WO2000074009A1 - Infra-red sensor for detecting goods ejected from vending machines - Google Patents

Infra-red sensor for detecting goods ejected from vending machines Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000074009A1
WO2000074009A1 PCT/ES2000/000189 ES0000189W WO0074009A1 WO 2000074009 A1 WO2000074009 A1 WO 2000074009A1 ES 0000189 W ES0000189 W ES 0000189W WO 0074009 A1 WO0074009 A1 WO 0074009A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
product
passage
unit
receiver
infra
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ES2000/000189
Other languages
Spanish (es)
French (fr)
Inventor
José María LOPEZ RUIZ
Original Assignee
Azkoyen Industrial, S.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Azkoyen Industrial, S.A. filed Critical Azkoyen Industrial, S.A.
Priority to AU49272/00A priority Critical patent/AU4927200A/en
Publication of WO2000074009A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000074009A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
    • G07F11/38—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are horizontal
    • G07F11/42—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are horizontal the articles being delivered by motor-driven means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
    • G07F11/36—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are of helical or spiral form

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an automatic sales machine, equipped with a spindle type extraction mechanism.
  • the units of the products to be sold are housed or arranged in the spindle steps and are pushed towards
  • the object of the present invention is an automatic sales machine, with spindle type extractors, provided with means that allow to know exactly if the product selected and requested by the consumer has been correctly supplied by the extractor mechanism.
  • each level or floor of the extractor mechanism has, at the exit thereof, a 30-product passage detector, which is constituted by an emitter and an infrared ray receiver that are arranged in opposite positions, one on each side of the output section of the products.
  • a 30-product passage detector which is constituted by an emitter and an infrared ray receiver that are arranged in opposite positions, one on each side of the output section of the products.
  • the infrared ray beam crosses the entire output section and will be intercepted by the passage of each product unit, at the time of its expulsion.
  • Each interruption of the beam will therefore correspond to the output or delivery of a unit of the product, thus confirming that the selected unit has been served.
  • the receiver to confirm the service performed, must initially detect continuity in the beam, then an interruption due to the passage of the product and finally must again detect continuity, thus ensuring that the product does not remain interrupting the beam indefinitely.
  • Figure 1 shows in perspective one of the floors of a spindle-type extraction mechanism, in the rest position, provided with a product exit detector.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective similar to Figure 1, in which a unit of the contained product is shown, at the time of the exit of the level or floor that contained it.
  • Figure 1 shows a floor or level of a spindle type extraction mechanism, which comprises a series of extractor spindles 1, conceived as helical springs with large turns.
  • the different spindles 1 are contained in a horizontal tray 2 which, in the example shown in the drawings, has separating partitions 3.
  • the extractor mechanism will have several trays as shown in Figure 1, arranged in consecutive floors.
  • Each unit or intermediate spindle of the spindles 1 houses a unit 4 of the product to be dispensed.
  • a product passage detector 4 is provided on each floor of spindles 1.
  • This detector is constituted by an emitter 5 and an infrared ray receiver 6 arranged in opposite positions, one on each side of the exit section of the floor or tray 2.
  • the receiver 6 receives the infrared beam 7.
  • the beam 7 is interrupted, and once the product has left the beam continuity is recovered 7.
  • These circumstances are detected by the receiver 6: initially it detects the continuity of the beam 7, then the interruption due to the passage of the product 4, and finally again the continuity of the beam 7, thus ensuring that the product has been served and there is no remaining for example, attacked at the exit, interrupting the beam 7.
  • the detection system described can be used regardless of the number of spindles contained in each floor or tray, as well as the way in which the units 4 of the product are arranged or related to the spindles 1.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
  • Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic vending machine which includes a product withdrawing device by means of screws (1) mounted at different levels or floors. Each of said levels or floors has a product passage detector on their outlet comprising an infrared ray emitter (5) and a receiver (6) mounted in opposite positions so that the ray (7) crosses the outlet area and is interrupted by the passage of every unit (4) of the product being supplied.

Description

SENSOR DE INFRAROJOS PARA LA DETECCIÓN DE ARΗCULOS AL SALIR DE MAQUINAS DE VENTA AUTOMÁTICA INFRARED SENSOR FOR THE DETECTION OF ARTICLES WHEN EXITING AUTOMATIC SALES MACHINES
La presente invención se refiere a una máquina de venta automática, dotada de un mecanismo de extracción de tipo husillo.The present invention relates to an automatic sales machine, equipped with a spindle type extraction mechanism.
5 Los mecanismos de extracción de tipo husillo están generalmente configurados en pisos o niveles, cada uno de los cuales incluye varios husillos horizontales.5 Spindle type extraction mechanisms are generally configured in floors or levels, each of which includes several horizontal spindles.
Las unidades de los productos a expender se alojan o disponen en los pasos del husillo y son empujados haciaThe units of the products to be sold are housed or arranged in the spindle steps and are pushed towards
10 la salida del piso por el giro de estos husillos, hasta caer por gravedad sobre la rampa o plataforma de entrega.10 the exit of the floor by the rotation of these spindles, until they fall by gravity on the ramp or delivery platform.
En los extractores del tipo expuesto resulta difícil detectar cuando el producto seleccionado por el consumidor ha sido extraído correctamente. Puede sucederIn extractors of the exposed type it is difficult to detect when the product selected by the consumer has been correctly extracted. It can happen
15 que el husillo gire el número de vueltas calculadas para que el producto sea en teoría expulsado, pero sin embargo no se logre una extracción correcta, de modo que el producto seleccionado no llegue a ser entregado al consumidor, sin existir medios para conocer de forma15 that the spindle rotate the number of turns calculated so that the product is theoretically expelled, but nevertheless a correct extraction is not achieved, so that the selected product does not get to be delivered to the consumer, without existing means to know in a way
20 efectiva esta circunstancia.20 effective this circumstance.
La presente invención tiene por objeto una máquina de venta automática, con extractores de tipo husillo, dotada de medios que permitan conocer de forma exacta si el producto seleccionado y solicitado por el 25 consumidor ha sido suministrado correctamente por el mecanismo extractor.The object of the present invention is an automatic sales machine, with spindle type extractors, provided with means that allow to know exactly if the product selected and requested by the consumer has been correctly supplied by the extractor mechanism.
Para ello, de acuerdo con la presente invención, cada nivel o piso del mecanismo extractor dispone, a la salida del mismo, de un detector de paso de 30 productos, el cual está constituido por un emisor y un receptor de rayos infrarrojos que se disponen en posiciones enfrentadas, uno a cada lado de la sección de salida de los productos. De este modo, el haz de rayos de infrarrojo cruza toda la sección de salida y será interceptado por el paso de cada unidad de producto, en el momento de su expulsión. Cada interrupción del haz corresponderá, por tanto, a la salida o entrega de una unidad del producto, confirmando de este modo que la unidad seleccionada ha sido servida.For this purpose, in accordance with the present invention, each level or floor of the extractor mechanism has, at the exit thereof, a 30-product passage detector, which is constituted by an emitter and an infrared ray receiver that are arranged in opposite positions, one on each side of the output section of the products. In this way, the infrared ray beam crosses the entire output section and will be intercepted by the passage of each product unit, at the time of its expulsion. Each interruption of the beam will therefore correspond to the output or delivery of a unit of the product, thus confirming that the selected unit has been served.
El receptor, para confirmar el servicio realizado, debe detectar inicialmente continuidad en el haz, posteriormente una interrupción debido al paso del producto y por último debe volver a detectar continuidad, asegurando así que el producto no se queda interrumpiendo el haz indefinidamente.The receiver, to confirm the service performed, must initially detect continuity in the beam, then an interruption due to the passage of the product and finally must again detect continuity, thus ensuring that the product does not remain interrupting the beam indefinitely.
Las características expuestas podrán comprenderse mejor con la siguiente descripción, hecha con referencia a los dibujos adjuntos, en los que se muestra de forma esquemática y a título de ejemplo no limitativo, una posible forma de realización.The exposed characteristics may be better understood with the following description, made with reference to the attached drawings, in which a possible embodiment is shown schematically and by way of non-limiting example.
En los dibujos:In the drawings:
La figura 1 muestra en perspectiva uno de los pisos de un mecanismo de extracción de tipo husillo, en posición de reposo, dotado de un detector de salida de producto.Figure 1 shows in perspective one of the floors of a spindle-type extraction mechanism, in the rest position, provided with a product exit detector.
La figura 2 es una perspectiva similar a la figura 1, en la que se muestra una unidad del producto contenido, en el momento de la salida del nivel o piso que lo contenía.Figure 2 is a perspective similar to Figure 1, in which a unit of the contained product is shown, at the time of the exit of the level or floor that contained it.
En la figura 1 se muestra un piso o nivel de un mecanismo de extracción de tipo husillo, el cual comprende una serie de husillos 1 extractores, concebidos como resortes helicoidales con espiras de gran amplitud. Los diferentes husillos 1 van contenidos en una bandeja horizontal 2 que, en el ejemplo representado en los dibujos, dispone de tabiques separadores 3.Figure 1 shows a floor or level of a spindle type extraction mechanism, which comprises a series of extractor spindles 1, conceived as helical springs with large turns. The different spindles 1 are contained in a horizontal tray 2 which, in the example shown in the drawings, has separating partitions 3.
El mecanismo extractor dispondrá de varias bandejas como la representada en la figura 1, dispuestas en pisos consecutivos.The extractor mechanism will have several trays as shown in Figure 1, arranged in consecutive floors.
En cada paso o espira intermedia de los husillos 1 se aloja una unidad 4 del producto a expender.Each unit or intermediate spindle of the spindles 1 houses a unit 4 of the product to be dispensed.
La extracción de estas unidades se consigue mediante giro de los husillos 1 en el sentido adecuado, al ir conectados por su extremo posterior a un mecanismo de accionamiento en sí conocido y no representado. Las unidades 4 de producto quedan impedidas de girar, de modo que el giro de los husillos 1 en el sentido adecuado provoca el desplazamiento lineal de las unidades 4 en el sentido de avance, representado por la flecha de la figura 1. De este modo se consigue que, mediante el giro del husillo correspondiente al producto a extraer en el ángulo preciso, la unidad de producto 4 contenida en el extremo del husillo sea expulsada fuera de éste y del a bandeja 2.The extraction of these units is achieved by turning the spindles 1 in the proper direction, by being connected at their rear end to a drive mechanism known per se and not shown. The product units 4 are prevented from rotating, so that the rotation of the spindles 1 in the proper direction causes the linear displacement of the units 4 in the direction of advance, represented by the arrow in Figure 1. In this way it achieves that, by turning the spindle corresponding to the product to be extracted at the precise angle, the product unit 4 contained in the end of the spindle is ejected out of it and from tray 2.
En los mecanismos de extracción descritos puede suceder que, por problemas de funcionamiento, aunque el husillo 1 gire el ángulo necesario, no tenga lugar la entrega de la unidad de producto 4 solicitada por el consumidor. Con el fin de poder detectar de forma segura si después de cada operación de extracción la unidad de producto es o no entregada efectivamente, de acuerdo con la invención se dispone, en cada piso de husillos 1, un detector de paso de productos 4.In the described extraction mechanisms it can happen that, due to operational problems, even if the spindle 1 rotates the necessary angle, the delivery of the product unit 4 requested by the consumer does not take place. In order to be able to safely detect if after each extraction operation the product unit is effectively delivered or not, according to the invention, a product passage detector 4 is provided on each floor of spindles 1.
Este detector está constituido por un emisor 5 y un receptor 6 de rayos infrarrojos dispuestos en posiciones enfrentadas, uno a cada lado de la sección de salida del piso o bandeja 2. Con esta constitución, cuando se solicita una unidad 4 de producto y el husillo correspondiente gira el ángulo necesario, si la unidad 4 es expulsada fuera de la bandeja 2 y cae al exterior, interceptará el haz 7 de rayos infrarrojos, tal y como se representa en la figura 2, interrumpiéndolo e impidiendo que llegue hasta el receptor 6.This detector is constituted by an emitter 5 and an infrared ray receiver 6 arranged in opposite positions, one on each side of the exit section of the floor or tray 2. With this constitution, when a product unit 4 is requested and the spindle corresponding angle rotates the necessary angle, if the unit 4 is ejected out of the tray 2 and falls outside, it will intercept the beam 7 of infrared rays, as shown in the figure 2, interrupting it and preventing it from reaching the receiver 6.
Con la constitución comentada, durante el funcionamiento de la máquina, el receptor 6 recibe el haz de infrarrojos 7. Cuando una unidad de producto 4 sale, el haz 7 es interrumpido, y una vez que el producto ha salido se recupera la continuidad del haz 7. Estas circunstancias son detectadas por el receptor 6: inicialmente detecta la continuidad del haz 7, posteriormente la interrupción debida al paso del producto 4, y finalmente de nuevo la continuidad del haz 7, asegurando así que el producto ha sido servido y no queda por ejemplo atacado en la salida, interrumpiendo el haz 7. Con la constitución expuesta se dispone de un medio sencillo y eficaz para conocer de forma segura si al seleccionar un producto en la máquina expendedora, éste ha sido suministrado correctamente por el husillo correspondiente . Como puede comprenderse, el sistema de detección descrito puede utilizarse cualquiera que sea el número de husillos contenidos en cada piso o bandeja, así como al forma de dispone o relacionar las unidades 4 de producto con los husillos 1. With the constitution mentioned, during machine operation, the receiver 6 receives the infrared beam 7. When a product unit 4 leaves, the beam 7 is interrupted, and once the product has left the beam continuity is recovered 7. These circumstances are detected by the receiver 6: initially it detects the continuity of the beam 7, then the interruption due to the passage of the product 4, and finally again the continuity of the beam 7, thus ensuring that the product has been served and there is no remaining for example, attacked at the exit, interrupting the beam 7. With the constitution set out there is a simple and efficient means to know in a safe way if, when selecting a product in the vending machine, it has been supplied correctly by the corresponding spindle. As can be understood, the detection system described can be used regardless of the number of spindles contained in each floor or tray, as well as the way in which the units 4 of the product are arranged or related to the spindles 1.

Claims

REIVINDICACIONES
1.- Máquina de venta automática, que comprende un mecanismo extractor de los productos a vender a base de husillos dispuestos en diferentes niveles o pisos, caracterizada porque cada nivel o piso dispone, a la salida del mismo, de un detector de paso de productos, el cual está constituido por un emisor y un receptor de rayos infrarrojos que van dispuestos, en posiciones enfrentadas, uno a cada lado de la sección de salida de los productos, de modo que el haz de rayos cruce dicha sección de salida y sea interrumpido por el paso de cada unidad de producto suministrado, detectando inicialmente el receptor la continuidad del haz, su interrupción por el paso de un producto, y la posterior recuperación del haz, una vez que ha pasado el producto, para servir como confirmación del suministro de dicho producto. 1.- Automatic sales machine, which comprises an extractor mechanism for the products to be sold based on spindles arranged in different levels or floors, characterized in that each level or floor has, at the exit of the same, a product passage detector , which is constituted by an emitter and receiver of infrared rays that are arranged, in opposite positions, one on each side of the output section of the products, so that the beam of rays crosses said output section and is interrupted by the passage of each unit of product supplied, the receiver initially detecting the continuity of the beam, its interruption by the passage of a product, and the subsequent recovery of the beam, once the product has passed, to serve as confirmation of the supply of said product.
PCT/ES2000/000189 1999-05-28 2000-05-26 Infra-red sensor for detecting goods ejected from vending machines WO2000074009A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU49272/00A AU4927200A (en) 1999-05-28 2000-05-26 Infra-red sensor for detecting goods ejected from vending machines

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ESP9901173 1999-05-28
ES9901173A ES2153782B1 (en) 1999-05-28 1999-05-28 AUTOMATIC SALES MACHINE.

Publications (1)

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WO2000074009A1 true WO2000074009A1 (en) 2000-12-07

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ES (1) ES2153782B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2000074009A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7286901B2 (en) 2001-02-27 2007-10-23 Crane Co. Method and system for accomplishing product detection
US7565222B2 (en) 2004-01-15 2009-07-21 Fawn Engineering Corporation Economical optical system to provide reasonable assurance of completed vend or vendible items from vending machines
US7742837B2 (en) 1998-04-29 2010-06-22 Automated Merchandising Systems Inc. Optical vend-sensing system for control of vending machine
US8046100B2 (en) 2001-02-27 2011-10-25 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Method and system for accomplishing product detection
EP2535878A1 (en) 2011-06-17 2012-12-19 DAMIAN S.r.l. Product vending machine
US8548625B2 (en) 2001-08-23 2013-10-01 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Optical vend sensing system for product delivery detection
US11620868B2 (en) 2021-07-22 2023-04-04 Trinity Axis Inc. Techniques to dispense an item and release a jammed item from a dispensing system

Citations (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0239435A1 (en) * 1986-02-21 1987-09-30 Jacques Mary Automatic dispenser of roughly calibrated food products and method for conveying the products inside the dispenser
JPH0327492A (en) * 1989-06-23 1991-02-05 Fujitsu General Ltd Automatic vending machine
EP0572119A2 (en) * 1992-04-28 1993-12-01 Keyosk Corporation Automatic vending machine
JPH1011639A (en) * 1996-06-20 1998-01-16 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd Automatic vending machine

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0239435A1 (en) * 1986-02-21 1987-09-30 Jacques Mary Automatic dispenser of roughly calibrated food products and method for conveying the products inside the dispenser
JPH0327492A (en) * 1989-06-23 1991-02-05 Fujitsu General Ltd Automatic vending machine
EP0572119A2 (en) * 1992-04-28 1993-12-01 Keyosk Corporation Automatic vending machine
JPH1011639A (en) * 1996-06-20 1998-01-16 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd Automatic vending machine

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DATABASE WPI Section EI Week 199813, Derwent World Patents Index; Class T05, AN 1998-135587, XP002901158 *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 015, no. 158 (P - 1193) 19 April 1991 (1991-04-19) *

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7742837B2 (en) 1998-04-29 2010-06-22 Automated Merchandising Systems Inc. Optical vend-sensing system for control of vending machine
US7286901B2 (en) 2001-02-27 2007-10-23 Crane Co. Method and system for accomplishing product detection
US8046100B2 (en) 2001-02-27 2011-10-25 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Method and system for accomplishing product detection
US8548625B2 (en) 2001-08-23 2013-10-01 Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. Optical vend sensing system for product delivery detection
US7565222B2 (en) 2004-01-15 2009-07-21 Fawn Engineering Corporation Economical optical system to provide reasonable assurance of completed vend or vendible items from vending machines
EP2535878A1 (en) 2011-06-17 2012-12-19 DAMIAN S.r.l. Product vending machine
US11620868B2 (en) 2021-07-22 2023-04-04 Trinity Axis Inc. Techniques to dispense an item and release a jammed item from a dispensing system
US11830310B2 (en) 2021-07-22 2023-11-28 Trinity Axis Inc. Techniques to dispense an item and release a jammed item from a dispensing system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4927200A (en) 2000-12-18
ES2153782B1 (en) 2001-10-01
ES2153782A1 (en) 2001-03-01

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