JPH05506118A - Vending machine that heats and dispenses food - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Vending machine that heats and dispenses food Technical field TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a vending machine, and particularly to operating a vending machine. Therefore, the present invention relates to a vending machine that heats and dispenses food from Oita Prefecture.

Background of the invention For supplying bulk food items like peanuts, man-powered shoes, sunflower seeds etc. Vending machines are well known. Such machines include a feeding section for contained food and It has a feeding mechanism for feeding one large portion of food each time the machine is operated.

Additionally, vending machines are designed to enhance the flavor of the servings of food that are to be served. - configured to heat the food in advance; However, food These preheating machines present various obstacles that prevent them from becoming more popular. have. Many of these can easily malfunction or become clogged. , rendering the vending machine inoperable and causing loss of revenue to the vending machine owner. It has a complex mechanism with various trapdoors.

Second, these machines are often difficult to clean. stale food Removing items from the hopper and restocking fresh groceries is especially It is difficult and consumes a lot of time. As a result, many potential customers have doubts about the freshness of the food in the machines and are therefore reluctant to use these machines. avoid using it.

Customers can trust that the machines are regularly cleaned, potash and provide fresh food. There is a need for an improved vending machine that can dispense In addition, immediately What is needed is a reliable vending machine that heats only the large portion of food that is to be dispensed. Ru.

Disclosure summary According to one embodiment of the present invention, the vending machine is a vending machine that sells non-alcoholic foods such as snacks and meals. It has a hopper for feeding products, and this hopper is equipped with a modular feeding unit. It communicates with The supply unit is mounted on a top plate that has an opening through it. It has a fixed feed chute. The top plate is attached to the bottom plate and is spaced apart from the bottom plate. are doing. Between the top plate and the bottom plate, there is a hole for receiving food from the opening in the top plate. Movable containers or placed. In one embodiment, the supply unit includes a rotating rack. mounted on the carousel assembly and spaced radially from the axis of rotation of the carousel. Contains placed containers. A drive mechanism or operably coupled to a carousel. It is. The drive mechanism is a motor mounted on one of the plates, preferably the bottom plate. and around the feed unit mechanism activated by the rotation of the carousel. It is controlled by a plurality of switches spaced apart in the direction. food in container Once supplied, a heater is activated to direct the heat between the two plates. next A drive mechanism moves the container over the opening in the bottom plate and through the discharge chute. Serve heated food.

The container preferably has two opposing parts made of mesh or screen material. It has side walls that develop two porosity to allow heated air to pass through. Is it preferable? The other two side walls are solid and carry heated air from the heater. Helps flow through the two mesh side walls.

The heater has an independent heater coil and an opening in the top plate that blows heated air. independent positioned circumferentially around the carousel between the section and the opening in the bottom plate. It is preferable to have a blower that is operated in a similar manner. Place the container on the carousel. When the container is rotated 90°, the air flow passes through the mesh walls. The mesh wall is positioned relative to the heater so that it can be heated. Say it the other way around For example, the solid side walls are positioned to provide a channel for air flow. .

When the container is not aligned under the opening in the top plate, the closure device Close the opening to the chute. The closure device has an entrance communicating with the container. , preferably a closure plate attached to the container. The container is on the top plate. When the rotating rack assembly is rotated, ensure that no person under the opening closes the plate. The mouth is also not aligned with the opening in the top plate and the closing plate closes the feed chute.

The opening in the bottom plate is displaced 1000 radially from the opening in the top plate with respect to the axis of rotation. It is preferable if it is placed in a suitable position.

The activation switch on the rotary rank or the heater and standby position will turn the heater on for an appropriate amount of time. and a control unit with a rotating rack stop to start and stop the blower. operably connected. Also, the amount of coins is determined by the insertion mechanism and various indicator lights. and an activation switch are operably coupled to the control unit.

Modular supply unit with rotating rack located between is easy to assemble It is a unit that can be used. The top plate is mounted around the carousel via a vertical shaft. It is removably attached. After the top plate is removed, remove the rotating rack assembly. The entire supply unit assembly is , can be easily cleaned.

The bottom plate has a trapdoor that is aligned below the opening in the top plate so that the hopper When you need to empty the carousel, simply rotate the carousel and empty the opening in the top plate. All you have to do is arrange the container below. by a trapdoor or being opened , the food goes from the hopper through the container to the second hopper under the trapdoor. It can fall down the par discharge chute and flow freely. In this way, The supply unit can be emptied without having to rotate repeatedly. By this Quickly and easily remove old groceries and then store fresh Food items can be stored again.

Brief description of the drawing If you refer to the attached drawings here, 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a vending machine according to the invention; FIG. , a view similar to Figure 1 with the front panel removed to make it easier to see the internal mechanisms. be: FIG. 3 is a partial side view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the modular supply unit shown in FIG. 2: FIG. 1 is a plan view of a carousel assembly within a supply unit; FIG.

6 is a side sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 2. FIG. .

FIG. 7 is rotated 90 degrees relative to FIG. FIG.

8 is a side sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vending machine 10 includes an outer cabinet or housing 12. exists. [Housing] 2 has an outlet 16, various indicator lights 18, details are lights 18a, 18b, 18c and +8d, activation button 19 and substitute coin Alternatively, the coin receptacle has a front panel 4 equipped with an insertion mechanism 20. The top part 22 is Can be made from transparent material.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the top 22 allows a person to The food items in the storage hopper 24 mounted in the storage hopper 2 can be viewed. hopper - 24 is connected to the hopper feed chute 26f of the modular supply unit 38. This is open and communicating. The chute 26 is attached to the top plate 28 and 8 further includes a bottom plate 32 by an elongated bolt 30 and a wing nut 31. is attached to. The bottom plate 32 has a discharge chute 3 depending therefrom. It has 4. The top plate 28 and the bottom plate 32 are arranged apart from each other to form a space 29. and a rotor or carousel assembly 36 disposed therebetween.

Further, a motor assembly 42 is attached to the lower side of the bottom plate 32 and rotates. It is operably coupled to a rolling rack assembly 36.

Rotary rack assembly 36, top plate 28, bottom plate 32, feed chute 26 and discharge A chute 34 and a motor 42 are mounted below the chute 34 from the hopper 24. A supply unit 38 is formed to supply the -Oita food to the discharge funnel part 40 which has been opened. to be accomplished. The funnel portion 40 continues to the outlet 16 of the front panel 14.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the feed unit 38 includes a hopper chute 26 It has a hole 44 that extends through the top plate 28 and is aligned with the bottom of the top plate 28 . The bottom plate 32 is , has an opening 46 that is not aligned with the hole 44. Hole 44 and opening The position of the mouth part 4G is the motor assembly 4 installed vertically in the center of the two temporary parts. can be most easily determined with respect to the drive shaft 48 connected to 2. hole 44 and The apertures 46 are radially spaced the same distance from the axis 48 and are spaced circumferentially from each other. They are arranged 18a0 apart from each other.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8, the bottom plate 32 is located directly below the hole 44. a back panel 7 that aligns with the access door 76 when opened; There is a trap door 70 in communication with a second discharge chute 72 extending from 4 to 4.

Further, it is possible to provide a ventilation portion 77 in the back panel 74.

The carousel assembly 36 is spaced apart and acts as two opposing side walls. two mesh screens 50 and two other opposing solid side walls 52 Contains. A container 53 is defined by the screen 50 and the wall 52. ing. Container 53 has an open bottom 54 and an open top 56. opening The top 56 is located within a closure plate 60 attached adjacent to and below the top plate 28. It is aligned with opening 58 . One edge of the opening 5B in the closing plate 60 is , has an inclined flange 59.

The solid sidewalls 52 extend beyond the mesh screen 50 to substantially form the top and bottom plates. extends over the entire length of. The bottom edge of sidewall 52 extends radially from drive shaft 48. It is mounted on a drive surface 64 extending in the direction. The drive shaft 48 is connected to the drive plate 64 , and the drive plate 64 rotates the carousel assembly 36 about the drive shaft 48. make it turn Drive plate 64 has a magnet 65 mounted thereon. Bottom plate On the underside of 32 is a magnetic reed switch 73 that interacts with magnet 65. and 75 are provided.

The heating gun 66 has a nozzle-shaped heating coil assembly directed into the space 29 between the plates. There are 68 members. Further, the gun 66 is provided independently in the upstream direction of the nozzle 68. It has a blower 69. The bottom plate 32 deflects the direction of the heated air and directs the heated air. upwardly directed wind deflector portion 33 that prevents air from directly hitting the side panel I5; exists.

Control panel 79 is connected via electrical wires 78.80, 82, 84.86 and 90. card switch 73.75, coin mechanism 20, light 18, switch 19, heating gas 66 , blower 69 and drive motor 42 . Control path The channel 79 can be mounted on any known mechanical, electromechanical or may be an electronic V1 side such as a printed circuit board, and may be programmed in a known manner. to throttle and operate the supply unit 38 in a programmed sequence. It may also be something that allows you to do so.

In operation, the hopper 24 is loaded with cashews, peanuts or sunflower seeds. Filled with food that should be fed as such. For this reason, food items can be stored in hopper 2. 4, the top 22 can be opened.

In the standby position, the container 53 is on the opposite side of the heating gun 66 and It is located between the feed chute hole 44 and the discharge opening 46. A suitable coin or mechanism 20 control panel 79 begins to rotate basket assembly 36. The drive motor 42 that rotates the motor 42 is started. rotating rack assembly , rotates around the drive shaft 48. When rotating under opening 58 or hole 44, the hole A large amount of food in the pumper 24 falls into the container S3 and is placed on the bottom plate 32. Ru. Closure plate 60 for continued rotation of rotating rack assembly 36 about axis 48 When the inner opening 58 or hole 44 is not aligned, the two plates 28 and To prevent food from being forced between the Push food items outside the aisle.

As the carousel 36 begins to rotate, the control panel powers up the heating gun 66. At the same time, turn on one of the lights 18a with an appropriate display and turn it on. Ask them to pick up a pelleter, cup, or bag. The control panel is the motor 42 When stopping the operation of the magnetic reed switch 73, 75, the drive plate Until activated by magnet 65 on 64, carousel assembly 36 is may be delayed.

The carousel assembly and bottom plate 32 and top plate 28 are assembled as shown in FIG. The heated air from the heating gun 66 or the transverse mesh screen 50 to create a tubular passage for heating the food that has fallen into the container 53. to be accomplished. The air flow through this passage is deflected upwards over portion 33 to vent It passes through section 77.

This heating continues for a period of time determined by the control panel (9).Heating gun 6 6. The driving time can be changed. The coin starts the vending machine cycle. control panel 79 takes into account the internal temperature within the carousel assembly. You can do something like that. During this heating sequence, the control controls the cup under the chute. Create a light -18b with an appropriate display, such as "Please place the make it move. At the end of the predetermined heating time, heater coil assembly 68 energization is stopped. The blower 69 of the heating gun 66 blows the coil assembly for several seconds. Continue to cool the 68 (then turn it off as well. The light -18c is 'ready'. Give appropriate instructions to the operator, such as “If you agree, please press the button.” Lights up to indicate Light +8c is integrated into switch 19.

The drive motor is started again and rotates the carousel assembly to support 36o0. After completing the cycle, the control panel 79 waits for the user to operate the switch 19. Two. When the container 53 passes through the discharge opening 46, the warmed food is removed from the opening. through section 46, drop into funnel section 34, and exit through discharge chute 40 to the front surface. It falls into the panel outlet] 6. The rotating rack assembly 36 is rotated by a magnet 65. It continues to rotate until the magnetic reed switch 75 is activated.

The control panel 79 is programmed to detect motor failure or magnetic leakage. This is caused by the switch 73 and 75 not being activated at the predetermined time. malfunctioning condition or lack of blower 69 or heater coil assembly 68. overheating caused by faults can be detected. when any defects are shown Also, one of the lights indicating ``malfunction'' was on +8d, and it was malfunctioning due to the repair tool. The motor 42 and heat gun 66 are turned off until the problem is fixed.

Modular dispensing unit allows for easy mechanical repair and food storage Can be easily changed. The repair tools are automatic/manual switch 9I and activation button 93. The access panel 79 can be opened to expose it. restocked fresh supplies changing food products by storing or restocking different foods. If necessary, switch 91 is moved to the manual position and the button button 93 is pressed. The carousel assembly 36 will continue to operate as long as the button 93 is pressed. Rotate. The repair tool is installed when the carousel assembly 36 is rotated to the loading position. button 93 until it is aligned under the container 53 or hole 44. continue. The food from the hopper then passes through the container 53 to the access panel. When falling into the second ejection chute 72 leading to the trap 76, the repair tool I can open the A70. Manual/auto switch 91 is in auto position. If the activation pushbutton 93 is used to test the operation of the vending machine, insert a coin or Even if it is not done, it can be used to start the cooking cycle.

Maintenance is easy because the supply unit 38 takes the shape of a module. and can be washed. Once the hopper is unloaded, bolt 3 After the wing nut 31 on the top of the hopper is loosened and removed, The chute 26 and top plate 28 can be easily removed. Then the rotating ladle The lock assembly 36 is removed from the drive shaft 48. hopper chute 26, Top plate 28 and basket assembly 36 are easily removed from vending machine 10. It can be washed and cleaned. The bottom plate 32 is similar to the discharge funnel part 34. , can be easily wiped clean.

The single turn rack assembly 36, top plate 28 and hopper chute 26 are then Can be easily reinstalled. Hopper 24 can be easily reloaded. I can do that. Ease of changing food products and cleaning the supply unit 38 This makes regular maintenance and maintenance of vending machine IO easier. It also makes it easier to keep fresh food in a clean, healthy environment. A rotating rack assembly and heating system allows for pivoting or Access food without trap doors that are easy to trap and misuse. It can be heated to enhance the flavor and served in a vending machine. Also, reliability It is easy to use, easy to maintain, and has high heat resistance. A vending machine is provided that facilitates the sale of snack foods.

Without departing from the scope and spirit as set forth in the appended claims: Variations and modifications to the invention are possible.

This embodiment, in which the proprietary nature and privilege are claimed, is defined as follows: .

abstract Vending v1 (10) 1. t, hoybarge, ff, ) (26), top W (28), bottom! (32) Rotating run placed between the Oyo U top plate (28) and the bottom plate (32) a modular supply unit (38) containing an assembly (36); It has a hopper (24). The rotating rack assembly (3G) consists of closed M plates (6 and two solid side walls (52) and two solid side walls (52). and includes a container (53) depending from the closure plate.

The rotating rank assembly (36) is rotatable between the top plate and the bottom plate so that the The container is filled when it passes under the opening in the plate. Container (53) , moved to a position adjacent to the heating gun (66) that heats the food in the container (53). and above the drain opening in the bottom plate that drains the heated food from the container. will be moved.

Country W! AR inspection report

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. In a vending machine for dispensing food, a housing; a food storage hopper mounted on said housing and a food storage hopper mounted within said housing; an inlet for receiving food products from said storage hopper; a supply means having a means and an outlet means for discharging the food product; container means for holding said food product, said food product for one person being placed in said entry hand; a first position for receiving from the stage and said serving through an outlet means in said supply means; container means movable to and from a second location for discharging the food product; attached to the container means, the container means being spaced apart from the first position; closing means for closing said inlet means when said first position and said inlet means are moved; drive means for moving the container means to and from a second position; mounted adjacent to the supply means for heating the food product within the container; A vending machine characterized by being equipped with a heater. 2. the inlet means comprising a first plate having an inlet hole therethrough; a second plate with means passing therethrough and having an exit hole not aligned with the entrance hole; has the first plate and the second slope are spaced apart, and the container means comprises: The closure means is slidably disposed between the first plate and the second plate, and the closing means a closure attached to the container means and adjacent to said first plate; a chain plate, when the container means is moved away from the first position; , wherein the closing plate is positioned to close the inlet hole. The vending machine described in item 1 of the scope of the request. 3. The second plate includes a trap door aligned with the entrance hole of the first plate. and a trap door opening, when the container means is in the first position. When the trap door is opened, the entrance hole and the container hand are opened. said hopper is emptied via a step and said trapdoor opening. The vending machine according to claim 2. 4. Said container means has two opposing solid side walls and a passageway for air flow. two porous side walls, the solid side wall and the first plate array; the second plate directs air flow through the two porous side walls; a passageway is formed for heating the food product within the container; provides heated air flow for The drive means includes a motor and a drive shaft extending through the first plate and the second plate. and the coil is arranged around the drive shaft between the first position and the second position. The vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the antenna means is rotated. . 5. Further, the container means rotates between the first position and the second position. selectively activating and deactivating the drive shaft when the drive shaft is being rotated; 5. The vending machine according to claim 4, further comprising a control means. 6. When the container means is in a position adjacent to the heater, the control Means stops motion of the drive shaft for a preselected period of time and causes the heater to heating the food for one person in the container means. The vending machine described in item 5 of the scope of the request. 7. In the modular supply mechanism, a first plate means having an inlet therethrough; and a first plate means not aligned with said inlet means; fixedly attached to said first plate and having an outlet extending through said first plate; a second plate arranged at a distance from the second plate; and a cot movably attached between the second plate and the second plate. a first position communicating with the inlet and a second position communicating with the outlet; a container that can be moved between locations; a drive for moving said container means between said first position and said second position; A modular supply mechanism characterized by being equipped with a moving means. 8. The container has two opposing solid side walls and spaced apart for air flow. two porous sidewalls disposed between said solid sidewall and a first plate array; and said second plate directs air flow through said two porous side walls. Module according to claim 7, characterized in that a channel for directing is formed. Mold feeding mechanism. 9. The driving means is attached to one of the first plate and the second plate. a motor extending through said one plate and said container means; 1 position and the second position and for rotation about the container. claim 8, further comprising a drive shaft operably attached to the The modular feeder machine described in section. 10. Further, when the container means is moved away from the first position; , comprising closing means for closing said inlet. modular feeding mechanism. 11. said closure means is attached to said container means and said first plate a closure plate mounted adjacent to the first plate, the container means being attached to the first plate; the closing plate is positioned so as to close the inlet when the closing plate is moved away from the inlet; 11. A modular feeding mechanism according to claim 10, characterized in that: 12. In a vending machine for dispensing food, a food storage hopper; installed under the hopper to receive food for one person from the hopper; an inlet means for holding said food product; a container means for holding said food product; and a supply means having a closure means and an outlet for discharging said container means. , a first position for receiving food for one person from the hopper and one for receiving food for one person from the hopper; movable to and from a second location for discharging the food item through the outlet; operatively located adjacent to said container for heating food in said container; has a heater placed; the supply means having a second openable and closable outlet aligned below the inlet; said second outlet is in a normally closed mode and said container means is in a normally closed mode; When located between the mouth and the second outlet, the food product in the hopper can be opened when flowing through the antenna means and out of said second outlet. A vending machine characterized by: