JPH10255140A - Commodity storage device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent such a case where the up-down positions become irregular for the commodities displayed in the forefront row of each commodity storage shelf having plural stages when a. commodity smaller than the ordinary commodities is stored for sale to make a customer be embarrassed and select wrong his desired commodity and also the commodity arrangement dignity is deteriorated at the side of the distributor for a commodity storage device which stores the commodities put on each other in the front-back direction. SOLUTION: A hanging hook 23 is added to a commodity lock plate 11, and the attachment position of the plate 11 can be vertically and easily changed to a commodity storage case 9. In such a constitution, the commodities are regularly arranged and displayed in the forefront row of a commodity storage shelf even when a smaller commodity is stored for sale in the case 9 which can store a commodity larger than the ordinary ones in regard to the vertical size of storage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine such as a cigarette, which is provided with a pusher device for storing and storing box-shaped products arranged in the front-rear direction and sequentially sending the products down from the front row. The present invention relates to a storage device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various devices have been devised for selling various kinds of products in vending machines.

A conventional product storage device for a vending machine is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-301855.

[0004] Hereinafter, the above-mentioned conventional vending machine product storage device will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a conventional product storage device of a vending machine, and FIG. 6 is a detailed side sectional view of a conventional product storage device of a vending machine. FIG.
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body, a door 2 is provided on the front of the main body 1 so as to be openable and closable, and a transparent glass 3 is fitted in the center of the door 2 so that products inside can be seen through. A product outlet is provided. A plurality of commodity storage shelves 4 are provided inside the main body 1 in a state inclined backward, and a commodity storage device 5 is attached below each of the commodity storage shelves 4. A pusher device 7 having a fixing plate for fixing to the base 6 and the product storage shelf 4 and a drive unit at the rear is attached to an upper portion of the product storage device 5.

Further, below the base 6, a pressing biasing device 8 is mounted. The product storage case 9 provided at the lower part of the product storage device 5 is detachably attached to the base 6 by the engagement of the hanging hooks at the upper end and the hanging pins 10 protruding from both sides of the base 6. I have. The pressing urging device 8 provided below the base 6 includes two rows of front and rear rollers rotatably supported on the upper part of a product pressing plate inside the rail fixed to the lower surface of the base 6 so as to slide. It is constructed freely. Inside the product pressing plate, a band-shaped spiral elastic member 8a to be pulled forward is fixed with one end fixed to the front end of the base 6.

[0006] By the pressing urging device 8, the products stored in the product storage case 9 in a stacked manner in the front-rear direction in front of the product pressing plate exert the traction force of the spiral elastic member 8 a,
It is stored in a state of being biased forward. The product storage case 9 has a gutter-like shape in which products are stacked and stored in the front-rear direction. A product locking plate 11 is fixed at the forefront, and a door piece 13 is provided at a product outlet 12 below the foremost portion. It is provided with a configuration. The door piece 13 is pivotally supported at the outlet end, and is urged in a closing direction by a torsion spring (not shown).

The product locking plate 11 is made of a light-transmissive material so that the stored products can be seen through the front, so that a U-shaped cross section is formed by the front product locking surface 11a and the left and right side surfaces 11b of the product locking plate. Is formed. Further, the product locking surface 11a
The protrusion 11c extending in the up-down direction is provided on the inner surface of the lock plate guide groove 1 extending in the up-down direction on the inner left and right inner surfaces 11b of the product lock plate.
4 are formed. The product locking plate 11 is fixed to the product storage case 9 on the side surface at the rear of the locking plate guide groove 13. A sliding guide groove 15 having an arcuate front and rear direction and a front end is formed on the front left and right inner side surfaces of the base 6 at the upper part of the product storage device 5, and a pusher device 7 is assembled between the sliding guide grooves 15. Have been.

The slide guide groove 15 of the base 6 is formed such that the lower front end communicates with the lock plate guide groove 14. The pusher device 7 is configured such that a multi-node connecting push piece 16 slidably attached to the sliding guide groove 15 is connected to a reciprocating drive unit fixed to the rear by a connecting rod 7a. The drive unit converts the rotation of the lead screw connected to the motor M into reciprocating motion by the action of the lead nut and the guide rod.

On the other hand, the multi-joint connection pressing piece 16 is formed by connecting the pressing pieces to bend freely. The push piece has a sliding guide groove 1 at the left and right ends.
5 has a cylindrical projection which is guided to slide by a pusher 5, and has a push piece shaft which bendably engages with another push piece at a front portion and an engaging portion at a rear portion. The push-piece shaft of this push piece is inserted and connected to the engaging portion of another push piece, so that the multi-joint connecting push piece 1
6 is configured, and the push piece shaft and the engaging portion are rotated and slid to obtain flexibility.

The operation of the commodity storage device of the vending machine configured as described above will be described below.

First, during standby for sale, the lead nut of the drive unit is located at the rearmost position, and the multi-node connecting push piece 16 connected to the connecting rod by the connecting rod is placed horizontally in the front-rear direction above the product storage device 5. I'm waiting. A plurality of stored products are stored in the product storage case 9 in a state where the products are urged to the front product locking plate 11 by the traction force of the spiral elastic member 8a in front of the product pressing plate.

Next, when a sales signal is input, the motor M
Starts rotating forward, the lead screw connected thereto rotates, and the lead nut whose rotation is restricted by the action of the guide rod is pushed forward. By this operation, the connecting rod 7
The multi-joint connection pressing piece 16 starts to move forward along the sliding guide groove 15 via a. Since the direction of the sliding guide groove 15 is changed downward from the front-rear direction via a circular arc at the front end of the base 6, the multi-joint connection pressing piece 16 utilizes the flexibility of the individual pressing pieces. Then, it moves while changing the direction sequentially downward from the leading pressing piece.

When further moved forward, the pushing piece on the front side moves onto the locking plate guide groove 14 formed on the left and right side surfaces 11b of the product locking plate, and pushes down the products in the front row of the product storage case 9 downward. Move down. At this time, frictional resistance is generated between the product and the product locking plate 11, but the protrusion 1 provided on the inner surface of the product locking surface 11a and extending in the vertical direction.
By the action of 1c, the product is rubbed against the product locking plate 11 to be damaged, and the frictional resistance generated by the product rubbing against the product locking plate 11 can be suppressed. Further, the door piece 13 that has closed the commodity outlet 12 is pushed open by the commodity pushed down by the pushing piece at the tip, and the commodity is sent downward.

When the multi-joint connection pusher 16 of the pusher device 7 is operated to the product delivery position, the products in the front row are
The product is completely pushed downward by the multi-joint connection pressing piece 16, released from the restraint of the product locking plate 11, and falls downward. The dropped product falls downward through a product drop passage formed by the front surface of the lower product locking plate 11 and the transparent glass 3 in the center of the door body 2 toward the product outlet.

Thereafter, the pusher device 7 causes the motor M to temporarily stop by the operation of a position detection switch (not shown), and then reversely operates to return the multi-joint connection pressing piece 16 to the initial standby position. Stop. At this time, the pressing urging device 8 sends out the product in the product storage case 9 to the position of the product locking plate 11 by the pulling force of the spiral elastic member into the empty space where the products in the front row have been sent out, Wait for the next sale.

Next, when the product storage case 9 of the product storage device 5 is pulled out when the product is filled, the product storage case 9 is protruded from the both sides of the base 6 by the hanging hook except when the product is filled. It is attached to the base 6 by engaging with the hanging pin 10, but when filling the product, the front end is lowered while the product storage case 9 is slightly pushed in to release the engagement, and the product is slid on the lower product storage shelf 4. And pull it forward.

At this time, the pusher device 7 is completely stored in the upper base 6, and the pressing urging device 8 is the only member that protrudes below the base 6 is the product pressing plate. Since the product pressing plate is urged forward by the traction force of the spiral elastic member 8a, when the product is sold out, it moves to the front end of the base 6 and stands by. Even when a product remains in the storage case 9, the product is pulled out by the withdrawal operation of the product storage case 9, and thus moves to the forefront and stands by.

Since the product pressing plate is waiting at the lower portion of the base 6, only the product storage case 9 can be pulled out, and by pulling out the product storage case 9, the product storage space can be opened. Can be easily filled.

The product storage case 9 in which the product has been filled is pushed down and the hanging hook is again engaged with the hanging pin 10 so as to be hung on the base 6 and fixed. At this time, the product pressing plate is pushed rearward through the newly filled rearmost product, and waits while urging the product forward.

[0020]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, a product of a smaller size is stored in a product storage case 9 which can store a product having a larger vertical size when stored than a product to be normally sold. When storing and selling,
In particular, the product stored behind the product storage case 9 moves forward in the space of the product storage case 9 by the pressing urging device 8 and also gradually moves up and down.
The vertical position of the displayed products arranged in the front row of each of the plurality of product storage shelves 4 is irregular, and there is a risk that a consumer may be confused when purchasing a product and may incorrectly select a desired product. Also,
Even from the seller's point of view, the quality of the product line is degraded, so there is a risk that the image of the seller will go down and the sales will fall.

[0021] The present invention solves the problem of the prior art, and stores a product of a smaller size in a product storage case capable of storing a product having a larger vertical size when stored than a product to be normally sold. An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine product storage device in which products at the forefront of a product storage shelf can be displayed in a regular arrangement even when the product is sold.

[0022]

In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a product locking plate provided with a mounting portion for mounting to a base.
An advantage is that the mounting position of the product locking plate with respect to the product storage case can be easily switched up and down.

Further, a product guide plate for guiding the vertical position of the product to a predetermined position is provided above the product locking plate.

[0024] Thus, even if a product of a smaller size is stored and sold in a product storage case capable of storing a product having a larger vertical size at the time of storage than a product to be normally sold, the front of the product storage shelf can be stored. Some products can be displayed side by side.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a gutter-shaped product storage case for storing products stacked in the front-rear direction and a product locking plate fixed to the foremost portion of the product storage case. A pressure urging device for urging the product in the product storage case toward the product locking plate, and a product locking plate continuous from the front-rear direction guide provided on the upper portion of the product storage case via an arc-shaped guide. A pusher device having a drive portion that slides freely in a vertical guide portion provided on the product, a mounting portion for the pusher device is provided on the product locking plate, and the product locking plate is fixed at a fixed position with respect to the product storage case. Can be switched in the up and down direction, and if you are trying to store and sell a smaller size product in a product storage case that can store products that are larger than the product you normally sell when stored vertically Also, The product storage case can be moved upward according to the product size in a state where the relative position of the product locking plate with respect to the storage device is unchanged, so that the products at the forefront of the product storage shelves are regularly arranged. It has the effect of being displayed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gutter-shaped product storage case for storing products stacked in the front-rear direction, a product locking plate fixed to a frontmost portion of the product storage case, and a product in the product storage case. And a vertical urging device provided on a continuous product locking plate through an arc-shaped guiding portion from a front-rear direction guiding portion provided on an upper portion of the product storage case. Product consisting of a pusher device having a drive part that slides freely in the part, and a product guide plate having an inclined surface fixed to the upper part of a product locking plate, and having a larger vertical size when stored than products normally sold Even if you store and sell a smaller product in the product storage case that can store the product, and the product immediately behind the front row is located at the upper limit of the space of the product storage case, this product Is pushed forward by the pressure urging device While being pressed to be induced into the obliquely lower front and 沿動 the inclined surface of the product guide plates, to move around the lower limit of the space of the product storage case.

Also, when the pusher device returns to the initial standby position, the product immediately behind the front row comes into contact with the pusher device, so that the frictional force causes the product to be lifted in the upper limit direction in the space of the product storage case. However, since the abutment with the lower end of the product guide plate prevents the product from being moved further upward, the product is regularly arranged and displayed at the forefront of the product storage device.

An embodiment of a product storage device for a vending machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a vending machine product storage device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention when products to be normally sold are stored. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view when the vertical size of the product when stored in the product storage device of the vending machine according to the embodiment is larger than a normally sold product. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a product locking plate portion of the product storage device of the vending machine according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, reference numeral 21 denotes a slide rail extending in the vertical direction and protruding from both outer side surfaces in front of the product storage case 9. 21a is the slide rail 2
1 is a frusto-conical rail stop protruding from the slide rail 21 provided at the center of the rail. 22 is the product locking plate 11
The product locking plate 11 is constrained by the product storage case 9 in the front-rear direction by the concave slide grooves that are fitted to the slide rails 21 on both inner side surfaces of the product. Reference numeral 22a denotes a truncated conical hole a that is recessed above the slide groove 22 and fits with the rail stopper 21a. Reference numeral 22b denotes a truncated conical hole b which is recessed below the slide groove 22 and fits with the rail stopper 21a. 23 is a hanging hook provided at the upper end of both sides of the product locking plate 11.

The operation of the commodity storage device of the vending machine configured as described above will be described below.

First, when switching the product to be sold from a product having a larger vertical size when stored to a product which is smaller than a product to be normally sold to a product having a smaller vertical size when stored, the product locking plate 11 is pushed down while being slightly pushed in. Then, the product storage case 9 is moved upward in accordance with the vertical size of the stored product. At this time, the rail stopper 21a is in a state fitted with the hole b22b.

Next, the product locking plate 11 is attached to the product storage case 9.
Slide downwards. Then, the hole b22b is disengaged from the rail stopper 21a, and the slide groove 2 is released.
2 is driven downward with respect to the slide rail 21. When the slide groove 22 is further slid downward,
This time, the hole a22a fits with the rail stopper 21a, and the product locking plate 11 has moved relatively downward with respect to the product storage case 9 from the initial state. Then, the hanging hook 23 is engaged with the hanging pin 10. The vertical movement length of the product storage case 9 and the holes a22a and b22b
Are set to the same length. From this,
The relative positional relationship between the sliding guide groove 15 and the locking plate guide groove 14 does not change before and after the product storage case 9 is moved upward.

Therefore, at the time of actual product delivery, the multi-joint connecting push piece 16 follows the sliding guide groove 15 and smoothly moves to the locking plate guide groove 14 to move the product at the forefront of the product storage case 9 downward. The product moves downward while being pushed down to send out the product.

As described above, the product storage device of the vending machine according to the present embodiment comprises a slide rail 21, a rail stopper 21a, a slide groove 22, a hole a22a, and a hole b2.
2b and the hanging hook 23, the product storage case 9 can store a product having a larger vertical size when stored than a product to be normally sold. Even if it is stored and sold,
Products at the forefront of the product storage shelf 4 can be displayed side by side regularly. The sliding guide groove 15 and the locking plate guide groove 14
Relative position is invariable before and after the product storage case 9 is moved upward.
The product can be reliably delivered without derailing and causing mechanical lock when the 6 moves from the sliding guide groove 15 to the locking plate guide groove 14. Further, since it is not necessary to set new accessories to sell products of different sizes, handling becomes very convenient.

In the embodiment, the product locking plate 11 and the product storage case 9 are made of a resin material, so that the slide rail 21, the rail stopper 21a,
The slide groove 22, the hole a22a, and the hole b22b can be easily formed. In particular, the setting of the product locking plate 11 can be switched up and down by using the spring property of the resin material, so that a tool is used. It is possible to easily switch the settings without the need.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a product storage device of a vending machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 24 denotes slits provided on both side surfaces of the upper part of the product locking plate 11. Reference numeral 25 denotes a product guide groove having a flat plate shape and convex portions provided at both ends thereof are fitted into slits 24 provided on both side surfaces of the product storage case 9 to form an inclined surface.

The operation of the commodity storage device of the vending machine configured as described above will be described below.

First, when a product to be sold is switched from a product having a larger vertical size when stored to a product which is normally sold to a product having a smaller vertical size when stored, convex portions provided at both ends of the product guide plate 25 are used. The parts are inserted and fitted into slits 24 provided on both side surfaces of the product locking plate 11, respectively.

In this state, when the selling operation of the commodity is started,
The multi-joint connecting push piece 16 moves along the sliding guide groove 15 to move into the locking plate guide groove 14 and moves downward while pushing down the product at the forefront of the product storage case 9 downward. When the product 16 has been operated to the product delivery position, the product in the front row is completely pushed down by the multi-joint connection pressing piece 16, released from the restraint of the product locking plate 11, and falls downward.

Thereafter, the multi-joint connecting push piece 16 returns to the initial standby position, and at the same time, the pressing urging device 8 puts the goods in the goods storage case 9 into the empty space where the front row goods have been sent out. The product is sent out to the position of the product locking plate 11 and waits for the next sale.

At this time, assuming that the product immediately behind the front row is located at the upper limit in the space of the product storage case 9, the product is pressed forward by the pressing urging device 8 and the product guide plate 25 is tilted. It is guided obliquely downward and forward along the surface, and moves near the lower limit in the space of the product storage case 9.

Also, when the multi-joint connecting push piece 16 returns to the initial standby position, the product immediately behind the front row is the multi-joint connecting push piece 1.
6 is brought up in the upper limit direction in the space of the product storage case 9 by the frictional force due to the frictional force, but can move further upward by contacting the lower end of the product guide plate 25. It becomes impossible state.

As described above, since the product storage device of the vending machine of the present embodiment is constituted by the slit 24 and the product guide plate 25, even if the product has a small vertical size when stored, it is sold. Also, the products can be regularly arranged and displayed at the forefront of the product storage shelf. The product guide plate 25 is detached from the product guide plate 25 by projecting protrusions provided on both ends of the product lock plate 11 on both sides.
4, the setting can be easily replaced.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, the product locking plate is provided with the mounting portion for the pusher device, and the product locking plate can switch the fixed position with respect to the product storage case in a predetermined direction. Therefore, even if you store and sell a product of a smaller size, you can store it in a product storage case that can store products that are larger than the product you normally sell. Goods can be displayed side by side regularly. Further, the relative positional relationship between the arc-shaped guide portion provided on the upper portion of the product storage case and the vertical guide portion provided on the product locking plate does not change before and after moving the product storage case up and down. Therefore, when the pusher device moves from the arc-shaped guide portion provided on the upper part of the product storage case to the vertical guide portion provided on the product locking plate, the product is reliably delivered without derailing and generating mechanical lock. can do. Further, since it is not necessary to set new accessories for selling products of different sizes, handling becomes very convenient.

Further, by providing a product guide plate having an inclined surface fixed to the upper part of the product locking plate, even if a product having a small vertical size at the time of storage is sold, the product is placed at the forefront of the product storage device. Can be displayed side by side regularly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a vending machine product storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention when a normally sold product is stored.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the vending machine according to the embodiment, in which the vertical size of the product when stored in the product storage device is larger than that of a normally sold product.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a product locking plate of the product storage device of the vending machine according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of Embodiment 2 of a product storage device of a vending machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a conventional product storage device of a vending machine.

FIG. 6 is a detailed side sectional view of a conventional product storage device of a vending machine.

[Description of Signs] 7 Pusher device 8 Pressing and urging device 9 Product storage case 11 Product locking plate 23 Hanging hook 25 Product guide plate

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shimoaki Matsuda 4-2-5 Takaidahondori, Higashiosaka City, Osaka Inside Matsushita Refrigeration Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A gutter-shaped product storage case for storing products stacked in the front-rear direction, a product locking plate fixed to a frontmost portion of the product storage case, and the product locking the products in the product storage case. A pressure urging device for urging the plate side, and a vertical guide portion provided on the product locking plate which is continuous from a front-rear direction guide portion provided at an upper portion of the product storage case via an arc-shaped guide portion. A pusher device having a drive unit that slides freely, wherein the product locking plate is provided with a mounting portion to the pusher device, and the product locking plate switches a fixed position with respect to the product storage case in a vertical direction. A vending machine product storage device that can be used. 2. A gutter-shaped product storage case for storing products stacked in the front-rear direction, a product locking plate fixed to a frontmost portion of the product storage case, and the product locking the products in the product storage case. A pressure urging device for urging the plate side, and a vertical guide portion provided on the product locking plate which is continuous from a front-rear direction guide portion provided at an upper portion of the product storage case via an arc-shaped guide portion. A pusher device having a drive unit that slides freely,
A product storage device for a vending machine, comprising a product guide plate having an inclined surface fixed to an upper portion of the product locking plate.