Article supply device

Abstract

To provide an article supply device capable of increasing user's interest.SOLUTION: An article supply device 1 comprises: a main body part 2; a housing part 10 which can be mounted on the main body part 2 and house an article P, and in which a front part 10f and a side part 10s are at least partially formed of light-transmissive members; a supply part 30 which can supply the article P housed in the housing part 10; and an operation part 4 which can be operated to supply the article P housed in the housing part 10, wherein the housing part 10 is constituted so that a covering part 40 which covers the front part 10f and the side part 10s from inside can be mounted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article supplying device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is an article supplying device that supplies capsule toys, in which articles are stored in spherical or nearly spherical capsules, from the front side of the device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vending machine (article supplying device) that includes a drum having a plurality of article holding holes for holding articles, and that rotates the drum by operating a handle after a coin is inserted to dispense the articles, in which rack teeth are formed on the periphery of the bottom surface of the drum, a recess for placing the drum is formed in a partition plate that defines the product storage space, a gear connected to the handle is exposed at the bottom of the recess, the drum is detachably placed in the recess, and the rack teeth and gear mesh when the drum is placed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-178612 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes the structure of an article supplying device that improves maintenance. However, the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the same appearance as a conventional device and is not an apparatus that enhances the interest of the user in terms of appearance.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an article supplying device that can enhance the interest of users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention is an item supplying device that comprises a main body, a storage section that can be attached to the main body and can store items, and at least a portion of the front and side sections are constructed of an optically transparent material, a supply section that can supply the items stored in the storage section, and an operation section that can be operated to supply the items stored in the storage section, and the storage section is configured to be able to attach a covering section that covers the front and side sections from the inside. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article supplying device that can increase the interest of users. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an article supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view showing the article supply device shown in FIG. 1 with a storage unit removed. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a perspective view showing a supply unit provided on the bottom surface of the storage unit. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a mounting form of the covering portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An article supplying device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the article supplying device 1, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the article supplying device 1 taken along line AA in FIG.

[0010] The general configuration of the article supplying device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the article supply device 1 includes a main body 2 which is a box-shaped housing, a storage section 10 capable of storing a plurality of capsule toys P1 as articles to be supplied in a random arrangement, a supply section 30 capable of randomly selecting and supplying the capsule toys P1 one by one from the storage section 10, a lock section (not shown) which locks the operation of the supply section 30, an operation section 4 which can be operated to operate the supply section 30 by unlocking the lock section on the condition that a price inserted from a coin insertion slot 5 is paid, and a passage section 9a which rolls and passes the capsule toy P1 from the storage section 10 to the supply slot 9. In addition to the operation section 4, a coin return button 7 and a coin return slot 6 are provided on the front surface 2f of the main body.

[0011] The capsule toy P1 is made of synthetic resin, can be divided into two, has a roughly spherical shape with appropriate rigidity, and is easy to roll. This allows the capsule toy P1 to supply the product in the capsule to the user while avoiding separation or damage when being supplied from the product supply device 1.

[0012] Here, the storage unit 10 can be attached to the main body 2 from the front side (see FIG. 3). When the storage unit 10 is attached to the main body 2, the portion made of the light-transmitting material forms the front side and the upper side of the main body 2. The light-transmitting material forms part of the front part 10f and the side part 10s, and a covering part 40 on which a pattern (such as a first character C1 and a background Ba) is drawn is provided on the inside of the front part 10f and part of the side part 10s, for example, as shown in the figure. Also, the covering part 40 is arranged so that its back surface can come into contact with the capsule toy P1 stored in the storage unit 10, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0013] In addition, the front surface 10f and part of the side surface 10s of the storage unit 10 are made of a light-transmitting material as described above, but since a covering portion 40 made of a non-light-transmitting material is provided, the capsule toy P1 inside the storage unit 10 cannot be seen from the outside.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the article supplying device 1 shown in FIG. 1 with the storage unit 10 removed. As shown in Fig. 3, the main body 2 is surrounded by an upper end wall 2u, left and right side walls 2s, and a rear wall 2r, and has an opening 3 that is open toward the front side. Therefore, the storage section 10 is configured to be able to be inserted and pulled out in the front-rear direction with respect to the main body 2. A passage 9a for supplying the capsule toy P1 to the supply port 9 is provided at the bottom 2d of the opening 3, and a gear train 4b consisting of multiple gears that mesh with a rack gear 31g (see Fig. 2) of the turntable 31 of the supply section 30 is provided along the rear wall 2r. An operating shaft 4a that transmits the rotational force of the operating section 4 is connected to this gear train 4b. Although a locking section that locks the operation of the supply section 30 is not shown, it can be configured to lock, for example, any of the gears in the gear train 4b.

[0015] The storage unit 10 has a box shape with a front surface 10f, a rear surface 10a, left and right side surface portions 10s, and a bottom surface portion 10b, and an open upper end portion. The bottom surface portion 10b is provided with a rotatable supply unit 30 (see FIG. 2). The left and right side surface portions 10s are divided into a portion (front side portion) that constitutes the outer surface of the main body portion 2 and a portion (rear side portion) that does not constitute the outer surface when attached to the main body portion 2. For example, the rear side side portion 10sr of the left and right side surface portions 10s on the rear side is made of a different material, for example, a non-light-transmitting material (colored material), from the side surface front portion 10sf made of a light-transmitting material.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface portion 10b of the storage portion 10. As shown in FIG. The bottom surface 10b of the storage unit 10 is provided with a supply unit 30 that drops the capsule toys P1 one by one into the passageway 9a. The supply unit 30 has a turntable 31 on the rear side of the bottom surface 10b. The turntable 31 has a plurality of holding holes 31h that hold the capsule toys P1 one by one, and is configured to be rotatable in a clockwise direction when viewed from above. The capsule toys P1 held in the holding holes 31h are supplied to the passageway 9a through a circular communication hole 10bh provided on the left and rear side of the bottom surface 10b.

[0017] A central protrusion 32 is provided in the center of the rotating disk 31, and three stirring springs 31a, for example, are provided on the upper end of the central protrusion 32 to properly stir the capsule toy P1. A restricting spring 10i is provided above the communication hole 10bh to separate and restrict the position of the capsule toy P1 passing through the communication hole 10bh from the rest.

[0018] An inclined bottom plate 10u inclined downward toward the rear is provided above the bottom surface 10b on the front side of the storage unit 10, so as to guide the capsule toy P1 toward the supply unit 30. A link mechanism 50 (omitted and shown by a dashed line) is provided below the inclined bottom plate 10u (above the bottom surface 10b) for driving a plate or the like that notifies the presence or absence of an article, and includes, for example, a detection pin 51a or the like that can detect the presence or absence of the capsule toy P1.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the covering portion 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the covering portion 40 is composed of a single horizontally long sheet having a first surface portion 41 in a central region, second surface portions 42 on the left and right sides, and a curved surface portion 43 between the first surface portion 41 and the second surface portion 42. The covering portion 40 is not particularly limited, but may be composed of a material on which a pattern can be easily printed, such as a resin film or paper. In addition, the covering portion 40 is configured such that the lower end portions 45 of both left and right end portions 44 are curved to correspond to the shape of the lower end portion of the front side portion 10sf of the storage portion 10.

[0020] The pattern (first character C1, second character C2, background Ba) formed on the covering portion 40 is formed as a continuous, integrated pattern on the first surface portion 41 and the second surface portion 42. In particular, the position of the curved surface portion 43 can be determined in consideration of the composition of the pattern between the central first surface portion 41 and the side second surface portion 42, for example, so as to create a three-dimensional effect. For example, the curved surface portion 43 can be determined to be a focal point of perspective that can create a sense of perspective as a composition (see Figs. 1 and 6).

[0021] Also, the first surface 41 carries product information on the capsule toy P1 stored in the storage section 10, such as a manufacturer's name 41a, a product title 41b, a product type indication 41c, a matrix type two-dimensional code 41d for mobile terminals and a bar-shaped array code 41e, and even a price 41g. On the other hand, the second surface 42 does not carry any product information on the capsule toy P1 in the storage section 10. In other words, the exterior design is mainly based on pictures on the side surfaces so that the design can be effectively used.

[0022] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of how the covering portion 40 is attached. 6, the covering part 40 is detachable from the upper surface part of the storage part 10 when the storage part 10 is pulled out from the main body part 2. As described above, the front part 10f and the front side part 10sf of the storage part 10 are made of a light-transmitting material, and the patterns (first character C1, second character C2, background Ba) arranged inside the front part 10f and the front side part 10sf are configured to be clearly visible from the outside.

[0023] The covering part 40 is set in the storage part 10 with both left and right end portions of the front part 10f curved so that both left and right ends extend rearward as shown in the figure (a shape that does not cover the lower and upper surfaces of the storage part 10). Then, the covering part 40 set in the storage part 10 has its front surface side in contact with the inner surfaces of the front part 10f and the front side part 10sf, and its lower end part 45 in contact with the bottom surface part 10b. In this way, for example, by arranging the lower end part 45 so that it is in contact with the bottom surface part 10b, the inclined bottom plate 10u and the link mechanism 50 are covered so that they cannot be seen from the front and sides.

[0024] The housing 10 is provided with a locking portion on the front side 10sf for holding the covering 40. The locking portion includes a locking piece 10e on the rear step 10d on the rear end side of the front side 10sf, both left and right edges 10ue and a front edge 10uf of the inclined bottom plate 10u, and a part of the bottom 10b. The locking portion thus configured restricts the positions of the bottom end 45, both left and right edges 44, and the back side of the covering 40, and locks it in a predetermined position.

[0025] In addition, when the covering part 40 is attached, two places on both ends of the first surface part 41 are curved so as not to leave creases as shown in the figure. As a result, a force acts on the covering part 40 in a direction that opens both the left and right ends toward the left and right sides. By utilizing this force in the opening direction, the covering part 40 is held in a state where it is pressed against the inner surfaces of the front surface part 10f and the front side surface part 10sf.

[0026] 6 are prepared. That is, a plurality of covering parts 40 having a pattern that matches the type of capsule toy P1 contained in the containing section 10 are prepared. Therefore, for example, when the capsule toy P1 is replaced with a different type of capsule toy, the covering part 40 is also replaced accordingly.

[0027] As described above, in the article supplying device 1 of this embodiment, the storage unit 10 is provided with the covering portion 40 that covers the front portion 10f and the side portion 10s made of a light-transmitting material from the inside, making it possible to hide the article P inside the storage unit 10. As a result, it is not possible to peek inside from either the front portion 10f or the side portion 10s, and the type of the remaining article P cannot be seen, so it is possible to have fun imagining what article P will be coming out (supplied). Also, since the front portion 10f and the side portion 10s are covered, it is possible to increase the amount of information transmitted by the covering portion 40. Furthermore, it is possible to produce a large pattern that three-dimensionally relates the front portion 10f and the side portion 10s.

[0028] In addition, in the article supplying device 1 of this embodiment, the covering part 40 is attached adjacent to the inner surface of the storage part 10, so that the information (pattern) on the covering part 40 can be arranged so as to be clearly visible. Also, the back surface of the covering part 40 is configured so as to be able to come into contact with the article P in the storage part 10, so that the volume inside the storage part 10 can be maximized.

[0029] In addition, in the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the inner surface of the storage section 10 has locking sections (rear end step section 10d, locking piece 10e, both left and right end edges 10ue, front end edge 10uf, bottom surface section 10b) that hold the covering section 40, so that the covering section 40 is firmly locked in a predetermined position. The covering section 40 is made of a material that has a certain degree of elasticity and is attached in a curved state without creases. The left and right end sections 44 and the back side of the covering section 40 are locked by the locking sections, so that the front side (the side with the pattern) of the covering section 40 is held in close contact with the front section 10f and the side section 10s.

[0030] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the storage unit 10 has an open top surface, which allows easy attachment and detachment of the covering unit 40. Furthermore, the locking structure of the covering unit 40 is an engagement structure with the lower end 45 and both left and right ends 44 of the covering unit 40, which allows the covering unit 40 to be attached and detached extremely easily by moving it up and down.

[0031] In the article supplying device 1 of this embodiment, the covering portion 40 is configured from a single sheet, so that continuity of the pattern on the entire sheet can be ensured.

[0032] In addition, in the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the covering portion 40 is provided in a folded state so as not to create creases, and therefore the curved surface can express a continuous, integrated three-dimensional image of the pattern. In addition, when the covering portion 40 is curved at two points, left and right, it is possible to effectively present a three-dimensional image on both the left and right. Furthermore, the absence of creases can improve the visibility of the pattern.

[0033] According to the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, product information regarding the article P stored in the storage unit 10 is written on the first surface 41 on the front (front surface), making it easy to understand the product information when purchasing a product. On the other hand, no product information regarding the article P stored in the storage unit 10 is written on the second surfaces 42 on the left and right sides, which enhances the effect of the three-dimensional image presentation of the picture.

[0034] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of its technical concept. For example, in the above embodiment, the product information is exemplified, but various displays are possible without being limited to this.

[0035] As described above, the present specification discloses the following:

[0036] (1) An article supplying device, A main body portion, a storage section that can be attached to the main body and can store an article, and at least a part of a front part and a side part are made of a light-transmitting material; a supply unit capable of supplying the items contained in the storage unit; an operating unit operable to supply the article contained in the container; Equipped with The storage section is configured to be able to attach a covering section that covers the front section and the side section from the inside, the article supplying device.

[0037] (2) The article supply device according to (1), An article supplying device, wherein when the storage unit is attached to the main body, a portion made of the light-transmitting member forms an outer surface of the main body.

[0038] (3) The article supply device according to (1) or (2), An article supplying device, wherein when the storage unit is attached to the main body, a portion of the storage unit that does not form an outer surface of the main body is made of a material different from the light-transmitting material.

[0039] (4) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (3), An item supplying device, wherein the supplying section is capable of randomly supplying the items contained in the storage section.

[0040] (5) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (4), The covering portion is made of a non-light-transmitting material, and when attached to the storage portion, makes the items in the storage portion invisible from the outside. This is an item supplying device.

[0041] (6) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (5), The container is configured so that the covering portion can be attached to its inner surface adjacent thereto.

[0042] (7) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (6), An article supplying device, wherein the covering portion is configured such that, when attached to the storage portion, its back surface can come into contact with the article in the storage portion.

[0043] (8) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (7), The storage section includes a locking section on its inner surface that is capable of locking the covering section.

[0044] (9) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (8), An article supplying device, wherein the covering portion is configured so as not to cover the upper and lower surfaces of the storage portion.

[0045] (10) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (9), The storage section is configured to be removable from the main body section, The covering portion is configured to be detachable when the storage portion is pulled out from the main body portion.

[0046] (11) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (10), The article supplying device, wherein the covering portion is configured to be attachable to the storage portion so as to be replaceable with another covering portion.

[0047] (12) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (11), The article supplying device, wherein the covering portion is composed of a single sheet.

[0048] (13) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (12), The article supplying device is configured so that the covering portion can be attached to the storage portion in a folded state so as not to leave creases.

[0049] (14) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (13), The covering portion is configured to be attachable to the storage portion in a folded state at two locations.

[0050] (15) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (14), The covering portion includes one first surface portion and two second surfaces, An item supplying device configured such that when the covering portion is attached to the storage portion, the first surface portion covers the front surface portion of the storage portion from the inside, and the second surface portion covers the side surface portion of the storage portion from the inside.

[0051] (16) The article supply device according to (15), An article supplying device, wherein the covering portion has a continuous, integrated pattern formed on the first surface portion and the second surface portion.

[0052] (17) An article supply device according to (15) or (16), The first surface portion carries product information regarding the item contained in the storage portion, An item supplying device, wherein the second surface portion does not bear any product information regarding the item stored in the storage portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Goods supply device 2 Main unit 4 Control section 10 Storage section 10d Rear end step (locking part) 10e Locking piece (locking part) 10ue Left and right edge of inclined bottom plate (locking part) 10uf Front edge of inclined bottom plate (locking part) 10f front part 10s side part 30 Supply section 40 Covering part 41 First side 42 Second side part Ba Background (Pattern) C1 First character (picture) C2 Second character (picture) P1 Capsule toys (items)

Claims

1. An article supplying device, A main body portion, a storage section that can be attached to the main body section and can store an article, and at least a part of a front section and a side section is made of a light-transmitting material; a supply unit capable of supplying the items contained in the storage unit; an operating unit operable to supply the article contained in the container; Equipped with The storage section is configured to be able to attach a covering section that covers the front section and the side section from the inside, an item supplying device.

2. The article supply device according to claim 1, An article supplying device, wherein when the storage unit is attached to the main body, a portion made of the light-transmitting member forms an outer surface of the main body.

3. The article supply device according to claim 2, An article supplying device, wherein when the storage unit is attached to the main body unit, a portion of the storage unit that does not form an outer surface of the main body unit is made of a material different from the light-transmitting material.

4. The article supply device according to claim 3, An item supplying device, wherein the supplying section is capable of randomly supplying the items contained in the storage section.

5. The article supply device according to claim 4, The covering portion is made of a non-light-transmitting material, and when attached to the storage portion, makes the items in the storage portion invisible from the outside.

6. The article supply device according to claim 5, The container is configured so that the covering portion can be attached adjacent to the inner surface of the container.

7. 7. The article supplying device according to claim 6, An article supplying device, wherein the covering portion is configured such that, when attached to the storage portion, its back surface can come into contact with the article in the storage portion.

8. The article supplying device according to claim 7, The storage section includes a locking section on its inner surface that is capable of locking the covering section.

9. The article supplying device according to claim 8, An article supplying device, wherein the covering portion is configured so as not to cover the upper and lower surfaces of the storage portion.

10. The article supplying device according to claim 9, The storage section is configured to be removable from the main body section, An article supplying device, wherein the covering portion is configured to be detachable when the storage portion is pulled out from the main body portion.

11. The article supplying device according to claim 10, An article supplying device, wherein the covering portion is configured to be attachable to the storage portion so as to be replaceable with another covering portion.

12. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, An article supplying device, wherein the covering portion is composed of a single sheet.

13. The article supplying device according to claim 12, The covering portion is configured to be attachable to the storage portion in a folded state so as to avoid creases.

14. The article supplying device according to claim 13, An article supplying device, wherein the covering portion is configured to be attachable to the storage portion in a folded state at two points.

15. 15. The article supplying apparatus according to claim 14, The covering portion includes one first surface portion and two second surface portions, An item supplying device configured such that when the covering portion is attached to the storage portion, the first surface portion covers the front portion of the storage portion from the inside, and the second surface portion covers the side portion of the storage portion from the inside.

16. 16. The article supplying apparatus according to claim 15, An article supplying device, wherein the covering portion has a continuous, integrated pattern formed on the first surface portion and the second surface portion.

17. 17. The article supplying apparatus according to claim 16, The first surface portion carries product information regarding the item contained in the storage portion, An item supplying device, wherein the second surface portion does not include any product information regarding the items stored in the storage portion.

Images