JP7305972B2 - beverage cup feeder - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a beverage cup supply device, and more particularly to a beverage cup supply device on which a plurality of beverage cups are stacked.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been disclosed a beverage cup supply device in which a plurality of beverage cups are stacked and stored (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In Patent Document 1, a beverage cup supply device for a cup-type vending machine stores a plurality of vertically stacked cups and supplies the cups by separating and dropping the lower cup at the time of sale. disclosed. The beverage cup supply device described in Patent Document 1 includes a detachment cam for detachment of the lower cup among the plurality of stacked cups. In the cup-type vending machine described in Patent Document 1, the dropped cup is supplied with the beverage to the cup placed on the cup stage. In the cup-type vending machine described in Patent Literature 1, the purchaser of the beverage acquires the cup containing the beverage by taking it out from the cup stage.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-230639

Here, in the cup-type vending machine as described in Patent Document 1, the cup is supplied to the cup stage by dropping the lower cup. cup) must be placed (stored). That is, it is necessary to store the cups in a relatively high portion of the cup-type vending machine. However, in the cup-type vending machine (beverage cup supply device) as described in Patent Document 1, the part for storing the cup is not convenient for storing (replenishing) the cup in the cup-type vending machine. There is a desire to dispense one-by-one of a plurality of vertically stacked cups while allowing the cups to be positioned relatively low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of cups stacked vertically while arranging the portion for storing the cups at a relatively low position. to provide a beverage cup dispenser capable of dispensing one of each of the cups.

In order to achieve the above object, a beverage cup supply device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a mounting section on which a plurality of beverage cups are placed in a stack with the bottom facing upward, and a a ring-shaped member disposed outside the direction of the cup; a driving portion for rotating the ring-shaped member; a contact member that contacts the annular member from above, the contact member including a first contact member and a second contact member that engage with a circumferentially extending cam groove provided in the annular member; The movement changes the angles of the first contact member and the second contact member with respect to the cup, so that the first contact member comes into contact with the protruding portion of the cup arranged at the top of the plurality of stacked cups. A first state in which the second contact member does not come into contact with the second contact member, and the second contact member comes into contact with the protrusion of the second cup from the top of the plurality of stacked cups, and the second contact member comes into contact with A second state in which the first contact member does not contact the protruding portion of the cup from above can be changed, and the annular member engages with the first contact member and the second contact member outside the cam groove portion. By rotating the annular member, the engagement state of the annular member with respect to the first contact member and the second contact member changes outside the cam groove portion , thereby changing the first contact member and the second contact member. The angle of the member relative to the cup is configured to vary.

In the beverage cup supply device according to one aspect of the present invention, as described above, the first contact member comes into contact with the protrusion of the cup arranged at the top of the plurality of stacked cups from above, and A first state in which the second contact member does not come into contact from above, and a second contact member comes into contact from above with the protrusion of the second highest cup among the plurality of stacked cups, and a plurality of A second state in which the first contact member does not come into contact with the protruding portion of the cup from above can be changed. Accordingly, in the first state, the first contact member is in contact with the protrusion of the topmost cup from above, so that the topmost cup cannot be taken out upward. That is, in the first state, none of the stacked cups can be taken out upward. On the other hand, in the second state, the first contact member is not in contact with the protrusion of the cup from above, and the second contact member is in contact with the protrusion of the second cup from the top from above. Therefore, only the uppermost cup among the stacked cups can be taken out upward. Further, in the second state, after the cup placed on the top tier is taken out, by returning to the first state, the cup placed second from the top is newly placed on the top tier. be able to. Therefore, by repeatedly changing between the first state and the second state, a plurality of vertically stacked cups can be taken out one by one from the upper side. Moreover, since the plurality of vertically stacked cups are taken out from the upper side, the part where the cups are stored can be arranged below the position where the cups are taken out. That is, the portion where the cup is stored can be arranged at a relatively low position that is highly convenient for storing (replenishing) the cup. As a result, it is possible to supply one of each of a plurality of vertically stacked cups while arranging the portion for storing the cups at a relatively low position.

In the beverage cup supply device according to the above aspect, preferably, the height position at which the second contact member contacts the projecting portion is the height between vertically adjacent cups when a plurality of cups are stacked. , the first contact member is provided below the height position where the first contact member contacts the protrusion. With this configuration, when the state is changed from the first state to the second state, the second contact member can be easily brought into contact with the projecting portion of the second cup from the top from above. .

In the beverage cup supply device according to the above aspect, preferably, the annular member is provided outside the cam groove portion, and in the first state, the first engaging portion engages with the first contact member; a second engaging portion that engages with the contact member, wherein the engagement state of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion with respect to the first contact member and the second contact member, respectively, due to rotation of the annular member is changed, the angles of the first contact member and the second contact member with respect to the cup are changed. With this configuration, by changing the state of engagement of the first contact member with the first engagement portion and the state of engagement of the second contact member with the second engagement portion, the first contact member and the second contact member are changed. The angle of the two contact members with respect to the cup can be easily changed.

In this case, preferably, in the second state, the rotation of the annular member causes the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion to disengage from the first contact member and the second contact member, respectively. The angle of the first contact member and the second contact member with respect to the cup is configured to vary. According to this configuration, the first engaging portion and the first contact member, and the second engaging portion and the second contact member, which are engaged in the first state, are disengaged in the second state. By doing so, it is possible to easily change the engagement state of the first contact member with the first engagement portion and the engagement state of the second contact member with the second engagement portion.

The beverage cup supply device according to the above aspect preferably further includes a first biasing member for pushing the mounting portion upward with a constant force, and the contact member is mounted by the first biasing member. It is configured to come into contact with the protruding portion of the cup pushed up together with the portion from above. With this configuration, the first biasing member pushes the placing portion upward with a constant force. When the state is changed from the state to the first state, the cup changed from the state arranged second from the top to the state arranged at the top is pushed up to a position where the first contact member contacts from above. can be done. As a result, every time one cup is taken out from the upper side, the first contact member can be brought into contact with the protrusion of the uppermost cup from the upper side.

In the beverage cup supply device according to the above aspect, the cam groove portion of the annular member preferably communicates with the first cam groove portion and the first cam groove portion and is provided outside the first cam groove portion in the radial direction. 2 cam grooves. With this configuration, the position at which the contact member contacts the protruding portion of the cup when the contact member is engaged with the second cam groove portion is changed to the position where the contact member is engaged with the first cam groove portion. It can be arranged radially outside the position where the contact member contacts the protruding portion of the cup. As a result, the configuration in which a plurality of cups stacked in the vertical direction can be taken out one by one from the upper side can be made compatible with cups of two different sizes (outer diameters of protrusions).

In this case, the cup preferably includes a first cup and a second cup having a larger diameter than the first cup, and in a state where the contact member is engaged with the first cam groove, the contact member: The contact member is configured to contact the protrusion of the second cup from above while contacting the protrusion of the first cup from above and engaging the contact member with the second cam groove. . With this configuration, the protrusion of the second cup has a larger diameter than the protrusion of the first cup, so that the contact member can be easily moved while the contact member is engaged with the first cam groove. The contact member can be brought into contact with the protrusion of the second cup from above in a state in which the protrusion of the first cup is brought into contact with the protrusion from above and the contact member is engaged with the second cam groove.

When the contact member is engaged with the first cam groove portion, the contact member contacts the protruding portion of the first cup, and when the contact member is engaged with the second cam groove portion, the contact member contacts the second cup Preferably, the contact member is formed in a columnar shape to extend in the vertical direction and extends at least above or below the annular member. One further includes a post arranged to engage an opening formed in the storage member, the opening being aligned with the position of the post when the contact member is engaged with the first cam groove. , and the position of the post where the contact member is engaged with the second cam groove. With this configuration, since the opening has an elongated hole shape, there is a difference between the state in which the contact member is engaged with the first cam groove portion and the state in which the contact member is engaged with the second cam groove portion. , the contact member including the column can be easily moved in the radial direction while maintaining the state in which the column is engaged with the opening. In addition, since the column is arranged to engage with the opening having the elongated hole shape, the circumferential movement of the contact member including the column can be restricted within the range of the opening.

In the beverage cup supply device according to the above aspect, preferably, the first contact member includes a rotating pawl configured to be in contact with the projecting portion from above and to be vertically rotatable. is configured to be able to rotate downward from the horizontal direction by applying downward force from the upper side. With this configuration, the cup can be pushed in below the rotating claw portion by pressing the cup against the rotating claw portion from above and rotating the rotating claw portion downward. . As a result, in a structure in which a plurality of vertically stacked cups can be taken out one by one from the upper side, the vertically stacked plurality of cups can be refilled from the upper side all at once.

In this case, preferably, the first contact member further includes a second urging member that urges the rotating claw portion along the horizontal direction in the first state. With this configuration, the rotating claw portion is horizontally moved in the first state by the biasing force of the second biasing member, so that in the first state in which the cup is not refilled, the first contact member rotates. It is possible to easily maintain a state in which the claw portion is in contact from the upper side with the projecting portion of the cup arranged in the uppermost stage among the plurality of cups stacked from the upper side.

According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to supply one by one of a plurality of vertically stacked cups while arranging the portion for storing the cups at a relatively low position.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a beverage cup supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view showing cups stacked and placed in the beverage cup supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state of a Conston spring of the beverage cup supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper ring housing member of the beverage cup dispenser according to one embodiment of the present invention is removed; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the state of a drive ring and a cam member of the beverage cup dispenser according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state of a cam member in the standby state of the beverage cup supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state of a cam member in a standby state of the beverage cup supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing how the cam member of the beverage cup dispenser according to one embodiment of the present invention engages with the ring receiving member; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the appearance of the cam member in the beverage cup supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention in a state where the cup can be taken out; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state of a cam member of the beverage cup supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention in a state where the cup can be taken out; FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the uppermost cup is taken out in the cup-removable state of the beverage cup supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a normal state of the claw portion of the first cam member of the beverage cup supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a downward rotation of the claw portion of the first cam member of the beverage cup supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a side view showing how the cup of the beverage cup supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention is refilled; FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state of a cup sold-out detection switch of the beverage cup supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 15, the configuration of a beverage cup supply device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The beverage cup supply device 100 is, for example, a device that supplies a cup 200 (see FIG. 1) for a beverage supply device provided in a convenience store or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the beverage cup supply device 100 includes an annular ring storage member 10 and a columnar cup storage member 20 . Ring storage member 10 includes an upper ring storage member 11 and a lower ring storage member 12 . The upper ring housing member 11 and the lower ring housing member 12 are fixed to each other. Inside the ring housing member 10, a drive ring 40 (see FIG. 4) and the like, which will be described later, are housed. Inside the cup storage member 20, the stacked beverage cups 200 are stored. The ring storage member 10 is an example of the "storage member" in the scope of claims. Also, the drive ring 40 is an example of an "annular member" in the claims.

As shown in FIG. 2, the beverage cup supply device 100 includes a mounting portion 30 on which the cup 200 is mounted. A plurality of beverage cups 200 are stacked vertically on the upper side of the mounting portion 30 . In the beverage cup supply device 100, the beverage cup 200 is placed with the bottom portion 200a facing upward. Note that FIG. 2 does not show the cup storage member 20, but shows a state in which the beverage cup 200 stored inside the cup storage member 20 is exposed. In the following description, the Z direction is the vertical direction in which the cups 200 are stacked. Also, the upward direction (upper side) and the downward direction (lower side) are defined as the Z1 direction (Z1 side) and the Z2 direction (Z2 side), respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the drinking cup dispenser 100 includes a Conston spring 31 . One end of the Conston spring 31 is fixed to a spring housing portion 32 provided on the side of the mounting portion 30 . The other end of the Conston spring 31 is arranged on the lower side (Z2 side) of the mounting portion 30 . The Conston spring 31 is configured to push up the mounting portion 30 upward (Z1 direction) with a constant force. The Conston spring 31 is an example of the "first biasing member" in the claims.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the beverage cup dispenser 100 includes a drive ring 40 , a drive motor 50 , a gear member 51 , a microswitch 52 , an encoder 53 and a cam member 60 . In addition, the drive motor 50 is an example of the "drive part" of a claim. Also, the cam member 60 is an example of a "contact member" in the claims.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the drive ring 40 is arranged radially outside the mounting portion 30 . The drive ring 40 is formed in a substantially annular shape. As shown in FIG. 4, drive ring 40 includes an upper drive ring 41 and a lower drive ring 42 . Upper drive ring 41 and lower drive ring 42 are fixed to each other. As shown in FIG. 5, a gear portion 43 is provided on the radially outer peripheral surface of the lower drive ring 42 . In the following description, the inner side and the outer side centering on the axis extending in the vertical direction (Z direction) of the cup 200 placed on the placing portion 30 are defined as the radially inner side and the outer side, respectively. Moreover, let the direction orthogonal to a radial direction be a circumferential direction in a horizontal plane.

As shown in FIG. 4, the drive ring 40 is provided with a cam groove portion 40a extending in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the upper driving ring 41 and the lower driving ring 42 are provided with a cam groove portion 41a and a cam groove portion 42a extending in the circumferential direction, respectively. The cam groove portion 41a and the cam groove portion 42a are provided at positions overlapping each other when viewed in the vertical direction (Z direction).

As shown in FIG. 6, the lower drive ring 42 includes first ribs 42b and second ribs 42c. The first rib 42b and the second rib 42c are provided radially outside the cam groove portion 42a. As shown in FIG. 7, the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first rib 42b and the second rib 42c are examples of the "first engaging portion" and the "second engaging portion", respectively.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the drive motor 50 is a motor for rotating the drive ring 40 . Drive motor 50 is, for example, a direct-current motor. The drive motor 50 is driven to rotate the gear member 51 .

The gear member 51 includes a gear portion 51a and a switch contact portion 51b. The gear portion 51a is formed in an annular shape and has tooth portions on its lateral outer peripheral surface. The gear portion 51 a is arranged so as to mesh with the gear portion 43 of the drive ring 40 . That is, the drive ring 40 is configured to rotate as the gear member 51 is rotated by the drive motor 50 . Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the switch contact portion 51b is provided on the upper side (Z1 side) of the gear portion 51a. The switch contact portion 51b is formed integrally with the gear portion 51a. The switch contact portion 51b is formed in an annular shape, and has a concave portion 511b on its lateral outer peripheral surface.

The microswitch 52 includes a contact portion 52a located near the switch contact portion 51b. The contact portion 52a is arranged in the concave portion 511b of the switch contact portion 51b so as not to contact the switch contact portion 51b when the gear member 51 is at the origin position. Further, the contact portion 52a is arranged in a portion other than the concave portion 511b of the switch contact portion 51b and is configured to contact the switch contact portion 51b when the gear member 51 is located at a position other than the origin position. Thereby, even when the gear member 51 rotates to a position different from the origin position, it is possible to return the gear member 51 to the origin position. The switch contact portion 51b includes respective origin positions for cups 200 of two different sizes, and an origin position for initializing the rotational position of the gear member 51 in the event of a power failure or the like.

The encoder 53 is configured to detect the amount of rotation of the gear member 51 . This makes it possible to detect the amount of rotation of the gear member 51 from the origin position due to the rotation of the gear member 51 by the drive motor 50 .

As shown in FIG. 6, the cam member 60 includes a first cam member 61 and a second cam member 62. As shown in FIG. The first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 are examples of the "first contact member" and the "second contact member" in the claims, respectively.

The first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 are configured to engage with the cam groove portion 40a. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 each have a columnar portion 61a and a columnar portion 62a extending in the vertical direction (Z direction). include. The first cam member 61 (second cam member 62) passes through the cam groove portion 41a of the upper drive ring 41 and the cam groove portion 42a of the lower drive ring 42 at the upper and lower portions of the column portion 61a (column portion 62a), respectively. are arranged to Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the pillars 61a (pillars 62a) are openings formed in the upper ring housing member 11 above the upper drive ring 41 and below the lower drive ring 42, respectively. It is arranged to engage an opening 13 formed in the portion 13 and the lower ring receiving member 12 . The opening 13 has an elongated hole shape extending longer in the radial direction than in the circumferential direction. The vertical and circumferential movements of the column portion 61 a (column portion 62 a ) are restricted by the opening 13 . This maintains the state in which the first cam member 61 (the second cam member 62) is engaged with the cam groove portion 41a and the cam groove portion 42a. 8 shows the opening 13 formed in the lower ring housing member 12. As shown in FIG.

The cam member 60 is connected to the ring housing member 10 via a torsion spring member 63 . Specifically, one end of the torsion spring member 63 is wound around the upper portion of the column portion 61a (column portion 62a) so that the tension becomes zero when the cam member 60 is arranged at a predetermined angle. ing. Also, the other end of the torsion spring member 63 is fixed to a fixing portion (not shown) of the ring housing member 10 . That is, when the angle of the cam member 60 is changed from the predetermined angle, the tension of the torsion spring member 63 acts to return the angle of the cam member 60 to the predetermined angle.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first cam member 61 includes a claw portion 61b protruding radially inward. Similarly, the second cam member 62 includes a claw portion 62b protruding radially inward. The claw portion 61b and the claw portion 62b are configured to be able to contact the curl portion 200b provided on the cup 200 from the upper side (Z1 side). The curled portion 200b is a portion that is provided on the mouth side (Z2 side) opposite to the bottom portion 200a of the cup 200 and protrudes radially outward. Note that the claw portion 61b is an example of the "rotating claw portion" in the scope of claims. Also, the curled portion 200b is an example of a "projection" in the scope of claims.

The height position of the claw portion 61b of the first cam member 61 and the height position of the claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 correspond to the height position of the stacked cups 200 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction (Z direction). are arranged according to the height difference of the That is, in the present embodiment, the height position at which the second cam member 62 contacts the curled portion 200b corresponds to the height difference between the vertically adjacent cups 200 when a plurality of cups 200 are stacked. Accordingly, the first cam member 61 is provided below (Z2 side) the height position at which it contacts the curled portion 200b. 7, the claw portion 61b of the first cam member 61 contacts the curled portion 200b of the cup 200, and the claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 contacts the curled portion 200b of the cup 200. It shows no contact.

Also, the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 respectively have a recess 61c and a recess 62c formed radially outward. The recess 61c of the first cam member 61 and the recess 62c of the second cam member 62 are configured to engage with the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c formed on the lower drive ring 42, respectively. there is

Here, in the present embodiment, the first cam member 61 contacts and the second cam member 62 does not contact the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 arranged at the top of the plurality of stacked cups 200. 6 and 7), the second cam member 62 comes into contact with the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 placed second from the top of the plurality of stacked cups 200. , the first cam member 61 does not come into contact with the curled portions 200b of the plurality of cups 200 from above (the state shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). Further, by rotating the drive ring 40, the angles of the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 with respect to the cup 200 are changed, so that the "waiting state" and the "cup ready state" are changed. It is configured. The "waiting state" and the "cup-removable state" are examples of the "first state" and the "second state" in the scope of claims, respectively.

Specifically, in the "standby state", the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 are engaged with the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c, respectively. Rotation of the drive ring 40 changes the engagement states of the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 with the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c, respectively. The angle of the two cam members 62 with respect to the cup 200 is changed. Further, when the driving ring 40 rotates, the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 are disengaged from the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c in the "capable-to-take-out state." It is configured such that the angles of the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 with respect to the cup 200 are changed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , in the “standby state”, the recess 61 c of the first cam member 61 and the recess 62 c of the second cam member 62 are aligned with the first cam member formed in the lower drive ring 42 . It engages with the rib 42b and the second rib 42c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the "standby state", the claw portion 61b of the first cam member 61 extends substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to the radial direction. The tip of the claw portion 61b of the first cam member 61 is in contact with the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 arranged on the uppermost stage from above (Z1 side). Also, the claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 is not parallel to the radial direction. The claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 is not in contact with any of the curled portions 200b of the cups 200 stacked. As described above, the mounting portion 30 on which the plurality of stacked cups 200 are mounted is pushed upward (in the Z direction) by the Conston spring 31 with a constant force. That is, in this embodiment, the cam member 60 is configured to contact the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 pushed up together with the placing portion 30 by the Conston spring 31 from above. Further, as will be described later, the claw portion 61b of the first cam member 61 is configured so as not to rotate above the horizontal direction (Z1 direction). As a result, in the "standby state", the claw portion 61b of the first cam member 61 contacts the curl portion 200b of the cup 200 arranged on the uppermost stage from the upper side (Z1 side), and does not rotate upward. Therefore, a plurality of stacked cups 200 cannot be taken out from above.

In the beverage cup supply device 100, the drive motor 50 rotates the drive ring 40 in a predetermined direction, thereby changing from the "waiting state" shown in FIG. 6 to the "cup ready state" shown in FIG. The change from the "waiting state" to the "cup ready state" is performed, for example, by operating a cup vending switch or the like.

As shown in FIG. 9, the relative positions of the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 in the cam groove portion 40a in the "cup ready state" are different from the relative positions in the "standby state". In the "cup-removable state", the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 are disengaged from the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c, respectively, and the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 are in contact with the radially inner tip portions of the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c, respectively. As a result, the angle of the claw portion 61b of the first cam member 61 and the claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 with respect to the cup 200 is changed to an angle different from that in the "standby state" in the "cup-removable state." .

Specifically, in the "cup-removable state", the claw portion 61b of the first cam member 61 extends substantially horizontally and is not parallel to the radial direction. The tip of the claw portion 61b of the first cam member 61 is not in contact with the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 arranged on the uppermost stage from above (Z1 side). Further, the claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 is substantially parallel to the radial direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 is in contact with the curl portion 200b of the cup 200 placed second from the top from above. In addition, the claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 enters between the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 arranged in the uppermost stage and the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 arranged in the second from the uppermost stage. ing. That is, the claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 does not come into contact with the curl portion 200b of the cup 200 arranged on the uppermost stage from above. Accordingly, in the "cup-removable state", neither the claw portion 61b of the first cam member 61 nor the claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 is in contact with the uppermost cup 200 from above. Since the claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 is in contact with the curl portion 200b of the cup 200 placed second from the top from above, the cup 200 is placed on the top of the plurality of stacked cups 200. Only the cup 200 can be taken out from the upper side. When the "cup ready state" is reached, for example, the user of the beverage cup supply device 100 is notified that the "cup ready state" is reached by a display on a display unit (not shown) or by voice. may be configured to notify the

As shown in FIG. 11, when the cup 200 arranged in the uppermost stage is taken out from the upper side in the "cup-unloadable state", the claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 is arranged second from the uppermost stage. The curled portion 200b of the cup 200 (the cup 200 newly arranged on the uppermost stage) which has been held up is brought into contact with the curled portion 200b from above. Then, the drive motor 50 rotates the drive ring 40 in the direction opposite to that when the "standby state" was changed to the "cup ready state", thereby returning to the "standby state" shown in FIG. That is, the claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 does not contact the curl portion 200b of the cup 200 placed second from the top (the cup 200 newly placed at the top) from above (Z1 side). state. At the same time, the claw portion 61b of the first cam member 61 is brought into contact with the curled portions 200b of the plurality of stacked cups 200 from above. Then, the plurality of stacked cups 200 are pushed up together with the mounting portion 30 by the Conston spring 31, and the claw portion 61b of the first cam member 61 again moves upward toward the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 arranged in the uppermost stage. In addition, the claw portion 62b of the second cam member 62 does not contact any of the curled portions 200b of the stacked cups 200 ("standby state" shown in FIG. 6).

With the above configuration, it is possible to take out the stacked cups 200 one by one from the upper side (Z1 side) by repeating the change between the "standby state" and the "cup ready state".

In addition, in the beverage cup supply device 100, the cups 200 of two different sizes (the first cup and the second cup having a larger diameter than the first cup) are stacked. can be taken out one by one from the upper side (Z1 side).

Specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the cam groove portion 41a of the upper driving ring 41 communicates with the first cam groove portion 411a and the first cam groove portion 411a in the radial direction. and a second cam groove portion 411b provided outside. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the cam groove portion 42a of the lower drive ring 42 communicates with the first cam groove portion 421a and the first cam groove portion 421a, and is provided outside the first cam groove portion 421a in the radial direction. and a second cam groove portion 421b. While the cam member 60 is engaged with the first cam groove portion 411a (421a), the cam member 60 contacts the curled portion 200b of the first cup from the upper side (Z1 side), and the second cam groove portion The cam member 60 is configured to contact the curled portion 200b of the second cup from above while the cam member 60 is engaged with 411b (421b).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the rotation of the drive ring 40 causes the cam member 60 to engage with the first cam groove portion 411a (421a) and the cam member 60 to engage with the second cam groove portion 411b (421b). can be changed between the state of engagement with Note that FIG. 6 shows a state in which the cam member 60 is engaged with the first cam groove portion 411a (421a) (state for the first cup).

Since the second cam groove portion 411b (421b) is provided radially outside the first cam groove portion 411a (421a), the cam member 60 is engaged with the second cam groove portion 411b (421b). The position of the claw portion 61b (62b) of the cam member 60 is radially larger than the position of the claw portion 61b (62b) of the cam member 60 when the cam member 60 is engaged with the first cam groove portion 411a (421a). Outside direction. Therefore, when the cam member 60 is engaged with the second cam groove portion 411b (421b), the diameter of the cup 200 is larger than when the cam member 60 is engaged with the first cam groove portion 411a (421a). With respect to (the second cup), it is possible to take out a plurality of stacked cups 200 one by one from the upper side (Z1 side). It should be noted that the column portion 61a (61b) of the cam member 60, when the cam member 60 is engaged with the first cam groove portion 411a (421a), corresponds to the diameter of the opening portion 13 (see FIG. 8) formed in the ring housing member 10. In addition, when the cam member 60 is engaged with the second cam groove portion 411b (421b), it is positioned radially outside the opening 13 (see FIG. 8) formed in the ring housing member 10. . 8 shows a state in which the cam member 60 is engaged with the second cam groove portion 411b (421b).

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the beverage cup supply device 100 is configured to be able to simultaneously refill a plurality of cups 200 stacked in the vertical direction (Z direction) from the upper side (Z1 side). . Specifically, in the present embodiment, the claw portion 61b is configured to be vertically rotatable, and when a downward force (Z2 direction) acts from the upper side, the claw portion 61b can be moved more downward than in the horizontal direction. It is configured to be rotatable. Further, the first cam member 61 includes a spring member 61d that biases the claw portion 61b along the horizontal direction in the "standby state". The spring member 61d is an example of a "second biasing member".

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the first cam member 61 includes a spring member 61d. In the "standby state", the spring member 61d urges the claw portion 61b along the horizontal direction. The first cam member 61 includes a restricting portion 61e provided to overlap the upper side (Z1 side) of the claw portion 61b when the claw portion 61b extends in the horizontal direction. That is, the regulating portion 61e prevents the claw portion 61b from rotating upward.

As shown in FIG. 13, the claw portion 61b is configured to be vertically rotatable when a force is applied from above. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, the stacked cups 200 can be pushed all at once from the upper side (Z1 side) to the lower side (Z2 side) of the claw portion 61b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15 , the beverage cup supply device 100 includes a sold-out detection switch 70 . The sold-out detection switch 70 includes a detection portion 71 arranged to contact the stacked cups 200 . When the cup 200 is placed on the placement portion 30 , the cup 200 is configured to contact the detection portion 71 . As a result, the sold-out detection switch 70 detects a state in which the cup 200 is not placed on the placing portion 30 (a state in which the cups 200 are sold out) when the cup 200 does not come into contact with the detection portion 71 . It is possible to

(Effect of Embodiment)
The following effects can be obtained in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, as described above, the beverage cup supply device 100 is attached to the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 arranged at the top of the plurality of stacked cups 200, and the first cam member 61 is positioned on the upper side ( (Z1 side)) and the second cam member 62 does not contact from the upper side, and the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 that is the second from the top of the plurality of stacked cups 200, The second cam member 62 contacts from above and the first cam member 61 does not contact the curled portions 200b of the plurality of cups 200 from above. As a result, in the "waiting state", the first cam member 61 is in contact with the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 arranged on the uppermost stage from above, so that the cup 200 arranged on the uppermost stage can be taken out upward. Can not. That is, in the "standby state", all of the stacked cups 200 cannot be taken out upward. On the other hand, in the "cup-removable state", the first cam member 61 is not in contact with the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 from above, and the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 placed second from the top is in contact with the second cam. Since the member 62 is in contact from the upper side, only the uppermost cup 200 out of the plurality of stacked cups 200 can be taken out. Further, in the "capable-to-take-out state", after the cup 200 arranged at the top is taken out, by returning to the "standby state", the cup 200 arranged second from the top is newly moved to the top. can be placed. Therefore, by repeatedly changing between the "waiting state" and the "cup ready state", the plurality of cups 200 stacked in the vertical direction can be taken out one by one from the upper side. In addition, since the plurality of cups 200 stacked in the vertical direction (Z direction) is taken out from the upper side, the part where the cups 200 are stored can be arranged below (Z2 side) the position where the cups 200 are taken out. can. In other words, the portion in which the cup 200 is stored can be arranged at a relatively low position that is highly convenient for storing (replenishing) the cup 200 . As a result, it is possible to supply one of the plurality of vertically stacked cups 200 while arranging the portion for storing the cup 200 at a relatively low position.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the height position at which the second cam member 62 contacts the curled portion 200b is set to the height of the cups adjacent to each other in the vertical direction (Z direction) when a plurality of cups 200 are stacked. The first cam member 61 is provided on the lower side (Z2 side) than the height position where the first cam member 61 contacts the curled portion 200b by the amount corresponding to the height difference between the curled portions 200b. As a result, when the "waiting state" is changed to the "cup ready state", the second cam member 62 can be easily moved upward (Z1 side) to the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 placed second from the top. ) can be contacted.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the drive ring 40 is provided outside the cam groove portion 40a, and in the "standby state", the first rib 42b that engages with the first cam member 61 and the second a second rib 42c that engages the cam member 62; As the driving ring 40 rotates, the engagement states of the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c with respect to the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 change. The angle of the two cam members 62 with respect to the cup 200 is changed. As a result, by changing the state of engagement of the first cam member 61 with the first rib 42b and the state of engagement of the second cam member 62 with the second rib 42c, the first cam member 61 and the second cam member The angle of 62 with respect to cup 200 can be easily changed.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the beverage cup supply device 100 is rotated by the drive ring 40 to move the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c to the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c in the "cup-unloadable state". By disengaging the cam member 61 and the second cam member 62, the angle of the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 with respect to the cup 200 is changed. As a result, the first rib 42b and the first cam member 61, and the second rib 42c and the second cam member 62, which were engaged in the "standby state", are disengaged in the "cup ready state." By doing so, the state of engagement of the first cam member 61 with the first rib 42b and the state of engagement of the second cam member 62 with the second rib 42c can be easily changed.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the beverage cup supply device 100 is configured to include the Conston spring 31 for pushing the mounting portion 30 upward (Z1 direction) with a constant force. The cam member 60 is configured to contact the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 pushed up together with the placing portion 30 by the Conston spring 31 from the upper side (Z1 side). As a result, the mounting portion 30 is pushed upward with a constant force by the Conston spring 31, so that after the cup 200 arranged on the uppermost stage in the "cup-removable state" is removed from the upper side, the "cup-removable state" When the state is changed from "state" to "waiting state", the first cam member 61 contacts the cup 200 changed from the state arranged second from the top to the state arranged at the top from above. You can push it into position. As a result, every time one cup 200 is taken out from the upper side, the first cam member 61 can be brought into contact with the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 arranged on the uppermost stage from the upper side.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the cam groove portion 40a of the drive ring 40 communicates with the first cam groove portion 411a (421a) and the first cam groove portion 411a (421a), and the first cam groove portion and a second cam groove portion 411b (421b) provided outside the cam groove portion 411a (421a). As a result, the position at which the cam member 60 comes into contact with the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 when the cam member 60 is engaged with the second cam groove portion 411b (421b) is set to the first cam groove portion 411a (421a). ), the cam member 60 can be arranged radially outside the position where the cam member 60 contacts the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 when it is engaged with the cup 200. As a result, a configuration in which a plurality of cups 200 stacked in the vertical direction (Z direction) can be taken out one by one from the upper side (Z1 side) can be changed to two different sizes (the outer diameter of the curled portion 200b). ) cup 200 .

Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the cup 200 is configured to include the first cup (200) and the second cup (200) having a larger diameter than the first cup (200). While the cam member 60 is engaged with the first cam groove portion 411a (421a), the cam member 60 contacts the curled portion 200b of the first cup (200) from the upper side (Z1 side). The cam member 60 is configured to contact the curled portion 200b of the second cup (200) from above while the cam member 60 is engaged with the second cam groove portion 411b (421b). Accordingly, since the curled portion 200b of the second cup (200) has a larger diameter than the curled portion 200b of the first cup (200), the cam member 60 can be easily engaged with the first cam groove portion 411a (421a). In this state, the cam member 60 is brought into contact with the curled portion 200b of the first cup (200) from above, and the cam member 60 is engaged with the second cam groove portion 411b (421b). 60 can be brought into contact with the curled portion 200b of the second cup (200) from above.

Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the beverage cup supply device 100 is configured to include the ring housing member 10 that houses the drive ring 40 . Further, the cam member 60 is formed in a columnar shape extending in the vertical direction (Z direction), and the upper and lower sides of the drive ring 40 are engaged with the opening 13 formed in the ring housing member 10 . It is configured to include a pillar portion 61a (62a) arranged in the . Then, the opening 13 is set to the position of the column portion 61a (62a) in which the cam member 60 is engaged with the first cam groove portion 411a (421a), and the position of the cam member 60 at the second cam groove portion 411b (421b). It is configured to have an elongated hole shape so as to be movable between the positions of the pillars 61a (62a) in the engaged state. Accordingly, since the opening 13 has an elongated hole shape, the cam member 60 is engaged with the first cam groove 411a (421a) and the second cam groove 411b (421b). The cam member 60 including the column portion 61a (62a) can be easily moved in the radial direction while maintaining the state in which the column portion 61a (62a) is engaged with the opening portion 13. . In addition, since the pillars 61a (62a) are arranged to engage with the openings 13 having an elongated hole shape, the circumferential movement of the cam member 60 including the pillars 61a (62a) is prevented by the openings 13. can be regulated within the range of

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the first cam member 61 has the claw portion 61b that contacts the curl portion 200b from the upper side (Z1 side) and is rotatable in the vertical direction (Z direction). Configure to include. Further, the claw portion 61b is configured to be able to rotate downward from the horizontal direction by applying a downward force (Z2 direction) from the upper side. As a result, the cup 200 can be pushed below the claw portion 61b by pressing the cup 200 against the claw portion 61b from above and rotating the claw portion 61b downward. As a result, in a structure in which a plurality of vertically stacked cups 200 can be taken out one by one from the upper side, the vertically stacked plurality of cups 200 can be replenished all at once from the upper side.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the first cam member 61 is configured to include the spring member 61d that biases the claw portion 61b along the horizontal direction in the first state. As a result, in the first state, the claw portion 61b is oriented horizontally due to the biasing force of the spring member 61d. It is possible to easily maintain a state in which the curled portion 200b of the cup 200 arranged at the top of the plurality of cups 200 stacked from the side) is in contact with the curl portion 200b from the upper side.

[Modification]
The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiments, and includes all modifications (modifications) within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

For example, in the above embodiment, when the cup can be removed, the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 are disengaged from the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c, respectively. Although an example in which the angle of the second cam member 62 with respect to the cup 200 is changed has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the cup 200 of the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 is held in a state in which the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 are not disengaged from the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c, respectively. may be configured so that the angle with respect to

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 61 and the second cam member 61 and the second cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 are changed by changing the engagement states of the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 with the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c, respectively. Although an example is shown in which the angle of 62 with respect to the cup 200 is changed, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the angles of the first cam member 61 and the second cam member 62 with respect to the cup 200 may be changed by a configuration other than the state of engagement with the first rib 42b and the second rib 42c.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example of using the Conston spring 31 as the "first biasing member" of the present invention has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, a biasing member other than the Conston spring 31 may be used as the "first biasing member" of the present invention.

Further, in the above embodiment, the cam groove portion 41a (42a) communicates with the first cam groove portion 411a (421a) and the first cam groove portion 411a (421a), and is radially wider than the first cam groove portion 411a (421a). Although an example configured to include both the second cam groove portion 411b (421b) provided on the outside has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the cam groove portion 41a (42a) may be configured to include only one of the first cam groove portion 411a (421a) and the second cam groove portion 411b (421b).

In the above-described embodiment, the spring member 61d urges the claw portion 61b along the horizontal direction in the "standby state", but the present invention is not limited to this. . In the present invention, the claw portion 61b may be biased in the horizontal direction by a biasing member other than the spring member 61d.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the beverage cup supply device 100 is configured to include the encoder 53 configured to detect the amount of rotation of the gear member 51, but the present invention is not limited to this. do not have. In the present invention, the encoder 53 configured to detect the amount of rotation of the gear member 51 may be omitted. In that case, for example, the amount of rotation of gear member 51 may be controlled based on the rotation time of gear member 51 .

10 ring storage member (storage member)
13 Opening 30 Placement 31 Conston spring (first biasing member)
40 drive ring (annular member)
40a (41a, 42a) cam groove portion 411a, 421a first cam groove portion 411b, 421b second cam groove portion 41b first rib (first engaging portion)
42b second rib (second engaging portion)
50 drive motor (drive unit)
60 cam member (contact member)
61 first cam member (first contact member)
61a column portion 61b claw portion (rotating claw portion)
61d spring member (second biasing member)
62 second cam member (second contact member)
62a pillar 100 beverage cup feeder 200 cup 200a bottom (of cup) 200b curl (protrusion (of cup))

Claims (10)

a placement section on which a plurality of beverage cups are stacked with the bottom facing upward;
an annular member disposed radially outside the mounting portion and formed in an annular shape;
a drive unit for rotating the annular member;
a contact member that is provided on the drinking mouth side opposite to the bottom of the cup and that protrudes in the radial direction and contacts from the upper side;
with
The contact member includes a first contact member and a second contact member that engage with circumferentially extending cam grooves provided in the annular member,
By rotating the annular member, the angle of the first contact member and the second contact member with respect to the cup is changed, so that the cup arranged at the top of the plurality of stacked cups is rotated. A first state in which the first contact member contacts the protruding portion from above and the second contact member does not contact from above; A second state in which the second contact member contacts the protrusions of the cups from above and the first contact member does not contact the protrusions of the plurality of cups from above can be changed. cage,
The annular member is configured to be engageable with the first contact member and the second contact member outside the cam groove ,
Rotation of the annular member changes the engagement state of the annular member with the first contact member and the second contact member outside the cam groove portion , thereby changing the first contact member and the second contact member. A beverage cup dispenser, wherein the angle of a member with respect to said cup is variable. The height position at which the second contact member contacts the protrusion corresponds to the height difference between the vertically adjacent cups when the plurality of cups are stacked. 2. The beverage cup dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the member is provided below the level at which it contacts the protrusion. The annular member is provided outside the cam groove, and in the first state, a first engaging portion that engages with the first contact member and a second engaging portion that engages with the second contact member. and including
By rotating the annular member, the engagement state of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion with respect to the first contact member and the second contact member, respectively, is changed, so that the first contact member 3. A beverage cup dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the angle of said contact member and said second contact member with respect to said cup is varied. By rotating the annular member, in the second state, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are disengaged from the first contact member and the second contact member, respectively. 4. A beverage cup dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the angles of the first contact member and the second contact member with respect to the cup are variable. further comprising a first biasing member for pushing the mounting portion upward with a constant force;
5. The contact member is configured to come into contact from above with the projecting portion of the cup pushed up together with the placing portion by the first biasing member. 12. The beverage cup dispenser according to claim 1. 2. The cam groove portion of the annular member includes a first cam groove portion and a second cam groove portion communicating with the first cam groove portion and provided outside the first cam groove portion in a radial direction. 6. Beverage cup dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The cup includes a first cup and a second cup having a larger diameter than the first cup,
While the contact member is engaged with the first cam groove, the contact member contacts the projecting portion of the first cup from above, and the contact member is engaged with the second cam groove. 7. The beverage cup dispenser according to claim 6, wherein said contact member is configured to contact said protrusion of said second cup from above when in a closed state. further comprising a storage member that stores the annular member;
The contact member is formed in a columnar shape so as to extend in the vertical direction, and is arranged so that at least one of the upper side and the lower side than the annular member is engaged with the opening formed in the storage member. further comprising a pillar;
The opening is positioned between the position of the column when the contact member is engaged with the first cam groove and the column when the contact member is engaged with the second cam groove. 8. A drinking cup dispenser according to claim 7, having an elongated shape for movement between positions. The first contact member includes a rotating claw portion that contacts the projecting portion from above and is configured to be rotatable in the vertical direction,
9. The rotating claw portion according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rotating claw portion is configured so as to be able to rotate in a downward direction rather than in a horizontal direction when a downward force acts from above. Beverage cup dispenser as described. 10. The beverage cup supply device according to claim 9, wherein the first contact member further includes a second biasing member that biases the rotating claw portion along the horizontal direction in the first state.

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