Recovery bag support structure

Abstract

To provide a collection bag support structure for supporting a collection bag which is used for collecting coins that are stored by a coin receipt / payment device that a checkout device includes, the structure accommodating increased capacities and obtaining good ease of use.SOLUTION: A collection bag support structure comprises a collection bag, a frame, a support part, a pair of shafts, and a pair of rails. The collection bag is a bag-like container having an opening and used to collect coins. The frame maintains an extended state of the opening. The support part is provided in an inside of a checkout device that has a coin receipt / payment device built-in, and supports the frame while keeping the opening of the collection bag facing upward. The pair of shafts is provided on one of the frame and the support part, serving as a fulcrum of pivoting movement in which one end on either side of the frame is left in the support part and the other end is separated from the support part. The pair of rails is provided on the other of the frame and the support part, pivotably supporting the shafts and guiding the shafts so as to be movable at least in a depth direction of the checkout device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a collection bag support structure.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a checkout device incorporating a coin depositing and dispensing device has been used. As an example of such a checkout device that handles cash, there is an accounting device (for example, Patent Document 1) for a customer to perform settlement by himself / herself. Since such a checkout device receives operations by a customer, a bill depositing and dispensing device and a coin depositing and dispensing device are housed in a housing so that the customer cannot directly touch them. In addition, the coin depositing and dispensing device has been increased in capacity in order to reduce the maintenance frequency of the storage amount.

[0003] The cash inside such a checkout device is collected, for example, after closing the store. The coins in the coin depositing and dispensing device are collected into a dedicated collection bag attached to a predetermined position inside the device. Here, as the capacity of the coin depositing and dispensing device increases, the collection bag also becomes larger, and the weight in the state where the coins are packed increases compared to the conventional case. Therefore, it is necessary to devise again the method of providing the collection bag and the method of attachment and detachment.

[0004] In the above description, the accounting device has been described as an example, but the same can be said for the collection bag provided in, for example, a self-checkout device. Further, even for a depositing and dispensing device operated by a store clerk, if the structure is similar, the same problems exist for the collection bag.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a collection bag support structure that can support a collection bag used for collecting coins stored in a coin depositing and dispensing device incorporated in a checkout device, can cope with an increase in capacity, and can obtain good operability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The collection bag support structure of the embodiment includes a collection bag, a frame, a support portion, a pair of shafts, and a pair of rails, A detection unit, and is provided with. The collection bag is a bag-shaped container having an opening and is used for collecting coins. The frame keeps the opening in an expanded state. The support portion is provided inside a checkout device incorporating a coin depositing and withdrawing device, and supports the frame with the opening of the collection bag facing upward. The pair of shafts is provided on either the frame or the support portion, and serves as a pivot point for rotation of both side portions of the frame, where one end remains on the support portion and the other end is separated from the support portion. The pair of rails is provided on the other of the frame and the support portion, rotatably supports the shaft, and guides the shaft to be movable at least in the depth direction of the checkout device. The detection unit includes a case fixedly attached to the storage position of the support unit, a protrusion that can freely enter and exit between a non-detection position with a long protruding length with respect to the case and a detection position with a short protruding length, and a biasing member that biases the protrusion toward the non-detection position, and outputs information indicating that the protrusion is in the detection position. Further, when the support unit is in the storage position, the frame supported by the support unit pushes the protrusion of the detection unit into the detection position, and the biasing member presses the frame through the protrusion to position the frame at a predetermined position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the checkout device 1 in the present embodiment. For convenience of explanation, a three-dimensional coordinate system is also shown. The width direction (left-right direction) of the checkout device 1 is defined as the X-axis direction, the depth direction (front-back direction) is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the height direction (up-down direction) is defined as the Z-axis direction. Further, the positive direction of the Y-axis is the direction from the front side to the back side, and the state seen in the positive direction of the Y-axis is the front view. Also, the positive direction of the Z-axis is the direction from bottom to top, and the state seen in the negative direction of the Z-axis is the plan view. Note that the left and right sides of the device and members when viewed from the front (positive direction of the Y-axis) may be referred to as both sides.

[0009] The checkout device 1 includes a main body 2, a UI (User Interface) terminal 3, a bill depositing / withdrawing device 4, a coin depositing / withdrawing device 5, a printer 6, a coin collection unit 7, a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) 8, and the like.

[0010] The main body 2 is a vertically long box-shaped housing having an opening 20 on the front surface and including a door 21 for opening and closing the opening 20. The main body 2 further includes a lock 22 and a strike 221, an opening / closing detection unit 23 and a detected unit 231, and a shelf board 25.

[0011] The lock 22 is attached inside the door 21 and forms a locked state in which the door 21 is fixed in a state of closing the opening 20 by being hooked on a strike 221 provided inside the opening 20.

[0012] Also, the main body 2 supports the UI terminal 3 and the printer 6 on the upper surface and houses the bill depositing / withdrawing device 4, the coin depositing / withdrawing device 5, the coin collection unit 7, and the UPS 8 inside. The coin depositing / withdrawing device 5 is placed on the shelf board 25.

[0013] The UI terminal 3 is a device responsible for user interface functions, equipped with a display unit 31 and an operation unit 32 on the front of the housing, and also incorporates a control unit. In addition, the UI terminal 3 may also be equipped with a communication interface and the like for communicating with external devices such as speakers, buzzers, and store servers.

[0014] The display unit 31 is a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor, which displays information for the operator (shopper or store clerk). In addition, the display unit 31 reflects the operations received by the operation unit 32 and performs screen transitions and the like. The operation unit 32 is an operation device such as a touch panel, which is laminated and arranged on the surface of the display unit 31 and receives operations according to the information displayed by the display unit 31.

[0015] The control unit is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit comprehensively controls the operations of each part of the checkout device 1, such as the display unit 31, the operation unit 32, the bill deposit and withdrawal device 4, the coin deposit and withdrawal device 5, and the printer 6 connected to the UI terminal 3.

[0016] The bill deposit and withdrawal device 4 is provided with an insertion port 41 and a payout port 42, and incorporates a bill storage section. The bill deposit and withdrawal device 4, following the support of the control unit, takes in the bills inserted into the insertion port 41 and stores them in the storage section, and transports the bills as change from the storage section to the payout port 42.

[0017] The coin deposit and withdrawal device 5 is provided with an insertion port 51 and a payout port 52, and incorporates a coin storage section. The coin deposit and withdrawal device 5, following the support of the control unit, takes in the coins thrown into the insertion port 51 and stores them in the storage section, and transports the coins as change from the storage section to the payout port 52.

[0018] In addition, in the checkout device 1 of this embodiment, the insertion port 51 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 2. Further, on the back side of the insertion port 51, a tray 53 for inspecting the inserted coins is continuously provided.

[0019] In addition, in the checkout device 1 of the present embodiment, an opening 211 for exposing the payment outlet 42 of the bill depositing and dispensing device 4 and an opening 212 for exposing the payment outlet 52 of the coin depositing and dispensing device 5 are provided in the door 21.

[0020] In the checkout device 1 of the present embodiment, the bill insertion slot 41 and the coin insertion slot 51 are collectively arranged on the front side of the upper surface of the main body 2, and further, the bill payment outlet 42 and the coin payment outlet 52 are collectively arranged in a partial area of the front surface (door 21) of the main body 2, thereby improving the usability. More specifically, the arrangement is made with particular consideration for preventing the forgetting to take bills and coins as the change paid out.

[0021] The printer 6 issues a receipt or the like related to the settlement performed by the checkout device 1 according to an instruction output by the control unit.

[0022] The UPS 8 is a device that supplies the power stored in the built-in secondary battery to the devices (each part included in the checkout device 1 in the present embodiment) for a certain period of time in order to protect the devices and data when an abnormality occurs in the power supply, such as a power outage, momentary power failure, or voltage fluctuation.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the coin collection unit 7 is pulled out. Further, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the state of FIG. 2 is viewed from below obliquely upward. The coin collection unit 7 is an example of a collection bag support structure. The coin collection unit 7 includes a collection bag 71, a frame 72, a drawer 73, a support portion 74, a rail 75, and the like. In addition, the checkout device 1 includes a detection unit 9 (see FIG. 3). Details of the detection unit 9 will be described later.

[0024] Furthermore, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the coin collection unit 7 after the frame 72 and the collection bag 71 are taken out. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the collection bag 71.

[0025] The collection bag 71 is a bag-shaped container having an opening, and is used for collecting coins stored in the coin depositing and withdrawing device 5. The collection bag 71 has a first part 711 and a second part 712.

[0026] The first part 711 is a part including the bottom 713. The bottom 713 is wider than the frame 72 at least in the depth direction in a plan view. Thereby, the first part 711 protrudes to the back side of the frame 72, contributing to increasing the capacity of the collection bag 71.

[0027] The second part 712 is a part connecting the first part 711 and the frame 72, and is located directly below the frame 72. The second part 712 has a cylindrical shape with a dimension equal to or less than the inner dimension of the frame 72. Thereby, the opening of the collection bag 71 can be easily constricted by a string or the like.

[0028] Further, at least the dimension in the width direction orthogonal to the depth direction of the first part 711 is set to be smaller than the inner dimension in the width direction of the drawer 73.

[0029] Furthermore, the front part 714 of the collection bag 71 does not protrude forward and is formed flat. This is to prevent the front side of the collection bag 71 filled with coins from being caught inside the drawer 73 when the collection bag 71 is moved in the direction of the arrow A (see FIG. 5) described later.

[0030] The frame 72 is a member having a substantially square shape, and the edge of the opening of the collection bag 71 is fixed to the inner surface thereof. Thereby, the frame 72 keeps the opening of the collection bag 71 in an expanded state.

[0031] The support part 74 is a pair of arm-shaped members movably provided in the direction of entering and exiting from the opening 20 of the main body part 2 by a pair of slide rails 251 attached to the bottom surface of the shelf board 25. The support part 74 supports the frame 72 from both side parts thereof. Further, the support part 74 supports the frame 72 with the opening of the collection bag 71 facing upward.

[0032] Hereinafter, the position inside the main body 2 of the support portion 74 is defined as the storage position (see FIG. 1), and the position where the main body 2 is fully pulled out is defined as the pull-out position (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Also, the storage position is a position where the opening of the collection bag 71 is directly below the coin collection hole 252 (see FIG. 3) formed in the shelf board 25. The coin collection hole 252 is provided at a position corresponding to the collection port provided on the bottom surface of the coin depositing and withdrawing device 5.

[0033] The drawer 73 is, for example, made of sheet metal, has a box-like shape, and is a container having an upward opening. The upper parts of both side walls of the drawer 73 (both sides at the edge of the opening) are attached to the support portion 74. Thus, the drawer 73 is supported by the support portion 74. As a result, the drawer 73 moves between the storage position and the pull-out position along the slide rail 251 together with the support portion 74. Note that the drawer 73 is an example of a pull-out unit.

[0034] Also, the frame 72 is provided with handles 721, 722, and a pair of shafts 723 and convex portions 724 provided on both side portions of the frame 72.

[0035] The handles 721, 722 are for gripping when taking out and carrying the collection bag 71 from the drawer 73. The handle 721 is provided at a position on the front side of the frame 72 in a state of being supported by the support portion 74, and the handle 722 is provided at a position on the back side. Also, the handle 721 is a part that the operator grips during the operation of supporting the collection bag 71 and the frame 72 by the support portion 74.

[0036] The pair of shafts 723 are provided protruding from the outer peripheral surface at positions near the back-side ends of the side portions of the frame 72, and serve as the fulcrums for the rotation of the frame 72. The frame 72 rotates about the shaft 723 such that one end (the back-side end) of each side portion remains on the support portion 74 and the other end (the front-side end) moves away from and approaches the support portion 74. The rotation of the front-side end of the frame 72 away from the support portion 74 is shown by arrow A in FIG. 5.

[0037] Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the frame 72 is rotated with respect to the support portion 74 about the axis 723 as a fulcrum. In the actual checkout device 1, if the support portion 74 is not in the pulled-out position pulled out from the slide rail 251, when the frame 72 is rotated, it will hit the shelf board 25. However, here, for the convenience of illustration, the rotational state of the frame 72 with respect to the support portion 74 is shown in a state where the shelf board 25 is not present.

[0038] Next, prior to the description of the convex portion 724, the detection unit 9 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the detection unit 9 includes a case 91, a protrusion 92, and a biasing member. The case 91 houses one end portion of the protrusion 92 and the biasing member, and is fixedly attached to the position of the frame 72 supported by the support portion 74 located at the storage position. The other end portion of the protrusion 92 protrudes from the case 91.

[0039] The protrusion 92 can freely move in and out between a non-detection position where the protruding length with respect to the case 91 is long and a detection position where the protruding length is short. The biasing member is built into the case 91 and biases the protrusion 92 toward the non-detection position. Such a detection unit 9 outputs information indicating that the frame 72 has been detected to the control unit by emitting a predetermined signal when the protrusion 92 is in the detection position.

[0040] Note that as such a detection unit 9, a commercially available push-type sensor (switch) can be used.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the coin collection unit 7. In this figure, the frame 72 is located at the storage position. As shown in FIG. 7, the detection unit 9 as described above is provided at a position where the protrusion 92 is pushed by the handle 722 on the back side of the frame 72 located at the storage position. Thereby, the detection unit 9 detects the presence or absence of the frame 72 at the storage position, and further detects that the collection bag 71 is set at a predetermined position.

[0042] In addition, the biasing member incorporated in the detection unit 9 positions the frame 72 at a predetermined position by pressing the handle 722 via the protrusion 92. The structure for this will be described next. First, the convex portion 724 is provided at the end of the side portion of the frame 72 that is farther from the shaft 723 (the front end portion), and protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the frame 72.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a view of the rail 75 seen from slightly obliquely above from the side. The rail 75 is attached to each of the support portions 74, rotatably supports each shaft 723, and guides each shaft 723 so as to be movable at least in the depth direction.

[0044] More specifically, the rail 75 is a member that is long in the depth direction and attached to the upper surface of the support portion 74, and has a guiding portion 750, a holding groove 751, a wall 752, and an abutting portion 753. The guiding portion 750 is a flat surface provided on the upper surface of the rail 75, and guides (guides) the shaft 723 in the direction in which the shaft 723 should move by sliding (sliding) the shaft 723.

[0045] The holding groove 751 is a groove that is lower than the guiding portion 750 and extends inward, prevents the shaft 723 from coming out upward and toward the back side, and holds the shaft 723. The wall 752 is located on the opposite side of the holding groove 751 with the guiding portion 750 interposed therebetween, prevents the convex portion 724 from coming out upward and toward the front side, and is a small eaves-shaped (or flange-shaped) portion that slightly covers the end of the upper surface of the convex portion 724. The abutting portion 753 is the front end of the guiding portion 750 and is an end surface that positions the front side of the convex portion 724.

[0046] In the configuration as described above, when the operator attaches the collection bag 71 and the frame 72 to the support portion 74, the shaft 723 and the convex portion 724 provided on the frame 72 operate with respect to the rail 75 as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the shaft 723 and the convex portion 724 with respect to the rail 75. Note that FIGS. 9(a) to (c) show the state where the rail 75 is in the pulled-out position, and (d) shows the state where the rail 75 is in the stored position.

[0047] With the support portion 74 at the extraction position, the operator places the frame 72 on the rail 75 from the handle 722 side. As shown in Fig. 9(a), the shaft 723 of the frame 72 slides on the guide portion 750 of the rail 75 at the extraction position and moves toward the back side, and enters the holding groove 751. Fig. 9(b) shows the state where the shaft 723 has reached the deepest part of the holding groove 751. At this time, the operator is grasping the handle 721, and since the front end portion of the frame 72 is floating from the rail 75, the convex portion 724 is not in contact with the rail 75.

[0048] From the state shown in Fig. 9(b), the operator rotates the frame 72 with the shaft 723 as a fulcrum to lower the handle 721, and places the entire frame 72 on the rail 75 as shown in Fig. 9(c). At this time, the convex portion 724 is located on the back side of the wall 752.

[0049] Next, the operator pushes the drawer 73 into the storage position. Then, the shaft 723 and the convex portion 724 are in the state shown in Fig. 9(d). That is, when the frame 72 enters the storage position, the handle 722 on the back side of the frame 72 is pushed forward by the protrusion 92 of the detection unit 9 and the biasing member, the front side surface of the convex portion 724 is pressed against the abutting portion 753, and the wall 752 covers the end of the upper surface of the convex portion 724. As a result, the frame 72 is positioned and fixed to the support portion 74 via the rail 75.

[0050] Next, the movement of the shaft 723 and the convex portion 724 with respect to the rail 75 when the operator removes the collection bag 71 and the frame 72 from the support portion 74 will be described. In this case, the shaft 723 and the convex portion 724 start from the state of Fig. 9(d) and change from the state of Fig. 9(c) to Fig. 9(a) in the reverse order of before.

[0051] That is, when the operator removes the collection bag 71 and the frame 72 from the support portion 74, first, the operator pulls out the drawer 73 to the extraction position from the state shown in Fig. 9(d). Then, since the frame 72 is no longer pushed by the protrusion 92 of the detection unit 9, when the operator grasping the handle 721 lightly pushes the frame 72 toward the back side, it becomes the state shown in Fig. 9(c). That is, the state where the wall 752 presses the upper surface of the convex portion 724 is released.

[0052] Next, the operator lifts the handle 721 (in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 5) to the state shown in FIG. 9(b), and pulls the handle 721 toward the front side. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the shaft 723 comes out of the holding groove 751 and slides and moves from the back side to the front side on the upper surface of the guide portion 750. Along with this movement, the frame 72 and the collection bag 71 move to the front side of the drawer 73. Then, the operator grasps the handle 721 and the handle 722, lifts the frame 72 and the collection bag 71, and takes them out of the drawer 73.

[0053] As described above, according to the coin collection unit 7 of the present embodiment, in the structure that supports the collection bag 71 used for collecting the coins stored in the coin depositing and withdrawing device 5 incorporated in the checkout device 1, it is possible to cope with an increase in capacity and obtain good operability.

[0054] That is, by moving the shaft 723 of the frame 72 along the upper surface of the rail 75, the frame 72 and the collection bag 71 can be set with respect to the support portion 74, and then the collection bag 71 can be correctly set at a predetermined position by two steps of pushing the support portion 74 into the storage position.

[0055] Also, when taking out the collection bag 71, the collection bag 71 can be removed by pulling out the support portion 74 to the pull-out position and lifting and pulling the handle 721, which is the reverse of the above steps.

[0056] As described above, some embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0057] 1... Checkout device, 2 … Body part, 20 … Opening, 21 … Door, 211, 212 … Openings, 22 … Lock, 221 … Strike, 23 … Opening / closing detection part, 231 … Detected part, 25 … Shelf board, 251 … Slide rail, 252 … Coin collection hole, 3 … UI terminal, 31 … Display part, 32 … Operation part, 4 … Paper currency deposit / withdrawal device, 41 … Insertion port, 42 … Payout port, 5 … Coin deposit / withdrawal device, 51 … Insertion port, 52 … Payout port, 53 … Tray, 6 … Printer, 7 … Coin collection part (an example of a collection bag support structure), 71 … Collection bag, 711 … First part, 712 … Second part, 713 … Bottom, 714 … Front part, 72 … Frame, 721, 722 … Handles, 723 … Axis, 724 … Protrusion, 73 … Drawer, 74 … Support part, 75 … Rail, 750 … Guide part, 751 … Holding groove, 752 … Wall, 753 … Stop part, 8 … UPS, 9 … Detection part, 91 … Case, 92 … Protrusion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0058]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A bag-shaped container having an opening, which is a collection bag used for collecting coins, a frame for keeping the opening in an expanded state, is provided so as to be movable between a storage position inside a checkout device incorporating a coin depositing and withdrawing device and a pulling-out position outside the checkout device, and a support portion for supporting the frame with the opening of the collection bag facing upward, a pair of shafts provided on either the frame or the support portion, and serving as pivoting fulcrums for the both side portions of the frame, with one end remaining on the support portion and the other end being separated from the support portion, a pair of rails provided on the other of the frame and the support portion, for rotatably supporting the shaft and guiding the shaft so as to be movable at least in the depth direction of the checkout device, a case fixedly attached to the storage position of the support portion, a protruding portion that can freely enter and exit between a non-detection position where the protruding length with respect to the case is long and a detection position where the protruding length is short, and a biasing member for biasing the protruding portion toward the non-detection position, and a detection portion for outputting information indicating that the protruding portion is in the detection position when the protruding portion is in the detection position, comprising the frame supported by the support portion, when the support portion is in the storage position, pushes the protruding portion of the detection portion into the detection position, the biasing member presses the frame via the protruding portion to position the frame at a predetermined position a collection bag support structure.

2. a convex portion provided at an end of the side portion of the frame farther from the shaft, a wall provided on the rail, which exists at a position that prevents upward movement of the convex portion when the frame is positioned at the predetermined position by the biasing of the biasing member, and does not prevent upward movement of the convex portion when the frame is moved against the biasing of the biasing member, The collection bag support structure according to claim 1, further comprising.

3. The collection bag has a first portion including a bottom and a second portion connecting the first portion and the frame, the second portion is located directly below the frame, the bottom is wider than the frame at least in the depth direction in plan view, and the first portion protrudes to the back side of the frame The collection bag support structure according to claim 1 or 2.

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