WO2023148978A1 - Sanitary article provision dispenser - Google Patents

Sanitary article provision dispenser Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023148978A1
WO2023148978A1 PCT/JP2022/004718 JP2022004718W WO2023148978A1 WO 2023148978 A1 WO2023148978 A1 WO 2023148978A1 JP 2022004718 W JP2022004718 W JP 2022004718W WO 2023148978 A1 WO2023148978 A1 WO 2023148978A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
discharge
sanitary
dispenser
unit
sanitary goods
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2022/004718
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
大一 小村
Original Assignee
オイテル株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by オイテル株式会社 filed Critical オイテル株式会社
Priority to JP2022510112A priority Critical patent/JP7075553B1/en
Priority to PCT/JP2022/004718 priority patent/WO2023148978A1/en
Priority to JP2022079481A priority patent/JP7174878B1/en
Publication of WO2023148978A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023148978A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/42—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked
    • A47K10/44—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked with mechanical dispensing means for prehension of the next sheet to be dispensed
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sanitary product dispensing dispenser that is suitably installed, for example, in a restroom and for dispensing sanitary products such as sanitary products and tissue paper.
  • menstrual blood varies from day to day, but if menstrual products with menstrual blood are left for a long time, it may cause bacteria to grow, and may cause stuffiness and odor. Therefore, during the menstrual period, it is usually necessary to replace the sanitary product once every 2 to 3 hours.
  • Non-Patent Document 1 As a means to dispel such anxiety and provide sanitary products to women who need them, dispensers containing sanitary products can be mentioned, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1.
  • dispensers are installed in private rooms in women's restrooms so that female employees who do not have sanitary products because their period comes earlier than expected can freely use sanitary products. Some companies are doing so.
  • the sanitary napkins are usually stored inside the dispenser, and when the sanitary napkins are taken out, they are discharged one by one from the inside, so that the sanitary napkins are not touched by an unspecified number of people. . Therefore, the person who wants to use the sanitary product can use the sanitary product without any discomfort.
  • this type of dispenser discharges sanitary products one by one according to the operation of the person who wishes to use it, but there is no limit to the number of sanitary products. Therefore, by repeating the operation many times, any number of sanitary products can be taken out.
  • the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a sanitary product capable of preventing unlimited provision of sanitary products so as to reliably provide sanitary products to users who desire to use them.
  • the object is to provide a dispenser for
  • the present invention takes the following measures.
  • the sanitary product providing dispenser of the first aspect of the present invention is a sanitary product providing dispenser for providing sanitary products to a user, comprising a storage portion for storing the sanitary products, and a a discharge part for discharging the sanitary goods stored in the container from the storage part; and when there is a request for provision of the sanitary goods from the user, the discharge part is operated so as to discharge the sanitary goods if the request is valid. and a control unit.
  • the second aspect of the present invention is a sanitary product providing dispenser, in the first aspect of the sanitary product providing dispenser, further comprising a discharge sensor for detecting the sanitary products discharged from the storage section.
  • a sanitary product dispenser is the sanitary product dispenser according to the second aspect, wherein the control unit operates the discharge unit while the discharge sensor detects the discharge of the sanitary products. Subsequently, when the discharge is no longer detected, the operation of the discharge unit is stopped.
  • a fourth aspect of the present invention is a dispenser for providing sanitary products, in the dispenser for providing sanitary products according to the third aspect, wherein the control unit adjusts the duration during which the discharge of the sanitary products is detected by the discharge sensor to the first If it is longer than the predetermined time, the operation of the ejector is stopped.
  • a sanitary product dispenser is the sanitary product dispenser according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a drive unit that provides driving force for operating the discharge unit. , the control unit operates the drive unit when operating the discharge unit.
  • a sixth aspect of the present invention is a dispenser for providing sanitary products, in the dispenser for providing sanitary products according to the fifth aspect, wherein the driving section is a stepping motor, the discharging section is rotated by the driving force from the stepping motor, It is a discharge roller for discharging sanitary goods from the storage part.
  • the driving section is a stepping motor
  • the discharging section is rotated by the driving force from the stepping motor
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the sixth aspect, wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of sanitary products in a stacked state. Among the plurality of sanitary products, the lowest sanitary product is ejected in the ejection direction by forward rotation of the ejection roller.
  • the sanitary product providing dispenser of the eighth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser of the seventh aspect, wherein the sanitary product providing dispenser is placed on the highest sanitary product among the plurality of sanitary products stored in the storage unit. Have a weight to hold it.
  • a ninth aspect of the present invention is a dispenser for providing sanitary products, in the dispenser for providing sanitary products according to the seventh or eighth aspect, when the discharge roller discharges the sanitary goods from the storage section, the stepping motor causes the discharge roller provides a driving force to the ejection roller to reversely rotate the at a first predetermined amount.
  • a tenth aspect of the present invention is a dispenser for providing sanitary products, in the dispenser for providing sanitary products according to the ninth aspect, when the discharge roller discharges the sanitary goods from the storage portion, the stepping motor moves the discharge roller to the second position. After rotating in the reverse direction by a predetermined amount, a driving force is provided to the discharge roller to rotate it in the forward direction.
  • the sanitary product providing dispenser of the eleventh aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser of the tenth aspect, wherein the first predetermined amount is larger than the second predetermined amount.
  • a sanitary product dispenser is the sanitary product dispenser according to any one of the sixth to eleventh aspects, wherein the stepping motor and the discharge roller are arranged below the storage section. .
  • a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a dispenser for providing sanitary products, wherein in the dispenser for providing sanitary products according to any one of the sixth to twelfth aspects, the surface of the discharge roller is provided with a high-friction material that facilitates discharge of the sanitary products. to place.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is a sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein an inventory for grasping the amount of sanitary products stored in the storage unit is provided. A sensor is provided.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, further comprising a display section for displaying an image.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the image is an advertisement and the sanitary product is purchased using the advertisement fee as a fund.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, further comprising a human sensor. to start displaying.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is a sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the fifteenth to seventeenth aspects, wherein an inventory for grasping the amount of sanitary products stored in the storage unit is provided. A sensor is further provided, and the result of grasping by the inventory sensor is displayed on the display unit.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser of a nineteenth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser of the first aspect, in which there are two storage units and two discharge units, and the first storage unit of the two storage units and the , and the first discharge section of the two discharge sections constitute a first system, and the second discharge section of the two storage sections and the second discharge section of the two discharge sections constitute a first system. constitutes the second system, and the control unit alternately operates the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit when operating the discharge units.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the nineteenth aspect, comprising: a first discharge sensor for detecting sanitary products discharged from the first storage; and a second discharge sensor for detecting sanitary products discharged from the storage portion of the container.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the twentieth aspect, wherein the controller controls the first continue to operate the first discharge unit, and when discharge is no longer detected, stop the operation of the first discharge unit, and operate the second discharge unit while the discharge of the sanitary goods is detected by the second discharge sensor. and when this ejection is no longer detected, the operation of the second ejector is stopped.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the twenty-first aspect, wherein the controller determines that the duration during which the discharge of the sanitary products is detected by the first discharge sensor is if longer than the first predetermined time, then the operation of the first ejector is deactivated and the second ejector is activated instead, and the duration of the sanitary product ejection being detected by the second ejection sensor. , is longer than the first predetermined time, the second ejector is deactivated and the first ejector is activated instead.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the nineteenth to twenty-second aspects, further comprising a display section for displaying an image.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the twenty-third aspect, wherein when the operation of the first ejection part or the second ejection part is stopped, the stopped ejection The system to which the part belongs is displayed from the display part.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the first to twenty-fourth aspects, wherein when the sanitary products are discharged from the storage unit, the plurality of sanitary products are simultaneously dispensed. It further comprises a control part for adjusting the height of the discharge port through which the sanitary goods are discharged so as not to be discharged.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the twenty-fifth aspect, wherein the adjusting portion is detachable, and a plurality of adjusting portions are present according to the height. , based on the thickness of the sanitary goods stored in the storage portion, and is worn.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the first to twenty-sixth aspects, wherein the control unit, from the most recent time when the sanitary product is provided to the user, If at least one of the second predetermined time period has elapsed and/or the number of sanitary products provided to the user during the predetermined period has not reached the predetermined number, then the request is valid. Determine that there is.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the first to twenty-seventh aspects, wherein the sanitary product is a sanitary napkin.
  • sanitary goods device dispenser of the present invention unlimited provision of sanitary goods can be prevented, so it is possible to reliably provide sanitary goods to users who wish to use them.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the outline of the dispenser according to this embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the dispenser.
  • 3 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing the internal structure of the dispenser with the sanitary napkin stored in the storage portion;
  • FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in this embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 illustrating a cylindrical discharge roller.
  • FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of an adjustment plate.
  • FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage portion when the sanitary product is discharged.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example electronic circuit configuration of the dispenser.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a history information table.
  • FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom surface of the storage unit (when the sanitary napkins are stacked) for explaining the discharge mechanism of the dispenser in this embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section (when the sanitary napkin has been completely discharged) for explaining the discharge mechanism of the dispenser in this embodiment.
  • FIG. 12 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing the internal structure of the dispenser with sanitary napkins stored in the storage portion (when inventory is reduced).
  • FIG. 13A is a processing flow diagram illustrating an operation example of the dispenser according to this embodiment.
  • FIG. 13B is a processing flow diagram illustrating an operation example of the dispenser according to this embodiment.
  • FIG. 13A is a processing flow diagram illustrating an operation example of the dispenser according to this embodiment.
  • FIG. 13B is a processing flow diagram illustrating an operation example of the dispenser according to this embodiment.
  • FIG. 13A
  • FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism in Modification 1.
  • FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 2.
  • FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the dispensing mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 3.
  • FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 4.
  • FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 2.
  • FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the dispensing mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 3.
  • FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 4.
  • a sanitary product providing dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
  • the sanitary product dispensing dispenser is hereinafter simply referred to as the "dispenser" in this specification.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the outer shape of the dispenser according to this embodiment.
  • the dispenser 10 is a device that stores sanitary products inside the housing 11 and discharges the stored sanitary products from discharge ports 13R and 13L in response to requests from users.
  • sanitary products S such as napkins and tampons are suitable. Therefore, in the following description, the sanitary product S is used as an example of sanitary products. Accordingly, a dispenser 10 is installed in each cubicle of the women's restroom, as illustrated in FIG.
  • the sanitary goods handled by the dispenser 10 according to the present embodiment are not limited to sanitary goods S, and any thin and soft material such as tissue paper can be handled in the same manner as sanitary goods.
  • the housing 11 of the dispenser 10 is composed of a housing body 11a and a front lid 11b that closes the housing body 11a.
  • a display 12 two outlets 13R and 13L, a user information reader 16 such as a card reader, and a human sensor 14 are provided on the outer surface of the front lid 11b.
  • a key 15 is provided on the outer surface of the housing body 11a.
  • the housing body 11a When the dispenser 10 is in operation, the housing body 11a is closed by the front lid 11b, and the front lid 11b is locked with a key 15 so that the front lid 11b cannot be opened.
  • the dispenser 10 has a structure for storing the sanitary product S inside, so that the sanitary product S can be managed so that it cannot be touched by someone or taken out without restriction.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the dispenser.
  • the internal structure of the dispenser 10 is housed within a housing 11 that can be opened and closed.
  • the dispenser 10 can open the housing 11 as illustrated in FIG.
  • the housing 11 is opened by unlocking the key 15 .
  • Two storage units 21R and 21L with the same specifications are arranged side by side inside the housing body 11a.
  • the storage units 21R and 21L are spaces for storing sanitary products S provided by the dispenser 10. As shown in FIG.
  • the storage part 21R is demarcated between a pair of upright partition plates 20Rl and 20Rr provided in parallel and facing each other.
  • the storage portion 21L is also defined between a pair of upright partition plates 20Ll and 20Lr provided in parallel and facing each other.
  • FIG. 3 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing the internal structure of the dispenser with the sanitary product stored in the storage portion.
  • the sanitary napkins S are stored in a layered manner inside the storage sections 21R and 21L. Therefore, both the distance between the partition plates 20Rl and 20Rr, that is, the width hr of the storage portion 21R, and the distance between the partition plates 20Ll and 20Lr, that is, the width hl of the storage portion 21L, both It is adjusted to a size that can be stored.
  • sanitary products S can be stored in each of the storage section 21R and the storage section 21L having such a configuration.
  • a weight m of about 100 grams is placed on the sanitary products S stacked at the top.
  • the dispenser 10 dispenses the sanitary product S positioned at the bottom among the sanitary products S stored in the storage units 21R and 21L with the bottom surfaces of the storage units 21R and 21L. It is discharged from discharge ports 13R and 13L provided at approximately the same height.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates two ejection rollers 30R exposed from a portion of the bottom surface of the storage portion 21R and two ejection rollers 30L exposed from a portion of the bottom surface of the storage portion 21L.
  • the sanitary product S positioned at the bottom moves to the front side of the dispenser 10 (the front side in FIG. 3).
  • the silicon rubber on the surface of the discharge roller 30 by wrapping the silicon rubber around the outer periphery of the discharge roller 30 . Since silicone rubber has a high coefficient of static friction, it ensures and facilitates the movement of the lowermost sanitary product S when the ejection roller 30 rotates in the positive direction.
  • FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in this embodiment.
  • the discharge roller 30 rotates by receiving the driving force from the stepping motor 32 .
  • a stepping motor 32 is directly connected to the ejection roller 30 . Therefore, the stepper motor 32 is also arranged below the housing 21, as shown back in FIG.
  • the discharge direction E corresponds to the front side of the dispenser 10 (the front side in FIG. 3).
  • the discharge roller 30 rotates in the reverse direction, so that the lowest sanitary product S1 rotates in the discharge direction E. It moves in the non-ejection direction G, which is the opposite direction.
  • the non-discharging direction G corresponds to the back side of the dispenser 10 (the back side in FIG. 3).
  • the depth size of the housing 11 can be made as thin as possible. Thinning is very preferable from the viewpoint of not narrowing the limited space of the toilet, particularly the distance between the user and the dispenser 10 in the toilet more than necessary. This is because even when the user uses the toilet in which the dispenser 10 is arranged, the user can use the toilet very naturally without feeling oppressed.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3, exemplifying a cylindrical discharge roller.
  • the discharge roller 30 is not limited in its configuration as long as it can move the lowest sanitary product S in the discharge direction E or the non-discharge direction G, and is a three-wheel type discharge roller as shown in FIG. Instead of the rollers 30, for example, as shown in FIG.
  • the operating sound of the stepping motor 32 is very small, even when the stepping motor 32 is operating when the sanitary product S is discharged from the dispenser 10, the operating sound is hardly audible, so the dispenser 10 is used. The person in the next room won't even notice that you're inside.
  • the thickness of the sanitary product S varies depending on the manufacturer and brand. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the opening height Tb of the discharge port 13 is determined to be larger than the thickness of the thickest brand of sanitary napkin S so that any brand of sanitary napkin S can pass through.
  • the sanitary product S is discharged from the discharge port 13 having an opening height Tb higher than the thickness, particularly when the sanitary product S of a thin brand is discharged, in the example shown in FIG. Not only the sanitary product S1, but also the sanitary product S2 stacked on top of the lowest sanitary product S1 is discharged at the same time.
  • the adjustment plate 23 is arranged in front of the discharge port 13 (discharge direction E side).
  • FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of the adjustment plate.
  • the adjustment plate 23 is realized by a gate-like plate and has an opening J with a height I determined according to each brand of sanitary product S. By arranging such an adjustment plate 23 in front of the discharge port 13 (on the discharge direction E side), only one sanitary product S can be reliably discharged regardless of the brand. Therefore, two sanitary products S (for example, sanitary products S1 and S2) do not pass through the opening J at the same time, so discharge clogging does not occur.
  • a plurality of types of such adjustment plates 23 are prepared according to each brand of sanitary product S. Further, the adjustment plate 23 is attachable and detachable in front of the discharge port 13 of the dispenser 10 (discharge direction E side).
  • an appropriate adjustment plate 23 is selected from among a plurality of types of adjustment plates 23 according to the brand of the sanitary product S stored in the storage portion 21 , and the selected adjustment plate 23 is placed in front of the discharge port 13 . to be placed.
  • the adjustment plate 23 is detachable, when the sanitary product S stored in the storage part 21 changes to another brand, the adjustment plate 23 can be easily replaced with another suitable adjustment plate 23 accordingly. be able to.
  • the height Tb of the discharge port 13 is not changed, that is, the main body of the dispenser 10 is not modified, and only the adjusting plate 23 is replaced. , only one sanitary product S can be reliably discharged at a time.
  • an anti-theft lid 24 that closes the opening J of the adjustment plate 23 from the outside of the dispenser 10 is arranged in front of the adjustment plate 23 .
  • the anti-theft lid 24 does not move even if it is pushed from the right side to the left side in FIG.
  • it is configured such that it cannot be pulled to the right side in FIG. 4 from the outside of the dispenser 10 . Therefore, even if a malicious user attempts to steal the sanitary napkin S stored in the dispenser 10 by inserting his/her hand or tools into the storage portion 21 side through the outlet 13, he or she cannot do so.
  • the anti-theft lid 24 is designed to open freely against pressure from the inside of the dispenser 10 . Therefore, discharge of the sanitary product S from the storage portion 21 is not hindered. This will be described with reference to FIG.
  • FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage portion when the sanitary product is discharged.
  • the anti-theft lid 24 when the anti-theft lid 24 is pressed from the inside by the sanitary product S1 moving in the discharge direction E due to the rotation of the discharge roller 30 in the forward rotation direction D, the anti-theft lid 24 opens as shown in FIG. S1 is discharged outside the dispenser 10 .
  • Such anti-theft lid 24 can prevent the sanitary product S from being stolen from outside the dispenser 10 without hindering discharge of the sanitary product S from the dispenser 10 .
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electronic circuit configuration example of the dispenser.
  • the dispenser 10 further includes, as electronic circuits, a CPU 42, a recording medium reading section 44, a communication section 45, a memory 50, and a storage device 60, which are connected to each other via a bus 41.
  • a CPU 42 central processing unit
  • a recording medium reading section 44 a recording medium reading section 44
  • a communication section 45 a memory 50
  • a storage device 60 which are connected to each other via a bus 41.
  • an inventory sensor 22 and a discharge sensor 25 which will be described later, are also connected to the bus 41 .
  • the memory 50 stores a control program 51 and secures a writable data area 52 .
  • the communication unit 45 can communicate with the management server 300, an advertisement server (not shown), etc. via a communication network 200 such as the Internet.
  • the control program 51 is a program for controlling the entire operation of the dispenser 10, and may be stored in advance in the memory 50, or may be read from an external recording medium 43 such as a memory card via the recording medium reading section 44. It may be read and stored in the memory 50 .
  • the control program 51 cannot be rewritten by a user's operation.
  • the writable data area 52 is an area for storing rewritable data.
  • the CPU 42 is a computer and controls the operation of each part of the circuit according to the control program 51 stored in the memory 50 .
  • the storage device 60 is composed of, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores an image data storage section 62 .
  • SSD Solid State Drive
  • HDD Hard Disk Drive
  • the image data storage unit 62 stores image data such as video or still images for explaining advertisements from sponsors and how to use the dispenser 10 .
  • the image data is displayed from the display 12.
  • the image data is displayed for about two minutes each time the user enters the private toilet room, and is not displayed longer than that. This prevents the user from staring at the image data displayed on the display 12 and unintentionally staying in the restroom for a long time.
  • the length of the image data is, for example, about 15 seconds.
  • the types of image data are assumed to be about two types, for example, an advertisement and an explanation of how to use the dispenser 10 . That is, when displaying image data from the display 12, two types of image data, each of which is about 15 seconds long, are repeatedly displayed for two minutes.
  • the external recording medium 43 in which the new image data is recorded is read by the recording medium reading unit 44 and written in the image data storage unit 62.
  • the communication unit 45 acquires image data from the management server 300, an advertisement server (not shown), or the like via a communication network 200 such as the Internet, and stores the acquired image data in the image data storage unit 62. may be done by writing to
  • the display 12, the human sensor 14, and the user information reader 16 are provided on the outer surface of the front lid 11b, as shown in FIG.
  • the human sensor 14 is realized by, for example, an infrared sensor, detects a user who has entered the private room of the toilet, and outputs a detection signal A.
  • the output sensing signal A is sent to memory 50 via bus 41 .
  • the control program 51 causes the display 12 to start displaying the image data stored in the image data storage unit 62 in response to the sensing signal A being sent to the memory 50 .
  • the communication unit 45 may be used to receive advertisement image data distributed from an advertisement server (not shown) via the communication network 200, and display of the received advertisement image data on the display 12 may be started. .
  • the dispenser 10 can display advertisements from the display 12, the business that provides the sanitary napkins S through the dispenser 10 solicits advertising sponsors and displays the advertisements from the display 12 to obtain advertising revenue.
  • the dispenser 10 can display advertisements from the display 12 to obtain advertising revenue.
  • the method by which the user requests the supply of the sanitary product S to the dispenser 10 is not particularly limited in the present specification. (reading method), or a dedicated application AP is installed in the user device 151 such as a smart phone, and this dedicated application AP can be used via the management server 300 (application method).
  • the user can input user information from the user information reading unit 16 by either a non-contact method or a contact method.
  • the user information reading unit 16 is an NFC-compatible receiver, and the user uses an NFC-compatible card 150 (for example, a transportation card, an identification card such as an employee ID card or a student ID card, an IC card such as a credit card, a cash card, etc.). ) or the user device 151 (eg, smart phone) over the user information reading unit 16 .
  • the user information reading unit 16 reads information j (for example, card number, device number, etc.) from the NFC compatible card 150 or the user device 151 .
  • the user information reading unit 16 outputs the read information j to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj. In this way, when NFC technology is applied, not only the NFC compatible card 150 but also the user device 151 such as a smart phone can be used.
  • contactless user information input is the application of wireless technologies such as beacons and RFID.
  • the user information reader 16 When using a beacon, the user information reader 16 is used as a beacon receiver, and the user brings the beacon device 152 that transmits the beacon ID closer to the user information reader 16 .
  • the user information reading unit 16 receives the beacon identification information ID and outputs the received beacon identification information ID to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
  • the user information reading unit 16 When using RFID, the user information reading unit 16 is an RFID reader, and the user brings the RFID tag 153 close to the user information reading unit 16.
  • the user information reading unit 16 receives the RFID identification information id, and outputs the received RFID identification information id to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
  • the contactless method is the use of the QR code (registered trademark) 154.
  • the user information reading section 16 is a QR code reader, and the user causes the user information reading section 16 to read the QR code 154 embedded with predetermined information.
  • User information reading unit 16 acquires predetermined information q from QR code 154 and outputs this predetermined information q to memory 50 via bus 41 as user information uj.
  • the user information reading unit 16 is assumed to be a biometric authentication device.
  • the biometric authentication device authenticates the biometric information r of the user U, and outputs the authenticated biometric information r to the memory 50 as user information uj.
  • biometric information r include fingerprints, hand geometry, retina, iris, face, and vein pattern.
  • the user U faces the user information reading unit 16 .
  • the user information reading unit 16 acquires facial feature information, and outputs this facial feature information to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
  • the user information reading section 16 is a magnetic reader, and the user causes the user information reading section 16 to read the magnetic card 155 . Then, the user information reading unit 16 acquires magnetic information p such as a card number from the magnetic card 155 and outputs this magnetic information p to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
  • the user information reading section 16 is a fingerprint reader, and the user U places his finger on the user information reading section 16 . Then, the user information reading unit 16 reads the fingerprint information v and outputs the fingerprint information v to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as the user information uj.
  • the contact method is the use of non-NFC compatible IC cards.
  • the user information reading unit 16 is an IC card reader, and the user can read card information such as a card number stored in the IC card. w is read by the user information reading unit 16 . The user information reading unit 16 outputs this card information w to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
  • the control program 51 recognizes the user information uj as the provision request C.
  • the user When making a provision request C for sanitary products S using an application, the user must first install a dedicated application AP on his or her user device 151 such as a smartphone or tablet.
  • the method of installing the dedicated application AP is not particularly limited.
  • the user is notified by attaching a sticker printed with (for example, a QR code (registered trademark) or a bar code) to the housing 11 or by displaying information indicating this site on the display 12 .
  • a sticker printed with for example, a QR code (registered trademark) or a bar code
  • the user uses his/her own user device 151 to access the site, download the dedicated application AP, and install it.
  • the user After installing the dedicated application AP, the user can request the provision of sanitary products S after performing user registration by inputting user information uj from the user device 151 according to the dedicated application AP.
  • the dedicated application management server 300 In response to this request, the dedicated application management server 300 generates a provision request C based on the user information uj, and the generated provision request C is transmitted via the communication network 200 and received by the communication unit 45. , is output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 .
  • the control program 51 determines the validity of these provision requests C. For this purpose, the control program 51 first outputs the provision request C together with the dispenser identification number d assigned to the dispenser 10 from the communication unit 45 to the management server 300 via the communication network 200 for storage.
  • the supply request C is output to the management server 300 from all the dispensers 10 together with the dispenser identification information d.
  • the provision request C includes user information uj.
  • the control program 51 transmits OK information indicating that the provision has been completed via the communication unit 45. It is sent to server 300 .
  • control program 51 determines that the provision request C is not valid, or when the sanitary product S is not provided due to a malfunction of the dispenser 10 or the like, the control program 51 causes the communication unit 45 to NG information indicating non-provision is sent to the management server 300 via the
  • the management server 300 includes the time t when the provision request C was transmitted, the user information uj corresponding to the provision request C, the dispenser identification information d of the dispenser 10 as the transmission source, It is possible to manage a history information table 310 that accumulates records R consisting of a status sa of provided or not provided.
  • the control program 51 accesses the management server 300 via the communication unit 45, refers to the history information table 310 managed by the management server 300, and determines the validity of the provision request C.
  • the criteria for judging the appropriateness are, but not limited to, a predetermined period of time (for example, two hours) from the time when the sanitary product S was most recently provided to the user who made the provision request C. If so, the request is determined to be valid (first criterion) and/or the number of sanitary products S provided to this user during a predetermined period of time (e.g., the past month) exceeds a predetermined number. is not reached, the request is determined to be valid (second criterion), and so on.
  • a predetermined period of time for example, two hours
  • the control program 51 refers to the history information table 310 managed by the management server 300 in order to determine the validity of the provision request C.
  • the records R related to the user information uj related to the provision request C are extracted from the history information table 310, and the records R whose status sa is "OK" are narrowed down.
  • this narrowed down record R it is possible to grasp the most recent time when the sanitary product S was provided to this user and the number of sanitary products S provided in the past month. can determine the validity of
  • control program 51 determines whether or not the latest provision request C satisfies the first criteria.
  • the predetermined time used as the first criterion is two hours.
  • record R115 is the latest provision request C.
  • the record R115 indicates that the user information uj is "B2346" and the time t at the time of request is "20191204142341", that is, December 4, 2019, 14:23:41.
  • the record whose user information uj is "B2346" and whose status is "OK” is record R107. Therefore, the time at which the user who requested the record R115 most recently received the sanitary product S from the dispenser 10 is the time t recorded in the record R107.
  • the time t of record R107 is "20191204093529", that is, December 4, 2019, 9:35:29 am.
  • the time t indicated by the record R115 is 4 hours, 48 seconds and 12 seconds after the time t indicated by the record R107, and the predetermined time of 2 hours or more has elapsed. Therefore, the control program 51 determines that the provision request C of the record R115 satisfies the first criterion.
  • the control program 51 When determining that the provision request C is valid, the control program 51 outputs a drive command to either the stepping motor 32R or the stepping motor 32L.
  • the control program 51 operates the right system stepping motor 32R and the left A drive command is alternately output to the stepping motor 32L of the system. That is, when a drive command is output to the stepping motor 32R in response to the previous provision request C and the sanitary product S is discharged from the discharge port 13R, the control program 51 responds to the current provision request C by outputting the discharge port In order to discharge the sanitary product S from 13L, a drive command is output to the stepping motor 32L.
  • the control program 51 drives only the stepping motor 32 of the normally operating system until the problem is resolved. Output an instruction.
  • the dispenser 10 has redundancy that, even if one system fails, the sanitary product S can be discharged from the other system in which the failure does not occur, and the service can be continued.
  • FIG. 3 shows a stepping motor 32R that provides driving force to the discharge roller 30R and a stepping motor 32L that provides driving force to the discharge roller 30L. Accordingly, when a drive command is output to the stepping motor 32R, the stepping motor 32R is driven, and the discharge roller 30R is rotated accordingly. On the other hand, when a drive command is output to the stepping motor 32L, the stepping motor 32L is driven, and the discharge roller 30L is rotated accordingly.
  • the drive command from the control program 51 is such that when the sanitary napkin S is discharged from the storage section 21, the stepping motor 32 is driven slightly in the reverse direction and then forward. direction.
  • the discharge roller 30 is once slightly rotated (for example, about 45 degrees) in the reverse rotation direction F, so that the sanitary napkin S stored in the storage section 21 is swung backward (to the left in FIG. 10). move. This corrects the deviation of the stacked sanitary napkins S1 to S5 toward the discharge port 13 side.
  • the drive command drives the stepping motor 32 in the forward direction.
  • the discharge roller 30 rotates in the forward rotation direction D, and the sanitary product S1 is sent out in the discharge direction E. As shown in FIG.
  • the discharging roller 30 is first rotated slightly in the reverse rotation direction F and then rotated in the forward rotation direction D, thereby achieving reliable discharge without clogging.
  • a discharge sensor 25 is provided below the discharge port 13. As shown in FIG. 7, when the sanitary product S1 moving in the discharge direction E at the time of discharge is covered, the discharge sensor 25 is turned on and detected. A signal K is output. The output detection signal K is output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 .
  • the control program 51 recognizes that discharge of the sanitary product S1 has started in response to such a detection signal K.
  • the control program 51 recognizes that the discharge of the sanitary product S1 has been completed normally, stops the driving stepping motor 32, and stops the discharge roller 30 from rotating.
  • the communication unit 45 transmits the dispenser identification information d and the OK information to the management server 300 via the communication network 200 .
  • the management server 300 receives the dispenser identification information d and the OK information, and in the history information table 310, the latest record R corresponding to this dispenser identification information d (that is, blank) status sa is set to "OK”. and write.
  • the control program 51 reversely drives the stepping motor 32 that ejected the sanitary product S1.
  • the discharge roller 30 rotates in the reverse rotation direction F.
  • the purpose of this reverse rotation is also to correct the deviation of the stacked sanitary napkins S2 to S6 toward the discharge port 13 side, similar to the reverse rotation at the time of discharge described above.
  • the amount of reverse rotation at the time of ejection is two to three times greater, for example, 90 to 120 degrees.
  • the discharge sensor 25 is turned off even if the stepping motor 32 continues to be driven. Instead, the detection signal K continues to be output.
  • the control program 51 determines that an abnormal discharge due to clogging or the like has occurred.
  • the control program 51 determines that an ejection abnormality has occurred, stops driving the stepping motor 32, stops the rotation of the ejection roller 30, and instead:
  • the sanitary product S is discharged from the other system, and the maintenance worker is notified of the occurrence of the discharge abnormality. In response to this, the maintenance worker goes to the target dispenser 10 and takes appropriate recovery measures.
  • the management server 300 transmits the dispenser identification information d and the OK information to the management server 300, and in response to this, the management server 300 updates the latest record corresponding to this dispenser identification information d in the history information table 310 (that is, the Write "OK" in the entry) status sa.
  • the control program 51 sends the , the dispenser identification information d and the NG information are transmitted to the management server 300 .
  • the management server 300 Upon receiving this, the management server 300 writes "NG" to the (that is, blank) status sa of the latest record corresponding to this dispenser identification information d in the history information table 310.
  • the dispenser 10 When the sanitary products S are normally discharged from the storage unit 21, the inventory of the sanitary products S stored in the storage unit 21 is reduced. Therefore, the dispenser 10 has an inventory sensor 22 for grasping the inventory amount of the sanitary napkins S in the storage section 21 .
  • a pair of inventory sensors 22Rl arranged at the same height in the stacking direction (height direction) Ta, 22Rr are provided at three locations with different heights along the direction Ta.
  • the inventory amount of the sanitary napkins S stored in the storage section 21R is grasped by the three pairs of inventory sensors.
  • the first pair of inventory sensors 22Rl (#1) and 22Rr (#1) are embedded in the partition plates 20Rl and 20Rr at a height near the bottom of the storage section 21R. It is established by The second pair of inventory sensors 22Rl (#2) and 22Rr (#2) is taller than the first pair of inventory sensors 22Rl (#1) and 22Rr (#1) (for example, the height of the storage section 21R). is 100%, the height is 10% from the lower surface) by being embedded in the partition plates 20Rl and 20Rr.
  • the third pair of inventory sensors 22Rl (#3) and 22Rr (#3) is higher than the second pair of inventory sensors 22Rl (#2) and 22Rr (#2) (for example, from the lower surface of the storage section 21R). 30% of the height) by being embedded in the partition plates 20Rl and 20Rr.
  • the paired inventory sensors 22Rl and 22Rr are arranged at the same height from the bottom surface of the storage section 21R so as to face each other, and one of the pair (for example, the inventory sensor 22Rl) is, for example, a light-emitting diode. Secondly, it is a light-emitting portion that emits light, and the other of the pair (for example, inventory sensor 22Rr) is a light-receiving portion, such as a photodiode, that receives light from the light-emitting portion.
  • the inventory sensor 22Rl(#1) can be the light emitter and the inventory sensor 22Rr(#1) can be the light receiver.
  • the inventory sensor 22Rl(#2) can be the light emitter and the inventory sensor 22Rr(#2) can be the light receiver.
  • the third pair of inventory sensors 22Rl(#3) and 22Rr(#3), the inventory sensor 22Rl(#3) can be the light emitter and the inventory sensor 22Rr(#3) can be the light receiver.
  • the inventory sensor 22Rr can be used as the light emitting unit, and the inventory sensor 22Rl can be used as the light receiving unit.
  • the light-emitting part is adjusted so as to emit light toward the light-receiving part, and the light-receiving part is adjusted so as to receive light from the light-emitting part.
  • the light receiving section outputs a detection signal M when receiving the light from the light emitting section.
  • any inventory sensor 22Rl (#1) which is a light emitting unit , (#2), and (#3) are also blocked by the sanitary product S, and are received by the inventory sensors 22Rr (#1), (#2), and (#3), which are the corresponding light receiving units. not. Therefore, none of the inventory sensors 22Rr(#1), (#2), and (#3) output the detection signal M.
  • the inventory sensor 22Rl which is a light emitting section, emits light.
  • the light is received by the inventory sensor 22Rr (#3), which is the light receiving portion, and the detection signal M (R#3) is output from the inventory sensor 22Rr (#3).
  • the detection signal M (R#1) is also output from the inventory sensor 22Rr (#1).
  • the output detection signal M is output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 .
  • the control program 51 recognizes that the inventory of the sanitary napkins S stored in the storage unit 21R is sufficient, and activates the inventory sensor 22Rr (# When the detection signal M (R#3) starts to be output from 3), it is determined that the inventory has fallen below 30%. When it is determined that the inventory has fallen below 10% and the detection signal M (R#1) starts to be output from the inventory sensor 22Rr (#1), it is determined that the inventory has run out.
  • the first pair of inventory sensors 22Ll (#1) and 22Lr (#1) are positioned at a height near the bottom surface of the storage section 21L to detect the second pair of inventory sensors.
  • Sensors 22Ll(#2), 22Lr(#2) are level with the second pair of inventory sensors 22Rl(#2), 22Rr(#1) and the third pair of inventory sensors 22Ll(#3), 22Lr. (#3) are provided at the same height as the third pair of inventory sensors 22Rl (#3) and 22Rr (#3) by being embedded in the partition plates 20Rl and 20Rr.
  • the control program 51 can display the grasped inventory information (eg, 30% or more, 10-30%, 10% or less) from the display 12. Also, it is possible to notify the management server 300 via the communication unit 45 .
  • the management server 300 can request the inventory replenishment worker to replenish sanitary products S to this dispenser 10, for example, if there is a dispenser 10 whose inventory has fallen below 10%.
  • the control program 51 can also request the stock replenishment worker to replenish the sanitary product S to the dispenser 10 via the communication unit 45 .
  • an inventory replenishment worker goes to the dispenser 10, unlocks the key 15, opens the front lid 11b, turns off the power, and then puts the sanitary product S in the storage section 21 of the housing body 11a. refill.
  • the power is turned on again, the front cover 11b is closed, the housing body 11a is closed, and the key 15 is locked.
  • the sanitary product S provision service can be continued for the user who desires the sanitary product S.
  • the sanitary napkins S to be replenished can be purchased with part of the advertising income obtained from the advertising sponsor in response to the advertisement displayed on the display 12, as described above.
  • FIG. 13A and 13B are processing flow diagrams for explaining an operation example of the dispenser according to this embodiment.
  • the dispenser 10 is installed in a private room of the women's restroom, as illustrated in FIG.
  • a human sensor 14 is arranged on the front lid 11b of the dispenser 10, and when a user enters the private room of the toilet, the user is sensed by the human sensor 14, and a sensing signal A is output from the human sensor 14. (ST1).
  • a sensing signal A from the human sensor 14 is sent to the memory 50 via the bus 41, and in response, the control program 51 starts displaying image data from the display 12 (ST2).
  • the image data may be advertisement data stored in the image data storage unit 62 or an explanation of how to use the dispenser 10, or may be delivered from an advertisement server (not shown) using the communication unit 45 via the communication network 200. It may be
  • the display time of the image data from the display 12 shall be about 2 minutes each time the user enters the private toilet room, and shall not be displayed longer than that. This prevents the user from lingering in the bathroom because of the image data displayed on the display 12. ⁇ For effective display in 2 minutes, the length of the image data is, for example, about 15 seconds. Therefore, when two types of image data are displayed from the display 12, two types of image data, each of which lasts about 15 seconds, are repeatedly displayed for two minutes.
  • the business operator who provides the sanitary napkins S by the dispenser 10 solicits advertising sponsors, obtains advertising income by displaying the advertisements from the display 12, and obtains part of the income.
  • a business model can be implemented in which the sanitary product S is provided free of charge to the user.
  • the user makes a supply request C for the sanitary product S to the dispenser 10 according to the instructions on how to use the dispenser 10 displayed on the display 12 (ST3).
  • the method for making the provision request C for the sanitary product S is not particularly limited in this specification, for example, a "reading method” performed by the user inputting user information from the user information reading unit 16, or a method using a smartphone or the like.
  • a dedicated application AP is installed in the user device 151 and the dedicated application AP is used from the user device 151 .
  • user information can be input from the user information reading unit 16 by either a non-contact method or a contact method.
  • the user information reading unit 16 is an NFC-compatible receiver, and the user uses an NFC-compatible card 150 (for example, a transportation card, an identification card such as an employee ID card or a student ID card, an IC card such as a credit card, a cash card, etc.). card) or user device 151 (for example, smart phone) over the user information reading unit 16 .
  • Information for example, card number, device number, etc.
  • the user information reading unit 16 is read by the user information reading unit 16 and output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
  • NFC technology not only the NFC compatible card 150 but also the user device 151 such as a smart phone can be used.
  • contactless user information input is the application of wireless technologies such as beacons and RFID.
  • the user information reading unit 16 is a beacon receiver.
  • the user information reading unit 16 detects the beacon.
  • the identification information ID is received and output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
  • the user information reading unit 16 is an RFID reader, and when the user brings the RFID tag 153 close to the user information reading unit 16, the user information reading unit 16 receives the RFID identification information id and reads the user information. uj to the memory 50 via the bus 41 .
  • the contactless method is the use of the QR code 154.
  • the user information reading section 16 is a QR code reader, and the user causes the user information reading section 16 to read the QR code 154 embedded with the predetermined information q. Then, the user information reading unit 16 acquires predetermined information q from the QR code 154 and outputs the acquired information q to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
  • the user information reading unit 16 is a biometric authentication device, which authenticates the biometric information of the user U and outputs the authenticated biometric information r to the memory 50 as the user information uj.
  • the user information reading unit 16 is a magnetic reader, and magnetic information p such as a card number is read by the magnetic reader and output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
  • the user information reading section 16 is a fingerprint reader.
  • the user information reading section 16 reads the fingerprint information v and outputs it to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
  • Another example of the contact method is the use of non-NFC compatible IC cards.
  • the non-NFC compatible IC card 156 information cannot be read without contact.
  • the card information w is read by the user information reading unit 16 .
  • the card information w is read by the user information reading unit 16 and output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
  • the user information uj is output to the memory 50, the user information uj is recognized as the provision request C by the control program 51.
  • the user When making a request C for provision of sanitary products S by an application method, the user first installs a dedicated application AP on his or her user device 151 such as a smartphone or tablet.
  • the user After installing the dedicated application AP on the user device 151, the user can request the dispenser 10 to provide sanitary products S by performing user registration using the user device 151 according to the dedicated application AP.
  • the server for example, the management server 300
  • the dedicated application AP generates a provision request C based on the user information uj, and the generated provision request C is transmitted via the communication network 200. , received by the communication unit 45 and output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 .
  • the control program 51 sends the provision request C together with the dispenser identification information d attached to the dispenser 10 from the communication unit 45 via the communication network 200. , is output to the management server 300 and stored.
  • the provision request C is output from all the dispensers 10 to the management server 300 together with the dispenser identification information d.
  • the management server 300 manages a history information table 310 as exemplified in FIG. , a new record R is written (ST4).
  • the dispenser 10 when a new record R is written to the history information table 310, the user information uj, the time t, and the dispenser identification information d of the dispenser 10 are written, but the status sa is blank. If the dispenser 10 subsequently transmits OK information indicating that the sanitary product S has been provided, the status sa is written with "OK", indicating that the sanitary product S has not been provided due to a defect or the like. If the information was sent from the dispenser 10, "NG" is written.
  • the history information table 310 is referenced by the control program 51 to determine the validity of the provision request C (ST5).
  • the criteria for judging this validity are not limited, but if a predetermined period of time (for example, two hours) has passed since the time when the sanitary product S was most recently provided to the user, it is determined to be valid. If the "first criterion" for determination or the number of sanitary napkins S provided to the user during a predetermined period (for example, the past month) does not reach a predetermined number, the "first 2 criteria” can be adopted.
  • control program 51 When judging the validity of the provision request C using such judgment criteria, the control program 51 performs the following processing.
  • the past record R related to the user information uj related to the provision request C is extracted.
  • the records R whose status sa is "OK" are narrowed down. From this narrowed down record R, the time t when the sanitary product S was most recently provided to the user and the number of sanitary products S provided in the past month are ascertained.
  • control program 51 determines whether or not the number of S has reached a predetermined number (whether or not the second criterion is satisfied).
  • the control program 51 determines the validity of the provision request C, for example, determining that the provision request C is valid when both the first criterion and the second criterion are satisfied.
  • control program 51 When it is determined that the provision request C is valid (ST6: Yes), the control program 51 outputs a drive command to either the stepping motor 32R or the stepping motor 32L (ST7).
  • the control program 51 When the drive command is output in step ST7, the control program 51 normally instructs the control program 51 to alternately discharge the sanitary product S from the right-side discharge port 13R and the left-side discharge port 13. , the drive command is alternately output to the stepping motor 32R of the right system and the stepping motor 32L of the left system.
  • control program 51 outputs a drive command only to the stepping motor 32 of the normally operating system until the trouble such as discharge clogging occurs in one of the systems. .
  • the dispenser 10 has the redundancy that even if one of the systems fails, the sanitary product S can be discharged from the other system in which the failure does not occur, so that the service can be continued.
  • the drive command output from the control program 51 in step ST8 causes the stepping motor 32 to be slightly driven in the reverse direction and then in the forward direction.
  • the discharge roller 30 rotates slightly (for example, about 45 degrees) in the reverse rotation direction F, and moves the sanitary napkins S stored in the storage section 21 backward.
  • the bias of the stacked sanitary napkins S1 to S5 toward the outlet 13 is corrected (ST8).
  • the drive command drives the stepping motor 32 in the forward direction.
  • the discharge roller 30 rotates in the forward rotation direction D (ST9), and the sanitary product S1 is discharged in the discharge direction E (ST10).
  • the discharge roller 30 when discharging the sanitary product S1, the discharge roller 30 is first rotated slightly in the reverse rotation direction F and then rotated in the normal rotation direction D, thereby enabling reliable discharge without clogging. .
  • a discharge sensor 25 is provided below the discharge port 13. As shown in FIG. 7, when the sanitary product S1 moving in the discharge direction E at the time of discharge is covered, the discharge sensor 25 is turned on and the sanitary product S1 is discharged. A detection signal K is output from the sensor 25 (ST11).
  • the detection signal K is output to the memory 50 via the bus 41, and the control program 51 accordingly recognizes the start of discharge of the sanitary product S1.
  • control program 51 In response to the termination of detection signal K from discharge sensor 25 in step ST12, control program 51 recognizes that the discharge of sanitary product S1 has been completed normally, stops stepping motor 32, and terminates the rotation of discharge roller 30. (ST14).
  • dispenser identification information d and OK information are further transmitted to management server 300 by control program 51, and this dispenser identification information is stored in history information table 310. "OK" is written in the (that is, blank) status sa of the latest record R corresponding to d, and the history information table 310 is updated (ST15).
  • the control program 51 instructs the stepping motor 32 that ejected the sanitary product S1 to be driven in the reverse direction.
  • the discharge roller 30 rotates in the reverse rotation direction F (ST17).
  • the purpose of this reverse rotation is also to correct the deviation of the stacked sanitary napkins S2 to S6 toward the outlet 13 side, similar to the reverse rotation performed in step ST8. 2 to 3 times larger than the amount of reverse rotation at , for example, 90 to 120 degrees.
  • steps ST13, ST14, ST15, and ST16 are shown to be performed continuously after the discharge sensor 25 is turned off in step ST12. Steps ST13, ST14, ST15, and ST16 are performed in parallel. Step ST17 is performed after step ST16.
  • step ST10 is performed.
  • the discharge of the sanitary product S1 from the discharge port 13 is not completed. Since it continues to be covered, the discharge sensor 25 does not turn off and continues to output the detection signal K (ST12: No).
  • the control program 51 determines that an abnormal discharge has occurred (ST18). ), the maintenance operator is notified that an ejection failure has occurred. In response to this, the maintenance worker goes to the target dispenser 10 and takes appropriate recovery measures.
  • step ST18 the control program 51 stops driving the stepping motor 32 (for example, the stepping motor 32R) in operation (ST19). ) is started (ST20), and then the process proceeds to step ST7.
  • the sanitary product S is discharged from the other system instead of the abnormal system.
  • the dispenser identification information d and the NG information are transmitted from the control program 51 to the management server 300 via the communication unit 45, and in the management server 300, the history information table 310 corresponds to the dispenser identification information d. "NG" is written in the (that is, blank) status sa of the latest record R, and the history information table 310 is updated.
  • the sanitary products S can be provided to the user free of charge. very useful for
  • the provided sanitary product S is housed in the housing 11 before being provided and is not touched by an unspecified number of people, so the user can feel secure about the provided sanitary product S. can be used.
  • the dispenser 10 does not provide the sanitary products S unlimitedly in response to the request, but checks the validity of the request. Provided only if confirmed. Therefore, a large amount of sanitary products S are never taken away at once, and the sanitary products S are managed so that there is always sufficient inventory, so that the sanitary products S can be reliably provided to users who really need them. It becomes possible.
  • dispenser 10 has various ideas from the viewpoint of hardware design as follows.
  • the dispenser 10 implements operation noise reduction by introducing the stepping motor 32 as a power source for discharging the sanitary product S, so that the user does not notice people outside the toilet cubicle.
  • Dispenser 10 can be used without being
  • the dispenser 10 is made thinner by arranging the stepping motor 32 and the discharge roller 30 under the storage section 21, the user can use the toilet in the private room where the dispenser 10 is installed. Even when entering, the toilet and the dispenser 10 can be used without feeling oppressive.
  • the dispenser 10 has a very high probability that the user will be able to receive the sanitary product S by correcting the deviation by reverse rotation of the discharge roller 30 and adopting a redundant configuration having two discharge systems.
  • the sanitary product S can be provided with reliability.
  • the discharge mechanism of the dispenser 10 is not limited to the one described above, and it is also possible to adopt discharge mechanisms as shown in modified examples 1 to 4 below.
  • the description since it is the same as the above-described embodiment except for the ejection mechanism, the description will be omitted.
  • FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism in Modification 1.
  • FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism in Modification 1.
  • the ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 14 employs a pusher-type bend function, and the front side (right side in the figure) of the storage section 21 is closed with a front wall 100 and the lower side with a bottom plate 104 .
  • a motor 105 is arranged at the bottom of the storage section 21 .
  • a pair of pulleys 106a and 106b and a timing belt 107 meshed with the pair of pulleys 106a and 106b are arranged above the motor 105. As shown in FIG.
  • the sanitary products S are stacked in the storage unit 21, and the weight m is placed on top of the topmost sanitary product S4.
  • the lowest sanitary product S1 is placed on the timing belt 107.
  • a rotational force is applied to the pulley 106a by the motor 105, so when the motor 105 operates, the pulley 106a rotates and the timing belt 107 rotates around the pair of pulleys 106 in the direction of the arrow.
  • a claw 108 is provided on the surface of the timing belt 107, and according to the rotation of the timing belt 107, the claw 108 pushes out the lowermost sanitary product S1.
  • the sanitary product S1 drops into the drop section 109, which is a space defined below the bottom plate 104.
  • the distance from the lower end of the front wall 100 to the upper end of the timing belt 107 is larger than the thickness of the thickest sanitary napkin S on the market. As a result, any commercially available sanitary product S can be dropped from the timing belt 107 onto the drop portion 109 .
  • the adjustment plate 102 is fixed to the front wall 100 in order to adjust the spatial height 111 so as to prevent two drops.
  • the adjustment plate 102 is fixed to the front wall 100 with a fixing screw 101 .
  • the spatial height 111 may vary depending on the brand of the sanitary product S stored in the storage portion 21. Therefore, the fixing position of the adjustment plate 102 is determined according to the space height 111 , and the adjustment plate 102 is fixed to the front wall 100 by the fixing screw 101 .
  • the user can reach the drop portion 109 through the outlet 110 to take out the sanitary product S from the dispenser 10 .
  • the sanitary product S to be discharged next falls onto the timing belt 107 due to the action of the weight m, and preparations for the next discharge are made.
  • the bottom plate 104 is provided above the drop portion 109 and the partition plate 103 is provided above the outlet 110, the user can put his or her hand into the storage portion 21 through the outlet 110 to steal the sanitary product S. can't.
  • the dispenser 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can also be realized by adopting the ejection mechanism of Modification 1 as described above.
  • FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 2.
  • FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 2.
  • the ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 15 employs a slide crank system, and the front side (right side in the figure) of the storage section 21 is closed with a front wall 100 and the lower side with a bottom plate 104 .
  • the sanitary products S are stacked in the storage part 21 in the same manner as in FIG.
  • a mounting base 122 on which the lowest sanitary product S is mounted and a slide crank mechanism 121 driven by a motor 120 are arranged in the lower part of the storage section 21 .
  • the tip 121a of the slide crank mechanism 121 is fixed to the side surface of the mounting table 122 so that the mounting table 122 can move in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction in the drawing) indicated by the arrows in the drawing.
  • a claw 108 is fixed to the tip 121 a of the slide crank mechanism 121 .
  • the tip 121a of the slide crank mechanism 121 moves in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction in the figure) of the mounting table 122 along the side surface of the mounting table 122 by the driving force transmitted from the motor 120. Accordingly, the claw 108 fixed to the tip 121 a of the slide crank mechanism 121 also moves in the front-rear direction of the mounting table 122 .
  • the lowermost sanitary product S is placed on the placing table 122 . Therefore, when the motor 120 is driven to move the leading end 121a of the slide crank mechanism 121 forward (to the right in the drawing), the pawl 108 is also moved forward (to the right in the drawing) accordingly. The sanitary product S is extruded.
  • the sanitary product S1 drops into the drop section 109, which is a space defined below the bottom plate 104.
  • the user can reach the drop portion 109 through the outlet 110 to take out the sanitary product S from the dispenser 10 .
  • the tip 121a of the slide crank mechanism 121 is moved backward (to the left in the drawing). Along with this, the sanitary product S to be discharged next descends onto the mounting table 122, and preparations for the next discharge are made.
  • the dispenser 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can also be realized by adopting the discharge mechanism of Modification 2 as described above.
  • FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 3.
  • FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 3.
  • the ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 16 employs a linear motor system, and the front side (right side in the drawing) of the storage section 21 is closed with a front wall 100 and the lower side with a bottom plate 104 .
  • the sanitary products S are stacked in the storage part 21 in the same manner as in FIG.
  • a mounting base 122 on which the lowest sanitary product S is mounted is arranged at the bottom of the storage section 21 .
  • a motor 130 and a bar screw 131 that is rotated by driving the motor 130 are also arranged in the lower part of the housing portion 21 .
  • a claw portion 132 is screwed onto the bar screw 131 .
  • a part of the mounting table 122 has a straight line along the bar screw 131 just above the bar screw 131 .
  • a slit is provided. Therefore, when the motor 130 is driven and the rod screw 131 rotates, the claw portion 132 can move on the mounting table 122 in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction in the drawing) indicated by the arrow in the drawing.
  • the lowermost sanitary product S is placed on the placing table 122 .
  • the motor 130 is rotated to move the pawl portion 132 forward (to the right in the drawing), thereby pushing out the lowermost sanitary product S.
  • the sanitary product S1 drops into the drop section 109, which is a space defined below the bottom plate 104.
  • the user can reach the drop portion 109 through the outlet 110 to take out the sanitary product S from the dispenser 10 .
  • the motor 122 is reversely rotated to move the claw portion 132 rearward (to the left in the figure).
  • the sanitary product S to be discharged next descends onto the mounting table 122, and preparations for the next discharge are made.
  • the dispenser 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can also be realized by adopting the ejection mechanism of Modified Example 3 as described above.
  • FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 4.
  • FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 4.
  • the ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 17 employs a spring rotation mechanism, and a motor 140 and a spring 141 that rotates when driven by the motor 140 are arranged in the housing portion 21 .
  • a sanitary product S is sandwiched and held between the spirals of the spring 141 .
  • the motor 140 drives the spring 141 to rotate, and accordingly the sanitary products S1 to S4 move downward in order. As a result, the lowermost sanitary product S1 drops from the tip 141a of the spring 141. As shown in FIG.
  • the next sanitary product S2 becomes the bottom, and preparations are made for the next discharge.
  • the user can reach the drop portion 109 through the outlet 110 to take out the sanitary product S from the dispenser 10 .
  • the dispenser according to the embodiment of the present invention can also be realized by adopting the ejection mechanism of Modification 4 as described above.
  • Dispenser 11 Case 11a Case body 11b Front cover 12 Display 13 Ejection port 14 Human sensor 15 Key 16 User information reading unit 20 Partition plate 21 Storage unit 22 Inventory sensor 23 Adjustment plate 24 Anti-theft lid 25 Ejection sensor 30 Ejection Roller 32 Stepping motor 41 Bus 42 CPU 43 External recording medium 44 Recording medium reading unit 45 Communication unit 50 Memory 51 Control program 52 Writable data area 60 Storage device 62 Image data storage unit 100 Front wall 101 Fixing screw 102 Adjusting plate 103 Partition plate 104 Bottom plate 105 Motor 106 Pulley 107 Timing belt 108 Claw 109 Falling part 110 Outlet 111 Spatial height 120 Motor 121 Slide crank mechanism 121a Tip 122 Mounting table 130 Motor 131 Bar screw 132 Claw part 140 Motor 141 Spring 141a Tip 150 NFC compatible card 151 User device 152 Beacon device 153 RFID tag 154 QR code 155 Magnetic card 156 NFC non-compatible IC card 200 Communication network 300 Management server 310 History information table A Sensing signal AP Dedicated application B Cards, etc.

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Abstract

According to the present invention, a sanitary article provision dispenser for providing sanitary articles to users comprises a storage part that stores sanitary articles, a discharge part for discharging the sanitary articles stored in the storage part from the storage part, and a controller that operates the discharge part such that a sanitary article is discharged when there has been a request from a user requesting provision of a sanitary article and the request is valid.

Description

衛生用品提供用ディスペンサSanitary product dispenser
　本発明は、例えば化粧室に好適に設置され、例えば生理用品やティッシュペーパのような衛生用品を提供するための衛生用品提供用ディスペンサに関する。 The present invention relates to a sanitary product dispensing dispenser that is suitably installed, for example, in a restroom and for dispensing sanitary products such as sanitary products and tissue paper.
　女性の社会進出により、女性のライフスタイルが大きく変化し、そのことにより生じる問題もある。その１つが女性特有の身体現象である生理に関わる問題である。 With the advancement of women in society, women's lifestyles have changed significantly, and there are problems that arise as a result. One of them is a problem related to menstruation, which is a physical phenomenon peculiar to women.
　生理期間中、女性は、経血が漏れないように、ナプキンやタンポン等の生理用品を使用する。したがって、女性は、一般に、生理期間が近付くと、これら生理用品を携行している。 During menstruation, women use sanitary products such as napkins and tampons to prevent menstrual blood from leaking out. Therefore, women generally carry these sanitary products with them as their period approaches.
　生理による経血量は、日によって変化するが、経血のついた生理用品は、長時間放置すると、ばい菌が繁殖する原因になったり、ムレや臭いの原因となる恐れもある。したがって、生理期間中は、通常、２～３時間に１度の頻度で、生理用品を交換する必要がある。 The amount of menstrual blood varies from day to day, but if menstrual products with menstrual blood are left for a long time, it may cause bacteria to grow, and may cause stuffiness and odor. Therefore, during the menstrual period, it is usually necessary to replace the sanitary product once every 2 to 3 hours.
　したがって、例えば、飲食店やホテルでは、生理が予定よりも早く来てしまい、生理用品を持ち合わせていない女性顧客のために、女性用トイレの（例えば、洗面台のわき）に、籠の中に生理用品をおいてあるところもある。希望者は籠から生理用品を自由に取り出して、使用することができる。 Therefore, for example, in restaurants and hotels, for female customers who do not have sanitary products because their menstruation has come earlier than planned, they are placed in a basket in the women's restroom (for example, next to the washbasin). Some places have sanitary products. Those who wish can freely take out sanitary products from the basket and use them.
　これは、理想的なことではあるが、自由に取り出すことができることをよいことに、必要ない場合であっても、持ち帰ることができる。極端な話、生理中ではない人が、すべて持ち去って行くことだってできてしまう。これは、置いてくれた側（例えば、飲食店やホテル）の折角の好意を台無しにする残念な行為であり、実際に使用したい人がいても、使えない場合が生じるという皮肉な結果をもたらす恐れがある。 This is ideal, but the good thing is that you can take it out at will, even if you don't need it. In extreme cases, a person who is not menstruating can take it all away. This is an unfortunate act that ruins the goodwill of the person who placed the item (for example, a restaurant or hotel), and has the ironic result that even if there are people who actually want to use it, they may not be able to use it. There is fear.
　また、生理用品が単に籠の中においてあるだけの状態では、誰でも触れることができることから、使用をためらう人もいる。特に、現在のようなコロナ禍の状況においては、誰が触ったのかも分からないものには触れること自体非常に不安であるからである。 In addition, some people are hesitant to use sanitary products just in a basket because anyone can touch them. Especially in the situation of the current corona disaster, it is very uneasy to touch something that you don't know who touched it.
　一方、このような不安を払拭しつつ、必要とする女性に、生理用品を提供する手段として、非特許文献１のように、生理用品を収納したディスペンサが挙げられる。 On the other hand, as a means to dispel such anxiety and provide sanitary products to women who need them, dispensers containing sanitary products can be mentioned, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1.
　実際、福利厚生の一環として、このようなディスペンサを、女性用トイレの個室に設置し、生理が予定よりも早く来てしまい、生理用品を持ち合わせていない女性社員が、生理用品を自由に利用できるようにしている企業もある。 In fact, as part of welfare programs, such dispensers are installed in private rooms in women's restrooms so that female employees who do not have sanitary products because their period comes earlier than expected can freely use sanitary products. Some companies are doing so.
　これによって、生理用品は通常はディスペンサの内部に収納されており、生理用品を取り出す際には、内部から１つずつ排出されるので、生理用品は、不特定多数の人によって触られることはない。したがって、使用希望者は、不快感を抱くことなく、生理用品を安心して使用することができる。 As a result, the sanitary napkins are usually stored inside the dispenser, and when the sanitary napkins are taken out, they are discharged one by one from the inside, so that the sanitary napkins are not touched by an unspecified number of people. . Therefore, the person who wants to use the sanitary product can use the sanitary product without any discomfort.
　しかしながら、この種のディスペンサは、使用希望者の操作によって、生理用品は１つずつ排出されるものの、個数に制限はない。したがって、何度も操作を繰り返すことによって、生理用品を何個でも取り出すことが可能である。 However, this type of dispenser discharges sanitary products one by one according to the operation of the person who wishes to use it, but there is no limit to the number of sanitary products. Therefore, by repeating the operation many times, any number of sanitary products can be taken out.
　したがって、この種のディスペンサでも、前述したように、生理中ではない人であっても、無制限に生理用品を取り出して、持ち帰ることだってできてしまうので、前述した問題の解決にはならない。 Therefore, even with this type of dispenser, as mentioned above, even a person who is not menstruating can take out sanitary products without limit and take them home, so it does not solve the above-mentioned problem.
　本発明はこのような事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、使用を希望しているユーザに確実に衛生用品を提供できるように、衛生用品の無制限な提供を阻止することが可能な衛生用品提供用ディスペンサを提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a sanitary product capable of preventing unlimited provision of sanitary products so as to reliably provide sanitary products to users who desire to use them. The object is to provide a dispenser for
　上記の目的を達成するために、本発明では、以下のような手段を講じる。 In order to achieve the above objectives, the present invention takes the following measures.
　すなわち、本発明の第１の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、衛生用品をユーザに提供するための衛生用品提供用ディスペンサであって、衛生用品を収納する収納部と、収納部に収納されている衛生用品を、収納部から排出するための排出部と、ユーザから衛生用品の提供を求める要求があった場合、要求が妥当であれば、衛生用品を排出するように、排出部を動作させる制御部とを備える。 That is, the sanitary product providing dispenser of the first aspect of the present invention is a sanitary product providing dispenser for providing sanitary products to a user, comprising a storage portion for storing the sanitary products, and a a discharge part for discharging the sanitary goods stored in the container from the storage part; and when there is a request for provision of the sanitary goods from the user, the discharge part is operated so as to discharge the sanitary goods if the request is valid. and a control unit.
　本発明の第２の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、収納部から排出される衛生用品を検出する排出センサをさらに備える。 The second aspect of the present invention is a sanitary product providing dispenser, in the first aspect of the sanitary product providing dispenser, further comprising a discharge sensor for detecting the sanitary products discharged from the storage section.
　本発明の第３の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第２の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、制御部は、排出センサによって衛生用品の排出が検出されている間、排出部を動作させ続け、排出が検出されなくなると、排出部の動作を停止させる。 A sanitary product dispenser according to a third aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product dispenser according to the second aspect, wherein the control unit operates the discharge unit while the discharge sensor detects the discharge of the sanitary products. Subsequently, when the discharge is no longer detected, the operation of the discharge unit is stopped.
　本発明の第４の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第３の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、制御部は、排出センサによって衛生用品の排出が検出されている継続期間が、第１の所定時間よりも長い場合、排出部の動作を停止させる。 A fourth aspect of the present invention is a dispenser for providing sanitary products, in the dispenser for providing sanitary products according to the third aspect, wherein the control unit adjusts the duration during which the discharge of the sanitary products is detected by the discharge sensor to the first If it is longer than the predetermined time, the operation of the ejector is stopped.
　本発明の第５の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１乃至第４の何れかの態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、排出部を動作させるための駆動力を提供する駆動部をさらに備え、制御部は、排出部を動作させる場合、駆動部を動作させる。 A sanitary product dispenser according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product dispenser according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a drive unit that provides driving force for operating the discharge unit. , the control unit operates the drive unit when operating the discharge unit.
　本発明の第６の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第５の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、駆動部は、ステッピングモータであり、排出部は、ステッピングモータからの駆動力によって回転し、衛生用品を収納部から排出する排出ローラである。 A sixth aspect of the present invention is a dispenser for providing sanitary products, in the dispenser for providing sanitary products according to the fifth aspect, wherein the driving section is a stepping motor, the discharging section is rotated by the driving force from the stepping motor, It is a discharge roller for discharging sanitary goods from the storage part.
　本発明の第７の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第６の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、収納部は、複数の衛生用品を、積み重ねられた状態で収納し、収納部に収納された複数の衛生用品のうち、最下位の衛生用品が、排出ローラの正回転によって排出方向に排出される。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the sixth aspect, wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of sanitary products in a stacked state. Among the plurality of sanitary products, the lowest sanitary product is ejected in the ejection direction by forward rotation of the ejection roller.
　本発明の第８の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第７の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、収納部に収納された複数の衛生用品のうち、最上位の衛生用品の上に載置される重りを備える。 The sanitary product providing dispenser of the eighth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser of the seventh aspect, wherein the sanitary product providing dispenser is placed on the highest sanitary product among the plurality of sanitary products stored in the storage unit. Have a weight to hold it.
　本発明の第９の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第７または第８の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、排出ローラが、衛生用品を収納部から排出した場合、ステッピングモータは、排出ローラを第１の所定量逆回転させる駆動力を、排出ローラへ提供する。 A ninth aspect of the present invention is a dispenser for providing sanitary products, in the dispenser for providing sanitary products according to the seventh or eighth aspect, when the discharge roller discharges the sanitary goods from the storage section, the stepping motor causes the discharge roller provides a driving force to the ejection roller to reversely rotate the at a first predetermined amount.
　本発明の第１０の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第９の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、排出ローラが、衛生用品を収納部から排出する場合、ステッピングモータは、排出ローラを第２の所定量逆回転させた後、正回転させる駆動力を、排出ローラへ提供する。 A tenth aspect of the present invention is a dispenser for providing sanitary products, in the dispenser for providing sanitary products according to the ninth aspect, when the discharge roller discharges the sanitary goods from the storage portion, the stepping motor moves the discharge roller to the second position. After rotating in the reverse direction by a predetermined amount, a driving force is provided to the discharge roller to rotate it in the forward direction.
　本発明の第１１の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１０の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、第１の所定量は、第２の所定量よりも多い。 The sanitary product providing dispenser of the eleventh aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser of the tenth aspect, wherein the first predetermined amount is larger than the second predetermined amount.
　本発明の第１２の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第６乃至第１１の何れかの態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、ステッピングモータおよび排出ローラは、収納部よりも下側に配置される。 A sanitary product dispenser according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product dispenser according to any one of the sixth to eleventh aspects, wherein the stepping motor and the discharge roller are arranged below the storage section. .
　本発明の第１３の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第６乃至第１２の何れかの態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、排出ローラの表面に、衛生用品の排出を容易にする高摩擦材料を配置する。 A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a dispenser for providing sanitary products, wherein in the dispenser for providing sanitary products according to any one of the sixth to twelfth aspects, the surface of the discharge roller is provided with a high-friction material that facilitates discharge of the sanitary products. to place.
　本発明の第１４の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１乃至第１３の何れかの態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、収納部に収納されている衛生用品の量を把握するための在庫センサを備える。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein an inventory for grasping the amount of sanitary products stored in the storage unit is provided. A sensor is provided.
　本発明の第１５の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１乃至第１４の何れかの態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、画像を表示する表示部をさらに備える。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, further comprising a display section for displaying an image.
　本発明の第１６の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１５の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、画像は、広告であり、衛生用品は、広告料金を資金として購入される。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the image is an advertisement and the sanitary product is purchased using the advertisement fee as a fund.
　本発明の第１７の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１５または第１６の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、人感センサをさらに備え、人感センサによる感知に応じて、表示部から画像の表示を開始する。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, further comprising a human sensor. to start displaying.
　本発明の第１８の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１５乃至第１７の何れかの態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、収納部に収納されている衛生用品の量を把握するための在庫センサをさらに備え、在庫センサによる把握結果を、表示部から表示する。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention is a sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the fifteenth to seventeenth aspects, wherein an inventory for grasping the amount of sanitary products stored in the storage unit is provided. A sensor is further provided, and the result of grasping by the inventory sensor is displayed on the display unit.
　本発明の第１９の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、収納部および排出部ともに２つあり、２つの収納部のうちの第１の収納部と、２つの排出部のうちの第１の排出部とで第１の系統を構成し、２つの収納部のうちの第２の収納部と、２つの排出部のうちの第２の排出部とで第２の系統を構成し、制御部は、排出部を動作させる場合、第１の排出部と、第２の排出部とを交互に動作させる。 A sanitary product providing dispenser of a nineteenth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser of the first aspect, in which there are two storage units and two discharge units, and the first storage unit of the two storage units and the , and the first discharge section of the two discharge sections constitute a first system, and the second discharge section of the two storage sections and the second discharge section of the two discharge sections constitute a first system. constitutes the second system, and the control unit alternately operates the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit when operating the discharge units.
　本発明の第２０の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１９の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、第１の収納部から排出される衛生用品を検出する第１の排出センサと、第２の収納部から排出される衛生用品を検出する第２の排出センサとをさらに備える。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the nineteenth aspect, comprising: a first discharge sensor for detecting sanitary products discharged from the first storage; and a second discharge sensor for detecting sanitary products discharged from the storage portion of the container.
　本発明の第２１の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第２０の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、制御部は、第１の排出センサによって衛生用品の排出が検出されている間、第１の排出部を動作させ続け、排出が検出されなくなると、第１の排出部の動作を停止させ、第２の排出センサによって衛生用品の排出が検出されている間、第２の排出部を動作させ続け、この排出が検出されなくなると、第２の排出部の動作を停止させる。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the twentieth aspect, wherein the controller controls the first continue to operate the first discharge unit, and when discharge is no longer detected, stop the operation of the first discharge unit, and operate the second discharge unit while the discharge of the sanitary goods is detected by the second discharge sensor. and when this ejection is no longer detected, the operation of the second ejector is stopped.
　本発明の第２２の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第２１の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、制御部は、第１の排出センサによって衛生用品の排出が検出されている継続期間が、第１の所定時間よりも長い場合、第１の排出部の動作を停止させ、代わりに第２の排出部を動作させ、第２の排出センサによって衛生用品の排出が検出されている継続期間が、第１の所定時間よりも長い場合、第２の排出部の動作を停止させ、代わりに第１の排出部を動作させる。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the twenty-first aspect, wherein the controller determines that the duration during which the discharge of the sanitary products is detected by the first discharge sensor is if longer than the first predetermined time, then the operation of the first ejector is deactivated and the second ejector is activated instead, and the duration of the sanitary product ejection being detected by the second ejection sensor. , is longer than the first predetermined time, the second ejector is deactivated and the first ejector is activated instead.
　本発明の第２３の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１９乃至第２２の何れかの態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、画像を表示する表示部をさらに備える。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the nineteenth to twenty-second aspects, further comprising a display section for displaying an image.
　本発明の第２４の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第２３の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、第１の排出部または第２の排出部の動作が停止された場合、停止された排出部が属する系統を表示部から表示する。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the twenty-third aspect, wherein when the operation of the first ejection part or the second ejection part is stopped, the stopped ejection The system to which the part belongs is displayed from the display part.
　本発明の第２５の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１乃至第２４の何れかの態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、衛生用品が収納部から排出される場合、複数の衛生用品が同時に排出されないように、衛生用品が排出される排出口の高さを調節する調節部をさらに備える。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the first to twenty-fourth aspects, wherein when the sanitary products are discharged from the storage unit, the plurality of sanitary products are simultaneously dispensed. It further comprises a control part for adjusting the height of the discharge port through which the sanitary goods are discharged so as not to be discharged.
　本発明の第２６の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第２５の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、調節部は、着脱可能であって、高さに応じて複数存在し、複数の調節部から、収納部に収納されている衛生用品の厚さに基づいて、何れかが選択され、装着される。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to the twenty-fifth aspect, wherein the adjusting portion is detachable, and a plurality of adjusting portions are present according to the height. , based on the thickness of the sanitary goods stored in the storage portion, and is worn.
　本発明の第２７の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１乃至第２６の何れかの態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、制御部は、ユーザへ衛生用品が提供された直近の時刻から、第２の所定時間以上経過している場合と、所定期間中にユーザに提供された衛生用品の数が、所定数に達していない場合とのうちの少なくとも何れかである場合、要求が妥当であると判定する。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the first to twenty-sixth aspects, wherein the control unit, from the most recent time when the sanitary product is provided to the user, If at least one of the second predetermined time period has elapsed and/or the number of sanitary products provided to the user during the predetermined period has not reached the predetermined number, then the request is valid. Determine that there is.
　本発明の第２８の態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサは、第１乃至第２７の何れかの態様の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサにおいて、衛生用品は、生理用ナプキンである。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention is the sanitary product providing dispenser according to any one of the first to twenty-seventh aspects, wherein the sanitary product is a sanitary napkin.
　本発明の衛生用品装置ディスペンサによれば、衛生用品の無制限な提供を阻止することができるので、使用を希望しているユーザに確実に衛生用品を提供することが可能となる。 According to the sanitary goods device dispenser of the present invention, unlimited provision of sanitary goods can be prevented, so it is possible to reliably provide sanitary goods to users who wish to use them.
図１は、本実施形態に係るディスペンサの外形の例を示す斜視図である。FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the outline of the dispenser according to this embodiment. 図２は、ディスペンサの内部構造の一例を示す斜視図である。FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the dispenser. 図３は、生理用品が収納部に収納された状態におけるディスペンサの内部構造を示す図２に対応する正面図である。3 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing the internal structure of the dispenser with the sanitary napkin stored in the storage portion; FIG. 図４は、本実施形態におけるディスペンサの排出メカニズムを説明するための、収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図である。FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in this embodiment. 図５は、円筒型の排出ローラを例示する図３に対応する図である。FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 illustrating a cylindrical discharge roller. 図６は、調節プレートの一例を示す正面図である。FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of an adjustment plate. 図７は、生理用品の排出時における収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図である。FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage portion when the sanitary product is discharged. 図８は、ディスペンサの電子回路構成例を示すブロック図である。FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example electronic circuit configuration of the dispenser. 図９は、履歴情報テーブルの一例を示す図である。FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a history information table. 図１０は、本実施形態におけるディスペンサの排出メカニズムを説明するための、収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図（積み重ねられた生理用品が片寄った場合）である。FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom surface of the storage unit (when the sanitary napkins are stacked) for explaining the discharge mechanism of the dispenser in this embodiment. 図１１は、本実施形態におけるディスペンサの排出メカニズムを説明するための、収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図（生理用品の排出が完了した場合）である。FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section (when the sanitary napkin has been completely discharged) for explaining the discharge mechanism of the dispenser in this embodiment. 図１２は、生理用品が収納部に収納された状態におけるディスペンサの内部構造を示す図２に対応する正面図（在庫が減少した場合）である。FIG. 12 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing the internal structure of the dispenser with sanitary napkins stored in the storage portion (when inventory is reduced). 図１３Ａは、本実施形態に係るディスペンサの動作例を説明する処理フロー図である。FIG. 13A is a processing flow diagram illustrating an operation example of the dispenser according to this embodiment. 図１３Ｂは、本実施形態に係るディスペンサの動作例を説明する処理フロー図である。FIG. 13B is a processing flow diagram illustrating an operation example of the dispenser according to this embodiment. 図１４は、変形例１における排出メカニズムを説明するための、収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図である。FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism in Modification 1. FIG. 図１５は、変形例２におけるディスペンサの排出メカニズムを説明するための、収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図である。FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 2. FIG. 図１６は、変形例３におけるディスペンサの排出メカニズムを説明するための、収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図である。FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the dispensing mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 3. FIG. 図１７は、変形例４におけるディスペンサの排出メカニズムを説明するための、収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図である。FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 4. FIG.
　以下に、本発明の実施形態を、図面を参照して説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
　以下、本発明の実施形態に係る衛生用品提供用ディスペンサについて説明する。なお、本明細書では、衛生用品提供用ディスペンサを、簡略のため、以降、単に「ディスペンサ」と称する。 A sanitary product providing dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For the sake of brevity, the sanitary product dispensing dispenser is hereinafter simply referred to as the "dispenser" in this specification.
　図１は、本実施形態に係るディスペンサの外形の例を示す斜視図である。 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the outer shape of the dispenser according to this embodiment.
　ディスペンサ１０は、衛生用品を筐体１１の内部に収納しており、収納している衛生用品を、ユーザからの提供要求に応じて、排出口１３Ｒ、１３Ｌから排出する装置である。 The dispenser 10 is a device that stores sanitary products inside the housing 11 and discharges the stored sanitary products from discharge ports 13R and 13L in response to requests from users.
　衛生用品としては、ナプキンやタンポン等の生理用品Ｓが好適である。したがって、以下の説明では、衛生用品の例として、生理用品Ｓを用いて説明する。したがって、ディスペンサ１０は、図１に例示されるように、女性用トイレの各個室に設置される。 As sanitary products, sanitary products S such as napkins and tampons are suitable. Therefore, in the following description, the sanitary product S is used as an example of sanitary products. Accordingly, a dispenser 10 is installed in each cubicle of the women's restroom, as illustrated in FIG.
　なお、本実施形態に係るディスペンサ１０が取り扱う衛生用品は、生理用品Ｓに限定されるものではなく、ティッシュペーパなど、薄くて柔らかいものであれば、生理用品と同様に取り扱い可能である。 The sanitary goods handled by the dispenser 10 according to the present embodiment are not limited to sanitary goods S, and any thin and soft material such as tissue paper can be handled in the same manner as sanitary goods.
　ディスペンサ１０の筐体１１は、筐体本体１１ａと、筐体本体１１ａを塞ぐ前蓋１１ｂとから構成される。前蓋１１ｂの外側表面には、ディスプレイ１２、２つの排出口１３Ｒ、１３Ｌ、カードリーダ等のユーザ情報読取部１６、および人感センサ１４が設けられる。また、筐体本体１１ａの外側表面には、鍵１５が設けられる。 The housing 11 of the dispenser 10 is composed of a housing body 11a and a front lid 11b that closes the housing body 11a. A display 12, two outlets 13R and 13L, a user information reader 16 such as a card reader, and a human sensor 14 are provided on the outer surface of the front lid 11b. A key 15 is provided on the outer surface of the housing body 11a.
　ディスペンサ１０は、動作中のときは、筐体本体１１ａが、前蓋１１ｂによって閉じられ、前蓋１１ｂが開かないように、鍵１５がかけられている。 When the dispenser 10 is in operation, the housing body 11a is closed by the front lid 11b, and the front lid 11b is locked with a key 15 so that the front lid 11b cannot be opened.
　このように、ディスペンサ１０は、生理用品Ｓを内部に収納する構造となっているので、生理用品Ｓが誰かに触られたり、無制限に持ち出されないように管理できる。 As described above, the dispenser 10 has a structure for storing the sanitary product S inside, so that the sanitary product S can be managed so that it cannot be touched by someone or taken out without restriction.
　図２は、ディスペンサの内部構造の一例を示す斜視図である。 FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the dispenser.
　ディスペンサ１０の内部構造は、開閉可能な筐体１１内に収納されている。ディスペンサ１０は、鍵１５を開けると、図２に例示するように筐体１１を開くことが可能となる。生理用品Ｓを内部に補充する場合や、故障の修理のように、不具合を解消する場合などには、鍵１５を開けて筐体１１を開くことによって行う。 The internal structure of the dispenser 10 is housed within a housing 11 that can be opened and closed. When the key 15 is opened, the dispenser 10 can open the housing 11 as illustrated in FIG. When replenishing the sanitary product S inside or when solving a problem such as repairing a malfunction, the housing 11 is opened by unlocking the key 15 .
　筐体本体１１ａの内部には、同一仕様の２つの収納部２１Ｒ、２１Ｌが並設されている。収納部２１Ｒ、２１Ｌは、ディスペンサ１０が提供する生理用品Ｓを収納するための空間である。 Two storage units 21R and 21L with the same specifications are arranged side by side inside the housing body 11a. The storage units 21R and 21L are spaces for storing sanitary products S provided by the dispenser 10. As shown in FIG.
　収納部２１Ｒは、互いに平行に対向して設けられた直立する一対の仕切板２０Ｒｌ、２０Ｒｒの間に画定されている。同様に、収納部２１Ｌもまた、互いに平行に対向して設けられた直立する一対の仕切板２０Ｌｌ、２０Ｌｒの間に画定されている。 The storage part 21R is demarcated between a pair of upright partition plates 20Rl and 20Rr provided in parallel and facing each other. Similarly, the storage portion 21L is also defined between a pair of upright partition plates 20Ll and 20Lr provided in parallel and facing each other.
　なお、収納部２１Ｒ、２１Ｌの符号における数字「２１」の後の「Ｒ」は、「右」を、「Ｌ」は「左」を示す。すなわち、収納部２１Ｒは、右側の収納部２１を示し、収納部２１Ｌは、左側の収納部２１を示す。以降、右側の収納部２１Ｒと、左側の収納部２１Ｌとに共通の一般的な説明をする場合、単に「収納部２１」のように、数字のみの符号を付して説明する。同様に、収納部２１以外の部位についても、符号における数字の後の「Ｒ」は「右」を、「Ｌ」は「左」を示し、右側部位と左側部位とに共通の一般的な説明をする場合、数字のみの符号を付して説明する。 It should be noted that "R" after the number "21" in the reference numerals of the storage portions 21R and 21L indicates "right", and "L" indicates "left". That is, the storage portion 21R indicates the storage portion 21 on the right side, and the storage portion 21L indicates the storage portion 21 on the left side. Henceforth, when giving a general description common to the right side storage part 21R and the left side storage part 21L, the description will be given by simply attaching numerals such as "storage part 21". Similarly, with respect to parts other than the storage part 21, "R" after the numerals in the reference numerals indicates "right" and "L" indicates "left", and a general explanation common to the right side part and the left side part is given. , the description will be given with the reference numerals only.
　図３は、生理用品が収納部に収納された状態におけるディスペンサの内部構造を示す図２に対応する正面図である。 FIG. 3 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing the internal structure of the dispenser with the sanitary product stored in the storage portion.
　図３に示すように、生理用品Ｓは、収納部２１Ｒ、２１Ｌの内部に層状に積み重ねて収納される。したがって、仕切板２０Ｒｌと仕切板２０Ｒｒとの間の距離、つまり収納部２１Ｒの幅ｈｒ、および仕切板２０Ｌｌと仕切板２０Ｌｒとの間の距離、つまり収納部２１Ｌの幅ｈｌともに、生理用品Ｓを収納可能なサイズに調整されている。 As shown in FIG. 3, the sanitary napkins S are stored in a layered manner inside the storage sections 21R and 21L. Therefore, both the distance between the partition plates 20Rl and 20Rr, that is, the width hr of the storage portion 21R, and the distance between the partition plates 20Ll and 20Lr, that is, the width hl of the storage portion 21L, both It is adjusted to a size that can be stored.
　このような構成の収納部２１Ｒおよび収納部２１Ｌにはそれぞれ、例えば２０～３０個の生理用品Ｓを収納することができる。また、積み重ねられた生理用品Ｓの上方向への膨らみを抑えるために、最上位に積まれた生理用品Ｓの上に、１００グラム程度の重りｍを載せる。 For example, 20 to 30 sanitary products S can be stored in each of the storage section 21R and the storage section 21L having such a configuration. In addition, in order to suppress the upward bulging of the stacked sanitary products S, a weight m of about 100 grams is placed on the sanitary products S stacked at the top.
　ディスペンサ１０は、ユーザからの妥当な提供要求Ｃに応じて、収納部２１Ｒ、２１Ｌに収納されている生理用品Ｓのうち、最下位に位置する生理用品Ｓを、収納部２１Ｒ、２１Ｌの底面とほぼ同じ高さに設けられた排出口１３Ｒ、１３Ｌから排出する。 In response to a reasonable provision request C from the user, the dispenser 10 dispenses the sanitary product S positioned at the bottom among the sanitary products S stored in the storage units 21R and 21L with the bottom surfaces of the storage units 21R and 21L. It is discharged from discharge ports 13R and 13L provided at approximately the same height.
　この排出は、収納部２１の下に配置された排出ローラ３０の回転によって行われる。このため、図２に示すように、収納部２１の底面の一部に穴が開けられ、その穴から、排出ローラ３０の一部が露出するように、排出ローラ３０が配置される。図２には、収納部２１Ｒの底面の一部から露出する２つの排出ローラ３０Ｒと、収納部２１Ｌの底面の一部から露出する２つの排出ローラ３０Ｌとが例示されている。 This discharge is performed by rotating the discharge roller 30 arranged under the storage section 21 . For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, a hole is formed in a part of the bottom surface of the storage section 21, and the discharge roller 30 is arranged so that a part of the discharge roller 30 is exposed from the hole. FIG. 2 illustrates two ejection rollers 30R exposed from a portion of the bottom surface of the storage portion 21R and two ejection rollers 30L exposed from a portion of the bottom surface of the storage portion 21L.
　排出ローラ３０が正方向に回転すると、最下位に位置する生理用品Ｓが、ディスペンサ１０手前側（図３中手前側）に移動する。例えば排出ローラ３０の外周にシリコンラバー―を巻くなどして、排出ローラ３０の表面にシリコンラバーを配置することが好ましい。シリコンラバーは高い静止摩擦係数を有しているので、排出ローラ３０の正方向への回転時に、最下位に位置する生理用品Ｓの移動を確実かつ、より容易にする。 When the discharge roller 30 rotates in the positive direction, the sanitary product S positioned at the bottom moves to the front side of the dispenser 10 (the front side in FIG. 3). For example, it is preferable to arrange the silicon rubber on the surface of the discharge roller 30 by wrapping the silicon rubber around the outer periphery of the discharge roller 30 . Since silicone rubber has a high coefficient of static friction, it ensures and facilitates the movement of the lowermost sanitary product S when the ejection roller 30 rotates in the positive direction.
　図４は、本実施形態におけるディスペンサの排出メカニズムを説明するための、収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図である。 FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in this embodiment.
　図４に例示するように、収納部２１の最下位の生理用品Ｓ１の下面の一部は、排出ローラ３０と接触する。 As illustrated in FIG. 4 , part of the lower surface of the lowermost sanitary product S1 in the storage section 21 contacts the ejection roller 30 .
　排出ローラ３０は、ステッピングモータ３２からの駆動力を受けて回転する。ステッピングモータ３２は、排出ローラ３０に直接接続される。したがって、図３に戻って示すように、ステッピングモータ３２もまた、収納部２１の下に配置される。 The discharge roller 30 rotates by receiving the driving force from the stepping motor 32 . A stepping motor 32 is directly connected to the ejection roller 30 . Therefore, the stepper motor 32 is also arranged below the housing 21, as shown back in FIG.
　ステッピングモータ３２が、排出ローラ３０を正回転方向Ｄに回転させる駆動力を排出ローラ３０へ提供すると、排出ローラ３０が正回転することで、最下位の生理用品Ｓ１は、排出方向Ｅへ移動する。排出方向Ｅは、ディスペンサ１０手前側（図３中手前側）に相当する。 When the stepping motor 32 provides the ejection roller 30 with a driving force to rotate the ejection roller 30 in the forward rotation direction D, the ejection roller 30 rotates forward, thereby moving the lowermost sanitary product S1 in the ejection direction E. . The discharge direction E corresponds to the front side of the dispenser 10 (the front side in FIG. 3).
　一方、ステッピングモータ３２が、排出ローラ３０を逆回転方向Ｆに回転させる駆動力を排出ローラ３０へ提供すると、排出ローラ３０が逆回転することで、最下位の生理用品Ｓ１は、排出方向Ｅと逆方向である非排出方向Ｇへ移動する。非排出方向Ｇは、ディスペンサ１０奥側（図３中奥側）に相当する。 On the other hand, when the stepping motor 32 provides the discharge roller 30 with a driving force to rotate the discharge roller 30 in the reverse rotation direction F, the discharge roller 30 rotates in the reverse direction, so that the lowest sanitary product S1 rotates in the discharge direction E. It moves in the non-ejection direction G, which is the opposite direction. The non-discharging direction G corresponds to the back side of the dispenser 10 (the back side in FIG. 3).
　前述したように、排出ローラ３０およびステッピングモータ３２をともに収納部２１よりも下に配置することで、筐体１１の奥行のサイズを、可能な限り薄型化できる。薄型化は、限られたトイレの空間、特に、トイレ内のユーザとディスペンサ１０との間隔を、必要以上に狭めないという観点から、非常に好ましい。これによって、ユーザは、ディスペンサ１０が配置されているトイレを使用する場合でも、特に圧迫感を感じることなく、ごく自然に利用できるからである。 As described above, by arranging both the discharge roller 30 and the stepping motor 32 below the storage section 21, the depth size of the housing 11 can be made as thin as possible. Thinning is very preferable from the viewpoint of not narrowing the limited space of the toilet, particularly the distance between the user and the dispenser 10 in the toilet more than necessary. This is because even when the user uses the toilet in which the dispenser 10 is arranged, the user can use the toilet very naturally without feeling oppressed.
　図５は、円筒型の排出ローラを例示する図３に対応する図である。 FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3, exemplifying a cylindrical discharge roller.
　排出ローラ３０は、最下位の生理用品Ｓを、排出方向Ｅまたは非排出方向Ｇに移動させることが可能であれば、その構成は限定されず、図３に示すような３つの車輪型の排出ローラ３０に代えて、例えば、図５に示すように、１つの収納部２１に対して、１つの円筒型の排出ローラ３０とすることもできる。 The discharge roller 30 is not limited in its configuration as long as it can move the lowest sanitary product S in the discharge direction E or the non-discharge direction G, and is a three-wheel type discharge roller as shown in FIG. Instead of the rollers 30, for example, as shown in FIG.
　また、ステッピングモータ３２の動作音は非常に小さいので、ディスペンサ１０から生理用品Ｓが排出される際に、ステッピングモータ３２が動作している場合でも、動作音はほとんど聞こえないので、ディスペンサ１０を使用中であることを、隣の個室の人に気が付かれることも無い。 In addition, since the operating sound of the stepping motor 32 is very small, even when the stepping motor 32 is operating when the sanitary product S is discharged from the dispenser 10, the operating sound is hardly audible, so the dispenser 10 is used. The person in the next room won't even notice that you're inside.
　ところで、生理用品Ｓの厚みは、製造メーカや、銘柄によって異なる。図４に例示されるように、排出口１３の開口高さＴｂは、どの銘柄の生理用品Ｓであっても通過できるように、最も厚い銘柄の生理用品Ｓの厚みよりも大きめに決定されている。 By the way, the thickness of the sanitary product S varies depending on the manufacturer and brand. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the opening height Tb of the discharge port 13 is determined to be larger than the thickness of the thickest brand of sanitary napkin S so that any brand of sanitary napkin S can pass through. there is
　厚みよりも高い開口高さＴｂを有する排出口１３から生理用品Ｓが排出される場合、特に、厚みの薄い銘柄の生理用品Ｓが排出される場合は、図４に示す例では、最下位の生理用品Ｓ１だけではなく、最下位の生理用品Ｓ１の上に積まれている生理用品Ｓ２も同時に排出される、つまり、２つの生理用品Ｓ１、Ｓ２が同時に排出されてしまう恐れがある。 When the sanitary product S is discharged from the discharge port 13 having an opening height Tb higher than the thickness, particularly when the sanitary product S of a thin brand is discharged, in the example shown in FIG. Not only the sanitary product S1, but also the sanitary product S2 stacked on top of the lowest sanitary product S1 is discharged at the same time.
　これでは、生理用品Ｓを１つずつ排出するという機能を実現できないのみならず、２つの生理用品Ｓ１、Ｓ２が同時に排出口１３から出ようとすることによって、排出口１３で詰まってしまい、不具合をもたらす恐れもある。 This not only fails to realize the function of discharging the sanitary products S one by one, but also causes the discharge port 13 to become clogged when the two sanitary products S1 and S2 try to come out from the discharge port 13 at the same time. There is also the risk of causing
　このようなことを回避するために、排出口１３の前方（排出方向Ｅ側）に、調節プレート２３を配置する。 In order to avoid such a situation, the adjustment plate 23 is arranged in front of the discharge port 13 (discharge direction E side).
　図６は、調節プレートの一例を示す正面図である。 FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of the adjustment plate.
　調節プレート２３は、ゲート状の板によって実現され、生理用品Ｓの各銘柄に応じて決定された高さＩの開口部Ｊを有している。このような調節プレート２３を、排出口１３の前方（排出方向Ｅ側）に配置することで、銘柄に関わらず、１つの生理用品Ｓだけが確実に排出されるようになる。このため、２つの生理用品Ｓ（例えば、生理用品Ｓ１、Ｓ２）が、同時に開口部Ｊを通過することはないので、排出詰まりが生じることはない。 The adjustment plate 23 is realized by a gate-like plate and has an opening J with a height I determined according to each brand of sanitary product S. By arranging such an adjustment plate 23 in front of the discharge port 13 (on the discharge direction E side), only one sanitary product S can be reliably discharged regardless of the brand. Therefore, two sanitary products S (for example, sanitary products S1 and S2) do not pass through the opening J at the same time, so discharge clogging does not occur.
　このような調節プレート２３は、生理用品Ｓの各銘柄に応じて複数種類が準備されている。また、調節プレート２３は、ディスペンサ１０の排出口１３の前方（排出方向Ｅ側）に、着脱可能である。 A plurality of types of such adjustment plates 23 are prepared according to each brand of sanitary product S. Further, the adjustment plate 23 is attachable and detachable in front of the discharge port 13 of the dispenser 10 (discharge direction E side).
　したがって、複数種類の調節プレート２３の中から、収納部２１に収納されている生理用品Ｓの銘柄に応じて、適切な調節プレート２３を選択し、選択した調節プレート２３を、排出口１３の前方に配置する。 Therefore, an appropriate adjustment plate 23 is selected from among a plurality of types of adjustment plates 23 according to the brand of the sanitary product S stored in the storage portion 21 , and the selected adjustment plate 23 is placed in front of the discharge port 13 . to be placed.
　調節プレート２３は、着脱可能であるので、収納部２１に収納されている生理用品Ｓが、別の銘柄に変わった場合には、それに応じて、適切な別の調節プレート２３に容易に交換することができる。 Since the adjustment plate 23 is detachable, when the sanitary product S stored in the storage part 21 changes to another brand, the adjustment plate 23 can be easily replaced with another suitable adjustment plate 23 accordingly. be able to.
　これによって、収納する生理用品Ｓの銘柄を変えた場合であっても、排出口１３の高さＴｂを変えることなく、つまり、ディスペンサ１０本体の改造を要することなく、調節プレート２３を交換するだけで、１度に１つの生理用品Ｓのみを確実に排出することができる。 As a result, even when the brand of the sanitary product S to be stored is changed, the height Tb of the discharge port 13 is not changed, that is, the main body of the dispenser 10 is not modified, and only the adjusting plate 23 is replaced. , only one sanitary product S can be reliably discharged at a time.
　図４に戻って示すように、調節プレート２３の前方には、調節プレート２３の開口部Ｊを、ディスペンサ１０の外部側から閉じる盗難防止用蓋２４が配置される。盗難防止用蓋２４は、図４中右側から左側へ押しても、動かないようになっている。また、ディスペンサ１０の外部側から図４中右側へ引っ張ることもできない構成となっている。したがって、悪意のあるユーザが、ディスペンサ１０に収納されている生理用品Ｓを盗もうとして、排出口１３から収納部２１側へ手や工具を入れようとしても、それはできない。 As shown back in FIG. 4 , an anti-theft lid 24 that closes the opening J of the adjustment plate 23 from the outside of the dispenser 10 is arranged in front of the adjustment plate 23 . The anti-theft lid 24 does not move even if it is pushed from the right side to the left side in FIG. In addition, it is configured such that it cannot be pulled to the right side in FIG. 4 from the outside of the dispenser 10 . Therefore, even if a malicious user attempts to steal the sanitary napkin S stored in the dispenser 10 by inserting his/her hand or tools into the storage portion 21 side through the outlet 13, he or she cannot do so.
　その一方で、盗難防止用蓋２４は、ディスペンサ１０の内部側からの押圧力に対しては、自由に開くようになっている。したがって、収納部２１からの生理用品Ｓの排出を阻害しない。これを図７を用いて説明する。 On the other hand, the anti-theft lid 24 is designed to open freely against pressure from the inside of the dispenser 10 . Therefore, discharge of the sanitary product S from the storage portion 21 is not hindered. This will be described with reference to FIG.
　図７は、生理用品の排出時における収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図である。 FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage portion when the sanitary product is discharged.
　すなわち、盗難防止用蓋２４は、排出ローラ３０の正回転方向Ｄへの回転によって排出方向Ｅに移動する生理用品Ｓ１によって内部側から押圧されると、図７に示すように開くので、生理用品Ｓ１は、ディスペンサ１０の外部へ排出される。 That is, when the anti-theft lid 24 is pressed from the inside by the sanitary product S1 moving in the discharge direction E due to the rotation of the discharge roller 30 in the forward rotation direction D, the anti-theft lid 24 opens as shown in FIG. S1 is discharged outside the dispenser 10 .
　このような盗難防止用蓋２４によって、生理用品Ｓのディスペンサ１０からの排出を阻害することなく、ディスペンサ１０の外部からの生理用品Ｓの盗難を阻止することができる。 Such anti-theft lid 24 can prevent the sanitary product S from being stolen from outside the dispenser 10 without hindering discharge of the sanitary product S from the dispenser 10 .
　次に、ディスペンサ１０の電子回路構成について説明する。 Next, the electronic circuit configuration of the dispenser 10 will be described.
　図８は、ディスペンサの電子回路構成例を示すブロック図である。 FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electronic circuit configuration example of the dispenser.
　ディスペンサ１０は、電子回路として、バス４１によって互いに接続されたＣＰＵ４２、記録媒体読取部４４、通信部４５、メモリ５０、および記憶装置６０をさらに備えている。また、前述したディスプレイ１２、人感センサ１４、およびユーザ情報読取部１６に加え、後述する在庫センサ２２および排出センサ２５もバス４１に接続される。 The dispenser 10 further includes, as electronic circuits, a CPU 42, a recording medium reading section 44, a communication section 45, a memory 50, and a storage device 60, which are connected to each other via a bus 41. In addition to the display 12 , the motion sensor 14 , and the user information reading section 16 described above, an inventory sensor 22 and a discharge sensor 25 , which will be described later, are also connected to the bus 41 .
　メモリ５０は、制御プログラム５１を記憶しているとともに、書込可能データエリア５２を確保している。 The memory 50 stores a control program 51 and secures a writable data area 52 .
　通信部４５は、例えばインターネットのような通信ネットワーク２００を介して、管理サーバ３００や、広告サーバ（図示せず）等と通信することができる。 The communication unit 45 can communicate with the management server 300, an advertisement server (not shown), etc. via a communication network 200 such as the Internet.
　制御プログラム５１は、ディスペンサ１０の動作全体を制御するためのプログラムであって、メモリ５０に予め記憶されていてもよいし、あるいはメモリカード等の外部記録媒体４３から記録媒体読取部４４を介してメモリ５０に読み込まれ記憶されたものであってもよい。制御プログラム５１は、ユーザの操作によって書き換えできないようになっている。一方、書込可能データエリア５２は、書き換えが可能なデータを記憶するエリアである。 The control program 51 is a program for controlling the entire operation of the dispenser 10, and may be stored in advance in the memory 50, or may be read from an external recording medium 43 such as a memory card via the recording medium reading section 44. It may be read and stored in the memory 50 . The control program 51 cannot be rewritten by a user's operation. On the other hand, the writable data area 52 is an area for storing rewritable data.
　ＣＰＵ４２は、コンピュータであって、メモリ５０に記憶されている制御プログラム５１に従い回路各部の動作を制御する。 The CPU 42 is a computer and controls the operation of each part of the circuit according to the control program 51 stored in the memory 50 .
　記憶装置６０は、例えばＳＳＤ（Solid State Drive）やＨＤＤ（Hard Disk Drive）等からなり、画像データ記憶部６２を記憶している。 The storage device 60 is composed of, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores an image data storage section 62 .
　画像データ記憶部６２は、スポンサーからの広告や、ディスペンサ１０の使用方法を説明するための、映像あるいは静止画である画像データを記憶している。 The image data storage unit 62 stores image data such as video or still images for explaining advertisements from sponsors and how to use the dispenser 10 .
　画像データは、ディスプレイ１２から表示される。画像データの表示時間は、ユーザのトイレ個室への１回の入室毎に２分程度とし、それ以上長くは表示しない。これによって、ユーザが、ディスプレイ１２から表示される画像データに見入ってしまい、ついトイレに長居するようなことがないにようにしている。２分間での効果的な表示のために、画像データの長さは、例えば、１５秒尺程度とする。また、画像データの種類は、例えば、広告と、ディスペンサ１０の使用方法の説明のように、２種類程度とする。すなわち、ディスプレイ１２から画像データを表示する場合、１つが１５秒程度の２種類の画像データを、２分間の間に繰り返し表示する。 The image data is displayed from the display 12. The image data is displayed for about two minutes each time the user enters the private toilet room, and is not displayed longer than that. This prevents the user from staring at the image data displayed on the display 12 and unintentionally staying in the restroom for a long time. For effective display in 2 minutes, the length of the image data is, for example, about 15 seconds. Also, the types of image data are assumed to be about two types, for example, an advertisement and an explanation of how to use the dispenser 10 . That is, when displaying image data from the display 12, two types of image data, each of which is about 15 seconds long, are repeatedly displayed for two minutes.
　なお、新たな画像データを画像データ記憶部６２に登録する場合には、新たな画像データを記録した外部記録媒体４３を、記録媒体読取部４４によって読み取り、画像データ記憶部６２に書き込むことによって行う。あるいは、通信部４５によって、例えばインターネットのような通信ネットワーク２００を介して、管理サーバ３００や、広告サーバ（図示せず）等から画像データを取得し、取得した画像データを、画像データ記憶部６２に書き込むことによって行ってもよい。 When registering new image data in the image data storage unit 62, the external recording medium 43 in which the new image data is recorded is read by the recording medium reading unit 44 and written in the image data storage unit 62. . Alternatively, the communication unit 45 acquires image data from the management server 300, an advertisement server (not shown), or the like via a communication network 200 such as the Internet, and stores the acquired image data in the image data storage unit 62. may be done by writing to
　ディスプレイ１２、人感センサ１４、およびユーザ情報読取部１６は、図１に示すように、前蓋１１ｂの外側表面に設けられる。 The display 12, the human sensor 14, and the user information reader 16 are provided on the outer surface of the front lid 11b, as shown in FIG.
　人感センサ１４は、例えば赤外線センサによって実現され、トイレの個室に入ったユーザを感知し、感知信号Ａを出力する。出力された感知信号Ａは、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ送られる。 The human sensor 14 is realized by, for example, an infrared sensor, detects a user who has entered the private room of the toilet, and outputs a detection signal A. The output sensing signal A is sent to memory 50 via bus 41 .
　制御プログラム５１は、メモリ５０へ感知信号Ａが送られたことに応じて、画像データ記憶部６２に記憶された画像データの、ディスプレイ１２からの表示を開始させる。また、通信部４５を使って、通信ネットワーク２００を介して、図示しない広告サーバから配信される広告の画像データを受信し、受信した広告の画像データのディスプレイ１２からの表示を開始させてもよい。 The control program 51 causes the display 12 to start displaying the image data stored in the image data storage unit 62 in response to the sensing signal A being sent to the memory 50 . Further, the communication unit 45 may be used to receive advertisement image data distributed from an advertisement server (not shown) via the communication network 200, and display of the received advertisement image data on the display 12 may be started. .
　このように、ディスペンサ１０は、ディスプレイ１２から広告を表示できるので、ディスペンサ１０によって生理用品Ｓを提供する事業者は、広告スポンサーを募り、ディスプレイ１２から、広告を表示することによって広告収入を得、その収入の一部で生理用品Ｓを購入し、ディスペンサ１０に補充するサイクルを繰り返すことによって、ユーザに対して生理用品Ｓを無償で提供し続けるというビジネスモデルを実施することも可能となる。 In this way, since the dispenser 10 can display advertisements from the display 12, the business that provides the sanitary napkins S through the dispenser 10 solicits advertising sponsors and displays the advertisements from the display 12 to obtain advertising revenue. By repeating the cycle of purchasing sanitary products S with part of the income and replenishing the dispenser 10, it is possible to implement a business model in which the sanitary products S are continuously provided to the user free of charge.
　次に、ユーザがディスペンサ１０に対して行う生理用品Ｓの提供要求の方法の例について説明する。 Next, an example of a method of requesting the supply of the sanitary product S from the dispenser 10 by the user will be described.
　ユーザがディスペンサ１０に対して、生理用品Ｓの提供要求Ｃを行う方法については、本明細書では特に限定しないが、例えば、ユーザが、ユーザ情報読取部１６からユーザ情報を入力することによって行ったり（読取方式）、あるいは、スマートフォン等のユーザデバイス１５１に、専用アプリＡＰをインストールし、この専用アプリＡＰを使って、管理サーバ３００を経由して行なったり（アプリ方式）することができる。 The method by which the user requests the supply of the sanitary product S to the dispenser 10 is not particularly limited in the present specification. (reading method), or a dedicated application AP is installed in the user device 151 such as a smart phone, and this dedicated application AP can be used via the management server 300 (application method).
　まず、読取方式による生理用品Ｓの提供要求Ｃの方法について以下に説明する。 First, the method of requesting C for provision of sanitary products S using the reading method will be described below.
　読取方式によって生理用品Ｓの提供要求Ｃを行う場合、ユーザは、非接触方式でも、接触方式でも、ユーザ情報読取部１６からユーザ情報を入力できる。 When making a provision request C for sanitary products S by a reading method, the user can input user information from the user information reading unit 16 by either a non-contact method or a contact method.
　非接触方式でのユーザ情報入力の例として、ＮＦＣ技術の適用が挙げられる。この場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６を、ＮＦＣ対応受信機とし、ユーザは、ＮＦＣ対応型カード１５０（例えば、交通系カード、社員証や学生証等の身分証、クレジットカード、キャッシュカード等のＩＣカード）やユーザデバイス１５１（例えば、スマートフォン）を、ユーザ情報読取部１６にかざす。ユーザ情報読取部１６は、ＮＦＣ対応型カード１５０やユーザデバイス１５１から情報ｊ（例えば、カードの番号、デバイス番号等）を読み取る。ユーザ情報読取部１６は、この読み取った情報ｊを、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力する。このように、ＮＦＣ技術を適用する場合、ＮＦＣ対応型カード１５０のみならず、スマートフォンのようなユーザデバイス１５１でも利用可能である。 An example of non-contact user information input is the application of NFC technology. In this case, the user information reading unit 16 is an NFC-compatible receiver, and the user uses an NFC-compatible card 150 (for example, a transportation card, an identification card such as an employee ID card or a student ID card, an IC card such as a credit card, a cash card, etc.). ) or the user device 151 (eg, smart phone) over the user information reading unit 16 . The user information reading unit 16 reads information j (for example, card number, device number, etc.) from the NFC compatible card 150 or the user device 151 . The user information reading unit 16 outputs the read information j to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj. In this way, when NFC technology is applied, not only the NFC compatible card 150 but also the user device 151 such as a smart phone can be used.
　また、非接触方式の別のユーザ情報入力の例として、ビーコンやＲＦＩＤ等の無線技術の適用が挙げられる。ビーコンを使用する場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６を、ビーコン受信機とし、ユーザは、ビーコンＩＤを送信するビーコンデバイス１５２を、ユーザ情報読取部１６に近づける。ユーザ情報読取部１６は、ビーコン識別情報ＩＤを受信し、この受信したビーコン識別情報ＩＤを、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力する。 Another example of contactless user information input is the application of wireless technologies such as beacons and RFID. When using a beacon, the user information reader 16 is used as a beacon receiver, and the user brings the beacon device 152 that transmits the beacon ID closer to the user information reader 16 . The user information reading unit 16 receives the beacon identification information ID and outputs the received beacon identification information ID to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
　ＲＦＩＤを使用する場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６を、ＲＦＩＤリーダとし、ユーザは、ＲＦＩＤタグ１５３をユーザ情報読取部１６に近づける。ユーザ情報読取部１６は、ＲＦＩＤ識別情報ｉｄを受信し、この受信したＲＦＩＤ識別情報ｉｄを、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力する。 When using RFID, the user information reading unit 16 is an RFID reader, and the user brings the RFID tag 153 close to the user information reading unit 16. The user information reading unit 16 receives the RFID identification information id, and outputs the received RFID identification information id to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
　非接触方式のさらに別の例として、ＱＲコード（登録商標）１５４の利用が挙げられる。この場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６を、ＱＲコードリーダとし、ユーザは、所定の情報が埋め込まれたＱＲコード１５４を、ユーザ情報読取部１６に読み取らせる。そして、ユーザ情報読取部１６は、ＱＲコード１５４から、所定の情報ｑを取得し、この所定の情報ｑを、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力する。 Another example of the contactless method is the use of the QR code (registered trademark) 154. In this case, the user information reading section 16 is a QR code reader, and the user causes the user information reading section 16 to read the QR code 154 embedded with predetermined information. User information reading unit 16 acquires predetermined information q from QR code 154 and outputs this predetermined information q to memory 50 via bus 41 as user information uj.
　非接触方式の他の例として、生体情報認証の利用が挙げられる。この場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６を、生体認証装置とする。生体認証装置は、ユーザＵの生体情報ｒを認証し、認証した生体情報ｒを、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、メモリ５０へ出力する。生体情報ｒとしては、例えば、指紋、掌形、網膜、虹彩、顔、静脈パターンなどが挙げられるが、例えば、生体情報ｒとして、顔認証情報を利用する場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６を、顔認証装置とし、ユーザＵは、ユーザ情報読取部１６に自分の顔を向ける。そして、ユーザ情報読取部１６が、顔特徴情報を取得し、この顔特徴情報を、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力する。 Another example of a contactless method is the use of biometric authentication. In this case, the user information reading unit 16 is assumed to be a biometric authentication device. The biometric authentication device authenticates the biometric information r of the user U, and outputs the authenticated biometric information r to the memory 50 as user information uj. Examples of biometric information r include fingerprints, hand geometry, retina, iris, face, and vein pattern. Using the authentication device, the user U faces the user information reading unit 16 . Then, the user information reading unit 16 acquires facial feature information, and outputs this facial feature information to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
　一方、接触方式でのユーザ情報入力の例として、磁気カード１５５の利用が挙げられる。この場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６を、磁気リーダとし、ユーザは、磁気カード１５５を、ユーザ情報読取部１６に読み取らせる。そして、ユーザ情報読取部１６は、磁気カード１５５から、例えばカード番号のような磁気情報ｐを取得し、この磁気情報ｐを、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力する。 On the other hand, use of the magnetic card 155 can be mentioned as an example of user information input by the contact method. In this case, the user information reading section 16 is a magnetic reader, and the user causes the user information reading section 16 to read the magnetic card 155 . Then, the user information reading unit 16 acquires magnetic information p such as a card number from the magnetic card 155 and outputs this magnetic information p to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
　接触方式の別の例として、指紋情報の利用が挙げられる。この場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６を指紋リーダとし、ユーザＵは、ユーザ情報読取部１６に指を載せる。そして、ユーザ情報読取部１６は、指紋情報ｖを読み取り、この指紋情報ｖを、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力する。 Another example of the contact method is the use of fingerprint information. In this case, the user information reading section 16 is a fingerprint reader, and the user U places his finger on the user information reading section 16 . Then, the user information reading unit 16 reads the fingerprint information v and outputs the fingerprint information v to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as the user information uj.
　接触方式のさらに別の例として、ＮＦＣ非対応型のＩＣカードの利用が挙げられる。ＮＦＣ非対応型ＩＣカード１５６の場合、非接触で情報を読み取ることができないので、ユーザ情報読取部１６を、ＩＣカードリーダとし、ユーザは、ＩＣカードに記憶された例えばカード番号のようなカード情報ｗを、ユーザ情報読取部１６に読み取らせる。ユーザ情報読取部１６は、このカード情報ｗを、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力する。 Another example of the contact method is the use of non-NFC compatible IC cards. In the case of the non-NFC compatible IC card 156, since information cannot be read without contact, the user information reading unit 16 is an IC card reader, and the user can read card information such as a card number stored in the IC card. w is read by the user information reading unit 16 . The user information reading unit 16 outputs this card information w to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
　メモリ５０へユーザ情報ｕｊが出力されると、制御プログラム５１は、ユーザ情報ｕｊを、提供要求Ｃとして認識する。 When the user information uj is output to the memory 50, the control program 51 recognizes the user information uj as the provision request C.
　次に、アプリ方式による生理用品Ｓの提供要求Ｃの方法について以下に説明する。 Next, the method of requesting C for provision of sanitary products S by the application method will be described below.
　アプリ方式によって生理用品Ｓの提供要求Ｃを行う場合、ユーザは、先ず、スマートフォンやタブレット等の自分のユーザデバイス１５１に、専用アプリＡＰをインストールする必要がある。 When making a provision request C for sanitary products S using an application, the user must first install a dedicated application AP on his or her user device 151 such as a smartphone or tablet.
　専用アプリＡＰのインストール方法については、特に限定しないが、例えば、ディスペンサ１０によって生理用品Ｓを提供する事業者は、専用アプリＡＰをダウンロードするためのサイト（例えば、管理サーバ３００）のサイトを示す情報（例えば、ＱＲコード（登録商標）や、バーコード）を印刷したシールを、筐体１１に貼付けたり、あるいはこのサイトを示す情報を、ディスプレイ１２から表示することによって、ユーザへ通知する。そして、この通知に従って、ユーザが、自分のユーザデバイス１５１を使って、サイトにアクセスし、専用アプリＡＰをダウンロードし、インストールする。 The method of installing the dedicated application AP is not particularly limited. The user is notified by attaching a sticker printed with (for example, a QR code (registered trademark) or a bar code) to the housing 11 or by displaying information indicating this site on the display 12 . Then, according to this notification, the user uses his/her own user device 151 to access the site, download the dedicated application AP, and install it.
　専用アプリＡＰのインストール後、ユーザは、専用アプリＡＰに従ってユーザデバイス１５１からユーザ情報ｕｊを入力することによってユーザ登録を行った後、生理用品Ｓの提供を要求することができる。この要求に応じて、専用アプリの管理サーバ３００において、ユーザ情報ｕｊに基づいて提供要求Ｃが生成され、生成された提供要求Ｃが、通信ネットワーク２００を介して送信され、通信部４５によって受信され、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力される。 After installing the dedicated application AP, the user can request the provision of sanitary products S after performing user registration by inputting user information uj from the user device 151 according to the dedicated application AP. In response to this request, the dedicated application management server 300 generates a provision request C based on the user information uj, and the generated provision request C is transmitted via the communication network 200 and received by the communication unit 45. , is output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 .
　制御プログラム５１は、これら提供要求Ｃの妥当性を判定する。このために、制御プログラム５１はまず、提供要求Ｃを、ディスペンサ１０に付与されているディスペンサ識別番号ｄとともに、通信部４５から、通信ネットワーク２００を介して、管理サーバ３００へ出力し、記憶させる。 The control program 51 determines the validity of these provision requests C. For this purpose, the control program 51 first outputs the provision request C together with the dispenser identification number d assigned to the dispenser 10 from the communication unit 45 to the management server 300 via the communication network 200 for storage.
　管理サーバ３００には、すべてのディスペンサ１０から、このようにディスペンサ識別情報ｄとともに提供要求Ｃが出力される。前述したように、提供要求Ｃには、ユーザ情報ｕｊが含まれている。また、後述するが、提供要求Ｃに対して、ディスペンサ１０による生理用品Ｓの提供が正しくなされた場合には、制御プログラム５１によって、通信部４５を介して、提供済を示すＯＫ情報が、管理サーバ３００へ送信される。 The supply request C is output to the management server 300 from all the dispensers 10 together with the dispenser identification information d. As described above, the provision request C includes user information uj. Further, as will be described later, when the sanitary product S is correctly provided by the dispenser 10 in response to the provision request C, the control program 51 transmits OK information indicating that the provision has been completed via the communication unit 45. It is sent to server 300 .
　一方、制御プログラム５１によって、この提供要求Ｃが妥当ではないと判定されたり、あるいは、ディスペンサ１０の不具合等によって、生理用品Ｓが提供されなかった場合には、制御プログラム５１によって、通信部４５を介して、非提供を示すＮＧ情報が、管理サーバ３００へ送信される。 On the other hand, when the control program 51 determines that the provision request C is not valid, or when the sanitary product S is not provided due to a malfunction of the dispenser 10 or the like, the control program 51 causes the communication unit 45 to NG information indicating non-provision is sent to the management server 300 via the
　したがって、管理サーバ３００は、図９に例示されるように、提供要求Ｃが送信された時刻ｔと、提供要求Ｃに対応するユーザ情報ｕｊと、送信元のディスペンサ１０のディスペンサ識別情報ｄと、提供済か非提供かのステータスｓａとからなるレコードＲを蓄積する履歴情報テーブル３１０を管理することができる。 Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the management server 300 includes the time t when the provision request C was transmitted, the user information uj corresponding to the provision request C, the dispenser identification information d of the dispenser 10 as the transmission source, It is possible to manage a history information table 310 that accumulates records R consisting of a status sa of provided or not provided.
　制御プログラム５１は、通信部４５を介して管理サーバ３００にアクセスし、管理サーバ３００において管理されている履歴情報テーブル３１０を参照して、提供要求Ｃの妥当性を判定する。 The control program 51 accesses the management server 300 via the communication unit 45, refers to the history information table 310 managed by the management server 300, and determines the validity of the provision request C.
　この妥当性の判定基準としては、限定される訳ではないが、この提供要求Ｃをしたユーザへ、直近に生理用品Ｓが提供された時刻から、所定時間（例えば、２時間）以上経過している場合、要求が妥当であると判定したり（第１の判定基準）、および／または、所定期間（例えば、過去１カ月）中にこのユーザに提供された生理用品Ｓの数が、所定数に達していない場合、要求が妥当であると判定する（第２の判定基準）という具合である。 The criteria for judging the appropriateness are, but not limited to, a predetermined period of time (for example, two hours) from the time when the sanitary product S was most recently provided to the user who made the provision request C. If so, the request is determined to be valid (first criterion) and/or the number of sanitary products S provided to this user during a predetermined period of time (e.g., the past month) exceeds a predetermined number. is not reached, the request is determined to be valid (second criterion), and so on.
　これらいずれの判定基準を採用するにせよ、制御プログラム５１は、提供要求Ｃの妥当性を判定するために、管理サーバ３００において管理されている履歴情報テーブル３１０を参照する。例えば、提供要求Ｃに関連するユーザ情報ｕｊに関するレコードＲを、履歴情報テーブル３１０から抽出し、さらにステータスｓａが「ＯＫ」となっているレコードＲに絞り込む。この絞り込まれたレコードＲを参照すれば、このユーザへ生理用品Ｓが提供された直近の時刻も、過去１カ月間の生理用品Ｓの提供数も把握できるので、制御プログラム５１は、提供要求Ｃの妥当性を判定することができる。 Regardless of which criterion is adopted, the control program 51 refers to the history information table 310 managed by the management server 300 in order to determine the validity of the provision request C. For example, the records R related to the user information uj related to the provision request C are extracted from the history information table 310, and the records R whose status sa is "OK" are narrowed down. By referring to this narrowed down record R, it is possible to grasp the most recent time when the sanitary product S was provided to this user and the number of sanitary products S provided in the past month. can determine the validity of
　以下に、図９を用いて、最新の提供要求Ｃが、第１の判定基準を満たしているか否かを、制御プログラム５１が判定する場合の具体例を説明する。ここでは、第１の判定基準として使用される所定時間を２時間とする。 A specific example in which the control program 51 determines whether or not the latest provision request C satisfies the first criteria will be described below with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined time used as the first criterion is two hours.
　図９の例では、レコードＲ１１５が、最新の提供要求Ｃである。レコードＲ１１５は、ユーザ情報ｕｊが「Ｂ２３４６」であり、要求時の時刻ｔが「２０１９１２０４１４２３４１」、すなわち２０１９年１２月４日１４時２３分４１秒であることを示している。 In the example of FIG. 9, record R115 is the latest provision request C. The record R115 indicates that the user information uj is "B2346" and the time t at the time of request is "20191204142341", that is, December 4, 2019, 14:23:41.
　図９において、ユーザ情報ｕｊが「Ｂ２３４６」であり、かつステータスが「ＯＫ」となっているレコードは、レコードＲ１０７である。したがって、レコードＲ１１５の要求元のユーザが、ディスペンサ１０から直近に生理用品Ｓの提供を受けた時刻は、レコードＲ１０７に記録されている時刻ｔである。 In FIG. 9, the record whose user information uj is "B2346" and whose status is "OK" is record R107. Therefore, the time at which the user who requested the record R115 most recently received the sanitary product S from the dispenser 10 is the time t recorded in the record R107.
　レコードＲ１０７の時刻ｔは、「２０１９１２０４０９３５２９」、すなわち２０１９年１２月４日午前９時３５分２９秒である。 The time t of record R107 is "20191204093529", that is, December 4, 2019, 9:35:29 am.
　レコードＲ１１５が示す時刻ｔは、レコードＲ１０７が示す時刻ｔの４時間４８秒１２秒後であり、所定時間である２時間以上経過している。したがって、制御プログラム５１は、レコードＲ１１５の提供要求Ｃは、第１の判定基準を満たしていると判定する。 The time t indicated by the record R115 is 4 hours, 48 seconds and 12 seconds after the time t indicated by the record R107, and the predetermined time of 2 hours or more has elapsed. Therefore, the control program 51 determines that the provision request C of the record R115 satisfies the first criterion.
　なお、上記の具体的な説明により、第２の判定基準を満たしているか否かの判定も理解できると思われるので、第２の判定基準を満たしているか否かを判定する際の具体例を用いた説明は省略する。 It should be noted that, from the above specific explanation, it is believed that the judgment as to whether or not the second criterion is satisfied can also be understood. Descriptions used are omitted.
　提供要求Ｃが妥当であると判定すると、制御プログラム５１は、ステッピングモータ３２Ｒまたはステッピングモータ３２Ｌの何れかに駆動命令を出力する。 When determining that the provision request C is valid, the control program 51 outputs a drive command to either the stepping motor 32R or the stepping motor 32L.
　通常であれば、制御プログラム５１は、右側の系統の排出口１３Ｒと、左側の系統の排出口１３とから交互に生理用品Ｓを排出するために、右側の系統のステッピングモータ３２Ｒと、左側の系統のステッピングモータ３２Ｌとへ交互に駆動命令を出力する。すなわち、前回の提供要求Ｃに対してステッピングモータ３２Ｒへ駆動命令が出力され、排出口１３Ｒから生理用品Ｓが排出された場合、制御プログラム５１は、今回の提供要求Ｃに対しては、排出口１３Ｌから生理用品Ｓを排出するために、ステッピングモータ３２Ｌへ駆動命令を出力する。 Normally, the control program 51 operates the right system stepping motor 32R and the left A drive command is alternately output to the stepping motor 32L of the system. That is, when a drive command is output to the stepping motor 32R in response to the previous provision request C and the sanitary product S is discharged from the discharge port 13R, the control program 51 responds to the current provision request C by outputting the discharge port In order to discharge the sanitary product S from 13L, a drive command is output to the stepping motor 32L.
　しかしながら、制御プログラム５１は、後述するように、何れかの系統に排出詰まりなどの不具合が生じた場合には、不具合が解消されるまで、正常に動作している系統のステッピングモータ３２のみへ駆動命令を出力する。これによって、ディスペンサ１０は、一方の系統に不具合が生じた場合であっても、不具合の生じていない他方の系統から生理用品Ｓを排出でき、サービスを継続できるという冗長性を備えている。 However, as will be described later, when a problem such as discharge clogging occurs in any system, the control program 51 drives only the stepping motor 32 of the normally operating system until the problem is resolved. Output an instruction. As a result, the dispenser 10 has redundancy that, even if one system fails, the sanitary product S can be discharged from the other system in which the failure does not occur, and the service can be continued.
　図３には、排出ローラ３０Ｒに駆動力を提供するステッピングモータ３２Ｒと、排出ローラ３０Ｌに駆動力を提供するステッピングモータ３２Ｌとが示されている。これによって、ステッピングモータ３２Ｒへ駆動命令が出力された場合、ステッピングモータ３２Ｒが駆動し、これに応じて排出ローラ３０Ｒが回転する。一方、ステッピングモータ３２Ｌへ駆動命令が出力された場合、ステッピングモータ３２Ｌが駆動し、これに応じて排出ローラ３０Ｌが回転するようになる。 FIG. 3 shows a stepping motor 32R that provides driving force to the discharge roller 30R and a stepping motor 32L that provides driving force to the discharge roller 30L. Accordingly, when a drive command is output to the stepping motor 32R, the stepping motor 32R is driven, and the discharge roller 30R is rotated accordingly. On the other hand, when a drive command is output to the stepping motor 32L, the stepping motor 32L is driven, and the discharge roller 30L is rotated accordingly.
　ところで、排出ローラ３０が、正回転方向Ｄにだけしか回転しないと、図１０に例示するように、収納部２１内で、積み重ねられた生理用品Ｓ１～Ｓ５の全てが全体的に排出口１３側に寄ってしまい、最下位の生理用品Ｓ１の前方側（図中右側）の上端を、１つ上の生理用品Ｓ２の前方下部が覆ってしまう恐れがある。このような状態で最下位の生理用品Ｓ１を排出しようとすると、その上の生理用品Ｓ２も、最下位の生理用品Ｓ１の前方側の上端を覆ったまま、同時に排出方向Ｅへ移動し、２つの生理用品Ｓ１、Ｓ２が、調節プレート２３のゲートＪを通過しようとすることによって、排出詰まりが生じる可能性がある。 By the way, if the discharge roller 30 rotates only in the forward rotation direction D, all of the sanitary napkins S1 to S5 stacked in the storage section 21 are entirely directed toward the discharge port 13 as shown in FIG. As a result, there is a risk that the upper front end (right side in the drawing) of the lowermost sanitary product S1 may be covered by the lower front part of the sanitary product S2 one level above. When trying to discharge the sanitary product S1 at the bottom in such a state, the sanitary product S2 above it also moves in the discharge direction E while covering the upper end of the front side of the sanitary product S1 at the same time. Two sanitary products S1, S2 attempting to pass through the gate J of the adjustment plate 23 can cause a discharge jam.
　このようなことを回避するために、制御プログラム５１からの駆動命令は、収納部２１から生理用品Ｓを排出する際には、ステッピングモータ３２を、一旦逆方向にわずかに駆動させてから、正方向に駆動させる。これによって、排出ローラ３０は、一旦逆回転方向Ｆにわずかに（例えば約４５度）回転し、収納部２１に収納されている生理用品Ｓを、後方側（図１０中左側）に振るように移動させる。これによって、積み重ねられている生理用品Ｓ１～Ｓ５の排出口１３側への片寄りを矯正する。 In order to avoid such a situation, the drive command from the control program 51 is such that when the sanitary napkin S is discharged from the storage section 21, the stepping motor 32 is driven slightly in the reverse direction and then forward. direction. As a result, the discharge roller 30 is once slightly rotated (for example, about 45 degrees) in the reverse rotation direction F, so that the sanitary napkin S stored in the storage section 21 is swung backward (to the left in FIG. 10). move. This corrects the deviation of the stacked sanitary napkins S1 to S5 toward the discharge port 13 side.
　その後、駆動命令は、ステッピングモータ３２を正方向に駆動させる。これによって、排出ローラ３０が、正回転方向Ｄに回転し、生理用品Ｓ１を排出方向Ｅへ送り出す。 After that, the drive command drives the stepping motor 32 in the forward direction. As a result, the discharge roller 30 rotates in the forward rotation direction D, and the sanitary product S1 is sent out in the discharge direction E. As shown in FIG.
　このように、生理用品Ｓ１を排出する際に、排出ローラ３０を一旦逆回転方向Ｆに若干量回転させ、その後、正回転方向Ｄに回転させることによって、詰まりのない確実な排出を実現する。 In this way, when discharging the sanitary product S1, the discharging roller 30 is first rotated slightly in the reverse rotation direction F and then rotated in the forward rotation direction D, thereby achieving reliable discharge without clogging.
　排出口１３の下方には、排出センサ２５が設けられており、図７に示すように、排出時に排出方向Ｅへ移動する生理用品Ｓ１が上を覆うことによって、排出センサ２５はオンとなり、検知信号Ｋを出力する。出力された検知信号Ｋは、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力される。 A discharge sensor 25 is provided below the discharge port 13. As shown in FIG. 7, when the sanitary product S1 moving in the discharge direction E at the time of discharge is covered, the discharge sensor 25 is turned on and detected. A signal K is output. The output detection signal K is output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 .
　制御プログラム５１は、このような検知信号Ｋに応じて、生理用品Ｓ１の排出が開始されたことを認識する。 The control program 51 recognizes that discharge of the sanitary product S1 has started in response to such a detection signal K.
　ステッピングモータ３２による排出ローラ３０の正回転方向Ｄへの回転が継続されると、図１１に示すように、生理用品Ｓ１の、排出口１３からの排出が完了する。これによって、ユーザは、排出された生理用品Ｓ１を受け取ることができる。また、排出センサ２５の上はもはや生理用品Ｓ１によって覆われなくなるので、排出センサ２５はオフとなり、検知信号Ｋの出力を終了する。 When the discharge roller 30 continues to rotate in the forward rotation direction D by the stepping motor 32, the discharge of the sanitary product S1 from the discharge port 13 is completed, as shown in FIG. This allows the user to receive the discharged sanitary product S1. Further, since the top of the discharge sensor 25 is no longer covered by the sanitary product S1, the discharge sensor 25 is turned off and the output of the detection signal K is terminated.
　制御プログラム５１は、排出センサ２５からの検知信号Ｋの終了に応じて、生理用品Ｓ１の排出が正常に終了したと認識し、駆動しているステッピングモータ３２を停止させ、排出ローラ３０の回転を終了させるとともに、通信部４５から、通信ネットワーク２００を介して、管理サーバ３００へ、ディスペンサ識別情報ｄおよびＯＫ情報を送信する。 When the detection signal K from the discharge sensor 25 ends, the control program 51 recognizes that the discharge of the sanitary product S1 has been completed normally, stops the driving stepping motor 32, and stops the discharge roller 30 from rotating. Along with the termination, the communication unit 45 transmits the dispenser identification information d and the OK information to the management server 300 via the communication network 200 .
　管理サーバ３００は、ディスペンサ識別情報ｄおよびＯＫ情報を受信し、履歴情報テーブル３１０のうち、このディスペンサ識別情報ｄに対応する最新のレコードＲの（すなわち、未記入の）ステータスｓａに、「ＯＫ」と書き込む。 The management server 300 receives the dispenser identification information d and the OK information, and in the history information table 310, the latest record R corresponding to this dispenser identification information d (that is, blank) status sa is set to "OK". and write.
　収納部２１から生理用品Ｓ１が排出されると、収納部２１では、重りｍによる重力の作用によって、図１１に示すように、残っている生理用品Ｓがそれぞれ降下し、今度は、生理用品Ｓ２が最下位となる。このように残っている生理用品Ｓがそれぞれ降下すると、制御プログラム５１は、生理用品Ｓ１の排出を行ったステッピングモータ３２を、逆方向に駆動させる。これによって、排出ローラ３０は、逆回転方向Ｆに回転する。この逆回転の目的も、前述した排出時における逆回転と同様に、積み重ねられている生理用品Ｓ２～Ｓ６の排出口１３側への片寄りを矯正するものであるが、回転量は、前述した排出時における逆回転量よりも２～３倍多く、例えば９０～１２０度とする。 When the sanitary product S1 is discharged from the storage unit 21, the remaining sanitary products S are lowered in the storage unit 21 by the gravitational action of the weight m, as shown in FIG. is the lowest. After each remaining sanitary product S is lowered in this way, the control program 51 reversely drives the stepping motor 32 that ejected the sanitary product S1. As a result, the discharge roller 30 rotates in the reverse rotation direction F. As shown in FIG. The purpose of this reverse rotation is also to correct the deviation of the stacked sanitary napkins S2 to S6 toward the discharge port 13 side, similar to the reverse rotation at the time of discharge described above. The amount of reverse rotation at the time of ejection is two to three times greater, for example, 90 to 120 degrees.
　生理用品Ｓ１の排出が正しく行われた場合は、以上のように動作する。 When the sanitary product S1 is discharged correctly, the operation is as described above.
　次に、生理用品Ｓ１の排出が正しく行われなかった場合について説明する。 Next, a case where the sanitary product S1 is not discharged correctly will be described.
　生理用品Ｓ１の排出が開始されたにも関わらず、万が一、詰り等によって排出口１３から生理用品Ｓが排出されない場合、ステッピングモータ３２の駆動が継続していても、排出センサ２５はオフにはならず、検知信号Ｋを出力し続ける。検知信号Ｋが出力され続けている時間が、正常に生理用品Ｓが排出されるのに要する時間よりも有意に長い場合、制御プログラム５１は、詰まり等による排出異常が発生したと判定する。 In the unlikely event that the sanitary product S is not discharged from the discharge port 13 due to clogging or the like after the discharge of the sanitary product S1 has started, the discharge sensor 25 is turned off even if the stepping motor 32 continues to be driven. Instead, the detection signal K continues to be output. When the detection signal K continues to be output for a significantly longer time than the time required for normal discharge of the sanitary product S, the control program 51 determines that an abnormal discharge due to clogging or the like has occurred.
　例えば、検知信号Ｋの出力が開始された後、通常であれば、２～３秒後に、生理用品Ｓが排出され、検知信号Ｋの出力が終了するところ、５～６秒経過しても、検知信号Ｋが出力され続けている場合、制御プログラム５１は、排出異常が発生したと判定し、駆動しているステッピングモータ３２の駆動を停止させ、排出ローラ３０の回転を停止させ、代わりに、他方の系統から生理用品Ｓを排出させるとともに、排出異常が発生した旨を、メンテナンス作業者へ通知する。これに応じて、メンテナンス作業者は、対象のディスペンサ１０へ赴き、適切な復旧措置を行う。 For example, normally, after 2 to 3 seconds from the start of the output of the detection signal K, the sanitary product S is discharged and the output of the detection signal K ends. If the detection signal K continues to be output, the control program 51 determines that an ejection abnormality has occurred, stops driving the stepping motor 32, stops the rotation of the ejection roller 30, and instead: The sanitary product S is discharged from the other system, and the maintenance worker is notified of the occurrence of the discharge abnormality. In response to this, the maintenance worker goes to the target dispenser 10 and takes appropriate recovery measures.
　生理用品Ｓの排出時の動作は、前述した通りであるので、重複説明を避けるが、他方の系統からの生理用品Ｓ１の排出が正常に終了すると、制御プログラム５１は、通信部４５を介して、管理サーバ３００へ、ディスペンサ識別情報ｄおよびＯＫ情報を送信し、これを受けて、管理サーバ３００は、履歴情報テーブル３１０のうち、このディスペンサ識別情報ｄに対応する最新のレコードの（すなわち、未記入の）ステータスｓａに、「ＯＫ」と書き込む。 Since the operation for discharging the sanitary product S is as described above, redundant explanation will be avoided. , the management server 300 transmits the dispenser identification information d and the OK information to the management server 300, and in response to this, the management server 300 updates the latest record corresponding to this dispenser identification information d in the history information table 310 (that is, the Write "OK" in the entry) status sa.
　他方の系統からの生理用品Ｓ１の排出も正常になされなかった場合、つまり２つの系統の何れからも生理用品Ｓ１の排出が正常にできなかった場合、制御プログラム５１は、通信部４５を介して、管理サーバ３００へ、ディスペンサ識別情報ｄおよびＮＧ情報を送信する。 If the sanitary product S1 is not discharged normally from the other system, that is, if the sanitary product S1 cannot be normally discharged from either of the two systems, the control program 51 sends the , the dispenser identification information d and the NG information are transmitted to the management server 300 .
　これを受けて、管理サーバ３００は、履歴情報テーブル３１０のうち、このディスペンサ識別情報ｄに対応する最新のレコードの（すなわち、未記入の）ステータスｓａに、「ＮＧ」と書き込む。 Upon receiving this, the management server 300 writes "NG" to the (that is, blank) status sa of the latest record corresponding to this dispenser identification information d in the history information table 310.
　次に収納部２１内の生理用品Ｓの在庫管理について説明する。 Next, inventory management of the sanitary products S in the storage section 21 will be described.
　収納部２１から生理用品Ｓが正常に排出されると、収納部２１に収納されている生理用品Ｓの在庫が減る。そこで、ディスペンサ１０は、収納部２１内の生理用品Ｓの在庫量を把握するための在庫センサ２２を備えている。 When the sanitary products S are normally discharged from the storage unit 21, the inventory of the sanitary products S stored in the storage unit 21 is reduced. Therefore, the dispenser 10 has an inventory sensor 22 for grasping the inventory amount of the sanitary napkins S in the storage section 21 .
　具体的には、ディスペンサ１０は、収納部２１Ｒ内の生理用品Ｓの在庫量を把握するためには、積み重ね方向（高さ方向）Ｔａにおいて同じ高さに配置された１対の在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ、２２Ｒｒを、方向Ｔａに沿って高さの異なる３箇所に設けている。 Specifically, in the dispenser 10, in order to grasp the inventory amount of the sanitary napkins S in the storage section 21R, a pair of inventory sensors 22Rl arranged at the same height in the stacking direction (height direction) Ta, 22Rr are provided at three locations with different heights along the direction Ta.
　すなわち、収納部２１Ｒに収納されている生理用品Ｓの在庫量は、３対の在庫センサで把握する。図２および図３に併せて示されるように、第１対の在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃１）、２２Ｒｒ（＃１）は、収納部２１Ｒの底面近傍の高さに、仕切板２０Ｒｌ、２０Ｒｒに埋め込まれることによって設けられている。第２対の在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃２）、２２Ｒｒ（＃２）は、第１対の在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃１）、２２Ｒｒ（＃１）よりも高い高さ（例えば、収納部２１Ｒの高さを１００％とした場合、下面から１０％の高さ）に、仕切板２０Ｒｌ、２０Ｒｒに埋め込まれることによって設けられている。第３対の在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃３）、２２Ｒｒ（＃３）は、第２対の在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃２）、２２Ｒｒ（＃２）よりも高い高さ（例えば、収納部２１Ｒの下面から３０％の高さ）に、仕切板２０Ｒｌ、２０Ｒｒに埋め込まれることによって設けられている。 That is, the inventory amount of the sanitary napkins S stored in the storage section 21R is grasped by the three pairs of inventory sensors. As shown in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3, the first pair of inventory sensors 22Rl (#1) and 22Rr (#1) are embedded in the partition plates 20Rl and 20Rr at a height near the bottom of the storage section 21R. It is established by The second pair of inventory sensors 22Rl (#2) and 22Rr (#2) is taller than the first pair of inventory sensors 22Rl (#1) and 22Rr (#1) (for example, the height of the storage section 21R). is 100%, the height is 10% from the lower surface) by being embedded in the partition plates 20Rl and 20Rr. The third pair of inventory sensors 22Rl (#3) and 22Rr (#3) is higher than the second pair of inventory sensors 22Rl (#2) and 22Rr (#2) (for example, from the lower surface of the storage section 21R). 30% of the height) by being embedded in the partition plates 20Rl and 20Rr.
　また、対を形成する在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ、２２Ｒｒは、収納部２１Ｒの底面から同じ高さに、対面するように配置されており、対の一方（例えば、在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ）が、例えば発光ダイオードのように、光を発する発光部であり、対の他方（例えば、在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ）が、発光部からの光を受光する、例えばフォトダイオードのような受光部である。 In addition, the paired inventory sensors 22Rl and 22Rr are arranged at the same height from the bottom surface of the storage section 21R so as to face each other, and one of the pair (for example, the inventory sensor 22Rl) is, for example, a light-emitting diode. Secondly, it is a light-emitting portion that emits light, and the other of the pair (for example, inventory sensor 22Rr) is a light-receiving portion, such as a photodiode, that receives light from the light-emitting portion.
　したがって、第１対の在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃１）、２２Ｒｒ（＃１）の場合、在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃１）を発光部とし、在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃１）を受光部とすることができる。同様に、第２対の在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃２）、２２Ｒｒ（＃２）の場合、在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃２）を発光部とし、在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃２）を受光部とすることができ、第３対の在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃３）、２２Ｒｒ（＃３）の場合、在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃３）を発光部とし、在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃３）を受光部とすることができる。 Therefore, in the case of the first pair of inventory sensors 22Rl(#1) and 22Rr(#1), the inventory sensor 22Rl(#1) can be the light emitter and the inventory sensor 22Rr(#1) can be the light receiver. Similarly, in the case of the second pair of inventory sensors 22Rl(#2) and 22Rr(#2), the inventory sensor 22Rl(#2) can be the light emitter and the inventory sensor 22Rr(#2) can be the light receiver. , the third pair of inventory sensors 22Rl(#3) and 22Rr(#3), the inventory sensor 22Rl(#3) can be the light emitter and the inventory sensor 22Rr(#3) can be the light receiver.
　なお、逆に、在庫センサ２２Ｒｒを発光部とし、在庫センサ２２Ｒｌを受光部とすることもできる。 Conversely, the inventory sensor 22Rr can be used as the light emitting unit, and the inventory sensor 22Rl can be used as the light receiving unit.
　発光部は、受光部に向けて光を発することができるように調整され、受光部は、発光部からの光を受光できるように調整されている。受光部は、発光部からの光を受光すると、検出信号Ｍを出力する。 The light-emitting part is adjusted so as to emit light toward the light-receiving part, and the light-receiving part is adjusted so as to receive light from the light-emitting part. The light receiving section outputs a detection signal M when receiving the light from the light emitting section.
　例えば、図３に例示されるように、収納部２１Ｒに収納されている生理用品Ｓの在庫が十分である（在庫が３０％以上ある）場合、発光部であるどの在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃１）、（＃２）、（＃３）が発光した光も、生理用品Ｓによって遮られるために、対応する受光部である在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃１）、（＃２）、（＃３）によって受光されない。したがって、どの在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃１）、（＃２）、（＃３）からも検出信号Ｍは出力されない。 For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the inventory of sanitary products S stored in the storage unit 21R is sufficient (the inventory is 30% or more), any inventory sensor 22Rl (#1) which is a light emitting unit , (#2), and (#3) are also blocked by the sanitary product S, and are received by the inventory sensors 22Rr (#1), (#2), and (#3), which are the corresponding light receiving units. not. Therefore, none of the inventory sensors 22Rr(#1), (#2), and (#3) output the detection signal M.
　一方、図１２に例示するように、収納部２１Ｒに収納されている生理用品Ｓの在庫が減少し、残り３０％を下回るようになると、発光部である在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃３）が発光する光が、受光部である在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃３）によって受光されるようになり、在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃３）から検出信号Ｍ（Ｒ＃３）が出力される。 On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 12, when the inventory of sanitary napkins S stored in the storage section 21R decreases and falls below the remaining 30%, the inventory sensor 22Rl (#3), which is a light emitting section, emits light. The light is received by the inventory sensor 22Rr (#3), which is the light receiving portion, and the detection signal M (R#3) is output from the inventory sensor 22Rr (#3).
　収納部２１Ｒに収納されている生理用品Ｓの在庫がさらに減少し、残り１０％を下回るようになると、発光部である在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃２）が発光する光も、受光部である在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃２）によって受光されるようになり、在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃２）からも検出信号Ｍ（Ｒ＃２）が出力されるようになる。 When the inventory of sanitary napkins S stored in the storage unit 21R further decreases and falls below the remaining 10%, the light emitted by the inventory sensor 22Rl (#2), which is the light-emitting unit, also becomes the inventory sensor, which is the light-receiving unit. 22Rr(#2), and the inventory sensor 22Rr(#2) also outputs the detection signal M(R#2).
　収納部２１Ｒに収納されている生理用品Ｓの在庫がまったくなくなると、発光部である在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃１）が発光する光も、受光部である在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃１）によって受光されるようになり、在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃１）からも検出信号Ｍ（Ｒ＃１）が出力されるようになる。 When the inventory of sanitary products S stored in the storage section 21R is completely exhausted, the light emitted by the inventory sensor 22Rl (#1), which is the light emitting section, is also received by the inventory sensor 22Rr (#1), which is the light receiving section. As a result, the detection signal M (R#1) is also output from the inventory sensor 22Rr (#1).
　出力された検出信号Ｍは、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力される。 The output detection signal M is output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 .
　制御プログラム５１は、受光部であるどの在庫センサ２２Ｒｒからも検出信号Ｍが出力されない場合には、収納部２１Ｒに収納されている生理用品Ｓの在庫は十分あると把握し、在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃３）から検出信号Ｍ（Ｒ＃３）が出力され始めると、在庫が３０％を切ったと把握し、さらに在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃２）から検出信号Ｍ（Ｒ＃２）が出力され始めると、在庫が１０％を切ったと把握し、さらに在庫センサ２２Ｒｒ（＃１）から検出信号Ｍ（Ｒ＃１）が出力され始めると、在庫がなくなったと把握する。 When the detection signal M is not output from any of the inventory sensors 22Rr, which are light receiving units, the control program 51 recognizes that the inventory of the sanitary napkins S stored in the storage unit 21R is sufficient, and activates the inventory sensor 22Rr (# When the detection signal M (R#3) starts to be output from 3), it is determined that the inventory has fallen below 30%. When it is determined that the inventory has fallen below 10% and the detection signal M (R#1) starts to be output from the inventory sensor 22Rr (#1), it is determined that the inventory has run out.
　収納部２１Ｌについても、同様な在庫管理を行うために、第１対の在庫センサ２２Ｌｌ（＃１）、２２Ｌｒ（＃１）が、収納部２１Ｌの底面近傍の高さに、第２対の在庫センサ２２Ｌｌ（＃２）、２２Ｌｒ（＃２）が、第２対の在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃２）、２２Ｒｒ（＃１）と同じ高さに、第３対の在庫センサ２２Ｌｌ（＃３）、２２Ｌｒ（＃３）が、第３対の在庫センサ２２Ｒｌ（＃３）、２２Ｒｒ（＃３）と同じ高さに、仕切板２０Ｒｌ、２０Ｒｒに埋め込まれることによって設けられている。 For the storage section 21L as well, in order to perform similar inventory management, the first pair of inventory sensors 22Ll (#1) and 22Lr (#1) are positioned at a height near the bottom surface of the storage section 21L to detect the second pair of inventory sensors. Sensors 22Ll(#2), 22Lr(#2) are level with the second pair of inventory sensors 22Rl(#2), 22Rr(#1) and the third pair of inventory sensors 22Ll(#3), 22Lr. (#3) are provided at the same height as the third pair of inventory sensors 22Rl (#3) and 22Rr (#3) by being embedded in the partition plates 20Rl and 20Rr.
　制御プログラム５１は、把握した在庫情報（例えば、３０％以上、１０～３０％、１０％以下）を、ディスプレイ１２から表示させることができる。また、通信部４５を介して管理サーバ３００へ通知することもできる。 The control program 51 can display the grasped inventory information (eg, 30% or more, 10-30%, 10% or less) from the display 12. Also, it is possible to notify the management server 300 via the communication unit 45 .
　これを受けて管理サーバ３００は、例えば、在庫が１０％を下回ったディスペンサ１０がある場合、在庫補充作業者に対して、このディスペンサ１０に生理用品Ｓを補充するように要求することができる。また、制御プログラム５１が、通信部４５を介して、在庫補充作業者に対して、このディスペンサ１０に生理用品Ｓを補充するように要求することもできる。 In response to this, the management server 300 can request the inventory replenishment worker to replenish sanitary products S to this dispenser 10, for example, if there is a dispenser 10 whose inventory has fallen below 10%. The control program 51 can also request the stock replenishment worker to replenish the sanitary product S to the dispenser 10 via the communication unit 45 .
　これに応じて、在庫補充作業者が、このディスペンサ１０に赴き、鍵１５を開錠して前蓋１１ｂを開き、電源をオフにした後、筐体本体１１ａの収納部２１に生理用品Ｓを補充する。そして、補充を完了すると、電源を再びオンにした後、前蓋１１ｂを閉じて筐体本体１１ａを塞いで鍵１５をかける。これによって、生理用品Ｓを希望するユーザに対して、引き続き生理用品Ｓの提供サービスを実施することができる。 In response to this, an inventory replenishment worker goes to the dispenser 10, unlocks the key 15, opens the front lid 11b, turns off the power, and then puts the sanitary product S in the storage section 21 of the housing body 11a. refill. When the replenishment is completed, the power is turned on again, the front cover 11b is closed, the housing body 11a is closed, and the key 15 is locked. As a result, the sanitary product S provision service can be continued for the user who desires the sanitary product S.
　なお、補充する生理用品Ｓは、前述したように、ディスプレイ１２から表示される広告に応じて広告スポンサーから得られた広告収入の一部で購入したものとすることができる。 It should be noted that the sanitary napkins S to be replenished can be purchased with part of the advertising income obtained from the advertising sponsor in response to the advertisement displayed on the display 12, as described above.
　次に、以上のように構成した本実施形態に係るディスペンサの動作例について説明する。 Next, an operation example of the dispenser according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described.
　図１３Ａ～図１３Ｂは、本実施形態に係るディスペンサの動作例を説明する処理フロー図である。 13A and 13B are processing flow diagrams for explaining an operation example of the dispenser according to this embodiment.
　ディスペンサ１０は、図１に例示するように、女性用トイレの個室に設置されている。 The dispenser 10 is installed in a private room of the women's restroom, as illustrated in FIG.
　ディスペンサ１０の前蓋１１ｂには、人感センサ１４が配置されており、トイレの個室にユーザが入ると、このユーザは、人感センサ１４によって感知され、人感センサ１４から感知信号Ａが出力される（ＳＴ１）。 A human sensor 14 is arranged on the front lid 11b of the dispenser 10, and when a user enters the private room of the toilet, the user is sensed by the human sensor 14, and a sensing signal A is output from the human sensor 14. (ST1).
　人感センサ１４からの感知信号Ａは、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ送られ、これに応じて、制御プログラム５１によって、ディスプレイ１２から、画像データの表示が開始される（ＳＴ２）。 A sensing signal A from the human sensor 14 is sent to the memory 50 via the bus 41, and in response, the control program 51 starts displaying image data from the display 12 (ST2).
　画像データは、画像データ記憶部６２に記憶された広告データやディスペンサ１０の使用方法の説明であっても、また、通信部４５を使って、通信ネットワーク２００を介して、図示しない広告サーバから配信されるものであってもよい。 The image data may be advertisement data stored in the image data storage unit 62 or an explanation of how to use the dispenser 10, or may be delivered from an advertisement server (not shown) using the communication unit 45 via the communication network 200. It may be
　ディスプレイ１２からの画像データの表示時間は、ユーザのトイレ個室への１回の入室毎に２分程度とし、それ以上長くは表示しない。これによって、ユーザが、ディスプレイ１２から表示される画像データに見入ってしまい、ついトイレに長居するようなことはない。２分間での効果的な表示のために、画像データの長さは、例えば、１５秒尺程度とされている。したがって、ディスプレイ１２から、２種類の画像データが表示される場合、１つが１５秒程度の２種類の画像データが、２分間の間に繰り返し表示される。 The display time of the image data from the display 12 shall be about 2 minutes each time the user enters the private toilet room, and shall not be displayed longer than that. This prevents the user from lingering in the bathroom because of the image data displayed on the display 12.例文帳に追加For effective display in 2 minutes, the length of the image data is, for example, about 15 seconds. Therefore, when two types of image data are displayed from the display 12, two types of image data, each of which lasts about 15 seconds, are repeatedly displayed for two minutes.
　このように、ディスプレイ１２から広告を表示できるので、ディスペンサ１０によって生理用品Ｓを提供する事業者は、広告スポンサーを募り、ディスプレイ１２から、広告を表示することによって広告収入を得、その収入の一部で生理用品Ｓを購入し、ディスペンサ１０に補充するサイクルを繰り返すことによって、ユーザに対して生理用品Ｓを無償で提供するというビジネスモデルを実施できる。 In this way, since advertisements can be displayed from the display 12, the business operator who provides the sanitary napkins S by the dispenser 10 solicits advertising sponsors, obtains advertising income by displaying the advertisements from the display 12, and obtains part of the income. By repeating the cycle of purchasing the sanitary product S at the department and replenishing the dispenser 10, a business model can be implemented in which the sanitary product S is provided free of charge to the user.
　ユーザは、ディスプレイ１２から表示されるディスペンサ１０の使用方法の説明に従って、ディスペンサ１０に対して、生理用品Ｓの提供要求Ｃを行う（ＳＴ３）。 The user makes a supply request C for the sanitary product S to the dispenser 10 according to the instructions on how to use the dispenser 10 displayed on the display 12 (ST3).
　生理用品Ｓの提供要求Ｃを行う方法には、本明細書では特に限定しないが、例えば、ユーザが、ユーザ情報読取部１６からユーザ情報を入力することによって行う「読取方式」や、スマートフォン等のユーザデバイス１５１に、専用アプリＡＰをインストールし、この専用アプリＡＰを使ってユーザデバイス１５１から行う「アプリ方式」等がある。 Although the method for making the provision request C for the sanitary product S is not particularly limited in this specification, for example, a "reading method" performed by the user inputting user information from the user information reading unit 16, or a method using a smartphone or the like. There is an “application method” or the like in which a dedicated application AP is installed in the user device 151 and the dedicated application AP is used from the user device 151 .
　読取方式では、非接触方式あるいは接触方式でも、ユーザ情報読取部１６からユーザ情報を入力できる。 As for the reading method, user information can be input from the user information reading unit 16 by either a non-contact method or a contact method.
　非接触方式でのユーザ情報入力の例として、ＮＦＣ技術の適用が挙げられる。この場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６は、ＮＦＣ対応受信機とされ、ユーザは、ＮＦＣ対応型カード１５０（例えば、交通系カード、社員証や学生証等の身分証、クレジットカード、キャッシュカード等のＩＣカード）やユーザデバイス１５１（例えば、スマートフォン）を、ユーザ情報読取部１６にかざす。これらカード１５０やユーザデバイス１５１から情報（例えば、カードの番号、デバイス番号等）は、ユーザ情報読取部１６によって読み取られ、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力される。このように、ＮＦＣ技術を適用する場合、ＮＦＣ対応型カード１５０のみならず、スマートフォンのようなユーザデバイス１５１でも利用可能である。 An example of non-contact user information input is the application of NFC technology. In this case, the user information reading unit 16 is an NFC-compatible receiver, and the user uses an NFC-compatible card 150 (for example, a transportation card, an identification card such as an employee ID card or a student ID card, an IC card such as a credit card, a cash card, etc.). card) or user device 151 (for example, smart phone) over the user information reading unit 16 . Information (for example, card number, device number, etc.) from the card 150 and user device 151 is read by the user information reading unit 16 and output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj. In this way, when NFC technology is applied, not only the NFC compatible card 150 but also the user device 151 such as a smart phone can be used.
　また、非接触方式の別のユーザ情報入力の例として、ビーコンやＲＦＩＤ等の無線技術の適用が挙げられる。ビーコンを使用する場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６は、ビーコン受信機とされ、ユーザが、ビーコン識別情報ＩＤを送信するビーコンデバイス１５２を、ユーザ情報読取部１６に近づけると、ユーザ情報読取部１６によってビーコン識別情報ＩＤが受信され、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力される。 Another example of contactless user information input is the application of wireless technologies such as beacons and RFID. When a beacon is used, the user information reading unit 16 is a beacon receiver. When the user brings the beacon device 152 that transmits the beacon identification information ID close to the user information reading unit 16, the user information reading unit 16 detects the beacon. The identification information ID is received and output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
　ＲＦＩＤを使用する場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６が、ＲＦＩＤリーダとされ、ユーザが、ＲＦＩＤタグ１５３をユーザ情報読取部１６に近づけると、ユーザ情報読取部１６によってＲＦＩＤ識別情報ｉｄが受信され、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力される。 When RFID is used, the user information reading unit 16 is an RFID reader, and when the user brings the RFID tag 153 close to the user information reading unit 16, the user information reading unit 16 receives the RFID identification information id and reads the user information. uj to the memory 50 via the bus 41 .
　非接触方式のさらに別の例として、ＱＲコード１５４の利用が挙げられる。この場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６が、ＱＲコードリーダとされ、ユーザは、所定の情報ｑが埋め込まれたＱＲコード１５４を、ユーザ情報読取部１６に読み取らせる。そして、ユーザ情報読取部１６によって、ＱＲコード１５４から、所定の情報ｑが取得され、取得された情報ｑが、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力される。 Another example of the contactless method is the use of the QR code 154. In this case, the user information reading section 16 is a QR code reader, and the user causes the user information reading section 16 to read the QR code 154 embedded with the predetermined information q. Then, the user information reading unit 16 acquires predetermined information q from the QR code 154 and outputs the acquired information q to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
　非接触方式の他の例として、生体情報認証の利用が挙げられる。この場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６は、生体認証装置とされ、生体認証装置によって、ユーザＵの生体情報が認証され、認証された生体情報ｒが、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、メモリ５０へ出力される。 Another example of a contactless method is the use of biometric authentication. In this case, the user information reading unit 16 is a biometric authentication device, which authenticates the biometric information of the user U and outputs the authenticated biometric information r to the memory 50 as the user information uj.
　一方、接触方式でのユーザ情報入力の例として、磁気カード１５５の利用が挙げられる。この場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６は、磁気リーダとされ、例えばカード番号のような磁気情報ｐが、磁気リーダによって読み取られ、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力される。 On the other hand, use of the magnetic card 155 can be mentioned as an example of user information input by the contact method. In this case, the user information reading unit 16 is a magnetic reader, and magnetic information p such as a card number is read by the magnetic reader and output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
　接触方式の別の例として、指紋情報ｖの利用が挙げられる。この場合、ユーザ情報読取部１６は指紋リーダとされる。ユーザが、ユーザ情報読取部１６に指を載せると、ユーザ情報読取部１６によって、指紋情報がｖ読み取られ、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力される。 Another example of the contact method is the use of fingerprint information v. In this case, the user information reading section 16 is a fingerprint reader. When the user places a finger on the user information reading section 16 , the user information reading section 16 reads the fingerprint information v and outputs it to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
　接触方式のさらに別の例として、ＮＦＣ非対応型のＩＣカードの利用が挙げられる。ＮＦＣ非対応型ＩＣカード１５６の場合、非接触で情報を読み取ることができないので、ユーザ情報読取部１６は、ＩＣカードリーダとされ、ユーザは、ＩＣカード１５６に記憶された例えばカード番号のようなカード情報ｗを、ユーザ情報読取部１６に読み取らせる。カード情報ｗは、ユーザ情報読取部１６によって読み取られ、ユーザ情報ｕｊとして、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力される。 Another example of the contact method is the use of non-NFC compatible IC cards. In the case of the non-NFC compatible IC card 156, information cannot be read without contact. The card information w is read by the user information reading unit 16 . The card information w is read by the user information reading unit 16 and output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 as user information uj.
　メモリ５０へユーザ情報ｕｊが出力されると、制御プログラム５１によって、ユーザ情報ｕｊは、提供要求Ｃとして認識される。 When the user information uj is output to the memory 50, the user information uj is recognized as the provision request C by the control program 51.
　次に、アプリ方式による生理用品Ｓの提供要求Ｃの方法について以下に説明する。 Next, the method of requesting C for provision of sanitary products S by the application method will be described below.
　アプリ方式によって生理用品Ｓの提供要求Ｃを行う場合、ユーザは、先ず、スマートフォンやタブレット等の自分のユーザデバイス１５１に、専用アプリＡＰをインストールする。 When making a request C for provision of sanitary products S by an application method, the user first installs a dedicated application AP on his or her user device 151 such as a smartphone or tablet.
　ユーザは、ユーザデバイス１５１に専用アプリＡＰをインストールした後、専用アプリＡＰに従ってユーザデバイス１５１を使ってユーザ登録を行うと、ディスペンサ１０に対して生理用品Ｓの提供を要求できるようになる。この要求に応じて、専用アプリＡＰを運営するサーバ（例えば、管理サーバ３００）において、ユーザ情報ｕｊに基づいて提供要求Ｃが生成され、生成された提供要求Ｃが、通信ネットワーク２００を介して送信され、通信部４５によって受信され、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力される。 After installing the dedicated application AP on the user device 151, the user can request the dispenser 10 to provide sanitary products S by performing user registration using the user device 151 according to the dedicated application AP. In response to this request, the server (for example, the management server 300) that operates the dedicated application AP generates a provision request C based on the user information uj, and the generated provision request C is transmitted via the communication network 200. , received by the communication unit 45 and output to the memory 50 via the bus 41 .
　このように様々な方法によって、提供要求Ｃが送られると、制御プログラム５１によって、提供要求Ｃが、ディスペンサ１０に付与されているディスペンサ識別情報ｄとともに、通信部４５から、通信ネットワーク２００を介して、管理サーバ３００へ出力され、記憶される。 When the provision request C is sent by various methods in this manner, the control program 51 sends the provision request C together with the dispenser identification information d attached to the dispenser 10 from the communication unit 45 via the communication network 200. , is output to the management server 300 and stored.
　このようにして管理サーバ３００には、すべてのディスペンサ１０から、ディスペンサ識別情報ｄとともに提供要求Ｃが出力される。管理サーバ３００では、図９に例示されるような履歴情報テーブル３１０が管理されており、ディスペンサ１０から、ディスペンサ識別情報ｄとともに提供要求Ｃが出力された場合、これに応じて、履歴情報テーブル３１０に、新たなレコードＲが書き込まれる（ＳＴ４）。 In this way, the provision request C is output from all the dispensers 10 to the management server 300 together with the dispenser identification information d. The management server 300 manages a history information table 310 as exemplified in FIG. , a new record R is written (ST4).
　なお、履歴情報テーブル３１０に新たなレコードＲが書き込まれた時点では、ユーザ情報ｕｊと、時刻ｔと、ディスペンサ１０のディスペンサ識別情報ｄは書き込まれるが、ステータスｓａは空欄である。ステータスｓａには、その後、生理用品Ｓが提供されたことを示すＯＫ情報がディスペンサ１０から送信された場合、「ＯＫ」と書き込まれ、不具合等によって生理用品Ｓが提供されなかったことを示すＮＧ情報がディスペンサ１０から送信された場合、「ＮＧ」と書き込まれる。 Note that when a new record R is written to the history information table 310, the user information uj, the time t, and the dispenser identification information d of the dispenser 10 are written, but the status sa is blank. If the dispenser 10 subsequently transmits OK information indicating that the sanitary product S has been provided, the status sa is written with "OK", indicating that the sanitary product S has not been provided due to a defect or the like. If the information was sent from the dispenser 10, "NG" is written.
　履歴情報テーブル３１０は、制御プログラム５１によって、提供要求Ｃの妥当性を判定するために参照される（ＳＴ５）。 The history information table 310 is referenced by the control program 51 to determine the validity of the provision request C (ST5).
　この妥当性の判定基準としては、限定される訳ではないが、ユーザへ生理用品Ｓが直近に提供された時刻から、所定時間（例えば、２時間）以上経過している場合、妥当であると判定する「第１の判定基準」や、所定期間（例えば、過去１カ月）中にユーザに提供された生理用品Ｓの数が、所定数に達していない場合、妥当であると判定する「第２の判定基準」を採用できる。 The criteria for judging this validity are not limited, but if a predetermined period of time (for example, two hours) has passed since the time when the sanitary product S was most recently provided to the user, it is determined to be valid. If the "first criterion" for determination or the number of sanitary napkins S provided to the user during a predetermined period (for example, the past month) does not reach a predetermined number, the "first 2 criteria” can be adopted.
　このような判定基準を使って提供要求Ｃの妥当性を判定する場合、制御プログラム５１によって、以下のような処理が行われる。 When judging the validity of the provision request C using such judgment criteria, the control program 51 performs the following processing.
　先ず、履歴情報テーブル３１０から、提供要求Ｃに関連するユーザ情報ｕｊに関する過去のレコードＲが抽出される。次に、抽出されたレコードＲから、ステータスｓａが「ＯＫ」となっているレコードＲが絞り込まれる。この絞り込まれたレコードＲから、ユーザへ生理用品Ｓが直近に提供された時刻ｔと、過去１カ月間の生理用品Ｓの提供数とが把握される。 First, from the history information table 310, the past record R related to the user information uj related to the provision request C is extracted. Next, from the extracted records R, the records R whose status sa is "OK" are narrowed down. From this narrowed down record R, the time t when the sanitary product S was most recently provided to the user and the number of sanitary products S provided in the past month are ascertained.
　したがって、このユーザへ生理用品Ｓが直近に提供された時刻から、所定時間以上経過しているか否か（第１の判定基準を満たしているか否か）と、所定期間中に提供された生理用品Ｓの数が、所定数に達していないか否か（第２の判定基準を満たしているか否か）とが、制御プログラム５１によって判定される。 Therefore, whether or not a predetermined period of time or more has passed from the time when the sanitary product S was most recently provided to this user (whether or not the first criterion is satisfied), and whether the sanitary product S was provided during the predetermined period The control program 51 determines whether or not the number of S has reached a predetermined number (whether or not the second criterion is satisfied).
　制御プログラム５１では、例えば、第１の判定基準と第２の判定基準との両方が満たされている場合に、提供要求Ｃを妥当と判定するなど、提供要求Ｃの妥当性が判定される。 The control program 51 determines the validity of the provision request C, for example, determining that the provision request C is valid when both the first criterion and the second criterion are satisfied.
　提供要求Ｃが妥当であると判定される（ＳＴ６：Ｙｅｓ）と、制御プログラム５１によって、ステッピングモータ３２Ｒまたはステッピングモータ３２Ｌの何れかに駆動命令が出力される（ＳＴ７）。 When it is determined that the provision request C is valid (ST6: Yes), the control program 51 outputs a drive command to either the stepping motor 32R or the stepping motor 32L (ST7).
　一方、提供要求Ｃが妥当であると判定されなかった場合（ＳＴ６：Ｎｏ）、制御プログラム５１から駆動命令は出力されないので、ディスペンサ１０から生理用品Ｓは排出されず、処理を終了する。 On the other hand, if the provision request C is not determined to be valid (ST6: No), no drive command is output from the control program 51, so the sanitary product S is not discharged from the dispenser 10, and the process ends.
　ステップＳＴ７において駆動命令が出力される場合、通常であれば、制御プログラム５１からは、右側の系統の排出口１３Ｒと、左側の系統の排出口１３とから交互に生理用品Ｓを排出するために、右側の系統のステッピングモータ３２Ｒと、左側の系統のステッピングモータ３２Ｌとへ交互に駆動命令が出力される。 When the drive command is output in step ST7, the control program 51 normally instructs the control program 51 to alternately discharge the sanitary product S from the right-side discharge port 13R and the left-side discharge port 13. , the drive command is alternately output to the stepping motor 32R of the right system and the stepping motor 32L of the left system.
　しかしながら、制御プログラム５１は、何れかの系統において排出詰まりなどの不具合が生じた場合には、不具合が解消されるまで、正常に動作している系統のステッピングモータ３２のみへ駆動命令が出力される。このように、ディスペンサ１０は、一方の系統に不具合が生じた場合であっても、不具合の生じていない他方の系統から生理用品Ｓを排出することで、サービスを継続できるという冗長性を備えている。 However, the control program 51 outputs a drive command only to the stepping motor 32 of the normally operating system until the trouble such as discharge clogging occurs in one of the systems. . In this way, the dispenser 10 has the redundancy that even if one of the systems fails, the sanitary product S can be discharged from the other system in which the failure does not occur, so that the service can be continued. there is
　ところで、排出ローラ３０が、正回転方向Ｄにだけしか回転しないと、図１０に例示するように、積み重ねられた生理用品ＳＴ１～ＳＴ５の全てが全体的に排出口１３側に片寄ってしまい、最下位の生理用品Ｓ１の前方側（図中右側）の上端を、１つ上の生理用品Ｓ２の前方下部が覆ってしまう恐れがある。 By the way, if the discharge roller 30 rotates only in the forward rotation direction D, all of the stacked sanitary napkins ST1 to ST5 will be biased towards the discharge port 13 as shown in FIG. There is a risk that the upper front end (right side in the drawing) of the lower sanitary product S1 may be covered by the lower front part of the sanitary product S2 one level above.
　これは排出詰まりをもたらす可能性があるので、ステップＳＴ８で制御プログラム５１から出力された駆動命令は、ステッピングモータ３２を、一旦逆方向にわずかに駆動させてから、正方向に駆動させる。これによって、排出ローラ３０は、一旦逆回転方向Ｆにわずかに（例えば約４５度）回転し、収納部２１に収納されている生理用品Ｓを、後方側に振るように移動させる。これによって、積み重ねられている生理用品Ｓ１～Ｓ５の排出口１３側への片寄りが矯正される（ＳＴ８）。 Since this may lead to discharge clogging, the drive command output from the control program 51 in step ST8 causes the stepping motor 32 to be slightly driven in the reverse direction and then in the forward direction. As a result, the discharge roller 30 rotates slightly (for example, about 45 degrees) in the reverse rotation direction F, and moves the sanitary napkins S stored in the storage section 21 backward. As a result, the bias of the stacked sanitary napkins S1 to S5 toward the outlet 13 is corrected (ST8).
　その後、駆動命令は、ステッピングモータ３２を正方向に駆動させる。これによって、排出ローラ３０が、正回転方向Ｄに回転し（ＳＴ９）、生理用品Ｓ１が排出方向Ｅに排出される（ＳＴ１０）。 After that, the drive command drives the stepping motor 32 in the forward direction. As a result, the discharge roller 30 rotates in the forward rotation direction D (ST9), and the sanitary product S1 is discharged in the discharge direction E (ST10).
　このように、生理用品Ｓ１を排出する際に、排出ローラ３０を一旦逆回転方向Ｆに若干量回転させ、その後、正回転方向Ｄに回転させることによって、詰まりのない確実な排出が可能となる。 In this way, when discharging the sanitary product S1, the discharge roller 30 is first rotated slightly in the reverse rotation direction F and then rotated in the normal rotation direction D, thereby enabling reliable discharge without clogging. .
　排出口１３の下方には、排出センサ２５が設けられており、図７に示すように、排出時に排出方向Ｅへ移動する生理用品Ｓ１が上を覆うことによって、排出センサ２５はオンとなり、排出センサ２５から検知信号Ｋが出力される（ＳＴ１１）。 A discharge sensor 25 is provided below the discharge port 13. As shown in FIG. 7, when the sanitary product S1 moving in the discharge direction E at the time of discharge is covered, the discharge sensor 25 is turned on and the sanitary product S1 is discharged. A detection signal K is output from the sensor 25 (ST11).
　検知信号Ｋは、バス４１を介してメモリ５０へ出力され、これに応じて、制御プログラム５１によって、生理用品Ｓ１の排出の開始が認識される。 The detection signal K is output to the memory 50 via the bus 41, and the control program 51 accordingly recognizes the start of discharge of the sanitary product S1.
　ステッピングモータ３２による排出ローラ３０の正回転方向Ｄへの回転が開始されると、通常であれば２～３秒後に、生理用品Ｓの排出が完了し（ＳＴ１３）、ユーザは、排出された生理用品Ｓを取ることができる。これにより、排出センサ２５の上はもはや生理用品Ｓ１によって覆われなくなるので、生理用品Ｓの排出が完了する前に、排出センサ２５はオフとなり、排出センサ２５からの検知信号Ｋの出力は終了する（ＳＴ１２：Ｙｅｓ）。 When the discharge roller 30 starts to rotate in the forward rotation direction D by the stepping motor 32, the discharge of the sanitary product S is completed normally after 2 to 3 seconds (ST13). Item S can be taken. As a result, the discharge sensor 25 is no longer covered by the sanitary product S1, so the discharge sensor 25 is turned off before the discharge of the sanitary product S is completed, and the output of the detection signal K from the discharge sensor 25 is terminated. (ST12: Yes).
　ステップＳＴ１２における排出センサ２５からの検知信号Ｋの終了に応じて、制御プログラム５１によって、生理用品Ｓ１の排出が正常に終了したと認識され、ステッピングモータ３２が停止され、排出ローラ３０の回転が終了される（ＳＴ１４）。 In response to the termination of detection signal K from discharge sensor 25 in step ST12, control program 51 recognizes that the discharge of sanitary product S1 has been completed normally, stops stepping motor 32, and terminates the rotation of discharge roller 30. (ST14).
　ステップＳＴ１２における排出センサ２５からの検知信号Ｋの終了に応じてさらに、制御プログラム５１によって、管理サーバ３００へ、ディスペンサ識別情報ｄおよびＯＫ情報が送信され、履歴情報テーブル３１０のうち、このディスペンサ識別情報ｄに対応する最新のレコードＲの（すなわち、未記入の）ステータスｓａに、「ＯＫ」と書き込まれ、履歴情報テーブル３１０が更新される（ＳＴ１５）。 In response to the termination of detection signal K from discharge sensor 25 in step ST12, dispenser identification information d and OK information are further transmitted to management server 300 by control program 51, and this dispenser identification information is stored in history information table 310. "OK" is written in the (that is, blank) status sa of the latest record R corresponding to d, and the history information table 310 is updated (ST15).
　収納部２１では、ステップＳＴ１３における生理用品Ｓ１の排出に応じて、重りｍによる重力の作用によって、図１１に示すように、残っている生理用品Ｓがそれぞれ降下し、今度は、生理用品Ｓ２が最下位となる（ＳＴ１６）。このように残っている生理用品Ｓがそれぞれ降下すると、制御プログラム５１によって、生理用品Ｓ１の排出を行ったステッピングモータ３２が、逆方向に駆動するように指示される。これによって、排出ローラ３０が、逆回転方向Ｆに回転する（ＳＴ１７）。この逆回転の目的も、ステップＳＴ８においてなされる逆回転と同様に、積み重ねられている生理用品Ｓ２～Ｓ６の排出口１３側への片寄りを矯正するものであるが、回転量は、ステップＳＴ８における逆回転量よりも２～３倍多く、例えば９０～１２０度である。 In the storage section 21, as the sanitary product S1 is discharged in step ST13, the remaining sanitary products S are lowered by the gravitational action of the weight m as shown in FIG. It becomes the lowest (ST16). After each remaining sanitary product S is lowered in this manner, the control program 51 instructs the stepping motor 32 that ejected the sanitary product S1 to be driven in the reverse direction. As a result, the discharge roller 30 rotates in the reverse rotation direction F (ST17). The purpose of this reverse rotation is also to correct the deviation of the stacked sanitary napkins S2 to S6 toward the outlet 13 side, similar to the reverse rotation performed in step ST8. 2 to 3 times larger than the amount of reverse rotation at , for example, 90 to 120 degrees.
　なお、図１３Ｂでは、便宜上、ステップＳＴ１２において排出センサ２５がオフになった後、ステップＳＴ１３、ＳＴ１４、ＳＴ１５、およびＳＴ１６が、連続的に実施されるように記載されているが、実際には、ステップＳＴ１３、ＳＴ１４、ＳＴ１５、ＳＴ１６は、並列的に実施される。ステップＳＴ１７は、ステップＳＴ１６の後になされる。 In FIG. 13B, for the sake of convenience, steps ST13, ST14, ST15, and ST16 are shown to be performed continuously after the discharge sensor 25 is turned off in step ST12. Steps ST13, ST14, ST15, and ST16 are performed in parallel. Step ST17 is performed after step ST16.
　一方、ステップＳＴ１０において生理用品Ｓ１の排出が開始されたにも関わらず、排出詰り等によって排出口１３から生理用品Ｓが排出されないなど、生理用品Ｓ１の排出が正しく行われなかった場合は、ステップＳＴ１２において、ステッピングモータ３２による排出ローラ３０の正回転方向Ｄへの回転が継続されても、生理用品Ｓ１の、排出口１３からの排出は完了せず、排出センサ２５の上は生理用品Ｓ１によって覆われ続けるので、排出センサ２５はオフにならず、検知信号Ｋを出力し続ける（ＳＴ１２：Ｎｏ）。 On the other hand, if the discharge of the sanitary product S1 is not properly performed, for example, the sanitary product S1 is not discharged from the discharge port 13 due to clogging or the like even though the discharge of the sanitary product S1 is started in step ST10, step ST10 is performed. In ST12, even if the stepping motor 32 continues to rotate the discharge roller 30 in the forward rotation direction D, the discharge of the sanitary product S1 from the discharge port 13 is not completed. Since it continues to be covered, the discharge sensor 25 does not turn off and continues to output the detection signal K (ST12: No).
　このように検知信号Ｋが出力され続けている時間が、正常に生理用品Ｓが排出されるのに要する時間よりも有意に長い場合、制御プログラム５１によって、排出異常が発生したと判定され（ＳＴ１８）、排出異常が発生した旨が、メンテナンス作業者へ通知される。これに応じて、メンテナンス作業者が、対象のディスペンサ１０へ赴き、適切な復旧措置を行う。 If the time during which the detection signal K continues to be output is significantly longer than the time required for normal discharge of the sanitary product S, the control program 51 determines that an abnormal discharge has occurred (ST18). ), the maintenance operator is notified that an ejection failure has occurred. In response to this, the maintenance worker goes to the target dispenser 10 and takes appropriate recovery measures.
　また、ステップＳＴ１８の後、制御プログラム５１によって、動作中のステッピングモータ３２（例えば、ステッピングモータ３２Ｒ）の駆動が停止され（ＳＴ１９）、代わりに、他方の系統のステッピングモータ３２（例えば、ステッピングモータ３２Ｌ）の駆動が開始され（ＳＴ２０）、その後は、ステップＳＴ７の処理に移る。これによって、異常が発生した系統の代わりに、他方の系統から生理用品Ｓが排出される。 Further, after step ST18, the control program 51 stops driving the stepping motor 32 (for example, the stepping motor 32R) in operation (ST19). ) is started (ST20), and then the process proceeds to step ST7. As a result, the sanitary product S is discharged from the other system instead of the abnormal system.
　なお、このように他方の系統を動作させたにも関わらず、他方の系統からも生理用品Ｓ１を正常に排出できなかった場合、つまり２つの系統の何れからも生理用品Ｓ１が排出されなかった場合、制御プログラム５１から、通信部４５を介して、管理サーバ３００へ、ディスペンサ識別情報ｄおよびＮＧ情報が送信され、管理サーバ３００では、履歴情報テーブル３１０のうち、このディスペンサ識別情報ｄに対応する最新のレコードＲの（すなわち、未記入の）ステータスｓａに、「ＮＧ」が書き込まれ、履歴情報テーブル３１０が更新される。 If the sanitary product S1 cannot be discharged normally from the other system even though the other system is operated in this way, that is, the sanitary product S1 is not discharged from either of the two systems. In this case, the dispenser identification information d and the NG information are transmitted from the control program 51 to the management server 300 via the communication unit 45, and in the management server 300, the history information table 310 corresponds to the dispenser identification information d. "NG" is written in the (that is, blank) status sa of the latest record R, and the history information table 310 is updated.
　以上説明したように、本実施形態に係るディスペンサ１０によれば、ユーザに生理用品Ｓを無料で提供できるので、予定外に生理がきてしまった場合など、生理用品Ｓを持ち合わせていないユーザのために大いに役立つ。 As described above, according to the dispenser 10 according to the present embodiment, the sanitary products S can be provided to the user free of charge. very useful for
　しかも、提供される生理用品Ｓは、提供前には筐体１１内に収納されており、不特定多数の人によって触れられることはないので、ユーザは、提供された生理用品Ｓを、安心して使用することができる。 Moreover, the provided sanitary product S is housed in the housing 11 before being provided and is not touched by an unspecified number of people, so the user can feel secure about the provided sanitary product S. can be used.
　なお、本実施形態に係るディスペンサ１０は、ユーザから生理用品Ｓの提供要求があった場合であっても、提供要求に応じて無制限に生理用品Ｓを提供するのではなく、要求の妥当性を確認した場合にのみ提供する。したがって、大量の生理用品Ｓが一度に持ち去られるようなことはなく、常に在庫が十分あるように管理されるので、生理用品Ｓを、本当に使用を必要としているユーザに、確実に提供することが可能となる。 In addition, even when the user requests to provide the sanitary products S, the dispenser 10 according to the present embodiment does not provide the sanitary products S unlimitedly in response to the request, but checks the validity of the request. Provided only if confirmed. Therefore, a large amount of sanitary products S are never taken away at once, and the sanitary products S are managed so that there is always sufficient inventory, so that the sanitary products S can be reliably provided to users who really need them. It becomes possible.
　さらには、本実施形態に係るディスペンサ１０は、以下のように、ハードウェア設計の観点からも、様々な工夫がなされている。 Furthermore, the dispenser 10 according to the present embodiment has various ideas from the viewpoint of hardware design as follows.
　例えば、ディスペンサ１０は、生理用品Ｓの排出のための動力源として、ステッピングモータ３２を導入することにより、動作音の静寂化を実現するので、ユーザは、トイレの個室の外にいる人に気付かれることなくディスペンサ１０を使用することができる。 For example, the dispenser 10 implements operation noise reduction by introducing the stepping motor 32 as a power source for discharging the sanitary product S, so that the user does not notice people outside the toilet cubicle. Dispenser 10 can be used without being
　また、ディスペンサ１０は、収納部２１の下に、ステッピングモータ３２と排出ローラ３０とを配置することによって、ディスペンサ１０の薄型化を実現するので、ユーザは、ディスペンサ１０が設置されたトイレの個室に入っても、圧迫感を感じることなく、トイレやディスペンサ１０を利用することができる。 In addition, since the dispenser 10 is made thinner by arranging the stepping motor 32 and the discharge roller 30 under the storage section 21, the user can use the toilet in the private room where the dispenser 10 is installed. Even when entering, the toilet and the dispenser 10 can be used without feeling oppressive.
　さらには、ディスペンサ１０は、排出ローラ３０の逆回転による片寄りの矯正や、排出系を二系統備える冗長構成の採用により、ユーザが生理用品Ｓを受け取ることが可能である確率は極めて高く、高い信頼性で生理用品Ｓを提供することができる。 Furthermore, the dispenser 10 has a very high probability that the user will be able to receive the sanitary product S by correcting the deviation by reverse rotation of the discharge roller 30 and adopting a redundant configuration having two discharge systems. The sanitary product S can be provided with reliability.
　なお、ディスペンサ１０の排出メカニズムは、上記説明したものに限定されず、以下の変形例１～４に示すような排出メカニズムを採用することも可能である。なお、以下の説明では、排出メカニズム以外は、上記実施形態と同一であるので、説明を省略する。 It should be noted that the discharge mechanism of the dispenser 10 is not limited to the one described above, and it is also possible to adopt discharge mechanisms as shown in modified examples 1 to 4 below. In addition, in the following description, since it is the same as the above-described embodiment except for the ejection mechanism, the description will be omitted.
　（変形例１）
　ディスペンサの排出メカニズムの変形例１について説明する。 (Modification 1)
Modification 1 of the discharge mechanism of the dispenser will be described.
　図１４は、変形例１における排出メカニズムを説明するための、収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図である。 FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism in Modification 1. FIG.
　変形例１では、図４に示すような排出メカニズムに代えて、図１４に示すような排出メカニズムを適用する。 In modification 1, instead of the ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 4, an ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 14 is applied.
　図１４に示すような排出メカニズムは、プッシャ式ベンド機能を採用しており、収納部２１の前側（図中右側）は、前壁１００で、下側は、底板１０４で塞がれている。 The ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 14 employs a pusher-type bend function, and the front side (right side in the figure) of the storage section 21 is closed with a front wall 100 and the lower side with a bottom plate 104 .
　収納部２１の下部に、モータ１０５が配置されている。 A motor 105 is arranged at the bottom of the storage section 21 .
　モータ１０５の上側には、一対のプーリ１０６ａ、１０６ｂと、一対のプーリ１０６ａ、１０６ｂに噛み合わされたタイミングベルト１０７とが配置されている。 A pair of pulleys 106a and 106b and a timing belt 107 meshed with the pair of pulleys 106a and 106b are arranged above the motor 105. As shown in FIG.
　収納部２１内には、図４と同様に、生理用品Ｓが積み重ねられ、最上位の生理用品Ｓ４の上には重りｍが載せられる。 As in FIG. 4, the sanitary products S are stacked in the storage unit 21, and the weight m is placed on top of the topmost sanitary product S4.
　最下位の生理用品Ｓ１は、タイミングベルト１０７上に載る。 The lowest sanitary product S1 is placed on the timing belt 107.
　プーリ１０６ａには、モータ１０５によって回転力が与えられるので、モータ１０５が動作すると、プーリ１０６ａが回転し、タイミングベルト１０７が、一対のプーリ１０６の周りを、矢印方向に回転する。 A rotational force is applied to the pulley 106a by the motor 105, so when the motor 105 operates, the pulley 106a rotates and the timing belt 107 rotates around the pair of pulleys 106 in the direction of the arrow.
　タイミングベルト１０７の表面には、爪１０８が設けられており、タイミングベルト１０７の回転に応じて、爪１０８が、最下位の生理用品Ｓ１を押し出す。 A claw 108 is provided on the surface of the timing belt 107, and according to the rotation of the timing belt 107, the claw 108 pushes out the lowermost sanitary product S1.
　これによって、生理用品Ｓ１は、底板１０４の下部に画定された空間である落下部１０９に落下する。 As a result, the sanitary product S1 drops into the drop section 109, which is a space defined below the bottom plate 104.
　前壁１００の下端からタイミングベルト１０７の上端までの距離は、市販されている最も厚い銘柄の生理用品Ｓの厚みよりも大きな値となっている。これによって、市販されている何れの生理用品Ｓも、タイミングベルト１０７上から落下部１０９に落下できる。 The distance from the lower end of the front wall 100 to the upper end of the timing belt 107 is larger than the thickness of the thickest sanitary napkin S on the market. As a result, any commercially available sanitary product S can be dropped from the timing belt 107 onto the drop portion 109 .
　しかしながら、前壁１００の下端から、タイミングベルト１０７上の生理用品Ｓ１の上端までの空間高さ１１１が大きいと、薄い銘柄の生理用品Ｓであれば一度に２つ落下する恐れもある。 However, if the spatial height 111 from the lower end of the front wall 100 to the upper end of the sanitary product S1 on the timing belt 107 is large, there is a risk that two thin brand sanitary products S may fall at once.
　したがって、２つ落下することを阻止するように、空間高さ１１１の調節するために、前壁１００に調節板１０２を固定する。 Therefore, the adjustment plate 102 is fixed to the front wall 100 in order to adjust the spatial height 111 so as to prevent two drops.
　調節板１０２は、固定ネジ１０１によって前壁１００に固定される。 The adjustment plate 102 is fixed to the front wall 100 with a fixing screw 101 .
　空間高さ１１１は、収納部２１に収納されている生理用品Ｓの銘柄に応じて異なり得る。したがって、空間高さ１１１に応じて、調節板１０２の固定位置を決定し、固定ネジ１０１によって、調節板１０２を、前壁１００に固定する。 The spatial height 111 may vary depending on the brand of the sanitary product S stored in the storage portion 21. Therefore, the fixing position of the adjustment plate 102 is determined according to the space height 111 , and the adjustment plate 102 is fixed to the front wall 100 by the fixing screw 101 .
　落下部１０９に生理用品Ｓが落下すると、ユーザは、取出口１１０から落下部１０９へ手を入れて、生理用品Ｓを、ディスペンサ１０から取り出すことができる。 When the sanitary product S falls to the drop portion 109 , the user can reach the drop portion 109 through the outlet 110 to take out the sanitary product S from the dispenser 10 .
　また、生理用品Ｓの落下後は、重りｍの作用によって、次に排出される生理用品Ｓが、タイミングベルト１０７上に降下し、次の排出の準備がなされる。 Also, after the sanitary product S is dropped, the sanitary product S to be discharged next falls onto the timing belt 107 due to the action of the weight m, and preparations for the next discharge are made.
　落下部１０９の上方には底板１０４が、取出口１１０の上方には仕切板１０３が設けられているので、ユーザは、取出口１１０から収納部２１に手を入れて、生理用品Ｓを盗み出すことはできない。 Since the bottom plate 104 is provided above the drop portion 109 and the partition plate 103 is provided above the outlet 110, the user can put his or her hand into the storage portion 21 through the outlet 110 to steal the sanitary product S. can't.
　本発明の実施形態に係るディスペンサ１０は、上述したような変形例１の排出メカニズムを採用しても実現することができる。 The dispenser 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can also be realized by adopting the ejection mechanism of Modification 1 as described above.
　（変形例２）
　ディスペンサ１０の排出メカニズムの変形例２について説明する。 (Modification 2)
Modification 2 of the ejection mechanism of the dispenser 10 will be described.
　図１５は、変形例２におけるディスペンサの排出メカニズムを説明するための、収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図である。 FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 2. FIG.
　変形例２では、図４に示すような排出メカニズムに代えて、図１５に示すような排出メカニズムを適用する。 In modification 2, instead of the ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 4, an ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 15 is applied.
　なお、図１５では、図１４と同一部位については同一符号を付し、以下の記載では、重複説明を避ける。 　In addition, in Fig. 15, the same parts as in Fig. 14 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanation is avoided in the following description.
　図１５に示すような排出メカニズムは、スライドクランク方式を採用しており、収納部２１の前側（図中右側）は、前壁１００で、下側は、底板１０４で塞がれている。 The ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 15 employs a slide crank system, and the front side (right side in the figure) of the storage section 21 is closed with a front wall 100 and the lower side with a bottom plate 104 .
　収納部２１内には、図４と同様に、生理用品Ｓが積み重ねられ、図示していないが、最上位の生理用品Ｓの上に重りｍを載せてもよい。 The sanitary products S are stacked in the storage part 21 in the same manner as in FIG.
　収納部２１の下部には、最下位の生理用品Ｓが載置される載置台１２２と、モータ１２０によって駆動されるスライドクランク機構１２１とが配置されている。スライドクランク機構１２１は、載置台１２２が図中矢印に示す前後方向（図中左右方向）に移動可能なように、先端１２１ａが載置台１２２の側面に固定される。スライドクランク機構１２１の先端１２１ａには、爪１０８が固定されている。 A mounting base 122 on which the lowest sanitary product S is mounted and a slide crank mechanism 121 driven by a motor 120 are arranged in the lower part of the storage section 21 . The tip 121a of the slide crank mechanism 121 is fixed to the side surface of the mounting table 122 so that the mounting table 122 can move in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction in the drawing) indicated by the arrows in the drawing. A claw 108 is fixed to the tip 121 a of the slide crank mechanism 121 .
　このような構成によって、スライドクランク機構１２１の先端１２１ａは、モータ１２０から伝達される駆動力によって、載置台１２２の側面に沿って載置台１２２の前後方向（図中左右方向）に移動する。これに応じて、スライドクランク機構１２１の先端１２１ａに固定されている爪１０８も、載置台１２２の前後方向に移動する。 With such a configuration, the tip 121a of the slide crank mechanism 121 moves in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction in the figure) of the mounting table 122 along the side surface of the mounting table 122 by the driving force transmitted from the motor 120. Accordingly, the claw 108 fixed to the tip 121 a of the slide crank mechanism 121 also moves in the front-rear direction of the mounting table 122 .
　載置台１２２の上には、最下位の生理用品Ｓが載置される。したがって、モータ１２０を駆動させ、スライドクランク機構１２１の先端１２１ａを前方向（図中右方向）に移動させると、それに伴い爪１０８も前方向（図中右方向）に移動することによって、最下位の生理用品Ｓを押し出す。 The lowermost sanitary product S is placed on the placing table 122 . Therefore, when the motor 120 is driven to move the leading end 121a of the slide crank mechanism 121 forward (to the right in the drawing), the pawl 108 is also moved forward (to the right in the drawing) accordingly. The sanitary product S is extruded.
　これによって、生理用品Ｓ１は、底板１０４の下部に画定された空間である落下部１０９に落下する。 As a result, the sanitary product S1 drops into the drop section 109, which is a space defined below the bottom plate 104.
　落下部１０９に生理用品Ｓが落下すると、ユーザは、取出口１１０から落下部１０９へ手を入れて、生理用品Ｓを、ディスペンサ１０から取り出すことができる。 When the sanitary product S falls to the drop portion 109 , the user can reach the drop portion 109 through the outlet 110 to take out the sanitary product S from the dispenser 10 .
　また、生理用品Ｓの落下後は、スライドクランク機構１２１の先端１２１ａを後方向（図中左方向）に移動させる。それに伴い、次に排出される生理用品Ｓが、載置台１２２の上に降下し、次の排出の準備がなされる。 Also, after the sanitary product S is dropped, the tip 121a of the slide crank mechanism 121 is moved backward (to the left in the drawing). Along with this, the sanitary product S to be discharged next descends onto the mounting table 122, and preparations for the next discharge are made.
　本発明の実施形態に係るディスペンサ１０は、上述したような変形例２の排出メカニズムを採用しても実現することができる。 The dispenser 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can also be realized by adopting the discharge mechanism of Modification 2 as described above.
　（変形例３）
　ディスペンサ１０の排出メカニズムの変形例３について説明する。 (Modification 3)
Modification 3 of the ejection mechanism of the dispenser 10 will be described.
　図１６は、変形例３におけるディスペンサの排出メカニズムを説明するための、収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図である。 FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 3. FIG.
　変形例３では、図４に示すような排出メカニズムに代えて、図１６に示すような排出メカニズムを適用する。 In modification 3, instead of the ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 4, an ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 16 is applied.
　図１６でも、図１４と同一部位については同一符号を付し、以下の記載では、重複説明を避ける。 In FIG. 16 as well, the same parts as in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is avoided in the following description.
　図１６に示すような排出メカニズムは、リニアモータ方式を採用しており、収納部２１の前側（図中右側）は、前壁１００で、下側は、底板１０４で塞がれている。 The ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 16 employs a linear motor system, and the front side (right side in the drawing) of the storage section 21 is closed with a front wall 100 and the lower side with a bottom plate 104 .
　収納部２１内には、図４と同様に、生理用品Ｓが積み重ねられ、図示していないが、最上位の生理用品Ｓの上に重りｍを載せてもよい。 The sanitary products S are stacked in the storage part 21 in the same manner as in FIG.
　収納部２１の下部には、最下位の生理用品Ｓが載置される載置台１２２が配置されている。また、収納部２１の下部には、モータ１３０と、モータ１３０の駆動により回転する棒ネジ１３１も配置されている。さらに、棒ネジ１３１には、爪部１３２が螺号されている。 A mounting base 122 on which the lowest sanitary product S is mounted is arranged at the bottom of the storage section 21 . In addition, a motor 130 and a bar screw 131 that is rotated by driving the motor 130 are also arranged in the lower part of the housing portion 21 . Furthermore, a claw portion 132 is screwed onto the bar screw 131 .
　棒ネジ１３１の回転による爪部１３２の図中左右方向への移動のために、載置台１２２の一部には、棒ネジ１３１の丁度真上の部分に、棒ネジ１３１に沿って直線状にスリットが設けられている。したがって、モータ１３０が駆動して、棒ネジ１３１が回転すると、爪部１３２は、載置台１２２上を、図中矢印に示す前後方向（図中左右方向）に移動することができる。 In order to move the claw portion 132 in the left-right direction in the drawing due to the rotation of the bar screw 131 , a part of the mounting table 122 has a straight line along the bar screw 131 just above the bar screw 131 . A slit is provided. Therefore, when the motor 130 is driven and the rod screw 131 rotates, the claw portion 132 can move on the mounting table 122 in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction in the drawing) indicated by the arrow in the drawing.
　載置台１２２には、最下位の生理用品Ｓが載置されている。この状態で、モータ１３０を回転させ、爪部１３２を前方向（図中右方向）に移動させることによって、最下位の生理用品Ｓを押し出す。 The lowermost sanitary product S is placed on the placing table 122 . In this state, the motor 130 is rotated to move the pawl portion 132 forward (to the right in the drawing), thereby pushing out the lowermost sanitary product S.
　これによって、生理用品Ｓ１は、底板１０４の下部に画定された空間である落下部１０９に落下する。 As a result, the sanitary product S1 drops into the drop section 109, which is a space defined below the bottom plate 104.
　落下部１０９に生理用品Ｓが落下すると、ユーザは、取出口１１０から落下部１０９へ手を入れて、生理用品Ｓを、ディスペンサ１０から取り出すことができる。 When the sanitary product S falls to the drop portion 109 , the user can reach the drop portion 109 through the outlet 110 to take out the sanitary product S from the dispenser 10 .
　また、生理用品Ｓの落下後は、モータ１２２を逆回転させて、爪部１３２を後方向（図中左方向）に移動させる。それに伴い、次に排出される生理用品Ｓが、載置台１２２の上に降下し、次の排出の準備がなされる。 Further, after the sanitary product S is dropped, the motor 122 is reversely rotated to move the claw portion 132 rearward (to the left in the figure). Along with this, the sanitary product S to be discharged next descends onto the mounting table 122, and preparations for the next discharge are made.
　本発明の実施形態に係るディスペンサ１０は、上述したような変形例３の排出メカニズムを採用しても実現することができる。 The dispenser 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can also be realized by adopting the ejection mechanism of Modified Example 3 as described above.
　（変形例４）
　ディスペンサ１０の排出メカニズムの変形例４について説明する。 (Modification 4)
A modification 4 of the discharge mechanism of the dispenser 10 will be described.
　図１７は、変形例４におけるディスペンサの排出メカニズムを説明するための、収納部の底面部分を示す側断面図である。 FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view showing the bottom portion of the storage section for explaining the ejection mechanism of the dispenser in Modification 4. FIG.
　変形例４では、図４に示すような排出メカニズムに代えて、図１７に示すような排出メカニズムを適用する。 In modification 4, an ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 17 is applied instead of the ejection mechanism as shown in FIG.
　図１７でも、図１４と同一部位については同一符号を付し、以下の記載では、重複説明を避ける。 In FIG. 17 as well, the same parts as in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is avoided in the following description.
　図１７に示すような排出メカニズムは、バネ回転機構を採用しており、収納部２１内には、モータ１４０と、モータ１４０の駆動により回転するバネ１４１が配置されている。バネ１４１の螺旋の間に、生理用品Ｓが挟められて保持されている。 The ejection mechanism as shown in FIG. 17 employs a spring rotation mechanism, and a motor 140 and a spring 141 that rotates when driven by the motor 140 are arranged in the housing portion 21 . A sanitary product S is sandwiched and held between the spirals of the spring 141 .
　モータ１４０の駆動によりバネ１４１が回転し、それに伴って、順に生理用品Ｓ１～Ｓ４が下側に移動する。これによって、最下位の生理用品Ｓ１が、バネ１４１の先端１４１ａから落下する。 The motor 140 drives the spring 141 to rotate, and accordingly the sanitary products S1 to S4 move downward in order. As a result, the lowermost sanitary product S1 drops from the tip 141a of the spring 141. As shown in FIG.
　生理用品Ｓ１の落下後は、次の生理用品Ｓ２が、最下位となり、次の排出の準備がなされる。 After the sanitary product S1 is dropped, the next sanitary product S2 becomes the bottom, and preparations are made for the next discharge.
　落下部１０９に生理用品Ｓが落下すると、ユーザは、取出口１１０から落下部１０９へ手を入れて、生理用品Ｓを、ディスペンサ１０から取り出すことができる。 When the sanitary product S falls to the drop portion 109 , the user can reach the drop portion 109 through the outlet 110 to take out the sanitary product S from the dispenser 10 .
　本発明の実施形態に係るディスペンサは、上述したような変形例４の排出メカニズムを採用しても実現することができる。 The dispenser according to the embodiment of the present invention can also be realized by adopting the ejection mechanism of Modification 4 as described above.
　以上、本発明を実施するための最良の形態について、添付図面を参照しながら説明したが、本発明はかかる構成に限定されない。特許請求の範囲の発明された技術的思想の範疇において、当業者であれば、各種の変更例及び修正例に想到し得るものであり、それら変更例及び修正例についても本発明の技術的範囲に属するものと了解される。 Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Within the scope of the invented technical idea of the claims, those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and modifications, and these modifications and modifications are also within the technical scope of the present invention. be understood to belong to
１０　ディスペンサ
１１　筐体
１１ａ　筐体本体
１１ｂ　前蓋
１２　ディスプレイ
１３　排出口
１４　人感センサ
１５　鍵
１６　ユーザ情報読取部
２０　仕切板
２１　収納部
２２　在庫センサ
２３　調節プレート
２４　盗難防止用蓋
２５　排出センサ
３０　排出ローラ
３２　ステッピングモータ
４１　バス
４２　ＣＰＵ
４３　外部記録媒体
４４　記録媒体読取部
４５　通信部
５０　メモリ
５１　制御プログラム
５２　書込可能データエリア
６０　記憶装置
６２　画像データ記憶部
１００　前壁
１０１　固定ネジ
１０２　調節板
１０３　仕切板
１０４　底板
１０５　モータ
１０６　プーリ
１０７　タイミングベルト
１０８　爪
１０９　落下部
１１０　取出口
１１１　空間高さ
１２０　モータ
１２１　スライドクランク機構
１２１ａ　先端
１２２　載置台
１３０　モータ
１３１　棒ネジ
１３２　爪部
１４０　モータ
１４１　バネ
１４１ａ　先端
１５０　ＮＦＣ対応型カード
１５１　ユーザデバイス
１５２　ビーコンデバイス
１５３　ＲＦＩＤタグ
１５４　ＱＲコード
１５５　磁気カード
１５６　ＮＦＣ非対応型ＩＣカード
２００　通信ネットワーク
３００　管理サーバ
３１０　履歴情報テーブル
Ａ　感知信号
ＡＰ　専用アプリ
Ｂ　カード等
Ｃ　提供要求
ｄ　ディスペンサ識別番号
Ｄ　正回転方向
Ｅ　排出方向
Ｆ　逆回転方向
Ｇ　非排出方向
Ｉ　高さ
ＩＤ　ビーコン識別情報
ｉｄ　ＲＦＩＤ識別情報
Ｊ　開口部
Ｋ　検知信号
Ｍ　検出信号
ｍ　重り
ｐ　磁気情報
ｑ　ＱＲコードからの情報
ｒ　生体情報
Ｒ　レコード
ｓａ　ステータス
Ｓ　生理用品
ｔ　時刻
Ｔａ　方向
Ｔｂ　開口高さ
ｕｊ　ユーザ情報
ｖ　指紋情報
ｗ　カード情報 10 Dispenser 11 Case 11a Case body 11b Front cover 12 Display 13 Ejection port 14 Human sensor 15 Key 16 User information reading unit 20 Partition plate 21 Storage unit 22 Inventory sensor 23 Adjustment plate 24 Anti-theft lid 25 Ejection sensor 30 Ejection Roller 32 Stepping motor 41 Bus 42 CPU
43 External recording medium 44 Recording medium reading unit 45 Communication unit 50 Memory 51 Control program 52 Writable data area 60 Storage device 62 Image data storage unit 100 Front wall 101 Fixing screw 102 Adjusting plate 103 Partition plate 104 Bottom plate 105 Motor 106 Pulley 107 Timing belt 108 Claw 109 Falling part 110 Outlet 111 Spatial height 120 Motor 121 Slide crank mechanism 121a Tip 122 Mounting table 130 Motor 131 Bar screw 132 Claw part 140 Motor 141 Spring 141a Tip 150 NFC compatible card 151 User device 152 Beacon device 153 RFID tag 154 QR code 155 Magnetic card 156 NFC non-compatible IC card 200 Communication network 300 Management server 310 History information table A Sensing signal AP Dedicated application B Cards, etc. C Provision request d Dispenser identification number D Forward rotation direction E Ejection direction F Reverse rotation direction G Non-ejection direction I Height ID Beacon identification information id RFID identification information J Opening K Detection signal M Detection signal m Weight p Magnetic information q Information from QR code r Biometric information R Record sa Status S Sanitary product t Time Ta direction Tb opening height uj user information v fingerprint information w card information

Claims (28)

  1. 　衛生用品をユーザに提供するための衛生用品提供用ディスペンサであって、
    　前記衛生用品を収納する収納部と、
    　前記収納部に収納されている前記衛生用品を、前記収納部から排出するための排出部と、
    　前記ユーザから前記衛生用品の提供を求める要求があった場合、前記要求が妥当であれば、前記衛生用品を排出するように、前記排出部を動作させる制御部と
    を備えた、衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。     A hygiene product dispensing dispenser for providing hygiene products to a user, comprising:
    a storage unit for storing the sanitary goods;
    a discharge unit for discharging the sanitary goods stored in the storage unit from the storage unit;
    and a controller for operating the discharge unit so as to discharge the sanitary goods when the user requests the provision of the sanitary goods, if the request is valid. dispenser.
  2. 　前記収納部から排出される前記衛生用品を検出する排出センサをさらに備えた、請求項１に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 The dispenser for providing sanitary goods according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge sensor that detects the sanitary goods discharged from the storage section.
  3. 　前記制御部は、前記排出センサによって前記衛生用品の排出が検出されている間、前記排出部を動作させ続け、前記排出が検出されなくなると、前記排出部の動作を停止させる、請求項２に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 3. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit continues to operate the discharge unit while the discharge of the sanitary goods is detected by the discharge sensor, and stops the operation of the discharge unit when the discharge is no longer detected. Dispenser for providing hygiene products as described.
  4. 　前記制御部は、前記排出センサによって前記衛生用品の排出が検出されている継続期間が、第１の所定時間よりも長い場合、前記排出部の動作を停止させる、請求項３に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 4. The sanitary product according to claim 3, wherein the control unit stops the operation of the discharge unit when the discharge of the sanitary product is detected by the discharge sensor for a duration longer than a first predetermined time. serving dispenser.
  5. 　前記排出部を動作させるための駆動力を提供する駆動部をさらに備え、
    　前記制御部は、前記排出部を動作させる場合、前記駆動部を動作させる、請求項１乃至４のうち何れか１項に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。     further comprising a driving unit for providing a driving force for operating the discharging unit;
    The dispenser for providing sanitary goods according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller operates the drive unit when operating the discharge unit.
  6. 　前記駆動部は、ステッピングモータであり、
    　前記排出部は、前記ステッピングモータからの駆動力によって回転し、前記衛生用品を前記収納部から排出する排出ローラである、請求項５に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。     The drive unit is a stepping motor,
    6. The dispenser for providing sanitary goods according to claim 5, wherein said discharge part is a discharge roller that is rotated by a driving force from said stepping motor and discharges said sanitary goods from said storage part.
  7. 　前記収納部は、複数の前記衛生用品を、積み重ねられた状態で収納し、
    　前記収納部に収納された前記複数の衛生用品のうち、最下位の衛生用品が、前記排出ローラの正回転によって排出方向に排出される、請求項６に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。     The storage unit stores a plurality of the sanitary products in a stacked state,
    7. The dispenser for providing sanitary goods according to claim 6, wherein the lowest sanitary goods among the plurality of sanitary goods stored in the storage part are ejected in the ejection direction by forward rotation of the ejection roller.
  8. 　前記収納部に収納された前記複数の衛生用品のうち、最上位の衛生用品の上に載置される重りを備えた、請求項７に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 The dispenser for providing sanitary goods according to claim 7, comprising a weight placed on the highest sanitary goods among the plurality of sanitary goods stored in the storage part.
  9. 　前記排出ローラが、前記衛生用品を前記収納部から排出した場合、前記ステッピングモータは、前記排出ローラを第１の所定量逆回転させる駆動力を、前記排出ローラへ提供する、請求項７または８に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 9. When the discharge roller discharges the sanitary goods from the storage unit, the stepping motor provides the discharge roller with a driving force to reversely rotate the discharge roller by a first predetermined amount. Dispenser for providing hygiene products as described in .
  10. 　前記排出ローラが、前記衛生用品を前記収納部から排出する場合、前記ステッピングモータは、前記排出ローラを第２の所定量逆回転させた後、前記正回転させる駆動力を、前記排出ローラへ提供する、請求項９に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 When the ejection roller ejects the sanitary goods from the storage unit, the stepping motor rotates the ejection roller in a second predetermined amount in a reverse direction, and then provides the ejection roller with a driving force to rotate the ejection roller in the forward direction. 10. The sanitary product dispensing dispenser of claim 9.
  11. 　前記第１の所定量は、前記第２の所定量よりも多い、請求項１０に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 The dispenser for providing sanitary products according to claim 10, wherein said first predetermined amount is greater than said second predetermined amount.
  12. 　前記ステッピングモータおよび前記排出ローラは、前記収納部よりも下側に配置された、請求項６乃至１１のうち何れか１項に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 The dispenser for providing sanitary goods according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the stepping motor and the discharge roller are arranged below the storage part.
  13. 　前記排出ローラの表面に、前記衛生用品の排出を容易にする高摩擦材料を配置した、請求項６乃至１２のうち何れか１項に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 The dispenser for providing sanitary goods according to any one of Claims 6 to 12, wherein a high-friction material that facilitates the discharge of the sanitary goods is arranged on the surface of the discharge roller.
  14. 　前記収納部に収納されている前記衛生用品の量を把握するための在庫センサを備えた、請求項１乃至１３のうち何れか１項に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 The dispenser for providing sanitary goods according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising an inventory sensor for grasping the amount of said sanitary goods stored in said storage part.
  15. 　画像を表示する表示部をさらに備えた、請求項１乃至１４のうち何れか１項に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 The dispenser for providing sanitary goods according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a display for displaying an image.
  16. 　前記画像は、広告であり、
    　前記衛生用品は、広告料金を資金として購入される、請求項１５に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。     the image is an advertisement;
    16. The hygiene product serving dispenser of claim 15, wherein the hygiene products are purchased with advertising fees.
  17. 　人感センサをさらに備え、
    　前記人感センサによる感知に応じて、前記表示部から前記画像の表示を開始する、請求項１５または請求項１６に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。     Equipped with a human sensor,
    17. The dispenser for providing sanitary products according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the image is started to be displayed from the display unit in response to detection by the human sensor.
  18. 　前記収納部に収納されている前記衛生用品の量を把握するための在庫センサをさらに備え、
    　前記在庫センサによる把握結果を、前記表示部から表示する、請求項１５乃至１７のうち何れか１項に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。     further comprising an inventory sensor for grasping the amount of the sanitary products stored in the storage unit;
    18. The dispenser for providing sanitary goods according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the result of grasping by said inventory sensor is displayed from said display unit.
  19. 　前記収納部および前記排出部ともに２つあり、
    　２つの前記収納部のうちの第１の収納部と、２つの前記排出部のうちの第１の排出部とで第１の系統を構成し、
    　２つの前記収納部のうちの第２の収納部と、２つの前記排出部のうちの第２の排出部とで第２の系統を構成し、
    　前記制御部は、前記排出部を動作させる場合、前記第１の排出部と、前記第２の排出部とを交互に動作させる、請求項１に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。     There are two storage units and two discharge units,
    a first storage unit of the two storage units and a first discharge unit of the two discharge units constitute a first system;
    A second system is configured by a second storage unit of the two storage units and a second discharge unit of the two discharge units,
    2. The dispenser for providing sanitary goods according to claim 1, wherein when operating the discharge part, the control part alternately operates the first discharge part and the second discharge part.
  20. 　前記第１の収納部から排出される前記衛生用品を検出する第１の排出センサと、
    　前記第２の収納部から排出される前記衛生用品を検出する第２の排出センサと
    をさらに備えた、請求項１９に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。     a first discharge sensor that detects the sanitary goods discharged from the first storage;
    20. The sanitary product dispensing dispenser of claim 19, further comprising a second ejection sensor for detecting the sanitary product being ejected from the second container.
  21. 　前記制御部は、
    　　前記第１の排出センサによって前記衛生用品の排出が検出されている間、前記第１の排出部を動作させ続け、前記排出が検出されなくなると、前記第１の排出部の動作を停止させ、
    　　前記第２の排出センサによって前記衛生用品の排出が検出されている間、前記第２の排出部を動作させ続け、この排出が検出されなくなると、前記第２の排出部の動作を停止させる、
    請求項２０に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。     The control unit
    continuing to operate the first discharge unit while the discharge of the sanitary goods is detected by the first discharge sensor, and stopping the operation of the first discharge unit when the discharge is no longer detected;
    while the discharge of the sanitary goods is detected by the second discharge sensor, the second discharge unit continues to operate, and when the discharge is no longer detected, the operation of the second discharge unit is stopped;
    21. A hygiene product dispensing dispenser according to claim 20.
  22. 　前記制御部は、
    　　前記第１の排出センサによって前記衛生用品の排出が検出されている継続期間が、第１の所定時間よりも長い場合、前記第１の排出部の動作を停止させ、代わりに前記第２の排出部を動作させ、
    　　前記第２の排出センサによって前記衛生用品の排出が検出されている継続期間が、前記第１の所定時間よりも長い場合、前記第２の排出部の動作を停止させ、代わりに前記第１の排出部を動作させる、
    請求項２１に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。     The control unit
    If the duration of discharge of the sanitary article being detected by the first discharge sensor is longer than a first predetermined time, the operation of the first discharge unit is stopped and instead the second discharge is performed. operate the department,
    If the duration during which the discharge of the sanitary product is detected by the second discharge sensor is longer than the first predetermined time, the operation of the second discharge unit is stopped, and instead the first discharge is detected. actuating the ejector;
    22. A hygiene product dispensing dispenser according to claim 21.
  23. 　画像を表示する表示部をさらに備えた、請求項１９乃至２２のうち何れか１項に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 The dispenser for providing sanitary goods according to any one of claims 19 to 22, further comprising a display section for displaying an image.
  24. 　前記第１の排出部または前記第２の排出部の動作が停止された場合、停止された排出部が属する系統を前記表示部から表示する、請求項２３に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 The dispenser for providing sanitary goods according to claim 23, wherein when the operation of the first discharge part or the second discharge part is stopped, the system to which the stopped discharge part belongs is displayed from the display part.
  25. 　前記衛生用品が前記収納部から排出される場合、複数の前記衛生用品が同時に排出されないように、前記衛生用品が排出される排出口の高さを調節する調節部をさらに備えた、請求項１乃至２４のうち何れか１項に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adjusting unit for adjusting the height of a discharge port through which the sanitary goods are discharged so that a plurality of the sanitary goods are not discharged at the same time when the sanitary goods are discharged from the storage part. 25. A sanitary product dispensing dispenser according to any one of claims 1-24.
  26. 　前記調節部は、着脱可能であって、前記高さに応じて複数存在し、
    　前記複数の調節部から、前記収納部に収納されている衛生用品の厚さに基づいて、何れかが選択され、装着される、請求項２５に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。     The adjustment part is detachable, and a plurality of the adjustment parts exist according to the height,
    26. The sanitary product dispensing dispenser according to claim 25, wherein one of said plurality of adjustment units is selected and mounted based on the thickness of sanitary products stored in said storage unit.
  27. 　前記制御部は、前記ユーザへ前記衛生用品が提供された直近の時刻から、第２の所定時間以上経過している場合と、所定期間中に前記ユーザに提供された前記衛生用品の数が、所定数に達していない場合とのうちの少なくとも何れかである場合、前記要求が妥当であると判定する、請求項１乃至２６のうち何れか１項に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 When a second predetermined time or more has passed since the most recent time when the sanitary goods were provided to the user, and when the number of the sanitary goods provided to the user during the predetermined period is 27. A hygiene product dispensing dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, determining that the request is valid if at least one of a predetermined number has not been reached.
  28. 　前記衛生用品は、生理用ナプキンである、請求項１乃至２７のうち何れか１項に記載の衛生用品提供用ディスペンサ。 The dispenser for providing sanitary products according to any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the sanitary products are sanitary napkins.
PCT/JP2022/004718 2022-02-07 2022-02-07 Sanitary article provision dispenser WO2023148978A1 (en)

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