JP5978910B2 - Cup type vending machine cup feeder - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is incorporated in a cup-type vending machine for selling beverages such as coffee and juice in cups, stores a cup row composed of a plurality of stacked cups, and supplies cups at the time of sale. The present invention relates to a cup supply device for a cup-type vending machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a cup supply device that stores cup rows and supplies cups one by one. The cup supply device includes a cup turret that is a rotary cup container and a drive device that rotationally drives the cup turret. The cup turret is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and the inside is partitioned into eight cup storage portions along the inner wall by a partition plate, and a cup row is stored in each cup storage portion. Then, at the time of cup supply, the lowest cup (hereinafter referred to as “supply cup”) is separated from the cup row in the cup storage portion located at a predetermined separation position.

  In general, a cup drop ring having a ring shape is provided on the bottom of the cup storage part from which the supply cup is cut off. The cup drop ring is inserted into the inside of the cup drop ring and through the opening edge of the upper end part. The locked supply cup is disconnected during supply. As described above, when the supply cup is disconnected every time the supply is performed and all the cups in the cup storage portion are removed, the drive turret rotates the cup turret in a predetermined direction by ８. As a result, the cup rows in the adjacent cup storage portions are conveyed onto the cup drop ring while being pressed by the partition plate, fall to the inside thereof, and are set in the inserted state.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-31588

  In general, in the cup supply device as described above, the cup turret that sets a new cup row on the cup drop ring while rotating is stopped when it is detected that the cup row is set on the cup drop ring. However, when the cup turret is stopped in a state where it is rotated too much by an appropriate stop position, the cup row in the cup storage part on the cup drop ring may be pressed from the side by the partition plate. In this case, among the cup rows set on the cup drop ring, the portion of the cup row pressed by the partition plate is in a so-called suspended state, so that the cup is supplied without being sent to the lower cup drop ring side. There is a risk that it will not be possible. Also, if the operator who replenishes the cup supply to the cup supply device touches the cup turret after the operation, the cup turret may be slightly rotated, the same problem as described above may occur.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and even when a cup row for sale is pressed by a partition plate, the pressed state can be eliminated. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cup supply device for a cup-type vending machine that can ensure stable supply of the cup.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is to provide a cup supply device for a cup type vending machine that stores a cup row composed of a plurality of cups, each of which is stacked, and supplies a cup at the time of sale. A base having an opening that penetrates in a vertical direction and feeds a cup row for sale downward, a cylindrical case extending in the vertical direction on the base, and a vertical case in the case. And a plurality of partition plates arranged radially about the central axis in the case, and the plurality of partition plates accommodate a spare cup row placed on the base in the case. A plurality of spare cup row storage portions, and a sales cup row storage portion that is stored in a state in which a cup row for sale is set in the opening, and a case and a plurality of partition plates A cup container configured to be rotatable about the central axis on the body, and a cup separating mechanism that separates the lowest cup from the sales cup line set at the opening in the sales cup line storage part at the time of sale; When the number of cups in the cup row for sale is less than or equal to the predetermined number, the cup cup is rotated in a predetermined direction so that the inside of the spare cup row storage portion adjacent to the opposite side to the predetermined direction of the sales cup row storage portion. The spare cup row is transported to the opening side while being pressed by the partition plate, and is set in the opening as the sale cup row, and the sales cup set in the opening in the sale cup row storage section When the row is pressed by the partition plate, in order to release the pressed state, the cup container is pressed to rotate in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction. Characterized in that it and a return means cup pods to return to a proper position of the.

  According to this configuration, the cup housing having the predetermined case and the plurality of partition plates is rotatably provided on the base having the opening. The case is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, while the plurality of partition plates are arranged radially around the central axis in the case, and the plurality of spare cup row storage units and sales cup rows are arranged in the case. A storage section is defined. Further, at the time of sale, the lowermost cup is separated from the sale cup row set in the opening in the sale cup row storage portion by the cup separating mechanism. When the sale proceeds and the number of cup rows in the sale cup row storage section reaches a predetermined number or less, the cup storage device is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction by the driving device, whereby the above-mentioned sales cup row is The spare cup row in the spare cup row storage portion adjacent to the side opposite to the predetermined direction of the storage portion is conveyed to the opening side while being pressed by the partition plate, and is set in the opening as a cup row for sale.

  Thus, when the spare cup row is set in the opening as a cup row for sale, when the cup row for sale is pressed by the partition plate, the cup container return means, By pressing the cup container so as to rotate in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the cup container is returned to a predetermined proper position, that is, a position where the cup row for sale is not pressed by the partition plate. Thereby, the above-mentioned pressing state of the cup row for sale is canceled. In addition, for example, an operator who refills the cup container with the cup touches the cup container after the work, and the cup container rotates in the predetermined direction and is replenished in the set state in the opening. Even when the cup row is pressed by the partition plate, the above-described pressed state of the cup row for sale is canceled in the same manner as described above by the cup container return means. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably eliminate the state in which the sales cup row set in the opening is pressed by the partition plate, thereby ensuring a stable supply of the cup.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the cup supply device of the cup-type vending machine according to the first aspect, the driving device is configured to drive a cup separating mechanism in addition to the cup container. The apparatus is provided between a motor that can rotate forward and backward, and between the motor and the cup holder, and transmits the power of the motor to the cup holder only when the motor rotates in one of the forward and reverse directions. 1 one-way clutch, and a second one-way clutch that is provided between the motor and the cup disconnection mechanism and transmits the power of the motor to the cup disconnection mechanism only when the motor rotates in the other direction of forward and reverse rotation. The cup storage device returning means is configured to return the cup storage device to a predetermined proper position when the cup separating mechanism is driven by rotating the motor in the forward or reverse rotation. And said that you are.

  According to this configuration, the cup container and the cup separating mechanism are driven by the driving device having a single motor that can rotate forward and backward. The first one-way clutch is provided between the motor and the cup holder, and the second one-way clutch is provided between the motor and the cup separating mechanism. The cup and cup detachment mechanism are driven as follows. That is, when the motor rotates in one of the forward and reverse rotations, the cup holder is driven to rotate, and the spare cup row in the spare cup row storage portion is conveyed to the opening side while being pressed by the partition plate, and is set in the opening. Is done. In this case, since the power of the motor is not transmitted to the cup separating mechanism, the cup is not separated by the cup separating mechanism. On the other hand, when the motor rotates to the other of the forward and reverse rotations, the cup separating mechanism is driven, and the lowest cup is separated from the cup row for sale. In this case, since the power of the motor is not transmitted to the cup holder, the cup holder does not rotate. Therefore, the spare cup row in the spare cup row storage portion is conveyed to the opening side or set to the opening. There is nothing to do. Thus, the single motor can carry and set the spare cup row to the opening by rotation of the cup container, and can separate the cup from the sales cup row by the cup separating mechanism.

  Further, due to the arrangement relationship of the first and second one-way clutches, the cup container cannot rotate in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction when the motor rotates in one of forward and reverse rotations and when it is stopped. However, when the motor rotates in the forward or reverse rotation, the motor can rotate in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction. Therefore, when the motor rotates to the other of the forward and reverse rotations and drives the cup separating mechanism, the cup container is allowed to rotate in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction. The cup container can be easily and reliably returned to a predetermined proper position.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the cup supply device of the cup type vending machine according to the second aspect, the case of the cup container corresponds to each of the plurality of partition plates, and is located at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the case. A plurality of engaging projections projecting outward are provided, and the cup container return means is provided in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the case on the base so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction. When the cup is rotated in a predetermined direction from a predetermined proper position and the sales cup row set in the opening is pressed by the partition plate, the engaging convex portion is rotated while being pressed to rotate. And a spring for biasing the return member in a direction to return the return member to the original position before rotating.

  According to this configuration, the return member of the cup container return means is provided in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the case on the base so as to be rotatable about the axis extending in the vertical direction. When the cup holder rotates in a predetermined direction from a predetermined proper position and the sales cup row set in the opening is pressed by the partition plate, the return member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the case of the cup holder. The pressed engaging projection is pressed while being engaged, thereby rotating against the urging force of the spring. As described above, when the motor rotates to the other of the forward and reverse rotations and drives the cup separating mechanism, the cup container is allowed to rotate in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction. By returning to the original position before the rotation by the force, the engaging convex part of the cup container is pressed, and thereby the cup container is rotated in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction, and the predetermined proper position is obtained. Return to. Thus, the cup container return means for returning the cup container to a predetermined proper position can be easily realized with a relatively simple configuration of the return member and the spring.

It is a perspective view which shows the cup supply apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. In a cup supply apparatus, it isolate | separates a base and a cup storage device, and is a perspective view which shows the upper surface of a base, and the bottom face of a cup storage device. (A) is a front view of a cup supply apparatus, (b) is sectional drawing cut | disconnected along the bb line of (a). (A) is a perspective view which shows a drive device and a cup drop ring, (b) is those top views. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the conveyance operation | movement of the cup row | line | column in a cup storage device. It is explanatory drawing following FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the return operation | movement of a cup storage device.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a cup supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This cup supply device 1 is built in a cup-type vending machine (not shown), and transports a cup into which a beverage such as coffee or juice cooked in the vending machine is poured. It is supplied to a device or a sales outlet (both not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1, a cup supply device 1 includes a base 2 and a cup container 3 that is rotatably provided on the base 2 and stores a plurality of cup rows in which a large number of cups C are stacked. A cup drop ring 4 (cup separating mechanism) provided at the lower part of the base 3 for separating the lowest cup C from the cup row for sale, and provided in the base 2 for driving the cup container 3 and the cup drop ring 4 And a control device (not shown) composed of a microcomputer for controlling the drive device 5. In the following description, among the cup rows stored in the cup container 3, the sales row is referred to as “sales cup row H”, and the spare row is referred to as “reserve cup row Y”.

  The base 2 is made of a synthetic resin molded product, has a block-like appearance, is formed in a hollow shape, and has a lower surface open. As shown in FIG. 2, the base 2 has a cup larger than the cross section of the cup container 3 on its upper surface, and places the cup container 3 and a spare cup row Y accommodated therein. And a return member support surface 12 that is provided at a predetermined position near the outer edge of the placement surface 11 and supports a return member 21 described later.

  A connecting hole 13 is formed in the center of the mounting surface 11 so as to penetrate in the vertical direction and connect the cup container 3 and the driving device 5. Further, a cup row feed opening 14 (opening) is formed at a predetermined position on the mounting surface 11 so as to penetrate the sales cup row H to the lower cup drop ring 4 through the vertical direction. The cup row feed opening 14 has a diameter that is slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the cup C. Furthermore, the mounting surface 11 is formed with a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) ring convex portions 15 that protrude slightly upward and are arranged concentrically. These ring projections 15 reduce the frictional resistance by reducing the contact area with the lowermost cup C of the spare cup row Y stored in a state of being placed on the placement surface 11, and therefore The preliminary cup row Y can be smoothly conveyed on the placement surface 11.

  The return member support surface 12 is rotatably provided with a return member 21 configured to be engageable with and disengageable from the cup container 3. The return member 21 is made of a synthetic resin molded product, and has a block-shaped main body portion 22 having a predetermined shape, a rotating shaft portion 23 extending downward from the main body portion 22, and the cup housing 3 from the main body portion 22. And a pressing convex portion 24 protruding to the side. The rotating shaft portion 23 is loosely inserted into a hole (not shown) formed so as to extend downward from the return member support surface 12, and therefore the main body portion 22 of the return member 21 is the return member support surface 12. In a state where it is placed on top, it can rotate about the rotation shaft 23. A spring mounting portion 22a is provided on the upper surface of the main body portion 22 so as to protrude upward on the same axis as the rotation shaft portion 23. The return member 21 is rotated counterclockwise on the spring mounting portion 22a. A torsion coil spring 25 (spring) that is urged to move is attached.

  Further, in the vicinity of the return member 21 on the base 2, when the return member 21 is positioned at the standby position shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, it prevents further rotation in the counterclockwise direction. A stopper 26 is provided.

  The cup container 3 includes a cylindrical case 31 that extends in the vertical direction, and a plurality (five in the present embodiment) that extend in the vertical direction in the case 31 and that are arranged radially about the central axis of the case 31. Partition plate 32.

  The case 31 has an upper case 33 and a lower case 34, and is arranged in a state where the upper end portion of the latter 34 is fitted outside the lower end portion of the former 33. An upper ring 35 having a ring shape in plan view is provided at the upper end of the upper case 33, and a top plate 36 is attached to the upper surface of the upper ring 35. At the center of the top plate 36, an upper connector 37 for connecting the inner portions of the upper ends of all the partition plates 32 is attached. Further, the outer portion of the upper end portion of all the partition plates 32 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the upper ring 35.

  On the other hand, the lower case 34 has a cylindrical main body 41 and a lower ring 42 that is provided on the lower side and has a ring shape in plan view. The main body 41 is configured to be slidable above the lower ring 42. Therefore, when the cup row is replenished to the cup container 3, the main body 41 of the lower case 34 is obtained by the operator. Is slid upward, whereby the lower half of the cup container 3 is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lower ring 42 is provided with a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) rollers 43 at predetermined positions on the outer peripheral surface side. These rollers 43 slightly protrude below the lower end of the lower ring 42. Therefore, the cup container 3 rotates smoothly while these rollers 43 roll on the mounting surface 11 of the base 2. It is possible. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B, at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the lower ring 42, it protrudes outward and extends a predetermined length in the vertical direction, and is formed on the pressing convex portion 24 of the return member 21. A plurality (five in this embodiment) of ribs 44 (engagement convex portions) that can be engaged and disengaged are provided. These ribs 44 are provided at predetermined positions corresponding to the plurality of partition plates 32, respectively. Furthermore, the outer part of the lower end part of all the partition plates 32 is being fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the lower ring 42.

  As described above, the plurality of partition plates 32 are arranged radially in the case 31, and as shown in FIG. 3B, each partition plate 32 bends counterclockwise at the radial center. It is formed as follows. In addition, the partition plate 32 defines a plurality of cup row storage portions that store cup rows in the case 31. Specifically, a sales cup row storage portion 46 for storing the sales cup row H is provided on the cup row feed port 14 of the base 2, and four spare cup rows Y are provided on the placement surface 11 of the base 2. A spare cup row storage portion 47 for storage is defined.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner part of the lower end part of all the partition plates 32 is connected by the lower connection tool 48 of the predetermined shape. A projecting portion 48a extending downward for a predetermined length is provided below the lower connector 48, and a fitting portion 48b having a predetermined shape is formed on the upper portion. Both of the protrusion 48a and the fitting portion 48b are loosely inserted into the connecting hole 13 of the base 2 and are fitted into a container rotating member 56 described below below in the inserted state. ing.

  FIG. 4 shows the driving device 5. As shown in the figure, the drive device 5 is electrically connected to a control device, and a motor 51 that can rotate forward and reverse, a gear box 52 that is connected to the motor 51 and incorporates a reduction gear train, and this gear An output shaft 53 protruding in the vertical direction from the box 52, connected to the upper end portion of the output shaft 53, connected to the drive gear 54 for rotationally driving the cup container 3, and connected to the lower end portion of the output shaft 53, And a rotating body 55 for driving the drop ring 4. The drive gear 54 is connected to the output shaft 53 via a predetermined one-way clutch (first one-way clutch) (not shown), and the output shaft 53 rotates clockwise when the motor 51 rotates, for example, in the forward direction. Only when this is done, the drive gear 54 rotates together with the output shaft 53 in the clockwise direction. On the contrary, when the output shaft 53 rotates counterclockwise by rotating the motor 51 in the reverse direction, the drive gear 54 rotates idly with respect to the output shaft 53 and does not rotate. The drive gear 54 meshes with a gear portion 56 a of a container rotating member 56 connected to the cup container 3.

  The container rotating member 56 is supported in the base 2 so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis, and includes the gear portion 56a and a fitting portion 56b formed in a predetermined shape on the upper portion of the gear portion 56a. have. In the state where the cup container 3 is placed on the base 2, the fitting part 48 b of the lower connector 48 of the cup container 3 and the fitting part 56 b of the container rotating member 56 are connected to each other. Is done. Therefore, when the container rotating member 56 rotates integrally with the cup container 3 and is driven to rotate counterclockwise by the drive gear 54 that rotates clockwise, the cup container 3 also rotates counterclockwise. Rotate.

  On the other hand, the rotating body 55 is formed in a disk shape having a predetermined diameter in a planar shape, and a central portion thereof is coupled to the output shaft 53 via a predetermined one-way clutch (second one-way clutch) not shown. Thus, for example, when the motor 51 rotates in the reverse direction, the rotating body 55 rotates together with the output shaft 53 in the counterclockwise direction only when the output shaft 53 rotates in the counterclockwise direction. Conversely, when the motor 51 rotates in the forward direction and the output shaft 53 rotates in the clockwise direction, the rotator 55 rotates idle with respect to the output shaft 53 and does not rotate. In addition, an engaging protrusion 55 a that protrudes downward is provided near the outer edge of the bottom surface of the rotating body 55. A slider 57 that is slidable horizontally in a predetermined direction in the vicinity of the outer edge of the cup drop ring 4 is provided below the rotating body 55, and the elongated hole 57 a formed in the slider 57 is engaged with the rotating body 55. The mating protrusion 55a is slidably engaged. The slider 57 is provided with a connecting portion 57b that extends downward and is connected to a driving lever 4a of a ring gear (to be described later) of the cup drop ring 4.

  The cup drop ring 4 has a planar shape formed in a ring shape, and is disposed so as to be located directly below the cup row feed port 14. A plurality (six in this embodiment) of cup-separating cams 4b having cams of a predetermined shape on the circumferential surface are provided at the inner peripheral edge of the cup drop ring 4 so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis. It has been. A gear portion is provided at the lower end of each separating cam 4b. In addition, the cup drop ring 4 is formed in a ring shape in a planar shape, and a ring gear (not shown) that meshes with a gear portion of each cup separating cam 4b is rotatably provided on the inner peripheral portion. The drive lever 4a that protrudes outward is provided on the outer peripheral portion.

  In the cup drop ring 4 configured as described above, when the rotating body 55 of the driving device 5 makes one rotation, the slider 57 slides so as to reciprocate in the outer peripheral direction of the cup drop ring 4. Along with the reciprocating rotation, the plurality of cup separating cams 4b are reciprocally rotated by a predetermined angle in synchronization. Thereby, the lowest cup C of the sales cup row H is separated.

  In addition, a cylindrical upper chute 61 that communicates with the cup row feeding port 14 and guides the sales cup row H inserted into the cup row feeding port 14 to the cup drop ring 4 is provided above the cup drop ring 4. It has been. On the other hand, on the lower side of the cup drop ring 4, a cylindrical lower chute 62 that guides the cup C cut by the cup drop ring 4 downward is provided.

  At the upper part of the upper chute 61, a cup detecting lever 63 that protrudes inwardly from the outside in a state of being inclined downward and is rotatable at the upper end part is provided. Further, on the outside of the upper chute 61, there is provided a cup detection switch 64 which is turned ON / OFF by a cup detection lever 63 and electrically connected to the control device. When there is no cup C above the cup row feeding port 14 in the sales cup row H in the sales cup row storage section 46, and the sales cup row H has a predetermined number (for example, five) or less. This is detected by the cup detection switch 64.

  Next, the operation of the cup supply device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5A shows the cup storage in a state where the sales cup row H is set in the cup row feed port 14, that is, in a state where it is inserted into the cup drop ring 4 through the cup row feed port 14. A state in which the four spare cup rows Y are stored in the four spare cup row storage portions 47 in a state of being placed on the placement surface 11 while being stored in the sales cup row storage portion 46 in the container 3. Is shown.

  At the time of sale, the motor 51 of the drive device 5 rotates in the reverse direction and the rotating body 55 makes one rotation, thereby driving the cup drop ring 4, thereby separating the lowest cup C from the sales cup row H, It is supplied downward via the chute 64. In this case, although the output shaft 53 of the drive device 5 rotates counterclockwise, the drive gear 54 connected to the upper end of the drive device 5 is idled with respect to the output shaft 53 by an intervening one-way clutch. Therefore, the container rotating member 56 that meshes with the drive gear 54 and the cup container 3 connected to the container rotating member 56 via the lower connector 48 do not rotate.

  As described above, when each cup C is separated from the sales cup row H and supplied for each sale, the sales cup row H gradually decreases. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the cup C above the cup row delivery port 14 of the base 2 in the sales cup row H disappears, and the cup detection switch 64 reduces the sales cup row H to a predetermined number or less. When the number of cups is detected, the motor 51 of the driving device 5 rotates in the forward direction, and the cup container 3 is driven to rotate counterclockwise. In this case, although the output shaft 53 of the drive device 5 rotates in the clockwise direction, the rotating body 55 connected to the lower end portion of the drive device 5 is idled with respect to the output shaft 53 by the intervening one-way clutch. Therefore, the cup C is not separated by driving the cup drop ring 4.

  FIG. 5C shows a state in which the cup container 3 starts to rotate counterclockwise. In this case, the rib 44 located in the vicinity of the pressing convex portion 24 of the return member 21 engages and presses the pressing convex portion 24, whereby the returning member 21 is subjected to the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 25. Against this, it turns clockwise.

  When the cup container 3 further rotates counterclockwise from this state, as shown in FIG. 6A, the rib 44 engaged with the pressing convex portion 24 of the return member 21 has the pressing convex portion 24. And the engagement is released. As a result, the return member 21 rotates counterclockwise by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 25, contacts the stopper 26, and returns to the original standby position. Then, when the cup container 3 further rotates counterclockwise and is conveyed while pressing the spare cup row Y on the counterclockwise direction with each partition plate 32, the spare cup row Y on the clockwise side of the sales cup row H is , And reaches the cup row feed port 14 of the base 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the spare cup row Y falls through the cup row feed port 14, and is stacked on the cup C remaining below, and becomes the sales cup row H together with the cup C. .

  In this case, when it is detected that the sales cup row H has reached a predetermined number or more, the motor 51 of the driving device 5 is stopped and the rotating cup container 3 is also stopped. Thereby, the setting of the spare cup row Y to the cup row feed port 14 is completed. Thereafter, when the sales progress and the sales cup row H reaches a predetermined number or less, the other spare cup row Y is sequentially transported to the cup row feed port 14 side and set in the same manner as described above. Is done.

  FIG. 7A shows a state in which the cup container 3 is slightly rotated counterclockwise with respect to an appropriate stop position and the sales cup row H set at the cup row feed port 14 is pressed by the partition plate 32. ing. In this case, as in the case of FIG. 5C described above, the return member 21 is rotated in the clockwise direction against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 25 by the rib 44 engaging and pressing the pressing convex portion 24. To turn.

  As described above, in the state shown in FIG. 7A in which the sales cup row H is pressed by the partition plate 32, the sales cup row H is in a suspended state. It may not be possible to send the row H to the lower cup drop ring 4. However, when the motor 51 of the drive device 5 rotates in the reverse direction and the output shaft 53 rotates counterclockwise in order to separate the lowest cup C from the sales cup row H at the time of sale, the drive gear 54 is connected to the intervening one-way. The clutch allows rotation in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the output shaft 53. Thereby, the clockwise rotation of the container rotating member 56 that meshes with the drive gear 54 is also permitted. In other words, when the cup drop ring 4 is driven, the cup container 3 connected to the container rotating member 56 via the lower connector 48 can be rotated in the clockwise direction in an unloaded state.

  Accordingly, in the state shown in FIG. 7A, when the cup drop ring 4 is driven by the reverse rotation of the motor 51, the return member 21 is rotated counterclockwise by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 25. The pressing convex portion 24 presses the engaging rib 44. Thereby, as shown in FIG.7 (b), the cup container 3 rotates a little clockwise and returns to a predetermined | prescribed appropriate position, and the press state of the sales cup row | line | column H by the partition plate 32 is eliminated.

  As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, even when the sales cup row H is pressed by the partition plate 32, the cup container 3 is returned to the predetermined proper position by the return member 21. Thus, the above-mentioned pressing state of the sales cup row H can be eliminated. Further, when a worker who replenishes the cup container 3 touches the cup container 3 after the operation, the sales cup row H set in the cup row feed port 14 of the base 2 is pressed by the partition plate 32. Even when the state has been reached, the return member 21 similarly cancels the above-mentioned pressing state of the sales cup row H. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably eliminate the state in which the sales cup row H is pressed by the partition plate 32, thereby ensuring a stable supply of the cup C.

  In addition, this invention can be implemented in various aspects, without being limited to the said embodiment described. In the embodiment, one rib 44 is provided for each partition plate 32 at the lower end of the outer peripheral surface of the cup container 3, but for example, the circumference of the cup container 3 with respect to one partition plate 32. Two ribs may be provided at a slight distance from each other in the direction. Accordingly, even when the sizes (maximum diameters) of the cups C are different from each other, it is possible to appropriately eliminate the pressing state of the sales cup row H by the partition plate 32, and the general purpose of the cup container 3 in the cup supply device 1. Can increase the sex.

  In addition, the configuration of details of the base 2, the cup container 3, the cup drop ring 4, and the driving device 5 of the cup supply device 1 shown in the embodiment are merely examples, and as appropriate within the scope of the present invention, Can be changed.

1 Cup supply device 2 Base 3 Cup container 4 Cup drop ring (cup detachment mechanism)
5 Drive unit 14 Cup row feed opening (opening)
21 Returning member 24 Pressing convex part 25 Torsion coil spring (spring)
31 Case 32 Partition plate 44 Rib (engagement convex part)
46 Sales cup row storage section 47 Spare cup row storage section 51 Motor 53 Output shaft 54 Drive gear 55 Rotating body C Cup H Sales cup row Y Spare cup row

Claims (3)

A cup supply device for a cup-type vending machine that stores a cup row composed of a plurality of cups each stacked, and supplies a cup at the time of sale,
A base penetrating in the vertical direction and having an opening for sending a cup row for sale downward;
A cylindrical case extending in the vertical direction on the base, and a plurality of partition plates extending in the vertical direction in the case and arranged radially about the central axis in the case, With the partition plate, a plurality of spare cup row storage portions that are stored in a state in which the spare cup row is placed on the base in the case, and the cup row for sale is set in the opening. A cup container that defines a sales cup row storage section to be stored, and is configured to be rotatable about the central axis integrally with the case and the plurality of partition plates;
At the time of sale, a cup separating mechanism for separating the lowest cup from the cup row for sale set in the opening in the selling cup row storage section;
When the number of cups in the sales cup row becomes equal to or less than a predetermined number, a spare adjacent to the opposite side of the sales cup row storage portion in the predetermined direction is driven by rotating the cup storage device in a predetermined direction A drive device that transports a spare cup row in the cup row storage portion to the opening side while pressing by the partition plate, and sets the opening as a cup row for sale;
When the sales cup row set in the opening in the sales cup row storage portion is pressed by the partition plate, in order to eliminate the pressed state, the cup holder is Cup container return means for returning to a predetermined proper position by pressing to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction;
A cup supply device for a cup-type vending machine, comprising: In addition to the cup container, the driving device is configured to drive the cup separating mechanism,
The drive device includes a single motor that can rotate forward and backward, and
A first one-way clutch that is provided between the motor and the cup container and transmits the power of the motor to the cup container only when the motor rotates in one of forward and reverse rotations;
A second one-way clutch that is provided between the motor and the cup separating mechanism and transmits the power of the motor to the cup separating mechanism only when the motor rotates in the other of forward and reverse rotation;
Have
The cup container returning means is configured to return the cup container to the predetermined proper position when the cup separating mechanism is driven by the motor rotating to the other of the forward and reverse rotations. The cup supply device of the cup type vending machine according to claim 1. The case of the cup container is provided with a plurality of engaging projections corresponding to the plurality of partition plates and projecting outward at predetermined positions on the outer peripheral surface of the case,
The cup container returning means is
It is provided in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the case on the base so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction, and the cup container is rotated in the predetermined direction from the predetermined appropriate position and set in the opening. A return member that rotates by pressing the engaging projection while engaging the cup row for sale that is pressed by the partition plate; and
A spring that biases the return member in a direction to return to the original position before the rotation;
The cup supply device for a cup-type vending machine according to claim 2, wherein

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