Hygiene article providing device

Abstract

Provided is a sanitary product providing device that can appropriately provide a sanitary product and is more convenient. A sanitary product providing device (1) includes: a housing (50) that stacks and houses a plurality of sanitary products; a sanitary product taking-out port (21) that is provided at an upper portion of a front face portion of the housing (50); a gate (55) that opens and closes the taking-out port (21); a table (61) that places the sanitary product and moves in an up-and-down direction; a distance sensor (23) that detects a distance between a top face (53) of the housing (50) and an uppermost sanitary product in the housing (50); and a control portion (30) that controls the gate (55) and the table (61). The control portion (30) stops the table (61) when the distance detected by the distance sensor (23) reaches a predetermined value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a technology for a sanitary product supply device for providing sanitary products such as menstrual products. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, there were known sanitary product supply devices for providing sanitary products such as menstrual products.

[0003] For example, International Publication No. 2023 / 148978 discloses a dispenser for providing sanitary products to a user. The dispenser includes: a receiving section for receiving the sanitary products; a discharging section for discharging the sanitary products received in the receiving section from the receiving section; and a control section that, upon receiving a request from the user to provide the sanitary products, activates the discharging section to discharge the sanitary products if the request is reasonable. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sanitary product providing device that can provide a sanitary product appropriately and with greater convenience.

[0005] A hygiene product providing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a housing that stacks and houses a plurality of hygiene products; an outlet for dispensing the hygiene products, disposed on the upper part of the front portion of the housing; a gate for opening and closing the outlet; a platform for holding the hygiene products and moving in a vertical direction; a distance sensor for detecting the distance from the top surface of the housing to the uppermost hygiene product located within the housing; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the gate and the platform. The control unit stops the platform when the distance detected by the distance sensor reaches a predetermined value.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a sanitary product supply device is capable of appropriately supplying sanitary products of varying thicknesses to the dispensing port. Therefore, a sanitary product supply device that can appropriately provide a sanitary product and offers greater convenience can be obtained. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a hygiene product providing device according to one embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The front view of the providing device is shown.

[0009] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the gate of the dispensing device containing thin sanitary products in the open state.

[0010] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the gate of the supply device containing thick physiological products in the open state.

[0011] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 2 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the AA line portion of the supply device.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a providing device according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of a providing device according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the ejection structure of a providing device according to one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the ejection structure of a providing device according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the physiological product provision process of a provision device according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 11 This is a side view used to illustrate the operation of the delivery device when it contains a thin menstrual product.

[0018] Figure 12 This is a side view used to illustrate the operation of the delivery device when it contains a thin menstrual product.

[0019] Figure 13 This is a side view used to illustrate the operation of the delivery device when it contains a thin menstrual product.

[0020] Figure 14 This is a side view used to illustrate the operation of the delivery device when it contains a thin menstrual product.

[0021] Figure 15 This is a side view used to illustrate the operation of the delivery device when it contains a thin menstrual product.

[0022] Figure 16 This is a side view used to illustrate the operation of the delivery device when it contains a thick physiological product.

[0023] Figure 17 This is a side view showing the ejection structure ejecting a thin physiological product.

[0024] Figure 18This is a side view showing the ejection structure ejecting a thick physiological product.

[0025] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram showing the ejection structure ejecting physiological products of various sizes. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated.

[0027] <First Implementation Method> In this embodiment, a hygiene product providing device for providing hygiene products such as sanitary products, diapers, and tissues will be described. More specifically, a hygiene product providing device 1 suitable for providing sanitary products as an example of hygiene products will be described. The hygiene product providing device 1 is installed, for example, in a toilet stall or near a washbasin in a facility used by an unspecified number of people (e.g., public facilities, restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, stations, etc.), and is able to provide sanitary products to toilet users (users).

[0028] (The overall structure of a hygiene product supply device) First, the overall structure of the hygiene product providing device 1 (hereinafter also referred to as providing device 1) according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 1 to 4 The appearance of the providing device 1 is shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The gate 55 of the outlet 21 for the sanitary products is shown to be closed. Figure 3 and Figure 4 This shows the state where the gate 55 at outlet 21 is open. Figure 3 The image shows a case where a small menstrual item 90 (e.g., a thin menstrual item with a short length in the front-to-back direction) is housed within a casing 50. Figure 4 The image shows a case where a large-sized sanitary product 190 (e.g., a sanitary product that is thick and has a long length in the front-to-back direction) is housed within a housing 50.

[0029] Figures 5 to 7 The internal structure of the hygiene product providing device 1 is shown. Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the AA line portion of the hygiene product providing device 1 shown. Figure 6 The ejection structure 40 and the platform lifting mechanism 60, which are disposed within the housing 50, are shown. Figure 7 This is a control block diagram within the hygiene product supply device 1.

[0030] The providing device 1 is mainly formed by a housing 50 in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 50 has a front portion 50a, an upper portion 50b, a side portion 50c, a back portion 50d, and a bottom portion 50e. In this embodiment, the front portion 50a is formed by a front member 51. The front member 51 is configured to be detachable from the main body of the housing 50, which forms the upper portion 50b, the left side portion 50c, and the right side portion 50c.

[0031] Inside the housing 50, multiple sanitary products (e.g., sanitary products 90, 90, ... or sanitary products 190, 190, ...) are stacked together (see reference). Figure 5 The providing device 1 of this embodiment can provide sanitary products of different sizes, but it is preferable that multiple sanitary products housed at one time in the housing 50 are of the same size.

[0032] A dispensing port 21 for sanitary products is provided on the upper part of the front part 50a of the housing 50. The dispensing port 21 is formed to open a portion of the front part 51.

[0033] Here, the upper part of the front portion 50a refers to the upper side of the central position in the height direction of the housing 50. For example, it is preferable that the outlet 21 is located within 20 cm of the upper portion 50b of the housing 50. In addition, the outlet 21 is configured to correspond to the position of the uppermost of the multiple sanitary products (e.g., sanitary products 90 or 190) housed in the housing 50.

[0034] A gate 55 is provided at the outlet 21 to shield the outlet 21. The gate 55 is configured to move vertically via a first motor 25 provided in the supply device 1. For example, the gate 55 moves vertically based on the detection result of a human body sensor 22 disposed near the outlet 21, and opens and closes the outlet 21.

[0035] The housing 50 includes a human body sensor 22, a distance sensor 23, a removal detection unit 24, a first motor 25, a second motor 26, a control unit 30, an ejection structure 40, a platform lifting mechanism 60, and a guide component 56.

[0036] A human body sensor 22 is disposed near the dispensing port 21 (e.g., at the lower part of the dispensing port 21). The human body sensor 22 can detect the user's hand when the user places their hand near the dispensing port 21. The information detected by the human body sensor 22 is transmitted to the control unit 30.

[0037] Distance sensor 23 is disposed near the top surface 53 inside the housing 50. Distance sensor 23 is a sensor that measures the distance between an object in a non-contact manner. Distance sensor 23 can measure the distance from the top surface 53 to the uppermost sanitary product (e.g., sanitary product 90a or 190a, etc.) stacked inside the housing 50.

[0038] The removal detection unit 24 detects when the sanitary product is removed from the dispensing port 21. In this embodiment, the removal detection unit 24 detects the pressing component 45 (see reference 45). Figure 5 The sensor detects the downward movement of the pressing member 45. The removal detection unit 24 can detect the removal of the sanitary product by detecting the movement of the pressing member 45 (specifically, downward movement). Furthermore, in other embodiments, the distance sensor 23 can also function as the removal detection unit 24.

[0039] The first motor 25 is positioned above the housing 50. The first motor 25 drives the pushing operation of the push structure 40 and the opening and closing action of the gate 55.

[0040] The second motor 26 is located below the housing 50. The second motor 26 drives the lifting action of the stage 61 of the stage lifting mechanism 60.

[0041] The ejection structure 40 is disposed above the housing 50. The ejection structure 40 is used to eject the uppermost of a stacked plurality of sanitary products toward the dispensing port 21. The ejection structure 40 includes an ejection portion 42 that pushes the sanitary product forward and a support member 41 that holds the ejection portion 42. Detailed configuration of the ejection structure 40 will be described later.

[0042] The platform lifting mechanism 60 includes a platform 61 and a support column 62. The platform 61 holds physiological products stacked within the housing 50 and moves vertically. The support column 62 extends vertically within the housing 50 and supports the platform 61 in a movable state. The lifting action of the platform 61 is driven by a second motor 26.

[0043] The guide member 56 is disposed below the dispensing outlet 21. The guide member 56 has an inclined surface that slopes toward the lower end of the dispensing outlet 21 (see reference). Figure 5 By providing such a guide component 56, the uppermost menstrual item (e.g., menstrual item 90a or 190a, etc.) pushed forward by the ejector structure 40 can be tilted slightly upward toward the outlet 21. This allows for smoother guidance of only the uppermost menstrual item to the outlet 21.

[0044] The control unit 30 is composed of control circuitry within the base unit. The control unit 30 includes a first motor control unit 31, a second motor control unit 32, a distance setting unit 34, a memory 35, a timer 36, etc. Based on the detection results from the human body sensor 22 and the distance sensor 23, the control unit 30 controls the operation of the first motor 25 and the second motor 26 to cause the gate 55, the pushing structure 40, the platform 61, etc., to move.

[0045] The first motor control unit 31 controls the operation of the first motor 25. The second motor control unit 32 controls the operation of the second motor 26.

[0046] The distance setting unit 34 is used to set the stopping position of the stage 61 when it is raised in preparation for retrieving the topmost sanitary product. The distance setting unit 34 changes the distance setting from the top surface 53 of the stage when it stops to the topmost sanitary product 90a based on the size (specifically, the thickness) of the sanitary product housed in the housing 50. By changing the stopping position of the stage 61 when it rises by setting the distance by the distance setting unit 34, a sanitary product of any size (especially thickness) can be supplied toward the retrieval outlet 21.

[0047] The memory 35 includes ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 35 stores the operating program of the providing device 1, setting data, and temporarily stores the calculation results of the control unit 30. For example, the memory 35 stores a table that associates the type or size of the physiological product with the set distance S when the stage 61 stops rising.

[0048] The timer 36 measures the processing time within the control unit 30 and the operation time of each component within the supply device 1 (e.g., the opening time of the gate 55) as needed.

[0049] When the human body sensor 22 detects the user's hand, the controller 30 within the device 1 activates the first motor 25, causing the gate 55 to move downwards. This opens the outlet 21, exposing the uppermost sanitary product 90a within the housing 50, which is ready for removal (standby). Figure 3 Here, "standby" for the uppermost menstrual product 90a refers to, for example, the state where the front end of the menstrual product 90a is in contact with or near the back of the gate 55 in a closed state (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0050] When the gate 55 is open, the user can remove a sanitary product 90a from the dispensing device 1 by pulling it forward from the dispensing port 21. Once the sanitary product 90a has been removed, the control unit 30 activates the first motor 25 again, causing the gate 55 to move upward. This closes the dispensing port 21 (see reference). Figure 1 wait).

[0051] However, hygiene products such as sanitary pads and diapers vary in size (e.g., thickness, length, and width) depending on the manufacturer and the specific product. For example, the thickness and dimensions in the front-to-back direction of sanitary pads can differ significantly depending on their intended use and lifespan, both by manufacturer and by product. Providing a variety of sanitary pads with different thicknesses would improve the convenience of device 1.

[0052] The providing device 1 of this embodiment is capable of providing physiological products of different sizes by including a distance sensor 23, a push-out structure 40 and a platform lifting mechanism 60.

[0053] (Deducing the structure) The following is a more detailed explanation of the structure 40. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The appearance of the launched structure 40 is shown.

[0054] The ejection structure 40 includes a support member 41, an ejection part 42, and a power transmission member 44. The ejection part 42 includes multiple movable pins (movable parts) 43, 43, ... The multiple movable pins (movable parts) 43, 43, ... are arranged along the front-rear direction of the housing 50.

[0055] The support member 41 forms the main body of the ejection structure 40. On the inner surface of the side portions 41a on both the left and right sides of the support member 41, a plurality of grooves 41b, 41b, ... extending in the vertical direction are arranged in a front-back direction. A movable pin 43 is embedded in each groove 41b.

[0056] The ejection section 42 has a plurality of movable pins 43. In this embodiment, the movable pins 43 are formed by bending a rod-shaped body at multiple points (see reference). Figure 9 Furthermore, the left and right ends of the movable pin 43 are respectively inserted into the grooves 41b of the side portions 41a on the left and right sides of the support member 41. By causing each end of the movable pin 43 inserted into the groove 41b to slide along the groove 41b, the movable pin 43 can move relative to the support member 41 in the vertical direction.

[0057] Each movable pin 43 has a protrusion 43a protruding forward at its lower end (see reference). Figure 17(etc.). By providing such a protrusion 43a, the sanitary products (such as sanitary products 90a, etc.) that are to be pushed out can be pushed forward more appropriately and smoothly.

[0058] In other embodiments, the movable parts may also be formed of a plate. When the movable parts are plate-shaped, by embedding the left and right ends of the plate-shaped parts into the grooves 41b and holding them by the support members 41, multiple movable parts can be moved in the vertical direction relative to the support members 41.

[0059] Because the ejection section 42 has the above-described configuration, the state of each movable pin 43 can be different depending on the size of the sanitary product housed in the housing 50. Thus, regardless of the size of the sanitary product housed, the sanitary product located at the top can be appropriately supplied to the extraction port 21.

[0060] The power transmission member 44 has a shaft portion connected to the left and right side portions 41a of the support member 41. Furthermore, the power transmission member 44 is connected to a cam 48 connected to the first motor 25. Thus, the power from the first motor 25 is transmitted to the support member 41 via the cam 48. Therefore, the ejector structure 40 can move in the front-rear direction by the power from the first motor 25.

[0061] A pressing component 45 is provided on the front side of the ejector structure 40 (see reference). Figure 5 The pressing member 45 has a plate-shaped portion located opposite the upper surface of the uppermost menstrual product 90a. By providing such a pressing member 45, the menstrual product 90a can be prevented from floating or bending when it is pushed forward by the ejection structure 40.

[0062] Furthermore, a sensor for detecting the movement of the pressing member 45 is provided near the pressing member 45. This sensor detects the descent of the pressing member 45 and the removal of the sanitary product from the dispensing port 21. In other words, this sensor functions as the removal detection unit 24.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a guide member 56 is provided on the front side of the uppermost menstrual product 90a. By providing the guide member 56, the uppermost menstrual product 90a, which is pushed forward by the push-out structure 40, can be tilted slightly upward toward the dispensing outlet 21. At this time, by providing the pressing member 45, the upward floating of the menstrual product 90a can be suppressed, and therefore, a menstrual product 90a can be guided to the dispensing outlet 21 more appropriately.

[0064] By providing the ejection structure 40 having the above-described configuration, the feeding device 1 can eject only one sanitary product forward, regardless of the size (especially the depth) of the sanitary product contained therein.

[0065] (The actions of the gate, the ejection structure, and the platform) Next, the operation of the gate 55, the ejection structure 40, and the platform 61 within the supply device 1 will be explained. Here, the operation will be explained using the example of a thin menstrual product 90 contained within the supply device 1.

[0066] Figure 10 The process of providing physiological products in the providing device 1 is shown. Figures 11 to 15 The operation of each component in the supply device 1 is shown sequentially from the removal of the sanitary product 90a in the removal preparation (standby) state to the entry of the next sanitary product 90b into the removal preparation (standby) state.

[0067] The physiological product 90a located at the top of the supply device 1 is in a state ready to be removed, such as... Figure 11 As shown, with the gate 55 closed, the ejector structure 40 is positioned at the front, allowing the menstrual product 90a to be ejected into the outlet 21. At this time, the front end of the menstrual product 90a is close to the back of the gate 55.

[0068] Then, when the user who desires the sanitary product places their hand near the dispensing port 21 of the dispensing device 1, the human body sensor 22 detects the user's hand (step S11), and the control unit 30 (specifically, the first motor control unit 31) within the dispensing device 1 activates the first motor 25, thereby moving the gate 55 downward. As a result, the gate 55 opens (step S12).

[0069] At this time, as Figure 3 As shown, the uppermost sanitary product 90a, which is ready to be taken out (standby) inside the housing 50, is exposed. Thus, the user can take out a sanitary product 90a from the supply device 1. Figure 12 This shows the state after the removal of the feminine hygiene product 90a. When the topmost feminine hygiene product 90a is removed, the movable pin 43 on the front side, which was previously pushed up by the feminine hygiene product 90a, descends due to its own weight (see reference). Figure 12 ).

[0070] After the sanitary product 90a is removed (step S13), the control unit 30 (specifically, the first motor control unit 31) activates the first motor 25 again, causing the gate 55 to move upward and close (step S14). The upward movement of the gate 55 can be triggered by the removal detection unit 24 detecting that the sanitary product 90a has been completely removed, or by a predetermined time elapsed after the gate 55 has been open. Furthermore, the removal detection unit 24 can detect the removal of the sanitary product using a sensor that detects the movement of the pressing member 45, or it can utilize the distance sensor 23.

[0071] When the gate 55 is closed, the control unit 30 (specifically, the first motor control unit 31) activates the first motor 25 to move the ejection structure 40 backward (step S15). Then, the control unit 30 (specifically, the second motor control unit 32) activates the second motor 26 to lower the platform 61 (step S16). Figure 13 This shows the state where the ejected structure 40 has retracted and the stage 61 has descended.

[0072] Then, the control unit 30 (specifically, the second motor control unit 32) within the supply device 1 activates the second motor 26 to raise the stage 61 (step S17). Then, when the uppermost menstrual product (e.g., menstrual product 90b) reaches a predetermined position, the stage 61 stops rising (step S18). Specifically, when the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 (i.e., the distance from the top surface 53 of the housing 50 to the uppermost menstrual product 90b) reaches a predetermined value, the control unit 30 (specifically, the second motor control unit 32) stops the rising of the stage 61.

[0073] Here, the specified value refers to, for example, the distance from the top surface 53 to the uppermost sanitary product when the outlet 21 is positioned such that only one sanitary product is exposed. By setting the specified value in this way, it is possible to push only one sanitary product into the outlet 21 via the ejection structure 40.

[0074] In this way, the controller 30 adjusts the position of the platform 61 to a height such that only one sanitary product 90 is pushed forward by the ejector structure 40, and stops the upward movement of the platform 61. Then, with the gate 55 closed, the control unit 30 moves the ejector structure 40 forward.

[0075] As described above, when the stage 61 stops rising at the designated position, a physiological product 90b is set to be ejected via the ejection structure 40 (see reference). Figure 14 Then, the control unit 30 (specifically, the first motor control unit 31) activates the first motor 25 to move the ejection structure 40 forward (step S19).

[0076] Therefore, the physiological product 90b located at the top (in Figure 11 In the state shown, the menstrual product 90b, located directly below the menstrual product 90a, is ready to be removed. At this time, the menstrual product 90b is guided forward by the guide member 56 and the pressing member 45, tilted slightly upwards toward the removal port 21, and becomes ready for removal on the back side of the gate 55 (see reference). Figure 15 Thus, the sanitary product 90b is in the ready-to-use (standby) state.

[0077] In the supply device 1, through the actions described above via the gate 55, the ejection structure 40, and the platform 61, a menstrual product 90 can be provided to a user who needs it. Then, when the next user who needs the menstrual product 90 appears, the user simply places their hand near the dispensing port 21 of the supply device 1, as described above, and the gate 55 will open, allowing the user to immediately retrieve the menstrual product 90, which is in standby mode on the back side of the gate 55.

[0078] (The components provided are for use with various sizes of sanitary products) The above description explains the operation when a smaller menstrual product 90 is provided. When a menstrual product 190 or 290, which is larger than the menstrual product 90, is contained, the gate 55 operates in roughly the same manner as described above. On the other hand, the platform 61 and the ejection structure 40 operate differently depending on the size of the menstrual product contained.

[0079] For example, when the controller 30 raises the stage 61 according to the thickness of the physiological products contained therein ( Figure 10 The stopping position of step S17 in the text is different. Figure 16 This shows the state where the stage 61 stops rising at a predetermined position when the providing device 1 contains a thicker menstrual product 190 (the state after step S18 is completed). Figure 16 The illustration only shows the topmost menstrual product 190a and the menstrual product 190b directly below it, omitting the illustrations of the other menstrual products 190.

[0080] Figure 14 and Figure 16 In comparison, the menstrual product 190a is located at a higher position (i.e., closer to the top surface 53). That is, the distance between the top surface 53 and the uppermost menstrual product, as measured by the distance sensor 23, is shorter when the menstrual product 190 is housed than when the menstrual product 90 is housed.

[0081] The distance setting unit 34 within the control unit 30 can change the distance setting from the top surface 53 to the uppermost menstrual product 90a when the stage is stopped, based on the thickness of the menstrual product housed within the housing 50. For example, the distance setting can be changed by the user inputting the set distance S when the menstrual product is placed in the housing 50.

[0082] The set distance can be determined by the following distance: with the position of the stage 61 adjusted so that the uppermost of the multiple sanitary products stacked in the housing 50 is in an appropriate position relative to the outlet 21, the distance between the top surface 53 and the uppermost sanitary product is measured by the distance sensor 23.

[0083] Alternatively, the aforementioned distance can be measured in advance for menstrual products of various thicknesses, and the set distance S at which the stage 61 stops rising can be determined based on the type or thickness of the menstrual product. Then, data relating the type or thickness of the menstrual product to the set distance S can be stored in the memory 35. Thus, when a user stores multiple menstrual products in the housing 50, the user can easily change the distance setting of the distance setting unit 34 by inputting the type or size of the menstrual product.

[0084] In addition, the ejection section 42 of the ejection structure 40 has multiple movable pins 43, so that the state of each movable pin 43 can be different according to the size of the physiological product housed in the housing 50.

[0085] For example, in the case of housing a small-sized menstrual product 90 (specifically, in terms of thickness and depth), fewer of the multiple movable pins 43 are in the raised state, and the amount of raising of the movable pins 43 is also smaller (see reference). Figure 17 and Figure 19 A).

[0086] Furthermore, when storing larger sanitary products 190 (specifically, in terms of thickness and depth), a greater number of the movable pins 43 are in the raised state, and the extent to which the movable pins 43 are raised is greater (see [reference]). Figure 18 and Figure 19 (C).

[0087] Furthermore, when storing a medium-sized (specifically, thicker and slightly shallower) sanitary product 290, some of the movable pins 43 will be in a raised state, and the amount of raising of the movable pins 43 will be greater (see [reference]). Figure 19 B).

[0088] By introducing structure 40 with the aforementioned structure, regardless of the shape and size of the sanitary products contained within the device, they can be moved by a certain amount. Therefore, regardless of the size or type of sanitary products, the contained sanitary products can be moved to the same position (see reference). Figure 19 ).

[0089] The sanitary product supply device 1, having the ejection structure 40 as described above, is able to properly eject the uppermost sanitary product toward the outlet 21, regardless of the size of the sanitary product contained therein.

[0090] (Summary of the first implementation method) As described above, the sanitary product supply device 1 according to this embodiment includes: a housing 50 that stacks and houses multiple sanitary products (e.g., menstrual products 90, 190, etc.); a sanitary product outlet 21 disposed on the upper part of the front surface 50a of the housing 50; a gate 55 for opening and closing the outlet 21; a platform 61 for holding sanitary products and moving in the vertical direction; a distance sensor 23 for detecting the distance from the top surface 53 of the housing 50 to the uppermost sanitary product (e.g., menstrual product 90a or 190a, etc.) located inside the housing 50; and a unit 30 for controlling the operation of the gate 55 and the platform 61. When the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 from the top surface 53 to the uppermost sanitary product reaches a predetermined value, the control unit 30 stops the platform.

[0091] Here, the specified value refers to, for example, the distance between the upper surface of a sanitary product and its top surface 53 when the gate 55 is opened and a sanitary product is exposed from the outlet 21. This distance varies depending on the thickness of the sanitary product housed within the housing 50. In this embodiment, the specified value is stored as a set distance S in the memory 35 according to the thickness of the sanitary product.

[0092] For example, when accommodating a thinner menstrual product 90, the distance S is set to a larger value, while when accommodating a thicker menstrual product 190, the distance S is set to a smaller value. Thus, it is possible to obtain a menstrual product supply device 1 that can appropriately provide a menstrual product for menstrual products of different thicknesses.

[0093] Furthermore, the sanitary product providing device 1 according to this embodiment includes a push-out structure 40. The push-out structure 40 includes a push-out portion 42 that pushes sanitary products (e.g., menstrual products 90, 190, etc.) forward and a support member 41 that holds the push-out portion 42. The push-out portion 42 includes a plurality of movable pins (movable members) 43 arranged along the front-rear direction of the housing 50. These plurality of movable pins 43 are held in a state in which they can move relative to the support member 41 in the vertical direction.

[0094] By including such an ejection structure 40, the states of multiple movable pins 43 can be changed according to the front-rear dimension (depth dimension) of the sanitary product housed within the housing 50, allowing sanitary products of various sizes to be appropriately ejected forward. Therefore, a sanitary product delivery device 1 can be obtained that can appropriately provide a sanitary product for sanitary products with different depth dimensions.

[0095] As described above, the providing device 1 according to this embodiment can provide a sanitary product appropriately regardless of the size of the sanitary product contained therein.

[0096] <Second Implementation Method> In the second embodiment, the example of a sanitary product supply device 1 having a different ejection structure from the ejection structure 40 will be described.

[0097] The providing device 1 of this embodiment includes: a housing 50 that stacks and houses multiple sanitary products (e.g., menstrual products 90, 190, etc.); an outlet 21 disposed on the upper part of the front surface 50a of the housing 50; a gate 55 for opening and closing the outlet 21; a platform 61 for holding sanitary products and moving in the vertical direction; a distance sensor 23 for detecting the distance between the top surface 53 of the housing 50 and the uppermost sanitary product located inside the housing 50; and a control unit 30 for controlling the operation of the gate 55 and the platform 61. When the distance between the top surface 53 and the uppermost sanitary product detected by the distance sensor 23 reaches a predetermined value, the control unit 30 stops the platform 61.

[0098] Here, the specified value refers to, for example, the distance between the upper surface of the sanitary product and the top surface 53 when the gate 55 is opened and a sanitary product is exposed from the dispensing port 21. This distance varies depending on the thickness of the sanitary product housed within the housing 50. In this embodiment, the specified value is stored as a set distance S in the memory 35 according to the thickness of the sanitary product. Therefore, a sanitary product dispensing device 1 capable of appropriately providing a sanitary product can be obtained for sanitary products of varying thicknesses.

[0099] The control unit 30 can also control the gate 55 in such a way that, when the gate 55 is open, it closes the gate 55 after the distance sensor 23 detects a change in distance. Thus, the gate 55 can be closed at the moment when a sanitary product has been removed from the dispensing outlet 21.

[0100] The supply device 1 may also include a push-out section that pushes the sanitary product forward. The push-out section is configured to move in the front-back direction. Therefore, the push-out section can be positioned appropriately according to the front-back length (depth dimension) of the sanitary product 90 housed within the housing 50. Thus, a supply device 1 that can appropriately provide a sanitary product for sanitary products with different depth dimensions can be obtained.

[0101] The forward and backward position of the ejector can be changed manually or automatically using a motor. In the case of automatic movement of the ejector, the movement of the ejector is controlled by the control unit 30.

[0102] (Summarize) As described above, a hygiene product providing device (e.g., hygiene product providing device 1) according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a housing (e.g., housing 50) which stacks and houses a plurality of hygiene products (e.g., any one of menstrual products 90, 190, and 290); an outlet (e.g., outlet 21) for the hygiene products, disposed on the upper part of the front portion (e.g., front portion 50a) of the housing; a gate (e.g., gate 55) for opening and closing the outlet; a stage (e.g., stage 61) for holding the hygiene products and moving in a vertical direction; a distance sensor (e.g., distance sensor 23) for detecting the distance from the top surface (e.g., top surface 53) of the housing to the uppermost hygiene product located within the housing; and a control unit (e.g., control unit 30) for controlling the operation of the gate and the stage. The control unit stops the stage when the distance detected by the distance sensor reaches a predetermined value (e.g., a set distance S).

[0103] The sanitary product supply device (e.g., sanitary product supply device 1) according to one aspect of the present invention has a removal detection unit (e.g., removal detection unit 24) that detects when the sanitary product is removed from the removal port (e.g., removal port 21), and the control unit (e.g., control unit 30) controls the gate (e.g., gate 55) to close after the removal detection unit detects that the sanitary product has been removed.

[0104] The sanitary product providing device (e.g., sanitary product providing device 1) according to one aspect of the present invention further includes a pushing structure (e.g., pushing structure 40) that pushes the sanitary product forward. Furthermore, the control unit (e.g., control unit 30) controls the movement of the pushing structure in the front-back direction and moves the pushing structure forward when the gate (e.g., gate 55) is closed.

[0105] In the hygiene product providing device (e.g., hygiene product providing device 1) according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit (e.g., control unit 30) moves the ejection structure (e.g., ejection structure 40) backward after the gate (e.g., gate 55) is closed.

[0106] In the sanitary product providing device (e.g., sanitary product providing device 1) according to one aspect of the present invention, after the push-out structure (e.g., push-out structure 40) moves backward, the control unit (e.g., control unit 30) causes the stage (e.g., stage 61) to temporarily lower, and then causes the stage to rise and stop at a predetermined position (e.g., a height that matches the thickness of a sanitary product and allows a sanitary product to be exposed from the dispensing port 21).

[0107] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects. The scope of the invention is defined not by the foregoing description but by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications equivalent to and within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sanitary product dispensing device, characterized in that, include: A housing that is stacked and contains multiple hygiene products; The outlet of the sanitary product is located on the upper part of the front of the housing; A gate that opens and closes the outlet; A platform on which the sanitary products are placed and can move vertically; A distance sensor that detects the distance from the top surface of the housing to the uppermost sanitary product located inside the housing; as well as The control unit controls the movement of the gate and the platform. When the distance detected by the distance sensor reaches a predetermined value, the control unit stops the platform.

2. The sanitary product providing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It has a removal detection unit that detects whether the sanitary product is removed from the removal port. After the removal detection unit detects that the sanitary product has been removed, the control unit controls the gate to close.

3. The sanitary product providing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It also includes a launching structure that pushes the sanitary product forward. The control unit controls the movement of the ejection structure in the front-back direction, and moves the ejection structure forward when the gate is closed.

4. The sanitary product providing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, After the gate is closed, the control unit causes the ejection structure to move backward.

5. The sanitary product providing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, After the ejection structure moves backward, the control unit causes the platform to temporarily descend, and then causes the platform to rise and stop at a predetermined position.

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