Article supply device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an article supply device with which it is possible to easily discharge surplus coins and improve convenience. [Solution] An article supply device 1 comprises: an insertion part 5 into which a coin C can be inserted; a holding part 25 capable of holding the inserted coin C; a setting unit 28 capable of setting the number of coins C that can be held by the holding part; a discharge part 29 capable of discharging the inserted coin C; and a control unit capable of controlling whether to discharge the inserted coin C. The control unit performs control so that, on condition that the set number of coins C are held by the holding part, any additionally inserted coins are discharged by the discharge part 29.

Description

Goods supply device

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

[0002] Conventionally, various goods supplying devices (vending machines) have been available for automatically selling goods. The goods supplying devices are provided with a function for removing surplus coins (coins) among the coins required to purchase goods. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a surplus coin removal device for a change tube provided in a vending machine or the like, which removes overflowing surplus coins to one side outside the tube, and which is configured to cause elastic deformation of the sliding bottom surface of the surplus coin removal member by attaching an elastic material such as sponge rubber to the sliding bottom surface of the surplus coin removal member, or by forming the sliding bottom surface itself from an elastic material.

[0003] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 48-34598

[0004] In Patent Document 1, even if the coin is deformed, the slide bottom surface is adapted to the deformation so that the surplus coin removal member can operate, but the drive means requires an electrical control means. Also, in the case of an article supply device, there has traditionally been a wide variety of products, with different product prices, and different settings for discharging surplus coins for each price, so a device that is convenient in terms of settings has been desired.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an article supplying device that is more convenient and allows surplus coins to be easily discharged.

[0006] An item supply device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an insertion section into which coins can be inserted, a holding section capable of holding the inserted coins, a setting section capable of setting the number of coins that can be held in the holding section, an ejection section capable of ejecting the inserted coins, and a control section capable of controlling whether or not to eject the inserted coins, and the control section controls the ejection section to eject any additional inserted coins, provided that the set number of coins are held in the holding section.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article supplying device that is more convenient and allows surplus coins to be easily discharged.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an article supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the article supply device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the coin insertion unit shown in FIG. 2, seen from the right side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the coin insertion unit shown in FIG. 2, seen from the left side. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the sorting section shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the sorting section, seen from the rear side of the device towards the front. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of when a coin is being dispensed. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of when a coin is being dispensed.

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

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

[0011] In the article supply device 1, a coin insertion unit 20 is provided on the right side (the right side as viewed from the face of the device) of the operation unit 4. This coin insertion unit 20 is connected to an insertion port 5 provided on the front surface 2f of the main body 2. A coin C inserted through the insertion port 5 passes through a passage 20a formed within the coin insertion unit 20 and falls into a holding portion 25 below the unit, where it is held. When a genuine coin is inserted, the coin C held in the holding portion 25 is accommodated in a coin storage portion 19 provided, for example, below the holding portion 25, if a predetermined amount is inserted and a predetermined operation is performed. On the other hand, when an illegitimate coin C, such as a counterfeit coin, is inserted, the coin C is attracted and captured by a movement restriction portion 23 provided in the passage 20a. In other words, the first holding portion 25a and the second holding portion 25b are configured to hold only legitimate coins and not to hold illegitimate counterfeit coins.

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

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

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

[0015] As shown in the figure, the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b are provided with a first passage section 251 and a second passage section 252 that are inclined (inclined from the horizontal direction) so as to descend toward the front surface 2f (see FIG. 2). That is, the coin C that has fallen from the opening 20ae can move through the first passage section 251 and the second passage section 252 toward the front surface 2f due to its own weight.

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

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

[0018] Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the sorting unit 26 shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 5, the sorting unit 26 includes a rectangular plate portion 26a, a shaft portion 26b that rotatably supports the plate portion 26a, a weight 26g held by an arm 26m that extends from the end face of the plate portion 26a, and a guide inclined surface 26e formed on the upper part of the plate portion 26a.

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

[0020] 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of sorting unit 26, viewed from the rear to the front of the device. Sort- ing unit 26 is biased counterclockwise in FIG. 6 by weight 26g, and in a free state where no external force is applied, its upper end is tilted so as to contact first side wall 21w. In this state, coins C falling from above come into contact with first surface 26c, pass through opening 20ae, and fall into first passage 251.

[0021] Of the coins C that fall into the first passage 251, the last coin C of the specified number is held directly below the sorting unit 26, as shown in the figure. This last held coin C maintains the sorting unit 26 in a clockwise rotational state against the biasing force of the weight 26g. That is, the upper end of the coin C abuts against the lower end 26f of the sorting unit 26, maintaining the upper end of the sorting unit 26 close to the second side wall 22w. In this state, the coin C can be sorted toward the second holding unit 25b. Note that the configuration for restricting the width of the coin C so that it contacts the lower end 26f is shown as a configuration in which a protrusion is provided on the second side wall 22w side. However, this positioning configuration is not particularly limited as long as it can restrict the position of the coin C to the left side of the first passage 251 in the figure.

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

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

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

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

[0026] Above the second passage portion 252 (second holding portion 25b), there is provided a discharge portion 29 (29b) that is configured parallel to the second passage portion 252 and has open upper and lower end sides. In other words, the discharge portion 29 (29b) forms a slope that opens from the space in which the sorting portion 26 is provided to the front of the unit (see FIG. 4).

[0027] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of when a coin C is being discharged. When a coin C is discharged from the discharge portion 29 (29b), for example, in the first state P1 in which the switching portion 27 holds coins C only in the first holding portion 25a, the horizontal plate portion 27a of the switching portion 27 closes the second holding portion 25b side of the opening 20ae, as shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the predetermined number of coins C are held in the first holding portion 25a, and the sorting portion 26 is maintained in a state rotated clockwise by the last coin C (see FIG. 6). In this state, if an additional coin C is inserted, the sorting portion 26 will sort the coin C toward the second holding portion 25b. However, because the opening 20ae is closed by the horizontal plate portion 27a, the coin C abuts against the horizontal plate portion 27a and passes through the discharge portion 29 (29b) and is discharged to the return slot 6.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of when a coin C is discharged. Another example of when a coin C is discharged from the discharge portion 29 (29b) will be described. In this case, for example, the switching portion 27 is in the second state P2, in which both the first holding portion 25a and the second holding portion 25b can hold coins C. In this case, after a predetermined number of coins C are held in the first holding portion 25a, a coin C is held in the second holding portion 25b. Then, when the predetermined number of coins C are held in the second holding portion 25b, as shown in FIG. 8, the last (rearmost) coin C is positioned at the opening 20ae. That is, the upper end Ct of the last coin C blocks the opening 20ae and functions as part of the passage, so that an additional coin C is discharged to the return slot 6 through the second discharge portion 29b while contacting the upper end Ct of the coin C.

[0029] A first discharge portion 29a identical to the second discharge portion 29b is also provided above the first passage portion 251 (first holding portion 25a). A return button 7 is provided below the insertion portion 5. For example, when a user wants to return a coin C that has already been inserted, the user can press this return button 7 to eject the coin C held in the first holding portion 25a and the second holding portion 25b into the return slot 6.

[0030] As described above, the item supply device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a discharge section 29 that can discharge inserted coins C, and can discharge any additional surplus coins C that have been inserted from the discharge section 29 outside the machine, provided that the specified number of coins C that have been preset in the setting section 28 are held in the holding section.

[0031] In addition, when discharging surplus coins C in this mode, the switching unit 27 that switches the coin holding mode of the holding unit 25, the sorting unit 26 that sorts the coins, and the setting unit 28 that sets the number of held coins can function as a control unit in association with each other. Therefore, it is possible to provide an item supplying device 1 that does not require electrical control and has a mechanism that can discharge surplus coins with a simple configuration.

[0032] In this embodiment of the item supply device 1, the holding section 25 that holds the inserted coins C is equipped with a first holding section 25a and a second holding section 25b, so that the coins C can be held in multiple locations, allowing for a variety of coin holding configurations and an increase in the number of coins that can be held.

[0033] In this embodiment of the item supply device 1, the second holding section 25b is configured to be able to hold additional coins C inserted, provided that the first holding section 25a is already holding the number of coins C set in the first holding section 25a, making it possible to set a price that cannot be held by the first holding section 25a.

[0034] In this embodiment of the item supply device 1, the state can be changed between a first state P1 in which coins C are held only in the first holding section 25a, and a second state P2 in which coins C are held in both the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b by operating the switching section 27, making it possible to easily switch between the coin holding form and the number of coins held.

[0035] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b are provided at opposing positions on the front and back of the unit, which makes it easy to position the switching section 27. In addition, since both holding sections are provided at an incline in the longitudinal direction relative to the horizontal, the coins C can be moved downward.

[0036] In this embodiment of the item supply device 1, a discharge section 29 (second discharge section 29b) is provided above the second holding section 25b (above the direction in which the coin C falls), so that the coin C can be discharged from the second discharge section 29b just before it falls into the second holding section 25b.

[0037] In this embodiment of the item supply device 1, when the position of the switching unit 27 is in the first state P1 and a specified number of coins C are held in the first holding unit 25a, the coins C are distributed to the second holding unit 25b by the distribution unit 26, and the entrance (opening 20ae) of the second holding unit 25b is closed, so that the added surplus coins C can be discharged from the second discharge unit 29b.

[0038] In this embodiment of the item supply device 1, when a specified number of coins C are stored in the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b, the last coin C in the second holding section 25b blocks the entrance (opening 20ae) of the second holding section 25b and forms a passage (bottom part of the passage) of the second discharge section 29b, so that any additional coins C inserted are sorted to the second holding section 25b side and then can be discharged from the second discharge section 29b by coming into contact with the last coin C held in the second holding section 25b.

[0039] In this embodiment of the item supply device 1, counterfeit coins C (inappropriate coins C) are captured by a movement control section 23 provided in the passage section 20a through which the coins C move, so that counterfeit coins C are not held in the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b.

[0040] The present invention has been described above as an embodiment, but the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of its technical concept. For example, in the above embodiment, the configuration of the product supply device 1 for selling capsule cases of products P was described, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various types of product sales devices.

[0041] As described above, the present specification discloses the following:

[0042] (1) An item supplying device comprising: an insertion section into which coins can be inserted; a holding section capable of holding the inserted coins; a setting section capable of setting the number of coins that can be held in the holding section; a discharge section capable of discharging the inserted coins; and a control section capable of controlling whether or not to discharge the inserted coins, wherein the control section controls the discharge section to discharge any additional inserted coins, on condition that the set number of coins are held in the holding section.

[0043] (2) An item supply device as described in (1), wherein the holding section includes a first holding section and a second holding section, and the first holding section and the second holding section are each configured to be able to hold a plurality of the coins.

[0044] (3) An item supply device as described in (2), wherein the second holding section is configured to be able to hold additional coins inserted, provided that the first holding section is holding the number of coins set in the first holding section.

[0045] (4) An item supply device according to (2) or (3), wherein the first holding unit is configured so that only the first holding unit can hold the coins, provided that the number of coins that can be held in the second holding unit is zero.

[0046] (5) An item supply device according to any one of (2) to (4), wherein the second holding unit is configured not to hold the coins on the condition that the number of coins that can be held in the first holding unit is zero.

[0047] (6) An item supply device according to any one of (2) to (5), further comprising a switching unit that can switch between a first state in which only the first holding unit holds the coin, and a second state in which both the first holding unit and the second holding unit hold the coin.

[0048] (7) The article supplying device according to (6), wherein the first holding portion and the second holding portion are provided at opposing positions and inclined in the longitudinal direction relative to the horizontal.

[0049] (8) The article supplying device according to (6) or (7), wherein the discharge section includes a second discharge section provided on the second holding section side.

[0050] (9) An item supply device as described in (8), wherein the control unit controls the additionally inserted coins to be discharged from the second discharge unit, on the condition that the switching unit is in the first state and the first holding unit is holding a set number of the coins.

[0051] (10) An item supply device as described in (8) or (9), wherein the control unit controls the additionally inserted coins to be discharged from the second discharge unit, on the condition that the switching unit is in the second state, the first holding unit holds a set number of the coins, and the second holding unit holds a set number of the coins.

[0052] (11) An item supply device as described in (10), wherein the control unit controls the additionally inserted coin to come into contact with the coins held in the second holding unit and then be discharged from the second discharge unit, under the conditions that the switching unit is in the second state, the first holding unit is holding a set number of the coins, and the second holding unit is holding a set number of the coins.

[0053] (12) An item supplying device according to any one of (8) to (11), wherein the control unit controls the coin to be discharged from the second discharge unit so that the coin is discharged from the second discharge unit without coming into contact with the coin held in the first holding unit.

[0054] (13) An item supply device according to any one of (2) to (12), wherein the coin held in the second holding section is configured as part of a passage through which an additionally inserted coin can pass.

[0055] (14) An item supply device according to any one of (2) to (13), wherein the coins include valid coins and invalid coins, and the first holding unit and the second holding unit are configured to be able to hold the valid coins but not to hold the invalid coins.

[0056] (15) The article supplying device according to (14), further comprising a passageway through which the inserted coin can move, the passageway including a movement restricting section that restricts the movement of the inserted improper coin.

[0057] 1 Item supply device 5 Insertion section 20a Passage section 23 Movement regulation section 25 Holding section 25a First holding section 25b Second holding section 26 Sorting section 27 Switching section 28 Setting section 29 Discharge section 29b Second discharge section C Coin P1 First state P2 Second state

Claims

1. An item supplying device comprising: an insertion section into which coins can be inserted; a holding section capable of holding the inserted coins; a setting section capable of setting the number of coins that can be held in the holding section; a discharge section capable of discharging the inserted coins; and a control section capable of controlling whether or not to discharge the inserted coins, wherein the control section controls the discharge section to discharge additional inserted coins, on condition that the set number of coins is held in the holding section.

2. An item supply device as described in claim 1, wherein the holding section includes a first holding section and a second holding section, and the first holding section and the second holding section are each configured to be able to hold a plurality of the coins.

3. An article supplying device as described in claim 2, wherein the second holding section is configured to be able to hold additional coins inserted, on condition that the first holding section is holding the number of coins set in the first holding section.

4. An item supplying device as described in claim 3, wherein the first holding section is configured so that only the first holding section can hold the coins, provided that the number of coins that can be held in the second holding section is zero.

5. An item supplying device as described in claim 4, wherein the second holding section is configured not to hold the coins on the condition that the number of coins that can be held in the first holding section is set to zero.

6. An article supplying device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a switching unit capable of switching between a first state in which only the first holding unit holds the coin, and a second state in which both the first holding unit and the second holding unit hold the coin.

7. An article supplying device as described in claim 6, wherein the first holding portion and the second holding portion are provided in opposing positions and inclined in the longitudinal direction relative to the horizontal.

8. An article supplying device according to claim 7, wherein the discharge section includes a second discharge section provided on the second holding section side.

9. An article supplying device as described in claim 8, wherein the control unit controls the additionally inserted coins to be discharged from the second discharge unit, on condition that the switching unit is in the first state and the first holding unit is holding a set number of coins.

10. An article supplying device as described in claim 9, wherein the control unit controls the additionally inserted coins to be discharged from the second discharge unit under the conditions that the switching unit is in the second state, the first holding unit is holding a set number of the coins, and the second holding unit is holding a set number of the coins.

11. An article supplying device as described in claim 10, wherein the control unit controls an additionally inserted coin to come into contact with the coins held in the second holding unit and then be discharged from the second discharge unit, under the conditions that the switching unit is in the second state, the first holding unit is holding a set number of the coins, and the second holding unit is holding a set number of the coins.

12. An article supplying device as described in claim 11, wherein the control unit controls the coin to be discharged from the second discharge unit without contacting the coin held in the first holding unit.

13. An article supplying device as described in claim 12, wherein the coin held in the second holding section is configured as part of a passage through which an additionally inserted coin can pass.

14. An article supplying device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the coins include valid coins and invalid coins, and the first holding section and the second holding section are configured to be capable of holding the valid coins but not to hold the invalid coins.

15. An article supplying device as described in claim 14, further comprising a passage portion through which the inserted coin can move, the passage portion including a movement restricting portion that restricts the movement of the inserted improper coin.

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