JPH08235418A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an automatic vending machine with which an inner door can be prevented as much as possible from being opened when replenishing merchandise. CONSTITUTION: Since the present number of merchandise to be replenished in respective sections 5, 6 and 7 of a column 4 can be easily confirmed on a display 17 at the surface position of an inner door 2, there is no trouble for opening the inner door, watching the inside and visually confirming the state of remaining merchandise when replenishing merchandise, the inner door 2 is prevented as much as possible from being opened so that a temperature change inside the machine or thermal load increase can be prevented, and thermal stress can be prevented from being applied to merchandise.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic vending machine that cools or heats products such as canned drinks and bottled drinks and stores them, and sells them in response to a request from a purchaser.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Replenishment of products to this type of vending machine is carried out by the owner, a store clerk or a dedicated patrol operator. Specifically, the outer and inner doors of the vending machine are opened to store the goods. In general, the work of replenishing the product and closing the inner door and the outer door is performed while visually confirming the remaining product state in the above item (1).

[0003] Further, the sales situation of products in an automatic vending machine varies greatly depending on the installation location, season and the like. For example, in the automatic vending machines installed in the premises of a station or in the vicinity thereof, rush of commuting to work or school. Product sales tend to concentrate during these hours, and vending machines installed in or near the school premises tend to concentrate during the lunch break.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional product replenishment method, it is necessary to open the inner door and look into the inside of the storage box every time the replenishment is performed to visually recognize the remaining state. There is a problem in that the temperature inside the refrigerator changes significantly, the heat load increases, power consumption increases, and thermal stress is applied to the product.

On the other hand, it is preferable that as many products as possible are stored in the above-mentioned maximum sales time period in order to prevent the products from being out of stock during the same sales period, and the stored products are cooled or heated at an appropriate temperature. Is desirable. However, it is difficult to carry out product replenishment before the most sales time zone, and there is a problem that the product is often out of stock at the same time zone and the sales decrease. Even if the products are replenished before the maximum sales time period, if there is not enough time between the product replenishment time and the start time of the maximum sales time period, cooling or heating of the supplemented products will not be in time, and In addition, there is a problem that a product that is not cooled or heated is sold, which makes a purchaser uncomfortable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first object thereof is to provide an automatic vending machine capable of avoiding the opening of the inner door when replenishing products as much as possible. Also,
A second object is to provide an automatic vending machine that can sell products at an appropriate temperature without exhaustion during the maximum sales time.

[0007]

In order to achieve the first object, the invention of claim 1 is to store a product such as a canned beverage or a bottled beverage, and to cool or heat the product in the storage. In the vending machine including means for controlling the operation of the cooling or heating means so that the product has an appropriate temperature, and a means for selling the product in the storage box according to the request from the purchaser, A means to calculate the number of existing products in the storage based on the number of products in the storage and the number of products output from the storage, and the number of replenishable products by subtracting the number of existing products from the maximum number of products stored in the storage Means for displaying the number of replenishable commodities at the front surface position of the inner door or the front and back surface positions of the outer door.

In order to achieve the second object, the second aspect
Of the present invention, a storage for storing products such as canned beverages and bottled beverages, a means for cooling or heating the products in the storage, and a means for controlling the operation of the cooling or heating means so that the products have an appropriate temperature. And a vending machine equipped with means for selling products in a storage box in response to a request from a purchaser, determine the maximum sales time zone of the products from the product sales data showing the relationship between the time and the number of products sold. Means for calculating the number of existing products in the storage based on the number of products in the storage and the number of products output from the storage, and replenishment by subtracting the number of existing products from the maximum number of products stored in the storage A means for calculating the number of products, a means for calculating the time required until the replenished product is cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature when replenishing the replenishable number of products, and the start time of the maximum sales time zone The above required time is subtracted from the product A means for calculating a charging time and a means for displaying at least the number of replenishable products and the product replenishment time among the maximum sales time zone, the number of replenishable products, and the product replenishment time at a position different from the vending machine. It is equipped with.

In order to achieve the second object, claim 3
Of the present invention, a storage for storing products such as canned beverages and bottled beverages, a means for cooling or heating the products in the storage, and a means for controlling the operation of the cooling or heating means so that the products have an appropriate temperature. And a vending machine equipped with means for selling products in a storage box in response to a request from a purchaser, determine the maximum sales time zone of the products from the product sales data showing the relationship between the time and the number of products sold. Means for calculating the number of existing products in the storage based on the number of products in the storage and the number of products output from the storage, and replenishment by subtracting the number of existing products from the maximum number of products stored in the storage A means for calculating the number of products, a means for calculating the time required until the replenished product is cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature when replenishing the replenishable number of products, and the start time of the maximum sales time zone The above required time is subtracted from the product A means for calculating a charging time and a means for transferring at least the data relating to at least the number of replenishable products and the product replenishment time among the maximum sales time zone, the number of replenishable products and the product replenishment time to the outside through a communication line. , Is characterized.

In order to achieve the second object, the invention according to claim 4
Of the present invention, a storage for storing products such as canned beverages and bottled beverages, a means for cooling or heating the products in the storage, and a means for controlling the operation of the cooling or heating means so that the products have an appropriate temperature. And a vending machine equipped with means for selling products in a storage box in response to a request from a purchaser, determine the maximum sales time zone of the products from the product sales data showing the relationship between the time and the number of products sold. Means for calculating the arrival time from the current time to the start time of the most sales time zone, and calculating the number of chillable and heatable commodities that can be cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature within the arrival time. Means and
The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with means for displaying at least the number of products that can be cooled and heated among the maximum sales time zone and the number of products that can be cooled and heated.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the number of products that can be replenished in the storage is calculated at any time, and the number of replenishable products is displayed on the display means provided on the front surface position of the inner door or the front and back surface positions of the outer door. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the maximum sales time zone of the product is determined from the past product sales data, and the number of products that can be replenished in the storage and the time at which the replenishment of the products should be replenished are determined. It is calculated at any time, and at least the number of replenishable commodities and the commodity replenishment time are displayed on a display means provided at a position different from that of the vending machine.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the maximum sales time zone of the product is determined from the past product sales data, and the number of products that can be replenished in the storage and the time at which the replenishable product of the number of products can be replenished are determined. Data calculated at any time, and at least data relating to the number of replenishable commodities and the commodity replenishment time are transferred to the outside using a communication line.

According to the invention of claim 4, the maximum sales time zone of the product is determined from the past product sales data, and the product is cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature within the arrival time from the current time to the start time of the maximum sales time zone. The number of products that can be cooled and heated is calculated, and at least the number of products that can be cooled and heated is displayed on the display means.

[0015]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a main body structure of an automatic vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a main body having an open front surface, 2 is an inner door which is openably and closably attached to an opening portion of the main body 1, and 3 is an outer door which is openably and closably attached to the inner door surface side of the main body 1. The inner door 2 does not cover the entire opening of the main body, but a product loading window is formed in the upper part in a closed state so that the products can be loaded into each of the selections 5, 6 and 7 described later without opening the inner door 2. It can be done. A product passage port 2a is formed in the lower portion of the inner door 2, and a door plate 2b that is movable only in the product passage direction is provided in the passage port 2a. At the bottom of the outer door 3 is the passage 2
The commodity outlet 3a is formed corresponding to a, and the commodity outlet 3a is formed.
Is provided with a lid plate 3b that is movable only in the front direction.

Reference numeral 4 is a column arranged in the main body 1,
Here, a triple serpentine type is shown. The selections 5, 6, and 7 of the column 4 are opened at the upper and lower ends, respectively, and at the lower end opening portions, there are provided product unloading devices 8, 9 and 10 capable of dropping stored products one by one.
Products S such as canned drinks and bottled drinks are stored in a horizontal state in each of the selections 5, 6 and 7. In the illustrated example, the first selection 5 has a maximum of 10 products S and the second selection 6 Can store a maximum of 13 products S, and the third selection 7 can store a maximum of 16 products.

11, 12 and 13 are selections 5 and 5, respectively.
6 and 7 are product quantity detection sensors arranged near the upper end openings, where sensor 11 is for product introduction to the first selection 5, sensor 12 is for product introduction to the second selection 6, and sensor 13 is for the first product. The product input to the three selections 7 is detected for each product. Incidentally, a contact type limit switch, a non-contact type photoelectric switch, or the like can be used as the product quantity detection sensors 11, 12, and 13.

14, 15 and 16 are selections 5 and 5, respectively.
6 and 7 are product number detection sensors arranged in the vicinity of the lower end openings, where the sensor 14 discharges the product from the first selection 5, the sensor 15 discharges the product from the second selection 6, and the sensor 16 detects the first. The product discharge from the three selections 7 is detected for each product. Incidentally, a contact type limit switch, a non-contact type photoelectric switch, or the like can be used as the product quantity detection sensors 14, 5, 16.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a display device arranged on the surface of the inner door 2, and as shown in FIG. 2, a liquid crystal or the like for displaying the number of products which can be currently replenished in each selection 5, 6 and 7 for each selection. The display parts 17a, 17b, and 17c are provided.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a transfer chute disposed below the column 4, and the transfer chute 18 tilts by itself to transfer the product S dropped from each of the selections 5, 6 and 7 to the product passage opening 2a of the inner door 2. Can be sent to. The product S sent to the passage port 2a pushes the door plate 2b away due to its weight,
It is received by the product outlet 3a of the outer door 3.

Reference numeral 19 is an evaporator for cooling the product, 20 is an electric heater for heating the product, 21 is a blower for circulating cooling air or heated air to the column 4, and 22 is a temperature sensor such as a thermistor for detecting the product temperature. , These are the lower side of the transfer chute 17 and the gap between the column 4 and the main body 1 (air passage).
Are located in

Reference numeral 23 is a compressor, and 24 is a condenser, which are arranged in a machine chamber 25 at the bottom of the main body, and constitute a refrigeration circuit with the evaporator and expansion means (not shown). Reference numeral 26 is a blower for cooling the condenser.

FIG. 3 shows the control system configuration of the vending machine. In the figure, 11, 12, 13 are product quantity detection sensors, 14, 15, 16 are product quantity detection sensors,
Reference numeral 22 denotes a temperature sensor, which have been described above with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 31 is a control unit having a microcomputer structure, 32 is a drive unit for supplying drive power for the compressor operation to the motor 23a of the compressor 23, and 33 is drive power for generating heat to the electric heater 20. Drive unit for supplying, 3
Reference numeral 4 denotes a drive unit that supplies drive power for blowing operation to the motor 21a of the blower 21, 35 denotes a drive unit that supplies drive power for blowing operation to the motor 26a of the blower 26, and 36 denotes the display 17 Display areas 17a, 17 of
b, 17c is a drive unit that supplies drive power for display.

The control unit 31 stores a program for cooling or heating the products at an appropriate temperature and a program for calculating and displaying the number of replenishable products (detailed later) in the memory. Based on the detection signals of the detection sensors 11, 12, 13 and the product output detection sensors 14, 15, 16 and the temperature sensor 22, a predetermined control signal is sent to each of the control units 32.
To 36.

The procedure for calculating and displaying the number of replenishable commodities will be described with reference to the program flow of FIG.

When a product S is loaded into each of the selections 5, 6, 7 of the column 4 when replenishing a product, the product loading detection sensors 11, 12, 13 detect the product loading and 1
1 is added to the number N of existing commodities each time the introduction of commodities is detected (steps ST1 and ST2 in FIG. 4). On the other hand, when the product S is sold at the request of the purchaser, the product output detection sensors 14, 15 and 16 detect the product discharge, and each time the discharge of one product is detected, the number N of the existing products is increased by one.
Is subtracted (steps ST3 and ST4 in FIG. 4). When the vending machine is installed, the number N of existing products in each selection 5, 6, 7 is zero, so each selection 5, 6, 7
The number N of existing products can be easily calculated by adding and subtracting the number of products included in the product and the number of products output from each selection 5, 6, 7.

When the number N of existing commodities in each selection 5, 6 and 7 varies due to product replenishment or sale, the above-mentioned number N of existing commodities is subtracted from the maximum number of stored commodities defined for each selection. , Each selection 5, 6,
The current number of replenishable products in 7 is calculated (Fig. 4
Step ST5). After the calculation, the number of replenishable commodities for each selection is displayed on each display portion 17a, 17 of the display unit 17.
b and 17c respectively (step ST in FIG. 4)
6).

That is, each selection 5 in column 4
When replenishing items 6, 7, first open the outer door 1, and then look at the indicator 17 on the surface of the inner door 2 to check the number of refillable items in each selection 5, 6, 7. The products corresponding to the number of replenishable products may be prepared for each selection, and these products may be put into each selection 5, 6, 7.

According to this embodiment, each selection 5,
Since the current number of replenishable products in 6 and 7 can be easily confirmed by the indicator 17 on the surface position of the inner door 2, it is troublesome to open the inner door and look inside to visually check the remaining state when replenishing the products. In addition to avoiding opening the inner door 2 as much as possible, it is possible to prevent changes in the internal temperature and increase in heat load.
It is possible to prevent the product from being thermally stressed.

In the above embodiment, the product insertion window is formed on the upper part of the inner door, but it is necessary to open the inner door to replenish the product without the product insertion window. Even if it is a machine, you can check the number of replenishable products in each selection before opening the replenishment work without opening the inner door.
It is possible to obtain the same effect as the above by minimizing the opening time of the inner door during the refilling work.

In the above embodiment, the indicator is installed on the surface of the inner door. However, the indicator may be provided on either the front surface or the rear surface of the outer door. When it is provided at a position, if the indicator is covered with a dedicated door with a lock so that it can be opened by using a key, mischief or breakdown can be prevented.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 shows the structure of the main body of an automatic vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the vending machine shown in the figure is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the display, so that the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is omitted.

The display 27 is configured separately from the vending machine, is connected to the control section of the vending machine via a cable 28, and is attached, for example, at a position visible to a clerk in a store. As shown in FIG. 6, the display device 27 includes display portions 27a, 27 such as liquid crystal for displaying the start time and the end time of the maximum sales time zone of the product in the vending machine.
b and a display part 2 such as a liquid crystal for displaying the number of products that can be replenished in each selection 5, 6 and 7 for each selection 2
7c, 27d, and 27e, and a display portion 27f such as a liquid crystal for displaying the time at which the number of replenishable commodities should be replenished.

FIG. 7 shows a control system configuration of the vending machine. The configuration of the control system shown in the figure is the same as that of the first embodiment except the display drive unit and the storage program, and therefore the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is omitted.

In the memory of the control unit 31, a program for cooling or heating the product at an appropriate temperature, a program for determining and displaying the maximum sales time zone of the product (detailed later), and the number of replenishable products Also, a program (detailed later) for calculating and displaying the product replenishment time is stored.
The drive unit 37 operates based on a control signal from the control unit 31 and supplies drive power for display to each of the display parts 27a to 27f of the display 27.

First, the procedure for determining and displaying the maximum sales time zone of a product will be described with reference to the sales data of FIG. 8 and the program flow of FIG.

When the product S is sold at the request of the purchaser, the product output detection sensors 14, 15, 16 detect the product discharge, and the detection time (product sales time) is stored individually ( Steps ST1 and ST2 in FIG. 9).

Time storage for each sale of products is continued until 0:30, and at 0:30, sales data is totaled (steps ST3 and ST4 in FIG. 9). Specifically, 0:30 to 1:30, 1:30 to 2:30 ...
The number of products sold during each hour of 22:30 to 23:30 and 23:30 to 0:30 is counted, respectively.
The number of units sold by the hour is 1:00, 2:00 ..., 23:00 and 24, respectively.
An aggregation method corresponding to (0) time is adopted. That is, after collecting the data, product sales data representing the relationship between time and the number of products sold is created as shown in FIG.

After the product sales data is created, the times when a predetermined number of products are sold are extracted to determine the maximum sales time zone (step ST5 in FIG. 9). In the illustrated example, the time (11:00, 12:00, 13
Hour, 14:00, 15:00) is extracted, and based on this, 1
0:30 to 15:30 is determined as the maximum sales time period, that is, the time period during which the product is most sold out of 24 hours.

In the present embodiment, the maximum sales time zone is determined from the product sales data on the previous day, but the product sales data for the past week or more is stored and the maximum sales time zone is calculated from the cumulative total of these data. May be determined. Various types of sales data can be used as well as a method of creating the sales data as long as the number of products sold per unit time can be known.

The start time of the determined maximum sales time zone (1
0:30) and the end time (15:30) are displayed on the display 27.
Are displayed on the display parts 27a and 27b, respectively (step ST6 in FIG. 9).

Next, the procedure for calculating and displaying the number of replenishable commodities and the commodity replenishment time will be described with reference to the program flow of FIG.

When a product S is loaded into each of the selections 5, 6 and 7 in the column 4 when replenishing a product, the product loading detection sensors 11, 12 and 13 detect the product loading and 1
1 is added to the number N of existing commodities every time the introduction of commodities is detected (steps ST1 and ST2 in FIG. 10). On the other hand, when the product S is sold at the request of the purchaser, the product output detection sensors 14, 15 and 16 detect the product discharge, and each time the discharge of one product is detected, the number N of the existing products is increased by one.
Is subtracted (steps ST3 and ST4 in FIG. 10). When the vending machine is installed, the number N of existing products in each selection 5, 6, 7 is zero, so each selection 5, 6, 7
The number of existing products can be calculated by adding or subtracting the number of products included in 7 and the number of products output from each selection 5, 6, 7.

When the number N of existing commodities of each selection 5, 6, 7 changes due to the replenishment or sale of merchandise, the above-mentioned number N of existing commodities is subtracted from the maximum number of stored commodities defined for each selection. , Each selection 5, 6,
The current number of replenishable products in 7 is calculated (Fig. 1
0 step ST5).

After the number of replenishable commodities is calculated, the time required until the replenished commodities are cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature when the replenishable commodities are replenished is calculated as follows ( Step ST6 in FIG. 10).

The time required to cool or heat one product at a predetermined temperature to an appropriate temperature can be determined in advance by the cooling or heating capacity of the vending machine, but in the summer, when warm products are cooled, or when cold products are heated. In winter, etc., it is necessary to consider the difference between the appropriate temperature for cooling or heating and the product temperature (= outside air temperature) in the required time.

For example, when the time required to cool one commodity at the reference temperature (15 ° C.) to the proper temperature is tc, t1 = t
The required cooling time per product is calculated by the formula of c + ((outside air temperature −15) × K1)). Further, when the time for heating one product at the reference temperature (15 ° C.) to the proper temperature is th, t2 = th + ((15−outside air temperature) × K
2)) is used to calculate the time required for heating per product. By the way, K1 and K2 are time coefficients specified respectively for cooling and heating.

In this way, the time required to cool or heat the replenished product to an appropriate temperature when replenishing the refillable number of products calculated in step ST5,
In the case of cooling, it can be calculated by the number of replenishable commodities × t1, and in the case of heating, it can be calculated by the number of replenishable commodities × t2.

After the required time is calculated, the required time calculated for each of cooling and heating is subtracted from the start time (10:30) of the predetermined maximum sales time zone to obtain the product replenishment time, that is, the replenishment time. The time at which the product should be replenished in order to cool or heat the product of the possible number of products to an appropriate temperature in time for the maximum sales time period is calculated as time (step ST7 in FIG. 10).

After the product replenishment time is calculated, the number of replenishable commodities and the product replenishment time are displayed on the display parts 27c, 27d, 27e and 27f of the display 27, respectively (step ST8 in FIG. 10). ).

According to this embodiment, the display 17 mounted in the store or the like shows the maximum sales time zone of the products and the current number of replenishable products in each selection 5, 6, 7.
Since the product replenishment time at which the number of replenishable products should be replenished can be displayed, the product remaining state of the vending machine installed outside the store and the maximum sales time zone of the vending machine are located away from the vending machine. You can easily check with. In addition, by preparing and replenishing products according to the displayed number of replenishable products and the product replenishment time, it is possible to reliably prevent out-of-stock in the most time zone,
It is possible to sell products that have been cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature in the same time zone.

If an alarm sound is generated a few minutes before the product replenishment time, a lamp blinks or the like, so that even if a store clerk or the like is away from the place where the display is attached, the alarm is accurately notified and the replenishment is forgotten. Can be prevented.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 11 shows the structure of a control system of an automatic vending machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the control system shown in the figure is the same as that of the first embodiment except the modem and the stored program, and therefore the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is omitted. Further, the structure of the main body of the vending machine is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the display, and therefore the illustration thereof is omitted here.

In the memory of the control unit 31, a program for cooling or heating the product at an appropriate temperature, a program for calculating the number of replenishable products and the product replenishment time and transferring the data (detailed later), and the product Stores a program (detailed later) for determining the maximum sales time zone and transferring data. The modem 38 operates based on the control signal from the control unit 31, and identifies the data regarding the maximum sales time zone, the number of replenishable products and the product replenishment time through the communication line 39 such as a general telephone line for the vending machine. Transfer with data (installation location, model, etc.).

First, the procedure for determining the maximum sales time zone of a product and transferring the data will be described with reference to the program flow of FIG.

When the product S is sold at the request of the purchaser, the product output detection sensors 14, 15 and 16 detect the product delivery, and the detection time (product sales time) is stored individually ( Steps ST1 and ST in FIG.
2).

The time of each product sale is continuously stored until 0:30, and at 0:30, the sales data is totaled (steps ST3 and ST4 in FIG. 12). Specifically, 0:30 to 1:30, 1:30 to 2:30 ...
The number of products sold during each hour of 22:30 to 23:30 and 23:30 to 0:30 is counted, and the sales number of these hourly units is 1:00 and 2:00, respectively. 23:00, 2pm
The tabulation method corresponding to 4 (0) o'clock is adopted. That is,
After collecting the data, product sales data (see FIG. 8) representing the relationship between time and the number of products sold is created.

After the product sales data is created, the times when a predetermined number or more of products are sold are extracted and the maximum sales time zone is determined as in the second embodiment (step ST5 in FIG. 12).

The start time of the determined maximum sales time zone (1
0:30) and end time (15:30) are the communication line 39 together with the identification data (installation location, model, etc.) of the vending machine.
The data is transferred to the outside via, for example, the departure point of the patrol operator (step ST6 in FIG. 12).

Next, the procedure for calculating the number of replenishable commodities and the commodity replenishment time and transferring the data will be described with reference to the program flow of FIG.

When a product S is loaded into each of the selections 5, 6 and 7 of the column 4 when replenishing a product, the product loading detection sensors 11, 12 and 13 detect the product loading and 1
1 is added to the number of existing products N each time the product is detected to be inserted (steps ST1 and ST2 in FIG. 13). On the other hand, when the product S is sold at the request of the purchaser, the product output detection sensors 14, 15 and 16 detect the product discharge, and each time the discharge of one product is detected, the number N of the existing products is increased by one.
Is subtracted (steps ST3 and ST4 in FIG. 13). When the vending machine is installed, the number N of existing products in each selection 5, 6, 7 is zero, so each selection 5, 6, 7
The number of existing products can be calculated by adding or subtracting the number of products included in 7 and the number of products output from each selection 5, 6, 7.

When the number N of existing commodities in each selection 5, 6 and 7 varies due to product replenishment or sale, the number N of existing commodities stored is subtracted from the maximum number of stored commodities defined for each selection. , Each selection 5, 6,
The current number of replenishable products in 7 is calculated (Fig. 1
3 step ST5).

After the number of replenishable commodities is calculated, the time required until the replenished commodities are cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature when the above-mentioned number of replenishable commodities is replenished is calculated as in the second embodiment. (Step ST6 of FIG. 13).

After the required time is calculated, the required time calculated for each of cooling or heating is subtracted from the start time (10:30) of the predetermined maximum sales time zone to obtain the product replenishment time, that is, the replenishment time. The time at which the product should be replenished in order to cool or heat the available number of products to an appropriate temperature in time for the maximum sales time is calculated as time (step ST7 in FIG. 13).

After the product replenishment time is calculated, the above-mentioned number of replenishable products and the above-mentioned product replenishment time together with the identification data (installation place, model, etc.) of the vending machine are communicated to the outside, for example, a patrol operator. Is transferred to the departure point (step ST8 in FIG. 13).

According to the present embodiment, the maximum number of sales hours of merchandise, the current number of replenishable merchandise in each selection 5, 6 and 7, and the number of merchandise that can be replenished are set at the departure point of the patrol operator. Since it is possible to transfer the data regarding the product replenishment time to be replenished, it is possible to accurately select the traveling route of the operator who is in charge of the plurality of vending machines based on the most transferred sales time zone. Further, since the traveling time and the type of product to be brought can be determined based on the data-transferred product replenishment time and the number of replenishable products, it is possible to reliably prevent out-of-stock items and lack of replenishment items at the maximum sales time, It is possible to sell products that have been cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature in the same time zone.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 14 shows a display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 shows a control system configuration of an automatic vending machine according to the same embodiment. The structure of the main body of the vending machine is the same as that of the second embodiment except for the display, so that the illustration is omitted here and FIG. 5 is cited in the following description. The configuration of the control system is the same as that of the second embodiment except for the display drive unit and the storage program, and therefore the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is omitted.

The display 29 shown in FIG. 14 is constructed separately from the vending machine, and has a cable 30 (see FIG. 15).
Is connected to the control unit of the vending machine via, and is attached to a position where, for example, a store clerk in the store can visually recognize. The display unit 29 is a display unit 2 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying the start time and the end time of the most sales time zone of the product in the vending machine.
9a, 29b and display parts 29c, 29d such as liquid crystal for displaying the number of products that can be cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature within the arrival time from the current time to the start time of the most sales time zone for each selection, 29e, and display parts 29f, 29g, 29h such as liquid crystal for displaying the number of products currently replenishable for each selection 5, 6, 7 for each selection.
It has.

The memory of the control unit 31 shown in FIG.
A program for cooling or heating the product at an appropriate temperature, a program for determining and displaying the maximum sales time zone of the product (detailed later), and calculating and displaying the number of replenishable products and the number of products that can be cooled and heated. A program for (detailed later) is stored. The drive unit 39 operates based on a control signal from the control unit 31 and supplies drive power for display to each of the display parts 29a to 29h of the display unit 29.

First, the procedure for determining and displaying the maximum sales time zone of a product will be described with reference to the program flow of FIG. 9 used in the second embodiment.

When the product S is sold at the request of the purchaser, the product output detection sensors 14, 15, 16 detect the product delivery, and the detection time (product sales time) is stored individually ( Steps ST1 and ST2 in FIG. 9).

The time storage for each sale of goods is continued until 0:30, and the sales data is totaled at 0:30 (steps ST3 and ST4 in FIG. 9). Specifically, 0:30 to 1:30, 1:30 to 2:30 ...
The number of products sold during each hour of 22:30 to 23:30 and 23:30 to 0:30 is counted, respectively.
The number of units sold by the hour is 1:00, 2:00 ..., 23:00 and 24, respectively.
An aggregation method corresponding to (0) time is adopted. That is, after collecting the data, product sales data (see FIG. 8) representing the relationship between the time and the number of products sold is created.

After the product sales data is created, the times when a predetermined number or more of products are sold are extracted and the maximum sales time zone is determined in the same manner as in the second embodiment (step ST5 in FIG. 9).

The start time of the determined maximum sales time zone (1
0:30) and end time (15:30) are displayed on the display unit 29.
Are respectively displayed on the display parts 29a and 29b (step ST6 in FIG. 9).

Next, the procedure for calculating and displaying the number of replenishable commodities and the number of cooling / heating commodities will be described with reference to the program flow of FIG.

When a product S is loaded into each of the selections 5, 6 and 7 of the column 4 when replenishing a product, the product loading detection sensors 11, 12 and 13 detect the product loading and 1
1 is added to the number N of existing commodities each time the introduction of commodities is detected (steps ST1 and ST2 in FIG. 16). On the other hand, when the product S is sold at the request of the purchaser, the product output detection sensors 14, 15 and 16 detect the product discharge, and each time the discharge of one product is detected, the number N of the existing products is increased by one.
Is subtracted (steps ST3 and ST4 in FIG. 16). When the vending machine is installed, the number N of existing products in each selection 5, 6, 7 is zero, so each selection 5, 6, 7
The number of existing products can be calculated by adding or subtracting the number of products included in 7 and the number of products output from each selection 5, 6, 7.

When there is a change in the number N of existing products in each selection 5, 6 and 7 due to product replenishment or product sales, the number N of existing products is subtracted from the maximum number of stored products specified for each selection. , Each selection 5, 6,
The current number of replenishable products in 7 is calculated (Fig. 1
6 step ST5).

After the calculation of the number of replenishable commodities, the arrival time from the current time to the start time of the above-mentioned maximum sales time zone is calculated (step ST6 in FIG. 16).

After the arrival time is calculated, the number of products that can be cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature within the above arrival time is calculated as follows (step ST in FIG. 16).
7).

The time required to cool or heat one product at a predetermined temperature to an appropriate temperature can be determined in advance by the cooling or heating capacity of the vending machine, but in the summer when cooling warm products or when heating cold products. In winter, etc., it is necessary to consider the difference between the appropriate temperature for cooling or heating and the product temperature (= outside air temperature) in the required time.

For example, when the time for cooling one product at the reference temperature (15 ° C.) to the proper temperature is tc, t1 = t
The required cooling time per product is calculated by the formula of c + ((outside air temperature −15) × K1)). Further, when the time for heating one product at the reference temperature (15 ° C.) to the proper temperature is th, t2 = th + ((15−outside air temperature) × K
2)) is used to calculate the time required for heating per product. By the way, K1 and K2 are time coefficients specified respectively for cooling and heating.

In this way, the number of products that can be cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature within the arrival time calculated in step ST6 is determined by the arrival time divided by t1 in the case of cooling and by the heating time in the case of heating. It can be calculated by arrival time / t2.

After the number of products that can be cooled and heated is calculated, the number of replenishable products and the number of products that can be cooled and heated are displayed on the display unit 2.
9 display parts 29c, 29d, 29e, 29f, 29
g and 29h respectively (step ST in FIG. 16)
8).

According to the present embodiment, the display 29 installed in the store or the like is cooled to the proper temperature within the maximum sales time zone of the product and the arrival time from the current time to the start time of the maximum sales time zone. Alternatively, since the number of items that can be heated and cooled and the number of items that can be replenished in each of the selections 5, 6 and 7 can be displayed, the product remaining state of the vending machine installed outside the store and the It is possible to easily confirm the maximum sales time zone of the vending machine at a position away from the vending machine. Also, if product replenishment work is performed in accordance with the number of products that can be cooled or heated, it is possible to reliably prevent products with insufficient cooling or heating from being sold by mistakenly replenishing more products than necessary, and at the most It is possible to accurately sell a product that has been cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature during a time period, and it is possible to reliably prevent the product from running out during the same time period.

Although the display device is installed in the store in the above embodiment, the display device may be provided on either the front surface of the inner door or the front and back surfaces of the outer door. When it is provided on the surface of the display device, if the display device is covered with a dedicated door with a lock so that it can be opened with a key, mischief or breakdown can be prevented.

[0087]

As described above in detail, according to the invention of claim 1, the number of replenishable commodities in the storage can be easily provided by the display means provided at the front surface position of the inner door or the front and back surface positions of the outer door. When replenishing products, there is no trouble of opening the inner door and looking into the inside to visually check the remaining state, and it is possible to avoid opening the inner door as much as possible and prevent changes in the internal temperature and increase in heat load. It is possible to prevent thermal stress from being applied to the.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, if the preparation and the replenishment work for the product replenishment are performed according to the number of replenishable commodities and the product replenishment time displayed on the display means, it is possible to surely prevent the product from being out of stock in the most time zone. Therefore, it is possible to sell the product that has been cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature at the same time.

According to the invention of claim 3, the operator's tour time and the product type to be brought can be determined based on the data-transferred product replenishment time and the number of replenishable products. It is possible to reliably prevent a shortage of bring-in items, and it is possible to accurately sell a product that has been cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature during the same period.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, if the product replenishing work is performed according to the number of merchandise that can be cooled and heated displayed on the display means, the number of merchandise that is larger than necessary is erroneously replenished, resulting in insufficient cooling or heating. It is possible to reliably prevent the product from being sold, to sell the product that has been cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature in the most time zone, and to prevent the product from being sold out during the same time zone.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a main body of a vending machine according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the display according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a control system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for displaying the number of replenishable products according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the main body of the vending machine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a display device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a control system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing product sales data according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a display procedure of the most sales time zone according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for displaying the number of replenishable commodities and the commodity replenishment time according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a control system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a data transfer procedure in the most sales time zone according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a data transfer procedure of the number of replenishable commodities and the commodity replenishment time according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a front view of a display device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a control system configuration diagram according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a display procedure of the number of replenishable commodities and the number of cooling / heating commodities according to the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Main body, 2 ... Inner door, 3 ... Outer door, 4 ... Column, 5, 6,
7 ... Selection, 8, 9, 10 ... Merchandise unloading device, 1
1, 12, 13 ... Sensor for detecting number of products, 14, 15, 1
6 ... Product output detection sensor, 17 ... Indicator, 17a to 17
c ... Display area, 19 ... Evaporator, 20 ... Electric heater, 3
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control part, 32-36 ... Drive part, 27 ... Indicator, 27
a to 27f ... Display part, 37 ... Drive part, 38 ... Modem,
39 ... communication line, 29 ... display, 29a to 29h ... display part, 39 ... driving unit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A storage case for storing products such as canned beverages and bottled drinks, a means for cooling or heating the products in the storage case, and controlling the operation of the cooling or heating means so that the products have an appropriate temperature. In a vending machine equipped with a means and a means for selling a product in a storage in response to a request from a purchaser, the existing storage is determined based on the number of products in the storage and the number of products output from the storage. A means for calculating the number of products, a means for calculating the number of replenishable products by subtracting the number of existing products from the maximum number of products stored in the storage box, and a means for calculating the number of replenishable products by the position of the front surface of the inner door or the front and back surfaces of the outer door A vending machine comprising: a means for displaying the position. 2. A storage box for storing products such as canned drinks and bottled drinks, a means for cooling or heating the products in the storage box, and controlling the operation of the cooling or heating means so that the products have an appropriate temperature. In a vending machine equipped with a means and a means for selling a product in a storage box in response to a request from a purchaser, the maximum sales time zone of the product is determined from the product sales data indicating the relationship between time and the number of products sold. A means for determining, a means for calculating the number of existing products in the storage based on the number of products in the storage and the number of products output from the storage, and replenishment by subtracting the number of existing products from the maximum number of products stored in the storage. A means for calculating the number of possible products, a means for calculating the time required until the replenished product is cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature when the replenishable number of products is replenished, and the beginning of the maximum sales time zone Subtract the required time from the time Means for calculating a product replenishment time, and means for displaying at least the replenishable product number and the product replenishment time among the above-mentioned maximum sales time period, the above-mentioned replenishable product number, and the above-mentioned product replenishment time at a position different from the vending machine. An automatic vending machine characterized by the following. 3. A storage box for storing products such as canned beverages and bottled drinks, a means for cooling or heating the products in the storage box, and controlling the operation of the cooling or heating means so that the products have an appropriate temperature. In a vending machine equipped with a means and a means for selling a product in a storage box in response to a request from a purchaser, the maximum sales time zone of the product is determined from the product sales data indicating the relationship between time and the number of products sold. A means for determining, a means for calculating the number of existing products in the storage based on the number of products in the storage and the number of products output from the storage, and replenishment by subtracting the number of existing products from the maximum number of products stored in the storage. A means for calculating the number of possible products, a means for calculating the time required until the replenished product is cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature when the replenishable number of products is replenished, and the beginning of the maximum sales time zone Subtract the required time from the time A means for calculating a product replenishment time, and means for transferring at least the data relating to at least the replenishable product number and the product replenishment time among the maximum sales time zone, the replenishable product number, and the product replenishment time to the outside through a communication line. A vending machine characterized by: 4. A storage for storing products such as canned beverages and bottled beverages, a means for cooling or heating the products in the storage, and controlling the operation of the cooling or heating means so that the products have an appropriate temperature. In a vending machine equipped with a means and a means for selling a product in a storage box in response to a request from a purchaser, the maximum sales time zone of the product is determined from the product sales data indicating the relationship between time and the number of products sold. A means for determining, a means for calculating the arrival time from the current time to the start time of the most sales time zone, and a number of chillable and heatable products that can be cooled or heated to an appropriate temperature within the arrival time. And a means for displaying at least the number of products that can be cooled and heated among the maximum number of sales hours and the number of products that can be cooled and heated.