Dual-purpose balloon vending machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of vending machines, in particular to a dual-purpose balloon vending machine which comprises a cabinet, a selecting and purchasing device and a controller, a balloon storage bin and a balloon taking and inflating device are arranged in the cabinet, the balloon storage bin is used for storing uninflated balloons, and the balloon taking and inflating device comprises a balloon taking frame, a balloon taking driving mechanism, an inflating pipe and an air source; the gas source comprises an air source and a helium gas tank, a gas outlet of the helium gas tank and a gas outlet of the air source are connected with the gas filling pipe through the electromagnetic valve, the electromagnetic valve is connected with the controller, and the controller can control the electromagnetic valve according to an input signal of the purchasing device so as to control the gas filling pipe to be communicated with the helium gas tank or the air source. According to the dual-purpose balloon vending machine, air balloons filled with air and floatable helium balloons filled with helium can be provided according to selection and purchase of consumers, the air balloons and the helium balloons share the balloon storage bin and the balloon taking and inflating device, the structural design is compact, and the cost performance is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vending machine technology, specifically a dual-purpose balloon vending machine. Background Technology

[0002] Balloons are a favorite toy for children, but in places frequented by children, such as playgrounds, balloons are usually inflated and provided to children on-site by vendors, resulting in high operating costs. To address this issue, automated balloon vending machines have emerged. These machines store a large variety of uninflated balloons, and consumers can browse and select their desired balloons using a selection device (such as a touchscreen). After selection, the machine automatically processes the balloon selection, dispensing, inflating, and dispensing the inflated balloon. However, current balloon vending machines generally only provide air balloons, which cannot float and therefore cannot meet the needs of some children. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention aims to provide a dual-purpose balloon vending machine that can provide both air balloons and floating helium balloons, and has a compact and ingenious structural design with high cost performance.

[0004] This utility model achieves its objective through the following technical solutions:

[0005] A dual-purpose balloon vending machine includes a cabinet, a purchasing device, and a controller. The cabinet contains a balloon storage compartment and a balloon retrieval and inflation device. The balloon storage compartment is used to store uninflated balloons. The controller connects the purchasing device and the balloon retrieval and inflation device. The balloon retrieval and inflation device includes a balloon retrieval frame, a balloon retrieval drive mechanism that can drive the balloon retrieval frame to move and retrieve balloons from the balloon storage compartment, an inflation port on the balloon retrieval frame, and an inflation pipe and a gas source connected to the inflation port. The gas source includes an air source and a helium tank. The outlet of the helium tank and the outlet of the air source are connected to the inflation pipe via a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve is connected to the controller. The controller can control the solenoid valve according to the input signal from the purchasing device, thereby controlling the inflation pipe to connect to the helium tank or the air source.

[0006] As a preferred technical solution, the balloon storage compartment includes at least one balloon storage cell arranged side by side. Each balloon storage cell is used to stack and store uninflated balloons with rigid balloon holders. The side wall of each balloon storage cell is provided with a vertical groove for the balloon holder to pass through and for guiding and limiting the balloon holder. The groove extends through the top of the balloon storage cell. The balloon retrieval frame is provided with a support part for supporting the balloon holder and a first sensor. The balloon retrieval driving mechanism includes a first driving mechanism that can drive the balloon retrieval frame to move up and down along any of the grooves and a second driving mechanism that can drive the support part to perform telescopic movement. The support part is provided with the inflation port, which is connected to the air source through the inflation pipe. When the balloon retrieval frame moves downward until the first sensor is triggered by the uppermost balloon holder in the groove, the support part and the balloon holder are aligned so that the support part can support the balloon holder when it extends and the inflation port is connected to the air inlet on the balloon holder.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution, the ball-retrieving frame is further provided with a downwardly protruding positioning part. The lower surface of the positioning part is provided with a positioning groove that adapts to the upper surface of the ball holder. When the ball-retrieving frame moves downward along any slide direction until the sensor is triggered by the uppermost ball holder in the slide, the lower surface of the positioning part can abut against the upper surface of the ball holder.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution, a soft rubber pad is provided around the inflation port so that when the inflation port comes into contact with the air inlet on the ball support, the soft rubber pad can be squeezed by the ball support to achieve a sealed connection between the two.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the first driving mechanism includes a Z-axis moving mechanism that can move up and down along the height direction of the cabinet, and an X-axis moving mechanism that is disposed on the Z-axis moving mechanism and can move laterally along the left and right directions of the cabinet. The ball picker is mounted on the X-axis moving mechanism, so that it can move in the XZ plane under the drive of the first driving mechanism.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, the cabinet is also equipped with a cable outlet device, which is used to provide a flexible cable that can be adapted to connect to the ball support.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the dual-purpose balloon vending machine provided by this utility model has the following advantages: it can provide both air-filled balloons (non-floating balloons) and helium-filled balloons (floating balloons) according to the consumer's choice, and both share the same balloon storage compartment and balloon filling device. The structure is compact and cost-effective.

[0012] The following will further explain the concept, specific structure and effects of this utility model in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, so as to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of this utility model. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the dual-purpose balloon vending machine in the embodiment;

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the dual-purpose balloon vending machine behind the hidden front cabinet door in the embodiment;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the dual-purpose balloon vending machine behind the hidden rear cabinet door in the embodiment;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the ejector mechanism;

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the stick-out device from another perspective;

[0018] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ball retrieval frame, ball holder, and uninflated balloon;

[0019] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a ball holder and an uninflated balloon.

[0020] The components include: cabinet 1, retrieval port 11, first partition 12, second partition 13, selection device 2, ball storage compartment 3, ball storage grid 31, slide 311, rod delivery device 4, rod storage compartment 41, rod delivery shaft 42, groove 421, connecting rod 422, knob 43, locking mechanism 44, locking plate 441, locking pin 442, locking pin drive mechanism 443, second sensor 451, eccentric shaft 452, third sensor 453, and ball retrieval rack. 5. Support part 51, second drive mechanism 52, first sensor 53, air inlet 54, positioning part 55, soft rubber pad 56, first drive mechanism 6, Z-axis moving mechanism 61, X-axis moving mechanism 62, security door 7, security door drive mechanism 71, air pump 81, helium tank 82, balloon 100, balloon holder 101, base 1011, neck 1012, baffle 1013, air inlet pipe 1014, stick 200. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely for explaining the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "connecting" or "communicating" with another element, it can be a direct connection to the other element or a connection through other intermediary elements. Unless otherwise specified, it can be a non-detachable connection or a detachable connection. Similar expressions are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0022] like Figure 1-7As shown, this embodiment provides a dual-purpose balloon vending machine, including a cabinet 1, a purchasing device 2, and a controller. The cabinet 1 is equipped with a balloon storage compartment 3, a balloon retrieval and inflation device, and a balloon dispensing device 4. The controller is connected to the purchasing device 2 and the balloon retrieval and inflation device, and can control the balloon retrieval and inflation device to operate automatically according to the purchasing information of the purchasing device 2.

[0023] The balloon storage compartment 3 includes several balloon storage cells 31 arranged side by side. The balloon storage cells 31 are used to stack and store uninflated balloons 100 with rigid balloon holders 101. The side wall of each balloon storage cell 31 is provided with a vertical groove 311 for the balloon holder 101 to pass through and for guiding and limiting the balloon holder 101. The groove 311 passes through the top of the balloon storage cell 31. The balloon retrieval and inflation device includes a balloon retrieval frame 5, a first drive mechanism 6 that can drive the balloon retrieval frame 5 to move up and down along any of the grooves 311, and an inflation pipe and an air source.

[0024] The gas source includes an air source and a helium tank 82. The air source is an air pump 81. The outlet of the helium tank 82 and the outlet of the air pump 81 are connected to the inflation pipe via a solenoid valve (not shown in the attached figure). The solenoid valve is connected to the controller. The controller can control the solenoid valve according to the input signal of the optional device 2, thereby controlling the inflation pipe to connect to the helium tank 82 or the air pump 81, that is, controlling the gas supply from the helium tank or the air source.

[0025] The ball-retrieving frame 5 is provided with a supporting part 51 for supporting the ball holder 101, a second drive mechanism 52 for driving the supporting part 51 to extend and retract, and a first sensor 53. The supporting part 51 is provided with an air inlet 54, which is connected to an air source through an air inlet pipe. When the ball-retrieving frame 5 moves downward until the first sensor 53 is triggered by the uppermost ball holder 101 in the slide groove 311, the supporting part 51 is aligned with the ball holder 101 so that the supporting part 51 can support the ball holder 101 when it extends and the air inlet 54 is connected to the air inlet on the ball holder 101. The stick-exit device 4 is used to provide a stick 200 that can be adapted to connect to the ball holder 101. In this application, the applicable ball support 101 generally includes a base 1011, a neck 1012 located at the front end of the base 1011, a baffle 1013 located in front of the neck 1012, and an air inlet pipe 1014 located in front of the baffle 1013. The air inlet pipe 1014 is provided with the air inlet hole and the air inlet hole extends through the base 1011. The width of the neck 1012 is smaller than that of the baffle 1013 and the base 1011. During use, the neck 1012 is embedded in the slide groove 311 and therefore cannot move back and forth. Preferably, the neck 1012 is a square structure adapted to the width of the slide groove 311. This ensures that the ball support will not deflect when it moves upward in the slide groove 311, making it more stable.

[0026] This embodiment provides a dual-purpose balloon vending machine. Each storage compartment 31 typically holds different types of uninflated balloons 100. After the consumer selects the type of balloon 100 using the selection device 2 and inputs purchase information (such as purchase and payment details), the controller controls the first drive mechanism 6 to drive the balloon dispensing rack 5 to move downwards along the chute 311 containing the selected balloon type until the first sensor 53 is triggered by the uppermost balloon holder 101 in the chute 311. Then, the downward movement stops, and the second drive mechanism 52 is controlled to drive the support part 51 forward. This, combined with the chute 311's limiting effect on the rigid balloon holder 101, allows the support part 51 to extend forward. 1. Hold the balloon holder 101 and connect the inflation port 54 to the air inlet on the balloon holder 101. Then drive the balloon retrieval frame 5 upward to lift the balloon 100 upward to the top of the slide 311. Then, according to the user's needs, control the solenoid valve to select the type of air source, i.e., select the helium tank 82 or the air pump 81 as the air source. Then control the air source to inflate the balloon 100 through the inflation port 54. Since the balloon 100 usually has self-adhesive at the nozzle, the nozzle will automatically close and seal after the balloon is inflated. This completes the series of actions such as selecting, grabbing, and inflating the balloon 100. The balloon retrieval and inflation device has a simple and ingenious structural design, is easy to manufacture and assemble, and works stably. Moreover, according to the consumer's purchase, it can provide both air-filled balloons (non-floating balloons) and helium-filled balloons (floating balloons), and both share the balloon storage chamber and the balloon retrieval and inflation device. The structure is compact and cost-effective.

[0027] As one preferred embodiment, the ball-retrieving frame 5 is also provided with a downwardly protruding positioning part 55. The lower surface of the positioning part 55 is provided with a positioning groove that adapts to the upper surface of the ball holder 101. When the ball-retrieving frame 5 moves downward along any of the slide grooves 311 until the sensor is triggered by the uppermost ball holder 101 in the slide groove 311, the lower surface of the positioning part 55 can abut against the upper surface of the ball holder 101. In this embodiment, by setting the positioning part 55, the ball holder 101 can be positioned from the top, thereby making the support part 51 more stable when holding the balloon 100.

[0028] As one preferred embodiment, the inflation port 54 is provided with a soft rubber pad 56 around its periphery, so that when the inflation port 54 comes into contact with the air inlet on the ball support 101, the soft rubber pad 56 can be squeezed by the ball support 101 to achieve a sealed connection between the two.

[0029] As one preferred embodiment, the stick-dispensing device 4 includes a stick storage compartment 41, a stick-dispensing shaft 42, and a knob 43. The bottom of the stick storage compartment 41 is provided with a stick-dropping opening. The stick-dispensing shaft 42 is rotatably mounted at the stick-dropping opening and can block the opening to prevent the sticks 200 in the stick storage compartment 41 from falling out. The stick-dispensing shaft 42 is provided with a groove 421 for a single stick 200 to be inserted. When the stick-dispensing shaft 42 rotates until the groove 421 is directly opposite the stick-dropping opening, a stick 200 will fall into the groove 421. The stick-dispensing shaft 42 continues to rotate. When the groove is turned downwards, the stick 200 will be poured out, and the knob 43 will be exposed in the cabinet 1. The knob 43 is connected to the stick-out shaft 42, which can drive the stick-out shaft 42 to rotate. In use, the consumer can manually rotate the knob 43 to take out the stick 200, and then insert the stick 200 into the ball holder 101 of the balloon 100 for easy holding and carrying. Manually rotating the knob 43 to take out the stick 200 makes the game more interesting and can increase the consumer's sense of participation and enhance the user experience.

[0030] As one preferred embodiment, the stick-out device 4 further includes a locking mechanism 44 and a sensing mechanism. The knob 43 is directly or via a connecting rod 422 connected to the stick-out shaft 42. The locking mechanism 44 includes a locking plate 441 disposed on the knob 43 or the connecting rod 422, a locking pin 442 cooperating with the locking plate 441, and a locking pin drive mechanism 443. When the locking pin 442 extends, it is located on the rotation path of the locking plate 441, thereby restricting the rotation of the knob 43. When the locking pin 442 retracts, it can release the restriction. The sensing mechanism includes a second sensor 451 disposed below the stick-out shaft 42. The controller is connected to the second sensor 451 and the locking pin drive mechanism 443. When the stick 200 is poured out of the groove of the stick-out shaft 42, the second sensor 451 can be triggered.

[0031] As one preferred embodiment, the sensing mechanism includes an eccentric shaft 452 disposed at the end of the stick-out shaft 42 and a third sensor 453 that cooperates with the eccentric shaft 452. The controller connects the third sensor 453 and the locking pin drive mechanism 453, and the third sensor 453 is triggered once every time the stick-out shaft 42 rotates.

[0032] The controller connects to the locking pin drive mechanism 453, the second sensor 451, and / or the third sensor 453, and can control the locking pin drive mechanism 453 to extend the locking pin 452 when the second sensor 451 and / or the third sensor 453 are triggered. By setting the locking mechanism 44 and the sensing mechanism, each time a consumer buys a balloon 100, only one stick 200 can be taken out by turning the knob 43, which can prevent individual users from maliciously taking out multiple sticks 200 and causing losses. Among them, the locking pin drive mechanism 453 is preferably an electromagnet drive mechanism, but a motor or pneumatic drive mechanism can also be selected.

[0033] As one preferred embodiment, the first drive mechanism 6 includes a Z-axis moving mechanism 61 that can move up and down along the height direction of the cabinet 1, and an X-axis moving mechanism 62 that is disposed on the Z-axis moving mechanism 61 and can move laterally along the left and right directions of the cabinet 1. The ball picker 5 is mounted on the X-axis moving mechanism 62, so that it can move in the XZ plane under the drive of the first drive mechanism 6. The first drive mechanism 6 provided by this embodiment can not only ensure that the ball picker 5 is driven to any ball storage compartment 31 and moves up and down along the corresponding slide 311, but also has a compact structure, which can reduce the space occupied by the cabinet 1, so as to save space to increase the volume of the ball storage compartment 3.

[0034] As one preferred embodiment, an anti-theft door 7 and an anti-theft door drive mechanism 71 are provided between the retrieval port and the balloon storage compartment 3. The controller is connected to the anti-theft door drive mechanism 71 and can control the operation of the anti-theft door drive mechanism 71 according to the built-in program, the input signal of the optional device 2, or a separately provided sensor for detecting whether the balloon 100 has been taken out. This embodiment, by setting the anti-theft door 7 and the anti-theft door drive mechanism 71, can prevent criminals or naughty children from stealing the balloons 100 in the balloon storage compartment 3.

[0035] As one preferred embodiment, the internal space of the cabinet 1 is divided into a front space and a rear space. The anti-theft door 7 is used to close the connection between the front space and the rear space. The front space and the rear space are respectively provided with a front cabinet door and a rear cabinet door. The ball storage compartment 3, the ball retrieval rack 5 and the first drive mechanism 6 are located in the rear space. An inflation area is reserved above the ball storage compartment 3. The front space is divided into an upper space, a middle space and a lower space by a first partition 12 and a second partition 13 arranged vertically. The upper space is used to place the air source, and the middle space is used to place the inflated balloons 100 that are ready to be taken away. The retrieval port 11 is located at the front cabinet door and faces the middle space. This embodiment has a compact structure design. The second partition 13 at the bottom of the middle space supports the inflated balloons 100 and faces the retrieval port 11, making it convenient for consumers to retrieve the goods without bending over. At the same time, the lower space can be used as storage space or to place the machine's motor, circuit board and other equipment.

[0036] As one preferred embodiment, the cabinet is also equipped with a cable outlet device, which provides a flexible cable that can be adapted to connect to the balloon holder. This allows consumers to easily connect the balloon to the floating helium balloon via the flexible cable when selecting it, making it easy to hold and float in the air. This embodiment is not shown in the attached drawings.

[0037] The working method of the above-mentioned dual-purpose balloon vending machine includes the following steps:

[0038] S1. The purchasing device 2 acquires purchasing information and sends the purchasing information to the controller. After receiving the purchasing information, the controller controls the first driving mechanism 6 to drive the ball picker 5 to move to the upper part of the slide 311 of the corresponding ball storage compartment 31, and then move down along the slide 311 until the first sensor 53 touches the uppermost air inlet 54 of the slide 311 and is triggered. The first sensor 53 sends the trigger signal to the controller, and the first driving mechanism 6 stops moving.

[0039] S2. The second drive mechanism 52 drives the support part 51 to extend a set distance so that the support part 51 can support the ball support 101 and the inflation port 54 is connected to the air inlet on the ball support 101.

[0040] S3. The first driving mechanism 6 drives the ball picker 5 to move upward along the slide 311 to the upper end of the slide 311. Then, the solenoid valve is controlled to select the helium tank 82 or the air pump 81 as the gas source. The gas source is then controlled to inflate the balloon 100 through the inflation port 54, thereby inflating the balloon 100.

[0041] S4. The first drive mechanism 6 drives the ball picker 5 to continue moving upward a set distance until it disengages from the slide 311;

[0042] S5. The air source then inflates the air inlet 54, causing the air inlet 54 to detach from the ball picker 5, thus completing the shipment.

[0043] In this embodiment, through the above steps, the dual-purpose balloon vending machine can automatically complete the selection, retrieval, inflation, and dispensing of balloons 100, so that users can obtain inflated balloons 100. Moreover, based on the balloon retrieval and inflation device in Embodiment 1, the working process and control program of the balloon vending machine are simpler and more stable. Furthermore, the above steps S4 and S5 can use the air pressure of the air source to push out the inflated balloons 100, completing the automatic dispensing. Thus, there is no need to wait for the consumer to take out the inflated balloons 100 by hand, and the consumer does not need to pull out the balloons 100 by hand, which improves the user experience. At the same time, it can also prevent accidents such as the balloons 100 bursting during manual removal. In addition, it is also convenient for the controller to set up internal programs such as automatic reset of the balloon retrieval and inflation device and automatic closing of the anti-theft door 7, without needing to detect and determine whether the consumer has pulled out the balloons 100 before controlling the automatic reset of the balloon retrieval and inflation device and the automatic closing of the anti-theft door 7.

[0044] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and an explanation of the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the utility model involved in this application is not limited to the technical solutions formed by specific combinations of the above-described technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by arbitrary combinations of the above-described technical features or their equivalents without departing from the inventive concept. For example, technical solutions formed by substituting the above features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in this application.

Claims

1. A dual-purpose balloon vending machine, comprising a cabinet, a selecting and purchasing device and a controller, a ball storage bin and a ball taking and inflating device are arranged in the cabinet, the ball storage bin is used for storing uninflated balloons, the controller is connected with the selecting and purchasing device and the ball taking and inflating device, characterized in that, The balloon retrieval and inflation device includes a balloon retrieval frame, a balloon retrieval drive mechanism capable of driving the balloon retrieval frame to move and retrieve balloons from the balloon storage chamber, an inflation port provided on the balloon retrieval frame, and an inflation pipe and a gas source connected to the inflation port; the gas source includes an air source and a helium tank, the outlet of the helium tank and the outlet of the air source are connected to the inflation pipe through a solenoid valve, the solenoid valve is connected to the controller, and the controller can control the solenoid valve according to the input signal of the optional device, thereby controlling the inflation pipe to connect to the helium tank or the air source.

2. The dual-purpose balloon vending machine according to claim 1, wherein, The balloon storage compartment includes at least one balloon storage cell arranged side by side. Each balloon storage cell is used to stack and store uninflated balloons with rigid balloon holders. The side wall of each balloon storage cell is provided with a vertical groove for the balloon holder to pass through and for guiding and limiting the balloon holder. The groove extends through the top of the balloon storage cell. The balloon retrieval frame is provided with a support part for supporting the balloon holder and a first sensor. The balloon retrieval driving mechanism includes a first driving mechanism that can drive the balloon retrieval frame to move up and down along any of the grooves and a second driving mechanism that can drive the support part to extend and retract. The support part is provided with an inflation port, which is connected to the air source through the inflation pipe. When the balloon retrieval frame moves downward until the first sensor is triggered by the uppermost balloon holder in the groove, the support part is aligned with the balloon holder so that the support part can support the balloon holder when it extends and the inflation port is connected to the air inlet on the balloon holder.

3. The dual-purpose balloon vending machine according to claim 2, wherein, The ball-retrieving frame is also provided with a downwardly protruding positioning part. The lower surface of the positioning part is provided with a positioning groove that adapts to the upper surface of the ball holder. When the ball-retrieving frame moves downward along any slide direction until the sensor is triggered by the uppermost ball holder in the slide, the lower surface of the positioning part can abut against the upper surface of the ball holder.

4. The dual-purpose balloon vending machine of claim 2, wherein, The inflation port is surrounded by a soft rubber pad so that when the inflation port comes into contact with the air inlet on the ball support, the ball support can squeeze the soft rubber pad to achieve a sealed connection between the two.

5. The dual-purpose balloon vending machine of claim 2, wherein, The first drive mechanism includes a Z-axis moving mechanism that can move up and down along the height of the cabinet, and an X-axis moving mechanism that is mounted on the Z-axis moving mechanism and can move laterally along the left and right directions of the cabinet. The ball picker is mounted on the X-axis moving mechanism, so that it can move in the XZ plane under the drive of the first drive mechanism.

6. The dual-purpose balloon vending machine of claim 2, wherein, The cabinet is also equipped with a cable outlet device, which provides a flexible cable that can be adapted to connect to the ball support.

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