JPH09120473A - Article replenishment device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable article replenishment device which cuts articles out of a package box, one by one, and automatically lifts and throw them in an article throw-in opening of the automatic vending machine only by opening the package box for distribution and placing it on a table after setting the package box on the automatic vending machine at a location destination without the hand operation of a route man. SOLUTION: This device consists of a table mechanism 13 on which the package box 12 for article distribution is mounted at a forward slanting attitude while opened, a bucket type vertical conveyor mechanism 11 which lifts and conveys articles 8 rolling out of the package box to the article throw-in opening 7 of the automatic vending machine, one by one, a gate mechanism 14 which cuts out the articles rolling out of the package box onto the table, one by one, and passes them to buckets 11a of the conveyor mechanism, and a fitting rack 10 which is mounted with those components and suspends them on the support bar 1a on the automatic vending machine side. Then the articles which roll out of the package box are automatically cut out, one by one, and conveyed and thrown in the article throw-in opening of the automatic vending machine.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product replenishing device for a serpentine type vending machine that sells can and bottle products.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art First, the structure of a serpentine type vending machine is shown in FIGS. In each drawing, 1 is a vending machine cabinet, 2 is a front door, 3 is a product outlet, 4
Is a serpentine-type product rack, 5 is a bend mechanism, 6 is a product unloading shooter, and the product rack 4 is a meandering product storage section 4a composed of a plurality of columns arranged in front, rear, left and right.
And a top tray 4b laid between each of the columns and a product insertion port 7 which is connected to the upper end of the product storage unit 4a and opens in the upper front part of the cabinet.

When replenishing merchandise 8 such as cans and bottles to the vending machine having such a structure, the front door 2 is opened as shown in FIG. Put into the inlet 7. As a result, the product 8 rolls on the top tray 4b and falls from the rear end into the product storage unit 4a to be stored. In addition, the daily replenishment work of the vending machine is carried out by the route man who goes around the location of the vending machine and inspects and maintains the unit. For example, 30 250ml cans, or 350ml, 340m
24 l cans are arranged and stored in multiple rows of 24)
The current situation is that the products are brought to the site, the packaging box is opened, and the products are manually picked up one by one and put into the product inlet of the vending machine.

[0004]

By the way, in the above-mentioned serpentine type vending machine, the standard height of the cabinet is about 1.8 m, and the products taken out from the packaging box are taken one by one from the upper front of the cabinet. Since it takes a lot of labor and time to repeat the work of inserting the product into the product insertion port opened at, the improvement measures are required.

Further, recently, the vending machine is restricted from protruding to the road, and accordingly, the vending machine tends to be further thinned. However, as the vending machine becomes thinner, the space inside the machine naturally decreases and the product storage capacity decreases. Therefore, it is necessary to further increase the height of the vending machine in order to increase the number of product storage units. However, in the case of manually replenishing products as described above, there is a problem that if the height of the cabinet is made higher than the present, the workers cannot reach the product inlet.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to bring a product carried to a vending machine at a location destination without relying on all manual work of a rootman. Simply open the shipping packaging box and place it at the specified position on the table. After that, cut out each rolled product from the shipping packaging box one by one, and then automatically to the product slot of the vending machine. An object of the present invention is to provide an unprecedented new portable product replenishing device configured so that it can be carried up and loaded into a product slot.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the product replenishing device of the present invention is constructed as follows. 1) 1st invention: A table for placing a packaging box for delivering products in an open state in a forward posture and a table linked to the tip of the table for each article rolled out of the packaging box to receive one by one. It is equipped with a bucket type vertical conveyor mechanism that lifts and conveys to the product input port, a gate mechanism that cuts out the products rolled out from the packaging box onto the table one by one, and transfers them to the bucket of the vertical conveyor mechanism, and these parts. It shall consist of a mounting base that is set on the front of the vending machine cabinet.

Further, the above-mentioned constitutions of the respective parts may be constituted in the following concrete modes. A) The table is foldably connected to the bottom of the vertical conveyor mechanism. b) The mounting base includes a guide rail that guides and supports the vertical conveyor mechanism so that it can move up and down, a suspension mechanism with a balancer that holds the vertical conveyor mechanism at a desired height position along the guide rail, and a vending machine The structure will be equipped with hook fittings that are suspended from the support bar installed in the cabinet.

The commodity replenishing device having such a structure replenishes commodities to the vending machine in the following procedure. First, the merchandise replenishing device is carried by the rootman or stored as an optional item in the cabinet of the vending machine.
And when the route man goes to the vending machine at the location and replenishes the goods, after opening the front door of the vending machine, the support bar provided on the front upper part of the cabinet of the vending machine is equipped with the product replenishing device. The product replenishing device is suspended by hooking the mounting base, and the upper end of the vertical conveyor mechanism is positioned and set so as to face the product inlet corresponding to the column for replenishing the product. The power supply for the product replenishing device uses a service power outlet provided in the vending machine.

Next, with the vertical conveyor mechanism in the lowered position, the folded table is pulled out, and the delivery packaging box containing the product is opened and placed in the forwardly tilted posture. As a result, the products roll out from the packaging box under their own weight and are aligned in a line on the table. When an operation command is given to the device in this state, the bucket type vertical conveyor mechanism is started, and the gate mechanism operates in synchronization with the bucket movement tact to cut out the products lined up on the table one by one. Hand over to the bucket of the conveyor mechanism. Further, the product loaded in the bucket is conveyed upward together with the bucket to the opening position of the product insertion port, and is ejected from the bucket and inserted into the product insertion port when the bucket is inverted at the upper end of the conveyor mechanism.

Then, when the column of the commodity storage section in which the commodity has been replenished is full, the replenishment operation is interrupted, the operation is moved to the next column, and the commodity is automatically replenished by the same operation. In this case, with respect to the product inlet of each column arranged vertically and horizontally, the vertical positioning moves the vertical conveyor mechanism along the guide rails on the mounting base, and the horizontal positioning is the vending machine side. Move the mounting frame hooked to the support bar of to the side. The column fullness can be detected by, for example, a fullness detection sensor (optical sensor, etc.) provided on the top of the vertical conveyor mechanism, or by setting the replenishment number from the inventory information of the vending machine, and the number of products passing through the gate mechanism. This can be dealt with by controlling the supply while counting with a sensor.

Also, by hooking the mounting base of the product replenishing device to a support bar provided in the vending machine and suspending it, setting can be performed regardless of the installation surface condition (steps, grooves, etc.) of the vending machine, and the table can be used. By making the foldable, it is convenient to carry the rootman or store it in the cabinet of the vending machine. In addition, using the replenishment device, it is possible to lift and replenish the product to a height that cannot be reached by manual work, so to increase the product storage capacity, the vending machine configured higher than the standard height (1.8 m) It is also possible to replenish goods.

2) Second invention: A table mechanism for placing the packaging box for delivering goods on the bottom side of the table mechanism and a table mechanism for mounting the packaging box for delivery on the lower side of the table mechanism to deliver the articles from the packaging box for delivery.
A gate mechanism that cuts out one or a plurality of sheets simultaneously and sends them to the lower transport tray mechanism, and a bucket that is linked to the transport tray mechanism and lifts and transports the products received from the tray one by one to the product slot of the vending machine. Type vertical conveyor mechanism, a mounting base for guiding and supporting the vertical conveyor mechanism so that it can be raised and lowered, and setting on the front surface of the cabinet of the vending machine, and the vertical conveyor mechanism is moved to a predetermined height position with respect to the mounting base. It shall consist of an electric suspension mechanism.

Further, the above-mentioned constitutions of the respective parts can be constituted in the following concrete modes. That is, a) The table mechanism is provided with a pull-out shutter that closes the opening surface of the packaging box. b) The gate mechanism is provided with a plurality of rotary buckets aligned with the products stored in the shipping packaging box and aligned, and after the buckets receive the products rolled out from the unsealed surface of the packaging box in the upward posture. , Reverse the downward posture, cut out downward, and send out.

C) The transport tray mechanism is provided with a transport tray that tilts forward and backward, and a collection section for excess products on the rear end side. d) A sensor for detecting the height position of the product introduction port of the vending machine is provided on the top of the vertical conveyor mechanism, and the vertical conveyor mechanism is set to a desired product introduction port via the hanging mechanism based on the detection signal of the sensor. Try to access.

E) A sensor is provided at the top of the vertical conveyor mechanism to detect the full state of the product inlet, and the vertical conveyor mechanism is reversed based on the detection signal of the sensor to transfer the products remaining in the bucket through the transport tray. And collect it. In the product replenishing device having the above-described configuration, as in the first aspect of the invention, the route man carries the device to the location of the vending machine or pre-installs it in the cabinet for each vending machine to replenish the product. Sometimes pulled out and used. When replenishing products at the location of the vending machine, first, the product replenishing device is set to a position corresponding to the product insertion port of the column for replenishing products, as in the first invention.

Next, the package box for delivering the delivered goods is opened, and the table mechanism is placed on the package box while the drawer shutter is closed, and then the table mechanism is inverted so that the opening surface of the package box faces downward. Place on top of the gate mechanism. Here, when the drawer shutter is pulled out, the product freely rolls out of the packaging box and is received one by one on the rotary bucket of the gate mechanism to prepare for the product replenishment. When an operation command is given to the product replenishing device in this state, the vertical conveyor mechanism of the replenishing device ascends along the mounting frame with the packaging box still mounted, and the inlet detection sensor provided at the top of the conveyor mechanism is desired. Stop at the height that detected the product insertion port of. Then, the vertical conveyor mechanism is started, the gate mechanism operates and the rotary bucket is reversed, and the products in the shipping packaging box are cut out one by one or at the same time and set in the forward leaning posture. It is sent out on the carrying tray. As a result, the product rolls on the carrier tray and is transferred one by one from the tip to the carrier bucket of the vertical conveyor mechanism. When the product is further lifted and conveyed, the carrier bucket is inverted to put the product. It is put in the mouth.

When the product storage column that is supplying the product is full, the supply signal is interrupted by the detection signal of the full detection sensor. If another desired column is selected and a command is given in this interrupted state, the vertical conveyor mechanism automatically accesses the next product inlet and restarts the product supply operation at this position. On the other hand, when a replenishment stop command is given, the vertical conveyor mechanism descends along the mounting base and returns to the initial position. Here, after inserting the shutter into the table mechanism, the packaging box is removed from the apparatus. Next, when a product collection command is given, the vertical conveyor mechanism reverses and
The transport tray of the transport tray mechanism changes from the forward tilted posture to the rearward tilted posture, and the products remaining in the bucket of the vertical conveyor mechanism are collected via the transport tray. In this case, an empty packaging box is placed under the collection unit provided at the rear end of the carrier tray mechanism, and the collected products are dropped in here. Similarly, the products remaining inside the gate mechanism are also discharged from the gate mechanism onto the transport tray and collected.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments corresponding to the above-mentioned first and second inventions will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings of the respective embodiments, the same members corresponding to FIGS. 13 and 14 are designated by the same reference numerals. [Embodiment 1] An embodiment of the first invention corresponding to claims 1 to 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG.
(A), (b) is a figure showing the use state which set up the goods replenishment device 9 in the vending machine, and the goods replenishment device 9 is roughly classified into a mounting base 10 and a chain drive type bucket mounted on the mounting base 10. A vertical conveyor mechanism 11 and a packaging box 12 for delivery which is connected to the lower part of the conveyor mechanism 11 and contains the products 8 (the packaging box 12 has a unit number of the products 8 (for example, 250 mml cans are 30 or 350 mml cans). 24) are arranged in a plurality of stages, each of which is housed), and a folding table mechanism 13 for mounting thereon, and a gate mechanism 14. Here, the mounting pedestal 10 has a hook metal fitting 10a hooked on a pull-out type support bar 1a mounted on the cabinet 1 of the vending machine, a guide rail 10b for vertically supporting the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 and a conveyor mechanism 11 at the top. A suspension mechanism 10c with a balancer for suspending and supporting the above in a weight-balanced state, and a distance arm 10d provided at the lower end (the tip of the arm is in contact with the support fitting 1b of the cabinet 1 to maintain a vertical posture). The balancer is a kind of weight balancing device to which a mainspring is applied, and the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 for heavy objects can be moved up and down along the guide rail 10b with a light force.

The vertical conveyor mechanism 11 is a bucket type conveyor mechanism in which a large number of buckets 11a are attached along an endless belt stretched between a pair of upper and lower pulleys and driven by a drive motor 11b. It is hung and supported in a weight-balanced state by connecting it to the mainspring plate pulled out from. A product guide shooter 11c (structure that does not interfere with the bucket 10a) is provided at the upper end of the conveyor mechanism 11 and projects from the inverted position of the bucket 11a toward the product insertion port 7 of the vending machine. The vertical conveyor mechanism 11 is guided and supported by the guide rail 10b of the mounting base 10 via a slide type bare link mechanism 15 shown in FIG.

The table mechanism 13 has a tray 13a whose one end is pivotally connected to the frame of the vertical conveyor mechanism 11.
And a foldable partition plate 13b that stands upright at an intermediate position of the tray (a space corresponding to one product is open between the tray and the tray 13a), and the tray 13a is slightly tilted forward from the horizontal position. A foldable support arm 13c for supporting is provided, and the packaging box 12 for delivering goods is opened, and then the opening surface is brought into contact with the partition plate 13b.
It is placed on 3a.

Further, the gate mechanism 14 includes the tray 1
A pair of front and rear gate plates 1 that alternately appear and disappear from the back side of 3a
4a (the distance between the front and rear gate plates corresponds to one product) and the drive unit 14b of the gate plate 14a, and in front of the gate mechanism 14, a product 8 that detects the product 8 that has passed through the gate mechanism 14 The detection sensor 16 (optical sensor) is provided.

Next, a method of using the product replenishing device 9 having the above-described structure will be described. First, the merchandise replenishing device 9 is constructed by folding the table mechanism 13 as shown by the chain line in FIG. 2 to be carried by the rootman, or stored in the cabinet as an optional accessory attached to the vending machine. Then, when replenishing the vending machine with products, as shown in FIG. 1, the hook metal fitting 10a of the mounting stand 10 is suspended on the support bar 1a pulled out from the cabinet 1 of the vending machine, and further, the tray 13a of the table mechanism 13, After the partition plate 13b is pulled out from the folded position to the solid line position shown in the figure, the shooter 11c provided at the upper end of the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 is positioned so as to correspond to the product insertion port of the product storage unit for replenishing products, The conveyor mechanism 11 is fixed in this position by a stopper member (not shown) for setting. In addition, in FIG. 2, the slide bush 1 is attached to the hook metal fitting 10a.
0e (bearing body) is provided so that it can be easily moved in the left-right direction on the support bar 1a on the other side. Then, the power cord of the product replenishing device 9 is connected using the service power outlet provided in the vending machine. Next, the product delivery packaging box 12 carried into the site is opened and mounted on the table mechanism 13 with its opening surface facing forward.

When the operation switch of the product replenishing device 9 is turned on in this state, the products 8 rolled out from the opening surface of the packaging box 12 are aligned on the tray 13a of the table mechanism 13,
Further, by the operation of the gate mechanism 14, the pieces are cut out one by one and delivered to the bucket 11a of the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 and then lifted and conveyed upward.
At the upper end of the item 1, the bucket 11a rolls out from the bucket 11a by the reversing operation, rolls the shooter 11c and is inserted into the product insertion port 7, and then rolls on the top tray 4b and from the rear end of the product storage unit. It is stored in 4a.

Then, the column of the product storage section which is replenishing the product is full (in order to detect the full state of the column, for example, a photoelectric full detection sensor (not shown) is provided at the entrance of the product insertion port. If it becomes), the operation is stopped here and the product replenishing operation is interrupted. Further, if necessary, the conveyor mechanism is driven to reverse and the remaining products on the way of conveyance are collected below. Instead of stopping the operation by the signal from the full detection sensor, the operation controller of the product replenishing device 9 is instructed based on the inventory information of the vending machine in advance about the number of replenishment of the product, and the product 8 passing through the gate mechanism 14 is instructed. It is also possible to automate the operation control while counting the number of replenishment items of the product detection sensor 16.

When the product replenishing device 9 is moved to another column to replenish the product, the conveyor mechanism 11 is moved up and down along the guide rail 10b of the mounting base 10,
Further, the mounting base 10 is moved in the left-right direction along the support bar 1a to be positioned so as to access the designated product insertion port position, and the product is replenished by the same operation as described above. In addition,
Needless to say, the packaging box 12 placed on the table mechanism 13 is replaced when the type of the replenished product is changed.
When the vending machine is replenished with the products, the table mechanism 13 is folded to remove the gantry 10 from the vending machine and move to the next location or stored in the cabinet of the vending machine.

Next, an example in which the product replenishing device 9 is used to replenish the product to an automatic vending machine whose height is higher than the aiming size (1.8 m) is shown in FIGS. Shown in b). First, as shown in Fig. (A), the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 is pulled down with the mounting base 10 suspended on the vending machine, and at this position, the packaging box 12 containing the product 8 is opened in the table mechanism 13. And place it. Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 is pushed upward and positioned so that the upper end thereof faces the product inlet of the column for replenishing the product, and in this state, the product is transferred according to the procedure described above. Replenish. As a result, even for a vending machine that is tall and has a large product storage capacity with the product slot opening at a high position that cannot be reached by human hands, the product can be replenished in the same way as a standard height vending machine. .

[Embodiment 2] Next, claims 4 to 9 of the present invention.
The second embodiment corresponding to the above will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, the same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the product replenishing device 9 is roughly classified into a mounting base 10, a chain-driven vertical conveyor mechanism 11 with a bucket having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and a table mechanism 17 on which a packaging box 12 containing products is placed. And a gate mechanism 18 combined with the lower surface of the table mechanism 17, and the table mechanism 1 connected to the lower portion of the vertical conveyor mechanism 11.
7 and a transfer tray mechanism 19 on which the gate mechanism 18 is placed. In addition, 20 is an operation control unit of the product supply device.

Here, the mounting base 10 has a hook metal fitting 10a at the top, a long foldable guide rail 10b for guiding and supporting the vertical conveyor mechanism 11, a suspension mechanism 10c with a balancer, a distance arm 10d, It is composed of a lifting mechanism 10e attached to the hanging mechanism 10c, and the hanging mechanism 1 is mounted on the guide rail 10b.
The vertical conveyor mechanism 11 which is vertically guided through 0c is moved up and down by the operation of the lifting drive mechanism 10e.

The vertical conveyor mechanism 11 is of a chain drive system similar to that of the first embodiment, and has a plurality of buckets 11a for receiving the products 8 one by one and the drive motor 1.
1b. Further, on the top of the conveyor mechanism 11, a guide shooter 11c for the input product and an input port detection sensor 21 for detecting the position of the product input port on the vending machine side.
And a fullness detection sensor 22 that detects the fullness of the product at the product insertion port.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the table mechanism 17 is a frame-shaped table frame 17a on which the packaging box 12 containing the product is placed with the unsealed surface facing downward in the unsealed state, and the table mechanism 17 is incorporated into the frame 17a. It is composed of a drawer type shutter 17b that closes the opening surface of the packaging box 12, and a table frame 17a is connected to the upper surface of a gate mechanism 18 described below. Here, the gate mechanism 18 is provided with a plurality of sets of rotary buckets 18b arranged in a row in front and rear inside a body 18a whose upper and lower surfaces are open, and the buckets 18b are driven via an interlocking chain 18c and a drive chain 18d. It is transmission-coupled to the motor 18e. Further, a partition wall 18f serving as a product guide is provided between the respective product takeout paths. Here, in order to cut out the products 8 one by one from the gate mechanism 18, a phase difference is given in the circumferential direction between the buckets 18a arranged in front and back as illustrated. In addition, in order to cut out a plurality of products 8 (the product for one row stored in the delivery packaging box 12) at the same time, the phases of the buckets 18a described above are aligned.

Next, the transport tray mechanism 19 is capable of tilting forward or backward by using the leading end as a fulcrum.
As shown in FIG. 7, the tip is hinged to a tray mounting arm 11d provided on the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 and is supported in a substantially horizontal position via a support arm 19b. Further, at the rear end of the carrier tray mechanism 19, a product collecting section 19c (FIG. 5) is provided as a passage for collecting products from the carrier tray 19a.
(See) is removable. Incidentally, 23 is a handle for carrying.

Next, a method of using the product replenishing device 9 having the above structure will be described. First, when the rootman carries the device, the mounting base 10 is folded as shown in FIG. 7 (the lower half is folded with the upper and lower substantially halfway positions as fulcrums and overlapped with the back surface of the upper half), and the product is collected. The portion 19c is removed from the carrier tray mechanism 19. Then, when carrying the product to the vending machine at the location destination to supply the product, set it in front of the cabinet of the vending machine with the front door opened as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and supply power for the service of the vending machine. Is used to connect the power cord of the commodity replenishing device 9. From this preparation system, the shipping packaging box 12 containing the product 8 is next.
After unsealing, the table mechanism 17 combined with the gate mechanism 18 is placed on the unsealing surface, the unsealing surface of the wrapping box 12 is closed by the drawer shutter 17a, and then the wrapping box 12 is oriented so that the unsealing surface faces downward. Is reversed and mounted on the carrier tray mechanism 19.

Here, when the pull-out shutter 17a is pulled out, the commodities 8 contained in the packaging box 12 are allowed to roll freely through the opening surface, and the commodities 8 lined up at the bottom of the packaging box are arranged in the gate mechanism 18. The buckets 18b are placed one by one and held at this position. That is, the rotary bucket 18b serves as a product stopper. With this, the preparation for replenishment of goods is completed, and when the operation switch of the device is turned on and an operation command is given, the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 moves along the guide rail of the mounting base 10 by the driving force of the elevating drive mechanism 10e. A loading port detection sensor 2 provided at the top of the conveyor mechanism starts to rise with 12 mounted.
When 1 detects the top tray 4b of a predetermined column for replenishing goods, it stops at this access position, and subsequently, the drive motor 18e of the gate mechanism 18 and the drive motor 11b of the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 start to operate as described below. The product supply operation is started.

That is, when a plurality of buckets 18b incorporated in the gate mechanism 18 are reversed from the upper end to the lower end in order from the left end, for example, by the motor drive, the product 8 rolled out of the packaging box 12 and put in the bucket is obtained. 1
The pieces are cut out one by one and dropped and delivered to the lower transport tray mechanism 19. Alternatively, if the phases of the buckets 18b in the circumferential direction are aligned and the buckets are collectively inverted at the same time from upward to downward, a plurality of products (four in the illustrated example) at a time 8 is cut out at the same time and drops onto the lower carrying tray mechanism 19. On the other hand, the transport tray 19a is inclined to the forward tilted posture, and the gate mechanism 1
The commodities 8 dropped through 9 roll forward on the transport tray 19a and are transferred one by one from the tip to the bucket 11a of the vertical conveyor mechanism 11. Further, the product 8 transferred to the bucket 11a is lifted and conveyed upward, and when the bucket 11a is inverted at the upper end thereof, it rolls out of the bucket and is inserted into the product insertion port 7 of the vending machine via the guide shooter 11c. It This product supply operation is
This is continuously performed until the packaging box 12 is empty.

Then, when the packaging box 12 is emptied and all the products 8 on the supply route are put into the product inlet 7, the product supply device is instructed to replace the packaging box with the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 stopped. At the same time, the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 descends and returns to the initial position by the operation of the elevating and lowering mechanism of the mounting base 10. Therefore, a new packaging box 12 is set in the same procedure as described above and the product replenishing operation is restarted. To do.

On the other hand, when the product storage column is full and the product 8 is jammed to the tip of the top tray 4b during the product replenishment, the replenishment operation is interrupted by the detection signal of the fullness detection sensor 22. In addition, in this interrupted state, if another column in the same row is designated and a command is given, the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 moves to the height position of the product inlet corresponding to the new column, and the product is accessed at this access position. Restart the supply operation.

Further, when a stop command is given in the replenishment suspended state, the vertical conveyor mechanism descends and returns to the initial position, so that the table mechanism 17 is pulled out to the shutter 17a.
Is inserted to close the opening surface of the packaging box 12, and then the packaging box 12 is removed. Subsequently, when the product collection unit 19c is set in the transport tray mechanism 19 and a product recovery command is given, the transport tray 19a tilts from the forward tilted posture to the backward tilted posture, and the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 reverses to move the bucket. 11
The products 8 remaining in the transport path including those remaining in a are collected by the product collecting unit 19b via the transport tray 19a. At the same time, the drive motor 1 of the gate mechanism 18
8e also started, and the rotary bucket 18b inside the gate mechanism
The product 8 caught on the tray 8 is discharged onto the carrying tray 19a and collected in the collecting unit 19. In this case, an empty packaging box is set under the recovery unit 19c to accommodate the recovered products. Further, when replenishing the right and left columns of the vending machine with commodities, the commodity replenishing device 9 can be moved to a new position as described in the first embodiment. Further, in the case of changing the type of the replenished product, it goes without saying that after retrieving the product as described above, it is replaced with a packaging box containing another product and the replenishment operation is restarted.

Next, the above-mentioned product replenishing device 9 is stored in the cabinet as an optional item attached to the vending machine, and the operation procedure for replenishing the product by withdrawing from the cabinet when replenishing the product is shown in FIGS. This will be described in 12.
First, FIG. 9 shows the storage state of the product replenishing device 9, which includes a long vertical conveyor mechanism 11 and the remaining shutter mechanism 16, table mechanism 17, gate mechanism 18, transport tray mechanism 19 (each mechanism). (See FIG. 5), the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 is stored in a state in which it is erected at one corner on the front side of the cabinet 1 as shown, and the remaining assembly A is the cabinet A. It is stored in the storage room 24 defined at the bottom of the unit 1. In addition,
In order to easily pull out and move the assembly A, it is preferable to lay guide rails on the bottom side of the cabinet 1 in the front-back and left-right directions.

Then, when replenishing the products, first of all, as shown in FIG.
As shown by 0, the assembly A is pulled out from the storage chamber 24 to the front of the cabinet 1 (procedure I), and then the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 is moved from the storage position and connected to the transport tray mechanism 18 of the assembly A. (Procedure II). Next, the delivery packaging box 12 containing the product is opened, and the opening surface is assembled A
Mounted on the table mechanism 17 in a state of being blocked by the shutter mechanism 16 of FIG.
The upper end of the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 is accessed to the product insertion port of the column for replenishing products, and in this state, the operation switch of the device is turned on. As a result, the product 8 cut out from the packaging box 12 for delivery as shown in the drawing has the vertical conveyor mechanism 11
Each of them is placed in a bucket and lifted up, and is loaded into the product loading slot 7 from the upper end thereof. Next, when replenishing the commodities 8 to a column arranged in another row, as shown in FIG. 12, the commodity replenishing device 9 is slid horizontally (procedure III) to access a new replenishment position. The operation is restarted at the position and the product 8 is inserted into the product insertion port 7. When the product replenishment work is completed, the product replenishment device 9 is returned to the initial position, the vertical conveyor mechanism 11 is separated, and the product is stored in the state of FIG. 9 to complete the series of product replenishment work.

[0041]

As described above, the product replenishing device of the present invention has the following effects. (1) It is possible to automatically replenish merchandise to vending machines, which used to rely entirely on human power, by mechanical force,
As a result, the labor burden on the route man can be greatly reduced and labor can be saved.

(2) Since a product can be replenished even in a tall vending machine in which the product insertion port is opened at a high position that cannot be manually accessed, the product replenishing device of the present invention can be used for automatic replenishment. It is possible to expand the market of vending machines that are thin and tall and have a large product storage capacity because of restrictions on road vending of vending machines. (3) Even if there are steps, grooves, etc. on the installation surface of the vending machine, hook fittings are provided on the mounting base of the product replenishing device and suspended on the supporting bar of the equipment on the cabinet side of the vending machine. The product replenishing device can be set up without any trouble.

(4) Since the vertical conveyor mechanism is incorporated along the guide rails of the mounting base via the suspension mechanism with the balancer, the vertical movement of the conveyor mechanism requires only a light force when suspended on the vending machine. Can be done easily. (5) By making the table mechanism foldable, it is convenient for the rootman to carry when traveling around the location of the vending machine, and the product replenishment device is installed in the cabinet as an accessory of the vending machine. It is also advantageous when storing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a usage state of a product replenishing device corresponding to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a side view and (b) is a partially cutaway front view.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the product replenishing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a guide rail for guiding and supporting the vertical conveyor mechanism in FIG. 1 on a mounting frame.

4A and 4B are explanatory views when the product replenishing device of the embodiment of the present invention is used in a tall vending machine, FIG. 4A is a state diagram of a preparatory stage in which a vertical conveyor mechanism is pulled down, and FIG.
Is a state diagram of product replenishment with the vertical conveyor mechanism pushed up

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a usage state of the product replenishing device corresponding to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 5;

7 is a state diagram before the product replenishing device of FIG. 5 is set in a vending machine.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the detailed structure of the gate mechanism in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the product replenishing device corresponding to the second embodiment is disassembled and stored in the cabinet of the vending machine.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the product replenishing device is pulled out from the state of FIG. 9 to the front of the cabinet and assembled.

11 is a diagram showing an operating state in which a product delivery packaging box is set in the product replenishing device from the state of FIG. 10 to replenish products.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an operating state in which the product replenishing device is moved to another column position from the state of FIG. 11 to replenish the products.

FIG. 13 is a sectional side view of the entire structure of the serpentine type vending machine.

14 is a front perspective view of the door open state of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Vending machine cabinet 4 Serpentine-type product rack 4a Product storage unit 4b Top tray 7 Product insertion port 8 Product 9 Product replenishing device 10 Mounting frame 10a Hook metal fitting 10b Guide rail 10c Suspension mechanism with balancer 10e Lifting drive mechanism 11 Vertical conveyor Mechanism 11a Bucket 12 Packaging box for product delivery 13 Table mechanism 14 Gate mechanism 17 Table mechanism 17a Drawer shutter 18 Gate mechanism 18b Rotary bucket 19 Transport tray mechanism 19a Transport tray 19b Product recovery unit 20 Operation control unit 21 Input detection sensor 22 Full detection sensor 24 Storage room for product replenishment device

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A merchandise replenishing device used when replenishing merchandise to a serpentine type vending machine for selling cans and bottles, wherein a packaging box for merchandise delivery in which a unit number of merchandise is arranged and accommodated is opened. A table that is placed in a forward tilted position,
A bucket type vertical conveyor mechanism that is linked to the tip of the table and receives the products taken out from the shipping packaging box one by one and lifts them up to the product slot of the vending machine and conveys them, and the products rolled out from the packaging box onto the table. A vending machine characterized by comprising a gate mechanism that cuts out one by one and transfers it to a bucket of a vertical conveyor mechanism, and a mounting stand that mounts each of these parts and sets it on the front of the cabinet of the vending machine. Commodity replenishing device. 2. The product replenishing device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a table is foldably connected to a lower portion of the vertical conveyor mechanism. 3. The product replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting base guides and supports the vertical conveyor mechanism so as to be vertically movable, and the vertical conveyor mechanism is set at a desired height position along the guide rail. A product replenishing device for a vending machine, which is equipped with a suspension mechanism with a balancer for holding and a hook metal fitting that is suspended on a support bar mounted on a cabinet of the vending machine. 4. A merchandise replenishing device used for replenishing merchandise to a serpentine type vending machine for selling cans and bottles, which is a packaging box for merchandise delivery in which a unit number of merchandise is arranged and accommodated. A table mechanism that places the unsealed surface downward, and a gate mechanism that is combined with the lower surface side of the table mechanism and cuts out one or a plurality of products from the packaging box for delivery and delivers them to the lower transport tray mechanism. A bucket type vertical conveyor mechanism which is linked to the carrier tray mechanism to lift and convey the products received from the tray one by one to a product inlet of the vending machine; It consists of a mounting base that is set on the front of the vending machine cabinet and an electric suspension mechanism that moves the vertical conveyor mechanism to a predetermined height position with respect to the mounting base. Commodity replenishing device for an automatic vending machine according to claim. 5. The product replenishing device for a vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the table mechanism is provided with a drawer type shutter that closes an opening surface of the packaging box. 6. The product replenishing device according to claim 4, wherein the gate mechanism comprises a plurality of rotary buckets arranged in line with the arrangement of the products housed in the product packaging box, the packaging box being in an upward posture. The product replenishing device for a vending machine, characterized in that after receiving the product rolled out from the unsealed surface, the product is reversed to a downward posture and cut out downward. 7. The product replenishing device according to claim 4, wherein the carrying tray mechanism includes a carrying tray that tilts forward and backward, and a rear end side of the remaining product collecting section. Commodity replenishing device for vending machines. 8. The product replenishing device according to claim 4, wherein a sensor for detecting the height position of the product introduction port of the vending machine is provided on the top of the vertical conveyor mechanism, and the hanging mechanism is based on the detection signal of the sensor. A product replenishing device for a vending machine, wherein a vertical conveyor mechanism is configured to access a desired product insertion port via the. 9. The product replenishing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a sensor for detecting a full state of the product inlet is provided at the top of the vertical conveyor mechanism, and the vertical conveyor mechanism is reversed based on the detection signal of the sensor to cause the bucket to rotate. A product replenishing device for a vending machine, characterized in that the products remaining in the store are collected through a carrier tray. 10. The product replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the product replenishing device is stored in a cabinet of the vending machine so that it can be pulled out forward. Product replenishing device.