JPH0688667B2 - Straw delivery device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a straw delivery device provided in an automatic vending machine that delivers a straw with a product at the time of sale.

(B) Conventional Technology Conventionally, as a straw feeding device, there is a straw feeding device having a structure as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 43-7816.

The structure of the straw delivery device disclosed in the above publication is a straw popper having a delivery port at a lower portion and having a bottom wall inclined toward the delivery port and provided with a movable portion in the vicinity of the delivery port, It comprises a straw delivery member provided facing the delivery port, and a drive device which operates upon receiving a delivery command to drive the delivery member and finely move the movable portion of the bottom wall.

Then, by driving the driving device, the straws stacked in the straw hopper are vibrated from the lower part by feeding the straws one by one from the lower discharge port housed in the straw hopper and finely moving the movable part of the bottom wall into the straw hopper. This is to prevent the straw from being clogged.

(C) The problem to be solved by the invention In the straw feeding device disclosed in the above publication, in order to prevent the straw from being clogged in the straw hopper, a movable part is provided on the bottom wall of the straw hopper,
In addition, since various parts such as levers and arms are required for finely moving the movable part, there is a first problem that the structure is complicated and the number of parts is increased.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the first problem, a step portion and a groove portion are provided on an outer peripheral surface of an opening of a delivery passage for delivering the straw from an accommodating portion accommodating the straw with the outer peripheral surface facing the opening. A straw delivery device capable of preventing clogging of the straw with a simple structure by disposing a rotating member, and by rotating the rotating member, the straw in the delivery passage is moved up and down and the straw is delivered. I will provide a.

Further, in the straw delivery device disclosed in the above publication, the delivery gear is rotated by receiving the straw delivered from the delivery opening of the straw hopper, and when the straw is delivered to the straw receiver, the straw is lightweight, The second problem is that the posture of the straw is disturbed on the feed-out gear due to vibration from the outside, and if the straw falls in the disordered posture, there is a risk of causing clogging in the straw receiver. Exists.

In order to solve the above-mentioned second problem, the present invention, when the rotating member receives the straw sent from the straw storing portion in the groove portion and rotates, presses the straw into the groove portion by the pressing member, It is intended to provide a straw delivery device which prevents the orientation of the straw from being disturbed when the straw is held and conveyed by the rotating member.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems The first invention of the present application was made to solve the above-mentioned first problem, and includes a straw storage portion for storing a straw in a horizontal position and a lower portion of the straw storage portion. And a delivery passage through which the straws of the straw storage portion are passed in an aligned state and through which the straws are dropped and delivered, and an outer peripheral surface facing the opening of the delivery passage. Has a step in a decreasing direction, a groove formed continuously with the step and receiving a straw dropped and delivered from the opening of the delivery passage, and a groove formed continuously with the groove and having a radius A rotating member provided with an inclined portion having an inclination in an increasing direction, and an operation based on a straw sending command,
The first problem is solved by a straw discharge device including a drive motor that rotates the rotating member such that the step, the groove, and the inclined portion pass through the opening of the discharge passage in this order.

A second invention of the present application is made in order to solve the above-mentioned second problem, and a straw storage portion which stores a straw in a horizontal position and has an opening portion below, and an opening portion of the straw storage portion. A rotating member having a groove for receiving the straw dropped and delivered from the opening of the straw housing, and a rotating member that is operated on the basis of a straw delivery command to open the opening. A drive motor that rotates the rotating member so that the groove passes, and a pressing member that presses the straw into the groove when the rotating member holds the straw in the groove and rotates. The straw delivery device solves the second problem.

(E) Operation According to the straw delivery device of the first invention of the present application, when the drive motor is operated based on the straw delivery command to rotate the rotating member, first, the step passes through the opening of the delivery passage, The straw in the delivery passage falls due to the step, and the impact caused by the fall prevents clogging of the straw in the delivery passage and the straw storage portion. Subsequently, when the rotating member is rotated in the same direction, one straw is separated from the straw dropped and delivered from the opening of the delivery passage by the groove portion and held and conveyed. Further, the rotating member rotates, and when the inclined portion passes through the opening of the delivery passage, the straw in the delivery passage is gradually pushed up to the state before the straw delivery, and waits for the next straw delivery command. The rotating member rotates until the state is reached.

Further, in the straw delivery device of the second invention of the present application, when the drive motor is operated and the rotating member is rotated based on the straw delivery command, when the groove passes through the opening of the delivery passage, the opening is formed in the groove. One straw is separated from the straw that is dropped and sent, and the straw is conveyed. When the straw is held and conveyed by the rotating member, the pressing member presses the straw and presses the straw against the groove portion. Therefore, according to the straw delivery apparatus of the present invention, the orientation of the straw is prevented from being disturbed when the straw is held and conveyed. .

(F) Embodiment An embodiment of the first invention of the present application will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 shows the essential structure of a straw delivery apparatus as an embodiment of the first invention. A perspective view for explaining, FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an essential part for explaining the operation of the essential part of the straw device.

The symbols and configurations of FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described.

(1) is a straw storage unit provided inside a vending machine body (not shown) for selling beverages in paper containers or cup beverages, and stores the straws (2) horizontally.

(3) is a delivery passage, which is formed in the lower part of the straw storage part (1) and is stored in the straw storage part (1)
Are passed in an aligned state, and the straw (2) is dropped and delivered from the opening (4) provided below.

(5a) and (5b) are notches provided in the delivery passage (3).

(6a) and (6b) are delivery cams as rotating members, which are arranged so that the outer peripheral surface faces the opening (4) of the delivery passage (3), and a step is formed on the outer peripheral surface in the direction of decreasing radius. Step (7a) (7
b), groove portions (8a) (8b) formed continuously on the stepped portions (8a) (8b) and for receiving straws (2) dropped and delivered from the opening (4) of the delivery passage (3) ) And the groove portions (8a) and (8b) respectively, and inclined portions (9a) and (9b) each having an inclination in the direction of increasing radius are provided.

(10) is a drive motor, which is fitted and fixed to each of the delivery cams (6a) and (6b) on the drive shaft (11) and is operated based on a straw delivery command from a sales control unit (not shown), Drive shaft
When the (11) is rotated, the delivery cams (6a) and (6b) are respectively rotated, and the opening (4) is formed into the stepped portions (7a) (7b) and the groove (8a).
(8b) and then the inclined portions (9a) and (9b) are passed in this order.

(12) is fitted and fixed to the drive shaft (11),
A switch cam for activating a switch (13) for stopping the driving of (10).

The above is the reference numerals and configurations of FIGS.
The straw sending operation of the straw sending apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 to 5 will be described. First, the sales control unit (not shown) that controls various operations of the vending machine puts money into the money so that the customer can sell the product. When the product is delivered to the product delivery mechanism (not shown) by inserting it into the mouth (not shown) and operating the product selection button (not shown), the drive motor (10)
The straw sending command is output to.

When the drive motor (10) which has input the straw delivery command is started to drive and the drive shaft (11) is rotated, the drive motor (10) is positioned at the lowest position in the delivery passage (3) in the standby state shown in FIG. The delivery cam (6a) supporting the straw (2) on the outer peripheral surface thereof starts rotating clockwise in FIG. 2 and rotates to the position shown in FIG.

When the delivery cam (6a) rotates to the position shown in FIG. 3, the step of the step (7a) passes through the opening (4) of the delivery passage (3), so that the outer peripheral surface of the delivery cam (6a). Straws supported by (2)
And the straw (2) laminated above it is the stepped portion.
The level difference of (7a) is rapidly lowered in the delivery passage (3), thereby preventing the straw (2) from being clogged in the delivery passage (3).

Further, if the delivery cam (6a) continues to rotate in the same direction, it will rotate to the position shown in FIG. 4, and at this position, the delivery cam (6a) will form a groove (8a) in the delivery passage (3). One of the straws (2) dropped from the opening (4) is held in a separated state, and further rotated in the same direction.

Then, the delivery cam (6a) is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 5, and the straw (2) is dropped from the groove (7a) to the straw outlet (not shown) until the straw (2) is delivered. straw
Hold (2) and convey. On the other hand, since the inclined portion (9a) passes through the opening (4) of the delivery passage (3), the straw (2) in the delivery passage (3) is pushed upward. Further, if the delivery cam (6a) continues to rotate in the same direction, the state returns to the state shown in FIG. 1, where the switch cam (12) actuates the switch (13) to stop the drive motor (10), and the straw delivery Complete the operation.

The delivery cam (6b) also performs the same operation in synchronization with the delivery cam (6a).

The above is the straw delivery operation of the straw delivery apparatus as the embodiment of the first invention of the present application shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

Next, an embodiment of the second invention of the present application will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining a main part configuration of a straw delivery device as an embodiment of the second invention of the present application, and FIGS. 7 to 10 are main part sides for explaining a main configuration of the straw delivery device, respectively. FIG.

The symbols and configurations of FIGS. 6 to 10 will be described.

Reference numeral (14) is a straw storage unit provided inside a vending machine body (not shown) for selling beverages in paper containers or cup beverages, and stores the straws (15) horizontally. (16)
Is a delivery passage, which is formed in the lower part of the straw storage part (14) and is stored in the straw storage part (14).
Are passed in an aligned state, and the straw (15) is dropped and delivered from the opening (17) provided below.

(18a) and (18b) are notches provided in the delivery passage (16), respectively.

(19a) (19b) is a delivery cam as a rotating member, and is arranged with the outer peripheral surface facing the opening (17) of the delivery passage (16),
A straw (1) that is sent out from the opening (17) to the outer peripheral surface.
Grooves (20a) and (20b) for receiving 5) are provided respectively.

(21) is a drive motor, and the delivery cams (19a) and (19b) are fitted and fixed to the drive shaft (22), and a sales control unit (not shown)
It operates based on the straw sending command from the drive shaft (22)
Intermittently rotate each one rotation.

(23) is a leaf spring as a pressing member that is fixed to the outer side of the delivery passage (16), and the delivery cams (19a) (19b) are groove portions.
When the straw (15) is held and rotated by (20a) and (20b), the straw (15) is pressed and brought into pressure contact with the groove portions (20a) and (20b).

(24) is held and conveyed by the delivery cams (19a) and (19b),
A straw delivery chute for receiving the straw (15) dropped and delivered from the groove portions (20a), (20b) at the position shown in FIG. 10 and delivering it to a straw outlet (not shown).

The above is the reference numerals and configurations of FIGS. 6 to 10. Next, the straw sending operation of the straw sending apparatus shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 will be explained. First, the sales for controlling various operations of the vending machine. The control unit (not shown) puts the amount of money that the customer can sell into the coin slot (not shown),
When the product selection button (not shown) is operated, the straw sending command is output to the drive motor (21) in synchronization with the output of the product sending command to the product sending mechanism (not shown).

The drive motor (21), which has received the straw delivery command, starts rotating the drive shaft (22) and moves the straw (15) located in the lowest position in the delivery passageway (16) in the standby state shown in FIG. The delivery cam (19a) supported on the outer peripheral surface starts rotating clockwise in FIG. 7 and rotates to the position shown in FIG.

In the state shown in FIG. 8, the delivery cam (19a) has the delivery passage (1
Insert the straw (15) dropped from the opening (17) of 6) into the groove.
Receive at (20a). Further, the delivery cam (19a) rotates in the same clockwise direction while holding the straw (15) in the groove (20a), and rotates to the state shown in FIG. Since the leaf spring (23) presses the straw (15) and presses the straw (15) against the groove (20a), the posture of the straw (15) held in the groove (20a) during the rotation of the delivery cam (19a). Is not disturbed.

When the delivery cam (19a) further rotates in the same clockwise direction to the position shown in FIG. 10, the straw (15) falls from the groove (20a),
It leads to the straw delivery chute (24). And sending cam
When (19a) is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 7, the drive motor (21) is stopped and the straw delivery operation is completed.

The delivery cam (19b) also performs the same operation in synchronization with the delivery cam (19a).

The above is the straw delivery operation of the straw delivery apparatus as the embodiment of the second invention of the present application shown in FIGS. 6 to 10.

(G) Effect of the Invention According to the straw delivery apparatus of the first invention of the present application, the straw is provided with a simple structure in which a step portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the existing rotating member for delivering the straw from the opening of the straw storage portion. It is possible to prevent the storage part from being clogged with straws.

Further, according to the straw delivery apparatus of the second invention of the present application, when the straw that is dropped and delivered from the straw storage portion is held and conveyed by the rotating member, the straw is pressed into contact with the groove portion of the rotating member by the pressing member. The straw can be prevented from dropping in a distorted posture from the groove portion, which is useful for preventing the straw from being clogged in the straw delivery passage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a straw delivery apparatus as an embodiment of the first invention, and FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are side views of essential parts showing operating states of the straw delivery apparatus. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a straw delivery device according to an embodiment of the second invention, and FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 are main parts showing the operating state of the straw delivery device. FIG. (1) …… straw storage part, (2) …… straw, (3) …… delivery passage, (4) …… opening, (6a) (6b) …… delivery cam, (7a)
(7b) …… Step, (8a) (8b) …… Groove, (9a) (9b) …… Inclined part, (10) …… Drive motor, (14) …… Straw storage, (1
5) …… Straw, (16) …… Opening, (19a) (19b) …… Sending cam, (20a) (20b) …… Groove, (21) …… Drive motor, (23)
...... Leaf spring.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A straw storage portion for storing a straw in a horizontal position, and a delivery passage formed below the straw storage portion for passing the straw of the straw storage portion in an aligned state and dropping the straw through an opening. And a step portion having an outer peripheral surface facing the opening of the delivery passage and having a step on the outer peripheral surface in a direction in which the radius decreases, and the opening of the delivery passage formed continuously with the step portion. And a rotating member provided with a groove for receiving a straw that is dropped and delivered from the section and an inclined portion that is formed continuously in the groove and has an inclination in a direction in which the radius increases, A straw delivery device comprising a drive motor for rotating the rotating member so as to pass through the opening of the passage in the order of the step, the groove, and the inclined portion. 2. A straw storage part in which a straw is stored horizontally and an opening is provided below the straw storage part, and the straw storage part is arranged so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the opening of the straw storage part. A rotating member provided with a groove portion for receiving a straw dropped and delivered from the opening portion, and a drive motor which operates on the basis of a straw delivery command and rotates the rotating member so that the groove portion passes through the opening portion. And a pressing member that presses the straw against the groove when the rotating member holds the straw in the groove and rotates.