JPH0142217Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a vending machine in which products with straws such as milk cartons are stored, and particularly to a vending machine with an improved column in which products are stacked directly.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as a vending machine for milk packs, etc., those disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 61-213992 and 213993 are known, and a sectional view of the main parts thereof is shown in FIG.

In this vending machine, a long and narrow column 1 is installed inside, and inside the column 1 there are packaged products 2a, 2b,
A large number of 2c, 2d, etc. are directly stacked. The lower surface of the lowest product 2a is supported by a flapper 3 that can be opened and closed, and a swinging stopper 4 is arranged on one side of the second product 2b from the bottom. Also, Fratupa 3
The stopper 4 is operated in the direction of the arrow by cams 6 and 7 fixed to the drive shaft 5.

Therefore, when the cam 6 releases the flapper 3, the flapper 3 opens downward and the product 2a on the lowest stage falls into the outlet (not shown). At the same time, cam 7
rotates the stopper 4 in the direction of the arrow and presses the next product 2b against the inner wall of the column 1.
Prevent other products 2b, 2c, 2d... from falling.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) On the other hand, in small milk cartons and coffee carts, a straw bag 9 into which a straw 8 is inserted is attached diagonally to the back of the product 2, as shown in FIG. Yes, one end of the straw bag 9 slightly protrudes from the product 2a. Therefore, this type of product 2a
When the above-mentioned unloading operation is performed when the product is stored in the column 1, the protruding part of the straw bag 9 gets caught between the product 2b in the next stage and the inner wall of the column and falls, as shown in Fig. 2. It has the disadvantage of causing defects.

(Means for solving the problem) In order to achieve the above object, in the vending machine of the present invention, a recess is formed in the inner wall of the column corresponding to the position where the product on the lowest shelf protrudes from the straw bag.

(Function) With this configuration, the end of the straw bag protruding from the product on the lowest tier is always received in the recess of the inner wall of the column with a margin. In other words, when the product on the lowest tier is carried out, the end of the straw bag is not pinched by the product on the next tier and falls into the outlet.

In addition, a recess is formed in the inner wall of the column only in the part corresponding to the protruding position of the straw bag of the product on the lowest tier, so when the product on the lowest tier falls, the next product will be pushed against the inner wall of the column by the stopper. Even when the product is pressed, the presence of the recesses prevents any local pressing force from acting on the pressing surface of the product.

(Example) FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of essential parts of a vending machine to which the present invention is applied.

Inside this vending machine, a plurality of cylindrical columns 11 extending vertically are installed (only one column is shown in the figure), and inside the columns 11, a large number of products with straws 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are placed in a horizontal state. in,
Furthermore, the straw bags 19 are stacked directly on top. On the bottom of the product 12a on the bottom row,
When the flapper 13 comes into contact with each product 12a, 12b,
12c and 12d, and the flapper 13 supports the support shaft 2.
It can be rotated around 1. Fratupa 13
A cam 16 fixed to the lower end of the drive shaft 15 is in contact with the lower surface of the drive shaft 15 to prevent the flapper 13 from rotating downward.

Also, on the side of the second product 12b from the bottom,
A stopper 14 for preventing the product 12b from falling is rotatably arranged around a support shaft 22. on the other hand,
A cam 17 is fixed to the drive shaft 15 at a position corresponding to the stopper, and as the drive shaft 15 rotates, the cam 17 presses the stopper 14 in the direction of the arrow. Correspondingly, an opening 23 is formed in the side surface of the column 11 to allow the stopper 14 to pass therethrough.

Further, although not shown, a motor (not shown) is connected to the upper end of the drive shaft 15, and the motor rotates at a predetermined speed based on a control signal from a predetermined controller.

As can be seen from the plan view of FIG. 4, a straw bag 19 is fixed diagonally to the upper surface of each product 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, and a straw 18 is enclosed within the straw bag 19. Further, one end of the straw bag 19 slightly protrudes outside the product 12a.

On the other hand, the inner wall of the column 11 is provided with a recess 20 for receiving the protruding portion of the straw bag 19 protruding from the lowest product 12a, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. This recessed portion 20 is formed by step pressing so that tapered portions 24 are formed at the top and bottom.

First, the buyer inserts coins into the vending machine,
When a predetermined product selection button (not shown) is pressed, the motor is activated and the drive shaft 15 is rotated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the cam 16 also rotates and the flapper 13 opens downward, causing the product 12 in the bottom row to open.
a falls into the outlet (not shown). Since the cam 17 presses the stopper 14 in the direction of the arrow at the same time as the flapper 13 is opened, or slightly earlier, the next stage product 12b is pressed against the inner wall of the column 11 and prevented from falling.

Even if the next product 12b is pushed to the right when the product 12a on the bottom row falls, the straw bag 19
Since the end portion of the product 12b is located within the recess 20, it will not be pinched between the product 12b and the inner wall of the column. In addition, as mentioned above, since the recess 20 is formed only in the inner wall of the column 11 at the part corresponding to the protruding position of the straw bag 19 of the product 12a on the lowest stage, when the product 12a on the lowest stage falls, the next Tier product 12
Even if b is pressed to the right, the presence of the recess 20 prevents local pressing force from acting on the pressing surface of the product 12b, and the product 12b is not deformed.

When the product 12a has finished falling, the drive shaft 15 rotates further and the cam 16 pushes up the flapper 13 to close it, and then the cam 17 and the stopper 14
The pressing action of is also released. Therefore, product 12b,
12c and 12d descend one step at a time to flapper 13.
It is located at the top and returns to the state shown in FIG.

At this time, the product 12b falls slightly shifted to the right, but the tapered portion 24 is located below the recess 20.
is formed, so it descends smoothly without getting caught.

(Effects of the invention) As detailed above, in the vending machine of the invention, a recess is formed in the inner wall of the column to receive the protruding part of the straw bag of the product at the bottom of the column. This has the effect of ensuring that the product can be fed out without being caught between the product in the next stage and the inner wall of the column.

In addition, a recess is formed in the inner wall of the column only in the part corresponding to the protruding position of the straw bag of the product on the lowest tier, so when the product on the lowest tier falls, the next product will be pushed against the inner wall of the column by the stopper. Even when the product is pressed, the presence of the recess prevents local pressure from acting on the pressed surface of the product, thereby preventing deformation of the product and maintaining its good appearance. There is no loss of product value.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of a vending machine to which the present invention is applied, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of a conventional product, Figure 3 is a back view of a product with a straw, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of a vending machine to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the product installed state, and a sectional view of the main part showing the operating state. 11...Column, 12a, 12b, 12c, 1
2d...Product, 13...Fratsupa, 14...Stoppa, 18...Straw, 19...Straw bag,
20...Concave portion, 24...Tapered portion.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) A column for storing products with straws in which straw bags protrude outside the products in a stacked state with the straw bags on top, and It has a flapper that supports the product and releases the support to allow the product to fall to the exit when the product is carried out, and a stopper that presses the next product against the inner wall of the column to prevent the product from falling when the product on the lowest tier falls. A vending machine characterized in that a recess is formed in the inner wall of the column corresponding to a position where a straw bag of a product on the lowest shelf protrudes. (2) The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the concave portion has a tapered portion.