JP4333027B2 - Vending machine control method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control method for a vending machine that sells products such as can drinks by heating (hot products) or cooling (cold products).
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, an automatic vending machine having a plurality of product storage rooms divided into a storage zone for storing products at room temperature and a sales zone for heating and selling products, and heating and selling this can beverage product In the vending machine, since the product is stored in the sales zone of the product storage room at a high temperature (for example, 55 to 57 ° C.), the beverage may be altered (for example, separation of milk components, etc.) when stored for a long time. . Therefore, the applicant of the present application discloses a product heating control device for a vending machine as an example of a solution in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-057431.
[0003]
That is, every time a product moves from the storage zone to the sales zone, this technical means stores the date and time of movement of the product, and calculates and stores the residence time of each product in the sales zone from the current time and the movement date and time. . Then, it is checked whether or not the dwell time exceeds a preset dwell time, and if it exceeds, the sale of the product is stopped. Thereby, it is comprised so that sale of the goods which may have deteriorated can be prevented.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the vending machine, since only hot products are targeted for sale, only the above-described control is required. However, in addition to hot products, it is conceivable that cold products are also targeted for sale.
In this case, when the hot zone is stored in the sales zone, when switching the sales zone to cold, there is a possibility that the quality of the product may be changed, and there is a problem that it is difficult to prevent by the above control alone. .
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is a vending machine capable of preventing a change in temperature setting from hot to cold when a hot product is stored in a sales zone and preventing deterioration of the product. An object is to provide a control method.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, a control method for a vending machine according to claim 1 of the present invention is divided into at least a storage zone for storing products at room temperature and a sales zone for storing products by heating or cooling. A plurality of product storage rooms, a product movement mechanism for moving products in the storage zone to the sales zone, a product delivery mechanism for carrying out products in the sales zone based on a sales command, Switching date and time setting means for making a reservation setting for switching between heating and cooling, setting date and time judging means for judging whether or not the current date and time is the date and time reserved by the switching date and time setting means, and the number of products in the sales zone A vending machine control unit for detecting the number of products in the sales zone, and when the product in the sales zone is a heated product, the current date is the switching date and time After the setting date and time determination means determines that the date and time is reserved by the setting means, the goods movement mechanism stops the product movement from the storage zone to the sales zone, and the sales zone commodity number detection means After it is determined that there is no product in the sales zone, the sales zone is switched from heating to cooling. The determination by the setting date determination unit, the determination of the number of products in the sales zone by the sales zone product number detection unit, and the like are programmed in advance in the memory unit of the control unit.
[0007]
First, the switching date and time for switching from hot to cold, which is the temperature setting in the sales zone, is reserved and set by switching date and time setting means such as a keyboard. The switching date and time is the date and time when the movement of the product from the storage zone to the sales zone is stopped.
[0008]
Next, it is determined by the setting date determination means whether the present date is the setting date. If it is the set date and time, the movement of the commodity from the storage zone to the sales zone by the commodity movement mechanism is stopped. If it is not the set date, it waits until the set date is reached.
[0009]
And after stopping the movement of the goods from a storage zone to a sales zone, it is judged by a sales zone goods number detection means whether the storage number of a sales zone is zero. If the number of storage in the sales zone is 0, automatic switching is performed from hot to cold, and the process ends. On the other hand, if the number of stores in the sales zone is not zero, the system waits until it reaches zero.
[0010]
As the subsequent operation, the movement of the product from the storage zone to the sales zone is started by the product movement mechanism, and the product sale is started after a certain time or when the product sales temperature reaches a predetermined value. Yes.
[0011]
In order to achieve the above object, a control method for a vending machine according to claim 2 of the present invention is divided into a storage zone for storing products at room temperature and a sales zone for storing products by heating or cooling. A plurality of product storage rooms, a product movement mechanism for moving products in the storage zone to the sales zone, a product delivery mechanism for carrying out products in the sales zone based on a sales command, A control method of a vending machine comprising switching setting means for setting switching of heating or cooling and sales zone product number detection means for detecting the number of products in the sales zone, wherein the products in the sales zone are In the case of a heated product, after the temperature setting of the sales zone is set by the switching setting means, the product movement mechanism stops the product movement from the storage zone to the sales zone. And, after it is determined that there is no product in the sales zone by the sales zone items detecting means, it is obtained by the sales zone from the heated to perform switching to cooling.
[0012]
According to the second aspect, switching for switching from hot to cold, which is a temperature setting in the sales zone, is set by a temperature switching setting means such as a keyboard. Next, when this setting is performed, the movement of the commodity from the storage zone to the sales zone by the commodity movement mechanism is stopped. Note that the subsequent operation is the same as that described in claim 1 above.
[0013]
Therefore, according to the present invention, switching to cold when a hot product is stored in the sales zone is prevented, and alteration of the product can be prevented. For example, in the case of milk beverage products, switching from hot to cold will cause separation of milk components and the like, and will cause the sale of altered products, which is particularly effective in preventing this situation. It is.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a control method for a vending machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
[0015]
[Embodiment 1]
1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a vending machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a vending machine main body 1 is configured with a product storage 2 that can be opened and closed by a front surface (left surface in FIG. 1) surrounded by a heat insulating wall. Product storage chambers 4 meandering up and down by arc-shaped segments 3 are formed in four rows (four columns).
[0016]
Although not shown in the figure, the inside of the cabinet is generally partitioned into a plurality of rooms arranged side by side through a heat insulating partition wall so that it can be properly used as a cooling exclusive room or a cooling (cold) / heating (hot) product room. It has become. Each product storage room 4 stores a large number of cylindrical products (can beverage products) 6 that are input from the product input port 5 on the front surface, stacked in a lying position.
[0017]
Here, each product storage chamber 4 is partitioned into an upper storage zone 7 and a lower sales zone 8, and the space is partitioned by a heat-insulating flapper 9 that is rotatably supported in a cantilevered manner. A known electromagnetic solenoid-type product carry-out mechanism 10 is installed at the lower end of the sales zone 8, and the lowest product 6 in the sales zone 8 is supported by the lower flapper 10a so as not to fall. In addition, a product moving mechanism 11 having the same configuration as the product carry-out mechanism 10 is installed at the lower end of the storage zone 7, and the lowest product 6 in the storage zone 7 is supported by the lower flapper 11a so as not to fall. ing.
[0018]
When the merchandise carry-out mechanism 10 or the merchandise moving mechanism 11 is energized to an electromagnetic solenoid (not shown), the lower flapper 10a or the lower flapper 11a moves backward to open and drop the lowest merchandise 6, and the upper flapper (not shown) projects. Support the second product 6 from the bottom. Thereafter, when the electromagnetic solenoid is de-energized, the lower flapper 10a or the lower flapper 11a is projected again by the action of a return spring (not shown), the upper flapper is retracted, and the entire product 6 is lowered. Return to the standby state.
[0019]
Below the sales zone 8, a shooter 13 that guides the unloaded goods 6 to the front product outlet 12 is arranged, and inside, the heater 14, the cooler 15, and the internal air are circulated through the sales zone 8. A fan 16 is disposed. A condensing unit (not shown) is installed below this.
[0020]
The temperature of the circulating cooling / heating air is detected by an internal temperature sensor 17 arranged in front of the fan 16 (suction side). On the other hand, a product temperature sensor 18 that directly detects the temperature of the lowest product 6 in the sales zone 8 is arranged in the product carry-out mechanism 10.
[0021]
Further, in the merchandise carry-out mechanism 10 and the merchandise movement mechanism 11, a sell-out detection switch 19 and a storage cut-off detection switch 20 for detecting the presence or absence of the merchandise 6 in the sales zone 8 and the storage zone 7 are incorporated, respectively. The actuators 19a and 20a are pushed by the product 6.
[0022]
The front surface of the vending machine main body 1 is closed with an outer door 21, and a product outlet 12 is provided at the lower part thereof. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later, a known product selection switch 25, a price indicator 28 for digitally displaying the product price, a coin slot, and the like are disposed on the front surface of the outer door 21. In the vicinity of the selection switch 25, there are disposed a sellable lamp 26 for indicating that it is in a sellable state and a sellout lamp 27 that is lit when the product is sold out.
[0023]
When selling a hot product in the vending machine configured as described above, the product 6 in the sales zone 8 is heated by the high-temperature air circulated through the heater 14 by the fan 16 and waits for sales at an appropriate temperature. . On the other hand, when selling a cold product, the product 6 in the sales zone 8 is cooled by the cool air circulated through the cooler 15 by the fan 16 and waits for sale at an appropriate temperature.
[0024]
Further, in the storage zone 7 partitioned from the sales zone 8 by the heat insulating flapper 9, the product 6 is stored at almost normal temperature, and when the number of products in the sales zone 8 decreases due to sales, the product moving mechanism 11 causes the storage zone 7 to enter the storage zone 7. The product 6 is moved to the sales zone 8. As a result, the number of products in the sales zone 8 placed in a cooled or heated state is kept to the minimum necessary according to the sales situation, and the quality change opportunities of the products 6 are suppressed.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control device of the vending machine. A control program for the CPU 22 that controls the entire vending machine is stored in the ROM 23, and control data is stored in the RAM 24. The CPU 22 is connected to an internal temperature sensor 17, a product temperature sensor 18, a sold-out detection switch 19, a storage-out detection switch 20, a product selection switch 25, a sale-ready lamp 26, and a sale-out via an input / output interface (not shown) In addition to the lamp 27 and the price indicator 28, a counter 29 for counting the number of merchandise sold, a clock mechanism 30 for counting the current time, and a keyboard 31 for setting and inputting control data or data confirmation are connected. Further, the above-described commodity carry-out mechanism 10, commodity movement mechanism 11, heater 14, cooler 15, and fan 16 are connected to the CPU 22 through a drive circuit 32.
[0026]
Next, the control operation of Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, it is assumed that hot products are currently stored in the sales zone 8. Here, the date and time for switching from hot (H) to cold (C), which is the current setting in the sales zone 8, is set (step S1). As a kind of goods 6 at this time, they are coffee, tea, etc., for example. Setting for switching is performed by the keyboard 31 and can be set for each column. The switching date and time is the date and time when the movement of the product 6 from the storage zone 7 to the sales zone 8 is stopped.
[0027]
Next, it is determined whether or not the current date is the set date (step S2). If it is the set date and time, the movement of the product 6 from the storage zone 7 to the sales zone 8 is stopped (Yes in Step S2, Step S3). If it is not the set date and time, it waits until the set date and time is reached (No at step S2).
[0028]
Then, after stopping the movement of the product 6 from the storage zone 7 to the sales zone 8, it is determined whether or not the number of stored items in the sales zone 8 is 0 (step S4). If the number of storage in the sales zone 8 is 0, automatic switching from hot to cold is performed (Yes in step S4, step S5), and the process ends. On the other hand, if the number stored in the sales zone 8 is not 0, the system waits until it reaches 0 (No in step S4).
[0029]
As the subsequent operation, the movement of the product 6 from the storage zone 7 to the sales zone 8 is started, and the product sales are started after a certain time or when the product sales temperature reaches a predetermined value. .
[0030]
[Embodiment 2]
Next, the control operation of Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, it is assumed that hot products are currently stored in the sales zone 8. Here, switching from hot (H), which is a temperature setting in the sales zone 8, to cold (C) is set (step S11). As a kind of goods 6 at this time, they are coffee, tea, etc., for example. Setting for switching is performed by the keyboard 31 and can be set for each column.
[0031]
Next, if the setting is performed, the movement of the commodity 6 from the storage zone 7 to the sales zone 8 is stopped (step S12). Then, after stopping the movement of the product 6 from the storage zone 7 to the sales zone 8, it is determined whether or not the number of stored items in the sales zone 8 is 0 (step S13). If the number stored in the sales zone 8 is 0, automatic switching from hot to cold is performed (step S14), and the process ends. On the other hand, if the number stored in the sales zone 8 is not 0, the system waits until it reaches 0 (No at step S13).
[0032]
As the subsequent operation, the movement of the product 6 from the storage zone 7 to the sales zone 8 is started, and the product sales are started after a certain time or when the product sales temperature reaches a predetermined value. .
[0033]
As described above, according to the control method of the vending machine according to the first and second embodiments, when the number of items stored in the sales zone 8 becomes 0, the temperature setting in the sales zone 8 is automatically set. Since switching from hot to cold is performed, switching of the temperature setting when the product 6 is stored in the sales zone 8 is prevented, and alteration of the product 6 can be prevented. For example, in the case of a product 6 for milk beverage, switching from hot to cold will cause separation of milk components and the like, and the altered product 6 will be sold, so this situation can be prevented. It is particularly effective.
[0034]
In the above embodiment, switching from hot to cold has been described. Currently, the product in the sales zone is cold, and if the sales zone is switched to hot from this state, the change in the product is affected. Therefore, switching from cold to hot can be performed at the time when the reservation date / time by the switching date / time setting means is reached or when the switching is set by the switching setting means, regardless of whether or not there is a product in the sales zone.
[0035]
In the above embodiment, when the number of storage in the sales zone 8 becomes 0, the switch from hot to cold is automatically performed. However, for example, it is notified to a service person who performs maintenance management of the vending machine. You can also make it work. As this notification means, a predetermined lamp (for example, sold-out lamp 27, sale ready lamp 26, etc.) can be blinked, or a warning character can be displayed on a display screen (not shown). realizable.
[0036]
Furthermore, the present invention has been described as being applied to a vending machine for can beverage products, but is not limited thereto, and may be applied to vending machines such as plastic bottle beverage products and paper pack beverage products. Similar effects can be obtained.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the control method of the vending machine according to the present invention, when the product in the sales zone is a heated product, the current date / time is the date / time reserved by the switching date / time setting means. After being determined by the setting date determination means or after being set by the switching setting means, the commodity movement mechanism stops the commodity movement from the storage zone to the sales zone, and the sales zone commodity number detection means is used to sell the sales. After it was determined that there was no product in the zone, the temperature setting of the sales zone was switched to cold, preventing temperature setting switching when the product was stored in the sales zone, and changing the quality of the product For example, in the case of milk beverage products, switching from hot to cold may cause separation of milk components and the like. Because so that the will to sell, is particularly effective to prevent such a situation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device of the vending machine.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing control of the vending machine according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control of the vending machine according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 Commodity storage room 6 Commodity 7 Storage zone 8 Sales zone 10 Commodity carry-out mechanism 11 Commodity movement mechanism 14 Heater 15 Cooler 16 Fan 17 Internal temperature sensor 18 Commodity temperature sensor 19 Sold out detection switch 20 Storage out detection switch 29 Counter 30 Clock Mechanism 31 Keyboard

Claims (2)

A plurality of product storage rooms partitioned into at least a storage zone for storing products at room temperature and a sales zone for storing products by heating or cooling;
A merchandise moving mechanism for moving merchandise in the storage zone to the sales zone;
A product unloading mechanism for unloading products in the sales zone based on a sales order;
Switching date and time setting means for making a reservation setting for switching between heating or cooling of the sales zone;
Setting date and time determination means for determining whether or not the current date and time is the date and time reserved by the switching date and time setting means;
Sales zone product number detection means for detecting the number of products in the sales zone;
In the control method of the vending machine equipped with
When the product in the sales zone is a product to be sold by heating, the product moving mechanism is determined after the set date determination unit determines that the current date is the date reserved by the switching date setting unit Stop moving goods from the storage zone to the sales zone by
A control method for a vending machine, wherein the sales zone is switched from heating to cooling after it is determined by the sales zone product number detection means that there is no product in the sales zone. A plurality of product storage rooms divided into a storage zone for storing products at room temperature and a sales zone for storing products by heating or cooling;
A merchandise moving mechanism for moving merchandise in the storage zone to the sales zone;
A product unloading mechanism for unloading products in the sales zone based on a sales order;
Temperature switching setting means for setting switching of heating or cooling of the sales zone;
Sales zone product number detection means for detecting the number of products in the sales zone;
In the control method of the vending machine equipped with
When the product in the sales zone is a product to be sold by heating, after the temperature switching of the sales zone is set by the temperature switching setting means, the product from the storage zone to the sales zone by the product movement mechanism Stop moving,
A control method for a vending machine, wherein the sales zone is switched from heating to cooling after it is determined by the sales zone product number detection means that there is no product in the sales zone.

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