Hygiene product supply device

Abstract

To provide a more convenient hygiene product dispensing device that can appropriately dispense one hygiene product at a time. [Solution] The hygiene product dispensing device 1 comprises a housing 50 for housing multiple hygiene products, a dispensing opening 21 located at the top of the front of the housing 50, a shutter 55 for opening and closing the dispensing opening 21, a stage 61 on which hygiene products are placed and moved vertically, a distance sensor 23 for detecting the distance from the top surface 53 of the housing 50 to the hygiene product located at the top of the housing, and a control unit 30 for controlling the operation of the shutter 55 and the stage 61. The control unit 30 stops the stage 61 when the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 reaches a predetermined value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology of a hygiene product providing device for providing hygiene products such as sanitary products.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a hygiene product providing device for providing hygiene products such as sanitary products has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a dispenser for providing a hygiene product to a user, which includes a storage unit for storing the hygiene product, a discharge unit for discharging the hygiene product stored in the storage unit from the storage unit, and a control unit for operating the discharge unit to discharge the hygiene product when there is a request from the user for providing the hygiene product and the request is valid.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a more convenient hygiene product providing device that can appropriately provide one hygiene product.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A sanitary product dispensing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing for stacking and storing a plurality of sanitary products, an opening for dispensing the sanitary products located at the top of the front of the housing, a shutter for opening and closing the opening, a stage on which the sanitary products are placed and moved vertically, a distance sensor for detecting the distance from the top surface of the housing to the sanitary product located at the top of the housing, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the shutter and the stage. The control unit stops the stage when the distance detected by the distance sensor reaches a predetermined value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a sanitary product dispensing device can appropriately supply sanitary products of different thicknesses towards the dispensing opening. Therefore, a more convenient sanitary product dispensing device can be obtained that can appropriately dispense a single sanitary product. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the external configuration of a hygiene product dispensing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front view of the device being provided. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the shutter of a dispensing device containing thin sanitary products in the open position. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the shutter of a dispensing device containing thick sanitary products in the open position. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the AA line portion of the supply device. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a device according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a device according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of an extruded structure provided in a supplying device according to one embodiment. [Figure 9]This is a perspective view showing the configuration of an extruded structure provided in a supplying device according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart showing the sanitary product dispensing process of a dispensing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a side view illustrating the operation of the dispensing device when it contains thin sanitary products. [Figure 12] This is a side view illustrating the operation of the dispensing device when it contains thin sanitary products. [Figure 13] This is a side view illustrating the operation of the dispensing device when it contains thin sanitary products. [Figure 14] This is a side view illustrating the operation of the dispensing device when it contains thin sanitary products. [Figure 15] This is a side view illustrating the operation of the dispensing device when it contains thin sanitary products. [Figure 16] This is a side view illustrating the operation of the dispensing device when it is filled with thick sanitary products. [Figure 17] This is a side view showing how an extruded structure pushes out thin sanitary products. [Figure 18] This is a side view showing how an extruded structure pushes out thick sanitary products. [Figure 19] This is a schematic diagram showing how an extrusion structure extrudes sanitary products of various sizes. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated.

[0009] <First Embodiment> In this embodiment, for example, a sanitary product providing device for providing sanitary products such as sanitary articles, paper diapers, tissue paper, etc. will be described. More specifically, a sanitary product providing device 1 suitable for providing a sanitary article, which is an example of a sanitary product, will be described. The sanitary product providing device 1 is installed, for example, in an individual room in a dressing room or near a washbasin in a facility used by an unspecified number of people (such as a public facility, a restaurant, a shopping center, a hotel, a station, etc.), and can provide sanitary articles to the users of the dressing room.

[0010] (Overall Configuration of the Sanitary Product Providing Device) First, the overall configuration of the sanitary product providing device 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the providing device 1) according to this embodiment will be described. FIGS. 1 to 4 show the appearance of the providing device 1. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the state where the shutter 55 of the take-out port 21 of the sanitary article is closed. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the state where the shutter 55 of the take-out port 21 is open. FIG. 3 shows the case where a smaller-sized sanitary article 90 (for example, a sanitary article with a thinner thickness and a shorter length in the front-rear direction) is accommodated in the housing 50, and FIG. 4 shows the case where a larger-sized sanitary article 190 (for example, a sanitary article with a thicker thickness and a longer length in the front-rear direction) is accommodated in the housing 50.

[0011] FIGS. 5 to 7 show the internal configuration of the sanitary product providing device 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the A-A line portion of the sanitary product providing device 1 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 shows the extrusion structure 40 and the stage lifting mechanism 60 provided in the housing 50, etc. FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the sanitary product providing device 1.

[0012] The outer shape of the providing device 1 is mainly formed by a housing 50 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 50 has a front surface portion 50a, an upper surface portion 50b, side surface portions 50c, a rear surface portion 50d, and a bottom surface portion 50e. In this embodiment, the front surface portion 50a is formed by a front surface member 51. The front surface member 51 is configured to be removable from the main body portion of the housing 50 that forms the upper surface portion 50b, the left side surface portion 50c, and the right side surface portion 50c, etc.

[0013] The housing 50 houses multiple sanitary products (for example, sanitary products 90, 90, ... or sanitary products 190, 190, ...) stacked on top of each other (see Figure 5). The dispensing device 1 according to this embodiment is capable of dispensing sanitary products of different sizes, but it is preferable that the multiple sanitary products housed in the housing 50 at one time are all the same size.

[0014] An opening 21 for dispensing sanitary products is provided at the top of the front portion 50a of the housing 50. The opening 21 is formed by opening a part of the front member 51.

[0015] Here, the upper part of the front portion 50a means the part above the center position in the height direction of the housing 50. For example, it is preferable that the dispensing opening 21 is located within 20 cm from the top surface portion 50b of the housing 50. Furthermore, the dispensing opening 21 is positioned to correspond to the position of the uppermost sanitary product (for example, sanitary product 90a or 190a) among the multiple sanitary products (for example, sanitary products 90 or 190) stored inside the housing 50.

[0016] The dispensing opening 21 is provided with a shutter 55 that shields the dispensing opening 21. The shutter 55 is configured to be movable vertically by a first motor 25 provided in the dispensing device 1. For example, the shutter 55 moves vertically in response to the detection result of a human presence sensor 22 located near the dispensing opening 21, thereby opening and closing the dispensing opening 21.

[0017] The housing 50 is equipped with a human presence sensor 22, a distance sensor 23, an extraction detection unit 24, a first motor 25, a second motor 26, a control unit 30, an extrusion structure 40, a stage lifting mechanism 60, and a guide member 56, among other things.

[0018] The motion sensor 22 is located near the dispensing opening 21 (for example, below the dispensing opening 21). The motion sensor 22 can detect a user's hand when the user places their hand near the dispensing opening 21. The information detected by the motion sensor 22 is transmitted to the control unit 30.

[0019] The distance sensor 23 is located near the top surface 53 inside the housing 50. The distance sensor 23 is a non-contact sensor that measures the distance to an object. The distance sensor 23 can measure the distance from the top surface 53 to the topmost sanitary product stacked inside the housing 50 (for example, sanitary product 90a or 190a).

[0020] The removal detection unit 24 detects when a sanitary product is removed from the dispensing opening 21. In this embodiment, the removal detection unit 24 is a sensor that detects when the retaining member 45 (see Figure 5) is lowered. The removal detection unit 24 can detect the removal of a sanitary product by detecting the movement of the retaining member 45 (specifically, downward movement). In another embodiment, the role of the removal detection unit 24 may be performed by the distance sensor 23.

[0021] The first motor 25 is located at the top of the housing 50. The first motor 25 drives the extrusion operation of the extrusion structure 40 and the opening and closing operation of the shutter 55.

[0022] The second motor 26 is located at the bottom of the housing 50. The second motor 26 drives the raising and lowering movement of the stage 61 of the stage lifting mechanism 60.

[0023] The extrusion structure 40 is located at the top of the housing 50. The extrusion structure 40 is for pushing out one sanitary product, which is located at the top of a stack of multiple sanitary products, toward the dispensing opening 21. The extrusion structure 40 comprises an extrusion section 42 for pushing the sanitary product forward and a support member 41 for holding the extrusion section 42. The detailed configuration of the extrusion structure 40 will be described later.

[0024] The stage lifting mechanism 60 includes a stage 61 and a support column 62. The stage 61 moves vertically on top of the sanitary products stacked inside the housing 50. The support column 62 extends vertically inside the housing 50 and supports the stage 61 in a movable state. The lifting and lowering movement of the stage 61 is driven by a second motor 26.

[0025] The guide member 56 is positioned below the dispensing opening 21. The guide member 56 has an inclined surface that slopes toward the lower end of the dispensing opening 21 (see Figure 5). By providing such a guide member 56, the uppermost sanitary product (e.g., sanitary product 90a or 190a, etc.) that is pushed forward by the extrusion structure 40 can be tilted slightly upward toward the dispensing opening 21. This allows only the uppermost sanitary product to be guided toward the dispensing opening 21 more smoothly.

[0026] The control unit 30 consists of control circuits and other components within the circuit board unit. The control unit 30 includes a first motor control unit 31, a second motor control unit 32, a distance setting unit 34, a memory 35, and a timer 36. The control unit 30 controls the operation of the first motor 25 and the second motor 26 according to the detection results of the human presence sensor 22 and the distance sensor 23, and operates the shutter 55, the extrusion structure 40, and the stage 61, etc.

[0027] The first motor control unit 31 controls the operation of the first motor 25. The second motor control unit 32 controls the operation of the second motor 26.

[0028] The distance setting unit 34 is for setting the stopping position of the stage 61 when it is raised to prepare for dispensing the top sanitary product. The distance setting unit 34 changes the setting of the distance from the top surface 53 to the top sanitary product 90a when the stage is stopped, according to the size of the sanitary products (specifically, the thickness of the sanitary products) contained in the housing 50. By changing the stopping position of the stage 61 when it is raised by setting the distance in the distance setting unit 34, it is possible to supply one sanitary product toward the dispensing opening 21 regardless of the size (especially the thickness) of the sanitary products contained.

[0029] Memory 35 includes ROM (read-only memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). Memory 35 stores the operation program and setting data of the supply device 1, as well as temporarily stores calculation results from the control unit 30. For example, memory 35 stores a table that associates the type or size of sanitary products with the set distance S at which the stage 61 stops rising.

[0030] The timer 36 measures, as needed, the time taken for processing within the control unit 30, the operating time of each component within the supply device 1 (for example, the time the shutter 55 is open), and so on.

[0031] When the motion sensor detects a user's hand, the control unit 30 in the dispensing device 1 operates the first motor 25 to move the shutter 55 downward. This opens the dispensing opening 21, exposing the top sanitary product 90a that is ready for dispensing (standby) inside the housing 50 (see Figure 3). Here, "the top sanitary product 90a is ready" means, for example, that the tip of the sanitary product 90a is in contact with or close to the back of the closed shutter 55 (see Figure 5).

[0032] When the shutter 55 opens, the user can remove one sanitary product from the dispensing device 1 by pulling the sanitary product 90a exposed through the dispensing opening 21 towards them. Once the removal of the sanitary product 90a is complete, the control unit 30 operates the first motor 25 again to move the shutter 55 upward. This closes the dispensing opening 21 (see Figure 1, etc.).

[0033] Incidentally, hygiene products such as sanitary napkins and disposable diapers vary considerably in size (e.g., thickness, length, and width) depending on the manufacturer and product. For example, sanitary napkins differ greatly in thickness and length from manufacturer to manufacturer and from product to product, depending on their intended use and lifespan. Providing multiple types of sanitary napkins with different thicknesses would improve the convenience of the dispensing device 1.

[0034] The dispensing device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a distance sensor 23, an extrusion structure 40, and a stage lifting mechanism 60, making it possible to dispense sanitary products of different sizes.

[0035] (Structure of the extruded structure) The following describes the configuration of the extruded structure 40 in more detail. Figures 8 and 9 show the external appearance of the extruded structure 40.

[0036] The extruded structure 40 includes a support member 41, an extrusion section 42, and a power transmission member 44, etc. The extrusion section 42 includes a plurality of movable pins (movable parts) 43, 43, ... The plurality of movable pins (movable parts) 43, 43, ... are arranged in a line along the front-rear direction of the housing 50.

[0037] The support member 41 forms the main body of the extruded structure 40. On the inner surfaces of the left and right side portions 41a of the support member 41, a number of grooves 41b, 41b, ... extending in the vertical direction are arranged in a front-to-back direction. A movable pin 43 is fitted into each of these grooves 41b.

[0038] The extruded portion 42 has a plurality of movable pins 43. In this embodiment, the movable pins 43 are formed by bending a single rod-shaped body at multiple points (see Figure 9). The left and right ends of the movable pins 43 are fitted into grooves 41b on the left and right side surfaces 41a of the support member 41, respectively. As each end of the movable pin 43 fitted into the grooves 41b slides along the grooves 41b, the movable pins 43 become movable in the vertical direction relative to the support member 41.

[0039] Each movable pin 43 is provided with a projection 43a that protrudes forward at its lower end (see Figure 17, etc.). The presence of such projections 43a allows the sanitary product to be pushed out (for example, the sanitary product 90a, etc.) to be pushed out more appropriately and smoothly.

[0040] In another embodiment, the movable parts may be formed from plate-shaped bodies. When the movable parts are plate-shaped bodies, the left and right ends of the plate-shaped bodies are held by the support member 41 so as to fit into grooves 41b, thereby allowing multiple movable parts to move vertically relative to the support member 41.

[0041] Because the extrusion section 42 has the above configuration, the state of each movable pin 43 can be changed according to the size of the sanitary products stored in the housing 50. As a result, no matter what size sanitary products are stored, the single sanitary product located at the top can be properly supplied toward the dispensing opening 21.

[0042] The power transmission member 44 has a shaft portion connected to the left and right side portions 41a of the support member 41. The power transmission member 44 is also connected to a cam 48 connected to the first motor 25. As a result, the power from the first motor 25 is transmitted to the support member 41 via the cam 48. This allows the extruded structure 40 to move in the front-rear direction by the power of the first motor 25.

[0043] A retaining member 45 is provided on the front side of the extrusion structure 40 (see Figure 5). The retaining member 45 has a plate-like portion that is positioned opposite the upper surface of the uppermost sanitary napkin 90a. By providing such a retaining member 45, it is possible to suppress the sanitary napkin 90a from floating up or bending when it is pushed forward by the extrusion structure 40.

[0044] Furthermore, a sensor is provided near the retaining member 45 to detect the movement of the retaining member 45. This sensor detects when the retaining member 45 has lowered when a sanitary product is removed from the dispensing opening 21, thereby detecting that the sanitary product has been removed. In other words, this sensor functions as a dispensing detection unit 24.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a guide member 56 is provided on the front side of the uppermost sanitary product 90a. The presence of the guide member 56 allows the uppermost sanitary product 90, which has been pushed forward by the extrusion structure 40, to be tilted slightly upward toward the dispensing opening 21. At this time, the presence of the holding member 45 prevents the sanitary product 90a from floating up, thus allowing a single sanitary product 90a to be guided more appropriately to the dispensing opening 21.

[0046] The dispensing device 1, equipped with an extrusion structure 40 having the above configuration, can push out only one sanitary product forward, regardless of the size (especially the depth) of the sanitary products it contains.

[0047] (Shutter, extruded structure, and stage operation) Next, the operation of the shutter 55, the extrusion structure 40, and the stage 61 within the dispensing device 1 will be described. Here, the operation will be explained using the example of a thin sanitary napkin 90 being stored inside the dispensing device 1.

[0048] Figure 10 shows the flow of the sanitary product dispensing process in the dispensing device 1. Figures 11 to 15 sequentially show the operation of each component in the dispensing device 1 from the time that the sanitary product 90a, which is in a ready-to-dispensing (standby) state, is taken out until the next sanitary product 90b is ready to be taken out (standby).

[0049] When the sanitary napkin 90a, located at the top of the dispensing device 1, is ready for removal, as shown in Figure 11, the shutter 55 is closed and the push-out structure 40 is positioned towards the front, pushing the sanitary napkin 90a toward the dispensing opening 21. At this time, the leading edge of the sanitary napkin 90a is close to the back of the shutter 55.

[0050] Subsequently, when a user who desires sanitary products places their hand near the dispensing opening 21 of the dispensing device 1, the motion sensor 22 detects the user's hand (step S11), and the control unit 30 (specifically, the first motor control unit 31) within the dispensing device 1 operates the first motor 25 to move the shutter 55 downward. As a result, the shutter 55 opens (step S12).

[0051] At this time, as shown in Figure 3, the topmost sanitary napkin 90a, which is prepared for removal (standby) within the housing 50, becomes exposed. This allows the user to remove one sanitary napkin 90a from the dispensing device 1. Figure 12 shows the state after the removal of the sanitary napkin 90a. Once the topmost sanitary napkin 90a is gone, the front movable pin 43, which was pushed up by the sanitary napkin 90a, descends under its own weight (see Figure 12).

[0052] Once the removal of the sanitary napkin 90a is complete (step S13), the control unit 30 (specifically, the first motor control unit 31) operates the first motor 25 again to move the shutter 55 upward and close it (step S14). The upward movement of the shutter 55 at this point may be initiated when the removal detection unit 24 detects that the sanitary napkin 90a has been completely removed, or it may be initiated when a predetermined time has elapsed since the shutter 55 was opened. The removal detection unit 24 may detect the removal of the sanitary napkin using a sensor that detects the movement of the retaining member 45, or it may be done using the distance sensor 23.

[0053] When the shutter 55 closes, the control unit 30 (specifically, the first motor control unit 31) operates the first motor 25 to move the extruded structure 40 backward (step S15). Subsequently, the control unit 30 (specifically, the second motor control unit 32) operates the second motor 26 to lower the stage 61 (step S16). Figure 13 shows the state in which the extruded structure 40 has moved backward and the stage 61 has lowered.

[0054] Subsequently, the control unit 30 (specifically, the second motor control unit 32) within the dispensing device 1 operates the second motor 26 to raise the stage 61 (step S17). The stage 61 then stops rising when the sanitary product (for example, the sanitary product 90b) located at the top reaches a predetermined position (step S18). Specifically, when the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 (i.e., the distance from the top surface 53 of the housing 50 to the sanitary product 90b located at the top) reaches a predetermined value, the control unit 30 (specifically, the second motor control unit 32) stops the rising of the stage 61.

[0055] Here, the predetermined value is, for example, the distance from the top surface 53 to the topmost sanitary product when the product is positioned so that only one sanitary product is exposed from the dispensing opening 21. By setting the predetermined value in this way, the extrusion structure 40 can push only one sanitary product toward the dispensing opening 21.

[0056] In this manner, the control unit 30 adjusts the position of the stage 61 to a height such that only one sanitary product 90 is pushed forward by the extrusion structure 40, and stops the upward movement of the stage 61. Subsequently, with the shutter 55 closed, the control unit 30 moves the extrusion structure 40 forward.

[0057] As described above, when the rise of the stage 61 stops at a predetermined position, one sanitary product 90b is set to be pushed out by the extrusion structure 40 (see Figure 14). Subsequently, the control unit 30 (specifically, the first motor control unit 31) operates the first motor 25 to move the extrusion structure 40 forward (step S19).

[0058] As a result, the sanitary napkin 90b located at the top (the sanitary napkin 90b that was located one position below sanitary napkin 90a in the state shown in Figure 11) is ready to be removed. At this time, the sanitary napkin 90b is guided forward towards the dispensing opening 21 by the guide member 56 and the holding member 45, etc., at a slight upward inclination, and enters a standby state on the back side of the shutter 55 (see Figure 15). As a result, the sanitary napkin 90b is ready to be removed (standby).

[0059] In the dispensing device 1, the shutter 55, the extrusion structure 40, and the stage 61 operate as described above, allowing one sanitary product 90 to be provided to a user who desires one. When another user who needs a sanitary product 90 appears, they can simply place their hand near the dispensing opening 21 of the dispensing device 1, as described above, and the shutter 55 will open, allowing them to immediately retrieve the sanitary product 90 that has been waiting on the other side of the shutter 55.

[0060] (Configuration to accommodate the provision of sanitary products in various sizes) The above description explains the operation when a relatively small sanitary product 90 is provided. When a larger sanitary product 190 or 290 is contained, the shutter 55 operates in generally the same manner as described above. On the other hand, the stage 61 and the extrusion structure 40 operate differently depending on the size of the sanitary product contained.

[0061] For example, the control unit 30 causes the stopping position of the stage 61 when it is rising (step S17 in Figure 10) to differ depending on the thickness of the sanitary napkin being stored. Figure 16 shows the state when the stage 61 has stopped rising at a predetermined position (the state after step S18 has been completed) when the dispensing device 1 is storing a thicker sanitary napkin 190. In Figure 16, only the top sanitary napkin 190a and the one below it 190b are shown, and the remaining sanitary napkins 190 are not shown.

[0062] Comparing Figure 14 and Figure 16, the sanitary napkin 190a is located higher (i.e., closer to the top surface 53). In other words, the distance from the top surface 53 to the topmost sanitary napkin, as measured by the distance sensor 23, is shorter when the sanitary napkin 190 is contained than when the sanitary napkin 90 is contained.

[0063] The distance setting unit 34 within the control unit 30 can change the distance setting from the top surface 53 to the uppermost sanitary product 90a when the stage is stopped, according to the thickness of the sanitary products housed in the housing 50. For example, the setting distance can be changed by the user inputting the setting distance S when housing the sanitary products in the housing 50.

[0064] The set distance can be determined by adjusting the position of the stage 61 so that the topmost of the multiple sanitary products stacked inside the housing 50 is in the appropriate position relative to the dispensing opening 21, and then measuring the distance from the top surface 53 to the topmost sanitary product with the distance sensor 23.

[0065] Furthermore, the above distance measurements may be taken in advance for sanitary products of various thicknesses, and a set distance S for when the stage 61 stops rising may be determined according to the type or thickness of the sanitary product. Data linking the type or thickness of the sanitary product with the set distance S may then be stored in the memory 35. This allows the user to easily change the distance setting of the distance setting unit 34 by inputting the type or size of the sanitary product when storing multiple sanitary products in the housing 50.

[0066] Furthermore, the extruded structure 40 has an extruded section 42 that has multiple movable pins 43, allowing the state of each movable pin 43 to be varied according to the size of the sanitary product housed in the housing 50.

[0067] For example, when a smaller size (specifically, thickness and depth) sanitary product 90 is stored, fewer of the multiple movable pins 43 will be raised, and the amount of elevation of the movable pins 43 will be smaller (see Figures 17 and 19A).

[0068] Furthermore, when a larger sanitary product 190 (specifically, in terms of thickness and depth) is stored, a greater number of the multiple movable pins 43 will be raised, and the amount of elevation of the movable pins 43 will be greater (see Figures 18 and 19C).

[0069] Furthermore, when a medium-sized sanitary product 290 (specifically, one that is thick and has a relatively small depth) is stored, some of the multiple movable pins 43 will be raised, and the amount of the raised movable pins 43 will be greater (see Figure 19C).

[0070] Because the extrusion structure 40 has the above configuration, it can move a fixed amount of sanitary products stored inside the device, regardless of their shape or size. Therefore, regardless of the size or type of sanitary products, the stored sanitary products can be moved to the same position (see Figure 19).

[0071] The sanitary product dispensing device 1, having the extrusion structure 40 described above, can appropriately extrude one sanitary product located at the top toward the dispensing opening 21, regardless of the size of the sanitary products it contains.

[0072] (Summary of the first embodiment) As described above, the hygiene product dispensing device 1 according to this embodiment includes a housing 50 for stacking and storing multiple hygiene products (for example, sanitary napkins 90, 190, etc.), a hygiene product dispensing opening 21 located at the top of the front portion 50a of the housing 50, a shutter 55 for opening and closing the dispensing opening 21, a stage 61 on which hygiene products are placed and moved vertically, a distance sensor 23 for detecting the distance from the top surface 53 of the housing 50 to the hygiene product located at the topmost position inside the housing 50 (for example, sanitary napkins 90a or 190a, etc.), and a control unit 30 for controlling the operation of the shutter 55 and the stage 61. The control unit 30 stops the stage when the distance from the top surface 53 to the topmost hygiene product detected by the distance sensor 23 reaches a predetermined value.

[0073] Here, the predetermined value is, for example, the distance from the top surface to the top surface 53 of a sanitary product when the shutter 55 is opened and the sanitary product is exposed from the dispensing opening 21. This distance value varies depending on the thickness of the sanitary product housed in the housing 50. In this embodiment, a predetermined value is stored in the memory 35 as the set distance S, depending on the thickness of the sanitary product.

[0074] For example, if a thinner sanitary napkin 90 is contained, the set distance S will be a larger value, and if a thicker sanitary napkin 190 is contained, the set distance S will be a smaller value. This results in a dispensing device 1 that can appropriately dispense a single sanitary napkin of different thicknesses.

[0075] Furthermore, the sanitary product dispensing device 1 according to this embodiment includes an extrusion structure 40. The extrusion structure 40 includes an extrusion section 42 that pushes sanitary products (e.g., sanitary napkins 90, 190, etc.) forward, and a support member 41 that holds the extrusion section 42. The extrusion section 42 includes a plurality of movable pins (movable parts) 43 arranged along the front-rear direction of the housing 50. These plurality of movable pins 43 are each held in a state that allows them to move vertically relative to the support member 41.

[0076] By providing such an extrusion structure 40, the state of the multiple movable pins 43 can be changed according to the front-to-back dimensions (depth) of the sanitary products housed in the housing 50, thereby appropriately pushing each size of sanitary product forward. Therefore, a dispensing device 1 is obtained that can appropriately dispense a single sanitary product for sanitary products with different depth dimensions.

[0077] As described above, the dispensing device 1 according to this embodiment can appropriately dispense one sanitary product regardless of the size of the sanitary product it contains.

[0078] <Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment, a configuration in which the sanitary product dispensing device 1 has an extrusion structure different from that of the extrusion structure 40 will be described as an example.

[0079] The apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 50 for stacking and storing multiple sanitary products (for example, sanitary napkins 90, 190, etc.), an opening 21 located at the top of the front portion 50a of the housing 50, a shutter 55 for opening and closing the opening 21, a stage 61 on which the sanitary products are placed and moved vertically, a distance sensor 23 for detecting the distance from the top surface 53 of the housing 50 to the sanitary product located at the top of the housing 50, and a control unit 30 for controlling the operation of the shutter 55 and the stage 61. The control unit 30 stops the stage 61 when the distance from the top surface 53 to the topmost sanitary product detected by the distance sensor 23 reaches a predetermined value.

[0080] Here, the predetermined value is, for example, the distance from the top surface to the top surface 53 of a sanitary product when the shutter 55 is opened and the sanitary product is exposed from the dispensing opening 21. This distance value varies depending on the thickness of the sanitary product housed in the housing 50. In this embodiment, a predetermined value is stored in the memory 35 as the set distance S, depending on the thickness of the sanitary product. This provides a dispensing device 1 that can appropriately provide a single sanitary product of different thicknesses.

[0081] The control unit 30 may also control the shutter 55 to close after the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 has changed while the shutter 55 is open. This allows the shutter 55 to close at the time when one sanitary product exposed from the dispensing opening 21 has been removed.

[0082] The dispensing device 1 may include an extrusion section that pushes the sanitary product forward. The extrusion section is configured to be movable in the front-to-back direction. This allows the extrusion section to be positioned appropriately according to the front-to-back length (depth dimension) of the sanitary product 90 housed in the housing 50. Therefore, a dispensing device 1 can be obtained that can appropriately dispense a single sanitary product for sanitary products with different depth dimensions.

[0083] The front-to-back position of the extrusion unit may be changed manually or automatically using a motor or the like. When the extrusion unit moves automatically, its movement is controlled by the control unit 30.

[0084] (summary) As described above, a hygiene product dispensing device according to one aspect of the present invention (for example, hygiene product dispensing device 1) comprises a housing (for example, housing 50) for stacking and storing a plurality of hygiene products (for example, any one of sanitary napkins 90, 190, and 290), an opening for dispensing the hygiene products (for example, opening 21) located on the upper part of the front part (for example, front part 50a) of the housing, a shutter (for example, shutter 55) for opening and closing the opening, a stage (for example, stage 61) on which the hygiene products are placed and moved vertically, a distance sensor (for example, distance sensor 23) for detecting the distance from the top surface (for example, top surface 53) of the housing to the hygiene product located at the topmost part inside the housing, and a control unit (for example, control unit 30) for controlling the operation of the shutter and the stage. The control unit stops the stage when the distance detected by the distance sensor reaches a predetermined value (for example, set distance S).

[0085] A hygiene product dispensing device (e.g., hygiene product dispensing device 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above has a dispensing detection unit (e.g., dispensing detection unit 24) that detects when the hygiene product has been taken out from the dispensing opening (e.g., dispensing opening 21), and the control unit (e.g., control unit 30) may control the shutter (e.g., shutter 55) to close after the dispensing detection unit has detected the dispensing of the hygiene product.

[0086] The hygiene product dispensing device according to one aspect of the present invention described above (for example, hygiene product dispensing device 1) may further include an extrusion structure (for example, extrusion structure 40) that pushes the hygiene product forward. The control unit (for example, control unit 30) may control the forward and backward movement of the extrusion structure and move the extrusion structure forward when the shutter (for example, shutter 55) is closed.

[0087] In the hygiene product dispensing device (e.g., hygiene product dispensing device 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, the control unit (e.g., control unit 30) may move the extruded structure (e.g., extruded structure 40) backward when the shutter (e.g., shutter 55) is closed.

[0088] In the hygiene product dispensing device (e.g., hygiene product dispensing device 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, the control unit (e.g., control unit 30) may, after the extrusion structure (e.g., extrusion structure 40) moves backward, lower the stage (e.g., stage 61) once, and then raise the stage again to stop it at a predetermined position (for example, a height such that one sanitary product is exposed from the dispensing opening 21, matching the thickness of one sanitary product).

[0089] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 1: Hygiene supply device 21: Dispensing opening 22: Motion sensor 23: Distance sensor 24: Extraction detection unit 25: First motor 26: Second motor 30: Control Unit 31: First Motor Control Unit 32: Second Motor Control Unit 34: Distance setting section 40: Extruded Structure 43: Movable pin (movable part) 43a:Protrusion 50: Cabinet 50a: Front of the enclosure 53: Top surface 55: Shutter 60: Stage lifting mechanism 61: Stage 90: Smaller size sanitary products (hygiene products) 190: Larger size feminine hygiene products (sanitary products)

Claims

1. A housing for stacking and storing multiple hygiene products, The opening for dispensing the sanitary products is located at the top of the front part of the housing, A shutter that opens and closes the aforementioned outlet, A stage on which the aforementioned sanitary products are placed and which moves vertically, A distance sensor that detects the distance from the top surface of the housing to the sanitary product located at the top of the housing, A control unit that controls the operation of the shutter and the stage. Equipped with, The control unit stops the stage when the distance detected by the distance sensor reaches a predetermined value. Hygiene supply device.

2. It has a removal detection unit that detects when the sanitary product has been removed from the aforementioned dispensing opening, The control unit controls the shutter to close after the removal detection unit detects that the sanitary product has been removed. A device for providing sanitary products as described in claim 1.

3. The system further comprises an extrusion structure for pushing the aforementioned sanitary product forward. The control unit controls the forward and backward movement of the extruded structure, and when the shutter is closed, moves the extruded structure forward. A sanitary product dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the shutter is closed, the control unit moves the extruded structure backward. The hygiene product dispensing device according to claim 3.

5. The control unit, after the extruded structure has moved backward, lowers the stage once, and then raises the stage and stops it at a predetermined position. The hygiene product dispensing device according to claim 4.

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