Product storage device

Abstract

To prevent a commodity from taking an unintended posture by adjusting a posture of the commodity dispensed downward from a dispensing opening.SOLUTION: A commodity storage device 10 comprises: a box-shaped storage device main body 11 having a dispensing opening 11b in a bottom surface; a carry-out mechanism 15 which has a spiral 15a disposed inside the storage device main body 11 in a spiral form along a vertical direction, and which, in the case with the spiral 15a rotating around a central axis, carries out gradually downward, commodities restrained between each pitch of the spiral 15a, while causing them to take an inclined posture with a left end part facing downward, so as to dispense each lowest commodity S through the dispensing opening 11b; and a carry-out guide 13 in which an abutting portion 132 is provided at an opening edge of the dispensing opening 11b of the storage device main body 11 in a form of advancing into a lower region T of the left end of the lowest commodity S, and when the lowest commodity S is dispensed, the abutting portion 132 abuts at least the left end of the lowest commodity S to cause the lowest commodity to fall downward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a commodity storage device, and more particularly to an improvement of a commodity storage device applied to, for example, a vending machine that sells frozen commodities.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a commodity storage device applied to a vending machine for selling commodities has been proposed in Patent Document 1. In the commodity storage device proposed in this Patent Document 1, it includes a box-shaped storage device main body having a replenishment port on the front surface and a discharge port on the lower surface, and a front door swingably provided on the storage device main body in a manner of opening and closing the replenishment port.

[0003] A discharge mechanism is provided near the discharge port in the storage device main body, and a plurality of commodities are stored vertically inside the storage device main body in a state where downward displacement is restricted by the discharge mechanism. When the discharge mechanism drives for discharge, the lowermost commodity is discharged downward from the discharge port.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the commodity storage device proposed in the above Patent Document 1, since the discharge mechanism drives for discharge to discharge the lowermost commodity downward from the discharge port, there are the following problems.

[0006] That is, when the commodity stored in the commodity storage device is a frozen food or the like put in a substantially box-shaped container, discharging downward from the discharge port makes the behavior of the commodity unstable, and there is a risk of causing commodity jams or the like due to the commodity taking an unintended posture.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a product storage device that can adjust the orientation of products dispensed downward from the dispensing opening to prevent them from being in an unintended orientation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a product storage device comprising: a box-shaped storage device body having a dispensing opening on its lower surface; and a dispensing mechanism having a spiral arranged inside the storage device body in a manner that it is wound spirally along the vertical direction, wherein when the spiral rotates around a central axis, products constrained in an inclined position between each pitch of the spiral are gradually discharged downward, and the lowest product is discharged from the dispensing opening, wherein the dispensing mechanism provides a contact portion that extends into the area below the one end of the lowest product, and a dispensing guide that, when the lowest product is discharged, the contact portion contacts at least the one end of the lowest product and causes it to fall downward.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned product storage device, the discharge guide comprises a base whose upper end portion is attached to the opening edge of the discharge outlet and whose lower end portion supports the contact portion so as to be able to swing along the vertical direction, and a biasing means that biases the contact portion to swing upward relative to the base.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned product storage device, the discharge guide is detachably provided to the main body of the storage device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the discharge guide provided on the opening edge of the dispensing port of the storage device body has a contact portion that extends to the area below one end of the lowest-ranking product. When the lowest-ranking product is dispensed, the contact portion of the discharge guide comes into contact with at least one end of the lowest-ranking product, causing it to fall downward. This allows the lowest-ranking product to fall in a nearly horizontal position, adjusting the orientation of the product as it is dispensed downward from the dispensing port and preventing it from being in an unintended position (such as an upright position), thereby suppressing the occurrence of product jams and other problems. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view 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] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the product storage device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the product storage device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the unloading guide shown in Figures 1 and 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the unloading guide shown in Figures 1 and 3. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic front view showing the main parts of the product storage device shown in Figures 2 and 3. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic front view showing the dispensing of the lowest-ranking product in the product storage device shown in Figures 2 and 3. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic front view showing the dispensing of the lowest-ranking product in the product storage device shown in Figures 2 and 3. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic front view showing the main parts of a modified version of the product storage device shown in Figure 2, etc. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a schematic front view showing the main parts of a modified version of the product storage device shown in Figure 2, etc. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a front view schematically showing the main part of another modification of the merchandise storage device shown in FIG. 2 and the like. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a front view schematically showing the main part of another modification of the merchandise storage device shown in FIG. 2 and the like. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view schematically showing the main part of another modification of the merchandise storage device shown in FIG. 2 and the like.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the merchandise storage device according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side 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.

[0015] The main body cabinet 1 is configured in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an opening in the front by appropriately combining a plurality of steel plates, and has a merchandise storage 4 with a heat insulation structure inside. 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 surface of this outer door 2, there are provided a display window, product selection buttons, a bill insertion slot, a coin insertion slot, a return lever, an integrated display, a coin return slot, a product outlet 2a, etc., which are necessary when selling products. The product outlet 2a is an opening for a user to take out a product, and is opened and closed by a product take-out door 2b.

[0016] The inner door 3 is a heat-insulating door for covering the front opening of the merchandise storage 4, and is disposed on one side edge of the main body cabinet 1 so as to be openable and closable at a position inside the outer door 2. A product carry-out port 3a for carrying out the product to the outside of the merchandise storage 4 is provided in the lower part of the inner door 3.

[0017] Furthermore, the product storage compartment 4 of the vending machine is equipped with a cooling unit 5, a product storage device 10, and a chute 20.

[0018] The cooling unit 5 is for cooling the internal atmosphere of the product storage compartment 4 and is equipped with a refrigerant circuit 5a and a blower fan 5b. The refrigerant circuit 5a is composed of an evaporator 5a1, a compressor 5a2, a condenser 5a3, and an expansion mechanism 5a4 connected sequentially by a refrigerant pipeline, and is filled with refrigerant.

[0019] The evaporator 5a1 is installed in the lower rear part of the product storage compartment 4. The compressor 5a2 is installed in the machine room 6 below the product storage compartment 4 in the main cabinet 1. This compressor 5a2 is driven in response to commands from a control unit (not shown), and when driven, it draws in refrigerant from the evaporator 5a1 and compresses the drawn-in refrigerant.

[0020] The condenser 5a3 is installed in the machine room 6, in front of the compressor 5a2. This condenser 5a3 condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 5a2. The expansion mechanism 5a4 is composed of, for example, an electronic expansion valve, and adiabatically expands the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 5a3 and sends it to the evaporator 5a1.

[0021] In such a refrigerant circuit 5a, heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant sent to the evaporator 5a1 and the surrounding air around the evaporator 5a1, and the surrounding air is cooled as the refrigerant evaporates.

[0022] The blower fan 5b is installed in the product storage compartment 4 on the front side of the evaporator 5a1. This blower fan 5b is driven to rotate according to a command given by the control unit, and when rotated, it blows the air cooled by the evaporator 5a1 into the product storage compartment 4. With such a cooling unit 5, the internal atmosphere of the product storage compartment 4 can be cooled and maintained at a predetermined temperature (for example, a freezing temperature of -5°C or lower).

[0023] Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the external configuration of the product storage device 10 shown in Figure 1, respectively. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the product storage device 10 is composed of a storage device body 11, a front door 12, and a discharge guide 13.

[0024] The storage device body 11 has a box-like shape with a replenishment opening 11a on the front and a discharge opening 11b on the bottom. A discharge mechanism 15 is installed inside the storage device body 11.

[0025] The unloading mechanism 15 is composed of a spiral 15a formed by, for example, a metal rod being wound spirally in the vertical direction. This unloading mechanism 15 stores the goods by constraining them between each pitch of the spiral 15a, thereby defining a goods storage area 15b.

[0026] The discharge mechanism 15, by rotating the spiral 15a around its central axis, gradually discharges the products constrained between each pitch downwards, and also discharges the product (lowest product) S (see Figure 6 onwards) constrained between the lowest pitches downwards from the discharge opening 11b.

[0027] Incidentally, due to the characteristics of its form, the spiral 15a is positioned so that the products are shifted to the left side between pitches, that is, it is attached to the left side surface 11L of the storage device body 11 and in contact with the left-side defining plate 16L that defines the left-right length of the storage area 15b, and the products are restrained in a position that is gradually tilted downward as they move to the left (see Figure 6). In other words, each product is restrained in an inclined position between each pitch of the spiral 15a such that its left end (one end) is facing downwards.

[0028] The front door 12 is comprised of a left front door 12L and a right front door 12R. The left front door 12L is a door body large enough to cover the left half of the replenishment opening 11a, and its left end is pivotably mounted on the storage device body 11 in a manner that opens and closes the left half of the replenishment opening 11a. The right front door 12R is a door body large enough to cover the right half of the replenishment opening 11a, and its right end is pivotably mounted on the storage device body 11 in a manner that opens and closes the right half of the replenishment opening 11a.

[0029] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the unloading guide 13 is configured to include a base portion 131 and a contact portion 132. The configuration of each part of the unloading guide 13 will be described below along the directions shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0030] The base portion 131 is formed, for example, by processing sheet metal, and is a substantially flat plate-like portion that extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of this base portion 131 gradually slopes to the left as it extends upward, and a pair of locking pieces 131a are formed at the extended end in a front-to-back configuration.

[0031] These locking pieces 131a are formed by cutting out a portion of each piece, bending the tongue-shaped portion so that it protrudes to the left, and then extending its extended end downward. Furthermore, at the lower end of the base portion 131, a first axial support portion 131b is formed by cutting out the central portion in the front-rear direction, and then curving a pair of front and rear tongue-shaped portions to the left.

[0032] The contact portion 132 is a flat plate-shaped portion formed by processing, for example, sheet metal. A pair of second pivot supports 132a are formed at one end of this contact portion 132 (the left end in Figures 4 and 5). These second pivot supports 132a are formed by curling a tongue-shaped portion formed at the left end of each, and their inner diameters are approximately the same as the inner diameter of the first pivot support 131b.

[0033] Such a contact portion 132 is supported at the lower end of the base portion 131 so as to be able to swing vertically along the central axis of the shaft portion 133, by inserting the rod-shaped shaft portion 133 through the insides of the first shaft portion 131b and the second shaft portion 132a, with the second shaft portion 132a positioned between the first shaft portions 131b.

[0034] Furthermore, the contact portion 132 is biased to swing upward by a guide spring (biasing means) 134, which is arranged between the second shaft support portions 132a in such a manner that it is inserted into the shaft portion 133, thereby determining its standby position. In other words, the standby position of the contact portion 132 is determined by the guide spring 134 so that it extends to the right from the lower end portion of the base portion 131.

[0035] Such an unloading guide 13 is provided such that, as shown in Figure 6, the contact portion 132 extends to the lower area T of the left end of the lowest product S at the lower end of the left side portion 11L of the storage device body 11, i.e., the opening edge of the unloading outlet 11b, by entering from the right side of a pair of front and rear locking pieces 131a at the base portion 131a and locking onto the edge of the locking hole, respectively. On the other hand, the unloading guide 13 can be removed from the storage device body 11 by releasing the locking pieces 131a from the locking hole, and is provided so as to be detachable from the storage device body 11.

[0036] By the way, regarding the swing angle of the contact portion 132 in the discharge guide 13, when the contact portion 132 swings downward from the standby position, it is set to be, for example, about 40° to 70° from the standby position. In other words, the contact portion 132 is able to swing along the vertical direction when it has advanced to the lower area T of the left end of the lowest product S.

[0037] The chute 20 is used to discharge products dispensed from the product storage device 10 toward the product discharge port 3a, and is formed in such a manner that its left and right dimensions narrow toward the outlet portion 21, and it gradually slopes downward.

[0038] In the product storage device 10 having the above configuration, products can be dispensed in the following manner.

[0039] As shown in Figure 6, with the product (the lowest product) S constrained between the lowest pitches of the spiral 15a, when the spiral 15a rotates around its central axis, the lowest product S is gradually carried downward as the spiral 15a rotates. As described above, the spiral 15a constrains the product in an inclined position with the product shifted to the left, so the lowest product S is gradually carried downward in a manner that the left side becomes the downward side along with its inclined position.

[0040] As the spiral 15a rotates, the lowest product S is dispensed, and as shown in Figure 7, the left end of the lowest product S is placed on the contact portion 132 of the discharge guide 13.

[0041] As the rotation of the spiral 15a causes the lowest product S to detach from the spiral 15a, that is, when the lowest product S is disconnected from the spiral 15a, as shown in Figure 8, the contact portion 132 swings downward (swings at a predetermined swing angle) around the central axis of the shaft portion 133 against the biasing force of the guide spring 134, causing the lowest product S to fall in a nearly sideways position (a position where the longitudinal direction is roughly left to right). As a result, the lowest product S, which has fallen in a nearly sideways position, is guided to the exit portion 21 without its left-right direction (longitudinal direction) becoming upright, and becomes ready to be removed from the product outlet 2a through the product outlet 3a.

[0042] As described above, according to the product storage device 10, which is an embodiment of the present invention, the discharge guide 13 provided on the opening edge of the discharge port 11b of the storage device body 11 has an upper end portion of the base 131 attached to the opening edge of the discharge port 11b, and a contact portion 132 is supported on the lower end portion of the base 131 so as to be able to swing vertically, with the contact portion 132 extending into the lower area T of the left end of the lowest product S, and a guide spring 134 swings the contact portion 132 upward relative to the base 131. Because it is biased in such a manner, when the discharge mechanism 15 is driven to discharge, the left end of the lowest product S is placed on the contact part 132, and after the lowest product S is discharged from the discharge mechanism 15, the contact part 132 swings downward against the biasing force of the guide spring 134, so that the lowest product S can be dropped in a nearly sideways position, and the posture of the product discharged downward from the discharge opening 11b can be adjusted to prevent it from being in an unintended posture (such as an upright posture). This can suppress the occurrence of product jams and the like.

[0043] Furthermore, with respect to the product storage device 10, since the discharge guide 13 is detachably attached to the storage device body 11, when the lowest product S discharged from the discharge mechanism 15 falls in a stable position, the discharge guide 13 can be removed from the storage device body 11 to prevent problems caused by the discharge guide 13 coming into contact with the product, such as causing the product to be in an unstable position or generating collision noises.

[0044] Figures 9 and 10 are schematic front views showing the main parts of modified versions of the product storage device 10 shown in Figure 2, etc. Components having the same configuration as the product storage device 10 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In the following, the configuration of each part will be described along the directions shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0045] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the unloading guide 17 in the product storage device 10a is formed by processing sheet metal, for example, and is configured to include a base portion 171 and a contact portion 172.

[0046] The base portion 171 is a substantially flat plate-like portion that extends along the vertical direction. The upper end of this base portion 171 gradually slopes to the left as it extends upward, and a pair of locking pieces 171a are formed at the extended end in a front-to-back configuration.

[0047] These locking pieces 171a are formed by cutting out a portion of each piece, bending the tongue-shaped portion so that it protrudes to the left, and then extending its extended end downward. The contact portion 172 is continuous with the lower end portion of the base portion 171 and is a flat plate-shaped portion that gradually inclins to the right as it extends downward.

[0048] Such an unloading guide 17 is provided such that a pair of front and rear locking pieces 171a on the base 171 enter from the right into locking holes (not shown) formed on the left side surface 11L of the storage device body 11 and lock onto the edges of the locking holes, thereby causing the contact portion 172 to extend into the lower area T of the left end of the lowest product S at the lower end of the left side surface 11L of the storage device body 11, i.e., the opening edge of the unloading outlet 11b. On the other hand, the unloading guide 17 can be removed from the storage device body 11 by releasing the locking pieces 171a from the locking holes, and is provided so as to be detachable from the storage device body 11.

[0049] In such a product storage device 10a, when the spiral 15a rotates around its central axis, with the lowest product S constrained between the lowest pitches of the spiral 15a, the lowest product S is gradually carried out downwards as the spiral 15a rotates. Since the spiral 15a constrains the products in an inclined position with the products shifted to the left, the lowest product S is gradually carried out downwards in a manner that the left side becomes the downward side along with its inclined position.

[0050] As the spiral 15a rotates, the lowest product S is dispensed, and as shown in Figure 10, the left end of the lowest product S is placed on the contact portion 172 of the discharge guide 17.

[0051] As the rotation of the spiral 15a causes the lowest product S to detach from the spiral 15a, that is, when the lowest product S is disconnected from the spiral 15a, the lowest product S slides along the extending direction of the contact portion 172, and its right end rotates downward, causing the lowest product S to fall in a nearly sideways position (a position where the longitudinal direction is roughly the left-right direction). As a result, the lowest product S, which has fallen in a nearly sideways position, is guided to the exit portion 21 without its left-right direction (longitudinal direction) becoming upright, and becomes ready to be removed from the product outlet 2a through the product discharge outlet 3a.

[0052] In this product storage device 10a, the discharge guide 17 provided on the opening edge of the discharge port 11b of the storage device body 11 has a base portion 171 whose upper end is attached to the opening edge of the discharge port 11b, and a contact portion 172 that extends downward from the lower end portion of the base portion 171 in a manner that extends to the area T below the left end of the lowest product S. As a result, when the discharge mechanism 15 is driven to discharge, the left end of the lowest product S is placed on the contact portion 172, and after the lowest product S is discharged from the discharge mechanism 15, the lowest product S can be dropped in a nearly sideways position, thereby adjusting the posture of the products being discharged downward from the discharge port 11b and preventing them from being in an unintended posture. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of product jams and other problems.

[0053] Furthermore, with the product storage device 10a, since the discharge guide 17 is detachably attached to the storage device body 11, when the lowest product S discharged from the discharge mechanism 15 falls in a stable position, the discharge guide 17 can be removed from the storage device body 11 to prevent problems caused by the discharge guide 17 coming into contact with the product, such as causing the product to be in an unstable position or generating collision noises.

[0054] Figures 11 to 13 are schematic front views showing the main parts of other modified versions of the product storage device 10 shown in Figure 2, etc. Components having the same configuration as the product storage device 10 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In the following, the configuration of each part will be described along the directions shown in Figures 11 to 13.

[0055] As shown in Figures 11 to 13, the unloading guide 18 in the product storage device 10b is configured to include a base portion 181 and a contact portion 182.

[0056] The base portion 181 is formed, for example, by processing sheet metal, and is a substantially flat plate-like portion that extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of this base portion 181 gradually slopes to the left as it extends upward, and a pair of locking pieces 181a are formed at the extended end in a front-to-back configuration.

[0057] These locking pieces 181a are formed by cutting out a portion of each piece, bending the tongue-shaped portion so that it protrudes to the left, and then extending its extended end downward.

[0058] The contact portion 182 is a flat plate-shaped part formed by processing, for example, sheet metal. One end of this contact portion 182 (the left end in Figures 11 to 13) is provided on the lower end of the base portion 181 via the shaft-shaped portion 183, and so the contact portion 182 is supported on the lower end of the base portion 181 so as to be able to swing vertically along the central axis of the shaft-shaped portion 183.

[0059] Furthermore, the orientation of the contact portion 182 is determined by an actuator 184 interposed between it and the base portion 181. Under normal conditions, it is positioned in the most upward-swung standby position as shown in Figure 11. On the other hand, the contact portion 182 swings downward when the actuator 184 is driven.

[0060] Such an unloading guide 18 is provided such that a pair of front and rear locking pieces 181a on the base 181 enter from the right into locking holes (not shown) formed on the left side surface 11L of the storage device body 11 and lock onto the edges of the locking holes, thereby causing the contact portion 182 to extend into the lower area T of the left end of the lowest product S at the lower end of the left side surface 11L of the storage device body 11, i.e., the opening edge of the unloading outlet 11b. On the other hand, the unloading guide 18 can be removed from the storage device body 11 by releasing the locking pieces 181a from the locking holes, and is provided so as to be detachable from the storage device body 11.

[0061] Incidentally, regarding the oscillation angle of the contact portion 182, when the contact portion 182 oscillates downward from the standby position, it is set to approximately 40° to 70° from the standby position. In other words, the contact portion 182 is capable of oscillating vertically when it has advanced to the lower area T at the left end of the lowest product S.

[0062] In such a product storage device 10b, when the spiral 15a rotates around its central axis, with the lowest product S constrained between the lowest pitches of the spiral 15a, the lowest product S is gradually carried out downwards as the spiral 15a rotates. As described above, the spiral 15a constrains the products in an inclined position with the products shifted to the left, so the lowest product S is gradually carried out downwards in a manner that the left side becomes the downward side along with its inclined position.

[0063] As the spiral 15a rotates, the lowest product S is dispensed, and as shown in Figure 12, the left end of the lowest product S is placed on the contact portion 182 of the discharge guide 18.

[0064] As the spiral 15a rotates, the lowest product S detaches from the spiral 15a, and as shown in Figure 13, the actuator 184 is driven, causing the contact portion 182 to swing downward around the central axis of the shaft portion 183 (swinging at a predetermined swing angle), thereby causing the lowest product S to fall in a nearly sideways position (with its longitudinal direction roughly in the left-right direction). As a result, the lowest product S, having fallen in a nearly sideways position, is guided to the exit portion 21 without its left-right direction (longitudinal direction) becoming upright, and becomes ready to be removed from the product outlet 2a through the product outlet 3a.

[0065] In this product storage device 10b, the discharge guide 18 provided on the opening edge of the discharge port 11b of the storage device body 11 has a base portion 181 whose upper end is attached to the opening edge of the discharge port 11b, and a contact portion 182 is supported on the lower end of the base portion 181 so as to be able to swing vertically, with the contact portion 182 extending into the area T below the left end of the lowest product S. The actuator 184 is driven to swing the contact portion 182 vertically relative to the base portion 181. When the discharge mechanism 15 is driven to discharge, the left end of the lowest product S is placed on the contact portion 182, and after the lowest product S is discharged from the discharge mechanism 15, the actuator 184 is driven to swing the contact portion 182 downward, allowing the lowest product S to fall in a nearly sideways position. This adjusts the orientation of the products being discharged downward from the discharge port 11b and prevents them from being in an unintended orientation. This helps to suppress the occurrence of product jams and other problems.

[0066] Furthermore, with the product storage device 10b, since the discharge guide 18 is detachably attached to the storage device body 11, when the lowest product S discharged from the discharge mechanism 15 falls in a stable position, the discharge guide 18 can be removed from the storage device body 11 to prevent problems caused by the discharge guide 18 coming into contact with the product, such as causing the product to be in an unstable position or generating collision noises.

[0067] Although preferred embodiments and variations of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made.

[0068] In the embodiments and modifications described above, the unloading guides 13, 17, and 18 were detachably provided on the left side portion 11L of the storage device body 11. However, in the present invention, the location of the contact portion is not particularly limited, as long as it can be arranged in such a manner that it extends into the area below one end of the lowest product. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1...Main cabinet, 2...Outer door, 3...Inner door, 4...Product storage compartment, 5...Cooling unit, 10...Product storage device, 11...Storage device body, 11a...Refill opening, 11b...Discharge opening, 11L...Left side panel, 12...Front door, 13...Discharge guide, 131...Base, 131a...Locking piece, 131b...First shaft support, 132...Contact part, 132a...Second shaft support, 133...Shaft, 134...Guide spring, 15...Discharge mechanism, 15a...Spiral, 15b...Storage area, 16L...Left side standard plate, 20...Chute, S...Lowest product, T...Lower area.

Claims

1. A box-shaped storage device body having a discharge opening on the bottom, The storage device body has a spiral arranged inside it in a spiral shape along the vertical direction, and when the spiral rotates around its central axis, the product, which is restrained in an inclined position with one end facing downwards between each pitch of the spiral, is gradually discharged downwards, and the lowest product is discharged from the discharge opening. A product storage device equipped with, The storage device body is provided with an outlet guide that is provided on the opening edge of the outlet of the storage device body, such that the contact portion that constitutes itself extends into the area below one end of the lowest product, and when the lowest product is dispensed, the contact portion contacts at least one end of the lowest product and causes it to fall downward. The aforementioned transport guide is, The upper end portion is attached to the opening edge of the outlet, and the lower end portion supports the contact portion so that it can swing along the vertical direction, A biasing means that biases the contact portion to swing upward relative to the base, A product storage device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. The product storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge guide is detachably provided to the main body of the storage device.

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