JPH02163896A - Merchandise mounting device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the number of the pieces of merchandise to be simultaneously mounted on a conveyor for every conveyer by forming the circulation path of a belt- like body into a vertical spiral shape and providing plural locking parts to lock the pieces of merchandise on the surface of the belt-like body on which the pieces of merchandise are to be mounted. CONSTITUTION:The above device is equipped with a conveyer 18 having an endless belt-like body 17, for the body 17, the circulation path is formed into the vertical spiral shape, and the body 17 itself is formed from a bendable material having flexibility, for example, a material consisting essentially of rubber, etc. For both the upper and lower edges of this conveyer 18, tension is applied to the belt-like body 17 with rollers 19 having an approximately horizontal axial direction, and the belt-like body 17 is made to move vertically in a circulating way by connecting a driving device to at least one of the rollers 19. Further, plural locking parts 22 are formed on the surface of the belt-like body 17 on which the pieces of merchandise 9 are to be mounted. Thus, the total extension of the conveyer 18 can be lengthened in fixed space, and the number of the pieces of merchandise to be simultaneously mounted on the upper surface of the spiral shaped belt-like body 17 and carried can be increased.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 〔産業上の利用分野〕 この発明は、循環する屈曲可能な＠端の帯状体３有する
コンベア＠構が備えられ、前記帯上体上に商品を載せて
収納された商品を販売の都度一個づつ収出口に搬出する
自動販売機の商品収納装置に関する。[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is provided with a conveyor structure having a circulating and bendable @ end strip body 3, and products are placed and stored on the strip body. This invention relates to a product storage device for a vending machine that transports products one by one to an outlet each time they are sold.

〔従来の技術〕[Conventional technology]

缶、■１紙パック等の円柱状あるいは角形の容器等に入
った飲料１食品、タバコ等の一定の外形形状を有する商
品を販売する自動販売機にあっては、その内部に商品を
収納する商品収納装置が設けられており、この商品収納
装置内に収納された商品が販売の都度一個ずつ酉品収出
口に搬出される仕組になっているやしかしこのような商
品を収納搬出する商品収納装置に収納できる商品は、多
少の外力が外周に力■わっでも一定の形状を維持する商
品が主である０例えばパン、ケーキ、菓子等といった裸
あるいは袋詰めで販売される食品層等のように少し外力
が加わると変形したり漬れたりする商品及び外形が異形
形状の商品を収納搬出できる商品搬出装置は少ないが、
このような従来例を第３図ないし第５図に示す、第３図
は従来の商品収納装置の構成を示す自動販売機の前面の
扉を開いた状慧の正面要部縦断面図、第４図は異なる従
来の商品収納装置の構成を示す自動販売機の前面の扉を
開いた状悪の前方斜右上より見た斜視図、第５図は第４
図の要部側部分断面図である。For vending machines that sell products with a certain external shape, such as beverages, food, and cigarettes in cylindrical or square containers such as cans, paper cartons, etc., the products are stored inside the vending machine. A product storage device is provided, and the products stored in the product storage device are transported out one by one to the chicken stock outlet each time they are sold. The products that can be stored in the device are mainly products that maintain a certain shape even when some external force is applied to the outer periphery.For example, food products such as bread, cakes, sweets, etc. that are sold naked or packaged in bags, etc. There are few product delivery devices that can store and transport products that deform or become soaked when a slight external force is applied to them, or products with irregular shapes.
Such conventional examples are shown in Figs. 3 to 5. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the main part of the vending machine with the front door open, showing the configuration of the conventional product storage device. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a vending machine, seen diagonally from the front upper right, with the front door open, showing the configuration of a different conventional product storage device.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the main part of the figure.

第３図において、１がケースであり、このケース１の左
端にはその前面開口を覆う扉２が回動自在に支持されお
り、扉２の下部に前面に開口する商品取出口３が形成さ
れているやケース１内には商品収納装置４が収容設置さ
れており、この商品収納装置４は中程に上下に移動する
パケット５を備えたパケットコンベア６と、このパケッ
トコンベア６を挟んで左右に向い合わせて２列上下方向
に複数配列されたコンベア７とで構成されており、この
コンベア７には水平に左右方向に循環する屈曲可能な無
端の帯状体８が設けられている。In FIG. 3, 1 is a case, and a door 2 that covers the front opening is rotatably supported at the left end of the case 1, and a product outlet 3 that opens to the front is formed at the bottom of the door 2. A product storage device 4 is housed inside the case 1, and the product storage device 4 has a packet conveyor 6 equipped with packets 5 that move up and down in the middle, and a packet conveyor 6 on both sides of the packet conveyor 6. It is composed of a plurality of conveyors 7 arranged vertically in two rows facing each other, and this conveyor 7 is provided with a bendable endless belt-shaped body 8 that circulates horizontally in the left-right direction.

また各コンベア７は、その帯状体８の上側の上面にそれ
ぞれ品種の異なる商品９を左右方向に並べて搭載し収納
できるとともに、販売の都度収納した商品９を左右方向
に搬送するようにｉ成されている。このような構成にお
いて、商品収納装置４の動作は、販売指令により、指定
された商品９を収納するコンベア７が駆動して商品９を
パケットコンベア６（！１へ移動し、これと同時に指定
された商品９の載ったコンベア７の地下側にパケット５
が移動する。このパケット５の中に、コンベア７により
搬送されてパケットコンベア６側の端に来た指定された
商品９の１個が落下すると、この商品９を図示しない検
知装置が検知してコンベア７が停止し、これと同時にパ
ケット５はパケットコンベア６の下端の商品取り出し位
置１０側に移動して停止する。またパケット５内の商品
９は商品収出口３を通してお客さんが取り出す。In addition, each conveyor 7 is configured to be able to load and store products 9 of different types in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the belt-shaped body 8, and to convey the stored products 9 in the left-right direction each time they are sold. ing. In such a configuration, the operation of the product storage device 4 is such that, in response to a sales command, the conveyor 7 that stores the specified product 9 is driven to move the product 9 to the packet conveyor 6 (!1), and at the same time, the specified product 9 is moved to the packet conveyor 6 (!1). Packet 5 is on the underground side of conveyor 7 with product 9 on it.
moves. When one of the designated products 9 that has been transported by the conveyor 7 and has come to the end of the packet conveyor 6 falls into this packet 5, a detection device (not shown) detects this product 9 and the conveyor 7 stops. At the same time, the packet 5 moves to the product take-out position 10 at the lower end of the packet conveyor 6 and stops. Further, the product 9 in the packet 5 is taken out by the customer through the product outlet 3.

第４図及び第５図において、ケース１の左端には扉２が
回動自在に支持され、ケース１内には商品収納装置１１
が収容設置されており、この商品収納装置１１は、上下
方向に複数配列された棚１２と、この各椰１２上に左右
に複数並設された、ねじ羽根の代りに軸長方向が前後方
向のコイルばね状のスクリュ１３を使用しかつこの後端
に電動機１４を連結したスクリュコンベア１５とで構成
されている。　このスクリュコンベア１５は電動機１４
で駆動されてスクリュ１３が一回転すると、これに件っ
てスクリュ１３の各ピッチ間毎に１個ずつ挟み込むよう
にして挿入し収納され袋詰した商品等が前方へ１ピッチ
分送り出されるように構成されている。このような構成
において、商品収納装置ｔｌｌの動作は、販売指令によ
り、指定された商品９を収納したスクリュコンベア１５
が電動機１４で駆動されて一回転すると前端の商品９一
個が柵１２の前縁より下方の商品取り出し位置１０に落
下する。この商品取り出し位置１０に落下ｊ−た商品９
は商品収出口３を通してお客さんが収り出す。4 and 5, a door 2 is rotatably supported at the left end of the case 1, and a product storage device 11 is provided inside the case 1.
This product storage device 11 has a plurality of shelves 12 arranged in the vertical direction, and a plurality of shelves 12 arranged side by side on the left and right on each shelf 12. The screw conveyor 15 uses a coil spring-shaped screw 13 and has an electric motor 14 connected to the rear end of the screw conveyor 15. This screw conveyor 15 has an electric motor 14
When the screw 13 is rotated once by being driven by the screw 13, one product is inserted between each pitch of the screw 13, and the stored and bagged products are sent forward by one pitch. It is configured. In such a configuration, the operation of the product storage device tll is based on the sales command, and the screw conveyor 15 that stores the specified product 9
is driven by an electric motor 14 and rotates once, and one product 9 at the front end falls to a product take-out position 10 below the front edge of the fence 12. Product 9 that fell into this product removal position 10
is collected by the customer through the product collection port 3.

〔発明が解決しようとする課題〕[Problem to be solved by the invention]

ところがこのような自動販売機の商品収納装置は、前者
の場合、収納できる商品９の形状寸法重量及び外力によ
る変形し易さ等の規制条件は少ないが、左右方向に水平
に商品９をコンベア７が搬送するため、このコンベア７
の長さはケース１の憤寸法で規制され、一つのコンベア
７上に一度に搭載収納できる同一品種の商品９の（画数
が少ないという問題がある。また、後者の場合は、構造
が簡単で多種類の袋詰め商品等比較的奥行寸法の小さい
商品９は収納することができるが、商品９の外形形状、
寸法１重１等によって収納できる商品９が規制されると
ともに、前者と同様スクリュコンベア１５に一度に搭載
可能な商品９の個数は、商品９の外形寸法及びケース１
の興行寸法によっても規制されるため少なく、　しかも
商品９を棚１２の前縁より商品取り出し位置１０に落下
させる構造のため、上段の棚１２になる程その落差が大
きくなり、袋詰め等をされた商品９が落下したとき変形
したり漬れたりするという問題がある。However, in the former case, such a product storage device for a vending machine has few regulatory conditions such as the shape, size, weight, and ease of deformation due to external force of the product 9 that can be stored, but the product 9 is placed horizontally in the left-right direction on the conveyor 7. This conveyor 7
The length of the case 1 is regulated by the dimensions of the case 1, and there is a problem that the number of strokes of the products 9 of the same type that can be loaded and stored at once on one conveyor 7 is small. Products 9 with relatively small depth dimensions, such as many types of bagged products, can be stored, but the external shape of the products 9,
The products 9 that can be stored are regulated by the dimensions 1, 1, 1, etc., and the number of products 9 that can be loaded at one time on the screw conveyor 15 is determined by the external dimensions of the products 9 and the case 1.
Moreover, since the product 9 is dropped from the front edge of the shelf 12 to the product take-out position 10, the higher the shelf 12, the larger the drop becomes, and the product is not packed in bags, etc. There is a problem that when the product 9 is dropped, it becomes deformed or soaked.

この発明は、コンベア毎に一度に載せられる商品の個数
を多くするとともに、商品を落下させずに商品取出口ま
で搬送することのできる自動販売機の商品収納装置を提
供することを課題とする。An object of this invention is to provide a product storage device for a vending machine that can increase the number of products that can be placed on each conveyor at one time and transport the products to a product takeout port without dropping the products.

〔課題を解決するための手段〕[Means to solve the problem]

上記の課題を解決するために、この発明によれば、屈曲
可能な無端の帯状体を循環させるコンベア７上構が備え
られ、前記帯状体上に載せて収納された商品を販売の都
度一個ずつ商品取出口に搬出する自動販売機の商品収納
装置において、前記帯状体の澹環経路分上下方向に螺旋
状に形成するとともに、前記帯状体の前記商品が載る面
上に商品を係止する複数の停止部を設けるものとする。In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a conveyor 7 upper structure is provided that circulates a bendable endless strip, and the products stored on the strip are transferred one by one each time the products are sold. In a product storage device of a vending machine that carries out products to a product takeout port, a plurality of plurality of products are formed spirally in the vertical direction along the ring path of the band-like body, and that lock the product on the surface of the band-like body on which the product is placed. A stop shall be provided.

〔作用〕[Effect]

この発明は、コンベアに設けた、商品を上に載せて搬送
する屈曲可能な無端の帯状体の循環経路を上下方向に螺
旋状に形成するとともに、前記帯状体の前記商品が載る
面上にこの商品を係止する複数の停止部を設けたので、
一定の空間内でコンベアの総延長を長くすることができ
、螺旋状の帯状体の上面に一度に載せて搬送できる商品
の個数？多くすることができる。また上下に商品を搬送
できるので、商品取り出し位置に無関係に商品取出口ま
で商品を搬送できるとともに、帯状体の上面で商品が停
止部により係止されるので、傾斜した帯状体の上を商品
が転勤落下することはない。This invention forms a circulation path of a bendable endless belt-like body provided on a conveyor on which a product is placed and conveyed in a spiral shape in the vertical direction, and also forms a circulation path of a bendable endless belt-like body provided on a conveyor in a spiral manner in the vertical direction. Since we have provided multiple stops to lock the product,
Is it possible to increase the total length of the conveyor within a certain space, and how many products can be carried at once on the top of the spiral strip? Can be many. In addition, since the product can be conveyed vertically, it is possible to convey the product to the product takeout port regardless of the product takeout position, and since the product is stopped by the stop part on the top surface of the strip, the product can be carried on the inclined strip. There will be no drop-off due to transfer.

〔実方伍例〕[Actual example]

以下、この発明の実施例を第１図及び第２図に基づいて
説明する。第１図はこの発明の自動販売機の商品収納装
置の構成を示す前方斜上より見た斜視図、第２図は第１
図の商品収納装置を備えた自動販売機の扉を開いた状態
の正面図である。Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the product storage device of a vending machine according to the present invention, seen from diagonally above the front, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the vending machine equipped with the product storage device shown in the figure with the door open.

第３図ないし第５図と共通あるいは同一部分は同一の符
号で示す０図において、１がケースであり、このケース
１にその前面開口を覆う扉２を回動自在に支持しており
、この扉２には中央よりやや上に前面に開口する商品取
出口３を形成している。ケース１内には商品収納装［１
６を複数収容設置しており、この商品収納装置１６は、
循環経路を上下方向に螺旋状に形成した、屈曲可能な可
撓性を有する材料、例えばゴム等を主体とした材料から
形成した無端の帯状体１７を有するコンベア１８企備え
ている。このコンベア１８の上下両端は軸長方向がほぼ
水平なローラ１９で帯状体１７に張力を掛けるとともに
、このローラ１９の少なくとも何れか一方に図示しない
駆動装置を連結することにより、帯状体１７を上下方向
に循環移動するようにしている。またローラ１９は帯状
体１７の幅方向の各部の移動速度にその周速を合せるた
め螺旋の外周側の外径が内周側より大きいテーバ状とし
、帯状体１７の中間を螺旋状に複数のローラ１９で支持
するとともに、この各ローラ１９の両端を支柱２０で回
転自在に支持している。さらに帯状体１７の螺旋の内周
側にはその端面と接触しその位置を規制する接触牽擦抵
抗の低い案内板２１を支柱２０に固定するとともに、帯
状体１７にはその上面、つまり商品９が載る面に複数の
停止部２２を形成し、この停止部２２により帯状体１７
土の商品９を係止して商品９の転勤落下を防いでいる。In Figure 0, parts common or identical to those in Figures 3 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In Figure 0, 1 is a case, and a door 2 that covers the front opening of the case 1 is rotatably supported. The door 2 is formed with a product outlet 3 that opens at the front slightly above the center. Inside case 1, there is a product storage system [1
This product storage device 16 is
A conveyor 18 is provided which has an endless belt-like body 17 formed of a bendable and flexible material, such as a material mainly composed of rubber, with a circulation path spirally formed in the vertical direction. At both upper and lower ends of the conveyor 18, tension is applied to the strip 17 by rollers 19 whose axial directions are substantially horizontal, and at least one of the rollers 19 is connected to a drive device (not shown) to move the strip 17 up and down. It moves circularly in the direction. The roller 19 has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter of the outer circumference of the spiral is larger than that of the inner circumference in order to match the circumferential speed with the moving speed of each part in the width direction of the strip 17. It is supported by rollers 19, and both ends of each roller 19 are rotatably supported by supports 20. Furthermore, a guide plate 21 with low contact and friction resistance is fixed to the support 20 on the inner circumferential side of the spiral of the strip 17, and the guide plate 21 contacts the end surface and regulates its position. A plurality of stop portions 22 are formed on the surface on which the strip body 17 is placed.
The soil product 9 is locked to prevent the product 9 from falling during transfer.

面性の構成において、商品収納装置１６の動作は、収光
指令により、指定された商品９を収納するコンベア１８
が図示しない駆動装置により駆動さｔして帯状体１７上
に載った商品９を上方又は下方に移動し、コンベア１８
の上端又は下端に商品９が宋たとき、図示しない検出装
置で商品９を検知すると同時にコンベア１８は停止する
。コンベア１８の上端又は下端に来た商品９は取り出し
位置１０に置くことにより、商品収出口３を通してお客
さんが収り出すことができる。In the two-dimensional configuration, the operation of the product storage device 16 is controlled by the conveyor 18 that stores the specified product 9 according to the light collection command.
is driven by a drive device (not shown) to move the product 9 placed on the strip 17 upward or downward, and transfer it to the conveyor 18.
When the product 9 is placed at the top or bottom of the conveyor 18, a detection device (not shown) detects the product 9 and the conveyor 18 stops at the same time. By placing the product 9 that has arrived at the upper or lower end of the conveyor 18 at the take-out position 10, the customer can take it out through the product outlet 3.

なお帯状体１７は、その幅が大きくなる程あるいは、螺
旋の内側径が小さくなる程、帯状体１７の幅の両端の移
動速度比が増大し、案内Ｗ、２１より帯状体１７が受け
る抵抗も増加する。こため必要に応じ、幅方向に分割し
た帯状体を使用あるいは、長手方向に分割して互に屈曲
自在に無端に連結した帯状体を使用することが望ましい
。Note that as the width of the strip 17 increases or as the inner diameter of the spiral becomes smaller, the moving speed ratio at both ends of the width of the strip 17 increases, and the resistance that the strip 17 receives from the guides W and 21 also increases. To increase. For this reason, it is desirable to use a band-shaped body divided in the width direction or a band-shaped body divided in the longitudinal direction and connected to each other endlessly in a flexible manner, as necessary.

〔発明の効果〕〔Effect of the invention〕

この発明は、商品を載せて搬送する屈曲可能な無端の帯
状体の循環経路を上下方向に螺旋状に形成するとともに
、前記帯状体の前記商品が載る面上にこの商品を係止す
る複数の停止部を設けたので、コンベア上に一度に載せ
て搬送できる商品の個数は増加する。また商品取り出し
位置に無関係に商品取出口まで商品を搬送できかつ傾斜
した帯状体上に商品を保持できる結果、コンベア上に同
一品種の商品を２度に数多く収納して商品取出口近傍ま
で搬送できるので、異形の変形し易い商品でも商品価値
の低下を招くことなく連続的に搬送し販売でき、しかも
上下両端いずれからでも載せ易い側からコンベア上に容
易に商品補充ができ、その上商品取出口をお客さんが取
り出し易い位置に形成可能となるという効果が得られる
。In this invention, a circulation path of a bendable endless belt-like body on which a product is placed and transported is formed in a spiral shape in the vertical direction, and a plurality of loops are formed on the surface of the belt-like body on which the product is placed. Since the stop portion is provided, the number of products that can be loaded and transported on the conveyor at one time increases. In addition, because the product can be transported to the product takeout port regardless of the product takeout position and the product can be held on an inclined strip, many products of the same type can be stored on the conveyor at the same time and transported to the vicinity of the product takeout port. Therefore, even products with irregular shapes that are easily deformed can be transported and sold continuously without causing a decrease in product value. Moreover, products can be easily replenished onto the conveyor from either the top or bottom ends, from whichever side is easier to load. This has the effect that it can be formed in a position where it can be easily taken out by the customer.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of the drawing]

第１図はこの発明の自動販売機の商品収納装置の構成を
示す前方斜上より見た斜視図、第２図は第１図の商品収
納装置を収容設置した自動販売機の扉を開いた状態の正
面図、第３図は従来の商品収納装置の構成を示す自動販
売機の正面要部縦断面図、第４区は異なる従来の商品収
納装置の構成を示す自動販売機の前方斜右上より見た扉
を開いた状悪の斜視図、第５図は第４図の要部側面部分
断面拡大図である。 １・・・ケース、２・・・扉、３・・・商品取出口、　
４１１．１６・・・商品収納装置、５・・・パケット、
６パケツトコンベア、７．１８・・・コンベア、８．１
７・・帯状体、９・・・商品、１０・・・商品取り出し
位置、１２・・・棚、１３・・・スクリュ、１４・・・
電動機、１５・・・スクリュコンベア、１９・・・ロー
ラ、２０・・・支柱、２１・・・案内板、２２・・・停
止部。Figure 1 is a perspective view of the configuration of the product storage device of a vending machine according to the present invention, viewed diagonally from above, and Figure 2 is a view of the vending machine in which the product storage device of Figure 1 is installed with the door opened. The front view of the state, Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the front main part of the vending machine showing the configuration of a conventional product storage device, and the fourth section is the front diagonal upper right corner of the vending machine showing the configuration of a different conventional product storage device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the door in poor condition with the door open, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional side view of the main part of FIG. 1...Case, 2...Door, 3...Product outlet,
411.16...Product storage device, 5...Packet,
6 Packet conveyor, 7.18... Conveyor, 8.1
7...Strip-shaped body, 9...Product, 10...Product take-out position, 12...Shelf, 13...Screw, 14...
Electric motor, 15... Screw conveyor, 19... Roller, 20... Support column, 21... Guide plate, 22... Stop part.

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] １）屈曲可能な無端の帯状体を循環させるコンベア機構
が備えられ、前記帯状体上に載せて収納された商品を販
売の都度一個ずつ商品取出口に搬出する自動販売機の商
品収納装置において、前記帯状体の循環経路を上下方向
に螺旋状に形成するとともに、前記帯状体の前記商品が
載る面上に商品を係止する複数の係止部を設けたことを
特徴とする自動販売機の商品収納装置。1) A product storage device for a vending machine, which is equipped with a conveyor mechanism that circulates a bendable endless strip, and carries out the products stored on the strip one by one to a product takeout port each time the product is sold. A vending machine characterized in that the circulation path of the strip is spirally formed in the vertical direction, and a plurality of locking parts for locking the product are provided on the surface of the strip on which the product is placed. Product storage device.