WO2011154111A1

WO2011154111A1 - Self-service device for goods packs

Info

Publication number: WO2011154111A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/002722
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heiko Schnier; Christian Görner
Original assignee: Kesseböhmer Holding OHG
Priority date: 2010-06-07
Filing date: 2011-06-01
Publication date: 2011-12-15
Also published as: DE102010022873A1; EP2577625A1

Abstract

A self-service device for goods packs is intended to be arranged in the region of checkouts in supermarkets or similar retail spaces. It is thus possible to select at least one goods pack, in particular cigarette or tobacco pack, from a plurality of such packs stored in compartments, and therefore the goods pack can then be conveyed, by means of at least one delivery unit, for example from a position located beneath a cash desk. This delivery unit has a conveying apparatus which defines a horizontal conveying direction beneath the storage compartments and, in the direction of at least one vertical conveyor provided at the end of said conveying apparatus, defines a substantially arcuate transfer zone for the goods pack. The delivery unit is improved according to the invention by the provision, at least in the region of the vertical conveyor, of a conveying belt which has drivers which can be adapted to varying carry-along positions of goods packs which are to be received.

Description

Self-service device for goods packages

The invention relates to a self-service device for goods packages, for example, for placement in the area of cash registers in supermarkets o. The like. Sales rooms, according to the preamble of claim 1. The self-service device and thus the output unit is positioned below, but also outside a checkout counter.

Such self-service devices have long been known, wherein according to EP 0 311 603 B1 a dispensing device is shown in which a collecting container located above a checkout table via a displaceable in the vicinity of a checkout conveyor shaft selected goods derived by gravity from the overhead containers.

In a solution according to G 92 15 895.1, a self-service device provided as a cigarette carrier is arranged in the vicinity of the checkout zone so that the cashier can control the removal process. An extension of this system is provided in EP 0 599 164 B1, wherein the product packages are conveyed from the area of a sub-floor storage to the overhead cash desk of the cash register system. The output device, referred to as cigarette carrier, has an optional keypad by means of which the product packages located in respective shafts are selected. From these storage shafts, which are arranged in a sub-table design, the conveyor belts are used to dispense the

CONFIRMATION COPY selected goods packages shifted to the overhead treadmill of the cash register.

Even with a self-service device according to DE 10 2006 024 887.2, the goods packages are moved starting from a storage located below the cash desk by means of a plurality of conveying parts having output unit in the area of the cash register.

In a device for dispensing cigarette packs according to DE 196 04 561 A1 respective storage containers are arranged under the cash conveyor conveyor so that goods packages taken from them or their supply shafts reach a lower, horizontal conveyor belt, from there by means of a lift system up to above Cash conveyor belt are fed and then ejected. The lift system is provided with a top-side webs having conveyor belt, so that these stable webs can take over the goods packages and move vertically.

It has been shown that the conveyors located in the above-described output unit work with conveyor bars with little reliability, since jamming of the product packages can occur, in particular in the area of vertical conveying in a transfer zone, or they are damaged by the bars.

The invention is concerned with the problem of providing a self-service device for dispensing goods packages in the area of a cash register, which with Low technical effort allows a fast discharge of product packages in the area of the dispensing unit, this is adaptable to different sizes of product packages with little effort and thereby in the vertical conveyor shaft a reliable effective entrainment system is effective with the unwanted clamping situations or damage to the product packages are safely avoided ,

The invention solves this problem with a self-service device with the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the claims 2 to 17.

The self-service device is constructed in the region of its output unit so that at least the vertical conveyor is provided in accordance with the invention with a revolving conveyor whose entrained in the region of horizontally displaced packages pack in the region of an optimized transfer zone allow trouble-free item detection. For this purpose, the drivers are structurally designed so that an adaptation to varying entrainment positions of horizontally transferred to the transfer zone and here to be taken over goods packages is possible and these are taken without damaging and damage from a horizontal conveying direction in a vertical conveying direction or deflected.

It has been found that in accordance with the horizontal feed rate of the conveyor, the size and / or weight of the product packages in the field the arcuate transfer zone can vary the respectively achieved driving positions. As a result, the previously known "rigid" driver (DE 196 04 561 A1) in their movement along the transfer zone in an unfavorable support position on the goods package arrive and create a "clamping situation", such that damage to the product packages may occur as a result and / or an unwanted stop signal to be triggered at the output device in order to prevent conceivable damage to the conveyor.

The inventive design of the variably adaptive driver provides that these are provided in one or more parts with a structure that can perform a "Meidbewegung" in the above-described impact phase on a - currently advanced into the transfer zone - goods package, so that this driver is moved without damage on this next ready for conveying commodity pack away. In this case, even a small driving force can cause a short path of travel for the goods package, such that a subsequent driver of the vertical conveyor causes by rear contact with the "optimally positioned" product package their further transport in the space between two adjacent driver.

In the simplest embodiment now drivers are provided which consist at least partially of a flexurally elastic material. In this "resilient" driver is the above-described "Meidbewegung" in a relatively unfavorable feed position of the goods packages -. Within the sheet contour of the transfer zone - and the flexurally elastic material is used in the Moving the conveyor belt back into the corresponding "radial orientation". At the same time - when reaching the end-side abutment position on one of the product packages - optimally aligned driver sufficiently rigid, so that the effect of the vertical feed acceleration of the goods package causes a comparatively small deflection of the driver, this optimally reaches into the area of an upper ejection part and on a substantially tangential trajectory is discharged.

It is understood that instead of the "bending elastic Meidbewegung" effecting bristle driver may also be provided drivers, which have a movable with a push, folding and / or pendulum movement of the goods package movable part of the system.

Further details and advantageous effects will become apparent from the following description and the drawing, in which an embodiment of the object of the invention is illustrated in more detail. In the drawing show:

1 is a partially opened self-service device in the area of a cash register system,

1 in the region of an output unit with horizontal conveyor and transfer zone to a vertical conveyor, Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 2 with a

Goods package in insertion situation in the transfer zone

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 with the goods package in a driving position in the transfer zone, and

Fig. 5 is a side view similar to FIG. 4 with a vertical transport situation of a product package by means of a driver.

In Fig. 1, a generally designated 1 self-service device in the area of a cash register, not shown in supermarkets o. The like. Showrooms is shown. Such self-service devices 1 (DE 10 2005 024 887) are provided with a storage unit 2, which has compartments formed as shaft modules 3 for storage with the product packages P. These provided in particular in the form of cigarette or tobacco packs packages P can be selected via a selector, not shown, so that thereafter the product package P can be fed from a position located below a checkout 4 location by means of at least one output unit 5 in the area of the cash register. This output unit 5 has, below the storage compartment 3 designed as respective shaft modules, a conveying device 6 defining a horizontal conveying direction, which cooperates with a vertical conveyor 7. Starting from the horizontal conveyor 6, it is known that these are at least one towards the vertical conveyor 7 toward a substantially arcuate transfer zone Z defined for the goods packages P.

The concept according to the invention of the dispensing unit 5 integrated in the self-service device 1 provides that it has a conveyor belt 8 at least in the region of the vertical conveyor 7, with at least one or (as shown) with several product packages P 'to be taken over at respectively varying take-off positions. Fig. 3) customizable drivers 9, 9 ', 9 "is provided.

The less interference-prone system of goods delivery is based on constructive changes, such that the product packages P can assume different feed positions starting from the horizontal conveyor 6 in the transfer zone Z corresponding to the respective funding phase in the conveying direction A while the adjustable driver 9 can react accordingly. From the sequence of the conveying situation according to FIGS. 3 to 5, it follows that the goods package P is individually grasped by respective carriers 9 ', thereby producing a driving position (FIG. 4) and only then the goods package P by means of the next carrier 9 "vertically (Arrow C) can be displaced (Fig. 5).

From the movement situation according to FIG. 3, it becomes clear that the carrier 9 ', which can be swiveled to one of the product packages P in a first investment phase, has an abutment structure which can be displaced at least in regions opposite to the conveying direction C of the vertical conveyor 7, such that the "meidic motion "(Subareas B and B ') is possible. To exploit these meidewe The drivers 9 are each at least partially made of flexurally elastic material, wherein in the illustrated embodiment according to FIG. 3, the use of brush webs B as a particularly efficient execution is clear. These brush webs B can be "pivoted" in the support phase in the direction indicated by B 'position.

In this edition phase B ', the horizontal feed motion A can be done together with the pivoting movement C of the driver 9 ", so that the product package P is gently moved into the feed zone Z and thereby on the feed sheet D to D' the respective brush webs B and B ' according to the speed (arrow C) runs along or is moved forward.

In another embodiment, not shown, it is conceivable to carry out the carriers in the form of respective plant parts which can be displaced relative to the product package P by a pushing, folding and / or oscillating movement. It is also conceivable to provide a multi-part constructions with corresponding "flexibility" in place of the substantially one-piece brush webs B provided driver 9.

From the movement situation according to FIG. 5, it becomes clear that the carriers 9, 9 ', 9 ", 9'" are supported on the back of the goods packages P in each case - and thus the vertical ones - in a take-up phase achieved with a "second" contact position of the carrier 9 " At the same time, it becomes clear that the carriers 9, which consist of flexurally elastic material, in their "radial" transport position (FIG. 5) have a corresponding conveying position (as shown in arrow C) as far as an upper ejection region 10. Have rigid loads by the weight of the product packages P, wherein the respective degree of stiffness can be optimized according to the particular dependent on the weight of the product package P transport conditions.

The output unit 5 with the also optimized in number of carriers 9 (in the example shown: five drivers on the vertical conveyor 7) can be provided with adjustable displacement speeds causing both in the area of the horizontal conveyor 6 and in the region of the carrier 9 having vertical conveyor 7 , With these, the speed of the self-service operation can be optimized so that with minimal damage to the goods packages P their displacement is achieved for ejection 10 out. It is conceivable that the feed rate (arrow C) of the vertical conveyor 7 is higher than the feed rate (arrow A) of the horizontal conveyor belt 6. It is also conceivable that both conveyors 6, 7 are operated at the same feed rate.

For optimum conveying of the product package P (FIG. 5), the respective carriers 9 are designed such that the "accelerated" product package P can be moved in an adjacent manner along an inner wall 1 of the vertical shaft region 12 and is thereby displaced in a sliding manner. Thus, a movement path (arrow E, Fig. 1) is achieved, which extends in the region of the upper ejection 10 substantially horizontally, and thus dropping the packages of goods P on the located in the deflection strand T of the conveyor belt 8 is safely avoided. It is understood that, as a result of the conveying speed C, the respective product package P is thus is accelerated (arrow E) that in the area of the ejection 10 a chute o. The like. Aids are unnecessary. The ejected product packages P can be braked by a schematically illustrated catch element 14, wherein in this area, the arrangement of an over a discharge conveyor 15 reaching away ejector bridge (not shown) may be provided.

In a further embodiment of the transfer zone Z of the horizontal conveyor 6 to the vertical conveyor 7 out, it is provided that the corresponding shaft wall 12 is provided in this area with a Reibmindernden coating R (Fig. 2). This friction-reducing coating R can already be achieved by providing the shaft wall 12, 12 'with a coating, at least in the transfer zone Z. It is also conceivable that in the transfer zone Z effecting the deflection of the product package P a Teflon plate or the like is arranged as a friction-reducing coating R plastic part.

Claims

claims

1. self-service device (1) for packaged goods (P), for example, for arrangement in the area of cash registers in supermarkets o. The like. Salesrooms, wherein from a plurality of in trays (3) stocked product packages (P), in particular cigarette or tobacco packs, at least one is selectable and then the goods package (P), for example, from a below a cash desk (4) located location, by means of at least one output unit (5) z. B. in the area of the cash register system can be supplied, said output unit (5) has a below each formed as a shaft modules supply compartments 3 a horizontal conveying direction (A) defining conveyor (6) to at least one end provided on this vertical conveyor ( 7) towards a substantially arcuate transfer zone (Z) defined for the goods packages (P), characterized in that the output unit (5) at least in the region of the vertical conveyor (7) has a conveyor belt (8), the driver (9, 9 ', 9 ") are adaptable to varying take-off positions of goods packages (P) to be accepted.

2. Self-service device according to claim 1, characterized in that the goods packages (P) starting from the horizontal conveyor (A) each have different feed positions (D, D ') in the transfer zone (Z), of the respective drivers (9, 9' , 9 ", 9"') are individually detectable, while the driving position is generated and then the goods package (P) vertically (arrow C) is displaced.

3. Self-service device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in a first investment phase to one of the goods packages (P) zoom-in driver (9, 9 ', 9 ", 9'") at least partially against the conveying direction (C, C ) of the vertical conveyor (7) has displaceable investment structure.

4. Self-service device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the respectively the goods packages (P) detected and then in the vertical conveying phase (C) to the upper ejection (10) towards supporting driver (9, 9 ', 9 " , 9 '") at least partially consists of flexurally elastic material.

5. Self-service device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that as a driver (9, 9 ', 9 ", 9"') respective brush webs (B) are provided.

6. Self-service device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that as a driver (9, 9 ', 9 ", 9'") with a thrust, folding and / or pendulum movement of the goods package (P) wegbewegbares investment part is provided.

7. Self-service device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the driver (9, 9 ', 9 ", 9"') is designed in several parts.

8. Self-service device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the drivers (9, 9 ', 9 ", 9'") in a at a second contact position (D ') on the goods package (P) reached take-charge phase the goods packages (P) each back support.

9. Self-service device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the output unit (5) in the region of its horizontal conveyor (6) and the driver (9, 9 ', 9 ", 9'") having vertical conveyor (7) each with adjustable displacement speeds on each packaged goods (P) act.

10. Self-service device according to claim 9, characterized in that the feed rate of the vertical conveyor (7) is higher than the feed rate of the horizontal conveyor belt (6).

11. Self-service device according to claim 9, characterized in that the two conveyors (6, 7) have the same feed rate.

12. Self-service device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the drivers (9, 9 ', 9 ", 9'") at least partially along an inner wall (1) of the vertical shaft region (12) of the vertical conveyor (7) slidably are relocatable.

13. Self-service device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that in the transfer zone (Z) of the horizontal conveyor (6) to the vertical conveyor (7) has a shaft wall (12) Reibmindern forming coating (R) is provided.

14. Self-service device according to claim 13, characterized in that the shaft wall (12 ') in the transfer zone (Z) is provided with a coating.

15. Self-service device according to claim 13, characterized in that in the deflection (C) of the goods package (P) causing transfer zone (Z) a Teflon plate o. The like. Plastic part is provided as Reibmindernder coating (R).

16. Self-service device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the vertical conveyor (7) in a above the lower transfer zone (Z) formed Bandumlenkbereich (T) with a cash conveyor belt (4) cross-spout is provided.

17. Self-service device according to claim 16, characterized in that in the area of the discharge bridge an accelerated to the ejection (10)

(Arrow E) goods packages decelerating catch element (14) is provided.