JPH10320628A - Article automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose the article automatic vending machine which stimulates the sense of smell to give a customer an incentive to buy an article. SOLUTION: The article automatic vending machine 1 has a sensor 8 for detecting an approaching body and an aroma generation opening 9 for generating aroma relative to an article to be vended arranged on its front panel 2. When a person approaches, the sensor 8 detects that and an internal aroma generating mechanism is driven to generate aroma recalling the article to be vended through the aroma generation opening 9. With this aroma, a person sassing by the article automatic vending machine 1 has the sensor of aroma stimulated and is given an incentive to purchase the article.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine for commodities which is designed to increase the desire to purchase commodities through a sense of smell.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various kinds of products have been sold by vending machines from the viewpoint of soaring labor costs and late-night business. Generally, a vending machine has a structure including a storage unit for selling products, a cash processing mechanism, an unloading mechanism for selling products, and a display unit for selling products. A user inserts coins and bills. Then, when a commodity to be purchased is designated, the commodity designated by the carry-out mechanism is taken out of the storage section and carried out to the commodity take-out opening.

[0003] In a vending machine for commodities, the display section of the commodities to be sold is devised or a sound is generated so as to stimulate the user's willingness to purchase commodities visually and audibly. It is configured.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to propose a vending machine for a product which can increase the user's willingness to purchase a product by stimulating the sense of smell in addition to sight and hearing. is there.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a commodity vending machine according to the present invention is characterized in that it has a scent generating mechanism for generating a scent related to a product for sale. I have. The relationship between the scent and the sale product is, for example,
The relationship is such that the scent is associated with the product for sale.

Specifically, in a coffee vending machine,
The aroma of freshly ground coffee. Similarly, juice vending machines smell citrus and other fruits.
On the other hand, in a vending machine for beer or liquor, etc., the scent of beer or liquor itself may be generated. In association with this, purchasing will be stimulated.
On the other hand, vending machines such as video tapes and CD-ROMs can generate a pheromone fragrance and the like, thereby increasing purchase motivation.

Here, if the scent is always generated, the efficiency is low. In order to generate a scent only when necessary, in addition to the above configuration, a sensor for detecting an approaching object is arranged, and when the approaching object is detected by the sensor, the scent generation mechanism is driven to generate a scent. do it. In this case, a scent is generated only when a person approaches or passes.

[0008] The scent generation operation may be managed by the scent generation time or the scent generation frequency.

Next, a vending machine is often installed in a compartment such as a vending machine corner. In this case, a sensor for detecting a moving object entering the compartment may be provided, and when the moving object is detected by the sensor, the scent generating mechanism may be driven to generate a scent. Instead of disposing the sensor, the scent generating operation by the scent generating mechanism can be controlled in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the door at the entrance of the compartment.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine to which the present invention is applied. The basic configuration of the product vending machine 1 is the same as that of a generally used product vending machine, and includes a storage unit for selling products, a cash processing mechanism, a delivery mechanism for selling products, and a When the user inserts coins and bills and specifies the product to be purchased, the product specified by the unloading mechanism is taken out of the storage unit and delivered to the product sales outlet. It is configured to be. On the front panel 2 of the vending machine 1, a display section 3 for selling products and a large number of product selection buttons 4 are provided.
, A product take-out port 5, a coin slot 6, and a change pay-out port 7.

In addition to such a general configuration, the commodity vending machine 1 has a front panel 2 with a sensor 8 for detecting an approaching object and a scent generating port for generating a scent related to the product for sale. 9 are arranged. As the sensor 8, various sensors such as a non-contact sensor used for opening and closing an automatic door can be used.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the fragrance generating mechanism 10 built in the vending machine 1. Scent generating mechanism 10
Has a scent generating source 13 composed of a sealed container 12 in which a scent stock solution 11 is sealed. The scent generated inside the sealed container 12 passes through a supply pipe 14 and flows in the middle of a blower pipe 15. Supplied to the location. The air supply source 16 is connected to the original end of the blower tube 15, and the air supplied from the air supply source 16 flows toward the blower tube end. The tip side of the blower tube 15
It communicates with the scent generation port 9 via an electromagnetic valve 17 for opening and closing the blower tube.

Here, the scent generating source 13 may be generated by devising an actual scent element instead of the undiluted scent. For example, when generating the scent of coffee, put the coffee beans themselves in a closed container, roast by applying heat from the outside, and open the mouth of the closed container for a certain period of time each time a person approaches, Alternatively, the coffee scent may be opened and closed a predetermined number of times at a predetermined cycle to make the coffee scent drift around the vending machine.

Next, since the amount of air for forming the scent-generating air flow may be small, the air supply source 16 may have a simple configuration instead of the compressor. For example, an air bag 161 made of a material capable of elastically returning to an inflated state is provided.
1 is crushed by a motor-driven or solenoid-driven pusher 162, whereby the air discharged from the port 161 a of the air bag 161 is
It may be configured to be sent to

The above-mentioned solenoid valve 17 and air supply source 16
Are driven according to the detection signal of the sensor 8. When an approaching object is detected by the sensor 8, the electromagnetic valve 17 is opened for a certain period of time, and the pusher 162 of the air supply source 16 is driven once or several times to supply air.

In the commodity vending machine 1 configured as described above, when a person approaches, the sensor 8 detects the approach, and the solenoid valve 17 and the air supply source 16 are driven in a predetermined drive mode. As a result, the scent generated from the scent generating source 13 is carried to the scent generating port 9 by the airflow flowing through the air duct 15, and is blown out to the front side of the commodity vending machine 1 therethrough. With this scent, a person passing by the product vending machine 1 associates the related product through the sense of smell, and stimulates or promotes the purchase will of the product.

In the above description, one type of scent is generated. However, it is needless to say that two or more types of scents may be generated alternately.

[0018]

As described above, the commodity vending machine of the present invention is provided with the scent generating mechanism for generating a scent related to the sold product. Therefore, those who pass by the product vending machine will be motivated to purchase products by the smell,
As a result, sales promotion of the product can be achieved. In addition, when a sensor that detects that a person or the like approaches is provided, the scent can be generated only when necessary,
It is economical.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a commodity vending machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a scent generating mechanism incorporated in the vending machine of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Merchandise vending machine 2 Front panel of merchandise vending machine 3 Exhibition part 4 Merchandise selection button 5 Merchandise take-out port 6 Coin insertion port 8 Sensor 9 Scent generation port 10 Scent generation mechanism 11 Scent stock solution 12 Closed container 13 Scent Source 14 Supply pipe 15 Blower pipe 16 Air supply source 17 Solenoid valve 161 Air bag 162 Pusher

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A commodity vending machine having a scent generating mechanism for generating a scent relevant to a product for sale. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting an approaching object, wherein when the approaching object is detected by the sensor, the scent generating mechanism is driven to generate a scent. Product vending machine. 3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the operation of generating the scent by the scent generating mechanism is controlled by the scent generation time. 4. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the operation of generating the scent by the scent generating mechanism is managed by the number of times of generation of the scent. 5. The vending machine according to claim 1, a compartment in which the vending machine is installed, and a sensor for detecting a moving object entering the compartment, wherein the sensor moves the vending machine. A vending machine for commodities, wherein, when an object is detected, the scent generating mechanism is driven to generate a scent. 6. The automatic product according to claim 5, wherein instead of arranging the sensor, the scent generation mechanism is controlled by the scent generation mechanism in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of a door at the entrance of the compartment. Vending machine.