Commodities storing apparatus of vending machine

• US 5,873,489 A
• Filed: 04/25/1997
• Issued: 02/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Refrigeration Company (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Yoshiyuki, Ide, Yoshiaki, Suwabe, Ken, Baba, Yoshiyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): NOLAND, KENNETH W
• Application Number:
  US08/836,248
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 221/6, 221/2, 221/3, 221/7, 221/17, 221/18, 221/124, 221/129, 221/226, 221/279, 221/271, 211/59.3, 211/51, 211/59.2
• US Class Current: 221/279
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/26 Endless bands
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/42 the articles being delivered by motor-driven means

Abstract

A first commodities receiving plate (9, 62) is provided for holding commodities (4) stored on a pair of neighboring commodities storing paths. An operation member (17, 70) interlocked with a pivotal motion of the first commodities receiving plate (9, 62) is fixed to a driving shaft (13, 67) for pivoting the first commodities receiving plate (9, 62). A second commodities receiving plate (20, 73) is disposed on the sliding surface side of each of the commodities storing paths and on the rear side of the first commodities receiving plate (20, 73), with one side of the second commodities receiving plate (20, 73) supported by a shaft. When the second commodities receiving plate (20, 73) is caused to pivot and the other side thereof is moved upward, the first commodity is fed out to a commodities feed-out port while the second commodity is prevented from moving to the commodities feed-out port. The first commodities receiving plate (9, 62) and the second commodities receiving plate (20, 73) open and close the associated commodities storing path by the pivotal motion thereof.

Claims

1. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

a plurality of vertically arranged commodities storing shelves each having a plurality of commodities storing paths, said commodities storing shelves being pulled in storing commodities on the commodities storing paths;

first commodities receiving plates each provided at exits of two of the commodities storing paths for holding the commodities stored thereon;

driving shafts each for pivoting one of the first commodities receiving plates;

operation members each fixed to one of the driving shafts and interlocked with a pivotal motion of one of the first commodities receiving plates; and

second commodities receiving plates each of which is provided on a sliding surface side of each commodities storing path and positioned rearward of one of the first commodities receiving plates, each of the second commodities receiving plates pivoting to feed out a first commodity to a commodities feed-out port and preventing a second commodity from moving to the commodities feed-out port,

wherein each of the first commodities receiving plates and each of the second commodities receiving plates open and close the associated commodities storing path.

2. The commodities storing apparatus of the vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising elastic members each provided on the commodities storing path and having an urging force directed from a rear side of the commodities storing path toward the commodities feed-out port;

a feed-out pressing plate provided on the commodities storing path and holding the elastic member thereon and moving the commodities; and

an indicating portion indicating sellout of the commodities and provided on the feed-out pressing plate on a feed-out side thereof.

3. The commodities storing apparatus of the vending machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the first commodities receiving plates is made of a transparent material.

4. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

a plurality of vertically arranged commodities storing shelves each having a plurality of commodities storing paths, said commodities storing shelves being pulled in storing commodities on the commodities storing paths;

first commodities receiving plates each provided on the commodities storing shelves for holding a first commodity;

second commodities receiving plates each for preventing movement of a second commodity;

commodities feed-out devices each having an operation member and a driving shaft both for pivoting the first commodities receiving plates and the second commodities receiving plates to open and close the associated commodities storing paths;

connection members each rotatable and positioned at a rear of each commodities storing path and fixed to the driving shaft; and

driving motors each removable from the connection member,

wherein when the commodities storing shelf is pulled forward to store commodities on the commodities storing paths, the commodities feed-out device is disconnected from the driving motor, whereas when the commodities storing shelf is pressed rearward to be accommodated in the vending machine, the commodities feed-out device is connected with the driving motor.

5. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

a plurality of vertically arranged commodities storing shelves each having a plurality of commodities storing paths, said commodities storing shelves being pulled in storing commodities on the commodities storing paths;

commodities feed-out devices each comprising a first commodities receiving plate and a second commodities receiving plate to open and close the associated commodities storing path;

feed-out pressing plates for moving the commodities;

detection operation rods each of which is operated by being pressed by the feed-out pressing plate; and

commodities detection switches each of which is separated from the detection operation rod when the commodities storing shelf is pulled forward to store commodities on the commodities storing paths, the commodities detection switch being connected with the detection operation rod when the commodities storing shelf is pressed rearward to be accommodated in the vending machine.

6. The commodities storing apparatus of the vending machine according to claim 5, wherein each commodities detection switch, a position detection switch for detecting an angle of a shaft of a driving motor, and the driving motor are incorporated into one unit such that the commodities detection switch and the position detection switch are separated from the driving motor when the commodities storing shelf is pulled forward to store commodities on the commodities storing paths, whereas the commodities detection switch and the position detection switch are connected with each other when the commodities storing shelf is pressed rearward to accommodate the commodities storing shelf in the vending machine.

7. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

first commodities receiving plates each positioned at a commodities feed-out port located at a front end of a gutter-shaped commodities storing path for holding commodities stored on the commodities storing path;

operation members each interlocked with an operation of one of the first commodities receiving plates;

second commodities receiving plates each of which is provided on a sliding surface side of each commodities storing path and positioned rearward of one of the first commodities receiving plates, each of the second commodities receiving plates pivoting to feed out a first commodity to the commodities feed-out port and preventing a second commodity from moving to the commodities feed-out port,

movable plates each provided on the sliding surface of each commodities storing path such that each movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from a rear and thereof to the commodities feed-out port, thus preventing the commodities from falling down when the commodities are being moved;

belt-shaped spiral elastic members each of which is connected with one of the movable plates and slides to move commodities placed thereon; and

runway members each mounted in the commodities storing path;

wherein one of the spiral elastic members slides on an upper surface of the runway member of each commodities storing path and is bent in a U-shape at the commodities feed-out port of the commodities storing path, said spiral elastic member being returned back and rotatably fixed to a rear end of the commodities storing path.

8. The commodities storing apparatus of the vending machine according to claim 7, wherein a belt-shaped bendable and movable member is fixed to one of the movable plates and is pulled with commodities placed thereon, said movable member being connected with one of the spiral elastic members, said spiral elastic member being rotatably fixed to the rear end of the commodities storing path.

9. The commodities storing apparatus of the vending machine according to claim 7, further comprising commodities storing shelves which can be pulled forward;

sellout detection portions, each of which can be separated from the corresponding commodities storing shelf; and

sellout operation portions each of which is installed on one of the elastic members such that each sellout operation portion is positioned on a lower surface of the runway member,

wherein when the movable plate is located at the front end of each commodities storing path, each sellout operation portion actuates the sellout detection portion owing to movement of said elastic member.

10. The commodities storing apparatus of the vending machine according to claim 7, further comprising locking portions for locking each movable plate to a stopper portion thereof when the movable plate has been moved to the rear end of each commodities storing path, each of the spiral elastic members being slidably connected with the movable plate to pull the movable plate and rotatably supported at a location rearward of the movable plate, and also comprising rotation control members each for regulating a rotation speed of a shaft of movable plate unlocked from the locking portion when the shaft rotates at a high speed, each rotation control member not regulating the rotation speed of the shaft of each movable plate unlocked from the locking portion when the shaft rotates at a low speed.

11. The commodities storing apparatus of the vending machine according to claim 7, wherein a material of a gutter-shaped commodities storing case body differs from a material of the runway member which slides each movable plate provided on the sliding surface of each commodities storing path in such a manner that the movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from the rear end thereof to the commodities feed-out port, thus preventing the commodities from falling down during movement of the commodities, and wherein a material having a high sliding property is fixed to the runway member to thereby make smooth the sliding movement of the movable plate and the spiral elastic member.

12. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine having commodities storing shelves comprising:

gutter-shaped commodities storing paths, two of which are formed into a W configuration as one unit by molding;

first commodities receiving plates each positioned at a commodities feed-out port in front of a front end of each gutter-shaped commodities storing path for holding commodities stored on the commodities storing path;

operation members each positioned at the commodities feed-out port in front of the front end of the commodities storing paths and interlocked with a pivotal motion of the first commodities receiving plates;

second commodities receiving plates each of which is provided on a sliding surface side of each commodities storing path and positioned rearward of one of the first commodities receiving plates, each of the second commodities receiving plates pivoting to feed out a first commodity to a commodities feed-out port and preventing a second commodity from moving to the commodities feed-out port;

sellout detection portions; and

driving motors each for driving the first and second commodities receiving plates and the sellout detection portions, said driving motors being removable from the associated commodities storing shelves.

13. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

first commodities receiving plates each positioned at a commodities feed-out port in front of a front end of gutter-shaped commodities storing paths for holding commodities stored on the commodities storing paths, the first commodities receiving plate having an inclined surface formed entirely or partially on a peripheral portion thereof, said inclined surface inclining in a direction from a front surface of the first commodities receiving plate toward a rear surface thereof holding the commodities;

second commodities receiving plates each of which is provided on a sliding surface side of each commodities storing path and positioned rearward of one of the first commodities receiving plates, each of the second commodities receiving plates pivoting to feed out a first commodity to a commodities feed-out port and preventing a second commodity from moving to the commodities feed-out port; and

driving shafts each connected to one of the first commodities receiving plates for pivoting the one of the first commodities receiving plate.

14. The commodities storing apparatus of the vending machine according to claim 13, wherein each first commodities receiving plate positioned at the commodities feed-out port in front of the front end of the gutter-shaped commodities storing paths for holding the commodities is transparent and has projecting ribs formed thereon to prevent the commodities from contacting the entire surface thereof.

15. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

first commodities receiving plates each positioned at a commodities feed-out port in front of a front end of a gutter-shaped commodities storing path for holding commodities stored on the commodities storing paths;

operation members each interlocked with a pivotal motion of the first commodities receiving plate;

second commodities receiving plates each for preventing a second commodity from being moved to the commodities feed-out port;

movable plates each provided on a sliding surface of the commodities storing path such that the movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from a rear end thereof to the commodities feed-out port;

belt-shaped sliding members each of which has a rotary member rotating at the commodities feed-out port and is pulled with commodities placed thereon, said sliding member being connected with the movable plate, with one end of the sliding member held by the rotary member by bending the sliding member in a U-shape at the rotary member;

rotary drums on each of which the other end of the sliding member is wound; and

spiral elastic members each connected with the rotary drum and positioned in proximity to the rotary drum,

wherein each sliding member moves along the commodities storing path by the urging force of the elastic member so that the sliding member moves along an upper surface of the commodities storing path and a lower surface thereof.

16. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

first commodities receiving plates positioned at a commodities feed-out port in front of a front end of a commodities storing path for holding commodities stored on the gutter-shaped commodities storing path;

movable plates each provided on a sliding surface of the commodities storing path such that the movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from a rear end thereof to the commodities feed-out port;

belt-shaped sliding members each of which is connected with the movable plate and is pulled with commodities placed thereon by being urged toward a feed-out side; and

second commodities receiving plates each provided on the sliding surface and comprising a regulation portion, positioned at one end thereof, for preventing a movement of a second commodity to a commodities feed-out port and a stopper portion which is positioned at the other end thereof and pivotally supported on a shaft, said stopper portion contacting the sliding member by a pivotal motion of the second commodities receiving plate,

wherein a movement of the sliding member is locked by the pivotal motion of the second commodities receiving plate.

17. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

second commodities receiving plates each provided on a sliding surface and comprising a regulation portion, positioned at one end thereof, for preventing a movement of a second commodity to a commodities feed-out port and a stopper portion which is positioned at the other end thereof and pivotally supported on a shaft, said stopper portion contacting a sliding member by a pivotal motion of the second commodities receiving plate; and

blocking members, each provided at a lower portion of a front end of each gutter-shaped commodities storing case, for reducing the degree of sliding property of the sliding member,

wherein a movement of the sliding member is locked between the stopper portion and the blocking member by the pivotal motion of each second commodities receiving plate.

18. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

commodities storing shelves which can be pulled forward;

sellout detection portions each of which can be separated from the corresponding commodities storing shelf;

movable plates each provided on a sliding surface of each commodities storing path such that each movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from a rear end thereof to a commodities feed-out port of the commodities storing path;

belt-shaped sliding members each of which is connected with one of the movable plates and can be pulled with commodities placed thereon by being urged toward a feed-out side;

operation holes each formed in the sliding member; and

sellout operation members each pivotally supported on a shaft and having a pressing strip which contacts the sellout detection portion at a rear portion of the commodities storing path and an operation pressing strip which is inserted into the operation hole,

wherein the sellout detection portion is operated when the operation pressing strip is inserted into the operation hole with the movable plate located at the commodities feed-out port.

19. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

movable plates each provided on a sliding surface of each commodities storing path such that each movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from a rear end thereof to a commodities feed-out port of each commodities storing path;

sliding members each connected with one of the movable plates;

rotary drums on each of which one of the sliding members is spirally wound;

tooth portions each formed circumferentially on the rotary drums; and

pivotal stopper members each comprising a locking strip which engages with the tooth portions to prevent a rotation of the rotary drum and a stopper strip which is integral with the locking strip and engages the locking strip with the tooth portions when the commodities storing shelf is pulled forward and disengages the locking strip from the tooth portions when the commodities storing shelf is pressed rearward,

wherein when the commodities storing shelf is pulled forward, the movable plate is fixed at an arbitrary position, whereas when the commodities storing shelf is pressed rearward, a locked state of the movable plate is released to allow the movable plate to move forward.

20. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

runway members each for sliding a movable plate provided on a sliding surface of a gutter-shaped commodities storing path such that the movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from a rear end thereof to a commodities feed-out port and prevents commodities from falling down when the commodities are being moved; and

locking claws for removably mounting on the runway member a material having a superior sliding-contact property.

21. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

second commodities receiving plates each provided on a sliding surface of a gutter-shaped commodities storing path for preventing a second commodity from moving to a commodities feed-out port; and

runway members each for sliding a movable plate provided on the sliding surface of the gutter-shaped commodities storing path such that the movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from a rear end thereof to a commodities feed-out port and prevents commodities from falling down when the commodities are being moved,

wherein the runway member inclines from a predetermined position thereof toward a rear end thereof such that the height of the rear end of the runway member is set to be equal to or lower than that of the second commodities receiving plate for preventing the second commodity from moving to the commodities feed-out port when the second commodities receiving plate at a highest position thereof as a result of pivotal motion thereof.

22. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine having commodities storing shelves mounted therein, a commodities transport path vertically provided in front of the commodities storing shelves, gutter-shaped commodities storing cases constituting the commodities storing shelves, commodities feed-out devices, and commodities storing paths formed inside each of the commodities storing cases,

wherein each of the commodities feed-out devices comprises:

first commodities receiving plates each provided at a front end of the commodities storing path to open and close the front end of the commodities storing path;

second commodities receiving plates each provided on a bottom surface of the commodities storing path to open and close the commodities storing path;

operation members each interlocked with the first commodities receiving plate and contacting the second commodities receiving plates to drive the second commodities receiving plate;

movable plates each slidable on the bottom surface of the commodities storing path;

rotary drums each rotatably provided at a rear end of the commodities storing path;

belt-shaped sliding members each having one end fixed to a lower portion of the movable plate and the other end fixed to the rotary drum, said sliding member being bent in the form of a figure "U" at a front portion of the commodities storing path;

first spring-installing drums each positioned at a rear end of the commodities storing path and being coaxial and integral with the rotary drum;

second spring-installing drums each juxtaposed with the first spring-installing drum; and

spiral elastic members each provided between the first spring-installing drum and the second spring-installing drum and urging the sliding member in a direction in which the sliding member is wound around the rotary drum,

wherein a curved portion is formed on the second commodities receiving plate at a position thereof corresponding to an upper end thereof when the second commodities receiving plate projects above the commodities storing path.

23. The commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine according to claim 22, wherein a relief portion is formed on the second commodities receiving plate by recessing a portion of the second commodities receiving plate on a side thereof confronting the commodities, said portion being continuous with the curved portion.

24. The commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine according to claim 23, wherein a pair of relief portions are formed on the second commodities receiving plate.

25. The commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine according to claim 24, wherein a second pressing strip is provided, with one end thereof fixed to a side surface of the movable plate and the other end thereof positioned at a front portion of the movable plate such that a front end of the second pressing strip contacts a part of the second commodities receiving plate other than the relief portions when the movable plate has reached the front end of the commodities storing path.

26. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine having commodities storing shelves mounted therein, a commodities transport path vertically provided in front of the commodities storing shelves, gutter-shaped commodities storing cases constituting the commodities storing shelves, commodities feed-out devices, and commodities storing paths formed inside each of the commodities storing cases,

wherein each of the commodities feed-out devices comprises:

first commodities receiving plates each provided at a front end of the commodities storing path to open and close the front end of the commodities storing path;

second commodities receiving plates each provided on a bottom surface of the commodities storing path to open and close the commodities storing path;

operation members each interlocked with the first commodities receiving plate and contacting the second commodities receiving plates to drive the second commodities receiving plates;

movable plates each slidable on the bottom surface of the commodities storing path;

rotary drums each rotatably provided at a rear end of the commodities storing path;

belt-shaped sliding members each having one end fixed to a lower portion of the movable plate and the other end fixed to the rotary drum, said sliding member being bent in the form of a figure "U" at a front portion of the commodities storing path;

first spring-installing drums each positioned at a rear end of the commodities storing path and being coaxial and integral with the rotary drum;

second spring-installing drums each juxtaposed with the first spring-installing drum; and

spiral elastic members each provided between the first spring-installing drum and the second spring-installing drum and urging the sliding member in a direction in which the sliding member is wound around the rotary drum,

wherein the second commodities receiving plate has a projection formed on a side opposite to a side thereof contacting the commodities.

27. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine having commodities storing shelves mounted therein, a commodities transport path vertically provided in front of the commodities storing shelves, gutter-shaped commodities storing cases constituting the commodities storing shelves, commodities feed-out devices, and commodities storing paths formed inside each of the commodities storing cases,

wherein each of the commodities feed-out devices comprises:

first commodities receiving plates each provided at a front end of the commodities storing path to open and close the front end of the commodities storing path;

second commodities receiving plates each provided on a bottom surface of the commodities storing path to open and close the commodities storing path;

operation members each interlocked with the first commodities receiving plate and contacting the second commodities receiving plates to drive the second commodities receiving plate;

movable plates each slidable on the bottom surface of the commodities storing path;

rotary drums each rotatably provided at a rear end of the commodities storing path;

belt-shaped sliding members each having one end fixed to a lower portion of the movable plate and the other end fixed to the rotary drum, said sliding member being bent in the form of a figure "U" at a front portion of the commodities storing path;

first spring-installing drums each positioned at a rear end of the commodities storing path and being coaxial and integral with the rotary drum;

second spring-installing drums each juxtaposed with the first spring-installing drum; and

spiral elastic members each provided between the first spring-installing drum and the second spring-installing drum and urging the sliding member in a direction in which the sliding member is wound around the rotary drum,

wherein the movable plate has a first pressing strip projecting from a lower portion of a front surface thereof.

28. The commodities storing apparatus of the vending machine according to claim 27, wherein the commodities stored on the commodities storing path comprise a body and a straw or the like attached to a rear surface of the body such that a front end of the first pressing strip contacts the rear surface of the body.

29. The commodities storing apparatus of the vending machine according to claim 27, wherein a second pressing strip is provided at a front portion of the movable plate, with one end thereof fixed to a side surface of the movable plate and the other end thereof positioned alongside the first pressing strip, wherein a gap is formed between the second commodities receiving plate and the first pressing strip when a front end of the second pressing strip contacts the second commodities receiving plate as a result of the arrival of the movable plate at the front end of the commodities storing path.

30. A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine having commodities storing shelves mounted therein, a commodities transport path vertically provided in front of the commodities storing shelves, gutter-shaped commodities storing cases constituting the commodities storing shelves, commodities feed-out devices, and commodities storing paths formed inside each of the commodities storing cases,

wherein each of the commodities feed-out devices comprises,

first commodities receiving plates each provided at a front end of at least one of the commodities storing paths to open and close the front end of the commodities storing paths;

second commodities receiving plates each provided on a bottom surface of one of the commodities storing paths to open and close the commodities storing paths;

operation members each interlocked with one of the first commodities receiving plates and contacting the second commodities receiving plates;

driving motors each driving one of the first commodities receiving plates and the operation member;

movable plates each slidable on the bottom surface of one of the commodities storing paths;

rotary drums each rotatably provided at a rear end of one of the commodities storing paths;

belt-shaped sliding members each having one end fixed to a lower portion of the movable plate and the other end fixed to the rotary drum, each of said sliding members being bent in the form of a figure "U" at the front portion of the commodities storing paths;

first spring-installing drums each positioned at a rear end of one of the commodities storing paths and being coaxial and integral with the rotary drum;

second spring-installing drums each juxtaposed with the first spring-installing drums;

spiral elastic members each provided between one of the first spring-installing drums and one of the second spring-installing drums and urging the sliding member in a direction in which the sliding members are wound around the rotary drums;

sellout detection portions each detecting that there is one commodity left on a respective one of the commodities storing paths and that all commodities have been sold out;

last sale storage means storing data indicating that the last commodity is sold in a next sale;

motor driving means for driving the driving motor;

motor control means outputting a driving signal to the motor driving means when a commodity is sold and receiving a last sale detection signal from the sellout detection portion, said motor control means outputting a signal to the last sale storage means,

wherein in selling commodities, the motor control means reads data stored in the last sale storage means, outputs a signal to the motor driving means only when the last commodity is sold, and drives the first commodities receiving plate and the operation member so as to perform a commodities feed-out operation twice successively.

31. The commodities storing apparatus of the vending machine according to claim 30, wherein before a first commodities feed-out operation terminates completely, a second commodities feed-out operation starts.