JP5937818B2 - Premium cassette and premium dispenser - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a prize cassette for storing a prize to be exchanged for a game medium such as a pachinko ball, and a prize dispenser to which the prize cassette can be loaded and for delivering a prize in the prize cassette.

  In game facilities such as pachinko parlors, prize dispensers are provided for paying out prizes to the player in accordance with the number of game media such as pachinko balls acquired by the player. In the prize dispensing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, a plurality of cassettes for storing a plurality of card-like prizes in a stacked state are built in, and a necessary number of prizes are fed out from each cassette to the player. To be paid out.

JP 2009-297402 A

Since each cassette of Patent Document 1 stores only one row of stacked prizes, a single cassette has an elongated shape.
The size of the prize varies depending on the area, and there are areas that handle prizes that are considerably smaller.Therefore, if the shape of the cassette is adapted to the miniaturization of the prize, the cassette will become increasingly elongated. From the viewpoint of stability when placed, the ease of handling of cassettes has been demanded. Further, there is a constant demand for improving the strength of the cassette.

  The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a prize cassette capable of improving ease of handling and strength, and a prize dispenser into which the prize cassette can be loaded. .

The invention according to claim 1 is a prize cassette loaded in a prize dispenser having an automatic counting function of prizes, and a plurality of prize storages for storing prizes in a stacked state, and the plurality of prize storages A connecting portion that connects and integrates, an opening portion that is provided on one side surface of each of the plurality of prize storage units, and that opens the inside of the prize storage unit in the direction in which the prizes are stacked ; the Oite the one side in each of the prize repository provided in the same shape at the same position in the stacking direction in another aspect, the apertured detection window to expose for counting the prize in the prize repository , Including a gift cassette.

The invention according to claim 2 is the prize according to claim 1, wherein the detection window is provided in at least one of an end part and a center part in the longitudinal direction of the prize in the prize storage. It is a cassette.
The invention according to claim 3 is the prize cassette according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of prize storages are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the prize.

The invention according to claim 4 is the prize cassette according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of prize storages are arranged along a short direction of the prize.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the premium cassette is protruded outward from a side surface of the premium cassette and interferes with the non-compliant premium cassette loading port in the premium dispenser, so that the premium cassette is in the non-compliant premium cassette loading port. The premium cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a protrusion for preventing erroneous loading.

The invention according to claim 6 can be loaded with the premium cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , and is in a state facing each detection window of each of the plurality of premium storages in the loaded premium cassette. The prize dispenser includes a counting sensor that can move in the stacking direction, and counts prizes in the plurality of prize storages simultaneously by the counting sensor .

According to the first and sixth aspects of the present invention, in the prize cassette, since the plurality of prize storages are connected and integrated, the bottom area of the entire prize cassette can be increased. Thereby, since the posture of the premium cassette when placed on the floor surface can be stabilized, the ease of handling of the premium cassette can be improved.
Further, since the prize cassette is loaded into a prize dispenser having a prize automatic counting function, it is necessary to form a detection window for counting in each prize storage of the prize cassette. Here, since the prize cassette is made strong by integrating a plurality of prize storages, even if the detection window is formed, the strength of the prize cassette can be improved.

Further, as in the invention described in claim 2, the detection window may be provided at the end in the longitudinal direction of the prize in the prize storage, or may be provided at the center in the longitudinal direction.
In the prize cassette, the plurality of prize storages may be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the prize as in the third aspect of the invention, and along the short direction of the prize as in the fourth aspect of the invention. May be arranged.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the prize dispenser, it is possible to prevent the prize cassette from being erroneously loaded into the incompatible prize cassette loading slot.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prize dispenser 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the prize 5. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dispensing unit 8 and shows a state where the cabinet 21 is in the open position. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the inside of the casing 20 is exposed in FIG. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the cassette 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a cassette 150 according to a comparative example. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a longitudinal section of the prize dispenser 1. FIG. 7 is a side view of the dispensing unit 8 in the state of FIG. FIG. 8A is a front view of the counting unit 61, and FIG. 8B is a side view of the counting unit 61. FIG. 9 is a plan sectional view of the dispensing unit 8. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the counting unit 61 and the drive mechanism 70. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cassette 7 according to a modification. FIG. 13A is a schematic plan view of the cassette 7 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13B is a schematic plan view of the cassette 7 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13C is a schematic plan view of the cassette 7 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13D is a schematic plan view of the cassette 7 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cassette 7 according to still another embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
<Premium dispenser>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prize dispenser 1.
In addition, below, the direction of the top / bottom / front / back / left / right directions of the components of the prize dispenser 1 and the prize dispenser 1 is defined based on the attitude of the prize dispenser 1 in FIG. That is, in FIG. 1, the longitudinal direction of the prize dispenser 1 (the direction connecting the upper left and the lower right in FIG. 1) is the left-right direction (width direction), and the front side of FIG. The front side of FIG. 1 is the rear side of the prize dispenser 1 and components.

Referring to FIG. 1, a prize dispenser 1 according to the present invention is disposed at a prize exchange counter or the like in a game facility such as a pachinko parlor. The prize dispenser 1 is used by being directly installed on the floor of the game facility. The prize dispenser 1 stores a large number of prizes 5 (not shown in FIG. 1).
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the prize 5.
Referring to FIG. 2, the prize 5 handled by the prize dispenser 1 is a valuable card body exchanged according to the number of game media such as pachinko balls acquired by the player at the game facility, and is also called a special prize.

The giveaway 5 is generally a slightly thick resin card. The prize 5 has, for example, a substantially rectangular shape with four corners rounded in plan view. In FIG. 2, the symbol “X” is attached to the longitudinal direction of the prize 5, and the symbol “Y” is attached to the short direction of the prize 5.
The prize 5 contains an object having a predetermined monetary value. For example, there are two types according to the monetary value such as 1000 yen and 5000 yen. The 1,000 yen prize 5 is a small prize, and the 5000 yen prize 5 is a large prize. The small prize is slightly smaller than the large prize in plan view. In addition, the prize 5 may include an RFID tag or the like for identifying its type, or may be subjected to processing for preventing fraud such as counterfeiting.

  Referring to FIG. 1, when a player acquires a game medium through a game, a recording medium (receipt, ball card, etc.) on which the acquired number is recorded is issued. At the prize exchange counter, a prize management machine (not shown) for reading the number of acquired game media recorded on the recording medium is arranged. The prize management machine identifies the type / number of prizes according to the acquired number of acquisitions, and instructs the prize dispenser 1 to pay out the type / number of prizes. The giveaway machine 1 pays out to the customer the type and number of giveaways according to the instruction from the prize management machine. The customer who receives the payout of the free gift is located on the rear side of the free gift dispenser 1, and the employee is located on the front side of the free gift dispenser 1 for customer service.

The prize dispenser 1 has a wide, hollow, substantially rectangular parallelepiped cabinet 6 that forms an outer shell, and a plurality of (for example, seven) dispensing units that can store the prize 5 in a stacked state in a cassette 7 (prize cassette). 8 (see also FIG. 5A and FIG. 6 described later).
The front side of the cabinet 6 is open, and the cabinet 6 is provided with a door 18 that opens and closes an open portion of the front side.

The plurality of payout units 8 are built in the cabinet 6 in a state of being aligned in the width direction (in FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience, only the rightmost payout unit 8 is drawn forward).
A display unit 9 is provided on the upper surface of the cabinet 6. The display unit 9 includes a first display unit 9A that can be viewed from the customer side and a second display unit 9B that can be viewed only from the employee side, and each display unit displays necessary information. For example, an operation unit 10 that is operated by an employee to control the operation of the gift dispenser 1 is provided beside the second display unit 9B.

  On the upper surface of the cabinet 6, an outlet 11 is formed above each payout unit 8. A plurality (seven in this case) of outlets 11 are formed according to the number of payout units 8. Each outlet 11 communicates with the inside of the cabinet 6. Each outlet 11 is provided with a shutter 12. The shutter 12 opens and closes the outlet 11 by sliding individually back and forth.

In addition, the prize dispenser 1 has a lift mechanism 13 for lifting the prize 5 stored in the cassette 7 (see FIG. 5A) as a mechanism for paying out the prize 5 stored therein, and an exit for the prize 5. 11 a payout mechanism 14 for paying out the payout 11, a temporary holding portion 15 for holding the payout prize 5 below the exit 11, and an elevator mechanism 16 for lifting the reserved prize 5 toward the exit 11. And a delivery mechanism 17 for pushing the prize 5 lifted up to the outlet 11 to the upper surface of the cabinet 6 (see FIG. 6). The above-described shutter 12 and the configuration for sliding the shutter 12 are included in the above-described delivery mechanism 17. These mechanisms will be described individually when the payout unit 8 is described below.
<Discharge unit>
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dispensing unit 8 and shows a state where the cabinet 21 is in the open position.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each payout unit 8 has a hollow box shape that is slightly thin in the left-right direction. The payout unit 8 includes a casing 20 that forms an outline thereof, a cabinet 21 that can be pulled out from the casing 20, a plurality of (here, two) cassettes 7, and a carrier 22 that holds these cassettes 7. The cabinet 21, the cassette 7 and the carrier 22 are normally housed in the casing 20 (see FIG. 1). The carrier 22 integrally holds the two cassettes 7 in a state where they are aligned in the front-rear direction. The two cassettes 7 arranged in the front-rear direction may be distinguished from the cassette 7A and the cassette 7B in order from the front. The cassette 7 is loaded into the prize dispenser 1 by being loaded into the carrier 22 of the dispensing unit 8.

A longitudinal opening 23 is formed in the front wall of the casing 20 in the vertical direction. The opening 23 communicates with the inside of the casing 20.
The cabinet 21 is integrally provided with a front plate 24, a side plate 25, and a bottom plate 26. The front plate 24 is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the front side, and has a size that can just block the opening 23 of the casing 20. The side plate 25 is thin in the width direction and continuously extends from the left edge of the front plate 24 to the rear side. The bottom plate 26 connects the lower end of the front plate 24 and the lower end of the side plate 25.

  The side plate 25 is supported in a slidable manner in the front-rear direction by a rail 27 provided on an inner wall surface 20A that divides the inside of the casing 20 from the left side. Thereby, the cabinet 21 is slidable in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the cabinet 21 can slide between a closed position (see FIG. 1) and an open position (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 1, when the cabinet 21 is in the closed position, the front plate 24 blocks the opening 23 of the casing 20 from the front side (see the dispensing unit 8 at the right end). When the cabinet 21 in this state is pulled out by a predetermined amount to the front side, the cabinet 21 is arranged at the open position shown in FIG. When the cabinet 21 is in the open position, the front plate 24 is positioned in front of the opening 23 to open the opening 23, and almost all of the side plate 25 and the bottom plate 26 are drawn out to the front side. Thus, when the cabinet 21 is in the open position, the two cassettes 7 held (loaded) on the carrier 22 are arranged outside the opening 23.

  The carrier 22 is integrally provided with a plurality of partitions 28 and a frame 29. These partitions 28 have a plate shape that is thin in the front-rear direction and extends in the up-down direction. Two partitions 28 extending in parallel at a distance in the front and rear form one set, and two such sets are arranged side by side in the front and rear. The frame 29 is a substantially rectangular plate having a size slightly smaller than the side plate 25, and the left end portion of each partition 28 is connected to the frame 29. Each cassette 7 is held by the carrier 22 by being sandwiched between two (one set) of partitions 28 that are adjacent to each other at an interval in the front-rear direction.

  The carrier 22 is supported on the frame 29 by the side plate 25 of the cabinet 21 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. Here, regarding the relative position of the carrier 22 with respect to the side plate 25, the position of the carrier 22 at the most front side is referred to as a front position (see FIG. 6B), and the position of the carrier 22 at the most rear side. Is referred to as a rear position (see FIG. 6A). That is, the carrier 22 is movable between the front position and the rear position. In FIG. 3, the carrier 22 in the front position is shown.

A slide mechanism 30 that slides the carrier 22 back and forth is provided below the carrier 22. The slide mechanism 30 is configured by, for example, a motor-driven rack and pinion mechanism or the like, and is fixed to the bottom plate 26 of the cabinet 21.
FIG. 4 shows a state in which the inside of the casing 20 is exposed in FIG. In FIG. 4, the entire cabinet 21 is not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 4, two lifts 31 arranged in the front-rear direction with a gap in between are provided in the casing 20. Each lift 31 has a flat plate shape in the front-rear and left-right directions, is supported by the casing 20, and can be raised and lowered along the up-down direction in the casing 20. The standby position of the lift 31 is the position of the lift 31 shown in FIG. 4 and is near the bottom wall of the casing 20. The lift 31 and the configuration for raising and lowering the lift 31 are included in the lift mechanism 13 described above.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the cassette 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a cassette 150 according to a comparative example.
FIG. 5A shows a state where the cassette 7 is viewed from the rear. The cassette 7 is long in the vertical direction, and its flat cross section has a substantially E shape. The cassette 7 includes a pair of side walls 85 extending vertically with a space in the front-rear direction (a direction connecting the lower left and upper right in FIG. 5A), and a partition wall 86 extending in parallel with each side wall 85 between the pair of side walls 85. (Connecting portion) and a pair of side walls 85 and a blocking wall 87 connected to one end of each of the partition walls 86 (the right end in FIG. 5A) are integrally included.

  Each of the pair of side walls 85 and the partition wall 86 has a thin plate shape in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the partition wall 86 is disposed at a position spaced apart from each of the pair of side walls 85 by an equal distance. In each of the pair of side walls 85 and the partition wall 86, the side wall 85 and the partition wall are seen in a plan view in substantially the entire vertical direction of the other end (the left end in FIG. 5A) opposite to the one end (the partition wall 86 side). A flange portion 88 bent in a direction orthogonal to the direction 86 (the front-rear direction) is integrally provided. The flange portion 88 provided on each side wall 85 is bent toward the partition wall 86 side. The flange portion 88 provided on the partition wall 86 is bent toward each of the pair of side walls 85. That is, the partition wall 86 is provided with a flange portion 88 bent toward the one side wall 85 and a flange portion 88 bent toward the other side wall 85.

  The blocking wall 87 has a plate shape extending between the aforementioned one ends of the pair of side walls 85 (between the right ends in FIG. 5A), extends in the vertical direction, and is a pair of the side walls 85 and the partition wall 86 in plan view. Are orthogonal to each other. The blocking wall 87 is thin in the direction in which the side wall 85 and the partition wall 86 extend. The blocking wall 87 blocks the space sandwiched between the side walls 85 and the partition wall 86 from the front and rear from the one end side described above.

  A group of the side wall 85, the partition wall 86, and the blocking wall 87 (the one side portion in FIG. 5A) on one side (here, the right back side in FIG. 5A) constitutes the first storage 91. The other side (here, the left front side in FIG. 5A) side wall 85, partition wall 86, and blocking wall 87 (the other side portion in FIG. 5A) constitute a second storage 92. In FIG. 5A, since the right back side is the front side of the prize dispenser 1, and the left front side is the rear side of the prize dispenser 1, the first storage 91 forms the front half of the cassette 7, The two storage boxes 92 form the rear half of the cassette 7. The first storage 91 and the second storage 92 are connected and integrated by a partition wall 86.

The first storage 91 and the second storage 92 have the same size and shape. Each of the 1st storage 91 and the 2nd storage 92 is long in the up-down direction, The plane cross section has comprised the substantially U shape. Inside each of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92, a rectangular columnar storage space 97 that is long in the vertical direction is formed.
The upper and bottom surfaces of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 are open. Further, one side surface of each of the first storage case 91 and the second storage case 92 (the right side surface in a state where the cassette 7 is held by the carrier 22 and the side surface on the left rear side in FIG. 5A) is a flange of the side wall 85. The region between the portion 88 and the flange portion 88 of the partition wall 86 is open over almost the entire range in the vertical direction. In each of the first storage case 91 and the second storage case 92, the opened part is referred to as an opening part 32. In the 1st storage 91 and the 2nd storage 92, the open part 32 has comprised the substantially U shape mentioned above. In the 1st storage 91, the open part 32 is continuing with respect to both the upper surface and bottom face which were open | released in the 1st storage 91. Similarly, in the second storage 92, the opening portion 32 is continuous with both the upper surface and the bottom surface opened in the second storage 92. Therefore, the storage spaces 97 of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 communicate with the outside at the upper end, the lower end, and the one side surface (opening portion 32).

  Further, in each of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92, the upper ends of the side wall 85, the partition wall 86, the blocking wall 87, and the flange portion 88 are separated from the storage space 97 in the horizontal direction as they extend upward. Thus, the inclined portion 98 is inclined. Here, the partition wall 86 is configured by stacking two partition plates 86A that are long in the vertical direction on the front and back, and the upper end portion of each partition plate 86A is an inclined portion 98 and extends upward. Are close to each other.

  One detection window 33 is formed at a position where the portion connected to the partition wall 86 in the blocking wall 87 is sandwiched from the front and rear. Of the two detection windows 33, the front detection window 33 is referred to as a first detection window 33 </ b> A provided in the first storage 91, and the rear detection window 33 is provided in the second storage 92. It is called 2 detection window 33B. That is, the detection window 33 is provided in each of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92. A portion between the two detection windows 33 in the blocking wall 87 is a portion connected to the partition wall 86. These detection windows 33 are formed in a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction on the blocking wall 87.

  Each detection window 33 has an opening formed over substantially the entire vertical direction of the partition wall 86 (the portion excluding the upper end and the lower end), and is a strip-shaped opening that is elongated vertically. Each detection window 33 penetrates the blocking wall 87 in the thickness direction by cutting out the blocking wall 87. As a result, the storage space 97 of the first storage 91 is exposed from the first detection window 33A over the entire vertical direction, and the storage space 97 of the second storage 92 is extended from the second detection window 33B to the vertical direction. The entire area is exposed. Each storage space 97 of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 has a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction in plan view, but one of the four corners in the plan view of each storage space 97 on the detection window 33 side. One is exposed from the corresponding detection window 33 over the entire vertical direction. Therefore, the storage spaces 97 of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 communicate not only with the upper end, the lower end, and the one side surface (opening portion 32) but also with the detection window 33.

  Each of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 in the cassette 7 has, for example, a maximum of 100 sheets in a stacked state in which a plurality of prizes 5 of a predetermined type are stacked in the storage space 97 along the vertical direction ( 40 if the prize 5 is thick). That is, the cassette 7 includes a plurality of (here, two) prize storages, that is, a first storage 91 and a second storage 92.

  The prize 5 is stored from above in each of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92. At this time, the inclined portion 98 described above guides the prize 5 so that the prize 5 is smoothly stored in the first storage 91 and the second storage 92. In addition, the nail | claw 34 which engages with the prize 5 in the lowest place in the storage space 97 from the lower side is provided in each lower end of the 1st storage 91 and the 2nd storage 92. The prize 5 is prevented from falling off from the bottom opened in the storage 91 and the second storage 92.

  In each prize 5 stored in the cassette 7, the longitudinal direction X of the prize 5 is along the front-rear direction (the extending direction of the blocking wall 87 and the opposing direction of the pair of side walls 85). Therefore, it can be seen that the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 of the cassette 7 are arranged along the longitudinal direction X of the prize 5. And the detection window 33 provided in each of the 1st storage 91 and the 2nd storage 92 is gathered in the front-back direction center of the obstruction | occlusion wall 87, By this, the edge part in the longitudinal direction X in each storage It can also be seen that it is provided at the rear end in the case of the first storage 91 and the front end in the case of the second storage 92.

  In addition, in the state where the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 are filled with the prize 5, the end faces of all the prizes 5 in each storage are exposed to the outside of the cassette 7 from the opening portion 32 and each detection window 33. Exposed. Specifically, in each prize 5, one end surface of the pair of long side portions is exposed from the opening portion 32 of the cassette 7. In each prize 5, one end portion (front end portion or rear end portion) of the long side portion 5 </ b> A opposite to the side exposed from the opening portion 32 is exposed from the corresponding detection window 33 in the cassette 7. . Specifically, in each prize 5 stored in the first storage 91, the long side portion 5A at the corner portion on the first detection window 33A side is exposed to the outside of the cassette 7 from the first detection window 33A. On the other hand, in each prize 5 stored in the second storage 92, the long side portion 5A at the corner portion on the second detection window 33B side is exposed to the outside of the cassette 7 from the second detection window 33B.

As an example, among the seven payout units 8 (see FIG. 1) provided in the prize dispenser 1, the three payout units 8 on the right side accommodate 1000 yen prizes (small prizes) 5 and the remaining 4 One payout unit 8 accommodates a 5000 yen prize (large prize) 5.
Further, a substantially U-shaped handle 19 is attached to the upper end portion of the cassette 7 so as to sandwich the cassette 7 from the front and back by two free end portions 19A having a substantially U shape. Therefore, one of the two free ends 19 </ b> A (not shown in FIG. 5A) is connected to the upper end of one side wall 85, and the other is connected to the upper end of the remaining one side wall 85. The handle 19 is rotatable about the two free end portions 19A. By grasping the handle 19, the entire cassette 7 can be moved.

  If the cassette 7 is configured such that the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 are connected in this manner, the bottom area of the cassette 7 when placed on the floor is the number of storage spaces 97 (two here). Therefore, the stability of the cassette 7 placed on the floor can be improved accordingly. Thereby, the convenience in handling of the cassette 7 can be improved. In particular, in the case where the bottom area of the cassette 7 is reduced as the external dimensions of the prize 5 stored in the cassette 7 are reduced in plan view, the cassette 7 has a single storage space 97 (see FIG. 5B), the stability when the cassette 7 is placed on the floor can be reliably ensured. As a comparative example, the cassette 150 shown in FIG. 5B has a shape in which the cassette 7 of the present invention is reduced to about half in the front-rear direction, and has a pair of side walls 85 and a blocking wall 87, but a partition wall. 86 (see FIG. 5A) is not provided.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a longitudinal section of the prize dispenser 1.
Referring to FIG. 6, the above-described feeding mechanism 14 is disposed above each lift 31 in the casing 20 of each dispensing unit 8. That is, two feeding mechanisms 14 are provided according to the number of lifts 31. The feeding mechanism 14 is disposed adjacent to the upper wall of the casing 20 and is supported by the casing 20.

A feeding space 51 is formed in a portion located between the two feeding mechanisms 14 on the upper wall of the casing 20. In a state where the dispensing unit 8 is housed in the cabinet 6, the feeding space 51 of the casing 20 communicates with the corresponding outlet 11 in the cabinet 6 from below.
Each payout mechanism 14 includes a payout roller 40 rotatably supported, a prize detection sensor 41, a pair of gates 42 opposed to each other with a gap Z therebetween, and a plurality of rotatably supported pluralities. The feed roller 43 is included.

  In the feeding mechanism 14 on the front side (left side in FIG. 6), a feeding roller 40, a prize detection sensor 41, a pair of gates 42, and a plurality of feed rollers 43 are arranged in this order from the front side. In the feeding mechanism 14 on the rear side (right side in FIG. 6), a feeding roller 40, a prize detection sensor 41, a pair of gates 42, and a plurality of feed rollers 43 are arranged in this order from the rear side. In each feeding mechanism 14, the plurality of feed rollers 43 form one set in a state where the four feed rollers 43 are arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 6). Two in front and back. The two feed rollers 43 arranged in the vertical direction are pressed against each other.

  Each feeding mechanism 14 is arranged to be biased toward one end portion (end portion on the feeding space 51 side) side in the longitudinal direction of the prize 5. In each feeding mechanism 14, the feed roller 43 is disposed at a position closest to the feeding space 51 in the front-rear direction. The pressure contact portion of the two feed rollers 43 arranged in the vertical direction, the gap Z between the pair of upper and lower gates 42, the lower end portion of the prize detection sensor 41, and the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller 40 are in the vertical direction. It is in almost the same position.

  And in the casing 20, the temporary storage part 15 connected from the bottom with respect to the delivery space 51 is divided under the delivery space 51, and the elevator mechanism 16 mentioned above is provided in the temporary storage part 15. FIG. . The elevator mechanism 16 includes an elevator 53. The elevator 53 has a flat plate shape in the front-rear and left-right directions, is supported by the casing 20, and can move up and down along the up-down direction in the casing 20. When the elevator 53 is in the standby position, the upper surface of the elevator 53 is at a position lower than the feed roller 43 of each feeding mechanism 14. A mechanism for raising and lowering the elevator 53 is included in the elevator mechanism 16.

Next, the payout operation of the prize 5 by the prize dispenser 1 will be described focusing on one payout unit 8.
First, the door 18 of the cabinet 6 is opened (see FIG. 1), and the cabinet 21 is pulled out to the open position in the dispensing unit 8 as shown in FIG. In this state, the cassette 7 (see FIG. 5A) containing the same type of prize 5 is inserted into the carrier 22 (between the pair of front and rear partitions 28) from above and is held by the carrier 22. Although the types of the prizes 5 in the cassette 7 are the same, the types of the prizes 5 accommodated in the cassettes 7 may be different. A portion between the upper end edges of the pair of front and rear partitions 28 into which the cassette 7 is inserted from above is a cassette loading port (premium cassette loading port) 102 for receiving the cassette 7 (see FIGS. 7 and 10). .

  After the cassette 7 is held by the carrier 22, the cabinet 21 is pushed into the closed position (see FIG. 1), and is stored (built in) in the casing 20 together with the cassette 7 and the carrier 22. At this time, the carrier 22 is moved to the rear position (see FIG. 6A). When the door 18 (see FIG. 1) is closed, the prize 5 can be paid out by the prize dispenser 1.

  When the cabinet 21 is in the closed position and the carrier 22 is in the rear position as described above, the two lifts 31 described above are in the standby position as shown in FIG. 6A (dotted line in FIG. 6A). (Refer to the lift 31 shown in FIG. 1). Specifically, among these lifts 31, the bottom surface of the first storage 91 in the front cassette 7 </ b> A is located above the front lift 31, and the rear cassette 7 </ b> B is located above the rear lift 31. The bottom surface of the first storage 91 is located.

  When the carrier 22 moves from this state to the front position, as shown in FIG. 6B, the two cassettes 7 move relative to the lift 31 to the front side. In this case, the bottom surface of the second storage 92 in the cassette 7A is positioned above the front lift 31, and the bottom surface of the second storage 92 in the cassette 7B is positioned above the lift 31 in the rear side. (See the lift 31 indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 6B).

  When the carrier 22 is in the rear position, the prize 5 can be paid out from either or both of the first storage 91 in the cassette 7A and the first storage 91 in the cassette 7B (FIG. 6A). reference). When the carrier 22 is in the front position, the prize 5 can be paid out from either or both of the second storage 92 in the cassette 7A and the second storage 92 in the cassette 7B (FIG. 6B). reference). Which cassette 7 in which the prize 5 is paid out from the first storage 91 or the second storage 92 can be arbitrarily set.

Here, the carrier 22 has a payout position (front position) at which the prize 5 in each second storage 92 of the cassette 7A and cassette 7B can be paid out, and a prize in each first storage 91 of the cassette 7A and cassette 7B. It can be said that it can move back and forth within the casing 20 between the payout position (rear position) at which the payout of 5 is possible.
Next, taking the first storage 91 of the cassette 7A as an example, the procedure for paying out the prize 5 from the cassette 7 will be specifically described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the lift 31 at the standby position (see the lift 31 indicated by the dotted line) located below the first storage 91 of the cassette 7A, as indicated by the solid line, The cassette 7A rises from the bottom opened in the first storage 91 of the cassette 7A through the first storage 91. As a result, all the prizes 5 in the first storage 91 are pushed up by the lift 31.

When the top prize 5 is pushed up to the feeding mechanism 14 and contacts the lower outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller 40 and the prize detection sensor 41, the prize detection sensor 41 feeds the prize 5 in the first storage 91 of the cassette 7A. Detecting that a possible feeding position has been reached. The payout position is the position of the prize 5 when it comes into contact with the prize detection sensor 41.
Then, in response to detection by the prize detection sensor 41, the lift of the lift 31 stops, and the feeding mechanism 14 feeds the highest prize 5 out. Specifically, the feeding roller 40 rotates in a direction in which the lower peripheral surface approaches the feeding space 51 side. In the case of the cassette 7A, the front feeding roller 40 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. At this time, since the uppermost prize 5 is in contact with the lower peripheral surface of the feeding roller 40, the feeding roller 40 slides the uppermost prize 5 toward the feeding space 51 along with the rotation. The gap Z of the gate 42 is passed.

  The gap Z is slightly larger than the thickness of one prize 5 but smaller than the two prizes 5, so that not only the top prize 5 but also the prize 5 below it is conveyed at a time. (Multiple feeding) is prevented. Instead of the feeding roller 40, a bowl-shaped extruded piece (not shown) that reciprocates back and forth may be used. In this case, the extruding piece hooks the top prize 5 and pushes it out to the gap Z between the pair of gates 42, thereby allowing the prize 5 to pass through the gap Z while separating the prizes one by one.

  After passing through the gap Z, the prize 5 is discharged to the feeding space 51 side by the rotating feed roller 43 and is placed on the upper surface of the elevator 53 at the standby position by the temporary storage unit 15. Here, in each feeding mechanism 14, two sets of upper and lower two feed rollers 43 are arranged in the front and rear, so that the prize 5 having a small horizontal dimension (the dimension in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y described above) is small. Even so, the feed roller 43 can reliably discharge the feed space 51.

  The raising of the lift 31 and the feeding of the prize 5 by the feeding mechanism 14 are repeated for each prize 5, and the prizes 5 in the cassette 7A (first storage 91) are stacked on the elevator 53 in order from the top. Temporarily held in the temporary holding unit 15. Here, it can be seen that the lift mechanism 13 having the lift 31 conveys the prize 5 in the cassette 7A upward in the vertical direction to the feeding position where the prize 5 is fed one by one by the feeding mechanism 14. .

  In addition, when the prize 5 is fed out by the feeding mechanism 14, the elevator 53 is appropriately lowered from the standby position so that the prize 5 is stacked on the elevator 53 satisfactorily. Specifically, every time one prize 5 is placed on the elevator 53, the elevator 53 may be lowered, or even if the elevator 53 is lowered after a predetermined number of prizes 5 are stacked on the elevator 53. Good. Further, in order to clear the jam when the prize 5 is jammed in the feeding mechanism 14, the entire feeding mechanism 14 is rotated about 180 ° around one end in the front-rear direction, and the inside of the feeding mechanism 14 is disposed inside the dispensing unit 8. It may be exposed to the outside.

  Then, not only the prize 5 in the first storage 91 of the cassette 7A but also the prize 5 in the first storage 91 of the cassette 7B may be stacked on the elevator 53 in the same procedure as in the case of the cassette 7A. When the prize 5 is not present in each first storage 91 of the cassette 7A and the cassette 7B, the carrier 22 moves from the rear position to the front position (see FIG. 6B), and each second of the cassette 7A and the cassette 7B. The prize 5 in the storage 92 is stacked on the elevator 53 in the same procedure as in the case of the first storage 91 of the cassette 7A.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when the number of prizes 5 required for payout is stacked on the elevator 53, the corresponding shutter 12 moves to the front side on the upper surface of the cabinet 6 (the shutter 12 indicated by the dotted line is moved). Open the outlet 11 above this elevator 53. Along with this, the elevator 53 rises to the exit 11 through the feeding space 51 of the dispensing unit 8. When the elevator 53 is raised until the upper surface of the elevator 53 is flush with the upper surface of the cabinet 6, the shutter 12 moves rearward to close the outlet 11, and at that time, is stacked on the upper surface of the elevator 53. The prize 5 is pushed out to the upper surface of the cabinet 6. Thereby, the prize 5 is paid out to the customer side (rear side).
<Counting sensor>
The prize dispenser 1 has a function of automatically counting the prizes stored in each cassette 7 in each dispensing unit 8.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the dispensing unit 8 in the state of FIG. In FIG. 7, unlike FIG. 4, the entire cabinet 21 is illustrated.
In relation to the automatic counting function of the prize dispenser 1, each dispensing unit 8 stores the number of prizes 5 stored in a stacked state in the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 of each cassette 7 for each storage. A counting sensor 60 is provided for counting.

As shown in FIG. 7, in each payout unit 8, two counting sensors 60 are adjacent to each other to form one set, and two sets are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction. That is, each dispensing unit 8 is provided with four counting sensors 60 arranged side by side.
FIG. 8A is a front view of the counting unit 61, and FIG. 8B is a side view of the counting unit 61.

Referring to FIG. 8, the above-described two counting sensors 60 forming one set constitute one counting unit 61. Therefore, in each payout unit 8, two counting units 61 are arranged. In each payout unit 8, the counting unit 61 and the lift 31 are arranged in a one-to-one relationship (see FIG. 6).
As shown in FIG. 8A, the counting unit 61 includes two counting sensors 60 and a holder 62 having a substantially rectangular thin plate shape (see FIG. 8B). Counting sensors 60 are attached to both ends in the horizontal direction of the upper end of the front surface of the holder 62 (the side surface viewed from the right side when incorporated in the dispensing unit 8). That is, one counting unit 61 has two counting sensors 60. In the state where the counting unit 61 is incorporated in the dispensing unit 8, the two counting sensors 60 are arranged in the front-rear direction and are supported by the holder 62 in this state (see FIG. 6). A guide member 63 is provided on the surface of the holder 62 between the two counting sensors 60. The guide member 63 has a substantially U-shaped cross section (see FIG. 9 to be described later) and can be connected to a guide rail 64 to be described later (see FIG. 10 to be described later).

FIG. 9 is a plan sectional view of the dispensing unit 8. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
Referring to FIG. 9, in each dispensing unit 8, two counting units 61 are attached to the frame 29 (see FIG. 3) of the carrier 22 with an interval in the front-rear direction. That is, the counting sensor 60 of each counting unit 61 is provided on the carrier 22.

  Specifically, referring to FIG. 10, the position between first storage 91 and second storage 92 of cassette 7A in frame 29 when cassettes 7A and 7B are held by carrier 22 (see FIG. 6). One guide rail 64 extending vertically is provided at a position between the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 of the cassette 7B. That is, the two guide rails 64 are provided on the frame 29 in a state where a predetermined interval is provided in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 10).

  The guide member 63 (see FIG. 8A) of the holder 62 in the front counting unit 61 is connected to the front guide rail 64, and the rear counting unit is connected to the rear guide rail 64. The guide member 63 of the holder 62 in 61 is connected. In this state, the entire counting unit 61 is supported by the corresponding guide rail 64 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. In each counting unit 61, the two counting sensors 60 face the right side (the front side in FIG. 10 and the side facing the cassette 7). Here, the position of the counting unit 61 (counting sensor 60) when it is located at the lower end of the guide rail 64 is defined as a standby position.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the counting unit 61 and the drive mechanism 70. In FIG. 11, the left side is the front side of the gift dispenser 1.
As a configuration for sliding the counting unit 61 up and down, for example, the carrier 22 of each dispensing unit 8 is provided with a drive mechanism 70. The drive mechanism 70 includes a drive motor 71, a transmission gear 72, connection gears 73 and 74, a drive gear 75, and a belt 76.

The drive motor 71 is, for example, a stepping motor, and is disposed at the lower end of one of the two guide rails 64 (here, the front guide rail 64). The drive motor 71 has an output shaft (not shown), and a drive gear 75 having gear teeth formed on the outer peripheral surface is attached to the output shaft.
The transmission gear 72 is disposed at the lower end of the other guide rail 64 (in this case, the rear guide rail 64) instead of the one of the two guide rails 64. Gear teeth are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the transmission gear 72.

The connecting gear 73 is disposed at the lower end of the one (front) guide rail 64 and is connected to the counting unit 61 supported by the guide rail 64 by a drive transmission member (not shown). Gear teeth are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connection gear 73, and the connection gear 73 meshes with the drive gear 75.
The connecting gear 74 is disposed at the lower end of the other (rear) guide rail 64 and is connected to the counting unit 61 supported by the guide rail 64 by a drive transmission member (not shown). Gear teeth are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connection gear 74, and the connection gear 74 meshes with the transmission gear 72.

The belt 76 is an endless belt having gear teeth formed on the inner peripheral surface, and is wound around the drive gear 75 and the transmission gear 72.
In such a drive mechanism 70, when the drive motor 71 is driven, the drive gear 75 rotates in a predetermined direction. As a result, the connecting gear 73 meshing with the drive gear 75 rotates, and the driving force of the drive motor 71 is transmitted to the front counting unit 61 by the drive transmission member described above, and the front counting unit 61 is moved in the vertical direction. Slide to either. This driving force is also transmitted to the connecting gear 74 via the belt 76 and the transmission gear 72. Accordingly, the connecting gear 74 rotates, and the driving force of the drive motor 71 is transmitted to the rear counting unit 61 by the drive transmission member described above, and the rear counting unit 61 is in the same direction as the front counting unit 61. Slide to.

Conversely, when the drive motor 71 is driven so that the drive gear 75 rotates in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction, both the front and rear counting units 61 slide in the opposite direction.
That is, the drive mechanism 70 moves each of the two counting units 61 in the vertical direction.
In addition, since the counting unit 61 and the lift 31 are in a position shifted from each other in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 9), the counting unit 61 and the lift 31 do not interfere with each other during operation.

  The counting sensor 60 is disposed adjacent to the cassette 7 accommodated in the casing 20 from the left side. Specifically, the counting sensor 60 can face the detection window 33 (see FIG. 5A) of the corresponding cassette 7 from the left side. As described above, each dispensing unit 8 has two counting units 61, and each counting unit 61 has two counting sensors 60. Therefore, in the front (left side in FIG. 11) counting unit 61, the front counting sensor 60 is on the left side with respect to the rear detection window 33 (first detection window 33A) in the first storage 91 of the front cassette 7A. The rear counting sensor 60 can be opposed to the front detection window 33 (second detection window 33B) in the second storage 92 of the cassette 7A from the left side. It is. In the rear counting unit 61, the front counting sensor 60 can be opposed to the rear detection window 33 (first detection window 33A) in the first storage 91 of the rear cassette 7B from the left side. In addition, the rear counting sensor 60 can be opposed to the front detection window 33 (second detection window 33B) in the second storage 92 of the cassette 7B from the left side.

  When the counting unit 61 moves up and down, in each counting unit 61, the front counting sensor 60 moves up and down while facing the first detection window 33A from the left side, and the rear counting sensor 60 moves to the second detection window 33B. Up and down while facing from the left. That is, each of the first detection window 33A and the second detection window 33B is along the vertical movement direction (counting line) of the counting sensor 60 (counting unit 61).

  Thus, in the cassette 7 having the first storage 91 and the second storage 92, the loading position on the carrier 22 is inevitably determined so that each detection window 33 faces the counting sensor 60. Therefore, in each cassette 7, the position where the two detection windows 33 are provided on the closing wall 87 is determined to be one minimum position (substantially the center in the front-rear direction) (see FIG. 5A). Therefore, the strength of the cassette 7 can be improved.

  As described above, the cassette 150 shown in FIG. 5B as a comparative example is provided with only one storage space 97. Since such a cassette 150 corresponds to either the first storage 91 or the second storage 92 of the cassette 7 of the present invention, when loading the cassette 150 into the carrier 22 (see FIGS. 3 and 7), The cassette 150 is loaded in a biased manner on either one side or the other side of the two counting sensors 60 of one counting unit 61. That is, in the comparative example, the loading position of the cassette 150 in the carrier 22 may be shifted back and forth, so that there is only one storage space 97 in the cassette 50, but the detection windows 33 are 1 on both the front and rear sides of the blocking wall 87. Each (two in total) must be formed, and it is difficult to improve the strength of the cassette 150 accordingly.

  In particular, when the outer dimensions of the prize 5 (see FIG. 2) in plan view are small, the bottom area of the cassette 150 is small, so that one detection window 33 is formed on each of the front and rear sides of the small cassette 150. It becomes more difficult to improve the strength of the cassette 150. Further, since the bottom area of the cassette 150 is reduced, the stability of the cassette 150 when the cassette 150 is placed on the floor may be lowered.

However, in the cassette 7 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5A, since the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 are connected and integrated, the bottom area of the entire cassette 7 can be increased. it can. Thereby, since the attitude | position of the cassette 7 when it puts on a floor surface can be stabilized, the improvement of the handleability of the cassette 7 can be aimed at.
In addition, since the cassette 7 is loaded into the prize dispenser 1 having the automatic counting function of the prize 5, a counting detection window 33 is formed in each of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 of the cassette 7. There is a need to. Here, since the cassette 7 is strong because the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 are integrated, even if the detection window 33 is formed, the strength of the cassette 7 is improved. be able to. Furthermore, since the detection window 33 is provided at the minimum necessary position in the cassette 7, the strength of the cassette 7 can be further improved.

  Here, referring to FIG. 11, an adjustment knob 77 is provided on the holder 62 of each counting unit 61. In each counting unit 61, the holder 62 includes a front portion 62A that supports one (here, the front side) counting sensor 60 and a rear portion 62B that supports the other (here, the rear side) counting sensor 60. Is included. The front portion 62A and the rear portion 62B are separated. The front portion 62A is integrally provided with a rack portion 65 having a rack gear formed at the lower end surface while extending rearward, and the rear portion 62B is a rack having a rack gear formed at the upper end surface while extending frontward. The part 66 is provided integrally. The adjustment knob 77 is a pinion gear having gear teeth formed on the outer peripheral surface, and meshes with the rack gears of the rack portions 65 and 66. That is, the adjustment knob 77 and the rack portions 65 and 66 constitute a rack and pinion mechanism.

  Therefore, in each counting unit 61, when the adjustment knob 77 is pinched and operated (twisted), the operation of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the two counting sensors 60 to move back and forth in a direction toward or away from each other. Therefore, the distance between the front and rear of the counting sensor 60 can be adjusted. As a result, the position of the counting sensor 60 whose position has been adjusted is the cassette 7 at a position suitable for counting (a position facing the detection window 33) regardless of the shape and type of the prize 5 such as the small prize and the large prize. The prize 5 can be accurately counted.

A known mechanism other than such a rack and pinion mechanism can be used as a mechanism for adjusting the distance between the two counting sensors 60. Further, it is not necessary to synchronize the movements of the two counting sensors 60, and the two counting sensors 60 may be moved individually.
At a predetermined timing, the drive motor 71 is driven, and each count sensor 60 slides up and down while facing the detection window 33 (see FIG. 5A) of the corresponding cassette 7 from the left side. At this time, the counting sensor 60 counts the number of prizes 5 exposed from the detection window 33 in the cassette 7. That is, the counting sensor 60 counts the prizes 5 in the cassette 7 by moving in the vertical direction (the stacking direction of the prizes 5 in the cassette 7).

  As the predetermined timing, the timing at which the above-described operation unit 10 (see FIG. 1) is operated to instruct the execution of the counting operation, the timing at which the prize dispenser 1 is turned on, and the cassette 7 in which the prize 5 is replenished. Is set in the dispensing unit 8 and the door 18 (see FIG. 1) is closed, the timing at which the execution command of the counting operation is transmitted from the host device such as the above-described premium management machine (not shown), the employee The time of change is listed. Further, the counting by the counting sensor 60 may be automatically performed every predetermined interval.

The counting by the counting sensor 60 will be specifically described. The counting sensor 60 is a so-called optical reflective sensor, and a light emitting element (not shown) and light emitted from the light emitting element (not shown) (for example, , Blue light) and a light receiving element (not shown) that receives light reflected by the object to be detected.
When the counting sensor 60 performs counting, referring to FIG. 8B, the long side portion of the prize 5 stored in a stacked state in the first storage 91 or the second storage 92 of the cassette 7 with reference to the counting sensor 60. 5A (here, the left end surface) slides upward from the standby position while facing the front end portion or the rear end portion (the portion exposed from one of the detection windows 33, see FIG. 5A) from the left side. Here, the long side portions (left side surface) 5A of all prizes 5 stored in the cassette 7 in a stacked state are collectively referred to as a stacked side surface 5B.

If the left edge of the premium 5 adjacent in the cassette 7 is aligned in a straight line along the vertical direction by an alignment member (not shown) provided in the counting unit 61, the premium 5 counts. It becomes easy.
Then, as the counting unit 61 slides upward, each counting sensor 60 is moved to the left side with a predetermined interval with respect to the laminated side surface 5B (exposed portion of any detection window 33) of the prize 5 described above. Ascend in a state of facing. While the counting sensor 60 is moving up, in the counting sensor 60, a light emitting element (not shown) projects light from the lower prize 5 in order toward the long side portion 5A of the prize 5. 5 is received by a light receiving element (not shown). Here, when light from a light emitting element (not shown) is applied to the boundary K of the long side portion 5A of the prize 5 adjacent to the top and bottom, compared to the case where light is applied to the long side portion 5A of the prize 5. The amount of reflected light (the amount of received light) received by the light receiving element (not shown) changes. Therefore, every time the amount of light received by the light receiving element (not shown) in the counting sensor 60 changes, the counting sensor 60 counts that there is one prize 5. Then, according to the same procedure, the counting sensor 60 counts the prizes 5 one by one in order from the lower prize 5, counts the number of prizes 5, and reaches the upper end of the guide rail 64 (see FIG. 10). Complete counting of all prizes 5. Thereafter, the counting sensor 60 returns to the standby position.

  Here, as described above, when the counting unit 61 moves up and down, in each counting unit 61, the front counting sensor 60 moves up and down while facing the first detection window 33A of the first storage 91 from the left side. The rear counting sensor 60 moves up and down while facing the second detection window 33B of the second storage 92 from the left side (see FIG. 11). Therefore, when the counting unit 61 reaches the upper end of the guide rail 64 (see FIG. 10) from the standby position, all the prizes 5 stored in both the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 in the cassette 7 are counted. Complete. Thus, the detection window 33 provided in each of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 exposes the prize 5 in the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 for counting. I understand.

Note that the counting sensor 60 may count the prize 5 when it reaches the standby position after reaching the upper end of the guide rail 64.
As described above, the counting sensor 60 counts the number of prizes 5 in a non-contact manner in accordance with a change in a light reception signal (light reception amount) of a light receiving element (not shown).
The data (counting data) of the number of prizes 5 in each cassette 7 counted by the counting sensor 60 is the second display unit 9B (see FIG. 1) described above, or the prize management machine connected to the prize dispenser 1 ( The number of prizes 5 stored in each cassette 7 of the prize dispenser 1 is collectively managed. Of course, this data may be output to a printing device (not shown) and printed on paper, or may be stored in the above-described host device.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cassette 7 according to a modification.
As described above, there are two types of prizes 5 for small prizes and large prizes, but there are also two types for cassettes 7 for small prizes and large prizes. Incidentally, the cassette 7 shown in FIG. 5A is for large prizes, and the cassette 7 shown in FIG. 12 is for small prizes. The large prize cassette 7 is one size larger than the small prize cassette 7. In response to this, the cassette loading port 102 (see FIG. 7) of the payout unit 8 for large prizes is larger than the cassette loading port 102 of the dispensing unit 8 for small prizes. It is assumed that the cassette 7 for use is accidentally loaded into the cassette loading port 102 of the payout unit 8 for large prizes.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, in the small prize cassette 7, projections 100 are formed at the lower ends of the pair of side walls 85 from the side surfaces of the side walls 85 toward the outside of the cassette 7 in the front-rear direction. Projected. The protrusion 100 is, for example, a columnar shape, and may be integrated with the side wall 85 or may be removably assembled with respect to the side wall 85 by using a screw or the like. In this case, by providing the pair of protrusions 100, the maximum dimension in the front-rear direction of the small prize cassette 7 is larger than the maximum dimension in the front-rear direction of the large prize cassette 7 (see FIG. 5A). Therefore, when the small prize cassette 7 is mistakenly loaded into the carrier 22 of the large prize dispensing unit 8, the protrusion 100 comes into contact with the upper end (cassette loading slot 102) of the carrier 22 ( have a finger in the pie. Thereby, the cassette 7 for small prizes cannot be loaded into the cassette loading slot 102 for large prizes. Therefore, in the prize dispenser 1, it is possible to prevent erroneous loading of the small prize cassette 7 into the incompatible cassette loading port 102.

  In addition, the payout unit 8 for small prizes is formed with an escape groove (not shown) that cuts the partition 28 up and down continuously from the cassette loading port 102. When the small prize cassette 7 is loaded into the cassette loading slot 102, the projection 100 fits into the relief groove, so that the small prize cassette 7 is inserted into the small prize cassette loading slot 102. Can be loaded without interference.

13A to 13D are schematic plan cross-sections of the cassette 7 according to the first to fourth embodiments.
In FIG. 13A, the cassette 7 (refer FIG. 5A and FIG. 12) which has the 1st storage 91 and the 2nd storage 92 mentioned above is illustrated. Instead, as shown in FIGS. 13B to 13D, a cassette having not only the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 but also the third storage 93 and the fourth storage 94 as a plurality of prize storages. 7 can also be used. Each of the third storage 93 and the fourth storage 94 has the same shape and structure as the first storage 91 and the second storage 92.

  In the cassette 7 shown in FIG. 13B on the basis of the longitudinal direction X and the short direction Y of the prize 5 described above, the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 are arranged along the longitudinal direction X, and the third storage 93 and the fourth storage 94 are arranged along the longitudinal direction X. And the 1st storage 91 and the 3rd storage 93 are arrange | positioned back to back (outward) so that each open part 32 may face the other side in the transversal direction Y, Similarly 2nd storage The storage 92 and the fourth storage 94 are arranged back to back. At this time, the first storage 91 and the third storage 93 are arranged along the short direction Y, and the second storage 92 and the fourth storage 94 are arranged along the short direction Y.

  Between the side wall 85 of the first storage 91 and the side wall 85 of the third storage 93, a connecting wall 101 (connecting portion) is installed, and the side wall 85 of the second storage 92 and the side wall 85 of the fourth storage 94. Another connecting wall 101 is installed between the two. Thus, the first storage 91 to the fourth storage 94 are connected and integrated by the connecting wall 101 and the partition wall 86. That is, the cassette 7 shown in FIG. 13B is connected by the connecting wall 101 in a state where two cassettes 7 shown in FIG. 13A are prepared and arranged with a gap in the short direction Y so that the opening portion 32 faces the opposite side. Corresponds to (integrated).

  Then, the detection window 33 of the first storage 91 and the detection window 33 of the second storage 92 are collectively arranged at the center in the longitudinal direction X on the closing wall 87 of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92. ing. The detection window 33 of the third storage box 93 and the detection window 33 of the fourth storage box 94 are arranged together in the center in the longitudinal direction X of the closing wall 87 of the third storage box 93 and the fourth storage box 94. . These four detection windows 33 are gathered at substantially the center in the plan view of the cassette 7.

  In the case of FIG. 13B, the payout unit 8 has a counting unit in the gap between the closed walls 87 of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 and the closed walls 87 of the third storage 93 and the fourth storage 94. By arranging 61 and moving up and down, each prize 5 in the first storage 91 to the fourth storage 94 is counted from the corresponding detection window 33. 13B is the light emitted from the counting sensor 60 of the counting unit 61 and directed toward the detection windows 33 of the first storage 91 to the fourth storage 94 (FIGS. 13A, 13C, and 13D). The same applies to the above).

  13C, the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 are arranged along the longitudinal direction X, and the third storage 93 and the fourth storage 94 are arranged along the longitudinal direction X. Has been. And the 1st storage 91 and the 3rd storage 93 are arrange | positioned inward so that each open part 32 may mutually oppose in the transversal direction Y, Similarly, the 2nd storage 92 and the 2nd storage Four storages 94 are arranged inward. At this time, the first storage 91 and the third storage 93 are arranged along the short direction Y, and the second storage 92 and the fourth storage 94 are arranged along the short direction Y.

  A connecting wall 101 is installed between the side wall 85 of the first storage 91 and the side wall 85 of the third storage 93, and between the side wall 85 of the second storage 92 and the side wall 85 of the fourth storage 94. Another connecting wall 101 is installed. Thus, the first storage 91 to the fourth storage 94 are connected and integrated by the connecting wall 101 and the partition wall 86. That is, the cassette 7 shown in FIG. 13C is connected (integrated) by the connecting wall 101 in a state where two cassettes 7 shown in FIG. 13A are prepared and arranged with a gap in the short direction Y so that the opening portions 32 face each other. Equivalent to

  The closing wall 87 of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 is one outer surface of the cassette 7 in the short direction Y, and the closing wall 87 of the third storage 93 and the fourth storage 94 is It is the other outer surface of the cassette 7 in the lateral direction Y. In the closing wall 87 of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92, the detection window 33 of the first storage 91 and the detection window 33 of the second storage 92 are collectively arranged in the center in the longitudinal direction X. . The detection window 33 of the third storage box 93 and the detection window 33 of the fourth storage box 94 are arranged together in the center in the longitudinal direction X of the closing wall 87 of the third storage box 93 and the fourth storage box 94. .

In the case of FIG. 13C, in the dispensing unit 8, the short direction Y of the closing walls 87 of the first storage 91 and the second storage 92 and the closing walls 87 of the third storage 93 and the fourth storage 94. One counting unit 61 is arranged on the outside of each.
Further, in the cassette 7 shown in FIG. 13D, the first storage 91, the second storage 92, the third storage 93, and the fourth storage 94 have the respective open portions 32 facing the same direction in the short direction Y. Are arranged along the longitudinal direction X. In this cassette 7, three partition walls 86 are arranged at equal intervals between a pair of side walls 85. The part between the adjacent partition walls 86 or the part between the adjacent side walls 85 and the partition wall 86 is the first storage 91, the second storage 92, the third storage 93 and the fourth storage 94. One of the storage spaces 97 is formed. That is, the cassette 7 shown in FIG. 13D corresponds to the cassette 7 shown in FIG. 13A that is prepared by connecting two of the cassettes 7 arranged in the longitudinal direction X so that the opening portions 32 face the same side. Adjacent ones in the first storage 91, the second storage 92, the third storage 93, and the fourth storage 94 are connected (integrated) by a partition wall 86 that forms a boundary between them.

In the case of FIG. 13D, in the payout unit 8, the counting unit 61 is disposed outside the closing wall 87 of the first storage 91, the second storage 92, the third storage 93, and the fourth storage 94. Yes.
As shown in FIGS. 13B to 13D, if the cassette 7 has a total of four storages, a first storage 91 to a fourth storage 94, a cassette 7 having a first storage 91 and a second storage 93. Compared to (see FIG. 13A), the number of prizes 5 that can be stored at a time can be increased, and the strength of the cassette 7 and the stability when the cassette 7 is disposed on the floor surface can be improved.

However, in any of the cassettes 7 of FIGS. 13A to 13D, the detection windows 33 are grouped on the partition wall 86 side in the storage box adjacent in the longitudinal direction X on the premise that they are loaded into the gift dispenser 1 with a counting function. The fact that the strength of the entire cassette 7 is improved by arranging the two has a structural advantage compared to a cassette in which a plurality of storages are simply connected.
13A to 13D is merely an example, and an arbitrary number of storages can be freely arranged and integrated along at least one of the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y. Here, in particular, if the cassette 7 is formed by connecting an even number of storages, it is effective in consideration of the layout structure on the counting unit 61 side.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cassette 7 according to still another embodiment.
In the above-described embodiment, the detection window 33 is provided at the end in the longitudinal direction X of the prize 5 in each prize storage (first storage 91 to fourth storage 94) (FIGS. 13A to 13C). 13D), as shown in FIG. 14, it may be provided at the center in the longitudinal direction X. If there is no problem in the strength of the cassette 7, the detection windows 33 may be provided at both the end and the center in the longitudinal direction X in each premium storage.

  Further, the counting sensor 60 (see FIG. 8) is an optical sensor using blue light, but may be an optical sensor using visible light or infrared light of other colors. Furthermore, the sensor which can count the prize 5 by other systems, such as a sensor (contact type) sensor which counts the prize 5 by directly contacting the prize 5, may be used.

1 prize giver 5 prize 7 cassette 33 detection window 86 partition wall 91 first storage 92 second storage 93 third storage 94 fourth storage 100 projection 101 connecting wall 102 cassette loading slot X longitudinal direction Y short direction

Claims (6)

A prize cassette loaded in a prize dispenser having an automatic counting function of prizes,
A plurality of prize storages for storing prizes in a stacked state;
A connecting portion for connecting and integrating the plurality of prize storages;
An open portion provided on one side surface of each of the plurality of prize storages, and opening the inside of the prize storages to the outside in the stacking direction of the prizes;
Wherein the Oite the one side to each of the plurality of prize storages provided in the same shape at the same position in the stacking direction in another aspect, is opened to expose for counting the prize in the prize repository A detection window;
A premium cassette characterized by including:   The prize cassette according to claim 1, wherein the detection window is provided in at least one of an end part and a center part in the longitudinal direction of the prize in the prize storage.   The prize cassette according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of prize storages are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the prize.   The premium cassette according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of premium storages are arranged along a short direction of the premium.   A protrusion that protrudes outward from the side surface of the prize cassette and prevents erroneous loading of the prize cassette into the incompatible prize cassette loading slot by interfering with the incompatible prize cassette loading slot in the prize dispenser. The premium cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the premium cassette is included. The premium cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 5 can be loaded ,
A counting sensor that is movable in the stacking direction in a state facing each detection window of each of the plurality of prize storages in the loaded prize cassette, and the prizes in the plurality of prize storages are A prize dispenser characterized by counting all at once .

Images