JPH03179595A - Automatic cup-type drink vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate an uneasy feeling to be applied to a customer and to improve appealability by providing a see-through window for seeing through the inside of a machine on the front door of cabinet while facing the window to the area of a cup conveying area. CONSTITUTION:On a front door 2 of the cabinet, a see-through window 9 is provided while being faced to the cup conveying route area on the inside of the machine so as to see through the inside of the machine. When a vending operation is started, the customer can visually observe conditions through the see-through window 9 for conveying a cup out from a cup supplying device 4, supplying raw materials from a raw material supplying device 5, moving a cup 8 and pouring water for dilution into the cup.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to the structure of a cup-type beverage vending machine.

[Conventional technology]

This type of cup-type beverage vending machine is equipped with a cup supply device distributed within the machine, a water supply device for diluting a raw material supply device, and a cup conveyance device that conveys the cup along the transfer path between the product outlet and the product outlet. , Raw materials are contained in the cup while the cup is being transported from the cup feeding device according to the sales order.

For example, Utility Model Application No. 61-57859 has been proposed by the same applicant, in which a drink is prepared by sequentially supplying water for dilution, and a cup containing the drink is provided to a customer through a product outlet.

Next, an outline of a cup-type beverage vending machine using the above vending method is shown in Figures 3 and 4. In the figures, 1 is the cabinet of the vending machine, 2 is the front door of the vending machine, and 3 is the one installed on the front door 2. This is the product takeout port, and there is a cup supply device 4 inside the machine. Raw material supply device5. Dilution water supply device such as hot water tank6. , cup conveyance devices 7, etc. are distributed and arranged. Note that 5a is a raw material chute, 6a is a hot water supply valve, and 6b is a hot water supply pipe. The cup conveyance device 7 in the illustrated example has a structure including a cup holder 7C that receives and holds a cup 8 at the tip of a swing arm 7b whose one end is connected to a swing drive mechanism 7a. 7b with arrow P
Rotate in the direction.

The beverage sales operation with this configuration is performed as follows. When a sales command is given by inserting a coin, the cup conveyance device 7 first moves to the cup discharge point A of the cup supply device 4, where the cup 8 discharged from the cup supply device is received and held by the cup holder 7c. Subsequently, the cup conveyance device moves to point B, and a predetermined amount of raw material is put into the cup from the raw material supply device 5. Further, the cup conveyance device moves to point C located at the product outlet 3, where dilution water is injected into the cup from the dilution water supply device 6, the raw materials are stirred, and a beverage is prepared. This completes the series of sales operations, and the customer can now open the door of the product outlet 3 and take out the cup containing the beverage.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

By the way, in the above-mentioned vending machine, when the vending operation starts, the cup is transported and raw materials are supplied inside the machine, so from the moment the customer inserts a coin and presses the 1 selection button until the cup is delivered to the product outlet. There is a waiting time. Moreover, if no message is displayed during the waiting time during the sale, the customer will feel uneasy because he or she will not know whether the sales operation is proceeding normally or not.

This invention was developed in consideration of the above points, and its purpose is to eliminate the sense of anxiety given to customers by making it possible to see the progress of sales operations taking place inside the aircraft from outside the aircraft. To provide a cup-type beverage vending machine which enhances its appeal to customers.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, for the above-mentioned cup-type beverage vending machine, a see-through window for viewing inside the machine is provided on the front door of the cabinet, facing the area of the cup conveyance path inside the machine. shall be established and configured.

[Effect]

According to the above configuration, when the vending operation starts by inserting a coin, it is possible to see from outside the machine through the transparent window how the beverage is prepared through the steps of carrying out the cup, supplying raw materials, and transporting the cup. This not only gives customers interest and a sense of security, but also increases appeal.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an embodiment of this invention,
Identical members corresponding to FIGS. 3 and 4 are given the same reference numerals. That is, while the configuration and arrangement of various devices inside the machine are the same as before, the front door 2 of the cabinet is provided with a see-through window 9 that faces the cup conveyance path area inside the machine and allows you to see through the inside of the machine from outside the machine. be. This see-through window 9 is made of glass.

A transparent plastic plate or the like is fitted into the front door 2. In the figure, numeral 10 indicates a coin slot, and numeral 11 indicates a beverage selection button.

With this configuration, when the sales operation starts, the cup is taken out from the cup supply device 4 through the see-through window 9.

Supply of raw material from raw material supply device 5, force/movement of knob 8.

Also, the state of dilution water being poured into the cup can be visually observed, and the customer can watch the progress of the sales operation with interest without feeling anxious during the sales waiting time.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, a see-through window for seeing through the inside of the machine is provided on the front door of the cabinet facing the area of the cup conveyance path, so that customers can wait until the product is taken out after inserting a coin. It is possible to visually observe the progress of the sales operation on board the aircraft during the waiting time, thereby increasing the appeal by creating a sense of interest rather than giving the user a sense of anxiety during the sales waiting time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 are a plan view and a front view of the internal arrangement of a vending machine showing the configuration of an embodiment, and in FIGS. 3 and 3, 1... cabinet of the vending machine, 2... front door,
3...Product outlet, 4...Cup supply device, 5...
- Raw material supply device, 6... Dilution water supply device, 7...
Cup conveyance device, 8...Cup, 9...See-through window.

Claims (1)

[Claims] The cups discharged from the cup supply device are transported along the transfer path between the cup supply device, raw material supply device, dilution water supply device, and product takeout port, which are distributed throughout the machine. In a cup-type beverage vending machine that supplies diluting water to mix drinks and then sends them to a product outlet, a see-through window for viewing inside the machine is provided on the front door of the cabinet, facing the area of the cup conveyance path. A cup-type beverage vending machine characterized by: