CN1941006A

CN1941006A - Method and apparatus for controlling rented leased or loaned equipment

Info

Publication number: CN1941006A
Application number: CNA2006101099946A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 芒罗·切尔诺马斯
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-23
Filing date: 2001-05-23
Publication date: 2007-04-04
Also published as: CN101079162A; EP1287503B1; DK1287503T3; DE60135984D1; AU7583601A; CN1841433A; EP1287503A2; DE60134424D1; DE60136352D1; MXPA02011582A; ATE409931T1; ES2307621T3; WO2001095276A2; JP2004524595A; WO2002019285A3; CA2410060A1; WO2001091071A2; WO2002001525A2; KR20030007690A; WO2001095276A3

Abstract

An article storage container, comprising a bin for storing in an a columnar manner, articles to be dispensed from a dispensing end of the bin. A plurality of article supporting intrusions positioned in a spaced manner along at least a portion of the length of the bin function to provide load bearing support for articles stored in the bin. Sectional bins, bin sleeves and macro bins are also disclosed for facilitating rapid, accurate and efficient loading of articles into an article dispenser.

Description

The method and apparatus of the storage commodity that use with the commodity treatment facility

The application submits, is entitled as the dividing an application of No. 01810087.2 patented claim of " method and apparatus of the storage commodity that use with the commodity treatment facility " to May 23 calendar year 2001.

Background of invention

1. invention field

The present invention relates generally to the design of commodity rest area, Storage and system and the improvement in the operation,, be used in particular for storage, placement and/or the processing of the row formula/stacking formula of frangible commodity such as potato chips bag so that together use with the commodity treatment facility.

2. prior art

Most of existing commodity processing mechanism, especially the commodity processing mechanism in the involved POS system at article dispenser (POS) environment among the present invention all relies on a plurality of motors, switch and coil to come the various piece of mobile processing mechanism and commodity self (for example passing through packaged products) is handled.Most of this machine all needs motor, switch and/or the coil of a special use to handle and to provide and deliver for each row, each row or each class commodity or packing.Such as known to those skilled in the art, this class machine has a lot of shortcomings usually, and for example, its reliability can become relatively poor because of mechanical fault.

United States Patent (USP) 5,240,139 pairs of commodity treatment facilities have been made a significant improvement.A kind of negative pressure lifter has been described (promptly in this article, commodity pick up or processing mechanism) purposes, it enters from the open top that is positioned at the wareroom cabinet among the automatic vending machine refrigeration area, and utilize the mechanism of bleeding (that is, the reduction that produces by parital vacuum or be called as " negative " air pressure) with realize with the commodity that will take out between firm the contact.Though automatically the lifter of operation especially the bleeder elevating mechanism do not have usually therein to have obtained widespread usage in the industry assembling of space constraint, their application in the device of the space constraint strictness such as article dispenser are not extensively approved.Have bigger reliability and dirigibility owing to adopt exhaust technique to grasp and move the automatic vending machine of selecting commodity, thereby people expect to develop the technology and the method that make new advances and operate and control this class machine and other commodity processing mechanisms that more generally uses.

In aforesaid United States Patent (USP) 5,240,139 by the hutch of in refrigerating chamber, arranging a plurality of vertical alignment or the storage that cabinet provides commodity.Because commodity to be sold are freezing, so can not cause the problem of product crushing for the weight that commodity brought that is kept among the cabinet bottom by the commodity that pile up on it.But, in some applications, because the commodity that are kept in the cabinet may be frangible (for example, being packaged in the potato chips in the soft sack), so need device to take place broken to be used near preventing from the to be kept at commodity in storage cabinet bottom.Even if the wareroom in the vending machine has adopted the wareroom cabinet that moves horizontally, frangible commodity also may be damaged in storage cabinet is transported to the way of actual selling organization from warehouse or commodity manufacturer.People's expectation makes the wareroom cabinet have big as far as possible capacity, for example, makes cabinet higher.But storage cabinet is high more, and the broken problem of above-mentioned commodity is just more for serious.

In addition, when the wareroom cabinet store have the timeliness problem product (promptly, product might become stale because of expired) time, a device also need be provided, in order to guarantee replenishing/filling and to finish in simple and reliable mode to the hollow storage cabinet of part, and can also in cabinet, keep the mode of correct order can make product, that is, keep the mode of FIFO (first-in first-out) to finish according to one.FIFO dispensing from the product of wareroom cabinet helps to keep the quality of product when being transported to the user.When use had higher, more jumbo cabinet, if the visit of the inside of the cabinet that is used to replenish/fill is just provided on the end of cabinet with respect to the dispensing end, then the FIFO problem also can be exacerbated.

At the United States Patent (USP) 6 that is entitled as " being used to automatic vending machine " (VENDING MACHINEFOR PACKAGED COMMODITIES) with the commodity of packing, 082, disclose a kind of automatic vending machine in 578, in this vending machine, commodity to be sold are stored in the vertical file.For near the commodity the weight compression file bottom that prevents commodity in the file, vertically the commodity of stacking are divided into a plurality of parts, and wherein each part all has the commodity distribution device of oneself in its bottom.This " crushing " problem in order to solve and a plurality of dispensing devices are provided is wastes to the wareroom space, and need to use many extra electromechanical components.

Will be vertically in the United States Patent (USP) 5,772,072 that is entitled as " containing the refrigeration and the automatic vending machine of heating furnace case " towards the wareroom case be subdivided into a plurality of vertical towards part.Various piece all comprises a pair of maintenance lever staggered relatively " retention levers ", and they are used for the product in its casing part engagement bottom." maintenance lever " mode work in order moves the product of storing, and all carries out to low section from the eminence part when selling goods, till all products are sold from casing at every turn.Some is not ideal enough a little for this technology when supporting contains the commodity of soft packaging bag, owing to keep lever will extend into box house with the mode interlock packaging bag according to supporting very darkly, therefore, might damage frangible product.In addition, comprising having such as United States Patent (USP) 5,240, the system type described in 139 keeps lever to disturb the mobile generation of commodity unloading device discrepancy storage cabinet in interior technology.In addition, keep lever also to increase very big mechanical complexity to storage cabinet.

At the United States Patent (USP) 5 that is entitled as " modularization automatic vending machine " (MODULAR VENDING MACHINE), 651,476 and be entitled as the United States Patent (USP) 3 of " device that is used to sell the column article " (DEVICE FORVENDING CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS), 175, some dividing plates have been placed along the interior section of the vertical file of product in 669, be used for staggering product in the vertically distribution of file, thereby the weight that prevents product makes the supplying products mechanism that is positioned at the file bottom produce " crowding " or " obstruction ".The partition component of use fixed position can not prevent the damage of friable product (for example many bags of potato chips) file fully, and in fact, itself also might cause damage of product the partition component of fixed position.

Expectation provide a kind of not only had relatively low cost and but also method and apparatus reliably, it can improve the goods holding ability of storage cabinet, can not have a negative impact to the overall quality (freshness and structural integrity) of the commodity of storage wherein again.Also expectation provides and can reduce the technology of external force to the influence of commodity in the storage cabinet, and this external force appeared between the delivery period of commodity for example, the way as the Storage in from producer or warehouse to the commodity vending machine.

In addition, also expectation provides a kind of like this device, and it can either prevent the fragmentation of friable product, also can utilize a kind of method and apparatus to reduce delivery period in the wareroom district from producer to the commodity vending machine at product processing procedure to each product.

Goal of the invention

An object of the present invention is provides a kind of new technology and method for design, operation and the control of commodity processing mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide new technology and method for design, operation and control with the commodity processing mechanism that adopts the computer control mechanical ﹠ electrical technology to be used, and a kind of air suction type clamp of automatic location is provided in described embodiment, distinguishes to be used to grasp selected commodity and it is moved to dispensing from the Storage.

A further object of the invention is that speed and the precision that commodity are handled can improve in these mechanisms, can also handle commodity to be assigned with in careful mode simultaneously, thereby prevent that it from any damage occurring for more such mechanisms provide a kind of new technology and method.

More specific object of the present invention is:

1) passes through to increase the height/length of commodity stockpile to improve the wareroom capacity, and the power that adopts a kind of mode to prevent to affact on the commodity damages, this power comprises the power that weight produced that for example is placed on top commodity, perhaps the impact force that produces in shipping/transportation of the commodity of putting because of the file form;

2) provide a kind of wareroom cabinet, it is designed to help to strengthen commodity and plants with the dress of FIFO mode;

3) provide a kind of technology, be used in manufacturing works commodity being packed in advance, its manner of packing can reduce manpower and time required when the commodity vending machine recharged;

4) provide a bearing support or supporting station in combination with dispenser, thereby the FIFO that simplifies storage cabinet replenishes/filling.

Summary of the invention

Above-mentioned purpose is that the embodiment by a kind of commodity treating apparatus such as automatic vending machine is achieved, but this device comprises the flexible pipe clamp of a controlled location, and it is used for taking out commodity in the Storage.

In one embodiment, the Storage comprises a plurality of storage cabinets of axially aligning, contain an opening on its dispensing end, each storage cabinet is separated by the space along its length direction, and interior prominent (intrusion) that is oppositely arranged is used to the edge that support stack at least is placed on the commodity in the cabinet.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the interior prominent tongue piece that contains two subtends, they stretch out and enter inside, wareroom district from the inwall of cabinet.Tongue piece can be resiliently biased in cabinet, thereby helps commodity to move in the direction towards the dispensing end, and meanwhile, it can also hinder commodity towards moving in the opposite direction with the distribution side.In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the elastic biasing of tongue piece is by tongue piece being connected in the outside of cabinet and making it pass that a handle (hold) on the cabinet wall stretches into the inside of cabinet and accomplished.The thickness in hole is used for producing supporting role to hindering the tongue piece that the direction of tongue piece below the hole move on the sidewall, and its whole height is enough to allow the bending in the direction of tongue piece above the hole.The length of tongue piece is pre the distance that makes between its free end in opposite directions is enough to allow the commodity gripping body freely to pass therethrough, and had the result who contacts as removing from storage cabinet at commodity to make in the process between tongue piece and the commodity, the undercapacity of the elastic biasing of tongue piece is to repel away commodity from the commodity clamping mechanism.

According to another embodiment of the invention, for the ease of effectively storage cabinet being carried out replenishing/filling of commodity, and keep " first-in first-out " replenishing/padding scheme (FIFO) simultaneously, the wareroom cabinet can be in the warehouse or even is divided into a plurality of sections and inserted commodity by prepackage in the manufacturing works of commodity.These segmentations can comprise at least one container part that transports from manufacturer or warehouse, and it is used for the commodity vending machine is replenished/fills.In other advantage, use the cabinet segmentation that is mounted with commodity in advance can make the operator of dispenser during reshipment, save a large amount of time and labors, because he will not put back to the warehouse from storage cabinet by previous unsold commodity.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, storage cabinet self can have a height completely that adapts with the Storage, and the sleeve pipe (sleeve) that contains the commodity group of pre-packing can be inserted in the storage cabinet, be used for by on its bottom or near opening carry out replenishing/filling of commodity.Then, the commodity sleeve pipe that inserts utilizes a notch that forms along cabinet one side or is subjected to upwards being pushed cabinet from the pressure of " the next sleeve pipe that inserts ", thereby allow to insert the sleeve pipe that commodity are housed of other right quantity, be used to finish replenishing/filling cabinet.In one embodiment, sleeve pipe can comprise flexible commodity supporting, for example above-mentioned sinking support tongue piece, perhaps in another embodiment, on the dorsal part of sleeve pipe or the bight suitable opening can be arranged, its size is convenient to the edge of commodity in the sleeve pipe and the flexible commodity supporting interlock in the cabinet.

In another embodiment of the present invention, prominent/support unit can comprise the bar of a plurality of vertical arrangements, be formed with a plurality of " steps " in the bar in the commodity.These can be bonded to the inwall of wareroom cabinet, and its " step " function is used for supporting at least in part the wherein weight of the commodity of storage.In addition, the inside of cabinet itself can have a profile that can support product, for example, and with the outstanding contained spring part of the formation of cabinet sidewall.

Brief description of drawings

Fig. 1 constitutes and the front perspective view of the vending machine operated according to the principle of the invention;

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are the front perspective view of vending machine shown in Figure 1, and wherein open at the Qianmen, so that wherein main machinery and the electric component of explanation, and the hose storage district and the cam mechanism that constitute according to the principle of the invention;

Fig. 4 is the cooperatively interact functional-block diagram of work of explanation main machinery of vending machine shown in Figure 1 and electric component;

Fig. 5,6,7,8 and 9 shows the combination/oriented of extensive stock processing mechanism and Storage;

Figure 10 a, 10b, 10c, 10d and 10e show respectively according to the principle of the invention and constitute and the wareroom cabinet of operation and stereographic map, side cross-sectional view, principal section figure and the vertical view of commodity supporting thereof;

Figure 10 f shows sectional view and the stereographic map with the similar wareroom cabinet of storage cabinet shown in Figure 10 a, and wherein baffle plate is staggered;

Figure 10 G shows another embodiment similar with Figure 10 a, and wherein baffle plate is only on an one sidewall;

Figure 10 H shows another embodiment, and wherein the commodity supporting baffle is formed body cradle;

Figure 10 I is similar to Figure 10 J substantially, and wherein shelf is only placed along a sidewall of storage cabinet, and these shelfs are furnished with the projection of different depth;

Figure 10 J is similar to Figure 10 I substantially, and wherein shelf is positioned on the opposite side wall of storage cabinet, and they are placed in staggered relative mode along the length direction of storage cabinet;

Figure 11 a, 11b show top and the end perspective view of another embodiment of the wareroom cabinet that constitutes according to the principle of the invention;

Figure 12 shows another embodiment of the wareroom cabinet that constitutes according to the principle of the invention, and wherein whole height of storage cabinet are to be formed by the part cabinet of interlocking/piling up;

Figure 13 shows another embodiment of the wareroom cabinet that constitutes according to the principle of the invention, and " sleeve pipe " of one of them commodity of packing in advance is used to the storage cabinet with structure shown in Figure 10 and 11 is loaded;

Figure 14,16 and 15,17 shows longitdinal cross-section diagram and the vertical view of two other embodiment of the wareroom cabinet that constitutes according to the principle of the invention.

Figure 18-27 illustrates according to other useful embodiment of the present invention.

The detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention

Fig. 1 has shown environment of the present invention described herein with the form of the commodity selling machine such as the automatic vending machine of point of sale (POS).Although explanation is central in full with reference to the enforcement of the present invention in the automatic vending machine environment in the back, environment of the present invention and term " automatic vending machine " should comprise more general commodity processing, fetch and/or distributing equipment, and POS equipment.If this equipment is embodied as mancarried device, can comprise and approximately be traditional vending machine or big to the trailer that drags by traction engine, if and be embodied as non-mancarried device, then can comprise and be embodied as between automatic vending or be arranged in permanent structure as in a zone of buildings (cabinet that has interior wall or sealing on the ground or underground).Therefore, this equipment can comprise small-sized storage facilities, for example simple and easy storage.In addition, term " commodity " or " product " are included in some embodiment of invention described herein at least, not only refer to goods, but also comprise the service and/or the information of permanent or interim form.

Fig. 1 has shown the stereographic map of vending machine 10, comprises an embodiment of formation and apparatus operating according to the present invention.Vending machine 10 comprises main cabinet 12 and is installed in and is used to enter the Qianmen 14 that (fill/replenish vending machine, safeguard with commodity, or the like) served in vending machine inside on the pivot 16.Notice that in the embodiment of another vending machine, service door or port can be arranged on the cabinet 12 or as the part of cabinet 12.Show that in Fig. 1 Qianmen 14 is in the closed position, formed obturator, wherein held the various parts of vending machine 10, will illustrate in greater detail below with main cabinet 12.

Qianmen 14 comprises the tapering part 18 adjacent with flat 20; But these specific shapes are not essential for the present invention.Tapering part 18 comprises transparent or semitransparent plastics display panel 18, generally have brand and/or show the sign figure thereon, and can comprise that describe can be by the figure of the 10 indivedual commodity sold of selling goods, and the price of commodity and/or selection information.The panel 18 general fluorescent lights that adopt are as back of the body irradiation, and are not shown.

The client fetches district 22 and is formed in door 14 the panel 18, so that wherein Chu Zang commodity can be provided user to vending machine 10.

On the flat 20 of door 14, various user interface features are installed.Customer monitor 24 can be conventional fluorescence or LED display, show various items of information with user to machine 10, such as the feedback that the user is selected, desired quantity, and whether product is sold or sold.In order to accept payment, cashing machine inlet 26 takes in conventional gathering mechanism (being installed in the machine 10 so that its user interface part is stretched out by the opening that aligns in the flat 20) with bank note, to buy commodity or small change.(also be installed in the machine 10) in coin entry 28 the coin changer that coin income is conventional, to buy commodity or small change so that the opening of its user interface part by alignment in the flat 20 stretches out.Coin returns the mechanism that actuator 30 comprises conventional release coin, is used to drive the coin returning part of coin exchange mechanism, and the coin that the coin returning part is filled in the active user under this driving returns to coin and returns in the hole 32.The coin returning part of coin exchange mechanism also offers coin with change and returns hole 32 in response to the purchase of commodity or for bank note or large-denomination coin change the time.Credit/debit card groove 34 accepts to be inserted into the plastics credit cards/debit card in the conventional card reader mechanism (also being installed in the machine 10 so that its user interface part is stretched out by the opening that aligns in the flat 20), does shopping by credit/debit card to allow the user.Door lock mechanism 36 is locked Qianmen 14, thereby does not have key just it can't be opened.For the user can be selected, display panel 18 can comprise aforesaid figure, the extensive stock that it indicates this machine to sell, and their relevant prices and unique selection number.In addition, flat 20 can comprise the commodity demonstration of set of diagrams shapeization and their dutiable value mutually.Conventional keyboard button mechanism 38 is provided to make the user to select the commodity of wanting from vending machine.In addition, button mechanism 40 can comprise the independently button that is used for each commodity selection, and relevant price shows; In addition, even can replace button mechanism 40 and display 24 with the touch-screen of user operation.Although it is not shown among Fig. 1, machine 10 also comprises conventional telecommunications components, can be used for sales slip is carried out authentication, and other purposes relevant with machine control and to the stock and the mode of operation of the position message machine 10 in a distant place, the back will illustrate more fully to this.Although being shown as, vending machine 10 comprises above-mentioned user interface component, in the less embodiment of the present invention, can omit the most parts in these user interface component, even be not whole, and in fact automatic vending machine can be controlled by long-range, no matter whether have local payment system.

Fig. 2 is the isometric front view of the vending machine of Fig. 1, and open at its Qianmen, so that explanation main machinery and electric component wherein.Fig. 3 is the version that the critical piece of the commodity processing mechanism part of vending machine 10 has been idealized to a certain extent, is used to understand its general operation.Notice that some part of vending machine 10 has been removed in these accompanying drawings, so that inner parts are described better.

With reference to figure 2, the right-hand component of the front of storage cabinet segmentation 12 comprises vertically arranged support panel 202 earlier, and it is used to install most user interface component.More particularly, the support 204 of hinged installation is installed on panel 202, and with door 14 on register so that user interface component such as selector button keyboard 40, coin entry 30, cashing machine inlet 28, coin returner 32 and customer monitor 24 can both be brought in contact by the user before door 14.What be installed in 14 inside, Qianmen is that (they are in protective cover 206 back for two fluorescent light source.Can use the light source of other quantity), they are luminous to illuminate panel 18 from behind.Fluorescent light source is in protective cover 206 back.So that security (preventing to destroy) is provided, as open result in the structure of the door 14 that allows the insertion fluorescent light, this is desirable.Be installed in addition Qianmen 14 inside be that 208 and products of a ballast (ballast) that is used for fluorescent light carry chute 210... to note, product is carried chute 210 to be different from the routine techniques part and is that it is special height, therefore and, fetch and distinguish 22 and enter in the machine without permission by from machine outside, arm or other grasping mechanism being inserted into the client preventing as the locking measure.In the vending machine of typical prior art, can see the swing type safety door usually at the top of chute 210, it promotes the porch the client swing door is fetched the district to product and was put the blocking position to vandal at 8 o'clock.In another embodiment of vending machine 10, this safety door can carry chute 210 to be used in combination with product, if when fetching district 8 more the highland is positioned on the machine 10 when particularly chute 210 is not high as shown in Figure 2 and as fruit product.Conventional gathering mechanism is installed in hinged mounting bracket 204 back, pulled in the vending machine 10 so that insert the bank note of cashing machine inlet 28, conventional coin change machine provides coin to coin return port 34, and be positioned at panel back, the coin guide is inducted into the coin change machine with the coin of filling in, and conventional cash inspecting machine affirmation bank note is correctly filled in cashing machine inlet 28.

Control panel 212 comprises printed circuit board (PCB), is formed with circuit on it, and integrated circuit (IC) chip is housed.Control panel 212 comprises microprocessor, and it is electrically connected with various sensors, motor, above-mentioned user interface and other device in vending machine 10.Although be to carry out, be to be understood that these functions are to be controlled by microprocessor and the interlock circuit that is formed on the control panel 212 with reference to the operation of the predetermined function of control panel 212 in this explanation.Power supply 214 is installed on the panel 202 and to the electric component of vending machine 10 and powers.

With reference now to Fig. 3,, obviously the volume of the inside of cabinet 12 can be used as wareroom district 215.According to principle of the present invention, Storage 215 comprises the wareroom cabinet 216 of a plurality of vertical alignments of arranging on the inner bottom surface 217 of cabinet 12.In cold storage environment of the present invention, storage cabinet is arranged on the shelf of placing the refrigeration system top.Storage cabinet 216 is specifically designed and is used to support and store the frangible commodity 223 that machine 10 is sold.The more detailed description of relevant storage cabinet 216 will illustrate in conjunction with Fig. 5-10 hereinafter.

The size of the container 219 that the top is open can be designed as stores a plurality of wareroom cabinets 216 therein, and is used for for example making that being easy to simultaneously a plurality of storage cabinets 216 to be handled (promptly take out, lay and transport) goes into/go out wareroom zone 215.Container 219 also is convenient to fast and accurately a plurality of wareroom cabinets be put into the storage area of commodity treatment facility.More particularly, can be in the warehouse give pack in advance new product and it is arranged in the container 219 in advance of each wareroom cabinet, thereby make the operator quickly and efficiently it is transported to automatic vending machine, and, just the stock of whole or whole substantially automatic vending machines is placed mistakenly by replacing original container 219 in the machine with new container 219.Then, the operator can be in truck back or warehouse replenishes new product again to the container of removing 219, exchanges at the automatic vending machine of back being used for.This " exchange " technology helps fast, effectively and error-free changes all or part of of commodity selection layout in the automatic vending machine, that is, alleged usually " operation according to plan " (plan-o-gram).

Figure? show the vertical view of 4 example layouts of container 219, it is used for storing therein the wareroom cabinet by the desired various sizes of shape of waiting to be stored in commodity wherein.Note,

A conveyer 218 (can more generally be referred to as X-Y or plane positioning mechanism) is connected with the top side, inside of cabinet 12, and is suitable for controllably being placed into by the control panel part 212 of machine 10 center (so that aliging with this open top) on one the open top of selecting in a plurality of wareroom cabinets 216.

Although shown vertical (Z axle) alignment of wareroom cabinet 216, that off plumb promptly tilts or or even (X or Y-axis) alignment of level also be fine (such as in the glass front end vending machine of well-known use " helix " type automatic vending machine appreciable like that).Under the situation that storage cabinet essentially horizontally aligns, plane positioning mechanism will suitably be changed so that be placed on X/Z or Y/Z plane conveyer 218 mobile.In fact, curve inclined-plane such as right cylinder also can be considered within the scope of the invention.It is known that but the product stockpile that substantial horizontal is alignd is combined with the commodity conveyer that moves on the vertical plane adjacent with the sales end of product heap of automation control, the United States Patent (USP) 6 that is entitled as METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR VENDING PRODUCTS (method and apparatus that is used for sell goods) of authorizing for example in May 15 calendar year 2001, in 230,930.And May calendar year 2001 all can see among laid-open U.S. Patents communique on the 3rd US2001/0000609.Wareroom cabinet among the present invention can find purposes in having the commodity vending machine of the above-mentioned type, its cabinet is placed with along being tilted to following direction and points to its dispensing and hold, because the commodity supporting/interior prominent device in the cabinet will play a role from the warehouse or during commodity manufacturer is transported to the commodity goods selling equipment at cabinet, so can prevent to cause damage of product because of the weight of the product above being stored at, and in goods selling equipment, these same commodity supporting/interior prominent devices can function as follows: 1) by use such as the screw of existing automatic vending machine with the product in the whole length of cabinet, keeping order and place (under Flexible articles situation such as packed potato chips, it is particularly important), and 2) prevent that commodity from skidding off from the dispensing end of downward-sloping cabinet.

It is known transmitting commodity with the curve inclined-plane, for example just can see in the video-tape marketing technique, and in this technology, video-tape is to be emitted on the centralized storage rotating disk towards outer mode, and a machine clip is round rotating disk.In addition, although wareroom cabinet 216 is shown as under room temperature environment, in fact storage cabinet 216 can be placed in the environment of refrigeration, such as the cold storage plant that is arranged in 217 bottoms, Storage, the commodity connecting gear is put into storage cabinet the cold storage plant of open-top, as the United States Patent (USP) of mentioning in front 5,240, shown in 139 and as described in.In addition, be to comprise under the situation of storage cabinet of substantial horizontal alignment at refrigerating environment, can use vertically towards opening the approach of the dispensing end that enters the wareroom cabinet is provided.

In environment of the present invention, the running roller of placing by quadrature 213 (or structure of other low friction) of lighting before air hose 220 is withdrawed from by hose storage district 222 from it continues up to its free end 221.Free end 221 comprise with bellows expanding end part 227 (as active sucker) combination increase the weight of part 225.According to by the physical characteristics of the commodity sold, commodity pick-up head 224 can include only and increase the weight of part 225, or the assembly of this part and the joint that is suitable for being sold the type of merchandise specially, for example bellows head 227 or do not have the flexible head of weight.One end and the negative pressure of flexible pipe 220 is that source of suction is connected, and source of suction comprises the free end that a hair-dryer motor 226, is connected with commodity pick-up head 224 in a preferred embodiment.In the present invention, the meaning of " continuously " is meant and connects flexible pipe between two-end-point, finishes as a whole or single function that flexible pipe requires thereby this flexible pipe moves, and promptly more than one flexible pipe can be connected together as single flexible pipe.Air hose part 235 provides suction from hair-dryer motor 226 to a port of air connecting box 229, and continuous flexible pipe 220 is connected with the another port of air connecting box 229.The air connecting box 229 that comprises at the top in hose storage district 222 comprises pneumatic sensor and vacuum brake (breaker) assembly.Pneumatic sensor is used to form the airflow signal that airstream hose 220 is passed through in the expression that is carried on the vending machine controller.The vacuum brake assembly is used for the air pressure of flexible pipe 220 is become atmospheric pressure apace, thereby can be with the commodity " snap-out release " that transported by the commodity pick-up head to the chute 210 of delivering.The snap-out release of noting product not necessarily carries out at the top of delivery chute 210, avoid commodity to be subjected to owing to stopping up or when falling the external force that causes in hope, the bottom that the commodity pick-up head can advance to delivery chute 210 always again with or put down commodity without quick release valve.In one embodiment, the layout structure of pneumatic sensor can comprise two parts switch, and first comprises reed switch, and second portion comprises and is installed in the free-ended magnet that the box 229 of swing arm is equipped with in inside.Because swing arm is because the variation of air-flow is swung in box 229, and this switch is by " triggering ", thereby the variation of indication air-flow.The use of this airflow signal will illustrate in greater detail below.In an alternative embodiment, the function of draught damper and snap-out release can form in the shell body of hair-dryer motor.Utilize this structure, flexible pipe 220 will continue up to the hair-dryer motor from pick-up head.

In environment of the present invention, such as Fig. 3 the generality expression, the flexible pipe location structure (arrangement) that is provided with a novelty is to align conveyer 218 with one of selected storage cabinet 216.This alignment is to finish on front/rear (Y) direction with the front/rear linear slide 228 (showing in cut-open view) on the front/rear beam 230 that is installed in " L " shape, thereby conveyer 218 can controllably be utilized slider 228 location along front/rear beam.The bottom side portion branch of beam 230 comprises a shelf part 232, and conveyer 218 comprises a motor 233, and it drives and shelf part 232 meshed gears (not shown).From control panel 212 to motor 233 apply forward and motor control signal backward conveyer 218 is driven in front/rear direction.The alignment of a left side/right side (X) direction of conveyer 218 is carried out in a similar fashion, has adopted a left side/right linear slide 234, and it is slidably engaged in the upside of front/rear beam 230 downside with an isolated left side/right beam 236a and 236b.Beam 236a and 236b receive the top of cabinet 12 rigidly.Same connect with the inside top partially rigid of cabinet 12 and but the shelf 238 parallel with beam 236 and a gear 240 that is driven by near the reverse motors 243 that is installed in beam 230 interior angles mesh.From control panel 212 to motor 243 apply forward and gear 240 is rotated motor control signal backward and beam 230 has corresponding mobile, thereby conveyer 218 is mobile on the direction of a left side/right side (X).

Move on single plane although note 218 of conveyer assemblies, it will be responsible for accurately pick-up head 224 accurately being placed on X, Y and Z direction.More particularly, conveyer 218 comprises that the running roller structure (does not specifically show, but can comprise that it is included in flexible pipe 220 and enters the running roller that three quadratures of conveyer 218 parts are placed), the direction (being X, Y direction) from basic horizontal moves to perpendicular direction (being the Z direction) along the inner part, top of machine 10 to be used for again guiding hose 220.Like this, conveyer 218 move will not only mobile flexible pipe 220 free end 221 in case it can axially align with selected storage cabinet 216.Then, the flexible pipe driving mechanism (does not specifically illustrate, but " the compressing running roller " that can comprise one group of routine operation) but drive by gear set 510 by reverse motor 508, gear set 510 is used to drive pick-up head 224 and advances/go out selected storage cabinet 216 and be stored at wherein commodity so that fetch.In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible pipe driving mechanism is installed in the conveyer 218, but in another embodiment, motor 241 can be installed and compress running roller or some other driving mechanism, if any articulated jib, thus can be in other position action along flexible pipe 220 length.

Flexible pipe 220 and conveyer 218 move in the Y plane at identical X in this structure, make the present invention can have the compact flexible pipe location and the embodiment of driving mechanism.

In addition, (it is connected on the vacuum connecting box 229 because flexible pipe 220 is from its end that is connected with source of suction, to in the aft section of this paper, obtain explanation) rise until form with continuous material till the pick-up head 224 of its other end, so the device of hose storage and/or recovery need be provided during X, Y and Z direction suitably move when commodity are sold operation at pick-up head 224.

An inwall 246 is placed on the next door of the outer wall 248 of cabinet 12 abreast, and between outer wall and inwall, forms a hose storage district 222.Wall 246 and wall 248 are partly cut across in the drawings, in order to show that a gravity fed that forms is from bouncing back loop 250 in flexible pipe 220.Mobile be restricted of loop 220 in hose storage district 222, sliding hammer 252 pullings that it is had by self, periphery along sliding hammer has a groove 253, be used to make the constant center of gravity of sliding hammer maintenance in hose storage district 222 placed in the middle, and be used on flexible pipe 220, providing the tension force in constant, passive " a formation loop ".In addition, make sliding hammer 252 centerings that have groove in the hose storage district 222 can make flexible pipe 220 centering places, thereby prevent that flexible pipe 220 from rubbing with the sidewall in hose storage district 222 during X, Y and Z direction are reorientated process at pick-up head 224.In order to prevent flexible pipe 220 clots, the size of sliding hammer 252 is designed to less times greater than the diameter of flexible pipe 220, and the size in hose storage district 222 is slightly greater than sliding 252 the width dimensions of hammering into shape.

Should also be noted that this recovery based on gravity/hose storage technology both can satisfy the conveyer 218 storage requirement that move on (left side/right side and front/rear) on X and Y direction, also can satisfy the requirement that pick-up head 224 moves on the Z direction.Certainly, this recovery based on gravity/hose storage technology also can be worked finely in such an embodiment, in this embodiment, automatically the flexible pipe detent mechanism adopted a rotation equipment (R, θ), articulated jib, flexible or tongs system or other technologies.In addition, for purposes of the invention, illustrated recovery based on gravity/hose storage technology is optional, also can replace above-mentioned technology with a vehicularized wholly or in part recovery technology.In addition, in some other embodiment, might need the hose storage district is positioned over other positions, for example, be parallel to the top or the back of cabinet 12.

Note, in environment of the present invention, shown in Fig. 2 and 3, when 223 picked 224 of commodity along its path from storage cabinet 216 when moving to chute 210, it is placed with through being installed in commodity identifications (ID) device 254 in the cabinet 12.The commodity ID device that does not need particular type for the present invention, and restriction according to system, this device can comprise, for example barcode scanner or other light image/pattern recognition system, perhaps even can be anoptic system, such as radio frequency identification (RFID), or be installed in system in the cabinet 12, to discern uniquely and to confirm that the commodity of being sold are exactly selected commodity based on magnetic.The formation of this commodity recognition device is a technique known for those skilled in the art, therefore need not further specifying about this one side.This commodity or bar code recognition can be control panel 212 unique commodity that transport of determining, and can be used to stock control, and the operation of automatic vending machine 10 control.Commodity ID device 254 is installed in relatively-stationary position in the cabinet 12, this installation makes can carry out some in check moving on the direction of commodity ID device 254, be subjected to good " observation " so that assist in ensuring that the commodity that are transported, and the high confidence level of the commodity that transport that are identified.A kind of mode that provides this ID of making device 254 to move controllably is that it is installed on the Piezoelectric Substrates, and control panel 212 can provide " observation " of voltage with mobile ID device 254 to substrate.Be noted that by using the commodity ID device 254 of suitable location, just only need single commodity ID device 254.This is particularly useful for aut.eq. type vending machine because aut.eq. type equipment can controllably be placed commodity, and be reapposed over when needed commodity ID device 254 near, thereby assist in ensuring that commodity have reliable ID.

Be noted that by using the commodity ID device 254 of suitable location, just only need single commodity ID device 254.This is particularly useful for the human-like vending machine of machine because the robot device can controllably place commodity, and be reapposed over when needed commodity ID device 254 near, thereby assist in ensuring that commodity have reliable ID.Note, do not need the commodity ID device of particular type, according to the restriction of system, this device can comprise, for example, barcode scanner, optical imaging system (it utilizes image and/or pattern recognition techniques to discern the commodity of selling) or even RF identification marking system.This commodity ID is this to be known to those skilled in the art, therefore need not it is described further.

As shown in Figure 2, storage cabinet fulcrum arrangement 260 comprises a pair of fixing rectangle carriage of mode to keep at a certain distance away, this rectangle carriage is towards the madial wall of cabinet 12, and storage cabinet fulcrum arrangement 260 is used to keep being placed on cabinet between them and is in precalculated position with respect to vending machine cabinet inside.When considering the pre-programmed of control panel 212, require this point.Control panel 212 control automatic manipulation mechanisms take out selected commodity from a selected storage cabinet 216.

The functional-block diagram of Fig. 4 shows the general operation of the merchandise sales machine (as automatic vending machine 10) of the many aspects of the present invention that are combined in this explanation.As shown in Figure 4, control system 400 comprises a microprocessor 402 and relevant memory circuit 404, and this system is installed on the control panel 212.Control system 400 also can suitably comprise the electronic section in other parts of automatic vending machine 10.Comprise ROM and RAM buffer memory in the memory circuit 404, the former is used to preserve running program (known embedded software is used to realize the control of automatic vending machine 10), and the latter then is used for interim service data and other required data of preserving during system operation.Control system 400 response users to payment and selective system 406 (comprise coin shown in Fig. 1 and bank note mechanism 28 and 30 and selector button 40) operation, handle with user interface and commodity treating apparatus automatic vending machine 10, and then the required commodity of dispensing user.More particularly, when the user utilizes payment and after selective system 406 correctly pays the commodity of its selection, control system 400 will operate X/Y (left side/right side and front/rear) drive motor 233 and 243 so that pick-up head 224 aim at the storage cabinet 216 of the commodity of wherein preserving user's selection.Then, control system 400 is installed within the conveyer with one and is connected with the flexible pipe drive motor 410 (Z is to motor) of its motion, flexible pipe 220 is urged to the top of the commodity among the storage cabinet of being aimed at.At pick-up head 224 and appropriate time before commodity to be removed contact (in one embodiment of the invention, there is not cold air in the cabinet 12, then this reasonable time can be to be right after before pick-up head 224 enters cabinet 216, if but cold air is arranged, wish that then this time is only with before required commodity contact, its objective is in order to reduce scattering and disappearing of cold air to greatest extent), control system 400 activates hair-dryer motors 226, thereby provides rising suction for pick-up head 224.When position transducer 412 is determined pick-up head 224 and has firmly been contacted with required commodity, control system 400 will be impelled flexible pipe drive motor 410 its directions of counter-rotating, from the storage cabinet of aiming at 216, regaining flexible pipe, and then will select commodity and from storage cabinet 216, extract.Then, conveyer 218 is driven to a position of carrying chute 210 to align with commodity.When desired commodity 223 move to chute 210 from storage cabinet 216, it is placed with by commodity ID device 254 is the commodity of selecting with the commodity of discerning uniquely and confirm to be provided and delivered really.When sensor 412 perceive conveyer 218 with carry chute 210 aim at after (in this case, sensor 202 can contain a reed switch that is installed on the cabinet antetheca, and magnet that is installed in the forward position of conveyer 218), control system 400 will be closed vacuum hair-dryer motor 226, and the commodity that the forfeiture of vacuum will cause selecting are fallen into the client and fetched district 22.As previous described, frangible and can not fall into and fetch the district or be subjected under the situation of this impulsive force at commodity, the bottom that flexible pipe 220 can be urged to conveying chute 210 commodity that get loose again.

Should be noted that position transducer 512 can comprise the pneumatic sensor 229 of connecting box, perhaps in another embodiment, it also can comprise the plunger piston type position transducer that mechanically operated and a pick-up head 224 are relevant.In addition, position transducer 412 also can comprise a reed switch that is installed on the cabinet antetheca, and a magnet that is installed in the forward position of conveyer 218.

Advantageous particularly is in the following cases accurately controlled in 226 excitations to the hair-dryer motor, that is, under the inside or its a part of cooled situation of cabinet, accurately control can reduce the cooling air amount that hair-dryer motor 226 is provided.In preferred embodiments, microprocessor 402 will encourage hair-dryer motor 226 when pick-up head 224 arrives required commodity, and be actually when its during at once near required commodity (not shifting to an earlier date), because control system 400 is keeping the relevant up-to-date information of height with the commodity stockpile of each cabinet 216.When the operator loaded commodity to automatic vending machine 10, this height was in a predeterminated level by hypothesis.When extracting the commodity trial first time after the Storage is filled, by make pick-up head 224 with the speed that reduces towards the commodity that are positioned at cabinet 216 tops, height and true altitude to hypothesis compares then, and control system 400 just can be confirmed this hypothesis height.Can in storer 404, programme with the commodity height of supposing in advance, thereby perhaps height can be known by comparing the height of selling goods previous in each cabinet in system 400.In case the height of top commodity is known that control system 400 can also always be known the height of next " top " commodity in this cabinet.In addition, control system 400 can also make pick-up head 224 with higher speed near the commodity in this Storage, and have only and just can slow down when at once will be near the next one in this cabinet " top " commodity.Near next commodity the time, make the technology that pick-up head 224 slows down also help to guarantee to make the commodity of storage can not damage for picked 224.

Should note, in an alternative embodiment, introduced a kind of comparatively simple method, it need not to know specific commodity height just can by open hair-dryer motor 226 with the operation of control hair-dryer motor 226 and pick-up head 224 near or before the stockpile height of knowing existing goods, make pick-up head 224 decelerations.

When the machine operator activated " resetting " switch (not shown), control system 400 adopted above-mentioned height detection technology with automatic defaultly, because it can suppose that the operator has changed the product height in product load level and each cabinet.

Concerning described each embodiment herein, can suppose hair-dryer motor or other air-breathing generation equipment (perhaps its substitute, as utilize the vacuum source of valve working) excitation be equivalent to the grasp force fast of 224 pairs of commodity packagings of pick-up head, that is, and suction.

Be connected with a communication system 414 on the control system 400, it is used to remote equipment that the inventories of commodity and the operation information of automatic vending machine are provided, and allows remote equipment that the operation of automatic vending machine is controlled.In this, communication system 414 can comprise a coupling arrangement, is used for setting up communication link by wired and/or transceiver interface and remote computer.In addition, communication system 414 can communicate with a plurality of automatic vending machines that other has similar coupling arrangement that are in areal, and utilizes wireline interface or radio communication to communicate between them.Also have, communication system 414 can provide with a plurality of by LAN (LAN (Local Area Network)), LAWN (WLAN (wireless local area network)) or WAN (wide area network) and be positioned at automatic vending machine of this area and/or communicating to connect of home server/controller.Remote computer can comprise a database, it can receive and/or accumulate the service data from one or more automatic vending machines, then, other people, as deliver goods driver, machine operator, machine master, product vendor etc., just can utilize suitable coding to visit these data (for example, by the internet, perhaps by wired or wireless connection).In addition, remote station also can provide the feedback information that is used to control its operation to automatic vending machine, carries out follow-up operation to allow it.

In illustrated embodiment, hair-dryer motor 226 provides a higher relatively airshed and appropriate relatively negative pressure.When picking up flexible packaging, illustrated embodiment is particularly useful, its reason is, in picking up the process of flexible packaging, moment or or even the gas leakage that continues can not cause packing to drop usually yet, meanwhile, owing to have the ability of the object of the multiple shape that can pick up Different Weight and size, so it also can provide great dirigibility.In some applications, provide the angrily potential source that can supply relatively large negative pressure but have low-flow speed to be good, it both can use separately, also can use with a hutch that links to each other with inhaling hose by valve or air hose.In addition, also can unite compressor of use and Venturi tube equipment and produce vacuum.In order to make vacuum pump obtain the operating performance close, just need a hutch and/or a vacuum pump with large-size with hair-dryer motor 226.

The various alternatives of above-mentioned automatic flexible pipe detent mechanism all are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.For example, except the combination of using an above-mentioned left side/right carriage 234 and support beam 236a, 236b, can also use the combination of running roller and guide rail.Support beam 236a and 236b can contain a support plate, two edge have two towards outside the L shaped guide rail of (that is, back to).The function of carriage 234 can by at the relative two ends of beam 230 fixedly pair of brackets realize that each support all comprises a pair of separately and towards interior running roller, they with support plate on relative guide rail mesh and following guide rail.In addition, each separately and in interior a pair of running roller can comprise that all a cover is the running roller that an angle of 90 degrees is placed mutually, thus interlock or following the surface of the phase quadrature of L shaped guide rail.This structure can make conveyer 218 and beam 230 be of coupled connections, and proper operation only needs less adjusting.In addition, as previously mentioned, under the situation of storage cabinet basic horizontal alignment, the flexible pipe detent mechanism can be placed to conveyer can be in the vertical plane of a substantially flat mobile in (that is, in X/Z or Y/Z plane) or the in fact vertical curve inclined-plane automatically.In addition, as previously mentioned, in aspect more of the present invention, may need to make automatic flexible pipe detent mechanism to comprise a rotating machinery (R who belongs to the type that comprises " worker " ellbeam (or telescopic section) with regular length, θ), so that the clamp/pick-up head of formation " θ " motion of pivoting is done " R " motion.In addition, in other environment of the present invention, the flexible pipe detent mechanism can comprise an articulated jib, tongs system, perhaps other technologies automatically.

In addition, the benefit that obtains as particular combinations by each unit described herein, the present invention who obtains in the illustrated embodiment illustrating also can exert one's advantage in the device of the autonavigator that uses other type, for example, rotation equipment (R, θ), articulated jib, flexible or tongs system, or the like.

In addition, though in illustrated embodiment, only show a Storage 215, flexible pipe 220 and conveyer 218, but the present invention as described herein also can be applied in the middle of the dispenser/commodity processor of the type with a plurality of Storages and/or automatic commodity processing mechanism, for example, two automatic processor structure (vertical or horizontal positioned, or vertical and mixing placement flatly), the Storage that each device is respectively different provides service.In addition, when a plurality of commodity processing mechanism was provided, each can be adjusted to be used for specific operation.For example, some can have larger-diameter pick-up head, and use an air blast/low aspiration vacuum feeding mechanism, other then may have a pick-up head than minor diameter, and use weak air-flow/strong aspiration vacuum feeding mechanism.

In this respect, Fig. 5 shows Storage structure 500 more than, and wherein, the commodity processor of a above-mentioned type can be 3 adjacent Storages service is provided.In one embodiment, each zone all can be used for storing a pile commodity, and these commodity align according to identical direction in each zone.Storage 502 can be under room temperature environment, and other Storage then can be under refrigerating environment, and for example, one of them zone 504 is chill spaces, and another zone 506 is freeze spaces.This structure can typically find in small-sized, the reliable and effective automatic vending mechanism: become flavor pot foods (as a few bag French fries) to be in the room temperature environment Storage, cold drink (as soda water) is positioned at the chill space, and frozen food (as ice cream) then is positioned at the freeze space.In addition, the benefit of this class formation can be used to keep the quality of the commodity stored particularly in, refrigerating chamber, and till they approached quilt sold, this measure was decided by an intelligent controller.On the predetermined appropriate time before selling, given commodity can be moved to the chill space from the freeze space.Can also find the benefit of this technology in the described below situation, that is, be actually in the 3rd Storage under the situation of an interim Storage that is used for heating separately/cook commodity (for example freezing pizza) by baking oven or micro-wave oven.In this case, the chill space used up need replenish again before, frozen pizza is not moved to the chill space, guarantee the quality/storage life of frozen pizza thus.After this, they sequentially are moved to the chill space from the freeze space.This technology has significantly reduced the heat time heating time of the pizza of the required wait of client, and simultaneously, it also allows to store pizza in freezing mode, has improved its storage life thus greatly and has reduced the required labour costs of filling machine.In this structure, the top of chill space can comprise hot isolator, for example, and air curtain or slip thermal insulation board.

Fig. 6 shows a kind of structure, and in this structure, the particular commodity processing mechanism is that the wareroom district of two horizontal alignments serves.Spatial context-zone 602 is room temperature environments, and zone 604 then is a cold storage environment.Commodity processing mechanism 606 can utilize support beam 230 and conveyer 218 to constitute according to foregoing mode, thus make mechanism 606 can " life " in room temperature environment zone 602, and can be as required enter in the middle of the chill space 604 by swing 608.Zone 602 and 604 all has the commodity ID device 254 of oneself, perhaps also can share a public ID device.

In addition, in order to improve speed, also can use independent flexible pipe and flexible pipe detent mechanism to the commodity of client's taking-up and dispensing storage.A kind of so quick commodity vending machine has been shown among Fig. 7, and its type belongs to the Storage with two horizontal positioned.Though what use is independent flexible pipe and flexible pipe detent mechanism, they can share a source of suction (for example, the hair-dryer motor 226), pneumatic sensor and vacuum brake.Single flexible pipe, flexible pipe detent mechanism and hose storage district can be used in the middle of an alternative embodiment of the invention, in this embodiment, single flexible pipe is that a plurality of warerooms district (for example refrigeration of structure shown in Fig. 7 700 and non-chill space) provides service, wherein, support beam 230 and conveyer 218 can move having between two Storages of different surrounding enviroment by door mechanism 702.Each automatic commodity processing mechanism can have the commodity ID device of oneself, perhaps also can share a public ID device 254.

Fig. 8 shows an automatic vending machine that contains the particular commodity processing mechanism, its commodity processing mechanism has two customer interface districts (each zone comprises that all product selecting arrangement, payment system and the product such as keyboard or touch-screen takes out door), for example, one is positioned at the left side, one is positioned at the right side, and a common graphics display is arranged in the middle of them.This machine can be compared because transport the required real time of selected product with vending machine simultaneously for two buyers provide service, and customer selecting and payment need the essentially identical time usually.

Another this structure has been shown among Fig. 9, wherein, comprise a upper area 602 and a lower area 604 in the cabinet 600, the former right and wrong chill space (even can be heated), the latter then be the chill space (even can be divided into, for example, two extentions, a zone 606 is the freeze space, and another 608 in zone only is the chill space).This structure have advantage especially because hot-air will be to rising, cold air is then to sinking.In addition, a Storage can be arranged to vertically store commodity, and another zone, even a plurality of zone, then can be arranged to level storage commodity.In this case, need independent flexible pipe, flexible pipe detent mechanism and hose storage district be used for different towards the Storage.

To do below: insert any other configuration of aut.eq./cabinet.

Should be noted that in said structure the commodity processing mechanism also can have other structure, for example draw-tube that will mention in the back, tongs or R, theta structure.In addition, commodity also can be consumables, for example, and office appliance, ink-cases of printers, or the like.

With reference to figure 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d and 10e, wherein show the wareroom cabinet that class principle according to the present invention constitutes and operates simultaneously.These accompanying drawings show an embodiment of storage cabinet respectively and stereographic map, side cross-sectional views, principal section figure and the vertical view of the commodity support unit that is used in combination with wareroom cabinet of the present invention.Single storage cabinet 1000 shown in the figure is corresponding to one of a plurality of storage cabinets 216 shown in Fig. 1-3.In one embodiment, storage cabinet 1000 comprises the hutch of the one-tenth row formula of a prolongation, top 1003 and square-section that it contains base 1001, opens, its size is suitable for preserving therein given shape product (one bag of potato chips 1005 as shown in Figure 10 d).The height of considering typical automatic vending machine is approximately 6 feet, the height of storage cabinet 1000 can be about 4 and 1/2 feet, remaining 1 and 1/2 foot is used for moving of flexible pipe 220 and conveyer 218, and the space between cabinet top and conveyer 218 bottoms is used for allowing commodity are removed from storage cabinet.If do not provide according to the described protective measure of the principle of the invention, then the commodity that will cause being in bottom of piling up of frangible commodity are damaged because of the weight of the commodity that pile up on it.Therefore, the short transverse along storage cabinet 1000 provides on relative sidewall 1004 and 1006 according to the principle of the invention described " catching the edge " commodity support unit 1002 (among Figure 10 e one of them being shown) in mode at interval.Commodity support unit 1002 contains a common U shape flexible plastic sheet, and it comprises base portion 1008 and two outstanding tongue piece parts 1010.Have manyly to groove 1012 along the length direction of sidewall 1002 and 1004, they are used to admit tongue piece part 1010.

Can adopt routine techniques to form the basic configuration of wareroom cabinet 1000 and groove 1012.The automation component assembling can be used to tongue piece part 1010 is inserted into the inside of storage cabinet, and can the base 1008 of commodity support unit 1002 and the outside of storage cabinet sidewall be firmly fixed together by being coated in the glue on the base 1008.Commodity support unit 1010 utilizes fold 1014 to cross manufactured come out to form an air vent, thereby makes tongue piece part 1010 as a baffle plate job.Note, the length of tongue piece 1010 should make has big free space to protrude into the inner space of storage cabinet 1000 between the tongue piece, thereby commodity gripping body (comprising an air-breathing pick-up head 224 in the accompanying drawing formerly) can be passed therethrough in continual mode, and also have enough length to be used for the dorsal edge of commodity packaging 1005 (shown in Figure 10 d).In addition, the base portion 1008 of commodity support unit 1002 is bonded to the bottom of the opening of sidewall 1004 and 1006, its bonding method make the thickness in the hole among the cabinet wall on the base of each groove 1012 with tongue piece 1010 biasings to up direction.By constructing like this and assemble, the ability of commodity 1010 opposing downward direction bendings will be greater than its opposing upward to the ability of bending.Therefore, tongue piece 1010 will trend towards supporting the tongue piece that is kept among the storage cabinet 1010; But, when the picked head of commodity when storage cabinet is removed, tongue piece 1010 will present very weak resistibility to commodity, and the gripping of the pick-up head on the commodity that just are being transported is got loose.The many numbers to commodity support unit required along the short transverse of each cabinet are design alternative problems, and it can be determined according to the weight of for example commodity.

For the ease of loading storage cabinet 1000 with commodity to be sold, in one embodiment of the invention, sidewall 1016 comprises opening 1018 and 1020.In operation, because the taking-up of product is from the storage cabinet top, so must be from the bottom, in order to keep the production marketing of first-in first-out (FIFO) to the filling of storage cabinet.Therefore, the attendant is inserted into the big opening 1018 of storage cabinet 1000 bottoms with product, and then utilizes his/her hand that it is upwards pushed storage cabinet 1000.In an alternative, base 1001 can only comprise an opening, it can comprise a pair of commodity support unit 1010, perhaps even a big flexible support component (its shape is similar substantially to the cross sectional shape of storage cabinet 1000), thereby helps storage cabinet 1000 to keep its rectangular shapes.

Figure 10 f shows sectional view and the stereographic map with the similar wareroom cabinet of storage cabinet shown in Figure 10 a.But baffle plate is staggered in this embodiment.Figure 10 g shows another embodiment similar with Figure 10 a, but baffle plate is only on an one sidewall.Figure 10 H shows another embodiment, and wherein, the commodity supporting baffle is formed body cradle 1022.Depression and other projection 1024 are arranged on a sidewall of storage cabinet, swing in one direction in order to prevent body cradle, in illustrated embodiment, this direction is following direction.Therefore, body cradle 1022 is according to working to the similar substantially mode of baffle plate 1010.Figure 10 I is similar to Figure 10 j substantially, but in this embodiment, shelf and 1022 sidewalls along storage cabinet are placed, and these shelfs are furnished with the projection of different depth to enter storage cabinet inside.Figure 10 J is similar to Figure 10 i substantially, but wherein shelf is to be positioned on the opposite side wall of storage cabinet, and they are placed in staggered relative mode along the length direction of storage cabinet.

Figure 11 a and 11b show vertical view and the end perspective view of another embodiment of the wareroom cabinet that constitutes according to principle of the present invention.As shown in FIG., the outer cross section of each storage cabinet 1100 and general shape are all basic identical with content shown in Figure 10, but bent angle commodity support unit 1102 is placed by each corner along storage cabinet 1100.By providing a series of groove 1104 along each corner of storage cabinet 1100, just can form commodity support unit 1102 at interval mode.Next, the part that is positioned at below each groove 1104 bent angle of storage cabinet 1100 very nearby is depressed, thereby " charging into " is to the inside of storage cabinet 1100.Each top section of charging into has formed a commodity support unit 1102, when a series of flexible packaging is kept in the storage cabinet 1100 according to the form that stacks up and down, it can be according to being similar to the bight that tongue piece 1010 provides the mode of supporting to support flexible packaging for packing 1005, shown in Figure 10 d.Opening 1118 and 1120 is formed on the lower part of cabinet 600, and the opening 1018 in its function and the mode and shown in Figure 10 1020 is similar, also is to be used for commodity to be sold are packed into storage cabinet 1100.In addition, the base section of storage cabinet 1100 can be arranged to above-mentioned alternative in to be used for the part of storage cabinet 1000 similar.

Figure 12 a and 12b show the stereographic map of another embodiment of the wareroom cabinet that constitutes according to principle of the present invention, its objective is for the ease of effectively commodity replenish/being packed into storage cabinet, and keep " first-in first-out " replenishing/padding scheme (FIFO) simultaneously.As shown in FIG., wherein whole height of storage cabinet 1200 are to form by a plurality of local storage cabinets 1202 of interlocking/pile up.Each storage cabinet part 1202 all comprises a casing part with standard length L and normal width W1, and the top section with narrower width W 2.The size of W1 and W2 makes the top section of a storage cabinet 1202 can be inserted in the middle of the base section of adjacent storage cabinet 1202.This structure helps FIFO ground filling automatic vending machine, because each storage cabinet segmentation 1202 can be refilled in the warehouse by manufacturer or attendant and insert product, and when machine was served, full storage cabinet empty or that part is empty can be replaced with the new cabinet of filling new commodity fast and simply.Though not shown in Figure 12, each storage cabinet segmentation 1202 preferably includes " anti-crushing " and charges into (packing support unit), as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6.In addition, each storage cabinet segmentation 1202 is (perhaps with regard to this point, storage cabinet 1000 or 1100) base section can be opened, perhaps, if need some to be used for the supporting of commodity between the delivery period at storage cabinet, then its bottom can be dismountable, and perhaps its bottom is formed by the flexible package support unit, as above-mentioned tongue piece 1010.Should note in this; Zhuan Tian storage cabinet/storage cabinet segmentation in advance can be used as one group and be contained in the container (for example above-mentioned big box 219) by from the warehouse in addition commodity manufacturer carry out; in this transportation, packing supporting of the present invention will be played the integrality of protection product and the effect of quality.The storage cabinet segmentation 1202 of Figure 12 a is used in combination with a rubbing device, storage cabinet segmentation among Figure 12 b is then bitten (snap) or " detent " mechanism 1204 and is used in combination with one, it can comprise a groove or depression, groove or depression are meshed by the baffle plate or the ball of a biasing, provide the cooperation of biting just as being conventionally used for.

Figure 13 a and 13b show sectional view and the stereographic map of another embodiment of the wareroom cabinet system that constitutes according to principle of the present invention, wherein, " sleeve pipe " 1302 of commodity 1304 of packing in advance is used to load the wareroom cabinet, and for example other has the structure shown in Figure 10,11 or 12.Each sleeve pipe 1302 all contains a low-cost shell, and as hardboard, it is around the commodity group of assembling in advance.Sleeve pipe 1302 can be inserted into (perhaps, for example, the dress of side is planted opening 1020) in the storage cabinet by open bottom, replenishes/loads being used to.The commodity sleeve pipe that inserts utilizes notch 1018 and 1020 upwards to be pushed storage cabinet, thereby allows to insert the sleeve pipe that commodity are housed of other right quantity, is used to finish replenishing/filling storage cabinet or storage cabinet segmentation.For the ease of the edge of commodity in sleeve pipe by flexible tongue 1305 (the perhaps packing of other in cabinet or storage cabinet segmentation supporting) interlock, sleeve pipe contains the opening 1306 (being positioned at its opposite one side in illustrated embodiment) of right quantity, the commodity that its size allows flexible tongue 1305 contacts and supporting wherein to keep.Figure 13 b shows sectional view and the stereographic map with similar another embodiment of Figure 13 a, still, comprises commodity supporting baffle 1302 ' in the sleeve pipe 1302.In addition, sleeve pipe 1302 can only be used for according to an effective and efficient manner one group of commodity " release " being gone into storage cabinet, and along with commodity are introduced into, sleeve pipe also is removed.According to the above-mentioned same way as that is used for storage cabinet 1000,1100 or 1200, the base section of each sleeve pipe can be open, perhaps, if need some to be used for the supporting of commodity between the delivery period at sleeve pipe, then its bottom can be dismountable, perhaps its bottom is formed by the flexible package support unit, as above-mentioned tongue piece 1010.

Containing such as the chest freezer that various doors are arranged on it (as United States Patent (USP) 5,240, in the commodity publishing device of the congealer type ice cream vending machine described in 139), by be used for producing and/or keep the method and apparatus of the inspiratory force on the clamp end of inhaling hose to be used in combination, described herein many advantages of the present invention will become particularly useful.

Though diagram of the present invention and explanation are carried out with reference to its preferred embodiment, but those skilled in the art should be understood that, within by the defined the spirit and scope of the present invention of appended claim, can carry out on the various forms or the modification of detail to the present invention.In fact, many such modifications have been mentioned in this article.One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that or utilize normal experiment just can grasp the equivalent of a plurality of specific embodiments of the present invention.For example, though illustrated support unit 1002 is made of flexible plastic, in fact also can adopt other material, as cardboard.When " biasing " effect that the sidewall thickness of storage cabinet 1000 is not enough to provide above-mentioned, the downside that " riglet " that adds can be attached to each hole is to provide required " thickness ".These can form with solid panel, the axial shape of this solid panel is corresponding with the shape of the madial wall of storage cabinet 1000, wherein clipped one corresponding to the position of groove 1012 and size, perhaps, replace containing flat tongue piece part 1010 support unit 1002 be, the commodity support unit can comprise in " bar-shaped " that enters to cabinet prominent, as can seeing in the brush.In addition, replace providing a separate part to be used to form supporting 1002, storage cabinet 1000 also can utilize a kind of multilayer material manufacturing, and tongue piece 1010 can utilize the internal layer of storage cabinet material to form.In yet another embodiment, commodity charge into/and support unit can comprise the bar 1900 of a plurality of axial array, and they are made by flexible material,, wherein are formed with " step " (for example by die-cut formation) as tygon, shown in Figure 14-17.Bar 1400 can be bonded on the interior angle (Figure 14 and 16) or sidewall (Figure 15 and 17) of wareroom cabinet, and their " step " played to the wherein effect of the weight of the commodity of storage of small part supporting.In addition, the shape of insertion also can have wavy, sinusoidal curve type pattern.In addition, self can have the profile that can support product the inside of storage cabinet, contained spring/elastic part for example, and it can be outstanding with the formation of storage cabinet sidewall, perhaps can then it be joined the inside of storage cabinet with a piece 1000 of making separately.Stereographic map, axial, cross-sectional view and the vertical view of another storage cabinet mutation have been shown among Figure 18, and wherein the commodity support unit contains a corrugated 2D plate 1802, and it forms/places/sticks near the cabinet inwall.In addition, though shown in the illustrated embodiment be the wareroom cabinet of rectangle, the wareroom technology of other type is also compatible with the present invention.For example, the wareroom cabinet not necessarily needs 4 faces, particularly works as them and is not arranged under the situation of vertical direction; The wareroom cabinet can be tilt in addition can be level.In this case, only need 3 or even 2 sidewall sections, but it still needs and may use above-mentioned anti-crushing technology.

Figure 19 shows a kind of automatic vending machine, and wherein single storage cabinet container (grand storage cabinet) 1900 contains wheel, is used to help to make the thing in the Storage of automatic vending machine to realize complete " externally exchange ".

Figure 20 shows the combination of a kind of commodity processing/Storage, and wherein two commodity treating apparatus 2002 and 2004 are handled for the devices of preserving in two independent Storages 2006 and 2008 provide commodity.A source of suction 2010 can provide each commodity treating apparatus required inspiratory force.Zone 2006 and 2008 can be in room temperature environment, perhaps under other environment, just can obviously find out from following accompanying drawing.

Figure 21 shows the similar automatic vending machine of content a kind of and shown in Figure 1, still, has wherein replaced the keyboard portion of user interface with touch-screen 2102.

Figure 22 shows the combination of a kind of commodity processing/Storage, and wherein two commodity treating apparatus 2202 and 2204 are handled for the devices of preserving in two independent Storages 2206 and 2208 provide commodity.Single or independently a plurality of source of suction can provide each commodity treating apparatus required inspiratory force.The zone 2006 and 2008 can be under room temperature environment or other environment, for example one under refrigerating environment, another is under room temperature environment for example.In refrigeration area, can use the heat-proof device (not shown).Independent commodity ID equipment 2206 and 2208 is provided.Figure 23 is similar with Figure 22 basically, but it shows 3 Storages that vertically stack 2302,2304,2306 and each corresponding commodity treating apparatus.That these zones can provide respectively is freezing, refrigeration and room temperature environment.

Figure 24 shows the embodiment of a commodity vending machine, and wherein the stacking of commodity is level substantially, and conveyer 218 moves in the perpendicular of the dispensing end front of commodity heap.Notice that load-bearing supporting 2402 is still useful in the present embodiment, and can not remove the commodity generation and hinder pick-up head.Figure 25 a and 25b show the embodiment of a commodity vending machine, and wherein commodity are vertically to stack, and the load-bearing supporting is fixed.In Figure 25 b, each commodity all have the support unit of oneself.

Figure 26 shows the embodiment of a commodity vending machine, and it contains two

user interfaces

2602 and 2604 and

transport port

2606 and 2608 respectively, and they allow two users to pay the bill simultaneously and select and extract product.The inside of this machine can be shown in Figure 20 or 22 like that.

Figure 27 shows the various structures of container 219, and container 219 is called as big box sometimes, because it is equipped with a plurality of storage cabinets 216 (is very useful) for " exchange " carried out completely or almost completely in the stock/Storage of commodity vending machine.Figure 19 shows the wheel that is used for box.Box 2701 comprises big storage cabinet such as whole grades, and box 2702 comprises two sub-boxes 2703 and 2704 (each all contains the storage cabinet of different size and shape) that grade is big.In a comparable manner, box 2705 and 2706 shows the box that contains 3 and 4 sub-boxes respectively.

In addition, although described the storage cabinet that is essentially rectangle, also can use the storage cabinet of circle/curved wall.Though a kind of air hose 220 of bleeding that provides only is provided in an embodiment of the present invention, but in actual conditions, also can use the solid components that has clamp on its free end, for example mechanically operated jaw (or the electromagnetic equipment or the generator of bleeding that self contains), these equivalents are included within the scope of claim too.

Claims

1. commodity distribution equipment comprises:

The Storage is used for along a plurality of storage of axis longitudinally commodity;

The commodity extraction element comprises the free end that is used for extracting selectively from storage space commodity;

Detent mechanism is connected with described commodity extraction element, and in response to control signal with a free end and a selected axial alignment longitudinally that will device;

Driving mechanism, it links to each other with described commodity extraction element, is used for making its free end to move in the direction with the axial alignment longitudinally of Storage,

User interface and control device, it allows the user of described dispensing device to start the commodity distribution operation, and then control described commodity extraction element and described detent mechanism moves, so that selected commodity are extracted and move to the dispensing district of described dispensing device from the commodity Storage; With

Vertically or the frame or the wall of level, be used for inner space with cabinet be divided into a plurality of vertically or level towards the wareroom space, each wareroom space includes its oneself commodity extraction element and detent mechanism.

2. equipment according to claim 1, wherein (x, y z) go up operation to the detent mechanism in one of described storage space, and the detent mechanism in different storage spaces is being less than operation (x or y, and z on three axles three coordinate axis; Or only on the z axle).

3. commodity distribution equipment comprises:

Driving mechanism, it links to each other with described commodity extraction element, is used for making its free end to move in the direction of aliging with the longitudinal axis of Storage,

User interface and control device, it allows the user of dispensing device to start the commodity distribution operation, and then control described commodity extraction element and described detent mechanism moves, so that selected commodity are extracted and move to the dispensing district of described dispensing device from the commodity Storage; With

Vertically or the frame or the wall of level, be used for inner space with cabinet be divided into a plurality of vertically or the wareroom space of horizontal direction alignment, each wareroom space shared public commodity extraction element and detent mechanism.

4. commodity distribution equipment comprises:

The commodity extraction element includes vacuum hose, and described vacuum hose has the free end that is used for extracting selectively from storage space commodity;

Driving mechanism links to each other with described commodity extraction element, be used for making its free end with the Storage longitudinally the direction of axial alignment move,

User interface and control device, it allows the user of dispensing device to start the commodity distribution operation, and then control described commodity extraction element and described detent mechanism moves, so that selected commodity are extracted and move to along a public passage dispensing district of described dispensing device from the commodity Storage; With

Vertically or the frame or the wall of level, be used for inner space with cabinet be divided into a plurality of vertically or the wareroom space of horizontal direction alignment, each wareroom space contain its oneself commodity extraction element and

Two vacuum sources, one is high vacuum and low-flow, and another is low vacuum and air blast, and one of them is used for providing vacuum to corresponding one of the flexible pipe of each commodity extraction element.

5. equipment according to claim 4 also comprises a plurality of dispensings district, and each is all by the turnover of its oneself commodity extraction element.

6. equipment according to claim 5, wherein each dispensing district is used for certain class commodity and is passed in and out by the commodity extraction element.

7. equipment according to claim 4, one of them commodity extraction element is in the room temperature environment, and a commodity extraction element is in the cold air environment.

8. equipment according to claim 4, wherein two commodity extraction elements are operated on identical plane.

9. equipment according to claim 3, wherein congealer comprises the door of vertical placement, wherein the commodity extraction element utilizes this door to be to and between room temperature environment and the cold storage environment.

10. freight house commodity distribution structure comprises:

Common computer control system;

Commodity basket system is used to move to different places, and aut.eq. is picked up commodity and be placed into the commodity basket, wherein from the Storage in these places:

Use at least two different automatic systems to carry out the dispensing of commodity, this system comprises:

At least one adopts the automatic system of vacuum pump (or Venturi tube) gas system (being higher vacuum and more weak air-flow); With

Adopt another automatic system of vacuum blower system (promptly lower vacuum and stronger air-flow).

11. automatic commodity extract equipment, comprising:

The wareroom district is suitable for selectively storage being had the movably wareroom structure of a plurality of commodity that will be extracted to be positioned over wherein, and described movably wareroom structure comprises:

Supporting (219,1200,1300), be suitable for being put into selectively described commodity and extract the wareroom district of equipment and the wareroom district taking-up of extracting equipment from described commodity, at least one part of described supporting (219) comprises wall part, be convenient to the formation of the wareroom row of a plurality of adjacent arrangements, storage has the described commodity group (1202 that will be extracted of a plurality of pre-packings in these row, 1302), the described direction of extracting the commodity gripping portion of equipment towards described commodity of classifying the commodity that are stored in wherein as moves guiding is provided.

12. automatic commodity according to claim 11 extract equipment, it is characterized in that an end of described row is suitable for being used to extract the commodity that are stored in wherein by described commodity capture apparatus, the opposite end of described row is suitable for being used for replenishing the commodity that will be stored to described row.

13. automatic commodity according to claim 11 extract equipment, it is characterized in that described supporting comprises:

The part facing to described commodity capture apparatus that pedestal, its xsect are suitable for being positioned in described wareroom district is close to, and described pedestal provides supporting so that they extend towards described commodity capture apparatus from described pedestal for described wall part.

14. automatic commodity according to claim 11 extract equipment, it is characterized in that described wall part comprises the periphery wall of described supporting.

15. automatic commodity according to claim 11 extract equipment, it is characterized in that a plurality of pre-packages groups (1202,1302) that described wareroom is listed as by described commodity forms.

16. automatic commodity according to claim 11 extract equipment, it is characterized in that described wareroom is listed as towards the direction consistent with gravity.

17. a wareroom structure comprises:

Supporting (219,1200,1300) is suitable for being put into the wareroom district taking-up that described commodity extract the wareroom district of equipment and extract equipment at least in part from described commodity,

Described supporting (219) comprises wall part, is convenient to the described wareroom row of wanting processed commodity group (1202,1302) to place a plurality of adjacent arrangements with a plurality of pre-packings,

Described row provide guiding to commodity gripping portion direction mobile of extracting equipment towards described commodity that is stored in wherein commodity.

18. one kind is replenished the method that commodity into extract the Storage of equipment with commodity, comprising:

Put a supporting into wareroom district taking-up that commodity extract the wareroom district of equipment and will support the equipment that extracts from commodity, the group of the pre-packing of the commodity that will be extracted is held in described supporting.

19. the method for a fill-ins storage equipment may further comprise the steps:

Supporting is provided, and the supporting of the type is used to hold the square formation of the wareroom segmentation that the row shape arranges; By an end of the wareroom segmentation of arranging from the row shape in the described supporting remove segmentation empty or that part is empty and

The segmentation that commodity are housed in advance is added on the opposite end of described row.

20. method according to claim 19 is characterized in that the bottom of described supporting is placed on the carrying plane, described row are positioned at the sidewall of described supporting by utilization opening is replenished, and described supporting is extended to an end of described row.

21. one kind for commodity extraction equipment provides service method, may further comprise the steps:

The processed commodity group (1202 of wanting with a plurality of pre-packings, 1302) place in the supporting (219), being convenient to them arranges with the form of the wareroom row of a plurality of adjacent arrangements, described wareroom be listed as to commodity gripping portion direction mobile of extracting equipment towards described commodity that is stored in wherein commodity provide guiding and

Put described supporting (219) the described wareroom district of described commodity treatment facility into and take out from the described wareroom district of described commodity treatment facility at least in part.

22. method according to claim 21, the bottom that it is characterized in that described supporting is placed on the carrying plane, described row are positioned at the sidewall of described supporting by utilization opening is replenished, and described supporting is extended along the direction of the commodity gripping portion that extracts equipment towards described commodity.