JPH1145368A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic vending machine which can effectively reduce an impact applied to an article when the article is discharged without any hindrance to article vending operation. SOLUTION: The automatic vending machine 1 is equipped with an internal door 3 which is provided on the front of an article storage chamber 4, an article discharge opening 6 formed in the internal door 3, an article carrying-out door 7 which closes the article discharge opening 6 in a freely opening/closing state, an article taking-out opening 10 formed in the external door, and a pocket 11 provided inside the article taking-out opening 10. Then an article G which falls from the article discharge opening 6 by pushing and opening the article carrying-out door 7 is received by the pocket 11. A buffer device 50 reduces the releasing speed of the article carrying-out door 7 at this time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine which sells a product in a product storage room by dropping the product from a product outlet of an inner box into a pocket inside the product outlet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a vending machine of this kind, a product outlet for taking out a product such as a canned beverage is provided at the front of an outer door as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-6252 (G07F9 / 00). A product receiver (pocket) is attached between the product door and the inner door. Also, a product chute is provided on the inner door,
This product chute is closed by a flapper. The product discharged from the product rack rolls on the product chute, pushes the flapper open, and falls into the product receiver.

[0003] Next, the structure of the product outlet 10 of the conventional vending machine 101 will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, a product storage room 4 having an inner door 3 on the front surface is formed in a main body of a vending machine 101 composed of a heat insulating box, and a serpentine type is provided in the product storage room 4. A plurality of product storage shelves 5 are provided, and a product unloading device 5A is attached to a lower portion of each of them. A product chute 15 is provided below each of the product storage shelves 5.

A product outlet 6 is formed in the inner door 3 at a position corresponding to the front end of the product chute 15, and the product outlet 6 is rotatably suspended by a rotating shaft 7A at the upper end. It is closed by a product carry-out door 7 so that it can be opened and closed freely.

On the other hand, an outer door (not shown) is provided on the front surface of the main body at a predetermined distance from the inner door 3 so as to be freely opened and closed.
At the lower part of the outer door, a product outlet 10 is formed in front of the product outlet 6 so as to open. A pocket 11 is provided on the back surface of the product outlet 10 between the inner door 3 and the pocket 11.

The pocket 11 has a box-like shape which is opened back and forth and is recessed downward from the product outlet 10. A cushion material having a predetermined thickness is provided inside the front surface 16 and the bottom surface 17 below the product outlet 10. 102 is pasted.
The product outlet 10 is openably and closably closed by an outlet door 14 pivotally supported by a pivot shaft 10A at the upper end.

[0007] Based on a predetermined sales command, the product G discharged from the product storage shelf 5 by the product unloading device 5A rolls on the product chute 15 as shown by an arrow in the figure, moves forward, and unloads the product. The door 7 is pushed toward the exit door 14 to be opened, and is discharged from the product discharge port 6. The product G discharged from the product discharge port 6 falls into the lower portion of the pocket 11, and the customer opens the outlet door 14 to the front to open the product G in the pocket 11.
Was taken out.

[0008]

Here, the goods storage shelf 5
The product G that has fallen off the product bounces on the product chute 15 and collides with the product carrying door 7 by free fall. The product discharge door 7 is pushed open by the momentum, collides with the cushion material 102 at the upper end of the front surface 16 of the pocket 11, and then falls on the bottom surface 17 of the pocket 11 (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 8).

As described above, since the product G repeatedly undergoes a plurality of collisions, rolls, and falls until it is contained in the pocket 11, in the case of a carbonated beverage product, the carbon dioxide dissolved in the liquid is stored in the container. Jump out. At this time, when the product G is a canned beverage, since the container itself has rigidity, it is hard to be dented, and can be quickly opened, so that a small amount of carbon dioxide gas is released, and the product is blown out when opened. It is less likely.

[0010] However, when selling a plastic bottle product in which a resin container is sealed with a screw cap, the plastic bottle is easily deformed and has a large impact as compared with a can. A large amount of carbon dioxide gas jumps out of the product G when it is contained in the product 11, resulting in a supersaturated state. In particular, this condition becomes more severe as the capacity of the plastic bottle increases. Further, since the contact area between the gas portion and the liquid portion is smaller than that of the canned beverage due to its shape, it takes a long time to shift to the equilibrium state.

Further, when opening such a PET bottle product, since the cap must be opened while twisting, the supersaturated carbon dioxide gas leaks from between the cap and the main body, and the viscous viscous gas is generated by the force. The liquid is pulled out and blows out vigorously (this is called a forming phenomenon).

In order to prevent this, first, it is conceivable to lower the position of the product storage shelf 5 to reduce the impact when the product falls on the product chute 15. However, in order to prevent theft from the product outlet 10. Need to secure the required distance. Although it is conceivable to reduce the inclination of the product chute 15, there is a risk that the product chute 15 may not fall to the product discharge port 6 or may not be able to push open the product discharge door 7 for a light product.

In addition, it is conceivable to increase the thickness of the cushion material 102 in the pocket 11. However, in order to make it easier to take out the product G, it is necessary to increase the distance between the outer door and the inner door 3, and the The result is contrary to the reduction in size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problem, and it is possible to effectively reduce an impact applied to a product at the time of discharging the product without causing a problem in sales of the product. A vending machine that can be provided.

[0015]

The vending machine of the present invention comprises:
An inner door provided on the front of the product storage room, a product outlet formed in the inner door, a product discharge door for closing and opening the product outlet, and an outer door disposed outside the inner door. A door, a product outlet formed in the outer door, and a pocket provided inside the product outlet. And a cushioning device for alleviating the opening speed of the product carry-out door.

According to the present invention, in a vending machine configured to receive a product which is pushed down by opening a product discharge door from a product discharge opening of an inner door in a pocket, a buffer for alleviating an opening speed of the product discharge door. Since the device is provided, the shock applied to the product colliding with the product discharge door is absorbed by the shock absorber, and the moving speed of the product at that time is also limited.

[0017] This makes it possible to effectively reduce the impact that the product receives from the product exit door and the impact that occurs when the product subsequently falls into the pocket, and to sell carbonated beverages in PET bottles without any problem. Is possible.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine, the shock absorbing device is provided on an outer upper portion of the commodity discharging door, and the rotatable cushioning plate comes into contact with the commodity discharging door when it starts opening. And a damper for reducing the rotational speed of the buffer plate.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, a shock-absorbing device is provided on the outer upper portion of the product carry-out door, and the rotatable buffer plate comes into contact with the product carry-out door when it starts opening. Since it is configured with a damper that alleviates the rotation speed of the buffer plate, it can be applied to the conventional structure relatively easily, and it is versatile and when taking out the product in the pocket from the product outlet, The shock absorber is not in the way.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine, the damper is an oil damper.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, the damper is constituted by an oil damper, so that when a fast and heavy product collides with the product carrying door, a large reaction force is generated. The applied shock can be effectively absorbed. In particular, in the case of buffering only with a spring material, there is a danger that the product carry-out door cannot be opened with a light product because the spring constant becomes large. It becomes possible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to any one of the above aspects, the shock absorbing device includes a spring member for urging the shock absorbing plate in the direction of the product discharge door.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, the shock absorbing device includes a spring member for urging the shock absorbing plate in the direction of the product carry-out door. The board can be quickly returned to the initial state, and the buffer effect can be exerted without any trouble even when products are continuously sold.

[0024]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view of a vending machine 1 to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a side view of the vending machine 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vending machine 1 with each door open, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a view showing an internal configuration of the vending machine 1, and FIG. In each drawing, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 8 are the same.

In each of the figures, the vending machine 1 is rotatably supported on one side (left side) of a main body 26 formed of a heat insulating box body at one side (left side) of the main body 26 by hinge devices 22 and 22. And the outer door 27. The front portion of the outer door 27 is formed of a transparent resin panel, and a plurality of product selection buttons 37 are arranged on the front surface of the outer door 27 in three steps in the embodiment.

The bill insertion slot 3 is located on the right side of the outer door 27.
8. A coin slot 39 and a return lever 41 are arranged, and a product outlet 10 and a coin return port 4 are provided below the outer door 27.
3 are formed. The signboard door 2 is located inside the outer door 27.
4 is rotatably supported by the main body 26, and a heat insulating inner door 3 is rotatably supported by the main body 26 inside the signboard door 24. The inner door 3 closes the front surface of a product storage room 4 in a main body 26 in which products are stored so as to be openable and closable, and has product outlets 6, 6 corresponding to the product outlet 10 at a lower portion thereof. I have.

On the other hand, a product display section 46 is formed above the signboard door 24. A plurality of translucent product samples D are attached to the product display section 46 in three stages. On the lower side of D, fluorescent lamps F are attached to both sides.

On the other hand, a plurality of serpentine-type product storage shelves 5... Are installed in the product storage room 4, and a product unloading device 5 A is mounted below them. Also, a product chute 15 is provided below each product storage shelf 5.
Is provided.

The product outlets 6, 6 of the inner door 3 are formed corresponding to the front end of the product chute 15, and each of the product outlets 6, 6 is rotatably suspended by a rotating shaft 7A at the upper end. It is closed openably and closably by the lowered product carrying doors 7, 7.

On the other hand, pockets 11 and 11 are provided on the back of the product outlet 10 of the outer door 27 at positions between the inner door 3 and the front of the product outlets 6 and 6, respectively. This pocket 11 is opened back and forth to take out the product
It has a box shape that is recessed downward from 0.
A cushion material 18 having a predetermined thickness is attached to the inside of the front surface 16 and the bottom surface 17 below 0. And
The product outlet 10 is openably and closably closed by an outlet door 14 pivotally supported by a pivot shaft 10A at the upper end.

A cushioning device 50 according to the present invention is attached to the upper portion of the side surface 20 of each of the pockets 11 and 11 at the upper portion of the outer side of the product carry-out door 7. This shock absorber 5
Reference numeral 0 denotes a buffer plate 51 provided at the upper end with a rotating shaft 51A rotatably held on the side surface 20, and a buffer plate 51 suspended above and forward of the product carry-out door 7, and an oil damper connected to the rotating shaft 51A. 52, and a spring member 53 (FIG. 7) for urging the buffer plate 51 in the direction of the product discharge door 7.

The cushion plate 51 is set in such a size and positional relationship that the tip thereof abuts a substantially central portion of the front surface of the product carrying door 7 when the product carrying door 7 is slightly opened as shown in FIG. The oil damper 52 is provided with a rotating shaft 51A (buffer plate 51).
The greater the rotational acceleration, the greater the reaction force is exerted, and the smaller the acceleration, the weaker the reactive force. Further, the spring member 53 does not affect the buffering force of the oil damper 52, and the buffer plate 51 once rotated in the direction of the product outlet 10.
Is set to an urging force that can return to the initial state (FIG. 4) relatively quickly.

With the above configuration, when the commodity selection button 37 is operated, a predetermined sales command is issued, and the commodity G is discharged from the commodity storage shelf 5 by the commodity discharge device 5A. The product G discharged from the product storage shelf 5 falls on the product shoot 15 as shown by the arrow in FIG.
Roll up and move forward. Then, it collides with the product discharge door 7 and tries to push it out toward the exit door 14, but at this time, the front end of the buffer plate 51 is substantially at the center of the front surface of the product discharge door 7 as shown in FIG. Contact at an acute angle (FIG. 5).

The product G then tries to open the product carry-out door 7, but at this time, the buffer plate 51 is also turned in the direction of the take-out door 14 (clockwise in FIG. 5). The oil damper 52 exerts a buffering force, and as a result, the opening speed of the product carrying door 7 is reduced.

When the product exit door 7 is pushed open to such an extent that the product G can pass as shown in FIG. 6, the product is discharged from the product discharge port 6. The product G discharged from the product discharge port 6 falls into the lower part of the pocket 11, and the customer
4 is opened to the front and the product G in the pocket 11 is taken out.

After the commodity G has passed, the commodity discharge door 7 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
Then, the product outlet 6 is closed by separating from the buffer plate 51 by its own weight as shown in FIG. When the product carrying door 7 separates from the buffer plate 51, the buffer plate 51 also tries to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 7 by its own weight. In this case as well, the oil damper 52 exerts a buffering force, but the urging force of the spring member 53 causes the buffering plate 51 to quickly return to the initial state.

As described above, in the present invention, the shock absorbing device 50 for reducing the opening speed of the product carrying door 7 is provided, so that the shock applied to the product G colliding with the product carrying door 7 is absorbed by the shock absorbing device 50, The moving speed of the product G at that time is also limited. As a result, it is possible to effectively reduce the impact that the product G receives from the product discharge door 7 and the impact that is received when the product G subsequently falls into the pocket 11, without increasing the thickness of the cushion material 18 (by which the automatic Without increasing the size of the vending machine 1), it is possible to sell carbonated beverages and the like in PET bottles without any trouble.

The cushioning device 50 is provided on the outer upper portion of the commodity carry-out door 7, and is rotatable with the commodity carry-out door 7 being opened. Since it is constituted by the oil damper 52 for reducing the speed, it can be applied relatively easily to the conventional structure as shown in FIG.
When the product G in the pocket 11 is taken out from the storage device, the buffer device 50 does not interfere.

In particular, the oil damper 52 generates a large reaction force when a product having a high speed and a heavy weight collides with the product carry-out door 7, and can effectively absorb the impact applied thereto. In the case where the cushioning is performed only with the spring material, the spring constant is large, and there is a risk that the product carrying door 7 cannot be opened with a light product, but the present invention does not cause such a problem, and the product can be sold without any trouble. It is possible to do.

Further, since the spring member 53 for urging the buffer plate 51 in the direction of the product discharge door 7 is provided, the buffer plate 51 rotated by the product discharge door 7 can be quickly returned to the initial state. Thus, even when the product G is sold continuously, the buffer effect can be exerted without any trouble.

[0041]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in a vending machine configured to receive a product falling by pushing and opening a product discharge door from a product discharge opening of an inner door in a pocket, the product discharge door. Is provided, the shock applied to the product colliding with the product discharge door is absorbed by the buffer device, and the moving speed of the product at that time is also limited.

This makes it possible to effectively reduce the impact of the product from the product exit door and the impact of the product when it falls into the pocket, and to sell carbonated beverages in PET bottles without any problem. Is possible.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, a shock absorbing device is provided on the outer upper portion of the product carry-out door, and a rotatable buffer plate that comes into contact with the product carry-out door in a state where it starts opening, Since it is configured with a damper that alleviates the rotation speed of the buffer plate, it can be applied to the conventional structure relatively easily, and it is versatile and when taking out the product in the pocket from the product outlet, The shock absorber is not in the way.

According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the above, since the damper is constituted by an oil damper, a large reaction force is generated when a product having a high speed and a heavy weight collides with the product carry-out door. The applied shock can be effectively absorbed. In particular, in the case of buffering only with the spring material, there is a risk that the product carry-out door cannot be opened with a light product because the spring constant becomes large, but the present invention does not cause the problem and sells the product without any trouble. It becomes possible.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above inventions, the shock absorbing device includes the spring member for urging the shock absorbing plate in the direction of the product discharge door, so that the shock absorbing device is rotated by the product discharge door. The board can be quickly returned to the initial state, and the buffer effect can be exerted without any trouble even when products are continuously sold.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the vending machine of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vending machine of the present invention with each door opened.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a vending machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional side view of a product take-out portion of the vending machine of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional side view of a product outlet of the vending machine of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional side view of a product outlet of the vending machine of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a conventional vending machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine 3 Inner door 4 Merchandise storage room 6 Merchandise outlet 7 Merchandise discharge door 10 Merchandise outlet 11 Pocket 50 Buffer device 51 Buffer plate 52 Oil damper 53 Spring member

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An inner door provided on a front surface of a product storage room,
A product outlet formed in the inner door, a product carry-out door for closing and opening the product outlet, an outer door disposed outside the inner door, and a product outlet formed in the outer door. Exit and
With a pocket provided inside this product outlet,
In a vending machine configured to receive a product that is pushed down by opening a product discharge door from the product discharge opening and falls in the pocket, a buffer device that moderates an opening speed of the product discharge door is provided. vending machine. 2. A cushioning device, which is provided on an outer upper portion of a product carry-out door, and is rotatable in contact with the product carry-out door when the product carry-out door starts to open, and a damper for alleviating a rotational speed of the buffer plate. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the damper is an oil damper. 4. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the shock absorbing device includes a spring member for urging the shock absorbing plate in the direction of the commodity discharge door.