JPH0877446A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To decrease the number of components, to eliminate an unnecessary space, and to make articles smoothly flow. CONSTITUTION: Plural article passages 13 which extend zigzag vertically and contain articles are provided successively and center rails 24 are arranged as corrugated passage forming members between the adjacent article passages 13; and abutting plate parts 30 are cut and raised at the bottom parts 29 of the center rails 24. The abutting plate parts 30 prevent articles which are stored in article passages 13 from getting into bottom parts 29 so that the articles smoothly flow in the article passages 13.

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 having a plurality of product passages arranged in parallel in a vertically meandering manner for storing products therein.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of an automatic vending machine that sells canned or bottled beverages as a product, there is one that is configured as shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, the product passage 1 for containing the product therein is formed so as to extend in a vertical meandering manner. Then, for example, four product passages 1 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. Each of the product passages 1 is configured so that the products inserted from the upper insertion port 2 are accommodated in a vertically aligned state. Further, a discharge mechanism 3 is provided below each product passage 1, and the products are discharged one by one to the product outlet by the discharge operation of the discharge mechanism based on the selling operation. In the case of the above structure, two adjacent product passages 1 and 1 on the front side and two adjacent product passages 1 and 1 on the rear side
And 2 each make up a set of product passage units.

Then, two adjacent product passages 1,
The passage forming member 4 that divides the space 1 is composed of a rear rail member 5 of the front product passage 1 and a front rail member 6 of the rear product passage 1. However, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional configuration, since the passage forming member 4 is composed of the two rail members 5 and 6, there is a drawback that the number of parts is increased. In addition, since there is a useless space 7 between the two rail members 5 and 6, there is a drawback that the amount of goods to be stored decreases and the dimension of the vending machine body in the front-rear direction increases. there were.

As a structure for solving these drawbacks, there is a structure described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 25578/1993. In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 11, the passage forming member 8 for partitioning between the two adjacent product passages 1 and 1 is configured by one corrugated rail member. According to this configuration,
Since the number of parts can be reduced and a wasteful space does not exist, it is possible to increase the amount of articles to be stored and reduce the dimension of the vending machine body in the front-rear direction.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional structure, since the passage forming member 8 is formed in a corrugated shape, the product 9 may get caught in the valley 8a, and therefore the product 9 Sometimes became difficult to flow.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vending machine which can reduce the number of parts, can eliminate a wasteful space, and can smoothly flow products.

[0007]

The vending machine according to the present invention comprises:
In a vending machine configured to have a plurality of product passages extending vertically in a meandering shape for accommodating products therein and arranging a corrugated passage forming member between adjacent product passages. It is characterized in that a prevention member for preventing the product from getting into the valley is provided in the valley of the passage forming member. In this case, it is preferable that the prevention member is formed by cutting and raising. Also,
It is conceivable that the prevention member is constituted by a pipe or a shaft for attaching and fixing the passage forming member.

The vending machine according to another aspect of the present invention is an automatic vending machine configured to have a plurality of merchandise passages that extend in a vertical direction in a meandering shape and accommodate the merchandise therein side by side. It is characterized in that the passage forming member arranged between the product passages is composed of a flat plate and a large number of convex portions projecting from both side surfaces of the flat plate at predetermined intervals. In this case, it is preferable that the convex portion is formed by drawing or cutting and raising. Further, it is a more preferable configuration that the convex portion protruding on one side surface of the flat plate and the convex portion protruding on the other side surface are formed so as to be staggered in the lateral direction.

[0009]

According to the above-mentioned means, since the adjacent product passages are partitioned by one corrugated passage forming member, the number of parts can be reduced and wasteful space can be removed. it can. Further, since the prevention member for preventing the product from fitting into the valley portion is provided in the valley portion of the passage forming member, the product does not fit into the valley portion of the passage forming member and the product flows smoothly. become. In this case, if the prevention member is formed by cutting and raising,
The prevention member can be formed easily and easily. Further, if the prevention member is constituted by a pipe or a shaft for mounting and fixing the passage forming member, the pipe or shaft for fixing the passage forming member can also serve as the prevention member, and the structure is further simplified. .

Further, the passage forming member disposed between the adjacent product passages is composed of a flat plate and a large number of convex portions projecting from both side surfaces of the flat plate at predetermined intervals. Also, the portion of the flat plate located between the convex portions adjacent to each other in the vertical direction has a function as a preventing member for preventing the product from getting stuck, and therefore the product flows smoothly. In the case of this configuration, if the convex portion is formed by drawing or cutting and raising, the convex portion can be easily and easily formed. In addition, if the convex portion protruding on one side surface of the flat plate and the convex portion protruding on the other side surface are formed so as to be staggered with respect to the lateral direction, the convex portions adjacent to each other in the vertical direction may be formed. The interval of can be freely set, and the degree of freedom in design can be increased.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG. 1 showing the overall schematic configuration of the vending machine, a front opening of a main body 11 of the vending machine is configured to be opened and closed by a door 12. The main body 11 is composed of a heat insulating box, and the inside thereof is appropriately partitioned into a cooling chamber, a heating chamber or a cooling / heating switching chamber. The cooling chamber is configured to be supplied with cold air from the cooling device, the heating chamber is configured to be supplied with warm air from the heating device, and the cooling / heating switching chamber is configured to be cooled or heated by the cooling device or the heating device. The wind is switched and supplied.

A column assembly 14 is provided in each of the chambers of the main body 11 and is formed by arranging a plurality of, for example, four product passages 13 in the front-rear direction. In this case, one column assembly 14 or a plurality of column assemblies 14 are arranged in the left-right direction according to the volume of each chamber (1 in FIG. 1).
Only column assembly 14 is shown). Further, each of the product passages 13 is formed so as to extend in a vertically meandering manner.

Further, each column assembly 14 has a product passage unit 15 composed of two adjacent product passages 13 and 13 on the front side, and a product passage formed from two adjacent product passages 13 and 13 on the rear side. And unit 16. Further, on the upper front surface of each column assembly 14, four product insertion ports 17 are provided in line in the vertical direction corresponding to the four product passages 13. By inserting the product 18 (see FIG. 3) from each of these product insertion ports 17, the product 1
8 are guided through the chute 19 into the respective product passages 13 and are accommodated in the respective product passages 13 in a vertically aligned state. The product 18 is, for example, a canned or bottled beverage.

On the other hand, in the lower part of each product passage 13, the product 1
A discharging mechanism 20 for discharging 8 is provided. Each discharge mechanism 20 is configured to discharge the selected products 18 one by one to a product outlet (not shown) by the discharge operation of the corresponding discharge mechanism 20 based on the selling operation.

Now, a concrete structure of each of the product passage units 15 and 16, that is, the two adjacent product passages 13 and 13 will be described. The two adjacent product passages 1
Reference numerals 3 and 13 denote a pair of side plates 21 facing each other in the left-right direction with a predetermined gap, a front rail 22 for posture control disposed in a front portion between the side plates 21 and 21, and a side plate 2.
The rear rail 23 for posture control is arranged in the rear part between the first and the second parts 21, and the center rail 24 is arranged in the central part between the side plates 21, 21. In this case, the side plate 2
1, 21, the front rail 22, and the center rail 24 constitute the front product passage 13, and the side plates 21, 21, the center rail 24, and the rear rail 23 constitute the rear product passage 13. In this case, the center rail 24
Constitutes a passage forming member for partitioning between two adjacent product passages 13.

Here, the front rail 22 is constituted by a large number of guide plates 25 bent in an arc shape and rotatably mounted between the left and right side plates 21 by pins 26. Similarly, the rear rail 23 is configured by rotatably attaching a large number of guide plates 27 bent in an arc shape between the left and right side plates 21 by pins 28.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the center rail 24 is formed by bending a long metal plate into a substantially corrugated shape. Then, the contact plate portion 3 is provided in each of the valley portions 29 of the center rail 24, which have a substantially V-shaped cross section.
0 is provided by cutting and raising so as to extend in the vertical direction. In this case, the product 18 stored in the product passage 13
As shown in FIG. 3, by contacting the contact plate portion 30 of the valley portion 29, it is configured so as not to fit into the valley portion 29. That is, each of the contact plate portions 30 has a valley portion 29.
It constitutes a prevention member for preventing the product 18 from getting stuck in it. In addition, as shown in FIG.
Is fixedly attached between the side plates 21 by inserting the projecting piece portions 31 that are intermittently provided on both the left and right sides thereof into the through holes (not shown) formed in the left and right side plates 21 and caulking them. There is.

According to the present embodiment having such a structure, however, the adjacent product passages 13 are partitioned by the corrugated center rail 24 formed of one member, so that the number of parts can be reduced. As a result, the number of assembling steps can be reduced, and useless space can be removed. Therefore, the storage capacity of the product 18 can be increased, and the main body 1
It is also possible to reduce the dimension of 1 in the front-back direction. Further, since the contact plate portion 30 for preventing the product 18 from being fitted into the valley portion 29 is provided in the valley portion 29 of the center rail 24, the product 18 accommodated in the product passage 13 is the valley portion 29. The product 18 does not get stuck (see FIG. 3), and the product 18 can smoothly flow in the product passage 13.
Particularly, in the case of the above-described embodiment, since the contact plate portion 30 is formed by cutting and raising, the contact plate portion 30 can be formed easily and easily.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention, and the difference from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a center rail 32 that replaces the center rail 24 is used.
The center rail 32 is attached to the side plate 21 in the many valleys 33 of the
A pipe 34 for mounting and fixing is fixed by, for example, screwing. The pipe 34 prevents the products 18 stored in the product passage 13 from getting stuck in the troughs 33.

The center rail 32 is provided for each pipe 3
Both ends of 4 are inserted into through holes (not shown) formed in the left and right side plates 21, and cut-and-raised pieces 34a (only one end is shown) formed at both ends of the pipe 34 are formed as side plates. The side plates 21 are fixedly attached to each other by engaging the edges of the through holes 21 to prevent the holes from coming off. In this case, instead of engaging the cut-and-raised piece 34a, both ends of the pipe 34 may be inserted into the through holes of the side plate 21 and caulked to prevent the pipe 34 from coming off.
The configuration other than the above is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment. Therefore, also in the second embodiment described above, it is possible to obtain substantially the same operational effects as in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the pipe 3 is provided with a prevention member for preventing the product 18 from getting stuck in the valley 33.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a shaft for attaching the center rail 32, for example.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the present invention, and the difference from the first embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a center rail 35 that replaces the center rail 24 is used.
Is composed of one long flat plate 36 and a large number of convex portions 37 projecting from both side surfaces of the flat plate 36 at predetermined intervals. In this case, the large number of convex portions 37 have a substantially triangular vertical cross section, and are formed in the intermediate portion of the flat plate 36 in the left-right direction by a drawing process, for example, in a form having a somewhat wide dimension. In the case of the third embodiment, the portion of the flat plate 36 of the center rail 35 located between the vertically adjacent convex portions 37 (in particular, the flat plate portions at the left and right ends) fits in the product 18. Since it has a function as a prevention member for preventing the product 18, the product 18 can smoothly flow in the product passage 13. Further, the center rail 35 is attached and fixed to the side plate 21 in the same manner as the center rail 24 of the first embodiment. That is, the center rail 35 is provided with projecting pieces (not shown) intermittently on both left and right sides thereof, and the projecting pieces are inserted into the through holes formed in the side plate 21 and caulked to form side plates. It is attached and fixed between 21.
The configuration other than the above is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment.

Therefore, also in the third embodiment, it is possible to obtain substantially the same operational effect as in the first embodiment.
Particularly, in the third embodiment, the center rail 35 is attached to the flat plate 3
Since it is configured by 6, the dimensional accuracy of the center rail 35 in the vertical direction can be increased, and the quality of the product can be improved accordingly. In the third embodiment described above, the convex portion 37 is formed by drawing, but instead of this, it may be formed by cutting and raising.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and the difference from the third embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a convex portion 38 instead of the convex portion 37 is provided on the flat plate 36 so as to project. Specifically, in the convex portion 38, the convex portion 39 protruding on one side surface of the flat plate 36 and the convex portion 40 protruding on the other side surface are staggered in the lateral direction (left-right direction). It is formed so as to deviate from. And the said convex parts 39 and 40 are the two convex parts 39 juxtaposed respectively.
a, 39a and 40a, 40a. Further, the lateral width dimension of the convex portions 39a, 39a, 40a, 40a is set to be considerably smaller than the lateral dimension of the convex portion 37 of the third embodiment.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG.
The upper and lower ends of 9a and 39a and the upper and lower ends of the protrusions 40a and 40a are configured to overlap to some extent. Since the above-described overlapping structure is allowed, the interval between the convex portions 39 adjacent in the vertical direction and the convex portions 4 adjacent in the vertical direction.
The interval between 0, the vertical dimension of the convex portion 39, and the convex portion 4
The vertical dimension of 0 can be set to a desired length, and the degree of freedom in design can be increased.
The configuration other than the above is the same as the configuration of the third embodiment. Therefore, also in the above-mentioned fourth embodiment, it is possible to obtain substantially the same operational effects as in the third embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, the column assembly 14 is used.
4 product passages 13 (two product passage units 15,
16), but is not limited to this,
The column assembly may be composed of two product passages 13 (one product passage unit). With this structure, the dimension of the main body 11 in the front-rear direction can be significantly reduced. On the other hand, in each of the above embodiments, the four product passages 13 are divided into two product passage units 15 and 16, and the rear rail 23 is provided between the second product passage 13 and the third product passage 13 from the front. Although it is configured to be partitioned by the front rail 22 and the front rail 22, the rear rail 23 and the front rail 22 are replaced by the center rails 24, 32, 35.
It may be configured with a center rail having substantially the same configuration as. With this configuration, it is possible to further reduce the number of parts and reduce wasteful space.

[0027]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention partitions adjacent product passages by a single corrugated passage forming member, and the passage forming member has a trough portion and a trough portion. Since the structure is provided with the prevention member for preventing the product from getting stuck, it is possible to reduce the number of parts, and it is possible to eliminate a wasteful space, and moreover, the product is fitted in the valley portion of the passage forming member. No more crowded,
It has an excellent effect that products can be smoothly flowed. In this case, if the prevention member is formed by cutting and raising, the prevention member can be easily and easily formed.
Further, if the prevention member is constituted by a pipe or a shaft for mounting and fixing the passage forming member, the pipe or shaft for fixing the passage forming member can also serve as the prevention member, and the structure is further simplified. .

Further, even if the passage forming member disposed between the adjacent product passages is composed of a flat plate and a large number of convex portions projecting from both side surfaces of the flat plate at predetermined intervals, The portion of the flat plate located between the convex portions adjacent to each other in the vertical direction has a function as a preventing member for preventing the product from getting stuck, and therefore the product can be smoothly flowed. Furthermore, in the case of this configuration, if the convex portion is formed by drawing or cutting and raising, the convex portion can be easily and easily formed. In addition, if the convex portion protruding on one side surface of the flat plate and the convex portion protruding on the other side surface are formed so as to be staggered with respect to the lateral direction, the convex portions adjacent to each other in the vertical direction may be formed. The interval of can be freely set, and the degree of freedom in design can be increased.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional side view of an entire vending machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a center rail.

FIG. 3 is a partial vertical cross-sectional side view of adjacent product passages.

FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional side view of adjacent product passages showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial side view of the center rail.

FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a conventional configuration.

FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing a different conventional configuration.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 is a main body, 13 is a product passage, 14 is a column assembly, 1
5, 16 are product passage units, 18 is a product, 21 is a side plate, 22 is a front rail, 23 is a rear rail, 24 is a center rail (passage forming member), 29 is a valley portion, and 30 is an abutment plate portion (prevention). Member), 32 is a center rail (passage forming member), 33 is a valley portion, 34 is a pipe (prevention member), 35 is a center rail (passage forming member), 36 is a flat plate, 37 is a convex portion, 38 is a convex portion. Show.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of merchandise passages extending vertically in a meandering shape for accommodating merchandise therein are arranged in parallel, and a corrugated passage forming member is arranged between adjacent merchandise passages. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a prevention member that is provided at a valley portion of the passage forming member to prevent a product from being caught in the valley portion. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the prevention member is formed by cutting and raising. 3. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the prevention member is configured by a pipe or a shaft for attaching and fixing the passage forming member. 4. An automatic vending machine configured to have a plurality of merchandise passages that extend vertically in a meandering shape and that accommodate merchandise therein, and a passage forming member that is arranged between adjacent merchandise passages. Is a flat plate and a large number of convex portions projecting from both sides of the flat plate at predetermined intervals. 5. The vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the convex portion is formed by drawing or cutting and raising. 6. The convex portion protruding on one side surface of the flat plate and the convex portion protruding on the other side surface are formed so as to be staggered in the lateral direction. The automatic vending machine according to claim 5.