KR20200025641A - Automatic vending machine for ice pouch and Method for controling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an aspect of the present invention, a vending machine for handling an ice pouch product comprises: a main body (10) having a display (12) and a calculation module (15); a first storage means (20) having a loading rack (25) in a freezer (21) of the main body (10), and accommodating an ice cup (IC) on the loading rack (25); a second storage means (30) having a loading rack (35) in a refrigerator (31) of the main body (10), and accommodating a pouch (PB) on the loading rack (35); and a control means (40) for operating the first and second storage means (20, 30) in response to selection through the main body (10). Therefore, a frozen ice cup and a pouch-shaped beverage can be simultaneously or individually sold in response to selection of a user, thereby contributing to an increase in the convenience and usability of the vending machine.

Description

Automatic pouch vending machine and control method {Automatic vending machine for ice pouch and Method for controling the same}

The present invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly, to an ice pouch vending machine and a control method for displaying and selling frozen ice cups and pouch-type beverages.

In line with the trend of aging population, interest in vending machines is increasing, and qualitative growth is expected to handle various products rather than quantitative growth. In general, food vending machines are often equipped with a refrigeration function to keep products fresh and lower the temperature, but also handle ice based on functions such as freezing or ice making. Although ice is used a lot in summer with drinks, there is a steady demand for food ingredients in other seasons.

As a prior art document that can be referred to in this regard, there are known patent documents such as Korean Utility Model Publication No. 0282442 (Prior Document 1) and Korean Patent Publication No. 0530536 (Prior Document 2).

Prior art 1 is provided with a water tank installed inside the main body, a water purifying device for receiving and purifying water from the water tank, a beverage unit for producing a beverage by receiving water from the water purifying device, and supplying water from the water purifying device. It consists of a frozen dessert portion that receives the ice cream. Thus, it is expected to provide a wide range of purchases by providing not only drinks but also frozen desserts.

Prior art 2 has an ice tray having an ice cube ice is iced; An ice making hopper installed under the ice making tray and temporarily storing frozen ice; A dispenser unit on which a cup for receiving ice discharged from the ice making hopper is seated; A microcomputer for controlling various moving parts including an ice making tray and a feed water pump; And the like. Accordingly, the effect of simply selling ice or providing a cool drink is expected.

However, since the above-mentioned prior art is based on the ice making function, it is not suitable for handling an ice cup containing ice in a sealed cup and a pouch beverage associated therewith.

Korean Utility Model Registration No. 0282442 "Cold Drink Vending Machine" (published: 2002.07.19.) Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 0530536 "Ice Vending Machine" (published date: March 10, 2005)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention for improving the above-mentioned problems is an ice pouch vending machine and its control for having a frozen ice cup and a beverage in the form of a pouch and selling them simultaneously or separately in response to user selection To provide a way.

In order to achieve the above object, in one aspect of the present invention, a vending machine for handling ice pouch goods: a main body having a display and a settlement module; A first storage means having a loading rack in the freezer of the main body and receiving an ice cup on the loading rack; A second storage means having a loading rack in the refrigerator of the main body and accommodating a pouch on the loading rack; And control means for operating the first storage means and the second storage means in response to the selection through the main body.

As a detailed configuration of the invention, the first storage means is characterized in that for receiving the ice cup on the spiral body mounted perpendicular to the loading rack.

At this time, the spiral body is formed in a pitch that allows radial entry and exit of the ice cup, it is characterized in that it is detachably coupled to the first motor.

As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the second storage means is characterized by receiving a pouch on a spiral mounted horizontally on the loading rack.

As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the control means includes a selection detector for detecting selection of a product, an extraction detector for detecting release of the product, and a dust detector for detecting the sold out of the product.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a vending machine of claim 1, the method comprising: (A) waiting for input of simultaneous selection or individual selection of goods by inputting money; And (B) simultaneously or separately operating the first storage means and the second storage means in response to the input.

As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the step (B) is characterized by returning to step (A) or processing the return of money by checking the export and sale of goods.

As described above, according to the present invention, a frozen ice cup and a pouch-type beverage can be sold simultaneously or separately in response to a user's selection, thereby contributing to the convenience and increased usability of the vending machine.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a vending machine in an exploded state according to the present invention
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the vending machine according to the present invention
3 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the vending machine according to the present invention.
4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vending machine according to the invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As one aspect of the present invention, there is proposed a vending machine for handling ice pouch products. Ice is called an ice cup (IC) in a sealed state with ice in a cup, and a pouch is called a pouch (PB) in a state where a coffee or juice is put in a bag and sealed. In addition to the ice cup (IC) and pouch (PB) may include a supplement, such as straw for the convenience of drinking. In the present invention, a separate device for ice making is unnecessary but not necessarily excluded.

The main body 10 according to the present invention has a structure including a display 12 and a settlement module 15. The main body 10 includes a display 12, a discharge port 13, and a settlement module 15 on a front door 11 that can be opened and closed. The display 12 may include a touch screen for inputting a user's selection as an area for displaying appearances of various goods. The settlement module 15 processes the user's cash or electronic payment and returns the change. The discharge port 13 communicates with the delivery chutes 23 and 33 described later disposed inside the main body 10.

In addition, according to the present invention, the first storage means 20 is provided with a loading rack 25 in the freezer 21 of the main body 10, and accommodates the ice cup (IC) on the loading rack 25 It is structured. 1 and 2 illustrate a state in which the first storage means 20 is disposed in the left region of the main body 10. The first storage means 20 is provided with a plurality of loading racks 25 in the freezer 21 to maintain the freezing temperature. Loading rack 25 is a structure for accommodating a plurality of ice cups (IC) can be pulled out of the freezer (21).

As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the first storage means 20 is characterized in that for receiving the ice cup (IC) on the spiral 26 mounted perpendicular to the loading rack (25). The ice cup IC is in a state in which a sealing sheet is adhered to a flange formed at an upper end of a gradient container and the lid is engaged with the upper side thereof. The set amount of ice cup IC is loaded in a predetermined posture inside the vertical spiral body 26. The first motor 28 is engaged with the upper end of the spiral body 26 to cause downward discharge of the ice cup IC loaded.

At this time, the spiral body 26 is formed in a pitch that allows radial entry and exit of the ice cup (IC), it is characterized in that it is detachably coupled to the first motor (28). Since the container of the ice cup IC is a resin material having elasticity, it is possible to closely support it using the spiral body 26. If the pitch of the spiral body 26 is formed to be slightly larger than the height of the ice cup IC, it is possible to fill quickly. As an example of design, the pitch of the helix 26 is formed in 45, 50, 70, 77, 90 mm corresponding to the size of the ice cup IC. According to the structure in which the spiral body 26 is easily coupled to the first motor 28, the pitch may be easily adjusted according to the change of the product.

In any case, when the spiral body 26 rotates by the operation of the first motor 28, the ice cup IC slides downward and falls.

In addition, according to the present invention, the second storage means 30 is provided with a loading rack 35 in the refrigerator 31 of the main body 10, the structure for receiving the pouch (PB) on the loading rack 35 To achieve. 1 and 2 illustrate a state in which the second storage means 30 is disposed in the right region of the main body 10. The second storage means 30 has a plurality of loading racks 35 in the refrigerator 31 in which the refrigerating temperature is maintained. Loading rack 35 is a structure for accommodating a plurality of pouches (PB) can be pulled out of the refrigerator 31.

As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the second storage means 30 is characterized by receiving the pouch (PB) on the spiral body 36 mounted horizontally on the mounting rack (35). The pouch PB is a rectangular, relatively small, flexible container and thus fits tightly into the spiral body 36. The set quantity of pouches PB are arranged in a constant posture inside the horizontal spiral body 36. The rear side of the spiral body 36 is engaged with the second motor 38 to cause the front discharge of the pouch PB loaded.

In addition, according to the present invention, the control means 40 is configured to operate the first storage means 20 and the second storage means 30 in response to the selection through the main body 10. Referring to FIG. 3, the control means 40 is based on a controller 42 equipped with a microprocessor, a memory, and an input / output interface. The first motor 28 of the first storage means 20, the second motor 38 of the second storage means 30, and the like are connected to the output interface of the controller 42. The controller 42 executes an algorithm for separately selling each of the ice cup IC and the pouch PB in response to the user selection.

As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the control means 40 includes a selection detector 44 for detecting the selection of goods, an export detector 46 for detecting the release of goods, and a dust detector 48 for detecting the sold out of goods. It is characterized by including. The selection detector 44, the extraction detector 46, the sold out detector 48, and the like are connected to the input interface of the controller 42. Selection detector 44 detects user selection via display 12 or a separate button. The carrying out detector 46 detects the fall waiting state of the goods in the carrying out chutes 23 and 33. Sold out detector 48 detects a state in which goods are sold out in each of the racks 25 and 35.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the vending machine of claim 1 is proposed. The algorithm executed by the controller 42 of the control means 40 based on the hardware of the main body 10, the first storage means 20, the second storage means 30, and the control means 40 described above. In summary.

Step (A) according to the present invention proceeds to the process of waiting for the input of the simultaneous selection or the individual selection of goods by the input of money. When the user inputs the amount of the desired product into the settlement module 15, the controller 42 waits for the user's input through the selection detector 44. The user usually selects the ice cup IC and the specific beverage pouch PB at the same time, but it is also possible to select only one in some cases.

Step (B) according to the present invention undergoes a process of simultaneously or separately operating the first storage means 20 and the second storage means 30 in response to the input. If the simultaneous selection is input, the ice cup IC and the pouch PB are taken out by simultaneously operating the first motor 28 and the second motor 38. Of course, simultaneous operation of the first motor 28 and the second motor 38 also includes sequential operation at regular intervals. If the individual selection is input, the first motor 28 is operated to take out the ice cup IC, or the second motor 38 is operated to take out the pouch PB.

As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the step (B) is characterized by returning to step (A) by checking the export and sold out of goods or processing the return of money. The controller 42 confirms the export of the goods through the export detector 46 at the same time as the operation of the first motor 28 or the second motor 38, and if the goods are not exported, the controller 42 responds to the sold out detector 48. Check the loading rack 25, 35 is exhausted. If the stacking racks 25 and 35 are exhausted, go to step (A) to repeat the take-out of goods through adjacent stacking racks 25 and 35, but if more than the set number of times, return the amount and alarm Occurs.

It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments and that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, such modifications or variations will have to belong to the claims of the present invention.

10: body 11: door
12: Display 15: Settlement Module
20: first storage means 21: freezer
23, 33: unloading chute 25, 35: loading rack
26, 36: spiral body 28: first motor
30: second storage means 31: refrigerator
38: second motor 40: control means
42: controller 44: selection detector
46: take out detector 48: sold out detector
IC: Ice Cup PB: Pouch

Claims (7)

For vending machines that handle ice pouch products:
A main body 10 having a display 12 and a settlement module 15;
A first storage means (20) having a loading rack (25) in the freezer (21) of the main body (10) and receiving an ice cup (IC) on the loading rack (25);
A second storage means (30) having a loading rack (35) in the refrigerator (31) of the main body (10) and receiving a pouch (PB) on the loading rack (35); And
And a control means (40) for operating the first storage means (20) and the second storage means (30) in response to the selection through the main body (10). The method according to claim 1,
The first storage means 20 is an ice pouch vending machine, characterized in that for receiving ice cups (IC) on the spiral body (26) mounted perpendicular to the loading rack (25). The method according to claim 2,
The spiral body (26) is formed in a pitch that allows radial access of the ice cup (IC), ice pouch vending machine, characterized in that detachably coupled to the first motor (28). The method according to claim 1,
The second storage means 30 is an ice pouch vending machine, characterized in that to accommodate the pouch (PB) on the spiral body 36 mounted horizontally on the loading rack (35). The method according to claim 1,
The control means 40 is provided with a selection detector 44 for detecting the selection of the product, an export detector 46 for detecting the release of the product, and a dust detector 48 for detecting the sold out of the product. Pouch vending machine. In the method of controlling the vending machine of claim 1:
(A) waiting for input of simultaneous selection or individual selection of goods by inputting money; And
(B) simultaneously or separately operating the first storage means (20) and the second storage means (30) corresponding to the input; control method of the ice pouch vending machine comprising a. The method according to claim 6,
The step (B) is a control method of the ice pouch vending machine, characterized in that to return to step (A) by checking the export and sold out of the product or to process the return of money.

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