Device, vending machine and method for dispensing goods

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for dispensing goods (10), said device having a holding device (11) in which goods (10) are held between a movable goods pusher (2) and a stop (4), which limits the movement of the goods (10) and of the goods pusher (2) in a dispensing direction (A) from the goods pusher (2) to the stop (4), and also having an ejector device (5), which can be triggered by means of an electronic control device and which is configured to move an ejector (9) when the ejector device is triggered by the control device, said ejector being configured to move the frontmost goods (10) adjoining the stop (4) along the stop (4) and at an angle to the dispensing direction (A) and thus release the movement of the goods pusher (2) and of the goods (10) in the dispensing direction (A). The goods pusher (2) is configured to eject the frontmost goods (10) to a collecting station (15) via the stop (4) when the movement is released. The ejector device (5) comprises an optical sensor (12) and is configured to be triggered by the controller when the sensor detects an optical output signal.

Description

Device, vending machine and method for dispensing goods The present invention relates to a device for dispensing goods, comprising a holding device in which goods are held between a movable pusher and a stop that limits movement of the goods and the pusher in a dispensing direction from the pusher to the stop, and comprising an ejector device that can be triggered by an electronic control device and is configured, upon triggering by the control device, to move an ejector configured to move the foremost item adjacent to the stop along the stop and at an angle to the dispensing direction, thus releasing the movement of the pusher and the goods in the dispensing direction, wherein the pusher is configured to eject the foremost item over the stop to a receiving station upon release of the movement.The present invention also relates to a vending machine and a method for dispensing goods. For example, German patent DE 102013 103 164 A1 shows a typical vending machine that can dispense goods stored inaccessible to a user by means of an electrically operated spiral. The disadvantages of this system are that product selection is difficult for the user and the energy consumption is high. Furthermore, restocking such machines is time-consuming, as the goods must be individually placed into the sections of the spiral. For this purpose, such machines often feature a complex drawer mechanism by which individual sections of the storage unit can be pulled out of the machine, allowing the individual goods to then be inserted into the spiral sections. DE 10 2017 104 041 A1 discloses a device for advancing goods with a spring-loaded pusher, which is arranged in a compartment for storing goods and is moved in a forward direction when an item is removed, thus advancing the goods to a removal area. It is advantageous that a large number of goods can be placed in the compartment all at once, and that when a subsequent item is removed, for example, the item at the front, the pusher advances the remaining goods, thus simplifying the filling of the compartment. Refilling after partial emptying is just as easy and does not necessarily require pulling the entire device out of a shelf. With this state of the art, the problem is that goods can only be removed manually, which means that the entire device must be made accessible to a user. Therefore, the device is not suitable, for example, for use in vending or dispensing machines such as the one described in DE 10 2013 103 164 A1. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for dispensing goods that is cost-effective, easy to refill, and in which a user can give a dispensing signal that leads to the automatic ejection of the goods. The present invention solves this problem with a device having the features of claim 1, with a vending machine having the features of claim 13 and with a method according to claim 16. The device according to the invention for dispensing goods comprises a holding device in which goods are held between a movable pusher and a stop that limits movement of the goods and the pusher in a dispensing direction from the pusher to the stop, and an ejector device that can be triggered by an electronic control device and is configured, when triggered by the control device, to move an ejector configured to move the foremost item adjacent to the stop along the stop and at an angle to the dispensing direction, thus releasing the movement of the pusher and the goods in the dispensing direction, wherein the pusher is configured to eject the foremost item over the stop to a receiving station when the movement is released.The ejector device includes an optical sensor and is configured to trigger the controller when it detects an optical output signal. The device according to the invention is cost-effective and can automatically dispense or separate goods while simultaneously being easily refilled. The goods can also be stored in the holding device in a way that would otherwise be inaccessible to a user. The optical sensor can be configured to capture the output signal without contact. This allows for particularly simple and convenient generation of the output signal by the user. By eliminating the need for touch and thus selection buttons, the device is easy to clean and especially hygienic. In particular, the ejector device can be configured to trigger only when the optical sensor detects the output signal for a predetermined minimum period, for example, at least one second, preferably for more than two seconds. This serves to prevent unintentional triggering of the ejector device, or erroneous detection of output signals, for example, when the sensor detects a signal that is essentially the same as the output signal but is triggered, for instance, by noise or an object briefly within the optical sensor's detection range, without the user actually intending to trigger the device. In one embodiment, the ejector device is configured so that, even after an output signal is detected by the optical sensor, it cannot be triggered again for a period of 5 to 90 seconds, preferably 8 to 20 seconds, and even more preferably 9 to 11 seconds. This reduces the number of items that can be dispensed by the device within a certain period, which is particularly useful for theft protection when the goods are located in an enclosed space. Furthermore, this prevents multiple and parallel triggering of the ejector device, especially if several devices according to the invention are used at one location.At such a location, the control system can also be configured to pass this state on to other devices or, conversely, to receive a corresponding instruction from another device. For the detection of the output signal, the optical sensor can preferably be configured to emit light rays, i.e., electromagnetic waves, towards a transparent disc or viewing window of the device arranged in the output direction, and to detect the reflection of the light rays, i.e., reflected electromagnetic waves, from the disc and / or a subject and / or object. The disc, preferably a viewing window, makes the light rays in the holding device visible. The arranged goods are arranged in a way that is particularly advantageous for a user, making them manually inaccessible yet still visible. This allows goods to be dispensed from the device only via an output signal to the optical sensor, which also increases theft protection and hygiene of the system. The device can therefore be particularly suitable for use with pharmaceuticals or medical equipment, for example. The optical sensor can be configured, in particular, to detect reflections of light rays from the disc, which are present even without an output signal, and recognize this as an idle state. The sensor is therefore specifically calibrated to the disc, or rather, a viewing window. The output signal includes, in particular, a light reflection from a user, especially from the user's hand. In this case, the optical sensor detects the light reflection, or rather the reflected rays from the user, in addition to the reflection detected at idle, for example, as a change, such as an increase, in the light reflection, i.e., in the quantity of rays received by the sensor, and accordingly outputs a signal that can be processed, in particular, by the control system and thus trigger the ejector device, ejecting the foremost item as described above. Even more preferably, the optical sensor is configured to detect the light reflection from the user only when it occurs within a range of less than 20 cm, preferably up to 10 cm, and even more preferably from 2 cm to 8 cm away from the optical sensor or the disc.The optical sensor is particularly preferably configured to perform this function only when it occurs within an angular range, i.e., a substantially triangular cross-sectional area, in the output direction in front of the sensor, which has an angle corresponding to the central angle of a circular arc emanating from the sensor of approximately 100° to 110°, preferably 105°. A selection area in which the optical sensor can detect the output signal preferably has a size of 10 cm. 2 up to 25 cm 2These optional variants can be used together or individually, and the numerical ranges can also be adjusted by the controller. They each serve to prevent erroneous detection of output signals. This is particularly relevant in operating situations where several devices according to the invention may be used in close proximity to one another. Optionally, the sensor can detect the output signal only at an angle to the output direction; preferably, it is configured to detect the output signal only at one angle. The sensor can detect an area that lies substantially or completely in front of the item to be ejected, in the direction of dispensing, for example, such that the detection area and an outline of the item in the viewing direction parallel to the dispensing direction completely overlap. This allows the user to select the item with particular precision. A detection surface of the optical sensor, capable of capturing the light rays, can preferably be arranged at an angle of approximately 105° to the direction of movement of the product pusher. The output signal can alternatively or additionally include a light reflection of the light rays from the disc, in particular from a part of the disc touched by a user, which may, for example, be a flexion of the disc that can change the reflectance of the disc. The disc can be made of glass and / or plastic and preferably has a transparency of more than 50%. The product pusher can preferably be pre-tensioned towards the stop, in particular by means of a spring, while the ejector is movable via an electromechanical actuator and / or a spring interacting with it. The actuator can, for example, be designed as a solenoid and include an electromagnet that can be triggered via the control system, by means of which a lifting motion is generated. In one version, the receiving station can have a system with a scale or an ultrasonic sensor that can detect whether goods are present in the receiving station. If so, the device can be configured, for example, so that the ejector cannot be triggered until a user removes the goods from the receiving station. The optical sensor preferably includes a light barrier to detect the output signal, which can function essentially as described above. Even more preferably, the optical sensor is a time-of-flight sensor that can also detect the time elapsed between the emission of the light beams, i.e., the electromagnetic waves, and the detection of the reflection. This time is reduced when a user holds a hand sufficiently close to the sensor, which, as an optical / indirect distance measurement, can also be used to detect the output signal if the elapsed time is below a preset threshold. The control system can, for example, include a microcontroller and / or a microprocessor and be configured to control all the aforementioned electronic units. For interaction with a user, a communication unit can also be provided, capable of wireless and / or wired communication, for example, with a mobile application that could be used for payment. The device can also be controlled essentially or entirely analogously via a charge pump or a timer circuit, thus ensuring exceptional reliability. The ejector device can also include a display device configured to output a signal that depends on the duration for which the optical sensor detects the output signal. The display device may, for example, include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to illuminate increasingly as the duration of the output signal detection increases, providing, for example, visual feedback of a corresponding "charge level." This could, for instance, display a "progress bar" corresponding to the selection process. In one variant, the optical sensor and / or the control unit may have its own housing, which is connected to the other elements of the ejector device, particularly via communication, and is located, for example, beneath the holding device. Alternatively, in a variant where the ejector device comprises only one housing, it may be located within that single housing. The light beams have a wavelength of 650 nm to 1000 nm, and particularly preferably 900 nm to 950 nm. Especially when wavelengths are selected above 750 nm, for example in the infrared range, they can be invisible to a user. However, if desired, beams in the visible spectrum can also be used to provide visual feedback that may be visually appealing to a user. The optical sensor can also employ pulse-width modulation to save power and / or be configured for a sampling frequency of more than half a second. In a preferred embodiment, the device for dispensing goods comprises a spring-loaded pusher that holds the goods against the stop. By triggering the ejector, the goods positioned between the pusher and the stop can be separated by the ejector, whereby the The remaining items in the line are conveyed by the pusher towards the stop, and the item furthest forward in the dispensing direction can be evaluated as described above. This allows the foremost position before the stop to be filled with an item using simple mechanical means, and the ejector can be activated to release an item upon detection of the dispensing signal. The ejected items can then be collected at the receiving station, either manually or automatically. This allows for the efficient individualization of everyday consumer goods, and the device can also be used in retail spaces where customers manually select individual items. Preferably, the foremost item can be moved upwards via the at least one ejector and forwards over the stop via the product pusher. The ejector initiates a lifting movement of the foremost item, and after lifting, the product pusher, pre-tensioned by a spring (in particular by a partially wound band spring), can initiate the forward movement of the item, so that the lifted item is moved or pivoted over the stop. This allows the ejection of the foremost item to be energy-efficient and highly reliable, since only the ejector device consumes power during the ejection process. The at least one ejector is preferably slidably guided on a housing, and is preferably movable linearly in the vertical direction. The stroke movement by the linear guide can be greater than the height of the stop on the front side of the product. Alternatively, the ejector can also be pivotally mounted. The product can also be lifted and ejected to a receiving station by means of one or more pivotable ejectors. The ejector preferably has a shorter length than the product in the feed direction of the product pusher. The device's stop is preferably fixed directly or via the housing to an adapter rail that can extend perpendicular to the feed direction of the product pusher. Such an adapter rail can, for example, be fixed to or on a shelf to allow for the placement of a plurality of devices according to the invention along the adapter rail. The distance between the individual devices can be flexibly designed to accommodate the width of the respective goods. Optionally, the adapter rail can also serve as a power supply if an electrical connection is required. The cable is routed along it or is integrally formed. For a compact design, the housing for fixing the stop to the adapter rail preferably has at least one opening for the passage of the at least one ejector. In particular, the adapter rail can also be used as a signal carrier, for example for a data processing bus. The ejector device is preferably arranged at least partially beneath a shelf on which the goods are placed. The shelf can, for example, be designed as a panel, and the ejector device is positioned at the front of the shelf such that it is positioned both in front of the shelf and, in a front view, partially protrudes beneath it, allowing a guide on the ejector device to have sufficient length to lift the foremost item over the stop. Alternatively, the ejector device can be mounted completely beneath a shelf, in which case the shelf has at least one opening or recess for the insertion of at least one ejector. The ejector device can be fixed to the adapter rail directly with a housing or via other components.In addition, a display or label may be provided on the ejector device to show information about the respective type of goods. For safe lifting of the goods, the ejector device can comprise two ejectors that contact the goods at different positions on the underside. This prevents the goods from tipping sideways. Preferably, the two ejectors are arranged symmetrically about a central plane, particularly on both sides of the product pusher. Alternatively, instead of two ejectors, only a single ejector can be provided, which has a support surface by means of which the goods can be lifted without tipping. A guide rail can be provided to ensure the safe guidance of the product pusher, along which the product pusher can move. The guide rail can be fixed at a front point to the stop and / or the adapter rail. For secure positioning of the holding device, its front wall can rest against the stop, optionally with a recess in the front wall into which a projection on the stop engages. This prevents the entire holding device from lifting during ejection. of a product. Optionally, the stop can also be formed by a section of the front wall of the holding device. The device may also include a system for recording an inventory, as described in DE 10 2017 104 041 A1, in particular in paragraph

[0005] until

[0007] as described. Alternatively, the optical sensor described there can also be arranged on a rear wall of the device and measure the distance to the product pusher from there. Power for the device can be supplied, for example, via a busbar with two or more conductors running linearly parallel to the front. It goes without saying that the device according to the invention also includes a suitable power supply for the components that obviously require one. This can be provided, for example, by a grid or a battery. A battery increases the flexibility of the device's deployment location, while a grid simplifies maintenance. Using both can increase power supply redundancy. The device can include suitable power converters for the power supply. The present invention also enables easy repair of the device, for example by replacing the ejector device. The present invention further relates to a vending machine comprising at least two devices according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the devices comprises a controller and / or wherein the vending machine comprises a main controller. The dispensing signal additionally serves to select a product to be dispensed; for example, a user can hold a hand in front of one of the optical sensors, i.e., in front of the optical sensor of the device containing the desired product, and thus inform the vending machine which product it should dispense, whereupon the vending machine is configured to dispense the selected product. In particular, the relevant device(s) can subsequently be configured not to trigger, or not trigger again, for a period of time as mentioned above, in order to reduce the number of goods that can be dispensed within a period of time in order to make theft of goods more difficult. Preferably, the optical sensors in the vending machine are configured so that they can only detect the output signal in areas that do not overlap with each other, i.e., between the sensors. Alternatively or additionally, the sensors, or the control system, can be configured so that if an output signal is detected simultaneously by several optical sensors, only the ejector device whose optical sensor detects the strongest output signal, with the strongest light reflection, or the shortest measured distance is triggered. Preferably, the devices, in particular the ejector devices, are communicatively connected to each other via at least one electrical conductor and / or via radio. At least one of the controllers can be configured to change the voltage applied to the electrical conductor upon detection of an output signal. For example, if a voltage is applied, the devices can be configured so that the ejector devices do not trigger again until the controller reduces the voltage after a preset period, or vice versa, for example in the case of the time-delayed embodiment described above for increased theft protection. The at least two devices can preferably be configured such that, while one of the optical sensors detects the output signal, no further ejector device can be triggered. This state can, for example, persist for a period of 5 to 10 seconds. This reliably prevents the unintentional triggering of multiple ejector devices simultaneously. If a dispensing instruction is aborted, i.e., if a user withdraws their hand before the aforementioned minimum period has elapsed, the devices can also be configured to release this blocking state. A further advantage is that this allows for the time-limited dispensing of products, thus preventing atypical removal, i.e., the avoidance of multiple removals in a short period, for example, with high-priced goods such as perfume, which are typically purchased only once per customer. In particular, the variant of the vending machine in which the dispensing signal must be detected for a certain period of time allows a Users can also change their minds at short notice regarding which item they wish to have dispensed by the vending machine. This can be advantageous, for example, if they accidentally select an unwanted item and recognize this through the signal displayed by the indicator during the specified time period. In one variant, the device and / or vending machine includes a system or device configured to compare a user's age, specified, for example, by means of an identification document readable by the system, with an age that can be preset / predefined in the device, in order to prevent, for example, the dispensing of goods to minors. The system could also, or alternatively, verify a prescription if used for prescription drugs. Alternatively or additionally, a payment system can be provided that is configured to display a price after a product has been selected, i.e., after a dispensing signal has been detected by at least one of the optical sensors, and to process payment, for example, by card payment, especially contactless card payment, or cash, before the ejection device can be triggered.This is advantageous in preventing misuse and increasing theft protection for the goods. Furthermore, the inventive method for dispensing goods from a device according to the invention comprises the following steps: a. Emission of light beams from the optical sensor; b. Reflection of at least a portion of the light beams from a subject and / or object towards the optical sensor; c. Detection of at least a portion of the reflected light beams by the optical sensor; d. Reflection of a further portion of the light beams from a user of the device to generate an output signal; e. Detection of the further portion of the light beams by the optical sensor and thus detection of the output signal; f. Triggering of the ejector device by the control unit upon detection of the output signal by the optical sensor; g. Movement of the ejector, and thus of the foremost item adjacent to the stop, along the stop and at an angle to the output direction, and release of movement of the product pusher and the items in the output direction; h. Movement of the items in the direction of the stop by the product pusher; i. Ejection of the foremost item over the stop to a receiving station; j. Movement of the ejector by the ejector device and resulting limitation of the movement of the product pusher and the remaining items after ejection. Optionally, the display device can provide visual and / or audible feedback to the user between steps e and f, indicating that the ejector device will be triggered shortly, for example, between 1 and 5 seconds after the detection of the reflected light beams. Such feedback could be, for example, visual feedback via an LED strip that illuminates or changes shape like a progress bar to indicate the anticipated ejection time to the customer. The method can also be applied to the vending machines described above. This allows, for example, the selection of a specific product from a large number of products or product types (Z-varieties), where only one type of product is arranged in each of the respective dispensing devices. Optionally, the process can include age verification of a user before triggering the ejection device, for example by scanning an identification document. Alternatively, or in addition, the process can perform a settlement before triggering the ejection device, i.e., record payment for the goods by a user. The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to several drawings. These show: Fig. 1 shows a device according to the invention without goods, Fig. 2 shows a side view of a device according to the invention with Were, Fig. 3 shows a front view of the device from Fig. 2 between several devices without goods. Fig. 4 shows the device from Fig. 3 during the detection of an output signal, Fig. 5 shows a vending machine according to the invention, Figs. 6A to 6C Views of the vending machine from Fig. 5 with a disc, Figs. 7A to 7D show the steps of a method according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention for dispensing goods (not shown). The device 1 comprises a product pusher 2, which is biased by a spring 3 against a stop 4. The device includes a holding device 11 for a series of goods for arrangement between the product pusher 2 and the stop 4. The device 1 also has an ejector device 5 by means of which goods can be ejected, which also includes an optical sensor 12 for detecting an ejection signal to trigger the ejector device 5. Fig. 2 shows the device 1 from Fig. 1, in which a series of goods are each pre-tensioned by the product pusher 2 towards the stop 4. The stop 4 limits the movement of the goods 10 and the product pusher 2 in the dispensing direction from the product pusher 2 to the stop 4. The ejector device 5 is configured, upon triggering by the control system upon detection of a dispensing signal, to move an ejector 9, which is configured to move the foremost goods 10 adjacent to the stop 4 along the stop 4 and at an angle to the dispensing direction, thus limiting the movement of the product pusher 2 and the goods 10 in the dispensing direction. to release the product pusher 2, which is configured to eject the foremost product 10 to a collection station when the movement is released over stop 4. The collection station, not visible here, can be, for example, the dispensing area of ​​a vending machine, shopping cart, conveyor belt, or other device to collect the ejected product 10. The stops 4 of the devices 1 are fixed to an adapter rail 7, which, as shown in Fig. 2, is fixed to a shelf 6, for example by gluing it to a top surface. The adapter rail 7 extends with its longitudinal direction essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the product pushers 2. The product pushers 2 are movably held on a guide rail 8, which can optionally be omitted. The ejector device 5 also includes at least one of the ejectors 9, which is suitable for lifting the foremost item 10 adjacent to the stop 4. The adapter rail 7 extends below the holding device 11. A housing of the ejector device 5 is fixed to the adapter rail 7, and the guide rail 8 is attached to this housing. One end of the spring 3, which is designed as a band spring and has a wound section in a housing 13 on the product pusher 2, is attached to the housing. When the product pusher 2 is moved back, the spring 3 is tensioned. The stop 4 is also attached to the housing to limit the movement of the foremost product 10. The ejector device 5 extends with its housing below the guide rail 8 and the stop 4. A top surface of the housing of the ejector device 5 is arranged at essentially the same height as a top surface of the guide rail 8. The ejector device 5 has a linear guide for the ejector 9, allowing it to be moved upwards via a vertical stroke. In the raised position, a support surface of the ejector 9 is located at least at the same height as the top of the stop 4, and optionally also above the stop 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the ejector 9 has a flat contact surface. It is also possible to design the contact surface depending on the goods 10; for example, a V-shaped top surface may be more suitable for pouch packaging, or rounded contact surfaces for cylindrical goods, in order to reliably lift the goods 10. Furthermore, optionally, only one or more than two ejectors 9 can be provided instead of the two ejectors 9 shown in the illustrated embodiments. Fig. 3 shows a front view of the device from Fig. 2 between several devices T without goods 10. For advantageous actuation of the device, or for reliable detection of an output signal, the optical sensor 12 is configured to detect the light reflection from the user only when it occurs within a range of up to 10 cm, and more preferably less than 5 cm, from the optical sensor 12 or the disc. Particularly preferably, the optical sensor 12 is also configured to detect this only when it occurs within an angular range in the output direction in front of the sensor 12, which has an angle corresponding to the central angle of a circular arc emanating from the sensor 12 of approximately 100° to 110°, preferably 105°. Fig. 4 shows, by way of example, the detection of an output signal corresponding to a reflection of light rays from a user 13, which the optical sensor 12 detects.The control system is configured to subsequently trigger the ejector device. Figure 5 shows a vending machine 14 according to the invention, in which the receiving station 15 is also visible. The vending machine 14 comprises at least two, here a plurality, devices 1 according to the invention for dispensing goods. The vending machine 14 from Fig. 5, in the variant shown in Fig. 6A, comprises a transparent panel 16 behind which the goods (not visible here) are arranged. This increases theft protection. The panel includes two leaves 161 and 162, which are designed as door leaves and can be opened as shown in Fig. 6B. Fig. 6C shows a product 10 ejected to the collection station 15, which can be removed from the vending machine 14 through a flap 151. Figures 7A to 7D illustrate a method according to the invention for dispensing goods 10 by means of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 is shown in a starting position in Figure 7A. The foremost item 10 is next to The stop 4 is located at approximately the same height as the other goods 10. The row of goods 10 is biased towards the stop 4 by the spring 3 and the pusher 2. The optical sensor 12 emits light rays 17 towards the disk 16, which are at least partially reflected there, and detects at least part of the reflection; in this case, it recognizes the reflection as idle. When a user 13 approaches the optical sensor 12 as shown in Fig. 7B, a further portion of the light rays 17 is reflected, here by a hand of the user 13. The sensor 12 detects at least part of this reflection as an output signal. If the sensor 12 detects this output signal for preferably more than 2 seconds, it communicates this to the control unit of the device 1, which then triggers the ejector device 5. The ejector 9 is moved, and the foremost item 10 at the stop 4 is lifted in the direction of movement B until the item 10 is positioned above the stop 4. This allows the product pusher 2 to push the lifted item 10 over the stop 4 in the output direction A. In Fig. 7C, the foremost item 10 is shown falling towards the receiving station. The items 10 remaining in the row are pushed by the product pusher 2 to the raised ejector 9. The ejector 9 is then lowered back to its starting position by an actuator or similar device. This can optionally occur immediately after raising or after a time delay. This allows the product pusher 2 to push the items 10 remaining on the shelf 6 in the feed direction towards the stop 4, so that the position shown in Fig. 7D is reached. Preferably, the ejector device cannot be triggered again for a duration of 5 to 90 seconds, more preferably 8 to 20 seconds, and even more preferably 9 to 11 seconds. Reference symbol list 1 Device 2 goods pushers 3 springs 4 stops 5 Ejector device 6 shelves 7 Adapter rail 8 guide rail 9 ejectors 10 items 11 Holding device 12 Optical Sensor 13 users 15 shelters 151 flap 16 discs 161 wings 162 wings 17 light rays A Output direction B Direction of movement

Claims

Claims 1. A device (1) for dispensing goods (10), comprising a holding device (11) in which goods (10) are held between a movable pusher (2) and a stop (4) that limits movement of the goods (10) and the pusher (2) in a dispensing direction (A) from the pusher (2) to the stop (4), and which also comprises an ejector device (5) that can be triggered by an electronic control device and is configured, upon triggering by the control device, to move an ejector (9) configured to move the foremost goods (10) adjacent to the stop (4) along the stop (4) and at an angle to the dispensing direction (A), thus releasing the movement of the pusher (2) and the goods (10) in the dispensing direction (A), wherein the pusher (2) is configured to move the foremost goods (10) over the stop (4) to a receiving station upon release of the movement (15) eject,characterized in that the ejector device (5) comprises an optical sensor (12) and is configured to trigger by the controller when it detects an optical output signal.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical sensor (12) is configured to detect the output signal without contact.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ejector device (5) is configured to trigger only when the optical sensor (12) detects the output signal for a preset minimum period of time.

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ejector device (5) is configured to not be able to trigger again for a duration of 5 seconds to 90 seconds, preferably 8 seconds to 20 seconds and more preferably 9 seconds to 11 seconds, even when an output signal is detected by the optical sensor (12).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical sensor (12) is configured to direct light rays (17) in the direction of a transparent surface arranged in the output direction (A). to emit light from the disk (16) and to detect a reflection of the light rays (17) from a subject (13) and / or object and / or the disk (16).

6. Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the output signal comprises a light reflection of the light rays (17) from a user (13), in particular from a hand of the user.

7. Device (1 ) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the output signal may include a light reflection of the light rays (17) from the disk (16), in particular from a part of the disk (16) touched by a user.

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product pusher (2) is biased towards the stop (4), in particular by means of a spring (3), and the ejector (9) is movable via an electromechanical actuator.

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical sensor (12) is a time-of-flight sensor.

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ejector device (5) comprises a display device configured to output a signal that is dependent on a period of time for which the optical sensor (12) detects the output signal.

11. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light rays (17) in particular have a wavelength of 650 nm to 1000 nm and preferably of 900 nm to 950 nm.

12. Vending machine (14) comprising at least two devices (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the devices (1) comprises a control unit and / or wherein the vending machine (14) comprises a main control unit.

13. Vending machine (14) according to claim 12, characterized in that the devices (1), in particular the ejector devices (5), are communicatively connected to each other via at least one electrical conductor.

14. Vending machine (14) according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one of the controllers is configured to change a voltage applied to the electrical conductor upon detection of an output signal.

15. Vending machine (14) according to claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the at least two devices (1 ) are configured such that, while one of the optical sensors (12) detects the output signal, no further ejector device (5) can be triggered.

16. A method for dispensing goods from a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the following steps: a. Ejection of light beams from the optical sensor (12); b. Reflection of at least a portion of the light beams (17) from a subject (13) and / or object towards the optical sensor (12); c. Detection of at least a portion of the reflected light beams (17) by the optical sensor (12); d. Reflection of a further portion of the light beams (17) from a user (13) of the device to generate an output signal; e. Detection of the further portion of the light beams (17) by the optical sensor (12) and thus detection of the output signal; f. Triggering of the ejector device (5) by the controller upon detection of the output signal by the optical sensor; g.Movement of the ejector (9) and thus of the foremost item (10) adjacent to the stop (4) along the stop (4) and perpendicular to the dispensing direction (A) and release of a movement of the product pusher (2) and the items (10) in the dispensing direction (A), i.e. movement of the items (10) in the direction of the stop (4) by the product pusher (2);. i. Ejection of the foremost item (10) over the stop (4) to a receiving station (15); j. Movement of the ejector (9) by the ejector device (5) and resulting limitation of the movement of the product pusher (2) and the remaining items (10) after ejection.

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