JP7451998B2 - Vending machines and vending machine systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides a vending machine, a vending machine system, and a vending machine product sales method that can shorten product purchase time when purchasing multiple products in a vending machine that transports products using a transport tray. Regarding.

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, a food vending machine that transports products such as food using a transport tray takes longer to transport the product than a vending machine that transports products by dropping them, such as canned drinks. In addition, food vending machines can reduce shocks during product transportation, so foods such as bread, rice balls, sandwiches, boxed lunches, vegetables, and side dishes are sold. In this food vending machine, a combination of multiple products is often purchased at the same time. In particular, when multiple foods are purchased at the same time during a limited lunch period, the repeated selection and transportation of individual foods lengthens the purchase time for all of the multiple items, resulting in queues and product loss. There was a problem that this occurred.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and the present invention provides a vending machine and an automatic vending machine that can shorten the product purchase time when purchasing multiple products in a vending machine that transports products using a transport tray. The purpose is to provide a vending machine system and a method for selling products using vending machines.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objects, the present invention provides a vending machine that transports selected products from a storage column to a product take-out area using a conveyance tray, and for each selected product. Alternately setting a single item sales mode in which the transport tray transports the products to the product takeout area and a multiple sales mode in which a plurality of selected products are placed on the transport tray and transported to the product takeout area. and a mode setting section for transporting the selected product to the product take-out area directly when it is decided to purchase the product selected in the single item sales mode; a sales control unit that performs control to sequentially place a plurality of selected products on the transport tray and transport them to the product take-out area when it is decided to purchase the product.

Further, in the above invention, the present invention includes an additional purchase button for instructing additional purchase of the product, and a purchase decision button for instructing decision to purchase the product, and the mode setting section selects the single item sales mode. After initial setting, the sales control unit sets or maintains the multiple sales mode each time the additional purchase button is pressed after selecting one product, and sets or maintains the multiple sales mode by pressing the purchase decision button. The transportation of a plurality of products is controlled, and when the purchase decision button is pressed without the additional purchase button being pressed after selecting one product, the transportation of one product is controlled in the single item sales mode.

Further, in the above invention, the present invention provides that the conveyance tray includes a weight sensor that detects the weight of the products placed thereon, and that the sales control unit detects the weight of the products that are detected by the weight sensor in the case of the multiple sales mode. If the weight exceeds the predetermined weight, control is repeated to transport the transport tray to the product take-out area with the current product placed thereon.

Further, in the above invention, the present invention stores in advance product information indicating the weight and capacity of the product and transport tray information indicating the weight and capacity of the product that can be transported by the transport tray, and the sales control unit In the case of the multiple sales mode, if the weight and capacity of the multiple products to be transported exceed the weight and capacity of the products that can be transported by the transport tray, the range of the weight and capacity of the products that can be transported by the transport tray. Then, the transport control using the transport tray is repeated.

The present invention also provides a parent vending machine that is the vending machine according to any one of the above inventions, and a product selection mechanism and a cash processing system that are communicatively connected to the parent vending machine, one or more child vending machines that sell products using a mechanism, and the sales control unit controls the single item sales mode and the multiple sales mode for each parent vending machine and one or more child vending machines. Product transportation control is performed according to the mode.

Further, the present invention provides a product selling method for a vending machine in which selected products are transported from a storage column to a product take-out area using a transport tray, wherein the transport tray transports the products for each selected product. a mode setting step of alternatively setting a single item sales mode in which the products are transported to the product takeout area and a multiple sales mode in which the selected products are placed on the transport tray and transported to the product takeout area; When it is decided to purchase the selected product in the sales mode, the transport tray directly transports the selected product to the product take-out area, and the purchase of the plurality of products selected in the multiple sales mode is determined. In this case, the method includes a sales control step of sequentially placing a plurality of selected products on the transport tray and transporting them to the product take-out area.

According to the present invention, when purchasing multiple products in a vending machine that transports products using a transport tray, it is possible to shorten the product purchase time.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the external configuration of a 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 vending machine shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the vending machine. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the transport operation in the multiple sales mode. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the sales control processing procedure by the sales control section. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the external configuration of a vending machine system according to Modification 3. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the vending machine system shown in FIG. 6.

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 vending machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view schematically showing the internal configuration of the vending machine 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. The vending machine 1 is a food vending machine that sells foods such as bread, rice balls, sandwiches, and small lunch boxes. Although the vending machine 1 is a vending machine that sells food, it may be a vending machine that transports products using a transport tray, which will be described later, and may not be a vending machine that sells products other than food. It's okay.

In the 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 panel 23 of the window part 21.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine 1 is provided with a window portion 21 and a product outlet 22 on 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 includes a display section 36, a product selection button B1, a purchase decision button B2, an additional purchase button B3, and a correction button B4. The electronic money reader/writer 39 reads and writes information from the electronic money card.

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 B1 is a numeric keypad for specifying a product to purchase, and is used for directly inputting a product number. The purchase decision button B2 is a button for instructing the purchase decision of the product selected by the product selection button B1. The additional purchase button B3 is a button for instructing additional purchase of the product selected by the product selection button B1. The correction button B4 is a button for correcting the product number etc. selected with the product selection button B1. The display section 36 is for displaying input information input from the product selection button B1 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 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 warehouse 102 passing through. 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 path 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. The transport tray 112 transports the product from the storage column 120 to the product takeout area E10 near the product takeout port 22. Note that the transport tray 112 is provided with a weight sensor 40 such as a load cell, and the weight sensor 40 detects the weight of the product placed on the transport tray 112.

One storage column 120 that constitutes 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 vending machine 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the vending machine 1 has a vending machine main control section 10, and the vending machine main control section 10 includes a communication section 14, a main body control section 30, a cooling device 31, and a dispensing device 32. , a coin mechanism 33, a bill validator 34, a display operation section 35, a remote control 38, and an electronic money reader/writer 39 are connected.

The 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). Further, the communication unit 14 has a short-range wireless communication function such as a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a handy terminal, and WiFi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

A cooling device 31 and an unloading device 32 are connected to the main body control section 30 . 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 cooling device 31 controls the above-mentioned refrigeration cycle under the control of the vending machine main control unit 10 so that the temperature of the food is at a specified temperature, for example, 10° C. or less.

The unloading device 32 transports the product unloaded from the storage column 120 from the storage column 120 to the product retrieval area E10 near the product retrieval port 22 via the transport tray 112. 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 display section 36, a product selection button B1, a purchase decision button B2, an additional purchase button B3, and a correction button B4. The remote control 38 is a remote terminal that performs various data settings and data collection for the vending machine 1.

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 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 includes a sales control section 11, a communication control section 12, and a storage section 13. The sales control unit 11 performs payout of the product in the vending machine 1 selected by the product selection button B1, payment processing, etc. The sales control unit 11 operates in a single item sales mode M1 in which the transport tray 112 transports the product to the product take-out area E10 for each selected product, and in a single-item sales mode M1 in which the transport tray 112 transports the product for each selected product to the product take-out area E10. It has a multiple sales mode M2 in which it is transported to Single item sales mode M1 and multiple item sales mode M2 are set alternatively. The single-item sales mode M1 is an initially set sales mode, and the multiple-item sales mode M2 is a sales mode that is set or maintained while the additional purchase button B3 is pressed. The multiple sales mode M2 transitions to the single item sales mode M1 when the purchase decision button B2 is pressed. The additional purchase button M3 and purchase decision button B2 function as a mode setting section.

In the sales control unit 11, when the purchase decision button B2 is pressed in the single item sales mode M1 and the purchase of the selected product is decided, the transport tray 112 directly transports the selected product to the product take-out area E10, When the purchase decision button B2 is pressed in the multiple sales mode M2 and the purchase of the selected plurality of products is decided, the selected plurality of products are sequentially placed on the transport tray 112 and transported to the product take-out area E10. Take control.

Note that the single-item sales mode M1 and the multiple-item sales mode M2 may be set by providing separate buttons for selecting each. For example, a setting button for multiple sales mode M2 may be provided instead of the additional purchase button. Further, instead of setting the single item sales mode M1 as the initial setting, a separate setting button for the single item sales mode M1 may be provided.

<Transportation operation in multiple sales mode>
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the conveyance operation in the multiple sales mode M2. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the product numbers "2" and "7" are selected and the product purchase is decided, the transport tray 112 is raised and lowered in an elevator manner from the reference position of the product removal area E10. Like an elevator, it goes up and down along route R2. That is, the transport tray 112 rises to the position of product number "2", places the product with product number "2" on the transport tray 112, and then descends one step further to transport the product with product number "7". The product is further placed in the tray 112, and then lowered to the product take-out area E10.

On the other hand, when transporting multiple products, conventionally all transport control was performed in single item sales mode M1, so as shown in route R1 shown on the left side of FIG. Repeat the lifting and lowering motion. Furthermore, after the product is transported, unless the product is removed, transport of the next product cannot be started.

As a result, the transport time for a plurality of (n) products according to the present embodiment is reduced to about 1/n or less of the conventional transport time.

<Sales control processing>
Next, a sales control processing procedure by the sales control section 11 will be explained. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a sales control processing procedure by the sales control section 11. As shown in FIG. 5, first, the sales mode is set to single item sales mode M1 as an initial state (step S110). Thereafter, it is determined whether the product selection button B1 has been pressed (step S120). If the product selection button B1 is not pressed (step S120, No), this determination process is repeated.

On the other hand, if the product selection button B1 is pressed (step S120, Yes), it is further determined whether the purchase decision button B2 is pressed (step S130). If the purchase decision button B2 is pressed (step S130, Yes), it is further determined whether the payment has been completed (step S140). If the payment has not been completed (step S140, No), this determination process is repeated. On the other hand, if the payment has been completed (step S140, Yes), the one product selected in the single item sales mode M1 is carried out (step S150), and the process ends.

If the purchase decision button is not pressed (step S130, No), it is further determined whether the additional purchase button B3 is pressed (step S160). If the additional purchase button B3 is not pressed (step S160, No), the process moves to step S130. On the other hand, if the additional purchase button B3 is pressed (step S160, Yes), the sales mode is set to the multiple sales mode M2 (step S170).

Thereafter, it is determined whether the product selection button B1 has been pressed (step S180). If the product selection button B1 is not pressed (step S180, No), this determination process is repeated, and if the product selection button B1 is pressed (step S180, Yes), it is determined whether the purchase decision button B2 is further pressed. is determined (step S190). If the purchase decision button B2 has not been pressed (step S190, No), it is further determined whether the additional purchase button B3 has been pressed (step S200). If the additional purchase button B3 is not pressed (step S200, No), the process moves to step S190, and if the additional purchase button b3 is pressed (step S200, Yes), the process moves to step S180 and the next Performs processing to wait for product selection.

On the other hand, if the purchase decision button B2 is pressed (step S190, Yes), it is further determined whether the payment has been completed (step S210). If the payment has not been completed (step S210, No), this determination process is repeated. On the other hand, if the payment has been completed (step S210, Yes), the plurality of products selected in the multiple sales mode M2 are sequentially placed on the transport tray 112 and carried out to the product take-out area E10 (step S220), and the book is booked. Finish the process.

<Modification 1>
However, depending on the characteristics of the transport tray 112, the weight that can be placed on the transport tray 112 may be limited. Therefore, in the present modification example 1, the weight sensor 40 is provided on the conveyance tray 112, and when the weight detected by the weight sensor 40 exceeds a predetermined weight in the multiple sales mode M2, the sales control unit 11 detects that the current product is Control is repeated to transport the transport tray 112 to the product take-out area E10 while the transport tray 112 is placed there.

Here, the predetermined weight is a value that exceeds the loading weight of the transport tray 112 when the next maximum weight product is placed.

<Modification 2>
In the first modification described above, the products loaded on the transport tray 112 are limited based on the weight actually detected by the weight sensor 40, but in the second modification, the products indicate the weight and capacity of the stored products. Information and transport tray information indicating the weight and capacity of products that can be transported by the transport tray 112 are stored in advance. Then, in the multiple sales mode M2, if the weight and capacity of the plurality of products to be transported exceed the weight and capacity of the products that can be transported by the transport tray 112, the sales control unit 11 determines that the number of products that can be transported by the transport tray 112 is The transport control by the transport tray 112 is repeated within the range of weight and capacity. That is, based on the stored product information and the transport tray information, the transport trays transport as many transportable products as possible.

<Modification 3>
In the above-described embodiment and modifications 1 and 2, the vending machine is a stand-alone vending machine, but in this modification 3, the vending machine 1 shown in the embodiment is used as a base machine, and this base machine This is a vending machine system in which one or more child vending machines 2, which are child machines, are connected through communication connection. Note that the vending machine 1 and the child vending machine 2 are arranged adjacent to each other.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the external configuration of a vending machine system according to Modification 3. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the vending machine system shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, a slave vending machine 2 is communicatively connected to the vending machine 1 as a master machine via a communication line N. The child vending machine 2 is a vending machine that sells products with product numbers "21" to "36", and the product selection mechanism and money processing mechanism utilize the mechanisms of the vending machine 1. The money processing mechanism is a mechanism related to payment, such as a coin mechanism 33, a bill validator 34, and an electronic money reader/writer 39.The product selection mechanism includes a product selection button B1, a purchase decision button B2, an additional purchase button B3, and a correction button B4. , a display operation section 35 including a display section 36, and a sales control section 11. The child vending machine 2 includes a main cabinet 2b corresponding to the main cabinet 1a, an opening/closing door 20a corresponding to the opening/closing door 20, a window 21a corresponding to the window 21, a product outlet 22a corresponding to the product outlet 22, It has a face material 23a corresponding to the face material 23, a product take-out door 24a corresponding to the product take-out door 24, and an area E2 corresponding to the area E1.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the child vending machine 2 includes a main body control section 30a corresponding to the main body control section 30, a cooling device 31a corresponding to the cooling device 31, an unloading device 32a corresponding to the unloading device 32, and a communication It has a section 14a. Note that the communication unit 14a is simply an interface for communicating with the vending machine 1 via the communication line N.

The sales control unit 11 shown in FIG. 7 also performs sales control of the child vending machine 2 in addition to the sales control of the sales control unit 11 of the embodiment. In this case, the selection settings of the single item sales mode M1 and the multiple sales mode M2 are set to the same sales mode for the vending machine 1 and the child vending machine 2. When vending machine 1 and child vending machine 2 are set to multiple vending mode M2, the conveyance control in multiple vending mode M2 is performed individually for each of vending machine 1 and child vending machine 2. controlled by.

For example, if product numbers "2", "22", and "32" are selected and purchased in the multiple sales mode M2, the vending machine 1 only purchases one product, so the single item sales mode M1 The same conveyance control is performed as in the example shown in FIG. be exposed.

It should be noted that each configuration illustrated in the above-described embodiments and modified examples is functionally schematic, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of dispersion/integration of each device and component is not limited to that 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 Vending machine 2 Child vending machine 1a, 2b Main cabinet 10 Vending machine main control section 11 Sales control section 12 Communication control section 13 Storage section 14, 14a Communication section 20, 20a Opening/closing door 21, 21a Window section 22, 22a Product removal port 23, 23a Surface material 24, 24a Product removal door 25 Bill insertion port 26 Coin insertion port 27 Return lever 28 Coin return port 30, 30a Main body control unit 31, 31a Cooling device 32, 32a Unloading device 33 Coin mechanism 34 Bill bar Data 35 Display operation section 36 Display section 38 Remote control 39 Electronic money reader/writer 50 Spiral 51 Sold out actuator 112 Conveyance tray B1 Product selection button B2 Purchase confirmation button B3 Additional purchase button B4 Correction button E1, E2 area E10 Product extraction area M1 Single item sale Mode M2 Multiple sales mode N Communication line

Claims (4)

A vending machine that transports selected products from a storage column to a product take-out area using a transport tray,
a single-item sales mode in which the transport tray transports the product to the product take-out area for each selected product; and a multiple-item sales mode in which a plurality of selected products are placed on the transport tray and transported to the product take-out area. a mode setting section for selectively setting the
When it is decided to purchase the selected product in the single item sales mode, the transport tray directly transports the selected product to the product take-out area, and the purchase of the plurality of products selected in the multiple sales mode is determined. a sales control unit that performs control to sequentially place a plurality of selected products on the transport tray and transport them to the product take-out area;
An additional purchase button that instructs you to purchase additional products;
a purchase decision button for instructing the decision to purchase the product;
Equipped with
The mode setting section initially sets the single item sales mode,
The sales control unit sets or maintains the multiple sales mode every time the additional purchase button is pressed after selecting one product, and controls the transportation of the multiple products in the multiple sales mode when the purchase decision button is pressed. and, if the purchase decision button is pressed without pressing the additional purchase button after selecting one product, the vending machine controls the conveyance of one product in the single item sales mode. A vending machine that transports selected products from a storage column to a product take-out area using a transport tray,
A single-item sales mode in which the transport tray transports the product to the product take-out area for each selected product, and a multiple sales mode in which multiple selected products are placed on the transport tray and transported to the product take-out area. a mode setting section for selectively setting the
When it is decided to purchase the selected product in the single item sales mode, the transport tray directly transports the selected product to the product take-out area, and the purchase of the plurality of products selected in the multiple sales mode is determined. a sales control unit that performs control to sequentially place a plurality of selected products on the transport tray and transport them to the product take-out area;
Equipped with
The transport tray includes a weight sensor that detects the weight of the product placed thereon,
In the case of the multiple sales mode, the sales control unit transports the transport tray with the current product placed thereon to the product take-out area if the weight detected by the weight sensor exceeds a predetermined weight. A vending machine that repeats control . A vending machine that transports selected products from a storage column to a product take-out area using a transport tray,
a single-item sales mode in which the transport tray transports the product to the product take-out area for each selected product; and a multiple-item sales mode in which a plurality of selected products are placed on the transport tray and transported to the product take-out area. a mode setting section for selectively setting the
When it is decided to purchase the selected product in the single item sales mode, the transport tray directly transports the selected product to the product take-out area, and the purchase of the plurality of products selected in the multiple sales mode is determined. a sales control unit that performs control to sequentially place a plurality of selected products on the transport tray and transport them to the product take-out area;
Equipped with
Store in advance product information indicating the weight and capacity of the product and transport tray information indicating the weight and capacity of the product that can be transported by the transport tray,
In the case of the multiple sales mode, if the weight and capacity of the plurality of products to be transported exceed the weight and capacity of the products that can be transported by the transport tray, the sales control unit controls the weight and capacity of the products that can be transported by the transport tray. and a vending machine that repeats conveyance control using the conveyance tray within a capacity range . A parent vending machine which is the vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ;
one or more child vending machines that are communicatively connected to the parent vending machine and sell products using the product selection mechanism and cash processing mechanism of the parent vending machine;
Equipped with
In the vending machine system, the sales control unit controls each parent vending machine and one or more child vending machines to carry products in the single item sales mode and the multiple sales mode.

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