Item supply device

Abstract

To provide an article supply device with which a change in article prices can be easily responded and the convenience is improved.SOLUTION: Provided is an article supply device 1 comprising: an insertion unit 5 into which a coin C can be inserted; a first holding unit 25a and a second holding unit 25b capable of holding the inserted coin C; and an allocation unit 26 provided between the load unit 5 and the first and second holding units 25a, 25b and capable of allocating coin movement destinations. The first and second holding units 25a, 25b each include a setting unit 28 capable of setting the number of coins that can be held. The allocation unit 26 is configured to be capable of allocating, on condition that the set number of coins are held in the first holding unit 25a, the coins inserted thereafter to be held in the second holding unit 25b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are various goods supplying devices (vending machines) for automatically selling goods. The goods supplying devices are provided with a function for distributing coins necessary for purchasing goods. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a chute is provided between the collected coin outlet and the change return outlet of a coin validator and the safe and return outlet, and a partition plate is provided in the chute to distribute change between the return outlet and the safe depending on its purpose. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-279072 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a divider plate is used to distribute coins, but the device disclosed therein controls the divider plate using a control device, and is not capable of responding to changes in product prices. Furthermore, in the past, there has been a wide variety of products in product supply devices, and their prices have also varied. Therefore, setting changes to the input price in response to different product prices has been a cumbersome task.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an article supplying device that can easily respond to changes in product prices and has improved convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides an item supply device comprising an insertion section into which coins can be inserted, first and second holding sections capable of holding the inserted coins, and a distribution section provided between the insertion section and the first and second holding sections and capable of distributing the destination of the coins, wherein the first and second holding sections each include a setting section capable of setting the number of coins they can hold, and the distribution section is configured to be able to distribute any coins inserted thereafter to be held in the second holding section, provided that the first holding section holds the set number of coins. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article supplying device that can easily respond to changes in product prices and has improved convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an article supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the article supply device. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view of the coin insertion unit shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the right side. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a perspective view of the coin insertion unit shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the left side. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the sorting unit shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the sorting unit as viewed from the rear side of the device toward the front side. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An article supplying device according to one aspect of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an article supplying device 1 of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the article supplying device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0010] The article supplying device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a device capable of supplying articles P in spherical capsule cases containing, for example, toys or parts. More specifically, the article supplying device 1 includes a storage unit 10 capable of randomly storing a plurality of articles P, a supplying unit 30 having a turntable 31 rotatably mounted on the bottom 10b of the storage unit 10 and capable of randomly selecting and supplying the articles P one by one, a locking unit 41 that locks the supplying unit 30 to an inoperable state, and a locking unit 41 that activates and unlocks the locking unit 41 upon payment of a price through a coin insertion slot 5. In the unlocked state, the operating unit 4 on the front surface 2f is rotated. This rotates a gear train 4b mounted on the tip of a shaft 4a of the operating unit 4, causing the turntable 31 to rotate via its rack gear 31g. The articles P held in the holding hole 31h of the turntable 31 drop through a passage hole 10bh formed in the bottom 10b and are supplied to the supply port 9 via the article passage portion 9a.

[0011] In the article supply device 1, a coin insertion unit 20 is provided on the right side of the operation unit 4 (the right side as one faces the device). This coin insertion unit 20 is connected to an insertion port 5 provided on the front surface 2f of the main body 2. A coin C inserted through the insertion port 5 passes through a passage 20a formed in the coin insertion unit 20 and falls into a holding portion 25 below the unit, where it is held. When a genuine coin is inserted, the coin C held in the holding portion 25 is stored in a coin storage portion 19 provided, for example, below the holding portion 25, if a predetermined amount is inserted and a predetermined operation is performed. On the other hand, when a counterfeit coin is inserted, the coin is captured by an absorption portion 23 provided in the passage 20a.

[0012] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the coin insertion unit 20 shown in Fig. 2 as seen from the right side. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the coin insertion unit shown in Fig. 2 as seen from the left side. 3, the coin insertion unit 20 is a thin unit formed by combining, for example, a left half case 21 and a right half case 22 from the left-right direction, with a first side wall portion 21w and a second side wall portion 22w of the left and right side walls closely facing each other to form an internal space. Unlike the left half case 21 including the first side wall portion 21w, the right half case 22 including the second side wall portion 22w is made of, for example, a light-transmitting material as shown in the figure, so that the inside of the unit can be seen.

[0013] The coin insertion unit 20 has a passage 20a formed therein, extending from a start end 20as (upper right in the drawing) connected to the insertion port 5 into which the coin C is inserted, to an opening 20ae at the end. The passage 20a is configured so that the coin C moves by gravity. For example, the first coin insertion section, including the start end 20as, is provided with an inclined section 20ab that is inclined so that the coin C rolls, and a drop section 20ac is provided behind the inclined section 20ab. The drop section 20ac has a first swinging plate 20ag at its top and a second swinging plate 20ah at its bottom. When the coin C is placed on both swinging plates 20ag and 20ah, they rotate to assist the coin C in falling and guide the coin C in its moving direction.

[0014] An opening 20ae at the end of the passage 20a serves as the entrance to a holding section 25 that holds coins C. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the holding section 25 has a first holding section 25a provided on the front of the unit (the right side when viewed from the front of the device) and a second holding section 25b with the same structure provided on the back of the unit (the left side when viewed from the front of the device) in positions facing each other. Both the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b are configured to be able to hold coins C. Coins C are distributed to the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b by a distribution section 26 provided within and above the opening 20ae.

[0015] As shown in the figure, the first holding part 25a and the second holding part 25b are provided with a first passage part 251 and a second passage part 252 that are inclined toward the front surface 2f side (see FIG. 2). That is, the coin C that has fallen from the opening 20ae is configured to be able to move toward the front surface 2f side by its own weight.

[0016] Furthermore, the number of coins C held in the first passage portion 251 and the second passage portion 252 can be set by a setting portion 28 that can stop the movement of the coins C in the tilt direction. For example, the setting portion 28 has a slit-shaped slide opening 28b formed on the outer surface along the first passage portion 251 and the second passage portion 252, and is provided with a position setting pin 28a that is movable within this slide opening 28b and protrudes into both passage portions 251, 252.

[0017] Furthermore, the position setting pins 28a are configured to be able to engage with a plurality of large diameter openings 28c formed at predetermined intervals in the slide opening 28b. That is, by engaging the position setting pins 28a with predetermined large diameter openings 28c, the number of coins C can be set to a predetermined number. In addition, in the first holding unit 25a, the coin C that falls last (the last coin C) of the specified number is positioned below the sorting unit 26, and is configured to come into contact with the bottom of the sorting unit 26 (see FIG. 6), as will be described later.

[0018] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the sorting unit 26 shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 5, the sorting section 26 comprises a rectangular plate section 26a, a shaft section 26b that rotatably supports the plate section 26a, a weight 26g held by an arm 26m that extends from the end face of the plate section 26a, and a guide inclined surface 26e formed on the upper part of the plate section 26a.

[0019] The sorting unit 26 includes a first surface 26c and a second surface 26d opposite the first surface 26c, which contact the coins C falling from above and sort the coins C to the left and right. The first surface 26c guides the coins C that contact this surface so that they are held toward the first holding unit 25a. On the other hand, the second surface 26d guides the coins C that contact this surface so that they are held toward the second holding unit 25b. For example, in a free state, the sorting unit 26 is tilted by the weight 26g so that the first surface 26c faces upward (to the left in FIG. 6), and guides the falling coins C toward the first holding unit 25a. On the other hand, under certain conditions (see FIG. 6) described below, the sorting unit 26 rotates so that the second surface 26d faces upward (to the right in FIG. 6), thereby guiding the falling coins C toward the second holding unit 25b.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the sorting unit 26 as viewed from the rear side of the device toward the front side. 6 by weight 26g, and in a free state where no external force is applied, the sorting unit 26 is tilted so that its upper end portion contacts the first side wall portion 21w. In this state, a coin C falling from above contacts the first surface portion 26c, passes through the opening 20ae, and falls into the first passage portion 251.

[0021] Of the coins C that have fallen into the first passage portion 251, the last (tailmost) coin C of the specified number is held directly below the sorting unit 26, as shown in the figure. This last held coin C keeps the sorting unit 26 in a state where it rotates clockwise against the biasing force of the weight 26g. That is, the upper end portion of the coin C abuts against the lower end 26f of the sorting unit 26, so that the sorting unit 26 keeps its upper end close to the second side wall portion 22w. In this state, the coins C can be sorted toward the second holding unit 25b. In the illustrated configuration, a protrusion is provided on the second side wall portion 22w side to restrict the position of the coin C in the width direction so that the coin C contacts the lower end portion 26f. However, this position restriction configuration is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of restricting the position of the coin C to the left side of the first passage portion 251 in the drawing.

[0022] Furthermore, when the upper end of sorting section 26 is rotated toward second side wall 22w, the angle of inclination is closer to vertical than when it is tilted toward first side wall 21w. However, the upper end is formed with inclined surface 26e that guides coins C toward second surface 26d, thereby smoothing the movement of coins C.

[0023] The lower end 26f of the distributing portion 26 has a shape that protrudes below the shaft portion 26b toward the first passage portion 251. For example, as shown in the figure, it may have a protruding shape that protrudes toward the first passage portion 251, or may be bent so as to protrude toward the first passage portion 251.

[0024] Furthermore, in the sorting section 26, the biasing force is provided by the weight 26g, but the biasing force of a magnet may be used instead of the weight 26g.

[0025] In addition, a restricting unit 27 configured to open and close the opening 20ae and restrict sorting is provided on the second holding unit 25b side. The restricting unit 27 includes a flat horizontal plate 27a that opens and closes the second holding unit 25b side of the opening 20ae, and an operating piece 27b that protrudes upward and to the side (leftward) from the horizontal plate 27a. The restricting unit 27 is provided so as to be slidable (reciprocating) in the unit thickness direction from the rear surface side of the unit. The horizontal plate 27a of the restricting unit 27 is positioned within the second passage 252 directly below the opening 20ae, and is capable of opening and closing the second passage 252 side of the opening 20ae. For example, when the restricting unit 27 is at a first position P1 (left side in the figure) away from the first holding unit 25a as shown in the figure, the opening 20ae is opened, allowing inserted coins C to be sorted. On the other hand, when the regulating section 27 is at the second position P2 (right side in the figure) close to the first holding section 25a, the second passage section 252 side of the opening 20ae is closed, and the inserted coin C is not sorted to the second passage section 252 but is sorted only to the first passage section 251.

[0026] In addition, above the second passage portion 252 (second holding portion 25b), there is provided a discharge portion 29 (29b) that is configured parallel to the second passage portion 252 and has open upper and lower end sides. That is, the discharge portion 29 (29b) forms a slope that opens from the space in which the sorting portion 26 is provided to the front of the unit (see FIG. 4). Therefore, for example, when the regulating portion 27 is pushed into the second position P2 to close the second holding portion 25b side of the opening 20ae, the discharge portion 29 (29b) can discharge the coins C sorted to the second holding portion 25b side to the return slot 6 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In addition, there is also provided a discharge portion 29 (29a) above the first passage portion 251 (first holding portion 25a).

[0027] A return button 7 is provided below the insertion portion 5. For example, when a user wants to return a coin C that has already been inserted, the return button 7 can be pressed to eject the coin C held in the first holding portion 25a and the second holding portion 25b to the return slot 6.

[0028] As described above, the item supply device 1 of this embodiment has a first holding unit 25a and a second holding unit 25b for holding inserted coins C, and is therefore able to hold coins C in multiple locations. Furthermore, the coins C can be sorted by the sorting unit 26. For example, when a preset number of coins C is held in the first holding unit 25a, any coins C inserted thereafter can be sorted to be held in the second holding unit 25b, allowing for modifications such as increasing the number of coins that can be held. This allows for the provision of an item supply device 1 that can easily accommodate the provision of products with different prices.

[0029] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the sorting section 26 has a plate-like shape with a first surface 26c and a second surface 26d, which allows the coins C to be smoothly sorted by their front and back surfaces. Furthermore, a rotation shaft 26b is provided on the lower side where the coins C pass (fall), so the position of the upper end of the sorting section 26, which determines the sorting direction, can be moved by the weight of the coins C or by the contact of the coins C.

[0030] Furthermore, an inclined surface 26e that guides coins C toward the second surface 26d is formed at the upper end of the sorting section 26, making it easier to guide coins C toward the side where the inclined surface 26e is formed, even if the sorting section 26 is only slightly inclined relative to the vertical direction.

[0031] Furthermore, by providing means for biasing the rotation direction of the sorting unit 26 in a specific direction, such as weight 26g or a magnet, it is possible to set a specified position when no external force is applied to the sorting unit 26. This allows, for example, the first holding unit 25a to be set as the main coin holding unit without employing electrical control.

[0032] Furthermore, the position where the sorting unit 26 is provided is near the top of the first holding unit 25a and above the last (rearmost) coin C set, so that the last held coin C can be positioned in the opening 20ae, which is the coin drop opening of the first holding unit 25a. This allows the last coin C of the specified number to come into contact with the lower end 26f of the sorting unit 26, and the rotational state of the sorting unit 26 can be locked in a predetermined position by the last coin C.

[0033] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, a restricting unit 27 is provided that can move between a position that restricts the sorting of the sorting unit 26 and a position that does not restrict the sorting (a state in which both the first holding unit 25a and the second holding unit 25b can hold coins), thereby restricting the use of one of the holding units. For example, the use of the second holding unit 25b can be restricted by preventing coins sorted to the second holding unit 25b from entering the second holding unit 25b and discharging them. This allows the number of coins C that can be held to be changed.

[0034] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the first holding section 25a has a first passage section 251, and the second holding section 25b has a second passage section 252, and the first passage section 251 and the second passage section 252 are configured to be inclined relative to the horizontal, so that when coins C are held in both holding sections, the coins C can be moved and lined up by their own weight. This makes the positions of the specified number of coins accurate, and enables easy and accurate coin detection.

[0035] The article supply device 1 of this embodiment is provided with a discharge unit 29 that can discharge inserted coins, and therefore can discharge coin C to the outside of the machine when, for example, the insertion of coins into the second holding unit 25b is restricted by the restriction unit 27. Furthermore, since the discharge unit 29 is provided directly above the second holding unit 25b, coin C can be discharged just before it is held by the second holding unit 25b.

[0036] Furthermore, in the present embodiment of the item supply device 1, the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b are arranged so as to face each other at the front and back positions in the coin insertion unit 20, so that the operation of the regulating section 27 can be made small and the structure can be made simple.

[0037] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the setting of the setting section 28 can be easily changed by removing the coin insertion unit 20 from the main body section 2, which makes maintenance easy.

[0038] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of its technical concept. For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which the present invention is provided in an article supply device 1 that sells articles P in capsule cases has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various apparatuses for selling articles.

[0039] As described above, the present specification discloses the following:

[0040] (1) An article supply device, An insertion portion into which coins can be inserted; a first holding section and a second holding section capable of holding the inserted coin; a sorting unit that is provided between the insertion unit and the first and second holding units and that can sort the destinations of the coins, the first holding unit and the second holding unit each include a setting unit capable of setting the number of coins that can be held; The distribution unit is configured to distribute coins inserted thereafter to be held in the second holding unit, provided that the first holding unit holds a set number of coins.

[0041] (2) The article supply device according to (1), the sorting section includes a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface, the first holding section is configured to be able to hold the coin in contact with the first surface section, The second holding section is configured to be able to hold the coin in contact with the second surface section.

[0042] (3) The article supply device according to (2), The article supply device, wherein the sorting unit is pivotally supported at its lower portion and configured to be rotatable.

[0043] (4) The article supply device according to (2) or (3), The article supplying device, wherein the sorting section is configured to be able to rotate when the inserted coin comes into contact with the first surface section or the second surface section.

[0044] (5) The article supply device according to any one of (2) to (4), The sorting section is formed in a plate shape, and an inclined surface is formed at the upper end thereof to guide the coins toward the second surface section.

[0045] (6) (5) The article supply device according to the present invention, The article supply device, wherein the sorting unit has a weight provided on its upper portion.

[0046] (7) (5) The article supply device according to the present invention, The article supply device has a magnet provided on the upper part of the sorting unit.

[0047] (8) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (7), The item supply device, wherein the sorting unit is provided above the coin that can be held last in the first holding unit.

[0048] (9) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (8), The sorting unit is provided near the top of the first holding unit, in the article supply device.

[0049] (10) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (9), Further provided is a regulation unit that regulates allocation, The article supply device, wherein the regulating portion is configured to be reciprocally movable in a horizontal direction.

[0050] (11) The article supply device according to (10), The item supply device is configured such that the sorting unit can sort the inserted coins when the regulating unit is in a first position, and cannot sort the inserted coins when the regulating unit is in a second position.

[0051] (12) The article supply device according to (11), The distribution unit is configured to distribute the inserted coin to the first holding unit and the second holding unit when the regulating unit is in the first position, and is configured to distribute the inserted coin only to the first holding unit when the regulating unit is in the second position.

[0052] (13) The article supply device according to (11) or (12), the first holding portion includes a first passage portion, and the second holding portion includes a second passage portion; The article supply device is configured such that a portion of the regulating portion is located within the second passage portion when the regulating portion is in the second position.

[0053] (14) An article supply device according to any one of (11) to (13), The article supply device, wherein the second position is a position close to the first holding unit, and the first position is a position away from the first holding unit.

[0054] (15) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (14), The machine further includes a dispensing unit capable of dispensing the inserted coins, The article supplying device, wherein the sorting section is configured to be unable to sort the coins discharged to the discharge section.

[0055] (16) (15) The article supply device according to (15), The article supplying device is configured so that the sorting section does not come into contact with the coins discharged to the discharge section.

[0056] (17) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (16), The article supply device, wherein the first holding section and the second holding section are provided at an angle relative to the horizontal in opposing positions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Goods supply device 5 Input section 25a 1st holding part 25b 2nd holding part 26 Distribution Department 26c First side 26d 2nd side part 26e Slope 26g weight 27 Regulatory Department 28 Setting section 251 1st passage section 252 2nd passage section 29 Discharge section C Coin P1 1st position P2 2nd position

Claims

1. An article supply device, An insertion portion into which coins can be inserted; a first holding section and a second holding section that are inclined and capable of holding the inserted coin in a straight line by rolling the coin downwards by its own weight; a sorting unit that is provided between the insertion unit and the first and second holding units, and that rotates when it comes into contact with the coin that is last held in the first holding unit to sort the coin toward the second holding unit, the first holding unit and the second holding unit each include a setting unit that can set the number of coins that can be held by a pin that protrudes into each passage, The distribution unit is configured to distribute coins inserted thereafter to be held in the second holding unit, provided that a set number of coins are held in the first holding unit.

2. The article supply device according to claim 1, the sorting unit includes a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface, and is configured to be rotatable when the inserted coin comes into contact with the first surface or the second surface; the first holding portion is configured to be able to hold the coin in contact with the first surface portion, The second holding portion is configured to be able to hold the coin in contact with the second surface portion.

3. The article supply device according to claim 2, The article supply device, wherein the sorting unit is pivotally supported at its lower portion and configured to be rotatable.

4. The article supply device according to claim 1, The sorting section is formed in a plate shape, and an inclined surface is formed at the upper end thereof to guide the coins toward the second surface section.

5. The article supply device according to claim 4, the sorting unit has a weight biased in a predetermined direction at an upper portion thereof, and includes a first surface portion and a second surface portion; An item supply device in which the first surface portion is positioned on the upper side due to the weight, and the second surface portion is positioned on the upper side upon contact with the coin last held in the first holding portion, guiding the coin to be held on the second holding portion side.

6. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, An item supply device, wherein the sorting unit is provided above the coin that can be held last in the first holding unit.

7. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The sorting unit is provided near the top of the first holding unit.

8. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Further, a restricting unit restricts allocation to the second holding unit, The article supply device, wherein the regulating portion is configured to be reciprocally movable in a horizontal direction.

9. The article supply device according to claim 8, The item supply device is configured such that the sorting unit can sort the inserted coins when the regulating unit is in a first position, and cannot sort the inserted coins when the regulating unit is in a second position.

10. The article supply device according to claim 9, An item supply device wherein the distribution unit is configured to distribute the inserted coins to the first holding unit and the second holding unit when the regulating unit is in the first position, and is configured to distribute the inserted coins only to the first holding unit when the regulating unit is in the second position.

11. The article supply device according to claim 10, the first holding portion includes a first passage portion, and the second holding portion includes a second passage portion; The article supply device is configured such that, when the regulating portion is in the second position, a portion of the regulating portion is positioned within the second passage portion.

12. The article supply device according to claim 11, An item supply device, wherein the second position is a position close to the first holding section, and the first position is a position away from the first holding section.

13. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The machine further includes a dispensing unit capable of dispensing the inserted coins, The article supplying device, wherein the sorting section is configured to be unable to sort the coins discharged to the discharge section.

14. The article supply device according to claim 13, The article supply device is configured so that the sorting section does not come into contact with the coins discharged to the discharge section.

15. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, An article supply device, wherein the first holding portion and the second holding portion are provided in opposing positions and inclined relative to the horizontal.

Images