Capsule box rack structure and capsule coffee selling and conveying device

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of capsule coffee storage, and particularly relates to a capsule box material frame structure and a capsule coffee selling and conveying device, and the capsule coffee selling and conveying device comprises the capsule box material frame structure, a translation device and a bearing device; the capsule box material frame structure comprises a vertical plate, a storage material channel extending up and down is arranged on the vertical plate and used for storing capsule coffee, limiting grooves are formed in the two sides of the storage material channel and used for limiting the edge of the capsule coffee so that the opening of the capsule coffee can face the inner side of the storage material channel, and a telescopic supporting piece and a limiting rod are arranged at the lower end of the storage material channel. The limiting rod is located at the upper end of the telescopic supporting piece, the telescopic supporting piece is used for supporting the capsule coffee at the bottommost end in the storage material channel, and the limiting rod is connected with the power mechanism and used for alternately supporting the second or more capsule coffee in the storage material channel. The translation device is arranged on the bottom side of the vertical plate, and the bearing device is arranged at the moving end of the translation device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of capsule coffee machine technology, and in particular relates to a capsule box rack structure and a capsule coffee vending and conveying device. Background Technology

[0002] A capsule-based extraction machine is an extraction device that uses high-pressure, rapid heating of water to extract the corresponding juice from the contents of a container. It is suitable for processing containers (capsules) containing ingredients, which, upon interaction with the liquid introduced into the capsule (such as hot, pressurized water), produce a beverage or edible juice. The capsule is a frustum-shaped ring, which can be filled with ingredients such as coffee powder, tea leaves, concentrated liquid beverages, or the like, and is sealed by a foil-like tear-off cap welded or pressed onto the annular edge extending radially from the sidewall of the ring. A common example of an extraction machine is the capsule coffee machine.

[0003] Chinese utility model patent application document CN109215234A discloses a freshly brewed beverage vending machine, including a cabinet, a first cabinet door, and a second cabinet door. The cabinet is divided from top to bottom into a first chamber, a second chamber for brewing beverages, and a third chamber for storing water and waste. The first chamber is equipped with a capsule storage and vending device for storing and selling beverage capsules, and a capsule guide device located below the capsule storage and vending device. The first cabinet door is used to close the first chamber and is provided with a dispensing port, and the second cabinet door is used to close the second chamber and is provided with a waste disposal port. In the freshly made beverage vending machine, the capsule storage and vending device includes a control unit and a base fixed to the inner wall of the cabinet. The base has several positioning holes evenly arranged, and each positioning hole has a capsule receiving tube that matches the positioning hole. The capsule receiving tube is used to stack beverage capsules, with the bottom beverage capsule hanging below the base. The bottom of the positioning hole extends out of the lower surface of the base and has a first notch. The bottom edge of the positioning hole has a first baffle for supporting the beverage capsule. The first baffle extends toward the center of the positioning hole. Several capsule dispensing mechanisms, each corresponding to a capsule receiving tube, are fixedly arranged on the lower surface of the base for dropping beverage capsules. The capsule dispensing mechanisms pass through the first notch, and each capsule dispensing mechanism is connected to the control unit. In a freshly made beverage vending machine, the capsule dispensing mechanism includes an electromagnet fixedly mounted on the lower surface of the base and connected to a control unit, a guide plate fixedly connected to the iron core of the electromagnet, a fixed post fixedly mounted on the base, and a lever sleeved on the fixed post for dispensing beverage capsules. The guide plate has a guide post at its front end, and the lever has an elongated hole. The guide post is located in the elongated hole and reciprocates within the hole, causing the lever to rotate reciprocally around the fixed post. In the same vending machine, the lever includes a rod body, a first lever head, and a second lever head. The rod body is sleeved on the fixed post, and the first and second lever heads are fixedly connected to the rod body. The first and second lever heads are offset vertically and parallel, forming a first angle between them. The electromagnet drives the lever to rotate reciprocally to dispensing beverage capsules and allows the first or second lever head to support the lowest beverage capsule.

[0004] In the aforementioned patent document, the coffee capsule is positioned with its opening facing upwards and its bottom facing downwards in a capsule container. To achieve coffee extraction, a through hole needs to be provided at the bottom of the capsule. However, when the coffee capsule is positioned with its bottom facing downwards, some coffee powder may scatter due to the impact force during its descent.

[0005] Furthermore, the aforementioned patent document also discloses that the capsule dispensing mechanism includes an electromagnet fixedly mounted on the lower surface of the base and connected to a control unit, a guide plate fixedly connected to the iron core of the electromagnet, a fixed post fixedly mounted on the base, and a lever sleeved on the fixed post for dispensing beverage capsules. The guide plate has a guide post at its front end, and the lever has an elongated hole. The guide post is located in the elongated hole and reciprocates within the hole, causing the lever to rotate reciprocally around the fixed post. The lever includes a rod body, a first lever head, and a second lever head. The rod body is sleeved on the fixed post, and the first and second lever heads are fixedly connected to the rod body. The first and second lever heads are offset vertically and parallel, forming a first angle between them. The electromagnet drives the lever to rotate reciprocally to dispensing beverage capsules and allows the first or second lever head to support the lowest beverage capsule.

[0006] The coffee capsule is supported by a fixed first baffle and a movable lever. The lever's back-and-forth movement allows the capsule to fall. However, in practice, because the first baffle is fixed, the capsule can get stuck and fail to fall properly. Furthermore, the lever's back-and-forth movement can cause it to compress the capsule, potentially breaking it. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a capsule box rack structure and a capsule coffee vending and conveying device, mainly to solve the problems of coffee powder scattering and capsule jamming during the storage and conveying process of existing capsule coffee vending machines.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a capsule box storage rack structure, including an upright plate with vertically extending storage channels for storing capsule boxes. Limiting grooves are provided on both sides of the storage channels to limit the edges of the capsule boxes, ensuring the openings of the capsule boxes face inwards towards the storage channels. A telescopic support and a limiting rod are provided at the lower end of the storage channels, with the limiting rod located at the upper end of the telescopic support. The telescopic support supports the lowest capsule box within the storage channels. The limiting rod is connected to a power mechanism and alternately supports a second or more capsule boxes within the storage channels.

[0009] Furthermore, the bottom end of the storage channel is provided with a stop member, the stop member is provided with a clearance groove, the clearance groove has a bottom, and the opening of the clearance groove is larger than the width between the two limiting grooves; the telescopic support member is located in the clearance groove.

[0010] Furthermore, the limiting rod is provided with guide rods at both ends, the guide rods slide through the upright plate, and the free end of the guide rod is provided with a downwardly extending push rod for abutting against the power mechanism; the guide rod is fitted with a compression spring, the compression spring abutting between the upright plate and the limiting rod for pushing the limiting rod away from the upright plate; the power mechanism pushes the push rod.

[0011] Furthermore, the upright plate is a sheet metal structure, and the side of the upright plate is bent to form a bent portion, which is riveted to the inner wall of the coffee machine; the storage channel includes two symmetrically arranged slots, each slot including a bottom plate, a limiting plate and a side plate, and the limiting plate has clearances at both ends.

[0012] Furthermore, multiple sets of storage channels are arranged on the vertical plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the lower end of the storage channel is provided with an air-avoiding through hole, and detection plates are provided on the front and rear sides of the vertical plate. Opposite sides of the two detection plates are provided with photoelectric switches located on both sides of the air-avoiding through hole.

[0014] The capsule box material rack structure provided in this embodiment of the utility model has at least the following technical effects:

[0015] The capsule (e.g., coffee capsule) can be placed in the storage channel, lying flat to prevent coffee grounds from spilling from the extraction port. The coffee capsules in the storage channel are alternately supported by telescopic supports and limiting rods. When the bottom capsule needs to be dispensed, a power mechanism first moves the limiting rod to the bottom of the second capsule, supporting subsequent capsules and preventing them from falling. Then, the telescopic support retracts, allowing the bottom capsule to fall. After the bottom capsule falls, the telescopic support returns to its original position, and the power mechanism again moves the limiting rod to release support, allowing the capsule to fall again and be held in place by the telescopic support. This cycle continues, continuously conveying the coffee capsules downwards. Because independent telescopic supports and limiting rods alternately support the capsules, interference is avoided, ensuring smooth dropping and conveying of the coffee capsules.

[0016] A capsule coffee vending and conveying device includes the capsule box rack structure, a translation device, and a receiving device; the translation device is located on the bottom side of the upright plate, and the receiving device is located at the moving end of the translation device.

[0017] Furthermore, the receiving device includes a rotary drive and a receiving sleeve. The rotary drive is located at the moving end of the translation device, and the receiving sleeve is connected to the rotary drive. The receiving sleeve is provided with a collar for receiving the capsule coffee that falls from the storage channel.

[0018] Furthermore, the translation device includes a movable crossbeam, a movable seat, a first driving mechanism, and a second driving mechanism; pulleys are provided at both ends of the crossbeam, the pulleys are supported on the support guide rail, and grooves are provided on both sides of the crossbeam; limiting rollers are provided on both sides of the movable seat, and the limiting rollers are limited within the grooves; the first driving mechanism is connected to the crossbeam and is used to drive the crossbeam to move on the support guide rail, and the second driving mechanism is connected to the movable seat to slide along the grooves; the receiving device is provided on the movable seat.

[0019] Furthermore, the limiting rod is connected to a compression spring, which pushes the limiting rod away from the upright plate; the translation device forms a mechanism for moving the limiting rod at least to the bottom side of the capsule coffee.

[0020] The capsule coffee vending and conveying device provided in this embodiment of the present invention has at least the following technical effects:

[0021] When a coffee capsule is dispensed or needs to be extracted, a translation device drives the receiving sleeve to move to the bottom of the storage channel. The coffee capsule at the bottom of the storage channel falls and flips into the receiving sleeve, and then the translation device transports the coffee capsule to the outlet or extraction position. When the coffee capsule needs to be dispensed, a rotary drive drives the receiving sleeve to flip, causing the coffee capsule to fall. Alternatively, after the coffee capsule has been extracted, a rotary drive drives the coffee capsule to flip, discarding the waste coffee capsule to a designated location, thus completing the automatic vending of coffee capsules. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the internal structure of the capsule coffee vending and conveying device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is an internal structural diagram of the capsule box material rack structure provided in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0025] Figure 3 The right view of the material rack structure of the capsule box provided in this embodiment of the utility model.

[0026] Figure 4 A structural diagram of the translation device of the capsule coffee vending and conveying device provided in this embodiment of the utility model.

[0027] Figure 5 A structural diagram of another embodiment of the capsule coffee vending and conveying device provided in this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the embodiments of this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting the utility model.

[0029] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0030] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of embodiments of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0031] In this embodiment of the invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment of the invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0032] In one embodiment of the capsule beverage vending and conveying device of this utility model, specifically a capsule coffee vending and conveying device, please refer to... Figures 1 to 4 Specifically, the capsule coffee vending and conveying device of this embodiment includes a capsule box rack structure 10, a translation device 300, and a receiving device 400.

[0033] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The capsule holder structure 10 includes a vertical plate 100 with vertically extending storage channels 200 for storing coffee capsules. Limiting grooves 201 on both sides of the storage channels 200 limit the edges of the coffee capsules, ensuring the openings face inwards. A telescopic support 210 and a limiting rod 220 are located at the lower end of the storage channels 200, with the limiting rod 220 positioned above the telescopic support 210. The telescopic support 210 supports the bottommost coffee capsule within the storage channels 200. The limiting rod 220 is connected to a power mechanism (not shown in the attached diagram) and alternately supports subsequent coffee capsules within the storage channels 200. Further, the telescopic support 210 can be an electromagnetic telescopic rod, a solenoid, etc. A translation device 300 is located on the bottom side of the vertical plate 100, and a receiving device 400 is located at the moving end of the translation device 300.

[0034] In the above embodiment, when the capsule coffee needs to be dispensed or extracted, the translation device 300 drives the receiving sleeve 400 to move to the bottom of the storage channel 200. First, the power mechanism pushes the limiting rod 220 to move to the bottom of the second capsule coffee, supporting the second and subsequent capsule coffees to prevent them from falling downwards. Then, the telescopic support member 210 retracts, causing the bottommost capsule coffee to fall downwards for dispensing. After the bottommost capsule coffee falls into the receiving device 400, the telescopic support member 210 resets, and the power mechanism pushes the limiting rod 220 to stop supporting the capsule coffee, causing it to fall downwards and be supported and fixed by the telescopic support member 210. Finally, the translation device transports the capsule coffee to the outlet or extraction position.

[0035] Furthermore, in the capsule holder structure 10 of the above embodiment, the coffee capsules are placed flat within the storage channel 200, thus preventing coffee powder from scattering from the extraction hole of the coffee capsule. Moreover, the use of independent telescopic support members 210 and limiting rods 220 to alternately support the coffee capsules avoids mutual interference, allowing the coffee capsules to fall and be transported smoothly.

[0036] Furthermore, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4The receiving device 400 includes a rotary drive 410 and a receiving sleeve 420. The rotary drive 410 is located at the moving end of the translation device 300, and the receiving sleeve 420 is connected to the rotary drive 410. The receiving sleeve 420 is provided with a collar 421 for receiving coffee capsules that fall from the storage channel 200. Specifically, when it is necessary to output coffee capsules, the rotary drive 410 drives the receiving sleeve 420 to flip, causing the coffee capsule to fall to the dispensing position. Alternatively, after the coffee capsule has been extracted, the rotary drive 410 drives the coffee capsule to flip, discarding the waste coffee capsule to a designated location, thereby enabling automated vending of coffee capsules.

[0037] Furthermore, referring to Figure 5 A photoelectric switch 422 is also provided on one side of the receiving sleeve 420. The photoelectric switch 422 can detect whether there is a capsule inside the receiving sleeve 420. When the photoelectric switch 422 detects that there is no capsule inside the receiving sleeve 420, the capsule in the storage channel 220 will continue to fall until a capsule is detected inside the receiving sleeve 420. In addition, when the photoelectric switch 422 detects a capsule inside the receiving sleeve 420 at the beginning, it first pours out the capsule and then moves to the bottom of the storage channel 220 to receive the capsule.

[0038] Furthermore, to facilitate the better tumbling and falling of the coffee capsules into the receiving sleeve 420, a stopper 230 is provided at the bottom of the storage channel 200. The stopper 230 has a clearance groove 231, which has a bottom and its opening is larger than the width between the two limiting grooves 201. A telescopic support 210 is located within the clearance groove 231. Please refer to [reference needed] for details. Figures 1 to 3 In this embodiment, after the telescopic support 210 retracts, when the capsule coffee falls from the storage channel 200, the mouth edge of the capsule coffee hits the bottom of the stop 230. The bottom of the stop 230 blocks the mouth edge of the capsule coffee, while the other parts are not blocked, so it flips downward, realizing that the capsule coffee flips downward 180° and falls into the support sleeve 420.

[0039] Furthermore, refer to Figures 1 to 3The limiting rod 220 has guide rods 221 at both ends. The guide rods 221 slide through the upright plate 100. The free end of the guide rod 221 has a downwardly extending push rod 222 for contacting the power mechanism. The guide rod 221 is fitted with a compression spring 223, which abuts between the upright plate 100 and the limiting rod 220, and is used to push the limiting rod 220 away from the upright plate 100. The power mechanism pushes the push rod 220. In this embodiment, a translation device 300 can be used as the power mechanism. Specifically, the translation device 300 drives the receiving sleeve 420 to move to the bottom of the storage channel 220. The translation device 300 pushes the push rod 222, so that the limiting rod 220 overcomes the elastic force of the compression spring 223 and moves towards the bottom of the capsule coffee, thereby limiting the capsule coffee. And when the translation device 300 leaves, the limiting rod 220 is reset and detached from the capsule coffee under the action of the compression spring 223. In this embodiment, the translation device 300 pushes the limiting rod 220, which not only has a simple structure, but also ensures that the limiting rod 220 only limits the coffee capsule after the receiving device 400 has moved to the bottom of the storage channel 200. At other positions, it is supported by the telescopic support member 210, so that the coffee capsule can fall in an orderly manner.

[0040] Furthermore, the upright plate 100 is a sheet metal structure, and the side of the upright plate 100 is bent to form a bent part 101, which is riveted to the inner wall of the coffee machine; the storage channel 200 includes two symmetrically arranged slots, each slot including a bottom plate, a limiting plate and a side plate, and the two ends of the limiting plate are provided with clearance positions.

[0041] Furthermore, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Multiple storage channels 200 are arranged on the upright plate 100, which can store multiple rows of coffee capsules.

[0042] Furthermore, refer to Figure 5 The lower end of the storage channel 200 is also provided with a clearance hole 202. Detection plates 120 are provided on the front and rear sides of the upright plate 100. Opposite sides of the two detection plates 120 are provided with photoelectric switches 121 located on both sides of the clearance hole 202. Specifically, in this embodiment, when there are capsules in the storage channel 200, the two photoelectric switches 121 cannot sense each other. When there are no capsules in the storage channel 200, the two photoelectric switches 121 can sense each other through the clearance hole 202. Thus, the receiving device 400 can be moved to the bottom of other storage channels 200 by the control system. After all storage channels 200 are empty, a replenishment message can be sent to the service terminal through the control system.

[0043] For further details, please refer to... Figure 4The translation device 300 includes a moving crossbeam 310, a moving seat 320, a first drive mechanism (not shown in the drawings), and a second drive mechanism (not shown in the drawings). The crossbeam 310 has pulleys 311 at both ends, which are supported on a support guide rail 110. The crossbeam 310 has grooves 312 on both sides, and the moving seat 320 has limiting rollers 321 on both sides, which are limited within the grooves 312. The first drive mechanism is connected to the crossbeam 310 and drives the crossbeam 310 to move on the support guide rail 110. The second drive mechanism is connected to the moving seat 320 and slides along the grooves 312. A rotary drive component 410 is mounted on the moving seat 320. In this embodiment, driven by the first and second drive mechanisms, the receiving sleeve 420 can be moved to the bottom of each storage channel 200 to receive the capsule coffee and transport the capsule coffee to the extraction position, which is the dispensing position. The first and second drive mechanisms can be electric belt mechanisms, gear rack and motor-driven mechanisms, or electric lead screw mechanisms.

[0044] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A capsule box material rack structure, characterized in that, The device includes a vertical plate with vertically extending storage channels for storing capsule boxes. Limiting grooves are provided on both sides of the storage channels to limit the edges of the capsule boxes, ensuring the openings of the capsule boxes face inwards towards the storage channels. A telescopic support and a limiting rod are provided at the lower end of the storage channels, with the limiting rod located above the telescopic support. The telescopic support supports the lowest capsule box within the storage channels. The limiting rod is connected to a power mechanism and alternately supports a second or more capsule boxes within the storage channels.

2. The capsule box material rack structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom end of the storage channel is also provided with a stop member, the stop member is provided with a clearance groove, the clearance groove has a bottom, and the opening of the clearance groove is larger than the width between the two limiting grooves; the telescopic support member is located in the clearance groove.

3. The capsule box material rack structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting rod has guide rods at both ends, the guide rods slide through the upright plate, and the free end of the guide rod has a downwardly extending push rod for abutting against the power mechanism; the guide rod is fitted with a compression spring, the compression spring abuts between the upright plate and the limiting rod, for pushing the limiting rod away from the upright plate; the power mechanism pushes the push rod.

4. The capsule box material rack structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The upright plate is a sheet metal structure, and the side of the upright plate is bent to form a bent part, which is riveted to the inner wall of the coffee machine; the storage channel includes two symmetrically arranged slots, each slot including a bottom plate, a limiting plate and a side plate, and the two ends of the limiting plate are provided with clearance positions.

5. The capsule box material rack structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The vertical plate is arranged with multiple sets of storage channels.

6. The capsule box material rack structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The lower end of the storage channel is also provided with an air-blocking hole, and detection plates are provided on the front and rear sides of the vertical plate. Opposite sides of the two detection plates are provided with photoelectric switches located on both sides of the air-blocking hole.

7. A capsule coffee vending and conveying device, characterized in that, The capsule box rack structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6 further includes a translation device and a receiving device; the translation device is located on the bottom side of the upright plate, and the receiving device is located at the moving end of the translation device.

8. The capsule coffee vending and conveying device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The receiving device includes a rotary drive and a receiving sleeve. The rotary drive is located at the moving end of the translation device. The receiving sleeve is connected to the rotary drive and has a collar for receiving the coffee capsules that fall from the storage channel.

9. The capsule coffee vending and conveying device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The translation device includes a moving crossbeam, a moving base, a first driving mechanism, and a second driving mechanism. The crossbeam has pulleys at both ends, which are supported on a support rail. The crossbeam has grooves on both sides, and the moving base has limiting rollers on both sides, which are limited within the grooves. The first driving mechanism is connected to the crossbeam and drives it to move on the support rail. The second driving mechanism is connected to the moving base and slides along the grooves. The receiving device is mounted on the moving base.

10. The capsule coffee vending and conveying device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The limiting rod is connected to a compression spring, which pushes the limiting rod away from the upright plate; the translation device forms a mechanism to move the limiting rod at least to the bottom side of the coffee capsule.

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