Product storage device

Abstract

To enable a light-weight commodity to be a storage target and improve the degree of freedom of a commodity to be stored.SOLUTION: Provided is a commodity storage device including: a conveyance mechanism 31 configured with a plurality of shelves 314 provided on a conveyance chain 313 endlessly provided under tension, the conveyance mechanism conveying downward a commodity placed on an upper surface 314a of the shelf 314 in a conveyance area 30a and dispensing downward the commodity placed on the shelf 314 in a dispensing area 30b; a sold-out detection lever 32 provided to be movable forward and backward with respect to a passage region 30d of the shelf 314 from the conveyance area 30a to the dispensing area 30b; and a sold-out detection switch 33 for detecting that there is a commodity on the shelf 314 when the sold-out detection lever 32 is pressed by the shelf 314 to move backward from the passage region 30d, and detects that there is no commodity on the shelf 314 when the sold-out detection lever 32 maintains a moved-forward state even in contact with the shelf 314. The shelf 314 includes a regulation wall 315 erected upward relative to the upper surface 314a when it passes through the conveyance area 30a, and allowing a commodity to be placed at its tip.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a merchandise storage device, and more particularly to a merchandise storage device applicable to a vending machine that sells food products contained in various containers such as packaging bags as merchandise.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a merchandise storage device applicable to a vending machine that sells food products contained in various containers such as packaging bags as merchandise, a chain elevator type merchandise rack is known.

[0003] Such a merchandise storage device has a conveyance mechanism installed in columns partitioned by partition plates and arranged side by side in a row along the front-rear direction. The conveyance mechanism is configured such that a plurality of shelves are provided at predetermined intervals along the extending direction of a conveyance chain stretched endlessly between a pair of upper and lower sprockets.

[0004] In such a merchandise storage device, when a dispensing command is given to any one of the columns and the conveyance chain constituting the conveyance mechanism of that column is displaced, the merchandise placed on the shelf in the conveyance area is conveyed downward, and the merchandise placed on the shelf in the dispensing area is dispensed downward (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, although not explicitly stated in Patent Document 1, it is common for a merchandise storage device to be provided with a stockout detection lever and stockout detection means.

[0007] The sold-out detection lever is provided so as to be able to swing forward and backward within the passage area of ​​the shelf from the transport area to the dispensing area, and under normal conditions it is biased by a biasing means to move forward into the passage area.

[0008] The sold-out detection means detects that there is a product on a shelf when the sold-out detection lever is pressed against the shelf passing through the passage area and moves backward against the biasing force of the biasing means, while detecting that there is no product on the shelf when the sold-out detection lever remains in an advanced position even when it comes into contact with the shelf passing through the passage area.

[0009] Thus, for the sold-out detection mechanism to detect that an item is still available, the sold-out detection lever had to be moved backward from the passage area, and the items placed on the shelf needed to have sufficient mass. Therefore, lightweight items could not be stored.

[0010] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a product storage device that can also store lightweight products and improves the flexibility of the products to be stored. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above objective, the product storage device according to the present invention is configured such that a transport chain is stretched endlessly between a pair of upper and lower sprockets, and a plurality of shelves are provided at predetermined intervals along the direction in which the transport chain extends, and in the transport area where the transport chain is displaced downward, products placed on the upper surface of the shelves are transported downward, and in the dispensing area where the transport chain is displaced from below to above, products placed on the shelves are dispensed downward, and a biasing means is provided so as to be movable forward and backward in the passage area of ​​the shelves from the transport area to the dispensing area, and in normal conditions biases A product storage device comprising a lever member that moves forward into the passage area, and a sold-out detection means that detects the presence of goods on the shelf when the lever member is pressed against the shelf passing through the passage area and moves backward against the biasing force of the biasing means, while detecting the absence of goods on the shelf when the lever member maintains its forward-moving state even when it comes into contact with the shelf passing through the passage area, wherein the shelf is characterized in that it is erected above the upper surface at least when passing through the transport area and has a regulating wall at the tip opposite to the base end connected to the transport chain on which the goods are placed.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned product storage device, the restricting wall is provided so as to be swingable in such a manner that it can be extended and retracted in the upper area of ​​the upper surface of the shelf.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned product storage device, the transport mechanism is configured such that in the return region where the transport chain is displaced upward, the shelf extends downward.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned product storage device, the restricting wall swings in a manner that brings it close to the upper surface of the shelf when the shelf passes through the return area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, since the regulating wall constituting the shelf is erected above the upper surface at least when the shelf passes through the conveyance area, and a product is placed at the tip end on the opposite side of the base end connected to the conveyance chain, even when a lightweight product is placed, when the shelf passes through the passage area, sufficient torque can be applied to the lever member, and the lever member can be retracted from the passage area against the biasing force of the biasing means. Thereby, when a lightweight product is placed, it is possible to accurately detect that there is a product, a lightweight product can also be a storage target, and the degree of freedom in storing products can be improved.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the internal structure of a vending machine to which a product storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one product storage device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing one product storage device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the conveyance mechanism shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one shelf shown in FIG. 3 and the like. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing one shelf shown in FIG. 3 and the like. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing one shelf shown in FIG. 3 and the like. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view showing an enlarged main part of the conveyance mechanism shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view showing an enlarged main part of the conveyance mechanism shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing an enlarged main part of the conveyance mechanism shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Referring to the accompanying drawings below, a preferred embodiment of the merchandise storage device according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the internal structure of a vending machine to which the merchandise storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The vending machine illustrated here includes a main body cabinet 1, an outer door 2, and an inner door 3.

[0019] The main body cabinet 1 has a rectangular shape with an opening in the front, and is formed by appropriately combining a plurality of steel plates. The outer door 2 is for covering the front opening of the main body cabinet 1, and is disposed on one side edge of the main body cabinet 1 so as to be openable and closable. Although not shown in the figure, on the front side of this outer door 2, there are a product display room for displaying product samples, product selection buttons for selecting products, a coin insertion slot for inserting coins, a bill insertion slot for inserting bills, a product outlet for taking out products, and a coin return slot for returning coins. On the other hand, on the rear side, there are a control board for controlling the operation of the vending machine, a coin processing device for performing money processing on the coins received through the coin insertion slot, and a bill processing device for performing money processing on the bills received through the bill insertion slot.

[0020] The inner door 3 is a heat-insulating door for covering the front opening of the merchandise storage 6 described later, and is disposed on the inner side relative to the outer door 2 so as to be openable and closable. A product carry-out port 5 for carrying out products to the outside of the merchandise storage 6 is provided at the lower part of this inner door 3.

[0021] Inside the main body cabinet 1, a merchandise storage 6 is provided. More specifically, inside the main body cabinet 1, it is partitioned vertically by a heat-insulating bottom wall 1a, a machine room 7 is provided on the lower side, and a merchandise storage 6 is provided on the upper side. Various devices of the vending machine are arranged in the machine room 7, and a compressor (not shown), a condenser 8, etc. are arranged.

[0022] The product storage compartment 6 is designed to store products while maintaining them at a desired temperature and has an insulating structure. Inside the product storage compartment 6, a chute 9 is provided, and a temperature control unit (not shown) is located in the area below the chute 9, while a product storage device 20 is located in the area above the chute 9 (hereinafter also referred to as the product storage area).

[0023] The chute 9 is a plate-shaped member that guides products dispensed from the product storage device 20 to the product exit 5 of the inner door 3, and is arranged in such a manner that it gradually slopes downward toward the front.

[0024] The temperature control unit is for maintaining the internal air (internal atmosphere) of the product storage compartment 6 at a desired temperature. Although not explicitly shown in the diagram, it comprises an evaporator, a heater, and a blower fan. The evaporator forms a refrigeration cycle through refrigerant piping with the compressor, condenser 8, and expansion mechanism located in the machine room 7 of the main cabinet 1. In this temperature control unit, for example, when the blower fan is driven while the refrigeration cycle is running, the air cooled in the evaporator is sent upward through the vents formed in the chute 9, maintaining a low temperature in the product storage area. On the other hand, when the blower fan is driven while the heater is energized, the air heated by the heater is sent upward through the vents in the chute 9, maintaining a high temperature in the product storage area.

[0025] The product storage device 20 is supported by the main cabinet 1 via a drawer mechanism 10. The drawer mechanism 10 consists of a fixed rail (not shown) and a support rail 11, both of which are elongated. The fixed rail is fixed to the top wall of the product storage compartment 6 along the front-to-back direction and supports the support rail 11 so that it can slide along its longitudinal direction. The support rail 11 is attached to the upper wall portion 211 of the device body 21 (see Figure 2). In other words, as shown in Figure 1, the product storage device 20 is pulled out to the outside through the front opening of the product storage compartment 6 and the front opening of the main cabinet 1 by sliding the support rail 11 along the fixed rail.

[0026] Figures 2 and 3 each show one of the product storage devices 20 shown in Figure 1, with Figure 2 being a perspective view and Figure 3 being a cross-sectional view.

[0027] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the main body 21 of the product storage device 20 is box-shaped with openings 21a and 21b on its right side and bottom. The opening 21a on the right side of the main body 21 is configured to be openable and closable by two door bodies 22.

[0028] Inside the main body 21 of such a device, multiple partition plates 23 (four in the illustrated example) are installed, so that multiple columns 30 (five in the illustrated example) are arranged in a row along the front-to-back direction. In other words, multiple columns 30 are separated by partition plates 23 and arranged in a row along the front-to-back direction.

[0029] Of these multiple columns 30, the foremost column 30 is partitioned by the front wall 212 of the device body 21 and a partition plate 23, the rearmost column 30 is partitioned by the rear wall 213 of the device body 21 and a partition plate 23, and the second to fourth columns 30 from the front are partitioned front and back by partition plates 23.

[0030] Each column 30 is equipped with a conveying mechanism 31. The conveying mechanism 31 is a well-known type consisting of a chain elevator conveying mechanism, and its configuration and operation will be briefly described here.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, such a transport mechanism 31 is constructed by connecting a plurality of shelves 314 at predetermined intervals along the direction of extension of a transport chain 313 that is stretched endlessly between a pair of upper and lower sprockets 311 and 312. Of these sprockets 311 and 312, the upper sprocket 311 is the drive side, which is connected to a motor (not shown) and rotates around its own central axis when driven by the motor, while the lower sprocket 312 is the driven side, which rotates around its own central axis as the transport chain 313 is displaced in response to the drive of the upper sprocket 311.

[0032] Then, as the motor is driven and the upper sprocket 311 rotates, the transport chain 313 is displaced along its own extending direction. More specifically, in the transport region 30a, which is to the right of the transport chain 313, the transport chain 313 is displaced downward. In the discharge region 30b, which is below this transport region 30a and around the lower sprocket 312, the transport chain 313 is displaced from downward to upward. And in the return region 30c, which is to the left of the transport chain 313, the transport chain 313 is displaced upward.

[0033] The shelves 314, positioned on the conveyor chain 313, have their base ends connected to the conveyor chain 313 and pass through in accordance with the displacement of the conveyor chain 313. In the conveying area 30a, the shelves 314 pass downward in a state where they gradually incline upward as they move away from the conveyor chain 313, that is, from the base end to the tip end. In the return area 30c, some of the components of the shelves 314 are folded, or they assume a posture where they gradually incline downward as they move from the base end to the tip end relative to the conveyor chain 313, and they pass through upward in accordance with the displacement of the conveyor chain 313.

[0034] In such a transport mechanism 31, when a dispensing command is given to the corresponding column 30, the motor drives the sprockets 311 and 312 to rotate by a predetermined amount, causing the transport chain 313 to be displaced by a predetermined amount. As a result, the products placed on each shelf 314 in the transport area 30a are displaced downward by a predetermined amount, and the products placed on the shelves 314 that have reached the dispensing area 30b are dispensed downward. The dispensed products roll along the chute 9, pass through the product discharge outlet 5, and reach the product retrieval outlet, where they become ready for retrieval.

[0035] Figures 5 to 7 each show one of the shelves 314 shown in Figure 3, etc., with Figure 5 being a perspective view and Figures 6 and 7 being exploded perspective views.

[0036] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the shelf 314 is made of a resin material such as polyoxymethylene, and is composed of a first shelf component 3141 and a second shelf component 3142.

[0037] The first shelf component 3141 is a flat plate-shaped portion that forms the base end of the shelf 314, and is connected to the conveyor chain 313 by a pair of front and rear locking pieces 3141a formed on the base end portion being locked to a predetermined part of the conveyor chain 313.

[0038] The second shelf component 3142 is a flat plate-shaped portion having approximately the same width as the first shelf component 3141, and constitutes the tip of the shelf 314. The second shelf component 3142 is engaged with the first shelf component 3141 by the rod-shaped engaging portion 3142a formed at its base end being inserted relative to and held by the holding portion 3141b formed at the tip of the first shelf component 3141.

[0039] The upper surface portion 3142b of the second shelf component 3142 is substantially flush with the upper surface portion 3141c of the first shelf component 3141, thereby forming the upper surface 314a of the shelf 314. This allows the shelf 314 to place goods on its upper surface 314a as it passes through the transport area 30a.

[0040] The second shelf component 3142 has a rectangular through-hole 3142c formed in its central portion, and a recess 3142d is formed at the tip of this rectangular through-hole 3142c. Bearing holes 3142e are formed at the front and rear opening edges of the rectangular through-hole 3142c, and a regulating wall 315 is provided.

[0041] The restricting wall 315 is a flat plate-like portion and has a pair of axial portions 3151, front and rear, as shown in Figure 5, etc. These axial portions 3151 are cylindrical in shape, extending in a manner in which the front-to-back direction is the central axis direction, and are inserted into the bearing hole 3142e. As a result, the restricting wall 315 can swing around the central axis of the axial portions 3151. More specifically, the restricting wall 315 is provided so as to be able to swing between a contact position (see Figure 8) in close proximity to the upper surface 314a and in contact with the bottom of the recess 3142d, and an upright position (see Figure 9) separated from the upper surface 314a and standing above the upper surface 314a of the second shelf component 3142 (shelf 314), allowing it to move in and out of the area above the upper surface 314a of the shelf 314. In other words, the bottom of the recess 3142d acts as a stopper for the restricting wall 315.

[0042] In a shelf 314 having such a configuration, when the restricting wall 315 is positioned in contact with the shelf and is recessed from the upper area of ​​the upper surface 314a, as shown in Figure 8, it is possible to place heavy items with large mass and width over the entire upper surface 314a of the shelf 314 (the upper portion 3142b of the first shelf component 3141 and the upper portion 3142b of the second shelf component 3142).

[0043] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the transport mechanism 31 is provided with a sold-out detection lever (lever member) 32 and a sold-out detection switch (sold-out detection means) 33.

[0044] A sold-out detection lever 32 is provided for each transport mechanism 31, and as shown in Figures 8 and 9, it is provided so as to be able to swing around an axis that extends along the front-rear direction, moving forward and backward in relation to the passage area 30d of the shelf 314 from the transport area 30a to the dispensing area 30b. Such a sold-out detection lever 32 is linked to a lever spring 34, which is a biasing means, and is normally biased by the lever spring 34 to move forward into the passage area 30d.

[0045] As shown in Figure 8, the sold-out detection switch 33 detects that there is a product on the shelf 314 when the sold-out detection lever 32 is pressed against the shelf 314 passing through the passage area 30d and moves backward against the biasing force of the lever spring 34. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9, if the sold-out detection lever 32 remains in an advanced position even when it comes into contact with the shelf 314 passing through the passage area 30d, the switch 33 detects that there is no product on the shelf 314 and provides the detection result to a control unit (not shown).

[0046] In the product storage device 20 having the configuration described above, the restricting wall 315 is provided so as to be able to move in and out of the upper area of ​​the upper surface 314a of the shelf 314 between the contact position and the upright position. Therefore, when transporting lightweight products, the restricting wall 315 of the shelf 314 in the transport area 30a can be manually positioned in the upright position, and the lightweight product can be placed on the front end side of the restricting wall 315. As a result, the lightweight product is placed on the part furthest from the transport chain 313, and as shown in Figure 10, sufficient torque can be applied to the sold-out detection lever 32 when the shelf 314 passes through the passage area 30d of the shelf 314 from the transport area 30a to the dispensing area 30b. As a result, the sold-out detection lever 32 can be moved backward from the passage area 30d against the biasing force of the lever spring 34, and the presence of products can be reliably detected when lightweight products are placed on it.

[0047] Therefore, since the presence of products can be detected even for lightweight items, the above-mentioned product storage device 20 can also store lightweight items, thereby improving the flexibility of the products that can be stored.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned product storage device 20, the restrictive wall 315 is provided so as to be able to swing in and out of the area above the upper surface 314a of the shelf 314, so that when the shelf 314 passes from the dispensing area 30b to the return area 30c, the restrictive wall 315 swings in a manner that brings it close to the upper surface 314a (recess 3142d) of the shelf 314 due to its own weight, etc., thereby bringing adjacent shelves 314 closer together and preventing the left-right dimension of the column 30 from becoming excessive.

[0049] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made.

[0050] In the embodiment described above, the restricting wall 315 was provided so as to be swingable so as to be able to extend and retract in the area above the upper surface 314a of the shelf 314. However, in the present invention, the restricting wall only needs to be positioned in an upright position above the upper surface when the shelf passes through the transport area, and may be permanently upright above the upper surface of the shelf. Furthermore, if it is necessary to transport heavy goods instead of light goods, the second shelf component having such a restricting wall can be detached from the first shelf component, and a conventional second shelf component without a restricting wall can be engaged with the first shelf component so as to allow heavy goods to be placed on its upper surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 20...Product storage device, 21...Device body, 21a, 21b...Opening, 22...Door body, 23...Partition plate, 30...Column, 30a...Conveying area, 30b...Dispensing area, 30c...Return area, 30d...Passing area, 31...Conveying mechanism, 311, 312...Sprocket, 313...Conveying chain, 314...Shelf, 314a...Top surface, 3141...First shelf component, 3142...Second shelf component, 3142c...Rectangular through hole, 3142d...Recess, 315...Regulating wall, 3151...Shaft-shaped part, 32...Sold-out detection lever, 33...Sold-out detection switch, 34...Lever spring.

Claims

1. A transport mechanism comprising a transport chain stretched endlessly between a pair of upper and lower sprockets, with a plurality of shelves provided at predetermined intervals along the direction of extension of the transport chain, wherein in the transport region where the transport chain is displaced downward, products placed on the upper surface of the shelves are transported downward, and in the dispensing region where the transport chain is displaced from below upward, products placed on the shelves are dispensed downward, A lever member is provided so as to be movable forward and backward within the passage area of ​​the shelf from the transport area to the dispensing area, and in normal conditions is biased by a biasing means to move forward into the passage area, When the lever member is pressed against the shelf as it passes through the passage area and moves backward against the biasing force of the biasing means, the sold-out detection means detects that there is a product on the shelf. On the other hand, when the lever member remains in the advanced position even after contacting the shelf as it passes through the passage area, the sold-out detection means detects that there is no product on the shelf. A product storage device equipped with, The shelf is equipped with a regulating wall that is raised above the upper surface when passing through the transport area and on the end opposite to the base end connected to the transport chain, for placing the goods on. Furthermore, the shelf has a rectangular through-hole formed therein, and a recess formed on the side of the rectangular through-hole that is close to the tip. The product storage device is characterized in that the restricting wall is provided so as to be able to swing in and out of the upper area of ​​the shelf's upper surface with respect to the central axis of the axial portion, by inserting a shaft-shaped portion formed therein into bearing holes formed in the opposite opening edges of the rectangular through-hole.

2. The product storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying mechanism is configured such that the shelf extends downward in the return region where the conveying chain is displaced upward.

3. The product storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that the restricting wall swings in a manner that is close to the upper surface of the shelf when the shelf passes through the return area.

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