Printout for a vending machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a print output (2) for a vending machine (1), the print output (2) comprising an output area (10) with a storage area (12) for stacking printouts (100) inserted into the print output (2), and driven rotor elements (20) for fixing stacked printouts (100).

Description

The invention relates to a printing output device for a vending machine with an output area. The invention further relates to a vending machine with a printing output device and a method. When printing from vending machines or self-service kiosks typically located outdoors or near outdoor areas, it is necessary to secure or fix the printouts for protection, particularly against wind and drafts. Many common printing systems have the problem that printouts can only be removed with dexterity or two hands, as a flap completely closes the dispenser for wind and weather protection. Even then, printouts can still fly around when the flap is opened. Furthermore, the flap hinders ergonomic and barrier-free removal. Omitting the flap, however, compromises protection against wind and drafts, creating a dilemma. DE 103 09 770 A1 describes a device for placing sheet-shaped printing materials onto a stack of sheets with a deflecting element arranged rotatably above the stack of sheets. DE 690 09 598 T2 describes a sheet stacking device for use in conjunction with electrostatographic reproduction devices. DE 32 47 293 A1 describes a device for sorting banknotes. Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide solutions that improve print output. The output of printouts should be more ergonomic and meet requirements for accessibility and operational safety. In particular, it is an object of the invention to avoid or at least substantially reduce disadvantages of the prior art. This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are found in the dependent claims. A print output unit for a vending machine is proposed, comprising a print output area with a tray for stacking printouts inserted into the print output unit, and driven rotor elements for fixing stacked printouts or for fixing printouts arranged / stacked on the tray. In other words, for example, it is suggested that rotating holding devices be used in a print output to keep printouts stacked until they are removed. The proposed solution is based on the idea of ​​using rotor elements to hold printouts in place, for example, so that only a sufficiently strong manual pulling force allows them to be removed from the output tray. The driven rotor elements can, for example, ensure that the printouts remain stacked in the output tray or on the output tray by being driven. The driven rotor elements can automatically press the stack or additional printouts against the output tray. The driven rotor elements can influence a holding or pressing force by being driven or by rotating them. The driven rotor elements can also be used to convey inserted printouts, in particular to form a stack. The invention improves the fixation of printouts in a printing unit. The printouts remain reliably in place, particularly without the need for additional mechanical flaps or holders, which is especially advantageous for vending machines with a stacking tray. Accessibility is improved, and printouts can be securely fixed against gusts of wind or drafts. The print output is specifically designed as a presenter with memory and a holding mechanism for printouts. The print output refers, for example, to a dispensing compartment of a vending machine in which printouts from a print provision unit, e.g. a printing unit, of the vending machine can be removed and presented. A print medium or printout is understood to mean, for example, a paper, flat material, and / or film blank that may be provided with printed optical features. Printouts are produced, for instance, from raw material that is provided, for example, as a continuous and / or unwindable roll. The raw material, particularly in the vending machine, may already be printed and / or be printed within the vending machine. The raw material may be cut to length and / or separated, for example, before, after, or during printing. For instance, a print output unit can print on thermal paper supplied on a roll and separate it to length, thus creating a printout. It is also possible that the vending machine contains pre-cut and possibly already printed raw material that is simply printed or even just dispensed.It is therefore also possible that the printing does not take place in the vending machine itself, but at least the dispensing of printed products or printouts. The output area includes at least one tray for stacking printouts and optionally a compartment adjacent to the tray. For example, the compartment is located above the tray so that printouts can be stacked in the compartment starting from the tray. The output area may also include one or more tray areas on which printouts can be stacked. Printouts can be inserted into the print output, particularly the output area. In practice, this is done, for example, by the print feeder of a vending machine. Inserting printouts can mean that printouts can be fed into the print output along one or both of their two dimensions and / or across them. The output area is typically formed by one or more housing components of the printer. For example, the output area includes an output opening and a tray. The output opening may be located adjacent to the tray and / or provide access to the tray. The output opening may be formed by the tray itself. The tray and / or tray may be bounded on multiple sides by the housing component(s). The output area may also include a feed opening. The feed opening may be located, for example, opposite the output opening or the tray opening. A feed direction may be directed primarily towards the output opening. It is possible that printouts that are larger than the output area and are inserted into the output area may automatically protrude from the output area or tray. The output opening defines, for example, a removal or output direction.The extraction direction is usually essentially horizontal. The extraction direction can essentially correspond to an insertion direction. The rotor elements are, for example, motor-driven, rotating or rotatable components. The rotor elements can be driven by one or more electric motors. There can be one electric motor per rotor element, or one electric motor can drive several rotor elements. For example, the rotor elements can be coupled to each other via a gearbox. The rotor elements are arranged, in particular, to rotate or be rotatable on or within the dispensing area. The rotor axes of the rotor elements are preferably fixed in position. The rotor axes can, for example, be arranged essentially parallel or transversely to the insertion and / or removal direction. In particular, at least two rotor elements are provided. The rotor elements are preferably of the same type or structurally essentially identical. Optionally, the rotor elements can be symmetrical and / or mirrored relative to each other. Individual rotor elements can be assigned to and / or spaced apart from each other in areas of the print output. The rotor elements can rest on or be in contact with the tray. The rotor elements are specifically designed to rest on or be in contact with the printouts, particularly to press or secure the printouts against the tray. Printouts can be positioned between the rotor elements and the tray. For example, the rotor elements have contact sections for contacting the printouts, which can be flexible. For example, the contact sections extend circumferentially and / or axially around the rotor elements. The contact sections can be, for example, a rubber coating, a brush, or the like. A vending machine as defined in this disclosure can provide and, in particular, sell printed items such as tickets, travel passes, postcards, stamps, tokens, labels, shipping labels, chip cards, flat materials, banknotes, or the like. For example, a vending machine comprises a sales unit that is equipped for interaction with a customer or operator, e.g., via a monitor, touchscreen, QR code, smartphone app, and / or control panel. A customer can use the sales unit to make a selection and / or identify a stored transaction, whereupon, particularly after payment, a print output unit can insert one or more printouts corresponding to the selection into the print output. The customer can then remove the printout(s) sequentially or in batches from the print output.A vending machine can be connected to the internet to retrieve transactions or identification features and / or process payments. The following sections describe and explain advantageous aspects and preferred further training options. Explanations, particularly regarding advantages and definitions, are descriptive and preferential in nature, but not restrictive. Any restriction will be explicitly stated. The tray can have or be formed from sub-tray areas. The rotor elements can be arranged adjacent to or above each sub-tray area of ​​the tray, particularly to press stacked printouts against the respective sub-tray area and thereby fix them in place. For example, the sub-tray areas are arranged essentially at opposite edges or edge regions of printouts. Sub-tray areas are, for example, flat and / or oriented parallel to each other. Sub-tray areas can be inclined, for example, to fix printouts at an angle pointing upwards or downwards. Sectional fixing can be achieved, allowing different areas of printouts to be selectively fixed. This can be particularly advantageous for wide or differently sized printouts. The tray may be designed to have a recess. For example, the recess in the tray may be a recess. In particular, a recess may be arranged between two tray sections. In other words, the tray sections may be designed as projections, creating a recess between them. The recess may be provided by the dispensing area or the housing components. The recess may extend along the dispensing or insertion direction and / or perpendicular to it. The dispensing compartment may be located above the recess, or the recess may be located below the compartment. The recess may facilitate or enable manual access to the dispensing area, especially the compartment, and between the tray sections. The rotor elements can be designed to rotate around rotor axes that are at least substantially parallel to each other. The rotor axes can, for example, be inclined to each other by a maximum of 15°. Parallel rotor axes simplify, for instance, the provision of a common drive for the rotor axes. Furthermore, parallel rotor axes allow, for example, printouts to be fixed in a well-centered position. The rotor axes may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a rotor spacing. This rotor spacing may correspond at least substantially to the width of stacked printouts and / or at least substantially to the width of the recess and / or at least substantially to the distance between the partial storage areas. For example, the rotor spacing corresponds to the respective width or spacing of the partial storage areas with a deviation of up to ± 20% or up to ± 10% of the smaller dimension. The print output unit may include a loading area for inserting printouts into the output area, particularly along a loading direction. The loading area may be provided with a loading opening or slot. Two or more loading areas may be provided, for example, to load different types of printouts and / or to connect an additional print delivery unit. The loading direction runs, for example, at least substantially along the rotor axes, particularly parallel to them. It is also possible for the loading direction to run perpendicular to the rotor axes. In particular, viewed transversely to the insertion direction and / or removal direction and / or in a vertical direction, the rotor elements can be arranged between the tray and the insertion area, for example so that inserted printouts can be placed on the rotor elements, in particular to be conveyed downwards from the rotor elements onto the tray and then fixed to it. Alternatively or additionally, viewed transversely to the insertion direction and / or removal direction and / or in a vertical direction, an insertion area can be arranged between the rotor elements and the tray, for example so that inserted printouts can be inserted under the rotor elements, in particular to be pressed or fixed directly downwards onto the tray by the rotor elements. The rotor elements may each have circular brushes, particularly with two or more circumferentially distributed brush rows. The brush rows may extend helically around a rotor axis or run in a straight line along the rotor axis. For example, a gap may be arranged between two brush rows, particularly to receive and / or convey the edge of a printout. The gap may extend along or parallel to a rotor axis. The gap may extend helically or spirally around a rotor axis. Circular brushes with multiple brush rows can ensure a linear or area-wide pressure distribution on printouts, thereby achieving a uniform frictional connection and protecting the printouts. Brush rows make it possible, for example, to achieve a pressure force that depends on the rotational position of a rotor. The rotor elements may be configured for counter-rotation and / or alternating rotation, for example, using a gearbox and / or appropriate motor control. For instance, the rotor elements may be configured to convey printouts placed on them downwards, pressing them against the tray. Alternatively, the rotor elements may be configured to rotate or brush printouts lying on the tray away from each other, in order to keep the printouts under tension, ensure flat contact, and / or center the printouts. The print output can be configured so that when prints are inserted, at least one of the rotor elements rotates and / or at least one of the rotor elements does not rotate. For example, one rotor element always rotates when a new print is inserted, so that another rotor element securely holds prints that are already stacked or lying on the tray. The rotor elements can rotate alternately for each new print inserted. It is also possible for the rotor elements or round brushes, especially rows of brushes, to be configured for offset rotation. The rotor elements can be offset from each other with respect to their rotational position, for example, so that the rows of brushes of the rotor elements alternately exert their respective maximum / minimum force on the prints.In this respect, depending on the design of the rotor elements, it is possible that the pressure force of the rotor elements against the deposit will alternately be stronger and weaker locally, even if the rotor elements are rotated simultaneously. The output area can be designed without a flap that would otherwise close it. Eliminating the flap reduces mechanical complexity, improves accessibility, and allows for easy manual removal of printouts or stacks of printouts. Furthermore, the securing rotor elements significantly reduce the risk of printouts being blown away by a gust of wind. Therefore, omitting the flap when rotor elements are used saves costs and improves ergonomics. Furthermore, a vending machine is proposed that includes a print output unit, a print unit or print provision unit, and optionally a sales unit. For example, the print unit is configured to produce or provide printouts, particularly those with constant width and variable length, and / or to insert them into the print output unit. This is particularly suitable for receipts or tickets with a standardized width but flexible length, adjustable by detaching sections. Furthermore, a method for fixing printouts in the print output of a vending machine is proposed, in particular wherein printouts are inserted into the print output and fixed onto a tray of the print output by means of driven rotor elements, and preferably conveyed to the tray by means of the rotor elements. The method can enable the safest, most accessible, and automated handling of printouts. Within the context of the revelation, the abbreviation "bzw." is used as a short form for "beziehungsweise" (respectively) and is intended to indicate alternative, equivalent, and / or synonymous characteristics or terms in order to clarify the idea or meaning of a particular use of a characteristic or term. "Bzw." can always be replaced with "und / oder" (and / or). The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and the drawings. Figures 1A-B show front views of a vending machine printout, in which a single printout is placed on a tray (1A) and in which two printouts are stacked on the tray (1B); and Figures 2A-B show a schematic representation of a vending machine (2A) and a perspective view of a vending machine printout, with printouts stacked on a tray (2B). The described embodiments are merely examples which can be modified and / or supplemented in various ways within the scope of the claims. Each feature described for a particular embodiment can also be used independently or in combination with other features in any other embodiment. Each feature described in an embodiment of a particular claim category can also be used analogously in an embodiment of a different claim category. Fig. 1A-B shows a print output unit 2 for a vending machine 1. The print output unit 2 has an output area 10 with a tray 12 and, in this case, a compartment 13 above the tray 12. The tray 12 is designed so that printouts 100 can be stacked on it after they have been inserted into the print output unit 2 or into the compartment 13. Furthermore, the print output unit has two driven rotor elements 20 to fix the stacked printouts 100 in place. An electric motor (not shown), for example a stepper motor, can drive the rotor elements 20. The rotor elements 20 are located in the print output unit 2 and / or above the tray 12. Output area 10, or tray 13, is designed to allow for the removal of the 100 printouts, meaning it is free of a flap that would otherwise close it. Surprisingly, a flap is not necessary, as the rotor elements 20 can secure the 100 printouts even against gusts of wind. Output area 12, or tray 13, is specifically positioned, or should be positioned, facing away from a vending machine equipped with print output 2. The tray 12 has two sub-storage areas 14. Each of the two rotor elements 20 is arranged adjacent to, or more precisely above, one of the two sub-storage areas 14. The sub-storage areas 14 are each flat, preferably parallel to each other. The sub-storage areas 14 are arranged at an angle to a horizontal plane, so that printouts 100 placed on them point obliquely upwards and are easily removable for customers. The printouts 100, which lie on the partial storage areas 14 and can be stacked on top of each other, can be pressed and fixed against the respective partial storage area 14 by means of the rotor elements 20. A recess 16 is arranged between two partial storage areas 14. For example, one can manually reach into the recess 16 in the opposite direction of insertion X in order to capture the printouts 100 from underneath. The rotor elements 20 are arranged for rotation about mutually parallel rotor axes 22. The rotor axes 22 are spaced apart by a rotor spacing 24. The rotor spacing 24 is, for example, up to 10% less than the width 102 of the stacked printouts 100. The rotor spacing 24 corresponds, for example, essentially to the width 18 of the recess 16. The print output 2 has an insertion area 30 through which printouts 100 are inserted into the output area 10 along the insertion direction X. In Fig. 1A-B, the insertion direction X points out of the image plane towards the viewer, or is oriented normal to the image plane. The insertion area 30 includes, for example, an insertion slot that can correspond essentially to the width of the printouts 100, and into which a print delivery device can insert the printouts 100. Preferably, the insertion direction X runs essentially along the rotor axes 22, in particular parallel to them. It is not shown in detail that the insertion direction can run transversely to the rotor axes 22. Viewed perpendicular to the insertion direction X or in the vertical direction, the rotor elements 20 are arranged between the tray 12 and the insertion area 30. In particular, the insertion area 30 is arranged above the rotor elements 20 so that inserted printouts 100 can be placed on the rotor elements 20. It is not shown in detail that the insertion area 30 can be arranged between the rotor elements 20 and the storage tray 12. In the present case, the rotor elements 20 are designed as round brushes or rotatable brushes, wherein the round brushes have two or more, in this case four, circumferentially distributed brush rows. The rotor elements 20 are configured for counter-rotation and / or alternating rotation. For example, only one of the rotor elements 20 rotates at any given time, and / or they rotate alternately to ensure that at least one stationary rotor element 20 secures the printouts 100 against the tray 12. The rotor elements 20 can rotate simultaneously and / or in opposite directions. The rotor elements 20 are offset from each other in their rotational position and are each configured to exert a pressure force on the tray 12 or on the printouts 100, depending on their rotational position. This allows the pressure force to be adjusted, for example, to enable the insertion of further printouts and / or to convey printouts 100 to the tray 12 by means of the rotor elements 20. As can be seen in Fig. 1A, the rotor elements 20 are rotated differently relative to each other, so that the brushes exert different forces on the print(s) 100. It is evident in Fig. 1A that the left rotor element 20, with a row of brushes pointing towards the print, presses down on the print 100. In contrast, the right rotor element 20, with a row of brushes pointing obliquely towards the print (see the circled brush tip in Fig. 1A), presses down on the print 100 only to a lesser extent or not at all. In Fig. 1B, the rotor elements 20 are also rotated differently relative to each other. The left rotor element 20, with a row of brushes pointing obliquely towards the print (see the circled brush tip in Fig. 1B), exerts only minimal or no pressure on the prints 100. In contrast, the right rotor element 20, with a row of brushes pointing towards the print, exerts greater pressure on the prints 100. For example, in the transition from Fig. 1A to Fig. 1B, the print 100 inserted into the insertion area 30 was conveyed by the rotor elements 20 to the storage area 12 by rotating the rotor elements 20 by a similar or the same angular amount. The print output 2 is designed such that when printouts 100 are inserted, particularly via the insertion area 30, at least one of the rotor elements 20 rotates to convey an inserted printout 100 towards the tray 12 or downwards. Afterwards, particularly when one rotor element 20 comes to a standstill, the other rotor element 20 can rotate. The rotor elements 20 can also rotate simultaneously, particularly in opposite directions. The edges of printouts 100 can be arranged in the gap between rows of brushes and / or be positively engaged by a rotor element 20 in order to be conveyed, for example, perpendicular to the insertion direction X and / or against the tray 12. Fig. 2A shows a vending machine 1 with a print output 2. The vending machine 1 has a print supply unit 3, which is configured to supply printouts 100 with a constant width and optionally variable length and insert them into the print output 2. The print supply unit 3 is connected to the print output 2. The print supply unit 3 is integrated into the vending machine 1, for example, behind, beside, or above the print output 2. Typically, the print preparation unit 3 is at least almost completely enclosed or not visible from the outside, as indicated by the dashed lines of 3 in Fig. 2A. Furthermore, the dashed arrow in Fig. 2A indicates a transport path for the printouts 100 within the print preparation unit 3 until they are inserted. The print preparation unit 3 can, for example, print, mark or the like on paper or flat material, especially if unwound from a roll, and preferably cut off in order to produce printouts 100. Preferably, the print output unit 3 is configured for separating and / or cutting paper or printouts (100). The paper can also be perforated or have pre-scored tear lines. For example, the paper for printouts 100 is thermal paper and the print supply unit 3 is set up for thermal printing. Furthermore, vending machine 1 has a sales unit 4. Sales unit 4 provides a touchscreen via which a customer can make a purchase, for which one or more printouts 100 are issued. Card payments and / or cash payments can be made via sales unit 4. Sales unit 4 is set up to send a provisioning and / or print job to print provisioning unit 3. The sales unit 4 and / or the print provision unit 3 is set up so that printouts 100 are inserted into the print output 2 in order of their size, for example starting with the largest and ending with the smallest printout 100. The print output unit 2 has an output area 10 with a tray 12 for stacking printouts 100 inserted into the print output unit 2 and with a compartment 13 adjacent to the tray 12. The print output unit 2 also has parallel, rotatable, driven rotor elements 20 for fixing stacked printouts 100. In this case, the rotor elements 20 are arranged in the compartment 13, i.e., above the tray 12. The tray 12 is formed with two partial tray areas 14, between which a recess 16 is arranged. The rotor elements 20 fix, in this case, spaced-apart areas, for example opposite edges, of the printouts 100 against the partial tray areas 14. Fig. 2B shows further details of Fig. 2A. It is evident that the lowest printout 100 has a greater length than the stacked printouts 100 resting on top of it. All printouts 100, particularly those of different lengths or sizes, are fixed against the support 12 by the rotor elements 20, which are not shown in detail in Fig. 2B. The print output 2 can be configured, for example, partially or completely as described in Fig. 1A-B. The tray 12 is arranged at an angle to a horizontal plane, so that prints 100 resting on it or arranged in tray 13 point diagonally upwards, as shown in Fig. 2B. The vending machine 1 enables the execution of a method for fixing printouts 100 in the print output 2 of the vending machine 1. Printouts 100 can be inserted into the print output 2 and fixed on a tray 12 by means of driven rotor elements 20. Reference symbol list 1 Vending machine 2 Print output 3 Print preparation unit 4 Sales unit 10 Output area 12 Tray 13 Tray 14 Partial tray area 16 Recess 18 Recess width 20 Rotor elements 22 Rotor axes 24 Rotor spacing 30 Insertion area 100 Prints 102 Print width X Insertion direction

Claims

Print output (2) for a vending machine (1), the print output (2) comprising a print area (10) with a tray (12) for stacking printouts (100) inserted into the print output (2), and driven rotor elements (20) for fixing stacked printouts (100), wherein the rotor elements (20) are arranged adjacent to each partial tray area (14) of the tray (12) in order to press printouts (100) stacked on the partial tray areas (14) against the respective partial tray area (14) and thereby fix them, and a recess (16) is arranged between two partial tray areas (14). Print output (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the rotor elements (20) are arranged to rotate about mutually parallel rotor axes (22). Print output (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the rotor axes (22) are arranged spaced apart from each other by a rotor distance (24), and the rotor distance (24) corresponds substantially to a width (102) of the stacked printouts (100) or substantially to a width (18) of the recess (16) in the tray (12). Print output (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an insertion area (30) for inserting printouts (100) into the output area (10) along an insertion direction (X), preferably wherein the insertion direction (X) runs substantially along the rotor axes (22), and wherein, viewed transversely to the insertion direction (X), the rotor elements (20) are arranged between the tray (12) and the insertion area (30) or the insertion area (30) is arranged between the rotor elements (20) and the tray (12). Print output (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor elements (20) each have round brushes, in particular with two or more circumferentially distributed brush rows, and preferably the brush rows of the rotor elements (20) are arranged to rotate offset from one another. Print output (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor elements (20) are arranged for rotation in opposite directions and / or alternating pulses, and / or the print output (2) is arranged to rotate at least one of the rotor elements (20) when printouts (100) are inserted and preferably not to rotate another of the rotor elements (20). Print output (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the output area (10) is designed free of a flap closing the output area (10). Print output (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor elements (20) are arranged above each of the partial storage areas (14) of the tray (12), and / or the partial storage areas (14) are arranged substantially on opposite edge regions of printouts and / or are flat and / or are oriented parallel to each other. vending machine (1) comprising a print output (2) according to one of the preceding claims, and a print provision unit (3), wherein the print provision unit (3) is configured to provide printouts (100) with constant width and optionally variable length and to insert them into the print output (2). Method for fixing printouts (100) in a print output (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8 or for fixing printouts (100) in a print output (2) of a vending machine (1) according to claim 9, wherein printouts (100) are inserted into the print output (2) and are fixed on a tray (12) of the print output (2) by means of driven rotor elements (20).

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