Vending machine

Abstract

To provide a vending machine that allows an operator to easily operate to store articles in a rack.SOLUTION: A vending machine 1 comprises an article storage 2 which has a rack 22 capable of storing a plurality of articles 7. The rack 22 has a rack base part 223 which extends to be inclined in a front-rear direction and an up-down direction. The rack base part 223 has a rear end 223R where an article 7 is suspended for replenishment with the article 7, and a front end 223F where an article 7 to be paid out is arranged, and the article 7 moves from the side of the rear end 223R to the side of the front end 223F by gravitation when the article 7 is suspended at the rear end 223R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vending machine. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Some conventional vending machines include a spiral rack that extends horizontally and can accommodate a plurality of products (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-222752 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional vending machines have room for improvement in terms of the ease with which an operator places products on the racks.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a vending machine that makes it easy for an operator to store products on racks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a vending machine equipped with a product storage cabinet having a rack capable of storing a plurality of products. The rack has a rack base extending at an angle relative to the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions. The rack base has a rear end from which the product is hung when refilling the rack and a front end from which the next product to be dispensed is placed. When a product is hung from the rear end, the product moves from the rear end to the front end due to the action of gravity.

[0007] In the vending machine according to the present invention, the rack bases are arranged parallel to the vertical direction and parallel to the width direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0008] In the vending machine according to the present invention, the product includes a product body and a bag containing the product body, the bag having a through hole formed therein, and the rack base is inserted into the through hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The vending machine according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, which makes it easier for an operator to store products in the racks. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] The drawings illustrate particular embodiments of the present invention, including essential features of the invention as well as alternative and preferred embodiments. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view conceptually showing a vending machine according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the inside of a product storage room provided in the vending machine shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a front view of the interior of the product storage room provided in the vending machine shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of one product stored in the product storage room shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a plurality of products stored in the product storage warehouse shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 while being suspended from racks. [Figure 6] 6 is a perspective view showing a first product conveying device and a second product conveying device in the conveying mechanism included in the vending machine shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [Embodiment] Modes (embodiments) for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships between elements in the drawings, the ratios of elements, etc. may differ from reality. The dimensional relationships and ratios between the drawings may also differ. Furthermore, the components described below include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art and those that are substantially identical. Furthermore, the configurations described below can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configurations may be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0012] The vending machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a front view conceptually showing the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the interior of the product storage cabinet 2 provided in the vending machine 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a front view of the interior of the product storage cabinet 2 provided in the vending machine 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a front view of one product 7 stored in the product storage cabinet 2 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing multiple products 7 stored in a state suspended from racks 22 inside the product storage cabinet 2 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the first product conveying device 42 and the second product conveying device 43 in the conveying mechanism 4 provided in the vending machine 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] In the description of the vending machine 1 shown in the embodiment, to make it easier to understand the directions, the width direction of the vending machine 1 will be referred to as the X-axis direction, the front-to-rear direction of the vending machine 1 as the Y-axis direction, and the up-to-down direction as the Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction are mutually orthogonal.

[0014] Furthermore, in the X-axis direction, X1 is one side in the width direction (also called the right side), and X2 is the other side in the width direction (also called the left side). Furthermore, in the Y-axis direction, Y1 is the front side in the front-to-back direction, and Y2 is the rear side in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, in the Z-axis direction, Z1 is the upper side in the up-down direction, and Z2 is the lower side in the up-down direction.

[0015] The vending machine 1 shown in Figure 1 in this embodiment sells products 7 (see Figure 4) at room temperature, cooled, or heated, and is equipped with a product storage room 2, a temperature control mechanism (not shown), a panel 3, a conveying mechanism 4 (see Figure 6), a control unit 5, and a memory unit 6.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the product storage warehouse 2 is formed, for example, by a plurality of walls 21 with a thermal insulation structure, and has a rectangular parallelepiped product storage space 2S inside that stores a plurality of products 7. The product storage space 2S is divided into a space for storing heated products, a space for storing cooled products, and a space for storing products at room temperature.

[0017] As will be described later, the product storage 2 according to this embodiment stores a plurality of types of products 7. Furthermore, the product storage 2 has a plurality of racks 22. The racks 22 will be described later.

[0018] The temperature adjustment mechanism is disposed in the product storage space 2S inside the product storage room 2 and cools or heats the air in the product storage room 2 to cool or heat the products 7. The temperature adjustment mechanism includes a refrigerator, a heater, and a blower (none of which are shown). When the control unit 5 operates the refrigerator and the blower, cooled air circulates inside the product storage room 2, thereby maintaining the products 7 in a cooled state. On the other hand, when the control unit 5 operates the heater and the blower, heated air circulates inside the product storage room 2, thereby maintaining the products 7 in a heated state. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3 , a product removal opening 21H for removing the products 7 is formed below the front wall 21 of the multiple walls 21 that form the product storage room 2.

[0019] The panel 3 is disposed in front of the wall sections 21 in the front-to-rear direction so as to cover a portion of the wall section 21 disposed on the front side among the multiple wall sections 21 that form the product storage cabinet 2. The panel 3 is also provided with a product vending mechanism (not shown) required for selling the products 7. The product vending mechanism includes, for example, a liquid crystal display device that displays the products 7, a product selection button, a bill insertion slot, a coin insertion slot, a return lever, and a coin return slot (all not shown).

[0020] 4, the product 7 includes a product body 71 and a bag 72 containing the product body 71. The product body 71 is, for example, bread, confectionery, or a drink.

[0021] A through hole 72H is formed in the bag 72, and the rack base 223 is inserted into the through hole 72H. In other words, the rack base 223 is inserted into the through hole 72H of the bag 72, and the product 7 is stored inside the product storage cabinet 2 while suspended from the rack base 223. In addition, in the vertical direction of the bag 72, a welded portion 72M is formed between the through hole 72H and the product main body 71, where the bag 72 is welded.

[0022] Each of the multiple racks 22 is arranged in the product storage space 2S of the product storage warehouse 2. Each of the racks 22 includes one stand 221, one support part 222, and multiple (for example, four in this embodiment) rack base parts 223, as shown in, for example, Figures 2 and 3 .

[0023] The stand 221 is disposed at the lowermost position in the vertical direction on the rack 22. The stand 221 is formed in the shape of a long rod, for example, a square tube or a square pillar, and is disposed along the front-rear direction.

[0024] The support part 222 is formed in, for example, a cylindrical or columnar long rod shape and is arranged along the up-down direction. The support part 222 is arranged on the front end side of the pedestal 221 in the front-rear direction, as shown in FIG.

[0025] Each of the rack bases 223 is formed in the shape of, for example, a long cylindrical or columnar rod. Each of the rack bases 223 extends from the middle of the support portion 222 in the up-down direction toward the rear side in the front-rear direction.

[0026] Furthermore, each of the rack bases 223 extends at an angle relative to, for example, the front-rear and up-down directions. The outer peripheral surface of each of the rack bases 223 is formed smoothly without any irregularities. Furthermore, the multiple rack bases 223 are arranged in parallel and at equal intervals in the up-down direction.

[0027] The rack bases 223 are arranged so as to overlap the supports 222 in a front view. The rack bases 223 are also arranged so as to overlap the stands 221 in a plan view. A plurality of products 7 are hung from each of the rack bases 223, as shown in FIG. 5 .

[0028] Each rack base 223 has a rear end 223R in the front-to-rear direction from which a product 7 is hung when the product 7 is replenished, and a front end 223F where the next product 7 to be dispensed is placed. The front end 223F is positioned vertically lower than the rear end 223R in the front-to-rear direction of the rack base 223. Furthermore, when a product 7 is hung from the rear end 223R of the rack base 223 in the front-to-rear direction, the product 7 moves from the rear end 223R side to the front end 223F side due to the action of gravity.

[0029] Furthermore, in the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment, a plurality of products 7 of the same type are hung from one rack base 223, a plurality of products 7 of the same type but of a different type from the one product 7 mentioned above are hung from another rack base 223, and a plurality of products 7 of the same type but of a different type from the two types of products 7 mentioned above are hung from yet another rack base 223. More specifically, for example, a plurality of products 7, each of which is a croissant as the product main body 71 placed in a bag 72, are hung from one rack base 223. Furthermore, a plurality of products 7, each of which is a cream bun as the product main body 71 placed in a bag 72, are hung from another rack base 223. A plurality of products 7, each of which is a jam bun as the product main body 71, are hung from yet another rack base 223.

[0030] The multiple racks 22 each having such a configuration are arranged at equal intervals in the width direction, as shown in Figure 3. That is, in the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment, the multiple rack bases 223 are arranged parallel in the vertical direction and also parallel in the width direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. In the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment, for example, eight racks 22 are arranged in the width direction.

[0031] The control unit 5 comprehensively controls each part of the vending machine 1. More specifically, the control unit 5 sends various commands to each part of the vending machine 1 at appropriate timing, driving each part to sell the product 7.

[0032] The storage unit 6 stores data for selling the products 7 of the vending machine 1. For example, the storage unit 6 stores data such as programming for operating the vending machine 1.

[0033] In the width direction of the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment, the control unit 5 and the memory unit 6 identify each of the multiple rack bases 223. For example, in FIG. 3, the rack base 223 arranged on the leftmost side in the width direction is identified by the control unit 5 and the memory unit 6 with the symbol "A." Furthermore, the rack base 223 adjacent to that rack base 223 (i.e., the rack base 223 second from the left in the width direction) is identified by the control unit 5 and the memory unit 6 with the symbol "B" in the width direction. Similarly, each of the multiple rack bases 223 below is identified by the control unit 5 and the memory unit 6 in the width direction with the symbols "C" to "H" in order.

[0034] In the vertical direction of the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment, the control unit 5 and the storage unit 6 identify each of the multiple rack bases 223. For example, in FIG. 2, the rack base 223 arranged at the top in the vertical direction is identified by the control unit 5 and the storage unit 6 with the numerical value "1." Furthermore, the rack base 223 adjacent to this rack base 223 (i.e., the rack base 223 second from the top in the vertical direction) is identified by the symbol "2" in the vertical direction in the control unit 5 and the storage unit 6. Similarly, each of the multiple rack bases 223 below is identified by the numerical values ​​"3" to "4" in the vertical direction in the control unit 5 and the storage unit 6.

[0035] As described above, the rack base 223 is identified by the control unit 5 and the memory unit 6, so the rack base 223 located on the far left side of the product storage room 2 and at the very top of the product storage room 2 is identified by the control unit 5 and the memory unit 6 with the symbol and number "A-1."

[0036] In addition, the rack base 223, which is located second from the left in the product storage warehouse 2 and at the top of the product storage warehouse 2, is identified in the control unit 5 and memory unit 6 by the symbol and number "B-1".

[0037] Similarly, each of the multiple rack bases 223 is identified by an individually identifiable symbol and numerical value in the control unit 5 and memory unit 6. In the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment, the identification symbols and numerical values ​​of each of the rack bases 223 in the control unit 5 and memory unit 6 are as shown in Table 1, for example. [Table 1]

[0038] Additionally, the memory unit 6 stores data associating each of the multiple rack bases 223 with each of the multiple product selection buttons. That is, the vending machine 1 is equipped with a number of product selection buttons (32 in this embodiment) corresponding to the number of rack bases 223. The memory unit 6 stores a certain rack base 223 in association with a certain product selection button, stores another rack base 223 in association with a different product selection button, and stores yet another rack base 223 in association with yet another product selection button.

[0039] As described above, the memory unit 6 stores data for identifying an arbitrary rack base 223 from among the multiple rack bases 223. Therefore, when a product 7 is sold by the vending machine 1, if the appropriate amount of money (banknotes, coins, electronic money, etc.) is inserted into the vending machine 1 and one of the product selection buttons is pressed, the control unit 5 drives the dispensing device 41 of the rack base 223 corresponding to the product selection button, based on the data in the memory unit 6, and also drives the first product conveying device 42 corresponding to that rack base 223. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 , the control unit 5 moves the tray 434 of the second product conveying device 43 to a position corresponding to the position of the driven first product conveying device 42, and after the product 7 is delivered from the first product conveying device 42, moves the tray 434 of the second product conveying device 43 to its initial position.

[0040] In addition, when viewed from the front of the vending machine 1 of this embodiment, a second product conveying device 43 is arranged between the four racks 22 arranged on one side of the center in the width direction of the product storage cabinet 2 and the four racks 22 arranged on the other side in the width direction.

[0041] The conveying mechanism 4 is arranged in the product storage space 2S of the product storage warehouse 2. As shown in FIG. 6, the conveying mechanism 4 is composed of, for example, a plurality of dispensing devices 41 (see FIG. 5), a plurality of first product conveying devices 42, and one second product conveying device 43.

[0042] The dispensing device 41 dispenses from the rack base 223 one product 7 that is arranged at the front end in the front-to-rear direction out of a plurality of products 7 suspended from one rack base 223.

[0043] The multiple dispensing devices 41 are arranged on each of the multiple rack bases 223. In other words, one dispensing device 41 is arranged on one rack base 223. Each dispensing device 41 is arranged above a dispensing area set at the front end 223F of the rack base 223 in the front-to-rear direction. More specifically, the dispensing device 41 is arranged above the product 7 arranged at the front end, which is the next product 7 to be dispensed, among the multiple products 7. In other words, the next product 7 to be dispensed is arranged in a dispensing area set at the front end of one rack base 223 in the front-to-rear direction. The dispensing device 41 shown in this embodiment moves forward and backward in the up-and-down direction, as shown by arrow L1 in FIG. 5.

[0044] Furthermore, dispensing device 41 is provided in product storage 2 so as to be movable between a retracted position (see FIG. 5) set above in the vertical direction and an advanced position (see FIG. 4) set below in the vertical direction. The retracted position (see FIG. 5) is set at a position above the dispensing area, while the advanced position (see FIG. 4) is positioned so as to overlap with the dispensing area. Dispensing device 41 is normally positioned at the retracted position, but moves from the retracted position to the advanced position when a movement command is sent from control unit 5. Then, after performing a dispensing operation described below, it returns from the advanced position to the retracted position.

[0045] Furthermore, the dispensing device 41 has a cutting portion 411 having a blade 411a extending rearward as shown in Figure 5, and a receiving portion 412 arranged opposite the cutting portion 411 in the front-to-rear direction, and is formed so that the cutting portion 411 can come into contact with and move away from the receiving portion 412.

[0046] 4, a notch 411H is formed in cutting portion 411. Rack base 223 is inserted into notch 411H when dispensing device 41 moves to the advanced position.

[0047] 5, a notch 412H is formed in receiving portion 412. Rack base 223 is inserted into notch 412H when dispensing device 41 moves to the advanced position.

[0048] In dispensing device 41, cutting unit 411 is always positioned at a distance from receiving unit 412. Dispensing device 41 performs a dispensing operation when a dispensing command is sent from control unit 5. In the dispensing operation, cutting unit 411 is driven so as to come into contact with receiving unit 412, and then cut unit 411 is returned to a position where it is spaced apart from receiving unit 412. As a result, a bag 72 of one product 7 placed in the dispensing area of ​​rack base 223 is cut by cutting unit 411 and receiving unit 412 on both sides of through-hole 72H (cutting line 72C corresponding to the cut location is shown in Figure 4), and falls from rack base 223 due to the action of gravity.

[0049] Each of the multiple first product conveying devices 42 is formed to extend in the width direction as shown in Figure 6, and is disposed below the dispensing area of ​​the corresponding rack base 223. The vending machine 1 according to this embodiment includes, for example, eight first product conveying devices 42 (see Figure 3).

[0050] Each of the first product conveying devices 42 conveys products 7 in the width direction. Each of the first product conveying devices 42 includes, for example, a first drive roller 421, a first driven roller 422, and a first conveyor 423 stretched across the first drive roller 421 and the first driven roller 422. A first motor 421M, which serves as a first drive source, is connected to the first drive roller 421.

[0051] In each of the first product conveying devices 42 configured as described above, when a first conveyance command is sent from the control unit 5, the first motor 421M, which is the first drive source, is driven, and the first drive roller 421 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow L2 in FIG. 6 due to the drive of the first motor 421M. Then, the first conveyor 423 moves along the outer circumferential surface of the first drive roller 421, causing the first conveyor 423 to move as indicated by arrow L3 in FIGS. 3 and 6, and the first driven roller 422 to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow L4 in FIG. 6. The control unit 5 of the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment drives the first product conveying device 42, for example, after the product 7 dispensed by the dispensing device 41 falls onto the first conveyor 423. Therefore, the product 7 that has fallen onto the first conveyor 423 is moved in the width direction by the drive of the first product conveying device 42.

[0052] The memory unit 6 also stores a plurality of rack bases 223 and a plurality of first product conveying devices 42 in association with each other. For example, the memory unit 6 stores rack bases 223 [A-1], [B-1], [C-1], and [D-1] in association with the first first product conveying device 42 located on the left side in the width direction and at the top in the vertical direction in FIG. 3. Therefore, when a product 7 is sold, for example, if a purchaser presses a product selection button corresponding to one of the rack bases 223 [A-1], [B-1], [C-1], or [D-1], the control unit 5 drives the first first product conveying device 42 to convey the product 7 in the width direction.

[0053] Furthermore, for example, the memory unit 6 stores the rack bases 223 [A-2], [B-2], [C-2], and [D-2] in association with the second first product conveying device 42 that is located on the left side in the width direction and second from the top in the vertical direction in Fig. 3. Therefore, when a product 7 is sold, for example, if a purchaser corresponding to any of the rack bases 223 [A-2], [B-2], [C-2], or [D-2] presses the product selection button, the control unit 5 drives the second first product conveying device 42 to convey the product 7 in the width direction.

[0054] Although the following explanation will be omitted, in a similar manner, the memory unit 6 stores a plurality of rack bases 223 associated with a plurality of first product conveying devices 42. When selling a product 7, the control unit 5 drives only one of the plurality of first product conveying devices 42.

[0055] Furthermore, the four first product conveying devices 42 arranged on the left side in FIG. 3 rotate the first drive rollers 421 and the first driven rollers 422 so as to move the first conveyor 423 clockwise.

[0056] On the other hand, the four first product conveying devices 42 arranged on the right side in FIG. 3 rotate the first drive rollers 421 and first driven rollers 422 so as to move the first conveyor 423 counterclockwise.

[0057] The second product conveying device 43 conveys the products 7 in the vertical direction. The second product conveying device 43 includes, for example, a second drive roller 431, a second driven roller 432, a second conveyor 433 stretched across the second drive roller 431 and the second driven roller 432, and a tray 434 attached to a predetermined position on the second conveyor 433. A second motor 431M, which serves as a second drive source, is connected to the second drive roller 431. The second product conveying device 43 moves the tray 434 in the vertical direction to convey the products 7 placed on the tray 434 in the vertical direction.

[0058] When the second product conveying device 43 having this configuration receives a second product conveying command from the control unit 5, the second motor 431M, which is the second drive source, is driven, and the second drive roller 431 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow L5 in Fig. 6 due to the drive of the second motor 431M. Then, the second conveyor 433 moves along the outer peripheral surface of the second drive roller 431, and the second conveyor 433 moves downward along the arrow L6 in Figs. 3 and 6, and the second driven roller 432 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow L7 in Fig. 6. Then, the tray 434 moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the second conveyor 433 (when the tray 434 moves upward along the arrow L6, the arrows L5 and L7 shown in Fig. 6 rotate in opposite directions).

[0059] An initial position of the second product conveying device 43 is set in the control unit 5. For example, the initial position of the second product conveying device 43 is a state in which the tray 434 has been moved to the lowest position in the vertical direction. In the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment, the initial position is set to the position in which the tray 434 has been moved to the lowest position in the vertical direction, and also to the rear of the product take-out opening 21H in the front-rear direction.

[0060] When selling a product 7, the control unit 5 moves the tray 434 of the second product conveying device 43 to a position corresponding to the driven first product conveying device 42. For example, if a purchaser presses a product selection button corresponding to any of [A-2], [B-2], [C-2], or [D-2] on the rack base 223, the control unit 5 moves the tray 434 up and down to approximately the same vertical position as the second first product conveying device 42, as shown in FIG. 3. The control unit 5 then drives the first product conveying device 42 to move the product 7 in the width direction, and then conveys the product 7 onto the tray 434 of the second product conveying device 43.

[0061] The control unit 5 then drives the second product conveying device 43 to move the tray 434 to its initial position, and moves the product 7 downward in the vertical direction, thereby placing the product 7 behind the product outlet 21H. In this state, the purchaser removes the product 7 from the product outlet 21H, and the sale of the product 7 is completed.

[0062] After one product 7 has been dispensed from the rack base 223, the remaining products 7 move from the rear end 223R to the front end 223F due to the action of gravity.

[0063] The vending machine 1 according to this embodiment, configured as described above, includes a product storage cabinet 2 having a rack 22 capable of storing multiple products 7. The rack 22 has a rack base 223 that extends at an angle relative to the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions. The rack base 223 has a rear end 223R from which the product 7 is hung when replenishing the product 7 and a front end 223F where the next product 7 to be dispensed is placed. When a product 7 is hung from the rear end 223R, gravity moves the product 7 from the rear end 223R to the front end 223F. Therefore, in the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment, when replenishing the product 7, the worker simply hangs the product 7 from the rear end 223R of the rack base 223, and the product 7 moves from the rear end 223R to the front end 223F due to gravity, making it easier for the worker to replenishing the product 7. Furthermore, in the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment, when one product 7 is dispensed, the multiple products 7 hanging from the rack base 222 move from the rear end 223R to the front end 223F due to the action of gravity. As a result, the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment can reduce power consumption compared to conventional vending machines that use an electric motor to drive a spiral rack to move products from the rear to the front in the front-to-rear direction.

[0064] Furthermore, in the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment, the rack bases 223 are arranged parallel to each other in the vertical direction and also parallel to each other in the width direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Therefore, the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment can store products 7 up to near the ceiling of the product storage room 2, and can store a large amount of products 7 in a small space.

[0065] Furthermore, in the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment, the product 7 comprises a product body 71 and a bag 72 containing the product body 71, and a through hole 72H is formed in the bag 72, through which the rack base 223 is inserted.

[0066] In the vending machine 1 according to the embodiment described above, eight racks 22 are arranged in the product storage space 2S, and each rack 22 has four rack bases 223. However, the vending machine according to this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the number of racks 22 can be increased or decreased as needed depending on the size of the vending machine, and the number of rack bases 223 included in each rack 22 can also be increased or decreased as needed. Therefore, the number of rack bases 223 can be easily changed, allowing the vending machine to be adapted to various installation spaces.

[0067] The vending machine 1 according to the above embodiment has been described as having a product vending mechanism that includes components such as product selection buttons. However, the vending machine according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, components such as the product selection buttons of the product vending machine mechanism may be replaced with a touch panel type liquid crystal display device.

[0068] Furthermore, in the vending machine 1 according to the embodiment described above, a spacer may be disposed between two products 7 adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction to ensure an appropriate space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1. Vending Machine 2. Product storage warehouse 7 items 22 racks 71 Product itself 72 bags 72H through hole 223 Rack base 223F front end 223R rear end

Claims

1. a product storage warehouse having racks capable of storing a plurality of products; The rack has a rack base portion extending so as to be inclined relative to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, The rack base has a rear end from which the product is hung when the product is replenished, and a front end from which the next product to be dispensed is placed, and when the product is hung from the rear end, the product moves from the rear end to the front end due to the action of gravity.

2. The plurality of rack bases are arranged parallel to each other in the vertical direction and also parallel to each other in a width direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

2. The vending machine of claim 1.

3. The product comprises a product body and a bag containing the product body, The bag has a through hole formed therein, The vending machine according to claim 2 , wherein the rack base is inserted through the through hole.

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