JP7415507B2 - Food vending machines and food management methods for food vending machines - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a food vending machine and a food management method for a food vending machine that can reduce sales losses of a food vending machine that is communicatively connected to a nearby store and placed remotely.

Conventionally, vending machines that sell products are designed to dispense products stored in a product rack in a product storage onto a transport tray, which then transports the products to a predetermined product take-out area. There is. The product retrieval area is a space communicated with the outside of the product storage via the product retrieval port, and the user can take out the purchased product by inserting his/her hand through the product retrieval port.

Normally, in this type of vending machine, the door that makes up the front is made of a transparent face plate made of glass or the like, so that the products stored in the product racks in the product storage can be visually checked and selected from the outside. This is possible, and furthermore, it is possible to observe the state in which the purchased products are delivered from the product rack to the product take-out area by the transport tray. A vending machine in which the interior of the product storage can be visually checked has the advantage of increasing the user's desire to purchase.

The product rack in such a vending machine is configured with a plurality of product storage devices arranged side by side on the left and right. Each product storage device constituting the product rack includes a column case, a spiral, and a base.

The column case extends along the front-rear direction and forms a product storage passage in an upper area. The spiral is configured to be spirally wound along the extending direction of the column case. This spiral rotates around a central axis when a driving force is transmitted from a motor serving as a driving source via a transmission member. The base is constructed by processing a long belt-shaped sheet metal. This base extends along the extending direction of the column case inside the spiral with its front end fixed to the column case, and the product is placed on the upper surface thereof. The rear end of the base is connected to a disc-shaped member. This disc-shaped member has a through hole formed therein, and is supported by the transmission member by inserting the shaft portion of the transmission member through the through hole.

In a product storage device having such a configuration, the products placed on the base are normally restrained between each pitch of the spiral, and when the spiral rotates, the products placed on the base are gradually restrained between each pitch of the spiral. The products are carried out toward the front and the products at the forefront are dispensed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-139314

Incidentally, in recent years, vending machines managed by convenience stores are sometimes placed in buildings near stores such as convenience stores. Such vending machines include food vending machines that sell rice balls, sandwiches, boxed lunches, and the like in addition to drinks. For food hygiene reasons, food vending machines must be kept at a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius or below depending on the type of food, and if the temperature is not kept at 10 degrees Celsius or below, the food must be discarded, and strict regulations are in place. It is necessary to control the temperature.

In conventional food vending machines, if the internal temperature could not be kept below 10°C, sales would be stopped, resulting in sales losses.

On the other hand, at convenience stores that manage food vending machines, due to a shortage of human resources, staff may be staffed by people who are inexperienced in operating vending machines, making it difficult to respond quickly when sales are suspended. As a result, there was also the problem that sales losses were further spread.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a food vending machine and a food vending machine capable of reducing sales losses of food vending machines that are connected to nearby stores and placed remotely. The purpose is to provide food management methods.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objects, the present invention provides a food vending machine that is communicatively connected to a store, stores food at a temperature below a specified temperature outside the store, and sells the food, an outside air temperature sensor that measures the outside air temperature at a place where the food vending machine is installed; The present invention is characterized by comprising a control unit that performs control to notify the store of an alarm indicating that there is a possibility that the temperature cannot be maintained below a specified temperature.

Further, in the above invention, the present invention is provided with an opening/closing door that opens and closes the food storage location, and the control unit is configured to control whether the opening frequency of the opening/closing door is a predetermined value or more, or the opening time of the opening/closing door is a predetermined opening/closing time. If the temperature exceeds the specified temperature, control is performed to notify the store of an alarm indicating that there is a possibility that the internal temperature of the food cannot be maintained below the specified temperature.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the food vending machine further includes an abnormality notification section that notifies the store of detailed information on the occurrence of the abnormality when an abnormality occurs in the food vending machine.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, an output processing unit is provided that outputs detailed information on the occurrence of the abnormality to the output unit of the food vending machine when an abnormality occurs in the food vending machine. shall be.

The present invention also provides a food management method for a food vending machine that is communicatively connected to a store and stores the food at a temperature below a specified temperature outside the store and sells the food, the food vending machine being arranged If the outside air temperature of the place exceeds the specified temperature for a predetermined period of time, the store is notified of an alarm indicating that there is a possibility that the internal temperature of the food cannot be maintained below the specified temperature. It is characterized by

Further, in the above invention, when the frequency of opening and closing of the opening/closing door for opening and closing the food storage area is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, or the opening time of the opening/closing door is greater than or equal to a predetermined opening/closing time, the food storage area is The present invention is characterized in that an alarm indicating that there is a possibility that the temperature cannot be maintained below the specified temperature is notified to the store.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the sales loss of a food vending machine that is communicatively connected to a nearby store and placed remotely.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the external configuration of a food vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view schematically showing the internal configuration of the food vending machine shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of a food vending machine including a management device. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the food management processing procedure of the food vending machine.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Exterior configuration>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the external configuration of a food vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a sectional side view schematically showing the internal structure of the food vending machine shown in FIG. The management device 2 shown in FIG. 1 is placed in a store such as a convenience store, and the food vending machine 1 is connected to the management device 2 via a network N. The food vending machine 1 is placed in a building near the management device 2, and sells foods such as bread, rice balls, sandwiches, and small lunch boxes. According to the Food Sanitation Law, these foods are required to be stored at, for example, 10°C or lower, and if the temperature exceeds 10°C, the stored food must be discarded.

In the food vending machine 1, the product numbers "1" to "16" of the products to be taken out are displayed in an area E1 where the products in the internal storage column can be seen through the surface material 23 of the window part 21. .

As shown in FIG. 1, the food vending machine 1 is provided with a window 21 and a product outlet 22 in an opening/closing door 20, which is an outer door. The window section 21 is constructed by disposing a transparent and heat-insulating surface material 23 such as double-glazed glass, so that even when the front opening of the main cabinet 1a is closed by the opening/closing door 20, In the storage columns of all product storage shelves, it is possible to visually check the products stored in the front row from the outside, and the front end of the storage column has product numbers "1" to "1" so that they can be seen through the window 21. 16" is displayed.

The product outlet 22 is an opening for a user to receive purchased products, and is formed at a position below the window portion 21 in the opening/closing door 20. The product takeout port 22 is always closed by a product takeout door 24 provided on the opening/closing door 20, and can be opened by pushing the product takeout door 24 inward.

On the side of the window section 21, an electronic money reader/writer 39, a bill insertion slot 25, a display operation section 35, a coin slot 26, a return lever 27, and a coin return slot 28 are provided. Further, the display operation section 35 has a display section 37 and a product selection button 36. The electronic money reader/writer 39 reads and writes information from the electronic money card. A buzzer 42 is provided above the display operation section 35. Furthermore, an outside air temperature sensor 43 that measures the outside air temperature around the food vending machine 1 is arranged at the top of the main body cabinet 1a.

The bill insertion slot 25 is an opening for accepting bills, and the coin slot 26 is an opening for accepting coins. The return lever 27 is operated when returning money. The coin return slot 28 is a part where return coins and change are dispensed.

The product selection button 36 is a numeric keypad for specifying the product to be purchased, and is used for directly inputting the product number. The display section 37 is for displaying input information input from the product selection button 36 and various information necessary when using the vending machine, such as on sale, amount inserted, out of change, and discontinued bills. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the main cabinet 1a is a rectangular food vending machine main body with an open front, and a product storage 102 having a heat-insulating structure is disposed inside the main cabinet 1a. In the product storage 102, product racks 110 are provided in a plurality of stages along the vertical direction. These product racks 110 are installed between rack support side plates (not shown) erected on both sides of the product storage 102, and store products.

Further, the product storage 102 is provided with an evaporator 103 as a cooling means. The evaporator 103 constitutes a refrigeration cycle in which refrigerant is circulated with a compressor 105, a condenser 106, etc. disposed in a machine room 104, and the refrigerant passing through its own refrigerant passage (not shown) and its surroundings are This air is cooled by exchanging heat with the air inside the product storage 102 that passes through it. Here, the machine room 104 is a room defined below the product storage 102 inside the main body cabinet 1a.

The air cooled around the evaporator 103 is sucked into the ventilation passage 109 through the suction port 108a of the back duct 108 installed at the back of the product storage 102 by driving the internal ventilation fan 107. After passing through the passage 109, the air is blown out from the air outlet 108b, thereby cooling the products stored in the product rack 110.

In the front area of the product rack 110, a pair of left and right transport rails 111 are arranged on both sides, and a transport tray 112 is moved vertically between these transport rails 111 by a transport mechanism (not shown). It is arranged so that it is possible. In other words, a transport path 113 is formed between the transport rails 111 to allow the transport tray 112 to pass therethrough. This conveyance passage 113 extends to the front of the machine room 104, and the conveyance passage 113 and the machine room 104 are partitioned by a partition heat insulating material 104a.

The main cabinet 1a is provided with an opening/closing door 20. The opening/closing door 20 opens and closes the front opening of the main cabinet 1a.

The product rack 110 is constructed by arranging a plurality of storage columns 120 side by side in a left-right manner.

In FIG. 2, one storage column 120 constituting the product rack 110 includes a column case (not shown). The column case is made of, for example, a resin material, and has an elongated shape whose longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction.

A spiral 50 is provided in the column case. The spiral 50 is formed by, for example, a metal rod-shaped body spirally wound along the front-rear direction (extending direction of the column case). The spiral 50 is rotatable around its central axis by a motor (not shown) or the like. The spiral 50 is driven by a motor to rotate, for example, around its own central axis in a clockwise direction when viewed from the front. As the spiral 50 rotates around the central axis in a clockwise direction when viewed from the front, the products bound between each pitch are gradually transported forward, and the products restrained between the frontmost pitches are transported out. It is dispensed forward from the storage passage. Note that a sold-out actuator 51 is provided in the column case.

<Control system configuration>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the food vending machine 1 including the management device 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the food vending machine 1 has a vending machine main control section 10, and the vending machine main control section 10 includes an external communication section 14, a short-range wireless communication section 15, and a main body control section. 30, a cooling device 31, a delivery device 32, a coin mechanism 33, a bill validator 34, a display operation unit 35, a remote control 38, an electronic money reader/writer 39, a printer 40, an open/close switch 41, a buzzer 42, and an outside temperature sensor 43 are connected. .

The external communication unit 14 is a communication interface that connects to a management server and a payment server via an external network using a communication method such as LTE (registered trademark), for example. Here, the external communication unit 14 connects to the management device 2. Further, the short-range wireless communication unit 15 is a communication interface that connects to a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a handy terminal via a short-range wireless communication function such as WiFi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). be.

The main body control unit 30 is connected to a cooling device 31 , an unloading device 32 , and an internal temperature sensor 44 . The main body control section 30 controls the cooling/heating device 31 and the delivery device 32 under the control of the vending machine main control section 10 . The internal temperature sensor 44 is placed above the area where food is stored, and detects the internal temperature.

The cooling device 31 controls the above-mentioned refrigeration cycle under the control of the vending machine main control unit 10 so that the internal temperature of the food becomes a specified temperature, for example, 10° C. or less.

The unloading device 32 transports the product from the storage column 120 to the product outlet 22. The main body control unit 30 carries out the product from the front end of the storage column 120 in accordance with the carry-out command transmitted from the vending machine main control unit 10. Further, the carry-out device 32 outputs a sold-out signal to the main body control unit 30 when all the products stored in the storage column 120 are carried out. The sold-out signal is a signal detected by the sold-out actuator 51.

The coin mechanism 33 organizes the number of input coins of each type and transmits it to the vending machine main control section 10, while dispensing the various coins according to instructions from the vending machine main control section 10. Note that the coin mechanism 33 has a money identification function that identifies the authenticity and denomination of the coin.

The bill validator 34 organizes the number of inserted banknotes and transmits them to the vending machine main control unit 10, while dispensing the banknotes according to instructions from the vending machine main control unit 10. Note that the bill validator 34 has a money identification function that identifies the authenticity and denomination of banknotes. The display operation section 35 has the above-described product selection button 36 and display section 37.

The electronic money reader/writer 39 reads the electronic money charged to the electronic money card and also performs the process of writing the electronic money after payment. Further, the electronic money reader/writer 39 performs a writing process to charge electronic money equivalent to the change to the electronic money card. The electronic money reader/writer 39 has an electronic money identification function that detects an electronic money card and identifies the validity and type of the electronic money card.

The vending machine main control section 10 has a sales control section 11, a notification control section 12, and a storage section 13. The sales control unit 11 performs payout of the product in the food vending machine 1 selected by the product selection button 36, payment processing, etc.

The notification control unit 12 determines that if the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 43 exceeds the specified temperature for a predetermined period of time, there is a possibility that the internal temperature of the food cannot be maintained below the specified temperature. Control is performed to notify the store management device 2 of an alarm. The specified temperature is the internal temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor 44, and is, for example, 10°C, and the predetermined outside temperature is, for example, 40°C. Further, the predetermined time is, for example, 30 minutes. The predetermined outside air temperature and predetermined time are conditions for predicting in advance that the temperature of the food may exceed the predetermined temperature, taking into account the cooling capacity and heat insulation capacity of the food vending machine 1. Since it is a prediction, if the predetermined outside temperature and predetermined time are satisfied, the temperature of the food must not exceed the specified temperature, and an alarm is sent at least one hour before the temperature of the food exceeds the specified temperature. do.

Note that instead of the predetermined outside temperature, the internal temperature may be lower than the specified temperature. In this case, the user will be notified in advance that the temperature inside the refrigerator is approaching the specified temperature.

Further, the condition for the predetermined time may be that the time during which the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time within the predetermined period, or the predetermined outside air temperature may be the average outside air temperature within the predetermined period.

In addition, the store clerk who receives this alarm takes measures such as putting an ice pack into the refrigerator to prevent the temperature of the food inside the refrigerator from exceeding a specified temperature, thereby reducing food loss.

Further, the notification control unit 12 detects the open/close state of the open/close switch 41, and if the opening frequency of the open/close door 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value or the open time of the open/close door 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined opening/closing time, the notification control unit 12 detects the opening/closing state of the open/close switch 41, and if the opening frequency of the open/close door 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined opening/closing time, Control is performed to notify the store management device 2 of an alarm indicating that the temperature may not be maintained below the specified temperature. This is because if the opening/closing door is left open frequently or for a long time, the temperature inside the refrigerator will artificially rise and exceed the specified temperature. Note that this alarm may be output not only from the management device 2 but also from the food vending machine 1 itself, for example from the buzzer 42. Such a situation is effective, for example, when food is replenished by an inexperienced clerk who does not pay attention to food temperature control.

Further, the notification control unit 12 has a function as an abnormality notification unit that notifies the store management device 2 of detailed information on the occurrence of the abnormality when an abnormality occurs in the food vending machine 1. The detailed information includes, for example, the storage column 120 in which the abnormality occurred, the date and time of the abnormality, the product to which the abnormality occurred, and the process in which the abnormality occurred. The abnormality occurrence process is, for example, information from the sensor detection results on where the food is normal and where the abnormality is occurring during food transportation. It should be noted that the abnormalities mentioned here include transport abnormalities such as food not being transported or two or more foods being transported, normal sensor output abnormalities (errors), and the like.

By notifying the management device 2 of this detailed information and recording it, accurate information can be transmitted when reporting an abnormality to the food vending machine management center. Based on detailed information, for example, the management center can use a case database to immediately issue instructions to eliminate malfunctions, thereby reducing the amount of time food is lost due to sales suspension. In addition, in the past, information was exchanged orally between the person who reported an abnormality in the food vending machine 1 to the store and the person who contacted the management center from the store, which caused ambiguity due to verbal communication. Information notification removes this ambiguity and transmits accurate abnormality information to the management center, allowing prompt failure elimination. Note that in conventional abnormality detection, it was often known only after the number of food products sold decreased, but in this embodiment, the abnormality detection itself is notified, so that failures can be quickly eliminated.

Further, by storing this detailed information in the management device 2, a service person who rushes to the food vending machine 1 can obtain accurate abnormality information, and can quickly eliminate the malfunction.

In view of this, the notification control unit 12 functions as an output processing unit and outputs detailed information on the abnormality to the printer 40 or the like so that the detailed information can be obtained from the food vending machine 1 itself. Since the detailed information of the malfunction is printed out on the printer 40 of the food vending machine 1, the service person can directly rush to the food vending machine 1 and quickly eliminate the malfunction of the food vending machine 1. can. Note that the printer 40 may print out the detailed information, but it may also be stored in the storage unit 13 and the information may be printed out by a service person. Furthermore, the output is not limited to print output, and may be audio output or display output.

The storage unit 13 stores information on sales control and the like. Note that the storage unit 13 also holds the above detailed information.

Note that the payment using the electronic money reader/writer 39 may be performed by the food vending machine 1 itself, but it may also be managed and made by the management device 2 via the network N. Further, when electronic payment sales such as the electronic money reader/writer 229 are periodically notified to the management device 2 side, the above-mentioned alarm may be notified along with the notification of the electronic payment sales.

The management device 2 is placed in a store that manages the food vending machine 1, and includes an output section 3, a control section 4, a storage section 5, and a communication section 6. The output unit 3 displays and outputs the notified detailed information, for example. The output unit 3 may be a print output device such as a printer. A storage unit 5, for example, stores the notified detailed information. The communication unit 6 performs communication processing with the food vending machine 1 via the network N. The control section 4 controls the output section 3, the storage section 5, and the communication section 6.

<Food control processing for food vending machines>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the food management processing procedure of the food vending machine 1. As shown in FIG. 4, first, the notification control unit 12 determines from the detection history of the outside air temperature sensor 43 whether or not the outside air temperature has been at or above a predetermined outside temperature that exceeds the specified temperature of the food for a predetermined period of time. (Step S110). If the outside air temperature is higher than the specified outside temperature and a predetermined time has elapsed (step S110, Yes), the management device 2 is informed that there is a possibility that the internal temperature of the food cannot be maintained below the specified temperature. An alarm is notified (step S120), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the outside air temperature is a predetermined outside air temperature that exceeds the specified temperature and the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S110, No), the opening frequency of the opening/closing door 20 is further determined based on the detection history of the opening/closing switch 41. It is determined whether the opening time of the opening/closing door 20 is longer than a predetermined time or a predetermined time (step S130). If the opening frequency of the opening/closing door 20 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, or if the opening time of the opening/closing door 20 is greater than or equal to the predetermined time (step S130, Yes), an alarm is output by the buzzer 42 (step S140), and further management is performed. The device 2 is notified of an alarm indicating that there is a possibility that the internal temperature of the food cannot be maintained below the specified temperature (step S120), and the process ends.

If the opening frequency of the door 20 is not less than a predetermined value or the opening time of the door 20 is not more than a predetermined time (step S130, No), it is further determined whether an abnormality has occurred (step S150). If an abnormality has occurred (step S150, Yes), detailed information on the abnormality is output to the printer 40 (step S160), furthermore, detailed information on the abnormality is output to the management device 2 (step S170), and the main processing is continued. end. On the other hand, if no abnormality has occurred (step S150, No), this process ends. Note that the above process is repeatedly performed at predetermined time intervals.

Note that each of the configurations illustrated in the above-described embodiments and modifications is functionally schematic, and does not necessarily need to physically have the configuration shown in the figures. In other words, the form of dispersion/integration of each device and component is not limited to the one shown in the diagram, but all or part of it may be functionally or physically dispersed/integrated in arbitrary units depending on various usage conditions. It can be configured as follows.

1 Food vending machine 1a Main cabinet 2 Management device 3 Output section 4 Control section 5, 13 Storage section 6 Communication section 10 Vending machine main control section 11 Sales control section 12 Notification control section 14 External communication section 15 Near field communication section 20 Opening/closing door 21 Window section 22 Product takeout port 23 Surface material 24 Product takeout door 25 Bill insertion slot 26 Coin slot 27 Return lever 28 Coin return port 30 Main body control unit 31 Cooling device 32 Carrying out device 33 Coin mechanism 34 Bill validator 35 Display Operation unit 36 Product selection button 37 Display unit 38 Remote control 39 Electronic money reader/writer 40 Printer 41 Open/close switch 42 Buzzer 43 Outside temperature sensor 44 Internal temperature sensor 50 Spiral 51 Sold-out actuator E1 Area N Network

Claims (6)

A food vending machine that is communicatively connected to a store, stores food at a temperature below a specified temperature outside the store, and sells the food,
an outside air temperature sensor that measures outside air temperature at a location where the food vending machine is placed;
a control unit that performs control to notify the store of an alarm when the outside air temperature exceeds the specified temperature for a predetermined period of time;
A food vending machine characterized by being equipped with. comprising an opening/closing door for opening and closing the food storage area;
The control unit controls to notify the store of the alarm when the opening frequency of the opening/closing door is greater than or equal to a predetermined value or the opening time of the opening/closing door is greater than or equal to a predetermined opening/ closing time. The food vending machine according to item 1. 3. The food vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising an abnormality notification section that notifies the store of detailed information on the occurrence of the abnormality when an abnormality occurs in the food vending machine. Any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an output processing unit that outputs detailed information on the occurrence of an abnormality to an output unit of the food vending machine when an abnormality occurs in the food vending machine. Food vending machines listed in . A food management method for a food vending machine that is communicatively connected to a store, stores food at a temperature below a specified temperature outside the store, and sells the food, the method comprising:
The notification control unit of the food vending machine includes:
If the outside air temperature of the place where the food vending machine is located exceeds the specified temperature for a predetermined period of time, there is a possibility that the internal temperature of the food cannot be maintained below the specified temperature. 1. A food management method for a food vending machine, characterized in that the store is notified of an alarm. The notification control unit of the food vending machine is configured to control the notification control unit of the food vending machine when the opening frequency of the opening/closing door for opening and closing the food storage area is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, or when the opening/closing time of the opening/closing door is equal to or longer than a predetermined opening/closing time. 6. The food management method for a food vending machine according to claim 5, further comprising notifying the store of an alarm indicating that the temperature may not be maintained below the specified temperature.

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