機であって、
前記商品コラムの商品収納部前面に、上下方向に略連続して並ぶ配置で複数のガイド部材が設けられ、
前記商品コラムの商品収納部前面の上下方向に間隔をおいた複数箇所に、各ガイド部材をそれぞれ個別に商品の前倒れを防止する倒れ防止位置と商品の補充を許容する退避位置とに変換可能なように支持する支持部材が設けられ、
前記各支持部材が、前記商品コラムの商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に対し一側に偏位した位置に、各ガイド部材を下端を支点として揺動可能に支持する摺鉢状の支持穴備えていて、該支持穴で各ガイド部材の下端部を支持し、
前記支持部材同士の間に前記ガイド部材のうちの少なくとも一部のガイド部材が架設され、
前記支持部材同士の間に架設されるガイド部材を上方側および下方側から支持する両支持部材のうちの上方側の支持部材は、該ガイド部材の上端部を左右移動自在に支持する支持部を有するとともに、該ガイド部材の上端部を前記商品コラムの商品収納部前面の左右方向中心側へ付勢する付勢手段を備えていることを特徴とする自動販売機。
A product column for stacking and storing a predetermined number of products in the vertical direction is provided. The product column is formed with partition plates on the left and right sides, the front surface is opened, and the products are stacked and stored along the partition plates in an aligned state. , A vending machine that is paid out in order from the lowest product in the product column,
A plurality of guide members are provided on the front of the product storage portion of the product column in an arrangement that is arranged substantially continuously in the vertical direction,
Each guide member can be converted into a fall prevention position that prevents the product from falling forward and a retreat position that allows the product to be replenished individually at a plurality of locations spaced in the vertical direction on the front of the product storage section of the product column. A support member is provided to support,
A mortar-shaped support hole that supports each guide member so as to be swingable with a lower end as a fulcrum at a position where each of the support members is displaced to one side with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage portion of the product column. And supporting the lower end of each guide member in the support hole,
At least a part of the guide member is installed between the support members,
Of the support members that support the guide member installed between the support members from the upper side and the lower side, the upper support member includes a support portion that supports the upper end portion of the guide member so as to be movable in the left-right direction. A vending machine comprising: an urging means for urging the upper end portion of the guide member toward the center in the left-right direction of the front surface of the product storage portion of the product column.
所定個数の商品を上下方向に積層収納する商品コラムを備え、該商品コラムは左右側面が仕切板により形成されるとともに、前面が開放され、前記仕切板に沿って商品が整列状態で積層収納され、該商品コラム内の最下位の商品から順に払い出される自動販売機であって、
前記商品コラムの商品収納部前面に、上下方向に略連続して並ぶ配置で複数のガイド部材が設けられ、
前記商品コラムの商品収納部前面の上下方向に間隔をおいた複数箇所に、各ガイド部材をそれぞれ個別に商品の前倒れを防止する倒れ防止位置と商品の補充を許容する退避位置とに変換可能なように支持する支持部材が設けられ、
前記各支持部材が、前記商品コラムの商品収納部前面の左右方向中心に対し一側に偏位した位置で各ガイド部材の下端部を支持し、
前記支持部材同士の間に前記ガイド部材のうちの少なくとも一部のガイド部材が架設され、
前記支持部材同士の間に架設されるガイド部材は、直棒状で下略半分がバネ部を構成するとともに上端および下端にフック部を備え、
前記支持部材の間に架設されるガイド部材を上方側および下方側から支持する両支持部材のうち、上方側の支持部材は、架設されるガイド部材の上端のフック部を引っかける係止部を備え、下方側の支持部材は、架設されるガイド部材の下端のフック部を引っかける係止部を備えていることを特徴とする自動販売機。
A product column for stacking and storing a predetermined number of products in the vertical direction is provided. The product column is formed with partition plates on the left and right sides, the front surface is opened, and the products are stacked and stored along the partition plates in an aligned state. , A vending machine that is paid out in order from the lowest product in the product column,
A plurality of guide members are provided on the front of the product storage portion of the product column in an arrangement that is arranged substantially continuously in the vertical direction,
Each guide member can be converted into a fall prevention position that prevents the product from falling forward and a retreat position that allows the product to be replenished individually at a plurality of locations spaced in the vertical direction on the front of the product storage section of the product column. A support member is provided to support,
Each support member supports the lower end of each guide member at a position displaced to one side with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the front of the product storage portion of the product column;
At least a part of the guide member is installed between the support members,
The guide member laid between the support members is a straight bar, the lower half of the guide member constitutes a spring part, and has hook parts at the upper and lower ends,
Of the two support members that support the guide member installed between the support members from the upper side and the lower side, the upper support member includes an engaging portion that hooks the hook portion at the upper end of the installed guide member. The vending machine is characterized in that the support member on the lower side is provided with a locking portion for hooking the hook portion at the lower end of the installed guide member.
前記商品コラムは上面に天井板を備え、前記ガイド部材のうちの最上部のガイド部材は、前記天井板と該天井板に最も近い位置に設けられた前記支持部材との間に架設されている請求項1または2記載の自動販売機。  The product column includes a ceiling plate on an upper surface, and the uppermost guide member of the guide members is bridged between the ceiling plate and the support member provided at a position closest to the ceiling plate. The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2.
JP2001337859A 2001-11-02 2001-11-02 vending machine Expired - Fee Related JP4027078B2 (en)

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JP4027078B2 true JP4027078B2 (en) 2007-12-26

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