vending machine

Abstract

To provide an automatic vending machine in which a storage part can be included for storing various commodities.SOLUTION: An automatic vending machine 10 includes: a main body 12 having an outer door 14 attached to the front side so as to be openable / closable; a first storage part 30 formed inside the main body 12 and having a serpentine type first column 36 for storing cans or bottles; and a second storage part 32 formed inside the main body 12 and having one or more racks 46 in which a plurality of spiral type second columns 44 for storing commodities PD are arranged in the vertical direction. The racks 46 are installed in the second storage part 32 so as to be attachable / detachable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a vending machine.

Background Art

[0002] With the diversification of consumer needs, vending machines that can sell beverages and foods together have emerged. Patent Document 1 discloses a vending machine having a first storage chamber for storing cans, bottles, etc., and a second storage chamber that is independently forward-drawable and that discharges products by means of a discharge device provided with a drive mechanism, the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber being provided side by side within the same box body, and an outer door that covers an opening at the front of the box body being openable and closable by means of a hinge mechanism, the second storage chamber being arranged at an end on the side opposite the hinge of the outer door.

[0003] In addition, in order to meet various consumer needs and social needs, there is a demand for a technology that enables the recycling of vending machines not only by newly manufacturing vending machines but also by changing the structure of the storage chambers within the vending machines. However, in existing vending machines such as the vending machine described in Patent Document 1, since the storage chambers are installed, it is difficult to change their structures.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In consideration of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine capable of configuring a storage unit for storing various products.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a vending machine comprising: a main body having an outer door that is detachably mounted on the front side; a first storage section formed inside the main body having a serpentine-type first storage compartment for storing cans or bottles; and a second storage section formed inside the main body having one or more racks in which a plurality of spiral-type second storage compartments for storing products are arranged vertically, the racks being detachably installed in the second storage section.

[0007] Furthermore, in another aspect of the present disclosure, the second storage compartment has a space formed such that a predetermined gap is created between the outer door and the rack, and the rack may be dimensionally adjustable so that the predetermined gap in the space can be changed in accordance with the dimensions of the goods.

[0008] Furthermore, in another aspect of this disclosure, the lower side of the space may be connected to a product dispensing opening formed on the lower side of the outer door, and may have a buffer mechanism for cushioning the impact of products falling from the second storage compartment and falling into the space.

[0009] Furthermore, in another aspect of the present disclosure, the second storage unit may have a discharge assist sheet that is pivotably attached to the product discharge port, with its upper end as a pivot point, and covers the discharge port.

[0010] Furthermore, in another aspect of this disclosure, the discharge control unit may be configured to switch between an AC power supply for operating the first storage compartment and a DC power supply for operating the second storage compartment, in order to operate the first storage compartment to discharge cans or bottles, or to operate the second storage compartment to discharge goods, in response to a command from a user operation unit located on the outer door. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the body of the vending machine includes a first storage section having a serpentine-type first storage compartment for storing cans or bottles, and a second storage section having one or more racks in which a plurality of spiral-type second storage compartments for storing products are arranged vertically. Therefore, a variety of products, including beverages and food, can be stored in a single vending machine. The racks are detachably installed in the second storage section. Therefore, the dimensions of the second storage compartments arranged in the racks can be changed according to the dimensions of the products to be stored in the second storage section. This allows for the storage of a variety of products without being restricted by the dimensions of the products.

[0012] Furthermore, according to one aspect of this disclosure, the second storage compartment has a space formed such that a predetermined gap is created between the outer door and the rack. Also, since the dimensions of the rack and the second storage compartment arranged thereon can be changed, the predetermined gap in the space can be changed in accordance with the dimensions of the products to be stored. This prevents or suppresses jamming of products stored in the second storage compartment within the space, and allows the products to be moved to the product dispensing opening of the vending machine, enabling the storage of a variety of products without imposing restrictions on the dimensions of the products.

[0013] Furthermore, according to one aspect of this disclosure, the lower side of the space is connected to a product dispensing opening formed on the lower side of the outer door and has a buffering mechanism for cushioning the impact of products falling from the second storage compartment and falling into the space. For example, it is possible to cushion the impact of products with shapes or properties that are prone to cracking or chipping, and a variety of products can be stored without imposing restrictions on the dimensions of the products.

[0014] Furthermore, according to one aspect of this disclosure, the second storage compartment has a discharge assist sheet that is pivotably attached to the product discharge opening with its upper end as a pivot point and covers the discharge opening. This prevents or suppresses the product stored in the second storage compartment from getting caught in the second storage compartment below when it is discharged, allowing the product to fall to the product dispensing opening of the vending machine, and enabling the storage of a variety of products without imposing restrictions on the dimensions of the products.

[0015] Furthermore, according to one aspect of this disclosure, the discharge control unit is configured to switch between an AC power supply for operating the first storage compartment and a DC power supply for operating the second storage compartment, in order to operate the first storage compartment to discharge cans or bottles, or to operate the second storage compartment to discharge goods, in response to a command from a user operation unit located on the outer door. Therefore, even if the power supplies for operating the first and second storage compartments differ due to differences in the configuration of the storage compartments, goods can be discharged uniformly. This makes it possible to store a variety of goods without imposing restrictions on the goods that can be stored due to different storage methods. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the vending machine according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the vending machine with the outer door open. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the second storage compartment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the spiral-type column as seen from the front. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the spiral-type column as seen from the back. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Hereinafter, the vending machine 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted. For ease of understanding, the scale of the drawings may be changed for the description.

[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the vending machine 10 according to the present embodiment. An outer door 14 is attached to the main body 12 of the vending machine 10 so as to cover the front surface thereof. The outer door 14 is attached to the main body 12 so as to be rotatable via a hinge mechanism (not shown), and the merchandise PD (see FIG. 2) can be taken in and out by opening the outer door 14 to open the interior.

[0019] At the upper part of the outer door 14, a product display section 16 and product selection buttons 18 as user operation sections are arranged. The product display section 16 is a display room for displaying product samples (not shown) or a monitor for displaying images of product samples. Here, the product display section 16 has a first display section 16a and a second display section 16b for displaying or showing a first product group and a second product group, which will be described later. The product selection buttons 18 are arranged below each of the products PD being displayed or shown. A user who intends to purchase a product PD from the vending machine 10 can select the product PD by pressing the product selection button 18.

[0020] Below the product display section 16 on the outer door 14, there are provided an advertisement display section 20 for posting or monitor-displaying advertisements or the like of the product PD, coin insertion slots 22a and 22b for inserting coins and banknotes, and an electronic money reading section 24 capable of performing settlement by electronic money. Further, below these, a product outlet 26 is formed for the user to take out the product PD selected by the user and discharged from the inside of the vending machine 10.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, by opening the outer door 14 and the inner door 28 rotatably arranged on the back side of the outer door 14 with the same support shaft as the outer door 14, inside the main body 12 that is thereby opened, a first storage part 30 and a second storage part 32 separate from the first storage part 30 are formed. In the first storage part 30, for example, products PD accommodated in products such as cans and bottles, which are the first product group, are stored. In the second storage part 32, for example, products PD of the second product group accommodated in boxes or bags are stored.

[0022] The first storage part 30 has a plurality (here, two) of first columns 36 as first storage bins separated by partition plates 34, and curved serpentine columns (not shown) are incorporated inside these. For this reason, products PD such as cans and bottles are placed horizontally and inserted through the product insertion opening 38 formed at the upper part of the first column 36, and are configured to be stored inside the serpentine column.

[0023] The first storage part 30 is electrically connected to the product selection button 18 via a discharge control part 40 (see Fig. 3) arranged inside the main body 12. For this reason, the first storage part 30 is configured such that a product discharging device (not shown) inside the first column 36 operates according to an order command transmitted when the user presses the product selection button 18. Thereby, the products PD stored in the first column 36 are discharged one by one from the can / bottle discharge opening 42 formed at the lower part of the first column 36 and connected to the product outlet 26.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the second storage part 32. In the second storage part 32, a plurality of second columns 44 as second storage bins and a rack 46 in which a plurality are connected along the vertical direction are arranged. Here, as shown in Fig. 2, in the second storage part 32, two racks 46 are detachably suspended from the ceiling part 48 of the main body 12 of the vending machine 10. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, a hooking tool 52 having a claw part 50 is attached to the upper end of the rack 46, and by hooking the hooking tool 52 to the ceiling part 48, it is detachably suspended from the main body 12.

[0025] In this description, the rack 46 is described as being detachably suspended from the main body 12 of the vending machine 10 via a hook 52. However, the description is not limited to this, and for example, the rack may be detachably attached to the ceiling by sliding a rectangular bar-shaped protrusion formed at the upper end of the rack and projecting upward into a groove-shaped recess formed in the ceiling and opening downward.

[0026] The second column 44 is formed in a box shape with an opening 54 as an outlet on its front side, that is, on the side of the outer door 14 and product dispensing outlet 26 (see Figure 1) of the vending machine 10. Inside the second column 44, a spiral member 56 for dispensing the product PD is arranged horizontally.

[0027] Figures 4 and 5 show perspective views of the inside of the second column 44. Here, the second column 44 is configured as a double spiral type with two spiral members 56 arranged in parallel. As shown in Figure 2, the box-shaped or bag-shaped product PD is housed inside the second column 44, positioned across the helical space 58 of the two spiral members 56.

[0028] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a motor 60 for rotating the spiral member 56 is located on the rear side of the spiral member 56. The motor 60 is electrically connected to the product selection button 18 (see Figure 1) via the discharge control unit 40 (see Figure 3). Therefore, the second column 44 is configured so that the spiral member 56 rotates in response to an order command transmitted when the user presses the product selection button 18. With one rotation of the spiral member 56, the product PD placed in the helical space 58 can be sent forward by one pitch of the spiral member 56, i.e., toward the opening 54. The product PD sent to the opening 54 can then fall downward as the spiral member 56 rotates one more time and be discharged to the product outlet 26.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, a discharge assist sheet 62 is attached to the opening 54 of the second column 44 so as to be pivotable on the upper end of the opening 54 and covering the opening 54. The discharge assist sheet 62 is made of a transparent vinyl sheet or acrylic plate so that the inside of the second column 44 can be seen from the outside of the rack 46 even when it is attached to the opening 54. The discharge assist sheet 62 is formed to extend below the lower end of the opening 54 and covers the entire opening 54 when no product PD is being discharged from the opening 54. This prevents or suppresses the product PD from getting caught on the lower second column 44 and allows the product PD to fall to the product dispensing opening 26 of the vending machine 10, so that a variety of product PDs can be stored in the second column 44 without dimensional constraints.

[0030] In the second storage section 32, a space 64 is formed such that a predetermined gap D is created between the outer door 14 and the inner door 28 and the rack 46. Therefore, the dimensions of the second column 44 and the rack 46 arranged in the second storage section 32 can be changed according to the dimensions of the product PD to be stored. Thus, the predetermined gap D in the space 64 can be adjusted in accordance with the dimensions of the product PD. This prevents or suppresses product PD stored in the second column 44 from getting stuck in the space 64, and allows the product PD to fall to the product dispensing opening 26 of the vending machine 10, and allows a variety of product PD to be stored in the second column 44 without imposing dimensional constraints.

[0031] Below the space 64 into which the product PD falls, an inclined section 66 is formed as a buffering mechanism connecting to the product outlet 26. The inclined section 66 extends downward at a predetermined angle of inclination as it approaches the product outlet 26, allowing the fallen product PD to slide down to the product outlet 26. The inclined section 66 has a two-layer structure consisting of a surface section 66a made of a plastic or metal plate with a smooth surface to reduce the coefficient of friction when the product PD slides down, and an inner surface section 66b made of a cushioning material such as urethane, located below the surface section 66a. As a result, the impact of the product PD falling from the second column 44 and falling through the space 64 can be buffered. This allows for the buffering of the impact of falling product PDs, for example, those with shapes or properties that are prone to cracking or chipping, thus enabling the storage of a variety of product PDs without dimensional constraints.

[0032] The power supply for the product discharge device of the first column 36, which stores cans or bottles, is an AC power supply, and the power supply for the motor 60 of the second column 44 is a DC power supply. Therefore, the discharge control unit 40 is configured to switch between AC power and DC power. Specifically, the discharge control unit 40 has a relay (not shown) and is configured to switch between a first connection that directly connects the power supply to the first column 36 and a second connection that connects the power supply to the motor 60 via a converter (not shown). Therefore, even if the power supplies for operating the first column 36 and the second column 44 are different, the products PD can be discharged uniformly, and a variety of products PD can be stored without imposing restrictions on product PD due to different storage methods.

[0033] The operation and effects of the vending machine 10 according to this embodiment are described below.

[0034] According to the vending machine 10 of this embodiment, the main body 12 of the vending machine 10 contains a first storage section 30 having a serpentine-type first column 36 for storing cans or bottles, and a second storage section 32 having one or more racks 46 in which multiple spiral-type second columns 44 are arranged vertically for storing product PDs. As a result, a variety of product PDs, including beverages and food, can be stored in a single vending machine 10. The racks 46 are detachably suspended from the second storage section 32. As a result, the dimensions of the racks 46 can be changed according to the dimensions of the product PDs to be stored in the second storage section 32, allowing for the storage of a variety of product PDs without imposing restrictions on the dimensions of the product PDs.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the vending machine 10 of this embodiment, the second storage section 32 has a space 64 formed such that a predetermined gap D is created between the outer door 14 and the rack 46. Also, since the dimensions of the rack 46 and the second column 44 arranged therein can be changed, the predetermined gap D in the space 64 can be changed in accordance with the dimensions of the products PD to be stored. This prevents or suppresses product PD stored in the second column 44 from getting stuck in the space 64, and allows the product PD to be moved to the product dispensing opening 26 of the vending machine 10, enabling the storage of a variety of products PD without imposing restrictions on the dimensions of the product PD.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the vending machine 10 of this embodiment, the second column 44 is positioned to cover the end on the opening 54 side and has a discharge assist sheet 62 that is pivotably attached to the upper end of the second column 44 with the upper end as the pivot point. This prevents or suppresses product PD discharged from the opening 54 of the second column 44 from getting caught on the lower part of the second column 44, and allows the product PD to fall to the product dispensing opening 26 of the vending machine 10, enabling the storage of a variety of product PD without imposing restrictions on the dimensions of the product PD. In addition, the length of the discharge assist sheet 62 in the vertical direction can be arbitrarily adjusted according to the weight of the product PD to be discharged, the shape and material of its packaging, etc., so as not to obstruct the discharge of the product itself from the second column 44. For example, in order to prevent product PD discharged from the upper side of the second column 44 from getting caught midway and to ensure that product PD is discharged from the second column 44, it is preferable to make the discharge assist sheet 62 vertically long enough to cover the upper end of the spiral member 56.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the vending machine 10 of this embodiment, the lower side of the space 64 has an inclined portion 66 that connects the product dispensing opening 26 formed on the lower side of the outer door 14 to the space 64, which can cushion the impact of the falling product PD that is discharged from the second column 44 and falls into the space 64. This makes it possible to cushion the impact of falling product PD that have a shape or properties that are prone to cracking or chipping, and to store a variety of product PD without imposing restrictions on the dimensions of the product PD.

[0038] Furthermore, the vending machine 10 according to this embodiment includes an discharge control unit 40 that is electrically connected to the product selection button 18 and is configured to switch between an AC power supply for operating the first column 36 to dispense cans or bottles and a DC power supply for operating the second storage compartment to dispense products. Therefore, even if the power supply for operating the first column 36 and the second column 44 differs depending on the storage method, the product PD can be dispensed uniformly. This makes it possible to store a variety of product PDs without imposing restrictions on product PDs due to different storage methods.

[0039] As described above, the vending machine 10 according to this embodiment allows for the configuration of a storage compartment that can accommodate a variety of products PD.

[0040] In this explanation, the rack 46 is described as being composed of multiple second columns 44 of equal dimensions arranged vertically. However, the rack is not limited to this configuration, and may be constructed by combining second columns of different dimensions. Furthermore, for example, interlocking holes and protrusions may be provided on the sides and bottom of the rack, and the number of items that can be stored may be maximized by installing the columns in an optimal vertical length or width depending on the dimensions of the products.

[0041] Furthermore, although it has been described here that two racks 46 are arranged in the second storage section 32, this is not limited to this. For example, the second storage section may have one rack formed to match the dimensions of the second storage section, or it may have three or more racks.

[0042] Although embodiments of the vending machine 10 have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications of the above embodiments are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10 Vending machines 12 Main unit 14 Outer door 18. Product selection button (user operation area) 26 Product outlet 30 First storage compartment 32 Second storage compartment 36. Column 1 (Storage Room 1) 40 Discharge control unit 44. Second Column (Second Storage Room) 46 racks 54 Opening (exhaust port) 62 Discharge Assist Sheet 64 Space Department 66. Inclined section (buffer mechanism) D interval PD products

Claims

1. The main body has an outer door that is attached to the front side so that it can be opened and closed, A first storage compartment formed inside the main body, having a serpentine-type first storage compartment for storing cans or bottles, The main body comprises a second storage section having one or more racks arranged vertically, each containing multiple spiral-type second storage compartments for storing goods, formed inside the main body, The rack and the second storage unit are configured to be dimensionally adjustable. The rack is a vending machine that is detachably installed in the second storage compartment.

2. The second storage section has a space formed such that a predetermined gap is created between the outer door and the rack. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the rack is dimensionally adjustable so that the predetermined spacing in the space can be changed in accordance with the dimensions of the products.

3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the lower side of the space is connected to a product dispensing opening formed on the lower side of the outer door, and has a buffer mechanism for cushioning the impact of the falling product as it is discharged from the second storage compartment and falls into the space.

4. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the second storage compartment is pivotably attached to the product discharge port with its upper end as a pivot point and has a discharge assist sheet that covers the discharge port.

5. An automatic vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a discharge control unit configured to switch between an AC power supply for operating the first storage unit and a DC power supply for operating the second storage unit in order to operate the first storage unit to discharge the can or the bottle, or to operate the second storage unit to discharge the product, in response to a command from a user operation unit located on the outer door.

Images