Goods handling equipment

Abstract

To reduce a workload related to a separator by an operator.SOLUTION: A product carrying-out device 7 is provided, which includes a conveyor 5 having an endless-shaped member 52 and a plurality of separators 53 each coupled to the endless-shaped member 52 so as to be able to rise and fall relative to the endless-shaped member 52, and which carries out a product P placed on an upper running portion 52a of the endless-shaped member 52 in a forward direction. The conveyor 5 includes an upstanding member 54. The upstanding member 54 is arranged in the vicinity of a rear sprocket 57, and abuts against the separator 53 moving in the vicinity of the rear sprocket 57 in a lodging posture, thereby pivotally rotating the separator 53 in a direction of the upright posture to stand up.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product dispensing device that is provided in a vending machine or the like that can sell a plurality of products of various shapes and sizes, such as containerized beverages and bagged snacks. [Background technology]

[0002] A vending machine with this type of product dispensing device is known, as described in Patent Document 1. The vending machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a vending machine main body with a product outlet at the bottom front, multiple product columns arranged at intervals in the width and up and down directions within the vending machine main body, a bucket capable of receiving products, and a bucket transfer mechanism capable of moving the bucket in the width and up and down directions within the vending machine main body. A product dispensing device is provided for each product column. Multiple products are placed in a line in the front-to-back direction in this product dispensing device, and the product dispensing device moves the multiple products placed on the product dispensing device forward to dispense the products. Products dispensed by the product dispensing device are received in a bucket, which is then moved by the bucket transfer mechanism to a position opposite the product dispensing opening. A user can then dispense the products through the product dispensing opening.

[0003] The product discharging device also includes an endless member (more specifically, a conveyor consisting of multiple conveyor chains rotatably connected to each other) wound around a pair of rotating members at the front and rear, and a plurality of product support members (hereinafter referred to as separators) provided at intervals on the endless member. The product discharging device rotates the rotating members to cause the endless member to travel in a predetermined direction, thereby discharging products stored between the separators from the front end of the product column (product discharging device). The separators of this product discharging device are connected to the endless member so as to be able to rise and fall freely relative to the endless member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-164112 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the product dispensing device described in Patent Document 1, in order to stand up each separator on the upper running portion of the endless member, each separator must be rotated manually, which increases the workload of vending machine operators, for example, when replenishing products, and some ingenuity may be required.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a product discharge device that can reduce the workload of operators and others related to separators. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product discharging device. The product discharging device includes a conveyor having an endless member wound around a front rotating member and a rear rotating member, and a plurality of separators connected to the endless member at intervals so as to be rotatable between an upright position in which the separator stands up relative to the endless member and a reclined position in which the separator reclined. The product discharging device conveys products placed on the upper running portion forward by causing the upper running portion of the endless member to travel forward. The conveyor of the product discharging device includes a standing member. The standing member is disposed near the rear rotating member and is adapted to abut against a separator of the plurality of separators that is moving near the rear rotating member in the reclined position, thereby rotating the separator toward the upright position and causing it to stand up. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The product discharge device includes an erector member disposed near the rear rotating member and configured to abut against a separator among the plurality of separators that is in the lying-down position and moving near the rear rotating member, thereby rotating the separator toward the standing position and standing it up. Therefore, when the endless member is driven in a direction that causes its upper running portion to travel forward, each separator that is in the lying-down position and moving near the rear rotating member is rotated toward the standing position by the erector member, and the separators change position one after another from the lying-down position to the standing position. As a result, an operator or the like can replenish products without having to manually rotate each separator toward the standing position when replenishing products.

[0009] In this way, according to the one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a product discharge device that can reduce the workload of operators and others regarding the separators. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a vending machine having a product dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the vending machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conveyor unit constituting the product discharge device, as viewed from diagonally above and to the front right. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conveyor frame of the conveyor unit. [Figure 5] 5 shows a cut model of the conveyor frame taken along line AA in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the conveyor unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the conveyor unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged top view of the conveyor unit. [Figure 9] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an endless member of a conveyor of the conveyor unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a separator of the conveyor. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the separator is connected to the endless member. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an upright member of the conveyor. [Figure 13] 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the separator is rotated in an upright direction by the upright member. FIG. [Figure 14] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a tilting member of the conveyor. [Figure 15] 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which the separator is rotated in a tilting direction by the tilting member. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of the initial state of each separator when a product is placed on the conveyor. FIG. [Figure 17] 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a product discharging operation in the conveyor unit (product discharging device). FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a modified example of the product discharge device. [Figure 19] 19 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the product discharge device shown in FIG. 18. FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a side view of a partition plate of the product discharge device according to the modified example. [Figure 21] 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a tip-over prevention unit that prevents products placed on the conveyor from tipping over. FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a rear view of the separator shown in FIG. 21. [Figure 23] FIG. 22 is a side view (right side view) of the separator shown in FIG. 21. [Figure 24] 10A and 10B are conceptual diagrams for explaining modified examples of the range in which the slippage suppressing portion is provided. [Figure 25] 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a modified example of the slippage suppressing portion. FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example in which an auxiliary separator is provided to the separator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine 1 having a product dispensing device 7 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the vending machine 1. For ease of explanation, the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions are indicated appropriately in the drawings. The left-to-right directions are indicated as viewed from the front of the vending machine 1 by a user facing the front of the vending machine 1. With regard to the front-to-back directions, the direction toward the user in the vending machine 1 is defined as the front.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vending machine 1 has an operation unit 2 that is operated by a user or the like, and a main unit 3 that stores products.

[0014] The operation unit 2 is formed in a vertically long box shape and is disposed adjacent to the side of the main unit 3. On the front side of the operation unit 2, there are provided a bill insertion slot 2a, a coin insertion slot 2b, a contactless card reader unit 2c for making payments with electronic money, a coin return slot 2e, and an amount display and product selection unit 2f. The operation unit 2 is configured to transmit a sales command for the product selected via the product selection unit 2f to the main unit 3 when payment is made with bills, coins, or electronic money.

[0015] The main unit 3 has a housing 4, a product discharge device 7 having a conveyor 5 and a drive unit 6, a bucket 8, and a bucket transport device 9.

[0016] The housing 4 is formed in a box shape with an opening on the front side. The front opening of the housing 4 is covered by a main body door 4a which can be opened and closed freely. Most of the upper part of the front side of the main body door 4a is formed by a transparent plate 4b, which is configured to allow users and the like to see inside the main unit 3. In addition, a product outlet 4c from which users can take out products P is provided in the part of the main body door 4a below the transparent plate 4b. The opening of this product outlet 4c is opened and closed by a rectangular product outlet door 4d. The product outlet door 4d is supported on the upper edge of the product outlet 4c on the back side of the main body door 4a so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction, and is configured to open the product outlet 4c by being pushed rearward from the front side.

[0017] The interior of the housing 4 is provided with multiple (six here) vertically arranged shelves 4e. Each widthwise (left-right) end of the shelf 4e is fixed to a predetermined vertical position on the side wall constituting the housing 4. The interior of the housing 4 is divided into an upper area and a lower area by a partition wall 4f, and the main elements constituting the main unit 3 are arranged in the upper area. The partition wall 4f has a lower shelf portion 4f1 located rearward of the front end of the shelf 4e and below the shelf 4e, an overhanging portion 4f2 that overhangs forward of the front end of the shelf 4e and is located below the lower shelf portion 4f1, and a connecting portion 4f3 that connects the front end of the lower shelf portion 4f1 to the rear end of the overhanging portion 4f2. Each shelf 4e is positioned toward the rear side of the housing 4, and a bucket movement space S for movement of the bucket 8 is provided between the front end of each shelf 4e and the main door 4a and between the connecting portion 4f3 of the partition wall 4f and the main door 4a.

[0018] In the housing 4, the area below the partition wall 4f forms a machine room. A duct D is provided inside the housing 4 so as to circulate around the shelf 4e, and cool air is appropriately circulated through this duct D to cool the inside of the housing 4. Although not shown in the figure, a cooling unit for generating cool air is provided in the machine room and the duct D.

[0019] The product discharge device 7 is configured to discharge (dispense) the product P placed thereon forward, and is disposed above each shelf 4e. As described above, the product discharge device 7 includes the conveyor 5 and the drive unit 6.

[0020] In this embodiment, the product discharge device 7 has multiple (six in the figure) conveyors 5. That is, in the product discharge device 7, the multiple conveyors 5 are arranged in parallel with each other. In other words, a product discharge device 7 having multiple conveyors 5 is provided for each shelf 4e. Also, in this embodiment, a drive unit 6 is provided for each conveyor 5. That is, in the product discharge device 7 for each shelf 4e, the conveyors 5 and the drive unit 6 are provided in a one-to-one relationship. The product discharge device 7 will be described in detail later.

[0021] The bucket 8 receives the products P that have been carried out (dispensed) in front of the product discharge device 7, and is formed so that it can move within the bucket movement space S by the bucket transfer device 9. The bucket 8 has a generally rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction of the vending machine 1 in a plan view from above. In this embodiment, the bucket 8 has a width that is approximately the same as the left-right width of the shelf 4e in a plan view from above.

[0022] Specifically, the bucket 8 is made up of, for example, a rectangular plate-shaped base 81, left and right side walls 82, a top panel 83, a front lower wall 84, a rear lower wall 85, and a product slide plate 86. The base 81, top panel 83, and product slide plate 86 each have a width approximately the same as the left-right width of the shelf 4e. The base 81, each side wall 82, and top panel 83 form a rectangular cylindrical frame body that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction. In the bucket 8, the side walls 82, the top panel 83, the front lower wall 84, and the product slide plate 86 form a product receiving chamber that receives the products P delivered from the product discharge device 7.

[0023] The base 81 forms the bottom of the bucket 8 and extends horizontally in the left-right direction of the vending machine 1. A bucket placing portion 91 (described later) of the bucket transfer device 9 is fixed to the bottom surface of the base 81. Each side wall 82 (the left side wall 82 is shown in FIG. 2) extends upward from an end portion in the width direction of the base 81. The base 81 and each side wall 82 have a front-to-rear length that is slightly shorter than the front-to-rear length of the protruding portion 4f2 of the partition wall 4f (in other words, the distance from the front end of the housing 4 to the front end of the shelf 4e). The top plate portion 83 connects the upper end of the left side wall 82 and the upper end of the right side wall 82 and forms the top plate of the bucket 8. The front-end lower wall 84 is provided across the entire left-to-right direction at the lower end side of the front-end opening of the frame body and forms a stopper portion for the product P. The rear lower wall 85 is provided across the entire left-right direction at the lower end portion of the rear opening of the frame body. The product slide plate 86 has a sliding surface along which the products P delivered from the product discharge device 7 slide forward. The product slide plate 86 connects the upper end of the rear lower wall 85 and the other end portion of the front lower wall 84, and is inclined so that the front side approaches the base 81.

[0024] The bucket transfer device 9 is a device capable of transferring products P between the product discharge device 7 and the product take-out port 4c, and is configured to move the bucket 8 up and down in the bucket movement space S within the housing 4. The bucket transfer device 9 has a width in the left-right direction approximately equal to the width of the shelf 4e, and includes a bucket placement section 91 on which the bucket 8 is placed, a support plate 92 that horizontally supports the bucket placement section 91, and a lift actuator (not shown) for moving the support plate 92 up and down. The lift actuator includes, for example, a pair of upper and lower pulleys, a pulley belt wound around the upper and lower pulleys, and a lift motor that rotates the pulleys. An end of the support plate is fixed at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the pulley belt. The bucket transfer device 9 moves (lifts) the bucket 8 up and down in the bucket movement space S by rotating the pulley with the lift motor of the lift actuator. In this embodiment, the bucket transfer device 9 corresponds to the "product transfer device" according to the present invention.

[0025] In this embodiment, the bucket transfer device 9 can move the bucket 8 between a position facing the front end of each shelf 4e and a position facing the product take-out opening 4c. Specifically, the drive of the lifting motor is controlled so that when the bucket 8 is in a position facing the front end of the shelf 4e, the rear end of the product slide plate 86 of the bucket 8 is located at a height position slightly below the upper surface of the conveyor 5 of the product discharge device 7 arranged on that shelf 4e. Furthermore, the position where the bucket 8 faces the product take-out opening 4c is located below the lowest shelf 4e, and this position is both the standby position of the bucket 8 and the take-out position of the products P. Furthermore, in the standby position and the take-out position, the product take-out opening 4c is located in front of the bucket 8, allowing a user to open the product take-out door 4d and reach into the bucket 8. By moving the bucket 8 in this way, the bucket transfer device 9 can transfer the products P between the product discharge device 7 and the product take-out opening 4c. It should be noted that the bucket transfer device 9 described here is merely an example, and mechanisms of various configurations that can move the bucket 8 up and down can be used.

[0026] Next, the product discharge device 7 will be described in detail.

[0027] In this embodiment, the product discharge device 7 has a plurality of conveyors 5 arranged at intervals from each other in the width direction (left-right direction) of the shelf 4e (main unit 3), and a drive unit 6 provided for each conveyor 5. In other words, in this embodiment, the conveyors 5 and the drive units 6 are provided in a one-to-one relationship, and these are assembled together to form one conveyor unit 7a. Therefore, the product discharge device 7 has a plurality of sets (six sets in FIG. 1) of conveyor units 7a. In other words, a plurality of (six in FIG. 1) conveyor units 7a are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on each shelf 4e.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the conveyor unit 7a of the product discharge device 7, seen from above and diagonally in front of the right side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conveyor frame 51 (described later) of the conveyor 5 of the conveyor unit 7a, and FIG. 5 is a cutaway model view of the conveyor frame 51 taken along line AA shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a left side view of the conveyor unit 7a, and FIG. 7 is a right side view of the conveyor unit 7a. FIG. 8(a) is an enlarged top view of the rear portion of the conveyor unit 7a, and FIG. 8(b) is an enlarged top view of the front portion of the conveyor unit 7a. Note that in FIGS. 6 and 7, the left frame 512, the middle upper frame 513b, and the front cover 514 (described later) of the conveyor frame 51 (see FIGS. 3 to 5), as well as the gear cover 6a of the drive unit 6 (see FIG. 3), have been removed. In FIG. 8(a), the gear cover 6a has been removed.

[0029] The conveyor unit 7a of the product discharge device 7 has a length approximately equal to the length of the shelf 4e in the front-to-rear direction, and has a generally rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view seen from above. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the conveyor unit 7a is disposed on the shelf 4e so that its front end extends slightly forward beyond the front end of the shelf 4e.

[0030] [Conveyor] As shown in Figures 3 to 8, the conveyor 5 of the conveyor unit 7a includes a conveyor frame 51, an endless member 52 on which products P are placed in a row and which carries the placed products P forward, a plurality of separators 53 connected to the endless member 52 at intervals so as to be rotatable between an upright position in which they are upright relative to the endless member 52 and a laid-down position in which they are laid-down, upright members 54 for the separators, and lay-down members 55 for the separators (see Figures 7 and 8(b); hidden behind the conveyor frame 51 in Figure 3 and not visible).

[0031] [Conveyor Frame] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the conveyor frame 51 is a structural member of the conveyor 5 and includes, for example, a lower frame 511, a left frame 512 extending along the left edge of the lower frame 511, an intermediate frame 513 positioned above the lower frame 511, and a front cover 514, all assembled together. The lower frame 511 has a generally rectangular bottom wall 511a elongated in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view from above, and a right protruding wall 511b protruding upward from the right edge of the bottom wall 511a. The left frame 512 extends along the left edge of the bottom wall 511a of the lower frame 511 and has a recess 512a into which the left end of the intermediate frame 513 fits. An annular chain guide groove 512b is formed on the inner surface of the left frame 512, surrounding the recess 512a. A chain protrusion 521h (see FIG. 9, described later) of a conveyor chain 521 of the endless member 52 is inserted into the annular chain guide groove 512b. This allows the endless member 52 to travel stably. The intermediate frame 513 is formed in a generally rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the front-to-rear direction. Its left end in the width direction is fitted into a recess 512a of the left frame 512, and its right end is located above a right protruding wall 511b of the lower frame 511. The intermediate frame 513 is divided into two parts, a lower intermediate lower frame 513a and an upper intermediate upper frame 513b, which are assembled together. The intermediate upper frame 513b has an upper right side wall 513b1 that protrudes upward from the right end portion of its upper surface. The front cover portion 514 constitutes the front end portion of the conveyor frame 51, and is provided to cover the front end portion of the lower frame 511, the front end portion of the left frame 512, and the right portion of the front end portion of the middle frame 513 from the front.

[0032] The intermediate upper frame 513b and the portion of the left frame 512 above the recessed portion 512a form an upper conveyor guide portion 515 that has a generally U-shaped cross section with an upward opening and extends in the front-to-rear direction. An upper running portion 52a (described later) of the endless member 52 is guided by the upper conveyor guide portion 515. Furthermore, the lower frame 511, the portion of the left frame 512 below the recessed portion 512a, and the intermediate lower frame 513a form a lower conveyor guide portion 516. A lower running portion 52b (described later) of the endless member 52 is guided by the lower conveyor guide portion 516.

[0033] [Endless member] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the endless member 52 is made up of a plurality of conveyor chains 521 rotatably connected to one another. The endless member 52 is wound around a front sprocket 56 rotatably supported on the front end of the conveyor frame 51 and a rear sprocket 57 rotatably supported on the rear end of the conveyor frame 51. That is, the endless member 52 extends in the front-to-rear direction within the conveyor frame 51. In this embodiment, two sprockets (56, 57) are provided, spaced apart in the width direction. The two front sprockets 56 are connected via a front rotating shaft 56a (see FIGS. 6 and 7), and the two rear sprockets 57 are connected via a rear rotating shaft 57a (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The rotating shafts (56a, 57a) are rotatably supported by the conveyor frame 51. The number of sprockets (56, 57) is not limited to two each, and one each may be provided on either the left or right side in the width direction, or in the center in the width direction.

[0034] In this embodiment, the endless member 52 is configured so that the drive-side rotation shaft 57A, which is the rotation shaft 57a of the rear sprocket 57, is rotationally driven by the drive unit 6 and travels in the direction of arrow B. That is, when driven by the drive unit 6, the endless member 52 is configured so that the upper running portion 52a travels forward along the upper conveyor guide portion 515 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and the lower running portion 52b travels rearward along the lower conveyor guide portion 516 (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, when the product discharge device 7 is in use, a plurality of products P are placed on the upper running portion 52a of the endless member 52, lined up in the front-to-rear direction (the longitudinal direction of the endless member 52).

[0035] Therefore, the product discharge device 7 (each conveyor unit 7a) is configured to discharge the products P placed on the upper run 52a forward by causing the upper run 52a of the endless member 52 to travel forward. In this embodiment, the upper run 52a refers to the portion of the endless member 52 from just after it disengages from the rear sprocket 57 to just before it engages with the front sprocket 56, and the lower run 52b refers to the portion of the endless member from just after it disengages from the front sprocket 56 to just before it engages with the rear sprocket 57. In this embodiment, the front sprocket 56 corresponds to the "front rotating member" according to the present invention, and the rear sprocket 57 corresponds to the "rear rotating member" according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the shape of the conveyor chain 521 of the endless member 52. FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) each show one conveyor chain 521, with FIG. 9(a) being a perspective view and FIG. 9(b) being a plan view seen from the direction of arrow C in FIG. 9(a). FIGS. 9(c) and 9(d) each show a state in which three conveyor chains 521 are connected, with FIG. 9(c) being a perspective view and FIG. 9(d) being a plan view seen from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 9(c). Also, FIG. 9 shows the placement surface 521a of the conveyor chain 521 on which the product P is placed.

[0037] The conveyor chain 521 is made of, for example, a block-shaped resin member that is long in the width direction of the conveyor 5, and is formed into a generally horizontally elongated rectangle in a plan view. Three protrusions 521b are provided on one long side of the conveyor chain 521, and three connecting recesses 521c that receive the protrusions 521b of an adjacent conveyor chain 521 are provided on the other long side of the conveyor chain 521. Each conveyor chain 521 is rotatably connected to the other conveyor chain 521 by having chain connecting shafts 521d protruding from both side surfaces in the width direction of each protrusion 521b being pressed into and supported by shaft fitting grooves 521e formed in the side walls of the connecting recesses 521c of the other conveyor chain 521. Here, the conveyor chain 521 is connected to the other conveyor chain 521 with the one long side facing rearward in the traveling direction. In other words, the other long side of the conveyor chain 521 faces forward in the running direction.

[0038] Of the three protrusions 521b, two protrusions 521b on both sides in the width direction have separator connection holes 521f that penetrate the width direction. A separator connection shaft 536 (described later) of the separator 53 is fitted into the separator connection holes 521f, thereby connecting the separator 53 to the conveyor chain 521 (endless member 52) so that the separator 53 can be raised or lowered. In this embodiment, the length of the conveyor chain 521 in the short side direction (traveling direction) is shorter than the dimension of the separator 53 in the height direction. In the multiple conveyor chains 521 that are connected to each other, the separators 53 are connected at equal intervals in the front-to-rear direction, every other separator 53.

[0039] Furthermore, engagement slits 521g for engagement with the sprockets (56, 57) are cut out at each position between two adjacent convex portions 521b on the long side of the conveyor chain 521 on the convex portion 521b side. A chain protrusion 521h that is guided by an annular chain guide groove 512b (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the left frame 512 protrudes from one short side of the conveyor chain 521 (the left end face in the figure).

[0040] In this embodiment, the endless member 52 (conveyor chain 521) has a separator accommodating recess 522 formed to be able to accommodate a separator 53 in a lying position among the plurality of separators 53. Although not particularly limited, the depth of the separator accommodating recess 522 from the mounting surface 521a is set to be equal to the thickness of the separator 53, for example. Therefore, in the lying position, the separator 53 forms a flat surface that is approximately horizontal with the mounting surface 521a of the conveyor chain 521 (see FIG. 11(b) described later). In this embodiment, the separator accommodating recess 522 corresponds to the "recess" according to the present invention.

[0041] In this embodiment, the endless member 52 (conveyor chain 521) has a fitting portion 521i that fits into a through-hole 53a (described later) of a separator 53 that is in a lying position among the plurality of separators 53. A tip end surface of the fitting portion 521i forms a part of the placement surface 521a of the conveyor chain 521.

[0042] Further, a relief portion 521j for allowing the separator 53 to rotate is cut out at one corner in the width direction (here, the right side) of the other long side (front side in the running direction) of the conveyor chain 521.

[0043] [Separator] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the separator 53. Fig. 11 is a view showing the separator 53 connected to the endless member 52 (conveyor chain 521). In Fig. 11(a), the separator 53 is in an upright position relative to the endless member 52 (conveyor chain 521), and in Fig. 11(b), the separator 53 is in a laid-down position, rotated forward relative to the endless member 52 (conveyor chain 521).

[0044] The separator 53 has a width similar to that of the conveyor chain 521, and as described above, is a member connected to the conveyor chain 521 so as to be able to rise and fall freely, and is made of, for example, a resin material. In this embodiment, the separator 53 is connected to a portion (the convex portion 521b) on the rear side (the one long side side) of the conveyor chain 521 in the running direction.

[0045] The separator 53 has a left plate portion 531 and a right plate portion 532, each of which has a roughly rectangular shape that is short in the width direction of the conveyor 5 when viewed in a plane, and an intermediate plate 533 that connects the left plate portion 531 and the right plate portion 532.

[0046] In this embodiment, the separator 53 has a through-hole 53a formed therethrough in the thickness direction thereof. Specifically, the through-hole 53a is opened in each of the left plate portion 531 and the right plate portion 532, and is formed as a rectangular hole that is long in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view. In this embodiment, the through-hole 53a of the separator 53 that has rotated forward and is in a laid-down position is adapted to fit into the fitting portion 521i of the conveyor chain 521 to which the separator 53 is connected, and the left and right protrusions 521b of the conveyor chain 521 in front of the conveyor chain 521 to which the separator 53 is connected.

[0047] A left connecting arm 534 protrudes from the right end of the short side of the left plate portion 531 facing the conveyor chain 521, and a right connecting arm 535 protrudes from the left end of the short side of the right plate portion 532 facing the conveyor chain 521. Separator connecting shafts 536 that fit into corresponding separator connecting holes 521f in the conveyor chain 521 protrude from the left side surface of the left connecting arm 534 and the right side surface of the right connecting arm 535. For example, the separator 53 is elastically deformed when pressed inward in the width direction by an operator or the like. The separator 53 is inserted in a state where the distance between the two separator connecting shafts 536 is narrower than the distance between the inner surfaces of the two protrusions 521b that have the separator connecting holes 521f. Then, when the pressure is released, each separator connecting shaft 536 fits into the separator connecting hole 521f. As a result, the separator 53 is connected to the conveyor chain 521 so as to be able to rise and fall freely.

[0048] In this embodiment, the separator 53 has an upper protrusion 537 that is located above the connecting portion to the conveyor chain 521 (endless member 52) in the upright position and that protrudes outward from one end face in the width direction of the conveyor chain 521. Furthermore, the separator 53 has a lower protrusion 538 that is located below the connecting portion to the conveyor chain 521 in the upright position and that protrudes outward from one end face in the width direction of the conveyor chain 521. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the upper protrusion 537 and the lower protrusion 538 are provided on the right end face of the separator 53.

[0049] Specifically, a protrusion-forming arm 539, which has a right end surface continuous with the right end surface of the right plate portion 532 and is longer than the right connecting arm 535, protrudes from the right end of the short side of the right plate portion 532 facing the conveyor chain 521. An upper protrusion 537 is provided on the upper end side of the right end surface of the right plate portion 532, and a lower protrusion 538 is provided on the lower end side of the right end surface of the protrusion-forming arm 539. A separator connecting shaft 536, which is the central axis around which the separator 53 rotates, is located between the upper protrusion 537 and the lower protrusion 538 in a side view of the separator 53. In the upright position, the upper protrusion 537 is located above the separator connecting shaft 536 (i.e., the connecting portion), and the lower protrusion 538 is located below the separator connecting shaft 536 (the connecting portion). Furthermore, when rotating from the lying position to the standing position, the tip of the protrusion forming arm 539 can enter below the bottom surface of the separator accommodating recess 522 of the conveyor chain 521 via the relief portion 521j of the conveyor chain 521. This allows the separator 53 to rotate to the standing position.

[0050] In addition, in the separator 53 that is in the laid-down position within the upper conveyor guide part 515, gaps are provided between the tip surfaces of the upper protrusions 537 and the lower protrusions 538 and the inner surface of the intermediate upper frame 513b. In addition, in the separator 53 that is in the laid-down position within the lower conveyor guide part 516, gaps are also provided between the tip surfaces of the upper protrusions 537 and the lower protrusions 538 and the right protruding wall 511b of the lower frame 511.

[0051] Separator 53 is also provided with an upright locking portion 539a for maintaining the upright position. Upright locking portion 539a elastically deforms in the upright position, and maintains the upright position by utilizing the restoring force generated by this elastic deformation. When an external force in the collapsed direction (i.e., an external force that resists the restoring force of upright locking portion 539a) is applied to separator 53 in the upright position, the maintenance of the upright position is released, and as a result, separator 53 becomes rotatable in the collapsed direction.

[0052] Specifically, the upright lock portion 539a protrudes from, for example, a base-end portion on the left end surface of the protrusion-forming arm 539 toward the convex portion 521b. The tip of the upright lock portion 539a is located in a region immediately before the upright position along the movement trajectory of the tip of the upright lock portion 539a from the lying position to the upright position. The tip of the upright lock portion 539a elastically deforms while sliding along the surface of the tip of the right-end convex portion 521b in the region immediately before the upright position along the movement trajectory. The tip of the convex portion 521b also has a flat surface parallel to the mounting surface 521a. Therefore, the upright lock portion 539a undergoes significant elastic deformation in the upright position, and its restoring force in the upright position presses against the flat surface of the tip of the convex portion 521b, thereby maintaining the upright position of the separator 53.

[0053] [Upright and horizontal members] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the standing member 54, and Fig. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the separator 53 is rotated in the standing direction by the standing member 54. Fig. 14(a) is a perspective view of a part including the tilting member 55, Fig. 14(b) is a side view of the part including the tilting member 55, and Fig. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the separator 53 is rotated in the tilting direction by the tilting member 55.

[0054] The standing member 54 is positioned near the rear sprocket 57 and is a member that abuts against a separator 53 among the multiple separators 53 that is moving near the rear sprocket 57 in a lying position, thereby rotating the separator 53 in the direction of the standing position and standing it up.

[0055] In this embodiment, the standing member 54 is disposed to the side of the rear sprocket 57 and above the rotation shaft 57a of the rear sprocket 57. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the standing member 54 is fixed to the upper right rear part of the conveyor frame 51, specifically, to a portion of the upper surface of the upper right side wall 513b1 of the intermediate upper frame 513b that corresponds to the rear sprocket 57.

[0056] 12 and 13, the standing member 54 is composed of, for example, a standing main body portion 54a formed in a generally fan-shaped shape in a plan view with a predetermined thickness in the width direction of the conveyor 5, and a fixed portion 54b formed integrally with the standing main body portion 54a and fixed to the upper right side wall 513b1 of the intermediate upper frame 513b. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the standing main body portion 54a protrudes inward in the width direction of the conveyor 5 beyond the inner surface of the upper right side wall 513b1 in a plan view viewed from above, and is located directly above the area between the upper right side wall 513b1 and the right end face of the conveyor chain 521.

[0057] In this embodiment, the standing member 54 has a guide groove 54c that receives the upper protrusion 537 of a separator 53 that moves around the rear sprocket 57 among the multiple separators 53 and rotates the separator 53 toward the standing posture. The guide groove 54c is formed in the standing main body 54a and is formed as an arc-shaped groove in a plan view. The guide groove 54c has an inlet-side opening 54c1 and an outlet-side opening 54c2 of the upper protrusion 537, with the inlet-side opening 54c1 opening downward and the outlet-side opening 54c2 opening forward. The guide groove 54c is formed to connect the inlet-side opening 54c1 to the outlet-side opening 54c2 in an arc-shaped manner.

[0058] The separator 53 travels together with the lower running portion 52b of the endless member 52 (conveyor chain 521) within the lower conveyor guide portion 516. Within this lower conveyor guide portion 516, the separator 53 is guided by the inner surface of the lower conveyor guide portion 516, and moves together with the endless member 52 within the lower conveyor guide portion 516 while maintaining a laid-down posture. As shown in FIG. 13, the rear end portion of the lower frame 511 is curved to form a rear lower conveyor guide portion 517 that covers and guides the endless member 52 wound around the lower portion of the rear sprocket 57. When the separator 53 travels around the rear sprocket 57, the front portion of the separator 53 in the traveling direction moves away from the conveyor chain 521 (endless member 52) in front of it, with the upper protrusion 537 of the separator 53 facing forward in the traveling direction (see FIG. 13). Then, as the separator 53 passes through the rear lower conveyor guide portion 517 and continues moving, the upper protrusion 537 is received into the guide groove portion 54c through the inlet-side opening 54c1 of the guide groove portion 54c, and then slides along the arc-shaped inner surface of the guide groove portion 54c at the upper side in the figure. In other words, the inner surface of the guide groove portion 54c of the standing member 54 abuts against the upper protrusion 537. As a result, the separator 53 begins to rotate from the lying position toward the standing position, and assumes the standing position when the upper protrusion 537 reaches the outlet-side opening 54c2. In this state, the separator 53 maintains the standing position via its own standing lock portion 539a (see FIGS. 10 and 11(a)).

[0059] In this way, the standing member 54 is positioned near the rear sprocket 57, and by abutting against a separator 53 among the multiple separators 53 that is moving near the rear sprocket 57 in a lying position, the separator 53 is rotated in the direction of the standing position and made to stand up.

[0060] The collapse member 55 is positioned near the front sprocket 56 and is a member that abuts against a separator 53 among the multiple separators 53 that is moving near the front sprocket 56 in an upright position, thereby rotating the separator 53 in the direction of the collapsed position and causing it to collapse.

[0061] In this embodiment, the tilting member 55 is disposed to the side of the front sprocket 56 and above the rotation shaft 56a of the front sprocket 56. Here, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the tilting member 55 is fixed to the right front part of the conveyor frame 51, specifically, to the inner surface of the front right cover part 514a of the front cover part 514, via a support part 58. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the tilting member 55 and the support part 58 are located in the gap between the front right cover part 514a and the right end surface of the conveyor chain 521.

[0062] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, in this embodiment, the tilting member 55 has a tip end 55a that is positioned on the movement trajectory of the lower protrusion 538, and a base end 55b that is supported via a support part 58 so as to be rotatable in the tilting direction of the separator 53 (in other words, the running direction of the conveyor 5), and is formed, for example, in a roughly rectangular column shape.

[0063] The support portion 58 is fixed to the inner surface of the front right cover portion 514a. In this embodiment, a biasing member (not shown) is provided within the support portion 58 to bias the tilting member 55 in a rotational direction opposite to the traveling direction of the conveyor 5. Therefore, when the endless member 52 is driven and the tip end 55a of the tilting member 55 abuts against the lower protrusion 538 of the approaching separator 53, the tilting member 55 is pressed against the lower protrusion 538, and as a result, the tilting member 55 is able to rotate up to a predetermined angle in the traveling direction against the biasing force of the biasing member. Once the tilting member 55 has rotated to the predetermined angle, further rotation is prevented. When the lower protrusion 538 abuts against the tip end 55a of the tilting member 55 and the tilting member 55 moves further forward in the traveling direction, the lower protrusion 538 moves rearward. As a result, the separator 53 begins to rotate from the upright position to the lying position above the front sprocket 56. Then, the upright locking portion 539a (see FIGS. 10 and 11) of the separator 53 releases the upright position, and the separator 53 then assumes the lying position when the lower projection 538 of the separator 53 roughly climbs over the tip 55a of the lying member 55. At this time, the lying member 55 rotates in the rotational direction opposite to the running direction of the conveyor 5 due to the biasing force of the biasing member, and returns to the initial state shown by the solid lines in FIGS. 14 and 15.

[0064] 15, the front end of the lower frame 511 is curved to form a front lower conveyor guide 518 that covers and guides the endless member 52 wound around the lower portion of the front sprocket 56. The separator 53, which has assumed a lying-down position above the front sprocket 56, is guided by the front lower conveyor guide 518 to maintain the lying-down position. The separator 53 moves together with the endless member 52 within the lower conveyor guide 516 while maintaining the lying-down position by being guided by the inner surface of the lower conveyor guide 516.

[0065] In this embodiment, a separator passage detection sensor that detects the passage of the separator 53 is provided within the support portion 58. For example, the separator passage detection sensor does not output a signal in the initial state (normally OFF, OFF state), outputs an ON signal when the tilting member 55 rotates to the predetermined angle, and then stops outputting the ON signal and returns to the OFF state when the tilting member 55 begins to rotate in the direction opposite to the running direction of the conveyor 5 due to the biasing force of the biasing member. In other words, the separator passage detection sensor switches its signal output state from OFF to ON to OFF in this order as the separator 53 passes. The signal from the separator passage detection sensor is output to a control unit (not shown). When the signal from the separator passage detection sensor switches from OFF to ON to OFF in this order, the control unit determines that the front separator 53 has passed and the delivery of the products P has been completed (product delivery completed). The control unit is configured to stop driving the conveyor 5 a predetermined time after the signal from the separator passage detection sensor switches from ON to OFF, and to advance the subsequent separator 53 until the lower protrusion 538 of the subsequent separator 53 is positioned near the rear of the tilting member 55.

[0066] [Drive unit] The driving unit 6 is a driving unit that drives the conveyor 5, and is disposed at the rear end of the conveyor 5 as shown in FIGS.

[0067] The drive unit 6 includes a drive unit frame 61 having a gear cover 6a, a conveyor drive mechanism 62 provided within the drive unit frame 61, and a conveyor motor (not shown) that rotates and drives the rotating shaft 57a via the conveyor drive mechanism 62.

[0068] The drive unit frame 61 is fixed to the rear end of the conveyor frame 51 of the conveyor 5, and has a width approximately the same as that of the conveyor 5 in the width direction.

[0069] The conveyor drive mechanism 62 has a plurality of bevel gears and gears and is configured to be able to be housed in a drive unit frame 61 having a width approximately equal to that of the conveyor 5. For example, the conveyor drive mechanism 62 has, in order from the rotation shaft (not shown) of the conveyor motor, a first bevel gear 621 supported rotatably about an axis extending in the running direction of the conveyor 5, a second bevel gear 622 meshing with the first bevel gear 621 and supported rotatably about an axis extending in the width direction of the conveyor 5, a first gear 623 attached to the back surface of the second bevel gear 622, and a second gear 624 meshing with the first gear 623 and meshing with a conveyor gear 57b attached to the right end of the drive-side rotation shaft 57A, which is the rotation shaft 57a of the rear sprocket 57. When the conveyor motor is operated, the rotation shaft 57a (drive-side rotation shaft 57A) of the rear sprocket 57 is driven to rotate via the conveyor drive mechanism 62. As a result, the endless member 52 of the conveyor 5 is driven.

[0070] Next, an example of the operation of the vending machine 1 will be briefly described.

[0071] Fig. 16 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the initial state of each separator 53 when a product P is placed on the conveyor 5 (when replenishing the product P). Fig. 17 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the conveyor unit 7a (product discharge device 7) discharging operation of the product P. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 16(a) to 16(d), the separators 53 are connected at equal intervals in the front-rear direction on every other one of a plurality of connected conveyor chains 521.

[0072] A plurality of products P are placed on each conveyor unit 7a of the product discharge device 7 of each shelf 4e of the vending machine 1. An operator of the vending machine 1 adjusts the spacing between adjacent separators 53 in an upright position on the upper running portion 52a of the endless member 52, for example, depending on the size of the products P to be placed on each conveyor unit 7a. For example, the conveyor unit 7a shown in FIG. 16(a) is used for small-sized products, the conveyor unit 7a shown in FIG. 16(b) is used for medium-sized products, and the conveyor unit 7a shown in FIG. 16(c) is used for large-sized products. In this case, in the conveyor unit 7a for small-sized products, all of the separators 53 connected to the upper running portion 52a of the endless member 52 remain in an upright position, as shown in FIG. 16(a), and the operator places the products P between the separators 53 in this state. Furthermore, for example, in the medium-sized conveyor unit 7a, the operator rotates every other separator 53 in the downward direction as shown in FIG. 16(b). This easily widens the gap between adjacent separators 53 in the upright position on the upper run 52a. Then, for example, in the large-sized conveyor unit 7a, the operator continuously rotates the number of separators 53 corresponding to the size of the product P (two in the figure) in the downward direction. This greatly widens the gap between adjacent separators 53 in the upright position on the upper run 52a to a gap corresponding to the large-sized product.

[0073] 16(a) to 16(c), the product P may simply be placed on the placement surface 521a of the conveyor chain 521 between two adjacent separators 53 in an upright position, or, for example, as shown in FIG. 16(d), the product P may be placed with its front surface facing diagonally upward. In the case of FIG. 16(d), the upper end portion of the back surface of the product P is supported by the upper end of the rear separator 53. Note that, for example, as shown in FIG. 17(a), in the initial state, no product P is placed in front of the front separator 531(53) on the upper running portion 52a of the endless member 52 of each conveyor unit 7a, and the front product P1(P) is placed between the front separator 531(53) and the second-to-front separator 532(53).

[0074] In the following, an example will be described in which a user selects a product P placed on the conveyor unit 7a shown in Figure 16(a) via the operation unit 2 and pays the fee for that product P.

[0075] 1 and 2, when the fee for the product P is paid, a sales command for this product P is sent from the operation unit 2 to the main unit 3. Then, in the main unit 3, the bucket transfer device 9 raises the bucket 8 waiting behind the product take-out port 4c to a height position corresponding to the shelf 4e on which the selected product P is placed. After that, in the conveyor unit 7a corresponding to the selected product P in the product discharge device 7 on that shelf 4e, the drive unit 6 is driven, and the upper running portion 52a of the endless member 52 of the conveyor 5 begins to move forward (see FIG. 17(b)).

[0076] 17(b), the product P behind the front separator 531(53) (i.e., the front product P1) falls from the front end of the conveyor 5 and is carried out into the bucket 8. At this time, the front separator 531(53) is rotated in the direction of the lying down position by the lying down member 55 and is guided by the front lower conveyor guide portion 518, thereby maintaining the lying down position. Meanwhile, the separator 53 (see FIG. 13), which was initially rotating in the upright direction via the upright member 54, rotates to the upright position and moves to a position in front of the upright member 54, and maintains the upright position via the upright lock portion 539a.

[0077] Furthermore, when the separator 531 (53) in the front row rotates in the downward direction and the signal from the separator passage detection sensor in the support part 58 switches between OFF, ON, and OFF in this order, the control part determines that the product has been discharged and stops driving the drive part 6 as described above. That is, in the conveyor unit 7a shown in FIG. 16(a), the control part controls the upper running part 52a of the endless member 52 to travel forward a distance equivalent to two conveyor chains 521 for each product P discharged. Then, the separator 532 (53), which was second from the front in the initial state, is now positioned in the front row as shown in FIG. 17(c), and the product P2, which was second from the front in the initial state, is positioned between the second separator 532 (53) and the third separator 533 (53).

[0078] 16(b) and 16(c), if a separator 53 is initially laid down on the upper run 52a, even if the laid-down separator 53 passes the position corresponding to the laying-down member 55, the control unit does not receive a signal indicating rotation from the separator rotation detection sensor. In this case, the control unit determines that product delivery is incomplete and drives the drive unit 6 until a signal indicating rotation is received. That is, in the conveyor unit 7a shown in FIG. 16(b), the control unit controls the upper run 52a to travel forward a distance equivalent to four conveyor chains 521 for each delivery of one product P. In the conveyor unit 7a shown in FIG. 16(c), the control unit controls the upper run 52a to travel forward a distance equivalent to six conveyor chains 521 for each delivery of one product P.

[0079] Then, the bucket 8 (see FIG. 2) that has received the front row of product P1 is lowered to a height position (i.e., the take-out position) corresponding to the product take-out opening 4c by the bucket transfer device 9. This allows the user to open the product take-out door 4d, put their hand into the bucket 8, and receive the product P1.

[0080] According to the vending machine 1 (product dispensing device 7) of this embodiment, the product dispensing device 7 includes an erecting member 54 that is disposed near the rear sprocket 57 and that abuts against a separator 53 among the plurality of separators 53 that is in a lying-down position and moving near the rear sprocket 57, thereby rotating the separator 53 toward an upright position and causing the separator 53 to stand up. Therefore, when the endless member 52 is driven in a direction that causes its upper running portion 52a to travel forward, each separator 53 that is in a lying-down position and moving near the rear sprocket 57 is rotated toward an upright position by the erecting member 54, and the position of each separator 53 changes one after another from the lying-down position to an upright position. As a result, an operator or the like can replenish products P without having to manually rotate each separator 53 in an upright position when replenishing products P, for example.

[0081] In this way, it is possible to provide a vending machine 1 and a product discharge device 7 that can reduce the workload of operators and others regarding the separators.

[0082] In this embodiment, the standing member 54 is disposed to the side of the rear sprocket 57 and above the rotation shaft 57a of the rear sprocket 57. This ensures that the separator 53 is in an upright position above the rear sprocket 57, and the area partitioned into front and rear by the separator 53 in an upright position extends to the rearmost part of the upper running portion 52a of the endless member 52. As a result, the effective area on the upper running portion 52a of the endless member 52 where products P can be placed can be effectively expanded rearward.

[0083] In this embodiment, the standing member 54 has a guide groove 54c that receives the upper protrusion 537 of the separator 53 and rotates the separator 53 toward the standing posture. This provides a structure near the rear sprocket 57 that can reliably rotate the separator 53 toward the standing posture.

[0084] In this embodiment, the tilting member 55 is disposed to the side of the front sprocket 56 and above the rotation shaft 56a of the front sprocket 56. As a result, the separator 53 begins to rotate in the tilting direction above the front sprocket 56, and the area partitioned into front and rear by the separator 53 in an upright position is extended to the frontmost part of the upper running portion 52a of the endless member 52. As a result, the effective area on the upper running portion 52a of the endless member 52 where products P can be placed can be effectively expanded forward.

[0085] In this embodiment, the tilting member 55 has a tip end 55a provided so as to be positioned on the movement path of the lower protrusion 538, and a base end 55b supported so as to be rotatable in the direction in which the separator 53 is raised or lowered (in other words, the running direction of the conveyor 5). As a result, a structure is constructed near the front sprocket 56 that can reliably rotate the separator 53 in the direction of the tilted posture.

[0086] In this embodiment, the endless member 52 (conveyor chain 521) has a separator accommodating recess 522 formed to be able to accommodate a separator 53 in a lying position among the plurality of separators 53. As a result, for example, as shown in Figures 16(b) and 16(c), even if a separator 53 in a lying position is between adjacent separators 53 in an upright position, the product P can be stably placed on the placement surface 521a of the endless member 52 without being obstructed by the separator 53 in the lying position.

[0087] In this embodiment, the endless member 52 (conveyor chain 521) has fitting portions 521i that fit into the through-holes 53a of the separators 53 that are in a laid-down position among the plurality of separators 53. This allows the fitting portions 521i to be provided in the portions of the conveyor chain 521 that are recessed by the separator accommodating recesses 522. As a result, the range of the effective surface on which the products P are placed on the conveyor chain 521 can be widened, and the products P can be placed on the endless member 52 more stably.

[0088] In this embodiment, in the product discharge device 7 for each shelf 4e, each conveyor 5 is directly driven by a drive unit 6 located at its rear end, but the structure of the drive system is not limited to this.

[0089] 18 and 19 are conceptual diagrams for explaining modified examples of the drive system of the product discharge device 7. FIG. 18 shows a state when a partition plate 11 (described later) is attached (second state described later), and FIG. 19 shows a state when the partition plate 11 is removed (first state described later). FIG. 20 is a side view of the partition plate 11 (described later). Note that FIGS. 18 and 19 are partially enlarged conceptual diagrams of the product discharge device 7 viewed from the rear, showing the two conveyor units 7a on the left side. Also, the conveyor frame 51, separator 53, drive unit frame 61 of the drive unit 6, etc. are omitted from FIGS. 18 and 19.

[0090] The product discharge device 7 according to this modified example further includes a clutch 10 and a partition plate 11. The clutch 10 is provided between the drive-side rotation shaft 57A of one of two adjacent conveyors 5 (i.e., the rotation shaft 57a of the rear sprocket 57) and the drive-side rotation shaft 57A of the other of the two adjacent conveyors 5 (i.e., the rotation shaft 57a of the rear sprocket 57), and intermittently connects the one drive-side rotation shaft 57A and the other drive-side rotation shaft 57A.

[0091] Because the product discharge device 7 has six conveyor units 7a arranged in parallel with one another, the product discharge device 7 has five clutches 10 and five partition plates 11. The clutch 10 has a first clutch portion 10a, a second clutch portion 10b arranged opposite the first clutch portion 10a and capable of meshing with the first clutch portion 10a, a first clutch biasing portion 10c that biases the first clutch portion 10a toward the second clutch portion 10b, and a second clutch biasing portion 10d that biases the second clutch portion 10b toward the first clutch portion 10a.

[0092] For example, in Figures 18 and 19, the first clutch portion 10a is attached to the right end of the drive side rotating shaft 57A of the left conveyor 5, and the second clutch portion 10b is attached to the left end of the drive side rotating shaft 57A of the right conveyor 5, and each clutch biasing portion (10c, 10d) consists of a coil spring.

[0093] The partition plate 11 is a plate that separates two adjacent conveyors 5. The partition plate 11 is detachably attached to a support base 12 that is provided between the two adjacent conveyors 5. The support base 12 has, for example, a U-shaped cross section that is open downward and extends over the entire front-to-rear direction of the conveyors 5 between the two adjacent conveyors 5, and is provided so as to cover the clutch 10. In this embodiment, the support base 12 corresponds to the "support member" according to the present invention.

[0094] When the partition plate 11 is removed from the support base 12, the clutch 10 enters a first state (see Figure 19) in which rotational power is transmitted between the one drive side rotating shaft 57A and the other drive side rotating shaft 57A, and when the partition plate 11 is attached to the support base 12, the clutch 10 switches from the first state to a second state (see Figure 18) in which the transmission of rotational power is interrupted.

[0095] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20 , the partition plate 11 is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape that is long in the front-rear direction. A plurality of attachment claws 11a protrude from the lower end of the partition plate 11. The attachment claws 11a are engaged with openings (not shown) in the upper end surface of the support base 12, thereby attaching the partition plate 11 to the support base 12. Furthermore, a clutch release claw 11b protrudes from the lower end of the partition plate 11 at a position corresponding to the clutch 10. As shown in FIG. 18 , when the partition plate 11 is attached to the support base 12, the clutch release claw 11b passes through the opening 12a in the support base 12 and is inserted between the first clutch portion 10a and the second clutch portion 10b against the biasing forces of the clutch biasing portions (10c, 10d). This switches the clutch 10 from the first state (see FIG. 19 ) to the second state (see FIG. 18 ). 19, when the partition plate 11 is removed from the support base 12, the first clutch portion 10a and the second clutch portion 10b move toward each other due to the biasing forces of the clutch biasing portions (10c, 10d), and as a result, they engage with each other. This switches the clutch 10 from the second state (see FIG. 18) to the first state (see FIG. 19).

[0096] In this modified example, although not shown, a partition plate detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a partition plate 11 is provided, for example, near the opening 12a on the inner surface of each support base 12. When, for example, a signal indicating the absence of a partition plate (clutch release claw) is input from the partition plate detection sensor, the control unit regards two adjacent conveyors 5 separated by the partition plate 11 as a single conveyor and drives only the conveyor motor (not shown) of the drive unit 6 at the rear of one of the conveyors 5. As a result, one of the conveyors 5 is driven, and the rotational power is transmitted to the other conveyor 5 via the clutch 10. As a result, the two adjacent conveyors 5 are driven by the conveyor motor of one drive unit 6. Furthermore, for example, when all of the partition plates 11 are removed and the clutches 10 are in the first state, the control unit may control the product discharge device 7 to drive only the conveyor motor of one drive unit 6. In this case, the rotational power is transmitted successively through each clutch 10, and all of the conveyors 5 in the product discharge device 7 are driven by the conveyor motor of one drive unit 6.

[0097] In the product discharge device 7 according to this modification, when wide products P that cannot be placed on a single line of conveyors 5, such as boxed lunches, are placed on multiple conveyors 5, the products P can be carried forward by the multiple conveyors 5. For example, when only a pair of adjacent conveyors 5 among the multiple conveyors 5 in the product discharge device 7 is used as a pair of wide product conveyors, only the partition plate 11 between the pair of wide product conveyors is removed, and the control unit drives the pair of wide product conveyors by the conveyor motor of one of the drive units 6, and drives the conveyors 5 other than the pair of wide product conveyors individually by the conveyor motors of the respective rear drive units 6.

[0098] Furthermore, in the present embodiment and the above-described modified example, the rear sprocket 57 of the conveyor 5 is driven by the drive unit 6. However, this is not limited to this, and the front sprocket 56 may also be driven by the drive unit 6. In other words, the rotation shaft 56a of the front sprocket 56 may serve as the drive-side rotation shaft, and the conveyor 5 may be front-driven. In this case, although not shown, the drive unit 6 is provided on the front end side of the conveyor 5. Specifically, the drive unit 6 includes, for example, a sprocket-side gear connected to the drive-side rotation shaft, which is the rotation shaft 56a of the front sprocket 56, a bucket-side gear provided in the bucket transfer device 9 and meshable with the sprocket-side gear, and a conveyor motor that drives the bucket-side gear meshed with the sprocket-side gear to rotate the rotation shaft 56a (drive-side rotation shaft). In other words, only one set of the bucket-side gear and the conveyor motor is provided in the vending machine 1, and a sprocket-side gear is provided for each conveyor 5.

[0099] Furthermore, in the case of front drive, the power transmission structure is not limited to the gear meshing type between the sprocket side gear and the bucket side gear as described above, and a push type power transmission structure may also be adopted. In this case, for example, although not shown, the drive unit 6 includes: a drive source provided in the bucket transfer device 9; a push unit driven to move in the front-rear direction by the drive source; an operating unit attached to the front end of the conveyor 5 opposite the push unit so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the conveyor frame 51 of the conveyor 5; a conversion unit (e.g., a rack-and-pinion structure) connected to the rotation shaft 56a of the front sprocket 56 and converting the front-rear displacement of the operating unit into a displacement in the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 56a (drive-side rotation shaft); and a one-way clutch provided in the conversion unit capable of transmitting only the rotational power in the running direction of the upper running portion 52a to the rotation shaft 56a. In this way, by adopting a push-type power transmission structure, it becomes possible to drive the conveyor 5 without increasing the positioning accuracy of the power transmission components, compared to the case of the gear meshing type power transmission structure described above.

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment and the above-described modified example, the conveyors 5 and the drive units 6 are provided in a one-to-one relationship, but this is not limiting, and a drive unit 6 does not have to be provided for each conveyor 5. For example, each product discharge device 7 may be provided with one drive unit 6 that drives all of the conveyors 5 via the clutch 10, or may be provided with multiple drive units 6 that drive multiple conveyors 5 via the clutches 10.

[0101] Furthermore, in the product discharge device 7, a plurality of conveyors 5 are provided in parallel with one another, but this is not limiting, and the conveyors 5 may be arranged in a single line.

[0102] Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 16(d) above, there are cases where a product P is placed on the endless member 52 (conveyor chain 521) of the conveyor 5 in a tilted position so that the front of the product P faces diagonally upward and forward. Furthermore, even if the gap between the product P and the separator 53 is relatively wide when the product P is placed on the conveyor chain 521 and the product P is initially placed in an upright position as shown in FIG. 16(a) or the like, the product P may tip backward due to vibrations during transport and become tilted as shown in FIG. 16(d). In these cases, if the center of gravity of the product P in the tilted or upright position is below the top end of the separator 53 (such as the case of the product P shown in FIG. 16(d)), the product P can be stably transported in an upright position.

[0103] However, in some cases, the center of gravity of a tilted or upright product P may be located near or above the upper end of the separator 53. In this case, due to vibrations during transport, the lower front portion of the product P (i.e., the lower front corner) may slide against the rear surface B of the upright separator 53, which is located in front of the product P in the traveling direction. The product P may then rotate backward around the upper end of the separator 53 as a fulcrum, potentially resulting in a tipping over. If such an unexpected rotation of the product P occurs, the product P may not be delivered (dispensed) from the product delivery device 7, or may get caught on a peripheral element (e.g., the left or right partition boards 11) and not be transported forward, potentially resulting in problems such as improper delivery or transport of the product P. Furthermore, any product P following the overturned product P may tip over again, causing the same problem for the following product P. When such tipping is likely to occur, the following structure may be employed.

[0104] 21 to 23 are diagrams illustrating an example of a structure (fall-prevention unit) for preventing products P placed on the conveyor 5 (conveyor chain 521) from falling over. Fig. 21 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a fall-prevention unit, Fig. 22 is a rear view of the separator 53 shown in Fig. 21, and Fig. 23 is a side view (right side view) of the separator 53 shown in Fig. 21.

[0105] 21 to 23, a slide suppression portion 53b that suppresses the end of the product P from sliding relative to the back surface B is provided in a predetermined region on the back surface B of each of the plurality of separators 53. The back surface B of the separator 53 is the rear surface in the running direction of the separator 53 that is in an upright position relative to the conveyor chain 521, in other words, the upper surface of the separator 53 that has rotated forward relative to the conveyor chain 521 and is in a laid-down position.

[0106] In this way, because the slide suppression portion 53b is provided on the back surface B of the separator 53, even if the center of gravity of the product P is higher than the upper end of the separator 53 as shown in Fig. 21, the end portion of the product P (the lower front corner portion in the figure) is effectively prevented from sliding relative to the back surface B, and the product P is prevented from tipping backward with the upper end of the separator 53 as a fulcrum. As a result, the occurrence of improper delivery or transport of the product P is prevented. Furthermore, the occurrence of malfunction or damage to the equipment due to the product P tipping over is also prevented.

[0107] 21 to 23 (hereinafter referred to as this modified example), the slippage suppression portion 53b is a plurality of protrusions 53b1 arranged at a distance from one another (see the enlarged view of the circled portion in FIG. 23). As a result, the end of the tilted product P is caught and locked by the plurality of protrusions 53b1, preventing further rotation of the product P. As a result, the product P is reliably prevented from tipping backward with the upper end of the separator 53 as a fulcrum.

[0108] Specifically, in this modified example, the multiple protrusions 53b1 are spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction, and each of the multiple protrusions 53b1 is a convex ridge extending in the separator width direction on the back surface B. In other words, the multiple protrusions 53b1 are spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction on the back surface B of the separator 53 in an upright position, and each protrusion 53b1 is a convex ridge extending in the separator width direction (left and right direction) and protruding rearward. This more reliably prevents the end of the product P from sliding up and down relative to the back surface B of the separator 53, and also locks the end of the product P in the separator width direction at a predetermined locking width, more reliably preventing the product P from tipping backward.

[0109] In this modified example, the predetermined region on the back surface B where the slippage suppression portion 53b is provided is set in a portion of the back surface B. Specifically, although not particularly limited, the portion of the back surface B that is the predetermined region is a portion along at least one edge of the back surface B in the separator width direction (in the drawing, a portion along both edges), and is set in two separate locations, left and right. That is, in this modified example, the slippage suppression portion 53b is provided in a portion having a predetermined width along one edge of the back surface B of the separator 53 in the separator width direction, and in a portion having a predetermined width along the other edge of the back surface B of the separator 53 in the separator width direction. That is, the predetermined region is set in two regions separated in the left-right direction (width direction) on the back surface B of the separator 53, and the slippage suppression portion 53b is provided on both sides of the separator 53, avoiding the central portion in the width direction. In this way, the cost of forming the slip suppression portion 53b is reduced by providing the slip suppression portion 53b on part of the back surface B rather than on the entire back surface B. Furthermore, by providing the slip suppression portion 53b on both sides in the width direction of the back surface B of the separator 53, slippage is prevented at both ends in the separator width direction at the lower front corners of the product P, and tipping of the product P in the left-right direction is more reliably prevented.

[0110] Specifically, in this modification, although not particularly limited, in the portion along the right edge of the separator width direction on the rear surface B, the slip suppression portion 53b is formed in an area above the protrusion forming arm 539, and in the portion along the left edge of the separator width direction on the rear surface B, the slip suppression portion 53b is formed over the entire range from top to bottom. Note that the predetermined area on the rear surface B where the slip suppression portion 53b is provided is not limited to two areas on the left and right, and can be set as appropriate. Modifications of the predetermined area will be described later.

[0111] In this modification, the protrusions 53b1 each made of a ridge are provided at equal intervals in the vertical direction. Although not shown, the protrusions 53b1 may be provided at unequal intervals, i.e., at irregular pitches, or the pitch may change midway in the vertical direction.

[0112] In this modification, each protrusion 53b1, which is a ridge, extends in the width direction and has a triangular cross-sectional shape with its lower portion extending substantially horizontally in a vertical cross-section of the separator 53 in an upright position (in other words, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 23, a substantially right-angled triangle with its hypotenuse pointing upward). This allows the end of the product P to be more securely locked onto the protrusion 53b1. Although not shown, the cross-sectional shape of each protrusion 53b1 is not limited to this, and it may also be a triangular cross-sectional shape with its lower portion inclined toward the placement surface 521a as it extends rearward, which further improves the locking ability. The cross-sectional shape of each protrusion 53b1 may be any suitable triangle (mountain shape) including a substantially right-angled triangle with its hypotenuse pointing downward, an isosceles triangle, or an equilateral triangle, a rectangle, or any combination thereof. The tip of the protrusion 53b1 is preferably rounded because it is the main contact point with the product P.

[0113] In this modification, the protruding length of each protruding portion 53b1 in the separator thickness direction is set to a predetermined length. That is, the multiple protruding portions 53b1 protrude uniformly with the same protruding length. Although not shown, the multiple protruding portions 53b1 do not have to protrude uniformly (with a constant protruding length), and protruding portions 53b1 with long protruding lengths and protruding portions 53b1 with short protruding lengths may be mixed.

[0114] In this modified example, the slip suppression portion 53b is formed integrally with the separator 53. Specifically, because the separator 53 is made of a resin material as described above, the slip suppression portion 53b is molded integrally with the separator 53 by, for example, injection molding, and an integrally molded product of the separator 53 and the slip suppression portion 53b is used. Alternatively, a molded separator product having an increased thickness corresponding to the protruding length of the slip suppression portion 53b may be produced, and then grooves may be formed in this molded separator product to form the slip suppression portion 53b on the back surface B of the separator 53. In other words, a molded separator product having a processing allowance for forming the slip suppression portion may be grooved (recessed) to form an integral product of the separator 53 and the slip suppression portion 53b.

[0115] In this modified example, the separators 53 and the slippage suppressing portions 53b of each separator 53 are made of a transparent material. Specifically, the integrally molded product or the integrated product of the separators 53 and the slippage suppressing portions 53b is made of a transparent resin material. As a result, the front-row product P (see the front-row product P1(P) shown in FIG. 17 for details) that is placed behind the front-row separator 53 and is the next product to be dispensed can be seen from the front side of the vending machine 1 through the front-row separator 53 and the slippage suppressing portions 53b. In particular, by providing the slippage suppressing portions 53b only in the regions of both edges of the separators 53 as in this modified example, tipping is prevented without impairing the appearance of the product as much as possible.

[0116] Fig. 24 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a modified example of the range in which the slip suppression portion 53b is provided. In Figs. 21 to 23, the slip suppression portion 53b is provided in two regions, left and right, on the rear surface B of the separator 53, but this is not limited to this. For example, the slip suppression portion 53b may be provided in at least one region (two regions in the figure) between the two left and right regions on the rear surface B of the separator 53, as shown in Fig. 24(a), or may be provided in multiple regions (two regions in the figure) separated vertically from the two left and right regions, as shown in Fig. 24(b).

[0117] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 24(c), the slippage suppression portion 53b may be provided over the entire rear surface B. In other words, the predetermined area may be set over the entire rear surface B of the separator 53. This effectively prevents tipping over not only for box-shaped regular-sized products but also for irregular-shaped products placed in thin bags. Although the separator 53 has the through-holes 53a formed therein, as shown in FIG. 24(d), the through-holes 53a may not be formed, and the intermediate plate 533 may extend to the lower ends of the left and right plate portions (531, 532). In this case (as shown in FIG. 24(d)), the overall area of ​​the rear surface B of the separator 53 is increased, and the slippage suppression portion 53b is provided over the entire wide rear surface B, thereby more effectively preventing tipping over. In addition, when the separator 53 does not have the through-hole 53a, the conveyor chain 521 can be divided into two types: one to which the separator 53 is connected, and one to which the separator 53 is not connected, as shown in FIG. 26 described later. In addition, in the case of the separator 53 shown in FIG. 24(d), although not shown, the slippage suppressing portion 53b may be provided in a plurality of regions separated vertically. In addition, in the above example (see FIGS. 22 to 24), the protrusion 53b1 as an example of the protrusion extends continuously without interruption in the separator width direction (left and right direction) within the range of the set predetermined region, but is not limited to this, and the protrusions may be provided intermittently in the separator width direction (in other words, scattered) within the set range of the set predetermined region (each range of FIGS. 22 to 24).

[0118] FIG. 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a modified example of the slippage suppressing portion 53b. The slippage suppressing portion 53b described above is a plurality of protrusions 53b1 formed integrally with the separator 53, but is not limited thereto. The slippage suppressing portion 53b may be a sheet-like member 53b2 attached to the predetermined region. The sheet-like member 53b2 serving as the slippage suppressing portion 53b has a higher friction coefficient than the friction coefficient of the back surface B of the separator 53 at least on the surface opposite to the surface attached to the predetermined region. The sheet-like member 53b2 is a sheet-like member made of an adhesive material such as a gel silicone material, and the friction coefficient of at least the surface of the sheet-like member 53b2 opposite to the attached surface (i.e., the surface facing the product P when attached to the separator 53 in an upright position) is higher than the friction coefficient of the back surface B of the separator 53. The surface of the sheet-like member 53b2 opposite to the attached surface is, for example, a flat surface as shown in FIG. 25. This prevents the product P from tipping over, similarly to the multiple protrusions 53b1. Note that fine irregularities may be formed on the surface opposite to the attachment surface. In other words, the sheet-like member 53b2 serving as the slippage suppression portion 53b may be an anti-slip sheet having fine irregularities on the surface opposite to the attachment surface (for example, a sandpaper sheet or a sheet with a fine shark skin-like surface).

[0119] FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example in which an auxiliary separator 53c is provided on a separator 53. Separator 53 may be provided with an auxiliary separator 53c to more reliably prevent product P with a high center of gravity, as shown in FIG. 26, from tipping over. Auxiliary separator 53c is supported at its end by separator 53 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 53c1 extending in the width direction and provided on the upper portion of separator 53. In this case, separator 53 does not have through-hole 53a. Instead, a recess 53d capable of accommodating auxiliary separator 53c is provided on the surface of separator 53 opposite rear surface B. Auxiliary separator 53c is biased in the rotation direction to be accommodated in recess 53d of separator 53 by a biasing member, such as a coil spring (not shown). Therefore, unless an external force is applied to the auxiliary separator 53c, the auxiliary separator 53c is accommodated in the recess 53d of the separator 53 by the biasing force of the biasing member, as shown in the auxiliary separator 53c at the right end of Figure 26. When placing a tall product, the auxiliary separator 53c can be manually rotated upright by an operator or the like as necessary, and in this state, the product P can be leaned against the upper end of the auxiliary separator 53c (see the auxiliary separator 53c at the left end and center of Figure 26). The upright auxiliary separator 53c is biased in a direction that rotates it forward (toward accommodating it in the recess 53d). Therefore, the biasing force of the biasing member acts on the product P as an auxiliary force to push the product P from the rear as it falls naturally (under its own weight) when it is being carried out.

[0120] 26, the conveyor chain 521 does not have the fitting portion 521i or the separator accommodating recess 522, and the upper surface of the conveyor chain 521 is formed as a flat surface. The conveyor chain 521 is divided into two types: one to which the separator 53 is connected and one to which the separator 53 is not connected. The convex portion 521b of the conveyor chain 521 to which the separator 53 is connected protrudes above the upper surface of the conveyor chain 521, and the convex portion 521b of the conveyor chain 521 to which the separator 53 is not connected does not protrude above the upper surface of the conveyor chain 521.

[0121] The above describes the embodiments and modifications of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and it goes without saying that further modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0122] Furthermore, when focusing on measures to suppress sliding, the product discharge device 7 does not need to have the standing member 54, but only needs to include at least the sliding suppressing part 53b. That is, the product discharge device 7 includes a conveyor 5 having an endless member 52 wound around a front sprocket (front rotating member) 56 and a rear sprocket (rear rotating member) 57, and a plurality of separators 53 connected to the endless member 52 at intervals so as to be rotatable between an upright position in which they stand up relative to the endless member 52 and a laid position in which they lie down, and discharges the products P placed on the upper running part 52a forward by causing the upper running part 52a of the endless member 52 to travel forward, and the product discharge device 7 is provided with a sliding suppressing part 53b in a predetermined region on the back surface B of each of the plurality of separators 53 to suppress sliding of the end of the product P relative to the back surface B, thereby effectively suppressing sliding of the products P. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1...vending machine, 4c...product take-out port, 5...conveyor, 52...endless member, 52a...upper running portion, 521i...insertion portion, 522...separator accommodating recess (recess), 53...separator, 53a...through hole, 53b...slip suppression portion, 53b1...protrusion portion, 53b2...sheet-shaped member, 537...upper protrusion, 538...lower protrusion, 54...standing member, 54c...guide groove portion, 55...falling member, 55a...tip portion, 55b...base end portion, 56...front sprocket (front rotating member), 56a...rotating shaft, 57...rear sprocket (rear rotating member), 57a...rotating shaft, 57A...drive side rotating shaft, 7...product discharge device, 9...bucket transfer device (product transfer device), 10...clutch, 11...partition plate, B...back side, P...product

Claims

1. A product discharging device including a conveyor having an endless member wound around a front rotating member and a rear rotating member, and a plurality of separators connected to the endless member at intervals so that each separator can rotate between an upright position in which it stands up relative to the endless member and a laid-down position in which it lays down, and which carries products placed on the upper running portion forward by causing the upper running portion of the endless member to travel forward, The conveyor is an upright member that is disposed near the rear rotating member and that comes into contact with a separator among the plurality of separators that is in the laid-down position and moves near the rear rotating member, thereby rotating the separator toward the upright position and uprighting the separator; a tilting member that is disposed near the front rotating member and that comes into contact with a separator among the plurality of separators that is in the upright position and moves near the front rotating member, thereby rotating the separator in the direction of the tilted position and tilting the separator; Including, the tilting member is disposed to the side of the front rotation member and above a rotation axis of the front rotation member, each of the plurality of separators has a lower protrusion that is located below a connection portion of the separator to the endless member in the upright position and that protrudes outward from one end surface of the endless member in the width direction; The product discharge device, wherein the tilting member has a tip end provided to be positioned on the movement trajectory of the lower protrusion and a base end supported so as to be rotatable in the tilting direction of the separator.

2. A product discharging device including a conveyor having an endless member wound around a front rotating member and a rear rotating member, and a plurality of separators connected to the endless member at intervals so that each separator can rotate between an upright position in which it stands up relative to the endless member and a laid-down position in which it lays down, and which carries products placed on the upper running portion forward by causing the upper running portion of the endless member to travel forward, the conveyor includes an upright member that is disposed near the rear rotating member and that comes into contact with a separator among the plurality of separators that is in the laid-down position and moves near the rear rotating member, thereby rotating the separator toward the upright position and uprighting the separator; the upright member is disposed to the side of the rear rotation member and above a rotation axis of the rear rotation member, each of the plurality of separators has an upper protrusion that is located above a connection portion of the separator to the endless member in the upright position and that protrudes outward from one end surface of the endless member in the width direction; The standing member has a guide groove portion that receives the upper protrusion of a separator that moves around the rear rotating member among the plurality of separators and rotates the separator in the direction of the standing posture, in a product discharging device.

3. A product discharging device including a conveyor having an endless member wound around a front rotating member and a rear rotating member, and a plurality of separators connected to the endless member at intervals so that each separator can rotate between an upright position in which it stands up relative to the endless member and a laid-down position in which it lays down, and which carries products placed on the upper running portion forward by causing the upper running portion of the endless member to travel forward, the conveyor includes an upright member that is disposed near the rear rotating member and that comes into contact with a separator among the plurality of separators that is in the laid-down position and moves near the rear rotating member, thereby rotating the separator toward the upright position and uprighting the separator; The endless member has a recess formed so as to be able to accommodate one of the plurality of separators in the laid-down position.

4. Each of the plurality of separators has a through hole formed therethrough in a thickness direction thereof, 4. The product discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the endless member has a fitting portion that fits into the through-hole of one of the plurality of separators that is in the laid-down position.

5. A product dispensing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a sliding suppression portion is provided in a predetermined area on the back surface of each of the plurality of separators to suppress sliding of the end portion of the product relative to the back surface.

6. The product discharge device according to claim 5 , wherein the predetermined area is set in a portion along at least one edge of the rear surface in the separator width direction.

7. The product dispensing device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the slippage suppressing portion is a plurality of protrusions arranged spaced apart from each other.

8. The product discharge device according to claim 7 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction, and each of the plurality of protrusions is a ridge extending in the separator width direction on the rear surface.

9. the slippage suppression portion is a sheet-like member attached to the predetermined area, The product dispensing device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the sheet-like member has a higher coefficient of friction than the back surface at least on the surface opposite to the surface attached to the predetermined area.

10. The product dispensing device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the plurality of separators and the slippage suppressing portion are made of a transparent material.

11. A plurality of the conveyors are arranged in parallel with each other, The product dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a drive-side rotation shaft that is a rotation shaft of either the front rotation member or the rear rotation member is rotationally driven.

12. a clutch provided between the drive-side rotating shaft of one of the two adjacent conveyors and the drive-side rotating shaft of the other of the two adjacent conveyors, for intermittently connecting the one drive-side rotating shaft and the other drive-side rotating shaft; a partition plate that separates the two adjacent conveyors and is detachably attached to a support member provided between the two adjacent conveyors; Including, The clutch is configured to be in a first state in which rotational power is transmitted between the one drive-side rotating shaft and the other drive-side rotating shaft when the partition plate is detached from the support member, and to be switched from the first state to a second state in which transmission of the rotational power is interrupted when the partition plate is attached to the support member. The product dispensing device according to claim 11.

13. The product discharging device according to any one of claims 1 to 12; a product take-out port through which a user can take out the product; a product transfer device capable of transferring the product between the product discharge device and the product take-out port; Including, Vending machine.

Images