JPH0552987U - Product dispenser for vending machines - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Providing a product dispenser for a vending machine that allows easy visual recognition of the types of products to be replenished in the product storage route, but is not damaged even if the product is removed from the product storage route. The purpose is to do. [Structure] On a product receiving plate 22 for receiving the directly stacked products X and Y, a product sold-out detection plate 23 that rotates together with the product receiving plate 22 is arranged.
Further, the product identification sticker 23a for displaying the type of the product to be stored in the product storage path is attached so that the product to be replenished can be easily identified when replenishing the product. [Effect] Since the product identification sticker 23a can be visually recognized even after the product is sold out, there is no problem in normal eyesight.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial application]

 The present invention relates to a product dispensing device for a vending machine, and more particularly to a product dispensing device that opens and closes a product receiving plate to dispense a product.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 Conventionally, as this type of product dispensing device, there is one described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-21420, and this product dispensing device is provided with a mechanism for detecting the sold-out of a product, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. ing.

In this sold-out detection mechanism, a transmission shaft 42 extending in the lateral direction on the back side of the stocker body 41 is supported rotatably around an axis, and one end of the transmission shaft 42 has a product storage path (publication). A sold-out detection lever 44 extending obliquely downward toward the inside of the gear 43, and a lever for transmitting the rotation of the sold-out detection lever 44 to the sold-out detection switch 45 at the other end of the transmission shaft 42. 46 is provided. Then, when there are no more products in the product storage path 43, the sold-out detection lever 44 is rotated by the urging force of a spring (not shown) that presses the sold-out detection lever 44 in the direction a (see FIG. 13). The detection switch 45 which detects the rotation detects the sold-out of the product.

By the way, in the above-mentioned product dispensing device, when an attempt is made to replenish the same type of product x after the product x in the product storage path 43 is exhausted, all the products x in the product storage path 43 are exhausted. Therefore, it may be unclear which kind of product x should be replenished.

As a measure against this, in the above-described product dispensing device, the sold-out detection lever 44 is shortened to the position shown by the virtual line z in FIG. 11, and only one product x is left in the product storage path 43. It can be considered that the item x is sold out, the item x sold out is displayed on the customer service side (not shown), and the item x sale operation is prohibited. According to this configuration, since the product x remains when the product is replenished, the type of the product x to be replenished in the product storage path 43 can be easily visually recognized.

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, in any of the above-described conventional product dispensing devices, since the sold-out detection lever 44 has a structure in which the sold-out detection lever 44 is contacted obliquely downward toward the side surface of the product x, the unsold product is left unsold due to a change in the type of product. When the product x is lifted to take out x, as shown in FIG. 13, the sold-out detection lever 44 may rotate upward together with the product x, and may be bent and damaged as indicated by a dotted line, for example.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and an automatic vending machine which does not damage even if a product is taken out from the product storage path while easily identifying the type of the product to be replenished in the product storage path It is intended to provide a product dispensing device.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a vertically extending partition plate in the stocker main body, and the inside of the stocker main body stores a product storage path for storing products directly and a non-product that does not store products. A drive shaft extending vertically in the non-product storage space is provided, and the base end is pivotally supported by a member disposed in the non-product storage space to rotate from a substantially horizontal position to a downward position. The product receiving plate that opens and closes the lower end opening of the product storing path is attached to the drive shaft and integrally rotated, and the product receiving plate can freely project into the product storing path from the non-product storing space side when it projects. A product support that supports products in the product storage path from below via a plate is provided, and the tip can project to the upper position of the product receiving plate in the product storage path. Provided with a product control plate to prevent falling A product sold-out detection plate that attaches to the drive shaft a cam that causes the product control plate to project into the product storage path by pressing force, and rotates with the product support plate when it is placed on the product support plate. A spring member that urges the product sold-out detection plate and the product receiving plate in directions away from each other to rotate the product sold-out detection plate above the product receiving plate when the product on the product receiving plate runs out. In addition, a detector for detecting the upward movement of the product sold-out detection plate is provided, and a product display member that displays the type of product stored in the product storage path is attached to a location facing the product storage path.

[0009]

[Action]

 In the above configuration, when the product is sold out and no product is left in the product storage path, the product sold-out detection plate rotates upward from the product receiving plate, and this is detected by the detector to detect the product sold-out.

Here, when there is a product in the product storage path, the product sold-out detection plate is abutted on the product receiving plate along the lower surface of the product at the lowest position in the product storage path. Since it is on the product, it only rotates below the taken-out product when taking out the product in the product storage route, and the product sold-out detection plate etc. are not damaged.

Moreover, the type of the product to be stored in the product storage route can be easily confirmed by the product display member attached to the portion facing the product storage route.

[0012]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, four stockers 3 which can be taken out from the opening of the vending machine body 1 are arranged side by side on the receiving rack 2 in the vending machine body 1. The stocker 3 comprises two stocker main bodies 4 each having a substantially U-shaped cross section arranged in the lateral direction. Inside each stocker main body 4, the products X and Y in which the contents are packed with paper, synthetic resin, or the like are placed above. It is divided into a product storage path 5 that can be directly stacked and stored, and a non-product storage space 6 that is arranged between the product storage paths 5 and does not store products. In FIG. 3, 7 is an upper end frame fixed to the upper end of the stocker 3, 8 is a lower end frame fixed to the lower end of the stocker 3, 9 is a chute that guides the dispensed products X and Y to the product outlet 10. Reference numeral 11 denotes a front door that opens and closes the opening of the vending machine body 1.

The non-commodity storage space 6 is divided into upper and lower parts, and as shown in FIG. 4, a box-shaped unit 12 consisting of a simple frame is disposed above the non-commodity storage space 6 and A box-shaped payout unit 13 that constitutes a payout mechanism of the product payout device is disposed in the lower portion of the storage space 6, and the side walls 12a and 13a of the payout unit 13 and the box-shaped unit 12 allow the product storage path 5 to be stored. And the non-commodity storage space 6 are partitioned. Here, 14 is a connecting plate that connects the payout unit 13 and the box-shaped unit 12, and 15 is a spacer attached to the back surface of the payout unit 13, and a flange-shaped projection 15a of the spacer 15 is formed on the stocker body 4 in a long length. By engaging with the hole 4a, the box-shaped unit 12 can be easily attached to and detached from the stocker body 4.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the stocker 3. A product supply opening 5 a formed on one side of the product storage path 5 is provided with a door body 16 for preventing the product from falling out of the product storage path 5. It is included.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a drive shaft 17 extending in the vertical direction is provided at the center of the payout unit 13, and a product support plate 18 having a semicircular shape in plan view is fixed to the lower end portion of the drive shaft 17. It is fixed. The drive shaft 17 is rotationally driven by a drive motor 19 arranged in the upper part of the payout unit 13 via a speed reducer 20. Further, product receiving plates 22 that are rotatable in the b direction around the horizontal pin 21 are provided on both sides of the product supporting plate 18 immediately above the product supporting plate 18, respectively. When the product support plate 18 is projected into the product storage path 5 by the rotation of the drive shaft 17, the product support plate 18 pushes up the product receiving plate 22 to support the product X or the product Y. When the product support plate 18 is withdrawn from the product storage path 5, the product support plate 22 that is no longer supported rotates downward due to its own weight and the product X or product Y on the product support plate 22 is The product is dropped and supplied through the chute 9 to the product outlet 10.

A product sold-out detection plate 23 is rotatably supported on the horizontal pin 21 together with the product receiving plate 22. This product sold-out detection plate 23 is placed on the product receiving plate 22 via the separation spring 24, and when the product is sold out, as shown in FIG. It is rotated upward by the biasing force of the separating spring 24. At the rear end of the product sold-out detection plate 23, a movement transmission member 25 slidably provided vertically along the inner surface of the side wall portion 13a of the dispensing unit 13 is arranged so that the lower end bent portion 25a thereof approaches. The upper end bent portion 25b of the movement transmission member 25 is in contact with the detection portion of the sold-out detection sensor 26 provided on the upper portion of the payout unit 13.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, on the product receiving surface of the product sold-out detection plate 23, for product identification as a product display member for displaying the types of the products X and Y to be stored in the product storage path 5. The seals 23a are attached respectively.

Elevating frame portions 27A and 27B are provided on the left and right sides of the drive shaft 17 above the product support plate 18 in the non-product storage space 6, and the elevating frame portions 27A and 27B are the frame portions of the dispensing unit 13. While being guided by 13a, they can slide up and down in sliding relation with each other. A height adjusting shaft 28 is attached to an upper portion of each of the elevating frame portions 27A and 27B, and the height adjusting shaft 28 is raised and lowered while being pulled in the c direction. The position can be adjusted freely. In addition, 29 is a spring member that holds the height adjusting shaft 28 at the position shown in FIG. 7, and 30 is a height adjusting plate that engages with a part of the height adjusting shaft 28.

At the lower part of each of the elevating frame portions 27A and 27B, there is provided a product pressing plate 32 which is supported around a lateral support pin 31 and is rotatable in the d direction. A product-holding cam 33 that is integrally rotated is fixed to the drive shaft 17 by being pin-connected, and the product-holding cam 33 extends vertically in accordance with the sliding range of the product holding plate 32. Has been done. Then, the protrusion formed on the back surface side of the product pressing plate 32 is in contact with the product holding cam 33.

Here, the elevating frame portions 27A and 27B are adjusted in advance by the height adjusting shaft 28 so that the product pressing plates 32 face the second products X and Y from the bottom, respectively. Reference numerals 34 and 35 are angle detection sensors for detecting the rotational angular position of the drive shaft 17, and the tip of the detection lever is brought into contact with the angle detection cam member 36 attached to the upper end of the drive shaft 17. ing. Reference numeral 37 is a connecting member that connects the drive shaft 13 and the shaft portion of the speed reducer 39. In addition, a long hole (not shown) is formed at an appropriate position of the stocker body 4 forming the wall of the product storage path 5, and the attachment members 40A and 40B that can be engaged with and disengaged from the long hole reduce the size of the product. However, they can be directly loaded (see Fig. 9).

The product payout operation in the above configuration will be described. In the non-dispensing state shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the product holding cam 33 is oriented in the direction along the lateral support pin 31, and neither of the product holding plates 32 is projected into the product storage path 5. Further, the product support plate 18 straddles both product storage paths 5, and the product receiving plate 22 supports both the products X and Y of both product storage paths 5.

Here, for example, when the product selection button corresponding to the product Y is pressed, the drive shaft 17 is rotated 90 degrees in the e direction (see FIG. 1). Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the product holding plate 22 on the left side is projected into the product storage path 5 by the product holding cam 33 that is integrally rotated in the same direction, and the second product Y from the bottom is displayed. Are sandwiched between the stocker body 4 and the outer wall thereof. At the same time, the product support plate 18 is also rotated together with the drive shaft 17 and escapes from the bottom of the product support plate 22 on the left side. The product support plate 22 rotates downward about the horizontal pin 21, Only the product Y below is paid out.

After that, the drive shaft 17 is rotated 90 degrees in the opposite direction (counter-e direction) and returned to the original position, and the left side product receiving plate 22 is returned to the horizontal state while being again supported by the product supporting plate 18. To do. Further, the product holding cam 33 is separated from the left product holding plate 32, and the product holding plate 32 pivots downward to withdraw from the product storage path 5, and is stacked on the held product Y and above it. The product Y that has been held is dropped on the product receiving plate 22.

When the product selection button corresponding to the product X on the right side is pressed, the drive shaft 17 is rotated 90 degrees in the opposite e direction, and similarly the first product stored in the product storage path 5 on the right side is rotated. Only the product X below is paid out.

Here, when there is a product X (Y) in the product storage path 5, the product sold-out detection plate 24 is located at the lowest position in the product storage path 5 as shown by a virtual line in FIG. The product X (Y) is in contact with the lower surface of the product X (Y), and the product X (Y) is placed directly above the product receiving plate 22 via the product sold-out detection plate 24. When the product X (Y) is sold out and the product X (Y) disappears from the product storage path 5, as shown by the solid line in FIG. The sold-out detection plate 23 moves upward in the f direction, the lower end bent portion 25a of the movement transmission member 25 is pressed downward at the rear end of the product sold-out detection plate 23, and the sold-out detection plate 23 is sold out by the upper end bent portion 25b. The detection sensor 26 is pressed. In this way, the upward movement of the product sold-out detection plate 23 is detected by the detector 26 via the movement transmission member 25, and the sold-out of the product X (Y) is detected.

In particular, even when the operator takes out the product X (Y) in the product storage path 5 in order to replace the product X (Y) or the product X (Y) remains unsold, the product sold-out detection plate Since 23 only moves up in the f direction along the lower surface of the product X (Y), the product sold-out detection plate 23 is not damaged. Further, since the product sold-out detection plate 23 is attached to the horizontal pin 21 together with the product receiving plate 22, it is easy to make the payout mechanism unitary, which enables repair and maintenance work to be performed efficiently.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 7, etc., since the product identification sticker 23a is attached to the product receiving surface of the product sold-out detection plate 23, the product may be replenished, for example. The type of product to be stored in the storage path 5 can be easily confirmed. Here, as the product identification sticker 23a, a product name can be written by using a character or the like that can be easily written and erased, or the sticker itself representing a product brand can be used. Other than the product identification sticker 23a A thin plate member or the like representing the product brand may be attached as the product display member. Further, the product sold-out detection plate 23 may have a small area shape, and a product display member such as a product identification sticker 23a may be attached to the product receiving plate 22. By attaching the product display member to the product sold-out detection plate 23 or the product receiving plate 22 as described above, the product display member can be visually recognized when the product is sold out. For example, the product display member is attached to the front door 11. As in the case, not only when replenishing merchandise, but also when the merchandise display member is constantly in the field of view and does not obstruct the eyes.

A product display member may be attached to the inner wall surface of the product storage path 5, etc. In this case, the product display member can be visually recognized only when the front door 11 is opened to replenish the product, In this case, it is necessary to attach the product display member to a place where it is not hidden by the attachment members 40A and 40B.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the case where the above-mentioned sold-out detection mechanism is provided in the payout unit 13 has been described. Nor.

[0030]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, by providing the product sold-out detection plate that rotates together with the product receiving plate in the posture of being placed on the product receiving plate, even when the product in the product storage path is taken out. The product sold-out detection plate only rotates upward along the lower surface of the product, and the product sold-out detection plate is not damaged. This can increase the reliability of this type of vending machine.

Furthermore, since the product display member is attached to the portion facing the product storage path, when the front door is opened to replenish the product while easily recognizing the type of product to be stored in the product storage path. Only the product display member can be visually recognized, and the product display member does not enter the field of view even when it is not used, which is an obstacle to eyesight.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan cross-sectional view of a payout unit in a non-paying state in a product paying device for an automatic vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of the same vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the same vending machine.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a stocker of the product dispensing device.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a stocker of the product dispensing device.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of a payout unit of the product payout device.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a payout unit of the product payout device.

FIG. 8 is a main-portion cross-sectional view of a payout unit of the product payout device.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a dispensing unit of the product dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view of a dispensing unit of the product dispensing device in a non-dispensing state.

FIG. 11 is a schematic front sectional view of a conventional dispenser for a vending machine.

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan sectional view of a conventional dispenser for a vending machine.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional dispenser for a vending machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Stocker main body 5 Product storage path 6 Non-product storage space 12a, 13a Side wall part 13 Dispensing unit 17 Drive shaft 18 Product support plate 22 Product receiving plate 23 Product sold-out detection plate 23a Product identification sticker (product display member) 24 Separation Spring 25 Movement transmission member 26 Sold-out detection sensor 32 Product holding plate

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A vertically extending partition plate is arranged on a stocker body, and the interior of the stocker body is divided into a product storage path for storing products in a direct stacked state and a non-product storage space for storing no products, A drive shaft extending vertically in the non-product storage space is provided, and the base end is pivotally supported by a member arranged in the non-product storage space to rotate from a substantially horizontal position to a downward position to open the lower end of the product storage path. Provided with a product receiving plate that opens and closes the part, is attached to the drive shaft and integrally rotated, and can freely project into the product storing path from the non-product storing space side, and when projecting, inside the product storing path via the product receiving plate. The product support body that supports the product from below is provided, and the tip is freely projectable to the position above the product receiving plate in the product storage path, and at the time of projection, the product control plate that prevents the product above the projecting position from falling is provided. , The product control plate is A product sold-out detection plate and a product sold-out detection plate provided with a cam member that projects into the product storage path are attached to the drive shaft, and the product sold-out detection plate that rotates together with the product receiving plate while being placed on the product receiving plate is provided. Above the product sold-out detection plate, there is provided a spring member that urges the receiving plate and the product away from each other to rotate the product sold-out detection plate above the product sold-out plate when the product on the product sold-out plate is exhausted. A product dispensing device for a vending machine, which is provided with a detector for detecting movement, and a product display member for displaying the type of product stored in the product storage route is attached at a position facing the product storage route.