WO2006025305A1 - Cabinet - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a cabinet capable of managing the use limit of an article and preventing use of an expired article. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] The cabinet (1) comprises a bar code reader arranged in a stocker (13A) for reading a bar code indicated on the circumferential surface of a container, a controller for managing the use limit of an article based on use limit information read out by the bar code reader, and an electric lock (17) for locking/unlocking a door (9) based on a command from the controller. In the cabinet (1), the door (9) is locked through the electric lock (17) under a state where the container is stored in the stocker (13A). When the controller makes a decision that the article contained in the container is within the use limit based on the use limit information, an unlock command is delivered to the electric lock (17) and the electric lock (17) unlocks the door (9) according to the unlock command.

Description

 Specification

 Cabinet Technical Field

 [0001] The present invention relates to a cabinet for storing a plurality of article storage containers in which articles having a predetermined expiration date are stored.

 Background art

 [0002] There is a management system that manages the expiration date of an article using a barcode (see Patent Document 1). This management system reads the barcode attached to the article at the time of sale with a barcode reader, and the POS terminal connected to the barcode reader compares the expiration date information of the article displayed on the barcode with the current date and time. . When the expiration date of the article has expired based on the expiration date information read by the barcode reader, the POS terminal device displays the expiration date on the display unit of the terminal device, and a predetermined speaker is connected to the speaker connected to the terminal device. Generate sound.

 Patent Document 1: JP-A-5-54211

 Disclosure of the invention

 Problems to be solved by the invention

 [0003] In the management system disclosed in the above publication, even if the expiration date information of an article is informed of the display device's speaker power, it is left to the seller to determine whether or not the article has the ability to sell the expired article. Therefore, the article may be sold with the knowledge of expiration, and the purchaser may use the article without knowing the expiration.

 [0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a cabinet capable of managing the expiration date of an article and preventing the use of the expired article without taking out the expired article. .

 Means for solving the problem

[0005] The premise of the present invention to solve the above problems is a door that can be locked and unlocked, and a stock that is installed inside the door and can store a plurality of article storage containers having a top bottom surface and a cylindrical peripheral surface. A stocker, and the stocker has an upper inlet for sequentially feeding one of the containers, and one of the containers. A cabinet having a lower outlet to be taken out in sequence and a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a container in which the inlet is inserted rolls the passage and is arranged in a line in the stocker.

 [0006] The feature of the present invention based on the above premise is that a bar code representing the expiration date information of the articles stored in the container is displayed on the peripheral surface of the container, and the cabinet is disposed in the vicinity of the outlet of the stocker. A barcode reader that reads the barcode, a controller that manages the expiration date of the article based on the expiration date information read by the barcode reader, and an electric lock that locks and unlocks the door based on a command from the controller And the cabinet is housed in a container that passes through the barcode reader based on the expiration date information from the barcode reader based on the expiration date information from the barcode reader. It is to output an unlocking command to the electric lock when it is determined that the product is within the expiration date, and the electric lock unlocks the door according to the unlocking command.

[0007] As an example of an embodiment of the present invention, the cabinet has a sound generation device that informs the outside of the expiration date of the article contained in the container, and the controller is based on the expiration date information of the barcode reader force. When it is determined that the item contained in the container has expired, a sound generation command is output to the sound generator, and the sound generator generates a sound according to the sound generation command.

 [0008] As another example of the embodiment of the present invention, the cabinet has a light generating device for notifying the outside of the expiration date of the article contained in the container, and the controller uses the expiration date information from the barcode reader. Based on this, when it is determined that the article contained in the container has expired, a lighting command is output to the light generator, and the light generator emits light according to the lighting command.

 [0009] As another example of the embodiment of the present invention, the cabinet has a transmitter that transmits the expiration date information of the articles contained in the container to the external receiver, and the controller uses the Barco When it is determined that the article contained in the container is expired based on the expiration date information, the transmitter outputs a usage expiration information transmission command to the transmitter, and the transmitter sends the expiration date information to the external receiver according to the transmission command. Send.

[0010] As another example of the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to advance and retreat into the passage and advance into the passage. When the first stopper that prevents rolling of the container is located in the first part of the passage that is in the vicinity of the take-out port and the take-out force is retracted by a predetermined dimension, and can move forward and backward in the passage and advance into the passage A second stopper that prevents rolling of the container is placed in the second part of the passage that is retracted by a predetermined dimension from the first stopper, and the first space in which one of the containers is placed by placing a barcode reader is the first stopper. A second space formed between the second stopper and the container rolling is formed between the first stopper and the outlet, and the controller reads the barcode of the container located in the first space. When the barcode reader reads, the first stopper that advances into the passage is withdrawn from the passage force while maintaining the second stopper in the state of advancement into the passage, and the container also turns the first space force toward the second space. After moving Power is also the first stopper was leaving to advance to the passage. In this cabinet, the controller outputs an unlocking command to the electric lock when the controller determines that the item contained in the container located in the first space is within the expiration date based on the expiration date information of the Barco Then, the electric lock unlocks the door according to the unlocking command.

 [0011] As another example of the embodiment of the present invention, the first stopper that can move forward and backward in the passage and prevents the container from rolling when the passage is advanced is in the vicinity of the outlet, and the outlet force The second stopper, which is disposed in the first part of the passage retracted by a predetermined dimension, can move forward and backward in the passage and prevents the container from rolling when it enters the passage, is the second passage of the passage retracted by a predetermined dimension from the first stopper. A first space is placed between the first stopper and the second stopper, and the second space where the bar code reader is placed and the container rolls is first. The controller is formed between the stopper and the outlet, and the controller moves the first stopper that advances into the passage while maintaining the advanced state of the second stopper into the passage, and is located in the first space. The first space force of the container is changed to the second space. After rolling toward the first passage, the first stopper that has retracted the passage force is advanced into the passage, and the barcode reader reads the barcode of the container rolling in the second space. In this cabinet, when the controller determines that the item contained in the container that rolls in the second space is within the expiration date based on the expiration date information from the barcode reader, the controller issues an unlock command to the electric lock. Output and the electric lock unlocks the door according to the unlock command.

[0012] As another example of the embodiment of the present invention, the controller force to the passage of the first stopper While maintaining the advanced state, the second stopper that advances into the passage is withdrawn from the passage force, and when the container is located in the first space, the second stopper that has also exited the passage force is advanced into the passage.

 The invention's effect

 [0013] According to the cabinet of the present invention, when the controller determines that the article stored in the container passing through the barcode reader is within the expiration date based on the expiration date information of the article from the barcode reader. Since the unlocking command is output to the electric lock, and the door is unlocked according to the unlocking command, the container containing the articles within the expiration date can be taken out from the cabinet. This cabinet outputs an unlocking command to the electric lock when the controller determines that the expiration date of the article contained in the container passing through the barcode reader has expired based on the expiration date information of the article with the barcode reader power. The door is kept locked without the need to unintentionally remove containers containing expired items from the cabinet. This cabinet can reliably manage the expiration date of the articles contained in the container, and can prevent the use of expired articles before the expired articles are taken out.

 [0014] A cabinet having a sound generating device for informing the outside of the existence of an expired article is an article housed in a container that passes through a bar code reader based on the expiration date information of the article whose controller is a bar code reader. The controller outputs a sound generation command to the sound generator, and the sound generator sounds according to the sound generation command, so there is a container containing the expired item in the cabinet. This can be notified to the outside of the cabinet, and the use of expired items can be reliably prevented.

 [0015] A cabinet having a light generating device for informing the outside of the existence of an expired article is an article contained in a container that passes through a bar code reader based on the expiration date information of the article whose controller is a barcode reader. When the controller expires, the controller outputs a lighting command to the light generator, and the light generator emits light according to the lighting command, so there is a container containing the expired item in the cabinet. This can be notified to the outside of the cabinet, and the use of expired items can be reliably prevented.

[0016] A cabinet having a transmitter that transmits abnormal expiration information of an article to an external receiver is provided. If the controller determines that the expiration date of the article contained in the container passing through the barcode reader has expired based on the expiration date information of the article from the barcode reader, the controller sends a command to transmit the expiration information. And the transmitter sends the expiration information to the external receiver according to the transmission command, so that the person in charge of the article can be informed that there is a container containing the expired article in the cabinet. The manager in charge can prevent the removal of expired items from the cabinet in advance.

 [0017] In the cabinet having the first and second stoppers that can be advanced and retracted in the passage and the bar code reader is arranged in the first space formed between the stoppers, the bar code reader has the first space. If the controller determines that the article contained in the container located in the first space is within the expiration date based on the expiration date information of the article from the barcode reader, the electronic lock is read. In addition to outputting an unlocking command to the first stopper, the first stopper is withdrawn from the passage force, and the second space rolls toward the outlet for each container force. Can do. In this cabinet, the containers lined up in the stocker are located in the first space in order, and the containers for which the expiration date has been determined are taken out from the cabinet in order. It is possible to reliably prevent removal of the container containing the goods.

[0018] The cabinet having the first and second stoppers that can advance and retreat in the passage and the barcode reader is disposed in the second space formed between the first stopper and the outlet, the container is the first. (2) Since the barcode reader reads the barcode on the container while rolling the space, the barcode reader can be surely read the barcode on the container, and the expiration date management of the items contained in the container is ensured. Can be done. In this cabinet, the controller makes the passage of the first stopper retract, the container located in the first space rolls the second space for each container, and the controller moves from the bar code reader. If the product contained in the container that rolls in the second space is determined to be within the expiration date based on the expiration date information of the item, the unlocking command is output to the electric lock, so the expiration date management of the item Can be done for each container. In this cabinet, the containers lined up in the stocker move to the second space in the order of the first space force, and the containers for which the expiration date has been determined are the cabinets. Since the containers are sequentially removed from the cabinet, it is possible to reliably prevent the removal of the container containing the expired article from which a plurality of containers are removed from the cabinet at a time.

 [0019] The second stopper that the controller advances the passage of the second stopper that advances into the passage while maintaining the state of advancement of the first stopper into the passage, and the passage force also exits when the container is positioned in the first space. The cabinet that advances the product into the passage can reliably place the containers in the first space for each container, and can reliably manage the expiration date of the articles for each container.

 Brief Description of Drawings

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet shown as an example.

 FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a container stored in a stocker.

 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the stocker with the side wall broken.

 FIG. 4 is a side view of a passage extending to the bottom of the stocker of FIG.

 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of cabinet hardware.

 FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a stocker shown as another example.

 FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a container stored in the stocker of FIG.

 FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another example of the hardware of the cabinet.

 FIG. 9 is a side view of a passage extending to the bottom of the stocker of FIG.

 FIG. 10 is a side view of a passage extending to the bottom of the stocker of FIG.

 FIG. 11 is a side view of a passage extending to the bottom of the stocker of FIG.

 FIG. 12 is a side view of a passage extending to the bottom of the stocker of FIG.

 FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a stocker shown as another example.

 FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a container stored in the stocker of FIG.

 FIG. 15 is a side view of a passage extending to the bottom of the stocker of FIG.

 FIG. 16 is a side view of a passage extending to the bottom of the stocker of FIG.

 FIG. 17 is a side view of a passage extending to the bottom of the stocker of FIG.

 FIG. 18 is a side view of a passage extending to the bottom of the stocker of FIG.

 Explanation of symbols

[0021] 1 cabinet door

 Sound generator

 Light generator

A stocker

B Stocker

C stocker

 Electric lock

 Controller

 External receiver

 Transmitter

A Goods storage container

B Goods storage container

C Goods storage container

 Top

 Bottom

 Circumference

 barcode

 Upper inlet

 Lower exit

 aisle

 No code reader

A Bar code reader

B Barcode reader

 1st electromagnetic stopper (1st stopper) 2nd electromagnetic stopper (2nd stopper) 1st part

 Second part

1st space 58 Space 2

 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] The cabinet according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows.

 1 and 2 are a perspective view of the cabinet 1 shown as an example and a perspective view of a container 32A stored in the stocker 13A, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are stockers shown with the side wall 40 broken. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of 13A and a side view of a passage 47 extending to the bottom of the stocker 13A. 1 and 3, the vertical direction is indicated by an arrow L, the horizontal direction is indicated by an arrow M, and the front-rear direction is indicated by an arrow N. In Fig. 1, the door 9 is shown open with a two-dot chain line. In FIG. 3, the movement of the container 32A in the stocker 13A is indicated by an arrow Z. The cabinet 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the vertical direction, and has a stocker storage unit 2 and an equipment storage unit 3 positioned below the storage unit 2 and connected to the unit 2. The cabinet 1 stores a plurality of article storage containers 32A that store articles (not shown) having a predetermined expiration date.

 [0024] The storage unit 2 can be locked / unlocked in front of the rear bottom wall 8 and the rear wall 8 as well as the top and bottom walls 4, 5 which are spaced apart in the vertical direction, and both side walls 6, 7 which are spaced apart in the lateral direction The door 9 is formed. A sound generator 10, a light generator 11, and an antenna 12 are installed on the top wall 4. Inside the storage unit 2, there are installed three stockers 13A arranged in the lateral direction capable of storing a plurality of containers 32A. However, the number of stockers 13A is not limited to the three shown in the figure, and can be appropriately changed according to the size of the cabinet 1 and the container 32A.

The door 9 is formed from a frame 14 and a transparent window 15 fitted in the frame 14. One side edge of the door 9 is attached to the side wall 7 via a hinge (not shown). Door 9 pivots back and forth in cabinet 1 via a hinge. A magnet 16 is attached to the other side edge of the door 9. An electric lock 17 capable of locking and unlocking the door 9 and a magnet 18 are attached to the side edge of the side wall 6. When the door 9 is closed, the magnets 16 and 18 come into contact with each other, and the contact state between the magnets 16 and 18 is maintained by the mutual magnetic force, and the state in which the door 9 is closed is maintained. If the door 9 is swung forward of the cabinet 1 against the magnetic force of the magnets 16 and 18, the door 9 can be opened. [0026] The equipment storage unit 3 is located below the bottom wall 19, the side walls 20 and 21 connected to the side walls 6 and 7 of the unit 2, the rear wall 22 connected to the rear wall 8 of the unit 2 and the door 9. The front wall 23 is formed. The front wall 23 is provided with a locking switch 24 used when locking the door 9, an extraction switch 25 used when taking out the container 32A from the cabinet 1, and a numeric key panel 26. Inside the storage unit 3, the controller 27 controls the expiration date of the articles contained in the container 32A and controls each device, the numeric keypad module 28 to which the numeric keypad panel 26 is connected, and the locking and unlocking of the electric lock 17. And an electric lock controller 29 that transmits the expiration date information to the external receiver 30 (see FIG. 5).

 [0027] The container 32A has circular top and bottom surfaces 33, 34 and a cylindrical peripheral surface 35. On the peripheral surface 35 of the container 32A, a sheet 37 on which a barcode 36 is printed is attached. In the container 32A, by opening one of the top and bottom walls 33 and 34, the article contained therein can be taken out by the container 32A. The article accommodated in the container 32A may be any of liquid, solid, viscous fluid, granular material, and powdery material as long as it has an expiration date. Barcode 36 represents expiration date information for the item contained in container 32A. Bar code 36 is not particularly limited. JAN (Japanese Article Number) code of JIS standard (Japanese Industrial Standard), ITF—14 / 16, code 39, coder bar, code 93, code 128, code 49, code 16K Can be used. The sheet 37 is positioned approximately at the center of the peripheral surface 35 of the container 32A and extends in the circumferential direction, and makes one round of the peripheral surface 35. As the sheet 37, high-quality paper, coated paper, synthetic paper, polyester film, polyimide film, and ceramic film can be used. The sheet 37 has an adhesive (not shown) applied to the back surface thereof, and is fixed to the peripheral surface 35 of the container 32A via the adhesive. The bar code 36 may be directly printed on the peripheral surface 35 of the container 32A that is not the sheet 37.

[0028] The stocker 13A includes top and bottom walls 38, 39 that are spaced apart in the vertical direction, both side walls 40, 41 that are spaced apart in the lateral direction, front and rear walls 42, 43 that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction, and these walls 38 , 3 9, 40, 41, 42, 43 and a plurality of flat plates 44 arranged in the vertical direction and spaced apart by a predetermined dimension. The stocker 13A is located above the unit 2 so that one of the containers 32A is sequentially inserted, and the stocker 13A is disposed below the unit 2 and one of the containers 32A is inserted. A lower outlet 46 that is sequentially taken out, and a passage 47 extending between the inlet 45 and the outlet 46 are provided. The flat plate 44 is formed of a first flat plate 44A having a downward gradient from the front wall 42 toward the rear wall 43 and a second flat plate 44B having a downward gradient from the rear wall 43 to the front wall 42. ing. The first and second flat plates 44A and 44B are alternately placed from the upper side to the lower side of the stocker 13A. The passage 47 is also formed with a force by the walls 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and the flat plate 44, and is inclined differently between the inlet 45 and the outlet 46.

 [0029] The container 32A is laid sideways so as to be orthogonal to the flat plate 44, and charged into the charging port 45 in a state where the peripheral surface 35 is in contact with the flat plate 44. When the container 32A is sequentially charged into the inlet 45, the container 32A enters the passage 47 from the inlet 45 and rolls on the flat plate 44, and a plurality of containers 32A are arranged in the passage 47 in order. A stop plate 48 is attached to the outlet 46. When the container 32A comes into contact with the stop plate 48, the rolling of the container 32A stops. In the vicinity of the outlet 46, a barcode reader 49 for reading the barcode 36 of the container 32A is arranged. The cord reader 49 is attached to the lower surface of the flat plate 44B positioned at the bottom of the stocker 13A, and a part of the scanner (not shown) is fixed to the peripheral portion of the through hole 50 formed in the flat plate 44B. ing. A part of the scanner is directed from the through hole 50 toward the passage 47.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of hardware of the cabinet 1. The electric lock 17 is electrically connected to the electric lock controller 29 via a current-carrying metal fitting (not shown). The electric lock controller 29 is electrically connected to the controller 27 via an interface (not shown). The electric lock 17 uses a locking type when energized so that the locked state is maintained during the energization of the current and the lock is released when the energization is cut off. The electric lock 17 in the locked state can be unlocked by inputting a predetermined password from the numeric keypad 26, and can also be unlocked via a key (not shown). The sound generation device 10, the light generation device 11, the lock switch 24, the take-off switch 25, the numeric keypad module 28, the transmitter 31 and the single code reader 49 are electrically connected to the controller 27 via an interface (not shown). ing. Sound generator 10, light generator 11, lock switch 24, take-off switch 25, controller 27, numeric keypad module 28, transmitter 31, electric lock controller 29, and bar code reader 49 have distribution lines extending from cabinet 1 ( Power is supplied through (not shown). [0031] The sound generator 10 and the light generator 11 have a built-in switch circuit (not shown). A buzzer, a siren, etc. can be used for the sound generator 10. The light generator 11 can be a red light or a flashing light. The transmitter 31 uses a radio device, and the antenna 12 is electrically connected. As the external receiver 30, a mobile phone can be used as a portable radio communication device and a computer terminal connected to a transmitter via a wireless LAN. The transmitter 31 may be connected to the external receiver 30 via a line.

 [0032] For the barcode reader 49, a CCD scanning method or a laser scanning method can be used. The bar code reader 49 converts the bar code into an analog electric signal, amplifies the analog electric signal, and converts the analog electric signal into a digital signal corresponding to each bar width. The digital signal is quantized by counting the bar width signal time via a counter. The quantized barcode information (hereinafter referred to as expiration date information) is decoded by a decoder (not shown), and the decoder power is also output to the controller 27.

 [0033] The controller 27 is formed of a microprocessor (not shown) having a control unit, a memory, and a timer. The control unit of the controller 27 starts a program stored in the memory and executes a predetermined process according to the program. The control unit converts the expiration date information input to the decoder reader of the barcode reader 49 into a language that can be stored in the memory, assigns an identification number to the expiration date information based on the identification code of the barcode 36, and uses the expiration date information. Are stored for each identification code in the physical address area of the memory. The control unit compares the expiration date information stored in the memory with the date of the timer, and if the date indicated by the expiration date information is after the timer date, an unlock signal (unlock command) is sent. Output to electric lock controller 29. Conversely, if the date indicated by the expiration date is earlier than the date of the timer, a sound signal (sound generation command) that does not output the unlock signal is output to the sound generator 10 and the lighting signal (Lighting command) is output to the light generator 11, and a transmission signal (transmission command) is output to the transmitter 31.

[0034] An example of the charging procedure of the container 32A in the cabinet 1 will be described below. In order to store the container 32A in the cabinet 1, the door 9 is opened, the container 32A is inserted from the inlet 45, a plurality of containers 32A are arranged in the stocker 13A, and the door 9 is closed. Next, the lock switch 24 is pressed to request the controller 27 to lock the door 9. When locking switch 24 is pressed The controller 27 outputs a lock signal (lock command) to the electric lock controller 29. The electric lock controller 29 to which the lock signal is input passes a predetermined current to the electric lock 17 through the energizing bracket. The electric lock 17 has its tightening mechanism activated by energization of current, and locks the door 9. When the container 32A rolls through the passage 47 and reaches the outlet 46, the container 32A is positioned on the through-hole 50 formed in the vicinity of the outlet 46 (on the scanner part of the barcode reader 49). The code reader 49 can read the barcode 36 of the container 32A located at the outlet 46.

 An example of a procedure for taking out the container 32A in the cabinet 1 will be described below. To remove the container 32A from the cabinet vignette 1, press the removal switch 25 and request the controller 27 to remove the container 32A. When the take-out switch 25 is pressed, the controller 27 outputs a reading signal (reading command) of the bar code 36 to the bar code reader 49, a part of the scanner is activated, and the bar code reader 49 is located at the outlet 46. Read 32A barcode 36. The expiration date information from the barcode reader 49 is input to the controller 27 and stored in the memory of the controller 27. The control unit of the controller 27 compares the date indicated by the timer incorporated in the controller 27 with the expiration date information of the article stored in the container 32A, and determines whether the expiration date of the article is outside the expiration date. When the expiration date is after the timer date (when the article contained in the container 32A is within the expiration date), the control unit outputs an unlock signal to the electric lock controller 29. The electric lock controller 29 to which the unlocking signal is input cuts off the power supply to the electric lock 17 through the energization fitting. When the electric current is interrupted, the electric lock 17 operates its locking mechanism, and unlocks the door 9. After unlocking the door 9, open the door 9, take out the container 32A located at the outlet 46, close the door 9 again, and press the locking switch 24. When the lock switch 24 is pressed, the controller 27 outputs a lock signal to the electric lock controller 29 and the electric lock 17 locks the door 9 in the same manner as when the container 32A is stored in the cabinet 1.

[0036] When the date indicated by the expiration date information of the article is earlier than the date of the timer (when the expiration date of the article contained in the container 32A has expired), The sound generation signal is output to the sound generator 10, the lighting signal is output to the optical sound generator 11, and the transmission signal of the expiration information is output to the transmitter 31. When the sound generation signal and the lighting signal are output, the switches of the sound generator 10 and the light generator 11 are turned on, the sound generator 10 emits sound, and the light generator 11 emits light. Expiration information is changed by transmitter 31. It is adjusted to become a radio signal, transmitted to the outside via the antenna 12, and received by the external receiver 30. If the expiry date of the item contained in the container 32A located at the outlet 46 has expired, the door 9 cannot be opened without the electric lock 17 unlocking the door 9. 32A cannot be removed. In this case, when the person in charge of the article inputs a predetermined password from the numeric keypad panel 26, the password is input from the numeric keypad module 28 to the controller 27, and the controller 27 outputs an unlock signal to the electric lock controller 29. The electric lock controller 29 cuts off the power supply to the electric lock 17 and the electric lock 17 unlocks the door 9. In addition, the person in charge of management releases the lock of the electric lock 17 through the key. After unlocking the electric lock 17 using the numeric keypad panel 26 or key, the person in charge of management opens the door 9, collects the container 32A containing the expired items from the cabinet 1, and closes the door 9 again. Press lock switch 24. After the manager 32 retrieves the container 32A containing the expired item from the cabinet 1, when the door 9 is closed and the lock switch 24 is pressed, the controller 27 outputs a lock signal to the electric lock controller 29, Lock 17 locks door 9.

[0037] In this cabinet 1, based on the expiration date information of the articles read by the barcode reader 49, the control period of the controller 27 has expired the articles contained in the container 32A located at the outlet 46 Therefore, the control unit of the controller 27 does not output the unlock signal, and the locked state of the door 9 is maintained, so that the expiration date of the items stored in the cabinet 1 can be reliably managed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the use of an expired article from which the container 32A containing the expired article is not taken out from the cabinet 1.

 [0038] When the control unit of the controller 27 determines that the expiration date of the article stored in the container 32A located at the outlet 46 has expired, the control unit outputs a sounding signal and a lighting signal. Since the sound generator 10 emits sound according to the sound signal and the light generator 11 emits light according to the lighting signal, the outside of the cabinet 1 is informed that there is a container 32A containing an expired article at the outlet 46. It is possible to reliably prevent the use of expired items.

[0039] When the control unit of the controller 27 determines that the expiration date of the article contained in the container 32A located at the outlet 46 has expired, the control unit transmits a transmission signal to the transmitter 31. Since the transmitter 31 sends the expiration information to the external receiver 30 in accordance with the transmission signal, it is possible to notify the person in charge of article management that there is a container 32A containing the expired article at the outlet 46. And the manager can prevent the removal of expired items from cabinet 1 in advance.

 6 and 7 are a perspective view of a stocker 13B shown as another example, and a perspective view of a container 32B stored in the stocker 13B of FIG. In FIG. 6, the vertical direction is indicated by an arrow L, the horizontal direction is indicated by an arrow M, the front-rear direction is indicated by an arrow N, and the movement of the container 32B in the stocker 13B is indicated by an arrow Z. Since the configuration of the cabinet 1 excluding the stocker 13B is the same as that of FIG. 1, its illustration is omitted with the aid of FIG.

 [0041] The stocker 13B is formed of top and bottom walls 38 and 39, both side walls 40 and 41, front and rear walls 42 and 43, and a plurality of flat plates 44 arranged in the vertical direction. As with the stocker 13A, the stocker 13B is installed inside the stocker storage unit 2 in a state in which the three are aligned in the horizontal direction. The stocker 13B is located above the unit 2 and has an upper inlet 45 for sequentially inserting one of the containers 32B described later, and a lower outlet 46 for sequentially removing one of the containers 32B located below the unit 2. And a passage 47 extending between the inlet 45 and the outlet 46. The flat plate 44 is formed of a first flat plate 44A having a downward gradient from the front wall 42 to the rear wall 43, and a second flat plate 44B having a downward gradient from the rear wall 43 to the front wall 42. . The first and second flat plates 44A and 44B are alternately arranged from the top to the bottom of the stocker 13B. The passage 47 is formed by the force of the walls 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and the flat plate 44, and is inclined alternately between the inlet 45 and the outlet 46. In the passage 47 extending to the bottom of the stocker 13B, a first electromagnetic stopper 51 (first stopper) and a second electromagnetic stopper 52 (second stopper) that are also formed with a solenoid force are installed. Although not shown in the drawings, these staggers 51 and 52 are composed of a frame serving as a magnetic circuit, a movable iron core, a fixed iron core, and an exciting coil.

[0042] The first electromagnetic stopper 51 is disposed in the first portion 53 of the passage 47 that is in the vicinity of the outlet 46 and is retracted by a predetermined dimension rearward in the front-rear direction from the outlet 46 toward the inlet 45. The stopper 51 is installed on a flat plate 44B positioned at the bottom of the stocker 13B, and can advance and retreat into a passage 47 from a through hole 54 formed in the flat plate 44B. Stopper 51 advances into passage 47 Then, the rolling of the container 32B on the flat plate 44B is prevented. The second electromagnetic stopper 52 is disposed in a second portion 55 of the passage 47 that is directed backward from the first electromagnetic stopper 51 toward the insertion port 45 by a predetermined dimension in the front-rear direction. Similarly to the stopper 51, the stopper 52 is installed on the flat plate 44B positioned at the bottom of the stocker 13B, and can advance and retreat into the passage 47 from a through hole 56 formed in the flat plate 44B. When the stopper 52 advances into the passage 47, the container 32B is prevented from rolling on the flat plate 44B.

[0043] Between the first electromagnetic stopper 51 and the second electromagnetic stopper 52, a first space 57 into which one of the containers 32B is inserted is formed. In the first space 57, two bar code readers 49A and 49B for reading the bar code 36 of the container 32B are arranged. The barcode reader 49A is attached to the lower surface of the flat plate 44B positioned at the bottom of the stocker 13B, and a part of the scanner (not shown) is fixed to the peripheral portion of the through hole 50 formed in the flat plate 44B. A part of the scanner of the bar code reader 49A is directed to the first space 57 from the through hole 50. The barcode reader 49B is attached to the lower surface of the flat plate 44A located above the flat plate 44B, and a part of the scanner (not shown) is directed to the first space 57. A second space 58 in which the container 32B rolls is formed between the first electromagnetic stopper 51 and the outlet 46.

 [0044] The container 32B has circular top and bottom surfaces 33 and 34 and a cylindrical peripheral surface 35. Three sheets 37 having a barcode 36 printed on the surface are attached to the periphery of the container 32B. The sheet 37 is positioned approximately at the center of the peripheral surface 35 of the container 32B, extends between the top bottom surfaces 33 and 34, and is fixed to the peripheral surface 35 via an adhesive (not shown) applied to the back surface. . The sheets 37 are arranged so as to divide the circumference of the circumferential surface 35 into three equal parts. As for the barcode 36, JAN code, ITF-14 / 16, code 39, coder bar, code 93, code 128, code 49, and code 16K can be used in the same manner as in FIG. The sheet 37 has the same material strength as that shown in Fig. 2. When the container 32B is sequentially introduced into the inlet 45, the container 32B enters the passage 47 from the inlet 45 and rolls on the flat plate 44, and a plurality of the containers 32B follow the passage 47.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the hardware of the cabinet 1. The electric lock 17 is electrically connected to the electric lock controller 29 via an energization fitting (not shown). The electric lock 17 uses the same energized locking type as that in FIG. Sound generator 10 0, light generator 11, lock switch 24, take-off switch 25, numeric keypad module 28, transmitter 31, bar code reader 49A, 49B, first and second electromagnetic stoppers 51, 52 are connected to controller 27 It is electrically connected via an interface (not shown). Sound generator 10, light generator 11, lock switch 24, take-off switch 25, controller 27, electric lock controller 29, numeric keypad module 28, transmitter 31, bar code reader 49A, 49B, first and first 2 Electric power is supplied to the electromagnetic stoppers 51 and 52 via a distribution line (not shown).

 [0046] The sound generator 10, the light generator 11, the antenna 12, the electric lock 17, the controller 27, the numeric module 28, the electric lock controller 29, the transmitter 31, the bar code readers 49A and 49B are those shown in FIG. Is the same. The sound generator 10, the light generator 11, and the antenna 12 are installed on the top wall 4 of the stocker storage unit 2. Locking switch 24, take-off switch 25, and tension panel 26 are attached to the front wall 23 of the equipment storage unit 3 (see Fig. 1). The controller 27, numeric keypad module 28, electric lock controller 29, and transmitter 31 are stored in the storage unit 3. The controller of the controller 27 compares the expiration date information stored in the memory with the date of the timer, and if the date indicated by the expiration date is after the timer date, the unlock signal (unlock Lock command) is output to the electric lock controller 29. Conversely, if the date indicated by the expiration date information is earlier than the date of the timer, a sound generation signal (sound generation command) without outputting an unlock signal is output to the sound generator 10 and lights up. A signal (lighting command) is output to the light generator 11, and a transmission signal (transmission command) is output to the transmitter 31. In the stocker 13B, when one of the first and second electromagnetic stoppers 51, 52 is retracted from the passage 47, the other stopper 51, 52 is prevented from exiting the passage 47. The stoppers 51 and 52 are controlled by the controller 27 to advance and retract.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are side views of the passage 47 extending to the bottom of the stocker 13B of FIG. FIG. 9 shows a state before the container 32B is located in the first space 57 and has advanced into the first and second electromagnetic stoppers 51 and 52 force passage 47. FIG. In FIG. 10, the container 32B is positioned in the first space 57, the first electromagnetic stopper 51 advances into the passage 47, and the second electromagnetic stopper 52 Exit from passage 47. In FIG. 9, the stopper 52 that has exited from the passage 47 is indicated by a virtual line. In FIG. 10, the stopper 52 that has advanced into the passage 47 is indicated by a virtual line. The operation of the first and second electromagnetic stoppers 51 and 52 when the container 32B is stored in the cabinet 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0048] To store the container 32B in the cabinet 1, the door 9 is opened and the container 32B is inserted from the inlet 45 of the stocker 13B, and the container 32B extends between the inlet 45 and the second electromagnetic stopper 52. After lined up in passage 47, door 9 is closed and lock switch 24 is pressed to request controller 27 to lock door 9. When the lock switch 24 is pressed, the controller 27 outputs a lock signal (lock command) to the electric lock controller 29. The electric lock controller 29 to which the lock signal is inputted passes a predetermined current to the electric lock 17 through the power supply fitting. The electric lock 17 has its tightening mechanism activated by energization of the current, and locks the door 9. In the stocker 13B, as shown in FIG. 9, the second electromagnetic stopper 52 prevents the container 32B from rolling. After the door 9 is locked, the controller 27 moves the second electromagnetic stopper 52 out of the passage 47. From the state shown in FIG. 9, when the stopper 52 is retracted downward in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow L1 and the stopper 52 is retracted from the passage 47, the container 32B is directed toward the first electromagnetic stopper 51 to move the passage 47 (first space 57) Rolls and abuts against the stopper 51 to stop the rolling. Thereafter, the controller 27 advances the second electromagnetic stopper 52 into the passage 47 again. When the stopper 52 protrudes upward in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow L2 and the stopper 52 advances into the passage 47, one of the containers 32B enters a first space 57 formed between the stoppers 51 and 52 as shown in FIG. To position. When the container 32B is located in the first space 57, the barcode readers 49A and 49B can read the barcode 36 of the container 32B located there. The controller 27 moves the stopper 52 into the passage 47 again after 1 to 5 seconds have elapsed since the stopper 52 has left the passage 47. The controller 27 detects that the container 32B is located in the first space 57 via the barcode readers 49A and 49B, and determines that the container 32B is located in the first space 57. Stopped stopper 52 is moved again to passage 47.

11 and 12 are side views of the passage 47 extending to the bottom of the stocker 13B of FIG. Fig. 12 shows that the container 32B rolls in the second space 58 and reaches the outlet 46, and the first electromagnetic The stopper 51 has left the passage 47 and the second electromagnetic stopper 52 has advanced into the passage 47. In FIG. 11, the stopper 51 that has exited from the passage 47 is indicated by a virtual line, and the container 32B that rolls in the second space 58 is indicated by a virtual line. In FIG. 12, the stopper 51 that has advanced into the passage 47 is indicated by a virtual line. Hereinafter, the operation of the first and second electromagnetic stoppers 51 and 52 when the container 32B is taken out from the cabinet 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

 [0050] To remove the container 32B from the cabinet 1, the take-out switch 25 is pressed to request the controller 27 to remove the container 32B. When take-off switch 25 is pressed, controller 27 outputs a barcode 36 reading signal (reading command) to barcode readers 49A and 49B, and the scanner part is activated and barcode readers 49A and 49B are the first. Read barcode 36 on container 3 2B located in space 57. The expiration date information from the bar code readers 49A and 49B is input to the controller 27 and stored in the memory of the controller 27. The control unit of the controller 27 compares the date indicated by the timer incorporated in the controller 27 with the expiration date information of the article stored in the container 32B, and determines whether the expiration date of the article is within the deadline or not. When the expiration date is after the timer date (when the article contained in the container 32B is within the expiration date), the control unit outputs an unlock signal to the electric lock controller 29 and the first electromagnetic Remove stopper 51 from passage 47. When the stopper 51 is retracted downward in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow L3 from the state of FIG. 11 and the stopper 51 is withdrawn from the passage 47, the container 32B positioned in the first space 57 rolls in the passage 47 (second space 58). As a result, the outlet 46 is reached, the container 32B comes into contact with the stop plate 48, and its rolling stops. The electric lock controller 29 to which the unlocking signal is inputted cuts off the power supply to the electric lock 17 through the power supply fitting. When the electric lock 17 is interrupted, its locking mechanism is activated and the door 9 is unlocked. After unlocking the door 9, open the door 9, take out the container 32B located at the outlet 46, and close the door 9 again.

[0051] After removing the container 32B from the outlet 46, when the door 9 is closed and the locking switch 24 is pressed, the controller 27 outputs a barcode 36 reading stop signal to the barcode readers 49A and 49B. Then, the locking signal is output to the electric lock controller 29 and the first electromagnetic stopper 51 is advanced into the passage 47. The stopper 51 also protrudes upward in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow L4 in FIG. The electric lock controller 29 to which the lock signal is input passes a predetermined current to the electric lock 17 via the energizing bracket. The electric lock 17 is tightened by applying current. The ball mechanism is activated and locks the door 9. After the first electromagnetic stopper 51 is advanced into the passage 47, the controller 27 causes the second electromagnetic stopper 52 to exit from the passage 47. When the stopper 52 retreats from the passage 47, the container 32B positioned immediately after the taken out container 32B rolls on the passage 47 (first space 57) toward the first electromagnetic stopper 51 and comes into contact with the stopper 51. The rolling stops. Thereafter, the controller 27 advances the second electromagnetic stopper 52 into the passage 47 again. When the stopper 52 advances into the passage 47, one of the containers 32B is located in the first space 57.

[0052] When the date indicated by the expiration date is earlier than the date of the timer (when the item stored in the container 32B has expired), the control unit of the controller 27 Is output to the sound generator 10, the lighting signal is output to the optical utterance device 11, and the transmission signal of the expiration information is output to the transmitter 31. Further, the controller of the controller 27 outputs a reading stop signal of the bar code 36 to the bar code readers 49A and 49B, and causes the first electromagnetic stopper 51 to exit from the passage 47. When the stopper 51 exits from the passage 47, the container 32B located in the first space 57 rolls in the passage 47 (second space 58) toward the outlet 46, and the container 32B reaches the outlet 46.

 [0053] When the sound generation signal and the lighting signal are output from the controller 27, the switch of the sound generator 10 or the light generator 11 is turned on, the sound generator 10 emits sound, and the light generator 11 emits light. . The expiration information is modulated by the transmitter 31 to become a radio signal, transmitted to the outside via the antenna 12, and received by the external receiver 30. If the expiration date of the item contained in the container 32B located in the first space 57 has expired, the door 9 cannot be opened without the electric lock 17 unlocking the door 9. Container 32B cannot be removed from the container. In this case, the person in charge of article management inputs the specified password from the numeric keypad 26 to unlock the electric lock 17, or unlocks the electric lock 17 through the key and opens the door 9. After collecting the container 32B containing the expired items from the cabinet 1, close the door 9 again and press the lock switch 24.

[0054] After the manager 32 collects the container 32B containing the expired article from the cabinet 1, when the door 9 is closed and the lock switch 24 is pressed, the controller 27 controls the lock signal with an electric lock. The first electromagnetic stopper 51 is advanced into the passage 47. The electric lock controller 29 to which the lock signal is input passes a predetermined current to the electric lock 17 via the energization fitting. As for the electric lock 17, its tightening mechanism is activated by energization of current, and the door 9 is locked. After moving the first electromagnetic stopper 51 into the passage 47, the controller 27 moves the second electromagnetic stopper 52 out of the passage 47. When the stopper 52 is withdrawn from the passage 47, the container 32B positioned immediately after the collected container 32B is directed toward the first electromagnetic stopper 51 to roll on the passage 47 (first space 57) and contact the stopper 51. The rolling stops. Thereafter, the controller 27 advances the second electromagnetic stopper 52 into the passage 47 again. When the stopper 52 advances into the passage 47, one of the containers 32B is located in the first space 57.

 [0055] In this cabinet 1, the expiry date of the item contained in the container 32B in the first space 57 has expired based on the expiry date information of the item read by the barcode reader 49A, 49B. The controller 27 outputs the unlocking signal, the door 9 remains locked, the controller 27 outputs the sounding signal and the lighting signal, and the sound generator 10 generates the sound according to the sounding signal. In addition, since the light generator 11 emits light according to the lighting signal, the expiration date of the articles stored in the cabinet 1 can be managed reliably, and the container 3 2B containing the expired articles from the cabinet 1 Use of an expired article that cannot be taken out can be prevented in advance.

 [0056] When the controller 27 determines that the expiration date of the article contained in the container 32B located in the first space 57 has expired, the controller 27 outputs a transmission signal, and the transmitter 31 transmits the transmission signal. The expiration information is transmitted to the external receiver 30 in accordance with the above. Therefore, it is possible to inform the person in charge of the management of the goods that there is a container 32B containing the expired goods in the cabinet 1. The removal of expired items can be prevented in advance.

[0057] The cabinet 1 outputs an unlocking command to the electric lock 17 when the controller 27 determines that the article accommodated in the container 32B located in the first space 57 is within the expiration date, and outputs the first command. The stopper 51 is withdrawn from the passage 47, and the container 32B rolls in the second space 58 for each container and is directed to the outlet 46, so that the expiration date management of the articles can be performed for each container 32B. In cabinet 1, containers 32B lined up in stocker 13B enter the first space 57 in order, Since the containers 32B for which the expiration date has been determined are sequentially removed from the cabinet 1, it is not possible to remove multiple containers 32B from the cabinet 1 at a time. be able to.

 FIGS. 13 and 14 are a perspective view of a stocker 13C shown as another example, and a perspective view of a container 32C stored in the stocker 13C of FIG. In FIG. 13, the vertical direction is indicated by an arrow L, the horizontal direction is indicated by an arrow M, the front-rear direction is indicated by an arrow N, and the moving direction of the container 32C in the stocker 13C is indicated by an arrow Z. Since the configuration of the cabinet 1 excluding the stocker 13C is the same as that of FIG. 1, its illustration is omitted with the aid of FIG.

 [0059] The stocker 13C is formed of top and bottom walls 38, 39, both side walls 40, 41, front and rear walls 42, 43, and a plurality of flat plates 44 arranged in the vertical direction. Similar to the stocker 13A, the stocker 13C is installed inside the stocker storage unit 2 in a state in which the three are aligned in the horizontal direction. The stocker 13C is located above the unit 2 and has an upper inlet 45 for sequentially inserting one of the containers 32C to be described later, and a lower outlet 46 that is positioned below the unit 2 and sequentially takes out one of the containers 32C. And a passage 47 extending between the inlet 45 and the outlet 46. The flat plate 44 is formed of a first flat plate 44A having a downward gradient from the front wall 42 to the rear wall 43, and a second flat plate 44B having a downward gradient from the rear wall 43 to the front wall 42. . The first and second flat plates 44A and 44B are alternately arranged by force from above to below the stocker 13C. The passage 47 is formed by a force with the walls 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and the flat plate 44, and is inclined alternately by the force from the inlet 45 to the outlet 46. A first electromagnetic stopper 51 (first stopper) and a second electromagnetic stopper 52 (second stopper), both of which have a solenoid force, are installed in the passage 47 extending to the bottom of the stocker 13C. The stoppers 51 and 52 are the same as those in FIG.

[0060] The first electromagnetic stopper 51 is disposed in the first portion 53 of the passage 47 in the vicinity of the outlet 46 and retracted by a predetermined dimension rearward in the front-rear direction by force from the outlet 46 toward the inlet 45. The stopper 51 is mounted on a flat plate 44B positioned at the bottom of the stocker 13C, and can advance and retreat into a passage 47 from a through hole 54 formed in the flat plate 44B. When the stopper 51 advances into the passage 47, the rolling of the container 32C is prevented. The second electromagnetic stopper 52 is a second part 55 of the passage 47 that is retracted by a predetermined dimension rearward in the front-rear direction by also applying force to the first electromagnetic stopper 51 to the inlet 45. Is arranged. The stopper 52 is mounted on a flat plate 44B positioned at the bottom of the stocker 13C, and can advance and retreat into a passage 47 from a through hole 56 formed in the flat plate 44B. When the stopper 52 enters the passage 47, the container 32C is prevented from rolling.

 [0061] Between the first electromagnetic stopper 51 and the second electromagnetic stopper 52, a first space 57 into which one of the containers 32C is inserted is formed. A second space 58 in which the container 32C rolls is formed between the first electromagnetic stopper 51 and the outlet 46. The length of the second space 58 between the stopper 51 and the outlet 46 is approximately the same as or more than the circumference of the peripheral surface 35 of the container 32C so that the container 32C makes at least one rotation of the space 58. long. In the second space 58, a bar code reader 49 for reading the bar code 36 of the container 32C is arranged! The bar code reader 49 is attached to the lower surface of the flat plate 44B extending to the bottom of the stocker 13C, and a part of the scanner (not shown) is fixed to the peripheral portion of the through hole 50 formed in the flat plate 44B. A part of the scanner is directed to the second space 58 from the through hole 50. The through hole 50 is formed over almost the entire length of the second space 58.

 [0062] The container 32C has circular top and bottom surfaces 33, 34 and a cylindrical peripheral surface 35. A single sheet 37 having a barcode 36 printed on the surface is attached to the surface 35 of the container 32C. The sheet 37 is positioned approximately at the center of the peripheral surface 35 of the container 32C, extends between the top and bottom surfaces 33, 34, and is fixed to the peripheral surface 35 via an adhesive (not shown) applied to the back surface. . As for the bar code 36, the JAN code, ITF-14Z16, code 39, coder bar, code 93, code 128, code 49, and code 16K can be used as in FIG. The sheet 37 has the same material strength as that shown in Fig. 2. When the containers 32C are sequentially charged into the inlet 45, the container 32C enters the passage 47 through the inlet 45 and rolls on the flat plate 44, and a plurality of containers 32C are arranged in the passage 47 in order.

[0063] Since the hardware of the cabinet 1 is the same as that of FIG. 8, the illustration thereof is omitted with the aid of FIG. The electric lock 17 is electrically connected to the electric lock controller 29 via a current-carrying metal fitting (not shown). The electric lock 17 uses the same locking type when energized as that shown in Fig. 1. The sound generator 10, light generator 11, lock switch 24, take-off switch 25, numeric keypad module 28, transmitter 31, bar code reader 49, first and second electromagnetic stoppers 51 and 52 are connected to the controller 27 (Fig. Electrical connection via (not shown) Has been. Sound generator 10, light generator 11, lock switch 24, take-off switch 25, controller 27, electric lock controller 29, numeric keypad module 28, transmitter 31, bar code reader 49, first and second electromagnetic stoppers 51 , 52 is supplied with electric power via a distribution line (not shown).

 [0064] The sound generator 10, the light generator 11, the antenna 12, the electric lock 17, the controller 27, the numeric module 28, the electric lock controller 29, the transmitter 31, and the bar code reader 49 are the same as those shown in FIG. Are the same. The sound generator 10, the light generator 11, and the antenna 12 are installed on the top wall 4 of the stocker storage unit 2. Locking switch 24, take-off switch 25 and numeric keypad 26 are attached to the front wall 23 of the equipment storage unit 3 (see Fig. 1). The controller 27, numeric keypad module 28, electric lock controller 29, and transmitter 31 are stored in the storage unit 3. The controller of the controller 27 compares the expiration date information stored in the memory with the date of the timer, and if the date indicated by the expiration date is after the timer date, the unlock signal (unlock command ) Is output to the electric lock controller 29. Conversely, if the date indicated by the expiration date information is earlier than the date of the timer, a sounding signal (sound generation command) that does not output the unlock signal is output to the sound generator 10 and the lighting signal (Lighting command) is output to the light generator 11, and a transmission signal (transmission command) is output to the transmitter 31. In the stocker 13C, when one of the first and second electromagnetic stoppers 51 and 52 is withdrawn from the passage 47, the other stopper 51 and 52 is prevented from being withdrawn from the passage 47. The stoppers 51 and 52 are controlled by a controller 27 to advance and retract.

 FIGS. 15 and 16 are side views of the passage 47 extending to the bottom of the stocker 13C. FIG. 15 shows a state before the container 32C is positioned in the first space 57, and the first and second electromagnetic stoppers 51, 52 have advanced into the force passage 47. FIG. In FIG. 16, the container 32C is positioned in the first space 57, the first electromagnetic stopper 51 has advanced into the passage 47, and the second electromagnetic stopper 52 has exited from the passage 47. In FIG. 15, the stopper 52 that has exited from the passage 47 is indicated by a virtual line. In FIG. 16, the stopper 52 that has advanced into the passage 47 is indicated by a virtual line. The operation of the first and second electromagnetic stoppers 51 and 52 when the container 32C is stored in the cabinet 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0066] To store container 32C in cabinet 1, open door 9 and store container 32C in stocker 13C. After the container 32C is lined up in the passage 47 extending between the inlet 45 and the second electromagnetic stopper 52, the door 9 is closed and the lock switch 24 is pressed to lock the door 9. To request. When the lock switch 24 is pressed, the controller 27 outputs a lock signal (lock command) to the electric lock controller 29. The electric lock controller 29 to which the lock signal is inputted passes a predetermined current to the electric lock 17 through the power supply fitting. The electric lock 17 has its tightening mechanism activated by energization of the current, and locks the door 9. In the stocker 13C, as shown in FIG. 15, the second electromagnetic stopper 52 prevents the container 32C from rolling. After the door 9 is locked, the controller 27 moves the second electromagnetic stopper 52 out of the passage 47. When the stopper 52 is retracted downward in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow L1 from the state shown in FIG. 15 and the stopper 52 is retracted from the passage 47, the container 32C faces the first electromagnetic stopper 51 through the passage 47 (first space 57). , And comes into contact with the stopper 51 to stop the rolling. Thereafter, the controller 27 moves the second electromagnetic stopper 52 into the passage 47 again. When the stopper 52 protrudes upward in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow L2 and the stopper 52 advances into the passage 47, as shown in FIG. 16, one of the containers 32C enters a first space 57 formed between the stoppers 51 and 52. To position. The controller 27 moves the stopper 52 into the passage 47 again after 1 to 5 seconds have elapsed from when the stopper 52 has left the passage 47.

 FIGS. 17 and 18 are side views of the passage 47 extending to the bottom of the stocker 13C. Fig. 18 shows that the container 32C rolls in the second space 58 and reaches the outlet 46, the first electromagnetic stopper 51 exits from the passage 47, and the second electromagnetic stopper 52 advances into the passage 47. is doing. In FIG. 17, the stopper 51 that has exited from the passage 47 is indicated by a virtual line, and the container 32C that rolls in the second space 58 is indicated by a virtual line. In FIG. 18, the stopper 51 that has advanced into the passage 47 is indicated by a virtual line. Hereinafter, the operation of the first and second electromagnetic stoppers 51 and 52 when the container 32C is taken out from the cabinet 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0068] To take out the container 32C from the cabinet 1, the take-out switch 25 is pressed to request the controller 27 to take out the container 32C. When the take-off switch 25 is pushed, the controller 27 outputs a reading signal (reading command) for the barcode 36 to the barcode reader 49 and causes the first electromagnetic stopper 51 to exit from the passage 47. State force in Fig. 17 When the stopper 51 is retracted downward in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow L3, and the stopper 51 retreats from the passage 47, the first space The container 32C located at the outlet 57 is directed to the outlet 46 and rolls in the passage 47 (second space 58), and the container 32C reaching the outlet 46 abuts against the stop plate 48 and stops its rolling. . The barcode reader 49 reads the barcode 36 of the container 32C while a part of the scanner is activated and the container 32C rolls in the second space 58. The expiration date information from the barcode reader 49 is input to the controller 27 and stored in the memory of the controller 27. The control unit of the controller 27 compares the date indicated by the timer incorporated in the controller 27 with the expiration date information of the item stored in the container 32C, and determines whether the item expiration date is outside the expiration date. When the expiration date is after the timer date (when the item stored in the container 32C is within the expiration date), the control unit outputs a reading stop signal of the barcode 36 to the barcode reader 49, An unlock signal is output to the electric lock controller 29. The electric lock controller 29 to which the unlock signal has been input cuts off the power supply to the electric lock 17 via the energization fitting. When the electric lock 17 is cut off, the tightening mechanism is activated and the door 9 is unlocked. After the door 9 is unlocked, open the door 9, take out the container 32C located at the outlet 46, and close the door 9 again.

 [0069] After removing the container 32C from the outlet 46, when the door 9 is closed and the lock switch 24 is pressed, the controller 27 outputs a lock signal to the electric lock controller 29 and the first electromagnetic stagger 51 To enter passage 47. The electric lock controller 29 to which the signal has been input causes a predetermined current to flow to the electric lock 17 via the energization fitting. The electric lock 17 has its tightening mechanism activated by energization of current, and locks the door 9. The controller 27 moves the first electromagnetic stopper 51 into the passage 47 and then moves the second electromagnetic stopper 52 out of the passage 47. When the stopper 52 retreats from the passage 47, the container 32C positioned immediately after the taken out container 32C rolls in the passage 47 (first space 57) toward the first electromagnetic stopper 51 and comes into contact with the stopper 51. The rolling stops. Thereafter, the controller 27 advances the second electromagnetic stopper 52 to the path 47 again. When the stopper 52 advances into the passage 47, one of the containers 32C is located in the first space 57.

[0070] When the expiration date is before the timer date (when the expiration date of the item stored in the container 32C has expired), the control unit of the controller 27 controls the unlocking signal with an electric lock. The sound signal that is output to the instrument 29 is output to the sound generator 10 and the lighting signal is emitted In addition to outputting to the device 11, a transmission signal of expiration information is output to the transmitter 31. In addition, a barcode 36 reading stop signal is output to the barcode reader 49. When the sound generation signal and the lighting signal are output from the controller 27, the switch circuits of the sound generator 10 and the light generator 11 are turned on, the sound generator 10 emits sound, and the light generator 11 emits light. The expiration information is modulated by the transmitter 31 to become a radio signal, transmitted to the outside via the antenna 12, and received by the external receiver 30. If the expiry date of the goods contained in the container 32C rolling in the second space 58 has expired, the electric lock 17 cannot unlock the door 9 and the door 9 cannot be opened. Container 32C cannot be removed from 1. In this case, the person in charge of the goods shall enter the specified password from the numeric keypad 26 to unlock the electric lock 17 or unlock the electric lock 17 through the key, open the door 9 and expire. After collecting the container 32C containing the items from cabinet 1, close door 9 again and press lock switch 24.

 [0071] After the manager 32 retrieves the container 32C containing the expired article from the cabinet 1, when the door 9 is closed and the lock switch 24 is pressed, the controller 27 outputs a lock signal to the electric lock controller 29. At the same time, the first electromagnetic stopper 51 is advanced into the passage 47. The electric lock controller 29 to which the signal has been input causes a predetermined current to flow through the electric lock 17 via the energizing bracket. The electric lock 17 has its tightening mechanism activated by energization of the electric current, and locks the door 9. The controller 27 advances the first electromagnetic stopper 51 into the passage 47 and then causes the second electromagnetic stopper 52 to exit from the passage 47. When the stopper 52 is withdrawn, the container 32C positioned immediately after the collected container 32C is directed toward the first electromagnetic stopper 51 and rolls in the passage 47 (first space 57), and comes into contact with the stopper 51 to rotate. The movement stops. Thereafter, the controller 27 moves the second electromagnetic stopper 52 into the passage 47 again. When the stopper 52 enters the passage 47, one of the containers 32C is located in the first space 57.

[0072] In this cabinet 1, based on the expiration date information of the article read by the barcode reader 49, the expiration date of the article contained in the container 32C in which the controller 27 rolls in the second space 58 has expired. The controller 27 outputs the unlocking signal, the door 9 is kept locked, the controller 27 outputs the sounding signal and the lighting signal, and the sound generator 10 sounds according to the sounding signal. At the same time, the light generator 11 lights up Because it emits light according to the signal, the expiration date of the articles stored in cabinet 1 can be reliably managed, and the use of expired articles from which container 32C containing the expired articles is not removed from cabinet 1 is used. Can be prevented in advance.

 [0073] When the controller 1 determines that the expiration date of the article contained in the container 32C rolling in the second space 58 is expired, the controller 27 outputs a transmission signal, and the transmitter 31 transmits. The expiration information is transmitted to the external receiver 30 according to the signal, so that the person in charge of the article management can be informed that there is a container 32C containing the expired article in the cabinet 1. The removal of expired items can be prevented in advance.

 [0074] The cabinet 1 reads the barcode 36 displayed on the container 32C while the container 32C rolls in the second space 58, so that the barcode 36 is securely attached to the barcode reader 49. It can be read, and the expiration date management of the articles contained in the container 32C can be reliably performed. In the cabinet 1, the controller 27 causes the first stopper 51 to exit from the passage 47, and each container 32C located in the first space 57 rolls in the second space 58 to face the outlet 46 for each controller. When 27 decides that the item contained in the container 32C rolling in the second space 58 is within the expiration date, it outputs an unlocking command to the electric lock 17, so the expiration date of the item is controlled for each container 32C. Can be done. In the cabinet 1, the containers 32C arranged in the stocker 13C move from the first space 57 to the second space 58 in order, and the containers 32C for which the expiration date has been determined are taken out from the cabinet 1 in order. It is possible to reliably prevent the removal of the container 32C containing the expired items that cannot be removed from the cabinet 1 at a time.

 In the cabinet 1, the antenna 12 installed on the top wall 4 can be omitted, and the sound generator 10, the light generator 11, and the transmitter 31 can be omitted. In the stocker 13B of FIG. 6, the container 32A of FIG. 2 can be used in addition to the container 32B. In the stocker 13C in FIG. 13, the container 32A in FIG. 2 and the container 32B in FIG. 7 can be used in addition to the container 32C. In addition, the cabinet 1 can be used as a constant temperature humidifier, a cool box, a warm box, and a clean box.

Claims

The scope of the claims

 [1] A door that can be locked and unlocked, and a stocker that is installed inside the door and that can store a plurality of article storage containers having a top bottom surface and a cylindrical peripheral surface, The container that has been introduced from the inlet, having an upper inlet for sequentially charging one, a lower outlet for sequentially taking out one of the containers, and a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet. Rolling in the passage and in a cabinet lined up in the stocker,

 A bar code reader that displays the expiration date information of the articles stored in the container is displayed on the outer surface of the container, and the cabinet is arranged in the vicinity of the outlet of the stocker to read the bar code of the container. And a controller that manages the expiration date of the article based on the expiration date information read by the barcode reader, and an electric lock that locks and unlocks the door based on the command of the controller.

 In the cabinet, the door is locked via the electric lock in a state where the container is stored in the stocker, and the controller passes through the barcode reader based on expiration date information from the barcode reader. When it is determined that the article contained in the container is within the expiration date, an unlocking command is output to the electric lock, and the electric lock unlocks the door according to the unlocking command. Said cabinet.

 [2] The cabinet has a sound generation device that informs the outside of the expiration date of the article stored in the container, and the controller is stored in the container based on the expiration date information of the barcode reader force. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein when the article is determined to have expired, a sound generation command is output to the sound generation device, and the sound generation device generates a sound according to the sound generation command.

 [3] The cabinet has a light generation device that notifies the outside of the expiration date of the article stored in the container, and the controller is stored in the container based on the expiration date information of the barcode reader force. The cabinet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the article is determined to have expired, a lighting command is output to the light generating device, and the light generating device emits light according to the lighting command.

[4] The cabinet externally receives information on expiration of use of the articles contained in the container. A transmitter for transmitting to the machine, and when the controller determines that the article contained in the container is expired based on the expiration date information from the barcode reader, the expiration date information is sent to the transmitter. 32. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter transmits an expiration date information to said external receiver according to said transmission command, and wherein said transmitter transmits the expiration information to said external receiver.

[5] The first stopper, which is capable of moving forward and backward in the passage and prevents rolling of the container when the passage is advanced, is in the vicinity of the outlet and has a predetermined dimension retracted from the outlet. A second stopper that is disposed at one site, can be moved forward and backward in the passage, and prevents rolling of the container when the passage is advanced, is disposed at a second portion of the passage that is retracted by a predetermined dimension from the first stopper. A first space in which the barcode reader is disposed and one of the containers enters is formed between the first stopper and the second stopper, and a second space in which the container rolls is formed in the first space. 1 formed between the stopper and the outlet

 When the bar code reader reads the bar code of the container located in the first space, the controller maintains the state in which the second stopper has advanced into the passage, and advances into the passage. The stopper is retracted from the passage, and after the container rolls the first space force toward the second space, the first stopper retracted from the passage is advanced into the passage. 4 Cabinet described in any one.

 [6] The first stopper, which is capable of moving forward and backward in the passage and prevents rolling of the container when the passage is advanced, is located in the vicinity of the outlet and is retracted by a predetermined dimension from the outlet. A second stopper that is disposed at one site, can be moved forward and backward in the passage, and prevents rolling of the container when the passage is advanced, is disposed at a second portion of the passage that is retracted by a predetermined dimension from the first stopper. A first space into which one of the containers enters is formed between the first stopper and the second stopper, and a second space in which the barcode roller is disposed and the container rolls is Formed between the first stopper and the outlet,

While the controller maintains the advanced state of the second stopper to the passage, The first stopper that advances into the passage is withdrawn from the passage, and the container located in the first space rolls out toward the first space force and the second space, and then exits from the passage. 5. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the first stopper is advanced into the passage, and the barcode reader reads the barcode of the container that rolls in the second space.

 The controller causes the second stopper that advances into the passage to exit from the passage while maintaining the advanced state of the first stopper into the passage, and the passage when the container is positioned in the first space. The cabinet according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second stopper, which has also retreated, is advanced into the passage.