JP5625579B2 - vending machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly, to a vending machine that sells products in various containers such as paper-packed beverages.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a vending machine that sells products in various containers, such as beverages in paper packs, for example, those equipped with a product storage rack and a transport mechanism are known. The product storage rack is provided inside a main body cabinet that is a main body of the vending machine, and a product storage passage extending in the vertical direction is configured between the pair of side plates. A payout mechanism is disposed below the commodity storage passage. The payout mechanism regulates the downward movement of the product stored in the product storage passage when in the standby position, while driving when the payout command is given to the product stored in the product storage passage. Of these, the product at the bottom is paid out downward.

  The transport mechanism is disposed in the lower part of the product storage rack inside the main body cabinet, and includes an endless belt conveyor installed between a pair of front and rear pulleys, and a conveyor motor that rotates one pulley around its axis. And. When such a delivery mechanism is given a payout command, the conveyor motor is driven by forward driving and reverse driving in accordance with a predetermined time table to displace the belt conveyor along the extending direction, As a result, the product delivered from the delivery mechanism is transported to a location facing the product outlet defined in the door that opens and closes the front opening of the main body cabinet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-307207 A

  By the way, in the vending machine as described above, a delivery command for the selected product is given, a drive command is given to the conveyor motor, and a new product is selected while the delivery mechanism is being driven. Even if the payout mechanism does not complete driving (sequence operation) according to a predetermined time table, it is not possible to pay out and carry a new product, and it is necessary to wait for the completion of the operation of the payout mechanism. there were. For this reason, sales time has been lengthened when products are sold continuously.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine capable of shortening the sales time when continuously selling products.

To achieve the above object, a vending machine according to the present onset Ming is provided below areas of product storage passage that extends along the vertical direction, when in the standby state is received in the product storage passage The lowering of the product at the lowest position among the products stored in the product storage passage when the payout command is given, When a dispensing command is given, the product dispensed from the dispensing mechanism is moved to the front of the vending machine by driving according to a predetermined timetable and displacing the endless belt conveyor along the extending direction. In a vending machine provided with a transport mechanism that transports the product take-out port defined in the above, a new payout command is given while the transport mechanism is being driven. in case of Wherein stopping the driving of the transport mechanism, and characterized by comprising a control means for re-driving the transport mechanism in accordance with the time table after the lapse of the time table in the driving standby time included.

  According to the vending machine of the present invention, the control unit temporarily stops driving the transport mechanism when a new payout command is given while the transport mechanism to which the payout command is given is being driven. Since the transport mechanism is driven again according to the time table, it is not necessary to pay out and transport a new product after the dispensing mechanism completes the drive (sequence operation) according to the predetermined time table as in the past. There is an effect that it is possible to shorten the sales time when continuously selling.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing a state in which the product storage rack is pulled out from the product storage. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a characteristic control system of the vending machine according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the transport mechanism executed by the transport mechanism control unit shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the transport mechanism when a new payout command is given while the conveyor motor is driven in reverse. FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the transport mechanism when a new payout command is given while driving the conveyor motor is stopped. FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the transport mechanism when a new payout command is given while the conveyor motor is driven to rotate forward.

  Exemplary embodiments of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vending machine illustrated here includes a main body cabinet 1.

  The main body cabinet 1 has a rectangular shape with an open front, and is formed by appropriately combining a plurality of steel plates. Inside the main body cabinet 1, for example, three independent commodity storages 3 partitioned by two heat insulating partition plates 2 are provided in a manner arranged side by side. This commodity storage 3 is for accommodating the commodity in a state maintained at a desired temperature, and has a heat insulating structure.

  An outer door 4 and an inner door 5 are provided on the front surface of the main body cabinet 1. The outer door 4 is supported on one side edge of the main body cabinet 1 in such a manner that the front opening of the main body cabinet 1 can be opened and closed. In addition, although not shown in the drawing, on the front side of the outer door 4, an exhibition room for displaying sample products, a selection button for selecting displayed products, a coin slot for inserting coins, and bills are inserted. A bill insertion slot and a coin return slot for returning coins are provided, and a merchandise outlet 4a for taking out merchandise is further provided. Although not clearly shown in the figure, a coin processing device that accepts coins from a coin insertion slot and discharges change to a coin return port and a banknote processing device that accepts banknotes from a bill insertion slot are arranged on the rear side of the outer door 4. It is set up. The inner door 5 is a heat insulating door for opening and closing the front surface of the commodity storage 3.

  The product storage 3 is provided with a product storage rack 6, a dispensing mechanism 8, and a transport mechanism 10. The product storage rack 6 includes a product storage passage 6 a extending in the vertical direction between a pair of side plates, and is supported on the ceiling of the product storage 3 via a drawing means 7.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drawing means 7 includes a fixed rail 7a, an intermediate rail 7b, and a support rail 7c. The fixed rail 7a, the intermediate rail 7b, and the support rail 7c are each formed in a longitudinal shape. The fixed rail 7a is fixed along the depth direction (front-rear direction) of the commodity storage 3, and supports the intermediate rail 7b so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction. The intermediate rail 7b supports the support rail 7c so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction. The support rail 7 c supports the upper end portion of the product storage rack 6. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate rail 7b slides along the fixed rail 7a, and the support rail 7c slides along the intermediate rail 7b. It is pulled out from the front opening (front opening of the main body cabinet 1).

  Such a product storage rack 6 is for storing products in the extending direction of the product storage passage 6a (along the vertical direction).

  The payout mechanism 8 is provided in the lower part of the product storage rack 6, that is, in the lower region of each product storage passage 6a. The payout mechanism 8 is normally in a standby posture as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and restricts the downward movement of the product stored in the product storage passage 6a. The payout mechanism 8 is driven to pay down the lowest-order product among the products stored in the product storage passage 6a when a payout command is given from the control means 32 described later.

  The transport mechanism 10 is provided in the lower area of the product storage rack 6. The transport mechanism 10 is configured such that a belt conveyor 13 is stretched endlessly between a driving pulley 11 and a driven pulley 12. The drive pulley 11 is rotated around its own axis by the drive of the conveyor motor 14, whereby the belt conveyor 13 is displaced along the direction in which it is extended.

  Such a transport mechanism 10 is paid out from the payout mechanism 8 when the conveyor motor 14 performs forward rotation driving and reverse rotation driving in a predetermined time cycle when a driving command is given from the control means 32 described later. The finished product is conveyed to a place facing the product outlet 4a.

  An evaporator 24 is disposed below the transport mechanism 10. The evaporator 24 is sequentially connected through a compressor 21, a condenser 22, an expansion mechanism 23, and a refrigerant pipe 25 disposed in the machine room 9 below the commodity storage 3 to form a refrigeration cycle 20. The compressor 21 sucks the refrigerant through the suction port, compresses the sucked refrigerant to be in a high-temperature and high-pressure state (high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant), and discharges it from the discharge port. The condenser 22 condenses the refrigerant that passes therethrough. More specifically, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 and discharged from the discharge port and sent out through the refrigerant pipe 25 is condensed by exchanging heat with ambient air. The expansion mechanism 23 is for adiabatic expansion by reducing the pressure of the refrigerant passing therethrough.

  By circulating the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 20, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 is condensed by the condenser 22, and then adiabatically expanded by the expansion mechanism 23 and passes through the evaporator 24. When the refrigerant passes through the evaporator 24, heat exchange is performed with the internal air of the commodity storage 3 in which the evaporator 24 is disposed, and the refrigerant evaporates to cool the internal air. The evaporated refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 21.

  The cooled internal air moves inside the product storage 3 by driving the internal blower fan F, whereby the product stored in the product storage rack 6 of the product storage 3 has a desired temperature (for example, 5 ° C.). It will be cooled down.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a characteristic control system of the vending machine according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the vending machine includes a vending machine control unit 30 and a control unit 32.

  The vending machine control unit 30 controls the overall operation of the vending machine, and more specifically controls the operation of the selection button and the money processing unit (coin processing device and banknote processing device). Specifically, when a coin is inserted from a coin insertion slot or the like, the vending machine control unit 30 determines whether the coin is correct or not through the coin processing device, and further recognizes the amount to be inserted when the coin is a true coin. The vending machine control unit 30 validates the selection button when a coin of an amount necessary for product sales is inserted, and outputs a product selection signal to the control means 32 when the validated selection button is pressed. Also. The vending machine control part 30 performs the process which returns change to a coin return port, when there are more input amounts than sales goods.

  The control means 32 controls the product carry-out operation according to programs and data stored in the memory 34. More specifically, the control means 32 includes a payout mechanism control unit 321 and a transport mechanism control unit 322. In the present embodiment, the control means 32 is shown as having a configuration independent of the vending machine control unit 30, but in the present invention, the control means 32 is not necessarily configured independently of the vending machine control unit 30. Alternatively, it may be incorporated in the vending machine control unit 30.

  When the merchandise selection signal is given from the vending machine control unit 30, the payout mechanism control unit 321 is provided for the payout mechanism 8 disposed in the lower area of the merchandise storage passage 6a that stores the merchandise included in the merchandise selection signal. The payout command is given to control the drive of the payout mechanism 8.

  The transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive command to the belt conveyor 13 constituting the transport mechanism 10 according to a predetermined time table when the payout mechanism control unit 321 gives a payout command to the payout mechanism 8. This controls the driving of the transport mechanism 10.

  The vending machine having the above configuration sells merchandise as follows. When a coin is inserted from a coin insertion slot or the like, the vending machine control unit 30 determines whether the coin is correct or not through the coin processing device, and further recognizes the input amount if the coin is a true coin. The vending machine control unit 30 validates the selection button when a coin of an amount necessary for product sales is inserted, and outputs a product selection signal to the control means 32 when the validated selection button is pressed.

  The delivery mechanism controller 321 of the control means 32 to which the product selection signal is given issues a delivery command to the delivery mechanism 8 disposed in the lower area of the product storage passage 6a that stores the product included in the product selection signal. give. Thereby, the payout mechanism 8 to which the payout instruction is given cancels the standby posture and performs an operation of paying out the lowest product in the product storage passage downward.

  By the way, when the payout mechanism control unit 321 gives a payout command to the payout mechanism 8, the transport mechanism control unit 322 of the control means 32 drives the belt conveyor constituting the transport mechanism 10 according to the following time table. Is applied to drive the transport mechanism 10.

  FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the transport mechanism 10 executed by the transport mechanism control unit 322 shown in FIG.

  Assuming that the time point when the payout mechanism control unit 321 gives a payout command to the payout mechanism 8 is t0, the transport mechanism control unit 322 configures the transport mechanism 10 at a time point t1 when a time T1 (eg, 1200 ms) has elapsed from this time point t0. A normal rotation drive command is given to the conveyor motor 14. Thereby, the conveyor motor 14 performs normal rotation driving, the driving pulley 11 is rotated by the normal rotation driving, and the belt conveyor 13 is displaced along its extending direction. That is, the time T1 is a drive standby time from when the payout command is given to when the conveyor motor 14 starts to be driven, and a drive standby time is provided in the time table.

  Thereafter, at time t3 when time T2 (for example, 2000 ms) has elapsed from time t2 when driving of the dispensing mechanism 8 is stopped, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, and time T3 (for example, 300 ms) from time t3. ) Has passed, the transport mechanism controller 322 gives a reverse drive command to the conveyor motor 14. As a result, the conveyor motor 14 rotates in the reverse direction, and the driving pulley 11 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation up to the time point t3 by the reverse rotation drive, and the belt conveyor 13 follows its own extending direction, which is the opposite direction to the previous time. To displace.

  At time t5 when time T4 (for example, 2000 ms) has elapsed from time t4, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, and at time t6 when time T5 (for example, 300 ms) has elapsed from time t5, the transport mechanism. The control unit 322 gives a normal rotation drive command to the conveyor motor 14 again. As a result, the conveyor motor 14 performs forward rotation driving, the driving pulley 11 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation up to the time t5 by the forward rotation driving, and the belt conveyor 13 extends in the direction opposite to the previous direction. Displacement along Then, at time t7 when time T6 (for example, 3000 ms) has elapsed from time t6, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, thereby stopping driving of the transport mechanism 10.

  As described above, the conveyor motor 14 is driven to rotate forward, reverse, and stop driving repeatedly from the time point t0 to the time point t7, thereby driving the transport mechanism 10 so that the product paid out from the payout mechanism 8 can be obtained. The product can be reliably transported to the place facing the product outlet 4a, and the user can take out the product through the product outlet 4a, and can sell the product.

  Next, when a new product is selected by inserting coins or the like while the transport mechanism 10 is being driven, that is, a new product selection signal is given from the vending machine control unit 30, and the payout mechanism control unit 321. The control of the transport mechanism 10 performed by the transport mechanism control unit 322 when the payout command is issued will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the transport mechanism 10 when a new payout command is given while the conveyor motor 14 is driven in reverse.

  Assuming that the time point when the payout mechanism control unit 321 gives a payout command to the payout mechanism 8 is t0, the transport mechanism control unit 322 configures the transport mechanism 10 at a time point t1 when a time T1 (eg, 1200 ms) has elapsed from this time point t0. A normal rotation drive command is given to the conveyor motor 14. Thereby, the conveyor motor 14 performs normal rotation driving, the driving pulley 11 is rotated by the normal rotation driving, and the belt conveyor 13 is displaced along its extending direction. That is, the time T1 is a drive standby time from when the payout command is given to when the conveyor motor 14 starts to be driven, and a drive standby time is provided in the time table.

  Thereafter, at time t3 when time T2 (for example, 2000 ms) has elapsed from time t2 when driving of the dispensing mechanism 8 is stopped, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, and time T3 (for example, 300 ms) from time t3. ) Has passed, the transport mechanism controller 322 gives a reverse drive command to the conveyor motor 14. As a result, the conveyor motor 14 rotates in the reverse direction, and the driving pulley 11 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation up to the time point t3 by the reverse rotation drive, and the belt conveyor 13 follows its own extending direction, which is the opposite direction to the previous time. To displace.

  In this way, when a new product selection signal is given from the vending machine control unit 30 and the dispensing mechanism control unit 321 gives a dispensing command at a time point t5 during which the conveyor motor 14 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, the conveyance mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14 to stop the drive of the conveyor motor 14.

  Then, at time t6 when time T1 (for example, 1200 ms) has elapsed from time t5, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a normal rotation drive command to the conveyor motor 14. Thereby, the conveyor motor 14 performs normal rotation driving, the driving pulley 11 is rotated by the normal rotation driving, and the belt conveyor 13 is displaced along its extending direction.

  Thereafter, at time t8 when time T2 (for example, 2000 ms) elapses from time t7 when driving of the dispensing mechanism 8 is stopped, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, and time T3 (for example, 300 ms) from time t8. ) Has passed, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a reverse drive command to the conveyor motor 14. As a result, the conveyor motor 14 rotates in the reverse direction, and the driving pulley 11 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation up to the time point t8 due to the reverse driving. To displace.

  At time t10 when time T4 (for example, 2000 ms) has elapsed from time t9, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, and at time t11 when time T5 (for example, 300 ms) has elapsed from time t10, the transport mechanism. The control unit 322 gives a normal rotation drive command to the conveyor motor 14 again. As a result, the conveyor motor 14 performs forward rotation driving, the driving pulley 11 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation up to the time t10 by the forward rotation driving, and the belt conveyor 13 extends in the direction opposite to the previous direction. Displacement along Then, at time t12 when time T6 (for example, 3000 ms) elapses from time t11, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, thereby stopping driving of the transport mechanism 10.

  This ensures that the product delivered by the delivery mechanism 8 by the delivery command at the time t0 and the product delivered by the delivery mechanism 8 by the delivery command at the time t5 are both transported to the location facing the product outlet 4a. The user can take out these products through the product outlet 4a, and can continuously sell the products.

  FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the transport mechanism 10 when a new payout command is given while driving the conveyor motor 14 is stopped.

  Assuming that the time point when the payout mechanism control unit 321 gives a payout command to the payout mechanism 8 is t0, the transport mechanism control unit 322 configures the transport mechanism 10 at a time point t1 when a time T1 (eg, 1200 ms) has elapsed from this time point t0. A normal rotation drive command is given to the conveyor motor 14. Thereby, the conveyor motor 14 performs normal rotation driving, the driving pulley 11 is rotated by the normal rotation driving, and the belt conveyor 13 is displaced along its extending direction. That is, the time T1 is a drive standby time from when the payout command is given to when the conveyor motor 14 starts to be driven, and a drive standby time is provided in the time table.

  Thereafter, at time t3 when time T2 (for example, 2000 ms) has elapsed from time t2 when driving of the dispensing mechanism 8 is stopped, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, and time T3 (for example, 300 ms) from time t3. ) Has passed, the transport mechanism controller 322 gives a reverse drive command to the conveyor motor 14. As a result, the conveyor motor 14 rotates in the reverse direction, and the driving pulley 11 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation up to the time point t3 by the reverse rotation drive, and the belt conveyor 13 follows its own extending direction, which is the opposite direction to the previous time. To displace. Then, at time t5 when time T4 (for example, 2000 ms) elapses from time t4, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14 and stops driving the conveyor motor 14.

  In this way, when a new product selection signal is given from the vending machine control unit 30 and the dispensing mechanism control unit 321 gives a dispensing command at a time point t6 during which the conveyor motor 14 is stopped driving, the conveyance mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14 to stop the drive of the conveyor motor 14.

  Then, at time t7 when time T1 (for example, 1200 ms) has elapsed from time t6, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a normal rotation drive command to the conveyor motor 14. Thereby, the conveyor motor 14 performs normal rotation driving, the driving pulley 11 is rotated by the normal rotation driving, and the belt conveyor 13 is displaced along its extending direction.

  Thereafter, at time t9 when time T2 (for example, 2000 ms) has elapsed from time t8 when driving of the dispensing mechanism 8 is stopped, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, and time T3 (for example, 300 ms) from time t9. ) Has passed, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a reverse drive command to the conveyor motor 14. As a result, the conveyor motor 14 rotates in the reverse direction, and the driving pulley 11 rotates in the reverse direction to the rotation up to the time t9 by the reverse rotation drive, and the belt conveyor 13 follows its own extending direction, which is the reverse direction to the previous time. To displace.

  At time t11 when time T4 (for example, 2000 ms) has elapsed from time t10, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, and at time t12 when time T5 (for example, 300 ms) has elapsed from time t11, the transport mechanism. The control unit 322 gives a normal rotation drive command to the conveyor motor 14 again. As a result, the conveyor motor 14 performs forward rotation driving, and the driving pulley 11 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation up to the time t11 due to the forward rotation driving, and the belt conveyor 13 extends in the direction opposite to the previous direction. Displacement along Then, at time t13 when time T6 (for example, 3000 ms) elapses from time t12, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, thereby stopping driving of the transport mechanism 10.

  Thus, both the product paid out by the payout mechanism 8 according to the payout command at the time point t0 and the product paid out by the payout mechanism 8 according to the payout command at the time point t6 are surely transported to the location facing the product outlet 4a. The user can take out these products through the product outlet 4a, and can continuously sell the products.

  FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the transport mechanism 10 when a new payout command is given while the conveyor motor 14 is driven to rotate forward.

  Assuming that the time point when the payout mechanism control unit 321 gives a payout command to the payout mechanism 8 is t0, the transport mechanism control unit 322 configures the transport mechanism 10 at a time point t1 when a time T1 (eg, 1200 ms) has elapsed from this time point t0. A normal rotation drive command is given to the conveyor motor 14. Thereby, the conveyor motor 14 performs normal rotation driving, the driving pulley 11 is rotated by the normal rotation driving, and the belt conveyor 13 is displaced along its extending direction. That is, the time T1 is a drive standby time from when the payout command is given to when the conveyor motor 14 starts to be driven, and a drive standby time is provided in the time table.

  Thereafter, at time t3 when time T2 (for example, 2000 ms) has elapsed from time t2 when driving of the dispensing mechanism 8 is stopped, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, and time T3 (for example, 300 ms) from time t3. ) Has passed, the transport mechanism controller 322 gives a reverse drive command to the conveyor motor 14. As a result, the conveyor motor 14 rotates in the reverse direction, and the driving pulley 11 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation up to the time point t3 by the reverse rotation drive, and the belt conveyor 13 follows its own extending direction, which is the opposite direction to the previous time. To displace.

  At time t5 when time T4 (for example, 2000 ms) has elapsed from time t4, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, and at time t6 when time T5 (for example, 300 ms) has elapsed from time t5, the transport mechanism. The control unit 322 gives a normal rotation drive command to the conveyor motor 14 again. As a result, the conveyor motor 14 performs forward rotation driving, the driving pulley 11 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation up to the time t5 by the forward rotation driving, and the belt conveyor 13 extends in the direction opposite to the previous direction. Displacement along

  In this way, when a new product selection signal is given from the vending machine control unit 30 and the dispensing mechanism control unit 321 gives a dispensing command at the time point t7 during which the conveyor motor 14 is driven to rotate forward, the conveyance mechanism control The unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14 and stops driving the conveyor motor 14.

  Then, at time t8 when time T1 (for example, 1200 ms) has elapsed from time t7, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a normal rotation drive command to the conveyor motor 14. Thereby, the conveyor motor 14 performs normal rotation driving, the driving pulley 11 is rotated by the normal rotation driving, and the belt conveyor 13 is displaced along its extending direction.

  Thereafter, at time t10 when time T2 (for example, 2000 ms) has elapsed from time t9 when driving of the dispensing mechanism 8 is stopped, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, and time T3 (for example, 300 ms) from time t10. ) Has passed, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a reverse drive command to the conveyor motor 14. As a result, the conveyor motor 14 rotates in the reverse direction, and the driving pulley 11 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation up to the time t10 by the reverse rotation drive, and the belt conveyor 13 follows its own extending direction, which is the opposite direction to the previous time. To displace.

  At time t12 when time T4 (for example, 2000 ms) has elapsed from time t11, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, and at time t13 when time T5 (for example, 300 ms) has elapsed from time t12, the transport mechanism. The control unit 322 gives a normal rotation drive command to the conveyor motor 14 again. As a result, the conveyor motor 14 performs forward rotation driving, and the driving pulley 11 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation up to time t12 by the forward rotation driving, and the belt conveyor 13 extends in the direction opposite to the previous direction. Displacement along Then, at time t14 when time T6 (for example, 3000 ms) elapses from time t13, the transport mechanism control unit 322 gives a drive stop command to the conveyor motor 14, thereby stopping driving of the transport mechanism 10.

  This ensures that the product delivered by the delivery mechanism 8 by the delivery command at the time t0 and the product delivered by the delivery mechanism 8 by the delivery command at the time t7 are both transported to the location facing the product outlet 4a. The user can take out these products through the product outlet 4a, and can continuously sell the products.

  As described above, according to the vending machine of the present embodiment, when the control unit 32 is given a new payout command while the transport mechanism 10 to which the payout command is given is being driven. Since the driving of the transport mechanism 10 is temporarily stopped and then the transport mechanism 10 is driven again according to the time table, a new one is required after the dispensing mechanism completes the driving (sequence operation) according to the predetermined time table as in the prior art. Thus, it is not necessary to pay out and convey the product, and it is possible to shorten the sales time when continuously selling the product.

  As described above, the vending machine according to the present invention is useful for selling commodities in various containers such as paper-packed beverages.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body cabinet 3 Commodity storage container 4 Outer door 6 Commodity storage rack 6a Commodity storage passage 8 Discharge mechanism 10 Conveyance mechanism 11 Drive pulley 12 Driven pulley 13 Belt conveyor 14 Conveyor motor 30 Vending machine control part 32 Control means 321 Discharge mechanism control part 322 Conveyance Mechanism control unit 34 Memory

Claims (1)

Provided in the lower area of the product storage passage extending along the vertical direction, and when in a standby posture, the product stored in the product storage passage is restricted from moving downward, while a payout command is given A payout mechanism that drives and pays out the product at the lowest position among the products stored in the product storage passage,
When the dispensing command is given, the vending machine dispenses the products dispensed from the dispensing mechanism by driving the endless belt conveyor along the extending direction by driving according to a predetermined timetable. In a vending machine equipped with a transport mechanism that transports to a location facing the product outlet defined on the front,
When a new payout command is given while the transport mechanism to which the payout command is given is being driven, the drive of the transport mechanism is stopped and the drive standby time included in the time table has elapsed A vending machine comprising control means for driving the transport mechanism again according to the time table later .

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